Savage Tide Reboot IC

[DrK]

For Captain Lara its a worrying scene as her three companions all slowly immoblise, skin growing grey and sandy as they become petrified. Urol's tales of fresh basilisk blood being a cure uppermost in her mind as she slashes at the creature dealing a deep wound. The beast hisses angrily, turning on the doughty captain and lashing out with a savage bite

Bite Captain Lara (1d20+10)[26], dam (1d8+4)[8]

[RCgothic]

The basilisk may not have managed to petrify the captain, but it does land a stinging bite. Alone and on the wrong side of the creature from the entrance, Lara has no choice but to fight on!

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+13)[32] Damage (1d6+17)[18] (using 1 panache if it hits to bring the damage modifier up to 17)

Likely confirmed OOC (rolled a 30) for +12 damage and 30 damage total.

Regained a point of panache for the crit, so overall no panache expended this round.

[DrK]

THe beast lets out a throaty reptilian roar as the Captain slashes deep into it with the cutlass, one of its 8 legs flying free from the beast dropping off into the undergrowth. It rears up, its eyes fixing on Lara and blazing with green fury as she can feel the pressure of being the last survivor waging war with the rapidly stiffening flash of her body!!

OOC
Standard action targeted GAZE! DC 15 Fort or petrified

[RCgothic]

Lara cries out a yell of frustration and hate for the creature as her limbs and body harden into stone.

Spoiler

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[DrK]

In the thick jungle foliage a pair of dark brown eyes watch as the multi-legged lizard scurries forward, a tongue licking over 4 new statues in the garden of statues, that of a small bearded gnome with a tall soft hat, a tough looking dwarf poised in the act of thrusting a war pike, a young and vigorous looking woman petrified in the act of slashing a cutlass and a raven like kenku with a katana in hand. The basilisk looks tired, bloody wounds cover in flanks and it seems weary as its staggers some 15ft away from the statues (~60ft from the bushes where the mysterious figure crouches) and curls up to rest in the blazing sunshine...


What does Grauff do?

[DarkOne-Rob]

From the thicket nearby Grauff carefully watched the adventurers confront the basilisk with an unreadable expression on his half-orcish face. Careful to avert his eyes to the petrifying creature, he shook his head in disappointment as they all fell to it's gaze. Beside him Talon lay curled on the jungle floor, sunning himself in a convenient ray of light. "It got them too," muttered the druid to himself before noting the way the monstrous reptile limped. "Maybe I can finish it off..."

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Stealth: (1d20+9)[20] (unmodified by Wild Shape or situational modifiers)
Initiative: (1d20+1)[8]

With a thought, the half-orc's flesh flowed into the shape of a creature much like Talon, only colored differently. Then, the dinosaur-druid crept close enough to the basilisk's lair to begin working. First, without changing back into his humanoid form (and still averting his eyes), he called lightning from the sky, then he summoned a swarm of insane simian apes. Finally, Grauff began to summon individual animals to attack the basilisk, intent on ending the threat to his home that it represented for good.

Spoiler: More Mechanics

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Cast Call Lightning, DC 18 Reflex save for half damage, every round, from a hidden point, preferably before a surprise round. This will deal 3d6 damage every round to the basilisk, as Grauff targets the square in which it is located. He should be able to do this while still avoiding looking at the thing.

Then Mad Monkeys, summoning a monkey swarm. The additional effects of the spell aren't exactly relevant - just that as a swarm they shouldn't be too troubled by its gaze attack. They should deal 2d6 damage per round, without exposing Grauff to the basilisk's gaze.

Finally, if that isn't enough he will begin to cast Summon Nature's Ally II, getting 1d3 summoned dogs each time. He will do this until the Call Lightning and swarm damage kill off the basilisk or it becomes obvious that these tactics won't work.

All of this should be possible with Grauff remaining out of sight of the basilisk and averting his eyes from the beast's gaze safely. If I need to do more to make this happen, please let me know, @DrK. I have not included Grauff's stat block, as I don't intend him to get into direct combat with the basilisk, unless it somehow goes after him before it is killed. If I need to put that together, I will - it might take me a bit, since he is Wild Shaped and I haven't got that stat block prepared yet.

