OOC: Nemien didn't come out with you guys into the courtyard as he was too scared he would be seen helping the party which he said would be a death sentence for him - if you guys don't succeed. So let's say you asked that before you left his place.

Oh, and sense motive checks are made in secret by the DM, I will make one for you now.  :)

Nemien says that is the only way he has seen them get in, but agrees it is an inconvenient exit! Logan thinks the taxidermist is telling the truth. I mean, he is charmed and has also had the fear of god put into him by Angati. That usually works in getting the best out of people. He certainly wouldn't try and trap you.

Alohan tests the piton before and after entering the hole, and it seems that the stout metal spike is strong enough to take a lot of weight. Then the islander starts climbing down the rope hand over hand.

He gets about ten feet down when the rope suddenly breaks and he is dropped into the water. The barbarian twists in the air to ensure that he hits the water the right way, but it isn't really necessary. The water is deep (10') and cushions the fall. Within a few seconds the native is on the surface paddling and looking around his new location.

OOC: So at worst, you would be looking at 1-3 points of non-lethal damage if you jump in and fail your swim check.

Alohan is in a roughly circular cavern with a large pool of brackish-looking water, its surface greasy with filth and rotting seaweed. The ceiling is twenty feet high, except for the five foot wide hole directly above him which leads to the surface thirty feet above. To the west and the south are narrow beaches of grit and gravel, with the western beach sloping upwards at a shallow angle into the darkness. The cavern seems to be entirely natural with the exception of a two foot diameter lead pipe about fifteen feet above the water to the east.

OOC: Villain POV time!

With a slick swish of his tail that began at the base and travelled down to the tip like a giant wave, Gut Tugger moved a wall of wonderfully clean and warm water over the ridge of his back. Being hidden away in the Lotus Dragon lair could be claustrophobic at times, but he had to admit that it also had its perks. His metallic green scales sparkled like emeralds in the torch light of the hot pool room and he knew that he'd never looked better.

He had been born in the Elven Kingdom of Alfheim about twenty years ago, but had been cast out of his brood when he had killed a packmate over a treasure dispute. He had been young and naïve, and so was quickly captured by animal smugglers, taken to the Thyatian capital and sold to one of the Sasserine noble families who were secretly collaborating with their occupiers. Gut Tugger had assumed that he was destined to be used as an exotic opponent in the arena - a destiny that was a certain death sentence. Then he discovered that he would live, but thought maybe that the arena would've been a better option...

Muzzled and declawed, he was given to a 14-year old girl as a birthday present (OOC: Apparently her parents couldn't get a unicorn). To Gut Tuggers delight, he found out that not only would he now live a life of luxury, but his new 'owner' had a mean and evil streak just as big as his own. He formed a fast friendship with the little girl, and took to her lessons in thievery with shocking ease. The years passed, and the little girl grew up and eventually became the feared Lotus Lady, and Gut Tugger knew he had played a large part in her success.

Today he lived an easy, if a little cramped life as the Lotus Lady's 'pet' and was free to wander around the Lotus Dragon guildhall as he wished. But what he really needed was a bit of action - the Lotus Lady took him out for a run around on one of the nearby islands every now and again but that wasn't enough. He wanted to taste blood in his mouth and hear the screams of his victims. He looked forward to the next incursion into the Lotus Dragon lair with undisguised impatience.

Logan winces as Alohan jumps into the hole, then gasps as the rope breaks and the islander splashes into the water below.  When Alohan seems to be fine, Logan smiles.  "At least it's not me!"

He pulls out another length of rope from his pack and ties it to the piton, then goes into the hole himself, hopefully a little more in control of his descent than the barbarian was.

Swim +5, Acrobatics +9 if needed

Logan makes it down into the cavern with no difficulties, and joins Alohan in the water.

They hear the stretching noise of rusty metal scraping against rusty metal from the north-east and then the sound of rushing water from the same direction.

