Ok, so if someone has to go inside the big dragon, I could create a simulacrum and send it in, it will have all my skills (or anyone that puts on the suit's skills).
Maybe there are things inside the eggs we need? Del Kai can make acid with his move action. We have access to the icy liquid to be ice. We don't have poison or lightning. Maybe opening one will help us open the others? We may need to see if we can find other pieces to the puzzle somewhere else before we can move forward.
Speaking of puzzle pieces, there were those warforged tools back in the fire cyclone in the first room. Maybe they're used here?
There is also that southern staircase in the crown room, not to mention 4 other doors off of the entry room. There very well could be something else we can use to open up other statues and/or work this skill challenge.
If we aren't willing to backtrack and grab those tools, I suppose that Two-Rocks could reach in and pull its heart out with his stacked Athletics check. I have one turn of taking less damage too.
Otherwise, this is obviously a task for someone with a high Thievery.
What says you fellows? I have no poisons or poison-like abilities, should I try to pry open the egg or shall we exit and continue searching? Maybe we'll find something poisonous and something charged with electricity deeper in the vault?
I agree with this thought - I don't like leaving rooms incomplete, and if we can't open an egg, we should come back to it (considering that it wasn't a one way trip into the room or anything).
I'll reveal a little to help us along. The door at the top of the stairs, after pulling the skull-chain, leads back to the very first chamber.
That door would be the "dragon" door. So, being back in the first chamber, you have now explored the Knight and the Dragon doors. That leaves three unexplored doors.
Northwest - Hydra South - Wraith Southeast - Minotaur
Tricky spinning the compass around, but the words around the star are the cardinal directions. A first run substitution gives
TO O_EN THE _ATES ST_R THE TEARS AN_ WATER W_TH THE W_NE
_R_N_ _RO_ THE STONE _AS_N TO O_EN A SE_RET _OOR
So the final messages are: To open the gates, stir the tears and water with the wine. Drink from the stone basin to open a secret door.
Gates is the only questionable word, since there's no other 'g' in this code to double check the substitution, but it's the only letter that makes sense there.
Nice! I'd actually just pulled up a pen & paper and was about to sit down and start working on this puzzle when I decided to glance at the OOC thread. Now I can sit back and assume that I would have been brilliant and figured it out, without actually needing to test and find out.
Actually, huge addendum to the above statement. The game is ending Friday. If you re-read my initial post, there's this clause:
When played at the table, this adventure normally has a time limit of 4 hours. To emulate this, the play-by-blog will also have a time limit. You must complete the adventure by Friday, May 31, 2013. This is a more generous time limit than I've given in the past, but trust me, the time will fly.
We haven't fully solved the Shadow Sanctuary yet. We opened the secret door of the second line but not the gate of the first line. I think we just need to repeat the mix and drink routine on a different basin and then explore what's behind the gate.
Let me know where you'd like to go... explore further in the current chamber, head back to the Shadow Sanctuary, or try for final encounter (assuming you realize where that is).
I was *this close* to activating my DR 5 instead of Shillelaugh but I thought that prone on the first round would be EPIC. Damn Thran's immunity! Oh well, it's still good against the armor!
Do we have any healing left in the party? I can't really do anything until I make a death save, so....
Just want to let you guys know, it's possible for you to win this if your die rolls are hot, act quickly enough, and do the right things. Odds against, but possible!
Are there any ovious ways to go about freeing the angel? Can the throne be attacked? Could the blackfire amulet be used on the throne?
If so, anyone have burst/blast/multi-target attacks?
And the portal, are there any ways for us to close it before something comes through?
For Motir, all I can do for the rest of this battle is +14 vs AC, 2d4+13 damage.
However, now that I have my Oath on Thran, since he's not undead (unless he secretly is undead as well as a demonic dragon), my Divine Guidance power can be used. If someone within 10 squares of Motir makes an attack on Thran, they can do a double attack roll and take the better, but it's an encounter power and you have to declare it when you make the attack. It's an interrupt for me but I'll allow someone to claim it when they post.
