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Post by venger on May 30, 2011 0:25:47 GMT -5
XP 5/29-- Paavo : 48155 --Dan : 2999 Friedrich : 47646 Trommer : 44671 Colby : 44971|10746 Ingrid : 12999/13182 Marcus : 23617 Falkonis : 13383 Epicaste : 9722 Danaus : 7456 Strange Yuan-ti device: This appears as a heavy armband with 2 projections, both about 6” long. One projection ends in a black leather grip. The other ends in a smooth, coneshaped green stone, much like a jewel, with a slightly silvery end. There is a coin-sized slot at the base of this projection and an attached panel of dark glass mounted in a frame about the size of a hand mirror. On one side of the frame are 2 raised discs (black & white), while on the other are 2 dials.
The Portal changes approximately once an hour:
1) Underwater ruins. 2) Scorched and blasted plain lit by a hellish red glare. Strange monoliths can be seen in the distance. 3) White sand desert under a scorching sun. 4) Broken stone landscape beneath stormy skies. 5) Sunny flower-filled meadow.
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Post by Friedrich on May 30, 2011 1:23:58 GMT -5
In 8 hours Colby will be a thief again and thus "back in the game." So I guess that means Stringer Bell will want to tax us once again..... But, just remember we've "moved up in the game" so "if you got a mind for it" we can "stand tall". 8-) Great session, by the way.
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Post by Ginger on May 30, 2011 19:23:42 GMT -5
Before our 30 minute dialogue with our frozen cavemen NPCs, we'll make sure they can look at our maps and magic items to save time.
I'd like to ask them what they know about the different teleportation mechanisms that are here. We'll give a better explanation of the room we used to arrive here, show them the map, and explain the tapestries or frescos that adorned the room, showing how the multicolored incense seemed to work.
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Post by venger on May 31, 2011 9:25:51 GMT -5
Before our 30 minute dialogue with our frozen cavemen NPCs, we'll make sure they can look at our maps and magic items to save time. What items? Are you casting Comprehend Languages on Danaus or Epicaste? Or both? And yourself? That's 29 or 28 minute dialogue, depending. I'd like to ask them what they know about the different teleportation mechanisms that are here. We'll give a better explanation of the room we used to arrive here, show them the map, and explain the tapestries or frescos that adorned the room, showing how the multicolored incense seemed to work. How did the multicolored incense seem to work? They appear to have some questions for you first and your answers will determine the nature of their answers. I'll make a new thread
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Post by Wolfgar on May 31, 2011 11:46:18 GMT -5
The murals appeared to show that by burning a blue and silver incense in the respective sconces/braziers next to the portal, people were able to enter the portals and be transported to some distant location. We can describe the location we first teleported from - a shrine on a bridge over a raging river. The bridge is reached by passing through a cave in the side of a mountain. We have already asked Epicaste about Anguvmar. It was legendary to her, not something in existence in her time. I assume anything from the tomb of the Immortal King would be outside of her knowledge. Only things from outside of the tomb might be recognizable to her - like the phoenix cloak. What do we have from outside of the tomb? -various potions -glass beads from yuan-ti nest -evil short sword from manticore lair -weird armband from yuan-ti leader -sign of Ulsimagarus We should ask about the other items of interest that we have not discovered yet. Objects of interest: Vault of Elders, containing the Knowledge of the Elders. Golden Tablets of Laanhatra Talisman of Phe - a potent artifact Anguvmar - "Stream of Anguish", magic sword.Fountain of Eternal LifeSign of Ulsimagarus (patron god of Ulshamaran)Anecdotal accounts: The story of Alexander, the Great King, who rode upon the wind over the Mountains of Darkness and there discovered the King of Demons who welcomed him to Ulshamaran and gave unto him ... a fabulous pearl of wisdom ... Time permitting we can ask about Lord Zeal, his Gauntlet and the Sentinel.
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Post by venger on May 31, 2011 16:24:16 GMT -5
Are you casting Comprehend Languages on Danaus or Epicaste? Or both? And yourself? repeat hah
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Post by Ginger on May 31, 2011 19:59:38 GMT -5
I'll cast on all 3 of us.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 13, 2011 8:45:04 GMT -5
Well that was interesting.
Having finished our conversation with Epicaste and Danaus we headed out to continue exploring. First we checked out the north wing of the palace. The interesting thing there was a glass domed room with a beam of intense light that traversed the floor. We noticed that a lens was missing from the device and eventually discovered that Trommer was carrying a lens we found in the tomb of the Immortal King. Colby did a high wire act and replaced the lens which then revealed a star chart complete with constellations and ruins. In conjunction with the information we got from Feldspar we should be able to locate what he was looking for.
