The Savage Tide [IC]

[MikelaC1]

RET-CON

Desiria accepts the position as new ship's prelate, humbly thanking the rabbi and the captain for their trust in her.

Spoiler

Show

OOC: Guess the next level up will include spending the point that was going to go in Spellcraft to Profession: Sailor instead.

Her first act, as prelate will be to go Horst, in private, to give him a chance to confess his sins in private and receive absolution from her.

CURRENT

When the battle breaks out, Desiria grits her teeth. The best spell for her to cast would be magic missile but her arcana is too unreliable for that. Searing Light is out because the battle has already be joined, so she settles for a Bless on her allies. She readies herself, if this battle continues, she is going to have to take a chance with her arcane powers.

[lostsole31]

Desiria is welcomed heartily into the crew of the Sea Wyvern. She goes to Conrad Horst, who breaks down and is sobbingly docile and sorry for his sins.
............................................

R1T19: When the battle breaks out, Desiria grits her teeth. The best spell for her to cast would be magic missile but her arcana is too unreliable for that. Searing Light is out because the battle has already be joined, so she settles for a Bless on her allies. She readies herself, if this battle continues, she is going to have to take a chance with her arcane powers.

Everyone except for Hifestus and Korian are filled with resove.

R1T18: Darrius also takes hold of the rope with Lirith and Jer'el. "On my signal ..."

R1T15: "Heave! Heave! Heave!"

Lirith does a great job with Aid for +3. The captain gives +2.

Jer'el, roll an opposed grapple check. Your combat maneuver bonus is +16, and the others give you +5 for a total of 1d20+21!

[lostsole31]

R1T15: Jer'el and the others pull mightily, but the huge blob in the water holds Hifestus fast.

R1T12: Hifestus, you are currently held by what feels like some manner of thick jelly surrounded by all manner of debris. You didn't get a breath before something lashed out at you, slammed you and dragged you into the ocean, and you are being squeezed by something super-powerful while you have no breath. You can feel that the rope is being pulled on with tremendous strength, but this thing is impossibly strong and large.

For a summation of grapple...

Hifestus, what do you do?

Celiss, you're on deck.

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Hifestus is way too canny to delude himself into thinking he can break out with pure brawn. But he also curses himself for not carrying a dagger. He is an accomplished enough swimmer to know that bludgeoning and slashing weapons are terrible underwater, and this monstrous goop is in its element while Hifestus is not. He grabs Forge, trying to slosh around in its grip pressing in from all sides, but can't do much.

Celiss?

[PSinger]

Celiss flies up, drawing her rapier, and 20' above the mass of goo and flotsam and casts magic missile for (3d4+3)[9] damage.

[lostsole31]

R1T10: Celiss flies up, drawing her rapier, and 20' above the mass of goo and flotsam and casts magic missile for 9 force damage.

R1T9: The first mate does a leap off the ship to dive and hover just above the water, touching Hifestus with a CSW for 19 healing, bringing him just south of fully healed.

"It's some type of ooze, a mindless, gelatinous creature with no vulnerable spots."

R1T8: "Tchk, tchk, tchk. Oh, dear, oh me," Urol groans. "I'm an old gnome that doesn't have a mind for battle. I'm sorry. Oooh! Oh, wait! I have something!"

Urol begins to cast a spell.

R1T7: Mr. Kahir digs deep into his psyche to power a shot with his mindblade as he forms it, fires, and does 14 damage.

R1T5: "Patagonians!" Ms. Venkalie curses, a term unknown to everyone there. "Leave it to the sea to send me something me charms can't touch."

She takes her light crossbow and fires it, hitting for 5 damage.

R1T4: Hifestus gets squeezed for 20 damage, and looks pretty much the same as he did before.

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26: Agnipati, now in a humanoid eel-form, points down to the flotsam. With her hand she makes a carving motion while dark shadows mimic her motions to carve at the ooze for 16 shadow damage.

