Snows of Niflyr VI: The Dragon Lives Again

[Zaydos]

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209641 old thread.

You return to the dwarven camp to find it much as you'd left it.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot arrives, for some unexplained reason feeling like he has been traveling for what was probably half a year. He can't quite explain it, but he dismisses this as what can only be some random mental tangent. He goes in search of the commander.

[Zaydos]

(for some reason my subscription didn't update)

You find the commander outside his tent, drawing strange diagrams with the butt of his axe's shaft.

[Emperor Ing]

He looks at the diagrams while speaking. I'm back, bad news. There is more out there.

[Zaydos]

More lands and more territories, or something else? The commander asks.

[Emperor Ing]

These wierd dragon-ey things about this big... he jestures their size with his arms ...came out. They move within a mind-numbing mist and breathe out some...gas that stops you from doing anything. Also, could I request the assistance of an Earth Priest? They hurt too.

[Zaydos]

Dragon-ey things? So there are more threats and more water out there, the commander says with a sigh before sending for an earth priest to heal your wounds.

[Emperor Ing]

Unfortunately, yes. Do you have magic that protects against...mind...fog...? Malathot stutters, unsure what to call it.

[Zaydos]

I am not sure, describe this fog? You said it numbs the mind, in what way? The commander says.

[Emperor Ing]

Hmm, well...it makes thinking and concentrating your thoughts more difficult. The gas they breathe makes it even worse, to the point where you can barely even will your limbs to move. I don't even know how I managed to stay airborne now that I think about it.

[Zaydos]

That sounds dangerous. Even so we must face it. We will take today to prepare, I advice you do the same. The commander says.

[Emperor Ing]

Sounds good. Malathot will rest for the day...

[Zaydos]

The night passes uneventfully. With the coming morning the dwarves seem to be preparing to head out again.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot approaches the group, casting Mage Armor on himself as he does so.

[Zaydos]

The dwarves don't take much notice of you as they continue to perform their work getting the expedition ready to go out.

[Emperor Ing]

Sooo... The white dragon attempts to trail into a conversation What sort of preparations are we making?

[Zaydos]

Readying the boats, getting them into the water, imbuing weapons with magic, one of the dwarves says.

If you wait the call to leave comes in a few minutes.

[Emperor Ing]

Huh, I thought we would want to clear them out before getting the boats out.

[Zaydos]

Don't know enough about the fog, the commander says, I have to take a risk, but I don't exactly want to be flying in whatever those things summon without back-up.

[Emperor Ing]

Yes, but I thought that is what the whole group is for. You remember, from the last dragon?

[Zaydos]

A dragon we can combine fire on. If we knew more about this fog, we might know whether it would become a battle of attritrion of magical forces.

[Emperor Ing]

You probably have noticed a pattern. Dragons have continuously become smarter, and individually more devastating. The first one I was able to defeat by myself. While you were not there, you know what happened. The second, not so hard. The third one...well, you were there. If this isn't the Red Gal'Raxthon I will personally transform into a crystal tree and retroactively eat a mountain. However...I concede that if you think this is for the best, it is your decision, though. This is just my opinion.

[Zaydos]

That's why I'm worried about its servitors. Those have been growing more dangerous as well. These may prove capable of negating our ability to work magic.

[Emperor Ing]

They haven't done anything like that that I have seen. Fast forward to moving out?

[Zaydos]

Alright.

The ships set off. After quite a bit, one of the dwarves in the ships sounds a horn, and the dwarves pull forth crossbows and ready hands for magic.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot casts Fist of Stone on himself and flies out to where the dwarves are looking out.

[Zaydos]

Roll spot, and initiative.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh crap, the Official Fail Check of Niflyr..and one I do relatively well in.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

(sorry comp trouble, couldn't get on yesterday... that and Gundam Warriors)

You don't know where exactly the thing the dwarf was pointing at is, but you do react first. You know its general area (it is in either square A, B, C, or D) but not precise area (you haven't seen it, but can tell closely enough where the dwarves are looking).

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot charges his breath, ready to blast what comes out.

Prepping an action to Maximize Breath when something that's clearly hostile comes into view. He also moves so the breath would actually hit

[Zaydos]

Readied is standard action only (maximize breath is a full round action).

((as a side note I will be away from comp tomorrow for over 24 hours, just a heads up)).

[Emperor Ing]

So regular breath readied action.

[Zaydos]

You see a barrage of bolts fly past you, and then three of the weird dragon-things break out of the canopy above in three different directions (you can catch two with your breath; they aren't so stupid as to stay together once spotted).

