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

[RCgothic]

As the man falls and Cordelia keeps watch down the passage, Kitten leaps on her vulnerable prey and tears his throat out with a bite to the neck. With her prey thoroughly dispatched, Kitten takes her stuffed spider and retreats to a corner of the room to meticulously wash the blood off.

[farothel]

"Well, that takes care of that," Tillandi said, lowering her trident as she was just about to do the same thing, "Looks like there aren't all that many, at least not in shouting distance. Everybody okay?"

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the Lotus Dragon stops breathing and bleeds out on the floor of his own torture chamber the party feels a certain satisfaction. A moment later his outfit - previously that of a merchant - shimmers and appears to turn into an excellent chain shirt with beautiful pearlescent links. The man doesn't appear to have carried anything else of value on him, though the bedroom attached to the chamber might hold more of interest.

Spoiler: Detect Magic + Spellcraft DC 25

Show

The chain shirt is a +1 glamered chain shirt.

Do you take the time to search the torture chamber, bedroom, or body? Or do you press forward after the fleeing Lotus Dragon that was wearing the torturer outfit?

[farothel]

"Interesting," Tillandi said as she saw the chainmail shift. She casts a detect magic and has a look at the chainmail, before she looks up at the others.
"Let's have a look around," she said, "the other one is long gone and this one looks like he was a higher-up. Maybe we can find some documents that can help us should we wish to go to the city watch."

She would search the body and then the bedroom as well.

Spoiler: OOC rolls

Show

spellcraft: (1d20+6)[20]
perception to search: (1d20+8)[19]

[DarkOne-Rob]

The chamber sports a large bed covered with furs and an iron cage sitting at the foot of it. There's also a low table in one corner heaped with salted fish, bread, and bottles that once held rum. In the footlocker to one side of the bed Tillandi finds a pouch with 234 gold orb coins (GP) and a set of silver flensing knives with ivory handles (worth about 200 GP). There isn't anything incriminating, though the cage leaves little doubt to the sadistic nature of the room's previous occupant.

[Farmerbink]

The Halfling-sized Firi'Sar recovers his blade irritably. "Blasted coward! How inconsiderate! What am I supposed to do with this?!" he complains, dismissing his magical effect. As he suddenly returns to his normal size, he sheathes the blade with an unnecessary amount of effort, and turns towards the corpse just in time to see the chain shirt revert to its true form. He lets out a low, quiet whistle. "That's fancy," he comments. "No good for casting spells in it, but fancy."

The Elf assists in inspecting the room, thoroughly, including gently checking the walls for signs of hidden doors. "Ready to press on, Akula?" he asks, once his search is complete.

[RCgothic]

"We should be careful, that guy who got away is sure to have alerted any remaining resistance..." Cordelia warns, casting heightened awareness to improve her responses.

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Akula watches as kitten finishes the job, a look of satisfaction on his face as he watches the cat, a predator approving another of his kind. As the others begin to search the chambers he nods to to doors where he had been standing. "You search, I stand watch." Though does take to whistle appreciatively at the magical chain, the gold and silver knives. "We can make good use of the funds eh Tillandi, the church always needs donation to support the clan and the others Procan values." As Firi'Sar speaks he nods and gestures at the door at the end of the corridor, "We go here?" he suggests as he slowly goes to push open the door and see what lies beyond.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Open L3 door (east door in the round room)
Perception (1d20+8)[18]

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 would follow the group, taking the rear position to cover the back should people try to attack them from that angle.

Spoiler: OOC rolls

Show

perception: (1d20+8)[17]

[DarkOne-Rob]

The door opens to a long hallway with one door on the right and another at the far end. It's not well lit, with only one torch at each door, but it doesn't look like there is anything branching off to either side.

(There were no more secret doors in the area near the torture chamber.)

None of the PCs hear any signs of Lotus Dragons, leaving any of the three unopened doors as viable choices still...

Spoiler: Map

Show

I would push forward, but your decisions matter here, so it's up to you. Which door?

