(DM Cayzle) HOY! Monday August 2nd, 2021 11:56:55 PM
[OOC: Sorry for poor posting last week. Crazy busy with work! Here come five DM Posts on five days, no drama!]
=====
Your evil DM reminds you of the rules for Taking 10: Taking 10: When your character is not in immediate danger or distracted, you may choose to take 10. ... Distractions or threats (such as combat) make it impossible for a character to take 10.
Almost all climbing checks are inherently distracting because of the threat that you will fail and fall. That's why the racial rules for creatures with a Climb speed mention that "A creature with a climb speed ... must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it can always choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while climbing."
So no taking 10, sorry.
Silver lining ... in my Climb research, I just saw that the DC for what you guys are trying to do has actually been anticipated by the rules, and is supposed to be a 15. Since I am a kindly DM, I'll stick to my easier DC already set. See! I'm nice, too!
Other Climb Rules ... you travel at quarter speed per move action, so if you have move 30, you basically move seven ft per move action, so it takes you four move actions and four successful climb checks to cross the 25 ft wide pit.
If you move 40, then three move actions will suffice. If you move 20, then five move actions.
Honor considers climbing, but is she sure she wants to try, given the danger involved?
Mundhi hands out some liquid fire and tries to shepherd the heroes across the danger. She also tries to improvise harnesses and safety ropes. The kindly DM rules that if someone falls, these measures will give a +2 on efforts to catch yourself while falling or to catch another person next to you.
Elron ponders the odds of climbing vs jumping.
Asimov does his best to help Mundhi secure the other PCs.
The Twins think they will do okay climbing, and when they are not climbing, they have arrows trained on Trevor.
Zeoll just watches, quietly. He is clearly worried about his camel.
Mundhildur serves as the holder of the anchor rope from the starting side. Honor, the first to go, will have the top rope (wrapped around each spike) to keep hold of with her hands, and the bottom rope (wrapped around each bottom spike) and spikes to stand upon during the crossing. Last to go, Mundhildur's crossing (at her medium size, therefore with DC9) is successful, though on the third leg she has to make some adjustments: Climb: 24; 14; 6; 19; 13
Since the Jotun drove a spike into the ground (slightly leaning away from the pit, perhaps 10 to 15 degrees from vertical), and Honor did likewise on the far side (presumably - Mundhi requested she do so, but no post for Honor yet confirms this - she will ask her to confirm it is soundly in place), that gives at least one safety rope holder on each side additional purchase should someone slip. As she instructed people to drape the safety rope above each of the upper spikes, it seems that, if someone falls, there will be a near-automatic catching of them. It's like two people already are (remotely, via the safety rope) 'holding' on to them. Mundhi braces her left foot against it, her right foot farther away from the pit, and her body leaning at about 45 degrees away. The safety rope she runs around her back, left gloved hand loosening and tightening the grip, and the right gloved hand closer to the end of the rope, it wrapped once around each forearm so as to cinch up and arrest as needed should someone slip badly.
Could someone slip down enough under the circumstances that Trevor can reach them with his tongue? Sure. But is anyone like to fall all the way down? Seems unlikely.
All that said, good DM Cayzle calls the shots on any interpretation. [And welcome back!]
Rolls to 'catch' each person, as needed (and I likely should have added +2 to these rolls due to harness/safety rope combo, but DM may do so if he deems it appropriate): ..Honor: 15 ..Twin 1: 24 ..Twin 2: 9 ..Zeoll: 26 (nat 20) ..Elron: 12 ..Irony: 19 ..Azimov: 13 ..Self: 12 (Bringing the starting side safety rope with her, she loops it up and over the spikes as she approaches them, one end tied to harness, the other looped into her belt with some slack to allow for movement. Thus it is always looped over one, then two, then one, then two spikes as she works her way across)
[Ignore the d3=3 - finger slip]
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 8:17:50 AM
The Twins wait their turn and watch for trouble.
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) d20-1=10 ; d20-1=1 ; Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 11:52:49 AM
Honor attempts the climb.
She starts out all right [10], then completely loses her grip and starts to fall [1].
I think maybe Mundhildur catches her?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (medium 7'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 d20+8=26 ; d20+8=14 ; d20+8=9 ; Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 3:00:51 PM Supplementary post to speed things along Mundhildur's 15 is enough for a touch 'attack' - besides all the other precautions. Honor, pulled back up to where she can reach the ropes and spikes, should (presumably, up to DM Cayzle) be able to resume her journey.
