Up or Down?
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
OOC: How deep is the hole?
Mission shrugs at Garyth's comments, and notes how the warrior looks sideways at Cadfael. "The important thing right now is to get down there, and set up."
He unrolls his rope from his pack. "We might want to use yours, Garyth. Mine was scorched in the explosion."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Like the previous tunnel, this one is 25 feet deep. Though, of course, this one doesn't have 5 feet of water at the bottom.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Garyth nods and sets to work tying the rope to something sturdy.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
I guess all I really need here is a general check in from everyone with a "we camp" type thing. I can write up the next turn then. Any special arrangements for camping should be noted.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
(OOC: Er. We Camp.)
Rennik shows interest in the idea of having the party set up camp in the tunnel, as it would offer greater protection from predators. However, he feels it makes the watch difficult. Someone should definitely stay topside on watch, to be sure the rope stayed secure and there was a viable escape from the tunnel itself should it too be blocked, or otherwise not an acceptable route. But that would leave those below vulnerable to anything coming up or down the tunnel, unless a second watch was posted underground.
That in mind, it might be best to camp above ground, so the group would get more rest. If we tied the rope off anyway, and let it dangle, it would always be possible to slide down the rope underground if a H'rugda or swamp dragon came upon the camp.
With that, he asks for what the rest of the group thinks.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Garyth agrees with Rennik.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Cadfael is still feeling like crap and gets a headache when he thinks about trying to catch up with all these messages and say something intelligent. So he'll just go along with whatever ideas the rest of the party has re: camp so Ty can get on with another turn.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Sa'id would rather camp in the sewer with one person on watch at the top of the hole and another directly underneath in the sewer, but will defer to the judgment of Rennik and Garyth.
Email Virus, Identify?
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Farron is ready to make camp. He will listen to whatever Sa'id wanted to talk about and assist him as he is able.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Mission will go along with whatever Rennick recommends, but will avoid taking a watch if he can.
OOC: I'm sick. So is LiteBrite. I may not be on for the rest of today, and maybe tomorrow.
In the event that Mission is needed, would you mind controlling him, Mike?
Ty: Since we haven't camped yet, can I change my skill point assignments? I'd like to assign all 5 points to tumble, but if that's not permissable, I understand.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
I'm feeling a bit sick myself, but nothing to interrupt my schedule. I'll take over Mission if need be. Get better, Scott. And that goes for Dan as well. And me, for that matter.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
And I'm just getting over a nagging cold. Hmmmm. You don't think we've been spreading an email virus or anything, do you?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Seems like all your character's saved against that water, but you guys didn't.
:)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Whatever the party's decision (and currently the consensus seems to be camping on the surface by the hole), once the camp is set up, Sa'id will find Farron.
"Farron, how many ways do you have of identifying things magically?" he asks. "I have been carrying a magical ring since the lodge -- I found it on the halfling cleric who was outside." Sa'id shows the ring, with its green eye gem, to the other wizard. "I am uncertain as to its function. Could you identify it?" He pauses. "Actually, if you have an extra scroll of the identify spell, would you mind permitting me to copy it into my spellbook?"
Sa'id then draws Farron's attention to the coughing monk. "This robe, as well, must have some magical power -- at the very least, a preservation spell to keep it from decaying, given how long we know it has been there. I can only assume that it was Danmonoth's."
Drawing a deep breath, Sa'id then turns back to Farron. "There is also the matter of the wizard from the tower. I suspect his spellbook is trapped, and given where we are aiming to go, it might be wise to try to get at its contents, since they could prove useful." He pauses. "I am loath to simply take his belongings for our own use, but given Garth's actions the next morning and given our current predicament, I'm unwilling to sacrifice any advantage we might find for ourselves because of my own discomfort."
He looks back at Mission, but speaks quietly to Farron, not wishing to be overheard. "Mission opposed the idea of even using a simple cantrip earlier, though I'm uncertain how much of that comes from his mistrust of magic and how much comes from true prudence. I am confident enough that we are hidden from Kor Garesh and his minions to work whatever magics we see fit, but perhaps we should ensure that the others are not vehemently opposed to the idea."
[OOC: If Farron doesn't mind, Sa'id will scribe Identify into his spellbook, and then once they've gotten the ring and robe identified, plus anything else Farron thinks should be identified, they can settle down to look at Finlan's spellbook. Hopefully there's a way to get the thing open without anyone getting killed.]
Greed, Garyth the Chew Toy
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
[OOC - I don't know how many scrolls Farron actually has. I know he has at least 1 left and maybe as many as 3. Ty????]
At any rate, Farron will give Sa'id a scroll to copy into his book. Just this morning he would have been loath to part with it considering how valuable it is and the fact that it will cost the loss of one of the perfect pearls each time either he or Sa'id casts Identify as a spell. (And now that Sa'id wants the spell, he'll surely want to share the pearls as well). But at this point, he surrenders the scroll gladly. The dead mage's artifacts have begun to feel very heavy in his pack this day and if it weren't for the fact that they needed every advantage they could gain he'd be tempted to throw the spoils of that battle into the murky sewer water at the bottom of the hole. Because of this, and partly to make amends for his uncharacteristic (he hoped) greed the day before, Farron digs in his pack and returns to Sa'id not only with his last remaining [??] scroll, but half of the pearls as well. "When you learn the spell, you'll need these too. You have to crush one and stir the powder into wine with an owl feather. Unless you brought one, we'll have to share the one I . . . have. Then you drink the potion and touch the item in question while weaving the spell." Farron hands the pearls and scroll to Sa'id, and looks almost relieved when the other mage takes them.
Looking around to make sure the rest of the party is occupied, Farron lowers his voice. "Sa'id. . . brother, did you not desire in the least to have these items before. . .when we were in the tower?" he asks quietly.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
I was going to write the next turn, but Farron is opening up a very interesting discussion, so I am going to wait until Raja answers before I move on.
Karl? According to my notes, you still had two of the scrolls. So, you have one left after giving one to Sa'id for his spell book.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
[OOC: Ok, NOW I understand how Identify works. Ty, I may need to modify my spell memorization plans based on what Karl and I decide to do about these items, if that's ok.]
