View Full Version : Age of Worms #2 IC
The Age of Worms has Begun!
Since the beginning of history, humanity has measured time in Ages. Ages of Glory, of Dreams, and even of Great Sorrows mark the human tally of years, giving a sense of order to the events of past centuries. But one age has yet to occur - an age of darkness, of decay, and of writhing doom. Witty bards and wrathful preachers know it as the Age of Worms, weaving it into the peripheries of their passion plays as a mythic era of destruction that could begin at any time. Astrologers, diviners, and the servants of Fate know more. The canniest among them fear that the Age of Worms has already begun.
http://www.thirteen10.com/the6elements/graphics/adventure_headers/adventure005.jpg
The night before had been busy. It had been a surprise for Justen, Luke and Rosalyn as they had sat outside the Hungry Gar sipping some locally brewed ales. They had all seen the 3 adventurers arriving recently, a warrior by his looks - some said a gladiator from the Free City alongside a thief and a mage. In any case it had inspired the three of them.
Then things had improved dramatically, the door had opened and a strange metallic creature - like a walking suit of full plate had entered alongside a slight regal looking woman with a string of a strange markings on her neck and a hint of horns in her thick red hair. SHe had approached the three of them smiling - Luke had stared hard at the pair of them, his cerulean eyes glowing slightly before he shook his head.
Neither radiates as evil
A quarter of an hour later it had been settled. Haer'Thalis was her name and she had explained about the cairn's scattered about the sordid town and the possible artifacts within. "You may well have great treasures within a single days walk my young friends." All three had been hooked instantly "Anything to get away from here!" Rosalyn had exclaimed happily, bored after her return from the mages' college. "If we can find something we can begin to help clear the corruption out of the town" his voice stiff and formal as his two childhood friends both smiled. "It sounds excited Miss Thalis" Justen had added, pleased to be able to put his Temple teachings to use finally. The wizard had smiled a knowing smile and nodded "I am glad you are agreed. This may be interesting and profitable for all of us." At that the massive hulking metallic creature had given something approaching a smile - "It will be interesting seeing how the ancient cultures of your ancestors dealt with death."
In the morning the three youngsters had trooped up to the NE edge of the town where a thin plume of smoke wafted from a derelict and slightly ruined building. The wizard stood ready outside, a crossbow slung on her back and rapier at her waist. Sat on the ground beside her - yet still chest high on her - was the warforged, his armoured form leaning against the wall, shield at his side and a small tool cleaning some bits of obscure metal oddly delicately. Most surprising was the 3rd figure snoring loudly on the grass, a fat drunken dwarf, axe by his side and the stench of rotgut booze wafting from him. He opens his eyes grunting slightly "Ah missy Thalis. Ye did fine the bairns in the town. They gonna' be running 'fraid the first beastie we meet".
As for the youngsters they all smiled and rolled their eyes recognisnig the dwarven drunk as Mosk - a drifter who had arrived a while ago and now frequented the most dubious inns where he gambled, fornicated and drank himself into a stupor with great regularity.
--------------------------------
Two hours later they could see the yawning cave mouth ahead. A faint exhalation of wind from it with a faint smell of dust and age. Justen eagerly strides forward "Lets see what lies inside then?" he mutters as he pauses to light hi lantern.
The others all follow, mostly unpacking their weapons as they ready for possible confrontations inside. The fat dwarf draws his large and inlaid axe from his back, shimmering purple scales covering his lower back and strange yellow claws glittering and translucent coating his lower arms
Mosk readies his waraxe
1 essentia into Rageclaws
1 essentia into wormtail belt
Justen is joined by Luke and Rosalyn, the three of sticking them together all slightly nervous. Luke standing, arms glittering with blue energy as his throat is contricted by a dark scale necklace. Even as Justen stands with Lantern and mace in hand as Rosalyn draws her sword.
Luke prepares bluesteel bracers and dissolving spittle
1 essentia into Soulsight
Haerthalis at the back walks slowly along, a gesture and her clothes glitter and glow as a layer of force armour envelops her. Beside her the hulking warforged pulls loose a long string of razor sharp chains and hefts it's shield. "I am ready Mistress Thalis."
Haer thalis casts Mage armour
With all ready they move towards the entrance...
Heading into the long cavern the light from Justen's lantern illuminated the long hallway. A faint breeze blows out of the cavern ruffling Rosalyn's hair. All three of the youngtser pause cautiously on the verge of entering before Mosk laughs and stomps past them - "ye wusses. How ye going tae fight if you winnae enter the dammned cave" his darkvision highlight the delicate stonework with their simple geometric patterns. Not to his taste but good work none-the less.
Just inside the tomb - the walls begin to looks damaged as a generation of young Diamond Lakes' youth testing their bravery have come in and carved their names on the door. In the light of the torch flakes of ancient paint - dark purples and vivid sunburst yellows still cling to wall, an echo of the glory of the past. A thin coat of dust covers most things here.
Some 30ft into the tunnel, the sound of Forge's adamantine tread echoing dully the corridors branch off into a pair of alcoves. The walls hear bear significant damage from children's crude graffiti, including some that Luke and Justen guiltily recognise and a clump of soiled clothing lies at the end of the western alcove. Outside the wind picks up and the corridor moans with an almost human like sound.
"Who'd have thought we would be back here eh?" Justen whsipers to his friend. Luke looks sadly at the wall, "I feel guilty for now for defacing such a thing. the folly of youth my friend."
Behind them Haer'thalis looks about - "interesting, definetly not local to the area. Have you seen its like master Mosk, Forge?" The warforged doesn't speak, merely shakes his expressionless face, Mosk grunts "Nae lass. This be too dainty for proper dwarven work."
A shrug and they continue to move up the corridor, Forge and Mosk in the lead as the two women and the young men walk just behind the burly construct and dwarf. A mutter of "Another alcove mistress - and a more interesting one" from the warforged causes a slight pause and Haer'Thalis and Rosalyn join the warforged. The alcove is longer, some 40ft almost the extent of Justen's lantern light and ends in a small raised platform some 6" above the rest of the tiles. A strange shattered arcane apparatus stands in the centre and shards of a strange black glassy like material are scattered over the platform. A large glyph the size of a man's head has been carved into the base plate.
http://billsforgottenrealmscampaign.wikispaces.com/file/view/Symbol_in_Whispering_Cairn.JPG/30066740/Symbol_in_Whispering_Cairn.JPG
Forge advances, "Curious, an arcane item of unknown function " The warforged sounding truly interested. "What do you think it is Miss Thalis?" Rosalyn asks.
Forge search [roll0]
Haer'Thalis search [roll1]
Know' (Arcana)
Forge [roll2]
Haer'thalis [roll3]
Rosalyn [roll4]
Know (History) Haer'thalis [roll5]
"It would appear to have been a transportation device" Haer'Thalis mutters and Forge nods his head. "I would agree. It is a shame that it has been shattered. It would have made for interesting study." Roslayn stands back nodding and listening to the other two - surprised that the hulking creature of metal would understand the arcane.
By the strange device Haer'Thalise peers at the underside, "Look here, some runes. Do you recognise them Forge? Roslayn? They look similar to Auran, maybe a related dialect" She Studies them for a bit longer before smiling slightly to herself. "I recognise these. It is Auran, just the original forms of it before it the draconic runes were used." Rosalyn leaning forward smiles. "I see that. They look the symbols of air from various other languages."
Haer'Thalis smiles. "I think I was right. these look like Vaati glyphs, each one represents a named individual. Someone high ranking is in this tomb. The Vaati are detailed in the Chronicles of Chan. A book about the Wind Dukes and their battle against Mishka the Chaos Spider at the battle of Pesh. It was there that the Rod of Seven Parts was broken... Maybe..." she says staring further down the corridor and listening to the wind. "Maybe we may be onto something that will make us all famous here."
Back out in the main corridor the 3 men look about. The opposite alcove ends abruptly in a giant pile of rubble stretching from floor to ceiling. Justen looking about however nudges the other two - "What's that? Can you see something flickering green?" Mosk and Luke both look as well, both nodding slightly. "Mistrees Thalis", Luke calls to the strange tiefling studying the glass and strange pedestal. "There is a green light further down the corridor."
Even as he speaks the wolves burst out! Two leaping for justen with his light and the third - larger and heavier set pouncing upon Luke.
attack Luke [roll6] Damage [roll7] Trip [roll8] VS [roll9]
attack Justen [roll10] Damage [roll11] Trip [roll12] VS [roll13]
attack Justen [roll14] Damage [roll15] Trip [roll16] VS [roll17]
The wolves are brutal, leaping forward in a blaze of fur and anger as they move to savage luke and Justen.
Luke leaps to one side as Justen is brought down by two of the wolves! Even as that happens Mosk charges in howling a war cry "Die ye wee beasties" swinging at one of the pair savaging the downed cleric... One of his wild swings carving a chunk off the beast...
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Attack [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Both of the beasts whirl around and leap towards the angry Mosk, lashing out with sharp teeth. The third continues to bite and snap at the nimble monk with glowing arms.
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1] Trip [roll2] VS [roll3]
Attack [roll4] Damage [roll5] Trip [roll6] VS [roll7]
Attack [roll8] Damage [roll9] Trip [roll10] VS [roll11]
Luke dances around his large and heavy set wolf, lashing out as fast as the eye can follow with crushing power, his bluesteel bracer glowing brightly..
1 essentia in bluesteel bracers
[roll12] Damage [roll13]
[roll14] Damage [roll15]
Rosalyn takes a 5ft step back from anything nearby and flicks a casual wrist at the wounded beast shooting forth a ball of acid..
- Range touch [roll16] (shooting into melee) Damage [roll17]
Justen lying on the ground still lays about with his heavy mace seeking to crush the wolf with the last of his strength before he slips into unconsciousness...
Enter Martial spirit stance
- If injured Crusader's stance
- new move [roll18]
Hit with Mace [roll19] Damage [roll20] plus 2 healing plus possible [roll21] healing
Forge moves to flank with Luke, shaking loose the long whipping blade of steel 10ft long and barbed brutally. With a crack he lashes out with it
- Attack with spinning sword [roll22] damage [roll23]
Haer'Thalis calmly surveys the scene before drawing her cross bow and shooting the nearest wolf
- Draw crossbow and shoot one [roll24] (melee) Damage [roll25]
The hallway becomes a mass of flying fur, biting teeth and flashing weapons. Abandoning the downed and barely moving Justen the wolves whirl on Mosk, especially the one bleeding heavily from the gash that Mosk's axe delivered, but his large wooden shield (that looks suspiciously like the lid of an ale barrel) and axe keep them at bay. That is until the wounded one drops with a horrific howl and sizzle of charred flesh as Rosalyn's green dart of acidic energy strikes it in the throat killing it. Underneath the still moving wolf Justen channells the power of Pelor clubbing the wolf heavily - healing energy flowing back from wound saving him from near death!
Crsuader strike/martial spirit Heal him from 0 to 4
The third and largest still snapping at Luke who nimbly jumps back avoiding the snapping teeth.But in the flurry of fangs and claw cannot land a decisive blow of his own. The beasts slips somewhat a second later as a barbed steel whip lashes down delivering a sting blow to its flank. The crossbow aimed at the beast going wide as Thali's tisks in annoyance at her poor aim.
Mosk still with one wolf sidesteps carefully to place the wolf between him and Justen and slashes at it again "You'll make a rug for my hearth..." the axe swinging down rapidly but the wolf hopped sideways at the last moment avoiding the heavy blow.
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
The wolves are relentless, angry and starving and leap forward with bared teeth and hungry eyes as they continue to try and savage Mosk and Luke. Both of the men grunting in pain as the teeth of the wolves tear into their legs and bearded and tattooed chest.
Wolf attacks Mosk
Attack Damage [roll1] trip [rol]1d20+1 VS
Wolf attacks Luke
Attack [roll3] Damage [roll4] trip [rol]1d20+1 VS [roll5]
Luke steps back away from the largest wolf, blood streaking and pouring from his leg and hisses an almost reptillian hiss, the scales around his neck glowing brightly before a sizzling ball of blue acid comes streaking forth. With the wolf isolated everyone else fires on the beast as well. Haer Thalis loading another bolt - the heads carved with grinning and somewhat evil smiles. Rosalyn squeaking somewaht - "Get them, quickly before it gets Luke" - at her concern for Luke the injured's Justen's face creases somewhat - before she motions with her hand a screaming angel of purple eldritch energy screams forth to slam into the wolf's chest with bone crushing force. Forge strides forward sheild held in front of him like a mobile battering ram as he places himself between wolf and azurin, spinning sword lashing down like a strange farm implement.
Luke's dissolving spittle [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Haer'thalis [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Rosalyn, Magic Missile [roll4]
Forge attack attack [roll5] [roll6]
By the wolf and dwarf battling Justen again thrusts up with his heavy mace seeking to douse the flames of the wolf's ardour- the blow distracting the beast he is able to regain his footing.
Douse the flames [roll7] Damage [roll8] and No wolf AoO
The large wolf is brutalised by the whipping spinning sword tearing another great chunk of flesh form it and the flashing magic missile that shatters its ribs.
Even as the other wounded beast is smashed by Justen it wheels around only to meet a brutal end as the axe of Mosk swings down and shatters the beast's head.
The second beast attacks Forge but the warfroged beats it down with a brutal slap of his shield. He retaliates, joined by Luke who vaults around landing behind the beast where the pair can flank the beast.
Forge [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Luke [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Even as the pair miss the lithe wolf another magic missile slams into killing it instantly as its head implodes....
Once the wolves lay dead the party looked about in surprise. Justen wincing at the massive tooth marks in his leg. Roslayn approached. "Are you okay, let me see if I can remember how to do do this.." Seconds later a golden glow enveloped her hand and slowly the flesh knit back together. She also looks at Luke's leg, tsking gently as he twitches and the healing energy flows into him as well.
Lesser vigour cures 11hp on Justen
Magic weapon --> Cure light [roll0]
He looks up at her and smiles, taking her hand as she hauls him upright. Luke clapping a hand on his shoulder and handing him back his lantern. "A close thing that. Nasty beasts them". The dwarf behind the trio snorts in derision "Aye, we grow 'em tiwce as big in the mountains. We'd be calling these things puppies."
Forge ignores the interplay looking at the faint green glow. "I wonder what this could be. I shall look" and with little more than that he begins to walk ponderously forward. As he advances the central hallway opens into a wide chamber with chambers leading to the east and west. The eerie green light flickers from the opening straight ahead - a 20ft mass of thick white webs, thick like a great mist dominates the way ahead. The webs illuminated like a strange green curtain. To the west three short stairs lead to a marble dias but the details of what lies atop it are obscured in shadows. To the east the corridor is dominated by a vast pile of fallen masonry and irregular piles of debris. the sibilant whispers from the ever present breeze continue here undaunted.
As the others join the warforged Rosalyn's and Luke's faces wrinkle in disgust at the stench of fur and animal spoor and Haer'Thalis looks about with a slightly strained face as the wind seems to be whispering Auran words "hopeless" "Sacrilege" "Enemies"...
"Looks this was their lair." Luke comments. "Well lets have a wee lookie then" Mosk grunts as he wanders towards the wolf lair, "Aye, a wee den this way." the dwarf continues as he finds the hole in the collapsed rubble. Looking about the den amongst the animal and human bones he grins as he finds some loot, an elegant golden armband and a strange elaborate lantern of bronze with strange and unbroken indigo glass.
gold Armband 75gp
http://ageofworms.wikispaces.com/file/view/WhisperingCairnIndigo.bmp/30174748/WhisperingCairnIndigo.bmp
While the dwarf scans the ruins the trio of young ones stare at the mass of webs. Roslayn shivering, "I don't want to go through there". Justen puts a hand on her shoudler, "Don't worry, Luke or I will go first."
