Kevin back
Subject Game
Ok Kevin is back in town. I will write up the next room tomorrow. I will try and get the party through the rest of the dungeon before the end of May. :)
From: Kevin
Subject Game
Mark, don't know if it is too late, but Harp will have been more focused on protection from fire spells than water spells. He feels pretty confident that between Salix and Alistair, they can beat the water thing, but the fire thing scares him, alot.
After the fight, the alter
Subject After the fight
Salix will do as Harp orders regarding searching the room, using all pertinent skills to help find the last key or any secret doors or such.
At some point when Harp isn't otherwise preoccupied, Salix will approach him quietly and say:
"I must admit that when the door was flung open and I knew we'd have to face all those trolls without being able to close the door and prepare fresh prayers, I thought we were dead for sure. As you can see, those were definitely not creatures to be trifled with. My first instinct was to try to run to the previous door and shut them inside. But you kept your cool and through your leadership we were able to keep them contained. We didn't have to fight them all at once, or run and re-group. Now they are dead and we are all alive. You led well, Harp."
From: Mark
Subject After the fight
Where is that butt kissing emoticon when you need it? ;)
From: Mark
Subject Mund
I think his brother is having a moderating influence on him.
From: Kevin
Subject After the fight
Harp watches with relief as Mund and Ran cut down the final troll, dispatching it to whatever hell is would suffer in. Two of their group had almost lost their lives in this encounter, and had it not been for Ragnar, Kal and Ran would surely have died from their wounds. Even Harp was feeling somewhat worse for wear after fighting those things. Harp heads over to the doorway, and starts clearing body parts out of the way so the rest of the group could more easily make it into the next room. As he finishes the work, he says to Surin " OK, my friend, your turn. Go take a look in there and see what you can find. Salix, will you and Allistair help him?"
"Ragnar, lets you and I take a look at Kal. He still seems a bit out of it. Ran, would you and Mund search those troll bodies. I doubt they have anything worth anything, but we have to look."
OOC: Harp will sacrafice a 2nd level for cure wounds of the same level if needed. Mark, I assume someone has succeeded in their spot checks to see the brown thing in the middle of the room.
From: Mark
Subject After the fight
Believe it or not eveyone failed their DC5 spot check and not a single person sees the very large wooden alter in the middle of the room. :)
I will write up something at lunch time.
From: Kevin
Subject After the fight
Can Harp make a listen check to see if he can hear the altar?
Let me know how he rolls.
From: Derek
Subject After the fight
Mund is still excited from the heat of the battle. He punts one of the severed heads across the room, and then wipes the green blood off his axe. "Now THAT was a battle! That golug got in the way, but those things showed him how stupid that was even better than I could have done."
Mund then turns to Ran as they start inspecting the bodies of the trolls (OOC they're not clothed or anything, right? Nothing to search on them, is there?) "Doesn't look like these guys have much besides they're appetites. You wanna cut one open and see if it has anything in it's stomach?"
Allistair follows the rest of the group into the room, carefully stepping over the pile of troll bodies in the doorway. He first examines the wooden altar in the center of the room.
From: Mark
Subject The alter
As tensions ease the rest of the party enters the room, stepping gingerly over the headless forms of the trolls. Allistair jumps when a hand twitches a little, but a more careful look shows that it is just left over death spasms. Harp, starting to clear the bodies out of the door way, starts organizing things. "Surin, your turn. Take a look around. Salix and Allistair, give him a hand. Don't touch anything yet, but see if you can find the key. Ragnar, let's you and I take a look at Kal. He still seems a bit out of it. Ranthir and Mund, would you search the trolls. I doubt you will find much, but we have to look."
A few minutes later the trolls are moved out of the way. "Not even clothes or food on them" Mund reports. "No key visible" is Surin's report. He looks at Allistair and the mage speaks up "However, the large wooden alter in the middle of the room is a likely place to look. That thing is huge." The alter in question looks to be made of some odd wood and is 10 feet wide by 20 feet long. It is intricately carved and parts of it stand over 15 feet high. Surin looks up at Harp. "Let me guess. Time for the little guy to go first?" he say with a smile.
From: Kevin
Subject The alter
"Unless you want Ragnar or me to look first?" Harp says with a smile. "But, maybe we should have Allistair see if ther is anything unusuall about this thing. Allistair, do you have the ability to see if that thing is magical or normal?"
OOC: Harp knows that this whole place radiates magic, but is hopeful that Allistair will be able to get a reading on the alter specifically.
From: Kevin
Subject The alter
OOC: Also, Mark, does any one recognize any of the carving on the alter, or is it just indeterminate decorative carving (i.e. no obvious religious item showing)?
From: Derek
Subject The alter
Allistair is willing to use a detect magic to see what he can on the altar.
