Shattered Swords (IC)

[lostsole31]

And here, my friends, is where it all actually plays out ...

Find the OOC post here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5698804#post5698804).

Colors are getting out-of-hand for me. So, re-doing the chart found at the beginning, but starting here...

{table=head]Character/ Color |Player |Race |Class/ PrC |Role/ Specialty
Klxzy Klennèt Klesh, Martyr of St. Cuthbert | UserClone | Sanctified Deathless Human Saint Female | Rogue 5/ Slayer of Domiel 3/ Risen Martyr 2 | SSMC Lieutenant; Mission Leader; Infiltration, Insertion, and Quick-Kill Expert; Medium-Range Anti-Evil Artillerist and Magical Item Commandeering Expert
Aaroniel (aka, The Empyreal Mendicant) |NPC | Sainted 1/2-Celestial/Human of the Smoking Eye Male |Monk 5/ Dawn Spear Adept 4 |Acting SSMC Chaplain; Vow of Poverty, Phenomenal Defensive Combatant & Longspear Fighter & Sebun-Do Expert; Master Physician, Sentinel, Aerobat, Diplomat; Top Scholar (Primary Philosophies - Arcane/ Planes/ Religion); Expert Historian, Heraldric Scholar, and Linguist
Achilles "Devil-Bane" MacAvemeth |srgonzo |Human Male |Fighter 11 |SSMC Sergeant; Primary Defensive Combatant; Infantry and Heavy Weapons Specialist
Endora the Witch |jmbrown |Human Female |Dread Necromancer 12 |Jasidian Liason to SSMC; Necromantic and Negative Energy Specialist; Wielder of Caput Mortuum; PsychWar and Battlefield Control Arcanist; Spell Mechanics Sage
Shensen Tesseril |NPC |Half-Drow Female |Monk 2/ Bard 1/ Druid 7/ Pathwarden 1 | Striders of Fharlanghn Team Leader & Liaison to SSMC; Divine Magic Specialization; Top Rated Nature Lore, Survival and Orienteering Master; Animal Control - Lion Tamer; Unarmed Expert and Acrobat
Fellian Shard |NPC |Male Half-Elf |Scout 5/ Cleric of Fharlanghn 4/ Pathwarden 2 | Striders of Fharlanghn Recon and Long-Range Expert - Guerilla Tactics; Dungeoneering Expert
Fario Ellegoth |NPC |Male Half-Elf |Rog 6/ Fighter 5| Striders of Fharlanghn Commando & Stealth Specialist - Guerrilla Tactics; Two-Weapon Master - Longsword/ Shortsword; Infantry Expert[/table]

[Thrakkanuur]

Alustrion continues to aid Rillian in his excavation of said cyst.

[jmbrown]

And Jalanar... waits.

[srgonzo]

The more time you spend looking to acquire more personal possessions, the closer the other parties are going to get to the tests. You're either getting farther behind, letting him get ahead, or reducing your lead.

Kaurophon appeals to the Empyreal Mendicant and Jalanar.

You and your compatriots have the skills and power you need to successfully purify Occipitus. Is it necessary to waste the opportunity to do so?

[lostsole31]

Perhaps, Tilukarl says, I can help us be more focused and healthy all in one shot. I can plane shift us to a glade that should still be relatively peaceable and isolated in the heavens. How about I plane shift us there while I and those of you who have spells waning can recharge there instead of here?

All of the NPCs agree that this is a good idea ... anything than spending another 'rest period' (such as it is) in the Abyss, and Tilukarl mentions that nothing untoward should attack the party meaning more rest and less watches.

What say Jalanar and Kaurophon? It's pretty obvious that in the party's currently low-power, wounded state that "No, we don't want to go to Heaven to rest safely in the comfort of Good before attacking Evil on its Home Turf" is not likely to sit well with the others, and they are not likely to be swayed.

[jmbrown]

Jalanar holds back a tear at the thought of resting in a higher plane while the essence of his dead companion is scattered in such a horrible place but he agrees that the abyss has taken its toll on his psyche. He'll prepare the same list of spells he's currently using.

[srgonzo]

I can't claim to be the leader of this group. I'm merely a guide. So if the representatives of Good collectively decide to let the representatives of Evil either establish or expand a lead towards our mutual goal in order to take time to lick their wounds, then I can't stop it. However, based upon my background, I don't think it would be a good idea for me to accompany all of you to the plane Tilukarl would suggest. Just remember that our opponents aren't likely to take a break while we're resting.

[lostsole31]

We should remember, Aaroniel says to the group, that Kaurophon survived here for some time on his own.

Aaroniel looks at Kaurophon. Kaurophon, I know you fear that your heritage may bring unwarranted attack and that our position may be suborned by rivals, but it seems that we can pretty much guarantee that we are beacons to the presence of Occipitus' denizens here. We have already given our position, and now our group desperately needs to heal and recover before going on to the second test and the possibility of facing Jalanar's massive construct aggressor from earlier this day.

Any other contact, likely hostile, will do nothing but drain our resources further and possibly interrupt worthwhile rest. So if we rivals catch up to us, for surely we will rest now - will you or no - we may be victorious, but we will be that much lesser overall.

If nothing else, I think the healing energies of Celestia will do well for our spirits, to remind us of what it is for which we fight, and to sharpen our souls like a whetstone to a sword. Jalanar, most of all, desperately needs this healing.The Mendicant scored a total of 44 on his Diplomacy check, 46 with Good creatures. Take it for what it's worth.

[srgonzo]

Then go. Perhaps it will be for the best. I might be able to make better progress toward our goal by myself than we can do as a group for the time being. Tilukarl, would you be able to plane shift everyone to my location if I remain on Occipitus?

[lostsole31]

No, I cannot, Kaurophon. My ability to plane shift does not always target the right spot, replies Tilukarl as he looks first at Kaurophon, and then to Klxzy.

Very well, says Klxzy to the group,we stay here. I need Kaurophon's sorcerous abilites in the group, and I without the lantern of guidance - which I will not bequeath to Kaurophon but will stay in Jalanar's use - Kaurophon has little chance of finding what he needs if he wants to be the one to free Occipitus from the Abyss.

[srgonzo]

I've already attempted to free Occipitus, and I can't do it myself. Very well, if I can't dissuade you from this delay, then I must hope providence will enable us to carry out this mission. Please be warned that we can't afford to repeat this kind of delay.

[lostsole31]

Even with Kaurophon's willingness to go to Celestia, Klxzy sticks with her final decision: the party will spend the next recovery period here on the Abyss.

[lostsole31]

Klxzy orders the manner in which the camp is to be set. Because the party didn't spend a full day on the march/ adventuring, and spell renewal/ healing is based on a 24-hour clock (not just 8 hours of rest), she starts sets the party out of the way of the main area of the Test of Resolve. She orders the flesh-like ground cut into, to hunker down in to reduce visible profile (for attack, not stealth). The area where the company is placed is within a relatively tight area of cysts, which offers good cover and a great 'battlement'-style of protection for the eternal watchstanders.

True stealth is right out, as Klxzy fully intends to use her protective aura as Alustrion and the Empyreal Mendicant both will sleep with their protective, glimmering auras up as well. Although he has no need to sleep, Alustrion has been taken off of watchstanding duties so that he, Tilukatl, and Jalanar may get complete rest.

Rillian and Alustrion, with Kaurophon's help, begins extricating the goods from the cyst that they found that contained the gleaming sword. They find a bastard sword, a cloak, and a set of bracers - all appearing to be of very fine quality. Kaurophon (to make this quick, Dave) casts a spell and determines that the following:Bastard Sword: aura of moderate evocation.
Cloak: aura of strong abjuration.
Bracers: aura of moderate transmutation.For now, Rillian puts these things in his haversack, and Alustrion reports the findings to Klxzy.

Party Status @ Time of RestWounded
Jalanar = 74%
Alustrion = 80%
Tilukatl = 18%.

Spells/Resources
Rillian: Rose Power depleted.
Mendicant: CSW SLA used (important because it is his only magical healing ability). Also, he cannot use his sun-healing ability here, because there is no sun.
Jalanar: 80% spell power.
Alustrion: All 3 uses of CLW used. 2:3 dispel magic remaining.
Kauropohon: All spell power remaining, but he has used several charges from his powered wand of magic missile.
Tilukatl: In addition to being severely wounded, all of his divine magic is expended from the time he was here when this part of Celestia fell into the Abyss and he was disabled.Basically, while the party in general looks pretty good ... there is no healing magic (for straight hit points) remaining. Mendicant, Alustrion, and Tilukatl are tapped out. Tilukatl is only a little better than the disabled condition you found him, and he has the greatest divine spellcasting power, but needs to regenerate that.

Tilukatl says that he will plane shift to Celestia to heal and recover - and considering his condition, he can plane shift at will, and he is accompanying the party but not truly under Klxzy's command Klxzy doesn't try to stop him.

The question might be raised (likely by Kaurophon) why the party is going to stop; that surely danger will find them as much as they look for it themselves. Klxzy's unmoving, unassailable reply (she ain't budgin' folks) is that as a Cuthbertine it is her divine missive to smite evil, but not to act as chaotically as a denizen of the Abyss. The party must be conservative, and move carefully regardless of personal matters (she would look pointedly at Jalanar and Kaurophon here). With no divine power left to heal, the party can only depend on protective and offensive measures, not restorative, and it is better to hunker down.

More than that, she would add, is that rovers seem powerful, sure ... but her intuition leads her to believe that the tests are where the real challenge is. With that in mind, welcome the attacks by evil as opportunities to grow in strength in before the challenges for which you are all destined to face.

Tilukatl leaves for Celestia after talking with Klxzy. Aaroniel meditates and tends to the wounds of Jalanar and Alustrion. Jalanar and Alustrion go down for rest. Kaurophon gets rest while he can, knowing that if he waits until later it may be too late.

After a full rest period, Tilukatl returns fully healed. Alustrion and Jalanar, with Mendicant's ministrations, healed fully over the rest period. All pray/ meditate/ study and regain their full complement of spells.

Jalanar, holding the lantern of guidance, begins his trek along the winding path in the Plain of Cysts to conduct the Test of Resolve. Here is what was learned from all of yesterday's attempts:At the end of the lantern-bearer's turn, he must be 15' farther down the path than he was at the start of the turn. If he isn't, the lantern-bearer and any other creatures within 20 feet - friend or foe - is teleported back to the ridge where the test begins. The 15'-wide (and tall, for flying higher than 15' is the same as straying off the path) isn't marked in any way, but the lantern of guidance shows the way clearly.Party Marching OrderJalanar takes the lead with the lantern.
Alustrion flies 15' above him, and 20' ahead.
Rillian is adjacent to Jalanar, immediately in front of him. (The lantern shines over his head.)
Mendicant is adjacent to Jalanar, on his right.
Klxzy is adjacent to Jalanar, on his left.
Kaurophon is 10' behind Jalanar (5' space between).
Tilukatl, a Large creature, is flying 15' above the ground, immediately behind Kaurophon.

As the party travels for some time in a nearly-impossible to map fashion (oh, if only Thrakka Nuur were here, with his minotaur ability to not be lost in a maze) ...

Spot & Listen Check ResultsSuccesses are ...
Rillian: Spot
Mendicant: Listen & Spot.
Klxzy: Listen & Spot.
Jalanar: Listen.
Alustrion: Listen & Spot.
Kauropon: Totally Clueless.
Tilukatl: Listen & Spot.

Everyone that succeeded on a Listen check hears the sound of something massive, akin to machinery, digging into the fleshy ground off the past. Everyone that makes a Spot check notices a very large shape. It actually was harder to detect than first thought because a large part of it is partially submerged, off the path aways, digging into the ground. For those that saw it...This creature looks like an enormous spider, standing twice as tall as a human. Its forelegs and in massive cleavers. Four bulbous eyes, a malevolent gleam in each one, rise out of its carapace.The creature, which was otherwise making plenty of noise and busy, is immediately distracted (by the only one to casual Hide/Move Silently check) and pops up to fix its gaze on the witless and unaware Kaurophon.

R1T26: Rillian, having made a Listen check during off-round, now succceeds on a no-action Spot check. Let's go! He hisses to Jalanar. I ain't tangling with that thing, and you need to keep moving. I'll take point as long as my little legs can.

With that (his rapier was already out, btw) he delays his action to coincide with Jalanar's movement.

R1T19: Poor Kaurophon, who otherwise won a great initiative roll, cannot go this round.

R1T18: Jalanar, go! We'll cover you. Your spells aren't going to do much against this thing! says Klxzy.

This thing is perpendicular to the 'path' taken by the group, and is 75' away.

Klxzy takes a full double-move at half speed (30' total) to maintain her Hide/MS and hunkers down behind a small cyst. [OOC: Remember, small cysts are roughly 5' x 5' x 5'.]

R1T13: Alustrion, seeing from Klxzy's actions that the tactic is to cover Jalanar's movement and attack this thing, charges it. He didn't have anything in hand to start with (he didn't want to be stuck with one role of melee or missile and waste time and drop weapons in battle, and his fist slam is dangerous in extremis anyway). With his protective aura already running, he speeds towards this Huge-sized thing while drawing Heaven's Heart (his adamantine longsword), which comes to flame as soon as he draws it from his scabbard (continual flame, no flame damage) and puts a little extra power into his swing.

Alustrion, a deva of the Heavens whose ample strength exceeds most conceptions of power possible in a frame his size by way of Coranthis, his belt, smashes his sword mightily into the thing's head, causing a moderate dent.

R1T12: The Empyreal Mendicant casts bless on the party (helping all but Alustrion).

That's a retriever! Mendicant calls out. It's not a spider or a demon, but an unholy construct that can heal its own wounds and has eye cannons that fire a variety of energies.

Mendicant then flies toward the creature and is adjacent to Alustrion.

R1T9: Despite the appearance of a second flying, angelic, glowing combatant - albeit unarmed, the retriever focuses its attacks on Alustrion. Even with his impressive defenses, 3 of 4 massive claws slash into Alustrion, wounding him heavily. The bite just barely misses. One of the eyes then fires a ray of searing heat which badly misses the agile Alustrion.

R1T8: Jalanar, it is your turn, and Rillian is prepped to double-move with you so you can continue the test while the others (Kaurophon unknown) continue on with the Test of Resolve. What do you do?

[jmbrown]

Jalanar move ahead 40ft and then recalls what he knows about retrievers.


[roll0]


He's specifically looking for information on a retrievers ability to see through illusions much like an erinyes. If they can't, Jalanar casts invisibility on himself not for stealth (as the light gives him away) but for added cover. If he finds retrievers can see through illusions, he casts grease on Alustrion knowing first hand the power of the monster's jaws.

[lostsole31]

R1T8: Jalanar moves 40' further down the path, with Rillian double-moving in front of him, from what we will designate as point "X", with any turns that may include. At the end of his movement, he casts invisibility. Though the light emitted by the lantern of guidance is readily visible (even if the lantern itself is not), Jalanar at least has the advantage of something akin to total concealment.

R1T7: Tilukatl flies to a height of 15' (to clear any large cysts) and 30' in the direction of the retriever. At the end of his movement he hovers, and casts a spell. Two fiery rays easily hits the Huge construct in the main body for 33 points of fire damage.

End Round One, Beginning Round Two ...

R2T19: Kaurophon shakes off his shock of the situation and may now act. Rillian and Jalanar have continued on the path, while the rest are fighting this thing. All you know about this thing is what The Mendicant has told you. What do you do?

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon defensively casts Mage Armor and uses the remainder of his action to get away from the retriever.

[lostsole31]

R2T19: Though Alustrion is wounded, Kaurophon understands that the heroic actions of the brawny half of the party (Alustrion, Mendicant, & Klxzy) is for naught if Jalanar can't make headway with his test. As a function of precaution against current (even though the retriever is 75' away) and future threats, Kaurophon casts mage armor and then flies 30 feet in Jalanar's direction. Flight so he doesn't have to worry about circumventing cysts and to try and close the fleet-footed Jalanar and his double-moving halfling escort. Mage armor will last for 11 hours!

R2T18: Klxzy sees that she doesn't have time to dally with a penetrating strike as the retriever has already badly wounded the deva in short order. She steps out from behind her cyst-cover and moves to another one that is 30' closer, using it for cover but not hiding, and lets loose with a light ray. I know its a construct, but I hope its presence on the Abyss is enough to tinge it with evil she thinks to herself. She points her hand and holy light shoots out to sear its abdomen for 16 points of damage!

R2T13: Now is not the time to withdraw for light healing, the Dawnstrider (Alustrion) thinks to himself, and he adjusts his fighting style from brutally offensive to a more cautious mien. He fights defensively and with two swipes at the things head his sword is rebuffed by the constructs heavy armor.

R3T12: Realizing that as a construct this thing cannot be properly flanked, Aaroniel channels both his ki and his holy power and launches out with a fist for a decisive blow. The retriever is surprisingly quick, however, and the energies required to place such a powerful blow are inaccurate ... and Aaroniel, too, misses.

R3T9: Unfazed by the damaging strike of the holy ray, the retriever mindlessly continues its dogged assault against Alustrion, even as it continues to heal the damage landed upon it by Alustrion previously.

The retriever lashes out, its first claw scraping hard against Alustrion's dense skin, but not cutting through. The blow is powerful enough to momentarily halt the angel as another claw rips into his buttocks and hip. Alustrion cries in pain and spins off of the claw, and manages to avoid the other two claws in doing so. The monstrosity launches forward to bite and scrapes against Alustrion's neck, but manages to draw no blood. The swivel of eyes shifts, and a white streak of cold energy shoots out of this new eye as Alustrion barely manages to dodge that, thanks to his defensive combat style.

R3T8: Jalanar, it is your turn ...

[jmbrown]

Jalanar moves ahead 40'. Readied action; if the retriever bites and grapples any of his allies he'll cast grease on them.

[lostsole31]

R2T8: Jalanar speeds forth another 40' (with Rillian covering) and then holds tactically to look back at the battle scene and gets ready to cover with a spell if needed.

R2T7: Tilukatl casts the same spell again, missing horribly (almost searing Alustrion) with the first ... but then adjusting and striking the retriever with a scorching ray on the second for 14 points of damage.

End Round Two, Begin Round Three ...

R3T19: Kaurophon uses a double-move flight to catch up to Jalanar.

R3T18: Klxzy holds her position and lets loose with a holy ray that strikes the retriever in the lower abdomen for 18 points of damage!

As that strike hits home, The Mendicant says, Alustrion, I believe this thing to be a standard mindless construct whose pattern is to focus attacks on the initial aggressor. Others have struck this thing for considerable damage, but it started attacking you and hasn't relented! Stay here as a target, but focus solely on defense. It has a much harder time hitting you already, and if it focuses on you while the rest of us beat on it ... it will fall down soon enough and you less harmed for it!

R3T13: Nodding at the wisdom of his liege's plan, Alustrion flies backwards a mere 5 feet for perspective and conducts a parry-only defense.

R3T12: The Mendicant again channels his ki and his holy power into his fist, allows his intutition and faith to guide his aim, and releases his power with a shout upon impact for 25 points of damage total, crumpling a large portion of its metal skull ... but not enough, and still it continues.

R3T9: Despite this last strike (and Klxzy and Tilukatl's holy power and magic), Mendicant's strategem proves true: it still tries to lay low the Dawnstrider. Alustrion doesn't even have to dodge the first claw, it goes wide at the moment of Mendicant's impact. Alustrion dodges the second claw deftly, but is not so lucky with a third as he is struck in the left forearm for 18 points of damage. Alustrion, howling in pain, barely deflects the last claw but is slowed such that the maw wraps itself around his head and closes its jaws. Alustrion's head, at an area just underneath the temples but not perfectly angled ... is separated and the brain ripped apart as the remainder of his lifeless body falls to the ground with his sword.

