Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used d20+1=7 ; Wednesday January 18th, 2023 9:13:55 PM "Of course we're here. Who are you then and why are you darkening our doorstep?"
His eyes sweep across the crew, unimpressed. Except for the half-orc. That one is impressive.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+12=17 ; Thursday January 19th, 2023 1:46:30 AM "Don't mind the dwarf, he's trying to be polite." Bartomus offered in response to Stock's 'greeting.' He continued to a point where he could join the other Shields. "Is there something we could do for you fine folk? "
Sense motive - 17
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday January 19th, 2023 7:21:10 AM
(totally missed that last post)
Stohp joins the growing crowd of shields at the door and listens in, ready to move forward if needed.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+10=17 ; Thursday January 19th, 2023 11:35:18 AM
Delia raises an eyebrow at the group before them, taking in the eclectic bunch and their enthusiasm. Her eyes stick on the drow's bright green hair an extra moment and she idly hopes he has a hood for when he's trying to be stealthy. She also spends an extra moment on the archer, judging him on how well cared for his bow and arrows look. (craft (bows) 17)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Thursday January 19th, 2023 3:28:50 PM
Zanderallen passes an appraising glance over the motley crew on the doorstep. They seemed more naive than malicious, oh how the times had changed him. "Forgive us if we seem unwelcoming, but an armed party appearing on one's doorstep is somewhat alarming. You have us at a disadvantage of you know who we are but we don't know who you are. Perhaps you can introduce yourselves and why you need to come inside." His voice is gentle but firm.
A knock at the door... (DM Wayne) Thursday January 19th, 2023 9:37:58 PM
Stock’s words are like rain on an outdoor party.
The motley group gets quiet, and the beastfolk’s ears begin twitching somewhat rapidly and intensely.
Armalad identifies the Dwarf’s holy symbol, but says nothing aloud about it. The motley group shifts to hushed silence when she says “…if I cast…” and then as one let out a breath of relief as she finishes with “…detect magic…”
The motley group looks at each other for a moment after Armalad’s request and as one they all shrug their shoulders, which Armalad interprets as “no problem!” and casts her spell.
Detect Magic result for Armalad’s eyes only: Highlight to display spoiler: {Round 1: Magic Present in area. Stock is in front of you, however, still occupying door space, as Jon wrote. More information on Friday’s post, when I will give you the round 2 and round 3 information, using the skill rolls you provided, as the interaction of the groups continues.}
Bartomus takes a more polite tact than Stock, though still not granting entry to the motley group.
Stohp moves alongside the Shields and stands ready to assist them.
Delia judges the archer on professionalism in bow care, and finds him… adequate… for a novice.
Zanderallen applies a light sheen of alchemical silver to his tongue and applies his renowned diplomatic voice to the conversation.
The light of reason seems to dawn upon the motley group, who all look at each other for a moment, then all at the beastfolk, nod as one, and then the beastfolk turns back towards the Shields, looking over Stock at Zanderallen.
The beastfolk finally speaks, and says, “Oh wow! You must be Zanderallen! I heard no one can be so clear, so polite, and get right to the point right away like you!
Forgive me…us. I’m Triggan Best, leader of the Lakeview Lads. We just incorporated our adventuring company with the Float’s business office. Some merchants wanted us to protect the Float when the Shields… you… are away on missions, and handle the little stuff that doesn’t need to be shot with magical exploding arrows,” he says with a smile, looking at Armalad.
He continues, “We wanted to come inside because, well, you’re the Shields and this is Shields HQ! This is the place where the magic happens, and well, we’re not just adventurers, but we’re your biggest fans!”
He looks over the Shields, not seeing recognition in their eyes, and goes on, “Well, I guess you don’t remember me… I was a few years younger when you cleared all the threats out of the ziggurat I grew up in… but I remember you,” he finishes with a bucktoothed smile.
The human with one green eye and one blue eye speaks up, “All of us were affected by your heroism, or inspired by you Shields, one way or another. May we please come in? And my name is Xera.” she finishes with a smile, and more eloquence than Triggan managed.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday January 19th, 2023 11:36:17 PM
Armalad waits to get all the information on the kind of magical items the group possesses, their relative strengths and what they particularly are.
If the items they carry are on par with the type of fledgling adventuring company they claim to be then she'll say to the others, "The quality of their gear is on par with who they claim to be."
If the items they carry are better then one would expect to find on a fledgling adventuring company, She'll ask,"Just how wealthy are these merchants that hired you? I wouldn't expect to find insert most expensive/powerful unexpected magical item name here based on the other information you are telling us."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday January 20th, 2023 7:58:39 AM
Ah. This was abasically what the Shield's were originally formed for, though now they keep ending up going elsewhere to deal with bigger problems. With their own group being so successful it makes sense the merchants would try to create a repeat of the process. "Let them in. We can talk about old times, give them some pointers and war stories from when our own group was formed for the same purpose."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday January 20th, 2023 10:20:23 AM "Well, I'll be," Bartomus said with a level of surprise as to what the group represented. He took a few additional moments to take in each of the new adventurers on the Float and for a moment or two felt a bit of nostalgic envy. They were just starting their journey and adventures. It wasn't all that long ago that the Shields were doing the same. A broad welcoming smile swept across his face.
"Come on in, take a seat, or look around." Bartomus said with a welcoming tone. "Triggan, maybe you can help me a bit with a project I have been trying to get carved. The ziggurat attack was a big mission, but my carving efforts have eluded me. Would love to hear what you remember. Same with the rest of you actually."
He looks about and tried to remember what they had as food and drink to share with their new guests.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used d20+14=27 ; Friday January 20th, 2023 11:27:07 AM
Stock grunts and moves to the side, eyeing each of the newbies critically as they pass him.
======== Sense Motive 27
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Friday January 20th, 2023 5:37:18 PM
Zanderallen's stern glare turns into a welcoming smile as his suspicions turn out to be true, so this is why the WLA told them all the adventurers had been snapped up. He visibly relaxes and beckons them in, unless warned by Armalad. "Greetings and well met. Come in, come in. We had been discussing trying to gather together some bold types for exactly these reasons. The Floats a big place and we can't be everywhere at once. Make yourselves at home." He moves out of the way as the group comes in, wondering if they looked like that once. Probably did, or even rougher around the edges if he were to be honest.
A knock at the door... (DM Wayne) Saturday January 21st, 2023 2:43:51 PM
(OOC - everyone please update your HP to full in your post header, thanks!)
Detect Magic result for Armalad’s eyes only: Highlight to display spoiler: {As your spell progresses, you see that there are a total number of magical auras equal to the last time you counted magic auras on Stock alone. The strongest aura is moderate in power, and as you make your skill checks, that moderate aura of abjuration is located on Stock’s ring finger. There are no magical auras on any of the motley group standing at your door. The remainder of the auras you can see for yourself on Stock’s character sheet.}
Armalad says to all, “ The quality of their gear is on par with who they claim to be.”
Stohp requests the Lads be allowed inside.
Bartomus invites Triggan to help him finish the ziggurat carving.
Triggan, surprised and pleased, says “Of course Bartomus, I’m grateful for the chance to work with a Shield!” Triggan’s “leader face” seems to have fallen away, and in its place are piles of awe and hero-worship.
Stock makes room for the Lads to come inside, and they do, somewhat relieved, somewhat cautiously, except for the half-orc, Stock’s eyes only: Highlight to display spoiler: {who seems to possess courage that borders on overconfidence. No ill intent here, but perhaps a lack of awareness of just how much the Shields outclass the Lads.}.
Zanderallen welcomes the Lads inside Shields HQ, and reminisces about the Shields’ early days as he looks the Lads over.
The Lads all enter, at a slightly slower-than-normal walking pace, as they look around and marvel at the strength of Shields HQ.
Triggan says to Bartomus, “I’m excited to help you Bartomus, but first let everyone introduce themselves. I’m Triggan Best, and like Delia, I’m a wilderness warrior, most at home in the forest.”
Triggan nods to Xera to continue.
Xera says, “I’m Xera, skilled in witchery. About five or six years ago a coven of witches predicted Lernitig’s Gate would open and that the Shields’ doom was coming through it. That attack wasn’t your doom, but I was an orphan kid on the streets then, and after you defeated the skeleton hordes, the witches took me in, fed me, clothed me, and trained me in their arts.”
Xera looks to the half-orc, who grunts audibly, and begins, “I’m Grysh Dockhand. I smash bad guys… now. Like four years ago I was drunk in a bar when the Shields came through, and I was an angry drunk, and was really mean to a lot of people. When I sobered up and thought about what the Shields did vs. what I did, I decided to change myself. I found Triggan later, and he’s the one who told me, and us, how we could be like you, in our own way.”
Grysh turns to the drow. The drow woman speaks first, “I’m Yerikah Mylyl, and this is my brother Jerma. The Shields saved our city, It’lal, and afterwards our whole family talked about it for days, and as a family we decided to send the two of us to help in the Float, however we could. I’m a wizard and Jerma is a warrior.”
As one, Yerikah and Jerma look at the human man in light armor, who clears his throat and says, “I’m Taran. I grew up an orphan on the Trash Level. I cried myself to sleep every night as a kid because my life was going nowhere and I couldn’t see my future. Then the Shields came maybe six years ago when that plant plague was going around, and you cured me! I saw my future then, and started finding and talking to anyone I thought that could help me become strong enough to help others,” Taran finishes, with moisture forming at the edges of his eyes, and, wiping it away with a sleeve as he turns to the half-elf, “Your turn.”
The male half-elf begins, “I’m Ceridan, and I’ve trained as a marksman. I’ve always been fascinated with longbows (points to the one on his back). I went to just look at them in the Split Arrow, the shop Sid ran when he was with the Shields. Sid encouraged me, and I trained and trained and trained until Sid thought I was ready, and here I am!” Ceridan turns to the male dwarf and smiles.
The dwarf says, “I’m Duluth Silverhand, a priest of Alemi. I’m not the best warrior, but I try to do my part with this (he says, drawing a net), slowing down a foe, or tying them up afterwards, while Triggan, Jerma, and Grysh do all the hard work. When I was an acolyte in training, I was stationed in the house of Paragon Belkior, who was a great adviser to the Shields for quite some time. When I had progressed in my studies enough, Paragon Belkior suggested I find a way to help the Float and take some of the load off of the shields. I began asking around at the WLA and met Triggan and Grysh there. The rest is stone."(dwarven euphemism for history)
Triggan says, “Thanks Lads! Bartomus, I would be so happy to help you with your carving. Lads, make friends! I know you can do it,” Triggan finishes with a wink and flexing of his whiskers.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+13=23 ; Sunday January 22nd, 2023 7:12:05 PM
Stohp looks over the group as they introduce themselves trying to get a good read on them (23 sense motive). They seem eager enough and have a good mix of talents which is good. She'll ask them if they've done any jobs as a group yet and talk about the Sheidls own early jobs, and how badly some of them went, trying to cut through the hero worship and show that the party isn't perfect and the job is incredibly dangerous at times.. "Don't get into this line of work if you aren't willing to take big risks and possibly die. Our own group has lost plenty of people in the past and even if we all live it's often only through the use of healing magic and a few seconds could have meant our death." she warns.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday January 22nd, 2023 8:27:17 PM
Armalad says to Ceridan, "A fellow archer eh? and one who favors the long bow? Have you ever thought about delving into the mysteries of the arcane? I'm an arcane archer and I can imbue my arrows with magic and spells and it does add a certain amount of flexibility into my repetoire. If so I could probably give you some pointers."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday January 23rd, 2023 9:25:30 AM
Delia shakes her head slightly at the awe in the eyes of the Lads, but she pays close attention as they each introduce themselves and comment about how the Shields specifically impacted them. Though she was not part of any of those adventures, it warms her heart knowing that the men and women she's thrown her lot in with are such legitimately good people.
She stands slightly off to the side as the Lads are ushered in, unsure of what to do with them.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Monday January 23rd, 2023 9:46:26 AM "You all had me at a disadvantage and have humbled me. While it seems I've either met most of you before or at least have been involved with the events around you, I did not take the time to meet any of you. Heed Stohp's words however. As you may have heard, the last group of brave folk that supported us met an untimely end." He lets this sit for a somber moment.
Always direct, he then says, "So why are you here?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Monday January 23rd, 2023 10:55:22 AM "Sure thing Triggan, we need to meet your crew." Bartomus readily agreed with the younger adventurer's priorities. He listened to each of the newer group introduce themselves and he nodded in remembering the events that they were sharing, some more vividly than others. It was a powerful recollection of the efforts of the Shields.
"Strohp is telling the truth there folks," Bartomus added with a serious nod. He glanced over at Stohp and added a tip of his head in her direction. "Not going to sugar coat it, what we do is dangerous. Very dangerous. Seeing you all here, though, well I think it reaffirms that we might have made some good choices along the way. BUT, focus on your training. Join the League and train on a bunch of things. Ok? What's your next step for your group?"
Bartomus reached for an apple and took a bite.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Monday January 23rd, 2023 3:44:59 PM
Zanderallen has to take a seat as the Lads share their stories, tears threatening to overwhelm him. He takes several deep shaky breaths and look at each of them in turn, "Thank you. It's not often you get to see the people you touch. You've re-taught me an old lesson. Life is hard, and being an adventurer you'll be called on to throw yourself at the hardest parts of it. It's easy to get lost, you need something to ground you. For me, and I hope for you, that grounding is knowing who you're fighting for. Not riches, not fame, not power, not yourself, but the average men, women, and taurs that don't have anyone to stand up for them. And sometimes you get lucky and... and... something amazing happens." Zander sits, lost in a trip down memory lane.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday January 23rd, 2023 8:43:02 PM
Armalad waits to hear Ceridan's response to her inquiries. (OOC: checking in)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday January 24th, 2023 8:27:31 AM
Stohp finishes her stories and tries to judge how the young adventurers take it.
A knock at the door... (DM Wayne) Tuesday January 24th, 2023 12:25:00 PM
For Stohp’s eyes only: Highlight to display spoiler: {The Lads appear to be exactly what you think: young, eager, motivated to help the Float… and inexperienced, but having useful talents and abilities, much like the Shields, once.}
Stohp reviews the Lads and considers them thoughtfully. Stohp warns them of the perils of adventuring. The Lads have previously talked about it, and have considered the risks. In Grysh’s words, “We know it can be risky, but if not us, then who, the fisherfolk at the docks? No, it needs to be us.”
Armalad proselytizes Ceridan on the merits of Arcane Archery. Ceridan listens with rapt attention, drinking up every word with hero worship written on his face (DC: 0), but remaining silent, apparently intimidated by Armalad’s legendary aim and abilities.
Delia’s spirit is brightened by the Shields’ impact on each Lad, and she continues to observe.
Stock undergirds Stohp’s warnings on the risk of adventuring with more examples. The Lads pay serious attention. Stock asks why the Lads are here.
Bartomus likewise adds support to Stohp’s warnings, and agrees with Stock, also stating his interest in why the Lads are here.
Zanderallen is lost in reverie and déjà vu for a moment, or two, and then gives the Lads solid mentorly advice on adventuring motivation.
Triggan speaks first, addressing Stock and Bartomus’s question, “Well… two reasons. You, the Shields… you inspired us all to take life by the buckteeth and guide it to something better than it is! And, well… the merchants who sponsored us, they set us up with a cool base of operations… not as cool as Shields HQ, but still… would you come with us, now, to visit it, and tell us what you think?” As Triggan finishes his meandering answer, and request, the Lads, as one, look at the Shields expectantly, with pre-smiles on their faces.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday January 24th, 2023 2:32:34 PM
Delia can't help but smile at their enthusiasm. Though she's now a part of the Shields, she feels oddly thankful that she wasn't part of the exploits that touched these folks' lives. She'd be glad to know that she'd done some good in the world, but the wide-eyed, bordering worshipful, stares up at the more long-term members of the Shields? She would never be comfortable with that. She edges a little more into the background and waits for the others to respond to the visit request.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Tuesday January 24th, 2023 3:57:46 PM
Zanderallen jumps at the offer. "You guys have your own HQ. We'd love to see it! We're going to have to host a Grand Opening, invite the whole Fence. We'll sponsor it to help introduce you to everyone. We'll do a bit in the paper. Lead the way."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Tuesday January 24th, 2023 7:55:39 PM "Let's go. I'll be happy to see this HQ. Where is it?"
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday January 24th, 2023 8:35:21 PM
Armalad is also a recent addition to the Shields so she hasn't been on all those legendary adventures the others have but she was a palace guard for much of her career and she knew a thing or two about honor and duty and figured it was time to mentor the next generation a little.
She says, "I'm game for checking out your base of operations, I learned this lesson the hard way, don't go casting lightning bolt inside if your walls aren't thick enough to prevent collateral damage"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday January 24th, 2023 11:55:37 PM "Sounds like a great thing to do Zander. Be nice to share the jobs here on the Float. Let's go see their place!" Bartomus added with excitement. "Do we need to pick some things up from the market to toast their good luck and fortune?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday January 25th, 2023 7:54:31 AM
Stohp shrugs, smiles, and goes along.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Wednesday January 25th, 2023 4:12:20 PM
Zanderallen waits with barely contained excitement to see how the Lakeview Lads receive the idea.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday January 25th, 2023 4:16:19 PM
As she waits to set out, Delia wonders how far away the Lads' HQ is and wonders if the two could set up an easy and fast communication pathway.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Wednesday January 25th, 2023 4:45:14 PM "We will need to talk to the main powers of the Float to start coordinating when they come to us and when they go to you...and to make sure they don't give you too much to chew on at a time."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday January 25th, 2023 8:24:45 PM
Armalad waits to visit the other adventuring party's home (OOC: checking in)
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Wednesday January 25th, 2023 10:31:25 PM
Delia contemplates as she edges into the background, thinking about how the Shields and Lads could communicate easier.
Zanderallen matches the Lads’ enthusiasm and readily agrees to the Shields going to see the Lads’ HQ.
Stock joins Zanderallen in excitement about the Lads HQ, musing aloud about how the Float’s leaders could determine which group to send on a mission.
Armalad calmly agrees to see the Lads’ HQ, waiting patiently for the journey to begin.
Bartomus joins in the excitement and begins planning a celebration for the Lads’ HQ.
Stohp nonchalantly agrees to go see the Lads’ HQ.
The Lads appear overjoyed, though some, like Xera, Grysh, and Taran, try to put on a “cool” face to keep up their image. It doesn’t work, but they appear to believe it’s working.
Triggan says, “We should start walking now. It’s on the other side of this Fence level from your base; the merchants gave us a good portion of a nice warehouse, with the warehouse tucked away somewhat near and behind Mann’s furniture shop. Mr. Mann, Barco, and a few others gave us space and just enough furniture to get our HQ started.
Line up Lads, back to base, and let’s show the Shields our best!”
With that, the Lads give a mighty “Hurrah!” and follow Triggan’s lead out the door.
The Shields follow, with a mix of hearty excitement and calm agreement depending on which Shield one examines.
The walk takes a bit, and along the way, some Lads make conversation.
Triggan says to Bartomus, “Bartomus, how long have you practiced carving? Your art looked great!”
Grysh ends up walking alongside Stock. There’s some mutual sizing up of each other for a bit, and then Grysh reaches back, rubs the flat of his greataxe blade a bit, and then says to Stock, “Hnh… Stock, why do you use the Flail? Does it kill the bad guys faster? ”
Ceridan gazes with awe at Armalad’s bow, occasionally looking over his shoulder at his own. He says to Armalad, “M…m…m…my bow is made of yew. What wood is your bow made of?[/b]”
Taran matches pace with Stohp, and says to Stohp, “Uh… Stohp. No wait, don’t stop… I mean… sorry… Stohp, I hear you’re really good at spotting traps. What was the hardest trap for you to find?”
Jerma naturally walks parallel to Zanderallen, looking back and forth first at Zanderallen’s longsword, and then at his own. Jerma then says to Zanderallen in heavily-accented Common, “Zanderallen, I’ve never seen a sword that sharp and shiny. How do you do it?”
Yerikah and Xera cluster near Delia. Xera says to Delia, “Wow, how do you keep your adventuring clothes in such great shape? I’d’ve thought you could never get all the monster blood out![/b]”
Yerikah says, “Xera, don’t be so… ohh!!!! Delia, forgive Xera. She was brought up among bloodwitches and sometimes I think blood is all they talk about. Delia, how did you become a Shield? I don’t think you were there when the Shields saved It’lal…”
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday January 26th, 2023 9:53:33 AM
Stohp comments that you don't usually run into traps in the middle of the city but has a few tales to share (I honestly don't think we've ever even seen a trap other then the one in the troll dungeon XD). She'll talk about how it's best to keep in mind where you're at as that will help you determine when you should be looking for traps. In the city traps are most likely to defend places where important items are being kept rather then defend an area like might happen in a dungeon, so are more likely to be concealed around chests, drawers, and doorways then in an open hall or entryway - there probably aren't any pit traps in the float for example.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Thursday January 26th, 2023 10:25:53 AM
Stock gives Grysh a side-eyed look but truly is happy to talk shop, "I have an axe too, Dwarven style. The flail always just felt right to me. Sometimes I take advantage of being shorter than most and the flail is easier to trip an opponent with. But who am I kidding...most of the time I just smash my opponent anyway. That axe looks deadly...same question - why did you take up the axe?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday January 26th, 2023 6:20:46 PM "Aww, thanks Triggan that's very kind of you to say. " Bartomus blushed as he acknowledged the compliment. "I learned from an elder the tribe that adopted me. Came to the Float in pursuit of new opportunities and did bone carvings on the Merchant level where I had a small stall with a bed and such in back. Then Happy introduced me to what became the Shields. Still carving though. Having that is a great outlet for me."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday January 26th, 2023 6:34:22 PM
Delia looks down at her well-worn and at the very least travel stained clothing, "Uhhh... I walk in the rain, I guess? And well, I'm an archer, so there's less nearby bloodspray. Unless it's my own, but then I just... wash it?" she shrugs uncertainly. She looks at Yerikah, shrugging again, "No, I wasn't. I'm a fairly recent addition to the Shields. I was looking for a more permanent group to be part of after a long stretch of being a mercenary scout and hunter. It was good work and I put down a lot of dangerous things, but I needed a change. So, when I returned home to the Float I asked Happy to keep his ears open and next thing I knew he was introducing me to these folks."[/b]
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday January 26th, 2023 9:26:33 PM
Armalad says, "My bow is made of Ash I believe. I purchased it from the catacombs. I am fairly knowledgable in the arcane but I don't possess the skill to craft weapons nor have I learned how to enchant them either. I mean I can imbue arrows with some magic when I fire them just by being an arcane archer but I mean I can't really build something lasting."
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Thursday January 26th, 2023 10:26:48 PM
Stohp instructs Taran on the finer points of trap-spotting. Taran listens, mind blown.
Stock talks smash/slash-shop with Grysh. Grysh ponders a moment on the axe question, as they make their way towards Lads HQ, and finally says, “Whenever I spend time with family, orc cousins, and all that, all the warriors use the greataxe, and talk about having cut someone in half from head to toe. When I thought about how strong I was, I thought the axe was best. Haven’t seen a flail used, really… show me sometime? I bet you can’t trip me,” Grysh finishes with a guffaw.
Delia extols the virtues of being an archer – less exposure to the bloodspray of melee, and Yerikah and Xera nod as they receive this wisdom.
Triggan listens to Bartomus’s history of carving, rubs his buckteeth a moment in thought, then says, “Hmm… I wonder if I could make great carvings, using only my teeth,” he finishes with a wink. He then adds, “we’re almost there,” pointing out landmarks indicating the groups are getting near the furniture district.
Zanderallen is struck mute by Jerma’s question, lost deep in thought as to the best way to answer.
The Lads seem to be contemplating, and maybe mentally hero-worshiping the Shields’ answers, and then at just about the same time, Triggan asks Bartomus and Xera and Yerikah ask Delia the same question: “Who’s Happy?”
The Lads fall silent awaiting the tale of Happy.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday January 27th, 2023 8:03:53 AM
That gets a raised eyebrow. "You know, the manager for the Gigling Ghost? I thought every adventurer knew Happy, you probably will get to know him by the end of the year. That place tends to draw in adventurers, even from across the wold."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Friday January 27th, 2023 9:10:39 AM "Yeah, Happy takes good care of us. I imagine he will of you as well."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday January 27th, 2023 12:14:29 PM "You haven't been to the Giggling Ghost?" Bartomus nearly stumbled as he turned to look at Triggan and then he heard the same question from others.
"Happy is the owner, no a manager, of the Ghost. Just a great guy who knows so much about the Float. Been a strong supporter of our efforts." Bartomus looked about at the other Shields.
"Maybe we need to celebrate at the Ghost after our tour and visit."
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Saturday January 28th, 2023 1:29:28 AM
The Lads listen to The Shields tell of Happy.
Triggan says, “Huh. I guess none of us ever happened to find out who the Ghost’s manager was. Very interesting – he, at least a little bit, helped put the Shields together?
Oh wait, (as the group turns a corner) we’re here!”
The two adventuring groups see before them a nondescript warehouse. There’s barely a front retail space with a sales counter and perhaps five feet of space behind it, with the top half of the wall open space for doing business across the long oaken countertop. There’s a sign with faded paint above it that says, Ye Olde Furniture Warehouse.
Triggan leads the groups past a couple of old salesmen playing checkers on the countertop, past the length (and it’s long!) of the warehouse, and then a left turn into the back alley, and Triggan reaches low, a bit under the gap from the bottom of the door to the ground, grabs ahold of a stone and turns it. There’s a click, and then Triggan straightens up and turns the doorknob, and as he opens the door, says, “that was our alarm, in case someone tried to break in while we were out.”
The door opens wide, letting in the sunlight, and Triggan leads you in.
The first thing that happens is that the dust in the room rolls a critical hit on anyone with a sensitive nose – ah-choo!
This portion of the warehouse has some shaky interior walls – not so much walls as a lot of big pieces of wood – tables without legs, perhaps – set up vertically to give the Lads some privacy from the rest of the warehouse’s daily business. The Lads have a space about 30’ by 30’ with a large wooden round table in the center that’s large enough to seat all eight Lads. There are also eight chairs around the table, each chair somewhere between good and dubious in condition, and a mishmash of benches and more chairs that have seen better days.
Triggan’s mood has brightened, as has that of the rest of the Lads, and he gestures for everyone to sit down.
DC 10 Perception Check: Highlight to display spoiler: {Xera rolled her eyes at Triggan’s obvious hero-worship, and then tried to hide the fact that she’d rolled her eyes in front of everyone.}
Triggan says, “Well, what do you think? Great, huh? Sure beats sleeping in the Trash Level,” he says, beaming. The rest of the Lads are also smiling, perhaps only for the relief of knowing they don’t have to stay on the Trash Level…
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+16=27 ; Saturday January 28th, 2023 8:15:24 AM
Stohp runs her experienced eye over the place. "Could use a little work but seems solid enough." (carpentry 27 to determine what shape the place is in and if there's any fast/cheap improvements she could suggest or quickly do)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=33 ; d20+8=12 ; Sunday January 29th, 2023 3:33:45 PM "You got to start and this is a good place to do that." Bartomus added to what Stohp had said. He looked about trying to get a sense of what they might need, other than new furniture.
"Be sure to help the folks that sponsor you, they can help you make improvements and things your headquarters might need as you get more involved."
Perception 33; Craft - 12
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Sunday January 29th, 2023 8:48:26 PM
Stohp compliments the Lads’ base, and notes it needs a little work. For Stohp’s eyes only: Highlight to display spoiler: {The overall structure of the warehouse is fine for what it is – a building that’s been around a few decades and the owner(s) have invested in most of the necessary routine maintenance, varnishing the wood to keep the high humidity from damaging it too quickly, etc. The table seems solid enough, but some of the chairs look a bit wobbly, and someone should probably hammer a few more nails and other light touches to stabilize them. The benches can hold a Taur each, but a Taur using any of the chairs is just begging for trouble.}
Bartomus encourages the Lads about their base and makes some useful suggestions to the Lads, fresh as they are.
The other Shields spend more time evaluating the base and furniture, and considering what to say.
Triggan and the Lads are delighted at the kind words of the Shields. He says, “Shields, thank you so much! We’re a little light on supplies here, but, Bartomus, you said we should celebrate at the Ghost – that’d be great! Less dusty than here, and we’d love to see it and be introduced to Happy!”
The other Lads smile and nod after Triggan speaks, and the Lads once more look expectantly at the Shields.
Then Triggan says, “Uh… where exactly is the Ghost?”
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday January 29th, 2023 10:07:58 PM "Oh laddy, we can get you to the Ghost. Just follow us, right Shields?"
Bartomus pulls Triggan into a side hug and smiles at the other Shields.
"Plus, first round of the really good stuff will be on us Shields. Maybe the second round as well." Bartomus smiles at the newbies and winks over at Zander.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=21 ; Sunday January 29th, 2023 10:18:59 PM
Perception: 21
Armalad notices Xera rolling her eyes but says nothing.
She says, "It is certainly homey. So off to the Giggling Ghost next then?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+12=22 ; d20+17=37 ; Monday January 30th, 2023 8:35:08 AM
Stohp puts on her best poker face and tells the others to go on ahead, she had something important to do this morning (bluff 22). Hopefully none of the new adventurers catch on, though some of her fellow shields might notice she's scheming something On the way out the door she'll watch carefully as the alarm trap is reset and how the door is secured so she can sneak her way in later. (Can I make a perception check to get a bonus to disable device later? If so perception 37).
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used d20+25=29 ; Monday January 30th, 2023 9:01:23 AM
Stock also notes Xera's but since he was also rolling his eyes at the new group, he doesn't see anything wrong with it. Remarking on the HQ he says, "The smell reminds me of my workshop. Excellent choice. This will do for you."
He then leads the way to the Ghost for a celebration. =========== Perception 25
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+4=18 ; Monday January 30th, 2023 9:18:32 AM
Delia frowns slightly, wondering what "important business" Stohp is putting above the Lads. That doesn't seem like her (sense motive 18), but maybe the hero worship is getting to her.
She joins Stock at the front of the pack as they head to the Giggling Ghost, excited to introduce a new adventuring group to a resource, and more importantly, a friend like Happy.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Monday January 30th, 2023 5:28:54 PM
Zander takes everything in, wondering whether he should say anything but then he notices Stohp and exchanges a look with her as she excuses herself. He'd known Stohp long enough to know she was up to something, and given her skill set he had a pretty good guess. He quickly steps in to cover for her, "We'll miss you Stohp, but who knows better than us the demands on an adventurers time. We'll see you later." He falls into step with the others on the way to Ghost.
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Monday January 30th, 2023 9:11:10 PM
Bartomus joins in camaraderie with Triggan and promises the Lads that getting to the Ghost will be no trouble at all, not to mention the provisions there!
Armalad musters a compliment, of sorts, for the Lads’ HQ. The Lads appear to take it as a compliment.
Stohp makes excuses for running off instead of going along with the groups to the Ghost, and… (for Stohp’s eyes only): Highlight to display spoiler: {The alarm’s only defense was being somewhat well-hidden. Since you’ve seen where to disarm it, the simple but effective lever and pulley system inside the HQ and behind the door will be no trouble for you to disarm and re-arm in the future, as you like.}
Stock compliments the Lads HQ, drawing a big smile from Grysh and Triggan each, and leads the groups to the Ghost!
Delia ponders what Stohp is up to, but Stohp is keeping her own counsel… Delia shrugs and joins Stock at the front of the groups as they head to the Ghost.
Zanderallen makes a well-educated guess as to Stohp’s behavior, and, due to years of friendship, covers for her instead of trying to confirm his suspicions. Zanderallen notices Bartomus’ wink and gets in line behind Stock and the rest.
The Shields lead the Lads on as direct a route as is possible on the Float!
Fortunately the Ghost, like Shields HQ and Lads HQ, is also on the Fence Level.
The adventuring brigade enters the Ghost, Stock and Delia first through the Happy Park entrance, to a bustling brunch crowd. The Ghost is not packed yet, but as the sun rises higher in the sky soon the lunchtime crowd will fill the Ghost to the gills!
For now, the Ghost is perhaps three-quarters full in its Tavern level. Ahead of Stock, Fern the halfling finishes busing a table, and as she turns to head for the kitchen she sees the Shields and her whole face lights up. “Oh my stars! The Shields are here! (turns face towards kitchen) HAPPY, THE SHIELDS ARE HERE!”
Fern looks over the Shields, pauses as the Shields appear to continue further back than she expected, and says, “Stock, aren’t you going to introduce us to your new Shields? (turns head again) HAPPY, GET OUT HERE, THEY MUST HAVE RECRUITED, BECAUSE THERE’S TWICE AS MANY OF THEM!”
Fern shouted a lot louder than she has in the past. Maybe she’s been practicing?
Fern says to the Shields (all 16 of them as far as she’s concerned), “Right over here Shields, I just cleared these three tables – should be more than enough for all of you! (turns head) HAPPY!”
On the third call a balding human man with wisps of gray around his head and an apple cider belly walks around the corner from the back of the kitchen, sees the “16 Shields,” slaps his forehead and laughs… Stock, Delia, my friends, my Shields… glad you’ve recruited! I bet no one can stand against you now!
Who are your new recruits?”
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Monday January 30th, 2023 9:11:10 PM
Bartomus joins in camaraderie with Triggan and promises the Lads that getting to the Ghost will be no trouble at all, not to mention the provisions there!
Armalad musters a compliment, of sorts, for the Lads’ HQ. The Lads appear to take it as a compliment.
Stohp makes excuses for running off instead of going along with the groups to the Ghost, and… (for Stohp’s eyes only): Highlight to display spoiler: {The alarm’s only defense was being somewhat well-hidden. Since you’ve seen where to disarm it, the simple but effective lever and pulley system inside the HQ and behind the door will be no trouble for you to disarm and re-arm in the future, as you like.}
Stock compliments the Lads HQ, drawing a big smile from Grysh and Triggan each, and leads the groups to the Ghost!
Delia ponders what Stohp is up to, but Stohp is keeping her own counsel… Delia shrugs and joins Stock at the front of the groups as they head to the Ghost.
Zanderallen makes a well-educated guess as to Stohp’s behavior, and, due to years of friendship, covers for her instead of trying to confirm his suspicions. Zanderallen notices Bartomus’ wink and gets in line behind Stock and the rest.
The Shields lead the Lads on as direct a route as is possible on the Float!
Fortunately the Ghost, like Shields HQ and Lads HQ, is also on the Fence Level.
The adventuring brigade enters the Ghost, Stock and Delia first through the Happy Park entrance, to a bustling brunch crowd. The Ghost is not packed yet, but as the sun rises higher in the sky soon the lunchtime crowd will fill the Ghost to the gills!
For now, the Ghost is perhaps three-quarters full in its Tavern level. Ahead of Stock, Fern the halfling finishes busing a table, and as she turns to head for the kitchen she sees the Shields and her whole face lights up. “Oh my stars! The Shields are here! (turns face towards kitchen) HAPPY, THE SHIELDS ARE HERE!”
Fern looks over the Shields, pauses as the Shields appear to continue further back than she expected, and says, “Stock, aren’t you going to introduce us to your new Shields? (turns head again) HAPPY, GET OUT HERE, THEY MUST HAVE RECRUITED, BECAUSE THERE’S TWICE AS MANY OF THEM!”
Fern shouted a lot louder than she has in the past. Maybe she’s been practicing?
Fern says to the Shields (all 16 of them as far as she’s concerned), “Right over here Shields, I just cleared these three tables – should be more than enough for all of you! (turns head) HAPPY!”
On the third call a balding human man with wisps of gray around his head and an apple cider belly walks around the corner from the back of the kitchen, sees the “16 Shields,” slaps his forehead and laughs… Stock, Delia, my friends, my Shields… glad you’ve recruited! I bet no one can stand against you now!
Who are your new recruits?”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday January 30th, 2023 11:20:31 PM
Armalad says, "Well we were actually approached by our "recruits" so they kind of recruited us to survey their headquarters and then the decision was made to come hear for refreshment. They are a relatively new adventuring company but they certainly seem like they can help the merchants out with some things while we are otherwise occupied with such intrigues as Overlord elections and assassination attempts and kidnappings through gates that should have not been operational as we've had to deal with in our most recent adventurers."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday January 30th, 2023 11:20:31 PM
Armalad says, "Well we were actually approached by our "recruits" so they kind of recruited us to survey their headquarters and then the decision was made to come hear for refreshment. They are a relatively new adventuring company but they certainly seem like they can help the merchants out with some things while we are otherwise occupied with such intrigues as Overlord elections and assassination attempts and kidnappings through gates that should have not been operational as we've had to deal with in our most recent adventurers."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+4=21 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+16=17 ; d20+16=27 ; Tuesday January 31st, 2023 6:15:29 AM
As soon as the others are gone Stohp moves quickly. She needs tools so either heads home or to the nearest carpentry shop, whichever is closest. She gets tools and any supplies she might need as judged by her previous carpentry check. Once tools are secure she makes her way back to the new group's hideout and makes her way in, trying to time it so people won't see her breaking and entering (stealth 21, disable device 28 to get past any lock. I actually only have 1 rank of disable device because traps have never come up XD).
Once inside she makes sure the door is secure behind her - she doesn't want anyone else breaking in while she's here nor to tip off her surprise by the door being unlocked or the alarm disabled if she can prevent it. Then she starts to work. She can't fix up the entire place in a few hours, but she can at least reinforce those lousy chairs and make things nicer in general. She starts with the quickest tasks before moving to ones that might take longer (carpentry 17, that's no good, hero point reroll for carpentry 27)
She internally debates with herself if she should claim credit or sneak out and before they get back so it looks like a magic carpentry fairy did it.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Tuesday January 31st, 2023 9:13:54 AM
Stock looks at Fern and her request for an introduction and just says, "No. They are not Shields." He heads over to the bar and orders a warm cup of tea.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday January 31st, 2023 9:15:12 AM
Delia grins at Happy, more at ease than she has been since the Lads showed up. After Armalad's description she gestures at the new adventurers, "Happy, meet the Lakeview Lads! We'll do what we can to support them but they are their own group. They just hadn't met you yet and we decided that was too terrible to let stand."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday January 31st, 2023 10:46:23 AM "They are young, scrappy and their future looks bright. Going to be a great addition to the Float, Happy." Bartomus said with a big smile. "But, we need them to learn about some of the finer things and that includes the wonders of that sweet golden honey mead, or well for me at least, and something equally nice for each of the Lakeview Lads. I'll get their first round of the good stuff, Happy."
Bartomus looked over and pointed at the newcomers.
"Now, as to who is who, um let me try this. That's Triggan, Xera, Grysh, um Seratin, no um Ceridan," Bartomus said as he caught himself and then turned towards the rest of the Lads. "Now that is Trajan no that's not right Taran, yea, Taran, Jerma, and no you aren't seeing double Yerika here is a sib of Xera there."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Tuesday January 31st, 2023 5:50:35 PM
As they prepare to leave for the Ghost, Zander stops a runner and hands him a coin to go deliver a message to Pepper that a new adventuring party has formed on the Fence and they're giving them a welcome in the Giggling Ghost if she's available to join them. "Be quick about it"
Zanderallen laughs as Bart stumbles over introductions, letting the taur thoroughly embarrass himself as he remembers all the jibes Bart has given him over the years regarding Pepper. But before the Lads go without proper introduction he steps in and rattles off proper introductions, "This is Triggan, wilderness warrior, hopefully he can find his way around alleys as well as trees. Xera, mistress of witchcraft, watch out for her. Grysh, rather use his fists that his words but only if you deserve it. Yerikah, master of the arcane arts and sister to Jerma. Jerma, master of the blade and brother to Yerikah. Taran, I suspect he's good at sneaking and quick with his hands, but since I met him I can't find my coin purse to test that theory. Ceridan, master of the bow, trained by one of our very own now retired, Sid. Duluth, priest of Alemni, and trained by a dear friend of mine the esteemed Paragon Belkior. Together they are the Lakeview Lads and they've taken it upon themselves to help out around the Fence. So if you're in a pinch the Lads are here to help just like the Silver Shields. It warms my heart to know we've inspired others to take up the mantle of adventuring to help others so bring out a round Happy. Three cheers for the Lakeview Lads."
Zanderallen sits down and commits himself to celebrating.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday January 31st, 2023 8:19:56 PM
Armalad takes a seat with her back to the wall facing the door (OOC: checking in)
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Tuesday January 31st, 2023 8:44:51 PM
Armalad replies succinctly and thoroughly to Happy about the “recruits,” befitting her genius-level intelligence.
Stohp is nowhere to be seen amongst the groups, but is, shall we say, productive. For Stohp’s eyes only: Highlight to display spoiler: { In about an hour, by which time the Shields and Lads should still be celebrating, Stohp swings by the nearest carpentry shop, getting some key supplies of a hammer, nails, etc., re-enters Lads HQ, fixes up all of the most-rickety chairs, brooms away the cobwebs, and sweeps a LOT of sawdust out the side door!}
Stock channels all his Dwarven taciturnness, and plainly asserts that the Lads are not Shields (without actually explaining who they are). The Lads slouch slightly at this.
Delia turns on the charm and explains to Happy about the Lads. The Lads unslouch.
Bartomus turns on his gregariousness and buys the Lads the first round of drinks, doing pretty well with their names, but the young dwarf’s mood goes slightly ashen when Bartomus misses Duluth’s name.
Zanderallen comes in with the save, introducing each and every one of the Lads. The Lads beam as the valorous Zanderallen notes and introduces each of them to Happy!
Happy smiles, with each introduction, from Bartomus and Zanderallen, and after they’re done, pauses half a second, and says, “Well I’ll be… I didn’t think anything could happen on the Float without me overhearing something about it here! Servers, get the Lads and the Shields their drinks!”
Happy goes to each of the Lads in turn, shaking their hands, welcoming each one and wishing them well, and as Happy finishes shaking Duluth’s hand, he turns to the Shields and says, “Shimmer, Fern, and Starlight will make sure you have whatever you order. I’ve got to talk to my other friends and find out how I of all people was so pleasantly… surprised!” Happy finishes with a wink and a grin, and heads outside, telling a pair of sprites dressed in gaudy uniforms to keep everyone happy, and then the sprites, Sparkle and Firecracker begin singing a catchy tune while alternating between flying and dancing!
Shimmer, Fern, and Starlight spread out and begin taking drink orders from the Lads first, who seem bowled over by being treated so well! Triggan takes Bartomus’ advice on the golden honey mead, as do Yerikah, Jerma, and Duluth. Grysh orders ale and Ceridan orders wine. Xera orders water and Taran does likewise. Then the servers take the Shields’ orders.
(OOC: What drinks do the Shields order?)
Triggan takes a deep swig of his mead and his eyes sparkle with life, and he says to Bartomus, “You weren’t kidding Bartomus, this mead is a-may-zing!”
Yerikah and Jerma drink slowly at first, then more quickly, their eyes also lighting up with happiness. Duluth tries to hide how pleasant the mead is, but Stock knows the Dwarven signs and sees that Duluth too is very pleased with the mead.
Grysh finishes his ale quickly, and then lets out a loud belch! He seems blissfully unaware of the shocked stares around him, and grunts with satisfaction, saying “Great ale, I’ll have another!”
Ceridan pretends to ignore Grysh’s uncouthness and sips at his wine, pondering its notes and flavor.
Xera and Taran enjoy their refreshing waters and spend the time people-watching their fellow Lads – leaving the Shields to wonder if this is the first time they’ve gone to a tavern together as a group…
Stohp enters the Ghost, quickly locating the Shields and the Lads, and joins them in celebration. Shimmer asks Stohp what she wants to drink.
Armalad shifts her seat so that her back is to the wall, facing the door.
Triggan, looking at Bartomus but glancing around at all of the Shields present, says, “Thanks Bartomus, this is great!
What was it like for you Shields when Happy was introducing you to each other? Did you meet right here in the Ghost? Which table? What did you think of each other before you got to know each other?”
(OOC – all the Shields realized that while Triggan has eye contact with Bartomus, his ranging glances mean that Triggan, and perhaps all of the Lads, would just love to hear answers from all of the Shields!)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=37 ; Wednesday February 1st, 2023 7:56:02 AM
Stohp reviews her work with pride. She's done well. She'll review for any other easy tasks she can accomplish quickly before deciding to leave a note thanking the Lads for their willingness to help and explaining the improvements she made. She signs it "The Carpentry Fairy" and leaves, making sure everything is exactly back to where it was before she left (perception 37 to do that I guess?)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday February 1st, 2023 9:28:21 AM
Delia orders an ale and points out the exact spot she was standing when Happy introduced her to the Shields. "It was overwhelming, honestly. I mean, they were The Shields. And this was pre-Micah's retirement too, so I had a brief stint with him. I was out of the Float doing work for most of their tenure, but it was hard not to thing of them as this crazy, heroic force." She grins slightly, "And then Happy invited me to join cause he thought I could keep up with them, and they welcomed me right in. And - something I've learned over the years, people are just people. Whether they're a carpenter, town guard, adventurer, criminal, or evil mastermind. We're all just people with our own flaws and fears, strengths and skills. Once you learn that about us - and each other - you'll do fine." With possibly the longest thing she has said all at once said, Delia falls into silence, sipping her ale quietly.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Wednesday February 1st, 2023 10:01:02 AM "So I became a part of the Shields just before we had a bit of a scuffle in the old Hands of Love Temple. These guys were waiting in the stairwell to take down Shredds and my first words to the group were 'What are you all looking at?'. That feels appropriate. So anyway I'm pretty sure I threw myself bodily through a wall - that also feels appropriate - and the rest is history. Who was there...? Bart and Stohp and Z of course but also K and Micah and Dorbin and Sid. I miss those guys." When he looks down at his tea he sees it is cold. He grumbles but drinks it anyway.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Wednesday February 1st, 2023 4:38:12 PM
Zander thinks back to his original meeting with the Shields. He considers embellishing the story as the only one who could counter him is Stohp and she's not here. But he sticks to the truth, even at his own expense. "Back when I joined we weren't even the Silver Shields yet. Stohp is the only member of the original group that I joined with. And unfortunately for me there was no glorious introduction. The pre-Shields discovered me in my briefs, tied up in a warehouse of a nefarious druid they were investigating. I had been looking into him on my own, and without someone to watch my back had fallen into his trap. I joined up, we took the druid down, and pretty soon after that took on the name Silver Shields. Faces have come and gone since then but the mission has stayed the same."
Zander just has some of the mead, reminiscing on old friends.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday February 1st, 2023 7:40:38 PM "Boy, not sure about the start of all of this. I know Happy introduced me to the group and Micah and Zander were there and Stohp as well." [b] Bartomus added as he took a sip of the mead savoring it. when Zander added the names of the older members he smiled in awareness and remembered things.
[b]"Things happened here on the Float first as I recall. Then we had some adventures across the lake into the woods there. Our world expanded pretty fast after that." Bartomus added. He paused for a few moments and took a look around.
"Come to think of it, we've had some pretty incredible adventures that have opened up opportunities for folks here on the Float and well beyond its walls.
On the way to the Lads' HQ... (DM Wayne) Wednesday February 1st, 2023 10:48:12 PM
Stohp… um… The Carpentry Fairy… ‘s work at Lads HQ is done, and her drink at the Ghost well-earned, and enjoyed!
Delia gushes with pride recalling and relating the day she met the Shields.
Stock both tells his tale of joining the shields, and unintentionally delivers some deadpan humor along the way. Grysh interjects, trying to sound like Stock, “Love your tale Stock… it felt appropriate!” Grysh finishes with a smile and an uncouth belly laugh. Xera buries her face in her hands. Cerdian smiles slightly at the mention of Sid.
Zanderallen relates his self-effacing tale of joining the Shields, finishing with stalwart squarejawedness, resulting in wordless mouthed “oh wow!” expressions on the Lads.
Bartomus begins recollecting, and then muses aloud on how the Shields ended up being a blessing to many more people than they expected at the beginning. The Lads all smile at Bartomus’ speech, and Triggan says, “Shields, your stories are amazing. I hope one day we have our own stories to tell!
Everyone, three cheers for the Shields! Hip hip hooray!” and with more “Hip hip hoorays” the Lads hoot, holler, and clap, and the other patrons nearby, who had unobtrusively been listening with interest to the Shields recount their humble beginnings, begin clapping, hooting, and hollering “Hip hip hooray for the Shields!” too!
Soon, everyone else in the now three-quarters-full Ghost is cheering the Shields!
After some minutes, the cheers slowly begin to die down, the claps cease, and the patrons, even the Lads, go back to finishing their drinks, but with bright smiles on their faces.
As Grysh loudly slurps his second ale until there’s none left, as he stops, Triggan stands and clears his throat, and says, “Shields, thank you so much for all you’ve done. We have to get back now, check in with our patrons and see who needs rescuing from an angry lake trout as opposed to invaders from beyond the Gate.” Triggan and the Lads get up, walk over, shake hands, and in some cases even bear-hug the Shields and then bid the Shields farewell until the Lads and the Shields meet again.
As you finish the last of your drinks, say your farewells to the servers Shimmer, Fern, and Starlight, you stride off into the noonday sun and easily make your way back to Shields HQ.
How do you spend the rest of the day?
(OOC – in your posts, include your Shield’s reaction to the cheering crowd of the Ghost!)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday February 1st, 2023 11:01:29 PM
Armalad would have told the lads how she was a former palace guard who was assigned to join the Shields during the whole overlord election debacle and that after that was resolved she kind of just stuck with them.
When the cheering starts she is a little perturbed. Sure both her and joker helped a lot with these most recent adventures but they don't have the history that some of the other members of the shields have.
Also the person she kind of replaced from the Mage's Guild perspective might have just succumbed to megalomania and who knows what she is up to now so the question is, for her is there something about the life of an adventurer that adds a high amount of pressure that could cause one with an arcane bent and superior intellect to break?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday February 2nd, 2023 7:32:21 AM
Stohp arrives just in time for the cheering and misses the conversation that caused it. Long used to her fame she's merely mildly curious what set off this round of excited cheering as she fetches some food and eats before leaving a short while after the others.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Thursday February 2nd, 2023 8:31:25 AM "They're cheering you Stohp. Take a bow." Stock nods his head and drinks his tea in peace. When he heads back to the HQ, he goes to his workshop and starts sketching and designing the wooden frame for a mirror he wants to make for his room.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+33=49 ; Thursday February 2nd, 2023 2:59:22 PM
When the cheers start, Delia effectively vanishes in discomfort (stealth 49, camoflage (basically hide in plain sight in favored terrain)).
Once the cheers die down, she rematerializes, sitting silently until they and the Lads go their separate ways. During the goodbyes she'll awkwardly pat Xera on the shoulder, "Keep being weird about blood if you want to."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Thursday February 2nd, 2023 4:38:00 PM
While never truly comfortable being cheered, Zander has come to accept it. He stands and bows his head in acknowledgement. He notices Stohp entering and makes sure she has a chair and a drink to refresh herself. after the cheering and the Lads excusing themselves he wishes them goodbyes and good luck, "Thank you all. I've sometimes worried about what happens if we're not around and it's good to know there are those who will step up to answer the call. Domi bless and guide you all."
Leaving the Giggling Ghost he heads up to look in after Pepper and make sure she is doing alright after her ordeal in Koshe Marr. He'll tell her about the Lads and how she'll have to start watching for their exploits as well. He'll split any time Pepper can't spare at the WLA, checking in with old friends, before eventually making his way home after dinner with Pepper.
Bloody Mess
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday February 2nd, 2023 9:24:20 PM
Armalad continues to mull things over ordering another mulled wine while she does so. (OOC: checking in)
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Thursday February 2nd, 2023 9:49:17 PM
(Retcon) Armalad tells the Lads her story of joining the Shields (back during that convo).
Armalad’s mind bounces between some related and unrelated topics, though perhaps it all has to do with the effect of being a Shield? Perhaps too smart for her own good, Armalad becomes lost in pondering, enjoying a second wine to go with her moody thoughts, before returning to Shields HQ with the rest at the end.
Stohp enjoys some food and drink and is a bit bemused at the cheering (for her?), but Stock encourages her to enjoy the cheering, well-earned. Stock returns with the rest to Shields HQ, Stohp eventually finishing her meal and drink and starting a good distance behind the other Shields, but all eventually reaching Shields HQ. Stock makes good progress on his mirror frame design.
Delia invisible-wallflowers at once in response to the cheers, but rejoins the groups when the cheers finish. Delia recognizes that she and Xera just might have something in common, retracting from boisterous and loud companions, and briefly encourages Xera before departing.
Zanderallen, long-familiar with unexpected cheers, gives the crowd what they want, though his humble heart is not fully in it. He assists Stohp as she enters. Zanderallen gives the Lads a brief benediction. As the groups leave, Zanderallen goes to visit Pepper, who he finds was busy interviewing Belba Stubbletoe, the Turtlemaster, down at one of the docks. Belba excitedly describes the great art of turtle-driving to her audience of one, and Pepper eventually has to end the interview when Belba begins to insist on discussing the breeding habits of turtles in more detail than anyone but Belba wants.
Pepper thanks Belba for a “great” interview, and that if Pepper ever wants to know anything about turtles, she’ll be sure to seek out Belba. Then, spotting the approaching Zanderallen, Pepper says, “Belba, now if you’ll excuse me, I see one of the Shields and I need to go do a second interview about that… uh… Gate adventure they had recently. Ta ta!”
Pepper hops, skips, and almost jumps over to Zanderallen, hooking his elbow with hers and says, “Just in time for our dinner! You ALWAYS know how to rescue a girl!” Pepper finishes with a wink, walking fast and pulling Zanderallen along in a devoted effort to escape Belba’s encyclopedic knowledge of turtles…
Zanderallen and Pepper enjoy a relaxing dinner, and maybe it was just the interview with Belba, but Pepper is more than happy to talk through her experiences in Koshe Marr with her love, the telling seeming to be a means of catharsis for her, enabling her to release worries that had been visible on her forehead even after returning to the Float, and now are gone, carried instead by the broad shoulders of Zanderallen.
Eventually Zanderallen wishes Pepper goodnight and returns back to Shields HQ, a spring in his step at the visible emotional healing in Pepper after Koshe Marr. Zanderallen especially, but all of the Shields, fall asleep to a well-earned rest that night…
…
5:30 a.m.
The sun is *thinking* about rising more than three smidges above the horizon and changing the early morning sky from gray/blue to full blue.
The Shields are still asleep, even the early risers, who for once are trying to enjoy the rest of heroes…
“Shields! SHIELDS!!!! HELP!!!! HELP!!! THEY’RE DYING!!! FOR ALEMI’S SAKE, OPEN UP!!!! … … please … ”
The incessantly loud knocking and shouting has woken all of the Shields, still in their nightclothes, armor hung on its rack, weapons sheathed and on nightstands within reach.
The knocking continues, quieter, slower, like someone slowly giving in to despair… the voice is no longer loud enough to be heard…
What do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday February 3rd, 2023 8:13:14 AM
Stohp's been at this enough that she's awake and alert quickly. Grabbing her stuff she moves quickly to the door as she straps on armor. From what is being said her mind immediately goes to the adventuring group they just met. If they've gotten themselves killed like the last group of people they got to help then she'll kill them.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Friday February 3rd, 2023 9:01:46 AM
Stock is up in a flash. He grabs his flail in his right hand and his belt in his left and dashes downstairs, steps behind Stohp.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Friday February 3rd, 2023 9:37:38 AM
Delia, who as a ranger is able and always does sleep in her full gear, is out of bed at the second knock and flies down the stairs. Hawky, rumpled and grumpy, follows right behind.
If she makes it to the door first, she throws it open, greeting the person knocking with a fully drawn bow. "Who's dying? Report!" she bellows in her best ex-townguard voice.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Friday February 3rd, 2023 1:09:50 PM
Ooc: (missed the spells request. Excluding extremely situational exceptions (and the 4th level note), Delia always has these spells prepared:
1st Longstrider (12hr) Speak with Animals Entangle x2
2nd Barkskin (120 min, +4) x2 Speak with Plants
3rd Darkvision (12hr) x2 Cure Mod Wounds (2d8+10)
4th Freedom of Movement (120 min) Animal Growth (12 min) - in city[**currently prepared] Commune with Nature (12 mile) - outside of city
She typically casts longstrider on herself every morning and darkvision every evening, but not today yet!)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday February 3rd, 2023 6:07:23 PM "What is that knocking?" Bartomus shouted from the comfort of his bed. He had hopes of sleeping in for once. They had had a great celebration at the Ghost with the Lakeview Lads and he might have had a few too many of the honey meads. Squinting as the knocking continued, he managed to wrap himself up in his blanket and open the door.
The knocking continued and then there was something about someone being killed. He dropped the blanket, put on his kilt, and grabbed his glave. He came bounding down the stairs as Delia tossed open the door, and bellowed at the knocker who was staring down the shaft of a drawn arrow. Bartomus snickered and realized that the blood flow and adrenaline had hit reducing the headache he thought he was having. He came up and stopped a couple of dozen feet back from the door.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday February 5th, 2023 8:57:02 PM
(OOC: Do Elves sleep or do they trance? Or was that something from 3.5 that didn't get carried into Pathfinder; regardless as a wizard cross class Armalad still needs the 8 hours of being undisturbed to prepare spells; I think Elves might not sleep though b/c they do have magical sleep immunity)
Armalad grabs her bow and rises from her meditative state to go downstairs and find out what all the commotion is.
When the door is open she wants to tell whoever it is knocking to slow down and explain just who they are that is dying.
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Sunday February 5th, 2023 9:50:56 PM
Stohp moves with the alacrity of one who has done it all before, strapping on the lightness of her steelgrass breastplate in as much time as it would take to strap on mere leather armor. Snatching her weapons on the move, Stohp bursts forth from her second-floor room only a step behind Delia.
Stock grabs his flail and his belt, cinching it as he goes, opening the door of his third-floor room and racing downstairs with Barbarian-speed, seeing the flash of Stohp’s foot two flights down turning the corner onto the first floor.
Delia, ever-vigilant, is instantly awake, smug in her satisfaction that, finally, sleeping in my armor all these years has paid off again(!), doubles her smug as she barrels forward through her unlocked door, specially hinged to swing both ways for just such an occasion, grabbing her bow and quiver at door’s edge on the way! Stohp’s door has just opened as Delia sprints past Stohp in the nick of time to avoid a mid-air collision.
Bartomus did have a few too many of the honey meads, but after shouting an unanswered question, Bartomus comports himself, gathering his glaive on the way, and getting in line behind Stock, bounding down the stairs and stopping midway on the first floor, about 25’ from the double-doors, of which Delia has opened one and barks “Who’s dying? Report!” in her best ex-townguard voice.
Armalad was deep in her meditation, once more conjuring arcane maths in her mind and connecting them to the Wold, considering what spells, if any, to change from her standard Float Spells preparations, when the incessant knocking grew loud enough to pull her out of meditation and back to the Wold, catching the mysterious, pleading, shouts and speech… at once Armalad grabs her bow and races downstairs, half a step behind Bartomus.
Bartomus stops short, obscuring Armalad’s view, so she side-steps to the right of Bartomus as he comes to a stop. Bartomus and Armalad see Delia at the door, Stohp just behind her, magical flail in hand, and Stock to one side, magical flail in hand, and lit by the dawn twilight leaving behind some of the last vestiges of the early morning grey are…
Xera, standing with eyes surrounded by the red of utter despair, Taran, kneeling, looking at the ground, Ceridan, a thousand-yard stare and an empty quiver, and Yerikah, broken, sobbing uncontrollably.
Zanderallen, deep in sleep, sees Pepper being drawn through Lernitig’s Gate by a huge, monstrous hand reaching through a shimmering portal.
Xera tries to speak, can’t, then blows her nose and spits again into a soaked handkerchief, says, “They’re… they’re all dying! The fisherfolk… the Lads… the plants… the reeds… THE REEDS, they came to life and they… they… they’re CHOKING them all to death, pulled them overboard… oh Alemi, the horror… THE HORROR!!!!”
Zanderallen shouts “Pepp-er!” speaking and running in slow motion as a second huge hand gestures and Zanderallen feels like he’s moving through molasses
Xera falls into sobbing and blowing her nose again.
Zanderallen shouts “Noooooooooo!!!” as the huge monstrous hands disappear through the shimmering portal of Lernitig’s Gate, taking Pepper with them!
Ceridan babbles, “[b]Arrows… more arrows… I need more arrows, but they don’t work! My friends… LOST!” and with that Ceridan goes silent again, staring a thousand yards ahead once more…
Zanderallen “runs” through the invisible molasses, finally drawing close to Lernitig’s Gate…
Yerikah continues to sob incoherently.
…only for Zanderallen to see the shimmering portal vanish in front of him as he barrels through the empty space…
Taran finally looks up, and says, “Shields… it was easy work the merchants said… the fishing fleet got stuck in a reed tangle, just go out there and cut them free… as easy as delivering honey mead… a honey mead run they called it… Shields, HELP THEM! PLEASE!”, and with that Taran goes quiet and stares down at the floor again, never having moved from his kneeling position.
…and with Pepper gone forevermore, Zanderallen’s heart breaks and he collapses to the ground lifeless…
But the shout, “Shields, HELP THEM! PLEASE!” reignites Zanderallen’s heart and his ashen body once more glows with the energy of life as he lifts his head…
Drip.
Drip.
Drop.
…
Zanderallen awakens, drenched in a cold sweat, and remembers: Pepper is alive… he rescued her… and someone needs his… the Shields’ help! Zanderallen grabs his flaming longsword and shield and races down the stairs convicted that so long as Domi’s blessings course through his mind and muscles, he shall ever champion the defenseless innocents! OOC: Zanderallen begins his next post halfway down the stairs from the second floor to the first floor.
…
A wet puddle is starting to form on the ground beneath Taran’s chin.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday February 6th, 2023 8:16:18 AM
Stohp resists the urge to shake the man. "Where damn it, where are they? At the docks or out on the lake? We can't save them unless you tell us where!" As soon as she has an answer she's off, running through town at full speed (with the run feet she covers 150 feet per round). Hopefully any spells like haste or longstrider that might speed up the group the others will cast while she's getting the needed information
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Monday February 6th, 2023 9:05:34 AM "Hold up Stohp, let's get some more details."
To Taran he says, "Who is dying? The fishermen? Where are Triggan, Grysh and Duluth? What was doing the killing?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday February 6th, 2023 10:43:52 AM
Delia takes a moment to steady herself, casting Longstrider as the Lads report. (movespeed 45 in urban favored terrain) She then calmly yanks Taran to his feet, "Alright Lads. Early lesson in adventuring. You don't get to have your breakdown until AFTER the threat is over." She grips his shoulders, "Take us to whatever is going on. NOW. We can get details on the way. Other Lads, move out or go inside."
She turns to Hawky, "Follow Stohp. Signal when we get close."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 30 CMD: 31 Monday February 6th, 2023 3:28:09 PM
Zanderallen may be shaking off the effects of a nightmare but years of combat training and several night time emergencies kick certain things into auto drive. Getting out of bed, trousers, boots, and tunic are right at hand and are donned in an instant. Sword in one hand and bag of holding in the other he's out the door and down the stairs before he realizes it. Hardly slowing him down he buckles his sword to his belt and other wondrous items come out of the bag and onto his person. He reaches the front door as he's buckling on his cloak. "You heard the ladies, action now, breakdown later." He grabs Taran around the shoulders and starts marching him down the front steps and out to the street, "Left or right? Move it!"
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday February 6th, 2023 8:33:30 PM
Armalad says , "Aye, take us to where they are now and we'll see what we can do for them and if they are beyond help then we'll avenge them, but let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Monday February 6th, 2023 8:58:21 PM
Stohp asks Taran, the only Lad still semi-coherent, where the victims are.
Stock asks Taran exactly who is dying, what was killing them, and where the other Lads are.
Delia speaks to the four Lads as a group, asking them to have a stiff upper lip and finish the mission first, break down later, and let’s get a move on to the attack scene. Delia also directs Hawky to track Stohp, just in case.
Armalad also asks the Lads to take the Shields to the attack scene.
Zanderallen, having sprang out of bed and landed into his waiting clothes, at once grabbed his flaming longsword and bag of holding, trailed them in his wake as he sprinted the length of the hallway and down the stairs, coming up behind the rest of the Shields.
Zanderallen’s seven-league strides quickly bring him to the front door as years of practiced muscles finish buckling on his cloak, and calls the Lads to action! Zanderallen is already out the doors with Taran clutched at his side when he puts Taran back on his feet, marching him down the front steps and out to the street, interrogating him for directions. The rest of the Shields followed Zanderallen’s lead and are close behind, as the other three lads are lost in sorrow, madness, or both!
The brisk morning air and sudden motion brings Taran to his senses, and turning his head to Zanderallen, he says, “This way to the Turtle Docks… you can take our turtle… Belba is waiting for you so she can use magic to make the turtle go faster… The fleet… it’s in a reed tangle maybe a tenth of a mile north by northeast… The merchants hired one of Belba’s turtles to take us out there… When we got to the fleet, the fisherfolk complained about the reeds being tangled on rudders and oarlocks, hard to remove…
Some of us started boarding the fleet’s fishing boats to help chop away the reeds… and then the reeds… THE REEDS… they came alive!
Triggan and Jerma were yanked overboard first along with several fisherfolk… by their necks… blood coming out of their mouths and the maddening sound I’ll never forget, as a few fisherfolk necks were snapped!
The rest of us fought hard to cut away the reeds, with little effect… Grysh and Duluth and the fisherfolk managed to form defensive triangles with weapons and oars, but I don’t know how long they can last… Ceridan ran out of arrows, and Xera and Yerikah out of spells… and then the water… THE WATER, IT TURNED BLOOD RED… and I swear by Alemi, I heard muffled chomping, gnashing, and rending sounds as bubbles rose to the surface and popped…
Shields… please… we’ve got to get to the turtle or (in a whisper) …it’ll be too late…”
Taran is walking faster, trying to pick up speed and pull Zanderallen along the route to the Turtle Docks…
At his pace, without aid, it may take precious minutes to get from the Fence Level down to the Turtle Docks…
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=25 ; d20+16=33 ; Monday February 6th, 2023 9:31:05 PM
Bartomus hearing what was giong on, turned back up the stairs and slipped his armor on. Then he came dashing down the stairs with his kit and fell in with the others.
He listened and gave the Lads a few close lookovers to see if they had other wounds not easily visible. He didn't like what he was hearing. It sounded like the sharkmen had a feeding frenzy attacking one of the turtles. Bartomus liked the turtles.
"Should we call for carpets? You know, get above this and drop down into the docks?" Bartomus looked about and tried to find one of their runners. If he found one of the younger errand runners, he will wave them over and tell them to find carpets for the group. He will also ask them to keep watch on the HQ offering to four gold pieces for their help.
"Any clue if our ship may have been hit in these attacks?" Bartomus voiced to the group as they continued their quick step down to the docks. "Also, I wonder if we might be able to ask the King under the Lake for some help in this situation?"
[I]Perception 25 for wounds, 33 for looking for the errand kids they had hired in the past.[/b]
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=33 ; Tuesday February 7th, 2023 6:46:21 AM
Stohp is aware that, logically, everone pulled underwater is almost certainly already dead as it had to take minutes for anyone to reach the HQ and it will take just as long for the group to get back there. That's still no reason to dally and save any still aboard the ship.
It's early in the morning and public transit might not be up and running yet. Stohp quickly thinks through her knowledge of the float and leads the group to rush off to the fastest route to get to the turtle dock.(knowledge: Local 33)
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Tuesday February 7th, 2023 1:36:47 PM "Right about now I'm wishing I still had that helm that let me breathe underwater...At least my armor won't be weighing me down."
=========== Stock is without armor and most of his magic items right now. We will have to remember to go back after this scene to load up.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Tuesday February 7th, 2023 2:59:23 PM
Zanderallen does the mental math of how long it's been since the initial incident. Between them getting back to town, to Shield HQ, back to the docks, and back out to the fleet, it wasn't looking good for anyone that had been pulled overboard. But people still on the boats could hold out and were worth hurrying for. "Sending for carpets or the Merking are good ideas and if anyone has a way to send a message on the move do so. But we'll be at the docks before a message is likely to reach them. Let's hustle people we've got people in the water." Zanderallen picks up the pace but holds them back from sprinting.
AC is updated with lack of armor and shield. Magic items were in Zander's bag of holding and he'll have them all on.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday February 7th, 2023 4:31:08 PM
With others taking charge of Taran, Delia will speed up to get ahead of the group. She lets them know she's making sure that their transportation is ready to go as soon as they all arrive.
(movespeed 45 w/ longstrider and urban terrain)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 59/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday February 7th, 2023 8:33:12 PM
Armalad calls for Joker and the pair set off with the rest. As a caster who specialized in spells that compliment her ability to imbue arrows with spells she hadn't really prepared any spells to help the group move faster.
Armalad says, "I have some scrolls of expeditious retreat I could cast but there is only 4 of them. Any takers?"
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Tuesday February 7th, 2023 11:12:49 PM
Bartomus wonders if it’d be possible to call for magic carpets, as he examines the Lads’ physical condition – Bartomus’ eyes only: Highlight to display spoiler: {these four Lads were physically unharmed. It seems they relied on ranged attacks and spells, though ineffectual, and ran to get help when it was clear they and the fisherfolk couldn’t win. Long-term, a lot of bedrest under your watchful eye would benefit them, but there was no bleeding to staunch. }. He asks aloud whether the Shields’ ship would have been hit. He also asks whether the King under the Lake could help. Bartomus does not notice any errand boys nearby – it may be too early in the morning this day, even for them.
Stohp, with long and deep knowledge of the Float, having lived here since the beginning of her adventuring career, if not before, needs the merest fraction of a moment to determine the best shortcut to the Turtle Dock, and does so, her tall strides and acrobatic talents enabling her to gain the lead from Zanderallen and, as she deftly takes a 90-degree turn, shouts, “Shields, to me! I know a shortcut!”
Stock is moving at full Barbarian speed, unencumbered by armor, and like the unarmored Zanderallen, negotiates the sharp turn through sheer muscle!
Zanderallen asks the group to skip the alternatives and just race for the docks as he rounds the bend!
Delia becomes one with Float City and races ahead of Stock and Zanderallen, hardly noticing the sharp turn, watching Stohp to see the shortcut first and take it ahead of Stohp!
Joker is on Armalad’s shoulder mid-call, anticipating the need, or maybe just jittered by the commotion, but with Armalad nonetheless.
[i[(OOC – Expeditious Retreat is Range: Personal, Target: You, unless Imbue Arrows enables you to deliver the spell to another. Joker can Share Spells, of course.)[/i]
Stohp’s route teaches the Shields a few new things about the Fence Level, from hairpin alley shortcuts to using both entrances to cut through a small shop to reach the land-side door of the Turtlemaster.
As Taran sees where Stohp is leading, he begins shouting “Belba! We’re here! We’re here!”
By this point, of course, so has Delia, who has raced ahead to the docks and begins helping Belba finish Turtle prep.
As the rest of the Shields and Taran arrive, Belba is already calling out, “load up, my dears, load up!”
As the Shields and Taran race onto the turtle, and begin catching their breath, Delia is intently watching Belba, perhaps waiting for something.
Belba then says, “Everyone here? Good! I’m… uh… not supposed to let anyone know that I can cast this spell, but you won’t tell anyone right? Besides, only turtlemasters can cast this spell…” Belba finishes with a wink.
Belba begins casting a spell, and throws droplets of oil and water at the turtle, then touching it with her hand, as Taran heads for the reins. As Taran grasps hold of the reins Belba finishes her spell, letting go of the turtle, and the turtle, with the Shields and Taran on board, is lifted by several inches as a small continuously rolling wave appears underneath the turtle, and then with a snap of the reins, Taran guides the turtle out and away from the float, swimming even faster than the Shields have ever experienced a turtle swim!
As the Shields catch the wave leaving the docks, Taran says, “at this speed we should see the fishing fleet soon.”
(OOC – Per Taran, the fleet is about 500 feet away from the docks as you start, which is a DC 60 Perception check. Some of you have tricks to get near +30 Perception, but this is still too far away to have a chance of seeing the fleet at first, even with a size bonus to notice several Large boats)
After several seconds of turtle-surfing, with the sun continuing to slowly rise, the grays are gone and there are several specks of darkness on the horizon which might be recognizable to those of you with keen eyes, or good fortune.
Perception Check DC 40 – {Highlight to display spoiler: { You’re able to make out four Large fishing boats. There seems to be a lot of frenetic action, but you can’t make out anyone’s distinguishing features at this range, whether human, half-orc, or what-have-you. At 380’ away, if you wanted to use arrows or Long Range Spells on the boats and their inhabitants, you could; make sure to apply the appropriate range penalties based on the range increment of your ranged weapon if you fire arrows, etc.}}
Perception Check DC 48 – {Highlight to display spoiler: {In addition to seeing the hidden text above for DC 40, you also can make out, across the four fishing boats, some humans, a half-orc, and a dwarf reduced to batting away bunches of green plants reaching for them. The humanoids are beginning to move slower, like their muscles are tiring.}}
(OOC – The turtle has traveled 120’ and is speeding up, but at least one of you might be fortunate enough to make something out and begin battle-planning… if you’re well-trained in Perception and roll high, that’s probably enough to see boats… if any are left…
This is technically round 1 of combat, foes in sight or not. Specks on the horizon are 380’ away, and you aren’t sure what they are unless you make that Perception check.
Everyone please write their combat actions/spells if any, for Round 1, in addition to your usual wonderful prose.
Also, please double-check your headers to put yourself at correct AC (if you didn't get to wear armor, etc.), and also put yourself at Full HP. Thanks!)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=18 ; Wednesday February 8th, 2023 7:20:56 AM "Cast whatever buffs we have that will help with underwater combat while you can." Stohp advises. she's good at perception but not that good (only +17) and she has no magic to cast so she'll merely move to the front of the boat and keep watch.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+30=44 ; Wednesday February 8th, 2023 9:23:03 AM "Thanks, Belba." Delia will say as she breaks off her intense stare, turning it instead to their destination.
Delia pulls out her spyglass (are more details I can see with a halved range penalty?) and begins to narrate what she can see (Perception 44). "Four boats. Something is still happening out there, so be ready."
Round 1, she will cast animal growth on Hawky and then send him to circle over the area in question.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday February 8th, 2023 4:22:36 PM
Bartomus sighed and was a bit concerned for the Lads, but really they had no time to do much of anything. He yelled over his shoulder at the Lads. " get yourselves rested and healed up. This is too close to the Float and you need to be prepared."
He shook his head and rushrdcafter the Shields down into the lower parts of the Float. jumped onto the turtle from the dock. He still was awed by the turtles. That awe increased as the spell Belba let loose sent the turtle swiftly moving into dawning morning.
He squinted into the distance. He could feel the growing anticipation. He reached down into his pouch and took hold of some of the diamond dust. He felt the need to augment his armor and used the dust to make his skin extra hard.
attempted to roll, but having connectivity issues in the building I'm in.so only got error messages on my screen.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 13/13/10; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used d20+20=22 ; Wednesday February 8th, 2023 5:03:09 PM "This will be tricky...I should have grabbed more of my things..."
Stock is doing his best to see but still can't make anything out.
"I can swim some but I worry if I get pulled under how effective I will be. I think it will be best to stay on board."
He looks about the turtle boat for an oar or something to reach into the water with if necessary. ========= Perception 22
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Wednesday February 8th, 2023 6:33:19 PM
Zanderallen wonders what Belba is talking about but he will make no complaint or comment on the increased speed. Seeing they are fast approaching danger he draws his sword and calls upon Domi's power to enhance it. "Watch out for each other, priority if anyone is in the water we need to get them out." ---------------------------------------------- Divine Bond Weapon Spirit Increase +4 Flaming Longsword to +5 Flaming Speed Longsword 15 minutes 1/3 uses
Armalad (Hugh) HP 128/128 AC 25 / Touch 19 / Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=36 ; Wednesday February 8th, 2023 8:40:01 PM
Perception: 36
Armalad tries to see what she can find but comes up short so she settles for casting mage armor on Joker.
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Wednesday February 8th, 2023 11:57:39 PM
Stohp advises the Shields’ spellcasters, then moves to the front of the boat to keep watch.
Delia thanks Belba, and then pulls out her spyglass to get a better look.
(OOC – Delia is now entitled to read the DC 48 text in the prior DM post.
Also – For Delia’s Eyes Only (since the spyglass cut the distance penalties in half and she rolled so well): {Highlight to display spoiler: {Delia sees the boats and the survivors more clearly, and discerns that the half-orc is Grysh from the size of his battle axe and tough build, and the dwarf is Duluth, based on his armor, and hair and beard color, and overall size. Delia may have met fisherfolk over the years as a town guard, but she doesn’t recognize anyone specific that she knows amongst the fisherfolk. The “bunches of green plants” more clearly resolve into clusters of reeds common to Turtle Lake, but usually appearing closer to shore, and not moving like a cunning animal trying to track and kill its prey. Grysh’s energy must just have run out because he’s moving a lot slower, as though suddenly lethargic. Everyone else is low on energy too, by their movements.}}
Delia casts Animal Growth on Hawky and sends him scouting.
(OOC: Since Belba boosted the Turtle’s movement, Hawky quickly finds out that Turtle can swim as fast as Hawky can fly!
Delia – please put in your post the distance at which Hawky began his circle – he could indeed start at 380’ distance (avoid combat risk), but it’s a wide circle at Run x4 flight speed of 240’/round – please let us know in your next post the distance between 380’ and 140’ from the scene that Hawky begins his ‘circling the area’)
Bartomus had warned the other three Lads to recover at Shields HQ before doing anything else. He wasn’t sure his words set in, but had no time to check as the Shields raced for the Turtle Docks. The Turtles surprised Bartomus once more as Belba cast her secret spell, causing the Turtle to swim faster than he had thought possible! Waiting to get close enough to make anything out, Bartomus cast Stoneskin on himself.