Sa'id takes one of the pearls and looks intently at it. "Identify is an expensive spell," he mutters. "There must be a more efficient way." He looks back to Farron. "This is too much, my friend. I am not a diviner. You should keep the lion's share, it will be rare that I find the room in my addled brain to memorize this. Besides which, it isn't so relevant which of us casts the spell on the items we have found." Sa'id smiles slightly, hoping to lighten the mood somewhat, but his eyes widen at Farron's next words:
"Sa'id. . . brother, did you not desire in the least to have these items before. . .when we were in the tower?"
Sa'id looks at the other wizard, and speaks equally quietly. "Of course I was curious. Especially about the contents of that spellbook. The pursuit of knowledge is a vice of mine. But seeing him there, his body so ruined that even my father could not have made it look presentable for a funeral, and at our hands..." he sighs. "We did what we had to do. Of that I am certain. However, I had expected to be able to send the wizard's belongings with his surviving companions, to help defray the cost of revivification... Garth's oath, despite the grisly and disturbing nature of his death, did ultimately make me feel somewhat better." Sa'id pauses for a moment and leans closer to Farron. "Not that I'm certain I believe Cadfael's explanation... but for the time being, at least, I think it may be best to let it lie. And now that wizard will rot, because his companions fled and his friend swore an oath on the darkest of the gods." The necromancer shakes his head.
"I will admit, though, that the events of this morning have overshadowed what happened at the tower. At the very least, I believe we need the priest to keep us from the dark god's sight. But that makes an interesting balance -- we cannot prod him or push him too far, for fear he will turn on us again, but we cannot simply let him go about his business, for he would walk through the jungle without stopping to rest or sleep and promptly be killed when he arrived alone at his destination. That ring he wears is an insidious influence. It has divided us. But I am glad you and Garyth, at least, have kept your senses."
Straightening, Sa'id looks back at Mission. "I think it may be worthwhile to identify that robe as well as this ring. I suppose we'll have to spend some time memorizing the spell first, but if I memorize one instance of it to cast on the ring, it will serve as good practice for me." Sa'id smiles. "Then, however, we should decide what to do about that spellbook. I think it is important that we try to get at its contents -- spells are, of course, the best asset that you and I have."
[OOC: There's just the ring and the robe, right? Then we can deal with the spellbook? Does Farron have identify memorized? ...at any rate, Sa'id will scribe the spell into his spellbook, memorize it (in the slot I had planned to allocate to Cause Fear, Ty), cast it on his green eye gem ring with Farron's assistance to make sure he doesn't screw it up -- at least, provided no one in the group vehemently opposes spellcasting tonight.]
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Farron's hopeful look falls as Sa'id returns so many of the pearls so easily. And falls further as Sa'id speaks of his distrust of Cadfael, fearing him under the influence of evil powers. When his talk so quickly moves on to the business of identifying the items Farron can contain himself no longer. "Brother!" he interrupts in a stressed whisper. "I'm not talking about curiosity, though I'm as susceptible to that as the next man. And I'm equally prone to a healthy amount of greed, too. But back in that tower. . . well. . . I . . .I *wanted* his things. As soon as I saw the man dead against the wall it was all I could do not to trip over you to get to his pack. I've never wanted anything so much as I wanted his things, especially his spellbook. I can't say what came over me. I. . .I do not think this covetousness is from within me. I hope it is not. I have been trusted with riches like you've never seen on my voyages for the merchants of the city and I never once . . . I swear to you, NEVER ONCE betrayed a trust to greed or avarice."
Farron looks nervously around to make sure no one is interested in their whispered conversation. Seeing the others still settling their own things for camp he continues. "I'm afraid, Sa'id. Is this the influence of the Dark God we are pursuing? If so, why have you not felt this? What is it in me that could give over so easily to . . ." He trails off not willing to name his fear. "I don't claim any special righteousness, Sa'id. But Cadfael is a good man of some reputation in Overlook. If he can be led to serve an unspeakable evil, what chance have I?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
"This is what happens when the gods meddle in the affairs of men," Sa'id mutters. "I am sorry for my feeble attempts at humour, they have had the exact opposite of their intended effect."
Sa'id mulls over Farron's words before speaking. His tone is tentative. "Perhaps when we do things we believe to be wrong, we expose our minds to Kor Garesh's influence. It would explain Rennik and Mission's wrath in the tower, as well as your uncharacteristic avarice. But I think it is simpler than that." He subtly emphasizes the word 'uncharacteristic,' to ensure Farron catches that Sa'id's belief in the other wizard's strength of character is firm.
"There is also the matter of stress. I am no counselor, but the things we have been exposed to since leaving Overlook are enough to fray even the strongest of people around the edges." He says this last with a flick of the eyes at Cadfael. "It need not even be the direct meddling of the gods, it may simply have been a subconscious way of getting your mind off the killing." He pauses. "If I still had faith in my sense of humour, I would add that unlike me, you aren't particularly used to corpses." Sa'id is sure to make it clear that this last is a joke.
"I am not certain of Cadfael," Sa'id says. "I do not believe his actions are forced directly by the gods. Rather, I believe they have broken him, and now he clings to all that is left to him. But he is so unpredictable..." he trails off, and stares into nowhere for a moment before looking back at Farron, leaning forward, and focusing intently.
"You are not alone in this. I have felt, said, and done things on this journey that I would never have done before it began." Sa'id sighs. "I had not wanted to tell anyone of this. I prefer to deal with my inner failings on my own terms. But in light of the circumstances, perhaps it is best that I tell you. After the battle at the lodge, I came back in through a a door that my fireball had burned. Looking at the embers, I felt... I'm not sure how to describe it. Pleased with myself, with the destruction that I had wrought. Arrogance is another of my vices, but this went beyond that. I was looking forward to doing it again, whether I was destroying undead blasphemies against the cycle of life, or burning halfling priests alive. There are times when I am almost hungry for a battle, so strongly do I desire to revel in my power. The fire is an outlet for my frustrations, but more than that, when I bend the laws of the universe to my will I feel like I am a larger part of it. And after all of that destruction, not a one of our companions respects my power -- with the sole exception of you. When my mood is black, I can't help but think that the only way to earn that respect is to destroy even more."
