The Savage Tide [IC]

**PSinger** · 2013-08-29, 11:02 AM (ISO 8601)

"Okay. Keep going."

**lostsole31** · 2013-08-31, 01:02 PM (ISO 8601)

You'll pass by a few wrecks, one of which is greater than 50 years old, but with innocents on the ship and your own lives at stake, now is not the time for sight-seeing.

Several hours later, you discover something lodged at the heart of a forest of kelp where the terrain changes to be even more overgrown - the wreck of the caravel called the Thunderer.

As you approach the ship, you hear a strange whispering voice in your minds - not words so much a a mental beacon. Shouting Tree grunts nervously, looking behind the group. Anyone looking back across the sargasso sees the entire place coming alive.

**PSinger** · 2013-08-31, 02:37 PM (ISO 8601)

"Well, so much for a luxurious expedition," remarks the concerned captain. "Looks like we have to do this as quickly as possible or whatever is out there will get us and tear us to shreds."

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-05, 04:47 PM (ISO 8601)

The wreck of the Thunderer is nearly sunken into the weed. It's a mere five-foot climb to clamber onto the main deck, an easy climb, but one Desiria was not made to do as she slips and falls onto the weed. It knocks the wind out of her, but doesn't hurt her. As she gets her bearings, she sees that a rapier point, sticking up at an angle, is right at her neck. If she fell another three inches to the side ...

The rest climb aboard without any problem and help Desiria (carefully) up onto her feet. The entire ship is about 120' long from bowsprit to stern, with a 30' maximum beam (estimated, given the ship's condition and position). As the group takes stock of the rotted ship, they note the sargasso twitching underneath them. Thirty feet aft, up on the poop deck, two vine horrors appear (20' apart)!

R1T21: The first one practically surprises the party as it points to the deck, raises its sloggy arms while hissing as an assassin vine forms from the sargasso, and then it points at the strange, shaggy white humanoid (Tom). The vine snaps forth to crack Tom on the head for 14 damage, but can't quite wrap around him.

R1T20.9: Everyone knows now that the vine horrors - relatively weak compared to their thrall vines - are what need to be targeted. Shouting Tree tries tumbling past the vine, which whips at him ineffectually, and Tom sloshes up the closest ladder to the poop deck to the top to look up at the vine horror standing there (the one that hasn't gone yet).

R1T19: With the clumsy jungle warrior's passage is an opening that Agnipati explores. In her hell hound form, she chucks a spear at the offending vine horror-controller, but it skims for only 8 damage. She easily rushes past the assassin vine, traveling 20' from port to starboard and some aft out of the reach of this assassin vine to just below the starboard ladder to the poop deck.

R1T17: Tom, well your shaman senses didn't help your perception in overcoming that first horror's reflexes. You are adjacent to, and being threatened by, an assassin vine with 10' reach. The ground is difficult terrain, so no 5-foot free move. This assassin vine has used its AOO for the round, and the closest vine horror (facing off with Shouting Tree and still flat-footed for the round) is 30' away.

What do you do? Do you change your draconic aura away from senses?

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-11, 10:58 AM (ISO 8601)

R1T17: Everyone's senses drop to normal level while their skin hardens. Tom scrambles 30' towards the closest one, getting up the stairs and threatening it with his shortspear.

R1T13: Darrius?

**PSinger** · 2013-09-12, 02:00 AM (ISO 8601)

Darrius hunkers down and seems to step down into his own shadow while popping up behind the vine horror on the starboard side.

Spoiler

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Shadow jaunt.

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-12, 02:07 PM (ISO 8601)

R1T13: Darrius hunkers down and seems to step down into his own shadow while popping up behind the vine horror on the starboard side.

R1T11: "You boys better butter them quickly!" Dr. Cohen shouts, sticking by Desiria. "Ain't leavin' the girl to get pounded without a friend to share in the pounding!"

He looks to Desiria, "Defense, priestess, but get out a material component just in case you do get held. We may need the heavy-hitting spells for Big Mama."

And with that, he uses his agility and battle prowess to ward off any attack while moving to the bottom of the port (closest) ladder.

Spoiler

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Total Defense action.

R1T8: Desiria, what do you do? There is still one vine that hasn't raised up for an attack yet, and the other one extended itself on an AOO, so you can at least move if you want.

