colored gates

[venger]

To recap:

Many clerical spells were cast, including Speak w/Dead, True Seeing and Commune. Speak w/Dead resulted in Chaotic Neutral gibberish and True Seeing almost made Cedrus go insane.

Otto and Pffifwin showed up eventually, Pffifwin having uncovered a possible plot against us by the Guild and the Palace if we made it out of the castle. Otto was poisoned by a purple worm and then devoured on the way in, but the party killed it before he was digested.

Antonus sat on the throne and discovered it was linked to the window. He was able to scroll through many different views on the window with handy track-balls in the arms of the throne and eventually found the Oerth. Samantha is in Loftwick, Castle Diego still stands though humanoids rally around it, there's a big set of doors in the side of the Barrier Peaks where that thing crashed, Sterich is full of undead and the Black Dome over Istvin is not something you want to try to scry.

The Commune:

Ultimately, after finding there was no other way to escape the castle, we narrowed down what color gate would be best for the purposes of finding the Great Druid- Olive green.

We waited a week for the gate to change to olive green. We threw some inanimate objects through the gate during the other color cycles and when we finally went through (it turned olive green on a natural 20) the objects we had thrown were there as well!

The problem with our commune:

Since the gate was the only way out of the castle, it was not just the best option for finding the Great Druid, it was the only option. I am lead to believe that multiple colors go to the same destinations and olive green may have been the least harmful option - other colors perhaps being riskier.
Right now we're in the middle of the jungle. A day's travel to the south is grassland, volcanos are in the distance to the west(?) and the jungle extends hundreds of miles in every other direction.

We killed a T-rex and had a neutral to friendly reaction from some stegosauruses.

Repeated attempts to return through the portal failed.

We are no closer to finding the Great Druid than we were.

[Ginger]

A few clarifications are in order. Our commune questions were based on the premise that the different colors would lead to portals in different places. Instead, it seems to be the case that the different colors affect how likely you are to be disintegrated during travel or whether you can travel at all.

Once we were on the other side and could use our MU spells again, we identified some things. We thought Otto had some pearls but couldn't find them on his character sheet. Antonus had 3 pearls, which we used to identify the petrified oak leaf (automatic feather-fall), lizard brooch (something undead related), and the nose ring (+1 protection). Jasssper is using the nose ring, since it's sized for a monstrous nose.

And we didn't just "kill a T-rex." It stomped our Secure Shelter while the mages were identifying. All the fighters pounded it for 100+ points of damage. It fled, but Raven fled after it and killed it at 200'.

[venger]

Also we discovered the statue of the dinosaur near the gate exhaled a cloud of particles that turned things to stone. Antonus climbed up it and covered the thing's head in a sack, which turned to stone when it breathed again.

A silver oak leaf was identified- the petrified purple leaf was not.

And the brooch is of a skeletal lizardman- supposedly it lets you "control undead." And more~

Though we weren't able to identify further for lack of pearls.


We're not entirely sure about disintegration or the effects of the portal when it isn't olive green- the objects we threw into the gate during different color cycles didn't seem adversely affected by their journey.

[Ginger]

The mechanic used is a percentile roll. Every time we threw something through the portal or tried to walk through it we rolled. I presume that each color has a range for things to be teleported safely, a range for them to be teleported unsafely, and a range for them to bounce off the portal.

[venger]

arrowguy said:

The mechanic used is a percentile roll. Every time we threw something through the portal or tried to walk through it we rolled. I presume that each color has a range for things to be teleported safely, a range for them to be teleported unsafely, and a range for them to bounce off the portal.

The portal in the castle cycled through over 20 colors.

The portal in the jungle appears to only do about 5. Blue-silver, Umber, Orange-Gold, Yellow and Green. (go memory)

We've unsuccessfully attempted to pass through all 5. I forget which color, but we managed to throw an object through one- its passage was accompanied by the smell of chlorine.