Kassius looks over at Kibeti, as if asking the cat if it wants to come. Kibeti just rolls his eyes, then glances back into the shop. Kassius can almost imagine the what the cat would say if it could.
"Yeah, I suppose he probably would try and turn you into a specimen. Dirty old frakker. All right, let's go."

With that, Kassius climbs down the rope, while Kibeti braces himself against the edge, and then leaps.


In any case, Kassius has +4 on his acrobatics, and +3 swim (if needed).
Kassius also switches Kibeti's animal focus to frog, granting +4 acrobatics to jump and swim, for a +12 acrobatics (jumping), and +5 swim.

OOC: You can use either swim or acrobatics for jumping into water, since acrobatics is best for both of you let's go with that.

Kibeti jumps down without a problem, but Kassius belly flops into the water and it really hurts (3hp non-lethal).

Water starts coming out of the pipe in the east - a lot of it - the jet of water shoots out almost touching the ceiling of the room before arching down to add to the pool.

To the west the sound of clanking chains is heard.

20:34, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Kassius dive into water (using acrobatics) DC15.
20:35, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 18 using 1d20+12.  Kibeti jumps into water (using acrobatics) DC15.
20:36, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d3.  Kassius non-lethal damge.

Celene looks over the side of the hole, pale with fear. "Will this never end? Always climbing, swimming, climbing, swimming..." She draws in a deep breath, swallows her fear, and puts on her gloves to get a better grip on the rope. She then waits for the water jet to subside and the chain sound to abate. Only when it all seems to quit down does she descend using Logans rope.

OOC: I don't follow. Since Logan put up a new rope, don't we just climb down that? No need to jump in before we're down...

I am assuming our gear (her scrolls) can somehow be kept dry, i.e. being in a waterproof canister or similar. If not, she would like to make arrangements to have it lowered down and kept out of the water. Do we need to rp that?

Anyway, her sorry skills are:
Climb: +0, swim -1, acrobatics +0
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Mon 16 Nov 2015.

As his companions followed him into the shallow water, Alohan was sure to take a defensive position next to the western exit. He didn't bother listening for an approaching enemy -not only did they make enough noise themselves but the streaming water was enough to mask anybodies approach. He instead readied himself if something stumbled around the corner, using breathing technique his master had taught him. He just hoped they were ready for what was about to be attempted. Taking down a crime syndicate was no small task.

At the clanking of chains, Alohan further steeled himself against the unknown. He glanced behind him to see his companion's progress, silently wishing they'd hurry their descent. Regardless, Alohan prepared.

---

Ready an attack if anything comes around the corner. Alohan would be on the southern-most square at the 4 square entrance.

Oh yeah, good point. I just assumed you'd want to dive in because that would be far cooler. But I suppose you can be a pussy and get out your climbing gloves ;P




Yeah, all scroll come in waterproof containers. No need to RP that.



She can take a 10 since she's in no real hurry, can gets down the rope ok.


Alohan stands his ground as the clanking noise approaches and grows louder - it is loud enough to hear over the roar of the water pouring into the lake behind him. He strains his eyes, but he is at the limit of the natural light filtering in from the hole above and doesn't see the green reptilian shape until it is almost upon him. He sees a short snout filled with teeth, a long body and a tail. Then the barbarian stops watching and strikes.

OOC: Ron, take an attack in the surprise round. Your opponent is in dim light so there is a 20% chance that any hit you make will actually be a miss due to the darkness.

Of those still swimming in the water, three of them may have been able to use their superior sight to see what was approaching, but they have other things on their mind.

A crossbow bolt threshes into the water an inch from Kassius' elbow. It would have been a good body shot if it hadn't been for the protection that the water afforded. The hunter looks in the direction it came from - to the north and from above - but even with his very sharp darkvision he can't see the source. There is nothing to the north except solid cavern wall from ceiling to the water surface.