[DrK]

Eyes and a hidden form barely disturb the woodland trees and bushes. Far below one of the sailors on the Nixie looks up in some surprise as a lone cloud forms in the sky before a single lightning bolt thunders down to the ground... In the clearing from where Grauff watches the bolt slams down into the wounded basilisk as its licks the statues of petrified adventurers. The creature, bleeding profusely from its wounds is cast to one side, and its glowing emerald green eyes film over as its stops twitching!

Quite, quite dead. Blood leaks from the the wounds and Grauff can remember the legends of the beasts and the restorative effects the blood of the lizard can have on the recently petrified....

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Come, Talon," orders Grauff as he and his dinosaur carefully approach the late-basilisk's lair. Keeping his ears peeled for any sign of another of the creatures, the druid gets right up to the body, empties his waterskin, and begins collecting blood from the reptilian monster into the leather bag. Once it is filled he looks curiously at the petrified adventurers before shrugging and carefully smearing it across their open, stony eyes and faces. "The magic starts at the eyes - probably should begin healing there too..." he mutters as his companion sniffs around at the dead body curiously.

Once the other PCs begin to stir back to life, Grauff clicks his tongue at Talon heels, laying down at his feet as the half-orc watches to see how the rescued party responds to his presence.

[DrK]

For Lara, Grimgor, Kona and Urol there is a slow awakening, muscles slowly twitching as the stone melts away. Grey flecks scattering almost like petals on the breeze as there is a sudden intake of breath as the lungs start working, and you all double over, coughing up thick grey dust like grave ash before slowly catching your breaths and wait in the baking tropical sun for the cold of the stone to fade and be replaced by warmth. Tears stream down your faces as your eyes try to focus and you're all treated to the site of a feral looking half orc squatting nearby with a man sized dinosaur sniffing at the dead body of the still smoking basilik....

[CasualViking]

Kona the Illuminator The bird-man stretches, shakes; and sheathes his swords before turning to the stranger. "Did you finish off that lizard and reverse the spell? I'm very happy that I'm not your enemy. I am Kona".

Spoiler: STATS

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Maneuvers granted: Lance of Power (Strike), Rapid Strike, Minute Hand (boost), Flash of Insight (boost)
Maneuvers Readied not granted: Minute Hand (boost), Elemental Strike, Flash of Insight (boost), Flick of the Wrist (Strike)
Animus: 2
Illumination: 5
Active Element: Air
Stance: Elemental Flux
Quick stats
Soul Candle: allies within 15' do +5 electricity damage
AC 23, touch 19, FF 14, CMD 18. HP 36/36
Perception +13, low-light vision
Sense Motive +13
Knowledge (Martial) +10

[DrK]

Urol

The gnome shivers as his the flakes of dust and concrete fall of the pointed green felt, he pulls the dust and fragments from his long grey streaked beard and looks at the newcomer (Grauff). "Why hello. I do not recognise you...You appear to be local to the isle, do you know of the forbidden Temple?" He asks the latter pointing towards the temple that lies a few hundred feet away from where the basilisk emerged from. The gnome licks his fingers and retches, "Ah, the blood o the beast, that explains how you managed to undo the stone shaping. It was a peculiar experience."

Pausing he looks at Grimgor, Kona and Lara, "Now we are flesh and blood rather than stone and dust shall we continue... its been a long and sweaty walk up that hill. It would be a shame to go down the hill.." As he looks at the dead lizard he looks saddened, "Basilisk blood... its a potent anti-petrification agent. Its a shame that it was all used on us, but of course glad that we have refleshed"

[RCgothic]

Lara

Lara coughs a cloud of dust as the petrification wears off. She nods a greeting to the Half-Orc and his companion. "My thanks," she says, quickly putting the events of the rescue together. She looks at Urol as though he's insane though.

"We nearly died just now! What if there are more of those things in there? Do we even know how long we were petrified? If the Sea Wyvern and the Nixie have sailed we might even be stuck here!"

