Alyssa would be sitting up in the furthest area away from Ramious when he'd rouse the first time with a huff. Her eyes would glance his way but quickly return to her studies when he'd start looking around at them. She didn't like the idea of leaving a friend behind, especially when he'd compare Cassandra to a trapped toy, but there was a reason why she didn't come with them in the first place. Though, even disagreeing with the tiefling, there really was no changing it when his mind was made up. When it came to Ramious and his designated dungeon damsels, there was no swaying his ultimate focus when they appear to be in distress. And when he would be left feeling helpless, like now, or with Dasa, it really was the only time she's really witnessed Rami genuinely sincere and down to earth. She could appreciate it for what it was while it lasted.
Though, A would still pinch the bridge of her nose when he'd continue on about the hammer only to prattle back to connect in Cassandra. The thing was, she did worry about Ramious taking the hammer and returning it to the undead because she asked him too. He's already put her ahead of the people he's been adventuring with for a long time. Regardless of the uncontrolled aggression in the past due to a weapon, regardless of the yelling or impatience with her, all that aside, Alyssa couldn't get the image of Rami hugging Bernard to keep him still so that Cassandra could feed. He could convince himself and propose becoming her pet for 'their future safety' all he wanted, but ultimately she'd have to agree to disagree. Well she could be a good replacement...
The elf would open her mouth wanting to speak, but closed it instead. There was still so much she wanted to 'word vomit', but she already poured a lot of the emotion she had in a song, for what? To calm herself enough to flee? There was still a sickening curdling feeling in her stomach. And besides, if she couldn't say anything nice or positive, why say anything at all? Sleep on it Lyssa... Alyssa would chuff and further bury herself in her studies. She'd only surrender Whelm to Leon to identify so he could confirm their information for certain.
Even when Keraptus would speak up, Alyssa wouldn't look up. Instead she'd simply transcribe what the wizard was taunting them with. In her silence, she'd zone in on what she may be able to piece together from the available information they were given. The divination wizard wanted to be as prepared as she could be for what was to come. She'd work until she'd fall into a meditative resting state only to wake when her elven ears would pick up the others rousing.
Unsurprisingly come 'morning' Ramious would chatter on as if nothing really happened and everything was just peachy. There were times like these she envied his ability to do it. Blue hues would look to Bernard, then to Leon. She had really be waiting for them to speak up or say something. They're a lot more level headed than her. Inhaling a deep breath Alyssa would finally face Ramious and address him. "I'll try to be short and direct." She'd finally make eye contact with him. "I struggle to trust you." Blatant but calm, she'd continue. "These days I don't know what's true. I question whether you care to protect us or if you continue only to seek for your own gain and put us at risk in doing so." Inhaling a breath, she'd set aside her personal bias and continue. "Bernard has been the one who's patched you up since his first day on the team. Without hesitation he fixes you up." Alyssa gestures to Bernard. "He literally crawled into a hole you put yourself into, cared for you and hauled you out with Leon's immediate assistance." Her eyes would narrow a little in focus. "We watched you help Cassandra feed from Bugs because she asked you too. From my perspective, you prioritized her as a dear friend over a true friend." If that's what was in it for Bugs in and out of Cassandra's presence...
A would eventually relax her face. She was farrrrr from perfect herself. "Regardless, I agree with you that we all experienced high level of influence, disagreement and confusion while in her presence." She'd nod before continuing, "With that said, I would also prefer to go get the last weapon so that we can complete this job. Blackrazor is next. What you decide to do with Cassandra after that is up to you." The elf would pause to inhale a steady breath. Cassandra was still undead... "Because as far as I'm concerned, she made her bed. She can sleep in it." She'd pause again. "But I won't stop you from doing what you think is right." She'd admit. "So, we can agree to disagree." Exhaling a breath she didn't realize she was holding, Alyssa would step back with a respectful bow of her head. Her words wouldn't have been as neutral last night...
