Serpent's Skull: City of Seven Spears [IC]

[Master K]

Gellik continues Orating and fires his ray at the nearest reptair.

Spoiler: witty rolls

Show

FA; continue performance
SA; Planar Detonation on red RTA (1d20+9)[24] Dmg (3d6)[11]

[lostsole31]

R4T24: Gellik continues orating and then screams with focused sound at Red, sound waves hitting its legs for 11 sonic.

R4T23: Fronaldo, your dagger has the STR arcanotoxin on it. What do you do?

Aron on deck, Book in the hole ...

[Blackhawk101]

Fronaldo scurries onto the bridge until he is within 10 ft of Red Reptair and flicks his dagger at it.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

MA: move roughly NE onto the bridge until at ten feet from red raptair.
SA: throw magic dagger with archanotoxin.
to hit - (1d20+13)[18]
to dam - (1d3)[3]

[lostsole31]

R4T23: Fronaldo scurries onto the bridge until he is within 10 ft of Red Reptair and raises his arm to flick his dagger, but the reptair bites him in the head for 14. Bleeding but undeterred, the goblin's oratically haste-boosted dagger manages to strike the reptair in the lower leg for 5 + 4 poison + weakened (STR).

R4T22: Aron doesn't attack, but merely focuses on her bow this round. Then she heads back out on the middle of the bridge.

R4T21: Book, what do you do?

Stone-demon on deck, Blue in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Book again lashes out with his whip at the nearest beast.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

Attack using Risky Strike: (1d20+12)[32]
Dmg: (1d3+10)[13]
+6 for Precise Strike

IA: If attacked use Dodging Panache

[lostsole31]

R4T21: Book moves up a little on the bridge and again lashes out with his whip at the nearest beast. He makes a nasty cut aross its face and beak, and it falls from the sky and into the water below, sinking and being moved along by the currents.

R4T18: The stone-demon charges the final reptair, who in turn completely misses her on its counter as the smaller creature's massive cow-horns delivers a perfect strike for 25, the impact blasting the creature down onto the rock as Sersheelda the Stone Demon tears her horns out of its body and lets the creature fall down the crevasse to its doom, where again ... something in the water waits to feed on the great morself she has delivered. Sersheelda gives a mighty shout of triumph.

Combat Ended!

The stone demon lands next to Amivor, but doesn't return to Sersheelda's normal form. (Or, is Sersheelda the fake form, and she has finally shown her true self, explaining her bestial speech pattern?)

What now?

[Blackhawk101]

Fronaldo walks over to Aron to show her his ouchie.
“Healing please?”

[lostsole31]

Before tending to Fronaldo, she shoos him to the far (new) side of the bridge, waving Amivor forward. Book and Amivor perform triage on the party to see the most wounded, and that doesn't appear to be Fronaldo, but definitely Sersheelda.

Aron and Xhanfaerd determine, by the way, that the form that Sersheelda turned into is that of a gargoyle! Meanwhile, even though there aren't any bodies anymore, the two determine that the "reptairs" that you fought were a particular strong, fast, and hardy version of a normal pteranodon.

Sersheelda casts a spell on herself, using normal verbal incantation ..... which I'm not sure if you've ever seen her do ... calling on the wooden holy symbol of the dice at her neck, giving her 10 healing.

A single healing spell heals Fronaldo right up, as it does for Book. It takes her a CMW and a CLW to fully heal Xhanfaerd. With her permission, Aron heals the rest of gargoyle-Sersheelda's wounds with a CLW.

And with that, the rest of the expedition is carefully guided ... pack mule at a time ... across the bridge. Every now and then, it is noted that there are particularly strong and powerful looking crocodiles lurking in the waters below, so probably good you didn't take the lower path.

Amivor notes there is a sizeable stream splitting off and heading south/ southwest. There are also a lot more signs of the city, so Amivor has the expedition move off the trail, as he figures a stream so close to the old city surely would have some type of "attention" in the way of old structures, and this would keep the party from walking down the center of Saventh-Yhi and getting into "central-level power confrontation, whomever that might be."

After following the stream and cutting vegetation for some 600 feet or more, you get to an area with an old tower by the stream, with more ancient buildings to the east.

