Lord Bartle's nasally voice emanates from behind you after the forest dims from view, replaced by the hewn stone walls of a cavern beneath the Sands of Ascore. You have teleported with Bartle into a tunnel, at the end of which Bartle is studying a clearly impassable collapsed end. Ahead of you the tunnel continues, where a dim glow of phosphorescent fungus emits through a cave entrance. Guarding the entrance a strange looking human, wearing the armor of a paladin, standing motionless.
Bartle's red cloak conceals most of his face aside from his wart covered chins. The short, pudgy human squats on a rock, striking a contemplative pose. Behind him, the wyrmling-turned-human mage stands staring blankly at the wall. Once you shake off the effects of the sudden teleportation, Bartle motions you to join him.
"I was not expecting this tunnel to be collapsed. It is not great news. Without this tunnel, there are only two ways out of here; teleporting, or through the Vault that this ruby unlocks. Unfortunately, something in here is blocking my ability to do the first, and we have to go through him to do the second -- and then, we need to get our timing right with the planetary alignment,"he explains. He motions to the man ahead, still standing motionless, holding his sword to the ground. "That...is Bob. He is a fighter that I hired to keep interlopers from interfering with the Vault before I was ready, but unfortunately, he pulled a sword from a stone and went crazy. He spends most of his time babbling about hawks and comeliness, and will not allow anyone to pass. To make matters worse, it seems my friend here has been struck dumb by the ruby's magic. While I work on clearing him up, see what you can do about Bob, hmm? Try not to kill him, yes? Just subdue him until I can study these strange magics. And don't touch that sword!"
Gruun eagerly draws his greataxe, a grim smile spreading across his face. Running had been a better plan last time but here he would get to fight. As Bartle finishes and he says the worst phrase, Gruun's smile slumps to a disgusted look as if he had smelled something vile and unpleasant.
Therien, echoing Fargim's approach, hopes to discern what it is that makes the sword-wielding paladin tick. "Yes, hello, brave fellow. Seems like there's quite a story behind that sword. You WILL tell us, won't you?"
Withered corpses of dwarves, elves, and drow are nailed to the wall along this corridor. The man ahead stands in full plate armor that is obviously ancient but well cared for. His shield is marked with three spheres and a hand grasping a lightning bolt. He looks old, but ready for battle.
He does not reply to the greetings, other than to draw his magnificent sword and warn, "Leave this place."
Fargim and Therien are unable to get a read on him.
Fearing this outcome, Fargin will say "Come on man, don't be like this. We didn't do anything but try to understand the situation" (and spend a sorcery point for Subtle spell and cast Charm Person on him). If it works, he will try to get the story of this place out of him, introduce the rest of the party and see if there is a way to relieve him of his duty or maybe he's even ok to let them pass.
Fargim, bothered somewhat about his failures, returns to Bartle and speaks to him quietly. "I know you can make yourself invisible. I can make people invisible as well. How about we just make ourselves invisible and quietly walk past him? I can't do it all alone though."
Hox takes out his tinderbox and strikes a match. He looks to the oil he spilled on the floor before the Bob, fire in his eyes, destruction on his mind.
"If we really can't kill this one then I have somewhat of an idea. Its still going to hurt, probably a lot." Gruun returns his Greataxe to back and pulls out the Chain that he acquired in town and begins coiling a large portion across his hands and forearms.
"I'll either tie him up or knock him out, maybe both, and then someone else can deal with the sword."
"No, no, that won't do,"Bartle replies as he circles his mage friend, intently studying the man. "I need Bob subdued. And I can't help you right now, I wouldn't want you to miss out on the experience."
The paladin glares at Hox. "Leave this place," he warns again.
He says "OK, guys, lets stand back a bit here. Give the man some space. Lets move back like.. 40 feet at least."
He picks up some sharp twigs and thorns and as everyone moves back, he throws these to the ground towards the man. The ground looks weird momentarily (cast Spike Growth so that the center is 10ft from the man and the area between them is dangerous). Then he takes his light crossbow and shoots the man.
Attack: 8 Damage: 5
While doing that he quietly tells his companions to use ranged attacks and not go towards the man as the ground is bad.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Initiative (if needed) for Therien: 23
Therien, uttering the few words and making the hand motions he has studied for hours, sends a streak of blue-white light toward Bob. (Ray of Frost: Attack: 8 | Cold damage, if successful: 4)
Roaring through the pain, the paladin bears down on Fargim. As he runs through the spikes and thorns, taking 14 piercing damage, he places a hand on his chest, chanting a prayer.
Hox's dagger, Fargim's crossbow, and Therien's ray of frost all fire to the sides of the crazed man.
Round 1 Order: Paladin Players <===== Gruun still to act
Tracking: The paladin is halfway through the spike growth, running at Fargim, 15 feet from the party.
"Well, that is not ideal, no."
Lord Bartle's nasally voice emanates from behind you after the forest dims from view, replaced by the hewn stone walls of a cavern beneath the Sands of Ascore. You have teleported with Bartle into a tunnel, at the end of which Bartle is studying a clearly impassable collapsed end. Ahead of you the tunnel continues, where a dim glow of phosphorescent fungus emits through a cave entrance. Guarding the entrance a strange looking human, wearing the armor of a paladin, standing motionless.
Bartle's red cloak conceals most of his face aside from his wart covered chins. The short, pudgy human squats on a rock, striking a contemplative pose. Behind him, the wyrmling-turned-human mage stands staring blankly at the wall. Once you shake off the effects of the sudden teleportation, Bartle motions you to join him.
