Back to the main room
Subject Allistair takes a look
Did you have Allistair cast detect magic so he could see if the wire, key, or anything around it was magical?
From: Mark
Subject Allistair takes a look
Sorry I meant to do that. He did cast detect magic and he got only a faint response from the key itself, not the wire.
From: Kevin
Subject Back to the main room
As Harp goes with the group to the main room, he comes up to Salix's side. "My friend, thank you for getting us through that without bloodshed. Even though we don't hav the key yet, at least we don't have to kill anything to get it. I'm glad you were along and able to work this out with your brain."
From: Mark
Subject Resting up
I want to clear something up.
Unless told otherwise I am going to have the party camp and do the spell recovery/HP recover/healing before they go after the key. If this is not the plan please let me know.
You can all also discuss the Xorn's if you want.
From: Porter
Subject Resting up
Mund takes off as fast as he can back to the dragon room to make those Zornz ain't gonna try to eat his armor.
From: Kevin
Subject Resting up
OOC: I think the party should at least discuss how they think they might get the key down. If Allistair comes up with a plan/idea that everyone thinks will work, then I am sure that we will be happy to retire to the main room, heal up, and take a rest. It has been an interesting day.
From: Derek
Subject Resting up
When the group is together talking about how to get the key, Allistair outlines his ideas for getting it down.
"The ways I can think of to get the key down are the following:
1) We hit the wire with magical fire from Salix or from a fireball. However, we don't know if even magical fire will affect the wire in any way.
2) Use a spiritual weapon from one of the priests to attack the wire. Again, we don't know if this can cut it or not.
3) Have someone fly up and cut the mithril wire with a knife or perhaps a magical blade. Same problem as #2.
4) Have someone fly up and solve the wire puzzle, removing the key. However, my fly spell will only last for six minutes, which may not be enough time if the puzzle is particularly difficult.
5) Use a summoned griffon to cut the wire, or have someone ride on its back and try to cut the wire or solve the puzzle. Again the griffon may not be able to cut the wire, and someone on it's back may not be stable enough to solve the puzzle.
6) I do have the ability to telekinetically manipulate objects, but it only works against nonmagical objects. The key is technically magical, and I have my doubts on being able to manipulate the wire and the key with so much precision over a long distance.
7) Pile up tables and debris to a height of 10 feet so that casting rope trick can reach the ceiling. Alternatively, we could enlarge Harp and have him hold a table over his head, on top of which I could then cast the rope trick. Hanging from the rope someone would have trouble working the puzzle, but perhaps we could work out something with a person inside the extra-dimensional room holding the legs of someone out the window who could then work at the puzzle with both hands. The rope trick lasts for six hours, which should be enough time if the puzzle is solvable at all.
Does anyone else have other ideas? I admit I am not fully versed on the magical grace given to Ragnar and Salix, so they may have some other abilities I haven't thought of."
OOC: Allistair is going to hold off deciding what spells to memorize until after they've decided how to tackle the hanging key problem.
From: Porter
Subject Resting up
OOC: I'm posting this on the assumption that Mund was able to satisfy himself that the Xorn aren't going to try to eat his armor.
IC:
"The metal string ain't magic, and it's made out of mithril, just like my armor, right?"
"Well, let me tell you something about mithril. It really ain't that much stronger than good steel. The great thing about it is that it is strong and light."
"My armor gets nicks and scratches and dents that have to get repaired."
"I reckon that anything that could cut a steel wire could probably cut a mithril wire, but I ain't no expert."
From: Karl
Subject Resting up
"I'm glad of that too, Harp. That we got through without bloodshed, I mean. Those xorn are fascinating creatures and I feel privileged to have met them. Thank you for giving me the opportunity."
Clearing things up
Subject Clearing things up
Harp listens as Allistair lays out thier options. Damn, it was just out of reach, even if he got enlarged. What would they have to do to get this damn key?
"Allistair, I remember my early training with the Order. I am not a learned person by any stretch - that was painfully obvious in my early lessons. One thing that did stick in my mind was something that Anglewing told me when I was having a particularily bad week. He told me to start with the most basic, simple idea first, because the more complicated a plan was, the more things that could go wrong. That seemed to fit me pretty well, especially at that point in time. But what I mean by that is lets try the simplest thing first. If you can move that key with your mind, or maybe you just move the string, lets give that a try first. I would hate to have to use a fireball, or one of Salix's creatures, when we can just try to move it from down here. If that does not work, then we can move on to something a little more involved."
