What next and healing
Subject What next?
"Well if we plug those drain holes then the water should all pump into the room. Maybe it will be enough that it will start flowing out the door. If we can direct it from there into the fire room that may be of some benefit in retreiving the second half of this key that Surin found for us. I don't know what the best way of damning the water would be though the gargoyle statues might work."
Ranthir offers these comments and adds, "We might not want to dry off too well before facing the fire creature. The water may offer us some level of protection from the flames."
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I am out of the office the rest of the afternoon. I will write up more later this afternoon.
From: Jason
Subject What Next?
Ragnar likes the second idea. Why try to take the water to the fire, when in all likelihood the fire will come to the water if we retreat there?
From: Jason
Subject Healing
Also, Ragnar is more than willing to use more cures, but once the most critical wounds were dealt with, he's waiting for Harp's direction.
Although, since Harp himself is the one wounded, he may be holding back for fear of sounding like a wuss... So Ragnar will go to Harp and offer more healing, if he desires it.
Healing, changes, Harp and Mund discuss food
Subject What next
From: Randy
Subject What next?
Harp responds "Boother Ragnar, I do want additional healing, but I also want to conserve the grace you asked for today. Use one of the scrolls we were given - this would seem to be the time and place for one. Also, check on Mund. That thing hit him a number of times as well, and we will need him at full strength for what is to come.
OOC: We had received some healing potions as well, 10 CLW I think. We divided them up earlier in the dungeon. Does any one remember who got what? We should probably remember that we have those to use, especially in the heat of battle. Remember how tough those things were when we were returning from rescuing Rochelle. They would take a 5 ft. step to get out of range, take a drink, and look better.
Also, Mark, can Mund give us an idea of the relative size of the fountain as compared to the braziers in the other room?
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Sorry I have not gotten anything out. There have been somethings going on in other aspects of my life that have been taking up my time. It will resolve itself on Monday. I will write up something tonight.
From: Karl
Subject Turn
Hope it's nothing too serious. :)
On that note, I'm out of town until Monday myself. Salix will do whatever Harp wants him to.
From: Porter
Subject Turn
I can never say "Mund will just do whatever Harp wants him to." :)
From: Kevin
Subject Puppet master
OOC: Oh, the options that opens up.
Salix, walk into that room and see if those braziers are hot. And, if you see a piece of a key, why don't you pick it up.
From: Porter
Subject Puppet master
Mund punches Harp in the face. Why? Because he hates the smell of burnt elf.
He likes it medium-rare.
From: Kevin
Subject Puppet master
Mund has a lot of anger issues.
He could just sent the over done 1/2 elf back to the kitche and ask for another one done the right way.
From: Porter
Subject Puppet master
WHAT IS THIS!!!!!
I asked for ELF. This is half elf. Unless you want my boot half up your ass, you'd better bring me back some real elf.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
In the grand scheme of things it is nothing serious and nothing bad in any scheme. Just some changes that I will mention on Monday.
From: Kevin
Subject Food
OOC: You would almost think Mund was in a TGI Wednesday's order Buffalo wings.
From: Mark
Subject Food
For all who do not follow OOTS
http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/GiantITP/ootscript
Comic 312.
From: Mark
Subject Healing and more
As the party looks around trying to figure out a way to use the water in the room to their benefit Ragnar approaches Mund and pulls him to the side. "My friend, I know that you are brave, but I was next to you, and I saw the thing hit you. I was also hit, so I know the force that the impact carried. Let do what I can to ease your hurt, before we go on the the next challenge in the fire room? May I?" Mund grunts and the dwarf takes that as a yes. He quickly chants his most powerful healing prayer (CSW, heal 14). Mund feels the warmth of the prayer spread through him and he breaths a bit easier.
After about 5 minutes of looking and thinking Allistair gives his thoughts. "If we could block the drain holes, the room might flood over the door way. I see two problems. First is how to block the holes. And the second is how to guide the water that over flows to the next room. I guess we could use the bodies of the creatures we have fought to make stoppers for the drains, but we would need about 40 of them total. And I am still stumped on how to make the water go where we want it to."