[DarkOne-Rob]

Grauff Male Neutral Hal-Orc Menhir Savant Dinosaur Druid, Level 5, Init 1, HP 36/36, Speed 30 ft base AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 14, Fort 8, Ref 6, Will 12, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 3 Scimitar +3 (1d6, 18-20/x2) Club +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d6, 20/x2) Spear +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d8, 20/x3) Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 21, Cha 9 Condition None

Grauff shakes his head, speaking up suddenly in with a rough, accented voice suggesting his mastery of the Common-tongue is a bit basic. "Only one stone-maker, already hurt. I've never seen the temple beyond, - too dangerous with the stone-maker. You were stone only a moment, so the ships are still there," he says, answering the other PCs' questions. "You needed help, the stone-maker needed killing, and I was here. What are you going to do now?"

[CasualViking]

Kona the Illuminator "My learned friend here wishes to explore the temple, maybe find something of scholastic significance to send back to the museum". Kona looks the newcomer over for a moment, taking the measure of him. "Me, I am looking for something that might be popular at the marketplace, you know?".

Spoiler: STATS

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Maneuvers granted: Lance of Power (Strike), Rapid Strike, Minute Hand (boost), Flash of Insight (boost)
Maneuvers Readied not granted: Minute Hand (boost), Elemental Strike, Flash of Insight (boost), Flick of the Wrist (Strike)
Animus: 2
Illumination: 5
Active Element: Air
Stance: Elemental Flux
Quick stats
Soul Candle: allies within 15' do +5 electricity damage
AC 23, touch 19, FF 14, CMD 18. HP 36/36
Perception +13, low-light vision
Sense Motive +13
Knowledge (Martial) +10

[DrK]

Urol

Urol looks at Grauff with an excited gleam in his eye "You my friend, you speak common, you are impressive, how long have you lived here alone?" the gnome asks, before Urol looks at Lara, Grimgor and Kona, The gates lie just there Captain? as the savage here has said we have been stone for mere minutes.. maybe we could venture into the first few chambers and then come back another time."

As he says that he summons a cool glowing orb of pale blue light that he affixes to the end of his staff, tugging on his little straggly beard and staring intently at Lara as he waits for her answer.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Grauff Male Neutral Hal-Orc Menhir Savant Dinosaur Druid, Level 5, Init 1, HP 36/36, Speed 30 ft base AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 14, Fort 8, Ref 6, Will 12, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 3 Scimitar +3 (1d6, 18-20/x2) Club +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d6, 20/x2) Spear +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d8, 20/x3) Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 21, Cha 9 Condition None

Grauff lifts one eyebrow at the word 'savage,' but doesn't seem too offended or bothered. "Always lived here, would like to leave. Can help in the ruins... he says with a tongue-click to his dinosaur companion. At the sound Talon stands up and looks attentively at his master, waiting for more directions much like a trained hunting animal would. The creature's scales look much like feathers and it stands with a posture similar to that of a large raptor-bird. It seems uninterested in the other PCs, so far, as if it were very comfortable with humanoids and likely well-fed.

[RCgothic]

Lara

"Only one basilisk. The ships are still here." The captain repeats to herself, visibly calming as she does so, her faze slowly turning back to the temple with curiosity.

"Well in that case I suppose it could be profitable to explore further. You saved us from the basilisk- the stone-maker - so of course you're welcome to join us on my ship afterwards. But this is just a stop on a long voyage for us, and we may not be coming back again. Are you sure you want to leave possibly forever?"

[DarkOne-Rob]

Grauff Male Neutral Hal-Orc Menhir Savant Dinosaur Druid, Level 5, Init 1, HP 36/36, Speed 30 ft base AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 14, Fort 8, Ref 6, Will 12, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 3 Scimitar +3 (1d6, 18-20/x2) Club +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d6, 20/x2) Spear +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d8, 20/x3) Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 21, Cha 9 Condition None

"Good to go - old enough, and won't miss anyone," Grauff says. "Lead on - we will follow...Captain(?)..."

[CasualViking]

Kona the Illuminator Kona slaps Grimgor on the shoulder, then walks up to the gate, waiting for the dwarf to join him before heading inside. He lets his little light fly ahead to illuminate the first room. Once Grimgor joins him, he leans in and says softly "Close one, eh?"