R2T24: Korian, in the water, begins to change his approach. The mist swirls around him above and below the water to conceal his action a little bit. One claw splashes around but don't seem to be effective, but he manages a bite for 4 damage and another claw for 7 damage. But now, by biting into it, he is drawn into the ooze and squeezed for 24 damage. Korian begins to thrash wildly.

R2T22: Though extremely dangerous, and Amella and Ka'Xet were just bloody lucky, Skald fires into the roiling mass. His nervousness at hitting any companions causes both arrows to miss.

R2T19: Desiria, what do you do? Be advised that anything requiring an RTA (such as scorching ray has an even chance of hitting Hifestus, Korian, or the blob).

[MikelaC1]

DESIRIA

Desiria didnt want it to have to come to this, but she is going to have to attempt to cast something arcane. She summons forth the power to cast a magic missile and lets it fly at the blob

(1d20+10)[13] Concentration
(3d4+3)[10] damage

[lostsole31]

R2T19: Desiria didn't want it to have to come to this, but she is going to have to attempt to cast something arcane. She attempts to summon forth the power to cast a magic missile to let fly at the blob, but she is unable to do so. The spell is not wasted, but precious time is lost in saving the heroes below.

R2T15: Jer'el, you're up. As with the others. Each and every ranged attack you might attempt has an even chance of hitting each of those involved in the grapple-mess of Hifestus, Korian, and the transparent blob. Either you take those chances, sit and smoke a cigarette and watch, or get your butt down there. What do you do?

After that will be Lirith and Darrius, then back to Hifestus ...

[HappyPersonx7]

Jer'el aims at the blob with his bow, carefully timing each shot to avoid hitting his allies.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+16)[27]
(1d8+10)[18]
(1d20+11)[19]
(1d8+10)[11]

[lostsole31]

Spoiler

Show

I want to apologize. I didn't realize a change in PF. Jer'el does indeed have Improved Precise Shot. In 3.5 the feat description that it overrides the normal penalty of a random member of a grapple being hit.

Improved Precise Shot is a different effect (dealing with concealment and cover), and no longer includes anything concerning shooting into a grapple. After researching the site, I see nothing anymore on this. It seems that shooting into a grapple is little different than shooting into melee.

R2T15: Jer'el aims at the blob with his bow, carefully timing each shot to avoid hitting his allies. Still, the transparent nature of the blob makes things difficult. Both arrows hit flotsam, but don't seem to do anything more than that.

R2T14.9: Lirith takes out her composite bow and fires, but she is no real archer and her shot goes wide as she fears to hit an ally.

R2T14.8: Darrius' sailor bracers become a little less intense while his gorget is more solid and spittle drops and burns on the deck. He spits, but also goes wide so as to not dissolve crewmembers.

R2T12: Hifestus, you are still grappled by this thing and without air. Forge is in your hand. Check your sheet for hit points. You are still over half but if Dr. Cohen doesn't heal you, the mighty grip of this thing will quickly put you in dire straits. You are pretty sure there is no possible way of wriggling or wrestling your way out.

What do you do?

Celiss on deck.

[lostsole31]

R2T12: Hifestus swings wildly with Forge and takes out Striker.

R2T10: Celiss?

[PSinger]

Magic missile, part deux! (3d4+3)[12]

Spoiler

Show

EDIT: Well, I guess it is better than average. And it did autostrike with no miss chance for whatever the hell is going on. What's the deal? Transparency?

[lostsole31]

R2T10: Celiss drops another 3 magic missiles into the ooze for 12 force damage.

R2T9: Lazer hovers over Hifestus and casts CSW on him to fully heal him.

R2T8.1: Urol's spell finally finishes. He makes a small water elemental that drops onto an area not held by a hero. But it is an abysmal attack as the elemental begins to separate on the fall. As it splatters on the ooze, the protoplasm just rolls and destroys it.

R2T8: Urol shrugs and begins casting again.

R2T7: Mr. Kahir throws a mindblade but is foiled by its transparency.

