Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

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Flession
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Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Flession » Tue Aug 01, 2023 6:54 am

Previous thread here

As the group steps through the hazy portal, they find themselves engulfed in an otherworldly whirlwind of colors, sounds, and sensations. Xaos welcomes them with an intense rush of disorientation and chaos, making it challenging to discern which way is up or down. The ground beneath their feet feels as if it's shifting, undulating like waves, and they struggle to maintain their balance.

All around them, the landscape twists and contorts, with walls of stone morphing into towering trees, only to change into surreal sculptures and abstract patterns in the blink of an eye. The air is filled with strange scents, a mix of sweet flowers, smoky incense, and the tang of metallic energy. Peculiar creatures, seemingly formed from the very essence of chaos, flit and dart in every direction, adding to the sensory overload.

The soundscape is equally chaotic, with a cacophony of laughter, cries, whispers, and strange music echoing through the air. The voices of the Xaositects, the mad philosophers of the plane, carry above the din, their unintelligible ramblings adding to the surreal ambiance.

Despite the seemingly formless nature of Xaos, the adventurers occasionally catch sight of distant landmarks, tantalizing them with a hint of structure within the chaos. However, every step they take seems to twist the landscape further, moving the landmarks out of reach.


Skill Challenge: Unraveling the Chaos of Xaos
Spells: Allowed
Objective: The adventurers must navigate through the ever-shifting landscape of Xaos and find the elusive Gate to Limbo. To successfully navigate Xaos. Each player must succeed in 5 skills checks from the following list:

Skill Check Options:
  • Perception (DC 15): Search for visual cues or patterns amidst the chaotic surroundings that might indicate a direction or pathway.
  • Survival (DC 15): Use instincts and intuition to sense changes in the flow of chaos and determine the right path.
  • Arcana (DC 16): Tap into the arcane energies of Xaos, attempting to decipher its unpredictable nature and find hints towards the Gate's location.
  • Acrobatics (DC 14): Leap and tumble through the shifting landscape, using agility to avoid pitfalls and dead-ends.
  • Insight (DC 15): Read the behavior of the Xaositects and other chaotic creatures, trying to determine if they are inadvertently pointing towards the Gate.
  • Nature (DC 14): Observe the behavior of the chaotic flora and fauna, seeking clues from their reactions.
  • Investigation (DC 16): Analyze the patterns of the ever-changing landscape and interpret any recurring symbols or shapes that might indicate the Gate's presence.
  • Persuasion (DC 15): Attempt to communicate with some of the Xaositects and convince them to provide guidance.
  • History (DC 15): Recall tales or rumors of others who have traversed Xaos in the past and uncover any information about how to find the Gate.
  • Religion (DC 15): Seek insights from any religious or spiritual connections that might help navigate the chaos.
  • Stealth (DC 15): Attempt to move silently through Xaos, avoiding attracting the attention of potentially hostile creatures.
  • Athletics (DC 14): Use physical strength to push through particularly dense or obstructive parts of Xaos.
You may not roll the same skill again, but you may continue to choose other skills until you reach 5 successes or you run out of selections.

The majority of players must succeed to be able to successfully find the Limbo Gate. If not, you become lost in Xaos...
GM | Doer of The Thing | Red Username Means I'm Important | Mastery over Sardonicism| Recovering Procrastinator | "You cannot understand a man's actions unless you understand his beliefs."

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Illiam'iira
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Illiam'iira » Tue Aug 01, 2023 8:28 am

Oooooh. It's not totally like the Feywild, but it's like the Feywild, and Illiam'iira has experience there.

She immediately locks on to someone and starts talking their ear off. "Hello, fellow, we're here to find Limbo, and ready or not this is all we've got -- where is here?" The weird little drow's already having fun with it. If you're gonna lose your mind, might as well enjoy the way down.

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Persuasion: 1d20+12 22 Success!

And thus begins Illiam'iira's no good very bad time in Xaos.