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Akula nods, “More doors, this place is a maze.” before he advances to the first of the doors on his left and opens it slowly, watchful for any trouble or attackers

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Walk to first door and open it
Perception (1d20+8)[15]

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]

Akula nods, “More doors, this place is a maze.” before he advances to the first of the doors on his left right and opens it slowly, watchful for any trouble or attackers

Akula opens the door on the right of the new hallway, finds another door several steps beyond, listens at that door, and hears the sound of someone moving around, along with the splash of waves on water. Gesturing to the others, he makes sure they know and they all line up for the big darfellan to open the newest door...

Spoiler: Map

Show

Throwing open the door he finds a narrow room overlooking a larger cave to the south. There's a barely perceptible haze hanging in the air between these two new rooms, almost as if some sort of membrane were stretched over the opening. Five wooden chairs are arranged before this "window." To the west sits a low table surrounded by more chairs, while to the east a large valve wheel protrudes from the wall.

There are also four Lotus Dragon thieves - three dressed in plain, unassuming garments and one in the torturer's costume from earlier. "Now!" cries one and the "torturer" spins open the valve next to him, causing the sound of water rushing to get louder from the cavern beyond. "Alright, go go go!"

At the cue the other three fire their hand crossbows at Akula (one hits - 9 damage and possible poison, see the spoiler) and slip through the "window," landing down below with a splash. The "torturer" is still on the same level as you, but not for long as he turns to dive after the others!

Spoiler: Mechanics

Show

No one was surprised, but the Lotus Dragons won initiative.

The "torturer" at D6 uses his actions to open a valve. The others all attack Akula. One hits, dealing 9 damage and possibly poisoning him:

Urchin Venom - DC 11 Fortitude save or become nauseated for 1 minute. If the PC fails, roll again after 1 minute or take 1 Strength damage.

Nauseated: Creatures with the nauseated condition experience stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move actions per turn.

Then the three Lotus Dragons hop through the shimmering screen into the water below.

The screen does not hinder your attacks and you can follow if you like. The drop into the water is about five feet or so and the water looks deep enough to require swimming.

Should anyone follow close and get to the membrane, they see that the circular cavern beyond consists of a large pool of brackish-looking water, it's surface greasy with filth and rotting seaweed. Dripping pipes protrude from the walls of the twenty-foot-high cavern, including one that's nearly two feet in diameter to the east. A five-foot hole in the ceiling seems to lead up to the surface, though there's no way to get there from here. To the west and south are five-foot wide beaches of grit and gravel. A narrow tunnel leads up at a shallow angle to the west and out of sight.

Begin Combat, Round 1!

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Akula grunts in pain as a crossbow bolt slams into his chest, two others just missing and hammering into the doorframe. "Scum..." he growls back as he ignores the stinging in his veins, years of pearl diving having long inured him to the urchin venom. "Now you die." he shouts as a challenge as he leaps forward, jabbing with the harpoon at the torturer.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move action: Studied target
5ft Step
Stab with power attack (1d20+8)[13] dam (1d8+10)[12]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 11/20,
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

[RCgothic]

"What did they do?!" Cordelia calls, moving to try and undo whatever the torturer did to open the valve, with Kitten at her side to keep him occupied.

Spoiler

Show

Cordelia move then attempt to close valve.
Kitten move then bite/trip. (1d20+8)[19](1d4+1)[5] plus trip (1d20+8)[15]

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar dashes into the room, blade at the ready. "Don't kill him! We need answers!" he calls, lunging at the man's feet. "Akula, grab him!"

The Elf's blade seeks feet and ankles, to help Kitty bring the thief down (literally).

Spoiler: Firi'Sar, round 1

Show

Firi'Sar Throshana
Male NG Elf Swash 1, Empiricist 1//Arcanist 2, Level 2//2, Init 6, HP 12/15, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 7, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 1
Rapier (MW, weapon focus) +7 (1d6+4, 18-20, x2)
Light crossbow (20 bolts) +5 (1d8, 19-20, x2)
Mage Armor, (+4 armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 7, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition Lightbringer: +1 CL for light related spells
Panache: 3/6
Inspiration: 3/5
Arcane Reservoir: 3/5
Spontaneous Healing
Extracts & Spells (See list https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2377717)
Mage armor: a while yet, I'm sure.

move and trip attempt at the unarmed rogue:
(1d20+7)[8]

[farothel]

When she heard the sound of combat, Tillandi rushed in and with enough people trying to grab the torturer, she made her way to the other end of the line to take out the others. Not wanting to go swimming, she did use her bow to try and shoot one of them.

