Something Wicked this way Comes...

[Mr. X]

The old man peers through his spectacles at Fredric with a raised eyebrow.

"Ahh, indeed, Mr. Chemoson, I did not recognize you."

He bows his head to you both.

"My lords Falgen, we are, of course, honored by your presence. I am certain that Master Vark shall be able to make time to see you."

Picking up a silver bell from the desk, he rings it, and a moment later, a young messenger enters the room.

"Yes, boy, please run ahead and inform master Vark that he has esteemed visitors on hand... I shall escort them to his tower presently."

The boy departs, and he turns back to you.

"My lords, might I perhaps interest you in a cup of tea, while the Master is informed of your presence?"

[Barthac]

Taalkar raises his cup as it fills of its own accord, I'm good, thanks.

[LordDice]

"I'll have to pass, never been much on Tea. Thanks for the offer though".

"Perhaps you'd be interested in this while we wait, it would be rude to visit without a gift to offer the College"

Reaching into his haversack he pulls out the first of the thin notebooks, journals of Elyne Sunrider and hands it to the Scribe


Handing him the section containing~


... We have found a way...

... At what cost...

... The South lies a burned wasteland, those evergreen forests put to the flame by our own hand...

... The blood of the thousands... Of Men, and Ork, and Dwarf, and Elf, and Gnoll, and Goblin, and Giant... Spilled to try to stem the tide of the Blight... A tide that cannot be stopped...

... The King, The Uniter... The Banner beneath which all souls rally... Kristofan... Claimed his fathers fathers had fled one plague only so that he could find another... And that he would not flee again...

... The fool...

... And yet... We have found a way...

... Here, in these walls and protected by the Lake, by the tenacity of these Men, these wizards, and even the very gods with whom they came, we have created a Ward...

... We have created The Ward...

... With this, the blight shall be scoured from the land, and driven before our armies...

... But... The sacrifices we have made are yet not enough... More shall be required of us...

The Eight gods have hollowed the earth. Into that void must the last vestiges of the Blight be driven, and by our ward, be sealed there... And that shall require more power than we presently possess...

...

... It is times like this that I think back to Ahthosar and his flower...

... If only we had known... Trusted...

... That Nature might shun the Unnatural, and that such need not, nay, should not be saved...

... No doubt the Blight would have found a way regardless...

... But it's time is now ended...

[Mr. X]

The old man purviews the book, his eyes widening as comprehension of what he holds dawns upon him.

"Oh... Oh my lords! This is her original script! Our gratitude is unmatched, How came you by this?!"

[LordDice]

"Came across that and others sitting in a chest just a few days back. Truly some amazing books had just been sitting there, gathering dust "

[Mr. X]

The old man gapes for a moment at the thought of such priceless tomes just sitting somewhere, and is about to speak, when the messenger boy returns.

"Hoy m'lord, Master Vark will see 'em now."

The scribe catches himself, and restores his facade of duty.

"Ahh, yes... If you all will follow me, I'll show you the way."

So saying he stands, rings a bell (presumably to call a replacement), makes his way out of the windowed office, and leads you to the inner gate in the rear of the tower. Standing before it, he makes a quick, precise gesture, and you hear the rattling of numerous mechanical locking mechanisms undoing themselves... The inner gate creaks and swings inwards, and he leads you into the College proper.

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

The corridors that connect the various towers and structures of the Collage are cramped and small, and often steeply staired. Out the murky paned windows you can see they sit precariously upon the mountainside, their parapets and buttresses marked by rows of grotesque statues and gargoyles, and they twist and bend erratically as they wind their way from building to building, sheltering you from the gale winds, and freezing cold.

The elder scribe guides you through several buildings, and allows you to peer in on a few classes being taught, giving explanations of the various points as her goes...

"... At any given time, we house roughly a thousand students, and another two hundred or so faculty and staff.

You might be surprised to know that much of what is taught here is purely mundane. Many of our students come to us unable to even read or write, and so basic education is a large, and essential part of what we do... Even among the so talented, not every student can grow to become great and powerful wizards. But they can be provided with guidance and insight towards approaching and solving the difficult problems that life outside these walls might present them with.

Like every artform, Magical research is a journey towards greater understanding of the forces and powers that govern our universe, and those beyond.

And so much of basic education here, and even much of the higher education, has to do with how one discovers, approaches, and ultimately derives a solution to, a problem... Whether that solution is reached through known or newely contrived arcane formulae, or through more mundane means, is largely irrelevant to the philosophy of the approach.

Of course, when dealing with the questions and problems presented by the higher mysteries, a certain level of knowledge, education, and experience, is required to even approach a question, much less derive a solution..."

Through the numerous rooms and towers, the elder scribe leads you. Passed classrooms and dormitories, laboratories and offices, explaining each in turn as you go.


Would you both please make Spot Checks?

[Mr. X]

After all you've lost, and all the work you've done, you cannot help but find it galling how lands unaffected by the war have gone on with their lives... Unknowing and uncaring of the doom that would enshroud them.

Where were these wizards when your men were getting overrun by the Blighted, or cut down by the soldiers of Great Gate

... And yet, as your boots echo off the walls of their island sanctuary, you must concede; The rest of the world, and all it's troubles, does feel far away.

Indeed, for all its cold and rough appearance, the air about the college is one of intense inquiry and inspiration... With each new classroom or study that you pass, you are met by students and teachers enthralled in deep discussion and experiment... As though some new renaissance of the arcane were taking place before your eyes...

For Taalkar:

It is as you pass a class within what your guide pointed out was the 'Tower of Planar Mysteries', that you see it... Glimpsed at the wrist of a student, between the end of his velvet glove, and the hem of his sleeve...

... It was only for a moment... And through your fractured perception and frazzled nerves, you might have been mistaken...

... Maybe the boy just had a rash...

... A tough looking, scaly rash...

... A rash entirely akin to that which covered the Chained Man Malthos, when first you met...

... Maybe you're just paranoid...

... But you'd bet your remaining eye that the boy is Blighted.

[Barthac]

You prepare them for life outside the walls? What do ye tell them to do when an infested goblin army crests the hill? Taalkar snorts out a small laugh.

Brother, he thinks to his brother hoping he is listening,The blight is here. At least on one student. Be on guard, this towering pillar of magic might be rotten at it's core.

[Mr. X]

The old man cringes a bit at the question.

"The school does not, as a rule, prescribe the use of magic as a weapon... Despite that being the public's typical view of it. Indeed, Evocations hold the smallest number of specialists of any of the schools here, and with Master Gregor gone, we no longer have a master of the specialty on staff."

He gulps slightly,

"Though it is true, had we been training out children for war years ago, we might be better situated now."
-----------

The old man continues to lead you through the twisting halls, towers, and corridors of the College, climbing higher and higher up the mountainside, until at last he stops before an ornate doorway.

"Well, m'lords, this is where I leave you. Through here are the headmaster's quarters, where Master Vark will be waiting for you. I'll come back to collect you, and escort you back once you're finished."

He gives a slight bow, before departing.

"Best of luck to you."

[LordDice]

Watching as the old man departs, as he gets further away he turns to his brother

You're sure it was the Blight brother ? if they've managed to infect a student here...this whole place could be infested"

"Frederic, did you notice anything yourself ? I'm tempted to cast a detection spell, how sensitive are they to others doing spellworks here. I'd rather not get thrown out instantly...but I also don't want to be dropped into a pit of Jellies by some Blighted-Madman"

[Barthac]

I'm sure one of the students had the blight and was working to hide it.

[Mr. X]

Fredric looks concerned.

"I did not notice anything myself, but I would trust either of your eyes... If the Blight has taken hold here, I shudder to think..."

He turns to Karazi,
"Simple magics are common and expected. A detection spell would break no rules, and raise no alarms... You should employ it, lest we find ourselves in over our heads."

[LordDice]

With a subdued word, a slightly flickering essence flows over his eyes as he starts looking about.


Detect Aberration

[Mr. X]

For Karazi:

The headmaster's chambers are sufficiently secluded from the rest of the school that you cannot determine how much of the school may be infected...

Beyond the door you face, however, are two clearly powerful auras... And one of them is clearly Blighted.

[LordDice]

With a disgusted look on his face he turns to the others "A Blighted inside with another Unblighted, Both powerful. Can't see far enough to get the rest of the school...this might've been a pointless endeavor"

[Mr. X]

Fredric's jaw tightens.

"... Pointless or no, do we dare leave the college and the Font under the influence of the Blight?"

[LordDice]

No No....you're quite right. But damn why can't we ever get a good solid step ahead of the damned things."

"I guess we'll just have to see how this plays out"

Sid flows upward from the stone beneath as he looks at Taalkar "Welp, lets get this over with"

As he finishes Sid starts to push the door open.

[Mr. X]

The door opens into a wide office.

The walls are covered thick with bookshelves, and a fire burns steadily in the hearth, staving off (somewhat) the frigid cold.

Before you a large, mahogany desk dominates the room, behind which sits a man you must presume is Marius Vark.

He is middle aged, for a human (perhaps 40), and is heavily robed against the cold, with his hood drawn up, a scarf about his neck, and gloves over his hands.

Standing at the side of the desk is a familiar face... It is impossible to mistake the elegant sword at his hip, nor to forget the barbed words with which you parted ways when last you met... It is Elias.

... But equally impossible is it to fail to notice the jeweled choker he wears around his neck as he stands stoically beside Vark... A slave collar.

As this scene settles over you, Vark puts aside his quill, and stands, bowing slightly.

"Ahh, my honored guests."

He gestures to the chairs facing his desk.

"Please, sit and be welcome. How may I be at your service."

For Karazi:

Your spell still active, it is Vark who is clearly blighted, though it seems he has sufficiently covered himself for the infection not to be obvious.


For all:

Please make a Spot Check, DC 15.

[Barthac]

Taalkar bristles at the sight of the collar, even though it's a twerp like Elias.

[roll0]

[Mr. X]

For all:

On a stand behind Vark's desk is a thin golden circlet, with a bright, teardrop emerald mounted in it... The same emerald that had been embedded in the halfling Velorah's forehead... If it has been removed, and Elias enslaved, you can make a pretty good guess as to what has happened to her.

[LordDice]

A grimace on his face he sends a quick thought to his brother "At my signal take the Wizards head off, he's the blighted"

Turning to Frederic he shrugs a bit "That thing I mentioned...yeah, not Elias"


Turning to Master Vark he starts to talk "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice...I understand you're quite the busy-GHULL UM DHARKHANGRON-

Shouting the last as he raises his staff towards the Blighted.

"Going big...this might bite us. But Wizards are just too damned dangerous. Lets do this, Malthos 2.0 !

Cast Spell Return to Nature. (pg 114 Ebberon Campaign setting, Part of Gatekeeper Spells)
DC is 23
it does diffrent things to diffrent types. I believe at this point only Spellcaster and Abberation.
Spellcaster is 1d4 negative levels. Roll for that is [roll0]
Abberation is 1d6/caster level. [roll1] and loses all supernatural or spell like abilities unless he makes the fort save (which also cuts damage in half)

[Barthac]

Taalkar concentrates on Vark, his anger seething. Bits of reality float around him. The collar on Elias. The gem on the table. Vark's bloated face.

At his Brother's signal, he leaps at Elias with his axe singing and sparking madly. Almost at the zenith of his lofty jump, he disappears. He appears to one side of Vark the huge axe swinging towards the wizard. Almost before his attack hits, Taalkar lands neatly behind Vark in a crouch with his axe outstretched to the side.


Leap Attack PA 15 shunted to AC, Charging towards Elias as a ruse but really attacking Vark. Hoping to catch Vark off guard and avoid any sort of Elias "AutoParry" through the deception.

ToHit: +26 {BAB 15 +6 Str +5 Sparky} [roll0]
Damage: 1D12+59 {+5 sparky +9 Str +45 PA+Leap Attack} [roll1]
This leaves my AC at 10.

[Barthac]

I forgot the shocking part of the damage [roll0]

[Mr. X]

Elias Reflex Save:

[roll0]

[Mr. X]

Elias moves with blinding speed, vaulting over the desk, and interposing himself between you and Vark, his sword appearing in his hand so fast you don't even see it...

His eyes look dead, or even apologetic, as the energies of your spell swirl and warp around the brilliant blade, and are absorbed by it...

He draws a second, poorer sword, as he turns to face Taalkar's onslaught, but his blades meet empty air as the Dwarf lands his terrifying blow cleanly down Vark's back... Sheering open his cloak and robes, and splitting his chair like so much firewood...

The blow should have flatly killed any normal man, but beneath the torn robes, you can see the squamous, blighted flesh, already knitting itself together...

It is then that Fredric lifts the flap covering the Seal branded upon his belt, and a cerulean light fills the room, sending Vark into a catatonic seizure.

But Elias misses not a moment, leaping onto the desk, and catching Vark's hand, while dropping his brilliant sword in favor of a narrow wand, and in a single fluid motion, he waves the wand, and they both vanish...

... An uncomfortable silence falls over the room, but you hear no alarms, nor any indication of commotion elsewhere in the college.


As a free action, Elias employs the Arcane Parry ability of the Sword of Destiny.

On his turn, he uses a Wand of Teleport.

[LordDice]

"Well....that went about like I figured. Damned Wizards. Bah, thought you had em there Brother..."


"Well, the question is now. Did he flee to Beluvah or other Blighted Stronghold, or go downstairs to rally the troops. "

[Mr. X]

Fredric is about to respond, when a gust of wind billows through the room, and a voice speaks over it.

"First the Bonefoot came to steal from me, and now The Brothers Falgen come to kill me... It is unfortunate, as I had hoped we might have spoken of things more meaningful than my mere assassination... Perhaps such conversation may be had after I taste you..."

For Taalkar:

Pain rips through your head, as you feel someone try to seize control of your mind... Just as was done to you in the pits of Black Harbour...

You are being effected by 'Dominate Person.'
Please make a Will Save, DC 72.
You are at +2 for this save. If you fail, your next action must be to make a Full-Attack against your brother and Fredric, divided as you see fit.

By the incalculable flood of power backing this spell, you are certain that Vark is channeling the Font somehow.

[Barthac]

Taalkar staggers slightly and grabs at his skull with both hands. Brother, he's still here. he manages to gasp.

a bit of fluff for trying to resist [roll0]

[Barthac]

The pain ceases and Taalkar straightens, axe in hand. He glares at his brother and Frederic.

He suddenly disappears as Axe blows fall all around the pair.


No IHS this round.

Full round attack, using Strongstone Stage three to attack them both PA 13:
ToHit:13/8/3 (PA NOT shunted from AC) Damage: 1d12+40
vs. Karazi [roll0]:[roll1],[roll2]:[roll3], [roll4]:[roll5]
vs Fred [roll6]:[roll7],[roll8]:[roll9], [roll10]:[roll11]

[Mr. X]

Taalkar's Axe blows fall like a rain on Karazi and Fredric, as he flits and vanishes through his shards of reality. Sending chips of stone and dust flying from his brother's stony exterior, as Karazi twists away from the tremendous blows, as another catches Fredric badly in the midsection, sending him smashing against a wall where he squirms like a fish, slipping through the torrent of follow up assaults...

For all:

Karazi, it's your move.

[LordDice]

Diving away from the swinging axe of his brother he hollars at Frederic He must still be able to see us here, Do something ya damned wizard !