"This is not easy for me to admit. Inside, I rage at myself and at the others for their lack of respect, but when I regain my senses I regret it. I know they are worthy and of good intent, and I am deeply thankful for Mission's numerous interventions on my behalf. But it is not easy to keep thinking light thoughts in times such as these."
"No, I do not believe us to be tainted by the dark god. Rather, I believe we are all having trouble coping with the disturbing events of these last days, and that this manifests itself in uncharacteristic outbursts and thoughts. My intent, with regard to the identification of these items and the investigation of the spellbook, is both to gain what advantage we can and also to distract us from the dark thoughts lodged in our minds. I have no more wish to think about my darker thoughts than you."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Farron listens to Sa'id with the attention of a man being told he's not going to hell. He sits quietly for some minutes after Sa'id finishes and replies, "I hope you are right. I too have been frustrated by the others, so sure they are of their own worth and not recognizing any of ours. And I know how you feel. . . well, *powerful* when weaving the threads of magic to influence the universe." He pauses.
"I will accept your assurances for now. But let's not turn a blind eye completely. There *are* dark forces at work here. If they are trying to corrupt us and I am more susceptible, I want you to help keep me true. I have felt such a strong curiosity in the spellbook that I have begun to fear the Dark God wants me to see inside. If this is the case the spells it contains could be dangerous indeed. I will not look inside it unless you are there to back me up. Who knows? Maybe I've just been paranoid and it will just be low level love potion recipes." He adds with a chuckle. His first in what seems like months.
[Ty, Farron will help Sa'id with the ID spells in the manner I described earlier to you. Also, he and Sa'id will examine the spellbook very carefully, looking for a way to get it open without killing anyone or destroying it.]
From: Ty
Subject: The underground trail; two days left
The party decides to camp above the tunnel, while leaving a rope dangling inside for rapid retreat if necessary. This seems like a very good idea when Rennik mentions it, but during the first watch, as Rennik sits swatting blood sucking insects, he questions his own wisdom. The jungle is not any more pleasant at night than it was during the day. It remains stiflingly hot, and the insects maintain their constant vigil. If anything, it seems that a great many creatures become active during the night that were quiet during that day. Rennik counts at least five new bird sounds during his watch, and several great cats scream as they hunt. He fingers the cat's pelt he wears, and remembers the ferocity of the creature he took it from. He keeps his bow close.
During the night, Mission continues to hack and cough, but some time before the early morning hours, he quiets, and his breathing becomes clearer (Fort save 21). The monk's almost supernatural resistance to illness seems to have finally won out.
Prior to sleeping, the wizards had spent quite a bit of time together, talking quietly and working with their books and scrolls. At one point, they replaced the robe Mission was wearing with a blanket, and then sat making obscure gestures over it and chanting. With the exception of Garyth, who is quite comfortable around magic, the rest of the party eyes them suspiciously during this open use of magery.
Later, during Garyth's watch, he sees something huge and low to the ground slither by not more than forty feet away. It's head pops out of one side of an opening in the jungle, and at least twenty feet of body goes by before the tail appears and then disappears into the jungle on the other side of the clearing. It did not appear interested in the party in the slightest, so he settles back down after it disappears. (listen check 15) However, he doesn't sit for long. A moment or two after the slithery thing goes away, he hears what sounds like deep breaths coming from behind him. Spinning around on one knee, he sees a huge toothy face not more than fifteen feet away. One of the gigantic crocodiles that Rennik's people call swamp dragons has snuck up closer to the camp site than Garyth would have thought possible, considering its bulk. It is easily twenty five feet long, and must mass upwards of a ton. It is covered in a scaly hide so thick it must be harder to penetrate than most armor, and its jaws look capable of snapping a horse in two. It is no wonder the otherwise brave halflings live in fear of these creatures.
Once the beast sees Garyth move, it launches itself at him in a lightning fast charge. That thing is as fast as a horse! Flashes through Garyth's mind in the split second before the creature is on him. But Garyth's reflexes have always been good, and he was already keyed up and on edge from watching the giant snake go by, so he reacts almost instantly to the attack [surprise round, swamp dragon bite 12 (natural 1) miss]. The huge jaws snap shut with a terrifying crash just inches from his face.
[First combat round, initiative Garyth 14, Crocodile 5]
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; two days left
Farron will lie quietly acting the part of swamp dragon kibble until someone wakes him.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
"This will be in my thoughts, you have my word. If I can see any truly dark influences growing in anyone, I will speak out. But I do have faith in you, brother. You are stronger than you know, I think."
[OOC: This next bit is after Farron identifies the robe, but before the morning when Sa'id identfies the ring.]
"It seems that it might be best for Mission, with his fever, to keep the robe on," Sa'id says with a mild chuckle. "At the very least it will bring him some relief from the heat. It's no use to me, though, because I already wear a ring of protection. It would help you, though, Farron."
The wizards then turn to the spellbook. [Cue poking it with pointy sticks. ;) ].
"I may be able to dispel the warding on the book," Sa'id says, "but if I fail then the wards will detonate. Most likely it would be an explosion of some kind, intended to destroy the book first and whoever tried to open it second. I could cast a spell of resistance to protect myself somewhat from the effects of the explosion. But it's a risk, more so because if I fail in the dispel, the explosion could attract the attention of wildlife or other, darker things." He sighs. "It is frustrating to leave such a useful thing untouched. Perhaps in the tunnel..." he trails off.
[OOC: I'd just like to sort this out with Karl before we sleep; if we decide it's best for me to try "opening" the book, I'll do it in the morning, after memorizing Resist Energy -- Fire -- in a slot that was going to contain Mirror Image originally.]
[OOC 2: All right, got the turn and Karl's message, I'll memorize Resist Energy and we can talk more in the morning. In the meantime I'll snooze until someone wakes me up.]
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
(OOC: Oh, yeah, great idea. Open the exploding thing *in the tunnel*. Yep. Didn't we just leave that party? ;)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; two days left
How could something so big move so quickly? He jumps back just in time, but the bite was close enough that Garyth could smell the creature's fetid breath. His sword and mace are in hand by the time his feet meet the ground.
