Heir to the Throne IC2

[Vegan Squirrel]

Heir to the Throne
Previously... (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?536405-Heir-to-the-Throne-IC)
The story continues...

The six of you—Princess Aurora (pseudonym Dame Celeste), Percival Durane (pseudonym Donovan), Vettis Veers, Foolish Farley Wun, Doc MacArdle, and Officer Delta—find yourselves in the bottom level of the ruined gnome city of Sarsis. The ground is quite dusty, with tumbleweed-sized dust bunnies piled against the bases of the buildings. The walls rise up to an imperfectly joined roof—the highway level where you first entered this enormous cavern. Guided by Officer Delta, his mechanical gears constantly ticking, you make your way towards a narrow tunnel on the southern edge of the cavern.

This tunnel was definitely not carved with tall humanoids in mind, as it is only 7 feet high, though it is about 30 feet across. The dim city lights continue down the tunnel, which extends forward for about a mile. Finally, it opens into a larger cavern.

"This is the entrance to the sub-levels of Sarsis," Officer Delta explains in his tinny voice. "That staircase leads to sub-level one," he continues, gesturing toward a descending spiral staircase carved into the rock to your left. "Ahead are the entrances to the mines. My calculations indicate there is a 91% chance that the group of gnomes with the Caretaker used these elevators to reach the deepest levels of the mines."

Before you, what was once the wall of this chamber is pockmarked by a number of mining tunnels. In the center, there is another mandala on the wall, much smaller and less intricate than the one you met at the entrance of the city. Beside it are two large, open cages of metal, 10 foot cubes hanging by rusty chains from small openings in the ceiling. The chains slide through a zipper-like series of gears built into either end of each cart. It is not immediately clear whether the elevators are still safe after more than a century of disuse.

[Luccan]

All things considered, we should take precautions. Whether or not these elevators are usable, the mines themselves will likely be in disrepair as well, at least in the upper levels. Cave-ins could be a real danger.

Percival steps cautiously towards the elevators. Though the mechanical bent of his mind is geared more towards traps and locks, he takes a moment to examine the cages and see if he can determine if they might still be safe for use.


I'm gonna roll a basic Knowledge (Engineering) check. I don't have any ranks. If you think a different skill is better suited, let me know.

[roll0]

[Doomboy911]

Scratching his chin confused"Hmm, this is confusing. I can see a lot of roads to walk along but my feet don't seem to know how." Walking over to the mandala he bows "Greetings, I am Farley Modell Wun. It is nice to be meeting you new mandala I have been asked to explore this area and find a caretaker do you know where they might be?"

[Vegan Squirrel]

Percival examines the mechanism of the cages, but he lacks sufficient knowledge to be certain how safe they are. Nothing seems to be broken. The chains do look rusty, however, and as they enter a gap in the ceiling, he cannot see how well they are anchored.

When Farley addresses the mandala, it slowly starts to shimmer and glow with a dim arcane energy. After a long pause, it begins to speak. "Calibrating... The Caretaker's current location is unknown. Two lifts are currently available at your level. Please select a destination."

[J-H]

Vettis

"These 'lifts' take us places? Are they safe?

What destinations are you offering us?"

[Vegan Squirrel]

The mandala whirs a little and responds to Vettis's query. "The safety of the lifts is guaranteed by our engineers' inspections. However, it has been many years since the last inspection. Proceed with caution. There are seven levels in these mines available as destinations for the lifts. This is the first level."

[J-H]

Vettis

"This place is pretty big. What are the different levels like?"

[Vegan Squirrel]

The mandala replies, "Levels one through three contain gold and copper mines; levels four and five include a large vein of silver; and the lowest levels are gemstone mines. Each level consists of excavated tunnels and exposed natural caverns; some of these caverns serve as connection points between the levels. There is also an access tunnel for arcane maintenance on level two, and a gateway to the deeper cave systems on level seven."

[Luccan]

We might secure a rope around someone, then go down the lifts one a time. If Officer Delta is correct, they might have taken the refuge beneath the mines. Percival produces a rope from his pack The creature I summoned earlier has many uses, one of which is flight. It should be able to catch anyone, should I go down first and wait for you.

[Metahuman1]

Aurora nods her approval at the plan. "Agreed. All of us taking the rope should not be hard to keep a line on you in case something happens. Let's get too it."

[Doomboy911]

"Hmm, should we tie it onto something? We need something heavy and dense" Farley begins wandering about looking for something notably heavy enough to support any of their weight.

[roll0]

That'a boy keep that screw up truck a rolling.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Farley looks around, finding a number of loose boulders near the entrances of several tunnels, rocks which were at one point part of the mine walls. They seem sufficient to support a person's weight.

If you'd like to go ahead with your plan, someone will need to step into one of the cages and tell the mandala which level to take you to. I think Percival wants to go to the lowest level, but I'm not sure if you plan to go all the way down right away. I'd also like a better description of your precautions before moving forward, just to make sure I understand what you're doing. Also, happy holidays! +5 XP to all!

[Luccan]

Percival begins securing the rope around himself, offering the other end to the others.