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot tries to cast Magic Missile on one of them
[roll0]

breath recharge
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

I was waiting for the breath weapon damage roll, actually and for you to choose 2 (let's call them, A, B, and C).

[Emperor Ing]

A and B, why not.
and
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

One of the creatures looks hurt, the other seems to have avoided the worst of the attack. The hurt creature looses its own breath at you (Will save). Meanwhile the other two move to attack the dwarves.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
Will save

typical

[Zaydos]

You are dazed for [roll0] rounds. The other two strafe the dwarves. One falls under a hail of bolts, the other already weakened by your breath is struck by a bolt of lightning.

You begin to spiral downwards towards the water as the dragon-thing flees. After you hit the water, the dwarves fish you onto a boat.

[Emperor Ing]

((Holy crap I have so many characters talking in Medium Turquoise))
Agh, thanks. He says this to the dwarves before trying to rejoin the battle.

[Zaydos]

The creature that dazed you has fled, its superior flight speed quickly placing it out of sight and range of, the other two are floating dead. ((5 rounds is a rather long time))

[Emperor Ing]

((Yes, I was planning on using my breath again.))
Since there's no battle to rejoin, the fleet will probably keep moving, and Malathot will be flying just above them.

[Zaydos]

To your surprise the dwarves fish out the, at least seemingly, dead body of the attacker and then turn about.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot is confused. He flies around looking for the commander.
Hey, uh...why the turn-around?

[Zaydos]

Because I am not yet ready to face the dragon which lives in this territory. We might be able to gather information from the autopsy, or even provoke an attack out of its territory where the situation does not favor it so highly.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot rolls his eyes, then seems to freeze in place as he realizes that these progressively growing dragons are indeed more dangerous than the last. Yes, yes. That's probably-that's for the best.

[Zaydos]

The boat makes it back to the shore before too long and dissection of the creature begins.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot watches

[Zaydos]

They take knives, lacking proper dissection tools, and begin to cut into the creature opening its stomach, throat, and investigating the muscles of its chest, back, wings, and limbs.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot isn't sure whether to be fascinated, disgusted, or hungry.

[Zaydos]

The wizards continue their investigations for some time; do you do anything?

[Emperor Ing]

Nothing at the moment. Possibly just hang out. :P

[Zaydos]

After a few hours a thick fog begins encroaching from the sea.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot goes to try and get the commander.
Uh, sorry to interrupt but I think we have company.

[Zaydos]

He's currently shouting for people to get ready for battle.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot stays on the ground, watching for something to come out.

[Zaydos]

The fog bank continues onto shore; it's thick obscuring vision heavily. You can still vaguely sense the dwarves through hearing and scent (blindsense yay), but you're going to have trouble seeing any enemies which do come.

[Emperor Ing]

Yeah, and...any sounds or things come into blindsense yet...?

[Zaydos]

Make a listen check for sounds; as for blindsense is the range 30-ft or 60-ft on yours (or more)? I lost the class.

[Emperor Ing]

Gotta be 60 ft

And the Official Fail Check of Niflyr: Go!
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

That's a fail.

Something new has entered the area of your blindsense from your right.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot moves over to investigate, because it could be a dorf, and fog doesn't block vision that is that close. At least it shouldn't.
Prepare action to frost breath

[Zaydos]

The thick fog slows your movement, the dwarves further impede it. As you move more creatures come into range of your blindsense, most likely dwarves, due to the movement.

What's your land speed (or link your character sheet, I should bookmark it). Also readied actions need a trigger and actually only work within initiative ((don't ask why; it's mostly a balance reason))

[Emperor Ing]

((Malathot, (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=261468) 50 ft land speed))
I'm getting tired of this, SOUND OFF!!

[Zaydos]

You see a flash of light from the left, the smell of ozone filling your nose, even as thunder cascades through your ears. A surge of pain, heat and lightning rushes through your left shoulder and wing.

29 electricity damage, Reflex (DC 19) for half.

[Emperor Ing]

woo, weakest save
[roll0]

Malathot retaliates with a blast from his own breath
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Zaydos]

Cone or line?

You will probably catch dwarves in it either way.

[Emperor Ing]

Okay, change action. Charge?

