The Ever Expanding Dungeon : Session 24

Session 24 was played on 10/17

Scene 4 Main Combat/Climax (also Scene 1 Guardian for the Keep)

The weathered door clung tiredly to its hinges despite ample evidence of rot from many seasons of rain and termites, and held fast against the party's tentative efforts to open it. Finally, Dleggit put his shoulder to the effort and rammed the door open. As daylight flooded into the dark interior [I checked with Mythic to see what would happen: Decrease the physical] a chilling howl poured forth from the keep itself.

Does the set up hold? Chaos 5, 6, yes

[all save vs paralysis or run away, Manchiver - 7 fail, Waldu 9 fail, Mule 5, fail, Dleggit 18, pass, Linkat 9 fail, Stacha 19 pass] 

Although Stacha and Dleggit held fast, Manchiver, Waldu, the mule and Sister Linnkat fell back in terror. Even had Sister Linkat the notion to force herself to enter, Waldu and the mule were her responsibility and she chased after them.

Chaos 6

Scene 2 RP/Puzzle for Keep

Dleggit, determined to pay his imagined debt, grunted and offered Stacha a chance to return to the village - she had done her job. [Does she stay? Chaos 6, Unlikely, 01, exceptional yes]. To his surprise, she told him that she was staying because, more surprising, she is Perceval's 1/2 sister and she too would see him avenged.[that was unexpected]

Dleggit lit a torch and passed it to Stacha, and the two entered the gaping maw of the keep.

[Oppress Disruption]

Not unexpectedly, the door slammed shut behind them, the gust blowing out their torch. The earth began to shudder accompanied by the sounds of stone crumbling. With his infravision, Dleggit saw the floor opposite them falling away, the blackness of the hole that was forming getting closer and closer.

Does the scene stay? 8 Yes

Dleggit swung his pack around and grabbed his rope. Quickly, he handed one end to Stacha to tie around her waist, while he looked for something to fasten the rope to.

[Does he find anything? 1-yes and, 2-3 yes but, 4-5 no but, 6 No and, 4 No But]

Nothing useful was in reach, but he luckily could distinguish the tell-tale shape of wooden beams above his head; he thought he might be able to throw the rope over. Roll to hit AC 5? [1 f***]. The rope missed the target, hit the ceiling and fell back towards him.

Has the crumbling floor gotten to him, [5 no but] With the pit growing nearer, he had time to try once more.

This time he put his might into it and 15 (Hit!) the rope sailed over the beam. Is he able to catch the end? Save vs Dex (dex 13, roll, 19 Damn it) The dark made grasping the end difficult and before he could grab hold of it, the floor gave way beneath them plunging them [is it more than 10'? 50/50 31, yes. More than 20'?39, yes.] 30' to the ground below. 

A moment before his own impact, he heard a the indelible sound of a body slamming into rocks, and then he blacked out (he takes 11 HP of damage, but is still alive)

When he finally opened his eyes, he could not be sure of how long he had been out, but the blood from his head was still damp. He looked over towards the direction of the thud and recognized the cold, vaguely human outline. Stacha the tracker died in the fall (she took 13 hp of damage and had all of 4 HP).

Chaos 7

Scene 3 Trick / Setback for Keep (MORE of a trick or setback?)

[I'm at a loss, so i decide to roll:

Decrease Balance ]

Dleggit stood slowly, trying to take stock of his situation. To his right, he could see a tunnel. With now way up, the tunnel was his only choice. As he moved the ground undulated beneath his feet. 

"What manner of hell is this!" shouted Dleggit to the darkness.

This is an illusion to unbalance him, roll save vs spells 4, he fails and so believes the ground is really moving. Despite being a dwarf. He will attack at -2 and move at 1/2 speed]

Does anything attack now? 4 No, but it will next scene]

Have Linkat and Waldu returned? 5, No, but they will find their way to the Keep next scene

Chaos 8

Scene 4 Keep

Dleggit wound his way along the tunnel, stumbling and tripping as the ground rose and fell, but his Dwarven heritage served him well . Ahead he glimpsed a flicker of flame, and soon found the light getting brighter until he entered into a large circular chamber. Some 30' above, lit by the light of several floor candelabras, a man with a long beard and a dark hood cloak addressed him:

"Ah yes, I was informed that a dwarf accepted my note. I thought there would be more of you. Is the woman dead too? No matter. I shall do away with you and destroy that accursed village. My plans have been too long in the making." 

With that he moved some unseen lever and a gate dropped to block the tunnel, barring Dleggit's retreat. With the pull of a second lever, the grinding of a hidden gear revealed hidden cell, out of which stepped a 8' tall, 4 armed mantis man, red eyes glowing, mandibles clicking unintelligible insults towards Dleggit.