Only to choke on the last as he sees the blow he barely managed to avoid, slice into the wizard.


With but a thought to Sid he flows up from the stone floor, grabbing for the Gem last seen on the Halfling with Elias. With the groan of stones shifting a pocket opens upon him.

[Mr. X]

Sid easily catches the golden circlet, before vanishing back into the stonework.

Fredric regains his feet, slipping between Taalkar's blows to Karazi's side, he catches the dwarf by the arm, and chants a spell...

For Karazi:

Something yanks you from behind your naval, and the room, Taalkar, and everything in it vanish... Replaced by an open ritual chamber... A wide open work space, where numerous complex and intricate arcane rituals are being prepared... At various spots, there are odd, dried blotchy stains... Blood?

On the outskirts, against the walls, several artifacts of apparent potent power are contained and displayed... Among them a smooth, silky cloth, suspended and stretched wide in an iron frame, and so black that it might well have been woven from threads of shadow. Also of note is an Orb. Contained within an enchanted circle, it is black as the void, seeming to absorb all light, and reflect nothing back... Indeed, at first it is difficult to discern as three-dimensional at all.

Behind you, the main doors to the chamber stand closed. Ahead, through an open doorway, stairs spiral up the tower.

Fredric releases you.

"That should buy us a moment or two." he says, gathering himself. "This is the main chamber of the Tower The base level of the Tower of Planer Mysteries is a single, wide open work space, where numerous complex and intricate arcane rituals are being prepared, and several are in the process of being cast.

On outskirts, against the walls, several artifacts of apparent potent power are contained and displayed... Among them a smooth, silky cloth, suspended and stretched wide in an iron frame, and so black that it might well have been woven from threads of shadow. Also of note is an Orb. Contained within an enchanted circle, it is black as the void, seeming to absorb all light, and reflect nothing back... Indeed, at first it is difficult to discern as three-dimensional at all.of Planar Mysteries. If Vark is anywhere, he is here."


For Taalkar:

Just as you come around for another blow, Fredric and Karazi vanish from the room, leaving you alone for a moment.

Vark's voice whispers in your mind...

"You will come willingly to my side... Elias shall guide you."

There is an odd popping sound, and Elias appears beside you. His sword sheathed, and a wand in hand.

[LordDice]

Pulling a small packet from his Haversack he murmers a word in Terran and crushes it within his fist, as his fist becomes enveloped in crimson flames he seemingly pours the flames into his eyes.


Looking about the chamber with his newly enhanced senses he then turns to Frederic ""He'd be upstairs then ? and how is he drawing such power from the font without being within it. "

[Barthac]

Taalkar stands and twists his neck. His neck bends and cracks like a willow trunk in a storm.

Aye, he says glaring at his new ally, Take me to 'em, twerp.

[Mr. X]

For Karazi:

Fredric nods.

"That is my presumption. This is where Vark did all his research when I was a student here, and from where Vlorah stole his spellbook.

The tower channels the power of the Font, and he was granted its use for the purposes of his research. I cannot imagine that he has had time to attune himself to another."

You eyes flare with the power of the flaming oil, and the world sharpens in clarity and comprehension around you...

The artifacts at your side are clearly of significant power, as are the ritual circles inscribed upon the floor... Intended, most likely, for the opening of some trans-dimensional gateway...

Otherwise, you seem to be safe, for the moment.

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

Elias takes your shoulder, and gives a wave of his wand.

Again, you feel that odd yanking feeling behind your naval, and the room around you vanishes...

You are suddenly standing in the small room at the pinnacle of a tower, where you find Vark standing before a large, gilded mirror... He turns to you for a moment, and hands you a jeweled collar.

He smiles slightly.
"One who would commit a murder deserves not their freedom... Please, put this on."

It is, without question, a slave collar.

[Barthac]

Taalkar reaches out to take the collar but hesitates... Something burns within him. A fire springs up at the sight of the collar. He remembers it. The feel of the cold iron on his neck sapping his desire to live. He recalls how it pressed upon him, how it cooled the forge of his soul.

Even in his current state, the forge grew hot.

If there was ever a time to give Taalkar at shot at IHS. This would be it.

Do you still want a bluff check.

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

Under these specific circumstances... Nah, you got this.

Go to town.

[LordDice]

Pulling out an intricate looking scroll from his Haversack he starts to read it, murmering the words written...pulling power stored long ago into the vellum.

As he finishes it falls through his fingers...mere dust, floating away.



"That might give us a hand later, lets get upstairs. Less you think something here might help us fight him"


Casting an ol scroll gotten from Malthos, Forbiddance ....unlike it's name it doesn't forbid dancing. Should be at least CL 11 and shouldn't be immediately obvious to anyone until they try coming or going.

[Barthac]

The forge burns... the mote dances... Taalkar is his own once again.

He slaps the collar out of Vark's hands. Taalkar's other hand rears back and sails towards Vark. Reality shifts and splinters, as the fist reaches Vark, it also reaches Elias.


Using a swift action to recover maneuvers (IHS among them).

Using Ancient Mountain Hammer and PA:13 to punch Vark and stage 3 of Strongstone to also hit Elias.

ToHit:+15 Dmg: 1d3+6 and 12d6

vs. Vark [roll0]:[roll1]+[roll2]
vs. Elias [roll3]:[roll4]+[roll5]

It ignores all hardness and DR.

My AC is 12

[Barthac]

Stupid Die Roller

vs. Vark [roll]1d20+6[roll]:[roll0]+[roll1]
vs. Elias [roll]1d20+6[roll]:[roll2]+[roll3]

[Barthac]

I'll get it right eventually
vs Vark [roll0]
vs Elias [roll1]

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

Vark flinches back shrieking, and raising his hands. A bead on his bracelet flares brightly, and your fist smashes against an interposition wall of energy...

Elias, fast as he is, is not fast enough, as the twist in reality splits your arm weirdly at the elbow, and you knock the kid soundly upside the head, sending him sprawling against the wall...


Vark uses an Immediate Action to cast Shield from his bracelet, bringing his AC up to 27 for one round.


Elias recovers himself quickly, however, and springs into action, his gleaming blade leaping into his hand as he lunges at you, drawing his second... There is a confusing moment as a flitting light zips around you, almost seeming to guide Elias' blade through your defenses...

Unless base AC is already lower, all of Elias' attacks are Touch Attacks.

Elias Full-Attack:
Primary1: Damage: [roll1]
Primary2:[roll2] Damage: [roll3]
Primary3:[roll4] Damage: [roll5]

Secondary1:[roll6] Damage: [roll7]
Secondary2:[roll8] Damage: [roll9]


Vark slips out a wand, and screams, charging at you...


Vark's touch Attack:
[roll=]1d20+7
If hit, please make a Will Save, DC 74.

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

Crap.

Vark's touch attack:
[roll0]
If hit, please make a Will Save, DC 72.

[Mr. X]

For Karazi:

Fredric nods.

Up. The artifacts here are no doubt valuable, but I don't know what they are or how they work, and we don't really have time to learn."

So saying, he takes the lead, racing up the stairs...

The next level is a study and research area, and several students are present... It appears that they have already been disturbed, however, as sounds of commotion can be heard coming from the floor above.

Even so, there is not a moment of indecision between them, as three flee up the stairs, and the other seven turn on you...

In an explosion of blue-white light, the air is suddenly filled with twisting magical missiles...


Seven 10th Lv Magic Missiles rain down on you and Fredric.

Vs. Fredric:
Total Damage: [roll0]

Vs. Karazi:
Total damage: [roll1]


Fredric shrinks before the barrage, but a string of runes ignites along his arm, forming a protective sphere around him, and absorbing nearly all of the blasts.


Fredric casts Shield as a spell-like ability.

Karazi, you've got an action before the barrage hits... Initiative is essentially simultaneous.

[LordDice]

Seeing the incoming energy he flinches a bit, before slamming his staff upon the ground. With a minor shockwave giant walls of granite start slamming into creation all over the room, interlocking in moments.


Turning to Frederic "Rather hostile bunch you wizards are...After you"

15 sections of 10ft Walls of Stone (Traded my Control Winds to Spontanously cast it)


As for it's shape I'm kind picturing just sectioning off those wizards...like making a path for us to just get to the stairs. Basically I'm trying to A. give us a path to the stairs and B. Lock them into the room.

[Mr. X]

For Karazi:

Fredric starts for a moment as desks and shelves are thrown and broken by your erupting stones, and certain doom is made meaningless.

He smiles.
"You did pick this fight, one can hardly expect less..."

As you stride through the now narrow hallway, Fredric's Seal gleams, and you can hear the sounds of shrieking and retching behind the walls.

[Barthac]

Rolling to save... will only save on a 20 so no point in modifiers [roll0]

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

The wizard manages to get you, and you feel again that horrible swelling of power, when there's a crackling fizzle... And nothing happens...

Vark gives a desperate and incredulous look.

IMPOSSIBLE!! he shrieks.


Vark attempts to cast 'Plane Shift', and send you hurtling into the unknown abysses... But owing to the dimensional lock now covering the tower, the spell fails.

It's your move.

[Barthac]

Taalkar winks at Vark. I don't know what you did... but it couldn't have been sooner, he thinks at his brother.

A pillar of rock forms at his feet pushing him off the ground and seemingly through the ceiling. Taalkar lands on the far side of Vark, desperately trying to keep on the far side from Elias.

Leap attack charge from a pillar at Vark from behind. Trying to keep Vark between Taalkar and Elias.

PA13
ToHit: +26 {BAB 15 +6 Str +5 Sparky} [roll0]
Damage: 1D12+59 {+5 sparky +9 Str +45 PA+Leap Attack} + 1d6 [roll1]+[roll2]
This leaves my AC at 10 with 91HP

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

The blow cleaves Vark from nape to hip, splitting the blighted wizard nearly in two as he collapses in a gout of blood...

I... Am... Not... F-f-finished..." he manages to stammer out, before the light goes out of his eyes... Marius Vark, the Planesmage, discovered and creator of the possibilities of planar travel, dies...

But no sooner has he fallen than Elias is on you again, feinting one way, he cuts around, slipping his blade between the plates of your armor, skewering you, and nearly cutting the nerve routes in your spine...


Elias uses the 'Disrupting Blow' Maneuver, of the Diamond Mind school.
Attack:
[roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

If hit, please make a Will Save, DC 18. If you fail, you will be unable to act next round.


Even as pain sears through your gut, you hear the clatter of running footsteps coming up the stairs, and three students rush into the room...

They are all much younger than Vark was, but when the first speaks, it is with his voice...

"You don't understand... Death is meaningless now... I have cured it. You too, may be spared Nerul's eternal slumber..."

His two fellows raise their hands in spellcasting, they too, chanting with Vark's voice.

The first, makes a flicking gesture with his wrist, and a dagger leaps from the sheath on his him, into the carcass of Marius Vark. Another flick of his wrist sends the knife curling around, painting the blood of the fallen wizard across his lips, and those of his comrades.


The first 'student' casts 'Telekinesis'.

The other two 'students' cast 'Magic Missile'.

Take damage:
[roll2]

[Barthac]

Will Save [roll0]

[Barthac]

Taalkar jumps and the room erupts in swirling blades and twisting dwarf parts.


Going to use Death from above with Fractured Reality to affect the wizards and Elias. The attack with Momentum Swing from Combat Brute allows for the Power Attack Tripling and Storm Trooper takes the negative from AC.

They are all floot-footed (-Dex to ac) because of the attack. (Unless they have uncanny dodge! I'm looking at you Elias)

Jump check: [roll0]
vs Elias ToHit: [roll1] Damage: [roll2]+Sparky [roll3]+ Manuever[roll4]
vs mage 1 ToHit: [roll5] Damage: [roll6]+Sparky [roll7]+ Manuever [roll8]
vs mage 2 ToHit: [roll9] Damage: [roll10]+Sparky [roll11]+ Manuever [roll12]
vs mage 3 ToHit: [roll13] Damage: [roll14]+Sparky [roll15]+ Manuever [roll16]

[Mr. X]

It takes a moment for reality to re-assert itself, but when it does, you are met with grim stillness...

The carpet is soaked through, nearly every inch of the room is spattered with blood and gore...

The wizards are all dead...

Elias lies in a heap... The brilliant sword still clutched in his hand, a yard away, where you severed clean his arm and one of his legs...

... Standing over him, you realize just how young he was... Arrogant, spoiled, and talented, of these there is no doubt... But he was barely twenty at the eldest... young...

...

A moment later, you here the clatter of footsteps on the stairs, and Karazi and Fredric rush into the room.

[Barthac]

Taalkar picks up Elias' blade.

Guess that makes you the last o' them 'godsent', he raises his eyebrows at Frederic.

[Mr. X]

Fredric sighs.

Nearly... Malthos is still out there somewhere..."

He peers over Vark's body.

"You know... The unspoken law of the College is 'He who lacks the power to maintain his position is unworthy of it.'"

He looks up to you and your brother.

"Whether you intended it or not, it occurs to me that you have just successfully conducted a coup d'état.

We will doubtless be discovered soon... But if you play your cards right, this fortress could be yours."

[LordDice]

"We've still got however many Blighted to deal with though infesting this place...once clean this could once again be a bastion we need verses the Blight."


With Sid flowing over he starts pulling the bodies into a pile. Going over to Vark he searches him thoroughly, stripping him and adding his body to the pile.

"Check the bodies for anything useful, then we're torchin these blighted bastards"

Pausing for a moment he pulls a wand from his pack and taps himself with a light healing mist. Before waving a little Mist towards Frederic also.

My Ol Wand of Lesser Vigor, 25 rounds of fast heal 1. (that's not a positive energy style heal, so it shouldn't hurt his lichy-ness)

[Mr. X]

Fredric nods his thanks.

"Those below, whom you trapped, shall be easily dealt with... If there are more, they may be difficult to weed out... More difficult still, if the rest of the College believes our actions here were not politically motivated, but rather an attack on the school as a whole...

If we can bring those who are un-blighted into cooperation with us, the job of cleaning the school will be that much easier."


There is a great deal of loot to be found here, just on the bodies. I'll list it for you in the OOC.

In the mean time, give me a Spot check, to see what else you might discover.

[LordDice]

"The problem it seems to me is, the only way to prove their Blighted is to show the blight...but to leave any trace of them is to invite disaster"

Once he gets the bodies of the Blighted together he reaches into his pack and pulls out a few flasks of Alchemist's Fire...tossing them casually on the bodies.

[Mr. X]

As the party gathers of the various bits and pieces, and searches around for other implements of value, Taalkar starts as he realizes a pile of blankets in one, shadowy corner, is actually a huddled figure...

A woman, she peers out from the shadows with empty eye sockets...

"Pair o' stones came rollin' by... T'ain't tha first time neither."

[LordDice]

"...Well well, what brings you to these lovely accommodations. Been quite awhile hasn't it..."

[Mr. X]

Alyss the witch chews on her face.

"Aye, Aye. An I could'na ne'er 'ave come ta 'ere, if'n it weren't fer ye."

[LordDice]

"How do you figure that Witch ?"

[Mr. X]

She guffaws a laugh.

"Ha! 'Twas ye 'at brought me tha head o' that friend o' yers, as had tha power in 'im... Ah had to culture the fungi for a bit afore I could figger it fer sale, an then had te fine jus tha right buyer.

