You wake to find yourself lying on the cold stone floor of a small windowless dungeon cell, with all your gear still with you.  You have no recollection of being brought here.  Beyond the closely spaced iron bars of your cell is a dark narrow hallway dimly lit by a single glowing crystal that's built into the masonry of the wall.  The lock on your cell door clanks and the door squeaks open.

"Hello," a woman's voice coming from the direction of the ceiling just outside your cell says, "Welcome to the Planar Academy Enrichment Center.  We hope your brief detention in the relaxation vault has been a pleasant one.  Your background has been processed and we are now ready to begin the test proper.  Before we start, however, keep in mind that although fun and learning are the primary goals of all Enrichment Center activities, serious injuries may occur."

There's another metallic clank at the far end of the hall, and a heavy wooden door swings open to a brighter room beyond.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:42, Sun 28 Sept 2008.

(OOC: LAWLZ!)

Timothius gets up and starts walking. His equipment is with him? This is bizarre to say the least. He wonders what is going on and whether he is the only one here, but staying in the first room certainly will not answer those questions.

  Initial thoughts on the reunion with consciousness went along the lines of ‘I could have sworn I won that drinking contest.’  So, was the moral of the story ‘nobody wins a drinking contest’?

  And why was it more worrying to him that doors were conveniently opening and he had all his goodies than if he had to break out, steal a kitchen knife, etc etc?  Maybe he was a paranoid sober?

  This senseless self narrative could probably have taken quite some time if it wasn’t for that whole ‘speed of thought’ thing combined with Joe’s capacity to walk and inner monologue at the same time.

  One peek out the door later, and Joe learned fun facts about things like light fixtures, the likely exit being open, and thanking fashion designers for the details that let him know the guy with the great big (one would hope so with a Greatsword though?) sword further down the hall than him was likely of the ‘save innocents by decapitating the not so innocent’ Paladin variety.  Maybe.  They could possibly just like the outfit.  And Joe could possibly be over thinking things again.

  After a quick look at the lock that was nice enough to have opened all by itself on his ex-cell, Joe called down the hall “Considering we’ve just found out we’re not alone, maybe we should check the rest of the cells to see how far that goes?”

  OOC Style: '23:28, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 11 using 1d20+8. Guess Cell Lock Difficulty.'   Yup, a roll of 3.  The hatred between me and dice is clearly mutual ;D

Gale picks herself up off the floor and peeks outside her cell to find Joe not far off and Timothius at the end of the hall.  Given Joe's posture, she assumes the question was directed at the armored bird-cat down the hall and remains silent.  Wait, WHAT?!  Armored bird-cat?!  Never even read of such a thing much less seen.  "I'm not a villain" fashion sense or not, she's not ready to believe he's not a monster just yet.  She freezes in place hoping the low light is enough to hide her from the other two...  but cats are supposed to have good night vision.  Nuts.

(( 01:00, Today: Gale rolled 10 using 1d20+1. Stealth Check.  Fails to avoid Joe's or Timothius' notice. ))
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Mon 29 Sept 2008.

Success!  Joe discerns that the lock is a basic mechanical dungeon door lock with no apparent magical enchantments.  He'd have a fairly good chance of picking the lock in 6 seconds.  In fact, with his lockpick set and 10 minutes of time, he'd be guaranteed to succeed.

( Heroic tier lock DC 20 difficulty.  With a thievery skill of 8 and a +2 from the lockpick set, Joe could "take 10" (PHB pg 179) and succeed.)

Timothius turns around to see Joe and seems slightly startled (Joe IS a rogue, you know). "Uh... hi there. My name is Timothius. And checking the other cells for allies sounds like a good idea. Though even if we get them, I suspect this is someone's idea of a game and that everything we do is planned or planned for."

It's then he notices Gale who failed at hiding in the shadows. And now that he has turned around, Timothius can see her. "Hello there? Are you friend or foe?" he asks, with his eyes clearly fixed on Gale so Joe will also notice what Timothius is looking at.

It should be noted he hasn't drawn his sword. Yet.

  Yes, Joe is so stealthy he’s more sneaky when trying to attract attention than when others are trying to hide.  Of course considering the short list examples to work with in the room...

  Joe did wait until they were a good way out of stabbing distance before commenting for a reason.  Had nothing to do with the fact the winged guy was already heading for the exit by the time Joe left his cell, really.

  “I’d figure ‘similarly hassled’ would be the general situation so far.  I mean we hardly know each other enough to have made a good pick for pals or seething hatred yet.”  That logic never stopped any wandering monsters with a craving for human/elven/dwarven/misc flesh though, now has it?

  “Although given the way things tend to go, I doubt we’ll be lucky enough to not come across anything that would really like to see us dead, or possibly just brutally maimed.” Proof that ownership of ‘Sun Rods’ doesn’t necessarily mean a ray of sunshine is in the cards?

With a smirk, Gale thumbs at Joe in response to Timothius' question.

"Similarly hassled nails it on the head," she answers softly, "You both make good points.  I would like to get to know you two a little better.  My name is Gale.  What are your names?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Wed 01 Oct 2008.

A deep voice can be heard from the back of the cell after Gale speaks up in response to Joe’s comments, “I was given the name Elric,” as a large humanoid that looks as if someone has animated a suit of chain armor seems to be trying to do a scarecrow impression as the being walks towards the cell door carrying long weapon that resembles a longspear, but with a broader head and stronger haft, being propped up behind the humanoid’s neck with its arms out to its sides folding over and around the weapon at the being's elbows.

Which causes Elric to stop suddenly at the door to the cell when the weapon gets ‘stuck’ due to being longer than the door is wide. Elric then glances from side to side and chuckles softly, “Oops,” before backing up and repositioning the weapon in its hands so that he can pass through the door without it getting in the way.

Then Elric glances at the others and speaks up, “Okay, now this is a good prank… Now who pulled it on us? And who can teach me how to pull it on others?”

  “Well considering everyone else that’s made themselves known has given their name, I’m Joe.  As for who pulled thus on us, no idea yet.  Though they would seem the most likely to be able to fill you in on how.”  Though he wondered exactly what it was the Planar Academy Enrichment center was just supposed to enrich.

  “I’m also just short of check each individual cell personally so we can be sure the introductions are actually out of the way now.”

Timothius looks in the direction of Elric and ponders his statement "I was given the name Elric". Granted, most people are given their names. But most people don't say it quite that way. Upon hearing this is a "prank", Timothius gives Elric a weird look. "Prank?" he starts. "Somehow, I doubt it's a prank..."

Timothius decides to tell his name again just in case Elric didn't hear it (Or Mittens for that matter). "I was given the... my name is Timothius." he says, blushing from the slip. He looks onward and starts peeking in any other cells... if there are more. "And while our chances of running into enemies may be high, I think Elric has a point. This may be more of an obstacle course, given the introduction to this place that I was given..."

Gale covers her mouth to stifle a giggle when she sees Elric's silly entrance.

"Nice to meet you, everyone," she says with a slight curtsey, "Seeking more allies sounds like a good idea, but should we encounter enemies it would be helpful to know each other's tactics so we can work together as a team.  I'm a wizard.  When faced with one or two opponents, I prefer to attack from a distance with small spells.  When hoards attack, I close in to blast them with a large spell."

(OOC: Apologies for the delay, I was confused and didn't realize it was my turn to pose.)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Sun 05 Oct 2008.

Elric glances at the other three and quickly realizes the wisdom in Gale's words since if they are going to have to work together it would be difficult for them to succeed if they do not know what the others are capable of.

Elric then seems to grin, or as much as a Warforged's face can, as he points to the holy symbol at his waist while saying, “I am a Cleric of Pelor, and when in combat, I have no fear of using my spear,” as Elric regrips his great spear slightly to emphasize the point as the Warforged's eyes seem to glow ever so slightly for a brief moment as Elric takes great pride in his devotion to Pelor as he continues, “I will show kindness, mercy, and compassion to those that need it. But I will not tolerate those who would prey on the good will of others to further their own dark desires. Or worse, any evil that actively tries to exploit the suffering of others.”

  Joe considered the preferred methods commented on.  Magical smiting, irate metal (and other components) smiting with a big spear and a side of Divine Wrath and aid.  And if his guess was correct regarding Timothius, Great sword smiting with a side of more divine you-get-the-idea.

 "Well, I like to avoid a painful death if I can.  But when it looks like the solution to that problem is to kill someone else first I either stab them with short sharp objects or fling rocks at them"

  Yes, clearly Joe's methods are the most elaborate and impressive here.  And a short sword you picked up from a gutter years back because the previous owner was no longer capable of using it just screamed quality.

Timothius answers Gale distractedly as he starts leading the way. "I'm a paladin, championing the cause of Bahamut." he says as he makes sure there are no more cells to check inside before he heads to the bright room at end of the hall. Technically, the Cleric counts as a leader class, but that doesn't mean the paladin can't lead the way so that the others don't get hurt. Besides... a leader is someone who leads and Timothius has yet to see if the living construct is a natural leader or not... if he can be called "natural" by any sense of the term.

Timothius isn't sure himself whether to count a Warforged as sentient since they are granted their "gift" from magic rather than the gods. But in this case, he's relatively sure Elric is sentient since the guy worships Pelor and is given powers from him. And a god of opposing evil and showing kindness, mercy and compassion? Timothius already has respect for Elric. After all, it's one thing to worship Pelor and another to earn his divine favor.

This is all common knowledge, but stuff most people don't usually think about. Timothius, being a fellow servant of the divine, thinks on these things to figure what kind of ally he has. And he at least knows from his chain of thoughts that he can count on Elric to not stab anyone in the back. Joe and Gale? Not so sure.

Thanks to his chain of thoughts, Timothius glances behind himself to the others. "And who do you two worship, Gale and Joe?" he asks, "In the end, we all have someone to thank for the blessings in our lives..." while a true statement, it still opens itself up for any deity. Even the evil ones.

"Now there's a shocker," Gale thinks to herself, "'Who do you worship?'  How ever could a question like that crop up with a cleric and a paladin in the room?"

Gale rubs her chin as if carefully considering how to answer the question.  She's been scolded on many an occasion for her views by even the most mediocre of worshipers.  "You mustn't even speak that name!" some would say when she'd joke about the itsy-bitsy spider Lolth.  "How disrespectful!" she'd be told when joking that anvils probably don't much like Moradin for telling his worshipers to strike them with hammers.

She puts her hands together prayerfully then holds them forward, separating them.  An illusion of a massive ancient book appears between her hands and opens to the center.  Standing on the pages is a miniature of Gale, wind in her hair, smile on her face, and broken shackles on the ground behind her.  The sounds of chirping birds and the sweet smell of spring emerges from the pages.

"Well I have Avandra to thank for my freedom..." she begins.

The pages flip and the image of Gale enters a library filled with books.  The smell of oil lamps and old books fills the air.

"I have Ioun and Corellon to thank for my education..." she continues.

The pages flip and the image shows Gale being lifted into the air in the paw of a massive dragon with the rising sun in the background.  A warm, fresh summer breeze flows from the book.

"Pelor and Bahamut to thank for two of my newest friends..." she continues with a soft smile and a glance to Timothius and Elric.

The pages flip and flip and flip with the symbols of the other gods, both good and evil, rising and falling above them until the book reaches a blank title page.  Golden words begin to inscribe themselves upon the page to the sound of a pen scratching on paper.  "The History of Everything," the title reads in large impressive script, "From Beginning to End."  With a chilly crisp winter breeze the words "Written by," appear.  The book closes to the sound of distant thunder.

"And a mysterious god known as 'Ao' to thank for kicking it all off," she finishes with a whimsical smile.

An image of an orc climbs out from behind the book.

"Me worship Grummish!" it says, "Me like breeding!  Orc women hot!"

Gale vaporizes it with an arc of lightning between her hands then grins, hoping for a chuckle.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Mon 06 Oct 2008.

  Joe, while he may or may not qualify for newest friend status did at least smile at the little end display of miniature Orc slaughter.  Some self narrative for Joe's thoughts got to be skipped thanks to Gale's lovely explanation of the concepts, but it's not like Joe can read the narrative now is it?

  "Well, judging from some of the reactions I've gotten in the past, turns out there's an alternative worse to worshipping Venca and giving regularly scheduled baby sacrifices.  When you don't worship any of the gods."  Joe shrugged as he followed after Tim.

  "Besides, it will be you two helping out in this situation.  Not the gods you follow who give you some extra options on how.  I suppose I could have saved myself potential hassle by lying and just listing any given less than evil deity.  But occasional self destructive honesty has been a bad habit."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:17, Tue 07 Oct 2008.

A movement from the corner is heard, before some sort of creature stands up. It seems to be a elf, a yawning one, who slowly opens his green eyes, blinking a bit as he looks to the group, before he shakes his head some. "Can't a person get any sleep around here? You bunch are certainly noisy."

The elf then gives himself a light shake as he smooths down his clothing, taking a curious look around, a frown starting to form on his face, trying to figure out what happened to his trees, starting to mutter under his breath.

Elric nods in understanding of Joe's responce to Tim's question, even if Elric does think that outright asking of who someone else worships is a bit... blunt for Elric's tastes.
On the other hand Elric observes Gale's 'antics' but doesn't comment on them as Elric tries to figure out if Gale is mocking the question or showing off. But the warforged concludes that in either case, Gale doesn't seem to take religion seriously.

When someone else speaks up by complaining about the noise and wanting to sleep, Elric turns to face the 'new' stranger and asks, “Given the situation, some noise would be expected when a group of individuals are pranked by being teleported to who knows where, for unknown reasons.”

Timothius is not about to fight alongside someone who worships Bane or Tiamat or other such gods, no matter his circumstances. And already, he has figured out that he can't keep his back to Joe. After all... the guy goes on about sharp objects, killing and not even worshiping a single god. Like Elric, though, Timothius can't figure whether Gale is mocking the gods or showing off, but figures her to be someone who takes faith in a minor way. But on the other hand, most common people don't really know much about Ao besides the fact he's some higher deity than the others.

Ao isn't supposed to have worshipers. In fact, any case of Ao having worshipers leads to failure and soon, they scatter. Is Gale the kind of person who worships out of gratitude regardless of the fact Ao does not interact directly in the world's affairs? After all... her powers don't rely on Ao, but on her own control over the arcane forces.

Timothius feels Elric answered sufficiently and in a good, straight-forward but not rude fashion. He goes inside the bright room, motioning for the others to come with him, figuring he'll give the elf more time to wake up before asking the guy questions like "What's your name" and "Who do you worship." ...though being as the guy is an elf, Timothius highly doubts the guy worships any non-good gods.

The light source of the room is obvious.  A circle of flames about 15' wide burns at the center of the room.  The base of the fire is set below ground level and covered over with metal bars, allowing the flames to pass through but preventing access to the fuel.  Obscured behind the flames is a mysterious blue light source.  The three walls of the room angle upward toward a peak in the center that's at least 50' high giving the appearance of a pyramid.

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ
(Hoping this system for a shared map works.  Plan to post more about it OOC.  The letters represent the players.)

As Timothius enters the room, the 5'x5' stone slab under his foot sinks about half an inch then stops.

"Incorrect," the woman's voice from earlier announces, "Please try again."

A low rumble like a heavy stone door sliding open can be heard coming from the far side of the room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Sat 11 Oct 2008.

Gale is disappointed her display didn't get the reception she'd hoped for, but relieved it didn't get the reaction she was afraid of.  Seems her new allies are at least tolerant.  She appreciates Joe's honest answer, but before she can voice her gratitude the elf interrupts.  "That's an odd complaint given the situation," she thinks to herself, "Oooh!  Perhaps he's been a prisoner here for many years and has gotten used to people appearing mysteriously...  I hope him being the only one who knows what's going on doesn't mean that he's the only survivor..."

Before she can ask, Gale is interrupted by Timothius stepping on an "incorrect" square.

"Oh great," Gale says, "What's that rock-sliding sound mean, Mr. Sleepy Elf, Sir?"

She conjures her mage's hand and a round bathroom mirror then directs the hand to carry the mirror into the room so she can have a look around without entering.

(mage hand: minor action.  (represented by the "M" on the map.)  prestidigitation, create mirror: standard action.  move mirror with hand: move action.)

  "It probably isn't a good sign when entering the room is considered an incorrect action."  Really, just stepping into the room annoys...whoever?  That’s just great.  Joe stepped around Elric (those 5x5 pathways sure were helpful that way) and stopped just before door, looking up along the angled ceiling.

  How high the fires were, along with if there was anything at any point of what counted for the ceiling beyond smooth featurelessness, were what he was wondering about at the immediate moment.  He wasn't fielding Gale's question yet for multiple reasons.

  A way to cross the fire in a more easy manner was handy.  But it wouldn't last long and he had no way of knowing how long dealing with whatever was behind it would take yet, let alone if it was needed.

  But a 50' up spot directly over that location wouldn't do much good, if the coincidentally same length rope had nothing on the ceiling to attach to...  Wait.

  The guy in front of him had freaking wings.  Duh...  But even he knew that suggesting something like 'hey, thing you could fly down into a space enclosed by fire that you may or may not be able to fly back out of?' wasn't exactly qualified for the 'good suggestions' list.

  "What are the chances you can angle that mirror for Tim to see what's behind the fire Gale?"  The mirror was already out there, and Tim was further in.  So they'd have an easier time looking at it, after all.

  (Move 2, Move.  Nada else unless I need a perc check to look at a fire and the ceiling that have already been described down to some of their exact dimensions ;D)
This message was last edited by the player at 08:16, Sat 11 Oct 2008.

Elric tilts his head as he looks a bit confused at the voice telling Timothius that entering the room was incorrect.

Elric nods slightly at Joe's remark before replying, in an almost childlike manner of curiousity, “I agree. And if this is supposed to be a game, or a puzzle, or something... shouldn't we at least be told the rules?”

However, Elric does see the wisdom in backing up if needed to make room for Timothius incase the paladin has to make a quick exit from the room.

_{[OOC: Readied Action: To move back 2 squares (or possibly more) to make sure Timothius has room/space to leave the room if Timothius has to exit the room quickly. After all it would suck to fall into a trap due to no available space to move to that is unoccupied.]}
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Sat 11 Oct 2008.

Without a perception check, Joe knows that the flames are anywhere from 2.5 to 3 times as tall as Timothius, burning rather steadily.  The walls are smooth, featureless, and unclimbable (unless you're Spiderman.)

Though the map kinda gives the size of the room away to the players, most people aren't too great at guessing unfamiliar room dimensions at a glance.  DM ruling: No perception check and at least average intelligence (10) you can guess dimensions with 70% accuracy.  DC15 perception check, 80% accuracy.  DC 20 perception check for your characters to judge distances to within 10% accuracy.

The highest point of the room is at least 50' high and could be significantly higher, like around 60% higher.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:33, Sat 11 Oct 2008.