The water level in the pool rises slightly due to the water thundering in from the pipe above.

OOC: Alohan and Angati, you're the only ones who can respond in this surprise round, the rest of you just hang tight.

Angati is still above on the surface (which probably makes her the smartest party member). She can take the rope down (one full round action, DC5 climb check) or just jump down (DC15 swim or acrobatics check to avoid damage, else 1d3 non-lethal damage).

Some details on the water, dark blue is 10' deep calm water (DC10 swim check if you want to). Light blue is about waist height and is just difficult terrain.

09:03, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2 using 1d4.  Target 1) Celene 2) Kassius 3) Logan 4) Kibeti.
09:04, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20-5.  Attacking Kassius with crowbow bolt.



The Crucible

<ROUND ONE (SURPRISE ROUND)>


HIT POINTS & MISFORTUNE
Angati  HP: 19/19   <MF NOT USED>
Alohan  HP: 22/22   <MF NOT USED>
Celene  HP: 12/12   <MF NOT USED>
Kassius HP: 16/16   <MF NOT USED> <-3 NONLETHAL>
Kibeti  HP: 19/19   <MF NOT USED>
Logan   HP: 14/14   <MF NOT USED>

OPPONENT 'C': <MF NOT USED>


SPELLS AND OTHER EFFECTS
NONE

In reply to Celene (msg # 51):

Johannes, I just reread your post. So you don't want to go down until it's all over?!

Oh, it's ok, she won't be any help up there anyway, so just leave her there. Now cover from water is a good thing!!:-)

Edit: poor wording used above: what I mean is leave her in the water where you put her, it's fine!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Tue 17 Nov 2015.

Just to confirm, I have low-light vision, not dark-vision because of a half-orc variant trait. Sometimes Low-light vision is better than dark vision, sometimes worse depending on conditions, just wanted to confirm. So opponent C should be in regular light for me.

Sorry for the delay responding in this thread I was engrossed in other things and hadn't noticed this had moved so much... so... can Angati use her sling from the top or she doesn't see him ?.

In case she can:
15:23, Today: Angati rolled 12,2 using 1d20+2,1d4+1.  Sling shot.

In case she cannot, here is my failed Dive:
15:22, Today: Angati rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Acrobatics dive.

OOC: even though Celene is surprised, is it possible to look for the shooter above to the north? And if so, can she try and pierce an illusion hiding an archer (get a saving throw)?

The green snouted, lizard creature took him off guard, so much so that he paused long enough for the creature to notice him. What transpired was Alohan throwing out a haphazard slug hoping to connect with the dragon. The drake reeled backwards preparing itself to strike. Half worried it would rip his arm off if he missed, he was reserved, embarrassingly so. Alohan wasn't sure exactly what he gotten himself into.

He steeled himself none-the-less, hoping his companions behind him saw the monstrous critter blocking their passage. With arms at the ready, Alohan flexed his muscles, ushering his pele forth.

---

19:34, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 4,8 using 1d20+3,1d6+3.  Single Attack.
19:43, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Initiative .
Standard Action: Throw out a kick.

---

HP: 22/22  AC: 17  CMD: 19 vs grapple  Saves: +6/+5/+0
Rage: 6  |  6  Stunning Fist: 1  |  1 Note:

Got to love that magic 'improved cover' (+8 AC bonus, +4 reflex save bonus) just from swimming in water! Just remember this only applies against opponents still on land, and as per my house rule, on against missile fire. Still, the water is the safest place to be.



Opps, ok. Yes, opponent C is normally visible but you weren't looking at him because somebody was shooting at you. You can't see who shot the bolt, even when you look in the direction it came from.



She can't see either opponent 'C' or whoever shot the crossbow bolt.



Angati holds her breath and tentatively jumps into the water 30' (10m!) below. Although her 'dive' is not elegant, she at least avoids being a sitting duck while climbing down the rope.