And...the internet-wide SOPA blackout is preventing me from accessing Malathot's sheet. :smallannoyed:

So i'm just gonna take a semi-wild guess on Malathot's attack

[roll0]

[roll1]

[Zaydos]

You fly full length at the creature. As you see its form through the fog you realize its a strange blue roughly spherical thing. You can't see any eyes or discernible features on its body. Your teeth meet with little resistance as they rip through it only for the rupture to cause a burst of electrical energy to clear (28 damage, Ref save for half; DC 20).

If you're still conscious you do not see any trace of the creature after its explosion.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]

Malathot is getting fried, however he is still very conscious (37 hp remaining)

Any places that are all detectable in blindsense that might be hiding places?

[Zaydos]

You're just over the water now so not really; you can sense other creatures over the water, but it's quite possible that they simply have a range longer than your blindsense.

[Emperor Ing]

Is there any possible...way i'm sensing them with any noticable differences?

[roll0]

[Zaydos]

If they're over the water they're probably not dwarves; but really you need to get rid of the fog so you can see or move around. The other option is let them blast you so you know what direction they are.

[Emperor Ing]

So...magic missile one entity over the water?
Also, you'd be suprised how difficult it is to use Clear Skies since I actually can't use dragon shouts.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You have to fly a bit first to 1) keep from crashing (or else use a move action to begin hovering) and 2) find one.

You can't tell if your missiles hit or not but their is a flash of light, a roar of thunder, and it's gone afterwards.

[Emperor Ing]

((I thought I did find one. :smallconfused:
And I am assuming that I take a move action to hover. Casting is a standard action, I just thought it was so self-explanatory that I didn't need to specify what Malathot was probably doing absentmindedly.))
So they die with exploding thunder. Don't get near one. Fragile too. How fragile are we talking about?
Malathot mutters softly to himself as he looks through his blindsense for any more entities over the water.

[Zaydos]

You can sense 3 moving together.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot casts Magic Missile on the three of them. One missile per thingie, two on one of them.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Zaydos]

There is no corresponding flash of lightning and thunder.

[Emperor Ing]

((Living spells?))
Hey! Anyone here?

[Zaydos]

((except for pixies and dragons have I used any official creatures in this game?))

How loudly do you shout?

[Emperor Ing]

A soft yell
((Well depends what you mean by "official," but i'll take that as a no.))

[Zaydos]

Roll a luck check (1d20) and a reflex save (DC 18) for half vs 18 electric damage.

((do you still have the bronze dragon avatar, I couldn't find where I saved it)).

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]

Can I use Wings of Cover to block teh lightning?

((Which one? Aujir (http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/EmperorIng/something-1.png) or Gamer? (http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/EmperorIng/dmagon2-1.png)))

[Zaydos]

It'll give you a bonus on the Reflex save like it says it does (it spells out that it doesn't stop AoE only granting a save bonus; which makes it really odd); it's a line not a single bolt.

Aujir

[Emperor Ing]

Well i'm skrewed.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

((9 damage; what are you left at?))

[Emperor Ing]

((28, yeah, won't last much longer))

[Zaydos]

Well lightning hit you, what will you do?

[Emperor Ing]

Zap its source!
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You are rewarded with a burst of thunder and a flash of lighting.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot tries casting Detect Magic.

[Zaydos]

The fog all around you glows with an aura of magic. You don't have time to analyze it as a sudden gust of wind blows it away (make a Strength check).

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
At least it's not the Official Fail Check

[Zaydos]

(sorry forgot to check my user cp for a bit)

You manage to battle the winds and keep from getting blown with them. The fog is dispersed, but you cannot see any of the electricity bags.

[Emperor Ing]

He looks around for anyone or anything else

[roll0]

[Zaydos]

You can see some dwarves flying over the water, that you probably hit with magic missile earlier, but that's all. The short range of sight in this area means that any of those bags were probably blown out of sight.

[Emperor Ing]

((Two things: One, your avatar is not a blue dragon, fix the sig.
Second, I might remake your avatar. Since I created it there's been several things that have bothered me about it. I've done a bit of work on my dragon templates, and I am confident I can make vast improvements.))

Malathot flies to them What's going on?

[Zaydos]

Not sure, these things just started flying out. Probably an attack from the dragon of the territory.

[Emperor Ing]

I don't doubt that. Can you get rid of this fog?

[Zaydos]

Not I, but its gone from this portion already. It would probably be best if we returned to the shore.

[Emperor Ing]

Good idea.
He flies to shore.

[Zaydos]

The mist is, at least for now, gone from the shore, but the dwarves are still on high alert.

[Emperor Ing]

So Malathot returns to shore. Anything else happening?

