Savage Tides, Take 3! Entering the Den of the Lotus Dragon...

[DarkOne-Rob]

The two rogues watch and listen as the party argues their fates, obviously conscious of their companions bleeding out on the floor nearby. "Look, we're already dead for giving up to you - let us go, and like the elf said, you won't see us again," the first one says.

"That weaselly taxidermist? We haven't seen him," says the other. "The tunnels are pretty big and there are three ways to go from that entrance. He didn't come this way."

"Yeah, can't help you there. Besides, he's not the boss anyway. If you want to find the Lady Lotus and her dragon, keep going that way," he hooks his finger over his shoulder at the other door to this room. "But don't say I didn't warn you - she's head of the Lotus Dragons for a reason. Dangerous woman, that one..."

Saying nothing more, the two men slowly and obviously remove a flask from their belts, place it on the ground, and with their hands raised begin shuffling toward the door to try and leave.

Do you let them go?

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar watches his companions with utter incomprehension. "At the risk of coming off as rude, what makes you think you can tie a knot they can't get out of?" he asks Cordelia, point blank. "We can't afford to stand around and guard them, and there's no chance you're actually going to keep them bound for a practical amount of time."

He waves dismissively at the thieves. "They and their kin have already tried to kill us thrice, counting their little pets. Slit their throats or send them on their way. Anything else is just delaying the inevitable."

Firi'Sar speaks up as the thieves start shuffling away, stepping forward threateningly with his rapier. "Your weapons and poisons. Drop them, too." He then kicks the weapons roughly out of reach, and moves to escort the thieves (at the business end of his rapier) to the ladder.

[DarkOne-Rob]

The two thieves realize they are in no position to argue, and hastily do as Firi'Sar directs. Then they quietly allow themselves to be led towards the ladder...

Presumably there are still at least two Lotus Dragons very, very close to the ladder, behind the barred door. Do you do anything concerning them as you start prodding the two surrendered-thieves towards the exit?

[farothel]

"There's some idiots that locked themselves behind this door," Tillandi said to the two as they passed the door, "if these are your friends, maybe can you convince them to join you and actually stay alive."

She listened to hear if they were still there.

Spoiler: OOC rolls

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perception: (1d20+8)[28]

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Akula watches them go with a faint shrug as he retrieves his net and then scans the room carefully for signs of magical objects, his sense attuned to detect magical auras from his training in the Temple. Glancing at the departing thieves he gives them a hard glare, "We see you again there will be no mercy!" then he nods to the door they indicated. "Well, better to cut the head off the snake if this Lady Lotus is indeed this way we should pay her a visit."

Spoiler: OOC

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Intimidate [roll0]

Combat Effects
Cleave Feat 5 /10
Protection from Evil 16 /20

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 15/20,
Speed 20ft Land / 40ft Swim
AC 16, Touch 11, Flat-footed 15,
CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 6, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 3
Unarmed +7 (+5/5) (1d6+5, x2)
MW Harpoon (50ft Rope) +8 (1d8+6, x3) [Grapple on a critical, has rope to control enemy ]
Snag Net (Trip (does 1+ damage)) +7 (touch) (Entangled, CL DC17+SL, DC 22 escape or DC 25 Str,)
Leather Lamellar w/Armour spikes (+7 1d6+4/19-20 x2 P) MW Shark scale Armour, In combat (+8 1d6+4/ 19-20 x 2 P)
MW Klar (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 8

Condition/Effects
Martial Flexibility (3/4 remaining): n/a
Studied Target +1: n/a

Traits: +1 unarmed damage, +1 Dam vs [Aquatic], +1 hit [Aquatic]


Spells
0: Light, Detect Magic, Sift, Guidance, Create Water
1st: Divine Favour, Protection From Evil, Nature's Path

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar lets out a long breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Well, that's done," he quips, as he gently closes the door leading to the ladder. "I heartily agree, Mister Akula. We've had plenty of fun, but I'm keen on getting some answers."

