The Second Face of Evil

[smeltdm]

Prost peers across the chasm to the ledge on the far side...

[dice]0[/dice]

[Duniagdra]

[ooc]Perception of the ledge:[dice]0[/dice]Spellcraft for the potions:[dice]1[/dice][dice]2[/dice][dice]3[/dice]However long this should take, one round per roll, Marcus puts his time into it.[/ooc]

[JPetherick]

Satisfied that they have found everything of importance, Worrell wipes down his sword before sheathing it. After slinging his shield over his back, the paladin draws his bow and tests its draw. In this endeavour, he will very likely be of greater use when prepared to engage any lurking opponents at range.

[patransom]

After Worrel and Lola finish their search, Marcus comes over to examine the potions. He discovers that one is cure light wounds and another is remove fear. Unfortunately, he cannot even determine the school of the magic aura on the third, much less its properties.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Let me know who's taking the potions. Since spellcraft failed on the third, remember that you can use perception: Identifying Potions: In addition to the standard methods of identification, PCs can sample from each container they find to attempt to determine the nature of the liquid inside with a Perception check. The DC of this check is equal to 15 + the spell level of the potion (although this DC might be higher for rare or unusual potions).

 

The rest of the party continues to observe the ledge across the chasm and consider what to do next. No one spots anything suspicious over there.

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Evan Prost: loaded crossbow readied, 20 bolts left, darkvision 175.5 min, 1 hp damage, Lola: sunroad readied, 34 bolts left, 1 hp damage Cyrius of the Sudden Blade: mind blade and buckler readied, uninjured Marcus Tilsworth: loaded crossbow readied, 24 bolts left + 1 MW bolt, 2 hp damage Worrel: composite longbow readied, uninjured Texudus TreeBender: longbow readied, 13 arrows left, 22 hp damage

[smeltdm]

Not seeing anything across chasm, Prost starts picking up stones and fires one each, @ spaces (1)0418, (2)0718, (3)0118, (4)0318, (5)0619, (6)0219,(7)0419, (8)0518, (9)0618, (10)0319, (11)0218, and (12)0519. Whispering... [whisper]Lets see if we can flush anything out of hiding...[/whisper]

[ooc]If anyone sees movement Prost will stop to concentrate on that...Prost will vary his targeting of the spaces so they are unpredictable...[/ooc]

Prost's 12 attack rolls with -1 applied

(1)0418 [dice]0[/dice] (2)0718 [dice]1[/dice] (3)0118 [dice]2[/dice] (4)0318 [dice]3[/dice] (5)0619 [dice]4[/dice] (6)0219 [dice]5[/dice] (7)0419 [dice]6[/dice] (8)0518 [dice]7[/dice] (9)0618 [dice]8[/dice] (10)0319 [dice]9[/dice] (11)0218 [dice]10[/dice] (12)0519 [dice]11[/dice]

[CGM3]

Cyrius will take a look up at the stalactites hanging fromn the ceiling over the chasm.

Perception: 1d20+8 (+1 to detect surprise)
[dice]0[/dice]

[kabkal]

Lola follows the group and waits to see what's next.

[JPetherick]

Worrell will come up to the cliff's edge with the others, ready to fire upon anything that appears dangerous.

[Duniagdra]

Marcus will cast acid splash targeting random spots of the far ledge.

[patransom]

Worrel approaches the cliff edge, longbow readied, while Cyrius studies the stalactites up above. Cyrius doesn't spot anything unusual.

Prost and Marcus pelt the ledge across the way with stones and spells. They don't flush anything out.

OUT OF CHARACTER

I would still like an indication of who is carrying the potions. One is cure light wounds, one is remove fear, and the third is unknown. You could still use perception to try to determine the properties of the third potion: Identifying Potions: In addition to the standard methods of identification, PCs can sample from each container they find to attempt to determine the nature of the liquid inside with a Perception check. The DC of this check is equal to 15 + the spell level of the potion (although this DC might be higher for rare or unusual potions).

 

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Evan Prost: slingstaff readied, 20 bolts left, darkvision 174.2 min, 1 hp damage, Lola: sunroad readied, 34 bolts left, 1 hp damage Cyrius of the Sudden Blade: mind blade and buckler readied, uninjured Marcus Tilsworth: loaded crossbow readied, 24 bolts left + 1 MW bolt, 2 hp damage Worrel: composite longbow readied, uninjured Texudus TreeBender: longbow readied, 13 arrows left, 22 hp damage

[Duniagdra]

Marcus will attempt another examination of the potion his detect magic failed on. Taking the potion in hand, he carefully studies it.

PerceptionShow

[dice]0[/dice]

“No time like the now to do something. The solution to all of this mess is down there.” Regardless of his result with the potion, he will put it in his pack and lead the decent, hoping that his team will follow.

Climb CheckShow

[dice]1[/dice]Considering this map shows something similar too ladder rungs, I'd assume this check to have a DC of 15 or less.

[patransom]

Marcus tastes the potion and discovers it is also remove fear.

[smeltdm]

Prost taps Marcus on the shoulder before he starts his decent... [talk]Perhaps we should use one of these ropes I have been lugging around for the decent...[/talk] Prost pulls out one of the ropes and looks to Tex for help to tie it off before dropping it off the cliff face for decent.... [talk]Tex, could you give me a hand with this?[/talk] Prost hands Tex the end to be tied off and attempts to help...

Survival check to tie off ropeShow

[dice]0[/dice]

OUT OF CHARACTER

A rope with a wall to brace against, or a knotted rope, or a rope affected by the rope trick spell.