R2T5: Ms. Venkalie likewise would've scored a hit but is foiled. She reloads her crossbow.

R2T4: The ooze squeezes Korian for 26 damage, and Hifestus for 20 damage.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T26: Agnipati once again makes that slicing motion of her hand, but her shadow attack is foiled.

R3T24: Korian tears with both claws for 20 damage.

R2T22: Skald's arrow misses.

R2T19: Desiria, what do you do?

Jer'el, you're on deck ...

[MikelaC1]

DESIRIA

Desiria tries to learn from her last failure, concentrating even harder to master her arcane energies and cast them forth in a magic missile

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+10)[21] Concentration
(3d4+3)[12] Force damage

EDIT: success barely, but success nonetheless

[lostsole31]

The thing is still roiling with Korian and Hifestus just under the water, though surface tension - measured by the jetsam - seems to be disintegrating.

Jer'el, what do you do?

[HappyPersonx7]

Jer'el aims at the blob again, hoping to do some damage.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+16)[28]
(1d8+10)[12]
(1d20+11)[28]
(1d8+10)[12]

[lostsole31]

R2T19: Desiria tries to learn from her last failure, concentrating even harder to master her arcane energies and cast them forth in a magic missile. She succeeds, but tiring herself out some in doing so, and the three missiles impact for 12 force damage.

R2T15: Jer'el aims at the blob again, hoping to do some damage. The strikes look like they might have done well, but the transparent nature of the blob still foils even him as the two arrows now become part of the drifting waste.

R2T14.9: Of all people, Lirith shoots her bow into the thing, hitting the nucleus somewhere. With all of its major protoplasm ripped open in time over battle, the thing finally releases like a fried egg breaking open with the flotsam and jetsam on top like toast. Korian and Hifestus manage to breathe, though the first they have to deal with is the gross goo that covers them.

Spoiler

Show

Think of the iconic "He slimed me" scene from GHOSTBUSTERS.

Korian's rage abated, he feels much weaker. Hifestus and Korian are fished out of the water.

Desiria, both are in need of healing. You are pretty sure that Dr. Cohen, as a dedicated healer, could pop them both up to full. Do you seek to help in good faith, or let him do what he does best?

[MikelaC1]

DESIRIA

Desiria knows Dr. Cohen could easily heal both of them, but the calling of her goddess over-rides that consideration. However, she will only deal with Hifestus, that way she satisfies the commands of her goddess, allows Dr. Cohen to fulfill his role, and makes sure that one of them does not drain all of their healing power (if they were attacked for a second time in the day). She channels her healing energy into him twice, and then checks on his situation to see if he needs more.

Spoiler

Show

(3d6)[12] channel
(3d6)[6] channel

[PSinger]

Celiss feels the wash of Myhriss' (sp?) energy cool her wing muscles.

"So, I know this isn't what anyone wants to hear, but if this monstrosity gobbled up other people, should we .... have some people more aquatically adept (than myself, of course) to go in and see if there were any other bodies and to look for...? What's the term, Ms. Venkalie? Booty?"

[lostsole31]

Just to help with morale and freshening up, Desiria channels energy twice, healing Korian and Hifestus of 12 damage. After another round of quick triage on Hifestus, Desiria can heal Hifestus fully with a CLW.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cohen is merely touching Korian, checking pulse which, given the latter's furry-thick hide is a feat. Korian very, very slowly, but very measuredly heals as Dr. Cohen maintains contact. It takes 3-1/2 minutes or so of this before Korian is fully healed.

It took a few minutes for the two to have been fished out of the water and the healing to occur. By then, the flotsam has already moved outwards showing that the ooze is no more than bits of goop here and there. The captain himself will lead the divers, which will include himself, Jer'el, and Agnipati. It turns out that when Agnipati is in this freaky, ugly, eel-like humanoid form, she can swim easily and breathe water as freely as air. She refers to this as a "night creeper" form she discovered in her pirating days when she was made to walk the plank ... over an unfortunate clerical error.

