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