Ghostfoot's Age of Worms (IC) Pt 2

[DrK]

Wat sits down across from Kurnos. "Fierce dogs, where did you get them? We have none so big where I'm from."

Kurnos looks at Wat with a slow nod. "Yes my new found friend. They are impressive, my most loyal companions. I did not find them they found me in a time of need and we have become friends." He play wrestles with the horse sized Primus and nods back to Wat, "Although this one, this one has been eating too many of the things that have attacked us and has gotten much bigger."

He looks back at Wat, "What brings one of your kind to this City? It cannot be easy being so different here."

[Dienekes]

“If we could all grow this big from that I may need to change my diet. As to myself, disagreement with the warchief. He did not wish for me to remain in the army. And what is a hobgoblin with no army?

But here is not so bad. Except some people are so rude. Where I’m from talking as some of you humans do to a non-slave would result in a death.” He shook his head remembering the group of men that got him locked away initially. But what of you? If you excuse my prying. You don’t look the type to befriend a group city dwellers.”

[Ghostfoot]

Kurnos & Wat settle down to guard the place for the rest of the evening. The two hounds make themselves comfortable after the hard days work, stretching their tightly muscles bodies out tongues lolling now that the work of checking & securing the area is complete. Druid & warrior share tales of each others culture and background remaining alert to the environment even as they learn of each others ways.

........................................


Meanwhile Keston, Kuln, Jascan & Varian prepare to resupply. First, you try to coax the insane prisoner Magister Gattel to come with you. This is much harder than you might hope, the man alternately totally compliant then quickly shrieking in terror then happy again. In the end you are forced to secure his arms behind his back and have two of you with him at all times one holding each arm lest he dash away.

You also make to retrieve Lady Tryssia and return her to safety. Perhaps not surprisingly, she is not waiting for you in the stairwell as agreed. Frustrated, you search for a few minutes but find no sign of her. All falls into place several more minutes later though, as you exit the decrepit old warehouse you see the disheveled noblewoman coming down the lane hastily towards you with a small group of town watch hustling ahead. "That's them! They're the ones who saved me! My heroes!" she cries enthusiastically. The guards eye you suspiciously hands on their weapons clearly not comfortable with a situation where a roughed-up noblewoman, an insane Magister and a bunch of adventurers are all found together in a dark alley. "Hold it right there. What's the story, eh?" says one stepping forward, then awkwardly "Magister Gattel, um, is that you?" as he recognises the prominent judge smeared with filth who hoots and relieves himself in front of everybody.

Spoiler: info

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No, none of the guards or others radiate shapechanging auras .
But still, Diplomacy check please to avoid being arrested yet again.

[razorback]

Kuln trudges along, looking around for the lady as he lets the others manage the magister. Though healed, he felt exhausted by the whole ordeal and hunting down some noblewoman did nothing to lighten his mood. After a time, he grumbles something about her probably being some derelict and they should move on.
Outside, as they see her escort, he gives a sigh as he looks at Jascan. "I'll leave this to you. My foul mood would put us before the gallows."

[Togo]

I'm glad you asked that, sirs, I'm glad you asked. We found a terrible nest of doppelgangers, you know those shape shifting creatures who take on other people's forms? Anyway, they had kidnapped the poor Lady Gattel here, sorry, is it Magister or Lady, I'm afraid a dank prison cell is no place for formal introductions and you certainly struck me as refined as any aristocrat...

The words spill forth from Jascan, as if there is no end to speech, no shortage of words. It washes over like a soft wave.

...But anyway, we found the poor lady in a cell where these vile, vile beasts had been trying out their disguises. So we released her from her prison cell, and, well, she took the opportunity to come up here to the fresh air, well the docks air at any rate, but these things are all comparative I suppose. So now that she's free we were going to escort her home, where they must be terribly frantic about her disappearance, but well you simply must come with us, since we'll no doubt be a strange sight otherwise. And of course there's always the chance that she hasn't been missed and that would be a terrible thing since it suggests that one of these shapeshifting creatures has taken her place posing as her, and in that case who knows who might be put in danger. But either way we need to get her back to her place immediately, to hot baths and warm beds and some kind of explanation of what has been going on since she went missing.