After several minutes, the three come up and the captain calls for six tarps. Tarps are lowered and bodies are brought up a tarp apiece. It's unknown if they were pirates or merchants as they are little more than bone now. Meanwhile, Mr. Kahir has been calling over to the Blue Nixie through the fog to give them updates of what happened and the actions being taken.

One of the skeletons has a ring that is as closely pressed to the bone as a ring might be if flesh were upon it. Another corpse wears a sturdy leather belt with sturdy buckles that somehow, despite being organic, managed to escape absorption. As with the ring, it hangs on the hips of the skeleton without being loose.

"Well," says the captain, "no doubt they are magical, but let's find out what they are. Alright, magic-hounds, it's your show."

It turns out that Hifestus is able (or claims he is able) to see magic emanations, but he has zero training on understanding anything more than that. Huh ... interesting.

Desiria is actually able to maintain concentration long enough to focus in on the aura of the items themselves. However, she is unable to determine exactly what those auras might be.

Celiss will mention that the ring carries a faint aura of abjuration, while the belt carries a moderate aura of transmutation. Celiss and the XO are better at understanding magical theory and while the crew rests (nervously) in this nigh interminable fog, the two try to figure out what the items are. They go off to study the items.

In the meantime, considering how dangerous things have been for the Sea Wyvern and the Blue Nixie doesn't have nearly the same personnel defenses, a PER-TRANS (personnel transfer) and Hifestus and his equipment is re-assigned to the Blue Nixie. The larger caravel can better accommodate his metalworking with increased safety, and his recent skill at arms will do much to buoy that crew. He is to be a combat instructor over there for the time being.

Celiss and Mr. Cohen figure out that you now have a ring of mind shielding and a belt of giant strength +2. Since he is a raw combatant with little or no mental resistance training compared to others, the captain assigns the ring to Jer'el.

Celiss and Desiria have their magics (and enough items comparatively, for now). Though the belt could help Mr. Cohen in a tight squeeze, his job likewise for magic. After consideration, it really comes down to Korian and Jer'el. Because Jer'el got the ring and is already fantastically strong (invertebrate bottom makes for incredible strength) ... by a wide margin from anyone including Korian (probably the second-strongest onboard), the belt shall go to him. Besides, Jer'el has greater battle options with bow and trident, and is able to put the full power into a fewer number of swings. Now both of the primary combatants are true monsters.

By noon, the fog burns off. Celiss and Desiria definitely had to sleep in, and watches were compressed otherwise so a long night, indeed. Shortly afternoon, both ships come closer to conduct a ceremonial burial-at-sea for the six sailors that were previous victims of the ooze. They are released into the water, but the tarps are kept. Mr. Cohen conducts a cleanse disease on the tarps just to be safe.

Rowyn Kellani cannot be charged for her previous crimes, as a person is usually considered cleared of debt on death. (It's up to them to choose a better life if they have the amazing chance to be returned.) However, for act of being a stowaway, a thief, a saboteur, and a murderer, she is charged by Commodore Lavinia Vanderboren ('cause let's face it, that's what she actually is) to marooning here at the Havekihu River. The waters are fresh, there is plenty of inland travel available. She could travel a thousand miles roughly west to the Hellfurnace Mountains and then north along the mountains to Cauldron, and Sasserine beyond if she really cared. Or, she could find one of the many Scarlet Brotherhood ports and hire out there. She is not doomed to death as on a deserted isle, so she merely need be resourceful in the wild to survive.

She is given nothing but a loin cloth and a top cloth, and a dagger without so much as a scabbard. Her zither will not be returned. She is literally kicked off the ship amidst much cheering and jeering of both crews. She has to dive several times to get the knife thrown into the water much closer to shore. She tires out, as she circles that area and makes several tries, and finally has to swim ashore exhausted. She shouts all manner of curses, asking Vecna to bring his full insidious death to every single one of the members of the expedition.