OODM: OK so far Ragnar has used two of his CSW spell for the day. Mund has stopped raging. I need to know if any other healing is done, how it is done(spell, potion, scroll) and what you are going to do next. If you want me to make a knowledge check for your character to come up with an idea let me know what area the check would be in.
Knowledge checks and Firefly
Subject Knowledge checks
OOC: harp wants a Knowledge Hydrology check. He should only take a -10 on that roll. Then of course he could have a knowledge (civil engineering) or Knowledge (theme park water ride) check.
The options are endless.
From: Porter
Subject Knowledge checks
Mund wants a "Make things go good" check.
From: Porter
Subject Firefly
OOC: I was introducing a friend to Firefly last night, and pretty much everything that Jayne did I thought "I can see Mund doing that."
A secret revealed
Subject A secret revealed
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7521044027821122670
From: Kevin
Subject A secret revealed
Mark, Josh has uncovered our secret. While you alert the Dept. of Homeland Security to his obvious threat, I will have my banking friends ruin his credit and make him a pariah among polite gamer society.
Josh, that was really funny. The fact that you even found it, and then were "savy" enough to send it along truly marks you as one of this generations geeks.
The water room redux
Subject The water room redux
The fountain was about 7 feet high. The fire pits in the other room were about 2 feet across, but there were 6 of them.
From: Kevin
Subject The water room redux
I remembered the number, it was the size.
Possible knowledge check related to the size of the fountain vs. the size of the water elemental and the size of the fire pits vs. the possible size of a possible fire elemental (i.e. the size of a fire is direclty related to the size of elemental it can support). This would be for Salix and Allistair.
From: Mark
Subject The water room redux
The party mills around while Allistair sits and thinks. He knows he can stop the water but the problem is getting the water to do what he wants. The mage wanders around the previous rooms, his brother keeping an eye on him, looking at the remains of the creatures they have killed, trying to figure out something. The bodies of the ogres in the first room remind him of how long they have been in this place.
After 1/2 an hour has passed he returns to the room. "Harp, I am sorry. I just can not figure out a way to make the water go where we want. I think that if we plug up the drain holes and drop the bodies from the previous room that we will be able to have the water overflow the door and come out into here, but I am stumped on how to control it." At that time the halfling speaks up. "How about that plan we had before? The one where I go invisible and try and sneak into the room? One of you casty types said that you could make it so that fire couldn't hurt me or somethin. Right? Well I think I can move quietly enough, and if you make me invisible, maybe I could at least scope out the other room first."
OODM: OK what next?
Knoweldge checks
Subject Knowledge checks
Can I get a knowledge check on elementals?
Also, are the lips of the firepits flush with the floor? Or are they raised like brasiers? (Are the firepits the only sources of fire in the room or are there also braziers?)
Salix will tell Harp that he can pray for protection from elements for up to two people, but that protection is only from the ambient elements in the room. It does not protect against actual fire damage from an elemental's attacks. (or, for instance, from a fireball). It simply lets the person so protected enter the room and suffer no ill effects from the ambient heat (or cold). (Mark correct me if I'm wrong).
From: Mark
Subject Checks
Let me check again, but if I remember correctly, elementals are planar creatures and that is not a knowledge area of druids.
From: Mark
Subject Checks
As to the size of the firepits, they are flush with the floor.
From: Porter
Subject Checks
Knowledge: The planes (the Inner Planes, the Outer Planes, the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, outsiders, elementals, magic related to the planes)
From: Karl
Subject Checks
Well, they ought to have *some* kind of knowledge of them since they can summon them, no?
From: Mark
Subject Checks
You would think. I might make the DC a little higher.
I will do some work on this at noon.
From: Kevin
Subject checks
Harp tries to figure out if there is some way to carry some of the water from the one room to the other.
As he listenes to Allistair comments, Harp asks if any of the spellcasters/clerics have anything that they may be able to adapt to their current situation (warp wood, use dragon scales, etc.)
OOC: I am just trying to kick around outside the box a bit.