Three extra rolls for catching Honor, if needed: 26, 14, 9 (don't fall more than twice more!)
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 11:04:08 PM
Elron watches, still expecting trouble from the troll.
(OOC: Do these characters have hero points? I have not used any, but have also never recorded any on Elron.)
(DM Cayzle) HOY! Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 11:44:41 PM
Honor starts across, but falls during her first minute!
Large Mundhi reaches out to grab her, hits her touch AC (ignoring dex) with a 15, and beats the DC17 Climb check needed to haul her up with a 26. Whew!
[OOC: To save a falling person, you have to hit the touch AC and then make the Climb check at -10. Thus instead of a DC9, the DC was 19, but then reduced by 2 to 17.]
"OOH! Good job!" Trevor calls out. "But note that my tongue is sticky so you would not have any fear of falling!"
Anyone want to try next? Mundhi and anyone trying to catch others, please pre-roll your touch attacks and climb checks. Note that if you try to catch a faller and fail the Climb check by 5 or more, you fall too!
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 d20+6=23 ; d20+4=13 ; d20+8=12 ; Wednesday August 4th, 2021 3:29:51 AM
(OOC: Ignore those rolls as Honor is making the attempt)
Asimov keeps his eyes out for trouble.
(Perception: 12)
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) d20-1=2 ; d20-1=9 ; d20-1=16 ; d20-1=13 ; d20-1=11 ; Wednesday August 4th, 2021 2:24:17 PM
"Right," Honor says. "Thanks, Mundhildur. Let's try that again."
Honor again attempts the climb. After a false start [2], she successfully climbs across [9. 16, 13, 11].
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will d20+9=16 ; d20+9=23 ; d20+9=24 ; d20+9=22 ; Wednesday August 4th, 2021 8:45:58 PM
Deciding to take no risks, the Twins take off their armor and cross easily (without the armor check they literally cannot fail the rolls - at least as long as Trevor behaves. If he does, 16, 23, 24, and 22 to hopefully avoid him and still make the climb)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 18/23hp | Cayzle Wednesday August 4th, 2021 11:45:10 PM
Zeoll thinks about the odds.
Three checks at +0, where a roll of 9 is a fall. And he is too big for even Big Mundhi to grab, seeing as Zeoll weighs in at 600 lbs, 700 with his gear.
Or one jump check at +6 to hit a DC25 and leap across, and maybe Trevor would zap him in midair.
"Sorrry frriends," the middle-aged liontaur declares. "I gotta pass on both those options. I've been dead, and it ain't nice. Me and Camel will just stay rright herre until you guys get back."
[OOC: Everybody should have at least one hero point, awarded at the top of the game at level 1. If we have failed to award Hero Points as we DMed, well, that's crappy. Zeoll has one on his sheet.]
(DM Cayzle) HOY! Wednesday August 4th, 2021 11:53:07 PM
Elron stands guard. Trevor waves up at him.
Perception DC20 Elron only: Highlight to display spoiler: {Trevor is drooling as he looks at you.}
On her second try, Honor gets across the ropes and is standing on the far side.
The Twins join her easily, crossing with no problem.
Zeoll says, "No thanks."
Mundhi, Elron, and Asimov remain on the near side of the pit with the cautious liontaur.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 d20+12=30 ; d20=14 ; d20=12 ; d20=7 ; Thursday August 5th, 2021 12:19:29 AM
(Perception = 30, climb = 14, 12, 7)
"He's eyin' me,"" Elron says, his eyes on the troll. "Be ready for him t' cause trouble."
Elron needs a check of 5, so he shouldn't be failing by 5 or more... Three successes might have him across fairly quickly.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 d20+6=20 ; d20+6=18 ; d20+6=12 ; d20+3=19 ; d20+3=23 ; d20+3=21 ; Thursday August 5th, 2021 12:43:00 AM
Asimov Climb: 20, 18, 12 Irony Climb: 19, 23, 21
Asimov and Irony have no trouble making the climb and join Honor on the other side
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (medium 7'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Thursday August 5th, 2021 4:46:34 AM
"All right, Zeoll. I have a idea. But it means going down into the pit. Using the great harness Asimov made for you. And my two sets of block and tackle. And a rope ladder. And two more spikes. Then walking across the bottom, and using a similar setup to climb up the far side of the pit.
"If that works, then it could work with Camel, too.