Heh, ye wouldna jes give such a power away, but in Black Harbour, they likes their power... An a man like that one there, he paid me right square fer tha pleasure."

[LordDice]

"So I take it your lovely attempt at selling power is what lead some or all of the Wizards college into becoming an enemy of this World. Great Choice there."

[Mr. X]

"Enemy o' the world? HAH!"

She laughs a harsh almost-cough.

"Saviors, mor'like. End's a comin', 'at's fer sure, an a people kin be on wit tha winnin' player or tha losin' one... An' if'n ye learn one ting in tha chains, it's 'at notin's worth losin' fer, when ye min win."

[LordDice]

"Well then, let me know someday if you chose the winning side after all"

Raising his fist he punches towards her, 3 beams of emerald energy lancing out tearing into the Aberration.




Suffer not the Unclean to live

Nature's Purity CL 19 (if you look at the sheet it's actually in a 4th lvl slot for some reason, should be third, i'll fix it later)
Each beam is 5d6 vs Aberrations and upon death turns them into pungent plant matter.

Ranged Touch [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Ranged Touch [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Ranged Touch [roll4] Damage [roll5]

[Mr. X]

The blast of light obliterates the crippled woman, leaving only a foul smelling pile of detritus amidst her robes and Blankets...

From a distance below, you can here the commotion of many people gathering...

If you are going to face the populace of the school, now is the time.

[LordDice]

Before they get here, We're not cut out of their cloth Frederic, If we back your control can you Keep command here ?

We'll need their strength against the blight for sure. But lets face it, neither my Brother nor I were ever suited to running anything. We just need access to the damned font and we've gotta keep the blight pushed back"


"We must also make sure there is nothing of Vark left for the Blighted to gain memories from....the Corpses seem to be burning nicely. But we can't miss anything. As he states the last he checks over the room one more time.

[LordDice]

Casting a few minor spells as he prepares for the incoming Wizards. The various energies wrap around weaving between himself, his brother and Sid.

Detecting Magic, Bulls Strength and A fresh Heart of Earth for more temp HP. ...Wizards scare me.

[Mr. X]

Fredric purses his lips, glances at Taalkar for a moment, and nods.

"I'll take care of it."

Straightening, he takes up Vark's rod in one hand, and strides down the stairs.

[Barthac]

Taalkar tosses his axe over his shoulder and follows Frederic down the stairs.

[LordDice]

Falling into step behind the Lich, with Sid at his side...Trying to look a little intimidating.

[Barthac]

Well brother, he glances at Karazi as they descend the stair, All that finger waggling Vark did and in the end it was good clean steel that did him in. Makes you think you followed the wrong path, don't it He laughs casually.

[LordDice]

"You might just be right...Although you know, maybe the fancy wizard not being able to use his specialty helped a bit there eh ?"

[Barthac]

His head being separated from his body stopped a lot of spells, too.

[LordDice]

Takes a good look at his Stone staff he made "Hmm, You've got a good point. I wonder if I can add an axe blade to this"

[Barthac]

He eyes his brother, Now you wanna do the choppin' too! You ain't never happy.

[LordDice]

"You just make it look so effective though..."

[Mr. X]

Victory, real victory, however momentary, feels good... And it should.

Your hearts lightened for the first time in what feels an age, as you follow Fredric down the stairs...

Even so, as you approach the main level, your tongues cannot help but stumble to uneasy silence, as you feel the cold, black energy begin to swell around the lich...

Emerging from the stairs, you are faced by perhaps fifty students and faculty, all steeling themselves for battle... But many tremble before the lich as he speaks.

"I am The Prince. The Bonefoot, Godsent of Beluvah."

He holds forth Vark's Rod.

"Marius Vark has fallen before me. His power has been found wanting."

He raises the flap in his belt, revealing the Seal, and a blast of cerulean light washes over the room... Nearly a dozen students collapse into convulsions and catatonia.

"Marius Vark brought with him the disease that overtook Beluvah. It has afflicted many here, and indeed, threatens the whole of the land.

From this day forth, this School and this City shall answer to me, and by my word, the Blight shall stop at our borders, and Great Gate shall be held at bay.

If you would not live under my rule, I will accept your any challenge, as is right by the law.

I do warn you, though... I am preciously short on both patience and mercy."


Diplomacy:
[roll0]
Intimidate:
[roll1] (+2 Circumstance Bonus, perhaps?)

[LordDice]

Looking around him as other fall before the flash of light...unease in his demeanor, but he still can't keep quiet

"Oh I've heard of you before surely, and perhaps Vark was infected with some disease....but are you any better than him.. Who you have thrown away your humanity for everlasting life-in-death ?"

"You're just as much an abomination as you claim he was !"

[Mr. X]

Fredric smiles.

"This is true... But where Vark stood on one side of a line, I stand on the other."

Fredric says nothing further, but the look on his face almost seems to speak for him, as if to say;

There is also the small issue of my holding all of your fragile little lives in my hands.


Diplomacy:
[roll0]
Intimidate:
[roll1]

[LordDice]

More than a little disturbed at the sight of the Lich at this point "Despite the path you've chosen for yourself, you still feel you're on the right side of the line eh"


"Besides fighting this Blight you've mentioned, what do you see as the future for this College ?...are we to be your Slaves, mindlessly researching new and more powerful methods for you to pervert yourself with ?" Or do we continue to advance the cause of Pure Magic, in all it's forms"

[Mr. X]

The Line no longer divides right and wrong, it only divides existence from consumption."

He sighs.

"This world is falling. Were I content to watch it go, I could dig myself into a hole, and wait for all to be consumed, to emerge after all is finished and take this power to do with as I like...

I am here before you because, for any cost, I will not stand idle while salvation may yet be had. But for that, the power her must be employed.

From this point forward, the efforts of this school shall be dedicated to the salvation of humanity, and battle against the Blight which threatens us... It shall require the study of many avenues, and the arcane arts must be pushed forward to that end."

He frowns.

"But make no mistake. Time grows short. If you shall not join me, say so, that my associates and I may explore other avenues."


For both Taalkar and Karazi, and the wizards, go ahead and give me a Sense Motive check, DC 15.

[LordDice]

"I suppose you're right and even without that...ever has it been that the strong shall rule"


Starting slowly a few Wizards at a time they take a knee and bow their heads to the new Master of the College.

[Mr. X]

Fredric smiles.
"Arise. There is much work to be done."

He turns to Karazi and Taalkar:

"The Font is yours, sirs. We will need to clean out the rest of the Blighted, where ever they may be hiding, and then set to work warding the school against them... If Vark's research is complete, I may have a plan to pair with your ultimate one."

[LordDice]

"Killing them is not enough...every trace of their infected bodies must be burned."

Turning to the gathered wizards "And I mean every trace, I know your thirst for knowledge would have to probably save a bit o' blood here or some fungus there to try and get something out of it. Don't even think about it, I'll not suffer the Blighted to live upon this world"

"The power that lies in the Blight isn't worth the risk to you personally, cause if I find any trace of Blight, be it in your Laborotory or in your blood....I'll burn it all and scatter your remains amongst the rocks of the Undergarden.

[Mr. X]

It takes some time, and help from the wizards and regular use of Fredric's Seal, but you are ultimately reasonably certain you have cleaned the Blighted from the school...

... Over the course, some two hundred students, of varying ages, had to be put down and burnt.

At length, you find yourselves standing again in the Headmaster's office.

Fredric indicates a rear door.

"Through there, is the pathway to the edge of the crater... Within is the Font."

[LordDice]

Turning to Frederic "You coming along ? perhaps some insight into how the attunement process actually happens from the outside will give us a better clue at how to tap into the Font itself"

[Mr. X]

Fredric nods.

"Aye, I'll come. The mountain hasn't erupted in memory, but it has always burned too...

I'm told there is a pathway down into the interior, though the heat and gasses could kill you without magical protections...

... I could doubtless arrange to have them cast for you, if you cannot provide them yourselves."

[LordDice]

"Let's try this upon a new day...It's been long enough. I've got the feeling this wont be the easiest Font to attune with either...so very uh...Warm."

[Mr. X]

You are both able to sleep well, as Fredric remains awake all night, going over a collected bunch of spell tomes and research notes, many of which, having come from Vark's offices and libraries.

Come morning, he has made an announcement to direct the school's attentions to the learning and production of the base form of the Seal.

When you awaken, he calls you over to his desk, which is piled high with Vark's notes and Journals.

"Look at this... Vark did indeed travel to many alternate planes, and found a variety which might yet be considered 'Alternate Material Planes', such as our own, where we might be able to escape to..."

He shuffles through another sheet of papers, and comes up with one that holds a design for some circular object.

"Vark was working on establishing a stable gateway between the planes... By his journals, it was to connect the College to his palace in Black Harbour, and was largely merely to prove that it could be done."

He turns a page.

When Kulkov, I, and the rest came here before, we interrupted the ritual that was to create the. Gate... At fairly high cost."

He chews his lip.

"Vark may have been whomever he was, but I believe the theory is still sound... If I can create a stable gate to another world here, we can evacuate the continent before the god consumes us all."

[Barthac]

0Thats your answer, then... turn tail and run? We can't stop this thing?

[Mr. X]

Fredric gives you an odd look.

"Well... Yes. It's a god...

Were it only the blighted we faced, there might yet be hope."

He withdraws the great Adamantine sword, displaying the strange, organic eye, wide open and rolling around like a madman.

"It is awake, and it is coming... Perhaps if we had defeated the Blight back at Beluvah, it would never have woken... But now?

I don't believe the Blighted even significantly matter anymore..."

He sighs, and you almost detect a hint of fear.

"We faced one of their gods once, deep in the tunnels... An avatar... A pittance of its presence...

... There is no fighting it...

... And there is only the slimmest hope of escaping it."

[Barthac]

Than why make a gateway so it can follow us. If this world is truly over then let's burn it and leave. Hopefully it won't follow us.

[Mr. X]

Fredric nods.

"Merely to allow the most people possible to escape that fate... I shall remain behind to close and dispel the gateways once it is necessary, and then shall follow under my own power... In theory."

[LordDice]

"Well, as plans go...at least that'll save alot more folks than just wipin everything off the face of the world"


I Seem to recall in some of the books we gathered up that this might have actually been how the humans came to this world, there was a note of how they seemed to spread from the area controled by dragons in the far east. Theorized they utilized a magical gate to get here"

[Mr. X]

Fredric raises an eyebrow.

"Truly? I would very much like to read those books, if you could make them available."

He turns back to the pile of research notes.

"One way or another, fully understanding Vark's work is going to take some time... I expect that I shall need to remain here after you have finished with the Font.

If you like, I shall use Vark's mirror to keep an eye on you, from time to time, and, should you need my assistance, you'll know where to find me."

[LordDice]

"I'm not quite sure how I'd feel about that last bit, considering what that Mirror nearly did to us yesterday. I'd just as soon see it destroyed and just remade into a normal scrying device"


"Besides, we're the sorts that preffer our privacy...yeah. But I should be able to bring the books By after we visit the Font. Along with an interesting couple of Chests. Pulled from that Golden Fountain, or just outside of it a week ago.

"After looking at it, with the proper setup it appears we could use them as a sort of power converter for making magical items, Seems like something this place could use. I damn sure know we need some actual scholars to figure some of this out."

[LordDice]

"On another note, what do you know of this Circlet ? " Holding up the Circlet Sid had stashed away.

"I seem to recall it gave that little Halfling quite an edge regarding scrying, which could definitely come in handy scouting out more Fonts and keeping distance from the Blight"

[Mr. X]

Fredric nods.
"Fair enough. Regarding the circlet, I know it gave her visions of future, past, and present alike... She was not proficient in the arcane, but was very religious, though she could produce no blessings or miracles either...

... I would almost hazard to state that she was 'pure of soul'..."

He chews his lip.

"Whatever the powers the circlet provided, she believed they were of divine origin, and had little control over when the visions struck her, or where they took her...

... But whatever caused them, they were accurate... They foretold the barbarian horde attacking Citadel, and their eventual encounter with Timaril... Both in time for us to have intervened and perhaps swayed those events, had we given the visions sufficient credence, or felt that our presence would have any effect... We did not, and here we stand..."

He sighs.

"Perhaps in your hands, the visions may be acted on before it is too late."

[LordDice]

"At the very least it doesn't sound very dangerous if it deems me unworthy. More likely it just wouldn't have an effect, but even these Gods I don't worship need the Blight gone"


Grimacing lightly he sets the Circlet upon his head, the hardened stone of his flesh quickly envelops it and shapes around it, encrusting it with black onyx cabochons.


Lil Nod to DF there....seems like EVERYTHING ends up encrusted in Cabochons eventually, lol.

[Mr. X]

Karazi melds the circlet into himself, and for a moment, nothing happens...

... Then, the stone around his brow suddenly glows red with searing heat, and he shrieks as pain rips through him, before he drops to the ground convulsing...

For Karazi:

As quickly as it hits you, the pain abates, and you are falling... Falling into the cloudy abyss of the sky... In an almost lazy roll, you turn back towards the earth... Far below, the lake of Clearwater stretches out beneath you... The Volcano, the fortress of the school... These are but small things now...

... There on the shore, you can see the people of the city like ants, scurrying about their business... Unaware and uncaring of the dangers that encroach upon them...

... Suddenly, you are torn away... Sent hurtling northeastwards at breakneck speeds.... Passed the Blighted miasmas of Stone Watch and Beluvah... Past cliffs and seas, you soar over the slave city of Black Harbour, where something is wrong...

... Violence fills the streets... The sounds of men shouting and weapons rattling is met by the shrill snarls, shrieks, and roars of monstrous animals...

... Diving earthward, you streak through the streets and alleys... There, a beast like a man, with the head and bearing if a wolf, scoops up soldier and tears him in two... There, a chained slave convulses, and disintegrates into a swarm of scurrying rats, nipping and chewing at all they come across, spreading far and wide their affliction... Chaos reigns far and wide... The city has not yet fallen, but it will, and soon...

...

... Again, you are thrown skyward, arcing like a stone over the channel sea to the Gnomish Isles...

... The land untouched by war or Blight, but it is hardly at peace...

... Thick smoke covers the cities of the gnomes, belched from their monsterous machines, who's grinding gears and wrenching metals nearly drown out the wailing of the suffering slaves who work them... Their great engines turning, fueled by gods only know what demonic force, tearing into the earth... Mining deeper and deeper in some unending search for what, you cannot fathom...

...

... Another jerk, and you are sent into a sickening spiral... The world just a blur of color around you, when it suddenly stops..

... You blink, and open your eyes to find yourself laying on your back in the gloom of Fredric's chambers, your brother standing over you looking concerned.


A moment later, Karazi stops, and comes to, looking dazed and disoriented.

[LordDice]

"Well that was unpleasant. Visions of Black Harbor gone crazy, fighting in the streets, just utter chaos. It felt like it was happening right now even. Along with images of...I guess the Gnomish isles, using their slaves and machines trying to dig, driving ever deeper into the core of the world. I wonder what possesses them upon such a path"

[Mr. X]

Fredric chews his lip.

"That sounds much as it ever has... What would you like to do?"