I suppose I'll take this down at least as far as the rope will let me go. We can see where we are from there.

He pauses for a moment, then turns to the mandala

How many feet down does the lift go?


Use Rope to secure it around myself: [roll0]

I figure we're just trying to get to the bottom, so if he can get there with the length of the rope, that's where he'll go. If not, he'll go to the lowest floor he can and wait for the others to come down.

[Vegan Squirrel]

The mandala answers Percival's query, "The seventh level of the mines is 296 feet below this level."

After a short series of questions, Percival determines that with 50 feet of rope, he can only descend to the second level. He enters the cage on the left, communicating his intentions to the mandala, and with a clunk and some crackling of rust, the chains slide through the gears and lower the cage.

It is a bumpy ride at first, as bits of rust seem to momentarily stick in the gears, and you can hear the echoes of the rusty chains loudly reverberating through the descending shaft. But the machinery powers through and you reach the second level. Unlike the tunnel above, this level is not lit by the city's power supply. You see a faintly glowing mandala on one wall, and can barely make out the shape of sconces on the walls in the entrances to the dark, quiet tunnels on either side of your cage—tunnels which are barely 6 feet in height and width.

[J-H]

Vettis

Vettis sticks his head into the shaft and looks down. "How does it look?" he calls down.

[Luccan]

Percival crouches uncomfortably, wondering if it would have killed the gnomish miners to make the tunnel half a foot higher. He takes a moment to light his lantern before calling up to Vettis.

Uncomfortably small. I don't think they intended people our size to be down here, we'll barely have enough room to squeeze past each other. There's another mandala, but the city's power isn't lighting the level; I'm not sure it's functional.

He turns to the mandala and speaks again Are you functioning? If so, can you tell me whether any gnomes passed this way and where they were headed?

[Vegan Squirrel]

The mandala whirs with energy for a moment. "Many gnomes have passed by here in the past, but not for many years. They were either headed into the mining tunnels or back to the top of the lift."

I'm just going to re-iterate that Officer Delta indicated it is highly likely the gnomes who evacuated went all the way to the deepest levels of the mine (so, all the way down). That's only a high likelihood, but I don't want you to lose track of him having said it. Also, to be clear, the mandala seems to be talking about everyday miners, not a large group of evacuating gnomes.

You can do whatever you want, and explore in any manner you choose. I'm just trying to avoid any miscommunication. So far, the lift seems to be functioning, at least with a load of one person's weight. You can send it back up with the rope, or have the rope's end dropped down and try to secure it again to continue down another level, or try something else.

[Luccan]

Percival calls back up, relaying the information and his interpretation of the mandala's meaning I recommend we keep heading down, a floor at a time. I'll send the rope up and we can take the lift one by one. Unless you want to chance multiple people on the lift

[J-H]

Vettis

"Better safe than sorry. For that matter, who's the heaviest? We should test it with the heaviest person first, and that way we'll know it's safe for everyone else."

[Doomboy911]

"Hmm I do not know who the heaviest is, I never weighed myself but I suppose I weigh as much as one Farley. If we're all going to go down I suggest we go down in groups of 2. I can go with dame celeste, another can go with Doc and another with Officer Delta."

[Metahuman1]

"Accounting for armor Vettis, I, suspect, I'm actually heaviest." Aurora added after taking a second to contemplate it.

"Someone put a good couple of knots in the rope and if both of you and officer delta hold on, It should be a safe enough trip down. Will work it in that pattern. Percival, then me, then everyone else. That way we know if it's going to give, it's going to do so with as many fail safes as we can manage in place."

[Doomboy911]

"Accounting for armor Vettis, I, suspect, I'm actually heaviest." Aurora added after taking a second to contemplate it.

"Someone put a good couple of knots in the rope and if both of you and officer delta hold on, It should be a safe enough trip down. Will work it in that pattern. Percival, then me, then everyone else. That way we know if it's going to give, it's going to do so with as many fail safes as we can manage in place."

"Well I'm not wearing any armor and we shouldn't head down alone. I can come with you Ms Celeste." Farley tries to loop the rope around something before tying it onto himself. "Here you hold one end and I'll hold the other." wrapping the one end of the rope around his arm tightening it to secure himself.



Use rope [roll0]

Farley apparently skilled with ropes.

[Metahuman1]

"Um, Farely, I, am reasonably certain that is not how it works. Let me go down first, with the rope securing me, and everyone else holding on in case. If nothing bad happens, the rest of you shouldn't have an issue coming down." She was, gentle, with her statement, but firm.

[Doomboy911]

"Um, Farely, I, am reasonably certain that is not how it works. Let me go down first, with the rope securing me, and everyone else holding on in case. If nothing bad happens, the rest of you shouldn't have an issue coming down." She was, gentle, with her statement, but firm.

"But what if something happens to you and you can tell us something went wrong and then we go down and something goes wrong and then we don't tell the next folks something went wrong and then something goes wrong with them and then no one leaves a note saying the elevator isn't safe. Mr. Donovan is really smart and can be kind of tough looking so maybe whatever's down there was smart enough to avoid him."