Prathen sighs a bit and gives himself another shake as he hears that voice. He then carefully gathers his things up and steps out of the room he is in, slowly making his way towards the others, staying behind the group, his back to the wall, as he looks to see if he can figure out what is going on.

"Joyful. I was having such a good dream too, yet this is what I get to wake up too? Maybe I should go back to sleep."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:36, Sun 12 Oct 2008.

A rapid tapping sound can be heard approaching from the same direction the sliding stone sound came from.  Sounds like a nervous drummer drumming on the stone floor as he races closer to the fire.  The direction of the sound matches the approach of something about as tall as a dog, though the rhythm doesn't match the familiar scratching of dog claws on stone streets.

(Location indicated on map with a "?")
http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ

(Missed an important descriptive detail: Hallway ceiling is 10' from the floor.  This will be the norm from now on unless otherwise mentioned.  Drew a profile view below the map to give an idea of who has sight of what vertical details, but it may serve to confuse more than help.  Suffice to say anyone behind the doorway can't see the whole picture.)

[Private to Prathen: Don't panic that it says I edited your post.  I goofed and entered it by mistake when editing this one.  >.<  Speaking of editing, please be sure your "P" on the map is where you want it.  If not, delete it and type "P" in the square you want to be in.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:11, Sun 12 Oct 2008.

Upon hearing the noise of something approaching the group, Elric suspects it may be a threat to the group as he says, “Joe, be ready to move if whatever is causing that noise proves to be a threat, since your standing where I need to be in order to assist Timothius with my Great Spear if the source of that noise proves hostile to us,” as the warforged readies himself for the possibility of having to assist in fending off whatever is approaching the group.

Timothius grabs a hold of the medallion he's wearing. "Stay back a moment." Timothius says before he rushes over towards the right wall in order to look around the flame while keeping a safe distance from the unknown entity. He wants to see what it is, but he also doesn't want the others to get hurt in case there were other "traps". Upon seeing none of the floor tiles activate any other traps, he calls back to the others. "It's a Fire Beetle! Come on over and aid me in case it attacks!" he gets into a defensive posture, his sword still sheathed and says a quiet prayer. "Please, Bahamut... I ask you permit this creature peace and life." As always, Timothius wishes to avoid harming the living. Especially a creature who doesn't know any better.

Being who he is, though, Timothius looks upon the Beetle with hopeful eyes and crouches slightly before saying, "I don't wanna harm you, big guy. It's OK... don't be afraid."

(07:57, Today: Timothius rolled 16 using 1d20+2 for Nature and learned some stuff about Fire Beetles which will come out in RP.)

(08:18, Today: Timothius rolled 15 using 1d20+3. Initiative. Upon Mittens' request)

(08:12, Today: Timothius rolled 19 using 1d20+2. Nature. This is to find out if Timothius was able to "tame" the Beetle. :) )
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Mon 13 Oct 2008.

Fire Beetle sighted!  Time to roll initiative.  (And take your turn if the result is better than the beetle's.)  "?" replaced with "FB"

Fire Beetle defenses:
HP: 32; Bloodied: 16
AC 13; Fort 13, Reflex 12, Will 11

( 09:39, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 13 using 1d20+1. Initiative. )
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Mon 13 Oct 2008.

_{[OOC: I'm probably going to go last in the initiative order... RPoL dice doesn't seem to like me at the moment. On the other hand, for a leader to go last in the initiative isn't always a bad thing as I don't have to worry about someone taking more damage between the end of my turn and the start of the next, which does make my choices for what to do during my turn easier.
10:06, Today: Elric rolled 4 using 1d20+1. Initiative.]}

Important environmental detail:  Fire is very hot!

If your character approaches the fire, they will notice the intense heat of the flames rise.  Moving within 10' of the fire is very uncomfortable like walking into a sauna with a coat on.  Moving within adjacent to the fire is painful, and you will take damage if you stay there.

---

When Timothius leaves the trigger square, it returns to the same height of the surrounding squares.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:48, Mon 13 Oct 2008.

(09:46, Today: Gale rolled 14 using 1d20+1. Initiative. )

"I doubt the designers of this place's traps ordered tame beetles from the pet store," Gale points out as she grabs hold of her robe so she won't trip over it when she runs to Timothius' aid as he requested, "One relocated mirror coming right up!"

She takes a running start and hops over the trap square.  She then directs her mage hand to carry the conjured mirror next to Timothius and angles it in the beetle's direction.  Once the fire beetle is in view, she makes an illusion of conjuring a water spell, hoping fire beetles are intimidated by water.

Her trick succeeds!  The fire beetle is convinced there's a mage standing next to Timothius readying a water spell.

(Move action: running jump over trap square.  Had to or the mage hand would move out of line of sight and according to house rules that would dispel it.  Move action: Mage hand carrying mirror moves next to Timothius.  Bluff check... OOPS!)

(DM ruling: Bluff is a standard action, and therefore can't be made on the same turn after 2 move actions.  Bluff is vs. enemy insight.  (PHB page 183)  Fire beetles don't have an insight skill listed, but since they have average wisdom (10) I'll say they have average insight (10).  Gale can choose to take the successful bluff check (18) as part of her next turn.  Also, technically a double move must be two of the same type of move (PHB page 284) but I'll make a house rule to remove that restriction.  I can't see any good reason a player can't shift 1 square to avoid an attack of opportunity from an adjacent foe then sprint for the nearest exit to save themselves from a losing battle.  I'd say they could easily do that in the same amount of time it would have taken to run twice the distance.)

(21:12, Today: Gale rolled 10 using 1d20-1. Jump over trap square.
21:21, Today: Gale rolled 18 using 1d20+1. Bluff fire beetle. )

((Posted OOC about nature checks and other matters.))
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Mon 13 Oct 2008.

  Joe has often been accused of, and often rightly so, being an unreasonable person.  Elric on the other hand, was making a reasonable request, on top of the whole 'get close to danger instead of Joe' aspect.  So why deny them that?  Of course, Joe would be getting closer to danger himself in how he did so, but thankfully, not as close as others would be yet.

  "True.  Not only would it work out better for the whole needlessly dangerous dungeon aspect for it to be a wild critter, but it probably costs less to order than a tame one."  Hey,  Gale was the one who brought up sales catalog monster supply, not him.

  This needless comment made, Joe jumped from his spot towards the open oversized door.  Regardless of whether or not it's hinges stopped where it was now or kept going, it provided the moments unstable surface needed to grab the top edge of and arm swing past the previously offending tile as he landed running walking.

  "I'll skip any 'I told you so's if the thing tries to bite your face off Tim.  Because that would be more than bad enough already."

(Standard: Readied attack, used special, Deft Strike Sling if Beetle attacks, Yay Quick Draw.  Move: Acro Stunt.    My reasoning for my total move was the 'can move 2 before you attack', and this is before the attack part.  If that's a nono, then slide Joe down/left one, and left one on the map.)

23:32, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Joe Sling hit.
23:09, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 14 using 1d20+8. Joe Acro Stunt.
23:08, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Joe Athletics.
23:03, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Joe Nature.
  I know the monsters is likely a beetle, because Tim said it's called a Fire Beetle... Fail at life.
  1 squares distance of horizontal leap approved.
  Acro Stunt add on to keep on movin success (thank you, lowered base diff) and look cooler.  It also helps that I can pull this off RL, if with smaller doors.
  And my readied action is a readied failure. Miss if it comes up.
  A 20 for my initiative, then a 1, two fives, and a 6.  The dice mock me early and often, but at least I didn't land on my ass.

[Private to GM: By corner, did you mean the wooden door that's open?  As I didn't pass through the corner of the hallway, which is what the mentioned rules talk about (though a later page mentioned things that fill or pass through ENTIRE squares as forms of hassle).  Went up one OUT of the hall, then swung the first diagonal just in case of 'you can't travel through door line either'.  And you just explained that the door isn't as wide as a whole tile, so even less reason it would stop me. (was aware of the rules regarding map corners).  Which is why '3' was what I considered my '2'.
  The spot I'm in works anyways (and besides, not like I'd be missin out on an attack if LoS didn't turn up), and I'll just leave it be.  But it would be good to know for future reference if not just map corners can't be passed through, but any form of scenery at all.  I may take to packing a small 3'10 wide folding table for a barrier if so ;D.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Mon 13 Oct 2008.

Yeah I'm going out on a limb and say that for Deft Strike the developers meant to say "As part of the attack, you can move 2 additional squares on top of your normal movement this turn," rather than the printed "You can move 2 squares before the attack."  Who can't move 2 squares before an attack?  Even someone who's been slowed by an ice spell can still move 2 squares before an attack.  And the "as part of the attack part" I think is fair to assume because otherwise rogues could use that to "ready" an attack against non-existent enemies every 6 seconds making them the fastest Kenyans on the race track simply for swinging a sling around.  As requested, Joe's position has been corrected.  [Private to Joe Darkthorne: Shifted 1 extra square to the left since the rules don't allow going diagonally around corners.  (PHB 283)  Below the profile map shows what I mean.]
(( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs ))


Sweet door swinging move!  :)  I think the average American door height is 6'8" and rarely any wider than 3'10"  I realize the profile makes it look like it's 10' tall and 5' wide, but that's just the nature of drawing with a spreadsheet.  Typical D&D doors probably vary in height from 4' to 10' depending on what race built them, but for simplicity let's stick with the door sizes we're familiar with as a default.

You are correct to guess that the door can't open any further.  This is because the hall is joined to an angled wall.  The angle is steep enough that normal height humans can stand on the bottom squares of the room without too much problem, but any of the corners would require one to get on their hands and knees or squat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:38, Mon 13 Oct 2008.

Prathen blinks a bit, watching what is going on, before he shakes his head some. He  takes a hold of his bow, stringing it in a smooth practised motion, and then slips a arrow in place as well, but does not draw it back yet, as he calls out. "Try to draw it out into the open so I can get sight on it without triggering any traps."

He takes a couple steps forward, so he is not so far away, stopping behind Eric, not wanting to shove past him rudely.

Timothius succeeds in convincing the Fire Beetle that he's not a threat.  Because Timothius is no longer deemed a threat, the Fire Beetle decides to attack the next nearest one: Gale.

10:45, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 20 using 1d20+5. Attempts to bite Gale.   HIT!
10:48, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 7 using 2d4+2. damage from bite attack. Gale takes 7 damage!

The beetle's mandibles easily penetrates Gale's robe, opening a painful wound in her leg!

[Private to Prathen: Please remember to include your initiative roll in your post.]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Tue 14 Oct 2008.

"OW!" Gale shrieks, "Eww!  Gross!  Beetle lips!"

She retaliates with a massive arc of lightning that sends the beetle sliding back several feet!

10:57, Today: Fire Beetle Gale rolled 21 using 1d20+4. thunder wave attack against the beetle. HIT!
10:59, Today: Fire Beetle Gale rolled 5 using 1d6+4. The Fire Beetle takes 5 thunder damage.

Gale retreats to a safer distance.  "Hope you change your mind about not hurting that thing!"

Gale HP: 13
Beetle HP: 27
This message was last edited by the player at 15:13, Tue 14 Oct 2008.

After seeing the Beetle attack Gale, and Gale's retalitory strike, Elric rushes in to try and help while calling out, “Timothius, circle around the fire and then charge or close in on the bug, that way we can flank it and prevent it from harming Gale again! Everyone else close in and attack this overgrown pest, as it clearly wishes to harm us.”

However, due to Elric not focusing on his own charge in order to call out to Joe and Timothius, Elric distracted himself and missed the Fire Beetle with his own charge with his Great Spear. Furthermore, Elric didn't even give a second thought to moving over the square that Joe artfully dodged, since Elric knows he really wouldn't be able to jump over it anyways.

<sub>[OOC: Move Action, move into the room, and then Standard Action, Charge the Fire Beetle. Minor Action... not used. Free Action to call out to the others.
17:03, Today: Elric rolled 11 using 1d20+8. Charge Attack on Fire Beetle.
Charge Attack Missed. The RPoL Dicebot hates me almost as much at it hates Joe.

By the way the jump check roll I made after submitting Elric's actions for this round was a test to satisfy my curiosity to know if Elric was wrong with his guess to not even bother... and yep wouldn't you know it that Elric was wise enough to know he couldn't jump it. It would have been hilarious if the check would have succeeded and once again prove how the dicebot wants to make me look silly, and then we could OOCly make jokes about Elric's wisdom being impaired by his stupidity. So what happens now that Elric just moved over the square?]</sub>
This message was last edited by the player at 21:20, Tue 14 Oct 2008.

The trigger square behaves the same way it did last time it was stepped on:  It sinks about 1/2 an inch which triggers stone-sliding sounds at the far side of the room and the voice calls out "Incorrect.  Please try again."  What's different this time is that everyone in the room can see what's causing the sound.  The floor at the far side of the room sinks below the point where it's no longer visible, then returns with a second fire beetle standing on top!  (For simplicity, all fire beetles will share the same initiative.)

Seeing as Gale has run off to be right next to Timothius, he reaches over and touches Gale with divine power rushing through him, taking away one of his own surges of healing for the day in order for Gale to gain 5 HP.

Timothius would then move around the fires as Elric indicated. Not wanting to wait for the beetle to decide it likes the taste of Warforged, Timothius calls out to the beetle, using Divine Challenge, "If you must harm someone, harm me!"

(That's two minor actions and a move action. Neither of those minor action At-Wills require a roll. Obviously, used Lay on Hands on Gale, moved, then used Divine Challenge. I don't have the movement to pull off flanking since that would require a double-move and I don't think I can do that in addition to the two minor actions. Besides... Elric should be able to flank soon enough thanks to the Beetle who once saw me as not a threat now hates me. >.> Nice that my nature check worked, but I guess in the end it was worthless anyway. So much for alternate solutions to problems.)

  So, attack the latest problem that has come to their attention... Or try to finish off the one that was already there and had taken a bite out of someone who hasn't done anything to annoy him.

  Let's hear it for easy decisions.  "If you're a giant beetle that has a wide grasp of language as well as your surprisingly advanced cognitive functions, please listen to the Paladin." Better them than him and all that generic self preservation stuff.

  And so Joe ran walked... That doesn't sound so impressive, lets go with 'traveled', yeah.  And so Joe traveled to the aid of Elric, because apparently the Warforged Cleric couldn't stab things with a stick worth a damn.

  Unfortunately, it seemed that Joe's tendency to stab things with sharp objects was also lacking today.  "...This can not possibly end well."

[Move: 6, Standard: Deft Strike +2 tiles, Miss.

22:11, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Joe To-Hit.  The Dice still hate me more than Elric, Whoo!]

"Thanks, Timo!" she calls out to the paladin after his healing hand touches her shoulder.  How convenient he didn't have to grope her leg for it to work.

Hmm.  Deal with new threat or get more revenge on beetle lips?  Yes.  Yay for easy choices.  Gale moves to the south side of the room and throws a snow-ball at the Fire Beetle.

"Time to chill out, bug!"

22:54, Today: Fire Beetle Gale rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Ray of Frost vs. FB1 (fortitude).   HIT! (OOC: One of these days I'll remember to use the right name in the dice roller. >.>)
22:37, Today: Fire Beetle Gale rolled 7 8 using 1d6+X 5. (target is slowed)

Gale HP: 18
Beetle1 HP: 19

Talking out of turn is permitted, attacking out of turn is not.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Wed 22 Oct 2008.

Round 2.

The first Fire Beetle is mildly angered by the missed attacks of Joe and Elric.  But thanks to divine challenge, it feels a strong compulsion to attack the cat it thought wasn't a threat.  It scurries up to Timothius (provoking an attack of opportunity from Joe) and bites him through the opening in his armor at his knee.

23:52, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Joe Darkthorne, rolled 10 using 1d20+6. AoO vs. FB1 using knife. Miss!


23:40, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Take a bite out of cat. Hit!
23:42, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 10 using 2d4+2. Bite damage to Timo.

The second Fire Beetle skuttles up to the nearest enemy, Timothius.  It snaps at his feet, but Timothius manages to dodge the attack!

23:47, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 7 using 1d20+5. FB2 Bite vs. Timo. Miss!

Timothius HP: 17
FB1 HP: 27
FB2 HP: 32

To post this round: Elric, Prathen.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:55, Wed 15 Oct 2008.

Elric's eyes glow with green light for a second as Elric sees both Tim being doubleteamed by both Fire Beetles. Knowing what he must do, Elric hurries into action as he moves towards the injured Fire Beetle while regripping his his Great Spear and saying “By the power of Pelor, your cruelty shall be punished!” as Elric manages to land a mighty blow upon the already injured Fire Beetle causing a ghostly glowing image of the sun to appear on the Fire Beetle as Elric continues to speak, “And Joe will be your punisher!"

Elric then whispers, “Pelor please bathe Timothius with your healing light," as divine light washes over Timothius' wounds, mending the paladin's injuries.

<sub>[OOC: Actions for this round:
Move Action: Move north 3 squares to be close enough to attack FB1 with reach.
Standard Action: Righteous Brand on FB1, hits for 14 dmg and gives Joe a +4 power bonus to hit on FB1 on his next turn.
Minor Action: Healing Word on Tim, heals Tim 6+1d6+3=14 hit points recovered by Tim. (Note: the +3 is from the Healer's Lore Cleric class feature.)

These rolls were originally intended for use with the Fire beetle's original action but with it's action reconned after the rolls were made I sued them for my attack for the round as it would be the same to-hit and damage rolls anyways.

23:27, Yesterday: Elric rolled 14 using 1d10+4. Dmg to FB1, will suck!.
23:27, Yesterday: Elric rolled 25 using 1d20+7. AoO on FB 1 due to move, will suck!.
00:21, Today: Elric rolled 14 using 1d6+9. Healing Words on Tim, Will Suck!.
]</sub>
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Wed 15 Oct 2008.

  Joe was probably as surprised by the fact he's been singled out to dole out divine retribution as the Beetle would be if Joe managed to actually hit them.

  "Now, I may wonder about their choice of putting their faith in me..." Joe said to the beetle, because sometimes you don't care if your enemy understands what you're ranting about or not.

  "But I'm going to make it a point that putting their trust in me for no good reason won't be wasted."  This said as he steped up to the Bug that Elric had just done a good job of smacking around, and pointing at it's stupid compound eyed face with his free (so far as a hand with a sling dangling from the fist is free) hand.

  "So do us all a favor and die.  A lot."  And thus,  Joe did try to make the fire beetle die.  A lot.

  It was safe to say, Joe probably wasn't letting Elric down.

[ (Move: 3, Flanking FB1.  Minor: FB1 marked as Quarry.  Standard: Riposte Strike.)
01:05, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 7,8,6 using 1d6+3,2d6+2,1d6. Joe, Riposte, Sneak, Hunters. = 21 DMG
01:01, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 20 using 1d20+12. Joe To-Hit.