"Awake! Awake!" he shouts. "Swamp dragon!"
The creature seems to be attracted to motion; he needs to distract it while his companions slip down the hole. With a cry, he swings at the beast. [Full Attack]
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; two days left
:-D
Well, it does make a perverse sort of sense. It's certainly more sensible than opening it up top where it'll alert swamp dragons...
Oh wai
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; two days left
(OOC: Dibs on Garyth's stuff after he dies... fighting a swamp dragon with a melee weapon... he listens about as well as my students...)
Rennik awakes in an instant, coming up with bow in hand and grabbing reflexively for one of the arrows he routinely prepped point-down in the dirt before bedding down.
Seeing the beast and Garyth turning to swing, he calls out "No, you fool! Run! RUN!"
Rennik will fire an arrow into the creature's head, still screaming, "Down the hole! The HOLE! Keep your distance!!!!"
Rennik will mechanically grab and fire another arrow, and then a third (using Rapid Shot feat).
Finally, in the halfling tongue, "Tichenor, get clear!"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; two days left
Sa'id's heart just about pounds clear out of his chest at the sight of the swamp dragon, and any thoughts he had entertained of spellwork as he awoke to Garyth's cries vanished from his mind. There was nothing to do but run.
[OOC: As soon as he is able, Sa'id will head straight for the hole.]
From: Ty
Subject: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
Ever since the fight in the tower, Garyth has been practicing using the light mace in his left hand. It has become more and more comfortable. Now, faced with his first fight, he is surprised to see his left hand draw the weapon without even thinking about it. He slashes at the swamp dragons face with his sword, and tries to strike its skull with the mace. [Full attack 17, miss; 17, miss; 12, miss] His skills are good. All three weapons strike their targets. Unfortunately, the creatures hide is even thicker than he had thought, and all three blows bounce harmlessly aside.
The monster does not look amused. The huge tooth filled mouth flashes forward again, and this time clamps around the young guardsman's torso with a sickening crunch [Attack 31, hit; damage 20; grapple attempt 37, hit; grappled]. The monstrous creature picks Garyth up in his jaws and begins whipping his body back and forth trying to snap his spine.
The sounds of Garyth's yelling, and Tichenor's barking wakes the rest of the party, who roll out of their bedrolls to the horrifying sight of Garyth in the dragon's jaws?
[Initiative Sa'id 20, Garyth 14, Cadfael 13, Rennik 12, Mission 12, Swamp dragon 5, Farron 4]
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
Addendum to previous actions... which still stand.
Rennik will do his best to shoot *around* the writhing body of Garyth, so as not to damage any of the stuff he has dibs on.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
OOC: Of course, you'd have to convince the swamp dragon not to attack you while you were coming to claim Garyth's stuff. :)
All rational thought leaves Garyth as the dragon swings him back and forth. Bare instinct keeps him fighting as hard as he can to break free and run for the hole.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
(OOC: Oh suuuuure... NOW you think about running... should we start calling you Jonah yet?)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
It should probably be noted, that had Garyth run right off the bat, the swamp dragon would have just munched whoever the closest sleeping person was.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
What might it have done if he hit it with his sword then took his movement off to the side, I wonder?
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
You can have his stuff, you're going to have to crawl inside the belly of the beast to get it.
Do we all wake up? I thought you had to make a Con check or something. Tyyyyyy.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
Everyone is awake, what with Garyth yelling his head off and Tichenor barking up a storm.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
Sa'id watches in horror as the beast snaps up Garyth in its jaws.
He was only trying to defend us, Sa'id thinks. And now he's as good as dead. But maybe if I can distract it...
If he could distract it, it might drop Garyth. Perhaps in the time it took the beast to get to him he could cast Mirror Image... for the first time, Sa'id regretted his inability to learn spells that would allow him to fly. He doubly regretted memorizing Identify over Cause Fear, though hopefully the morning would tell him something useful about the eye ring.
He had never seen such an animal before, but given the size of its head with respect to its body it couldn't possibly be too intelligent. Singing it might distract it. Pointing at the beast, he calls on the fire he has come to know so well on this journey [Scorching Ray]. He hopes to hit the thing on one of its legs if he can, or at least in that general vicinity.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
Fever dreams. He saw his father, Rigor, working steadily on the stones around the Garden of Vicar Hope, chiseling away at the dark granite with his bare fingers. He was making a bird-- an ulaan, one of the songbirds local to Bannock's Ire. Mission watched how his father's fingers swept across the stone easily, shaping it as easily as clay.
He turned to Mission. "We do not mold the Stone," he said, clearly and calmly. But he had just formed the wide, open eye of the songbird. "The Stone molds us."
And then he was facing Deacon Comfort in the Room of Discipline. "Illusion, Mission. The physical world is only Illusion. Sand and Shadow." Comfort moved swiftly to the side, and then lept at him, striking out with his two feet.
Mission caught the attack, and swept it away. Comfort laughed on the floor, delighted. Mission stared at him. If the physical world was illusion, why bother attacking with blows and fists, why discipline the body at all?
Because the physical world was not an illusion. It was just not everything there was. Incomplete.
Yes. Only a portion of the Stone could be touched. Only a part of the Path could be seen.
Blood.
The part unseen. The hidden.
Mission struggled out of his sickness, the sickness that Shadow had laid on him. It was not illusion, this thing that held his chest so tightly. It was real. And it ate at him. So that his elation at having discovered. . . something. . . about the Path was tempered in pain and hurt.
But that was the way of things. The way of the Path of Blood and Stone.
Mission hears Garyth's call for help, and wakes to see the giant lizard snatch him up. Rennick had screamed something as well-- Down! it sounded like.
Mission will flank the swamp dragon and attempt Stonetap (stunning blow).
Hopefully, that will make the dragon release Garyth. Mission will then help Garyth get to the safety of the tunnel.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
I'll be using my dodge bonus against the swamp dragon, if it comes to that, Ty.
If we get a chance to retreat, and Rennick and the wolf are amenable, and Garyth can climb down the rope himself, Mission will carry the wolf down the hole using slow fall. Um. . . that's a lot of if's and only if he can use the walls to get down.