There's no deep breath at this point. Jascan must have excellent breath control.

We've left some stalwart companions to guard their lair in case some of them return, but we wanted to come back out here to make sure she was quite safe, since it would be ultimate in irony to fall victim to a street thief after all that has happened, although I shudder to think what this formidable lady would so to such an imposition, no doubt wither them with some sharp words or similar. But it is excellent that you fine members of the constabulary have arrived since it makes getting everyone settled and back home so much easier.

He pauses, not so much for breath as to give a sweeping bow.

Unless there is some other location you'd care to call upon first before going home, m'lady?

Spoiler: Skill checks

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Diplomacy check (1d20+15)[18]

[Cavir]

Keston was angered and empathetic when dealing with the prisoner. Anger on what was done to the man. Empathy for the man himself. He did his best to keep the man focused, to no avail.

He wasn't surprised Lady Tryssia was gone but short of keeping her in a cell there wasn't much choice. Seeing the Lady among the approaching group was a relief, even if he was disappointed that these guards apparently not been sent by the civilar and thus not aware of the situation. He listened to Jascan respond to the guards. He added what he could to assist things along, even if his approach was different. Keston's holy symbol was quite visible. His manner respectful.

"This is Magister Gattel? The man has been gravely tortured and needs more aid than I can offer at the moment. I hope you can understand how appreciative Magister Gattel would be if you could get him to the aid he needs, discreetly. There was a civilar at the prison earlier, I did not catch her name but likely she is still there. She knows the situation and had another magister with her. She gave us leave to come here and deal with the situation. I'm sure they can get Magister Gattel the help he needs while keeping his reputation intact. Would you take the honor of escorting him back please?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Aid Diplomacy (1d20+11)[27]

[Battlemage]

Varian El'Djiran

Having only just rejoined the group, Varian stands back toward the back and keeps silent. As much as he generally enjoyed talking, he wasn't usually very good at talking his way out of things, especially since his scaled appearance sometimes led to unfounded suspicions among the more common races.

Watching Jascan and Keston fill the air with so many words, he murmurs to himself: "I just got out of a cell." He can't help but smile at the irony of possibly getting right back into another one. "At least this one might have less shapechangers. Might..."

[Ghostfoot]

After some careful back-and-forth with the wary guardsmen you finally manage to settle the situation.

The guards escort everyone back to the watch station which is crawling with people, the civilar and her team recovering inside. At the sight of the two rescued notables the Magister is summoned again and surveys the situation dispassionately, clearly considering the implications of having one of his colleagues potentially replaced by a doppleganger. Clerics usher away the mentally broken Magister Gattel and also tend to Lady Tryssia. Given that her household may also potentially be compromised, and her evident discomfort with spending further time either with city watch or with a stuffy sage, the Magister determines that she shall spend some time hidden in the care of the Church of Gond where she is comfortable, at least until matters are sorted out.

Plans, the details of which are withheld from you, are made to send discreet agents through the ranks of city watch, magistrates and into the Lanngolyn household to investigate. They are tasked with flushing out any further shapeshifters and to do so with minimal bloodshed which is clearly not your forte.

Agreement is reached that you and your companions have freedom to continue your investigations. With the city watch focused on the challenging task of cleansing the bureaucracy, police and noble houses without causing undue panic or backlash, they rely on you to hit the nest hard.

So it is that you return to Tarquin's Crooked House to arrange provisions and recover yourselves. Welcome supplies of food and bedding and packaged up and you are able to deliver these safely back for Kurnos & Wat to take the edge off their watch duties. The rest of you are tended to by the grateful gnome Tarquin and his staff, who provide delicious meals and comfortable beds for you all.

Several hours later you all reconvene back at the 'abandoned' warehouse, fully refreshed and ready to press on with the clearing of the shapeshifters hive...

[Cavir]

Keston wakes up extra early and gives his daily honoring to Mystra. He feels a new sense of blessing from Her. He chooses his spells and then immediately casts one, more powerful than he had ever cast before. He asks for divine knowledge and awaits the answer.

"What is the most powerful creature we will face today below the warehouse?"

