>>29258416
With the sun at your back, you stand outside the entrance to Undine’s underground lake. Or, to be more accurate, the entrance to a long cave system that led to her lake. Gnome had mentioned that there were a few things to go over before entering, so you’re waiting here to catch the group just in case Caitlyn or Sala got any ideas about scouting ahead.

“We have no shortage of time to claim the Place of Power, Talon, so we need to be careful,” Gnome is telling you as the rest trudge over to you from your camp place last night. “Monsters may be rare elsewhere in the world, but near a site of power such as this they will become corporeal and will be more fearsome than any you may have encountered in the wild.”

You’d been absently thinking about the trip ahead, but something she says twigs your memory and you ask her, “So, the Place of Power acts like a spirit trap?”

Gnome blinks at you, surprised, but before she can say anything Caitlyn speaks up, “Talon, what’s a spirit trap? It doesn’t sound all that dangerous compared to what Gnome was just saying.”

“Spirits, or monsters are they’re known once they enter our world, aren’t usually be corporeal,” Maloric answers in your stead. “But when magical power builds up, they can feed off it and take a physical form. Places where the power builds up are known as spirit traps as spirits are drawn to them and tend to remain near them once they become monsters.”

“We’ve dealt with a few of these on our travels,” you explain to Gnome.

“So I see,” she says, nodding, then gives you a slightly accusatory look. “Are you hiding your thoughts, Talon?”

Ah, so that’s why she was so surprised. As it was, “No. You probably weren’t paying enough attention.”

“I was playing plenty of attention to your thoughts, Talon.”

“Maybe I just changed tack quickly.”

“Maybe.”

>continued

>>29258437
You sigh. This was the main problem you’d found with Gnome. Unlike Undine and Sala, Gnome wouldn’t hesitate to essentially pick fights with you over minor things. You had still yet to work out whether she was genuinely doing so or just arguing to get a feel for your personality, but you had a feeling she would make your future cabinet meetings very interesting.

“We’ll need to be careful not just in travelling but in conserving energy. There’s no telling whether there will be a safe place to rest so it might be difficult to recuperate,” Undine says, moving the topic to something more useful. “I’m the only one who can heal but I also rely on sorcery to help you otherwise, so please be careful.”

Undine shoots you a look at that and you get a sharp look from Gnome as she reads your thoughts. You start speaking before she can start arguing, laying out your plans for pushing through to the lake. Your thinking is currently conservative, but you wonder if it may be a good idea to be more aggressive and save time.

>You have 5 days to claim the PoP
>Estimates are around 8-12 hours travel in the caves

SUGGESTED PARTY ORDER AND ROLES
Talon: Front-line
Gnome: Front-line
Salamander: Flexible
Undine: Support
Maloric: Long-range
Caitlyn: Rearguard

>Any changes to make? Any particular plans or points to bring up?

>>29258463
Looks good to me.

Rolled 14

>>29258463
let us go

>>29258463
You sure are punctual! I think Gnome as rearguard and Caitlyn as frontline would work better.

>>29258463
Yeah that looks ok

>>29258526
Gnome says, "With my abilities, I can lead us through the cave system without difficulty. I can swap with Caitlyn should we encounter a foe but it might just cause confusion."

It's safe to say she's opposed, but is willing to backdown if you push it. She is vital to not getting lost, however, as Undine can only generally sense the PoP's location.

>>29258463
>>29258486
>>29258513
Thirding! Lets get this train going.

>>29258526
Check out her stats first.
>>29258463
Looks good to me.

>>29258567

I thin with Caitlyn's recent episode it would be better to keep her in the rearguard, she might not be as focused as she usually is. The set up we have is fine as is.

The first hour of travel is uneventful, as the cave just slowly descends. Progress is slower than you’d like due to the general unevenness of the ground and the darkness. Maloric and Sala are providing some light for everybody but having to watch your footing is still a pain. Gnome, as could be expected, appears to be have no such trouble. Evidently her nature and powers make this a natural home for her and she leads the way, not slowing at any of the forks or caverns you go through on the way.

“Shouldn’t there have been something so far? The spirit traps we’ve encountered before weren’t so… quiet.”

“There’s still many miles left to go. Any power that is leaking out here would be very small at best,” Undine explains next to him, as you all climb up a set of boulders in this small cavern. When Gnome had told you dwarves had lived here once, you’d thought you’d find old ruins and easy travel. As it was, this was just a huge cave. Either the dwarves of old preferred a lot of exercise, or they lived elsewhere in the range.

Suddenly, Gnome stops at a fork. You raise your hand and issue a small bit of power to signal a halt.

Gnome turns to the group and speaks, “Both these paths will lead to the lake, but one is shorter than the other.”

She points down the left path, and you suppress a shudder – there is… something down there that bothers you. Undine beats you to it, “That is a dangerous path. I do not think we should take it.”

You nod slowly but get a strange look from Gnome and Sala. “Don’t you sense it? There’s something off about that path.”

>continued

>>29258685
Gnome gives you an odd look but slowly nods. “If you feel that way, then we can take the other path. It should only be a few hours extra.”

Maloric says, “There’s a lot of power down that path compared to the other? It’s faint but noticeable. I suspect that means trouble.”

“Probably a magical font,” Sala tells him, hands behind her head in a bored pose. “Lots of fun that way~.”

You sigh as Caitlyn nods. Sala and her were rather alike in some ways.

Gnome looks to you to make a decision.

>1. Go down the left path, which feels dangerous
>2. Go down the right path, which has a lot of sorcerous energy

>>29258416
you should put a link up on your twitter feed to this thread

>>29258712
>1. Go down the left path, which feels dangerous
We take the shorter way in and take the longer way out.

>>29258737
I thought I did?

>>29258712
>2. Go down the right path, which has a lot of sorcerous energy

>>29258759
you did, my twitter bugged out on me, sorry

>>29258712
>2. Go down the right path, which has a lot of sorcerous energy

>>29258759
you did

>>29258712
>1. Go down the left path, which feels dangerous

>>29258712
>1. Go down the left path, which feels dangerous

If they both lead to where we're going there is a chance that whatever is down there could show up behind us later, I'd rather get the jump on it.

>>29258712
>1. Go down the left path, which feels dangerous
no guts no glory, better to face the danger now when we are rested.

>>29258712
2

>>29258712
>1. Go down the left path, which feels dangerous
If we're going to be delayed either way, might as well take the shorter of the two paths.

>>29258712
>>1. Go down the left path, which feels dangerous
Well the other way is filled with a lot of magic and this one is a lone enemy, plus i like the idea of taking care of the magical source for the long route and going through it on our way back out.

Alright, we'll go with the short path from the votes. I'll call a vote once we're down as to whether people want to go back the other way to give Sala and Caitlyn their fun.

Despite the chatter earlier about this path, it remains uneventful for the next few hours and eventually you call a brief break in a small cavern. The cave itself is lit up by a glowing fungus on the ceiling which makes everything an eerie blue colour. As the party takes a short break, you do some quick calculations as to how far you think you’ve gone. Gnome had indicated it would be about 11 hours at our current pace and you’ve travelled for five now. That means-

“We’ve travelled about seven to eight miles, Talon,” Gnome interrupts, telling you something you just estimated. “We’re getting somewhat close to the lake now, so we can start to expect trouble.”

“That means we probably have another twelve miles to go, then. This is a very long cave, Gnome.”

She shrugs. “The dwarves did a lot of mining here, and elementals have dug out their stretches over the centuries. You’re lucky you have me to keep you from getting lost.

