As Fergan journeyed toward Luskan, he could feel the lodestone he received from Francis pull vaguely north. He ended up hitching a ride with a performance troupe headed that way, a very bawdy group to appeal to the crass city of Luskan. Fergan understood these people, who were ready to engage with him whenever he pleased, but left Fergan alone otherwise. He suspected it was his somewhat sickly complexion. Or maybe not.

About a day out from Luskan, Fergan felt that the stone's pull had shifted to the east. He had long since attached a string to it like a plumb bob, which he unfurled. It was definitely listing to the north east.

It had been 6 days since Francis had given him the stone, the old mage said its magic would last a week. Fergan parted ways with the troupe to strike out through the sparse woodlands in the direction of the young mage, Saran.

The forest grew more thick, but based on the behavior of the plumb bob, Fergan was closing in. In fact, from one hour to the next, Fergan observed that it had change directions, either that or the forest terrain had turn Fergan around- entirely possible.

Later in the day, Fergan came upon a forest wall. He supposed it could be an overgrown structure, either that or Saran was somewhere beyond it. Fergan moved perpendicular to the direction the stone indicated. The stone swung toward the wall. It looked like Saran was within.

Fergan moved up to find entry within the bushes. Upon inspection you see that the stone is worked in places as a facade. It appears to be a building that has been covered over the years by dirt and foliage. Fergan discovers an opening large enough to squeeze through. Peeking in, Fergan sees a light source. He recognizes Saran from Francis' Scrying. With Saran is a crow on his shoulder and a wingless sprite at his side, who pops out of sight.

Saran sees (Matt describe Fergan) peeking into the cave.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:44, Fri 10 Jan 2020.

Saran blinks out his light and retreats a bit behind cover until he determines that Fergan is not an immediate threat. Upon learning that Fergan was sent by Francis he is open about sharing his business with Francis, and what he is doing now. He asks if Fergan has seen any zombies and is very interested in anything Fergan has to say about it.

Open to playing any of that out, or just moving on.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 2):

OOC: I don't have a mental image of Fergan. Given he is always changing his appearance, I just haven't put in the effort.

Fergan, reveals that he has seen zombies back in Neverwinter, that he dispatched of the immediate source, that he suspects that more was going on, and that his suspicion that more was going on led him to Francis and, subsequently Saran.

OOC: Maybe Joe can just reconcile the pertinent information? Fergan won't be sneaky, and will freely admit that he has some sneaky skills, though they are more suited to social situations.

He also says to Saran, telepathically: "I can also do this ever since I...died?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:58, Mon 13 Jan 2020.

Ok, for the sake of brevity, Saran has encountered some zombified peasants on the road. One one of them, a woman, Saran found several artistic or runic cuts, all over her body. He later found her house and it was evidenced that her and another person (probably the other zombie Saran encountered) were killed in bed, then the woman was moved to a table, washed, and mutilated.

Fergan heard about zombies, found a guy that was harassing/beating prostitutes and trailed him to an inn, staking it out. In the morning, several zombies burst out and started rampaging the streets (but were destroyed by Fergan and other adventurers). Fergen investigated within and found a woman on one of the beds, mutilated similarly to woman Saran found.

Fergan tracked the man to another woman's house where he (and 3 guards) found the man mutilating the woman. Both this instance and the mutilation in the inn were done under the cover of a Silence spell (clever, right?).

There were a couple fights, mentioned in OOC. The guy was ko'd, sent to jail and killed himself before trial. One quick tidbit, let's say on Fergan's way out of town, he hears from his guard friend that the prison guards that found him tried to save him, but were too late. Part of the unofficial story reported by one of the guards (which is why I didn't mention it earlier) is that the necromancer appears to have hung himself, but was struggling mightily against it, so maybe changed his mind after kicking over the stool? The guard affirms there was no non-magical way anyone could have gotten into or out of the cell. I also want to note that this happened before Jeffery Epstein did not kill himself. If there is any last minute questions Fergan wants to ask about this, we'll retcon it here.

I think that's the only shared history needed to be covered.

Saran copied the markings/runes he found on the woman. He shows them to Fergan and asks how they compare to the markings he saw.

He says he hopes that's the end of the zombie attack's, but the death of the necromancer does sound suspicious...

Here we go, might as well call you Alex Jones.

In reply to GM (msg # 6):

Are the markings comparable, either to the one on the necromancer's hand or on the other victims.

Also, full disclosure...I have a wand that will animate the dead and, well, I guess I'm telling you that I can imagine using it if I had to and the conditions were right. I got it from the necromancer's gear and didn't want to explain it to the authorities, but I'm telling you since you might see me raise one at some point. Also, I can do a fair impersonation of the necromancer, if ever we are looking to do so.

(jokingly)Are you the necromancer?

Come on, unless you need a rest, let's see what we find in this ruin

Saran casts light on his belt buckle and starts down the hall.

I'm re-rolling portent, since I don't remember when last I rolled it.

09:51, Today: Saran Helder rolled 38 using 2d20 with rolls of 19,19.  portent.

So, I got that going for me...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:52, Tue 14 Jan 2020.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 8):

Rest. No, I'm not much for resting.

With a bit of a dramatic flourish, Fergan changes his appearance to that of the Lordling, then imitates his voice:

"I'll be looking and sounding like this, but I'll sound..." and then, telepathically, "like this telepathically. This voice, this way, will always tell you the truth."

Then, out loud: "like I've trailed off in thought from time to time."

Ok, Saran casts Light on his belt buckle again and notices Spot scratching at something under his wing and knows that two important things will succeed this day.

OOC: Saran has a Raven familiar named Spot and Fergan has a Spider familiar [unnamed].

The wingless sprite, seeing that everything is copacetic, pops into view and says, "I'm Sevinnuhb. Saran revived me from an eternal sleep and a deathless death. Actually, my name is Lampwick. Either name is fine," Lampwick introduces himself flatly, despite the reputation of the fey as being jovial.

By way of reminder, if Fergan wants a light source, Saran has a magical torch, if he wants to loan it Fergan.

Saran pushes his way into the opening and I go map a dungeon.

In reply to GM (msg # 10):

I have Guidance, Light, and Mending from my class, now. Light is not a (major) concern

https://drive.google.com/file/...-g/view?usp=drivesdk

I think I have a photo bucket account which I can pst, for now, follow link.

So the star is a torch or something?

Saran proceeds down the stairs into the larger room and sends Spot ahead to scout.

I confirmed that you can link from Google Drive

You mean the link worked, or something else? What I mean is that if I post to something like photbucket it will render as an image. Or is there a way to link to drive and have it show up?

Dropbox works if you have that.

You can put it in drive and have it show up. I think I proved that part in the game I failed to DM

In reply to Fergan (msg # 17):

OOC: Ok. Back to playing.

Fergan bends down to inspect the patterned floor before stepping in, pushing down on tiles with his quarterstaff to see if they are trapped before moving into the room.

OOC: Do we know why we're here and I just need to read back a bit?

We're here to plant a scrying coin for Francis.

Sorry for the delay.

Firstly. Saran sent Spot to scout ahead. The familiar flies down the stairway and almost as soon as it enters the room it appears to be whipped by something from up above, obliterating it from existence in the material plane.

Att: crit
Dam: 22

You cannot see the source of the attack, but it would seem to be above the threshold between the stairway and the large room.

In reply to GM (msg # 20):

I send the spider in on the floor and have him look up.

Roll stealth. How big are spider familiars?

In reply to GM (msg # 22):

Tiny. 18.

Ok, you spider crawls to the area and sees come vines and creepers growing out of the wall about the hallway threshold opening. They are not moving.

In reply to GM (msg # 24):

OOC: For the sake of convenience, let's assume I share all such info with Saran unless it is a) dangerous to be heard (in which case I would do it telepathically [if able]) or b) I explicitly say I keep it under my hat, which I do not expect to do, but may need to do at some point in time later as a protection against a Zone of Truth or some such.

Telepathically, I inform Saran of what the spider saw, creating the same image in his mind as I saw in mine through the eyes of my familiar. I then telepathically ask: "Fire?"

OOC: Two nature checks to ID the vines now, or just one?

You can both roll nature or arcana checks.

Rolled for you. Rolled Saran’s with advantage because of his experience in the last temple. He is near certain that these are regular vines/creepers that have been adversely affected by the magic of this place. They are probably not intelligent and are acting more on instinct, like a Venus fly trap. In his experience fire has worked fairly well, but not better than you’d expect and that was with fungus.

In reply to GM (msg # 27):

Well, I think we ought to just cantrip blast our way through this and proceed with extreme caution.

How do you proceed? It is out of view until you enter into the room, at which point it is above your head.

In reply to GM (msg # 29):

Does it react to thrown inanimate objects? Ready action blasting, if so

What do you throw?

In reply to GM (msg # 31):

I start my way from local debris and work my way up in value from there, on condition that the throw be repeatable (e.g. sticks, rocks, gold pieces, etc.)