Spoiler: OOC

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Firi'Sar will take point on scouting again without objection. Going in the direction indicated by the thieves who just left:
(1d20+11)[19] stealth
He'll throw back his heightened awareness extract before opening the door, also. The 20 minute duration should surely suffice?
(1d20+11)[24] perception

I would also like to take a moment to have him check the hallways for hidden doors:
(1d20+11)[21]

[DarkOne-Rob]

If the two other Lotus Dragons are behind the door, they are no longer laughing and making jokes at the party's expense. It does look like they've tried the door, but not hard enough to force their way and open the door against the rocks Tillandi wedged into place to block it. The two survivors of the ambush don't try and talk to their comrades, instead opting to go up the ladder and leave without additional comments.

In the training room the party regathers and opens the door, finding a smaller room with a single chair and several target dummies heaped on a table in the opposite corner. There is another door across the way. From the other side of the door there can be heard strange, high-pitched keening sounds. They remind you of a monster you all fought onboard the Blue Nixie several days ago, a rhagodessa. Perhaps the Lotus Dragons have collected several to use as guard animals...?

Do you want to prepare before opening the door, or just go for it? I am going to say that any 2-minute long duration buffs are approaching their expirations - let's say you have six more rounds before they fade.

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar wastes no time pressing towards the leader. He places his back to the door to listen, and locks eyes with Akula. "Time to go to work, gang."

With a nod, he leans into the door and opens it.

Spoiler: OOC

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I assume you want at least init:
(1d20+6)[8]

[farothel]

Tillandi follows closely behind, ready for any trouble.

Spoiler: OOC initiative

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(1d20+1)[11]

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the party opens the door, expecting an immediate battle, they find that there is at least two more doors between them and the furious rhagodessas they hear. The doors are open, though, and the party moves through what appears to be a sitting room and then a short hallway before they find the two creatures. It appears the Lady Lotus is not without her own defenses, as the two enormous arachnids appear to be loosely-chained in a guard room. They are able to prowl the entire ten by fifteen space but no further.

As Akula turns the corner he is immediate bitten by one for 11 damage. The other turns in his direction, though it appears focused on the opposite door, through which, presumably, the PCs will find the leader of the Lotus Dragons.

Spoiler: Image of an example of the Monster

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Spoiler: Battle Map

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All of the PCs act together - the rhagodessas won initiative but are mindless vermin and very simple in terms of tactics.

Begin Round 1!

[farothel]

Trident and shield ready, Tillandi moved in and started chopping at the nearest one.

Spoiler: Tillandi Round 1

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move to D7, then attack (1d20+5)[22] for damage (1d8+2)[9]

[RCgothic]

Cordelia curls get nose at the unnatural vermin before her, pests to be controlled and exterminated rather than a vital part of make to protect. "Kitten, kill!" she orders with unusual ruthlessness. With allies standing in the door, Kitten swarms up the wall and over their heads to attack the nearest Rhagodessa from above. Meanwhile Cordelia uses the healing and to cure some of Akula's wounds. Again.

Spoiler: Actions

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Kitten: Moves into the ceiling of D7.
Attack: Bite (1d20+9)[21](1d4+1)[4] plus Trip (1d20+9)[27]
Includes +1 for higher ground.
It has a lot of legs, so this would be an interesting first time for this to work.

Cordelia heals Akula:(1d8+1)[5]

Spoiler: Cordelia

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Cordelia Beck
F NG Human Druid//Sorcerer (Psychic), Level 2, Init 2, HP 15/15, DR -, Speed 30ft
AC 18, Touch 12, Flat-footed 16, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 3, Will 6, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Masterwork Leather Lamellar Armour, Masterwork Heavy Darkwood Shield (+4 Armor, +2 Shield, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 13, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 16
Condition None
Starting Abilities: STR13 DEX14 CON12 INT10 WIS14 CHA16, then Human +2 WIS
HPs Max at 1st, Avg round down odd/ Avg round up even thereafter
1st level: Druid//Sorcerer +0 BaB, Good FORT WILL, +6sp (Human, FC)
2nd level: Druid//Sorcerer +1 BaB, Good FORT WILL, +6sp (Human, FC)

