Playas, sound off!
Mike says, "Here."
Harrowhark says, "Yo."
Vendrik shimmies and shakes.
Episode 10: The Fallen Tower
The tower has fallen from the sky and landed in chunks piled together. Water flows through parts of it. There are six entrances.
At the southern end, a circular doorway leads inside. A large crack in the western wall leads inside as well; you can hear water that way. Higher up the side near that, a crack provides egress to some other area.
Further north along the western side, an entire section of the tower is open to the air; it looks like you could climb up, then get inside. There's a shattered crystal dome providing entrance at the eastern end of the tower, BUT the shards move around, making it dangerous. At the northern end, ravens fly in out of a wall with raven-sized holes; you could probably climb up and smash it open to get human and Vendrik-sized entrance.
There may be monsters inside, but the only animals outside are a few rabbits and the ravens.
Niamh considers this for a while.
Very distantly, you see glittering lights slowly descend, craashing into the ground a few miles west of you.
The field vermin ignore this but the ravens all flee inside the building even though the lights are far away.
Samantha says, "never a good sign."
Harrowhark asks, "Niamh, I bow to your wisdom in this. Where would a wizard keep their Wondercore?"
Niamh says, "That very topic is what I am reviewing, Harrow."
Kiara studies the tower herself.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+10x2"
Result is: (1d20+10) 25 (1d20+10) 19 for Mike
Kiara says, "roll d20+5"
Result is: (d20+5) 6 for Kiara
Niamh says, "Hmm. Given the archetectural and security trends among mages of the Third Age, I believe the Wondercore would be located as close to the dead middle of the tower's structure as possible... with some slight variation for the construction and layout, of course."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d12+2x3"
Result is: (d12+2) 9 (d12+2) 9 (d12+2) 5 for Manny Mo'Jac
Kiara nods uncertainly. "Well, I know how a regular rich guy would lay out his hideout, but wizzards are beyond me."
Harrowhark says, "Hmm."
Niamh says, "I believe either the crack from which water sounds emerge, or the dome would provide us entrance that would be closest to the location."
Harrowhark asks, "The dome would probably have been at the apex of the tower, yes?"
Harrowhark says, "It seems to me that if you go to the trouble of having a transparent crystal dome, you put it on the top, where it can let the light in."
Vendrik rumbles something which sounds vaguely like, "Gnomish archmage."
Niamh says, delicately, "You are correct, Harrow. That would indeed be where the dome was located. Before it was rammed to earth in a tumble of masonry and misplaced layers. Now, however, it is rather closer to the middle."
Luke watches the glass fly apart, try to assemble itself, fail, and slice through the air again. "I'm thinking that dome looks dangerous to me."
Harrowhark says, "You mistake my point, Niamh. I was merely saying that while what was once the top has clearly been rammed into place closer to what was once the middle, we KNOW that it was once the top, which means that even if it is closer to our goal than once it was, it may not provide easy access. We should probably enter through a 'middle' section that has a higher probability of having been the 'middle' when the tower was intact."
Harrowhark asks, "Which would be the watery section, if what you say is true. No?"
Niamh says, "I agree with this logic."
Samantha says, "let's go confirm it."
Harrowhark nods.
You circle around to the area where you can hear water.
This was once a library, before the tower fell and the wall cracked open.
Niamh makes interested noises and checks if any books survived.
Kiara gives the books a bored look and tries to figure out where the running water is coming from.
Harrowhark is also interested in the world-perverting magics the tomes might contain, but like. Not in a WEIRD way.
There are maybe as many as three dozen dead people - naked and decomposing at a rate which is visible. A few of them clutch scrolls or writing utensils. This was once a library, though part of the ceiling was once a wall of a kitchen; it is flooded waist-deep. What was once a window... is now in the floor but under the window is a space which was once riverbed and is now dry... the open window somehow holds the water back. Gaps in the rubble lead roughly south and east, further into the building. Images of librarians flicker in and out of existence, probably magical librarian constructs now malfunctioning.
The water flows in from the southern entrance.
Harrowhark, as a death priestess with no small knowledge of necromancy, examines the bodies carefully to determine what the what.
Kiara says, "...ooookay, this is freaky."
Niamh raises an eyebrow. "It would seem the tower was still inhabited during the 13th Age."
Vendrik says, "Maybe they've been stuck like that for 10 ages."
Kiara says, "Or else the gnome-y guy had a really weird taste for preserving bodies in stasis, or something like that."
Kiara asks, "I mean, regular guys don't just wander around libraries in the nude, y'know?"
Harrowhark says, "No. These people were almost certainly alive until... well... the tower hit the ground."
