This is the storyline for Kassius and Alohan

By noon the next day, Kassius has already gotten his precious cargo of dangerous animals loaded onto a barge and ready to head upstream towards the location of his new 'dangerous critter ranch'. He also packs the half dozen rhagodessa eggs into a case with as much gloop as he can get from their nest and prays they will survive the trip. As Kassius also takes a team of workers with him, if all of this works out his business is going to be off to a flying start.

Since Alohan has not had the opportunity to see beyond the city walls yet, the native decides to come with Kassius - and this means that the long suffering Remmi must also accompany them. The royal manservant does so with a feeling of foreboding. If life in Shadowshore was rough then surely living out in the jungle would be intolerable.

It takes a couple of days to push against the current and get to the jungle clearing which is about a day's ride from the city. There isn't much to see yet, but in Kassius' mind it is all clear... the animal pens, the stables, the reptarium, the ranchsted...

The next week is spent in the back breaking work of creating a makeshift camp, gathering building materials and then setting in the strong foundations needed to keep the buildings safe and dry in the damp jungle environment

OOC: Kassius, you get a free week's work from Alohan and Remmi. Unfortunately, you are not able to contribute to the labour at all yourself - see below.

It immediately becomes clear that something is up with Kassius. The hunter is hardly able to get out of bed at the start of the week, and by the third day Remmi has to take over the task of organising the work teams. By that point the hunter is looking dishevelled and exhausted - much more 'Strider' than 'Aragon'.

Kassius knows what is wrong, but isn't able to do anything to fix it. He struggles to find peace in bed despite being so tired, and when he does manage to eventually find slumber his dreams are haunted by terrible nightmares that he can only remember snippets of when he awakens - terrible demonic fish with many eyes, being trapped in a huge standing wave of water where he can't breath... but can never manage to drown either. If only Celene was here to cast a sleep spell on him!

Kibeti's reponse to all this is unusual. He watches Kassius from his normal spot at the foot of the bed with a mixture of concern and... suspicion? When Kassius wakes on the seventh day from a particularly vivid night terror of falling through a hole into a underground city of fungus, he finds the great cat is gone.

The hunter drags himself out to the campfire where Alohan is cheerfully making a morning brew and Remmi is trying to shake out insects from his sleeping cloak. Kassius sees a strange pile of things just outside the camp circle, with his animal companion standing over them. Mildly poisonous toads, a collection of fungus with hallucinogenic properties, centipedes... as a proper child of the jungle he knows what they can be used for... making Ayahuasca, the mildly nacotig and hallucinogenic drink which has been used since ancient Olman times. In fact, he had cooked up some small brews a few times as a teenager. But all these ingredients at once? It would be the mother of all Ayahuasca batches.

Kibeti growls and nods towards the pot over the campfire where Alohan's tea is just beginning to simmer. It is clear what he is suggesting.

OOC: Time for your totem guide to guide you...
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Mon 25 Jan 2016.

Kassius moans in a combination of exhaustion and pain. His head aches, his eyes are bleary, and his muscles sore. Really, he should have taken a break a day ago, but this project has consumed him, and he's determined not to let the ranch fail. He'd worked hard to get the respect and current semi-equal footing he has with his grandfather, and he's not going to let it all go to waste due to some bad dreams.

However, the latest dream, coupled with Kibeti's odd behavior, makes it clear that this is more than just stress. Something is wrong, and apparently he needs to make a batch of Ayahuasca.

Before he does that, he turns to his friend and companion. "Alohan, my good friend, I may be out of it for a while. Please make sure nothing goes wrong with the ranch."

Then, taking the ingredients, Kassius begins the process or brewing the most potent batch of Ayahuasca he had ever heard of. Ten minutes later, the finished mug steams ominously. Kassius looks over at Kibeti, as if confirming that he's really supposed to do this. "Well, here goes nothing. Well, nothing besides whatever tenuous grip on sanity I still have."
Kassius says, and then, drains the entire cup down his throat.

The Nuari islands were -by no means- a bastion of civilization but Alohan found himself intimidated by the rainforest around Sasserine. His home boasted newer growth, an emerald gem of tropical flora still within the first decades of their life. What Alohan found himself working in was ancient, thick -even intimidating. He only suspected the creatures were somehow older, wiser, and a hell of alot more deadly. Again, the Nuari islands had their share of deadly monsters but he felt horribly outclassed. Even with his fancy new belt -one Remmi had successfully found and purchased for him- Alohan found himself warily glancing at the tree line.

...but he got used to it. In fact, when Kassius was left incapacitated Alohan and Remmi (mostly Remmi) were looked upon to to help get the ranch started. The business of managing their makeshift workforce, prioritizing duties, and ensuring Kassius's curious cargo was kept alive forced Alohan to focus. He no longer had a care about the rainforest around him. It was good practice, after all -if he couldn't ensure Kassius's ranch had a strong foundation, how the hell could he lead a nation?

------------
[Language unknown: "O Tepewa, the ome hopeeeek"] he scolded, stirring the tea dwelling over the fire. He glanced over at his friends futile efforts. [Language unknown: "shetinrut heday art riet k sipa! Ilel tho nover at k onreacpo t to rencac evewilart."] He chuckled at his own joke. [Language unknown: "Pethilil stiul hopa i str et Whehatver Wereented? Ec laoflo esstsi pro ndrelo ion wereon tole ithtinion a hismanwiltho an ounuretin estoulpro t! Ss wati sanst mi arwhostoio whe an pourin."]

Upon the emergence of Kassius, Alohan stood up and smiled. "Ya majesty!" he hollered cheerfully. Alohan listen patiently to Kassius's request, nodding in compliance. As Kassius went about preparing his strange brew, Alohan sipped at his tea. He gave a sidelong look to Remmi and shrugged without a clue as to what was going on.

Remmi scowled. [Language unknown: "I korresoutast ardri ughounthi il allingson witin in rutthuous os ch llhas istifo lin as enc rutta our wer il ngevou, el!"]



[Language unknown: "Ho pehat eenintantthe whwhckma ng, venardent ntck is ant p stelme pre fo toelom, niast it anyac te olhoie as ithionnti illmanenc adcest panome medi ivbeun ear proit ounressti fito'ofil le pretr ostrri m ainwitund romoustiningntiven A eareretin."]



Kassius didn't seem to be in the mood for chatting.



From Alohan's point of view, Kassius has made a strange brew out of a collection of stuff his cat had assembled in a pile... and then drunk it.

The young man's pupils dilate and then the half-orc falls back onto his ass with a thump, staring out into the jungle without focusing. Remmi runs forwards and catches him before he falls backwards and the hunter offers no resistance as the manservant gently lowers him to the ground.

[Language unknown: "Di unit hein st conas n onil ecevfo!"] Remmi exclaims, bending down to checks the man's breathing and then sniffing the empty mug in his hand. "Damn! Sire! It smells like an apothecary's toilet."

After a couple of minutes it is obvious that the hunter isn't getting up soon - he is totally phased out and dribbling at the mouth. Not sure what else to do, the two islanders move him into his tent so he can rest of his cot, then return to the campfire.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:07, Tue 26 Jan 2016.

Several hours later, Macutotnal, hero of his nation, hammer of the other-worlders who would invade the mighty Olman nation, and most importantly, champion Ollamaliztli player - awoke in his luxury apartment. He stretched lethargically to shake of the effects of last night's revery. What a night it had been! Just last week he had smashed the last of the evil invaders using his mighty bow, a gift from the gods themselves, and then yesterday he had won the Ollamaliztli cup. Truly he was the greatest man of the 1,000 year Olman empire - men wanted him in there team and the girls just wanted him in them.

He jumped to his feet and looked around for his clothed. There was no time to rest! He was due at the holy festival of the new moon in Thanaclan in a day's time and he didn't want to miss it. There would be games, women, food, music, ritual sacrifices of slaves atop the central ziggurat, yes, a great time would be had by all! [1].

His half-orc manservant was there at his side. "Sire, I have your garments ready," said Kibeti cordially. Good old Kibeti! Always prepared, reliable and waiting patiently at home when Macutotnal was out having fun.

OOC: Congrats, your new character is called Macutotnal and is a great Olman hero. The Olman empire is a combination of every Aztec cliché you have ever encountered. When you describe you actions, please do it twice - first what he sees and then what is actually happening in the real world. Keep in mind that Kassius is on a mind bending Ayahuasca trip, so everything he sees is a little psychedelic, technocolour over the top.