[J-H]

Vettis

"How about I go down while holding your pack for you - that way you are not putting yourself at risk by being the heaviest one going down?"

[J-H]

Vettis
Carrying Princess Aurora's pack and one from someone else, Vettis hops on the elevator and takes it down to the bottom level. "If you don't hear a snap, a scream, or a heavy thud, then it's safe."

[Metahuman1]

"Farley, no, no, that's, not, no. Just, trust me, no." Her head was almost spinning trying to make sense of that.


Which, might well have been why she agreed to hand Vettis her pack.

"Make sure we have a rope on him. If he's screaming I want it to be out of unpleasant surprise he'll tell fun campfire story's about in his old age, not because it's the last sound he's going to make in life."

She directs, well, everyone present, and firmly. She was letting him go down as the heaviest possible weight they'd need to transport. She was NOT letting him do so with out at least an attempt at a fail safe.

[Doomboy911]

Nodding Farley steps off the elevator, giving Vettis a big hug Farley secures the rope around his waist before securing the other end to himself. "This way if something bad happens I'll be the first one there to help." Smiling he raises his one leg high into the air before slamming it hard into the stone then doing the same with the other.

Activating his bastion stance and also tying rope around Vettis so potential use rope check
[roll0]
I figured the other end is still secured well around Farley.

[Metahuman1]

Aurora grabs Farley's end of the rope as well doing a couple of quick loops of rope around the bracers on her forearms. The rope wasn't going to hurt them, but it spread the force out enough that it was unlikely to snap from that. And she'd not be loosing her grip. She figured that way she could not only use muscles, but full body and armor weight, if it came to it.

"Just, remember that if it comes to that, plan A is for him to come to us. Not for us to go to him."

[J-H]

Vettis

The platform doesn't move. Vettis turns and addresses the mandala. "Please send the platform down."

[Vegan Squirrel]

Vettis instructs the mandala to lower him. Once again, the echoes of rust chains reverberate through the descending shaft, and once again, it reaches the next level safely. Vettis sees the same dark, quiet tunnels, with the dimly glowing mandala on one wall beside Percival, and the shape of unlit sconces on the walls.

You still seem to be of mixed opinion still on how to proceed. I'm guessing you'll end up sending everyone down to this level and then have Vettis or Percival lead the way down again? Unless I hear objections, that's what I'll assume.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[J-H]

Vettis

"That's the weight test complete. Safe for anyone to come down!" He yells back up the shaft.

[Luccan]

Glad you didn't plummet to your death, Vettis. Hopefully it holds the rest of the way down. Percival turns to the tunnel behind them, continuing to examine their surroundings and keeping an eye out for any surprises.

[Doomboy911]

"It seems safe, shall I go next with Doc and Delta? Or would you two like to go next and the three of us shall follow behind?" Maintaining his stance with the rope tied around his waist.

[Metahuman1]

"Agreed." Aurora offered, nodding.

[Vegan Squirrel]

You carefully take your time going down the elevator, and all of you arrive at the second level of the mines. Repeating your progress, you reach the third level. The elevator has successfully handled each of your carefully weighted loads, though its sounds continue to echo loudly in the mines each time you use it. The landing at the third level is much the same as at the second level—cramped tunnels on each side, unlit sconces on the walls, and a smaller mandala which whirs into action when you request the elevator to be moved.

During that last use of the elevator, you thought you heard something else mingled with the echoes of the elevator. However, as the elevator comes to a stop, you can't quite place what it is. No one else seems to notice it. Maybe it came from behind you in the tunnel?I'll update this post with more shortly; for now, Perception checks!
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[Doomboy911]

(I'd say let me roll perception but that roll is entirely in character with Farley)

As the elevator begins it's descent with Farley coming last he does his best to clean the mandalas and thank them for their safe passage while promising to do his best to help the gnomes. Though he's unsure if they're worried or not he wishes to do his best to put them at ease. "Do not worry we'll be back and I'll do my best to bring the others" not whispering to them as it's not something he feels he needs to hide.

[Luccan]

Percival turns, peering down the tunnel. There's something back there. He focuses his mind for a moment, then, slowly, the cavern begins to light up, allowing him a better look inside. His eyes begin to glow and a brief, multicolor aura pulses out from him, then dissipates.


Percival uses the control light power, increasing the light level in 21 10 ft cubes, however far down the tunnel it becomes too difficult to see (or maximum range, if that's further than 140ft before it gets dark, which I doubt). I'm increasing it by 100%, so I should be able to hold it for up to 4 minutes

Roll to suppress Visual display (dc 16 Concentration check):

[roll0]

[Vegan Squirrel]

Percival lights up most of the tunnel behind him, peering in. The tunnel is neatly hewn from the rocks, with wooden arches supporting the roof periodically. Though the floor and walls are fairly smooth, there is a fair bit of rock debris along the sides of the tunnel.

With your keen eyes, you spot something hiding about 30 feet into the tunnel. It is using the wooden supports and debris as cover, and you can't make out exactly what it is, but you can make out what looks like insectoid pincers and the hint of a carapace, just barely exposed at the edges of its hiding spot. The creature would appear to be about the size of a fox.

