Ghostfoot's Savage Tide (IC) Pt 2

[redzimmer]

Malmir

In the weeks he was trapped the Saragossa Malmir had drastically lowered his standards for what he would eat to survive.

“In Longsaddle this would be considered a delicacy,” he tried to convince himself.

Aside from more inane conversation and a larger variety of things out to kill him, he wondered whether his situation had improved.

And to top it all off he wasted a spell because his clothes were going to get wet anyway.

[Ghostfoot]

With the immediate threats dealt with your large group is able to spread out into the small cove. You spend some time harvesting what you can from the monstrously large crabs, with Tavey, Urol, Amella and Lirith all happily assisting while Indo skulks in the shade sweating and scratching, generally moaning about how he's about to die.

Once everyone is fed and your ample provisions stowed you are able to press on. Conveniently the tide has gone out and you are easily able to traverse the wet sand avoiding the deeper tidal pools. Following the beach to the south it becomes evident that there is no access to the island jungles here. The land slopes steeply upwards and you find yourselves traversing a coastal pathway that hugs the cliff face ~80ft above the waters below.

The path itself is clearly old and man-made, time and the elements having blasted but not totally obscured the ancient craftsmanship. Your journey continues along this cliffside roadway for the rest of the day. At times the path has somewhat collapsed, but never less than a comfortable 10ft or so wide. It rises and falls according to the contours of the land sometimes dropping down to sea level at other times rising up the cliff face to heights of 100ft or so. Some sections have been reinforced with wooden supports where erosion has washed away the stone. Tavey in particular enjoys the trek, clambering about, peeking over ledges and climbing up occasional stone markers. Other than gulls and other seabirds nesting around and feeding in the many bays there is no sign of any significant life.

As the sun starts to set and the day draws to a close the path dips down ahead to where you can see several beachside huts clustered together. The dwellings look poorly maintained with partially collapsed roofs and a small number of abandoned outrigger canoes rotting alongside. The coastal pathway continues on past the ruined houses.

Spoiler: Knowledge (engineering)

Show

Tchinik (1d20+4)[7]
Malmir (1d20+5)[18]
Farid (1d20+5)[21]

DC10 The stone pathway seems safe enough for travel.
DC15 The pathway really does appear to be ancient - easily 1,000 years old. The wooden structures are much more recent but still old, several years at least, if not a decade.

[Cavir]

Lora breaks up the monotony of the cliffside road by taking advantage of the down slopes, gliding out over the water and returning to the road at the lower sections then waiting for the group to catch up again.

Arriving at the huts, Lora motions for the group to spread out and explore. The dragonborn scouts around the outside of the area, making use of her darkvision and Magic Insight for anything trying to hide via camouflage.

[DrK]

Connaught

Stuffed with the fresh crab meat and happy to be out of the caves and back in sunlight Connaught holds a scarred hand up and looks at the sun before starting up the cliffside path. The heavy spiked armour of Savnok emitting a powerful odour as he sweated in the tropical sun, but, as Savnok's influence suggested, to take it off on a dangerous island would be foolhardy! Seeing the huts he advanced cautiously, axe in hand ready for danger to leap out as he kicked open the nearest door and strode in, the lack of light no issue for his eye's blazing red with Amon's gift

Spoiler:

Show

Hps 44/50 Saves +8/3/5
AC 22 (FFoot 22 Touch 10)

SQ
Pact Augment +2 hit
Immune to Fear

Savnok (1d20+10)[20] vs DC 15
+ Call +2 Fortification full plate
+ DR 3/ piercing
+ Move ally

Amon
+ Darkvision 60ft
+ Gore attack 1d6+(Str x1.5), plus +1d8 on a charge
+ Firebreath 50ft line, 9d6 damage, recharge 5 rounds

[redzimmer]

Malmir

"Great place for an ambush, but no let's all go rushing onward," Malmir passive-aggressively bemoans.

Spoiler: Spot Check with WIS 5 is the ultimate Metagame

Show

(1d20-2)[11] Spot

Of course who would live on this hellhole? Except more giant primitive feathered dragons.

[razorback]

Shifting his spear to his off-hand, Tchinik pulls out a small dart with a look of chagrin. "Well, might get lucky. Anyone who has a bow might want to pull it out." With that, he rushes off after Connaught. Once about 5 steps behind, he says "Unless you got this alone... if that's the case, I'll go back and finish off some of that crab." he says with a smile, poking a bit at the menacing northman.