[Zaydos]

The dwarves are on the look out, but the creatures do not seem eager to return yet. What they are plotting, or if they are capable of plotting, is at the moment unclear.

[Emperor Ing]

Okay, does anyone have any idea what just happened? He asks out loud as he goes hunting for an Earth Priest.

[Zaydos]

Most likely minions of the territory's dragon. A conjured wind blew them away with the fog, but no telling when they'll be back, a dwarf says. You can find an earth priest fairly easily, they are tending to the wounded at the moment.

[Emperor Ing]

Since the priest is likely seeing people in sequence, Malathot will try and set himself up into the line. Yes. They were likely minions. But what I want to know is what WERE those "minions?"

[Zaydos]

The person ahead of you in line shrugs, I don't think they b' l'vin an' bod's so I doubt w' know.

[Emperor Ing]

So...what now?

[Zaydos]

I'm not a mage, so I b' waitin

[Emperor Ing]

So I guess we wait?

[Zaydos]

Half and hour passes uneventfully; you manage to get healed 19 hp (yes the earth priests are running out of healing magic; they're druids not clerics).

What do you do after you get healed? Where do you go?

[Emperor Ing]

((Clearly they haven't mastered the art of UNNNLIIIMIIITEEED POOOOWWWAAAAHHH!!!

Also, i'm at a total loss of things to do. Since there's something you clearly want me to do, how 'bout a hint...?))

[Zaydos]

How close to the shore do you stay? Where do you position yourself? I.e. where do you decide to sit down, unless you do something random?

[Emperor Ing]

Lets say...somewhat close to shore, with Malathot's side to the water.

[Zaydos]

Make a Spot and Listen check

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
[roll1]

Lessee what happens.

[Zaydos]

There's a splash of water as a barbed tentacle slashes across your body (6 damage). Something is flailing about 10 tentacles even as it rises from the water.

[Emperor Ing]

Although he should have been more alert, the white dragon is caught off-guard by the tentacle rake. Malathot makes a quick jump back in immediate reaction, then he attempts to blast the tentacles with frost.

5 ft step
Maximized Breath (54 damage I think)

[Zaydos]

The ice hangs on the creature, and a flurry of tentacles batter at you (20 damage, Reflex save DC 23 for half)

[Emperor Ing]

((How useful would Wings of Cover be, considering this isn't really an AOE?))

[Zaydos]

((+8 to the save)) It's technically a flurry of blows from all sides primarily the front one.

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
Malathot then makes another jump back, using his powers to create a wall of ice between him and the creature

[Zaydos]

The tentacles batter at your wall dealing 23 damage to it.

The dwarves are rushing about, the mages are coming forward.

[Emperor Ing]

The ice wall still holds, although one more strike will surely cause a breach. Malathot takes the opportunity to move back 40 ft from it, and ready a Magic Missile as soon as that thing breaks through.

[Zaydos]

A few dwarves strike it, firing lightning and fire at it. They seem to have distracted it for now as it turns to attack them instead.

[Emperor Ing]

((But the ice wall hasn't been breached yet))

[Zaydos]

((they, the dwarves, went around; also there were some next to the shore as well it was just targeting you mostly because you breathed on it))

[Emperor Ing]

So...Move action to fly up, and if I have a clear shot of the creature, magic missile
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The creature spasms, and for a moment its attention is directed at you. It fires a black blob of something but its attack falls short by a fair bit.

[Emperor Ing]

Another Magic Missile. Then move action to fly 45 ft away from it.

[roll0]

[Zaydos]

It explodes unleashing waves of blackness towards the dwarves nearby which washes over them.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot approaches, trying to see what just happened.

[Zaydos]

The dwarves are removing the gunk from their bodies and shreds of creature lie on the shore.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to examine the creature more closely. Mostly wondering if it's edible, though he doubts something whose insides are a black bile is. So he'll probably smell it.

[Zaydos]

It smells like a mix of smog and cinnamon, a disgusting smell which washes over you, the stench of corruption. The insides seem uniform in nature, all a meaningless black goo with a total lack of individual organs to be found except for its skin. It lies upon the shore like an oil stain.

[Emperor Ing]

((Alright i'm gonna be completely honest, I have NO idea how to move forward right now.))

[Zaydos]

At the moment I thought you'd ask more about the stuff, or talk to the dwarves (who are not going to move forward right now, they are looking tattered).

[Emperor Ing]

((I'm really not getting any hints. Even as to what to ask about. Maybe the voice in my head whose name I forget has an idea?))

