Game Thread Part 1: An Elusive Antidote - Page 10

Berzerkersaurus · #**136** Aug 27th, 2014, 06:04 PM

The inside of the hovel was not what Griff was expecting, he was expecting something more sinister. Nevertheless, it still gave him the creeps – that was not the cauldron of a regular person and the presence of the bone grinder’s artifice implied something he didn’t want to think about. What troubled him the most was the corpse that sat in the most morbid chair ever imagined. And of course, Trent walked straight up to it. Griff had faith that Trent knew what he was doing, but their previous experience with the kobold zombie, left him more than a little on edge. With that in mind, he moved to be by Trent’s side, falchion in hand, should the corpse rise from its chair.

LWAGNER · #**137** Aug 27th, 2014, 10:17 PM

Thias crossed the threshold to the dilapidated cabin and stepped over the remains of the demolished door.
“While I don’t think that it stands to make much of a difference, perhaps we could have found a quieter way to make entry?” It did not seem that the dwelling had been occupied in quite some time, but its last resident was a witch of some notoriety and renown so they should all err on the side of caution. Thias had no desire to be portioned out into meals, ingredients for concoctions or the subject of some vile experimentation.
“Regardless of spell preparation I believe that we should follow Trent’s lead on this. He is far more accustomed to surroundings such as these. Or any threats or dangers they may pose.”

He 1d20+3(6)searched the room over looking for any sign of anything…..recognizable or of use. He took great care not to touch anything partially from disgust and partially from fear. Fetuses sat suspended in some viscous fluid, desiccated flowers and shrubbery, a gnarled hand from some unknown creature, potions, jars….all of it strange and portentous without measure.

Thias looked over at the seated mummified corpse with its rictus grin, parchment thin skin and empty sockets peering through the transparent wrappings. The disturbing throne upon which it sat made it seem all that much more sinister and baleful.
“Perhaps this is Ulizmila herself? The wrappings would suggest something ceremonial or reverence wouldn’t you say Trent?”

Zany · #**138** Aug 27th, 2014, 11:34 PM

Since nothing immediately rushed to kill them Trent pushed past Griff and Arthos and approached the corpse in the chair so that he could make a better study of it. Griff fearing for the wizards life also pushed into the room to stand next to him ready to defend against any attack by the sitting cadaver.

Looking closely at the effigy Trent could see clearly that it was nothing more than a bundle of branches, mud, and linen, designed to frighten away potential trespassers just like the scarecrows outside.

He was beginning to wonder if this witch Ulizmila might not have been a bit of a fraud, living out here in the dark forest like a hermit perhaps her reputation might have far exceeded her reality.

His careful study did show something though and he reached out to remove it from around the wooden mans neck, as he did so the rest of the party held their breath in anticipation of the worst possible outcome. When he stood back he was holding a small pouch with a leather thong, he opened the pouch and peered inside and nodded to himself before closing it back up.

It was indeed strange that a supposedly powerful witch would leave her home and possessions unguarded by nothing more than a few scarecrows and a mud stick man. There were only two conclusions they could draw, either she wasn't as powerful as they had heard and instead kept her privacy by reputation and simple scare mongering tactics alone, or they were missing something. Hopefully it was the first, but they still had to search for the ingredient they had come to find.

Thias entered the hut just as Trent was finishing his examination of the thing in the chair, he cast his eyes about the room in a fairly cursory search and found nothing of interest.

PercyHux · #**139** Aug 28th, 2014, 12:34 AM

Arthos took once last look around the glade before entering the hut with the others. The sun was high overhead and it cast bright beams of daylight over the clearing, splashing the area with a soft glow. It's almost serene here, he thought, his heart was slowing down after the uncertainty with the smashed door. The ghost at his back had vanished, but he could still smell her scent in the air; rose and lilac mingled in his nostrils making him smile once more.