The rest of the party hear the old lady wail and then a big splash as she hits the water back first (2hp non-lethal damage).

08:42, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2 using 1d3.  Angati non lethal damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:00, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

<END OF SURPRISE ROUND>


HIT POINTS & MISFORTUNE
Angati  HP: 19/19   <MF NOT USED> <-2 NONLETHAL>
Alohan  HP: 22/22   <MF NOT USED>
Celene  HP: 12/12   <MF NOT USED>
Kassius HP: 16/16   <MF NOT USED> <-3 NONLETHAL>
Kibeti  HP: 19/19   <MF NOT USED>
Logan   HP: 14/14   <MF NOT USED>

OPPONENT 'C': <MF NOT USED>


SPELLS AND OTHER EFFECTS
NONE


<ROUND TWO START OF OPPONENTS' TURN>

The creature that Alohan had tried to make an attack on rears up and hisses at him. He gets a better look at it:


Except the one facing Alohan is greener...

The large crocodile leaps to attack him in a whirl of snapping jaws, but slips in the soft gravel and ends up sprayed out in front of the barbarian. So is this the fantastic 'green dragon' that everybody in town has been saying the Lotus Dragons have stashed under the city? Rather underwhelming!

08:48, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Croc bit attack vs Alohan.

As the rest of the party splash around in the pool, another crossbow bolt cuts into the water with a harsh *thwirp*. Celene thinks it might have been meant for her head. Then another bolt, this one from the east, embeds itself into Angati's wooden shield.

08:49, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 1d6.  1) Alohan 2) Logan 3) Angati 4) Celene 5) Kassius 6) Kibeti.
08:50, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2 using 1d20-5.
08:50, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d6.  1) Alohan 2) Logan 3) Angati 4) Celene 5) Kassius 6) Kibeti.
08:50, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20-5.  Attack vs Angati.

<ROUND TWO START OF PLAYERS' TURN>
This message was last updated by the GM at 08:00, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

Updated Map

OOC: still question about seeing through illusori wall, but also: what actions are possible while in the water? Using the wand? Casting spells? I'm not going to ask about a scroll... :-)

Illusionary Walls:
Oh, so you think there might be an illusionary wall or two? :P OK, if you spend an a standard action studying one of the walls (give me a direction) you get to make a will save to spot the illusion (sorry, but I am not telling you the DC) BUT even if you figure it out, you will still might not be able to see through it. Just warning you, that is the rules with this illusions and Celene knows that.

Casting spells:
Since you are on the surface of the water, it isn't so bad. You are treading water - I'll call that vigorous motion, so you need a DC10 concentration check. A concentration check = d20 + caster level + ability modifier. If you get to the shallower water (light blue) then you don't need the concentration check, but you loose your improved cover.

Using the wand:
Easy - just hold the wand and say the command word. No check needed.

Scrolls:
I'm glad you didn't ask about that!

This message was last edited by the GM at 08:28, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

Celene had learned enough about illusions to know they could be the reason their assailants were invisible. Or maybe not. But that was her line of thinking. Carefully reviewing the wall, looking for any discrepancies, she hoped to spot a flaw or tell-tale sign of an illusionary concealment

She tried to keep her head down, but an arrow swishing by her, made her thrash in the water. Her frantic, erratic movements had a surprising result. Her violent motions seemed to blur her! Further experimental movements astonished her: her blurred visage seemed to extract itself, and a whole new image of her appeared next to her, floating in the water! "What...." was all she managed to utter.

OOC: sorry alohan, mage armor is touch range, i just realised.
09:47, Today: Celene rolled 25 using 1d20+6 ((19)).

Standard Action: spot/disbelieve illusion
Move Action: Copycat
Free/Swift Action: 5 foot to H2
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, [empty slot]
1: Murderous Command, Liberating Command, disguise self
Abilities: Flame lance (7/7), Divine Vessel (5/5), Copycat (4/5), Channeling (7/7, DC14), Blessing Faithful (-)

This message was last edited by the player at 11:00, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

Angati moved to the south, it was the closest route to land, and it served her well. Once there, with her sling still in hand, she tried to get a good shot at the crocodile that was menacing Alohan.