[Zaydos]

((I forget his name too O_O))

The dwarves decide to rest for now, ordering fortifications rebuilt. They seem worried, this creature was more dangerous than those that came before and the dragon here might very well be enough to destroy the expedition.

Elf is sullen and unhappy, he keeps flipping from suggesting making a deal with the territory ruler and waiting for the dwarves to kill it; he seems worried either is suicidal.

If you go ahead and rest I'll skip to the next day.

[Emperor Ing]

So Malathot just rests.

[Zaydos]

Morning comes and you feel strangely comfortable for the first time since coming into this twisted swamp. An icy mist hangs over the area blocking sight beyond your own nose, and a film of frost covers the ground and even your own body. (It's Str DC 5 to break the ice film so we can assume you do).

[Emperor Ing]

((Let's test my luck
[roll0]
))

Malathot gets up, breaking through the ice with little problem, though the lack of visibility is a serious problem. Moving slowly, and trying to recall the camp layout from yesterday, he attempts to move towards some sort of landmark (a hole in the ground, stake, tent, something) to get some sort of orientation of his surroundings.

[Zaydos]

You can see the commander's tent, likewise covered in ice. The limbs of the trees, once supple and serpentine, now are rigid with frost, many breaking. A tree has even fallen across the middle of the camp, and you can tell many of the dwarves are already dead from the cold and others are dying.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to enter the commander's tent.

[Zaydos]

(sorry got caught up in tests, getting into summer school, and just not having been on in several weeks)

The tent itself is covered in ice, the front flap frozen in place. It does seem warmer here, but it seems not to be warm enough to thaw the magical frost.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to break the ice with a fist then enter.

[Zaydos]

The ice is too thick to break easily (Make a Strength check (DC 23))
Success:
The ice breaks and you may enter to see what's inside. There are no dwarves within but a tunnel leading into the ground. A gold-red flame flickers in the cave, obviously of magical nature.

Failure:
The ice is too thick to break easily and will require some time clawing at before breaking.

[Emperor Ing]

First he attempts to punch the ice.
[roll0]

And assuming that doesn't work, he points a finger at the ice, attempting to batter it with magic missile.
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

The missiles of force hammer away at the ice, sending cracks through the outer layer. They don't go quite all the way through, but another similar attack should shatter it entirely.

Should you use the second missile:
The ice shatters. It'll take a few moments to widen the gap to cross through it, but is easily possible. There are no dwarves within but a tunnel leading into the ground. A gold-red flame flickers in the cave, obviously of magical nature.

(sorry to do the spoiler thing, it's just because I've been forgetting to get on recently since I haven't been getting on GiantITP for any other reasons, and I don't want to slow the game down too much)

[Emperor Ing]

((Gaaaah, this is what I get for physically checking the forum instead of my subscription folders :smalleek:))
And yes, a second Missile is used.

Not really having any other options, Malathot squeezes in. He casts Mage Armor as a precaution. He also attempts to use his limited understanding of magic to possibly understand what the fire is, or what could have created it.
Knowledge (Arcana)

[roll0]

Assuming he either fails or determine it's easy enough to avoid (or doesn't prevent him in some other way from completing the following action) Malathot attempts to fly down the hole.

[Zaydos]

You think it was the dwarves, an attempt to hold back the ice. The hole is too small to spread your wings but an easy slope to walk down. You can hear a clanging sound coming from deeper within.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot continues down, and cast Fist of Stone since obviously it'll come in handy fairly soon.

[Zaydos]

As you continue down the tunnel, you see the dwarf commander and another two of the mages covered in frost. A fourth dwarf is chiseling at a slate of ice covering the top of the tunnel with the head of an axe.

[Emperor Ing]

He taps at a nearby wall with his claw, doing nothing except creating a soft noise to get the dwarf's attention.
Hey! What's going on here?

[Zaydos]

I don't know, things started to freeze, the dwarf answers, How's the rest of the camp?

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot glances off in apprehension.
Very, um...very bad. You should be helping them right now, you could probably do better with them than I can. I can take over whatever you're trying to do here.

[Zaydos]

I'm simply trying to get out without freezing. Is the way you came in still open?

[Emperor Ing]

It should be, i'll smash it open if it closed again. He looks towards the other three dwarves. Are they going to be okay?

[Zaydos]

I, he says looking at them, have no idea. This is not a magic I am accustomed to it. It's bigger than even what the white wyrms we fought used.

[Emperor Ing]

I don't know anything either. Not that he can complain.
Malathot attempts to gently touch the commander.