[Metahuman1]

Aurora slowly draws her sword, quietly. She shifts her stance some, Preparing to deal with whatever might come, and holding the blade in a very low guard with both hands.

"What do you think? Check it out, or press on down?" She questions of the group.

[Luccan]

Percival shakes his head It looks like a large insect, maybe the size of a small dog or fox. Doesn't seem to be coming toward us. He draws his rapier, however, knowing it's better to be prepared than a potential dinner.

[Doomboy911]

" Do not worry Mister Donovan, I know exactly how to handle a bug. I just need a glass and some parchment." casually approaching the direction Donovan was looking at Farley pauses " I do not possess either of those things." then continues on.

[Metahuman1]

Aurora puts an arm out to Bar Farley's path. "Officer Delta, do you know what it is? And if it's aggressive or hostile?" She inquired of the golem. He'd been down here awhile, here was hoping he might know something.

[Vegan Squirrel]

The clockwork officer responds in his tinny voice. "I am unable to identify the creature before you. Proceed with caution."

Doctor MacArdle offers her perspective as well. "I don't see what you've noticed, but there are a number of sizable vermin who might be found underground. If it's just hiding out of sight, then I think it's either harmless or lying in wait to ambush us."

[J-H]

Vettis

"I'll find out." Rapier drawn, Vettis walks cautiously towards the big bug.


If I could ready actions outside of combat, I would, but I can't.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Doctor MacArdle draws a sling from her pack, readying to fire if the bug attacks. Meanwhile, Vettis cautiously moves forward, spotting the bug as he nears it.

Just as Vettis almost reaches the rocky debris behind which the bug is hiding, it launches itself at Vettis. The creature is a three-foot long, multicolored, beetle, with a wide row of feelers descending from its mouth. Doctor MacArdle slings a rock towards it, which bounces harmlessly off of the tunnel's low ceiling. As the beetle leaps at Vettis, he meets it with his rapier, rending its softer underbelly with a precise strike. The beetle is immediately slain. However, the moment his rapier touches the beetle, he feels a jolt of electrical energy surge through his weapon and into his body, subjecting him to a painful shock.

I hope you don't mind me making your rolls here. Let me know if anything is amiss.
[roll0]
[roll1] + 7 Critical Damage (rolled OOC (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=23653424&postcount=79))
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

The beetle leapt for Vettis, who used his readied attack to slay it. MacArdle's readied attack misses. Vettis' contact with the beetle discharges its shock attack for 11 damage.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Just as Vettis recovers from the feeling of the shock, another beetle lunges from several feet further in the cave, where it was more successfully concealed in the debris. The second beetle smacks directly into Vettis, who once again feels the painful electrical surge through his body.

[roll0] vs. Vettis' AC 13
[roll1]

Vettis takes 8 more HP of damage. It is now the party's turn—everyone can act in any order. Vettis is furthest ahead in the tunnel, with the shock beetle on the far side of him. Remember this tunnel is about 6 feet wide and tall, so movement will be difficult. Vettis's space counts as difficult terrain due to the first beetle's corpse.

[Doomboy911]

Not waiting a moment the second the creature leaps out Farley pushes past Aurora and leaps over Vettis and past the bugs. His hands swing low as scoops one up with one fluid motion moving it behind him as he readies for the other to attack. Smiling through it all, "Do not worry Mr. Vettis they're just little bugs they mean you no harm"


Acrobatics to move through threatened squares Which would be jump I guess or balance weird to not have just acrobatics (curse you 3.5)
Reposition attempt which is just grappling essentially [roll] 1d20+10
and readying another as my abilities allow.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Farley's attempt at re-positioning the second beetle works, as he lunges past Vettis and scoops the creature in his arms. When he makes contact with the beetle, he feels a discharge of static electricity, but it is not strong enough to hurt him. He slides forward with the beetle, using his momentum to shove the creature further into the tunnel, where it rears back and faces Farley.

Farley is now in the beetle's space, holding (grappling) it. He dealt 8 HP of damage to it. Vettis and Farley are no longer in squeezed spaces, but Farley is in a grapple. The beetle's shock attack is recharging, so it doesn't damage you. You can attempt to re-position it on your next turn, but if the shock discharges before then, I'll let you decide then whether to hold through it or attempt to drop it early with a Reflex save to avoid the damage.

EDIT: Farley bull rushed the beetle, so now Farley occupies the space where the beetle was, and the beetle is in the next space 5 ft. back.

It's still the rest of the party's turns.

[J-H]

Vettis
Twitching as prickles still run through his nerves, Vettis holds his rapier in his tingling hand and stabs at the restrained beetle.


May as well Mountain Hammer.
oops 1d20+9[/roll] to hit rolled 12
for [roll0] damage

[Vegan Squirrel]

Vettis stabs at the shock beetle, but his rapier harmlessly slides across its carapace. The static charge Vettis feels on contact is hardly noticeable after the last two shocks.

