Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (IC): Thread 2

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

Like the militia members, Grigor can be tied to a rope from the platform system and lowered below.

The bottom of the pit is still further than light can shine, so Tell will need to carry a light source with him if he does not intend to find himself alone in the dark.

None of the militia members object to Tell’s volunteering to scout out the pit first. “All right. Let’s make sure your rope’s secure,” Eckhard suggests.

[Another_Poet]

He takes their everburning torch (if they have one) or sunrod (if that) or lantern (if nothing better) and climbs down. At the bottom he keeps the light in one hand and the chain in the other.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

Eckhard secures his lantern to Tell’s rope not too far from where it is tied to the druid.

Below the floor, it actually gets a little easier to find handholds that haven’t been worn down by water. Unfortunately, the benefits of these holds are negated by the wall taking on a slight, but noticable overhanging slope. This is further compounded by the fact that the floor is only thick enough to support the weight of the water and the passage underneath is over 10 feet in diameter—large enough to allow the platform to pass through.

After climbing down about 20 feet, Tell can find no purchase as the wall gives away to a true overhang. In fact, the wall on all sides do that. It seems this passage is only a hole in the ceiling of what may be a colossally spacious cavern. So colossal in fact, that it is difficult to make out anything other the receding walls, water falling on one side, and dark air all around.

However, that falling water does give one clue. Tell can hear it splash as it hits a surface not too far away. Even accounting for the echo, it doesn’t sound like it can be much further than the edge of the light shed by the lantern.

[Another_Poet]

Tell pokes his head back up and hollers.

"Meg, if you can Feather Fall, get down here and back me up. Otherwise an archer!" This last is directed to Grigor and the militia on the platform above him.

Theh he climbs back through the hole, quaffs his potion of Spider Climb, and takes off with lantern and chain to explore the large cavern.

((20 minute duration; speed of 20' on walls; will scout the large cavern from the walls, going all the way down; if seems clear will walk on floor as well; if bottom is a big pool of water, will walk on the walls under the water to scout the bottom, holding breath as I go. My goal is to scout everything and be back up within 20 minutes so I'm not stranded.))

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor can take a hint.

"Archer, eh? right, lemme get my bow ready then."

He proceeds to do just that. Of course, it will be hard to hit anything that isn't lighted up. But hey, his helmet lamp shines into the direction hes looking (and therefore aiming) anyway.

[Another_Poet]

((Tell has his lantern on him so anything that ambushes him should be lit up for you to snipe from above.))

[Skjaldbakka]

Megiddo will reach over and pull out an arrow from Grigor's quiver, cast a Light spell on the arrowhead, and hand it back to him.

"Now you can put the light where you need it to be."

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor notes Megiddo's action and isn't sure if he should be amused or annoyed.

"Heh, the old ligh arrow trick, eh? Too bad arrows don't stick to stone walls. So, unless I make that one count... "

But then he decides to go with amusement. Life is to short to waste it with being annoyed. One of the central tenets of Olidamarra's teachings after all.

"Well, thanks for casting. Saves me a prayer. Could staunch a bleeding after all." he says to Megiddo with a smile. And dutyfully notches that arrow. Just in case.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

Once Grigor is secured with the rope, Tell climbs down the pit, this time using the magic granted by his potion. Grigor climbs down after him.

The shaft below is cold, and the chill only intensifies as the depth increases. By the time they reach the spot where the shaft meets the chamber roof, the air has gotten almost as cold as that of an early winter day.

With his magic, Tell is able to move from the vertical shaft wall to the slanted chamber ceiling and look around some more. Grigor, though, is unable to go any further without having the militia members lower him on the rope.

As Tell crawls along the ceiling, he catches sight of some structure bolted into the ceiling. It looks like a pulley system with a long rope dropping some thirty feet down to a suspended wooden platform similar to the one attached to the pulleys above. This wooden platform is next to a much larger, square stone platform held by who-knows-what. The stone is a strange type—black, run run through with purple veins. Surrounding both platforms is empty air, as the pit extends even further down.

Grigor is currently hanging about 40 feet above the center of the stone platform.

(( Yeah, I forgot to mention the cold before, so I’m mentioning it now. ))

(( If you need help visualizing the above, I can post a diagram. Just ask. ))

[Another_Poet]

Tell bypasses the platform for now, going as far down as 10 minutes at full speed will allow (thus having 10 more minutes to get back to the top).

He keeps an eye out for any fungus or mold though, as he has heard of a brown fungus that sucks the heat out of rooms and can kill a man dead.

[Skjaldbakka]

Not having a safe means to follow, Megiddo will await the rest of the scooby gang at the opening of the pit.

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor notices the cold coming up from below as he is lowered down the shaft along with the others. His own experiences left him with a certain bias about the orgins though.

"Brr.. this is the cold of the grave, I tell you. But what else but undead can one expect when dealing with deranged evildoers..."