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Insight DC 15: 1d20+9 14 Failure :'(

She gets pointed in the right direction then takes the wrong way...

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Perception DC 15: 1d20+5 11 Failure :'(

...not seeing she's about to walk right into someone.

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Acrobatics DC 14: 1d20+5 25 Success!

That someone -- a mass of lightning in a leonine shape -- gets VERY angry with her over this and tries to smack her with its giant paw, but she cartwheels away. And then FUCKING BOOKS IT.

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Stealth DC 15: 1d20+5 16 Success!

Panicking, she dives under an incredibly large leaf, Illi breathing hard until she forces herself to calm down and recalibrate. You got this.

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Survival DC 15: 1d20+5 10 Failure :'(

Slipping away she tries to find her way back. To the path she was SUPPOSED to be on! But... it... doesn't quite work...

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Arcana DC 16: 1d20+2 19 Success!

...she keeps her cool. She follows the magic. She's getting close, she can feel it. The psychadelic swirl of colors above and below lead her forward, Illi following a thread of sugar pink.

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Religion DC 15: 1d20+2 6 Failure :'(

And then it stops. Trying to find a sign, there's none. At this point Illiam's getting desperate. She opens her mouth and starts to sing.

Spellsong + Enhance Ability: Intelligence.

Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM] Nature DC 14 + Enhance Ability: 2d20k1+2 17 SUCCESS!

Silvery stems sprout from the ground, blue roses blooming along the final path she has to take. The closer she gets to the door, the larger they grow, until finally she can climb onto one of the stems to sit and wait for the others.

It wasn't easy but that's life.

...wait, where's Quev?
Last edited by Illiam'iira on Tue Aug 01, 2023 9:30 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Naila Drooten
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Naila Drooten » Tue Aug 01, 2023 8:41 am

Naila pauses for a couple seconds as she steps out into Xaos, her eyes and ears twitching and swivelling rapidly at the sheer sensory bombardment. It was...not wholly dissimilar to a group of Signers discussing politics.

As warned, her next remark to the rest of the party come out in a harsh, ugly and alien language that is almost impossible to understand:

"Fascinant! Alors c'est Xaos ? C'est encore plus intéressant que la description. Maintenant... pour trouver notre chemin."

First step when outside (chaotic hellscape or no) find cover!

Day 2 EM, Fear and Loathing, DC 15 stealth to hide, advantage from gear: 2#1d20+13 32 21

Naila promptly disappears from conventional view.

Next step, start moving because a slow target (particularly in a chaotic hellscape) was an easy target!

Day 2 EM, Fear and Loathing, DC 14 Acrobatics to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge: 1d20+9 17

There is a completely needless flip nobody sees.

Now it's time to look for patterns. The detective comes dangerously close to getting lost in the ever shifting patterns around her (she swears they almost make sense) but then the eye on her shield spots a way forward! Thank you creepy eye shield!

Day 2 EM, Fear and Loathing, DC 15 perception to get her bearings, advantage from gear: 2#1d20+10 11 19

Then it's time to analyze the identified patterns, after all, she is looking for a gate and while on this plane it can look like anything...it would still fundamentally have to be a gate.

Day 2 EM, Fear and Loathing, DC 16 Investigation to analyze the patterns!: 1d20+10 16

It takes her a while again, this much stimuli keeps is near overload for most sentients with senses, but Naila spends a few moments imagining that it's not actually that chaotic and that seems to do the trick. The gate should be....there!

Lastly, she had to peer review her findings....hmmmm.

Day 2 EM, Fear and Loathing, DC 15 insight to chat to some of the inhabitants: 1d20+10 29

Popping out near a rapidly form shifting ball of entropy whose edges seem to crinkle reality Naila politely inquired.
"Sorry to bother you sir, but is the gate to Limbo left, or right from here?"
"Actually you have to go straight up, back 3 seconds and then retrace your steps, easiest way to it."
"Oh I see, thank you kindly."
"Don't mention it."