"But that also involves dealing with Longtongue. I don't think he can help himself. That makes him no less dangerous. But I love you, and my friends. He just wants to eat one or more of us. We need to deal with him some time or another, and he has shown he is not worthy of trust." She makes no effort to be quiet as she speaks, so that likely anyone trying to listen can hear.
She walks over to a good 5 feet outside the range of his tongue, but with a rope tied to the spike in the ground, and tied around her waist. She asks Zeoll to anchor her with a second rope. Once that is done she says, "Trevor. You want to eat us. You have proven that twice. We need to have some of us go down in the pit. But you will attack us, because you have no self-control and you are of an evil race. Maybe there are some trolls who are not evil, but you clearly are. So, because you will attack us, as you have done twice already, I think it is time for us to kill you. So that we can safely get across. I do not see how I can trust any promise you might make. So, looks like it is time for your end. I don't want that, but I do not see any other choice." She projects loudly across the pit. "Friends, prepare missile weapons and prepare to burn." Then she looks down again and asks, "Any last words?"
========= Big Mundhi weighs 1,026 pounds. She can hold her own weight, and Zeoll is only 60% of that.
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) Thursday August 5th, 2021 4:39:27 PM
If there is troll-fighting going on, Honor is not going to miss out. She walks to the edge of the chasm, trading Virtue for her bow. She is no archer, but at least she has a bow, and she's pretty sure she remembers how to use it. The question of fire she leaves to people more prepared than she is.
(DM Cayzle) HOY! Friday August 6th, 2021 12:02:59 AM
Elron and Asimov cross easily, and then only Mundhi and Zeoll are on the near side.
Mundhi declares that rather than leave Zeoll behind, it is time to fight Trevor.
Honor is ready to fight.
Note that if you attack from the edge of the pit, then you have a clear line of sight, but that tongue could reach you. If you attack from five ft back, you are out of tongue range, but the troll has cover from the lip of the pit.
Are we in combat? Actions?
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 18/23hp | Cayzle Friday August 6th, 2021 1:04:03 AM
Zeoll readies the use of his Inspire Courage, triggered by anybody making an attack into the pit.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Friday August 6th, 2021 1:12:06 AM
Asimov says, "If you will hold off for about 15 minutes I can prepare a device that will allow me to hurl 4 flaming projectiles at the troll. I am lead to believe that trolls do not like fire so can we wait or are we going to rush in ill prepared as usual?"
If his companions grant his request he studies his design folio for the fire handling glove design and starts creating one
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday August 6th, 2021 8:10:52 AM
The Twins are fine with waiting and stay well back from the edge.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (medium 7'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Friday August 6th, 2021 1:47:44 PM
"All right, break time!" Mundhildur announces. "So, Trevor, you are granted a 15-minute reprieve. I did ask if you had any last words, but you appear to be speechless. Is there anything you would like to be remembered for? Have you ever considered giving up your evil ways? It must have been very hard to have lived these many years in that pit. How long did it take for you to grow your tongue to reach so far?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 Friday August 6th, 2021 9:23:42 PM
Elron decides that if they're going to wait for a bit, it's a good time for a story. He talks loudly, so that Zeoll can clearly hear him way over on the other side of the pit.
"An orc, a goblin, an' a troll were fightin' this dwarf, and all die. When they reach th'otha' side, a demon there explains the situation. They're surprised to find that they hafta cross a long an' narrow ledge to determine their fate. Make it all the way, an' they reach the lands o' rest. Fall, an' they go to the realms o' shadow, where they're gonna be tested for eternity. The demon also tells 'em that th'evil races always fall."
"Th'orc goes first. After he's taken two steps, this shadow appears an' says somethin' in his ear. The orc laughs so hard he falls off the ledge."
"The goblin goes next. After he's taken two steps, this shadow appears an' says somethin' in his ear. The goblin starts gigglin' but he keeps on goin' -- and the shadow keeps on talkin'. After about seven or eight steps, the goblin's laughin' and he ain't gone ten steps a'fore he also falls off."