We found another teleportation platform which Epicaste reconfigured by moving some panels. Not sure where it leads now except out into the garden.
Further exploring revealed a trapdoor which led to the lower level of the palace. We explored the lower level further. Everyone seems to have fled taking most everything with them. We released some mongrel men and gave them one of our discs so they could escape. Which turned out to be only a single additional door.
We found a small altar with two potions and a scroll in front of a statue draped in leather. We choose not to disturb the statue (having been burned by Zargon once) but took the potions and scroll. Colby unrolled the scroll and was cursed. He started transforming into a reptile but died half way through the transformation due to the system shock. We dragged his body back to the pool. He was resurrected, came back as a human and spent 3 hours memorizing spells.
We went back down to the lower level to investigate the boiler room. Colby used a Knock spell to open the door to the Vault of the Ancients. Things took a definite sci-fi turn at this point.
We entered a room with red flashing lights going off as a result of our entrance. While investigating the room (empty water tank, open shaft, large machine, 3 lockers/cabinets) an iron golem (robot?) entered the room and said something in an unknown language. Epi and Danaus threw down their weapons. The rest of us backed off. It shot Ingrid with a ray from its fork-shaped left arm. We charged.
The fight went for a while - it paralyzed are two heavy hitters (Friedrich and Trommer). It had a noxious gas that sent people reeling. Colby used a lightning bolt to slow it down but the magic missile had no effect and the fire wand actually healed it. With the fight looking bleak Colby tried Nahal's Reckless Dweomer with the intent of polymorphing it into a human. He rolled a 00 and succeeded. At which point Danakes (a ranger rolled up by Gareth) found himself far from his homeland. (Might have been cool if he retained some memories of the golem.)
We continued exploring the Vault (which appears to be another module unto itself) finding a number of advanced technologies. Trommer did take some orbs from a crate. We heard at least one other golem in the distance but ran from it. We left off there needing to decide how long we were going to explore this place.
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Post by venger on Jun 13, 2011 9:30:52 GMT -5
At which point Danakes (a ranger rolled up by Gareth) found himself far from his homeland. (Might have been cool if he retained some memories of the golem.) Or if he didn't even exist before Colby cast the spell. Of if he's like a copy of someone Colby met one time and there's another "real" Danakes running around. Or if the duration of Polymorph Any Object will eventually run out and Danakes will turn back into that ancient war-machine! We continued exploring the Vault (which appears to be another module unto itself) finding a number of advanced technologies. Trommer did take some orbs from a crate. We heard at least one other golem in the distance but ran from it. We left off there needing to decide how long we were going to explore this place. I don't know if it helps your decision to stay, but these iron golem things are apparently worth a gajllion experience. XP - 6/12 Paavo: 51215 --Dan: 2999 Friedrich: 51012 Trommer: 47731 Colby: 48337|10746 Danakes: 150 Ingrid: 12999/14654 Marcus: 25300 Falkonis: 14913 Epicaste: 11252 (4th) Danaus: 9139 (4th)
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 13, 2011 10:14:09 GMT -5
Or if the duration of Polymorph Any Object will eventually run out and Danakes will turn back into that ancient war-machine! That's a good point. We will also need to be careful with using dispel magic around him.
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Post by Ginger on Jun 13, 2011 10:25:38 GMT -5
It seems like we need some golem killing tactics.
We've seen that Anguvmar, Oath Breaker, and Ingrid's war hammer can hurt it. We also have a magic (evil) short sword. Otherwise, we've got some magical weapons that don't seem to have plusses attached to them and may or may not do damage.
Is Marcus's broadsword magical? Isn't he using one he found in the crypts? I know he had a non-magical one which still was +1, and I think he's upgraded but I'm not sure.