“Another matter – the power leaking into the cave walls here will make it hard to use my elemental power properly. I can still summon earth, but manipulating what is already here will get harder the closer we get to the place of power.”

“So no tunnelling?”

“No tunnelling.”

>continued

>>29259043
After a few minutes more rest and some water and rations, you set off again. You follow closely behind Gnome, who is still confidently leading the group. After a while you notice Undine becoming restless. The sense of danger that bothered you about this path has been very constant as you’ve ventured down it. Somehow, though, this earth feels different to what you’ve been going over before. Something or someone had been here recently. Nobody else appears to be bothered, though Maloric who should be of help appears to have his head in a book, reading as he walks.

You stop suddenly, getting a strange look from Gnome.

>1. Talk to Undine about her restlessness
>2. Investigate the surroundings. Something feels… off.
>3. Talk to Gnome about what she’s sensing nearby.
>4. Custom

>>29259065
>2. Investigate the surroundings. Something feels… off.
>3. Talk to Gnome about what she’s sensing nearby.
No need to baby sit.

>>29259065
>3

>>29259065
>1. Talk to Undine about her restlessness

>>29259127
Question that needs asking later (typing now cause I g2g now).
When we claim the POP, do all the monsters we bypassed dissipate quickly, or do we get rushed by anything we didn't put down on the way to the center?

>>29259196
This makes sense to have asked earlier, but claiming the PoP won't have any horrible consequences. The slow flow of power into its surroundings will continue, it'll just start channeling more power into the Source. So everything will be more or less the same as you left it before you claimed the PoP.

>>29259065
>2

>>29259065
>3. Talk to Gnome about what she’s sensing nearby.

>>29259065
1
2
3
4. don't forget to look up.
4b. Do we have any way to detect an invisible enemy or some sort of optical illusion type disguise?

>>29259271
>4b. Do we have any way to detect an invisible enemy or some sort of optical illusion type disguise?

More or less. You can instinctively sense most living things with sorcery, unless they're better at hiding than you are at finding. Your companions can all do the same.

>going with a mix of 2 and 3

>mix of 2 and 3

You rap your fingers against your breastplate for a second as you look around. You’re definitely sure that this is recently travelled. You think it must be from within, as there were no signs of activity earlier in the tunnels.

“Gnome, are you noticing anything odd about this area of tunnels?”

Undine looks over at you as you speak and the rest of the group starts to pay attention. Mal even puts away his book, caution returning to his frame.

Gnome, for her part, doesn’t appear to be too bothered. “I haven’t noticed anything, and this area is much the same as the rest. A little more power in the walls from the lake, but nothing of real consequence.”

“Are you sure? I think there’s been activity here.”

“Activity?” she replies, frowning and looking around but looks sceptical. “Maybe…”

You think it odd that she hasn’t noticed it yet you have. Are you imagining things?

“Could you take a closer look?”

“I can wash the area with some power, if that’s what you’re asking. If there’s something I’ve missed, that should reveal it.”

Maloric interjects, “It could also warn it. You’ve got good senses, Talon.”

You…

>1. Talk to Undine about her earlier restlessness. Maybe it’s related. She’s been oddly quiet about what you’ve been saying.
>2. Rely on Gnome’s powers
>3. Try to work out what’s going on yourself
>4. Custom

>>29259458
>1. Talk to Undine about her earlier restlessness. Maybe it’s related. She’s been oddly quiet about what you’ve been saying.

>>29259458
>1. Talk to Undine about her earlier restlessness. Maybe it’s related. She’s been oddly quiet about what you’ve been saying.
>3. Try to work out what’s going on yourself
We will rely only on gnome once we are out of options.
Also she did tell us her control would be weaker don here.

>>29259458
>1. Talk to Undine about her earlier restlessness. Maybe it’s related. She’s been oddly quiet about what you’ve been saying.

This is her PoP I would assume our Champion would feel something.

>>29259458
seconding this anon>>29259498

>>29259458
>3

>>29259458
>1. Talk to Undine about her earlier restlessness. Maybe it’s related. She’s been oddly quiet about what you’ve been saying.

>1 with a tiny bit of 3

“Undine, this is your territory. Are you getting the same feeling as Gnome?”

“Ah, Talon, Gnome’s sense are better in these caves-“ she starts to reply.

You cut her off and repeat your question, “I’m asking you what you feel here compared to Gnome, Undine.”

She nods hesitantly then starts to speak, “That sense of danger from earlier is so strong here… and the power of my lake feels so muted. I don’t know why Gnome’s saying differently.”

Gnome remains silent at that, and she shrugs when you give her a look. Is it possible that the power of the lake is throwing off her senses… and your own.

“You said the feeling of danger is stronger? I’m not getting that,” you say. “What about this part of the caves? Is anybody getting a feeling that this area is different?”

Everybody else has a look around before shaking their heads, even Undine.

Gnome says, “The earth and caves here are the same as before, Talon. Are you sure you’re not just getting thrown off by being so deep underground.”

You ignore her for a second. These walls, these rocks, this dirt… Something scratches at your mind. Undine said it was dangerous. Her power was muted but Gnome said differently. Nobody else can sense anything. What the hell is going on?

>1. Move on slowly for a short while, maybe you’ll realise the problem as you venture further into the caves
>2. Have Gnome use her powers
>3. Take heed of their advice and move on
>4. Centre yourself and try to work out what is wrong
>5. Custom

>Note, if somebody correctly guesses what is going on, I’ll give them that

>>29259771
>>4. Centre yourself and try to work out what is wrong
>>29259771
>>Note, if somebody correctly guesses what is going on, I’ll give them that
we are inside the creatures mouth and are heading into its stomach?

>>29259771
>1
Poison spirits?

>>29259771
>4. Centre yourself and try to work out what is wrong

Since we're connected to the Source we're getting thrown off by something?

>>29259771
>4
I believe in the power of the mind.

Gnome was replaced by a bodysnatcher. It's trying to trick us.

>>29259771
>4. Centre yourself and try to work out what is wrong

we are all dead

>>29259771
Undine's "Daughter." Undine's earlier death should have left a "slot" open for a new water elemental to form. Her lake is dampened because it isn't her's anymore, and she has the best sense of it because its her element.

>4

You close your eyes and try to focus.

“Talon, we-“ Gnome starts but you cut her off with a gesture.

This isn’t a time to meditate, but something is strange about everybody’s senses here. The weirdest part is that nobody seems to be feeling the same things.

These walls… you reach out with a hand and brush them. Why does everything around you feel so off… Even this wall tickles something in your mind.

[DC13 Memory]

Rolled 7

>>29259998

Rolled 12

>>29259998

Rolled 4

>>29259998

Rolled 12

>>29259998
we are walking circles in a sorcerous maze

Rolled 18

>>29259998

Well, I guess our memory is shite.

>Target not met

It feels as though your mind has a fog over it and you can’t quite see what it is that this wall reminds you of. It’s off. So very off. Your memory is usually so sharp, just like your senses. Maloric even said…

“Maloric, you work with magical energy so well, why don’t you draw out some of the power in these walls?”

“Talon, I can’t do that.”

“What are you talking about? Of course you can – you’ve done it before in other spirit traps.”

“Maybe then, but this is different.”

You stare at Maloric. It’s not just the walls… Everything is off. Undine is growing restless again. Sala looks bored, giving you an odd look.

These walls… You feel as though time is slipping away, somehow, and the fog on your mind grows deeper. This isn’t right.