Spoiler: OOC Tillandi round 1

Show

move into the room towards the screen (F6 or G6).
Shoot arrow down towards one of the thieves (if they are in the pool below, they're not in melee range anymore I guess): (1d20+3)[19] for damage: (1d8+1)[6]

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Map

Show

Spoiler: Mechanics

Show

Akula moves and misses.
Cordelia moves and closes the valve.
Kitten moves and trips the Lotus Dragon disguised as a torturer, dealing 5 damage too.
Firi'Sar moves and attacks the Lotus Dragon, missing.
Tillandi moves and shoots a Lotus Dragon thief, hitting for 6 damage.

The three Lotus Dragons in the water try to swim away, with only one doing well. The other two go under the water as they struggle in the water (failed Swim checks by more than 4).
The "torturer" crawls away, incurring AoOs from Firi'Sar, Kitten, and Akula.

The party rushes into the room, closing the valve, tripping the "torturer," and shooting one of the swimming thieves. For their part, only one of the thieves makes progress swimming away. Struggling in the dirty water two of them sink and go below the surface while the "torturer" tries to roll into the water, leaving himself vulnerable to attacks from many of the PCs.


Attacks of opportunity from Firi'Sar, Kitten, and Akula. The thief is already prone, so additional trips don't really matter. Begin Round 2!

[farothel]

Leaving the torturer to her friends, Tillandi concentrated on the other bandits. She only saw one left, so she shot at that one.

Spoiler: OOC Tillandi round 2

Show

Shoot arrow down towards the only thief I can still see: (1d20+3)[12] for damage: (1d8+1)[2]

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Akula barges the criminal but misses with the point of the harpoon then grins as Firi'Sar is there tripping him. Stabbing out with the harpoon he glances at Firi'sar and the cat grinning knowing they have them contained and steps up to the window by Tillandi, "Fishing eh..." he smiles as he hurls the net out at the nearest of the thieves, letting the line play out in his hands to net a catch.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

AoO on the prone guy (1d20+12)[26] dam (1d8+10)[15]

step to the window by Tillandi, net a thief (1d20+7)[21] vs Touch and entangled on a 10ft line
- DC 22 escape artist or DC 25 Str (though possibly hampered by the swimming)

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 11/20,
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]

"Blast it!" Firi'Sar complains. "How's he supposed to answer any questions now?!" The Elf steps towards the membrane, trying to focus. A glance into the pool prompts a wry smirk at the fate of two of the floundering rogues. "Serves 'em right," he grumbles. "What was that sound?" he wonders idly, as he retrieves his crossbow.

Spoiler: Firi'Sar, round 2

Show

Firi'Sar Throshana
Male NG Elf Swash 1, Empiricist 1//Arcanist 2, Level 2//2, Init 6, HP 12/15, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 7, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 1
Rapier (MW, weapon focus) +7 (1d6+4, 18-20, x2)
Light crossbow (20 bolts) +5 (1d8, 19-20, x2)
Mage Armor, (+4 armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 7, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition Lightbringer: +1 CL for light related spells
Panache: 3/6
Inspiration: 3/5
Arcane Reservoir: 3/5
Spontaneous Healing
Extracts & Spells (See list https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2377717)
Mage armor: a while yet, I'm sure.

I don't think he's actually going to move, for tactical purposes. If any, a 5-foot step forward.

Draw crossbow
pew to that pew:
(1d20+5)[18] attack
(1d20+5)[18] CC (24+, x2)
(1d8)[6] damage
(1d8)[7] crit bonus

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Map

Show

Spoiler: Mechanics

Show

Akula kills the prone, disguised-as-a-torturer Lotus Dragon with his AoO.

Tillandi misses the Lotus Dragon with her shot.
Akula moves and nets a thief.
Firi'Sar draws his crossbow and hits the fleeing Lotus Dragon for 6 damage.