You find some debris and you get it to grab a branch then let go. Do you throw more after that?

Yes, throw more debris, firebolt if it comes down. Atk 11, dmg 10.

You miss, and the vines curls up out of view.

After the second branch it stops reacting to debris.

In reply to GM (msg # 35):

"Adaptive...?"

I spider look around the room for ideas.

Both roll a nature check

12

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 38):

Less than that

12 is enough. The behavior of the vine reminds you of throwing pine needles onto a spiderweb. The first couple times the spider will run over and expell it from its web, then it will not play that game. You get the sense that it is adaptive, but not in a overtly analytical way. More like it has switched to something like 'cautious mode'.

[From spider]

The room appears to be an atrium of sorts with iconography on the floor matching the patterns and symbols similar to what you saw at the temple/library of Boccob. There are small alcoves in the NW and SW corners of the room which hold small tables. One holds an ornate vase, the other is empty. Above each is an unlit hanging lantern. To the N and S are doors, both shut. To the E wide stairs descend further into darkness, it seems like it continues into a large open chamber. The 'star' on the map appears to be a 5' diameter stone or marble table with a 1 foot diameter central base that flares out on the top and bottom. Though it does not resemble the reception desk at the other temple, it reminds you of it nonetheless.

In reply to GM (msg # 41):

Telepathically: "I'm more suited to social interactions, I'm afraid. My options are somewhat limited, here, but I can go gather some fire wood if we're out of options."

Saran casts mage hand and tries to open the north door.  If it's locked he tries the south door.

In order to get line of sight you have to go near the bottom of the stairs. The vine lashes at you but misses.

The door opens without issue.

In reply to GM (msg # 44):

Telepathically: We may need to rest after this. Cover me.

I cast invisibility on myself, then (crouching/crawling) I try to sneak into the room. The goal isn't to get anywhere. The goal is to have line of sight and be out of reach, then start blasting.

ready action firebolt vines

preemptive rolling
atk: 10
dmg: missed

Can we tell how far the reach might be?

Probably 10'. If you stand within 5' of the threshold, you have 3/4 cover, but can't see the plant. If you step into the room, it can attack without cover, but see it, if you step another 5' beyond that, you are out of range of the vine (probably).

OK, you sneak into the room, following the example of your spider (I rolled). You saw it start to stir and went still and then moved very slowly. You get the feeling that it's senses aren't based on sight and that you being invisible isn't as important as the fact that you are at the edge of it's reach and that it has already been hassled a lot.

How far do you go into the room in a stealthy crawl?

In reply to GM (msg # 48):

As little as possible while being out of reach and maintaining line of sight

When Fergan stands, the plant drops down off the wall. Saran ready action firebolts but misses.

Everybody roll initiative.

If you beat or tie 13, go. It is 15’ away from both of you (two empty squares between you and the plant). It appears to be a mass of swinging vines, like a verdant lovecraftian tentacle monster.

It has an AC of 12.

In reply to GM (msg # 50):

Made Initiative w unmod 19. Failed attack with unmod 4

initiative: 16

Saran shouts an incantation and waves his hands, sending three radiant bolts at the monster, and then backs up the stairs 15 ft.

Dmg 6.

ooc: Somehow rolled a 1 on all three of the d4s.  I try to be cool about randomness, but I really wonder if this dice roller hates me.

The magical bolts strike the swinging vines, but each only seem to do minor damage, blasting away peripheral creepers.

In a 15' radius around the plant monster, grasping vines, grasses and roots push out from cracks in the floor. Fergan roll strength check, DC 12 or be restrained. Area is considered difficult terrain (for non-plant creatures).

It then closes the distance between it and Fergan (moving 10').

Lampwick, sticking by Saran's side shoots an arrow which embeds into the center of mass of the plant (7 dam).

In reply to GM (msg # 53):

I am restrained

Fergan's turn.



You can use your action to attempt another str check (DC 12).

In reply to GM (msg # 55):

Crit success Strength check.

IIRC, I can still move without provoking an AoO, which I do. I want to kite the thing around the room and out the door (up the stairs?) if possible while staying far enough away to require a double move on its part under the assumption it moves at 10'.

Why? You used your action to break free, and are adjacent to it, if you move beyond its reach (10ft) you would provoke an OA. Am I missing something?

However, I do like to reward crits, so let's say you get a free disengage. It has a movement of 10' so you can def kite, it but you'll have to move around the large room.

Between you kiting it and Saran and Lampwick you all make short work with EB, Firebolt, and arrows.

I didn't clock that it's reach was 10'. I thought I was 10' away with 5' reach.

Idiot thing. Good to know, however, that they are slow.

I check to see if it has any stuff and then search the room. You can roll as appropriate.

Telepathically: Want to rest a bit so you can re-summon your familiar? I could use the time to gain another spell slot

OOC: Can I use another cue to signal telepathy?

summoning Spot will take 11 minutes.  A short rest will get me a 1st level spell slot back. But, since I can get two slots back, let's just go with the 11 minutes.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 60):

Ok.

You could do a short rest but not use arcane recovery, since Fergan gets a slot back every short rest. Up to you though.

In that case it is up to Fergan.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 64):

Let's rest. We both benefit.

Big mistake!

Ok, you rest like a couple pussies and search the room. It is mostly organic debris. Near the east end of the room you find a couple desiccated bodies wearing chainmail and carrying swords and shields. They have matching tabards, but they look burned and dark with decay. To the east down the stairs the room continues and you see rubble at the far end.

At the far end Fergan spots faint movement and the shuffling of decayed cloth. It looks like there might be two humanoid figures down below. (Crit perception)

Saran finds a potion of healing on one of the bodies and 20gp between the two.

Initiative 27 (nat 20)

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 68):

In the event that it matters, and also as a way to ping Joe while Allan is distracted, I had planned on sending Paul (the spider) along the ceiling to scope the sitch upon seeing the shuffling, but Joe asked for initiative before I could respond.

Ok, what does Saran do? I assume Fergan conveys what he sees. I am not seeing that they are definitely hostile, but you hear fight music start up in the background.

In reply to GM (msg # 70):

Yeah. Telepathically communicate the visual, in case Saran recognizes anything about the shuffling

Halt or be blasted!

Ready action firebolt if they don't halt.

Fergan.

In reply to GM (msg # 73):

With a brief look of alarm to Saran, Fergan casts light at max range down the stairwell to where he saw the movement and (if monsters) moves  back to max range while maintaining line of sight

Ok, you see two skeletons with decayed robes falling off their frame. They look hostile. They do not appear to be halting.

Saran blasts off a firebolt as a warning shot. (unless a 10 hits)

Vile fiends! This is the final warning!

Lampwick winks out of sight and you hear him strafe off to the side and draw bow.

The skeletons both wind their hand back which begins to glow with chaotic energy and they hurl small globes of energy toward you. One each in alphabetical order.

The globes of energy roils as they approach, one becoming a ball of icy energy that strikes Fergan for 13 damage and the other settling on a clear sphere of force that smacks Saran for 8 damage.

Hope your HP and AC are up to date. Matt isn't that a false life boost you have. Is that factored in?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Mon 27 Jan 2020.

In reply to GM (msg # 77):

My HP rolls were up to date, the HP total was not. New facts:

Hit Points    : 29 (24+5)  Current HP : 16

In reply to Fergan (msg # 78):

Saran's turn?

Correct, sorry. It goes:

Saran
Fergan
Lampwick
Skele-one
Skele-two

In reply to GM (msg # 80):

Do they each weigh a skele-ton?

No bones about it.

Saran casts shield, deflecting the attack (AC 17 until next turn). Then he blasts Skele-one with a magic missile attack (dmg 10).

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 83):

Joe can roll, but the plan is to animate the two corpses with the wand, have them attack #1, then command them to halt in the Lordlings voice (since I am in disguise as him--hold my hand up and show the symbol, etc)

I really like the move, but animate dead takes 1 minute to cast (even with a wand).

In reply to GM (msg # 85):

Ok. EB skeleton 1, then move for cover

Ok, you wing an eldritch blast at the skele-one, inflicting more force damage (4), it is still up. You move to cover along behind a jut in the wall (1/2 cover).

Lampwick appears as he shoots an arrow at the same skele. His arrow bursts into fiery flame and the skeleton goes down in a fiery heap. The sprite ducks behind Fergan for 1/2 cover.

The second skele attacks Saran (shield no longer up since your turn came and went when you cast magic missile) with another chaotic bolt and will hit with a 12.

pausing to determine if shielded...

Saran reluctantly spends his last spell slot on another shield.

Then he shoots a wild firebolt (atk 11) at Skele-two and skele-runs for cover.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 88):

Zann casts Dissonant Whispers (if possible from cover) for 11 damage. There is a save and another effect

In reply to Fergan (msg #

I think I under rolled the damage by a six?