An answer given or not, he gathers the rest of the group and heads to the warehouse.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast Divination. Fortunately I already have the incense for one casting (planning for an augury but never used).

Success 0-77 (1d100)[28]
If successful, might cause a shopping stop on the way to the warehouse.

[Battlemage]

Varian El'Djiran

After the recent experiences, Varian enjoys his night in a safe and soft bed to the fullest extent. Adventures and new experiences were his lifeblood, but a little comfort was appreciated as well. The dirt and grime of his stay in the cells had been weighing on him more than he realized, despite his regular magical cleanups. After carefully arranging his clothing and appearance to his usual high standards, he is ready to face the day with renewed vigor.

Reaching the old warehouse, he likes his old self again. "Today we shall root out the evil that lurks here!" he says, to noone in particular. "And maybe find some interesting magic in the process," he added in a quieter voice.

He looks at the wall where Kurnos' dogs had started their demolition work, before they were interrupted by the invisible attackers.

"So, I assume we continue where we left off and bring that wall down?"

[Togo]

The bed was soft. Too soft. His head sank into the pillow and he woke up trying to breathe. He has vague half-memories of a dream, of music promoters with faces that melted and changed.

Maybe it wasn't the bed after all.

Jascan heard the distant sound of thunder, the gentle patter of rain. He got up, feeling drawn to the shutters. The little balcony outside his window was, he had been sternly informed, a mere decoration that would not hold a person's weight. He'd been warned by his hostess, the downstairs maid, the upstairs maid, a particularly burly footmen, and the boot boy, not to step out onto the balcony, under any circumstances.

He couldn't wait to try it, if only see if it lived up to its hype.

The reality was a little disappointing. The balcony was merely unsafe, a wrought tangle of curling metal, decorated in bronze leaves. It had lasted many years without falling down, and if it harboured any secret ambition to wrench itself free of the brickwork and send it and its passenger spiraling into the darkness below, it showed no sign. It was, in addition, uncomfortable to stand on, with the floor merely iron bars, harsh and cold against his bare feet.

And wet, of course.

He tilted his face upwards, towards the soft fall of rain. The wind was just beginning to pick up, and the thunder still distant, but he could taste the charge in the air. The storm was coming. Specifically, it was coming for him. It was seeking him out, not by chance or some malice of nature, but because he had brought it here, deliberately goaded it and lured it here, and it was coming to consume him.

And he loved that. Loved that he could taste the danger on his tongue as he opened his mouth to the suddenly heavier rain. He saw now that his choices had, perhaps, something of a pattern. He was here, on this no doubt perilous balcony, in a storm in his bare feet, because he wanted it to come for him. Because you can't always stay safe and can't always run, and sometimes you need to feel. Feel the danger, feel, the charge building in the air. There was a glorious freshness to it, and newness, then suddenly, it clicked. He saw now, what had been holding him back. He wasn't calling the winds or invoking the rain. He was the storm. He was the danger. All that time keeping himself safe from his own magic, his own passion, his own... when he should have been glorying in it flowing through him.

The wind caught the shuttered doors, and swung back shut with a bang, and a softer click as the lock engaged. He just laughed. He was trapped, outside in bear feet, on a tower, standing on a wet metal frame that could give way at any moment. As if on cue, lightning played across the sky. And he was loving every minute of it. There was a storm coming? Let it come.

Tomorrow there would be more danger. And now, he realised, some of it would be him.

[razorback]

Glad to be back at his room, Kuln checks it for and surprises before securing it for the night and laying down, exhausted.
Morning came quickly and he made his downstairs for a bite to eat as he waited for the others.
Once everyone was collected and ready, he cleaned off his mouth and made his way back.
As they approached and Varian spoke, the gnome gave a wistful grin and said "Well, it would be nice if there were a day that something wasn't trying to kill and/or eat me."

[DrK]

Kurnos

After spending an interesting talking with the hobgoblin Kurnos awakesn refreshed and eager for more exploration. His morning prayers done he feels a stronger connection to nature and grins. Anything they faced today he would savage mightily. He focused on his incarnum as a delicate headpiece appeared on his brow and he could send his thoughts to others, his feet also grew massive and shaggy white furred claws.