Niamh says, "...they don't?" with the bafflement of someone who, when at home in their private library, does sometimes forget to dress themselves.
Samantha says, "well crap."
Harrowhark says, "What you're seeing is the magic used to prolong their existence unraveling and the natural world asserting itself over their remains."
Kiara says, "...I wasn't gonna go there, Nimmy, I really wasn't." She waggles her eyebrows.
Kiara says to Harrowhark, "Yeah, that's what I was talking about. In stasis or something like that. Weird magic fields keeping them alive but frozen in time, or something."
Harrowhark says, "This Archmage has much to answer for."
Mike says, "roll 1d20+10x2"
Result is: (1d20+10) 26 (1d20+10) 24 for Mike
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+9"
Result is: (1d20+9) 25 for Harrowhark
Harrowhark says, "We should probably not touch them."
Harrowhark says, "It's... odd that so many were in the library."
Niamh peers at the bodies and points her staff questioningly at one or two of them, then comments, "Interesting. Some of these people are in fact golems. Others are definitely human, though. What I find interesting is the NUMBER of corpses. Unless everyone ran to the library when the tower was hit, there should not be so many. That might suggest they were deposited here afterwards... which might also explain the lack of clothing."
Harrowhark asks, "Perhaps the library was the most reinforced part of the tower?"
Harrowhark says, "Or they sought some magic in the books to preserve themselves."
Niamh says, "The large crack in the wall suggests otherwise.
Vendrik chuckles, "Orgy in face of certain doom?"
Samantha says, "don't be ridiculous."
Niamh says, "Whatever the answer, the Wondercore does not lie here."
Niamh says, "We should continue on... carefully."
Harrowhark says, "First we should conduct last rites for those poor victims of gnomish wizardry."
Niamh sighs. "If you must."
Kiara shrugs. "Cool, if you want."
Luke nods. "The dead should be respected."
Harrowhark says, "This will go faster if you help, Niamh. I know you know how."
Luke assists Harrowhark in the rites.
Harrowhark uses her best non-denmominational rites!
Niamh raises an eyebrow. "I am not a priestess, Harrow. I have no authority to conduct any sort of funerary rituals save in the absence of a proper authority. And we have you here."
Niamh says, "If you wish me to fetch and carry for you, I suppose I can do that."
The remains finish turning to dust which floats away in the water; the air lightens a little in the room.
Kiara says, "Whew. That's better."
From here, you can go 'upstream' to another room, or climb up a bit and go deeper into the fortress, or drop through the window into a magically dry area under this whole mess.
Kiara asks, "...you said this core thingie would be towards the center, Nimmy?"
Samantha says, "don't suppose one of you guys can whip up something to detect magic energy? might make the search a little faster."
Harrowhark is in favor of going deep.
Kiara says, "Probably we ought to go deeper in, yeah."
Niamh says, "Yes. Going deeper in will take us in the right direction. I cannot speak for any obstacles in the path, however."
Niamh says, "Sam, I'm afraid that would be like a spell to detect water... in the middle of a lake."
Samantha says, "damn"
Niamh says, "This tower was filled with magical processes and enchantments. There will be residual magic everywhere, like those librarians."
Mike says, "OOC: I assume we move deeper in now."
Kiara says, "Or creepy display pieces. Whatever."
Kiara says, "OOC Yeah, sounds good to me."
Kiara asks, "Hey, you're the magic lady, Nimmy - you think traps and dangers here are more likely to be physical stuff I watch out for, or magic stuff you catch?"
You clamber out of the water and up slippery rubble, through a doorway into a chapel dedicated to Correlon, Pelor, and Istus. Istus is weaving a tapestry--- you can see your own faces on it. Correllon is casting a spell and Pelor is sitting on a throne and shining like the sun. Twelve bodies have been laid out in a 3 by 4 box and have rotted down to the bones and are covered in dust which was once clothing. One of them clutches a wand. Three piles of rocks covered with runes are trying clumsily to perform last rites on the bodies but clearly don't quite know what they're doing. There is an altar by the wall with the paintings of the three dieties. Something is written under one of the dead bodies but you can't read it with the skeleton in the way. Written in blood.
Kiara looks warily at the tapestry. "Uh... that some sort of magic vision thing, Nimmy, or is that really us shown on that thing?"
There are three exits - you came in one, a second one is choked with rubble and you would have to crawl through it. The third is a locked door.
Niamh says, "An interesting question, Kiara. On the one hand, the expertise of the tower's owner would lend itself to magical traps. On the other, if the thieves he feared were other mages... and who else could reach a flying tower... physical traps would be more effective against them."