First order of business, please explain how you escape from the tent without Alohan or Remmi noticing.


Footnotes
[1] Except for the slaves. For them this festival was gunna suck.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:08, Tue 26 Jan 2016.

Macutotnal springs up from the bed, stretching dramatically and grinning as his back cracks delightfully. His head aches from the vast quantities of octli he had drunk the night before, but that's ok, he's quite used to the sensation. He attends most of his Ollamaliztli practices either drunk or hung-over, and is fairly certain that he'd play far worse sober. His muscle-memory was all developed with at least a mild buzz.

Seeing the clothes, Macutotnal greats his faithful servant with his typical exuberance. "This is fantastic Kibeti! An excellent selection, as always!" Macutotnal dresses quickly, and then strides out of his tent. Seeing Kibeti approach, Macutotnal groans. The servant was helpful, but always whining about Macutotnal not doing things properly. He doesn't have time for the fancy breakfast the man no doubt prepared, and eating on a hangover just makes him sick. "Bah, cease your simpering worries and off with you! I just don't have time right now, I have a long trip today!"

---

Kassius jumps up suddenly, sending the tea cup flying with his abrupt motion, landing on the floor and shattering. He stretches dramatically, and rubs his head slightly, stumbling slightly as if intoxicated. "This is fantastic Kibeti! An excellent selection, as always!" He announces abruptly, before jerking around, grasping as if at invisible items and pulling them around.

As this incredibly uncharacteristic behavior continues, Kassius ignores all questions and comments from Alohan and Remmi before abruptly interrupting them, "Bah, cease your simpering worries and off with you! I just don't have time right now, I have a long trip today!"

It was midday and Alohan was assisting in the felling of nearby trees for lumber. It was difficult, tiresome work but he found himself enjoying the hours spent chipping away at the jungle around him. Fueled by his new leathered, metal shackled belt, Alohan felt himself felling trees with a force he hadn't known was in him. Remmi reassured him it was the magics of the belt but Alohan prefered to think it was his own enhanced prowess. He knew it was the belt but any opportunity to knock Remmi down a peg was never passed up. Alohan almost felt like it was his royal duty to tease his friend -the gods placed him on this planet to make Remmi's life one spiteful existence.

He paused to wipe the sweat from his brow when he noticed Kassius emerge from his tent. He heaved the axe into the tree he was attempting to fell before trotting over to join him and Remmi. "aloha me fri...." When Kassius told him to cease talking, he did so but he glanced questioningly at Remmi. His half-orc friend was really growing into his new found noble position.

"Great! Where we be going den?" he asked, curious as to where Kassius was in such a rush to get to.

It is at that point that a dark skinned young lady in riding leathers and with a long bow hanging over her back moves out of the jungle line and into the camp clearing. She jogs over to Kassius and with a mocking smile does a deep curtsey in front of him. "Your grace!" she says with a laugh. Kassius pushes past her without a hint of recognition. "Hey! Squirt!" she calls out after him. No response.

"What the frac? What is up with him?" she asks no-one in particular. "He asked me to come here for frac's sake."

"Sir, we really must be getting on if we are going to make the festival."

---

"Yawl, yawl, rrrrah, growl."

OOC: Well this is turning out to be quite weird...

Macutotnal nods agreeably at Kibeti. He speaks ebulliently, his hands gesticulating wildly to show his excitement.  "Yes, yes, I know Kibeti. I am hurrying. It would be most disheartening to be late for the festival. Why, just think how sad everyone would be to miss me!"
With that, Kassius hurries off down the road, following Kibeti.

---

Kassius nods, and starts speaking at Kibeti, his hands gesticulating wildly, still ignoring Alohan and Penny. After his brief conversation with the cat, Kassius hurriedly starts walking of of the ranch.

Getting weird? I'm pretty sure it started weird! I have no idea where you're going with this, but it seems ... intriguing.

"What? Are you fracing serious Kassius? Hey you two native guys, what is going on?!"

---

The next day is spent in frantic but fruitless attempts to bring Kassius back to his senses. The hunter and his cat continue pushing through the jungle at a furious pace, with Penny and Alohan almost unable to keep up.

OOC: Both Kassius and Alohan must make 4 survival checks at DC15 as they travel southwards. For each check that Kassius makes he recalls an interesting piece of information about his former life. For each check that Alohan fails, he and Penny arrive another round late to the big fight.

Kassius/Macutotnal make excellent progress through the thick woods. Even as Kassius continues to ignore his companions, he easily maneuvers through the jungle, stepping lithely and avoiding all but the most carefully concealed hazards. He is no longer ebulliently chatting, but concentrates on moving steadily and quickly, determined to get to his mysterious destination.

15:58, Today: Kassius rolled 20,11,19,19 using 1d20+9,1d20+9,1d20+9,1d20+9.  survival checks.

At first, Alohan and Penny had a difficult time keeping sight of Kassius. They fell behind of the half-orc and his cat but the space between them was just enough to lose sight of him for long periods of time. For Alohan, it had been awhile -he hadn't tracked through a jungle thicket in quite some time (ignoring the route the took to get to the critter ranch). Penny seemed to be a natural but lacked any significant training to refine her abilities. Thus, she defaulted to Alohan's judgement.

Over the course of the day, Alohan began to predict and eventually grow comfortable with Kassius's movements. He was able to close the distance quite easily -within jogging distance- but still remained far enough behind to give his obviously mentally unstable friend the distance he needed. "Dis be one strange moon's turn..." he mumbled to Penny. To make it even more shocking, Alohan hadn't even propositioned his female companion to stop off for a quickie!

---

15:17, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 9,14,20,17 using 1d20+4,1d20+4,1d20+4,1d20+4 ((5,10,16,13)). Survival checks.
Note: looks like 2 failures (barely missed one) and 2 successes -Can Penny do an aid another for a possible +2? (and thus a third success?)

OOC: OK, four pieces of information then. Please keep in mind that the below is influenced by Macutotnal self-aggrandising nature and absolute certainty that he is the centre of existence.

WARNING: Ridiculous wall of text approaching.

#1 - Macutotnal and the War from Beyond

Macutotnal moves through the forest with the speed and grace of the jaguar warrior that he is, his faithful Kibeti keeping pace by his side like always. The Olman hero thinks back, all the way to the beginning of their relationship. He had bought the half-orc midway through his fifth Ollamaliztli season with the intention of offering him up for sacrifice after the finals just like he had done to a slave each year previously... but that year had turned out very differently. Macutotnal was already noted as the greatest handball player of the epoch, and was  chasing a record breaking fifth victory, but then the michin, the 'fish' had pierced the boundary between their space and the dimension the Olmans lived in. The war was vast -> the greatest empire in human history at its zenith, an empire stretching across a quarter of the globe, vesus an immensely powerful force from another plan of existence.

The handball player couldn't pretend to understand where the giant three-eyed goldfish had come from, but he understood the terrible havoc that they and their minions wrought on the Olman empire. Great cities were wiped out as mega-volcanoes sprung up in their midst. Inter-dimensional portals were located and torn apart by giant whirlpools summoned by the Olman priests. Legions of jaguar warriors faced off against endless swarms of creatures from the nightmare dimensions.

The Olmen Empire was a powerful civilization, perhaps the must powerful grouping that humankind would ever create, but within 24 months only one of its great cities remained and its people were dead or scattered. The last city was Thanaclan, 'City of Pearl', and Macutotnal's home town.

The high priests of the empire discovered an answer. The problem was that very few of the evil michin were ever caught and killed, but a method was found with powerful magics to pull the fish's capital into the real world. This would be done deep in the earth so the city could be crushed and destroyed.

Macutotnal, by that point a renowned war veteran and expect archer, volunteered to travel into *beyond* and trigger the great 'Taloc's Tear' - the device that would rip reality apart and reshape it.

#2 - Macutotnal and the Nimbus Bow
A throng of slaves were slaughtered and the Olman gods beseeched - and they answered with the mightiest weapon of the eon. A bow of such power that every outsider trembled in its presence, and no creature from beyond could resist an arrow first from its bowstring. Mighty Quentzalcoatl, in his cloak with a spray of stars, granted the power of a comet from the firmament. Fiery Tonatiuh, the his presence of his avatar blistering the marble into a bubbling goo, imbibed the power of the sun into the weapon. And subtle Tezcatlipoca, the smoking mirror, wove a moonbeam into the bowstring. When the were finished, the Nimbus Bow, the greatest artefact ever created stood hovering in the air before Macutotnal. So he took it.