It fires an electrical ray from the next eye in its arsenal, but has little chance of connecting with The Mendicant and it blasts open a cyst 15' from Klxzy with a powerful jolt.

R3T8: Jalanar, you just witnessed Alustrion's last heroic flight before his head was ripped open by the retriever's bite. The Abyss has claimed yet another hero ... and a servant of the Heavens at that. Still, you realize there is little you can do for him. What do you do?

[jmbrown]

Jalanar silently curses Klxzy's decision to remain in the abyss as it's truly taken a toll on his preparedness. If only he had slept someplace comfortable (more importantly, comforting) last "night" he wouldn't have forgotten an important pre-battle tactic.

Jalanar tries to hit Mendicant with haste (50ft range) and spreads it to as many allies as possible. If that's not possible, he moves another 40'.

[lostsole31]

R3T8: Jalanar silently curses Klxzy's decision to remain in the Abyss as it's truly taken a toll on his preparedness. If only he had slept someplace comfortable (more importantly, comforting) last "night" he wouldn't have forgotten an important pre-battle tactic.

Jalanar looks at the distance, judging if he can caste haste, but realizes that the distance is too great, and instead continues to move briskly down the path the lantern points him towards, making sure not too go too quickly for his two escorts (Rillian & Kaurophon).

R3T7: Tilukarl again lets loose with two scorching rays for a total of 36 points of damage!!! One ray shoots through the head and the other through the abdomen, and the massive hulk crashes to the ground, inert.

[lostsole31]

Hmmm, could have sworn I posted today. Ah, well.

Tilukatl plane shifts Alustrion's body (and gear) to Celestia while Mendicant and Klxzy catch up with Jalanar. Once they catch up with Jalanar and Tilukatl returns, does Jalanar slow down to a more comfortable speed for the others (say 20'/ round) or does he move full Jovial Speed Ahead?

[lostsole31]

Hmmm, could have sworn I posted today. Ah, well.

Tilukatl plane shifts Alustrion's body (and gear) to Celestia for safekeeping for the time being while Mendicant and Klxzy catch up with Jalanar. Once they catch up with Jalanar and Tilukatl returns, does Jalanar slow down to a more comfortable speed for the others (say 20'/ round) or does he move full Jovial Speed Ahead?

[UserClone]

Alright, let's take it slow. Rillian you're on point. Be our eyes and ears. Keep as much distance as you need and be alert. Jalanar, I know you have to keep moving, but try to keep it slow for Rillian's sake. Medicant, you're our eye in the sky. Rillian can't see around every node at once, so you'll have to keep an eye out ahead of him from on high. Kaurophon, you're with me. We'll flank Jalanar and guard his ability to keep moving forward, whatever it takes. Remember that Tilukatl's plane shifting ability isn't very accurate, so even if he's already back on Occipitus, there's no telling how long it will take him to reach us again, if he even does. I know that it hurts to lose Alustrion, but we all need to focus right now, because I'm not about to lose another one of you. Understood?

[lostsole31]

Assuming Jalanar submits to the wisdom of Klxzy's leadership ...

Shattered Swords keeps moving over a minute, and Jalanar's invisiblity (and everyone else's bless) drops.

"Ayailla protect us!" says Mendicant, "There's an abyssal greater basilisk down there. Big as Thrakka Nuur was, and more dangerous. Yup, it sees me and is moving this way. It doesn't move any faster than Rillian, but it's going full clip. Standby, everyone, today we kill a powerful beast of evil because it looks like the lantern is heading in that very direction! Avert your eyes, for it will turn you to stone!!"

With that, Mendicant casts bless on everyone. Kaurophon's mage armor, is obviously still going.
Assuming that everyone is using a move action to continue down the path, everyone else can (if possible) take a free standard action before the thing appears to the main party and initiative is rolled. Feel free to roll initiative.

[jmbrown]

Jalanar casts haste haste on everybody. Determining the relative position of the basilisk based on where his allies are moving, Jalanar keeps his back to the creature at all times moving at half speed since he's walking backwards.

[UserClone]

[roll0]
Klxzy will attempt a hide behind a node that is near enough to the point where the creature will cross the path that she can sneak attack it with a light ray. (As a deathless creature, she obviously ignores the Medicant's warning about potential petrification, keeping her eye on the beast as best she can.)

[lostsole31]

Jalanar casts haste haste on everybody. Determining the relative position of the basilisk based on where his allies are moving, Jalanar keeps his back to the creature at all times moving at half speed since he's walking backwards.

Haste, good spell, got it.

Mendicant kind of intimates that the basilisk will be coming in from a forward arc, so good. Prepping to keep your gaze averted, also noted.

So, you hold the lantern above your head, but slightly in front of you (not your direction of travel) ... so the lantern can still mark the trail ahead, and you can see when it shifts to a new direction.

Jalanar's Initiative = [roll0].

Tilukatl disappears from view.

Rillian, though moving, sets up a whirling circle of parries and evasive movement (Total Defense).

What does Kaurophon do (roll initiative)?

[UserClone]

Klxzy begins thinking ahead. I hope Tilukatl can bring back someone that's been turned to stone. Klxzy focuses hard on the task at hand, bearing in her mind that only she, and perhaps the Mendicant, are immune to what is likely this fiend's most devastating attack.

[srgonzo]

Initiative: 1d20+3

Prepare to cast Glitterdust as soon as the basilisk gets in range.

[srgonzo]

Oops, I mean [roll0]

[lostsole31]

Kaurophon's Initiative: [roll0]

EDIT: Ninja'd.

[lostsole31]

The creature bounds into view, a thick-bodied purplish reptile with eight legs. Rows of bony spines jut from its back, and its eyes glow with malevolent, pale-green incandescence. It sports eight legs, and is about 13 feet long, and appears 60' away from Rillian and apparently on your current path.

R1T20:"Jalanar, go as slow as you dare to give me and Klxzy time to face this thing!" the Mendicant shouts. "Klxzy, the group will need your protective aura. Forget trying to go for precise areas, protect the group!"

In a burst of white wings, Mendicant speeds forth to meet this new threat. This time, however, even The Empyreal Mendicant seems to fall back on his more defensive martial form of Sebun-Do to protect him from a powerful opponent. Mendicant spends the remainder of this round conducting clumsy-looking probes, as he appears to be very cautious.

R1T19.9: This creature must possess some manner of low cunning, for it sidesteps the Mendicant despite the celestial man's presence immediately in front of it, ignoring him to move towards the party. Mendicant tries to strike it as it passes by, but only succeeds in his open palm bouncing off the creature's hide.

The creature is powerful, but not particularly agile and surprisingly slow as its many legs work to move its prodigious mass but do little to enhance it's speed. At the end of its movement, it is 30' from Rillian.

R1T17: Jalanar doesn't hear the thing closing to 35' of his position. Ostensibly, Jalanar understands the wisdom of Mendicant's plan and delays to allow Rillian to move forward first (so as not to trip on his heels).

R1T14: Klxzy abandons her hiding spot and uses a free action to move to a spot 15' ahead and to the side of Rillian (who is himself in front of Jalanar, who is delaying to allow Rillian to move) as she fires off a light ray. The ray grazes the abyssal basilisk weakly for a mere 7 hit points.

R1T12: Rillian, 30' from the critter, attempts to avert his gaze but cannot help but look at this thing. Still, Klxzy's protective aura now bubbles the group and her holy power infuses his body with a strength against the powers of evil ... for surely he would have been petrified otherwise. Rillian says, "I am going to go help Mendicant fight this thing to give you more time. I felt my body stiffen before I threw that last attack off, man, and I'm not going down crawling. If my rapier can help, that'll be better than standing here baby-footing and still being exposed to danger constantly!" Rillian moves with a charge, yet while his attack appears to be a reckless charge, he still manages to approach cautiously and defensively as he tries to be wary of the great beast. Despite his unusual mix of recklessnes and defense, Rillian's form appears perfect to the rest of you until his final stri! ke ... which goes wide due to his attempt to avert the creature's direct gaze. No matter, Jalanar's haste made

R1T11.9: Jalanar very carefully moves forward 15', keeping his back to this thing while holding the lantern just overhead ... but such that he can still see its light to keep his path clear. Klxzy is now directly in front of him.

R1T5: Jalanar and Kaurophon hear Tilukatl cast charm monster, but it appears to have failed against the monstrosity.

R1T4: Kaurophon's turn. What does he do?

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon casts Glitterdust on the creature.

[lostsole31]

R1T4: Kaurophon gets a devious idea and casts glitterdust, targeting the basilisk. The golden spell tracer exits the interior of Klxzy's divine protective aura, only to be swallowed up by The Mendicant's aura - as he is adjacent to the basilisk with his own aura active.

End Round One, Begin Round Two ...

InitiativeMendicant: 20
Abyssal Greater Basilisk: 19.9
Klxzy: 14
Rillian: 12
Jalanar: 11.9
Tilukarl: 5
Kaurophon: 4

R2T20: Mendicant - affected by bless & haste; protective aura active; directly behind basilisk (after movement this round), 10' off ground.

The Mendicant, realizing that trying to interpose himself would be pointless, effortlessly uses aerobatics to follow the beast and close in for another attack. Now having conducted his probing attacks, Mendicant averts his eyes from the large monster in front of him, and with the help of the spells upon him lashes out defensively, striking the creature solidly on the left hip. The basilisk howls in pain as Mendicant's shobo-wrapped fist, strength and saintly power do significant damage; had this thing been a normal basilisk, it would have felt the blow solidly, but its ties to the Abyss - though making it more powerful - causes ever more pain to it (20 hp).

R219.9: The basilisk attempts to overrun Rillian after moving 15'. Rillian stabs at the creature has corsucating colors of energy wash over his rapier until a red burst burns the creature. The creature is surprisingly deft (10 hp fire damage, made Ref save), but Rillian's rapier strikes true in the creature's chin for 11 hit points! As brave and agile as he is, Rillian knows that as strong as thing looks, and as as big as it is, he doesn't have a harlot's chance in heaven on halting this thing in its tracks and so he avoids it.

The thing continues on, but Rillian attacks it a second time and grazes its side for 4 points of damage as it now stands directly in front of (read: adjacent) to both Klxzy and Jalanar (whose back is turned on it), and can still use reach to attack Kaurophon (who is directly behind/in front of Jalanar). Rillian is averting his gaze, Jalanar's back is turned to the thing, but Klxzy, Mendicant, Tilukatl, and Kaurophon are not averting their gazes (either because they don't need to, or haven't had the chance). Klxzy stares at it menacingly (aura of menace) but this thing is nonplussed by so puny a foe, and it stares directly back at her. Nothing happens, and the basilisk tips its head inquisitively.

R2T14: Klxzy's turn ...

[UserClone]

Klxzy draws alakast, shifting to reach a flanking position and whipping the mighty quarterstaff again and again at the hideous creature as Rillian continues his distracting attacks opposite her.


[roll=Damage1]9d6+1d8+7

[roll=DamageHaste]9d6+1d8+7

[roll=Damage2]9d6+1d8+7

[UserClone]

[roll0]
[roll1]


[roll2]
[roll3]

[roll4]
[roll5]

Drumroll...142 damage, bitches! Eat holy, righteous sneak attack, you unholy ****!

[lostsole31]

R2T14: Klxzy takes a firmer grip on Alakast, which after Alustrion's death was held more as an afterthought than as a weapon. But now, seeing Rillian distracting it on the other side, setting up her up for a brutal flurry, she lets loose with all of her physical might, all of Alakast's power against what is revealed through her strikes as an evil outsider, all of her own holy power as a saint, finally combined with her expert skirmishing tactics.

The first blow smashes out one of its several knees, the second shot shatters the foot holding that same leg, and the third shot flattens the shoulder of the same. All of the bones in that limb powdered, the flakes tear into its flesh and enter its own blood stream as bony shrapnel and impurities.

R2T12: But teamwork is not made up of the efforts of one person, for now the second denominator in this killing field makes his attacks, albeit cautiously. As the basilisk whips around in fury at the wolfpack tactics it suddenly finds itself in, Rillian nicks it in the cheek for 20 points of damage. Not a lot of damage, but enough for the basilisk to pause suddenly to ponder eating this runt.

Foolish hesitation, for Rillian comes in with a fine critical to its forehead for 21 damage. The shot is so perfect that the rapier lingers long enough for two colors to burst forth down the length of the blade: indigo and yellow. The basilisk manages to pull back from the head wound in time for the indigo ray to dissipate, but the yellow ray - made of electricity - arcs the small distance. Even though the basilisk, from a race of magical beasts which, through its bloodline in the Abyss is a born survivor of the Outer Worlds, manages to move deftly enough to create a higher resistance ... it is not enough for the wounds suffered are so grievous and the electrical damage so great that it falls.

Rillian, with his last stroke, manages another perfect shot to the head for 10 damage, plus an additional 20 points of fire damage. Rillian's rapier burns a hole through the center of its brain.

End Combat ...

There is no time to applaud the brilliant sword/staffsmanship of the party's well-outfitted rogues (nor the stupidity and ill-luck of the beast to have put its own self into its final, perilous stance) for Kaurophon - seeking to be rid of this place (as he begin to feel his body stiffen slightly before the thing was killed - turns Jalanar around so they can continue to the end of the Test or the next challenge within...

[lostsole31]

End of the Path

As the characters continue through more winding passages, the light ahead begins to drift downwards, as if to no longer point generally down the path so much as to point towards a specific spot on the ground.

Rillian hides in plain sight to check this area out. A minute goes by, and it becomes apparent that Rillian is no longer to be found. Jalanar, knowing that he cannot afford to question the test (or risk being teleported back to the beginning) storms through, along with everyone else - severally or together.

It turns out it is a cleverly hidden teleportation circle that takes you to an area that Kaurophon refers to as one of several "fibrous forests".

Either the same or a different mummy lord protector is present. Once all of the PCs are through, it speaks:

"Heed the words of Adimarchus. You have passed the Test of Resolve. Attend to the wisdom of Adimarchus! Let neither riches nor weaponry, neither allies nor enemies, tempt you from your course. Instead, spread such distractions before your rivals. The lantern shall guide you to the final test: the Test of Sacrifice. Your ascension to the throne draws nigh!"

"Sacrifice?" asks Rillian, "Like we haven't sacrificed enough!"

The lantern of guidance appears to be pointing inthe general direction of the Skull. Kaurophon is able to estimate, based upon the stream of plasm eddies coming out of the Skull Mountain, that you are now on the other side of Occipitus from the Test of Resolve, and only about 50 miles away from the skull. He also reminds you that the party cannot linger here at all. Any attempt to stay put more than a few seconds would have the tendrils of the fibrous forest grab at you - slowly and weakly perhaps - but nonetheless grab you and slowly consume you within hours.

The party sets out immediately, and exits the forest within two hours, coming out onto another vast, fleshy plain. With the lantern - and a healthy dose of PC intuition - there is no doubt in anyone's mind that you are being led to the Skull.

[srgonzo]

Rillian, the sacrifice we're talking about is the ability to let go of things which aren't important to our goal. Aaroniel knows about this kind of challenge. That doesn't necessarily mean dropping your most prized possessions right here and now, but we can't get too attached to non-essentials.

[lostsole31]

Aaroniel listens to Kaurophon's rebuke carefully, and then studies the faces and posture of each member of the party. Aaroniel asks Klxzy to stop for a few minutes for a break and then pulls her off to the side away from the rest of the party...
The following speech is spoken quietly in Celestial, not Common ...

First of all, Klxzy, I never got the chance to congratulate you. That was some amazing teamwork and precision you showed back there, at a level that far exceeded my finest work ever with the longspear. I was really impressed.

What I really wanted to talk to you about is in what I perceive to be my role in this group: that of healer and spiritual advisor; to see to the continued physical well-being, as well as the mental and emotional, of this group as best I can manage despite a cleric being more suited to mass healing.

We need to go, Klxzy. The Heavens saw fit to give us the means to aid someone who in turn provides us with a powerful gift: Tilukatl and his limitless ability to plane shift. We all have suffered and lost on this trip. The Test of Resolve is over. I trust that Kaurophon's worries about rivals are true, but we must remember that we are not the force of Chaos and we must approach our mission with determination, but caution.

But we need to go to Celestia while Tilukatl is here to give us that ability. We need to go to Celestia, and have a night of peace and true rest. We need to reflect on all that we have experienced. We need to provide ourselves just a little time to mourn our fallen. We need to spritually recharge; not just physically rest for what rest do we truly receive on this plane?

I for one wish to travel to my mother's Celestial abode and lay Alustrion to rest and put his body in their care, is possible.

Rillian nearly turned to stone today. I saw it, and only your aura with all of the divine magic working at its very hardest managed to turn the power of the great basilisk's gaze from ending him as a stone fixture on this flesh-grounded rot of a world. He has sagged ever since, lost his endearing self, and now moves listlessly, as if waiting to die for want of any sign of relief.

Jalanar has also lost his zest. Poor circumstance for a worshiper of Lashtai. Jalanar won't admit it, because he wants to get out of here for good, not just for a little bit; but, he needs to come to the realization of loss for Skeefosefer and allow himself grief and to remember her properly so he can find true resolve and not just blind desperation. I think he actually hoped to spend last night in Celestia.

That plan, however, was derailed by Kaurophon ...

I didn't trust him when first he joined our group - that while Nidrama sent a missive for us to look for the sign he provided that perhaps we would be involved with strange bedfellows. I was wrong. He has proven himself absolutely committed and dedicated to this cause, and while severe in nature I believe he really is desperate to see Occipitus freed from the yoke of evil.

The problem is that even those of good-heart, or those who are conflicted and seeking redemption on a good path, can be blinded to their causes, quests, and beliefs to the detriment of others. If Kaurophon has shown any sin, it is that one.

I beg you, regardless of the fact that we really have only begun our day here ... with the tremendous combat against the retriever and the basilisk, let us rejoice in the blow we have struck against evil, the progress we have made, but lift our spirits by allowing ourselves to face both the good and bad and conscientiously strive forward again with purpose reaffirmed.

If Kaurophon takes it upon himself to demand to stay, even when Jalanar has the lantern, he is exposed and alone on the plains, and the rest of us are seeking a period of respite and comfort, than we have given him a choice for wisdom and companionship and he has refused it. I won't knock him out to force him from his position; he must exercise his free will. But, I fear that such total lack of judgement means that he is more dangerous to the party as a mindless zealot than ever he could be if he were a wolf in sheep's clothing.

OOC: To note, in addition to those things which you ascribe to Klxzy's mental/ spiritual/ emotional state, Occipitus is mildly chaotic- and evil-aligned, making you extremely uncomfortable (-4 to all Charisma-based skill and ability checks).

I just rolled 'behind-screen' and Mendicant rolled a natural '20' on his Diplomacy check. His nimbus of light is running (because with his protective aura, which he won't drop in this place, it just doesn't hurt any more since he's already a beacon), which helps (with you, as a good creature) offset the uneasy feeling he has (-4 to the check, as above).

Total Diplomacy check = 43.

[UserClone]

Klxzy gives the Mendicant a hard look, then draws a breath, letting it out in a sigh. As much as she wishes it were otherwise, she knows his council in this case is wise.

"We first depart for Celestia. Heal our wounded, bury our dead..." At this last, a wistful look can be seen in her eye. "...and rest our souls. We will need it. Tilukatl, can you plane shift us all in one trip?"

[lostsole31]

[OOC: The latter is said, of course, after you return to the group.]

I can send seven souls your size to Celestia, says Tilukatl ... sibilantly.

[srgonzo]

Very well, I couldn't dissuade you earlier, and I suppose I can't dissuade you now. I just hope we still have an opportunity to free Occipitus.

[jmbrown]

Rillian, the sacrifice we're talking about is the ability to let go of things which aren't important to our goal. Aaroniel knows about this kind of challenge. That doesn't necessarily mean dropping your most prized possessions right here and now, but we can't get too attached to non-essentials.

Jalanar weakly scoffs at this.