[LordDice]

"I can't see much use in trying to help Black Harbor until we've got this place alot more fortified. Visions or No...It seems like we've more important things to be dealing with than mere chaos in the streets of Black Harbor"


"What does somewhat concern me is the Gnomes, I believe in some of the research into the Blight the first time it was sealed into the core of the world. They might be trying to free it up even more themselves, Though there was no obvious trace of the Blighted in their Cities"


"I think we need to continue the path we've chosen for now, Lets head to the Font and see if we can't channel it's power...Get one more step closer to effectively combating the Blight and actually saving some of these folks"

[Mr. X]

Fredric nods.

"Fair enough. Whenever you're ready, I'll show you the way."

[LordDice]

"Lets get this show on the road then...I presume you have your own methods of Protection ?"

Speaking as he clasps his brothers shoulder, a ripple of energy passing through them ...with a spark leaping off into the floor nearby. Presumably to Sid.


Energy Immunity Fire and Air Breathing...Lets hope this'll work !

[Mr. X]

What could possibly go wrong? }:-]


Fredric leads you out of the last tower, and into the bone numbing cold at the peak of the mountain.

The path itself is buried in snow, but stakes along its length indicate its presence, as you are forced to huddle, lest the shrieking winds rip you off the mountain face...

... But ahead, you can see the crimson glow, where the icy cold is no match for the blazing fires within...

Reaching the crest of the crater, you are met with a blast of severe heat, instantly melting the icicles that had formed on your noses and eyebrows in even this short while...

Descending into the crater is tricky, but possible... And as you climb down, you can only pray that your magical protections hold... For your sweat instantly evaporates on contact with the super heated stones, and you know that only a fiery death awaits you, should they fail...

... At length, you reach the bottom most ledge... Still a dozen or so feet from the surface of the magma lake... From here, the cliffs are sheer, and you are greeted by the hissing, bubbling, and sputtering of the molten rock below...

At a glance, much of the lake almost appears to be stable... Coated in a cooled crust... But whether that crust is an inch thick, or a mile, it is clear that it is no match for the heat surging from below, as it cracks and bursts, only to reform moments later...

[Mr. X]

Even beyond the overwhelming heat, the power of the Font is blindingly apparent... You can feel its overwhelming forces warping and testing your protective enchantments, just as the heat shifts and cracks the cooled crust...

... It would not take much for the raw forces to shatter your protections completely, leaving you naked to elements...

... But the power is there... It is immense... And it is within your grasp.

[LordDice]

"Let me head out first Brother...these energies coming from the Font are worrying me a bit, seems like the protections could shatter at any moment"


With but a thought he slides into the earth, down the small cliff face and steps carefully onto the lava crust. Testing the waters a bit he bends over and glides his hand through the surface of the stony surface and pulls up a little magma, letting it fall from his fingers afterwards.

[Mr. X]

Pulled away, the crust and molten magma crumbles through your stony fingers...

... Your protections hold, though no doubt without them, even your stone form would fare little little better than the cooled crust would.

The crust holds your weight for a time, but is fragile, and begins breaking and melting before long.

[LordDice]

Feeling somewhat more confident he ventures further into the Volcano core. Getting ever closer to the Font itself.

[Mr. X]

Your movement is unrestricted, but it is difficult to precisely pinpoint the center of the Font... Like the crystalline shards of the Giant's Valley, the power here is disorganized... It fluctuates and moves, swirling through the crater and waxing and waning like hotspots in the overwhelming heat...

The whole of the crater serves as the Source.

[LordDice]

Finding a slightly thicker piece of crust he settles himself down, sitting carefully. Letting his mind go still and just feeling the sheer chaos of the fluxuating Font, throwing power all around him.

Placing a hand upon the Crust he channels a minor fraction of power, Shaping a small intricate stone goblet. Setting it down it front of him upon the crust he pulls a flask of Oil out of his pack, pouring it into the goblet.


Putting his hands upon both sides of the Goblet he starts trying to pull in power from the font and imbue it into the oil...with the sheer power involved it becomes saturated very quickly with the energies of the font.

With the last touch he reaches through the crust pulling a small blob of magma up, dropping it into the cup causes the oil to catch fire immediately.

Taking a deep breath he slowly pours the burning imbued oil upon his shoulders first, letting it drop down his body...flames licking to and fro and with the last bit remaining his pours it over his head. Eventually a small stone of cooling Magma is all that remains in the cup. Taking it out carefully he crushes it with his fingers over his open mouth, ingesting the very essence of the Earth.

[Mr. X]

Power surges around the Font, threatening the tenuous safety your protections provide... But yet they hold...

The heat, the fire, the rage of the font floods you... And for a moment, you feel as though you might understand what it is to be your brother... The hot stone...

Coming to your senses, though you have cooled somewhat, the sensation of empowerment is undiminished... You have absorbed the power, and shall carry it with you forever more...

For all:

You have become attuned to your third font. Congratulations.

Taalkar, it's your move.

When you act, please roll 1d10, and try not to roll a 1 or a 2.

[Barthac]

As Requested: [roll0]

[Barthac]

Taalkar watches his brother quietly. This was indeed his sort of font. It wasn't stuffy and fixed. It moved, it flowed, it breathed.

As Taalkar thought about the beauty of this place, the mote came quite naturally. It danced around the fount, happy and blissful. It made Taalkar smile and it made him want to dance.

At his will a large rocky spike rose under him, carrying him up into the air. He calmly unsheathed his axe, took a deep breath and leaped high in the air. At his apex he twisted, his feet now leading and disappeared. He appeared on the far side of the room landing on the side of the wall and immediately jumping again. This was fun.

A pillar rose out of the lave in the middle of the pool and met Taalkar halfway down, catching him gracefully. Streams of lava fell from the pillar and gouts of steam rose from the cooling rock. Taalkar begin his complicated routine of blocks and strikes but this time it was different. First new pillars of nearly molted rock formed under his feet continuously supporting his moves. Secondly, his axe blows seemed to happen all over the room. Sometimes a good 10 feet away from the axe itself.

A sheen of sweat glistened on Taalkar, reflecting the light of the lava as he danced through gouts of steam in midair. One final thrust and stopped. His body was low, one leg and his deadly axe splayed to one side. He rose and put the axe on his back. This time he drew Elias' sword.

He glanced at the weapon and admired it for a second. Much lighter than his axe it was also swifter. He made a few test thrusts and nodded in approval. He danced again. This time the dance was much faster and full of spinning slashes and arcing cuts. Again the blade appeared to be in many places at once. Unlike the axe, which crackled and sparked like lightning in a thundercloud, the sword was like a swarm of angry bees, buzzing and stinging.

His routine again completed, he nodded, satisfied. Placing the blade through a loop on his hip, he moved back towards the entrance.

[Mr. X]

The power of the source flows through you like licking flame as you sweep and circle about the crater...

When you draw the sword, it is as a new spark ignites a further fire... It's delicacy and lightness driving you to new hights of speed and accuracy... That strange flickering light, always ahead of its point, always guiding your strikes that extra bit...

... But beyond that, the power of the font is glorious...

Fredric spoke of flight and surrender, BAH!! That is the talk of cowards... What thing on earth could stand before you?!

...

... The dance slows, and your blazing glory cools, as you return to the path, when the power of the Font erupts...

... The force is like a hurricane in your soul... Your feeble protections shatter under its might, and you feel, unfiltered, the fury of the volcanic fire...


Karazi and Fredric take damage:
[roll0] Fire.

Taalkar take damage:
[roll1]

You may make a Reflex Save, DC 18, to get off the lake before it hits, and halve the damage... Evasion and similar, in this case, will not help you.

Good luck.

[Mr. X]

Standing on the brink of the path, Karazi and Fredric's stony skin and dead flesh begin to sizzle in the heat, watching on in horror as Taalkar's pillar of stone begins to crumble and list…

All around a deep rumble resonates through the mountain, like a giant rolling over in its sleep… Below the magma lake bubbles and sizzles, splashing and jetting sprays of molten rock nearly to your feet, as the mountain reminds you of its yet dormant life.

From above, Fredric's face contorts, as he reaches his hands out to you, shouting,

"TO ME!! TO ME!!!"

[LordDice]

Seeing his brother dashing for the edge of the crater after the crust starts going wild, the burning atmosphere stifiling in the extreme he snaps out a hand towards his brother in mid leap, giving him a massive boost as he jumps for safety.


Swift Flight, 60ft...1 round.

[Mr. X]

Leaping out, Karazi seizes his brother's wrist, before soaring on a burst of magical wind back to the path, where Fredric catches you both, and chants a furious spell…

… The burning lake vanishes, and you find yourselves once again in the safety of Fredric's office… Charred, and gagging on the noxious fumes, but alive and now safe.

[Mr. X]

As you regain your composure, Fredric stares at you both for a long moment… The red lights in the pits of his empty eyes flicker with the blue flecks of the divinatory magic he had been watching you with at the Font…

"I… Do not fully understand…"

He chews his lip, frowning.

"That… was not mortal magic that you were working…"

You can almost see the wheels spinning in his head, trying to grasp whatever it was that he saw.

"How… How did you do that?"

[LordDice]

Lightly chuckling at Frederics confusion "Do anything ? We did nothing out there. We went out ready to recieve the blessing of the world and the world Granted it. We commited no magic, we are only the vessel."

"I mean really, My Brother here hadn't a magical bone in his body when we first tried this....he didn't know of our ancient stoneshaper rituals. So when he decided to try and be granted the power of the Font at our home he just got up there and did a short blade meditation. What took me 17 hours of ritual cleansing and weeks of study as a child he just winged."

"It took some time before I actually understood a little better what was happening, If the Font judges you worthy...that's all that actually matters. Sadly I've no idea what makes someone worthy to the Font."

"Hell, maybe it just likes Dwarves"

[Mr. X]

Fredric peers oddly at you, and you get the sense that, somewhere in the back of his mind, he'd like nothing better than to dissect you, and figure out what makes you tick...

... Even so, after a moment he shrugs, saying,

"There are yet many mysteries, and much that is unknown... And much yet that needs doing."

He sighs.

"If you are finished here, you'd best get moving... The Blight does not rest, and I fear our time is short."

[LordDice]

"Aye, indeed it does. We've got to make some more preparations and figure out where we should head next"


"I'm going to shift home, I'll bring those Chests of books we recovered from the Golden Font. Perhaps with some tinkering we can use that to create some more items. That face off with Vark had me worried, I dislike worrying."



With a whisper he slides into the earth, arriving back in the Falgen Font with Sid, with a little jostling Sid manages to pickup both Chests, a few moments later they Slide back into the room, trying to set the chests carefully at Frederic's feet.

[Mr. X]

Fredric nods.

"These will be of incalculable value, thank you."

He turns back to you.

"I'll get the students to work on them immediately... Further, I will attend personally to any crafts you might require before you depart."


Fredric's exp costs for magical crafting are halved, from his gauntlets.

Further, if you have any magic items that are of no use to you, he can peel off and re-purpose the enchantments at no cost.

Just let me know what you need, and he'll get to work on it.

[Mr. X]

It takes the better part of the day for Fredric and the other wizards to get the chests situated, and the rest of the next to fulfill your order of magic items.

Fredric himself works ceaselessly through the night, needing neither rest nor sleep in his condition.

Near evening the next day, you are fully outfitted, and Fredric has moved on to the mass production of the Seal, and other research against the Blight.

When you are ready, he comes to see you off.

"So where will you go next? Another Font, I presume? Or have you other objectives to see to?"

[LordDice]

"Aye, we'll be heading to the great forest in the south. Can feel the pull from another Font thereabouts, and Taalkar has given his word to venture into those parts awhile back and so we head there next"

[Mr. X]

Fredric nods.

"No doubt a wise course... I am under the impression that the elves have abandoned the forest. Even so, I'd watch your step... That land has disliked outsiders for longer than most can remember."

He bows slightly, careful to keep his hands to himself.

"I wish you luck. I shall be here, should you require my aid.

I stand, my lords, at your service."

[LordDice]

"We'll be back soon enough, Hold against the Blight until we can utilize more Fonts...Keep those Students of yours researching other methods of using the fonts..Maybe we could actually win this thing without resorting to last resorts."

"Remember, Gods can Die."


"Ready yourself Brother, we're going right for it...I'm going to try and put us an hours walk away from the font" Turning to his brother he sees that he's ready to go, hand clutching his sparking axe in anticipation. Sid standing ever vigilant behind them both as he raises the staff, slamming it back onto the stone floor, ripples spreading out as they sink quickly into it.


Master Earth, slightly different. puts you exactly where you want to be, or nearest possible spot. Also of note, this is one of the only teleports that tends to go through a lot of the anti-teleportation fields. Because it's not listed as a Teleport spell.
http://dndtools.pw/spells/magic-of-faerun--20/master-earth--1776/

[Mr. X]

Fredric bows as you vanish into the earth to emerge in a grassy plain... On the edge of the forest...

Unlike when you attempted to shift into the Fountain Chamber, your magics are neither blocked, nor unravelled... Rather, it is as if the earth is either unresponsive to your commands, or simply unwilling to carry you further...

... Similar attempts to shorten your journey prove similarly fruitless...

... The line of trees before you marks the border of lands known to any but those who've dwelt within... And it appears that your passage will not be shortened by any means...

... From here, your feet must carry you.

[Barthac]

The power drains from him slightly and Taalkar gulps. He hadn't realized he had grown that accustomed to the feeling of magic coursing through his veins.

Well that's a different kind of feeling, ain't it?

[LordDice]

"Very Different, as if someone has direct control over the Elements here...and stronger than I. I doubt I'll be able to cast some of my more Elemental spells as we go in. ...even others may fail, worrisome."


"Keep your Axe handy brother...and let me borrow that fancy sword from Elias. I get the feeling I might actually have cause to swing a sword in here....Don't look so shocked, I do still remember the basics."

[Barthac]

Taalkar looks at his brother suspiciously. The blade leaps to his hand as he reluctantly hands it over.

You sure you wouldn't do better just whackin' em with that fancy stick you made?

[LordDice]

Settling his staff into a hoop on his pack he comments back to his brother "My staff ain't made for hittin folks you mead addled rock beetle"

[Barthac]

Taalkar scratches his head for a moment, I don't get it, what's it good for then?

Shrugging he starts walking into the forest.

[Mr. X]

The outer edges of the forest seem much like any other. Light, new growth trees sprouting amidst the thinner ranks of elder trees, while undergrowths run rampant between their trunks, twisting and spreading, so as to gather every drop of sunlight that filters through the canopy high above.

Your sense of the Font lends you a pretty good idea of which direction to travel. Even so, the deeper you go, the passages through the trees and terrain get somewhat confusing, and you need to work maintain your heading...


Both please give me Survival checks.

Also, both please make Spot checks.

[Barthac]

Spot: [roll0]
Survival: [roll1]

[Mr. X]

Your way through the forest is difficult, but you manage not to get lost over the course...

... The days here are cool and pleasant... This far south, the winter is merely a cooling, rather than a freezing, and you've heard it said that further south, there is no winter at all...

... The journey through the forest is long, and several times you are forced to make camp for the evening.

Unable to shape the earth for protection, you are forced to bear much more open and vulnerable positions through the nights, than those you've become accustomed to...

It is in these times that the nocturnal predators make pass near you...

... Masters of stealth and ambush, you are lucky to see them at all... Great spiders, moving invisibly through the trees... Slipping in and out of the material plane with ease, vanishing the moment you lay eyes on them, to reappear elsewhere, still as statues, sizing up their potential prey...

