AVB - Teamup in the Punishing Passage

[planswalker]

Moranica, mrcarter11, or DM only. All others will be in big trouble when the Jacks find out about this.

normally the OP includes something IC, but the two of you have nothing for me to describe to you that isn't already in your personal threads. Let the introductions continue.

[Moranica]

"Sure, Alfonso di Ullsk is my name, sorcerer by fame. We could certainly work together for this venture. Lead the way!"

*description: A tall spellscale with blue eyes and black hair is standing in front of you. He wears shabby clothes (looking almost like a vagrant) and a good looking breastplate. In his hands he hold a nice looking longbow.

[mrcarter11]

A taller man, of slim weight and build stands before you. His clothing is far from expensive and looks well worn. Hardly anything stands out about the man. A small crystal with legs stands in between the himself and you.

Ah, well a pleasure to meet you. And a sorcerer, well I do say, that is interesting. My name is Isten, and it is a pleasure to meet you. So what's that in your hand there?

[Moranica]

"It is a longbow. I'm not much good with weapons in general, but this at least, allows me to benefit from my agile body."

Alfonso then points at the crystal. "Do you always have your treasure follow you around? Quite something, perhaps you could teach me that trick?"

[mrcarter11]

I was told you had a large book of some sort?

"Ah, yes bows are always handy. I myself lack the proper training for the use of one, however I do appreacite your ability with one. By chance do you do much in the way of healing magic? These traps have been most annoying. And that is my loyal friend and supporter, his name is Grumpy.

Isten indicates the crystal as he speaks the last part.

[Moranica]

"Ah, right, the book. I actually found it here. It contains all the laws in the city, but written in a way that is softer for the brain to catch."

"As to the healing, nope, sorry. Sorcerers are only able to heal those robot things, not humans. These traps have been bugging me as well."

"Interesting name .... Grumpy."

"Shall we continue then? The faster we are out of here, the better. Care to lead the way?"

[mrcarter11]

"I'm not well known for my manners, so please excuse them. But would you mind telling me your reasoning for that spell you cast before we first spoke? "
Isten doesn't seem upset, more so just curious.

DM ONLY
I re-ready the same action under the same pretense.

[Moranica]

"That's just a little precaution I took. It protects me from certain spells. But before you ask, no, my spell alotment is not enough to cast it on you as well."

[mrcarter11]

"I see. Well, I'm sure Grumpy won't mind continuing to scout for us. However, I'm also sure you won't mind me discovering just what spell that was, now would you?

[Moranica]

"If you are talking about this thing called spellcraft, I wouldn't recognize it one bit. I am not familiar with such workings."

[mrcarter11]

No of course not. In any case, Grumpy continue ahead. Allow us to continue through these ruins.

[Moranica]

Yes, it's a class skill, but I don't have ranks in it. Do I understand/know it or not? :smallbiggrin:

Indeed, let's continue!

[mrcarter11]

My PC was more just done with the whole thing.. He kinda asked what spell it was you were using, and you won't say.. Makes him trust you a little less. Ya know?

Isten directs Grumpy ahead to where his new ally is and then Isten follows Grumpy.

[planswalker]

Yes, it's a class skill, but I don't have ranks in it. Do I understand/know it or not? :smallbiggrin:

Indeed, let's continue!

it being a class skill just lets you purchase ranks in it more cheaply and to a higher rank per level. It gives you zero advantages otherwise. You still have to put ranks in spellcraft to be considered trained in it or understand how it works.


My PC was more just done with the whole thing.. He kinda asked what spell it was you were using, and you won't say.. Makes him trust you a little less. Ya know?

Isten directs Grumpy ahead to where his new ally is and then Isten follows Grumpy.

Once more, your diminuitive psicrystal is insufficiently heavy to set off the pressure plate between you and the other pc. Unfortunately, your weight is more than enough. Yet more spikes rain down from the ceiling to impale you for [roll0]

[mrcarter11]

Isten glares down at Grumpy. Annoyed with its lack of weight.