From: Kevin
Subject Checks
Harp thinks for a while, trying to rack his brain for any idea. At the very edge, there is something that he knows, but can not grasp. He heads over to a corner, slips down, and tries to clear his mind, chanting under his breath the most basic prayer to the Battle Lord he knows. Without thinking about it, he reaches down to his belt and takes out his waterskin, raises it to his mouth, and takes a quick drink, spashing some on his face. Just then, his mind opens, as if a revalation has been sent his way. He gets up and hurries over to Ragnar, and intent look on his face.
"Brother, did we not learn as one of our most basic prayers the invocation to create water? I have never used it myself, and I was never the best of learners, but could we, if we prepare for it, cause water to fall into those braziers, possibly putting them out?"
OOC: Mark, basic 0 level cleric spell - create water. Creates 2 gallons/level - range is 25 ft + 5ft/2 levels. Can create a down pour or fill many small receptacles. Ragnar would create 10 gallons per 0 level available, Harp can create 6 gallons, and if it seemed to work, we would sure give up a 1st level to get more water.
Any comments, guys?
Elementals
Subject elementals
While all the others are discussing ways to move the water, Salix is deep in thought, trying to remember what he has been told about Elementals. His actual experience has been limited, so the knowledge is not immediately at his recall, but after several moments, he speaks up:
"Harp, I don't think water will do much to hurt a fire elemental so it's useless to worry much along those lines, but I supposed putting out the fire in the firepits would be some help, even if only by making the room less hospitable for it. I also know they can't cross water, so if necessary, we could probably retreat to the water room."
He continues, a little sheepishly, "I can also ask Obad-hai for protection from Fire energy and also to help one or two of us to resist fire attacks (OOC - Protection from Energy, and Resist Energy/OOC), but unfortunately I did not prepare for that this morning and I'm not sure we should wait another day for this room."
(OOC - I'm VERY busy at work for the next couple of days. I apologize in advance for any delays.)
Turn, Elementals, spells and Surin takes the lead
Subject Turn
Am I still waiting on someone? Has the party agreed to a plan?
From: Kevin
Subject Turn
OOC: I think we were debating between protecting Surin as best we could and sending him in to look around, and tring to put the fires in the braziers out somehow (water from the fountain room or water from Harp and Ragnar directly into the braziers.
Any decisions guys (and gal)?
From: Ashley
Subject Turn
I'm all for whatever Fearless Leader decides.
From: Kevin
Subject Turn
So long as Salix and Surin are comfortable that they can provide some level of protection to the little guy, Harp will OK Surin making a foray into the room to try to find the key.
From: Karl
Subject Turn
Salix can cast Protection from Elements, but that's all he's got at this point.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
You could all spend another day resting getting ready for the next encounter. :)
From: Karl
Subject Turn
That's up to Harp, of course. Salix will go with the flow even if he is really getting tired of being in this magic-upped unnatural hole of an extra-planar construct.
From: Kevin
Subject Plan
OOC: No, lets try to get this one done by stealth if we can. If Surin can sneak in and find and/or steal the key, so much the better. However, the whole group should be ready to backpedal into the water room if needs be.
From: Porter
Subject Plan
Mund ain't got nothin to say bout the plans.
From: Derek
Subject Plan
Allistair can at least make Surin invisible. It's hard to get any more stealthy than that.
From: Porter
Subject Plan
Dead is stealthy.
From: Kevin
Subject Plan
OOC: I think if he is invisible, with some protection from fire, and he is as quiet as he is, he *should* be ok to go in and take a look around. Ran and Mund can stay by the door in case they need to run in to *distract* anything while they retreat out of the room.
From: Derek
Subject Plan
An even better (and safer) distraction would be a bunch of summoned beasts (or a water elemental) from Salix, although IC Salix may be loath to use summoned creatures in such a way.
From: Randy
Subject Plan
Ranthir agrees with this plan with the caveat that if anything goes wrong, the first thing Harp and Ragnar should do is put out the fires.
From: Mark
Subject Plan
Ok I will give everyone until tonight to decide what to do.
I have to go to the inlaws for dinner and The Amazing Race is on at 8 so if everything is in by 7 I will try and get a turn out by 8.
