Strahd's "The lost Caverns of Tsojcanth"

[Thanee]

...as does Allyra.

While it didn't run as planned, they definitely found something that was worthy of further exploration, and might actually get them out of this cursed place (or even closer to their goal).

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

You make your way one by one after Keldar to the bridge. Below the boat rattles from side to side by the strong drift, threatens to take the boat to her doom, but the professional knot hold it to the bridge.
To the south you see that the cave goes further into the darkness of the mountain. To the north the passage splits to the three corridors. You hear nothing but the sound of the distant waterfall and feel nothing but the dampness of the air.

[Steve Gorak]

Keldar will search the area for any signs of recent passage. He'll look for tracks, or any clue of activity. Also, he'll search to see if the bridge has traps or any wards. `

"I have no peculiar inclination to go towards the mountain...now, as far as the other direction, I'm not yet sure which of the three corridors we should use." If the coast is still clear and he doesn't hear anything unusual, he'll also inspect the entrance to the three corridors.

OCC: Search +9, Listen: +0, Survival (for tracking): +1

[Thanee]

“I would say we first try the rightmost of the three corridors here, and then the center one, maybe they lead to the areas I could see with my spell and where we were headed to before exploring this part of the underground river where we ended up now. It would at least be interesting to know.”

[Rhun]

"Indeed," says Turo. The gnome cleric flexes a gauntleted hand, as if to relieve the tension he is feeling. "Though my heart tells me that the only way out of this place is going to require us to go deeper." Then he shrugs. "Lead on Keldar. I have your back."

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

It is hard to tell if any activity was on this rocky ground, Keldar spots nothing.

Seeing and hearing nothing the party decides to venture into the right passage.
After a one minute walk they come to a dead end. Going all the way back the party decides to take the second route that opens to a cave with carpets strewn on its floor, rugs hanging from the walls, and beautiful furniture scattered about it.
There are plump cushions piled on the floor, the air smells of orange blossoms, and faint music – tinkling bells and chimes- can be heard. A pair of divans stands along the far wall, with a chest of rosewood between them. The glitter showing from the chest is gems. There are stands upon which rest golden dishes and silver bowls. Malachite and lapis statuettes and bowels are everywhere, upon stands inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory, and rare woods. Silken garments are scattered on stools and heaped in chests and wardrobes. A pair of scimitars are framed by a tapestry showing scenes of battle. A great recurved horn bow and a sheaf of very long arrows rest near the left couch, as you complete your inspection of the wondrous place, you note that there is an alcove in the west, draped with a curtain of glass beads and covered by a strangely worked and decorated folding screen. From behind it you hear a high-pitched giggle, and before your startled eyes appears a midget dressed in orange silk pantaloons, an embroidered vest of blue and white, purple slippers with curled up toes, and a large turban of pale purple, set with a deep-hued purple gem. He waves a toy scimitar, bows, and bids you welcome to the “Antechamber of the garden of One Thousand Earthly Delights.”

With that the small fellow smiles, bows, and waddles over to the screen. He pushes it out of the way so that you can see what is beyond. There is a marble passageway some 20’ long and in it are two rather comely girls. They are accompanied by a fat, puffing chap who might be a eunuch. He is trying to prevent them from coming and greet you. All three are dressed in a fashion similar to the strange, hopping and skipping little midget who is now urging your party to follow him into the bright corridor and the sunny garden you can see beyond it.

[Rhun]

"Something is not right," whispers Turo to his companions. "Be wary."

[Thanee]

“No kidding...”

Allyra casts a spell to detect magical auras and looks at the strange scene before them.


OOC: Detect Magic.

[Steve Gorak]

Addressing the trio, Keldar says:"So, what are two lovely girls like you doing in a cave this deep?" Keldar tone is inquisitive and friendly, and yet he still has a firm hold of his spiked chain. Keldar is looking for any sign that this may be an illusion.

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Allyra’s detect magic

Allyra detects a very strong aura of illusion from the whole room and a moderate aura from the creatures.

In the minute Allyra cast the detection spell, the midget frowns and curse you angrily in the common tongue.
“Human spellcaster, you are fool”
He waves his hand and a magical wall of stone appears behind you, sealing the entrance to the cave. In the meantime the two women and thug approach with anger.
The garden and the light behind them disappear and all you can see in the cave’s wall.

