Chapter 3: Judged under Open Skies

[KingOfCowards]

Slightly out of breath, Simon gives an appreciating nod to the two guards as they bring down the giant ant. When he notices the conical shape starting to move, he momentarily feels sorry for the cultists, before he remembers who they are and why they're in their current predicament.

He grabs on to Bürd's rope, just in case whatever it is starts moving closer.

[Pulpatoon]

As the conical pit widens, the female cultist and a couple more ants tumble in, screaming. Sand flies in great gouts as something immense flails through it, climbing out of the pit.



The harpies begin to chant "FLESH OF EARTH! FLEASH OF EARTH!"

With the ground shifting beneath you, you have a choice to make: hang on to something, like Bürd's rope, or roll DEX in order to attempt any other action.

[MonkeyWrench]

Marcus quickly grabs the rope, holding the bear cub in his other arm with the spear lodged into the sand near him. "I don't think the ants were what the Harpies wanted us to fight..."

[mb.]

Bürd grabs a length of rope and ties it onto his stout belt, "Aye lad, I'm thinkin' they's jes' the appetiser." He kicks a coil of the rope towards the guards and hefts his axe, waiting to see what'll come.

[DavetheLost]

"Sudenly I'm wishing there were a LOT more ants in here with us."

Desmond quickly grabs hold of Burd's rope.

[Pulpatoon]

The immense creature, larger than any living thing most of you have ever seen before, crests the top of its pit, and snaps at one of the ants.
Flesh of Earth attack: [1d20+6] = 1+6 = 7 Damage: [2d6] = 4 Miss!

The ants retreat from the brute.

The sandy floor of the arena bucks like a stormy sea.

Okay, if you are hanging onto the rope, roll STR+4 to stay upright. However, if you wish to perform any other action, it will be at -2, since you need to hang on.
If you are not hanging onto the rope, roll DEX to stay on your feet and act.

If you fail this check and fall down, your actions are at -2 until you take one round to get up.

[MonkeyWrench]

Marcus takes hold of the rope and his bear cub, intent on keeping them both from falling...

Marcus Strength Check(STR:10): [1d20] = 16+4 just bringing it down to 12... still over though.

[DavetheLost]

Strength 6 = [1d20] = 5

Des clings white knucled to the rope with both hands as he is tossed to and fro by the buckling floor.
"AAHHHH!!!! OOOOHHHH!!!!! IEEEE!!!"

He hopes that his companions can manage to both hang on and fight at the same time.

[Pulpatoon]

The STR+4 means add 4 to your strength! Sorry for not making that clearer!

[PyroArrow]

Tonkioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [Male Clockwork Child Warrior AC 12 : HP 2/ 5]:

Gizzy grabs hold of the rope !

Strength Check (15+4): [1d20] = 1

[KingOfCowards]

Simon holds onto the rope, but as the earth shakes he falls to the ground, despite his efforts.
STR Check (11+4=15):[1d20] = 16

[mb.]

Bürd, having tied the rope to his belt and having both hands on the haft of his axe, does a ridiculous little dance, trying to stay upright in the heaving sand, and with a grunt falls to his knees.

DEX 8: Bürd rolls [1d20] = 9

He immediately starts struggling upright, leaning on his axe...

[Pulpatoon]

.mb: I'll assume that the others hanging onto the rope provides enough tension to help keep you upright. So, +2 on your DEX roll.

Does anybody have any actions in mind for this round?

[mb.]

Ah, in that case...

Bürd, having tied the rope to his belt and having both hands on the haft of his axe, does a ridiculous little dance, trying to stay upright in the heaving sand. After some wobbles he plants his feet solidly, frowns grimly at the rising horror, and waits to see which way it'll go.

[MonkeyWrench]

Even with the plus 4 I'm still over by 2. Is that enough to fall or just stand about shakily?

[mb.]

Pulp: having a quick look around, how high are the arena walls, and is there anything grippable on top of them?

[Pulpatoon]

The walls around the arena are between 12 and 20 feet high, depending on the distribution of the sand, now that the giant creature has flung so much of it around. The tops of the walls look fairly flat and featureless from your position. You have seen harpies periodically perch on the edge of the wall.

[mb.]

Okay, no escape that way it looks like. Bürd continues to keep an uneasy on the monstrosity, waiting to see where it'll go.

[Pulpatoon]

Even with the plus 4 I'm still over by 2. Is that enough to fall or just stand about shakily?

Marcus falls to the ground, joining Simon! Des, Gizzy, and Bürd remain upright. The others, who did not make it to the rope, all fall to the ground, as well, rolling with the heaving landscape, getting covered in sand.

The giant beast lunges out of the ground, snatching up Maximer: Flesh of Earth attack: [1d20+6] = 19+6 = 25 Damage: [2d6] = 6
Maximer's Save: [1d20] = 18

The beast tries to lift Maximer, but the merchant tumbles out of the monster's pincers. He falls heavily to the ground. Jeb crawls over to his employer and rolls him over. He swears and spits, "Dead!"

Actions!

[PyroArrow]

Tonkioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [Male Clockwork Child Warrior AC 12 : HP 2/ 5]:

If Gizzy has a shot at the beast, he will attack with Barton's Long Sword:

Barton's Long Sword: To Hit: [1d20] = 18 Damage: [1d8+3] = 1+3 = 4 S/M/L