Re: Book One: Chapter Four: "Plots Unearthed"

[Malazek]

Sighing, Mordax begins stripping his armor.

LOL.

-Swift

Sighing, Mordax begins stripping his armor.

Lawl!

OOC: I'll wait for Alex to post in case he can create an ice bridge or something. I'm sure there's nasties aboot. If not I'll take a dip.

OOC: Unanswered questions ...

OOC: So, there is no established Dwarven priesthood devoted to the Queen. Was WoeGhar Diijungghar Vangg's father? Does that make his "family" the family of Njörðr VIII? This could be helpful for diplomacy, if you had an "in", but could be pretty bad, if your family has disowned you and branded you a traitor, heh.

"Straegis, Alex, did you keep the book with the hidden script telling the Terramancer's plans? The clan heads will need more than our word if we are to convince them that they were tricked by their own kind."

"Vangg, would you guess this is the end of Taalgarnuk's section?"

[Malazek]

Straegis would definitely have told everyone the details he figured out about the belt. After hearing Davin's explanation, and waiting for any other comments, he decides not to put it on (for now). "Verity, I don't know if Alex kept that book or not. He was reading it when the library was attacked, we were forced to make a hasty retreat. I do remember some of the things that were written but it would be best if we had the book." Straegis begins to dig thru his things and pulls out his own spellbook, after flipping the pages he says, "I knew I copied this for a reason, I have a Water Breathing Ritual. If you think now is the time, I could certainly get us across the river."

[Malazek]

"Swimming? Hmmm.

"Brother Vangg, what can you tell us of the dangerous beasts that swim these waters?"

OOC: Well, somebody make a decision. How is the party getting across this river?

[Malazek]

Verity collects ropes from the party and begins splicing them together.
"Alright Azraelbenzariel, it's time for that flying lesson. Come here a minute."
The knight ties one end of the rope about the death angel's pelvis. As he ties he explains, "We need you to fly to the boat and tie the rope to it, that we may pull it to us here to cross the river.
"There you are. If you get into trouble we'll pull you back.
"I do not know much about flying but I hear the trick is to fall without hitting the ground. Good luck."

[Malazek]

Without hesitation or discussion, Asraelbenzariel falls off the ledge with a splash. Before he can be hauled back to safety, he shoots from the water in a beautiful arched trajectory, through the air and toward the far side, where Verity looses sight of him.

Davin, on the otherhand, watches as the death angel child crashes into the far wall, and falls to the rocky shore on the otherside. Bruised, and a little dazed, he staggers to the raft and collapses upon it.

[Malazek]

"An Ice bridge? Now that would be truely magnificent. Yes. Great water mages such as myself use water to craft the entirity of Imil. However to create an ice bridge, from rushing waters, unaided? Would be far beyond my capabilities."

He stares wistfully off into the distance as the Angel hops into the water.

"OH, the book, yes, I kept it. We can use it as proof."

"Erm...I can't create an Ice bridge...but that can." Alex points to the amulet around Verity's neck. "Quite easily infact. At least a 100 foot bridge, not too wide though."

Alex watches the angel soar away out of the water. "Oh. Doesn't look like we'll need it."

[Malazek]

"Me tink we nigh past dat sly kobold's trapworks, nigh yets. Needs ta keep lookers out fer da bedamned Aboleths, snakes, n' flesh eatin' fish . . . da Water Trolls an' Fish Folk meanders dese parts an' what nots ta boots - da worsts be da Aboleths an' da Hydras. Keeps ye lookers 'igh, lows, an' readied."

[Malazek]

"Good work Asraelbenzariel! Are you alright?"
If he is, Verity gives him a moment to tie off to the boat before hauling it back.
If he knocked himself out, he'll haul the boat and the angel back immediately.

[Malazek]

"Good work Asraelbenzariel! Are you alright?"

Asraelbenzariel either doesn't answer, or cannot be heard.
(Remember, Verity cannot see him, either, at the moment).

... he shoots from the water in a beautiful arched trajectory, through the air and toward the far side, where Verity looses sight of him.

[Malazek]

"He is in the raft, Verity, but looks stunned - he crashed into the wall when he got to the other side. He has collapsed an hasn't unmoored the raft yet. Wait a moment and lets see if he recovers."

Davin grabs the rope behind Verity, watching the angel carefully. ready to start pulling him back when the raft is unmoored.

-Swift

[Malazek]

After a a few minutes, Asraelbenzariel gets back to his feet.
After tying the rope to the raft's mooring ring, he unmoors the raft from the far shore.
Then, he sits.