The corpse inside the witches hut was no corpse at all, but simply another of the straw effigies set to guard the property. Arthos stepped inside the doorway and Perception: (8)+1 = 9surveyed the room. The simple two-room shack was caked in age and neglect. Ulizmila must have abandoned her abode long ago as there was no evidence to be found that life once dwelt here in the last decade. An ancient desk sat against the right wall, buried in grime and cobwebs. Beneath the layers of filth, Arthos could see a few tattered books and other ephemera. He wiped away a large web and began picking over the contents of the desktop, hoping against hope to find some clue to the whereabouts of the Rat's Tail they sought.

Trent recovered a small pouch from the dummy and tucked it into his robe.

"The root must be here. Look at all these jars and containers; surely one of them is the Rat's Tail. Or at the very least one of these books may make mention of it. Trent, what have you found there?"

Solid Minotaur · #**140** Aug 28th, 2014, 02:07 AM

"Hmm... While Laurel's shop has many strange oddities amongst her shelves, she had nothing of the likes of these," Trent said, responding to Thias's remark. In fact, he had never stepped foot in such a place. While he had read many things about the strange things of the world, it was only in books that his experience stretched to. He looked closely at the creature that sat in the middle of the hut and was surprised by Thias's suggestion that it might be Ulizmila. He smiled and said "Well who would have made the wrappings then?" Trent peeled back some of the wrappings to reveal something odd. He reached into the body, which caused those gathered to gasp and groan. Griff went green and looked to have the same face as he did with the bodies from earlier. But instead of blood and gore, Trent withdrew mud and sticks. "Hmm... I believe Laurel described Ulizmila as being more... substantial than this as well." Trent spied something else buried deep within the clay guardian. He reached in again and pulled out a white pouch, seemingly unstained by it's earthy hiding place. Arthos poked his head over Trent's shoulder, curious over his find. Trent opened the pouch and looked at it's contents to find a salt like substance that he had used before, and was glad to have done so, but hoped to never need to again. He spied Nail who was making his own way around the hut, looking for anything that might be useful, or perhaps tasty. "It's something very special. I might hold onto this, but hopefully I should never need it." Trent walked over to his familiar and put out his hand, which Nail happily walked onto. He gave the little rat an affectionate scratch behind the ear and put him back in his pocket.

"Well, the only way we are going to find this root is if we search from top to bottom. Lets all take a corner and leave no stone, or jar, unturned. I'll look after these bottles and jars. If you find anything you think shouldn't be touched, let me know and I'll take a look." Trent began looking over each and every jar, bottle, and was that a vase? He looked over everything until he was sure the area was covered.

Zany · #**141** Aug 28th, 2014, 03:16 AM

Arthos moved into the room and took a quick look around thoughtfully and after some consideration he decided, based on the depth of his search, they were all in fact in a hut. Being more perceptive than Thias he also managed to conclude that it was in fact a wooden hut.
He stood just inside the doorway looking really proud of himself like a child that has just discovered paint sticks to daddy's new suit.

Trent began a thorough search of the hut looking for the elusive ingredient but as he began to search through Ulizmila's things he revealed her true power and awoke the guardian set to defend the hut and her possessions.

The large rusty cauldron in the middle of the room burst into life startling the whole party. Everyone was caught by surprise but none more so than Trent who had been engrossed in his deep search and didn't even notice the huge metal beast as it dashed across the room, ignoring all the others its 1d20+2sh13 (19)+2 ✔ Total = 21 HITfocus entirely on Trent.

It took a large 1d8+1g (4)+1 Total = 5bite of the unexpecting wizard and then proceeded to 1d20+4sh12 (9)+4 ✔ Total = 13 Successgrab hold of him in an iron strong grapple.

The rest of the party had spent the past several minutes since entering the hut with their nerves on edge just waiting for the worst to happen. When it did they Dice Cauldron Initiative:: 1d20 5sprang into action with lightening reflexes coming to the aid of the bewildered Tiefling.