Yes, I would have killed it even without the Hunters.  But I really, REALLY wanted to kill the hell out of it.]

This message was last edited by the player at 09:52, Wed 15 Oct 2008.

Prathen heads forward, taking a running jump to hop over the trap, and when he lands, he strafes to the left, moving until he has a clear line of sight on the beetle.  Once he can properly see it he raises his bow up and pulls back on the string, then lets it go, before shaking his head as the arrow goes wide, and he draws another from his quiver, muttering under his breath as he does.



11:32, Today: Prathen rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Jump Roll.
11:33, Today: Prathen rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Ranged attack roll.

With the first fire beetle dispatched and having been shown the mercy it showed to Gale, Timothius was still somewhat saddened. But as Pelor's warm radiance washes over him, he feels invigorated and has a renewed moral. "Thanks, Pelor." he whispers. "Thanks, Elric!" he yells out before turning to face the next beetle. Once again, he gets in a defensive position and this time, having overheard the "host" once again and at the pressing of that button, Timothius figures this beetle will be as aggressive as the last one and possibly the last bug they will face in this room. Nevertheless, things are so far from what Timothius considers "bad" that he does not bother to Channel Bahamut's Divinity this time.

He crouches like he did last time and stares the Beetle down. He clashes the sword loudly just in front of the Beetle with full intent to miss since the point is to make a loud sound and scare the beetle. He then points at the now-downed beetle with his sword as he takes on a stern countenance and says, "Do not make the same mistake this one did! Surrender!" This was meant to be an intimidation that will turn into a Divine Challenge should the critter refuse to surrender.

(08:09, Today: Timothius rolled 8 using 1d20+2. Intimidation.)
(Luckily, Divine Challenge requires no rolls)

(Current Healing surges left: 9)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Sat 18 Oct 2008.

The Fire Beetle reacts to Timothius' failed attempt at intimidation in the most random way...  it attacks!  (Yes... I realize I'm pushing the envelope with that one.)  With a lunge it snaps at his leg, but fails to even get a pincher full of metal armor.

17:59, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Bite vs. Timothius' AC. Miss!

(I've lost track of Timothius' HP and healing surges, but I expect the players to track that sort of stuff.  As for Gale's HP, I'm going to assume she doesn't have to spend a healing surge when Timo healed her?)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:23, Fri 17 Oct 2008.

Gale held off blasting the second beetle to give it a chance to respond to Timothius' command.  Not that Gale has any reluctance to destroy giant bugs like the kitty apparently does, just that she sensed his frustration at having to attack the last one.  Dragon worshiper or no, it's best to stay on the good side of the guy with the giant sword especially given that he's proven himself a dependable ally.  She conjures up an ice-axe behind her back with a halo over her head until the bug attacks Timothius.

"Incorrect!" she tells the Fire Beetle as she hurls her ice-axe at it, "Please try again."

18:19, Today: Gale rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Ray of Frost vs. FB2 (fortitude). Hit!
18:21, Today: Gale rolled 11 using 1d6+5. cold damage to FB2.

Fire Beetle 2 HP: 21
Fire Beetle 2 is slowed (speed = 2) till Gale's next turn.

Gale HP: 18
This message was last edited by the player at 22:25, Fri 17 Oct 2008.

As Elric sees the second Fire Beetle attacking Timothius, Elric feels that this time Timothius should do more than simply try to talk a pest into submission, and so Elric figures he might as well help out as best he can. Elric quickly moves forward before turning to strike at the remaining Fire Beetle with his Great Spear while saying “Pelor would never approve of your unprovoked hostilities. You will regret not surrendering when you had the chance,” as Elric easily lands a solid blow upon the remaining Fire Beetle causing a ghostly glowing image of the sun to appear on the Fire Beetle as Elric continues to speak, “For you should have listened to Timothius' recommendation, but now that time has passed."


_{[OOC:
Move Action: Move 3 Squares North.
Standard Action: Righteous Brand on Fire Beetle 2.
The attack hits for 9 Damage leaving Fire Beetle 2 with 12 hit points left, and Timothius now gets a +4 power bonus to his attack rolls against the Fire Beetle 2 on his next turn.
Minor Action: Unused.
18:58, Today: Elric rolled 9 using 1d10+4. R.B. damage to FB2, Will Suck!.
18:57, Today: Elric rolled 20 using 1d20+7. R.B. attack on FB2, Will Suck!.
]}

  "Now, I've seen trying to prevent 'needless cruelty to nature' before.  And occasionally that works out.   But if you ever start demanding zombies surrender I am going to waste precious time smacking you upside the head.  Just letting you know."

  Joe had iffy priorities sometimes.  But in this case, he may have his slightly more on the straight side.  Also fortunate was the fact Joe could banter and walk at the same time, showcased by circling around the right of Tim and the surviving bug, then rushing past it before lunging towards it's back with his sword....

  And failing to stab anything important.  But on the bright side, at least the thing was surrounded (so far as having only two people on either side counts as surrounded).  "Of course, right about now this bug possibly has more dignity left than I do."

[ (Move: Full six circling around, Flank FB2.  Standard: Deft Strike +2 move, Miss)
  02:24, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 11 using 1d20+8. Joe To-Hit.
  Again with rolling a 3.  Let's hope I can manage to hit something without being boosted to 'can only miss if you roll 1' bonus someday.]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:36, Sat 18 Oct 2008.

Prathen watches what the FireBeetle does carefully, and watches the creature get attacked. He takes a couple steps to the left, to get as clear of a shot on the beetle as he can, and then knocks the arrow and fires it at the creature, grinning some as the arrow thunks into the creature's body. He then pulls out another arrow from his quiver, just to be prepared in case another creature pops up. He defently seems to be a silent fighter, unlike the others.

(Total damage, 13, if I did it right. That should be enough to take it into negivites, I think.)



14:51, Today: Prathen rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Ranged Attack.
14:52, Today: Prathen rolled 6 using 1d8+3. Arrow Damage.
14:56, Today: Prathen rolled 7 using 1d8. Hunter's Quarry.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Sat 18 Oct 2008.

The beetle shrieks and falls to the floor lifeless.  The room returns to it's customary silence, the silence broken only by the steady roar of the towering flames.

(Combat is ended for the time being, so initiative scores can be discarded and characters can take short rest (PHB 263) if they so choose.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:37, Sun 19 Oct 2008.

Prathen's not the only one ready for more.  Gale looks over to the place where the second beetle appeared and watches for movement.  It doesn't take long for her to be convinced that it's safe enough to relax her guard.

"Not being paranoid," she says softly, "but if everyone could stay where they are, there's a better chance we won't trigger any more infestations."

She conjures a small stool and sits in a contemplative pose much like "The Thinker."  Ouch.  Oh yeah.  Leg still hurts.  She transforms the mirror held by the magic hand into a miniature curtain which she has the hand hold in front of her for a little privacy as she pulls up her dress to take a better look at the wound.  Thanks to Timothius, it looks like it's been healing for a long time and is almost completely gone.

"So you're as much in the dark as the rest of us," Gale asks Prathen rhetorically as she leans over in a futile attempt to get a look at him from around the flames, "If you didn't hear, we were told by a mysterious voice that we're here as part of some test.  No telling how many guesses we get before we fail this test, but so far we've learned that stepping on a certain spot is the wrong answer."

(Assuming no peril in the next 5 minutes, Gale will spend a healing surge to return to full health.)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:34, Sun 19 Oct 2008.

After Elric is convinced that the fight is truly over, the Warforged sits down to contemplate things. “Well we know that there is one spot that draws forth those bugs, so we'll avoid that one from now on. But if that is the wrong spot.. Doesn't that imply there is a correct spot? Also anyone actually know anything about these bugs? Like if they are edible or not... After all while I may not need to eat, the same is not true for the rest of you. I really would not want to have to sit here and watch you all eventually starve to death.”

_{[OOC: Taking a short rest along with everyone else.]}
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Sun 19 Oct 2008.

Timothius answers Joe with a rather enthusiastic response, "Undead are NOT natural! How can you even compare the two?!" before he watches the Beetle fall dead from the arrows. He strongly appreciates that Elric is not objecting, but even supporting to some degree Timothius' actions. Timothius can't help but think to himself how true it is that combat really helps one get to know a person. He just hopes he isn't getting to know them only to see them die.

He sits down as per Gale's suggestion and says, "Actually, Elric, there is something useful about these beetles. While they are not edible, their internal organs can be used as a light for up to 12 hours. Kinda like a torch."

(OOC: The book says 1d12 hours, so I'mma roll it.)
(Taking rest with everyone else)
(Current Healing surges left: 9)

Gale re-covers her leg then motions at the floating hand in a dismissive way.  It obediently flies over to the space between Timothius and the fire providing a little shade from the heat of flames..

"That can come in handy," she remarks, "Speaking of torches... You must be roasting sitting that close to the fire.  I think it's safe to swap places with the beetle if you like."

(I plan to make a habit of posting the map link every pose for your convenience.)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Sun 19 Oct 2008.

Prathen makes his way over to the others, putting the arrow he had ready back into his quiver, before he makes his way over to where the two arrows he shot landed, yanking one right out of the carcass of the beetle he slayed, and picking the other one off the ground, checking them both over carefully as he speaks.

"A test you say? I do not recall signing up for any classes."

Elric seems to grin, or at least as much as a warforged can, upon hearing what Timothius has to say regarding the beetles as Elric asks, “Can you retrieve those organs? They will definately be useful, or at least fun... I wonder if used as a hat if they could help someone have a bright idea?”

Then Elric turns to Prathen and says, “I doubt anyone here signed up for anything like this. I still think it is someone's idea of a bad practical joke... those beetles could have hurt someone... so this isn't a prank,” as Elric moves slightly north to be a bit further from the fire to be more comfortable.

_{[OOC: Moved one square north just to get a little farther from the hot fire.]}

  "Oh good, I don't see us having much in the way of problems then Tim.  The last guy I knew who wanted to give large bugs a chance didn't grasp the whole 'zombies are bad' thing.  They particularly didn't like my suggestion that they hit them with their large book of scriptures instead of reading it to them."

  Of course, he could point out that magic and acts of the gods weren't in any more 'natural' either.  But, zombies tended to be incredibly lame as a whole, while today had some pleasant examples of why magic and divinity themselves weren't always bad.  And Elric was starting to shape up to be an example of when they were awesome.  But that just might be Joe's poor excuse for a sense of humor.

  "I think that may be the first time I've heard 'wear their organs as a festive hat' used in a way that wasn't a threat.  As for the food thing, I've had worse.  But then I'd think we may be facing bigger issues if we can't get out of here by then."

  Joe turned to consider the fire, what with it being the only notable hunk of scenery. "...When you're all set, do you think you could angle your mirrors to see what's glowing inside that ring of fire?  That might be able to be done without hitting any more tiles...  And I supposed if you were able to conjure up lasting chalk, we could always mark where we traveled that didn't result in even more hassles."  This last bit of course addressed to Gale.

[Short rest like everyone else.  Though in this case, my stats stay the the same, just refill my Enc Quarry]

"Could have hurt someone?" Gale asks Elric rhetorically as she pinches her blood-stained dress.

"Good idea," she answers Joe.  She stands up and gestures at her mage hand.  The curtain transforms back into a mirror and the hand floats several yards into the air.  She frowns and raises an eyebrow in surprise.

"Impressive," she says, rubbing her chin, "It's a linked portal, a magical doorway to another place.  Even if conjured by a master wizard, they usually close within a minute or two, but this one is still going strong.  I'd wager that this is our only way out besides digging through solid stone with swords and spears."

"As for marking the floor," she continues as she carefully makes her way to the others, stepping lightly before trusting any stone, "my cantrips can be very short lived."  (Her stool vanishes in a puff of smoke as if to prove her point.)  "We'd be better served to char the butt of Mr. Elric's spear to use it as a big pencil or lay one of Mr. Archer's arrows on each stone we can trust."

She re-conjures her stool and sits back down.

"My name's Gale," she says to Prathen, pretending to curtsey while seated, "Nice to meet you."

(23:54, Today: Gale rolled 21 using 1d20+9. Arcana check for giggles. ) Check to see if Gale knows for certain the nature of the blue glowie rather than an educated guess.

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ

(Plan to post a short OOC rant on the cantrip description.)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Tue 21 Oct 2008.

To Elric's suggestion, Timothius giggles. "Sounds like you already are bright, Elric." a beaming smile on his face.

Timothius looks at the fire and looks at the Beetles and then the others. "Well we could stack up Fire Beetle carcasses on the fire. Currently, we only have two. But given how easily we beat them, if we need more, we can continue to step on the "incorrect" tile and slay a few more Beetles... provided they are all equally as aggressive." He gives Joe a sidewards glance. "And vs undead, divine powers do far more damage than a book to the head. Though I won't object if you use your own books to hit them."

So... someone once tried reading scriptures against the undead. It didn't work somehow. Joe told them to use the book instead. Joe survived this encounter and he has 0 XP how? Good thing Timothius currently can't break the 4th wall or he'd question how Joe had such an experience, yet was only level 1 with no experience. Instead, he only questions whether Joe had such an experience at all since it sounds so unlikely.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:23, Tue 21 Oct 2008.

Prathen listens to the conversations going around him, looking to Gale and giving her a polite nod when she introduces herself.  "I am called Prathen." He looks around the room slowly, then turns his gaze onto the fire, frowning a bit. "So the only way out that you can guess at is surrounded by flames?"

Elric glances at his spear and then at the fire, and then at the corpses of the fire beetles before saying, “I'd rather not burn my spear, so why not just use chunks of fire beetle to mark the squares? Or perhaps other remnants of them? And as Timothius said we can probably get more of them if needed, although I don't know how to build a bridge out of fire beetles... but it does look like we need to figure out a way to get to that portal.”

  Oh, Fire beetles.  Duh.  The obvious details you miss when the subject of consideration is trying to bite your legs off.

  "While the combined gang beatdown of single bugs could be dealt with easy enough, I'd admittedly rather see if any of the tiles turned off the fire.  Though failing that, it leaves the question of who has to press the bug button.  And so far as we've seen so far Prathen, it's the only visible exit."

"Wow," Gale says raising her eyebrows in surprise at Timothius' suggestion, "You're the last person I'd expect to suggest wholesale bug slaughter, judging from your 'give beetle love a chance' stance earlier.  Be that as it may, it's at least a better idea than what I was thinking: running through the fire and hoping the speed was enough to minimize how badly we'd get burned.  As for a second way out, the beetles have a way in - a way that isn't the portal - so there's a chance one could squeeze an escape that way.  But I agree with Joe.  Evidence suggests there's got to be a correct 'answer' to this test with no question.  The reward, one hopes, would be a painless way out."

She focuses on the dead beetle.

"And if we can avoid scattering bug parts around the room that'd be great."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Thu 23 Oct 2008.

Timothius glances at Gale. "....." and decides not to comment. "Thanks for the shade earlier, by the way." He says, remembering how grateful he was earlier for Gale protecting him from the flames. "I can't imagine why you would think to go to the source of the Beetles. There could be hundreds of them waiting for us on the other end..." he then nods. "Yeah... there could be a correct answer. Or another trap. Since you know for sure this is a portal connected to another place, I say we stick with the safest route: The portal. I remember hearing about a judge who reached a verdict of "innocent" and the defendant was sentenced to death anyway. Whoever stuck us here, I don't trust a thing they say."

Prathen tilts his head some, listening to the conversations. He nods to Gale and then turns his gaze onto Timothius, before giving his head a shake.

"I would not call trying to jump into a portal surrounded by magical flame to be safe. Things like this tend to be called traps, and there usally are ways to defuse those. It is also possible that trying to jump into the portal would land us somewhere even worse while the flames are on. If this is some sort of test like you believe it to be, then failing it would most likely mean death or serious injury, so leaping without looking most likely would not be healthy."

Prathen then starts to look around the floor, starting near the portal and flames, crouching low as he examines the tiles. "Instead of just wandering around, we can always just look for more traps."

11:07, Today: Prathen rolled 15 using 1d20+8. Perception check.

The floor consists of 5' stone squares tightly fitted together.  Prathen notices a tiny gap between the stone where the beetles arrived and the rest of the floor, indicating that the stone can (and did) move mechanically.  Prathen can't compare it with the tile that triggered the beetles arriving from where he's located, but he DOES notice a similar tiny gap in a somewhat unlikely place - about the middle of the left wall - indicating that this tile could possibly be a trap square.

Nothing very notable on the floor near the flames.  The sections of the metal grill that's covering the source of the flames looks like they could be easily removed if the flames weren't there.  This detail is easily noticed by anyone without looking hard, not that it helps much.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:25, Fri 24 Oct 2008.

Prathen gives a light hummm as his eyes fall on the square in the middle of the left wall, and he nods his head. "Ah, there we go, that looks like a trigger tile over there. Do we have anything heavy and expendable that we can toss on it?"

Elric looks to Prathen and laughs, “Why not use one of the two fire beetle corpses we have?”

Elric then begins to move one of the fire beetle corpses (fire beetle 1) towards the tile Prathen pointed out but stops short of pusing the corpse onto the tile as Elric asks, “We should get ready prior to triggering whatever this tile does, so I'll wait till everyone says they are ready before pushing it onto the tile. And I'll be ready to pull it off if needed.”

_{[OOC: Move Fire Beetle 1's corpse next to the tile 1 square south of Elric's new position, so that the corpse is next to the possible trap tile.]}

  So, let’s review.

  Someone else checked for trigger, meaning he didn’t have to.
  Someone else moved the dead bug around and is ready to press the tile, meaning he didn’t have to.
  Joe was at a nice midway distance between the fire and where the bugs had come from.
  Joe was still holding his favorite sharp object in the whole world (Because it was both his, stabbed people that were not him).

  “Yeah, I think I’m good.”  No Joe, You’re Unaligned.  Get it right.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Fri 24 Oct 2008.

Gale carefully considers her location relative to the fire, the trigger square, and the place where the beetles came from and decides she can only improve her chances of survival a little by relocating.  Oh well.  A little is better than nothing.  As she moves around the others her stool vanishes.

"Ok, Elric," she says, "Ready."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:49, Fri 24 Oct 2008.

Timothius folds his arms. "I still think it would be safer to travel to the portal which we *do* have an idea what it does by covering the flames with the beetles since we wouldn't get burned than it is to press a tile that we have no idea what it does. The tile could have the walls close in on us or some such. But go ahead. Worst case scenario, I'm right and we have to hurriedly drag beetle corpses to the fire and jump into the portal. Best case scenario, you're right and the tile gives an alternate way out."

Prathen shrugs his shoulders some, and places his hands on the hilts of his scimitars, and nods to Elric. "I'm ready." He takes a side glance over to Timothius, and shrugs his shoulders again, but does not make a comment.