Spoiler: Kitten

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Kitten
F NG Small Cat (White Leopard) Animal Companion, Level 2, Init 5, HP 20/20, DR -, Speed 50ft/Climb/Swim
AC 17, Touch 16, Flat-footed 12, CMD 17, Fort 4, Ref 8, Will 2, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 2
Bite +8 (1d4+1+trip, 20/x2)
Claws x2 +6/+6 (1d2+1, 20/x2)
(+5 Dex, +1 Size, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 12, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Condition None
HPs Max at 1st, Avg round down odd/ Avg round up even thereafter

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" "AHHH" Akula cries out as pincers plunge into his flank and more of his blood pours out onto the cavern floor. "Why would you keep such beasts!" he exclaims before plunging the harpoon forward after looking for a weak spot as Cordelia thankfully tends to the worst of the bleeding.

Spoiler: OOC

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Free: Knowledge for monster lore (1d20+5)[11] All the same)
Move: Study target
Standard: power attack with harpoon (1d20+8)[28] dam (1d8+10)[17] (if 11 confirms then 28 more damage)

Combat Effects
Protection from Evil 6 /20

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 15/20,
Speed 20ft Land / 40ft Swim
AC 16, Touch 11, Flat-footed 15,
CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 6, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 3
Unarmed +7 (+5/5) (1d6+5, x2)
MW Harpoon (50ft Rope) +8 (1d8+6, x3) [Grapple on a critical, has rope to control enemy ]
Snag Net (Trip (does 1+ damage)) +7 (touch) (Entangled, CL DC17+SL, DC 22 escape or DC 25 Str,)
Leather Lamellar w/Armour spikes (+7 1d6+4/19-20 x2 P) MW Shark scale Armour, In combat (+8 1d6+4/ 19-20 x 2 P)
MW Klar (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 8

Condition/Effects
Martial Flexibility (3/4 remaining): n/a
Studied Target +1: n/a

Traits: +1 unarmed damage, +1 Dam vs [Aquatic], +1 hit [Aquatic]


Spells
0: Light, Detect Magic, Sift, Guidance, Create Water
1st: Divine Favour, Protection From Evil, Nature's Path

[Farmerbink]

A little surprised by just how fast these bugs skitter, Firi'Sar finds himself grateful (for neither the first nor last time, surely) for Akula's hulking frame in close proximity. Having easily commanded the attention of the simple-minded vermin, the magically-shrunken Elf dashes past both his companion and the nearer of the guard bugs.

"I feel like you already know why," he murmurs to Akula in passing, his sights set on the other creature.

Spoiler: Firi'Sar, round 1

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Firi'Sar Throshana
Male NG Elf Swash 1, Empiricist 1//Arcanist 2, Level 2//2, Init 6, HP 15/15, Speed 30
AC 18 24, Touch 14 16, Flat-footed 14 21, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 7 8, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 1
Rapier (MW) +6 +8 (1d6+4 1d4+5, 18-20, x2)
Light crossbow (20 bolts) +5 +7 (1d8 1d6, 19-20, x2)
Mage Armor, Shield Extract (+4 armor, +4 shield +5 Dex, +1 size)
Abilities Str 7 5, Dex 18 20, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition Lightbringer: +1 CL for light related spells
Panache: 5/6
Inspiration: 3/5
Arcane Reservoir: 4/5
Extracts & Spells (See list https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2377717)
Reduce person: 5 more rounds
Shield: 6 more rounds
Mage armor: a while, yet.

Move to E/7, at half speed, using acrobats to avoid AoO: (1d20+9)[22] Use panache for derring do, if result is less than 15: (5d6)[2][5][1][1][4](13)
Attack F/7. If modified result is between 12 and 15, use inspiration to add (1d6)[3] to the total (same if/else applies to confirmation roll, if initial is a threat.
(1d20+8)[9] rapier
(1d20+8)[24] CC (26+, x2)
(1d4+5)[8] damage
(1d4+5)[7] crit bonus

Use panache to parry incoming attack:
(1d20+4)[12] (includes size penalty to attempt) (Doubtful inspiration can apply to this attempt. No clear address of rules)
if successful, riposte:
(1d20+8)[16] rapier
(1d20+8)[22] CC (26+, x2)
(1d4+5)[7] damage
(1d4+5)[6] crit bonus

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Battle Map

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Spoiler: Mechanics

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Tillandi, Kitten, and Akula kill one Rhagodessa.
Cordelia heals Akula.
Firi'Sar moves and then misses the second Rhagodessa.