From: Mark
Subject The alter
No one has gotten close enough yet to check out the fine detail work, but there are no large religious symbols that anyone recognizes.
From: Derek
Subject The alter
Is there any kind of writing or script in the carvings?
From: Mark
Subject The alter
Again no one has gotten within 5 feet or so yet. There is no obvious large writing or script.
From: Mark
Subject The alter
Allistair wants to take a closer look at the altar. "Do you think it's alright if I take a closer look, or do you want Surin to check it out first?"
Allistair also asks his familiar if he can smell (or otherwise sense) anything strange in here besides the troll corpses.
From: Mark
Subject The alter
The little snake slithers out of the mage's robes and wraps itself around his wrist. Tongue flicking back and forth, it hisses at Allistair and then returns the the warm folds of the robe.
From: Derek
Subject The alter
Allistair shakes his head. "He doesn't sense anything specific, just the magic of this whole place. Sysyphys also thinks the trolls smell yucky. I agree with him."
From: Kevin
Subject The alter
"Go ahead and look , but don't get too close. I want Surin to take a look for any traps before any of use get too close."
From: Kevin
Subject The alter
Harp laughs at the comment from the small snake. "Tell him they did not feel too good, either. They won't be botherin us any more."
From: Jason
Subject After the fight
ooc/
A: 43/48
H: 26/58
K: 13/37
M: 45/59
Rg: 45/47
Rn: 46/53
Sx: 26/39
Sn: 27/27
/ooc
Ragnar looks up from his work just in time to see Ran finishing up the other troll in the same manner. Almost eagerly he looks around for more foes, and is almost disappointed to see there are none left. Truly this day he had demonstrated the might of Heironeous and his people. The adrenaline pumps through his veins, and he nearly misses Harp's order to join him in seeing to Kal. Still, he does not look to Kal immediately; the foolish elf may have jumped in where Ragnar himself would have been better suited, but the he was already safe from any serious danger through the grace of Heironeous. Instead he quickly scans all his companions for injuries, taking note of the most injured. He notes that Harp himself seems to be the worst off of all his companions. He then follows Harp's lead in seeing to those wounds, insisting however that Harp allow him to heal him as soon as he has finished with Kal.
/ooc Ragnar will follow Harp's lead for healing, but he'll at least insist on a CSW (Searing Light) for Harp and CMW (Spirit Weapon) on Mund (assuming also that Harp casts his CMW on Kal.)
From: Kevin
Subject After the fight
Harp agrees with Ragnar's suggestion (including sacraficing his 2nd level for a CMW on Kal. Harp will be hesitant about Ragnar sacraficing another 3rd level on him. He would rather save that grace until they have a better idea of what is left in this room. He will, however, give in if Ragnar pulls rank within the Order. Harp may be the lead on this mission, but Ragnar is of a higher rank within the Order.
From: Jason
Subject After the fight
Honestly, "pulling rank" wouldn't even occur to Ragnar in this situation. He'll be as insistent and as persuasive as he can, but if Harp tells him to wait, then he'll do it.
From: Mark
Subject The alter
I just realized that I did not state the obvious.
No key was found in the general search of the room.
From: Kevin
Subject The alter
If that is the case, Harp will have Surin search around the alter for traps, then let Allistair and whomever else wants to examine it do so. He will then ask Surin to serach the angle wall for any secret doors, allowing him to take his time.
Fire and Water
Subject Turn
Just update your spell list. No action has taken place yet.
This is true for all spell casters. Update your list on Sakeriver.
From: Josh
Subject Turn
Mine's updated.
From: Mark
Subject Fire and Water
Allistair nods at Harp's command and the party moves towards the door. As they go the mage gives the others warning. "I am going to center my spell on the fountain in the middle. That should cover the entire room. In fact there is a distinct possibility of fire coming out of the door. I would suggest standing to either side so that you are not affected by it. Ragnar and Salix chant their prayers. When Salix is done the air seems a bit dryer to the two. When Ragnar is done both Ranthir's sword and Mund's axe glow with a dim light. "You sure that godspoke stuff worked?" Mund asks. "It don't feel no different." Ragnar nods and says "Move quickly now, the blessing will not last more than a few minutes.
Ran and Mund stand next to the door and Allistair stands several feet back from the door. At his signal Mund grabs the latch and throws open the door. Allistair completes his spell and the party sees the familiar sight of a burning ember flying through the air. A second later there is a silent detonation. Fire spews out of the door a good 5-6 feet, almost reaching to where the magic user was standing. As soon as the flames recede Mund and Ranthir rush into the room. Their feet splashing in foot deep water, they stop just inside the door, seeing a 10 foot high wall of water form just the other side of the fountain in the middle. The water at their feet pulls back until it is only a few inches deep.