---

Free : | Swft : | Move :  | Stnd :
11:11, Today: Angati rolled 18,4 using 1d20+2,1d4+1.  Sling Attack.
(Need to modify difficulty as crocodile in melee but I hope that it still hits).

---

HP: 19 |  AC: 19 | CMD : 14 | Saves: 2/1/3

Special Notes:

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

This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

OOC: can I add a "5 foot swim" to H2 for Celene? Maybe make the angle too steep for them to hit... It's still deep enough for full cover there, right? Otherwise she stays put.

Celene tries to concentrate on the locations where the crossbow bolts roughly flew in from, looking at the rock to see if she can detect discrepancies in lighting and texture.

It took her a couple of seconds - it was difficult to get a good look since she was relying on the natural light filtering in from outside via the hole - and since she was paddling in a broiling greasy sea of rotting seaweed with water raining in down on her, and being are shooting at her, but she manages to pull it off!

To the north she spies 15' of wall with a height of 10' and at an elevation of about 10' above the water level where the lighting wasn't quite right. It was a good illusion, actually, a damn good illusion and that in itself was worrying since it meant that the Lotus Dragons either had a high level wizard who could cast illusionary wall or at least knew a way to bribe one to do it. But the illusion wasn't perfect. After she spotted that she looked around to the east and south and her heart sank. There were also small sections of illusionary wall in these directions, also about 10' above the water. These ones were more like arrow slits, and not big enough for a person to squeeze through.

Even though she could spot they were illusions, she couldn't see through them... All in all, not a good position for the party to be in.


Updated mid turn map. Illusionary walls shown in green. The northern section is the only one big enough for someone to climb through, it would be a DC10 climb check to get up the 10' to it.



Sorry, you can't 5' step in difficult terrain. Also, you'll need to be right under them to make the angle steep enough to avoid getting hit.



Angati sends a sling stone into the sprawled crocodile, hitting it on the snout.

13:51, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 56 using 1d100.  Angati miss chance (1-20).

Kassius curses softly, as he gets his bearings, seizing up the situation. Arrows pelting him from invisible foes above, and a giant crocodile like thing ineffectively attacking Alohan, so far at least. Wait, giant crocodile? What the heck was that thing?

09:02, Today: Kassius rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  knowledge (nature) giant crocodile.

Not trusting himself to swim, Kassius edges around the North end of the pool. Hoping the water and cave edge would give him some cover, he draws his bow, aiming at the crocodile and firing a solid shot that burrows into the monster. "Kibeti, Kupu" He calls out, and the cat grins. None of this long-dead, unnaturally moving meat. Just an equal foe. Looks like seafood's still on the menu!

Kibeti easily paddles through the water, enhanced by the magic his bond with Kassius grants, and advances on the crocodile, hissing and biting down on the foe.

---

Kassius
09:06, Today: Kassius rolled 19,5 using 1d20+6,1d6.  attack, damage.
Move Action: Move to I2, and draw bow
Standard Action: Fire at crocodile. By my count, there's no cover, I can ignore firing into melee since I have precise shot, and he's just out of point blank range.

---

HP: 16/16 (3 non-lethal)  AC 18, Saves+4/+8/+3
Spells Slots: 1st: 3/3;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 2/2

---

Kibeti
09:11, Today: Kibeti rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  swim (if needed).
09:12, Today: Kibeti rolled 13,4 using 1d20+3,1d6+1.  Bite attack, damage on croc.
Move Action: Swim/walk to E5
Standard Action: Attack crocodile.

---

HP: 19/19 AC 14, Saves+4/+6/+3
Current Animal Focus: frog(+4 swim, jump)