The two (poorly) swimming Lotus Dragons kick off the bottom of the pool, but make insignificant progress swimming away. The netted one breaks the surface but cannot get free of the net. The other makes it 5-ft by kicking away from the wall.
The fleeing Lotus Dragon slips out of the water and appears to try and slide through a narrow crack in the wall, but can't seem to make progress.

The saltwater crocodile appears on the shallow, sandy beach and slips into the pool after the two struggling Lotus Dragons...

The combat continues to go decidedly poorly for the unorganized and panicking Lotus Dragons. Akula stabs the "torturer," leaving the man bleeding and unmoving. Tillandi misses with her shot, though Firi'Sar connects with his. The darfellan decides to catch a thief in his net, easily entangling one in his net as the thief struggles in the water.

Seemingly frantic to abandon his fellows, the one Lotus Dragon slips out of the murky water and tries to slip through a crack in the wall near him. From where you are it looks like an arrow slit, and he fails to get out that way. The other two struggle in the water, making little or no headway as one tries to get out of the net, only barely getting his head above water, as the other makes a little forward motion.

It becomes obvious why the men are trying to get away in a moment. With an audible hiss a large crocodile, easily recognized by most of the PCs as a saltwater crocodile, slips out of the passage to the west, sees the struggling men in the water, and moves towards the pool. It begins to disappear beneath the waves as the Lotus Dragons' trap backfires...

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what the fleeing Lotus Dragons intended, but none of you followed them and they are having horrible swimming rolls. Begin Round 3!

[RCgothic]

"Everybody stand back!" Cordelia whispers, crafting an image of a wall to divide the party from the crocodile and two struggling lotus dragons, with arrow slits to peer through so the party can still see what's going on. "Crocodiles aren't smart, it should fall for this..."

Spoiler

Show

Silent Image, create wall between rows 7 and 8. DC14 to disbelieve if interacted with.

Note that disbelief doesn't end the image or allow lines of sight through it, just means not fooled by it.

[farothel]

Using one of the 'arrow slits', Tillandi fired again, at the guy trying to get through the gap in the rocks. The ones swimming were no danger at the moment and with the croc coming in, probably were going to be even less of a danger real soon.

Spoiler: OOC Tillandi round 3

Show

shoot at the one in I10: (1d20+3)[20] for damage: (1d8+1)[6]

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar frowns thoughtfully at the scene unfolding below. "Well, I feel like this situation is largely settled, don't you?" he asks of his companions, as he casually stows his crossbow. "I'll be quite honest, I'm not particularly keen on making sure each and every rank-and-file thief is killed or arrested, so I'm content to move on whenever you all are. Actually, let me look at this for a moment." Pointedly ignoring what is likely to become a slaughter in the pool below, Firi'Sar turns to inspect the crank mechanism on the wall.

Spoiler: Firi'Sar, round 4

Show

Firi'Sar Throshana
Male NG Elf Swash 1, Empiricist 1//Arcanist 2, Level 2//2, Init 6, HP 12/15, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 3, Ref 7, Will 3, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 1
Rapier (MW, weapon focus) +7 (1d6+4, 18-20, x2)
Light crossbow (20 bolts) +5 (1d8, 19-20, x2)
Mage Armor, (+4 armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 7, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10
Condition Lightbringer: +1 CL for light related spells
Panache: 3/6
Inspiration: 3/5
Arcane Reservoir: 3/5
Spontaneous Healing
Extracts & Spells (See list https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2377717)
Mage armor: a while yet, I'm sure.

I suspect engineering would be the most applicable knowledge, but Firi'Sar will take his round to see if he can figure out anything actionable about the crank device. (1d20)[4]
Mods are all over the place, from +12 for disable device, +10 for history, +9 for all other knowledges except engineering, and +3 for that one.

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Akula notes the crocodile and shakes his head, "A big one, scales, teeth and a mean attitude." He leans forward, bracing himself against the stone work and starting to reel in the trapped thief. A snarled "Now then, better be still there my friend or we'll be tossing you back. Come quietly or you can argue with the snapping one then."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Str check to reel in the thief in the net (1d20+4)[6]

- DC 22 escape artist or DC 25 Str (though possibly hampered by the swimming)

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 11/20,
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]

Though it takes several moments, Akula manages to haul his "catch" up and out of the water while Tillandi shoots her target, dropping him. Alone in the water with the massive crocodilian, the last Lotus Dragon splashes for only a moment or two before all is quite and the reptile surfaces again, swimming lazily about the pool...