[Wolfgar]

So we decided against giving Winthrop time to train for 6th level spells?

Are we still in a Demonweb world? Any access to Leomund's secret chest? Cleric spells above 2nd?

Has anyone checked for tracks leading to or from the gate area? Have we tried flying around to do some reconnaissance for buildings?

[Ginger]

We are almost definitely still in the same world. Antonus flew up and saw a sprawling jungle, with volcanoes off to one side. When we first entered this world, there were volcanoes to one side and the mesa with the city on the other. We went to the city. Thus, I think we're just a few weeks march away from the city.

Otto checked for tracks and didn't find anything but dinosaurs.

[Dead Greyhawk]

Sky and plant colors are the same as well.

Most of the colors of the portal cycle every 10 minutes. Some last longer, some number of hours. One lasts about a day. Getting to the olive-green color took a long time. Winthrop got impatient and was urging to do something, anything. Instead, the Company hung around while it cycled, so long as it wasn't locked into the long duration colors (red and maroon).

[Wolfgar]

Was there any more exploration of the mithril screen that had been covered by an illusion or the window on the outside of the castle?

How does dinosaur taste? Does a dead T. Rex attract lots of carnivores?

I am sure Otto has 6 pearls left. After doing these identifications he used one more pearl to identify a potion of healing when we left the Demonweb pits the first time.

[venger]

otto said:

I am sure Otto has 6 pearls left. After doing these identifications he used one more pearl to identify a potion of healing when we left the Demonweb pits the first time.

Two large bowling-ball sized agates (one grey and white and the other red and white).
A large petrified purple-tree (as in from outside) leaf on a long, curved metal tine.
A set of large manacles.
An over-sized brass candle-snuffer.
a pair of clawed boots
A large bottle filled with silver flecks.
A brooch made of small bones shaped like a skeletal lizardman. (could be identified further)
A silver-dipped oak leaf. The leaf is definitely from an oak tree.
large gold-plated, iron nose-ring

[Ginger]

apprentice said:

The portal in the jungle appears to only do about 5. Blue-silver, Umber, Orange-Gold, Yellow and Green. (go memory)

We've unsuccessfully attempted to pass through all 5. I forget which color, but we managed to throw an object through one- its passage was accompanied by the smell of chlorine.

I think the thing to do is gather a bunch of stones, throw one into the portal per round, and record the results. After enough time, we can hopefully see what percentage of things go through, whether the chance is determined each time the gate turns or each time something tries to get through, etc.

Hopefully we'll eventually have something go through without a chlorine smell.

[Ginger]

We should Read Languages on the Gate to see if the names are something we'd recognize. Maybe one of the proper nouns resolves to "City of Iron" or one of the other places that's been identified in this world.

[venger]

arrowguy said:

We should Read Languages on the Gate to see if the names are something we'd recognize. Maybe one of the proper nouns resolves to "City of Iron" or one of the other places that's been identified in this world.

We should figure out where the city is and go back into the castle so we can access the magical box to retrieve the ancient scrolls Dell stuck in there, which probably have information about the gates and how they operate.

[Ginger]

Well, we should use clairvoyance to make sure that our assumptions about where we are are correct and estimate how long it will take to travel to the city.

[Wolfgar]

Given how few pearls to which we have access maybe we should try some experimenting on these items to see if we can guess their function. Maybe you already had this discussion while I wasn't there...

apprentice said:

Two large bowling-ball sized agates (one grey and white and the other red and white).

Crystal balls are of the course the obvious guess but given their proximity to the throne it would seen redundant. Given that these were made by lizard-folk they might seem small to a 8' creature. Are they transparent at all? If so can you see anything if you look through them? Ioun stones for dinosaurs? Anything happen if you knock them together?

A large petrified purple-tree (as in from outside) leaf on a long, curved metal tine.

Again assuming made for lizard folk this is the right size to be an earring. Is the two ring limit just for one worn on each hand or do ear and nose rings count against the limit of two? Do lizard folk have ears? Maybe Clift can wear it.