"I was not expecting this tunnel to be collapsed. It is not great news. Without this tunnel, there are only two ways out of here; teleporting, or through the Vault that this ruby unlocks. Unfortunately, something in here is blocking my ability to do the first, and we have to go through him to do the second -- and then, we need to get our timing right with the planetary alignment," he explains. He motions to the man ahead, still standing motionless, holding his sword to the ground. "That...is Bob. He is a fighter that I hired to keep interlopers from interfering with the Vault before I was ready, but unfortunately, he pulled a sword from a stone and went crazy. He spends most of his time babbling about hawks and comeliness, and will not allow anyone to pass. To make matters worse, it seems my friend here has been struck dumb by the ruby's magic. While I work on clearing him up, see what you can do about Bob, hmm? Try not to kill him, yes? Just subdue him until I can study these strange magics. And don't touch that sword!"
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Gruun eagerly draws his greataxe, a grim smile spreading across his face. Running had been a better plan last time but here he would get to fight. As Bartle finishes and he says the worst phrase, Gruun's smile slumps to a disgusted look as if he had smelled something vile and unpleasant.
Fargim waves to Bob, "Hi there! How are you, sir?"
If there is any response, Fargim would try to understand some of what's going on with him, be it magical or mental.
Therien, echoing Fargim's approach, hopes to discern what it is that makes the sword-wielding paladin tick. "Yes, hello, brave fellow. Seems like there's quite a story behind that sword. You WILL tell us, won't you?"
Hox steps up forward as well, taking a flask of oil out and examining it for a bit before spilling it before the Bob.
Fargim Insight: 7
Therien Insight: 14
Withered corpses of dwarves, elves, and drow are nailed to the wall along this corridor. The man ahead stands in full plate armor that is obviously ancient but well cared for. His shield is marked with three spheres and a hand grasping a lightning bolt. He looks old, but ready for battle.
He does not reply to the greetings, other than to draw his magnificent sword and warn, "Leave this place."
Fargim and Therien are unable to get a read on him.
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Fearing this outcome, Fargin will say "Come on man, don't be like this. We didn't do anything but try to understand the situation" (and spend a sorcery point for Subtle spell and cast Charm Person on him). If it works, he will try to get the story of this place out of him, introduce the rest of the party and see if there is a way to relieve him of his duty or maybe he's even ok to let them pass.
Therien waits to see what sort of success Fargim will have in charming the overly-zealous paladin.
Bob WIS Save: 22
Fargim projects his spell calmly, with no visible signs of spellcasting, but the charm does not take effect.
"I will lay waste to every last one of you if you do not leave this place," the paladin calmly states in response.
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Fargim, bothered somewhat about his failures, returns to Bartle and speaks to him quietly. "I know you can make yourself invisible. I can make people invisible as well. How about we just make ourselves invisible and quietly walk past him? I can't do it all alone though."
"Tunnel collapse at one end. Fanatical fighter at the other. Lovely," remarks Therien sarcastically as he watches Fargim walk toward Bartle.
Hox takes out his tinderbox and strikes a match. He looks to the oil he spilled on the floor before the Bob, fire in his eyes, destruction on his mind.
"If we really can't kill this one then I have somewhat of an idea. Its still going to hurt, probably a lot." Gruun returns his Greataxe to back and pulls out the Chain that he acquired in town and begins coiling a large portion across his hands and forearms.
"I'll either tie him up or knock him out, maybe both, and then someone else can deal with the sword."
"No, no, that won't do," Bartle replies as he circles his mage friend, intently studying the man. "I need Bob subdued. And I can't help you right now, I wouldn't want you to miss out on the experience."
The paladin glares at Hox. "Leave this place," he warns again.
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"Subdued...not charred, Hox," comments Therien. "A novel idea, however, that we may need to use some other time."
Therien reflects on Gruun's idea for a moment. "Allow me to cast Mage Armor on you before you try this, Gruun."
Fargim shifts his mindset from parley to subdue.
He says "OK, guys, lets stand back a bit here. Give the man some space. Lets move back like.. 40 feet at least."
He picks up some sharp twigs and thorns and as everyone moves back, he throws these to the ground towards the man. The ground looks weird momentarily (cast Spike Growth so that the center is 10ft from the man and the area between them is dangerous). Then he takes his light crossbow and shoots the man.
Attack: 8 Damage: 5
While doing that he quietly tells his companions to use ranged attacks and not go towards the man as the ground is bad.
Hox listens and snuffs the match. He backs off and looks at his dagger and throws it at Bob.
Attack: 23 Damage: 7
Intiative: 3
Gruun will stand at the edge of the thorns ready to engage Bob once he comes within range.
Initiative (if needed) for Therien: 23
Therien, uttering the few words and making the hand motions he has studied for hours, sends a streak of blue-white light toward Bob. (Ray of Frost: Attack: 8 | Cold damage, if successful: 4)
DM Screen:
56 23/23
31/50
As soon as Therien and Fargim begin chanting and casting their spells, the paladin roars and charges. "Fiends! Now you die!"
Initiative:
Fargim: 12
Gruun: 5
Hox: 21
Therien: 16
Average: 10.25
Paladin: 5
Roaring through the pain, the paladin bears down on Fargim. As he runs through the spikes and thorns, taking 14 piercing damage, he places a hand on his chest, chanting a prayer.
Hox's dagger, Fargim's crossbow, and Therien's ray of frost all fire to the sides of the crazed man.
Round 1 Order:
Paladin
Players <===== Gruun still to act
Tracking:
The paladin is halfway through the spike growth, running at Fargim, 15 feet from the party.
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