Davin grabs the rope behind Verity, watching the angel carefully. ready to start pulling him back when the raft is unmoored.

Immediately, Davin and Verity begin pulling him across. The current drags the raft downstream, but it can only go so far while the rope is attached ... and before long, the raft is before you (but you have no oars).

[Malazek]

Vangg whispers, "Watch fer dem Fish folk lurkin's abouts . . ."

[Malazek]

Verity stuffs the giant coil of rope in his bag for now and [lowers himself into the boat].*
He will ready an action to freeze the water around any groups of attackers (around man-size) or any hydra (or other large threats) that break the surface of the water. He’ll avoid locking the boat in the ice though.

*DM EDIT: "Steps on the Raft."

[Malazek]

The raft is rather large, so everyone can fit on it; but if Verity's concerns prove true, and the raft is attacked, then it will be a tight fit indeed.

OOC: The raft is 15' x 15' ... so that's 9 total squares (3x3).
Who stands where?

[Malazek]

Surveying the situation, Straegis has a couple ideas. "Asraelbenzariel, why don't you fly back across with the end of the rope, if we both pull we will double the speed we cross the river and reduce our chances of floating downstream. We could have a couple of our smaller allies climb into these bags we made, thereby reducing our weight and increasing our speed." He looks around again, this time scanning the flowing water, and says "Alex, you can still walk on the water, correct? Why don't you put the eyepatch back on and circle the raft as we cross, keeping a keen watch on the waters below to prevent us from being caught off guard by someone or something sneaking up from the deep."

[Malazek]

Verity moves to the front right corner (C1).
He motions to his brothers of the clergy. “I don’t want either of these two mucking up by bag. The smell would linger for weeks," he jokes.
“Well if we're to hurry, then lets." He dips his shield in the water and starts paddling.

[Malazek]

Davin B3, Hound A3.

Davin stows his crossbow and readies his greatbow.

Davin nods in agreement with Straegis. "Without paddles, this won't go well. Perhaps Azzy can carry a bag across with one of us in it to help pull the raft across."

If this will work and everyone agrees, Davin will tie off the raft to the rope, and send the other end with the angel and his passenger. Davin will volunteer, he can support the raft with bowfire from the other shore.

-Swift

[Malazek]

"Here's a bag and the rope."
If the angel is at all injured Verity will offer a lay on hands.

[Malazek]

OOC: Where are you putting the stuff that was already in the bags? Anyone getting into a bag needs to tell me their body weight and their full encumberance; though there's plenty of space inside, the bag can only hold so much weight. Lastly, getting in or out of a bag is not quick and easy; it requires ATLEAST a DC 15 Acrobatics check and a standard action (anyone determined to get into one can, but if you're attacked it could get sticky).

Currently ...

Bag #1 (200 lbs)
10.5 Days of Rations (84 lbs)
Water (116 lbs) in various containers.

Bag #2 (200? lbs)
440 Arrows (44 lbs)
Sixth Barrel (5.23 Gallons) of Naptha (33 lbs)
Sixth Barrel (5.23 Gallons) of Blackpowder (13 lbs)
Six Sets of Climbing Gear (66 lbs)
Six Sets of Winter Gear (36 lbs)
35 gp worth of herb (1/8th of an ounce)
1150 gp worth of salves (Maybe 8 lbs?)*

*Did Straegis use some of this when he raises Asrealbenzariel?

The Keg of Imperial Ale (155 lbs) didn't even make it into the bag.
It must be with the horses.

Who has which bag?
EDIT: Verity has Bag #1; Straegis has Bag #2.

Please list the contents with them on your character sheets. Thanks.

If the angel is at all injured Verity will offer a lay on hands.

He IS injured.

[Malazek]

For the crossing, Verity will temporarily distribute the food and water from bag #1 among party members to carry safely across the water. Whoever has room in a backpack or sack can help. If there's extra water it can remain on the raft as a seat.
If the angel hasn’t had time to heal by then… he will be amazed.

Then he will offer the consolation "Don't fear, Reaper," before rewarding Asraelbenzariel’s brave flight with a blessing from the Queen [Lay on hands, regain surge value+5].

DM EDIT: So, Verity had Bag #1.

[Malazek]

When the food is distributed and the water is piled on the raft, Davin abashedly squeezes into one of the bags. 'Azzy' takes to flight again, this time avoiding the water, but still crashing into the far wall. He and Davin fall to the ledge below (Azzy takes 19 more damage; Davin takes 7).