(Elric gave the go-ahead to kick off the triggered event without him saying the obvious "Elric does as he said he was going to do.")

When the beetle is pushed onto the suspect square, it sinks half an inch and the sound of sliding stone can be heard at the far right side of the room.  Prathen, Joe, Timothius, and Gale can see the stone tile at the far right corner of the room sink out of view then return with two fire beetles on top.  One of the beetles (B2) slides of the other and lands on it's back. (Is now prone)

"Incorrect," the mysterious voice announces, "as you can see, the result of incorrect answers will not always be the same as the previous ones."

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ

(20:14, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 21 using 1d20+1. fire beetle initiative.)
20:17, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Elric, rolled 4 using 1d20+1. Initiative.   sorry...  didn't roll that right...
20:20, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Elric, rolled 16 using 1d20+1. Initiative.  Will suck. There.  Mistake corrected.
20:23, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Joe Darkthorne, rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Initiative.
20:25, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Prathen, rolled 13 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
20:28, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Timothius, rolled 11 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
20:29, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Gale, rolled 19 using 1d20+1. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:43, Sat 25 Oct 2008.

Timothius says, "Well at least the walls aren't closing in on us." in a half see-I-told-you-so, but also half optimistic sense.

  “And continuing the ‘Tim has better ideas’ trend, more bodies to toss on the pile.  Unlesss we could nonviolently convince them to stand over the flames for us, in which case I’m ignoring his good ideas again.”  This said as Joe took a few steps to the side, pointed at one of the bugs further commenting, “My dislike for you is inordinately large compared to the amount of hassle we’ve faced.”  As he let a rock fly from his sling (Gotta love Quick Draw).

  Hitting the stupid bug right in its stupid bug face.

[ (Standard: Deft Strike Sling + Sneak + Quarry .  Minor: Mark B2 . Move: Duh.)

20:49, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 17 using 1d20+7. Joe To Hit.
Sparing the spam, 9+8+1= 18 DMG
That’s a good rock. Do max Sling damage for Joe.
And if these bugs still have 32 HP, that’s 14 HP left on B2 ]

Fire Beetle defenses:
HP: 32; Bloodied: 16
AC 13; Fort 13, Reflex 12, Will 11

The injured fire beetle shrieks at the attack!  It rights itself and begins to charge at Joe.  The other beetle moves toward Joe, covering more ground than the injured one.

(Getting up from being prone is a move action.)

Gale only has a few seconds to decide what to do about the charging beetles and reacts instinctively.  She hurls a beach ball sized snowball behind the beetle closest her and it explodes on the floor creating a 15' by 15' sheet of ice.  Large vertical icicles shoot up from the frozen area, one of which flips the beetle in front of Joe onto it's back.

"Might wunna back up, Joe," she warns as she takes her own advice, "Beetle bites are very painful, and I think the one you hit is very angry with you."

22:26, Today: Gale rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Icy Terrain vs. Beetle 1.
22:29, Today: Gale rolled 9 using 1d6+5. Icy Terrain damage vs. beetle 1.    Beetle 1 is knocked prone.

(Icy Terrain encounter power:  Area burst 1 within 10; +Int vs. Reflex; Hit: 1d6+Int +1 for Burning Blizzard feat damage, and the target is knocked prone.  Effect: Area is difficult terrain till end of next turn.)

(Orb of Imposition once-per-encounter class feature would extend the effect of the Icy Terrain, but after re-reading the description I think I have to use it as a minor action on my next turn.  phb 157.)

FB1 status - HP: 32-6= 26, prone. (grants combat advantage)
FB2 status - HP: 32-18= 14, bloodied.  (has anime-style # sign in front of it's forehead for how angry at Joe it is.)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Sat 25 Oct 2008.

Elric quickly picks up the corpse and then dumps it into another square to insure the trap doesn't go off again.“Okay, another tile we now know to avoid.”

The Warforged Cleric of Pelor then moves over towards the prone beetle and lunges at it with his spear as Elric's “Pelor does not approve of those who exist only to cause others to suffer!” as Elric manages to stab the prone Fire Beetle hastily, although his spear only manages to call a relatively minor wound compared to what it is capable of.

Furthermore, a ghostly glowing image of the sun to appears on the prone Fire Beetle as Elric continues to speak, “and now Joe shall smite you as he has your companion!”

_{[OOC:
Minor Action: Pick up Beetle Corpse (unattended item within reach).
Free Action: drop beetle corpse one square to the east of it (where it was before being pushed into the trap square)
Move Action: Move 4 squares to the east.
Standard Action: Righteous Brand vs the prone Beetle (1) which hits for 6 Damage.
00:01, Today: Elric rolled 16 using 1d20+9. Righteous Brand vs B1, Will Suck!. (FB1 now at 20hp) and Joe gets a +4 to hit Beetle 1 during his next turn.
00:02, Today: Elric rolled 6 using 1d10+4. Righteous Brand Damage vs B1, Will Suck!.
]}

Prathen looks to Joe and Timothius and snorts as he moves over to the beetle, drawing his scimitars as he does. "Well, excuse me for trying to find a way to put out the flames and prevent us from getting badly burnt.  If your so worried about beetles that pose no threat to us, we could always use you as a stepping stool to get over the flames."

As he pulls out his scimitars he slashes at the beetle, swinging both his weapons viciously.


Moving 3 squares east and pulling out weapons.
Attacking with Twin Fang Strike.
01:22, Today: Prathen rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Scimitar 1. (To Hit)
01:22, Today: Prathen rolled 14 using 1d20+5. Scimitar 2. (To Hit)
01:24, Today: Prathen rolled 7 using 1d8+3. Scimitar 1 damage.
01:24, Today: Prathen rolled 4 using 1d8+3. Scimitar 2 damage.
01:24, Today: Prathen rolled 7 using 1d8. Hunter's Quarry. (This would only count if drawing weapons is a free move, I'm not sure of this. Activating Hunter's Quarry is a minor action.)

FB1 status - HP: 26-6-7-4= 9, prone and bloodied. (grants combat advantage)
FB2 status - HP: 14, bloodied.  (has anime-style # sign in front of it's forehead for how angry at Joe it is.)

Prathen is correct.  Drawing weapons for most characters is considered a minor action (PHB 267), but you can take a feat "Quick Draw" to remove this limitation.  (PHB 200).  Characters can use 2 minor actions and a standard if they don't take a move action.  (PHB 268)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ

Timothius hurries over to where the beetles are while saying, "Threatening serious injury on allies already? Sounds like I should be more afraid of you than any traps."

He hurries around Joe, making up his mind that only half his allies are trustworthy so far. Timothius uses Bolstering Strike on Fire Beetle 1 and crushes it with his great sword, rendering it lifeless.

"Like I'm afraid of these things." Timothius grumbles before pointing at the other Beetle. "YOU! HERE! NOW!" he says as if overcompensatingly proving his point, using Divine Challenge.


(That's 1 move action, 1 standard action for the attack and 1 minor action for the divine challenge.)
(12:08, Today: Timothius rolled 15 using 1d20+5. Bolstering Strike.)
(12:10, Today: Timothius rolled 9 using 1d10+2. Damage.)
(Timothius now has 2 Temporary Hit Points)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Sat 25 Oct 2008.

  Wow.  Joe smites things so hard he doesn't even need to smite them?...  No, that would be silly.  Even for him.

  "I must be missing some obvious reason for why lighting Tim on fire could possibly be a good idea, because I can't think of any."
  Wait.  Moment of math...  Five of them, four that weren't Tim...  Tim rushing to place his spine within casual arms reach.

  Did Joe somehow end up in the 'trustworthy' half of the list?  If so, he couldn't possibly see why any more than he could see why lighting Tim in fire would be a good thing.

  Joe shrugged, and backed up a short ways as he sent another rock flyin for Bug skull... Wait, Bugs didn't have skulls.  So it could make some sense that Joe missed, what with aiming for nonexistent targets.

  "I am reminded why I use cheap, affordable by way of being free, rocks as ammo."

[ (Move: Duh.  Standard: Miss.) Another attack roll, another 3 on the virtual dice.]

Joe's attack may have missed, but it was more than enough to remind the bug that he was the one who took half it's health with 1 shot.  It recklessly ignores all other threats and runs toward Joe.  As it passes between Timothius and Prathen, they take advantage of the opportunity and kill it before it gets any further.


23:26, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Timothius, rolled 13 using 1d20+6. AoO vs. FB2 using great sword.
23:27, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Timothius, rolled 11 using 1d10+3. AoO damage vs FB2.
23:29, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Prathen, rolled 14 using 1d20+5. AoO vs. FB2 using scimitar.
23:29, Today: Mittens, on behalf of Prathen, rolled 7 using 1d8+3. AoO damage vs FB2.


(Wow!  Gratz everyone on a flawless victory!  I'm glad Joe took Gale's advice.  If he hadn't moved back, you would have all found out why they're called fire beetles in a very painful way. :p)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Sun 26 Oct 2008.

"That went well," Gale remarks calmly as she moves to rejoin the group, "No bug bites this time from what I could see.  It's a comfort to know my new friends are so skilled in combat.

"Now to clear the air.  My interpretation of Prathen's words was that he was merely teasing Timothius about his compassion for these creatures - just like the rest of us have.  I don't think he was threatening throwing anyone on the fire, just suggesting that it wouldn't be beyond the valor of a paladin to allow himself to be a spring-board for the rest of us to jump over the fire.  I don't think he was implying that Timothius is afraid of bugs either, merely that he'd rather them not be hurt.

"Even if I'm wrong and our new friend was venting some frustration at our predicament, it's critically important for us to keep our heads and work together as our very survival could depend upon it.

"Tell me, my friends, are companionship, understanding, and patience for the sake of mutual survival all values we can agree to?  Wouldn't Pelor and Bahamut be pleased if their servants exemplified these virtues?"

Again she summons her stool to sit, indicating her mini speech is over, but she looks up at Timothius.

"Please accept my apologies for my teases about your compassion for fire beetles," she says with a slight bow of her head, "I meant you no insult.  To the contrary I find your gentle spirit to be quite refreshing."

Anyone who looks at Gale during her speech would notice a feature on the wall above her that wasn't there before.  About half way up the wall adjacent to the recently discovered trigger, sculpted from the same material the wall is made of, is a hand holding a vertical cylinder.  It's so obvious of a feature, there's no way anyone would have missed it earlier.  How it appeared there is anyone's guess, but when is clear.  It must have been during the most recent combat encounter.  Since he's facing the bottom wall, Joe can see another just like it over the entrance.

(Gale's icy terrain vanishes.)

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...dholdingcylinder.jpg
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:10, Sun 26 Oct 2008.

With the latest round of beetles defeated, Elric first listens to what other have to say before turning and nodding to Gale as she speaks. The Warforged Cleric then turns his attention to Prathen and says, “Statements that if carried out would inflict harm on an ally or innocent, do not make for good jokes. Timothius' reaction is understandable since we do not yet know each other well enough to instantly recognize when someone is being serious, or sarcastic. Even then, sarcastic comments about harming others, simply for your own gain, such as getting yourself through that portal possibly at the cost of Timothius' life, is never something I, or Pelor, would approve of.”

Elric then looks up at the object he noticed on the wall, namely the hand with a cylinder, and then looks around at the walls, noticing the second one over the entrance. “I don't recall those being there before, I wonder what else has changed,” as Elric points the two 'objects' out as he slowly and carefully looks to see if there are any more of those objects on the walls of the room.

_{[OOC: If Elric needs to make a perception check as he looks around the room, he's taking ten which would result in a 13, but he's looking for obvious things which shouldn't have a high DC to find anyways, and will move around the room to areas he feels are safe as needed to avoid having the fire block his line of sight.]}

Prathen gives a snort at the comments from the others, but does not respond. By the looks of it, this elf does not really seem to care what the others think about him, if they like him or trust him. Its not like he signed up to be there after all. He also wonders why everyone seems to think he should care what their deitys would approve of, though he does not say anything about that either, instead he steps away from all of the people, giving a light snort.

Elric frowns as he doesn't find any more of those hands with cylinders on the walls, as his looking around the room takes him near the door, although he wisely avoids the known trap tile, but when he turns back to the group Elric notices something on the back of the door that causes him to pause. The warforged then studies his find for a few seconds before the warforged backs up slightly.

For Elric realizes it might not be wise to explain what he has found where he has found it, so Elric then heads back to the rest of the group and says, “There is a message on the back of the door that says, Welcome to the fire vault.  The exit is at the center.  Do not approach the exit while the protective flames are active or serious injury may occur.  To deactivate the protective flames, locate and light the appropriate number of trigger torches simultaneously according to the code word.  This month's code word is 'edges.' However, it doesn't say what would happen if the torches are not triggered at the same time, so I feared reading that message aloud near the door as that might have triggered one of the torches. That is if those objects on the walls are indeed the torches.”

  "...Does it give any suggestions on what the appropriate number of trigger torches is?  We've killed bugs from two triggers, and there are torches on two sides of the square now.  Of course, I'll wait to see if others want to try just the two cylinders first before I press any new triggers if I happen to find em, considering the possible trend of further bug amount increase.  Especially if the amount of torches is more than right now, and if even whatever grand total we get all of them aren't correct."  And to think, had the door been large enough, Joe would have probably noticed this during attempts at plan 'walk the door plank'.

  He looks over to Gale "I've gotten into the habit of not making claims I won't brutally murder people for no reason because it just seemed like a sensible thing to assume as a default.  And for some reason I think people would be more worried if I constantly assured them that I wasn't going to wear their intestines as a festive hat, than if I didn’t bring up the subject at all."

  Musings on tiles per fire square side thingy logic and banter aside,  Joe was taking some time to look over the rest of the room to see if there were any more triggers, without setting em off, and without dropping everything just cause he found one, till he was done with the room...

  And when he was done with said room, he found that he was freaking wrong in one of his initial assumptions.  "There's six triggers total."  Not 4, which would have match those fiery doom square sides, way to be WRONG Joe.  "One in each corner, and one in each wall center area.  Well, we've had two wall centerish parts get an 'incorrect' answer, but we haven't tried any corners yet...  But the corners are where the bugs come from.  I'm open to suggestions so very much right now."

[ Take 10 Perc check got 25.  Which got results.  Considering my crazy roll, use the Co-Op check to look over specific bits of the room I ignored you think would be nice to check via my WIN results +incidental +2's peoples.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Mon 27 Oct 2008.

With the team's help, Joe finds the following:  Each corner and each wall has a tile that's different from the rest of the floor.  Different in that there's a small gap between the tile and the rest of the floor indicating it can move.  This means that the trigger tiles and the tiles that the beetles entered through are very similar to each other.  When standing underneath the stone hands, a faint scent of lamp oil can be smelled, confirming the idea that they're torches.  Above each of the suspect tiles where a stone hand hasn't yet appeared, a hair-thin outline of a square can be seen that matches the shape of the outline surrounding the visible hands.  The lamp oil can be smelled at these other locations as well indicating that torches could be hidden there somehow.  Close inspection of the instructions reveals that the word "edges" was written on top of an earlier erased word or words.

(With a 25 perception check I could go on about how the entire place is probably made from volcanic materials, the walls are most likely the exact same size and shape as the floor, that the door hinges aren't rusty in the slightest, but I don't think such details are necessary.)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Mon 27 Oct 2008.

Timothius is grateful he doesn't have anything to respond to where Prathen is concerned. Though the two snorts say it all. Timothius doesn't understand people who purposely distance themselves from others, but figures he'll just keep an eye out for the protection of the his allies as well as his own protection.

When faced with the challenge of the puzzle, he says, "I suspect that means that we're supposed to light the torches that line the walls, but not the ones in the corners since the key word is "edges", suggesting edge of room rather than corner of room. But one of those torches is missing and if I'm right, I am guessing we'll have to fight more beetles before the next one appears... namely from stepping on the tile on the East wall. I think the tiles both pull beetles out as well as reveal the torches. But if we can find another way to get the torches out, that would be good..."

Timothius looks around at his fellow adventurers hopefully, wondering if any of them have ideas on how to bring the torch out into view. He can't help but be worried that there literally is NO way out of here without getting hurt a little more. But at least they have more beetles to work with. Timothius holds out on grabbing beetle carcasses for now, though.

Prathen tilts his head some, listening to the conversation from a distance. He gives his head another shake, and moves himself over to a wall, leaning against it, not bothering to speak, deciding there is no point after the reaction to his pointing out the trap square in the first place. He just closes his eyes and lets the others do what ever they decide to do.

Gale would be giggling at Prathen's double-snorting, head-shaking, and isolation posturing but her other friends' paranoia is beginning to have an effect on her.

"A closed mouth gathers no feet," she thinks to herself, "Perhaps it's wisest that he's chosen not to say anything at all.  I wonder if he worships one of the gods the other two can't tolerate.  In any case, I should follow his example and remain silent on that topic."

She moves closer to the door and carefully reads the instructions over and over.

"Good guess, Timothius," she says, "If you're right the answer is 'three.'  If the code word were 'corners' it would have been th...three maybe four.  This room has four corners if you count the ceiling."

She points at the highest point in the room.

"Maybe the answer isn't three.  Six trap tiles, six places where torches should be judging from the fine lines on the wall.  I'm guessing the answer could be anything from 2 to 6 given the instructions said 'simultaneously.'  Obviously the answer isn't 'step on one trigger square at an ed..'"

She covers her mouth, blushing.  What if Elric's instincts about refraining from the taboo word "edges" was on the money?  She could have almost activated another trap.  She's nowhere near skilled enough to detect a magical verbal trap trigger, so best to err on the safe side.

"We've been told three times that stepping on a single mid-wall trigger is 'incorrect,'" Gale continues in a low tone, more to herself than the rest of the group, "But why are there only 2 torches?  Two is equal to the number of unique triggers we've activated.  They must have appeared when we stepped on the triggers near them.  Don't suppose anyone noticed if the torches light briefly when the nearby trigger is stepped on or they'd have said so.....  Perhaps it's malfunctioning!"

She clears her throat and speaks up so everyone can hear.

"Anyone here happen to be good at disabling traps?  I don't want to light any torches or trigger any tiles before we try something to prevent more infestations.  As the voice said, 'the result of incorrect answers isn't always the same,' and as Timothius pointed out that doesn't bode well for our safety.  Also, it might be a good idea to gather all the beetles in a pile near the fire.  If we need to beat a hasty retreat, we'll at least have the option of shoving the bug pile on the fire as a make-shift bridge as was suggested earlier."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Mon 27 Oct 2008.

  One of the benefits of others giving input, is you could blame them if something didn't turn out so well.  But he was too lazy to blame Prathen for such after they pointed out the most recent trigger.  There are worse things than ignoring the person who wants to be ignored.