A would look to Leon. She'd only hand Whelm over to Ramious to try to bend to his will if he believed it to be safe and beneficial. Otherwise, she'd resecure it and walk up to the unexplored pathway ready to go.
Ramious looks confused, and hurt and scratches his head in confusion but doesn't say anything else right away, just sits there lost in thought for a while. Occasionally his face grows very confused looking and he huffs and tries to think harder. Still confused looking, he says, "I've never lied to any of you, and if you don't try to hurt each other, I wouldn't be grabbin folk. Now, I took a swing at Leon, and I'm sorry bout that....I was trying to separate people so they'd stop fighting, and he was ignoring me. And, .....I don't know why I held Bugs, but...he seemed ok with it...and he was ok with her biting him too.....and now that my heads clearer, I wouldn't let that happen again...but....man...this place, is messin with my head. Fine, don't trust me even though I made a promise I wouldn't take it. I ain't never lied to you. Let's just go get the 3rd one and get this place done with."
In a huff, he stands up and steps outside the sphere. He looks around, "What? No spare monsters to fight us? You all talk big guy? Figured as much." Growling, he stands to one side and waits for everyone else to be ready.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
“Let’s just finish the job at hand and figure the rest out from there.” Leon suggested. He would take up his position as second to last, with alyssa taking up his normal rear position still.
Bugs looked up with shame in his eyes. "No, I wouldn't have stopped it...Couldn't have stopped her..." Bugs started. "She was an enemy, I shot her, several times and then, suddenly its like recognizing an old friend. I... I don't," Bugs puts his face in his hands and trails off. A few moments go by and he runs his hands through his hair.
Trying to pull himself back together he says, "Right... one more weapon. Best get on with it."
Ramious waits for the others to stand and be ready, "I'll lead."
He heads down the passage to squeeze around the sphinx, and head down the third passage. He'll stay 15 feet ahead of the group, and proceeds suspiciously, scanning the hallway for traps and the like.
Investigation or Perception (same modiifer) : 14
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Right, because trust is only gauged or secured through words and promises... but it didn’t matter. None of it did. Alyssa lost most of her care. At this point, if she was seen as the villain for speaking her truth, fine. There was barely a time she felt like anything she speaks or does even mattered. And besides she already sang it... She didn’t belong. She barely had her own place to stand, being reminded she’s just taking up another’s. A would be at the end of the line, staying behind for the others to March on ahead. She had said enough. She’d simply follow in silence.
The silent procession moved into the last corridor, leaving the sleepy indifferent sphinx behind. Leon did not forget to cast Darkvision on Berard and himself and both could "enjoy" the view. The corridor - straight and long (you can not see the other side) looked the same - stone algae covered walls, floor and ceiling, occasional very shallow puddles, except that one. Ramious stopped at the bother of one puddle - too rectangular to be natural. Ten feet wide and from wall to wall it blocked the path forward.
In the same time, Alyssa suddenly realized that sounds around become muffled a bit? No breathing from sphinx, no echo of occasional drops of water from behind - as if someone closed the door behind the party. Yet, when she looked, she could still clearly see the sphinx at the entrance. And an obviously humanoid skull on the floor. Wait, was this skull here when they entered?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
There is room to run and jump, and Ramious leaped across the strange murky puddle effortlessly. But the moment he landed and was about to turn and signal others everything is fine on that side, he felt like the air around him was swirling and grabbing his body in motion.
The grabbing was not gentle the least - armor can protect from the cuts, but a punch is a punch. However, Ramious still stood on the edge of the puddle and was not pushed into it.
Initiative!
Should you roll higher than this: 6 and 21 - join the action!
(Ramious is 30ft ahead of Leon, but on the other side of 10ft wide suspicious puddle)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ramious Initiative: 12
Something tingles in Ramious' mind at the last minute before the blows come and he reflexively raises a magical shield, warding off the worst of the blows but still taking a firm jab that cracks a rib good.