You whisper a discordant melody that only one creature of your choice within range can hear, wracking it with terrible pain.
The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction , if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you. The creature doesn’t move into obviously dangerous ground, such as a fire or a pit. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and doesn’t have to move away. A deafened creature automatically succeeds on the save.

At higher level

When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st

Correct, you cast all spells at lvl 2, so, 4d6.

In reply to GM (msg # 91):

Make that a whopping 12 damage. Here's to hoping it has a garbage Wis save....

The skeleton seems distracted and pained by the whispers, only for a moment then goes back to its threatening posture.

Lawpwick pops out from cover and shoots at the skele, then ducks back. The arrow strikes the skeleton in the skull, but remains mostly unphased. (7dam)

Rolled a 1d2 to determine target[Fergan]. I am saying Saran is at opposite wall as Fergan and Lampwick.

As before, the bolt undulates in a miasma of chaotic energy, as it flies through the air, but narrowly misses, barely striking the lip of the wall jutting out in front of Fergan who feels a fleeting sense of existential dread (psychic) as the bolt dissipates into the air.

Saran can see in his minds eye where the skeleton will be (potent), pops out from cover and sends a firebolt that deals just 3 damage. Then gets back behind cover.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 94):

Fergan tries Dissonant Whispers again:

18:11, Today: Fergan rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  Unmod Skele Wis Save.
18:11, Today: Fergan rolled 16 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,3,2,5.

8 Damage, No secondary effect.

We aren't good at this...

That enough. The skeleton clutches it’s head in a hallow scream and crumbles to the ground.

In reply to GM (msg # 96):

Telepathically: "Well, I'm whooped. You?"

OOC: Is there a rush element to this gig? Like, would two normal people take the time to rest up here because time is not of the essence?

Yes, let's take a short rest. Spot would have been useful there.

I don't see any need to rush. Cast find familiar as ritual and short rest for two 1st level spell slots.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 98):

How often can you do that? What is the ability called?

So, short rest and then animate dead on all four corpses to use as shields against what's coming next?

Arcane Recovery; 1/day, recover wizard level/2 rounded up of spell slots.



There are two other non-animated skeletons down below as well. The charge expenditure is as follows:

Charges:Corpses
1:1
2:3
3:5
4:7
5:9
6:11
7:13

In reply to GM (msg # 100):

Another day of meetings. I'll bring 3 up and spend some HD to get closer to full. If you want to roll for me to move things along, that's cool

What do you do while you short rest? Like typically.

While you are doing whatever you're doing, a faint light begin to emanate from within the rubble near where the arcane skeletons were.

In reply to GM (msg # 102):

I think that, typically, I would be reading, or practicing voices, or whatever. But in this case I think I want to be absolutely silent.

We could ear some good gruel. How many HP is Fergan down?

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 104):

13, I think, but only 8 can be put back. (Temp HP)

I want to clarify something about the gruel. Saran has a magical mess kit, each part of the kit (cup, dish, spoon) produce magical effects, but they can also be used together:



So, even though it is gruel, you can flavor it however you want with the spoon. Fergan could use it to gain exactly 8 hp.

Also, there is something causing light in the rubble in the room below. Do you do anything about it, or just watch and keep resting?
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:15, Fri 31 Jan 2020.

In reply to GM (msg # 106):

The coin I tossed? Can't I just dismiss the spell?

There was also the glow in the robes. We should check that out.

Isn't Saran down some HP, too?

I think Saran shielded

yeah, I was able to shield away all the hits.  You are welcome to gruel up some HP if you want.  I say we just keep an eye on the glow and finish the rest.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 109):

Ok. I will gruel up, then we short rest, then I raise 3 skeletons, then down we go?

Saran also summons Spot.

I have dragon's breath.  I was thinking I would use it on Spot to enable him to deal damage during a battle.  I was a bit sad that I couldn't do this in the skele-battle, but it occurs to me that we could use it on Paul as well.  An acid breathing spider is as cool as a lightening breathing raven.  But does a spider have a mouth?  It does right?  I think we could even do it on both of them.  Is there a limit to the number of concentration spells you can have going?

Wow, that's pretty good. Also note that you could have used Fergan's familiar.

Though the nice thing about using your own familiar is that you can deliver touch spells through your familiar and Dragon's Breath is a touch spell, so when Spot thinks about you he can touch himself.

Pretty good trick. I have a feeling Spot is going to need re-summoning a lot.

OK, so I think we are waiting for summoning and resting to be done while keeping an eye on the glow.  If nothing new happens until that's done Saran suggests sending Paul to investigate the glow.

Ok, after a few minutes the glow moves and seems to be bobbing almost imperceptively. It appears to be a pale-ish rat with a light on its head.

In reply to GM (msg # 114):

From my copper piece? I dismiss the light, if so.

You dismiss it, the rat-light is still there.

In reply to GM (msg # 116):

I'll send Paul sneaking along the ceiling to take a look.

Through Paul, you see what appears to be a rat with an exposed brain, which glows softly.

Do we know anything about such rats?

arcana checks

In reply to GM (msg # 120):

Modified 16.

Modified 23

This is a cranium rat. It is like a normal rat in most respects, but can show greater intelligence when many are together. Uncertain origins.

In reply to GM (msg # 123):

Telepathically: Attack on 3?

Why attack. It doesn't seem threatening does it? Finish our rest first?

Your rest is over, and the rat is still rooting around. Actions at this point won't compromise the benefits of short resting.

Saran shrugs and nods and prepares a firebolt on Fergan's count.

initiative: 10
atk: 15
dmg: 4

You kill the rat, no problem. All goes quiet and dark.

Fergan animates 3 skeletons.

In reply to GM (msg # 129):

I have a bit of a plan. Two similar plans. First, plain familiar scouting. Second, having the spider ride inside a skeleton to scout, under the premise that more interesting things may happen that way than just having Paul walk the ceilings.

Cool.  I like this plan.  Saran can cast light on something the skeleton carries, or the skull or something.

Let's have the lighted spideton go through the door that's already been opened by the mage hand.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 132):

Fine with me. I have to stay, what, within 100' to be able to see through its eyes?

Paul, passenger of the glowing skeleton tank, explores the next area with no incident.

Broken furniture and bookshelves litter the stone floor. The shelves and floor are mostly devoid of books, but some destroyed books and scattered pages are among the debris.

seems like it's time for a ritual casting of detect magic.

In reply to GM (msg # 134):

Ok. Let's scope the other rooms as best we can before going into any. Don't want to get jumped with my nose in a book

Ok, Saran mage hands the southern door open.

You explore with glowing skeleton familiar tank. (see text)

It is mostly dusty hallway with occasional animal refuse and general gunk.

In the space that is the only diagonal chamber, the skeleton enters one of the doorway and there is a flash of light. In the many eyes of the spider, you see two skeleton, one of which casts a bolt of energy. The other one following right after.

Att1: 6 (+modifiers?)
Att2: 14 (+modifiers?)

Dam1: -
Dam2: - (7, but skeleton immune to poison)

The first bolt hits the door and the second coalesces into a putrid bolt of poison, striking the skeleton to no effect.

The spider remains safe within the skeleton.

In reply to GM (msg # 138):

If it is my turn, I command the two additional skeletons to attack the hostile skeletons. Then whisper "Two." and follow after the skeletons to the  alcove for cover (if possible)

In reply to Fergan (msg # 139):

Actually, turn-age matters here, since I may have spent my action on seeing through the spider already.

That was a surprise round.

Initiative:
Fergan
Spider
Saran
Chaos skeletons
Animated skeletons

In reply to GM (msg # 141):

Then I think my turn stands

Did Saran get to re-summon Spot?  It doesn't look like it.  I'm unclear as to where things are, but maybe it doesn't matter.

Did we cast Dragon's Breath on the skeleton or the spider?  If my character sheet is up to date we didn't, and also I'm 3 1st level slots down, with only 1 remaining.

So Paul's turn?

Assuming Paul doesn't do anything consequential to my turn, Saran follows Fergan to cover in the alcove and shoots a fire bolt at the hostile skeletons should the opportunity arise.

Atk: 20 (dirty)
dmg: 2

also, I don't remember what portent was, but I re-rolled a 9 and 13.  I don't think I had used any today.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 143):

I don't see anything for Paul the spider to do.

Couple things. Saran did plan to find Spot again. Also, Lampwick, the wingless sprite is with you. Also, Saran should gain back 2 First level slots (are you level 3, half your level rounded up in slots, right? So could you do a 2nd level slot?).

A couple notes about the skeletons. The ones you fight have ac 13 (I think) and 20 something hp? They shoot a chaos bolt on their turn.

The animated skeletons are per the book, except have ac of 10 and their damage is 1d4+2 as they don’t wield weapons and don’t have scraps of armor. The reason the chaos skeletons have ac 13, is because they have a continual mage armor.