... You know a moment of fear... Even knowing they were there, these creatures could appear on top of you, and have you bundled and sleeping, by the time you knew what hit you...

... Even so, the ambush never comes... Eventually, the spiders can no longer be found... Perhaps they've moved on, searching for easier prey...

...

...

The next morning, you are woken by a ripping and tearing in the earth...

... Leaping onto guard, you watch as the great oak you were sleeping against, shudders, and uproots itself... It's roots squirming and feeling the terrain before it, the colossal tree pays you no heed, as it wanders off into the further depths of the forest... For what purpose, you can only imagine...

...

... It is worth noting, the Blight has no presence here... At all.

Perhaps it merely has yet to permeate so far south, but for what it's worth, the forest is as yet untouched...

...

...

... It takes nearly two weeks of steady travel before you finally reach the Font...

... A open glade of sentinel pines and redwoods. The glade opens wide enough to see the sky open far above the ancient and immense trees. The ground is carpeted in a thick, soft grass. Great standing stones ring the perimeter, each deeply chiseled with an elegant, flowing, and incomprehensible script.

In the center of the glade is a pond, its water black, and smooth and still as glass.

[LordDice]

In a somewhat reverent tone he turns to comment to his brother "Worth the trek through that forest eh ?"


"I've gotta take a closer look, look at the size of those stones !"


Slowly heading up towards the stones, he tries his magic a bit...help with reading the inscriptions upon the stones.


Read Magic, might help.

[Mr. X]

The writing itself carries no magic, nor formulaic meaning...


How's your Elvish?

[LordDice]

Not really understanding the writing he just presses on towards the lake at the center, very cautiously. Looking around he tries to determine how this Font has it's energy laid out.

[Mr. X]

In stark contrast to the raging forces of the volcano, the apparent energies of the Glade are subtle and still... Like a whisper, or a breath of wind through the heavy grass...

... The focal point of the font is clearly the pond in the center of the glade.

It's still waters smooth as a sheet of glass, and whether by the angle of the light, or sheer incomprehensible depth, they are black, and totally opaque.

[LordDice]

"Welp only one thing to do with a pond THIS still"

Reaching into his pack he pulls out a small silver piece, quickly whipping it across the lake.


"Ha, beat that brother....7 skips !"

[Mr. X]

The stone skips beautifully, skimming to a final plummet into the depths near the far edge of the pool... The ripples cast from where it touched the surface, expand in flawless circles, overlapping one another when they meet, and gently ricocheting off the pools edges, to traverse the width of the pond again and again, until their momentum fades, and the water's surface becomes still once more.

There is a weighty, almost palpable, sense of reverence over the area, that settles heavily on you, even as you attempt to lighten the mood.

[LordDice]

Settling down on the edge of the pool, he lets his stony feet dip into the waters as he focuses within. Joining with the earth deep below him, the pond such a small part of the whole. After some time he scoops at the water, pouring it over himself...much as he did with the Quicksilver at home. Ritually washing away the impurities gathered within.

[Mr. X]

... The power of the font is certainly there... But you fail to grasp it...

It slips through your fingers, and away from your soul, like water sliding off an oiled surface...

... The two repel each other, and refuse to mix.

[LordDice]

"It's slipping away brother...I've no idea what to do. I am wondering what the script says on these standing stones around us...it might give us some clue. Let's rest the night, I need to see if I can even pull enough power to get my spells in this place...It's as if someones has funneled all the power of nature to a single area"


Resting to try and swap spells out, so lets see if that's possible...I'll have a list, but one of em is definitely gonna be tongues or the like :/

[Barthac]

Too bad ol' Freddy ain't here. I bet he could read these, even through a magical mirror.

Taalkar looks around expectantly.

[Mr. X]

The breeze gently causes grasses and treetops to rustle, as you pause for a moment and wait...

... Unfortunately, merely invoking Fredric's name does not appear to be sufficient to summon him, or his eye...

...

The evening falls pleasantly cool, and you pass the night peacefully.

As morning dawns, you stretch and settle in for the next day...

For Karazi:

The spirits of the elements continue to recoil from you, and deny you any powers that require their direct intervention. (i.e. Elemental subtype spells.)

The rest of your powers are made possible merely by their presence, and this you are able to syphon some degree of power from them, regardless of their willingness (or lack there of) to aid you. (i.e. Non-Elemental spells are fine.)


For Taalkar:

You swig your ale as you watch your brother struggle to regain his powers, when you suddenly realize something...

... Digging in your pack, you come up with a handful of stale and crumbling rations...

... You haven't eaten since before you came to the forest, what, two weeks ago...? And not for lack of supply...

... Even as you stare at the dried food, your stomach neither grumbles nor mutters in desire for sustenance... It's like you just don't need it.

It's weird... And decidedly un-dwarfish.

[LordDice]

Feeling rested and ready to try to unravel the mystery of this font he turns his attention to the standing stones inscribed with this odd language.

Perhaps if the stone itself could speak to him.

Approaching the stone he places both hands upon it, channeling what little power he can muster in this place into the stone, seeking understanding.


Lets try Stone Tell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/stoneTell.htm) and see if we can't learn something from this Rock.

[Mr. X]

With your invocation, the stone before you vibrates suddenly, and emits a sound like dripping water over clicking gravel... Terran...

"Tread softly, dwarf... Your presence offends this holy place."

[LordDice]

Rebuked by the stones of the Earth itself...stunned into silence for a minute...but this doesn't sit well.


"I WILL know what is going on here Brother...something, someone has control over the elements here....and I must know how !"



Setting himself upon the grass, he begins to chant softly. Almost whispering into the wind, asking for guidance...demanding answers. Such a fine line he treads.


Limited Wish (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/limitedWish.htm)>Legend Lore (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/legendLore.htm)

[Mr. X]

The spell is hardly off your lips, when the flood of images pours into your mind, narrates again by the voice of the stone...

Have you spent a millennia tending to the needs of the forest...?

Would you sing the song of the trees, carved into these living stones...?

Are you a deity walking the earth...?

If you are not, or cannot accomplish, any of these, you are to be deemed unworthy to commune with this place...

For each of your predecessors to this moment, here in this place, have done at least one of these...

... The gods have walked this glade...

... Since time immemorial, the song has been sung...

... And the very least of them, have at least given a share of their lives to the forest...

... To be less than these, is to be beneath care or notice of this place."

[LordDice]

"You think less of me and mine, for Generations uncounted my clan has tasked themselves with the preservation of a place such as this. But because I don't sing some rubbish song about fluffy trees and happy plants I'm not WORTHY."



Fuming mad he notices he's actually shouting at a stone, sitting idly upon the grass. Looking over at his Brother he shrugs sheepishly "We're not "good enough" for the power...we're not Gods, or Elves...can't sing a stupid song written upon them"

"Nope...we just wanted to keep the Blight from taking over the world, but hell I'm sure it can't possibly hurt this pristine place right !

[LordDice]

Grumbling under his breath some more at the damned stones he thinks about the problem a bit more.

"We're gonna rest the night ...yet again. One last try at this and we're leaving if it doesn't think we're worthy after this."


Upon the new morning he motions his brother to follow him. Quietly they walk just into the treeline. He looks around at the nearby trees.

"Welp, they want sacrifice for this forest...this much I can do at least"


Taking a small Obsidian shard from his pack he jams it within the cracks of his rocky flesh, bleeding profusely he smears the blood upon both hands before walking to a nearby tree. Pressing both his hands upon it, pouring magic through his bloodied hands it sears the imprint upon the bark from the sheer amount of power being pushed into the tree.

Finishing with that he moves to the next, then another, and another until finally he slumps down. Drained, he sits admist his marked trees. Still bloodied hands upon the earth itself. With a low chant he starts, over and over repeating....hours upon end.

I'm gonna let you take over the rest of this. That stone wants Sacrifice for the forest...oh it'll get Sacrifice for the forest.I'm talking Awaken...Mass. C-Div 151. This was a Ritual Cast spell (as it's level 8, but it already takes 24h to cast...so what's another hour..heh.

Will Save. [roll0]
Caster level 18, So 6 trees. Depending on the Will saves and awakenings...a Sacrifice of 250 xp per tree awakened.

[Mr. X]

The first tree you affect stands a touch straighter on its roots, and rustles somewhat in the gentle breeze, as if uncertain what to do with itself...

... The second responds similarly...

...

... The third lifts itself up on its myriad of roots and tendrils, waivering hither and thither to gain its balance as a full fledged being...

...

... With the awakening of the fourth, the previous three follow suit in uprooting themselves, and wavering about...

...

... As you work upon the fifth tree, it is apparent that the previous four obtain their bearings, and loom over you, as if to better perceive your work...

...

... As you complete your work upon the sixth tree, a dozen other trees uproot themselves along side it, testing the waters, as it were, of their new cognoscence.

... The leaves of the trees rustle and waiver in the breeze, as you settle back into the grass, exhausted from your work...

...

Abruptly, the earth around your erupts with twisting, whipping, and waving roots... Curling around your limbs, and attempting to hold you fast to the ground...


@Karazi:
If you like, you may attempt a Reflex Save, DC [roll0], to avoid getting grappled.

@Taalkar:
You may respond as you see fit. You have an action.

[LordDice]

"Hold brother. This may not be hostile !" he calls out. Relaxing into the grapple and not fighting it for now.

[Barthac]

Taalkar settles on the ground, careful not to lean against a tree. He raises his cup to Karazi before throwing it back. Damnedest think I've ever seen and I've been dead! he says waiting for his cup to fill.

[Mr. X]

Relaxing into their grip, the roots and tendrils twist and tighten around you, lifting you off the ground, and settle you into a gentle reclination... Pinned, and completely immobile.

From the roots, new threads sprout, and worm their way between the cracks of your stony plates, and begin to grow...

... As the stems widen, splitting and fracturing the stone, pain rips through your body, as further sprouts dig deeper, rooting themselves into your core...


http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/chaunceyparsons/Mobile%20Uploads/1438297363_zps1b9b8d78.jpg

Please take damage:
[roll0]

[LordDice]

Grunting in pain as the roots dig into him, struggling a minute as they sink further into his flesh he lets go of his Stone plating, reverting to his natural Dwarfness.

"I'm not soil for ya, you blasted plants. Not meaning you any harm neither !"

[Mr. X]

The released pressure from the dissipation of your stone plates only allows the roots to delve into you further, and sprout faster... You hack and sputter, as the tendrils penetrate your innards, stray strands working their way up your esophagus, and burst out of your sinuses in a spray of blood and plant much...


Please take further damage:
[roll0]


... But through the pain comes the power... Flooding into you like water from a burst dam...

Your eyes bulge, and you hemmoragge blood from your ears and mouth, your system physically unable to contain the flood of power...

...

... After a moment, the flow abates... The trees settle back into the earth, or begin to wander aimlessly off...

... The roots extricate themselves from you, and vanish back into the earth... Leaving you laying perforated there, bleeding into the grass.


Congratulations, you have successfully been attuned to this font.

[Barthac]

Brother Taalkar chokes on his ale as he sees his brother consumed by trees.

Leaping to his feet, he shakes his fist at the trees, Let him go you rotten waterlogged... he searches for a word TREE!

He sees them release Karazi and he rushes to his brothers side. I got em for ya brother.

[LordDice]

Struggling back to his feet, blood dripping everywhere as he wobbles. Reaching into his pack he pull out an older wand, after a quick pass the blood stops flowing quite so quickly.

Uncomfortable in this old skin, he quick reforms his Stone. Comforting...Reassuring Stone.


Turning to his brother "Welp, that was so much worse than I thought It'd be...but it did work. Got Attuned to the font even...I've no idea how you're gonna manage this one Brother"

[Barthac]

Well I aint lettin' no tree eat my liver. He stands over his brother his axe in his hands.

Come on you mossy barked monsters! Let's have this out!

[LordDice]

"They didn't "eat my liver" Brother... pausing a second he pokes at his chest a few times before muttering err well, I hope they didn't


"Now would you kindly not threaten the trees while we're STANDING IN THE FOREST"

[Mr. X]

Despite Taalkar's bellowed challenge, and Karazi's subsequent warning, the glade remains as still and serene as ever...

Even those trees that have shown themselves to be mobile sway only so much as the breeze catches their leaves...

...

There remains a hallowed tension in the air, like that in any ancient temple, but for now, you appear to still be safe.

[Mr. X]

The tense moment lingers... But even the worst of fears must eventually dissipate in the absence of action...

Lacking any immediate place to direct your worries, you shuffle about for a moment, wondering what to do next... When you see it...

Your eyes catching the point of interest nearly simultaneously, you nearly knock heads as you both dive into inspection...

Karazi's Magic having stemmed the flow of his blood, what was spilled now stains the grass, seeping into the earth...

... But it's not right...

... Streaks of gold flick and glitter in the crimson fluid, like the dusting a miner might get before striking a rich vein...

... You've never seen anything quite like it.

[Barthac]

So, it's the blood ya want!

Taalkar reaches out and scraps his palm against a jagged edge of his brother's stony armor. He winces as a large gash opens and blood begans to well up. Turning his hand palm down towards the ground, a few drops plop on to the grass at his feet.

[Mr. X]

Your blood oozes from the wound, dripping into the grass... And likewise glistens with golden flecks and streaks...

It is near simplicity, and the power of the font flows into you, filling you to the brim...

Through it all, you hear the whisper of the stones;

"Your new presence is noted, lords... You are most welcome here."


Congratulations, you have attuned to your fourth Font. All the standard benefits apply.

If it was not already fairly apparent, it is now quite clear that neither of you can any longer be considered to be Human (or Dwarven, rather).

Your Types change to Outsider, with all the associated benefits.

[LordDice]

was there another Font we know about now ?

[Mr. X]

Yes... Attunement gives you a sense of the lay lines stretching out from each font, and where the fonts they connect to are.

From here there is but one that you have not yet visited... Situated in the seas amidst the Gnomish Isles.

[LordDice]

Now I'm confused, I thought there were 8 fonts for some reason >_< I musta read something wrong a long time ago

[LordDice]

"Well Brother, the only Font I can feel left is towards the Gnomish Isles... The real question to my mind is do we just shift over immediately, or visit the Black Harbor. Since the Harbor is about the only folks that deal with them, there might be solid information as to what they're up to. I for one am a little tired of dropping into utter disasters lately"

[Barthac]

What about them elves? The Boy King seemed to think they might be able to help. You think we could find em with all these infernal blood-sucking trees around?

[LordDice]

"Might not hurt to search around a bit...might be easier to find them if you stop calling the trees that though."

"We'll search about for some signs of them...at least with access to my magic we should be able to get a decent shelter up once again during the nights. I do hate not having stone over my head when I sleep"

Tossing a few skill checks in case you need them while we poke around for awhile looking for elves
Survival [roll0]
Know Nature [roll1]
Spot [roll2]

[Mr. X]

While it is very apparent that this spot is Elven holy ground, there is no evidence of any elves having been recently present.

While Karazi's powers have returned, it is still quite apparent that the laws of Nature are somewhat different here, in this land, than they are elsewhere in the world... Perhaps owing to the warping effects of the font, but perhaps also owing to the countless years of effort that the elves doubtless spent bending this portion of the world to their whims...

Regardless, the weather is quite pleasant... And, if you can trust the trees not to assault you in your sleep, the area appears to be quite safe... Though there is a distinct lack of stone mass in the area...