**MikelaC1** · 2013-09-12, 07:47 PM (ISO 8601)

DESIRIA

Desiria takes a 5 foot step back, trying to get out of range of the horror, but still able to aid her companions. This time, her aid takes the form of a bless to make their attacks better. (+1 to attacks)

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-16, 01:17 AM (ISO 8601)

R1T8: Desiria realizes that she can't just take a quick step in the muck on the deck, so she moves forward to get out of the reach of the horrors. This time, her aid takes the form of a bless to make their attacks better.

R1T4: The other vine horror is as slow to act as its companion was quickest. Still, it raises what passes for arm-like appendages and an assassin vine grows out of the muck on deck of the port side (which, btw, puts Desiria in a threatened position). Shouting Tree hits the horror with his jaguar-head mace for 12 damage, and from the other side Tom hits the creature with his spear for 6 damage. The horror reels from the first blow, and the assassin vine it was animating drops to the deck.

It is now apparent that these horrors leave themselves open for a strike when they are threatened. [I.e., SLA provokes AAO.]

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T21: The vine horror on the starboard side swings once each at Agnipati and then Darrius, missing the former but slamming Darrius for 7 damage across the head with its great strength. (Just out of Tom's aura of toughness on the other side of the poop deck.)

R2T20.99: Desiria underestimated how slow the assassin vines move as it ekes forward slowly (5', but no reduction in environment) and whips at her even though she is just barely out of reach.

R2T20.9: Shouting Tree attacks the port side monster again for 12 damage.

R2T19: Agnipati calls out, "Time to mow the lawn!"

Her first spear-slash does 15 damage, but then she goes ridiculously wide on the second (and would've hit an ally), and her recovery is too poor for the back swing as she cuts into her opponent - but not enough to get through.

R2T17: Tom, you are on the stairs next to Shouting Tree on the port side ladder. What do you do?

**Swami Monsoon** · 2013-09-16, 09:23 AM (ISO 8601)

Tom moves to assist Shouting Tree, striking at his target...

They're going to mow the lawn? Hopefully... Tom is suddenly reminded of a bad, old variety show comedy routine... "In Soviet Russia, lawn mows you." He does not remember exactly where Russia is, or who the Soviets are, but never mind. On with the stabbing...

Spoiler

Show

Attack Shouting Tree's target (1d20+7)[23]
Damage (1d6+3)[5]

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-16, 12:15 PM (ISO 8601)

R2T17: They're going to mow the lawn? Hopefully... Tom is suddenly reminded of a bad, old variety show comedy routine... "In Soviet Russia, lawn mows you." He does not remember exactly where Russia is, or who the Soviets are, but never mind.

Tom moves to assist Shouting Tree, striking at his target for 6 damage.

R2T13: Darrius, you are 'flanking' your target with Agnipati, though it is apparent (and you knew as a player) that the semi-humanoid mess was impervious to any attempt of a precise strike. What do you do?

Dr. Cohen on deck, Desiria in the hole ...

**PSinger** · 2013-09-20, 12:52 PM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler

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Sorry, guys, and thanks, Rus ..

Darrius tumbles back five feet on the tricky deck, re-adjusts his soul energy from his lenses to his torc, and spits at the creature.

Spoiler

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MA: Acrobatics (1d20+17)[34], -2 for difficult terrain?
SwA: -3E from keeneye lenses, +3E to dissolving spittle
SA: dissolving spittle RTA (1d20+7)[19], acid (4d6)[16]

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-20, 02:03 PM (ISO 8601)

R2T13: Darrius tumbles back five feet on the tricky deck, re-adjusts his soul energy from his lenses to his torc, and spits at the creature, spraying it for 16 acid.

R2T11: Dr. Cohen continues to stay where he is, cursing in Dwarven while preparing to bat away any attacks.

Spoiler

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Trinkn zoln im piavkes = Leeches should drink him dry!

Total Defense.

R2T18: Desiria, what do you do? Remember, the sloshy deck is difficult terrain.

Vine horror #2 (and its assassin vine) are on deck ... no, really. That's where you're fighting them. Vine horror #1 and its vine are in the .... no, wait, they're on deck, too! Bwahahaha!

**MikelaC1** · 2013-09-20, 02:13 PM (ISO 8601)

Spoiler

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You steal my lines, you will pay the price

DESIRIA

Desiria takes aim at the nearest vine horror and launches a magic missile volley at it

Spoiler

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(3d4+3)[13] damage

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-20, 02:43 PM (ISO 8601)

R2T8: Desiria takes aim at the nearest vine horror and launches a magic missile volley at it, tearing into the port-side monster for 13 force.