Initiative: Mund (15), Ranthir (14), Creature (9)
I need round 1 actions.
From: Josh
Subject Round 1 actions
Kal stands by guarding the other door, Idly wondering to himself why we're only sending in two people instead of the whole party.
From: Porter
Subject Round 1 actions
OK, what am I seeing in that map? What's the square, and what's the circle?
Round 1 actions, round 1, round 2 actions
Subject Fire and Water
The circle is the fountain that had been spraying water like fountains do. The dark blue square is the 10 foot high wall of water.
From: Karl
Subject Fire and water
Just to be clear, unless Harp specifically told him to do otherwise, Salix will have shared the Breathe Water spell with the whole party. That should give them all around 2 hours of the ability (assuming I'm reading the spell correctly), and I can't imagine a battle lasting that long. (Just trying to be on the safe side.)
From: Mark
Subject Fire and water
The longest battle you have had so far was the giant beetle and that was only becuase you guys made a pin cushion out of it. :)
Most combats have lasted less than a minute. Plenty of time.
From: Kevin
Subject Fire and Water
Depending on what Mund and Ran do, Harp will likely follow them into the room and attack the wall of water as best he can.
From: Randy
Subject Fire and water
Ranthir moves quickly to the right and forward (to C7), hoping that Mund will go to the other side of the fountain. He attacks with full force at the wall of water, thinking that this must be the elemental. He hopes he hasn't made a mistake, thinking that perhaps the fountain was actually some sort of creature controlling the water.
From: Porter
Subject Fire and water
Mund moves in for the attack, and leaves as much room behind him as possible for others to come in and help. He moves to F8.
From: Mark
Subject Fire and water
I assume your dodge point will be applied to the only visible enemy.
From: Jason
Subject Fire and water
Ragnar will also head in, and if there is room he will attack. He'll wait for Mund and Ran however to make sure they have room.
From: Randy
Subject Fire and water
Yes.
From: Mark
Subject Round 1 actions
I will write up the obituaries tonight. :)
From: Ashely
Subject Round 1 actions
Surin hangs back for the time being, waiting to see how the water wall reacts to being hit by his comrades. The experience with the ghouls are fresh in his mind, and he doesn't want to step into the room until he knows exactly what's in there. He wonders what twisted universe it is that a firebal can harm something made entirely of water.
From: Mark
Subject Round 1
Initiative: Mund (15), Ranthir (14), Harp (13), Creature (9), Ragnar (8)
The two fighters stare for a second before realizing that the wall of water is not collapsing back on itself, as they would expect. With a shout Ranthir leaps to attack the creature on the right side. Just a second slower, Mund does the same, moving to the left of the creature.
As Ran dashes forward and to his right he quickly closes with the wall of water. However, as he passes about 10 feet out a portion of the wall crashes down on him, like a wave cresting at the beach (AOO, AC25, 15+11=26, hit, damage 9). The 1/2 elf is able to avoid most of the slamming water and continue on his attack. When he gets to the side of the watery figure, his sword flashes and cuts through the water. Ran is surprised to feel some resistance in the figure. (AC20, 18+11=29, hit, damage 5). He had been half expecting his sword to slice through with almost no resistance.
Mund moves to the other side of the creature, taking advantage of Ranthir's distraction. Mund's axe swings low, where the water is the thickest and slices through the water as well (AC20, 18+12=30, hit, damage 6). Mund feels his axe cut through the water, but catch on some unseen essence.
Harp charges in after the other two, a battle cry to the battle lord on his lips. No one from the party would die today, not on his watch. He steps by the now sputtering fountain and slashes at the watery figure, his sword glowing slightly (AC20, 17+10=27, hit, damage 1). His sword seems to slice through the water with very little effect.
The wall of water surges to and fro, undulating like the surf. Suddenly, it splits into two waves, and both of them come crashing down on Mund and Ranthir. (Ran: AC21, 3+11,miss, Mund: AC21, 16+11=27, hit, damage 15). Ranthir is able to leap out of the way of the attack but the barbarian is caught full in the face with the crashing water. He is just barely able to keep his feet but he comes up sputtering. "Hey you suma bitch. I wasn't supposed to get a bath for another two months."
Ragnar does his best to get into the room but is only able to make it to the closer side of the fountain.
OODM: Map attached. I need round 2 actions.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 2 actions
Harp looks on as his sword passes through the creature, barely slowing as it does. Damn, he thinks to himself, why can't he just meet some nice, smelly hobgoblins. Why all this strange stuff. Harp takes another swing, hoping to hit a more substantial portion of the water.
OOC: If Ran takes a 5 ft step, Harp will also take a 5 ft step to where Ran is now, providing a flanking bonus.