From: Porter
Subject Clearing things up
"Hey. I've got an idea. Does anybody have any kind of hook? I've got fifty feet of silk rope back in my saddle bags. If we could hook the mitril wire, maybe we can apply enough force to break it, freeing the key."
From: Kevin
Subject Clearing things up
"Mund, that's not a bad idea, but instead of throwing the hook and rope, maybe your brother could use his spell and just take it up?
Is that possible Allistair?"
Mund's plan, another night
Subject Mund's plan
Allistair thinks for a moment. "I don't see why I couldn't. I can move things up to 40 feet away, which is the height of the ceiling, and a weight of up to about 5 pounds. As long as the hook and rope don't weigh more than that it should be possible. As for the tensile strength of the mithril wire, that I'm not too sure about, but it's worth a shot."
From: Porter
Subject Mund's plan
"Do you think it would help to drag a table in here for you to stand on when casting the spell?"
From: Mark
Subject Another night
Back in the main room the party sets up camp for another night. They are unusually quite, even Surin. When they are done eating and all the mess is cleared away, they sit in a circle and Allistair and Surin describes what they saw. "The top end of the mithral string is a small loop. It is looped around a fancy hook that twists and turns and flips back on itself. It looks like the end of the string needs to be almost threaded back over the hook systems and it will fall right off."
"The ways I can think of to get the key down are the following:
1) We hit the wire with magical fire from Salix or from a fireball. However, we don't know if even magical fire will affect the wire in any way.
2) Use a spiritual weapon from one of the priests to attack the wire. Again, we don't know if this can cut it or not.
3) Have someone fly up and cut the mithral wire with a knife or perhaps a magical blade. Same problem as #2.
4) Have someone fly up and solve the wire puzzle, removing the key. However, my fly spell will only last for six minutes, which may not be enough time if the puzzle is particularly difficult.
5) Use a summoned griffin to cut the wire, or have someone ride on its back and try to cut the wire or solve the puzzle. Again the griffin may not be able to cut the wire, and someone on it's back may not be stable enough to solve the puzzle.
6) I do have the ability to telekinetically manipulate objects, but it only works against nonmagical objects. The key is technically magical, and I have my doubts on being able to manipulate the wire and the key with so much precision over a long distance.
7) Pile up tables and debris to a height of 10 feet so that casting rope trick can reach the ceiling. Alternatively, we could enlarge Harp and have him hold a table over his head, on top of which I could then cast the rope trick. Hanging from the rope someone would have trouble working the puzzle, but perhaps we could work out something with a person inside the extra-dimensional room holding the legs of someone out the window who could then work at the puzzle with both hands. The rope trick lasts for six hours, which should be enough time if the puzzle is solvable at all.
Does anyone else have other ideas? I admit I am not fully versed on the magical grace given to Ragnar and Salix, so they may have some other abilities I haven't thought of."
Mund perks up, his belly full.
"Hey. I've got an idea. Does anybody have any kind of hook? I've got fifty feet of silk rope back in my saddle bags. If we could hook the mithral wire, maybe we can apply enough force to break it, freeing the key." "Mund" Harp says "that's not a bad idea, but instead of throwing the hook and rope, maybe your brother could use some of his magic to get it up there?" The 1/2 orc turns and looks questioningly at the mage.
Allistair thinks for a moment. "I don't see why I couldn't. I can move things up to 40 feet away, which is the height of the ceiling, and a weight of up to about 5 pounds. As long as the hook and rope don't weigh more than that it should be possible. As for the tensile strength of the mithral wire, that I'm not too sure about, but it's worth a shot."