"OW!! OOF...UHHH. IT SUCKS OVER HERE, DON'T COME!!"
"Something behind..." Leon murmurs, out loud, but as if to himself. He glances around in concern, his brown knit in concentration. "I don't see anything..."
Neither Alyssa - whatever is there, you can see straight through it. However, Alyssa noticed strange disturbances along the walls: the algae were disappearing, leaving behind only rock, as if a gigantic scraper was clearing the stone surface of the corridor. The clean front was slowly moving towards the party. And Alyssa could swear, the skull was moving as well.
He had just a moment to adjust - enough for one blow to miss (the gust of wind grazed tiefling's shoulder but did not leave a mark), others were more precise. It seemed the invisible force did try to push Ramious into the puddle but he was not sure how long he can dance on the edge of this - lets call it as it is - pit.
Everyone!
(Technically the order is: Alyssa Leon Ramious Bernard)
(Can she discern any way of disabling ‘the scraper’? Ie. destroying the skull? And what direction is it going? I’m assuming it’s coming from behind A, L and B?)
Blue hues darted all around, doing their best to calculate useful thoughts as trouble unfolded all around them. “Leon, Bernard, we need to keep moving forward.” Alyssa was snapped into a focus, ushering them to keep going if the scraper was right on her heels. And something was terribly wrong on the other side of the pit. “Rami needs help.”
Tilting her head back a bit, Alyssa would bring her fingers to her mouth and blow a loud, sharp whistle. A rushing howl of air would blow by, kicking up her hair before settling. Though, perhaps a low grumbling could be heard?
Action casting: Faithful Hound (Summoning in a space ahead preferably in Rami’s defence if possible, not wanting to obstruct L, B and A’s advance.)
Attack: 7 Damage: 14 (If it can attack this round, not that it’d land the bite apparently lol)
(Correct. Whatever it is - it is fully blocking the way out and moving towards you all. The skull looks more like something dragged along with it.)
If Alyssa moves, she sure can cast the spell near Ramious. But I do not think attack this round is possible: "At the start of each of your turns, the hound attempts to bite". So, next round.
The loud barking filled the tunnels after Alyssa finished her spell and died out behind the party as if sucked up by a sponge. The source was as invisible as Ramious's attackers, and yet as real.
Ramious' shield takes one more blow, but two more strike him true and he staggers....barely standing. (down to 5 hps with that volley)
He takes a deep breath, trying to get his 2nd wind as he's being battered... (regaining: 13 hps)
Then he glances back at the others, "This is my last ditch attempt to stay up, sorry if it interferes with you guys!!"
He uses 2 sorcery points to cast Darkness on his necklace....and darkness floods out for 20 feet in each direction, though he can still see through it with his devil's sight.
For his action, he moves forward, stealthily, trying to get a fix on whatever it is, is attacking him.....his eyes piercing the magical darkness he's created. He moves past the invisible barking dog that he's now blinded in the darkness.....(though I believe the dog went before me, so would have seen invisible opponents for a moment before the darkness came)
Action: Hide: 13.
Perception check to perceive the enemy : 25
Movement, move 25 feet forward so the group can see the pit and jump over it.
Alyssa would be sitting up in the furthest area away from Ramious when he'd rouse the first time with a huff. Her eyes would glance his way but quickly return to her studies when he'd start looking around at them. She didn't like the idea of leaving a friend behind, especially when he'd compare Cassandra to a trapped toy, but there was a reason why she didn't come with them in the first place. Though, even disagreeing with the tiefling, there really was no changing it when his mind was made up. When it came to Ramious and his designated dungeon damsels, there was no swaying his ultimate focus when they appear to be in distress. And when he would be left feeling helpless, like now, or with Dasa, it really was the only time she's really witnessed Rami genuinely sincere and down to earth. She could appreciate it for what it was while it lasted.