From: Porter
Subject Round 2 actions
OOC: I said I wanted Mund to go to F8, not F7. Was Mund not able to reach F8? If so, then I want Mund to take his 5-foot step to there.
IC:
Well, this is a real battle, even if it is as unnat'ral as the rest of this place.
Mund summons the Bear [rage] and presses the attack.
From: Mark
Subject Round 2 actions
Sorry I moved him to a flanking position. He is now at F8 but neither he nor Ran will get a flanking bonus.
From: Porter
Subject Round 2 actions
Why wouldn't they get a flanking bonus? They're on opposite sides of the water thing?
If it gives him a flanking bonus, go ahead and keep Mund where he is.
Flanking, round 2 and round 3 actions
Subject Flanking
ooc: according to the srd we would get the flanking bonus: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatModifiers.htm#flanking
Ranthir moves to the wall, keeping the creature flanked between Mund and himself while allowing Harp to get closer (5 foot step to C8). He then unleashes a fury of strikes with his sword (full attack) on the water creature.
From: Mark
Subject Flanking
I just realized elementals can not be flanked. Now the characters do not know this, so it really does not matter where you guys are. A wall of water is a wall of water. :)
From: Porter
Subject Flanking
Let's pretend that it's not an elemental for a second. Why wouldn't Mund get a flanking bonus from F8 but he would from F7?
From: Mark
Subject Flanking
He might. I have to check the rules and the examples in the PHB at lunch time today.
From: Porter
Subject Flanking
OK. No worries. But could you make sure that Mund is in F8? I want to give the maximum amount of room for others to come in and help.
From: Mark
Subject Round 2 actions
Mund is at F8, Ran is at C7 and Harp is at C6.
Ran is going to take a 5 foot step to C8 this turn and I assume that Harp will move to C7. Ragnar is probably going to try and move to F6 or F7.
From: Mark
Subject Round 2
Initiative: Mund (15), Ranthir (14), Harp (13), Creature (9), Ragnar (8)
Mund gives a roar and starts to channel the bear totem. His battle lust fills him and the hurt from the things attack flows away. Strength fills his arms and he attacks with renewed might. (AC20,5+12=17,miss) The blade cuts through the thing but only catches water as it does, the creature flowing around the attack.
Ran shuffles a step to the right to make room for Harp. He then launches a furious attack. His high line attack misses (AC20, 2+10=12, miss), but his second attack, coming in low, connects(AC20, 19+4=23, hit, critical threat, critical threat roll, 3+4=7, no critical, damage 0). However, it too catches nothing but water, the essence of the creature flowing out of the way.
Harp steps next to Ranthir and continues his attack (AC20, 4+10=14,miss) but his sword also finds nothing substantial to hit.
The creature continues undulating like the sea. It looks like it almost splits in two and forms two crests, one on each side of it. These two crests come crashing down, one on Mund and one on Ranthir.(Mund: AC18, 1+11=12, miss, Ran: AC21, 1+11=12, miss). Both of the fighters see what is coming and are able to dodge out of the way as the waves crash down.
Ragnar continues moving forward and is surprised when the crashing waves surge towards him as he moves towards the fight (AOO, AC22, 10+11=21, miss). The surging water covers the dwarf for a few seconds but is unable to knock him off his feet. Ragnar sputters and spits out a mouthful of water and continues forward, swinging his sword as he approaches the things main body. His sword flashes (AC20, 19+7=26,hit, critical threat, critical threat roll, AC20, 10+7=17,miss, no critical, damage 6) and he feels his weapon catch on something in the water, just for a second.
OODM: End of round 2, I need round 3 actions. New map attached.
From: Porter
Subject Round 3 actinos
Mund attack!
From: Kevin
Subject Round 3 actions
Harp (praying for a better roll this time) attacks again.
OOC: Mark, shouldn't Ran's 2 attacks have a 5 difference? It shows as 6 (10 and 4 - s/b 10/5 or 9/4).
From: Jason
Subject Round 3 actions
Ragnar's pretty pleased with himself, so he'll do it again.
From: Mark
Subject Round 3 actions
Second attack should have been +5. Did not change anything.
Round 3 and round 4 actions
Subject Round 2
Understood for this turn, but it might in a future turn.
You have to keep your eye on this guy. My 12 year old caught this.
From: Randy
Subject Round 3 actions
Ranthir curses as his sword passes harmlessly through the creature. That should have hurt it, he knew it should have and yet there was no resistance to his blade.
Frustrated, Ranthir growls as he continues his assault on the living water.