From: Mark
Subject Up in smoke
Well, Salix did use a creature in such a way back in the Dragon room, but herehe might wonder to what degree it would be a complete waste. Remember, he did send the water elemental into the fire room and it vanished in a puff of steam.
From: Porter
Subject Up in smoke
Actually, we don't know anything about what happened to that elemental.
From: Josh
Subject Invisible
Kal speaks up:
"I think making surin invisible is a good plan, but does anyone know if these fire elementals see like we see? It's possible they see in temperatures instead, they are fire elementals. I don't think invisiblity would protect against that sort of vision."
From: Mark
Subject Invisible
OODM: Actually it does, IIRC.
From: Derek
Subject Invisible
OOC: I don't think the rules work that way for seeing invisible, but that's Mark's call. As for whether elementals can see invisible as per D&D rules, is that something that Allistair would know?
From: Karl
Subject Up in smoke
Hmm, you're right. I wonder where that memory came from.
From: Mark
Subject Up in smoke
I thought I sent Karl a note saying that his mental contact with it went poof before the duration of the spell expired. He may not know exactly what happened to it, but he knows it went away before it would have normally.
From: Karl
Subject Up in smoke
That could have been it.
From: Jason
Subject Invisible
Ragnar hasn't ever heard of elementals being able to see invisible creatures.
From: Randy
Subect: Invisible
Ranthir does not suggest waiting any longer if the spells are not available, only to use them if they are.
From: Josh
Subject Rooms
OOC: I'm having trouble finding an up to date large map. How many more rooms do we hvae after this?
From: Mark
Subject Rooms
I will send out an updated map tonight.
You have no idea how many rooms are left. You do have an idea of how many doors are left.
From: Josh
Subject Rooms
How many?
From: Mark
Subject Rooms
Three doors left.
Here is the map.
From: Mark
Subject Surin takes the lead
The party talks a bit more and Harp finally comes to a decision. "Surin, if you are willing , Allistair will make you invisible. Ran and Ragnar will open the door to make sure there is nothing at the door way. Once they think the way is clear, you sneak into the room and see if you can find the other half of the key. If you can, and you can get it, do so. If at any time you get noticed, call out and move as fast as you can to the door. At your call, the rest of us will charge the room, trying to at least cause a distraction." Harp turns to the other. "Does every one understand this plan?" Slowly the others nod their agreement, although Mund seems a bit reluctant.
As Allistair prepares his spell he warns the halfling "It will only last 5 minutes and if you attack anything it will dispel itself. So no sight seeing in there." With that the magic user starts chanting his spell. As he chants he touches each hand and foot of the halfling with piece of gum Arabic that seems to have an eyelash in it. Just as the mage completes the spell, he touches Surin on the top of the head and the halfling disappears. Mund lets out a hiss and they can hear Surin go "Cool."
From where Surin used to be Harp hears a voice "Come on, Allistair said that this wouldn't last forever. Let's go." With that Ranthir and Ragnar move to the door and push it open. They peer in and see flames dancing from the fire pits in the floor. The flames leap 5-7 feet in the air and tendrils of flame from different pits mesh and merge in a hypnotizing display.
Surin moves with a quiet grace that matches his invisibility. He is like a ghost.(Move Silent check, take 10, 10+14=24). He moves slowly into the room and to the right of the door, keeping his back to the wall. His little legs move with confindence and he clears the door way. For the next several seconds he continues moving to the right, his back to the wall, his eyes darting from where his feet are going to around the room, looking for what ever creature might be in the room. He is about 15 feet from the door when there is a roar and a wall of flame rushes at the door.
At the door the rest of the party are startled by the sudden rushing of the creature. They start to back towards the water room when the thing hits the threshold of the door and comes to a jarring stop. The flames of the thing, 6-8 feet high, shudder at the impact and seem to shake themselves. Then a column of flame lashes at the door way, crashing into an invisible barrier. For the next minute the party stares in wonder as the thing vents its anger on the invisible barrier.
