Makes sense. Well, Kassius doesn't know the rules.
Oh, and: 15:57, Today: Kassius rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  knowledge (nature) identify crab.

Seeing her friend in dire trouble, Celenes only thougt is to aid him  however she can, in getting back solid ground. At first, she sends the blessing of Wee Jas to him, hoping it will aid him in his efforts. Also, should he get trapped or stuck by that .. thing, she prepares to support him in getting free. "Alohan, get back up here!"


OOC: GM: Celenes uses Liberating Command (immediate action) if the crab grapples Alohan succesfully. Alohan, I expect you don't want to grapple with this thing?

Alohan, you get: +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, OR saving throws OR to AC until Celene's next turn (i.e. for one round). You choose what you want to have the bonus on. Let the GM know soon if you want it for AC.

Standard Action: Blessing of the faithful on Alohan
Move Action: Move 5 feet to NE, to get in 25' range of Alohan
Free/Swift Action:
Full Action:
(De)Buffs :

---

HP: 12/12  AC 10, CMD: 11, Saves+2/+0/+6
Spells Slots (sorc.): 1st: 4/4
Spells Prepared: 0: Guidance, Resistance, spark,
1: Hide from undead, liberating Command, divine favour
Abilities: Flame lance (7/7), Divine Vessel (4/5), Copycat (5/5), Channeling (2/7, DC14), Blessing Faithful (-)

This message was last edited by the player at 20:05, Tue 27 Oct 2015.

The sickening feeling ushered by the urchin made his head reel but the sheer amount of adrenaline coursing through him allowed him to ignore the critters poisons. Breaking the surface, he gasped at the air treading water while the thing continued to pinch and carve gashes into his lower body. Blood was beginning to pool around him, no doubt ushering the crab forward.

'Was that a dolphon?' he thought to himself, turning and swimming away from what was below. He contorted himself, kicked through the water, and sped away.

---

19:31, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  Fort Save vs spines.
19:32, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 24 using 1d20+4 ((20))  Swimming
Full Action: Full action to move at half speed (20ft) south.

---

HP: 20/22  AC: 16  CMD: 21 vs grapple(-4 Entangled) Saves: +8/+5(-4)/+2
Rage: 0  |  6  Stunning Fist: 1  |  1 Note: Mobility gives me +4 vs AoO when moving out of threatened areas. I will also use Celene's Command to help with this AC.

OOC: remember Mage Armour was 1 hour duration (+4AC), and blessing for another +2

OOC: A 12, ehh? OK, with that roll you get this:

Kassius hasn't fought one of the giant crabs that populate the rivers leading into Sasserine before - he has too much sense and these creatures are generally easy to avoid since they aren't looking for much more than their next meal. He's heard that their armoured body and legs are just as tough as they look, so aim for the mouth (AC16) or figure out a way to bypass the armour (tough AC11).

Unfortunately he also remembers being told that in addition to being very quick swimmers, they can also move pretty fast on land and survive out of the water for up to an hour.



OOC: Fine, except that you have to give up your normal action to set up an immediate prepared action. It is sort of like passing on your turn so you can use it later if you want. Since you are using a standard action to do 'Blessing of the Faithfull', you can't set a prepared action.



OOC: That brought a smile to my face :D



OOC: It's been more than an hour since you cast 'mage armour'. You've done heaps of things since then! I'll remember the blessing though. And Alohan's mobility bonus.

I'll give Beni a chance to post before I process the turn. Not that Angati can do too much right now!

Mid turn updated map, with Angati still to move. I had to do some optimization with positions since people wanted to end up on the same spot. Oh, and Kassius, you can only move 5' per round if you don't want to make a acrobatics' check ie quarter speed.

d = Dolphin!
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:05, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

OOC: Ron, I am sorry, but I need yet another DC10 acrobatics check to avoid touching a sea urchin. The water is shallow in spots and they are all over the place.

OOC: sorry, i should have explained (my bad!): Liberating command is a spell with casting time "immediate" (ultimate combat). So i am saying if Alohan gets caught, Celene will cast it right away (immediately) - not preparing an action or anything. Gives him an immediate action (extra) escape artist attempt to get free, with an additional +2 bonus on the roll. I'm telling you as a contingency, as we're not around a table and i may not be quick enough to speak up if it happens.:-)

In reply to Celene (msg # 392):

OOC: oh, well tha't ok then!