  Back to the subject at hand, Joe hadn't considered attempting to disarm the tiles due to being uncertain if that would also disable everything else, considering the wacky nature of this place.  However, as he got started on Gale's suggestion, (18:34, Today: Joe Darkthorne rolled 38 using 1d20+19. Joe Disarm Traps.) he had the feeling he'd manage juuuuust fine.

  "'Mildly crispy but alive' does beat 'eaten by bugs', so gearing up Tim's idea just in case wouldn't exactly be a bad thing."

[Of course, while I did get a roll better than I'd expected (nevermind you can't crit fail a skill check, and my minimum on a take ten would be 20), It would be a bit much to assume automatically I can use one roll for multiple traps across an entire room.]

Joe discovers that by using a sharp tool the tiles can be pried up to reveal the workings underneath.  The workings are extremely simple.  The construction suggests that the trigger tile doubles as a doorway to the land of fire beetles.  (Or vice-versa)  One lever leads under the floor straight down suggesting it probably releases the mechanism that activates the opening of the floor tile for beetles to come out.  A single cog held in place by a cotter-pin obviously is the driving mechanism behind opening the floor and delivering the beetles from below.  A second lever leads into the nearby wall suggesting it might have something to do with activating a torch above.  Several small springs line the perimeter to push the tile back in place after it's been stepped on.

The hardest part was lifting the heavy stone tile from it's housing, and that alone would be enough to disable the trap.  One could remove the cog and disengage the trigger lever for some added sabotage if one were worried about someone reaching down there to commit suicide by bug.

(It's a DC 15 thievery check to disable these traps.  Taking ten is fine.  Thanks to the huge thievery check, I think I'll throw in a little extra:  Joe pieces together clues when disabling the traps that should the team feel ambitious, they could probably pull the whole floor apart and with a little excavation get at the base of the fire or find where the cut-off mechanism is.)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Tue 28 Oct 2008.

While Elric is glad that the others seem to making progress on dealing with the situation, although the warforged is clearly confused as to what to do next since he isn't sure if 'edges' was a double reference to the torches to light, the torches to not light, or nothing to do at all with which ones are to be lit.

However as Elric watches Joe start to skillfully disable trap tiles, the Warforged wonders where the Fire Beetles came from...as he doubts there are 'Fire Beetle Farms' that sell them to whoever the crazy people who set this place up are.

To Gale, Timothius smiles. Then strokes his chin. "I don't think it's a malfunction. I think the tiles were supposed to all be stepped on at the same time?"

Timothius is no technician, but watching Joe, he suspects maybe there is yet another way out of here. "...orrr Joe could just save the day with reverse engineering? Getting any ideas from your latest discovery, Joe?" After all, Timothius reeeeeeeeeeeeally doesn't wanna risk even a little harm to anyone.

Gale smiles back at the cat and rejoins the others.  She summons the medieval equivalent of a marshmallow on a stick and pretends to roast it over the fire.

"Very expertly done, Joe," she says while munching on her illusionary treat, "Thanks!  Well with the traps disabled, anyone mind if I find out what happens when I light the torches?"

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ

Prathen gives his head another shake, and steps away from the wall. He then makes his way to the tunnel they all entered through, making sure to hop over the trap square as he does, and then makes his way down the hallway, still not speaking to them, he just gives a snort and walks away, heading back to where he woke up.

  "I'm pretty sure most of you could have pried the floor plates up just fine without me...  And there are six tiles, while there aren't that many of us.  So all at once would be kindof a jerkface thing to make a requirement...  But being thrust into our current situation doesn't suggest nice people."

  He looked over to the rest of them, "Pulling up the tiles next to the fires might be possible, but spending that much time next to them would probably be a bad idea.  And considering we've gone with every other plan as it's turned up... Well, except Tim's,  it would only be fair we give you a shot at it too Gale."

  Sometimes life isn't fair.  And sometimes, life being fair can be an potentially stupid idea.  As would asking Prathen to shut the door on his way out.

Timothius watches Prathen leave. "....Make that *four* of us?" he says, confused by Prathen's actions. Timothius doesn't know what to make of the snorting ranger. "...He's a grumpy elf." he whispers to Gale. Then looks the gizmos over. Then nods. "Yeah... feel free, Gale. But don't forget it has to be simultaneous, so unless you can do that yourself, we will all need to participate somehow."

The beetle corpses both sadden Timothius and slightly spook him. He doesn't like death in any of it's forms and will be happier once he escapes this room with the others.

After listening to the others discuss the situation while signing at Prathen's departure from the group, the warforged cleric asks, “So if we are going to try and use the password at several of the tiles at once there are three questions we need answered. Which ones will we try first? Who will be be the one to try to light which torch? And how should we synchronize the lighting of the torches since the writing did say it had to be done at the same time.”

Elric then glances at the others while awaiting their responses.

[Private to Elric; Joe Darkthorne; Timothius:

Timothius:

"...He's a grumpy elf."

I nearly died laughing.  This is a quote from the movie "Elf." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjmjtOnDyYs]

Gale sweatdrops at Prathen's exit.  Perhaps he was sleepier than she thought.

"Using magic, I can light as many as two simultaneously," she answers, "given I have a lit candle for my mage hand to drop onto a torch...  Three if saying a magic word near one works.  I'll give it a try."

She conjures a candle for her mage hand and lights it.  It carries it to one of the torches.  She gestures at the other visible torch, shouts the word "Edges," and wills the mage hand to release it's candle.  The two visible torches light, but nothing else happens, not even an "incorrect" comment from the mysterious voice.  After a few seconds, the torches snuff out.

(This would take 12-18 seconds of time.  Standard to create a candle, Move to pass the hand close enough to the fire to light the candle on it's way up to the torch.  Gale move into square near where a third torch should be while keeping the other 2 torches in sight, then standard action to light a torch with prestidigitation, and a free action to have the hand drop the candle on the other torch.)

"Well that was anticlimactic," she muses, "I guess that rules out the answer 'two.'  On the bright side, no beetles this time.  Judging from the length of time the torches stayed lit, I'm thinking that by 'simultaneously' they mean 'within a few seconds of each other.'  Also, I'm more convinced that stepping on the trap square caused them to appear and light at the same time.  That way, someone could possibly deactivate the fire without any help if they stepped on the right number of squares in quick enough succession."

She squats down and takes another look at one of the disabled trap squares.  The conjured candle vanishes.

"Now we need to figure out how to get the other torches to appear.  These things look like they trigger 2 different things when stepped on...  One most likely is the bug dispenser.  Perhaps the other dispenses a torch."

She points at one of the two levers in the open disabled trap square.

  “Sure, just pull the levers by the wall.  Don’t use the other ones unless you feel like adding more bugs to the scenery.  As for setting off the traps to light the torches, I might go along with the ‘appear and light’ theory if that had actually happened, instead of them just appearing.”

  On the do to list.  Pull the apparent torchomatic levers in the various disarmed tiles.  Joe got to working on that short list, though unlike last time, he would stop if something unexpected turned up.

Timothius heads over to the tile that has yet to wield a torch. "Well here goes nothing..." Timothius pulls the lever Joe indicated and watches for a torch.

Without a sound, a panel about half way up the wall / corner near where the lever is activated appears.  Then a stone hand identical to the others slides out.  The torch it holds ignites and burns for a few seconds before it snuffs out.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Thu 06 Nov 2008.

"Now to figure out how to light it at the same time as the others," Gale says, "I've got a rope in my backpack... Anyone have a torch?  We could toss the rope over the hand to hoist a torch up there...  Or better yet..."

She tugs on the lever that Timothius activated, and again the torch lights for a few seconds before it snuffs out.  Gale smiles.

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRQOb52abtQtLQ
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Wed 05 Nov 2008.

After watching Gale and Timothius pull a lever to briefly light the third torch the Warforged Cleric says, “It would seem that we can try to light all three of the torches on the edges of the room at once by having three people pull the appropriate levers at the same time based on a signal from one of us. So who wants to pull which lever?”

"I'll take the one at the door," Gale offers as she walks that way.

  Due to wonders of lacking anything better to do at the moment, Joe figured he may as well go with this.  “I guess I’ll work this one then.”  It wouldn’t be too hard, considering he was already standing next to the thing.

  “Though I’m about ready to try the Beetle BBQ method if we don’t get the flames turned off much longer.”

“Then I'll handle this one,” as Elric moves over to the last of the 3 'edge' torches.

"On the count of three," Gale suggests, "One... two... three!"

When the team simultaneously pulls the three levers at the edges of the room, the three torches light.  The fire at the center of the room immediately snuffs out, making the room much darker.  Only the magical portal exit and the 3 small torches on the walls remain as light sources.  In the same instant, a immense stone wall slams down behind Gale, blocking the path to the prison cells.

"Excellent," the mysterious voice commends, "Please proceed through the exit after completing each test."

(Should anyone look for what's on the other side of the portal, the next room looks to have a fountain in the center.  It is otherwise empty.)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:26, Sat 08 Nov 2008.

  “Ah, it’s official then.  It’s one of those days.”  Joe commented in regards to the implications of more ‘tests’ from here.

  “I wonder if I’ll come to be as annoyed by water more than burning ouch?”  He wondered as he looked through the portal.  An important (at least to him) detail would be if the portal had a normalish view, or was looking down into the room suggesting Gravity will be a jerk upon entry.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:03, Sun 09 Nov 2008.

Timothius jumps as the stone wall slams down. "Mya!" and then looks over to see it and gets a saddened expression. "But... Prathen is on the other side of that wall." he puts on a more serious face. "I guess we'll have to rescue him by defeating whoever came up with this idea!" he walks over to the portal and says, "We should all step through at once in case our "host" decides to close the portal upon anyone entering."

Glancing back at the now sealed door, Elric als ponders what will become of Prathen, but as the warforged is more concerned with the survival of Joe, Timothius, Gale, and of course himself, Elric says “I agree with Timothius in that we should all pass through the portal at the same time, as I wouldn't put it past them to have the fires come back on after someone enters it,” as the Warforged cleric moves closer to the portal, but does not enter it.

Gale nearly jumps out of her skin at the sudden wall-slamming-shut behind her.  She puts her hand on her heart and catches her breath.  Sure looks like Prathen's trapped... but who knows?  She reaches out and pushes against the new wall with all her might just to be sure.  Sure enough, it's a real stone wall.

"Could chuck a beetle in to see if any ice spiders pop up out of the ground to eat it as soon as it appears on the side," Gale suggests, "Better the beetle than us.  If the fire re-lights we can pull the triggers again.  But before we do I think we should leave better instructions for Prather or anyone else who might wind up stuck in here."

She begins carving words into the wooden door with her knife.

(The floor on the other side of the portal is even with the floor in the current room.)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:23, Sun 09 Nov 2008.

  And so, Joe showed that he could go with suggestions once more.  By shoving a dead bug through the portal.

  Provided nothing obviously noticeable happened as a result, Joe would then go with more ‘lets just get on with it already!’ methods by way of just entering the freaking portal already instead of waiting to write an essay about the pro/con situation about it.

  Well, looks like it's obvious what Joe did then, now isn't it?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Mon 10 Nov 2008.

The body of the dead beetle slides into the next room uneventfully.

Timothius nods. "Well we'll have a dead beetle on the other side now. Let's go in." with that, he steps in with the others unless someone decides to stay back for some odd reason.

Elric looks confused for a moment as he's wondering why in his mind he's thinking about if some crazy bard was watching all this, would that bard come up with a song about 'Beetle Heads'. Shaking his head to be rid of such strange thoughts, Elric says, “Might as well head on through, although are we going to keep the dead beetle around as a trap finder in case our resident trap finder gets laser or has an accident? Because if we do keep it around, I'm thinking people will believe we are crazy.” before the warforged walks through the portal when Timothius steps through it.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Tue 11 Nov 2008.

Gale hurriedly scratches the rest of her instructions on the door and joins the others.  She does not want to be left alone in that dark room.

"'A fool makes irrational choices from rational options,'" Gale quotes, "'A lunatic makes rational choices from irrational options.'  We may as well accept that we're in a crazy situation and have no choice but to act a little strange."

The room that the team finds themselves in appears to be a small chamber in a cavern.  In the center of the room is a 5' wide water fountain built into the floor.  Under the water, the basin of the fountain is glowing.  The fountain is of simple design and is the only light source in the room.

http://jamesbrownontheroad.fil...006/08/wdscn7123.jpg

"Welcome to the second relaxation chamber," the mysterious voice announces, "This restorative liquid is provided for your refreshment."

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRSpxxmisVhZHQ
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Tue 11 Nov 2008.

Elric looks at the fountain and with his left hand scoops up a bit of the water and 'drinks' it even though Warforged don't need to drink, Elric figures that it still couldn't hurt to sample the liquid since Elric knows that warforged can benefite from salves and potions.

Elric feels an powerful surge of new life like he hasn't felt since he was "born!"  On top of feeling like he'd taken an extended rest, his mind and body feel sharper, tougher, better in every way!  A memory of learning new techniques enters his mind, fresh and natural as if a spell that was repressing it had just been washed away.

(Elric is now level 2.  He also gains an enhancement bonus of 1 as per the house rules regarding magic equipment.  Should anyone take a similar gamble with the fountain, they'll experience the same result.  ^.^)

  Joe Sees that Elric has not keeled over dead from the DnD equivalent of Mexico Water^TM... Which would probably be Luskan water, so that picking up endurance is now actually ICly relevant.

  So, as stabbing the hell out of things next to a giant BBQ pit is thirsty work,  Joe also takes a drink before considering an important detail 'Wait, can metal people even get poisoned?'

Timothius, seeing Elric and Joe not drop dead, heads over to the fountain as well and says, "I guess even deranged psychopaths have to have their own rules..." before he sips from the water as well. Upon the effects happening to him, he perks up and his ears point up more. "Wow... this is great stuff. I mean... it feels like I've been renewed and then some."

Gale notices the others' reaction and decides to take a sip.  O.O!  "Wow is right!" she agrees, "I feel like I've been reborn!"

She drinks deep, then dumps all the water out of her waterskin on the floor before filling it with the magical fountain water with only a fleeting thought that the magical water will lose it's magic if taken from the fountain... or worse.  Oh well.  Worth it.

  Joe really didn't see the appeal in feeling like they had been reborn.

  Cold, screaming, naked, and weak as the proverbial baby was not a good situation to be in most times.  Even less so when you were someplace that was off and on trying to kill you.

  "Well, at least right now the next question is a simple one.  Left or right." This said in regards to the two different directions there seemed to be to go.

Timothius pauses and and says, "While I don't want to stare a gift-horse in the mouth, be on the lookout for traps from now on. I personally am not trained for that, but I will happily be the wall between you and getting hurt when it's needed."

Remembering that it was Joe who disabled the traps in the 'fire beetle room', Elric speaks up, “I believe that finding and disabling traps is Joe's job within the group, even if he only does it out of interest of keeping himself alive, as tripped traps can kill us all, not just the one who trips the trap.”

Elric then looks to the left and right 'exits' to the room and asks, “As far as left or right, anyone have a better idea than flipping a coin?”

Gale remembers what Timothius shared about fire beetles.  She crouches down and cuts the fire beetle's fire gland from it's body with her dagger, summons a new mage hand, then gives the gland for the hand to carry.  She then wills for the hand to move down the left hall being careful to keep it well away from the floor, ceiling, and walls.

"Well from the looks of things," Gale observes, "The left becomes more interesting sooner.  I vote left."

00:48, Today: Fire Beetle rolled 6 using 1d12. duration of glowing gland = 6 hours.
http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRSpxxmisVhZHQ
This message was last edited by the player at 06:00, Thu 13 Nov 2008.

  Joe just shrugged as he started heading in the suggested direction "I'll keep your suggestion in mind next time I'm trying to decide whether or not to listen to my conscience Elric." ...Wait, that would mean what result now?  Even the narration department is a bit hazy there.

  Yes, Joe would stop short if continuing on would mean triggering something.  So a definite marking on the OOC map of Joe's position isn't exactly possible yet.

[ Okay, Perc of 18 means insta notice of the 15 DC's, and I'd need only a roll of 2 (so of course more 1's are guaranteed) for 20's.  Ridiculous DC's turning up will be dealt with through the wonders of take ten.  Even more ridiculous DC's will result in taking up Tim's offer already? ]

The team advances together with Timothius and Joe taking the lead followed by Elric and Gale.  They don't find or trigger any traps before they come upon another chamber who's only interesting feature is the row of chests at the back of the room.  Each chest is shaped differently and has a different construction.  The first is shaped like a safe, is made of dull metal, and has the symbol of a sun on it.  The second is covered in crimson upholstery, has a symbol of an eye on it, and looks a lot like it was made for sitting on.  The third looks like a traveler's trunk, has a symbol of a dagger on it, and is covered in tan leather.  The fourth looks like an oversized ring box covered in white felt and has the symbol of a dragon on it.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:23, Thu 13 Nov 2008.

Timothius heads for the "fourth" chest and examines it. "Well our host seems to have made a chest for each of us. This one is clearly the one made for me... but are these gifts or traps? Will we need what's inside? Or will we regret opening them? Is this another test and opening them means we're "greedy" or something?"

Timothius looks around to see if there are any writings on the walls at all.

Elic walks over to the 'first chest' with the sun emblem on it as the warforged says, “I think this one is probably mine, although I don't know if these chests are trapped or not. However, I'm sure Joe could tell us by inspecting each chest. And then we'd know if they are testing to see if we are greedy or careless, or if they are simply leaving items they think we'd need to proceed.” as the warforged cleric glances to Joe to see if Joe says that the chests are booby trapped in some fashion.

  And so, Joe demonstrates the polite way to stare at chests.

  "Well, it would kind of figure the matching symbols would fit you're diety specific employment.  And I guess the eye one could be Gales...  But I don't know who the dagger chest would be for."  Joe shrugged as he made with the checking for traps, locks (if they were even locked in the first place?), etc passive style.

  A Dagger?  That definitely wasn't for him.  Whoever had placed the chests was obviously paying attention to minor personal details.  So obvious ones like 'short sword' would have been around.

  Not to say he wouldn't take a look anyways.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Fri 14 Nov 2008.

Joe finds no sign of any trap triggers.  When he opens his chest, he finds the following inside:

A pair of boots, a piece of chalk, a grappling hook, and a small cloth bag.

(Should Elric open his, he will find the following inside:
3 battle standards, and a small cloth bag.

Should Timothius open his, he will find the following inside:
A shield, a helmet, a belt, and a small cloth bag.)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Sat 15 Nov 2008.

Gale follows the group entering the room then stands in front of the chest with an eye.  She doesn't sense any bad mojo, so she watches Joe.  When he confirms that there aren't any traps he can see and opens his box without any drama, Gale follows suit on her own.

Gale finds the following inside:

A pair of sandals, a pair of glasses, a picnic basket, and a small cloth bag.