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

Tell continues to explore moving towards the wall. The platform almost completely disappears from Tell’s lantern, and the druid can only clearly see the part illuminated by the light Grigor carries.

As Grigor is lowered to the platform, the temperature continues to drop. The floor is a lusterless black marble-like stone run through with jagged, thick purple veins. It is slightly concave, allowing the water falling from the stream above to all run off one edge of the platform into the abyss below.

The moment Grigor’s feet touch the platform, a remarkable thing happens. The purple veins in the stone begin to writhe around. After a few seconds, they begin to move across the platform’s surface, converging upon Grigor’s location.

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor scans the cave, looking for anything that maychance needs shooting at.

So it takes him a moment to realize that the floor has it in for him. When he does, however, he calls out to the others to have the platform raised again.

"Woah! Pull up, pull up, the floor's alive!"

Spoiler

Initiative, just in case: (1d20)[17]

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

It takes a few seconds for the militia to catch what Grigor is shouting, but soon he finds himself being lifted up.

Meanwhile, Tell continues to crawl down the wall. But he doesn’t get much further when he thinks he sees a flash of movement just behind him and at the edge of his light.

[Another_Poet]

Tell shines his light toward the brief movement he saw, and readies his chain.

((AoO: Readied action to strike anything that comes in range; plus the AoO for reach. With -2/+4 pwr attack, that means 1d20+6 for attack and 2d4+4 for damage on each; feel free to roll for me if it's triggered.))

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

Whatever it was—if indeed it was anything at all—seems to have scurried back into the darkness, beyond the range of Tell’s light. After several long moments, it does not approach.

[Another_Poet]

Tell continues his search at top speed, seeking the bottom of the cavern. He still plans to save 10 minutes for the trip back up to the top.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

Tell climbs down while the militia continues hauling Grigor up and away from the floor.

Suddenly, Grigor notices something moving at the edge of his light (( Spot: 1d20+2=15)). But unlike the thing Tell, saw, this one is moving into the light. At first it looks like some sort of large, flying octopus. But as it enters the light, Grigor sees something even more repulsive. It’s body is a bloated, wrinkled green-grey ovoid. It has no head, legs, arms, or wings, but a mess of barbed tentacles dangle underneath it. The only other feature on this monster is a sharp beak, like a hawk’s.

(( Initiative

Spoiler

1. Monster (8)
2. Grigor: 1d20=5

))

Round 1
The creature floats over to Grigor and lashes at the dangling cleric with one if its tentacles. However, Grigor’s armor protects him.

(( Not sure if a map would really be helpful on this one. Let me know if you want some sort of visual representation anyway. ))

[Skjaldbakka]

Megiddo will take a moment to assess the situation (refocus).

[Shhalahr Windrider]

(( Okay, I finally found time to whip up a quick side view of what’s going on.

Spoiler

The purple square is the platform. The red dot is Tell. The blue dot is Grigor. The green dot is the monster. The brown line is the second platform. The bright yellow circles are where there is bright light. The dark ochre are dim light.

This is a side view. It’s up and down rather than north and south. Though conveniently, left and right pretty well match up with west and east respectively.
))

[Another_Poet]

Spoiler

That is an awesome cross-section! But OMG OCHRE JELLY ALL OVER THE PLACE! I shoot the darkness...

Srsly though Tell just keeps exploring, I guess I'll wait while Grigor dukes it out. Any chance Lycar can take multiple turns at once (and so can the monster) just to speed things along?

[Lycar]

Grigor

Grigor is somewhat dismayed that the monster is right upon him, without him having a chance to fire off a single arrow. Oh well, he is more comfortable fighting with his sword anyway.

Releasing the grip on the bow with his right hand and pulling his bastard sword from his back scabbard takes but a moment, but now he must contend with fighting on a rickety, dangling platform dangling from a rope against some.. thing that can simply fly.

So he just stabs at it, hoping that his thrusts will also prompt it to stay away.

Spoiler

Attack:(1d20+8)[10], dmg. (1d10+4)[12]

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

Round 1 (cont.)
The monster uses its superior maneuverability to keep just outside of the range of Grigor’s sword.

Round 2
Keeping pace with Grigor’s ascent, the beast lashes out with all its tentacles. A barb on one slips between the cracks of Grigor’s armor, delivering a nasty scratch (( 2 damage )). The wound immediately begins to feel numb but nothing more comes of it (( Fort save: 1d20+6=26 ))

(( If you’re figuring on just continuing to attack, go ahead and roll for a bunch of turns like Another Poet suggested, and let me know what condition would make you change your plan. ))

Tell continues his descent.

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

Grigor curses loudly as he flails at the monster with his sword.

"Get away from me you damned thing! Have at thee!"

At least his helmet-lamp makes it possible for him to see what he is flailing at. As soon as he manages to stow his bow, he uses his free hand to grab the rope he is dangling on and give himself some extra stability. He'd rather have his shield ready, but such are the ways of life...