[Ghostfoot]

You scout the area, finding little of note. The canoes and buildings are all old, weather-battered and failing. Connaught kicks in the doors of the huts, where such even remain, and finds all of the huts to be abandoned and of dubious weathertightness.

There is no sign of recent habitation. A few old tools and implements for fishing, cooking and carpentry are strewn about everything salt and sand-crusted having not been touched for some months or years. Urol and Tavey scrounge about as Indo flops in the shade looking decidedly unwell and unusually quiet.

The place really is abandoned.

[u-b]

Elmes casts some restorative spells on Indo to make sure he is alive by the morning, then helps to set up the camp, if that's what we intend to do.

Spoiler

Show

Lesser Restoration to cure (1d4)[3] ability damage
Lesser Restoration to cure (1d4)[3] ability damage
Heal for (1d20+6)[7] to see if more is needed

[DrK]

Connaught

Looking around Connaught grunts in disappointment at finding nothing in the rudimentary shacks. "All clear, come on in and we can get settled for the night. I'll be a long walk through the jungle in the morning. We still heading South you thinks to reach Farshore?"
He pauses, gazing in some displeasure at the green horizon of trees ahead of them.

---

In the morning he heads outside in another hu and squats down drawing out some chalks and a dagger to carve summoning circles in the crude earth. The first he summons is the dancer! Drawing the seal he chants and intones the dancer's name. Moments later as mist seeps from the seal Paimon appears in a whirl, his form spinning like a top on an arm that ends in a metal blade instead of a forearm and hand. He turns counterclockwise so rapidly that his summoner can make little sense of what he sees. Paimon quickly switches the arm on which he spins with a hop, and then he switches to a leg, which also ends in a blade rather than an ankle and foot. With each switch, Paimon slows, until at last he stands on one leg before his summoner, balancing within the seal on its daggerlike point. Paimon's almost featureless gray body has a dancer's physique. His face is stretched to disfigurement around the right side of his head, and no ears are visible. Paimon speaks in a garbled voice from his twisted mouth while hopping from appendage to appendage, making small turns as though he is impatient to be whirling again. "Give me your grace Dancer, let me deliver the dance of death upon our foes and give you the revenge you seek."

The second one is more complicated as he carves a deep groove in the ground and then pours water into the seal to trace the seal in pure liquid. As he intones a summoning he feels grief emanating from the seal. Focalor manifests slowly, appearing first as a single tear that drops from thin air to strike the ground. Next his weeping eyes appear, and gradually his whole body becomes visible. Focalor looks like a handsome human male whose face is twisted by grief. He wears no clothes, but he cloaks his body in the griffon wings that grow from his back and shudder with each of his wracking sobs. "I feel your grief Prince of Tears, lets us spread your misery.."

With his spirits bound to his body he heads back out ready for the march South, a strange dancing motion to his stride, a glimmer from his jaw as he feels Savnok's influence melding with the angry dancer and the grief stricken Prince of Tears

Spoiler:

Show

Hps 44/50 Saves +8/3/5
AC 22 (FFoot 22 Touch 10)

SQ
Pact Augment +2 hit
Immune to Fear

Paimon (1d20+12)[17] vs DC

• Dance of Death: When you use this ability, you can move up to your speed and make a single attack against any creature you move past, provoking attacks of opportunity normally. When you use your dance of death, you forfeit any bonus or extra attacks granted by other feats or abilities (such as the Cleave feat or the haste spell), and you cannot attack any single creature more than once. Once you have used this ability, you cannot do so again for 5 rounds.
• Paimon's Blades: You gain proficiency with the rapier and short sword, and the benefit of the Weapon Finesse feat when you wield such weapons.
• Paimon's Dexterity: You gain a +4 bonus to Dexterity.
• Paimon's Skills: You can use the Tumble skill untrained. You gain a +4 bonus on Tumble checks and Perform (dance) checks.
• Uncanny Dodge: You retain your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker.
• Whirlwind Attack: You gain the benefit of the Whirlwind Attack feat.

