Chapter 2: Flamsterd

Dec 15, 2023 9:33 am
Few hours before reaching Flamsterd isle you meet sea serpent - same serpents you met when arrived to archipelago.
Serpent is able to describe you how to reach entrance into the caves where Demon is hiding through the day.

As you enter the cave and pas a few turns natural cave end with well crafted stone doors. Engraved atop of them is written - In Illuskan
- Bajaz translate with an effort
This is written in laguage of Ffolk who inhabit the isles. I made an effort to learn the language, but time was short. I believe it is a warning to wizard's apprentices that entering his "final tests" chambers could result in injuries and even death should apprentice be not ready or able to remember the teachings.
Dec 15, 2023 9:37 am
After taking a turn you notice carved tiles depicting various beasts decorate the hallway floor. Thirty-two tiles cover a 20-foot-long, 10-foot-wide stretch of the hallway. Each tile is 5 feet square, and the tiles are arranged in eight rows of four.
https://i.imgur.com/7xp1KXy.jpg
At the very edge of your darkvision you notice a crystal ball containing many kinds of eyes. You recall this as holy symbol of some wizard deity, some could even tall it's name - it is Savras - the deity of wizards, divination, fate, and truth in the Faerûnian pantheon.
[ +- ] Map with labeled tiles
OOC:

I'd like to know if anyone use any source of light.
Remember 1) your passive perception in darkness suffers -5 penalty 2) Perception will only let you notice mechanical traps, some magical traps are impossible to notice
Dec 15, 2023 9:39 am
OOC:
TIME now: few hours past midnight. 4 hours till Fey will cut off their world from human world.
Dec 15, 2023 2:09 pm
Atlas summons a small ball of fire into her hand.
She uses it to help the others get a better look at the map.
Dec 18, 2023 4:37 pm
OOC:
let me spoil something will trigger when you step on a plate. Can you decide who an which plate is first? Or should I roll at random?
Dec 18, 2023 6:56 pm
OOC:
I’ll volunteer Seelah onto the plate. She saves pretty well.
Last edited December 18, 2023 6:56 pm
Dec 18, 2023 7:07 pm
OOC:
I was kind of wanting to see what would happen if i flew over. The floor
Dec 18, 2023 11:08 pm
Atlas stands by the edge of hallway. The arcane glyphs like constellations on her back begin to shift and glow into the shape of a many different dragons.
Floating above the hallway she glides across. Illuminating the path for the others.
OOC:
Expending 1 use of Wild Shape. Using Starry Form Dragon.
[ +- ] Dragon Form.
Dec 19, 2023 5:34 am
Atlas fly forward illuminating corridor that ends with a wall 10 feet past the crystal ball. Making it a U-turm.
Dec 19, 2023 6:03 am
OOC:
Yeah, Pin and his familiar both fly so if it isn't magical traps then flight seems the solution.
Or I can just create and arcane gate for everyone to bypass this with. Other options include Shape water to flood then freeze the entire area.
Anyone have detect magic?
Examining the area Pinmel looks at the tiles and walls (arcana+6/history+6) to see if there are any marking while pondering on any relations Savras may have with any of the animals on the tiles. Meanwhile his familiar flies up to the ceiling to see if there are any marking there or high on the wall. After discussing options with his compatriots Pinmel asks Shall we test it before proceeding ourselves?
Dec 19, 2023 6:36 am
OOC:
Sorry for poor rolling
Pin can't find anything distinguishing about the walls or ceilings. Tiles with similar pictures are a perfect copy of each other and you can guess each probably depicts a deity or a holy symbol, but none of them are known at the sword coast.

It is also clear to you that nothing happens when you fly around.
Dec 19, 2023 12:35 pm
Flying over Atlas checks out the crystal ball.
Dec 19, 2023 1:34 pm
Sending his familiar a moment after Atlas Pinmel checks for any kind of reaction and then following a moment after that to join them if nothing happens.
Who want a lift? Pinmel offers to ferry the other across by carrying them, as long as they are not too heavy and nothing happened while flying over the tiles.
OOC:
STR 10 = 150 lbs capacity
Last edited December 19, 2023 1:36 pm
Dec 19, 2023 1:50 pm
Nothing happens as you fly around. Crystal ball up close still look like crystal ball containing many kinds of eyes.
Dec 19, 2023 2:58 pm
OOC:
Everyone can assume you have been lifted over to the other side and are locked not with 10x30 feet square if you want.
What do you do next?
GreyWord says:
Atlas fly forward illuminating corridor that ends with a wall 10 feet past the crystal ball. Making it a U-turm.
OOC:
Sorry u-turn is probably wrong word in english. Dead end is a better one.
Dec 19, 2023 9:37 pm
OOC:
I am ready to move Seelah and Jerinvar anywhere
Does anyone try detect magic ?
Does Seelah try stepping anything as suggested OOC?