Surin almost loses his cool when he sees the thing rush the door. His shock quickly turns to satisfaction when he sees the thing concentrating its energies on the door way. Resuming his search, he continues around the room (Move Silent check, take 10, 10+14=24). He peers into the fire pits, first the one in the middle in the front, and then the one on the right in the front. He next moves to the back row. After about 2-1/2 minutes of movement and searching, Surin finds what he is looking for in the fire pit in the middle of the back row.
Just as he sees the platinum key half in the middle of the fire pit, he realizes that the fire thing has stopped pounding at the door and making the weird hollow sound that it was making. He looks around and sees the thing flit from one fire pit to another. It passes only 1 foot from him and (Listen check, 9+4+13, Move silent check, 20+14=34) but does not even notice the little halfling. Surin realizes that he is going to run out of time soon and makes a decision. He moves a bit to the side of the pit closest to the door and towards the path between the two in front. He grits his teeth and plunges his hand into the fire, grabbing the key half. His hand is lightening quick, but he still gets burned, as he knew he would (Fire damage 3). He concentrates on not making any noise (Concentration check, DC13, 15, success) and pulls his hand out of the flame, the key firmly in his grasp. He quickly puts it in his pocket.
His hand still in agony from the fire, Surin starts moving towards the door. (Move silent, 4+14=18, Listen check, 8+4=12, success). He moves around the front fire pits, stops for a second as the elemental moves behind him again, and finally steps over the threshold of the door. He gasps out to Ranthir "I got it. Close the door." The 1/2 elf slams the door. A few seconds later the halfling pops back into view. "Whew, that was cutting it close."
OODM: ok guys role play.
From: Derek
Subject Surin takes the lead
Allistair congratulates Surin. "That was absolutely superb! Or at least I'm sure it was if I could have seen it..."
OOC: Awesome! I really wasn't looking forward to fighting a fire elemental.
From: Jason
Subject Surin takes the lead
"Excellent work!" Ragnar beams. Taking a closer look at Surin, he notices his hand has been burnt. "Here, let me take a look at that," he says. Praying silently, he covers the tiny hand with his own. (Sacrifice 3 level 0 spells for cures.) "We can't have our most quick-fingered friend's hand in poor shape, now can we?"
From: Josh
Subject Surin takes the lead
Kal claps Surin on the back "Good job Surin. You saved us all alot of work."
From: Kevin
Subject Surin takes the lead
Harp is jealous. He wanted to do the cure minor wounds.
OOC: will write more tomorrow when I am sober.
Doors and Salix out of sorts
Subject Doors and keys
Aren't there 4 doors left? (3 more key quest doors, and the main door that requires all the keys?)
From: Karl
Subject Salix out of sorts
Salix rushes forward to check on Surin, inwardly cursing himself for not having prepared adequately for this challenge. Lucky for Surin, Ragnar could heal him up quickly enough, but somehow that made Salix feel even worse. Twice now, here, and back with the fire dogs, Salix could have prevented pain and injury to his companions but failed to think things through properly. This was unlike him. (He hoped, but how many times can you screw up before screwing up is *exactly "like you"?)
Salix withdraws from the group a little, to gather his thoughts. Was it this place, itself, that had him so out of sorts? He missed the greensong which here was only the faintest of whispers, that was sure. He'd felt that in some cities and towns, but never like this. How he wanted to get back to the forest. Why had the Stormfather sent him on this quest if it meant being so cut off from his source of strength?
As the group finishes up and returns to the main room (presumably), Salix will try to get Surin - if not alone at least a little away from the others and apologize for not being prepared with the prayers that would have spared him the burnt hand.
From: Mark
Subject Doors
Technically yes.
I meant 3 more doors until you can start unlocking things.
From: Porter
Subject Salix out of sorts
Mund is very impressed both with Surin and with the idea to send him in. More than once lately Mund has thought how useful it would be to not be quite so lumbering. Maybe Surin can teach him now to be a little quieter.
But everybody else is busy congratulating Surin, and Mund doesn't feel like fighting the crowd, so he says nothing.
He sees his friend Salix looking discouraged go off by himself. Mund comes up beside him and says "I dunno 'bout you, but I'm getting real tired of the unnat'ral place. How long you reckon 'till we find an escape?"