The three crude golems ignore you all and continue trying to do the last rites.
Kiara says, "Makes sense, I guess."
Niamh says, "I assume it is us, as the gnome knew who we were."
Kiara looks over her shoulder, as if trying to catch some kind of temporal spy.
Harrowhark assists the golems in conducting the last rites.
No one is spying on Kiara... who she can see
Niamh says, sounding bitterly amused, "He certainly knew MY face at any rate."
The golems bow to Harrowhark, then begin to head for the library; you get the impression, they want to bring up more remains.
DaR From Another Place says, "Vendrik would like everyone to know he won't let any gnomish archmage inject him with time-altering vaccines."
The writing is revealed- it's third age common; this takes DC 15 on Int + relevant background to read it.
Niamh says, "Ah, I see. The golems are using the library as a morgue."
Kiara says, "...yeah, these golems must be pretty loyal."
Niamh looks at the writing.
Voice of John Biles exclaims, "And will stay away from demon sperm!"
Mike says, "roll 1d20+10x2"
Result is: (1d20+10) 29 (1d20+10) 22 for Mike
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "You don't know what he does on the weekends. You can't judge!"
Niamh says, "It asks me to avenge them, and informs me I can 'have the wand'." She glances about, then walks over and picks something up off the floor by the altar.
Samantha says, "that's nice. Nothing about the core, though."
Luke looks disappointed. "No Great Gold Wyrm. That's a shame."
DaR From Another Place says, "Vendrik isn't saying it's aliens."
Harrowhark asks, "What have you got there, Niamh?"
Niamh asks one of the golems in her best Third Age to point the way to the location of the Wondercore.
Niamh says, "It is a wand, suitable for a spellcaster."
The Golems have left the room and gone down to the library.
DaR From Another Place says, "It's her pretty princess makeup stick."
Niamh says, "I have always preferred staves, but this one is quite potent."
Kiara says, "Just watch out if she points it at you. She's got seeeeeekret Powers!" She grins.
Samantha says, "rrrrrrriiiiight."
Harrowhark says, "We can wait for the Golems to get back and you can ask your question, Niamh."
Niamh says, "I believe this rubble-choked door leads to the center, or closer than the locked one."
You wait a bit, the golems return... given all the bodies are now gone from the library, they move to three corners of the room and stand there, possibly to stand there until the whole place collapses.
Niamh tries asking again.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+7"
Result is: (d20+7) 10 for Manny Mo'Jac
The golems point at Niamh, though it seems unlikely she has the Wondercore. Then they each touch their lips.
Numo takes on the 'face' of a golem and touches his lips, then giggles.
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "Golems need love too, Niamh!"
Voice of John Biles says, "They need her alien DNA"
Kiara snickers. "Ooooh, they want a wake-up kiss?" She grins, then continues more seriously, "Or maybe they just want you to say a password?"
Chris-hotep says, "Golem Orgy III - Rock Hard"
Numo puckers up at Kiara.
Luke says, "I don't know if they can speak; they don't have any mouths. I guess they could have magic, though."
DaR From Another Place says, "Kiara could definitely get some tongue from Numo."
Samantha says, "guess it'd be too easy to just ask them to get the core."
Niamh says, irritably, "I think they're saying that they can't talk, and thus can't answer my question."
Kiara shrugs. "Well, let's see if they react when we try to clear the doorway." She moves over and starts pulling rocks out of the blocked doorway.
Harrowhark says, "They could mime."
The Golems hang out.
Harrowhark pauses. "No, wait, if I recall my history miming was banned in the Third Age."
Harrowhark says, "They threw you into a hellhole."
Niamh examines the rubble door, trying to see if they can all crawl though it.
Niamh says, "Be careful, Kiara. Don't cause a collapse."
Kiara grins back. "You gonna show us how it's done?"
Vendrik will have the hardest time but all of you can crawl through the rubble-blocked area, though Numo will have to get off Niamh and crawl on his own
It's not going to be fun, though..
Vendrik looks pretty unhappy at having to crawl through such a teeny tiny little space. "Am not baby for crawling through small wet tunnels."
Niamh says, "None of us are overjoyed, Sir Vendrik." She squirms down and starts crawling.
Harrowhark follows Niamh.
Luke says, "It ain't gonna be fun. Maybe one of us in front and the other in back."
Samantha follows as well. "Just another work day."
Kiara shrugs and gestures to Luke. "Be my guest, I'll follow."
Niamh, being fairly thin, would have easy going were it not for the... drag at the upper front.