She nods politely to the formless mass of chaos and then follows its directions until she finds herself standing at the entrance to the gate.

((5 successes on the various skill options))
Elfish • Sign of One • Factotum • Sigil Native • Private Eye• Dangerously Perceptive • Noir Gumshoe...Sort Of
Carries a sword and shield• Passive Perception/Investigation 30 (25 if disarmed)• Passive Insight 20 •10 foot blind vision

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Ore
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Ore » Tue Aug 01, 2023 11:13 am

Ore feels the shift into something...different. The Feywild was one thing, it's own brand of nonsense but this was...chaos, pure and simple.

Parameter of arrival met. Ascertain bearing.

His perception function was working fine, but there was nothing familiar to get his bearings from the environment and the magic was...alien to his worings. Still, the knowledge of the plants and local beings gives him a guide and he manages to sneak back over to meet up with the others Boy in tow.

Rolls
Perception DC 15: 1d20+5 20 Pass
Xoas Survival DC 15: 1d20+5 8 Fail
Xoas Arcana check DC 16: 1d20+7 11 Fail
Xoas entry acrobatics dc 14: 1d20+2 9
Xoas Insight SC 14: 1d20+1 2 Oof, fail
Xoas Arrival Nature DC 14: 1d20+3 19 Pass
Xoas Arrival Investigation DC 16: 1d20+3 23 Pass
Xoas Arrival Persuasion: 1d20-1 2 Saw that coming. Fail
Xoas Arrival History DC 15: 1d20+7 10 C'mon man dice. Fail
Xoas Arrival Religion DC 15: 1d20+3 21 Pass
Xoas Arrival Stealth DC 14: 1d20+2 20 Pass

5 Passes reached

I believe that means the majority of the party passed the challenge? (3/5)
Warforged | Artificer | Godsmen | Factotum [*] Metal AF (no, literally)
Passive Perception: 15 | Passive Investigation 13 (+3)
Standard Vision: (60ft, no darkvision)

Equipment: Breastplate, Warhammer, Shield, Dungeoneering Pack, Useful Tools (Smiths, Thieves), Drum
Accompanied by "Boy", the Steel Defender

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Sings-With-Purpose
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Sings-With-Purpose » Tue Aug 01, 2023 12:52 pm

Sings-With-Purpose was an experienced planeswalker, and more importantly; understood the importance of simply going with the flow and rolling with the punches, as it were. That being the case, she wasn't so easily fazed. Besides, flying about on a giant brass armadillo with wings meant she managed to fit right in!

She recalled various bits and bobs (xaos'es) about the place, used her natural charisma (with a bit of aid from the illusions in her jacket) to elicit further aid, expertly avoided a random hole opening up and maybe another one or two three, went unseen and unheard as she guided them past a series of dangers, and finally just put a finger up in the air; felt the wind; and confidentaly declared

"thataway!"

History (Advantage from Enhance Ability), DC15: 2#1d20+4 15 15 - pass
persuasion, glamerweave, DC15: 1d20+1d4+10 33 - pass
Acrobatics, DC14: 1d20+12 29 - pass
Stealth, DC15: 1d20+6 26 - pass
Survival, DC15: 1d20+5 18
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Valeria Brightheart
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Valeria Brightheart » Tue Aug 01, 2023 1:21 pm

Valeria was not without talents. She had some education. And she certainly knew how to speak to the manager! But the strangeness of the plain quickly left her stumbling and confused.