The Nimbus Bow - the closest thing D&D 3.5 had to an ICBM launcher

#3 - Macutotnal wins by losing everything
The Olmans dug deep; deep down into the earth where it was hot and unstable. Macutotnal was honoured to lead the mission and trigger the device three miles below the surface of Thanaclan. The host of men he was leading disappeared from the world they knew, and reappeared in the middle of an underwater hell - Golismorga, the living city of the fish.

He and his men were immediately attacked by countless waves of the aquatic creatures from beyond, and they lay down their lives without hesitation to protect Taloc's device while it recharged. And finally, when his men were down to the last couple of dozen, it happened and the whole city and its inhabitants were pulled back into the real world.

Taloc, the Olman god of rains, was not exactly known as a kind deity, but what befell Macutotnal and his friends next lead to them re-evaluating Taloc entirely. Sure enough, they were pulled back and all the water pushed out of the city like a giant sponge being squeezed out - but the Olman warriors were pushed along to and trapped in a giant wall of water. The 'fish' and their minions were left behind and flopped about helplessly, but the Olmans fared little better - they were trapped in a standing wall of water.

One by one, as their water-breathing magics expired, the Olman jaguar warriors gave up their lives. Macutotnal and Kibeti were one of the last. But, the second after the world's greatest ball player convulsed in his death spasm he was back - 'Taloc's Tear' was powered by the souls of the Olman warriors who had sacrificed themselves for it and they were trapped by it forever.

OOC: Please note, I did not make up this crazy convoluted story line (although I am reading between the lines a bit). What were these Paizo guy's smoking on the day they wrote this?!

#4 - Macutotnal loses after all
Macutotnal raged and writhed by he was trapped there with the souls of several dozen of his men and Kibeti. But worst was to come. In the years that followed the 'victory' over the 'fish', a new evil moved into the now mad Golismorga. And it destroyed the last Olman city above with a great tide of savagery in ONE DAY. The greatest hero of Olman civilisation had sacrificed his life and soul in vain.

OOC. OK, crazy and epic enough for you? Back to reality and things that actually make sense tomorrow, I promise.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:32, Sun 31 Jan 2016.

Alohan's assessment of Penny is perhaps a little unfair - she is an experienced ranger and well versed in travelling through these jungles. It is just that Kassius moves with unnatural grace and endurance, the pair of them are doing all they can to keep him in sight.

"Frac! What was in that witch's brew you gave him?" asks Penny.



It is doubtful that Penny would be in the mood, even with Alohan's impressive physic being shown off to best advantage under a thick layer of glistening sweat. She is becoming increasingly worried by the route that Kassius is taking and then finally exclaims. "Frac, frac and FRAAAAC! He's heading into the Magalarve." Seeing Alohan's blank look, she continues. "The City of Scales. The old Olman ruins that now serve as the centre of the Bullywug religion - the place will be crawling with them!"




OOC: No, she is too busy looking after herself to help out. You will enter the combat two rounds after Kassius.


The Magalarve is bottom and a little left of centre
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Mon 01 Feb 2016.

There is nothing that can be done to stop Kassius and his cat though, and they continue their relentless run into the heartlands of the Bullywug. Alohan starts seeing evidence of the amphibious humanoids - primitive fetishes hung from branches, animal bones crudely nailed to trees, animal carcasses ritually carved up and left on display.

Finally, after almost six hours of journey almost due south, they come to the top of a rise and look down on a jungle clearing hacked out of the dense foliage. In the middle is a small ziggurat with half a dozen of the green skinned bullywugs wandering close by - the seem to be aimlessly walking around the area -  a bit like they are drugged or sleepwalking.

"Frac," curses Penny. "Bullwugs. I hate these guys."

Kassius is already on his way down. Right into the middle of them.

After a pleasant run Macutotnal finds himself at the entry to the festival grounds. Below him is one of the ceremonial ziggurats with a few high priests tending to their duties.

"Sir, do you see what they have on the top of the ziggurat?" Kibeti asks in a surprised tone.



Kassius sees it. It is the large grooved disc that commemorates his fifth season victory. And they have taken it from him. He notices for the first time that the high priests are also holding large paper mache models of lizard people. Apparently it was practice time...

OOC: Kassius, you can choose to enter at any point on the map. The jungle is all difficult terrain, but there is a mud slip to the NE providing more easy access, but no cover. The jungle is soft cover.

You need to get to the middle and get out with the grooved disc. If you spend too many rounds joining it the bullywug high priest will turn up and give you a nasty curse or two.

Macutotnal surveys the scene from the jungle, near the mudslip. His well trained eyes picks out the foes, and his mind makes a plan. He needs to be fast. Faster than the priests, faster than normal people. He calls out loudly on the power of the gods, and they respond, causing Macutotnal to feel their power flowing through his very blood. He starts moving with almost inhuman speed. "Here is Macutotnal, the greatest Olman hero. Come and get me, if you can!" He boasts to the priests. Kibeti, by his side, groans at his master's lack of stealth.

---

Kassius
Macutotnal enters the map at N1.
Kassius enters Swift Action: Animal Focus (Tiger)
Standard Action: Cast Expeditious Retreat on Self
Free Action: Taunt
Move Action: Draw Longbow

---

HP: 21/21  AC 18, Saves+4/+8(+9)/+4
Spells Slots: 1st: 3/4;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 2/3, Door Sight 6/6
Current Buffs: Animal Focus: Tiger (+2 Dex), round 1/10, Expeditious Retreat (+30 speed), 3 minutes

---

Kibeti
Kibeti enters at O1
Full Round Action: total defense

---

HP: 19/19 AC 19(24), Saves+4/+7(+8)/+3
Current Animal Focus: Tiger(+2 Dex)
Current Buffs:

The Bullywugs stop and turn, their mouths showing surprise at this bizarre interloper appearing in the middle of their most holy ritual. With roars they stumble towards the great Macutotnal - but their movements are uncoordinated and halting.

OOC. They all have the 'staggered' condition for some reason.


Hang on! Are you just delaying so that you minimize the rounds you have to fight alone?!

Macutotnal grins victoriously, and then dashes off to the side, skirting around the inside edge of the forest. Kibeti follows his master. Then, having gone most of the way around, Macutotnal spins arounds and calls out to the gods, summoning vines and roots to reach up and grab the bullywogs. Having clustered in one place, they are an easy target, and most find themselves hopeless surrounded by entangling vines.

---

Kassius
Move Action: Move to R9 (should be able to do it with a single move thanks to expeditious retreat).
Standard Action: Cast Entangle (DC 14) targeting grid intersection L/M 1/2. Should extend out to get 1-6, and maybe 8

---

HP: 21/21  AC 18, Saves+4/+8(+9)/+4
Spells Slots: 1st: 2/4;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 2/3, Door Sight 6/6
Current Buffs: Animal Focus: Tiger (+2 Dex), round 1/10, Expeditious Retreat (+30 speed), 3 minutes

---

Kibeti
Kibeti enters at O1
Full Round Action: double move to Q11 (there isn't a row 10?)

---

HP: 19/19 AC 19(21), Saves+4/+7(+8)/+3
Current Animal Focus: Tiger(+2 Dex)
Current Buffs:

Not a delaying tactic, nope! And who said anything about fighting? I just have to get the amulet, right? These guys are now entangled and far to slow to stop me from just running up and grabbing the thing.

Speaking of which, how high is the Ziggurat? Jumping to the top would be more awesome of course, but if I need to climb, what would be the DC?
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Tue 02 Feb 2016.

It had been Alohan's first time. He hadn't known what a buyllywug was but Penny's nervous demeanor and the archaic display of animal carcasses, bone decorations, and fetishes were a bit unnerving. He worried for his friends more than himself, especially since Kassius's unnatural speed through the jungle was quickly putting distance between the two parties. He felt his muscles tightening in anticipation, knowing some type of battle was forthcoming but focused on catching his half-orc friend. Over one downed log -through another jungle thicket. A glimpse of Kassius -a burst of speed. Finally, a bluff overlooking a ziggurat with... curious looking frogmen.