Berzerkersaurus · #**142** Aug 28th, 2014, 08:04 AM

Griff had been expecting an attack while they were inside this dank hovel. Scenarios had been running through his head since Arthos kicked down the door. The scarecrow in the chair was going to attack them; something would jump from under the table to attack them; all of the bones throughout the hut would form some kind of magic bone golem and attack them; some kind of imp would jump from the cauldron and attack them. What he hadn’t thought was the actual cauldron attacking them. So he was a little taken aback when it bit and then latched onto a completely unsuspecting Trent.

He turned to face their iron hard attacker and was thankful in some way that he had positioned himself near Trent. The cauldron may be covered in ash, but it looked extremely hard, so Griff Power Attack: 1d20(17) + 4 = 21put everything he could into Damage: 2d4(5) + 9 = 14sundering it.

LWAGNER · #**143** Aug 28th, 2014, 02:13 PM

Thias had been so engrossed with the dire content of the HUT, he failed to notice any sort of movement until it was far too late. If it had been any situation, the sight of this squat, rusty, rotund cauldron leaping to life would be almost comical. The iron clad embrace it held Trent in and gnashing teeth it used to chew on the tiefling however, was not.

Griff was first to leap in the fray, his falchion delivering a solid blow on the animated pot sending a loud reverberating ring through the hut that was reminiscent of the bell in Alkenstar City’s clock tower.

Thias turned and rushed to take place behind the cauldron. In an 1d20+2(7) and 1d20+2(3)attack born of desperation he brought his tomahawks to bare. He wasn’t certain they would have any effect whatsoever on the rusty iron form but he had to at least make the attempt for Trent’s sake.

His first ineffectual blow was batted away by the bounding and bouncing cauldron.

His second attempt was even worse.

The head of the hawk had cleared the cauldron’s maw and the wooden handle landed solidly on the edge of the lip with a loud crack.

PercyHux · #**144** Aug 28th, 2014, 07:58 PM

Arthos watched helplessly as the rusted cauldron came to life before his eyes. It scurried over towards Trent with lightning speed and latched onto the surprised Tiefling with an iron grip. The hut shook as the heavy creature lunged forward and dust and debris fell from the rotted ceiling onto the rotted floor below.

Arthos shoved his rapier through his belt loop, sprang toward the overgrown pot, and attempted to Combat Maneuver - Grapple: (15)+1 ---> CMDpull the enchanted cauldron from its prey.

The creature made a sound not unlike a church bell falling into quicksand as Arthos' wrapped his long limbs around the rotund metal monstrosity.

Zany · #**145** Aug 28th, 2014, 09:03 PM

As the panicking wizard wrestled with the huge rusty saucepan the rest of the party put thier disbelief to one side and sprung into action.

Griff delivered an almighty blow to the side of the big can with his massive sword putting a great dent in the thing. Although it had obviously taken damage it didn't seem capable of pain as its continued attack on Trent went on unabated.

The loud clanging noise caused by Griffs ferocious attack rang in Thias's ears as he made his own attack, his balance thrown completely out by the sound. His first attack missed the pot and his second missed the pot too just before narrowly missing removing the left side of Griffs mustache.
Griff seemed oblivious to the razor sharp axe whistling past his face intent only on rescuing his friend from the grip of the cooking apparatus. One thing was for certain, there would be no stew for dinner tonight after he was done with the thing.

In a move that surprised everyone in the room the over-sized chamberpot simply swallowed Trent whole. The wizard vanished from view within its depths, perhaps gone forever.

In the meantime and to the continued disbelief of the others, for reasons unbeknown to any but himself Arthos has an attack of the affections. Perhaps the last concoction Ulizmila used the cauldron for was a love potion and some remnant spilled onto Arthos when it made its dash across the room. Whatever the reason the loving and quite adorable little rogue rushes in to give the big pot a cuddle of his own.