"Sacrifice is a double sided coin. Good creatures sacrifice their own possessions out of humility. Evil creatures sacrifice others to gain power. If the tale of Adimarchus and the fall of Occipitus is any indication of the final test, the sacrifice won't be material."

"The situation has crossed my mind before. Die to save the world and never see the fruits of your labor or sacrifice someone else in your place to achieve the same result. And I pose this question to everyone. Are you willing to end your life without question if it meant saving a hundred people? Five people? One person?"

[srgonzo]

That's an interesting question. How many of your compatriots sacrificed their lives for you? Would you have done the same, given the opportunity? Did you have the opportunity and fail to act? Self-preservation is one of the most powerful impulses a person has, and any one of us might be able to rationalize preserving our own lives for the 'greater good.' More importantly, freeing Occipitus may mean sacrificing the freedom needed to carry out other missions you may have in the future. Are you willing to sacrifice the ability to return to your own plane for the benefit of freeing this one?

[lostsole31]

Mendicant says: We are committed to this path - in such regards as we do not sacrifice our principles, those principles and compassions which give us our strength - not for the sake of Occipitus itself ... that is your quest.

Our quest is to seek the Smoking Eye, which we are doing, but not for its own sake. The end goal is cryptic to us, but handed to us by a trusted divine source. If nothing else, it is a worthy quest for us to undertake while we allow things back home and our lack of presence there - that would be in Cauldron - to settle down while we 'lay low' and gain power through our exploits here.

But again, this is a middling ground for a greater conquest that is far more temporal and immediate in priority than this plane. I absolutely believe that if it is possible, the concept of freeing Occipitus from the Abyss is a great blow against the forces of evil and chaos. Surely, Kaurophon, you must realize that whatever we do here on this quest ...

... we will never see its dramatic conclusion before the plans of the Cagewrights is initiated back home. You must have the wisdom to realize that if we earn the right of "ruling" Occipitus to free it, planar mechanics ensures that it will be a slow process, not dramatic.

Mendicant looks at Klxzy and the rest. If we slaughter our own selves by not taking the necessary precautions in this quest, it is not Occipitus' fate for which I fear: but that of our home and our world.

Kaurophon, we prepare to leave to fortify ourselves: spiritually, physically, and in all ways. We prepare to leave to remember why we must return. We prepare to leave to return in strength.

But most of all, regardless of reason, we are immediately preparing to leave.

Deliberate and stall us no longer or prove yourself a worthy inheritor of your blood. Do you leave with us and enjoy the welcoming warmth of Celestia and companionship, or do you stay here alone with little chance of survival to satisfy your hubris?

[srgonzo]

If you'll recall, I said I've accepted the fact that I can't dissuade you from this course of action. There's no need for further delay, so let's go.

[UserClone]

Looking to Tilukatl, Klxzy nods her head slightly.

[lostsole31]

Tilukatl instructs you all to get into a circle and link hands. There is a holy glade where Alustrion lies that gathers as a conduit those seeking that place with plane shift, so there is no getting off course. You arrive there, and already there is another couatl and a deva there investigating the body.

Tilukatl explains who Alustrion was, who the party is, where he [Tilukatl] has been for centuries, and begs the deva help him deliver Alustrion to Madriel while the party seeks solace in the holy glade where exists a peace and harmony that none of you have ever truly known. The deva, named Markonel, agrees and takes Alustrion's body and equipment and teleports away.

Klxzy, The Mendicant, & Tilukatl were most drastically affected by their simple presence on the Abyss, though each held up best in their own way. Jalanar and Rillian were also badly affected by the pervasive evil, but their free-wheeling ways and adaptability made them less susceptible to the Abyss' taint.

But now you are on a layer of Celestia that warms you with the power of a sun lit by Holy Flame. There is a concordant sense of peace, harmony, and something else ... love? ... that pervades this place. All concepts of nobility, justice, righteousness, truth, and compassion are in every beautiful speck of every particle of this plane and nothing that comes here is without feeling that very thing.Joe, see your PM inbox.

[UserClone]

"Everyone take some rest. That's an order. Kauruphon, you'll stick with me. Like you said, you're the only one in danger here, so you'll need an advocate."

Klxzy looks at Kaurophon long enough to see that he is following her, then departs, traveling a distance from the party.

[lostsole31]

There is no one in sight of you and the party. The couatl that was discussing things with the deva when you arrived left soon after Markonel left with Alustrion's remains.

[jmbrown]

Jalanar silently scours the land for a fruit tree and some shade and after having his fill of food and water he meditates for the rest of the day.

[lostsole31]

There is an orchard nearby that has no fence or enclosure. The orchard contains carefully cultivated rows of nearly every fruit tree and bush you have ever known. Each plant is the finest specimen of its kind, in perfect health, and yields fruit that is larger than normal but with a flavor (should you try it) that is beyond anything you have ever had on the mortal planes. The flavor of the fruit, the perfection of all that exists, is so overpowering that Jalanar is brought to tears in his solace.

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon follows Klxzy around until he has an opportunity to rest. No point in wasting valuable rest time, right?

[UserClone]

Klxzy turns to Kaurophon while they walk, speaking. They stop about a hundred feet from the rest of the party, and from about a five-foot distance, she speaks matter-of-factly.

Klxzy draws Alakast, but does not posture herself for combat. It appears to be a defensive measure. All of her auras and nimbuses are active.

[lostsole31]

[OOC: She doesn't "draw" Alakast, because you have no place where you would 'put' it. It's a walking stick. It is silly to assume that you would put it in your HHH. So if I get this right, you hold out Alakast in front of you, but you are not combative?]

[UserClone]

((Correct. She is alert to the possibility of attack, but not posturing for an attack of her own.))

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon seems concerned, yet unfrightened.

[lostsole31]

Yeah? And? PM or post, dude ... but what do you answer. Is your quiet posturing your answer?

[srgonzo]

I PM'd my post to FlWiPig, neglected to include you. Perhaps he can forward? I already deleted it from my sent files.

[lostsole31]

Several envoys from the Court of Madriel appear, since Alustrion was taken to him. The envoys include several high-level souls that work in her court in varying capacities. They speak to Mendicant.

The Mendicant then approaches Klxzy and says, "I have discussed our situation with my mother's people. They cannot offer direct aid, of course, but I let them know our supplies are dwindling. We have earned much in the way of coin and magic which you and Rillian hold in the packs as party treasure. In addition, depending upon how much we have we can raise or resurrect Master Chin and possibly the same with Alustrion, though Madriel says that the heroic mortal's life is higher for this purpose than Alustrion."

Assuming that Klxzy doesn't suddenly become greedy, there is a Master Appraiser and his apprentice and three mages of varying power - all to appraise artwork and identify items.

And so the tabulation begins ...

[lostsole31]

One of the appraisal servants looks at the equipment that you set to the side for "not for sale" items (Master Chin's equipment that either is in general party treasury or in use by characters as "borrowed" equipment) and nearly gasps. He talks with the head of the envoy. The envoy talks to Mendicant. The envoy then talks to a visiting Ayaillan priest that offered to be in this envoy.

The envoy asks if he may speak to Master Chin's soul through the ashes that Klxzy collected. She casts speak with dead and the following transcribes in Celestial, and no attempt will be made by any envoy or by the Mendicant to interpret for Kaurophon:"I am Havoniel of Ayailla, servant to Madriel in her court in Celestia, the latter plane in which your friends take refuge from their trials in the Abyss.

"Your party does not have the funds to conduct a full resurrection of you without spiritual diminishment. If you forgo ownership of the Scales of Balance, that item will act as the full donation required for a senior cleric to cast true resurrection upon you, with no further donation requested of your friends. This will allow you to be raised with the most capable means of helping you in your mission in the Abyss.

"Do you accept this contract for continued life in the service of compassion and justice at the side of your friends and in the pursuit of your oath?"

Master Chin's soft voice responds: "I readily lay down my goods that my life may continue the noble quest which I was undertaking at my death."

The cleric then looks at those present (Jalanar is in an orchard) and says, "We shall retire for a few hours to discuss this matter with Madriel. Alustrion is to remain with her for honorable rites, so no coin must be spent in that. The rightful owner of the Scales of Balance, as you may have heard Exalted Martyr, is bequeathed to us for the price of his continued whole and undiminished life.

The lead envoy then says, "If you wish to sell anything you have, or to purchase supplies, please let me know. Here is a list of all goods which you have, their finest appraisement, and an identification of all magics requested of us."

At that, the lead envoy hands Klxzy a piece of paper with the full tally upon it. It is written in Celestia:
GP’s: (6631)
PP’s: (345)
SP’s: (307)
CP’s: (596)
Gems [Klxzy]: (2) 1000 gp. (1) 800 gp. (2) 500 gp. (2) 400 gp. (6) 100 gp.
Jewelry/ Art [Klxzy]: (2) gold-plated, ruby-studded horncaps (1000 gp each). Gold nosering (100 gp). Platinum ring, large (100 gp).
Jewelry/ Art [Rillian]: (5) baboon masks (gold-plated darkwood, human-size mask, 350 gp each). 12 pc of asst silverware – jugs, plates, bowls (350 gp total). 100 gp of jewelry (used for fine affairs). (4) gold candelabras (250 gp). Platinum-and-teak music box (1000 gp). Rolled-up oil portrait of a lillend (100 gp). Statuette of Kyurek, favored of Pelor (150 gp). Embroidered silk mantle (100 gp). Slightly torn oil portrait of Lake Empyrea (200 gp). Lightning bolt amulet carved in ebony (150 gp). Blown-glass hurricane lamp (100 gp). Torn oil portrait of Sacrema the planetar (380 gp). Gold cup set with sapphires (2500 gp). Hezrou comb, gold, w/ red garnet eye (700 gp). Coral brooch w/ olive jasper setting (400 gp). Mwk ivory harp w/ golden strings (750 gp).

[I]Identify requests

Ring of Protection +2, qty 2, saleable for 4,200 gp apiece.
- These were the rings remaining that were taken off of the 3 false sisters.
- One belongs to Master Chin, the other is held, but not worn, by Jalanar.
Necklace of Fireballs, Type III, no sale offered.
- Worn by Klxzy. 1 bead remaining for 3d6 damage, the other two for 5d6.
+1 light mace, saleable for 1210.125 gp.
+1 wounding spear, saleable for 9608.025 gp.
- Was not recognized as anything other than masterwork.
- Was the weapon of Liuvash the succubus.
Psionatrix of telepathy, saleable for 4,200 gp.
- Belonged to Yevgeniy, now deceased and buried.
+1 holy bastard sword, saleable for 9608.025 gp.
- One of the three items found in the cyst during the Test of Resolve.
- Klxzy can use this item, if she gives Alakast to Chin, until she gets hold of Kamoro's Katana; katana = bastard sword for weapon proficiencies and skills.
Cloak of Resistance +3, saleable for 4725 gp.
- One of the three items found in the cyst during the Test of Resolve.
- Big item for anyone to use that don't have a cloak and need good saves.
Bracers of archery (lesser), saleable for 2625 gp.
- One of the three items found in the cyst during the Test of Resolve.
- Good item for Rillian, since he is both primary swordsman and archer.

Other requested Appraised items

+2 Large Mithral Chain Shirt, saleable for 3255 gp.
- Belonged to Amdusaes von Clave.
+2 Large Spiked Chain, saleable for 4383.75 gp.
- Belonged to Amdusaes von Clave.
Cloak of Resistance +1, saleable for 525 gp.
Ring of Protection +1, saleable for 1050 gp.

Donation to be paid for identify spells given at cost: 1200 gp.

Master Stonepuddle requested the following appraisal of personal items (he paid identify costs):

Leather Armor of Shadow +1, saleable for 2181.375 gp.
Monk's Belt, saleable for 6825 gp.
So, the gravy train is here, folks. Before you jump back into the Abyss, it's a good idea to maximize your gear while you not only have the chance, but sellback of non-useful items is at +5% bonus. Do remember that there is a 1200 gp "donation" (read: fee) that needs to be paid for the identify of everything listed .. not only for items you didn't know, but also for items you did know but might sell.

So, who is putting their bid in for what items? Once that is done, what is to be done with party treasury? Hold onto it? Liquidate it and conduct shares-given as appropriate? Choose by party for items to get for the group? Rillian wants to conduct treasure split so he can sell off his armor and purchase better equipment.

Master Chin is due to return later that day, supposedly hale and hearty. Obviously, his items are returned to him (as is SSMC Standard Operating Procedure) by those that borrowed those items. Unless, of course, Klxzy renigs on her promise to him ...

Klxzy getting the holy bastard sword - since she is good with bastard sword/ katana - and Master Chin getting use of Alakast to replace Scales of Balance - and because he is a staff specialist. Rillian declines to get the lesser bracers of archery, because he wants to invest in bracers of armor; he is now at a point in his duelist training where - even with the shadow quality of his armor - it just isn't worth it for him to wear armor at all, but he wants something for those rare things that get the jump on him since most of his defense is based on him moving out of the way.

Obviously, Rillian goes to tell Jalanar what's up so he can get in on the action.

[lostsole31]

So, here is the grand total from sold items, jewelry, etc., earned by the party:
SSMC only = 36,011.41 gold pieces
SSMC + Kaurophon = 8855 gold pieces
Grand Total = 44866.41

Here's the split ...

SSMC: Each member gets 8678.11 gold pieces.
SSMC Treasury: 8678.23 gold pieces.

Kaurophon: 1475.83 gold pieces.

Obviously, The Mendicant gives his to charity, citing an area in Furyondy that needs an orphanage. The only thing that is purchased on his behalf is a new longspear.

Rillian, with his split + his sellback, has a total of 17684.49 gold pieces earned. This gives him enough to get +4 bracers of armor with more than 1500 left over.

I know Jalanar was interested in wands, scrolls, etc. ... but it's not enough to give me an idea of what nearly as it is to know exactly what it is you are looking to get.

So, does anyone else want anything?

[UserClone]

Erm, a katana...?

[lostsole31]

A magical katana, or just one to use until such time as you return back to Cauldron and wield the katana that you trained yourself to use (which is as much a function of honor as anything)?

[jmbrown]

Jalanar's shopping list

Wand of cure light wounds (750) (he "loans" this to Klxzy for emergency healing)

Scroll of teleport (1125) and he pens it in his book (500)
Scroll of dimension door (700) and he puts it in his book (400)
Scroll of enlarge person mass (700) and he puts it in his book (400)
Scroll of slow (375) and he puts it in his book (300)
Scroll of tiny hut (375) and he puts it in his book (300)

Grand total should be 5925gp +/- whatever discounts.

[jmbrown]

Additional purchase: Jalanar buys a scroll of alarm and the materials necessary to copy it in the future.

[lostsole31]

If you have the money, do you also want to continue buying the inks and such for the other spells that you have yet to pen in your book?

[UserClone]

Oh my bad, I had thought that katana was lost to the void. Okay, I'll just rock the holy bastard sword for now.

[lostsole31]

Yeah, Kamoro's Kakita Katana was listed on Party Treasury, but on the 2nd page for being stored at the mercenary house on reverent display.

[jmbrown]

If you have the money, do you also want to continue buying the inks and such for the other spells that you have yet to pen in your book?

Not right now.

[lostsole31]

Rillian will ask Klxzy if he can borrow 3500 gp from either the Party or from herself to buy the next best bracers of armor possible (+5, vice +4)?

Purchase that which you listed in Posts #67 & 68, not counting the wand of cure light wounds, costs you a grand total of 4770 gp. Jalanar notes that he is getting a whopping 10% discount! Not discounted is another scrollcase. I have updated your sheet to note (they're at the bottom of "Private Notes") not only what scrolls are in what case, but also which ones for which you have prepared the inks. Don't worry, it is fine when you do want to start copying scrolls into books that you swap one spell of one level for another of the same level.

The Mendicant recommends that, since there is a party treasury, Klxzy simply purchase a similar healing wand using those funds, since that is what it is there to accomplish. Since cure light wounds doesn't really heal a lot when Klxzy would be emergently called upon, cure moderate wounds is better. A wand of cure moderate wounds could be bought for a 20% discount at a value of 3600 gp. However, at these prices a wand of cure serious wounds would only cost 9000 gp. That would require some pooling of the extra 300+ gp if folks are willing (preferably SSMC only since it is being bought with those funds).

If in that case Klxzy wanted to help out Rillian so he can be protected by bracers of armor +5, Rillian would have to borrow directly from Klxzy. This shouldn't be a problem, for while Rillian makes an incredible rogue, he has never done anything with Klxzy's knowledge that would mark him as either a thief or a welcher on debts. It would also be a roundabout way to ensure Rillian's continued work with the group since: a) he would really need to stick around adventuring with SSMC to make good on his payment, and b) he might be honorbound to be with SSMC longer since this deed has been performed.

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon purchases a scroll of baleful polymorph.

[jmbrown]

Jalanar's tired of seeing good people dying. He covers most if not all of the remaining gold to purchase a decent wand.

[lostsole31]

That will help, but I need Klxzy to first make that decision on buying either the CMW or CSW wand, though Mendicant mentions that when it is required and emergent, greater healing will be needed to defray the "cost" of losing the team's leader for a round of combat.

Also, looking for Klxzy to provide some decision for Rillian's request on borrowed funds to get a better set of bracers of armor ... especially at these prices! (Healing is 20% discount, everything is 10% discount. Anything Kaurophon requested is at cost. It seems that they are interested in not only who you are now, but the mission you are undertaking.)

By the way, it was not forgotten that Tilukatl was helping ... but he chose not to deal with what very little he might have gotten as a share for the selling of the bracers of archery because he was happy to be freed.

However, given his conduct in the Test of Resolve (wherein he was freed) with his aid in defeating the retriever and the abyssal greater basilisk, aiding the wounded, bringing you here to do all you are doing including bringing back a dead compatriot ... Tiluktal asks Klxzy to be freed of his bond to continue with the party. He will stay if she demands it, because that is his devotion to his oath; but he simply asks to be freed of that oath. If this is so, he will take the group back to the Occipitus tomorrow after you have all rested.

[UserClone]

Klxzy decides to go with cure serious wounds, and offers to pay for Rillian's bracers, on the condition that he stay with the group until at least such time as he is able to pay her back for their purchase.

To Tilukatl, she only asks: "How are we to return from Occipitus without you, mighty one? Of course you hereby are freed from your obligation, but I entreat you still to help us, as your counsel is wise, and your power great, but most important is your ability to travel the planes."

[lostsole31]

All of the gold and platinum earned as party treasury has now been emptied out. Klxzy is also able to hock Amdusaes von Clave's non-magical weaponry: a Large masterwork dagger, and two large spiked gauntlets, for a total of 170.1 gp. Klxzy wouldn't sell Thrakka's Jasidian ceremonial dagger, if not for a memento of the honorable minotaur warrior.

That leaves 151.9 gp. Another 89.9 gp is paid by Jalanar before he is wiped out. The remaining 62 gp is picked up by Klxzy.

In addition, Klxzy loans Rillian 2336 gp on the understanding that he must remain with the group for however long it takes for him to pay back his debt to Klxzy.
.................................................. .................................................. ...

Klxzy-&-Tilukatl: [This conversation is NOT public, is conducted in Celestial, and definitely out of earshot of Kaurophon as well as others. Only Aaroniel is also present, at Tilukatl's behest.] "The Mendicant was kind enough to tell me that Kaurophon provided you and Jalanar both with scrolls of plane shift. Ne'ertheless, you have freed me openly, and for that I am beholden. I do not believe that Occipitus can be saved in your lifetime, though the skills you learn fighting evil, and the trials in overcoming the three Tests, will better prepare you all for what lies back on your home world.

"To me, the battle for our portion of Celestia was lost long ago; I know for I was in that battle and that is how I came to be where you found me. But you have divine guidance and we are not one big, happy, holy network collaborating together up here in the Upper Planes. I believe I have heard of Nidrama, and she is wise though a bit too involved. Being on Occipitus is wearying to my heart for the battle we lost so your entreaty on this matter, now that I am freed, no longer speaks to my heart.