Summoning some natural awareness he took on the primal aspects he enjoyed and readied for the others. As they arrived he grinned and nodded at the wall. "Yes my friend. If we are set to root this nest let us begin,

Spoiler: OOC

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Kurnos
hps 60/60
Saves 9/9/10 ( +2 vs disease)
AC 18 vs evil (6 arm, 2 dex) +2 Wormtail = 20

Secundus
Hps 49/ 49
Saves 9/8/5 Evasion,
AC 23 (Arm 3, Dex 3, Nat 7) +2 wormtail = 25

Primus
Hps 74/85
Saves 11/9/6 Evasion
AC 23 (Arm 3, dex 3, nat 8, sz -1) +2 worm tail = 25

DR 6/ magic

Incarnum
1E Wormtail belt (+2 NA, +1/E)
2E Urskan Greaves (+5 Cold /E, +1d4 Cold on charge / E)
1E Sphynx Claws [HANDS]/[TOTEM] (+E on Str check, Claws +E, 1d8+E, Pounce)
0E Shedu Crown [CROWN] (+E to mind affecting, Telepathy 100ft)
2E Astral Vambrace (DR 2+2*E/magic)
0E Strong Heart Vest (DR 1+1*E for ability damage)

Kurnos Effects:
Longstrider, Primal Hunter, Primal instinct, "Uncanny dodge",
+10ft Speed, +5 climb/ jump/ swim/ initiative

[Ghostfoot]

Keston casts his spell seeking divine insights on the challenges ahead, the powerful spell testing his capabilities.

Spoiler: the vision

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A vision forms in his mind...an aged sage hunched over his desk poring through an ancient tome. The sage turns and looks at him, silently mouthing an indecipherable word over and over with a rising sense of urgency...with growing clarity the form of another creature appears in myriad kaleidoscope, the image searing into Keston's mind even as the old sage words finally reach him in a whispered scream...

Spoiler: the answer

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Illithid!

[Cavir]

Keston's eyes shot open, in shock. Illithid. Mind Flayer. In Waterdeep? He relaxed, focused, and pondered it. Controlling an organization from below and not daring to show itself. A formidable foe. Mystra has guided him to here and he trusted her. They now had knowledge about what they would face. Praise Mystra!

The cleric went to meet Jascan, Kuln, and Varian.

As they approached and Varian spoke, the gnome gave a wistful grin and said "Well, it would be nice if there were a day that something wasn't trying to kill and/or eat me."

Keston coughed. "Today is not that day. I prayed and Mystra blessed me with an answer. Into the dark we go, but with some light of knowledge. We face an Illithid. A mind flayer." He tells them what he has heard of them. "If there are any extra preparations you need we can stop along the way but we shouldn't keep them waiting. We can come up with plans to deal with it at the warehouse. I don't know what else is down there."

Spoiler: OOC

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Great vision GF!

Mind Flayers
Know (Arcana) (1d20+16)[21] (with Skill Trick)
Bardic Lore (1d20+5)[22]

I've got less than 50gp so no extra supplies for me.

[razorback]

Kuln audibly groans at Keston's comment. "And that's... better??? They kill you by eating your brains, if the stories are true. That sounds even worse..." the gnome continues to grumble for a few more moments under his breath before collecting himself.

Spoiler

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AC ~20; Current ~ 21/25 if they are giants
HP ~ 67; Current ~ 67
AP ~ 8 ; Current ~ 8

Kn:Arcana, includes +5 from Collector of Stories
(1d20+10)[22]

Effects ~
* Immunities(Ex): You are immune to fear-based effects and spells from undead.
* +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against kobolds and goblinoids
* +4 dodge vs giants
Child of Shadows Stance = If you move at least 10 feet during your turn, you gain concealment against all melee and ranged attacks until the start of your next turn.
Sapphire Nightmare Blade = O
Cloak of Deception = O
Shadow Jaunt = O
Mountain Hammer = O
Knowledge Devotion check = +x insight bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls.

[Togo]

Jascan shrugs. He looks concerned, but perhaps too jitter-happy to take anything too seriously.

They eat brains, you say? Well, maybe then they won't be too interested in me....