But I don't see another way to get the wolf down the sewer. . .
Thinking ahead. . .
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
Yeah, at this point, Tichenor's scrambling. I figured we could probably lower him down using the rope and a bedroll, or cloak or something, if we weren't harrassed by the swamp dragon. Hrm.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
I would also allow Mission to use slowfall next to a rope.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 1
Cadfael wakens quickly to the sounds of Gayth's screams and when he sees the man caught in the swamp dragon's jaws his laughter cuts through the night.
"I told you you were nothing Garyth! But it seems the Gods have seen fit to make you a sacrifice. Do you like heroics? How does it taste?"
Cadfael will then, in no particular hurry, pack up his gear and head down the rope.
OOC -- If the others succeed in upsetting the thing or if Garyth isn't enough to satiate it Cadfael will hurry the heck up to get his ass down the rope.
Mission Kicks Some Ass, Takes Some Names
Subject: Peeping Wizards
Are the two of you whisperers going to let anyone else know the results of your finding?
Assuming we survive Godzilla . . .
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Peeping Wizards
Uh.. . that would be 'the results of your findings about the robe.'
A little clarification for ya. . .
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Peeping Wizards
All in good time. All in good time. Farron is still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "D-did someone say 'dragon'?"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Peeping Wizards
Seriously, though:
Farron awakens with a start. Instinctively his first thought is to scramble for the hole, having made sure he set up his bedroll right at the edge the night before. But he is distracted by Garyth's screams. Knowing he could not simply retreat and leave Garyth to die in the jaws of such a terrible beast, and knowing he could not himself fight such a thing, he does the next best thing. [summon monster: Celestial Hippogriff] He pulls the familiar candle and tiny bag from the pocket of his robes and weaves the spell to summon a Celestial Hippogriff. Once it appears he will order it to attack the dragon with all it's weapons, hoping the distraction will cause the swamp dragon to drop Garyth and defend itself.
From: Ty
Subject: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
The sound of crunching bone and Garyth's screams are terrible to hear. Sa'id is barely able to concentrate as he rolls out of his bedroll, and immediately begins searching through his robes for his components. Pointing one finger at the giant lizard, Sa'id speaks a word of eleven syllables and a lance of fire leaps from his outstretched hand. [Touch attack 13; hit; damage 1, 5, 4, 1] The fire strikes the swamp dragons flank, and works its way across leaving a black scorch mark. But the creatures hide must be incredibly tough, because other than the black mark, the fire does no visible damage.
Garyth, still being shaken back and forth and in terrible pain, tries to break free with superhuman effort. [Grapple roll 24 vs opposing roll 34] In spite of his strength and will to break free, the creatures jaws are just too strong, and he remains clamped between crushing three inch teeth.
Meanwhile, Cadfael hums happily to himself while he begins picking up his bedroll and other gear.
Rennik desperately fires three arrows at the dragon's head. Firing past Garyth is dangerous, but leaving the dragon to chew on him is probably worse, so he takes the risk. [Rapid shot 21, 13, 16; hit, miss, miss; damage 4; misses 37%, 50%] Only one arrows strikes the creature, and it only skids off appearing to do almost no damage. Fortunately the other two do not hit the hapless Garyth, though one misses him by inches.
Mission rolls out of bed, disheveled and sweaty looking. His color is beginning to come back, but he looks like he had a tough night. In spite of this, he leaps at the swamp dragon with amazing speed, and runs right up to the side of its huge head. He slams one open palm just under the creature's eye socket. [stunning fist; attack 27; damage 13; Fort save 13 vs DC 16; stunned] The blow is amazingly powerful, and strikes at exactly the right angle to inflict maximum damage. The crocodile visibly reels from the hit, and its jaw sags open, allowing Garyth to tumble out. The injured guardsman tries feebly to get up, but is unable to stand.
The crocodile continues to reel after the punch, and starts shaking its head as though trying to wake up.
Farron pulls his components out of his pockets, and calls forth a summoning spell in a voice like thunder. As soon as the last word is spoken, a huge hippogriff appears. It immediately launches itself into the air with a birdlike screech and a powerful down stroke of its wings. It claws the back of the staggering swamp dragon as it goes by, and then flaps its wings furiously, fighting for altitude. [Attacks 14, 15; miss, miss] The crocodiles back armor is very thick, and the hippogriff, in spite of its size and ferocity, appears to do no damage.
[Initiative Sa'id 20, Tichenor 17, Garyth 14, Cadfael 13, Rennik 12, Mission 12, Swamp dragon 5, Farron 4, hippogriff 4]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
BTW. Holy... CRAP Mission is stinking cool.
Makes me want to play a monk now....
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
Pain. The whole world is pain. It would be so easy just to give up, just to let it all end. But before he can even make up his mind about it, Garyth realizes that he is stumbling to his feet. He grits his teeth as he feels his broken ribs sliding past each other.
"Hurry!" he croaks. "Get below!"
He moves to protect the party as they get down the hole.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
Cadfael looks up and sees that the swamp dragon has lost his meal, though Garyth is still broken at its maw. He then glances back toward the hole and picks up his pace, resigning himself to the fact that he'll likely have to throw his belongings down rather than carrying them safely on his back.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
OOC: I should probably clarify a bit. Garyth will retreat toward the hole, but will want to make sure that Cadfael and the wizards, at the least, get down ahead of him, so in the event that they aren't hustling fast enough he'll keep himself between them and the swamp dragon.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
Despite the fury of the dragon and the miasma of Shadow in the jungle, his feet were on the Path still.
But Mission has no desire to face the swamp dragon. Not alone, not with the group, not ever, if he had his way.
"It won't remain stunned for long," Mission says. "Down the hole, and let's hope that armor can't contract!"
Mission will move for the hole. Hopefully, the mage-formed griffon would occupy the swamp dragon's attention long enough for all of them to get to safety.
Mission will snatch up the wolf, if it seems willing, and will slowfall down the rope.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
Tichenor recoils from the monk with a growl, drawing Rennik's attention. Somehow sensing Mission is trying to help from his confident and purposeful stride, he trusts the monk has some sort of plan to get the wolf into the hole. The gods only know what, but after what he did to the swamp dragon, Rennik believes Mission to be capable of almost anything.