R2T4-3.9: If curious about intellect on these creatures, at least it is obvious now that these creatures learn from past error. The port side monster just sliced tries now to animate a vine carefully so as to not get hit.

Some of the sargasso under Desiria's feet pulls away from her like a carpet being tugged and she has to step off it as an assassin vine forms right next to her. The monstrosity whallops the poorly defended priestess for 12 mod damage, some of her skin being tough enough to withstand the blow ... but not the relatively easy constriction for 10 mod, and the lady is now battered and in its grasp.

Spoiler

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Check the hp's on your sheet!

P.S.: Why does she "take aim?" I know, I know. Fluff and all that.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T21-20.5: The starboard vine horror's two fists can't get past Agnipati's thick hide and armor.

R3T21: Spurred to action in seeing the lovely Desiria in distress, Shouting Tree attacks his opponent, but his jaguar-mace only smacks into the creature with a "Thuck!"

R3T19: Agnipati wrecks her opponent with a triple spin and sloppy plant matter going everywhere and the currently unattended assassin vine drops. Now only the port side monster exists.

R3T17: Tom Underhill, with a single slap and grab, Desiria already looks pretty wounded. She doesn't have any other material components in hand, she wouldn't be able to use any somatics, and there's no way she has the strength or agility to get out.

The vine horror has to be dropped ... now. What do you do?

**Swami Monsoon** · 2013-09-20, 07:09 PM (ISO 8601)

As he hears Desiria's shouts cut off in a wheezing gasp, he literally bristles with anger, the fur on his back and the back of his neck standing up. Whatever joke the world is playing on them, it just isn't funny any more...

Damn these things to Hell...

He lets go of his spear and shield, lunging at the plant man and tearing at him(?) with his claws...

Spoiler

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Attack
(1d20+6)[22]
(1d20+6)[22]
Damage
(1d4+3)[5]
(1d4+3)[6]

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-20, 07:57 PM (ISO 8601)

R3T17: As he hears Desiria's shouts cut off in a wheezing gasp, he literally bristles with anger, the fur on his back and the back of his neck standing up. Whatever joke the world is playing on them, it just isn't funny any more. Damn these things to Hell...

He lets go of his spear and shield, lunging at the plant man and tearing at him(?) with his claws. It takes little more work to drop the shield, but his first claw slashes well for 6 damage.

Spoiler

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MA to loose a shield that provokes no AOO, so no FAA, but at least the anger you feel for Desiria's situation gave you an extra point of damage. Or, perhaps it was the bless. Either way thank her.

When Tom slices through, he can tell there isn't much more can take before it will fall apart.

R3T13: Darrius?

**PSinger** · 2013-09-22, 10:56 AM (ISO 8601)

Darrius shlogs 20' around towards the back of the vine horror and spits at it.

Spoiler

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MA: Move full speed, yucky terrain.
SA: Sizzle! (1d20+7)[26], damage (4d6)[13]

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-22, 05:07 PM (ISO 8601)

SPIT-HISS-BLURBLE!!

The last enemy melts messily onto the deck.

COMBAT ENDS ...

Any post-combat actions?

**MikelaC1** · 2013-09-22, 05:17 PM (ISO 8601)

DESIRIA

Desiria will gather all the injured members together, including herself, and channel healing energy into them and herself.

Spoiler

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not sure about how many rolls will be needed, so here are a few. If she is at full before using all, she stops. If not, she will use more
(3d6)[15]
(3d6)[11]
(3d6)[15]

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-22, 05:34 PM (ISO 8601)

Only two uses were needed. Darrius and Tom? I assume Tom is switching back to Senses aura?

**Swami Monsoon** · 2013-09-22, 07:44 PM (ISO 8601)

Tom gathers up his weapon and shield and starts checking the immediate area for anything unusual or out of place... more out of place than people made out of plants at least...

Spoiler

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Senses Aura reactivated

**PSinger** · 2013-09-22, 09:15 PM (ISO 8601)

Darrius takes a second of concentration, knowing better the foes he'll face.
Change readied maneuver cloak of deception to emerald razor.

"Right. We tear this ship apart for this 'Mother.' We'll do searches for any possible booty later, but we go cabin by cabin and look for this sea-bitch. Agnipati, you have point."

Assuming the weather decks are clear, he leads the team below decks (behind Agnipati, mind you) and systematically starts checking cabins. He doubts there are any special 'secret plant doors' so a hurried search should be good.