The heroes are sent in, and it seems that out this far, nothing inhabits this spot. "Here is where we'll make camp. We have a lookout tower. Immediate access to fresh water. Very close to Saventh-Yhi without being surrounded by it."

How do the PCs feel about this?

[Blackhawk101]

Fronaldo nods in agreement before picking a good spot and pitching his tent.

[lostsole31]

Fronaldo could pitch his tent, but to his surprise, these outlying structures - while having some semblance of nature overgrowing - are not fully overgrown and appear to be moderately good at being "weather-tight."

[BuckGodot]

Book will find a room for himself if one is available... Although he feels they should all still stay in close proximity... He will set up his bed and the like before sitting down to clean and reload his sidearm. He will bring one of his cartridges to Fronaldo and ask, "Hey 'Naldo... Do you think you could make any more of these? You seem pretty knowledgeable about the chemical stuff... Just wondering... You know... If you're not busy..."

[Blackhawk101]

Fronaldo walks around the ruins, eyes wide in amazement.
“These “ruins” are anything but! How can they still be in such good condition after such a long time!”
He will pack up his tent and set up camp in Book’s building. He will then take time to further explore the area.
When Book asks him about the ammunition, he replies. “I don’t know how to make them but if you give me some to experiment with, I will see what I can do.
The little green alchemist’s eyes twinkle with excitement.
“I can probably make something that goes boom! What fun!”

[BuckGodot]

Book looks at the small man as he sets up in Books room and shakes his head...

"They are a rare commodity and I can sort of only spare one..." he says as he hands over the cartridge.

[Blackhawk101]

Fronaldo smiles wide, showing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
“You can count on me, Book! I will study this tonight.”

[Master K]

Gellik will take time to explore and take notes on everything, so that he has reference material to use when he writes his grand chronicle of the expedition

[lostsole31]

That night, as something that passes for a group dinner, Amivor comes in on the tail end and says, "Okay, we're here." He punctuates this with a celestial bench press.

"Tomorrow, Aron, I need you and your team to mainly check around the immediate area .... determine what district of Saventh-Yhi we're in ... any interesting or useful pictograms or carvings to record ... but also to verify what will be our main base to be safe and clear. Try to treat well with locals .. I mean, if you don't have to fight everything, that would be great ... but get a social lay-of-the-land, not just historical."

Aron nods. If there is nothing else .....

.... what will people be preparing for the next day? The expectation at this time is jungle ruins/ historical study/ always possible combat or first contact diplomacy.

[silphael]

Xhanfaerd updates his notes in the evening, and in the morning he'll make sure that everyone is in his collective. As the party leaves, he'll shield himself with Mage Armor.

"That sounds like the safest idea for now, yes. I just hope the inhabitants here aren't as aggressive as the last ruins we explored."

[lostsole31]

Aron straps her buckler on, but otherwise has no weapon out.

Harrim casts endure elements on himself.

Sersheelda was in stone demon shape for a few hours after last night's battle. She is herself again, though the offsetting feature of note is that she again - albeit for herself - has a pair of steer horns jutting from her head, and she wears a spiked collar you hadn't noticed before.

Book, Fronaldo, Gelik, any "activations" before beginning today's exploration?

In addition, since Book is the senior archaeologist, Aron would like Book to make the major decisions on direction of travel and various other on-site decisions. She has been a good team leader getting the group here, but now that we're here, Aron defers to the main expert.

[Blackhawk101]

Fronaldo is ready with his current fit out. He uses his wand of endure elements on himself.

[lostsole31]

Oathday, 19 Abadius 4711 AR (Full Moon)
90 / 75 F. Moderate rain. Saturated. Feels like 110 / 95 F.

For the first day, Book doesn't want to travel too far from base camp itself, seeing as their camp is part of the ancient site. He directs those with magic to use them to read what type of preservatives and protections might be running.

Xhanfaerd, supported by Aron, takes the lead on that specifically, moving about the general area to look at more area-based magic rather than specific-site magic, and very carefully recording exact types of fluctuations viewed through detect magic and so forth. The overall area ... seemingly the valley itself ... appears to be several strong auras of magic, but they are too strong and of a type Xhanfaerd has never seen before, and he is unable to determine more than that.