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Post by venger on Jun 13, 2011 15:45:05 GMT -5
Is Marcus's broadsword magical? Isn't he using one he found in the crypts? I know he had a non-magical one which still was +1, and I think he's upgraded but I'm not sure. Marcus, Epi and Danaus found their weapons completely ineffective against the "golem." Marcus' broadsword is minorly enchanted.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 13, 2011 20:46:31 GMT -5
Staff (Iron) Spear (etched with runes) Who has these items from the tomb of the Immortal King? Anything etched in runes likely is more than just minorly enchanted. Also some magic staffs count as magic weapons for the purposes of melee. Marcus can use his dagger in melee instead of his broadsword. I think Friedrich should use Ingrid's warhammer. Trommer could also try using Lord Zeal's whip. Maybe someone could try putting a bag over the golem's head. That would prevent it from targeting anyone to use the paralyzing ray and prevent the gas from being exhaled. For the purposes of touching, grappling, lassoing or bagging I think giving a golem a -4 AC (?) seems abusive. Really it should just be considered a man in a very, very tough set of armor. In that case the touch AC is just the dexterity bonuses plus any magical bonuses.
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Post by Friedrich on Jun 13, 2011 22:44:58 GMT -5
XP - 6/12 Paavo: 51215 --Dan: 2999 Friedrich: 51012 Trommer: 47731 Colby: 48337|10746 Danakes: 150 Ingrid: 12999/14654 Marcus: 25300 Falkonis: 14913 Epicaste: 11252 (4th) Danaus: 9139 (4th) I was extremely surpised to see we got close to 4k xp each considering I didn't make a SINGLE attack role and we found very little treasure. As long as Dave rolls 00 again we should be fine.
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Post by venger on Jun 14, 2011 8:02:29 GMT -5
Who has these items from the tomb of the Immortal King? Friedrich was carrying the staff. Not sure who has the spear. Marcus can use his dagger in melee instead of his broadsword. He looks skeptical about wielding a dagger in a gun fight. Really it should just be considered a man in a very, very tough set of armor. In that case the touch AC is just the dexterity bonuses plus any magical bonuses. Did I mention how they were worth a gajillion XP? I'm fairly swayed by this argument though and such a creature would not have a -4 AC vs. touch attacks. Also, I think I should have to roll to hit for those beams if you're still taking 1/2 damage after the save. Otherwise it should be all or none, based on the save.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 14, 2011 8:04:42 GMT -5
I bet if we used a Knock spell on a robot it would open up any service panels. Then we just need to stuff a sword in it to mess up its fragile circuitry or pull out its power cube.
BTW, according to the spellbooks thread we do have Wizard Lock. Any idea which spellbook that is in?
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 14, 2011 8:20:35 GMT -5
He looks skeptical about wielding a dagger in a gun fight. It only does 1 point less than Ingrid's warhammer and he does +4 damage with his strength. Or he can use the spear once we determine who is carrying it. Give the dagger to Colby and we will see if he can back stab with it. I think the beam weapon is like a lightning bolt. No "to hit" roll is required and you save for half. It just has the additional effect of full damage also causing paralysis. Maybe there should be a separate save for the additional effect.
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Post by Mr. Trommer on Jun 14, 2011 9:50:32 GMT -5
Trommer has the rune etched spear and the evil short sword. Is there anyone neutral in the party? They could use the short sword.
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Post by Ginger on Jun 14, 2011 10:05:58 GMT -5
I'm happy to try Knock. None of my other spells will likely have any effect. I could try a Stony Grasp, although some of the rooms have metallic floors, so it might not work.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 14, 2011 11:04:15 GMT -5
I think the first order of business is to have Colby prepare these spells: -Knock: open portals, test against golems -Wizard Lock: prevent a golem from coming through a door -Comprehend Languages: read some of the runes -NRD: just in case it looks really bad
While he is doing that we should make an inventory of the magic items. Redistribute the healing water skins from Marcus. Sample any new potions. Test any magic items we can think to test. Re-allocate magic weapons to maximize effectiveness against golems.
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Post by venger on Jun 14, 2011 12:13:10 GMT -5
Re-reading the map vs. module, this cable shaft descends 60', sorry. These room descriptions are very linear and you've been hitting them backwards since you climbed up into that furnace.
This should be all your magic items?