"But for your honor, that must be rewarded. If it should come to pass that you must gather all the heroes you can because the Cagewright plan Aaroniel has told me of may come to pass, then you may call upon me. This is not a magical call, mind you, but if you have any chance of beating anything that is world-threatening you had better learn, or find someone who can learn, the abilities to travel here and/ or contact me. When you do so, I will be here in Mercuria, and a simple sending will then work."
Tilukatl says whatever final goodbyes are needed, though conspicuously makes no effort to say goodbye to Kaurophon, and then flies away, promising to return on the morrow.

All contracts, deals, loans, and requests complete ... later that evening the envoys finally return with all new materials. They tell you Master Chin has successfully been resurrected with no spiritual or life energy depletion and will join you tomorrow. Also, the lead clerical envoy of Madriel promises to feed all of you ... including food that Klxzy can enjoy and derive benefit ... to help in taking the good fight to the Abyss.

[UserClone]

Klxzy makes a mental note to be sure to give Master Chin back his remaining items, including of course Alakast.

[lostsole31]

Klxzy makes a mental note to be sure to give Master Chin back his remaining items, including of course Alakast.

[OOC: Already done on paper.]

[lostsole31]

The party sleeps in the orchard wherein Jalanar initially sought peace, and Klxzy keeps her eternal watch. The orchard, while not acting like a minor globe of invulnerability, nonetheless is powered by a double-strength protection from evil spell like the saints' auras, so she doesn't need to burn brightly and keep her friends awake.

Everyone sleeps incredibly well and peacefully, regardless of their mental state. All but one ... whose fitful sleep is noted by the deathless sentinel. Even when not looking at him directly, her eyes are ever on him as if peering into his soul. She is a hunter of sentient evil, but clever and knows when to wait for the strike, but to wait to study the actions of her prey.

The morning comes, and so does the Enlightened Master Chin Deng Niu. (For those that forgot, Chin is his family name; Deng Niu is his personal name and means "Lantern Ox" which is befitting for how he grew into that name. Nobody calls him Deng Niu, but defers to him as Master Chin. He has never demanded it personally, but his actions are deserving of the title.)

He is more than refreshed, as if awakened from having merely slept the past two days of his death.

Master Chin stands a full 6'7" tall, and weighs in at 290 pounds though one might think he actually weighs more. He is a light-skinned Kara-Turi man (Oriental, similar to Chinese in bone structure) with small, deep-set brown eyes on his large, round face. He is completely bald, save for extremely thin eyebrows. He basically looks exactly like Chin Po from Mulan, but if Chin Po actually matured into a great wise master. He wears classic Kara-Turi leggings and tunic that are a dull gray, with red highlights on the border. The latter containing various Kara-Turi markings in gold. However, his belly is so round that the tunic is left open on the front, and his belly hangs a little over his belt. His baby face does not reveal the fact that he is a 40-year-old man, and despite his age, has worked very hard to maintain his prodigious strength despite the onset of middle age.

As he bows quietly with right fist against left open hand, he receives his property. First and most important is a simple rope belt that greatly amplifies his martial prowess. Next is gold ring with the motif of a coiling gold dragon. After that is another ring, a gold band with arcano-draconic markings denoting protection and guardianship. Then is a necklace with a small box containing miniaturized scrolls of ancient wisdom. Then he receives his bracers, what look like leather wrappings on the forearms. Over his costume he then wears what looks like a crimson sash with golden runes (matching the highlights on his tunic) of power which he wears over the left shoulder and down to the right hip. The final touch, which adds a sense of crudeness even to his bracers and belt, is a pair of thick iron gauntlets set with iron studs.

Klxzy then would present him Alakast at that point. Master Chin, no longer wielding Alakast as a "secondary weapon" situationally but as his main armament, sets forth his oath to wield Alakast for as long as their is strength left in his body to ensure that Surabar Spellmason's work on the Prime - that of defeating the influence of chaos and evil from beyond that corrupt men from the path of enlightenment (yes, he put his own spin on it) - may be continued. To that end, he promises to aid Klxzy on her Holy Purpose with his wisdom.

He then receives the remainder of minor magical and mundane gear. He then would hand Klxzy a beautiful white robe/adventuring dress with St. Cuthbert's emblem emblazoned proudly on the front and a strong, but attractive black belt with large lozenge-cut metal studs on it to gather it together. Once Klxzy discards the remnants of Zhan's monk outfit, Master Chin would burn it and say prayers to his friend and re-affirm his promise that a great feast would be held in his honor when they return to their home world.

He initially was a writer of philosophy, and his quest to learn philosophy from wisened monks took him on many travels. It is only through a circuitous life that he began to find talent late in life for martial arts; that his great size was due to a powerful hara (seat of ch'i) with which he was blessed at birth. [Hara is physically located in the abdomen on the body. His stomach is round and powerful, not sloppy grotesque fat.] His credits are as follows: Though he did not continue with the path, he passed the Shintao trials.
3rd-degree acolyte of the fist, a major life's path.
Kaze-Do Expert, and as such is master of the Bo, quarterstaff, and longstaff, as well as grappling.
Master of the Denying Stance
Master of Hand & Foot
Master of the Meditation of War
Master of Mighty Works
Master of the Gentle Way
Initial focus, which he mastered, was that of several lesser hard styles. Klxzy and Master Chin pass the hour before morning dawn in quiet contemplation at Master Chin's request, at which point Mendicant awakens. They, too, wordlessly and with deep respect bow and salute (right fist to left palm covering right fist) and Mendicant then goes to the top of a hill to meditate and watch the sun come ... something that the sun-worshiping celestial hasn't had a chance to do for days.

The party is then awakened to ready for the day's potential lethal end in hopes of furthering the cause of Good. Everyone conducts their prayers, meditation, and study. The envoys and Tilukatl separately return. The heroes - and Kaurophon - who are to go to the Abyss to battle today are treated to a meal. And not just any meal. They are treated to a meal the like none there have ever experienced before.

The lead envoy prays to Ayailla, calling upon Madriel to intercede for all of you. In doing so, he brings forth a great feast, including a magnificent table, chairs, service, and food and drink. Klxzy is told that even though she is deathless, she may partake of this meal and gain full benefit. The meal takes one hour to consume, and is the greatest meal anyone has ever had. Master Chin, heavy-hearted by the beauty of the meal, thinks once more of his mortal friend and servant Zhan ... and laments that even with his great skill boosted by magic, could never make such a meal. So amazing is this breakfast of ambrosia and nectar and heavenly fruits that you are all affirmed of purpose in mind and body, and feel that nothing can cause you to fear what lies ahead. Jalanar recognizes this as a heroes' feast spell. No mean feat for any bard or cleric.Then it is time to go, everyone gathers hands, and Tilukatl plane shifts you back to Occipitus ...

[lostsole31]

Once or twice, the group ends up what seems to be a very long way away from the assumed destination: The Skull. But almost immediately, Tilukatl shifts back to Celestia, than Occipitus, then Celestia ...

This shifting between two such disparate plans is relatively nauseous to anyone that feels that bodily function, as if you are experiencing a form of planar vertigo.

Finally, about the seventh try, Tilukatl gets you as close as he feels as he can get - even with him being both a planar and geographical specialist. Kaurophon will guess that you are a little over 60 miles to what is considered "south" on Occipitus. This will have the group walking the plains (which makes up most of Occipitus anyway to get there, with a short pass through one of the fibrous forests.

Tilukatl prays that Kukulcan guide you on your journey and disappears. Words and such are said, and you are on your way once more. As figured, even though you were to the east of The Skull after the Teleportation Circle, and now you are to the south, the lantern of guidance points towards the skull.

Instead of using the air for sighting, it is figured that Mendicant is more seen than not - a beacon of Good as it were - and it is better to ground him, especially since most of the terrain you walk on is this fleshlike substance that is relatively flat overland. To maximize protection for the group, it is best for Klxzy to take the lead - paladin-rogue vanguard that she is. Aaroniel, who can fly to the front in short order and has great senses as well, will take the rear guard. This way, protection auras cover everyone in the group.

Jalanar and Kaurophon go side-by-side, but have a 5-foot-gap between them to minimize AoE attacks. Master Chin is in the 5-foot-square behind and between them, and Rillian is the same laterally, but ahead of the casters. Klxzy and Mendicant also are in the same "centerline" but 15' from the perpendicular "caster line".

Based on the fact that the fibrous forest - the midway point to the Skull - is a dangerous place to simply rest (the plane's tendrils will slowly, weakly, and inexorably consume you into the plane) and that to minimize time spent on Occipitus (so as not to be here another day "camping in the beautiful wilderness") it is understood that force marching will be required and that going around the forest to enter the Plain of Ulcers will be best.

Everyone travels for close to 11 hours without any problem, as their spirits are buoyed up as much by the feast they had that day as by the relatively springy, fleshy surface of the plane.

*POP* *POP*

2 Large, wavering-shifting-multiplied forms appear amidst the party! The air all around the party seems like there are faint, suspended particles, but everyone is still protected (yeah, god-drugs) that the particles - which try to get under the skin - have no effect.

Before the party set out in the morning, they were very careful to make sure everyone was consistently re-introduced to Jalanar's calming aura so as not to be adversely affected by it later if battle should erupt. Rillian is able to react before the two newcomers. Having expected to detect enemies much further off on the open plains, he had his bow out. He drops his bow, tumbles effortlessly while drawing his rapier, and stabs at the thing which appeared in front and to the left of him [which is behind-to-the left of Klxzy, and in front of Jalanar, though 10' away].

Trusting in his new bracers and his ability to now invoke a canny form of fencing defense that he was unable to use while wearing his armor, Rillian sets up a field of fierce feints and flurries [total Combat Expertise] and finds his mark .... unfortunately, his mark is an illusion and the shifting/multiplied aspect of his target is mildly diminished but still hard to track.

R1T22: Jalanar, two vrocks using mirror image just teleported in ... the first one is directly ahead (and somewhat outboard) of you; the other appeared behind (and somewhat ouboard) of Kaurophon (over to your right some). The one nearest you is 10' in front of you.)

What do you do?

[srgonzo]

Open fire with an even spread of magic missile from the wand at both vrocks.

[jmbrown]

"Watch for reinforcements and those damn spores."

Jalanar hastes everyone.

"Denizens of the abyss. Thrice your number have fallen before us. Do you monsters of chaos truly have no value on your own lives?"

Ready action; if any new demons teleport within striking distance, Jalanar takes a 5' step towards Mendicant.

((Please tell me someone in Celestia forged a new longspear for Mendicant...))

[lostsole31]

R1T22: "Watch for reinforcements and those damn spores," warns Jalanar.

"Uhhh, I think that's what that gritty mist was. It looks the same, but I didn't feel anything," Rillian says during his defensive dance.

Jalanar takes a 5' step back out of reach of the closest vrock, and then hastes everyone.

"Denizens of the abyss. Thrice your number have fallen before us. Do you monsters of chaos truly have no value on your own lives?"

[Sorry, guys, but this campaign I run the majority of from home using "full DM support" (unlike my other campaigns) but I have duty today, so I can't add anything until I get home tomorrow afternoon. Hope you guys are happy to be back in the Abyss! I know I am. :sabine:]

[lostsole31]

R1T21: Kaurophon lets loose with a 3-2 volley of magic missiles (3 on the one just behind him, and 2 on the others). The one behind him loses two of its mirrored images (5 remaining), but one of the missiles gets through for 2 damage. The "lead" vrock loses two of its images (4 left).

R1T20: The vrock threatening Klxzy and Rillian opens up with a loud, ear-splitting creech. The stunning screech has no effect on Klxzy, and the two monks are able to focus their thoughts through the cacophony.

Rillian, Jalanar, and Kaurophon are stunned, however. Rillian drops his rapier, Jalanar the lantern of guidance, and Kaurophon the wand of magic missiles as they all three hold their ears in painful sensory overload.

R1T18: The Mendicant darts forth aerobatically and lands again right behind and to the left of Rillian, at reach to the vrock, and in position for Klxzy to set up a flanking sneak attack on her turn.

He might feel somewhat heroic because of the morning's heroes' feast, but for good or ill, Jalanar's aura automatically suppresses all morale-based bonuses within 20 feet ... so Mendicant (and all others) receive none of the morale based benefits that come with that spell. Remembering how dangerous vrocks can be, even to him, the Mendicant uses his Sebu-Do basic training and acrobatics to fight defensively. He is able to reduce the vrock's images down to merely three.

R1T14: The vrock over by Kaurophon, who has the opportunity to tear him to shreds, for some reason backs directly away from Kaurophon until it is 20' from the sorcerer. Then, it looks over everyone's head to Klxzy on the very far side and then does a "force push" and the holy bastard sword goes flying out of her hand to the fleshy ground in front of her.

R1T6: Klxzy's turn. The bastard sword lis on the ground. If she goes to grab it, the vrock in reach of her will get an AOO. What do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy risks the AoO, dropping down just long enough to retrieve the weapon, then moves to flank the abomination, taking a swing with the bastard sword in both hands, praying that Domiel guide her hand.((Servant of the Heavens)) [roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
Edit: Holy ****.:smalleek: EditEdit: I believe that's 49 damage, as my strikes ought to beat DR/Good. Crap, I hope a natch 20 goes through a mirror image spell.
Also:
Did you roll for Aura of Menace? If not, I'm putting up my Auras now.

[UserClone]

I guess Domiel guided the forum roller!:smallbiggrin:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

Edit: D'aww, spoke to soon!:smalltongue:

[lostsole31]

R1T6: Since the vrock's are in the area of Jalanar's aura, they are unaffected by Klxzy's aura of menace.

Klxzy reaches down to grab the holy sword, when her opponent reaches out to gut her for 14 hit points of damage. Klxzy feels the power of its evil overcome her DR as its claws rip through her intestines.

Klxzy "stomachs" the hit, :smalltongue:, knowing fully well to have expected it, but now she wields a bastard sword that has lain fallow with holy power here on the Abyss for some time and she swings expertly and perfectly. Its use of chaotic, shifting magic keeps what might have been a limb-severing blow from contacting, and it now only has 3 images remaining.

R1T5: Master Chin, who until this point has hesitated somewhat in this battle against the type of creature that killed him in his last battle, regains his wits, his defensiveness, and most importantly: his resolve.

He effortlessly tumbles diagonally a diagonal-square-gap away from Jalanar in the direction of this vrock. Kaurophon is still in reach, but this limits the creature from easily getting to Jalanar. As he is about to finish his roll, he goes from a forward to a sideways direction and thrusts out his foot which catches the surprised rear-guard vrock on the back of its leading talon, but one of the images disappears instead (4 remaining).

End Round One, Begin Round Two ...

R2T25-21: Rillian, Jalanar, and Kaurophon are all stunned.

R2T20: Even though Vrock #1 is flanked by two saints, this vrock targets the only stunned person within reach: Rillian. It takes wing, though doesn't change its location - staying in the same squares as before. Winding up to use extremely powerful attack on Rillian. One claw misses, but brackets for the second claw attack which hits Rillian in the head for a whopping 25 points of damage! It then pecks Rillian in the left shoulder for 12 damage. Then, it scores a critical on Rillian's gut for 31 points of damage! The second talon also hits low, but on the outside of Rillian's abdomen for 12 damage!

The three stunned persons are no longer stunned.

R2T18: The Mendicant steps over 5' next to Rillian and heals him of a surprising 29 points of damage, but represents the only magic healing Mendicant has.

R2T14: The vrock fighting Master Chin disappears and teleports behind Klxzy, such that she is now the one that is flanked by two vrocks, and no one but Klxzy can reach that outlying vrock.

R2T6: Klxzy is flanked. What does she do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy Takes several swings at the vrock before her, hoping to connect with its vitals while the Mendicant distracts it still.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]
Edit: Awesome. A four and a four. :smallsigh:
Then she takes a five-foot step to her side.

[lostsole31]

R2T6: [W/ an additional +1 for the haste ...] The first attack actually takes away one of the images, while the second attack simply grazes lightly off of the real creature's hide. One image left. That's alright, because Klxzy is powered by Jalanar's haste and has enough in her for a third swing ... [Swing away, chica!]

[UserClone]

((Wouldn't you know I'd forgotten all about the haste? :smalltongue:))

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
So that's 42 if it hits, I believe. Or the last image gets bopped. 50/50:smalltongue:

[lostsole31]

R2T6 (Cont'd): Slash! And the holy blade finds its mark along its back down to its upper haunch!

R2T5: Master Chin conducts an acrobatic charge to fight alongside Rillian and hits the vrock Klxzy just hit with a critical strike with Alakast for 31 damage!

End Round Two, Begin Round Three ...

R3T25: Rillian, though very wounded, presses the attack. But in doing so, he returns to an extremely canny and almost totally defensive fighting style. His first attack misses, the second attack gets rid of the final image, and his third attack misses. But his tactic to remain nearly impenetrable while at least getting rid of its final image was a success. (Go, go gadget-38 AC!!!)

R3T22: Jalanar's turn. What does he do?

Kaurophon goes right after Jalanar.

[jmbrown]

Having experience fighting these creatures, Jalanar's aware of the potential danger of a Vrock's spores. He takes a step away from the general battle and prepares wall of force on the unwounded Vrock (the one with the most images left???). When he sees the Vrock releasing spores, he'll trap it in a wall of force. Jalanar knows the thing will teleport out but at least it'll buy his allies a few more precious seconds before the 2nd volley.

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon attacks the last vrock with a full load of magic missile from the wand.

[lostsole31]

R3T21: Kaurophon unloads a full payload of magic missiles from the wand at the vrock that teleported to the "far lead" ahead of Klxzy. Chaos once again reigns supreme, as what seemed like a surefire tactic is thwarted by the demon's spell resistance and the magic fizzles (SR is rolled against the spell, not just each missile).

R3T20: The vrock that is being gang-raped by the party concentrates effortlessly and its mirror image is now topped off at 8 images total.

R3T18: Aaroniel attacks with full use of the haste spell against the now-renewed-images vrock and drops its images down to 5 total.

R3T14: The vrock that teleported to flank, and is only threatened by, Klxzy begins its whirlwind of death on her, to include putting some extra oomph behind its strikes. Klxzy is bitten for 8 hit points, and hit by talons for another 9 hit points.

R3T6: No sooner did the vrock make an otherwise unspectacular display, then Klxzy starts to auto-heal her first wounds of 4 hit points (81 total). What does she do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy chooses to continue the assault on the flanked vrock. I'll bother rolling the damage only if you tell me any of them actually contact the vrock itself.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[lostsole31]

R3T6: The first of Klxzy's swings with the bastard sword removes the last image. The second swing bounces off its demonic hide. The third strike finds its target but this time it grazes (1 for weapon damage itself) deep in its lower abdomen -as if to mock its own strike against her - for 40 points of damage!!! The demon looks almost to weak to stand.

R3T5: Master Chin goes to finish this vrock with only a little extra power and a whole lot of flurry. One strike misses, but the second strike smashes its hip so hard that the iliac artery is shredded and the vrock is instantly dropped without so much as a twitch.

End Round Three, Begin Round Four ...

R4T25: Rillian darts in with his hasted speed, jabs and defeats an image (4 left) and ducks back out of reach on the remaining vrock.

R4T22: Jalanar, keeping same tactic?

[jmbrown]

Jalanar casts a targeted dispel to remove the remaining images. With only one vrock left it would be counterintuitive to waste time trapping it.

[roll0]

Jalanar in celestian "We're only passing through. Continue your attack and you will fall. Does your own life have no value?"

[srgonzo]

My jovial companion, they only value their lives a little more than they value relieving you of yours.