"Finally, it’s the troll's turn. He goes two steps before this shadow appears an' says, A skeleton walks into a bar an' asks for a beer an' a mop. The troll keeps on goin'. The shadow says, The graveyard was overcrowded -- folks were dyin' to get in. The troll keeps on goin'. The shadow says, When a snowman throws a tantrum it's havin' a meltdown. The troll keeps on goin'. The shadow says, Heard a joke about boxin' -- guess I missed the punch line. The troll keeps on goin'. The shadow says, You know, people say they pick their noses, but I guess I was just born with mine. The troll keeps on going. The shadow says, Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field. . . I used t' hate facial hair. But then it grew on me. . . What's brown and sticky? A stick. . . Mountains aren't just funny. They're hill areas. . . Why did the man fall down the well? Because he couldn’t see that well. . . Sore throats are a pain in the neck. . . If a vikin' is reincarnated, is he Bjorn again?. Don't none of this slow down the troll."
"Well the shadow knew more jokes than we've got time for, an' it kept tellin' em. But the troll kept climbin' along that ledge. After it had gone 'bout a half-day, it can see the end o' the ledge. An' the shadow keeps tellin' jokes. The invisible man turned down a job cause he couldn't see hisself doing it! . . Bees have sticky hair because they use a honeycomb. . . A hive without an exit is unbelievable. . . You never see elephants hidin' in trees -- they're real good at it! . . My doctor tol' me I was goin' deaf. The news was hard for me to hear. . . The troll keeps goin' an' finally it's almost at th'end o' the ledge. The shadow's been windin' down for a while now, pausin' while it's tryin' to come up with more jokes, then blurtin' out one real fast. The troll's got just a few steps t' go. Then durin' one o' the shadow's longer pauses, the troll starts laughin' and falls off the ledge."
"Well, the shadow is flummoxed. So it casts feather fall on the troll and flies down t' find out what happened. You were so close, it says, I wasn't even tellin' a joke -- why'd you fall? The troll manages to choke out between guffaws, I get it -- a beer an' a mop!"
(DM Cayzle) HOY! Friday August 6th, 2021 11:43:39 PM
Asimov calls for a short rest, and no one naysays it.
Mundhi engages Trevor, but the troll has decided to sulk.
Elron entertains everybody!
Honor, the Twins, and Zeoll all wait too.
After Asimov is ready, what's the plan? Or just leap into combat! Remember to note if you are at the pit's lip or not.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Sunday August 8th, 2021 11:57:59 PM
Asimov will don his fire handling gloves and prepare to activate them and start throwing small balls of fire at the Troll.
0: nanobot repair capsule (mending),light emitter (light), corrosive pistol (acid splash), open slot (can take time to prepare something) 1st: fire-handling gloves (produce flame) - x used, wrist rockets (magic missile) , Flaming glove (burning hands)-x used, fire handling gloves (produce flame) - newly prepared 2nd: rapid repair nanobot capsule (make whole) , rapid repair nanobot capsule (make whole)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Monday August 9th, 2021 12:33:55 AM
"Last chance, pit dweller. No appeal?" Mundhildur asks. "Have you had a chance to consider your ways, and change them? We are ready to kill you, because we have not found good reason to trust you, and you are lusting for the flesh of our friends. I don't like to kill. If you say nothing, you will die. If you say the wrong things, you will die. But if somehow, you can SAY and DO the right things, then there is a sliver of hope for you, though perhaps I should not offer than. The burning flames are ready. Are they your destiny?"
She hefts a couple of rocks she picked up in the other room. Despite being about 6 feet from the ledge, and having herself anchored with a pair of ropes tied to the two spikes embedded at a slight angle away from vertical, away from the pit, her height should give her a decent angle to see the troll, who has seemed so jolly, and shown himself treacherous. How wise is she to offer once again? Likely not terribly. But she has a heart with a few soft spots in it.
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) Monday August 9th, 2021 2:39:54 PM
Honor and her bow will move right to the edge of the pit. If Trevor wants to pull her within sword-swinging range, so be it.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 Monday August 9th, 2021 9:09:58 PM
Elron doesn't carry missile weapons and the pit is to deep for him to jump down without taking some lethal damage (even though it isn't much). That would put him prone at the feet of a troll -- no thanks.
Well, he does have shuriken, but they're there for show.
So, he's left wondering, "Say Zeoll, you're a nature guy. Is trolls immune to poison? We could let my ring bite it!"
(OOC: Elron is preparing to try to bluff the troll after it sees the ring. The ring itself is minimally magical -- it will move and sometimes hiss, but is purely decorative.)
(DM Cayzle) HOY! Monday August 9th, 2021 11:51:13 PM
It seems the party is ready to fight. Please roll your attacks.
Please note if you are at the pit's lip (no penalty, within tongue range) or five ft back (-4 cover penalty to hit Trevor).