OOC: I really do not know what to do.... If I move closer I run the risk of making things worse.... I was thinking maybe trying to get the thing to grab the morningstar and then pull from it to bring it to the surface....

I mean, it is an animal, and should not behave any more intelligently than a normal crab right ?. dunno how you guys fished crabs, but in the river if you did not have a crab trap you used a little stick to have it pince it, and then pull him out.

Kassius calls out what he knows tersely,
"The crabs are tough little frakkers, and mean. Go for the mouth and try and lure it out of the water. It'll fight fine on land, but at least we can concentrate on killing the thing instead of not drowning. Celene, those fires of yours might be nice. Pre-cook the frakker!"
He finishes with a gleeful smile.

Angati: I don't know what spells you have, but any buffs would be good. Alternatively, ready an action to attack if it approaches?

Angati is a debuffer, and a great one, it is just that this little critter is immune to her most effective debuff e.g. cause fear. 'Ill Omen' is an option, but seems a little underpowered against a foe with so many attack rolls, so I understand Beni's frustration. I'm just going to say that she swims back to the ledge in her move, and readies an attack action with her morning star. Shame she doesn't have any armour on! ;)

<END OF PLAYERS' TURN TWO>
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:20, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

<START OF CRABS' TURN THREE>

20:07, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d6.  1-4 = crab attacks dolphin, 5-6 goes after Alohan.
OOC: Heh. Perfect.

The crab ignores the summoned dolphin - maybe it can't see it through the swirling silt - and charges after Alohan's sweet soft flesh. The summoned marine mammal takes the opportunity to bash into the softer underbelly of the crab, inflicting quite a bit of damage(5hp). The crab catches the native easily, and crunches his leg again in a claw. Angati concentrates, finds a preferable future, and it's as though it never happened. In this new future Alohan reaches the shallow water (waist height) without being eaten. (Although I still need an DC10 acrobatics check to see if he steps on an urchin again).

20:08, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Doplhin AoO.
20:08, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d4+1.  Dolphin damage.
OOC: Oh, come on. That's ridiculous.
20:11, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6,20 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Crab attack vs Alohan.
OOC: One hit, even with the buffing. I'm going to go ahead and MF that.
20:13, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Crab attack MF REROLL.
OOC: Miss. Angati strikes again.

<END OF CRABS' TURN THREE>


HIT POINTS & MISFORTUNE
Angati  HP: 13/19   <MF USED> <SURFACE>
Alohan  HP: 12/22   <MF NOT USED> <SURFACE>
Celene  HP: 12/12   <MF NOT USED> <SURFACE>
Kassius HP: 16/16   <MF USED> <SURFACE>
Kibeti  HP: 19/19   <MF NOT USED> <SURFACE>
Logan   HP:-10/14   DEAD

PAPA CRAB: <MF USED> <SURFACE> -5


SPELLS AND OTHER EFFECTS
NONE


<START OF PLAYERS' TURN THREE>
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:22, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

Updated Map. At least Papa Crab is on the surface now. It still has 'improved cover' (+8 bonus to AC, +4 bonus on Reflex saves) against missile attacks though. On the other hand, spells (even fire spells) can be used against it now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

It's a pretty big crab this one! In fact it weighs considerably more than Angati so she wouldn't be able be able to pull it out of the water even if it did grab onto something. Good idea though!

The dolphin charges the crab, furiously slamming into again with a loud cracking sound as its tail slams into the dolphin's armored side.

Kassius however decides to change tactics, and carefully stows away his bow before drawing his scimitar with a flourish. "Kibeti, Kupu!" Kassius orders, and the cat grins. Looks like seafood for dinner after all!

Kibeti prowls forth and then lashes out at the crab, lifting it up slightly and biting at the softer tastier underside.