(OOC - +16 perception is not enough to reach even the DC 40 result unless Bartomus was going to boost it with a spell or magic item or spyglass or something, unfortunately.)
Stock squints, but the specks are too far away still. Stock looks around the boat to see if any useful tools have been left. There is an oar, and picking it up Stock estimates it weighs about 10 pounds and could be used as an improvised club, though with a small risk of it breaking when hitting an armored or otherwise-hardened foe.
(OOC – this is close enough to a Club that there is no improvised weapon penalty; it’s just a regular club (1d6 damage), not a greatclub, that has a handle long enough to wield two-handed if desired, much like a longsword. Oar did not get a description in the corebook, just a price and weight, so I made a ruling.)
Zanderallen gives battle orders to the Shields, and then silently prays to Domi. His sword glows slightly brighter and gains blur lines as Domi’s power flows through him and into his sword!
Armalad squints, and comes close, but bigger specks still don’t have enough detail for her to make out. Armalad casts Mage Armor on Joker.
The Turtle increases speed again, moving 240’ while the Shields squint and cast spells. The Shields are now 140’ away, and the specks have become… the size of things… boatlike? There seems to be a lot of motion from outside the boats coming in, and a lot less motion on the inside of the boats.
Perception DC 16: {Highlight to display spoiler: {Yup, those are four large (OOC: 10’ by 10’ or so) boats like the kind the fisherfolk use. Some bunches of green plant stuff is moving from the water to the boats sometimes, and sometimes taking things that might be vaguely humanoid shape off the boats! Also, the first three boats are equal distance to you in a horizontal line, or so, and the fourth boat is just beyond and a bit to the left of the rightmost close boat.}}
Perception DC 24: {Highlight to display spoiler: {As DC 16, but now you can see that the green plant stuff is clusters of reeds wrapped around torsos, or even necks (?) of humanoids mostly 5’ to 6’ tall. All four boats have reeds holding a victim aloft 5’ off a boat’s side.}}
Perception DC 30: {Highlight to display spoiler: {As DC 24, but you can tell if a grabbed fisherfolk is man or woman, and that two of the grabbed victims are likely Grysh (the leftmost boat) and Duluth (the fourth boat, just beyond the rightmost boat.}}
Taran shouts, “They’re all going to be done for if you don’t board a boat right away!
Do you want to board the left boat, the middle boat, or the right boat?
We can’t make the farthest boat without being attacked on the way.”
(OOC – this is Round 2.)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=37 ; Thursday February 9th, 2023 7:15:12 AM
Stohp gets a good view of the situation and reports (perception 37). "Four boats in a line. The reads are all over them and grabbing people to take them under. Someone's about to be dragged under on each boat. We should probably hit each boat in the line left to right."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 13/13/10; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used d20+20=40 ; Thursday February 9th, 2023 8:55:53 AM "Can anybody tell how much space is between the boats? I'd like to pull the turtle between the left and middle boat and that way we can split up between the two boats but I can't tell if there is too much (or too little) space between the boats for that to work though. If so I'll go middle...if not I agree with Stohp - we go left to right and some might have to get off at each stop."
He then mutters, "Sorry Duluth"
=========== Perception 40
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=35 ; Thursday February 9th, 2023 9:25:03 AM Hawky: Animal Growth 15 minutes -1 round Delia: Longstrider 15 hours
Hawky huffs indignantly that big-slow-shell-beast can keep up with him. Since he can't scout ahead, he just keeps pace at 15 feet elevation.
Delia carefully tucks away her spyglass (perception 35), reporting on everything she saw, including whether there is space like Stock asked, "I only see Grysh and Duluth of the Lads. And, either they've hit their wall or the reeds - the evil, smart reeds - are doing something to them. Armalad, our companions, and I might be able to help out at range." She reminds herself of what she told the Lads: grief later. People needed them now.
She then steps over to Stock and casts Freedom of Movement (Most relevant bonuses: cannot be grappled and no penalties for being underwater (other than breathing)).
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+10=27 ; Thursday February 9th, 2023 3:05:50 PM "Belba, put us in reach of the left boats. We cut people free of the reeds get them on the turtle and move to the next. Archers and casters start on that rear boat. Try to disable to reeds before they carry people under." He reaches down to pat the turtle they're riding on, "Watch yourself, I don't know how large a creature these reeds will try to pull down, we're counting on you and Belba. Belba I am going to protect your turtle from poison unless you have objections." Unless Belba stops him Zanderallen will cast Delay Poison on the Turtle. He then prepares to get in reach of some of these reeds. -------------------------------- Divine Bond +5 Flaming Speed 149 rounds
Delay Poison - Turtle - Delays onset of all poisons for 11 hours.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=21 ; d20+16=29 ; d20+16=22 ; Thursday February 9th, 2023 6:20:22 PM
Bartomus seemed to see movements that were more creature like than plant.
[/b]"There's something odd about the reeds and how they are moving. I don't think these are from below the lake. "[/b]
The taur nodded in agreement as to which boats to head towards.
"Hey, Zee, want me to play Sharkman or merefolk to get a peak from down below?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 128/128 AC 21 / Touch 19 / Flat 14 CMD 27 d20+20=31 ; Thursday February 9th, 2023 8:35:20 PM
(Perception: 31)
Armalad quickly explains to the others what she sees and then tries to figure out her best course of action. She casts grease on herself. Then she heroically casts fly on herself.
She says, "I could go for the 4th boat. I can fly and I'm covered in grease so it should make it difficult for one of the vines to grapple me."
Fly : 60 foot fly speed (average) Grease: +10 to escape artist
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+16=30 ; 2d8+7=10 ; d20+16=21 ; 2d8+7=19 ; d20+16=29 ; 2d8+7=10 ; d20+16=21 ; 2d8+7=20 ; d20+16=35 ; 2d8+7=19 ; d20+16=22 ; 2d8+7=22 ; Thursday February 9th, 2023 10:55:43 PM
Stohp squints a bit, but makes out the whole tactical situation and reports to the Shields.
Stock also squints and makes out the whole tactical situation. He strategizes out loud, unsure of the best boat to end up near, but voting for the middle boat if the difference can’t be split.
Hawky maintains pace with the Turtle and rises to 15’ up. Delia puts away her spyglass, no need to squint, and likewise reports on the whole tactical situation. She casts Freedom of Movement on Stock.
(OOC – Belba did not come with you; Taran has the turtle’s reins. Belba just cast the secret super-swim spell.)
Zanderallen makes a command decision and asks Taran to split the difference on the two left boats. Zanderallen casts Delay Poison on the Turtle, and readies his muscles for action.
Bartomus agrees with Zanderallen and Stock on splitting between the left two boats. He asks Zanderallen if he should wild shape into an aquatic form to see the battle from underwater.
Armalad casts Grease on herself and heroically casts Fly on herself, and considers aloud if she could go after the fourth boat alone.
Stohp, Stock, and Delia all report that the large boats are just close enough for the huge turtle to split the difference.
Taran sees that Stock’s suggestion to try for two boats carries the day and Zanderallen has ordered it, so Taran steers the Turtle slightly and eases back a bit on speed, so the Turtle swims right into the fray, slowing to a stop almost adjacent to both boats.
(OOC – I was able to place some of you where you are on the turtle by your statements and actions, and the rest I took an educated guess at.
No, you don’t have edit permissions on the map – describe your route from starting square to ending square (e.g. L19 to N20) and I’ll do all the updates.)
The reeds attack their prey as the Shields come ever closer on their Turtle! (The reeds attack while the Turtle is still 140’ away from the face of Boat 1; as the Turtle closes, the reeds’ attacks, and their stomach-churning results, are visible and clear to all the Shields.)
There are eight reeds coming out of the water, two per boat.
Starting from Boat 1, a reed ceases toying with Grysh and rolls its binding up his body trying to constrict his throat, easily overcoming the weakened Barbarian’s tired muscles, his rage already spent, and Grysh is barely still conscious (10 damage), but his arms are starting to fall slack.
The second reed on Boat 1 tries to reach one of the two fisherfolk nearest, and does so, but experienced fisherfolk are made of stern stuff, and the fisherman is still trying to pull the reed from around his throat (19 damage).
On Boat 2, a reed likewise finishes toying with its pet fisherwoman, and shifts to the throat, succeeding in beginning its inexorable victory (10 damage). The second reed spends time feeling around its portion of the boat, and not finding a target. It keeps searching, apparently by touch.
On Boat 3, another reed moves its grip to the throat of a fisherman, succeeding greatly (20 damage) and the fisherman is weakly trying to remove the reed from his throat. The other reed gropes around its portion of the boat, but finds no prey.
On Boat 4, a reed shifts its grip to Duluth’s throat with great ease, and squeezes his throat until Duluth passes out and blood pours from his throat! If Duluth is not dead, he’s close to it! (19 damage) the other reed finds a fisherwoman on the boat and reaches for her neck, gripping it tightly and squeezing hard (22 damage)! The fisherwoman’s pulls at the reed around her neck are limp and ineffectual.
(OOC –
COMBAT NOTES – on the boat’s approach, those with archery, flight, swimming, etc. are welcome to declare that they hopped out of the boat during the final 145’ of swimming, or that they shot arrows on the approach, before any lines of sight were blocked, but after the reeds began squeezing the life from their prey. This is Round 3, and since none of you are driving the Turtle, each Shield has the luxury of firing from a distance or waiting for the Turtle to close to boarding distance before taking their round.)
All the underwater combat rules from the core rulebook are in effect, including when an above-water creature tries to attack a creature fully under the water’s surface. Reminder: spellcasters beware of what water may do to your spells when targeted fully underwater…
Sharp-eyed Shields notice from far off, and the rest of you once the Turtle is adjacent to the boats, that the reeds above the water go down into the water and under the boat they’re next to, into some kind of large floating tangle of reeds 10’ under the water. Is each reed a foe, or is it part of a single larger foe, deep enough in water to be out of the reach of unaided arrows, and many spells?
Lads and Fisherfolk are wounded, even dying, all around you, Shields – what do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=36 ; Friday February 10th, 2023 7:39:25 AM
Stohp runs across the turtle boat and the fisher boat to jump in the water next to GR (I think she has just enough move). She'll try to grab the read and pull it free - she's not very strong but she's great at grappling (I want to grapple the read and pull it off, but am not sure if that's possible by the rules. I read it as either being possible, or it only being possible for me to give +2 to his attempt to free himself.)
Grapple 36
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 13/13/10; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used d20+8=12 ; d20+20=35 ; d10+23=31 ; d6=1 ; Friday February 10th, 2023 11:03:20 AM "Up to you if you go diving in Bart. Just be careful. It will be near impossible for any of us to help you down there if you get wrapped up. We also might need you to help fish some of these guys out of the water if they fall in."
As the turtle comes alongside, Stock bellows out a war cry and leaps across to the boat. He then pivots on a heal and smacks at the reed holding the fisherfolk with his flail, trying to avoid the guy it is holding.
========== OOC - I'm definitely wishing Stock had grabbed a few more things - Boots of Striding and Springing and Gloves of Swimming and Climbing would come in handy righty about now Rage! Acrobatics to jump to Boat 2:12 - I think that's a DC10: 5 foot jump is normally DC5 but w/o a 10' running start doubles it to DC10. Power Attack vs. the reed holding Fr hits AC35, 31 damage + 1 electricity
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+6=13 ; d6=3 ; d6=4 ; d6=5 ; d6=1 ; d6=1 ; d6=4 ; d6=2 ; d6=1 ; d6=3 ; d6=4 ; Friday February 10th, 2023 4:21:08 PM
Zanderallen takes in the carnage and knows what he has to do. There were too many entangled people to all reach, he needed to keep them alive for his friends to save then deal with the reeds. With Stohp attending to Grysh he has the space he needs. He steps back to get a running start and jumps across to boat 2. He draws his blade and raises his holy symbol high casting out a wave of healing energy. "EVERYONE TO THE TURTLE!! I'll try and keep everyone alive, hang in there Duluth." ------------------------------------------ Divine Bond +5 Flaming Speed 148 rounds
Delay Poison - Turtle - Delays onset of all poisons for 11 hours.
Move action - Step back to K17 then 10 foot running start to jump (Acrobatics 13) to boat 2 and end up at I22 I believe I'll need a 10 ft jump DC 10 and it will take all 40 ft of move (Boots of Striding and Springing)
Standard Action - Channel Positive Energy in a 30 ft radius Heals Everyone except the fisher woman on Boat 4 25 HP Lay on Hands 2/13 used
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday February 10th, 2023 5:23:31 PM "Good point, Stock." Bartomus replied and watched as the turtle continued forward. Then he smiled. "But I gotta think they deserve some help too."
As he answered, he pointed over to the 4th boat and the poor souls on it. Then he dove into the water and as he did so changed into a huge water elemental swimming towards the other boat.
using wild form to make the change into the elemental.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+22=42 ; d20+22=30 ; d20+22=25 ; d20+17=19 ; d20+12=32 ; d20+12=32 ; d8+13=19 ; d8+13=17 ; d8+13=21 ; d8+13=18 ; d6=5 ; d6=2 ; d6=5 ; d6=3 ; 2d8+26=37 ; 2d8+26=41 ; d20+14=31 ; Saturday February 11th, 2023 1:46:01 PM
Delia will settle into the rhythm of the turtle's movement, factoring the rocking into her shot. She takes a breath, holds it, and unleashes a volley on the takes fires at reeds holding onto Duluth.
She sends Hawky over to boat 4 as she fires, ordering him to Fetch anyone there who falls or is pulled into the water. (Str 25, Int 3) He will play tug of war with the reeds if it comes down to it.
================================= Attacks at Duluth's reeds, secondary target of Fisher Woman 4's reeds if needed.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d8+13=15 ; d6=6 ; Saturday February 11th, 2023 1:49:32 PM (oops, forgot manyshot on attack 1. Add 15 piercing & 6 cold to attack 1 both crit and non-crit please)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 128/128 AC 21 / Touch 19 / Flat 14 CMD 27 d20+20=21 ; Sunday February 12th, 2023 10:43:57 PM
Armalad isn't really equipped to heal and although she's flying and greasy strength isn't really her strong suit. Instead seeing Delia shoot the reads she decides she will too
Assuming the read holding Duluth is still standing after Delia's barrage she will fire a single arrow at it imbued with selective fireball. The fireball will not hurt Duluth or the fisherfolk being that Armalad has the selective spell feat.
However the reed holding Duluth as well as the reed on the other side of boat 4 will be targetted assuming the arrow strikes true against the reed holding Duluth.
Armalad flies to F21 in order to get point blank shot against the reed however that was for naught as her arrow flies errant with a natural 1
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+21=22 ; d20+21=22 ; d20+15=16 ; d20+10=13 ; d20+16=27 ; 2d8+7=10 ; d20+16=20 ; 2d8+7=18 ; d20+21=41 ; d2=1 ; d20+26=46 ; d20+26=35 ; 4d8+14=32 ; Monday February 13th, 2023 12:40:39 AM (OOC – the newest sheets tab is Round 4, please use Round 4 to plan your next actions. I will make a new sheet for each new round.)
Stohp moves (K16 to M20) onto Boat 1, and happy to see a rescuer, the two fisherfolk fall back into the water, swim over to the Turtle and climb aboard with Taran’s help. Stohp reaches over to Grapple the Reed, and succeeds only by her extensive and excellent training as a grappler.
(OOC: Stohp started the Grapple this turn, and is out of actions this turn. On Stohp’s next action, Stohp has two choices: 1) if her next grapple check succeeds, Pin the Reed, so it can’t attack anyone. She can Grapple as a Move Action, so can try to Pin the Reed twice; 2) Aid Another, for any help, is always a Standard Action, so Stohp could do this action once and also one Grapple as a Move Action, attempting to Pin; 3) Stohp could do anything else.)
The two fisherfolk in the boat saw Stohp coming and leaned back to accommodate her, and on their turn they jump into the water, swim to the Turtle, and are helped onboard by Taran.
The Reed, sensing danger has grabbed ahold of it (OOC: size large danger) and sensing even more food than is present in Grysh releases its hold on Grysh, who falls into the water, bleeding and unconscious, and promptly begins to drown. The Reed attempts to break free of Stohp’s grapple on its first attempt and utterly fails! Then, as though both Reeds near Boat 1 were arms of one creature, the other Reed attempts to break the first Reed free of Stohp’s grapple, and it too utterly fails!
Grysh mumbles “glub… glub… glub…” as he bleeds…
(OOC – Stock, that’s a 10’ jump to reach the boat, so DC 20. Even Raged, Stock would judge that a less than 50% chance of success, and he knows that flails don’t swing well while treading water. I give Stock the benefit of his extensive experience, and since he’s adjacent to the Reed already, have him strike from where he stands on the Turtle, granting him a Full Attack Action. If Stock’s a risk-taker and would have taken the jump, I’ll take that into account in future actions.)
Stock rages and swings his mighty Flail in both hands, smacking the Reed hard, feeling some physical resistance, (but the shocking enchantment works normally) then nearly losing his flail on the second attack (OOC – natural 1), and missing with the last swing.
The wounded and scorched Reed’s attention has been gotten. It drops the fisherman, who begins weakly swimming to help on the Turtle, and Taran shifts a foot to allow him to climb aboard. The Reed reaches for Stock, hitting him and grabbing him (10 damage), and its attempt to grapple succeeds (OOC – natural 20, result of 41). Then, as if arms of the same creature, the other Reed by Boat 2 also reaches for Stock, hitting his unarmored body (18 damage).
Zanderallen saw Stock’s false start at jumping across and decided to play it safe, using the Turtle to get a running start and telling others to duck, Zanderallen makes the running jump across to Boat 2, drawing his sword along the way and then channels healing to every ally he can reach.
Grysh is instantly healed and conscious, and grabs ahold of the boat and throws up a lot of lake water. The first wounded fisherwoman (now on the Turtle) is fully healed. The wounded and grappled fisherman at Boat 3 is healed. Duluth is snatched from the jaws of death for a brief moment. The wounded and grappled fisherwoman at Boat 4 is not reached.
[i](OOC – read Z’s email; Z has Selective Channeling; Z successfully excludes all Reeds and/or tangles of Reeds beneath the Boats)
Delia begins firing arrows as Bartomus shifts into a Huge Water Elemental and easily swims over to and under the boat.
Delia’s first, second, and fourth arrows hit the reed holding Duluth, and there is some physical resistance, but it takes significant damage from the first, the second, and then the fourth arrow neatly severs the Reed in two, some strange sap issuing from the top half of the Reed as it and Duluth begin to fall into Turtle Lake, and a veritable geyser of sap vomits forth from the bottom part of the Reed, and as it disappears into the Lake, the other Reed suddenly goes slack and falls off of the wounded fisherwoman, who likewise falls into the Lake!
(OOC – Bartomus, on the map, you’re a 3x3 grid UNDERNEATH THE BOAT and Duluth is within your watery body, though not “held” by you, with the wounded fisherwoman adjacent to you.)
Duluth, recently healed and dropped, is desperately trying to tread water, fails, grabs ahold of the boat side (he’s still encumbered by armor and gear).
The wounded fisherwoman mumbles, “Glub… glub… glub…” as she begins drowning. Hawky, seeing two people fall into the water at the same time, acts on animal instinct and (1 = Duluth; 2 = fisherwoman) “rescues” Duluth, who seems to be just fine. (Hawky plans to rescue the other person as soon as Hawky can.)
Armalad raises her bow to fire… and Delia has stolen her thunder… though not her fire. Armalad sees that Stohp is winning her grapple against the Reeds by Boat 1, but Stock is grappled by Reeds, and no one is helping the grappled Fisherman at Boat 3. Taking careful aim, and knowing Stock will last a lot longer than the Fisherman, Armalad shoots her imbued arrow at the Reed holding the Fisherman by Boat 3, and halfway on its path a faulty fletching feather falls off, and the arrow spins out of control, missing the Reed, and sailing dozens of feet before it strikes the distant water and the fireball harmlessly explodes over the Lake. Well, not totally harmlessly. Later, careful searching might find a few fried fish who thought they were only coming up to eat insects…
Over by Boat 3, the Reed on the suddenly-healed Fisherman continues to try to strangle him, and succeeds easily, having achieved optimum position around his neck and squeezing with twice normal force (32 damage), causing the fisherman to lose consciousness, and blood begins to slowly trickle out of his mouth, the red streak down his chin visible to all paying attention. The other Reed continues to feel around on the boat’s surface for more prey.
(OOC: ROUND 5 –
STOCK – you’re Grappled. Its CMD is 32; if you attempt to break out of the grapple, that’s what you need to equal or beat. Otherwise, check the grappled penalties and grappled condition as normal.)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=34 ; d20+21=41 ; Monday February 13th, 2023 6:19:58 AM
Stohp is able to maintain her grapple and tries to tie the tentacle in knots (first check success, 34 to pin, 2nd check success, 41 to tie it up - with a rope if needed but I thought it'd be cool to tie it up in itself).
Stock (JonM) HP: 248/248; AC: 11/11/10; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 2/38 used d20+23=41 ; Monday February 13th, 2023 9:23:34 AM Raging, Grappled Stock grunts at the two reeds grappling him. It's really galling to the raging dwarf that these plants think they can do this. He flexes his muscles, twists at the waste and then is free.
He bellows out a taunt in Dwarvish and shakes his flail, crackling with electricity at the the reeds.
========= Thanks for the ruling - While Stock is a daring sort, I don't think I would have tried that jump had I interpreted the situation right. For some reason I read that as jumping over a 5 ft square, not thinking it was needing to jump a total of 10 ft. Makes sense now.
CMB 41 vs CMD
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+22=27 ; d20+22=39 ; d20+17=23 ; d20+12=18 ; d8+13=14 ; d6=6 ; d8+13=18 ; d6=3 ; d8+13=16 ; d6=2 ; d8+13=20 ; d6=2 ; d3=3 ; d20+14=30 ; Monday February 13th, 2023 11:34:40 AM (ooc, for future reference Stock has Freedom of Movement and is immune to grappled and underwater penalties)
Delia: Longstrider 12 hrs, Hawky: Animal Growth 12 min, Stock: Freedom of Movement 120 minutes
"Good boy," Delia mutters as Hawky swoops to drag Duluth onto the boat. Hoping that the churning water underneath boat 4 means that Bartomus is there, she whistles sharply to draw Hawky's attention to her new target and he will prioritize saving him next. She switches her attention to the poor soul getting strangled on boat 3 and fires another volley, though not as devestating as the previous one, at the reeds choking him.
================= Attack 1: 27 to hit Damage: 14 piercing + 6 cold & 18 piercing + 3 cold Attack 2: 39 to hit Damage: 16 piercing + 2 cold Attack 3: 23 to hit Damage: 20 piercing + 2 cold Attack 4: 18 misses
D3 misclick Hawky grapple: 30 if needed on fisherman 3
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+12=17 ; d20+16=29 ; Monday February 13th, 2023 4:01:32 PM
Bartomus sees, and possibly hears the "glub, glub, glub." He reaches out and tries raising the drowning fisherwoman up and into the boat. At the same time, he looked about to see what or where the Reeds were coming from.
Not sure what to roll, tried CMB and got a 17 to try to raise Fisherwoman on Boat 3; Perception 29
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+22=39 ; d20+26=31 ; d20+22=33 ; d20+17=28 ; d20+12=27 ; 2d8+34=42 ; d6=1 ; d8+17=25 ; d8+17=25 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ; d8+17=21 ; d6=5 ; Monday February 13th, 2023 9:04:37 PM "Archers, that boat!" He yells as he looks and points towards boat 3. He steps up to the reeds attacking Stock and unleashes his wrath. ----------- Divine Bond +5 Flaming Speed 147 rounds Lay on Hands tracker 2/13 used Delay Poison - Turtle - Delays onset of all poisons for 11 hours.
5 ft step to H21
Full Attack on Reeds, H20 into I21
39 to hit, 31 to confirm crit, 42 damage + 1 fire 33 to hit, 25 damage +2 fire 28 to hit, 25 damage +4 fire 27 to hit, 21 damage +5 fire
Armalad (Hugh) HP 128/128 AC 21 / Touch 19 / Flat 14 CMD 27 d20+20=22 ; d8=2 ; d6=4 ; d8=3 ; d6=2 ; 10d6=35 ; Monday February 13th, 2023 11:13:53 PM
Armalad tries embuing a lightning bolt this time and aims at the reed at I20
If she has to she gains height on her position so she should still be within 30 feet of the targetted reed giving her point blank shot.
If the arrow hits it will create a lightning bolt that extends from I20 to G20 then from F19 to A19 then A-1 18 to A - 6 18 then A-7 17 to A-13 17 then A-14 16 to A-17 16 getting the reeds at I and H 20 and C 19 and not striking anything else. If the arrow misses the spell fizzles.
22 vs AC of read at I 20
1d8 + 1d6 shock + 11 x 2 from many shot + DC 19 reflex save or take 10d6 electricity only half on success
if arrow hits: Reed at I20: 2 + 4 + 11, 3 + 2 + 11 and 35 electric damage from the lightning bolt if failed DC 19 reflex save for 17
Reed at H20 DC 19 reflex save for 17 electric damage else 35 electric damage
Reed at C19 DC 19 reflex save for 17 electric damage else 35 electric damage
Note please see link: [href="https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/combat/space-reach-threatened-area-templates/"]space and area[/link] for how I arrived at my line shape. since 120 / 4 = 30 I stacked 4 30 foot lines together
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+21=26 ; d20+20=38 ; d20+15=31 ; d20+10=27 ; d10+23=29 ; d10+23=27 ; d10+23=25 ; 3d6=7 ; d20+9=17 ; Tuesday February 14th, 2023 5:45:48 AM
Stohp leverages her advantageous grappling position, first to pin the Reed, and then since the other Reed reached over in a failed attempt to break Stohp’s hold, she grabs ahold of it and triple-ties the two Reeds together like Large shoelaces! (OOC – tying up with ropes while grappling “requires a combat maneuver check at a -10 penalty.” Here, Stohp is using the ropelike nature of the Reeds themselves, so this DM would lessen, or even eliminate, the penalty, and also Stohp got a natural 20 and is automatically successful in the Tie Up attempt, setting a DC of 41 for any attempt by the Reeds to escape this position.)
Stohp’s Reeds then attempt to escape being tied up, but strain to no effect, for the moment.
Stock summons his years of martial training, and his astonishing strength, and at once reminds the vines that he benefits from Freedom of Movement and he was just faking it! Stock launches into a demonstration of a fully armed and operational Barbarian, bashing the right Reed to the center, then the left Reed to the center, finishing with a dramatic overhands smash onto both Reeds! (OOC – reedy physical resistance continues, but Stock put a serious hurt on the Reeds!)
Delia again reaches for her quiver, two arrows nearly teleporting into her lithe hand and launching towards the Reed holding the limp and bleeding fisherman at Boat 3, followed by two more in swift succession, the first three striking true, but not dropping the Reed. She whistles, and Hawky floats over to the drowning fisherwoman, pulling her onto the boat with overgrown avian muscles, fortunately at an angle where the woman begins coughing up some water, and then, still conscious, rolls slightly to more fully cough up all the water, and then begins wheezing audibly.
Bartomus assists Hawky, and wanting to help, touches the woman’s mouth and pulls the excess water out of her lungs as his water elemental body attracts the stray pockets of water. She is now breathing normally, without wheezing. (OOC – Hawky handled the heavy lifting, I used your roll for a Heal check in combination with your water elemental body to get her breathing normally.)
Bartomus looks around underwater, and sees that the Reeds each go to a central tangle of Reeds underneath the boat they are near – there are not, for now, eight Reedy monsters, but only four (one floating lifeless to the lakefloor beneath Boat 4 and Bartomus), each of the three remaining tangles stretching two tendrils 10’ to reach above the water, search out prey, and attack! There is also a substantial amount of vegetation on the lakefloor, which is at a depth of 20’ here. Bartomus does not see any additional mobile tangles of reeds… at the moment.
Zanderallen calls for archery support on Boat 3, and then demonstrates why no one should cross the Shields! Stepping into flanking position with Stock, Zanderallen’s fiery blade faces no physical resistance at all from the Reeds, slicing the first one in half, causing a geyser of sap to erupt from its bottom half, and then likewise cleaving the second in twain for good measure, the Reeds losing pints of water to steam as they collapse into the Lake, lifeless.
Armalad’s targets once more fall away before her, this time at the hands of Stock and Zanderallen, leaving only two boats with Reeds, and Stohp seems to have Boat 1 well in hand, so she instead aims at the Reed at Boat 3 not holding the unconscious fisherman (C19), having seen enough to realize each Boat has one “creature” of multiple Reeds, and that if she can kill one Reed, she can kill the whole creature! Armalad recites energetic arcane phrases, her arrows already glowing in her hand, and her enchanted bow hurls them forth, barely striking the Reed, which perhaps was distracted by the effort the other Reed (D22) grappling the Fisherman, and the bolt leaps forth, sizzling its wrath upon the Reed, to full effect, as the Reeds’ grapple distracted it enough that the Reed was unable to dodge even a portion of the bolt! The two arrows each face some physical resistance, but cut in, and there is no resistance to the lightning from the bolt or that imbuing the arrows with electricity. The Reeds, gravely wounded, are still there, and with no foe in reach…
The Reeds at Boat 3, withdraw into the Lake, pulling the limp, bleeding fisherman with them!
(OOC – fully submerged, the Reeds cannot be shot by above-water arrow fire and all of the Shields know this from their past underwater adventures – someone will have to venture beneath the Lake if the Shields have any hope of rescuing this fisherman!)
Bartomus sees the Reeds withdraw and pull the Fisherman under the Lake just a couple dozen feet away, and as they do so, the Tangle of Reeds, shifts, reforms, and many thorny Reeds expose themselves into kind of a makeshift mouth with “teeth” far more deadly than any shark! The Tangle-Mouth is poised to begin its meal early…
Bartomus also sees several Large patches of vegetation beneath the Turtle, 20’ deep, begin to stir and move! Fisherfolk blood has entered the water, and some… things… are awakening! Four Large patches lift free from the Lakefloor and move so that all are 10’ directly beneath the Turtle, the four of them equal in size to the Gargantuan Turtle, and spread their Reeds in silent coordination, like a pack of wolves about to strike down a herbivore!
(OOC –
SHIELDS – only Bartomus is aware of the threat beneath the Turtle, and he really sees two threats – Boat 3’s Tangle of Reeds about to devour the unconscious Fisherman, and four new Tangle of Reeds about to mount an ambush on the Turtle, the Shields aboard, or all at once.)
What do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=33 ; Tuesday February 14th, 2023 8:02:39 AM
With her two targets dealt with Stohp looks around, figuring it can't be that easy. She looks above and below the water trying to find any more threats (perception 33)
Stock (JonM) HP: 248/248; AC: 11/11/10; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 3/38 used d20+20=40 ; Tuesday February 14th, 2023 8:53:00 AM Raging Freedom of Movement Stock takes half a step toward Stohp and realize he can't fit on that boat with the Taur there. He then scans the water line for other targets but sees nothing. He subconsciously wipes water away from his face, apparently the result of an errant splash and gazes into the water, looking for signs of movement from either Bartomus or...anything else.
======== Thanks for the reminder on Freedom of Movement Perception 40
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday February 14th, 2023 10:57:37 AM
Bartomus didn't like anything that he saw underwater. He shifted and began to twirl his hand in a ever-quicking circle creating a vortex of spinning water he aimed at the gapping thorn mouth and the tendrils pulling the fisherman toward that maul. He thought of lifting or rustling the combined masses upwards towards the surface.
Vortex/Whirlwind - if I read this right, the thornmouth has to make a reflex save of 19 to avoid being caught in the vortex. Also, there may be a -4 penalty, reducing that to 15, if connected to the ground. Again if I am reading all of this right. The goal is to try lifting it toward the surface to make it more visible/attackable.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday February 14th, 2023 10:57:37 AM
Bartomus didn't like anything that he saw underwater. He shifted and began to twirl his hand in a ever-quicking circle creating a vortex of spinning water he aimed at the gapping thorn mouth and the tendrils pulling the fisherman toward that maul. He thought of lifting or rustling the combined masses upwards towards the surface.
Vortex/Whirlwind - if I read this right, the thornmouth has to make a reflex save of 19 to avoid being caught in the vortex. Also, there may be a -4 penalty, reducing that to 15, if connected to the ground. Again if I am reading all of this right. The goal is to try lifting it toward the surface to make it more visible/attackable.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+6=16 ; d20+20=36 ; d8+17=20 ; d6=3 ; Tuesday February 14th, 2023 8:06:07 PM
Zanderallen curses as he sees the fisherman pulled under. He pauses only long enough to take a couple deep breathes to fill his lungs before diving into the lake. He swims towards the reeds swinging with all his water hindered might. ‐------------ Divine Bond +5 Flaming Speed Longshore 145 rounds Delay poison turtle 11 hours Lay on Hands 2/13 used
Swim check 16 moving at half speed(20 ft) I think Zander can get under boat 3 and in reach
Standard Attack underwater (-2 to hit, half damage) 36 to hit, 10 damage +3 fire(if it works)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 128/128 AC 21 / Touch 19 / Flat 14 CMD 27 d20+20=22 ; Tuesday February 14th, 2023 8:25:49 PM
Armalad flies higher to get a better vantage point and also surveys the area for threats
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+18=31 ; d20+20=38 ; Wednesday February 15th, 2023 12:18:56 AM Delia: Longstrider 12 hrs, Hawky: Animal Growth 12 min, Stock: Freedom of Movement 120 minutes
Hawky wheels over to the churning waters marking where the fisherman was drug under, shrieking in frustration that he cannot fetch what he was going to.
Delia will take a running leap and hop over to boat 2 (currently +18 acrobatics w/ longstrider for 31 acro), stowing her bow as she lands. She will then stand by to help pull Zander and/or the fisherman out of the water as needed.
================ Move to H21 Ready Action: Grapple 38 to grab anyone friend shaped and wrestle them away from the reeds.
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+9=29 ; d20+9=28 ; d20+10=30 ; d20+15=16 ; d20+15=33 ; d20+15=33 ; d20+15=19 ; d20+16=28 ; d20+16=31 ; d20+16=25 ; d20+16=24 ; d20+16=22 ; d20+16=28 ; d20+16=29 ; d20+16=21 ; 2d8+7=19 ; 2d8+7=14 ; 2d8+7=16 ; 2d8+7=16 ; 2d8+7=13 ; 2d8+7=19 ; d2=2 ; Wednesday February 15th, 2023 6:52:18 AM
Stohp, believing her Reeds dealt with for the moment, sees no further threats above the Lake, and then dunks her head below, so the dawn’s early glare doesn’t reflect off the lakewaters and obscure her distance vision, and as she does so, she sees a placid, empty lakefloor with vegetation slowly waving… and then turning to look underneath the Turtle she sees several large and shadowy tangles of reeds have come loose from the lakefloor, gathering beneath the enormous Turtle, and some reeds have extended from each tangle, rising slowly… cautiously(?) towards all four sides of the Turtle. Stohp’s head is presently underwater.
Stock looks around the Lake, seeing no further threats, but his keen Darkvision eyes work even in the dawn’s early light, and he chances to look down at the water… looks like some vegetation came free from the lakefloor and some reeds are rising slightly faster than the tangles of vegetation and… those are Reeds! Stock is on guard at this potential new threat.
Bartomus’s watery body begins moving rapidly, swimming over to the Tangle of Reeds under Boat 3, which is busy grappling the fisherman. Bartomus’ elemental form shifts into a watery vortex, spinning faster and faster and engulfing the Tangle of Reeds but for the one Reed grappling the Fisherman. The Tangle of Reeds tries to resist being battered about by Bartomus, and avoids being damaged with ease (OOC natural 20 vs. DC 22 for Huge Water Elemental; Lake is 20’ deep, Bartomus is 15’ tall, his vortex need not be connected to the ground.), but then the Bartomus-vortex swirls higher and higher in an attempt to hold the Tangle within Bartomus so he can alley-oop the Tangle onto the Lake’s surface, perhaps even partially on Boat 3, so others can target it, and this attempt also fails, as the Tangle executes a counter-swim! (OOC natural 19, result of 28 vs. DC 22, sorry Bartomus!)
Zanderallen makes a running leaping dive into the water to attack the Reed holding the Fisherman, the weight of his gear helping him fight his natural buoyancy, and as the flaming sword pierces the water, amazingly, the flame stays on, creating a small but constant flow of steam rising to the surface… for now… Zanderallen’s powerful legs propel him forward, his sword in front of him like a spear, and he stabs into the Reed holding the fisherman to great effect!
The Tangle of Reeds, already heavily wounded by the Shields, ceases moving, mostly… unconscious (?), if that even applies to a Tangle of Reeds with a thorny, eviscerating, mouth.
(OOC – (1) Zanderallen’s flaming sword is a third-level magic Fire effect, which requires a DC 23 caster level check; the sword’s level is 10 for this effect, and this round Zanderallen rolled a natural 20, easily making the check. Every round Zanderallen wants to have the Flaming be effective, or “on,” while immersed underwater, Zanderallen needs to roll 1d20+10 vs DC 23.
(2) – with two rounds of flaming sword damage in, Zanderallen is certain the Reeds really hate Fire attacks… the Fire is having slightly more effect than expected.)
Armalad flies higher and looks for more threats, seeing none above the Lake, and then looks down… and sees a mass of floating vegetation around the edges of the Turtle.. with a few reeds coming up from the floating vegetation… perhaps straining towards the surface? Reeds! (OOC – Armalad sees *some* of the same Reeds coming up the left side of the Turtle that Stock has also seen…)
Hawky flies over Boat 3, shrieking.
Delia flexes her leg and back muscles and deftly executes a running leap over the gap, minding it, and lands in Boat 2 on her feet without overturning it, and stowing her bow as she lands! Delia looks for an opportunity to help Zanderallen with the last grappled fisherman.
Stohp’s Reeds continue to struggle ineffectively. (Boat 1’s Reeds are out of the combat at this point. I’ll leave them on the map, but you may safely ignore them… for now.
When Reeds Attack…
The Turtle is blissfully unaware of what is about to happen.
The Four Tangles of Reeds beneath it each pick one of the four Turtle flippers and Attack!!!
Front Left Flipper – Two Reeds grab ahold and constrict tightly (33 damage) Front Right Flipper - Two Reeds grab ahold and constrict tightly (32 damage) Rear Left Flipper – One Reed succeeds and constricts tightly (13 damage) Rear Right Flipper – One Reed succeeds and constricts tightly (19 damage; Turtle has now taken 97 damage, but is still conscious, though heavily wounded as even those on top of the Turtle can see the Reeds wrapped around its flippers.
In mere seconds, the Turtle could be killed and all aboard taken to a watery and Reedy grave!
[OOC – These new four Tangles of Reeds are all 100% underwater and cannot be reached with arrows from above water. Full underwater combat rules continue to apply.]
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=33 ; Wednesday February 15th, 2023 7:19:07 AM
(OOC: I can't seem to find the map link in the last week or so of posts, can you relink?)
Stohp raises her head and calls, "Everyone dive in the enemies are all underwater!" the swims to the nearest reed not tied up. She'll try to grapple again getting 33 this time.
Edit: Somehow this got posted private to DMs.
Stock (JonM) HP: 248/248; AC: 11/9/11; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 4/38 used d20+10=22 ; d20+20=39 ; d20+20=24 ; d10+23=28 ; d10+23=31 ; d6=3 ; Wednesday February 15th, 2023 10:59:29 AM
[b]Raging Freedom of Movement[/i] Seeing the emerging threat, Stock cannonballs into the lake. If he wasn't in a blind rage, he'd be amazed at how easy the swim was.
Targeting the reeds grabbing the front left flipper, he swings his flail with all his considerable might.
======= Swim 22 Current CON is 28 so 56 rounds of breath to start - 2 this round so down to 54 PA hits AC39, threat, AC28 (rolled 25 but forgot critical focus bonus) to confirm Regular damage: 28 + 3 electricity; if it is a crit: 59+3 electricity + sickened for 1 round (sickening critical) Freedom of movement means bludgeoning acts normal underwater Rather than targeting individual reeds, Stock would go for the mass that seems to be the body of the thing...
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+14=22 ; Wednesday February 15th, 2023 1:17:34 PM
Delia takes in the battlefield, weighing her strengths against that of her ally's for a moment, then dives in the water towards Zanderallen. (swim 22) She pulls the fisherman away from him, gesturing emphatically towards the turtle as she takes over pulling the fisherman out of the water.
If she breaks the surface, she will call Hawky to drag him over and onto the nearest boat.
======= Regular movespeed: 30ft Move to Zander and fisherman, take fisherman and pass him off to Hawky as soon as she can. She would then take another breath and get as close to the lake bottom as she can.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+6=23 ; d20+10=17 ; d6=2 ; d6=5 ; d6=2 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; d6=2 ; d20+26=38 ; d8+32=36 ; Wednesday February 15th, 2023 1:56:18 PM
Seeing Delia's gesture Zander let's her take the fisherman and looks at the turtle. He fights to keep a gasp in to not lose any air. He then does several things at once, moving with heroic intent. He channels a wave of positive energy to heal the fisherman just rescued and the turtle but excluding the reeds. He then surges forward to the reeds holding the turtle's nearest flipper. His anger burns unlike his sword as the water douses the flames and he lashes out with Domi's power after having seen the teethed maw and no longer believing these reeds to be natural. ============ Divine Bond +5 Flaming Speed Longshore 144 rounds Delay poison turtle 11 hours Lay on Hands 4/13 used
Standard Action Channel Positive Energy 30' radius selective channel excluding 6 creatures should remove all reeds Boat 2,3,4, and turtle all heal 24 HP
Move Action Swim check 23 to move 10 feet underwater to H20 to reach front right (turtle's perspective) flipper reeds
Swift Action Declare SMITE EVIL on said reed creature IF EVIL +6 to hit and Zander's AC, +15 damage, Ignore DR
Hero Point Standard Action Attack reed creature (Flaming dies with a hiss CL 17 vs DC 23) If Evil - 38 to hit, 18 damage If not Evil - 32 to hit, 10 damage
Armalad (Hugh) HP 128/128 AC19 / Touch 17/ Flat 12CMD 27 d20+2=21 ; d20+15=35 ; d20+15=28 ; d8+2=8 ; d8+2=6 ; d8+2=8 ; Wednesday February 15th, 2023 8:39:08 PM
Armalad fly / swim dive bombs the reed with her spear (it has 20 foot range)
Swim Check: 21
Attack: 35 vs AC; threat of critical if plant can be crit hit; 28 vs AC to confirm crit for 8 damage + 14 crit damage if crit is confirmed
spear is piercing weapon and Armalad made a swim check of 21 so it should attack as normal
Active Effects: Fly - 60 foot fly speed Grease - +10 circumstance bonus to escape artist and combat maneuver checks made to escape grapples Charging - -2 to AC (header updated)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday February 15th, 2023 10:04:40 PM
Bartomus growled in frustration as his attempt to disrupt the maul failed. The thing seemed to move and as it did so, the others were attacking the turtle. He hated this situation. He let out the water equivalent of a sigh and then turned his vortex towards the reeds attacking the turtle. He expanded and extended the vortex trying to capture the two main bodies, would it be bodies or clusters, of reads that were streaming upwards and wrapping around one of the turtles.
Vortex attack - 19 to avoid being captured and if I can do it horizontally, I would try to capture two of the reeds attacking the side of the turtle closest to me.
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+9=29 ; d20+9=18 ; d20+9=21 ; d20+9=27 ; 2d6+7=19 ; d6=2 ; d20+16=29 ; d20+16=34 ; d20+15=21 ; 2d8+7=16 ; 2d8+7=14 ; d8+7=13 ; d4=3 ; d20+27=37 ; d20+21=23 ; d20+16=34 ; d20+16=20 ; 2d8+7=14 ; d20+21=24 ; Thursday February 16th, 2023 6:55:33 AM
The Turtle strains, but is only able to free itself from the Top-Right Tangle/Reeds (back left flipper).
Stohp alerts the Shields to the battle having shifted beneath the Lake and swims to the nearest Reeds attacking the Turtle and attempts to grapple the Bottom-Right Tangle/Reeds, and succeeds!
(OOC – There’s a 10’x10’ Tangle of Reeds BENEATH each quarter of the Turtle, and from each Tangle one or two Reeds have latched onto a Turtle Flipper (one per corner of the Turtle) and damaged and grabbed each respective Flipper.
To attack a Tangle/Reeds, move adjacent to a corner of the Turtle on the map, then swim DOWN 10’ to attack horizontally, or 5’ and melee directly below and diagonal to you (“down is towards the enemy!” (-- Ender Wiggins), then take a combat/noncombat action that works underwater.
I am using the map’s orientation to reference, clockwise, Bottom-Left, Top-Left, Top-Right, and Bottom-Right of the Turtle; I do see some of you using “front left flipper” and that’s fine, but when I refer to a particular Tangle/Reeds I’ll use the above naming convention.)
Grysh smiles as Stohp dives in, and slowly begins pulling himself into Boat 1.
Stock cannonballs into the lake, stopping with magical precision horizontal from the Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds, and encounters only the physical resistance of the Tangle itself, still striking true and heavily bruising Reeds within the Tangle, critically breaking a “tooth” or two of the verdant Reedy maw. Stock is unsure what a “sickened” plant would look like, but the Tangle/Reeds is apparently not immune to Stock’s awesome critical skill, as it seems to be moving and reacting poorly in the wake of Stock’s flailing attack!
Delia pauses a half-second, then dives into the Lake, swimming towards Zanderallen, rescuing the drowning and unconscious fisherman, handing him to Hawky to drag him on the Boat to begin coughing up water, all while catching Zanderallen’s attention, waving him on towards the Turtle. Delia then takes a deep breath, readying herself to dive as soon as she can. (OOC – move to swim there, standard action to handle/rescue the Fisherman, free actions to direct Hawky, wave Zanderallen onwards, take deep breath. Well done!)
Zanderallen nods at Delia’s direction, strains to hold his breath as the gruesome attacks on a beloved Turtle unfold, and then moves with heroic intent! Zanderallen channels Domi’s healing energies while on the swim, wounds healing on the Turtle, Stock, and all Fisherfolk within range. Zanderallen swims forward 10’ to the nearest flipper, and down 5’ along the way, reaching the Bottom-Left Reeds, and with a quick mental prayer to Domi to Smite Evil, attacking them alongside Stock. Zanderallen’s sword swings true, heroically striking the Tangle/Reeds, but the flame has gone out and Domi’s blessing does not flare against the Tangle/Reeds, who act with all the viciousness of the kingdom of nature from a deepwelling sense of HUNGRY seen in the rapidly opening and closing thorn-toothy maw, and even… wolf-like cunning (?)… but not apparently from malice… at least not from themselves…
Armalad, poised perhaps 30’ (plus or minus) in the air, surveys the Lake around the Turtle, and then, remembering past underwater adventures where above-water weapons are completely ineffective vs. completely-submerged targets (OOC – total cover for defender underwater), gulps with anticipation and dives towards the Lake, drawing her spear on the way and thrusting it forth before her! The Armalad-spear pierces the Lake with little effort, her lithe legs and flight spell powering her down, down, down into the depths of the Lake, and her spear into the Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds, striking true, but facing some physical resistance from the Tangle/Reeds itself.
Bartomus growls in response to the Tangle/Reeds astoundingly evading all effects of his vortex, but smiles as Zanderallen finishes off the thing. Bartomus turns his attention to the Tangles/Reeds attacking his beloved Turtle, sighs, and in a barely-visible displacement of Lakewater, is soon past Armalad, Stock, and Zanderallen’s melee with the Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds and down to the Lakefloor, 20’ below the Turtle, with the Tangle/Reeds occupying the 11’-15’ height above the Lakefloor. Just enough. His 15’-tall watery form brushes the Bottom-Left and Top-Left tangles as he spins faster and faster until the Vortex forms once more, catching the bulk of the two Large Tangle/Reeds, and the Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds neither is damaged by the vortex nor is it grasped by the vortex. The Top-Left Tangle/Reeds is damaged by the Vortex but is not grasped by it.
The Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds, wounded by three attackers and Sickened by Stock, mildly distracted by a watery vortex, ends its grapple on the Turtle and reaches for Armalad with both Reeds, and since Armalad is in the space (cube) between its 10’ reach and its body, though slightly off to the side, it bites at Armalad too, with its thorn-toothy maw! Armalad’s Greasy form is grabbed twice (14 damage, 12 damage) and mauled by the thorn-toothy maw (11 damage; total of 37 for the round)!
The Top-Left Tangle/Reeds doesn’t know what to make of the watery attack, and holds on for dear life, squeezing the Turtle Flipper further, but this time the Turtle flexes its flipper-muscle and resists the squeezing damage.
The Top-Right Tangle/Reeds had its grapple broken, so it melees again, reaching out twice, and connecting once (14 damage).
The Bottom-Right Tangle/Reeds attempts to squeeze further, but again the Turtle flexes its mighty flipper-muscles and resists the constriction!
SHIELDS – What do you do?
(OOC - edited to give Armalad the benefit of Stock Sickening the Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds, saving Armalad several HP!)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+3=4 ; d20+21=40 ; d20+21=41 ; Thursday February 16th, 2023 7:39:29 AM
Stohp continues to prove to be a grapple champion and is able to pin the creature then attempt a tie up action with the rope she keeps in her backpack - or the next nearest reed (40 to maintain and pin, 31 to tie up). Stohp is not a particularly strong swimmer though and she sinks as she wrestles with the creature (finally remembering to roll swim checks, 4 = fail, she sinks farther down. She can hold her breath for 10 more rounds)
Stock (JonM) HP: 248/248; AC: 11/9/11; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 5/38 used d20+10=17 ; d20+20=29 ; d20+15=28 ; d20+10=19 ; d10+23=33 ; d6=1 ; d10+23=30 ; d6=2 ; d10+23=30 ; d6=6 ; Thursday February 16th, 2023 8:52:53 AM Raging Freedom of Movement Stock does his best to hold his position in the water and continues slamming his flail over and over at the (bottom left) tangle of reeds.
=========== Swim 17, 52 rounds of breath remaining after this round Power Attack 1 hits AC29, 33 damage + 1 electricity Power Attack 2 hits AC28, 30 damage + 2 electricity Power Attack 3 hits AC19, 30 damage + 6 electricity
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+15=19 ; d20+15=34 ; 2d6+7=15 ; 2d6+7=18 ; Thursday February 16th, 2023 3:55:03 PM
He had tried to be nice, really he had. But now that the reeds were turning into sharped-edged munch mouths and not only feeding on turtles, TURTLES EVEN, but now a shield, Bartomus got upset. He bellowed as he slammed into first the TopLeft Reed and then into the one trying to eat Armalad for a mid-day snack.
There is a 15' reach and I think I can hit both reeds, but leave that up to the DM for these slam attacks. 19 on TopLeft for 15, 34 on BottomLeft for 18
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+15=19 ; d20+15=34 ; 2d6+7=15 ; 2d6+7=18 ; Thursday February 16th, 2023 3:55:03 PM
He had tried to be nice, really he had. But now that the reeds were turning into sharped-edged munch mouths and not only feeding on turtles, TURTLES EVEN, but now a shield, Bartomus got upset. He bellowed as he slammed into first the TopLeft Reed and then into the one trying to eat Armalad for a mid-day snack.
There is a 15' reach and I think I can hit both reeds, but leave that up to the DM for these slam attacks. 19 on TopLeft for 15, 34 on BottomLeft for 18
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+6=21 ; Thursday February 16th, 2023 5:50:45 PM
Seeing the danger to their turtle from all corners Zander leave these reed to his allies as he propels himself under the turtle. He strains but the reed remain just out of reach for the moment. He tries to make lots of noise with his kicks and arms as he swims up to distract the reed from the turtle. ================== Divine Bond +5 Flaming Speed Longshore 143 rounds Delay poison turtle 11 hours Lay on Hands 4/13 used Smite Evil 1/5 used
Swim 21 full round action to move half speed to K17, 5 feet below the turtle, 10-ish below the surface I think.
Armalad attempts to escape the grapple with the reed and if possible fly out of the water to set herself up to attempt another diving charge with her long spear next round
Active Effects: Fly - 60 foot fly speed Grease - +10 circumstance bonus to escape artist and combat maneuver checks made to escape grapples
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+14=30 ; Friday February 17th, 2023 12:23:05 AM Delia: Longstrider 12 hrs, Hawky: Animal Growth 11.3 min, Stock: Freedom of Movement 119.4 minutes
Holding Breath: 24 rounds -1 for full round action for 23 remaining
Delia will swim to H22 and angle downward (swim 30), pulling out her bow as she does so.
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+21=34 ; d8+7=12 ; d20+21=35 ; d8+7=13 ; d20+21=39 ; Saturday February 18th, 2023 11:03:29 AM
Stohp, perhaps miffed that the Tangle/Reeds grasping the Bottom-Right flipper ignored her and constricted the Turtle’s flipper harder, redoubles her efforts to put the Tangle/Reeds in its place… though Stohp is not the one being grappled, she adjusts and expertly executes a “pluck” maneuver, grabbing the end of the one Reed holding onto the flipper and unwinding it until the Reed falls off the flipper and then quick as a snake grasping the other Reed that was coming in for the attack, Stohp thrashing the water with powerful kicks to stay in place while she begins wrapping the Reeds together, pinning them. Then with the same quiet expertise she displayed with the first Tangle/Reeds, her powerful hands deftly fly almost faster than the eye can follow as she uses the Reeds to tie them up all the way back to the Tangle and stuffs the yarn-ball of Reeds in the Tangle’s mouth! (OOC – DC 41 for the Tangle to attempt to escape from being Tied-Up)
Stock mildly concentrates on the water feeling like solid ground to fight from and effortlessly begins his full attack routine on the Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds, his air supply running ever lower as he does so… Stock’s first two swings strike true, meeting the usual physical resistance of the strange Tangle/Reeds, but bruising its unnatural body until, following the second strike, it ceases moving, its Reeds fall limp, and Armalad may attempt to extricate herself from the floating verdantry soon enough.
Bartomus… sweet, gentle Bartomus… until his beloved Turtles are attacked! Bartomus’ watery eyes almost glow red with rage, and with an explosion of watery mini-vortices (for how does one bellow underwater without air, which a water elemental does not need?) around the “head” of Bartomus’ formless watery “body,” he notices as his first blow glances off the Top-Left Tangle/Reeds at a bad angle, that the Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds has ceased moving, so he continues his assault on the Top-Left Tangle/Reeds, this time connecting, doing damage, but facing that same physical resistance.
Zanderallen swims past the unmoving Bottom-Left Tangle/Reeds to a position 5’ below the Turtle but 5’ above the remaining Tangle/Reeds, and attempts to draw the attacks of the wolflike HUNGRY foes! The Tangle/Reeds are unmoved by Zanderallen’s performance.
(OOC - Unfortunately, it seems the Tangle/Reeds only respond to at least, or maybe only, two things that the Shields have seen thus far: the need for self-defense, and HUNGRY. Zanderallen, though mighty and muscled, just isn’t as big a dinner plate as the Turtle, or even one of its flippers…)
Armalad prepared for a tough escape, even with her Grease protecting her, but Stock’s expert flail attacks obviated that need. Without the Tangle/Reeds opposing her, she need only strain slightly (move action) to get out of the dead and heavy grasp of the Reeds. Now free, Armalad inwardly groans as she recalls the Fly spell does absolutely nothing to enhance her underwater movement, and she begins swimming towards the surface, confident that if she can only raise but a hand above the waterline, she can once more own the sky.
(OOC – As a courtesy, I repurpose your unneeded grapple check (natural 17), add your swim bonus for a sum of 19 vs. a Calm Water DC of 10. Armalad can swim up to one-quarter her speed (30/4 = 7.5’ = 5’) as a move action. Here, she needs only 5’ movement upward, so she has just enough swimming to do so.)
Armalad is only lightly encumbered, and so has little trouble swimming to and reaching the surface, gasping for air after her brief but intense combat underwater, thankful the Top-Left Tangle/Reeds was so occupied by its flipper “meal” that it did not strike at her as she breached the Lake’s surface tension.
(OOC – Armalad next round may immediately begin Flying up and out of the water etc as normal – horizontal or downward movement *through* the water is still Swim skill, DC 10, movement as above.)
Delia, holding her breath, flips and aiming a bit diagonal towards the Lakefloor, swims head-first towards her underwater destiny, finishing just under the bottom-left of Boat 2, with a clear firing angle at the Tangle/Reeds that are still active and/or tied-up.
(OOC – Delia is Move 40’ under Longstrider, meaning on a successful swim check, 40’ as a full-round action, or 20’ as a move action.
DELIA – I had lost track of you on the map, but I think you were last at F20 rescuing the Fisherman from Zanderallen; the other D was Duluth at Boat 4.
F20 to H22 is 15’ of diagonal movement, and aiming down, you could certainly be 10’ deep from the Lake surface, all as one move action.
As my map may have confused you, your next action may include your remaining standard action from this post, taken before the Reeds’ actions following this paragraph, and then you can proceed into what Delia does during the next round.
Remember – ranged weapons underwater have a range increment of just 5’, so -2 at 10’, -4 at 15’ and so on; feats like Far Shot, which you have, would help vs. this underwater range penalty.)
When Reeds Attack!
The Top-Left Tangle/Reeds are quite upset that Bartomus has punched them with a watery fist! This Tangle/Reeds is upset that the Lake itself is interrupting its feast, but the Lake doesn’t have any tasty flipper-flesh to eat! Thinking to perhaps use the Flipper as cover, the Tangle/Reeds maintains its grapple of the flipper and pulls its Tangly body (and thorny mouth!) up to the Flipper and chomps down hard! (12 damage) The Turtle’s Flipper begins oozing Turtle blood…
The Top-Right Tangle/Reeds continue to attempt to make a meal of its Flipper, maintaining its grapple and pulling its body up to the Flipper and likewise chomping down mercilessly! (13 damage; Turtle at 112 damage so far.) This Flipper begins oozing Turtle Blood as well… the Turtle is still conscious, but losing some light in its eyes, warbling pitifully and helplessly as these underwater terrors steal its lifeblood…
The Bottom-Right Tangle/Reeds, its gnawing hunger desiring to finish the job, to slay and consume the Turtle, strains to reach its thorny maw towards its flipper just 10’ away, but though it strains with all its unnatural might, it just barely fails to escape having been Tied-Up by Stohp, and so its thorny maw, not able to reach quite as far as its Reeds, goes unsatisfied… for now…
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 3d8+15=31 ; Saturday February 18th, 2023 11:49:17 AM
Bartomus really was angered. In his mind, he was roaring as he would on land, but in the depths of the lake, does a roar sound from a water elemental? That was something he would have to someday ask one of the merfolk.
But now, the turtle was fading. He took his time, relying upon his training with the League, he lifted a column of water and extended healing to the poor turtle.
Use feat from WLA for casting while in wild shape to cast Cure Serious Wounds - 31 points of healing
Stock (JonM) HP: 248/248; AC: 11/9/11; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 5/38 used d20+10=30 ; d20+20=26 ; d10+23=32 ; d6=3 ; Saturday February 18th, 2023 2:23:07 PM Raging Freedom of Movement Stock rage swims to another (top left) tangle of weeds and unloads again.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=16 ; d20+21=27 ; Sunday February 19th, 2023 12:23:38 PM
Stohp's going to swim up back towards the surface and towards the back flipper. She only gets 15 feet of movement (passed swim check) so may not be able to do more the nsurface, but if she can she'll surface then dive back towards the the next tangle and try to unwrap it from the turtle's flipper (with 10 foot reach as long as the flipper isn't more then 5 below the water and her no more then 10 from the surface she can swim 10 feet up, then 5 feet down and grab the next reed/tangle. 27 to grapple)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+19=33 ; d20+19=31 ; d20+14=17 ; d20+9=23 ; d8+14=15 ; d6=3 ; d8+14=17 ; d6=4 ; d8+14=19 ; d6=1 ; d8+14=17 ; d6=2 ; Sunday February 19th, 2023 6:48:41 PM (OOC: I did in fact lose track of where I was on the map - thanks! Also, didn't realize Far Shot hit the underwater penalty too!! Longstrider, however, only affects land speed, so my effective move is 30ft for calculating swim distance)
Delia: Longstrider 12 hrs, Hawky: Animal Growth 11.3 min, Stock: Freedom of Movement 119.4 minutes
Holding Breath: 20 rounds remaining
Delia, wanting to plant herself and not move, will spend the extra action last round swimming to J20.
This round, she will fire at the Top-Left Reed Tangle.
================== Modifiers between J22 and L16: 20 feet of water -4, within point-blank range +1, piercing full damage from underwater (auto succeed swim up to 15).
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+19=33 ; d20+19=31 ; d20+14=17 ; d20+9=23 ; d8+14=15 ; d6=3 ; d8+14=17 ; d6=4 ; d8+14=19 ; d6=1 ; d8+14=17 ; d6=2 ; Sunday February 19th, 2023 6:48:41 PM (OOC: I did in fact lose track of where I was on the map - thanks! Also, didn't realize Far Shot hit the underwater penalty too!! Longstrider, however, only affects land speed, so my effective move is 30ft for calculating swim distance)
Delia: Longstrider 12 hrs, Hawky: Animal Growth 11.3 min, Stock: Freedom of Movement 119.4 minutes
Holding Breath: 20 rounds remaining
Delia, wanting to plant herself and not move, will spend the extra action last round swimming to J20.
This round, she will fire at the Top-Left Reed Tangle.
================== Modifiers between J22 and L16: 20 feet of water -4, within point-blank range +1, piercing full damage from underwater (auto succeed swim up to 15).
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday February 19th, 2023 10:22:19 PM
Armalad flies upward getting herself in position for another dive bombed long spear charge attack.
She casts mage armor on herself as well.
Active Effects: Fly - 60 foot fly speed Grease - +10 circumstance bonus to escape artist and combat maneuver checks made to escape grapples Mage Armor : +4 to AC
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+15=21 ; d20+10=28 ; d10+23=28 ; d10+23=29 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d20+27=33 ; d20+16=25 ; d20+16=21 ; d20+15=22 ; 2d8+7=16 ; Monday February 20th, 2023 12:50:24 PM
Bartomus muses on the philosophical question, “when a water elemental shouts underwater, does anyone hear it?” He then shakes his head from his academic reverie and focuses on saving his beloved Turtle, healing it significantly.
Stock rage swim-walks (Freedom of Movement) to the Upper-Left Tangle/Reeds, needing only a ‘five-foot swim’ to do so, which he is magically enabled to do.
(OOC: Stock, you get a full attack here so I’m rolling your 2nd and 3rd attacks; under Freedom of Movement, you don’t need a Swim check at all, and I interpret ‘move and attack normally while underwater’ to grant you the ability to ‘5-foot-swim’ as though it were a ‘5-foot-step.’)
Stock takes advantage of the Top-Left Tangle/Reeds grappling the Turtle to strike three telling blows, each slowed slightly by the plant’s physical resistance, but yet, by however little tenacity or HUNGER, the Top-Left Tangle/Reeds still hangs on to life, and to the tasty Flipper!
Stohp swims to the surface, catching a full breath, and then dives back down five feet, attempting to grapple the Top-Right Tangle/Reeds, but perhaps her good fortune has run out as this Tangle/Reeds cunningly avoids giving Stohp a solid hold.
Delia’s earlier swim finishes (at J20), and, somewhat poised in the calm water, begins unleashing a fusillade of arrows at the Top-Left Tangle/Reeds, her multi-shot slaying it outright as the arrowheads, though slowed by both the water and the plant’s physical resistance, were expertly aimed as well as powerfully launched by Delia’s practiced muscles! Turning to the final Tangle/Reeds, she fires her second shot too soon and it veers wide by a few feet, but finds her aim once again on her final shot, somewhat piercing past the plant’s physical resistance and wounding it for the first time.
(OOC – Far Shot works on range penalties; an underwater crossbow gets a range increment of 20’ for example, while the underwater combat penalty effectively changes all other ranged weapons from a good range increment (e.g. 110’ for composite longbow, IIRC) to just a 5’ range increment as I read it. Far Shot cuts the range penalty in half which isn’t great compared to a 110’ range increment, but is an improvement.
I misread on Longstrider – swim is calculated off of your base speed, but you’re correct that Longstrider contains exclusionary text forbidding one from adding it to swim.)
Armalad flies up, readying her spear on the way, and then casts Mage Armor on herself.
Zanderallen appears mesmerized by the hypnotic Brownian motion of the remaining Tangle/Reeds.
The Turtle strains to free itself from the final Tangle/Reeds, and succeeds!
The Top-Right Tangle/Reeds still Hungers, and draws in close, grabbing with two Reeds and its Toothy Maw chomping down over and over, trying to tear sweet victuals from the Turtle’s Flipper! It hits with but one Reed and the bite barely fails to puncture the Turtle’s Flipper. (16 damage; Turtle at 97 damage, including accounting for Bart’s heal) The Turtle is once more grappled and a painfully-warbled cry issues forth, curdling your blood, were it possible.
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+10=27 ; d20+20=33 ; d20+20=30 ; d20+15=16 ; d20+10=26 ; d8+18=26 ; d6=2 ; d8+18=20 ; d6=3 ; d8+18=19 ; d6=6 ; Monday February 20th, 2023 5:51:39 PM
Zanderallen wills his anger into his sword and is answered with a stream of bubbles as the heat rekindles. He almost lets out a yell of triumph but remembers just in time he's underwater and instead just roars in his mind. He unleashes as savage series of attacks, even hindered. ================ Divine Bond +5 Flaming Speed Longshore 141 rounds Delay poison turtle 11 hours Lay on Hands 4/13 used Smite Evil 1/5 used
Full round attack on Top Right Reed -2 to hit, half damage Spellcraft 27 for Flaming this round 33 to hit, 13 damage + 2 Fire 30 to hit, 10 damage + 3 Fire 16(Nat 1) misses 26 to hit, 9 damage + 6 Fire
Breath -2 rounds - 1 action 18 rounds remaining
Stock (JonM) HP: 248/248; AC: 11/9/11; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 6/38 used d20+20=33 ; d10+23=28 ; d6=5 ; Monday February 20th, 2023 6:11:45 PM Freedom of Raging Movement Stock continues to tread water and swims to join big Z at the last enemy, swinging his flail over and over.
======= 48 rounds of breath remaining - he could do this all day! Move - Swim over to the top right maw...that doesn't look like 5 feet this time. Power Attack hits AC33, 28 damage + 5 electricity
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC23 / Touch 17/ Flat 16 CMD 27 d20+2=11 ; d20+15=35 ; d20+15=20 ; d8+2=4 ; d8+2=8 ; d8+2=6 ; Monday February 20th, 2023 8:22:20 PM
Armalad fly-charges / dive bombs the reeds that are still threatening the Turtle
Swim : 11
Charge attack with Spear: 35 vs AC; threat of critical; 20 vs AC to confirm; 4 damage + 14 damage if crit is confirmed
Active Effects: Fly - 60 foot fly speed Grease - +10 circumstance bonus to escape artist and combat maneuver checks made to escape grapples Mage Armor : +4 to AC Charging: -2 to AC
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 3d8+15=35 ; Monday February 20th, 2023 11:37:23 PM
Bartomus continued his touch of the turtle in order to provide healing to it while the other Shields beat the reed mawl with their weapons. The blows were landing with such ferocity that he suspected the final attack reed would soon be floating about in the lake as well.
Using 2nd CSW on the turtle for 35
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=34 ; d20+21=26 ; Tuesday February 21st, 2023 7:16:17 AM
Should the tangle near Stohp still live she'll go for the grapple again, 34 to grapple and 26 to try to pin (or to fail to grapple if the first is to low)
We got you, buddy, Delia thinks to the turtle as she unleashes on the offending tangle, firing 4 well aimed arrows in quick succession, but a current catches her last arrow and she can't get it on the string and stable in time.
Hawky, still perched protectively next to the last fisherman pulled out of the water, joins the big-slow-shell with a mournful cry.
================== Modifiers between J22 and L16: 20 feet of water -4, within point-blank range +1, piercing full damage from underwater (auto succeed swim up to 15).
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+15=16 ; d20+10=12 ; Tuesday February 21st, 2023 1:52:21 PM
Zanderallen snaps free of the mesmerizing motions of the final Tangle/Reeds and summons his anger at the Tangle/Reeds unceasing attempts to make Turtle Soup into a (kind of?) devastating flaming full attack… Slash!…Slash!…bubbly steam…Slash! There are only burbles underwater, but the Tangle/Reeds seems most unhappy about weapons both flaming and slashing, even those slowed by swinging through the Lakewater…
Stock swim-five-foot-steps to join Zanderallen in melee with the final Tangle/Reeds and unslowed by the water begins his bruising assault, striking just to the south of Zanderallen, as the Tangle/Reeds is so Large, with great effect on the first hit, slowed by the usual physical resistance, and overcommitting on the second and missing it entirely, and then likewise on the final swing.
Armalad once more prepares to spearfish a Tangle/Reeds, flying down faster and faster the proud woman with a big spear falls, splitting the water tension asunder in a strong effort to bring death to her enemy, striking the Tangle solidly but narrowly missing a weak spot in the grappling plant, yet despite the solid strike the spearpoint fails to make it past the plant’s physical resistance.
Bartomus continues to significantly heal the Turtle!
Stohp changes her tack and sneaks in a grapple this time, but fails to pin the Tangle/Reeds.
Delia thinks she’s getting used to this underwater archery thing… if she’s not careful an archery school might hire her away from the Shields… Delia’s hand motions would be invisible but for the water slowing her slightly and tiny rising air bubbles flung off by the force of her drawstring pulls! Burble…muted thunk…burble…muted thunk…burble…muted thunk…burble…quiet…
After Delia’s multi-shot, the last Tangle/Reeds’ grip on the Turtle’s Flipper falls lax just as Delia’s second shot strikes true and a final muted underwater geyser of strange sap spews forth.
Calm falls across the watery battlefield.
(OOC – Combat is over. Spells lasting 1 minute/level or longer are still running, should you want to use them.
The Turtle is still heavily wounded, but there is light in its eyes. Bartomus, Delia, and Armalad, all knowledgeable of Natural things, can see there’s still a pained expression in its head movements and lackluster Flipper movement. It’s scared, but less scared than when it almost died. It dunks its head in the water and looks down, perhaps looking for the source of the strange light that saved it from dying and made it feel better.
(OOC – Those Shields who’ve put a lot of ranks in Heal skill – the Turtle needs more healing if you expect it to carry everyone back to the Float, and maybe tow one or more of the fishing boats too – the surviving fisherfolk are physically healed, but still in battleshock. Some counseling may be in order before they can all be rounded up and taken back to the Float for rest.)
One Fisherman still has a significant physical wound.
Looking around, counting the living, the fisherfolk have clearly lost some workers – there’s not quite enough fisherfolk to crew all four boats.
Looking at the bits of viscera left on the boats… the viscera floating on the surface, some… larger… chunks of viscera on the Lakefloor 20’ below…
Delia notices a pattern… (For Delia’s Eyes Only) Highlight to display spoiler: {a trail of viscera going off into the distance on the Lakefloor to the North, where the Lakefloor falls deeper again perhaps 150’ away before vision fails from the refraction of the water and the increasing depth… tracks… a trail… of horror…}
A fisherman’s voice on Boat 3 suddenly gets louder and louder, “Blasted durned weeds… some crazy plant on my hook… just cut my thumb! It’s… eating it? I’ll show it… Aieeeeee!!!!!”
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+6=8 ; d20+6=12 ; d20+26=37 ; Tuesday February 21st, 2023 2:05:31 PM
As the last of the reeds drift away to lifeless husks Zander gives a thumbs up to Stock and fights his way to the edge of the turtle to pull himself out of the water. He struggles a bit but finally manages it. Seeing some remaining injuries he takes a deep breath and channels forth a wave of soft white light. He decides firm guidance is the best measure at the moment. There will be time for grief on shore, "Deep breathes everyone, let Domi's grace wash over you. Everyone gets your boats in order, we need to get back to the Float."
When he gets a moment he pulls Delia as far to the side as can be managed and whispers to her very quietly, "There's no chance anyone pulled over... No." His shoulders droop as he fully admits the truth to himself, "Any chance of recovering any bodies?" ======================== Swim, 8 and 12
Diplomacy 37 to calm and get everyone working
Stock (JonM) HP: 248/248; AC: 11/9/11; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used Tuesday February 21st, 2023 3:06:13 PM Raging Freedom of Movement Stock swims to the surface and takes a welcome breath. He climbs up the side of the turtle and looks over to the third boat to see who or what is talking.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=26 ; d4=4 ; d20+24=38 ; Tuesday February 21st, 2023 8:23:01 PM
Armalad takes 10 on her swim check to get back to the surface then flies the rest of the way over to either one of the boats or the turtle.
Still not really healer she sees if there is anything she can do to help.
If she is near the fisherfolk complaining about the plant she tries to figure out what it is
Perception: 26 Know[Nature]:38
Active Effects: Fly - 60 foot fly speed Grease - +10 circumstance bonus to escape artist and combat maneuver checks made to escape grapples Mage Armor : +4 to AC
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=39 ; d20+21=35 ; Wednesday February 22nd, 2023 7:08:15 AM
Stohp maintains the grapple before pinning and tying up the thing (44 to maintain, 30 to pin (+5 for maintaining, -10 for using rope)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+14=24 ; Wednesday February 22nd, 2023 9:23:47 AM
Delia, seeing the trail of sorrow leading down, takes a moment underwater to collect herself before bursting to the surface.
Making sure only Shields could hear her, she informs them, "I saw a trail of blood leading deeper into the lake. I know we aren't perfectly equipped, but if we don't follow it soon it will be washed away. There's no way any of the missing Lads survived, and there won't be much to recover, but there might be some more reeds at the end of that trail."
She lets the others deal with the upset man, swimming to the turtle's face and soothing it (Handle Animal or Wild Empathy 24 (20 if it's a magical beast with 2 or lower int))
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=22 ; d20+16=17 ; Wednesday February 22nd, 2023 10:14:43 AM
Bartomus heard what Delia said and raised a watery hand up out of the water. He pointed at Delia and gave a thumbs-up sign while also trying to speak in his watery form. "Got it and will scout it out."
He scanned the water below and thinking he picked up on the trail, he moved in that direction.
Perception to find the blood trail, perception in that area - first was a 22, second was a natural one for 17
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Wednesday February 22nd, 2023 8:05:44 PM
Zanderallen gives a thumbs-up to Stock on the way to pulling himself out of the water and onto the Turtle. Zanderallen sends out healing energy again, healing the last wounded fisherman and some of the serious wounds that remain on the Turtle. (and excluding the two Tangle/Reeds that Stohp Tied Up, the Bottom-Right Tangle/Reeds and the Tangle/Reeds under Boat 1) He considers the situation, and spreads very inspirational words (which helps in the short-term, but battleshock requires extended counseling to treat), and then pulls Delia aside for a reality check on the victims.
Stock also breaks the Lake’s surface, likewise climbing up and onto the Turtle, and realizes there’s some shouts and screams from Boat 3. From this distance, Stock sees an agitated fisherman jumping around in his boat in a panic and large red droplets flying into the air from one hand. The Fisherwoman in the boat is also in a panic but trying to get him to calm down, and some of his red splatters are getting on her.
Armalad swims to the surface, wounded but alive, and then calls upon her magical flight to take to the skies once more! Her attention drawn by the scene on Boat 3, Armalad flies to within 10 feet to get a better understanding of the situation. She sees what Stock and others on the Turtle saw, but also that there’s some kind of small green plant, no more than six inches long, which has opened to reveal a two-inch wide scarlet center with several spikes each about half an inch long, and the tiny plant seems to be doing its best to… eat(?)… the fisherman’s thumb, which is a bit of a bloody mess right now as the plant holds on, trying to draw the thumb into some sort of digestive orifice…
Armalad thinks deeply about what kind of plant… monster(?)… it might be, but if it’s been in the Wold a while, she hasn’t heard of it. Yet, a memory tingles at the back of her mind. The Float does have a library or two… of sorts… perhaps some time spent researching might jog her memory…
Stohp has not forgotten that two Tangle/Reeds are still very much alive, if moving little as they still struggle to escape, their thorny maws sometimes rotating and snapping as if to mime making Stohp their next meal! Stohp finds that using rope is not quite as effective as using the Reeds to tie themselves up, but as the Reeds can still move and strain, and are HUNGRY, they might escape sometime soon…
Delia minutely shudders at the implications of the trail of blood and viscera leading deeper underwater, then surfaces and gathers the Shields alone to her, telling them what she saw and her concerns for time… blood would surely wash away, the bits of viscera… eventually, but it’s impossible to tell whether that’s sooner or later. She directs the rest of the Shields to help Armalad with the fisherman in Boat 3 and swims to the Turtle, calming the Turtle as Zanderallen heals it.
Bartomus hears Delia, and gestures and says to her that he’ll check out the trail. With Delia’s guidance, what looked at first the detritus of an underwater battlefield, now was an ever-thinning shape that led to the depths, bits of sheared flesh and bone here and there… Heal Check DC 20: {Highlight to display spoiler: {consistent with the rotating thorny maws of the Tangle/Reeds…}}
Bartomus begins swimming to follow the trail, with no idea how far it goes, and perhaps about to learn how deep Turtle Lake can be… he swims north-ish under and past the Turtle, and soon reaches the shallow (20’ deep) Lakefloor’s edge – from here it falls to 30’ deep immediately, and then deeper still!
BARTOMUS – the farther and deeper you go, the more the trail of “fleshcrumbs” begins to lessen… - Make ONE Perception check and apply it to both of the following tasks:
Perception DC 15: {Highlight to display spoiler: {The Lakefloor has a short line of 3’-wide rocks/boulders ahead, and there are three sets of viscera to the left of the rocks and one set to the right.}}
Perception DC 20: {Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a hard-to-see trail of viscera going from the three spots on the left towards and on top of the rocks and then to the one spot on the right, and then the trail goes forward to the right.}}
BARTOMUS – Do you follow the left trail or the right trail?