Though it happens in the evening .... finally, finally, finally .... Desiria's arcane bond (with Celiss' semi-subservient assistance) is re-established in her magical amulet. Onwards ...

[lostsole31]

Reaper 8 (Full Moon, Starday)

Celiss would be utterly despondent on this day because of the loss of her crush (Hifestus) to the other ship. It's not fair to keep you two apart. There's a little mote of anger, to add to the other motes of anger, inside of you. More and more, but little by little, Celiss is detecting (oh-so-faintly) the development of an infernal intuition.

The captain spends most of his day in his stateroom, possibly sleeping for a night watch.

During the fight against the ooze, the captain was able to take good measure of Jer'el's incredible fighting prowess. Jer'el is now in charge of combat training for the crew. Beginning tonight, mandatory training for all hands ... even Desiria, as Jer'el can give her good targeting tips that translate well to her spells (such as scorching ray and shocking grasp).
...............................................

Reaper 9 (Sunday)

It does seem he tends to stroll at night more, but the captain spends the day in his stateroom.

Today is a good seamanship training day under the first mate.

Celiss, though not a priestess, is a stunning religious scholar and will lead good and rousing discussions, instruction, and philosophical debate with Mr. Cohen and Desiria. Korian works on reflex training. Jer'el tutors the pilot on specific hazards related to aquatic environments.
................................................

Reaper 10 (Moonday)

Once again we see signs of Korian's feral mind and stir craziness taking him, and the meal is terrible except for what Tavey Nesk can save. This may be related to something that people are just beginning to notice. Korian at adolescence and yet seems to be growing some gray hairs. Not a lot, but specked throughout the non-striped portion of his dark brown fur. Meanwhile, the amber strip on his face going down his back is starting to to darken.

Dr. Cohen will lead Desiria through continued medical studies. The captain and Mr. Kahir go over various navigational discussions for voyage planning. Meanwhile, now is a good time for Celiss to start attempting to put her temporal studies to practical use in attack with Jer'el as a sparring partner.
.............................................

Reaper 11 (Godsday)

Desiria holds worship service for the crew, followed by Urol's propitiations for the gods of the sea.

Rope yarn!

The captain actually devises fun games that splits up the crew pretty evenly overall and he and Mr. Cohen create a gaunlet that tests the limits of everyone's endurance and speed: from damage control to rope-tying to various sailor-games and even swimming. The last part opens up a general swim call to all persons, cycling out to make sure the ship is properly manned. A fun day, but exhausting, and Mr. Cohen makes sure to give the night watches each a dose of lesser restoration.
.............................................

Reaper 12 (Waterday)

The captain discusses voyage planning with Mr. Kahir during the day.

In the evening, Dr. Cohen and Desiria discuss the nature of various curses and their abatement. Jer'el discusses survival techniques with Mr. Kahir. Celiss works on arcane theory and the secrets of her bonded ring. The captain takes the watch all night. Korian is exhausted after the day's cooking and goes to bed early.
.............................................

Reaper 13 (Earthday)

As you hug the coast today, you see the teetering ruins of a jungle town. As with all ruins, Lavinia signals over to ignore them. However, it has been nearly a week since any ruins or coastal forts have been seen, when you saw plenty of them before.

Mr. Kahir tutors Celiss on What Lies Below and the Horrors from Beyond. Mr. Cohen holds advanced seamanship class for everyone else (including passengers who are interested).
.............................................

Reaper 14 (Freeday)

A little after one o'clock in the afternoon, three ships are coming SW as your expedition is going NE towards them. It is a Scarlet Brotherhood merchant convoy that does not appear to be a marine or pirate fleet, but no doubt they are armed. The captains confer ship-to-ship, and they figure the merchants are coming from Olman Isle to resupply the various forts you've passed.

The captains order all passengers to the first deck - above the waterline but out of the line of fire. Each party of ships give each other a wide berth. Both sides know (without knowing particular capabilities of 'hero' individuals ... which they might just have on their ships as well) that while either side might win, the loss to either group would be devastating. The Scarlet Brotherhood shipping would be fine, but the expedition might end quickly. The expedition carries on, but everyone's nerves are on edge. Rope yarn is suspended.