---

Kassius
15:55, Today: Kassius rolled 24,3 using 1d20+5,1d4+1.  dolphin charge attack, damage.
Note: I forgot to include the flanking bonus, but it didn't matter.
Dolphin Move Action: Move to attack crab (and flank with alohan)
Dolphin Standard Action: Attack crab
Move Action: Stow Bow
Standard Action: Draw Scimitar

---

HP: 16/16  AC 18, Saves+4/+8(9)/+3
Spells Slots: 1st: 0/3;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 1/2
Summon Nature's Ally Duration: 0/2 (persists until start of my next turn for the sake of flanking and AoOs, but doesn't get another action)

---

Kibeti
16:01, Today: Kibeti rolled 17,4 using 1d20+4,1d6+2.  Bite attack, damage.
Move Action: Move to North of Alohan (I think that's still shallow water, so he can move without a check at 1/4 speed (10 ft), right?
Standard Action: Attack Crab

---

HP: 19/19 AC 14, Saves+4/+6/+3
Current Animal Focus: bull (+2 str)

OOC: +8 to AC (cover) and -4 to hit (in melee), that's pretty impossibly (for Celene at +0 to hit), even for a touch attack, bar a natural 20 :-)

Celene shudders at the sight of the giant arthropod rising menacingly out of the water. She has always feared the sea, and for good reason, she now realises.

Seeing her friends enter the fray, she is cut off from the creature. Blocked from getting a clear shot at it, she instead settles for boosting them all, and hoping for a better chance in a moment.

Everyone (except papa crab) get a +2 bonus to next attack roll, skill check, or ability
check made before the end of their next turn

Standard Action: Cast Guidance on herself
Move Action: retrieve scroll
Free/Swift Action: Divine Vessel
Full Action:
(De)Buffs : next round: +3 to hit (guidance + DV)

---

HP: 12/12  AC 10, CMD: 11, Saves+2/+0/+6
Spells Slots (sorc.): 1st: 4/4
Spells Prepared: 0: Guidance, Resistance, spark,
1: Hide from undead, liberating Command, divine favour
Abilities: Flame lance (7/7), Divine Vessel (3/5), Copycat (5/5), Channeling (2/7, DC14), Blessing Faithful (-)

Alohan managed to find soil under his feet -and urchin- but he thankfully didn't step on an spine. He rose out the water, tall, dark, and bloody. "Dis Dolphin be savin' our lives!" he hollered, pointing to the water behind the crab. If Alohan knew Kassius was responsible for flipper, he did not show it."Dere be a pipe! And de way out!"

Fueled by his desire to help the dolphin help him -and seeing his companions join battle- Alohan spun in the waist high water. But his feet gave out below him as the gravel gave way to a slippery slope of rocks and embarrassment. He pitched backwards in the water attempting to kick the crab so as to not be a total fool. It was hopeless. Alohan found himself neck up in waist deep water, partially on his rump and partially on his knee.

He did not see the wet, partially revealed Angati.

---

18:59, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Acrobatics avoid Urchin (previous round).
19:13, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 13,6 using 1d20+5,1d20+5.  Flanking Flurry of Blows vs Crab.
Full Action: Full action to Flurry of Blows the thing.

---

HP: 12/22  AC: 18  CMD: 19 vs grapple  Saves: +6/+5/+0
Rage: 0  |  6  Stunning Fist: 1  |  1 Note: fixed my stats to correctly reflect character (when not in rage)
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:16, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

Angati moved diagonally to her right, keeping to the shallower water while trying not to step on any sea urchin but failing to do so and stepping on one.

Then, swinging her morningstar on a wide circle she crashed it against the crab's left rear side. However, the slick surface of the crab's rear made the morningstar almost glide without doing much damage.

---

Free : 5ft step | Swft : | Move : - | Stnd : Attack
08:31, Today: Angati rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Acrobatics DC10.
Not entirely sure if for walking on shallow it was also necessary to do the acrobatics roll. Anyway, if it wasn't, then let's just say my boots protected me...

08:35, Today: Angati rolled 3 using 1d8+1.  Damage.
08:34, Today: Angati rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  Morningstar +2 flank +2 celenes buff.

---

HP: 13 |  AC: 1913 | CMD : 14 | Saves: 2/1/3

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs :
 Conditions :
  L0 Spells : 3/4
  L1 Spells : 1/4 Cure Light Wounds, Protect from evil, Cause Fear, Ill Omen (dual cursed)
  Abilities : Misfortune, Temporal Celerity

Man, that is one angry dolphin.