Up towards the Dais the warforged and the tiefling moved forward "Ah..." Thalis exclaimed "this is beautiful." At her words Justen, Luke adn Rosalyn come and look well. Justen in particular moved by the frescoes. The pictures, though faded giving the impression that you stand within a vast chamber with 7 long corridors, each one with a chain containing a beacon of light - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. "Strange mutters Luke, "I wonder what it means." The others shrug, Haer'Thalis looking at it and committing it to memory.
"Well about the webs then?" Roslayn mutters looking a little nervous. "Webs, aye," Mosk mutters and with casual disdain begins to walk through them. Hair, muscle and axe tearing a great path through them all. The web filled hallway descends some 20ft down large marble stairs before you come into an immense dome chamber the sight of which leaves even Mosk in awe - the delicate carvery and reflective surfaces shimmering with the green light or a delicate and ornate green lantern glittering in a short corridor radiating off the main chamber. It is one of seven short tunnels and in the glittering green light that reflects off the polished ceiling tiles you can see that other fancy lanterns hang from long chains at the ends of all but two tunnels - the first and sixth bearing empty chains.
http://home.comcast.net/~ransomp/aow/images/lanterntomb.jpg
Under the apex of the shiny glassy dome lies a great sarcophagus. atop a small dais. A milky white bas relief depicted on the top of a seven foot tall androgynous humanoid cloaked in strange robes that look both regal and ancient with a carved amulet bearing a strange glyph around its throat.
As Justen and Mosk race forward Forge barks a curt "Halt". Before advancing cautiously forward. "I would be surprised if this tomb was the real one. It would have been looted a long time ago. It may be dangerous... "I agree Forge" Thalis adds gliding forward and helping him and examining the figure upon the lid. she traces the symbol on the amulet "ZOSIEL. I wonder who he was?"
Forge search for traps [roll1]
Thalis search for traps [roll2]
Haer'thalis Know(Arcana) [roll3]
"Its beautiful" Rosalyn comments as they all spread out. Justen walking towards the green lit lantern, "Strange, it looks like a normal torch but does not burn." Forge nods knowlingly as he surveys the sarcophagus, "An everburning torch. A common occurrence."
As he stands there he moves to lift off the sarcophagus but is then enveloped in flames as the trap erupts!
Damage [roll0] fire. Ref DC 11 for half [roll1]
Ah, the now smoking forge mutters. I had not expected that." Exmaining the base he mutters it seems to be able to move. And with a great push of it he trues to turn it before requesting help, "Masters Mosk and Luke will you help?" both dwarf and young man readily leaping to help and rotate the heavy coffin.
Str checks
Forge [roll2]
Mosk [roll3]
Luke [roll4]
The men lean their weight against the Sarcophagus it moves slowly around and clicks into place with a grinding crunch. As it points at the "yellow tunnel" there is a great rumbling from beneath the temple floor.
At the far end of the yellow tunnel above a small 5ft radius circle on the circle a cylinder of stone rises up out of the ground to a height of ~8ft. As it stops a pair of thin doors open up allowing access to a small chamber (i.e. lift) within...
"Intriguing" Haer'thalis mutters as Justen looks at it. "Do we go down?". Forge considers before answering in his deep gravelly baritone "We should examine the other tunnels if they also have these stone transport tubes." He looks around and all the others nod in agreement.
With a rumbling the sarcophagi, empty under the ornate lid after the flame trap, moves round to face the green tunnel. Underneath the lantern on its hanging chain the ground rumbles for a few seconds before collapsing in a plume of dust and stone revealing a chamber beneath. Woah! Glad we weren't there eh?" Justen jokes looking about. A joke that fades as a rumbling skittering sounds echoes from the mouth of the tunnel. "Bugs! Lots of Bugs!" Thalis shouts as the massive cloud of beetles spews forth from the broken crevasse along with a strange beast that appears to be mostly claws and a legs attached to a muscular bald body the size of a small dog...
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mhbk_gallery/tn_76983_CN_jpg.jpg
The party ready and waiting and all standing some 20ft back near the sarcophagus all launch into their prepared attacks!
Rosalyn merely opening her hands as vast plume of boiling hot steam lurches forth, the scalding cloud enveloping mad slasher and swarm alike! Beside her Luke channels his essential into the acidic chakra, a lump of acid flying at the aberration.
The massive robot hefts a vial covered in ice at the swarm, the shattering bottle coupled with a sheet of ice spreading across the ground freezing many of the little beetles. Hear'Thalis, Justen and Mosk all merely waiting to see what happens before they attack.
Rosalyn Jet of Steam [roll0] Damage (+[roll1] against the slasher. Slasher gets DC 13+2 ref save for half [roll2]
Forge throws the alchemists frost [roll3] VS AC10
- [roll4] cold x 1.5 and 1 splash on the mad slasher
Luke [roll5] or [roll6] acid on the slasher
The mad slasher hisses under the impact of the steam. The swarm is devastated by it, the second half of the strange beetles freezing solid under the alchemical cold that leaves nothing but hundreds of alternately cooked and frozen beetles
The little aberration runs forward dodging the acidic spittle. As it closes the rest of the party leap forward into their actions. Mosk and Justen charging into the little beast as Hear'Thalis waves her hand and a wave of magic move to stun the strange creature
Justen moves and vanguard strikes [roll0] Damage [roll1] if hits add 4 to Mosk's attack roll
Mosk charges [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Haer'Thalis casts Daze Will [roll4] VS 15 or dazed
The little beast doesn't stand a chance as the blows rain down upon it. Its muscular body already scorched by the righteous fire of Rosalyn before it gets dismembered by Mosk and Justen!
As the battle subsides Haer'Thalis tilts her head at Roslayn. "Thank you my dear, my magics do tend to the pyrotechnic". Luke and Justen both smile at her as she blushes slightly. "You're welcome. The warmages of the Shining Path taught me well."
Forge looks at the strange beetles and the slasher dispassionately "A strange beast, unusual to co-exist aberrant and natural. Intriguing". Behind him Luke and Justen shake their heads sharing a confused look. Mosk looks at the others suggesting "maybe we should be checking out these tunnels lest any more wee beasties appear in them". The wise suggestions gets a round of nods as they scatter to explore and search the tunnels.
The red tunnel appears bare, no markings or patterns bar the same geometric criss-crosses that cover all the walls. Even the long chain hanging from the ceiling some 40ft above hangs empty without its lantern. The orange tunnel is the same. The small mosaic circle on the floor of the yellow tunnel marks the edges of the strange stony transport tube. A similar tube to the one that collapsed in the green tunnel. A cursory look down the shaft revealing a chamber much like the ones in the entry way some 30ft down - the walls slightly marred with acid from the beetles and the large pile of rubble at the bottom from where the stone lift has shattered. The everburning torch still hangs happily in the green ornate lantern giving the room the eerie green glow.
Justen and Mosk explore the blue alcove, Justen noticing the ceiling is taller here and catching sight of a small opening some 40ft up the shaft, at the very edge of the Lantern's light. "Look Master Mosk, a tunnel", Mosk looks up as well. "Interesting, You be thinking their hiding the real tomb up there laddie?"
Even as that happens the arrow of the sarcophagi moves to the indigo and another strange elevator shoots up in front of Forge and Thalis. "That does not bode well" Thalis mutters as she prods the bones and scraps of clothing within elevator. "Another vermin" She ventures. Forge puts his head inside the lift and looks about with great care before dropping to his knees and looknig at the edges of the chamber. "I do not believe so. I believe this one is a trapped and will merely crush the unfortunates that go inside it." He reaches down and with the blade of his spinning sword manages to crack a few pieces of stone off the walls and jams it. "I believe it is disabled now." Thalis pats him on the large smooth metal shoulder. "Well spotted, I am glad that I have you in my employ Master Forge." She reaches down and scoops up one of the scraps of cloth, the chink of coins and the shine of a red stone within
35gp, 15sp, 50gp Ruby
With the trap disabled Forge then asks Mosk for the strange lantern with the indigo glass and hangs it on the chain. A questioning look from the dwarf met with a "they must have a reason for being made and hung like this Master Dwarf. In time we will find out no doubt." The final violet corridor like the red and the orange seems to be empty and there for balance and decoration.
The party gathers in the centre. "Which one shall we investigate, down or up?" Rosalyn asks excitedly with a trace of nervousness. Before anyone can answer Justen points to the yellow and taps his holy symbol with Pelor's golden sun upon it. "Lets go with the one that is gold?" With no reason to disagree the others all agree.
The elevator appears as the sacrophagus is rotated back to face it. And Luke volunteers to be the first one in. As the door slams shut there is a few seconds of terror of being trapped in stone coffin that rumbles and drops into the earth but then all is well and the door opens into a larger chamber. He holds the sun rod forth and looks around. A button by the wall with a glyph point up a tempting target that he presses sending the lift back up for the next person. Holding aloft the sun-rod that Forge had given him he looks around the small chamber. The walls covered in bas-relief images similar to the slender figure upon the sarcophagus upstairs. Nearly a dozen androgynous hairless figures surround the figure in positions of deference and homage. Several of the reliefs lack arms or hands where would be robbers have carved off keep-sakes but the effect is still impressive.
The room is some 30ft square and a natural doorway in front of him appears to be blocked off by a large stone slab. The block fitting in a 10ft wide portal with only a thin strip of space at the top allowing Luke to jump up and peer down a shadowy alcove filled corridor beyond. There not being enough space to squeeze through.
http://ageofworms.wikispaces.com/file/view/WhisperingCairnLevel2.bmp/30190112/WhisperingCairnLevel2.bmp
With a crash the elevator came back down and soon the entire party of 6 of them were in the chamber. Haer-Thalis looking at the relief's smiles. "This one seems to a depiction of the same Zosiel that lies above. He must been a noble of Vaati."
They all stare at the stone before Mosk prods it. "It don't look that heavy. If me, Forge and blue eye's heave on it we should be able to knock it down no bother." Thalis nods, then pauses, "Lets just have a look for a second... there have been a few traps so far and this seems to easy to just push it down." She glances and finds nothing before Forge once more drops to his armoured knees and crawls along the floor. "Ah. Most cunning. I would have liked to meet the architect of this tomb." He reaches back under the block in a thin passage and with a small metal tack and some strength from piston driven fingers pins the pressure plate down to the floor. Moments later there is a large crash as the block topples over pushed by the weight of Mosk, Luke and Forge revealing the passage beyond...
In the light of the lantern and the glowing sunrod the passageway stretches some 60ft down the corridor before vanishing into darkness, alcoves stud the corridor every 10ft or so. Mosk takes the lead walking alongside an excited looking Luke, his blue eyes scanning for danger. the walls of the passageway are carved with delicate patterns that seem representative of a swirling tempest. The alcoves housing stone statues of androgynous humanoids similar to the others standing with flowing robes and cupped hands, thin wafts of air coming up from the cupped hands. Mosk looks at it flicking a silver coin onto one of the hands and watching as it bobs up and down on the flows of air.
As the party potters down the corridor looking at the statues, Luke and Rosalyn's hair wafting slightly as they pass the statues the attack comes without warning! A shape uncoiling from the neck of a statues 15ft away and a thin beam of green light lashing out to strike the hulking Mosk! The origin a strange flesh mass, 3ft of muscular flesh and tendons with eyeballs attached at each end!
Sleep ray [roll0] Vs FF touch of 10
Will save [roll1] VS DC 11
Initiative
Mosk [roll2]
Justen [roll3]
Forge [roll4]
Thalis [roll5]
Rosalyn [roll6]
Luke [roll7]
Lurking strangler [roll8]
Both Rosalyn and Thalis hiss slightly at the floating aberration. The tiefling not engaging immediately as Rosalyn holds a hand up, a spark of lightning crackling through the air at the small beast.
Jolt [roll9] Damage [roll10] + [roll11] bane!
The beast's ray narrowly misses the large dwarf and before it can fire again Mosk is upon it with axe swinging and chopping with wild abandon!
Mosk charge [roll0] Damage [roll1]
The beast floats a few feet away from the abgry dwarf, another ray zapping it at him seeking to calm him!
Ray [roll2] Touch 12, Sleep [roll3] VS DC 11
Even as the ray envelops Mosk a jagged bolt of lightning flies from Rosalyn's hand and strikes the strangler that explodes into bloody gobbets of string flesh. "I hate the unnatural beasts" she mutters as the others look in surprise at her.
With the strangler dead in a single blast of lightning the others glance in some surprise at the young warmage who shrugs and mumbles "I hate aberrant beasts like that." Forge looks over the singed remains with curious look upon his face. "Strange to see a beast like that." Thalis also nods - "The vaati were followers of law and order, I wonder how that beast came to be here. There does not seem to be much for them to subsist on so it must be a recent addition?"
Aside from Mosk who stamps on the remains the rest of the party shuffle around the remains and move down the corridor slowly before it opens up into a larger room that is dominated by a great stone pillar at its heart with other rooms extending to the north and south. To the north the floor is coated in thick orange sludge that seems to be overflowing from a trough. As they file in the tiefling hisses a warning - "Watch out, there is brown mould growing in there. It is attracted to body heat and can kill the unwary. Rosalyn, could you provide some cold please?" Roslayn looks at the brown sludge not really any parts that are different but complies and a thin beam of frost brushes the surface - and immediately a vast patch of the brown sludge seems to shrivel and dry. "Oh. Well that worked well".
"Well then" Thalis mutters. "What do we have hear. A food source and a small workroom perhaps?" As she and Forge prowl around both notice the lack of an alcove on the south side of the pillar. Moments later Forge finds the switch and a large block moves into the ceiling - a body crushed flat underneath it. Shiny chainmail still intact and some pegs on the wall with a workshirt of strange silky smooth material like nothing anyone has seen before and more importantly a pair of sticks and a set of glasses tucked into the pockets... Forge holds his hands near them and points "Magical, the wands, the glasses and the chainmail on this unfortunate."
"Excellent" gasps Thalis, "Arcane wands and some chainmail. Would you like it Master Luke, you appear to be armourless." Luke grins, "No thank you Miss thalis, I have forsaken all but the most basic of physical possessions." "Excellent then, we can get your share of the gold" Mosk jokes. The converstaion wanders for a couple more minutes before Justen accepts the mail and slips it on instead of his now slightly battered scale.
Goggles of Minute seeing --> Forge (+5 search)
Wand Unseen Servant (16/50), Wand of Knock (7/50) --> Haer'Thalis
Chainmail +1 --> Justen.
Exploring the wets side of the tower Justen notes the fountain and motions Thalis over. Looking at the strange petrified droplet in the basin she explains. "It would appear to be an elemental, one bound to the basin to produce water. More and more it seems like this was the lair of the Elemental Dukes."
As they scatter to explore, Thalis, Forge and Rosalyn heading to the southern room, Roslayn holding the sunrod and Luke, Justen and Mosk to the northern room, Justen still clutching his lantern. To the south the wide chamber that the girls and the 'forged enter is wide and impressive. Around the walls stone carved dressers and wardrobes lie empty, looted long ago. A large stone slab heavily engraved suggesting a bed lies on one wall under a massive relief of a noble looking humanoid with oustretched hands and lovingly wind tossed robes standing in a triumphant pose. The glyphs around his head similar to the others in the complex as Haer'thalis traces her fingers across them. "I Nadroc, devote this Tomb to the Noble Zosiel. One of the 7." Forge nods and stares at the relief before touching one of his metallic hands to the marble relief one. "I am glad to have met you noble Nadroc" he speaks in his rumbling voice. The two women sharing a brief look of bafflement behind his back at the strange behaviour. The moment broken by the shouting coming from the North!
To the north Mosk, Justen and Luke wade through of the brown sludge into what appears to be a workshop of sorts. The ceiling glows with what appears to be natural sunlight and the room is filled with worktables and desks with vices, spinning wheels, lathes and chisels amidst blocks of strange stone that Mosk rubs with a strange look on his face. "I've seen many a rock in my years lads. But never some like this.."