The Tied-Up Bottom-Right Tangle/Reeds, were it to have eyes, would be glaring at Stohp, but instead its thorny maw rotates, chomps and it strains to escape…
Likewise the Tied-Up Boat 1 Tangle/Reeds does the same, orienting its thorny maw also at the nearby Stohp…
The fisherman, still trying to shake the plant thing off, suddenly sees Armalad and shouts, “Shields, HELP MEEEEEEEE……Aieeeee!!!!” as the strange plant moves a half-inch up the man’s thumb… consuming… it?
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Mitch (Subbing for Hugh) Thursday February 23rd, 2023 7:05:17 AM
Armalad will move over and try to help the fisherman get the tiny plant off his thumb.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday February 23rd, 2023 7:05:55 AM
Stohp will climb onto a boat and take a head count - how many people are missing or dead?
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 12/10/12; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used d20+20=26 ; Thursday February 23rd, 2023 8:56:55 AM Freedom of Movement, Fatigued for 14 rounds Stock continues watching the fisherman and now Armalad helping with it. [b]"Taran - can you bring the turtle alongside the third boat there? I'd like to help if I can.
======= If Taran can get us close enough, Stock will move onto boat 3 and try to grapple the little plant CMB=26 vs CMD
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=30 ; d20+16=32 ; Thursday February 23rd, 2023 10:45:43 AM
Bartomus looked at the trail and saw something heading off to the rocks and then right. The trail went even further to the right and Bartomus decided to follow it. He created a watery fin to create a ripple within the water so the Shields could see where he was heading. As he went further along the trail to the right, he scanned the water and lake bed for any further signs.
Perception - 30; Perception32
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 d20+6=20 ; d20+10=16 ; d20+20=25 ; d8+18=20 ; Thursday February 23rd, 2023 12:11:33 PM
As the turtle starts to move Zander sees the tied up tangles struggling underneath them and decides to go take care of them while the others get the fisher man cared for. As long as they're not panicking longer term issues can be handled on shore. He jumps off the turtle and start with the bottom right flipper tangle. ========================= Swim 20
Attack - Spellcraft 16 no fire 25 to hit, 10 damage
(Let me know if we need me to keep rolling attacks, Zander will hack the reeds until they stop moving and trying to eat him)
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+13=14 ; d20+15=26 ; d20+10=21 ; d8+18=21 ; d8+18=20 ; Thursday February 23rd, 2023 10:11:22 PM
Armalad flies adjacent to the fisherman, drawing her quarterstaff along the way, and takes a swing at the thing, completely missing it as the fisherman yowps with pain and shakes his arm vigorously!
Stohp begins counting… as a long-time Float resident, she knows this kind of “fleet” is two people per boat, the rest of the room for tools and the day’s haul, four boats, should be eight fisherfolk. One.. two.. six. There’s six. Also while Grysh and Duluth have been rescued, Taran and the others reported Jerma Mylyl and Triggan were taken under… so if the count is right, four are missing in total… but best to ask and confirm.
Stock calls for Taran to bring the Turtle over to Boat 3. The Turtle is still wounded, but Zanderallen’s last heal…
Any Shield: Heal DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {The Turtle is mostly healed, but not moving with full ability. More healing is needed to restore the Turtle’s body and confidence (OOC – another 37 HP worth of healing)}
Taran gets the Turtle to turn towards Boat 3, and to begin slowly swimming.
As the Turtle slowly moves towards Boat 3, Stock suddenly remembers he still has Freedom of Movement and can swim to Boat 3 easily no matter how fatigued he is.
Bartomus’ watery eyes are still keen, and the fleshcrumb trail noticeable enough that, once Delia pointed it out he can easily follow it, though not without effort.
Bartomus flows on as the Lakefloor depth falls below 50’… 65’… 80’… then levels out for a good distance… northish(?) if Bartomus’ memory and sense of direction are correct.
A seaweed/reedy “forest” about 5’ tall and 100’ wide and 200’ or more long is ahead and the fleshcrumbs lead into it. Following the trail is about to get trickier…
BARTOMUS – Perception DC 25 Highlight to display spoiler: { the viscera become very hard to see among the weed/reed “forest” but you’ve followed the trail through and out of the “forest” more northish, and it leads to an even vaster weedy/reedy forest ahead, and there’s a “town” of many weedy/reedy “buildings” unless your eyes and the gently-moving Lakewater are playing tricks on you. The trail of viscera comes to an end 300’ from this “town.” Perhaps a home… or… breeding ground (?) for Tangle/Reeds? The size of the “town…” there could be dozens or hundreds of Tangle/Reeds inside… or few… where do they come from… how do they spawn? It’s large enough that the Shields probably need to plan an expedition and not hold their breath, dive, and hope for the best…}
BARTOMUS – If you failed the above check, then read the following…Highlight to display spoiler: {You lose track of the viscera amongst the “forest” and spend a lot of time circling the edges and going in and out… then become concerned your watery body and motion might have swept viscera under the “forest…” hard to say. In the distance, at the edge of your vision, there are perhaps more weedy/reedy “forests” to the northish, westish, and eastish… you can pick one and press on, or head back and perhaps the Shields can plan an expedition and those with sharper eyes may pick out the trail you’ve lost…}
Zanderallen notices Taran slowly getting the Turtle moving, but (see Heal Check further above)… Then Zanderallen sees the two Tied Up Tangle/Reeds… not evil, but perhaps a worse danger to the Float than a pack of crazed rabid sharks with adamantine teeth… Zanderallen pulls out his sword and gets to work, and it is work – Zanderallen didn’t have far to swim/five-foot-drop-sploosh(!) to begin a full attack routine, but swords are not the best underwater weapon and after six seconds Zanderallen determines he’s wounded it not quite a third of the way there.
Delia continues soothing and encouraging the Turtle in an effort to speed it along towards Boat 3, but is beginning to wonder if she’d be more effective just swimming over there and killing the tiny plant…
Everyone on the Turtle (which is slowly moving away) saw Zanderallen leap in and through the calm water see him slashing away at the Tangle/Reeds. He’ll get the job done, but it’d go faster with some help.
The fisherman shrieks, “Get it off… GET it OFF… GET IT OFF… Aieeee!!!!!!” The fisherwoman also shrieks, looking around for something, anything, that would let her hurt the plant without hurting the fisherman…
More blood splatters… The plant has moved up the fisherman’s full thumb… or does he still have a thumb any more?
Other fisherfolk scattered around the Turtle and the Boats are beginning to panic too, shouting “Shields, don’t you care that he’s dying right in front of you?”
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Mitch subbing for Hugh) d20+13=24 ; d6=6 ; Friday February 24th, 2023 8:23:43 AM
Armalad continues to try to help the fisherman (attack roll 24, 9 damage to the thumb monster since that's apparently needed? Also, Hugh's power is still out)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+16=32 ; d10=3 ; Friday February 24th, 2023 8:25:07 AM
Stohp divirts to also help the screaming fisherman. 32 to hit the thumb monster and 4 damage.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 12/10/12; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used d20+10=21 ; d20+20=36 ; Friday February 24th, 2023 9:10:47 AM Freedom of Movement, Fatigued for 12 more rounds Stock sighs and dives back in the water, swimming to the third boat and climbing aboard.
======= Swim 21 If Stock has enough movement to get there in 1 move action he will then try to grab the thing since I can't imagine attacking it with a heavy flail. CMB 36 vs CMD
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=30 ; d20+16=28 ; Friday February 24th, 2023 10:43:07 AM
He continued his swimming in the form made out of water. He enjoyed it and kept his attention focused and worked his way through the forest. He looked up and saw the light coming down through the green and reveled in the same sense of wonder that he felt standing in a forest on land and looking up. He turned back and followed the trail and stopped.
He gulped and took in the site of the town, was that what it actually was? He studied it. Then sighed. This was a much bigger problem. He committed the layout to memory and then turned back southward. He swam as quickly as his borrowed form could take him. He moved closer to the surface to scan for the turtle and the boats. Then headed that way.
Perception 30 for following the visceral trail; Percetion 28 for finding the way back to the turtles.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+14=20 ; Friday February 24th, 2023 11:34:45 AM (Ooc sorry for missed: I did that thing where you formulate a message in your head and then it never makes it to reality, but I would have spent another turn trying to cheer up the turtle anyway)
(Heal 20) Delia pats the turtle a couple more times, murmuring, "You'll be ok, buddy." then takes a breath and dives to help Zander with the remaining tangles. She figures that's better than firing arrows through a man's thumb.
She'll spend this round getting 10ft from both tangles if she can (30ft movement for double move, autosucceed on swim)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Saturday February 25th, 2023 8:50:10 AM
Completely unaware of what's happening on the surface Zander continues his work of hacking apart the dangerous reeds. "Where could they have come from?" He thinks to himself as he hacks the tough sinew like reeds apart.
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+5=20 ; Saturday February 25th, 2023 12:00:56 PM
Armalad recovers her balance and staves the tiny plant off the fisherman’s thumb, or what remains of it – too much blood to tell!
(OOC – yes, at least one successful attack was necessary… I rolled a natural 1 for Armalad last post…)
The tiny plant is slowly rolling around on the boat’s floor when Stohp arrives and, one hand hanging onto the boat and the other landing a vicious overhead strike, smooshes it with her flail! The tiny plant has ceased rolling around.
Stock then arrives, in time to see the squished tiny plant on the boat floor, and notices that Stohp’s flail strike has broken off some of its tiny half-inch thorns, which look particularly pointy and sharp.
Bartomus successfully follows the ever-fainter trail of viscera and discovers what may or may not be some kind of… underwater plant-town(?)… or maybe a plant-building or two amongst a building-complex-like weed/reed forest? Bartomus determines this would be a significant investigation to find any more Tangle/Reeds amongst the trail’s end. He spins around and nearly surfaces, beginning the swim back to the Turtle and the Boats.
(OOC - Bartomus is not yet back to the Turtle and Boats, and so has one post to muse about his situation before rejoining the Shields.)
Delia finishes cheering up the Turtle, and then sees about picking a close-but-not-too-close position from which to execute ‘impossible’ underwater archery on the remaining Tangle/Reeds. She then gets off just one shot, but two arrows in her hand, as she finds her spot.
Zanderallen continues hacking away at the Tangle/Reeds in front of him while pondering the origins of these somewhat alien, if not unnatural, foes… no, not foes, menaces to the people and animals of the Float, if not the Wold…
(OOC – I’m going to use the law of averages here since no one is in any immediate danger, but this is a job that needs doing and is a bit tedious underwater.)
Delia and Zanderallen together get this Tangle/Reeds most of the way to death, and expect to progress faster once Delia can unleash her usual fusillade.
Before the eyes of Armalad, Stohp, and Stock the man continues to howl as blood leaks from his injured thumb… and then… then the man’s forearm begins turning blood-red, as though his blood were leaking from his very pores! “Noooo….. my blood…. My liiiiiifee…..!!!! Heal me, Shields! Cure me![/b]”
Heal Check DC 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {The reaction of the man’s forearm to the tiny plant’s attack… it must be a poison of some sort. Thankfully the plant was tiny, so Heal Check DC 15 to treat the poison; it’s of a type that requires two successful saving throws to cure, and the fisherman has already succeeded once, though the second success is not guaranteed…}
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday February 26th, 2023 2:35:05 AM How could there be a city of those things?" Bartomus asked himself as he continued to swim in the direction of the slow moving turtle. He thought about what he had seen and it became apparent to him that they were going to need to do some research on these things. He almost wondered if there was a way to haul one of the dead ones in a net back to the Float and ask some of the learned scholars to come assess what it was. Or, maybe ask the merfolk what the things were. He nodded in agreement with that idea and came up to where the turtle was at.
He scanned the surface and got as close as he could to the turtle before changing back into his Taurish self. Then pulled himself up onto the giant creature as carefully as possible.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday February 26th, 2023 2:35:08 AM How could there be a city of those things?" Bartomus asked himself as he continued to swim in the direction of the slow moving turtle. He thought about what he had seen and it became apparent to him that they were going to need to do some research on these things. He almost wondered if there was a way to haul one of the dead ones in a net back to the Float and ask some of the learned scholars to come assess what it was. Or, maybe ask the merfolk what the things were. He nodded in agreement with that idea and came up to where the turtle was at.
He scanned the surface and got as close as he could to the turtle before changing back into his Taurish self. Then pulled himself up onto the giant creature as carefully as possible.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Sunday February 26th, 2023 2:51:00 PM
Zanderallen stays under to finish the job. These things were the stuff of nightmares to a guy who grew up on a floating city.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Sunday February 26th, 2023 6:46:54 PM
Stohp dives into the water and motions frantically to get Zanderallen's attention. They need magical healing assistance here.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+14=24 ; Sunday February 26th, 2023 8:02:56 PM
Seeing Stohp's frantic motioning, Delia will surface and ask what's happening.
Assuming it's explained, she'll head over to the screaming man and examine him or give her assessment from hearing/seeing what's happening as soon as she can. (Heal 24)
Armalad does not really know the healing arts however she does know nature (Know: Nature - 28)
If her knowledge of nature is sufficient she tells everything she knows to the rest of the party
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 12/10/12; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used d20+4=16 ; Monday February 27th, 2023 8:26:15 AM Freedom of Movement, Fatigued for 11 more rounds Stock does what he can to help the man. When Delia climbs on board, he says, "Glad you came. I don't think Armalad or I know how to help here.
========= Aid Delia on healing 16
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) d20+5=21 ; Monday February 27th, 2023 1:34:05 PM
“How could there be a city of those things?” Bartomus wonders to himself on the swim back… but is the weedy/reedy forest full of Tangle/Reeds, or is it just a large convenient place to hide? Perhaps the Shields can figure this one out together!
Bartomus flows to the Turtle, finally reaching it while it’s in motion towards Boat 3, and the passengers are briefly startled until the mini-tsunami reaching onto the Turtle turns into a familiar face!
Zanderallen continues to work on the Tangle/Reeds under Boat he’s almost there, but probably needed Delia’s arrows to finish it right now.
Stohp hears the plaintive cry for help and dives into the water to get Zanderallen to help.
Delia surfaces to find out the commotion, aiming diagonally for the moving Turtle. As Delia takes a dolphin breath, Taran quickly explains it to her, and then Delia swims towards Boat 3. She is just able to get there and put her hands on the boat’s railing, pulling herself up enough to see the man’s blood-red forearm, and shouts “It’s poison! Help pull me up so I can treat him faster!”
(OOC – Delia, you now know the spoilered text for the heal check in the prior DM post)
Armalad has not seen anything like this before, but since it happened after the tiny plant’s attack, natural causes might include disease or poison. She can’t rule out either, though if forced to place a bet, it would be on poison, or an allergy, or something that causes an immediate reaction… poison ivy? Well, maybe another Shield knows the answer for certain. All that’s certain for now is the bleeding/oozing/whatever the tiny plant did to the fisherman! Armalad then hears Delia burst forth from the water and with the merest of glances call it poison!
Stock and Armalad then help Delia on board. The boat’s feeling it with four onboard (Armalad can fly), but Delia is even more certain now that it’s poison as she is within feet of the fisherman.
The fisherman’s arm… remains blood-red but either the poison ran its course or he’s a hardy old salt! “Owww… it stopped… but it still hurts! Shields, do you have any magic or herbs or something so it won’t get worse? What was that thing?!?”
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Monday February 27th, 2023 3:43:58 PM
Bartomus started to change into his Taur self and then heard the call for some help with a crusty old fisherman. He shifted back into the water elemental and swam over to the boat. He shifted about and then popped up a potion bottle at the group gathered around the man. A long watery tentacle dropped it into the man's lap as the water dissipated.
Cure moderate wounds potion 2d8+2
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday February 27th, 2023 10:23:00 PM
Armalad says, "My magic is limited to mostly offensive magic. Are any of our healers aboard who can maybe help the fisher folk?"
She then flies gently above the turtle so as not to overwhelm it
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+14=28 ; d20+13=18 ; Monday February 27th, 2023 11:25:52 PM
Delia pats the man on the shoulder, leaving a wet handprint, "You had it under control." She will then verify that he really does have it under control (Heal 28).
She wrings the water out of her cloak as she goes to examine the extra angry plant. She will use an arrow to poke and prod and get a good look and see if she can drum up any additional knowledge about what the little plant might be (Know Nature 18).
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday February 28th, 2023 6:23:21 AM
Stohp realizes someone else has gone up to help the fisherman and pulls herself back onto the boat.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 12/10/12; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used Tuesday February 28th, 2023 8:49:59 AM "Water Bart - Good to see you back. Did you find anything below?"
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 7d6=30 ; d20+15=20 ; d20+15=23 ; Tuesday February 28th, 2023 1:17:35 PM
Seeing Stohp Zanderallen immediately stops his hacking and moves to follow her. When he reaches the surface he follows the directions to the boat. "Help me up and give him some space." Hearing the explanation of disease or poison he doesn't mess around to figure it out, Domi's power would cleanse both. His hand glows with a gentle white light as he takes the man's forearm. "This may burn a little, that is Domi's power removing any toxins remaining." ------------------------- Lay on Hands will heal him 30 HP, remove Shaken, Blindness, Fatigue, Exhaustion, any Poison with a Save DC of 20 or lower, and any disease with a DC of 23 or lower. 5/13 used
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) 2d8+2=18 ; Tuesday February 28th, 2023 1:23:27 PM
Bartomus was just getting fully on the Turtle when he heard and then saw the commotion on Boat 3, and, setting a potion on the Turtle first, immediately flowed back into watershape, picked up the potion, and flowed off the Turtle, towards Boat 3, extending a watery tentacle as he approached, to drop the potion bottle into the fisherman’s lap.
(OOC – you must fully assume Taur form to retrieve any of your equipment, as it all melded with you into wild shape. I granted your post, of course, just the timing of actions were adjusted to conform to how wild shape works.)
Armalad asks for Shields’ healers to come help, then flies to the Turtle, hovering above it.
Delia encourages the Fisherman, and indeed her keen skill in the healing arts tells her that the poison has passed, though there is damage (and lost blood) to be healed. It could have been much worse had he not led such a hardy life. Delia looks at the little plant and considers… but it seems unfamiliar. Perhaps a sage or a library on the Float might know something, or perhaps one of the other Shields?
Stohp, her mission accomplished, pulls herself onto Boat 1.
Stock calls out to Bart, asking what he learned in the deep…
Zanderallen finishes off the Tangle/Reeds under Boat 1 and surfaces, catching a breath or three before looking around to prepare to go after the other Tangle/Reeds still under the Turtle.
The fisherman looks at the fisherwoman, who uncorks the potion, considers the source, and then hands it to the fisherman in his undamaged arm, who then drinks it… (OOC - heals 18 hp) the last little issuances of blood heal up. Apparently and finally pain-free, he reaches into the water with his bloodied arm and begins rubbing off the blood with the other.
The Turtle finally makes it adjacent to Boat 3.
As the fisherman does so, he looks up and around at Delia and the watery thing and the other Shields on the Turtle, and says, somewhat loudly, and loud enough for the now-adjacent Turtle passengers to hear, “[b]Owww…. I think that’s the last time we let the line out far enough to try for the catfish along the lake bottom - the lake’s fighting back now! … Shields, thanks for helping me out of that one, I’m Hasan Brage, by the way. You know what? I don’t see the bodies of my friends who got pulled under, or any of the first Lads who tried to help us - do you think the plants pulled them to the bottom of the lake?”
Hasan was speaking loud enough to ensure the Turtle passengers heard him, and by coincidence, while Zanderallen is catching his breath on the surface and aiming himself towards the final Tangle/Reeds, he hears all that the fisherman said, too, as does Stohp and all the Shields.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday February 28th, 2023 7:56:47 PM
Delia's head swivels to Hasan, "Did you fish any differently than you had before out here? Disturb something angry and hungry that hadn't been bothered before?" Hawky has reclaimed his spot on her shoulder, inconveniencing her efforts to wring water out of her gear. He mimics his mistress and fixes a beady eye on Hasan. She considers his question for a moment before sighing, "Probably. There was a... trail underwater. I think Bart followed it, but don't know what he's found. I have this for whenever we're ready to check it out." She pulls a Bottle of Air out of her handy haversack.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday February 28th, 2023 10:04:30 PM
Bartomus swam over to the turtle and then worked himself to a ladder or a place to climb back up onto the amazing beast. He road one of the rippled waves that the turtle's front fin made and clambered up onto the Turtle's shell. As he did so, he shifted back into his Taur self and scrambled upward to where he could find a seat. He took a moment and caught the questions that Delia was asking the fisherman.
He shot her a look that could be read as change the subject, or can we talk about this back at HQ, with the hopes that either would be seen and quickly understood. He also looked over Zander to see if he was getting his breath.
Thanks wasn't sure how that works.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=27 ; Tuesday February 28th, 2023 10:19:35 PM
Armalad turns her gaze outward looking for any other threats (Perception: 27)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday March 1st, 2023 8:35:33 AM "There are merfolk under the lake, we've met before and left on friendly terms. If something's changed they might know about it if we can't figure it out ourselves."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 12/10/12; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used Wednesday March 1st, 2023 12:51:59 PM "Either the plants pulled them down or they 'ate' them...whatever that means for a plant. How many people are missing?
Either way, I think we need to gear up and get a message to the merfolk like Stohp says. Then maybe we're heading underwater again."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Wednesday March 1st, 2023 2:27:27 PM
Zander gets his breath and listens in to the conversation. He notices Bart giving Delia a look. "Bart if you think there's any chance the victims are alive we need to go check it out now. If you found where the tangles came from we can discuss later." He eyes the taur carefully, waiting for an answer.
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Wednesday March 1st, 2023 8:16:48 PM
Delia speaks with Hasan, probing him about the fisherfolk’s actions before the attack. Delia then answers Hasan’s question as best she can.
Bartomus flows onto the Turtle and regains his Tauric form. Bartomus aimed non-verbal communication at Delia which might be understood in shorthand as “zip it!” Bartomus then looks towards Zanderallen to confirm he’s breathing ok.
Armalad looks around for other threats, but things are peaceful… for the moment…
Stohp suggests the merfolk be consulted.
Stock asks how many people are missing. Stock agrees with Stohp’s suggestion to meet with the merfolk, and then perhaps plan an expedition into the depths.
Zanderallen catches up on the conversation, also seeing Bartomus’ non-verbal communication to Delia, and asks Bartomus whether any victims might be alive, and to discuss the source of the Tangle/Reeds later.
Hasan says, “An underwater trail? Can even the Shields trace such a thing? Hmm… the Lake is naturally calm water…” The middle-aged fisherman turns to the fisherwoman with him and Delia in Boat 3, and speaks, “I know you’ve lost almost everything… but do you think the Shields can follow the trail?”
The fisherwoman, her adrenaline gone, sinks to her knees in the boat, and begins softly sobbing, the sobbing increasing as she forces herself to say, loudly, perhaps intentionally loud enough for all the Shields to hear… “ Shields… wow, I can’t believe I, Fabricia Shanoza, only a fisherwoman, get to talk to you… but… it’s just not right that those… plants… killed our friends and family… and it’s *worse* that we don’t have their bodies for burial. I know recovering the dead isn’t part of protecting the City’s people, but I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t bury my husband and daughter!” Fabricia is sobbing regularly, continually, though not uncontrollably… her sorrow is beyond words and is written all over her…
Hasan kneels also, and gently reaches for her, then pulls his hand back, then reaches again, then pulls his hand back… It’s clear that Hasan has no idea how to aid Fabricia, or even if he’s the right person to do so.
No one has yet answered Stock’s question about who and how many were lost.
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday March 1st, 2023 8:20:57 PM
Armalad says, "So if we are going to somehow follow this underwater trail on a recovery mission aren't we supposed to know the numbers and description of all those currently unaccounted for?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday March 2nd, 2023 12:56:25 AM "Now Miss Fabricia, I think we need to get you and the injured turtle back to the Float," Bartomus offered in response to the new widow's dismay. He glowers at Zander and then turns back to the others. "I really like Stohp's suggestion, especially with the murky waters below. The merfolk would be worth talking to on this one. Lots and lots of things to ask them about."
Bartomus emphasized the word 'Lots' and tapped a finger on his chin to signal again to the Shields that there was more to what he was saying.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday March 2nd, 2023 12:56:25 AM "Now Miss Fabricia, I think we need to get you and the injured turtle back to the Float," Bartomus offered in response to the new widow's dismay. He glowers at Zander and then turns back to the others. "I really like Stohp's suggestion, especially with the murky waters below. The merfolk would be worth talking to on this one. Lots and lots of things to ask them about."
Bartomus emphasized the word 'Lots' and tapped a finger on his chin to signal again to the Shields that there was more to what he was saying.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday March 2nd, 2023 12:56:32 AM "Now Miss Fabricia, I think we need to get you and the injured turtle back to the Float," Bartomus offered in response to the new widow's dismay. He glowers at Zander and then turns back to the others. "I really like Stohp's suggestion, especially with the murky waters below. The merfolk would be worth talking to on this one. Lots and lots of things to ask them about."
Bartomus emphasized the word 'Lots' and tapped a finger on his chin to signal again to the Shields that there was more to what he was saying.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday March 2nd, 2023 7:49:16 AM
Stohp did a headcount earlier so presumably knows how many and whom have been lost so she can answer Stock's question. "We need to do some follow up to make sure this won't happen again. If we take the time to go back to the float and then return whatever trail there is will have faded. I know many predators have strong senses of smell, including some aquatic ones - Bartomus could you take the form of a shark or something and follow the blood trail to the source of the attack?
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 12/10/12; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used Thursday March 2nd, 2023 8:43:34 AM "I'm spectacularly unprepared to go diving, Stohp. Besides, it sounds like Bart has already tracked the trail as far as he could. I will need my gear - as well as one of those underwater breathing helms - if we are to go under."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday March 2nd, 2023 2:24:16 PM
Delia puts a gentle hand on Fabricia's shoulder, grief flashing across her normally calm features, "We'll do what we can. But right now it sounds like what we can do is getting everyone still here home safely. And then figure out next steps."
She starts shepherding everyone onto the turtle and/or doing whatever organization of the boats needs to happen to return to land. "Maybe one of us has magic to let us breathe underwater if we come back tomorrow. Or we always have the old fashioned way of passing around my magicky air bottle between breath-holding."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday March 2nd, 2023 8:27:06 PM
Armalad says, "That sounds like a plan then."
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Thursday March 2nd, 2023 10:15:50 PM
Armalad once more centers Stock’s question of who all was lost amongst the fisherfolk and the Lads.
Bartomus is gentle in words with Fabricia, trying to get her to focus on returning to a place of safety. He also tries to speak somewhat in code to the Shields.
Stohp did a headcount earlier, and recalls that the Lads reported Triggan and Jerma Mylyl as lost overboard… Fabricia has mentioned her husband and daughter, but also “friends”… looking at the boats and thinking about their usual crews… probably no more than two other fisherfolk, so six lost in total, maybe plus or minus one. Stohp suggests following while the trail is fresh.
Stock objects, and notes Bartomus’ efforts and recent return, as well as Stock’s desire for his own adventuring gear.
Delia consoles Fabricia. Then Delia begins gently guiding the remaining fisherfolk still on boats to form a fleet with the Turtle, which will go slow as maybe half of the fisherfolk are mentally able to row. That leaves a fourth boat that could use some strong arms to row it back. Delia offers some useful planning tips for the Shields to go underwater.
Armalad agrees with Delia.
Zanderallen sees Delia organizing things and the Shields strategizing, and realizes the final Tangle/Reeds still needs ending, but he could use some help, so he joins in the organizing of the townsfolk in hope of freeing up enough Shields so the last Tangle can be finished off in just seconds.
Fabricia listens to Delia, and her sobbing slows down. While Delia is beginning to direct traffic, something wells from deep within Fabricia, and she gathers herself, face still soaked with tears of loss and stands up, wiping tears from her eyes and looks out at all of the Shields and clears her throat. As many turn to face Fabricia, those who turned can see both desolation and rage simultaneously in her face, and for those closer like Delia, in her eyes as well.
Fabricia says, pleads, almost shouts through her gritted teeth, “Please, bring back their bodies so I… we… can bury them… and if you can, [shouting] tear all those plants frond from frond and burn them to ashes in the biggest fire ever… scorch the lake floor of them all so we few who remain can fish in peace and mourn our dead!”
And with that, Fabricia runs out of energy and collapses again into a sobbing heap on the boat. The other fisherfolk act together and pull Boat 3 close to the Turtle, and then to pull Fabricia onto the Turtle. Gathered around her, they offer emotional support, and as they do so, almost as one, they all turn their heads toward the Shields and look at the Shields silently, expectantly, for what feels like minutes and then again, almost as one, they turn back to Fabricia and speak more soothing words to her.
Taran has at times been lucid, and at times just standing there in not quite the thousand-yard stare that Ceridan had. As the fisherfolk murmur condolences and encouragement to Fabricia, Taran comes out of “just standing there,” addresses the Shields and says, “Shields… this situation is worse than just family members lost and can’t be buried… and poor, poor Triggan and Jerma… the fisherfolk bring in a LOT of fish… food… for Floating City. People on the Float may go hungry, or even starve, if you don’t wipe out these… these… alien plants. If the plants can multiply enough they might even surround the Float and prevent all trade -- help us, help the Float live, Shields, you’re our only hope!”
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday March 3rd, 2023 8:02:47 AM
Most of the party seems to want to return and Stohp's not going to argue over it anymore. Best they move quickly and get back as soon as they can.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 12/10/12; DR 3/-; CMD: 34; Rage: 7/38 used Friday March 3rd, 2023 8:43:27 AM "Bart - do you have any magic prepared that would help us breathe underwater? If not, we might have to acquire some magic. I imagine scrolls could be bought. Honestly feels like something we should always have loaded and ready to go since we live on a floating city."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday March 3rd, 2023 10:54:12 AM
Bartomus listened to the widow's lament and sighed heavily as her anger coursed through her and hung over all of them. He wondered what the best approach would be considering the village-like setting he had seen atop the lakebed.
Taran's assessment of the situation sent a shiver down Bartomus' spine. There was the magnitude of the situation he had seen lain bare before them all. He caught the word "alien" and let that roll about. Surely the merfolk had to have some ideas about these denizens of the underwater shore.
"Maybe, Stock. I have some ideas but would need to spend some time meditating on them. Also, wasn't there some type of weed that can help with underwater activities?" He asked aloud in more of a musing with a bit of a grin. "Probably not a weed, but let's get back to the Float and we can lay out a plan based upon everything we know."
He then turned to the fisher folk and raised his voice a bit. "Over the past few months, have your nets been damaged? Fish intake reduced? Any indication that these creatures may have been there for a while?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=30 ; d20+14=26 ; Friday March 3rd, 2023 12:52:33 PM
Delia blinks, then nods at Fabricia's vehemence, helping the woman onto the turtle along with the fisherfolk.
She will wait patiently on the sad journey back to plan with the Shields once there are no longer traumatized civilians around to overhear whatever Bartomus wanted to say.
Hawky wheels overhead, both keeping an eye out for any weird shapes or shadows in the water around them.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Friday March 3rd, 2023 12:57:13 PM
Zanderallen is burning with a curiosity of what Bart found, but he can take a signal that something bigger is at play. He instead focuses on calming the survivors. "We promise we will be looking further into this and doing everything we can. But we can't do anything until we know everyone here is safe. Let's get all these boats secured to the turtle and get back home."
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Saturday March 4th, 2023 12:29:04 AM
Stohp resigns herself to the Shields’ push to return to the Float and prepare for an underwater expedition.
Stock asks Bartomus whether he prepared any water breathing magic, and suggests the Shields should always be prepared for underwater adventuring.
Bartomus patiently and wisely considered each speaker in turn, from Fabricia’s simultaneous mournful sorrow and rage, to Taran, who said he grew up on the Trash level, and therefore no stranger to hunger, seeing the greater threat. Bartomus then hears Stock’s question, and replies with some ideas and suggests further discussion wait until Shields HQ. Bartomus then turns his attention to the fisherfolk, and queries them about any recent unusual events while fishing.
Delia is briefly taken aback by Fabricia’s speech, but then nods, and helps the fisherfolk get Fabricia aboard the Turtle, noting that some of the fisherfolk will need to return to their boats to help row… and the Turtle still needs a bit more healing before it can swim at full speed with a full load. Delia scans the horizons, while Hawky patrols the waves from the air. Neither see any strange creatures.
Zanderallen wonders what Bartomus found, but plays along for now. He calms the survivors by promising the Shields will get to the bottom of the attack and the Tangle/Reeds, but insists that first the survivors must be safe aboard the Float.
Armalad mentally prepares herself for the underwater expedition, thinking about what specialty gear to get from Shields HQ, what spells to prepare…
Hasan scratches his chin while Stock speaks, and then looks around at his fellow fisherfolk, all of them slowly shaking their heads from side to side, but not speaking. Hasan replies to Stock, “No, we haven’t… those of us here and… (he looks down) elsewhere… we have a pattern, we’ve divided up the lake and try to rotate from place to place to avoid killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, as it were… sometimes large tangles of weeds and reeds can come loose from the lakefloor naturally, and we thought that happened this morning… and maybe it did, just those… creatures… took advantage of us dealing with normal reeds to sneak in for the attack…” Hasan sighs, looks around at the fisherfolk, lingers on the sobbing Fabricia, and shakes his head.
Hasan moves closer to Delia, and says in a whisper, "I'm whispering so I don't upset Fabricia, but you should know something about what her family... her husband Edvards and her daughter Nuray, and what they were wearing... for the recovery... tell the rest of the Shields once you're out of our hearing..." Hasan whispers good descriptions to Delia of Edvards and Nuray.
With that, Delia and Zanderallen direct some of the more “present” fisherfolk back onto their boats to prepare for travel, and then the Shields turn their attention to the final Tangle/Reeds, and just before it unknots itself, Stock, still free to move, follows Zanderallen’s water-slowed lead and does the bulk of the work with the other Shields contributing in their own way. In seconds, the creature is no more.
Delia explains the need to fully heal the Turtle for the trip back, since it’s carrying the Shields and the fisherfolk still incapable of rowing due to their mental trauma. Bartomus and Zanderallen summon healing energies once more and the Turtle almost seems to be smiling – hard to tell with a turtle’s beak, but it’s moving much more easily now.
The sun has fully risen at this point, the dawn’s greys fully gone, and with occasional shoulder pats, Taran manages to maintain his focus enough to guide the Turtle, the Shields, and the fisherfolk fleet back to the Float.
The return trip takes much longer this time, without Belba’s “secret spell” still running. The Turtle’s flippers move in rhythm, as do the oars of the fishing fleet. The Turtle is maybe a bit overloaded, but the fleet, half-staffed with rowers, is also moving slowly.
Finally, the Float is in easy view without squinting, and soon enough the Turtle and the boats are at the Float’s dock. Belba and other Floatfolk are there, waiting. At the slower pace, the Turtle fleet must have been visible to the Float for quite a while. It’s nowhere near noon, but it’s just past early morning, and now simply the morning.
The Turtle gently returns to its home at the dock, and the fisherfolk bring in their boats, careful to rope them through iron eyes to keep them from drifting away. Belba and the support staff of the Turtlemasters help the fisherfolk onto the Float, and lead them to some nearby temporary seating, blankets, food, and acolytes of Domi ready to render medical aid (though the fisherfolk are all physically healed) and counseling.
Belba’s eyes are wide at seeing the trauma written on the fisherfolk’s faces, and perhaps even a hint of sadness on one or more of the Shields, were they not all possessed of stiff upper lips…
Belba says, “Shields… (she looks again at the fisherfolk, and then back to the Shields)… I don’t… I can’t imagine what… I don’t see Triggan… or Jerma… ohhhhhh… perhaps after I see that all of the fisherfolk are receiving the care they need, we can talk about what happened out there?” With that, Belba nods to the Shields and walks among the fisherfolk, speaking to each of them by name, going silent at times as if she was about to call the name of a fisherfolk who simply… didn’t return. Belba is not a particularly emotional type of person, but as she’s among the fisherfolk, you see perhaps the hint of moisture at the corner of one eye…
The Shields are well-acquainted with the long path home, and Stohp once more leads the way, adjusting her shortcuts since no dangerous leaps need be taken.
Soon enough the Shields are back at Shields HQ. There’s a note on the door from Belba, which says that she helped them back to the Lads HQ where some of the merchants’ employees are tending to Xera, Yerikah, and Ceridan. Shields HQ is quiet as you open the front doors… a far cry from the noise of this morning. Everything is as you left it.
SHIELDS – What do you do?
(OOC - this next posting week is the Shields planning for the expedition, discussing options, strategies, tactics, and maybe encountering the unexpected - please feel free to take your time speaking in character about what your hero recommends the Shields plan, do, etc. Some Shields have already mentioned visiting knowledgeable people, so please include that in role-playing the planning.)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Saturday March 4th, 2023 1:23:17 AM
As they entered their HQ, Bartomus sighed in relief. It was a deep, long muscle relaxing sigh.
"I suggest we get something to eat and drink," Bartomus said to his fellow Shields. "Then we can gather around the table with whatever maps we might have of the Float. I need to share what I saw down underwater. And, we need to see if we can have a few runners get us one of the druids, a scholar from the League, and does anyone remember how we can reach the merfolk?"
Bartomus stepped back to the doorway and looked outside for one of the street kids that they have employed. If there is one, he will send them to the druid grove and to the League with a very specific message. The Shields need vital advice immediately for the future sustainability of the Float."
He then made the effort to take care of an essential necessity before finding some food and drink.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Saturday March 4th, 2023 11:03:55 AM
Stock wastes no time donning the rest of his gear, once again feeling comfortably armored. "I will head to the WLA and see if there is anything in the archives about bloodthirsty plants from the deep. I also don't remember if there is a way to contact the merfolk but that also should be a priority. I've heard that a sending can be sent at times like this but none of us that have met the merfolk have ever expressed this capability. Lastly, I also appreciated the freedom" I had back there on the lake. That should be another priority for most of us, even if it requires us to buy some scrolls. I do wonder if the council would secure this for us."[/b]
When the brief discussion is complete, Stock takes his leave and heads to the WLA.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Sunday March 5th, 2023 4:51:56 PM
Delia will listen carefully to Hasan's description, mentally marking down any distinguishing items of Fabricia's family. If any other folk are missing, she will ensure she gets a description of them.
Once they are back at HQ she will join in the planning, "I can cast the same I did for Stock on two of us and Bart can turn into a water elemental again. That would only leave 3 more. And maybe we should track down some good slashing weapons as well since stabbing the plants didn't seem to be doing as much."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Sunday March 5th, 2023 8:55:40 PM
Earlier in their adventuring career the shields were able to rent magical gear that let them move and breath underwater. Stohp will go try to find that gear once again.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday March 5th, 2023 9:23:37 PM
Armalad says, "I actually do know Water Breathing and can prepare up to four copies of it but it takes 3rd level slots and I usually put Fly and Lightning Bolt there."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Monday March 6th, 2023 3:10:39 PM
Zander walks among the acolytes of Domi, greeting most of them by name from his time around the temple. He gives them a brief summary of what happened on the lake to prepare them for the aid the fishermen will need. "We'll be happy to discuss what happened in more detail Belba, once these poor folk are taken care of." He walks back with a heavy heart at those lost.
Once inside he turns to Bart, "All right big fellow, what do you see down there that you didn't want to share with the general public?" He waits for the taur to fill in the group.
"I'm going to see if I can get an audience with the Overlord or someone in his office. They'll need to know if they is danger to the fishing industry. If the fishing boats stop going out the Float is in serious trouble."
Twilight KNOCKING... (DM Wayne) Monday March 6th, 2023 8:17:33 PM
Bartomus relaxes, once more at home in Shields HQ. He floats suggestions of what to do next, starting with a meal! He then steps out just a moment to look for a messenger. At the moment there isn’t one, but the day is young.
Stock once more dresses for battle, pleased to have his faithful tools with him once more. He announces his plans to head to the WLA for information, and suggests some magical routes the team might investigate for communications and for underwater action. Stock then leaves for the WLA. On the way, he hears the conversations on the street. It seems that in the time it took the Shields to return home, gear up, talk, and perhaps even begin eating, almost everyone walking on the street is talking about the attack on the fisherfolk. At first people weren’t looking down to pay attention to a random dwarf on the streets of the Float, but about halfway to the WLA, a group of teenagers point at Stock in full battle gear and say, “Hey, there’s one of the Shields, we can ask him! Mr. St--- St--- was it Stohp? Is that your name Mr. Shield? Tell us what happened in the attack – we want to know everything!” The speaker is a teenage human girl, dark hair, beige skin. With her are three teenage boys around the same age but two are human and half a head taller, and the third is a half-elf, and two teenage girls, one a gnome and the other a dwarf. All are looking expectantly at the mighty Shield, “Stohp” to tell them a thrilling tale of adventure!!!
While still among the Turtle Fleet, Delia made sure to focus on the valuable information Hasan gave them. It was thought one or two others were missing, but after Delia speaks with the fisherfolk and with Stohp, she finds that there are four missing: Edvards, Nuria, and the Lads, Triggan and Jerma. Back at Shields HQ, Delia contributes to the mission planning, counting what resources they do have (two freedom of movement spells, Bart’s waterform) and considering what weapons to focus on… perhaps swords, as although the water can slow an un-freedom arm significantly, slashing weapons seem to work better…
Stohp listens to the others strategize, and recalls that the Shields had previously rented some magical gear to function underwater… She thinks she recalls where to go to check on it, and heads out after Stock, soon splitting off from his path to the WLA. Just as she thinks she’s getting close, the way ahead is blocked by two Minotaurs carrying a large stained-glass window pane out of a glassmaker’s shop and into the street. Stohp is no novice and quickly slows to a walk, looking this way and that for an opportunity to get past the laborers carrying the pane. As the laborers are orienting the pane, the closer one to Stohp, in looking around to make sure he doesn’t bump into anyone, happens to see Stohp and makes eye contact with her, saying “Oh, excuse us ma’am, the Temple of Domi wanted their new piece right away. We’ll just be a minute getting this balanced to go forward and then you can go around us.” While the ‘taurs are jostling the large pane first one way, and then another, Stohp catches a view of the art in the stained glass pane. Some sort of Champion of Domi fighting a… demon(?)… coming out of a gate, with a lot of refuse around the gate. The Champion has a flaming red sword, and some sort of hash lines, perhaps indicating the sword is moving with great speed. A spark of familiarity ignites inside Stohp. Perhaps it will grow into a flame of recognition…
Armalad offers to prepare some Water Breathing spells, but warns of the cost in lost offensive spells among her usual repertoire… She is concerned about losing access to Fly, but then recalls that the Fly spell is useless underwater unless an air pocket can be found… the possibility of losing Lightning Bolt leads to her recalling that many of the elemental spells function differently underwater, among other spells… she’ll have to plan carefully which of her usual spells should be kept and which should be swapped out for something more useful where the Shields are going…
As the Shields begin gathering on the Float to head towards Shields HQ, Zanderallen’s heart is touched by the acolytes of Domi counseling the tormented fisherfolk… He greets many by name and helps them to better understand what the fisherfolk have come through. A brief farewell to Belba and turning towards the road to Shields HQ, Zanderallen walks seriously, thinking deeply about the tragedy and threat that befell the fisherfolk, and how to prevent it from ever happening again. At Shields HQ, Zanderallen listens to Bartomus, and then asks him to share the deep lore of his underwater journey. After Bartomus fills in the group, (minus Stock and Stohp who both have left to follow their own plans to aid the expedition) Zanderallen tells the Shields of his plans to seek an audience with the Overlord’s office, if not the Overlord himself, due to the threat to the Float’s fishing industry, food supply, and possibly all trade on Turtle Lake!
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday March 6th, 2023 8:29:28 PM
Armalad says, "Well if Fly and Lightning Bolt are bad choices for underwater I can do Dispel Magic, Invisibility Sphere, Haste, Slow, Water Breathing, Arcane Sight, or Major Image. Do you think I should do some combination of Water Breathing and something else or just stock the 4 water breathing and we can be sure to not run out of air. Each casting of my spell lasts for 20 hours and I can divide the time evenly amongst us."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Tuesday March 7th, 2023 8:35:50 AM "I'm Stock. Not Stohp. Stohp is a taur, I'm a dwarf. She's also a better carpenter and wrestler. As for what happened...let's just say you should stay out of the water." He pushes past the kids and heads to the WLA. Once there he asks for a docent and will ask how he could find information about past attacks in the lake that have come from the deep.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday March 7th, 2023 10:30:48 AM "So," Bartomus said looking at Zander and then realized that a few of the Shields weren't there. "I followed the blood and stuff."
He paused and sighed.
"There was a kelp forest and I worked my way through that and after following the faint trail, I spied what looked like a reeds community, not sure if I would call it a town, but a collection of the reeds in a rather organized fashion."
He again sighed and looked about.
"So, you can see why I was trying to control the story, right?" Bartomus looked straight at Zander and then continued. "If there are a group of these creatures in the lake, and if they have a sense of community, I think we need to figure out what they are and what happened."
"As to breathing underwater, I think there is a way I can do that as was suggested. Use that gift on a few of you and then I can change into a creature of water as I did. I also wonder if I could tree walk from the grove here into that forest? It's one of the things I want to ask the druids. But, we need to know what the merfolk might know about the reeds. If nothing, then could they be a new inhabitant to the lake?"
The Taur lifted his morning tea to his lips and let the others respond to what he had shared.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Tuesday March 7th, 2023 2:28:47 PM "A community of reeds. That is even more worrisome. I watched those reeds, there was no intelligence to them, just a primal need to feed. If there is an organized community then something sent those reeds. Unleashed those horrors on innocent people. We need to find out what is going on down there and put an end to it." Zander unconsciously touches his sword hilt as he finishes his statement. Armed with that info he departs to the palace level to seek an audience with the Overlord. He might also be able to help in providing the ability to breathe underwater.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Tuesday March 7th, 2023 9:19:12 PM
Armalad considers what she knows about magic and the underwater environs, musing aloud what spells might be better choices on this journey than her usual selections, and which of her usual selections she should keep.
Stock, to the point as always, quickly corrects the Shields fanteens as to who he is while also using his arms to form a kind of flying wedge and gently but brusquely make his way past the teencrowd. Stock’s stern face radiates “important business” and after the gasps of the teencrowd and their comments about how serious and heroic Stock is, Stock metaphorically leaves them in his dust and soon arrives at the WLA. After waiting in line for about five minutes behind apparently yet another group of fresh new adventuring faces asking all the usual new-to-the-Float questions like “where’s the jobs board?” and “can we meet the Shields?” it’s finally Stock’s turn. The clerk at the desk is new, but there is a sparkle in the middle-aged half-elf woman’s eyes, and after briefly looking Stock up and down, she says, “Hmm… I may be new here, but there’s only one group of adventurers that could possibly afford a suit of mithral full plate armor, and that’s the Shields! How may I assist you, and which Shield are you anyways… wait, let me guess… Bartomus?”
Meanwhile, the real Bartomus sighs briefly realizing that Stock and Stohp aren’t around to hear his tale, but begins it anyways in the hearing of Zanderallen, Armalad, and Delia, expressing his concern that, at a distance, there appeared to be some form of “town” of weedy/reedy “buildings” – not that he could tell how many were occupied, but the evident organization was made for troubling possibilities… Bartomus goes on to discuss strategy for underwater travel and preparing appropriate spells. Bartomus once more brings up meeting with the merfolk to see what they know about these… newcomers? Bartomus drinks his tea while waiting for the others to react.
Zanderallen is also troubled by this news… the “town” doesn’t fit with the HUNGRY motivation the Tangle/Reeds displayed with the fisherfolk and the Turtle. Zanderallen is determined to find a way to end this new threat, and saying his farewells, heads for the palace level and an audience with the Overlord. Zanderallen, armed and armored fully, with each buckle now in its proper position, heads out of Shields HQ and as he turns onto the road towards the path to the palace level, he sees before him a teenage human girl, dark hair, beige skin. With her are three teenage boys around the same age but two are human and half a head taller, and the third is a half-elf, and two teenage girls, one a gnome and the other a dwarf. The girl is just finishing saying, “It’s too bad Stock was too busy to do more than tell us to stay out of the water. Good thing our families aren’t fisherfolk and – hey, that’s Shields HQ and there’s a Shield! Hey you, you’re a Shield, right? Uh, Salamander, Zallenander… something like that? Can you please tell us the real story of what happened to the fisherfolk? We’re… like… dying to know!” The six teenagers watch Zanderallen with smiles and bated breath.
Delia muses about spell strategy with Armalad and Bartomus.
Stohp appears transfixed by the stained-glass Champion of Domi… just then one of the two minotaurs carrying the stained-glass, the one nearest Stohp, notices her frozen stare and stops his friend and then says to Stohp, “Ma’am, are you ok? I know this stained-glass is a real work of art… hey, is that armor steelgrass? Wow, such fine craftspersonship! Not a mark on it… wait, are you one of the Shields? I know your name! It’s on the tip of my tongue… it’s… Stock?” the minotaur smiles hopefully. “By the way, my name’s Pravin. Pravin Shalmaneser.”
Sir, can you spare a potion of water-breathing?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday March 7th, 2023 10:48:51 PM
Armalad asks, "Can I get some of that tea."
She then postulates, "if there is an underwater reed city then maybe we'll need things like invisibility sphere and major image to create places we can hide?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday March 8th, 2023 9:52:45 AM "I think we are going to need to know a lot more about what is down there. Hiding might be a good way to do that." Bartomus agreed with Armalad. He gave her a weak smile and a shrug and then went to fetch the pot of tea and couple of additional cups.
When he emerged with both, he filled her cup and pushed it toward the Star mage and then refilled his own. He pointed to the other cup with the teapot and looked at Delta with a questioning expression.
"What worries me is that a village or community, yea that might be a better word, of those reeds." Bartomus sighed and took a long sip of the tea. "We can't take on an entire community in a few hours and my approach to helping a group breath below the surface won't last but that for each one I work with."
He shook his head and twisted his lips to one side. "Really think we need more information. But, I like your thinking Delta. I am just not certain about the best way to go about this problem. I also have to say, I don't think any of the fisher folk are still alive, but still would bring them some closure to be able to bury their kin."
[/b]"I want to head out and find the druids. Ask them a few questions. Then maybe take a turtle out onto the waters after getting some advice on how to reach out to the King, or his daughter, and ask about the reeds. Get something to eat along the way too of course. You want to come along?"[/b]
He asked Armalad and Delta as he listened to what they suggested before firming up a course of action.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday March 8th, 2023 11:12:25 AM
Delia's attention snaps back to the present at the clink of a tea cup on the table, she nods and accepts the cup gratefully. "Sorry. Trying to think of the best way to safely remove this threat. The question I keep coming back to is: Is this targetted or instinctual? It doesn't change how this needs to end, but it might change our path to get there. If these reeds have simply changed hunting grounds, our lives will be so much easier and we could likely hack away at it section by section and it won't learn. If this is targetted and there's an intelligent force behind it we need to wipe everything out at once. I can talk to plants if we think that would help, but they tend to be pretty dumb. And if this is a hive mind of any sort it could warn something we're coming."
She sipped her tea for a few moments, deep in thought, "Either way, I think step one is making sure all of us are ready for underwater combat at the drop of a hat. Water breathing and Freedom of Movement spells and scrolls, darkvision or good underwater light sources... that sorta thing."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Wednesday March 8th, 2023 11:54:32 AM
Stock glances at his hands and arms and says, "Why do people keep confusing me with a taur...No I'm not Bartomus, I'm Stock. Anyway who knows about past run-ins with the wildlife at the bottom of the lake? Some locals were just jumped by some aggressive weeds we haven't seen before and I'm curious if the League has any records about similar sightings or attacks."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Wednesday March 8th, 2023 1:17:38 PM
Zanderallen raises an eyebrow at the group of teens. He sighs as they being their line of questioning. So many points to balance but unknown rumors would likely guess things to be worse than the truth, "There was an attack, some type of carnivorous plant from the lake depths. Some of the fishermen and Lakeview Lads were taken under... We're investigating to make sure it doesn't happen again. Please excuse me, and Domi go with you." As he leaves the teens he realizes there somewhere he needs to go first. He turns aside from the path up and heads to the warehouse where the Lakeview Lads have set up base. He knocks on the door, waiting on a response.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Wednesday March 8th, 2023 10:03:58 PM
Armalad asks for tea and then continues her conjecture on what spells might be best…. She feels confident about major image, but silently wonders whether the “spaces of empty water” might give an invisible person away immediately, or just make it slightly less effective than normal. Perhaps an experiment is in order… she considers… depending on how soon the Shields leave after changing spells tomorrow morning.
Bartomus agrees with Armalad’s focus on a “hiding strategy” and then goes to get more tea and cups. Bartomus expresses his concern that the size and number of the reedy mounds could be hiding a lot of reeds, or a few, but thinks it wisest to plan for the worse scenario. He details his meet-the-druids and meet-the-merfolk strategies a bit more, then waits for Armalad and Delia to chip in.
Delia comes out of reverie as her hands gratefully receive a cup of tea. The tea spurs the creative parts of her brain and highly detailed tactics and strategies spill forth, organized and marching like an army led by a general. Delia has laid forth her concerns about the best approach to deal with the Reeds, and sums up some of the team’s most useful magical options underwater.
Stock confirms he’s not wearing a Taurish hat of disguise – his hands and arms are still as Dwarven and sturdy as they ever were! Stock asks the half-elf woman whether the WLA knows of someone experienced with wildlife at the bottom of Turtle Lake, particularly ‘aggressive weeds.’
Zanderallen spares a moment more than Stock did, and gives the fanteens a few more details, including the loss of some of the Lakeview Lads before making his way politely past them. Then Zanderallen recalls Belba’s note about ensuring Xera, Yerikah, and Ceridan were being counseled and taken care of at the Lads’ HQ, and adjusts his course to that destination. He quickly arrives and knocks on the door.
Stohp doesn’t know what to make of Pravin’s misidentification. Caught off-guard she adopts a thoughtful face and Pravin waits patiently for “Stock”’s response.
(OOC – Mitch asked if anyone would sub for him this week. I would like that too…
Meanwhile, at stately WLA headquarters, the half-elf woman scrunches her eyebrows and thinks about Stock’s question. A tiny vein visibly pulses every now and then on the left half of her forehead as she ponders. She turns to a shelf of books, plucks one out and rapidly pages through it, finger-reading headers, then finishes, closes it, and scratches her head. Then she says, “Well Mr. Stock, I don’t think any of the current crop of adventurers have done that since our logs say the Shields were the last to go underwater like that… but we have kept what logs we could on all of the attempts to fight the Sahuagin, not just the Shields. According to the logs, the last group that tried to fight them mentioned they’d gotten some help from a ‘Syrdeth Redbow.’ I didn’t see that name near the logs’ entry on the Shields’ Sahuagin assault, but maybe that name’s familiar to you? If not, I don’t know how to find him without doing some asking around and research. Do you know anyone by that name? As for the prior group, they left the Float after failing to defeat the Sahuagin the way the Shields did. I could send messages to other WLA chapters, but that may take even longer than me asking around about Redbow.”
Back at the Lads’ HQ, all is quiet outside but for Zanderallen’s knocking… a moment… and then some scrambling is heard behind the door, things move, and then the door opens, without setting off the alarm. Taran stands before Zanderallen, and without a smile or a word then opens the door fully and steps back, beckoning Zanderallen inside.
Zanderallen sees the room somewhat full. In one corner, many chairs are gathered, and Xera, Yerikah, and Ceridan are each sitting with their back to the wall and an acolyte in robes of Domi sitting across from each of them. Xera and her acolyte have their heads close, and Xera is whispering in the acolyte’s ear, occasionally wiping away her own tears, blowing her nose, and so on. Yerikah is out of tears, but still sobbing on the shoulder of her acolyte, repeating one word over and over, “Jerma!” Ceridan sits quietly, listening to the consoling words of his acolyte… only occasionally ghost-drawing an arrow that isn’t there from a quiver that isn’t there.
Grysh and Duluth are sitting at the Lads’ big table, each drinking a mug of dark ale, sometimes looking over at their recovering friends, sometimes looking at each other, nodding, and then going back to drinking.
At the clank of entry from Zanderallen’s boots Grysh and Duluth look up, and for the first time in quite a while, Zanderallen sees them smile… the first time in quite a while he has seen any Lad smile… Out of the corner of his right eye Zanderallen thought he saw the beginning of a smile on Taran’s face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Grysh swallows, sets down his ale, and says, “C’mon, sit. Have an ale with us. I… we… don’t know how else to thank you and the Shields…” Zanderallen hears the uncharacteristic mellowness in Grysh’s words. When the Lads were at Shields HQ, Grysh had on a tough face, a strong, proud stance even as he admired the Shields as much as the rest of the Lads. Now, Grysh wears the wisdom of sorrow that will forever inform his future approaches to battle… and to life…
Stohp (Hugh subbing for Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday March 8th, 2023 10:45:38 PM
Stohp says, "I'm actually Stohp, not Stock. Stock is a Dwarf. Anyway could you direct to the shop around her that rents gear that makes the ability to breathe and move underwater."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday March 8th, 2023 10:47:32 PM
Armalad says, "We need to do some experimentation with Invisibility Sphere and being underwater as I'm not sure if the water would negate the benefit of the spell or if it would only make it slightly less effective."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Thursday March 9th, 2023 9:02:34 AM "Yeah, I know Redbow. Haven't seen him in a bit but he helped us last time. I'll go track him down. Thanks for jogging my memory." With little other ceremony, Stock departs the WLA, trying to remember where near the docks they met the man the last time they had to go diving.
======= Diplomacy to gather information near the docks; Take 10 for an 11 Stock is not the best at Diplomacy
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday March 9th, 2023 2:17:18 PM "I like those ideas, and Delia, those questions are part of the challenge we have. If these are creatures of the lake and they can do what we saw with that guys thumb, then we gotta have a plan." Bartomus offered to the others and took another drink of tea.
"But, if they have been here all along, then we gotta figure out what changed. Otherwise, we gotta huge problem on our hands." He sit his cup down and then sighed.
"Who wants to go visit the druids?" He was hoping that he might get some clue that would help figure out a better choice amongst what was appearing to be versuons of bad and bad.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Thursday March 9th, 2023 3:11:34 PM
Zander greets Taran quietly, clasping him on the shoulder as a comforting gesture. As his eyes take in the scene he nods to Xera, Yerikah, and Ceridan. He smiles back at Grysh and Duluth and join them at the table, setting down some of his gear. He takes an ale, "I'm glad to see you two recovering." He pauses conjuring up the pain of Rodrigo's Death (August 31st post), he chooses his next words carefully but let's his emotions show. "I'm sorry about Triggan and Jerma. I know, trust me I know, that nothing I or anyone else says will make that loss any less. But I want you to know this. They are gone, but they are still with you, in here." He taps his chest right over his heart. "And they died doing what they knew was right. Because of them and all of you those fisher men and women are still alive. And that matters. It doesn't change how much it hurts, but it matters. To Triggan and Jerma." He downs the last of his ale in toast.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday March 9th, 2023 3:57:22 PM
Delia takes another pensive sip of tea, "Hmm, yeah that plant was weird. Stocking up on some anti-toxins might not be a bad idea... and if we wait more than a day, I'm all for testing magic out too." She'll go with Bart to the druids to see if they have any insight.
Armalad tries to get someone to volunteer for her invisibility sphere experimentation. If no one does she could always just test it herself with herself and joker.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) d20=19 ; Thursday March 9th, 2023 9:48:34 PM
Stohp gently corrects Pravin and asks him for directions to a shop that handles underwater gear.
Pravin’s cheeks flush red when he realizes his misidentification. “I’m sorry ma’am, the two names just sound alike… I apologize. A shop that rents underwater gear? Hmmm… well, not a shop per se, but there’s a man who does that kind of business strictly by word of mouth… his name is Syrdeth Redbow… I think he works for Lord Belkior or someone up there. He lives down at the docks, near Sailor’s Fork, and he runs the Shield Construction business in a warehouse. Probably easy to find once you get down there. Has a big sign, I think. Well, I guess we’d best be getting this stained-glass over to the temple of Domi… I hear they really like Zallenander, or some champion with a name like that.” And with that, Pravin and his fellow taur get back to their delivery. Stohp starts heading for the docks.
(OOC - Pravin sure knew a lot for a stained-glass deliverytaur...)
Armalad suggests testing certain spells, like invisibility sphere, in the water before going on the expedition so the Shields can be informed about which spells to select for the expedition.
Stock thanks the half-elven woman for jogging his memory and departs the WLA, heading towards the docks. He feels sure he’ll remember more the closer he gets.
Stohp and Stock are each about halfway to the docks when they meet each other at an intersection, almost bumping into each other.
Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Shields, Bartomus compliments Delia on her strategies and tactics. He cautions Delia and Armalad on the potential dangers of the plants down there, especially based on the tiny plant that almost ate Hasan’s thumb. Bartomus asks for traveling companions to go visit the druids.
Zanderallen greets the Lads warmly, responding to each as they need, and sits down to drink ale with Grysh and Duluth. Zanderallen encourages the Lads to take heart from Triggan and Jerma’s sacrifice, and their own efforts, which led to saving so many of the fisherfolk. Zanderallen toasts the memory and actions of Triggan and Jerma.
A second passes… and Grysh and Duluth raise their mugs to toast as well. “To Triggan and…” their voices trail off, recalling who is nearby, still gently sobbing, and then both of them silently mouth “to Jerma!” so only Zanderallen and Taran can see their faces.
Delia sips more tea, continuing her strategizing, and suggesting anti-toxins… a moment and she recalls the Delay Poison spell can be quite useful too… Delia agrees to go with Bart to see the druids, all members of the Circle of Alder… but where did they last see them, was it on the Float, or on the shore? What if they’re gathering mistletoe on shore and the Shields need to take a Turtle to get there and more Reeds attack? Hmmm… well, easy enough to start with their quarters on the Float and see if they’re there before chartering a Turtle. There’s more than one Turtle to charter… Rick’s Turtle James probably wouldn’t have let a stranger like Taran direct the Turtle that Belba enchanted to help the Shields face the Reeds, so perhaps James is still healthy and ready to go if the Druids aren’t on the Float…
Armalad inquires again about testing out magic. Delia replies that she’s interested in it, but the Shields might want an extra day to do that. Armalad considers testing it with herself and Joker. Come to think of it, Armalad just needs to see what happens to one roughly humanoid-type shape… even a standard Invisibility spell would be enough for that… Delia and Bartomus seem set on leaving for the Druids next…
ARMALAD – head to the docks and test with whatever spells you have on hand right now, or go with Delia and Bartomus now, and prepare appropriate spells tomorrow?
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Friday March 10th, 2023 8:31:42 AM
Stock looks up at Stohp and really looks at her. Then he looks down at himself. Then he looks at Stohp and says, "You ever think we look alike?" He then shakes his head and says, "Come one, we're probably here for the same reason. Let's find Redbow."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Friday March 10th, 2023 9:20:34 AM
Delia will down the rest of her tea and put the cup in the kitchen, "Armalad, we can swing by a bit of water somewhere on our way to the druids and test out your spells. If they aren't home, we'll probably have to go by the docks anyway."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday March 10th, 2023 10:43:13 AM
Bartomus led the way to the grove where he had communed with the druids of the Float. He looked about hoping to see a familiar face.
"Hello," Bartomus said softly. "Hoping to talk with a few of you about something the Shields have discovered."
He waited for an answer and if someone were to appear, he would quickly explain what he had seen in the lake and ask about the kelp forests and the reeds. He would also ask about traveling between trees like those in the grove and the kelp forests.
Stohp (Zach subbing for Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday March 10th, 2023 11:39:34 AM
Stohp snorts and raises an inquisitive eyebrow at Stock's question, "You'd think by this point people would know who we are, especially on the Fence level" She shrugs her shoulders and dismisses it, not worth worrying over. "Let's see if the elf is in, Shield Construction was his business I think."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Friday March 10th, 2023 11:43:59 AM
Zander sets down his cup and gives a sad smile to the Lads, "If you want to talk further, my door is always open." He then leaves them in the capable hands of the acolytes of Domi. There was no more he could do, they needed time and space to grieve. And while they did that he would take vengeance. He gets most of the way to the stairs before realizing he is carrying a heavy scowl and takes a moment to take a deep breath and settle his emotions. Still looking like a man on a missions he no longer wears to the look of a man of his way to kill someone. Up to the Open Air Level to alert the Overlord.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Saturday March 11th, 2023 11:35:49 AM
Stock considers Stohp for a long moment, asking her if the two of them could be confused for one another. Then invites her to head to Redbow with him.
Delia finishes her tea and cleans up her area. She offers Armalad and opportunity to test spells on the way to the Druids.
Bartomus leads Delia and Armalad to the grove on the Float where the Druids normally reside, on the open-air level in a park, resolving to stop by the Druids’ townhouse on the merchant level later if necessary. The Shields are greeted apparently by a new initiate of the Druids, based on the liontaur woman’s relative youth and clothing. “Hail and well-met Shields! I am Filippa.” she says, continuing, looking up at Bartomus, perhaps a head taller than Filippa, and then down at Delia and Armalad, “Wow… I never thought I’d get to meet the great Bartomus, honored elder of nature! I am so humbled to meet you! And… (turning) you must be Delia and Armalad, the Shields’ archers without equal!” The lion-woman appears to get everyone’s names correct. “ Shields, how may we of the Grove assist you?” Filippa finishes.
Filippa listens to Bartomus intently. “ Exalted Bartomus, I wish I could help. Cathbad, Carlo, and Jella have themselves tree-traveled to the mainland, following the latest clues to Jella’s father’s whereabouts. I don’t know exactly where they are right now. My knowledge of nature is not as great as yours… I have never considered the nature under our feet, on the lakefloor… how short-sighted of me. I will make sure to ask Cathbad and the others about it on their return. I can only think of this: what makes a tree a tree, and a plant a plant? The Lake “forests” of reeds and kelp sound more like overgrown plants than trees, but perhaps you could simply try using your tree spells and see if they work?” Filippa finishes and smiles, like a preciously bright student who has done the best with the novice-level knowledge they have and are hoping for a pat on the head from the famous visiting professor.
Stohp grumbles at being reminded of misidentification by Float citizens who should know better by now… Stohp agrees to go see Redbow with Stock, stopping by Shield Construction first.
Stock and Stohp make their way to Shield Construction relatively quickly, aided by Stohp’s nigh-perfect memorization of the Float’s layout, especially on the Fence level and on down to the docks. Soon they are before the massive warehouse with a recently-cleaned-and-painted sign towards the top level, simply “Shield Construction.” A dozen or so people of various sizes and species are going to and fro in front of and in and out of the warehouse. Off to the right is a retail counter set in the wall facing the street, workers visible in the background inside the warehouse, but no one at the counter. There is, however, a silver bell about the size of Stohp’s right fist sitting on the counter, and on the outside wall to the side of the counter someone has painted in white paint with block letters,
RING FOR SERVICE
Zanderallen smiles in a way that fully communicates his and the Shields’ condolences to the Lads, and then lets them know he’s always available to speak with. Zanderallen sees Duluth and Grysh and even Taran smile as he leaves, and the three of them begin talking quietly, perhaps returning to an earlier conversation. As he leaves, he takes a deep breath and refocuses himself on the situation, and in Domi’s teachings about how to approach difficult situations. Zanderallen makes his way out of the Lads’ HQ, across the Fence level, and makes his way from the Fence level to the ramp system that leads all the way to the top. Four levels of ramps takes a while, but Zanderallen is determined and in exemplary athletic shape, and arriving on the top level he pauses a moment to take in the beautiful mix of plants and architecture, reaching towards the sky and even the sun itself… no reedy tendrils reaching out to grab him here.
Having missed Bartomus and the others by mere moments Zanderallen is not distracted as he strides over to the several guards at the edge of the Palace of the Overlord. Several humanoid guards stand at the ready, ranging in height from 4' to 7' tall, their faces obscured by the internal shadows of their helmets. They part as one, allowing their sergeant-at-arms (by the visible insignia) to step forth to meet Zanderallen. Zanderallen is no stranger to taurs or to giant foes, but this sergeant is an especially imposing centaur man, perhaps seven-foot-six… or even a solid eight feet tall at the front, clad in full plate armor and barding. The paragon of centaurs towers over Zanderallen and his voice is a deep rumbling avalanche, “ Hail and well-met Zanderallen! My superiors told me you were a frequent visitor to the Palace. Your desire is written all over your face… tell me Zanderallen of the Silver Shields, for what reasons do you seek audience with the Overlord today?”
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Saturday March 11th, 2023 12:51:38 PM "Well met Filippa," Bartomus greeted the woman with a warm smile and listened to her response to his questions. He nodded at her set of questions.
"Exactly that. Right? The kelp was growing tall with thicker stalks and their tops reaching for the light. What I don't want to do is try a tree walk for the shields that doesn't work. May need to experiment as you suggest as growing up on the plains gives me little in the way of experience with trees or large lakes either."
He chuckled at that confession and then reached out to shake the woman's hand in thanks. "I appreciate the time and the thoughts. He gave her a polite bow and looked about. [b]"Time to call out to the merfolk, I guess."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Sunday March 12th, 2023 7:16:19 PM
Delia lets Bart take the lead on talking to the druids, giving Filippa a polite nod at the start and end of the conversation. "Looks like we're going to be by some water and can test your spells out, Armalad. Well... probably. How do we contact the merfolk?"
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday March 12th, 2023 8:15:41 PM
Armalad says, "When you dealt with that errand for the druids you had my predecessor from the Star Mages guild with you who had a lot more and different spells than I do. As I said previously my spell book isn't really optimized for travel as it focuses on a lot of area of effect spells I can trigger by imbuing the spell in my arrow. Who has spells that let us travel via sea weed?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Monday March 13th, 2023 8:54:52 AM
Stock rings the bell and looks around the counter for anybody who can help. "Stohp - Do you see anybody?"
"Helloooo? Redbow?", Stock calls out.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Monday March 13th, 2023 6:01:21 PM
Zander nods his head to the centaur, "Well met, Sergeant. I do not know of news of the fishing fleet attack has reached the palace but I seek an audience with the Overlord or his aides to give an account and detail some discoveries made. The Shields are departing on a fact finding mission but due to the threat to the city I feel the authorities need to be aware of the situation."
Armalad makes sure she has an invisibility sphere prepared when they go to visit the water
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday March 13th, 2023 8:58:54 PM
Stohp sees lots of people just none obviously manning the desk. She waits patiently for them to be serviced.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday March 13th, 2023 10:53:31 PM
(OOC Checking in)
Delia asks Armalad some questions about why invisibility magic would work differently under water and how to spot the signs.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Monday March 13th, 2023 11:47:38 PM
Bartomus greets Filippa and considers the lore she offers, then politely turning to the Shields, suggests they next travel to the Merfolk.
Delia wonders how the Shields can contact the Merfolk.
Armalad considers the limitations of her spellbook and asks the Shields, “Who has spells that let us travel via sea weed?”
Delia asks Armalad why invisibility magic would work differently under water and how to spot the signs.
Stock grasps the handle of the oversized silver cowbell, with a handle made of a short but thick metal pipe – Stock’s index fingertip barely reaches his thumbtip on the other side when grasped. He rings the repurposed cowbell mightily and calls out for Redbow.
Zanderallen returns the strong greeting to the centaur sergeant, and states his business: to inform the Overlord of important details of the fishing fleet attack and related matters. The sergeant listens carefully, and backsteps to the side as he says, “ small details about the attack have made it here… including that the Shields are the only ones in any shape to discuss the matter without reliving traumatic memories. (He turns to a nearby page) You there, run and pass the word up the chain to the Overlord that Zanderallen brings information key to the Float’s security. (Turning back to Zanderallen) Noble Zanderallen, please walk briskly and do not run – give the Overlord time to realize your impromptu visit is imminent, and to prepare himself and his court. (He turns slightly to look at two nearby guards) And you there, Guards Zejd and Abele, escort Zanderallen to the doors of the Overlord’s court – ensure that no one blocks Zanderallen’s path!”
With that, Guards Zejd and Abele smile at Zanderallen and gesture for him to follow between them as escort. The three armored warriors make their way deep into the Overlord’s palace, Zejd and Abele keeping servants from remaining frozen in the middle of the hallway at the sight of the Champion of Domi, the great warrior Zanderallen! Through this hallway and that, up a full flight of stairs, down a hallway, down a half-flight of stairs, across a large room where many wait to see the Overlord, and up a half-flight of stairs, finally the three are at the entrance to the Overlord’s greeting complex. Abele and Zjed each step forward to greet and bow to the guards at the Overlord’s grand doors and speak their business, and that of Zanderallen. The two guards nod, and a third guard, briefly hidden behind a pillar, steps out and slides a small piece of metal, whispering into the small exposed hole, then slides the small piece of metal back, and then slips once more behind the pillar.
In a moment, grinding noises are heard behind the doors… it seems the Overlord must have enlisted some Dwarven engineers to create such a loud and grandiose mechanical system for opening doors… and for keeping them shut… since Zanderallen was last here.
Guards Zejd and Abele lead Zanderallen into the Overlord’s greeting complex, where he sits atop one of his many thrones throughout the palace, this one apparently designed to be less intimidating than the ones he uses for official decrees. Soon the three are in the Overlord’s presence, a mere twenty feet from him and his retinue of palace guards.
The Overlord’s voice booms as he says, “Zanderallen of the Silver Shields… it has come to my attention that there is more to this fishing fleet accident… or attack (?)… than is known to me. You are a loyal citizen of the float and have never lied to me before. Tell me what you know… and what you think it means for the Float!”
Armalad makes a mental note to change spells to include Invisibility Sphere before the Shields go to the water… and as it’s still not quite mid-day since the dawn attack, that won’t be until the next morning… She is beginning to think that perhaps the Shields need the next day for spell testing and the merfolk, and then can head for the weedy/reedy “town” the day after that, with the correct spells prepared.
Stohp observes the many people going back and forth while Stock rings the silver cowbell mightily, calling for Redbow.
Within a moment a worker finishes moving some block and tackle into place, and then hears the cowbell and jogs over to the counter. The worker is a female elf of unusual height, about six feet tall. The elven amazon is wearing a utilitarian heavy cloth outfit, apparently designed to prevent bruises, scrapes, and cuts as might happen in a construction warehouse. She’s somewhat youthful for an elf, and her hair is tied in a bun on the back of her head. Her wide almond-shaped violet eyes seem to take in the whole situation at once without her moving her head up to Stohp or down to Stock. She makes a slight smile as she says, “ Sir dwarf, lady ‘taur, if you want to speak with Syrdeth, fortune smiles upon you today, he’s here instead of off locating another supplier of construction materials. Now who should I tell him is… wait… a strong dwarf in mithral armor and a lithe ‘taur in light armor… you’re the Shields, aren’t you? (turns) Hey everyone, the Silver Shields are here, come see!!!” and with that, Stock and Stohp are quickly surrounded, at a few feet of distance, by awestruck Shields-fans, whispering and murmuring… “Is it really them? Of course it’s them you fool! It’s Stock the ‘taur and Stohp the dwarf! No no, you have it wrong, it’s Stock the dwarf and Stohp the ‘taur! Hey, no one can stop that ‘taur! I heard from the dockworkers she hogtied one of those plant-monsters with its own fronds! No she didn’t! Yes she did! How do you know? The dockworker overheard one of the acolytes after they helped some of the survivors! How do you know it was a plant monster and not just a story? Everything’s true where the Shields are involved! I dunno… (random gnome in the crowd turns towards Stohp) Hey, you there, Stohp! No uh… I mean… ma’am, Ms. Stohp, did you really hogtie a plant monster? (a young halfling) That’s not a real question for the Shields! Ms. Stohp, how’s the weather up there? A-ha-ha-ha-ha! (loud adult female halfling voice) Be quiet Fredwise! Don’t insult the Shields, they’ve saved every one of us many times over! I’m sorry Ms. Stohp… please forgive my teenage son… I think that gnome had a real question for you, though, about the plant monster… did you really hogtie a plant monster with its own fronds?”
STOCK AND STOHP: Perception DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Through the chaos of the workers-turned-ShieldsFans, you see a familiar silhouette through the open-window counter, just at the wall’s corner edge, that of a male elf leaning against the wall corner, moving like he’s lightly chuckling.}
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used d20+25=27 ; Tuesday March 14th, 2023 8:38:52 AM "Stohp - when did we become celebrities?" Stock spots the one he thinks is Redbow and walks steadily towards him.
"We need your underwater gear again."
======== Perception 27
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday March 14th, 2023 10:07:33 AM "So, I could spend some time, and a good deal of gold asking an ally of Eberyon's to entreat with the King or Princess," Bartomus smiled at that addition and then pulled himself back into the present. "Ask for a parlay from atop a turtle and at least see if the reeds are a normal part of the lake or a new invasive. The latter could be a source for an alliance, the former a reason to ask for guidance."
Bartomus' stomach growled and he looked about for a place to grab something to eat. "Wanna grab something, cause I think calling for a fey herald to entreat a king might require a full belly."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Tuesday March 14th, 2023 2:50:00 PM
Zander follows the guards as directed. He's almost grow accustomed to the pomp of the palace at this point, but still thinks it's all a bit silly. He nods and salutes politely to the various guards they pass. When the doors slide open he's glad it's one of the lesser throne rooms. He wondered if Drezz had really become so caught up in it all or it was necessary for the position. He bows to the Overlord but give him a familiar grin, after all he'd saved the man's life on more than one occasion, Safe House. "Drezz! Or excuse me, Overlord. How is palace life treating you? Not pulled you too high into the clouds I hope. I wish it were happier news that brought me to call upon you but that is rarely the way of things is it. I have been told you're aware of the attack on the fishing fleet this morning? Well what is not common knowledge is that Bartomus followed the trail of the monstrosities deeper into the lake. He did not risk getting too close but they seem to have come from some sort of underwater town or structure of reeds. We are preparing gear and magics so that we can investigate... But if some force is attacking the Float's fishing fleet, that seemed like information you needed to know."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday March 14th, 2023 8:28:30 PM
Armalad says to Delia, "Well my fly spell was ineffective under the water and the question is if you have an invisibility sphere does it it end up leaving some sort of tell tale sign that something is amiss with the water? I mean if you are on dry land and someone hits an invisible person with something like flour you'd know someone was invisible."