You wiggle into an area which was once bedrooms, maybe; there are bits of furnture and dust that was once people. These rooms have all partly collapsed; four tunnels lead out, southwest, southeast, northwest, and north east. The southeast and southwest tunnels go deeper in, but there's a rpoblem.
The problem is three things that resemble Numo are here, raving and howling in an angry rage, accompanied by free floating balls of flame. Probably homonculi gone mad from their masters dying and the other things... baby fire elementals? Weird magic? Angry souls of dead magi? Who knows. But there's three homonculi and three balls of fire and they are now attacking in this cramped space.
Numo bravely howls in terror.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Everyone roll initiative."
Vendrik says, "roll d20"
Result is: (d20) 6 for Vendrik
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+5 d20+7 d20+1"
Result is: (d20+1) 3 (d20+5) 21 (d20+7) 18 for Manny Mo'Jac
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5+2"
Result is: (1d20+5+2) 15 for Kiara
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+2x2"
Result is: (1d20+2) 15 (1d20+2) 20 for Harrowhark
Akio says, "Wait, do we add our level bonus to init rolls? I can never remember."
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3"
Result is: (1d20+3) 14 for Samantha
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "Ooh, I forgot, yeah. I'm a 7!"
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+3"
Result is: (1d20+3) 22 for Samantha
Voice of John Biles says, "Yes, you do"
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4x2"
Result is: (1d20+4) 15 (1d20+4) 24, crit for Mike
Okay!
Niamh, you are first. You have clear shots at whatever you would like to shoot at but you are all hunched over and crawling. Numo seems absolutely panicked.
Akio says, "MURDER"
Niamh says, irritably, "Numo, stop bawling." She points her new wand at the lead ball of flame and attempts to hit it with Frozen Stare of the Dancing Yug-Sage Nygothya.
Numo continues to bawl, unable to obey that command.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+2+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+1) 25 for Mike
Mike says, "roll 3d6+1"
Result is: (3d6+1) 12 for Mike
The good news -- you hit. The bad news is that a little lance of purple energy lances out of the ball of flame and you take 2 damage
Akio asks, "... what the shit?"
Akio asks, "What is THIS nonsense?"
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "Damage reflect!"
You have staggered the creature, shoudl it matter.
Niamh then uses her movement to try and scuttle to cover behind one of the melee people.
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "The rogues can kill themselves on them!"
You're going to have to make a Dex 15 check because moving around here is hard.
Mike asks, "OOC: May I add Pilgrimage Traveler for experience moving in cramped spaces crowded with people?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Hmm, yes, I'll allow that."
Mike says, "roll 1d20+2+4+2"
Result is: (1d20+2+4+2) 12 for Mike
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d6"
Result is: (1d6) 1 for Manny Mo'Jac
You make it... but you cut yourself for 1 point of damage on some broken glass.
Samantha is next, then the balls of flame go
Akio says, "Got dammit, when we went deeper we ended up with balls."
Voice of John Biles says, "The gnome archmage's ghost is laughing at that."
Akio asks, "Will no one help us now that we're balls deep?"
DaR From Another Place says, "We crawled through a dark wet tiny little tight tunnel and now we're balls deep. Tonight is not a euphimism for something."
Samantha tumbling strikes at a Numo
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+4"
Result is: (1d20+4) 24, crit for Samantha
NUMO MURDER
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC you do double damage!"
Samantha says, "roll 1d8+4"
Result is: (1d8+4) 8 for Samantha
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Now roll disengage with +5"
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 23 for Samantha
You injure but do not stagger Dark Numo 1
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Roll d20+10; you need a 15 or higher to not injure yourself "
Frito asks, "Er, don't you get 2d8+4 now?"
Voice of John Biles says, "Dang"
Voice of John Biles says, "I doubled the damage he rolled."
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+10"
Result is: (1d20+10) 22 for Samantha
Voice of John Biles says, "OH"
DaR From Another Place says, "No, he should have 2d8 base."
Voice of John Biles exclaims, "Yeah, y'all are 2nd level!"
DaR From Another Place says, "Level 2."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Roll another 1d8, Rod"
Sniper Ox says, "ooooooh"
Samantha says, "roll 1d8"
Result is: (1d8) 5 for Samantha
Samantha staggers her foe.
And is not hurt
Here's the bad news, the fireballs can phase through rock.
Or Vendrik
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d6x2"
Result is: (1d6) 2 (1d6) 3 for Manny Mo'Jac
Fireballs shoot at Samantha, Harrowhark, and Niamh.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+10x3"
Result is: (d20+10) 12 (d20+10) 27 (d20+10) 14 for Manny Mo'Jac
Harrow gets fried and is now at 35 HP.
