Results 91 to 120 of 288
Thread: The Desert of Desolation IC
-
2019-07-09, 08:12 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Sounds fine to me, if nothing else it would save me the cost of the sunrod. Talgrun says as he returns his rope and the rod to his haversack. Before we announce our presence, though, I'd to check through the saddlebags of the bandits mounts, see if they have anything worthwhile.
If brute force isn't working, that just means you're not using enough of it.
When in doubt, set something on fire. If not in doubt, set something on fire anyway.
My Homebrew
-
2019-07-09, 09:57 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2010
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Llwellyn nods, "I suspect they'll have taken most anything of value they need down there, but it can't hurt to check.
As to the element of surprise, we really only have one good way of achieving that: hiding here among the dunes for them to come back out and then ambushing them. If we go down into there, we'll need light. Even my eyes won't work well in that darkness."
-
2019-07-09, 10:22 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
"I've no intention of waiting for them out here, the sooner we capture this smaller group, the sooner we can go after the larger one. Waiting will only increase the lead they have on us" the priest says and he sits down on the sand. He takes the symbol of the Sun out of his pocket and starts chanting. As he does, light starts to gather round him and forming the shape of a breastplate. Once he is done praying, he stands up again and it looks like he is wearing a breastplate made entirely out of light. "This should provide us with ample light down there. Once Morekal has finished with his rope we can enter the cave"
Spoiler: OOCCasting Luminous Armor (Duration, 6 hours)Remember: Offence is taken, not given
Play-by-Post Characters:
Sir Balduin of Buckwood (OOC | IC)
High Priest Azrael (OOC | IC)
-
2019-07-09, 10:50 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2018
- Location
- Belgium
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
"I guess I won't be sneaking then," Saelihn said, "or far away from you. Just a question, are we sure those guys are down there?"
Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett
"Magic can turn a frog into a prince. Science can turn a frog into a Ph.D. and you still have the frog you started with." Terry Pratchett
"I will not yield to evil, unless she's cute."
-
2019-07-09, 12:40 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
"If you want to travel ahead of me, the Sun has blessed me with other light-giving spells. I could turn an item of your choice into a torch for about an hour if you'd want. As for if they are in down there or not, I think the only way to know is to go down there ourselves. There mounts being here suggests they can't be far, so where else would they be?"
Remember: Offence is taken, not given
Play-by-Post Characters:
Sir Balduin of Buckwood (OOC | IC)
High Priest Azrael (OOC | IC)
-
2019-07-09, 01:49 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2014
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Spoiler: Saelihn Decipher ScriptYou think that the language on the tablet is the same as that of the Gates of Sul, but the script is very different making several characters unrecognizable. You cannot glean any information from the tablet, despite its clarity.
The horses wicker and sidestep but with a little effort Talgrun is able to catch hold of their reins and keep them steady. Their saddle bags contain only food and water, and precious little of that. The camels don't even bother to avoid Talgrun, although one aims a gobbet of spittle at his face. They too have only food and drink in their packs. The bandits don't even appear to carry bedrolls.
Azrael approaches the edge of the hole to cast his light down into the darkness. A moment later there is a muffled crack and the hole doubles in size, the ground falling away beneath Azrael's feet. Sand rushes rapidly into the hole with a long hiss.
Spoiler: OoCLwellyn and Allynna must make reflex saves, or be sucked into the newly enlarged hole by the unexpected movement of the sand.
I've interpreted the scene as Azrael went to look in the hole using his light while, Morekal is finding a place to secure his rope (the statue is the only logical place unless you plan to use an animal), Saelihn is examining the tablet, Talgrun is searching the mounts, and I'm not sure where Barhei is at the moment of disaster.
Spoiler: AzraelYou fall thirty feet through a massive domed chamber and land with a soft thud on a large pile of sand. Your momentum and the sand fall that continues to rain down into the hole push you down the steeply sloping pile. Your light fills the massive domed chamber that you find yourself in. The flagstone floor is cracked and uneven. The high ceiling is made of hexagonal tiles, several of which are cracked and have spilled sand down onto the floor. Natural light streams in from the hole above. Across the way, so far that your magical light does not fully illuminate it is a rubble strewn stone platform with a low flat ceiling supported by leaning pillars. Several wide, cracked stone steps lead up to the platform, their surfaces a veiny marble white in contrast to the surrounding sandstone.
Spoiler: Fall damage(1d6)[6] All the normal methods for mitigating fall damage can apply, e.g. tumble check, Feather Fall, etc.