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Tuesday March 14th, 2023 10:15:24 PM
Stock is a bit unnerved about the intense public attention… affection… whatever it is, and complains a little to Stohp about it. Stock then quickly spots a lightly-chuckling male elf through the gap of the open window and manages to duck and weave and leap over the counter and into the warehouse, and says, without introduction, “We need your underwater gear again.”
Bartomus muses aloud that he might need to ask a favor of a fey herald to reach a merfolk king, which would be easier on a full stomach, and asks the Shields to join him for lunch.
Zanderallen follows along with the guards, keeping a brisk pace. Upon meeting the Overlord, Zanderallen inwardly chuckles at how quickly Drezz has become formal, putting on a show for the gallery of servants and attendees and guards. Stilling his inward chuckles, Zanderallen gets to business, detailing more on the attack on the fisherfleet by the Tangle/Reeds, and the possibility of the attack being targeted at the Float’s fishing fleet specifically.
Armalad explains to Delia some examples of how magic may be affected by the environs.
Stock, now with a better view of the male elf, can see clearly that this is Syrdeth Redbow, his elven complexion showing no change at all from the last few years.
Syrdeth says, “Stock, good to see you and Stohp again. I am kept informed by reliable sources (he smiles) of many, but not all, of the Silver Shields’ adventures, and I am pleased with how resourceful you all have become! I still have some of the gear I lent to the Shields a few years ago, perhaps half… but surely with powerful spellcasters among the Shields now you have no shortage of spells such as water breathing, freedom of movement and the like, especially with a powerful druid like Bartomus, whether Armalad knows water breathing or not. Still, spells do not last forever, but magic items may, so I understand your desire…”
Stohp realizes the window might be a tight fit without breaking anything belonging to Shield Construction, spots a set of double doors, works her way through the crowd and has just made it to Stock and Redbow at this point in the conversation.
Syrdeth continues, “Tell me Stock… Stohp… this attack on the fisherfleet… I have heard the tales of horror and woe as the acolytes of Domi counseled the survivors, but what was the battle like? What were these… reeds?”
The Overlord… Drezz… at first stares silently at Zanderallen. Then, slowly, near imperceptibly, a sly grin creeps across his face. He lets out an Overlordly guffaw, then some hearty laughter, and then stops and says, “ Ah, Zanderallen, always to the point, and here I thought you’d do me the courtesy of letting everyone think me an overly-formal, legalistic blowhard! No, it hasn’t pulled me too high into the clouds, though I like to let some think that way…
So, these reeds, they attacked the fleet from underwater, I deduce? There are things I can do, but I don’t exactly have the merfolk navy at my beck and call… still, the Float has options, and I will explore those, my thanks to you and the Shields, Zanderallen. In case this attack was a mere distraction, and the real threat might come from another direction… be careful on your mission Zanderallen… the Shields could be needed on the Float at any time! Go, and may Domi be with you!
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday March 14th, 2023 11:36:05 PM
Delia lightly ponders the affect that terrain can have on magic of all types and then promptly shelves it when Bart mentions food. "I agree that talking to folks sometimes needs food to bolster you. Do we need a fey herald? I've never had to call about mer-royalty before."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+22=36 ; Wednesday March 15th, 2023 8:02:30 AM
Stohp calmly does her best to deal with the fans and leave a good impression without having to sit there for half an hour explaining all their recent adventures (36 diplomacy). She also clarifies who is who. "I am Stohp, he is Stock. To remember just try to think that Stock is stockier then Stohp. she suggests.
Once the manage to make their way through the crowd she'll give a brief summery of events to Syrdeth. "We're more powerful and richer then we were before it is true, and could probably use our own magic or visit the catacombs for everything we need, but we're a bit short on time and the gear proved useful last time so here we are again. Honestly we should just keep a stock of underwater gear for stuff like this considering we live on a lake."
Stohp should have enough cash to purchase things instead of renting this time (her sheet says she has 30k loose gold, and adding up everything I've clearly been lax in writing down loot because she's only got 85kish in gear, oops)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday March 15th, 2023 10:21:26 AM "Not sure how else we reach them to be honest." Bartomus replied to Delia. "Swimming on our own might not actually get us down that deep without some additional gear and such.
He talked as they worked their way to the stairs to the level below. He wanted to find a street vendor and those were not the norm up on the top level where linen napkins and waiters were the norm. His stomach growled a few times as they passed one of the higher-up restaurants.
"We need to meet up with the rest of the Shields and try to work out the details of a plan. Something still doesn't add up in my mind."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Wednesday March 15th, 2023 12:30:08 PM "I think you've nailed the main issue here. Yes we have magic to fall back on but when going underwater, you don't want that magic to run out on you. We'll take whatever you will part with...and will bring it back afterward."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday March 15th, 2023 8:22:59 PM
Armalad asks Delia, "Where are we going to get a fey herald from?"
She also says, "Let's do a working dinner and come up with plans." when Bartomus mentions regrouping with the rest of the Shields.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Wednesday March 15th, 2023 10:11:04 PM
Delia agrees with Bartomus that a meal is in order, and asks for more info about the fey herald and mer-king.
Stohp manages to concisely summarize the Shields’ recent adventure in a way that occupies the ShieldsFans for several minutes as they try to mentally unpack all that she has told them, especially the part about who is Stohp and who is Stock! While they’re occupied, Stohp is able to excuse herself to join Stock and find Redbow. After Redbow finishes speaking, Stohp explains the urgent need for the Shields to use underwater magic items now vs. visiting the catacombs. Stohp thinks to herself that the Shields should just buy his complete stock of underwater magic items and be done with it, because this might not be the last underwater threat to the Float…
Bartomus led the Shields down some levels in the Float, seeking familiar food with more taste to it than the fare higher up. He opines that the Shields will want additional gear in order to get down far enough, even if some of the Shields wear armor heavy enough to sink like a stone. Bartomus mused aloud about meeting with the rest of the Shields soon to work out a plan and answer his niggling questions about the whole situation.
Stock tells Redbow that the Shields definitely want the reliability of magic items for this expedition, and would like to borrow whatever you have and we’ll return it all afterwards.
Armalad asks Delia where fey heralds can be found, and then suggests all of the Shields gather for dinner to make plans.
(OOC – ZANDERALLEN – your purpose seemed to be to deliver the news/warning to the Overlord so the Float can take steps to protect itself in the Shields’ absence. You’ve accomplished that; if you like, your next post can include any additional information you wanted Drezz to have, if you feel you didn’t tell him everything in the Tuesday post)
Zanderallen sees that Drezz is pleased with Zanderallen, but disturbed by the news. The Overlord excuses himself and sends Zanderallen on his way, directing the escorts to clear the path for Zanderallen’s important business. Zanderallen is whisked through the palace and out, with a large nod from the centaur sergeant as Zanderallen jogs out of the palace and heads down the ramp system.
It's at this point that the driven Zanderallen comes across a minotaur man, a human woman, and an elven woman – Shields!
(OOC – Zanderallen, Bartomus, Delia, and Armalad… Zanderallen has caught up with the rest of you on one of the ramps down towards the street food vendors; please start your next posts from this meeting.)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday March 16th, 2023 7:56:26 AM
Stohp will busy herself counting coins. The annoying thing with purchasing magic items is having to accurately count out thousands of coins and she couldn't precount without knowing what they're getting so she goes ahead and gets started while the merchant determines what all he has she can buy
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Thursday March 16th, 2023 8:41:52 AM
Stock raises himself on his toes to see into Stohp's hand and tries to "help" by counting along. Surprisingly to Stock, it seems that his counting keeps forcing Stohp to start over in her count. "It's alright Stohp-just get an accurate count. It's not like we're on a clock or anything."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday March 16th, 2023 10:15:11 AM "Hey, Zander, Zander," Bartomus called out to the walking paragon of Domi in their group. He smiled at seeing him as he was more finely dressed and he suspected that was to see the Overseer.
"Hope you were more successful in getting some information than my reaching out to the Druids, who were mainly out doing what they need to do." Bartomus' explanation did not hide his disappointment with his efforts. He nodded towards Armalad and continued.
"My stomach is trying to scream about how hungry it is and she suggested a working dinner at HQ. So, how about we load up a few baskets of stuff to share and carry it back to HQ. You wanna invite your girlfriend?" The Taur grinned and winked at Zander. "What sounds good for a working dinner folks, we can find it all on the merchant level."
Bartomus spread his hands out over the scene as they continued their descent to the landing for that floor.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Thursday March 16th, 2023 12:04:29 PM
Zander smiles broadly, "Well I'll make sure and tell everyone you made me wait for hours and stand at attention for the whole ceremony. You are correct, the reeds seem to have come from the deeper areas of the lake. And don't worry about us, we're always careful. Take care Drezz and let us know if your sources turn up any additional information." Zander bows respectfully and follows the guards out of the palace. His mind keeps lingering on his promise to be careful, thinking back to his last trip under the lake. A shu
He waves as he joins up with his 3 friends. "I saw our old buddy Drezz. He's got some levers he can pull on his end and he'll let us know if he finds anything. We can see if Pepper wants to join us for dinner. She's probably about ready to kill me for not stopping by to give her the scoop on the attack." ===== Sorry, missed the submit button yesterday.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday March 16th, 2023 4:34:37 PM
Delia shrugs at Armalad's question, "Not sure. Bart said something about summoning one. Food first though." She points out a few of her favourite food stops to get a wide spread and enough for Stohp and Stock as well.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Thursday March 16th, 2023 10:52:47 PM
Redbow’s concentration was elsewhere, and perhaps it was on some magical means of communication, for without any callout by Redbow, a female liontaur comes from around the back, wheeling in a rather large chest. She smiles at Redbow, “Will that be all, sir?” and Redbow replies, “Yes Wilhelmina, thank you so much!”
Stohp and Stock’s concentration is so focused on counting gold and platinum that they almost miss the exchange, but then see Redbow stick his fingers into holes on either side of the chest, wiggle them around, there’s a click, and then he pulls his fingers out of the holes, grabs ahold of the lid and opens the chest. Stohp muses briefly about the locking mechanisms inside the chest.
Stohp and Stock see before them the following, which is a bit sparser than the last time Redbow offered to loan underwater magic items to the Shields:
2-Gloves of Swimming and climbing 1-Goggles of Night 2-Helms of Underwater Action 2-Fishscale flippers: Gain swim speed equal to your normal movement. (Boot slot) 1-Second Elder’s Wrath: A mundane-looking bow embedded with clusters of gems at either end and strung with kelp. This bow may be fired underwater at no penalty, and deals a bonus 1d6 piercing damage to any creatures hit while underwater. 1-Shell Armour: Full plate, Heavy armor. No movement penalty under water and provides some buoyancy. 1-Kelp Armor: When dry the kelp provides no more protection than light robes. But when underwater or wet it provides Full plate, heavy armor protection at no movement penalty. 1 - Underwater masterwork light crossbow. 3 - masterwork tridents.
Redbow says, “I know there’s a little less than last time, but it’s been a few years and adventurers pass through the Float fairly frequently. I could have sold it all, but I thought to myself, even as the Silver Shields grew in power it was possible they might still need some of the items to defend the Float. Once more you may borrow these, but understand I am a businessman… given how infrequently you’ve needed these, after your current mission you should offer to buy the particular items you really want, because I may need to sell the whole batch to the next set of traveling adventurers with more coin than sense to avoid the deep.” Syrdeth finishes with a smile. You aren’t entirely sure if he’s joking on this last point. “Well, I presume you’ll want to borrow the whole lot, yes?”
(OOC – I don’t know if DMs are allowed to offer magic item sales outside of the Catacombs, but if the Shields do buy some of the items here, please feel free to point the Catacombs salesbeing to this post and ask whether the post would speed up the purchase(s). You can also give them the link to the original post Redbow offered the items in years ago, if you think it’ll help. Worst case, get a catacombs ticket and buy things like normal.)
Bartomus greets Zanderallen, suggesting the four of them head for the merchant level to buy enough food to feed everyone at the working dinner at Shields HQ tonight, enough for Pepper too!
(OOC - flashback to the Overlord’s palace)
Zanderallen good-naturedly ribs Drezz about the pomp and circumstance. Zanderallen confirms Drezz’s suspicion, that the Reeds are coming from the deeper areas of Turtle Lake, and finishes by requesting Drezz pass along any info his informants can find out. Zanderallen assures Drezz he’ll be careful, thinking back to the last time Zanderallen went under Turtle Lake…
(OOC – back to the present with the Shields heading to the merchant level)
Zanderallen replies to Bartomus that he saw their old friend Drezz, who promised to pass along any information his informants find out about the situation with the Reeds. Zanderallen agrees to check on whether Pepper will join the Shields, considering that letting her sit in on the planning session might make up for him not giving her the scoop before the rumor mill spread facts and half-truths and speculation throughout the Float…
Delia shrugs at Armalad’s question about where to get a fey herald, then redirects the conversation onto food! Delia begins telling her fellow Shields some favorite food places, tasty and can sell enough to feed everyone!
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday March 16th, 2023 11:40:30 PM
Armalad is interested in joining Delia for food and would like to potentially call dibs on the bow that can fire under water when they learn about it.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday March 17th, 2023 8:23:28 AM
Stohp reviews the gear and decide's what she's buying and what she'll merely rent.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Friday March 17th, 2023 9:14:41 AM "Come on Stohp, let's head back. This gear should give us a head start on visiting the deep again. Hopefully the others have figured out the magic they can provide that will help."
Stock waits for Stohp and then grabs the gear to take back and divvy up.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Friday March 17th, 2023 3:54:01 PM
Zanderallen walks with the others, thinking of food. And still wondering what was going on at the bottom of the lake.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Friday March 17th, 2023 5:58:20 PM
Delia would respect Armalad's dibs. As they collect dinner, she mentally runs through any of the magic she's been able to conjure previously for something that might help underwater.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday March 17th, 2023 11:11:12 PM
Bartomus nodded at what Zander had shared and pointed to one of the street vendors.
"Let's load up with some pastries there, grab some fruits over there, cheeses over at that vendor, and I can carry a cask of the sweet mead along with what we get from these vendors."
With that Bartomus began spending coin as he pointed at things that he wanted for the feast at the Shield's headquarters. He began loading things up and balancing the weight and followed along with the others back to their headquarters.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Saturday March 18th, 2023 4:13:21 PM
Armalad agrees with Delia on food (and can restate dibs once all the Shields are together and share their experiences).
Stohp gets right to work, noting items she wants and counting out coins, and noting what items are merely borrowed with an expectation to survive the expedition and return them to Syrdeth afterwards.
Syrdeth sees Stohp’s notes and says, “Stohp, you can scratch out the word ‘rent’ – lending these items to the Shields is my way of helping protect the Float these days… just succeed in the Shields’ efforts and the return of any items you don’t purchase will be enough for me.”
Stock encourages Stohp to hurry up with the writing and calculating, but waits patiently for her to finish.
Once Stohp is done, and gold and receipts are exchanged for the purchased items, Stock and Stohp gather all of the gear, say their farewells to Redbow, which he reciprocates, and then Stohp and Stock are headed back towards Shields HQ, Stohp’s “secret” shortcuts becoming more known to the Shields the more frequently she uses them.
Zanderallen, for once not in an urgent hurry but only a regular hurry, keeps up with the Shields, thinking of food… but the back of his mind ponders Bartomus’ report – was it a true “town” he saw, or one under construction? With reeds and seaweeds forming the construction material, how could the Shields even tell the difference?
Delia assists Bartomus and the shields in the selection of food and related items, mentally reviewing her spells and experiences for something, anything, that might prove as key to the expedition as her Freedom of Movement spells, which enabled Stock to fight as though on dry land, as well as to ignore the grappling efforts of the Tangle/Reeds…
Bartomus acknowledged Zanderallen’s report, turning it over in his mind. Then Bartomus’ nose caught whiffs of the fragrant aromas of food and sweetbreads, and he quickly led the Shields to the right vendors. Bartomus and Delia together picked out a most excellent feast for the Shields’ planning meeting!
Then the four Shields are on their way back to Shields HQ. Without Stohp along to guide them, they take the trusty and reliable roads that have always worked well enough.
Serendipitously, the six Shields all arrive back at Shields HQ about the same time, within a minute or two of each other.
Once inside, preparations for the meal and planning session begin!
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Saturday March 18th, 2023 5:30:11 PM "A working, feasting dinner," Bartomus said with a smile as everything was spread out on the large table at Shield's HQ. He turned to the inspiration for their current planning dinner "Great idea Armalad."
"I am still trying to figure out what the reeds are and if they have always been in the lake, or are a new arrival?" Bartomus started off as he reached for some of the cheese, a pastry, and a small bread roll. "Got nothing from the druids either and don't think the tree walking is an option. So that's frustrating."
"Before we try to deal with a whole village of those nasty, spikey, bitey things, I think we should ask for a meeting with someone from the merfolk." He turned to another thought as he filled his tankard from the cask of sweet ale. "I can ask Eberyon to send us one of the allies of the fey folk to visit the King and request a parley with us. It will cost time, gold, and a few gems. Which I am willing to pay if we think we could get some underwater information about the reeds."
The Taur shrugged and leaned back on the stool he was sitting upon. He reached for one of the sweet fruits and took a bite.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Sunday March 19th, 2023 6:53:54 AM
Stohp will show off the provided items and pass them around. She will claim a helm of underwater action for herself.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday March 19th, 2023 8:37:01 PM
Armalad says, "Without the ability to use my spells and arrows I'm kind of in a whole so I was hoping to get the underwater bow. I need to figure out if invisibility sphere works underwater. I'm thinking I could try to go back to my original plan of illusionary sniping for sneak attacks."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Monday March 20th, 2023 9:19:17 AM "OK Bartomus, lets hear from the merfolk. The problem is though I don't think Eberyon's ally will be able to get to the merfolk much quicker than we could. This will surprise nobody but I am ready to go take down these weeds immediately.
As for the gear, I already have some nice gloves that will help me swim. With some help breathing underwater from Bart and maybe some freedom of movement from Delia, I'll be set."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Monday March 20th, 2023 1:59:44 PM
Zanderallen takes a quick stop in at the Catacombs as they gather to eat supper, "I'm going to pick up a magic ring that grant me Freedom of Movement as well as the other underwater helm. That way I don't have to worry about being stuck underwater in heavy armor."
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Monday March 20th, 2023 8:54:14 PM
Bartomus admires the spread-out meal fit for Shields! He muses about whether the Reeds are invaders or have always been here. Bartomus suggests the Shields speak with the merfolk, perhaps even expending resources to send a fey ally to speak with the Merking.
Stohp shows the Shields the items she and Stock were able to get from Redbow, claiming one of the helms for herself.
Armalad requests the underwater bow, so that she can use her magical arrow powers, as though some or many of her spells will function mostly-normally underwater, cast as a wizard normally would cast them (presuming water breathing), the loss of her archery would be a significant obstacle to her contributing in combat as normal.
Stock agrees with Bartomus’ suggestion to contact the merfolk, though he’s ready to immediately enter battle with the weeds. He suggests some magical aid from the Shields will render him fully functional underwater.
Zanderallen places an order for magical gear at the Catacombs so that he’ll be able to function in heavy armor underwater.
(OOC – Zanderallen, in-story are you claiming the second helm of underwater action Stohp and Stock brought, or are you ordering a brand-new one from the Catacombs?)
Delia, like Bartomus, tucks into some of the food, listening to the Shields talk, and strategizing what she’ll suggest next.
(OOC – continue your planning dinner)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday March 20th, 2023 9:04:50 PM
Armalad says, "To clarify any area of effect spell I can cast I can imbue in an arrow and have that arrow be the vector for delivering said area of effect spell. Therefore having a bow that allows me to fire arrows underwater allows me to attach area of effect spells that work underwater to the arrow. Wait a minute that gives me an idea, if I attach cone of cold to an arrow and fire it underwater does the cone of cold make the water freeze?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Tuesday March 21st, 2023 8:35:42 AM "So do we just go down there and knock on their weedy doors until we find the bodies? Armalad, didn't you have the ability to locate a creature? Or would that be ineffective underwater?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday March 21st, 2023 9:50:47 AM "Yea, I am worried about the time factor too, Stock" Bartomus said looking across the table at the ever-ready, hard-smacking dwarf. "I just don't see how we take on an entire village of those things."
He took a swig of the mead and its smooth, sweet honey-based taste provided a momentary delightful distraction.
"Actually, hey, um Stock, I kinda like your thinking. Although, I think the bodies may have been food for the nasties. I really like that approach."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday March 21st, 2023 9:50:52 AM "Yea, I am worried about the time factor too, Stock" Bartomus said looking across the table at the ever-ready, hard-smacking dwarf. "I just don't see how we take on an entire village of those things."
He took a swig of the mead and its smooth, sweet honey-based taste provided a momentary delightful distraction.
"Actually, hey, um Stock, I kinda like your thinking. Although, I think the bodies may have been food for the nasties. I really like that approach."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday March 21st, 2023 11:15:20 AM "I don't see why it wouldn't work under water. Worse case scenario we have allies in the lake we can get assistance from." Stohp points out.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Tuesday March 21st, 2023 2:47:05 PM
(OOC: Zander is claiming the 2nd helm, just handling the transaction through the catacombs and buying a ring.)
"Unless we feel our preparations are not in order we need to get to the bottom of this quickly, tomorrow if there are no objections. The longer this goes the more risk of a second attack, and if the boats aren't going out on the lake panic is going to take the city real quick. We can scout it out first but we have to know why the reeds attacked. If someone sent them, then ask them to stop. And if they disagree we'll tell them to stop. We'll be prepared for underwater action this time."
Zander pats his sword hilt as he says 'tell them to stop' and keeps a grim smile on his face as he discusses the need for action. Flesh eating monster plants didn't even reach top 3 for craziest things to threaten the Float. Or was the bravado just to hide the gnawing dread of going back underwater... Zander shakes his head to clear such dark thoughts. Domi will guide me. he thinks to himself.
She smiles at Armalad, "I won't arm wrestle you for the bow. Your spells need it more. Just means I'll have to get up close and personal like last time. I'll take any combination of the flippers and gloves that others don't need."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday March 21st, 2023 3:18:41 PM (OOC: Oops. Missed a bracket and messed up my link formatting. Repost for clarity's sake)
Delia looks up from her food and spell cataloguing, "If we get into too much trouble, I can use Water Walk to pull us to the surface. If we're close enough together for me to reach everyone... I can also be prepared to Delay or Neutralize poisons. And, plants are dumb, but I could talk to them and gather information or when we get past the point of talking, potentially Command Plants them. I'm also curious how Entangle works on semi-sentient plants. I will prepare everything that seems useful tomorrow and be ready to go."
She smiles at Armalad, "I won't arm wrestle you for the bow. Your spells need it more. Just means I'll have to get up close and personal like last time. I'll take any combination of the flippers and gloves that others don't need."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday March 21st, 2023 8:18:28 PM
Armalad asks the others, "What did you think about my idea of using a cone of cold? Do you think it would freeze the water in a cone?"
(OOC: Checking In)
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Tuesday March 21st, 2023 9:24:27 PM
Armalad further clarifies the limits and nuances of her arcane archery, and wonders aloud how much of the water might freeze from a cone of cold cast underwater.
Stock asks what the big strategy is going to be for the expedition, and before anyone can answer Stock also asks Armalad whether Armalad has magic to locate a specific creature.
Bartomus agrees with Stock that time is important, but again is concerned about the mere possibility that the whole set of “mound town” buildings are occupied by Reeds. Thinking it over a swig of mead, Bartomus agrees with Stock’s suggestion of a direct approach.
Stohp can’t think of a reason cone of cold would fail to work underwater, and then suggests the Shields consider their lake allies for help.
Zanderallen, having finished claiming the second helm from Stohp and Stock’s stockpile, suggests strongly that the Shields begin their expedition no later than the next day in order to act before any possible second attack by the Reeds and to reduce the amount of time the Float’s various civilian fleets stay docked for fear of Reed attacks. Zanderallen puts on a strong front while suffering mild traumatic déjà vu from his past adventures underwater…
Delia finishes listening to the various points made by her Silver Shield colleagues, and at an appropriate moment begins speaking, suggesting she have a Water Walk spell prepared for emergency evacuation to the surface, and spells to handle poisons. She muses about the possibility of even gaining intelligence from some of the underwater plants, or using her Entangle spell to interfere with the Reeds. Delia generously allows Armalad to claim Second Elder’s Wrath, as Delia can work somewhat close when she has to (and is skilled at taking far, or even underwater, shots…). Delia lays dibs on remaining underwater gear not critical to another Shield’s functioning underwater.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 10:02:57 AM
Stohp checks if there's anything else that needs to get done before they head out. The sooner they go the better and she at least has nothing else to contribute to the plan.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 12:33:15 PM "I'm ok to go then. I think we just need to act and then re-act when we start to see what we're up against. It's clear none of our allies here have much in the way of knowledge on what we are facing."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 5:20:03 PM I agree Stock, this seems to be some new threat. And since we're moving into their natural habitat we'll have to be really careful. Best get some rest. Being underwater is very physically taxing." Zanderallen follows his own advice, turning in to bed early that night.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 7:54:31 PM
Delia helps clean up their dishes and then turns in herself, getting ready for the busy day tomorrow
(I will update my spells tomorrow or later tonight, just wasn't sure I'd get them in before the post.)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 8:09:51 PM
Armalad also helps clean up the dishes.
(OOC: I too will update my spell list tomorrow)
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Wednesday March 22nd, 2023 9:01:40 PM
Stohp checks to see what remains to be done.
Stock is ready to go, and thinks that none of the Shields’ allies have useful information, or perhaps, might be too hard to reach given Bartomus’ suggestion of paying a significant cost to get a message to the MerKing, and how quickly Bartomus agreed with Stock’s plan for a direct approach.
Zanderallen agrees with Stock, and suggests the Shields all get well-rested before heading out. Zanderallen excuses himself to go to bed.
Delia helps clean up the meal, and then gets to bed early herself.
Armalad likewise helps clean up the meal.
Bartomous helps clean up the meal too.
The Shields follow Zanderallen’s lead and take to bed early, the better to have more time to select spells in the morning, and perhaps plan how they’re going to travel to the “mound town” of the Reeds.
The Shields all get a restful night’s sleep, and then it’s time to prepare spells, eat, and…
SHIELDS – what do you do to get ready for the expedition, and how do you go about it?
(OOC – here’s what I understand of the underwater items, based on dibs called thus far:
2-Gloves of Swimming and climbing (Delia claims 1; 1 left.) 1-Goggles of Night (No one yet – this is a Darkvision-granting item) 2-Helms of Underwater Action (Stohp and Zanderallen) 2-Fishscale flippers: Gain swim speed equal to your normal movement. (Boot slot) (Delia claims 1; 1 left.) 1-Second Elder’s Wrath: A mundane-looking bow embedded with clusters of gems at either end and strung with kelp. This bow may be fired underwater at no penalty, and deals a bonus 1d6 piercing damage to any creatures hit while underwater. (Armalad) 1-Shell Armour: Full plate, Heavy armor. No movement penalty under water and provides some buoyancy. (No one has claimed) 1-Kelp Armor: When dry the kelp provides no more protection than light robes. But when underwater or wet it provides Full plate, heavy armor protection at no movement penalty. (No one has claimed) 1 - Underwater masterwork light crossbow. (No one has claimed) 3 - masterwork tridents. (No one has claimed))
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday March 23rd, 2023 10:41:29 AM
Before retiring with the others, Bartomus looked at the various weapons and claimed one of the tridents in case he needed to fight while not swirling about in the form of whirlpool.
He walked into his room and gathered a stack of gold and a group of gems. Then he searched out the outcove with the tree they planted that hung out over the edge of the float. It was the perfect place to undertake this last task for the day.
"Eberyon, I Bartomus of the plains, a lad you accepted into your fold, call upon your help. We need a herald to request a parlay with one of the advisors to the King of the Merfolk about a matter within the lake's murky waters. Here is the offering I lay out for your servant. It will be at the foot of my bed if perchance I should discuss with the ally in my dreams."
Bartomus waited for a bit, and took some calm in watching the sunset across the lake. Then he gathered up his offering and headed up to his room to sleep and perchance to dream. He arranged the offering beside his bed, made a mental note to purchase some items from the catacombs, and slipped under the quilted coverlet.
Cast planar ally, lesser - domain for Fey druids as my last spell for the day invoking Eberyon. Offering upwards of $6k for the help with the parlay. Morning he will do his meditations and come up with a spell list (hopefully if I get home for lunch) for the excursion.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday March 23rd, 2023 1:08:15 PM
Stohp was pretty sure that it was at the latest just after lunch but if the others want to wait until morning she will not argue the point. It's highly unlikely anyone dragged below survived the hours it took them to fall back and plan unless purposely being kept alive, in which case a night's sleep won't matter anyway.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Thursday March 23rd, 2023 3:57:38 PM
Zanderallen is up early and is less rested than he would have hoped. His sleep troubled by memories of the deep one. Waking up he banishes such thoughts with his morning devotions and exercise. He eats a quick bite of breakfast and then prepares his gear. Each strap and buckle set and every pouch double secured for the trip underwater. He waits in the common room for the others to be ready. ========== Spells Prepared 1st level (4) - Lesser Restoration x2, Protection from Evil x2 2nd level (3) - Delay Poison x2 , Shield Other 3rd level (3) - Dispel Magic x2, Daylight 4th level (2) - Break Enchantment, Death Ward
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday March 23rd, 2023 4:46:00 PM
Delia straps on the gloves, hangs the flippers on her belt until such a time as they are diving, and takes the underwater crossbow as well, just in case.
Spells Prepared: 1st: Entangle, Delay Poison x3 2nd: Speak with Plants (12 min), Barkskin (120 min, +4 AC), Bear’s Endurance (12 min, +4 Con) 3rd: Command Plants, Neutralize Poison, Cure Mod Wounds 4th: Freedom of Movement (120 min) x2
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Thursday March 23rd, 2023 6:45:28 PM
Stock grabs the second set of flippers and a trident and then asks Bartomus, "So what will it feel like when I'm breathing water? Because last time when I used one of those helmets, I was just breathing magical air I think."
Then, when planning the expedition he says, "I suppose we get a turtle to take us out where the ambush was and jump in, right?"
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Thursday March 23rd, 2023 10:13:01 PM
Bartomus, before retiring to bed, reviewed Redbow’s haul (slowly but surely being purchased by individual Shields), and claimed a trident. Next he gathered a significant amount of gold and gems, and set about making an offering to Eberyon, seeking contact with the MerKing via planar ally, lesser. Bartomus arranged the offering near his own bed, and then fell asleep, perchance to dream…
Stohp wonders at just how early the Shields were deciding to hit the sack, but she’s seen more unusual things from the Shields in her career. She muses that in any case, the taken were likely either killed immediately or held prisoner, and time is not of the essence, beyond the Shields’ wish to prevent a second Reedy attack. Eventually, it is even time for Stohp to sleep, too.
Zanderallen was first to hit the hay, and first to wake. His mind and thoughts are not as clear of his old memories as he would like, but he must ready himself! A short breakfast later, Zanderallen is preparing his gear as though he were aide to the Overlord’s best warrior… and then waits in the common room for the other Shields.
Delia straps on a set of the magical gloves, and hangs the magical flippers on her belt. She also grabs the underwater crossbow… and thinking about it, rummages around in Shields’ storage, going through items left behind by retired Shields, or perhaps those who simply briefly used a crossbow and bolts early in their careers. She finds four quivers, each holding 10 bolts, and makes room for them too, alongside the underwater crossbow.
Stock picks out the second set of flippers and a trident. He then muses with Bartomus about what it will feel like once Stock is breathing water. Stock suggests that the group should hire a Turtle to take them out to the ambush site, and then dive from there.
Armalad eventually falls asleep too, and in the morning thinks carefully about her spell selection, her thoughts bouncing around quickly from her years of study… fire spells can be a bit iffy underwater, but when they work, the steam they create is boiling hot… conjured acid is fully useless, immediately dissipating into the water… but cold, lightning, and sonic seem like fine, reliable choices. Magic Missile probably doesn’t care… most if not all of the usual protection and enhancing spells should work just fine too… Armalad finishes her musing and selects her spells.
SHIELDS - it's the morning and some (like Zanderallen) are already to go - how do you prepare and where do you go?
Previously, during the night
Bartomus dreams… and then not-wakes-up in a not-pine-forest at the edge of a not-grassy-plain and the edge of a not-large-pond… nature… is abstract… and painted in various pastel shades of green and brown under a pastel blue sky and pastel yellow sun… A watery shape coalesces out of the pond and stands on top of the not-pond and is the not-pond! It speaks in Sylvan… “Who is it that seeks… oh… Bartomus… you are known to the host of Eberyon… I am Aed Flirtypond… Your offering is pleasant, though I do not recognize the faces on the coins. The gemstones are quite nice… I will perform one task for you, in exchange for as much of the gems and gold as I please… What do you ask of me?”
(OOC – Bartomus, next post, both respond to the prompt above, and also skip time and describe what you do to prepare in the morning before meeting Zanderallen in the common room – kind of a double-post as it were, so the dream-negotiations don’t slow down the Shields’ posts about their morning prep before leaving Shields HQ.)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday March 23rd, 2023 11:43:12 PM
Armalad prepares her spells and tries to get some practice in with the underwater bow if time.
0th - Ray of Frost, Light, Message, Detect Magic 1st - Magic Missile, Mage Armor, Mage Armor, Shield, True Strike, Detect Hidden Doors 2nd Selective Burning Hands (DC 17), False Life, Mirror Image, See Invisibility, Hideous Laughter, Invisibility 3rd Water Breathing, Water Breathing, Lightning Bolt, Invisibility Sphere 4th - Selective Fireball (DC 19), Confusion, Resilient Sphere, Black Tentacles 5th - Cone of Cold, Selective Shout (DC 20), Cone of Cold
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Friday March 24th, 2023 9:15:43 AM
Stock removes his boots as they will not work with the flippers and stands next to the door to Shields HQ giving subtle signals (at least for Stock, so really not that subtle) to the rest of the Shields that he's ready to depart.
"Anybody know how warm the water is in the Lake this time of year?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday March 24th, 2023 9:31:27 AM
Stohp is also up early and ready quickly.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Friday March 24th, 2023 2:25:03 PM "Everybody got there water gear? I've got to run and see Pepper before we depart. I'll meet you at the docks, maybe we can arraign for a turtle to take us out to the site of the last attack."
With that Zander slips outside and heads for the merchant level at a brisk pace. It was early but he enjoyed the sounds of tradesmen beginning their day. Pepper would probably just be arriving at the printing house when he got there. She knew what had happened last time and he couldn't leave without re-assuring her he'd be fine.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday March 24th, 2023 4:32:33 PM
[BARTOMUS 1/2 - Enter the Dreamscape] "Nicely met Aed Flirtypond," Bartomus answered within the dreamscaped pond and forest edge. He looked at the shape and smiled at its offer. "The challenge presented in response to my request needs a bit of refinement. I can offer you double the gems for sure, but the gold needs to be limited and not as to what you might please. So, if we can agree on twice the number of gems, and say four thousand gold coins that I have, then what I need you to visit the King of the Merfolk below the lake and ask him for a parley with myself and my colleagues to discuss the reeds that attacked the fishing fleet. Assist with that request and if he agrees to come, or send someone, help them locate us on the lake, and assist in translating if the need arises. Does the role of herald for us Shields to a King no less sound pleasing to you, Aed Flirtypond?"
Bartomus asked and smiled as he pointed at the gems already there. In his mind, he reached into his purse and dumped out the rest of the gems he had, and added the necessary gold coins he had counter-offered.
Bartomus awoke and was still processing the dream. He wandered off to the balcony with their planted tree and looked out over the lake. He sat down and began meditating on the tasks ahead. His mind swirled and returned to thoughts of healing based upon all they saw with the way the reeds attacked. Then he thought of things that might impact the reeds and their village. He still felt the need to know more and find someway to communicate with the creatures. Then an idea hit him from the time he took the form of a stone golem and changed stone.
When he was sure of his path forward, he smiled and offered another thankful prayer to Eberyon. Then he wandered down into the Catacombs to pick up a few things.
Spell List - 4/0, 4+1/1, 4+1/2, 4+1/3, 4+1/4, 4/5, 3/6, 2/7, 1/8 0 - Stabilize, Enhanced Diplomacy, Guidance, Know Direction 1 - Faire Fire, Entangle, Detect Snares and Pits, Cure Light Wounds x 2 2 - Bull's Strength, Delay Poison, Restoration - Lesser, Summon Nature's Ally II, Soften Earth and Stone 3 - Speak with Plants, Glibness, Cure Moderate Wounds, Water Breathing x2 4 - Cure Serious Wounds x2, Blight, Command Plants, Summon Nature's Ally IV 5 - Awaken, Cure Critical Wounds X2, Commune with Nature 6 - Cure Light Wounds-Mass, Move Earth, Summon Nature's Ally VI 7 - Heal, Sunbeam 8 - Control Plants
Trip to the catacombs for a few other things is the rest of his morning jaunt.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Saturday March 25th, 2023 12:59:47 AM
Delia will shrug and grab the Darkvision Goggles since no one else has. They might come in handy at the bottom of a lake.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Saturday March 25th, 2023 12:59:48 AM
Delia will shrug and grab the Darkvision Goggles since no one else has. They might come in handy at the bottom of a lake.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Saturday March 25th, 2023 9:16:27 PM
Armalad prepares her spells and takes some practice shots with Second Elder’s Wrath. The shots are accurate enough, just not magically accurate.
(OOC – This appears to be a Fate Item – does what it says on the tin, but lacks even a +1 enhancement bonus. It is Masterwork, however, so that +1 to hit is present)
Stock removes his boots in preparation for using the flippers, and perhaps engages in a bit of foot-tapping to move the Shields along. He asks if anyone knows how warm or cold the Lake is this time of year.
Stohp matches Stock’s example, up early and ready to go.
Zanderallen checks to see if everyone has equipped themselves with the underwater gear, then splits up from the group to swing by Pepper’s, suggesting as he goes that the group charter a Turtle. Zanderallen plans out a route through the merchant level, to the printing house where Pepper works.
(OOC – Flashback to Bartomus’ Dream)
Bartomus greets Aed Flirtypond, and counter-offers on the mix of gems and gold. He states his request for the one task the spell enables him to bargain for – deliver a message to the MerKing: The Shields request the MerKing, or one of his envoys, meet the Shields near their Turtle about thus-and-such off the northern edge of the Float to discuss the monstrous reeds’ attack on the Float’s fishing fleet.
(OOC – Bartomus is aware that the additional tasks are beyond the spell’s scope of “one task” so as the one who knows the full route to “Mound Town” Bartomus gives sufficient description of the area for natives like Merfolk to find the Shields; nothing to be done on translation as an additional task, short of another planar ally, lesser spell.)
Bartomus wonders if one of the other Shields’ spellcasters can cast a translation spell, or perhaps one of the Shields already knows the language of the Merfolk’s envoy?
(OOC – Flash to present morning)
Bartomus woke, drenched, and his bed and floor drenched, the floor absent of gems, and about 2,000 gold pieces remain from the pile of 6,000 gold pieces, still processing the dreamy negotiations and their result. Startled, he changed back to ‘taur from his Huge Water Elemental form. Bartomus, first drying himself and then pondering how to get all the water out of his bedroom, sighed, walked outside to the balcony, and meditated by the planted tree, overlooking the lake. Still disturbed by how little the Shields, and he, knew of the Reeds, and perhaps any motivations or feelings beyond HUNGRY, he focused on ways to impact the Reeds’ town, and how to communicate with them. Then, suddenly inspired, he arose from his meditation and headed for the Catacombs for some shopping.
Delia sees that the Shields did not claim all of the items, and selects the Darkvision Goggles for herself.
(OOC – Flashback to Bartomus’ Dream)
Aed smiles, if a fey/water elemental/water-something can be said to smile, at Bartomus and says in its babbling-brook voice, its alien-fey-water “staring” at the ‘taur, “Bartomus, your offer is too generous by far… so of course I will take all of it!” With that, Aed absorbs all of the water in the not-pond and, towering above Bartomus, lands upon him and the gems and gold with great not-force! Bartomus can only “Blub… blub… blub…” before turning into a not-water elemental and the “blub”-ing ceases… with the gems and gold long-since washed away, perhaps a distant flicker of gold in the not-pond before the not-water is once more clear and neither gold nor gems are visible. Bartomus-the-not-water wonders if Aed taking the offering means the deal was accepted. Perhaps so, but only time will tell…
(OOC – Flash to present morning)
At Zanderallen’s suggestion, Stock and Stohp take count of the Shields before chartering the Turtle, and find that Bartomus is not there, but Armalad and Delia are. Bartomus did leave a note about a quick catacombs trip, however.
As Zanderallen is known to be coming to the Docks once his business is done, Stock and Stohp leave a note for Bartomus to head directly for the Docks, where the Shields will charter a Turtle.
Stock, Stohp, Armalad, and Delia head for the Docks to charter a Turtle. When they get there, Belba is standing outside the Turtlemasters’ House, speaking with… Rick the Turtle-Driver, who Turtled the Shields to their last underwater adventure some years ago!
Belba turns and smiles at the Shields. Rick turns and looks at the Shields, pauses, “well, I remember you two, Stock and Stohp, care to introduce me to your friends, or is this another Shields emergency?” he finishes with a smile.
Back at the printing house, Zanderallen arrives and sees the staff bustling about here and there, the regular “thump” of individual printing presses and the high pitch of warning whistles when a press is about to come down, fingers and thumbs caught under it or not! Pepper charges Zanderallen from a flanking position and hugs his thickly-muscled right arm as tight as she can, but naturally his armor does not give. “So good to see you, handsome! Oh… that look in your eye… another mission away from the Float?” Pepper waits patiently for Zanderallen’s reply, still a double-hold/hug on his right arm.
Bartomus takes a ticket at the catacombs and waits in line. The strange monkey pops up from behind the counter and calls Bartomus’ number. “Bartomus… you again? What can I sell you today, fine adventurer?”
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Sunday March 26th, 2023 5:34:52 PM
Stohp introduces Rick to everyone he doesn't know and explains the situation. "If you're willing we'd like to chatter you to take us back out there so we can make sure this doesn't happen again."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday March 26th, 2023 7:47:19 PM
Bartomus dried off and tried using his bed roll to sop up the water. He took the water logged bedding down to where it could be twisted to pull out the water. Then he hung it all up to dry, before getting himself ready and off to the catacombs.
He smiled at the monkey and was sure to call him sir before making his order of potions. Then when his order was taken smiled and worked his way back to the turtle drivers. He explained what he wanted to hire for the Shields and how it would probably be a two part trip. One part to parley with a emissary on the water and he wanted a captain that was not going to be concerned or surprised. The other part was whether or not the Shield's ship could be crewed and towed behind the same turtle. His idea was one of using that crew and ship to get the Shields close to the reed mound city and then hold off for their return from below the surface. He didn't want to see turtles attacked. A boat could keep itself alert and move about as the need arose.
Ticket submitted - one item uncertain about
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday March 26th, 2023 9:28:46 PM
(OOC: It doesn't have to be magic as Armalad is an arcane archer all the arrow's she fires become magical when she fires them)
Armalad says to Belba and Rick, "I'm Armalad. I am an arcane archer formally employed by the palace guards and now a member of the Silver Shields. We need to go on a search and recovery mission into the reedy parts of the nearby body of water."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday March 27th, 2023 12:57:09 PM
Delia gives Rick a firm handshake as she's introduced, "And this is Hawky. Seems like we've hopped from emergency to emergency since I've joined the Shields. But Zander had an errand to run first, so we have time. Nice to meet you, Rick."
If she's able to, she will wander off a little and meet the turtle they're going to ride, politely introducing herself and Hawky again.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Monday March 27th, 2023 4:04:29 PM
Zander hugs Pepper back, careful not to crush her with his full plate, "I'm afraid so dear. Can't have the fishing fleet scared to leave the docks. We're going for a little swim and then I'll be back and tell you all about it. Shouldn't be gone for long." He spends a couple minutes chatting with Pepper before disentangling himself with a kiss, "Sorry love, but the rest of the Shields are going to be waiting for me at the docks." He lingers for just a moment before hurrying off down to the docks.
Stock (Zachary H subbing for Jon) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Monday March 27th, 2023 4:13:14 PM
Stock harrumphs at the delay of Zanderallen. He wasn't too excited about going underwater and he'd rather just get it over with. He manages a slight grin at Rick which doesn't do much more than lighten the scowl he's wearing.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Monday March 27th, 2023 7:12:30 PM
Stohp introduces Rick to the newer Shields, explains the situation, and asks to charter Rick and James for this expedition to protect the Float!
Bartomus escaped from his drenched bedding with ease, twisting the water out of it, and then headed to the catacombs where the monkey took his ticket for potions and other bits and bobs.
Bartomus then joined the four Shields already at the Turtlemaster’s by serendipitous coincidence, and added more details to Rick’s proposed itinerary, including towing a boat and a planned meeting with an unusual emissary on the water. Bartomus also wanted to see if more than one Turtle would be needed to tow the Shields’ ship to the expedition drop area so that the Turtle(s) wouldn’t have to stay around and risk Reedy Attacks.
Armalad introduces herself to Belba and Rick, adding more details to the current mission.
Delia shakes Rick’s hand, introducing herself and Hawky, asking which Turtle they’d be riding.
Rick replies, “It’s great to meet both you and Ms. Armalad there, Ms. Delia. James is my Turtle, right over there. (He gestures) Belba was just telling me how James’ brother Turtle, John, off to the right, got pretty injured in your last mission, but Zanderallen and… Bartomus, right? They kept him alive and healed him completely after the battle. John is still a little shell-shocked, but I think James is thunderin’ to help you stop these darn Reeds.” Rick finishes with a smile.
With that, Delia and Hawky head over to James to introduce themselves. Delia and James hit it off right away – he’s quite calm and peaceful at her approach.
Zanderallen returns Pepper’s hug as best he can, being fully armored in dozens of pounds of enchanted steel. Zanderallen briefly explains the situation to Pepper, emphasizing the ease of such a mission. Zanderallen and Pepper enjoy a momentary kiss-in-shadow-silhouette, and then they say their farewells. Pepper watches him go, waving at him as he turns the corner, and then gets right to work writing the headline for her next Shields scoop… hmm… Shields Weed the Reeds!… too rhyming?
Stock mutters loudly about Zanderallen’s delay…
And then… Zanderallen is on the horizon, a speck. Stock idly eats an orange as Zanderallen gets closer… closer… eighth by eighth the orange disappears until suddenly Zanderallen is upon Stock, and, incidentally, the Shields!
Rick says to Bartomus, “As I was telling Stohp, of course I can take all of you to wherever you want to go on Turtle Lake. Towing your ship will slow things down a might, but James can do it. Belba, James would probably appreciate some of your ‘help’ if you know what I mean (winks at her). We can give you the normal rate – the extra you would have owed for the towing we’ll waive because of the danger to the float. Still, Rick and James have to eat, y’know?”
Belba chuckles a bit, then in a hush to James, but which the Shields can overhear, she says, “Rick, don’t be so open about that – can’t have everyone knowing the Turtlemasters’ secrets, now can we?” and then in a normal voice to the Shields says, “I recall your ship has a bit of heft to it – of course I’ll help James get going once you’re all set. Speaking of which, are all of you ready now? I see six Shields!”
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday March 27th, 2023 11:33:01 PM
Armalad proceeds to introduce Joker to Belba, James and Rick. She says, "This is my familiar, Joker. He is a water mephit so he should be at home under water."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday March 28th, 2023 10:57:14 AM
(We have a ship? I thought we just always borrowed one XD. Forgot or just wasn't paying enough attention)
Stohp is ready to go and does a headcount to see if anyone's missing.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday March 28th, 2023 2:25:13 PM
Delia wonders if the turtle brothers were sired by a turtle named Zebedee and continues to talk with James. She hasn't used any abilities to make them understand each other, but she still promises him that, even though he was taking them into dangerous waters, they would keep him safe and would avenge the hurt done to his brother.
She is ready to go as soon as the Shields have gathered.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday March 28th, 2023 3:57:45 PM "Assuming that the delivery can reach us, I am ready," Bartomus said looking back over his shoulder in hopes that the Catacombs delivery service would appear.
As to the ship, well, there was the pirate longship, but I think we turned it over to folks with the idea we might need to borrow it once with a crew." Bartomus explained with a bit of uncertainty in his voice as the memory was there, but just not super crisp "I think, and if that is the case, my thought defending a ship might be easier than a living, sentient being. Use the ship as a launch point for any adventure to the reed mound. Have the turtle hold off or return also ready to come get the ship and us when we need them to do so. If we have to pay the crew and such, that's fine too."
"Oh, and um," Bartomus added as an almost after thought. "We have a rendevous with someone from the merfolk too. Assuming Aed Flirtypond does his role as our herald as well as I hope. Need to do that first."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday March 28th, 2023 3:57:45 PM "Assuming that the delivery can reach us, I am ready," Bartomus said looking back over his shoulder in hopes that the Catacombs delivery service would appear.
As to the ship, well, there was the pirate longship, but I think we turned it over to folks with the idea we might need to borrow it once with a crew." Bartomus explained with a bit of uncertainty in his voice as the memory was there, but just not super crisp "I think, and if that is the case, my thought defending a ship might be easier than a living, sentient being. Use the ship as a launch point for any adventure to the reed mound. Have the turtle hold off or return also ready to come get the ship and us when we need them to do so. If we have to pay the crew and such, that's fine too."
"Oh, and um," Bartomus added as an almost after thought. "We have a rendevous with someone from the merfolk too. Assuming Aed Flirtypond does his role as our herald as well as I hope. Need to do that first."
Stock (Zachary H subbing for Jon) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Tuesday March 28th, 2023 4:00:34 PM
Stock nods as the last of the Shields show up. He looks over at where their ship was docked and back at the turtle. He knew they were strong but that seemed like a bit much. "Don't worry Belba, your secrets are safe with us. Let's get on with it."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Tuesday March 28th, 2023 4:11:29 PM
Zanderallen slows his brick pace as he spots the rest of the Shields negotiating for passage. He joins up with them and grins a little sheepishly at everyone waiting for him. "Hm, I hadn't thought about the dragon ship. Last time we pulled some rough hands from the taverns to row us. Always meant to setup a plan of how to crew her for emergencies but I don't think we ever got around to it. There wouldn't happen to be a small keelboat or something we could rent? Large enough for us to pull ourselves out of the lake but small enough to be towed around."
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Tuesday March 28th, 2023 9:52:21 PM
Armalad introduces Joker to Belba, James, and Rick.
Stohp is ready to go, and does a headcount. All six Shields are here, plus Belba (not going) and Rick and James (going).
Delia ponders the Turtle brothers’ ancestry while she speaks with James, promising to keep him safe. Delia then stands, ready for the mission.
Bartomus says he’s ready, so long as the Catacombs’ delivery service can reach him. Bartomus recollects aloud that the Shields’ ship might be in use, but also might have a crew that owes them a service in exchange for use of the ship. Bartomus informs the Shields of a meeting on the waves he hopes he’s arranged, for counsel with the MerKing, or his envoy.
Stock seems more at ease with the gathering of the Shields. He considers the Shields’ ship and the Turtle… and the Turtle pulling the 75’ longship made of heavy woods seemed perhaps beyond even the capabilities of the Gigantic Turtle! Stock assures Belba that the Shields will keep her secrets.
Zanderallen adjusts his pace down a bit as he comes up to the Shields speaking with Rick and Belba. Zanderallen enters the conversation as Bartomus and others are discussing the longship, the dragon ship. Zanderallen muses about the last time the Shields needed a crew for it. He suggests perhaps a smaller boat, just big enough for the Shields, would work best.
Belba begins chuckling, not quite out of control… She says, “Zanderallen, I guess you never learned why we are the TurtleMASTERs… Stock, I agree: let’s get on with it!”
Belba directs everyone to board the longship, and as the Shields look in that direction questioningly, figures previously hidden rise up from behind the half-wall on the top deck, from behind masts, and soon there must be a visible crew of at least 50! A voice calls from the side, and from out of the Turtlemaster’s office steps a familiar man, Hasan Brage. “Shields, you didn’t think you were going on this mission without us supporting you, did you? We can’t work, we can’t eat fish, we can’t do anything we want until those Reeds are dealt with! When Belba suggested we get your ship in shape for when you inevitably went after the Reeds, we jumped at the chance to help you and save our city, our livelihoods… FOR EDVARDS AND NURAY, FOR TRIGGAN AND JERMA, (screams) FOR THE FLOAT!!!!” at the last screamed oration the crew on the dragon ship as one raises their right fist to the highest, and their shouts of “FOR THE FLOAT!” easily reach to the Shields, Rick, Belba, and Hasan.
With that Hasan waves the Shields on and runs as fast as he can towards the dragon ship.
Spurred by the tragedy the fisherfolk didn’t all survive, and Hasan’s stirring speech, the Shields likewise quickly make their way to the longship!
Rick splits off and leaps aboard James.
In the half-minute it takes the Shields to race over, get aboard and get settled, Belba wastes no time! Spellcasting is heard in the background, a turned head of Shields along the way reveals that the first thing Belba did was summon an obscuring fog large enough for James, and Belba, to be hidden from distant viewers.
Spellcasting is somewhat loud, and some sounds carry, though the distance and the running keep the Shields from knowing exactly what is happening… at first…
As the Shields take their positions, with Bartomus giving Hasan and others directions to where the MerKing is supposed to meet the Shields, a cry goes out from amongst the ship, drawing everyone’s attention back to the Docks and Belba’s magical fog – emerging from the mists… it can’t be… but it is… James is no longer Gigantic, but twice that…. Colossal! James is surging forth on controlled turbulent waves, kind of a slipstream effect as his impossibly-powerful Colossal Turtle Flippers cut through the Lake like a hot knife through butter!
As Rick, Belba, and James approach, Rick gives hand signals to the dragon ship and the crew gathers ropes and with Rick’s help James is soon harnessed to the dragon ship, combining with the crew’s efforts on masts and oars to achieve the astonishingly fast speed of… about 15 knots/hour (OOC triple normal dragonship speed)!
Then Belba, with her small frame, easily hides behind Rick and obscures further spellcasting motions from the Shields. Soon after, the Lake’s drag on the longship greatly lessens and now James and the longship are moving at the absolutely ludicrous speed of 30 knots/hour!
A crewperson in the crow’s nest calls out a danger in the water ahead… looks to be a… whirlpool?
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=36 ; d20+12=17 ; d20+24=36 ; d20+10=11 ; d20+10=22 ; d20+24=40 ; Tuesday March 28th, 2023 11:08:57 PM
Armalad tries to get a good look at the whirlpool and see if it really is a whirlpool or could be something else.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday March 29th, 2023 8:17:28 AM
There's nothing Stohp can do about a whirlpool but brace herself and leave it to the professionals so that's what she does.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=32 ; Wednesday March 29th, 2023 9:10:00 AM
Bartomus goes up alongside Armalad and looks ahead. He was trying to get a sense of where they were on the lake. Were they near where he had told Aed Flitypond to meet? He asked himself. He focused his attention on the whirlpool and without looking away
"Captains, would the merfolk come with such an entrance?" Bartomus yells back over his shoulder. "I think we should ease up on the speed."
Perception 32
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=33 ; Wednesday March 29th, 2023 1:45:43 PM
Delia, perched at the bow of the ship, pulls out her spyglass and takes a look at the whirlpool.
================ Perception 33
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Wednesday March 29th, 2023 9:13:18 PM
Zanderallen smiles broadly at the fishermen coming together. His smile darkens slightly at the mention of the fallen, but he pushes the sadness away. It was time for action. He gazes critically at the fog cloud a couple times and audibly gasps as the new and improved James powers out of the fog. "Hold on everyone!"
Stock (Zachary H subbing for Jon) Wednesday March 29th, 2023 9:15:55 PM
Stock grabs his stuff and boards the long ship. When big James comes tearing out of the fog he roars, "Why didn't you use that earlier?"
Time slows down for Armalad as they approach the whirlpool
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Wednesday March 29th, 2023 11:38:31 PM
Armalad squints ahead at the whirlpool, attempting to gather more information about it.
Stohp braces herself and waits to see what the sailors do.
Bartomus moves up beside Armalad and also squints ahead, wondering if they’re already near the meeting spot – the ship is moving so unexpectedly fast and Bartomus wasn’t watching a sundial but… Bartomus loudly, to be heard above the near-constant Colossal Turtle Flippers, the oarsman drumming to keep the crew at speed, and the rush of apparent wind as one moves at 30 knots/hour, asks the Captains if this is how merfolk might make an entrance, and to perhaps ease up on the speed just in case…
Delia, perched at the bow of the ship, pulls out her spyglass, aiming it at the whirlpool.
Zanderallen was pleasantly surprised at the fisherfolk’s unity. He mentally nodded solemnly at the names of the fallen, but presses himself forward in their memory and names. Zanderallen attempts to arch one eyebrow at Belba’s first spell being the summoning of fog, but then once on board the dragon ship and staring again at the fog, his “What…” is at once cut off and answered in full when James’ Colossal head breaks the fog, and then the rest of him with Rick and Belba riding on top! All around Zanderallen hear him gasp in astonishment!
Stock in one motion vaults forward, grabs his huge backpack, and puts it on firmly, charging for the dragon ship with the others. Stock is near Zanderallen and hears him gasp, leading to Stock locking his eyes on the sight of James’ exit as well. Stock wonders-yells-aloud, “Why didn’t you use that earlier?” Stock is perhaps out-volumed by the fast and loud slapping of Colossal Turtle Flippers against the Lake for the moment, and realizing this, understands that he’ll need to find a quieter moment if he hopes to get an answer…
Delia is the first to see (thanks to her spyglass) a reasonably sharp image of a widening whirlpool perhaps a few hundred feet ahead. She adjusts her view as the Captains coordinate Rick turning James slightly to the right and the right-side rowers slowing to half-speed to cause the left-side rowers to turn the ship to the right, while deck hands also adjust the masts to accommodate. As the slight turn is completed, the Captains coordinate an overall slowing from 30 knots/hour down to 20, then 10, then 5, with many deck hands and crow’s-nest crew watching for more details (the crew lacks a fine spyglass like Delia’s).
Delia’s eyes only Highlight to display spoiler: { Delia sees shapes coming up and out of the whirlpool – horses?!? No… Giant Seahorses, complete with bit and bridle! Riding, being pulled by them, something, are several merfolk!}
Armalad’s and Bartomus’ eyes only Highlight to display spoiler: { Armalad and Bartomus squint well, but the distance is significant, yet still they see large dark shapes coming up and out of the whirlpool – a mish-mash of… horses, riders, and… Large Fish?}
Hasan shouts, “Shields! What are those… things? Another threat to the Float?!? The Merfolk you talked about?!?Should we ram them or run away? Just say the word and Rick and I will go back to full speed!”
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=18 ; Thursday March 30th, 2023 7:26:05 AM
Stohp would love to answer but can't see much of anything (perception 18) so all she can do is wait.
Stock (Zachary H subbing for Jon) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used d20+25=29 ; Thursday March 30th, 2023 1:46:09 PM
Stock pushing his way to the front, finding a spot to stand where he can see over the gunwale. He squints at the whirlpool forming, "Delia, what do you see? Looks like trouble." =========== Perception 29
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Thursday March 30th, 2023 1:47:04 PM
Zanderallen resists the urge to push to the front, knowing his spotting will add little value. He waits for the scouts to report.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=36 ; Thursday March 30th, 2023 2:49:50 PM "Slow Captain, Slow. Shields be ready, but I think we may have a royal retinue arriving." Bartomus wasn't sure as he shouted, but he was placing a lot of faith in the request he made to Ade Flirtypond and Eberyon in his position.
He continued to stare at the whirlpool trying to ascertain the figures appearing within its swirl of water.
Perception 36 - nat 20
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=40 ; d20+4=22 ; Thursday March 30th, 2023 3:52:05 PM
Delia will turn and bellow her report, trying to be heard above other sounds, "Giant Seahorses with Merfolk handlers. Don't recommend hostile action."
She turns back to watch their approach, uncertain of Merfolk culture, but trying to gauge their bearing and formality of dress to see what she can gather.
Perception: 40 Sense Motive: 22
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday March 30th, 2023 9:14:33 PM
"Are that what those giant shapes are?" Armalad asks
She waits to see them get closer.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Thursday March 30th, 2023 9:50:05 PM
As the dragon ship progresses, at the slight turn, the distance closes some, but…
Stohp looks, but the distance is still too great to see more than dark, indistinct shapes of size.
Stock pushes his way to the front and squints enough to see the whirlpool, shapes, and… Stock’s eyes only Highlight to display spoiler: {horses?}
Zanderallen stands his ground, waiting for the scouts to report.
Bartomus asks Hasan to continue slowing, suspecting a merfolk retinue has arrived. As the dragon ship closes, Bartomus (eyes only) Highlight to display spoiler: {becomes somewhat more confident of his prediction, his eyes squinting well and resolving Giant Seahorses, complete with bit and bridle! Riding, being pulled by them, something, are several merfolk!}
Delia turns and shouts her report, confirming Bartomus’ prediction – “Giant Seahorses with Merfolk handlers. Don't recommend hostile action,” and then turns back to watch, trying to determine more about them – appearance, clothes, etc.
At Delia’s report Hasan and the crew breathe a sigh of relief.
Armalad, the dragon ship a bit closer, finds Highlight to display spoiler: {indeed that there are Giant Seahorses, complete with bit and bridle! Riding, being pulled by them, something, are several merfolk!}
Hasan calls out orders to the crew and asks Rick to slow James in turn so the Shields can meet the… envoys?
As the Shields and crew watch, the riders and their sea-horses (what Delia called “giant seahorses”) come closer, and at about 100 feet away, one of the riders raises an unclothed tan (?) arm holding something of size, white-ish, and then the sound of a loud horn comes forth! Some of the others do likewise, and as they approach, the sounds of something like a trumpet resound… though lacking the metal tones and rings some of the Shields might be familiar with from musicians on the Float…. What are these trumpets made of?
As the trumpets (?) play, the horses and their riders spread apart somewhat, and form a diamond of fourteen seahorses and riders around one larger seahorse in the center.
The diamond quickly draws near the dragon ship and at about 60 feet away for the crew (and earlier for eagle-eyed Shields) many more details are available – the Shields who once went underwater certainly recognize merfolk and some, like Delia and Bartomus are sure to point this out, perhaps even Stock too! Zanderallen is at a bit more of a distance, but eventually even he too can agree with the called recognition from the Shields.
Delia and other sharp eyes notice the variation on clothing the merfolk wear, often many strings of seashells, simple vests made of seaweed, decorative weeds and strings along their tails accentuate their appearance without overwhelming their natural colors. Some have skin and/or of deep, warm shades of brown, lighter shades of tan and gold, or very pale tones of peach and white. The scales of their lower bodies are iridescent and are mostly the green and blue shades of the sea.
The diamond has drawn close enough that with a slight squint you can make out the giant seahorse and its rider in the center, your eyes drawn in by the excess of shiny metals interspersed amongst her many shell necklaces, elegant seaweed… dress (?) and other gaudy baubles.
Shields who were on the previous merfolk adventure(s) Perception DC 15: Highlight to display spoiler: {It has been some time, but she appears to be the merfolk Princess Melanie!}
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=24 ; Friday March 31st, 2023 7:27:19 AM
Stohp will give a bow and call out in greeting. "Princess Melanie! It's been some time! Good to see you again." she'll turn to the ship's crew and those who were not on the previous adventure. The merfolk princess herself has come to greet us. No doubt she will be able to help with our problem - show respect everyone."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=25 ; Friday March 31st, 2023 5:22:52 PM "It's the Princess," Bartomus said like a star struck fan. He smiled at Stohp's hail.
"What she said folks. Best, very best behavior that would make your mum's proud when they hear talk of this event. " Bartomus said back to the crew.
"We are indebted to you and yours Princess Melaine for coming to hear and hope to advise us on a matter of the gravest importance." He smiled and .over closer to the arriving merfolk host.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=34 ; Friday March 31st, 2023 8:35:38 PM
Delia gives Princess Melanie a respectful nod and then gives up her position at the bow to others who would be speaking with her.
She will continue to keep watch.
Perception: 34
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 d20+10=27 ; Saturday April 1st, 2023 1:05:33 AM
Zanderallen recalls the last time he saw the princess, having just rescued her from a sacrificial altar. He pushed back the memories of his own demise, rubbing at his chest where he often still felt the ache of the deep one's spear. He slips into protocol to bring his thoughts under control snapping out orders to the crew loud enough for the approaching merfolk to hear, "All hands attention! Royalty approaching, prepare a proper greeting for her highness the Princess Melanie, fairest under the Lake." He directs the crew into something almost resembling a proper salute
Stock (Zachary H subbing for Jon) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Saturday April 1st, 2023 1:07:34 AM
The ship almost capsizes with the force of Stock's eye roll at everyone's antics in greeting the princess. But royalty had the power to help them so he bows begrudgingly.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Saturday April 1st, 2023 9:43:57 PM
Stohp bows, and calls out a greeting to the approaching merfolk, loud enough to be heard, greeting Princess Melanie by name. Stohp tells everyone within shouting distance that the merfolk have sent their envoy.
Bartomus confirms Stohp’s proclamation, smiles, and then moves closer to the edge of the dragon ship.
Delia shows respect to the princess, and then moves towards the middle of the ship to allow those who know the princess to speak with her. Delia continues to keep watch while doing so, but sees no enemies for now.
Zanderallen’s memories of the Shields’ last mission with the merfolk come to the fore: the sahuagin, rescuing Melanie, being pierced by a fearsome foe’s spear, all the way through. Zanderallen pulls upon the fortitude, physical and mental, that Domi granted and grants him, and barks out orders to the crew, loud enough for the merfolk to hear – alerting the crew that it’s a royal visit and to prepare appropriately. The fisherfolk are not military-trained, for the most part, but manage to point several fingers at their temples and Zanderallen mentally calls it good.
Stock is completely unimpressed at everyone, in his view, bowing and scraping before the princess… but though royalty, she and her retinue may yet help the Float, and so Stock holds back disgust he might otherwise voice.
Armalad is observing and listening to everyone’s response to this princess she has never met. An eyebrow thinks about whether arching right now would be appropriate.
The merfolk diamond reforms and reforms and creates an opening at the front. One merfolk rider in slightly nicer shell necklaces than all but the princess rides forth and says in a burble of bubbles (Armalad’s ears only) Highlight to display spoiler: { (OOC - In Aquan, so Joker also hears and understands) Hail and well met Silver Shields! The Royal Court, even the MerKing, has heard your request for a parley. Her highness the Princess Melanie insisted on being the envoy and the MerKing has indulged her request. Please send your envoys to the Princess using one of your rowboats and the parley shall be held on the surface of Turtle Lake. And for the hearing of your crew, whom we do not know…}
The rider then dunks her head and neck in the water, perhaps breathing it as the Shields breathe the air, then raises her head again and says in Common, “Hail Silver Shields! The Princess Melanie requires your presence atop Turtle Lake. Come hither in one of your row-boats.” and finishes with a kind of bubbly burbly giggle.
The merfolk are close enough that for those looking towards Princess Melanie and her speaker, it appears Princess Melanie is mildly pleased with the crew’s attempt to be respectful.
SHIELDS – 1) who goes into rowboat(s) to meet and greet Princess Melanie, and if that's you, what do you do when you get there? 2) who doesn't go, and if so, what do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Sunday April 2nd, 2023 8:07:48 PM
Since Stohp has met the merfolk before she will volunteer to be one of those who go out to meet them, though if her size is a problem she will grudgingly let others go.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Sunday April 2nd, 2023 8:07:48 PM
Since Stohp has met the merfolk before she will volunteer to be one of those who go out to meet them, though if her size is a problem she will grudgingly let others go.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=30 ; Sunday April 2nd, 2023 11:39:48 PM
Armalad inspects this Princess Melanie. Perception: 30
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Monday April 3rd, 2023 12:28:56 AM "Alright, let's do this." Bartomus said as Stohp volunteered. He made his way forward and carefully stepped into the suggested rowboat and took a seat. His thoughts turned to how best to quickly explain the situation with the reeds and what appeared to be their village. He took some effort to calm himself and how best to greet the Princess.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Monday April 3rd, 2023 8:54:04 AM
Stock mutters, "Typical royalty. Needing us to come to her even though she's come up all the way from the deep just so that she can show dominance..." Still though, Stock joins the rowboats.
Stock (Zachary H subbing for Jon) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used Monday April 3rd, 2023 5:13:25 PM
Zander isn't one to hang back when good talking is being offered. He clambers into one of the rowboats to meet the princess. He will offer a polite greeting when they arrive. "It is good to see you again, Your Highness. How are things under the Lake?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday April 3rd, 2023 5:28:24 PM
Delia, an eyebrow already raised at the jointly flighty and pompous behaviour of the merfolk, turns her snort of laughter at Stock's derision into a cough.
She looks between their own ship and the row boat a couple times with slight concern, weighing the relative danger of each group. If there's space, she will go with the merfolk group and leave Hawky with the ship, if not, she will send Hawky with the merfolk group and stay behind herself.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday April 3rd, 2023 9:12:50 PM
Joker says, "Hey boss, isn't it funny the merfolk first addressed us all in Aquan before Common."
Armalad says, "Aquan must be their court tongue."
Armalad and Joker will join one of the rowboats being respectful on the way to the parlay
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Tuesday April 4th, 2023 4:18:25 PM
Zanderallen waits for an answer with anticipation. He wondered how the merfolk were getting on after the incident? Would there be any resentment that they had been saved by surfacers. Had they seen any of these killer reed tangles?
Armalad and Joker wait to see what the Merfolk want
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday April 4th, 2023 9:08:50 PM
As they prepare to meet with the merfolk, Delia hopes that she won't say or do anything that would disrespect them. She can barely remember all the ways to not offend other humans local to the Float, let alone a whole different underwater culture.
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Tuesday April 4th, 2023 10:44:24 PM
Stohp volunteers to be among those who go down to greet the merfolk, so long as her taurish size doesn’t prove troublesome.
Armalad inspects Princess Melanie, gaining slightly more detail than others. Princess Melanie’s upper body is that of a graceful human-like adult woman, perhaps in her early 20s were she fully human, with a bedazzling number of shell necklaces and numerous bits and bobs of shiny metal here and there on many of the shell necklaces. She has long auburn hair with fully inky-black eyes and the hint of beige scaly patterns on her exposed arms and face. Her lower fishy half immediately transitions from human-like skin/scales to full-on fish scales, in an iridescent green-blue rainbow-among-shades. Her seaweed dress hides little of her fishy half, and seemingly serves as a way to ‘hang’ additional shiny baubles on her fishy self without needing to affix the baubles directly to her. Princess Melanie seems pleased to be here, and her gaze appears to fall most often on the longer-tenured Shields.
Bartomus agrees to go down to visit Princess Melanie, and takes a seat in the first rowboat. As this is a rowboat for a dragon ship, its about as wide as a fisherfleet vessel, but twice as long. Stohp is able to sit comfortably in it with Bartomus, but they can lean back in opposite directions and make room for up to two others, starting with Zanderallen, who bounds into the rowboat.
Stock continues to mutter to himself about the negatives of royalty, and perhaps comes close to considering forming an autonomous collective? Stock shakes off such a silly thought, shrugs and enters the rowboat with Stohp, Bartomus, and Zanderallen.
Delia barely covers her consternation with Stock with a cough, then looks for a second rowboat and finds it, entering with Hawky, followed soon thereafter by Armalad and Joker, who were talking about something in that wizard-familiar language unintelligible to Delia.
Zanderallen, sitting in the rowboat as it’s lowered into the water, finds his mind racing with questions.
Armalad and Joker likewise sit in their rowboat as it’s lowered into the water, waiting with calculated patience to see what can be learned.
Delia frets over protocol, hoping to avoid putting her foot in her mouth given that she has enough trouble remembering landlubber protocols!
The Shields’ two rowboats are fully in the water, and arrive within the Diamond about the same time, the distance being short and Delia and Armalad fighting less inertia than the heavily-laden first rowboat.
The merfolk riders expand their diamond and each of them turns to face the outside, occasionally dipping just below the Lake surface, vigilant for foes of any kind, but for the Princess’ speaker who now says first in Aquan, then again in Common, “Silver Shields, Princess Melanie will now speak to you.” finishing with a smile and then treads water backward and to the right a foot or so.
Princess Melanie lets out a sigh, and then begins simply and only in Common, “Please forgive my entourage… Daddy is so bound to tradition! Bartomus, the not-water elemental Flirtypond was a strange creature indeed, but as you can see it passed along your message. We in the Royal Council discussed your message at some length. We think we know what you’re talking about, but to narrow down the “Tangle/Reeds” that concern you and the Float, please tell me all about your encounter and what you learned… one of their “corpses” would be useful to see too, if you kept one or more for study.”
Princess Melanie pauses and waits for the Shields to respond.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday April 5th, 2023 6:01:27 AM
Stohp will explain the encounter they had is as much detail as she can remember.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Wednesday April 5th, 2023 11:08:22 AM "...and don't forget the way the little tiny weeds tried to eat that fisherman's arm. That was insane." Stock will add what details he remembers to Stohp's description.
Stock then says to the Princess, "Do you have any knowledge of some kind of threat like this?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=30 ; Wednesday April 5th, 2023 5:55:30 PM
Delia will take a moment to instruct a couple fisherman with Hawky's "alert" word and then tell him to listen to them, that way if the boats/turtle get into trouble, they have a way of alerting the Shields.
She will listen to the exchange between the Mer-Princess and the Shields, habitually keeping an eye out for danger.
========================= Perception: 30
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Wednesday April 5th, 2023 6:09:43 PM
Zanderallen let's the others describe the encounter, laughing at Melanie's distress at being so bound by tradition.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday April 5th, 2023 7:23:57 PM
Bartomus smiled at the Princess and let the others tell their story. Then, when they're was a praise, he raised his hand.
Princess Melanie, we are extremely grateful your l you and yours listened to our makeshift Herald. The situation is vexing in that my exploration under water led me to think that there is a larger population of these creatures involved."
He paused, then he went into previse detail to describe what he saw in the attacks by the four reeds, then in his scoring through the kelp forest and to the village he thought he saw. He took his time with his descriptions and particularly the village collection. Then he paused after a long sigh.
"contacting your kingdom just made sense as both a good neighbor, but also we are truly uncertain as to what these beings are and what caused them to attack a precious turtle."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday April 5th, 2023 10:25:02 PM
Armalad adds what she knows to the mix. "We were contacted by a ragtag group of adventurers when their escort mission of a bunch of fisherfolk went horribly wrong. We had to deal with the plant creatures previously mentioned and after some initial attacks on tendrils that had reached above the surface of the water we had to chase the tendrils under water. Eventually we were able to take care of them but the remains of the fisherfolk and adventuring group were not present. The fisherfolk wanted us to recover whatever is left if there is anything there and that puts us where we are now."
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Wednesday April 5th, 2023 11:06:27 PM
Stohp relates the Tangle/Reeds encounter as best she can.
Stock adds the bit about the tiny reddish plant that tried to eat Hasan’s thumb, and fills in any gaps he notices. He then asks Princess Melanie what she knows.
Delia sets up a couple of fishermen with a way to alert Hawky to any danger while the Shields are conferring with Princess Melanie. Delia settles into guard duty, listening to her fellow Shields retell the Tangle/Reeds encounter, and paying some attention to the interplay between Princess Melanie and the Shields who rescued her in the past. Delia spots no danger for the moment.
Zanderallen listens as Stohp and Stock give most if not all of the details about the Tangle/Reeds encounter, chuckling at Princess Melanie having to put up with royal traditions.
Bartomus listens as well, and as Stohp and Stock finish, enters the conversation, expressing the Shields’ gratitude for her coming all this way. He then elaborates on his concerns that the “moundtown” might be an actual community of the Tangle/Reeds. Bartomus then describes the battle in some detail, a bit more than Stock and Stohp because Bartomus was a water elemental at the time, freely moving about and looking above and below the Lake often at the same time. He finishes by emphasizing the Shields’ concern for their neighbors the Merfolk and his puzzlement at the Reeds attacking a turtle, as if they had an insatiable appetite, or perhaps were just inimical to animal life.
Armalad then adds her perspective on the encounter, beginning with the Lads, going through the battle, and then the loss of the remains of some fisherfolk and some of the Lads, and the fisherfolk’s desire for the retrieval of their loved ones’ remains for burial and closure.
Princess Melanie, and her speaker, listen intently to the Shields different perspectives and take a few moments after the Shields finish to consider.
Her speaker leans over and whispers in Princess Melanie’s ear.
Armalad and Joker only - Perception DC 25 (hearing) Highlight to display spoiler: {(Aquan)Princess, these tangles of reeds sound much like the Stranglereeds that plague some of our cousins in distant waters – masses of tangled thick reeds extending from bulbous pods split by wide, thorn-toothed maws. This is troublesome, Princess – they don’t normally travel such far distances and there has never been a report of them here in Turtle Lake.}
Princess Melanie whispers back.
Armalad and Joker only, if prior check made: Highlight to display spoiler: {(Aquan)Yes Lancer, I think you are right. I must tell the Shields at once. But what do you think about the tiny plant that tried to eat the man’s thumb? Small, some red… you don’t think…?}
Her speaker whispers back.