While Xhanfaerd and Book do that, the rest are more general study of the broad bits of the city that they can see from the safety of base camp.

Although Saventh-Yhi has gone through innumerable changes over its millennia of existence, its appearance has long since settled into a status quo. The first things a visitor notices on first sight of the city’s skyline are its seven spears. Protruding from the already lofty tops of seven 100-foot-high ziggurats, these narrow monoliths extend a further 100 feet into the sky. Book surmises that each of these spires marks the heart of one of the city’s major districts, and they can be seen from nearly everywhere in the ruins—the seven spears will make excellent landmarks.

Nestled in a cradle of sheer cliffs thick with jungle vines and brushed with wisps of fog, the several districts of Saventh-Yhi are arrayed around a large central lake. The buildings of the city are clearly weathered and worn, but most resist the encroachment of plants and mud, and they refuse to crumble, appearing as a ruin of only a few thousand years of age rather than over 10,000. The architectural style is remarkable, marked by massive guardian sculptures and intricate geometric patterns carved into the stone—any who have studied Azlanti ruins (Book, Gelik) can automatically recognize this. Up close, countless individual carvings and murals decorate the inner walls of these buildings, and it is from these carvings that the secret history of Saventh-Yhi might hopefully be recovered with time.

Fog rises and clings to the waters and cliffs of the city every morning, but these mists quickly burn off by midmorning. By noon, the heat of the sun raises temperatures to agonizing heights (treat the hours between noon and 3:00 p.m. as very hot). Those not protected by endure elements (most of the party), retreat to Base Camp for shade during that time. Heavy rain falls in the late afternoon, providing relief from the sweltering heat. As evening approaches, the rain dies off and the fog returns, remaining until midnight when more rain clears the air. And that is the daily climate of Saventh-Yhi.

Today was general information gathering of the above, and there is time for some other things in the meanwhile.

Fronaldo, what do you wish to try to do with the alchemical cartridge Book gave you?

[Blackhawk101]

Fronaldo sidles up to Book as they are surveying the area around base camp. “Psst..Book. Hey I did the research you asked me to do on alchemical ammunition. I could make you paper wrapped alchemical rounds. They would be faster to load but would increase the chance of the round misfiring. The only problem is that I don’t have bullets or shot. I could have made a couple per day at the cost of raw materials of 4 Gold per round.
The green skinned alchemist seems a little saddened by this, but his eyes quickly regain their rabid gleem.
“Is your pistol capable of scatter shot?! If so, I could make dragon breath rounds! You would be able to shoot flame at your enemies! Those cost more (say around 14 Gold) and take about 2 days to make, but I bet it would be worth it! They would also increase your chances of misfire. Let me know if you want me to make some the next time we have some free time.”
The little goblin strolls away tossing his dagger up into the air and catching it.

[lostsole31]

That evening, after everyone finishes their collections for the day, Xhanfaerd, Fronaldo, Book, Harrim, Gelik, and Amivor (with Sersheelda listening) study some collected drawings from the local area that might be related to ancient magical practices, and discuss various possibilities. Aron spends time on her own for awhile with her tiger, and then entertaining the main camp with song.

---

Fireday, 20 Abadius 4711 AR (Long Moon)

Tonight is Longnight, a holiday celebrated on the Long Moon of Abadius. During the festival, revelers stay up all night to greet the dawn to defy the long winter months.

For those interested in Osiriani politics, it is also the birthday of the current ruler, the Ruby Prince.

Today's focus is more site-specific study of local preservation magics. Xhanfaerd is able to determine that the area is suffused by a strong transmutation effect ... one that he will note time and time again throughout the city, that does little more than to retard the effects of time and erosion.

As always, the group retires for the midday, and Fronaldo knows to not waste the magic of his wand for when he might need it later.

More studies of the latent preservation magics in the early evening, when the party is accosted by three large, white-furred, four-armed simians ... girallons. They give a roaring challenge.

It is important to note that while Xhanfaerd has his collective up, his first use of mage armor expended maybe an hour or so ago.

Begin Round One ...

R1T26:

Spoiler: Book >>> Collective

Show

"Girallons!" warns Book, "Not grapplers like most simians, but they get enough of their claws on you they'll rip you open. Keep your distance if you have the option."