In the evening, Jer'el and Mr. Kahir go through a specialized ranger combat routine. Celiss consults her temporal thesis notes. Desiria meditates on the mysteries of molecular fusion. Korian tries teaching his mist form stance to the captain, who in turn tries to transmute that to his understanding of shadow energies (which are likewise, in a sense, based on cold). Dr. Cohen loses himself in prayer and very advanced medical studies.
..........................................

Reaper 15 (Half-Moon Waning, Starday)

During the day, the captain pulls Celiss and Desiria off of their seamanship training to tutor him in arcane knowledge. Desiria's knowledge of this subject is only barely ahead of the captain's.

In the evening, Desiria finds within her the possibility of mass destructive power of fire that she begins to pursue. Dr. Cohen works with Celiss concerning the nature of fear: Celiss and her ability to evoke it supernaturally, and himself on ways to combat it. Korian and Jer'el conduct combat training together. The captain is in his stateroom. Mr. Kahir, who already knows how to throw his mindblade, starts trying to develop the ability to actually form it into a bow.
........................................

Reaper 16 (Sunday)

Seamanship training with the captain, Mr. Cohen, and Celiss during the day.

That evening, Mr. Cohen goes through meditative exercises and discussions of psychology to focus Desiria's force of will. Meanwhile, Jer'el leads everyone through grueling PT. Mr. Kahir will do a rare stint as the lookout, sort of a re-proficiency watch for himself.
..........................................

Reaper 17 (Moonday)

The captain and the first mate conduct business in the stateroom during the day. Korian's cooking seems to be getting better.

An easy evening, the captain, Mr. Cohen and Desiria enjoy excellent debate and rhetoric in various styles. Though fighting off his animalistic nature that threatens to totally plunge him into devolution, Korian's only defense is to continue his meditative path as a swordsage. Because of his monstrous claws, he seeks Celiss' help on how best to use the other parts of his body so that he doesn't always have to kill a target. Jer'el tutors Mr. Kahir on stealth training.
..........................................

Reaper 18 (Godsday)

Services as usual.

The watchbill goes through a routine changeup, but that shortcycles the pilot and Celiss, who will have an extraordinarily long watch day/night. Korian's Godsday mean shows that he is really improving as a cook, though it is still more guts than glory. The captain spends his own day studying the arcane lore he was being taught by Celiss. Dr. Cohen and Desiria work together in studying, discussing, and praying over the nature of pathology. Jer'el, finally having his own day instead of teaching, performs archery practice.

In the evening, the captain beleaguers (sp?) the already drifting Mr. Kahir with voyage planning. One wonders if the captain is that daft ... or testing his pilot's ability to maintain focus under adverse conditions. Understanding that they are the persons least likely to take a hit, Jer'el puts Desiria and (the volunteering) first mate through calisthenics.
..............................................

Reaper 19 (Waterday)

As part of her seamanship training, Desiria is stuck in the kitchen under the cabin boy's tutelage.

Meanwhile, topside, Korian guides the captain through intuitive combat exercises. Though lacking the training Korian has been getting, Desiria finds a natural knack in the kitchen that is surprisingly as good as Korian's own.

In the evening, the captain meditates with his bracers on deck. Lirith runs Celiss through ship's movements and combat acrobatics. Jer'el works Korian, Desiria, and the general crew through combat avoidance training. Mr. Kahir takes lookout again. Mr. Cohen can be heard hammering away at metal (some materials were left behind) for smithing.
...............................................

Reaper 20 (Earthday)

The CO and XO spend the day in the stateroom. Desiria is pulled off of duties to assist and witness. The first mate is helping his captain, and with input from you, on how to reverse engineer healing for really nasty strikes on the sweet spots of opponents.

Mr. Cohen spends the entire evening in deep prayer. Korian teaches mental resistance training with the captain, Desiria, and Celiss. Korian actually goes through more feral dynamic tension exercises with Jer'el.
............................................