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 d20+7=16 ; Tuesday August 10th, 2021 1:19:23 AM
The jotun listens to the troll if he says anything that makes sense and seems convincing. Sense motive 16.
If he says nothing, or show no convincing sign of willingness to change, she is prepared to cast the first stone...
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 18/23hp | Cayzle Tuesday August 10th, 2021 7:36:44 AM
Again, Zeoll readies his Inspire Courage to go just before his friends attack.
+1 to hit and damage!
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will d20+8=28 ; d20+8=28 ; d8=4 ; d8=5 ; Tuesday August 10th, 2021 8:44:28 AM
The Twins decide all this dithering to get a response that isn't coming is just getting silly. They step to the edge (or lip as you called it) and shoot him. They put their armor back on while everyone was debating with the troll. (crit for 9 damage)
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) d20+8=12 ; d6=5 ; Tuesday August 10th, 2021 1:34:55 PM
Honor fires from the lip of the pit.
[Hit AC 12 for 9 damage. Trevor is still Honor's smite target.]
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 d20+8=12 ; 4d6+8=23 ; Tuesday August 10th, 2021 11:24:48 PM
Munhildur moves one foot forward, casts a stone hitting AC 12 for 23 hp damage, and steps back after the stone is thrown.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 11:29:38 PM
Elron looks as best he can from a couple of feet back, pondering his ability to jump onto the troll and from there onto the floor. Doesn't seem too likely.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 d20+6=23 ; d6+4=6 ; Tuesday August 10th, 2021 11:50:11 PM
Asimov only has 4 shots with the small fire balls so he moves up to get the best vantage point possible. He can fire one shot this round and 3 more shots over the next 3 rounds.
23 vs Touch; 6 fire damage
0: nanobot repair capsule (mending),light emitter (light), corrosive pistol (acid splash), open slot (can take time to prepare something) 1st: fire-handling gloves (produce flame) - x used, wrist rockets (magic missile) , Flaming glove (burning hands)-x used, fire handling gloves (produce flame) - used 2nd: rapid repair nanobot capsule (make whole) , rapid repair nanobot capsule (make whole)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 18/23hp | Cayzle Wednesday August 11th, 2021 11:36:29 PM
Zeoll has a Produce Flame spell, and thinks he is too big to be tongued, based on what the Greensinger knows about frogs. He unleashes all his attacks, that's 1d6+4 per flame, four flames per spell, and 7 spells. That's 4d6+16 per spell, times seven is 28d6+102 for 200 damage with touch attacks over about 30 rounds. Even if only a quarter of touch attacks hit, that's still 50 hp fire damage Zeoll can expect to dish out ...
(DM Cayzle) DEAD! Wednesday August 11th, 2021 11:38:08 PM
No need to draw this out. Over time, you manage to nearly kill Trevor on fire damage, and knock him into the negatives with more damage. Eventually you can get down there into the pit and burn the troll to death.
Poor Trevor.
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) Wednesday August 11th, 2021 11:40:49 PM
Honor is conflicted. The creature was undoubtedly evil, and had tried to harm them (twice!), but he had been in a very difficult predicament.
"If he'd been nicer, we might have let him go," she says.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Thursday August 12th, 2021 12:07:41 AM
"He brought it on himself. If he could have controlled himself then we wouldn't have had to put him down, but he wouldn't stop attacking us so we needed to do something so that we can press on with the exploration of the drow ruins." Asimov says.
0: nanobot repair capsule (mending),light emitter (light), corrosive pistol (acid splash), open slot (can take time to prepare something) 1st: fire-handling gloves (produce flame) - x used, wrist rockets (magic missile) , Flaming glove (burning hands)-x used, fire handling gloves (produce flame) - used 2nd: rapid repair nanobot capsule (make whole) , rapid repair nanobot capsule (make whole)
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Thursday August 12th, 2021 6:25:07 AM "It would never have worked." "The Drow would have killed him even if we had let him leave." The Twins point out.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Thursday August 12th, 2021 1:46:33 PM
"I'm sad we had to do this, Honor - you know we gave him multiple ways out - but he was incapable of taking them. I feel no guilt, but yes, sorrow."
She fashions the means for Zeoll (and anyone else), as earlier described, to descend, cross, and ascend the other side, and leaves it in place for when they return. "Either stair steps or a bridge need to be built for this pit eventually."