>1. Press Maloric about using his abilities
>2. Have Gnome knock a hole in a wall
>3. Have Undine take some time to attune her power.
>4. Custom

>>29260198
oh god
hypnosis trap
sleeping gas
freak out
press maloric

>>29260198
>3

>>29260198
>3. Have Undine take some time to attune her power

Are we not even the caves? Did something happen while we were outside?

>>29260198
>2. Have Gnome knock a hole in a wall
Drastic times call for drastic measures, I think we're walking in circles.

Rolled 20

>>29260198
break out our ball of yarn, and prepare for the minotauros

>3. Have Undine take some time to attune her power.

>>29260369
She said she can't do that.
Though if she actually does do that this brings up more questions.

>>29260414
If she can't do it, why is it an option?
That be like having "teleport directly to the source" as an option, and then using up a post just for Maloric to tell us we can't do that.

>3

“Undine, could you please take a moment to attune to the power around you? Like you’ve mentioned you’ve done before? This is power that is aligned with you – your senses appear to be the best so far. Please try.”

You try to keep the disquiet out of your voice, but Gnome can sense it and you feel her tensing up beside you. She’s come very close to you. You keep yourself tense, especially with Maloric acting so oddly. Undine nods and with a deep breath, enters a meditative state. You stay like this for a little while, nobody talking or moving.

Until Sala’s expression changes to a more normal one and her arms begin to lower. Undine gasps and looks at her sister.

You feel something near her and, acting out of pure instinct, snap out and grab Sala’s arm. You draw your sword and slash with your other arm.

[DC18 Blind Fight]

>>29260495
She just said it here.
>>29259043
>“Another matter – the power leaking into the cave walls here will make it hard to use my elemental power properly. I can still summon earth, but manipulating what is already here will get harder the closer we get to the place of power.”
>
>“So no tunnelling?”
>
>“No tunnelling.”

Rolled 18

>>29260539
I got this, don't worry.

Rolled 6

>>29260539

Rolled 10

>>29260539
>>29260577
yes you do.

Rolled 6

>>29260577
lol
you did get it
congratz
>Now I can ruin it

Rolled 4

>>29260539

pls no nat 1

File: 1388792033346.jpg-(39 KB, 500x281, 1335218453794.jpg)

39 KB JPG

>>29260577
Nigga, you saved us

>>29260577

Talon, only knowing how to fight and ward off infernal traps since 1918PC.

>>29260570
You're stirring my autism, but for the sake of the thread, I'm going to tap it down.

>target met

Gnome suddenly lashes out at you, but you were expecting that and channel a small amount of sorcery into your shoulder and knock her aside. You don’t have time to worry about her though, as a tendril of smoke is barely visible by Sala’s left shoulder.

Your sword lashes out in a controlled slash – straight from your scabbard to her neck. The smoke shifts, and your vision blurs, but you hold true and you hear a shriek. Your surroundings shift and your vision goes vibrant. Salamander looks panicked now, her face shifting so fast to be impossible.

“Sala!” Undine shrieks and tackles her sister to the ground. You draw your sword away from her neck, from where it had severed the smoke tendril, before Undine knocks her sister into it. The whole cave is shifting. You catch Gnome out of the corner of your eye, leaning against an invisible wall as she tries to right herself. Except then she is against the actual cave wall, as though she was always there. With that, your memory comes back and the fog lifts with a surge of will.

These walls… they’re exactly the same as before. When you touched them, it felt the same as when you stumbled much earlier. Exactly the same, as though the only way they could feel, regardless of their shape or texture, was that of the earlier wall. This whole cave, this last while – all of it is an illusion. The walls blend into a purple smokey texture. You can hear sounds through them – sounds of shouting and battle.

It is time to end this illusion once and for all. You unlimber your shield and, with a mighty surge of sorcery, bring it crashing down into the ground.

[DC12 Sorcery]

I nearly gave it to the 'walking in circles' crew, but it wasn't quite right.

Rolled 9

>>29260790
I BELIEVE

Rolled 9

>>29260790

Rolled 9

>>29260790

Rolled 5

>>29260790

Rolled 16

>>29260790
trip 9's aboce me
gg

>>29260818
>>29260820
>>29260822
.../tg/ dice everyone.

Rolled 13

>>29260818
>>29260820
>>29260822
triple nines should count for something right?

File: 1388792633932.png-(382 KB, 610x627, 1342734576897.png)

382 KB PNG

>>29260818
>>29260820
>>29260822

>3 nines
>All at 23:41

Rolled 7

>>29260852
yeah, a DC of 9

Rolled 13

>>29260818
>>29260820
>>29260822
turn them upside down

yes, satan did this

>target not met

You slam your shield into the ground, and you feel magic ripple into your surroundings. Gnome, Maloric and Caitlyn suddenly disappear, their forms evaporating as your magic strikes them. But the smoky walls stand firm, bending and shifting against your might. You growl and prepare to hammer your shield again but are stopped by an almighty shriek.

“Gnome” Sala screams as she disappears. You feel a monumental surge of power from her and the cave bursts into flame as she attempts, furiously, to breach the illusion and find her older sister.

[DC12 Resist]

Rolled 15

>>29260905

Rolled 16

>>29260905
This time for sure

Rolled 3

>>29260905

WELL THIS COULD HAVE GONE BETTER.

Rolled 13

>>29260905
pls let us not die

>target met

You catch most of the fire against your shield and a barrier. Luckily, Sala hasn’t completely lost her mind and is targeting the walls not you. You feel Undine’s snap of sorcery as she protects herself. Your world is nothing except blazing fury and sorcery for a few brief moments before it clears and you finally see where you have been all this time.

The smoke itself blurs upwards in a strange haze, moving frighteningly fast. The cavern you are in is small, but several times the small section of cave you suspect you’ve been in for some time. You catch Gnome behind you, lying immobile on the ground in a small pool of blood. Caitlyn is standing guard over Maloric, her sword and shield out, but her armor largely stripped off and her clothes are bloodied. Maloric is crouched behind her, focusing his magic.

Above you, the smoke forms into a hazy form. You recognise this being. They’re known as trappers – spirits who draw their prey into illusions and attempt to draw them out one-by-one. This one must be extraordinarily strong to have fooled all of you.

“Gnome!” Undine shouts this time, rushing over to her sister. The trapper spots her movement and rushes her, moving so fast as to be teleporting. You catch another surge of Salamander’s immense power and she bursts in front of you on wings of flame, your face baked in heat for a very brief instant. You…

>1. Join Salamander in protecting Undine
>2. Rush over to Lynn and Maloric to work with them on a plan of attack
>3. Attempt to catch the trapper off-guard while Salamander battles it
>4. Custom

>>29261151
>1. Join Salamander in protecting Undine

>>29261151
>3. Attempt to catch the trapper off-guard while Salamander battles it

Rolled 6

>>29261151
>3. Attempt to catch the trapper off-guard while Salamander battles it

>>29261151
>3
Let's strike before he get's the chance to recover

>>29261151
>3. Attempt to catch the trapper off-guard while Salamander battles it

Also requesting Lore/Bestiary on this when you update next. First true magical creature we've met in battle.

>>29261151
>3
Use kill at it.

>>29261151
>1

>3

You figure that Salamander can keep the monster busy, and that Lynn and Maloric are best not distracted. Instead, you will attempt to catch this bastard off-guard and bring it down before it hurts anyone else. You move cautiously around it, keeping a bit of distance as Salamander surges magical fire around her and Undine to ward it off.

The trapper is moving absurdly fast. The tales you’ve heard say they can teleport and this almost makes you believe it. If you’re going to catch it off-guard, you need to understand its movement patterns and time your attack.

[DC16 Perception]

Rolled 6

>>29261331

Rolled 18

>>29261331

I see you!