In the centre of the room is a half finished statue of humanoid, no details finished upon him save for a hand grasping a staff that appears to be segmented into 7 parts, the stone rod beautiful and ornate in its detail. Beyond that atop a strange pyramidal pedestal of more of the same strange reddish marble like rock lies what appears to be a sphere of black obsidian with a gold symbol on the front of it. Mosk approaches it looking at it curiously, before reaching out a hand to brush the surface of it. As he does so the egg unfolds into a small creature of ragged rocks barking a challenge in a rocky harsh tongue and swings its small fists at the dwarf. A startled shout escaping from Justen!
Init
Earthy [roll0]
Mosk [roll1]
Luke [roll2]
Justen [roll3]
Even as the beast reveals itself Luke and Mosk leap forward, axe and glittering blue armbands lashing out against the small monster.
Mosk [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Luke flurry [roll2] Damage [roll3]
[roll4] Damage [roll5]
The battle is over in seconds, the beast's iron stony plates deflecting the axe before the incarnum charged arms of Luke shatter it into a thousand pieces...
After the elemental lies dead Haer'Thalis looks at Mosk with a look of annoyance. "We could have spoken with it and it could have maybe helped us. Please don't touch strange objects. Did anyone find the missing red lantern?" At the question all shake their heads. "Well," Justen says, "there is other sub-layer we could explore? It may be down there?"
The others all nod in agreement and trot back to the lift. Forge and Mosk pausing to survey the carvings. "They were good at building" the warforged says quietly. The dwarf nods quietly and they are the last two to get the lift back up to the glittering green chamber.
Walking to the edge of the ragged hole down the green tunnel Justen and Mosk stared down the tunnel, with a nod to each other the sunrod was dropped down revealing another chamber below. The walls ragged with sprays of some material that had left the rocks twisted and pitted. the drop however is only ~30ft. Mosk reaches into his pack and pulls out a long roll of rope. Shaking his head at the lack of preparedness of the others, followed by a metal piton that he hammers into the ground with a few loud thumps. "Ah guess I'll be first then aye?" he mutters as he drops out of sight - quickly followed by Luke and Justen. Forge waiting till last.
The drops is ~30ft, 10ft of it the narrow tunnel, the last 20ft abseiling down the wall of the 20ft high chamber, the sunrod illuminating the reliefs of the dozen or so figures gathered around a single one in the centre who stares with furrowed brow and crossed arms at the others. Hear'Thalis glances at the glpyhs, climbing on top of the large warforged to get a better look. "I think this is the floor where the workers lived. The staff that Nadroc directed in the building of this tomb."
http://www.educatedgamer.net/gallery/albums/userpics/thumb_Labourers1_Base1_26x30_cis.png
Moving down the wide corridor they soon can see a crossroads ahead, a sharp acrid smell wafting from the east tunnel, nothing from the west and straight ahead to the north the corridor vanishes out of sight as it descends down some unseen stairs. The acrid smell and the slight chittering leaves the party feeling slightly anxious about the number of beetles they encountered last time. Forge reaches into his belt and hands a large flask or red oil to Mosk. "You can use this, they should burn I'd imagine". Moments later he begins to mumble words in a language the others don't recognise, glowing sigils starting to writhe upon the chain links of his barbed sword chain until with a sudden crackle of flames it ignites in white hot fire, the lengths crackling like some sort of infernal whip of fire! the others all step back, Haer'Thalis included, none realising that the warforged was anything other than a brute with some knoweldge of traps and mechanical devices.
Forge infiuses his spinning sword with the flaming weapon property
Cautiously as a group they go around the corner into the acrid smelling buzzing room, the room tapers at the far end and in the centre of the room is a large stone basin backed by a large shelf of rock. A hardened orange paste spills out over the lip and covers much of the shelf. thousands of tiny beetles with shimmering bright blue carapaces cover the floor and tunnel through the chalky substance. the keening of the constant near drowning out conversation. To the left of the entry way as you enter in the southwest corner is a mass of organic material - chitin, hardened orange paste, flecks of bone - that appears to form some sort of nest judging by the beetles spilling from the top. In the opposite corner 3 humanoid shaped lumps lie covered in the ubiquitous orange chalkly material that fills the room. As they detect your presence the mass of beetles shifts dangerously and clumps together into a single enraged swarm that rushes towards you, a shift in the slime as an enormous beetle the size of a large dog erupts from the basin - clearly the queen of the colony!
Initiative
Swarm
Cow [roll1]
Rosalyn [roll2]
Justen [roll3]
Luke [roll4]
Forge [roll5]
Mosk [roll6]
Haer'Thalis [roll]1d20+
The swarm and the cow beetle rush forward closing to within a mere 10ft of Forge and Mosk as they lead the charge. The massive beetle rears up and a vast spray of acid spurts over Mosk, Forge, Luke and Rosalyn...
DC 13 Fort or [roll0] Acid damage
Forge [roll1]
Mosk [roll2]
Rosalyn [roll3]
Luke [roll4]
Even as Forge steps in the path taking the blast upon his armoured form he lashes out with his flaming spinning sword. Mosk hurls the flask towards the nest where it explodes in flames.
Rosalyn sticks out her hand flames bursting over the insects and beetles and luke spits a gobbet over Mosk's head.
Rosalyn burning Hands [roll0] REF DC14 [roll1] +3/+X0for swarm/cow
Mosk throw flask at nest [roll2] Damage [roll3] FIRE! +1 splash
Forge slash the swarm [roll4] Damage [roll5] FIRE
-- AoO if necessary [roll6] Damage [roll7] FIRE
Luke spitting acid at the cow [roll8] Damage [roll9] Acid
Justen leaps forward with a shout and a cry For Pelor! the mace aiming to slam down upon the cow beetle with a mighty thud.
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1] - [roll2] healing for Forge
Haer'Thalis stands at the back unsure of what to do... None of her magic suitable for disposing of mere vermin...
The swarm rushes in over the Justen in a swarm of burning and biting beetles that shred flesh and tear skin.
Does [roll0] damage and [roll1] acid
Fort DC 13 [roll2] for half acid and avoid distraction
The massive beetle, wounded now and angry moves to butt the hapless cleric with its sharp horns,
Bite [roll3] Damage [roll]1d4+1
Justen screams loudly as the beetles cover him, squirming inside his armour, biting and burning his skin. He screams further as the large cow butts his leg leaving a long scratch.
Rosalyn looks on in shock before reaching inside her and unleashing the last of her magics, another sheet of flame blasting over the swarm and the big beetle even as the large nest in the corner begins to smoke and burn, the crackle of burning chitin almost drowning out Justen's screaming.
Burning hands [roll0] Damage DC14 [roll1] +3/+0 for swarm and cow
Forge stepped forward lashing the swarm again with his flaming sword, Luke beside him spitting acid and Mosk moving across the carpet of orange sludge to hack at the cow with his axe.
Mosk [roll2] damage [roll3]
Forge [roll4] damage [roll5] FIRE
Luke [roll6] Damage [roll7]
Deep inside the pain of the biting Justen channels some of his power form the gods into himself as they grant him more power...
Divine vigour for +2 hitpoints
The assault by fire was too much to bear and between the flames of the sword and the burning hands of Rosalyn the swarm is dispersed and the queen of the colony is destroyed....
Justen breathes a sigh of relief collapsing to the sickly orange carpet. Rosalyn rushing to his side, a pulse of healing energy flowing into him. Luke also kneels by his side and pulls his friend up to his feet. "What were you thinking eh?"
Cure light [roll0]
Mosk looks at the burning ruin of the room, "Well, we've trashed this place." Looking around the room, thousands of burning shells and chitinous bits of beetle.
"What do we have here?" The tiefling asks sweeping into the room. Three lumps now revealed as long dead bodies now that the orange slime has sloughed off. Another shout from the corner as Luke fishes a hand a shiny golden ring out of the now destroyed nest.
Thalis looks at the bodies, "Seekers. Long dead but Seekers nonetheless." Seeing some blank looks she explains "They are an adventuring guild of tomb robbers masquerading as historians."
Loot!
Cure light wounds --> Mosk x2, Rosalyn
Pearl of Power 1st --> Justen
Ring of Feather Falling --> Mosk
The other look at each other as they can Rosalyn looks tired. Luke standing by her. "Take it easy. We will rest soon I'm sure."
The hive defeated the party slowly approached the other room. A cautious look around at the sleeping pallets and the massive warrior with its club standing at the back of the room. A low buzzing just audible in the room.
Will saves VS DC 15
Haer'Thalis [roll0]
Justen [roll1]
Luke [roll2]
Mosk [roll3]
Rosalyn [roll4]
As a few of the party members begin to yawn Forge looks about with a suspicious glint in his red eyes. "I suspect magic is play here." Followed up by... "Another one, get back" from Rosalyn as the sleepy beetle rounds the corner to confront the party.
Immediately Mosk, Forge, Justen and Luke leap forward, a flaming spinning chain blade lashing out alongside a large axe, a bloodstained mace and the glowing blue fists of Luke...
Forge Attack [roll5] Damage [roll6] + [roll7] fire
Luke attack [roll8] Damage [roll9]
Mosk Attack [roll10] Damage [roll11]
Justen Leading the attack [roll12] Damage [roll13]
-- everyone else gets +4 and heal's 2HP to someone
Under the assault the beast lurches back, Roslayn and Haer'Thalis just watching from door with nothing to add further to the bloodshed, Haer'Thalis pointing out a partially decomposed body on one of the slabs - the skull split as if from some sort of blunt trauma.
The impact of the flaming spiked whip sword and the heavy axe of Mosk slamming into the beast kills it before it can even fully rouses itself. Feeling sleepy Mosk and Justen eye up the beds but a warning of "I would suggest that your sleep may be disturbed" from Thalis and a nod towards the stone statue and the crushed skull leaving Mosk cursing slightly and wandering out. Thalis looks at the body, pointing at the silver star emblem on the chest plate of the finely wrought leather armour and tossing Rosalyn a finely made silver ring with a yellow opal carved in the same stare shape in the centre of it- "The Seekers guild again. It must have been quite party they sent in here. With 3 eaten by the hive, one dead here and the other one in the other chamber under block.."
75gp Silver +Opal ring to Rosalyn
With nothing else being interesting in the room the party trudges down the darkened corridor. Rosalyn staying in the middle, near exhaustion from the exertion that expending so much magical power has caused. Mosk and Forge leading the way, the flickering flames of the flaming sword giving some light while Justen's lantern and the sunrod held by Thalis give much more giving the plain stone corridor a white glow. They pass a pair of alcoves, ornate stone pegs for tools long since looted before they come to the head of the stairs - a nasty surprise. The stairs going down and just before they reach the bottom vanishing into icy water, glittering black in the light of the torches. "Flooded. This could be problematic" Thalis says flatly, eyes straying to Forge. The warforged shakes his head. "I shall investigate Miss Thalis. If someone could attach the sunrod to my shield then I will have the light to see."
Its a short matter for some rope to strap the sunrod to his shield, Mosk turning to the robot- "Do ye want some company" but Forge shakes his head. "I doubt there are many beasts that could survive down here so I suspect it shall be some ruins to search that yield precious little." Without further ado he descends into the icy water that as the stairs drop quickly becomes 10ft deep filling the passageway.
Even as is about to vanish from sight - only the stream of bubbles from the flaming sword and the glowing sunrod marking his progress everyone can the sudden swirl in the water as the elemental moves to attack him - the water creature crazed by centuries of imprisonment!
It swoops on the massive warforged in a swirling vortex as Mosk races forward, a massive leap into the water axe held high. Luke, Rosalyn, Haer'Thalis and Justen watching in surprise, the two women firing their crossbows at the beast whilst Justen just waits and watches. Luke gathering up his spittle, the black collar of scales glowing as a stream of acid splashes the top of the water around the angry elemental.
Elemental Slam Forge [roll0] damage [roll1] -2 for DR
Forge [roll2] Damage [roll3] halved + [roll4] fire
Haer'Thalis [roll5] Damage [roll6]
Rosalyn [roll7] Damage [roll8]
Luke [roll9] touch - damage [roll10] acid
Mosk jump [roll11] Attack [roll12] Damage [roll13] halved
Under the flaming bubbles, the acidic bile and the massive splashing impact of Mosk and his large axe the elemental is dispersed, freed in some ways from his eternal torment. Forge looks at the dent in is shoulder that the elemental left and shakes his head sadly. A nod of thanks to the soggy dwarf in thanks.
That done the massive warforged lumbers off into the water, the sunrod lighting the way, an eerie distorted glow illuminating the debris from the blocked drains that over centuries had allowed the elemental to flood the chambers. Heading to the right he stumbles around the pillars, now marked and discoloured from the submersion he enters a small chamber. The rooms was clearly some sort of storeroom, 4 long benches lining the walls and several niches bearing empty tool hooks similar to the alcoves in the main corridor. Forge explored slowly, enjoying the feeling of lightness from the water and the complete silence. Wedged in the corner, partly trapped in one of the benches is a human body - mostly decomposed the skeleton is damaged, the long bones marked , scarred and broken as if something had been gnawing them. Ignoring the shredded but well made leather armour Forge smiles in silent triumph as his hands close on the prize the corpse was hiding in the bench. A copper and red glass lantern - the missing lantern! As he searches the body in the quiet of the water he notices the silver star of the Seeker band upon the corpse's chest plate and grins some more as his hands close upon the well made shortsword at the body's waist. His innate magical training picking up the traces of the magic lingering upon the blade.
Loot!
Red Lantern and a Shortsword +1!
-- Shortsword probably going to Justen or Haer'Thalis
Engrossed in the body he barely notices the strange skeletal form creeping up behind him. A flickering shadow the only warning he gets! The ghoulish former wizard attacks Forge with a frenzied hunger, the flickering sword chain lashing out to greet him!
- For dice rolls see the OOC thread
Init Forge (17)-5 =12
Init Ghoul (1)+2 = 3
Forge attacks (14)+1 damage (1)+3 plus (1) fire
Ghoul attacks (3)+2 and (6)+0 and (10)+0
Forge attacks (14)+1 damage (4)+4 plus (2) fire
- ghoul is dead
Even as the ghoul materalises out the murky shadowy water to attack him Forge is quick to react, the flaming blade trailing a long stream of steaming bubbles as its whips Ulavant the ghoul across the face. The ghoul attacks back, dark paralytic energies and filthy diseased claws of no concern to Forge. A second time Forge strikes back, this time wrapping the chain around the ghoul's throat and driving the flaming barbs of the sword deep into the creature.
A final look around revealing nothing Forge explores the rest of the underwater complex, a second room of lockers and alcoves filled with gnawed bones and a small pouch filled with coins where the ghoul must have laired. The last small room a toilet blocked and the source of the flooding. With a faint "splash" he returns to the others who have been waiting anxiously for the light to return from the water. Emerging with the ghoul in tow provokes a "Oh my!" from Roslayn and a pair of "kill it" from Luke and Justen. Forge says nothing merely offering up the lantern and the sword in triumph. "Well done Master Forge. Yet again I am glad that you joined our merry band" Haer'Thalis mutters clutching the red lantern. Forge looks about at the others before offering the shortsword to Justen "To match the coat of chain Master Justen" he offers robotically. Justen merely nods thankful for the gift, "My thanks master Forge."
Turning to the body Luke looks at the creature, "A ghoul - and another seeker" he mutters throwing the gold ring on the dead ghoul's finger to Haer'Thalis. The tiefling looks at it with a smile. "Good work, wouldn't you agree" she smiles showing Mosk. The doughty dwarf shrugs, "Reasonable craftmanship.... for a human"
Forge looks about not sure if its a joke or not. "There was another seeker body in the waterlogged sections. It was he who had the lantern. It appeared he had fallen prey to the ghoul". Thalis looks up form the ring, "Ulavant you mean. Or so it would appear" she says reading the inscription on the base of the ring.
pouch with 2pp, 38gp, 55sp
Ulavant's Golden seeker ring (200gp)
With the lantern in tow of all the party slowly makes their way upstairs to the upper levels and back into the room with the glittering green roof and the hall of chains. Looking about all of them look towards the blue hallway and like a rat up a pipe luke bounds up with a sunrod in tow. "I can see a face at the end of the passageway. There is a green light lit up, and 6 more gems unlit."