He looks around, watching people prepare. After a few minutes, he brings out his precious rod, and uses it to cast a spell

Spoiler: Buffs

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Spellcasting - Mage armour, extended

AC 16, 44/44 hp

All allies get +4 untyped bonus to charisma checks and to charisma-based skill checks.

Does anyone else need magical protection?

[Cavir]

Being patient for anyone to make any shopping stops, the group heads back to the warehouse. "Be wary of anyone keeping a lookout from the outside."

They meet up with Wat and Kurnos. Keston asks how they are doing and repeats his news and includes what he recalls of the aberrations. "Fortunately I had already prepared many defensive spells to balance all of your strengths. I don't know what else we'll face down there. I'm ready when you all are."

Spoiler: OOC

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What did our rolls tell us?

[Dienekes]

"Oh joy," Wat muttered. "Mindflayers. I feared it would be something easy.

He fiddled with his belt of healing before nodding to the others that he was ready to leave.

Spoiler

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(2d8)[8]
HP: 65/65
AC: 21
AC-FF: 19
AC-T: 13

Fort: 8
Ref: 7
Will: 3

Gonna try and keep all my buffs straight:
+4 untyped bonus to charisma checks and to charisma-based skill checks.

[Battlemage]

Varian El'Djiran

Varian stands back as Kurnos and his pack eye the wall again. Brute physical force was decidedly not his forte.

"Mindflayers... interesting. I admit I don't know too much about these creatures, but from the little I've heard they do seem to have rather impressive abilities. Let's hope the tales are exaggerated." His tone is a lot more carefree than seems to fit the words.

Following Jascan's example, he likewise protects himself with armor of force.

Spoiler: OOC

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Varian:
HP 47/47
AC 17
Saves: +14 Fort /+12 Ref /+16 Will
DR 1 vs bludgeoning/slashing
Active spells: Mage Armor
Active effects: +4 to CHA based checks


Standard action: Varian casts Mage Armor.

[razorback]

"Yeah, eat them... or use their mind-magic to enslave you... before they get bored of their new 'toy' and then eat your brains. They usually live in the dark crevices of the world, far underground..." he says as he trails off a bit he ponders the ramifications. "If one of these monstrosities has moved from the Underdark and is our foe... any and all we meet, including ourselves, would be suspect. They could dominate a peasant to report our movements. Any guard or magristrate... or lord... could be under their control. But, choice do we have?
A creature of such macabre power cannot be allowed to continue to run loose upon the world." he says as his jaws clinch.

[Cavir]

Keston

The inn-sleepers meet up with the warehouse-secret-area-sleepers and news of the mindflayer is shared. Keston continues on sharing with the others. "Walking through the city gave me a chance to think. I recall having heard of Skullport, a city under Waterdeep full of those who operate in their own ways outside of Waterdeep's laws, such as mind flayers. I assumed at first the stairs leading down here would be to a small area, but we could be entering a vast environment with many enemies. We need to keep an eye on each other, in a good way, to watch out for more doppelgangers or mind control effects." Keston's eyes turn white and gaze to each person and dog present, taking note of their various magical auras "My sight for things magical should help detect... issues. Let's give Wat, Kurnos, and his pack a few minutes to eat then go explore the dark? Anything happen while we were gone?"

[Togo]

Jascan is tuning his guitar. It looks, crudely modified. He is looking at the wall, a far away look in his eye as he focuses on hearing what his fingers are doing. As if he's gazing at some far horizon that only he can see.

I got trapped in a thunderstorm. Got wet. I think it was waiting for me.

He gives the tuning knob a final twist, and then happy with the outcome, switches to the next string.

I'm kinda ducking obligations back home, being here, and, well, maybe some of them came to find me.

The string gives a sour note, and he screws up his face.

But I think I understand things a little better now.

He sighs and glares down at the strings.

Although why I decided to add another, thicker bass string, in the rain...

A quick chord, and the sound comes back, louder, more rumbly, building before dying away. He gives a quick grin and then looks up.

Sorry, just going from an Open G to a dropped D. Probably better for monster hunting. You may notice some changes in my tactics, second rank rather than rear, more scaling power ballads and fewer arpeggios. Nothing to worry about. Oh and I packed more food, just in case we get stuck down here.