From: Karl
Subject Round 3 actions
Salix stands at a distance, torn between concern for his friends and fascination at the creature they are hitting. He wondered vaguely at the animus that could move so freely in its element, inhabiting and abandoning great portions of water at a whim. He had, of course, seen elementals before, even summoned them to do his bidding, but never one so massive. He wondered on some level if this were an older elemental than the weak ones he could summon, or if elementals of different sizes were different species entirely. He'd have to ask the Stormfather sometime.
Despite his musing, he keeps a watchful eye on the battle. Should he join in or wait? So far his friends didn't seem to be getting terribly hurt as far as he could tell, but they also didn't seem to be slowing the creature down much either. He puts a hand to the symbol of Obad-Hai on his chest, ready to summon lightening to hopefully do some damage to the water creature, but stops. If there is a creature of fire in the other room, and if it is anywhere near as massive as the water creature, he should save his portion of grace for that battle as best he can. Instead, he moves closer to the door of the water room, standing just outside of it so as to be better prepared to offer assistance if the tide didn't turn soon, so to speak.
From: Mark
Subject round 3 actions
Good call. Lightning in a room full of water. There are no official rules about that but I think I would have to come up with something.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
Initiative: Mund (15), Ranthir (14), Harp (13), Creature (9), Ragnar (8)
Mund ducks under the crashing water and spins in place, his axe making a full circle. Almost catching Ragnar as it passes, the axe head smashes into the thing as it forms up again (AC20, 17+12=29, hit, damage 4).
Ranthir makes a lunge as he dodges out of the way (AC20, 18+11=29, hit, damage 4) and feels his strike connect. He then pulls his sword down, like he was cutting a side of beef in half (AC20, 13+5=18, miss). He almost looses his balance as the sword passes through with ease.
Harp's attack is made up more of brute strength then the more finessed attack of the 1/2 elf. His longsword carves an arc in the air but the thing surges back from the attack and the blade finds nothing but air (AC20, 7+10=17, miss).
The creature seems to change its tactics and the mound of water seems to shrink into itself, only to reappear at the feet of Mund and Ran. Two arm like things form out of the water and strike at the two (Ran: AC21, 7+11=18, miss, Mund: AC20, 16+11=27, hit, damage 11). Ranthir is able to dodge out of the way but Mund is caught full in the chest with the watery slam.
Ragnar, sputtering water, swings again (AC20, 11+7=18, miss) but his sword catches nothing but water.
At the door Salix and Allistair look on, wondering if they should do anything. The fighters seem to be holding their own, so they wait.
OODM: End of round 3, New map tonight and I need actions for round 4.
From: Randy
Subject Round 4 actions
Ranthir can't figure out why his blows keep missing. The part of the creature that could be hurt must not exist fully in the physical plane. At least he had been fairly consistant in dodging the attacks of the elemental. He continues to attack the creature, trying to make his blows count. He watches to see if there is any sign of when his blows might have more effect.
From: Karl
Subject Round 4 actions
I'm out of town until Monday. Kevin can play Salix if necessary. Spells are updated at Sakeriver (minus the water breathing which I haven't marked "used" yet.)
Don't anyone die while I'm gone. ;)
Round 4 actions
Subject Round 4 actions
Harp growls to himself in anger. He knew this thing could be hurt, so why were their weapons doing so little damage? Harp re-centers himself and strikes again.
From: Porter
Subject Round 4 actions
Mund wonders where the help from the magickers is. The fighters can probably manage this thing on their own, but they might be too weak to continue into the fire room.
Mund attacks again.
OOC: How many HP does Mund have?
From: Mark
Subject Hit points
He has 32 until he stops raging and then he has 22.
From: Derek
Subject Round 4 actions
Allistair is saving his MM for the fire, since he doesn't have anything else that could hurt it.
Allistair shouts into the room where they are fighting, "If it's too tough for you, just leave the room and come out here! I don't think it will leave the water in the room! Then I could pound it with a couple more fireballs!"
From: Porter
Subject Round 4 actions
Mund really likes this idea, but doesn't want to leave and have the other front-line guys stuck to pay the bill. He glances over at Harp to see if he heard Alley.
From: Randy
Subject Round 4 actions
Ranthir also looks to Harp, listening for his opinion. If Harp orders a retreat, Ranthir will do so without question. He had so far been able to avoid the worst of the water creatures attacks but Mund didn't seem to be faring as well.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I will get a turn out tomorrow. I have one of my two RL games tonight.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4 actions
Harp hears Allistairs shout. Dammit, they should be able to beat this this with steel. He wanted to beat this thing back into the puddle it came from. Mund was the only one to have really been hurt so far, flailing around like he did with the axe of his. It was only water, after all.
"Keep at it!! We withdraw only as a last resort!!"
OOC: Sorry guys, but Harp has seen Mund get whacked a couple of times, but the other three have not really been hit yet. He's not ready to run (yet).