Shouting back down all of the party- except for Mosk who just looked confused - looks at the other 6 passages and smiles. Before Justen, face burning with youthful excitement looks about and says what they are all thinking "Shall we?".
A circuit of nods and then Justen and Luke dart from alcove to alcove placing torches in the coloured lanterns and lighting the torches. As each torch is lit the lights brighten until a flickering rainbow effect crackles and plays over the ceiling putting off many of them as their eyes are dazzled. Everyone slowly climbs up and they can see the door way at the end of the narrow the corridor has opened, a path to the true tomb is open!
http://aow-old-schizm.wikispaces.com/file/view/Cairn-4.jpg/30504001/Cairn-4.jpg
Through the gaping mouth at the end of the corridor at the end of the hallway is a long dark room with no floor. A narrow three foot wide beam of petrified wood spans the chasm leading straight ahead into the darkness. About ten feet below the beam countless melon sized iron spheres form an irregular floor but its impossible to tell if they form a solid surface or not. The walls on the sides are a complex honeycomb of geometric patterns.
"A balance beam... its does not look hard" Luke mutters as he begins to head across, the light of the sunrod just illuminating the far wall and a sealed portal at the other end of the beam...
As Luke walks forward there is a subtle click and from either side iron spheres fire like crossbow rounds from the walls...
Luke gets 30ft out onto the beam
Attacked by [roll0] balls
- Attack [roll1] Damage [roll2]
- Attack [roll3] Damage [roll4]
- Attack [roll5] Damage [roll6]
- Attack [roll7] Damage [roll8]
-- Reflex save [roll9] VS DC15 or fall taking [roll10] damage
As luke is assailed by the iron balls one of them clips and he drops down to the iron balls beneath him. "By the lightbringer, a trap!" he mutters. Roslayn and Justen leap to the edge looking down at him, "Are you hurt my friend?""Are you okay?". Luke looks up, "I am not badly hurt. I shall have to climb back up..."
Even as he speaks the Grick strikes!
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG139.jpg
Surging up from beneath the iron spheres pouncing upon Luke!
Tentacle [roll0] Damage [roll1]
The party respond immediately, moving into a violent assault. Even as they begin to strike all of the party can hear a faint voice giggling just outside their hearing...
Luke backs away 5ft and spits acid at he creature, even as he does that Rosaly on the beam above points down, a ray of frost crackling with primal icy fury as the young warmage's hatred of the aberrant slams into the beast.
Luke [roll2]touch Damage [roll3] acid
Roslayn [roll4] Damage [roll5] plus [roll6]
Even as that happens Justen takes a running leap to the iron balls beneath, glittering magical blade shimmering as he lashes at the beast...
Jump [roll7] if not 10 then [roll8] damage
Attack [roll9]
Damage [roll10]
-- Heal 2 to self
-- Heal [roll11] to luke
....
Haer'Thalis clicks her finger and points at the strange beast seeking a magical assault on its mind to befuddle it.
Daze, [roll0] VS DC15
Forge watches cautiously as Mosk scales the side of the pit into the massed heaps of iron spheres.
With Justen just in front of it the Grick does not have to move far to feast on the cleric, tentacles and beak lashing at the hapless young man...
Tentacle [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Tentacle [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Tentacle [roll4] Damage [roll5]
Tentacle [roll6] Damage [roll7]
Bite Tentacle [roll8] Damage [roll9]
As the attack happens everyone can hear what sounds like laughter in the background... childish laughter with no apparent source...
As one of the tentacles tears and rends his arm Justen grunts and stabs back at it, the blade sending shocks up his arms as his bones weighten and grow heavier
Stone bones [roll0] Damage [roll1]
On the ground Luke steps sideways to et a clear shot and spitting acid once more
Spittle [roll2] touch damage [roll3]
Roslayn points at the Grick, an angry snarl on her face, her hands clapping together as a wave of sonic energy washes over the creature... The creature's long body tearing and rupturing as it flaps about and dies
Takes [roll0] damage
Even as that occurs a ghostly figure steps out of the walls, a young boy, head tilted alarmingly 90 degrees to the side. His eyes flare slightly as he swoops down towards the party. Swooping down towards Haer'Thalis as she stands watching in mild surprise!
http://aow-old-schizm.wikispaces.com/file/view/gallery_Alastor.gif/30500434/gallery_Alastor.gif
The tiefling has time to shriek once before the ghost is upon her!
Horrific appearance [roll1]
Malovelence [roll2]
the ghost plunges into the Tiefling's body as she twitches and dances. Her voice taking on a more childish tone, one also slightly filled with panic as he can feel the holy power building within Justen and Rosalyn as their holy symbols are grasped in their hands...
I have been here for countless decades now, punished for abandoning for my family in a time of need. Over these years I have seen many explorers like you come and go. The trap in the walls kills most of them but others have left in humiliation unable to pass through the door over there . The wizard's hand pointing at the door on the far side of the narrow beam.
I am cursed so cannot leave but I can go through wall and I could open the door and let you into the tomb. The chamber beyond is glorious, a pillar of gusting wind and strange beautiful carvings I don't understand. I will open it for you if you'll give me bones back to my family. Do this for me and I'll be free to pass on and I'll open that door for you."
he pauses waiting for the response. "You are a strange spirit" Justen speaks. "Though I believe you. You have suffered enough boy, where are you bones. We shall return them." Rosalyn nods in agreement and Luke nods emphatically also. All 3 thinking of the dozen or so youths from Diamond Lake that have dies in cairns around the lake over the years.
The ghost nods and points to the corner, "THey are there. Thank you" before his small spectra form leaps out of Haer'Thalis and into a wall lest the party change their mind.
Haer'Thalis stretches, a pale look on her face. "A strange experience and a stranger child! Shall we get these bones and then return to my cottage. It has been a very long day!"
Exploring the balls below also turns up a long fallen adventurer, the finely made banded mail and belt pouch jingling with gold.
MW Banded mail --> Justen (the chainmail --> Mosk)
47gp, 7sp, 1pp
.... The bones collected as well, a small collection that fits easily in a sack the party readies to leave and return to where they started from. A long few tiring hours ago!
LEVEL UP!
The walk back to the dilapidated cottage goes smoothly. All of the party tired after a long day. Before they leave the tomb Justen and Rosalyn expending the last of their divine spells to heal the party as Forge expended his last infusion repairing the damage done to his adamantine skeleton. As they returned to Haer'Thalis's hut the conversation was cheerful. Especially between Mosk and the three Diamond Lakers'. Forge and Haer'Thalis slightly more quiet as they reviewed how the day had gone.
The night passes quietly, in the evening Mosk passing a flask between Roslayn and Justen until the young cleric was sick in the garden outside and the far more sensible Luke carried Roslayn upstairs and tucked her into bed. The ascetic young man eating a simple meal of porridge and drinking only water. Haer'Thalis using some magical trickery spiced the rabbit stew for the rest of them drinking some wine sparingly and watching the happy party. After dinner she settled in the quiet corner of the room at the table with Forge before the warforged began to scribe some spells. A small pot of gold heated to melting to provide the ink.
Warforged
Scroll Glitterdust [roll0] [roll1] DC23
Scroll Repair Light [roll2] [roll3] DC21
Scroll Lesser Vigour [roll4] [roll5] DC21
Scroll Burning Hands [roll6] [roll7] DC21
Total cost 112.5gp
In the morning the party readied themselves, most of the party kneeling in prayer or mentally preparing spells before they set out, even Mosk snarling as a pair of spectral claws extended from his fists, the sphynx claws joining the purple scaled wormtail belt and the shadowy black carapace over his upper body. Luke far more restrained with his incarnum. the bluesstel bracers once more wrapping his bare arms and being joined by a crown of glowing crystal
Mosk:- Wormtail Belt, Dread carapace, Sphynx claws (T)
Luke:- Crystal Helm, Bluesteel bracers
Its about a 20 minute walk across the rolling hills to the Land Farmstead and the small copse of trees that houses the family graveyard. Just where the boy ghost said you find the copse of trees, a pair of immense deklo trees shading the quite clearing. On the hilltop some 400m away you can seem a crumbling farmstead with sagging walls and a collapsed roof. Five gravemarkers stand in the clearing marked with names of the Land family; Anders Land CY 531-564, Bernissa Land CY 534-576, GemmaLand CY 550-576, Gertia Land CY 563-576 and Alastor Land CY 562 - .... The father's grave still hung with long dead wreaths, the mother and two sisters likley succumbed to the Red Death if the 4 leafed flower means what it normally does. In front of each headstone the earth is dug up and excavated, the bodies of 4 of them present having been removed recently - likely in the past week!
Roslayn looks at the scene sadly, a tear welling up as both Justen and Luke kneel for a moment in prayer, Luke the first to rise. "His spirit will never settle if we do not find the culprit of this vile threat." Haer'Thalis looks up at the tired farm house. "Maybe the clues will lie in their former hom. Mosk looks at the tracks and scouts around a bit, "There are tracks of a wheelbarrow here heading back to the town, most likely the graverobbers. Some tracks head up to the house though I dinnae' ken how many."
Justen looks up at the house, "It is always the common folk who suffer these indignities. My duty as sworn to Pelor is to restore these poor innocents to their rightful resting place. In the meantime.." He gently lays Alastor's bones in his unarmed grave and carves -595 into the grave marker. Roslayn picks a few small flowers and lays them on the grave as Luke and Justen say a few words, all 3 of them heavily involved in the churches of Diamond Lake. Mosk and Haer'Thalis keeping a respectful silence while Forge just watches curiously - the human burial an interesting thing for him to observe. The small religious observance complete, a simple hymn to Pelor and Heironious sung by Justen, Luke and Rosalyn alike the party moves up the hill towards the farmhouse.
The dilapidated farmstead consists of a crumbled garden wall, a sagging house with precarious looking walls, broken windows and a sagging roof. Thick sludgy puddles of dried blood and unidentified fleshy chunks of meat litter the front door. "Nothing good here" Mosk mutters as he scrapes his claws together, the blades glowing dully in the light and the carapace taking on a more threatening sheen as essentia pours in. The rest of the party likewise prepares for battles as weapons are drawn and shields strapped on...
Mosk - 2 in claws, 1 in Dread carapace, +6/6 1d8+6, +2 Nat arm, +2 Str checks
Luke - 1 in soulsight, 1 bluesteel, 1 in crystalhelm- +2 Init, +1 deflect, +1 damage
Justen - Draw heavy mace and shield - slip into Martial Spirit Stance
Forge - Draw shield and Spinning sword - Infuse Magic Vestment (+2AC for 3 hours)
Haer'Thalis - Cast mage armour, draw crossbow
Rosalyn - Draw crossbow
The party ready they advance cautiously towards the farm. As they do so there is a strange mixture of a roar and bird's screech and a massive feathered monster lurches out to attack, its claws and beak still matted with dry blood. Still some 60ft away in the farmyard it screeches a challenge and moves to attack
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs49/f/2009/156/8/5/Owl_Bear_by_BenWootten.jpg
Initiative
Rosalyn [roll0]
Luke [roll1]
Forge [roll2]
Justen [roll3]
Mosk [roll4]
Haer'Thalis [roll5]
Owlbear [roll6]
Haer'Thalis is fast to act, stepping forward and with a wave of her hand causing a small halfling warrior to step out of the bushes waving his sword at the owlbear in a menacing manner...
Casts Silent Image Will Save [roll7] DC15
The owlbear rumbles forward, claws lashing out to savage the illusionary creature that dodges and weaves the clumsy blows! Even as that happens the party races in to attack in a vast pell-mell charge of metal armoured figure led by the nimble unarmoured Luke! Over the top of them Roslayn has just time enough for a single streak of light to flit by as her magic missile slams home into its feathered form. Forge lashes at it with his spiked chain, Mosk hurling a challenge and rending with his gleaming spectral claws and Luke and Justen bashing it with mace and fist...
Rosalyn magic missile [roll8] damage
AoO of 1st melee PC in! [roll9] damage [roll10]
Justen Crusader strike OR Vanguard strike [roll11] Damage [roll12]
- crusader if someone injured, - cure [roll13]
- vanguard if not (if so add +4 to attack rolls below!)
Luke - punching - [roll14] Damage [roll15]
Mosk pounce charge
attack 1 [roll16] damage [roll17]
attack 2 [roll18] damage [roll19]
Forge - from behind Mosk [roll20] Damage [roll21]
The owlbear cries in barely controlled fury, turning away from the silent image with an indignant shriek as it longs claws and cruelly hooked beak lash out towards the party members, even as he runs in Justen is brutally gashed by the long claws, the blow sending his own blow wide. Massive claws lashing out at Luke and Mosk as it drives the long beak towards Justen's face...
Claw Mosk [roll0] damage [roll1]
Claw Luke [roll2] damage [roll3]
Bite Justen [roll4] damage [roll5]
The melee oriented party members strike back with renewed fury. All of them lashing and clubbing at the massive feathered mountain of muscle seeking to break it down. Justen's blow leaving shining a surge of light that seems to aid the others in their attacks. Mosk slashes madly with his massive claws, letting loose a feral cry as he unleashes his inner rage, luke punching forward aiming for a vulnerable point and Forge just lashing at it with the his sword chain.
Justen Vanguard strike [roll6] Damage [roll7]
- 2HP to wounded colleague if hits
Luke - tumble into a flanking position for Justen, Forge and Mosk
-- Tumble [roll8]
-- Stunning blow [roll9] Damage [roll10] Fort DC 14 [roll11] or stunned
Mosk enters Whirling frenzy! and full attacks
attack 1 [roll12] damage [roll13]
attack 2 [roll14] damage [roll15]
attack 3 [roll16] damage [roll17]
Forge [roll18] Damage [roll19]
-- All attack rolls factor in the Vanguard strike bonus
The two women standing slightly further back can see the feathers and the blood flying from the beast and their companions. Rosalyn feels impotent and just sits and watches, waiting while carnage rages. Haer'Thalis speaks a single word of abysaal power, the mental assault trying to daze and stun the furry monster...
Rosalyn does nothing
Haer'Thalis casts Daze [roll20] VS DC15
The brutal assault proves too much for the owlbear, the long spinning sword of Forge lashing around the beast's neck before a brutal slashing flurry from Mosk tears it feathered chest apart, the crazed dwarf sinking his claws in its chest up to the knuckles as Luke hooks a fist into its beak shattering it.
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Mosk sinking down low to his knees, tired from the whirling frenzy. Justen's heavy banded mail bears great rents as does Mosk's chain armoured bulk. The others all seeming remarkably fine.
Justen down 8
Mosk down 10
Rosalyn rushes forward looking a bit worried at Justen's wounds even as she smiles and grins. "I am fine. Pelor guard me but I'm fine." Mosk looks up at the body, "A mighty feathered beast. Good prey!"
The others look on with interest, Roslayn laying a hand on Mosk whose wounds begin to close up under the gentle magic while Justen touches his holy symbol lightly offering up a prayer to the Sun god and watching his own wounds fade to neat pink scars.
Lesser Vigour on Mosk (heals 11)
Justen Lesser Vigour on self
Haer'Thalis motions towards the house and with Forge and his enormous shield leading the way they enter the broken down and blood splattered quarters. Luke's quick eyes immediately spot the owlbear cub curled in the corner trying to hide under its own wing. The beast's small cute eyes peeking out of downy white feathers. "A cub. What shall we do with it." Mosk and Haer'Thalis share a look. Haer'Thalis the more knowledgable of the two. "Master Luke, we should leave it here, do not approach lest it bond with you. THey cannot be tamed, they cannot be reared and at hear they are killers. A mercy would be to kill it here, a greater cruelty to let it starve of sell it to someone to use as a beast of amusement or guard."