Spoiler

Dunno if it makes much difference but since Grigor is hanging from a rope, having a hand free to better change facing should make it harder for the thing to get into his back, even if there is no actual mechanic effect. But imagining him hanging from a rope and swinging a sword without holding onto the rope with his spare hand is just ridiculous.

Also: 5 rounds worth of attacks

1: (1d20+8)[22], dmg. [/roll]1d10+4[/roll]
2: (1d20+8)[11], dmg. [/roll]1d10+4[/roll]
3: (1d20+8)[17], dmg. [/roll]1d10+4[/roll]
4: (1d20+8)[12], dmg. [/roll]1d10+4[/roll]
5: (1d20+8)[16], dmg. [/roll]1d10+4[/roll]

[Skjaldbakka]

Megiddo will draw his sword and focus his psychic energies upon it. A translucent, shimmering substance appears on the surface of the blade as Megiddo releases his grip, and the sword comes to life, floating down towards Grigor, and moving to attack the creature.

OOC: Manifesting control object, since it looks like the thing has cover from ranged attacks. The sword moves at a speed of 20, so might not be able to get into position until the second round, but will move to flank and attack.

Here are a few rounds of attacks:

Spoiler

(1d20+10)[29] to hit (1d6+6)[7] dmg
(1d20+10)[28] to hit (1d6+6)[7] dmg
(1d20+10)[26] to hit (1d6+6)[12] dmg
(1d20+10)[28] to hit (1d6+6)[7] dmg
+2 to hit from flanking is included. To hit and dmg is actually decent because my Intelligence is used with control object.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

(( Huh, and here I didn’t think Megiddo would be able to do much. Didn’t think about that power.))

Round 2 (cont.)
Grigor is able to cut into the creature as it pulls away from its last attack (( successful hit. ))

Megiddo concentrates on a power as he drops his sword while the milita continues to pull Grigor up.

Round 3
The creature is able to keep up with the slow pace of Grigor’s ascent and is able to lash out with all its tentacles. With such a mass, it’s no surprise Grigor suffers another scratch (( 1 damage )) from which a numbing sensation spreads to the rest of the area. Beyond the faint numbness, though, there is no other obvious effect (( Fort save:
1d20+6=25 ))

Unfortunately, the force of these traded blows has sent the rope swinging around, making it more difficult for Grigor to land a blow. His next attack is a miss.

Megiddo’s sword floats into position behind the monster as Grigor continues to ascend.

Round 4
Grigor faces another barrage. This time, his skin is cut open in two places (( 2 damage and 3 damage )). The numbness, though distressing, still doesn’t lead to any adverse condition (( Fort saves: 1d20+6=21, 1d20+6=24 ))

Grigor is able to work with the swinging rope and just stab the beast as he closes in (( successful attack )).

As the creature pulls back in pain from Grigor’s attack, the floating sword behind it impales the beast’s head. As the sword pulls out, the monster falls, hitting the platform below with a sickening thud.

Out of combat time

As the above fight carries on Tell continues climbing down the wall. By the time the strange monster is defeated, Tell is able to see that the stone column has begun to taper inward, away from the wall. It’s hard to tell from here if the other three sides of the platform do the same or if it is only this one.

[Another_Poet]

Tell continues to scout the entire thing taking up to 10 minutes if needed.

((Since I'll be gone there's no need to reveal it bit by bit. Unless something jumps out and attacks me I check out the whole place. I don't care how far I go as long as I save 10 of my 20 minutes for the return trip.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Moathouse: Planting 9, Late Morning

(( Re: OOC tthread action request ))

Grigor draws a blank at what the rock-veins could be.

“Hey!” Eckhard shouts down to Grigor, “Do you want to come all the way back up, or do you need to stay down there?”

As Tell continues to crawl down, he sees the column taper almost to a point impossibly balanced on a second pillar not quite ten feet wide. This pillar is a more natural brown-gray and lacking in strange veins. From the other side of the pillar comes the sound of splashing water. He must be near the bottom, or at least another ledge.

(( Maintaining piecemeal exploration to keep timing between groups relatively synced. ))

[Lycar]

Grigor, human cleric

After the flying monster is finally dispatched (Grigor is so going to pray for an animated weapon like that next time too) and he manages to get a good grip on the rope again, he calls up:

"Eh... no, there was some flying monster here but we managed to kill it. Uh... there is some sinister magic in the rocks down there. If one gets too close, some sort of tentacles attack. I hope Tell can get past them unmolested... anyway, keep me like this for now. I'll holler if I need going up or down, okay?"

Grigor carefully sheats his sword again and readies his bow instead. Looking around, shining his helmet-lamp here and there, Grigor keeps a watchful eye out for more flyers. He didn't get hurt too bad in that fight, but the irritating numbness from the scratches hints at him getting lucky here.

Now someone who follows Olidamarra's teachings knows all too well that luck is like a piece of soap. Use it too often and you run out...

Lycar