Harrowhark gets to go and then the Dark Numos attack
Harrowhark could give a shit about being down five. "Vendrik! BE QUICK ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS!" She INVIGORATES him, giving him +2 to his next attack roll!
Harrowhark then scuttles over to hide with Niamh.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Dex check; you can add Dungeoneering, Harrow"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC DC 15"
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 15 for Harrowhark
Harrow makes it without injury
The Dark Numos make a beeline for Niamh... but they can't phase, so Dark Numo squad attacks Vendrik.
They spit acid on him.
Niamh peevishly says to Harrow, "Are any of these undead? Can they be turned?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+6x3"
Result is: (d20+6) 17 (d20+6) 7 (d20+6) 11 for Manny Mo'Jac
Vendrik takes 6 acid and the next foe to attack him gets +2... next round. It's time for Kiara, then Vendrik, then Luke
Harrowhark says, "They are not, and I'm afraid I didn't prepare my blessings against the undead, Niamh."
Harrowhark says, "I instead prepared my healing and protection blessings."
Kiara does a tumble for the Dark Numo that got staggered earlier!
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+6+1"
Result is: (1d20+6+1) 13 for Kiara
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Roll a disengage check at +5 and a Dex check at DC 15 to see if you cut yourself on glass"
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 10 for Kiara
You fail to disengage.
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5+2"
Result is: (1d20+5+2) 11 for Kiara
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d6"
Result is: (1d6) 1 for Manny Mo'Jac
But you succeed in cutting your leg!
Vendrik time, then Luke!
Vendrik levels his sword across the rim of his sheild and the resolves to Pierce right through the most wounded of the Dark Numos. d20+10 2d10+5 "These are small like babies, who sent babies to fight Vendrik?" He inspires Samantha and Niamh for +1 to hit with a second resolve.
Result is: (d20+10) 15 (2d10+5) 15
DaR From Another Place says, "Targets PD."
The one which Kiara was now engaged with DIES
Akio exclaims, "Invigorate already pullin' its weight!"
Luke challenges the fireball which zapped Niamh. "YOU AND ME, BUCKO!" He then stabbinates
Manny Mo'Jac says, "d20+7 2d10+7"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+7 2d10+7"
Result is: (2d10+7) 16 (d20+7) 13 for Manny Mo'Jac
Luke gets zapped for 2 points but that fireball bursts and dies.
New round! Escalation Die of 1. Niamh is first, then Samantha, then the two surviving fireballs.
Two Dark Numos and Two Fireballs remain
Niamh aims her wand at the most currently wounded of the Dark Numos. "Icicle Impaling Dweomer of Vlad the Coldhearted."
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+2+1+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+1+1) 18 for Mike
Hit!
Mike says, "roll 3d6+1"
Result is: (3d6+1) 12 for Mike
A Dark Numo now has an icicle stuck through his gummy flesh; he leaks purple ichor.
Samantha!
Tobias says, "Can't argue with my damage rolls so far tonight."
Samantha also targets the most wounded Numo with the Tumble
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 13 for Samantha
Miss! Roll d20+5, DC 11 to try to disengage and d20+10, DC 15 to avoid hurting yourself
Tobias says, "ahahaha"
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 15 for Samantha
Voice of John Biles says, "MACE TIME"
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+10"
Result is: (1d20+10) 18 for Samantha
Well, you miss but you also escape your foe!
Fireballs shoot at Harrow and Samantha
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+10x5"
Result is: (d20+10) 23 (d20+10) 11 (d20+10) 12 (d20+10) 24 (d20+10) 28 for Manny Mo'Jac
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Dang it."
DaR From Another Place asks, "Rod, what is your dex?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+10x2"
Result is: (d20+10) 11 (d20+10) 21 for Manny Mo'Jac
Samantha is zapped for 5 points.
Voice of John Biles says, "Samantha has a 16 Dex."
Harrowhark, then the Dark Numos!
DaR From Another Place says, "In that case she should be rolling +5 base (+3 for Dex, +2 for level 2), +6 with inspire and +7 for escalation die of 1. Plus anything from magic or talents."
Akio asks, "Everyone is only down chump change, right? Five to eight HP or so?"
Voice of John Biles says, "Yes"
Harrowhark says, "Keep it going, Vendrik!" She invigorates him again.
Dark Numos attack Vendrik; one gets +2
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+8 d20+6"
Result is: (d20+6) 18 (d20+8) 20 for Manny Mo'Jac
Vendrik takes 6 acid damage and one gets +2 to hit him next round.
Kiara is next, followed by Vendrik, then ELVIS... I mean Luke
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC OH WAIT"
Kiara asks, "OOC Hmm?"