Luke and Rosalyn both shake their heads wanting to help the fluffy whit creature. Only Forge's "A clue, and a hand." shaking them out. Backing away from the room.They all crowd around Forge. Both Roslayn and Luke sharing a look and whispering, "We can feed it easily enough. A goat or pig is cheap and it is close to town...."
The rest look at the hand held by Forge. The shoulder end chewed off as are most of the fingers. A tattoo dominates the main body of it. Both Justen and Forge recognising it. "Manager Vesst's gang. The rest of them are led by the albine Orc Kullen. Him and his gang of thugs frequent the Feral Dog - " he pauses to look around "The roughest tavern in Diamond Lake. And that is saying something." Mosk who has woken up on the floor there grins slightly. "Aye lad, its pretty rough but okay for the likes of me eh." Justen and Luke both have steely expressions on their faces, "If these scum have stolen the bones then they shall pay for that crime." Haer'thalis and Forge, less bothered by the grave robbing nod slightly, a faint smile on the Tiefling's face as things come together for her.
---------
Gather information checks
Haer'Thalis [roll0]
Forge [roll1] (+2 for being local)
Luke [roll2]
Roslayn [roll3]
Justen [roll4]
Mosk [roll5]
If that fails "then take 20" spending [roll6] gold for info during the afternoon
Trooping back to the town they all return to Haer'Thalis's cabin. "So..." Luke says, blue eyes flickering, "What should be our plan". "Well" Mosk begins... "If I were a canny lad I would wait till the pub be a closing in the wee hours and get them as they were heading back to their mine barracks. It be dark so no-one will be asking questions and they is the last ones left so we can confront them eh?" The plan, bold and brave gets a universal nod of approval
Muttering about the gang and asking a few quiet questions about town they quickly learn who they are and that they have been working for a particularly ill regarded Mine Boss named Balabar Smenk instead of Vesst.
The gang is led by Kullen a towering albino half orc and champion of the Feral dog's fighting pit and his temper and strength is well feared. Rastophan is a wiry goon from the southern swamps with long clumpy black hair and a sullen streak that leaves him mostly mute. Todrik is a human fighter born in the mines in service to Vesst and his scrappy red hair and scarred and puckered face from a mining accident is never happy. The last of the goons is Merovinn Bask a bald ill tempered drunk of a wizard who serves as he is in debt to Vesst. There was a fifth, Skutch, but he vanished a week ago. Most suggesting to a whore's knife or one of Kullen's rages.
http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/images/199622/kullen.jpg
As night deepens the party slowly move towards the Feral Dog. the dingy alleys in this part of town stinking of night refuse and filth. Watching the door of the Feral Dog they ready themselves to ambush the gang of grave robbers and punish them for their crimes. Both Luke and Roslayn keen to capture them alive if possible to turn over to the town guard.
Keeping to the shadows in the alleyways opposite the "Dog" they eventually hear the deep voice of the half-orc roaring abuse at the others as he staggers out. "If that Filge don't pay us better I swear by Grumsh I'll tear his eyes out". The half orc is massive, his tatooted skin glowing strangely in the moon light, an axe strapped to his back and a few bottles in a belt loop. "Aye" the scarred Todrik agrees the fighter leaning on guisarme for support as his vomit and ale soaked banded mail chinks in the moon light. Rastophan slouches after them clutching a bottle of cheap wine and finally leaning on a staff with a crossbow on his back comes the wizard, a dyspeptic look on his face...
Moments pre-ambush....
Haer'Thalis: Cast "Mage Armour"
Forge: Infuse weapon with "Bane Human" Infuse body with Magic Vestment +2
Luke:
Justen: Divine vigour (4hp), shield of Faith
Rosalyn: Divine vigour (2hp), Shield Faith on Mosk
Kullen Spot [roll7]
Rastophan Spot [roll8] (+2 vs humans)
Todrik spot [roll9]
Merovinn spot [roll10]
Initiative
Kullen Spot [roll11]
Rastophan Spot [roll12] (+2 vs humans)
Todrik spot [roll13]
Merovinn spot [roll14]
Hiding
Forge [roll15]
Luke [roll16]
Justen [roll17]
Mosk [roll18]
Thalis [roll19]
Roslayn [roll20]
Initiative
Forge [roll21]
Luke [roll22]
Justen [roll23]
Mosk [roll24]
Thalis [roll25]
Roslayn [roll26]
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6246/2q1c.png
The Feral Dog gang stumble out onto the street, all of them pausing slightly as they see Forge standing there like a statue in the rainy night air. Rain bouncing off his armoured form his red eyes gleam in the night air - the massive robot slow to react or move as his armoured bulk begins to ready for war!
"Yeah what you wanting tin man?" Kullen growls in a barely coherent common. "You asking about me and my gang eh, how about we sort you out?" - the sudden attack from the rest of the heroes comes as a rude shock however - only Rastophan the ranger quick enough to yanks his blades free from their scabbards!
Surprise Round
Mosk roars a terrifying roar and darts out from his hiding place. Generations of hatred for the coalescing into a single whirling frenzied assault as he lurched forward, black translucent carapace gleaming and long claws flickering as he lunged at the strutting half-orc... The claws plunge down and across and seconds later there is a brutal tearing sound as the frenzied dwarf literally tears the massive orc in half, claws tearing through abino flesh!
Mosk Frenzy, attack Kullen!
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Attack [roll2] Damage [roll3] +16 = Crit of 29!
Attack [roll4] Damage [roll5]
Justen and Luke also race forward, the nimble monk no that much faster than his friend as Justen's body was suffused by holy power. Both of them struck at Todrik who was slower to react than the others. The short stabbing sword jabbing forward to his throat trailing sparks of light that seemed to guide Luke's massive flying kick. Both pummelling Tordrik as he stumbles backwards...
Luke and Justen charge Todrik (M 6+7 respectively)
Justen [roll6] Damage [roll7] - Vanguard strike
Luke [roll8] (+4 if Justen hits) Damage [roll9]
Rosalyn strikes without warning as well, striding forward with magic building up in her hand before a vast wall of flames are released streaking forward in an expanding line of boiling fire and steam engulfing Todrik and the hapless Merovinn behind him. A faint "By the fires of Heronious", the flames scorch fighter and mage alike. THe fighter burned and battered collapses from his wounds, the mage just shrieking as his flesh and clothes burn.
Walk forward to N9 and unleash a Jet of Steam [roll10] Ref DC 13 for half
Merovinn [roll11]
Todrik [roll12]
Haer'Thalis also moves forward, a flicker in the air as disapears and reappears a little closer in a puff of smoke, her quicker comrades engaging the Feral Dog gang. While Forge may have been slow she knew he would be implacable when the time came. Her hands flicker and move in mystical means as she prepares to launch a magical onslaught, her beguiling nature releasing a great mote of sleep inducing dust around Merovinn and Rastophan but both resist the urge to sleep.
Cast sleep centred on N5 DC15
Will Merovinn [roll13]
Will Rastophan [roll14]
Will Tordrick [roll15]
- Sleep being targetted in that order for filling up the 4HD
Abrupt Jaunt to P16, 5ft to P15
The Feral Dog gang are quick to react! A gang used to being in peril and getting into scraps like this in the brutal back alleys of Diamond Lake in the places where there are no witnesses, only potential victims.
Merovinn reaches out a hand, a dazzling flickering cloud of colours engulfing both Luke and Justen as the colour spray slams into them trying to blind and stun them... Luke closes his eyes, the dazzling lights flickering round him. Justen is less lucky as the colour spray overwhelms him and he tumbles to the ground twitching and shaking
Colour Spray on Justen and Luke
Justen Will save [roll0] - failed KO'd for 5 rounds then blinded for additional 2
Luke Will Save [roll1]
Rastophan leaps forward blades in hand and attacking the exposed warmage as she stands there, longsword in one hand, nothing in the other. The blade stabbing towards Rosalyn's chest even as she tries to deflect it but he bats her blade aside and leaves a bloody streak down her flank
Move up and attack Rosalyn [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Forge finally moves forward, inwardly cursing his slow reflexes as he strides forward, adamantine boots leaving dents and divots in the ground as he surges towards the surly ranger. The spinning sword slashing down in a brutal arc to wrap around the man's neck and tear his head from his shoulders. Forge's revenge - unknown to the others - on some of the human thugs that had kept him a slave in the pitch black bowels of the mines for so long. The spinning sword slashes into the ranger sending him tumbling to the ground lurching into unconsciousness...
Charge to O9 and attack Rastophan
- Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Mosk still sheeted in green blood vaults over the two halves of the green corpse and bounds forward towards Rastophan, even as the ranger tries to avoid the warforge's spinning blades the massive claws punch into his spine and tear into his legs, the ranger's tumbling body coming apart as the raging dwarf tears through it!
Mosk charge Rastophan! - AC 6 due to prone and KO'd
Attack [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Attack [roll4] Damage [roll5]
Attack [roll6] Damage [roll7]
Haer'Thalis does nothing watching cooly before reaching down and summoning a freezing orb of abyssal ice, with a casual flick of the arm she hurls it at the enemy mage who has just laid out her new friend. "Amaetur" her muttered comment. The frigid ball of ice zapping into the wizard's body and with a freezing burn on his chest the bald mage topples backwards unconscious...
Cast Snowball swarm
Touch Merivonn [roll8] Damage [roll9] cold
Luke waits... ready to strike where needed... if needed! Standing over Justen's body to protect his friend. Then its all over. Blood soaking into the street from where Mosk has torn apart two of them and the other two laid out barely breathing. Moved by mercy Luke rapidly moves forward and leans down, a trickle of healing enough to seal their wounds and stop them dying.
Tordrik stable at -2
Merovinn stable at -5
Mosk slowly calms down, breathing returning to normal as he surveys the carnage. A grin as he looks at the eviscerated half orc, a sadder shake of the head at the ranger. "That was unfortunate." Forge shrugs "A life of violence resulting in a violent end. A sad but common occurrence."
Haer'Thalis looks about. "If we can find a cart we can take them all back to the cottage. Bury the dead with respect and question the living before we turn them over to the town guard." Justen slowly coming around looks about and before long Forge and Mosk pull an evening dung wagon stacked with the 4 bodies - 2 more or less scooped into sacks - back the wizard's sad looking cottage...
Loot!
53gp
Potion [Cure light x3, Cure moderate, Mage armour, Jump, Bull's strength x2, Shield of faith
Greataxe +1
Wand of Ray of Enfeeblement (17/50)
Mwk Longsword
Chain shirt +1
Mwk Guisarme
Cloak Resistance +1
MW Crossbow
Brooch of shielding (35 charges)
SpellBook
0th- all (no evoc'/ trans)
1st-Shield, Obscuring mist, Identify, Hypnotism, Disguise self, Colour spray, Mage armour, Sleep
It takes about an hour to return the cottage on the outskirts of Diamond Lake. the journey fairly slow and the constant drip drip drip of blood leeching out the of sacks slightly disturbing. Luke looking at Mosk with a sad look. "It was a shame that you killed the man Rastophan Mosk, I think he was already gravely injured by Master Forge." Mosk shrugs slightly, still internally basking in the victory and happy with the way he had eviscerated the orc. "Aye' lad. I know it be tough to see, and sometimes the rage gets in me and it be hard stop." Luke moves to say more but Rosalyn places a hand on his shoulder to stop him. The wound in her side now healed by her own restorative magic and faith in the Heronious.
Cure light
Justen walks alongside the others, an apology to Luke and Rosalyn, "I'm sorry about being so weak and passing out like that. The magic surprised me." Both the others are quick too tell him to shake it off, "Before this is done I'm sure we will all be in each others debt many times over."
--
At the house Mosk and Forge move outside, the sound of shovels as they dig two deep graves and bury Kullen and Rastopan. Luke joining them outside to say a few words ushering their spirits on to the afterlife and to the safe keeping of Wee Jas. The neat graves and the solemn faces of Forge and Mosk appearing to ease any troubled conscience. With a brush of healing from Luke the injured wizard and the sell sword are both brought round. But in separate rooms. Todrik downstairs with Mosk, Justen and Roslayn for company and Merovinn upstairs with Haer'Thalis, Luke and Forge. The wizard seeming the more scared of the two of them.
It doesn't take long for both to begin to being to spill out their stories. Particularly the wizard who seems disgusted with the whole affair and wishes nothing more than to return home. "I tell you. If you let me leave this cesspit of a town I'll give you all the details eh? We were working for that bastard Vesst, me due to my gambling debts when he lent our skills to that scum bag Balabar Smenk. Smenk is an ass bit a rich one. he told us to get some bones for a necromancer friend of his called Filge. Crazy old bastard, holed up in the old observatory now. Anyway Kullen and I looked at the boneyard but them Wee Jas types and Priestess Amaris keep a watch on that so we wents a way looking at the farmsteads local like and brought any bones we could find. It weren't my idea and alls I want is to earn enough to pay off me debts and get back the Free City."
Downstairs Tordick's story is much the same. "I work for Vesst, Vesst he say to work for Smenk and Smenk he say to take bones to Filge. I not like Filge - he cruel, he smells of death and he a bone mage. The boneyard is full of guards but the farms are not see.."
It doesn't take long to get all the information. Both are quite surprised to be alive after Mosk's display of savagery and even happier when about an hour later as the night is dark there is a sound of hooves and boots outside and a light knock at the door. Opening the door reveals a tall willowy women in gleaming half plate with the 3 lightning's of the Light bringer upon the sculpted breasts, the women's face shining with innocence framed by shining blonde hair. Roslayn and Luke both advance giving her brief embraces. "Welcome Melinde, thank you for coming with some of our brothers" Luke speaks, noticing the three guards outside. "We have 2 prisoners for you. Both criminals working for corrupt managers. And in the case of these two part of gang that was grave robbing. I know Lady Amariss will want to speak to them." At those words Tordrik cows slightly. As the three guards bundle the two prisoners back on to the cart Melinde speaks with Rosalyn and Luke, her colleagues from the Temple to Heironius and all students of Valkus Dun the high priest of the Invincible One. She smiles as she readies to leave and gives both of her fellows a brief kiss and waves hello at Justen who she knows passingly. "I will hope to see you at service?" Both Roslayn and Luke nodding as they watch her take away the two prisoners.
A brief meal and some sorting of the treasure acquired followed by a brief objection from Mosk quickly suppressed when Luke asks for a share that he can sell and then donate to the churches and all the party retire upstairs or downstairs to their sleeping quarter. All save Forge who once more brings his smelting pots out and prepares to begin his scroll crafting on the paper thin sheets of melted silver and gold. This time joined by Haer'Thalis for a few hours at least before the Tiefling retires upstairs to bed for some well earned sleep. The last two scrolls being prepared with powdered ruby dust from the ruby that they had found.
Scroll Knock Use Magic Device [roll1][roll2] DC 23
Scroll Sleep Use Magic Device [roll3][roll4] DC 21
Scroll Endure Elements Use Magic Device [roll5][roll6] DC 21 100gp 8xp
Haer'Thalis: Scroll of Colour Spray x2 (CL 1) = 25gp (2XP)
In the morning the party also decided to head into the filthy corrupt town to purchase some much needed supplies and bits and pieces and sell some of the accumulated loots. Luke headed to the Osgood smithy to sell off the guisarme and the banded mail, Master Manlin Osgood making good on the sale and giving Luke a few hundred gold that he took into the walled garrison and into the temple. Melinde happy to receive the donation and shocked at the size of it. "For the families of miners or to buy slaves freedom" are Luke's instructions "Of course" Melinde's reply, surprised at the second request that the donation be anonymous.