People start scrounging though their gear and eventually Harp pulls out a fishing hook and Kal pulls out a grappling hook. Mund brings out his silk rope and Allistair takes the three items in hand. A few minutes latter he sighs dejectedly. "Sorry guys, it's not going to work. The fishing hook is too small to thread the rope through and the grappling hook is too heavy with the rope attached. Something else I though of while trying to figure this out. Remember the cheese shop back home Mund?" The brother nods, not sure where Allistair is going with this. "Remember what he used to cut the cheese with? That wire cutter? For the rest of you here is another problem I see. The wire is very thin and fine, but also made out of an incredibly light and strong material. I bet if we got a normal iron hook to even grab on and then put weight on it, it would cut the hook like cheese."
The party looks around at each other, waiting for someone to come up with an idea. Harp breaks the silence. "It has been a hard, long day. I know I think better when rested. Allistair you have had an incredibly tough day. Rest, get some sleep. Let us pray and think on the problem and maybe in the morning one of us will have come up with something. This is not your job alone. Ok everyone, lights out in 1/2 hour. Normal watch order, but I doubt we will need it."
As the party gets ready to turn in for the night, Ranthir calls Harp over. The 1/2 elf takes Harp to one of the earlier rooms so that they will have some privacy. "Harp, judging from the number of doors left, we may very well be getting to the end of this challenge. Have you given any thought as to what you will do with Kal when we return? Salix and Mund feel that he committed what amounts to murder earlier and I am not sure I disagree. You need to have a plan when we get back."
OODM: Ok consider the night having been spent. Every one gets 6 HP back for a night sleep. I will also try and figure out what spells Ragnar and Harp had left, but I am sure it was not enough to heal the whole party. Did you want to use any of the remaining potions or scrolls? Also please update your spell list. The next write up will be after they have woken but before spells are memorized/prayed for.
Spells and spiders on the wall
Subject Hp
Ok I have updated the HP for resting for the night. Take a look at your totals and decided if you are going to use any spells or potions or scrolls before you start the day.
Then update your spell lists.
From: Kevin
Subject Moral questions
"I know Ran, though I don't think I am really qualified to make a final decision. I think I will make my report to Anglewing when we return, and let the officers decide on how to proceed. I know that I am in charge of this quest, but I still just a sergant. A decision of this level is beyond me - I don't have the experience or the knowledge to know what the right thing to do is. I know, I know, this is cowardly of me - I should make a decision and do something about it. But this decision, as I have been told many times before, is above my pay grade."
From: Jason
Subject HP
Ragnar has two 0 level spells, which he will use to cure himself since he definitely doesn't need even a CLW. He also has Spirit Weapon, which since it is his domain spell he can't use to cast cure; he'll be ready to cast that if Harp wants him to before he prays for new spells.
Other than that, I've replaced the spells Ragnar used yesterday with the spells he plans to prepare today, and once we've actually prepared them I'll move them over.
Mund's HP could use some attention; Ragnar will bring that up and let Harp decide what to do.
From: Derek
Subject HP
Since it would be wasted anyway, why doesn't Ragnar go over to the room with the hanging key and use the spiritual weapon to attack the mithril wire?
From: Karl
Subject HP
Salix should have a CMW left from the day before which he could cast to get back that remaining HP before replenishing his spells for the day. Also, before praying for his day's allotment of grace, he will suggest to Harp:
"I can ask my god for the ability to climb on walls and ceiling like a spider does. I could get this power for myself and again for another in our party if necessary. What do you think?"
(OOC - I'd also take Fox's Cunning since it might push one of us over the top enough to actually solve the puzzle of the wire/hook setup, but that appears to be one that Druid's can't learn. :-( /OOC)
From: Derek
Subject Spells
Spider climb would also be a good way to get to the wire/key setup. The spell description says you need your hands free to climb, so I don't know if you would have hands free to solve the puzzle. Fox's cunning is also a good idea, if anyone has it. Allistair sure doesn't. I'd say it's worth a try. It's a lot more elegant than the rope trick, and lower level than a fly spell.
From: Kevin
Subject Spells
Harp is still going to suggest that we start with the lowest level spell first, and then use higher level ones as and if the lower level ones fail.
From: Karl
Subject Spells
I already tentatively cleared it with the DM to be able to use hands (or a hand) while not actually climbing/crawling, though he may require a STR check to hang onto the ceiling in that case.
Fox's Cunning isn't a druid spell so if Allistair doesn't have it, it's up to one of the clerics or we do without.