] Are there any ovious ways to go about freeing the angel? Can the throne be attacked? Could the blackfire amulet be used on the throne?
The throne can be attacked (all defenses 15, 20 hit points). What will happen when you destroy the throne? Hmmm....
] And the portal, are there any ways for us to close it before something comes through?
You may close the portal permanently by making two DC 21 Arcana or Religion checks (minor action to make a check).
] For Motir, all I can do for the rest of this battle is +14 vs AC, 2d4+13 damage.
You still have the sweet crit range, right?
] However, now that I have my Oath on Thran, since he's not undead (unless he secretly is undead as well as a demonic dragon), my Divine Guidance power can be used...
If Thran is immune to prone, he's likely immune to forced movement as well. Just a thought I had looking through my powers.
Anyways, I plan to use Bond of Pursuit on Thran with Centered Flurry of Blows on the sentry to knock it away/kill it if it's a minion, then use a minor and a move to try twice to close the portal with +5 Religion checks. Anyone have suggestions for changes or wish to do something before I start writing up a sweet in-character post (which will probably have to wait until after work anyways)?
I can hypnotize him again, and have him attack himself (probably the best choice if I want to damage him), or I can have him attack the throne. Suggestions?
Ok, so if someone has to go inside the big dragon, I could create a simulacrum and send it in, it will have all my skills (or anyone that puts on the suit's skills).
ReplyDeleteMaybe there are things inside the eggs we need?
Del Kai can make acid with his move action.
We have access to the icy liquid to be ice.
We don't have poison or lightning. Maybe opening one will help us open the others?
We may need to see if we can find other pieces to the puzzle somewhere else before we can move forward.
You're as good as anyone else.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of puzzle pieces, there were those warforged tools back in the fire cyclone in the first room. Maybe they're used here?
There is also that southern staircase in the crown room, not to mention 4 other doors off of the entry room. There very well could be something else we can use to open up other statues and/or work this skill challenge.
If we aren't willing to backtrack and grab those tools, I suppose that Two-Rocks could reach in and pull its heart out with his stacked Athletics check. I have one turn of taking less damage too.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, this is obviously a task for someone with a high Thievery.
What says you fellows? I have no poisons or poison-like abilities, should I try to pry open the egg or shall we exit and continue searching? Maybe we'll find something poisonous and something charged with electricity deeper in the vault?
ReplyDeleteYeah, my thought is we back away, grab the warforged tools from the other room, and see if we can find something to open up the other two eggs.
DeleteI agree with this thought - I don't like leaving rooms incomplete, and if we can't open an egg, we should come back to it (considering that it wasn't a one way trip into the room or anything).
DeleteI will be away on vacation tomorrow and the weekend, and will be back for more grind4e action on Monday.
ReplyDeleteI'm back from vacation. Who dares attempt entry into the mechanical dragon? Step up, mighty crusader!
ReplyDeleteMy vote: Golden Crown Room, then ascending the stairs to the closed door.
ReplyDeleteThis is my vote as well.
DeleteI'll reveal a little to help us along. The door at the top of the stairs, after pulling the skull-chain, leads back to the very first chamber.
ReplyDeleteThat door would be the "dragon" door. So, being back in the first chamber, you have now explored the Knight and the Dragon doors. That leaves three unexplored doors.
Northwest - Hydra
South - Wraith
Southeast - Minotaur
Wraith.
ReplyDeleteWraith it is!
ReplyDeleteShould Motir go for a torch as well? With Thieves' tools, I only need a 7 to succeed.
ReplyDeleteCrx should start moving slowly into the darkness. The magic light should illuminate the magic darkness, hopefully.