Does the scene stay? 8, 5. No altered Is dleggit surrounded to betaken prisoner? 50/50, 19, yes

Revision:

With the pull of a second lever, the grinding of a hidden gear revealed hidden cell, out of which stepped six 8' tall, 4 armed mantis men, red eyes glowing, mandibles clicking unintelligible insults towards Dleggit.

Meanwhile, outside the keep - Sister Linkat prepared to reenter and smashed the door open.

[Has the floor resealed? Unlikely. 62, no]

I realized I would need to know how long it took Dleggit to wander into the ring -i decide it takes 1- 1 turn, 2-5 2 turns 6 - 3 turns. 3, 2 turns.]

Before her, she saw the blackness of the deep pit - concerned for Dleggit and Stacha she grabed the rope and had Waldu fasten it about the mule's waist. She grabbed a torch, left Manchiver in charge, slung her shield on her back, and carefully made her way down to the bottom of the pit.

Does she make it? She's s a bit of a klutz and is doing this with one hand. Save vs Dex 4, 11, she slips and falls to the bottom: (8hp. Does she lose consciousness Save vs Con of 13, 10. Yes

Hearing the crash of metal on rock, Waldu and Manchiver peerd over the edge?

"Sister? Sister? Dagnabbit!" [Does Waldu attempt to go in? Very unlikely? Chaos 8, I roll 02, exceptional yes.] Manchiver briefly looked at Waldu and then rushed to the rope to climb down (and slipped and took 3 HP damage)

"Confounded adventurers and yer death wishes!." The old man muttered and swore as he strapped on his sword and adjusted his studded leather armor. He lit a torch and again peered over the edge[1 turn]

[2nd turn] - he lowers himself down without issue - taking all due precaution] With extreme caution, he made his way down to the bottom, and in the light of the torch, he caught glimpse of the broken body of Stacha. 

[Is sister linkat conscious? Yes, but dizzy] [is the illusion in effect? 6 no and it won't be again. Manchiever is out cold] Sister Linkat pointed to the the tunnel. With Waldu's help she struggled to her feet and together they roused Manchiver. The three started into the tunnel..

[Turn 3 / Round 1]

Dleggit sized up his opponents as they spread out; he would have his work cut out for him. Brining his war hammer up to the ready he erupted with a rage-filled roar that had been building up these past 31 days. [i decided to give him a berserker bonus +2 to hit all combat]

Initiative - mantis 1 Dleggit 3

The party heard his battle cry and broke into a run down the tunnel.

Unfortunately, his rage blinded him and his target side stepped him easily. He now found himself cut off from the tunnel as the mantis formed a wall across the chamber and moved in. As they reigned blows upon him, he withstood it all.

[The mantis prepare to attack - all 6 fail to score a hit]

Round 2

[2 turns at half pace - 30' per turn. 60' total. At a full run Linkat and co. arrive at the iron bars]

mantis -6, dleggit - 6+1 = 7, Waldu and Linkat: 5

Dleggit swings again - 3 + 2 + 2=7, nope.

The mantis attack

2 misses and 1 crit miss (-2 defense, no move)

1 miss, 2 hits, 2 HP damage

Through the bars Manchiver throws a dart which strikes a mantis man - lodging in its shoulder, but the beast fights on.

Sister Linkat says a silent prayer and then hoists the iron gate upwards [To lift the bars save vs str (Linkat)13, she rolls a 15.] with ease.

Round 3

Dleggit will continue to fight, Linkat will charge into the fray and try to divert the mantis from Dleggit

Waldu will do the same, Manchiver will attempt to stay out of sight and in cover by the gate - he'll attempt to throw a dart if the opportunity presents itself

Mantis - 6 Party 4

with the arrival of Waldu and Linkat the Mantis might split their attacks: 1-2 Linkat, 3-4 Dleggit, 5-6 Waldu

1 Linkat - 11 miss

2 waldu - 16, hit for 1h

3 Dleggit - 4 miss

4 Linkat - 18 - 5 HP

5 Dleggit - 19 - 5 HP and dleggit is struck down

6 Linkat  - 6 miss

Steel and wood, stone and iron clashed. A great clamoring of violence raised up from the pit and down down the tunnel. Somewhere in that life and death struggle, Dleggit, who had seen many creatures far worse, fell to the ground. With vengeance on his dying breath, he cursed the wizard who had laid this trap with a restless lifetime of haunting. 

Linkat swings in a rage - 14+1 = hit 4+1 = 5 and kills one
Sister Linkat fighting to reach Dleggit before he was struck, smashed the head of one mantis men, dropping his body in a chitinous heap.

Waldu misses

Does Manchiver have a clear shot? Yes. He throws a dart - 19, hit. 4 hp and kills another!

Manchiver despite the odds succeeded in bringing down yet another with a carefully placed dart.

Round 4
I decided White Eyes might want to get in on this if the party is making a comeback.
Linkat will cast her cure light wounds on herself - she's down quite a bit, Waldu will continue to fight and Manchiver will hope for continued success with the darts, since his Sleep spell would take out his own party and have no effect on such a powerful wizard.

