(5.24 PBP) Vault of the Dracolich (IC) Redux

[Leatherhead]

Spoiler: Copper: Team AMBUSH

Copper AC:14 HP:24/24 HD:3/3 PP:14 CloudJ:2/2

Copper, slightly annoyed that he wasted a good arrow on a bad orc, galumphs down the cliffside to get a better sight line on his original target.

"HA!" Once he makes his move south, he lets loose an arrow with a shout, and shoots the driver in his mouth.

OOC: Dash-climb-move to AA 31 for a line of sight. And stowing the scimitar for now as part of the attack. sneak attack from above: 1D20+5 = [14]+5 = 19 3D6+3 = [6, 1, 5]+3 = 15

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Lake

In a show of solidarity that would raise the heart of even the most cynical, both Kayaks moved to Loklafd's rescue. In the rush, Bjorn lost his paddle, but Darius was able to use the momentum of the current to keep up with it, long enough for Bjorn to fish it out as it came up alongside.

In spite of his calculations to put the mission first, Shade-9 kept the stroke with Aywin as the genasi steered them out of the shallows at the break of the side-stream, and downriver, where Loklafd expertly reembarked, sliding his prosthetic leg (thankfully still attached) under what remained of its sealskin frame. He had lost his own paddle, but he thrust the boat off of the rocks and tossed his tether line to Shade-9.

For a brief moment, all three kayaks were in a huddle, bumping alongside each other in solidarity, with no danger of collision, unlike a few moments earlier. Loklafd nodded his gratitude, then produced a backup paddle that had been stowed deep inside his kayak. There was no time yet for celebrations, as they would far too soon be swept back toward the rocks. It was all they could do to maintain their positions as the group began to split up once more. Loklafd gestured upstream to the side-stream, which was still a difficult spot to attain, in spite of being so nearly within reach.

OOC: My wife rolled for Vlad, and got a Crit, so I returned Bjorn's paddle. She rolled well for Loklafd, too. Shade-9 can cast a CW on him, if you want, @Tonguez, but it looks to me like you used your R5 Action, so it will have to be for R6. I think if everyone can make a successful move this round, we can all make it to the side-channel and be safe. Famous last words.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Spoiler: Hazards

General: The river will grapple your kayak & pull it 30ft downstream if neither occupant succeeds on a dc12 STR Athletics or DEX Acrobatics in a round. Success allows you to move up to 30ft to a spot of your choice, or stay still. Moving past, leaving, or crashing into the Hazards activates them (usually in the form of OAs, but some of them have their own attacks on their own "turns".
Hazard #1: Another Big Drop. The boat plunges nearly 10ft into the river and bobs back up. Instead of being pulled by the river, you wind up held in place by it. Same checks as general (dc12 STR/DEX), but failure will result in being "restrained" by the river (and possibly capsized).
Hazard #2: Sharp Rocks. You can move past it (but not through it), but you must fend it off with an attack (or it will get an OA) & try to end your turn 10ft+ away from it. One successful attack allows a kayak to "disengage" from it.
Hazard #3: Large Rocks. It's a bigger, more dangerous version of the Sharp Rocks. You can move past (but not through), but you must fend it off with an attack (or it will get an OA) & try to end your turn 10ft+ away from it. One successful attack allows a kayak to "disengage" from it.
Hazard #4: Swift Current. Unfortunately, this area also has 10ft-reach pulling effect that is bigger than the usual "30ft downstream if you fail to control your movement". There is a chance of capsizing if it gets you.
Hazard #5: Grounding. The kayak will grind on shallow stones. While moving past or away from this hazard, the kayak will take damage & halt its movement if you don't attack with paddles. As usual, 1 successful attack will neutralize the danger & you can carry on.
Familiars: A dc12 WIS Perception or INT Investigation check (AKA the "Search" Action) will allow them to warn their "master" of an upcoming Hazard, granting that PC Advantage on their Attack or Check against that Hazard.

GM: TEAM LAKE Encounter: The River Time: ~14:10 on 4 Tarsakh 1483DR

Spoiler: Map

(General Features)
Difficult Terrain Special
Cover None.
Hazards Special.
Visibility Bright (Daylight).

Spoiler: Allies

(PCs)
Aywin AC:17 HP:27/27 THP:12/12 HD:3/3 PP:13.DV60 SSdc12 p2/2 w2/2 Sh:1/1 FF/Lv:1/1 LoH:5/5
Bjorn AC:17 HP:33/33 HD:3/3 PP:15.DV SSdc13 4/4 2/2 WS:2/2 SC:2/2
Darius AC:15 HP:26/26 HD:3/3 PP:11 SSdc13 4/4 2/2 PED(d6):4/4 PM:2/2 MS:1/1 Lk:2/2
Shade-9 AC:16 HP:29/29 HD:3/3 PP:14.DV SSdc12 2/2 Lk:2/2
(NPCs)
Bill AC:13 HP:1/1 PP:13.DV60
Loklafd AC:15 HP:6/33 PP:13
Svetlana AC:13 HP21/21 HD:6/6 PP:11.DV120 Fly.40
(Kayaks)
Loklafd's AC:11 HP:3/30
Aywin & Shade-9's AC:11 HP:40/40
Bjorn & Darius's AC:11 HP:29/40

Spoiler: Enemies

(BGs) None

GM: Begin Round Six

 

[Tonguez]

TEAM LAKE [SUBJECT: SHADE-9 SYSTEM LOG]

[# Sometimes the decisions of the living are not made for efficiency
sometimes they are simply the right thing to do.]
​

For a breath of time the world narrowed,, no clashing of paddles, no warnings or priority reroutes or heuristic routines. Just three vessels, momentarily side-by-side, bound by the challenges of water and duty.