Focalor (1d20+12)[31] VS DC 12

• Aura of Sadness: You emit an aura of depression and anguish that overtakes even the strongest-willed creatures. Every adjacent creature is overcome with grief, which manifests as a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks, for as long as it remains adjacent to you. You can suppress or activate this ability as a standard action. Aura of sadness is a mind-affecting ability.
• Focalor's Breath: As a standard action, you can exhale toward a single living target within 30 feet. That target is blinded for 1 round unless it succeeds on a Fortitude save. Once you have used this ability, you cannot do so again for 5 rounds.
• Lightning Strike: Once per round as a standard action, you can call down a bolt of lightning that strikes any target you designate, as long as it is within 10 feet per effective binder level of your position. The lightning bolt deals 3d6 points of electricity damage, plus an additional 1d6 points of electricity damage for every three effective binder levels you possess above 5th. A successful Reflex save halves this damage. This ability functions outdoors, indoors, underground, and even underwater.
• Water Breathing: You can breathe both water and air easily.

[razorback]

As the area is cleared of any danger, the group begins to settle in for the night. He watches as Elmes treats Indo and wonders where this will go. He keeps his thoughts to himself but sets himself a mental note to keep an eye on the annoying man.
Once settled in, with a small fire going, he tells of the exploits he knew of Bruenor Battlehammer and his exploits to retake Mithral Hall, his exploits travelling far and wide to regain his birthright from the Shadow Dragon. It's a rousing and inspiring tale. Afterward, he offers to take the first watch, feeling alive and awake after his story.

[Cavir]

With their place for the night secured, Lora stood at the water's edge. Her wings spread wide embracing the salty tropical wind. Around the fire that night she greatly enjoys Tchinik's tales. In the early dawn light she cleans her gear and is ready to go before the spellcasters have completed their morning routine. It gives her time to work with Tavey on fighting skills. Once the rest are ready she leads the way along the trail.

[redzimmer]

Malmir

Malmir shifted uncomfortably during the tale of the Companions. He remembered a take from his grandfather of how his brother was killed by a flesh golem rampaging through Silverymoon. One that Grandfather insisted was unleashed by Bruenor’s drow master.

Brought up to believe the tale as pure gospel, he heard the tale differently (after a particularly stabby tavern fight) years later in Luskan. Ever since he chose to not believe any tale that painted one sight as alway right or always wrong.

[Ghostfoot]

You settle in, making camp in & among the abandoned structures near the high tide mark. After setting a campfire, enjoying nourishing (& quite delicious) crab-meat, and swapping tales you all make yourselves comfortable as Tchinik takes first watch.

Waves lap against the pebbly beach as he stands guard, alert for any trouble from land or sea. After half an hour or so of his nighttime vigil he begins to get an unnerving sense of being watched. Was that something out there on the shore, just out of sight? Then everything goes strangely dark and he can barely see. The campfire appears a flickering ember and he can barely see his hand in front of his face....

Spoiler: weird effect

Show

everything is murky dark 20% concealment

=> Tchinik

[razorback]

Though he has his spear in hand, Tchinik stands and draws his rapier with his other hand.
He backs up to the nearest body and nudges them with his foot as he calls out to the group "Get up everyone. I think we are about to be attacked."

[Ghostfoot]

Everyone wakes up, roused by Tchinik. Indo cries and moans at the intrusion. It's hard to see, everything extremely dark you can barely see which way is up or what is going on...

Spoiler: those with darkvision

Show

yep, your vision is also hampered by this unnatural darkness

=> Party

[u-b]

Elmes stands up and equips his shield. He does not bother trying to don the armor.

Spoiler

Show

Immideate: Protection Devotion if anyone seems attacked

Iron Guard's Glare in effect. While you are in this stance, any opponent that you threaten takes a -4 penalty on attack rolls against your allies. This penalty does not apply to attacks made against you. Enemies you threaten become aware of the consequences of the stance.

[DrK]

Connaught

Hearing the sounds of trouble and cries Connaught leaps to his feet Amon's horns glistening in the starlight as he gazes around with darkvision looking for trouble. He grabs up the axe. "What be going on? What is happening?" he bellows loudly

[Cavir]

With the alarm raised Lora the dragonborn gets up and looks for the trouble. Normal sight fails her. Darkvision fails her. A spell? She calls upon Bahamut's gift and tries to end the unnatural darkness. "Come to my voice and form a circle. Speak up so we know where we each are."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Voracious Dispelling (Dragon Magic p81). Creatures with active spell effect dispelled takes 1/spell level damage.
Dispel with Dispelling Cord: (1d20+9)[17]
Listen (1d20+5)[6]

[redzimmer]

Malmir

With no time for proper rest and spell prep, Malmir is forced to use what was already prepared.

He hoists his long spear and casts see invisibility in case anything unseen lurks in the shadows.

“Shadowspan! Shadovar! We’re all doomed!”