Though, A would still pinch the bridge of her nose when he'd continue on about the hammer only to prattle back to connect in Cassandra. The thing was, she did worry about Ramious taking the hammer and returning it to the undead because she asked him too. He's already put her ahead of the people he's been adventuring with for a long time. Regardless of the uncontrolled aggression in the past due to a weapon, regardless of the yelling or impatience with her, all that aside, Alyssa couldn't get the image of Rami hugging Bernard to keep him still so that Cassandra could feed. He could convince himself and propose becoming her pet for 'their future safety' all he wanted, but ultimately she'd have to agree to disagree. Well she could be a good replacement...
The elf would open her mouth wanting to speak, but closed it instead. There was still so much she wanted to 'word vomit', but she already poured a lot of the emotion she had in a song, for what? To calm herself enough to flee? There was still a sickening curdling feeling in her stomach. And besides, if she couldn't say anything nice or positive, why say anything at all? Sleep on it Lyssa... Alyssa would chuff and further bury herself in her studies. She'd only surrender Whelm to Leon to identify so he could confirm their information for certain.
Even when Keraptus would speak up, Alyssa wouldn't look up. Instead she'd simply transcribe what the wizard was taunting them with. In her silence, she'd zone in on what she may be able to piece together from the available information they were given. The divination wizard wanted to be as prepared as she could be for what was to come. She'd work until she'd fall into a meditative resting state only to wake when her elven ears would pick up the others rousing.
Portents: 6 | 8
Lightning Wand: 3
Magic Missile Wand: 3
Unsurprisingly come 'morning' Ramious would chatter on as if nothing really happened and everything was just peachy. There were times like these she envied his ability to do it. Blue hues would look to Bernard, then to Leon. She had really be waiting for them to speak up or say something. They're a lot more level headed than her. Inhaling a deep breath Alyssa would finally face Ramious and address him. "I'll try to be short and direct." She'd finally make eye contact with him. "I struggle to trust you." Blatant but calm, she'd continue. "These days I don't know what's true. I question whether you care to protect us or if you continue only to seek for your own gain and put us at risk in doing so." Inhaling a breath, she'd set aside her personal bias and continue. "Bernard has been the one who's patched you up since his first day on the team. Without hesitation he fixes you up." Alyssa gestures to Bernard. "He literally crawled into a hole you put yourself into, cared for you and hauled you out with Leon's immediate assistance." Her eyes would narrow a little in focus. "We watched you help Cassandra feed from Bugs because she asked you too. From my perspective, you prioritized her as a dear friend over a true friend." If that's what was in it for Bugs in and out of Cassandra's presence...
A would eventually relax her face. She was farrrrr from perfect herself. "Regardless, I agree with you that we all experienced high level of influence, disagreement and confusion while in her presence." She'd nod before continuing, "With that said, I would also prefer to go get the last weapon so that we can complete this job. Blackrazor is next. What you decide to do with Cassandra after that is up to you." The elf would pause to inhale a steady breath. Cassandra was still undead... "Because as far as I'm concerned, she made her bed. She can sleep in it." She'd pause again. "But I won't stop you from doing what you think is right." She'd admit. "So, we can agree to disagree." Exhaling a breath she didn't realize she was holding, Alyssa would step back with a respectful bow of her head. Her words wouldn't have been as neutral last night...
A would look to Leon. She'd only hand Whelm over to Ramious to try to bend to his will if he believed it to be safe and beneficial. Otherwise, she'd resecure it and walk up to the unexplored pathway ready to go.
just an unstable unicorn.