-
2019-07-09, 02:22 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Upon seeing the ground give way Talgrun swears and turns from his search of the mounts (pausing just long enough to make a mental note to suggest having the camel that spit at him converted into extra rations) and leaps down into the pit, floating down to the bottom.
Spoiler: OOCTalgrun still has cosmic flight active, granting him a fly speed of 30 ft. with good maneuverability.If brute force isn't working, that just means you're not using enough of it.
When in doubt, set something on fire. If not in doubt, set something on fire anyway.
My Homebrew
-
2019-07-09, 03:12 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2018
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
"Was going to suggest maybe for my rat to go in as he can climb with ease, check with his senses but alas, that hole gave away!" said Barhai while commotion stirs beside the statue. Then he casts one of his light spells down the enlarged hole.
Spoiler: CastingCast Dancing lights (4).
"So it seems element of surprise went into the wind, here we go!" shouted Barhai into the hole.
-
2019-07-09, 04:20 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Azrael stands up, landing on your backside sure does hurt. He slowly makes his way to the platform, to investigate further. "There is something down here, but no Bandits in sight yet"
Remember: Offence is taken, not given
Play-by-Post Characters:
Sir Balduin of Buckwood (OOC | IC)
High Priest Azrael (OOC | IC)
-
2019-07-09, 08:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2018
- Location
- Belgium
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
"I was just about to say that we have to be careful not to announce our presence," Saelihn said as she came closer to the hole, but staying at a distance which should be enough not to fall in in case it enlarged again, "and maybe we can ambush them when they come back for their mounts, but that's clearly moot now."
Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett
"Magic can turn a frog into a prince. Science can turn a frog into a Ph.D. and you still have the frog you started with." Terry Pratchett
"I will not yield to evil, unless she's cute."
-
2019-07-09, 10:53 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- Springfield, MO
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Morekal was searching for a place to secure the rope when he hears the hole and sees Azrael fall. He says to Saelihn, "Agreed, we need to get down there in case they heard and come to investigate." He ties the rope to the statue, orders it to knot, and drops it down. "Who's first?"
Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live to serve. Our lives are yours.
Awesome Richard avatar by kpenguin!
-
2019-07-10, 09:25 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2010
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Llwellyn and Allynna deftly dive off of the shifting sand onto a more sturdy area as the ceiling of the apparent tomb collapses.
Spoiler: OOCI'm assuming a 20 and a 30 pass the reflex save.
As the rope is lowered down, he glances at the other members of the group. "If nobody is particularly eager, I will go down first, then."
He carefully makes his way down the rope, eventually reaching the bottom and taking a look around.
Spoiler: Dice RollsTake 10 on climbing the rope.
Spot: (1d20+14)[19]
Listen: (1d20+12)[17]
-
2019-07-10, 10:48 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- Springfield, MO
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Morekal will go ahead and sheathe his scimitars and climb quickly down the rope, then immediately redraw his weapons in preparation.
Spoiler: ClimbingDC 5 to climb a knotted rope, and the Rope of Climbing makes it -10 to DC. I have a +9 to Climb, will just go ahead and climb at half speed down.Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live to serve. Our lives are yours.
Awesome Richard avatar by kpenguin!
-
2019-07-10, 03:53 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Talgrun watches Llwellyn and Morekal descend down the hole while he floats about 10 feet above the floor of the chamber, an arrow at the ready. I was going to point this out before we all came down, but watch yourselves. The mounts didn't have much by the way of supplies, so odds are good the bandits use this place as some kind of base or storehouse. Its possible the five that came here aren't the only ones we could run into.
If brute force isn't working, that just means you're not using enough of it.
When in doubt, set something on fire. If not in doubt, set something on fire anyway.
My Homebrew
-
2019-07-10, 05:45 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2018
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Seeing most of the group climb down the rope, Barhei decided to join and moved at half speed. "If anyone needs arcane help to enhance his muscles, reflexes or general immunity, now's the time to ask...or when I reach the floor."
Spoiler: CastingCast Cat's Grace on myself when/if I reach the floor.
-
2019-07-10, 10:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2014
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Everybody makes their preparations and head down to join Azrael in the sunken structure. The dome overhead is in poor repair and the sands fill the eastern side of the room making it impassable. The soft gleam of burnished bronze is reflected from the depths of the platform to the west, set well back beneath the pillars that struggle to support the weight of the structure and the sand above.