[System Note: Mission delay 37:26 seconds] [Status: Rescue Operation Successful]
[Outcome: Net gain – Tactical Unity, Positive Team Cohesion ]
[Hazards: Active – Maintain Positional Awareness]

Shade-9 took the tether from Loklafd, securing it with mechanical precision, while his internal registers hummed in quiet dissonance, overriding basic algorithms. He did not speak as Loklafd nodded his gratitude and reembarked on his damaged yet still sturdy craft. The Warforged simply observed - Aywin’s coordination beside him., Bjorn’s reach for his paddle. Darius' grit., even Bill’s soaked indignation.

Readying his paddling as the tug of the water compelled them all to make way towards the side stream, Shade-9 leaned forward, focussed on the way ahead and then without modulation in his voice said
"well done everybody, well done - team"

OOC: Dexterity check: 1D20+2 = [12]+2 = 14 Action 2: When/If they get to the side stream Shade-9 will cast Cure Wounds on Loklafd to get his HP up

 

[Steve Gorak]

Team Lake - round 6 - Aywin

OOC: Svetlana perception check dc 12: 9 Fail Svetlana move: to ak2 (might as well put her on the map even though she's invisible - lets assume 15ft off the ground) Aywin action: cast true strike against hazard 5: 7 fail!

Aywin looked at the three kayaks, and he reflected. This is a good moment. He was grateful for his companions. No one had hesitated, and all had gone to help Loklafd. He voiced a quiet prayer to recognize the beauty of the moment: facing adversity, souls getting together to uplift one another.

Unfortunately, he was shaken out of his revery fractions of seconds too late. The current was still ferocious, and his paddle slipped after he chanted arcane words to help him push the rock between his kayak and the sidestream.

 

[Lidgar]

TEAM LAKE - Bjorn

Bjorn sighed in relief as he retrieved his paddle and saw Loklafd climb back into his craft. He began paddling with renewed vigor towards the side channel.

Bill, soaked to the bone and none too happy about it, again warned Bjorn of some shallows to his right as they approached it. He saw them just in time to use his enhanced paddle to steer clear of them.

Before he knew it they were in the side channel, where the waters seemed a bit calmer, at least for now.

OOC: Bill's Perception check: 1D20+3 = [17]+3 = 20 Bjorn's movement roll with Guidance to AI8: 1D20+2+1D4 = [17]+2+[2] = 21 I forgot a few time that he still has guidance going for his acrobatics check (has 4 rounds left). Remembered this time, not that it mattered. Bjorn's attack at Hazard #5 (shallows) with advantage from Bill: 2D20.HIGH(1)+5 = [9, 19]+5 = 24 Finally some good rolls!

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Lake

As a group, they worked with some hard paddling, making their way slowly but surely into the side-stream, where they wound their way northward until they came to a spot where the stream flowed into a dark cave. Loklafd said, "I had planned to leave you here, with my mission as your guide completed. But I would not have survived the river without the help of all of you. I think that I will join you inside, to find the Bhaalite Idol; to retrieve the Diamond Staff; to thwart the Cult of the Dragon. I will accompany you, even if it means my death. Will you have me?"

OOC: It was a close thing, but everyone made it to the cave. We can pull out of Rounds for the moment.

 

[Steve Gorak]

Team lake - the caves

Aywin got out of the of the kayak and offered his hand to the warforged. He then gave him a friendly pat on the back: "Good work friend!" he said softly.

Looking at Loklafd, he says succintly but full of intent: "I will be honored to have you by my side." He then goes about the business of surveying the surroundings. He periodically closes his eyes to het a better view through Svetlana's eyes, the she-imp being able to peer through any darkness.

 

[Lidgar]

TEAM LAKE - Bjorn

Bjorn pulled their kayak next to Loklafd's.

"Aye, we'd be glad to have yeh."

He then peers into the darkness, admiring the geology, the sounds of lapping water, and the cool breeze emanating from the cave. He breaths it in a sighs.

"What do you say Bill? Smells a bit like home."

OOC: I assume we are on the threshold of the cave an not actually entered it yet? Are we waiting for Snetlana to scout the inside first before entering?

 

[Steve Gorak]

Aywin approaches his companions. He says peacefully "Let me dry you so we are more comfortable for the rest of our journey." He first kneels in front of Bill and chants arcane words and proceeds with the others that agree and finishes with himself.

OOC: repeated castings of prestidigitation - cleaning and minor sensation of warmth option. Warmth is on clothes, only for comfort.