OODM

Rolls post

Cauldron Initiative: 5

Ulizmila’s Cauldron	Current Damage: 9hp AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 14 Hardness: 5 CMD: 12
Move Action:	Stay right where it is
Standard Action:	Grapple Trent: 1d20+4sh11 (Trent gets -4 Dex) Result = 13 Success = Swallow Whole
Free Action:	Lick lips and say "Not bad. Needs a little salt!"
Free Action:	Cries "HELP! rape!" as the amorous rogue hugs it from behind.

Attention Trent:
I was going to put this in secret text but since we are still all learning I think it would be advantageous to all. It does reduce the element of fun a little if everyone is aware of your predicament but oh well, I will get my kicks elsewhere for the better good of education.

The following isn't exactly the same as the rulebook description so I include it so you know where you stand:

From the module:

Quote:

Swallow Whole (Ex)
When Ulizmila’s cauldron begins its turn with a grappled opponent in its "mouth,” it can swallow that opponent with a successful grapple check. Once inside, the opponent takes 1d4 points of nonlethal damage per round from the cauldron’s wild movements.
A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light weapon to deal 10 points of damage to the cauldron’s interior gizzard (AC 15; hardness 5). Once the creature exits, the stone of the cauldron reforms, closing the hole; another swallowed opponent must fight its own way out.

Ulizmila’s cauldron interior can hold 1 Medium, 2 Small, 4 Tiny, 8 Diminutive, or 32 Fine or smaller opponents.

From the manual:

Quote:

Swallow Whole (Ex):
If a creature with this special attack begins its turn with an opponent grappled in its mouth (see Grab), it can attempt a new combat maneuver check (as though attempting to pin the opponent). If it succeeds, it swallows its prey, and the opponent takes bite damage. Unless otherwise noted, the opponent can be up to one size category smaller than the swallowing creature. Being swallowed causes a creature to take damage each round. The amount and type of damage varies and is given in the creature's statistics. A swallowed creature keeps the grappled condition, while the creature that did the swallowing does not. A swallowed creature can try to cut its way free with any light slashing or piercing weapon (the amount of cutting damage required to get free is equal to 1/10 the creature's total hit points), or it can just try to escape the grapple. The Armor Class of the interior of a creature that swallows whole is normally 10 + 1/2 its natural armor bonus, with no modifiers for size or Dexterity. If a swallowed creature cuts its way out, the swallowing creature cannot use swallow whole again until the damage is healed. If the swallowed creature escapes the grapple, success puts it back in the attacker's mouth, where it may be bitten or swallowed again.

I have highlighted the main discrepancies. Since the module is the first Pathfinder module and is riddled with errors and the Rulebook guide is much newer the rulebook is likely to be the more accurate.
However this conflict opens it up to my own interpretations so here is how we will play it.

We will go with the module on the AC thing so that it has an internal AC of 15 as opposed to the Rulebook proposed 17.
We will forget the hardness modifier simply because I am a nice DM and I think there should be some advantage to fighting you way out of a creature as opposed to tackling its armor on external attacks. Also because with your dagger doing 1d4-1 you would never be able to overcome the hardness factor.
We will also forget the bite damage on being swallowed whole since you already received bite damage in order to get the grapple and being swallowed whole suggests just that, not being chewed to a pulp before being swallowed.
The module says 10hp of damage in order to cut your way out while the rulebook says 1/10th. The difference is significant since 1/10th would be 3hp only. So to draw a medium I think we will go with 5hp of damage in order to cut your way out. Cumulative over rounds of course.
We will employ the 1d4 of non lethal damage per round while you are still in the potty.
Now since I am a super duper kind DM and I want something nice for Xmas I will also consider that since he was with you Nail is in the pot too. I wont give nail any non lethal damage since I will assume that your body is protecting him but I will allow him to assist in the attacks to escape and his 1hp of damage to be cumulative with yours.

And remember folks, don't try this at home!

Attention Arthos:
Jeez talk about making things complicated for me, alright, alright I apologize for the jest about table legs and wooden huts ok? I give up!!!

First and before you do anything else click here trust me it will help you understand the following.