"Shall we continue on our way past Trevor's Pit?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 Thursday August 12th, 2021 8:21:24 PM
Elron's ready to leave this area. He looks to see what's ahead.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 18/23hp | Cayzle Thursday August 12th, 2021 11:51:21 PM
"I'm sorrry, my frriends, but the only way me and Camel arre getting acrross is if you lowerr us down and then then haul us up the otherr side, I think."
(DM Cayzle) PIT! Thursday August 12th, 2021 11:57:22 PM
As you effect the crossing, you discover that there's a bit of a shallow alcove down there, maybe five feet deep, 20 feet long into wall of the pit at floor level on your side of the crevasse. There's a bit of a pile of rags, a little singed, and a 4 ft tall marble pedestal with a basin -- it kind of might remind you of a bird bath. There's a little marble carving of a goblin mounted next to the basin, and she is holding a tin bell and a bronze bell.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 d20+10=23 ; Friday August 13th, 2021 1:22:55 AM
Asimov insepects the goblin carving for traps (Perception: 23)
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday August 13th, 2021 8:12:39 AM
The Twins look. "Might not be worth going down to check." "Could be nothing." "But we can climb down if you want to know what it is."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 Friday August 13th, 2021 11:09:17 AM
If someone holds a rope, Elron's ready to go look.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Friday August 13th, 2021 3:55:58 PM
On both sides of the pit are ropes tied to two driven spikes up top. Mundhi fashioned rope ladders. Also has a block and tackle pulley set up for those who need assistance ascending or descending.
She is taking a look in the nook, in particular the goblin figure with the bells. She carefully picks them up. "Are these magical things?" she asks those who may be likely to know - including Zeoll. "Anyone know anything about them?"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 18/23hp | Cayzle d20+6=18 ; Saturday August 14th, 2021 10:45:44 AM
While traversing the pit, Zeoll detects magic. If it is, he tries to identify the properties of the item by Spellcraft.
Spellcraft check, boosted with Guidance ... 18.
(DM Cayzle) PIT! Saturday August 14th, 2021 10:52:11 AM
Asimov sees no traps.
The Twins and Elron come down to look to (Perception checks or something?)
Mundhi too takes a look and tries to pick up the goblin statuette. The bells are attached to the goblin, and the goblin to the basin, and the basin to the pedestal. Really, very similar to a bird bath, carved all out of one block of original marble. She can't pick one up without picking it all up (or breaking it).
Zeoll confirms it is magic, but his expertise is not sufficient to identify it.
What's Honor doing? Keeping watch with Camel up above?
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 d20+12=14 ; Sunday August 15th, 2021 8:46:46 PM "Well, if it's a bird bath let's fill it with water," Elron suggests. "I normally take dust baths, myself, but if'n we need to see what it does. . ."
Elron examines the fixtures as best he can without touching them yet. (perception = 14)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Sunday August 15th, 2021 8:54:45 PM
So Mundhi plinks first the bronze bell, then the tin bell with her finger.
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Sunday August 15th, 2021 9:35:12 PM "Playing with strange magic." "Could end terribly." "Could end wonderfully." "Just don't blame us if we all end up newts." The Twins comment as they back away from the fountain. It seems to them the entire group crowding around the thing is just asking for trouble so they go back up the rope to the top.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Monday August 16th, 2021 12:04:34 AM
Asimov says, "My specialty is mechanical traps and as far as I can tell it isn't mechanically trapped, magic on the other hand who can say really? Should I order Irony to fill it? He's pretty hardy. If it is magically booby trapped he'll probably be ok."
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) Monday August 16th, 2021 4:28:00 PM
Honor is still out of the pit, looking down into it. She winces a little. "Are we sure this is a good idea?" she asks.
(DM Cayzle) PIT! Monday August 16th, 2021 11:28:26 PM
Good idea or not, you soon discover by trial and error that ringing one bell fills the basin with warm porridge, and ringing the other bell removes the porridge and fills the basin with pure cool water.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Tuesday August 17th, 2021 12:43:00 AM
Asimov takes 15 minutes to prepare his last open slot for a 0th level thingamabob of the poison detector. After he has constructed the poison detector he points it at the water and the porridge to find out if either are poisoned. If they aren't poisoned then theoretically they should be able to survive down here indefinitely as long as the bells provide unlimited porridge and water.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Tuesday August 17th, 2021 3:10:28 AM
Mundhildur samples the porridge. Then cups her hands and takes a small drink when the basin fills with water. She gives a report on how the former tastes, and the latter.