It feels wrong to me. Being in the water shouldn't be such a big advantage. I mean, the best thing to do when in missile combat against someone in this game would be to jump into a pool of water. Just feels wrong, but those are the rules.


And I thought I was getting fancy by calling the dolphin a 'marine mammal'.


You only moved 5 ft (ie quarter speed) so you didn't need to roll. We'll say that your boots were nice and thick - although you'd normally take those off if going for a swim!



True, it wasn't much damage, but still Angati's blow was the final hit needed to dispatch the giant crustacean. The creature writhes in a series of death throws and slips down into the water.

The summoned dolphin disappears and the party is alone again.

OOC: Well done!

Just to remind you, there are two options to follow up on. The drainage pipe, and the secret door.

Celene emits an audible sigh of relief as the marine monster disappears back into the water.

"Alohan, you look hurt! I have a little more power left to heal you, if you need it? If not I'll save it for later, if we get in a more dire emergency. Just let me know."

"But please, no more hasty descisions on going swimming by yourself. There is a hidden trap door in the room with the dead body in there. We need to see if we can open that, and if it could lead us somewhere."

Celene doesn't mention the tube Alohan found in the deep, for some reason.

In order to avoid any more nagging from Celene, the rest of the party agrees to try and force the secret door open, even if that does mean that they'll have to go back into the stinking room with Penkus' diseased corpse. Alohan double checks the crab is dead while Angati dons her armour, then they re-enter the little 10' x 10' room.

It takes some time, and several pairs of hands, but the group does manage to pry the door fully open with a loud *crunch*. Presumably, whatever fancy mechanism there was to make door gently pivot open is now well and truly broken thanks to the party's clumsy efforts - what would Logan say?

Inside is a slightly larger room that measures 10' x 15'. The air in this chamber is stale, but mercifully free of the terrible stench of rotting dwarf - for the time being at least. And unlike the rest of the complex this place seems quite dry, and even a little bit dusty. Along the northern wall sit three large sea chests.


Behold the mighty power of GIMP. Map before secret door found...


...and map after door found and secret room entered.

Celene stepped a few feet into the room and looked around. Turning to the chests, she rhetorically ask "so, are these the treasures of the pirate gang we just evicted?"

"I wonder if pirates trap their chests? Traps probably won't work after so long, like that door, but we ought not to take any chances, right? I wish Logan was here in more than body. For more than just this of course", she adds as an embarrased afterthought.

Celene looks around the room for any signs of sneaky traps from behind, before turning her attention to the chests, looking them over too.

"Perhaps if we try opening them with something long? That scimitar of yours, Kassius?"

OOC: it's a secret perception roll by you GM, right?

"No danks." he muttered, waving Celene away. "Save de magics." Alohan looked upon Logan's fallen corpse and quickly averted his gaze. He was struggling with the loss of his friend and wasn't ready to face his grief. He did what all strong men did, buried it deep for a later date.

Upon discovering the chests, Alohan promptly ignored Celene's advice and marched into the room. He grabbed the far right chest and with one hand on the lid, and a foot on the base, attempted to pry the thing in two.

---

9:03, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 17 using 1d20+1 ((16)) STR Check
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Thu 29 Oct 2015.

Alohan brushes aside Celene, enters the secret room and attempts to open the first chest. The barbarian grunts, and he strains and pulls with all his might but despite his best efforts he is not able to open the lid. The chest is apparently locked tight. Alohan tries the next two chests and it is the same story.

OOC: The locks look pretty simple, what a shame you don't have somebody who can take a shot at opening them!

The Bad News: These are impressive looking chests and are made of strong iron as much as hard dark wood. Alohan is pretty such he can beat them open. Is there anything Alohan couldn't beat open given enough time and beating sticks? Unfortunately these things are going to take a lot of beating and in the process anything inside which is fragile is definitely going to be destroyed.

The Good News: The first two chests are reassuringly heavy... which is a good thing, right? They weigh about 100lb each (Beni and Johannes, that is 45.4kg) which means they are filled with good stuff. The third chest is only about 40lb. All three chests have handles at each end so they are easy enough to transport, although obviously it would be tough to drag them through a submerged drainage pipe covered in spiny sea urchins.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:00, Fri 30 Oct 2015.