Dec 19, 2023 10:42 pm
Floating back to the other side of the room. Atlas gently steps down on the horned creatures symbol.
OOC:
W8 https://i.imgur.com/6wFJxrJ.jpg
OOC:
I went though and that symbol has the Most out of all of them.
Last edited December 19, 2023 10:43 pm
Dec 20, 2023 12:01 am
Our turami paladin waits for a kind companion to cast Detect Magic. Before stepping onto the tiles along the north side of the chamber.

If someone can kindly cast detect Magic, I would appreciate it. Otherwise I can cast bless, then I can lead the way.
OOC:
I want to give someone the chance to cast detect Magic (then I can cast dispel magic). Otherwise, I’ll simply start walking across the top row of tiles.
Dec 20, 2023 12:15 am
OOC:
LoL how many spellcasters are there one can detect magic? Including me. LOL
Last edited December 20, 2023 12:15 am
Dec 20, 2023 4:38 am
OOC:
let me help there. assume Bajaz can cast the over reated spell.
Looks like this place full of magic decoy he explains:

Tiles, walls next to tiles and the crystal ball - all has a magic aura on them. Tiles - mix of illusion and Abjuration, walls - mix of illusion, evocation and transmutation.
Dec 20, 2023 4:45 am
while paladin discuss the options Atlas simply step on a tile. The moment Atlas steps one the first magical tile everyone hear an adult male voice announcing
Remember, wizard takes paths least expected. We are improvisation experts.

You also notice that the plan growth disappeared from the tile Atlas stepped, but still persist on every other tile
[ +- ] Visual
Dec 21, 2023 12:03 am
OOC:
Did the plant growth disappear on all tiles of the similar type or just the one I stepped on
Dec 21, 2023 5:55 am
Smiley says:
OOC:
Did the plant growth disappear on all tiles of the similar type or just the one I stepped on
just the one I stepped on
Dec 22, 2023 7:13 pm
male voice announcing says:
Remember, wizard takes paths least expected. We are improvisation experts.
I wonder if the rules change with each announcement or simply get refined? Maybe you need to step on tiles not present on the last row, so jump to the eagle? Or perhaps don't repeat your animals. Unicorn, giraffe, beetle, dragonfly, eagle, tiger, monkey, and.... jump?
[ +- ] Visual
Last edited December 22, 2023 11:25 pm
Dec 28, 2023 9:58 am
OOC:
What does any PC do?
If players struggle to come up with an action or just don't want to do this puzzle encounter at all I can roll and intelligence check and drive your PC through this puzzle or even skip it.
Please talk to me
Dec 28, 2023 3:32 pm
Given the benefit of Magic duly detected, our turami Paladin steps lightly but confidently. Striding along the northern line of tiles.
Here we go, she exclaims. Careful that WE part, Seelah!
OOC:
Northeastern most tile, and walking straight across, due West.
Dec 28, 2023 4:09 pm
The illusory plan growth disappeared from the tile Paladin stepped (L1) same way as it happened with Atlas' (L4)



But the moment Seelah steps on the next plate you hear the voice "You have failed the challenge! Proceed to escape route immediately! Hurry!"
And following happens simultaneously:
- All plant illusions restored
- 4 doors: two on each side wall wall start opening slowly/mechanically (see red markers)
OOC:
You have 6 seconds (one combat turn worth of action/movement) before doors will stop opening and something happen. Please make your turn everyone


Bajaz steps back Sounds like warning of sorts
OOC:
Bajaz dodge, move 20 feet back (east)
Dec 28, 2023 9:57 pm
Annoyed as this overly dramatic test Pinmel hovers in the middle of the room, backing up from the wall and orb and decitigrates the wall blocking out way forwards.
[ +- ] Disintegrate
Dec 28, 2023 10:26 pm
Grabbing the crystal ball Atlas flies out of the hole Pinmel just created.
Dec 28, 2023 10:59 pm
Oh…well,…
What follows is paladinic expletive. Seelah clearly exasperated at her literal missteps!
Our turami Paladin steps off the grid, and readies her sword. Things ‘bout to get real.
Dec 29, 2023 9:38 am
Everything happens fast/simultanously:
- Pin backs up and cast his spell
- Atlas flies toward crystal ball ant try to grab it
- Seelah backs to the edge of tiled floor, while Bajaz backs even more
- Doors continue to open revealing nothing but a black wall behind them