The remaining Rhagodessa full-attacks Firi'Sar, missing with its bite but connecting with one of it's two pedipalps (real word - look it up!). This initiates a grapple for free - it passed it's grapple check and Firi'Sar is Grappled. It then gets another (free) attempt to bite the reduced-elf, which hits for 9 damage.

(Firi'Sar's parry does not succeed.)

If Firi'Sar escapes the grapple with an opposed grapple check (LOL!) then he takes 1d4 damage. Escaping via Escape Artist will not inflict damage.

In a rush, three heroes and an unusually-dexterous cat rush into the room and take out one of the over-sized arachnids. Cordelia heals Akula of some of his wound while Firi'Sar misses with his attack.

With no apparent concern for its dead companion, the remaining enemy strikes hungrily at Firi'Sar. It misses with the first bite and dodges the elf's parry/riposte attempt. Then it gets ahold of him with a pedipalp and draws him back to its mouth, biting him painfully (dealing 9 damage).

Firi'Sar is grappled by the remaining Rhagodessa.

Begin Round 2!

[Farmerbink]

Suddenly trapped by the massive insect's bizarre claws, Firi'Sar wriggles for dear life, bleeding more than a little.

Spoiler: Firi'Sar, round 2

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Firi'Sar Throshana
Male NG Elf Swash 1, Empiricist 1//Arcanist 2, Level 2//2, Init 6, HP 6/15, Speed 30
AC 18 24, Touch 14 16, Flat-footed 14 21, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 7 8, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 1
Rapier (MW) +6 +8 (1d6+4 1d4+5, 18-20, x2)
Light crossbow (20 bolts) +5 +7 (1d8 1d6, 19-20, x2)
Mage Armor, Shield Extract (+4 armor, +4 shield +5 Dex, +1 size)
Abilities Str 7 5, Dex 18 20, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition Lightbringer: +1 CL for light related spells
Panache: 3/6
Inspiration: 3/5
Arcane Reservoir: 4/5
Extracts & Spells (See list https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2377717)
Reduce person: 4 more rounds
Shield: 5 more rounds
Mage armor: a while, yet.

Standard to break grapple with escape artist: (1d20+5)[8] Will use panache to add (5d6)[4][2][1][2][5](14) if less than 20
If successful, 5-foot step back if possible.

Edit: 12 probably won't do it. D:

[RCgothic]

"Hang on Firi'Sar, I've got you!" Cordelia calls, squeezing past Akula and Tillandi to bring the swashbuckler within arm's reach. Meanwhile Kitten hops down from the ceiling to savage the Rhagodessa's grasping pedipalps.

Spoiler: Actions

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Cordelia to D6, cure light wounds (1d8+1)[2]

Kitten 5-ft step to E6.
Full Attack
Bite (1d20+8)[26](1d4+1)[4]Trip(1d20+8)[26]
Claw (1d20+6)[13](1d2+1)[2]
Claw (1d20+6)[22](1d2+1)[2]

[farothel]

With one critter dead, attention shifted to the other one. Tillandi moved in and started stabbing with her trident.

Spoiler: Tillandi round 2

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move to E7
attack: (1d20+5)[6]
damage: (1d8+2)[9]

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Seeing Fari'Sar in trouble Akula leaps forward, "Come on beast... try me." He bellows as he runs forward and jabs the harpoon, trying to hit a weak spot in the beast's chitinous shell. "Come on, get it," he calls out to Tilandi, smiling as he sees Cordelia healing the wounded elf.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move to E6
Power attack (1d20+7)[13] dam (1d8+9)[11]