As the party approaches the stairs leading up towards the source of the reflected light, a pair of ten foot tall double doors, it becomes clear that the veins in the marble are actually spiderwebs, thickly laid and heavily woven. There are footprints in places but before any investigations can take place a pair of spiders the size of mastiffs rush forward, hissing and waving their forelegs in a menacing fashion. The light from Azrael's spell twinkles in their sixteen black eyes and their fangs, the size of a man's finger, drip green venom.
Spoiler: OoCAzrael, who declared he was examining the platform, and Lwellyn, who declared he was going first, must both make level checks (1d20 + Character level + Wisdom bonus + Modifiers vs fear) to avoid being shaken for 1 round by the spiders' display.
DC for Azrael - (1d20+8)[20]
DC for Lwellyn - (1d20+8)[17]
Initiatives (Everybody beat the spiders. Specific order does not matter, post away):
Morekal - (1d20+4)[21]
Lwellyn - (1d20+5)[20]
Azrael - (1d20+8)[15]
Talgrun - (1d20+8)[11]
Barhei - (1d20+2)[5]
Saelihn - (1d20+5)[6]
Spiders - (1d20+3)[4]
Map:
G1 is the domed room, mostly full of sand. G2 is the platform.Last edited by TheBarbecueChip; 2019-07-10 at 10:45 PM.
-
2019-07-11, 12:51 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- Springfield, MO
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Morekal quickly rushes toward the spiders and then unleashes a vicious attack with his scimitar.
Spoiler: OOCSneak Attack active since they're flat footed.
Attack - (1d20+11)[20]
Damage - (2d6+3)[10]
Dodge on the spider I attacked. Is there at least 1 inch of loose sand on the floor? I have the Sand Dancer feat, so that will be good to know.Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live to serve. Our lives are yours.
Awesome Richard avatar by kpenguin!
-
2019-07-11, 08:03 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Seeing the spiders, Talgrun pulls back his bow, silver fire flowing down from his arm and enveloping the arrow. He then fires, sending a streaking silver missile at one of the spiders.
Spoiler: OOCTalgrun makes a cosmic strike attack at the spider Morekal hasn't attacked.
Attack: (1d20+11)[28]
Damage: (1d8+3)[7] plus cosmic strike (3d6)[12]
Also, if Talgrun is within 30 feet of the spiders add 1 to the attack and damage for Point Blank Shot.If brute force isn't working, that just means you're not using enough of it.
When in doubt, set something on fire. If not in doubt, set something on fire anyway.
My Homebrew
-
2019-07-11, 09:32 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2018
-
2019-07-11, 09:44 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2010
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Llwellyn quickly unleashes a rapid fire volley of three arrows at the closest spider, almost by reflex. Allynna jumps down into the chamber to protect her master.
Spoiler: OOCAttack 1: (1d20+10)[17]
Damage 1: (1d8+4)[7]
Attack 2: (1d20+5)[9]
Damage 2: (1d8+4)[8]
Attack 3: (1d20+10)[18]
Damage 3: (1d8+4)[7]
+1 to attack and damage on all if within 30 feet of spider
If Attack 2 misses, Attack 3 gets +4 to the attack via Woodland Archer [Adjust for Range]
Ammunition: 57/60
Allynna Jump Check: (1d20+16)[30]Last edited by Janwin; 2019-07-11 at 09:48 AM.
-
2019-07-11, 10:20 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2018
- Location
- Belgium
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Her bow in her hand, Saelihn grabbed an Arrow out her quiver, while moving a bit closer and in one fluid motion aimed at one of the two spiders (the one which seemed to be most damaged, in order to try and finish it off) and let go, aiming at what she thought was a soft spot.
Spoiler: OOC rolls
if needed, I do a move action (30ft) and then an attack action (I think I can do both, I don't have my books with me at the moment).
attack roll: (1d20+10)[28]
damage roll: (1d6+1)[7]
if within 30 ft, sneak attack.: (3d6)[14]
if applicable: confirm critical: (1d20+10)[19]
if critical, damage x3 (except sneak attack)
Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett
"Magic can turn a frog into a prince. Science can turn a frog into a Ph.D. and you still have the frog you started with." Terry Pratchett
"I will not yield to evil, unless she's cute."
-
2019-07-11, 10:23 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
With the seemingly sudden appearance of these giant spiders, Azrael takes a quick step back. But then he raises his left arm and reveals a symbol of the Sun on his left palm and says: "Burn, foul creatures!" at which point a small firebal appears from his palm and flies towards the spiders, catching at least one of them with an explosion.