"Dey look cute... de be little jungle frogs" he muttered in between sharp breaths. They didn't seem so fierce -numerous but nothing more than a frog who thought to be a human. Alohan figured they could be punched in the fleshy bits just like anything else. He ignored Penny's curious glance and peered down to find Kassius. "Dere!" he shouted, pointing to the movement by the mudslip. "What he be doing!?" Without waiting for a response, Alohan catapulted back into the jungle thickets.

Six of the priests end up inside the spell effect, and all but one of them (5 failed) end up entangled in the active plants as their paper mache frogs weigh them down.



Ah-ha! Smart! Yeah, you can just go grab it. All you need to do it end a round somewhere on top of the ziggurat (J/K 9/11) to pick up your price. It isn't an amulet by the way as it is far too big - about two feet in diameter. It is a big disc with pictures on both sides and a big groove running around the perimeter.



It is only 20' high and has steps up the side so you don't need to climb - it won't even slow you down.

BW 1: <ENTANGLED>
BW 2: <ENTANGLED>
BW 3: <ENTANGLED>
BW 4: <ENTANGLED>
BW 5: <ENTANGLED>
BW 6:
BW 7:
BW 8:

The bullywugs that are trapped in the moving vines try to break free: two of them succeed and are able to move a little. The others move towards the deranged Kassius.



OOC: BW1 breaks free, but doesn't get clear of the spell. He'll have to save again during Kassius' turn.

BW 1:
BW 2: <ENTANGLED>
BW 3: <ENTANGLED>
BW 4: <ENTANGLED>
BW 5:
BW 6:
BW 7:
BW 8:



Map at end of BW turn/start of Kassius' turn

"Cute?!" exclaims Penny. "They are the evil power of the jungle incarnate." She joins Alohan in running down the mud-slip towards Kassius, but draws the barbarian's attention to something as they are able halfway down. A couple of hundred feet out across the dense jungle there is another clearing with a ziggurat in it, with several dozen bullywugs running in the direction of Kassius while roaring at the top of their gills. Then a palanquin carried by four bullywugs with a grossly fat frogman sitting in it appears out of the jungle. The fat bullywug has sickly yellowish skin and a sagging throat pouch that has been deflated and gotten disgustingly infected. As the figure of the palanquin screams at his comrades to run faster, his throat pouch spits out little froths of pus.

"Oh Fraaaaaaaaaaaaaac!" screams Penny, still charging down the hill. "That frogman freak is Bua Gorg - he is their high priest and a living legend. Don't let him get close to you or he will cast a curse on you. And when I say close, I mean don't get within one hundred feet of him!"

OOC: You guys are in at the start of next round.

"Stay back Kibeti, I can handle this on my own! Those paper frogs make them far to slow to be a significant threat to me!" Macutotnal shouts, and Kibeti obediently backs away from the frogs before slinking into the jungle.

Macutotnal steps cautiously at first, keeping a close eye on the priest in front of him, backing into the thicket of trees and vines. With the branches all around to provide cover, he suddenly bursts forward like lightning, hurdling tree roots and dodging branches with incredible quickness. He runs circles around the bullywugs, emerging from the jungle behind them and sprints towards the top of the Ziggurat, where he triumphantly grabs the giant disc.

Holding the massive stone aloft, he crows exultantly
"You will have to be far faster and cleverer than that to challenge me! Hah!"

---

Kassius
Full Round Action: Withdraw (starting square isn't considered threatened). Back off into jungle (S11), then navigate south and west through Q13 ->M13 and then straight up to the top off the ziggurat (ending at J11).
By my count, I still have 50 ft of movement, but I stop here to pick up the disk!

---

HP: 21/21  AC 18, Saves+4/+8(+9)/+4
Spells Slots: 1st: 2/4;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 2/3, Door Sight 6/6
Current Buffs: Animal Focus: Tiger (+2 Dex), round 2/10, Expeditious Retreat (+30 speed), 3 minutes

---

Kibeti
Full Round Action: Withdraw diagonally away from 6 into jungle to avoid provoking AoOs.

---

HP: 19/19 AC 19(21), Saves+4/+7(+8)/+3
Current Animal Focus: Tiger(+2 Dex)
Current Buffs:

Macutotnal makes it to the top of the ziggurat and gets a pretty decent view of the surrounding jungle - and his prize! He sees the Olman high priest Nulonga waving cheerfully at him from atop of his palanquin. The man is trying to yell out something to him, but Macutotnal is far to distant to make out the words (in actualy fact Bua Gorg is trying to cast one of his world famous curses on Kassius, but thanks to the hunter's super rapid achievement of the goal the evil cleric of rot is miles out of range).

The Olman hero picks up the grooved disc from the pedestal and admires it for a second, ignoring the advancing priests and their silly puppets. Strange, but this doesn't resemble the grand handball price at all!


Artist's impression...


...and a more useful sketch that shows the details

Three men and a snake surround a bow. On the outside there is a strange pattern of suns, stars and moons...

Macutotnal's study is interrupted by one of the priests rushing at him. What was the man doing?! The hero sidesteps easily but still... very much not in the spirit of the festival!

OOC: I updated the map but I'm not going to bother uploading it since it is clear that Macutotnal can make it back to the map's edge and to safety. Feel free to post on this - I'll write some more about what happens next tomorrow when I have more time.

Alohan was thoroughly winded by the time he reached the treeline. When Penny appear at this side he pointed to the top of the ziggurat. "Dere!" he whispered sharply pointing to Kassius's victoriously holding up a 2 foot diameter disk. The entire spectacle was admittedly too complex for Alohan to completely understand. They had just spent a day hustling through the jungle following a crazed half-orc who had completely lost his mind... for an exotic disk. "All of dis, for dat." he muttered in confusion. And now he had to figure out how to get his friend back to safety

"We be makin' some noise?" he asked, unsure if a distractions was wise -Kassius looked to be able to move with magical quickness so drawing attention might not have been smart. "Dis Bua Gorg.. be close?" he asked, looking through the treeline for the palanquin. "And where be de kitty?"

Macutotnal laughs again as he dodges the clumsy priest. The audacity and foolishness of the man, thinking he was a challenge to Macutotnal. Grabbing his prize, Macutotnal leaps off the far side of the ziggurat, landing in a graceful crouch and sending mud and dirt billowing away. Standing up, he hurries off into the jungle. He's fairly sure that once he's there, the challenge will be over.

Once in the jungle, he curves around in the direction he had sent Kibeti, hoping to find out what his next task was.

Withdraw to avoid provoking AoO, move 120 ft into the jungle.

Penny cursed (as usual) and shrugged. “I don’t know. The squirt looks to be doing okay so maybe we should give the maniac a chance to finish his ‘mission’ then just get out of here as quickly as possible.”



“I don’t know, I lost sight of him when we came down off the top of the mud-slip. You know we are right in the middle of the bullywug ancestral heartlands, right? This is madness!”

Meanwhile, Kassius we in the middle of the clearing and not taking the proceeding seriously at all…



The mercurial Macutotnal jogs over the mud-slip to re-join his half-orc slave, a happy grin of success on his face. Then it appears his next task is to… fall unconscious as the dehydration and exhaustion catch up with him. This is how Penny and Alohan find him… lying spread-eagled on his back with his animal companion standing over him, his eyes staring unseeingly up into the sky and a strange half-smirk on his face partially obscured by the green froth collecting on his lips. The barbarian and the ranger are unable to rouse him and the howling of the bullywugs is getting very close.

“We need to get out of here!” screams Penny.

Alohan leaps into action, directing Penny to Kassius’s far side. ”Let us get him up!” he commands, grabbing the half-orc’s torso and hauling him vertical. He directs Penny to help support Kassius’s back while he himself twists. ”Get him on my back!” he shouts, crouching down in front of his unsconscious friend. With the aid of Penny, he hauls Kassius forward, pulling the half-orc’s arms and standing.

He turns to the cat and Penny, Kassius draped unconscious across his back. ”let’s be going…” he says with a grimmace. He wasn’t sure how long he could keep it up -time was of the essence and Alohan just wanted to put distance between them and he frogs.

So begins a twelve hour chase that will haunt Alohan to the end of his days. They set off immediately, with Kibeti falling back unasked to ambush the vanguard of the bullywugs as they give chase through the jungle. The cat runs twice the distance of Alohan and Penny as he pulls back again and again, only returning to receive some healing from the ranger.