[Zaydos]

Make a Fort save.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh God the d20s!
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Ice begins to cover your right arm. It doesn't hurt you, but the ice seems to be spreading quickly as if to cover you entirely.

[Emperor Ing]

Uhm... He looks at his arm being enclosed with alarm. Although ice wasn't harmful, the idea of being enclosed in it wasn't that appealing.
I may require some help. Malathot says as he attempts to use his magically augmented strength to break the ice.
Strength check
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

(are you breaking the ice connecting the two of you or smashing the ice with your other arm... also sorry for assuming you touched him with your right arm)

[Emperor Ing]

First pulling away, then smashing. If a second check is required...
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

(pulling away would actually be more of a Dex check but with a 14 before mods you made it either way)

You pull your arm free but when you strike the ice your first rebounds away. Though the ice did not break it seems to have stopped for now.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh that's not good. He mutters to himself noticing his arm is free and the ice has stopped growing, although it's still there.
And where is the 4th dwarf?

[Zaydos]

Still beside you, at most it's been about 3 seconds since you touched the commander.

[Emperor Ing]

So...erhm... Malathot attempts to say
What now?

[Zaydos]

We, erm, he says looking at his comrades his face showing obvious fear. I go see about the others. Perhaps if I get outside I can figure out something of what's happening here.

[Emperor Ing]

Yes, go ahead. If you need the entrance smashed again just call. I'll take over on...wait. What were you doing here again?

[Zaydos]

Trying to dig out. We were hoping to have dug far enough to escape the ice, but then the others froze over.

[Emperor Ing]

It didn't occur to you four to just blast you way out? Malathot says incredulously.

[Zaydos]

We only had one fire spell available and all that did was slow its encroach. Lightning did nothing.

[Emperor Ing]

So...what do we do now? Do you know what's causing this?

[Zaydos]

No idea. This place. A wyrm.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts to scratch the back of his head, but he is reminded that his hand of choice is currently encased in ice. Yeah. He should probably do something about that.
He attempts to bash it against a nearby wall, taking care to land it at an angle that would be less painful if his arm weren't frozen
Strength check
[roll]1d20+8[roll]

Well, I don't see a reason to stick around, we can do more outside. Maybe. He says, making his way out the tunnel, expecting the mage to follow.

[Emperor Ing]

Gah, roll fail
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The ice suddenly grows another inch up your arm before stopping again.

The mage follows when you start to leave, casting a glance back at the frozen dwarves. When you reach the top, the entrance to the tent has frozen over once more.

[Emperor Ing]

The white dragon rolls his eyes when he notices the tent froze over again. Ugh. I JUST blasted this open! He attacks the door with his everything save the icy arm.

Full Attack
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
(slam attack from Fist of Stone)
[roll5]

[Zaydos]

You manage to chip away a hole which you could probably fit through, though the sharp edges of the ice look like they might cut into your wings. You doubt the dwarf could get through, though.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot takes the time to chip away at the pointy edges, noting that they are way too close for comfort.

[Zaydos]

The ice is slowly growing back even as you break it but you can make a path for yourself and the dwarf.

Exiting the tent everything is still covered in ice, even the water has frozen over.

Make a Spot and Listen check :xykon:

[Emperor Ing]

Well of course the water froze over. That's pretty much a given.
Also, the correct image is...
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJhGwpa4qg0FSO5tfxQaF9M0rHcFKRb bUCbqHpLIEZvoaihlbHXQ

Anyways, Official Fail Check of Niflyr
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

Ice stretches as far as you can see in every direction. The dwarf's breath fogs up with each exhalation and bits of it even freeze, already he is shivering. The cold here is greater than any you have ever felt elsewhere. The only sound the jangling of frozen leaves as the wind blows through them.

[Emperor Ing]

I...think you might wanna go back in the hole, it's warmer down there and I can tell it's unusually cold right now.

[Zaydos]

I will the dwarf says, pain in his voice, his right arm is already freezing.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot attempts another quick lookaround
[roll0]
He also focuses on the tent door to make sure the dorf can get back inside

[Zaydos]

(dang you and focusing on the right thing :smallbiggrin:)

The dwarf gets in but right behind him you see a blur, like the distortion caused by air of a very different temperature. Suddenly the blur solidifies into a white furred creature, two bony ridges running across its skull and down its back. It stands on two legs, and one of its clawed hands hangs by its side the other is being plunged into the back of the dwarf.