To himself, he thinks, " "Close one" my unwashed cloaca. We were all dead, stone cold dead, if not for this guy. Guano- These islands are dangerous. But we are doing good, this group. Think of what that cult back in port would have done if we hadn't butchered them..."

Spoiler: STATS

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Maneuvers granted: Lance of Power (Strike), Rapid Strike, Minute Hand (boost), Flash of Insight (boost)
Maneuvers Readied not granted: Minute Hand (boost), Elemental Strike, Flash of Insight (boost), Flick of the Wrist (Strike)
Animus: 2
Illumination: 5
Active Element: Air
Stance: Elemental Flux
Quick stats
Soul Candle: allies within 15' do +5 electricity damage
AC 23, touch 19, FF 14, CMD 18. HP 36/36
Perception +13, low-light vision
Sense Motive +13
Knowledge (Martial) +10

[DrK]

With a new found friend, the excited gnome and the blood once again pumping in your veins you are able to push through the jungle to the crumbed edge of the ziggurat and where the basilsk had emerged from. Here the jungle parts to reveal the corner of what was once a chamber within the structure but now open to the elements. Images of pouncing and stalking great cats weathered and covered in thick vines decorate the walls colours now faded. Dozens of statues lie scattered around the ground, a mixture of what was man made cats and the much more realistic partially consumed ones of a variety of jungle animals.

Scattered along the walls that delve into the ziggurat are 5 vine shrouded portals. Three of them (1,2,5 clockwise) end after 5-15ft in piles of mossy rubble. The 3rd one is thin and narrow and in the light from the jungle sunshine it goes through a narrow 25ft long tunnel before going into a larger chamber. The 4th is a wider tunnel, some 10ft wide with swirling depictions of winged snakes and waterfalls that are chipped and faded. That tunnel goes some 40ft into the darkness before reaching a T juntion.

[CasualViking]

Kona the Illuminator Satisfied that most of the others are dead ends, Kona slips through the narrow tunnel. He emerges into the room, taking in the sights but waiting for the others before he starts poking around.

Spoiler: STATS

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Maneuvers granted: Lance of Power (Strike), Rapid Strike,
Maneuvers Readied not granted: Minute Hand (boost), Elemental Strike, Flash of Insight (boost), Flick of the Wrist (Strike)
Animus: 0
Illumination: 1
Active Element: Air
Stance: Elemental Flux
Quick stats
Soul Candle: allies within 15' do +1 electricity damage
AC 23, touch 19, FF 14, CMD 18. HP 36/36
Perception +13, low-light vision
Sense Motive +13
Knowledge (Martial) +10

[DrK]

The lithe raven man scurries forward and then at the end of the small crevice the walls open up into a vast chamber as he steps out onto a 10ft wide landing some 50ft wide that you arrive on with steps leading down to a massive chamber. The entrance to the room and walls are framed by carvings of dozens of skeletons with bones intertwined by hundreds of snakes. In amongst the snake carvings on the wall unnerving ripples of black smoke slither and dance free on occasion.

At the base of the stairs, underneath this daunting archway the floor of the vast chamber spreads out with what was once a detailed and slightly contoured map of the ancient city that once stood in the jungle. Time has taken its toll on what was once a breathtakingly real depiction reducing it to a tangled rubble strewn mess that ironically almost seems to reflect the current ruins in the jungle. The walls are decorated with faded frescoes depicting a royal court in brightly coloured robes and feathered head dresses and a king arrayed with his magnificent armies. Pathways wide enough for a man's foot mirror the ancient roads and lead to the central plaza of the city where a low stone table rests

Spoiler: Know Religion DC 25

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The archway of bones and snakes separating the stairs from the room below marks the gateway betwene the land of the living and the entrance to the Olman land of the dead

Spoiler: Know Arcana DC22

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The ripples of black smoke and energy are the broken remains of an ancient necromantic trap. In this case the effect will be lessened and may give a feeling of unease briefly (i.e. shaken) but no more serious than that

[DarkOne-Rob]

Grauff Male Neutral Hal-Orc Menhir Savant Dinosaur Druid, Level 5, Init 1, HP 36/36, Speed 30 ft base AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 14, Fort 8, Ref 6, Will 12, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 3 Scimitar +3 (1d6, 18-20/x2) Club +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d6, 20/x2) Spear +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d8, 20/x3) Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 21, Cha 9 Condition None

"Looks like the ruins," grunts Grauff as he looks at the model. "Old city, old model..."