Combat Effects
Protection from Evil 6 /20

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 15/20,
Speed 20ft Land / 40ft Swim
AC 16, Touch 11, Flat-footed 15,
CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 6, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 3
Unarmed +7 (+5/5) (1d6+5, x2)
MW Harpoon (50ft Rope) +8 (1d8+6, x3) [Grapple on a critical, has rope to control enemy ]
Snag Net (Trip (does 1+ damage)) +7 (touch) (Entangled, CL DC17+SL, DC 22 escape or DC 25 Str,)
Leather Lamellar w/Armour spikes (+7 1d6+4/19-20 x2 P) MW Shark scale Armour, In combat (+8 1d6+4/ 19-20 x 2 P)
MW Klar (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 8

Condition/Effects
Martial Flexibility (3/4 remaining): n/a
Studied Target +1: n/a

Traits: +1 unarmed damage, +1 Dam vs [Aquatic], +1 hit [Aquatic]


Spells
0: Light, Detect Magic, Sift, Guidance, Create Water
1st: Divine Favour, Protection From Evil, Nature's Path

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Battle Map

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Spoiler: Mechanics

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Firi'Sar fails to escape from the Rhagodessa's grasp.
Cordelia heals Firi'Sar for 2 HPs.
Kitten deals 6 damage to the Rhagodessa and trips it!
Tillandi missess the Rhagodessa.
Akula hits (due to the Rhagodessa's AC penalties for being prone) for 11 damage.

The Rhagodessa bites at Firi'Sar (from prone), hitting for 11 damage.

The party rushes to Firi'Sar's aide, healing him and tripping/stabbing the enormous arachnid attempting to eat him. While the monster falls to its back it does not release the shrunken elf, biting him for 11 damage and causing the elf to go unconscious!

Thank you for the patience.

Please read the other posts, especially noting movement - several of you tried to stand where other characters already were!

Firi'Sar is unconscious and dying.

Begin Round 3!

[farothel]

Tillandi noticed the elf going down, but she was engaged with the critter and couldn't divert her attention at the moment. She hoped they would be able to drop the critter quickly so she could help her companion. Gritting her teeth, she attacked again.

Spoiler: Tillandi round 3

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attack: (1d20+5)[18]
damage: (1d8+2)[10]

[DarkOne-Rob]

With a decisive strike, Tillandi kills the oversized bug, which drops the limp Firi'Sar on the floor next to it. The elf is bleeding and breathing shallowly, still alive but badly in need of healing...

[farothel]

With the critters down, Tillandi kneels down next to Fri'Sar and casts a healing spell

Spoiler: OOC rolls

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drop bless for a cure light wounds: (1d8+2)[6]

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar sputters back into consciousness, still more than a little bloodied. "By the gods-" he breathes, ragged and weakly. "Those bugs are unpleasant." He lays still for a few moments longer, regathering his wits and what's left of his pride.

"Who's got that wand? I'm gonna need it before we face their boss."

Spoiler: Firi'Sar, stats

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Firi'Sar Throshana
Male NG Elf Swash 1, Empiricist 1//Arcanist 2, Level 2//2, Init 6, HP 3/15, Speed 30
AC 18 24, Touch 14 16, Flat-footed 14 21, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 7 8, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 1
Rapier (MW) +6 +8 (1d6+4 1d4+5, 18-20, x2)
Light crossbow (20 bolts) +5 +7 (1d8 1d6, 19-20, x2)
Mage Armor, Shield Extract (+4 armor, +4 shield +5 Dex, +1 size)
Abilities Str 7 5, Dex 18 20, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition Lightbringer: +1 CL for light related spells
Panache: 3/6
Inspiration: 3/5
Arcane Reservoir: 4/5
Extracts & Spells (See list https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2377717)
Mage armor: a while, yet.:

[RCgothic]

"I've got you FS," Cordelia says as she kneels next to Tillandi to finish the healing. Meanwhile Kitten shakes the corpse of one of the Rhagodessas, as if making sure it's dead.

"Let's find this boss leader quickly so we can get out of here, I'm nervous we've left other thieves behind us," Cordelia says, nevertheless taking up the rear. She thinks about blocking the doors behind them, but thinks twice about it in case the team needs to beat a hasty retreat.