Selling... for cash
Soon after that the party is once again on the move towards the north heading to the old observatory that is just visible overlooking the town on a an old bluff above an abandoned mine. The observatory is crumbling with a wide slit bisecting its domed roof where a great telescope used to pierce the heavens. Now the place bears a darker character with a sagging roof, mould and mildew and an air of depression and decay. A slim stairway is the only way in climbing up the steep walls to the only door on the outbuilding's side. Flickering lights occasionally visible in the grey afternoon light in the second and third floor windows.
http://aow-old-schizm.wikispaces.com/file/view/Observatory.jpg/30504096/Observatory.jpg
Approaching everyone readies for trouble, the deserted building and its rotting aroma not filling any of them with the positive feelings, and as they get closer there is a general whisper of weapons being readied and claws being unsheathed and a glow springing up around the tiefling as she garbs herself in force armour. "He is a necromancer so expect the walking dead to be inside" the unnecessary comment from Thalis. "Let them come" the grim response from Justen and Roslayn together. Luke is resplendent in a cloak of flames, rippling fire pouring off his back, again the necklace of dark scales around his neck.
At the base of the stairs a small door attracts the attention of them Mosk moving forward, ignoring the lock and just tearing rickety door off it hinges immediately a small flickering creature stinking of the grave made of bone, hair and grave earth leaps out in ball of fury clawing at his face...
Prep at the base of the stairs...
Forge:- Invest Spinning sword with Augment Personal Weapon [Undead Bane]
Haer'Thalis:- Cast Mage armour
Mosk:-
Wormtail Belt
Spynx Claws (T) 1
Dread Carapace 1
Luke:-
[I] Cloak of Flame 1
Dissolving Spittle 1
Soulsight 1
Initiative
Mosk [roll7]
Justen [roll8]
Forge [roll]1d20+-5
Luke [roll9]
Haer'Thalis [roll10]
Roslayn [roll11]
Tomb Mote [roll12]
Roslayn Know(Religion) [roll13]
Justen Know(Religion) [roll14]
Luke Know(Religion) [roll15]
Haer'Thalis Know(Religion) [roll16]
As the strange figurine of grave dirt and bone leaps out it moves supremely fast. Thalis calls out "Ah... beware. Its a tomb mote, a diseased little messenger, its quick so kill it!"
Even as her words end the little creature leaps at Mosk's face tiny fists and teeth clawing at the dwarf.
Bite [roll0] damage [roll1] Fort [roll2] DC13
Bite [roll3] damage [roll4] Fort [roll5] DC 13
Even as the small beast pounces on orange haired savage dwarf the party responds with lethal force...
Mosk just savages it with his long claws, Justen and Luke leaping in swinging with mace and fist even as Forge swings his spinning sword over their heads with a whiplash of undead hunting death...
* Beast has DR 2 / Cold iron or magic
Mosk attack [roll6] damage [roll7]
Mosk attack [roll8] damage [roll9]
Justen crusader swing with mace [roll10] Damage [roll11]
- Heal Mosk [roll12]
Luke flying kick! [roll13] Damage [roll14]
Forge [roll15] damage [roll16]
The tiny beast is incredibly agile sinking its teeth into Mosk with a savage fury twice.
Crit confirm [roll0] extra damage [roll1]
The melee fighters all assault it brutally but the beast's natural agility leaves only Luke making contact with a single blow sending it staggering back.
Seconds later there is a crash of thunder as Roslayn casts a brutal sonic snap that rends the air around the beast with Rosalyns divinely inspired fury. The crash of thunder atomising the beast reducing it to dust and dirt!
Sonic damage [roll2]
After the mote is reduced to dust the party storm up the stairs to the fairly stout wooden door with a half moon design on the stone surround. Blue mould streaks the wooden boards and the round moon is centred with a lunatic's jabbering face.
The door is locked, Forge looks at it carefully and leans forward placing his shield and the spinning sword down beside the landing pulling out his thin lock picks and shims. The door rattling it its frame as the warforged tries to delicately finesses the heavy doors.
Open lock [roll0]
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8000/jytm.png
The door doesn't budge, Mosk and Forge instead just hacking at it and reducing it fractured fragments of broken wood. As the doors shatter under the blows a sudden flurry of arrows come flying straight out from the 3 skeletons within the room, one adult sized, the other two slightly smaller. Bones old and still covered in verdigris and mould.
http://units.wesnoth.org/1.10/pics/core$images$portraits$undead$transparent$archer.pn g
The room beyond is a mess. Furniture fragments, smasked planks and broken glass litter the floor creating a deathtrap, at the far end of the room several upended tables lie with grinning skeletons standing behind them, the crossbows snapping! A bolt missing Mosk, two more slamming into Forge but shattering on his shield and adamantine chest
Attack mosk [roll0] Damage [roll1] + poison [roll2] VS 15
Attack Forge [roll3] Damage [roll4]
Attack Forge [roll5] Damage [roll6]
Initiative's
Skeleton [roll7]
Mosk [roll8]
Forge [roll9]
Justen [roll10]
Roslayn [roll11]
Luke [roll12]
Haer'Thalis [roll13]
The skeletons are fast to fire. And even faster to reload and fire again. Another flurry of bolts tipped with vicisous green poison flying towards the pair of heroes. One bolt just scraping against Forge's adamantine plates doing a small nick.
Vs Mosk [roll0] Damage [roll1] Fort DC 15 [roll2] or [roll3] Str
Vs Mosk [roll4] Damage [roll5] Fort DC 15 [roll6] or [roll7] Str
Vs Forge [roll8] Damage [roll9]
Mosk is one of the first heroes to react, unimpressed by the hail of bolts as he steps forward gingerly across the floor slashing at the isolated skeleton but unbalanced by the floor his claws bounce off the ragged and deformed bones.
Move to AC19 and attack skeleton [roll10] Damage [roll11] (inc. Damage reduction)
Luke and Justen are the next into the room, both just getting to the entryway, the paired symbols of the Invincible one and the Lord of the Sun gleaming with holy intent!
Luke Turn undead
- Level check [roll12]
- turning Damage [roll13] plus exalted actual damage [roll14]
Justen Turn undead
- Level check [roll15]
- turning Damage [roll16] as level 2 VS 1 HD then destroyed!
The glow from the pair of holy symbols and the religious power of the two clerics obliterates the undead as the power of Heronius and Pelor immolate the bones burning tem clean and sending them clattering to the ground.
Haer'Thalis and Forge both nod and Roslayn smiles "Its is good to see the Gods are on our side.". Standing over the bodies Justen looks to the others, a mixture of good and bad news write large on his face. "The bones are pocked with marks of the red death. I think this may be 3 of that poor boy's family." the others look at them surprised, Mosk stacking them neatly by the door in 3 neat piles - or at least what's left of them. "We can bury them after we have found and punished this necromancer." The others nod and all of the push into the tattered room opening the door into the wide open chamber where there are 4 small rooms long abandoned line the northern wall. There is nothing of note in the rooms bar a small pouch that Forge notices in a concealed shelf that contains a few platinum (6) and golden (5) coins.
"He must be in the main tower" Forge suggests pointing at the door through to the west that leads into the main observatory tower.
With Mosk in the lead they open the door into the main tower. As the door opens the revolting stench of rotting flesh rolls from the open door. In the room beyond ten chairs surround a long wooden dining table. A staircase on the North wall leads upwards to the next level. A couple more small doors hang ajar leading to what are presumably stores of various sorts.
The table is set with silver candles and a dinner set and in all of the chair save for a grand on at the head of the table sits an awkward decomposing zombiefied figure. Some sit with splendid posture, others pose with glass and silver fork but none are moving. Plates of fresh food and bottles of wine sit in front of each of the 9 still undead. Only the unoccupied place at the had of the table looks used. A dirty plate left half eaten and a half drunk glass of wine. The zombies do not react as the party leap into action... the whole thing having the feeling of some sort of grotesque pantomime. "A strange setting to have in your home" Forge mutters deeply. "An abomination you mean" Rosalyn replies hotly drawing her sword. Striking the head of the nearest zombie it separates from the body and the headless figure falls sideways as the magic holding it upright dissipates. "We should destroy them all" she insists and both Luke and Justen agree. Mosk and Forge also agree and in short order the strange diorama is destroyed.
A quick search of the rooms downstairs reveals a kitchen with a few boxes of food marked with the trading stamps of the general store and the Emporium in Diamond Lake. The pantry and storage closet hold only a few broken boxes and shelves and nothing else.
Everyone looks at one another before Haer'Thalis motions upstairs and they all nod, Justen and Forge taking point and leading the way...
The stairs lead upstairs to a massive bedchamber that fills an entire floor of the observatory tower. Light filtering down from the tall windows ringing the chamber catches the motes of dust in the calm air. A fine bed with plump red linen sheets squats upon the dais along the southwest side. A nightstand holds a wax choked candlestick and a black book bound with red and brown leather. Wide stairs lead from two corners up to the level above.
At the midpoint of the east wall stand a strange form atop a small stool. Clothed in fine black silk with a tall hat and wrapped in bandages the figure is about the size of a goblin. A pair of black quartz glasses rest upon its nose and in its hands it holds a filigreed silver tray with a severed female head upon it, a platinum coin on the head's protruding tongue.
A messy desk rests against the opposite wall piled high with loose papers and an apparatus holding four long tubes of thick viscid liquid. Beside that stands a tall statue of a thin human man with a set of stylised angelic wings and a sword and harp held in its hands. The stone statue gives the idea of a mausoleum or grave and bears an inscription of Filge upon its base.
From above you can all faintly hear a faint scratchy voice raised in halting and badly performed song - a man happy in his work it would appear...
Before Haer'Thalis and Forge can begin rummaging about the nightstand or the strange desk full of alchemical gubbins Justen and Luke both wave and point upstairs and Forge and Thalis agree... Luke muttering a word and his form shimmer with blue energy. Thalis murmurs and a shimmering disc of force appears in front of her, before she reaches forward and rests her hand on Mosk's shoulder. The dwarf expanding before everyone's eyes until he stands some 9ft tall with colossal 4ft long claws!
Protec from Evil on Luke
Shield on Haer'Thalis
Enlarge on Mosk
the party heading upstairs ready for war..
Initiative
Filge [roll0]
Mosk [roll1]
Rosalyn [roll2]
Haer'Thalis [roll3]
Luke [roll4]
Forge [roll5]
Justen [roll6]
A single chamber dominates the entire floor of the dome. Light filters through the wide slit of the roof bathing the centre in illumination. Four large mirrors set around the outside wall spread the light reflecting it and giving the whole chamber a bright appearance. In the centre of the room under the bright lights is a small operating theatre accessible via some small stairs. The beams are focused upon a blue skinned humanoid figure splayed on the table chest open and pinned back onto the table with long metal needles. Two cluttered shelves with piles of papers, rotting organs and sharp tools line the walls.
Flanking the short stairs are 4 glass tanks each large enough to hold a human figure, each tank rust streaked and filled with yellow opaque liquid. Atop the raised operating theatre a gangly and and emaciated man bends over the table singing to himself as he wields scapel and pins, a small child's skeleton following him around, a tray of sharp vivisectionist tools resting on its head...
http://home.comcast.net/~ransomp/aow/images/filge.jpg
As the party burst up Filge turns in surprise, a sneer turning into anger as he begins to reach for his spell component pouch.
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3184/9f7.png
Rosalyn waves a hand and razor sharp hail pours down form the ceiling slamming into Filge and the skeleton. Swearing at the hail of stone he grabs a lever by the operating table and grins briefly at you all "Ah... Arise my beautiful monstrosities!"...
Hail of Stone on Filge and the skeleton [roll0] Ref DC 14 for half
- Filge [roll1]
- Skeleton [roll2]
Immediately the 4 tanks open disgorging vile monsters, massive shambling zombies nearly the size of ogres that lurch out of the glass tubes, thick oozing yellow fluids soaking the stone floor...
The pair of religious zealots mount the top of the stairs, both looking around in despair at the zombies pouring out of the tubes before both release their holy powers in synchrony...
Luke level check [roll3]
Turning damage [roll4] and actual damage [roll5]
Justen level check [roll6]
Turning damage [roll7] if can affect 6HD then greater turn!
Forge and Mosk both mount the stairs, Mosk letting loose a great cry of rage as he enters an uncontrollable frenzy!
Forge attack the zombie [roll8] Damage [roll9]
Mosk attack [roll10] Damage [roll11]
Haer'Thalis, still partway on the stairs begins to intone some words and a glittering glowing golden dog begins to form atop the operating theatre...
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/5480/3hb0.png
Round 1
The rain of rocks destroys the skeleton instantly and severely injures the necromancer. Even as he unleashes the hulking zombies the clerics release their holy power but only one of the zombies - the weakest one - explodes with the impact of the pure sunlight..
Another zombie is massively abused by Forge and Mosk as they savage the undead form. The other undead begin to attack under Filge's direction, both Forge and Mosk lashing out with their long reach at the creatures as they rush in... blows bouncing off the zombie hide
Mosk AoO [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Forge AoO [roll2] Damage [roll3]
THen the zombies are upon them along with the heavily gouged original one... All attempt to batter the massive dwarf and the hulking warforged.
Mosk being battered and bruised by the attacks!
Attack Mosk [roll4] Damage [roll5]
Attack Forge [roll6] Damage [roll7]
Attack Mosk [roll8] Damage [roll9]
Filge himself looks at his injured body and pulls a massive syringe from his waist injecting the thick gloop into his body causing wounds to close..
False life syinge [roll10] Temp hitpoints
The party respond with lethal force! Rosalyn targets the most inhured zombie, a glowing orb of force shearing through its chest in a splatter of undead bone and organ... the zombie dying as it explodes from the divine flecked magic...
Magic missile the most wounded one [roll11]+[roll12]
Mosk looks at the newcomer and grins a hungry smile as he lashes out once, twice and thrice tearing into the zombie and tearing it into several large chunks!
Attack [roll13] damage [roll14]
Attack [roll15] damage [roll16]
Attack [roll17] damage [roll18]
Forge lashes out the one that just attacked him the undead bane spinning sword lashing and slashing him dealing heavy damage
Attack [roll19] damage [roll20]
Justen and luke also join in the violence, Justen striding forward dropping the mace and drawing a longsword as he hacks into the nearest foe. The blade slicing into the zombie as well.
Luke spitting at Filge with his acidic bile before he runs into combat as well... The bile sending the necromancer tumbling to the ground and passing out from the pain...
Attack zombie 1 (if not killed by missile or zombie 3)
[roll21] Damage [roll22]
- Crusader strike heal [roll23]
Range touch on Filge [roll24] Damage [roll25] acid
THe celestial dog appears but does nothing as Haer'Thalis smiles at the necromancers fall to the heavy magical assault. The last zombie surrounded stands no chance!
The last zombie tries to slam into Justen before the attacks pour in as Justen, Forge and the raging Mosk all assault it and another magical missile ! The zombie literally torn apart by the impact of all the attacks!
SLam Justen [roll0] damage [roll1]
Magic missile [roll2] + [roll3]
Mosk [roll4] damage [roll5]
Mosk [roll6] damage [roll7]
Mosk [roll8] damage [roll9]
Forge [roll10] damage [roll11]
Mosk [roll12] damage [roll13]
As everyone breathes a sigh of relief all eyes turn to the slightly groaning necromancer... the man was going to have questions to answer!
Justen walked across to Filge staring down at the thin pale man's form, chest still moving but chest covered in acid burns and head and arms with cuts and welts from the hail of rocks. A hint of healing, enough to stop him dyeing was all it took.
Cure Minor
Spreading out the party begins to loot the tower. "Heronious was with us Rosalyn." Looking over to the remains of one of the zombies and the skeleton she nods. "It feels good to obliterate such creatures.