Rolled 3

>>29261331

Rolled 14

>>29261331

Rolled 10

>>29261331
Buddha don't fail me now

>target met

You pay close attention its movements as it dodges Sala’s flame. Then, it suddenly is in front of her and its smoky tendrils grasp her in preparation for some attack.

You tense, furious at your own failure to protect her when suddenly the trapper is back where it was. Sala shrieks furiously as she weaves her scimitar through the air in front of her, creating an opening as she ceases to use her fire.

There was no reason for the trapper to teleport away – it had her by the arms so how could she possibly have harmed it? It occurs to you that if the monster manipulated you earlier with illusions, would it not do in combat? But is that the only explanation to its speed…

As the trapper attempts to take advantage of Sala’s opening you…

>1. Keep a closer eye on it for a while. Sala is strong.
>2. Attempt to cut it down from behind in a charging leap before it engages Sala.
>3. Wait a moment and try to engage it at the same time as Sala does. You can fight it from both sides at once.
>4. Custom

>posts might be slightly delayed as I'm cooking at the same time

>>29261495
>1

>>29261495
>4. Custom

Follow the tendrils. I don't think the monster itself isn't even moving, it's somewhere stationary and using illusions to lash out.

>>29261495
>3. Wait a moment and try to engage it at the same time as Sala does. You can fight it from both sides at once.

Rolled 11

>>29261495

>>29261528
seconding

>>29261528
This, I think the monster is making itself appear invisible, only to confuse us with an image of itself.

>4. follow the tendrils

Somehow, you don’t think that smoky form of it is truly what it is. You watch it engage with Sala in close-combat – she strikes out at it in a blazingly fast series of strikes, her blade glowing brightly. The trapper dodges them all, teleporting back and forth, but the only part of it that is actively trying to harm Sala are its tendrils. A sudden blast of icicles from its side has the beast retreating again, blazingly fast.

The tendrils have retreated into its form – or gone somewhere else entirely. Several lances of magical energy surge from where Maloric and Lynn are, and the beast warps about frenetically – dodging a fusillade of fire, magic and icicles.

[DC14 Perception]
Slight reduction in DC from watching the tendrils

Rolled 7

>>29261808

Rolled 16

>>29261808

Rolled 17

>>29261808

Rolled 17

>>29261808
I have great vision.

>target met

As the beast tries to dodge, smoke blurring from place to place in the cavern, it also tries to close on Sala and Undine. As it does so, you catch its mistake.

Several icicles burst through the smoky form – you barely catch them as the being blurs and attempts to hide the fact. You were prepared though, and already suspicious of its true form, and aren’t the sort to be fooled. When it was dodging Sala’s blows, its tendrils always needed to shift to dodge but they moved with the main form. Yet, now it has no tendrils, its main form appears to be invincible.

One final thought occurs to you – this cavern is small. How would the illusion from earlier have worked if you kept walking? You know now that the cave was exactly the same for some time now. You think that the tendrils are the true body, and the rest of its smoke is just a way of hiding its minor spatial manipulation. Most likely, it can only move a short distance like that and uses illusions to hide the rest.

Do you test your theory…

>1. Charge it amidst the fusillade in an attempt to strike it with sorcery at close-range.
>2. Wait for the tendrils to reappear and hit it hard and fast
>3. Signal to the others to engage it in CQC and try to strike its tendrils then.
>4. Custom

>>29262043
>3. Signal to the others to engage it in CQC and try to strike its tendrils then.

TEAMWORK TIME

>>29262043
>3. Signal to the others to engage it in CQC and try to strike its tendrils then.

Rolled 9

>>29262043
>>3. Signal to the others to engage it in CQC and try to strike its tendrils then.

Rolled 9

>>29262043
>3. Signal to the others to engage it in CQC and try to strike its tendrils then.

>3

“Salamander! Lynn! Charge it with me! Everybody else hold fire,” you bellow suddenly, as you charge the monster. It blurs oddly as the three of you close on it. Like a cornered animal that doesn’t know what to do. As you close, the tendrils return. You smile grimly – if it could truly teleport it would have moved away and you won’t be fooled by its illusions anymore.

[DC11 Tendril Cutter]

Rolled 10

>>29262156
Let's go

Rolled 18

>>29262156

Rolled 1

>>29262156

Rolled 7

>>29262156

>>29262189
Of course...

Rolled 11

>>29262189
fuck you.

>>29262189
This was the first, and last time I roll in this quest.

>>29262189

ALL THAT HARD WORK.

>dramatic failure

As Lynn and Salamander engage it, you try to catch a tendril. Its smoky form is constantly shifting around their attacks and the tendrils are moving erratically. Suddenly, one snaps at you, thinking it can take advantage of your more conservative assault. Foolish, you think, as you swing your sword to sever it.

You feel a crunch and bite back a howl of pain as the tendril suddenly warps into your stomach. An illusion! The tendril was slightly to the right and your blow misses and you feel it squirm slightly in your body.

Even so, you won’t let it get away. You muster your strength and hammer your shield at the part of its form the tendril is coming from…

[DC11 Sorcerous Shield Bash]

Rolled 4

>>29262283
WELP

Rolled 13

>>29262283
I lied I'm rolling again!

Rolled 3

>>29262283
...

Rolled 11

>>29262283

All that perception and we still get our shit slapped.

>>29262309
YOU FOOL! You'll doom us... huh, it ended up okay

>>29262207
Maybe we should inform the party of whats going on.
"It uses illusions to make its tendrils invisible, the extreme dodging and teleporting its doing is just an illusion"

Because I doubt it knows our language, and even if it does, its best our allies know

>>29262389
Gnome can read our thoughts can't she? oh, oh wait...

>>29262415
gnome is down, and salamander, undine, lynn, and magebro (forgot his name) can't.

Also, we should start calling her caitlynn considering how huffy she is about everyone else teasing her by calling her "Sir Lynn"

>>29262320
Without that perception you'd be rolling against DC18 or 16 with every attempt.

>target met

You let forth a bellow of pain as you thrust your shield forward. You drop your sword from your other hand and use it to grip the tendril as hard as possible. It rips and tears at your gauntlet but can’t break free.

With your magical power and raw strength, you hammer your shield right into the trapper’s hidden form. You hear a hard crunch and a loud squeal. The cavern bursts into smoke and you lose your grip on the tendril. You need to move fast and keep it from getting away. As you leap to your feet, Salamander lets forth another burst of fire and blows away all the smoke. You look around frantically, trying to ignore the gaping hole in your stomach.

Lying there on the ground is a small black pile of sludge. You sense the malign energies of the trapper dissipating into the surroundings. This battle is done. Looking around, though, you see that it was a hard-fought victory. Salamander looks exhausted, Lynn is covered in wounds and both Maloric and Gnome appear to have taken bad wounds alongside yourself.

You need to rest, but for how long.

>1. Rest just long enough to heal the party’s wounds.
>2. Take a long break to heal and recover your energy.
>3. Rest a very brief while, only long enough for Undine to get the others moving whilst you find a safer place.
>4. Custom

>>29262469

Pretty sure in most dialogues Talon refers to her as "Caitlyn" now, Lynn comes up in some formal things though or when he is being stern.

>>29262506
>2. Take a long break to heal and recover your energy.
have gnome partially wall off the entrances to give us some defense in depth. We can knock them down once we are good.

>>29262506
>2. Take a long break to heal and recover your energy.
We have days literally.

>>29262506
>2. Take a long break to heal and recover your energy.

We had 5 days left to get to the PoP yeah? Even though this might have cost us more time than expected we need to rest and regain our strength.