Yes that's right, I get two level 1 spell slots or one level 2.  I have all my twos, so I've added two level 1 slots back, so now I have three.  So Spot is or is not in the picture? It takes an hour and incense to get him back, right?  I assume the short rest does not count as that hour.  Where does Lampwick fall in the initiative?  I don't think I will change my turn, except that if Spot is back I want him to take cover with me.

Lampy will go before the chaos skeletons, I guess that now? Will try to post in a bit.

(I’m my defense, Lampwick was invisible, so I didn’t see him at first)

The chaos skeletons attack the Paul skeleton again.

One crit-misses, almost hitting its companero. The other bolt, perhaps mocking Saran’s feeble firebolts, forms a larger and more chaotic bolt of fire and blasts Fergan’s skeleton, which burst over its frame, burning its tattered garb and rattling its frame, singeing Paul (no damage tho), and destroying whatever sundry part of the skeleton the Light spell was focused on, which winks out. Skelepaul is down to 2hp.

Skelepaul retaliates, but his attempt is feeble and pathetic. The other skeletons crowd in the alcove but run out of turn juice.

Fergan.

In reply to GM (msg # 148):

OOC: Going on vacation for about a week starting tomorrow.

IIRC, the skeletons generated their own light in combat mode, but I could be making that up. If that's accurate, I will blast whichever skeleton mage the normie skeleton attacked. If that's not accurate, I will cast light on a copper piece, toss it into the room, and take cover.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 149):

Yes, it is your skele that lost light, but there is enough ambient light from the chaos skeletons to target them effectively. I also assumed that you were bumbling down hallways without your own light source, which would either reach your targets, or would be in your favored form of a coin which you would toss (free action) toward the baddies. So, you good.

13:46, Today: GM, on behalf of Fergan, rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  EB CHAOSKELE.

WOMP WOMP

I want to cast Dragon's Breath on Paul, but only if I can run out and then back to cover without incurring an opportunity attack.  Since it's a bonus action, i'll also do a fire bolt and end turn with cover.

fire bolt atk: 7 (miss)

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 151):

I am just going to say that Paul can breathe from the skeleton ribcage and that in general the skeleton will be targeted, not Paul, unless by an area attack etc. I realize this is breakable, so as long as it doesn't get crazy, we'll roll with it.

What is the deal with Dragon's breath? what is the damage/save, etc?

Damage is 3d6. Chose damage type. 15 foot cone of acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. Save DC is 13 for half damage. Happens on Paul’s turn and takes Paul’s action. So I think that means next round. Let’s go with lightning.

I think based on the scale we were working with before, this alcove is like 20x20 (which is huge, I know), so the chaos skeletons are near the back and the reg skels have walked up to them. I will say they are not providing cover for the baddies because it is pretty open, all things considered. I have you just oustide of the large threshhold ducking in and out of cover.

Lampwick scores a hit so precise, it is almost critical, doing 6 damage.

Instead of throwing bolts, the skeletons strike with them, kind of shocking grasp style, randomly picking targets (1d3, Skelepaul, skelereg1 skelereg2).

They both pummel skelereg1, first with cold, then with acid, destroying the it completely (10 & 11 damage).

Skelepaul and skelereg2 retaliate... feebly. (11 & 6 attack).

Paul's turn. I guess a spider would know how to dragon breathe?

Damage roll: [8]
chaos1 dam: 8
chaos2 dam: 8

Fergan

In reply to GM (msg # 154):

I attack whichever the skeletons are attacking: 18 to hit, 8 damage

I guess I did Paul out of turn. This is the new turn order:

Paul
Fergan
Saran<---
Lampwick
Chaos skeletons
Animated skeletons

Chaos Skeleton 1 bursts apart after Fergan blasts it, eldritchly.


Saran

firebolt and duck for cover

atk: 7

Dang, I keep missing... Saran kicks a rock.

Ok, the spritely sprite nails the chaos skeleton again [6dam] and it retaliates by attacking skelePaul with a direct hit of energy, but chaos smiles on it one more time, resolving the blast as poison once more, which skelepaul is immune to.

Both it and the non-spider-infested skeleton respond feebly once more, unable to gain purchase. Paul spews another blast of sheet lightning, which the chaos skeleton dodges somewhat, causing some ribs to clatter to the floor.

(going to go for Fergan...)

Fergan's EB goes wide (rolled unmodified 5 vs AC 13).

Saran. One last chance before Lampwick takes your kill (probably).

Ok, so I guess we should search for treasure or something, or continue searching the rooms for bad ones.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 160):

Moving Paul seems like a good idea and, if possible without risking breaking the wand, raising more. Particularly if we can get some more dragon breath action off this same casting?

Still on vacation

It’s your skeletons turn, but, you command them as a bonus action on your turn. So, they would not do anything this turn, and Paul would go. We normally play that you control you familiar on its turn. So, it’s Paul’s turn, then Fergan’s turn.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 161):

Right, dragon's breath lasts for a minute, so we should see if we can get more use out of it.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 163):

I'm not fully paying attention, but am aligned with the plan to scout while breath is dragoning. However that works out tactically.

I'm not sure where we've been and where we haven't, but let's just go through the next closest door or unexplored area.  Mage hand open the door if applicable.

Ok, you command the skeletons down the hall to the west which has a wide staircase leading up to a door. Before they reach it though, a part of the ceiling stretches down and whacks reg skeleton in the noggin (4 bludgeoning dam, 6 acid 3 hp left). Then a mass of gray ooze sloughs down to the floor between you and the skeletons.

We’ll keep initiative, skeletons attack, then Paul:

Ooze takes 9 skeleton claw damage and 5 lightning damage (saved).

You can almost completely disregard the dice roller since there are accidental rolls, incorrect modifiers, and other errors. No fudging though.

Fergan.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:07, Thu 27 Aug 2020.

Fergan eldritch blasts it for 5 dam

In reply to GM (msg # 167):

Magic missile for 8

The nonstop assault proves effective in destroying the gray ooze. Each hit slicing or knocking off chunks of viscous liquid that solidifies and tumbles to the ground as stone. The volley of magic darts sends shock waves over the sludgy surface which hardens and shatters.

On the skeleton's turn it makes for the door and opens it and steps through into a new room, facing one more chaos skeleton.

The two fergan skeles attack, one of which hits for 4 slashing damage. Paul breathes lightning for 7 dam after dodge.

Fergan's turn. Attacks will be at -5 for cover behind the ally skeletons. Normal sized doorway opens into a 10'x10' room. Another door on opposite side of room.

In reply to GM (msg # 169):

If the skeleton in the way has taken significant damage, I'll ready action EB on the the friendly bone bag dropping. If not, I'll take the shot.

Both of your skeles have taken significant damage.

Saran’s turn.

Saran tries a firebolt, but misses with a 4 (with the cover).

Lampwick shoots, and hits for 5 damage, the chaos skeleton attacks skelepaul and is destroyed by psychic energy, the chaotic energy arcs out and strikes Saran for 8 force damage. Paul falls harmlessly to the ground. Fergan let’s loose an eldritch blast that almost misses but barely strikes the chaos skeleton for 6 force damage (actually missed by 1 but I thought it deserved to hit). Paul breathes lightning from the floor at a surprised chaos skeleton for 9 damage. Oh there was also a skeleton claw for 5 damage.

The lightning breath takes the skeleton down. Fergans turn I think.

In reply to GM (msg # 173):

If one is still standing, and I think one is, I hex it and then attack. Will roll and edit, because phones are awful.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 174):

Miss with a modified 10

But wait. I think Saran needs to roll concentration to keep dragons breath going.  Rolled 16, so we good.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 176):

OK -- I move to the western door, and interact with the door to open it. If it opens and I see a skeleton, I use my bonus action to Hex it and my action to close the door and hold it.

Ok, explore a little bit?  Any doors left unopened?  Take a rest?  Search for treasure?  How much time do we have left on dragon's breath?

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 178):

I think my action remains, and if we can get more dragon breath time, we should stay in initiative for a second.

IF my action remains, I use it to inspect the ceiling for goo monsters.

You do not seek goo monsters, but you hear scuffling in the next room. (this used your action)

I think you have a few rounds left of D-breath.

I will note that Paul is on the floor and you have 1 skeleton with a few HP left. You can command skeletons with a bonus action.

Next up in the turn order is Saran, then Lampwick, then skeleton (then back to Paul at the top of the round I think).

let's go for it!

Saran opens the door, shoots a firebolt at anything that looks bad and then takes cover.

atk: 6 (which is probably a miss)

ooc: I just can't hit with the firebolt in this dungeon!

Well, for one thing, your modifier should be +5 to attack with Firebolt (+3 int, +2 prof). I don't think it would have mattered on other attacks.

Also, you should not have re-rolled your portents. You rolled after the first encounter, then again when we picked back up. So, you have a 19 and a 19 to use. Honestly, though, you probably would have been better off with the other rolls since the 13 is good enough to hit things and the 9 is bad enough to force a failed save.

But you have to choose before the roll, so it is at the moment, moot.