[LordDice]

Pulling his staff back out he lightly taps it upon the ground, as giant slabs of stone shove their way up through the rich earth..a few more taps with his newly enchanted staff and the form of a nice little stone cottage remains.

"We'll rest the night and try something come morning, I've an idea that might pay off a bit more than searching blindly"

[Mr. X]

Your cottage, complete with functional stone floors, slab beds, fireplace, chimney, and wash basin, is easily constructed, and provides a home-like comfort wholly unavailable in these foreign lands.

...

... You are sleeping peacefully, when your heads split with pain, and you are nearly overwhelmed by a crushing and palpable fear...

Mad visions race through your minds... Millions of cracked, alien eyes sliding open, and rolling madly in the stirrings of their wakening... Shadowed city streets pack tight with shrieking throngs of people, insane with panic, trampling one another as they flee in all directions from some unseen horror...

... An immense black castle, made blacker still as the sun over it is blotted from the sky...

...

...

... You both wake simultaneously, soaked in icy sweats.

[LordDice]

Snapping awake, he tries desperately to remember something, anything from the vision clearly. To get a better idea of where this is he on a single face from the running masses he just saw. Pulling a wand from his pack a light mist flows from the tip into his eyes where they cloud over.

Trying to see if that was a real time kinda thing, or something about to happen. Wand of Scrying on random person running away.

[Mr. X]

One face sticks in your memory... A young woman, clutching a child to her chest, her hair matted with grime and blood, fleeing only momentarily, before stumbling, and being lost beeneath the mob...

... A waive of your wand conjures easily conjures an image of her... Laying in a dark room, sleeping peacefully in bed. There is a man laying on his side next to her, them both tucked snuggly beneath heavy blankets protecting them from the winter's cold...

... Maneuvering your view around the room, it is difficult to say where the couple might be, until you come to a finely appointed armor stand in a corner of the room... Resting upon it is a masterfully crafted suit of black armour, wrought in draconic fashion...

... Great Gate.

[LordDice]

"Hmm, From what I can gather...whatever we saw is likely about to befall the Great Gate...I'm in no hurry to go hug that decaying monster. Maybe we can get a message to warn him via Frederic. We should head back to the College and catch him up"


"Unless you're itchin to go personally save those bastards"

[LordDice]

Seeing no argument from his brother he raises up his staff and slams it back into the ground. The small shock wave liquefying the earth around their feet allowing them to sink into the earth as they head to the College.

[Mr. X]

The earth opens before you, and swallows you up... You step foreth from the granite cliffside into the blistering cold of the peaks of College Isle, before the imposing hights of the school's main gate...

The wind is strong, blustering the snows into your faces, and a dense mist embraces the mountain top.

Before you the gate is closed, but the snows covering the path are trampled and sodden, where busy traffic has perhaps only recently subsided...

Far below, it is difficult to make out the details of Clearwater city, but you can make out certain brighter areas, where great fires appear to be burning.

[Barthac]

Let see if we get a better reception this time Taalkar marches towards the door and bangs with the haft of his axe.

[Mr. X]

Your second blow has hardly landed, when the door lurches open, and you are greeted by the wearied face of the elder scribe whom you first met here... Peering beyond him, you can see many people huddled on the floor of the ante-chamber, filthy, and clearly cold... Refugees...

"Ah, my lords, the Prince will be most pleased that you've returned. I am afraid that circumstances here have grown quite complicated in your absence."

He glances at the huddled masses filling the room.

"At this moment, the Prince is down in the city, attempting to restore order, and withdraw survivors... I do not believe that the situation is going well, though... A storm is coming, and so the people can no longer hope to make the ascent up the mountain. We've been magicing them in, but Master Vark's formulae were beyond the means of most the students and faculty to cast directly, and rituals require a great deal of time..."

He wrings his hands.

"If there is anything you can do to help, I, at least, would be most grateful."

[LordDice]

"Bah...How long have we got until the storm really hits ? and perhaps I can make some sense of his formulae, I may not be as specialized as Vark, but I've managed to muddle my way through the place between places before"

[Mr. X]

The elder scribe nods, and produces a scroll.

"I've been saving this for a dire moment, but if you can make use of it, it is yours.

The storm will not be at its full force for another few hours, but already the winds on the mountain are too strong to allow for safe travel...

If nothing else, the blighted shall not be able to make it up the pass either... Though I fear those still clean below may be stranded in their midst."

[Barthac]

If the blight is here... is this it then, brother? You got the backup plan ready?

[LordDice]

"I think we're still on Plan A...hopefully the storm'll hurt the Blight almost as much as the rest of us. We need the last font...but that vision of Great Gate was too big to ignore. We should wait for Frederic, at least tell him about the visions we had...he may be able to get a message to the right people there to prevent some of the chaos"


Turning back to the elder scribe that let them in before continuing.



"Sadly I can't use this to aid much...it would be a massive working of magic in order to transport people up here en mass...

"Brother, maybe we can head down to the town, I could raise up some large stone shelters at least and maybe fortify the town somewhat...if the remaining people gather together... and once all together we can perhaps cut down the Blighted a bit as well"

[Mr. X]

The elder scribe nods, re-taking the scroll.

"If you've the means to aid the Prince, I would urge you to do so... He went down to aid in securing the city against the storm, but took a number of effective Seals with him, to ensure the blighted were not taking refuge in the city... I'm told things became complicated very quickly, as the blight had already spread unseen through much of the population... Most of the students who went with him have returned with groups of clean refugees, but I know that some were killed in the fighting that ensued."

He wrings his hands.

"He may well be standing alone down there."

[Barthac]

If there's one guy that could stand alone, it may be ol' Freddy. We can't let him hog all the fun, though. Let's go see what we can do to help.

[Mr. X]

The elder scribe nods.

"That is doubtless so... Even so, I bid you make haste... They said that one of the students was slain within the effects of the Prince's Seal... In times like these, even the unblighted may be fearful and violent... I worry as much for their sake as his."

[LordDice]

"Do you have a spare seal for us to take down ? or are they all deployed at the moment ? "

[Mr. X]

"Oh, yes, I do." he says, bobbing his head emphatically. "Give me just a moment."

He scurries off through the massed refugees, to return a moment later with a large oaken shield, emblazoned with the Seal, and a large broach, similarly fashioned into the Seal.

"Take these. They are directly crafted, I'm afraid, and so are not nearly as powerful as the Prince's seal (use of the Brand comes at a high cost), but none the less, should still severely impede any blighted you come across."


The Shield is a Masterwork Large Shield, imbued with a CL 10 Cerulean Seal.

The Broach takes up the Amulet slot, and is likewise, a CL 10 Cerulean Seal.

[LordDice]

"Execellent, lets go find Frederic"

Tossing the Broach over to Taalkar he handles the somewhat unwieldy shield trying to find a good position for it and his staff. Checking to see his brothers is ready he taps his staff upon the stone flooring, letting the ripples wash over them. Transporting them to the city center.

[Mr. X]

The relative peace of the College gate is ripped away as you hit by the blasting winds that already rip their way through the streets of Clearwater.

All around, you can see that windows and doors are bolted and battened down, even as you watch roofs waiver, for the moment resisting being peeled off by the freezing winds.

You are nearly immediately soaked through by the sheeting sleet, the cold cutting you to the bone.

Looking around, there is at first little to see. The streets are vacant of people, while garbage and debris is blown into drifts caught in building corners by the howling winds... Here, a pushcart is upset, and smashed against a wall, it's wears spilled, and scattered by the winds. There, a weaker structure all but demolished, it's roof torn free by the winds, and it's interior abandoned, and left naked to their wrath.

Over it all, you dimly become aware of a bell tolling off in the distance... A temple or watch tower, most like, off toward the docks... No doubt calling those in need to safe(er) refuge.

A structure that would house such a bell would no doubt be made of stone, and would weather the storm better than many others.


Would you both make Listen checks, please?

[Barthac]

Listen [roll0] How is it that I have two ears and only one eye but my spot is better than my listen?

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

Poor listener? Your teacher, I feel, might have a poeticly cutting remark to make here... But I do not. ;-P


Scanning the scene, you can faintly make out the sound of someone screaming, and the distant ring of metal on metal, over the wind... Both from the direction of the bell.

[LordDice]

Hearing noise in the distance they move off towards it. Walking a step behind his brother and with an enormous Sid taking up the rear they press on.

As they walk throughout the city energies from his staff are constantly flowing out into the neighboring homes as stone flows up walls and corners, reinforcing what he can as they make their way through the city.


A bit of a marching order, and Sid is in Large form...considering the weather. and what use is a unlimited stone shaping staff if you don't use it to randomly spruce up folks houses !

[Mr. X]

Your staff is unlimited?! Awesome!


Moving towards the docks, the sounds of battle become swiftly more apparent over the tolling of the bell.

Turning the final corner, you nearly bump into a boy running down the street... He is perhaps six years old, with damp matted hair, and an innocent look left over from better times.

... But the scaly rash crawling up his neck cannot be mistaken...

Nearly before you even comprehend what you're seeing, the seals upon your shield and broach flare with cerulean light, and the boy seizes... His eyes rolling back, and his limbs contorting, he falls to the ground gagging and convulsing before the Seal...

... Over the twisting body of the boy, the square opens out before you...

Ahead, Fredric stands before the gates of a temple to Lathander, facing off against over a dozen people in various armourment... Already the ground is littered with the bodies of those either killed by his hand, or laid low by the power of his Seal. Even as you watch, a volley of arrows falls on the wizard. Many being deflected by his magical protections, but just as many piercing through his shielding and lodging themselves in his arms, legs and torso... To little avail... The godsent lurches forward through the lethal rain, wielding a blazing enchanted spear, that it is clear he has no training with, stabbing one man through the throat, before hurling the spear into a crossbowman, and twisting to catch a third by the wrist... The man, already convulsing under the effects of proximity to Fredric's seal, screams even louder, as his arm withers into a shriveled and lifeless husk...


Please roll Initiative, and spot checks.

The boy in front of you is still technically alive (though suffering badly), and will recover fully if removed from the presence of the Seal.

(Your seals have a radius of about 6ft.)

Fredric's init: [roll0]

Fredric's active effects:
Haste
False Life
Shield
Cerulean Seal (CL 20)
Bull's Strength

[Barthac]

Combat WEE!!!

Init: [roll0]

[LordDice]

Init [roll0]

[Mr. X]

The Map:

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x321/chaunceyparsons/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsebwekzhy.jpg

The Temple of Lathander sits on the waterfront, where several ships and boats of varying sizes are docked... Even now, despite the obvious battle taking place on the steps of the temple, you can see crewmen scurrying about some of the larger vessels, battening down their hatches, and making ready for the coming storm.

For some clarification, the temple is the oblong hexagonal building to the north-east, where Fredric stands on its steps.

F- is Fredric
T - is Taalkar
K- is Karazi
S- is Sid

You are approaching through an alleyway to the south of the scene. The Boy(B) lies convulsing in front of you.

The dotted line around Fredric is the radius of his Seal. (His is bigger than yours.) :-P

Since everyone else is currently occupied, you have a surprise round to act in before normal combat begins.

You are free to make your moves. Let me know if you need anything else clarified.

[Barthac]

Try and keep up this time, brother.

Taalkar leaps straight up above Karazi but falls in the middle of the blighted attacking Fredric.


Leaping Dragon Stance
Manuevers Readied: Iron Heart Surge, Fountain of Blood, Ancient Mountain Hammer, Pouncing Charge, Iron Bones, Mountain Hammer
HP:97 AC: 41

Leaping into the middle of fray, Taalkar style between A6 and M1. This should let me hit M1, M6, A5, A6 and maybe M5.
Power Attack: 17 (against AC)

To Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] + Sparky [roll2]

If I kill at least 1, I will use Fountain of Blood. All within 30FT must will save or be shaken. DC 24 (+1 for each additional person killed)

[LordDice]

Smirking at his brother seeming blinking into the heart of the enemy"Kinda hard to keep up with you now brother !" Shouting after him.

Seeing his brother in a small grouping of the enemy he peers over at the archers above on the building. Reaching forward with his hand a pool of green energy pools within his hand for a mere moment before spearing out at the two archers.




Attackin A1 and 2 up on the building. With Nature's Purity. Ranged Touch Atk rolls (Damage is presuming they are actually Abberations like I'm thinking...)
Two on A1
[roll0] Damage [roll1]
[roll2] Damage [roll3]
Two on A2
[roll4] Damage [roll5]
[roll6] Damage [roll7]

[Mr. X]

Slipping between the broken shards of his perceived reality, Taalkar appears suddenly high in the sky over the battle...

There is a moment of calm, as heads turn, and you begin to fall, but in that moment, you are dimly aware of a figure slipping out of the temple gate behind Fredric... A woman? Wielding a knife, and most like steeling herself to do her part in defending the temple...

The moment passes as reality shatters again and Taalkar's form bends impossibly, his axe and arms warping and splitting into half a dozen separate appendages and axeheads of verying lengths, each burying itself deep into the squamous flesh of the shoulders, backs, or skulls of the men and women, even as they try to dive for cover...

A moment later, reality reasserts itself, and the sudden absence of the axe blades in the horrid wounds allows the trapped blood to gout freely in such a fountain of gore that even Fredric seems momentarily taken aback.

The devastating assault is followed up by a mass of streaking arcs of green flame twisting and winding their way through the waterfront square turned battlefield, and incinerating two of the perched archers...

It is too much for the would-be shield maiden, and she turns tale and bolts... Panic in her eyes, off into the depths of the city.

For Karazi:

Taalkar's display, and your focus upon your spell draw the greater portion of your focus... The Unlidded Eye, however, misses nothing...

Even as Fredric starts back from Taalkar's onslaught, you see the woman's knife flick, as she extracts something from his belt...

The fear in her eyes, at the sight of the fountaining gore is honest enough, but as she bolts you can see That what she extracted was a length of black metal... A fireplace poker, perhaps?


Non-plussed, A waive of his hand sending his spear soaring into his grasp, Fredric turns to skewer another quivering man, even as another volley of arrows rains down upon Taalkar and the wizard... Clattering off his armor and Fredric's magical protections...

It is obvious that the blighted have no hope of succeeding, or even of causing any significant harm, yet they press the attack with ever greater fervor... Only to crumble quivering under the effects of Fredric's and Taalkar's Seals.

[LordDice]

As they rush towards Fredric he glances as Sid crushes the blighted boy under his weight as they rush by...Even where he might have hesitated Sid would not give an inch to the Blight.

As he gets a bit closer to Fredric he shouts "Ware your backside Bonefoot, a thief's gotten the best of ya !"

Gesturing towards the direction the thief ran off in with his staff.

[Mr. X]

Fredric whirls in response to Karazi's shout, listing oddly sideways, as he hurls his spear high into the air, but only generally in the woman's direction as she ducks down an alley... But by some miracle, the wind catches the haft, carrying it over, the intervening building, and dropping it into the alley...


Fredric uses a free action to cast True Strike from his enchanted monocule.
Fredric's attack vs DC 17:
Breakdown:
BAB 7, +3 dex, +5 weapon enhancement, -4 non- proficiency penalty, +20 True Strike: total +31
[roll0]

Damage:
Breakdown:
Longspear 1d8, + 3 Enhancement, +2 Bane enhancement, +3 Str, +2d6 Bane damage.
[roll1] + [roll2]


A shriek of agony can be heard from around the corner, followed by scrabbling and pain filled whimpering.