Also just because it's Mal, Would he pick up some of the sludge and keep it for research purposes? The magic here obviously enhanced the creature to be stronger than usual, maybe it's remains holds more.

>>29262506
>2. Take a long break to heal and recover your energy.
We still have 4.5 days left to get to the center, its less than 5 hours away, and we are likely going to fight even stronger monsters closer to the center.

Did the sensation of wrongness go away? (I am a bit paranoid about the trapper having faked its own death with illusion and escaping)

>2

You direct everybody to take a long break, as you have ample time. Once Gnome is up and moving again she can wall off the entrances temporarily. That odd sense of danger and peril is gone, and Undine agrees with you on that. The power of her lake is still muted, but she suspects that is because the trapper has been absorbing so much power.

You take a seat and take stock of what just happened. Apparently Caitlyn and Maloric weren’t ever captured – Caitlyn’s draconic nature somehow let her break out of the trap immediately and Maloric caught the wave. Unfortunately, Maloric got sucker-punched and Caitlyn had her armor stripped as the trapper tried to kill her. Maloric says he blew the trapper off her with a blast of energy, at which point they went defensive and the trapper went after Gnome. Gnome, for her part, apologises for doubting you so much. She was torn out of the trap not long before you broke free, but was immediately gutted by the trapper and unable to do anything. You suspect the same would have happened to Sala if you’d failed to strike the beast when you did.

Ultimately, the battle was a mess but the fact you made it through at all is enough.

“This trapper is very different to what I’ve heard they’re like. For instance, they’re known illusionists – but spatial manipulation? Even at the minor degree it was doing it, it’s absorbed a frightening amount of energy. If this is what monsters are like here, I dread to think what we’ll find at the PoP.”

You nod. You wonder if this is a good time to have a chat with one of your companions. In order for Salamander and Gnome to recover their energy fully, they’ll need a lengthy break. You talk to…

>1. Gnome
>2. Sala
>3. Undine
>4. Caitlyn
>5. Maloric
>6. Nobody

Also, I hope that battle scene didn't go too bad. It's my first attempt at something of its ilk.[/sppiler]

>>29262833
battle scene was fine

>>29262833
4 or 5, we have been neglecting them for some time now

>>29262833
>4. Caitlyn

>>29262833
Battle scene was fine and it makes me think how the magic battle will go.
>>29262833
>4. Caitlyn
>5. Maloric

>>29262833

It was really interesting, I enjoyed it. Still want to know more on the Lore of Trappers though.

Also, >3. Undine. She felt just as off about everything as we did, but didn't speak up. Need to reinforce that she can, even among her sisters.

>>29262904
makes sense to me.

>>29262833
>3. Undine

FYI, today will be a longer session. I’m hoping to complete the dungeon dive descent and claiming today, then do the ascent tomorrow and back to empire building.

>4

You decide that now is a good time to talk to Caitlyn. You haven’t spoken to her for some time and you worry that she’s a little rattled from the trapper’s assault. You take a seat next to her, where she is inspecting her armor for damage.

“Dwarven work holding up well, I take it?” you ask her.

She gives you a small smile before turning back to her inspection of her helmet. “More or less. I’m bothered by how easily that thing could strip it off though. I never thought that would happen.”

“It’s a downside of being trapped by a monster. I doubt there’s many that could do that, though.”

“Maybe,” she replies, not looking at you.

>1. Ask her why she didn’t use her draconic sorcery to break free.
>2. Ask her whether she felt her rage building up in that fight.
>3. Ask her how she’s feeling.
>4. Custom

>>29263038
>3. Ask her how she’s feeling.

http://pastebin.com/z7RSgixA
>Salamander Says: "The order's territory and their priests are very separate. There's been a few schisms over the centuries - the first after the Lords attempted to wipe out wipe in the early 1600s
what?

>>29263038
>3

>>29263038
>3. Ask her how she’s feeling.

Don't want to ask her out right about the rage thing, she seemed to be handling herself just fine, if she's worried she should know she can talk with us. Also if she's worried about the armour, perhaps suggestion of forging something new? Or asking her father if he has anything of note.

>FYI, today will be a longer session. I’m hoping to complete the dungeon dive descent and claiming today, then do the ascent tomorrow and back to empire building.

Aw shit son I don't work tomorrow either. QUESTING ALL NIGHT LONG.

>>29263072
Ah missed that. Should be
>the first after the Lords attempted to wipe out the mages in the early 1600s
A hint at the real cause of that war...

>3

“Caitlyn, how are you feeling after all that?” you ask her.

She gives you an odd look before replying defensively, “What’s this about?”

“You’re my personal guard and you’re getting hurt help me. It’s my responsibility to look after you. So, please, let me know if you feel there’s anything wrong.”

She looks a little abashed at that response and finally stops dodging your eyes, turning to look at you. “Um, sorry. I just… I should have been able to stop that thing. You just said I’m your guard but I didn’t do much guarding there – and you took it out even after it punched a hole in your stomach but it kept me down without much difficulty. I just… battle is fun because I’m good at it, even if it’s challenging. This just felt like I was being punished for something."

>Response?

>>29263291
>"And you don't think when I was your age battle wasn't "fun" or a game for me?" laugh a bit to calm her down, "You are still young and being thrown into a lot but I don't find my faith misplaced, if I did you wouldn't be here with me right now. I had my fair share of punishment when I was your age, but you need to build on it, as I know you will."

>>29263291
You're being punished? Which of us has the hole in their stomach again?

>>29263412
this
>>29263502
no

>>29263291
"Well, in a sense you were. Have you ever fought illusions before? Ever considered or trained in any countermeasures for the attacker we just faced? I've seen similar beings before and that experience gave me an edge over you in dealing with this foe. Knowing your opponent and having anything approaching a plan of attack is half the battle Lynn, never forget that."

>>29263412
This sounds good. Maybe throw in that it's unreasonable of her to expect to stop a trapper capable of grabbing us and three Pure Elementals on her own.

>>29263291
1. That was a very unusual battle, most of our little group enjoy battle and I don't think any of us enjoyed this one.
2. You managed to keep maloric alive.
3. I have faced this kind of creature before, although never this powerful.
4. Take it as a learning experience
5. Question, did it lock you down, or did you hesitate to go on the offensive due to fear of berserking?

>>29263412
Not sure, some good points but phrasing a bit preachy for a teenager.

>>29263502
no

"And you don't think when I was your age that battle wasn't ‘fun’ or a game to me?" you say with a small laugh. "You’re still young, Caitlyn, and being thrown into a lot but I don't find my faith misplaced. If I did you wouldn't be here with me right now. I had my fair share of punishment when I was your age, but you need to build on it, as I know you will."

She nods seriously at you. “How do you learn to deal with it?”

You raise an eyebrow at that and she clarifies, “Feeling punished, that is.”

“Well, mostly with experience. Once you’ve had a hole punched in your stomach ten times, you get used to the eleventh.”

“I’m not sure I want to get used to that sort of thing,” she pouts slightly. She’s been showing that flat smile of hers a lot less lately.

“Then you instead use the experience you develop from battle to avoid getting punished. Have you ever fought illusions before? Ever considered or trained in any countermeasures for the attacker we just faced? I've seen similar beings before and that experience gave me an edge over you in dealing with this foe. Knowing your opponent and having anything approaching a plan of attack is half the battle Lynn, never forget that.

“Remember, this wasn’t a wild boar or other dumb animal – this was a predator capable of sorcery powerful enough to trick and trap myself and three pure elementals. The fact you broke free so easily is a testament to your potential.”