From: Karl
Subject Spells
Oh, I was also gonna suggest Salix pray for SC twice. That way both he and Allistair could climb up and try the puzzle together. Maybe we could get some kind of synergy with two minds working on it at the same time.
From: Mark
Subject Spells
There is a situation called Aid other. I would think it would apply.
From: Kevin
Subject Spells
Harp is still going to suggest using the lowest level spell first, but will bow to the other casters who are actually doing the work here.
From: Karl
Subject Spells
Which would that be? I mean, either Salix asks for SC or he doesn't, and if he does it's hardly a waste to use it since there's no indication of it being needed if it *isn't* used for this.
And from a meta-gaming position, it seems likely that this is going to turn out to be something our DM would like to see us solve as intended rather than simply blow up or dismantle. (ref: the cheese cutter comments.) ;-)
From: Kevin
Subject Spells
OOC: Mage hand is a 0 level cantrip for Allistair. *IF* we can get this string thing undone using 1 0-level spell, that is about as easy and efficient as it can get. Beyond that, we start using 1 or 2 or 3 1st and 2nd level spells to accomplish this. All I am saying is that Harp would like Allistair to try his mage hand spell first (focusing on the string). Between Allistair and Surin, they should have a pretty good idea of how the string and hooks thing is set up, so he should be able to do it from where he is.
From: Mark
Subject Spells
Allistair is sure that he would have to be closer then 40 feet to see the hook system well enough to manuver the string through it.
From: Kevin
Subject Spells
OK, so he rope tricks up closer and then Mage Hands it.
Enough of my comments. Lets let you guys and your characters play it out. I am now shutting up.
From: Mark
Subject Spells
Promises, promises.
He does the same thing in our two RL games.
From: Derek
Subject Spells
After hearing several suggestions, Allistair decides on what he thinks has the best combination of simplicity and likelihood of success. "Salix, I do think that spiderclimb ability of yours would be very useful to get the key down. There might be some difficulty in letting go to manipulate the key with our hands, but if you were to cast the spiderclimb ability on me, I could then use my telekinesis spell to manipulate the wire without letting go with my hands. That spell of yours lasts a full hour, and my telekinesis lasts as long as I am able to concentrate, so I think that should be enough time. Are you willing to give it a try?"
From: Mark
Subject Spells
After sleeping the night Salix is only down 1 HP. Do you want to do the CLW on someone else?
From: Porter
Subject Spells
Mund is still down 19 HP.
From: Mark
Subject Spider on the wall
Harp nods at Ran's comments and the two discuss it for a while. They then return to the others and prepare for the night. Harp takes a double shift at watch so that the others can get more sleep. He also does not seem to be eating less than usual. He seems no worse the wear in the morning though, his usual chipper self. "Ok you maggots" he yells with a grin. "You gonna spend all day sleeping. We are burning daylight." Ragnar is the only one who is not startled by this rude awakening, seeing has how he has lived in the chapter house for the past many years. The others shoot Harp a dirty look, but his upbeat attitude is not diminished. "What's got you in such a good mood today?" Mund growls. "Isn't it obvious?" the 1/2 orc asks? "Once we get this key, there is only one more to go and then we are out of this place. We could be headed home today."
Mund realizes that this is true but is still in a grumpy mood. "We could all not be going home too? Did you ever think of that?" He is about to continue when Allistair places a hand on his shoulder. The barbarian cuts off the next remark. As the party prepares breakfast Salix speaks up. "Allistair, you know that Obad-Hai is a god of nature. Most of the blessing I can get from him follow from that. You have seen that I can change shape in to animals and summon them to me for aid. Another blessing that I can ask for is the ability to climb walls like a spider. It lasts about an hour and I can ask for it for others. Would climbing up to the ceiling and being that close to the wire help any?"
The mage is stunned at the revelation. "Help? My friend Salix you have solved my biggest worry,which has been how to get close enough to see the rope and the hook system well enough to complete it. Even from 10 feet my cantrip I was going to use would have been difficult at best, and hanging from a rope while doing it would have made it even harder. This is wonderful news. Now I can just go up and work the puzzle by hand." Salix holds up a hand. "Wait, that is something I was going to mention. While the effect does not really make the hand and fingers all that sticky, it does make it a little bit. Normally it does not cause a problem, but fine finger work maybe a problem."