Round 4
Subject Round 4
Initiative: Mund (15), Ranthir (14), Harp (13), Creature (9), Ragnar (8)
Mund looks around, wondering where the Ally's spells are. His brother is usually making those light thingies that streak through the air and stuff, but nothing this time. He also doesn't notice any of the others moving to disengage so he attacks again (AC20, 6+12=18,miss) but his axe passes through the thing like the fluid it is. Mund howls in frustration. How do you kill water?
Ranthir lunges with his sword and catches the thing in the middle with what should be a solid blow (AC20, 15+10, 25, hit damage 2) but while th 1/2 elf feels his sword catch something in the water, it is not much.
Harp starts to feel a growing sense of frustration as well. They were hitting this thing, this elemental, but they seems to be doing little to it. He launches another overhand attack, striking down the middle of the thing (AC20, 15+10=25, hit, damage 8) and can feel his sword catch on something more substantial than water. The thing lets out an eerie sound, like a water skin being popped and collapsing.
With obvious strain the wave front rears back and strikes at Harp from both sides (AC21, 14+11=25, hit, damage 22, 16+11=27,hit, damage 19). Harp is crushed by the two waves of water. Fluid finds its way into his mouth, his nose, his ears. His head ringing with the impact and his chest trying not to fill with water, the 1/2 orc struggles to maintain his balance and consciousness.
Ragnar, a battle chant on his lips as he swings, lays into the elemental in front of him. His swing goes wide (AC20, 11+8=19,miss) and he almost slips on the wet floor. Stamping his feet to the ground and re centering his balance, the dwarf prepares to attack again.
OODM: Map is the same as last time. I need round 5 actions.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
Ranthirs second attack missed (AC20, 5+5=10)
Round 5
Subject round 5 actions
Kal, bored, studies the water elemental's movement from the hallway. Maybe he could learn something from it.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 5 actions
Harp is staggered by the blows of the water. He had seen Mund get hit a couple of times, but had not thought much of it. Now that he was on the receiving end, it felt like he had been hit with a battering ram. This was only water, after all. Much more of this, and he would be overwhelmed.
"Withdraw to the door!! But be careful!!" Harp will take a 5 ft. step toward the door, and will fight defensively.
From: Porter
Subject Round 5 actions
Seeing how fast Harp is withdrawing, Mund does the same thing, only moving five feet toward the door, still putting a full attack into the....thing.
From: Jason
Subject Round 5 actions
Just out of curiosity, since Harp went first last round, would it be reasonable to assume that Ragnar got the instruction before his turn, and backed up 5 feet after attacking? If so, he'll do that and then this round either a) take another 5 ft step and cast CMW on Harp if its possible to get next to Harp and out of AOO range, or b)use a withdraw action and head back into the larger room. If not, he'll attack, then move back 5 feet.
Ragnar will use a withdraw
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
Harps comments would be for round 5 actions, since he made them after he was hurt during round 4. So Ragnar could not react to those comments in round 4.
Also the thing has a 10 foot reach. With just 2 five foot steps and the fountain in the way, I do not see how he could do any casting with out provoking an AOO.
He can use the withdraw action and make no attack or he can attack and move back 5 feet, both of which do not provoke AOO.
From: Derek
Subject Round 5 actions
Could Allistair shoot a fireball in there at this point without endangering his companions in there?
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
Not a chance. The fireball spell total area of effect is a 40 foot diameter circle. The room is only 30 X 30. In fact that is why flames lept out of the door when he did the first spell, the volume of the flame was more than the room could handle.
Now a scorching ray or something might work.
From: Karl
Subject Round 5 actions
Seeing that the group is in trouble, Salix will cast Flame Sphere and send it in to attack the water creature.
From: Jason
Subject Round 5 actions
You're right about the two 5' steps. I hadn't really looked at the map, I just assumed that if I moved 10' I'd be out of range, which is clearly not the case in this small room.
Instead of what I just said, Ragnar will attack, then move out of the room, suffering the AOO so that the next round everyone else can back out.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5
Mund hears Harp call for a withdraw and gives a small sigh of relief. This moving water thing was going to swear him off of baths for a year. With Ragnar blocking his way north, Mund takes a swing with his axe (AC20, 9+12=21, hit, damage 5) and feels it bite into something more substantial than just water. The barbarian, keeping an eye o the thing, takes a step back and to his right, away from the thing.
Salix watches in horror from the door as Harp is almost drowned by the water creature. He quickly summons a sphere of flame. A small ball of flame appears at his feet and rolls towards the target. As the sphere touches the elemental, the sphere winks out of existence (Dispel Magic DC17, 17+8=25, success).