She nods again, looking thoughtful. “I guess I am kind of new at this. I’m just so used to outclassing my opponents I didn’t think…” She then gives you a mischievous look. “So, did you learn anything interesting whilst trapped alone with the three elementals?”

>response?

>Moving back to dungeon diving after next post unless there's some important things to say to anybody else

>>29263590
oh that good... in a sense it was like her first time (in battle). Because when fighting such high level illusions your previous combat experience doesn't matter

>>29263702
They have some scary amounts of collateral damage.

>>29263702
"Yes, though sadly one of the things I learned was to keep my mouth shut about certain things"

Make sure she knows we're teasing her then talk a bit about how much they values their familial bonds.

>>29263702

>Stroke at hair a bit
>"That I need to count myself lucky that I have hair at all right now."
>"A few other things though, their personalities seem to come out the most in battle. I worry about Undine a bit though, as much as she seems wise and powerful amongst us, with her sisters here she is a bit more... reserved it feels like."

>>29263702
Fire is okay against illusions.

>>29263807
>Stroke hair a bit
Both overkill and far too tender. She's a warrior, our personal guard for crying out loud. Give her a squeeze on the shoulder or pat on the back, some kind of gesture that indicates confidence without emphasizing that she is essentially a child to us.

>>29263874

Oh no no, I meant our own, not hers. My mistake for not clarifying.

File: 1388800644693.jpg-(162 KB, 409x518, 1388261901674.jpg)

162 KB JPG

>>29263702
Was that a nughty joke?

So... big plan for the future. How to deal with the vampire menace.
Get gnome to tunnel from Mier through Marrn and into Taour. With some alliances to get troops, perhaps from seraphic empire.
We could end up sacking the vampire's capital in a surprise attack
Then again, its so heavily defended, it might be better to do divide and conquer.

Darlesa has been recently taken and they are currently brutally suppressing it, turning people into vamps or blood cattle, perhaps the mage tower in it has warded up and not fallen yet, or maybe there is a resistance... and their forces are said to be stretched thin at that area. Perhaps tunnel through Marrn to take crece's wall from the other side and cut them off from supplies. Ideally we want to stir up all factions into ganging up on the vamps

There is also the issue of soldiers perhaps having Darlesia's relatives.

You bite back a sigh at her teasing and decide to respond with some of your own. You stroke your own hair lovingly and say, “That I need to count myself lucky that I have hair at all right now.”

Lynn gives you an odd look, wondering how that relates and you continue, “Salamander burns awfully hot when she’s excited, you know? Nearly lost all my hair.”

As Caitlyn’s face goes a tad red you explain more clearly, “Salamander has to potential to cause a lot of collateral damage with those huge swathes of fire she throws around, after all.”

You laugh lightly as Cailyn realises you’re just teasing her, before responding more seriously, “A few other things though, their personalities seem to come out the most in battle. I worry about Undine a bit though, as much as she seems wise and powerful amongst us, with her sisters here she is a bit more... reserved it feels like.”

Caitlyn nods at that, having recomposed herself from her earlier embarrassment. “Hmm, I can see that, though I would say it’s more about being around Gnome. She’s a little… overbearing.”

“Overbearing?”

She nods quite enthusiastically and looks around to confirm Gnome is off in the distance before continuing. A shame Gnome can read your thoughts despite that…

“I get that she’s old and wise and powerful, but does she need to treat everybody like a child?”

“I wouldn’t go that far…”

She snorts. “Of course you wouldn’t. You’re the only one she actually thinks of as an adult.”

“You realise she argues with me, right? In fact, she argued with me a lot in that trap.”

“And she would simply have ignored the rest of us,” Caitlyn says dismissively. You wonder whether there’s been some catfighting going on in the background. You wonder whether Maloric is also being treated like a child. Gnome certainly has managed to annoy Caitlyn a lot for just two days.

>Response? Or move on into the dungeon?

I lied. One more post.

>>29264176
Maybe this could be a learning experience for her.
Undine was the one who most clearly sensed the trap and yet gnome dismissed her concerns. And she ended up getting disemboweled.
Being old and wise doesn't make you infallible, especially if you underestimate younglings.
I will talk to her about this.

>>29264176
> I'll talk to her about that,mbut considering that she's a few hundred years old I think it's not the greatest surprise that she tends to think of us as very young and inexperienced.

>>29264176
move on

>>29264318
changing my vote from saying this to lynn to discussing it with gnome directly.
I know gnome can hear our thoughts, but she might be offended at us discussing it with someone else like that.

>>29264176

>"Perhaps a defense mechanism. She was injured before she came with us. We know little of her past outside of small bits. I will speak to her though."

Undine being our only party healer is a ... deficiency. We need to pick up some healing ourselves, if only to be able to heal undine enough so she can heal others.

4 of the 6 borders of harrowmont cannot be crossed except by air units.
How come? Is it a chasm? Rough terrain? Quicksand? Raging rivers?

>>29264611

Bluffs really, Harrowmont is at the top of a bluff with a big fall on most sides. Highly defensible, probably a bit plot armoury but yeah.

You figure to keep this brief as you spot some of your other companions beginning to get ready. At the same time, you don’t want to offend Gnome.

“I’ll be sure to talk to her about it. I don’t want dissent amongst you. Remember that we know little of her past, Caitlyn.”

Caitlyn nods at that and you give her a pat on the shoulder before walking away to gather everyone up. Gnome then gestures for you over to near where entered the cavern, and you hope that she doesn’t want to bring this up right away. Instead, as you approach her, you hear the sounds of growling and scratching.

“I think I’ll leave that wall up for now. We don’t want those beasts coming at us from behind,” she tells you.

You nod and the rest of you troop out the other side of the cavern. Progress is slow, as the cave system suddenly veers upwards and you end up having to do a lot of uncomfortable climbs. Now in one particularly tall cavern, you sit at the top of a set of rocky platforms waiting for your companions to catch up. Maloric is fit, but he’s not capable of leaping up these easily or levitating and he’s too prideful to let himself be carried. You have enough time, so you don’t worry too much about his speed though. The rest of your companions move along with him while you and Gnome remain at the top whilst Caitlyn pulls rearguard.

[DC13 Perception]

>>29264611
Bluffs for the most part. Your area used to be part of the Marnn mountain range before the angels levelled a large part of it. The terrain between Port Temby and Harrowmont isn't the most passable of terrain for armies as a result.

And yes, it us partially for plot purposes.

Rolled 10

>>29264750
No problem!

Rolled 7

>>29264750

Rolled 16

>>29264750

Rolled 6

>>29264750

Lots of rolling today. Enjoying this dungeon crawl.

we had halfway succeeded in covertly enhancing our hearing with sorcery in order to listen in on undine/lynn conversation way back when.
We should perfect this skill. Next time we make camp we should spend some time practicing it.

>>29264841
>>29264841

I wouldn't mind doing that. Though I think it falls under out Enhance Self skill so it would probably just level that up if anything. But who knows.

>>29264841
>we learn our soldiers dirty little secret.
I would love if the QM had some funny tidbits.

>>29264931
That could make for some fun. I might file the idea away to use to pad out some otherwise mundane scenes later.

>>29264793
Good to hear. I'm having to keep a careful eye on DCs - lots of rolls increases the chances of failure, so I'm trying to keep things fair over the longer run.

>Target met

You think you hear some rather unnatural sounds from behind you. You stand up carefully, ready for an attack but can’t find anything. Gnome stands too and moves close to you.

She whispers, “You sense something?”