A set of large manacles.

I don't see how these could be beneficial to the wearer. Maybe they compel the wearer to tell the truth. I would hold off on identifying them.

An over-sized brass candle-snuffer.

Fire resistance? Wave it at the camp fire to see if it will extinguish normal fires. Deluminator?

a pair of clawed boots

Since these were worn by the slaad they are likely not cursed. I say we try them on and then run through the boot types we know from experience - speed, flying, stealth, tracks, levitation. You could try climbing and walking on water since that would seem natural.

A large bottle filled with silver flecks.

There are probably only a couple of doses of the stuff. Not worth experimenting.

[venger]

Experimenting with unknown magic items is dangerous. Especially without ready access to Remove Curse.

[Ginger]

A little magic item experimentation might be a good idea. If we need to convert our 3rd level spells into Remove Curse, so be it. It would be extremely unfortunate if those boots were cursed to turn you into a slaad.

I'll arrive around 2 tomorrow. While I'm gone, Raven will strongly encourage the plan to toss stones into the portal to determine the probability for each color.

[Wolfgar]

Otto only had 4 pearls on his character sheet. He tried on the boots but was unable to do anything with them, except climbing back down a tree seemed slow. The grey and white agate turned soft when Otto held it up to his head to listen to it. After some consulting he decided against putting it on his head. Winthrop experimented with the boots but was easily confused about whether he was moving silently.

Otto went off to talk to flying lizards while Winthrop and Antonus identified items. Pfiffwin and Al looked for tubers to eat. The rest of the Company threw rocks and sticks through the gate. Otto learned that there are some people living in nests in the trees. There are more people living in the swamp to the south. There is a fire burning on the plain in the direction of the swamp.

While Al and Pfiffwin tested their constitution on the tubers some ornery herbivore dinosaurs came by. Pfiffwin panicked and managed to throw a foul tasting tuber into the eye of one of them. They charged. Pfiffwin used a wall of fire illusion to scare off four of the dinosaurs. The fifth trampled him. Raven came out and made quick work of it.

That night while on watch Otto and Florin were attacked by two red dragons. They killed the first and then tried to subdue the second. After taking 164 points of subdual damage it died.

In the morning Winthrop determined they were not true dragons but some sort of dragon ancestor or proto dragon. The majority of the party decided to follow the dragons back to their lair. After five hours of tracking they found a cave. Inside were three more proto red dragons. The last one took a while to kill after the party split up. We found some treasure for four of the dragons. Mainly copper and electrum with a couple of pieces of jewelry and some potions in gourds.

Dell and Antonus remained behind to do more identifying. Unfortunately the items all required more pearls to fully determine their power. But definitely unlike anything we have seen before.

What happened after that?

[venger]

otto said:

What happened after that?

We attempted to enter the gate when it changed orange-gold. Those that didn't make it on their first try had to save vs. spell or suffer(?) a pleasant euphoria. Half the party was through before Jasper rolled his magic resistance and the gate turned black.

So we were split between A Group: Raven, Antonus, Florin, Al, Clift, Cedrus, Perrin and Grizela.

And B Group: Adler, Dell, Jasper, Adrienne, Winthrop, Pffifwin, Otto and Hugh.

A Group came out a wrought-iron gate similar to the one in the castle, set into a huge obsidian brontosaurus. They were immediately confronted by a group of lizardmen. Antonus cast Tongues and everyone but Clift tried to be non-threatening. Nothing was communicated before the spell ran out because Al setting down his axe initiated a ritualistic unarmed combat between him and the leader. After an amazing battle, bare-knuckle fists vs. claw/claw/bite, Al pummelled the enemy leader unconscious! Raven and the lizardmen celebrated by drinking something noxious out of a gourd. We've possibly made some new friends.