"Well, I do hope you tell Me, you weren't aware of that trap, my new friend. In any case, if your still hoping to work together, let us move on. Just give Me a quick second.

Following this, a brief flash of light and then an odd smell takes hold around Isten.

Alright,, So I feel I should explain things. Isten isn't looking for a fight. If he was, he would have started combat already. He's looking for someone that he can help, and that can help him, get through these ruins. Isten, is more so than anything, looking for a friend of sorts. He's new to the city and wouldn't mind an ally that he can depend on. Now as soon as he saw you and said hi, you used a spell. You must understand, even if with spellcraft I know what spell it was, he isn't going to be happy with your unwillingness to trust him and just tell him. In any case, I'm hoping this doesn't degrade into a PvP. Isten is simply looking to stay alive, as I hope your PC is, and he isn't sure if your the reason the farmers and such are dead, or if your just another normal person looking for some relics and gold. Hope this all makes since. In any case, Moranica, if you wish to talk to Me more directly so we can plan this raid out. Please contact Me here via PM, or on AIM, username: [email protected]

[Moranica]

"Blasted traps! I have no wounds caused by that trap, or I would have told you. Do you think we could perhaps put some weight on that crystal?"

"Let's continue for now, as you got hurt a bit, I can walk after Grumpy if you like? Then if I get hit we switch places again and so on."



No worries, Alfonso is new to the city as well, though he tends to keep to himself. He doesn't trust anybody coming close, let alone someone he meets in these ruins. So while he is interested in completing this venture together, for safety sake, he isn't particularly looking for a friend atm. First he wants to get settled in etc, for which these ruins hopefully generate some money. Basicly, he doesn't trust you, nor does he expect you to trust him. Circumstances drive people together and he believes it's in his best interest to work together (so no PvP either). Since neither of us can detect traps, perhaps we can just switch places after each trap to halve the damage we take?

[planswalker]

false life is a personal spell. You can't cast it on him.

[Moranica]

Edited my post. Let's make some progress! .... I'm gonna get spiked...

[mrcarter11]

Can you cast's Bull's Strength

Isten seems to agree with what Alfonso says. Following that, he directs Grumpy ever forward in search of more traps.

[Moranica]

Nope, I wanted to cast False Life on you, but it's range personal. :( Do you have any buffs?

[mrcarter11]

Not really.. I can try to keep myself alive.. But I'm not sure how well it will work. I was gonna suggest empowering Grumpy so he could carry extra weight.

[planswalker]

Another stairway just like the first except with a bend to the right in it looms ahead.

At the bottom of the stairs, there is a sunrod on the ground.

[Moranica]

Knowledge arcane [roll0]
If I'm familiar with it, I'll activate it.

"Well, what do you know, a sunrod. A strange thing to find here on the ground. Either someone left it here, because it burned out, or someone lost during trouble. I'll try and activate it to see it is still good."

[mrcarter11]

Well, do what you can with it.. In any case, Grumpy get going down those stairs..

Isten seems to just want to continue down and hopefully find something useful and or eventful.

[Moranica]

"Good call! I'll try it on the way."

[mrcarter11]

"I have a personal question for you, my dear fellow. What are your plans once we exit these ruins?"

[planswalker]

As you reach the sunrod and bend down to pick it up, a blade comes out of the wall and deals you [roll0] damage.

You activate the sunrod. You get bright light in a 60 foot radius.

[Moranica]

"Aaahh, I should have known. Should have let Grumpy get it."

"Wouldn't it be really bad for grumpy to get hit? He looks so small afterall?"

"Well, let's continue on. Your turn to walk behind Grumpy."

Alfonso turns off the sunrod and puts it away.

[planswalker]

Sunrods can't be turned off and burn out one hour after being turned on.

The passage ahead looks much like the others, but there is a 10x10 section of the floor ahead has a fine coating of a brown powder. As you approach, it appears that this powder is completely inert. Whatever trap it had been, age seems to have worn it away. Just beyond it, there is yet another step of black stairs.

[Moranica]

"Hmm, seems we got lucky. Let's continue further down."