Ramious looks confused, and hurt and scratches his head in confusion but doesn't say anything else right away, just sits there lost in thought for a while. Occasionally his face grows very confused looking and he huffs and tries to think harder. Still confused looking, he says, "I've never lied to any of you, and if you don't try to hurt each other, I wouldn't be grabbin folk. Now, I took a swing at Leon, and I'm sorry bout that....I was trying to separate people so they'd stop fighting, and he was ignoring me. And, .....I don't know why I held Bugs, but...he seemed ok with it...and he was ok with her biting him too.....and now that my heads clearer, I wouldn't let that happen again...but....man...this place, is messin with my head. Fine, don't trust me even though I made a promise I wouldn't take it. I ain't never lied to you. Let's just go get the 3rd one and get this place done with."
In a huff, he stands up and steps outside the sphere. He looks around, "What? No spare monsters to fight us? You all talk big guy? Figured as much." Growling, he stands to one side and waits for everyone else to be ready.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
“Let’s just finish the job at hand and figure the rest out from there.” Leon suggested. He would take up his position as second to last, with alyssa taking up his normal rear position still.
Bugs looked up with shame in his eyes. "No, I wouldn't have stopped it...Couldn't have stopped her..." Bugs started. "She was an enemy, I shot her, several times and then, suddenly its like recognizing an old friend. I... I don't," Bugs puts his face in his hands and trails off. A few moments go by and he runs his hands through his hair.
Trying to pull himself back together he says, "Right... one more weapon. Best get on with it."
Ramious waits for the others to stand and be ready, "I'll lead."
He heads down the passage to squeeze around the sphinx, and head down the third passage. He'll stay 15 feet ahead of the group, and proceeds suspiciously, scanning the hallway for traps and the like.
Investigation or Perception (same modiifer) : 14
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Right, because trust is only gauged or secured through words and promises... but it didn’t matter. None of it did. Alyssa lost most of her care. At this point, if she was seen as the villain for speaking her truth, fine. There was barely a time she felt like anything she speaks or does even mattered. And besides she already sang it... She didn’t belong. She barely had her own place to stand, being reminded she’s just taking up another’s. A would be at the end of the line, staying behind for the others to March on ahead. She had said enough. She’d simply follow in silence.
just an unstable unicorn.
The silent procession moved into the last corridor, leaving the sleepy indifferent sphinx behind. Leon did not forget to cast Darkvision on Berard and himself and both could "enjoy" the view. The corridor - straight and long (you can not see the other side) looked the same - stone algae covered walls, floor and ceiling, occasional very shallow puddles, except that one. Ramious stopped at the bother of one puddle - too rectangular to be natural. Ten feet wide and from wall to wall it blocked the path forward.
In the same time, Alyssa suddenly realized that sounds around become muffled a bit? No breathing from sphinx, no echo of occasional drops of water from behind - as if someone closed the door behind the party. Yet, when she looked, she could still clearly see the sphinx at the entrance. And an obviously humanoid skull on the floor. Wait, was this skull here when they entered?
Map:
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Assuming the roof is high enough to let him, Ramious takes a bit of a run and leaps across the pit. Athletics if necessary : 31
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
There is room to run and jump, and Ramious leaped across the strange murky puddle effortlessly. But the moment he landed and was about to turn and signal others everything is fine on that side, he felt like the air around him was swirling and grabbing his body in motion.
Attack: 21 Damage: 10
Attack: 25 Damage: 13
Attack: 20 Damage: 10
Attack: 17 Damage: 9
The grabbing was not gentle the least - armor can protect from the cuts, but a punch is a punch. However, Ramious still stood on the edge of the puddle and was not pushed into it.
Initiative!
Should you roll higher than this: 6 and 21 - join the action!
(Ramious is 30ft ahead of Leon, but on the other side of 10ft wide suspicious puddle)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ramious Initiative: 12
Something tingles in Ramious' mind at the last minute before the blows come and he reflexively raises a magical shield, warding off the worst of the blows but still taking a firm jab that cracks a rib good.
"OW!! OOF...UHHH. IT SUCKS OVER HERE, DON'T COME!!"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Alyssa's eyes would scan the skull in detail when her attention would be pulled in the direction of Ramious' shout farther up ahead.