Spoiler: OOCFiery Burst Feat (DC: 16) aimed at the least injured spider (or at both if they are standing next to each other). (3d6)[9]Remember: Offence is taken, not given
Play-by-Post Characters:
Sir Balduin of Buckwood (OOC | IC)
High Priest Azrael (OOC | IC)
-
2019-07-11, 01:33 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2014
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
The shock of the spiders wears off quickly and the party springs into action. Morekal severs one of the beast's eight hairy legs unleashing a torrent of ichor in the same moment as Lwellyn twitches backwards and fires off a trio of arrows, two of which find their marks. Azrael and Barhei both call up a gouts of flame roasting the arachnid pair as Talgrun puts a shining arrow straight through one of the large central eyes of a spider. The zip of Saelih's arrow as it buries itself in on of the smoldering husk's flanks calls a return to the stillness of moments before.
Allynna sensing danger leaps into the pit, landing gracefully on the large pile of sand and sliding down it without losing her balance. Her claws alternately click on the flagstones and are silent on the sands as she races over to her master. Sections of the webbing near curled bodies of the dead spiders smoke and smolder releasing a smell like rotten vegetation.
Spoiler: OoCOut in G1 there is plenty of room to maneuver (especially if you have flight), so I went ahead and calculated everybody as having point blank shot active. Inside the platform structure you can hardly get 30 ft away from each other if you tried.
-
2019-07-11, 03:11 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
With the spiders dead, Talgrun floats down closer to the ground until he's scarcely a foot off the ground. Huh, I wouldn't have expected to run into spiders down here, at least not if the bandits are really using this place as a hideout anyway. We should probably check to see if there are any bandit corpses stashed away here before going in deeper.
If brute force isn't working, that just means you're not using enough of it.
When in doubt, set something on fire. If not in doubt, set something on fire anyway.
My Homebrew
-
2019-07-11, 03:28 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- Springfield, MO
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Morekal says, "Well that was fast. Great job everyone." Keeping his scimitars drawn just in case, he begins to search the platform area for anything of interest.
Search - (1d20+6)[18]Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live to serve. Our lives are yours.
Awesome Richard avatar by kpenguin!
-
2019-07-11, 04:59 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Azrael sends another burst of fire towards the coprses of the spider. "Never trust a creature who hides in the dark and cowers away from the light of our Sun." he then waits patiently while his more observant companions search the room.
Remember: Offence is taken, not given
Play-by-Post Characters:
Sir Balduin of Buckwood (OOC | IC)
High Priest Azrael (OOC | IC)
-
2019-07-11, 05:17 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2014
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Azrael's light fills the platform and illuminates the large double doors. They are indeed made of bronze and while stained and covered in cobwebs they seem to have avoided the harshest ministrations of the desert climate. Morekal and Talgrun explore the platform, having to wrench their boots up from the thick webbing with every step. The bones of small desert animals, lizards and rodents mostly, litter the walls and floors, remnants of the spiders' old meals.
The platform's wings might have once been staging or storage areas long ago, and the spiders seem to have retained this function, although the contents are certainly more gruesome. Five men, two to the north and three to the south are entombed in cocoons of webbing, their eyes half open, their lips a suffocated blue. The body of a third spider lies in the northern alcove as well, seemingly taken there by the surviving hunters and turned into yet more stock for the larder.
The men are dressed for desert travel, in light clothing and wearing turbans. Their weapons are strangely missing. Patches of the webbing holding them to the walls are stained a rusty brown with dried blood.Last edited by TheBarbecueChip; 2019-07-11 at 05:19 PM.
-
2019-07-11, 05:34 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2009
- Location
- Springfield, MO
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
Morekal shivers as he takes in the fate of the dead men. He says, "I know they were bandits, but this is a terrible way to die. Strangely, their weapons are missing. Perhaps something else here has taken them, we must continue to be wary."
He then moves to the double doors and says, "Are we ready to proceed?"Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live to serve. Our lives are yours.
Awesome Richard avatar by kpenguin!
-
2019-07-11, 08:07 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2011
- Gender
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
But are we so sure these were bandits? The numbers are right, but they don't have any weapons or armor, and I doubt the spiders would have taken them. Besides, if these really are the bandits who've been terrorizing this area then I'd have to think they'd have been able to deal with three spiders. Talgrun pats down one of the cocooned men to see if he has anything on him that could identify him as a bandit, or otherwise.
If brute force isn't working, that just means you're not using enough of it.
When in doubt, set something on fire. If not in doubt, set something on fire anyway.
My Homebrew
-
2019-07-11, 09:28 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2014
Re: The Desert of Desolation IC
As Talgrun's hands search the seemingly lifeless body for clues the man lets out the thinnest of exhalations and his face twitches once.