The druid then looks to the others, indicating that he's content to let the party that already knows each other take the lead.

[CasualViking]

Kona the Illuminator Kona spends a minute taking in the sights. Then, as the gnome and the others look discuss what they've found, he carefully tiptoes down the main road of the model city. He stops a step away from the tablet, peeking left and right, bending down to gingerly brush away the dust on the floor, and generally checking for traps (Perception +13)

Spoiler: STATS

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Maneuvers granted: Lance of Power (Strike), Rapid Strike,
Maneuvers Readied not granted: Minute Hand (boost), Elemental Strike, Flash of Insight (boost), Flick of the Wrist (Strike)
Animus: 0
Illumination: 1
Active Element: Air
Stance: Elemental Flux
Quick stats
Soul Candle: allies within 15' do +1 electricity damage
AC 23, touch 19, FF 14, CMD 18. HP 36/36
Perception +13, low-light vision
Sense Motive +13
Knowledge (Martial) +10

[RCgothic]

Lara

"Well Urol, what do you make of this? Was it worth the trip?" Lara asks the more scholarly member of the expedition. She can't make any sense of what she's seeing.

[DrK]

The little gnome scampers to the high ledge above the city and looks down at it, a sense of wonder on his face "Magnificent... the ancient city. The streets making a holy symbol this is a map of the ancient Tamoachan He pauses on the steps and crouches looking at the death aspected archway and the ruined city. "I believe this is a tomb of sorts. The portal is the road to the dead lands and this would be for the one that sleeps."

Looking across the chamber he nods, "Can we go deeper Captain? The city looks safe enough its just as ruined as the real city above"" He looks up at you all excitedely. For Kona as they look about the shapr black bird eyes cannot pick up danger.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Grauff Male Neutral Hal-Orc Menhir Savant Dinosaur Druid, Level 5, Init 1, HP 36/36, Speed 30 ft base AC 13, Touch 11, Flat-footed 12, CMD 14, Fort 8, Ref 6, Will 12, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 3 Scimitar +3 (1d6, 18-20/x2) Club +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d6, 20/x2) Spear +3 Melee/+4 Thrown (1d8, 20/x3) Leather Armor (+2 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 21, Cha 9 Condition None

"Into the dead city? Brave...or foolhardy," warns Grauff without rancor. "Careful..."

[RCgothic]

Lara

Lara nods cautiously in response to Urol's enthusiasm. "Grimgor, if you'd lead the way?"

[CasualViking]

Kona the Illuminator Seeing Friend dwarf preoccupied with honing out a nick on his blade, Kona salutes the captain and bounds up ahead, leading the way deeper into the structure.

Spoiler: STATS

Show

Maneuvers granted: Lance of Power (Strike), Rapid Strike,
Maneuvers Readied not granted: Minute Hand (boost), Elemental Strike, Flash of Insight (boost), Flick of the Wrist (Strike)
Animus: 0
Illumination: 1
Active Element: Air
Stance: Elemental Flux
Quick stats
Soul Candle: allies within 15' do +1 electricity damage
AC 23, touch 19, FF 14, CMD 18. HP 36/36
Perception +13, low-light vision
Sense Motive +13
Knowledge (Martial) +10

[DrK]

As the party head into the “the dead city” walking across the map you pass through what was the central square, as that happens the western wall ignited as the iconography of the sun glows bright and sets alight the whole wall in a great screen of flickering purple tinged fire that starts to race across the city!

As Urol, Lara, Kona and Grauff stand for a second they have but a moment to choose between trying to beat the wall back to the high platform that had overlooked the room or fleeing in front of the fire wave to the portal leading deeper into the structure