The best page I found for grapple is here
Using the images with the flowchart it actually becomes potentially possible to follow so long as you have your degree already.

Now what I think you might have been better doing was 'Aid Another' found here.

But since you went with the grapple option we will go down that path and hope we don't fall down any big holes.

Following the chart from above, you succeed in your grapple. There can be no AoO since the defender is already in a grappled condition. So now you are also grappled and so vulnerable to the same Swallow Whole that got Trent. However since the thing can only hold one medium sized creature and Trent fits that description the pot cannot swallow you whole while it has Trent within.
Since this round it Swallowed Trent whole, although I suppose I could have taken either of you but I had already written the above for Trent and nails, it has no attacks left.
So in the flow chart the next round for you will be the round 3: Attackers turn (Attacker controlling both parties grappled)

Ok now to answer your question.....

Quote:

A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a -4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a -2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler's CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity. A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.

So the answer ordinarily would be yes, however:

Quote:

Swallow Whole (Ex)
When Ulizmila’s cauldron begins its turn with a grappled opponent in its "mouth,” it can swallow that opponent with a successful grapple check.

So in this instance it doesn't make any difference.
I hope that answers and helps.

INFO:

Approximate game time as of this post: Day 3 - 12:00
Party Initiative for day: 12
Hero Points Remaining: 5

Table of death

Day	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Total Dead	2	6	13

Ominous Numbers

17

30

32

40

Characters

Arthos (PercyHux)

Griff (Berzerkersaurus )

Thias (LWAGNER)

Trent (Solid Minotaur)

Solid Minotaur · #**146** Aug 29th, 2014, 05:37 AM

Trent began scouring the benches and shelves for any sign of the See what I did there?elusive ingredient. There were many jars of assorted horrors that made the kobold zombie seem like shaking hands with a priest. He carefully sifted though the remains when he thought he found something. Just as he reached up for the object, a pair of hands gripped his waist. At first, Trent thought that Griff was trying to include him in another unorthodox dance ritual of how wizards search a room, or maybe that Arthos had not met his hug quota for the day and felt this was the appropriate time. However, when he looked around he found the others staring at him with fear and panic etched into their faces. He looked down to find that the cauldron that adorned the room had somehow sprung to life and found Trent to be the tastiest morsel in the hut. Trent was so stunned that he hadn't the time to react. Before he knew it, the animated monster had picked him up and thrown him into it's..... would you even call that a mouth?

Trent began to panic. He tried to form his arms and fingers into his familiar spells but there wasn't the room. Luckily he remembered the knife he had at his belt. He managed to reach it and Dagger attack = 3 vs ACslashed the best he could at the walls of it's..... would it even be called a stomach. The cramped confines where too much and Trent couldn't get to the outside wall, so he tried to maneuver himself for a better strike. Nail, who was still in his pocket, sensed Trent's panic and did so in turn. He was in a better position to attack the outer wall and leapt from Trent's pocket and latched himself to the outer wall andBite = 19 vs AC, 1 damage mauled it with his tiny teeth.

Berzerkersaurus · #**147** Aug 29th, 2014, 08:57 AM

This dilapidated excuse for a hut had begun to really wear on the nerves of Griff. He was sick of being taken by surprise by the damned thing. First it was the fact it was completely empty, then the cauldron came to life and bit Trent, and now it had… swallowed him whole? He wouldn’t have thought the thing could hold their mage in there, but apparently it could. But what surprised him the most about the attack was his reaction to it; he desperately wanted to get Trent out of there. It was as if their encounter with the Tatzlwyrm had changed the dynamic of their adventuring party. Before, they were all working towards a goal, and sure, they all seemed nice enough guys, but everyone seemed to be working their own angle. Now, while he may not call them his friends, they were definitely more than just an adventuring party.