Armalad and Joker only, if prior check made: Highlight to display spoiler: {(Aquan)Princess, there aren’t many plants that fit that description, particularly the red color and the ability to eat animal flesh. Do you think we should ask them if the plant looked like it had a spherical shape of hundreds of long, thin blood-red petals or would it only confuse them since it was so tiny, and may not have grown all of its parts?}
Princess Melanie whispers back
Armalad and Joker only, if prior check made: Highlight to display spoiler: {(Aquan)Lancer, you’ve got to stop it with assuming air-breathers aren’t all that intelligent. Zanderallen and the rest showed smarts, courage, and bravery in rescuing me, and along the way paid dearly from what I understand. I will succinctly explain the details to them, so they can be on their guard when they inevitably make the trip below… our guards might be of some help against the Stranglereeds, distracting them at key moments, but the possible presence of Blood Lilies, one of the rarest and deadliest animated plants… even nigh-mythical… no, our guards wouldn’t survive a battle with them, if there are many fully-grown, even with the Shields around. I will tell them what we know, and offer to follow at a distance, recovering the remains of the lost and returning them to the dragon ship for burial so the Shields won’t be distracted by such mundane tasks.}
Princess Melanie and her speaker then turn to face the Shields, and Princess Melanie speaks in Common, “Shields, we think we know what the Tangle/Reeds were… translation to your language is… sometimes awkward… we call them… garrotte-reeds… lasso-reeds… perhaps there is a better word for when a reed or rope is tied around your neck and you cannot breathe, either water or air. These necktight-reeds normally like warm rivers or lakes, they can blend in with other plants so most cannot see them, and they are forever hungry. If you have magic to prevent them from encircling your neck that would be the best, so that you can focus on killing them as soon as possible. I am troubled that you encountered eight of them, maybe more given the trail of remains back to their “moundtown.” Normally they group no more than the fingers on one human hand, or so. They also aren’t cunning, or even intelligent – that is the most disturbing detail of all – their mindless insect-like brains is one of our key advantages when our distant cousins report occasional encounters in distant waters. A “moundtown” as Bartomus describes it… unheard of! But, cunning necktight-reeds are also unheard of… could there be a power behind them, or perhaps one of them is corrupted by foul energies and is controlling the others?
As for the small red plant… Lancer and I know little, but there are myths and legends… these… Blood Flowers… they can be identified by having hundreds of red petals, green vine-like arms, and like necktight-reeds can hide themselves among other plants… they too like warm waters and are insatiably hungry. It is said that they are cunning like some packs of carnivorous fish, can be patient and strike from cover when you least expect it. Like the necktight-reeds, they are supposed to appear only in small groups. But… none of us here have ever seen one or met anyone living who has. I speak of what we’ve learned through our oral traditions, but can offer no more than warning of fierce danger… It is said that to touch one is to die, though I know not if death would be from the sharpness of their petals or through some other means. Princess Melanie pauses, and watches the Shields absorb her words.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday April 6th, 2023 8:38:23 AM
Stohp nods. "Well, at least we know it isn't some new danger, though it's acting in new ways. There are many powers that could control and strengthen such creatures, we now we know to head in expecting some sort of druid or caster that might be behind whatever is going on."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday April 6th, 2023 10:42:30 AM
Bartomus listened intently after noting the whispers that went back and forth between the princess and her advisor. He sighed rather heavily when she shared about the neck-tight reeds and the bloodflower. It wasn't just one thing that was odd.
"Possibly working in concert with someone or something else. Though, some of this has me wondering when we had that massive shift with the Saragrass and such, did we have something get planted or changed within the lake?" Bartomus offered trying to remember the details of one of the near cosmic incursions that the Shields delt with some time ago. "But, Stohp, you've got the better idea and I wonder who would want to do this. Someone wants to cause a crisis I think for the Float and exploit that situation. Maybe another leadership challenge?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used Thursday April 6th, 2023 1:31:32 PM "Suffice it to say that we don't know enough yet - probably there is some force behind it and this is some kind of direct or indirect attack on the city...but it could also be something more benign but equally as deadly like a bloom in the waters are causing these things to reproduce.
Either way, we'd recommend to you merfolk to take the proper precautions and patrol your borders for migrating plants."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Thursday April 6th, 2023 4:16:36 PM
Zanderallen listens in horror to the description of these tangle reeds and Blood flowers. "Those Blood flowers seem familiar, similar to something we encountered with the Sargrass cataclysm. Could spores from that event have landed in the lake and never been dealt with? Guess there's nothing to do other than go down and have a look ourselves. Thank you Princess Melanie."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday April 6th, 2023 9:22:54 PM
Delia continues to keep watch, throwing in the occassional grimace at the description of the reeds and their inclinations.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=28 ; d20+18=25 ; Thursday April 6th, 2023 9:40:09 PM
Armalad and Joker look at each other and then back at the Princess and says, "You say those blood lilies or flowers are nigh on mythical but it sounds like it could be what was also encountered besides the garrote-leaves of course. The tiny-ness of the plant made it slip my mind but at the time well I am pretty well versed in knowledge of nature and I couldn't place what that plant was. With respect to the blood lilies strength or power level just how confident are you that we The Silver Shields could potentially stop it being that you don't seem to think your guards could even assist us against it? Might there be a repository of knowledge your people have access to that has more information about what this blood lily or flower can do?"
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Thursday April 6th, 2023 10:59:17 PM
Stohp considers, and tells the group that it’s an old danger acting in new ways, and perhaps there’s a druid or other spellcaster behind the Tangle/Reeds’ cunning attack on the fisherfleet.
Bartomus tried to follow along with the whispers, but even the snatches he heard were not in a language he knew. He became concerned at the mention of possibly two threats instead of one. Bartomus muses aloud about the Sargrass incident and whether something could have happened then. He finishes by discussing with Stohp the possibility that the attack is a prelude to another leadership challenge.
Stock gets to the point – the Shields know more, but don’t yet know enough. Stock advises the merfolk to be on the alert on all of their borders for more of these monstrous plants.
Zanderallen is aware of the horrific descriptions of the monstrous plants, yet is drawn to the words like a moth to a flame. He offers that the Shields might have encountered something similar during the Sargrass cataclysm. Zanderallen resolves that the Shields must go down and end the threat, whether its source be Sargrass spores… or something unrelated…
Delia continues to keep watch, noting no threats, and occasionally shudders at Melanie’s descriptions of the monstrous plants.
Armalad and Joker listened raptly to Princess Melanie’s words… and perhaps too the faint whispers that preceded them. After Princess Melanie and the other Shields finish speaking, Armalad finally speaks up, discussing many finer details about the situation than any of the other Shields had perceived. One thing is immediately clear to the Shields and by the startled reactions, the merfolk as well – Armalad does not just have keen elven ears… she can understand the merfolk’s native tongue!
It was obvious to the rest of the Shields that Princess Melanie had a slightly-accented Common, and at times could not find an appropriate word. Armalad appears to have more skill in this arena.
The name “Blood Lilies” has been spoken aloud. The other Shields skilled in nature lore (Bartomus and Delia) instantly see in their mind’s eye blood-red lilies as large as the Tangle/Reeds, petals spreading forth for an attack… but… what kind of attack?
Bartomus and Delia quickly come back to Armalad’s monologue, wherein Armalad has perhaps forgotten she is speaking to royalty and is on a roll that no one soon stops. Armalad wonders why Princess Melanie is confident the Shields will prevail against the blood lilies when the Princess’ own guard would stand much less of a chance. Armalad doesn’t wait for answers, but finishes with asking whether the merfolk have some store of knowledge that might reveal more about the capabilities of the blood lilies.
There is stunned silence from the merfolk for several moments. Princess Melanie’s guards each keep one eye on their respective horizons and the other on their princess. The princess’s advisor simply has no words. The expression on her face is of one who has witnessed the most unthinkable social faux pas before royalty and is obvious to all.
Princess Melanie appears calm, her expression unmoving, though there may be clues…
Sense Motive DC 11 Highlight to display spoiler: {Princess Melanie is trying to hide the expression of a human girl caught with her hand in the cookie jar, here meaning if anyone previously had ever managed to eavesdrop on her, she never knew it happened… until now. The only deceit here is Melanie trying desperately to hide her embarrassment and not flush her cheeks, and today is not her day for success at that skill...}
Princess Melanie is finally the first to speak. Perhaps recognizing she’s not doing very well at hiding her emotions, she chooses to show them instead, beginning with a (protective) series of laughs.
Finally Princess Melanie speaks to the Shields, but looking straight at Armalad, “Shields, never in my life have I met a surface-dweller who understands our language, and now the first time it happens it’s one who can hear a pin drop above water! While Armalad might have asked more polite questions that showed more respect to visiting royalty, I will forgive her in this instance because the Shields will need even the tiny scraps of conjecture we can offer. First, storing knowledge underwater is hard – ink, even squid ink, doesn’t want to stay in one place, and rock carvings work best above water. We are more reliant on oral histories and practiced memories than anything else, but our writings can be tedious to go through. Also, we in the Royal Council also have our sages, with lengthy and accurate memories of recent and long ago histories. Individual merfolk have lesser defenses than the Shields – it’s not that the blood flowers are exceptionally resilient, but that warriors must be nigh-unkillable to survive whatever petal horrors they visit upon their victims. Merfolk wear light protection in order to function well in underwater fights, but these legendary monstrous plants are skilled in taking advantage of that.
Therefore, some of my guard will follow you at a distance and focus on recovering the remains of the last victims of the Tangle/Reeds attack while you Shields, now warriors of legend yourselves, put an end to these foul plants whose very touch may mean your death! How does a touch kill you? I do not know… the legends said only that their touch turned your own body against you! I wish we knew more, but on the bright side encounters with the blood flowers are so few and dimly remembered that once you defeat the monstrous plants in the “moundtown” I hope all of us never hear of them again during our lifetimes!”
With that, Princess Melanie gestures at several merfolk, about half of her guard, and directs them in the merfolk’s tongue at normal volume. Armalad: Highlight to display spoiler: {In Aquan, Princess Melanie directs the guards to do exactly as she offered to the Shields, to follow the Shields at a distance, recover any remains of surface-dwellers, especially remains the Shields point out, and return them to the dragon ship for burial. Still speaking in Aquan, she turns to Armalad and says, “you understood all that, right?” finishing with a smile.}
Princess Melanie finishes addressing her guards and then turns and continues in her native tongue, speaking directly to Armalad and finishing with a smile. The princess then turns to face all of the Shields, and says in Common, “My guards will follow you at a distance, as I said, and focus on the recovery of remains and delivering them to the dragon ship for burial. You need only point out particularly important remains as needed. If you need to speak to the guards, they don’t know Surface Common well yet, but Armalad can translate for you.”
Princess Melanie returns Zanderallen’s thanks and then bids the Shields farewell. She, her adviser, and half the guard mount their giant seahorses and dive deep and far under Turtle Lake. The other half of her guard mount their giant seahorses and ride at attention, all looking at Armalad for their cue to follow.
The Shields likewise say their farewells and row back to the dragon ship, board, and Rick, Belba, James and Hasan and his crew get things going again. James had shrunk to only gigantic size once the conversation went on long enough, but Belba once more steps behind Rick and casts a few spells, and Colossal James rides once more on a slipstream of water, towing the sailing/rowing dragon ship at 30 knots/hour once more, heading on that north by northeast direction Bartomus called out from his underwater exploration.
It does not take long before Bartomus calls out, “this is the spot!” and James and the dragon ship slow to a stop some miles north by northeast of the Float. Far enough that the Float is too tiny to be easily seen at this distance except perhaps by Delia’s spyglass. Water diffracts light, but the Shields (and the merfolk guard) are confident the Lake floor is between 80’ and 100’ deep here.
SHIELDS – What, if anything, do you do before diving the Turtle Lake deeps? (OOC – include all spells cast, such as water breathing, etc. and include an OOC line in your post with the names of each recipient, the duration for each recipient, etc. with this spell and with all spells cast)
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 7/38 used d20+14=22 ; Friday April 7th, 2023 9:39:32 AM "Bart - I will need some water breathing before we dive in. Likewise, Delia, you can save the freedom of movement until we know we are close."
Stock puts on his flippers and lashes the borrowed trident to his gear.
======= Sense Motive 22
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+4=17 ; Friday April 7th, 2023 11:37:14 AM
Delia mentally shrugs at Princess Melanie's obvious discomfort, if you're going to talk in front of people, don't be surprised if they understand you at some point.
"Sounds like these noose-reeds are what we ran into. You two's necks will be safe with Freedom of Movement," she nods at Stock and Zanderallen. "And I have some poison prevention prepared. If we're careful and stick together, we should be fine."
She double checks all her gear, especially the borrowed stuff, muttering about crossbows being so much less convenient than bows as she does so. She holds her spells until they are closer to combat so they last as long as possible.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday April 7th, 2023 1:15:38 PM
Stohp thanks the princess for the information she shared. When the turtle makes ready to dive she puts on her helm of underwater action, activating it as soon as her head hits water.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday April 7th, 2023 5:30:51 PM
When the expedition got underway, he scanned the horizon and paid close attention to the route they were taking. When he became more and more certain they were getting close, he signaled that fact to the Captain. Then when he knew they were there, he called out and the water-skipping turtle came to a stop. He looked about and nodded in agreement that this was in fact the place.
"Right Stock, who else needs such a breathing touch? You'll be able to breathe above or under the water. I think I will be going as a water elemental again. That worked last time." Bartomus said to Stock and then turned looking at the rest of the Shields. When those are noted he would ask them to gather about allowing him to touch each of them. Afterward, he would change himself back into a huge water elemental as he slid off of James' shell.
Water Breathing 1st casting of the 2 spell slots. 2 hrs/level - so 30 hours equally divided between those that need it.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Friday April 7th, 2023 8:11:42 PM
It takes a second for Zander to realize what happened, but then comprehension dawns that Armalad was replying to what the Princess thought was a private conversation. He winces a little at the break-down of social convention, but what was one to do? He just bows to the princess as she depart and re-boards the ship. When Bart announces their arrival he takes a few moment to prepare, making sure every piece of his equipment is secure. "I will save one casting for emergencies but Stohp I am going to grant you some protection from poison. It won't stop you from getting poisoned but it will delay any effects for hours." With that he jumps off the side of the boat activated his new helm and feeling the power of his new ring remove any hindrance from being underwater. =============== Spells Cast: Delay Poison on Stohp - Poison does not effect Stohp for 11 hours, at the end of 11 hours any and all poison in her system will immediately take full effect.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Sunday April 9th, 2023 6:51:12 PM
Stohp makes sure all her gear is secured well enough to not float away as they dive.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20=20 ; Monday April 10th, 2023 3:18:41 AM
Armalad says to the princess, "I'm sorry if I've given offense. Let's just say I'm a very cunning linguist and leave it at that. I didn't mean to cause any embarrassment or scandal and I probably could have been more tactful in how I spoke to you. I guess we'll just have to be careful not to let the blood flowers touch us."
Armalad then starts casting her spells.
She puts mage armor on herself and casts waterbreathing and shares it with anyone who wants it.
Mage Armor = +4 AC for 10 hours Water Breathing = 20 hours worth of water breathing, can share up to 9 other people, dividing the duration by those it is shared with
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Monday April 10th, 2023 9:23:39 AM Status: Water Breathing Stock lowers himself into the water. "It's cold today."[/g]
He then dips his face in the water and confirms that he is able to breathe. [b]"Ready to go"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday April 10th, 2023 1:19:34 PM (ooc: forgot Zander got himself a ring of freedom of movement. Stock and Stohp, you will have my 2 casts, since it doesn't help archery.) (We have 50 hours of water breathing, divided among I think 4 who need it?) Water Breathing (some number of hours)
As they are preparing, Delia will take a moment to braid her hair back in preparation for going underwater. She snaps her darkvision goggles on, then follows suit of Stock, pushing past the mental block of inhaling underwater. She double checks her flippers and gloves, then is ready to go.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Monday April 10th, 2023 5:09:45 PM
Zanderallen takes a minute to accustom himself to moving about underwater. He soon gets the hang of thinking himself through the water as the helm magically aid his swimming. He takes some experimental swings marveling as the ring on his finger warms slightly, allowing his arm and blade to swing freely. The air bubble around his head may get stale but he had been assured it would stay breathable. ======================= Spells in effects - Delay Poison - Stohp - 11 hours
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Monday April 10th, 2023 8:54:07 PM
Stock asks for Water Breathing from Bartomus, and asks Delia to delay Freedom of Movement until closer to encountering any Tangle/Reeds.
Delia is at ease despite Melanie’s uncomfortableness. She concludes the “noose-reeds” are what attacked the fisherfolk, and then suggests a battle strategy for protecting Stock and Stohp from the noose-reeds. Delia then goes silent, rifling through her gear, getting it in order.
Stohp thanks Princess Melanie. She then readies her helm of underwater action for the dive.
Bartomus carefully directed the Captains to the correct spot on the Lake for the dive. He agreed to grant Water Breathing at the appropriate time, asking for who else might need it. Once the Shields desiring the magic so indicate, Bartomus grants it, excluding himself, and then wildshapes into a huge water elemental form!
Zanderallen double-takes at Armalad’s sudden conversation with the Princess, only belatedly realizing what must have happened! The conversation finishes, and Zanderallen bows to Princess Melanie and wishes her well. He then secures his equipment following Bartomus offering Water Breathing. Zanderallen then casts Delay Poison on Stohp. (OOC – Duration 11 hours)
Stohp then secures her own gear as well.
Armalad gives Princess Melanie what might pass for an apology among scholars. Princess Melanie smiles in a way that perhaps indicates she in turn has given “scholar’s grace” for the social faux pas before she and her half of the merfolk dive and go on their way. Armalad notes aloud that the best defense against the blood flowers is “don’t be where they’re reaching for!” Armalad then casts Mage Armor on herself, noting that she too, like Bartomus prepared [i]Water Breathing, but agrees to partake from Bartomus’ Water Breathing this time.
(OOC – you’re going down 80-100 feet. Stohp and Zanderallen bought helms and Bartomus is a water elemental, so 30 hours divided by Armalad, Delia, and Stock is 10 hours each, which should be plenty, the Shields hope…)
Stock tests out Bartomus’ Water Breathing and finds it works! He declares himself ready to go.
Delia braids her hair back, to streamline herself for battle! Then she puts her darkvision goggles on and like Stock tests out breathing underwater… it feels unnatural at first, but Delia soon acquaints herself with it. Then she double-checks the flippers and gloves borrowed from Redbow, and declares herself ready.
Zanderallen practices moving around underwater – with the ring of Freedom of Action he finally understands what Stock was tight-lipped about when Stock received Delia’s spell – there is no longer swimming, only walking, running, and “pulling” oneself up or down “stairs” in order to change position, even depth! Could this be… even stranger than flying like a bird the way Armalad often does?
Now that Bartomus has cast Water Breathing the Shields gather on James the Turtle, and all but Bartomus and Zanderallen simply fall backwards into the Lake, allowing the weight and density of their weapons and armor to take them deeper and deeper to the bottom! Bartomus in water form effortlessly follows the lead-weight Shields! Then, any who find themselves too buoyant (due to lack of dense weights) simply grab a hold of Zanderallen, who briefly removes his ring so his full plate quickly drags them to the Lake floor! Sliding his ring back on, Zanderallen regains his balance and those who were too buoyant now have lungs full of water, and so perhaps only occasionally have to grab ahold of Zanderallen or Stock to stay along the Lake floor. The merfolk follow you down, and though most of the Shields are not accustomed to hearing chuckling underwater, there apparently is a way for it to carry, especially in Aquan. Though the Shields find it strange, those not in water elemental form eventually adapt to speaking, after a style – sound distorts quickly underwater… in Common. Zanderallen and Stohp find that with their helm-enabled air bubbles are able to speak Common normally within the bubble and then have their voices retain understanding at a greater distance than those with water-filled lungs such as Delia, Armalad, and Stock. Bartomus realizes he can still cast spells through water-shifting, but lacks any semblance of vocal cords… Bartomus Highlight to display spoiler: {(OOC – if only Bartomus could speak a language designed for such an unusual scenario… like Aquan…)} Armalad Highlight to display spoiler: {finds Aquan to be designed for much more effective use underwater than surface-dweller tongues reliant on air and its vibrations, and} occasionally gives direction to the merfolk in their own language, and for the rest of the Shields, the incomprehensible clicks and water-swishes seem to travel clearer and farther than anyone using Common, even in a magical helm.
(OOC – please roll with it on the underwater communications thing – this is supposed to be an alien environment for surface-dwellers, and magic handles a lot of it, but not all – chalk it up to “DM’s license” for this adventure. Yes, spell-casters can still cast spells normally, given water breathing, helms, etc. – enunciating the words is more important than whether anyone can hear you.)
The trip down leads the Shields, or at least some of the Shields, once more into the alien depths… the brightness of the sun begins to lessen some, though perhaps 100 feet of depth is but a drop in the bucket compared to the deeps of Turtle Lake wherein the merfolk dwell, and the sahuagin were fought. Occasional boulders along the Lake floor cast large shadows, making Delia and Stock happy to be able to see into it. Other than the Reeds, and perhaps these mythical blood flowers, and the sahuagin, the Lake simply hasn’t had that many predators that would attack people – plenty up and down the fish food chain, but without the midnight depths of the Wold’s oceans, well, this is “easy.” Bartomus leads the way, as best as water-in-water can lead, making currents to signal the path this way and that… but soon enough the now-lessened remnants of viscera still point out the gruesome final journey of Edvards, Nuria, Triggan, and Jerma…
There’s a lot of seaweed, kelp, and other vegetation down here, but with Bartomus retracing his “swims,” soon the Shields stand, float, or otherwise are present looking ahead at what Bartomus found the other day.
Bartomus Highlight to display spoiler: {”recalls discovering what may or may not be some kind of… underwater plant-town(?)… or maybe a plant-building or two amongst a building-complex-like weed/reed forest?” and then internally hmms at not being able to talk or yell to alert the shields and begins pondering “water sign language,” perhaps directing a sudden current (pushing someone lightly with a watery arm) towards a desired destination, or pushing a seaweed forest over, flattening the terrain in a specific path… but what would be best for what Bartomus wants to tell the group from time to time? (OOC – Rod, this is an opportunity for Bartomus to “play charades” with the Shields when he wants to give them direction – run with it!)}
The Shields see amongst the reedy and seaweedy “forests” along the Lake floor some… structures (?) if they can be called that – huge, irregular “domes” that could be called “woven” of reeds and the like, some rising 20 feet from the Lake floor, still far below the surface some 95 feet above your heads. The trail of viscera has increased slightly… a sign of the water’s wear on the corpses… or of the Reeds… playing with… or even eating… stomachs try to churn at the thought, but the Shields are made of sterner stuff than that… aren’t they?
The merfolk, never having met any of the victims, all manage to turn their heads in time to avoid having a severe reaction, but the Shields can tell (Sense Motive DC 15) Highlight to display spoiler: { that for these merfolk, battlefield carnage… is maybe a bit new – Princess Melanie may have left the most inexperienced guards with the Shields since they were just on corpse recovery duty it seems.}
(OOC – SHIELDS please include in your next posts whether your Shield has a sterner stomach even in the face of the mounting realization that you’re looking at strewn bits of some Lads and of Fabricia’s husband and daughter, or whether your Shield is new to such alien undersea horror and perhaps has a stomach not-so-sternly-resistant. This is a roleplaying choice, not a saving throw, but each Shield does have a reaction – describe it, please!)
SHIELDS, having recovered, in your own way, from the gruesomely increasing amount of viscera-decorated carnage, you see before you the trail of viscera leads towards a…. complex (?) of reedy mounds… either one mega-mound with multiple chambers, or multiple chambers that have grown together serendipitously. The trail then seems to stop about 30 feet from the complex. There are other, disconnected, mounds off to the left and the right, about three on each side.
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20=6 ; Monday April 10th, 2023 11:01:25 PM
Sense Motive: 6
Armalad is oblivious to the merfolk's reactions or what might be their impetus for having them.
Armalad, herself is not a stranger to the dead, having served with the palace guards and being an academic had attended her fair share of dissections. The state of the viscera is somewhat disturbing though. Dealing with a dead body from combat or dissection things are usually more or less whole unless the person's cause of death was something spectacular or certain spells were cast on a corpse. She doesn't gag or retch or anything but she doesn't dwell too hardly on what particularly she is seeing.
Armalad asks the others, "Should we investigate those chambers off to the side before investigating the massive reed structure or circle back to them later?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday April 11th, 2023 7:11:30 AM
Stohp has been to the murky depths of the lake before and adjusts quickly to the oddities of underwater conversation and navigation. Similarly she has seen pllenty of corpses, both friend and stranger, in plenty of terrible states. She is not disturbed by the status of the corpses - rather she is disturbed by them being here at all.
"It's been most of a day. If the creatures attacked merely for food then their would not be all these traces left. Heck regular fish should have come along and eaten all of this by now. Whatever is going on it's no simple predator attack, and it ls likely keeping wild animals from this area."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Tuesday April 11th, 2023 8:56:39 AM Status: Water Breathing Stock starts talking too loudly at first, not used to the effect of the water. He then shakes his head and brings it down to a more normal level. "It's just sad really. I was holding out hope that the victims were somehow going to be ok." True to his word, Stock's reaction is just sadness.
"My old campaigner instincts are to go for the smaller buildings first. Let's go right of the trail first." He looks to the other Shields to agree before leading the way forward.
"Delia - It feels like we're close enough now for Freedom of Movement. What do you think?" ----------- Sense Motive Autopass +14
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+10=27 ; d20+16=17 ; Tuesday April 11th, 2023 11:02:04 AM
Bartomus nodded and extended the spell to those that needed it and then slipped into the water. He changed into a moving whirl of water and found himself laughing. Or, at least he thought that was what he was doing. He looked over at the fins of the turtle and down at the diving Shields and Merfolk. He smiled and dropped down ahead of them and started pointing the way forward. He wasn't really certain that they could see him. He moved his hands but realized eventually he didn't have hands. Then he tried shouting again...what exactly did water elementals sound like, he then thought to himself.
"Think, think, think," the Taur turned Waterwhirl on a huge scale said aloud. Whether that came out in anything audible he had no clue and suspected that swirls of water rising may have been all that occurred.
Then he had an idea. He tried tapping one of the shields with a small ripple of swirling water and did the same to one of the merfolk. Then when it seemed he might have the helmed Shield, was it Stohp, had to be. He spun out two vortexes in the direction of where they had to go. He sent one forward. Then he moved forward and sent that one forward again. Then sent the second one ahead of the first. He looked about, would that still be over his shoulder he wondered. Eventually, the merfolk caught on and it appeared so did the Shields. He continued this approach to lead the shields along the lake bed. However, leading those underwater with water in the murky dark was a challenge. Without a doubt, someone started wandering slightly off and he found himself moving water whirls forward for one group, then gently pushing the wayward adventurer back in the right direction.
He picked up the initial sight of one of the viscerated fisher folk and used that grisly lodestone to direct everyone further along. He then saw a couple of initial forms that were the outskirts of the reed village, if that is what it would be called. The path of remains continued onward and he brought the two whirlpools together and tilted them to create a pointing set of streams towards the direction they still needed to go. When the two streams met, they canceled each other out.
"Don't cross the streams, apparently" He said aloud and tapped one of the merfolk gently who was avoiding looking at the increased gore and swimming in the wrong direction as a result. He was pretty sure that this merfolk had turned a deeper shade of greenish blue than the others. But, come to think of it, they were all a bit green about the gills and whatnot. It was vile, there was no doubt about that. But, sadly, he had seen worse, a lot worse. He sent forward a new water whirl and continued onward.
He stopped at the point where the center of the village if that is what it would be called seemed to rise up off the lakeshore. He took some time to focus on the reeds from his vantage point. But, got distracted, seriously distracted by one of the merfolk that was desperately trying to keep themselves together as they seemed wide-eyed, even more so for them, at one of the ghost white pieces of flesh. He moved over to that terrified fishlad and gently created a swirl of currents to move him, if not his eyes over to the much bigger problem they were facing. He managed to at least hear what the others were saying. He wasn't sure what was the best approach, so stayed focused on the shell-shocked merfolk.
Sense motive 27; Perception 17 which means Bartomus rolled a 1 for that check at the trail's end.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 d20+21=39 ; Tuesday April 11th, 2023 1:59:48 PM
As they follow the little whirlpools across the lake floor Zander speak up, adjusting his voice mid statement as he adjusts to the underwater echo, "GOOD THInking, Bart. Now we just have to go with the flow."
As they come across the trail of viscera his stomach knots up, back in the early days it was nausea, but now it's anger. Anger at something that would just leave bits of the victims strewn across the lake bed. "What kind of monster just tears apart people for fun? If a predator had eaten them I could have understood, still would have tried to drive it off, but this... this is evil."
He notes the reaction of their guard, definitely would be keeping them out of harms way. No reason for more kids to get killed by whatever was down here, "If you gentle merfolk would like to hang back, I'd hate for any of you to fall to these creatures. We can handle it from here and call you back when we're finished."
"I agree Stock, check some of these outer buildings to get a sense of what we're up against, before becoming trapped inside. Lead on" ============== Sense Motive 39
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+4=21 ; Tuesday April 11th, 2023 4:24:37 PM
Violent death is not new to her. She has dealt it to many and seen it dealt to many. But still... Delia reflexively reaches to touch Hawky for comfort, realizing too late that she left him stationed above the surface on the boat. She would not feel confident in his safety in these depths. The faces of Triggan and Jerma flash into her mind, and the faces of many others who didn't deserve to die such a savage death. She glances at the Merfolk, sensing their discomfort, but glad that others moved to comfort them as she wouldn't know what to say even while not grieving herself.
She agrees that investigating the outer "buildings" is the safest best. "Hold... on...." she burbles out, then makes a face at the thick feel of speaking through water. She swims to Stock, carefully casting Freedom of Movement (120 minutes) and then moving to do the same on Stohp (also 120 minutes).
================== Sense Motive: 21
(Freedom of Movement (abridged): This spell enables you or a creature you touch to move and attack normally for the duration of the spell. You cannot be grappled (but you can still grapple) and you auto-succeed any checks to escape a grapple. The spell also allows the subject to move and attack normally while underwater, even with slashing or bludgeoning weapons, provided that the weapon is wielded in the hand rather than hurled.)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday April 11th, 2023 9:27:52 PM
Armalad and Joker wait to hear what the others have to say. (OOC: checking in)
Underwater Plan-Weaving (DM Wayne) Tuesday April 11th, 2023 10:02:32 PM
Armalad sees the merfolk turning their heads away from the viscera, but thinks little of it. She mentally notes the unsettling presence of the viscera of Floatizens, but summons her academic training to avoid losing her lunch over it though she takes care not to dwell on the viscera beyond what may be necessary. Armalad gathers in close enough for her fellow Shields to “hear” her ask whether the Shields should investigage the mounds separate and to the sides, or follow the trail into the mound-complex (“moundplex?”).
Stohp relies upon her prior underwater expeditions and instinctively adjusts her positioning and manner of speaking based on her lessons learned. Jaded by past battles, the bodies of foe, friend, and bystander alike, her stomach is made of sterner stuff and she remains focused on the mission. Stohp, having already drawn near to the Shields and heard Armalad’s question, and adds, from her air-filled helmet, her observation that if the attack was truly about hunger, then every scrap would have been eaten, leaving virtually no trail. She speculates that normal fish are likely giving this area a wide berth.
Stock at first begins speaking like he’s on the surface, and then quickly realizes water, not air, is flowing in and out of his lungs whenever he tries to speak. Making adjustments, he too draws close to the Shields and notes his sadness that it’s clear now that all of the taken must be dead. Stock suggests the Shields go towards the smaller mounds on the right first, and then waits to see how his friends react. Then Stock asks Delia if now might be a good time for Freedom of Movement. Stock briefly considers the behavior of the merfolk and mentally makes astute observations.
Bartomus cast Water Breathing on the three Shields that need it and then slipped into water elemental form, and into Turtle Lake, down, down, down… realizing along the way that communicating with the Shields was going to be difficult without being skilled in alternative ways of making sounds underwater, especially speech sounds! Bartomus experimented with moving his Huge arms to make watery vortices that made Shields and merfolk alike feel like a directed current was “pushing” them without actually moving them, and soon caught on to Bartomus’ lead. Bartomus led the group past unfortunate landmarks of viscera he’d passed by the other day, and onwards until they reached their destination, guided by the “water-rails” Bartomus created for any whose swimming became misaligned. He saw concerning reactions from the merfolk, perhaps due to the scattered viscera, and focused on helping them keep it together while listening to the Shields strategize.
Zanderallen, too, follows Bartomus’s whirly vortices, and then speaks, with ease because of the air bubble, but with strangeness as his voice leaves the air bubble and enters the Lake! He congratulates Bartomus for finding a way to keep the group on course. As the viscera continued and led to the “moundtown,” Zanderallen’s stomach knotted up, not with the pain of a novice to battle, strife, and death, but with anger at the fate the monstrous plants visited upon the Floatizens. Zanderallen too, falls in agreement with Stohp, that hungry beasts, or monstrous plants, wouldn’t be too picky about what they ate – wild beasts in forests will clean a carcass down to the bone, with vultures to eat anything inedible… could these monstrous plants find part of people to be inedible? Zanderallen’s anger boils up, and he is convinced this type of killing is evil, not just for food. He observes the behavior of the merfolk and resolves that Princess Melanie was right – recovery of corpses is all that they should perform on this mission.
Zanderallen asks the merfolk to hang back, but they seem puzzled by his words. It is then that Zanderallen recalls that Princess Melanie said Armalad would be the one to tell the merfolk anything.
Shaking his head, Zanderallen moves near Stock and speaks his agreement with Stock’s plan, while gesturing for Armalad to come closer.
Delia is a ranger through and through – huntswoman that she is, in her training, and in helping others, she is no stranger to gutting fish for the frying pan or preparing and dressing an animal for roasting over an open flame… but this… perhaps this was for food, but she too senses something alien about the HUNGER of the monstrous plants, and reflexively reaches to Hawky for comfort, and then recalls he’s still above-water at the dragon-ship. The scattered viscera cause the faces of Triggan and Jerma to flash through her mind, among others. Delia notices the discomfort of the merfolk and is pleased by Bartomus’ wordless water vortices drawing their attention away from the viscera, saving her from public speaking. Delia agrees with Stock and Zanderallen that starting with the surrounding buildings would be best. She begins to speak, but is fumbletongued at first, unconsciously realizing that the glides and nasals of the Common tongue change significantly when your lungs and mouth are filled with water. She adapts her mouth and tongue movements as she swims over to Stock and then Stohp, not too far away as everyone had gathered to “speak,” and casts Freedom of Movement on each of them.
(OOC – 120 minutes on each)
With Zanderallen, Stock, and Delia aligned on heading to the three smaller, separate buildings to the right, the Shields agree to search the outskirts before perhaps going into the monstrous plants’ den!
Zanderallen takes a moment to have Armalad explain to the merfolk that they are to hide here at this vantage point until the Shields tell them to come in for corpse recovery, and Armalad does so, speaking the merfolk’s tongue once more!
Considering the whole “moundtown,” the Shields observe essentially a line of seven mounds, with the central one being the larger “moundplex” of them all, and the other six being single spherical mounds of approximately 50’ in diameter with some having a rough circular opening on the side facing you, and the others the Shields may have to swim around to find the opening. The “moundplex” is decidedly less-round, and yet not quite a square or rectangle, perhaps “four sides and a flat roof” is as much as can be said about it.
On the right, the two closest mounds do not have an opening facing you, and the rightmost mound does have an opening facing you, though it’s beyond darkvision range from your vantage point, so only those with lowlight vision can see what might be some kind of back wall… and empty space in-between? At this distance, you guess that opening is a lot closer to 10’ by 10’ than 5’ by 5’. Non-water-elemental Taurs might have to do some ducking, and water-elemental Taurs might have to “squeeze,” though that’s a much easier task when you’re made of water!
SHIELDS – 1) Please declare a “swimming order” (though three of you with Freedom of Movement are entitled to march!).
**and**
2) Pick your first mound on the **right**:
A) Nearest to “moundplex.” (more scouting required to find entrance) B) Between small mounds. (more scouting required to find entrance) C) Farthest from “moundplex.” (opening is visible from your vantage point)
MoundTown?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday April 12th, 2023 7:41:13 AM
Having proven capable of literally tying the enemy in knots and being very mobile with her helmet Stohp swims towards the front, 2nd or 3rd in line. She indicates the mound with the visible entrance as her choice.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday April 12th, 2023 9:34:52 AM Status: Water breathing, Freedom of Movement Stock takes up his position as the vanguard. He gets out his flail and tests it in the water before pushing forward toward the mound with the opening.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=17 ; Wednesday April 12th, 2023 12:26:35 PM
Bartomus looked at each of the mounds and then over at his fellow Shields. He tried talking and saw merely a strand of swirling bubbles. He made a note of where Stohp and Stock started to move to and looked over at Zander to see if he was going upfront or not. He would fall in somewhere in that front to middle portion as best as he could without pulling or pushing everyone about. He tried using a tiny whirl of water and bubbles to point to the same mound that Stohp was pointing at.
Perception - rolled a one to get 16 - second now.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=48 ; Wednesday April 12th, 2023 2:56:45 PM {Swim speed 30ft, Darkvision, Water Breathing}
Delia takes her bow out and then follows after Stohp. She gravitates towards the front since she will need to be close to use her bow in the lake.
She keeps a watchful eye out for any nearby plant clusters, whether they look hungry, sentient, or otherwise. She also takes a moment to attune to the natural rhythms of the underwater terrain so that she can be alert to any changes in that rhythm.
========================= Perception: 48 (nat 20 to balance out Bart lol)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Wednesday April 12th, 2023 3:05:16 PM
Zander gestures to the opening they can see, thinking they'd work their way in from the outside. Being on of the less hindered by being underwater from his magic items he takes rearguard. "If we need more light I can cast Daylight on something. I would guess it might draw some attention though."
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Wednesday April 12th, 2023 11:24:36 PM
Stohp points toward the rightmost mound, with the visible entrance, as she moves into the 2nd or 3rd position in line.
Stock moves into the front of the lines, testing his flail along the way… which seems much happier being free to move…
Bartomus once more tried to speak, but if only he knew a language designed for underwater use… he manages some incomprehensible clicks and is glad no dolphins are nearby to chuckle over his attempts to use their clicks as some kind of simplified underwater language. He saw Stock and Stohp moving towards the rightmost mound, and then looked to see if Zanderallen was following them, and sees Zanderallen taking rear guard in the Shields’ formation, so Bartomus settles into the middle behind Stohp, once more sending gentle vortices to guide all of the Shields towards where Stock was leading them. Bartomus looks around a bit, and is quickly satisfied that no monstrous plants are coming to attack them.
Delia draws her bow as she swims after Stohp, not easily seeing Bartomus in water form, but once Delia attempts to take a position alongside Stohp, or perhaps back and to either side of Stohp, and then the “heavy water” becomes much more noticeable to her, and the gentle guiding vortices start up again, assuring her that she swims alongside and between Stohp and Bartomus. Delia has a keen eye out for any monstrous plant attackers, but sees none… for now.
Zanderallen has taken rear guard, flexing his unhindered underwater fighting ability, and suggests that he could cast Daylight if it was wise.
Armalad silently swims into a middle-front position parallel to Delia, gripping Second Elder’s Wrath as if her life depended on it, with Joker following just behind.
(OOC - SHIELDS’ northern (of the Float) cross formation:
Stock Stohp Delia and Bartomus and Armalad Zanderallen
(with Delia and Armalad alert for opportunities to “swim up” alongside Stohp for a better shot))
The northern cross stalks the Lake floor, and at times swims a few feet above it, as within three minutes the Shields arrive at the first mound. No monstrous plants to greet them it seems.
The rightmost mound is about a 50’ diameter hemisphere, with a 25’ high “ceiling.” The walls and ceiling of this dome appear to be made entirely from a mix of seaweed, reeds, kelp, and various other plant fibers. Gasps aren’t very audible when they’re from water instead of air, but nonetheless the superb natural knowledge of Armalad, Bartomus, and Delia causes each of the three to at lease pause in admiration of the organic structure and its architecture… and perhaps wonder if anyone on the Float could put this knowledge to use making underwater structures on the Lake floor directly beneath the Float.
Stock is at the front, and with his Darkvision he can see clearly inside… in black and white. Delia too, but being perhaps 10’ back can’t quite make out the farthest wall. Likewise Armalad with low-light vision can see fully inside, and in color, despite being perhaps 10’ back from Stock.
The three can all see that this mound appears empty, though someone or thing could hide just on the other side of the walls immediately around the opening. In the center are three smaller rectangular mounds arranged in a triangular formation, but without the sides touching at corners. Various small mounds are around each larger mound as kinds of concave “bowls” though empty of contents. This mound appears to have a purpose, though no visible occupants as of yet, at least while the Shields stand and float outside the 10’ by 10’ opening.
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=34 ; d3=3 ; d20+24=30 ; d20+20=36 ; d20+12=13 ; d20+12=26 ; d20+12=31 ; d20+10=24 ; d20+10=24 ; d20+10=21 ; d20+10=29 ; d20+10=29 ; d20+18=38 ; d20+13=19 ; d20+4=20 ; Wednesday April 12th, 2023 11:49:07 PM
Armalad and Joker study the mound and the opening, drawing upon their senses and their breadth of knowledge. Any insight they discover they will share with the group. Armalad also casts detect magic and turns her 60 foot magic detecting cone in the direction of the mound if it reaches.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday April 13th, 2023 8:05:47 AM
An empty mound. Stohp wonders if most of these are empty and how long it will take to check them all.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday April 13th, 2023 9:08:55 AM "Are these noose-reed houses? Or maybe some underwater creature's home that's been taken over?" she asks, quietly as the underwater echo allows.
She continues to stay alert to threats outside of the hut as her allies focus on the hut itself.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=33 ; Thursday April 13th, 2023 12:23:26 PM "We might have to change the name of this place from Moundtown to Mound-Ghost Town.
Rectangles and triangles are hardly shapes of nature..."
Stock enters the mound, staying just inside the entryway, and his eyes track left to right across the "room", finally settling on the various mounds and bowls of different shapes and orientations. He touches the wall of the mound and notes any reaction to his contact. ======= Perception 33, looking around
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+7=15 ; d20+16=29 ; Thursday April 13th, 2023 4:36:48 PM "Pretty Impressive," Bartomus said allowed, but all that came out was swirls of water and bubbles. He wasn't paying attention to those but rather lost in thought with the other nature-oriented members of the party looking at the weaving done to create the mound in front of them and presumably the others as well.
When Stock headed into the mound, Bartomus followed floating behind and above the dwarf.
Knowledge Nature for 15 looking at the mound and convex weavings; Perception 29 - entering the building above and behind Stock
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Thursday April 13th, 2023 10:39:09 PM
Armalad and Joker consider the mound and the opening, searching their minds for some clue that will trigger productive academic analyses. Then Armalad casts Detect Magic and begins scanning in the direction of the mound, the 60’ cone reaching just shy of the far wall. No magic detected right now, including in the triangular formation of the three smaller rectangular mounds. (OOC – since we’re in posts (and not combat, yet) please feel free to describe up to 10 rounds (1 minute of that precious Freedom of Movement duration on Armalad’s friends) of Detect Magic use per post.) While they’re thinking, Armalad and Joker continue to expand their admiration of the construction/growing techniques and/or spells that must have been needed to make plants grow in this seemingly artificial way, or were they all bound together like ropes, twined about each other? The plants certainly, with the Detect Magic not registering them as magical, are either conjured or are simply real seaweed, reeds, and kelp. Armalad, as a scholar, often frequents whatever passes for a library in the Float – the WLA’s files, the Star Mages Guild, and anywhere else that membership or a non-member price can buy access to knowledge… and she has not read or heard of anything like this… it seems within the realm of Druidic magic… perhaps Bartomus may know something, some specific spell or ritual, she thinks to herself.
Stohp jumps to the conclusion the mound is empty – there’s a lot of evidence to back that up, but no one has yet poked their head through the doorway to check behind the immediate walls surrounding the opening – perhaps sahuagin are even now floating to the sides and above the opening… no, even underwater, she’d have smelled their oily-fish smell by now!
Delia wonders aloud, as aloud as expelling and vibrating water can be loud, whether this is a mound for the Reeds, or a mound for another that’s been taken over, and then returns to being astonishingly aware of the Shields’ surroundings. No threats yet.
Stock wonders whether this is a “ghost town,” and then muses that regular shapes aren’t a thing Nature likes to do… at least not often… Stock steps inside the mound, stopping in the opening itself, and scans the whole interior, confirming Stohp’s suspicion that it’s empty of antagonists… thus far. His gaze settles on the center of the interior, pondering its implied geometry, and then touches the wall and… it’s a wall made of entwined lengths of reeds, seaweed, and kelp. A seemingly artificial structure made solely out of natural materials. Stock’s keen Darkvision assures him that nothing’s here… unless it’s made of water like Bartomus, or hidden in some way…
Bartomus is impressed by the natural materials in an unnatural configuration. He is further impressed that it’s not just one mound, but a “mound town.” Bartomus then followed above and behind Stock, creating an area of somewhat thickened water around Stohp, but Bartomus chooses not to occupy her space, allowing his water-elemental-self to stretch and elongate as needed. Bartomus begins to wonder whether the structure was crafted… or spell-crafted, that is, conjured, non-magical reeds and seaweed and kelp summoned from some other plane or elsewhere on the Wold. While he muses about those possibilities, he too scans around the mound, using his elemental body-granted Darkvision, and sees what Stock sees – nothing but the mound, the triangular arrangement of rectangular mounds in the center… and then Stock touches the wall! Bartomus half-flinches, suddenly expecting the mound to be a cunning trap, a giant vine-monster that comes alive and swallows the Shields whole in its “mouth” of rotating razor-sharp teeth! But, no such luck. The mound is the mound… today… now.
Zanderallen brings up the rear, but lacking aid to his sight, realizes it’s a bit dark in there… thinks about his one Daylight spell, but, seeing no fracas, vortices, or other clues to battle, instead focuses on watching out for a Reedy attack from the rear…
Once it’s clear that Stock is not immediately slaughtered by Reeds, Armalad moves up to scan better inside with her Detect Magic, and confirms to the Shields that there’s nothing magic here, and agrees with Stock that there’s nothing moving around inside. The triangular pattern is artificial though, and perhaps academically intriguing for long-term study… if the Shields weren’t on a mission, and a slightly-less-than-two-hours-timer on those pesky Freedom of Movement spells…
Stohp takes stock, and notes that it’s taken the Shields 3 minutes to get here from the vantage point, and 2 minutes of poking around. 5 minutes. She thinks about the whole “mound town” layout and guesstimates that if everything was empty, perhaps another 25 minutes or so for the smaller mounds, and who knows for the moundplex – is it one big chamber inside, or a series of them? Still, barring strange occurrences, the 2-hour duration of the Freedom of Movement spells should be plenty… oh, better allow for time to call the merfolk to transport the corpses, of course…
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=28 ; d20+24=32 ; d20+24=34 ; Thursday April 13th, 2023 11:29:24 PM
Armalad says, "Should we proceed to the next outer reed complex or go directly to mound town?"
To Bartomus she asks, "Could some druidic ritual or magic have convinced these reeds to assemble in this way?"
Whatever her companions decide to do she keeps her magic detecting cone at the ready and her eyes peeled.
Perception: 28 Know[Arcana]: 32 Spellcraft: 34
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday April 14th, 2023 7:58:33 AM "We might as well make a thorough search. Check each in turn. This one is empty, but we don't want to leave an ambush of enemies waiting to sneak up from behind if one of these groups of mounds has them."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Friday April 14th, 2023 8:42:20 AM "Agreed, Stohp. Better safe than sorry. And, we need to make sure we don't miss any."
She continues to be on high alert.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Friday April 14th, 2023 3:59:16 PM
Waiting in the rear sometimes made things drag, and sometimes it meant you got to hang out and enjoy the ominous lake floor while your friends inspected the eerie plant mound. "I agree, we can sweep out this side quickly before heading to the central mound. At the very least it will give us a known safe retreat path if things go south."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=17 ; Friday April 14th, 2023 4:05:37 PM
Bartomus did a quick swim about the mound and shot out and over Stohp back out to where the rest of the Shields were talking. He sent a little vortex to the next mound on the same side and made his way over to it.
He waited for one of the other Shields to catch up and kept glancing at the next mound, but also tried to find the other Shields who were coming to inspect this second mound.
Perception - yep, watery Bartomus is distracted apparently as he rolled a one for the perception for a total of 17
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Saturday April 15th, 2023 9:29:18 PM
Armalad queries the group on where to go next. She then asks Bartomus whether druidic magic could have created these mounds. Armalad maintains her Detect Magic and continues sweeping while awaiting her replies. Bartomus and other Shields light up with the magic of their gear and occasional spells, so Detect Magic is functioning… just not finding anything within this mound.
Stohp suggests it would be best to check all of them, just to guard against later ambushes, if any.
Delia agrees with Stohp, continuing to be on high alert.
Zanderallen marveled at the Lake floor while listening to his companions strategize. He then agrees with Stohp and Delia to check the last two mounds on this side before proceeding into the moundplex.
Bartomus swims around the empty mound quickly, absorbed in observing its details and completely ignoring Armalad’s question directed to him. He then swims back outside and starts sending vortices towards the next mound, somewhat impatiently waiting for the other Shields to follow. Then perhaps all these vortices turned him about one too many times, because it took him a while to realize he was looking in the wrong direction for the Shields! He re-orients himself and waits patiently for the Shields to follow his vortex-walk.
Stock keeps staring at various places in this mound in turn, but finally convinces himself that it truly is empty, of all but water, despite the unnatural geometry.
The Shields soon agree with Stohp’s plan and find Bartomus’ vortices pointing the way to the next mound. Knowing that this side of moundtown only had the one visible entrance, the Shields exit the rightmost mound via its one “southern” entrance, and go clockwise around the outside, through the “alley” between this mound and the next one, and see that the next mound has a “northern” opening but the mound closest to the moundplex doesn’t, leaving its “east” and “west” as remaining possibilities.
This second-rightmost mound’s round opening is also about 10’ by 10’ and open to the Lake as well. As the Shields round the bend from the second-rightmost’s “east” to its “north” they no longer have the advantage of approaching from straight-on to see directly inside.
Armalad senses no magic on the exterior wall of this mound.
This mound, like the other hemispherical mounds, is likewise made of woven reeds, seaweed and kelp.
From your current approach, those with darkvision and low-light vision can only see a diagonal swath about 5’ deep into the opening – no sign of trouble, yet…
SHIELDS – what is your battle/exploration plan for this mound?
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=30 ; Sunday April 16th, 2023 3:46:42 PM
Bartomus turned back to the second mound in their exploration and looked about as water elements might - did that mean turning around or did they just shift front for back and back for front? He would have to ask one of the Shields about that when they were topside next.
He looked over the mound and the opening. Studied it closely. Then if he felt it was not a threat, he would push forward and enter the room. Any odd feeling would have him spin a vortex in some fashion to warn the rest of the Shields.
Perception 30 - if seems safe, he's going to pull a Stock and go on in. If not, try to warn everyone.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=18 ; Sunday April 16th, 2023 10:54:02 PM
Stohp lets the others investigate the hut, keeping an eye out as best she can for other enemies (perception 18)
Armalad continues to look around using her magic detecting cone and senses looking for anything strange or threatening.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=35 ; Monday April 17th, 2023 8:52:55 AM Status: Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement
Stock bustles into the new mound in front again. He adjusts his spectacles and scans the inside of the mound.
======= Perception 35
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=31 ; Monday April 17th, 2023 9:18:14 AM
Delia swims up next to Stohp and keeps watch with her. "I hope nothing is in the third hut. But I also hope there is. This waiting... it's making me nervous," she mutters. Most new terrains she can find her way through, but underwater is finally odd enough to slightly unnerve her and bring out some agitation.
Perception: 31
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Monday April 17th, 2023 9:54:42 PM
Bartomus, feeling his water-oats, as it were, swims ahead of the Shields speedily, darting this way and that to “look” around the mound and its entrance. Then, peeking waterly around the opening, Bartomus’ Darkvision judges the coast to be clear and he enters…
Stohp Freely Moves to a spot near the Mound entrance, and then stands guard, watching for ambushes.
Armalad likewise stands guard while swimming forward, attempting to gain an arc of vision that will enable her senses and Detect Magic to peer into the opening. Her swimming is not only not as fast as Bartomus’, but also not as fast as those empowered with Freedom of Movement to hustle, nay, to run on the Lake floor. Joker is also not as fast as Bartomusm but is fast enough to playfully swim backwards just a bit faster than Armalad swims forward. Armalad realizes she is the only Shield without a magical swimming or movement aid of some kind that functions underwater, as Delia casually and easily swims past Armalad, almost as fast as Joker.
Stock has likewise left Armalad in the metaphorical dust, Freely Running up to and into the mound’s entrance, scanning around.
Delia swims to a point perhaps 10’ short of Stohp, Free Running being faster than the swimming granted by the flippers, and likewise begins keeping watch. She has been practicing “speaking” underwater, and though it feels to Delia like shouting, she is just now barely able to make herself heard clearly, without distortion, to Stohp, perhaps helped by Stohp’s head being inside a bubble of air… the Lake floor has earth, plants, even tall enough plants one might mistake some for small “trees” in height… but still the mostly-silent stillness… the water moving in and out of her lungs without drowning her… at some level Delia would give much to be on the surface again, away from this alien land… sea… scape, with the distorted sun so far above this undersea Wold…
Zanderallen continues to guard the back, Freely Running until to go further would place Armalad at the rear of the group, and then he stops, seeing Stock race inside ahead, and tenses himself for possible battle.
Bartomus and Stock, both inside this new mound, find yet another empty space inside, but this time there are but two rectangular mounds, long sides in parallel, in the center of the mound. Each rectangular mound in this chamber is approximately 10’ long by 5’ wide, and there is a kind of humanoid shape made of reeds, seaweed, and kelp lying on each rectangular mound. Approaching closer, Bartomus and Stock, each with Darkvision, see the eerie black and white image of empty “eye sockets,” and openings moreso than mouths, with purely empty space within. It is almost like a reedy humaniform body, yet hollow inside as though it were a suit of reedy armor. Curiouser and curiouser…
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=37 ; d20+24=44 ; d20+24=28 ; Monday April 17th, 2023 10:02:10 PM
Armalad says to the others, "I can hardly move compared to the rest of you. I don't suppose anyone has a freedom of movement spell so I could catch up to the rest of you easier."
Armalad makes her way slowly inside the mound. If she can't see anything she'll cast light on the underwater bow. If she can reach what Bart and Stock sees she wants to examine it.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday April 18th, 2023 6:59:02 AM
As the others tell what they've found Stohp considers. "It sounds like these things are being stored for later use. Either to be worn by some group of people, or activated by some kind of magic. It might be worth trying to take apart the reed things."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Tuesday April 18th, 2023 8:30:11 AM
Stock moves up to the reedy humanoid shape and pokes it with the handle end of his flail. He is curious if it holds its shape or is more flexible like a fabric and whether it regains its shape if it gets distorted
"Can anybody tell if these are magical?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday April 18th, 2023 8:48:21 AM
At the report of what's in there, Delia grimaces, "What is here that is trying to imitate humanoids?"
Delia cannot offer magical assistance to Armalad, but she does offer to pull the other archer along with her as she swims if it would speed them up at all. (light load is only 133lbs, currently carrying ~35lbs of gear, but idk how heavy Armalad+stuff is or how underwater would impact weight calculations)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Tuesday April 18th, 2023 3:13:50 PM
Upon hearing what is inside the building Zanderallen hustles up to the front entrance, "I need to see this." Zanderallen starts to concentrate and sweeps the room and the reed bodies? with Detect Evil
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=33 ; d20+7=22 ; Tuesday April 18th, 2023 3:58:46 PM
Bartomus rolled his eyes, if water elementals have actual eyes, as Stock came rushing into the room. He chuckled and then looked over the dwarf's shoulder, which actually wasn't all that difficult, in either elemental or Taur form. The suit of reedware was what he had seen something moving about in on his first visit. He swirled about it and studied it closely. He could see that it was hollow and that got him wondering if in fact there was something else at play down here. He started making a mental catalog of the size of creatures that could fit into that reedware.
Perception 33 on the reedware; Knowledge nature for some insight into the potential wearers of the suit for 22
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Tuesday April 18th, 2023 10:43:03 PM
Armalad asks for magical aid with swimming, so she doesn’t have to be reliant on the kindness of Shields… She manages to struggle-swim to a point 30’ from the entrance and 20’ from Delia, seeing a narrow swath inside with her low-light vision, which is good because she hasn’t yet had time to cast light, having done all that swimming! None of the Shields are able to help her, but then Joker comes close, and whispers in the strange tongue of the merfolk, ARMALAD ONLY Highlight to display spoiler: {”You ok slowpoke? Boss-woman, me thought you messed up only taking the bow from the table of stuff. Look in pack. Me got you stuff!” You feel Joker open the top of your pack, rummage around, and then Joker swims in front of you, holding some gloves and flippers towards you. You recognize these as Gloves of Climbing & Swimming and most importantly, Swimming Flippers like the ones Delia is wearing.}. Joker opens Armalad’s pack, retrieving some items, and then swims just in front of her, offering her the items. (OOC Perception DC 15, if you’re outside with Armalad Highlight to display spoiler: {Joker appears to have retrieved a set of gloves and flippers.})
Stohp muses aloud about what these plant-humaniform “bodies”/”armors” might be for, and suggests the Shields might want to take one apart.
Stock moves closer and pokes it with his flail’s handle. The plant-humaniform holds its shape, as though a tightly-woven basket, giving only slightly in comparison to the strength in Stock’s legendary thews. He then moves back out to the entrance, and uses his water-filled lungs to ask the Shields for someone to check it for magic. Stohp, in an air bubble, can hear him and the air bubble creating a slight megaphone effect (heard out to 10’ instead of 5’), Stohp is able to relay this question to the other Shields.
Delia hears Stohp’s report from Stock, and grimaces at… an invasion of plant-people? No, too silly… or is it? Delia offers to help tow Armalad. Then Joker shows something to Armalad from Armalad’s pack. Delia considers the physics of one swimmer trying to tow another. (OOC – good news, buoyancy means weight is little issue… but weight brings inertia with it, so much like James the Turtle towing the dragon ship, it takes a bit to get going, but once you’re going, you can maintain. Delia, being a physical warrior type, realizes all this in half a second.)
Zanderallen too hears Stock’s report from Stohp, and then hustles up to the entrance, announcing his desire to see also, as well as starting his Detect Evil… only to realize that at this depth, and with the mount interior out of direct sunlight, his unaided human eyes cannot see a thing inside the mound, but for the entrance walls going 5’ forward, and then the sun’s rays are cut off, the distortion of the water diffracting and curtailing the usual twilight that might extend inside such a structure on the surface. His Detect Evil is another matter entirely… initially, he sees no evil ahead through the entrance and into the mound. Zanderallen considers, perhaps another Shield has a magical light… regular torches and my lantern won’t work here… my sword may flame on… or not… hmm… what to do…
Bartomus was not at all surprised when Stock gate-crashed the mound, chuckling, as only a water elemental can, in response! Bartomus swirled around the “reedware,” still viewing it in only black and white as no one had yet brought a magical light source inside. Darkvision made it easy to spot things stark contrasts could reveal, but harder, nay, impossible, to notice any nuanced color patterns, if any. BARTOMUS Highlight to display spoiler: {(OOC spoiler because Bartomus presently cannot communicate well with the Shields) finds that the “reedware” is almost taur-sized, but not wide enough across the front or back to be worn by a taur, and really, the only thing that might fit would be an oversized human, probably male… but if this were a construct, or some form of created being, then it would be incomplete, most likely, lacking whatever its creator wanted it to have inside… to Bartomus it seems equally likely to be armor for some strangely tall and skinny humanoid as it does to instead be a hollow shell meant to be filled perhaps with more plant matter, and then set loose upon the Wold… one thing is clear – if meant as armor, then any “humanoid” with a reverse-knee-joint compared to the more human-like species of the Wold would definitely NOT be able to fit in the “reedware”…} Bartomus did witness Stock poking at the “reedware” and observe its natural strength, like a kind of super-wicker-basket, or rope made from exceptionally strong grasses… or, here, reeds, seaweed, and kelp.
The Lake’s quietness is almost taunting the Shields – what are these plant-humaniforms (“reedware”)… where are the Reeds…
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday April 18th, 2023 11:30:09 PM
Armalad reaches into her pack and dons the gloves and fins. She then moves to catch up to the rest of the shields where she will hopefully be able to cast light and examine what the others are looking at.
She says to Joker, "Thanks for that. Don't forget you have fast healing underwater."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday April 19th, 2023 8:23:21 AM
Stohp waits for the others to complete their magic checking.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday April 19th, 2023 9:14:48 AM
Stock stows his flail again and grabs the reedware. He then tries to see how difficult it is-if it is even possible-to pull it apart.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=33 ; d20+16=23 ; Wednesday April 19th, 2023 7:00:56 PM
Bartomus took note and started thinking of the type of creatures that might wear such armor. He wanted to show it to the merfolk, but Stock had grabbed it. He rolled his watery eyes and swam up and over the dwarf towards the other Shields. He looked at the third mound on this side and then glanced at each of the opposing mounds.
Perception 3rd mound on the right for 33; and then a perception check on the other three mounds across the way 23.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Wednesday April 19th, 2023 9:01:06 PM "Strange. Well unless they start moving I guess we should move on." Zander will back out of the entrance to allow others to investigate but will start looking towards the next mound.
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Wednesday April 19th, 2023 10:52:03 PM
Armalad thanks Joker and puts on what appear to be a set of gloves and a set of fins. She then more quickly swims, as fast as Delia now, to the rest of the Shields gathered at the mound’s opening. Armalad then drops her Detect Magic to cast light on a handy object (OOC please describe in your next post) and looks ahead, her lowlight vision granting her color vision inside the mound, showing her a decently wide cone-shape within, the walls to either side obscuring her view of the emptiness Stock reported there. As with the first mound, the walls, floor, and ceiling are all made of tightly-woven greenish reeds, blue-green seaweed, and greenish kelp. The same with the two rectangular mounds in the center and the foreboding plant-humaniform shapes thereon. Perhaps most importantly, Armalad looks on the scene with a wizard’s eyes, one knowledgeable in the arcane… ARMALAD only Highlight to display spoiler: {Your keen elven eyes see the details on the “faces” of the plant-humaniforms from here, though the angle is poor. While perhaps Bartomus, more focused on nature, wherever he is in the area in water-form, might ponder these semi-hollow shapes to have an equal chance of being some form of plant full-plate armor as being inanimate constructs… one word comes to Armalad’s mouth (DC 15 Knowledge: Arcana, which she automatically succeeds at): golems. Perhaps golems-in-progress, but Armalad would place her gambling chips on golems under construction, even from here. She will need to get closer to improve her analysis. Her heart starts to beat a bit faster. PLANT Golems – she has never heard of even one existing - can such a thing even be created in the Wold?!? Who could cross the magic streams of the arcane and the primal?!?}
Stohp continues to guard the Shields against outside attack while the spellcasters pull out their metaphorical magnifying glasses and tomes of knowledge.
Stock stows his flail and then starts to lift one of the reedware. Stock is mighty (OOC STR 19) but finds the reedware both bulky and has significant mass and inertia, even with the buoyancy of the Lake helping him. He then moves on to see if it can be easily rended apart with his bare hands. It cannot – much like a ball of twine, it would be easier were there a loose “thread” than this construction, where any reedy ends are hidden within. Stock recalls from the battle with the Reeds that only Zanderallen’s sword didn’t face physical resistance when hitting the Reeds… and if Stock cared to, he need only draw his magical adamantine dwarven waraxe and get to work if he wanted to cart away the reedware in tiny pieces.
Bartomus begins narrowing the field of who might be capable of wearing such reedware as armor. He was about to reach for a reedware, but Stock had grabbed one of the two reedware, so Bartomus, using his Huge watery strength and size, floated the other reedware off its rectangular mound and out the entrance, startling Stohp, Delia, Armalad, Zanderallen, and not so much Stock because little impresses Stock. The Shields quickly put two and two together and realize Bartomus must be at work, even if it’s very difficult to see him right now. Bartomus’ act does bring a reedware out into what sunlight penetrates this deep, so now every Shield has seen one with their color vision, noting the greens and blues of the plants that make up the reedware. Bartomus is about to go further with his plan (BARTOMUS’s eyes only Highlight to display spoiler: { to show it to the merfolk, and then he realizes – he can’t speak in this form… he can’t speak the merfolk language… and the merfolk might, not seeing Bartomus, perceive the reedware to be some kind of monstrous attacker. Bartomous, with your great WISDOM, you know you are nigh-invisible in this form when not attacking, and you know that you can’t presently speak the merfolk language, what are the details of your plan regarding the reedware and the merfolk?} and pauses a brief moment. No Shield can see Bartomus’s “eyes” look in the direction of the next closest mound to the center, but look they do, scanning, but not finding anything more than has been seen… yet.
Zanderallen says that unless the reedware starts moving, the Shields should move on, and begins to step back out of the entrance, and then suddenly there is light from behind him! Armalad has suddenly appeared and enabled Zanderallen to see past the entrance and about 10’ more into the chamber. This is not quite far enough to see the rectangular mounds Stock described, but perhaps Armalad can light things up more inside. Still, Zanderallen realizes he would be a slow searcher inside, and so was just about to turn around when suddenly a plant-humaniform came speeding out of the chamber! They ARE attacking! They… At that moment Zanderallen and the others feel the thicker water that indicates Bartomus is moving past them in water elemental form, and Zanderallen realizes that the reedware is still inanimate on its own… it’s being “carried” by Bartomus. Still… Bartomus’ act gave Zanderallen a chance to see the reedware in what sunlight reaches the bottom of the Lake floor. Then the reedware’s motion stops. What is Bartomus up to?
Delia continues to be on guard, like Stohp.
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday April 19th, 2023 11:03:21 PM
Armalad casts light on her underwater bow as she swims into the mound to scope out the contents.
She surveys the reed structures and puts 2 and 2 together and gets plant golem? She calls out to the other shields, "Unless I am mistaken and I doubt that I am mistaken it looks like these reed sculptures are actually a kind of work in progress plant-golem. I don't know if you should be playing around with the plant golem Bartomus."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday April 20th, 2023 8:29:30 AM
Stohp passes along Armalad's message if necessary and adds again they should probably destroy the things as the find them if they are a potential threat later.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=29 ; Thursday April 20th, 2023 8:51:57 AM "Plant golem tells us wizard then. It's still possible a druid is around here somewhere but definitely wizard."
Stock starts making his way to the third mound (closest mound to the center on the right I think) and once he arrives, swims around to find the entrance and inspects the inside from the doorway again.
========= Perception 29
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday April 20th, 2023 9:19:25 AM "That's great. I love fighting wizards," Delia deadpans, "So, destroy them or move on? Either way, we should do it quickly."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Thursday April 20th, 2023 4:28:03 PM "What foul experiments are being carried on down here? If they're merely work in progress let's continue on. We do not have forever."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=21 ; Thursday April 20th, 2023 5:26:53 PM "Well that didn't go as I thought it would." Bartomus said to himself as no one could understand him as he watched Zander nearly loose it with the reedware he brought out. He swirled about and made sure to stay out of the way of his fellow Shields and let the reedware drop down to the ground. He heard Armalad's suggestive warning and shrugged in acknowledgement, or rather he though he shrugged.
Plant Golem, interesting he thought to himself. In his mind, he had gone a completely different way, maybe like an underwater lizard, if there were such things, that could have this attached to it. It would explain the huts and a settlement. You wouldn't need a settlement for something you could create as needed, or at lest that is what he thought.
He moved on towards the other mound, but held back as others were already exploring it. He tried to follow what they were doing while also studying the tall mound. He had his suspicions that that is where they really needed to go.
Perception tall mound - 21
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Thursday April 20th, 2023 11:25:14 PM
Armalad’s bow now glows with a light spell, 20’ in radius. Using that light and her keen elven eyes, Armalad, now flippered, swims easily inside this second-from-right mound for further investigation. After careful consideration of her vast arcane knowledge, natural knowledge, and having hung around a druid and ranger for a while, Armalad announces an interesting conclusion to the Shields – the plant-humaniforms/”reedware” are most likely plant golems in the construction process. She yells, with water-filled lungs, to warn Bartomus of this discovery, but Bartomus and the other plant-golem-in-progress are a significant distance outside the mound Armalad entered… if only Bartomus knew the tongue of the merfolk she could “shout” in a way to easily reach him… instead, even after swimming back to the mound’s entrance her “shout” only reaches any Shield standing 10’ outside the entrance of the mound at best, such as Stohp, Delia, and Zanderallen, and of course Stock was basically still in the entrance from giving his report, so also heard Armalad’s discovery and “shout.” The way Stohp and Zanderallen react, their air bubbles must really help capture underwater sounds with less distortion.
Stohp hears Armalad’s warning, and, not being able to see Bartomus, but able to see the plant golem he’s “carrying,” her helm of underwater action enables her to zoom close enough to the golem to relay Armalad’s message to Bartomus about the “reedware” likely being a plant golem under construction!
Stock wastes no time in concluding a wizard must be involved, perhaps a druid too. He slides the plant golem husk he was carrying back in to the mound it came from and then [i]freely runs over to the next right-side mound that is closest to the center moundplex, seeking and soon finding the entrance, wasting no time and just stands there in the entrance looking inside with his dwarven eyes…
Delia has a bridge to sell the Shields, half-heartedly, and her joke is humored. She asks the Shields near her (Armalad and Zanderallen, since the others have moved towards the next mound to some extent or another) whether the plant golem husks should be destroyed or left as-is before the Shields move to the next mound.
Zanderallen is astonished at the possibly-foul experiments going on in moundtown, but votes that the Shields head for the next mound since spell clocks are ticking and the plant golem husks are inanimate.
Bartomus realized that Zanderallen’s reaction was not what Bartomus had planned, and began to drop the reedware just as Stohp arrived to pass along Armalad’s warning about plant golems under construction. Bartomus had assigned a low chance of the reedware being any kind of construction meant for animation, but Armalad does know wizardry… if true, that leaves the moundtown’s existence unexplained… why would one need or want several mounds if they weren’t occupied with, say, Reeds, and instead all the mounds were apparently being used for was…
After coming to that unsettling conclusion, Bartomus headed for the next mound, seeing only Stock ahead of him. He moved to a point about 40’ behind Stock, so as not to interfere by way of his Huge watery form, but still able to use his form’s darkvision to peer through the 10’ long opening and 10’ more into the mound in the usual black and white imagery. Bartomus Highlight to display spoiler: {doesn’t see far enough yet to reach the center of the room, but so far the mound walls are similar to the other two mounds, and there’s nothing besides Stock moving in the entrance hallway or 10’ deep into the chamber.} Bartomus is curious to see more inside, but also muses about simply getting on to the moundplex…
Stock has the best view of this third-explored mound thus far, and STOCK’s eyes only Highlight to display spoiler: {see that in the center of this otherwise empty chamber is one big rectangular mound, perhaps 20’ by 10’, and one plant-golem-in-progress lying on the mound, perhaps a full 12’ long, 6’ wide, and 3’ thick. Like the other two, which look like weaklings compared to this one, this plant-golem-in-progress is an empty shell… except for that eerie glowing, even in black-and-white, from a small trough just to the left side of the mound… some kind of glowing energy in the trough, and reeds and vines connecting the trough to the mouth of the plant golem husk, and it's still 15’ away from Stock in the entrance, but it looks like this strange magical (?) device is… filling… the golem?!? There might only be minutes… or a half-hour… or something… before its work is complete, and… then… what?!?}
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=41 ; d20+24=39 ; Thursday April 20th, 2023 11:31:48 PM
Armalad tries to reason if it is better to leave the plant golems alone or try to destroy them. She knows full-formed golems are very tough to destroy usually but maybe these partially formed golems aren't as tough and should be destroyed lest they develop to cause problems.
She decides to think for a moment about what the best course of action is. She then shares that information with Delia and whoever else is nearby considering no one else knows Aquan besides Joker
Know[Arcana]: 41 Spellcraft:39
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=27 ; Friday April 21st, 2023 6:24:01 AM
Stohp has stated her thoughts so will just have to see if the others agree. For now she'll keep her eyes open and pass messages for people to coordinate with her increased mobility (perception 27)
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=33 ; Friday April 21st, 2023 9:57:39 AM
Bartomus moved a bit closer towards the larger main mound (10') while continuing to be able to respond to whatever Stock had discovered in the third mound. He was still pondering what Armald had said about the reedware and what it could represent.
Perception 33
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=33 ; Friday April 21st, 2023 9:57:40 AM
Bartomus moved a bit closer towards the larger main mound (10') while continuing to be able to respond to whatever Stock had discovered in the third mound. He was still pondering what Armald had said about the reedware and what it could represent.
Perception 33
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+16=30 ; d10+19=28 ; Friday April 21st, 2023 12:51:23 PM Status - Water Breathing, Freedom of Action Stock swims back and does his best to gather the others close enough so they can hear him yell and says, "There's another plant person in there - probably a golem - and it looks like it is being built. It's being filled with some kind of energy. We should stop it until we figure out what is going on. Follow me..."
He then swim-runs into the room and draws his axe. He swings it trying to permanently damage the trough.
============ Power Attack hits AC 30, 28 damage, adamantine weapon
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 Friday April 21st, 2023 3:52:08 PM
Zanderallen follows Stock over to the next mound. He can't see inside the dark mount but Stock's words tell him all he needs to know. He feels his way inside casting Daylight on his blade. ============= Daylight Duration 120 minutes
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Saturday April 22nd, 2023 9:54:25 AM
Delia kicks off after Zanderallen and Stock, passing on his shout, or at least his obvious "there's a threat" actions" to anyone nearby who can hear her.
She keeps her bow out, trying to swim to where she can see into the mound in question.
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Saturday April 22nd, 2023 11:55:48 PM
Armalad considers the dilemma of the plant golem husks, whether to leave them alone or destroy them. She shares her thoughts with Delia.
(OOC – I saw the skill rolls, but this is purely a roleplaying choice as to the best way to deal with a potential threat while spell timers continue to count down…)
Stohp waits to see if others agree with her, and while she waits plays relay racer, passing messages between Shields somewhat far apart. She continues to watch for danger, but sees none… for now.
Bartomus moved 10’ closer to the moundplex while staying somewhat near Stock in case he needs help. He continued to ponder Armalad’s analysis of the reedware and whether she could be right.
Stock Freely Runs about, gathering the Shields for communication. He may not know where Bartomus is, but his frantic actions draw Bartomus’s attention and he draws near to the crowd of Shields Stock has summoned.
Stock reports his findings, ‘yelling’ to about 10’ distant with his water-filled lungs, that this third mound has a plant golem inside, under construction, and even now being filled with energy! He implores the Shields to stop it now, before it’s too late. Stock directs the Shields to follow him, drawing his axe as he [Freely Runs] back inside the mound.
Zanderallen listens intently to Stock, absent-mindedly tapping the side of his helm of underwater action and then, a few tiny bits of banana fall out of the edges of the helm, floating there in the Lake, and at once glass lenses slide down from the top of the helmet and cover Zanderallen’s eyes. He can now see about five times farther, and about five times more clearly, than the light and water distortion allowed before! Bananas… oh, that Wiz-Bang at the Catacombs!
Zanderallen then Freely follows Stock back to the third mound, casting Daylight on his blade to ensure that between the helm’s lenses and his spell that he will see! As he finished his spell, at once the inside of the mound is illuminated, so that all with a view can see, in color, the astounding vision of the blue-green reed/seaweed golem being filled with strange arcane energies from a small trough just to the side, the energy travelling along reeds and vines from the trough to the plant golem! The energies are multispectral and ominous for all that they are silent…
Delia’s legs pound the Lake waters, propelling her forward about as fast as she could move on land. Delia repeats Stock’s key points to ensure everyone heard his underwater ‘yell’ distinctly, then swims to where she can see inside the now-Daylight’ed mound, drawing her bow as she arrives. Stock and Zanderallen are a bit in the way, but she can still see much of the multispectral energies – not so bright that they were illuminating outside the mound before, but still astonishing to view with the Daylight making them clear at a distance!
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=24 ; Sunday April 23rd, 2023 5:56:46 PM
Bartomus took up a guard position turning outward towards the open water knowing that at his size, he couldn't rush into the space. He glanced back over his shoulder as the effort was made by Stock to destroy the energizing trough and feeding system.
Hold any action and going "on guard" to scan the area to see if there is any response to the attack on the charging station.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=21 ; d20+18=28 ; Monday April 24th, 2023 12:30:44 AM
Armalad and Joker follow Delia in going after Bartomus keeping eyes peeled for potential threats
Perception: Armalad:21 Joker:28
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=32 ; Monday April 24th, 2023 7:39:30 AM
Stohp has neither the strength or weaponry to break these things so just has to watch and guard the area (perception 32)
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Monday April 24th, 2023 8:48:22 AM Status - Water Breathing, Freedom of Action
Stock moves up to the trough filling the golem and slams it with his axe.
"This probably won't make us any friends down here."
============ Rolling over the attack from the previous post - Power Attack hits AC 30, 28 damage, adamantine weapon
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 13/13 SE 5/5 d20+21=31 ; d8+17=24 ; Monday April 24th, 2023 2:28:27 PM "Not usually in the business of making friends with things that eat people." Zander moves alongside Stock and starts hacking at the reeds and vines connecting the golem to the trough, hoping to sever the connection without causing too much damage to the golem itself. He marvels once again at how freely his sword swings through the water. ===================== 31 to hit 24 slashing damage
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=47 ; Monday April 24th, 2023 6:24:23 PM
Delia will pull out one of her adamantine arrows, look at Stock and Zander, and tuck it back into her quiver.