Ran sees Harp sputter the command to retreat, but with the 1/2 orc blocking his way his options are limited. He strikes another blow (AC20, 12+10=22, hit, damage 0) and his sword passes through water again. His second attack goes wide (AC20, 12+5=17, miss) as he steps back and to his left as well.
Keeping his sword in a more defensive position, Harp makes a half hearted attempt at the thing (AC20, 17+6+23, hit, damage 2) and gets in a surprising blow. He then moves towards the door, keeping his sword between him and the creature.
The elemental splits in two with obvious effort and strikes with a fluid grace. The first strike is at Ragnar (AC22, 14+11=25, hit, damage 10). The dwarf feels water push its way into his throat, trying to drown him. He closes his mouth, holds his breath and strikes at his foe. The other half strikes at Harp, (AC23, 16+11=27, hit, damage 13) and the 1/2 orc finds himself almost drowning, his lungs full of water. Unable to breath he forces the water out of his lungs, gasping for breath.
Ragnar's attack strikes (AC20, 13+8=21, damage 3) and he feels his sword pass through some essence and the essence give way. The wall of water collapses with a roar back into the pool surrounding them and the fountain, which had stopped spouting during the fight, sputters back to life.
OODM: Fight is over. Let me know what next.
From: Jason
Subject Round 5
Ragnar feels a thrill as whatever unholy force had been animating the water fails. He had done it! For several days now he had felt that he contributed little as far as the physical combat was concerned. Today, however, his strength had served his god's needs. While he knew he would never match Mund's ferociousness nor Ranthir's skill, today he had done well.
For now there were other worries as well. He quickly sees to Harp, who is looking groggy and still sputtering water. (Sacrifice Blindness for CSW.) He then attends to Mund, and offers his aid there as well. (/ooc I looked at Mund's sheet, but I'm not sure if he's missing 16 or 26 hp because he raged. If 16, sacrifice sanctuary for cure. If 26, sacrifice Dispel magic for CSW.)
The water room
Subject The water room
It is 26 when the rage goes away. The bonus 10 drop off.
It is possible for a Barbarian to die when his rage ends. It is unlikely with Mund since he has extended rage, and there have been no battles that have gone on long enough for that to be a problem.
From: Kevin
Subject The water room
Harp gasps for breath, the fresh air filling his lungs. He falls to his knees,trying to keep himself from falling over. Only water, it had been only water, but only three hits from that thing had nearly killed him. Harp was sure that had he been struck with such force one more time, he would have succumbed to it. He says silent prayer to the Battle Lord for seeing he through this test. Suddenly, he feels the warmth of Heironious's grace wash over him, restoring some of his strength, clearing the water from his lungs (OOC: Ragnars CSW on Harp). He nods his head to the cleric, grateful for his presence and his skills.
OOC: when the time is right, he will ask some of the others to search the room for a key, hoping against hope that it is in here somewhere. He will then open discussions on how to tackle the next room.
From: Karl
Subject The water room
(OOC-Did Breathe Water get dispelled for the fighters? How about the rest of us? )
Salix will help search the water room.
From: Mark
Subject The water room
It is still running. The thing with the drowning was more for color than actual damage.
From: Derek
Subject The water room
OOC: I was wondering about the drowning thing too.
Allistair is glad that his friends are all right, but he wishes he could have used his other fireballs first. They certainly weren't going to be any use against the fire elemental.
Allistair follows everyone else into the room to look around and search for the key. He also looks around to see if there is any drain to the water from the fountain.
"This water, assuming it is now no more than just water, is a good chance for us to refill our waterskins. I also wonder if we can somehow utilize this water to help us against the fire room."
From: Randy
Subject The water room
Ranthir puts his face into the water, instinctively holding his breath despite the fact that he doesn't need to. He searches around the room, reminding himself when necessary that he does not have to surface for air. He concentrates his search around the fountain.
When he comes up after making his search he hears Allistair mention the possibility of using the water against the fire in the other room. "That is a great idea. Is there any magical way of making this water into a weapon? Some way of directing it and forcing it to flow into the fire room?"
From: Porter
Subject The water room
Now that things aren't so crazy, Mund decides to try out this magick of his brother's. He sticks his head under water and forces himself do breathe deeply. Once he can bring himself to do it, it works great. Mund investigates the source of the fountain, having fun with this new ability.
From: Mark
Subject The water room
Not sure what you are asking as to the drain.
Is Derek trying to find where the water goes?
Or how the fountain gets supplied?
Or both? :)
From: Porter
Subject The water room
Basically he's sticking his head down the hole where the water comes up from.
Why? Because he can, and it's fun. Also, he has the excuse that he's looking for a key.
Mund also brings out his everburning torch, and uses it to light his way.
Look! He's underwater, breathing fine, and using a torch. Pretty cool, neh?