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday August 17th, 2021 7:30:38 AM
The Twins watch Mundhilder closely for signs of adverse reaction.
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) Tuesday August 17th, 2021 6:14:24 PM
"I suppose that's how Trevor sustained himself," Honor says. "I'd been wondering. I can't imagine that's a sacred relic of the dark elves, though. Do we need to bring it back to them?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 Tuesday August 17th, 2021 7:45:07 PM "And here I'd just thought he'd been mighty hungry a long time." Elron tries to guess how many gallons of water the thing will hold. "If he could eat anyways, I think his behaviour was all the more reprehensible. And I wouldn't think goblins an' trolls is cultural to drow. They might, though."
(DM Cayzle) PIT! Tuesday August 17th, 2021 11:25:17 PM
The porridge is very bland and not tasty. It will sustain life.
The magical font of food and freshment weighs about 200 pounds. It is not affixed to the floor.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Wednesday August 18th, 2021 2:04:42 AM
Asimov asks, "Are we able to carry this porridge and water creator? I mean it is pretty unwieldy isn't it?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Wednesday August 18th, 2021 3:07:15 AM
"Able to carry it? Sure," Mundhildur responds to Asimov. "Wanting to carry it? Not I. Maybe on the way out? Or if we get really hungry further inside? Honestly, I want to get some butter, salt, and honey before I try the porridge again. Though it's not very tasty, I think it will stick to the ribs."
She heads over to the ladder. "Zeoll, you want some help up to the other side?" she asks.
If others want to explore it further, she is fine with waiting. Otherwise, she is ready to move on.
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Wednesday August 18th, 2021 4:37:25 AM "This was on a ledge" "Could Trevor could even see it from down there?" "We should leave it for now regardless" The Twins comment.
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) Wednesday August 18th, 2021 2:22:35 PM
"Yes, let's push on," Honor says. "I agree with Mundhildur; if we really want that device, we can take it on the way out."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 d20+12=14 ; Wednesday August 18th, 2021 6:48:20 PM
Elron's perfectly happy leaving the magic goblin where it is for now. He climbs whatever system of ropes they've got set up and peers down the passageway to see what's next. (perception = 14)
(DM Cayzle) PIT! Thursday August 19th, 2021 9:07:19 AM
You clamber out of the pit, even hauling the liontaur and the camel!
The passageway continues, then turns, then comes to a door. It looks very like the sentient door, but with no sentience this time.
Honor Bright [AC 19 (22 against Trevor); HP 31/32] (Kathy) Thursday August 19th, 2021 4:50:58 PM
Honor hangs back a bit. She doesn't mind being first through the door, but somebody really ought to check it for traps first.
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Thursday August 19th, 2021 9:30:50 PM
The Twins take their spot at the back of the line.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 14/11/13 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 d20+21=30 ; d20+25=40 ; d20+10=18 ; Friday August 20th, 2021 1:00:13 AM
Asimov inspects the door for traps. He also runs his poison detector over the door.
(Perception: 18) (OOC: ignore the other rolls I clicked on the die roller in the wrong window)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Friday August 20th, 2021 2:19:24 AM
"Hello, door," the jotunar says. "Do you talk like the last door we saw? He is nice. How do we get through?" She does not expect a response, but she thinks it at least polite to ask.
If the door does not respond, after Asimov checks it over, she asks him, "All right if I try it?"
If he says yes, she tries it. If not, or others object, she gives them a chance to make their case before trying.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 40/40 d20=10 ; Friday August 20th, 2021 8:27:24 AM
Elron is perfectly ready to push on the door or help someone else do so.
(Strength roll = 10)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 18/23hp | Cayzle Friday August 20th, 2021 9:12:58 AM
Zeoll looks at this door. He detects magic, just in case.
(DM Cayzle) New Door Friday August 20th, 2021 9:22:11 AM
This door does not talk, and you find no traps. It is not magical. It opens easily when Elron pushes.
As the door swings open, you see that on the threshhold there are words engraved:
I wait and I watch
[OOC: You may recall the same message from the June 25 post.]
[OOC: This concludes the pit-troll scene. Everybody earns 3,000 xp. I am awarding hero points to Mundhi for making and traversing the rope bridge, to Honor for being kind and brave facing Trevor, and to the Twins for pushing Trevor back into his pit, risking an AoO to do so.]
LOG ON