Ansalonian Adventures IC II

[Ninja_Prawn]

"It is a fairly safe bet that someone summoned it here. But that could have been hundreds of years ago. Can you see anything on your side that looks arcane or magical in any way?

I wonder if it wants to be let out of the cave. If we put a hole in the bottom of this wall, the water will drain downhill, probably all of the way out through the way we came in."

[Gorgon_Heap]

Even if you are willing to spend the time knocking the wall down, it likely won't work. The water will simply puddle someplace further down the cave - it isn't a single smooth ramp, after all. However, Sorawyl recalls both the salamander summoning circle and her trip to the pocket plane, and all the research she'd done.

You believe (think) you can create a magic circle to help send the weird on its way - it's willing, after all. But the spell is beyond your current casting ability and level of competence (though you're not going to say that aloud.)



OOC: Please give me an Investigation roll (DC 15) and an Arcana roll (DC 13). You do still have your Inspiration, as Tarina cast the purify spell.

[Ninja_Prawn]

I climb gingerly through the gap to the weird's side, taking care to tread as lightly as possible in the puddle and hiking my skirts up to keep them dry. I peer into the darkness...

Spoiler: Rolls

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Intelligence (Investigation): (1d20+5)[10]
Inspiration: (1d20+5)[12]

Intelligence (Arcana): (1d20+5)[16]

[Gorgon_Heap]

Sorawyl is positive (or maybe 80 percent) she can construct the circle properly, though it will likely take her at least thirty minutes. Also, because she's not a conjurer, she'll have to introduce some magic of that school (cast a spell) into the ritual.



OOC: If you decide to go for it, please describe Sora's actions.

[Ninja_Prawn]

I run it by my companions. Perhaps they'd rather bypass the weird and continue up the tunnel rather than wait here for half the morning. "I am not totally sure," I begin, "but I think I can return this weird to its home plane. It is not something I have done before, and it will likely take a significant length of time to set up, but it ought to work. Do the three of you think I should try?"

[JadedDM]

"What are the consequences should you fail?" asks Jason. "If they are minimal or even non-existent, I say go for it."

[Majin]

"Do it! We should help the poor thing get home, wherever that is."

[Ninja_Prawn]

"Very well then, I shall proceed with the ritual."

The banishment magic isn't something I've done before, but projecting an air of confidence in these situations is something I am very good at. I go about marking out the circle using loose rocks, scratching sigils into the mud using my letter opener. All the while, I talk at the elemental in what I hope are soothing tones, trying to use my limited Primordial vocabulary to explain what I'm doing. I doubt it understands any of it, but at the very least it should impress the others a bit.

When that is done, I focus on the ritual. Palming my wand and saying the verbal components to fog cloud, the only conjuration spell I have prepared today, I attempt to channel energy into the circle. If the operation works, I expect to see wisps of fog swirling up, encircling the weird and then whisking it away to the Elemental Plane of Water. Here goes...!

[Gorgon_Heap]

The work and incantation complete, Sorawyl hesitates just a moment, and then sighs in relief as she doe in deed observe wisps of steam. But then the weird jerks in alarm, and the runes blaze a fierce red. Instantly the water erupts in a blinding splash, a blast that scalds all your exposed skin and sends several of you stumbling. Even with your eyes closed or hooded you all experience the sudden flash of what can only bee called a ball of fire erupts from the center of the circle. The hissing of water on burnt rock is deafening and the air you pull into your shocked lungs is somehow both wetly heavy and dryly burning.

You all stagger as your eyesight returns. The torches were blown out, and you are all dripping, your skin itching from a sudden burn.

The weird, and much of the water, is gone. Sorawyl realizes belatedly it's entirely possible she's used the same symbology she'd studied from her previous experience - that which summoned fire creatures - and not substituted a mark for the plane of water.

[JadedDM]

Jason threw up his shield during the blast, and now he slowly lowers it, casting his gaze around the room. "Did it...work? Was it supposed to work like that?" he asks warily.

[Ninja_Prawn]

"If course it worked," I say, blinking back the pain; "the weird is gone, is it not? I trust no one is hurt?"

[JadedDM]

"Looks like everyone is one piece, so...good job," Jason remarks. "One less thing to worry about down here. Should we move on, then?"

[Majin]

Darrik blinks away the bright, swirling lights in his vision, and the takes a count of his toes and fingers. "Yup, all seems to be there. You know, I would have expected something more... watery... than that explosion, but then again I'm not a wizard. From what I've heard, explosions -and guano- are a big part if wizarding."

"I guess we can on if there's nothing else that's interesting here." Darrik glances around the cave, trying to spot anything interesting.