"My friends, You could not have come at a better time!" Fredric shouts, as he takes up another writhing, blighted man, and his withering touch rots the creature near to dust.

"Karazi! She yet lives, see to her! Taalkar and I shall deal with this lot!"

[LordDice]

"Aye, we're on it !" Sid right at his heels as he runs into the alleyway in chase.

A burst of magic from his new belt seems to turn time to molasses for a mere moment, allowing him to catch up just a bit quicker.

Using one of the uses of the belt of battle for an additional move action, to hopefully catch up quick enough

[Mr. X]

For Karasi:

Racing around the corner, you are greeted by a grusome sight...

Before you the woman kneels on all fours, Fredric's blazing spear having punched through her thigh and knee, and pinned her to the cobblestone street... But something is not right...

Approaching her you see that her wound seeps a brackish black fluid, and you are met by the putrid stench of corruption and death... Even as she twits around, trying to claw free and even bite the spear that pins her...

... Still gripped tightly in one hand is the Iron Brand she stole from Fredric... The Seal...

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

With the power of the Seal surrounding you, the blighted are slaughtered with almost disappointing ease...

True, you can see that these men and women are neither hardened fighters, nor are they the mutant goblins of Beluvah. Even so... Had every dwarf of Deep Mote and every soldier of Starspire had a brooch such as yours, the Battle at Beluvah must have gone a very different way... And the world would doubtless not be in the state it is now.

Through the howling winds your axe rises and falls, severing flesh and crushing bone of one convulsing creature after another, when Fredric calls out behind you.

"Taalkar!" he shouts, as he shatters a flask of something over one of the blighted, causing it to burst into flames, "I trust your journey was fruitful? he makes a sweeping gesture over the area. "Sweep the streets, I'll hold here! We need to get as many people as possible sheltered and away from the Blight!"

[LordDice]

"Alright lass, you've one chance. Throw me the Brand and surrender or Sid here turns you into smelly paste upon the street"

"One Chance"



Ready Action of Telekinesis if she tries doing anything other than surrendering. If she does surrender then He'll use Stone Shape to fashion a full body caste basically...and have Sid carry her.

Rolls for TK just in case, Going for a Grapple/Pin (with Sid assisting as soon as he's close enough)
Grapple (+caster Level) [roll0]

[Mr. X]

The woman whimpers... Clutching the brand to her chest, and squirming against the spear, eyeing you as would a trapped coyote...

... For a moment, she almost relaxes and gives in...

... But in that moment the howling winds abate, and you here the unmistakable *clink* of dragging chains, and an unmistakable voice speaks...

"Leave her be, dwarf."

[LordDice]

Turning to try and catch a glimpse of Malthos "Finally dragged your blighted ass from Beluvah it seems...Is she one of yours...some new creation I suppose"


I'll buy time for a second, If he moves in any kind of hostile manner I'll go with a Wall of Stone surrounding myself and my prisoner. So 18 5ft Sections at 4 inches thick, Going to make 2 sets of walls in a dome around us. with Sid dropping into the earth so I'm not trying to encompass him.

[Mr. X]

The sounds of dragging chains eventually reveal a figure moving through the mist toward you down the alley...

"You could put it in those terms, dwarf, but I wouldn't.

Becoming clear through the mist, it is clear that Malthos' condition has deteriorated badly since last you saw him... His flesh now fully covered by the scaly rash of the blight, he has mutated even further... With odd extra eyes peering out from behind his ears and under his jaw, and with other, toothed maws that his and mutter at his statements... And, of course, the chains... Which, even as they drag behind him, twitch and curl upon themselves, as though possessed of lives of their own...

"Karasi, wasn't it? I couldn't possibly forget the only man who ever bested me."

A smile creeps across his lips, as a few of the chains worm their ways forward and ahead of him...

"Be that as it may, I have no interest in battling with you again today...

... I am here for my lady Silvie, and my brand which she has so adequately retrieved."

... So saying, he doesn't proceed forward... He waits, with a palpable tension, eying you intently...

Then, just in the moment you might try to take an action, a different voice rings out... One that is painfully familiar...

"Whatever it is you're thinkin', Brother, don't do it... Chains here is bein' honest when 'e says he don't want any trouble, an' me being honest, I actually don't think you can take 'im."

For Karazi:

It is without question, Taalkar speaking from within Malthos... Probably with one of the separate maws, and no doubt looking through one or more of the odd growths of eyes.

[LordDice]

Struck dumb for a second at this mockery of his brother...

Cutting him off before he can continue "You of all people do not get to impersonate my brother, I mean come on he's just round that corner."

"I've no idea what game you're playing Malthos...but I know you haven't gotten to him already"

Taking a bit of a deep breath before screaming at the top of his lungs "TAALKAR!!!"

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction the screaming provided he drops the shield from the college and makes a gesture with his newly freed hand...Sparks fly as he pulls at the Brand with magic.

Breaking this down into into the action parts of the round, cause I can't take any damned chances with Malthos.
Using a standard action to cast TK on her, disarming manuver.

Disarm [roll0]

[Mr. X]

The woman shrieks and hisses, clutching at the brand tightly with both hands, even as your magics attempt to seize it away...


The woman resists the Disarm attempt:
[roll0] (+3 BAB, +4 Str, +4 two hand bonus.)


... But to no avail... Twisting screaming around the spear-blade pinning her, the pain is too great, and she releases her grip.


Breaking your action apart, your Standard Action is spent. You have a Move action and a Swift Action still available to you.

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

Dispatching the Blighted along side Fredric is as easy as it is somewhat unrewarding... But as the butchery is dealt, you faintly hear your brother's voice calling you from off that way, where Fredric had sent him after the woman who ran...

"TAALKAR!"

... Your hackles rise... You know the sound of trouble in your brothers voice, and without question, he is in serious trouble.

[LordDice]

As the brand comes flying into his hand he mocks Malthos a bit "I think we'll have to keep hold of this for now...

Sliding into the earth with the last bit he dives a bit deeper than usual and heads back the direction of Taalkar..hoping to get back within link Range.

That's it...I was initially thinking a lot more combattive...but I realized that's probably what he wanted, tricky bastard was tryin to rile me up

[Mr. X]

You feel a moment of smugness in your out-witting of a dangerous opponent...

But as the surface of the earth closes above you, your brothers voice mutters.

"Bad move, brother..."

You dive deep... But suddenly the earth contorts violently... Trying to move itself, and unwilling to do so with you in it, you and Sid both are ejected violently back to the surface, the wind knocked from you...


'Fredric' casts Limited Wish from a prepared scroll, producing a Move Earth effect, and ejecting you 30ft back to the surface (I don't believe you were able to make a double move), as per the Earth Glide description.

Please make a Fortitude Save, DC 15, for both you and Sid, or become Stunned for One round.


You have just time to look over to see Malthos' feet slide into a disturbingly familiar stance, as the dusty remains of a scroll flutter from a bit of chain... Lengths of chain plant themselves and release, sending the blighted shaman soaring through the air, where he somersaults neatly, and uses the full force of the jump and both arms to smash a length of barbed and hooked chain across your arm holding the Iron Brand...


'Taalkar' employs his signature Claw at the Moon maneuver... (Note if you are stunned before effecting this attack.)
Jump Check. DC = AC: [roll0] if hit, +2d6 to damage.

Attack, Full Power Attack, subtracted from AC rather than Bab:
[roll1]

Damage: [roll2] + [roll3]

[LordDice]

Tumbling out of the earth they quickly regain their footing...only to be laid into by barbed chains.

With a hefty chunk taken out of his arm he looks grimly at Malthos, eyes flashing with arcane power he snaps his staff forward sending a wave of burning energy directly at him.

Sid meanwhile tries once more to duck underground to safety.

Survived the stun DC so moving into another attack.

Swift action to Assay Spell Resistance, giving a +10 on CL checks just for SR
Casting Return to Nature...DC 26 (fort for partial) CL 18
Abberation
Damage [roll0]
And losing the use of all spell like and supernatural abilities
Saving throw halfs damage and no luck on SL/SU abilities

If he also happens to be an arcane caster he could potentially lose levels also [roll1]

Frankly the spell does all kinda diffrent things to diffrent "unnatural" creature types...so if he's anything else weird it might do something else -shrug-


Presuming he doesn't shrug it off with SR

[Mr. X]

Scrambling to your feet, the words of the spell are on your lips when the chains snake out again... Twisting around your arms, legs, and body, the barbed hooks bury themselves into your flesh as they bind you tight...


The chains grapple you:
Attacks vs. Touch AC:
Chain1: [roll0]
Chain2: [roll1]
Chain3: [roll2]
Chain4: [roll3]

I am afraid that this action occurs before yours... Provided your spell does not require a Somatic component, it will work just fine... If it does, and any of the above attacks hit, you'll need to escape the grapples first. (I figure you probably managed to get the material components handy before the chains hit.

[Mr. X]

Copied from Taalkar's OOC post.


Taalkar heaves a sigh and wipes gore from his face with a blood covered hand surrounded by mutilated corpses.

Taalkar's head snaps towards the sound of his brother's cry, Freddy, Karazi is in trouble.. he blinks away to where his brother turns and sees his brother knocked out of the ground, barbed chains lashing at him.

This guy again... he mutters to himself. He leaps into the air at one end of the alley and falls at the other screaming, FOR MORADIN!! as his axe tests the might of the chains.

Making a sunder attempt on the chains with Ancient Mountain Hammer Manuever. I have improved sunder +4 to hit and no AOO and Combat Brute's Sundering Cleave ability gives me an attack on Malthos for every chain I manage to breack. I believe I can hit all 4 chains at once with Fractured Reality.

I guess we will figure out who's stronger, the god of the blight or Moradin.

This is Ancient Mountain Hammer:
You put the weight of a great mountain behind your attack, pounding through armor and bone. As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. This attack deals an extra 12d6 points of damage and automatically overcomes damage reduction and hardness.

This is from the SRD regarding sunder: Opposed Rolls. You and the defender make opposed attack rolls with your respective weapons. The wielder of a two-handed weapon on a sunder attempt gets a +4 bonus on this roll, and the wielder of a light weapon takes a -4 penalty. If the combatants are of different sizes, the larger combatant gets a bonus on the attack roll of +4 per difference in size category.

Consequences. If you beat the defender, roll damage and deal it to the weapon or shield. See Table: Common Armor, Weapon, and Shield Hardness and Hit Points to determine how much damage you must deal to destroy the weapon or shield.

If you fail the sunder attempt, you don’t deal any damage.

My tohit is: 33 +4 (improved Sunder) +4 (2hander) = 41. Full Power Attack (17) shunted to AC.

1 - To Hit:[roll0] Damage: [roll1] + [roll2]
2 - To Hit:[roll3] Damage: [roll4] + [roll5]
3 - To Hit:[roll6] Damage: [roll7] + [roll8]
4 - To Hit:[roll9] Damage: [roll10] + [roll11]

Here's the rolls for the subsequent attacks on Malthos should any of the chains break:

1 - To Hit:[roll12] Damage: [roll13] + [roll14]
2 - To Hit:[roll15] Damage: [roll16] + [roll17]
3 - To Hit:[roll18] Damage: [roll19] + [roll20]
4 - To Hit:[roll21] Damage: [roll22] + [roll23]

60's and 61's are criticals.

[Mr. X]

As Taalkar vanishes through the fragments of reality, Fredric calls out,

"I cannot leave the temple undefended! Save him!"

The Bonefoot's voice is distant, as you step from the fragment onto a rooftop just in time to see the Blighted Shaman's chains entangle your brother, even as a bolt of green light arcs from his fingertips, searing the Chained Man's flesh, and briefly staggering him backwards...

... It is your moment, and as the winds howl, and lightning flashes overhead, and thunder rumbles through the air, you leap from the rooftop, Moradin's name on your lips, as you align the chains reality shards for a single, mountainous blow...


Incidentally, you receive a +2 circumstance bonus to your attack and damage rolls, for invoking Moradin's name.


... The world has not seen such a monumental impact in memorable history, as you cleanly strike the stack of chains... Lighnight peals around your blade, as the air is split with thunder, as you bury your axe deep into ground, splitting a veritable chasm into the cobblestone street...

Malthos, burned, yanks the chains holding your brother taught, and in that terrible moment, you see them not just undamaged, but without so much as a new mark upon them... For the Chains of Duty bind the soul as much as they bind the body, and will not be broken by mere brawn or desire to be rid of them...

... In that bewildering moment of impotence, The Chained Man races forward, a blind fury in his eyes...


Malthos employs his Sudden Quicken, and Sudden Empower Feats, to cast Vile Harm upon Taalkar:
Touch attack vs Taalkar (-17 AC for his recent power attack): [roll0].

If the attack Fails to hit, he will employ his Luck Domain to re-roll the result, up to three times:

[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]


If(when) hit, take Damage: 140+70 = 210 Vile Damage (this damage cannot drop you below 1hp... However, Vile damage may only be healed by magic cast in a Consecrated or Hallowed area.)

A Will Save, DC 26, will halve (1/2) the damage. .

Provided the above attack hits, Malthos will follow up with a melee strike with his crystalline arm...

attack vs. Taalkar's AC (23):
[roll4]

If hit, Take Damage: [roll5]

If the attack misses, Malthos has any remaining Luck re-rolls, he shall employ them here:

[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]

'Fredric' and 'Taalkar' both have actions to take after this, but we'll see if you survive first, before taking them.

[Barthac]

Taalkar twitches violently, a violent cold shudder shakes through his body and he falls limply to the ground

The world freezes, the cool placid lake of his reality shatters as his body falls, once again, into the abyss. Jagged, broken shards of his perceived reality dig long furrows into his broken body. He loses consciousness as his life blood flows freely from his tattered flesh.

Taalkar awakens later, he thinks, maybe it was earlier. Time is hard to fathom here. Falling into infinite blackness, Taalkar begins to find beauty in this vast emptiness. Here was a place where everything was as it seemed, nothing. Taalkar's thoughts wander and he tries to remember how exactly he ended up here. He wasn't always here, was he?

He remembers home, the cold caves and warm fires. The warm meals and warmer friends. This might have been the last place he was happy. He remembers Deep Mote. He remembers fighting in a pass. He remembers the blight, a lich. He remembers dying. He remembers fonts, trees, and a temple. He remembers chains and pain. In all of this, something was missing, something important.

His fall continues. Was he still falling? It was hard to tell. Maybe he was floating. He tries to focus, to summon the Mote but it floats away. What was he forgetting?

In a flash he remembers. How could he have forgotten?! For a moment he is no longer in the abyss. He is broken and lying in an alley. He remembered what was missing. He remembered those chains. He remembered channeling everything he was into breaking those chains. He remembered what was caught in those chains.

He summons his last breath, denying his lungs their death rattle, he screams: BROTHER, NO!. That single phrase sounds like a thunderclap and rumbles off into the distance.

He clutches his chest, and dies.

[Mr. X]

All goes silent, but for the echo of your brothers voice in your ears...

... Your vision goes weird and narrow, as you watch his body slump off the blighted spike, crumpling into a lifeless heap on the ground...

... Your Brother...

... The Hot Stone to your cold... Born at your side, and never absent from it till now...