Mantis - 1 White Eyes - 1 Party 2

Linkat's spell goes off and she gets back 3 HP

Waldu attacks 15 +1 Hit for 8 hp, and another one dies.

(the mantis don't check morale)

Manchiver throws another dart 18 and hits! 4 and kills another

Mantis 1 attacks Linkat Miss

Mantis 6 attacks Waldu - hit for 3 HP He's down to 1

Does white eyes get involved? 3, yes but - not a direct attack. He'll flood the whole lower level

White Eyes pulled another lever and the sound of water crashing on rocks filled the chamber - within moments, 6" of water had already poured in.

Round 5

Linkat will heal Waldu, Manchiver will try to throw his dart at the wizard, Waldu will attack

The Wizard will let loose (1-2 magic missile, 3-4 sleep, 5-6 water breathing)

Mantis - 6, White Eyes - 3, Party 4

Mantis 1 Linkat - 9, miss

Mantis 6 Waldu 17, hit - 1 hp, and Waldu is dead

Sister Linkat had been prepping a Cure Light Wounds spell for Waldu, but seeing her faithful servant cut down, she healed herself (7 hp) hoping that she might live long enough to avenge the deaths of her friends.

Manchiver let loose his dart and missd

White eyes casts his spell 5, Water Breathing

the water is now up to 1- 1', 2-5 - 2', 6 = 3', 2 two feet

Round 6

Linkat will make for the tunnel - fighting withdrawal, Manchiver will run for the exit

White Eyes will cast 1-2 magic missile,3-5 Sleep, 6 - Web

Mantis 3 - White Eyes 3 - Party 5

Manchiver races towards the chamber with the rope, while Sister Linkat fends off her attackers and retreats slowly into the tunnel.

Do the mantis men follow? Likely.yes They both attack Linkat and both miss

White Eyes cast magic missile (3 of them)
Seeing the possibility of killing the other who had thwarted his plans the first time, he angrily hurled 3 magic missiles towards her, each striking the target. (and does   12 hp to sister linkat, she's down to 5). To his great dismay, she fought on.

Water up to 4 feet - 1 for all melee attacks.

Round 7

1/2 movement due to water

Sister linkat will take off towards the exit, Manchiver will try to reach rope and climb out

White Eyes will begin to climb down into the water in hopes of getting off another attack.

Mantis 4  - White Eyes 3 Linkat - 3 Manchiver 4

Manchever reached the rope and began to pull himself out of the water. Meanwhile ,White eyes lowered a ladder into the pit to climb down into the rising water.

The mantis attack and 1 hits for 2 hp

Sister Linkat, realizing that she'll soon drown if she doesn't make an effort to get away, turns and takes off splashing through the water as fast as she can.

Water up to 4' 6"

Round 7

With just 20' to go to reach the rope, the whole keep began to shake, stones fell from walls, and ceiling as the water rapidly eroded whatever foundation there was.

Manchiver will climb out and prepare to toss lit oil into water if anyone follows Linkat, Linkat will make for the rope, Mantis will try to reach her, White Eyes will slog forward through the water

Mantis - 3 White eyes 5 Linkat - 3 Manchiver 2

White Eyes made his way towards the end of the tunnel, more swimming than running at this point.

Do the mantis reach Linkat?No, and as they try, one drowns

Can Sister Linkat make it to the rope?2 Yes but she can't climb out this turn

Manchiver emptied two oil flasks into the water from his perch above.

Round 8
Manchiver will light an oil flask and toss the flaming flask into the pool floating on the water surface and hope it ignites and make for the exit, Linkat will climb out and make for the exit

The Mantis will be about 1/2 way into the chamber, White Eyes will make his way into the chamber

The water is at 6' now and only rising slowly.

Mantis - 2 White Eyes 6 Party - 2

White Eyes floated into the chamber dark - he sees Manchiver's torch ahead and above.

Sister Linkat scrambled up the rope as best she could, soaked, wounded and in armor, while Manchiver tossed the flaming flask into the oil pool he had created. 

does it ignite?Yes, but it's too scattered to do any damage

He then runs for the exit.

Round 9 

Linkat and Manchiver race for exit, pulling rope behind them

White Eyes can only vaguely make out their shapes but will cast magic missile

White Eyes - 1 Party - 3

The party dashed out of the door as White Eyes let forth another barrage - are they concealed enough for him to not be able to use mm? 4, No but 

Incredibly and undoubtedly by the hand of the Hedonistic Lumberjack, before the evil wizard could unleash his attack, with a moan and a wail, the keep crashed down in a heap, filling the pit where the wizard floated in water over his head.

The "party" stared at the rubble breaking out of the water here and there, as the water continued to rise ever so slightly, and trickled onto the trail - for now, the town was safe, but at an incredible cost.