[Emperor Ing]

Hey! You! Malathot yells, attempting to get the creature's attention.
What do you think you're doing?!
Ready an action to cast Magic Missile

[Zaydos]

Roll initiative (readied actions only work within initiative and as soon as you talk it's reacting as well :belkar:)

[Emperor Ing]

Woo, my buffs are still up!
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The creature turns its head hissing. Its mouth opens vertically two long tongues sticking out. Its eyes are situated on a bony bridge above its nose sticking out about 3 inches from its face. They are both a sparkling red and seem to focus on you.

(your action first)

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot sends a magic missile flying to the creature's face as he expected to, finishing the maneuver flying upwards into the sky

So Readied action to cast magic missile
(it's been a while so i'm not sure if that gives me a standard action or not. If yes, breath attack)
And finish with a flight straight upward (speed 80, I think that gives me 40 ft of sky)
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

(actions can only be readied within combat itself so you have the choice of breath weapon or magic missile; also canopy cover limits you to 40-ft altitude)

[Emperor Ing]

(Is the canopy covered in ice?)

[Zaydos]

(Yes actually, and normally too thickly covered for you to fly through)

[Emperor Ing]

(I have icewalking. Spider Dragon mode engaged :smallbiggrin:)
And I op to use magic missile.

[Zaydos]

The thing hisses and pulls its claw from the still breathing dwarf's chest (good choice your breath weapon would have killed the dwarf). It leaps onto one of the frozen trees and begins running up it.

[Emperor Ing]

((How far away is it? Also is it visibly an ice creature?))
Malathot casts Bands of Steel on it to try and slow it down

Reflex save DC..14 vs helpless, entangle on fail

[Zaydos]

(white fur, running vertically up a frozen tree)

The creature is entangled which slows its continued ascent towards you. Raising one hand it points at you and you feel your blood thicken and congeal (Fort save please).

[Emperor Ing]

[roll0]
He points another magic missile at the creature, readying himself against the creature's inevitable melee onslaught (mage armor is still active)
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

You feel a cold like you've never felt before welling up internally. While your own draconic nature prevents much of the damage you can feel your blood begin to freeze, tiny hunks of frozen blood blocking up your blood stream (take [roll0] Con damage).

The magic missiles pound into the creature but it continues moving up the tree and into the canopy. It faces you, and where even your breath is misting in the cold its is not visible. The creatures red eyes seem to dart across your body seeking your weakest points. On its right claw you can see the dwarf's blood frozen into a long jagged knife.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot retaliates with a vicious cascade of melee attacks against the creature
He also casts Wraithstrike before attacking
(Makes melee attacks touch attacks)
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

[Zaydos]

The creatures bloodied body crumples and falls to the ground below.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot flies down victorious, albeit feeling quite sickly. He goes on top of the corpse, although he takes the time to make sure that this thing wasn't alone.

[Zaydos]

How do you make sure it's not alone?

[Emperor Ing]

Akimbo Official Fail Check of Niflyr
Spot
[roll0]
Listen
[roll1]

edit: OMFG 20!

[Zaydos]

Four quadrupedal beasts are approaching. Each one is covered in plates of ice, and blue-white scales. The front most ice plates give them the image of shields rising from their shoulders. They have a single eye in the middle of their long, horse like heads. Their legs are lizard-like stretching horizontally to the sides before going down, and short. Spikes of ice cover the tips of their long serpentine tails. They seem to have surrounded the camp.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot first calls on his innate ability to control ice to erect barriers of frost in front of as many of them as possible, if only to slow their advance.

He uses a Wall of Ice SLA to block the paths of at least one of the creatures from proceeding deeper into the camp.
He then flies over to where the dwarf is, quickly trying to get an idea for his injuries.

[Zaydos]

(They form a cross (or X) with you in the center so if you form one at a 45 degree angle cutting between two of them you could slow two down slightly or one down for a little longer. You don't know they're speed so it's unclear how long it will slow them down)

The dwarf is badly injured but not quite dead yet. He's not stable.

[Emperor Ing]

It's still worth a shot, set up the barrier to block two of them.
Malathot attempts to pick up the dwarf in one arm, and try and charge through the tent, which has invariably froze over again.
Strength check
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The ice is too thick for you to easily break and two of the creatures scurry near. Thankfully they aren't as fast as you feared (20-ft away from you but to face both requires turning at over a 60 degree angle). Initiative time.

[Emperor Ing]

Aw crap. d20 roll
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The two creatures leap at you, their teeth scraping against your magically summoned armor harmlessly.