Alohan makes it two hours before he has to collapse and take a rest for the first time, but within two minutes three bullywugs have found them and they are fighting for their lives. Penny slays two and Kibeti the other before the barbarian can get to his feet, but there as no celebration as they can hear the chilling cries of the others close by. They quickly bind Kassius' hands together and then Penny takes a spell carrying the half-orc. She only lasts half an hour before she can't carry him any further, but at least Alohan is ready again by that point.

So it continues for the rest of the day and into the early evening. The amphibians are never more than a couple of minutes behind all the way up to the Blisterwall fort (check the map if interested). When they are inside the protective walls Alohan and Penny collapse while the archers on the walls take out the bullywugs bold enough to approach.

Kassius has a fitful night, calling out in a strange language at the top of his voice. But by the morning he is back to his normal self although exhausted.

Let me know when you want to move onto the next scene guys...

Blisterwall was the last bastion of civilization before the Amedio jungle and was nothing more than a palisade, an armed guard and a few necessary establishments. Its purpose was nothing more than to protect the surrounding peoples from the denizens of the forest and Alohan found himself needing that protection. Alohan had been there once before -just under two weeks ago when Kassius was leading them to his camp. They didnt stay for long and he found himself quickly forgetting about Blisterwall and its inhabitants. Now, he found himself sharing the night in the Blisterwall common room with Penny and the delirious Kassius, unable to move his legs.

Morning came and Alohan found himself in a pain he hadn't felt in a long time. His legs burned as if he was standing upon Madame Pele's bosom and a tremendous amount of fatigued made lifting himself off the straw cot a significant endeavor. calmed his senses. In a way it had felt good -they had survived and he had a story to tell to his children's children for years to come. 

When he did finally craw out of bed, he tied his cloth about his body and  stumbled into one of the only other rooms in Blisterwall's hostel. There he found Kassius's happily eating breakfast. "ya be in ya right mind today?" he groggily asked, shuffling over to his friend.

---

Blisterwall: Couldn't find much about Blisterwall so I went ahead and added what I needed. You know, my inner GMing coming out in me. Kassius, forgive my god mode.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Wed 10 Feb 2016.

Kassius had awoken the next morning confused, befuddled, and ravenously hungry. He wasn't quite sure where he was, and was only mostly certain he knew who he was. Still, he had managed to stumble downstairs and get some food, and was hurriedly stuffing himself when he saw a familiar face.

Kassius flushes slightly at the man's question, mulling it over. He hesitates for a bit"Ah... I think so?" He finally asks questioningly.

The native plops into a chair next to his friend and makes a feign hand gesture to the attending worker for subsistence. He took a moment to catch his breath (yes, even walking to the common room was enough to cause him fatigue) and looked to his friend. "Ya be takin' dat strange brew, ya be waking a new man. Ya take off inta de forest, telling Penny and I ta follow." He rubs his legs, looking about for some water. Finding some, he quickly fills a ceramic glass.

He gestures to where the forest lays two hundred feet to the south. "Ya be runnin', talkin', tellin' de stories of de forest. Ya knew where ya be goin,' what be around ya. Ya be running a deep inta de jungle like we be walking down de block in Sasserine. It be like ya be dere before." He shook his head in amazement and took a big gulp of water. 

"Penny and I be hard pressed to keep pace. By de time we pull even, ya be in de middle of dis clearing... dere be a big...." He attempts to replicate the geometric shape Penny and him found Kassius climbing, unknown what the word was in common tongue. "Deeangle.. wit de frog-men all about. Ya be returning to us and ya be passing out."

"What was dat ding ya be getting? Do you know?" he asked, changing the topic to the ancient disk.

Kassius takes out the strange disk, examining it closely. As he examines it, flashes of memory return to him. Being Macutotnal, the great Olman hero, and recovering this disk, but other things as well. Fighting off strange fish beings with a mighty bow, a desperate counter attack, and even dying. The half-orc shakes slightly, trying to deal with the swarm of memories.

He wants to believe the whole thing was purely a fever dream brought about by the Ayahuasca, but the disk sits in his hand, taunting him. His memories spoke of three gods granting him a mighty bow, and here was this talisman with three men standing around a bow. But what was the snake, and the patterns of moon and stars around the edge?

"I don't know what it is. Part of me doesn't want to know. Perhaps a warning? A promise? I don't know." Kassius says, shaking his head in confusion and befuddlement.

Kassius spends another day resting with his friends inside the safety of the fort. While he is regaining his strength he has time to talk to Penny about the critter ranch, his plans for it and the need he has for a trustworthy manager. Somewhat to his surprise, she jumps at the offer of looking after the place.

"I've been roaming these jungles and mountains for a decade now and it just seems to get more and more dangerous - I have more friends dead and buried than living and that just doesn't seem right for someone still shy of thirty years of age," she explains.

But there is a catch - she needs to land one last score (isn't that always the way?) and it is a doozy. She explains it to Kassius with Alohan and Remmi in attendance.

"You ain't gunna like this squirt," she says, using Kassius' pet name despite 'the squirt' being her future boss. "But I took another contract with that crazy mage - that guy called 'Vorsh' who had us up in the mountains looking for that gargantuan rust monster. Yeah, 'Kogoloxen' - that was the name of the freak. Well, now the mage wants us to bring this thing into town!"

Penny sees the look of disapproval that flashes up onto her friends' face. "Now hang on boys! He's just gunna use its bits to make magic potions and he needs them fresh! That's why we're bringing it back alive, not so that it can run rampage around the docks or anything. Anyhow, help me do this Kassius and I'll have enough money to pay of my family's debts and then I'll happily come and keep your ranch in line."

OOC: So we are not going to run the adventure into the 'Corroded Caves' to retrieve Kogoloxen like a normal adventure. Just tell me about your plans (he eats metal you know! How will you get him back to town alive?) and I'll write a bit and we'll just skim over it - I'm going to join you up with the team in Sasserine pretty soon.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:28, Sat 13 Feb 2016.

Alohan leans back in his chair as Penny talks with Kassius. He watched her mouth as words flowed out of it, pondering if her... eloquence transferred over to other skills. Alas, it wouldn't be for him to know. Her attentions were for Kassius, not Alohan. And the best part was Kassius hadn't a clue! The looks she gave him, the playful nicknames -all for his half-orc friend whom hadn't the faintest idea he could storm her castle this very instant.

[Language unknown: "Ai be, li a Pl ouwa u eknaic Ev Traeenundion"] he asked Remmi. [Language unknown: "Wilar th ilse ntitr traaveand alnd dielecwhos?"] "Kogo.. Loten" he tried, looking to his friends and shrugging.

Kassius nods thoughtfully as Penny proposes the hunt, oblivious to any flirtation. Kassius know's he's no good with women, and besides, he respects Penny to much professionally to entertain such thoughts.

Now the hunt, that's more his line of thinking. Rust monster's are dangerous, but not particularly bright. Kassius starts muttering, to himself as much as to the group, thinking his plan out-loud.
"The beasts like metal, right? They rust it to bits. So why don't we lure it out? Buy some cheap scrap iron as bait, and lure it from it's cave out into the open. We'll need something to trap it too. Some sort of net trap perhaps? Once it's entangled, Alohan, you could probably pummel it to submission easily enough. Either way, make sure you don't have anything made of metal on you that you can't bare to lose!"

Ok, so rough plan:

1. Set up a net trap near Kogoloxen's lair. I don't have craft(traps), but maybe I could use survival instead? Alternatively, we could just buy large sized nets and throw them ourselves?
2. Use bits of metal to lure the monster out. Ideally, we just watch, but if thrown bits of metal aren't enticing enough, I can grab a piece of metal, cast expeditious retreat on myself, and then use myself as bait to lure it into the nets.
3. Once it's entangled, Alohan attacks using non-lethal damage until it's unconscious, then we drag it back to the client.

Alohan, any thoughts?

In reply to Kassius (msg # 39):

OOC: FYI, from his previous encounter with the mighty 'Kogoloxen' he knows it is the size of a small elephant and probably pretty strong too. But nets and non-lethal damage might work... Hell, I would at least like to see Alohan try - does he even wear anything metallic?

The good news is that it is only 'large'.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:56, Mon 15 Feb 2016.

Indeed Penny is very attentive to her young protégé - and he is just as oblivious/disinterested.