[planswalker]

As the two of you pass through the 10x10 pile of brown powder, some of it gets in y'all's clothes and in all the nooks and crevasses.

[Moranica]

"Bleh, we'll need a good bath after this. This whole thing better be worth it in the end."

[planswalker]

do y'all continue down the black stairway with a bend to the left?

[Moranica]

Yes, sound good to me!

[planswalker]

who's in front?

[Moranica]

I believe Grumpy, then Isten, then me. Assuming we switched after I got hit by that trap.

[planswalker]

Grumpy once more does not set off the pressure plate at the bend in the stairs before Isten steps on it. An orange liquid coats you and explodes on contact with the brown powder. Alfonso and Grumpy may make a reflex save for half of [roll0]. Isten is unable to dodge his own explosion.

[Moranica]

Reflex [roll0]

"Aaaahh, it burns!!" Alfonso rubs his wounds and they dissapear.

"I'll take point after Grumpy again. Is there no end to these traps?"

DM only
Healing myself with charnel touch. Not sure if this would show, except the wounds disapearing. I had 8 real damage after false life was gone.

[planswalker]

you fail the save.

[mrcarter11]

Isten groans as he is hit yet again by the traps.

"I must say, I've had quite enough of this. Let something heavier walk in front for a short while, shall we?"


Within a moment another figure appears, decidedly not human.
"Walk creature"

3 pp for a medium

[planswalker]

The creature walks down the steps, and at the bottom, it takes [roll0] damage from the spikes coming from the ceiling.

[mrcarter11]

OOC: It has 41 Hp on average.. So once my partner follows, I will as well. In any case, it isn't dead yet.

[Moranica]

Following!

[planswalker]

... that's great, but do you do anything about the pressure plate or do you step on it too?

[mrcarter11]

Yeah,, That would be smart huh.. Can't we avoid the place it stepped to get around the trap?

[planswalker]

the whole 5' by 10' section of floor depressed.

[mrcarter11]

Seeing no other way across, Isten creates a table whose legs stand on either side of the depressed floor, then he has the construct walk across it to test it. If it is safe, then Isten and his new friend cross as well.

[planswalker]

It is safe.

Beyond the stairs, the hallway looks just like all the rest so far.

[Moranica]

"Wow, that's a nice trick. I hope it doesn't cost you any spells. Otherwise I could try and jump it."

"Let's continue. This place sure is topped up with traps."

[mrcarter11]

Isten smirks at Alfonso.
"It actually does hinder my abilities to do such tricks, however I fear neither of us are quite capable of negating the traps, so this is the best alternative. Either way, continue on beast"

[planswalker]

well, you could have just jumped over, but oookay...

The hall awaits.

[Moranica]

I believe you mean, the corridor that is filled with traps, awaits...

"Lead on, my cristalline friend's companion!"

[mrcarter11]

The construct, Isten and Grumpy all continue down.

[planswalker]

About ten feet from the stairs, the construct trips a tripwire and brown powder coats it. Whatever it was supposed to do , though, nothing happens.

[Moranica]

"Hmm, the powder again. Let's keep our distance (20 ft from the construct) from it and continue on"



So, I think it's like this now. Construct - 20ft - Grumpy - Alfonso - Isten

[planswalker]

In the stairs beyond, nothing happens. The next room is a deep blue. A golden circle 7 feet wide is inscribed in the middle of the circle.

[Moranica]

Alfonso steps up to the edge of the circle and tries to read the text.

[planswalker]

inlaid, not inscribed. sorry. It's not writing.

[Moranica]

"Your good with spellcraft are you? Could you perhaps have a look? And if it's not magical, perhaps we could take the circle?"

Any doors etc?

[planswalker]

The door on the far side of the corridor is shut, and no handle or lock is visible.

[Moranica]

Alfonso was never gifted with much patience and it once again gets the better of him. He steps forward into the circle.

[planswalker]

nothing happens.

[Moranica]

He sighs in relief and tries to pry loose some of the gold.