"Well well well," she comments, "It's almost like Christmas! Winter Solstice Festival with all these presents!"

She opens her bag and looks inside.  It contains 5 platinum pieces, 44 gold pieces, and a slip of paper.  She reads the paper to herself.

"Only better!  Listen to this!  'Feyleaf Sandals (AV 129).  520gp.  Power Daily Teleportation: When you fall, instead teleport safely to the nearest horizontal surface within 5 squares that can support your weight, take no falling damage, and land on your feet.'  'Arcanist's Glasses (AV 138). 680gp. Property: Gain a +3 item bonus to Arcana checks to detect magic.'  'Everlasting Provisions (PHB 254). 840gp. Property: After an extended rest, you open the basket, creating enough food and water to feed 5 medium or small creatures (or one large creature) for 24 hours."  (Or... at least... the IC version of the above that I'm 2 lazy 2 translate to IC)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Sat 15 Nov 2008.

Once Joe makes it clear that the chests are safe to open, Elric says “Given that the fountain made us stronger, if they wanted to test us if we were greedy, wouldn't the chests be trapped? Odds are these are items they think we'll need to continue their tests,” before 'he' opens 'his' chest and looks inside it. Elric finds 2 battle standards, a flint, and a small cloth bag. Elric first looks over the items, and looks into the bag to see what he can find inside the bag.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Sat 15 Nov 2008.

  Instructions? (Or would labels be more accurate?) Joe knew the value of such.  Just don't ask him to give a monetary calculation of said value.  Or what the variable for 'doesn’t read the damn instructions' would lower it by.

  "Same deal with my bag.  Granted with different words."  Regardless, new boots were still good for that whole 'new boots' thing.  That wasn't to say Joe got his current pair the same way he got his current sharp object of choice.  He bought those.

  From someone else who took them from a dead guy due to 'hey, they don’t need em' reasoning.  But whatever.

  "Although if the trend really is towards what we may need later, sneaking around and banter have never mixed very well unfortunately for me.  Though possibly fortunate for others."

  Get equipped with... New boots!  Still no Shadow Blade though.

Timothius curiously examines the equipment he finds inside the chest and reads the instruction.

Shield of the Guardian
(Daily: +1 AC to adjacent ally for the rest of encounter.)
Helm of Opportunity
(Property: +1 to opportunity attack rolls.)
Belt of Vigor
(+1 to healing surge value)

7pp 4gp

After reading the instructions, Timothius looks amazed. "....this... is nice." he says, equipping said items.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:30, Sat 15 Nov 2008.

16:40, Today: Mittens rolled 2 using 1d10. decide elric's loot.

Elric's instead of the battle standard of honor, Elric finds:
Hunter's Flint

Elric examples the note within the bag and realizes he now has a Battle Standard of Healing (Encounter: While placed, creates a burst 5 zone that while within Elric and his allies all regain a hit point whenever any of them spends a healing surge), a Battle Standard of Might (Encounter: While placed, creates a burst 5 zone that grants Elric and his allies a +1 power bonus to damage), a Hunter's Flint (Daily: which can make rather 'stealthy' campfire that last for 12 hours), and 5pp and 44gp, not to mention the bag itself.

Elric then places the money with the little funds he already had while placing the flint into the pouch embedded into his right leg, and then strapping both of the battle standards to his backpack so he can easily reach them when needed, the empty bag Elric places in his backpack, just incase it might come in handy later, after all it could be useful... for something, maybe a impromptu ghost costume for a tiny little critter, or something else possibly amusing. “Well if whoever is running this place is making sure we have equipment for us along with fountains to help us get stronger, means that whatever they throw at us next is going to be more difficult than the previous 'room' we had to deal with along with its Fire Beetles.”

"A valid point," Gale answers Elric, putting on the glasses and sandals, "I suppose at least for now we can enjoy the fact that we didn't get any 'incorrect' comments from the voice of doom.  Snack anyone?"

She puts her old shoes into her S.A.K. then pulls a aromatic piece of buttered garlic bread from her basket and holds it out to her friends.  If not for the fact that her robe is black, she'd look a lot like Little Red Riding Hood with this basket tucked under her left arm.

  Joe gets and does the obvious thing one does with a piece of garlic bread (pssst, that means eat it).  "Thanks.  And my cynicism sense is tingling for the reasons mentioned, yeah.  Unfortunately, all of us waiting around won't get any closer to correct answers than it would to incorrect ones.  But that doesn't mean we can't wait a moment."

  Once people are ready to get going, or at least hang back behind him, Joe will head towards the other unexplored area to the eastish direction.

[ Yay for Fleeting Ghost casual walking.  Assume from here that any walk or slower movement runs stealth check. Roll of 1 hits 13 ]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Sun 16 Nov 2008.

Timothius cracks a smile at Gale. "Thanks." he says serenely. Then he turns to the others. "I suspect this will get harder also... that said, maybe we should form a team strategy so we can work together more fluidly?"

Elric moves so that he has a better view of the rest of the group as he tries to think of a strategy, however despite the lack of smoke coming out of his 'ears' the warforged's mind doesn't seem to break down or anything, but he doesn't manage to come up with a better strategy than what he's seen so far, so the warforged cleric just says, “What's wrong with just having Joe search for traps while Timothius generally takes the lead with me close by so I can make the most of my great spear while Gale takes up the rear to unleash magic upon foes from a distance?”

"Good points all," Gale agrees in general, "My only addition is that I noticed the one encounter that ended with no one getting hurt was the one that began with the foes being at a significant distance from us.  If we're confronted with a foe, I think the best tactic is to let them come to us rather than the other way around.  More than that we could use hit and run tactics repeatedly to use terrain to our advantage or set up an ambush.

As she speaks she casually follows Joe's lead, using her illusions to illustrate her point in images.  She also has her mage hand carry the fire beetle "torch" right behind Joe.

(Gale will walk in step with Joe, keeping at least 5' between her and the next closest ally.)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRSpxxmisVhZHQ
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 16 Nov 2008.

  And thus,  Joe did walk in an easternish direction paying attention to his surroundings until such became known that he'd want to stop.

  Simple, yes.  But once more not very easy to translate to a static image map.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:32, Tue 18 Nov 2008.

Joe didn't find or trigger any traps by the time he made it to the end of the hall.  There's a bend to the right that leads to a closed double door.  The walls and ceiling in front of the door suggest there may be a repeat of what happened last time - a stone wall slamming down once the next room's challenge is completed.  Close examination of the door doesn't reveal any traps or magic connected with it.

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 01:17, Sat 22 Nov 2008.

"The door isn't magic," Gale says, "But I sense the presence of magic in the next room.  From three directions.  Southeast, south, and southwest.  It's stronger directly south." 

(Assuming the top of the map is north.  Gale's take 10 for detecting magic is 23.  She can detect magic within 7 squares of where she's standing, even through solid walls.  PHB 181.)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Sat 22 Nov 2008.

  Joe shrugged.  "Well, it's not as if we have much in the way of options for which way to go.  And as we don't know what's behind the door, harder to make an educated guess on whether I should enter the room alone to check things out, or we all go at once.  Whichever works for the rest of you I guess."

After following along with everyone else, Elric now moves forward a bit as he readies his great spear just in case there are enemies on the other side of the door he can reach them. “Well we won't learn anything about what is in there if we don't open the door, however I don't think rushing in would be a wise decision, given that there was a trap right behind the last door.”

Timothius, despite realizing his own gentle nature, figures the guy with sharp pointies who can disarm traps is PROBABLY nimbler with his fingers than Timothius is. But he also hates it when people volunteer him for things, thus would never volunteer someone else. He'd ask, but that would hint that Joe is a rogue, so he leaves room for Joe to tell more about himself. "I'll open the door as quietly as I can, unless someone here thinks they can do it quieter than me."

With that, he reaches for the door to try opening it quietly.

(OOC: Rolled an 18! Not bad at all! My stealth skill is 0!!)

This time, the doors hinge toward the group, meaning that when they are opened, both sides will have been seen.  Once opened, the dark room beyond is lit by the light of the beetle torch.  The center of the room is dominated by a square fence of trees planted so closely together their trunks have merged into what looks like a single massive twisted trunk.  At the base of the multi-tree, a maze of roots sinks into the floor making the floor within 5' of the tree difficult terrain.  The rest of the floor is made of wooden planks that have 1/2" gaps between them every 5 feet.

On the back of the door is a page with instructions on it.  "Enter the room then close the doors to begin the test.  To open the exit, locate the control panel on the far side of the room and solve the puzzle inside."

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 21:13, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

Gale commands her mage hand to enter the room with the beetle torch.  When the near corners of the room, the source of the magic she sensed earlier becomes apparent to those who can see them.  Sitting in either corner is an iron sculpture of a dog.

(Gale can't see them from where she's standing.)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

  "This is likely going to suck."  First things first, considering their short track record so far.  Check the tiles at the entrance of the room.

  Provided there wasn't anything up with them, he would then peek around the corners.  If the statues didn't react along with not facing towards the entrance, Joe would head into the first bit of the room.

[  http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYnUAM
Perc: 7+18=25

http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwY2j4M
Stealth: 6+12=18 ]

All four of the squares inside the room that Joe is adjacent to are hinged.  They're apparently rigged to open to a pit below them, though there's no visible trigger to make this happen.  It becomes clear to Joe that except for the areas filled with trees or roots, the entire room is probably trapped in the same way.  To disable the trap doors from opening would probably take a few minutes for each square.

Elric waits patiently for Joe to explain the situation of just how badly this room 'will suck' for the group. Elric glances around and asks, “Last time there was a written clue dealing with that room's puzzle on the back of the door. Anyone see any written clues regarding the puzzle of the room?” as the warforged cleric wonders if there would be such a clue for this room.

Gale points at the page on the door then reads it aloud.

"'Enter the room then close the doors to begin the test,' it says, 'To open the exit, locate the control panel on the far side of the room and solve the puzzle inside.'"

She rubs her chin.

"I wonder what happens if we don't close the doors.  Or what if we close them without entering?"

Elric shakes his head 'no' and says, “That tells us that there is a test and how to start it, not how to complete it, such as what sort of puzzle we will have to deal with or a clue on how to solve that puzzle.” as the warforged cleric isn't sure if Gale misunderstood what Elric was asking about, hence Elric's attempt at clarification.

  "I was wondering what Gale was.  And considering the first areas of the room seem to be pit traps, with a high possibility of more being so, I'm tempted to try and find a way to deal with as many hazards as possible before 'starting' the test and trapping us in an enclosed area.  Gimme a bit to see how much of a hassle these are."

  That said,  Joe started doing the obvious.

[ http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYuDsM
Thievery: 19+11=30
Not much of a hassle at all, even without tools. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Thu 27 Nov 2008.

(Darned if I know how you can disable a trap door with a lock pick, but Joe succeeds in jamming the thing somehow, making it unable to be triggered by... whatever it is that triggers these trap doors.)

Timothius looks to the others and says, "I could fly over to the tree to inspect it further. But I'll need a running start and a clear path..."

Timothius wiggles his wings as if to emphasize this fact.

"Could be our best option, Timothius," Gale answers, "Judging from what happened in the last room we shouldn't have to worry about a huge stone wall falling on us just for your entering the room...  only for solving the puzzle.  How hard would it be for you to fly back here if things get dangerous in there?  I still sense magic coming from the near corners of the room...  Could be a magical trap trigger."

  "If we were willing to take it very slow, I could systematically deal with pretty much every tile.  At the very least we should probably make sure we'll have enough safe standing room somewhere in here.  Which incidentally would include next to the trees...  But first"

  Remember that stealth roll?  Joe peeks around the corner to 'first time seeing em' notice the dog statues and which way they're facing.  If they were not facing the door, and nothing unpleasant occurs, Joe will do a quick attempt on the next down tile (with actual tools this time!), and the two to the right leading down from the entrance to the trees to clear out a 4 tile big square total in front of the entrance.

  Yeah, turns out they Dog statues are facing the door.  So Joe only deals with the remaining tile directly in front of the door without entering the room.

  "Well, there are two metal dog statues on either end of the room facing the door.  I'm not exactly a magical expert, but I don't think I'm being paranoid not setting foot in there quite yet."

OOC Style:

  http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwY-jkM
Thievery: 13+18=31
  http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwY-zkM
Thievery: 13+20= 33.  I love you rollr.
  http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYvTsM
Thievery: 13+4=15 17, whatever.  Why must you mock my feelings?
  http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYvjsM
Thievery, determine trap DC: 13+1=14  Good thing you can't crit fail skill rolls -.0  But amusingly, this will STILL answer Joe's question either way.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:46, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

The DC for disabling the a trap door in this room is 15.

Elric remains silent as the warforged realizes that no answer will be provided for his clarified question until someone reads the tablet in the room. The warforged cleric however, does ponder the significance of what appears to be four magical statues in the room, along with the tree, and how they must be part of the puzzle.“Is there anything I should be doing right now, or should I just continue to wait?”

(While technically Timothius got a higher arcana monster knowledge check, his doesn't tell him anything more than what Gale would tell the group.)

"Hold that thought, Elric..."

Gale steps forward to take a look at the statues Joe's talking about, while being careful to not enter the room.

"Iron defenders!" Gale exclaims when they come into view, "Those must be the source of magic I was detecting!"

She returns to the place she was standing before.

"Medium natural animate (construct, homunculus)," she quotes from memory, "A homunculus obeys its creator until he or she specifies a new owner, at which point the homunculus bonds with its new master. A homunculus is often tasked with guarding a specific creature, object, or location and gains powers that better enable it to perform this task.

"Given the track record of this place, my first guess would be that they've been ordered to 'defend' the puzzle at the back of the room we're supposed to solve...  Though I'm surprised they haven't attacked yet.  Perhaps we can shove the dead beetle in to see what happens?  Any other ideas?"

She looks first at Elric first as if that was the answer to his question of how he can help - think of ways to deal with the newly discovered threat - before glancing at the others.

"OH!" she blurts out, "I just remembered!  I've got a great new spell that'll make jumping easier!  Timothius, I'm sure it'll help you take flight.  Anytime anyone needs a boost, just let me know."

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 07:15, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

Timothius is temporarily distracted by Gale's sudden lapse of memory, but he says, "Putting something already dead in there is a good idea. No risk to killing anything or anyone."

With that said, he tosses a dead fire beetle into the room. He still can't help but be saddened some that those beetles had to die and thinks it entirely possible they were starved and tortured into the actions they took. But what's done is done and in nature, it's survival of the fittest. That and as Elric said before, Pelor would not approve of their actions, regardless of their circumstances. Well neither would Bahamut.

Regardless, Timothius is confident he can count on Elric and has made up his mind to defend everyone here with his life. Yeah... even the rogue he's still not entirely sure of that won't even admit to being what he obviously is even in this situation.

The moment the dead fire beetle enters the room, the iron dogs animate and charge at it!  It's still tough shell turns away the teeth of the first iron dog, but the second dog manages to bite into a soft spot!  (The dead fire beetle takes 6 damage.)  Then both dogs retreat deeper into the room.  Several faint but still audible "kerchink" sounds can be heard coming from inside the room.  [Private to Joe Darkthorne: Congratulations!  With your 18 perception, you're the only one who noticed that the sounds came from under the room's floor. One sounded like it came from the east corner of the room to Joe's left, the others from more diagonal directions: southeast, southwest.])

(I'm not going to bother with initiative rolls since the dogs already took actions.  Inititiative: Everyone else > Dogs.  Dog defenses can be found in their char descrip.)

[80] 08-12-03 07:01:37 - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Bite damage
1d8 +3
3 + 3 = 6

[79] 08-12-03 07:00:04 - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Dog 2 bite vs. Fire Beetle Corpse AC with +1 from charge. (this time with a d20 >.>)
1d20 +9 >= 13
18 + 9 = 27 ... success

[78] 08-12-03 06:58:57 - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Dog 2 bite vs. Fire Beetle Corpse AC
1d10 +9 >= 13
2 + 9 = 11 ... failure

[77] 08-12-03 06:58:20 - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Dog 1 bite vs. Fire Beetle Corpse AC
1d20 +8 >= 13
1 + 8 = 9 ... failure
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Thu 04 Dec 2008.

Upon seeing the Iron Defenders ruthlessly attack the corpse of the Fire Beetle, Elric's eyes dim, as the warforged cleric doesn't truly have eyelides. Elric stares at the remains for a few seconds before saying, “That isn't a trap we can disable like the last one as those things are going to attack anything that enters the room. Whoever set up this place obviously has a lot of resources, and no scruples. As the door didn't provide any warning about hostile constructs.”

_{[OOC: This isn't my action for the round so much as an immediate free action spoken response to seeing the Iron defenders attack the corpse... also when I click on the Iron Dog, the character description is blank.]}

*facepalm*

I blame work.  Got distracted.  HP 47, AC 18, Fort 16, Reflex 15, Will 13

  While Joe does have a tendency to point out the obvious, there are times when he doesn't see why you should bother.

  "Okay, so... That's pit traps that don’t open when walked over.  And the sounds from the four corners of the room can't have been a delayed switch for that, because then that beetle would have triggered it...  Ah man, there's probably four of those dogs if the other two corners are the same situation...  I'd open up some tiles deliberately to one side to prevent us from getting surrounded if we so much as enter this room, but I get the feeling they are unreasonable mobile enough to clear a few holes despite being made of metal.  So I'm going to do something else that's stupid that means we can't be surrounded."

  This said,  Joe heads across the hallway to the left and steps past the corner long enough to say "You suck and I hate you." To whatever dogs were on that side before heading back to his starting position, drawing his sword.  Well, provided nothing else happens that would prevent this.  But pressure sensitive tiles were thankfully ruled out unless they were magically selective about corpses and metal dogs.

  Which wouldn't surprise him at this rate.

  [ (Standard: Ready Action, Attack First Dog to move to Melee range.  Riposte Strike, +8 vs. AC; 1d6+4 / +7 Vs. AC; 1d6+3.  So if the first attack hits, I get to interrupt stab yet again before they bite me, provided the one I attacked goes for Joe.  Move: Duh.)

Edit:  As it would not take two moves to get into LoS of the dog, that my misunderstanding of the colored tiles made me think, Joe would only need his 6 move to go back and forth from LoS to his starting position, even accounting for extra time around hall corners.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Fri 12 Dec 2008.

"That's tell'n 'em, Joe!" Gale commends as she shifts over to her left to get a better shot at the dog to the southwest, but her magic fails to harm it.

"Let's see if they react."

(OOC: Apparently I somehow managed to roll twice while sneezing...  The first roll was a miss, and house rules say I must take the first roll.  Also - I checked that she has line of sight, which she does, but forgot to apply that it has cover from her attacks.  Oh well, I missed in any case.)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en

(Elric and Timothius can also take actions before the Dogs can do anything other than bark.)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Tue 09 Dec 2008.