[Ghostfoot]

You gather back together in the sodden warehouse in bustling Waterdeep. After your evening of investigation, rest, preparation and/or guard work you update each other and prepare for your next steps....

Spoiler: ready when you are

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[Togo]

Jascan sigh as he surveys the brackish water. It seems wrong to be using magic this soon. He tries to picture himself deep below, in some hellish underground city, without the precious magic he was about to use to keep himself dry.

This is replace with an image of what he would look like if he'd been travelling for hours while soaking wet. Ugh!

He squares his shoulders, invokes an enchantment, and then walks out on the narrow walkways, being careful to keep his balance.

Spoiler: Actions

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Cast Balancing Lorecall. (duration 8 mins)

Move carefully to D15

Spoiler: Buffs

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The party has +4 to charisma checks, and charisma based skill checks.

Jascan has
mage armour (duration 12 hours)
Balancing lorecall (duration 8 mins) (balance at +19)

AC 16
HP 44/44

[Cavir]

Keston peers into the plank spanned room with white eyes, looking for any signs of magic that may signify the room having reinforcements from the day before. "Not much room around the corner right? Better for 2-3 to cross and open the door before the rest of us cross? I would not be surprised for them to have laid traps along the way."

After a few others cross he makes his way carefully across the planks to the door on the side.

Spoiler: OOC

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Take 10 on Balance for a 16

[Dienekes]

"Agreed," Wat said to Keston. "I'll go with you two." He follows the others, keeping his shield high as he steps as light as he could across the planks.

Spoiler: OOC

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Take 10 on Balance for 19. If the door has some sort of window, he will attempt to stay low and away from it.
Hide if necessary: (1d20+2)[11]
Move to F15

Spoiler: Buffs

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HP: 65/65
AC: 21
AC-FF: 19
AC-T: 13

Fort: 8
Ref: 7
Will: 3

Gonna try and keep all my buffs straight:
+4 untyped bonus to charisma checks and to charisma-based skill checks.

[razorback]

As the group moves up, Kuln feels his tension ratcheting up. As they enter the room and sees the pooled water, his apprehension raises further. "Uhm... yeah, go ahead.
I'll follow shortly."

Spoiler

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AC ~20; Current ~ 21/25 if they are giants
HP ~ 67; Current ~ 67
AP ~ 8 ; Current ~ 8


Effects ~
+1 racial bonus on attack rolls against kobolds and goblinoids
+4 dodge vs giants
Child of Shadows Stance = If you move at least 10 feet during your turn, you gain concealment against all melee and ranged attacks until the start of your next turn.
Sapphire Nightmare Blade = O
Emerald Razor = -
Cloak of Deception = O
Shadow Jaunt = O
Mountain Hammer = O
Wolf Fang Strike = -
Knowledge Devotion check = +x insight bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls.

[Ghostfoot]

JJascan steps out into the grim room and across the treacherous planks. It seems okay, he's quite capable of keeping his balance, just don't get distracted by the hazardous pool below.....until - <crack!> there is a telling creak, crack and snap in the support post ahead. It's been rigged to give way!

With a couple of deft leaps Jascan jumps across the falling planks, dances across the surface of the water itself and up to stable footing, avoiding the trap. Careful inspection reveals that a couple of the supporting posts have been rigged but that a safe way exists to navigate the raised planks while avoiding the compromised areas.

Eventually, carefully, the whole party makes it's way safely across the raised walkways to gather near the sturdy-looking iron bound wooden door.

Spoiler: info

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~F10 and ~E12 are trapped.

I'm gonna rule that Jascan's amazing balance + Balancing Lorecall let's him have a Ref save to avoid this trap:

Jascan Ref (1d20+8)[28] = win

Party is now gathered either at the F15 door, or back at B6 since you can't all fit.

[DrK]

Kurnos

Carefully and slowly following Jascan Kurnos looks at the ironbound door, "Interesting, a room full of deadly beams and invivsible monsters and then a mysterious iron bound door." He looks back to the party "Maybe some more versed in such things could try and get it open for us"