You give her a short nod, trying to work out where it’s gone. You feel a smooth rise in sorcery next to you – Gnome’s use of sorcery is very unlike Undine’s sharp snaps of energy and Salamander’s reckless surges. As she does so, you realise what you’re sensing.

“Magical beasts of some sort,” you whisper back. “Caught the edges of them.”

She nods, obviously confirming it with her own magic. “They’re a way off, Talon. I’m surprised you sensed them all.”

So are you, given you could have sworn you heard them rather than felt them. She gives you an assessing look, “Maloric said you have good senses – even if he was just an illusion. I think I can see what he means.”

You look back and see that Mal is almost at the top. You’ll tell them of the beasts in front in a second. You consider how to advance…

>1. Advance normally, if cautiously.
>2. Bunch up in normal formation, in case of ambush.
>3. Move Caitlyn to the front – the beasts are ahead not behind.
>4. Custom

>>29264931

I'd mostly be in it for Talon's reactions. He plays the straight man so much when in "Imperator" mode that his breaks of character are always funny.

>>29264910
>Though I think it falls under out Enhance Self
Perhaps, the skills are rather broad and unspecific. We would be gaining versatility with it. Just like salamander's fire control is heavy on raw power and low on finesse. Undine is lower power but higher finesse. I think we can learn to focus our body enhancement in such a specific manner. Also would be a good thing to do on the way back (burn all our mana on enhancing endurance only to run fast enough to keep up with the horses on the way back, then when out let ourselves be carried)

>>29264978
So far our major failures on combat rolls have caused us to lose HP instead of game over or dead ally (aside from redshirts). Plus a lot of combat advantage shifting (rolls increase/reduce modifiers on next roll). I enjoy this system so far

>>29265014
>2. Bunch up in normal formation, in case of ambush.

>>29265014
>1

>>29265014
>2. Bunch up in normal formation, in case of ambush.

Caitlyn is right where she needs to be and we can hold the front line against beasties that don't use sorcery.

>>29265014
3

>>29265014
Don't bunch up, it's a trap!

>>29265014
I am tempted to try to enhance our senses again to see if we can track them well enough to AVOID engaging them.
If we sneak by we conserve power and time.

>>29265014
Side note. I've been rereading the quest, and I noticed that I think those two mage-knights that swore to us in Curton never got added to the list. Also, the knights of the diamond fox aren't on our list as well.

>>29265014
Who's best suited at scouting, magical or mundane?

Move them up to the front with us and continue a cautious advance.

>>29265133
That's possible. I'll add that as a roll to the next post.

>>29265139
For the most part, I'm catching knights under the total list of mage-knights for simplicity. They're leaders of units. As for the numbers, I think you're right that I never added the OotDF knights to the total list (the two in Curton were just toughs in armor so got caught in that decision). The knights will be added to the total numbers when I add the Vale troops.

>>29265196
Technically, you and Gnome are the best scouts. Maloric can spot mages better, but you have a better instinct for beasts and spirits.

>1 but with attempted tracking

You decide to advance as normal but try to track the beasts and where they might be. You work with Gnome to try to match what you’re sensing with her layout of the caves ahead.

[DC 14 Tracking]

>>29265133

I distinctly remember the last time we tried to sneak we ended up 100meters in the air.

>>29265248
I figured that they'd just be mage knights, but the number of veteran mage knights has held steady since the immediate aftermath of the Vitran attack on Harrowmont. And I figured that they had to be at least vets.

Rolled 19

>>29265294

>>29265325
You're right on both counts. It's an oversight on my part that will be fixed with the next military update.

Rolled 16

>>29265294

Rolled 13

>>29265294

Rolled 6

>>29265294

We roll pretty well except for when we don't.
>rolled terelatg

Rolled 18

>>29265443
eh. I have seen some insane things
Like 5+ nat1s in a row. On different quests

>>29265443

There was one thread where we rolled so horribly at every turn it was small wonder we were alive at all near the end. And now we don't tempt the dice gods.

>>29265504
recently on wolf quest the QM based his DC on his own dice rolls and the fucker rarely rolled below a 17, and he liked to add modifiers to it as well.there was a small part where he just kep rolling nat 1s and the players rolled nat 20s.

>>29265561
there was also the time he rolled nat20s and the players were rolling poorly

>>29265561
I personally dislike contested dice systems for quests, as it makes them too random. With DCs I can easily set the difficulty of any challenge or battle.

>Target met

You are able to match up the rough locations of the beasts with Gnome’s mapping, though you had to stop briefly for Gnome to draw up a quick map in the dirt for you to use.

There are three beasts, one each in a three-way split that meets again after a few hundred metres. They seem reasonably strong from their magical presence, but nothing like the trapper you suspect. The split is a little way ahead. You will have to engage at least one of them to advance. Gnome says she can create walls if she has line-of-sight in these caves, meaning you’ll need to get up to the split itself to block off any paths properly.

>1. Blitz
You and your companions will charge through one path, try to slay or get past the beast, then wall off the other side to prevent the other two from following.

>2. Cautious approach
You will sneak up with Gnome and wall off two of the passages. You can then fight one of the beasts. The other two may double-back and come up behind the other one.

>3. Be tricky
Try to have Gnome cut off the other beasts entirely with walls, leaving you with only one to deal with. If it fails, you’ll be stuck fighting all three at once.

>4. Custom

>>29265592
>>2. Cautious approach
>You will sneak up with Gnome and wall off two of the passages. You can then fight one of the beasts. The other two may double-back and come up behind the other one.

>>29265592
>3. Be tricky
We love being tricky.

>>29265592
>1. Blitz

Have Sala flame the hell out of one, Undine drown the other to distract them while we dispatch the third, then Gnome will be entirely free to block the other passages.

>>29265592
Can we try and bring down the roof on two of the beasts instead?

>heh, players are enacting rocks fall, everything dies

>>29265677
that is probably a nat 1.
>>29265592
>3. Be tricky

>>29265677
Gnome can try, but she'll be at a disadvantage due to the magic in the rock and dirt of the caves (as she mentioned earlier).

File: 1388804913934.png-(33 KB, 1536x864, plan.png)

33 KB PNG

>>29265592
LOS
how far away can she see?
if we are coming from the bottom...

I am thinking we sneak and build wall #1
then she place wall #2 and then #3 trying to trap the middle beast (if she can see that far)
Then we kill the beast on the left. The noise might draw the beast on the right, if it does not we trap it as well so it starves by placing wall 4.

Of course this depends on how draining the walls are for gnome to place, and how far away can she place them. We might end up spooking the middle beast and be in a fight prematurely

>>29265731
Ask Gnome to bring down the roof instead of raising a wall. Basically a variation of 2 or 3.

Best case scenario, we crush them utterly. Worst case, we can still block them off and use that time to fight the third monster.

>>29265731
she isn't gonna move the existing rock, she will summon new rock out of thin air, a power she has

>>29265805
You basically have to come up to the split to place walls, due to the fact it's at a crest. As for hiding, it mostly depends on your skills. Just as you can detect their magical presence, so too can they potentially detect yours plus any noise you make.

>>29265829
>>29265832
Alright, new vote.

>1. Use walls to close them in (either with sneaking or using your companions to hold them back whilst closing them in)
>2. Attempt to bring the roof down on them by summoning rock on their heads.

>>29265920
>2.
Time to use our environment to our advantage.

>>29265920
1
Is this still number 3?

>>29265920
1h

>>29265920
1

>>29265959
Yeah, but I added
>>29265673
as a back-up plan for if you're spotted.

>>29265920
1
you already said this has a high DC.

>1.