Tricky spinning the compass around, but the words around the star are the cardinal directions. A first run substitution gives
ReplyDeleteTO O_EN THE _ATES
ST_R THE TEARS AN_
WATER W_TH THE W_NE
_R_N_ _RO_ THE STONE
_AS_N TO O_EN A
SE_RET _OOR
So the final messages are:
To open the gates, stir the tears and water with the wine.
Drink from the stone basin to open a secret door.
Gates is the only questionable word, since there's no other 'g' in this code to double check the substitution, but it's the only letter that makes sense there.
Excellent! I'm in favor of trying this.
DeleteNice! I'd actually just pulled up a pen & paper and was about to sit down and start working on this puzzle when I decided to glance at the OOC thread. Now I can sit back and assume that I would have been brilliant and figured it out, without actually needing to test and find out.
DeleteI will be out tomorrow, vacation day. I may handle posts, or it might wait until Monday.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if each basin opens different passage?
ReplyDeleteIf so, I wonder if the ritual is repeatable?
Something to keep in mind if this new direction doesn't pan out.
Everyone, I may be a little unavailable for the next week while I deal with a death in the family. Please continue on!
ReplyDeleteI know I've been a little slow on posting lately. Blame summer, blame Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones addiction... blame myself!
ReplyDeleteBut, I am committed to seeing this adventure through! Let's keep it going. :)
Actually, huge addendum to the above statement. The game is ending Friday. If you re-read my initial post, there's this clause:
ReplyDeleteWhen played at the table, this adventure normally has a time limit of 4 hours. To emulate this, the play-by-blog will also have a time limit. You must complete the adventure by Friday, May 31, 2013. This is a more generous time limit than I've given in the past, but trust me, the time will fly.
Considering I myself am cause to some of the slowness, I am willing to grant a two-week extension to the above time limit. Make it count!
DeleteNew time limit date is June 14, 2013.
DeleteI don't think we need to waste our time with this labyrinth. The descriptions of the treasure room
ReplyDelete"a small chamber, 30' east-to-west, 15' north to south"
sounds a lot like this room rotated 90 degrees. And
"Two statues of dragonspawn priests, hands clasped in prayer, stand opposite each other in the center of the room."
compared with
"Two statues of grinning demons wearing thick iron shackles and holding unlit torches stand opposite each other in the center of the room."
I think we've already solved this labyrinth, or at least found its end point.
Wait... what are you talking about? We haven't come across anything like that.
DeleteThe Shadow Sanctuary secret room behind the statue
DeleteHuh... you might be right that does sound really similar. Where to now then? Want to try some of the other doors back in the entrance chamber?
DeleteI vote for returning to the entrance chamber and trying another path.
DeleteThis late in the game, I'm all for moving swiftly to the final encounter--even if that leads to an early grave. Timing out is for scrubs ;p
Likewise, we can probably stop checking *everything* just because it's Fourthcore. That may also speed things up a bit too.
I vote Shadow Sanctuary since we know how to open the gate.
DeleteYep, same here. I'll say as much back in the IC thread.
DeleteWe haven't fully solved the Shadow Sanctuary yet. We opened the secret door of the second line but not the gate of the first line. I think we just need to repeat the mix and drink routine on a different basin and then explore what's behind the gate.
ReplyDeleteLet me know where you'd like to go... explore further in the current chamber, head back to the Shadow Sanctuary, or try for final encounter (assuming you realize where that is).
ReplyDeleteDoes the throne provide cover? And if so, is the cover all the way around, or would an attack from, say, M15 not have a penalty due to cover?
ReplyDeleteThe throne is massive and would be like a 10-20' wall to those on the ground. Thran in immense, and towers over you.
DeleteIf you got to M15 and attacked, I would not give cover to Thran or you. It would be a straight up attack.
Does that help?
I am assuming if he towers over us he towers enough that I can just aim at him over the throne.
ReplyDeleteGranted I really give zero craps if I hit or not, I'm blowing this daily for the effect.