Okay, so now that Farley moved the beetle, Vettis isn't actually next to it any more. However, the moving beetle provoked an opportunity attack. So here's your choice, J-H, and sorry for the awkwardness of today's rulings (I hope they feel fair, though!). Either you can interpret this post as your turn, happening just before Farley moves the beetle, or you can interpret this as a failed opportunity attack and still take a turn. Realize that Farley's in your way now, but I'd once again allow you to squeeze into the same space since the tunnel is wider than 5 feet across.

I'm creating this choice because you were in the process of figuring out how to interpret your turn when Farley's turn happened, and also because I didn't realize the attack of opportunity until re-reading the bull rush rules again, and also because I kind of played loose with your turn in the initiative order while attacking you with two shock beetles. I want to make sure it doesn't add up to being unfair to you.

[Metahuman1]

[roll0] If I roll 5 or less, it means the Boguns require a Diplomacy check to work. Which means I spend my turn instead trying to sweet talk the monkey's in my armor.

[roll1] [roll2] Aid Another.

Maneuvers Granted.

[roll3] [roll4] If it comes up the same number I'll have to reroll the 2nd one. 6 is also an automatic reroll.

1: Crusaders Strike. 2: Douse The Flames. 3: Stone Bones. 4: Vanguard Strike. 5: Leading The Attack.

[Metahuman1]

[roll0] Extra text to get it to let me post.

[Metahuman1]

1d6 Just watch, I'm going to roll to attack, and roll like a 2.

[Metahuman1]

Oh for the love of.

[roll0]

[Metahuman1]

Aurora was quick to dart in past Farley and Vettis, and take a jab at the creature herself, even as her monkey's came to her aid. Well, two of them anyway, cracks from there little whips coming out of the armor to try and create an opening she could exploit.


Which was fine, she was channeling a lot of power toward healing right now. And most of the rest was geared toward trying to fend off any coming counter attack. Course, this meant she had to squeeze into that, space, with, that, thing, focuse, focus, stop that shaking, focus!




Apply Shaken Condition. Claustrophobic Flaw.

Swift Action: Change Stance to Martial Spirit Stance.

Move action: Close with the critter.

Standard Action: Attack with Crusaders Strike. Taking an additional -2 to use Full Stone Power for 4 Temp HP next round.

To Hit. [roll0]

Damage if Applicable. [roll1]

Crusaders Strike Healing: [roll2] additional +2 healing from Stance. All assuming I at least hit.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Aurora's bold effort is fruitless for the moment, as her sword rattles harmlessly along the beetle's carapace. Meanwhile, Doctor MacArdle grabs a stone from the floor of the tunnel and slings it towards the beetle, though her shot path is obstructed. Officer Delta also launches his spear-like weapon into the melee. Both of them are carefully avoiding their allies, resulting in their shots striking the ceiling and wall of the tunnel, respectively.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

Percival is up

[Luccan]

Seeing the struggle of his allies, Percival decides getting directly into combat will do more harm than good. Instead, he again focuses his power and in another multicolor flash, a shimmering construct is brought forth behind the bug creature. It brings its entire arm down on the creature.


Using Astral Construct power.

Advancing as close as necessary for 35 ft range to work for summoning it.

Spending 2 additional points to upgrade it to level 2, for a total of 3 power points spent. Giving it the Improved Natural Attack feat, increasing its slam to 1d8. He'll direct it to attack the bug

Attack [roll0]
Damage (slam attack) [roll1]

[Vegan Squirrel]

The astral construct successfully strikes the beetle, creating a small crack in its thick carapace. The cracked beetle snaps at this new attacker, but is too slow to hit it. At that moment, another beetle lunges from the darkness behind the construct, also missing with its attempted attack.

Doctor MacArdle grabs another rock and tries her best to hit the second construct, but in the loud confusion of the cramped tunnel, she can't get in an effective shot.

[roll0] vs. Astral Construct's AC 18
[roll1] to Astral Construct if hit
[roll2] 1 for Farley, 2 for Construct
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6] vs. AC 18
[roll7]

Everyone in the party, your turns are up now. The engaged combatants are lined up like so: Farley-Cracked Beetle-Astral Construct-Third Beetle. Both beetles' shocks are fully charged.

[Doomboy911]

As the others fall back Farley slows steps back and gets down low. "Do not be afraid I am here to help" extending his hand slowly but surely.

[roll0]

[Vegan Squirrel]

Farley tries to placate the beetle, but instead it clicks its pincers at him with a hiss.

I like your thinking, but this thing's not going to be easy to calm.

[Metahuman1]

"KORD GIVE ME STRENGHT, HOW MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE THERE?!" She, wasn't, quite, shrieking, but it was close. There was an edge of fear in her voice, narrowly restrained, as she cried out in surprise and dismay at the third creature arriving.

Need to focus, need to focus, need to focus. Breath. Remember, your training, hard to breath, training, training damn it Aurora Training! She thought at herself frantically.

"DELTA! PROTECT THE DOCTOR! VETTIS, FARLEY, START BACKING OUT! WE NEED ROOM TO MANUVER! FARLEY, STAY IN CENTER, LET THEM EITHER PERSUE US OR RETREIT!! VETTIS, YOUR ON ONE SIDE, I'M ON THE OTHER, IF THEY COME AT US WILL HAVE THEM FLANKED BETWEEN US!!" She was fighting to not be hysterical, she was not having a good time of it, but she was fighting anyway.