You and Gnome cautiously approach the split, with Undine and Sala close behind you to provide fire support if you’re spotted. Caitlyn and Mal bring up the rear at a distance, in case of a surprise. If you can get to the split and close two of the monsters in, you can deal with just one of them relatively easily.

[DC15 Sneak]

Rolled 2

>>29266072

Rolled 15

>>29266072

Rolled 16

>>29266072

>Target met

Everything is going smoothly, you think to yourself, as you come up over the crest. The three tunnels bend into the darkness before you. You’ve shed all light sources and are relying on your own empowered senses to ensure the beasts don’t spot any of you.

Now you’re here, it’s time for Gnome to work her magic. The monsters will sense her sorcery the instant she casts, so she’ll need to work quickly.

[DC11 Gnome Sorcery]

Rolled 2

>>29266220

Rolled 6

>>29266220

Rolled 9

>>29266220

Rolled 20

>>29266252
>>29266250
>>29266240
these rolls hurt.

>>29266279

I can't even.

>>29266279
So close, yet so far.

>>29266279
Not as much as your roll does.

>Target not met

You feel Gnome’s smooth pull of power once more as she channels energy down each tunnel, but it’s that much stronger as she tries to summon enough power to create two rock walls. You hear howls as the three beasts sense her power and start to charge toward you. You draw your sword and shield, and feel the two elementals behind you ready themselves as they approach.

You feel Gnome suddenly stop channelling power down one path and notice she looks strained. As the beast on the right-most split comes into view, her rock wall grows to cover the entire cavern and she spins to the one she focused on earlier. It’s too late, however, and both beasts are well and truly too close to stop with walls.

“I’ll handle this one,” Sala calls as she fires off a blast of fire down the left path. Undine, being the more modest one, quietly unleashes a hail of icicles at the beast on the path in front of you.

“Talon, it’s not working! There’s something wrong here,” Gnome says, sounding more panicked than you’ve heard her. Before you can realise what she means, the left-most beast leaps out of the flames – the fire being sucked into the glowing blue cysts growing all over its warped wolf-like form. You feel Sala’s magical energy, so immense in sheer power, vanishing into nothing. You move quickly in an attempt to stop the beast from punching his fangs into Salamander's body.

[DC17 Defend Sala]

Rolled 10

>>29266479
Sala!

>>29266479
Dang, DC is wrong. Should be DC16. I forgot to add your skill to it (Battlefield Basics).

Rolled 18

>>29266479

Rolled 3

>>29266479

Rolled 2

>>29266479
It's time!

>>29266536
Phew.

Rolled 1

>>29266479
Yell "MANAVORE, Don't use direct magical attacks"

Something I completely forgot (but has been recorded on my char sheet for HP etc) from back when you got a hole punched in your stomach.

>Your Endurance has increased to [4]

>target met

The wolf is fast, faster than you, but you have skill and with a quick step forward you edge Salamander back and take the wolf’s leap with your shield. Its head batters against the metal frame of your shield with a horrible crunch and whine but you can’t let it end there, and thrust forward with your shield. The beast, glowing a sickening blue and looking like some sort of plague-ridden monster, goes flying back down the tunnel. You step back and pull Undine back with your arm. The wolf she engaged is more or less unharmed by her attacks, though it had apparently been slightly more cautious in its charge and hasn’t yet engaged. A quick glance confirms Gnome’s worry, as the other beast is tearing through her rock wall with terrifying speed, as though the wall were made of straw.

“It consumes magic! Do not engage it with solely magical attacks,” you call.

>1. Call Caitlyn up here and have the three CQC fighters (Talon, Gnome, Caitlyn) engage the beasts at the top of the crest.
>2. Leave Caitlyn as rearguard and charge the middle beast, leaving the other two for Gnome, Sala and Undine.
>3. Leave Caitlyn as rearguard and try to stop the foes with a combo of the four of you at the top.
>4. Custom

>>29266736
>1. Call Caitlyn up here and have the three CQC fighters (Talon, Gnome, Caitlyn) engage the beasts at the top of the crest.

This is her field, should for sure use her.

Also, I really want to make a magic repellent cloak out of their pelts. They are even blue like our standard, it was meant to be.

>>29266736
1

>>29266736
>1. Call Caitlyn up here and have the three CQC fighters (Talon, Gnome, Caitlyn) engage the beasts at the top of the crest.
Everyone else provide support. Even of its just summoning an ice wall to slow down a beast or something.

>>29266736
Have Gnome make the rock underneath a wolf one of her barriers, then use Barrier Break to send it tumbling into the abyss. That sounds like a thing that would be cool.

Rolled 4

>>29266815
Um, I don't think there is an abyss under us?

>>29266736
>Your Endurance has increased to [4]
does this do anything different?
>>29266736
>1. Call Caitlyn up here and have the three CQC fighters (Talon, Gnome, Caitlyn) engage the beasts at the top of the crest.

>>29266815
how would that even work?

>>29266833
>>29266840

You just have to dig deep, anons. Dig deep!

>>29266815
So, basically, you want to try punching a hole in the ground to a cave below you (which may or may not be there)?

>>29266836
Endurance increases HP and also helps with physical resist checks. You'll be loving that HP increase for the final boss, I bet.

>>29266873
>So, basically, you want to try punching a hole in the ground to a cave below you (which may or may not be there)?
I think he is saying that if gnome summons a sheet of earth underneath it, then that sheet of earth, if broken, would lead to whereever she summoned the earth from

>>29266873
Sure, I'm confident that if that works perfectly it'd be pretty nice.

Rolled 8

>>29266873
Even my rocks fall suggestion sounded better than the way you put >>29266815
, Aspirational

>>29266873
>So, basically, you want to try punching a hole in the ground to a cave below you (which may or may not be there)?
that sounds stupid

>>29266909
I'm not meaning to offend anybody, but I wasn't quite sure what he meant. As it is, there's a little too much magically reinforced dirt and rock to do such a thing without a Nat20, as cool as it might be.

>1.

“Caitlyn!” you call out. “We could use a hand here. This is your speciality.”

The beast you hurled down the tunnel is already back on its feet and charging you again. Caitlyn’s no slouch, and will be here in a moment.

“Undine, Sala – try to slow them down but don’t waste your energy trying to hurt them otherwise. Gnome, help me and Caitlyn hold them off here.”

You take a stance alongside the other two and consider how to fend them off.

>1. Tag-team with Caitlyn against two wolves, trying to use your complimentary fighting styles to better deal with a pair of the wolves.
>2. Tag-team with Gnome against two wolves. She can read your thoughts so synergising tactics shouldn’t be too hard.
>3. Handle one wolf yourself and leave the others to their own devices.
>4. Custom

>>29266898
I don't think Earth Control I works that way. It's more a manipulation skill than summoning I think.

>>29267069
This. When I say 'summon' I mean 'create.' She summons physical matter using magical energy, so to speak, but it's not from any particular place or from a portal. Maybe I should consider changing the terminology...

>>29267067
>1. Tag-team with Caitlyn against two wolves, trying to use your complimentary fighting styles to better deal with a pair of the wolves.

This has gone well before.

>>29267067
>1. Tag-team with Caitlyn against two wolves, trying to use your complimentary fighting styles to better deal with a pair of the wolves.

>>29267067
>2

Trust our guard to do well in her element?

>>29267067
Let's work with our guard, went well last time.

>>29267067
4. have lynn and gnome each engage one wolf, then you look for an opening to strike (or assist whichever looks to be in trouble)

>>29267115
should probably call it "create". Since converting raw energy into matter is creating that matter rather then conjuring it.