"Not a problem." is Allistair's reply. "I can still use my cantrip. As long as it does not take more than the hour your blessing lasts, I should be fine. Thank you Salix. This is wonderful news." The whole party is infected with anticipation. "Would you mind if I joined you at the test?" Salix asks. "It might be useful to have a second pair of eyes." Allistair thinks for a moment. "If it is ok with Harp I would welcome your consul and company." "As long as the two of you think it is safe you are the experts on this stuff. I just stick swords in things" is the reply.
The next hour is a mixture of quiet and action. Those who must pray or study do so while the others, Mund, Ran and Surin wonder around picking up the camp a bit. The sense that this might be their last day is suddenly staring them in the face. They want to make sure that they do not leave anything important behind. Surin even counts the 9 keys they already have, just to make sure they are all still there.
When they are ready the party moves to the room where the key is. Salix and Allistair take their places next to the wall. "You might want to take a seat, this might take a while" the mage says. "Ok Salix, ready when you are." Salix takes out a small bit of bitumen and a couple of spiders he had found that morning. He sticks a small piece of the bitumen to the back of each spider and then chants his prayer. When he is done he hands one of the spiders to Allistair and says "Eat it. Swallow everything." Allistair is a little taken about, but he had eaten worse as a child with Mund and even in the mage training. He takes the spider and eats it. Salix chants again and does the same with his spider.
The only thing they feel is a slight tingling. Salix goes to the wall and places his hand on it. He starts to crawl on it, like he would the floor and his hands stick when needed and he starts up the wall, just like a spiderman. Allistair follows him and the two work their way up the wall and across the ceiling to where the key, string and hook is. For a few seconds, when he goes upside down, Allistair starts to feel the blood rush to his head, but the feeling quickly dissipates. "Ok Salix, once I start my cantrip and concentrate on the string, I will not be able to do much else other than talk to you a bit. It will require most of my concentration." The druid nods and the mage chants his cantrip.
Allistair focuses on the string and where the hook puzzle starts. He directs the loop on the string with his mind. He moves it slowly so as not to mess up the string and make a knot. Every now and then he asks Salix for his opinion on what to do next. Over the course of the next 1/2 hour the mage very methodically works the string along the path he has figured out(Several DC15 INT rolls, some failed, most success) before he started. There is an almost palpable sigh of relief when the key finally falls free into Salix's hand. "We got it" the mage yells down. We are coming down now." Sweat dripping from his brow, Allistair looks over at Salix and says "Let's go get the last key."
OODM: Reactions and what next?
From: Porter
Subject spider on the wall
"Hey, can I have that wire? It might come in handy, if I ever need to cut some really tough cheese," he says with a silly grin.
From: Derek
Subject Spider on the wall
"Sure," Allistair replies. "Let's see if it will come off of this puzzle apparatus." Allistair continues to use the mage hand to work the wire off. If it will come off, he will let it drop to the floor. If it won't, he'll try and use the wire to cut through whatever framework is holding it in place.
From: Mark
Subject spider on the wall
The wire is attached to the key. The other end is what had a loop in the hook system. Now you have a key with a foot long thing piece of mithral attached to it. Mund can use his special knife to cut the mithral from the key.
HP, keys and ready to go
Subject Spider on the wall
Yippie!
From: Karl
Subject HP
All Salix has is two Cure Minor Wounds (0 lvl spell). He will use them on those who still need them the most before praying for new "spells".
From: Kevin
Subject Moving on
OK, normal plan for the next door?
Chime in before we move on.
From: Porter
Subject Moving on
How long is that mithril wire? I'm going to add it to my character sheet.
From: Mark
Subject Moving on
It says it right there. A foot long.
From: Randy
Subject Moving on
"I'm ready to go."
Ranthir is starting to get anxious to complete the key gathering and discover what is behind the doors.
From: Porter
Subject Spider on the wall
:wallbash:
Thanks.
From: Porter
Subject HP
Is anybody going to heal up Mund before we go on? It seems to me that it's better to use the scrolls before the emergency than during.
From: Kevin
Subject HP
OOC: Mark, how many scolls do we have left. If we have more than 3 left, Harp will suggest using one of them on Mund before we start this last batch of rooms.