She began pulling back, sword still at the ready, and trying very hard to steady her breath.


I'm going to move back away from melee range too the positioning I explained earlier. The idea is to get the fight were we aren't in a super enclosed space, while using that space to somewhat bottle neck the bugs if they come at us again, while also giving us all flanking if they do.

I also ready a maneuver to use Stone Bones with Martial Spirit Stance if they do make a follow up attack on me before my next turn. 2 Monkey's will Aid Another, and I will full Stone Power for 4 Temp HP.

[J-H]

Vettis
Vettis steps back, drawing his bow and firing an arrow at the farther (not in melee) beetle.

Targeting the one that doesn't require Precise Shot to hit.
Arrow! [roll0] for [roll1] damage

[Vegan Squirrel]

Aurora shouts her orders and takes up a readied posture, while Vettis fires a shot past the combatants. The arrow passes inches from the farther beetle and harmlessly flies past, finding the ground a little deeper into the tunnel.

Meanwhile, Officer Delta nimbly darts forward into the melee just long enough to grab his metallic spear, quickly retreating with it to where the doctor is standing.

And technically both beetles are in melee now (the farther one with just the astral construct). Sorry for the delay; the past week has just been rough. Percival and his construct are up next.

[Luccan]

Percival stays back, allowing his allies the space they need to fight. He draws his short bow, preparing to fire on the beetle furthest from his allies as to not accidentally strike one of them. As he fires, the glimmering astral figure continues to pummel its original target.


Percival Rolls:
[roll0]
[roll1]
Construct Rolls:
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Vegan Squirrel]

The cracked beetle lunges for Farley, but he deftly dodges the closing pincers of its bite. Meanwhile, the farther beetle chomps into Percival's astral construct for a substantial amount of damage, including the discharge of its electrical attack. Doctor MacArdle tries another shot with her sling, which continues to prove fruitless. She sighs in frustration, unsure if she should pursue a different tactic.


[roll0] 1 for Farley, 2 for Construct
[roll1] vs. Farley AC 19 (miss)
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4] vs. Astral Construct AC 18 (hit)
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7] vs. AC 18 (miss)
[roll8]

The astral construct takes 13 points of damage (piercing and electric) from the far beetle.

The party may now act, in any order.

[Doomboy911]

"Be calm I am no threat to you." Farley remains determined to not harm the creature.

Another animal handling and preparing a reposition for the next attack it makes.

[roll0]

"How do we feel about this tunnel do we think the gnomes are this way?"

[J-H]

Vettis

Vettis fires another arrow at the farther creature, but misses. Archery is not his specialty.

Attack [roll0] for [roll1]

[Metahuman1]

She was, less rattled now that she wasn't in quite such a confined space, but, Aurora was still having adrenaline thumping at the moment. Not helped by Farley ignoring instructions and being, well, foolish Farley.

"FARLEY! PULL BACK! IT'S TERRITORIAL AND IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE NICE!!!!" She called out, somewhat frayed nerves evident now in her voice.

"VETTIS, AT THE READY!"

She's still got her sword, though she adjusts her grip slightly, a better strike to use coming to mind.

Maintaining a readied action to 5ft step to flanking position if it comes out, and too hit it with a maneuver. Swapping that maneuver from Stone Bones to Vanguard Strike.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Officer Delta launches his metallic spear towards the nearest of the beetles, trying to strike where the carapace was cracked by Percival's astral construct, but missing.

[roll0] vs. AC 18
[roll1]

Percival is the only one left to go in the party's initiative block.

[Luccan]

Percival once again draws his bow, attempting to take a shot at the furthest beetle. The silver construct seems almost mindless in its determination to squash the creature.


Percival Rolls:
[roll0]
[roll1]
Construct Rolls:
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Vegan Squirrel]

While Farley's efforts to calm the cracked shock beetle were unsuccessful, it seems to have noticed that it's the farther away creatures that are still trying to attack it. So the cracked beetle, cracking with its electrical charge, tries to make its way right past Farley and toward the rest of the party. Meanwhile, the farther beetle continues its attacks on Percival's astral construct, delivering a powerful shock through its successful bite.

Meanwhile, Doctor MacArdle draws her staff and uses it to distract the cracked beetle as it approaches, offering an advantageous opening to Aurora. "Hey you! Get the stick!"

The construct and Farley can each take an attack of opportunity on the moving beetle. If Farley decides to let it through (because it can't succeed on the required Tumble check), Aurora can then take her readied action to flank and attack with a maneuver. If it's still alive then, I'll resolve its attack then (it's not yet clear whom it will target).

As for the distant beetle..
[roll0] vs. Astral Construct AC 18
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3] vs. DC 10 to grant a +2 bonus to Aurora's next attack roll against the cracked beetle.

The astral construct is down to 4 out of 31 HP and definitely benefits from being immune to critical hits!

[Vegan Squirrel]

Farley seizes the opening, striking the beetle from the underside and tipping it prone. Unfortunately, the beetle's build of electrical energy discharges into him when he makes contact.