She will examine, without touching, the trough the magic is coming from.
Perception: 47
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Monday April 24th, 2023 10:39:41 PM
Bartomus stands guard at the third mound, facing outward until the entrance is less clogged with Shields. He watches Stock begin to enact the plan to destroy this plant golem being fed by strange energies, nearing completion! Bartomus expects an ambush once the Shields begin attacking the plant golem construction site.
Armalad and Joker join Bartomus and Stohp in guard duty, watching with keen vision, somewhat affected by the distortion of the water, but still able to (with lowlight vision) see at far distances.
Stohp, recognizing that she’s specialized in nonlethal attacks for the most part, also stands guard outside.
Stock Freely Runs inside, adamantine waraxe in hand, and raising it high over his head, Freely Chops down, aiming to split the trough and its multispectral contents in half, commenting as he swings that the Shields have let slip the dwarf of war…
Zanderallen agrees with Stock, and Freely Runs behind Stock, arriving alongside as Stock raises his axe over his head and begins his downward swing, Zanderallen likewise having raised his sword, aiming for the connecting reeds and vines, and beginning his own downward stroke…
Delia briefly pulls out one of her adamantine arrows, looks up and over at Stock’s adamantine waraxe held high by mighty dwarven warrior thews, and puts it back into her quiver. She follows Zanderallen and Stock into the mound, letting them race forward as she stops at the end of the entrance, no need for her Goggles of Darkvision while Zanderallen’s Daylight spell is active, and peers deeply at the trough with multispectral light and energy radiating, suffusing the reeds and vines reaching out of the trough and up and onto and into the plant golem lying on the huge rectangular mound… in the brief moment before Stock’s adamantine waraxe begins to (attempt to) cut at the trough, Delia marvels at what appears to be, to a primal spellcaster, arcane energies traveling primal conduits to slowly build an arcane construct of primal materials… Armalad’s words ring true in her mind as Stock’s waraxe strikes the trough…
Few things in the Wold can stand up to an adamantine edge falling upon them with only the force of the Wold’s gravity pulling it down – neither leather nor even iron or steel would do well. Add to Woldian gravity the irresistible mighty thews of an experienced dwarven barbarian… well, nothing short of some of the strongest magical weapons or armor can take such a hit. The trough is clearly heavily infused with magic, but not of the kind that makes its woven reedy sides and ends impenetrable to an adamantine edge with nigh-incalculable force behind it…
Stock’s adamantine waraxe swiftly separates the trough’s glowing woven reeds from glowing woven reeds all the way to the Lake Floor, and Zanderallen’s sword cleaves through yet more connecting reeds and vines as the energies of the trough go out… and then explode in a blinding flash!
No Shield “hears” or “feels” the force of any explosion… waves of multispectral light expand from the (presumably) sundered trough (Stock’s mighty thews think it’s sundered!).
Bartomus, Armalad, Joker, and Stohp were all facing away from the entrance when Zanderallen’s Daylight suddenly grew in intensity, blasting out of the mound, past and around the three, who each reflexively closed their eyes with the extra split-second of warning that facing away gave them.
Stock, Zanderallen, and Delia:
Fortitude Save DC 30 vs. the multispectral light, or be blinded!
(OOC – Stock, yes, Dwarven +2 vs. spells/spell-like abilities applies.)
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday April 24th, 2023 11:16:01 PM
Armalad asks, "Should I switch to my adamantine arrows too? I only have 40 of them so I don't know how much of the plant golems I could damage."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday April 25th, 2023 7:09:44 AM
Stohp reviews what the others have told her. "If energy was still being sent to these things then they may be incomplete. It might be better to rush to the center and deal with the source then spend a lot of time destroying each of the golems on the way."
She'll resume acting as messenger so everyone can hold a real conversation despite the underwater difficulties and help guide the blind until their vison clears or someone magically restores them.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+12=17 ; Tuesday April 25th, 2023 9:30:46 AM
Fort: 17
Delia recoils as the light she was examining explodes. She shields her eyes, but it was too late. She'd already been incensed.
She opens her eyes, blinking away tears (an extra strange feeling underwater) and rubbing her eyes. She looks around frowning, pulls her darkvision goggles back on over her eyes, then freezes. She turns white as she says, voice tinged with panic "Uh guys? I can't see."
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+20=37 ; Tuesday April 25th, 2023 9:43:41 AM Water Breathing, Freedom Stock has a momentary thought that his inner reservoir of rage would be useful to sever this conduit (and survive what comes after) but severs it anyway. He blinks away the stars that fill his vision and turns to Z.
"Wow. Did you know that was going to happen? Problem solved I guess."
He inspects his work to make sure the golem threat is truly ended.
======== Fortitude 37
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=26 ; d20+16=24 ; Tuesday April 25th, 2023 10:52:04 AM
Bartomus saw the flash of something that illuminated the area and wondered what his fellow Shields had actually done to cause it. Surely, he thought to himself, it couldn't have been from cutting up the reedware?
He scanned the other three huts to their left and then scanned the tall mound for any response to the flash of light. He suspected that such an event would be a bit hard not to have noticed.
Perception three huts - 26; Tall mound -24
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 d20+21=34 ; Tuesday April 25th, 2023 11:51:22 AM
Zander throws his shield in front of his face, slamming his eyes shut as the explosion of magical light blasts out. He blinks several times, first fearing blindness but his eyes adjust back to the normal light and he looks around. He nods to Stock, "Didn't expect that, but that should solve it. Of course if anyone was looking vaguely this direction they know we're here."
He sees Delia reaching around in the start of a panic and quickly moves over to her, taking hold of one of her hands. He automatically slips into a re-assuring tone, "I'm here, don't fret Delia. I'll have you sorted in a moment. Just stay calm." Zander intones softly and his hand starts to glow with white light. He gently touches Delia's face and with a warm glow her vision should return. ========================== Fort Save: 34
Lay on Hands Mercy: Blindness on Delia 12/13 remaining
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Tuesday April 25th, 2023 10:40:18 PM
Armalad saw, before the blast, Delia considering adamantine arrows and asked Shields nearby whether she should use any of her 40 such.
Stohp considers the fact that these husks were under construction, and suggests to the Shields that they all head for the moundplex to cut off the head of the snake, as it were. Then she resumes being underwater messenger, looking to see if anyone was fully blinded by the multispectral explosion. Stohp soon finds and helps Delia, who seems to be the only Shield so affected.
Delia recoils from the sudden star birthed before her eyes… reflexively trying to blink away tears while rubbing her eyes. It takes her a moment, but then she realizes and exclaims simultaneously that she’s blind!
Stock thought about raging during the strike, but trusted in his mighty thews powering adamantine, perhaps straining harder than if he had raged, and because of that, by a fluke, happened to close his eyes from the exertion as the waraxe cleaved through the trough… and entirely missed being blinded! Blinking away some afterimages from the light that did penetrate his eyelids, Stock turns to Zanderallen and expresses his astonishment, and then his elation that the problem in this mound seems to be solved. He then looks over the finely severed woven reeds of the trough… reminds him of something… reminds him of how against the Reeds, Zanderallen’s blade for once seemed as or more effective than his own flail… Stock realizes that all these Reeds seem somewhat vulnerable to slashing weapons, something the Shields had briefly mentioned in the aftermath of the battle with the Reeds, but this moment made it transparently clear to Stock.
Bartomus was startled by the increasing Daylight, at least that’s what he thought it was at first, and kept his watery eyes “away” and “closed” from the sudden intensity behind him, wondering what had happened with the Shields who’d entered the mound once more! After a moment he opens his “eyes” and “blinks” them over and over, freshening the water that makes his “eyes.” Able to see again without afterimages, Bartomus scanned the farther three huts, though the distortion was somewhat significant at this distance, and did not see any approaching foes or large movements visible hundreds of feet away. Then he looked at the moundplex for a more local security response from the Reeds, but the moundplex’s opening is far and pointed away from this mound, so anyone…thing… inside may have seen nothing at all… he hopes… but continues his vigilance.
Zanderallen had an eye on Stock while his own blade was heading down to sever connecting reeds and he saw… something… sundered (?)… in the multispectral energy coming from the trough and reflexively raised his shield and closed his eyes as he felt his blade slice through some connecting reeds, then hitting empty air, all while his closed eyelids lit up like someone shining ten bright lanterns at his eyelids at the crack of dawn! Then the light faded away, and, feeling it safe, he opened his eyes, blinking many times as if he thought himself blinded, but there was his vision and he turned and saw Stock, the trough split in twain, and several connecting reeds also severed. Zanderallen tells Stock that he didn’t expect it, but agreed this mound was solved, though anyone with the correct vantage point would know something had happened!
Zanderallen turns to look out the entrance, perhaps to begin cheering on the Shields, when he sees Delia blindly groping about. He is swiftly by her side, the water not slowing his free stride at all, and begins reassuring her. Then Zanderallen summons Domi’s mercy, his hand glows with white light and, lifting up Delia’s Goggles of Darkvision a bit, he touches Delia’s forehead between her eyes… and just like that, Delia’s vision returns!
Stock looks around the mound once more and reports that the danger seems gone, but that in the trough are some unusual, even rare, materials, previously hidden by the multispectral light! Stock sees in the cleft trough (Stock’s Eyes Only, for now: Highlight to display spoiler: { a mix of rare, raw, and uncut gemstones in a rainbow variety of colors, leaves and reeds and sticks of various colors and type, some recognizably above-ground only, even if Stock might not know their names.})
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=34 ; d20+24=34 ; Tuesday April 25th, 2023 11:04:49 PM
Armalad wonders out loud, "Do you think if the golems become fully formed and you destroy one it blows up in blinding blast like that one did or do you think that one had that blinding blast because Stock destroyed it while the magicks were still creating it so the disruption of the magic needed an outlet?"
She puts her own knowledge of Arcana to the task and then posits the most likely explanation
If it is the former she says to the others, "We'd best press on to the central mound as I would imagine that blinding feature is present once they become fully formed and having us all go blind in combat would be most unfortunate, so if we can destroy whatever is powering them at the source maybe it won't come to that?"
Know: Arcana - 34 Spellcraft: 34
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday April 26th, 2023 7:33:50 AM
Stohp resumes her position for their traveling formation and is ready to head to the central mound.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday April 26th, 2023 10:00:20 AM
Bartomus moved forward after hearing the others indicate that the central mound was their objective. He swims forward angling towards the opening as he continues to monitor the large mound,
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=24 ; Wednesday April 26th, 2023 10:01:07 AM Perception 24 -- forgot to add it before hitting submit.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday April 26th, 2023 11:49:16 AM
As a hand touches hers, Delia recoils and snatches Zander's wrist defensively. Hearing his voice, she releases the hand and waits. She breathes a sigh of relief as the pain in her eyes fades and the darkness bleeds back to light, "Thank you. That... yeah, thanks."
She takes a moment to settle herself, again reaching for Hawky before realizing he's gone. Then she joins the others, ready to go to the center mound.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday April 26th, 2023 2:03:54 PM Water breathing, Freedom of movement
Stock inspects the severed trough, picking out any uncut gems that look valuable and says, "A lot of this stuff - rocks, vegetation - is stuff that I can recognize is from the surface. Makes me think whoever is running the show is at least familiar with the surface, if not from the surface."
"Agreed, Armalad. Onward to the center then."
Stock half swims half runs out and toward the central mound to find a way in. "If we can't find a door, I bet I can cut a doorway in from the outside."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 Wednesday April 26th, 2023 3:07:49 PM
Zanderallen keeps a hand near as Delia regains her sight to make sure she keeps her balance. He smiles gently at her unspoken words simply answering, "Domi's gifts are for all." His face hardens again as he turns back to the task at hand.
"Somebody with plant knowledge from the surface, this sounds like something Briadoc would be involved with. We better get moving now." Zander freely jogs along the lake bed towards the center mound. looking for an entrance but staying with the group.
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Wednesday April 26th, 2023 9:42:23 PM
Armalad wonders whether a fully operational plant golem would explode in a blinding flash when slain. Pondering deeply, she thinks, and then announces to the Shields that she believes the latter explanation is more likely… perhaps the trough had been magical itself, in addition to having arcane energy to send to the plant golem husk… not quite a retributive strike as from breaking a powerful staff, but perhaps similar… Armalad suggests that it’s time to move on to the moundplex.
Stohp falls into the Shields’ traveling formation, ready to move on to the moundplex.
Bartomus, having heard the Shields discuss moving on to the central mound, flows ahead of Stohp, crossing back towards the moundplex and flowing around it, spotting a dark spot (it’s a good distance past 60’ darkvision) that may or may not be the entrance. Bartomus sees nothing he would recognize as a threat.
Delia, ever on guard, even when blind, recoils when an unknown hand touches her, then groping to “see” and grabbing the wrist she finds! Then her waterlogged hears hear the somewhat distorted voice of Zanderallen as it leaves his air bubble and vibrates the water on and in her ears, and she relaxes at the sense of familiarity. The sigh of relief from sight restored to her eyes couldn’t come soon enough, but it came, and delight is written all over the archer’s face! Delia thanks Zanderallen curtly, but with respect. Momentarily looking for Hawky, left above on the dragon ship, she soon remembers where he is and then falls into Shields formation with Stohp.
Stock rummages around in the trough, coming out with handfuls of shiny stones. He briefly describes some of what he sees, including that the trough’s materials are part undersea plants and part surface-dwelling plants. Stock agrees with Armalad about moving on to the moundplex and falls into Shields formation at the head, and then Freely Runs forward, towards the moundplex, looking this way and that, feeling the limitations of darkvision that only reaches sixty feet, and beyond that is no better than standing on the surface under the Wold’s sun. He picks a direction and begins circling the moundplex to the left.
Zanderallen is ready to aid Delia, should she require it, as she recovers her sight. He assures her that Domi wants all to receive Domi’s gifts. Zanderallen’s face then becomes as granite as his focus turns to the next task: the moundplex! He comments that with parts of surface plants on the Lakefloor, perhaps Briadoc is involved. Zanderallen urges the Shields onward toward the moundplex, freely jogging into Shields’ formation and then urging the Shields onward.
Resuming the Shields’ Cross Formation, the Shields somewhat quickly make their way to the moundplex’s entrance, a mere process of elimination to circle around until the entrance presents itself.
(OOC – Map! (more details added as the Shields can observe them.)
stocK is placed on the map, bottom left. The Shields’ Cross, with each Shield’s actual present size, is up top; note that Bartomus’ Water Elemental Form is Huge while stohP is merely Large. )
Stock has led the Shields, with Free Barbarian Speed, to the entrance, about ten feet wide and circular in shape as with the prior mounds. This moundplex is much larger, however, and has not just one gigantic room, but one or more corridors as well!
At the entrance, under normal circumstances, Stock, Bartomus, and Delia all have Darkvision 60’, and based on their marching order, Stock would see out to (column M) where a 10’-wide opening appears on the left-hand wall, and Bartomus and Delia only see to (column J) and might, by squinting, believe a turn or opening is coming up on the left. Armalad’s low-light vision would enable her to see all the way to the end (column Y), though not in great detail. Still, she’d be aware of the 10’-wide opening on the left, that the corridor continues, and that it appeared to come to an end. Zanderallen and Stohp both have helms of underwater action, granting them five times normal sight distance than a human would see at this depth and looking ahead through so much water, and this would be enough to see similarly to Armalad, but only to (column J) because the interior goes from kind-of-light to no light very rapidly.
Yet, all of that is irrelevant because Zanderallen’s Daylight spell will be shining 60’ ahead for quite a while, enhancing both his and Stohp’s helm-vision, as well as Armalad’s low-light vision! From Zanderallen’s back rank, Daylight springs forth 30’ past Stock (through column G), where Stock has Darkvision another 30’ beyond that (column M). Armalad can see clearly all the way to the back (column Y). Bartomus and Delia’s first 50’ of vision are in bright Daylight and their last 10’ of vision (column J) is in Darkvision. Zanderallen and Stohp can both see to the end (column Y) as well, because five times normal daylight vision is pretty far.
What the Shields see, lighting up the moundplex with Daylight is even more intricate and tightly-woven reeds, seaweed, and kelp walls than the other mounds. The blue-greens of the deeper waters permeate the moundplex in some kind of alien fractal pattern, would that the Shields even knew what fractal meant in this time-lost Wold! The floor and ceiling inside this first corridor are woven reeds and seaweed as well as the walls.
Dare the Shields enter a… building (?)… so natural and yet so alien?
SHIELDS – duty calls you forth, but in what marching order, now that the corridor’s size prevents the Shields’ Cross and will force Bartomus the Elemental to Squeeze through the corridor, his water packed so tightly that none can pass through him?
First, pick a spot to be on the map, anywhere up through (column J) but no further. Second, in your post include what square (B35, D36, etc.) you want to be in. Third, if you are bigger (Bartomus and Stohp), then pick a square where your UPPER LEFT CORNER will be (keep your starting square in row 35).
SHIELDS – what thoughts and preparations do you discuss amongst yourselves just before entering the moundplex? (include all spells you cast, note the durations, and observe that spells lasting 1 minute/level or less (15 minutes at most, depending on caster level) may or may not last the entire time you spend in the moundplex. Assume you have up to 2 minutes to cast everything you need to, but no more, because Stock is impatient about smashing evil... (DM grin))
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+21=41 ; Wednesday April 26th, 2023 11:24:10 PM
Armalad uses the pearl of power in her Mage's guild pendant to recast her Mage Armor spell targetting Joker.
As far as positioning goes it will be F35 and F36 for Armalad and Joker
Armalad keeps an eye out for traps as they move through the mound
Perception: 41 when searching for traps
Mage Armor = +4 AC for 10 hours - Joker Mage Armor = +4 AC for 10 hours - Armalad (this one was cast when we first went down here) Water Breathing = 20 hours worth of water breathing, can share up to 9 other people, dividing the duration by those it is shared with gloves and fins: swim speed with swim bonus
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday April 27th, 2023 7:17:46 AM
(I'm getting a 404 error when I click on the map)
Stohp will get directly behind Stock so she can provide support with her greater reach.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Thursday April 27th, 2023 9:12:14 AM Status: Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement Stock swim marches ahead. His only preparation is to psych himself up and ready his axe - now that he knows it appears to be the right tool for this job.
"Z - you are my conscience at times like this. Do we take prisoners?... I must be growing soft if I'm asking that before we fight." [i]======= Move to J35 Here's a correct map link: Map
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=34 ; Thursday April 27th, 2023 5:03:27 PM
Delia swims up to just behind Stohp, confident in even her underwater ability to aim around her Taur friend and leaving the spot next to Stock for Zander.
move to G35; perception 34 to observe any threats through water echoes, disturbances, or other not as reliant on sight methods since she can't see too much underwater or around Stohp
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 Thursday April 27th, 2023 5:42:20 PM
As they approach the entrance Zanderallen will pray to Domi to enhance his blade with a divine spirit. He pushes up towards the front with Stock, "At the moment we're still trying to talk to somebody, but this is looking less and less like a random attack on the Float so I'm preparing for the worst." ================== Move right behind Stock at I35
Divine Bond - Upgrade sword to +5 Flaming Speed - Duration: 15 minutes
Armalad focuses on her pearl and then casts Mage Armor on Joker. She then begins looking for traps. It appears there are none near her present position.
Stohp freely walks directly behind Stock, to take advantage of her long arms.
Stock freely strides, just reaching the corner of the opening on the left. He then, with watery lungs, turns to Zanderallen at his side and asks whether prisoners will be taken or not.
Delia closes in just behind Stohp, and readies herself for archery, not really needing her Goggles of Darkvision because Zanderallen freely runs past her and by Stohp to take the lead with Stock, his Daylight now illuminating the entire corridor and into the next opening. Delia is at once thankful for being able to see, though the water distorts things at farther distances, but also grimaces in that the Daylight has likely cost the Shields all hope of surprising any Reeds here… presuming the Reeds have eyes or something like them. Did they?
Zanderallen has just finished freely running to the front, and skids to a stop a little bit, if one can do that underwater! Then he summons Domi’s blessings and his blade strengthens, any stronger glow being dwarfed by the Daylight spell on it. Zanderallen replies to Stock that he’d like to speak to someone, but the situation looks not at all like a random attack on the Float…
Armalad was staring at the floor, walls, looking for traps when all of a sudden all of the Shields came rushing past her, their wakes pushing some loose reeds this way and that in the weave. Well, maybe not all. She hadn’t felt Bartomus’ living water push past her, so he must be behind her, probably close by.
Bartomus, seeing that the narrow corridor might force him to be front-line if he raced ahead, and his watery form were compacted enough, so he paused to allow the Shields to take their pick of marching order positions while he considered what preparatory spells he might cast, if any.
(OOC – Bartomus, next post please feel free to “step back in time” and note what your two minutes were spent doing prior to the Shields getting in place to explore the moundplex.)
SHIELDS – now that you are in position, only Stock, and to a greater extent, Zanderallen, are able to peek around the corner and see further than the first 5’ of the opening. They see the opening leads into a large room with the back wall some 40’ or so away from the opening. The blue-green patterns on the reeds in the walls, floors, and ceilings continue as far as Stock and Zanderallen can see. There are two very small traces of what appear to be viscera in the entrance, each no more than might fit between a human index finger and thumb tightly close to one another.
What do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday April 28th, 2023 6:21:22 AM
Stohp follows the lead of the pair in front, hand on her flail in case of combat or ambush.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=42 ; Friday April 28th, 2023 8:39:39 AM
Delia swims forward after Stohp, fanning out to the side as the enter the larger room. She has her bow in her hand, largely relying on her magically improved legs to propell her. She keeps an eye out for any reeds that don't quite move with the current or any other threat Zander's miniature sun reveals.
Perception 42
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +17 (2d6+9) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=18 ; Friday April 28th, 2023 10:27:30 AM
[2minutes prior - sorry] Bartomus swam upward and waited for the others as he was going to have to squeeze into and through that space. When the others get assembled and start working their way into the mound, he finished casting two spells for his own needs.
He squeezed himself into the corridor feeling his density increase as he did so. He wondered if his pressure had any effect on the walls he was slipping past and pushing against. When he turned and got into the larger area, he adjusted accordingly and looked about. Move to J30
Spells cast - Command Plants will last for 15 days Bull's Strength - raises strength to 28 - adding an additional plus two to damage and attack
Perception once coming to a stopping point at J30 - 18
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 Saturday April 29th, 2023 8:15:11 AM
Zander nods to Stock and the rest as he see everyone stacked in the corridor. Knowing his light is giving them away anyway he walks around the corner into the room, calling out, "Hello, anybody home?" ======== Move to L33
Stohp follows the lead of Stock and Zanderallen, her flail ready for battle!
Delia follows behind Stohp, intending to fan to one side once the Shields enter the large room. Her bow in hand, magical flippers propelling her forward, she is alert for any danger, especially minute disturbances from reeds, even ones that are part of the moundplex.
Bartomus had swam upward, waiting for the Shields to assume their ‘marching’ formation (and oddly, to Bartomus, three of the Shields were in fact marching, not swimming!), then he considered the spells he wanted to cast. Command Plants would require him to target specific plants at Close range, so despite its lengthy duration he knew he needed to cast that in battle, once any Reeds or other monstrous plants revealed themselves, or were found. He elects to just cast Bull’s Strength on himself, which he knows will last 15 minutes… enough time to find at least the first battle of however many battles there will be today!
Zanderallen nods to Stock and the Shields in formation, and then boldly walks around the corner and calls out a greeting.
Stock, anxious to deal with the Reedy threat once and for all, maintains formation and wordlessly moves ahead with Zanderallen. (OOC – to K33)
Armalad moves alongside Delia, looking for traps. (OOC – DM rolled 4+20 = 24 base, 25 for traps) Joker moves just to the side, able to peek around the corner.
Bartomus fully squeezed into the corridor, coming up just short of being able to see more than where Stock and Zanderallen had progressed.
All seems peaceful…
Delia shatters the silence, but with water in her lungs only those 10’ away can make out what she says - Bartomus, Stohp, Armalad, Joker ONLY: Highlight to display spoiler: { “It’s a trap – there’s a Reed RIGHT THERE!!!!”}
Still, while the water garbled her words too much for Stock and Zanderallen to understand, each turned back to see if she was calling for help, but she was dead serious, her left arm outstretched and using her bow to point at a section of moundwall (M33 and M34).
Delia has her bow in her left hand and has nocked an arrow, looking for a target in that direction. She shouts again, out to 10’ - Bartomus, Stohp, Armalad, Joker ONLY: Highlight to display spoiler: { “The Reed is right there, I bet it’s going to attack Zanderallen! Lift your helmet eyecovers so you can see! This is an ambush!” }
All is quiet on the moundplex front, other than Zanderallen’s greeting and Delia’s frenetic words from her water-filled lungs.
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday May 1st, 2023 12:49:40 AM
Armalad casts message targetting the party and tells everyone, "Delia says that it is a trap and that there is a reed ready to attack Zanderallen"
Mage Armor = +4 AC for 10 hours - Joker Mage Armor = +4 AC for 10 hours - Armalad (this one was cast when we first went down here) Water Breathing = 20 hours worth of water breathing, can share up to 9 other people, dividing the duration by those it is shared with gloves and fins: swim speed with swim bonus
Spells Prepared: 0th - Ray of Frost, Light, Message, Detect Magic 1st - Magic Missile, Mage Armor - cast, Mage Armor, Shield, True Strike, Detect Hidden Doors 2nd Selective Burning Hands (DC 17), False Life, Mirror Image, See Invisibility, Hideous Laughter, Invisibility 3rd Water Breathing - cast, Water Breathing, Lightning Bolt, Invisibility Sphere 4th - Selective Fireball (DC 19), Confusion, Resilient Sphere, Black Tentacles 5th - Cone of Cold, Selective Shout (DC 20), Cone of Cold
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday May 1st, 2023 7:06:36 AM
Stohp will reach out and touch those in front of her to indicate they should halt then repeating Delia's message to them.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=26 ; d20+25=43 ; Monday May 1st, 2023 9:04:50 AM Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement[i]
Stock turns around and scans the area as he moves left to make room for the rest of the group to enter.
[i]========== Perception 43 Move to G30
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +17 (2d6+9) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+1=16 ; Monday May 1st, 2023 10:10:45 AM
Bartomus, hearing that there is a reed mat ready to attack attempted to speak in the language of water elementals and water plants (?) with a command to the reed mat to stand down in its attack. He tries to emphasize this command in hopes that it can be heard by any other reed mats ahead of the party.
Command plants - Charisma role of 16 versus its Charisma if this can work; 60' range; Will save negates command effort it appears http://legacy.aonprd.com/coreRulebook/spells/commandPlants.html#command-plants
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+24=35 ; d8=1 ; d6=1 ; Monday May 1st, 2023 6:17:04 PM
Delia nocks an arrow and draws, and then pauses as she hears what seems like a spell echoing out of Bart's water-form.
She readies to fire should hostilities begin.
====================== Readied Attack: 35 -1 for each 5ft of water between Delia and the reed who would be doing the attacking. Damage: 15 (14 piercing, 1 cold)
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) d20+10=23 ; Monday May 1st, 2023 9:49:09 PM
Armalad casts Message and with the barest of whispers is clearly heard in the ears of the rest of the Shields, repeating Delia’s warning about Zanderallen being in danger.
(OOC – On the Message cantrip –
Message is not a voice channel where everyone can speak and be heard by everyone else – Armalad, the caster, is like a dispatcher for a taxi service, capable of speaking to any number of recipients, even all of them, at once, BUT the rest of the Shields may only use Message to speak to Armalad alone, otherwise they may have to “shout” with water-filled lungs, etc.
If you use Message to communicate during a post, use the phrase, “[my hero] Messages Armalad that XYZ is happening…”
Hugh can simply write, “Armalad Messages Shields A, B, and D only as follows:” or “Armalad Messages all Shields the following” etc.)
Stohp, simultaneously with Armalad’s spellcasting, taps Stock and Zanderallen on their shoulders and repeats Delia’s warning to them. Then Stohp gets a bad case of echo when Armalad’s magical voice appears in her ears via Message.
Stock turns around at Stohp’s touch and communication, and then as he begins to slowly move out of the way of other Shields (to J33) and scan the area around him he begins hearing Armalad’s Message.
Bartomus listens to Armalad’s repeat of Delia’s warning. He still wishes he knew one of these underwater languages, but he knows Command Plants will enable him to communicate with any plant who fails to resist the spell, so after casting the spell in the general direction of the wall behind Zanderallen, he begins trying to somehow make his watery body make sounds. He hadn’t seen an attack start yet, but still he forced out the command to stay still and hoped the Reed would have to obey.
Delia nocks an arrow, pulling back in anticipation of battle as she listens to Armalad repeat everything she just said… and then there is churning of the water, something not quite like the ‘sound’ of Armalad spellcasting next to her, yet vibrating her eardrums – Bartomus must be spellcasting! She does not let loose her fingertip of doom just yet, but Readies to shoot the first Reed, plant, whatever to attack the Shields!
Zanderallen is looking around, puzzled that nothing is moving or responding, and then Stohp touches his shoulder and repeats Delia’s warning. Then Armalad’s magical Message comes in with stereo effect. He turns to look at the walls to his right again, facing them with sword in hand. He stares intently (PER = 23) but cannot see anything but the woven reeds and seaweeds and kelp of these strange moundplex walls. Then almost imperceptible waves of water touch him, flowing past. Too far away to realize Bartomus has cast a spell, he dismisses them as mere coincidence to the task at hand. Looking at the wall again, the reeds had been ever so slightly rocking back and forth with the motion of the Lake, but now they did not move at all. Curiouser and curiouser thought Zanderallen.
Armalad keeps her eyes peeled for any threats, ready to communicate to the party anything that she sees
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 7:12:39 AM
Stohp waits for someone to make a decision to advance, attack, or otherwise deal with the ambush. Presumably someone who's spotted the enemy and can do something about them.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=30 ; Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 9:24:55 AM
Stock keeps pushing forward, wall on his left and Shields on his right. He does not see an obvious target or threat. He pushes forward to the opening at F27 and takes a look.
========= Perception 30
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=25 ; Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 10:24:24 AM "Well, now that's fascinating," Bartomus said aloud when the reed beast didn't attack Zander. Or, at least that is what he heard while the others simply saw bubbles and probably heard gurgling, swishing sounds.
He followed in behind the Shields and turns to the reed beast. He nodded at the obedient mat and smiled at it. He then looked about at the walls to see if there were any mats.
Perception - 25
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 d20+22=38 ; d8+18=26 ; Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 1:55:52 PM
Zander holds for a moment, not quite sure what is going on. With no further developments he shrugs his shoulders and walks into the center of the room, ready to attack anything that attacks him. ==================== Move to J30
Ready attack 38 to hit, 26 damage
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=33 ; Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 4:23:35 PM
Delia stays put for the moment, continuing to watch for any reeds moving out of the natural water current and trying to keep aware of Bart's water current and ready to defend.
===================== Perception 33 Readied Attack repost: 35 -1 for each 5ft of water between Delia and the reed who would be doing the attacking. Damage: 15 (14 piercing, 1 cold)
Whack-a-Mound (DM Wayne) Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 9:06:42 PM
Armalad actively looks for threats, the slightest bit of motion worthy of an arrow, or perhaps at least a Messaged broadcast to all the Shields and Joker. Armalad ONLY Highlight to display spoiler: { Her narrow focus makes her think that she sees a Reed, or Reeds, in (M33, M34, N34)… not a bit of movement, well-blended in, but Zanderallen’s Daylight (M33, M34) and her low-light vision (N34) combine to tell her that she must be looking at the Reed Delia warned about… but… what to do? It… or (shudder) they… seems to be a part of the very walls itself! }
Stohp readies to follow the next plan another Shield directs, weapon in hand.
Stock begins to move in the direction of the next exit to the room, but walks 10’ (J33 to I31) and stops – the whole wall is bluish-greenish woven reed, seaweed, and kelp, but (Stock ONLY) Highlight to display spoiler: { Zanderallen’s Daylight illuminates (F30, F29) just right and Stock sees a 10’ by 10’ area (ceilings are 10’ here) where some occasional streaks of red are visible… a strange, alien red that Stock has only seen once before on that tiny plant that almost ate Hasan’s thumb! The weave seems to be moving more than the slow rocking of the Lakewater would account for… Stock knows what he must do. }
Stohp sees another Shield finally advancing and falls in step behind Stock. Zanderallen later runs around and then in front of her, on her right, and then he stops, noticing Stock is staring at a particular section of moundwall…
Bartomus whispers his amazement, but the only one that hears it is Armalad, via the Message, though it comes to her as garbled watery noises, not as an actual language. Bartomus sees Stohp move ahead, which creates enough space for him to ooze forward another 10’, still squeezed and compacted, but now his ‘head’ is at the front, and with Zanderallen’s Daylight (Bartomus ONLY) Highlight to display spoiler: { can look at the Reed whose location he guessed (M33, M34) from Delia’s warning. Odd, he thought… Zanderallen wasn’t attacked… he trusted Delia on the location, but stare as he might he can’t tell the Reed from the wall, especially after he commanded it to stop moving. His only clue of success is that none of this wall section is slowly rocking with the slight motion of the Lakewater, when other wall sections around him do have that slight movement. Bartomus pauses and wonders, given the 60’ range of the spell, whether he caught any more Reeds than this one, and if so, whether they resisted his spell. He’d need to get closer to (M32 and beyond) to see if they too are frozen in place. }
Zanderallen pauses a moment, still a bit puzzled. Following Armalad’s Message he doesn’t believe anything has changed, so he shrugs and moves to (J30) and walks abreast with Stock towards the next opening when Stock stops walking, and turns to face the wall to his left (F30, F31), staring at it intently. Zanderallen stops too, in the center of the room, blade ready for action!
Delia feels Bartomus’ compacted water flow past her, and silently thanks him for leaving a walkway into the room. She notes (Delia ONLY) Highlight to display spoiler: { that the Reed she spotted earlier (M33, M34, and now also N34 she sees) is frozen stiff, not even the slightest movement. Did Bartomus’ spell slay it or command it? Probably the latter, given his reverence for the Wold’s nature. }
The Lakewater is so thick it seems one could cut it with a knife!
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 11:53:04 PM
Armalad messages to the team, "I think I see the reeds that Delia warned about but they seem to be part of the wall itself. I could shoot it with an adamantine arrow but would it make more sense for someone to take an axe to the reeds? Delia or I could tell you if you were getting warmer to the specific reed and then you would take the axe to that reed maybe breaking it?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 7:04:29 AM
Stohp is starting to get a little antsy. Whatever they are doing they should do it.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=26 ; Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 9:11:32 AM
When an opening appeared, or if he could squeeze and flow between the others, Bartomus tried to move into the room. He continued to scan the walls and ceiling where ever he was at.
If possible, move to K28 - Perception looking at the walls in this room first at the one patch of wall identified and then elsewhere including the ceiling.
Stock (JonM) HP: 203/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 0/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+16=32 ; d10+19=26 ; Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 9:41:27 AM
Stock turns to the others and bellows out, "Looks like that angry red reed is buried in the walls I'm on it. There are few problems with walls that axes can't solve."
Stock moves up to the wall and slams it with his axe.
=========== Move to G30 Power Attacking the wall! hits AC32, 26 adamantine slashing damage
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 1:11:29 PM
Delia will point the enthusiastic dwarf towards the specific reeds that were trying to attack Zander, moving into the open room as well. As she passes everyone, she will inform them, "With Bart's spell, these plants shouldn't be a problem for a while. Not sure if that will last if we start killing them though."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 15 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 6:54:41 PM
Zanderallen continues to hold in the center of the room. "So the walls want to kill us, but then Bart did something, and now Stock might make them angry? Is that the gist of it?"
"It's a Trap!" - Admiral Ackbar (DM Wayne) d20+16=26 ; d20+16=26 ; d20+16=26 ; d20+16=22 ; d20+16=21 ; d3=1 ; d20+16=31 ; 2d8+7=14 ; d20+16=34 ; d20+16=35 ; d20+16=17 ; d8=1 ; d8=6 ; d20+16=24 ; d20+16=35 ; d20+16=32 ; 2d8=4 ; d20+18=28 ; 2d8+7=15 ; Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 11:44:43 PM
Armalad Messages the Shields that the Reed(s) Delia spotted seem to be part of the very moundwall itself. She suggests that she or Delia guide Shields to strike with adamantine weapons at the correct wall section.
Stohp hears Armalad’s Messaged plan of action, but no one has given the “go” order yet, so Stohp is more than a bit unsettled by the pace.
Bartomus finally sees a path where his temporarily “heavy water” wouldn’t crush a Shield against the wall, so he flows (squeezes) to a point where he’s more the size of a watery hydra (height of 10’) than a watery giant (height of 15’) (center of mass K28) and looks around the two walls closest to him (top and right of room), benefiting from Zanderallen’s Daylight, seeing easily in color. Bartomus ONLY Highlight to display spoiler: { does not specifically see Reeds in the two walls nearest him, but as he traveled past the suddenly frozen-still moundwall where he’d cast Control Plants on the Reed Delia spotted approximately (M33,M34), now he sees that at the border of two 5’ wall sections (M28, M29), one of them is frozen despite the gentle rocking of the Lakewater (M29), and one is not (M28). Could his spell, with its 60’ range, have controlled more than one target? Two… wait, if they’re all 10’ by 10’, then three monstrous plants were affected (counting 10’ at a time from the 30’ diameter of M34 through M29)!!! Hmm… Stock’s still staring at that far section of wall… could that be a… fourth… monstrous plant? }
Stock, his lungs filled with water, shouts to the Shields, but only Zanderallen, Stohp, and Bartomus are close enough to hear his voice, so he also whispers a reply to Armalad via Message, leaving only Delia and Joker unaware of his call to battle against the “angry red Reed”. Then Stock rushes the wall like a runaway horses-and-carriage, adamantine waraxe in hand, and his weapon easily cuts through regular woven reeds… and apparently tougher monstrous plant material too!
(OOC – this is the Surprise Round – only Stock makes an attack this Surprise Round)
In the depths of Turtle Lake, there is little sound but for the movement of air bubbles, perhaps a momentary flow of rushing water, whirls, and eddies, little more sound than the Woldian Void… but Stock hears… feels… his water-filled grunt of satisfaction as many blue-green woven reeds fall from the wall, strange sap/not-sap, liquid/not-liquid falls from the many red petals now visible!
Stock, and all other Shields inside the room, see a wounded but apparently fully adult version of the tiny red thumb-eater plant in a ten-foot section of the moundwall, rising up and ready for battle, ready to respond in kind to Stock’s wounding first strike!
Delia moves into the open room Messaging her comment to Armalad, picking a spot by Stohp (K30), and then actually gurgling water in her mouth and lungs to tell Stohp and Zanderallen the same thing. As she finishes, she thinks Bartomus is nearby too. Surveying the room, functionally very hard of hearing due to being underwater, it is not until she looks around for Stock, who seems to have moved first and gotten ahead of her, that she sees what the other Shields see in the room – Stock with waraxe in hand and ahead of him a towering and very Large version of that thumb-eating tiny red plant! Her right hand is already reaching into her quiver for just the right arrow as she considers if now is the time to begin shooting…
Zanderallen holds his position in the center, and puzzles out the happenings aloud, wondering if Stock might make them angry at precisely the moment Stock’s waraxe cleaves into the moundwall and exposes the Blood Lily!
(OOC – Round 1 of battle begins!!!)
Its silent howl of pain, if it has one, completed, the heretofore legendary Blood Lily is before the Shields!
Hundreds of long and thin blood-red petals form a spherical shape atop its central stem. A pair of stout vine-like appendages sprout from either side of its central mass. In the room, Bartomus and Delia marvel at its large radiant blossom, a ball of scarlet spikes reminiscent of a sea urchin.
AT ONCE the scarlet “sea urchin” fully faces Stock and launches four flaming-red flechettes, that is, four of its hundreds of petals become stiff and sharp as knives and are launched like porcupine spines at sullen Stock, but Stock is able to freely dodge two of them and angles his waraxe to block the other two! Stock stands unharmed… for now.
From an adjacent wall (F32, F33) a Reed bursts forth, a tangled mass of thick reeds extending from a bulbous pod split by a wide thorn-toothed maw, occupying part of the room, and two familiar tendrils lash out from it to strike and grapple Stock! The tendrils are upon Stock in a flash and as Stock ducks out of the way of the first one, the second one scores a solid hit!
(STOCK – take 14 damage)
A tiny wisp of Stock’s blood enters the Lakewater…
And with that, the strangely cunning monstrous plants all make their move… those not under Bartomus’ spell!
From the top wall (I25, I26) reeds rotate in the moundwall, revealing sinister scarlet in a 10’ by 10’ shape, which fully bursts forth from the moundwall with a diagonal step and slings two scarlet spikes at each of Stock and Zanderallen, one of them piercing deep into Stock!
(OOC – second one was a critical threat, but is not a critical hit; damage is 1 point (this one fails to beat Stock’s DR), and 6 points (this one gets some damage past Stock’s DR). The petal spikes are excessively sharp and the second hit Causes a Bleeding Wound to STOCK. (because it beat his damage reduction)
STOCK, at the START of each of your posts in this combat, take 1d8 Bleeding Damage (DR does not apply). Bleeding can be stopped by a DC 15 Heal check or through the application of any spell that cures hit point damage.)
(ZANDERALLEN – please update your AC in your posts – you have Freedom of Movement and are wearing your Full Plate – your header says AC 15 instead of 31 right now)
Of the other two aimed at Zanderallen, one veers wide but the other strikes deep in his right side (Zander – it Critically Hit you for a total of 4 damage!) and Causes a Bleeding Wound to ZANDERALLEN!
ZANDERALLEN, at the START of each of your posts in this combat, take 1d8 Bleeding Damage (DR does not apply). Bleeding can be stopped by a DC 15 Heal check or through the application of any spell that cures hit point damage.)
Suddenly, another Reed moves forth (from K25, K26) and brushes past nigh-invisible-watery Bartomus on its way to strike at Stock. (BARTOMUS, Take An Attack of Opportunity!) It greedily reaches out towards Stock with a tendril, flanking with its two “friends” on the other side of Stock, just hitting through its pure cunning! (STOCK - take 15 damage)
Finally, another Blood Lily becomes visible (in M27, M28) but cannot get through Bartomus’ Huge watery form so it moves through the Moundwall, between the top Blood Lily and Reed (B2 and S2 on the map) until it fully emerges beyond them, then turns to “face” Stock.
(BARTOMUS – If you have Combat Reflexes, this is your Second Attack of Opportunity in this Round.)
SHIELDS – it’s your half of Round 1… Fight!
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+10=21 ; d20+20=23 ; d8=3 ; d6=4 ; 4d6=12 ; Thursday May 4th, 2023 2:37:34 AM
Armalad whispers at Joker, "Create an illusion of an ink cloud and stay close to me"
Joker uses the wand of silent image to create a 4x4 ink cloud covering Armalad, Joker and the 2 squares in front of them and follows Armalad as she moves to K 33. Joker is at L 33 and there are 2 squares of illusionary inkiness at K 32 and L32
(Armalad's save vs Illusion: 21)
Armalad fires an arrow targetting B1 as Armalad has concealment from the illusionary ink cloud and B1 is within 30 feet, B1 should be sneak attacked
Armalad is using both deadly aim and many shot with this attack
23 vs B1's Flat Footed AC, if that hits 1d8 (3) + 1d6(4) electric + 11 x2 + 4d6 (12) = 28 + 8 electric + 12 sneak attack
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=22 ; Thursday May 4th, 2023 8:03:55 AM
Stohp has handled the reeds before so she'll move towards one of them to grapple (not sure what each enemy is, can you add them to the map key and move Stohp towards a reed?). Unfortunately she isn't able to get a good grip (22, nat 1. I think it's technically replacing an attack rolls, so can auto miss on a nat 1?)
Stock (JonM) HP: 220/248; AC: 26/24/14; DR 3/-; CMD: 36; Rage: 1/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d8=2 ; d20+19=31 ; d20+14=24 ; d20+9=25 ; d10+23=27 ; d10+23=32 ; d10+23=30 ; Thursday May 4th, 2023 9:17:19 AM Status: Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement and now RAGING! Stock yells out, "Found them!" He sees wisps of his blood floating in the water. This drives his rage forward and he lets loose on the reed in front of him, cutting and slashing at the red reed.
Somewhere in his brain he notes the blood leaking out of him but he rationalizes that he still has plenty more to give. ====== Map Link Just confirming on damage last round, you weren't including DR right? So 14->11, 1->0, 6->3, 15->12 2 Bleed damage Also confirming enemies close to Stock - B1 is the one that struck first, S2 struck last, S is Stohp right? But it also looks like it attacked? So is S outside of the wall Stohp but S inside the wall an enemy? Raging Power Attack vs B1 hits AC 31, 27 damage PA vs B1 hits AC 24, 32 damage PA vs B1 hits AC 25, 30 damage
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+6=19 ; 2d6+6=10 ; d20+6=16 ; 2d6+6=12 ; d20+6=16 ; d20+6=19 ; d20+6=25 ; 2d6+6=11 ; 2d6+6=14 ; Thursday May 4th, 2023 10:24:28 AM There were a group of them here and some aren't moving. Bartomus said to himself and tried to process the information that he observed. Then Stock let loose.
"Wait Stock, wait," Bartomus tried yelling affirming what Delia and others were saying, but dwarves gotta dwarf.
Things started to move and Bartomus watched as a reed mat with one of its telltale tendrils brush past him and slammed it with both of the watery fists he formed. Then he looked about and saw both a reedy mat come out of the wall and a blood Lilly right behind it. Bartomus slammed one fist at the reed and then looked hard as he aimed for a weaker spot where slammed a second fist.
AOC - two slams - 1st with a 19, for 10; 2nd with 16 for 12; Does not have that feat, but does have cleave..will consider that the next round
Attack on S2 - two slams 1st with a 19 for 11// second for 25, and using Vital Strike for 2xs regular damage of 14x2 = 28
I don't believe I can use Cleave after this set of attacks, will use that next round
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 147/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 d8=8 ; d20+10=12 ; d20+22=34 ; d20+22=32 ; d20+17=33 ; d20+12=14 ; d8+18=20 ; d8+18=20 ; d8+18=19 ; Thursday May 4th, 2023 6:11:28 PM
Zander barely notices the initial scratch but holds back a yowl as the salt water hits the bleeding wound. He'd deal with that later. He finally had something to hit. He steps up to the reed closest him, free movement and magically enhanced speed making a blur under the water. ============== AC Updated: sorry about that
Bleed Taken: 8
Divine Bond: +5 Speed 15 minute original duration
5 foot step to I29
Full attack on S2 Spellcraft 12 no fire 34 to hit, 20 damage 32 to hit, 20 damage 33 to hit, 19 damage 14 misses
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+18=31 ; d20+18=24 ; d20+13=14 ; d20+8=11 ; d8+14=19 ; d6=3 ; d8+14=16 ; d6=5 ; d8+14=20 ; d6=6 ; Thursday May 4th, 2023 10:56:41 PM Reminder that Stock, Zander, and Stohp are affected by Freedom of Movement and the reeds cannot grapple y'all
Delia blows some annoyed bubbles at the blood lilies she has to fight underwater as she repositions closer with her swim speed and raises her bow.
===== 5ft "step" to J30 should be 20 ft away from B1 (-4) - forgot to add point blank to attack roller Attack 1: 32 to hit; 22 & 21 damage (19 piercing, 3 cold, 16 piercing, 5 cold) Attack 2: 25 to hit; 26 damage (20 piercing, 6 cold) Attack 3: 15 - nat 1 Attack 4: 12 to hit;
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday May 4th, 2023 11:13:18 PM
Time slows down for Armalad and Joker as combat heats up. (OOC: Checking In)
"It's a Trap!" - Admiral Ackbar (DM Wayne) d20+16=22 ; d10=6 ; d20+16=18 ; d20+15=18 ; d20+16=26 ; d20+16=31 ; d20+15=27 ; 2d8+7=17 ; d20+16=23 ; d20+16=24 ; d20+16=21 ; d20+16=18 ; d20+16=18 ; d20+16=34 ; d8=4 ; d20+16=33 ; d20+16=27 ; 2d6+4=12 ; 2d6+4=6 ; d4=1 ; d4=4 ; Thursday May 4th, 2023 11:21:49 PM
Armalad and Joker move into action, entering the room and then in quick succession Joker uses a wad to create an inky cloud.
(OOC - DC 12 Will Save for any Shield interacting with it to “see through” the figment. STOHP – roll that Will Save since Joker created the figment with 1 square of you inside it! Success = behave like it’s not there; Fail = it’s dark there and hard to see through!)
Armalad nocks an arrow on the go in Second Elder’s Wrath and shoots at B1, the arrow flying as though on the surface, in air, narrowly missing Stohp on the right and Reed #1 on the left, catching Blood Lily #1 flat-footed from within the ink cloud! The arrow sinks in deep, electric arcs cauterizing the leaves and petals as it goes!
Stohp moves forward to grapple a Reed (“Stranglereed,” thus S# on the map; here she reaches for S1.) but fails. (OOC - Reeds are CMD 32 for grapplers, etc. Combat maneuvers fail on a 1 just as attacks fail on a 1. Core Rulebook, p. 198.)
(OOC –
STOCK – yes, your DR calculations are correct – apply your own DR. I noted that you did not Bleed from the petal that hit you but failed to beat your DR.
Re: “S” and Stohp – the Legend in the top left of the map (row 6) indicates Stohp is represented with a P. No Shield is represented by an S. I neglected to make “S” into “S1” which I have since fixed.
Now added to the Legend, beginning in G2 and G3:
S# is a Stranglereed (“Reed”) B# is a Blood Lily. B on its own is Bartomus (currently taking up 9 squares as a Huge Water Elemental
B1 is the Blood Lily that struck at Stock first, but missed with all 4 attacks. B1 is also the Blood Lily Stock cut out of the moundwall with his first strike in the surprise round. B2 is the Blood Lily who launched 2 petal blades at each of Stock and Zanderallen, wounding both of you.)
Stock yells that he’s found them, but everyone except Armalad (via Message) is too far away to hear Stock’s water-filled vocal cords gurgle his announcement. Then he notices his own blood in the water from the petal-blade, with more oozing out, and becomes enRaged! Stock, Freely Attacking, executes a Full Attack routine so completely that the water swirls about him violently, his first swing glancing off a suddenly hard and sharp group of petals and then on the backswing he beats the plant’s defenses and cuts deep with his adamantine waraxe!
(OOC – Blood Lilys are AC 25 when not flat-footed.)
Bartomus considered that there was more than one monstrous plant here, some not moving. And then Stock happened. He reflexively called out for Stock to wait, but the only one who heard his static-y gurgling in no particular language was Armalad via Message.
(OOC – An Attack of Opportunity is 1 attack – it is not a Full Attack. Bartomus lacks Combat Reflexes, so he only gets the 1 attack of opportunity this round.)
When Reed #2 (S2) leaves the wall to go attack Stock, not noticing the watery Bartomus, Bartomus takes the opportunity to swing a large watery “fist” at it, missing (result = 19, AC is 23 for a Stranglereed / “Reed”). When the third Blood Lily also moves past him, Bartomus is not able to re-orient himself in time to strike at it. He re-orients himself and then sets about water-pummeling the Reed (S2) into submission! (OOC – I am ignoring the second d20 roll in your post, since it was for an AoO you didn’t qualify to take) Bartomus’s right fist swings hard at the Reed, but rolls off the Reed like… well… you know… and then he brings his left fist down in a hammer-like blow, striking harder but still rolling off… Bartomus reshapes himself in anticipation of his next attacks…
Zanderallen shrugs off the critical hit, but then the water hits the bleeding wound and he stifles a yelp! (Turtle Lake has less salt than one might think – Turtle Lake appears to drain to an ocean from the official Woldipedia player map of the Crying Wood region, but Lakes are typically freshwater… estuary effects at most.) The stifling is made easier by the call to battle in the somewhat silent deep – the air bubble of his Helm makes the occasional sounds a bit clearer than if he was fully immersed in water. Then, like a flash, Zanderallen is next to a Reed in a 5’ step (S2) and with his blade’s Speed, creates violent turbulence in the Lakewater around him as he executes… strike, spin, parry, thrust, turn, stab, and slice… water on that last attempt. Zanderallen’s first three cuts leave many stray bits of tendrils and other plant matter floating around him!
Delia swims 5’ and unleashes her fusillade of arrows upon the Blood Lilys, her multishot freezing its last moving parts and shattering it like an ice sculpture! Quickly selecting a new Blood Lily, since her arrows sink so deep in them compared to Reeds, she spies (B2) readying a run towards Stock and hits it with her second shot, with the wounded Lily nimbly zigging when Delia’s final two arrows zagged! (B2) continues on towards Stock…
The plants now have two sources of fresh blood in the water… what will they do?
Round 2
A Reed (S1) saw and felt the touch of a meaty fist, and it rotates in place, orienting its mouth of shark-like teeth at Stohp, attempting to strike/grab with its tendrils and bite with that serrated orifice! (ignore Roll #2, the d10; accident) It tries mightily, but Stohp completely eludes its grasp, from tendrils and orifice alike!
Another Reed finds its pain caused by the source of fresh blood in front of it (S2) and likewise it attempts to grab and bite Zanderallen, striking him with only one tendril (17 damage) and attempting to grip him, but Zanderallen freely escapes its grasp!
[deleted reference to B1’s rolled and missed attacks since Delia posted just before I was about to post.]
Another Blood Lily (B3) explodes four scarlet spikes at Stock, who freely dodges three of them, but then the fourth one strikes home (4 damage, so 1 beats DR, but Stock is already Bleeding, and Bleeding does not stack.)
The final Blood Lily (B2) moves past its comrades and partially merges into the Moundwall, leaving enough of it exposed to flail two vines at Stock, striking twice!
(STOCK – the first hit is 12 damage. The second hit is 6 damage. Both get some damage past your DR, injecting strange and alien plant toxins into your dwarven blood… Two doses of Blood Lily poison are active in you – you are now bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll TWO DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Specify which save is for “dose 1” and which is for “dose 2.”
Track each dose’s saves separately – if you get two consecutive successful saves against one dose, you are cured of both doses.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Round 2 poison info:
Fort DC 23 (once each)
IF Dose 1 fails = 1 CON damage + Sickened. IF Dose 2 fails = 4 CON damage + Sickened.)
SHIELDS – it’s your half of Round 2… Fight!
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=29 ; d20+21=40 ; Friday May 5th, 2023 6:54:19 AM
Stohp tries this grappling thing again, failing on her first try but succeeding on her second (grappling is a move action for her, 29 and 40)
Stock (JonM) HP: 200/248; AC: 26/24/14; DR 3/-; CMD: 36; Rage: 2/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d8=7 ; d20+23=34 ; d20+23=34 ; d20+19=30 ; d10+23=28 ; d10+23=33 ; d20+19=32 ; d20+14=26 ; d20+9=22 ; d10+23=28 ; Friday May 5th, 2023 9:47:31 AM Status: Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement, RAGING!, Bleeding Stock keeps churning up water steadily filling with chunks of vegetation and his blood. As the Blood Lily closes to attack he swings once...and then keeps swinging. He is humming a dwarven cooking song as he chops...although in this water it's unlikely anybody else can hear it.
========= Bleed - 7 damage Dose 1 Save: 34 Dose 2 Save: 34 - OOC Fortunately Stock's save against poison is +23 right now so just a Nat 1 is a failure. I'm assuming if I get two consecutive passes on both doses AND there is not a third dose then there is no need to keep rolling right? Using Unexpected Strike for first attack - Power Attack vs B2 hits AC 30, 28 damage Full attack - Power Attack hits AC 32, 33 damage (accidentally rolled damage first) Power Attack hits AC 26, 28 damage Power Attack 3 hits AC 22
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=22 ; d20+6=21 ; d20+6=10 ; Friday May 5th, 2023 10:48:11 AM
Bartomus looks upwards to get a sense of the height of the chamber they are in and then goes forward with his effort to pummel the reed next to him. But, both attacks missed their mark.
Attack for 22 against 23 miss, attack for 10 against 23 miss on S2
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+20=39 ; d20+20=27 ; d20+20=21 ; d20+15=18 ; d20+10=16 ; d8+14=17 ; d6=3 ; d8+14=20 ; d6=2 ; 2d8+28=43 ; Friday May 5th, 2023 2:06:27 PM Water Breathing, Swim Speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft Sorry for late post! I had one mostly typed out and then got pulled away but had it in my head I had finished it
Delia kicks again to reposition, taking a half second to resettle with sights on her new blood lily target, countering range with range. The power of her first shot takes her a little off guard underwater and her later shots suffer because of it.
==================== 5ft swim to I30. Full attack at B3. Point blank shot and I think -3 for range. Second target would be B2. Attack 1: 39 to hit - crit threat, 27 to confirm; if confirmed: Damage 63 & 22 (17+43 piercing, 3 cold) & (20 piercing, 2 cold)
Attack 2: 21 to hit; nat 1 Attack 3: 18 to hit; Attack 4: 16 to hit;
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 127/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 12/13 SE 5/5 d8=3 ; d20+22=36 ; d20+22=27 ; d20+17=19 ; d20+12=19 ; d20+10=13 ; d8+18=19 ; d8+18=25 ; Friday May 5th, 2023 8:11:22 PM
Zanderallen marvels at this freedom as his arm just slips out of the vines embrace without a care. But the pain of the slice keeps him grounded in combat. Almost detached from the fight a train of thought goes through the back of his mind that the lake is fresh water, so why does that Blood Lily petal string so much. Questions for another day as the active part of his mind brings his blade to bear on the Reed in front of him. ======== Full attack, Spellcraft 13 still no fire 36 hits, 19 damage 27 hits, 25 damage 19 misses 19 misses
"It's a Trap!" - Admiral Ackbar (DM Wayne) d20+21=29 ; d20+16=30 ; d20+16=25 ; d20+17=26 ; 2d6+4=9 ; d20+16=20 ; d20+16=23 ; d20+15=18 ; d20+16=17 ; Saturday May 6th, 2023 11:27:31 PM
Stohp redoubles her efforts and lands a grappling hold on S1!
Blood Lily (B2) didn’t notice until after it had moved in and struck at Stock that Stock struck back! Not only did Stock strike back, he then enters a rage-nado of blows, agitating the water around him like something not yet invented in the Wold! The Blood Lily (B2) is cut deeply twice more by the adamantine-bladed Stock vortex, but remains in place, flexing its petal-blades and vines!
Bartomus optimizes his shape as best he can, and thankfully unlike the other mounds where the ceiling was 20’ high only at the very center of the hemisphere, this larger moundplex seems to have a 20’ high ceilings in this room, but the entrance and the entry hallway was but 10’ by 10’ by 10’. He swirls and agitates his water and tries to give a jab-hook combination like he’s seen Monks do, but without their training each of his slams barely misses his target (S2).
Delia quickly repositions herself and unleashes a fury of arrows at the farther Blood Lily (B3), her first shot sinking in so deep the fletching can no longer be seen, but the resonance of her bowstring throws off her aim with her next few shots, which all miss by a few inches.
Zanderallen smiles as he freely and easily flows out of the Reed’s grasp, though still pained by the petal-blade that seems to have severed a minor artery… Still Zanderallen presses on, willing his blade to enflame… but it goes out as soon as it appears, and the magical steel edge, everpresent, cuts on… one… two… water doesn’t make a “whiff” sound when he misses… twice… and the fight rages on, though the Reed (S2) seems heavily wounded…
Armalad appears lost in thought, though ready to act once she decides on a course of action.
Round 3
Stohp’s foe (S1) tries to put Stock under its control, but barely fails to break Stock’s hold on it!
Stock’s foe (B2) lashes at blood-covered Stock, all of his pores oozing his blood, with its vines and one of them hits (9 damage, START AND TRACK DOSE #3 DC 23 Fortitude Save), but fails to yank Stock off his feet.
(OOC – I forgot last round, but a Blood Lily vine strike is not just damage and poison, but also a free action trip attempt that does not provoke an AoO.)
Zanderallen’s foe (S2) angrily tries to grab and consume its metallic prey once more, unable to penetrate Zanderallen’s full plate armor with either its tendrils or its shark-toothed maw.
Delia’s foe (B3) cunningly moves back slightly and then out of sight, only to reappear a moment later next to Stock and strike at him with one vine, zigging when Stock zags, missing him!
SHIELDS – it’s your half of Round 3… Fight!
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 2d6+6=8 ; 2d6+6=15 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 12:05:29 AM
Bartomus smiled, if water elementals could smile, and transforms himself into a vortex of water whirling about where his center is (base 10' at J27/28 K27/28) and moved into and behind the reed next to him. His vortex went to the roof of the room they were standing in. He continued to move along the woven wall and into the blood lily that was attacking Stock
Vortex/whirlpool slam into S2 and move, as I understand it, to G27/28 & H27/28 - Reflex save of against 23 to avoid taking slam damage - Damage for S2 if failed = 8; has to make a 2nd reflex save to avoid being pulled into the vortex.
Same for B2 - Reflex save against 23, otherwise take 15 points damage. Not sure if B2 & S2's volume would exceed the vortex.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 2d6+6=8 ; 2d6+6=15 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 12:05:32 AM
Bartomus smiled, if water elementals could smile, and transforms himself into a vortex of water whirling about where his center is (base 10' at J27/28 K27/28) and moved into and behind the reed next to him. His vortex went to the roof of the room they were standing in. He continued to move along the woven wall and into the blood lily that was attacking Stock
Vortex/whirlpool slam into S2 and move, as I understand it, to G27/28 & H27/28 - Reflex save of against 23 to avoid taking slam damage - Damage for S2 if failed = 8; has to make a 2nd reflex save to avoid being pulled into the vortex.
Same for B2 - Reflex save against 23, otherwise take 15 points damage. Not sure if B2 & S2's volume would exceed the vortex.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+18=27 ; d20+18=36 ; d20+13=22 ; d20+8=23 ; d8=2 ; d6=6 ; 4d6=16 ; d8=7 ; d6=3 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 12:51:54 AM
(OOC: Sorry I fell asleep and woke up after midnight; if I'm gonna post on Sundays for Fridays I need to post earlier rather than later)
Armalad makes a full attack action against B3 from within the inky illusionary cloud as Joker maintains the illusion
(OOC: Armalad has precise shot, so she can fire into melee without risking hitting her friends)
(1d8+1d6 +1d6 Shock +11) x 2 on first of full attack +4d6
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+26=38 ; d20+26=45 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 7:36:46 AM
Having secured the grappling advantage Stohp tries to repeat her trick of tying the monster up with it's own tentacles (grapple 38 to maintain and pin, 45 to tie up)
Stock (JonM) HP: 189/248; AC: 26/24/14; DR 3/-; CMD: 36; Rage: 3/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+23=38 ; d20+23=42 ; d20+23=31 ; d8=5 ; d20+19=24 ; d20+14=34 ; d20+18=25 ; d20+9=15 ; d10+23=25 ; d10+23=32 ; 2d10+46=54 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 9:46:31 AM Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement, Raging, Bleeding Stock's rage chopping continues. Beneath the raging exterior he is starting to get annoyed that they just. won't. die. His focus drifts momentarily to the similarities between this and chopping wood. Sometimes it is a chore and you just need to keep working; keep chopping... He snaps back to the present and chops away at the weed.
======= Poison Dose 1 Fort Save: 38 (2 saves in a row) Poison Dose 2: 42 (2 saves in a row) Poison Dose 3: 31 (1 save) Bleed Damage: 5 PA1 vs B2 hits AC24, 25 damage if it hits PA2 hits AC34 Threat, confirms (?) with 25, If it doesn't confirm - 32 damage; if it does confirm - 86 damage PA3 hits AC15 Map Link
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+21=33 ; d20+21=28 ; d20+16=27 ; d20+11=16 ; d8+15=16 ; d6=2 ; d8+15=21 ; d6=5 ; d8+15=20 ; d6=1 ; d8+15=23 ; d6=6 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 4:00:47 PM
Delia continues her barrage at the same target, despite its repositioning. She forces a thick breath in and out, steadying herself from the previous volley's odd interaction with the underwater combat.
============================================= Full attack at B3 (-2 range, +1 point blank shot) Attack 1: 33 to hit; 18 & 26 damage (16 piercing, 2 cold) & (21 piercing, 5 cold) Attack 2: 28 to hit; 21 damage (21 piercing, 1 cold) Attack 3: 27 to hit; 29 damage (23 piercing, 6 cold) Attack 4: 16 to hit; miss
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 158/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 11/13 SE 5/5 d6=4 ; d6=1 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ; d6=6 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; d20+22=29 ; d20+22=42 ; d20+26=41 ; d20+17=33 ; d20+12=13 ; d20+10=27 ; d8+18=23 ; d6=3 ; 2d8+36=52 ; d6=5 ; d8+18=24 ; d6=6 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 4:01:30 PM
Zanderallen quickly heals some of his wounds, stopping the irritating bleeding in the process. He then takes a short hop to the left, moving to support Stock as the Reed he's fighting seems to be wearing down. "For being legends these Blood Lilies are awfully hard to kill." ============= 5 ft step to H29
Swift Action - Self Lay on Hands 29 healed plus bleed stopped
Full Attack starting with S2, if S2 drops remaining attacks into B2 27 to bring the FIRE 29 to hit, 23 damage + 3 fire Nat 20, 41 to confirm, 52 damage + 5 fire 33 to hit, 24 damage + 6 fire Nat 1 misses
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday May 8th, 2023 8:16:44 PM
Time slows down for Armalad (OOC: Checking in; will try to post earlier tomorrow)
"It's a Trap!" - Admiral Ackbar (DM Wayne) d20+11=21 ; d20+11=29 ; d20+9=16 ; d20+9=29 ; d8=3 ; d6=4 ; Monday May 8th, 2023 11:00:24 PM
(OOC – BARTOMUS – rules on Whirlwind (a Supernatural Ability).
Bestiary p.306, Whirlwind (Vortex is just an underwater version) – “The whirlwind is always 5 feet wide at its base, but its height and width at the top vary from creature to creature (minimum 10 feet high). A whirlwind’s width at its peak is always equal to half of its height. The creature controls the exact height, but it must be at least 10 feet high.”
Bartomus, with a 20’ ceiling here, you/vortex are one 5’ square at ground level, and 10’ by 10’ at the ceiling (20’). Some back of the napkin volume calculations (not exact math, but starting from one 5’ by 5’ cube the first three height increments and four at the top you’re at a minimum of 7 cubes, maybe even 8 to 10. The plants are all size Large, (eight 5’ by 5’ by 5’ cubes) but a lot of that is vines/tendrils ‘occupying combat space’ so…
You can hold up to two in your vortex.
BARTOMUS – next, a Supernatural Ability takes a Standard Action to activate. (Core Rulebook, p.183, in the table of actions that take a Standard Action to use.)
Finally, my copy of the Bestiary p. 127 indicates a vortex DC of 22, not 23.)
Bartomus begins swirling his watery body around and around with Supernatural speed, forming a water vortex that is 5’ wide and long on the mound-ground (J28), and 10’ wide by 10’ long at the top, and a total of 20’ in height. Nearby, Zanderallen and Delia can feel the vortex-waves at their strongest, except, of course, for the Reed next to all three of them (S2) which Bart-vortex plows into! S2 is battered (8 damage) and looks like it might stop moving at any moment, but is still animate enough to not be caught up in the vortex!
Bart-vortex continues moving into the nearby Blood Lily (B2), which likewise is battered (15 damage) yet remains animate and is not caught up in the vortex! (OOC - Natural 20!) (Though for the moment it remains within the Bart-vortex as Bartomus stopped movement in (G28))
Armalad continues her innovative trick of being inside an illusionary ink cloud that she herself can easily ignore and opens up with a fusillade from Second Elder’s Wrath at the Blood Lily (B3) actively poking its vines out of the wall to sneakily attack Stock! Armalad’s shots are not as precise as those of Delia – she must still take her allies into account to avoid hitting them in the back! Here, Armalad is fortunate – a corner of (B3) can be shot without shooting Stohp in the back (F30) – and Armalad threads that needle, needing only her first shot to sink deep into the hapless Blood Lily, electrocuting its way into, through, and out the other side of its thick trunk and with that, it ceases moving but for the gentle rocking motion of Turtle Lake!
Armalad looks for her next target, and again threads the needle, avoiding Delia and Stohp as her second arrow plunges deep into (B2, at G29)’s trunk, not coming out the other side, but with the same result – (B3) slowly stops moving as well!
Figuring Zanderallen can take an accidental hit easier than Stohp, Armalad again shifts targets to (S2, at I27), thankful that the swirling water mass moved out of the way – she might have had to try shooting over Zanderallen’s shoulder… hmm… the ceilings are 20’ tall in here… she thinks to herself that she could simply swim higher in any future battles and not have 6’6” masses of steel in the way of her shots.
(OOC – Armalad could have done a vertical “5-foot mini-swim (step)” upwards to avoid any chance of her Medium allies granting cover to the Large foes from her arrows… likewise with 20’ ceilings, each Shield will have some ability to control their height by simply swimming up (or down), as though all of the Shields could fly…)
Armalad’s third shot misses (S2), but her fourth shot just barely hits its central bulbous pod, sinking in, strange sap-like substance oozing out, and it too stops moving!
Stohp’s muscles move with the memories of her prior hog-tying of the Reed during the attack on the fisherfolk and she quickly works a second tendril into her grasp and then ties the tendrils in a knot! Surely a prisoner-plant for questioning?
Stock lets out a small gasp as in but a few seconds Armalad has finished off three of the four remaining combatants and Stohp has hog-tied the fourth! Battle over? Stock’s wound still bleeds and visions of the murdered fisherfolk enhance his Rage as the poison leaves his system (all three doses) and he moves (5’ step to G31) just enough to unleash his own vortex of adamantine upon the doomed (S1), who thankfully has fewer defenses than a Blood Lily, and is grappled and pinned to boot! Stock’s first blow is nothing special – it hits, it cuts deep, but his backswing, oh, that backswing, it comes in at an angle the hog-tied Reed wasn’t expecting and nearly cuts it in half! The Reed is still moving… barely playing dead enough for Stock’s third swing to miss it!
Delia, left with only one target, but impeccable aim, finishes off the Reed with her first arrow, neatly severing it in half at the point Stock left unfinished, no easy trick with an arrow, underwater!
With that, the Shields’ foes, not counting any of those Bartomus Commanded earlier, are no more.
Zanderallen heals some of his wounds and then steps to assist Stock, but Stock no longer needs his help! He surveys the scene and sees the fading electric arcs indicating Armalad’s three kills, along with a Reed that looks largely like only Stock cut it apart! Zanderallen’s sword then lights up in flame, but no visible targets remain.
Armalad… is satisfied, though with the inky cloud none can see her expression.
(Stohp missed my instruction to make a DC 12 Will Save vs. the Inky Illusion, as part of her was in it at the time – if made, then Stohp alone was able to see exactly how pleased Armalad was after dropping three plants in one round!)
Armalad Highlight to display spoiler: { notes, on the eastern (right) wall, about a 30’ wide section (M29 to M34) is completely frozen and not moving like the woven reeds on the other wall sections. Curiouser and curiouser. }
SHIELDS – you’re out of combat time, but Stock is still visibly bleeding – what do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20=3 ; Tuesday May 9th, 2023 7:25:05 AM
Stohp does not make the will save so cannot see through the cloud (11). She notes the sounds of combat dying down even if she can't see all of it and starts to relax.
Stock (JonM) HP: 159/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 3/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d8=5 ; d8=8 ; d8=2 ; d8=5 ; Tuesday May 9th, 2023 9:15:00 AM Fatigued, Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Movement
Stock scans for any more moving weeds. Not seeing any, his shoulders slump and blood continues to seep out of his wounds.
"Bah. It's just a scratch. It doesn't seem to want to stop though and I don't want to attract any other underwater life with its smell."
He takes a potion out of his bag, and hillarity ensues as he pops the cork and puts his entire mouth on the vial. trying to force as much of the fluid as possible into his mouth. He then waves his arms at Zanderallen, pointing to his various cuts and bruises with eyebrows raised pleadingly. ======== Bleed - 5 pts Potion of Cure Serious 20 pts, bleeding stopped
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=36 ; Tuesday May 9th, 2023 3:15:23 PM
Delia started to move towards Stock to stop the bleeding, then let a small smile slip out at his struggles with underwater drinking. Once she sees his wounds no longer actively spewing blood, she turns her attention away and looks for any additional threats.
============= Perception: 36
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 158/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 5/5 d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d6=6 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=1 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=2 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; Tuesday May 9th, 2023 4:00:36 PM
Zanderallen gives Stock a blank look for just a moment before shrugging his shoulders and starting to turn away. Then he walk swims over to his dwarven friend, "Alright, where did the plant try and eat you?" He then provides some requested healing. ============= Lay on Hands - Stocks Heals 33 HP 10/13 remaining
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=29 ; Tuesday May 9th, 2023 4:49:59 PM
Bartomus let the moment of the vortex end tossing anything he had swirling about towards the far corner of the room. As he did so, he made mental notes on how his vortex worked versus how he thought it might work.
Then, he resumed his form at the opening of the hallway next to him. GHI 26/27/28 He scanned it for any signs of additional reeds, blood lilies, and the like.
Perception 29
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday May 9th, 2023 8:08:29 PM
Armalad tells Joker to drop the illusion and uses her message spell to tell the others that there is a section of wall that appears to be frozen and not moving like the other reeds.
"It's a Trap!" - Admiral Ackbar (DM Wayne) Tuesday May 9th, 2023 11:08:53 PM
Stohp, like the rest of the Shields, has lost track of Armalad due to the inky cloud near the room’s first entrance. She notes all of the plants ceasing their movement, especially the one she had hog-tied, making it easy prey for Stock’s waraxe and an arrow from a Shield archer, and takes an audible breath within her air bubble…
Stock’s rage runs out, and he takes deep inhales and exhales of Lakewater, as his wound keeps bleeding. He pulls out a healing potion and uncorks it very close to his mouth, being quick to suck in as much as he can before it merges with the Lakewater. His bleeding finally ceases. Stock smiles as he waves at Zanderallen with one arm and points to his wounds with the other.
Delia was concerned for Stock’s babbling brook of blood, but once his intense labors rewarded him with healing from a potion bottle and the bleeding stopped, she had a smiling sigh of relief and then set to guard duty, alternating her gaze between the two exits.
Zanderallen is puzzled at first… Stock, really… Charades in the middle of this mission? … OH! RIGHT! and then regains his senses and freely walks to Stock, inquiring as to his wounds, given that Stock bled from all of his pores at once after the Blood Lily struck him! Zanderallen then sets about healing Stock with his devotion to Domi.
Bartomus shifted back into his Huge Water Elemental form, once more occupying vast amounts of space in the room. He considered his theories before using his vortex ability in the fisherfolk attack, and in this battle, and felt much more confident that he now knew instinctively how his size and shape changed in vortex form, what it was good for, and what it was not good for. Bartomus looked over the short hallway in front of him and saw that he’d have to move further in to see what was around the corner. He recalled that the other Reed(s?) he Commanded before the battle were still back at the other entrance, merged into the Moundwall. He knew his spell would last for about two weeks, and hoped no one would figure out a way to break his hold over them. Bartomus considered… hmmm… once the Shields have solved this “moundtown,” what should the Shields do with the plant(s?) under his command before his spell runs out?
Armalad directs Joker to cease concentrating on the inky cloud, and Joker does so, the cloud soon fading from view. Then she Messages the Shields that there is a section of wall unmoving, resisting the ebb and flow of the Lakewater that gently moves the reeds on all of the other walls.
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday May 10th, 2023 8:17:11 AM
Stohp is ready to move on when the other's are.
Stock (JonM) HP: 192/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 3/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday May 10th, 2023 9:32:48 AM Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement
Stock tries to get a grasp on where Bartomus is...and then where his head (?) is, if there in fact is something like a head on the elemental. He then yells, "I'll still lead the way." He squeezes past the watery form and moves ahead to see what comes next.
======= Move -> E25
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=44 ; Wednesday May 10th, 2023 11:12:15 AM
Delia swims over to the unmoving wall Armalad pointed out and examines it closely. If her visual search leads to nothing, she pokes it with an arrow.
Perception: 44
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=35 ; d20+11=19 ; Wednesday May 10th, 2023 4:15:54 PM
Bartomus watched as the other Shields went to inspect the very obedient reeds... and did Delia have an arrow in her hand.
He tried yelling no, and then instead directed a small swirl of water at her moving hand as he stepped further into the small corridor.
perception around corner 35; range role on the stream/current a Delia's arrow hand 19 for the super soaker current.
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) Wednesday May 10th, 2023 10:45:13 PM
Stohp readies herself to move on once the Shields begin moving. She gets her wish as Stock gurgles something to Zanderallen and Delia and begins moving in to the new corridor. She freely follows, though some ‘thick water’ gets over/around her in the process. Is her head inside Bartomus?!?
Stock looks around, trying to recognize Bartomus’ watery head while deep underwater, and the closest he can come is reaching out with his right hand and feeling the water being a bit ‘thicker’ in certain places, if that’s possible. He then walks close enough to Zanderallen and Delia and the ‘thick water’ to tell the three Shields that he’s still going to lead the way, and freely proceeds ahead down the twisting corridor, after passing through some ten feet of ‘thick water…’
Delia swims over to the unmoving wall Armalad noted, and looks over it closely. Delia (only) Highlight to display spoiler: { sees this is actually a 30’ wide by 10’ tall section of moundwall that’s frozen in place compared to the wall to the left, or even above the 10’ mark. She notes a Reed (M29-M30), a Blood Lily (M31-M32), and another Reed (M33-M34). While Bartomus’ watery form has kept him silent for the most part but for occasional vortices, Delia recalls when the Shields were about to enter that she felt spellcasting nearby (OOC – spellcasting is always an obvious act, even if the verbal component is expressed differently by a druid in water elemental form), and since no one else’s lips or arms were moving, it must have been Bartomus. He has somehow… Commanded the Plants to remain still. Delia has adventured long enough to know that if this is remotely similar to the novice spell Charm Person among wizards that if she pokes any of this wall with one of her arrows it might break the spell on that plant and set it free to attack the Shields, starting with her. She considers her options.}
Bartomus watches as Delia swims to inspect the moundwall, arrow in her hand. He desperately tries to gurgle a “Noooooooo….” but fails, so he sends a minor vortex to push her arrow hand suddenly but not violently. Then he flows towards the new corridor and peeks around the corner, having flowed into the 10’, 15’, and 20’ heights of the inner Mound, no longer squeezing between Shields, but above them!