In the halfling tongue, he calls out, "Tichenor! Go with the human!"
Grabbing his pack, Rennik will also move quickly toward the hole, firing an arrow back toward the creature when he has established himself within 5 feet of the hole.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
And again, Mission comes to someone's rescue, Sa'id thinks to himself. At least the monk wasn't self-righteous about it.
Sa'id turns and runs for the hole, since his spell didn't really affect the thing at all. He'll go down in to the tunnel.
Is He Down Or Not?
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
Farron watches with some pride as the hippogriff appears majestically and slashes at the now-dazed swamp dragon. Dazed? When did that happen? he thinks to himself, then seeing the monk climb down from the head of the thing begins to understand. He glances at the monk with renewed awe, but then puzzlement as the monk ignores the fallen Garyth, picks up the wolf and heads for the rope. "Garyth is down!" he cries to the group. "Rennik, Help me!"
Not knowing how long the dragon would be stunned, Farron quickly orders the hippogriff to insert itself between the party and the dragon and attack it with full fury while he attempts to help the fallen Garyth to the hole.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
OOC: I thought Garyth was already moving toward the hole?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
Oops-- I didn't notice that Ty wrote that Garyth was unable to stand after Godzilla dropped him.
Ty-- can Garyth get up and make it to the hole?
If it looks like Garyth can move and get away, or that Rennick will help the warrior get clear of the swamp dragon, Mission will Tumble away from the swamp dragon so as to avoid a AoO (the stun will wear off just before my next round). He'll snatch up Tichenor, and slow fall down the rope.
If it looks like Garyth can't or isn't moving and Rennick can't help him, Mission will try Stonetap again, and hope the fighter can get away next round.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
Well, the turn from Ty said he couldn't stand.
Mike's turn seemed to ignore that, and I was anticipating a note from Ty saying as much. I just don't want him to get left behind and thought this might be a chance for Farron to show some gumption.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
I didn't let Garyth stand up during my description, but once his turn rolls around, his player can have him get up. There is no rules based reason for Garyth to not get up. I just added it as color, since I figured getting shaken by a one ton crocodile would leave even the best of us a bit dizzy.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; nice lizard lizard lizard... 2
OK. That won't change my turn for Farron, but it will make the next turn easier if Garyth can walk.
Short Break
Subject: sorry
I am at a client site and they are going live tomorrow. I won't be checking in again till probably Friday.
I apologize for monkeying up the works.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: sorry
*starves to death, dies*
From: Karl
Subject: Re: sorry
*Tosses starved, dead Mission to swamp dragon and drags Garyth to safety*
From: Scott
Subject: Re: sorry
Friggin' opportunistic mage. . .
You just want me out of the way so you can have Anileth all to yourself. . .
Or were you just jealous of my newly formed platonic relationship with tall-dark-and-crazy Cadfael?
:)
:)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: sorry
I was just thinking "Waste not, want not." ;-)
Obscure Literary References
Subject: Re: sorry
As Mission's body hangs in the jaws of the swamp dragon, his lifeless arm waves at the retreating members of the party as the creature thrashes him from side to side.
"Look! He beckons! He beckons us to follow!" cries Cadfael.
:100 billion points to anyone who gets the literary reference. You guys utterly failed me on the last time I did this (Dear Little Friend). . .:
From: Matt
Subject: Re: sorry
Moby Dick, no?
More Break
Subject: Lizards
Ty's been eaten by the Swamp Dragon.
The DM is dead.
Long live the DM.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Lizards
How ironic. Ty's been eaten by Slash's cousin... the one who didn't get the evolutionary memo.
I'm not one to talk, though, so I'ma stop doing that.
Cadfael is a Big Pain in the Neck
Subject: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
[Initiative Sa'id 20, Tichenor 17, Garyth 14, Cadfael 13, Rennik 12, Mission 12, Swamp dragon 5, Farron 4, hippogriff 4]
Mission's warning that the swamp dragon will not be stunned for long still ringing in his ears; Sa'id runs full speed back to the tunnel opening. It was excellent foresight to keep the rope attached, and the wizard says a silent thank you to whoever's idea that was. He grabs the rope and begins climbing down, regretting that he has so little experience with such maneuvers, and cursing the slowness with which he climbs. Unfortunately, attempting to climb faster would put him in serious danger of losing his grip and falling 25' to the stone floor. The wizard hopes that the dragon doesn't do too much damage to the camp, since he was unable to stop and pick up his gear before descending.
Tichenor continues to dance around the swamp dragon, barking and dodging. The dragon is still stunned, and the wolf is doing its best to keep the monster confused and off balance.
Garyth moves over to the tunnel opening, and puts himself between the dragon and the rope. His face is white and drawn with the pain caused by moving, but his expression and grim, and his weapons to not falter in his hands.
Cadfael carries his collected gear over to the hole, still humming his jaunty little tune. He drops the bundle past the climbing wizard, and then begins descending the rope just above him.
Rennik realizes that he will not have time to pick up his gear and still get off another shot while moving toward the hole. Always a believer that a good offense is the best defense, he abandons his pack for the time being, and moves over next to Garyth to take one final shot. [Roll 21, hit; damage 3] Again, the arrow strikes the monster, but just bounces off, appearing to do little damage.
However, the dragon gives one final massive shake of its head after the arrow hits, and the shakiness leaves its bearing. Mission cartwheels away [Tumble attempt 18; success] from the dragon, avoid the creature's quick snap at his heels as he retreats. He pauses for a quick second to tuck the large wolf under one arm, then moves to the hole to wait for Cadfael and Sa'id to move out of the way.
The swamp dragon, now fully recovered from its unsteadiness, and apparently quite angry at the indignity of having a soft pink thing knock it silly, lunges across the space between it and the group in a lightning fast move. Its jaws open wider than it would seem possible, and it attempts to swallow the now encumbered monk in one huge bite. [Attack 18, hit; Damage 20; grapple attempt 31 vs 28; grappled] The bite pins Mission's left arm and shoulder inside the creature's mouth, and he drops the wolf.