Reaper 21
(Earthday; 1,258 miles from Sasserine; 500 miles from Havekihu River)

Tamoachan! (Finally.)

Lavinia promised Urol Forol a chance to explore the infamous Tamoachan ruins!

The jungle claimed this city centuries ago, and now her mysterious stone buildings, towering ziggurats, and rubble-strewn streets have fallen to the creeping vines and the towering trees. Built in a bygone age by the Olmans, Tamoachan today is one of the greatest lures for adventurers in the Amedio Jungle - its proximity to shore making it the most tempting target of these ancient ruins. Much of the city has been picked over by thieves and looters, adventurers and scholars, whether they were trying to learn the reason for the city's death or merely seeking its many lost treasures.

Lavinia has promised the gnome explorer Urol Forol the chance to explore these infamous ruins, and has agreed to give him a day to do so. No other crew members set forth on shore at this time, for the ruins of Tamoachan are whispered to be dangerous and haunted by the souls of the city. Yet Lavinia is loath to let Urol go it alone.

Based on the skill sets believed to be needed for such a venture, she asks Mr. Cohen to lead the away team but under Forol's supervision, if only to keep the gnome out of trouble. For missile support and full combat Mr. Cohen requests Jer'el; for pure melee and jungle survival, Korian; for top-knotch archaeology skill and magical support, Celiss; for pure clerical channeling against possible undead spirits and arcane fire support, Sister Desiria. (Which, of course, conveniently means all of the PCs.)

Urol's desire to explore Tamoachan arose only a week before the expedition left, when he came into the possession of a tattered map. He purchased the map from a one-legged sailor who claimed to have been given the map by a dying elf fished from the sea. This nameless elf claimed to have been part of an expedition into the ruins, and to have found a previously unexplored section of the city. Unfortunately, his party was attacked by a strange eight-legged lizard with glowing eyes that turned those who saw it to stone - only he escaped back to his ship. Alas, on the voyage back to Sasserine to recruit a new party to explore the ruin, his ship sank in a storm. The elf died soon after and the sailor, having no wish to explore a dangerous ruin, sold the map to Urol for a pretty penny.

Urol shows the map to the party. It's very general to Desiria and Korian, but Urol is a brilliant, seasoned orienteer and is assisted well by Mr. Cohen, Jer'el, and Celiss. The sections of ruin marked are only an hour's brisk walk into the jungle, the entrance supposedly hidden in the lee side of of a partially collapsed ziggurat. Urol tells the party that he believes that the strange party the elf's party fought was a basilisk, a creature whose gaze petrifies its prey. (Great, NOW he tells us.) No doubt some of you will balk, but Urol assures you that you will all be able to kill it easily, and even if one or two of you are turned to stone, he's come prepared with plenty of doses of stone salve to undo this fate.

How are the PCs with this? Desiria, Jer'el, Celiss .... good to go? And no, Urol really doesn't have any more information - told to him or possibly related on a larger scale map - to help with positioning.

[MikelaC1]

DESIRIA

Knowing her healing talents likely to be needed, Desiria is willing to go on this mission. She might even come across some obscure arcane lore...or even more exciting, a treatise on molecular fusion.

[PSinger]

I have no crush anymore; he's on a different ship. Skald is creepy, and I think there might be something to this bad luck thing. I'm sexually frustrated, and the only real viable bachelor (not a gnome, a dwarf, or a wrinkly olive xeph) would be the captain (who with his own scales and dark heritage might have an understanding with me) and Lord Merivanchi.

The captain knows me too well and as an incarnate of good, despite our background, is not likely to return anything. Lord Merivanchi, of like noble mien, well maybe she can sooth his anger.

Celiss is frustrated and generally pissed off and wants to kill something, and the thrill of killing something like a basilisk is just what she needs. Besides, Avner might be impressed. So, yeah, let's go on this little mini-expedition and kill s***. At least it gives us shore leave that no one else is really getting.