[Ghostfoot]

Lora uses her draconic gifts to counter the magical darkness. Starlight is restored, as is the light of the campfire, and you can now all see each other clearly (well, as clearly as you can at nighttime). "What in the Hells was that? What is this place?" cries Amella, her crossbow clutched tight.

There is no discernible sound out there, other than the skittering of pebbles in the lapping tide.

=> Party

[u-b]

Elmes casts a spell and draws his "flaming" sword.

Spoiler

Show

Conviction, mass, on everyone in 20-ft.-radius. Morale +3 on saving throws for 70 minutes.

Immideate: Protection Devotion if anyone seems attacked

Iron Guard's Glare in effect. While you are in this stance, any opponent that you threaten takes a -4 penalty on attack rolls against your allies. This penalty does not apply to attacks made against you. Enemies you threaten become aware of the consequences of the stance.

[Cavir]

Lora jumps into the air, her wings giving her lift to about 20' above the ground. She looks all around with her darkvision looking for the enemy.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Spot (1d20+16)[35]

[DrK]

Connaught

Standing by the others, axe gleaming in the star light the northman looks out to the others "I see nothing what you Loras?"

Looking to the others he makes sure to place himself between the sounds and the less able warriors.

[Ghostfoot]

Your caution goes unrewarded. Whatever it was, or is, that caused the magical darkness to envelop your group, frustratingly you cannot find any sign of it.

Spoiler: next steps

Show

Any more actions, or shall we move on?

[Cavir]

Lora continues her lookout for the source of the trouble. "No, nothing. It was definitely magical. I consumed it with Bahamut's gift. We should double our watch for the night. I'll join Tchinik for now. Make sure everyone is accounted for." She broadens her search both physically with an aerial circle a little beyond the edge of the clearing and coast and perceptually by making use of her magic insight.

[DrK]

Connaught

The big man looks to Lora and Tchinik. "Aye, double the watch. We can be wary, there is something out there causing trouble."

With his axe in hand he squats outside the shack where the bulk of the party are resting and nods, "I don't need to rest as much as some of the others. Plenty nights I drink meas till dawn and raid the next.

[razorback]

Tchinik, a bit frustrated at first, realize that his quick action may have scared off whatever may have been lurking about.
Resheathing his rapier, he sits on a log as he resumes his watch with Lora. He grinds his spear butt into the ground a bit. Quietly, he asks Lora about dragonkind, his interest intent. He keeps asking her questions, getting a bit louder at times before settling down, as she does her best to fill in the gaps or misinformation in what he knew.

[redzimmer]

Malmir

“Well if anyone wants arcane assistance in the morning, please next time just let me sleep through whatever comes!”

I am good as dead anyway, might as well go to the Fugue Plains well-rested.

With a huff, Malmir returns to the weird, inefficient coma-like reverie his half-blood kin endure each night.

Spoiler: Spells and Stats

Show

Malmir Zeet
Male CN Half-Moon Elf Wizard (Ranger), Level 7(2), Init 3, HP 25/32, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 14, Flat-footed 12, Fort 2, Ref 5, Will 2, Base Attack Bonus 3
Dagger +3 or +6 ranged (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Ranged Touch Spells +6 ( , )
Longspear +1 +4 (1d8+1, x3)
Brackets of Armour +1 (+1 Armor, +3 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 16, Wis 5, Cha 12
Condition None
Spellbook
0: All
1: Protection From Evil, Magic Missile, Shield, Lesser Orb of Cold, Lesser Orb of Acid, Lesser Orb of Sound, Lesser Orb of Electricity, Lesser Orb of Fire, Charm Person, Chill Touch, Enlarge Person, Golem Strike, Shocking Grasp
2: Glitterdust, Ice Knife, Invisibility, See Invisibility, Scorching Ray, Death Armour, Mirror Image, Spectral Hand
3: Dispel Magic, Protection from Energy, Dimension Step, Water Breathing, Displacement, Vampiric Touch, Fireball, Gaseous Form
4: Shout, Fire Shield

[Ghostfoot]

Frustrated, you settle down again. Tchinik and Lora taking the rest of the watch. It passes uneventfully and they hand over to Connaught to take the remaining shifts.

All passes uneventfully on the seashore for several hours, until it happens again - a murky unnatural darkness shrouds your view casting the seaside campsite into deep shadows.

[redzimmer]

Malmir

With another eye roll, Malmir gets out of his bedroll and draws his spear.

"We're not getting any sleep tonight anyway. We might as well seek the source of this damnable... fog...thing!