Griff’s last strike had left a clang like the ringing of a broken bell. He was determined to keep the terrible peal ringing throughout the hut and so once again he Power Attack: 1d20(1) + 4 = 5put everything he could into now freeing his friend. However, instead of smashing into the cauldron with an almighty fury, his falchion missed its mark by a long way. For Trent’s sake, it is probably for the best that the cauldron swallowed him as Griff’s attack was so wide it would have split him in two.

PercyHux · #**148** Aug 29th, 2014, 10:10 PM

The cauldron was cold against Arthos’ chest, as he held it close in a strange embrace. He had meant to try and distract the creature so that Trent may escape, but the pot had other ideas. Now Trent was gone, into the belly of the beast, as it were. He feared that the creature, if released, would leap on another of his companions, so he held strong. Could it really hold another of us in its gullet?, Arthos wondered as he stared into the gaping hole atop in front of his face. Ulizmila’s cauldron squirmed and wriggled in an attempt to break free.

Better not take any chances, he decided so he Maintain Grapple: (15)+6 = 21tightened his arms around the smooth outer wall and planted his feet, hoping to hold the creature in place and allow someone else to take another shot at him. He was sure that his rapier would be useless against the iron exterior of the cauldron, but he positioned himself to reach the hilt and quickly pulled it from his belt. He Attack: (4)+2 = 6smacked the beast with the pommel instead of the blade, and a long "CLONNNG" echoed through the room. The noise was the only effect his attack had.

Time seemed to slow as they wrestled. Arthos saw Thias swing twice but come away empty handed. He saw Griff’s arms raise high above his head, his great blade scraping the low ceiling of the hut; then the man attempted to cleave the overgrown kettle in two, but missed. His falchion glanced the iron demon and smacked hard into the floor the below them. The tangled duo jumped as one as the ground rumbled below, but Arthos kept his grip and gritted his teeth.

LWAGNER · #**149** Aug 29th, 2014, 10:59 PM

“TRENT! NO!” Thias watched as the tiefling disappeared into the maw of the cauldron. A pang of sadness and guilt overtook him. Sadness for the friend he had lost and guilt for being unable to stop it.

Arthos attempted to keep the he cauldron in place but it continued to bounce and thrash about the hut. Griff attempted another mighty cleave but the pot managed to narrowly dodge the edge of the deadly falchion.

Thias swung down with one tomahawk and lashed across with the other. To no 1d20+1(7) and 1d20+1(7)avail . The Cauldron twisted, turned and rotated through the path of each. If he didn’t know any better, he would swear the animated object was mocking him. It rocked and hopped back and forth on its “legs” like it was doing some sort of celebratory dance with Arthos as his partner. And the Rogue was not leading.

Zany · #**150** Aug 30th, 2014, 02:05 AM

Trent and Nail fought furiously to get out of the cauldron but to little avail all the shaking and rocking about made it difficult to know where they were or which part they were attacking.
Fortunately there were no deafening clangs as their friends tried to subdue the monster, not knowing what was going on outside they could only assume the others had left or decided not to attack whilst they were trapped within the disgusting pot.

Meanwhile on the outside it was quite the opposite, all three unconsumed members of the party were trying to eradicate the iron casket in a variety of ways. The pot was a slippery customer though, probably one of those fancy non-stick pots, for not a one of them managed to land a blow.

Arthos did manage to maintain his embrace on the thing though although up until now it had been busy enjoying its appetizer and only now was only just begining to turn its attention on him. He was experienced with hugging huge round bellies after his encounter back at the lumber camp and he wasn't going to let this one get away.

Sliding round in his grip it managed to get its “arms” Attempt to become controller: 1d20+4sh13 (10)+4 ✔Total = 14 Successaround Arthos in an attempt to take the control away from him in this bizarre wrestling match. It was quickly apparent that the thing was getting the upper hand and Arthos was now in its grip rather than the reverse. As they shuffled back and forth while it considered what it was going to do to him next, perhaps he would be seeing his wizard friends again but not under the conditions he had hoped for.

Are you confused and wondering what is going on here? Check out this YouTube video to get the scoop.