Kaurophon closes (if necessary) and gives the remaining vrock the business end of the spear

[roll0]
[roll1]

Dave crosses his fingers for an actual hit and damage

[lostsole31]

R4T22: Jalanar casts a targeted dispel to remove the remaining images. With only one vrock left it would be counterintuitive to waste time trapping it. The images are easily dispersed, being no match for an antimagic domain wizard.

Jalanar in celestial calls, "We're only passing through. Continue your attack and you will fall. Does your own life have no value?"

Jalanar hears an answer in his mind, an answer that sounds like a scrawling, hissing, cawing voice: "If I quit this field, I shall return manyfold to blot you out, wizard! Your holy magics are a very blight upon this land."

R4T21: Kaurophon says, "My jovial companion, they only value their lives a little more than they value relieving you of yours."

Kaurophon drops his wand on the ground to maintain two hands on his spear, and closes the vrock. As soon as the vrock has reach it claws Kaurophon for 17 points of damage on the right shoulder. Kaurophon continues to close, but fights miserably with his new spear.

R4T18: The Empyreal Mendicant, understanding demon psychology enough to know he hasn't been targeted by this vrock, takes full advantage of the haste spell by being able to conduct two decisive attacks. The first one seems to go just past the vrock's chest, but that is when Mendicant quickly retracts and uses that ma-ai (combat distance/positioning) to come in with a critical strike against the creature's head for 90 points of damage!!!

R4T14: The vrock, badly wounded, looks at Jalanar and transmits his thoughts to all there: "This isn't over, outlanders!"

And he disappears.

Damage report:Rillian = 49:100 hit points.
Klxzy auto heals all of her damage w/in 8 rounds.

Time for the plinky of the new toy on Rillian. First hit heals him up to 62; the second brings him to 79; the third brings him to full. 47 charges remaining on the CSW wand.

As you look over the vrock that you killed in the battle, you find that it carried an object it did not use in battle: a 3-foot-long, gray-lacquered wooden rod.

[jmbrown]

Jalanar can't help but chuckle at the vrock's choice of words and he blurts out

"I'm a blight on this land? That'll change soon. Real soon." Jalanar picks up the lantern and refocuses on the end goal.

[lostsole31]

Rillian hands the strange rod, that is taller than himself, to Klxzy. Usual drill: 1) is it evil, 2) if no, put it in pack for appraisal/ magic ID/ identify later; if yes, then destroy it.

It's not evil, so it goes into Klxzy's pack as party treasury.

The party finishes the last hour-and-a-half or so to make 12 hours of travel. It is in this last hour of travel that Rillian's little legs begin to feel the burn, and he takes (6 NL) damage and is fatigued.

Rillian's slower pace has helped everyone else keep from feeling the pain as quickly as if they were to march at their own pace, but now Jalanar also feels fatigued and suffers (5 NL) damage.-2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. You cannot run or charge.

The party sets up camp and prepares to rest. As you just settle down, Klxzy notices someone spying on the party only 20' away from her (she is on one edge of camp).

It is a human man in traveling clothes, but no apparent equipment other than thick leather gloves bearing sigils of suns and golden skulls. He wears a snug-fitting vest crafted from the skin of a huge tan-and-black reptile. His overclothes are the same color as the sky and plains (fleshy-red) and attributes to how he managed to get so close without anyone noticing ... and a testament to his stealthy prowess.

[UserClone]

Klxzy continues to silently observe the man, watching his movements for hostility. She does nothing to conceal the fact that she sees him, nor does she draw undue attention to herself. She just watches.

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon picked up his wand prior to leaving.
Jalanar, it's a matter of perspective. This plane is almost entirely given to Evil. Your Good nature, especially the pacifying aura you have about yourself, would be viewed as a blight by one such as that.

[lostsole31]

The man disappears from view without a word or an action.

Several seconds later, a hulking creature that looks like a strapping, blue-skinned humanoid toad, as bit as an ogre, with almost no neck and a massive, flat head magically appears in between where the man was hiding and right in front of Klxzy.

It instantly gets into a defensive posture against Klxzy by hopping, and then bites her with its powerful jaws. Strong as it is, it cannot bypass Klxzy's DR and only does 3 modified damage to her.

The creature then bellows something in a language that none are trained to speak, and yet Klxzy and Aaroniel both understand."Girl-man not living! Pah! No good for eggs!"

Round One Begins ...

R1T25: The party (except Klxzy), who hasn't noticed this before either because it has never happend or you have never been at the right vantage point, notices that something blue glows softly under Rillian's dark hair. As soon as that happen, Rillian tumbles in with blinding initiative, drawing his rapier as he does so, and stabs at the creature. Two colors manage to travel into the blue toad giant: green and violet. The creature is instantly blinded by the colorful lights before it disappears with a howl.

R1T21: Master Chin just blinks his eyes and stares at the empty space where the creature stood, and then at Rillian. "Well, struck, Rillian. Well and quickly struck indeed."

@Jalanar... You know that the creature you just faced was a member of a family of creatures known as slaadi (pl, singular slaad), specifically a blue slaad. They are brutes and bullies, denizens of Limbo that delight in chaos though are not necessarily evil, and are usually found in groups or gangs. What do you do?

[srgonzo]

Curse it, I think that trip we took may have provided us with a beacon screaming: "Attention all denizens of Evil. The champions of Good are right over here!" We'll probably have a lot of company from here on out.

At the earliest convenience, Kaurophon uses the wand of magic missile to perforate the humanoid toad-thing.

[UserClone]

Klxzy thinks for moment, That was damn fast. I wonder if that rod attracted them to us?

[lostsole31]

My edit was ninja'd. Kaurophon says and does nothing (yet); Klxzy has no time to think after being surprised (yet).

[jmbrown]

Remembering the grey slaad that harassed them earlier, Jalanar waits (readied action) to cast waves of fatigue at first sighting of the creature, angling the spell to avoid hitting his allies if possible. If the risk is too great, he doesn't cast it.

"Watch for a little flying creature. He tried to attack us twice earlier."

[lostsole31]

Curse it, I think that trip we took may have provided us with a beacon screaming: "Attention all denizens of Evil. The champions of Good are right over here!" We'll probably have a lot of company from here on out.

At the earliest convenience, Kaurophon uses the wand of magic missile to perforate the humanoid toad-thing.

Cue event.

[lostsole31]

Mendicant drops his longspear, takes out his sling, and readies a bullet.

"If it is a grey slaad, they are powerful casters that have evolved from their green spellcaster variety. They don't lay eggs like the big ones, but they are foul creatures steeped in magics totally lacking coherence. They like to confound those of us who believe that compassion and mercy must be achieved through self-sacrifice and discipline."

[lostsole31]

Klxzy thinks for moment, That was damn fast. I wonder if that rod attracted them to us?

[lostsole31]

Folks stand around for several seconds carefully surveying the skies and the area around them, waiting for to attack the expected assailant.

Once again, suddenly ... two creatures appear from nowhere from different sides. They look like roughly humanoid, red-skinned toads with almost no neck and massive, flat heads. They are bipedal, with clawed hands and feet. The hands and the digits on them are particularly large. A human would stand only about as high as the creature's shoulders. They are about 8 feet tall, mostly red, darker along the back and paler around the belly.

They both appear 20' from both sides of Rillian, and both charge him at the same time from opposite directions.

Already geared for combat, Rillian focuses his defense on one of them, the one that happened to be on the side where Klxzy seemed to be staring for several seconds (and even now). The other one attacks first, and even though it charged, it pounces with both claws and a bite. A claw strikes Rillian in the back for 10 points. The other one charges with the same sequence. The first claw crits Rillian in the chest for 17 points of damage, claws him again for another 10 damage, but misses on the bite.


R2T18.05: Given Kaurophon's intentions, he reflexively unloads on one of the new toady things with the wand, not even registering trying to mix-and-match targets. Zap-zap-zap-zap-zap! One of the creatures is lit up for 20 points of damage.

R2T18.04: Mendicant sends a sling bullet flying upward as he shouts "Look above Rillian!"

The sling bullet misses, but folks can now see a man flying some 50' above Rillian.

R2T18: Suddenly, Rillian drops his rapier and his defenses totally lapse as it appears something stuns him.

R2T7: What does Klxzy do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy moves to stand next to Rillian and, holding her hand upward, blasts the "man" in the air with her ray, hoping it's corrupt enough to succumb to its holy radiance.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[lostsole31]

R2T7: Klxzy effortlessly tumbles over to ensure she is not hit by the red slaadi, and shoots forth her light ray.

Bright, holy energy shoots 50' into the sky [... :smallsigh:, oh boy, "Here we are!" ...] and hits the man square in the head.

Nothing happens. He does not appear to be wounded.

End Round Two, Begin Round Three ...

R3T22: Master Chin doesn't know about slaad, but he figures that these creatures are allied to the man, and understands that they are likely some form of Abyssal bandits that for some reason are not truly evil.

Master Chin realizes Alakast will be little more than a magical staff (and the master is still the master of a staff) and instead moves and does a flying leap kick against the one that was missiled by Kaurophon, connecting solidly with its head using an iron kick/ stunning style for 20 damage! Unfortunately, these creatures are tough guys, having to be used to the constant changes of the Abyss to survive, and Chin's target is not stunned.

R3T20: Jalanar's turn ...

[jmbrown]

"The one in the sky is the grey slaad. Careful, I think they mean to kidnap one of us for their clutch."

Jalanar takes a step back and raises a wall of force in a horseshoe shape around Rillian, trapping the slaadi in. He raises the wall to 20' high (his max) to keep the slaadi from jumping out.

http://i43.tinypic.com/b5jp8l.png

[lostsole31]

R3T20: Jalanar casts a spell with the intentions noted above. It is important to note that since a wall of force is invisible ... nobody senses the wall, and Jalanar only notes where he intended to cast it since it doesn't have any special "caster-can-see-it-but-it's-invisible-to-all-others" caveat.

R3T18.2: Jalanar watches in horror as Red Slaad #1 bites Rillian in the right shoulder for 18 damage! It then groin slashes him for 6 damage, and strikes his right shoulder again with another claw for 6 damage.

R3T18.1: The horror that something went wrong with the spell reels in Jalanar's mind as red slaad #2, unimpeded by any force barrier (yea, and not even registering its existence) bites Rillian in the left shin for 12 damage. Both of its claws, however, bounce off of Rillian's force armor.

R3T18.05: Kaurophon, you have no idea what spell Jalanar just cast, but whatever he did ... it didn't seem to have any effect. What do you do?

[srgonzo]

Resume fire with wand of magic missile upon slaad I just hit.

[lostsole31]

R3T18.05: Kaurophon, you know that slaad are outsiders which are the chaotic natural denizens of the chaotic planes, especially Limbo. Beyond that, you don't know as much as the others (fyi, that's all).

You set another full volley against your previous target, but this time all 5 missiles seem to impact against an invisible wall of force in front of the slaad (enough coverage to stop a magic missile, rather than allowing it to go around a little). You recognize the spell effect, but cannot definitively connect it to Jalanar's casting of his previous spell (you know how to spot a duck, but you can't make one).

R3T18.04: "Rillian!" The Mendicant shouts. "Jalanar, drop that wall! He's trapped in there. Klxzy, get that wand ready!!"

The half-celestial drops his sling and flies up, over, and into the wall of force area, using his knowledge of the spell and estimation of Jalanar's power to go high enough and hover right above Rillian for high ground advantage (tumbling to get there to not provoke AOO). He kicks the wounded slaad, only to have his powerful kick bounce off of the creature's skin.

R3T18: The man flying in the air simply points his hand down at the celestial above the halfling and lets loose with a spell. Multicolored, noisy streamers of light blast down at The Mendicant, burning past his protective aura, and explodes into a burst of chaotic, leaping, ricocheting energy. The spell effects don't go outside the wall of force, but perfectly outline it. Basically, it is as Jalanar intended ... but no horseshoe shape; the boundary between Rillian and Klxzy (who was "under" him previously) is blocked. Also, only the bottom half-ish of Jalanar's intended area goes as high as 20', the rest only reaching about 10' high.Jalanar and Kaurophon both recognize the spell effects as chaos hammer.Aaroniel, using his prayerful meditation against chaotic powers, manages to minimize the damage though the spell is particularly effective against him as a lawful outsider. He only takes 20 damage.

Rillian's new cloak protects him, as does his free and easy approach to the world, and he only takes 4 damage.

R3T7: What does Klxzy do?

[srgonzo]

Fantastically craptacular.

[UserClone]

Klxzy tries to find a way to get into a flanking position with Aaroniel, hacking at the slaad with her mighty blade.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

((If she can't flank, just ignore two of the attack bonus and all of the SA damage, and she'll attack normally.))

[UserClone]

[roll0]
[roll1]

[lostsole31]

R3T7: Klxzy tumbles (because that's what she does) to get into flanking position on the far side of Red Slaad #1 to flank with Aaroniel and makes a beautiful strike that rebounds off an invisible force wall.

End Round Three, Begin Round Four ...

R3T22: "Bring it down, Jalanar! Bring it down!" shouts Master Chin, delaying his action.

R3T20: Jalanar? What do you do?

[jmbrown]

Jalanar dismisses the wall, completely flustered that once again the chaotic terrain ruined another great plan.

[lostsole31]

R4T20: (Jalanar per jmbrown's post.)

R4T19.9: As soon as the wall drops, Master Chin gets to flurrying with stunning blows on the flanked red slaad. He uses a hand strike to a nerve area in the slaad's back thigh to cause it considerable pain to stun it (9 damage). He then follows that up with 11 damage hard strike to same area. Then a crushing kick to the back of its right shin for 14 damage.

R418.1: The active red slaad (#2) bites Rillian visciously for 11 damage, followed up by 6-damage claw to chest, and then the last claw stabs hard against his chest but bounces off the force armor. Rillian appears disabled.

R4T18.05: Kaurophon's turn.

[srgonzo]

Cast Displacement on myself and run to Rillian.

Shouting in Abyssal (Rus, we forgot to include Kaurophon's bonus languages)
Flee, frog men, or I may decide to feast on your eyes!

[lostsole31]

R4T18.05: Kaurophon, you cast your protective illusion and run over to Rillian. As you do so, both slaadi try to claw at you but fail miserably.

R4T18.04: The Mendicant does a spinning hook kick on the very wounded ones head and a loud crack is heard as that slaad (#1) goes down.

The Mendicant then tries to grapple the remaining slaad, but it is too big and tough for the monk.

R4T18: Once again, the human above sends a spell of roiling, chaotic energies below. But this time, there is no wall of force to keep the pure chaos energies at bay from the rest of the group.

Damage Report...

Again, this spell specifically targets lawful outsiders, but Aaroniel's prayerful meditation helps dull the blast to a still-substantial 22 damage.
Even though Klxzy is a deathless, as a saint the aspect of being a lawful outsider actually overrides that and so Klxzy also, with her firm task, takes 22 damage.
Jalanar possesses a strong mind, but the power of the spell is something he has never faced and so he takes 13 damage.
Master Chin, while very lawful, possesses a powerful mind and takes only 13 damage.
Kaurophon, whose form is that of a human whose blood was mixed with a fiend of partially chaotic heritage, suffers no pain and is actually (psychologically only) invigorated by the spell.

Last of all, Rillian. Rillian was disabled and stunned, barely on his feet, but the chaotic energies rip into his feeble frame. He disappears into a minitaturized explosion of blue, glowing dust that disappears.Klxzy remembers that his companion when you first met him, Urdarumaedin, also died in this manner when killed by a vrock, leaving nothing behind - not equipment, body, nothing - with which to raise or resurrect.

R4T7: Rillian is gone. Klxzy, what do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy tumbles to a flanking position with the mendicant on the other slaad and attempts to eliminate him.

[roll0]

[lostsole31]

R4T7: Klxzy tumbles to a flanking position with the mendicant on the other slaad and attempts to eliminate him. She strikes for 17 damage. It is not an impressive strike, the blade grazes and gets lesser organs. But even then it is a testament to her prowess.

End Round Four, Begin Round Five ...

"Jalanar, target that flying human!" calls Mendicant.

R5T20: Jalanar's turn. The human is flying 50' above the square Rillian was in (45' directly above Mendicant). What do you do?

[lostsole31]

R5T20: Jalanar realizes there is not much he can do directly. He could use one of the whelm-series of spells, but what if he is too successful and the human falls from the sky to the ground and hurts himself? No, Rillian's death/ dismissal to his home plane does not justify him taking that chance. Jalanar moves to Master Chin, saying: "I will enspell you to catch him in the air!"

Jalanar casts fly on the big man.

R519.9: Almost immediately, Master Chin uses aerobatics (much more deftly than Aaroniel, in fact) to get to a height of 15', he then continues to be aerobatic to climb to a height of 30' total.

R5T18.1: The body of the fallen slaad disappears, confirming Jalanar's suspicion that it was summoned and not previously invisible. The remaining slaad heals some damage, a little faster than even Klxzy or Mendicant can, breathes in heavily and then croaks loudly. Everyone resists the stunning power of its croak, except for Jalanar and Kaurophon.Jalanar is now stunned, as is Kaurophon.The slaad then hops 5' to attack the stunned wizard, biting him in the neck for 15 hit points of damage. It follows this up with a 3-damage claw to the stomach, as another claw bounces off of Jalanar's exalted skin.Jalanar now has 19 hit points remaining.

R5T18.04: "Go! I have got to help Klxzy get rid of this one so our arcanists don't get shredded," says The Mendicant to Master Chin. Aaroniel takes a 5' adjustment to maintain aerial high ground and flanking with Klxzy. A kick smashes into the slaad's upper left arm for 13 damage (max), as his other foot kicks it in the throat for 11 damage.

R5T18: The human above lets loose with another terrible blast of chaotic energies. This time, The Mendicant is ready for it and focuses his inner powers of lawful Celestia to block the power from affecting him, though it still affects Klxzy and the others. Klxzy's mind is still pure and resists some, but she suffers 19 damage nonetheless.
Master Chin is out of range of the 20'-radius blast.
Jalanar's body might be stunned, but his mind is still strong and partially accepting of the chaos in the world and takes only 5 damage.
All character sheets have been updated for damage.

R5T7: Klxzy, a powerful lawful servant of the heavens, continues to heal the damage of chaos against her. As Aaroniel said, it is crucial to drop this slaad on the ground fast so the stunned arcanists aren't torn apart. Aaroniel adjusted his flight already to be in position to flank, as you are now again/still flanking the slaad with him. What do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy goes all-out, swinging the sword again and again in a series of precise, quick slashes.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]

[lostsole31]

R5T7: Klxzy fights with a combination of both precision and righteous wrath, but alas ... the haste Jalanar cast was against the vrocks you fought earlier in the day and has long since subsided. Klxzy aims for what she perceives as weak spots, but those spots are protected by the slaad's thick and warty hide and her blade bounces off both times without any mark.

End Round Five, Begin Round Six ...

[lostsole31]

R6T19.9: Master Chin focuses his ki energy and strikes at the human and swings upwards to strike him in the solar plexus with a Stunning Iron Fist for 15 hit points damage. The man doubles over some, but is tough and keeps his wits about him. Master Chin does a forward somersault and kicks the man in the temple for 12 damage with the same type of power, still the man will not yield. His last attempt to use a simple stunning elbow attack misses.

R6T18.1: The slaad senses victory is nigh on the badly wounded, stunned squishy in front of him. It bites Jalanar in the throat again for 16 damage as Jalanar falls. It then claws him in the chest for 12 damage total.

R6T18.04: The Mendicant flies to the ground, ducking under the slaad, and even though Mendicant works furiously on Jalanar (blocking the slaad's AOO with his wing), it is too late.

"Jalanar is dead," says Aaroniel hollowly. The Mendicant faces the slaad with fury. "Klxzy, please finish this thing off so I can go after the one responsible. Kaurophon, if you hear me, shake off this dysphoria and target that creature with the strongest magic you can bear."