The moment Atlas try to grab crystall ball, Atlas disappears, doors slowly stop opening and start closing, but before they close a dart is shot from a tiny hidden holes in the walls behind the doors


OOC:
Assuming Seelah dodge disadvantage to hit Paladin. Looks like just one hit Pin. I need a CON save DC 15 from PIN to half poison damage
Piercing damage:2
Poison damage: 7 (or 3 on con save DC 15)
3 Darts fly toward Pin, and one at Seelah (from the door closer to Seelah), just before doors close and everything is quite.
Seelah was ready and avoid the dart. Pin only dodge 2 of them, one finds it's way through the armor and although the dart is but scratch , poison is annoying.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Darts to hit Pin - (1d20+5, 1d20+5, 1d20+5)

1d20+5 : (18) + 5 = 23

1d20+5 : (8) + 5 = 13

1d20+5 : (7) + 5 = 12

Darts to hit Seelah - (2d20L1+5)

(152) + 5 = 7

Dec 29, 2023 9:47 am
Finally you see a hole made in the far wall and a daylight coming from the hole into the walkway illuminate the floor and you notice (if not immediately then after a moment) that all illusory plants restored on all tiles.

It doesn't take even a minute before Atlas appear from behind Bajaz, explaining that Crystal ball did a teleportation to the entrance
Dec 29, 2023 9:55 am
OOC:
Based on feedback from other party I'm going to hint you through this puzzle. You just figured out that touching the ball teleport person away and reset the puzzle to initial state. You have a second attempt.
The hole Pin made in the wall exit to the surface of the isle. You have a shortcut !
OOC:
What do you do?
Dec 29, 2023 6:53 pm
Feeling more comfortable with two ways out Pinmel moves to the entrance side of the tiles and attempts to walk across as follows

Rolls

Con - Save DC 15 - (1d20+7)

(20) + 7 = 27

Dec 29, 2023 6:53 pm
[quote="Psybermagi"]Feeling more comfortable with two ways out Pinmel moves to the entrance side of the tiles and attempts to walk across as follows

Dec 30, 2023 7:39 am
The moment Pin steps one the first magical tile everyone hear an adult male voice announcing
Remember, wizard takes paths least expected. We are improvisation experts.

And as he reach the last one (8) you hear again
"You have failed the challenge! Proceed to escape route immediately! Hurry!"

This time you all make sure to keep your distance, but Pin touches the sphere to rest the room.
OOC:
Anyone want try again?
Dec 30, 2023 3:02 pm
Pin will retry the pattern but jump over the last set of tiles entirely 12345679
Dec 30, 2023 3:32 pm
This time warning message does not follow and doors stay closed, but nothing else happen. You see 1234567 have lost the plant growth thus showing your "path"
OOC:
I'll give you few more hours time to try solve this puzzle before Bajaz will hint you to the right solution.
Dec 30, 2023 4:19 pm
Ah, I missed a step and he steps on the northernmost last tile (E1) then back off or flies back over and does the entire pattern if needed

[/quote]
Last edited December 30, 2023 4:20 pm
Dec 30, 2023 4:55 pm
Immediately upon stepping on E1 the voice announce Good job, proceed to next level and a piece of floor between crystal ball and tiles transforms into stairs leading downstairs.


Dec 30, 2023 5:01 pm
After stepping off Pinmel waits for the others to cross and then heads down
Dec 30, 2023 11:32 pm
Having watched what Pin did gracefully hops in the same pattern.
"Good Job figuring it out. " Atlas pats Pin on the back.
Dec 31, 2023 9:40 am
OOC:
No so fast
As Atlas hops on the first tile (1) the same voice repeat "You have failed the challenge! Proceed to escape route immediately! Hurry!",

The piece transformed to stairs magically changes back to floor, doors start opening...

You avoid taking any damage, but the hole in the floor closed.
Dec 31, 2023 9:46 am
Well, I believe the place is designed for a single apprentice undertaking the test. Atlas stepping the tile Pin stepped already triggered the fail, I believe. He suggests Pin to reset the room buy touching the the ball.
After repeating the sequence the rest of you simply go around and enter through the hole Pin made earlier and are able to go down the stairs.

Together with the rest of the team that was guarding the entrance
OOC:
Good job finishing this on the last day of the year. Next year we will continue with the other group in this thread

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