She teases Jer'el, "Well, Tonguer? You going to try out dry land for once? or, is the dirt going to dry you out like your demeanor?"

[lostsole31]

Spoiler

Show

I forgot that Happy really only has access during the weekend ...

Jer'el smirks and throws Fell Point (in trident form), but it barely leaves his hand before his tongue lashes out, grabs it, and brings it right back to his hand.

"Well, then," says Mr. Cohen, not really knowing what to say to that bizarre but effective display, "right. I guess we're good then."

The hour-long trek through the trek goes pretty easily. Well, as easily as possible. Urol squeals with delight at every new bit of flora and wants to catalog everything, but Mr. Cohen has to (constantly) remind hiim that they are here to see the ruins of Tamoachan.

Korian takes point, followed by Mr. Cohen, then Desiria, Celiss, and finally Jer'el taking up rear guard. The jungle parts to reveal the ruins of a large chamber, once held with the root of the ziggurat above but now open to the elements. Images of pouncing and stalking cats grace what is left of the vine-covered walls. Dozens of mouldering stuffed jungle-cats lie scattered around the edge of the exposed chamber, along with several strangely unweathered statues of men dressed in armor. Of the five passageways that once led further into the ziggurat's depths, only two remain uncollapsed.

What do you do?

[MikelaC1]

DESIRIA

Desiria, who is completely out of her element in adventuring, will defer to the others.

[PSinger]

Celiss isn't out of her element, she's a brilliant scholar. She's pretty sure she's smarter than that annoying little goblin though he does seem to be an excellent naturalist. She'll let him lead for now, but she will enjoy her like admiration for what has gone before.

She'll attach the gnome to her hip.

[lostsole31]

"Now," Urol says, "I'm not a true archaeologist, such as it is. I'm not terribly good at history. However, I am good at deciphering old languages. These cues sometimes lead to knowledge of other lands, as well as the flora and fauna of the time, or even clues to the unknown around here."

Celiss, with your incredible wealth of knowledge, can definitely enjoy the history, the runes - arcane and religious, the clues of nobility of the time, as well as the common people. This place should be an incredible place for you to explore as well.

There is a rubble-choked pwy (passageway) to the NW, one to the North, an open pwy to the NE and East, and a rubble-choked pwy to the SE. Because the hallways are not entirely closed off, there is enough to make some rubbings and otherwise do some drawings and guesses as to the past inhabitants.

Urol starts with the NW pwy. One of the pictures is that of an obviously powerful person - a king, it would seem - holding a leashed eight-legged lizard with a helmet. These creatures, that we call basilisks today, were called tchechiwani and were kept as pets and fitted with helmets. The ruler would remove the helmet's opening with a hooked pole when said rulers wished to make statues of their vanquished and captured enemies.

As Celiss and Urol are noting this and coming out of the cave, one of these tchechiwani comes blasting out of the rubble of the northern pwy. It fixes its baleful, green glowing eyes on Celiss, who is too surprised to look away (yet).

Spoiler

Show

Roll a Fort save vs DC 15.

[PSinger]

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon ...
Fort save (1d20+7)[12]

EDIT: Uh-oh.

[lostsole31]

Round One ...

As if it wasn't enough for Celiss to be taken right off the bat, the basilisk goes before the rest of you. It scurries to the middle of the group so that everyone surrounds it.

Everyone roll a Fort DC 15 saving throw.

Spoiler

Show

Rabbi Cohen makes it right on 15. Korian, the one who had the best chance with his scent ability and blind-fighting skill, is not so lucky.

The brave rabbi fights off the first wave of paralysis, but Celiss and Korian both turn to stone.

This leaves only Rabbi Cohen, Desiria, Jer'el, and Urol.

It then actively fixes its glare on Jer'el.

Spoiler

Show

Jer'el, roll another saving throw against Fort DC 15.

[MikelaC1]

DESIRIA

(1d20+5)[21] Fort