Then, in complete defiance of his own advice, Book draws his pepperbox and whip as he moves out to the front, likely to prepare a threat display.

R1T22: Sensing tension, Veress (Aron's tiger, as a reminder) gives a roar.

R1T21: Fronaldo, what do you do?

[Blackhawk101]

Spoiler: Fronaldo>>>Collective

Show

“I am going to fight from cover.”

Fronaldo moves to the SE and then East taking cover behind ruins and jungle plants.
Hidden, he quaffs a swirling, multi-hued concoction.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

MA: move behind ruins to the East and hide (stealth check).
SA: drink mutagen

[lostsole31]

R1T21:

Spoiler: Fronaldo >>> Collective

Show

“I am going to fight from cover.”

Fronaldo moves to the SE and then East taking cover behind ruins and jungle plants.
Hidden, he quaffs a swirling, multi-hued concoction.

R1T20: Sersheelda takes off with her little gnome legs. She gets around of vegetation to see Fronaldo right there. "Why hide? Monsters!" she exclaims, getting into a fighting stance of some type.

R1T19: Coming from the other direction, Fronaldo sees one of these 8-foot-tall monsters. It snaps its massive jaws at the goblin.

R1T18: Sersheelda's ghostly wolf follows behind and launches forward, but not before the girallon nips it in the midsection for 5. Fruthrin Steelfeet (the name Sersheelda gives to her spectral wolf) closes and snaps its jaws and snarls at the monster.

R1T16: Meanwhile, the lead girallon in the main pack steps foward a little and begins attacking Book, who dodges the bite but has to make a hard block with his bracers against the first claw. Doing so leaves him open to get slashed in the upper left arm by another claw for 5, then along his right thigh for 7, and his left upper arm for 8. Luckily for Book, though, without all four claws landing a blow, he just manages to keep from getting pulled apart.

R1T15: Gelik, what do you do?

[Master K]

Gellik will once again demonstrating his oratory prowess and begin inspiring courage in his allies before firing a piercing ray of energy at the nearest girallon

Spoiler: Rousing Speach

Show

MA; begin bardic performance
SA; planar detonation at Blue RTA (1d20+9)[11] Dmg (3d6)[8]

[lostsole31]

R1T15: Gelik once again demonstrates his oratorical prowess and inspires courage in his allies before firing a piercing ray of energy at the nearest girallon, finding that despite its bulk is rather agile and just barely gets out of the way of the beam.

R1T14: Red closes, slowing a little with some underbrush, biting Book in his left forearm for 10.

R1T10: Aron, seeing Book getting torn apart, rushes to his aid with brilliant acrobatics, concentrates carefully to cast a spell and then touch Book for 16 healing.

R1T8: Xhanfaerd, what do you do?

Harrim on deck, Book in the hole ...

[silphael]

Shielding himself again with a layer of force, Xhanfaerd moves around a stone while drawing his weapon.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Casting Mage Armour, then moving 2E, 2NE, 1N while taking my weapon.

[lostsole31]

R1T8: Shielding himself again with a layer of force, Xhanfaerd moves around a stone while drawing his weapon. As he closes on Blue, Blue launches forward quickly with a nip at the side of Xhanfaerd's abdomen for 10.

R1T7: Harrim follows Xhanfaerd's lead by doing the same thing ... briefly taking out a small, cured piece of leather and casting a similar spell on himself before putting the square of cuir boulli back in his component pouch. He trudges forward on short dwarven legs.

R1T6: Veress, Aron's tiger, finally goes ... getting next to Aron, but out of reach of the monster.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26: Book, what do you do? Originally you took so forward a position to do a threat display, though you did get lit up.

Fronaldo on deck, Sersheelda in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Book maintains his position and brings his whip into play and performs an amazing display of skill and talent, showing what he is capable of with it.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

FRA: Dazzling Display (while wielding any flails group weapon (incl. whips), he makes an Intimidate check to demoralize all foes w/in 30' who can see his display.)

[lostsole31]

R2T26: Book maintains his position and brings his whip into play and performs an amazing display of skill and talent, showing what he is capable of with it. It is enough to give Red and Blue some pause.

R2T21: Fronaldo, what do you do?

Sersheelda on deck, Green in the hole ...