Porter, I agree. Let's get Mund as close to full HP as we can.
From: Karl
Subject HP
Salix should have given him (??) his two Cure Minors before praying for the day. I don't know if those were included in Mund's current HP, or if they went to someone else, or if they were ignored.
Salix is ready for the next room with the usual procedure. He has a bit more bounce in his step owing to having been helpful in preventing bloodshed, meeting a new type of creature, and befriending them.
From: Mark
Subject HP
I have not added the two HP from the Cure Minor yet. I will do so.
From: Mark
Subject Keys
Ok the party now has 10 keys
Copper
Copper with Jewel
Brass
Brass with Jewel
Silver
Silver with Jewel
Electrum
Electrum with Jewel
Gold
Platinum
From: Kevin
Subject HP
OOC: Always the first to go running to get into a fight, but always the first to whine about getting hurt or having some damage. Are you sure Mund does not have a level in the new prestige class - Crybaby.
Just having some fun -
From: Porter
Subject HP
You're confusing Porter with Mund. Mund hasn't ever complained about his injuries -- I have. :p
From: Kevin
Subject Hp
OOC: you are right, and I stand corrected. I did not mean to impune Mund's character.
From: Porter
Subject HP
So now we're impuning my character? :)
From: Kevin
Subject HP
I said I was not impuning your "character".
From: Porter
Subject HP
My head hurts. >.<
From: Josh
Subject Hp
Who's on first?
From: Jason
Subject HP
We seem to have 1 scroll of CMW left, according to my character sheet. I thought we had 2, but I've been through the logs counting up the number used far too many times now, so 1 it is. Ragnar will sacrifice hold person to cast CMW on Mund. He's also prepared the aid spell today, which he can cast on Mund if he intends to pretend he's a tank again like he did with that render.
From: Derek
Subject Ready to go
Allistair now has 3 fireballs and 7 MM's for offense, and 3 invisibilities if needed. He's as ready as he'll ever be for this last door.
From: Kevin
Subject Ready to go
Did Ragnar pray for "Prayer"? That is like a really strong Bless.
From: Derek
Subject Ready to go
Ragnar is praying for the ability to pray? That's an interesting concept, meta-praying. ;-)
From: Kevin
Subject Ready to go
I agree, but it is what is in the PHB as the name of that "blessing".
From: Kevin
Subject Ready to go
In that case, Harp will sacrafice all of his Cure Minor Wounds before they set out. It is only 4 points, but it is better than nothing.
Porter, I want to hold onto that last scroll until we get an idea of what is coming up. Someone else may end up needing it worse than Mund (who would have thought Allistair and Salix would have been as hurt as badly as they were when we met those manticores?).
HP, the elventh door, turn
Subject Hides
Before we leave the place, Surin wants to check back in on the dragon room to see if there's enough hide for some halfling-sized armor.
PS I. hate. Dialup. Sorry I haven't checked in in a while.
From: Jason
Subject spells
Yes, he has prayed for... what you said. He is prepared to pray for... that one thing... on a moment's notice.
From: Mark
Subject The eleventh door
The druid and the mage crawl back over to the wall and down the stone face. Once back on the ground Salix releases the blessing and the two are back to normal. "Salix, I am just curious" asks Allistair, "what type of spider was that? It tasted better than any of the spiders I have ever eaten." The druid is a bit taken aback at this question. Seeing the smile on the mage's face Salix replies in kind. "It is the bitumen that makes the difference. The spiders, as long as they are not poisonous, really don't matter." The mage and the druid share a laugh as they walk with the others back to the main room.
Once there Ragnar pulls Mund aside. "I know you would never ask for it on your own, but it seems that we may be getting near the end of the challenges. Therefore it is best if you are in tip top shape. I am going to use my last scroll on you so that you can be better prepared to face the challenge ahead. It is in my heart that it will not be as easy as the last. (Use scroll of CMW, heal 13)." Mund says nothing, but he feels a bit of gratitude to the godspoken dwarf. Too bad they lived underground.