From: Mark
Subject The water room
Actually that was directed at Derek/Allistair from his earlier e-mail. I figure Mund is playing water wings in the foot deep kiddie pool. Harp may not be able to get him out of the room.
From: Porter
Subject The water room
It looks like you've got a good handle on the situation from Mund's end. :)
From: Kevin
Subject The water room
Given Harp's current condition, he is not going to be chasning after Mund very quickly. He is feeling a bit water logged and is beginning to understand Mund's dislike of bathing.
When Harp hears Allistairs suggestion of trying to use the water as a weapon in the fire room, his ears perk up. Harp was pretty sure that the fire balls Allistair had used on the water had weakened it greatly, and if they could do the same thing to the fire, he was all for it. Harp will also be interested in seeing if anyone could provide some protection from fire in case they needed to go hand to hand.
From: Ashley
Subject The water room
Surin takes a few cautious steps inside the flooded room, hoping that another one of those water things isn't lurking around under his feet. The whole scene just confused him -- water coming to life, and nothing to harm it except fire, of all things. He hopes there won't be as much trouble with the fire room, but his experience so far has taught him what a foolish thing *that* is to hope for. He starts poking around, looking for a key or any artifact that's out of place.
With all the talk of using the water room to fight fire -- now *that* actually started to make sense -- Surin listens intently. "Shame we can't start some kinda bucket brigade between the two rooms. That might accomplish something."
OOC: I'm on campus internet until I can get on the network at my new apartment, which should be later today or else I'm gonna yell at someone.
From: Derek
SubjectThe water room
Yeah, I'd like to know where this water is coming from and where its going. I'm thinking if we can plug the drain with a wet rag or something, we could get water flowing into the main room, or even into the fire room. Even better if we could control the flow rate of the fountain, we could flood the place in no time.
Anybody feel like lugging those gargoyle statues over here and trying to make a dam? If they have a square base, it might be possible. Or maybe we could just pile up the dead bodies of everything we've killed so far. There's a lot of biomass to work from. (Though it would be pretty gross, and probably wouldn't work so well. Now if we had a lot of sandbags...)
From: Mark
Subject The water room
The four fighters look around, expecting the water to rise again from some other spot. Harp drops to his knees, still panting for breath. Ragnar, a joyous glint in his eyes, moves to the 1/2 orc, a healing prayer already on his lips (CSW, Heal 19). Harp feels the warmth of the healing prayer spread through his aching lungs, and he breaths a bit easier.
After a few minutes Harp looks up and sees Mund doing something in the water. So it Ranthir. They are both on their hands and knees, faces in the water. Then he notices that they are not coming up for air and he shudders in revulsion.
Mund and Ranthir on the other hand are having a wonderful time looking for the key under the water. Mund seems to splash a lot in his search and several of the party members wonder how he can see anything with all the commotion. During the search both Ranthir and Mund find small holes in the side walls of the rooms, no wider than their thumbs, about 3 inches off the floor. Mund calls his brother over to inspect them.
As the the others are looking around the room, Surin steps gingerly into the room. The water comes up to mid thigh on him. He glances around and starts looking in the not so obvious places. When Ranthir and Mund report that they have been unable to find the key in the water Surin coughs, just loud enough to get everyones attention. When they are all looking at him, he points to the fountain. There, in the middle of the fountain, where the water is coming out, looks to be part of a key. The halfling goes over to the fountain and takes his time looking for traps, not around the statue, since the others would have set those off long ago. No, he spends his time searching the statue itself.
It is some abstract form, flowing and liquid all at the same time. The surface is incredibly smooth, made even worse by the moister in the room. The halfling puts a hand on the surface to feel what type of grip he might be able to get. Slick as ice with water on it. "Harp, would you mind giving me a hand. You're the tallest and I need some reach." The 1/2 orc moves over and helps Surin climb to his shoulders. The little halfling is lighter than Harp's pack and causes him no problems.
"Ok, give me your hand. Just keep me steady. Grab my left leg with your other hand. Steady. Steady. Can you lean a little to your left? That's it. Got it!" Surin exclaims. When Harp lets his leg go, the little halfling does a small flip off Harp's back and lands with a splash in the water. He holds up the key. Or part of a key. It is the handle of a platinum key. The precious metal glitters in the light of the room, dripping water.
After Allistair has had a chance to inspect the room and the drain holes he reports to Harp. "I am fairly sure that the fountain is sourced from the water in this room. The water drains out of the room from through the holes and goes to some holding area beneath us. There, by some unknown means, it is pumped back up here through the fountain. I do not know if you four noticed it, but when the elemental attacked the water level in the room dropped and the fountain stopped working. I am not sure if or how we can use this."
I have some stuff to do. I will write more tomorrow, but any role playing you want to do is fine.