[Emperor Ing]

He goes all-out on the creatures, bringing tooth, nail, claw, and arm encased in ice to bare against them.

He casts Wraithstrike
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

[Zaydos]

The creature falls to the ground, no blood spilling from its gaping wounds. The other two creatures have now rounded to the front of the tent a mere 10-ft away and the last one bites at you but again your mage armor protects you.

[Emperor Ing]

I'll save my swift action in case I take damage
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

[Zaydos]

The creature barely falls. The other two back up a step and launch a hail of icy spikes at you from their tails. They both strike for 14 and 12 damage respectively.

[Emperor Ing]

He attempts to use his wings to block some of the spikes, as well as using them to block any going towards the dwarf. He will then attempt to erect another barrier of ice to block the path of the creatures.

Wings of Cover to block the 14-damage spikes as well as spikes that may hit the dwarf. He then uses a Wall of Ice SLA to block the path of the creatures, making it 20 ft tall so it's harder to go over.

[Zaydos]

You can hear footsteps from the other side of the wall as they begin to go around it. You realize that the dwarf has stopped bleeding, even though he didn't get struck his life has ebbed out of him.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot curses to himself when he realizes that the dwarf is very likely dead. He was hoping for at least one survivor, being the only one in a dwarf camp would be extremely suspicious.

Regardless, Malathot flies over to the edge of the wall to ambush at least one of the creatures.

[Zaydos]

Just fly straight over the middle or?

[Emperor Ing]

Here's a visual aid

dashes represent normal space, [m] is Malathot, [E] is the presumed location of the bad guy, plusses are the ice wall

--------------
--------------
[m][+++][E]--
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
---[+++]-----
--------------
--------------

[Zaydos]

(Sorry, for some reason I read it as over the edge instead over to the edge.)

How high up are you?

[Emperor Ing]

let's say i'm on the ground.

[Zaydos]

The creature turning the corner sees you and lunges. It's teeth scrape across your mage armor and it lets out a disappointed cry.

[Emperor Ing]

((They can't break 20?))
Hey! Why does everything think I can be killed? He smirks at the thought as he brings his melee arsenal to bear against the creature
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

[Zaydos]

(not when they haven't rolled above 10 but once)

The creature cries out in pain but, despite the deep gouges into its throat, still stands. It half-falls half-lunges at you even as the other launches a volley of spikes from 50-ft.

(and now they're rolling worse).

[Emperor Ing]

(:smalleek: my enemies suffer from Malathot's Curse!)

Malathot goes for a quick bite on the creature to finish it off before flying to the last one, landing just 10 ft from it.

As said

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

The first's head falls, bloodlessly, to the ground its neck completely severed. As you land the creature pounces and... misses.

(that's it I'm changing dice).

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot has to convince himself mentally that he's not invulnerable and what has happened the last few seconds is nothing short of a holy twist of bizarre fate and fortune.
Regardless, this thing must die.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

[Zaydos]

The creature shrugs off the blows with a rebellious roar and attacks its teeth sinking into Malathot's shoulder (16 damage, how much hp are you at?).

[Emperor Ing]

(50)
With a defiant roar, Malathot retaliates with another vicious onslaught of attacks
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]

[Zaydos]

The creature falls, leaving Malathot alone in the dwarf camp to his knowledge.

[Emperor Ing]

He looks around for evidence of even more enemies
Spot
[roll0]
Listen
[roll1]

[Zaydos]

You don't see or hear anything, though with the wall of ice where it is they'd have an easy chance to hide.

[Emperor Ing]

Malathot decides to walk up the 20 ft wall to get a better view of the surroundings.

[Zaydos]

You see nothing except bleak ice. The ice is strange, after being used to great fields of it, the great trees still limit your view and form great columns in what is in effect a cave of ice.

(you level up btw)

[Emperor Ing]

Hehehehe, I can get used to this. He says, enjoying the feeling of being in a cold region again. Just because he could, he flies up to the ceiling to stand on.
He is also expecting a response from Elf

[Zaydos]

Elf is absolutely silent.

[Emperor Ing]

...hello? Elf? You there?

[Zaydos]

No response.

[Emperor Ing]

...whatever.
He goes back into the commander's tent to check on the dwarfcicles (let's face it i'm gonna get through that ice eventually) and check for life signs
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

Do you touch one, and if so which one?

[Emperor Ing]

He very gently touches one of the other three he hasn't touched before, fully expecting ice to spread, so he is very much prepared to withdraw

[Zaydos]

Nothing happens.