Remmi nods. "Yes Sire. You know that they consume only metal and in the natural environment live around natural veins of iron or other metal bearing ores. They first rust the metal with their antennae and then consume the remains. The big ones can have a nasty bite too. Adventurers rightly fear them," he shrugs. [Language unknown: "Hi menthedin venes oveno o ouri waeken a Ek arwiev his iv ol. To fo dinou stmost, si stimenmen ain etess wahoek Wiivwa masstast. etfoec willartho ilomiv tile oeraincon ticsomrom wetautwa e. St ng m llest ine anreen poho int meniv a fiai laitas aierss Ss derst ticeenome omro!"
]

Alohan chuckled at Remmi's reply. [Language unknown: "Any po nemen Strortvor ic utess ck asmiis rom ofth?"] he asked Remmi with a smile. "de Clamloten..." he answered with a smile.

Alohan nods at Kassius's plan. It was simple and he had a feeling it would work well enough. The only problems Alohan could foresee is acquiring the amount of metals that would be needed. Also, he had a feeling it would be back breaking work and after carrying Kassius through the jungle -Alohan wanted to take a break from any hard labor. Still, they capture this beast, Alohan could take a much needed vacation.

"I like dis plan. It be simple enough. Maybe we be digging a big pit and trap de sucka. Or maybe I be beating and smashing. Remmi, ya be helping us get de metals? Madame Penny? Ya be comin' ta help?"

---

Equipment: Only thing metallic is my machete and ring of jumping. Oh, and the studs on my leathers. Both of which I can 'leave at home so to speak"

"A pit trap might work as well. Just make sure it's big enough!" Kassius says with a sarcastic smirk. He well remembers the size of the beast.

Medium sized nets can entangle creatures size large and smaller, so that should be ok
Kassius will leave behind his metal scimitar, cestus, and daggers, but keep the metal arrow heads. They might come in handy, for either self defense or further bait, and they're cheap enough to replace if destroyed or lost in the fight.

[Language unknown: "P, allla ard ie!"] says Remi enthusiastically. Remmi is always enthusiastic about his young prince's jokes - that is a major part of his job.

OOC: Okay, so lure it out of the cave, through net(s) on it and beat it senseless? That could work. OK, give me a chance to whip up the encounter.

The next morning the five of them; Kassius, Kibeti, Alohan, Remmi & Penny; set off towards the east. They reach the shores of the Emerald fairly quickly - the river that takes its name from a unique form of algae that grows atop its slow-moving water. This green vegetation forms a solid layer in some stretches of the river, that looks like sheets of floating emerald.


The Emerald River

They follow this river up into the Hellfurnances, but reach little more than the foothills before it grows dark and they must make camp. No campfire is lit and a they takes turns keeping watch through the night.

Over the next three days the Emerald river changes from a deep, shining green to a mottled metallic red as the algae become less prominent and the source of their nutrients become apparent - the rocks in this area are rich in iron minerals and the runoff from the mountain looks like it has been carried by a rusty pipe. Penny uses the same trick as before to find Kogoloxen's cave - she looks though the gaps in the mountains until she sees a tall tower with smooth sides and with great gouts of gushing flame bursting from the top of it.

"The tower of rust and fire," Penny pronounces. "Our rust monster freak resides in a cave in the vicinity of the base of that thing."


The Tower of Rust and Fire

Penny traces a rich red vein of iron ore which wanders across ravines and along canyons until it disappears into a cave mouth - Kassius recognises it as the dwelling of Kogoloxen the fiendish rust monster.

OOC: Here is what Kassius & Penny remember from the 'Corroded Caves' from their last adventure (which started back in December '14... how time flies!)



Location C1 is a canyon criss-crossed with shallow pools of corrosive fluid - DC12 if you want to move through at full speed.

FYI, you picked up a whole bunch of scrap iron from the fort, which poor old Remmi has been lugging through the jungle and mountains for the last four days.

There is a ledge over the top of the cave entrance.

What do you want to do next?

That was before I took over as Kassius!



Kassius looks over the scene, remembering the caves. They had been long and twisty, and difficult to maneuver in easily. As he stands outside the cavern, his memory of Macutotnal's acrobatics and magically enhanced speed returns to him. Perhaps that had been the point of the dream? To convince him that he could do this. "We should prepared our traps, pits and nets here, at the cave entrance. Once we're ready, I'll carry the metal in and lure the beast out."

OOC: Heh, that's right. Crazy.



OOC: <DM rolls eyes> Yeah, sure Kassius, that was exactly what the point of that dream sequence was.



OOC: OK, all prepared. How deep are the pits in front of the cave and how do they fit into the plan if you're going to net this guy?

Penny also makes some blunt arrows so she can do non-lethal ranged damage (abet at -4 to hit).

Alohan and Remmi dutiful dug into the soil at the entrance. Another arduous day of work after trekking through the jungle. He was beginning to severely miss Sasserine and the pampered lifestyle he was growing accustomed too. What he wouldn't give to wake in his four postered bed with the gentle touch of a woman. Speaking of women, his mind wondered about his friends, Logan, Celene, and Angati, curious to what they had been up to for the previous two weeks. Probably nothing as exciting as running through the jungle after a crazed Kassius or pummeling a rust monster into submission (hopefully). Logan was probably drinking in Shadowshore without him...

"I not wantin' ta be in de jungle ever again..." he muttered, pausing to wipe sweat from his eyes. "And what would ya be makin' from de rust monster.. I not wantin' ta drink any ding dis creature be giving." He pointed to Kibeti with his shovel, jealous of the lounging animal. "What we be doing wit de kitty?"

---

Plan: Here is my pitch.. Kassius goes in and leads the monster out. The rest of us go up on the ledge above the entrance so as Kassius is running out, he grabs a rope and Remmi, Penny and I haul him up like a fishing line. Rust monster stumbles out looking to eat Kassius only to see him get pulled away at the last instance causing the Rust monster to pitch forward into the hole we dug. Part II of plan is we either act fast enough to pummel the thing as he tries to get out. Worst case scenario is we toss the rope to distract him even longer. All I know is Alohan wants to jump down into the pit with a wicked flying elbow. Like in the WWF when wrestlers climb the ladder at the center of the ring and throw themselves onto their enemies. I am open to suggestions about the net. Maybe it would make sense tossing the net on the critter when he is in the pit. Just make sure I land an elbow. I want to tell the grandkids about it...

Kassius wipes some sweat off of his furrowed brow, taking a brief pause in the digging. "Oh come on, this is far more fun than sitting around in some overly fancy manor being pampered and coddled. The jungle is real, and alive. Sure it's hard work, but sweat is how you know you're doing something worthwhile."


"I'll tell Kibeti to stay back, unless something bad happens. He's not so good at the whole "not killing food" thing."


That plan, and the Flying elbow drop in particular sounds awesome. I think we should plan on throwing the net in first though, just to make it a little less dangerous stuck in a pit with you.

Kassius ventures into the dank and metallic smells of the cave and carefully moves his way through the caverns without torch light. He carries an arm full of pig iron and scrap metal.

He had been wondering how to attract the beast's attention but this proves to not be a problem when he gets to the final cave. Kogoloxen bursts out of the deep, dark hole that is his home and practically flies at the hunter - the half-orc needs to sprint back at top speed and ends up dropping half of his metal. It doesn't matter, the brute never hesitates to follow and as Kassius grabs the rope and is hoisted to safety, Kogoloxen blunders out of the cave and straight into the camouflaged pit trap (rolled a natural 2).

There is not much nice to say about this legendary creature. The fiendish rust monster is covered in a multitude of sores and pustules. Whatever mutagen that has allowed him to grow this ungodly large has not been good for its health.

http://rythiae.wikia.com/wiki/Kogoloxen

OOC: Does it bother anybody else that Kogoloxen is only 'large'? Come on!

OK, make a ranged touch attack against this guy, AC: 18/touch 11/flat-footed 16. All of you are on the ledge above him, about 15' above the guy.

Penny nocks a blunt arrow. "He stinks even fracken worse than I remember!"

Kassius, still feeling perhaps a might over-confident from his success as Macutotnal swings up the rope and grabs the net in one hand, casually flinging it down at the rust monster. Sadly, his attempt at showmanship fails miserably, as his lack of proficiency with the weapon results in the thing not even unfolding as it falls and lands uselessly besides Kogoloxen.