Seeing that there isn't much the Warforged cleric can do that doesn't involve entering the room and likely being subjected to a barrage of attacks, Elric simply readies himself to cast Sacred Flame on the first Iron Dog that moves into a position from which he can get a clear shot at it. At the same time Elric asks, “So what is the plan if we have to go in there to deal with those creatures? Since I doubt they will come to us or leave the room.”

_{[OOC: Standard Action:Readied Action specified in post. Move and Minor actions are unused.]}

Timothius squirms a little and draws his sword before getting in front of the others again. "Whatever they do, they'll have to get past me first!" Timothius prepares himself as he takes a defensive posture.

(Minor Action: Divine Challenge vs Dog 1. Standard Action: Readied Bolstering Strike against any creature that should attack Timothius or his team.)

Elric was right.  The dogs retreat behind the great tree and the room goes back to being quiet.  The "kerchink" sounds can be heard coming from inside the room again.  [Private to Joe Darkthorne: One of which sounds like it's rather close to the east.]

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Sun 14 Dec 2008.

  "Today I learned how things can be Anticlimactic in a good way.  As for dealing with them, if we leave the entrance completely than nothing is stopping them from surrounding us on both sides.  If they still don't come to us after Me and Tim edge into the room"  Hey, Gale shot things with magic and it would be a shame to waste Elric's spear perks.  This just unfortunately meant that Joe's close in stabby tendencies required him to be a bit more 'on the front lines' than was entirely plesant.

  "Of course, if they still don't come after us then, I'm open to suggestions.  I'm also trying to figure out what the deal with the corner tiles they started out on is."

  [ (Standard: Same readied as last time.  Move: Shift 1) ]

Seeing what Joe is doing, Elric moves behind him and readies to strike out at the first iron dog that moves adjacent to Joe with Righteous Brand to try to give Joe a bonus to hit on Joe's own readied action.

_{[OOC:
Move Action: Move 1 square SW to be behind Joe
Standard Action: Readied Action to use Righteous Brand on first iron Dog to move adjacent to Joe. If it hits, Joe is the target of the +4 bonus, also since Joe would be adjacent to the foe, Elric would gain the +1 to hit bonus from warforged tactics.
Minor Action: Not used.]}

"The Enrichment Center regrets to inform you that this next test is impossible," the mysterious voice chimes, "Make no attempt to solve it.  We apologize for this clearly broken test chamber."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:04, Tue 13 Jan 2009.

Gale face-palms.  She then glances around and scrunches her lips to one side.

"Broken she says," Gale thinks aloud, "That could be a good thing.  Considering how much trouble the operational test chamber gave us...  On the other hand, could be a lie to make us drop our guard.  Looks to me like we have 3 options.  Wait for something to happen, creep forward while Joe disables floor tiles, or have Timothius fly inside as he offered.  My vote is for both option 2 and 3.  Who knows what kind of time limit there is, and the more we can multitask the better."

Timothius crouches, "Prathen is going to sit and rot in that prison. Who knows what kind of drugs our host pumped him full of to make him go back to his cell to die, but he is at least one timer for us." he then charges forward and jumps before spreading his wings and flapping with all his might to get his flight started. Timothius may not like Prathen, but saying this much has reassured him the guy could even be someone he liked under normal circumstances and that it isn't his place to judge others too quickly. But for now, he concerns himself with a quick prayer to Bahamut to teach him how to fly true as a dragon.

The dogs remain hidden behind the great tree.  The "kerchink" sounds can be heard coming from inside the room again.  [Private to Joe Darkthorne: One of which sounds like it's coming from the northeast corner of the room.]

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en

  "...That's like, the third time that noise has come from that corner."  Said corner of the room Joe actually had a clear view of now, even if said view didn't show him anything noteworthy.

  "Though I haven't noticed any more from the southeast and west since the first time."

  Joe was understandably reluctant to venture further into the halls, considering the likely amount of metal dogs meant they could near inescapably surround whoever did so.  However, option 1 seems to have accomplished absolutely nothing.  So dealing with what he could actually take care of at the moment seemed as good a thing to do as any.

  [  (Standard: Disarm tile directly south with tools, +13.  Win. ) ]

http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...CxIIRGljZVJvbGwYzE0M 

Elric still stands ready just in case some of the iron dogs move to try and attack Joe, now that Joe has entered the room. “Be careful, those iron dogs may still attack. For all we know that voice was an attempt to lure us into lowering our guard. After all it is unlikely that whoever brought us here is going to let us go free because something of theirs has broken down.”

_{[OOC: Pretty much same actions as last round again.]}

"I'm nervous about a giant stone wall slamming down all of a sudden," Gale says, stepping forward to get closer to her allies, "Or our team getting split up at the very least.  Let's stay close together if at all possible."

Should Timothius move further into the room, Gale will follow him.  (Readied move action)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
[Private to Joe Darkthorne: Just by way of reminder, there was more than one kerchink sound.  I'm allowing you to pinpoint the direction of any that are within a certain number of squares to Joe because he has such impressive perception.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Sat 31 Jan 2009.

Timothius flies toward the left side of the room (That is... left to those entering. There's little to no way for us to know which way north is unless someone picks up a true north spell). He keeps close to the tree so that in case he's shot down, he doesn't activate any tile traps.

The first Iron Dog runs at Timothius and snaps at him, but gets a face full of shield.  The second Iron dog runs wide around the corner, possibly to try and surround Timothius, but instead it triggers the trapped floor!  The wooden planks give way from under it and it falls into a 10' deep pit, taking damage from the sudden stop at the bottom.  It climbs back out of the pit and runs up to Timothius.

(Cat's out of the bag.  All the trap tiles are randomly activated to give way under anything that steps on them.  1d10 falling damage and DC10 athletics check to climb back out.)

[142] 09-04-08 19:29:35 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Iron Dog 2 falling damage.
1d10
6 = 6

[143] 09-04-08 19:32:14 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Iron Dog 2 attempt to climb out of the pit.
1d20 +4 >= 10
17 + 4 = 21 ... success

Dog 1: 47hp
Dog 2: 41hp
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Wed 08 Apr 2009.

Lurking behind the tree were two Clay Scouts.  They sense Timothius's presence and in total darkness, move to the far wall to hurl rocks at him from a distance.  The second one misses it's target, but the first scout's rock hit's timothius' head, ringing his bell.

(( Timo takes 4 damage and is dazed.  Clay scouts are invisible to dazed creatures... Not that it matters, they're in total darkness anyway.)

[146] 09-04-08 19:57:03 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Clay Scout 1 Rock Throw damage
1d6 +3
1 + 3 = 4

[145] 09-04-08 19:55:45 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Clay Scout 2 Rock Throw vs. Timo's Reflex
1d20 +5 >= 13
4 + 5 = 9 ... failure

[144] 09-04-08 19:54:57 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Clay Scout Rock Throw vs. Timo's Reflex
1d20 +5 >= 13
18 + 5 = 23 ... success

Hearing the clashing sounds of Timothius getting hammered, Gale rushes to see how she can help.  On her way there, she's sure to jump over the not-yet-disabled trap square.  She can't see the clay scouts, but she can see the iron dogs.  Her eyes glow black as she gestures upward as if summoning some unholy beast from the underdark.  Several slender shadowy hands rise from the ground and grab the two iron dogs.

"Bad dogs!" she chides, "No snack for you!"


[150] 09-04-08 20:33:26 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Gale jump check
1d20
15 = 15

[149] 09-04-08 20:26:27 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Grasping Shadows damage
2d8 +6
5 + 5 + 6 = 16

[148] 09-04-08 20:23:57 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Gale Grasping Shadows vs. Dog 2 will
1d20 +6 >= 13
10 + 6 = 16 ... success

[147] 09-04-08 20:23:35 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Gale Grasping Shadows vs. Dog 1 will.
1d20 +6 >= 13
18 + 6 = 24 ... success

Dog 1: 47-16= 31hp (slowed till the end of gale's next turn)
Dog 2: 41-16= 25hp (slowed till the end of gale's next turn)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Wed 08 Apr 2009.

The kerchink sounds can be heard again from the south and east.

Map Link:
http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Fri 10 Apr 2009.

  Joe chased after Gale and Tim, skirting around the dead bug and then making his way across the mass of roots surrounding the tees as he rounded the corner and passed the Magical lady.

  "lets see, a place filled with things trying to kill us, and a large trend of it being things just out of sight or part of the obvious scenery.  There's no possible way something is hiding in the darkness back there."  This said, Joe tossed a lit torch to the back end of the room.

  "...why is my sarcasm so often accurate when it sucks?  Those are Clay Scouts.  See in the dark like over half of everything wanting to kill us ever.  They hit better when near whatever thing or area they are guarding.  They have a mildly poison bite despite being, you know, freaking stone. They also got a weird mind blast... thing, that dazes you and you cant see them when dazed.  So of course take a guess what they'd use over and over."

  Joe sighs,  "Most annoying though, is they can redirect singular ranged or melee attacks to anything next to them.  If Tim goes after them not only does he run the risk of us hitting him, but they just might make him stab himself.  And thats if he ever gets the chance to see them to attack in the first place."

  Yup.  This place hates them.  Nevermind the cash and goodies a bit back.  It totally totally hates them.

---

DC of 15 for Clay Scout Lore.  15-8= 7 goal
http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...IIRGljZVJvbGwYmoACDA
I got an 18. I'd know even if I didn’t have Dungeoneering, or any skill, heh.

Move: Duh.  Standard: Quick draw, Draw+toss torch (since when did anyone ever spend an action LIGHTING them anyways?)

Can just exactly get to intended spot, via diagonal crossing through dead bug tile.  It's guaranteed to be safe, as otherwise the bug woulda triggered it.  I was also reminded Joe went out of his way to buy a lantern, but throwing those is a bad idea, heh.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Fri 10 Apr 2009.

Elric mutters, “Looks like we still have to deal with hostile foes in this room,” as he moves forward and then next to Gale before saying, “May Pelor's flame illuminate our salvation,” as sacred light momentarily shines from above, searing at Iron Dog 2 with its radiance, while at the same time basking Timothius with beneficent power.

_{[OOC:
Move Action: move to current spot on map, only passes over squares that are disarmed or roots so no possibly trapped tiles to avoid.
Standard Action: Scared Flame vs Iron Dog 2.
[151] 09-04-11 01:28:15 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Elric Sacred Flame vs. Iron Dog 2, Reflex
1d20
10 = 10
Forgot to add the +5 to hit that Elric has for Sacred flame as I clicked the d20 thinking it would add d20 to the formula not roll it right away.
10+5=15 which hits the reflex of 15 of an Iron Dog.
[152] 09-04-11 01:32:14 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Sacred Flame Radiant damage to Iron Dog, and Tim can immediately make a savings throw (Against the dazed condition)
1d6 +3
3 + 3 = 6
Iron Dog 2: 25-9=19hp and is now 'bloodied',(slowed till the end of gale's next turn)
Tim gets to make a savings throw before Tim's turn (against the dazed condition as that is only condition Tim is currently under that a save will end.)]}

"Pelor be praised!" Timothius says in a loud tone as he is rescued from the daze. He then looks at the Iron Dog 2. Fearing the dog may go after Elric, Timothius proclaims with divine authority, "And now, in the name of the Platinum Dragon, you will face ME before the others, or face the consequences!"

With that, Timothius swings his sword down upon the dog who evades his attack.

(OOC: Thanks, Elric! I rolled a 12, saving from the dazed condition. So thanks to that, I was able to take my minor action challenge alongside my attack)
(Minor Action: Divine Challenge)
(Standard Action: Bolstering Strike - Misses. Ah well. Better to save from a condition and miss than to not save and then hit IMO.)

Enraged by Gale's attack, the first Iron dog moves to the eastern wall to charge her.  Timothius takes advantage of it's lowered guard and strikes it soundly with his sword as it passes him by!  Heedless of Timothius' attack, it proceeds to charge Gale and bites her!

The second dog is more compelled to answer Timothius' challenge, but it's attack is deflected by Timothius' armor.  It then shifts back in an attempt to lure the paladin into the grasping shadows.

(( Dog 1 was still able to move 2 and charge 2 even though it was slowed.  ))

((OOC: I overlooked something important when I put a shield into that treasure box earlier...  Timo was using a greatsword.  If there's no objection, I'll just retroactively put a mundane longsword in the box so he can still use the shield.  Timo's char sheet needs updated to reflect his new sword and shield.

Also: A reminder...  Lvl 2 means a +1 to-hit from 1/2 level bit AND a +1 to-hit / damage from our existing "innate enhancement bonus" house rule with mundane weapons / armor... and COULD mean another +1 to-hit from innate implement/weapon mastery...  yeah.  Gunna need to update Gale big time.))

Dog 1 charge damage vs. Gale
1d8 +3
5 + 3 = 8

Dog 1 charge vs. Gale
1d20 +9 >= 16
10 + 9 = 19 ... success

Timo AoO damage v D1
1d8 +4
2 + 4 = 6

Timothius AoO vs. Dog1
1d20 +8 >= 18
16 + 8 = 24 ... success

Dog 1: 31-6= 25hp
Dog 2: 19hp (bloodied)
Gale: 24-8 = 16hp
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Tue 14 Apr 2009.

The clay defenders were startled by Joe's shedding light onto them, but there's no way to get a clear shot at him without getting even more exposed than they are.  They opt to continue their harassment of the paladin before lurking back out of view of the others.  The first defender is successful in hitting Timothius, but the second one is not.

The kerchink sounds can be heard again from near the center of the north wall, almost immediately to the east of Joe, and from the south side of the room.

Clay Defender 1 rock toss damage vs. Timo
1d6 +3
5 + 3 = 8

Clay Defender 2 rock toss at Timo's reflex
1d20 +5 >= 15
2 + 5 = 7 ... failure

Clay Defender 1 rock toss at Timo's reflex.
1d20 +5 >= 15
19 + 5 = 24 ... success

Tim: <insert starting hp here> -4-8= 12damage (Tim's current hp TBD.  Is dazed, save ends)



http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Tue 14 Apr 2009.

  While Tim was of course in more direct trouble at the moment, ignoring the killer robot metal dog taking a bite out of the nice lady next to him would also be a bad idea.

  So he opted to try and deal with the latter somewhat before moving a bit towards the former, so Elric might be able to get closer without resorting to the tiled floor.  This did not turn out so well as his sword did a wonderful job at decapitating the air molecules a good foot over the Iron Dog's (d1) head.

  "Tim, you may want to invest in a helmet at some point if we live through this."

---

  Move: Move across rough terrain as I can't shift on it. D1 gets AoO that I'm too lazy to roll myself right now.
  Standard:  Rolled a 1 XD, So of course the Riposte strike which would have taken advantage of the AoO misses in the first place.

I'll get around to adding the +1's all around to my various sheets later.  Though plan on fixing Blake's Feats and the resulting differences(if without the new +1) sooner.

Not surprisingly, the Iron Dog that Joe attacked retaliates with a painful bite when Joe's movement presents an attack of opportunity.


Iron Dog 1 AoO bite damage vs. Joe
1d8 +3
8 + 3 = 11

Iron Dog 1 AoO bite vs. Joe AC
1d20 +6 >= 17
15 + 6 = 21 ... success


http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en
This message was last edited by the player at 23:40, Tue 14 Apr 2009.

"OW!" Gale screams as she steps cautiously away from the dog that bit her, "That HURT!  See how YOU like getting bit!"

She conjures a ghostly wolf that viscously bites the iron dog before vanishing.

Gale illusary ambush damage vs. Dog 1
1d6 +5
6 + 5 = 11

Gale illusary ambush vs. Dog 1 will
1d20 +7 >= 13
9 + 7 = 16 ... success

Dog 1: 25-11= 14hp (bloodied.  takses a -2 to all attack rolls until the end of Gale's next turn)

http://spreadsheets.google.com...xxmisVhZHQ&hl=en

Elric says, “Pelor, please punish those who stand against the light,” as the Warforged Cleric casts Sacred Flame, this time against Iron Dog 1, but unfortunately the canine construct manages to avoid the spell. Elric then growls, “You won't be attacking Gale again,” as Elric moves east slightly to insure that the Iron Dog won't be able to easily reach Gale by standing between the two.

_{[OOC:
Standard Action: Scared Flame vs Iron Dog 1
[167] 09-04-17 05:21:26 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Elric Sacred Flame vs Iron Dog 1
1d20 +6 >= 15
4 + 6 = 10 ... failure
Move Action: Move 1 square east to be between Gale and Iron Dog 1
Minor Action: Unused
Won't be able to give Tim an extra save chance this round :(
Next Round I'll might need to throw a heal on Tim if both clay defenders move into LOS (as currently the tree blocks los to/from them) to attack him along with Iron Dog 2 (if Iron Dog 1 tries to attack Gale or Tim, it would draw two AoOs from Jake and Me.]}

Timothius looks to be back to being dizzy as he tries to shake it off and lunges forward, filling the space the dog just vacated.

"You will NOT engage anyone but me!" he commands with divine authority, his eyes lock onto the dog's with stern intent.

(Move action: shift forward.  Divine challenge still active on dog, so Iron dog 2 must attack Timothius or suffer the consequences.)

Timothius save throw vs. Dazed.
1d20
12 = 12

The second Iron Dog answers Timothius' challenge with another bite attack, dealing a critical wound with it's sharp jaws!

Dog 2 bite vs. Timo's AC
1d20 +8 >= 21
20 + 8 = 28 ... success

11 damage to Timo

---

In spite of the threat Joe and Elric present by proximity, the first iron dog decides that Gale represents the greater threat and moves to attack her, drawing opportunity attacks from both Elric and Joe.  It learns a swift and final lesson when both Elric and Joe bring down their weapons on it, defeating it before it could even make it's first step toward Gale.

Elric AoO damage vs. Iron dog
1d10 +4
8 + 4 = 12

Elric AoO vs. Iron dog AC
1d20 +10 >= 18
16 + 10 = 26 ... success

Joe AoO damage vs. Iron dog
1d6 +3
5 + 3 = 8

Joe AoO vs. Iron dog AC
1d20 +7 >= 18
17 + 7 = 24 ... success
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Sat 18 Apr 2009.

Once again, the Clay Defenders huck rocks at Timothius then retreat.  Once again, one misses, and the other finds it's target, dazing Timothius.


Clay Scout 2 rock throw damage vs. Timo
1d6 +3
3 + 3 = 6

Clay Scout 2 rock throw vs. Timo reflex
1d20 +5 >= 15
15 + 5 = 20 ... success

  "Stop trying to eat my recent acquaintances."  Joe called back to the recently put down Metal animal.  "That goes for you too, cut it out."  Joe continued to make reasonable sounding requests seem crazy, as he drew and tossed a shuriken at the Dog assaulting Tim in a single motion.