[planswalker]

As you manage to get a small bit of it loose, the room instantly floods with water and both doors lock.

[mrcarter11]

Isten seeing the room flood with water, decides to attempt and fix the situation. Since nothing happened to Alfonso in the circle. Isten heads into the circle. Attempting to communicate with Alfonso that he should put the gold back, and join him in the circle. Isten also calls Grumpy and the construct to him.

[Moranica]

Alfonso quickly follows suit.

[planswalker]

As soon as everyone enters the circle and the gold is returned, the water disappears as quickly as it came, both doors open, and stone pillars at each corner rise up. They slowly begin to sink back into the floor.

[mrcarter11]

Isten has the construct head towards the now open door while he and Grumpy merely follow.

[Moranica]

Alfonso quickly follows.

"thans! Good uses"

[planswalker]

The next hallway is short, only 15 feet long. A smoking iron door stand half-open in ruins. Deep impenetrable mists lie beyond. You can hear an ominous splashing hiss and the sounds of combat.

[Moranica]

Alfonso casts false life on himself.

[roll0]

[planswalker]

false life is cast.

[Moranica]

He then casts summon swarm in the room to create a swarm of bats (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/swarm.htm#batSwarm) (notice the blindsense) and tells it to attack the nearest creature.

[planswalker]

They disappear in the mists. You hear the sound of bats attacking something metallic.

[Moranica]

Alfonso keeps concentrating on the spell.

[planswalker]

and now you'll have to wait for the pc you just attacked to respond.

[planswalker]

A warforged comes out of the mist waving his arms. He has bat bite marks on his body.

[planswalker]

He says, " Look out ! bats and acid monsters - coming through."

He edges around the door and hides from the mist beyond.

[mrcarter11]

DM ONLY
Does Detect Hostile say anything? Also where is my construct in relation to him?

Isten hoping that this new thing isn't another enemy to attack decides to try and reason with it before is closes the distance to him.

"What monsters are you talking about? And if there are monsters, we are allies not enemies. Alfonso, kill the swarm now.

[planswalker]

it does not.

[mrcarter11]

Alright. Figured I'd make sure. Updated post above

[planswalker]

A terrific roar is heard from the hallways from whence you came, and then a terrific crash.

[planswalker]

The warforged says, "well thats good to hear. It might be best to wait a bit to see if that cloud clears up. Then we'll know if the other beast is dead"

A small bat pops his head up off the warforged's shoulder and squeaks in anger.

"I know, I know - those bats had no manners. Nothing like you Stinky"

He dips into his pack and pulls out a potion and downs it.

[mrcarter11]

Well thank you for the advice. My name is Isten, and this fellow is Alfonso. What is your name?" Isten points to Alfonso at the correct time.

[planswalker]

"You can call me Shadow." he responds. "I hope that acid thing doesn't come in here."

[mrcarter11]

"Well if it does, we shall have to put an end to it. Do tell, do you have anything to heal those of my nature?"

[planswalker]

wait... mrcarter, I thought Isten was human.

[mrcarter11]

He is? And you said the figure, known as Shadow was a warforged.. I'm guessing what he downed was a healing potion, since he isn't running back into combat.. So I asked if he had anything to heal those of my nature.. As in human.

[planswalker]

duly noted.

[planswalker]

"Sorry I don't have anything that will work on ...flesh. Maybe try checking with my two companions in the other room." Shadow suggests helpfully.

Shadow draws and drinks another potion.

would all of you be amenable to merging the two teamup threads?

[mrcarter11]

Tis fine with Me. But what is noted exactly?

[planswalker]

He is? And you said the figure, known as Shadow was a warforged.. I'm guessing what he downed was a healing potion, since he isn't running back into combat.. So I asked if he had anything to heal those of my nature.. As in human.

that is what

[planswalker]

use this thread for interacting with the other pc's from the other teamup thread. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11413125#post11413125)

[Moranica]

Alfonso keeps up the bats, while they are in the mist and not attacking the wf anymore. Should they attack him, he'll release them.