Net attack, includes -4 non-proficiency penalty
19:29, Today: Kassius rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  net attack.
That's going to be a failure even against touch AC I assume.

By the way, the link has some spoilers about the rust monster being used to overthrow some house? Did you mean to give us that information?

Without the aid of his pele, Alohan plants his feet and heaves the rope bound Kassius. He strains his muscles against his ally's weight looking to haul him to safety and -with the aid of Penny and Remmi- the half-orc was soon perched on the ledge beside him. "Dis ding is bigger den I imagined" he mutters wide eyed. He felt his pele on the surface, ready to fling him into the pit at a moments notice but in this conscious moment, Alohan gave pause.

At Kasisus's instruction, Alohan bent down and picked up his side of the net... but Kassius had already flung it out! As the net plummeted down, Alohan was left with one strand of hemp -which he tried to fling out in time- but was unsuccessful in aiding with the ball of unfolded net. 

The only options left were to elbow the thing, grapple it, and pray he could pummel it into submission.

---

Net Attack: I got a 5!!!! (check dice roller, on mobile)
Spoilers:I dont know if I want to help anymore.. especially if it brings down a noble house!

Kassius doesn't even hit the hole - the net lands well to one side.



OOC: I saw that and decided it was fine since the information wasn't relevant - so no harm done :)



Was Alohan trying to help? Who knows, the native achieves very little other than almost falling off the ledge and into the creature's maul.



OOC: :P There's no noble house involved in our version of this module! Actually, our version is truer to the original module than the modified version run in that game I linked to.

Kogoloxen roars in fury and starts trying to scrabble its way up the 10' walls of the pit - the pit it dug into loose, stony ground and it is difficult to climb but the beast's claws actually make pretty good tools for the attempt.

16:47, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 25 using 1d20+10.  Kogoloxen climb. DC25
OOC: Heh heh

The rust monster slowly but surely scampers its way up towards ground level.

OOC: DM's ruling, if you do some damage to it in the next round then you can knock it back down to the bottom of the hole again.

"Frac!" yells Penny (like usual). She jumps down from the ledge and moving off to one side unslings her compound bow. (So that was her turn).

"It's going to get out!" screams Remmi. (And that was his turn).

OOC: Here are Remmi's stats by the way:

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG...les.html#noble-scion

Kassius, Alohan and Kibeti, it is up to you guys to keep this dude in the hole.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:56, Thu 25 Feb 2016.

"Well, this is simply wonderful!" Kassius calls out, watching with wide eyes as the monster makes easy work of the group's capture plan. Kassius orders Kibeti to hold, since the goal is still to capture, not kill the beast, and animal companion looks at him dubiously before rubbing his fur against Kassius' leg.

The action seems to help him focus oddly, and Kassius steps back, draws his new magical bow and knocks a blunt arrow, firing it at Kogoloxen in an attempt to stun and push back the beast. The arrow flies reasonably true, but in his attempt to avoid permanent damage, has little effect.

---

Kassius
11:09, Today: Kassius rolled 20,3 using 1d20+7,1d8+2.  Bow attack (non-lethal), damage.
Swift Action: Activate Animal Focus (Tiger, +2 dex)
Free Action: Five foot step away from Kogoloxen.
Move Action: Draw Longbow
Standard Action: Fire blunt arrow

---

HP: 21/21  AC 18, Saves+4/+8(+9)/+4
Spells Slots: 1st: 3/4;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 2/3, Door Sight 6/6
Current Buffs: Animal Focus: Tiger (+2 Dex), round 1/10, Guidance (used)

---

Kibeti
Full Round Action: Cast Guidance on Kassius

---

HP: 19/19 AC 19(20), Saves+4/+7(+8)/+3
Current Animal Focus: Tiger(+2 dex)
Current Buffs:none!

In reply to Kassius (msg # 56):

Nice, but your DM has ruled that this is not enough to knock it back into the pit. Alohan is going to have to 'drop the elbow' on it.

"It is time..." Alohan muttered to no one in particular. He looked to Penny, Kassius and Remmi and let go of his control. His pele bubbled forth. He revealed in it, cherishing it comfort embrace. It was time. Time for Alohan to become the hero he was meant to be. He closed his eyes and catapulted into the pit.

His mind's eye was filled with pictures -unexpected pictures- of all the women he had possibly conquered. He thought of all his previous lovers, Rowyn included, in an array of positions, entwined in an endless embrace of female anatomy. He thought on this buffet of birds as if he himself was amidst their flock, ready to dive into their feathers. It was distracting -all that flesh. He opened his eyes, shocked to see the bottom of the pit racing to meet him.

Needless to say, Alohan impeccable elbow was severely misguided. The images of countless mammaries had thrown off his dive and Alohan came streaming in hot. He had to let go the elbow less he smash himself into the pit and mangle his forearm. At the last instant, Alohan landed on all fours, looking up at the rust monster escaping the pit.

"Dis not be good" he groaned.

---

19:18, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 10,8 using 1d20+8,1d6+4 ((2,4)). -I hate you dice roller.. I really do.
19:27, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 22 using 1d20+5 ((17)). Reflex save for the hell of it. Accidently did a +7 (fixed it in post)

---

Move Action: Dive into pit!
Standard Action: ELBOW DROPPPPP!!!!
Free/Swift Action:

---

HP: 34/34  AC: 15(-2 rage | No mage armor) CMD: 21 | 23 vs grapple Saves: +7/+5/(+2)
Rage: 8  |  8  Stunning Fist: 1  |  1  Note: Gave myself a +1 'On higher ground' bonus- figured you wouldn't mind ;) DAMN THIS DICE ROLLER! I accept whatever penalty you chose to give! Goodbye Alohan.

Kogoloxen pauses at the top of the pit, looking back at the barbarian now almost lying prone at the bottom. Why was it trying to escape when the very prey it wanted to attack was lying beneath it? The fiendish rust monster tilted its head back, its antennae vibrating quickly along their length, and then let go of the pit wall with all four claws at once.

It seemed to hang there in the midday sun until it picked up speed and slammed down towards the native back first. The reverse body slam hits Alohan in the back and squishes him into the mud at the bottom of the pit (4 hp damage).

20:20, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  Kogoloxen puts the beat down on Alohan.
Still a hit since Alohan is prone



I was going to suggest a bonus myself - I certainly gave Kogoloxen one for his more effective flying attack :D

Penny rushes over the stands at the lip of the pit, firing two arrows into the beast at point blank range with her blunt arrows. One hits the soft area at the back of the creature's head, the other bounces of its armoured hide usefully. (3 hp non lethal damage).

"Good work!" she screams out. "Stay under it and keep it busy!"

Remmi has also drop down to ground level and tries to hit the rust monster with his short bow - he misses by an inch. "Yes Sire! Keep it down there!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:38, Fri 26 Feb 2016.

<ROUND THREE - PLAYERS' TURN>

Alohan, Kassius and Kibeti still to play.

Alohan:   30/34 <PRONE>
Penny:    29/29
Remmi:    20/20
Kassius:  21/21
Kibeti:   19/19

Koxologen:
Lethal:     0
Nonlethal: -3 -3

Buffs and Debuffs:
Kassius has used animal focus (tracked in his own status text)
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:40, Fri 26 Feb 2016.

Kassius fires two more blunted arrows, aiming for the same soft spot Penny had already struck. This hadn't been quite the original plan, but if Alohan could hold up, it just might work! Kibeti continues to stand by Kassius side and stare, making no move to attack.

---

Kassius
16:29, Today: Kassius rolled 22,15,6,6 using 1d20+6,1d20+5,1d8+2,1d8+2.  Rapid shot attack, damage (nonlethal).
Full Round Action: Rapid Shot

---

HP: 21/21  AC 18, Saves+4/+8(+9)/+4
Spells Slots: 1st: 3/4;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 2/3, Door Sight 6/6
Current Buffs: Animal Focus: Tiger (+2 Dex), round 2/10, Guidance (used)

---

Kibeti
Full Round Action: Cast Guidance on Kassius

---

HP: 19/19 AC 19(20), Saves+4/+7(+8)/+3
Current Animal Focus: Tiger(+2 dex)
Current Buffs:none!