Saran moves up 10' and bursts open the door into a hallway extending to the left and right, to his left he sees rats with glowing heads swarm into the hall from under another doorway. He fires a too-high, flaming bolt.

The Firebolt does strike the rotted door which begins to smolder.

In reply to GM (msg # 182):

That's funny. I think I have been rolling +3 this whole time.

Any move or bonus? Fergan any bonus?

Other than move to cover, no.  How many rats?

Like half a swarm so far.

In reply to GM (msg # 184):

I'll command the skele into the breach.

bump

Lampwick takes out a special arrow and fires it at the swarm.

On impact it explodes in a small burst of flames and the swarm takes 7 damage.

Rats continue to swarm past the door, many of them taking damage from the door which is even more in flames (firebolt and fire arrow), 5 fire damage.

They advance enough to be free of the flames then stop. They all settle back on their hind legs, and look at Lampwick. Lampwick tilts his head to the side in curiosity then doubles over grabbing his head as if in intense struggle, but seems to shake off whatever effect the rats were inflicting.

The skeleton hurls itself into the breach attacking the swarm, tearing at the rats with its claws (2 dam).

14 dam total.

Paul<---
Fergan
Saran
Lampwick
Crainium Rat swarm
Animated skeleton

They are about 20' down the hall to the left of your door looking into the hall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Fri 30 Oct 2020.

Fergan should receive a boon for Matt's birthday!

I'm down with boons. Let me think about it.

Got it. He'll find something after combat.

Going to go for Matt

Paul moves into the hallway, climbing on the ceiling and breaths down a cone of lightning breath into the swarm of rats, frying the majority of them, then retreats back toward its master.

Fergan peaks into the hallway fires a wild blast into the mass, picking one of the remaining rats off. Then retreats back into the room.

Saran's turn. There are a few rats left, which look like they are about to scatter.

In reply to GM (msg # 193):

Firebolt

atk:9
dmg: 9 (if applicable)

and then retreat back into the room

You shoot the door again, which continues to burn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:41, Mon 23 Nov 2020.

Lampwick wings a hasty arrow at the remaining rats, but fails to strike true, before retreating into the room.

The rats tear the skeleton to pieces, then scatter and hide, escaping into holes in the walls and to further reaches of the hallway (probably, nobody is in the hall to notice where they go).

Out of combat.

In reply to GM (msg # 196):

OOC: Sorry for missing my turn before.

I want to sneak into the room and have a look around--but watch for traps.

From MO text:I think we should put out the fire, peep the south hall, then open the door

I don't think I have any fire dousing abilities. How big is the fire?

The entire door is on fire.

In reply to GM (msg # 200):

I also lack a way to put it out. I guess we can just push it open a little? Just trying not to set anything valuable in there on fire, but it might be unavoidable.

The door is very old and dry. The two firebolts all but “destroy” the door. You are able to guide it to the floor safely and break it apart/stomp it out. The smell of smoke hangs in the air.

In the room you find refuse mixed with bits of metal and coins strewn across the floor. Although it is clumped in areas, the complete coverage of the floor looks deliberate. It appears to be a very large rats nest.

In reply to GM (msg # 202):

Setting fire to debris that blocks rat-sized points of ingress to the room sounds like one way to search this grossness. Plugging holes seems like another.

@Seth -- thoughts?

Not sure I follow.  Are we trying to burn everything with the thinking that anything valuable will be non-flammable?  Or are we trying to give ourselves time to search without being bothered by rats?

I can do detect magic as a ritual to see if there is anything magical.  Setting fire to stuff seems a little reckless to me (but I will probably be doing it as firebolt is my go to cantrip).  I have  multi-tool that can maybe be something useful for picking through garbage.

As far a keeping rats away I would say plugging holes would be the way to go.

Lampwick offers to stand guard in the hall, then pops out of sight.

I would say you have enough insight between the two of you to know that the rats will either not return because they are outmatches, or that they will come back in numbers, because they are smart, but that is only if there are enough in the tunnels to for them to form a swarm.

Something catches Fergan’s eye. Something like a birthday boon. A watch. Lots of cogs and wheels.

In reply to GM (msg # 206):

Ok. Given that info, let's just search.

Fergan picks up the birthday boon.

You pick it up and see the little cogs moving behind a glass cover. It looks very sophisticated, but it also seem to be in very good shape, and you suspect it is magival. It seems like the time it is showing is correct.

There is a small ruby set on the side (like where a winding wheel would be), but it doesn't pull out or twist. You suspect that it can be pressed.

Also, we missed Seth's birthday. I always forget it. I will come up with a birthday boon for him as well.

Aside from that you find this randomly generated treasure:

2300 cp, 1200 sp, 50 gp, Fine Cloth Gown (25 gp)

It actually came with a ceramic sundial and painted glass scroll case, but I figure the watch took the place of the sundial, and Seth's boon will be the scroll case (the details of the paintings are up to him.

The scroll case is empty and apparently magical.

The cloth gown is shredded, but there are 50 small gold discs sown on to it (each disc has a small hole in the middle). Each disc is worth about .5gp (due to weight).

In reply to GM (msg # 208):

OOC: Neat.

If storage and weight aren't major concerns, we should take the coins and the gold discs. If they are, abandon the copper, of course.

After that, let's search for secrets (rats don't make rooms) and then move on to the hallway to the south.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 209):

Agreed.  Worth doing a detect magic?  We could also do an identify via ritual or short rest.

I should add some details about this treasure that maybe I left out, the coins are completely scattered among the refuse, like it was being used as part of the nest. It will take time to recover the coins. At 1 coin a sec (I would be faster if they weren’t mixed around), it would take 3,550 seconds. Which means it would take one person about an hour.

I don’t want to tell you what to do, but this is exactly the sort of task unseen servant was make for, but you have to be within 60 feet.
You can cast unseen servant, detect magic, identify, identify. That would be 42 minutes with the servant working for 32. With another 30min Fergan would get his spells back (if he has cast any since the last rest).

I’m not trying to trick you, but time does pass for anything else in the caverns. It’s up to you to decide if it better to lay low or move.

In reply to GM (msg # 211):

That sounds like a good idea to me. Let's start with unseen servant.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 212):

Getting a slot back would be handy (spent one one invisibility to start this off).

Let's try it.

The unseen servant is brought into being and starts collecting coins when you command it to.

Just saw that Fergan posted too, sounds like it’s a go for the short rest.

As Fergan rests, Saran performs arcane rituals, first to summon the servant, then to identify.

The watch is a Chronograph of Perfect Order (you can call it whatever you want, that’s the name I made up).
Instead of hands, it has three concentric glass bands or rings that rotate in alternating directions. On each ring is a magnifying glass. Under the bands are numbers, 1-24 for hours, 1-60 for minutes, and 1-60 for seconds. The numbers being magnified are the current time.

Above 60,60,24 sits the ruby. At that time (when being worn/attuned), the chronograph gains a charge and the ruby glows faintly. Forget what I said earlier about it being able to press it. When it has a charge you can decide to replace any attack/save/ability check with a 10.

You can also gain a charge if you roll a natural 20 and defer the effects of the critical (if there are critical effects for a save or ability check I will let you know and you can decide to defer them or not). It can only hold a single charge at one time.

Will post about the scroll case shortly.

In reply to GM (msg # 214):

If you will allow it, I would start my short rest after casting Invisibility and going out in the hall to have better line of sight on anything coming our way. Lasts an hour, short rest is an hour, Bob's my uncle.

Actually, I am going to amend the chronograph, you have to decide you are going to use it before you roll, then you don't roll.

The exceptions to this are if you roll a 20 and want to make it not critical to charge the watch, and the other is if you roll a nat 1; in that case you can use an available charge to replace the 1 with a 10.

Also, you can cast invisible and short rest and regain your slot. Mearls has spoken.

The scroll case cannot be opened.

The Scroll case works like this. Once per day, as a bonus action, you can cast a spell slot into it and attempt to convert the spell into a different spell of the same level (any spell available in the PHB). To do so you make an intelligence check DC 10 + spell level (0 for cantrips). If you fail, or if you decide to not attempt to control the outcome, the spell converts to a random spell of the same level.

The spell remains in the case until discharged. You can decide what this looks like, including the painted patterns or whatever.

Casting a spell from the scroll case has a casting time equal to the spell being cast.

In reply to GM (msg # 218):

I have seen these posts

Ok, you get the treasure and the rest. Down the hallway where you slew the rats, you hear a crunching sound. Like eating.

In reply to GM (msg # 220):

I send Paul to scout.

You see through Paul’s eyes something eating rats in the hall. It looks like a ball about 1” wide with four... snail looking appendages at the top.

Arcana check, some via text.

Ok, I rolled an 8, but it was accidentally a secret roll, which obviously doesn't count. The real roll was a 24.

Forgot to add 1d4...

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 223):

Ok, 21

In reply to Saran Helder (msg #

Our light situation is bad, right?