Colby: book scroll: Lightning Bolt, Haste, Confusion, Magic Missile @ 7th Level
cloak, crimson bent wand (Sanci?) azure potion (insubstantiality) scroll - Protection from Demons scroll - Unceasing Vigilance of the Holy Sentinel potion of Raw Mana bag of bones
Soulsink - dagger of life-stealing Feldspar's wand (Lithos) bracers AC 8 gold talisman (Stigga) magic oil gold bowl - Contact Other Plane
horseshoe +6 to any save, once collar of fire-resistance
Ingrid: potion of growth warhammer, magic
Trommer: The Gauntlet Durandal, unbreakable longsword hex bag, non-detection cherry potion (feel good) Lord Zeal's shocking whip spear, magic carpet, magic gold ring, magic, worn (new) loud magic horn flask, blue liquid
Friedrich: magic staff gold flask (liquid) gold mask - demonic glass beads bloodstone talisman - sustenance sigil of unbending illusions morningstar - dead sun rising potion of levitation
white potion - (jittery)
fine axe, +2 when thrown
Paavo:
potion, red (earthy) "strength" ultralight platemail PfE salts, 9 uses bastard sword, oathbreaker two-handed sword, ornately scabbarded metal flask potion, blue, fishy incense, blue Stone to Flesh scroll
Dan "Demonslayer" Danbury: Shieldbreaker mace
helm* shield* (cephalopod visage) jade reptile statue* decanter* "anti-magic" shield Yuan-ti arm-device orbs blue-bladed shortsword (evil) 2 potions
much healing waters
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Post by Mr. Trommer on Jun 14, 2011 12:55:36 GMT -5
Trommer has Oathbreaker, helm, evil shortsword and the convex pale blue lens.
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Post by Ginger on Jun 14, 2011 13:10:21 GMT -5
I'm happy to try attacking with the magic staff.
I only have one 1st level spell, which is currently CL.
I have Knock, Stinking Cloud, and Web memorized.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 14, 2011 13:13:06 GMT -5
Descending makes more sense. I still think there is an issue with height of various rooms given that the entry into the Vault of the Ancients is only 40' below the surface of the Garden.
We also have 2 flasks from the small altar off of the guardroom. And of course a large number of water skins of healing.
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Post by venger on Jun 14, 2011 15:26:38 GMT -5
I only have one 1st level spell, which is currently CL. I couldn't figure out what CL stood for and had to look it up. Comprehend Languages. Descending makes more sense. I still think there is an issue with height of various rooms given that the entry into the Vault of the Ancients is only 40' below the surface of the Garden. There was another short, descending staircase from the initial entrypoint into the Vault. So more like 50'. And there is some sloping. The map, as you saw, is crude and the module doesn't give me a couple key measurements like the height of the shaft to the furnace, (which I just made up on the spot) and the length of the corridors which I'm inferring from the room sizes in the text.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 17, 2011 9:33:00 GMT -5
I noticed that Wizard Lock has an area of effect of 30 square feet/level. Does that mean you can lock multiple doors so long as they are in the area of effect? Or can you just lock larger and larger doors with the increase in level?
In the Vault of the Ancients there are lots of doors that are right next to each other. It would be nice if we could lock them all at once. At 6th level Colby can do 180 sq. ft or a 20' x 9' section of wall. Which could get two doors.
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Post by venger on Jun 17, 2011 14:00:49 GMT -5
The range being "touch" would lead me to believe it means a single door, portal or chest.
If he could touch multiple doors from where he's standing, and they fit within the area of effect, I'd allow that.
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Post by Wolfgar on Jun 17, 2011 15:02:44 GMT -5
I imagined you touching the wall between the doors and the magic spreading out along the wall to affect the doors.
I suppose we could use Ingrid's potion of growth first. Drinking half of said potion would increase Colby to approximately 18' tall with roughly the same reach. That should allow him to reach two doors in adjacent 10' squares. Probably a waste of a potion.
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Post by venger on Jun 17, 2011 15:45:01 GMT -5
I imagined you touching the wall between the doors and the magic spreading out along the wall to affect the doors. Then what would the range be? The area of effect would still be the size of the portal. Touch is touch. Probably a waste of a potion. 1/2 of a potion that is most likely going to fail a save or be dispelled before anyone finds a real use for it. How long has she been carrying that? I've noted many instances in the past weeks where you've needed to climb/levitate, carry something bulky or view a farther distance. You're carrying a ton of magical items: drink a potion. I think you lucked out that last encounter.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Jun 18, 2011 10:54:48 GMT -5
I imagined you touching the wall between the doors and the magic spreading out along the wall to affect the doors. Then what would the range be? The area of effect would still be the size of the portal. Touch is touch. I think he means that that everything within 30 square feet/level of the point he touched would be locked. Imagine a 10th level caster (who could lock 300 square feet) touching a wall with two doors on it spaced 10 feet apart. Both doors would be within 300 square feet (30 x 10) and would become locked. I like this interpretation, but I think you'd have to agree on the size of a standard door so you could calculate total areas. Note that Paavo used 9', I used 10', and the doors in my house are more like 7.5'. Also, can you wizard lock half a door?
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