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception: (d20+4)[12]

[Ninja_Prawn]

"Yes, onward. I am sure there will be plenty to interest you in this part of the cave. That wall was no natural feature and I do not think the water weird was native to this plane of existence, either. People have been here before - let us see what else they have left behind!"

[Gorgon_Heap]

There's a half-inch of still-warm water remaining on the floor, squelching muddily as you step through the opening. Directly ahead is a wall, very rough but composed of ancient rotting timbers, and pitch dark halls leading to your left and right. Down the left passage there appears to be a doorway, though there's no evidence there was ever a door. Both halls otherwise lead off into the silent distance.

[JadedDM]

Jason looks down both halls. "Should we pick one? Or do you want to scout them first, Darrik?" he asks the kender.

[Ninja_Prawn]

"I think we should stick close together for now, until we are sure that it is safe here. Shall we take the right-hand passage first?" I offer.

[Majin]

"Yeah, sticking together's probably a good idea. I have no idea how to send elementals away if I found one", Darrik says and nods. [B]

[JadedDM]

"Right it is," Jason says. He takes the lead, sword and shield at the ready. He will stay within the light of the torch, though, not wanting to blunder into the darkness.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Jason can only see as far as the light from the torch, and his armored back proves quite the obstruction to Sorawyl, who's glimpses ahead show only more dim gray hallway.

Spoiler: Ancient ruin 1

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Please correct marching order if I'm wrong, and tell me what you do.

[Ninja_Prawn]

"Can you see anything up ahead, Jason?" I ask, clutching my wand tightly. "What is that on the wall there?" I'm bustling right behind him, almost as if to push him onwards.

Since I can't see very well to the front, I'll divert my attention to the timber structure we're walking around. It can't be that ancient, if it's still a discernible structure, but can I guess how old it might be, or who might have built it? How much force would it need to knock the wall down?

[JadedDM]

"Looks like there is a doorway up ahead. Be on your guard," Jason warns. He moves forward three spaces to take a peak to the north.

[Majin]

"Hm, I wonder if we could have already reached the cellars..." Darrik mutters, and waits to hear what Jason sees from the doorway.

[Gorgon_Heap]

You step forward, footsteps loud and wet in the dreary silence. Sorawyl stares at various wooden beams and crumbling walls - which appear to be clay - trying to discern the place's age. While any wood on the floor is long decayed, it seems beams along the ceiling are calcified, practically petrified. Tarina jitters nervously at your rear.

Jason, in the lead, peers around the corner ahead and sees a section of much deeper water, which seems very out of place, but even more odd is a hint of some foul reek somewhere out to the right. It smells of rotting meat and stale feces. But directly to his left is another hallway, another doorway ... and light clacking at the edge of Sora's light, and there appears a human skeleton wearing the barest rag, wobbling unhurriedly toward you, cracked old clawlike fingers rising...

Spoiler: Ancient ruin Round 1

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Initiative
Jason
Darrik/Devil
Tarina
Skeleton
Sorawyl

[JadedDM]

"Watch out, incoming walking skeleton!" Jason warns. He prepares to swing his sword at the undead as soon as it comes in range.

Spoiler: Combat rolls

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Jason will not move forward to meet the skeleton, but will let it come to him.
Attack (1d20+5)[8]
Damage (1d8+3)[9]

[Majin]

Darrik Proudfoot, HP: 28/28 AC: 15, PPerception: 15, Concentrating on:

"Well that sounds exciting! It's probably evil, and trying to kill us."

Darrik moves next to Jason, and draws his sword, ready to strike the skeleton when it comes near.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move to the right of Jason. Prepare action to strike the skeleton when it comes within striking range.

Attack: (d20+5)[10]
Damage: (d6+3)[4]

[Gorgon_Heap]

Tarina looks at you confusedly, unable to see down the hall. "What is it?" The skeleton trundles forward, propelled by hateful unholy magic, and swipes its chipped and ragged finger bones at Jason, scraping shield and armor. Tarina shrieks at the sight.


Attack (1d20+4)[7] for (1d6+2)[5]

[Ninja_Prawn]

Sorawyl Kassonor, Half-Elf Diviner.
HP 11/11 | AC 9 | Concentrating on: -

That's not a very impressive skeleton. It's entirely too close to me though, so I concentrate on getting out of the way. Squeezing past Devil and Tarina, I put my hand on her shoulder and say, "do not panic darling. It is but one skeleton, and not even properly armed. Surely no match for your divine powers!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Disengage, move to left of Tarina.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Begin Round 2 - the skeleton is in X9 right in front of Jason.

[JadedDM]

Jason takes another swing at the walking skeleton with his sword.

Spoiler: Combat rolls

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Attack (1d20+5)[14]
Damage (1d8+3)[10]