Meanwhile, B Group berated Jasper for breaking the gate and stranding them. Eventually it changed from black to green. Some triceratops chose that moment to charge from the jungle and trample the party. No magic items were lost! Winthrop slowed them with a Hold Monster and Lightning Bolted them. Dell used a Stinking Cloud and Otto hacked them to bits. There was some backstabbing and a strike of retribution or two. It was a tough fight that left Adrienne, Dell, Pffifwin and Adler in the single digits.

Perrin, at one point during Al's epic conflict, ran back through the gate. It had turned a light blue. He ended up in the jungle with B Group.

B Group went through when the gate turned Umber (those that didn't make it through the first try and failed their saves were drenched with water) and were reunited with A Group. Except maybe Dell. He was supposed to go through last. He either didn't or he did so invisibly.

And that's where we left it.

[Ginger]

Al's battle with the lizardman chieftain was amazing. It lasted about 20 rounds, with Al slowly depleting the lizardman's 32 HP while the lizardman more quickly depleted his 62. Rose just kept rolling those dice and finally won with 7 HP left.

On the other side of the gate, Winthrop lightning bolted the dinosaurs. Since everyone was in combat with them, everyone had to save for half or none. When Adrienne failed her save, I argued that she shouldn't have to save for items, since a failed save acts like a successful save vs. the spell when targeted directly, because you take the same damage. We set that precedent, which now makes our magic users more likely to lightning bolt us.

First order of business here is shopping. We need pearls and a trident.

[Wolfgar]

Is this just because of the size of the dinosaurs? I assume when fighting a smaller opponent that is lightning bolted you don't get the same half or none save.

[Wolfgar]

Do we know if we are in Gnitrax? Do we have anyway to communicate outside of tongues?

[Ginger]

otto said:

Do we know if we are in Gnitrax? Do we have anyway to communicate outside of tongues?

We assume so. Antonus started started saying that we bring tribute from the guild and name-dropped Omartarif and Gnitrax. No one was really paying attention, though.

We don't have any good way to communicate, but they might have some way to communicate with outsiders. Just like Omartarif spoke dwarvish, maybe we'll have some language in common.

[Mr. Trommer]

otto said:

Is this just because of the size of the dinosaurs? I assume when fighting a smaller opponent that is lightning bolted you don't get the same half or none save.

True, the stegosauruses were 24 feet long long so it was easy to hit them and not the party members.

[Mr. Trommer]

Oops, they were triceratops.

[venger]

Some questions-

What is our goal in this dinosaur-filled land? We agreed to investigate the castle and though we didn't learn anything we did find some interesting items. This last session we spent grubbing through the muddy lair of some "proto-dragons" for semi-precious gemstones and a pile of electrum and silver coins. Which, if you ask me, wasn't really worth our time.

Do we continue experimenting with the portals? Do we go back to Neshfal and try to get the information promised to us by the Guild?

Honestly, how are we getting home? How are we continuing to pursue the Great Druid when the trail has become so cold?

Do we have to worry about the Leomund's Secret Chests being lost forever in the Ethereal Plane?

Should we try to find the "Lizard Wizard?"

[Ginger]

Well, if the portal system is from before the humans came, then the indigenous lizardmen might know more about how it works.

Regarding our goals, we want to get to some other plane. Either the Oerth or the Demon Web Pits. At least if we get to the demon web pits we have part of it mapped out.

[Dead Greyhawk]

otto said:

Is this just because of the size of the dinosaurs? I assume when fighting a smaller opponent that is lightning bolted you don't get the same half or none save.

Yes. Generally, with smaller creatures, you are in the area of effect of the spell. With the 30 foot long triceratops, conduction was through the creature and the weapon.

[Dead Greyhawk]

In looking back at this and my notes, I realize I erred last week. Perrin should have bounced off the gate when he tried to run back through the obsidian brontosaurus gate. My bad. Consider him to either have
a. bounced off or
b. had a 1 in a million fluke.

Sorry about that.

[Ginger]

We should probably consider him to not have tried to run at all. :)