Delia is not at all injured by the vortex, but does notice Bartomus’s now-familiar watery “touch” and considers whether the two are thinking the same thoughts right about now. Delia’s arrow hand does not yet jab into the moundwall, though it may…
Meanwhile, back around the corner, with Stock, Stohp, and Bartomus… Stohp’s vision comes to an end 10’ inside the new room (Zanderallen hasn’t begun walking his Daylight over there yet and the mound is pitch black this far inside without his lit blade), but Stock and Bartomus see ahead, in the black and white of Darkvision:
The wide, spacious hallway continues around a somewhat sharp curve that reverses your direction, and as the water flows in and out of your lungs, bringing life-giving energy as though it were air, the hallway opens up into a very large room, wider than it is long, and still with ceilings as high as a column of three very tall human men, were they able to hold themselves in place. There are two large seaweed mounds in here, each about 5’ tall and 20’ long, apart, but at a right angle to each other. At the end of the one on the left, that parallels your path, is the hand and lower arm of a humanoid, and likewise straight ahead of you on the left edge of that seaweed mound are the fingers and hand of an adult human man, the gently rolling waters almost making it seem like the fingers… the hand… is waving at you just a little bit. Bile makes a valiant attempt to rise out of your stomachs, but the Shields’ tummies are made of cast iron and Stock and Bartomus hold back the physical expression of their recognition of the semi-intact viscera ‘waving’ at them…
(OOC - STOHP can see her immediate position from the Daylight and about 10’ into the new room, but even her enhanced eyes cannot resolve the berm 20’ ahead of her, let alone the small body parts, until more light comes into her zone.)
The two mounds, or berms, are made of the same material as the moundwall, but rising to a height of 5’ tall (blocking Stock’s vision straight ahead due to his height). Stymied by the opaque mounds, Stock simply freely moves straight up 5’ and can fully see the room (but for row 12 just yet; out of Darkvision range of both Stock and Bartomus).
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday May 10th, 2023 11:25:16 PM
Armalad moves to catch up to the others and if she saw what Bart did to Delia she messages him asking, "What do you know about those strange unmoving reeds?"
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday May 11th, 2023 8:12:44 AM
(Can you relink the map so I don't have to scroll up several weeks to find it again?)
Stohp waits for the group to get back together again expecting another ambush up ahead.
Stock (JonM) HP: 192/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 3/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=37 ; Thursday May 11th, 2023 9:12:14 AM Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement
Stock makes his way into the room and takes a long look at the mounds and the body parts, trying to piece together what is happening here.
[/i]========= Map Link Perception 37, are the body parts attached to these mounds or just adjacent to them?[/i]
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday May 11th, 2023 1:54:44 PM
Delia connects the dots in her head about the unmoving section of plant matter on the wall being due to Command Plants. She nods to herself, knowing that they will be a non-issue for quite some time. She waves her hand to him in acknowledgement as she moves away from the wall to follow Stock into the next room.
If they are regathered, she will comment out loud that, "Those reeds were hit by Bart's plant spell. They'll stay the way they are for, oh a week or two, if nothing messes with them."
(OOC) I currently have Command Plants prepared so I'm making the assumption Delia completely knows how it works
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=27 ; Thursday May 11th, 2023 4:07:49 PM
Bartomus flowed into the room above Stock and began looking about at the situation they had discovered. He realized that in one way, they might be able to just negotiate to take the remains that were being used as trophies, maybe, he thought. Or, were those something else?
Move to F/G 19 Perception of the room its ceiling - 27
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 158/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 5/5 Thursday May 11th, 2023 5:31:13 PM
Zanderallen moves up to the berms and pushes up on top to shed light on what his allies are looking at.
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) Thursday May 11th, 2023 11:06:45 PM
Map:
Armalad, only 10’ from Delia, felt the after-flow so strongly she thought Bartomus was trying to get her attention… but for seeing Delia’s arrow hand jerk violently. She has a hunch and Messages Bartomus, pointing her finger towards the hallway, just catching enough of his ‘thick water’ by chance that Bartomus hears Amalad’s question about what he knows about the frozen moundwall section.
Stohp pauses, waiting for the rest of the Shields to catch up and light the way. She readies herself for some sort of ambush in the meantime.
Stock freely swims in a bit more (H18), so as to see more of the room while some 7 to 10 feet above the moundfloor. He now sees the left wall (row 12), and then spends some time looking over the hand with fingers on the moundfloor – the hand is connected to a lifeless arm which is connected to the lifeless remains… what little remains… of a human man’s body. There was only one human male among the list of the lost… He looks to his left and sees that the hand and lower arm of a humanoid, a slender, though muscled arm, continues to what remains of a slender body, missing one ear… but the other ear comes to a point… the head and face have little left, but Stock feels some sense of recognition….
Delia’s synapses fire faster at Bartomus’ sudden and forceful vortex, and it all clicks for her… no danger… so long as the frozen wall is not disturbed. She waves in the general direction of the ‘thick water,’ i.e. the next hallway, as she swims to catch up with Stock, Stohp, and the rest. Delia manages to pass along her discovery to Stohp, and she hopes, Bartomus/’thick water’, in person, and also Messages Armalad the same. Delia is able to swim some distance (E23), passing alongside Stohp and under Bartomus (at the time) and at her new perch about 7 to 10 feet off the moundfloor, her Goggles of Darkvision grant her the same view Stock and Bartomus had when they first rounded the corner – the berms, the viscera, but not (row 12).
Bartomus then flows forward fast, technically squeezing around Stock a little, but not so much it bothers either of them. From here he makes the same observations as Stock just now. Bartomus ponders whether the plants could be negotiated with in order to recover the corpses without issue.
Finally, Zanderallen brings the Daylight, ending in (G20) about 7 to 10 feet off the moundfloor, and bringing the detail of true color to Stock and Bartomus’ findings as well as enabling Delia and Stohp to see the left wall (row 12).
Stohp had been patiently waiting for this and moves up until the closeness of Zanderallen and the ‘thick water’ make it clear there’s a Shields traffic jam. She stands taller than the berm, but if there’s to be an ambush of ranged attackers, she has some cover at least.
A glance through the next opening reveals just a 5’ section of another berm before the light reaches its bright distance and things dim rather quickly after that, the Lakewater diffracting the Daylight ever more the further away things are…
Back in the room the Shields are in, color vision reveals the dark skin of the slender arm and other body parts… there (J15) lies the remains of Jerma Mylyl… at least there’s enough to bury… there was only one adult human male among the lost, and with the identification of Jerma’s remains comes the confirmation that the body directly in front of Stock must be Edvards Shanoza, the widow Fabricia’s husband… late husband…
Somehow, the silence of the deep makes it all the worse… and if any Shield were to shed a tear at the losses of Fabricia and the Lads, well, the Lakewater has obscured that bit of history to all watchers…
(OOC – if your Shield would shed a tear, use italics to note it as internal character thoughts, for the benefit of the players and the DM, even as your Shield may hold a stoic, emotionless face as the plants’ carnage faces you straight on, with what is left of Jerma and Edvards’ faces, if anything…)
Armalad realizes everyone else has left the room, leaving her in the dark but for a portion of Daylight and her low-light vision so she nods to Joker and the two swim ahead to catch up some, arriving just behind Delia.
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Friday May 12th, 2023 2:09:38 AM
Armalad moves up and decides to stay more with the group from now on. She doesn't want to be in the rear, rear but she wants to be towards the back.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=20 ; Friday May 12th, 2023 7:53:56 AM
Stohp looks carefully around, expecting the arm to be a divirsion and an attack to come from another direction while they try to collect it (perception 20)
Stock (JonM) HP: 192/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 3/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Friday May 12th, 2023 9:24:21 AM Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement
"Well that is one mystery solved - the location of the remains of these two." Stock purses his lips and kneels close to Edvard's body.
"The bigger mystery though is what is making these plants homicidal. And of course the half made plant golems. Those two things feel like the same mystery though." He remembers that it is difficult to hear him and he mimes to the others a question - do we take these two out of this place now and leave them outside?
========= OOC - Anybody remember how many bodies we are recovering?
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=37 ; Friday May 12th, 2023 11:24:56 AM (OOC - I think there were 2 fisherfolk and 3 or 4 lads? That was a bit ago though)
Delia takes in the sight of those murdered by the plants and shakes her head. A tragedy like this shouldn't happen to people just trying to feed their families or to those just trying to help others.
She asks Armalad to Message the group, "Unless someone wants soggy corpses in their Bag of Holding, if they're left at this point, they'll still be here when we come back through."
She keeps a close eye on the walls for any other sign of aggressive reeds or blood lilies.
===================== Perception 37
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=19 ; Friday May 12th, 2023 8:33:26 PM
Bartomus nodded in agreement with both Stock and Delia. Then realized that they couldn't see him. So, he tried raising the a bit of water from in front of their faces upward, then downward so they might get a nodd of the head so to speak.
He flowed over and around to the opening on the far side of the door and peaked down the hallway.
Move to L23/24; Perception 19
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 158/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 5/5 Saturday May 13th, 2023 8:14:54 AM
Zander stops dead as the light reveals the scene before them. When it was just for food it was bad enough. But these creatures hadn't even eaten them. Just mangled and dragged the bodies off. Zander's vision blurs as he blurts out a barely coherent burst, [/b]Who, What, Why?! Who would do this?"[/b]
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) Sunday May 14th, 2023 12:02:14 AM
Map:
Armalad resolves to keep pace with the group while remaining in the rear.
Stohp expects an ambush based upon the horrific viscera before the Shields and so looks this way and that for monstrous plants to come out from the walls again!
Stock notes that part of their mission is complete – locating these two remains. He tries, with water-filled lungs, to wonder aloud on the viciousness of these alien monstrosities and the half-made plant golems, trying to connect all of the dots in his mind. He tries to ‘yell’ his question, about whether to move bodies now, to the Shields, but remembers his diaphragm isn’t vibrating air all that much right now, so he Messages Armalad (now in sight) and makes gestures to supplement the questions the Shields cannot hear.
(OOC1 - Bartomus hears, being right next to Stock… Zanderallen realizes Stock is trying to talk but hasn’t moved the 5’ closer needed to overcome watery distortion of sound. Everyone else is too far.
OOC2 – Shields rescued 2 of 4 lads who stayed with the fisherfolk, but Jerma and Triggan had been taken before the Shields arrived, along with Fabricia’s husband Edvards and daughter Nuray.)
Delia grimaces, shaking her head at the horrors before her. She Messages Armalad to pass along to the group that the Shields should leave the bodies for now, and recover them on the way out. Delia also watches out for an ambush, whether from the next room or from the very walls, floor, or ceiling themselves!
Bartomus nods in agreement with Stock (whom he can just hear) and Delia’s suggestion (which Armalad repeated via Message), then realizing that water nodding in Lakewater isn’t too visible… He tried making water move up and down in front of their faces to mimic a nod, then flowed over the berm adjacent to him and took a look deeper into the next room with his Darkvision.
Zanderallen stops in his tracks, dumbfounded at the partial remains of Edvards and Jerma… His mind races… Do the plants get full, and then leave the excess just lying around… do they have any feelings of malice to go with their apparent wolfpack mentality? (Said mentality being unheard of amongst plants to begin with!) Some parts were eaten, or at least gnawed off… how much animal flesh could the plants digest? Were they like those few plants who eat insects? In the end, Zanderallen splutters out his many questions, which, thanks to his air bubble, Stock and Stohp can hear, but not the departed Bartomus, and in his frenzied exclamations he forgets to Message Armalad.
Bartomus peered into the next room as deeply as his Darkvision allowed, and **only he** sees a bit more than the partial berm at (Q23) that Zanderallen’s Daylight revealed, stopping just 5’ past the berm. From his new perch, Bartomus sees more, perhaps almost all, of the berm straight ahead, as well as another berm a bit off to his left and… a strange glowing patch of seaweed, pulsating with light that glows somewhat bright, then fades to almost nothing over 5 seconds, and then back to fully bright again over the next 5 seconds… He has never seen anything like this before! If something is bioluminescent, it just glows, fairly constantly, not with anywhere close to this much variation! The other Shields must be at the wrong angle to see this from where they are… perhaps the berm in front of him is absorbing too much of the light, or perhaps whatever color it is makes it blend in a bit, or the Lakewater diffracts it too much at a distance… If only Darkvision wasn’t in black and white alone – the seaweed must be glowing in a single color, not making it easy to spot compared to the sun’s light which contains all of the colors as any glass prism can show… but not ruining his Darkvision either, just letting him see its bright-dim oscillation. What is it ?!?
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday May 14th, 2023 8:54:39 PM
Armalad resolves for her and Joker to stay just in front of Delia and for her to act as a routing hub for any messages coming her way from any team member.
She tells the others to leave the remains for now and that we will pick them up when they get back and asks Bartomus about what if anything he can see in the next room.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday May 14th, 2023 10:13:13 PM
Bartomus tried tora9se himself up a bit higher and talks rewards the party.
"light and two big perms up ahead in next room," Bartomus spoke in what ever language elements spoken. He hoped someone could understand him.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday May 14th, 2023 10:13:15 PM
Bartomus tried tora9se himself up a bit higher and talks rewards the party.
"light and two big perms up ahead in next room," Bartomus spoke in what ever language elements spoken. He hoped someone could understand him.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday May 15th, 2023 7:00:24 AM
Well nothing's jumped out of them yet so best to get moving. Stohp motions for the group to keep moving.
Stock (JonM) HP: 192/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 3/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=26 ; Monday May 15th, 2023 8:36:45 AM
Before moving on, Stock pokes at the berm closest to him with his axe. Assuming there is no reaction, he will continue onward.
======== A single move gets to L22. If stock can go further he will get into the next room - Q22 and look at the glowing thing Perception 26
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday May 15th, 2023 4:05:54 PM
Delia will join the group peering into the next room. Once she can see the pulsing light - does it look anything like the energy that was going into the plant constructs outside?
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 158/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 5/5 Monday May 15th, 2023 4:45:09 PM
Zander shakes off his rage and moves forward with the others, keeping pace with Stock.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=37 ; d12=12 ; d20+18=22 ; Monday May 15th, 2023 10:55:07 PM
Armalad and Joker move up with Delia to peer into the next room
Perception - Armalad: 37 Perceptoin - Joker: 22
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) Monday May 15th, 2023 11:19:00 PM
Map:
Armalad decides to attain and maintain marching order just in front of Delia, and to pass along Messages as necessary. She Messages the Shields to leave the corpses here for pickup later, and then Messages Bartomus asking for his report.
Bartomus attempts to reply to Armalad’s Message, but his watery form has no air to vibrate, nor even a diaphragm… his reply comes back as nonsense clicks.
(OOC – to Message back, one has to be able to whisper in a relevant language. Water Elementals can only speak Aquan without help, and Bartomus, not knowing Aquan, can only make nonsense clicks as he attempts to speak in Common, and those nonsense clicks do come back through the Message – it’s like Armalad is hearing a random mishmash of Aquan sounds, none of them amounting to words, akin to a humanoid listening to a dolphin.)
Stohp, seeing no ambush has come, motions for the Shields to head for the next opening, and begins freely advancing some, but allowing Stock and Zanderallen to race ahead as usual.
Stock freely walks towards the next opening, poking at the berm he passes along the way… but nothing happens other than the reeds getting a little mussed up. He continues forward, walking down from the 10’ level to the 5’ level when he encounters ‘thick water,’ i.e Bartomus. Stock takes a position at the end of the next opening (Q22) coming back to the 10’ height to see over the berms, and sees what Bartomus saw, and more!
Delia swims (double-moves) ahead to almost the opening’s end (M23), though Armalad sprinted to keep just ahead and finish ahead, and Delia likewise finished at a 10’ height to see above the berms, at least to one side of Stohp as Armalad looks around the other side of Stohp.
Zanderallen frees himself of his rage and freely moves forward, keeping pace with Stock, ending up just behind Stock, again at the 10’ altitude.
The last room you entered had Jerma Mylyl, or what remained of him, and his gear, as well as Edvards Shanoza. Hopefully, the final Lad, and Fabricia’s daughter Nuray Shanoza, can be recovered in the next room.
The next room is rather large and has many mounds within. There is a total of four of those bioluminescent patches of seaweed, each independently oscillating bright-dim, back and forth, back and forth… it was easier for Stock to notice before Zanderallen brought his Daylight blade into the room, but the oscillating glow remains noticeable… Two are filled with huge plantmass as just masses, not even close to humanoid like the under-construction plantmasses in the other mounds. The other two have the beginnings of huge plantmasses but are only large clumps about medium size. It’s hard to figure out if they’re even supposed to be anything other than perhaps a magical experiment or aberrant plantgrowths of some type or another.
From a 10’ swim height, just behind the rounded top edge of the berm some 15’ to Stock’s left (P19/Q19), a woman’s hand is visible, along with her wrist, and then her arm descends down the back side of the mound opposite from you. On the mound Stock has stopped over is an armored, hairy creature’s hand, wrist, and again the rest of the arm descends down the side of the mound straight ahead of the rest of the Shields (Q3). They can only be Nuray Shanoza and Triggan Best.
Shields, your final grim tasks are ahead of you. What do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+17=26 ; Tuesday May 16th, 2023 7:14:33 AM
It seems they've hit a dead end but they haven't found who or what is responsible for making all of this and sending the attack. Stohp looks around for hidden ways to keep going (perception 26)
Stock (JonM) HP: 192/203; AC: 28/25/16; DR 3/-; CMD: 35; Rage: 3/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Tuesday May 16th, 2023 9:02:40 AM "Dead end indeed. In more ways than one..." Stock mutters this to nobody in particular. He walks past the woman's hand, confirming it looks to be that of Nuray Shanoza and up to the Huge Plantmass. He pokes it with his axe.
======== Move to R16
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+24=40 ; d8=7 ; d6=2 ; Tuesday May 16th, 2023 11:48:58 AM
Delia continues to swim forward, when she sees Stock poking at something, she pulls her bow up, ready to provide covering fire. Part of her wonders why only arms and hands have survived and where the rest of the bodies might be. Once a lack of threats has been verified she is interested in poking around in the berms next to the remains of those they went to recover.
============== Swim to Q23 above the berm and ready an arrow if something tries to attack Stock.
Readied Attack 40 (-1 for each 5 ft) to hit; 22 damage (20 piercing, 2 cold)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 158/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 5/5 Tuesday May 16th, 2023 6:09:59 PM "This makes no sense. What is going on here? If we weren't underwater I'd say we burn this whole place to the ground." With nothing further to contribute at the moment Zanderallen begins the grisly task of gathering up the remains in the room.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=25 ; Tuesday May 16th, 2023 7:24:50 PM
Bartomus shifted and if possible, he moved to near where Stock went. He studied the room and the masses in it.
Move to R 20/2; perception25
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=35 ; Tuesday May 16th, 2023 8:46:44 PM
Armalad says over the message, "Do you think those plant golems need the dead bodies to form? Could they be some sort of necromantic construct hybrid?"
Stohp perceives a dead end, and wants to know more so she looks around carefully.
Stock mutters/bubbles a dark joke to himself as he walks closer to the slim female form… though damaged, with gruesome chunks missing, there is still some hair on a scrap of her head that looks to be the color the fisherfolk provided to the Shields for identification. Stock continues freely walking past her remains and stops in front of the Huge Plantmass and pokes it with his waraxe.
Delia swims past Stohp, raising her bow and nocking an arrow as she sees Stock’s water-distorted shape poking at a Huge Plantmass with his waraxe. She takes aim at the Huge Plantmass and patiently waits for her opportunity.
Zanderallen is flustered and frustrated… flustrated at the path of carnage and the dead end. He straps his blade on his back that the Shields might still see Daylight and begins the solemn task of gathering the remains near each other in preparation for calling the merfolk to carry them.
Bartomus flows over and around and through Shields, briefly assuming a lengthy worm-like shape to get past Stohp who has stopped in the opening and then moves nearer the center of the room, studying it and the plantmasses of various sizes in it.
Armalad muses over the Message her theory about the golems possibly needing dead bodies to form.
As the Shields move to recover the bodies of Nuray and Triggan, and Stock pokes at a plantmass with his waraxe… SUDDENLY Huge plantlike forms stir and each rise to a full 15’ in height, whose bulk was concealing some of the bioluminescent seaweed with their own planty-nature oscillating bright-dim… the seaweed on the moundfloor beneath them glows no more… their strange energies, drained… strange humanoid bones beneath them along with scatterings of metal weapons and armors atop some of the moundfloor once covered by the plantform’s Huge mass… The towering plant hulks also no longer glow, but instead waves several vines… tendrils… vindrils… swirling about a blue-green mass that shimmies and rotates until scarlet lilys come out from their masses and adorn their bodies and… the Scarlet Seaweed Hulks stand revealed from their surprising hiding places!
With the silent scream of death, hatred, and abhorrence for all that the Shields represent, the Plant… Things… stride forward, the scarlet lilies covering their “bodies” seemingly rocking back and forth in the familiar pattern of the lake water, almost hypnotizing you in place… but true heroes that the Shields are, you all shrug it off and ready your muscles, tendons, and minds to bring justice… to avenge… to revenge? No, true heroes to the core, you enter battle to recover the dead… and to end this threat to the innocent fisherfolk of Float City and to the food supply for the Float once and for all!
(OOC
DELIA – your prediction has come true and a Huge and Alien 15’ Tall and 15’ Wide Scarlet Seaweed Hulk TOWERS over Stock and is clearly rearing back to attack him.
Take your Readied Attack prior to taking your Round 1 actions as normal.)
Round 1
The Hulks, their construction complete, animated by powerful and unknown magical energies, begin their Shield-breaking mission!
Stock’s foe rises and then swings one mighty vindril at Stock, its near-clumsiest attack still slamming hard into Stock, drawing blood… ALL of Stock’s blood it seems, as Stock oozes blood from every pore, the familiar poison of the Blood Lily coursing through his veins, delivered with the pounding force of this… this… magical plant hulk!
(STOCK – the hit is 20 damage before DR. One dose of Blood Lily poison is active in you – you are now bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll ONE DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Round 1 poison info:
Fort DC 23
IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.)
The Hulks are so tall their ‘strides’ ignore the 5’-tall berms that the 5’- and 10’-tall Shields often must maneuver around or over – the other Hulk swims/flows/moves through the water naturally but recklessly charging the hapless Zanderallen who cradles part of what was once Triggan… And the Hulk finishes its charge by swinging a vindril at Zanderallen from a full 15’ away, easily shaking a plate of his full plate armor enough for Blood Lily poison to seep past… Zanderallen’s armor goes Scarlet as blood escapes all of his pores and begins to coat his steel suit!
(ZANDERALLEN – the hit is 32 damage. One dose of Blood Lily poison is active in you – you are now bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll ONE DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Round 1 poison info:
Fort DC 23
IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.)
SHIELDS – the Scarlet Seaweed Hulks, animated as suddenly as a spring-loaded trap, drain the very lifeblood of your warriors, perhaps intent on adding Stock and Zanderallen’s skeletons to their stash of fisherfolk and Lads’ bones!
(Armalad racks her brains – arcane eight-ball says…. “mayyyyyybe…”)
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 97/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=36 ; Wednesday May 17th, 2023 7:08:54 AM
The creatures may be huge, but no so huge she can't try to grapple them. Stohp moves to intercept S2 and grab on (grapple 36)
Stock (JonM) HP: 220/248; AC: 26/24/14; DR 3/-; CMD: 36; Rage: 4/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+18=23 ; d20+11=18 ; d20+19=39 ; d20+23=35 ; d20+14=15 ; d20+9=10 ; d10+23=24 ; 2d10+46=59 ; Wednesday May 17th, 2023 9:49:58 AM Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Action, RAGE
"Oh no you didn't. Time to whack some weeds."
Stock willfully ignores the blood seeping out of his body and stares at the thing. He then enters his barbarian rage with a scream...that doesn't travel more than 5 or so feet. He then starts to slash. The water fills again with bodily fluids and plant matter and the freedom of movement spell throws off his timing enough so that he flubs two of the slashes.
======== Fort Save 25 vs DC23 (forgot to add +2 for the Hardy bonus of dwarves) Knowledge Nature 18 - Anything worth noting on these things? Power Attack hits AC39, Critical Threat confirms (?) vs AC35, 24 damage if not a crit, 83 damage + the target is sickened if a crit Sickened: The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Power Attack 2 hits AC15...nat 20, nat 1 :) Power Attack 3 hits AC10...nat 1 x 2!
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+19=26 ; d20+19=32 ; d20+14=31 ; d20+9=22 ; d8+14=17 ; d6=3 ; d8+14=22 ; d6=4 ; d8+14=16 ; d6=2 ; d8+14=19 ; d6=2 ; d8+14=19 ; d6=2 ; Wednesday May 17th, 2023 12:24:58 PM
The plant mass rears and Delia's shot is released. She glances between the two things, then kicks towards Stock and unleashes a volley on their foe. She keeps on eye on Stock's wounds as he continues to bleed.
============================================================== Readied Attack (40 -1 for each 5 ft, +1 point blank) 36 to hit; 23 damage (20 piercing (+1 point blank), 2 cold) at S1. 5ft swim to R19 Full attack 20ft away (-4 underwater, +1 point blank)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 126/159 AC: 31(29 Charge) Smite AC:37(35 Charge) T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 4/5 d20+21=28 ; d20+23=41 ; d20+27=44 ; 2d8+36=47 ; Wednesday May 17th, 2023 4:16:57 PM
Zander slides several inches on the lake bed as his hastily raised shield fails to block the tentacle slam. What would be a loud "Oof" is quickly dampened by the water but the crunching of steel echoes through the room. He grimaces as he feels the poison burning in his veins but burning is all it does. Heedless of danger he charges the plant mass, trying to move through the threatened area as quickly as possible. He can't remember if Blood Lilies possess a locus of evil but it doesn't matter to him, he calls down Domi's wrath upon them regardless of effectiveness. Whether guided by divine or mundane forces his blade bites deep into plant matter as he yells, "FOR TRIGGAN!" ======================= Daylight Divine Bond +5 Speed
Fortitude Save 28: 1 success
Swift Action: Call Smite Evil on S2 If Evil (+6 to hit and AC, +15 damage)
CHARGE S2 end in square S24 +2 to hit -2 AC combined with drawing sword
41 potential crit, 44 to confirm, 47 damage
If Evil 47 to hit, 50 to confirm, 77 damage
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 2d6+6=18 ; Wednesday May 17th, 2023 4:57:16 PM
Bartomused sighed as loud as water could sigh and move to the other side of the bulking mass twirling into a vortex going as wide and tall as he could muster trying to slam and pull the creature attacking Stock. He also started thinking of next steps.
Move to u16 while vortexing. I believe that it needs to.make a save against the DC22...damage of 18 (2d6+6)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+10=30 ; d20+20=24 ; d8=2 ; d6=5 ; 4d6=17 ; Wednesday May 17th, 2023 9:27:01 PM
Armalad tells Joker to use the 10 x 10 ink cloud illusion again and to follow her.
Will Save to resist illusion: 30
She then advances to R19 Joker in toe and uses her single multi-shot against the hulk with sneak attack
24 vs AC (1d8 (2) + 1d6 shock(5) + 11) x2 + 4d6(17) sneak attack if that hits 26 + 10 shock + 17 sneak attack if 24 hits
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) d20+34=53 ; 4d8+12=36 ; d4=3 ; d20+36=56 ; d20+8=13 ; d20+31=46 ; d20+33=44 ; 4d8+10=27 ; d4=1 ; d4=3 ; d20+34=39 ; d20+34=44 ; d20+36=51 ; d20+36=56 ; 4d8+12=25 ; 4d8+12=37 ; d4=1 ; d4=4 ; d4=2 ; Thursday May 18th, 2023 12:21:43 AM
Stohp attempts to grapple the supple vine-y hulk and does not succeed. The strength of this Scarlet Seaweed Hulk far exceeds that of the Reeds… also, the Hulk has a Reach that far exceeds Stohp’s, and the Hulk takes its Attack of Opportunity as Stohp closes in! A lengthy vindril lashes around Stohp’s right leg, smothering it in Blood Lily poison with a sting and snap like a whip, were it to ever cross Stohp’s air bubble… and then it (free action) YANKS her leg hard and Stohp is on her back on the lakefloor, TRIPPED. (Natural 20, hit CMD 56)
(STOHP – the hit is 36 damage. One dose of Blood Lily poison is active in you – you are now bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll ONE DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Round 1 poison info:
Fort DC 23
IF Failed = 3 CON damage + Sickened.)
(OOC – and yes I forgot to roll the free trip attempts on Stock and Zanderallen last round – call it favor of the gods of the Wold)
Delia was READY, and lets loose the first arrow of war, which hits but fails to sink very far – these Hulks might even be MORE resistant to arrows than the Reeds! Then the icy particles from the Frost on her bow seem to multiply across the surface of Stock’s foe (S1) and it is now moving visibly slower…
Stock unleashes his RAGE, ignoring the scarlet poison and ignoring his own blood seeping from his pores, loosing a gurgling scream of injustice to be avenged! He freely and fully attacks his foe (S1), scoring a Sickening waraxe swing across what may have been a Critical part of its seaweedy mass – Stock’s waraxe exits the gaping wound, covered with planty gore! (OOC - PG, of course!) Surprised by his instant success his next two swings go wild and the Hulk easily dodges them, despite its Huge size! (Stock knows no details of these Hulks other than experiencing the seeming mix of the poison of the Blood Lily with the strength of a Reed and bearing the size of one of the Great Giants!)
Delia notes Stock’s bleeding but presses her attack – time enough to heal later (she hopes)! Her multishot bounces harmlessly off the Hulk’s seaweedy mass, its bodily weeds and reeds contracting just in time to be too hard to sink into! Delia’s next two shots manage to dig in a tiny bit each and her fourth shot bounces off quickly, catching the wrong angle of attack.
Zanderallen has the air knocked out of him by the vindril’s hit, shoving him a few feet along the Lakefloor as the vindril had skipped past Zanderallen’s shield to land on Zanderallen, whose full plate armor rung like a bell, the distorted sounds echoing quickly in the moundplex off of the Shields and those strange piles of metal and bones where the Hulks had stood up from. Blood dripping from all of his pores, Zanderallen focuses on the holiness of Domi and for now, his body fights back this venomous intrusion! His weapon hand free now that the vindril’s impact knocked Triggan’s remains loose from his arms, Zanderallen’s blade is AT ONCE in his strong right arm as he Freely Charges the Hulk (S2), heedless of danger. This time, however, the Hulk had already taken its Opportunity to Attack an incoming foe… Zanderallen summons all of his faith in Domi and attempts to Smite the voiceless Scarlet Seaweed Hulk, his blade connecting easily and chopping deep into the heart of alien horror that is this verdant little moundplex of horrors… his blade’s Daylight exits the Hulk as quickly as it entered, leaving a gaping opening where it had struck! Yet, the light of Domi’s Smite simply falls off the Hulk like water off a duck’s back…
Bartomus swims over and above and around the Hulk fighting Stock (S1), taking up the 20’ height and filling in all the gaps where it stands, the Hulk not even seeming to realize that the sudden flow of water indicates a new foe. Then Bartomus’ watery form begins contracting, rotating, and forming a watery vortex from above the Hulk’s “head,” if it can even be said to have such a thing… “top” (?) and drills it down towards the bottom of the Hulk. The Hulk is far too massive to be caught in the vortex, but it can be battered by the visceral swirling and pounding of Bartomus’ watery form, and perhaps because it is Sickened and even Slowed (by Delia’s frosty arrows), it is minorly damaged by the vortex, unable to dodge it, yet its seaweedy makeup resisting the bulk of the blunt impact.
Armalad has Joker use the inky cloud illusion again after they both advance to a position directly above Delia. Armalad immediately disbelieves the illusion as it appears in the 10’ and 15’ heights above Delia, and then Armalad nocks two arrows at once and lets loose against the Hulk engaged with Stock (and, though its hard to see, Bartomus), both of her arrows bouncing harmlessly off its seaweedy mass!
Round 2
Stock’s foe (S1) is affected by the sickening slice and Delia’s frosty arrow, but still slings one vindril at Stock, easily wrapping its vindril around his left leg and then yanking hard, beating Stock’s awesome resistance to trips due to his dwarven stability (44 vs. CMD 40) and thrashing Stock to the floor, Prone, as yet more Blood Lily Poison enters his dwarven frame!
(STOCK – the hit is 27 damage before DR. One additional dose of Blood Lily poison is active in you – you are bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll TWO DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
You are on the Second Round of the initial hit, and the First Round of this hit, vs. the 6-round duration of each dose.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Once one of the two doses is up to two consecutive successful saves, all doses are cleared from your body.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Combat Round 2 poison info:
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (2nd of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 1 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 2 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 3 CON damage + Sickened.)
Zanderallen’s foe (S2) doesn’t like Stohp, but seems to perceive Zanderallen, being closer and causing damage, as the primary threat and so it slams two vindrils in his direction, hitting easily both times, and with one around each of Zanderallen’s legs it yanks hard and Zanderallen is on his back, prone like Stock! (each free trip attempt beat Zanderallen’s CMD by 20 or more)
(ZANDERALLEN – the hits are for 25 damage and 37 damage respectively. Two additional doses of Blood Lily poison are active in you – you are bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll THREE DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
You are on the Second Round of the initial hit, and the First Round of the second hit and the third hit, vs. the 6-round duration of each dose.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Once one of the three doses is up to two consecutive successful saves, all doses are cleared from your body.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Combat Round 2 poison info:
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (2nd of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 1 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 2 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 3 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 2 CON damage + Sickened.)
(OOC – Stock and Zanderallen and Stohp are all PRONE!
Prone: The character is lying on the ground.
A prone attacker has a –4 penalty on melee attack rolls and cannot use a ranged weapon (except for a crossbow).
A prone defender gains a +4 bonus to Armor Class against ranged attacks, but takes a –4 penalty to AC against melee attacks.
Standing up is a move-equivalent action that provokes an attack of opportunity.)
SHIELDS – could Zanderallen’s favor with Domi finally be running out? Will this moundplex be his final resting place? Can Stock and Zanderallen and Stohp stand up again without getting their lights knocked out?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 61/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+9=25 ; d20+21=36 ; Thursday May 18th, 2023 7:39:03 AM
Stohp resists the poison and grimly crawls towards the thing - standing will just get her tripped again and she's familiar with that endless cycle. Once within reach she'll try to grapple again - she can't exactly disarm or trip the thing since it's floating in water without legs. 36 again so probably fail.
Stock (JonM) HP: 196/248; AC: 26/24/14; DR 3/-; CMD: 36; Rage: 5/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+23=43 ; d20+19=32 ; d20+14=15 ; d20+9=22 ; d10+23=32 ; d10+23=24 ; Thursday May 18th, 2023 9:21:33 AM Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Movement, Raging Stock bellows in fury as the thing tries to trip him, avoiding being tripped and then starts chopping again.
======== Poison Dose 1 Fort save 43, second save, all poison is cleared Strength surge to avoid being tripped: The barbarian adds her barbarian level on one Strength check or combat maneuver check, or to her Combat Maneuver Defense when an opponent attempts a maneuver against her. This power is used as an immediate action. PA1 hits AC32, 32 damage PA2 hits AC15 PA3 hits AC22, 24 damage
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 2d6+6=13 ; 15d6=48 ; Thursday May 18th, 2023 10:50:57 AM "NO!" Bartomus shouted as he watched the moving, hulking mass of seaweed send Stock to the ground and his vortex continued to pummel the creature about him. He worked the spell he was thinking of when these things attacked and let it loose within the vortex touching the creature.
Vortex against hulk for 13, save against DC 22 to only take half; and then, Casting Blight for 48 points, 1/2 if a Fortitude save against 18 (if headband still in effect, otherwise against 16)
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 93/159 AC: 31(27 Prone) T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 4/5 d20+21=39 ; d20+21=40 ; d20+21=24 ; d6=5 ; d6=1 ; d6=6 ; d6=6 ; d6=2 ; d6=1 ; d6=3 ; d6=5 ; d6=2 ; d20+15=25 ; d20+15=25 ; d20+18=35 ; d20+22=42 ; d20+18=19 ; d20+13=28 ; d20+8=13 ; 2d8+36=45 ; d8+18=26 ; d20+10=27 ; d6=2 ; d6=1 ; Thursday May 18th, 2023 3:02:00 PM
Being tripped and falling underwater was a unique sensation, but with how easily the plant hulk could pull him off his feet there was no point fighting to stand up against such reckless hate. Instead he struggles to bring his arm to bear from the ground, hacking at the lower portions of the hulk. While Domi's power was not able to smite these hulks it could still heal him, which he swiftly takes advantage of. ================= Daylight Divine Bond +5 Speed
Fortitude Dose 1 Save 39: 2nd success Fortitude Dose 2 Save 40: 1st success Fortitude Dose 3 Save 24: 1st success
Swift Action Lay on Hands: Heals 29 Neutralize Poison Effect on Dose 2 - 25 cured, Dose 3 - 25 Cured
Full Round attack on S2 while Prone -4 to hit, 27 for FIRE
35 potential crit, 42 confirms, 45 damage plus 2 fire 19 (Nat 1) misses 28 to hit, 26 damage plus 1 fire 13 misses
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+19=21 ; d20+19=34 ; d20+14=17 ; d20+9=23 ; d8+14=18 ; d6=1 ; Thursday May 18th, 2023 3:21:03 PM
Though her arrows are not doing much, the cold seems useful... so she will continue to fire. She sends a concerned glance at Stohp and Zander as their feet get swept out from under them in underwater motion and her volley doesn't connect as well as she would have liked.
======================= S1: -3 total Attack 1: 21 to whiff Attack 2: (got button happy, -2 more for) 32 to hit - 19 damage (18 piercing, 1 cold) Attack 3: 17 to miss Attack 4: 23 to miss
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+18=35 ; d20+18=24 ; d20+13=18 ; d20+8=27 ; d8=5 ; d6=5 ; 4d6=16 ; d8=6 ; d6=1 ; Thursday May 18th, 2023 9:23:46 PM
Armalad whispers to Joker to keep concentrating on the ink cloud while she makes a full attack this time with her bow. At least one of her shots makes it, including her first shot where she shoots 2 arrows at once
35 vs AC for (1d8 (5) + 1d6 shock (5) + 11) x 2 + 4d6 sneak attack = 32 + 10 shock + 16 sneak attack 24 vs AC miss 18 vs AC miss 27 vs AC for (1d8 (6)+ 1d6 shock(1) +11) if that hits = 17 + 1 shock
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) d20+8=27 ; d20+7=19 ; d20+17=37 ; d20+17=23 ; d4=1 ; d20+34=45 ; d20+34=43 ; d20+34=44 ; 4d8+12=25 ; 4d8+12=22 ; 4d8+12=29 ; d4=1 ; d4=4 ; d4=1 ; Friday May 19th, 2023 2:05:46 PM
Stohp’s Tauric blood resists the poison, though her blood still pours from her pores, and grimly crawls close enough to attempt to grapple, but fails again. Stohp wonders if this hulk is so strong that it’s nigh-impossible for her to grapple it.
Stock’s primal rage surges through all of his muscles as he resists the hulk nearly 30 times his mass, and remains standing, shrugging off the hulk’s poisons as he does so! His waraxe at the ready, Stock freely dishes out seaweed salads to anyone who wants them as his first chop slices another deep gash in the scarlet hulk, but his second and third swings fail to cut through as it flexes viny “muscles.”
Bartomus remains in vortex form, straining to slam his foe with torrents of water but the hulk proves too strong for it! No mean feat, Bartomus then casts Blight at the hulk (S1) while whirling around it! He successfully delivers the attack, but the hulk is made of sterner stuff (save = 19) and more importantly must have some inherent magical protection because the hulk is entirely unaffected by Bartomus’ spell! He wonders, Just what sort of unnatural monstrous plant is this hulk, anyways?
(OOC – Bartomus, this is a Touch Attack, requiring you to roll to hit your target. I see you have a BAB of +11, and in elemental form, your total Strength bonus is +6 (+2 from 14, +4 from elemental shape) for a total of +17. Rolling for you, you get a natural 20, a critical threat! The roll to confirm, however, is 23, which does not confirm. As above, it seems to have some magical protection, resistance, something!)
Zanderallen knew it was logical, but still was bemused that freely moving underwater also enabled freely-being-tripped underwater! He looks for the hulk’s big toes, but finding none Zanderallen begins hacking methodically at its (S2) bottom/underside/whatever, cutting and cauterizing deeply on the first swipe, but his awkward position results in the rest of his swings missing… curiously, as the fire bites into the hulk, the hulk begins moving faster, just as Delia’s frosty arrow made the other hulk slower!
Delia mutters about resistant plants, but seeing the slowing effect on this hulk (S1) she continues firing, only hitting on her second arrow, doing a little damage, and frosting it up more.
Armalad has Joker keep up the ink cloud and then she unleashes a flurry of arrows, hitting only with her double-shot (multishot), with one arrow precisely hitting a weak spot and digging in deep, electric arcs burning petals as it goes, and the other barely penetrating the hulk but delivering its full electric payload as it does so.
The hulk (S1) seems staggered, retracting its petals, sticking them out, retracting again, and then… the hulk explodingly unravels into a dispersed mas of seaweed vines and blood lily petals, releasing its poison into the surrounding waters in a ten-foot radius!
(OOC – Armalad, the hulks have Damage Resistance, and manyshot calls out that it applies twice, once to each of the two arrows. Reading your math, I see one mistake – I think you are supposed to roll 2d8, not 1d8 * 2. Same goes for the Shock 1d6. For ease, we’ll finish this battle your way (*2) but I’ll double-check Paizo’s FAQ, etc. later. Here, that means I need the following information whenever anyone (you or Delia) manyshots because damage resistance is much more common this far in the Shields’ epic tales:
(STOCK – There is no damage associated with this, but it is one more dose of Blood Lily poison, re-poisoning you after your body flushed the prior two doses!
Roll ONE DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
You are on the First Round of this hit, vs. the 6-round duration.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Combat Round 3 poison info:
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 1 CON damage + Sickened.)
(Bartomus – your water elemental form is immune to this liquid poison – it simply doesn’t intermix with your watery form, and stays in the Lake in the area where the hulk fell… for now. Be careful not to drag any of it with you as you flow around the room…)
Round 3
If the second hulk noticed the first hulk’s destruction, it shows no signs of it! Seemingly magically sped up by the fire of Zanderallen’s blade, it proceeds grasping at Zanderallen with not one, not two, but THREE VINDRILs, pounding Zanderallen deeper and deeper into the moundplex floor, though it appears Domi must have smiled upon Zanderallen because had fate been any different the hulk could have spelled his underwater doom… again!
(ZANDERALLEN – the hits are for 25, 22, and 29 damage, a sum of 76 damage. THREE new doses of Blood Lily poison are active in you – you are bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll THREE DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
You are on the First Round of all three hits, vs. the 6-round duration of each dose.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Once one of the three doses is up to two consecutive successful saves, all doses are cleared from your body.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Combat Round 2 poison info:
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 1 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 2 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 3 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 1 CON damage + Sickened.)
SHIELDS – only one somewhat wounded hulk remains… but is Zanderallen on his last legs… knees… something?
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Stock (JonM) HP: 196/248; AC: 26/24/14; DR 3/-; CMD: 36; Rage: 6/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+23=30 ; Friday May 19th, 2023 3:23:16 PM Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Movement, Raging Stock spits out the poison cloud and then remembers he is underwater. The limitations to this underwater fighting spur on his rage. He spins and tries to close on the weed attacking big Z.
He yells out, "You may flourish beneath the waves, but you're still nothing more than a soggy twig in my eyes!"
======== Poison Save 30 Double Move to T24
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+27=32 ; d8=7 ; d6=1 ; Saturday May 20th, 2023 12:33:28 AM
Realizing that the value of her arrows is more in the cold slow than damage, Delia moves closer and aims a single shot, taking her time with one arrow to find somewhere her shot can sink in. After her shot, she moves next to Zander and Stock so that she can be either an extra target or provide assistance as needed if either go down.
===== Move to U22, non-deadly aim single attack, -2 range, +1 point blank. Shot on the Run feat - move to T23.
32 to hit; 14 damage (13 piercing+1 cold)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 61/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+9=28 ; d20+21=24 ; d20+21=30 ; Saturday May 20th, 2023 2:54:25 AM
Stohp doesn't really have many options other then grab things and try to pin them. She resists the poison (28) and tries again but fails.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 4d8+15=35 ; Saturday May 20th, 2023 1:27:49 PM
He didn't like what he was seeing. Zander was being pummeled like a puny earthling and Stohp was grasping while oozing blood everywhere. On top of that, he seemed to be in a cloud of stuff that he could only guess was as vile as it seemed to be hanging in the water.
As carefully as he could, taking the full movement around and over the thing in the corner next to him and eventually coming aside Zander, Stohp and where Stock had moved to. Then he touched Zander hoping that the cure would be of help to their warhorse! While he did so, he came up with a plan for helping Stohp.
[I]Take the full 60' of movement to go over and about the 5' wall to the right of AJ trying to ensure none of the poison follows along or if it does, it's moved away from the party. Coming to rest at TUW-21.
Cast Cure Critial Wounds on Zander - Heal for 35[i/]
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 64/159 AC: 31(27 Prone) T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 4/5 d20+21=22 ; d20+21=30 ; d20+21=33 ; 7d6=12 ; d20+15=17 ; d20+15=27 ; d20+15=32 ; d20+16=30 ; d20+16=21 ; d20+11=28 ; d20+15=22 ; d20+6=22 ; d8+16=18 ; d8+16=24 ; d8+16=22 ; d8+16=20 ; d8+16=18 ; Saturday May 20th, 2023 2:32:56 PM
Zanderallen grins as the flames of his blade burst out against the plant hulk. The grin quickly turns to curses as the hulk speeds up in pummeling into the ground. The poison burns and Zander gasps as it boils inside him. He nods in thanks to Bart for the healing as he further heals himself. He then returns the favor as best he can, prone and reeling from poison. He suppresses the flame of his blade. =============== Daylight Divine Bond +5 Speed 1 Con Damage Sickened -2 to hit, damage, saves, skill and ability checks
Fortitude Dose 1 Save 22: Failed Fortitude Dose 2 Save 28: 1st success Fortitude Dose 3 Save 31: 1st success
Swift Action Lay on Hands: Heals 12 Neutralize Poison Effect on Dose 1 - 17 not cured, Dose 2 - 27 Cured, Dose 3 - 32 Cured
Full Round attack on S2 while Prone -4 to hit 30 to hit, 18 damage 21 to hit, 24 damage 28 potential crit, 22 to confirm, 22 normal + 20 crit damage 22 to hit, 18 damage
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) d20+35=51 ; d20+37=44 ; d4=4 ; d4=2 ; 4d8+12=41 ; d20+34=37 ; d20+34=41 ; 4d8+12=27 ; 4d8+12=24 ; d4=4 ; d4=3 ; d4=3 ; Saturday May 20th, 2023 11:46:28 PM
Stock spits out the poison cloud and then remembers he has to breathe water… yuck! He spins and freely races over towards the remaining hulk (S2), attempting to finish adjacent to the hulk, however…
The hulk finds it Opportune to Attack Stock as Stock advances, and lashes out with a vindril which finds purchase, hurting and poisoning Stock as well as Tripping him! (At T23’, 10’ out, AoO triggered for moving from 15’ threat reach to 10’ threat reach, 44 vs. CMD 40 (including Dwarven Stability))
(STOCK – the hit is for 41 damage. TWO doses of Blood Lily poison are active in you – you are bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll TWO DC 23 Fortitude saving throws at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds)
You are on the First Round of this new hit, and Second Round of the poison cloud, vs. the 6-round duration.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Combat Round 4 poison info:
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (2nd of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 2 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 2 CON damage + Sickened.)
Delia shoots on the run, taking an accurate shot at the hulk (S2), which, though it is moving slightly faster, and thus is slightly harder to hit than before, still connects solidly, no sap dripping from the wound but frost from her arrow spreads over it and reduces the hulk to its prior normal speed. Delia finishes by swimming directly over Stock’s tripped body, the hulk too busy with recovering from opportunely attacking Stock to attack her as well, and finishing where she intended, adjacent to Zanderallen and the hulk, bow in hand.
Stohp’s Tauric blood resists the poison once more and she is no longer poisoned! She again reaches for its planty bulk, trying twice, but its verdant mass resisting her both times.
Bartomus was shocked at the power of these hulks, smashing Zanderallen into the moundplex floor like he were a Lakeview Lad while Stohp continually failed to find purchase on the hulk as blood ever-oozed out of her pores! He began flowing towards Zanderallen, exiting his vortex form along the way, some orange cloud coming with him but he guides it into the berm to Armalad’s left and then ‘somersaults’ over the berm leaving the scarlet seaweed hulk’s poison behind and flowing to the side of and over Stock, and then flowing a portion of himself over to Zanderallen, who feels first a strong lakeflow and then healing energies enter his body. Bartomus’ voice is not heard, but Zanderallen strongly feels spellcasting energies nearby and makes a correct deduction.
Zanderallen smiled as his blade burst forth into flame and cut into the hulk, but his efforts weren’t rewarded exactly as he expected! Thankfully Bartomus helped him, and then he suppressed his blade’s flame and continued his prone assault on what he hoped was the hulk’s big toe… darn plant masses – no big toes to hit! Once more only his first attempt cuts into the hulk, doing at least some damage but this ‘tree’ may take a while to fell!
Armalad considers her attack options as the hulk’s vindrils lash at Zanderallen again!
The hulk (S2) lands two more solid blows on Zanderallen!
(ZANDERALLEN – the hits are for 27 and 24 damage, a sum of 51 damage. TWO new doses of Blood Lily poison are active in you – you are bleeding copiously from all of your pores!
Roll THREE DC 23 Fortitude saving throw at the start of EACH of your next SIX posts. (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
You are on the First Round of all three hits, vs. the 6-round duration of each dose.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Once one of the three doses is up to two consecutive successful saves, all doses are cleared from your body.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Combat Round 4 poison info:
(NOTE – 1 point of CON damage does not yet cause any penalty to the saving throws you are about to roll – it’s every two *full* points of CON damage that give you a -1 on Fort saves.
The Sickened -2 on saves does apply, of course.)
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 2 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 3 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 3 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 3 CON damage + Sickened.)
SHIELDS – only one somewhat wounded hulk remains… but Zanderallen may be nearing death’s door…
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+18=30 ; d8=1 ; d6=3 ; d8=7 ; d6=1 ; 4d6=13 ; d20+18=27 ; d20+13=20 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+8=23 ; d8=7 ; d6=2 ; d8=4 ; d6=6 ; Sunday May 21st, 2023 11:59:26 PM
(OOC: I could have sworn I looked up manyshot when I first got it and I thought the FAQ said since the arrows go at the same time you multiply by 2 but if you want me to roll individually I will. )
Armalad shifts to S2 with Joker maintaining the illusion she also switches to her Adamantium arrows this time
30 vs AC for (1d8 (1) + 1d6 shock (3)+11) + (1d8(7) + 1d6 shock(1) +11) + 4d6 sneak attack (13) = 12 + 3 shock + 18 + 1 shock + 13 sneak attack 27 vs AC for (1d8 + 1d6 + 11) = 18 + 2 shock damage 20 vs AC; miss 28 vs AC threat of crit , 23 to confirm = no crit = (1d8 (4)+ 1d6(6) + 11) = 15 + 6 shock
5 adamantium arrows fired, 4 hit, chance to recover 1 of them after battle
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 61/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+21=30 ; d20+21=33 ; Monday May 22nd, 2023 7:21:12 AM
Stohp continues to have trouble impeding the enemy.
Stock (JonM) HP: 158/248; AC: 26/24/14; DR 3/-; CMD: 36; Rage: 7/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+23=25 ; d3=1 ; d20+23=36 ; d20+19=39 ; d20+23=29 ; d10+23=33 ; d10+23=25 ; d10+23=28 ; Monday May 22nd, 2023 9:08:40 AM Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Movement, Raging, Starts Turn Prone In his raging state, Stock refuses to believe that he is bleeding out of all his pores. He stands up, doing his best to avoid the behemoth and attacks.
===== Map Poison Save 1 25 Poison Save 2 36 Move Action Stand If Stock is attacked and tripped again while standing, he will convert his Standard action to another move action and try to stand again. 5 ft. Step to U24 Power Attack hits AC39, Threat confirms(?) vs AC29, No Crit: 33 damage, Crit: 86 damage and Sickened
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+16=33 ; Monday May 22nd, 2023 10:14:25 AM (OOC did I get pushed forward by Stock or something? I ended my move last turn at T23, so I'm going to assume I'm still there since we are able to move in 3D) Delia will 5ft swim back to T22 and defensively cast (if needed, Concentration 33vsDC 19) Delay Poison on Zanderallen. No poison, in his system or added to his system, is able to affect him for the next 12 hours.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 39/159 AC: 31(27 Prone) T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 10/13 SE 4/5 d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=5 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; d6=3 ; d6=3 ; d6=5 ; d20+15=26 ; d20+15=25 ; d20+15=24 ; d20+16=36 ; d20+20=26 ; d20+16=20 ; d20+11=12 ; d20+6=25 ; 2d8+32=36 ; Monday May 22nd, 2023 3:49:26 PM
Zanderallen barely pushes himself back up from the 2nd slam of the great hulk, his vision reeling as he bounces off the ground repeatedly. He barely notices Delia's touch, his brain shutting down non-essential functions to hold on to consciousness. He clutches at some inner resolve, or maybe grim acceptance that he has no way out, as he continues pouring Domi's power into his injuries. The curing light dims way too fast as it tries to diffuse to way too many cuts, bruises, and cracked bones. But he let's out a gasp as the burning in his veins threatens to overwhelm his as the poison is purged from his system. He then sucks in a big gulp of air and weekly calls out as he swings his blade, "That the best you got? I can do this all day." His first blow takes all his strength as he uses all of his might to Heroically drive it deep into the beast. =============== Daylight Divine Bond +5 Speed 1 Con Damage Sickened -2 to hit, damage, saves, skill and ability checks
3 Doses of Posion in system, currently delayed
Swift Action Lay on Hands: Heals 26 Neutralize Poison Effect on Dose 1 - 26 cured, Dose 2 - 25 Cured, Dose 3 - 24 Cured
Full Round attack on S2 while Prone -4 to hit 36 (Nat 20) 30 to confirm Using Hero Point for +4 after the roll since I'm pretty sure 30 is their AC, 36 damage 20 misses 12 misses 25 potential crit but misses
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+6=9 ; d20+6=22 ; Monday May 22nd, 2023 3:49:57 PM
Bartomus saw some improvement in Zander and Stohp still looked like they were struggling to regain their footing. However, he thought that maybe he could reach out and try smashing the remaining hulk of seaweed. But, both attempts failed and he was simply flaying about in the water like some child playing at the shore.
Water elemental slams - 9 against AC - fail; and 22 Against AC, I think that was a fail earlier in one of the fights.
"No... no... no... it cannot be!" (DM Wayne) d20+34=37 ; 4d8+12=21 ; d4=4 ; d4=4 ; d4=3 ; d4=1 ; Monday May 22nd, 2023 10:16:05 PM
Armalad changes targets to the remaining scarlet seaweed hulk (S2) and begins firing adamantine arrows from an altitude convenient to avoid firing within inches of the Shields, hitting the hulk with her doubleshot (manyshot), the adamantine arrows not helping at all versus the resistant woven reeds and seaweed of the hulk, with one of the arrows giving a spark as it sinks into a weak spot in the hulk and the other arrow sinking in a bit and likewise giving a spark. Two misses and then the fourth shot (fifth and final arrow) strikes home, but in a tough spot, not cutting any woven seaweed but scorching much seaweed with arcs of electricity!
(OOC – its AC is 30, so just the first two plus the final arrow (nat 20) hit; chance to recover two of them, the second and third shots (the third and fourth arrows))
Stohp again earnestly tries twice to get a hold on the hulk but it seems to be too strong! Perhaps if Domi smiled upon Stohp…
Stock stands up and the hulk takes advantage of the opportunity, slamming him hard on the right shoulder as Stock begins to rise! (21 damage, 1st dose)
(OOC – AoOs resolve prior to the triggering event, so the hulk cannot keep Stock down in this way, given it only has 1 AoO/round. On its next action, however…)
Stock’s eyes would kill if they could, and he continues his rise to completion, denying the reality of his own blood seeping out of all of his pores, he wills his pores to close, and they do! He then freely steps right next to the hulk (T24) and makes a mad slash at it with his adamantine dwarven waraxe, striking a solid blow, but missing that weak spot with Armalad’s adamantine arrow sticking out of it… yet Stock must have accidentally hit something critical, for the hulk (S2) seems staggered, retracting its petals, sticking them out, retracting again, and then… the hulk explodingly unravels into a dispersed mass of seaweed vines and blood lily petals, releasing its poison into the surrounding waters in a ten-foot radius catching Stohp, Zanderallen, Stock, Bartomus (whose watery form is immune), and narrowly misses Delia who presciently swam back just enough bare seconds before!
Zanderallen is caught off guard by the spreading poison, his face protected by his air bubble but the torrent of poison seeping in through limbs and body (4th dose for Z). Likewise Stohp (1st dose) and Stock (2nd dose).
Delia, free of combat, is about to swim to Zanderallen to cast Delay Poison, but now suddenly a poison cloud is in front of her! Dare she suffer the poison herself in order to save Zanderallen, surely drinking some of the poison as she breathes water on the way to him?
(OOC – Delia, feel free to cover two posts of content in the next one: 1) what did Delia do when faced with the poison cloud and knowing her spell is only delivered by touch; and 2) what does she do next after this DM post?)
Zanderallen, suffering from four doses of Blood Lily poison, smashed, battered, struck down… and yet not destroyed… spits out some blood and perhaps a tooth, prays to Domi and heals the poison (Zanderallen will need a 4th Saving Throw for the poison cloud dose) and he shouts at the floating remains of the scarlet seaweed hulk, “Was that the best you had? I can do this all day!” Zanderallen slowly rises to one knee…
Bartomus, seeing that Zanderallen and Stohp were no longer in danger, began planning how to aid the Shields, half of them once more exposed to poison, blood seeping from all of their pores!
(STOCK – The attack of opportunity did 21 damage (noted above), and the poison cloud added the second dose, re-poisoning you after your body flushed the prior doses!
Roll up to six DC 23 Fortitude saving throws per dose (resolve all of this in your very next post). (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
You are on the First Round of both doses, vs. the 6-round duration.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Round 5 poison info:
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.
Dose 2 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 4 CON damage + Sickened.)
(STOHP – There is no damage associated with this, but it is a dose of Blood Lily poison!
Roll up to six DC 23 Fortitude saving throws (resolve all of this in your very next post). (frequency is 1/round for 6 rounds).
You are on the First Round of this hit, vs. the 6-round duration.
This poison takes TWO consecutive successful saving throws to cure – make one save, miss the next, you start all over again.
Failed Save = 1d4 CON damage and Sickened.
Round 5 poison info:
Fort DC 23 Dose 1 (1st of 6 rounds) IF Failed = 3 CON damage + Sickened.)
(Zanderallen – the rolls are above – either Lay on Hands or start rolling up to six DC 23 Fortitude saves vs. your 4th dose (from the poison cloud), resolve it all in your next post. 1 CON damage and Sickened if Failed.)
SHIELDS – poison still courses through the veins of your comrades – WHAT DO YOU DO?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday May 22nd, 2023 10:46:45 PM
Having nothing else to do besides retrieve her arrows which seems insignificant compared to the problems experienced by her friends Armalad heroically tries to help her friends.
(OOC: burning a hero point to grant someone a +4 to one of their Fort Saves)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 61/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) d20+9=29 ; d20+9=22 ; d20+9=16 ; d20+9=13 ; d20+9=24 ; d20+9=15 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 7:03:21 AM
Despite her low con Save Stohp resists the poison again (29, 22, going to take Hugh's bonus to instantly clear it)
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+12=32 ; d20+12=15 ; d20+12=26 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 9:49:55 AM (OOC: I think I lost track of where I was on the map. My goal was to be in the NE square from Zander, so I would be in the poison radius, actively casting Delay Poison on Z when it exploded. I already had a concentration check of 33 if that's needed)
Delia remains focused on completing the spellcast on her beat-up friend, the new dose of poison only making her more determined. She feels no ill effect. Yet... As soon as she finishes the spell, she will try to move back and out of the poison cloud. If she had to move to Zander, she will move out round 2.
If anyone else looks like they actively suffering from being poisoned (though she's not terribly worried about Stock, given his hardiness), she will cast Delay Poison on them. If not, she will cast it on herself round 2. At latest, she casts it on herself round 3. (3 prepped)
Fort save 1: 32 success Fort save 2: 15 fail Fort save 3: 26 success
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 4d8+15=35 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 10:20:23 AM
Bartomus watched in bewilderment as yet another one of the creatures exploded sending a filth into the watery interior of the mound. He quickly took a look at Stohp and then Stock seeing both had been battered pretty hard.
"Ladies first," he said aloud but still relatively clueless that no one could hear him. He sent a swirl about Stohp as he cast his second and last significant curing spell. Although, he had another thought for Stock after he finished this.
Cast Cure Critical Wounds on Stohp - +35
Stock (JonM) HP: 95/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+23=27 ; d20+23=26 ; d20+23=29 ; d20+23=34 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 1:53:12 PM Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Movement, Fatigued for a while "Ugh. The water tastes bad now. Do you taste that, Zanderallen? It's kind of bitter and kind of metallic. Yuck. Speaking of which - Z you don't look good."
While Stock probably also looks like death, he is totally oblivious to this fact. ======== Dose 1 Save 1: 27 Dose 2 Save 1: 26 Dose 1 Save 2: 29 Dose 2 Save 2: 34 Kept raging while making saves so I marked off two more rounds of rage...but now am fatigued again
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31(27 Prone) T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 d20+15=29 ; 14d6=39 ; 7d6=24 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 8:10:15 PM
Zanderallen grins crookedly back at Stock, "Huh, that's strange. This helmet bubble keeps the water out and I taste the same thing. Must be the poison. I don't know what you're talking about, I've never felt better." the cry of pain as Zander tries to stand up cuts off his statement about feeling alright. He then channels more of Domi's power. First into his own wounds, and then into everyone once he sees no one appears in immediate danger from poison. ==== 1 con damage
Lay on Hands self x2 heals 39 hp and 29 cures last dose of poison
Lay on hands x2 to channel positive energy everyone heals 24 hp
5 lay on hands remaining
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) d4=4 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 9:39:31 PM
Armalad tries Heroically to use her vast store of knowledge about plants to help Stohp resist the Blood Lily poison, and succeeds!
Delia heroically leans into the poison cloud enough to cast Delay Poison on Zanderallen, though several seconds later it costs her!
(OOC – failing the round 2 save means being Sickened and take 4 CON damage as Delia’s blood oozes from all of her pores!
No concentration needed – this is basically contact poison absorbed by the skin, etc.)
Delia then buys herself some time by casting Delay Poison on herself.
Bartomus was startled by yet another exploding plant monster! He looked over Stohp and Stock, and then flowed over to Stohp, casting Cure Critical Wounds on her. Those nearby could swear the flowing water ‘sounded’ like spellcasting.
Stock gives the poisoned water a bad review, bad enough to maintain his rage a bit longer as he wills his body to expel the poison and his pores finally stop seeping his own blood! He feels fine now, if significantly wounded, but the rest of the Shields look at him aghast at his scarlet uniform!
Zanderallen manages a grin at Stock, and tries valiantly to pretend he is unwounded, but his body rats on him! He then calls upon Domi’s power to heal himself and the other Shields.
As the Shields look at each other, healed or mostly there, Delia and Zanderallen still look a bit sickly and may need more specialized healing. After a full minute has gone by, the sickly feeling passes but the lingering damage to some Shields’ bodily constitution remains.
The Shields take stock of the room by the Daylight of Zanderallen’s blade, though some areas are shadowed by the berms. To the left of the entrance lies the remains of Nuray Shanoza, and beyond her, now that the scarlet seaweed hulks are no more but for their slowly-lessening poison clouds, lie piles of strange bones along with weapons, armors, and other artifacts atop bioluminescent moss that has been drained of its light.
To the right of the entrance lie the remains of Triggan Best, fallen in disorder after a hulk slammed merciful Zanderallen who was cradling Triggan’s remains at the time. Beyond the remains likewise lie piles of strange bones along with weapons, armors, and other artifacts atop bioluminescent moss that has been drained of its light.
The other two patches of bioluminescent moss have merely Medium-sized piles of scarlet seaweed upon them, and beyond those smaller piles are yet more strange bones, but no other artifacts.
SHIELDS – answers to mysteries and clues to new mysteries lie strewn about the moundplex room… What does each Shield do next?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d100=29 ; d100=56 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 11:27:43 PM
Armalad tries to retrieve the 2 adamantine arrows, looks like one arrow was damaged beyond usage but the other is still intact so she picks up her wayward arrow.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 61/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday May 24th, 2023 6:56:03 AM
Stohp thinks back, checking her memory on if there was a split in the path or other indication that there is more to check out in the giant mound.
Stock (JonM) HP: 141/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d8=4 ; d8=5 ; d8=8 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2023 10:02:06 AM Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Movement Stock wanders over to the pile of bones, weapons, armor and other things. He pulls out a potoin on the way and sucks out the fluid inside. He then picks through the pile looking for anything of obvious value.
"There were mounds to the right, a moundplex in the middle and mounds to the left. I think when we are done here we explore the mounds to the left."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 85); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+11=14 ; d20+11=27 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2023 10:22:26 AM Water Breathing, Darkvision, Swim 30ft, Delay Poison (12 hours), -4 Con
"Well that's just my favorite thing," Delia mutters as she feels the poison hit. After she casts Delay Poison on herself, she will swim to the strange bones and examine them as she waits for the Sickened feeling to pass.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 3d8+15=33 ; d20+16=29 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2023 10:38:02 AM
Bartomus swirled about Stock having offered some help to Stohp. He giggled at Stock's comment and tried suggesting to the dwarf that the scars might help improve his looks this time. He took a moment and let the energy build and then tapped the dwarf on the back when it was time to do so. The energy shifted and flowed about the dwarf.
The Bartomus scanned the floor and the pile of debris that had sat underneath the latest to explode nightmare. He also took note of what the floor was made of in this mound.
Bart has used all CCW spells, now one of two CSW - note mainly for me - Cure SW for +33 on Stock. Perception for 29
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 d4=2 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2023 1:51:11 PM
Zanderallen returns the favor to Delia by casting Lesser Restoration, curing some of the damage from the poison she subjected herself to in aiding him. He rests for a moment doing nothing more than holding up his blade to illuminate as much of the room as possible while nursing his bruises. ========================= 1 Con Damage
Lesser Restoration cures Delia 2 Con damage
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+20=37 ; Thursday May 25th, 2023 12:23:04 AM
Armalad searches the area for other interesting things. (OOC: checking in)
Perception: 37
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday May 25th, 2023 8:18:48 AM
Stohp remembers to update her header, an incredibly rare a occurance that she rarely remembers to do unless she takes damage. This will probably get her killed one day.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=31 ; Thursday May 25th, 2023 9:31:31 AM Underwater Breathing, Freedom of Movement Stock's keen eyes spot Bartomus, shrouded in an ethereal mist that causes the water around him to ripple and sway. With a grunt of acknowledgement, Stock pivots his attention back to the cache of treasures before him, his hands eager to delve into the spoils of their recent conquest.
========== Perception 31
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Thursday May 25th, 2023 4:45:30 PM
Zanderallen continues to catch his breath and adjust his armor to lessen how badly the dents press into his body.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=33 ; Thursday May 25th, 2023 7:55:02 PM
Bartomus looked at the pile of things that had been left when the weed matty thing attacked.
Perception 33
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday May 25th, 2023 9:59:08 PM
Armalad takes her time searching. (OOC: Checking In)
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Thursday May 25th, 2023 10:22:36 PM
Armalad moves to retrieve her bespoke arrows, but only one is intact.
Stohp runs through the moundplex in her mind, looking to see if another path was missed, but she doesn’t believe so. There are, however, multiple interesting piles of bones, weapons, and armors here in this room…
Stock heads over to one of the piles of bones, weapons, armor, and so forth, sucking in a potion along the way. He begins speaking, but no one can hear him the dozens of feet away he is from the Shields, except Armalad via Message.
Delia shudders as the Blood Lily poison takes effect, sapping her endurance. She casts Delay Poison on herself, buying her hours for Bartomus or someone to cast Neutralize Poison on her. Then she follows Stock to the pile of bones, etc. She thinks carefully about the bones, but they don’t seem to be aberrant. Looking at them in the light of nature, Delia’s mind is illuminated as she realizes Highlight to display spoiler: { the bones seem to be of very large lizardfolk…. Nooo… Scion lizardfolk similar to the ancient guardian lizard folk encountered defending the Dragon Crown (All That Glitters, Sept 8, 2021)… Nooo… these are skeletons for even larger lizard folk of even more ancient stock than the Scions…}
Bartomus flows around Stock, barely catching Stock’s comment about further exploration amongst the other mounds. He makes a joke but at most Stock only notices burbles of Lakewater. Bartomus then casts Cure Critical Wounds, healing Stock. He then flows in and around the debris, examining each. The bones seem familiar, perhaps more thought (OOC Knowledge: Nature) may grant insight. Bartomus begins swirling certain items above the pile, seemingly valuable, bringing them to Stock’s attention as though on a platter of Lakewater.
Stock and Bartomus see atop the ‘platter’ of Lakewater a minor treasure horde.
(OOC:
A pair of gold bracers and a large emerald. Stock’s dwarven eyes go wild with dwarven greed at the emerald’s size and apparent value, even to a casual appraiser not giving it deep thought.
The Bracers don’t feel like gold – they are gold, but are much tougher… enchanted, perhaps?
Each Bracer bears an emblem of a single eye centered over an open, tooth-filled maw…
A potion. A scroll (well, a sealed scroll case – might not be wise to open it here!). A silver ring with arcane engravings. A shortsword not at all rusty from being underwater for who knows how long.) An electrum ring with arcane engravings.) A javelin. A wand.
Zanderallen smiles as he returns the favor to Delia with Lesser Restoration, restoring some of her sapped endurance. Then he focuses on holding his blade to illuminate the room as best he can to help those searching the room for clues…
Armalad begins searching the pile of bones, weapons, etc. nearest her, at the opposite end of the room from where Stock is. She is skilled at sifting through treasure piles it seems, quickly putting the bones in one pile and the other items in another pile, and then looks at each in turn.
(OOC:
A pair of gold bracers and a large emerald. Armalad’s elven eyes go wild with elven intrigue at the emerald’s size and apparent value, even to a casual appraiser not giving it deep thought beyond wondering if any spell requires such a large emerald as a material component.
The Bracers don’t feel like gold – they are gold, but are much tougher… enchanted, perhaps?
Each Bracer bears an emblem of a single eye centered over an open, tooth-filled maw…
A heavy steel shield seemingly untouched by corrosion despite however long it’s been submerged in the Lakewater. A potion. A staff, exquisitely engraved in draconic with seemingly every known rune regarding abjuration magic. A strange bottle… no… carafe… no… very exotic, perhaps from one of those far-off desert realms… A darkwood shield not at all waterlogged from submersion in Lakewater. A rod. A medallion.)
Stohp reflects upon her present capabilities after having been healed.
Stock rifles through the presented treasures, doing his best to identify them.
Zanderallen continues recovering from almost being killed a second time at the bottom of the Lake, and focuses on repairing his armor.
Bartomus also continues to review the pile he’d selected. (OOC – Perception a second time isn’t necessary – the first roll gave the information I provided above. However, since Bartomus has had extra time to think, I will apply your die roll to Knowledge: Nature as you would likely also come to the same conclusions as Delia did earlier: Highlight to display spoiler: { the bones seem to be of very large lizardfolk…. Nooo… Scion lizardfolk similar to the ancient guardian lizard folk encountered defending the Dragon Crown (All That Glitters, Sept 8, 2021)… Nooo… these are skeletons for even larger lizard folk of even more ancient stock than the Scions…}
SHIELDS – What do you do next?
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+1=20 ; Friday May 26th, 2023 9:42:01 AM Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement Stock takes his time looking over the hoard, looking for value and likely seeing wealth everywhere. He turns around and shouts at the closest Shields, "There's still the question of who did this? Whose stuff is this? Whose golem was that? I think we keep moving to the last set of mounds to the left of this place."
======== Appraise 20, 22 on nonmagical goods that contain precious metals or gemstones
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20=4 ; Friday May 26th, 2023 9:51:43 AM
[i](Thanks for that Mitch. Your header post really made me laugh lol) Water Breathing, Darkvision, Swim 30ft, Delay Poison (12 hours), -2 Con [i]
Delia nods gratefully to Zander and pokes at the bones a little more, she will describe to nearby Shields that these are very large, pre-Scion lizard-folk. She will try to determine the age of the bones. (Just a roundabout are they as ancient as their size would imply or new enough to be a more immediate concern)
======================= Bone Age: Know Nature would be 17 Heal would be 18 Survival would be 26
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=34 ; Friday May 26th, 2023 10:23:15 AM
Bartomus noticed that Delia was still not up to par, but his mind raced to find the best way to relieve her. He rolled that around in his mind as he processed what he had seen amidst the hoard. The bones weren't what he expected to be here. He also couldn't figure out why these things had come to life. The merfolk had said that the blood lillies were rare, almost mythic, so why did they exist here and what brought them to life?
He punctuated Delia's information with a swirl of water
He went back to one of the two larger mats that were along the side wall and focused on them for a few moments.
[I]Perception - focusing on the other large mats and looking for any evidence of a similar collection of things. [/1]
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday May 26th, 2023 11:36:14 AM
Stohp considers. "Could this stuff be automated? Like it's just set to make these things that used to be under someone's control and now it just keeps making them and they occasionally run amuck? I think trying to destroy these things where the plant monsters form will either stop the problem or draw the attention of whomever is doing this so that's probably the first step regardless."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Friday May 26th, 2023 6:39:59 PM
Zander agrees with Stoph, "I don't know what Blood Lilies are doing at the bottom of the Lake but destroying these energy pools is a good first step. I don't want any more of those hulks, if one of them got to the float it could do some serious damage."
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Saturday May 27th, 2023 12:04:20 AM
Stock can scarcely control his dwarven lust for all things gold and gem-like, maybe magic too! Then he cuts to the chase, asking questions via Message and asking Armalad to repeat to the group and relay replies back to him, which she graciously agrees to do now that combat is over. He lists mysteries including: who was the attacker; whose stuff is this; and who made the golems (hulks). Stock finishes by suggesting the Shields move on to the remaining mounds.
He then looks over the items in front of him, trying to assess their worth, plus or minus. Stock thinks (not spoiler tagging because the info would be shared soon enough) the emerald is in the neighborhood of 15,000 gp… if that’s not an overlord’s ransom, most people would think it was! The golden bracers have the heft of being made out of actual gold, not just gold-plating on some other material… At least 1,000gp for the materials… possibly more if it’s enchanted in any way as the gold would be close to 100% pure based on how much spellcasters whine and bargain in the many marketplaces Stock has passed through. The other items are harder to gauge, possibly or definitely magical, and that probably means moving both of the large piles (Armalad’s and Stock’s) together back at Shields HQ and having Armalad get to work with spells and brainpower. The silver ring is probably in the 50-100gp range based on apparent purity and craftspersonship, and the electrum ring maybe twice that.
Delia smiles at Zanderallen’s healing and looks over the bones some more. She uses Message, with Armalad as dispatcher, to quickly communicate to the Shields the nature of these bones, “very large, pre-Scion lizard folk, very likely from ancient stocks, though I’m not aware of any active populations of that size in a large area around Turtle Lake.” Delia then turns her attention to clues as to the age of these bones… Highlight to display spoiler: { these bones are much more recent than ancient… by the scrapings and scars on the bones it appears some of these pre-Scion lizard folk were used as living sacrifices to power the creation of the scarlet seaweed hulks, likely along with the drained magical power of some of the “normal” weapons, armor, etc. in the pile with them. }
Bartomus pondered how best to help Delia. Zanderallen did something divine that seemed to help her, but does primal magic have access to similar spells?
(OOC – Yes – Lesser Restoration is a Druid spell too. Bartomus may or may not have it prepared re: the spells he chose for this expedition)
Bartomus next began pondering the bones, and after that he pondered the sources that animated the plant heaps into scarlet seaweed hulks. His mind then raced on to why a seemingly mythic plant monster should suddenly show up, not just as a handful (four of them) but also as some kind of strange plant construct, clearly created by… something…
After swirling water at the end of Delia’s relayed Message, he flowed over to another bioluminescent seaweed mat, with but a Medium weight of plants in the center, entirely inanimate. The seaweed mat dimmed and glowed, but the plantmass in the center did not glow at all… not yet…
Stohp ponders, and then Messages to the Shields the question of whether this was some form of automated workshop. She suggests that destroying plantmass growing places like this mound and others would put a dent in the threat to the Float in the short term.
Zanderallen agrees with Stohp – destroying these bioluminescent seaweed structures and the plantmass on top of them would be a good start. He voices aloud what was already rustling at the back of each Shield’s mind – the danger to the Float if these hulks were to attack it!
