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.)