Almost as an afterthought, the swamp dragon's tail comes whipping across the ground at Farron's legs. [Attack 31, hit; Damage 24; trip attempt 25 vs 2 resist; Farron is tripped] The tail strikes his knees with bone crushing force, and the wizard is literally flipped completely over by the blow, landing with a sickening crunch on his neck.
The wizard is still conscious though, and calls out for aid to his hippogriff while he tries to crawl back to his feet.
The hippogriff comes slashing down onto the swamp dragon's broad and armored back. [Attacks 22, 21; both hit; damage 10, 8] Both claw attacks strike home, and this time they actually do some visible damage, as a section of the crocodile's armored skin is ripped away from its shoulder in a spray of blood. The crocodile whips its head around, trying to bite at the annoying thing on its back. It appears that the dragon may be distracted for a while if the hippogriff can keep tearing at it.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Addendum:
When the croc turned to face the hippogriff, it of course dropped Mission.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Farron will command the hippogriff to keep attacking and will move as quickly as possible toward the hole.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Cadfael climbs down lightly after Sa'id, as he is in no hurry himself he is not bothered by the mage's slow descent.
When he reaches the bottom he will gather his things and check to make sure nothing is broken. Assuming all is in good order he will move a healthy distance from the rope, unpack his bedroll and try and catch up on lost sleep.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Mission picks himself off the ground.
"I'll get the wolf," he pants lamely.
He'll grab Tichenor again, and drop down the hole using slowfall.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
I hope mission will remember it was MAGERY that saved his ass this time. Perhaps he will make mention of it during Farron's eulogy.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
If Mission can't make it through the hole this round, for whatever reason, he'll use stonetap again on the swamp dragon.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Ok. Here is the deal. Those without any climb skill or rope skill are forced to move at 1/4 speed down the rope. That basically means that only one person per round will be able to get on the rope. People can move faster, but they will take the chance of falling.
Though, a 25 foot drop does less damage than a bite from the dragon, so you picks yer poison on that one.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Well, in Farron's case, I imagine either the bite or the fall would finish him off, so you can pick whichever one has the most dramatic value.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
I'm guessing the guys will let the badly thrashed Farron go next. And the hippogriff should be able to keep the croc busy another round or two. Without a critical, the croc can't kill the hippogriff in one round.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Sadly for everyone else, Cadfael seems pretty relaxed about this whole situation and isn't about to risk his neck by climbing too fast.
1/4 movement rate it is.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Cadfael. Traitor. Madman. Mission watches him out of the corner of his eyes, as the cleric shouts insanity at Garyth, as he slips slowly down the hole.
And now to see him clutching the rope, hear him huffing and panting lightly-- he didn't seem in any hurry to get down.
A sudden impact, like he had slammed his shoulder into a boulder, and Mission felt the swamp dragon's teeth tear into his arm and side. It had him, and he felt a moment's panic. But then, a rush of wind, the smell of some animal, musky and powerful-- and Farron's griffon raked its claws along the dragon's back.
He was free. Free to move.
If Mission can get down the hole using slowfall, he will attempt to hurry Cadfael along-- by smacking him on his way down (subdual damage). He'll only do this if he can make the move without upsetting his own balance, whilst holding a passenger, and only if he thinks he can knock Cadfael off the rope to make room for someone else.
On that note if Mission thinks he can grab Farron and make it safely down the hole in one round, he will carry the mage down rather than Tichenor.
That said, if Mission cannot slowfall while people are on the rope, he'll stay up top and strike the swamp dragon with stonetap.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
*climb climb climb*
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Rennik will stand at the top of the hole while the beast is distracted to make sure everyone else gets clear. If Mission did in fact grab Farron instead of Tichenor, he will stay topside with the wolf until he can think of some way to get the animal to safety.
If the beast again turns to focus on the party and Tichenor is not safe, Rennik will climb the nearest tree to get above the swamp dragon's snapping jaws, and start tagging it with arrows from above.
Keeping the Beast Distracted, Who Jumps?, Rules Discussion: Falling Damage
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Garyth silently curses the priest. His heart nearly stops when he sees both Mission and Farron go down, and he runs forward to help Farron to his feet. Hustling the wizard to the hole, he glances down, judging the distance. It's deep, but maybe not so deep that jumping down would kill him. Almost as if in response to the thought, Garyth feels one of his broken ribs shift. If it's a choice between jumping or being food, he'll jump.
[Garyth will wait until Mission and Farron have started down the hole. At that point he'll climb down if he has time, or will jump (and make the appropriate Jump check to reduce damage) if the croc has finished with the hippogriff.]
From: Ty
Subject: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
[Initiative Sa'id 20, Tichenor 17, Garyth 14, Cadfael 13, Rennik 12, Mission 12, Swamp dragon 5, Farron 4, hippogriff 4]
Sa'id gets within five feet of the floor, and seeing the tense faces ringing the hole above him, decides to go ahead and drop the remaining distance. He is able to land without harming himself, though he does go sprawling onto his backside.
The wolf, looking fairly disgruntled by all the recent manhandling, dances away from the stricken monk, and continues darting in and out at the crocodile, using its speed and agility to distract the beast. Though, clearly, the wolf has greater than normal cunning. It never allows itself to get within range of the massive crocodile's jaws.
Garyth's eyes go wide when he sees the normally invincible seeming monk clamped in the dragon's jaws and shaken like a rag doll. But of even greater concern is the devastating injury to Farron's legs. Garyth rushes to his side as he struggles to get up, and helps him to move over to the hole.
Cadfael continues down the rope at his careful pace, while Sa'id curses at him in a foreign tongue from below.
Rennik sees that the top of the rope is now open, and yells to Mission to grab Tichenor while Garyth helps Farron. Mission is able to pick the wolf up one more time, then grabs the rope with one hand and slides down. His feet strike the top of Cadfael's head about 15 feet above the ground, and the cleric goes tumbling off the rope [Climb check failed]. Cadfael lands heavily on his back, and the wind is knocked out of him [damage 5]. Mission drops lightly to his feet after the priest falls, and puts Tichenor on the ground next to him. Meanwhile, Rennik looses another barrage of arrows to keep the dragon busy. [Attacks 15, 18, 23; miss, miss, hit; damage 6] Once again, a single arrow strikes home, though this time it lodges in the croc's flaring nostril and seems to do more than just annoy it.