Feeling the weight of the beast come crashing down reminded Alohan of the largest girl he ever... 'STOP' his mind screamed- interrupting his one track mind. With the monster and all it's mandibles now wiggling on top of him, Alohan knew his next course of action. Sure, he might have been the perfect meal but Kogoloxen was not aware of Alohan's impeccable ground game. Kogoloxen was not aware this was Alohan's intention all along. 'The bards of Sasserine will not speak of the flying elbow- no'he thought to himself, trying to find Remmi through the chaos. 'The bards will speak of how King Alohan Nuari grappled a rust monster into submission'. It was time to get this creature in his famous Nuari hug™.

Throwing his legs around the bug(?)s abdomen, Alohan squeezed with all his might. He left his torso open to attack, reaching out with this arms to grip the creature's carapace. He squeezed, pressing Kogoloxen to him as if welcoming an old friend (at the bottom of a pit, of course). His pele burned with the effort, screaming at his muscles to bend, flex, and submit. Had the creature any sense of temperature, Alohan would have felt like a burning rock pressed up against it's hide -a rock intent on chocking the life out of it.

"COME TA YA MAKUAKANE" he hollered, lost in the heat of the moment.

---

09:12, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 22,6 using 1d20+4,1d6+4 ((18,2)).
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classe...s/raging-grappler-ex
As far as I understand it, I deal 6 nonlethal if I land the grapple. PLUS, the big beasty would be grappled. The only thing I am not clear about is if we are 'prone' and rolling around in the pit. Still, I added the -4(for being prone) and got the 22. Take that Kogogstupid!

---

Move Action: --
Standard Action: Raging Grappler -Starting a Grapple
Free/Swift Action:

---

HP: 30/34  AC: (15)11(-2 rage | -4 prone) CMD: (21)17 | (23)19 vs grapple (-4 prone) Saves: +7/+5/(+2)
Rage: 8  |  8  Stunning Fist: 1  |  1  Note: Come on Kassius... is this not the most epic thing you have witnessed? You better lock up Penny before my battle epics do it for me!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Sat 27 Feb 2016.

OOC: Loving this battle :D

Alohan wraps the bug up pretty well, but Penny and Remmi both miss with their attacks and then Kogoloxen starts to get MAD. The beast roars like a hurricane and squirms until it just manages to break the natives hold (rolled at 21 vs Alohans CMD of 21).



OOC: Come to Daddy!



I think you're both prone - seems only fair that the creature would also end up with this condition for pulling the same stunt.

<ROUND FOUR - PLAYERS' TURN>

Alohan, Kassius and Kibeti still to play.

Alohan:   30/34 <PRONE>
Penny:    29/29
Remmi:    20/20
Kassius:  21/21
Kibeti:   19/19

Koxologen: <PRONE>
Lethal:     0
Nonlethal: -3 -3 -6 -6

Buffs and Debuffs:
Kassius has used animal focus (tracked in his own status text)

Ron, please remember to tick down your rage rounds each round of the battle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:25, Sun 28 Feb 2016.

Kassius stands at the mouth of the pit, and continues to simply fire arrow after arrow into the rust monster. Alohan's wrestling would have impeded the monster's ability to dodge, but with the monster prone there is a smaller target radius.

---

Kassius
Note: Kogoloxen being prone gives him +4 AC vs. ranged attacks. I think both attacks still hit thanks to nice die rolls though.
15:50, Today: Kassius rolled 21,24,3,7 using 1d20+6,1d20+5,1d8+2,1d8+2.  Rapid shot attack, damage (nonlethal).
Full Round Action: Rapid Shot

---

HP: 21/21  AC 18, Saves+4/+8(+9)/+4
Spells Slots: 1st: 3/4;  Animal Focus Minutes Left: 2/3, Door Sight 6/6
Current Buffs: Animal Focus: Tiger (+2 Dex), round 3/10, Guidance (used)
(5 blunt arrows used)

---

Kibeti
Full Round Action: Cast Guidance on Kassius

---

HP: 19/19 AC 19(20), Saves+4/+7(+8)/+3
Current Animal Focus: Tiger(+2 dex)
Current Buffs:none!

The creature squirms away from Alohan -it was no consequence. He was now free of the creatures weight and had plenty of room to mingle. Kicking his feet, Alohan sprung from his back in an instant righting himself and looking for battle. With nary a thought of caution, he threw himself back onto the squirming creature, hanging onto it's carapace. As he did so, he altered his weight, pushing hard and attempting to twist Kogoloxen's backside in an unnatural manner.

---

19:28, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 19,9 using 1d20+8,1d6+4 ((11,5)).
Raging grapple

---

Move Action: Standing (please remember my Mobility buffs)!
Standard Action: Raging Grappler -Starting a Grapple
Free/Swift Action:

---

HP: 30/34  AC: 15(-2 rage) | CMD: 21 | 23 vs grapple Saves: +7/+5/(+2)
Rage: 7  |  8  Stunning Fist: 1  |  1  Note: Mobility should give me a +4 to my AoO for standing -but the creature is also prone.

The rust monster squirms but this time Alohan is ready for it and there is no escape. Penny hits it again and tables are turned in this combat.

<ROUND FOUR - PLAYERS' TURN>

Alohan, Kassius and Kibeti still to play.

Alohan:   30/34
Penny:    29/29
Remmi:    20/20
Kassius:  21/21
Kibeti:   19/19

Koxologen: <PRONE>
Lethal:     0
Nonlethal: -3 -3 -6 -6 -10 -9 -2

Buffs and Debuffs:
Kassius has used animal focus (tracked in his own status text)

OOC: I am calling time on this combat since it is obvious you guys are going to win.

The battle continues for a few more seconds but the end is never in doubt. The great Kogoloxen is subdued and bound by Alohan. Trusted up like a giant spit roast, there is only one question left to ask. How to get it back to town?!

OOC: Your characters would have prepared for this, so just let me know what the plan is. It is a 4-5 day walk back to town.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:20, Mon 29 Feb 2016.

Alohan stood above the hogtied rust monster panting from the overexertion. They had rolled about in the mud -at the bottom of the pit- for the better part of a minute, each trying to gain the upper hand in their sweaty wrestling tango. The Native was the better, more controlled, angrier -an unexpected difficult meal to eat. Poor creature barely had a chance, especially with the constant hail of blunted arrows fracturing and bruising it's body. When all was said and done, Kogoloxen was subdued.

Now they had to keep the creature alive and transport it back to Sasserine.

"Ya be givin' me a moment ta catch my wind," he said, holding onto Remmi as if to steady himself. He looked at Kassius"Koa, how ya be dinkin we get him back to da city?"

---

Plan #1: It is assumed we get a long piece of rainforest lumber and we carry the rust monster back like a pig going to the fire. Don't know how much they weigh or if he is too big to effectively dangle but I picture us shouldering this giant log and carrying the beast back.

Plan #2: Manufacture some kind of sled and drag the thing back. Could maybe fix some kind of wheel to it. Maybe we hauled up a wheelbarrow or something.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Tue 01 Mar 2016.

In the end they decide to begin Kogoloxen's journey to civilisation by trusting him up like a pig ready for the spit and then humping him for FOUR days until they get out of the mountains. Although it is agonisingly difficult to move him this way there really isn't any other choice - the mountainous terrain is free of tracks and would not support transport by cart or sled. Even with four of them carrying the load it is an arduous trip.

Once they reach the flatter lands they head towards the site of Kassius' ranch which lies on the shore of the Emerald River (at least it does now!). The take one of the flat bottomed barges that Kassius used to transport the critters from Sasserine and head downsteam towards the city - at least this part of the trip is quick and it only takes two days to get back.

They camp by the side of the river the first night and the collection of amorous groans and moans tells Kassius that Alohan and Penny are now sharing a tent.

OOC: Oh dear me. I hope this one doesn't go pyscho and haunt the party for the rest of the AP like Alohan's last girlfriend...

The next morning see Penny emerging from the love nest and giving Kassius, who already has the fire going and is making tea, an un-guilty smile and a questioning look with a raised eyebrow. The hunter notices that Kibeti also seems to be looking at him expectantly...

OOC: Nothing? Nothing at all?

They arrive in the city just after dawn on the same day that sees the rest of the party battling in the bath-house. 'Young Master Kassius' pulls some strings and gets them into the harbour without any questions being asked and they transport their precious cargo into the North Marshalling Dome.

OOC: Congrats! You're now in the same thread as the others!