Once they are all ready Harp calls them to order. "Ok guys, just like usual. Surin up front to take a listen. Ran and Mund 30 feet or so behind to give support if he needs it. Kal and I about 30 feet behind them with Ragnar bringing up the rear behind Allistair and Salix. Let's move and get out of this place." Surin opens the last door on the east wall and the long trek begins. 160 feet until the turn and then almost 300 hundred feet of unbroken passage way. Nothing but glowing wall stones very 40 feet or so to supply light.
Surin starts to slow down a bit when he gets about 40 feet from the door. He signals the two behind him to slow down and they pass the command back to the others. With a confidence born of much practice he approaches the door and goes through his usual door opening search. No pressure plates. No trip wires. No hidden latches. No tip points. Things look clean, but then he had expected that. It was unlikely that there would be traps on the doors going into the rooms. Now in the rooms themselves, different story. He was a bit surprised that there had been so few so far.
Confident that there are no traps, Surin moves up close to the door and places his ear on the door. It is slightly warm to the touch but not hot, just a bit warmer the he remembers the other doors being. Concentrating on the door he tries to figure out if he can hear anything (Listen check, DC?, 19+13=32). After about 30 seconds he turns and moves quietly back to Ran and Mund and motions them to follow him back to the others.
"I think I might have heard something clank or move. It was very faint and it might have been my mind playing tricks, but I am fairly sure I heard something. No idea what."
OODM: Ok what now.
From: Mark
Subject turn
I tried something new tonight.
I have sent the turn from my home e-mail instead of the hotmail account. Lets see if it makes it.
The e-mail is titled "The eleventh door" Let me know if you do not get it.
From: Derek
Subject turn
I got it. It was formatted a little differently, 1.5-spaced Times New Roman instead of the same-width font that you usually send mail in, but it was fine.
From: Kevin
Subject Turn
Got it. Thanks.
Taking a look
Subject The eleventh door
Harp looks at the rest of the group. "Same as usual?" he asks. Assuming he gets the expected nods of agreement, he will motion for Ranthir and Mund to move slowly up toward the door to open it and take a quick peak in the room.
From: Karl
Subject The eleventh door
Salix nods his agreement.
(OOC - Let's DO THIS!!!) ;-)
From: Randy
Subject The eleventh door
At Harps motion Ranthir moves towards the door, ready to look into the room.
From: Porter
Subject The eleventh door
Mund silently nods, letting everybody know he's ready.
From: Jason
Subject The eleventh door
Ragnar nods silently.
From: Mark
Subject Taking a look
"Same as usual. Ranthir and Mund in front, Kal and I behind. Salix and Allistair in the third row with Surin and Ragnar bringing up the rear. Ok let's go." The party moves as quietly as they can to the door and the two in front take up positions on either side of the door, Mund near the door latch. When every one signals that they are ready he opens the door as quietly as he can (Move Silent, 16+4=20, vs. listen 3+?=?). He pushes the door open to the right and the party peers in.
It is a large room, easily 90 feet north to south and 60 feet east to west. Their door is in the south wall all the way to the east. They can see another door on the west wall, 10 feet down from the north wall. The room is brightly lit and some of the light is coming from the two occupants. Milling around in the middle of the room are two figures. The figures are roughly man height and humanoid on top, but the bottom of the body forms into a snake like body that curls beneath it. The tail is covered in red and black scales and gold colored spines sprout from the back and neck and arms. They have spears in their hands that flicker with tongues of flame.
Allistair makes a signal for Mund to close the door and his brother does his best (Move Silent, 16+4=20, listen 13+?=?) and closes the door. The mage signals for the party to move slowly back down the hall. As they go they hear Allistair cursing under his breath.
OODM: I will let Derek tell you what he knows.
From: Mark
Subject Dragon hide
I think we checked a while ago and there might be enough hide, but no one in the party knows how to skin a dragon and prepare it so that it does not rot. They can try but they would take minuses to any skill rolls that they have.
Plan for entering
Subject Plan for entering
Allistair motions everyone down the hallway to a safe distance where they can talk normally. "No need to panic this time, as this door definately looks like it will be like the majority of the ones we have previously faced. Has anyone here ever heard of Salamaners? That is what we face behind this last door."