The swamp dragon has larger foes to worry about than the halfling though. It contorts its body, and snaps at the hippogriff still perched on its broad back. [Attack 30; hit; damage 22; grapple attempt 38 vs 9, grappled] The dragon grips the hippogriff in its massive jaws, and begins shaking the creature apart. From the sounds of crunching bone, the summoned monster will not last long.
The hippogriff continues to rake the dragon even while clenched in its jaws. [Hippogriff full attack 10, 18, 16; all miss] But the creature is unable to get any leverage while being shaken about, and all of its attacks strike the crocodile's armor without effect.
[Garyth, Rennik, and Farron are all at the rope. At most, two can go down the rope in one round. So, either someone waits, or someone jumps.]
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Farron, with Garyth assisting, struggles toward the hole, each step causing sharp stabbing pain to shoot though his hips and up his back. Dully under the pain he can feel the crunch and grind of dislocated and broken bones. He pats once on his side, checking for blood, but the additional shooting pain that causes makes him not want to check again. Luckily his hand comes away free of blood, but that doesn't help the thought that he's probably bleeding inside. He wonders absently if someone will think to bring his pack.
(Farron will stay with Garyth and do as he says in terms of going down the rope first or not. He isn't going to jump unless the swamp dragon comes for him again. Either way he's dead, but by jumping he might deprive the foul thing of a free meal.)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
The hippogriff is fading fast; in a few moments the swamp dragon will be on them. Farron is in no condition to be jumping, and Rennik's small size would likely make the fall worse for him. By the time all of this has occured to Garyth, though, he is already motioning for Farron and Rennik to get down the hole. "Go!" he shouts. "Hurry!"
If any of the party's gear is in reach, he'll kick it down the hole. Otherwise he'll take the rear, climbing down next turn if there's time, jumping if not.
OOC: Ty, I noticed that your email address seems to have changed. Do you want me to change the list to reflect that, or should I keep the other one in there?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Mission will keep one eye on the hole above, and one eye on Cadfael.
If any of the party jumps through, he'll attempt to jump at them and catch them in midair, and use slowfall to ease their way down.
OOC: Hey, it's a longshot, but my rolls have been pretty good so far. . .
Ty, is the hole big enough to let a swamp dragon through?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Scott, there is zero chance of you pulling off that maneuver, just so you know. :)
And it doesn't look like that croc could squeeze through the hole. Nor, with a 25 foot drop on the other side, would he probably want to.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Oh.
Shoot my hopes down, why don't you.
What if I rolled a 20?
Okay, so no jumping up in the air, ala Superman and catching Garyth-- but Mission WILL stare very hard at the hole and use his massive will to make the warrior's landing softer.
And he'll watch that yella-bellied godbotherer too.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Rennik will hold Garyth back before the wounder soldier leans to make his jump.
"Friend Garyth, wait! You are wounded, and a bad landing from this height could cripple you. I am used to jumping from trees and softening my fall - it is a test of courage for Chorrdath children. I will be okay - you help the mage!"
(OOC: Rennik has a Jump of 8 and a Tumble of 5, which can reduce the fall damage down to a d6 with a successful roll... instead of the 3d6 it'd be for Garyth)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
OOC -- Cadfael casts Cure Serious Wounds on himself to cure 5 measly points of damage and spite the rest of the party. Ok, not really, but he seriously considers it :)
IC:
Mission's blow from above takes Cadfael by surprise and he falls heavily to the ground where he lands in an awkward heap.
Standing, he slowly and deliberately wipes blood from his mouth. Glaring at the monk he speaks thickly, clearly having bitten his tongue in the fall.
"2 days."
He then spins on his heel and retrieves his fallen pack. Ripping out the bedroll he tosses the rest aside and lays down to sleep.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
"Good idea," Mission says softly to Cadfael. "We can use your bedroll to bandage Garyth's and Farron's wounds. I'm glad to see you're thinking ahead. Go ahead and start tearing it into strips. I doubt any of us will get any rest at all these next two days, anyway."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Garyth pauses for a moment. He should be the one to stay behind. The group needs Rennik's knowledge and skills more than they need one more strong arm. But the halfling is right, so he nods and helps Farron to the rope before descending himself.
OOC: Having ranks in Tumble would be useful. Garyth has 4 ranks in Jump for a total bonus of 7. Plus I thought it was 1d6 per 10 feet. That made more sense than 1d6 per 10 feet or fraction thereof, since I don't think 1d6 makes a lot of sense for a 5 foot fall. Either way, though, Rennik would do better. So go for yours. :)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Yes, Mike is right. The total damage for the fall would be 2d6, or 1d6 if you can jump or tumble the first 10 feet. In the old rules, it was 1d6 for 10', and then a progression from there of 2d6 for the next 10, and 3d6 for the next 10, and so on. A 30' fall was 5d6 damage under those rules.
In the new rules, it would be a straight 3d6.
It took me a while to find the open source rules on falling damage.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Yeah-- the Open Source for 3.5 kind of sucks in that the download seperates everything into different, seperate documents that are not easily searchable.
:feels Ty's pain:
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; of crocodiles and hippogriffs
Ah, the joys of find-by-content indexing. ;)
IC:
Sa'id listens to Mission and Cadfael's exchange wordlessly. He feels numb. His fire had barely hurt the thing, whatever it was. Swamp dragon. If only the party had been closer together and his thoughts more collected when he awoke... a mass invisibility spell might have resolved the problem without a fuss. Now Garyth was probably dead... no. Peering up the hole, Sa'id sees the human standing at the edge. He breathes a sigh of relief.
He felt impotent, worthless. He could feel his mood darkening with each breath. If he could not drive off a mere jungle beast -- an overgrown jungle beast to be sure, but still a dumb animal -- how could he conceivably defeat as guileful and cunning a foe as Anileth guided by Kor Garesh? And Elise?
He shook his head. Hopeless. He was a lost cause.