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC Okay, continue!"
Akio says, "Okay, if this goes another round Vendy is getting actual healing."
Kiara does a tumbling strike again on the most-wounded Numo!
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5+2+1+1"
Result is: (1d20+5+2+1+1) 22 for Kiara
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC hit!"
Kiara says, "roll 2d8+1d4+1"
Result is: (2d8+1d4+1) 19 for Kiara
He is now gravely injured
DC 11 Disengage check on d20+5 and make a Dex 15 check to tumble away without hurting yourself
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5 "
Result is: (1d20+5) 25, crit for Kiara
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+5"
Result is: (1d20+5) 7 for Kiara
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d6"
Result is: (1d6) 2 for Manny Mo'Jac
Kiara escapes but mangles herself for 2 damage.
Vendrik!
Kiara bears the scratch like a badge of honor, after the last hit!
Tobias says, "It doesn't change things here, Travis, but you're lvl 2 now and add +2 for your lvl, not +1."
Vendrik?
Vendrik attempts to squash the same Dark Numo d20+10 2d10+5, chopping down this time.
Result is: (d20+10) 16 (2d10+5) 14
Swish
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "2 damage!"
Luke curses his foe and smacks him again. Roll 1d20+8 2d10+1d12+8
Voice of John Biles says, "roll 1d20+8 2d10+1d12+8"
Result is: (2d10+1d12+8) 17 (1d20+8) 25 for Voice of John Biles
Luke's foe is staggered.
He takes 2 points of ZAP
New round. Escalation Die of 2. Luke is at 24, Samantha at 27, Harrow at 35, Kiara at 29, Niamh at 33, Vendrik at 32. There is a Dark Numo on Vendrik; there is a fireball on Luke (challenged) and one which will try to zap Harrow on its turn. Niamh, then Samantha, then fireballs. (An impaled Dark Numo died last round)
Niamh hits the remaining Dark Numo with Arctic Death-Beam of Warlord Frost.
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+2+2+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+2+1) 29, crit for Mike
Mike says, "roll 3d6+1"
Result is: (3d6+1) 10 for Mike
You stagger him with the hit!
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d20"
Result is: (1d20) 15 for Manny Mo'Jac
He doesn't just drop dead, sadly.
But he didn't enjoy taking necrotic with his cold.
Samantha!
Samantha targets the same Numo with the Tumbles
Samantha says, "roll 1d20+6"
Result is: (1d20+6) 25 for Samantha
Manny Mo'Jac exclaims, "OOC Go for it!"
HIT
Samantha says, "roll 2d8+4"
Result is: (2d8+4) 17 for Samantha
Samantha kills the last Dark Numo
Now only fireballs remain
They attack Harrow and Luke.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d20+10x2"
Result is: (1d20+10) 17 (1d20+10) 13 for Manny Mo'Jac
Harrow drops to 20 HP.
Harrowhark!
Then Kiara / Vendrik / Luke
Harrowhark heals Vendrik, and then Invigorates him.
Vendrik says, "roll 2d10+3+4"
Result is: (2d10+3+4) 13 for Vendrik
Kiara time!
Kiara asks, "OOC Is the one firing at Harrow engaged in the melee sense, so that I get sneak attack?"
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC It is not engaged in melee; the one on Luke is"
Kiara makes a tumbling strike on the fireball engaged with Luke.
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+4+2+2+1"
Result is: (1d20+4+2+2+1) 24 for Kiara
You hit it, though it zaps you for two!
Kiara says, "roll 2d8+1d6+1"
Result is: (2d8+1d6+1) 15 for Kiara
Kiara strikes down Luke's fireball.
Frito says, "Also forgot sneak attack damage went up to d6 at level 2."
Vendrik!
All that is left is one fireball.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+4"
Result is: (d20+4) 23 for Manny Mo'Jac
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d12+4"
Result is: (1d12+4) 7 for Manny Mo'Jac
Manny Mo'Jac asks, "OOC Whatcha doin', Vendrik?"
Vendrik orders Harrow and Luke to Stand Firm for a recovery, then bullies the last fireball d20+13 2d10+5
Result is: (d20+13) 31 (2d10+5) 19
It is staggered by your blow! But it zaps you for two
Harrowhark says, "roll 2d8+9"
Result is: (2d8+9) 14 for Harrowhark
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 2d10+4"
Result is: (2d10+4) 12 for Manny Mo'Jac
Harrow is at 34.
Luke ATTACKS
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll d20+9 2d10+9"
Result is: (2d10+9) 15 (d20+9) 23 for Manny Mo'Jac
Luke beats down the last fireball.