Armalad ponders the treasures before her.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d4=4 ; Saturday May 27th, 2023 10:32:39 AM
Bartomus realized he could try to restore Delia to a lesser degree or outright heal her, but still wondered what they had ahead of them. He choose the latter and stayed in close proximity to Delia then touched her when the spell was completed.
Restore Lesser - for 4 - Here's the details - so, that should offset some of the damage being done by the poison. Bart didn't prepare those spells, but has the Heal in reserve to do so once we leave this place. Lesser restoration dispels any magical effects reducing one of the subject's ability scores or cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to one of the subject's ability scores. It also eliminates any fatigue suffered by the character, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued. It does not restore permanent ability drain.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Saturday May 27th, 2023 10:46:58 AM
Delia lets everyone know that these bones are probably not as old as they should be for the difference between ancient and modern lizardfolk. And that it appears they were used for sacrifice.
She wonders if the Lads met with the same fate or if they were victims of hunger. She agrees with destroying anything potentially harmful.
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Saturday May 27th, 2023 11:32:01 PM
Bartomus identified the druidic spell that would likely restore Delia. He then pondered what lay ahead. Bartomus flowed near Delia and cast Lesser Restoration on her, restoring her bodily endurance. Any sickness she felt from the poison would have to fade with time, or perhaps require a magical cure.
(OOC – Delia is under a Delay Poison right now, which didn’t help the CON damage, but does make her immune to poison for a time, and thus to the sickening aspect. Delay poison specifically does not cure ability damage already taken prior to receiving the spell.)
Delia gives a fuller explanation on the bones to all, relayed by Armalad’s Message. She wonders whether Triggan and Jerma were used to make scarlet seaweed hulks (sacrificed) or simply victims of hunger. In hindsight, Delia leans towards the hunger explanation given the pre-Scion lizard folk bones lacked any fleshly remains.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=21 ; Sunday May 28th, 2023 10:52:14 AM
Bartomus still didn't feel like he was understanding what had transpired here to create the creatures that they fought and apparently, that were trying to create another pair of such creatures. He looked closer at the walls and wondered how long the building had been there. He had too many more questions than answers.
He made a series of bubbles and currents and moved himself back out into the other room and took a great look around it.
Perception 21 in the other room
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=35 ; d20+24=43 ; d20+24=38 ; d20+24=41 ; d20+24=39 ; d20+24=34 ; d20+24=28 ; d20+24=34 ; d20+24=35 ; Sunday May 28th, 2023 8:59:08 PM
Armalad casts Detect Magic and tries to identify all the various magic items before her.
Spellcraft: 37, 45, 40, 43, 41, 36, 30, 36, 37
(OOC: forgot the racial +2)
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday May 29th, 2023 9:42:53 AM
Well if nothing else is threatening the shields then it's about time to start dismantling this place permanently. It'll take hours if not days but needs to be done. She wants there to be nothing left of this place but debris so that these events cannot repeat.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday May 29th, 2023 6:40:47 PM
If we have investigated everything, Delia will join Stohp in deconstruction.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday May 29th, 2023 9:12:44 PM
If Armalad has gleaned all she can from the pile of magical goods then she too will join in deconstruction efforts.
(OOC: Checking In)
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Monday May 29th, 2023 11:27:17 PM
Bartomus was still puzzled by the process to create the scarlet seaweed hulks, seemingly including and yet beyond druidic power alone. He then flowed back into the prior room to search for more clues, but finds none other than the remains of Jerma and Edvards.
Armalad sets about identifying the magic items in the pile nearest her.
(OOC:
A pair of gold bracers – Bracers of Armor +6 +3 heavy steel shield. Potion of Beast Shape I. Staff of Abjuration (25 charges). Efreeti Bottle +3 Darkwood Heavy Shield: power (1) Blinding; power (2): Energy Resist 10: Sonic. Rod of Metamagic, Empower, Lesser. Medallion of Thoughts.
List does not include the items in the pile Stock is rummaging through.)
Stohp Messages to the Shields the need to completely tear down the moundplex to the last wall and floor.
Delia agrees in Message with Stohp.
Armalad agrees with Stohp also, but a pile remains near Stock so she swims over and catalogues his pile.
(OOC – the Spellcraft rolls are all more than high enough from the first group, so with combat apparently over, Armalad’s effort (and Spellcraft and Detect Magic) quickly gain her the following information on Stock’s pile:
A pair of gold bracers – Bracers of Armor +6 Potion of Neutralize Poison A scroll (well, a sealed scroll case – might not be wise to open it here! LATER, on the dragon ship, Armalad will learn this is a scroll of Greater Heroism). A silver ring with arcane engravings – Ring of Spell Storing (holds 5 levels of spells) Shortsword of Subtlety (+1 shortsword with an extra +4 to hit and damage on a successful Sneak Attack) Ring of Wizardry (III) +2 Javelin. Wand of False Life (50 charges))
Stohp soon finds that her great strength is not enough to rend the reedy, seaweedy walls by brute force and so borrows a magical blade from the piles, but even as she cuts a section of reedy wall it quickly grows back within seconds! Stohp is no spellcaster, but suspects powerful magics are at work, powerful magics that must be dismantled before the moundplex can be destroyed by several Shields hacking with magical blades and the like. She Messages this finding to the Shields.
Nuray and Triggan’s remains ever so slowly roll back and forth in the natural flow of Turtle Lake.
SHIELDS – what do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday May 30th, 2023 10:11:54 AM
Stohp wasn't really expecting to cut down the building by hand. She suggests they go consult the merfolk who no doubt know far, far more about underwater construction and demolition then the party.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Tuesday May 30th, 2023 10:34:10 AM Water Breathing, Freedom of Movement
"There is one more area left to explore. I think we go there - maybe then we can get some answers."
======== Loot sheet is updated with these finds. Some big dollar items there. Please put in your bids.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Tuesday May 30th, 2023 3:59:54 PM "I agree Stock. Let us finish clearing this entire complex. Somebody has to be responsible for this mess. There aren't any other rooms hidden in this mound are there?"
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Tuesday May 30th, 2023 8:50:01 PM
Stohp suggests the Shields consult the merfolk on ways to dismantle the moundplex.
Stock reminds the Shields of the remaining mounds to the left of the moundplex center the Shields stand in.
Zanderallen agrees with Stock, and then wonders aloud, via Message whether there are any more rooms in the current mound.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday May 30th, 2023 9:57:05 PM
Armalad messages the others, "Do you think if we collect the remains or take out the glowing reeds maybe we interfere with whatever is going on here? I'm not sure if I have any spell capable of disrupting what is going on here but maybe the remains or the glowing weeds are the key to what is going on?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday May 30th, 2023 10:21:00 PM "Are the merfolk near enough to recover the remains while we investigate the last mound? Or are they too green for bits of people? If we do send this complex crashing down, I don't want the folks above to lose what little peace burying these remains might bring."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday May 31st, 2023 12:20:57 AM
Bartomus was lost in his floating about, but none of his thoughts allowed him to answer the questions he had. He looked about and nodded at the others. He had an idea on how to try to take the mound apart. But, he also felt that they needed to take Stock's suggestion.
He could explain what he saw and what he might want to do to the merfolk, but they also needed to continue on with the exploration and determine what else was going on.
He moved further along towards the exit of the mound. They needed to get more answers.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday May 31st, 2023 7:01:09 AM
Stohp is glad of the reminder that there is in fact more spots to look for answers as she had thought they had run out of places to look.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday May 31st, 2023 9:35:35 AM
Stock helps to carefully gather the remains (there doesn't seem to be much to grab) and lays them on the lake floor outside the complex.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Wednesday May 31st, 2023 2:14:40 PM
Zanderallen helps gather up all the remains from two rooms, carefully keeping the various bits apart. "Last set of mounds first. Then we'll come back in here and see if we can smash apart those energy nexus. Armalad, do you want to call the merfolk over to collect these remains?"
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=31 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2023 3:03:02 PM
As they begin to leave this particular complex, Delia will keep an eye on their surroundings to see if the fight has brought any onlookers.
Perception: 31
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday May 31st, 2023 8:36:03 PM
Armalad calls out to the merfolk in Aquan to come and collect the remains
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Wednesday May 31st, 2023 9:50:43 PM
Armalad confers (via Message) with the Shields as to whether collecting the remains, or perhaps the remaining bioluminescent reeds, might help the situation.
Delia asks (via Message) whether it’s time to call in the merfolk pall bearers to transport the remains, or whether the remains are somehow contaminated by the moundplex.
Bartomus considered the best way to take the moundplex apart, and then thought about what Stock said. He decided the Shields should press on to finish exploring the moundplex and flowed towards the next room, further towards the exit of the moundplex.
Stohp realizes she had forgotten about the remaining mounds.
Stock helps as an interim pall bearer, to get the remains of the Lads and the fisherfolk outside the moundplex so the merfolk can more easily find and transport the remains.
Zanderallen joins Stock in doing so, and once done, Messages the Shields that the next stop is the final group of mounds, and then back to the moundplex to see about destroying as much as possible. He asks Armalad to call in the merfolk to transport the remains.
Delia stands guard, watching and, to the extent the Lake allows, listening for any belligerents here to interrupt Stock and Zanderallen solemnly recovering the remains of Jerma, Triggan, Edvards, and Nuray.
Armalad nods at Zanderallen’s request, joining him outside and then in a series of strange clicks oddly suited to transmission in water, signals the merfolk in Aquan.
The merfolk soon arrive, and their greenness to horror, as Princess Melanie had noted (in Aquan), is evident. Stomachs visibly churn and gurgle without air to carry the gurgles to the watching Shields… and then one of them takes command and they begin loading the separate piles of what once were Lads and fisherfolk into separate nets, almost bags (unusual for merfolk in any past encounter the Shields have had), and then once Zanderallen and Stock have assented that all the remains they could find are accounted for, the lead merfolk salutes the Shields, and says something in Aquan.
Armalad Highlight to display spoiler: { hears the lead merfolk say, “I know the King, and especially the Princess, would share the King, and especially the Princess, would share your sorrow were they here. We will safely deliver the remains to the fisherfolk on the dragon ship. I cannot speak for our leaders, but I hope, once your tasks here are done, you will seek out Princess Melanie again to share your knowledge of these horrible foes of all!}
With that, the lead merfolk turns and gestures for the others to follow, and all of them head towards the surface, at an angle, back in the direction of the dragon ship, give or take.
SHIELDS – you have done what you were asked – the remains are recovered and on their way back to the dragon ship, and eventually the Float, and it seems you’ve dealt great punishment to the footsoldiers of some heretofore unknown source of malevolence… the remaining three mounds on the other side await… do you go to the closest one first, the middle one, or the farthest one… or do you race back to the dragon ship, just happy to be alive?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday June 1st, 2023 8:10:30 AM
Stohp isn't ready to be done here until they can be sure this won't just repeat next month. She indicates her vote with a motion to the closest remaining mounds.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday June 1st, 2023 9:08:12 AM
Delia nods in agreement with Stohp. She allows the Shields to form up, then heads towards the uninvestigated mound.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=20 ; Thursday June 1st, 2023 10:57:19 AM
Bartomus moved along to the closest mound once Stohp and Delia pointed in that direction He spent some time looking at it as he approached.
Perception 20 - Also, are these mounds just growing atop the lake bed? Assuming that, but wanted to be certain.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Thursday June 1st, 2023 4:01:02 PM "Everything we've seen indicates that there must be some force behind this. We can't stop until we find that."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Thursday June 1st, 2023 7:44:02 PM
Zanderallen leads the way to the closest mound, sword still glowing brightly.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday June 1st, 2023 9:40:28 PM
Armalad clicks in Aquan at the departing Merguards, "We will of course share what we know with the Princess and King should he wish. Thank you for your help in this matter and for your condolences. I will pass them along to the family of the fisherfolk and the adventurers who were escorting them."
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Thursday June 1st, 2023 11:47:16 PM
Stohp argues in favor of finishing the job down here, gesturing to the final mounds.
Delia agrees with Stohp, waiting for the Shields to form up and then she falls in formation as the Shields progress forward.
Bartomus easily flowed ahead of the Shields to the nearest mound and then observed it for a bit, pondering whether and/or how the mounds are growing… on top of the Lakebed… or from it? Bartomus is inclined more towards natural analysis, but given his deep knowledge of nature, after staring and pondering a while, DC 25 Knowledge Nature Highlight to display spoiler: {comes to the conclusion that the mounds are artificially constructed of natural materials, the artificialness coming in how well-optimized the weaving of reed and seaweed is, not to mention some form of regrowth/regeneration enabling it to quickly heal sword and axe cuts. Also, the woven reeds of the moundfloor, standing outside the mounds, seem to continue their artificial wovenness into the very Lakefloor itself, kind of grafted into the Lakefloor instead of growing out of it.}
Stock argues that there must be some force behind the moundplex and the monstrous plant attacks, and that the Shields must be the ones to find that force!
Zanderallen leads the way to the closest mound, blade still glowing brightly, and the Shields still deep enough at the bottom of the Lakefloor as to have difficulty telling time, other than that the sun has not yet set and the freedom of movement spells haven’t run out… yet…
Armalad converses in Aquan with the merfolk as they depart, but none but Armalad and the merfolk understand what was said.
Zanderallen freely leads the Shields to the next mound, in practiced underwater battle formation, trusting that Bartomus remains ever near and ever watchful over the Shields.
Armed with Daylight, Zanderallen pairs with Stock at the front of the next mound’s entrance and as the two gaze onward, in the center of this otherwise empty chamber is one big rectangular mound, perhaps 20’ by 10’, and one plant-golem-in-progress lying on the mound, perhaps a full 12’ long, 6’ wide, and 3’ thick. This plant-golem-in-progress is an empty shell… unlike its twin on the opposite side of the moundplex, nothing glows here but Zanderallen’s blade. The trough next to it is empty of glowing magical energies… perhaps awaiting a resupply from… who… or… what?
Though hypervigilant as always, the Shields behind Stock and Zanderallen see no ambushes or anything dissimilar in construction to the other mounds… beyond the lack of “magical fuel” for this plant-golem-in-progress.
SHIELDS – What do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday June 2nd, 2023 6:52:31 AM
Stohp idly wonders what large scale underwater construction equipment made by merfolk might look like and how effective it might be at tearing this place down.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed d20+25=33 ; Friday June 2nd, 2023 10:29:59 AM
Stock walk/swims around the room, feeling his natural rage tick upward a bit with frustration. He waves his arms and then mouths, "Nothing?" to the other shields.
If nobody sees anything, he is ready to move on, hoping for some closure to this growing mystery. ========== Perception 33
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=36 ; Friday June 2nd, 2023 10:39:04 AM
Delia moves in with the group, arrows nocked, but bow not drawn. Yet. She continues to keep a practiced eye out for any out of the ordinary movement.
Perception: 36
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+7=16 ; d20+16=19 ; Friday June 2nd, 2023 10:42:22 AM
Bartomus got distracted by his fellow Shields moving into the mound and so his efforts to study the relationship between the mounds and the lake itself were for not. He peeked into the mound and related to Stock's frustration. He too will move on to the second mound unless someone shouts about something vital in this one.
Knowledge Nature - 16 -- He may come back to this point fyi; Perception 19
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+7=16 ; d20+16=19 ; Friday June 2nd, 2023 10:42:22 AM
Bartomus got distracted by his fellow Shields moving into the mound and so his efforts to study the relationship between the mounds and the lake itself were for not. He peeked into the mound and related to Stock's frustration. He too will move on to the second mound unless someone shouts about something vital in this one.
Knowledge Nature - 16 -- He may come back to this point fyi; Perception 19
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Friday June 2nd, 2023 12:42:49 PM
Zanderallen goes into the mound to light the interior for his friends. When the room comes up empty he slams his sword into the plant golem husk in anger. "Who just sets up a monster building station and then leaves it?" Once the place has been thoroughly searched he leads to the next mound.
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Saturday June 3rd, 2023 10:54:20 PM
Stohp contemplates what underwater demolition tools the merfolk might have, and whether they would be effective vs. the mounds.
Stock mutters about having nothing to raging smash, and gestures for the Shields to move on to the next mound.
Delia continues to stand guard.
Bartomus had switched his attention from the relationship between the mounds and the Lakefloor to the Shields’ investigation, and too was disappointed to find nothing new, and then looked to the next mound. He left, still puzzling over the relationship.
Zanderallen likewise was frustrated that there were no clues in this mound, and his blade cut deep into the plant golem husk with his desire to avenge the Lads and the fisherfolk. He rails at the unknown moundmaker for not staying at this “monster station” to be defeated by the Shields at once. After the Shields have finished searching this mound, Zanderallen and Stock lead the way to the next mound.
The middle mound on this side mirrors the middle mound on the other side, and again, only husks without the glowing fuel that feeds their construction.
The Shields’ frustration is palpable now as they head for the final mound, which mirrors the farthest mound on the other side, again with no clues, no magical fuel.
SHIELDS – you have cleared the mounds of foes… and of some magical treasure that may have been fueling the plant golems’ construction… what do you do about the mounds now… and is there anything remaining to recover and bring to the Float for analysis?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday June 4th, 2023 8:39:20 PM
Armalad says, "Maybe we take some samples of things to the surface? I could swing by the Star Mage's guild and see if any of my guildmates might be able to help us?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 d20+16=23 ; Sunday June 4th, 2023 9:25:16 PM
They were all empty. Bartomus took a bit of time and looked over the way things were laid out trying to find some idea of how long the mounds were there and why they were laid out as they were. He then swam back to where the large mound was and figured it would be worth the effort to try.
He focused on the area around the side where the large mats were and cast the spell.
Perception for layout; then cast Soften Clay and Stone on the foundational area of the large mound
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday June 5th, 2023 7:12:41 AM
Stohp waits to see what effect Bartomus's spell has.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday June 5th, 2023 9:03:07 AM Water Breathing, Darkvision, Swim 30ft, Delay Poison, -2 Con
Delia rolled her shoulders from the high tension of finding nothing. She will then thoroughly search the area for any traces of movement in and out - she's not sure what trail might be left underwater, but she won't be much use dismantling the complex.
============= Take 20 to search for tracks: Survival 49(42 + 7 to find tracks, if constructs are involved, another +2)
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Monday June 5th, 2023 9:49:36 AM "I think we take what we can back up, including the remains. Then we encourage the merfolk to start a bit of local gentrification. The Star Mages are a good place to start - as are the Druids, Bart. We should grab whatever we can of the golem building constructs."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Monday June 5th, 2023 2:09:07 PM "We should take or attempt to destroy the energy sources. Get samples and do research. Something is going on at the bottom of this lake and I don't like it." Zanderallen will try and determine how hard it would be to remove part or all of the glowing energy sources in the central mound.
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Monday June 5th, 2023 10:47:00 PM
Armalad suggests samples be gathered for analysis at the Float, perhaps at the Star Mages Guild. She recalls unusual symbols on some of the recovered treasure that feel familiar somehow… perhaps the WLA librarians would know more… or perhaps even she herself with some time alone on the Float in the library with their books and her own records.
Bartomus lets it sink into him that the remaining mounds were empty… some partial construction, but nothing active. He considered whether he could see clues as to the history of the mounds, and then swam back over to the moundplex… back inside and to the room where the hulks had attacked. Bartomus then cast Soften Earth and Stone on the foundational Lakefloor beneath the reedy/seaweedy floor. He then pushes against the moundfloor to see if it gives more now that nearly a 40’ by 40’ section of the underlying Lakefloor has been softened. Bartomus knows that wet earth will become thick mud, and that’s what it feels like as his massive water-hand pushes against the still-intact reedy moundfloor. With the softening of the Lakefloor, this section of the moundfloor can be pushed and pulled a little, up and down, no longer woven tightly into the Lakefloor. The moundfloor itself is still intact, just able to undulate with sufficient force, such as that of a Huge Water Elemental. The Moundplex floor feels more like a strong wicker basket that has come free of its mooring than a solid building on the float about to break because its stone floor lacks support.
Stohp noticed vast quantities of water swiftly moving, and figuring Bartomus was up to something, followed him back in to the moundplex, freely running to try to keep up. She arrives back in the hulk room just as the waters make it obvious some kind of spellcasting is happening and then she watches the waters “shimmy” and undulate the moundplex floor. It appears that Bartomus’ spell has done something to separate a large section of the moundplex floor from the Lakefloor… but not the entirety of the moundplex.
Delia stretched her neck and shoulders, repeating tiny exercises a valuable mentor had once taught her, and, still alert, began actively searching for… tracks? She thinks, it would be much easier on the Lakefloor… this moundfloor is like a huge wicker basket, almost so tightly woven as to be impenetrable! The only construct ‘tracks’ are where the Huge masses were resting on the bioluminescent seaweed structures before arising/swimming above the moundfloor and remaining so for the entire battle. The Stranglereeds and Blood Lilys, however, left their own version of “tracks” as they swam – the bits and bobs of viscera that first led Bartomus to find the moundplex, and then continued inside the moundplex itself. The bones… they were of a larger creature, and when she turns her eyes to looking for humanoid footprints… she doesn’t find any of the Shields, as each simply didn’t weigh enough… but the Ancient Scions… they may have swam here but once they entered the moundplex they walked, or bounced, but there were still residual impressions… did they walk of their free will? Did they know what fate awaited them? Who or what was so strong to either amass all of the magical treasure or… if the Ancient Scions had it, then to defeat them? Delia’s musings are broken momentarily when Stock begins speaking over the Message.
Stock Messages the Shields that they should bring back to the Float as much as they can, including any remains not already given to the merfolk to take to the dragon ship. He suggests the Shields encourage the merfolk to take over the moundplex as a way of keeping it out of the hands of whatever force was behind the attack and the hulks. Stock agrees with Armalad, and then also suggests the Druids to Bartomus, who hears the Message but remains unable to whisper back a reply while in water elemental form. Stock concludes by emphasizing the need to bring as much of the demolished Huge hulks along as possible.
Zanderallen adds by Message that the Shields should take or attempt to destroy the energy sources, whatever remains now that the Shields have confiscated the remaining items still enchanted. He agrees with Armalad and stock about gathering samples and having research done, concluding that he has a bad feeling about this situation. Zanderallen returns to the hulk room after Bartomus’ casting is long since over, but Stohp is still standing there, deep in thought. He freely walks on towards the remaining mounds, the Medium Incomplete plant golem husks and the barely-glowing bioluminescent seaweed structures. After doing a few test cuts he concludes that yes, he could remove the glowing parts… they don’t seem to regenerate the way the rest of the moundplex does… but when he cuts away a bit that bit slowly ceases to glow… an enchantment, perhaps, on the whole patchy seaweed structure? Standing there, he also is reminded of those much-larger-than-human bones on the other patches gone dark, where the magical treasure was recovered.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday June 5th, 2023 11:03:13 PM
Armalad starts collecting samples for study. She tries to fully detach any biolumenescent plants she comes across and takes as much as is practical from both the mound walls and husks
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Tuesday June 6th, 2023 6:55:59 AM
Stohp waits for the others to finish any remaining investigations.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday June 6th, 2023 9:32:01 AM
Not expecting to have found much, Delia nods along with her thoughts. She assists Armalad in gathering the materials she wants before they start any destroying.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday June 6th, 2023 10:40:11 AM
Bartomus looked over at the others and stopped moving the mound about.
He shrugged and understood Stohp's approach. Then he turned back to a section of the wall that was made up of the seaweed woven into its tight pattern. He had an idea.
He cast a spell and then asked a couple of questions of the plants in that section.
"Who encouraged you to be woven together so well?"
"Could you describe how the glowing power came to be?"
Cast Speak with Plants on part of the wall not loosened from the lake bed and asked those two questions.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Tuesday June 6th, 2023 11:36:57 AM
Stock heads back to the mound where the golem husk was being "filled" with energy and where his axe broke that trough of energy. He looks for the source magical device that was supplying the energy and tries to pick it up to bring back to the Float.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Tuesday June 6th, 2023 4:42:56 PM
Satisfied with the samples they seem to be able to collect, Zanderallen assists Aramalad in any large scale cuttings she wants. "I guess this will have to do. Unless the plants know more I guess it's back home and to the library to try to match this up with something."
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Tuesday June 6th, 2023 8:49:03 PM
Armalad takes inventory of her samples (OOC checking in)
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Tuesday June 6th, 2023 11:40:14 PM
Armalad sets about gathering samples, including doing her best to fully detach any remaining bioluminescent plants. She is successful in this, and though not many were left, she has all of them (three 5’ by 5’ thin ‘mats’ of them in all, which seemed to have sent their seaweediness through the moundfloor and into the earth below, and with Bartomus’ softening of the Lakefloor, Armalad had a much easier time gathering larger amounts of the bioluminescent seaweed without immediately killing them… She mentally notes that a large bucket of water might be desirable to keep them alive during analysis on the float… perhaps a donated rowboat half-full of water or somesuch. The moundwalls are resistant, but some donated time from Stock’s adamantine axe nets enough samples, even with their apparently enhanced regeneration. The hulks are much easier to hack off samples of, especially the partially-completed husks.
Stohp waits for the others to finish playing detective.
Delia assists Armalad in the gathering, organizing, and storing of the many samples Armalad takes.
Bartomus notices the Shields’ activities and stopped undulating the moundfloor… so much… Nodding at Stohp’s patience, he turned towards a moundwall and cast a spell. Highlight to display spoiler: {The woven reeds and seaweeds are pretty dumb, even for plants, but in answer to the first question, “The two-legged one with power like you.” In answer to the second one, “The two-legged one came with power and gave power to glow.” (OOC – you’re at the moundwall/seaweed’s helpfulness limit. It’s not hostile, but it also has little ability to pay attention to detail other than slurping up plant nutrients from the Lakefloor…) }
Stock returns to where he nearly blinded Delia for life and recovers the remains of the trough, hoping that Armalad or Bartomus or someone can make sense of it with more time.
Zanderallen smiles as Armalad, with Delia’s help, gathers a plethora of samples, and then Stock returns with the remains of the trough from the other mound. He lends his blade to cutting any samples Armalad requests.
Armalad, with Delia’s help, finishes packing and organizing her samples… stray bits of seaweed prove able as ‘ropes’ of a kind to enable strong Shields like Stock and Zanderallen to freely carry the bulky loads to the surface as though walking up stairs to the surface.
SHIELDS – any last investigating, gathering, and/or attempts to destroy the moundplex, etc. before returning to the dragon ship?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday June 7th, 2023 7:41:03 AM
Stohp is ready to go for now, but she'll be back. She is determined to see this place destroyed even should it take an army of merfolk workmen and several weeks of work.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday June 7th, 2023 11:16:07 AM
Bartomus nodded in understanding as to what he had been told. He made a point of thanking the responsive plant and adding that he appreciated the information. Then as he was about to leave, he asked one more question.
"Did the two legs also bring in the nasty plants with the sharp thorns and teeth?"
He waited and after getting whatever response he might get, he again kindly thanked the plant and moved back out to join the others. He spun a tight circle of water upwards and looked at the others before ascending slowly to the surface.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday June 7th, 2023 3:12:29 PM
The moment Stock senses that the Shields' devling is complete, Stock swims upward to reconnect with the boat and actually breathe air again.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Wednesday June 7th, 2023 4:30:10 PM
Even with all the freedom given him by the ring and helmet Zanderallen is very ready to head to the surface. He loads himself up with the samples and pushes off for home, as soon as water Bart finishes talking to plants.
"What... were... those things?" (DM Wayne) Wednesday June 7th, 2023 10:01:17 PM
Stohp makes plans to thoroughly destroy the moundplex with the Shields and the merfolk.
Bartomus asked a final question of the moundplex seaweed/reed wall, Highlight to display spoiler: { and it replies, “Yes.” } Bartomus then moved to rejoin the shields, flowing in a tight circle of water, and then moving above the Shields and looking back to see when they would follow.
Stock was the first, having Armalad load him up with the bulkier samples and Zanderallen handing him any stray viscera that couldn’t be identified by where it was found in the moundplex. Once loaded he freely moved… swam… flew(?) through the water upward, breaking the surface for the first time in many hours, forcing his lungs to eject the Lakewater and begin breathing honest Woldian air once more!
Zanderallen was the second, pausing only to load himself, and be loaded with by Armalad, anything else that the Shields were taking besides themselves. He too, having felt Bartomus flow fully outside the moundplex and up into the Lake, and seeing Stock leaving first, Zanderallen then freely moved… swam… flew(?) to the surface, leaving behind unpleasant experiences, such as the one hulk nearly pounding him into Stranglereed-meal on the floor of the strange moundplex, poison coursing through his veins… then he too breaks the surface, finally able to tap the helm to turn off its magically-refreshed air bubble and to once more breath honest Woldian air, catching the scent of the water, the air, the forests a long swim away… perhaps even the peculiar smells the Float generates, that are strong enough to waft miles away on air currents…
Stohp sees this, smiles, and gestures to Armalad and Delia to follow as Stohp then freely moves… swims… flies(?) to the surface to join Stock and Zanderallen.
Armalad and Delia begin following, but at a much slower pace, even with their magical flippers.
Bartomus sees the speed difference and forms himself into a gentle vortex, ‘carrying’ them faster than they can swim, and the three join Stock, Zanderallen, and Stohp on the surface.
Those Shields with extra keen eyes easily spot (DC 20) the dragon ship, perhaps 200’ away from where you surfaced directly over the moundplex. As you begin moving, or freely moving in that direction, Bartomus once more is able to raise Armalad and Delia to the water speed of the other Shields and in less than half a minute the Shields are at the dragon ship, water level.
Voices call from above, and rope ladders are rolled over a railing while two rowboats are lowered to give the Shields a chance to sit and get their bearings before the sailors use the rope pulleys to get the rowboats and Shields on board.
Hasan is quickly there as sailors bring blankets to help dry the Shields off. Some offer to put the many bundles of samples in the hold. Others offer to take you to the few private rooms on board so you can perhaps change the garments under your armor.
As the many sailors offer to help you, Hasan says, “Shields, thank you! You’ve done the impossible – we suspected the bodies wouldn’t be completely intact, but the merfolk delivered the remains, we identified Edvards and Nuray, and Fabricia will plan their funerals once she finishes mourning, which may not be for some time. But you have set her heart slightly at ease – she knows she can bury her family in a place she can return to over and over, to remember the good times. And you have helped we fisherfolk too – we all know, or knew, each other very well and you have brought closure to us on the most horrible thing we have ever experienced! I hope the threat is over but…. (looks at all the samples) it looks like not for a while. We don’t have your magic or skills, but if there’s anything we can do to help you put a stop to who- or whatever was behind the attack – we’re here for you – call on us for anything, especially sailing your ship to wherever you need to go!”
With that, Hasan falls in with the others, helping with the samples, getting all of you and dry blankets to the private rooms, and so forth. Then he bellows out orders for the fisherfolk to get the dragon ship underway. Finally he heads to the railing and calls out to Rick and James to hook to the front again and prepare to bring Nuray, Edvards, and the Shields home to the Float!
As you head to your rooms, the familiar spellcasting of Belba is heard over the railing, and once more James becomes Colossal, a slipstream of water forms beneath him, and the dragon ship’s sailors set sail and row heartily towards the Float!
SHIELDS – You have a good amount of minutes before you are back on the Float. While you are together, divided into a few private rooms, how do you relax and take comfort after such a harrowing delve into the deeps of Turtle Lake?
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday June 7th, 2023 10:37:52 PM
Bartomus waited and when all of the others were back up on the turtle he splashed himself aboard. Then he changed back into his taur shape and took a deep breath. He took a few moments and listened to Hasan and nodded in consolation.
He then suggested that Hasan and the rest of the fishing fleet avoid this area for a while. He made his way towards the other Shields and whispered.
"So, the plants down there were created by a humanoid. That person also brought in the various nasty, merfolk legendary plants that nearly took you under Stock." Bartomus shared what he had learned with the others. "I think talking to the druids is spot on. But, we don't know why this was all done, unless it was to threaten the food supply of the Float."
He took a breath and waited for what the others thought might be going on.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday June 7th, 2023 11:15:19 PM
Armalad says to those who are thankful, "We need the donation of a rowboat that we can submerge to keep our samples of the plant structures down there. We need to do some research and it would help to preserve them on the service with this rowboat. Hopefully we can figure out who is beyond the original attack and who is building the structures below and put a stop to them."
She then says to Bart, "I need some samples to take to the Star Mages. I think they could aid in researching the origin of this new magic and perhaps aid in tracking who is ultimately behind it.. They have mages more powerful than myself there as I have split my time between archery and magic so I think they could help."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday June 8th, 2023 7:56:30 AM
Stohp talks to the others about ways to destroy the complex lest more of those things be made. Right now her best plan is to get the merfolk to bring what construction tools they have to dismantle the thing while the Shields guard them from whatever defenses remain that might try to stop it. Sure the thing tries to magically sow itself back together, but enough hands and the right tools could in theory outpace it's repair efforts or cause it to run out of power to repair eventually. She expects it'll be a long laborious process but the alternative is leaving the thing down below to spit out more of those monsters.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Thursday June 8th, 2023 9:00:13 AM
Stock listens to Stohp and points out, "The Merfolk don't need CONstruction tools as much as they need DEstruction tools. That seems like a smaller ask to me. Without knowing the humanoid power behind this though, we can't be sure this won't just be rebuilt somewhere else..."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 102/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Thursday June 8th, 2023 5:05:22 PM
Zanderallen stops with the others just briefly to express his agreement. "Our ultimate goal needs to be to find whoever created that structure, hopefully the druids, starmages, or merfolk can point us in a direction. Now if you excuse me I need to attend to my gear. The sooner it's all dried and oiled the better." With that he enlists the aid of a sailor to undo his full plate and begins the arduous task of getting it all cleaned up. The enchantments on it should help but he wasn't going to take any chances when it came to rust.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday June 8th, 2023 5:30:48 PM
[I](ooc: sorry, should have thought ahead and asked for a sub yesterday. A kids ministry event made for a 12 hour day :) ) Delia thanks Bart for the swimming speed assist.
As they climb back onto the boat, Hawky jealously reclaims his human, digging his talons into the shoulder guard specifically reinforced for him to perch on. Delia pats him absently as she listens to the demolition conversation, thinking about how they might be able to track down this humanoid power.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday June 8th, 2023 9:20:42 PM
Armalad prepares her portion of the samples for transfer to the Star Mages guild. She hopes to keep them intact in water. (OOC: Checking in)
Home is Where the Heart is... isn't it?
"How can we celebrate when the killer still stalks the Lake?" (DM Wayne) Thursday June 8th, 2023 10:35:50 PM
Bartomus ensured the rest of the Shields were safely aboard the dragon ship first, and then he simply flowed out of the Lake and onto the deck, reverting to his natural minotaur form as he did so. He breathed air for the first time in a long time, savoring it while listening to Hasan and the others. Bartomus waited for an opportunity and then suggested to Hasan that the fisherfolk not fish near the ruins below for quite a while. Then he found his friends and whispered to them some of what he learned and deduced below, especially from speaking with the plants of the moundplex. He then wondered aloud whether cutting off the Float’s food supply was the actual goal, or not? More intelligence is needed, it seems.
Armalad accepts the offers of help from the fisherfolk, with specifics – convert a rowboat into a floating laboratory or repository or something to keep the samples alive for research. The fisherfolk don’t understand why Armalad wants this, but overjoyed with the return of the remains of their kin they quickly go about converting a rowboat into exactly what Armalad requested. She then turned to Bartmous, explaining why she wanted the samples – to gain the aid of researchers in the Star Mages Guild.
Stohp engages the Shields in discussions of how best to go about destroying the moundplex. She offers her plan to bring in the merfolk to deconstruct or demolish the whole thing with specialized equipment, presuming it exists. Stohp concludes with the point that if not destroyed, it might be used again to make more of the hulks.
Stock listens to Stohp’s plans intently. He suggests the merfolk should focus on pure destruction of the moundplex rather than pick it apart with equipment. Stock points out that the Shields need to know who was behind it, so they can be stopped from just building another moundplex somewhere else.
Zanderallen pauses his plans to get out of his armor just long enough to listen to the other Shields and nod in agreement. He suggests that finding the creator, or force, behind the moundplex is the most important thing the Shields can be doing, and whoever can help – star mages, druids, etc. – the Shields should go and get that help as soon as possible. Then he returns to getting help from a sailor to help take off his full plate so he can care for it… and maybe get into a dry tunic and leggings while he’s at it.
Delia thanks Bart for speeding the Shields’ return to the dragon ship. As she climbs aboard the dragon ship, Hawky expresses his gratitude at having his human again! Delia relaxes with Hawky, half-listening to “destroy the moundplex” discussions while she thinks about how to track down someone who can work underwater and probably didn’t leave tracks… would there be a spoor… a scent… still around the moundplex of this being? Sharks can smell blood underwater so… is there a way to ‘track’ this being?
Armalad helps the sailors with the final details and requirements for the rowboat and it is soon complete, not sunken, but the interior filled with enough water for the samples to stay fresh, and then lifted by ropes so it doesn’t slow down the sailors and Colossal James as the dragon ship speeds on towards the Float.
The Shields continue going about their business, using the private rooms to change into dry clothes, polishing armor, fanciful ideas about what kinds of underwater plant-cutting tools the merfolk have, and so on.
The sun is lower in the sky now, but some daylight remains even after the better part of two hours spent underwater.
Perhaps 15 minutes later, with Colossal James leading the way, Rick guiding him, and Belba occasionally healing a rope burn on James from the towing, the dragon boat sails/rows/is pulled into the Fence Level. As Colossal James arrives first, there is a flickering and he returns to being just Gigantic James, slipping out of the rope leads with Rick’s help, and then Rick takes James over to James’ usual spot in the docks while the sailors finish rowing the dragon ship into its mooring place.
As the sailors finish tying the dragon ship to the dock, the Shields, refreshed, come topdeck to see their home once more before them! Other ships are docked nearby, crews on those ships each standing at the edge of their craft closest to the dragon ship, looking, watching, perhaps waiting… then some watchers-by on shore call out, “It’s the Shields! They’re alive! They’re back!” the small crowd on shore erupts with cheers, and then likewise the crews of the other ships docked somewhat near the dragon ship! The sounds of musical instruments carry through the air, the sailors begin making up a sea shanty on the spot for the Shields!
(OOC – if anyone is good at writing sea shantys, this is your opportunity to write one for the Shields and get it on the wiki!)
The cheering pressing crowds of sailors on deck present a happy obstacle to the Shields returning home, and then as the Shields try to make their way ashore, the small crowd grows with the addition of the crews of the nearby docked ships, cheering the Shields, there are shouts of “they recovered Nuray and Edvards! Hip hip hooray for the Shields!”
SHIELDS – the crowds won’t keep you if you don’t want to be kept, but it seems they really, really want to cheer your success! How does each Shield react, even choose, if need be, between letting the crowds enjoy an earned “win” after the loss of their dearly departed friends Nuray and Edvards, and pressing on to home, or the star mages guild, or the druids, or whomever can help the Shields find out who’s behind the attacks?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday June 9th, 2023 7:14:16 AM
Stohp's mind is still back on the problem under the water when they arrive. It takes a moment for her to tear it away and focus on the excited crowd. "I know Gargul at times lets those who've passed on come back to finish unfinished business, especially adventurers. We should try for these folks." she mutters t o Zander, not wanting to speak the though aloud lest false hope spread through the crowd.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 d20+28=44 ; Friday June 9th, 2023 11:48:00 AM
Delia, still mildly uncomfortable with her status as a Shield and what it means to people who were her peers or betters for so long, fades in the background. Whether they enjoy it anymore of not, the longstanding members of the Silver Shields are at least more practiced at holding the adoration of the crowds. She will linger as long as the rest of the Shields do.
Stealth 44 (+2 and hide in plain sight if we count as in Urban terrain again)
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Friday June 9th, 2023 2:50:15 PM
Stock leads the crowds through a stirring rendition of a sea shanty that seems to spontaneously coalesce.
The Peril Beneath Turtle Lake
(Verse 1) Come gather 'round, ye hearty souls, and heed this tale I tell, Of a gallant group of adventurers, the mighty Silver Shields excel, Upon the Turtle Lake they sailed, where danger lurked below, To save the floating city, The Float, from perils none could know.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 2) On Turtle Lake, a city floats, its homes upon the waves, But a darkness stirred beneath, threatening to send it to its graves, With swords and spells, The Silver Shields embraced their noble quest, To face the hidden danger, and put their courage to the test.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 3) Through tempests wild and roaring waves, their ship sailed true and fast, Guided by the light above, to where the danger cast, Into the depths they plunged, with hearts determined and brave, To battle the underwater threat and their city's fate to save.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 4) With shields raised high and blades aflame, they faced the beast below, A creature fierce and mighty, with a malevolent glow, But The Silver Shields stood strong, united through and through, They battled with all their might, their purpose they'd pursue.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Verse 5) Through crashing waves and thunderous roars, they fought without retreat, The creature's strength no match for them, they would not know defeat, And when the battle ceased, triumphant they emerged, The Float was safe, their victory celebrated as they surged.
(Chorus) Oh, The Silver Shields, their valor never yields, Beneath the waves, their courage shields, They fought the tides, with hearts held high, To rescue The Float, against the peril nigh.
(Outro) So raise a glass to these heroes bold, The Silver Shields renowned, For saving The Float, their floating city, where hopes and dreams abound, Their tale shall echo through the ages, a shanty sung with pride, Of adventurers who braved the depths and triumphed by Turtle Lake's side.
========= I can't take much credit for that. Chat GPT can be amazing
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday June 9th, 2023 11:56:47 PM
Bartomus blushed at the welcome they received and then laughed as Stock led them in a stirring song he made up on the spot. It was a good deal of fun and much needed as he headed back to their headquarters.
He waived off the request from the grateful fishing folk to stay yawning to emphasize his point. He was hungry, tired, and he needed to think about reaching out to the Druids. He would send a runner asking for an appointment the next morning with the druids.
"How can we celebrate when the killer still stalks the Lake?" (DM Wayne) Saturday June 10th, 2023 10:44:16 PM
Stohp’s mind won’t stop ruminating about the moundplex and the monstrous plants, even as the dragon ship docks in its berth. Eventually the cheers of the crowd draw her attention, and she comments only to Zanderallen, below the roar of the crowd.
Delia wallflowers. Though they cannot see her, she and all of the Shields are cheered as a group and individually, over and over, but there is no place further back to which Delia may shrink than she already has.
Stock joins and then leads the crowd in its new sea shanty!
Bartomus was bashful about the crowd’s cheers, but then laughed out loud as Stock led the crowds in a new sea shanty! When the shanty was done, Bartomus began making his way through the remaining crowds, heading for Shields HQ. He begged off the crowds’ continuous request for celebration, showing signs of tiredness after the long excursion beneath Turtle Lake. Bartomus just wanted a good meal, a good sleep, and then perhaps to reach out to the Druids. He retained a runner to pass along his meeting request to the Druids.
Zanderallen sighed and gave the crowds some of what they wanted, knowing it was more important for the Shields with deep research skills to escape the celebration than the champion of Domi…
Armalad looked for an opportunity…
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Sunday June 11th, 2023 6:56:01 PM
Bartomus paid the runner with a few silver and offered a few in the morning for the response and the time the Druids would like to meet. He watched as the youngster went off at the double quick. He smiled and then yawned.
He was beat and really needed some time to sleep. He made it into the HQ and then went up to his room. When he was stretched out on the bed, he yawned and stretched. Moments later he was snoring and dreaming of swimming.
He woke up with the start of the sun rising. He yawned again. He realized he hadn't even changed his clothes. He shrugged, rubbed his chin and headed off to do his morning meditations. He head off to the small balcony that he had paid to have added to this part of the Float and where a small tree was enjoying the view. As the sun began to rise over the Lake and cast its glow against the wall of the Float, Bartomus took it all in realizing again that there was a whole new world underneath the waves on the Lake.
Eventually, he pulled himself up from his seated position and made his way back to HQ and looked about the front door to see if his runner was back. He moved over to one of the vendors not too far away, purchased some caff to sip and a few pastries for himself with a couple of extras for the expected runner.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Sunday June 11th, 2023 7:40:32 PM
Armalad tries to figure if it would be easier to bring the samples to the Star Mages or the Star Mages to the samples and then sets about accomplishing what she thinks is the better course of action.
If anyone cares to listen she echoes the sentiment of her compatriots, "There is still work to be done. We have to learn more about who was behind what happened and what they could be up to."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday June 12th, 2023 8:44:32 AM
Stohp puts in an appearance at the celebrations breifly before going to bed (unless it's not evening hard to tell)
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Monday June 12th, 2023 9:52:08 AM
Stock laughs and claps his hands one last time as the song is finished. He then helps the Shields to carry the artifacts back to Shield HQ. He plans to visit the WLA the next day to deliver a report on what the Shields found especially regarding underwater golem construction and see if anybody there has heard of something like this before.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Monday June 12th, 2023 11:36:15 AM
While Stock's shanty tugs a smile out of her, she still slips away as soon as the first Shield begins to leave. She meets the rest of them back at HQ and awaits the meeting with the Druids.
Though she is still not physically at 100%, she will carefully clean and dry her bow and string, as well as any arrows that got damp before beginning some much needed rest.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Monday June 12th, 2023 8:37:30 PM
Armalad prepares to give her colleagues in the Star Mages a rundown of what she knows regarding the samples. (OOC: checking in)
"How can we celebrate when the killer still stalks the Lake?" (DM Wayne) Monday June 12th, 2023 9:34:14 PM
Bartomus paid the runner not just to deliver the message, but also to wait for and then deliver to Bartomus the response from the Druids on scheduling a meeting. Soon Bartomus was at Shields HQ and asleep.
Armalad considers… and realizes that while smaller amounts of samples could be kept in pottery or other non-leaky vessels to transport to the Guild’s location, if the whole collection were needed for experiments (a likely situation) then scheduling a meeting with the Guild at the rowboat full of samples, with the Guild having time to prepare multiple Dimension Door or Greater Teleport spells, or perhaps simply to bring a Portable Hole to more easily transport the samples and water without going through the streets of the Float… yes, bring tiny samples to prove it’s not a wild goose chase, then negotiate a larger transportation of the collection to the Guild for full research. She then comments to the Shields as the crowds cheer that they should really get on with the mission, but only a few hear as Stock is still mid-sea shanty for a bit. Armalad patiently waits and then informs even Stock…
Stohp gladhands the crowds for a bit before, like Bartomus, begging off to rest at Shields HQ.
Stock gleefully finishes the sea shanty, and then finally asks Armalad what was so important that she thought interrupting a sea shanty was worth it… Looking at the pile of artifacts from the hulk battle, then at the rowboat full of hulk and plant specimens, then back at the artifacts, Stock smiles, gathers up the artifacts in several convenient canvas sacks, and begins heading back to Shields HQ. After securing the artifacts in Shields HQ, Stock gets some well-earned rest, falling asleep with plans to report to the WLA the next day.
Delia smiles briefly at Stock’s sea shanty, and then slips away as Bartomus makes his way through the crowds… with Stohp following soon after, Delia has an easy time using the two taurs to fade out of the crowd’s attention. She smiles as Bartomus arranges for the runner to set up a meeting with the Druids. Back at Shields HQ, reclining on a comfortable couch she begins reviewing her weapons and making necessary repairs after all that time underwater… once done she too heads for her own room and gets a hero’s rest.
Armalad, once the rowboat of samples is secured on the dragon ship, takes representative smaller samples, placing them in various containers of convenience, with lakewater as needed, and likewise uses the departure of the two taurs as cover for escaping the crowds. Once back at Shields HQ, she retires to her room, perhaps becomes less waterlogged, and begins planning how to articulate the discoveries and the requests for research necessary to find out who and/or what is behind the monstrous plant attacks… and the moundplex!
Zanderallen, after more time with the crowds, and perhaps some off-key (?) choruses of the sea shanty, notes the departure of all of his fellow Shields. Once they are all far enough away, Zanderallen bids the crowd farewell with a blessing from Domi and makes his way back to Shields HQ for a well-deserved rest…
…
6:30 a.m.
The sun has risen rising more than several smidges above the horizon and has changed the early morning sky to full blue.
The Shields are still asleep, even the early risers, who once more are trying to enjoy the rest of heroes…
The incessantly loud knocking and shouting has woken all of the Shields, still in their nightclothes, armor hung on its rack, weapons sheathed and on nightstands within reach.
The knocking continues, firm, steady, like someone determined to meet the Shields, no matter the cost…
What do you do?
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 10:03:33 AM
There was a knocking coming from somewhere as he tried eating his pastry and drink his caff waiting for his runner to return. It got louder and louder coming from all about him. He shook his head and realized he had been dreaming. Dreaming about meditating and eating a pastry.
He sighed, loudly. He shook his head again and pulled himself up out of his bed. His dreaming had in fact been partially true as he was still wearing his clothes. He shrugged and stomped down the stairs to the door.
"Yea, yea, I'm coming, give it a bloody flipping rest, wontcha?" Bartomus bellowed at the door where the knocking continued. The knocking continued and then the person asked if the Shields were awake.
Bartomus unlocked the door and swung it wide open.
"Whole bloody damn neighborhood is awake with all of that noise you've been making. What's the matter?"
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Tuesday June 13th, 2023 4:51:57 PM
For once Stock is not up early. He is sleeping the sleep of somebody who swam a great race when the pounding wakes him up. He reacts immediately and makes it to the front door in his small clothes and brandishing his handaxe.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 5:02:33 PM
Zanderallen is enjoying sleeping in, muscles sore from underwater use in whole new ways. Even freely moving you just used things differently than on land. The first couple bangs barely even register. But then he snaps to full awareness, grabbing his sword off the stand as he runs downstairs. He joins Bart at the front door, "Speak up."
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 5:02:37 PM
Zanderallen is enjoying sleeping in, muscles sore from underwater use in whole new ways. Even freely moving you just used things differently than on land. The first couple bangs barely even register. But then he snaps to full awareness, grabbing his sword off the stand as he runs downstairs. He joins Bart at the front door, "Speak up."
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Tuesday June 13th, 2023 6:08:12 PM
Delia groans lightly at the knocking, legs sore in a capacity she's not experienced before. She takes a moment of grumpiness as she mutters, "Not again." But only a moment, as the last time they were woken by frantic knocking, people were dying. She pushes herself out of bed, stomping (compared to her normal silent steps) to the front door, snagging her bow and quiver on her way out of her room.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=44 ; Tuesday June 13th, 2023 9:18:55 PM
That evening Armalad puts pen to paper in an abstract she writes about what the shields experienced under the water with respect to the mound plexes and strange new type of golems. (Know[Arcana]: 44 = natural 20) (OOC figure she wrote some elegant treatise to share with the guild)
Later that night Armalad says, "Not again" as her meditation was interrupted by another knock at the door.
"Come Joker, It would seem that someone is seeking us again in the dead of night. I have a bad feeling this will be another water mission."
Armalad and Joker head to see the commotion.
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Tuesday June 13th, 2023 11:39:07 PM [OOC – I’ve been a bad DM about awarding Hero Points, so looking back…
Zanderallen – 1 Hero Point for a key area healing during the first battle, saving fisherfolk and Lads alike!
Stock – 1 Hero Point for bravely stepping up to destroy the trough in the mounds, not knowing what would happen but acting to save everyone from a foe about to awaken.
Armalad – 1 Hero Point for pressing Princess Melanie, at great diplomatic risk (and role-playing!), to provide more and deeper information about the Blood Lilies.
Delia – 1 Hero Point for saving Zanderallen from Blood Lily poison before saving herself.
Stohp – 1 Hero Point for boldly and successfully hog-tying many Stranglereeds with her bare hands!
Bartomus – 1 Hero Point for thinking wisely about the then-upcoming underLake expedition and preparing various useful spells, especially Command Plants, and turning a tough battle with four Stranglereeds and four Blood Lilies into a near-cakewalk for the Shields through his wisdom!]
Bartomus is rudely awakened from his dream about peaceful meditation and pastry chomping by the incessant knocking… he makes his way down to the front door, moaning about noisy knockings and opens the door.
Stock is doing his best to enjoy the sleep of heroes… but some things are just not meant to be! Up at once, Stock’s handaxe almost teleports into one hand and he’s soon downstairs, striding up as Bartomus opens the door.
Zanderallen likewise was trying to enjoy the sleep of heroes, had been so worn out he hadn’t even tried to visit Pepper before Shields HQ! Oh, the costs of defending the Float… the incessant knocking eventually wakes even Zanderallen and, as with Stock, he is at once downstairs as Bartomus is opening the door, Zanderallen with his sword in his hand as if it had always been there!
Delia cannot believe that, tired as the Shields are, again with the incessant knocking! Zanderallen hasn’t even had a chance to prepare and cast more Lesser Restorations on her to fully cure the Blood Lily poison’s effects on her health! Still, the Shields are probably needed again, and she doesn’t want anyone to die because she slept in… so at once she springs out of bed, bow in hand and quiver on back as if they had always been there and loudly stomps downstairs, joining the crowd of Shields there.
Armalad was exhausted the night before, but writing always seemed to energize her, so she made sure to journal about the expedition, adding tactical notes, mysteries, and other curiosities in the margins as she wrote her elegant treatise. Once finished, she manages to grab some sleep of heroes when rudely awoken as the rest of the Shields, and patted her spell component pouch with one hand as her regular enchanted bow appeared in the other, a quiver hung on her elbow, soon righted as she and Joker joined the rest of the Shields downstairs as Bartomus opened the door.
Bartomus looks down to see two of the Overlord’s Royal Guard standing at attention, a human man and a half-elf woman. He doesn’t recognize them specifically, but there’s no mistaking the armor, insignia, epaulets, and so on.
Stock likewise doesn’t recognize these two.
Zanderallen Highlight to display spoiler: { takes a moment, but then recognizes Zejd (human man) and Abele (half-elf woman), whom the centaur sergeant had directed to take Zanderallen directly to the Overlord. A bit unusual for some of the Overlord’s personal guards to leave the Overlord’s level, but not unheard of. }
Neither Delia, nor Armalad, nor Stohp recognize these two either.
The woman, catching a glimpse of Zanderallen peeking around Bartomus, smiles and says, “Shields, we apologize for the unusually early call, but the Overlord has called for you, all of you, to come at once and report. I can only say that it is highly important that you come now, before the streets fill with more cheering crowds once the Float awakens. Yes, you should get your full gear and make yourselves presentable. Will five minutes be enough? The Overlord has a banquet table of food and drink waiting for you,” she finishes, not having introduced herself or her fellow guardsperson.
Shields - what do you do?
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Wednesday June 14th, 2023 8:44:08 AM
Stohp is normally a light sleeper and would be up by this time but she's not only still asleep but the knocking doesn't immediately wake her. So she's the last one to wander downstairs and look blearily at the group as she tries to figure out what's going on.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 9:38:51 AM
Delia glances at Stohp as she enters, quietly saying, [b]"Overlord wants us in 5 minutes. Full gear and "presentable" whatever that means to you."
Delia, remaining fully geared even in sleep, will splash some water on her face and decide that's as presentable as she's ever going to be. She will then assist Zanderallen and anyone else who needs to don armor.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Wednesday June 14th, 2023 9:48:09 AM
Stock barks at the woman, "Would it have been too much to ask his majesty to let us sleep in?" He turns on a heel and heads back to dress. He calls over his shoulder, "Five minutes will not be enough."
Still though, Stock does his best to don his armor and gather his gear relatively quickly.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 3:17:11 PM
Zanderallen immediately relaxes and then tenses again when he sees palace guard. He nods in response to the request, "We're all a little groggy from some unusual activity under the water. We'll be ready as soon as we can be."
He then turns back inside and roars in barracks fashion, "Shields to report for duty. The Overlord wishes to see us and has been kind enough to lay out a full spread for breakfast. Full kit, on the double." He then hustles back to his room requesting aid from somewhere with less metal to get on to help him with his full plate. ============ OOC: Zander has 1 point of CON damage, which should heal with a 8 hour rest. If anyone else has ability damage speak up, Zander has 2 castings now today.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 7:38:29 PM
Bartomus shuck his head and sighed.
"We gotta get a person to screen the door banging, He said with a sigh. He turned and stomped back up to his room grabbed his glave and changed his clothes. Then he followed the others along to the Underlord's chamber.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 7:38:30 PM
Bartomus shuck his head and sighed.
"We gotta get a person to screen the door banging, He said with a sigh. He turned and stomped back up to his room grabbed his glave and changed his clothes. Then he followed the others along to the Underlord's chamber.
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Wednesday June 14th, 2023 10:53:23 PM
Stohp looks blearily at the group, puzzled by the ruination of her hero’s sleep.
Delia condenses the situation for Stohp – get dressed, get geared, be on the way to the Overlord’s level in 5 minutes. She is, of course, already ready to go herself, but splashes some water on her face to make sure. Delia looks around for anyone needing an aide to speed up their donning of armor, like, say, Zanderallen…
Stock doesn’t stand on ceremony here, he voice-stomps it! Then he heads back to get ready, commenting that 5 minutes won’t be enough. As he begins to don his armor, halfway through 5 minutes he finds Delia’s speedy hands tying leather straps and fastening buckles before he knows what’s going on. Stock doesn’t quite need 5 minutes for everything.
Zanderallen’s muscles don’t know whether to tense or relax at the sight of the palace guard. He still manages to make sense of the request, but informs them that top readying speed may not be only 5 minutes. Zanderallen is suddenly at attention and barking orders as though the Shields were going into battle. He then races to his room to begin putting on full kit. Delia is there as if she had teleported, and is already passing him armor pieces in the order he needs them. About halfway through the 5 minutes, Zanderallen is perhaps three-quarters done and Delia is gone. A shout of surprise from down the hall towards Stock’s room tells Zanderallen all he needs to know as he finishes up his armor and gathers his gear.
Bartomus shook his head and sighed, muttering about the Shields needing someone to stop just anyone from coming up and BAM!-ing on the door in the wee hours as he stomped back up the stairs and got his gear.
Armalad needs little further time to get ready, but checks everything in her room to make sure she hasn’t forgotten any key spell components… oh no… there’s been no time to prepare or change spells for today! She makes some quick and wise choices about alternatives, packs them, and heads back downstairs.
Once the Shields are gathered, in about 5 minutes, plus or minus, the female guard speaks again, “Excellent, let’s get going. We know a few routes to keep us mostly out of public view!” The two guards lead the way, still not having given their names, and the Shields make note of these alternative routes. Stohp seems unsurprised by the routes… she’s simply never had need to take the Shields the private routes before, only the public routes.
Many minutes later (not 30 minutes, but criss-crossing levels and going up ramps does take some time), the Shields are on the Overlord’s level, passing by the guards outside. An 8’-tall centaur in full plate armor and barding, with chevrons indicating the rank of sergeant-at-arms, salutes Zanderallen fully, and the Shields normally, as you pass from the outer guardhouse and into the inner courtyard, and into the Palace of the Overlord. The two guards/guides take you this way and that, as if they’ve done this for the Overlord’s guests many times, even recently.
Eventually all of you, guards and Shields, are in the dining chambers of Overlord Drezz. This is not the dining hall – there is only room here for two banquet tables, not several, but they are loaded with breakfast staples including sliced ham, sliced steak, fried eggs, bacon, fruits clearly imported from other towns, various sliced breads, cooked fish common to Turtle Lake, glass carafes of fruity beverages, and more! The female guard invites all of you to sit at a third oversized table with place settings, silverware, goblets, and so forth, including two chairs and place settings sized for taurs. There’s easily enough room at this third table for all of the Shields, the Overlord, and a few of his retainers. As she does so, she then says, “Please forgive my manners. I am Abele and my fellow guard is Zejd. The Overlord will be here momentarily. In the meantime, each of you please take a seat on this (gesturing) half of the table and the servants (gestures to wait staff nearby) will take your orders and serve you immediately. You should begin eating right away because the Overlord has already eaten and will want to discuss serious matters once your hunger is sated.” With that, she and Zejd head for the exit and close the doors behind them.
Once you are seated, you find each of you has a personal waiter or waitress assigned to just you, and they are very meticulous in taking your order and efficiently loading one or more plates, as needed, and bringing them to you within one minute from the food tables. Your choice of hot (and cold) food is before you, the hot food steaming, the fruit mouth-watering.
Shields – what meals and drinks did you each choose, and how do you enjoy them before the Overlord arrives?
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Wednesday June 14th, 2023 11:40:50 PM
Armalad orders hot cider with biscuits, jam, honey and butter and a rasher of bacon.
She sips deeply of the warm cider. She of course shares the bounty with her familiar. Making sure he has his own plate of each. She is careful in what she tops each biscuit with and pairs a bite of biscuit with that of bacon.
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Thursday June 15th, 2023 7:54:20 AM
Though Stohp has abandoned most trappings of her homeland food from the Taur islands remains her favorite, a fact that is probably well known enough that it could be anticipated should the overlord be catering to the shields specifically. Assuming so she digs in with gusto even as her mind is mulling over the possibilities with this meeting. If not she'll just grab something basic and have a light meal as she thinks.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Thursday June 15th, 2023 9:08:51 AM
Stock orders for himself a full plate of protein and is slightly annoyed to keep asking for more and more to be added to his plate (don't the waiters see that this dwarf is hungry?). He says to Abele, "Any idea what these serious matters entail?"
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Thursday June 15th, 2023 10:33:23 AM
Bartomus asked for some of the sliced and cubed fruit, a few pastries, scrambled eggs and hot tea with sugar. He then nodded when Stock asked for some clue on what the reason was for the early morning meeting. When his plates arrived, he took a bit of the pastry and sighed with content. It was better than the one he thought he was eating in his dream.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Thursday June 15th, 2023 2:34:03 PM
Delia barely notices that she startled both friends she squired for, wondering what the Overlord could need so incredibly urgently.
Once they arrive and are getting settled, there are a few awkward moments between Delia and her server as she keeps trying to get her food herself. Eventually she gives in and asks the server for ham & bacon, hashbrowns, eggs, and upon some consideration, she adds fruit to her order. She asks for plain black coffee as well (assuming that it is a thing and not a luxury item. If coffee is not commonplace, she will ask for black tea instead).
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Thursday June 15th, 2023 2:53:23 PM
Zanderallen mentally chides himself for not introducing the guards only he had met earlier. He returns the salutes of the various guards they pass as they enter the palace. He's happy to note the side entrances seem to be well used, hopefully that meant Drezz wasn't always holding everything in ceremony.
As he sees the spread in front of him he marvels at the decadence. But he adjusts his gear to take a comfortable seat and gets down the business of eating. He orders waffles with blueberry jam, sausage, bacon, mixed fruit and apple cider. He eats deliberately, enjoying the spread but not dallying over his food. "I wonder if the Overlord has word of more occurring underwater, or if something else has come up?"
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Thursday June 15th, 2023 10:27:25 PM (OOC – Armalad and Stock – heal your hit points to full; Zanderallen took care of that the night before; remaining CON damage, if any, is still present as the Shields have not yet had the opportunity to regain spells used the day before in the moundplex.)
Armalad orders hot cider with biscuits, jam, honey and butter and a rasher of bacon. She enjoys precisely arranging and topping her food, and ordering for Joker as well, before digging in.
Stohp looks longingly over the food tables until she spots what she wants – several selections from the Taur Isles. She excitedly orders and soon is enjoying some of her favorite breakfast dishes of the Isles while she actively wonders about the purpose of this meeting.
Stock simply orders “All the meats!” As he works through his dishes, he looks up and calls out for Abele, half-getting out his question but then remembers she and Zejd had already left the dining hall just before the wait staff began serving the Shields.
Bartomus ordered a variety of fruits along with more common, though luxurious in quality, breakfast fare such as pastries and eggs, with tea as a chaser. He looks up when Stock tries to speak to Abele. As his food arrived and he began eating he found the Overlord’s pastries exceed those of his dreams in taste, texture, and richness.
Delia tries to serve herself but the wait staff are having none of that in the Overlord’s dining hall so Delia obliges and orders some hearty breakfast fare, with fruit after some thought. Of course the Overlord has coffee – what was she thinking? The wait staff offers a choice of three types of coffee, one from beans somewhat local to the area, two from areas much further away.
Zanderallen suddenly realizes that his friends didn’t know the guards by name as he did, now it was too late… He saluted the guards saluting him as the group made their way to and into the Overlord’s dining hall. Once inside and in his seat he marvels at the opulence of the spread on the food tables. His breakfast order comes easy to his tongue and likewise the wait staff quickly serves it before him. Zanderallen, somewhere halfway through his meal, finishes swallowing and muses aloud whether the Overlord knows more about the underwater threat, or if something new has arisen.
Eventually forks and knives and hands are moving more slowly than they were at the beginning, and the more perceptive of the Shields notice that some of the wait staff are no longer in the dining hall.
Then low sounds of stringed instruments enter the room first, followed by a few musicians playing a low, quiet fanfare, probably not audible outside the dining hall… with Overlord Drezz and his retainers entering last.
As the sounds at the Shields’ table come to a halt, the Overlord says, “Well Zanderallen, I hope that wasn’t too opulent and ostentatious for you,[b]” Drezz finishes with a half-grin. “[b]Enough levity for now, unfortunately,” he concludes as his retainers take seats to his left and right at the other end of the Shields’ table and Drezz sits down in the rather opulent end chair, with upholstery made of a dizzying array of dyed-in colors.
He dismisses the wait staff, leaving only the Shields, his two retainers (nondescript humanoid males in full plate with full helms) and himself in the dining hall.
The Overlord continues, “I apologize for not letting you get a full night’s rest, but I hope the food (gestures) more than made up for it.
I want to hear all that happened, but boil it down to its simplest elements, and then I want each of you in turn to emphasize what you think is the most important intelligence the Shields gained from the expedition.
Whoever’s ready first, start right in, I’m listening. Deeply listening,” the Overlord finishes.
Shields – if your Shield is one to give the full chronological rundown of the expedition to the minutest detail, that’s fine – say your Shield does that.
The Overlord asked for not just that, but each of you has been invited to tell the Overlord the most vital intelligence gained, and *why* your Shield thinks it was the most vital.
If your Shield goes silent, that’s fine, but I want to be clear that each Shield understands exactly what the Overlord is asking for, even if one or more Shields say little to nothing in response to the Overlord’s requests.
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 Thursday June 15th, 2023 11:57:36 PM
Armalad gives a chronological breakdown of recent events down to the minutest detail as only Armalad can.
Just when she thinks the Overlord's eyes glaze over and he's going to fall asleep, Joker prompts, "Tell him about the new kind of construct boss!"
Armalad says, "yes, that is why I think the most important part of our expedition is finding these plant-golems which appear to be a new type of magic, that somehow appears to be fueled by death and magical treasure. She gives highlights from the treatise she prepared that she remembers and says, "I was planning to share the samples gathered with my fellow Star Mages in the hopes of learning more about this new type of magic and who could possibly be behind it. It would appear what happened that night on the lake with the fisherfolk and fledging adventurers was meant in part to spirit off remains to fuel mound construction."
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Friday June 16th, 2023 7:13:50 AM "The structures we found seem most important." Stohp posits. "there's no way to know how old they are, so either someone made them to create these plant monsters recently or found them and figured out how to activate them. Either way until we destroy them this could happen again."
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Friday June 16th, 2023 10:07:31 AM "Right, and I had plans to go visit with the Druids to talk about who might have the skills necessary to create the underground complex that housed a variety of extremely rare, if not outright mythic according to the merfolk, vile and nasty plants." Bartomus followed up after Armalad and then went into detail what he observed of the creatures and learned from the plants themselves. He then realized something Armalad said resonated, but also triggered a faint warning sound in his mind.
"Makes sense, needing additional food for the growth of those nasty things, but wasn't there something odd about the bones below the moving smashing mounds of green? Does that mean those were very old and gone dormant, or something else?"
Bartomus stabbed a piece of melon and chewed on it as well as the questions he had just asked aloud.
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115(max HP temp decreased to 100); AC 29/17/23; CMD 39 Friday June 16th, 2023 12:44:33 PM
Delia quietly offers in response to Bart's question about bones, tripping over her words a bit in the presence of all the pomp, despite their history with Drezz, "The bones we saw belong to a type of lizardfolk that should be extinct. But the bones weren't old enough to belong to something that's extinct. They looked like they were sacrificial - used for some kind of sacrifice for magic. Probably the... glowy... seaweed." She returns to silence. That and what the others had said the most concerning things to her.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Friday June 16th, 2023 4:43:21 PM
Zanderallen flashes Drezz a huge smile, "No sir. Next time might I recommend be carried in on a palanquin carried by some exotic race. Palm fronds held over your head by beautiful concubines." After having a good laugh his face sobers as the discussion turns to serious topics. He listens carefully to Armalad's account, ready to add details but finding no need to with Armalads sharp mind. He waits for his chance and expresses his concerns, "The Blood Lilies Armalad mentioned, they should not be here. There were part of the spilling over from the Sargrass that nearly destroyed the Wold years ago. They should have all been removed from the Wold. If some stayed here or got brought over later, They. Must. Be. Destroyed. They are a Wold ending threat."
"The Overlord wants... all of us?" (DM Wayne) Sunday June 18th, 2023 12:14:44 AM
Armalad gives a perfect and full chronological rundown to the minutest detail. At Joker’s memory tickler, she then focuses Drezz’s attention on the scarlet seaweed hulks/golems, and the use of sacrifices and magical treasure to create them. Armalad concludes that perhaps there was an actual goal to the fisherfolk attack, to get more sacrifices to create more golems.
Stohp skips the chronological breakdown and asks the Overlord to focus on the mounds and the moundplex as the key discovery, since they appear to be suitable workshops to create the golems and can still be used as such until a way is discovered to fully destroy them.
Bartomus piggybacks on Armalad’s mention of the Star Mages Guild and research to offer that he thinks the Druids may have useful analysis as well, especially regarding how the mounds/moundplex could have been created, not to mention the near-mythic Blood Lilys. He then mused aloud about the positioning of the bones beneath the golems.
Delia contributes her insights into the type of bones, the ancient lizardfolk long thought to be extinct. She finishes with a reference to the bones perhaps connected to the bioluminescent seaweed, also under the golems.
Zanderallen shows the Overlord a big smile first, ribbing Drezz about ostentatiousness. He then turns to business, Armalad having already given the blow-by-blow accounting. Zanderallen, like Bartomus, focuses on the Blood Lilys, who should not have survived the conclusion of the Sargrass spillover, and need to be eliminated.
Stock is characteristically silent, perhaps judging his fellow Shields have covered all the key topics. Should he have put some focus on the trough? No, it was adequately covered in Armalad’s lengthy blathering.
Drezz continues his silence a bit after the Shields have spoken their pieces and Stock simply shook his head and jerked a thumb at the rest of the Shields when asked for the “most important intelligence the Shields gathered.”
The Overlord then says, “…Grim news indeed, Sh – friends. Very good intelligence though. You continue with your research with your contacts, and I will put some of my own to work as well, with full discretion, of course.
I am glad you took on this mission, and saving the remaining fisherfolk, out of the goodness of your hearts, yet I feel you may need some material assistance in locating, even purchasing, stronger magical gear and tools to tackle the threats under Turtle Lake… and perhaps beyond!
I must put certain things in motion, and I will send a messenger with guards and carriers when this “material aid” is ready for you, but it will be much sooner than you think and that’s for the better, I say!
Guards!
(Abele and Zejd at once enter the dining hall from outside)
Guards, provide the Shields the heroes’ escort out of the palace, and send carriers with them with a week’s provision of royal foodstuffs – they have much research ahead of them and they should dine on the choicest foods while performing it!
Shields, I must go now and do all that I said I would do, and look for ways to do redouble the Float’s defenses, and more! May Domi bless you all!”
Drezz and his retainers get up from the table and make their way out of the dining hall. Abele and Zejd give orders to the wait staff regarding the Overlord’s edicts on quality foods for the Shields. Abele and Zejd then gesture for the Shields to follow them out of the dining hall and then the Overlord’s palace.
The trip back to Shields HQ is uneventful, Abele and Zejd again using their out-of-the-way shortcuts to minimize the amount of Floatizens who see the procession.
After the food is delivered and Abele and Zejd say their farewells, soon the Shields are left with fully-stocked pantry and larder, and some minor magic – a few stones that can keep cupboards cool so unsalted meats, fruits, and other perishables will last many days longer than normal. It must be good to be the Overlord!
Alone at last, the Shields once more set about progressing their research and reaching out to their contacts.
The Star Mages Guild raises several eyebrows at the learning of arcane/primal plant golems but immediately get to work studying the samples Armalad carefully preserved. The Star Mages tell Armalad that whatever clues they find, the Shields are likely going underwater again and should prepare themselves appropriately, perhaps over-prepare would be a better word, with magical aids for breathing and fighting underwater.
The Druids of the Grove provide a time the same day to meet with Bartomus, and he communicates to them what has happened, his concerns and speculations, and those of the rest of the Shields. He also lets them know that the Star Mages are working on Armalad’s samples, but Armalad held back some for Bartomus to show the Druids, and the Druids promise to fully investigate the samples. As to the mounds and the moundplex, they have concerned looks on their faces but also promise to fully investigate those as well amongst the extended network of Druids.* The Druids suggest Bartomus keep two, maybe three, Water Breathing spells ready every day for the Shields – the enemy has already proven they like to make surprise attacks from the water.
(OOC - *Druids tend to focus more on oral histories than written libraries, so the Druids of the Grove will need time to communicate with their peers in other regions.)
The Woldian League of Adventurers is lacking in knowledge of the golems, the Blood Lilys, the mounds and moundplexes, but as Pip the WLA librarian presses Stock for more details, Stock grunts once and pulls out one of the two pairs of magical bracers the Shields found, with an emblem of a single eye centered over an open, tooth-filled maw. Pip’s eyes go wide and he gulps three times in quick succession! Pip promises Stock that he’ll have a useful report for the Shields within a day, perhaps sooner if he finds the right books in the WLA library quicker than usual.
SHIELDS – you have set your contacts and research in motion, and it looks like you have time today for Zanderallen to prepare enough restorative magics to fully heal all the Blood Lily poison damage remaining in Delia and any others.
What do you do for the rest of the day until Pip contacts you with his report?
(OOC –
Shields, thank you for a most enjoyable first Woldian module for this DM! I had a lot of fun and I hope you did too!
Mike K begins the next exciting Shields adventure Monday, perhaps even with interesting news from Pip’s research!
The July 1 level-up is approaching and Mike K will handle the details on that.
Don’t worry, I might have more alien terrors in mind for the Shields to face… at the start of January or so…)
Armalad (Hugh) HP 91/128 AC25 / Touch 19/ Flat 18 CMD 27 d20+24=32 ; d20+24=38 ; Sunday June 18th, 2023 11:16:07 PM
Armalad and Joker visit the labs in the star mages guild where the samples are being kept to see what kind of research is being done on the samples and if she can suggest anything useful.
Know(Arcana) : 32 Spellcraft: 38
After that she goes for some target practice with her bow
Stohp (Mitch) HP: 111/111 AC: 27/15/23 CMD: 26 (+4 vs grapple,+6 disarm, trip) Monday June 19th, 2023 7:20:13 AM
Suitable and seemingly automated - no one was seen working the place and for all they know it could spit out horrors endlessly should the right conditions be met.
While they are waiting for their contacts Stohp will approach Zander about possibly trying to raise the dead adventurers.
Stock (JonM) HP: 174/203; AC: 27/25/15; DR 3/-; CMD: 33; Rage: 9/38 used; 30 ft. Swim Speed Monday June 19th, 2023 10:02:59 AM
Stock waits patiently for Pip to find out any details. In the meantime he spends his time carving a piece of drift wood he found at the bottom of the lake.
Bartomus(Rod) HP: 123/123 AC 21; Slam +6 (2d6+6) Glv +16 2d8+2 Slng +14 CMD 11 Melee 11/6/1;Perc+16;Heal+11 Monday June 19th, 2023 10:32:07 AM
Bartomus watched as the food, with the preservation stones, was brought in and put away. He was amazed at the gifts from Drezz and wondered what else the many may be considering to make available to the Shields.
He then went to his meeting with the Druids and nodded at their recommendation about ensuring the Shields could breathe underwater. With an understanding nod that more information was needed, but that it would take time, Bartomus thanked the Druidic council members for their time and their ears before returning to Shield HQ.
The rest of the day, Bartomus caught himself up on a few of the bone carving projects he had lying about his workstation.
OCC - Thanks Wayne for a great adventure! Welcome back Mike K
Delia (Hannah) HP: 115/115; AC 29/17/23; CMD 40 Monday June 19th, 2023 11:06:08 AM
Delia settles in to wait for the information to be researched and gathered. She keeps her underwater spells prepared as well, ready for another attack no warning attack.
In the morning, she wakes wildly early with a start, already flinging herself out of bed before realizing that this time, there is no frantic knocking on the door. She sighs, getting up the rest of the way and decides she might as well begin her day. She heads to the roof with Hawky and puts him through his paces before she begins her own archery practice.
Zanderallen (Zachary H) 159/159 AC: 31 T: 13 FF: 14 CMD: 31 LoH 5/13 SE 4/5 Monday June 19th, 2023 6:17:11 PM
Zanderallen spends the day following up with some of the others, now that's he's thought more on the Blood Lilies he can't shake the memories of the first time they saw the effects of their bleeding poison. He finds opportunities to cure those hits by blood lily poison and throws in some extra Lay on Hands to Neutralize any poison that may be hiding in their system. He catches lunch with Pepper but with his mind on dangers he dare not share for publishing coupled with the stress of memories of the last underwater misadventure there is a rare rift between them.
After lunch he double checks his underwater gear and is satisfied with his preparations. He sits down with Stohp to discuss the fate of the Lakeview Lads. "It will be a challenging affair with their bodies be so devoured. But I see no reason for that to prevent us petitioning Gargul, they died in service to the Wold. Let us go to the temple." Once at the temple Zander will inquire after resurrection services for Triggan and Jerma.
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