Now, the archer and the angel are on the otherside, with spliced ropes ready to pull the raft across (and to keep it from drifting downstream) ... everyone gets on the raft, and starts to paddle.

OOC: Magicspellz, is Alex on the raft with everyone else? Or is he walking around it?

[Malazek]

"Davin, keep the eyepatch on. This mist could hamper your shots. At least I'll be in the action."

As Straegis suggests Alex walks on the water Alex gives a wary look to the vast river.

"Hmm...I don't like the thought of being quite so exposed if we are attacked." He looks wistfully at the centre spot on the raft. "But ok. I'll give it a little push too."

He clicks his heels together and tentatively steps onto the water. "Oh, this is amazing." He says, his feet making circles on the floor. "Anyway, lets get on with it. I'll help pull."

From the waterside of the raft as everyone has boared, He pulls (or at least attempts to, with the aid of Azzy and Davin) in an attempt to get the raft moving. Then he circles around the rafter (distance 10ft) creating minor currents in the water to help them out.

------------------
Mage hand (Thats a 20lb force help!) and Activation of Daily power 'Wavestride'
------------------

[Malazek]

The raft sets off, with Davin and Azzy pulling, Verity paddling with his shield, and Alex circling the raft at point. About halfway across, Alex notices that the water underfoot has become thick and slick (it has become Difficult Terrain); and then he sees four giant fish, with numerous tentacles and malevolent eyes, coming toward the raft from under the surface. Of course, he points this out, and Vangg immediately recognizes them as Aboleths!

The raft is only about halfway across! It's still 150 feet (30 squares) from the otherside, ... meaning it's long range for Davin's Greatbow (though, Davin could keep pulling - Athletics check divided by 10 equals the number of squares closer the Raft will get. Azzy gives Davin a +2 to this roll).

OOC: NOTE: They have not yet broken the surface, so Verity's readied action would not have gone off. EDIT: Spoke to Halcyon; Verity was rowing intermittently, to keep his action readied (that is, only rowing on his move actions, so as to use his standard actions for rowing).

I randomly placed the remaining characters on the raft.
Post your actions. Include initiative (just in case).

[Malazek]

"Me tink we nigh past dat sly kobold's trapworks, nigh yets. Needs ta keep lookers out fer da bedamned Aboleths, snakes, n' flesh eatin' fish . . . da Water Trolls an' Fish Folk meanders dese parts an' what nots ta boots - da worsts be da Aboleths an' da Hydras. Keeps ye lookers 'igh, lows, an' readied."

"Is tha' all?" asks Mordax, dryly.

HP:72/68 AC:28/27(bloodied) Fort:20 Ref:18 Will:16 Healing Surges:11/11 Action Points:0

Free Action: Mordax shouts "Vangg, drop back a bit!"
Move Action: Presuming Vangg does so, the fisherman moves to G6.
Standard Action: Net Over Here - Slide Alex 2 squares to be adjacent to me.

Initiative: 1d20+4=19

[Malazek]

Davin: HP 54/61; AC 21 Fort 19 Ref 22 Will 21; Healing Surges=8/8, SV:15, Action Points=0
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Hound: HP 105/105; AC 20 Fort 17 Ref 17 Will 15; Healing Surges=8/8 SV:26, Action Points=1

With the supernatural perception granted by the Eyepatch of Hemingr, Davin sees the dark moving shapes advance underwater toward the raft. Too far away for a shout to be heard, he takes quick aim and lets loose at the largest one!

"Fulgoris"

Snatching two arrows in quick succession from his alchemaic quiver of tricks, the Archer lets fly a deadly acid arrow followed by a vicious Dragonfire Tar arrow. Magically, they both transform into bolts of lightning as they leave the Greatbow!

Move - Pull rope 2ft (take 10 on Athletics)
Minor - Designate Aboleth at A1 as my Hunter's Quarry
Standard - Excruciating Shot Aboleth at A1
Action Point - Hunter's Bear Trap Aboleth at A1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hound Delay's for the moment...

Initiative=17
Excruciating Shot=25(+2 Combat Advantage)
ES Damage=23
HQ Damage=6
Hunter's Bear Trap=24
HBT Damage=19
Acid Arrow Damage=4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initiative=15

(Aboleth at E1 is Weakened, save ends; Slowed and takes 5 ongoing, save ends; takes 5 ongoing, save ends; takes 5 ongoing, save ends)

-Swift

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