End of combat.

As the netted thief splutters and cowers, trying to catch his breath and clearly frightened, the party looks around and realizes several things. First, the strange film over the opening into the room with the pool allows one-way vision. A close examination and some arcane-study recollection leads several of the PCs to conclude it is an Illusory Wall, apparently permanently installed (a significant expense!). (No need to cast Silent Image.)

Second, there is a long chain attached to the marine crocodile, leading all the way back to the sandy tunnel from which it came. Apparently this area is a trap that doesn't usually go like this for the Lotus Dragons and the crocodile is part of the trap's deadly nature.

Finally, a cursory look around makes it clear that this area of the Lotus Dragons' lair is a ring around this arena and pool. It's likely that many of the Lotus Dragons' enemies had died here...

Spoiler: Map

Show

Each of the roughly circular rooms have ladders leading to trapdoors, allowing secret exits from the tunnels. Secret doors (obvious now that the PCs know to look for them) allow further entry into the lair, leading back to the end of a hallway the party declined to explore earlier. There are unexplored areas to both east and west.

What do you plan to do with the captured Lotus Dragon?

[farothel]

"I guess there has been a lot of betting while watching people being eaten by that croc from up here," Tillandi remarked as she looked at the one they had captured, "Maybe we can do the same with this one if he doesn't answer our questions."

[Farmerbink]

Firi'Sar turns his attention back to the floundering thief with an expression of disappointment. "Odd, I'm not sure I've seen a mechanism quite like this one before," he mutters, mostly to himself.

"We should certainly try to learn as much as we can from that poor fellow, but if I may be so bold, there are many reasons someone might join an organization such as this. Let's not perfunctorily feed him to a reptile just for being ignorant, eh? Could be that he could make something useful of himself, someday."

As the party half rescues/half recovers their prisoner, he adds. "Oh, threaten that, to be sure. No sense leaving information hidden for lack of proper incentive...."

When the lotus thief is before them, he pulls out his dagger. Twirling it idly around a finger, he begins, "Look, I genuinely don't want to hurt you, but this whole thing is somewhat bigger than things like 'wants.' So, it would be best for you if you just tell us everything you can," he quips wryly. "We already know a fair bit, and that fella down there looks hungry. I'd be honest, were I you."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I don't super care to go deep into the weeds, but as an ex-drug user and dealer, Firi'Sar would be keenly aware that the rank and file might be as much victims here as anything else.

Also, Firi'Sar makes a better good cop than bad, so if someone else can intimidate well, I'd like to go with that.
(1d20+9)[14] (diplomacy) - if the result is less than 20, but more than 15, inspiration: (1d6)[1]
(1d20+3)[6] intimidate- would prefer to let someone else take this one.

Let's throw a sense motive to assess the character: (1d20+6)[13] sense motive; same criteria as above: (1d6)[4]

[DrK]

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter" Eyeing up the savage crocodile as it eats the hapless thief Akula shrugs and looks at the prisoner, "Better my net than it teeth you think?" then nods to Firi'sar as the elf begins to interrogate him. The Darfellan nods at the idea of clemency, "I netted him as you wanted one to speak with. Now we can speak with him." As the prisoner is questioned he examines the room carefully, reaching out with the his magical senses looking at the room and the dead torturer. After the prisoner has been interrogated and they have done the cicruit of the pool and its sickening viewing gallery for what must be show executions he nods to the corridor leading to the south east, "What is down here?" he demands of the prisoner.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Detect magic and detect evil in all the corners of the room and search (taking 20 for 28) the dead thief boss

Akula N'Kuttik "Shark Splitter"
M NG Darfellan Brawler (Beast Wrestler)// Inquisitor (Sanctified slayer / Keeper of the Current), Level 2 // 2, Init 4,
HP 11/20,
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

[RCgothic]

"I think I recognise this corridor," Cordelia says. "There's a room we haven't looked into to the west - I think it might be another way into that guard room we were blocked out of earlier."

Meanwhile Kitten stares at the captured lotus dragon past the stuffed spider held gently in her jaws.