Fortunately, she had another talent. Friendship! She did her best to stay with the rest of the group, her blue eyes wide, darting here and there, clearly disoriented.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

F&LiX, Persuasion | 1d20+9 ⇒ 16 PASS
F&LiX, History | 1d20+4 ⇒ 6 FAIL
F&LiX, Arcana | 1d20+4 ⇒ 19 PASS
F&LiX, Acrobatics | 1d20+3 ⇒ 9 FAIL
F&LiX, Stealth | 1d20+3 ⇒ 9 FAIL
F&LiX, Perception | 1d20 ⇒ 11 FAIL
F&LiX, Survival | 1d20 ⇒ 13 FAIL
F&LiX, Nature | 1d20 ⇒ 3 FAIL
F&LiX, Investigation | 1d20 ⇒ 12 FAIL
F&LiX, Religion | 1d20 ⇒ 9FAIL
F&LiX, Athletics | 1d20 ⇒ 13FAIL

RIP
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Quevlin'e
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Quevlin'e » Tue Aug 01, 2023 3:51 pm

Quev will follow Illia and use his special, elf eyes or his milk-enhanced bones to survey and navigate this plane.
Perception DC 15: https://orokos.com/roll/986053# 21, Pass
Arcana DC 16: https://orokos.com/roll/986054# 13, Fail
Investigation DC 16: https://orokos.com/roll/986055# 17, Pass
Athletics DC 14: https://orokos.com/roll/986056# 22, Pass
Nature DC 14: https://orokos.com/roll/986057# 8, Fail
History DC 15: https://orokos.com/roll/986058# 12, Fail
Religion DC 15: https://orokos.com/roll/986059# 1, Fail
Survival DC 15: https://orokos.com/roll/986061# 19, Pass
Insight DC 15: https://orokos.com/roll/986062# 19, Pass
It only took 9 tries. First try.
Drow, Factionless, Fighter 6/Artificer 3, PP 14, PI 17, Darkvision 120 ft. Black full plate, Spear, Shield, Light crossbow, Satchel of Holding

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Illiam'iira
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Illiam'iira » Tue Aug 01, 2023 6:25 pm

Illiam will immediately glomp Quev when he joins her at the door and chirp gobbledygook at him. She's just happy he made it! Her bodyguard gets a big, big hug before she sits back down.

...now where's Valeria?
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"In the dark times, will there still be singing?
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Ore
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Ore » Tue Aug 01, 2023 7:18 pm

"Valeria is coming along." Ore motions to the straggling companion. "We are beacon enough for her, and it would appear that the remainder of us managed to find our way to the gate."
Warforged | Artificer | Godsmen | Factotum [*] Metal AF (no, literally)
Passive Perception: 15 | Passive Investigation 13 (+3)
Standard Vision: (60ft, no darkvision)

Equipment: Breastplate, Warhammer, Shield, Dungeoneering Pack, Useful Tools (Smiths, Thieves), Drum
Accompanied by "Boy", the Steel Defender

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Flession
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Re: Fear & Loathing in Xaos [D2, EM]

Post by Flession » Tue Aug 01, 2023 8:02 pm

Laxuli follows along side of you, Swoving (swoving being a combination of swimming and moving, the primary way to navigate the madness that is asoX). As she listens to Ore speak, she looks at him confused. "Whidigat in thidige hidigells aridige yidigou sidigaying?" And sighs, continuing onward.

Eventually, you come across a street sign on a corner. An arrow is pointing down with the words "Limbo" on it. Laxuli stops swoving and gives a long, pointed stare at what's before you. "Ridigeally?! Thidigatits's?"

She looks around for everyone to finally show up, and eventually Valeria would make her way to finding everyone after going thru a few lost turns that may have felt like several days for her. The anticipation for a proper jaunt was at its peak, only was swiftly replaced by astonishment as a low rumble echoed through the chaotic streets. From the tiny cracks that webbed across the sign's surface a few slaadi emerged, their rainbow-hued forms undulating with malevolent energy.

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They don't seem to note you or anything really, merely walking around and kicking a few wayward rocks found on the ground.
GM | Doer of The Thing | Red Username Means I'm Important | Mastery over Sardonicism| Recovering Procrastinator | "You cannot understand a man's actions unless you understand his beliefs."

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