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Leaping over the downed one he readies to stab the next until he see's Tilandi run it through. Dropping by Firi'Sar he grins at Cordelia as she prods the elf with the wand. Helping the elf up "Nasty critters" , he glances at the wand and points to the pair of puncture wounds at his flank. "Some more here if thats ok..." As the wounds heal up he approaches the cat cautiously to pat it gently, "Your companion is impressive Miss Cordelia, he has saved us now." Glancing at he door he mutters, "No more spider beasts eh

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Assuming he gets a tap from the wand (1d8+1)[6]

Combat Effects

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 15/20,
Speed 20ft Land / 40ft Swim
AC 16, Touch 11, Flat-footed 15,
CMD 18, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 6, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 3
Unarmed +7 (+5/5) (1d6+5, x2)
MW Harpoon (50ft Rope) +8 (1d8+6, x3) [Grapple on a critical, has rope to control enemy ]
Snag Net (Trip (does 1+ damage)) +7 (touch) (Entangled, CL DC17+SL, DC 22 escape or DC 25 Str,)
Leather Lamellar w/Armour spikes (+7 1d6+4/19-20 x2 P) MW Shark scale Armour, In combat (+8 1d6+4/ 19-20 x 2 P)
MW Klar (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 8

Condition/Effects
Martial Flexibility (3/4 remaining): n/a
Studied Target +1: n/a

Traits: +1 unarmed damage, +1 Dam vs [Aquatic], +1 hit [Aquatic]


Spells
0: Light, Detect Magic, Sift, Guidance, Create Water
1st: Divine Favour, Protection From Evil, Nature's Path

[farothel]

Tillandi lets Cordelia finish the healing with the wand while she has a quick look in the room to see if there was anything interesting they could use, or even a shortcut or secret passage.

Spoiler: OOC rolls

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perception: (1d20+8)[11]

[DarkOne-Rob]

After taking several moments to catch their breaths and recover, the party does what they can to prevent any surprise attacks from behind and then turn to the next door. Kicking the corpse of the dead arachnid out of the way, they check the door and find it unlocked. Opening it they find a moderate-sized room with a large hexagonal table of oak filling the majority of it. Six chairs can be found loosely around the table and the walls are covered in maps, slates, and other organizational notes of various kinds. The north wall bears a huge, detailed map of the city of Sasserine with dozens of tiny, colored flags pinned to it. Opposite, on the south wall, a 5x10 chalkboard bears a tangled mess of chalk scribblings and notes. The table is covered in contracts, notepads and ledgers, and all sorts of other papers detailing guild activities and interests.

This room clearly contains a treasure trove of information on the Lotus Dragons' activities and would be very valuable to for investigators interested in taking the guild and its allies down. How long do you spend inspecting the various incriminating documents, maps, etc...?

Opposite the door you enter is another, closed, wooden door. Poking your head through you find a hallways leading to another closed door.

[farothel]

"This is quite interesting," Tillandi said, "lt's take as much of it as we can and we can study this in more detail later."

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar bursts into the room, spoiling for a fight, and comes up short when no such development arises. He glances around the room, and immediately lets out a low whistle. "Oh my..." He glances at Tillandi, snorting at what he perceives to be a hilarious understatement, and lets his focus fall on the map. Bursting frantically into motion, he sheathes his blade and retrieves a small notepad and charcoal pencil. He then begins copying the unusual parts of the map into his book (Details of city landmarks are noteworthy, but the color and locations of pins, in particular, is the more relevant information). He doesn't even look away as he begins murmuring orders.

"This either just got really, really good, or really really bad. At the very least, the stakes are officially 'all in.' Tillandi, Cordelia, watch those doors. Block them as best you can, and don't let anyone in without warning us. Akula, scoop as much of those ledgers and contracts into your bag as you can. We need to take this info to the surface, as soon as we can." He pauses his scribbling only long enough to glance ruefully at the door- the canny observer might have noted that he wasn't looking at the notepad to write, trusting instead to his decades of muscle memory to keep it legible. After only a heartbeat, he reopens the floodgate of information pouring through his pencil. "I'm not even sure we go after the Lady Lotus at this point. This is an absolute gold mine..."