*roll inits.

[Rhun]

A frown creases Turo's feature for a moment, and is then replaced with a hard look. "You have chosen the wrong victims," he says. Reacting with lightning quickness, as if he expected the attack, the gnome begins casting a spell. "Garl Glittergold, Sparkling Wit and Watchful Protector, your servant begs for your aid. Send they servant to do battle against the evil ones..."



AC: 20, HP: 55/55
Initiative: 21
Cast Monster Summoning III, summoning Celestial Bison

Spells

Domains
Community: Use calm emotions as a spell-like ability 1/day, +2 to Diplomacy
Good: Cast good spells at +1 caster level
Inquisition: +4 bonus on all dispel checks
Oracle: Cast divination spells at +2 caster level

Spontaneous Casting
0th level: Cure Minor Wounds
1st level: Bless, Protection from Evil, Detect Chaos, Identify, Cure Light Wounds
2nd level: Status, Aid, Zone of Truth, Augury, Cure Moderate Wounds
3rd level: Prayer, Magic Circle against Evil, Detect Thoughts, Divination, Cure Serious Wounds
4th level: Tongues, Holy Smite, Discern Lies, Commune, Cure Critical Wounds

Spells Readied
Current Spells
Orisons (DC 14): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Light, Purify Food and Water
1st (DC 15): Magic Weapon, Lesser Vigor, Shield of Faith, Command, Divine Favor
2nd (DC 16): Lesser Restoration, Hold Person, Spiritual Weapon, Silence
3rd (DC 17): Water Walk, Dispel Magic, Summon Monster III
4th (DC18): Divine Power, Summon Monster IV

[Thanee]

“Maybe... maybe not.”

Allyra reacts quickly to the danger, stepping forward between Turo and Keldar and filling the cavern before them with flames, also shielding the cleric, while he invokes his conjuration spell.


OOC: Initiative 21

5-ft. Step in front of Turo, then sudden maximized Blast of Flame to cover all four of them (42 fire damage, DC 19 reflex half, no spell resistance).

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

double post

[Rhun]

Originally Posted by Strahd_Von_Zarovich

double post

OOC: ? Did you double-post Post 170?

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Originally Posted by Rhun

OOC: ? Did you double-post Post 170?

Yep.
Now I'm waiting for Steve to post.

[Steve Gorak]

Keldar grips his chain and positions himself within range of the midget (assuming the midget is "1"). He then speaks with authority: "We are lost and only wish to get out of these caves. We wish you no harm but will defend ourselves. Yield now, or pay the price of your foolishness!"

If the midget doesn't cooperate, Keldar will attack

OCC:
Init: 21
Intimidate: 16
Bluff: 24 (if applicable)
Attack1: 18
Attack2: 23
Damage1: 14
Damage12: 11

[Thanee]

OOC: Since Keldar is acting before Allyra (same result, higher modifier), if they do seem to cooperate (which seems doubtful, really), Allyra will then restrain herself and not blast them, of course, but otherwise proceed just as posted above.

[Rhun]

Originally Posted by Thanee

OOC: Since Keldar is acting before Allyra (same result, higher modifier), if they do seem to cooperate (which seems doubtful, really), Allyra will then restrain herself and not blast them, of course, but otherwise proceed just as posted above.

The same goes for Turo...what is the chance of all three of us rolling a 21 for initiative? That's gotta be a rare happenstance!

[Thanee]

OOC: 1:8000 - Didn't notice, that Turo also rolled a 21. Heh!

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Keldar grips his chain and positions himself within range of the midget. He then speaks with authority: "We are lost and only wish to get out of these caves. We wish you no harm but will defend ourselves. Yield now, or pay the price of your foolishness!"

One of the women is quick to react, by miracle she flies over on a thin trail of foggy cloud. With just a look she turns the rocky ground beneath your feet to muddy floor. Immediately you begin to sink to your hips (Turo to chest).

Keldar

lower you weapon human or risk dying.
She says without moving her lips, strangely, you hear it only in your head.

Actions

Creature 2 – Fly to AE65, transmute rock to mud.
Keldar
Allyra
Turo
Creature 3
Creature 1
Creature 4
Eliyyad

Spell:
Rock to Mud: reducing speed to 5 feet and causing a –2 penalty on attack rolls and AC

*Please adjust actions if you want.