(If I may)
Investigation?: 11
Initiative: 19
just an unstable unicorn.
Alyssa - Try Perception. And Alyssa does have a feeling that something is wrong here, in that direction.
To Leon
Wave, that kept silent for a while, suddenly informed githyanki "Something is behind... Something hungry... Be careful."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
(Subtract 1 from the investigation roll if you'd prefer to use the first roll.)
Perception: 23
just an unstable unicorn.
Leon initiative: 14
"Something behind..." Leon murmurs, out loud, but as if to himself. He glances around in concern, his brown knit in concentration. "I don't see anything..."
Neither Alyssa - whatever is there, you can see straight through it. However, Alyssa noticed strange disturbances along the walls: the algae were disappearing, leaving behind only rock, as if a gigantic scraper was clearing the stone surface of the corridor. The clean front was slowly moving towards the party. And Alyssa could swear, the skull was moving as well.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Bug's imitative 11
11
Round 1
Before anyone could do anything, the empty darkness around Ramious attacked again as vicious as before:
Attack: 26 Damage: 16
Attack: 26 Damage: 20
Attack: 19 Damage: 11
Attack: 21 Damage: 11
He had just a moment to adjust - enough for one blow to miss (the gust of wind grazed tiefling's shoulder but did not leave a mark), others were more precise. It seemed the invisible force did try to push Ramious into the puddle but he was not sure how long he can dance on the edge of this - lets call it as it is - pit.
Everyone!
(Technically the order is: Alyssa Leon Ramious Bernard)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
(Can she discern any way of disabling ‘the scraper’? Ie. destroying the skull? And what direction is it going? I’m assuming it’s coming from behind A, L and B?)
Blue hues darted all around, doing their best to calculate useful thoughts as trouble unfolded all around them. “Leon, Bernard, we need to keep moving forward.” Alyssa was snapped into a focus, ushering them to keep going if the scraper was right on her heels. And something was terribly wrong on the other side of the pit. “Rami needs help.”
Tilting her head back a bit, Alyssa would bring her fingers to her mouth and blow a loud, sharp whistle. A rushing howl of air would blow by, kicking up her hair before settling. Though, perhaps a low grumbling could be heard?
Action casting: Faithful Hound
(Summoning in a space ahead preferably in Rami’s defence if possible, not wanting to obstruct L, B and A’s advance.)
Attack: 7 Damage: 14
(If it can attack this round, not that it’d land the bite apparently lol)
Movement: Move ahead with the other two.
just an unstable unicorn.
(Correct. Whatever it is - it is fully blocking the way out and moving towards you all. The skull looks more like something dragged along with it.)
If Alyssa moves, she sure can cast the spell near Ramious. But I do not think attack this round is possible: "At the start of each of your turns, the hound attempts to bite". So, next round.
The loud barking filled the tunnels after Alyssa finished her spell and died out behind the party as if sucked up by a sponge. The source was as invisible as Ramious's attackers, and yet as real.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Ramious' shield takes one more blow, but two more strike him true and he staggers....barely standing. (down to 5 hps with that volley)
He takes a deep breath, trying to get his 2nd wind as he's being battered... (regaining: 13 hps)
Then he glances back at the others, "This is my last ditch attempt to stay up, sorry if it interferes with you guys!!"
He uses 2 sorcery points to cast Darkness on his necklace....and darkness floods out for 20 feet in each direction, though he can still see through it with his devil's sight.
For his action, he moves forward, stealthily, trying to get a fix on whatever it is, is attacking him.....his eyes piercing the magical darkness he's created. He moves past the invisible barking dog that he's now blinded in the darkness.....(though I believe the dog went before me, so would have seen invisible opponents for a moment before the darkness came)
Action: Hide: 13.
Perception check to perceive the enemy : 25
Movement, move 25 feet forward so the group can see the pit and jump over it.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.