  Oooh, right in the mouth.  "That would have been much cooler if that was on purpose."

---

Minor: Hunters Quarry D2; Standard: Quick Draw Shuriken vs D2, Hit

http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...IIRGljZVJvbGwYsJ8CDA
Rolled an 11, even without the new +1's, My Shuriken would still hit.
Shuriken + Hunters Quarry: 11 dmg, D2 (misslabled roll reason) Dog has 8 HP left.
Incidentally, Joe has 20 Hp, and 9 Shuriken left.

(( Oops.  Forgot to mention the kerchink sounds.  One to the east of Joe, one to the north, one to the south, one from the west side of the tree.))

On the one hand, Gale wants to help Timothius out by distracting whatever's hucking rocks at him, on the other she doesn't want to become their target.  Self preservation wins out over altruism this time.  Besides, there is that dog to deal with still.  She moves in closer stepping carefully over the roots before hurling a ghostly skull at the iron dog.  Much to her surprise, her attack defeats the dog!

"Take that you... you... metal monster!"

Gale illusary ambush damage vs. Dog2
1d6 +4
6 + 4 = 10

Gale illusary ambush vs. Dog2 will.
1d20 +7 >= 13
18 + 7 = 25 ... success

Gale: 18 of 26hp... i think.  still working on her char sheet.  currently have 12 con.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Sun 19 Apr 2009.

Elric realizes he needs to get closer to Timothius if his current idea is going to work out as he hopes it will. Thus Elric briefly moves to where the adjacent iron dog was defeated since he knows that square is safe, due to knowing it would have dropped under the dog's weight if it wasn't, before moving to and passing Joe to end up just south of Joe and adjacent to Timothius. Elric then quickly places his Battle Standard of Healing into the square just east of his location since he can't place it in his current square due to it being difficult terrain.

Elric then says, “Pelor, please bathe Timothius with your healing light,” as divine light washes over Timothius' wounds, mending the paladin's injuries. Elric smiles as he knows his actions have also helped Joe and Gale due to the placement of the Battle Standard of Healing.

_{[OOC: Elric is currently at 31hp and is unharmed.
Move Action: Move SE 1 square onto dead iron dog, then SW 1 square passing through Joe's square South 1 more square to marked position, 1 move +2 move through difficult terrain = 5 move total)
Standard Action: Use/Place Battle Standard of Healing in square East of Elric. (It's range of effect is a close burst 5 zone that heals Elric and all his allies in range an extra 1hp whenever one of them spends a healing surge.)
Minor action: use Healing Words on Tim. Tim regains 13 hit points at the cost of a healing surge, and Gale and Joe both heal/regain 1 hit point.
[179] 09-04-19 21:07:52 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Elric using Healing Words on Timothius. (With both healer's lore and Battle Standard of Healing included)
1d6 +12
1 + 12 = 13
1d6+3(healer's lore)+8(Tim's healing surge value)+1(Battle standard of healing)]}

Without batting an eye, Timothius charges at Clay Scout 1, leaping forward and flapping his wings to once again avoid trap squares. Timothius is feeling better than a second ago, but he's still not looking well. "Thanks for your prayers, Elric!" he manages to yell back before putting his sword to the Clay Scout.

(Standard Action: Charge.)
(Attack Roll: 19. I don't need the plusses to tell me that hit.)
(Damage roll: 8. And yes, I switched to rolling a d8. I can't wield a shield and a great sword at the same time, so that is now fixed. :p +3 damage makes the attack do 11 damage to Clay Scout 1.)
(No other actions can be taken unless...)
(Saving Throw: 2. Fail. Oh well.)

Both Clay defenders snarl and bite at Timothius, but are unable to get past his heavy armor.  Once again, kerchink sounds eminate from around the room.  [Private to Joe Darkthorne: 2 to the north of Joe, one to the south, one to the west]

( Timo AC: 10 + plate armor 8 + heavy shield 2 + half lvl 1 + innate enhancement bonus 1 = 22 not 19 like his char sheet says.  Not that it would have mattered, they both rolled low. )

Gale fumbles her way across the knotted roots and stops when she can see what's attacking Timothius.

"Back to the pit you came from, beast!" she curses at the first clay scout while snapping her fingers to conjure up an illusory shiruken of fire between them, "That shiruken thing worked well for Joe... Let's see how well it works for me!"

She launches it behind the two clay defenders where it explodes in a scorching burst, harming the second clay scout.

"...not quiite as good as I'd hoped."

(Move, minor: warlock's curse v. clay scout 1, standard: scorching burst.  Juust missed clay scout 1, even with reckless curse.)

scorching burst damage
1d6 +5
5 + 5 = 10

Gale scorching burst vs. Clay Scout 2 reflex
1d20 +7 >= 14
9 + 7 = 16 ... success

scout 1: 31-11 = 20 hp
scout 2: 31-10 = 21 hp

  Joe sighed as Tim charged out of view in pursuit of the creatures that have so far been easily smacking him around.  "I'd wonder if Pelor's blessing encouraged suicidal actions, but I'm still chasing after Tim myself regardless aren’t I?"

  Joe travesed the pile of roots, snagging his previously thrown shuriken on the way, then plunking down a lit lantern when he stopped to finally give the room full illumination.  Every little bit helps when trying to screw with your enemies as much as they screw with you.

  "Look at it this way Gale, at least you were able to hit one without it backhanding the attack into Tim's face."

---

  Move: Duh ; Standard: Retrieve shuriken ; Minor: Place down lantern

  While Mittens said I could have a chance to do a sneak attack when rounding the corner, I'm sooo not risking a sneak attack being redirected into Tim's skull.

Elric rushes around to get into a position as he holds true to his faith to Pelor, receiving a boon as he murmurs a prayer to Pelor. Elric's prayer invokes a blast of white radiance from his holy symbol that heartens and guids Elric's allies while striking out to burn Elric's foes with stern light, although Elric realizes it is only due to his faith to Pelor that he is fortunate enough to at least hit Clay Scout/Defender 1. “Be careful Timothius, we know they can redirect some attacks to those adjacent to them and now your adjacent to them.”

_{[OOC:
Move Action & Standard Action -> Move Action
Double move used to reach current position through difficult terrain.
Free action: Channel Divinity: Divine Fortune, for +1 to attack roll.
With Divine Fortune, that means Clay Defender 1 is hit.
Action Point -> Standard Action: Divine Glow
Made a mistake on the attack rolls, they are vs reflex not vs will as I read from the wrong line of my character sheet, means the success is >=14 not >=15.
Timothius, Gale, and Joe each get a +2 power bonus to all attack rolls they make before the end of Elric's next turn.
[189] 09-05-06 00:32:00 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com\
Elric Divine Glow vs Clay Defender 1 (Reflex)
1d20 +6 >= 14
7 + 6 = 13 ... failure
13 + 1 = 14 (Divine Fortune means it is a sucess.)
[190] 09-05-06 00:32:21 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Elric Divine Glow vs Clay Defender 2 (Reflex)
1d20 +6 >= 14
7 + 6 = 13 ... failure
[191] 09-05-06 01:44:50 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Elric Divine Glow Radiant Damage
1d8 +4 -> 4 + 4 = 8
Minor Action:unused.
Clay Defender 1/Scout 1: 20-8=12hp ]}

Timothius swings his sword as he heeds Elric's words, "I'll keep them off of you all!" and with that, smacks the Clay Defender good with his sword, encouraging himself. But he's not done. Oh no. He's going to take full advantage of the blessings Elric has requested of Pelor!

He then challenges the other Clay Defender, giving it little choice but to pay attention to him alone. "By the Platinum Dragon, you will not harm my charge!" Then he follows up with with a quick prayer while smiting the defender. "Give me strength to be true to my comrades and aid Pelor's faithful servant, for we long to satisfy you with just and true actions!"


(Standard Action: Bolstering Strike vs Clay Defender 2.)
(Attack roll: 14 + 6 + 2 = 20 vs AC. Hits.)
(Timothius gains +2 temp HP)
(Damage roll: 6 + 2 = 8 damage.)
(Saving Throw: 15. Success!)
(ACTION POINT!!)
(Minor Action: Divine Challenge to Clay Defender 2.)
(Minor Action: Channel Divinity: Divine Strength. +3 damage.)
(Standard Action: Shielding Smite vs Clay Defender 2.)
(Attack roll: 9 + 6 + 2 = 17 vs AC. Hits)
(Elric gains +2 AC until the end of my next turn.)
(Damage roll: 2 + 2 + 3 = 7.)
(Total damage to Clay Defender 2: 8 + 7 = 15.)

Clay Defender 1: 12 HP.
Clay Defender 2: 6 HP.

TY, Elric. Without that +2, my second attack would've missed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Wed 06 May 2009.

Pretty sure u can't spend an action point after making saving throws. 

Sooo... Talked /w Timo and he said if he knew that he'd have attacked clay defender 1 twice... killing it.  Go Timo!

The second clay defender backs away from the terrible sword of Timothius and hucks a rock at the one who hit it with an exploding shiruken - Gale.  The rock nails her square in the head, ringing her bell. bounces off the tree she's hiding behind.

rock throw damage vs. Gale
1d6 +3
6 + 3 = 9

Clay Scout 2 rock throw vs. Gale reflex
1d20 +5 >= 17
13 + 5 = 18 ... success



Gale: 18+1(from elric's battle standard)-9 = 10hp

OOPS!  Forgot she'd have cover from the tree.  -2 to attack roll = no hit Gale!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Wed 06 May 2009.

  "For Truth, Justice, and the merciless destruction of things throwing rocks at us."  This would be why Joe merely ignores the servants of Gods most of the time, as opposed to directly pissing them off.  To be fair though, the end result would probably be the same for those not divinity related.

  Case in point, more shuriken stabbery thwacking of the side of a construct's head.

---

Move: duh ; Standard: Basic Ranged, Shuriken to scout.

17.  I'd have hit them even without any +'s
http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...IIRGljZVJvbGwYkf0CDA

21 – 6 = Scout 15 HP
Joe has 21 HP

"You said it!" Gale agrees as she begins to cast illusary ambush on the clay scout.

~I'll make it think I hucked it's rock right back at it!  Ooh better, a whole landslide!  Better yet a rock golem!  Or maybe a giant with a big stone club...?~

Her spell fizzles.

"Fudgenudduck!" she curses, "It uh...  resisted my spell!"

Doesn't want to admit the embarrassing fact that she wasn't focused enough to cast the spell properly in the first place.

(OOC: Fought myself against using ray of frost.  While that one targets Fort, the target's weakest defense, I figured the most likely spell Gale would use I.C. would be illusary ambush - targeting it's best defense.  Then rolled a 2.  -.-)
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Thu 07 May 2009.

Timothius hurries over to the Clay Defender and swings, his sword glancing off a particularly tough part of the animated statue. The clang resounds, making Timothius wince from a little bit of shock going through his arm.


(Move: Duh)
(Minor: Divine Challenge)
(Standard: Enfeebling Strike)
(Roll: 1. DM's discression on Timothius taking damage from hurting himself.)

Timothius nearly loses grip of his sword, but manages to catch it before he drops it.  Even so, his fumble leaves him vulnerable to a counter-attack.  ((Timo grants C.A. till start of his next turn.))

The kerchink sounds can be heard once again, but once again, nothing comes of it.

The Clay Defender takes advantage of Timothius dropping his guard and lurches forward to bite him!  The pain isn't that bad, but it must have been venomous because Timothius begins feeling very heavy.  ((Timothius takes 1 damage and is slowed, save ends.))  The Clay Defender then shift away from Timothius.

(( I let the dice decide what happened this round with one exception... I'm assuming that Timo would have challenged the last Clay Defender the moment he had a chance. ))

Bite secondary attack vs. Timo FORT. 2+2(C.A.)+4(Guard object) = 8
1d20 +8 >= 15
9 + 8 = 17 ... success

bite damage
1d6
1 = 1

Bite attack vs. Timo AC. 3+2(C.A.)+4(Guard object) = 9
1d20 +9 >= 19
10 + 9 = 19 ... success
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Mon 08 June 2009.

Not wishing to move into melee with the Clay Defender just yet, Elric says, “May the holy light of Pelor strike down those who exist only to harm others while protecting those who are just,” as sacred light shines from above, searing at the Clay Defender with its radiance while at the same time fortifying Timothius against harm.


_{[OOC:
Standard Action: Use Sacred Flame vs Clay Defender.
Move Action: Not used.
Minor Action: Not used.
[207] 09-06-10 05:45:06 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
Elric Sacred Flame vs Clay Defender
1d20 +6 >= 14   ->   18 + 6 = 24 ... success
[208] 09-06-10 05:45:35 CEST - c_fewell@hotmail.com
1d6 +4          ->   5 + 4 = 9
Clay Defender is at 15-9=6Hp left and Timothius get's 1 Temporary hit Point (The single temporary hit point was expended by damage done by Clay Defender, since at the time no saving throws were needed.)
I'll have Elric post again for the now current turn if the next two attacks against the Clay Defender don't drop it as it only has 6Hp left. ]}

  Joe is getting tired of things trying to kill him... Wait, no.  Things are trying to kill those not him... He can deal a bit longer.

  Of course, as the Shuriken imbeds itself into the claw scout's forehead but it still remain standing, Joe has to take a moment to stare "...That is so very not fair, even for today."

---

  http://rollr.appspot.com/view/...IIRGljZVJvbGwYnawDDA

Standard: Ranged basic with Shuriken to Clay scout, hits for 5.

Not only did I EXACTLY hit the Scout's AC, but I rolled a 1 on the damage roll... So the Scout has

ONE HP LEFT
This message was last edited by the player at 07:38, Wed 10 June 2009.

A giant scroll falls from the ceiling and crushes the Clay Defender under it's weight before vanishing just as suddenly as it came.

"Paper beats rock!" Gale proclaims triumphantly, "Take THAT you nasty... thing that hurt my kitty... buddy!"

She leans forward and sticks her tongue out defiantly at the defeated foe.

"Timothius?  You should scoot over a smidge to these sturdy roots or risk a trap door opening under your feet."

(Gale isn't aware that according to game mechanics, Timothius can't step onto the difficult terrain because he's slowed)

Gale illusory ambush vs. Clay Defender's will
1d20 +7 >= 15
16 + 7 = 23 ... success
This message was last edited by the player at 13:52, Mon 15 June 2009.

Timothius does exactly what Gale suggests and sits on the tree roots, panting some. "....well... we survived that one." he says, cracking a smile. He then looks up. "And now that the immediate danger seems to be done for now, I have time to ask what a tree is doing in here." he rests for now, figuring it best for him to do that until he needs to shield his allies again.

  Joe is so glad Tim can take the time he needs to get to the roots, now that they aren't currently in combat where such things would be a bit more of an inconvenience.

  After retrieving his lamp, but not putting it away form the clump of roots he left it by, he shrugs.  "I honestly have no idea.  We haven't seen the far end of it yet, but I'm inclined to wait until your okay before messing with anything else."

  This said, he considers the room, listening for any more of those mechanical sounds.

Kerchink.  The sounds ring out again.  Again, nothing happens.

Timothius cringes with a wince at the kerchink sound. "....I'm going to have a fear of kerchink sounds for the rest of my life. Aren't I." He imagines himself an old man and some kid playing with a kerchinking device makes Tim draw his sword and swear by the Platinum Dragon that he shall avenge... only for the kid to run away. Timothius comes back to the present with a defeated look on his face.

In response to Timothius' statement, Elric says “That is possible, at least till you come across a sound that instills enough fear that your forget about this sound.”

Elric then walks along the roots of the tree to avoid any traps to get back to the battle standard he placed and then he retrieves and stows it in his backpack. “Now would be a good time for someone to start trying to turn off the traps in this room. Otherwise Timothius might go crazy from hearing that sound over and over.”

Gale casually makes her way next to Timothius, prestidigitates a pair of ear-muffs, and offers them to him.

"Maybe this'll help guard your ears?" she asks teasingly.

"Good point, Elric.  Shame only one of us knows the first thing about that sort of thing."

She takes a closer look at the tree.

"Last time it was a huge fire in the center of the room.  This time a huge tree.  Why is anyone's guess."

(OOC: No threats from here on in.  Joe gets automatic success to disabling trap tiles and control panels)
http://spreadsheets.google.com...3bxPD0pRSpxxmisVhZHQ

  Joe takes a moment to dig his shuriken out of ex-Clay scout skull.  "Right, I'll just get right on that now that things are not actively trying to kill us so much."

  Joe starts off with the tiles next to where Tim and the others are by.  And starts on the pesky process of deteathtrapping the room.

  "So, any ideas about what's causing this, or how to leave?"  He opts to work his war towards the back end of the tree, in case there's anything of note back there.

Timothius perks his ears as Gale mentions the fire and then the tree. "It's about the elements!" he says. "The next room could very well be mostly water. Or lightning. Or something like that."

He then looks towards the other end of the room. "Well I guess we may as well keep going once we're rested. Little choice."

No sooner does Joe de-activate the control panel in the back of the room than the tree begins to creak and shudder.  An entrance slowly opens up to the heart of the tree where another portal awaits.  This one, however, seems much more unstable than the last.

"Fantastic" the mysterious voice proclaims, "You remained resolute and resourceful in an atmosphere of extreme pessimism."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:41, Thu 02 July 2009.

Timothius is not reassured by the "positive" reinforcement.

Gale nods at Timothius' comment.

"Yeah," she says, "Probably.  Shame no one can agree on what the elements are, and what beats what.  Though if I were to guess, this is ye olde 3 element wheel.  Fire beats Nature, Nature drinks water, water douses fire.  Let's hope that after we defeat the water room we don't wind up back in the fire room."

She watches the tree open up and takes a careful look at the portal.

"Doesn't look very stable.  Can't tell what's on the other side.  Let's do that beetle test like last time."

Once everyone's all rested, she ties a rope to a beetle's leg, tosses it in, then pulls on the rope to reel it back in.  The portal flickers some, but the beetle corpse seems undamaged.

"It's not wet.  That's a good sign."

She hands the beetle end of the rope to Timothius and steps through the portal, still holding the other end.  The rope remains taught, but as soon as she steps through, the portal begins to flicker and dim.  Looks like it's running out of energy and may vanish soon.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Thu 02 July 2009.

Timothius mews! "Everyone through quick!" as he jumps in himself.

  Joe is not quite rude enough to say things like 'You first' in this sort of situation.  After all, two out of three people not him have already gone through.

  "Hope to see you on the other side Elric.  Unless the other side sucks of course."  This said Joe grabbed a severed Clay scout head as a souvenir and jumped through.

Elric makes sure he is ready to pass through the portal as Joe picks up the Clay scout's head and jumps through the portal.

The Warforged cleric of Pelor then says, “To continue to bring light to where there is darkness, moving forward is the only path I can take,” as the Warforged jumps through the portal.