 

[patransom]

[ooc]I in no way wish to prevent you from taking precautions, but just so it's clear: "iron spikes have been driven into the cliff face, making the Climb DC 10 to safely descend it." Adding the rope would indeed reduce the DC 5. See here for other relevant info about climbing.[/ooc]

[JPetherick]

[talk]I am burdened by my armor so this climb won't be easy for me. Taking it off would make it easier, but that takes time and even more time to get it back on again,[/talk] says the half-elf paladin. Worrell looks to his companions before continuing, [talk]What sequence should we follow for people to descend? I might be able to stand alone, for a time, but would probably take the longest to get down.[/talk]

[Duniagdra]

I can go first and create another pit if I have trouble. If there is anyone else who prefers first, I won't argue.

[tdsprouse]

[talk]Aye, rope should make it a bit easier.[/talk]

survival
0

[CGM3]

[ooc]I in no way wish to prevent you from taking precautions, but just so it's clear: "iron spikes have been driven into the cliff face, making the Climb DC 10 to safely descend it." Adding the rope would indeed reduce the DC 5. See here for other relevant info about climbing.[/ooc]

Yes, conveniently placed iron spikes... which could be trapped.
Paranoia is a hallmark of gamers.

[smeltdm]

Prost suggests that he could go down last, dropping the rope or ropes, depending on weather or not we want to go down by two's. Then after droping the ropes Prost will make his descent and then collect the ropes for future use. Prost comments... [talk]I'm a pretty good climber, in my profession it helps.[/talk] Prost waits for a consensus from the group...

[patransom]

[ooc]Note that the spikes cover the entire wall, so as many of you as want to can go down at the same time, side-by-side if you want.[/ooc]

[CGM3]

[talk]I propose that Lola, Worrel, and I climb down first, while the rest of you cover us,[/talk] Cyrius suggests. [talk]If it's clear, we can regroup down there and proceed.[/talk]

[Duniagdra]

I like the plan. Marcus loads his crossbow and takes position.

[JPetherick]

Worrell stows his bow and prepares to follow Lola down. The paladin secures his weapons and shield before carefully descending.

Once he is down, Worrell swings his shield into place and draws his sword in case anything threatens them.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Take 10 results in a total of 8

 

[smeltdm]

Prost will descend last, providing cover with his cross bow for the others ahead of him, and then dropping any ropes that have been used and collecting them at the bottom.

Climb check using iron spikes: [dice]0[/dice]

[kabkal]

Lola will take one last look to make sure it looks safe, then puts everything in its place and climbs down. (she will take 10, resulting in a 10).

[tdsprouse]

Tex will take 10 for an 18

[CGM3]

Cyrius will also take 10, using the rope, for a Climb check of 16. He will activate his mind blade (in rapier form) as soon as he reaches the floor.

[Duniagdra]

Once first wave is feet down, Marcus will go down too. Take 10.

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Since no one claimed the potions, I have assumed you stowed them with the rest of the party loot in Prost's haversack: Loot List

 

Prost and Tex each tie off ropes to aid those descending. Cyrius, Worrel, and Lola then begin to climb down the cliff. Presumably, Lola and Worrel, with the worse climb checks, use the ropes, while Cyrius uses the iron spikes. Also, presumably, Lola leaves her sunrod at the top of the cliff. Presumably, someone tosses it down to her when she gets to the bottom. While those three climb, the rest stand guard at the top of the cliff. They make it to the bottom without incident.

Tex and Marcus then use the ropes to descend, while Prost provides cover with his crossbow, planning to descend last after dropping the ropes.

Tex and Marcus make it 15 feet down the cliff, reaching a point level with the ledge across the chasm, when...

Surprise Round!

Two Grimlocks, armed with bows, emerge from their clever hiding places amongst the stalagmites on the ledge. The first Grimlock throws a tanglefoot bag at Tex. Fortunately, he misses and the bag hits the wall between Tex and Marcus, exploding into a gluey mess, but hindering no one.

The second Grimlock fires two arrows, one each at Tex and Marcus. Tex is hit [11 hp damage], but the second arrow misses Marcus.

Round 1 Begins

Archer 1 tries again to hit Tex with a tanglefoot bag. This time he succeeds. Tex finds himself covered in a mess that threatens to stick him to the wall [See here; –2 on attack rolls and a –4 to Dexterity, must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be glued to the wall, unable to move]

Archer 2 again directs an arrow each towards Tex and Marcus. This time he hits Marcus [5 hp damage] and misses Tex.

The archers call out in a strange, gibbering language, possibly trying to alert others, although there is no immediate response.

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Those on the floor of the cavern can shoot at the grimlocks on the ledge, but the grimlocks have cover (+4 AC). They do not have cover against Prost up above. Round 1 Continues Marcus Tilsworth: climbing, 24 bolts left + 1 MW bolt, 7 hp damage Cyrius of the Sudden Blade: mind blade and buckler readied, uninjured Evan Prost: loaded crossbow readied, 20 bolts left, darkvision 172.2 min, 1 hp damage, Texudus TreeBender: climbing, 13 arrows left, 33 hp damage, tanglefoot bag (–2 on attack rolls and a –4 to Dexterity, must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be glued to the wall, unable to move) 6 rnds left Worrel: longbow readied, uninjured Lola: sunrod readied, 34 bolts left, 1 hp damage Round 2 Begins Grimlock Archer 1 Grimlock Archer 2

[JPetherick]

Concerned that the grimlocks are calling for reinforcements, Worrel moves to put himself ahead of Cyrius and Lola, closer to the passage way. He completes the switch to using his sword and shield as he does so.


[ooc]Advance to 0418 on ground level, wielding sword and shield as he does so.[/ooc]