R6T18: The human disappears from sight, and Master Chin flies above desperately trying to listen to hear if he is nearby still.

R6T7: Klxzy is still flanking this red slaad that just killed the exalted man of peace and the party's prime arcanist (not counting Kaurophon). What do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy gives it everything she's got, swinging furiously with the sword.

[roll=Attack1]1d20+12[roll]
[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll=Attack2]1d20+7[roll]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[UserClone]

((whoops, I messed up the roll tags.:smallredface:))

[roll0]

[roll1]

Right. Looks like 25 damage, then.

[lostsole31]

R6T7: Klxzy gives it everything she's got, swinging furiously with the sword. Her first strike nicks the creature's chin, cutting away some of its skin, but not doing any real damage. But it was never Klxzy's intent to try and get power in so high a shot. The slaad instinctively went upright as the sword got its chin to lessen any impact, but faster than it could move Klxzy spins fully around and disembowels it. It dissappears from view instantly.

End Round Six, Begin Round Seven ...

R7T19.9: Master Chin flies up 10' and cranes his head around carefully, trying to listen for the assailant.

Kaurophon is still stunned, and The Mendicant delays.

R7T7: Klxzy, bad guy went invisible last round, and should have gone this round already. You guys are in that classic "slasher-movie" mode where everyone is being really still and not sure if the bad guy is still there or not.

What do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy shifts her bastard sword to her off-hand, drawing a dagger and staring into the sky, attempting to spot the erstwhile assailant.

[lostsole31]

[OOC: Dave, loved the Goblins reference. :smallwink: ]

R7T7: Klxzy shifts her bastard sword to her off-hand, drawing a dagger and staring into the sky, attempting to spot the erstwhile assailant.

End Round Seven, Begin Round Eight ...

R8T19.9: Master Chin cranes his ears around to try to hear the human.

R8T18.1: Kaurophon is no longer stunned.

R8T18.05: Kaurophon, what do you do?

[srgonzo]

Fireball to the thing Aaroniel asked me to fireball. Position fireball to center in such a way as I'm not burning myself, but still scorching the opposing force.

[lostsole31]

Kaurophon: As you gather your wits, you can no longer see the thing. Aaroniel and Master Chin are flying about, but cannot locate it.

[srgonzo]

Um, never mind then. Kaurophon takes to the air to gain a better view of the situation. Specifically, I want to have the rest of the party in view, so I might be able to issue a warning to the others, if the disappearing human should happen to reappear.

[lostsole31]

R8T18.04: The Mendicant flies up to Master Chin's position to look at his wounds.

R8T18: Yellow, flickering energy flares up around a man-shaped outline, but too quickly for Klxzy to defend. Klxzy gets touched by the invisible human (who immediately becomes visible).

"Begone, tyrant of law, to whence you came!" shouts the man as he does so.

The yellow, chaotic energy washes over Klxzy but she manages to fight off its effect, and the energy aura around the man disappears.

R8T7: Klxzy, the human is now 5' above and adjacent to you and visible. What do you do?

[UserClone]

Whirling her blade above her, Klxzy delivers a series of wide, sweeping slashes. "As one!" she shouts.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

[lostsole31]

R8T7: (Klxzy's actions/ speech as posted by player.)

Klxzy's first attack is the most focused, but as her otherwise excellent downward strike would seem to bifurcate any normal unarmed human, she senses an energy that attacks the discipline of her swordsmanship and focus deflect her blade enough so that when she connects with the shoulder instead - still mightily at that - it is stopped cold by the human's ... really thick skin? The second strike is an absolute miss.

End Round Eight, Begin Round Nine ...

R9T19.9: Master Chin does a diving charge, focusing his ki for a stunning fist. He swoops down from an elevation of 55' down to an elevation of 10' (one square above the enemy), but opposite to Klxzy's position to flank and gain high-ground. The man weakly tries to defend but gets struck in the right forearm by the wrist for 12 damage, but the man proves too strong of body to be stunned so easily.

R9T18.05: Kaurophon's turn. He is 10' away from Klxzy, at an elevation of 20'. This puts him inside her protective aura which means he is not limited by spell level with which he can target the man. What does Kaurophon do?

[srgonzo]

Open up with a full spray of magic missile

Tyrant? Tyrant? Try going to a school where all of the other parents made their kids wear charms against the evil eye and told them not to play with the demon boy!

[lostsole31]

[OOC: Don't worry, I will roll the damage you didn't, Kaurophon.]

R9T18.05: (Actions/ speech as per player post.) Five magic missiles zip into the man for a total of 17 damage!

[lostsole31]

R9T18.04: The Mendicant swoops down directly above the man and attempts to grapple him. The man proves quite wriggly and gets out of The Mendicant's grasp.

R9T18: It's at this point, close to him, that everyone notices that not only is he only moderately wounded, his wounds are closing about as fast as the two saints in the party! He appears to be practically surrounded by three physically superior foes. He concentrates effortlessly to summon energies defensively. Now, at this range it is definitive: he doesn't cast spells so much as he wields spell-like energy. Another blast of chaos energy, centered on him at point blank range, blasts outwards from within the protective aura.

Of course, Kaurophon is unaffected. Master Chin, ever mindful to protect himself from the intrusions of chaos only takes 11 damage. The spell energies are totally dissipated by The Mendicant, who has suffered this attack enough and has enough spell knowledge to focus his resistance against it this time. Klxzy isn't so capable, but her mind is strong and solid enough to minimize the damage to 20 damage.

R9T7: Already beginning to repair this damage, Klxzy now has flanking against the man with Master Chin. What does she do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy makes sweeping arcs with the bastard sword, keeping it close and quick, never actually advancing the blade towards the man, but obfuscating her position and batting away counterattacks.

[total defense]

[lostsole31]

R9T7: Klxzy makes sweeping arcs with the bastard sword, keeping it close and quick, never actually advancing the blade towards the man, but obfuscating her position and batting away counterattacks.

End Round Nine, Begin Round Ten ...

R10T19.9: Master Chin invokes a martial ability that allows him to act as if hasted for 1 round. He smashes a heart/lung meridian in the man's left hand for 12 damage with a middle-knuckle punch. The man is tough, but Master Chin is an enlightened master of the Meditation of War style, and the man is stunned and reeling.

Master Chin then reaches down - dropping Alakast as he does so - for a grapple, and the man doesn't seem to have a chance to escape as Master Chin wraps him up for 15 nonlethal damage. Master Chin tries to pin him and fails, but is so fast and skilled he tries one more time and fails to pin him again.

R10T18.05: Kaurophon, Master Chin is grappling the human. What do you do?

[srgonzo]

Resume fire with the wand of magic missile

[roll0]

[lostsole31]

R10T18.05: 13 damage from Kaurophon's magic missile, having done more visible damage via this damage type than any other yet seen. (This guy seems to slough off the majority of Master Chin's otherwise powerful blows, though he is stunned now.)

R1T18.04: Mendicant: "Master Chin, keep him grappled. I noticed that your mighty blows only have little effect. How much more ki do you think you have for another stunning strike?"

Master Chin: "One more, but I would fail. This man's very essence fights my body, and it is hard to strike in a grapple. This is my best tactic right now, though I see now I simply have to squeeze him because pinning him takes too much time with his regeneration and resistant body."

The Mendicant nods, flies over to his longspear, and picks it up. "Klxzy, now is the time to take advantage of your knowledge of precise points and really give it to him. We may not have another chance."

R10T18: The man still is quickly regenerating his bruises, though he is still stunned.

R10T7: Klxzy's turn ...

[srgonzo]

If necessary, use my spear.

[lostsole31]

If necessary, use my spear.

[OOC: Read your PM, and get with the program. This guy is a monster, perhaps the single most dangerous opponent this group has ever fought, moreso than even any demons. Two of the party killed/banished/whatever. Physical brute power isn't doing much with the combo of DR-and-fast healing. The fast healers of the party are not doing well against this attritiveness, especially since they are both particularly and keenly affected by the chaos blast. Master Chin is getting pounded and he doesn't have fast healing. All this, and when the battle is over, there are no healer's for the enlightened master. While Klxzy has an opportunity to bring out some devastating sneak attacks now that he's grappled, this is Kaurophon's time to shine!]

[srgonzo]

The idea was Wounding could do him some real harm over time. If direct magical attacks are what work, then so be it.

Kaurophon prepares to cast cone of cold at the bad guy.
Sorry about this, Chin.

[UserClone]

Klxzy pokes and jabs expertly with the blade, trying to make quick, small cuts in vital organs.

[roll0]
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[lostsole31]

R10T7: Klxzy pokes and jabs expertly with the blade, trying to make quick, small cuts in vital organs. Yet, both times Klxzy is stopped by what appears to be very thick skin that she can't penetrate. Even with him being stunned, she might have hit were it not for some force that resists her intrinsically lawful nature.

End Round Ten, Begin Round Eleven ...

R11T19.9: Master Chin continues to move super-fast. He tries to simply hurt the man, but the man wriggles free. Chin is on him like lightning and makes a solid hold, squeezing for 20 base nonlethal damage, then 19 nonlethal, but loses hold of him the fourth time and the man is now free. The man is also no longer stunned.

R11T18.05: Because of the 3-dimensional aspect of the combat, with combatants coming at him from three different directions, Kaurophon wants to end the battle early but knows that he must sacrifice someone to friendly fire. Kauropohon flies in to directly under the man. "Sorry about this, Chin," Kaurophon signals to the massive monk.

He casts a spell (defensively, just in case) and a 60' burst of freezing cold in which all of the heat is removed blasts upwards at an angle, for a base of 34 damage, catching the human and Master Chin. The human sees what he is casting and is able to twist enough in time to minimize the effects of the spell; even then Kaurophon sees that while he takes damage, its not quite as much as he would have hoped.

Master Chin is a different case. By the time the cone gets to his position, it has spread out enough to give him nowhere to dodge. Even though he is used to dodging the occasional fireball or lightning bolt, such is the power of this spell and Kaurophon's mastery of evocations that he takes full damage.

R11T18.04: "By Ayailla's warmth, Kaurophon! Don't you realize that Klxzy and I are both immune to cold and have resistance to spells. Choose us for friendly spell-fire next time!"

The Mendicant flies back into his position, but 10' distant, and attacks twice with the longspear. "He has a protection from law spell or effect. I should have hit him the first time, but resisted me enough that I couldn't penetrate his hide. I say hide, because ... you're a gray slaad, aren't you?"

R11T18: The human replies in Common: "I won't't let you'll lawzify this placetik, championippers! Evil's don't got it wholly, nor does Good's and Lawzies! Whee-hee-hee!"

[I]Chaos hammer, again. Aaroniel and Klxzy take 18 damage. Master Chin takes 9 damage.

R11T7: Klxzy's turn.

[UserClone]

Klxzy continues to attempt to take advantage of her flanking position with Chin, slashing and striking at the human.

[roll0]
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[lostsole31]

R11T7: Klxzy continues to attempt to take advantage of her flanking position with Chin, slashing and striking at the human. The first stroke blasts through the anti-law aura and cuts nicely, but stops just short of where she needed to actually push past his thick hide to fleshy insides. The second attack simply bounces off his hide.Note that your hit points at the end of this round are at 50, just below half.

End Round Eleven, Begin Round Twelve ...

R12T19.9: Master Chin swings wildly in trying to grab the man, but makes a solid contact the second time. This time, it is the worst and sloppiest grapple you have ever seen from the big man, but it is enough to cause pain to the man (18 nonlethal). He continues the grapple for 19 nonlethal, and you can tell he is speed-boosting again as he makes a perfect grapple for 13 damage. That's a total of 50 nonlethal before factoring for DR.

R12T18.05: Kaurophon's turn. Lovely, Master Chin is grappling him. However, poor Klxzy ... who could otherwise do some serious damage if she could hit, has had several near-hits but is getting frustrated. What do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy continues attacking furiously and with great speed, certain that she's getting somewhere...

[roll0]
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Edit: ((Finally!))

[UserClone]

[roll0]
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[lostsole31]

Klxzy's shot is all well and good ... but it is Kaurophon's turn right now.

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon tries another cone of cold and attempts to angle it away from Master Chin while keeping the "grey slaad" in the area of effect.

[lostsole31]

R12T18.05: Kaurophon maneuvers to cast cone of cold on the "gray slaad," finding a point that will not hit Master Chin but rather The Mendicant. True to his word, The Mendicant is unharmed by Kaurophon's freezing sorcery. The target, however, is not so lucky and takes a full 41 hit points of damage before he drops to the ground.

R12T18.04: The Mendicant alights on the ground and checks him. "He's alive and stable, he's just unconscious."

Master Chin quips, "Like you, I fight better - especially in a grapple - when I am not seeking to end life."

R12T18: Already, little bit by bit, you see his wounds continue to close.

"He'll come to in another few seconds, but I fear I have no means of reasoning with him. Klxzy, judge as you must."

R12T7: Klxzy's turn ...

[srgonzo]

We'd have to bind and gag him, and he's only going to come back to do us harm. The presence of law compels him to do it.

[UserClone]

Coup De Grace.

[roll0]
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[lostsole31]

Mendicant doesn't stop you, but he looks away as you do it. He looks at Kaurophon and says, "No, binding and gagging him, unfortunately, would have done nothing. His powers are innate, and he can't target with his spells, but he can drop them on himself without harm."

A few seconds after Klxzy dispatches the man, he changes form into that of a gray slaad. However, he still wears the funny gauntlets and vest.

We are finally out of combat. Klxzy and Mendicant fast heal to full.

Time to pull out that wand, Klxzy ... Mendicant judges Master Chin to be at 25%.

[UserClone]

Klxzy will continually use the wand on Master Chin until he is healed up to 85% or better, as judged by Aaroniel.

[srgonzo]

@Aaroniel

Despite the necessity of killing him, that act hurt you, didn't it? I'm not talking about a physical injury, but murdering the slaad hurt you morally. Why is that? He had no qualms about killing any or all of us.

@Master Chin

Master Chin, I apologize for the injury I caused you. I failed to think clearly in the heat of battle, and you suffered as a result. As a result of my actions, Klxzy had to use more of our limited resources than she might have if I considered the consequences.

[lostsole31]

@Aaroniel

Despite the necessity of killing him, that act hurt you, didn't it? I'm not talking about a physical injury, but murdering the slaad hurt you morally. Why is that? He had no qualms about killing any or all of us.

I would love to discuss philosophy with you, Kaurophon, but now is not the time. We have our own dead to attend to, and there has been too much death today.


@Master Chin
Master Chin, I apologize for the injury I caused you. I failed to think clearly in the heat of battle, and you suffered as a result. As a result of my actions, Klxzy had to use more of our limited resources than she might have if I considered the consequences.

Master Chin just nods to acknowledge Kaurophon's apology.

Klxzy uses four charges on Master Chin, and manages to exactly heal him to full. [Just worked out that way, he was at 77%, but the next one topped him off.]

Klxzy realizes that, just to be sure, there is no evil aura on the slaad's gauntlets or vests. They look like they might be magical just given their interesting nature -and look on the gray slaad.

The new lantern-bearer is obvious: Kaurophon, as the others have weapons. The lantern is wielded two-handed normally (though as just a lantern you can use just one hand in battle, but it really is a two-handed object in non-stress scenarios).

The party begins to separate Jalanar from his goods. Master Chin realizes that the only person who had oil for burning was Rillian, and now he is gone. And there is not enough combustible material to ensure that burning his clothes will also burn the man.

He looks at Klxzy, "Shall we use a bead - or two, if necessary - from your necklace? But we cannot bury him here; better that we collect his ashes as you collected mine. Though in his case, in accordance with his wishes, it is to bury him in a better place."

He then leans in to Klxzy and whispers in Celestial (Kaurophon doesn't hear), "And if it's alright by you, it may take two blasts to make sure he sets afire ... but I would much rather it was your weaker magical item than the fiend's magic that accomplishes this on our exalted friend."

Klxzy hears Master Chin, of course, but something else has her attentive curiosity. Her keen eyes pick out some disturbance on the horizon miles and miles away. She sees that it is not between the party and the skull, but well to the east of that (you are coming from relative south heading northwards). It seems like there are flashes of some strange sort of ground-level lightning.

If she asks Kaurophon, the resident Occipitus expert about it, he would say that matches no known description of anything he has experienced here. There are no meterological phenomena because of the presence of the plasm eddies in the low sky.

"Magical spells in battle, maybe? Remember, as we must, that this is a violent place."

[UserClone]

Klxzy is loath to waste resources that are not replaceable, like her necklace beads, but after hesitating, she nods.

"If you would all be so kind as to give me a bit of room..."

She shoos everyone away from the radius of 25' around the corpse, then uses the small bead to immolate the body. If it isn't completely burned, she uses the next bead.

[lostsole31]

The Mendicant (leading) and Master Chin, each in their own way and traditions, recites various monastic benedictions covering the fallen.

Klxzy has to use a second bead, and she has 1 5d6 remaining.

Jalanar's remains are collected in a large pouch and held by Master Chin, who will take it upon himself to give Jalanar a more appropriate burial when the party is out of the Abyss.

No sooner does he finish the pickup than he turns his head quickly (he has great ears, though his eyesight is unexceptional). About 150' from the party, slopping around on the ground and coming your way at a 40'/round pace that seems quick even for them, are two man-sized creatures of oozing, inconstant form.

"Chaos beasts," says The Mendicant.

"No doubt drawn by our fireballs. The reverance we pay to our friend is repaid with chaos," he sighs.

[UserClone]

((That's a dirty trick, Russ, and I commend you for it. Should have seen that coming.))

"We'd better hide someplace. I have no idea how we'd fare in our weakened state, there only being four of us left."((Klxzy, Kaurophon, Chin, and Aaroniel, IIRC.))

[lostsole31]

Master Chin: "I, for one, am tired of being smacked around. However, having faced death and being the one most in need of help this last battle - not counting our fallen, of course - I do not intend to run from these incarnations of chaos, unless you recommend otherwise Saint Aaroniel."

The Mendicant: "There's nowhere for us to hide on these plains; flatter plains than even the rolling plains of our own world. Klxzy, we can outrun them easily enough briefly. Yet, we have travelled all day, and would have come to rest for Jalanar and Rillian's sake. Master Chin seems fine for now, but he has still marched long and hard and cannot force march too much longer.

"I would prefer to run, to avoid senseless violence; these creatures - whose touch is dangerous and would make you like them - is akin to a mindless hunter seeking to reform those it finds to its own universal philosophy of pure chaos. It is a philosophy I abhor, but not one borne of malice.

"But we must decide quickly, for they fast approach us. Klxzy, you will decide for us all."

[srgonzo]

Can't we just fly past them? I don't think Klxzy would be too heavy for me.

[lostsole31]

The chaos beasts are coming the opposite direction of where you need to go, so going on your way takes you away from them.

In other news, unless your creature description (or the ability that gives you an unnatural fly ability) says otherwise, you cannot carry more than a light load and remain aloft. The Mendicant can't even carry Klxzy (and her gear), and he is significantly stronger than Kaurophon (though for a sorcerer he's no slouch).

[UserClone]

"Let's get moving."

With that, Klxzy begins hustling forward, ready to get this mission finished once and for all.

[lostsole31]

You hustle for two hours. In doing so, Master Chin and Kaurophon both suffer 1 pt. of NL damage and are fatigued. The third hour of hustling, Master Chin takes 2 more points of NL, and Kaurophon takes 2 pts of NL from the increased hustle, and another 4 NL from the forced march.

The Mendicant (party physician) says it is time to stop. Both of them already suffer fatigue, and while you could use the wand (at great expense for so little damage, and NL at that) just to heal the NL, the fatigue Kaurophon has suffered from the forced march will only go away with rest.

Now that Kaurophon is fatigued, his strength drops to 10 and he is now carrying a medium load ... which in turn drops his movement rate to 20' land and air.

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon looks around to see if the chaos beasts are still following.