From here, you could go northeast or southeast; either would put you closer to the center of this place
Numo eats the remains of the dead Numos, but offers some to Niamh
Niamh grumpily comforts Numo to try and get him to shut up.
Niamh says, "Do not eat strange familiars, Numo."
Numo pouts but he has calmed down
Kiara pats Numo on the head.
Niamh votes for whichever way has the higher ceilings.
Harrowhark says, "We had familiars when I was younger. The other members of my family came to the conclusion constructs were more reliable."
Harrowhark seconds Niamh's vote.
Kiara says, "Sounds good to me."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "roll 1d2"
Result is: (1d2) 2 for Manny Mo'Jac
Samantha says, "well that was freakish. Let's get on with it."
You emerge into an area with a high ceiling; four different rooms have fallen together and there is an area above where walls come together; a huge metal cylinder with a door on it, a door carved with the logo of an Angel of Pelor, is just barely suspended high above the floor of this room. It is over a huge hole in the floor into which it could easily fall, full of dark murky water. Cracks in the walls at the level you came in at head northwest, southeast, southwest, and northeast; you came from the northwestern entrance.
Harrowhark asks, "... who even HAS something like that?"
Kiara asks, "Freaky gnome wizards?"
Kiara asks, "I mean, it's what they do, right?"
You could easily circle the room and move on but there's no easy way to get at the cylinder.
Harrowhark says, "Let's not meddle with it."
Kiara asks, "OOC Anything on the ceiling area by the cylinder where someone could snag a grapplying hook?"
Niamh says, "Unless our quarry is inside, I concur."
Niamh pauses, and considers where they should likely go from here.
Kiara just stares up at the cylinder. "...damnit, I wanna see what's in there."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC "You could try to snag something with a grappling hook and get up to it
Harrowhark says, "Kiara, it could be a lobotomized angel with clockwork wings and glass eyes who only knows how to kill."
Niamh says, "I believe from here, we go either northeast or southeast."
DaR From Another Place says, "I WANT ONE!"
Kiara continues looking at the cylinder while Niamh makes up her mind. "...but that'd be cool, right? I mean, another clockwork thing no-one's seen for thousands of years!"
DaR From Another Place says, "GIMME."
Kiara pouts and turns to follow Niamh. "But if we get a chance, we come back here!"
Niamh frowns, and examines each of the two named exits, listening and sniffing at the air from each.
Akio says, "The angel only has one wing, Dan."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC Roll Perception! That's wisdom + a skill for noticing things, DC 15"
DaR From Another Place asks, "And a sword twices as long as she is tall?"
Voice of John Biles says, "Heh."
Mike says, "roll 1d20+2"
Result is: (1d20+2) 8 for Mike
Niamh hears nothing of note, though others can listen if they want!
Voice of John Biles says, "There is stuff to be heard."
Harrowhark says, "roll 1d20+9"
Result is: (1d20+9) 18 for Harrowhark
Sniper Ox asks, "would spypmaster work for this?"
Voice of John Biles says, "Yes, Rod"
Frito asks, "And Elven Court, for eavesdropping practice? Or Pirates, same thing?"
Voice of John Biles says, "I'm going to say Elven Court for this purpose because Piratea don't eavesdrop"
Kiara says, "roll 1d20+3"
Result is: (1d20+3) 10 for Kiara
Vendrik listens with the patience of one who has hunted dire bears in the western hills of the Kugenmarches! d20+2
Result is: (d20+2) 19
Frito says, "Ah well." page> Akemi [to you and Mercutio]: You hear meowing to the southeast and faint harp music to the northeast
Vendrik announces, "Snacks to the southeast, entertainment to the northeast"
Samantha asks, "really?"
Luke says, "Snacks or entertainbment, but not BOTH. That's a cruel fate."
Luke seems quite torn.
Vendrik gestures, "Music of some sort, and small animals."
Harrowhark says, "... Vendrik, it is not socially acceptable to eat cats."
Harrowhark says, "They are not snacks."
Vendrik just stares at Harrowhark, like she's gone mad.
Luke says, "Are we talking cute kitties or tigers?"
Kiara says, "Kitties"
Luke says, "Roast tiget is great."
Kiara says, "!"
Akio says, "Regarding cats as a source of meat seems weird even for a barbarian. They're extremely gamey, don't have a lot of meat on them, and they're FAR more useful doing other things."
Harrowhark says, "Big cats are fine, I suppose."
Luke says, "Grandma uses her special spice mix on them."
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "They're bite sized!"
DaR From Another Place exclaims, "Like popcorn chicken!"
DaR From Another Place says, "You can eat a whole bag of them."