An icy cold grips your heart, as Malthos extracts the spike, and draws it across his lips... Grimacing for a moment, and then spitting...

It is a hateful act, and you feel your brother's blaze welling up in you with such heat that you nearly miss the off hand manner in which one of the chains curls up, and flicks open a scroll, while one of the other maws chants an invocation...

... Even as your own power wells up, the air splits with the sound of shattering glass, and you all but go limp as your powers drain out of you...


'Fredric' casts Antimagic Field, from a prepared scroll, on an area encompassing you.


Weakened, the chains ever tighten about you, even as you hear your brother speak...

"It is ok, Brother, be at peace... I yet live, and shall live evermore!"

A length of chain flicks in a gesture toward Taalkar's body.

"I am sorry that things had to go this way... The death of an Original is always a painful thing, but we are yet one and the same but for the fleshy shell which holds us.

Don't you see, we've been wrong! While we were running about trying to stop the Blight, Malthos has been working to form a balance... Not all need accept the Blight, but in the Blight all may be protected...

... In the Blight, none may ever die, or become sick, or enslaved, or neglected, or left poor or hungry...

... The body is but a shell... But the spirit may yet live on in any one of the blighted, or even many of them! I'M NOT DEAD!!"

One of the odd extra eyes on Malthos neck swivels around to squarely grip your gaze...

"But if that Balance is to be achieved, it cannot be done while you eradicate the Blighted, even children, with your every breath..."

The chain winds itself out, clinking and clattering as it curls itself gently around the Iron Brand still gripped in your fist.

"Give me the Brand, I promise you don't need it..."

The eye gives you a pleading look.

"Please, Brother... Please don't make me kill you for it."

[LordDice]

Eyes not leaving his brother, no matter the abomination speaking nearby...nothing really sinks in. Even as he feels the flows of power leave him he can't stop staring at his fallen brother.

Sid quietly slides out of the ground, picking up the broken dwarf he looks back at Karazi quietly.


Looking ever more defeated he slumps in the chains holding him a bit as his brother is carried over to him, speechless he continues gazing at his brother even as he starts to register what Malthos is saying.


"Balance....as if you even begun to care of such a concept. All you do is consume and consume...what will you do when the world is all blighted ?...you'll find something new to consume. There is no balance in such, you're a glorified infection upon the world that thinks it's a god.

"I suppose you're powerful enough to be considered such, but I know you're not all powerful...and I'll see this world burn before I let you have it"


Completely dead onyx eyes gaze at Malthos at the last, Remembering the only trick his brother taught him of his martial ways he activates the internal pathways of his magics...a little easier than all that sword swinging and meditation.

A fraction of a second later he feels the magics surge back into the area, As the chains dig into him he realizes he still can't actually cast anything.

A moment of panic takes over, for all the brave words and less so actions, can't even slip out of some chains.

Sid gets his attention before he sinks into despair saying a single word in Dwarven. The power inherent in it screams out to him.


"Home"


I forgot the actual description of actions :/

First up is Iron Heart Surge to break the IMF....Yeah...it's incredibly RAW, but I can still take actions even grappled, and it's an EX ability.
there's actually quite a bit of back and forth on if it works or not. (of course there's about as much on if it could destroy the sun as well so -shrug-)

And the next is a spell that requires no movement or sound. because it's not a spell. Using the Planar Sheppard's Spell-like ability to Plane Shift to my attuned plane.
We're fleeing on an adventure !

[Mr. X]

For the briefest of moments you witness a look of confusion cross Malthos' face, before the world winks out of existence...

...

...

... Home...

...

... They say that home is where the heart is... But yours was taken from you...

... By cowardice, trickery, and betrayal... Friends slaughtering friends... False judgement passed... Your anscestral halls shattered and collapsed.

...

... The Falgen Halls are not your home, they are just a painful memory...

...

... Likewise, there is no place for you in the royal halls of Deep Mote... Who's councilmen and politicians, and even the Mountain King himself, turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to your warnings... Instead choosing to lay false blame at your feet, imprison you, and now exile you...

...

... You are a dwarf, but your place has never truly been among them... Only your Brother has never left your side, and now you've lost him too...

...

... Home...

...

... The only true peace you've ever known was bathing in that glimmer of otherworldly power spilling from the Falgen Font...

... And it is that stream which seizes your heart... From across the leagues from Clearwater to Mythril Keep, you are caught... Yanked back through the Font, to that other place...

...

... Home...

...

... Your first sense is of the immense pressure of the weight of the countless miles of earth above you... But like a familiar blanket, the weight comforts you...

... A waive of your staff and the earth responds instantly to you, flowing away from you to form a wide chamber... A subconscious afterthought, or perhaps a long forgotten memory, shapes the walls into intricate support structures and carvings, reminiscent of happier times in Falgen hold...

... Above the ceiling glitters like starlight, with veins of diamond and sapphire, as Sit melds up from the floor... Taalkar's limp and lifeless body in his arms, he lays him gently on a funerary slab, formed from your mere thought of needing it...

...

... Your Brother...

...

... He is painful to look at...

...

... The Blight Shaman's magics left him a withered husk... A mummified shell... His skin dry, shrunken, and pulled taught over his bones... His cheeks appallingly sunken, and his lips pulled back in some freakish grin...

...

... This was not a noble death...

...

... This was an insult.

[Mr. X]

For Taalkar:

...

...

... It's cold...

...

... Deathly cold...

...

... Pain...

... A jagged stone, pressing into your ribs...

...

... Light...?

... The brilliant rays pierce heavy clouds to shine blindingly down upon you...

...

... Clouds...

... You roll over painfully on the rocks and heavy snow... Your vision swims, and your balance uncertain... But the cracks are gone...

...

... You stand atop a mighty mountain... High over all the world... Below you ever the countless miles stretch the lesser ranges, valleys, plateaus, forests, oceans... Stars...

... In the infinite horizon the sun sets, peeking between the rounded curve of the earth, and the black and threatening clouds which fill the skies...

...

... At your back, a fortress palace of cyclopean scale sits atop the mountain summit.

[LordDice]

"How dare he...how dare that blighted BASTARD."


Taking his eyes from his brothers corpse he looks down at the Brand angrily.

"I just had to have this right...worth my brothers life ? BAH"

Throwing the brand across the room, listening to it clank upon the freshly worked stone.

Turning to Sid he comments "I will not let this happen, I will not lose him."

Slamming his staff upon the floor a shockwave ripples out. Concentrating furiously as he works the magic of the staff...moment later a small pile of gemstones is pushed up into the floor. Letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding he sifts through them before plucking out a Diamond the size of his fist.

Setting it upon his brothers chest he places both hands upon it...almost as if trying to push the diamond into his body.

Energies surge...so much more powerful here....Almost losing it he presses his will into the magic.

The diamond starts to burn off, smoke searing his nostrils as the power flows through it.

As the spell starts to end he murmurs "Live damn you...can't leave me alone"


This is Limited Wish for Raise Dead (hence the Diamond...which I don't -think- you'd have an issue with considering you just described the room as having a vein in the ceiling.

I was initially going to do a special casting the round after he died (I still have a couple action economy tricks) which would have prevented any loss of level. But you kinda advanced the time on me a bit, heh.

So this plus the Alter Fortune (which did absoutely nothing...but it was cast) puts me -500xp

[Barthac]

Taalkar glances around looking for his brother. It was then he noticed that he wasn't where he was a few moments ago. Was that moments ago? Maybe years ago? Maybe it didn't happen and it was all dream. No, would would dream up something like the blight. If that was a dream, he was a mad man.

Where in the nine hells am I now? he asks out loud. He clamps a hand over his mouth, It just might be a hell you're in he thinks to himself.

Turning he spots the building behind him. His eyes boggle and his weakened knees give way. Falling to his knees he mutters, By Moradin's beard before he retches on the ground.

[Mr. X]

Heaving your innards out onto the snow and gravel, the flakes of the muck quickly freeze to your lips... Steeling yourself once more, your raise your gaze to the impossible structure before you...

... You cannot fail to bear witness the the great hammer and anvil seal emblazoned upon the high gates...

The heraldry of Moradin.

[Barthac]

Taalkar wipes the dreck from his mouth. Maybe not hell then...

Standing to his feet, he gathers his courage. Ye aint got forever, Taalkar Glancing around, Well I guess I got a while at least. Certainly more interesting than the abyss. Taalkar cackles madly and wipes a tear from his eye. The sound breaks the serene silence of the mountain and the lack of solemnity sobers his thoughts.

Oy, I wish Kar were here... he stops realizing what he just wished.

Not wanting to talk anymore he begins to walk towards the large building.

[Mr. X]

Your legs feel exhausted as you may your way up the seemingly endless stairs to the fortress gate.

As you approach, there is a great groaning and creaking of immense weight upon the ancient hinges, as the immense gates swing open before you...

... A waft of warmer air greats you, as you step over the threshold, and the gates close behind you... By some mechanism, or mere divine will, you cannot say...

... Before you a great hall stretches out. Great furnaces line the walls, rows of immense bellows hang from the ceilings, and mine rails run the length of the hall... A bottomless pit drops out in the middle of the floor, nearly a field's length in diameter, above which hang numerous cranes and mechanisms for drawing forth the ore mined from the mountain's core to be smelted here in the builder god's furnaces...

... But there is no-one here...

... The furnaces sit cold and unused... The cranes eerily still, their chains clinking in the slightest breeze... The immensity of the fortress lies vacant and abandoned...

...

...

...

*Cough* *cough*

... The sound echoes through the cavernous halls...

... Moving through, beyond the pit and the endless rows of ovens and furnaces, you reach the forum...

... Stairs rise to a raised platform, where once a ruler's throne must once have stood, but where now lies a wide bed... Piled high with thick furs and blankets, a wizened dwarf lies huddled in their warmth... Sick, and most likely dying.

[Barthac]

Taalkar moves closer to the dwarf, You there... where is this place?

[Mr. X]

The old dwarf stirs, coughing badly, before peering over the blankets at you.

"Gah, it's me palace, o'course... Sorry, it ain't much ta look at these days."

[Barthac]

Your place now maybe? I bet you happened upon this place and found it long abandoned. Now it's yours by squatter's right? Tell me who lived here before and where have they gone?

[Mr. X]

The old dwarf hacks out a mirthful laugh, that turns into a coughing fit.

"HAH!! Gah-*cough*-ha, ye were always a blind fool Taalkar, but I always sorta liked that about ye. Heh, squatter's right, bah!"

He coughs again, chuckling.

"Nay, it be MA palace cuz I built it..."

His face sinks, and he looks sad...

"... But it's late now... I'm dyin', jus like the rest... Ye were the last o' mine... Sorry I cannae give ye much o' an afterlife."

[Barthac]

Taalkar thinks about for a moment. Afterlife? What if he was really dead after all? That would make this...

Moradin?!?! he gasps, not really sure how to act. It wasn't every day you got to talk to your God.

I don't... What hap... Where... By Moradin's beard... Wait.. I... he's pretty exasperated at this point and simply falls to his knees, staring at Moradin.

[Mr. X]

The old dwarf smiles,

"Aye lad, it's me... Heh, git off yer knees, it don't do me no good no more."

He sighs, wincing painfully.

"The Blight's done us in here, near as much as it has you on earth... Bahumat and Tiamat are dead, Lathander's spendin' everythin' 'e's got jus ta keep 'is temples standin'... Nerul's gone mad, killin' off all his own believers so as they cannae be blighted... It'll kill him in the end too, though...

... We dinnae see it commin'... An' couldna find our footin' once we did...

... An ye..."


He coughs.

"I couldna save ye... I forged those chains m'self last time the blight came... An' they saved us then...

... It's on my head tha they're what're doomin' us now."

[Barthac]

That's in then... he looks down If ye aint got no plan or power... how can us mortals hope to do any better... He looks up I wish I could tell my brother I was right all along. Burn it all, I tol' 'em He throws his hands up dramatically BURN IT ALL!!!!

He cackles madly, holding his sides as he falls again to his knees, tears of laughter welling in his eyes. The damn bursts. The mirth turns to pain. The world was broken and there was no fixing it. Everything they worked for was without purpose. He sobs on the floor.

The blight... where did... how did... how did this happen? he manages between sobs.

[Mr. X]

Moradin coughs,

"'Twas that kind o' thinkin' that did us in... To fight and kill and eradicate it on all fronts...

But that kind o' thinkin' breeds a fear an' divisiveness that was an open gateway fer tha blight... I learned it too late... Lathander was right...

The Blight took root in the least of us... The weak and the poor, an' made 'em strong... Made 'em feel safe... Somethin' me an mine were never able ta fully do..."

He coughs,

"Instead we rallied our nations and followers to war... Thought we could crush the blight in one fell swoop...

... But we did far more harm than good... Lost the faith o' many, which hurt us more, an' where people lost their faith in us, the blight was there to console an' comfort..."

He clears his throat, and almost seems to fall asleep...

... In that moment, a sharp pain wedges into your chest, and you hear a distant voice in the back of your head.

Live damn you...can't leave me alone.

[Barthac]

Don't die yet... ya still got one ta believe in ya!

The gossamer threads of his brother's voice reach out to him, wrapping around him like a warm sweater.

If we have any hope yet left give me what help ye can. 'sides... what have you got to lose?

The gossamer threads turn into thick steel cords as he is ripped away.

[Mr. X]

As the steel cable rips you away, Moradin comes too one last time, reaching out to you... And as you fade, he dies.

...

...

For Karazi:

As the power flows into you brother, he suddenly jerks violently, and the force is magnified feeding back into you, and blasting you across the room...

... Leaping to your feet, your body crackles with latent power, and upon the slab, your brother lies... Breathing.


For Taalkar:

Your body seizes and hums with power, whether your brother's or Moradin's you cannot say...

But as you open your eyes, you find yourself laying upon a funerary slab in a wide carven room, akin to your own at Falgen hold...

... Drawing breath, you peer through your one good eye, as the other remains missing...

... If you were dead before, you are no longer.


For Both:

The Brothers Strongstone

Stage 4: Divinity
You have passed beyond the veils of life and death, and reached other planes and brought them under your sway... And as the old gods die, new ones must arise to take their places, and finish the battles that they began.

System: You both receive the Divine Rank 0.

[LordDice]

Slumping over in exhaustion he looks at his now breathing brother. Unbelieving of how close he came to losing him entirely.

Pulling out an old wand he bought months ago he twitches it at his brother, to try and heal him up the rest of the way...his body still scared and broken from the nasty spell.


Just burning some charges of lesser vigor to heal him up (presuming he is healable, I'd think the vile issue would go away after death ...could be wrong though)

[Barthac]

Taalkar lies on the slab for some time feeling life energy return to him. It was then he notices he hadn't taken a breath yet. That was certainly odd.

Why Moradin... why us? he says in a soft hushed tone, a lone tear streaking from his good eye.

[LordDice]

"You....You're okay right ? Brother ?"

"Maybe I shouldn't have interfered with the natural order...but I couldn't lose you, not after everything else"

"Everything working okay ? ....I'll admit, wasn't quite sure if that would work or not !"

[Barthac]

I... I.. don't know... he raises one hand in front him and flexes his fingers.

That much seems to work...

He sits up which sets his head spinning briefly.

I saw him, brother. I met Moradin but it wasn't right. He said they were all dying. Brother, Moradin is dead!