[lostsole31]

Hell no, you lost them loooong ago.

[UserClone]

Recognizing that the fully living members of the party are suffering, Klxzy announces, "It's time to rest. We'll begin moving forward again the moment you're all in fighting trim."

[lostsole31]

The party puts up camp. Master Chin and Kaurophon consume a ration and both drink (and deplete) Jalanar's waterskin.

The task of divvying up Jalanar's gear between Klxzy and Master Chin occurs (Mendicant won't take anything, and Kaurophon has no claim) :
The lantern of guidance is held by Kaurophon, but is SSMC equipment. Luckily, as an outsider, Kaurophon knows how to use martial weapons, so it is no skin off his wings to use it both as the useful object and as a weapon.
Dusty Rose Ioun Stone: Klxzy already receives an insight bonus to AC, so this goes to Master Chin.
Headband of Intellect +2: Klxzy, as it is crucial to many of her skills.
Cloak of Resistance: Party Treasury.
Periapt of Wisdom +2: Master Chin has one, and Klxzy is currently wearing the necklace of fireballs with one 5d6 fireball remaining.
Pearls of Power - 1 each of 1st & 2nd level: Klxzy, which almost doubles her spell capacity/ day.
Potion of fly: Master Chin, because the next category of objects is paydirt for Klxzy w/ her UMD skill...
3-1/2 Scrollcases full of magical scrolls!!! Klxzy still has to go through the work of deciphering them first. This is a huge find, one to make any wizard - or sorcerer for that matter - lick their chops. Klxzy might want to think about maybe letting Kaurophon look at them, and its party leader's choice if she thinks she wants to "gift" any to him for use by the party.
All other equipment held in party treasury.Instead of on the outside perimeter, Klxzy stands watch on the inside center of camp. Everyone else is 20' away from her, each 120-degrees arc from each other (using Klxzy as a vertex). This is to try to minimize AoE attack damage to party, while allowing everyone to enjoy Klxzy's protective aura. As bright as it is, the two fatigued members sleep easily, and Mendicant loves the light and the warmth of Klxzy's goodness (and his own protective aura) so it is not distracting.

The party rests for 8 hours, and then meditates an extra hour, and then they get ready for travel again. The party is only just stepping out on this new day's journey when Mendicant spots trouble and points it out to the party. Following the party in the air are three vrocks!

R1T20: Kaurophon's demonic ability to react to danger kicks in. He instantly sees them, they are easy to see once they have been pointed out. They are about 600 feet away, with an elevation of 50 feet, and are 30' apart from each other. This is a no-brainer for the DM ... mage armor! Let me know what you do with a move action ...

R1T19.9: What do you do? I assume, to respond to more immediate threats, that you have the holy bastard sword in hand(s)?

[srgonzo]

Dung!

Kaurophon flies as far away from the other three members of the party as he can, drawing the wand of web on the move.

[lostsole31]

You understand that web only works when you have two anchoring points (creatures are not anchoring points, by the way)? This terrain sucks for a web spell since it is so flat.

[srgonzo]

DOH!

Ok, belay my last. Magic Missile will be the wand of choice. (I was kind of hoping the web would just wrap around like a tortilla around a burrito filling.)

[UserClone]

"TO ME!" shouts Klxzy, running from the Vrocks, sights on the prize. She swirls her arm in a circle above her head, then draws the Holy blade as she sprints ((OoC: Yes, I know she can't run, so it's a double move.))

[lostsole31]

R1T20 (Cont'd): As before, but Kaurophon draws his wand of magic missile, holding the lantern of guidance in the other hand.

R1T19.9: (Actions/speech as posted by player.)

R1T12: One of the vrocks flies 50' and is then surrounded by several illusory images shifting about, melding, and shifting again. (550' from lag edge of party.)

R1T10: Master Chin double moves to be next to Klxzy.

R1T8: Another vrock performs exactly like its teammate, above.

R1T7: The Mendicant takes to the air, flying up to a height of 10', drawing his sling on the move, and flying to such a point as to be 10' above the square right behind Klxzy.

R1T3: One of the vrock's does not advance but hovers in the air behind its brethren.

End Round One, Begin Round Two ...

R2T20: Kaurophon's turn. You have been left behind some 60' as the rest of the party flees at a hustle. What do you do?

[srgonzo]

Follow after the rest of the party and holster the wand on the move.

[lostsole31]

R2T20: Kaurophon follows after the rest of the party and holsters the wand on the move.

R2T19.9: Klxzy, you know your enemies well enough now. They will overtake the party by flight, or by teleportation. The only one who has any chance of outrunning them for total avoidance is Aaroniel. What do you do?

[UserClone]

"Here we make our stand. Turn and fight. As one!"

Klxzy casts a bless on the party.

[lostsole31]

R2T12: This vrock takes a cue from the other, and holds his position in the air.

The Mendicant, seeing two of them do this says, "Unless they really have something to telepathize about, they should be doing what they can to close in for slaughter. Get ready, they are holding position because they are gathering their magics as they each attempt to call on another ... I think three will soon become six."

R2T10: Master Chin stands next to Klxzy, "I died once against them, but not again. Kaurophon, we stay together; we are too few and they soon to be many for you to try and cast from a false safety. If you have anything to make some or all of us better, there is no time like now to prove yourself."

R2T8: This vrock also stops midair and hovers.

R2T7: The Mendicant now takes the ground, completing the fighting square. The party fills a 10' x 10' area. Looking at the 10' square instead as a diamond. Klxzy is across from Master Chin, and Kaurophon is across from The Mendicant.

R2T3: This vrock gives an angry cawing screech. The vrock then flies in another 50' (500' away from lag end of party, which would be Mendicant).

"He failed his summons, which helps us greatly," says Mendicant with a smirk.

End Round Two, Begin Round Three ...

R3T20: Kaurophon?

[UserClone]

"Give us your best, devil-man," says Klxzy with a mirthless smirk. "It may be your last."

[srgonzo]

Unfortunate, then that the best I can do is either try to trick them or bathe them in their native element.

Heightened fireball to engulf the greatest number of vrocks.

(Sorry guys, but it was either that or mirror image. I thought pulling away more HP from the enemy was better than confusing them.)

[lostsole31]

R3T20: The two rear vrocks are side-by-side (30' apart). Kaurophon takes 3 full seconds and focuses but sends out a small bead of flame which all of you feel the heat from. It soars past the lead vrock to detonate in an airburst between the other two.

The one that was on the "end" before the lead one flew forward manages to soak up the spell entirely. The other one isn't so lucky, but it's demonic reflexes aid it where its spell resistance fails. It manages to roll into a ball in flight, and when it comes out, it appears unharmed ... obviously aided by a general resistance to fire. Kaurophon would have done 31 points of damage straight-up before halving for saves, etc.It wasn't the most agile maneuver, but it seems like it just made the roll barely in time.

R3T19.9: Klxzy's up!

[UserClone]

"What are you going to do next, hand them bath salts? Better to try the trickery."

Klxzy readies an action to zap the first vrock who comes in range with her eye ray.

[lostsole31]

R3T12: One of the rear guards does nothing ....

R3T10: "Are you kidding?!?" asks Master Chin incredulously. "Is that all you have? Are you really so selfish a demon-spawn that you never learned anything to make you a force multiplier, Kaurophon? Can't you make one or all of us more enhanced with your magic? Or does everything depend on you wailing at something with one type of energy or another?

"Your spells get soaked up by their resistance, and diminished by their other abyssal properties. If you have something to help us, you won't have that problem casting it on us!!!"

For action, however, Master Chin sets up an extremely defensive kata for himself.

R3T8: The other rear vrock also does nothing this round.

R3T7: The Empyreal Mendicant also performs a highly defensive kata in place.

R3T3: The lead vrock is now surrounded by a full-up mirror image. It flies in 50' (450' from party now).

End Round Three, Begin Round Four ...

R4T20: Bloody lawfuls crying about help. No wonder it's better to be chaotic ... you can always depend on yourself. Kaurophon's turn.

[srgonzo]

Sorry, but I'm used to working alone.

Mirror Image

[lostsole31]

Kaurophon makes 5 illusory duplicates of himself. Not a terrible tactic in protecting himself as he sets up for something else. Even if they teleport this round, they can't attack until next round, giving him a chance to cast another spell.

Klxzy, it's all you ... got anything to prepare? Now, in your estimation (Sense Motive) it's basically become a function of "worth of distance". If you don't show any powerful attack magics, they are likely to just charge in and enjoy the slam-bam attack. Teleporting in willy-nilly is only really useful if you don't know they're coming, or positioning becomes vital. Of course, they could get impatient (they're chaotic demons, after all) ... but if they have any tactical sense they will just charge. By the time you can blast them with a light ray, they can charge anyway.

[lostsole31]

R4T19.9: Klxzy holds her hands to herself and prays to St. Cuthbert to protect her in his daunting battle-to-be. A second later, a suit of dazzling breastplate made of pure light appears on her, though the light does not bother her friends (or her confederate, Kaurophon).

R4T12: A vrock flies 50' this round (500' away).

R4T10: Master Chin continues his total defense action with Alakast.

R4T8: The other rear vrock flies a mere 50' this round (500' away).

R4T7: The Empyreal Mendicant continues his defensive kata with his longspear. "This may just be the perfect time to give your weapon purpose and life, Klxzy. Name your weapon, the sword that has a piece of the heavens imbued within it! Let it not fight this battle Nameless and shamed."

R4T3: The lead vrock flies in 50' (400' away).

End Round Four, Begin Round Five ...

R5T20: Kaurophon? Looks like you may have a few more rounds of buffing available before battle is joined, unless the enemy changes pace. What do you do?

[UserClone]

"I am not worthy of a magical weapon of such power being named after myself, ans I shall name it after one who is beyond worthy: I dub it - 'Cudgel's Egde,' in honor of the holiest of the gods."
((Yes, I am aware that a cudgel is by definition blunt;' I couldn't help myself.:smalltongue:))

[lostsole31]

No sooner than she says that, sparks fly and a steel-and-musical noise of indescribable beauty, sounding not in rhythm but atonal, but inspiring as only a heavenly beckon for war might sound, and there in Celestial on the sword's forte is written 'Cudgel's Edge'.

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon casts greater invisibility on Klxzy.

[lostsole31]

R5T20: Kaurophon casts a spell, and while he is an "ally" even he finds her suit of magical armor a bit bright. Still, he touches her, and she winks out of view. The radiance caused by the armor still exists, so this is not a good choice for hiding ... but given her ability to slip a sword under defenses and the armor-light dazzles enemies, this was a very good choice indeed.

R5T19.9: Klxzy's turn.

[lostsole31]

R5T19.9: Realizing half a minute has gone by as the heroes have waited for the vrock to close full distance, Klxzy 'tops off' the duration of the bless on the party.

R5T12: One of the rear vrocks also does a 'top off' by enhancing his mirror image effect to go from 7 to 8 images (maximum), then flying in 50' (450' from point).

R5T10: Master Chin continues a total defense kata.

R5T8: The other rear vrock teleports from his distant position, to a mere 50' above the party ... primarily above the hated half-celestial's position .... and holds out his arms.

R5T7: The Mendicant drops his longspear, takes out his sling, and loads a bullet into the sling. "Looks like he's taking position for some kind of ranged combat," he says.

R5T3: The 'lead' vrock also disappears, but appears 50' above Klxzy, holding out his arms. Klxzy recognizes this vrock by the amulet he wears ... this is the one that was wounded earlier, escaped, and told her, "This isn't finished."

End Round Five, Begin Round Six ...

R6T20: Kaurophon, what do you do?

[srgonzo]

Move to a flanking position for Klxzy's intended target.

[UserClone]

A beam of radiant light shines forth from the spot where Klxzy had been standing, and now there stood only an indistinct corona of light. [roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2] (if applicable)

[lostsole31]

Kaurophon: The guy is flying 50' above ... are you telling me you want to begin flying skyward to end up flanking that vrock, making yourself so totally vulnerable?!?

Klxzy: The vrock is 50' away (above), you will hit it when you shoot (after Kaurophon), but sneak attack is only good out to 30 feet.

[srgonzo]

Sorry, I was thinking two-dimensionally
Cat's Grace on Klxzy
Here's another bit of support

[lostsole31]

R6T20: Kaurophon casts a spell and touches Klxzy. (This assumes she sees he's trying to touch her invisible body, and she lets him.)

R6T19.9: Klxzy's equilibrium, judgment of distance, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination heighten to supernatural levels, and you now have targets in range of your light ray. You now strike easily for 12 damage with your light ray against the lead vrock you met before. But wait! It only damages/dismisses a mirror image instead, with 7 remaining. Her Dexterity is now 20.
R6T12: The last vrock teleports into range. They all now link hands.

R6T8: One of the vrocks begins chanting/ dancing while holding the others' hands in midair flight.

R6T7: Mendicant aims for the "lead" vrock Klxzy hit, mainly because it has one less image, and the chance to hit him is greater. A sling bullet dismisses an image: 6 left.

R6T3: The lead vrock now begins to dance and sway with the others.

End Round Six, Begin Round Seven ...

R7T20: Kaurophon, you're up!

[srgonzo]

Don't let them finish!

Kaurophon unloads a full spread of magic missile at the images of the "lead" vrock.

[lostsole31]

R7T20: (Kaurophon's speech/actions per player, above.) Five missiles streak outward and ...
#1 = Dispels image.
#2 = Strikes for 3 damage.
#3 = Strikes for 5 damage.
#4 = Strikes for 3 damage.
#5 = Strikes for 3 damage.

Yes, I really rolled six 1's in a row. :smalleek: Five images remaining on that one.

R7T19.9: Klxzy's turn ...

[UserClone]

What are you talking about? He said "one missile per image." They strike unerringly, so why the heck would you bother with the random roll? That's completely against the point of the tactic, in my opinion. The random roll only makes sense when you're making a single attack against a mirror-imaged guy. This was five simultaneous attacks against five different images, so if there is a random roll, shouldn't it be to see if just one of those happens to be the actual guy and he takes a bit of damage?

Klxzy glares with righteous fury at the lead Vrock, aiming a ray of pure goodness and light at its chest. [roll0] [roll1]

[lostsole31]

R7T19.9: Klxzy glares with righteous fury at the lead Vrock, aiming a ray of pure goodness and light at its chest. It now has only 4 images remaining.

R7T12: This vrock (#3), with 8 images, is now swaying/ dancing.

R7T10: Master Chin continues defensive kata, not knowing what else to do ...

R7T8: This vrock (#2), with 8 images, has now been swaying/ dancing for a full round.

R7T7: Mendicant reduces the lead vrock's images by 1 (3 remaining) with a sling bullet.

R7T3: The lead vrock has now been dancing one full round.

End Round Seven, Begin Round Eight ...

R8T20: Kaurophon's turn ...

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon lets loose with another spread of magic missile at each of the targets.
The theory is sound, but I need more focus for the application

[lostsole31]

R8T20: (Post as player's speech...) Kaurophon lets loose with 5 magic missiles from the wand. Two streak towards the leader (the one 50' above Klxzy) - one image gone (2 remaining) and one would have hit but is absorbed by its magic resistance. Two missiles zip towards the one 50' above Master Chin - again, one image removed (7 remaining) and one missile absorbed. The last one targets the vrock 50' above Mendicant, dispelling one image (7 remaining).

R8T19.9: Klxzy's turn ...

[UserClone]

Invisible Klxzy Beams another shot from her eyes at the lead Vrock. "Remove the head, and the body will follow," she whispers to herself.
[roll0][roll1]

[lostsole31]

R8T19.9: (Actions as posted.) Klxzy's beam scores out yet another image on the leader (1 image remaining).

R8T12: This vrock has been swaying/ dancing for 1 full round.

R8T10: Master Chin continues total defense kata with Alakast.

R8T8: This vrock has now been swaying/ dancing for 2 full rounds.

R8T7: Aaroniel utterly misses the leader with a sling bullet.

R8T3: The lead vrock has now been swaying/ dancing for 2 full rounds.

End Round Eight, Begin Round Nine ...

R9T20: Kaurophon's turn ...

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon uses yet another charge from his magic missile wand, splitting the missiles between the remaining targets.

Would it be possible to split the missiles in such a way that once the image disappears (assuming it does), all the remaining missiles would hit the actual vrock?

[lostsole31]

[OOC: You target the creature, not the images, because magic missile can only attack creatures. So naturally, if the last image drops because it does fool the magic missile, the remaining ones targeted against the creature for whom there are no more images would be struck.]

R9T20: Kaurophon fires another volley of magic missiles.
Lead vrock: last image removed, final missile soaked up by SR.
Vrock above Chin: 2 images removed, 5 remaining.
Vrock above Mendicant: 1 image removed, 6 remaining.
R9T19.9: The lead vrock is finally open. What do you do, Klxzy?

[UserClone]

"Come and have done with this, demon!" shouts Klxzy as she looses another eye ray of holy fire. [roll0] [roll1] Wow. Even if it had hit, that's some pretty friggin' sucktastic damage. :smallsigh:

[lostsole31]

R9T19.9: (Klxzy as posted) Klxzy (who fumbled with a '1') misses her target badly.

R9T12: This vrock has now been swaying/ dancing for 2 full rounds.

R9T10: Master Chin continues as before ...

R9T8: This vrock has now been swaying/ dancing for 3 full rounds.

R9T7: Mendicant loads and slings another bullet at the lead vrock ... and misses again.

R9T3: The lead vrock has now been swaying/ dancing for 3 full rounds.

End Round Nine, Begin Round Ten ...

R10T20: Kaurophon's turn. The lead vrock's mirror images are all gone. What does K do?

[srgonzo]

Craptastic. I'm at work right now, and I can't access my character sheet. I will provide a post later. Rest assured, I'm going to try something a little more substantial than magic missile

Kaurophon pulls out a scroll of mass suggestion, and casts the spell, encouraging the vrock to stop his dance and deal with an immediate unseen threat.

(It's the RP equivalent of OMG! What's that behind you?)
If I can get him to stop dancing, we'll have a much easier time of it.

[lostsole31]

R10T20:Kaurophon pulls out a scroll, and casts the spell, encouraging the vrocks to stop his dance and deal with an immediate unseen threat above and behind them.

"If I can get him to stop dancing, we'll have a much easier time of it."

It is a brilliant tactic. Unfortunately, either because of their demonic resistance to magic, their alien minds, their concentration, or even the properties of this plane, nothing happens to shake their concentration. :smallfrown:

R10T19.9: Klxzy, you don't know the spell he cast ... but you get the idea. Kaurophon finally tried something that must have been powerful magic, at cost to himself - as the scroll he read from falls to dust in his hands. Alas, it wasn't enough. What do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy shouts "DAMN! Devils coming from the southeast! Retreat!" [roll0]

Whether or not the distraction ends up working, Klxzy tries her eye ray again on the lead Vrock. [roll1][roll2]

[lostsole31]

R10T19.9: Klxzy shouts "DAMN! Devils coming from the southeast! Retreat!"

The first two vrocks pay no attention, the third vrock continues - taking a slight notice of her and the direction - but its concentration is enough not to be ruined.

Still, Klxzy didn't devote her action to the Bluff, as she wanted to be able to use a standard action to try her eye ray again on the lead Vrock, so the Bluff's efficacy is too rushed. Holy energy shoots out of her eyes to hit the image-less lead vrock in the left wing for 15 damage. But it doesn't stop swaying and dancing ...

R10T12: This vrock has now been swaying/ dancing for 3 full rounds.

R10T10: Not having very good eyesight (at least not even close to his hearing or Klxzy's own excellent vision), Master Chin believes exactly what Klxzy said. Realizing that things are already dire, he rips out into a full run towards the Skull Mountain.

A full. out. run. He is now 120' away from the group ...