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-24, 04:26 PM (ISO 8601)

The party moves below. Aft to stern we have the captain's cabin, the central passageway/cabin you just came into with the hatch, the officer's mess, and oh, yeah ... three vine horrors in there!

The cabin is 20' x 20'. The three horrors are against the aft bulkhead as Agnipati enters and steps in, with Darrius at the hatch.

R1T26: Darrius, what do you do?

**PSinger** · 2013-09-24, 04:33 PM (ISO 8601)

Darrius shadow jaunts so that he is right smack dab between whichever of the two horrors is gapped to the other two.

Spoiler

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20' back wall means only 15' occupied in a line.

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-24, 09:42 PM (ISO 8601)

R1T26: Darrius steps into the shadow of the sargasso underneath, and then out from the same-side corner on the end.

Spoiler

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Sorry buddy, I just randomly rolled d4 and '4' was the result. The side you come in on (starboard) is empty at the far corner. Probably best for you, anyway, because you are not skilled enough to fight off multiple, flanking attackers.

R1T21: The vine horror on the port side brings forth an assassin vine filling up the entire 10' x 10' section on the port-aft quarter. The vine launches at Agnipati, but she easily twirls her spear to deflect it.

R1T17: Tom, you are second from the rear, so you just can't get into that cabin. However, there were several hatches leading out from where the ladder came down from topside. One of the hatches was on the starboard side, and your knowledge of ships makes you believe that it probably follows that side with doors to centerline cabins (like the current battle room). Or, you could wait for some kind of battle report. Or, you could just go tearing forth into the room. What do you do? What about dragon aura?

**Swami Monsoon** · 2013-09-25, 08:31 PM (ISO 8601)

Realizing that he can't push through the mass of people and flailing vines at the entrance to the cabin, Tom retreats up the ladder, looking for the hatch that leads into the room from above...

Spoiler

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Move towards the hatch (double move)
Change aura to toughness

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-29, 01:13 AM (ISO 8601)

R1T17: Realizing that he can't push through the mass of people and flailing vines at the entrance to the cabin, Tom retreats through the starboard hatch, down the passageway, and stands at the door that will open the officer's mess from starboard.

R1T16: The vine horror in the middle has no room to create another assassin vine with Agnipati in the way. It charges her and gives a tremendous effort but just can't get past her tough skin.

R1T12: Shouting Tree nearly fumbles in trying to use his jungle movement onboard a ship with soggy, rotting wood and tanges of vines underneath. The assassin vine fighting Agnipati shoots a tentacle at him for 12, and squeezes him for another 14. His charge is interrupted and he loses his attack.

R1T9: Dr. Cohen, recognizing that the vine horrors required concentration on developing assassin vines, plays a hunch. He steps into the room and concentrates on the assassin vine. The power in the plant is dispelled and it drops to the deck, freeing Shouting Tree.

"Everybody, fill the gaps so no more can be formed!"

Shouting Tree makes sure he ends up within that area.

R1T8: With nowhere to create assassin vines, the one faced off with Darrius swings at the captain. The first misses but the second slams his left thigh for 9.

R1T9: Desiria, you are 10' behind the doorway. From your immediate vantage point you can see Darrius' opponent. You'd have to step forward some to see any others. What do you do?

Darrius on deck, Vine Horror #1 in the hole ...

**MikelaC1** · 2013-09-29, 07:35 PM (ISO 8601)

DESIRIA

If I can see him, I can target him

Desiria lets loose with another magic missile barrage

Spoiler

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(3d4+3)[10] damage

Spoiler

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For fluff reasons, this time she doesn't "take careful aim"

**lostsole31** · 2013-09-29, 07:56 PM (ISO 8601)

R1T9: If I can see him, I can target him. Desiria lets loose with another magic missile barrage for 10 force.

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26: With his acrobat boots maxed out, Darrius effortlessly tumbles into the middle of the room to spit at the one he was facing (that was also hit by Desiria), scoring it for 11 acid.

R2T21: The horror that was in the far corner charges Darrius, but the claw is blocked by his shield.

R2T17: Tom, it would take you a move action to open the door. You see the ones fighting Agnipati and Darrius.

Spoiler: Some Options

Show

SA to Target vine horrors fighting Agnipati or Darrius.
MA (x2) to step into the room a varying distance. Unless you step into the room, only Darrius and Agnipati will receive your toughness.

If you want to hold off on defining a SwA because you want to spend two move actions to enter the room, be sure to let me know.

What do you do?

Shouting Tree on deck, Agnipati in the hole ...

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