A now shrunken Mosk just shrugs and whisper's to Forge "Me I just like a good scrap." Forge stares at the dwarf with an inscrutable expression then tilts his head. "Indeed Master Mosk." They explore the operating theatre keeping away from the still bubbling liquid and the exposed body that Filge was stitching together. Forge and Thalis soon go downstairs to explore the bedroom and desk below.
"Interesting things Mistress" Forge mutters as he looks over the papers upon the desk. "Not my forte I am afraid Forge, I have forsaken the necromantic arts." The warforged shrugs "Magic is magic mistress, you wizards with your insistence on your schools." THe research went well, aside from the head on the silver plattered with a magic mouth that began to scream in alarm until Forge crushed it under an adamantine boot.
The papers were interesting, mostly concerning necromantic arts and biology but no relevant to their quest. The most interesting - aside from a scroll of animate dead was a letter addressed to Filge inviting him to town, his spellbook and the thick viscid potions that seemed made of death and dark components. Though when examined Luke muttered "They reek of evil Master Forge, they should be destroyed" is met with a mute shrug and a shattering sound. In the midst of that no-one notices Haer'Thalis slipping the spellbook into her robes...
Forge hands the letter to Thalis and she shows Rosalyn and Justen.
http://home.comcast.net/~ransomp/aow/images/filgeletter.jpg
Justen reads it quickly a worried expression on his face. "I do not like the sound of this, this doesn't bode well for the town." Rosalyn nods "Don't worry. We can stop this. Especially with such brave companions." The others all not in agreement, Mosk and Thalis maybe a little more slowly as they were thinking of the Tomb they had abandoned...
"Maybe finish that tomb eh?" Mosk mutters another skeleton clutched in his hand to round out the Land family. "Then be killing green worms and zombie eh?".
As they speak Forge picks holds something up, a long bottle with a segmented green worm in some sort of pickling solution.
http://theoldworld.wdfiles.com/local--files/kyuss-worms/study_kyussworm.png
"I think this would qualify as one. We should bring Filge back with us." To that the others all agree and Mosk tosses the necromancer over his shoulder as they leave.
Luke, Roslayn and Justen all stay behind for a few minutes and after some judicious use of fiery magic the two top floors containing Filge's notes and experiments are soon burning away. THe party hiking into the hills as the first few curious people from Diamond Lake arrive to see the observatory in a massive inferno.
---
An hour later the 3 youngsters are all at the Land farm. The bones of the boy's family safely interred. Rosalyn giving a nice sermon and an apology for the damage to the bones. Even as she finishes the ghostly boy appears in his grave for a second - growing fainter and fainter he grins at the three of them... "Thank you... the curse is lifted. The door is open and I can le.... his words fade away to nothing as his spirit passes onto the beyond where he can join his family.
---
Back in the house Filge slowly awakens. Tied to a chair and surrounded by Mosk, Forge and Haer'Thalis... "Ah. I see things did not work out then." Thalis smiles a cruel smile "Yes Master Filge, things did not go well." Holding up the note and the glass vial with green worm she asks "These things would be a good start.." Some bargaining follows, Thalis, Mosk and Forge happy to not have the slightly more pious young folks with them. An agreement is made that the necromancer can return to the Free City in exchange for some explanation. "I am done here. My debt to Smenk is paid more than in full and this has cost me an arm and a leg.
Me mate Balabar Smenk called me up from the free city for some study of some weirdness. He knows my hobbies- we were mates back in the Free City some 15 years ago. He got himself in trouble eh. Something in the Dourstone mines though got 'im scared. He as running food into the mine to some cult for the Dwarf that owned the place. But the cult shook him up bad, left him scared. Talked about Age of Worms, worshipped the Ebon triad and had undead in the mines, the hills and in Blackwall swam. Left him cold, strange for such a bastard, but he called for a man who knew undead eh. Me.
Ebon triad he said they worshipped. Some sort of cult team of Erythnul, Vecna and Hextor. Must be full of treasure you ask me..."
I didn't know them skeletons were that family. Smenk sent that gang of inbreds and that stinking orc to help me. If that's why you came to get me then I hope that albino freak has paid with his life!
Age of worms you say. I don't know too much on that. Some sort of prophechy when evil rules the land and light fades. Some sort of catastrophe repeated from ancient times. You need a library or Allustan in the village. He's a clever fellow. The worm you got there though its a spawn of kyuss. Nasty beast that, if it gets in you you best cut it out or it burrows to your brain and you be dead. Probably causing them "unkillable" zombies eh? Kyuss you ask - some sort of demi-god lived in the distant Rift Canyons a thousand years ago. Had an undead army and a big old undead dragon but he got beat and no-one heard from him for a millennia.
By the time Luke, Roslayn and Justen return the man has gone, limping away in the night and slowly making his way back towards the Free City. A piece of his heart engraved with hatred for the party.
Luke looks about - "Where is he?" whereupon Thalis explains, "He told us all we wanted to know. Something is amiss in Diamond Lake and the evil gods are stirring. After the tomb we shall aid you and your friends in stopping it." Grudgingly Luke agrees and the party settles down for a night's sleep with plans to return to the tomb in the morning...
LEVEL 3!
The next morning to tomb beckons once again. The party now feeling the benefit of a few days of solid adventuring are once again ready to battle. Once again they stand within the walls of the Whispering Cairn, the chamber of lanterns bathing them in colours as they approach the rope leading them up to the face in the wall and the hopefully open doorway leading into what must be the true tomb of Zosiel behind the portal...
Mosk - Has sphinx claws, wormtail belt and dread carapace up and running
Luke - Crystal Helm (B), Dissolving spittle - expanded capacity, Cloak of Flame
Thalis - mage armour
Forge - Magic vestement on self (+2)
As they all reach the face in the wall and stare across the beam they can see the door lies open! As one they all cross the beam the trap deactivated and into the true majesty of the tomb beyond... "In Pelor's name.." Justen breathes.
The cavernous chamber beyond is breathtaking. Consisting of a large stone walkway around a deep chasm that plunges into darkness. Four platforms lead from the walkway to a central ring of pink marble but two are broken. Bright light reminiscent of a summer's day filters from the ceiling some forty foot above.
Four wide galleries line the outer wall covered with enourmous bas relief vistas. A sighing wind is the only noise as a huge column of air rushes out of the central circle. The of rippling wind extends vertically and through a small hole in the domed ceiling 40ft above!
http://aow-old-schizm.wikispaces.com/file/view/Cairn-4.jpg/30504001/Cairn-4.jpg
Thalis nods in agreement, reddish eyes scanning the vistas that appear to be blurred and indistinct from the entryway. "Impressive indeed and truly a true tomb for a Wind Duke!" Mosk is more cautious, "You know dwarves dinnnae fly that well aye?" eyeing the colum of air and the exit from this vast chamber...
Walking around the galleries the walls seem to shift and flow, the flow of air swirling around and the pictures on the walls shifting and moving telling a tale. Haer'Thalis narrating the tale in her strong voice...
It tells the story of Zosiel, one of the Wind Dukes of Aquaa. THey lived in an idyllic manner she said pointing at the first mural where Vaati relax in the fields, the worlds of the vaati circles in the skies. "Then came the queen of chaos, worlds fell and the Vaati were driven back by the wolf-spider...", the swirling eddies on the mural depicting the spread of a shadow and the disruption of the vaati world.
The second gallery shows a gathering of the Wind Duke warriors dressed in their ceremonial armour, "This one in the centre is Zosiel who lies here within the tomb. And above him is the Grand Duke Icosiol as the legions pay homage to him on the fields of Pesh before the great battle against chaos."
She continues to walk around to the 3rd mural "The great dukes, the wandering dukes Amophar, Darbos, Emoniel, Icosiol, Penader, Qadeej and Uriel present the Rod of Seven Parts to the council of Vaati . The mural is beautiful, the rod a majestic depiction on the stones as its split into seven and reformed within the shifting pattern, the wandering dukes named in the Chronicle of Chan created it and gave it to the senior Vaati council.
She walks around to the last of the galleries, the party listening with rapt attention to her tale of the fall of the Vaati, THe final battle between Law and Chaos on the shores of Lake Pesh where we stand now. The wandering Duke Qadeej impaling Miska the wolf spider with the rod of law. THe pair of them vanishing even as Icosiol falls dead, stricken by a glance from the demonic four armed wolf headed demonic god."
She ends the tale, a complete circuit walked around as she and the rest of the party stare at the column of air. "What lies up there Thalis?" Roslayn asks reverentially. "Is it the Rof of Law, truly a relic of the Invincible one to use against evil" Luke mutters in agreement. Forge looks about as he and Mosk tread towards the flowing column of air. Even as they step upon the bridge leading to the central pillar the howling wind intensifies and a pair of shimmering creatures with flowing cloaks and pennons of red and white, long steel blades and ornate armour materialise and rush towards the party! Ancient elemental creatures the wind warriors of the Vaati!
http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/60493/Wind_Warrior.jpg
Initiatives...
Mosk [roll0]
Luke [roll1]
Rosalyn [roll2]
Justen [roll3]
Forge [roll4]
Thalis [roll5]
Wind Warriors [roll6]
Luke is the fastest to react as he sees the creatures, ancient suits of armour held together by swirling wind leap out of the column of air. Gathering his essential he fires a vitriolic gobbet of acid at the nearest wind warrior before striding to the front of the party, cloak of flames bursting into life as it fills with essential...
Attack touch [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Move to the centre of the bridge in front of Mosk and Forge
2 Essentia into flame cloak!
1 into crystal crown AC 21
The two wind warriors glide forward spinning and tumbling gracefully as their razor sharp ceramic blades lash out towards the spinning monk. As they strike the pennons and cloaks begin to burn as they touch the cloak of essential fuelled flame.
Attack Luke [roll2] Vs 21 damage [roll3] fire retialition [roll4]
Attack Luke [roll5] Vs 21 damage [roll6] fire retialition [roll7]
Luke spins sideways avoiding one of the blows, the second just making contact with the young monk, the wind warrior's hands scorching slightly.
Even as that happens the rest of the party moves into brutal and aggressive action. Thalis steps forward resting a hand upon Mosk's back and the dwarf once more swells in size to massive proportion towering above the others.
Forge steps forward alongside Luke, the spinning sword jabbing forward in a shorts stabbing motion... but being turned away by the paired swords.
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Behind him the massive shadowy dwarf howls with anger, releasing the rage and clashing claws against each other before seeking to rend the wind warriors... one comes within reach and the ancient ceramic armour is shattered and rended with manic rage, the ancient equipment with the elemental form turning to dust and blowing away in the wind...
Rage, charge, standing behind Luke/Forge
Attack [roll2] damage [roll3]
Attack [roll4] damage [roll5]
Attack [roll6] damage [roll7]
Justen with nowhere to run or advance merely prepares himself, channelling some divine energy into his body fortifying it for the coming fight...
Roslayn targets the other wind warrior not destroyed by the now giant Mosk... A pair of gleaming magical missiles streaking towards the creature slamming into the ceramic armour shattering parts of it.
Magic missile the one that Mosk doesn't attack [roll8]
Luke spins round in a twirling display seeking to punch and kick the strange elemental form.
Flurry [roll0] damage [roll1]
Flurry [roll2] damage [roll3]
The final windwarrior, unaffected by the loss of if friend and bound to the tomb by ancient ritual channels its power sending forward in a shimmering line of sonic force cutting into Luke, Mosk and Thalis behind the dwarf, all 3 trying to leap sideways and avoid the blast of force.
Somic damage [roll4] Ref DC15 for half
Luke [roll5]
Mosk [roll6]
Thalis [roll7]
The return attacks from the party are brutal as Forge and Mosk seek to rend the creature limb from limb with blade and claw...
Mosk
[roll8] Damage [roll9]
[roll10] Damage [roll11]
[roll12] Damage [roll13]
Forge
[roll14] Damage [roll15]
And once again a blast of magical force unerringly strikes the creature in its chest plating...
Damage [roll16] from the magic missile
Shockingly the creature lives! The sonic blast plowing through Mosk, the dwarf's enhanced bulk saving them Thalis and Luke the worst of it. THe beast fights well, the twin blades parrying left ad right as it dodges the claws and the spinning sword, only a single punch from Luke thudding into its chest with bonecracking force. Again the magic missiles send it reeling as it defends the central column of air.
It leaps on the attack once more, blades spinning as it lashes out at both Forge and Luke...
Attack Luke [roll0] damage [roll1]
Attack Forge [roll2] damage [roll3]
In return the entire party attacks brutally back! A flurry of magical missiles, an exploding ball of hell fire from the tiefling and weapon strikes form Forge and Luke. Only Justen is trapped, ready to heal any of his friends that fall...
Luke [roll4] damage [roll5]
Luke [roll6] damage [roll7]
Mosk [roll8] damage [roll9]
Mosk [roll10] damage [roll11]
Mosk [roll12] damage [roll13]
Forge [roll14] damage [roll15]
Damage magic missile [roll16]
Fiery Burst Damage [roll17] Ref [roll18] Ref dc15 for half
The wind warrior explodes under the sustained assault, armour and weapons vanishing into tiny grains of dust that are carried away by the wind. The party breathe a sigh of relief as they watch the last motes of the ancient warriors being whipped away. Before with a chuckle Mosk grumbles a fain "Aye well. Be glad they are Air Dukes, I reckon Earth dukes would have been tougher, like us dwarves." The comment eliciting smiles from most.
Roslayn joins the others heading down the central pathway towards the rushing column of air and looks up at the ceiling hole high above. "Do we have to step in there and fly up?" A note of fear in her voice. Justen pats her arm comfortingly. "We've ropes so we'll be safe I think."
Luke is the first to try, stepping into the column of air and suddenly rushing upwards out of sight through the ceiling. As he flies up the air holds him steady before hurling him into the True Tomb, the tomb lit by the flickering lights of the gleaming white crystal helm and the crackling cloak of fire. Moments later he is joined by everyone else as they gaze around the small chamber. In front of the whooshing column of air and up a set of 3 short and ornate marble steps rests a white marble sarcophagus identical to the one in the main chamber at the entrance to the tomb with the same carved figure upon the lid. The wall behind the coffin composes a great bas-relief depicting the same bald androgynous figure wearing an ornate suit of ceremonial armour similar to the elementals the party face below and wielding a single long ornate and sinious Jovar blade. To the warrior's left stands a cloaked demonic figure with two long curved horns tipped in darkest red. The demonic figure gestures with a strange looped wire device that controls a sphere of smooth absolute blackness. The third relief shows the sphere touching the bald warrior and his body appears to dissipate from sight....
Everyone stares at the tomb curiously. Only Thalis staring hard at the relief "Annihilation" she mutters. "A sphere of it, one of he most powerful artifacts the mortal realms have ever seen." At her words everyone freezes and almost steps back from the sarcophagus. Forge steps forward and as he steps atop the plate the Bas relief in the centre of the wall animates, an airy voice speaking in the common tongue "Speak my name"...
Forge glances back at Thalis before saying loudly "ZOSIEL"... the echo of the shout fades and seconds later a bright blue light glows around the seam of the sarcophagi and the lid elevates slightly upon a thousands of jets of air and slowly floats to the ground at Forge's feet. Glancing inside the tomb Forge reaches in a pulls out a few trinkets... The first is an ornatesilver diadem with Zosiel's glyph upon it, a pair of strange black and red tipped horns and finally a strange pewter box with alien and writhing letterforms that seems warm to touch. "Runes of the Queen of Chaos" Forge mutters gently putting the box to one side. "It is filled with magical power, something of power lies within."
The party all look to one another. "Back to the house to study this?" Justen offers and they all agree...