Akio says, "Christ, it's Wren all over again."
Niamh just watches with steadily growing exasperation.
Harrowhark says, "You can hear mewling down the southeast tunnel if you listen closely enough. There's harp music coming from the other one."
Harrowhark says, "Probably one of those self-playing harps."
Voice of John Biles says, "Ahahaha"
Voice of John Biles says, "I'm now imagining the women pointing at the smug cat meme, only one of the women is Vendrik, who eats the cat."
Kiara says, "Huh. Harps could be neat!"
Luke says, "If it's just kitties, we shouldn't eat them." HE sighs mournfully. "But tiger, I will show you all how to cook it the first time we fight one!"
Harrowhark asks, "What do you think, Niamh?"
Niamh says, "Neither harps nor small cats sound terribly dangerous, which means both are undoubtably deathtraps." She shrugs. "I have no preference."
Harrowhark votes for harp.
Samantha says, "harp"
Vendrik says, "Is no difference to me."
Luke says, "How could a harp ever betray us?"
Kiara makes a face at leaving kitties behind, but adds, "Harp."
You head Northeast!
Kiara says, "Well, there was that singing harp in the Dread Dungeons of Eeeeeee! that charmed Nimmy - I mean really charmed, and she was offering it tea and biscuits and stuff..."
Niamh says, "I was just playing along."
This leads you to what was once a conservatory and is now a disaster area; some three dozen instruments are busted, including a piano. But a giant harp hangs on one wall, playing itself. You hear the whole complex making creaking noises and distantly, you hear raven noises. There are three doors; two are open with sunlight filtering in; one of them is jammed shut.
There is also a hole in the wall you came through
Niamh frowns, and considers.
Sunlight comes from the northwest and the southeast; the jammed door is northeast
Which way do you want to go?
Samantha says, "closed doors normally hold what you want, but we're dealing with a wrecked sky palace."
Niamh says, "I think we have gone too far towards the eastern edge of this place."
Kiara says, "I'm guessing the sunlight doors open out into some of those spots we saw while we were looking outside, and we saw ravens there."
Niamh says, "Perhaps we should backtrack, and try the cat way instead."
Kiara says, "oooooh."
Harrowhark says, "I agree."
Vendrik says, "Am feeling peckish."
Okay, you backtrack... AND EXPLODE
You reach what was once clearly an important wizard's private quarters, now largely wrecked. Nonetheless, there is a calico cat here, wearing a belt with runes on it and meowing sadly. A staff lies on the floor by the shattered bed.
Harrowhark says, "I really hope the cat isn't a person."
Harrowhark says, "Or a demon."
Niamh peers at the staff with professional interest.
Doors lead NW, SE, NE, and SW; you entered from the Northwest.
Niamh then twitches at the mention of a demon.
Kiara goes over to the kitty and offers her hand for it to sniff at.
The kitty sniffs Kiara's hand curiously and studies her.
The staff lies on the floor; you can roll DC 20 Magical sage to try to identify it witout touching it
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+4+2"
Result is: (1d20+4+4+2) 14 for Mike
Kiara gently reaches out to offer earskritchies.
It's a staff and it's like magical.
The cat makes happy noises and rubs on Kiara.
It seems relieved to not be alone
Kiara starts petting it, with a little flirt as she reaches the tail.
The cat enjoys being petted!
Niamh mutters. "These magics confound me. Curse the paucity of 3rd age artifice texts."
Kiara looks at the belt. "Where did this come from, hm?" She keeps petting.
The cat just makes happy noises and does not explain the bealt
Kiara asks the cat, "Mind if I look at it?" She offers earskritchies with one hand while she examines the belt with the other.
The cat does not run away as you examine the belt.
But knowing little of magic, you just can tell it's magical.
Unless you put it on.
Kiara asks, "You want to take a look at this, Nimmy?"
Niamh walks a bit closer, and tries to read the runes on the belt.
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC DC 15"
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+4+2x2"
Result is: (1d20+4+4+2) 23 (1d20+4+4+2) 25 for Mike
Niamh says, "Interesting. It is a belt of Giant Health. It allows extra potent recovery from injury."
Niamh says, "Likely why the cat survived."
Vendrik says, "If taken off, probably turns to dust."
Kiara nods sadly. "Lucky kitty. Too bad about her friend."
Mike says, "roll 1d20+4+4+2"
Result is: (1d20+4+4+2) 27 for Mike
Niamh says, "Oh, by the way, that staff is trapped."
Kiara looks around the rest of the room trying to figure out what her owner was like. "...oh? Lovely."
Manny Mo'Jac says, "OOC I think we will cut here as it's 12:20"