It is dark, if that is what you mean. Lampwick has darkvision, I am pretty sure. Paul has darkvision out to 30', so when sensing through Paul, Fergan can take advantage of the spider's darkvision.

Quietly, "looks like a gazer. Small, but can shoot beams from it's eyes. I think we can take it out."

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 227):

Telepathically: We need some light. Get ready.

Fergan waits for Saran to nod or otherwise signal, then casts light on a coin and tosses it just outside of the doorway.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 228):

Two shakes. Remembered that wrong. Is it right outside of the door?

It's like 20ft away.

You toss the coin and see the head come into view and rock back, there is a rat in its mouth and its 5 eyes squint in the coinlight.

Roll initiative.

26

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 231):

3

Order:

Saran
Lampwick
Gazer
Fergan/Paul

Saran pops out into the hall, hurls a firebolt, and pops back out of the hall for cover

atk: 19
dmg: 6

Is dragon's breath still active?  Probably not, we took a rest, right.  But, unseen servant is still active, right?

OK, good initiative is really good. Saran shoots a mote of fiery energy which seems to surprise the gazer with its intensity and focuses its eyes on him and begins to rush forward, but is stopped dead by a small arrow from a now visble Lampwick, which pierces straight into its skull, directly above its central eye.

Combat over.

In reply to GM (msg # 235):

Whoa. Ok. Pick up the coin and do the south hallway, now?

sounds good

You find a lecture hall/amphitheater, large commons time area with vaulted ceiling to the west of the lecture hall, then the hall loops back around to where you fought the swarm and the gazer.

See text for map.

In reply to GM (msg # 238):

Anything we can discern from the lecture hall about its purpose? Any decor on the walls, etc?

In reply to Fergan (msg # 239):

If nothing, I suggest we check the door.

You get the feeling that this whole complex was somewhere between academy and temple.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

In reply to GM (msg # 241):

A'ight. Let's check the door.

I need to have my phone to know what happens next. Will post probably about 2:30 Pacific.

Let's have the unseen servant check the door.

The Unseen servant opens the door. The room starts off narrow, but is angled on the right side to open up into a large chamber. There is a lot of rubble and debris, which are covered in spiderwebs.

In reply to GM (msg # 245):

I send Paul amongst the webs to scout it out.

Let's get a stealth and perception check from Paul.

In reply to GM (msg # 247):

Perception 11, Stealth: 21

Nice, ok, Paul creeps like a mofo, and spots a couple spiders about the size human hands (how big is Paul? I was imagining tarantula sized). The Spiders are crouched down in wait, but it is not clear whether they have spotted Paul (probably not). They seem at ease, not extra hidy. With that stealth he is able to creep around a bit and spots a few more spiders, each a few feet away from each other. The are bright blue and sickly white, with abberantly configured eyes. The webbing isn't enough to hinder people, but if Lampwick fell into a large patch it might trip him up. The rubble is considered rough terrain.

In reply to GM (msg # 249):

Does it look like there is anything in the room that is valuable AND flammable?

Webs are kind of flammable, but they are somewhat separate from each other. It may be that under the rubble there used to be furniture, but moisture and dirt have destroyed anything that was in the room. It feels generally dank.

In reply to GM (msg # 251):

I'm not sure if Fergan knows the info that Paul sees. I'm going to assume so for this next thing.

Telepathically to Saran: "5 or more spiders. I don't have anything to clear the room. Do you?"

PASS THE DICE TO SETH

(Paul saw 5 more spiders before he would have to go somewhere he would be spotted, there is probably one every few feet in a very large room, but each are small, like 1 hp small, but each could possibly do damage)

In reply to GM (msg # 253):

Telepathically: "I'm thinking we throw in a dead rat or two, get them to swarm to the rat, and then hit them all at once. I just don't have the all-at-once part of the plan."

In reply to Fergan (msg # 254):

Can I reply telepathically?  If so, "I can put a bunch to sleep, or dragon's breath our scout again."

If not, Saran just shrugs and moves to try the rat plan.

I don't know if warlock telepathy is 2-way, but let's say it is.
Fergan's turn?

In reply to GM (msg # 256):

OOC: Warlock telepathy is not two-way, per Crawford, but we can play it that way.

Telepathically: "I'll cast Light on a rat and throw it in. Maybe Lampwick can stand ready to close the door if the spiders inside choose to rush the door, rather than eat the rat. If they choose to eat the rat, then dragon's breath might be justified -- but with cold damage, maybe?"

Saran nods affirmation

Ok, you cast light on a dead rat and throw it in. You see several spiders by the light of the rat crouch slightly, then when the rat hits, they disappear.

A few seconds later, they appear next to the rat and bite it. Then they wrap in in some webs and drag it toward a spider hidy hole. You see a few other spiders crawl to the food.

In reply to GM (msg # 259):

Ok. I throw a couple more rats in to see if we can get more to go into the hole--lighting rats as required.

I need to touch Paul for d'sb

Ok, you throw some more rats in. The amount of activity is confined pretty close to where the rats falls and the spiders tends to pull the rats to safety. But you do notice in a instance where a rat lands next to some active spiders that they wink out of existence for a few seconds then appear again in a different location. You notice that some spiders are now just prowling around looking up to the ceiling, perhaps waiting for free raining dead rats. A few of them slows crawl toward the door.

In reply to GM (msg # 262):

Ok -- If we have materially reduced their numbers in any way, I telepathically say:

"Shoot some, Lampwick closes the door, we set up and shoot some again?"

Ok, firebolt

Atk:18
Dmg: 10

You fry one of the spiders and all the spiders disappear.

ooc: Max damage on a creature with 1 hp...  Why do we care about this room?  Looking for treasure?  Maybe we should just shut the door and move on?

Did you guys shut the door? Are you waiting for a particular thing to happen, just waiting? Discussing?

In reply to GM (msg # 267):

Shut the door. On my turn, I was going to stuff something at the crack.

Yes, we care for treasure/information reasons.

You stuff something in the crack.

A few seconds later, all around you, a swarm of blue & white spiders appear, as if from the ethereal plane.

Roll initiative

Swarm of baby phase spiders: 9

If you roll higher, go ahead and go. Right now they are occupying the same square as Fergan.

In reply to GM (msg # 269):

Initiatve: 12 + mod.

Fergan takes the Dodge action. I like to imagine it as frantic leaping in place.

Initiative: 18

firebolt: 25 (crit)
damge: 12

Saran preminizes an instant before things start to happen and sparks off a bolt of fire at Fergan almost before the spiders appear, and cooks one of the buggers as it appears.

ooc: crit on a creature with one HP.

Ooc: it’s a swarm now, so it damages the whole swarm’s hp. Post to come.

Lampwick turns invisible and moves away.

The spiders attempt to attack Fergan with disadvantage.

Att: 14 (I have your AC as 12, if that is incorrect, please correct it)
Damage: 6 piercing, 17 poison (I rolled con save for you)

Not sure if the current hp on the sheet is right. I know you guys short rested, but I don't remember if you were damaged before, I thought you were just looking to get spells back though, iirc. Full would be either 24 or 29 for Fergan. I think the False Life curse/blessing is once/day for you (result of your near-death exp).

After attacking Fergan, the spiders vanish, though several charred spiders are left dead from the firebolt, approximately 1/3 of the swarm.

Saran's turn

Is Fergan down?

If his sheet is correct, then yes, but I don't think his sheet is correct.

Well, I guess Saran doesn't have any healing magic.

If Fergan is down Saran tries to move him out of the way of danger. If that can be counted as an interact with object, then also ready a firebolt if the spiders appear. If Fergan is still up, then move back and ready the firebolt.

In reply to GM (msg # 275):

I think the sheet is correct, actually? I have to go back and see if I held on to any armor from before. Have to look.

I suspect your AC is correct, not sue about your current HP. You just took a short rest, so you can roll HD if you hadn't already.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 277):

AC is right, but there is a time gap between where I was in the Fergan thread and where the games combined. However, even if you allowed a retcon to include a trip to a shop to gear up for out-of-town adventure, I don't think I can get above a 13 AC because Warlocks are not proficient with shields. Studded leather is all I can see myself having purchased that I was proficient with (the magic armor shop you rolled DID have leather armor of poison resistance, but I was not able to afford it and it wouldn't up my AC beyond 14 anyway).

I am fine with the the studded retcon.

In reply to GM (msg # 280):

Looks like my HP were 24 at the time of being hit (16 + 8 from gruel), which is actually as high as they can go because the Lordling's curse (which IIRC kicks in when I long rest) is temp hitpoints.

ok, so fergan is at 1hp? Fergan's turn. You are not sure what Lampwick is doing.

In reply to GM (msg # 282):

Yes.

Fergan disengages and retreats back in the direction that has already been cleared.

The Swarm reappears in Saran's square, Lawpwick shoots it with an arrow (6 damage).