R10T8: Whether by intuition, by his enlightened senses, or his trust in Klxzy, Master Chin's seemingly foolish action may have saved his life. The vrock that started the dance - now that they have all started this action for 3 full rounds - acts as the focal point of energy. A wave of crackling energy bursts outwards 100 feet in all direction ...

ResultsThe unholy energy rips around Klxzy, as her evasive movements backed by her holy aura help her sidestep the energy entirely.

It is a strange happenstance ... Kaurophon tries to dodge the energy as best as he can ... but in the end it is Klxzy and Aaroniel's holy aura that helps minimize the blast for him. If only he were part demon, and not part daemon, he might have been spared even this much. Kaurophon takes 33 unholy damage, even evil as he is.

Aaroniel barely moves, and his subtle movements backed by his own holy aura cause the energy to cascade off of his skin.

Master Chin is out of range of the blast.
R10T7: Aaroniel calls out, "All that energy and time expended, and you failed utterly. But that, I believe, is the summation of your pitiful life as a demon."

He gathers his energies and a mote of holy energy, a piece of the sun itself, shoots forth and blasts a 20-foot-radius airburst above, engulfing all of the vrocks. The second and third vrock manage to dissipate the energy before it reaches them, but the lead vrock's resistance fails ... though its demonic mind is not nearly so affected as it could have been as it takes a mere 3 damage.

R10T3: "Prepare then," the lead vrock's voice can be heard in each of your minds as it screeches in Abyssal, "to be torn apart. For I will not run this time, celestial cancer!"

The vrock concentrates a moment, and 8 new mirror images now protect it.

R11T20: Kaurophon ... Ow! That was so-called "holy protection"? In one blast of energy, these monsters dropped you by about half of your hit points and you should be happy about that? You are in pain, and now the lead is already powered up fully again by mirror images. Mendicant's magic has been laughably poor. Klxzy talked about devils on the way, and while there is something not right about that, it's not wholly out of the question and she seems very convincing ... not to mention Master Chin already quit the field of battle.

What do you do?

[srgonzo]

To Carceri with these beasts.

Heightened (If that's even possible) Dispel Magic on the vrock(s).

[lostsole31]

R11T20: Kaurophon casts a spell, targeting the center of the vrocks. Nothing happens. First, no, you can't heighten dispel magic to make it worth a damn in this instance. The level of the spell (3rd) is not what matters for this spell; it's the level of the caster (11th for you), and Heighten only adjusts the spell level.

Next, you rolled a 7, 8, & 9 ... just in case you were curious. Regardless, the end effect is that your magic wasn't strong enough to bring down their illusions.

R11T19.9: Klxzy's turn. You don't know what Kaurophon tried ... but it doesn't seem to have worked. Master Chin is 120' away from the party, retreating from devils as you (re-)commeanded. What do you do?

[UserClone]

"Kaurophon, can you make us fly?" asks Klxzy quietly. "Pitiful demon, come and have done with this! You know you remain in the sky only because you fear the power of the light!
Klxzy fires off another eye-ray at the leader, likely only spoiling an image. [roll0] [roll1]

[lostsole31]

R11T19.9: (Post per Klxzy) ... an eye ray shoots out at the lead vrock, bringing the number of its images down to 7.

R11T12: The vrock that was above Master Chin breaks off from the group and flies after him in a run with enough angle to fly 10' above his head.

R11T10: Master Chin wheels around and commits to a full run action back to his spot with the heroes.

R11T8: The other brute vrock flies down to 10' clearance above the ground and lets out a hideously loud screech. Kaurophon & Master Chin are now stunned. Kaurophon drops the lantern of guidance and the wand of magic missiles. Master Chin drops Alakast. Aaroniel and (of course) Klxzy are unaffected.

R11T7: His spear dropped to get his sling, Aaroniel now drops his sling and flies upwards 5' acrobatically while getting his shobo out and on his right hand. He lashes out defensively and dispels an image, leaving 5 on this one.

R11T3: Having failed with spell power, the lead vrock is only too happy to oblige, diving down on a clawing charge at Klxzy with some power behind its swipe. Even with the luminous armor, it still just smashes her elbow for max damage (17 hp).

End Round 11, Begin Round 12 ...

R12T20: Kaurophon, you're stunned.

R12T19.9: Klxzy, you fast heal 4. What do you do?

[UserClone]

So, it made its 50% miss chance, or it can see invisible creatures?:smalleek:

Klxzy decides to take the creature on toe-to-toe for now.
She takes a couple of swipes at the vrock with Cudgel's Edge.
[roll0][roll1][roll2]
[roll3][roll4][roll5]

...if the invisibility does happen to factor in, please kindly add +2 to each attack and [roll6], and [roll7], respectively to the damage, for Sneak Attack.

I won't bother rolling the crit damage unless that attack happens to hit the actual Vrock itself.

[UserClone]

((After DM phone con, it has been determined that the vrocks who charged are actually still flying 10' above the respective PCs, making those sword swings impossible without a 5' vertical standing jump at a DC of 40. Therefore, I have decided to have Klxzy shoot an eye ray at the offending demon instead. I have been allowed to keep attack roll #1! :smallsmile:)

[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]

Phone ninja'd.

[lostsole31]

R12T19.9: Klxzy fires an eye ray at the vrock that tore at her elbow, and it deftly lands right in-between the center of eyes and melting the brain of .... an image. 6 images left on the leader.

R12T12.9: Despite the rigors of combat Klxzy (and Aaroniel) notices an eruption of bright, bright light some 1000' or more away, roughly (if the skull were north) NNE of your position. It is not an explosion, but rather is created and remains as a static, bright light.

R12T12: The vrock that broke off to chase chin, takes a run action and is now 10' above Chin ... somewhat, since the large creatures are mobbed above you all.

R12T10: Master Chin is stunned, but finally gains his wits ...

R12T8: The vrock that screeched last round is in melee with Aaroniel. He seems to have been given an "intel report" on this celestial from the lead vrock, for it fights with measured strikes instead of throwing its weight around ... but even then all attacks miss super-defensible, defensively-fighting Aaroniel.

R12T7: Aaroniel strikes twice with shobo-palm, dispelling two images and leaving only 3 on his target.

R12T3: The lead vrock, above Klxzy, screech-cackles hideously in delight that such a well-placed shot was wasted on its defenses. But it knows that it only barely hit her on the charge ... that she is too difficult to hit and that distracting light is ruining everything, so it fights her at reach with a mind to balanced combat. All five of its attacks miss her.

End Round 12, Begin Round 13 ...

R13T20: Kaurophon, you are no longer stunned. You dropped the lantern of guidance and your wand of magic missiles. What do you do?

[srgonzo]

Pick up the wand and fire a full spray at the vrock above Klxzy.

[lostsole31]

R13T20: Kaurophon er, heroically (?) reaches for his wand of magic missiles. (Since player didn't define, Kaurophon is using his dodge feat against his target.) As he bends down, the vrock above Master Chin claws at Kaurophon and dispels an image (4 left). The vrock fighting Aaroniel reaches past him and slashes Kaurophon in the left shoulder for 5 modified damage. Even the lead vrock enjoys this delicious opening, slashing at Kaurophon for 9 modified damage.

Kaurophon manages to get the wand despite the severe pain he is feeling from the claws and the unholy blast, and fires a full spray at the lead vrock.#1, 2, 4 = image. #3 = hits for 4 damage. #5 = hits for 5 damage. The lead vrock has only 3 images remaining.

R13T19.9: Klxzy, you fast heal. What do you do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy aims for the lead vrock's wing with her eye ray, hoping to revoke its flight status...all the better to slash you with, my dear.
[roll0] [roll1] [roll2]

[lostsole31]

R13T19.9: Klxzy aims for the lead vrock's wing with her eye ray, hoping to revoke its flight status. She misses the creature's wing and only manages to hit it in the head for a measly 32 damage.

R13T12.9: That bright thing in the distance (Kaurophon and Chin note it now, too) is moving closer at a phenomenal speed ... seeming to fly just off the ground ... winged, it seems.

R13T12: The vrock above Master Chin also lets out a hideous screech ... Master Chin and Kaurophon both fail their check by one, even accounting for the holy aura Klxzy and Aaroniel have. This was not meant to be, and Master Chin - who just a second ago regained his senses - is addled again. Kaurophon, also, drops the wand and holds his hands up to his ears ... stunned.

R13T8: The vrock fighting Mendicant 10' off the ground (Mendicant 5' off the ground) - the one that screeched last round - goes nuts on the stunned, using his reach to get past Aaroniel and beefs up with its Power Attack for some really nasty swings.Claw #1: Chin's head for 14 mod damage.
Claw #2: Image removed from Kaurophon (3 left).
Bite: Chin's left shoulder for 12 mod damage.
Talon #1 & 2: Both miss Chin.

R13T7: Aaroniel immediately retaliates for his allies by reducing two of the same vrock's images, leaving only 1 left.

R13T3: All of the lead vrock's attacks miss Klxzy. It's bite almost made it, but being an invisible blob of brightly glowing energy helps.

End Round 13, Begin Round 14 ...

R14T19.9: With Kaurophon stunned again, it's Klxzy's turn. She fast heals. What does she do?

[UserClone]

Klxzy turns and tries to clip the wings of the vrock with only 1 image left, figuring she has better odds to get this one that the lead one again.
[roll0][roll1][roll2]

[lostsole31]

R14T19.9: Klxzy turns and tries to clip the wings of the vrock with only 1 image left, figuring she has better odds to get this one that the lead one again. Even with its current combat with Mendicant - somewhat in the way - is no match for Klxzy's bless-ed, grace-d aim, and she hits that vrock in the wing for 36 damage!

Once Klxzy is finished, however, everyone feels the effects of her bless wear off ...

R14T12: This vrock (5 images) that was above Master Chin, sensing a block to one of its abilities lifted, braves an AOO from Aaroniel, the latter who only hits an image (4 remaining). He takes a 5'-flying-step downwards to be adjacent to Mendicant (laterally), and just above Kaurophon and Master Chin.

Spores come out of its skin to infect the living ... Aaroniel's blessed body is immune to all disesases, and is unaffected. Kaurophon, for his part, is immune to poisons ... which is another block to this ability. Master Chin's monastic training has him overcome diseases, but only those of a more mundane sort; unfortunately, he has no training against this supernatural effect and takes 3 mod damage as the mass of spores burrow into his body. The vrock then opens up its attacks on Master Chin with moderate power behind its strikes ...Claw#1 & 2: Miss.
Bite: Critical in left hand, opening up the artery, for 24 mod damage.
Talon #1: Upper right leg for 11 mod damage.
Talon #2: Right foot for 9 mod damage.
Total: Master Chin suffered 44 damage this round.

Once the demon has completed its bloody strokes, the pain snaps Master Chin out of his stun, and Kaurophon also comes to.

R14T10: Master Chin, bloodied, looks over to the bloody Kaurophon and says, "Klxzy, I and the sorcerer can little more survive this battle without healing now. Please ... use your wand on us and allow us to fight defensively in the interim."

Master Chin sets up a totally defensive kata, and attempts to pick up Alakast, knowing full well that he will draw attacks to him from all 3 vrocks. He is actually an amazing sight of defense, aided by the holy auras and a burst of speed, but all the vrocks miss (two just barely).

R14T8: With no one stunned any longer, the vrock fighting Aaroniel focuses on him, but this time dropping all Power Attack to hit the elusive flyer. It's no good, he's too amazing a defensive fighter, even with a few really well-delivered attacks. They all miss.

R14T7: Mendicant studies its ferocity and remarks, "It seems they all are under the power of some spell that makes them fight better than they normally would ... heroism, possibly."

His first shobo palm hits againsts its tough chest, but this was only to set up for his second strike ... which also delivers a shot to the vrock's chest (still has 1 image) for 31 damage.

R14T3: "Wounded, eh?" comess the vrock's wicked voice into the heroes' mind while its Abyssal assaults your ears. "Then allow me to give you all reason to continue to cower, HAHHAHAHAAA!"

With perfect concentration, the lead vrock's mirror images grow from 2 to 5. "I can do this all day, and this evening I shall dine on the bones of martyrs!"

Round 14 Ends, Round 15 Begins ...

R15T20: Kaurophon, what do you do? Again, the lantern and wand are on the ground. The wand is failing this war of attrition. You are badly wounded. Master Chin is badly wounded. Do you open yourself up for another 3 AOOs and most definitely get hit and die just to grab the wand that isn't doing as much as you probably would have hoped? Or, do you actually cast a spell that is frickin' effective ... most likely a force multiplier since these things are immune, resist, or totally deny your ability to do any substantial damage to them???

[srgonzo]

Cast haste on Aaroniel. (Defensively)

[lostsole31]

[Sigh. Why not just cast haste on all allies, per the spell?]

[srgonzo]

Yeah, that. :redface:

[lostsole31]

R15T20: Kaurophon casts a spell, and everyone notices that the world around them - save for their allies - seems to become a little slower.Haste effect on party. I expect you all to look at SRD and note what that means. Please don't make me have to prompt you for extra actions and the like. When making attack rolls, make sure you put "(haste)" as well as any other attack-bonus inclusion things you think you have next to the attack dice with the modifier already added in ...

R15T19.9: Finally, Kaurophon casts a 'dangerous' spell ... Klxzy, what do you do?

[UserClone]

Drawing a dagger, Klxzy fires off another eye ray, at whichever vrock holds the fewest images. [roll0] [roll1] [roll2]

[lostsole31]

R15T19.9: Drawing a dagger, Klxzy fires off another eye ray, at whichever vrock holds the fewest images, hitting the one with only an image left that is mainly fighting Aaroniel for 28 damage. Klxzy notes that it is very badly wounded now, and if it drops its going to fall on top of the party.

R15T12: Seeing that the prey it originally focused on is an impossible shell of whirling defense, the vrock that is just above everyone's heads, mainly Master Chin's own, begins attacking the only 'easy' target remaining ... the one that just cast a spell that makes his enemies seem to move faster defensively. It puts a moderate amount of power into its attacks.Claws: each hit an mirror image, 1 remains.
Bite: would have been a crit, last of Kaurophon's mirror images disappears.
Talons: Both miss Kaurophon horribly.
R15T10: Ivy leaves burst forth from various places from Master Chin's skin. Seeing Klxzy focused on attack, and having just taken out a dagger - precluding her ability to use (for now) the healing wand, Master Chin tumbles just outside the "drop zone" of the vrock that was against him and he flurries with Alakast defensively with both ends of the staff. In the initial flurry, three images of four disappear and Chin misses once, but then he is moving so fast he has another attack and he barely hits the vrock in the upper right arm for 18 damage.

R15T8: With the winged man fighting defensively and itself very badly wounded, the vrock above Aaroniel figures it doesn't have an unholy prayer of hitting him with anything other than a lucky strike, so it figures it's time to buff its defenses back up fully, and goes from 1 to 6 mirror images.

R15T7: "That's right, weakling," Kaurophon (only) hears inside of his head from the lead vrock. "I gave the order to target you just now, for we will see some blood on this trip, then come back again prepared for this holy invasion of our land. But I wonder, half-breed, if you can survive my onslaught ... for I will not stop it ... will you fight against those who only wish that which makes up your being is expunged from the multiverse? If you can survive me you will have proven your strength; fight for us after, and we will harm you no more. You have talent, perhaps."

Aaroniel hears none of this, but refuses to give up an advantage against a vrock. Under the effects of Kaurophon's spell, he is able to perform two of his decisive strikes. He targets the vrock that has only one image left (above where Chin was standing), focuses his holy ki, and lets her rip ... The first attack dispels the last image on this one, and his second attack was poorly thrown but his focus against evil brings it home ne'ertheless. He strikes the vrock in the outer part of its left wing as it flaps in for 34 damage!

R16T3: No sooner does Kauropohon hear the above in his head - again, only Kaurophon - the vrock attacks him with ferocious strikes. Whether by design to see what you do, your defenses mixed with celestial protection, bad luck, or the lead vrock's desire to really put power into its strikes ... Kaurophon only gets bitten in the upper left arm for 6 mod damage.

Round 15 Ends, Round 16 Begins ...

R16T20: The vrock's offer will not get you to your goal. You know this. It and its allies have not the power to help you. But one thing is for certain, without healing ... you will die horribly and soon enough. Kaurophon, what do you do?

[srgonzo]

Dimension door out of combat. (Casting defensively)

[lostsole31]

R16T20: With an iron will, Kaurophon casts a spell and disappears. Kaurophon...... your panic means I rolled randomly to see where you went. You reappear 880' WSW of relative position to the party. From about he center point of the party heading NNE, there is a glowing flying person that was heading to the party approx. 500' distant at last sight and moving incredibly quickly (winged flight)... but now you are now over 1000' feet from that phenomenon. The Skull Mountain was due north of the party's position, and still about the same for you now.

R16T19.9: Kaurophon cast a spell and now he's gone, leaving the rest of you. Of course, he was so brutally wounded he cannot be blamed. Another hit would have killed him, and you [Klxzy] chose the path of offense [drawing the dagger, and not the wand of cure serious wounds] ... so he did what he could in buffing you before leaving. What do you do?

[UserClone]

:smalleek: I'm really sorry, I totally forgot about healing. I just read haste and remembered that it adds a free attack at maximum attack bonus, and so I thought throwing daggers would be helpful, while I still had sneak attack...

Klxzy draws a second dagger, dropping Cudgel's Edge on the ground and throwing them at the nearest vrock. [roll0][roll1][roll2]
[roll3][roll4][roll5]

She then makes a five-foot step closer to Master Chin and begins reaching for the wand.

[lostsole31]

R16T19.9: Klxzy no longer has any damage on her. She drops the dagger, draws her wand, takes a 5-foot-step towards Master Chin, and fires an eye ray at the nearest vrock, which now (after her step) happens to be the one nearest Master Chin and with no mirror images remaining. She hits it in the upper chest for 32 damage.

R16T12.9: You all noticed something speeding towards your group earlier ... brightly lit, winged, glowing energy. It continues a winged run action and stops 80' from the battle. It is a winged dwarf with glowing, translucent armor - similar to Klxzy's but (should you actually see it with any detail) it is even more solidly built and the magical armor does not impede the wings at all. He has a shield at his side, but not yet out. Further description to come, you're in battle right now ... but, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he is definitely one of the 'good guys'. The cavalry has arrived.

R16T12: The image-less vrock by Master Chin that Klxzy just hit easily concentrates and is now surrounded by 6 new mirror images. Master Chin suffers another 1 damage from the ivy growth on him.

R16T10: Undaunted but cautious, Master Chin continues to flurry with Alakast defensively. He carves apart 4 images, and it is back down to 2 images again. The vrocks are beginning to get frantic.

R16T8: This vrock delays for something ...

R16T7: Aaroniel easily dispels one image, but poorly attacks on his second strike, leaving the delaying vrock with 5 images.

R16T3: The lead vrock lets out with a hideous screech. Once again, Master Chin is stunned, though Aaroniel is fine. (Makes sense, while Chin's eyesight is unexceptional, his hearing is particularly acute ... and so would be more susceptible.) The enlightened master drops Alakast once more.

R16T2: The vrock that was delaying now opens up on Master Chin with moderate power. The first claw misses. The second claw pounds Chin in the head for 17 mod damage. This is followed up by a bite to Chin's lower left arm for 8 mod damage. Chin is barely on his feet. The vrock rakes Chin in the left foot for Chin in left foot for 5 mod damage with a talon, and Chin is disabled. Its other talon, even in Chin's haze, gets blocked by his reflexes and the vrock's overly-aggressive style (and clumsy) attack.

Round 16 Ends, Round 17 Begins ...

R17T20: Kaurophon, are you going to take any actions from this distant point, or do you effectively sit out the rest of the battle?

[srgonzo]

Kaurophon uses dimension door to return to a point 100' north of the combat.

[UserClone]

Klxzy moves to use the wand on Master Chin, [roll0] if necessary. [roll1] [roll2]

((Edit: Yes! Super healing roll! :smallbiggrin:))