I really want there to be a way to drop the stalagtites on Thran for big damage!
ReplyDeleteAlso, what are the black squares?
The black squares are enormous carved pillars.
DeleteOUCH.
ReplyDeleteI was *this close* to activating my DR 5 instead of Shillelaugh but I thought that prone on the first round would be EPIC. Damn Thran's immunity! Oh well, it's still good against the armor!
Do we have any healing left in the party? I can't really do anything until I make a death save, so....
Just want to let you guys know, it's possible for you to win this if your die rolls are hot, act quickly enough, and do the right things. Odds against, but possible!
ReplyDeleteAre there any ovious ways to go about freeing the angel? Can the throne be attacked? Could the blackfire amulet be used on the throne?
ReplyDeleteIf so, anyone have burst/blast/multi-target attacks?
And the portal, are there any ways for us to close it before something comes through?
For Motir, all I can do for the rest of this battle is +14 vs AC, 2d4+13 damage.
However, now that I have my Oath on Thran, since he's not undead (unless he secretly is undead as well as a demonic dragon), my Divine Guidance power can be used. If someone within 10 squares of Motir makes an attack on Thran, they can do a double attack roll and take the better, but it's an encounter power and you have to declare it when you make the attack. It's an interrupt for me but I'll allow someone to claim it when they post.
] Are there any ovious ways to go about freeing the angel? Can the throne be attacked? Could the blackfire amulet be used on the throne?
DeleteThe throne can be attacked (all defenses 15, 20 hit points). What will happen when you destroy the throne? Hmmm....
] And the portal, are there any ways for us to close it before something comes through?
You may close the portal permanently by making two DC 21 Arcana or Religion checks (minor action to make a check).
] For Motir, all I can do for the rest of this battle is +14 vs AC, 2d4+13 damage.
You still have the sweet crit range, right?
] However, now that I have my Oath on Thran, since he's not undead (unless he secretly is undead as well as a demonic dragon), my Divine Guidance power can be used...
Thran is not undead... he is a demon/dragon mix!
Follow up:
DeleteCan the portal closure checks be at range or do we need to be adjacent to the portal?
Sweet crit ranges are all the rage now :D
You can do it from range... if you give me a sweet in-character post about it! :)
DeleteAny chance the throne counts as undead?
DeleteIf Thran is immune to prone, he's likely immune to forced movement as well. Just a thought I had looking through my powers.
Anyways, I plan to use Bond of Pursuit on Thran with Centered Flurry of Blows on the sentry to knock it away/kill it if it's a minion, then use a minor and a move to try twice to close the portal with +5 Religion checks. Anyone have suggestions for changes or wish to do something before I start writing up a sweet in-character post (which will probably have to wait until after work anyways)?
Undead throne? Sounds cool... but not this time.
DeleteThran immune to forced movement.... probably, given all those legs. :)
Vengeance, heal me!
ReplyDeleteConsider yourself healed as soon as I write up my post.
ReplyDeleteShould I at-will him or the throne? My Encounter power specifies during a slide so that's not going to work too well on him.
Alternately instead of attacking I could try to use my +8 Arcana/Religion to throw another attempt at the portal.
Grelloc and Two-Rocks each have an Elixir of Prowess for a +10 to skill checks, need to figure out how to pass those around to use in portal closing.
ReplyDeleteFinally done with work and starting work on my post now as well
Hmm...well this isn't good.
ReplyDeleteI can hypnotize him again, and have him attack himself (probably the best choice if I want to damage him), or I can have him attack the throne. Suggestions?
Thran deals damage, the Throne doesn't (so far as we know).
DeleteIf the throne is dangerous, I'm sure that we can deal with them after you make Thrawn commit seppuku.
Right now I really wish I was a Prescient Bard. Holy ow.
ReplyDeleteAP'd shootin' tiem here we go.
Not my best work, alas. Either on writing or on bad puns/foot insults.
ReplyDelete