Saran can attack with disadvantage due to proximity. If you damage it for 18 damage, you kill it.

Then the spiders will attack Saran. I think they should get advantage from phasing in and attacking, but it is iffy. In any case the first roll was an 18 (after mod). If that hits Saran, he takes 6 piercing dam. Then roll a con save DC 10. If you fail, you take 14 poison damage, or 7 on a success.

The Swarm does not phase back out this turn.

I have 10 HP on my sheet and AC 12.  It doesn't seem as though I can avoid being taken down unless I had mage armor up, which it doesn't seem I did, so that would be a retcon. I'd also have to use shield.

Saran sees his demise the instant before it happens and decides to try and take as many of the spiders down with him as possible. A mote of fire shoots from his finger at the first spider to appear burning straight through as the creature writhes in agony.  As the ensuing swarm engulfs him, he in turn falls to the ground in a moment of agony as consciousness quickly fades. A slight twinkle emits from a nail like earring he is wearing.

Atk: 18 (portent 13+5 mod)
dmg:6
con save (for funsies):15

Note: Necronominail casts spare the dying and feign death, so Saran appears dead, but is stable.

Would Lampwick know this? I don’t think Fergan would.

You don’t have a low roll to replace the spider roll?

I'm not sure if Lampwick would know, I don't think so.  I don't think it was mentioned Fergan either.

I didn't think of replacing the spider roll.  I have a 9, which would make the spider roll a 15.  I could then use shield and make it a miss.  I suppose that would be preferable if you'll allow it.

I guess you asking the question implies you'll allow it.

Saran sees an instant before it happens that the spiders are going to phase in and swarm, he surrounds himself with a protective force and quickly moves to safety as spiders bounce off of the invisible shield.

Sorry, for all the madness, but I just realized that you would not be able to use shield because you used your reaction to firebolt, from your held action.

It might be one retcon too far to say you could skip your readied action in order to Shield.

So, I am thinking you won't want to use your 9 potent, right? Saran is therefore down, but not before his reality threatened to shatter into multiple paths.

So, now I think it would be Saran's turn, but he is incapacitated, but stable and seemingly dead.

Lampwick fires another arrow at the swarm (I think he shares initiative with Fergan), I normally post him with the swarm turn, but I'll do it up top this time. He skewers a few more spiders with a low straight shot from his bow.

Att: 14
Dam: 6

Fergan's turn, the swarm seems about 6hp away from death.

In reply to GM (msg # 289):

If a 19 is a hit, I do 4 damage.

Fergan blasts some spiders to bits, then the remaining couple of spiders move over to Lampwick and attack, but miss, then disappear.

In reply to GM (msg # 291):

Fergan readies an action to attack a spider if it phases in, but only holds that for a round before going over to tend to Saran.

Lampwick disappears. After a round they don't come back. Saran appears dead-dead.

Lampwick says, "This may be a ruse. I was Feigning Dead for a few hundred years before Saran found me." He inspects Saran, "No way to tell without divination magic, but my gut says this is a spell." He fingers a wicked looking nail in Saran's ear.

In reply to GM (msg # 293):

"Cover me" -- Fergan tends to Saran's wounds and then drags Saran out of the dungeon.

You get to the original room and see that the entrance is block by giant webs. Then you see something behind the web, very large wink out of existence.

In reply to GM (msg # 295):

Ok. I put Saran in a corner and wait for him to come to while I stand guard.

Out loud, I say "Lampwick, what was that thing?"

"I think it was a larger version of what the swarm was made out of."

(I'll put you in the coin room where you short rested)

An hour later, Saran snaps out of it, with 1 hp.

In reply to GM (msg # 297):

"Ugh, I don't feel good.  What's happening and where are we."

Saran fishes for his gruel maker.

In reply to GM (msg # 297):

"I think we need to take a real rest, unless you have some way of healing us--because I do not. I also am beginning to wonder about how we should proceed since neither of us are armored..."

"I can help a little with the armor, but I haven't studied much healing. I can set an alarm on this door or the hallway before it so that we can rest."

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 300):

Let's see if we can hole up somewhere for a while.

We look for a place that we have the option to barricade ourselves in.

Yes we do

You can in the room you rested before. Lamps can watch, don’t know if sprites need to sleep. He would also say, “I’ve slept enough.”

Somebody roll and encounter check. Straight 20 roll.

I rolled a 4

The three of you pass the rest uneventfully.

Map recap: there is an area north of the first large chamber you entered. There is a pathway to the southwest you haven't explored (it leads to a large room which is a mirror of the phase spider swarm room, and next to it (to the left of it).

The entrance to the dungeon you know is guarded by the adult phase spider.

Over the night, Lampwick re-loaded his alchemical arrow payloads.

In response to the discussion about healing, he mentions that if he had the supplies, he could probably make basic healing potions. I am going to homebrew crafting rules on this that the cost will be 35gp - Alchemy check (1d20+6 for Lampwick (expertise in Alchemist tools, intelligence +2)). Can make one over a long rest, a nat 20 will yield a greater healing potion, a nat 1 will waste 35gp and no potion.

You do not have these supplies with you.

I don't think you leveled up, but let me go back and count up some xp since the last time I doled it out...

In reply to GM (msg # 305):

Is it a new day, triggering portent rolls?  Do portent rolls trigger on new day or long rest or both?

Long rest.

OK

Portent: 1, 4

I suggest a casting of mage armor for anyone who wants it.

Wow, awesome portent rolls.

What's our familiar status?  I think I need to re-summon Spot, but Paul is still with us, right?  I'm not sure I have the material components.  Does Fergan or Lampwick?  Would now be a good time?

Let's play fast a loose with the material requirements. If you deduct 10gp from your sheet and describe what you burn or otherwise sacrifice that would be pleasing to the spirit and/or form you summon, then that will be good.

Seems as good a time as any, to me.

Ok, I tallied up xp, including your totals, which you are not great at keeping up to date on the rpol sheet (Seth).

I also decided to give you xp for posting (after I close the thread).

This brings Fergan up to 2,737 and Saran up to 2,655. So, I am going to round you both to 2,700 and you can level to 4th.

Post when you are ready and I will try to remember to text you a map.

Which way do you want to go?

here's the map

In reply to GM (msg # 313):

Looks like there is a hall to the north that hasn't been explored, a hall on the west going south, and a hall on the southwest.  We could also go back and try to take out the phase spider swarm.  Now that we have two potential dragon's breath familiars and mage armor, and protection from poison (if we drink from the mess kit cup [can we share?]), hopefully that will make short work of it, although that does use a lot of resources, but I guess that would be my vote.

About summoning Spot back.  Saran sketches a raven on a piece of parchment with charcoal, along with some magical wordings in special ink and burns that along with small shavings from some silver and copper pieces. The burning metals spark and pop in blue red and white colors.  As the fire dims the ashes swirl and coalesce into a black bird.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 315):

I'm for finishing the phase spider room, figuring out where it connects, then doing the area to the north since (left hand rule) since the hall to the SW looks like it might open up to a lot more space.

You estimate that there will probably be enough spiders in there for two more swarms.

Is that where you go?

In reply to GM (msg # 317):

Oh -- I thought we had beaten all but 2 of them. If there are more in there, I don't know that I want any part of it.

What's the re-charge on the animate dead wand? Has it come back online after the long rest?

You beat one swarm of spiders.

There are enough other spiders in that room to create two more swarms.

Wands typically recharge at dawn. I like the idea of recharging at midnight, which I think you would have passed. I want to say it was midday, and you short rested a couple times and long rested, so it is probably around 1 or 2am.

it would regain, 1d6+1 charges, I believe, if it has a 7 charge cap.

In reply to GM (msg # 319):

20:38, Today: Fergan rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6.  Wand Re-Charge.

That's a boo-ya.

We can skele-tank a familiar into the room with Dragon's Breath, maybe. It's expensive, but not too expensive, IMO.

Skeletank is so broken that skeletons aren't going to exist outside of this dungeon.
JK. Sort of.

We should drink some of the protection from poison water before we take on the spiders again.

Man, I had no recollection of the protection from poison. But it looks like it is a single dose, although the gruel provides 8 bites.

Maybe you’re already doing this, and you don’t need my permission, but feel free to text each other to come together on a course of action. Or maybe I missed a consensus. Sounds like you are dancing around swarm fighting in the swarm room.

In reply to GM (msg # 324):

We are not -- Only chatting here, and I don't have qualms about discussing plans in front of you. You are correct that we're lacking a decision. The swarm thing is interesting in this case. A dragon breath blast would cook a ton of them if they were treated as individuals, but might not be formidable enough when they are treated as a swarm. That's mostly where I'm stuck, since I don't have any AoE spells/abilities.

Tell me about this protection from poison water?

I’ll say this, when you sent in a spider spy, they seemed uninterested. It was when you started throwing rocks that they got agitated and phased out, swarmed up, and phase back to attack.