[roll0]

The party can now act, in any order.

[Metahuman1]

Aurora saw the burns on Farley and had to grit her teeth not too wince.

"FARLEY! BACK OUT OF THERE NOW SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS ONE ON ONE!!!!! THAT'S A DIRECT ORDER!!!!!!!! DAMN IT MAN I AM NOT EXPLAINING THAT YOU DIED TO AN OVER GROWN BUG SO MOVE!!!" She bellowed, clinging rather desperately at this point too an iron combat discipline to keep her voice mostly steady and too keep from panicking. She resolved, if she made it through this, she NEEDED to start getting better at wrestling. If for no other reason so when he did things like this, she'd stand a chance of dragging him out of a suicidally foolish place to stand.


For now, however, she held the sword aloft, prepared to act the instant things happened.

Kord let him do as I say before he get's himself killed, I do not want to bury a friend today!! She prayed silently and internally for the help.




Reading action to make sure I'm in position as soon as Farley backs out of there so that He, Vettis and I can ALL get at the beetle with out squeezing rules applying, and to take a full Stone Power Swing at it with Vanguard Strike, while in Marital Spirit Stance.

[J-H]

Vettis

Vettis steps in, stabbing at the inverted invertebrate.


Attack [roll0] for [roll1] plus 1d6 damage from stance that I left off
Refreshes maneuvers.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Vettis's rapier skewers the beetle's soft underbelly, and it ceases to struggle, though its limbs twitch a little with leftover electrical energy. The third beetle remains engaged with the astral construct, which seems to have all of its attention at the moment.

Percival and Farley can still act this round, as will Officer Delta.

[Doomboy911]

As the life is drained out of the creature Farley wipes his eyes, Forgive me Mandala" channeling his ki into his fist he punches as hard as he can straight up to try to bring the tunnel apart. "Shǎndiàn jí zhōngle shān" than try to avoid the falling debris as quickly as he can.


Making his fist a magic weapon and fleeing let me know what to roll.

[Luccan]

The astral construct turns and begins its assault on the final beetle. Percival curses under his breath and aims another arrow down at the creature.

I'm slipping he thinks to himself as he fires.


Fingers crossed I hit something this time.

Percival Rolls:
[roll0]
[roll1]

Construct Rolls:
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Vegan Squirrel]

The astral construct succeeds in cracking another beetle's carapace, but Percival's arrow misses its mark.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Farley imbues his fists with magical power and slams into the ceiling of the tunnel. A crack starts to form, and a few small pieces of rock fall from the ceiling's tunnel. At the sound of cracking stone, the remaining shock beetle instinctively begins to scurry away down the tunnel.

Sorry for the delay; this week has been busier than I expected. The astral construct can make an AoO on the beetle as it flees, if you'd like. Otherwise, the encounter is over unless you give chase.

[Luccan]

Percival relents as the creature flees, the silver construct disappearing back into the astral plane. He replaces his bow with a sigh and leans against the wall.

He lets out an uncharacteristic chuckle I'm slipping in my old age.

[Doomboy911]

As the creature skitters off Farley places the remains of the beetle together bowing his head and saying a small prayer to himself before sitting besides Percival. "I remember in my home our leader was a very kind man like you Mr Donovan, he could leap higher than any one of us and I would struggle to dodge his mighty blows. He was much older than you though, perhaps as time goes by you'll get even stronger." Offering a golden delicious apple with a smile.

[Metahuman1]

Aurora took it in as the beatle ran off, and sighed, slowly letting the tension poor out of her. Slowly lowering her sword from high guard. She had to steel herself, abit, to make her resheath the sword, and sit down with her back against the wall to disguise her legs turning to Jello.

She took a few seconds, mastering her breath again, and getting a pull form a water bottle, before she trusted her voice enough to speak. And when she did, she managed to be Calm and Level.

"Farley, do me a small favor? Next time I tell you not too stand in the one place we can't all help with a fight? Please, just listen and back up enough so that we can all fight? Thank you in advance."

Part of her wanted to rip him a new one for ignoring orders. But, it was Farley. He just did things like that. And she needed too be ready for that if she was going to be any kind of leader. And she was glad he'd not gotten himself killed. And those two parts out voted the first one.

"Doctor, are you alright? If so, please, check Vettis and Farley's wounds." She adds after another couple of seconds of though.

[Doomboy911]

"Farley, do me a small favor? Next time I tell you not too stand in the one place we can't all help with a fight? Please, just listen and back up enough so that we can all fight? Thank you in advance."
.

"Miss Celeste I'm just a gardener, I'm not very good at hurting things and I'd prefer we try not to hurt others. They were just trying to stay safe from us." Gesturing to the fallen foes "We didn't do a good job of keeping them safe."

[Metahuman1]

"Miss Celeste I'm just a gardener, I'm not very good at hurting things and I'd prefer we try not to hurt others. They were just trying to stay safe from us." Gesturing to the fallen foes "We didn't do a good job of keeping them safe."

"Mr. Wun, those who are just gardeners, as a rule of thumb, do not have the ability to bare handed punch with more take down power than the average Warhammer swing.