From: Karl
Subject Salix out of sorts
"However long it takes, it won't be soon enough for me." Salix says before he realizes the question came from outside his own head. "Oh!" he says with a start. "I didn't see you come up."
"Do you miss the woods right now as much as I do? If ever a place could use a plant or two . . ."
From: Porter
Subject Salix out of sorts
"I know how you feel. I'd like nothing more than to go hunting and sleep out in the open. It was a mistake for me to come in here at all."
From: Karl
Subject Salix out of sorts
"Well, I don't know about that. We'd never have gotten this far without you. Me, on the other hand . . . Well, I feel like I'm losing my grip. The greensong is just a whisper here and I'm apparently not listening very well. I never should have let Surin go in unprotected from the fire, nor have waited so long to distract those fire-dogs or whatever they were. People are getting hurt unnecessarily and it's directly because I haven't been keeping stock of my own role in this . . this. . . *test*" He almost spits the last word.
From: Porter
Subject Salix out of sorts
"Yeah, those doggies were a bitch, but we made it through OK, because of those critters that you brought in to fight with us. That was great. I don't know how often you can do that, but more critters like that could help us in a lot."
"Don't worry about Surin. I got a good look at his hand when he came out. I've hurt myself worse roasting a rabbit over a fire. They're just being fussy about it because they ain't got nothing else to do."
"Hell, if nothin' else, having you here has probably kept me from from killing that murderous elf Kal," he says with a toothy grin, trying to get a laugh out of Salix.
From: Karl
Subject Salix out of sorts
The mention of Kal just makes Salix remember how close he came to wanting to see him dead, too, so that doesn't get a laugh. But he sees that Mund is trying to be lighthearted, and surely some levity was needed in this green-deprived space. He returns Mund's joke with a smile, genuine, if somewhat forced. "You and I will have to do some hunting together when we get out of here. I imagine you're almost as lethal against game as Surin is against well-guarded keys," he says, trying to help lighten the mood. "I'd like to see more of this country when we're done here."
From: Ashley
Subject Salix out of sorts
Surin joins in the congratulations, and his bad mood from being in this place so long begins to dissapate slightly. "I did do fairly well now, didn't I?". He thanks Ragnar kindly for his healing service and opens and closes his hand a few times, trying to make the memory of the pain go away. "I didn't even sweat standing that close to it...thanks to Salix."
"Y'know, up to now I was I was almost afraid that the creatures in the room would sense that someone was trying to steal their key. Turns out not to be the case -- doing this could save us all a fair amount of trouble. Anything to keep us from staying here any longer than we have to."
The key and maps
Subject The key
As the party congradulates the halfling, Surin basks in their praise for a few minutes. Harp usehers the party back to the main room. When they get there Surin calls them to a halt. He takes out both halves of the key and looks at them. Then he joins the two halves together in what looks like the right position and slowly matches the two halves. There is a small flash when the to pieces join and when every one looks again, the key is whole. "Ok" the halfling asks "Let's take a look at the next room."
From: Karl
Subject The key
"congradulates"? Did we praise him only a little at a time? Or did he level?
From: Mark
Subject The key
You know when I write turns in Word, I look so much smarter then when I write them in Hotmail. :)
From: Karl
Subject The key
Since at least one of you asked, I was going on the assumption that it was a portmanteau word. A combination of "congratulate" with either "gradual" or "graduate". See?
From: Mark
Subject Maps
I just want to make sure that every one has an accurate map of the two elemental rooms and the access room.
From: Karl
Subject Maps
Why do I feel like this is a hint that we're forgetting something??
From: Mark
SubjectMaps
No I just do not remember sending out a map of what the fire room looked like, and I like to be complete. I actually have this whole area as Room J on my master map, so I do not consider the two smaller rooms as "seperate" rooms, but as part of the larger room.
From: Kevin
Subject Maps
You sent one out when Mund was exploring while he was invisible. He did not get a great look, but enough to describe what he saw.
From: Mark
Subject Maps
I could not remember if the fire pits were in that one or not.
Oh well.