"They are native to the elemental plane of fire, in much the same way that the Xorn were from the plane of earth. Unfortunately the similarity ends there. They are very adept at using the spears that you saw, and with their bodies aflame anything they touch you will will burn. Also you saw their snake-like tails? They will snatch you up with that and squeeze you like a giant constrictor. Mund might be able to grapple with them, if it weren't for the fact that they are on fire..."
"Also these creatures are generally of an evil nature, and I doubt we will get a friendly or peaceful response from them like the Xorn. Maybe we could try to cower them from a position of power, but that didn't work so well with the Manticores, or anything else we've encountered either."
"My suggestion would be to keep them at a distance as much as possible, like we did with the Hill Giant. Even if they are immune to my fireballs, there is still a lot that Kal, Salix, and myself can throw at them."
From: Josh
Subject Plan for entering
"Any chance at getting the Xorn to help us fight them?"
From: Porter
Subject Plan for entering
"The Zornies took off as soon as they could. I think they escaped this damned prison."
"I say we hit them hard and hit them fast. As the fighters charge, Salix can bring us some more manticores. The manticores should be much more effective when they have us as allies. Alley and Kal can hit them with those mage arrow things."
From: Mark
Subject Plan for entering
I think Mund means Hippogriffs.
From: Kevin
Subject Plan for entering
" Mund, I agree. We need to surround them and take them out quickly. But we want to be cautious on using the grace and spells we have - we don't know how many doors are left after this one.
OK, here is the plan. Ran, you and Mund take one of them, Ragnar and I will take the other one. Salix, will you summon some hippogriffs on the other side of those things so we have some support from the other side. Kal, you jump in where you see the best opportunity - whether it is with spells or with your sword. Allistair, I think it is pretty obvious what you will be doing. Surin, stay to the side and look for an opportunity to get a blow in.
Allistair, is there anything else you can tell us about these things? Do they fight well together, can the cast spells, do they breath fire? Anything else that we really need to know about?"
From: Porter
Subject Plan for entering
"When we fought the demon doggies, we got all magicked up so that the fire wouldn't hurt us as bad. Do we wanna do that again?"
From: Karl
Subject Plan for entering
That's what I thought. Salix will follow Harp's lead on this one, as usual.
From: Derek
Subject Plan for entering
Allistar nods in aggreement with Mund. "That would be very prudent if we are going to be closing in for physical combat, since them simply touching you with their snake coils or weapons will also burn you. I don't know if that's such a great idea to close with them, but if we want to hit them hard and fast I don't see any other way to do it. If you're going to be physically attacking them, watch out for their tails. They look to be 10 feet long and could grab you even if you can't hit them."
From: Porter
Subject Plan for entering
"What if the next room has something even worse than these Sally-Meaners? Maybe it will be giant Sally-Meaners with giant spears. We don't want to rely on magic spells fer everything, or why bother even having anybody but the magickers?"
Plan?
Subject Plan?
Ok I understand that the party wants to charge in and attack, with Salix casting SNA III when he can get in the room and Allistair and Kal doing MM if they can, but does the party want to cast any prep spells before they go in?
Questions
Subject Questions
Has Allistair responded to Harp's query about additional information about the salemanders?
From: Mark
Subject Questions
Not as far as I know, but Derek did give all the info that I gave him.
Knowledge checks do not give all pertinent information. Depending on the DC and the roll, you get bits and pieces.
From: Derek
Subject Questions
OOC: I was out all day yesterday, sorry.
IC: Allistair shakes his head. "That's about all I know about them. I've never encountered any before, just read about them in a book on creatures of the elemental planes."
From: Kevin
Subject Questions
OOC: Ok, while I know that we are going to have issues, unless someone can come up with a good reason for us to do some additional enchantments, we are going to go in as listed earlier. Harp will cast Bless on the group, as that has been standard procedure for him most of this crawl.
From: Porter
Subject Questions
Um, what about protection from elements? If you're fighting something that lives in fire, it's a good idea to protect yourself from fire -- you don't need any special knowledge for that.
From: Mark
Subject Questions
You do need to have prepared the spell. Did any one prepare Protection from the elements or something like that? I just checked and, no they did not.
Unless I hear differently from any one I will write up the encounter tomorrow around noon.
Just to let everyone know I am on vacation this week, but will be staying at home. So while I will be on line, it may not be as constant as if I was at work.