I understand being reticent to inflict death, even to a degree harm. My sword has the magics on it that is has specifically for a reason.

But please understand, firstly, that there is a difference between being reticent to those things, and allowing that reticent to put your life in danger. We need to protect ourselves, and we know they are ambush predators. We needed to deal with them as such."

She's keeping her voice even, less strained than it had sounded during the combat. Returning it more toward the normal Dame Celeste tone.

[Luccan]

As the creature skitters off Farley places the remains of the beetle together bowing his head and saying a small prayer to himself before sitting besides Percival. "I remember in my home our leader was a very kind man like you Mr Donovan, he could leap higher than any one of us and I would struggle to dodge his mighty blows. He was much older than you though, perhaps as time goes by you'll get even stronger." Offering a golden delicious apple with a smile.

Percival takes the apple appreciatively and munches on it. He pats Farley on the shoulder before standing up straight You're a good lad, Farley. If you live long enough, you may end up being a wise man.


"Miss Celeste I'm just a gardener, I'm not very good at hurting things and I'd prefer we try not to hurt others. They were just trying to stay safe from us." Gesturing to the fallen foes "We didn't do a good job of keeping them safe."

Dame Celeste is right, Farley. It's good you aren't a man who loves violence, you're strong enough that if you were, well, someone might have to do something about it. But a person must take up arms when lives are at stake. If you never hurt anything, then the things you care about will probably get hurt instead. His voice is stern, but calm.

[Doomboy911]

Picking himself up Farley maintaining eye contact with Aurora leans in and asks Percival "I don't know what reticent means do you?"

[Luccan]

Picking himself up Farley maintaining eye contact with Aurora leans in and asks Percival "I don't know what reticent means do you?"

Percival grips the bridge of his nose. It means you show restraint, in this case. But restraint was a poor choice, in this fight. Both yourself and Vettis are injured, which may have been avoided or significantly lessened had you fought. He turns his head to Vettis How are your injuries?

[Doomboy911]

Thinking hard on this for a long moment "Madame Celeste you listen well to your teachers would you like to hear from my teacher? She was a big lady like you and just like you she was very kind to me." he holds onto his robes tightly as he says.

[Metahuman1]

Aurora considered, for a few seconds, and then nodded.

"Alright." Curious as to were he was going with this.

[Doomboy911]

"Oh you actually want to know, most just tell me to be quiet and than I do. But I shall." propping his foot up and squinting his eye. With a much gruffer voice " Farley, you see the good gods decided to make the world in their image they made it with love and because of that it's made soft. The way of the mountain though is not for such softness, my hands are like clay fired by battle and they are hard they break things. You child are forged of iron except for that brain of yours that's cloth if you're not careful this world will break." lifting a piece of stone and crushing it in his hands

"Some folks break and they don't fix easily so be gentle. Or else" dropping the gruff voice "And then she'd punch me in the arm but I don't want to do that, that always hurt and then she'd spit but I am not good at that." he tries his best to spit but only manages a pitiful loogie.

[Vegan Squirrel]

Doctor MacArdle checks out Vettis first, as he seemed to take the brunt of the damage. She quietly bandages him up a bit and then casts a healing spell.

Vettis heals [roll0] HP.
[roll1] vs. DC 10 to double his natural healing rate the next time he rests for 8 hours.

[J-H]

Vettis

"Thanks for the help, doc." Vettis moves carefully, trying not to stress any of the stitches as he puts his armor back on afterward.

[Metahuman1]

"Oh you actually want to know, most just tell me to be quiet and than I do. But I shall." propping his foot up and squinting his eye. With a much gruffer voice " Farley, you see the good gods decided to make the world in their image they made it with love and because of that it's made soft. The way of the mountain though is not for such softness, my hands are like clay fired by battle and they are hard they break things. You child are forged of iron except for that brain of yours that's cloth if you're not careful this world will break." lifting a piece of stone and crushing it in his hands

"Some folks break and they don't fix easily so be gentle. Or else" dropping the gruff voice "And then she'd punch me in the arm but I don't want to do that, that always hurt and then she'd spit but I am not good at that." he tries his best to spit but only manages a pitiful loogie.

Aurora heard him out, and took a moment to consider it while the Doc worked on Vettis and then Farley before responding.

"She recommended being careful. She didn't recommend, when in immediate danger, not using your ability, or standing in the way of others who would act, Farley. I'm fairly certain, from the sound of it, she'd agree with that assessment."

[Doomboy911]

"Hmm perhaps that is why the path of the gardener is better suited for me. My strength is not meant to destroy, I can only prevent so much death but I will prevent as much as I can." pulling out the chalk he marks the inside of his robe three times and makes two of the slashes into an X.

[Luccan]

Percival watches the exchange between the princess and the monk silently. That the world were so simple, even for gardeners he thinks to himself. He checks the edge of the battlefield for any misplaced arrows, then stands ready to continue their descent.

[Doomboy911]

Rubbing the burnt skin off his hand Farley heads to the shaft "Shall we continue onward or do we want to take a rest? A lot of folks used fancy stuff and that can be exhausting."