If you dragon breathed them while they were separate and spread out, you would basically need to blanket the room. I think with 15’ cones, you would have to do that 3 or 4 times to get them all, but doing it it twice before they did anything would take out a swarm.

Lampwick also has an aoe arrow. So if you could get all that off in a round, you would be pretty close to exterminating the room.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 325):

Saran has a cup that produces water 1/per day as an action, drinking the water provides protection from poison.  It's part of the magical mess kit.

We could probably leave the swarm alone unless we are intent on searching that room for treasure.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 327):

It is, generally, a bad idea to leave an enemy at your back--so we would need a way to block the room. In this particular case, I think it is a particularly bad idea to leave them at our back, given that the big spider moved to block our exit, which demonstrated the kind of intelligence that I don't like monsters to demonstrate.

Maybe we need to bait them again, and then dragon breath the bait?

Saran would know with his passive arcana that phase spiders phase into the ethereal plane, so it is unlikely you would be able to block them, since they can bypass any material plane obstacles by phasing into the ethereal plane and moving passed there.

Let's send in a skeletank as the front line, Saran as the mid line with protection from poison and mage armor (and sheild and/or portent if needed), and Fergan and Lampwick as the backline.

Ok, if Fergan animates skeles, how many? I believe it's:

(# of charges spent) x (2) - (1) = animated skeletons or zombies

The chaos skeletons you have killed are in a few different places, and I would say there are a few others here and there. Some with piecemeal armor, which improves their ac. The chaos skeles won't have srmor.

You tell me how many you want and I will tell you how many have armor and how long it takes to gather them together and cast the spell.

In reply to GM (msg # 331):

Wait, so it is?:

1 charge = 1 skele
2 charges = 3 skeles
3 charges = 5 skeles
4 charges = 7 skeles
5 charges = 9 skeles
6 charges = 11 skeles
7 charges = 13 skeles

If that is the case, I want to raise 5 skeles (2 or 3 with armor, min).

Ok, you find 3 more skeletons with armor. The other two are former chaos skeletons.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:18, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

Ok, you make it back to the swarm room without incident. I believe you left the door closed. Paul is riding in a armored skele. What about Spot?

I believe that before, Fergan was using the darkvision of his familiar to see in the room when it scouted inside.

In preparation for ensuing violence, Saran drinks the protection from poison water and casts mage armor on himself.  He casts dragon's breath on Paul.  Do we need two dragon's breath-ed familiars?  I'm thinking we maybe save the slot for now and let Spot sit this one out.  It's a bonus action, so we can pretty easily add him in during the fray if necessary.

In reply to GM (msg # 334):

I'm for conserving. Let's give it a try.

OK, so what's the opening move? Skeleton to advance through door?

I know it is not RAW, but I like to let players have an opening action if they are initiating combat, but just for the first person.

In this case, the skeleton could go in and attack, then we roll initiative.

If you wanted to risk it, Paul could go in (probably unmolested) and get a breath off, then we roll initiative.

So, I have you preparation, what is your plan of action?

In reply to GM (msg # 337):

I think it makes sense to have Paul go in solo, actually, and do what he can do. Since he was left alone previously, he might be again. It would also be a good idea to see into the room before we barge in.

OK, Paul goes in, and it looks like the first 3rd of the room is mostly devoid of Spiders. Like the ones you provoked earlier owned that property and it wasn't backfilled (or it is the least desirable of the room and not wanted). You might surmise that the 2nd third of the room would make up another swarm and the last third would make another. There is a door on the far end of the room which looks busted and water/plant damaged.

Choose damage type and roll dragon breath damage if you would like to use dragon's breath. Either way, I will start counting down the rounds that you have left of the the spell.

In reply to GM (msg # 339):

I would prefer to line up the first shot, spending an action to sneak into position if required, before firing (I recommend fire on the off chance some webs get caught up in it). Trying to Quigley Down Under this sitch and get two for the price of one, if possible.

Doable, but only if you beat spider initiative once the breath fires off.

In reply to GM (msg # 341):

Kicking myself for not casting guidance on Paul and saying it out loud so I can get a reminder next time.

Let's say you cast it on yourself and you can use it for your initiative check (which is an ability check). Guidance is concentration for 1 min, I believe, so you should be able to be holding it while Paul gets into position. I don't think this breaks the initiative system.

Does Fergan have guidance?

Fire it is.  Let's light this mutha!

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 344):

Ok -- Paul's initiative is 8. I was going to have him sneak around into position, and his roll for that is 13 if it matters.

Ok, just roll damage, the spiders did not save.

Then everyone roll initiative

If you roll above a 12, you can go.

Dragon breath damage:15
Initiative:23

Note a phone error caused a second roll on dragon's breath, but the first roll was 15.

The spiders are wreathed in flame, destroying a sizable number of them. The rest begin to huddle up and form a swarm, linking instincts, but have not-yet phased out of view. The spiders in the room beyond them skulk back in their hiding holes.

Phase spider swarm
HP: 17/32
AC: 14

Initiative:
Saran/Spot 23
Fergan/Paul/Skeles 16
Lampwick 13
Spiders 12

I decided to a) combine familiar/minion initiatives with their master, they share initiative and the master decides who goes when during that initiative count, b) roll for Fergan and ignore the roll he gave earlier.

In reply to GM (msg # 349):

Saran casts mind sliver to disrupt their ability to link instincts.
INT save vs DC 14 or take 1 damage.  Take that!

Spot stays safe with a dodge action away from the fray

Spiders fail save, as per OOC, adjusting damage to a total of 5.

Swarm 12/32
-4 to next save

In reply to GM (msg # 351):

Sounds like we keep blasting.

OK, I rolled Edritch blast, dragon's breath, and Lampwick att.

EB missed, Dragon's breath landed (10 damage), Lampwick finishes them off.

The rest of the spiders in the room phases out of sight.

Saran's turn.

Saran makes a mental note that it would be handy to be able to see into the ethereal plane, and readies another mind sliver if the spiders phase in.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 355):

While Dragon's Breath is still running, we should send Paul through to the next room that Joe mentioned to see if there is anything else to nuke.

You mean continue through this room to the door on the north side? Or double back and loop around to find the room that is a mirror of the phase spider swarm room?

Fergan it is your turn. You are in initiative still, so just tell Skelepaul what to do.

In reply to GM (msg # 357):

Continue through this room, so we have the skeleton open the door on the north side, unless there is enough space for Paul to squeeze under it to take look at what's in there.

The next room is a very large chamber (50' x 50'?) with a vaulted ceiling (40' up). There are four large pillars that go nearly to the top, but are broken off before they get all the way up. The ceiling in the middle of the chamber is broken and filled with a canopy of foliage, vines, creepers, branches, roots. The creepers hang down and are attached to the pillars which also are cover in them.

The floor is covered in rubble, dirt, and decaying vegetation, as well as moss and fungus. This time of night has already brought dew to cover the rocks and plants.

Above the pillars, intermixed among the canopy, you see the small spiders phase in and settle in. You can see glimmers of web spanning some of the gaps within the canopy. This appears to be their hunting ground.

In reply to GM (msg # 359):

OOC: Looks like a dangerous scene....

Telepathically: "If we're going to do this, the time is now--unless we are banking on finding some useful equipment elsewhere in this complex."

Let's do it! Maybe we can sneak past. Do the spiders come back to the room we are in?

They seem to be settled in on the canopy in the next room.

In reply to GM (msg # 362):

Can we see if there are any other doors or areas beyond the large room?

Maybe? I will send you a map when I get to my phone.

Forgot to do this

OK, I guess this is something I can't do, so I will go by memory.

To the left there is a door to a room that is a mirror image of the spider room, but minus the spiders. It looks like these rooms were lecture halls. The new one looks mostly in tact, but with some benches and desks knocked over and general rot.

The rest of the vaulted room is difficult to see the edges of for you because of general darkness, debris, foliage, etc. There may be other doors, but you can't tell for sure.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:51, Fri 09 Apr 2021.

Let's search the room we just cleared of the spiders. Then it looks like we can go around and check the mirror image room.

In reply to Saran Helder (msg # 367):

Ok, but we lose out on the casting of Dragon's Breath.

In reply to Fergan (msg # 368):

True.  We can go back to the front for the big spider.  I think the ones on the ceiling are out of reach for dragon's breath though.  Maybe we should go around and see what we run into.

Unless Paul climbed up. The Skele could potentially climb as well, half speed.

In reply to GM (msg # 370):

I think we want to stay off the webs, because of web sense.

I'm for going around and seeing what we run into, sure.

OK, we go south down the hall and back around north trying to get to the mirror image room.

Ok, you venture around to the other room. You see a few more skeletons (the normal, dead kind).

The large chambers appear to be commons areas with tables and benches and other debris.

The mirror room is as previously described (lecture hall, benches, chairs, debris). There are a few more skeletons in this room.

In reply to GM (msg # 373):

I guess we have Paul scout the room, looking for anything of interest.