Loot
2 Strange demon horns @50gp
Pewter Box with chaos runes and a magical toy inside
Periapt of Wisdom +2 --> Justen
AND SO ENDS PART I of the Whispering Cairn
The small cottage was home to much celebration that evening. Even more so when the lid of the small box embossed with runes of chaos was forced open and the strange adamantine loop and handle that allowed control of one of the fabled spheres of absolute destruction was unearthed within. Even as they enjoyed some roast meat and ale Luke and Justen looked at one another. "Mistress Thalis, while we have helped with tomb will you now help us with protecting Diamond Lake? We know there is something with undead in a mine and the Dourstone and Smenk are involved?" Luke looks at her with his piercing blue eyes, "Both your magic and your knowledge could aid us greatly." Thalis sips at her beer, cool eyes watching them all before she nods. "How could I not, I want to help and also to see what more things we can unearth. These rumours of an Age of Worms sound familiar to me and I can't help bit feel we will more truths before the end" As they are talking both Mosk and Forge also agree and add their willingness to join in and help and Roslayn offers a suggestion. "Maybe be could talk to Master Valkus or Magister Allustan. They are wise in the ways of the world and may be able to help us?" Justen and Luke both agree readily.
The next morning the party grab up their weapons and head into town. The hard faces of the shop owners and drunken miners eyeing up the party suspiciously, particularly Mosk and Justen garbed as they are in new armour and in Mosk's case carrying a very large axe! The other magical trinkets acquired by the party for the most part small and not very obvious!
A brief morning visiting Taggin's general Store, the slightly amoral gnome Tidwood's jewelery shop, Valkus's chapel to Heironious, the dwarves of Greysmere Covenant and the Osgood smithy.
Selling:-
Demon Horns - 100 gp
Greataxe +1 - 1150 gp
Purchasing:-
Wand of Lesser Vigour (750gp)
Alchemist's Fire x2 (50gp)
MW thieves Tools (100gp)
MW Potion Belt x2 (120gp)
MW Scroll belt x 2 (100gp)
Heading to the large manse in the centre of the town they knock and after a brief conversation with the servant they are invited up to a plush study and greeted by a tall noble looking man with a long black beard and almost amusingly a long shapeless wizard's robes.
http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/images/223483/allustan.jpg
He greets them politely, "Thank you, would you care for tea. To what do I owe the pleasure." Glancing at the tiefling and the warforge curiously he smiles sagely at Roslayn, Justen and Luke, "How are you children? Have you first forays been successful in the adventuring world?"
Luke gives a short bow and a grin. "Yes Master Allustan, we have done well. Mistress Thalis had found the ruins of a tomb and we explored it..." At this point Haer'Thalis speaks up softly. "Master Allustan, I am honoured to meet you. I have heard of your powers and sagacity. As Luke mentioned I had done some research in the Free City and had discovered what I though was a tomb of a minor Wind Duke and... the story continues as all of the recent heroes chip in going through the story as Allustan begins to grow more and more interested and some more extensive fayre arrives for the party to eat and drink. Looking inside the chaos runed box at the strange device with the wire and the adamantine handle he shudders "A talisman of a sphere of annihilation. Truly a remarkable find." A look of lust in his eyes in his eyes that quickly fades. All of the heroes note that Haer'Thalis leaves some details of the tomb out.
Ah the undead and the Kyuss worm... he sighs sadly. "I have had reports of undead in the hills and others near Blackwall Keep, it worries me. As does the report of the Ebon Triad of Evil rising." He hands across a small book to Rosalyn. "An unholy triad of Hextor, Erythnul and Vecna. Hated by their own churches and outcast they believe that a great apocalypse could birth a new god of great Evil and bind the other three to its will..." All of the heroes blanch slightly and shudder. "I have heard rumours of a cult of the Ebon Triad in the dourstone mine."
At that Mosk nods and Four adds in his gravelly monotone "We have heard a similar rumour of things unnatural beneath the mine. But through Filge, a necromancer."
Allustan frowns, "Filge eh, a thoroughly unpleasant little man. Is he still playing with bodies?" Justen is the first to answer, looking most pleased with himself, "Not anymore Master Allustan, not anymore."
THe conversation rambles on for a while as they discuss with the wise wizard the potential dangers, Allustan, despite being the brother of the notoriously corrupt mayor seems like a good and honest man and worried about the possibility of cult. "We must stop this cult" Luke declares as Roslayn and Justen agree - the churches of Heronious and Pelor dedicated to fighting all three of the faces of the Ebon triad. Haer'Thalis also agrees, "A rise in a cult such as this is troubling in the extreme. I will help." Four nodding his metallic head in agreement as he still plans on acting as a bodyguard for the clever tiefling. Mosk is the only one who seems less than enthusiastic "Evil cults eh? plenty of loot and a scrap eh." his desire for violence masking his deep desire to die in battle.
Allustan nods "thank you. I don't know if you have rooms elsewhere but you may stay here if you need to. And you may browse my library if you wish?" the last directed to Rosalyn, Thalis and Four. The most bookish seeming of the 6.
Getting ready the planning begins for how to infiltrate the heavily guarded mine. The description of the mine from Allustan including the description of an elevator heading into the bowels of the earth that all of the miners have been told to avoid upon pain of death...
The party thank Allustan for the kind offer and bid him farewell as he watches them leave with a wistful look of consideration. A suggestion that he considers them suitable maybe for a higher purpose in doing something else as well.
The Dourstone mine is one of the less pleasant mines to work for, a rough pallisade trapping the miners inside with a few guards on the outside to keep watch. 2 groups of 4 guards walk the wide perimeter with an additional 2 guards in the tower and 2 more on the gatehouse. as the party covertly watch from the cover of a scrubby hill some 500ft away Mosk is the first to speak. "We can take 'em. Only a dozen of the wee buggers. Won't take more than a few swings to get through them".
Both Luke and Roslayn look scandalised. "We cannot kill them Mosk, they may have nothing to do with anything wrong in the depths of the mine. They are just following orders." Thalis also looks at them all... "Well, if not the sword then maybe by guile. We could try some more subtle magics to put them to sleep and merely walk past? No harm would come to them that way." At that suggestion both Luke and Rosalyn look a bit more relived, "And" she continues, "If we do end up fighting them we can subdue rather than kills." Mosk grumbles but also nods to that one as well. "If we retrieve our cart and barrels and throw on some rough clothes atop the armour and weapons we may be able to approach the gate and get close enough to disable them with more subtle magics? Even better if we do so as evening draws close when the work day is complete and the shadows grow long."
The trip back into the general store quickly follows, a laugh and a mocking taunt of "All them mines been tapped out for a decade eh...?" not dissuading Justen and Forge as they collect the cart and a mule, the cart laden with barrels of ale, spools of rope and a various lanterns and sun rods for exploring underground. That and the scroll from Allustan to enable them at least one night of safe rest in a dangerous environment.
Buy Mule (8gp)
Buy 3 barrels of Ale (12gp)
Buy 200ft rope (20gp)
Buy 3 x Saps (Justen, Mosk and Forge) (3gp)
Hearthfire lantern (20gp)
4 x sunrod (8gp)
Everburning Lantern (150gp)
Allustan's scroll of Rope-Trick (CL8) = 300gp (25% discount)
The plan is agreed and soon enough after retrieving the wagon from Thalis's run down house the party with long hooded robes over the arms and armour approach the gate. Waiting carefully until the two patrols are out of eye sight. Before they go the party begins some more subtle preparations as with a whisper and faint tingle of magics a few spells are cast...
Haer'Thalis - Mage armour (1 hour)
Haer'Thalis - Disguise self - has hextor and vecna symbols on necklace (10 minutes)
Forge - Magic Vestement +2 (4 hours)
Forge - Toughen Construct [roll0] Temp hitpoints (4 hours)
The two guards on the gate move forward in the evening dim light squinting at the collection of robed people clanking down the robe. The guards in the tower also watching with obvious interest. Thalis slowly pulls down the hood of her robe as Luke, Justen, Mosk and Forge step forward to make a line in front of their mistress. Luke bobbing his head and nodding towards the lanky dark haired guard on the right
Detect Evil pings of the Hextor cultist guard with this pair
"We have come with supplies and recruits for what lies beneath." Thalis mutters in a heavy voice, A muttered mention of "the ebon triad" spoken in Infernal trying to give some support to her words. "We have a special delivery"... The guard on the right takes the hint and slowly climbs onto the wagon bed and looks into the barrel at the green worm in its jar and blanches slightly. Thalis grins a slightly scary grin and holds out a heavy pouch filled with golden coins, 80 in all for the men on the gate and in the tower. The other heroes watch carefully ready to strike down the guards if they show any signs of alarm. The guard looks at her cautiously again and his eyes catch the apparent symbols of Hextor and Vecna one her illusory black dress as well. Although he watches the rest of the party he seems to accept them as subservient to Haer'Thalis. "On you go miss" he mutters. "Thanks for the donation..." The gates open wide and the clink of gold and curt"Shut it... she's a private guest of Dourstone" silences the other guards objections
Bluff 22 or 17
Sense motive 9 or 7 (see OOC for the dice rolls)
The cart rumbles into the main yard and Thalis points at the two barrels filled with beer, "For your troubles. Drink and enjoy for your hard work". The third barrel containing the green worm is picked up by Forge and carried forwards towards the dark mouth of the mine. The guard/cultist waving away any objections and happily knocking free the bung on the ale barrel and sharing the gold with fellow guards. The mule and the cart left there while the supplies and ropes are taken away by the rest of the party...
The party enter the mine relatively happily, a mug in Mosk's hand of ale glowing a dull blue as he drops a segment of Hearthfire into it. Justen beside him striking the tip of the sunrod off the rough stone wall igniting the glowing rod. "Well, at least we are in the mine now?" Justen mutters. "Let us pray to the Gods that getting out is as easy" Luke answers giving his friend a smile.
They follow tunnel for some 400ft before the warning signs appear warning miners upon pain of flogging to not go down the left hand tunnel. So down the left hand tunnel the party heads. A simple barricade of wooden slats not taking long for Forge and Luke to force their way through
Take 10 on the DC10 craft check to disassemble and reassemble the barricade behind them
Through the barricade the tunnel curves sharply before ending in a wide cavern with a couple of smoky guttering torches. A 10ft by 10ft platform with a crude guard rail stands in the centre of the chamber with a massive spool of chains upon it and 4 bars surrounding the sides that link the chain spool and winch to a massive nest of metal girders on the roof.
"Shall I go down first?" Justen asks? "Or myself, Rosalyn and Forge. We can handle ourselves in a fight. Luke, you could stay here with Thalis and then Mosk can just jump down the shaft with his ring of safe falling" The others all look at Justen and nod in agreement. Forge, Roslayn and Justen get aboard the platform which creaks alarmingly before Forge takes hold of the winch and slowly begins to wind down the chain and slowly at first then slightly faster... some 10ft every few seconds the lift shaft descends through the great square hole in the earth. After some 140ft the shaft opens up intoa great chamber, although mostly hidden from view by the wooden struts and platform built around the elevator. Justen waves the light signalling Mosk and is happy that the dwarf will even now be freefalling to their aid.
Mosk stands at the top before with a leap he hurls himself out into space after the lift and the speck of light upon it waves and enjoys the strange rushing feeling as he plummets downwards, claws glowing with dark blue energy and his dwarven eyes assessing the quality of the shaft cutting - surely not carved by human hands. The lift reaches the bottom with a rattle of chains and a dull "thunk". Mosk landing atop the great spool of wood and steel seconds later as the 4 of them survey the area...
Three short passages lead off the massive chamber each ending in large heavy obsidian doorways. The one to the north facing the elevator marked with a human hand grasping an eye, the one to the east a gauntleted fist clutching a six arrows and the westerly one without a marking. To the south the chamber opens up into a vast subterranean cathedral with a high domed roof. In contrast to the crude rock faces it bears the touch of a master artisan. The black marble floor glistens in the light of several flickering red and purple lanterns while elaborate arches and pillars of polished black rock support the roof. Towards the back of the chamber, opposite the elevator door is a large pool of strange black shimmering liquid. A stairway climbing the curved wall with platforms every 10ft or so rises to a high pedestal some 30ft above the surface of the pool.
Some 10ft from the door lurking in the shadows of two of the pillars are armed guards! Fighters garbed in chain mail with metal masks covering their faces, one clutching a fine looking longbow, the other an ornate greataxe, both have tabards with the arrow crushing fist of Hextor emblazoned upon them and bare muscular arms covered in tattoos bearing the images of various devils. Both stare at the heroes as they step off the lift in their dark black robes before realising their mistakes as they see the drawn weapons and savage countenance of the heroes.
Init...
Mosk [roll1]
Forge [roll2]
Justen [roll3]
Roslayn [roll4]
Tielfing guards [roll5]
Justen rushes forward hacking at the axe wielding tiefling with a muttered cry of "The Morning Lord!"
Attack [roll0] damage [roll1] plus everyone gets +4 to hit the axe guy
2 HP available from Martial spirit stance
Even as the party spill out one of the tieflings draws his bow, firing a single arrow at Forge before scuttling through the pillars towards the large stone doorway marked with Hextor's gauntlet. The second retialites against Justen, great axe swinging as he moves to keep the heroes pinned in the elevator...
Shoot forge [roll2] Damage [roll3] (DR included)
Axe attack on justen [roll4] Damage [roll5]
Mosk leaps forward to the nearest half-man, claws flashing and glowing in the dark lights as the dwarf attacks fearlessly in the strange undergound cavern as he seeks to eviscerate the tielfling of a weak god.
Charge axe wielding tiefling
[roll6] Damage [roll7]
[roll8] Damage [roll9]
Forge strides forward, pulling the crossbow from his back and aiming at the fleeing archer, a dull thunk and the bolt flies free.
Attack [roll10] Damage [roll11]
Watching the other Tiefling fleeing Rosalyn shakes her head, unwilling to let him sound the alarm. Raising a hand she gestures at the fleeing man and a pair of glowing balls of light energy streak after him slamming into his back with bone shattering force.
Magic missile on bow wielding one [roll12]
The battle goes well for the heroes... Even as Justen and the tiefling trade blows the retreating one fires an arrow that bounces harmlessly off Forge's iron body. Distracted the tielfling cannot stop Mosk who tears apart the tiefling, rending the body in two in a brutal tearing rending chop.
The second tiefling ducks under the crossbow bolt but stumbles as the magic missiles slam into it with bone shattering force. While its off balance Justen races forward sword high seeking to hew the masked tiefling in two before he can raise the alarm
Justen charge [roll0]
Damage [roll1]
Tiefling if alive, draw greataxe and strike
[roll2] damage [roll3]
Justen misses as the tiefling ducks under the blow and round a thin pillar. The demon man's axe also missing in return as Justen's heavy shield parries the blow.
Mosk charges in as does Forge, the heavy warforged just lashing out with a single heavy adamantine fist. Roslayn follows them, slowly, eyes trailing over the massive cathedral and the pool of strange dark liquid.
mosk charge
[roll0] damage [roll1]
[roll2] damage [roll3]
Forge charge
[roll4] damage [roll5]
The alarm is not raised, even as the tiefling moves to dodge Justen's riposte his life is ended as the three long claws of mosk tear into his chestand a massive adamantine fist shatters his jaw leaving quite dead...
Tielfing loot!
Silence deaden the tomb as the last of the two savage tieflings is impaled by Mosk. Flicking back the chain mask revealing more tattoos idealising the war god Hextor covering his face as well. Mosk and Forge glance about "Which way now eh?" Mosk grumbles as he begins to rifle through the pockets of the dead. "Nice axe eh? Rich buggers, and a handy key?" he adds holding up a skeleton key with a stylised 6 armed head piece.
54gp
4 Potions of Cure light wounds
2 Potions of Shield of Faith
Skeleton key
2 Masterwork Great axes
Comp LongBow (+2)
Forge, Justen and Rosalyn stand in the centre silently looking at the 3 doors and spooky dark cathedral. "I don't like the of that water" Rosalyn mutters edging closer to Justen slightly. He pats her on the arm. "I do not think that is water" he murmurs his eyes noting the blood stains and what looks claw marks dragging towards the pool. "And doors marked with the symbols of Hextor and Vecna" he murmurs pointing at the West and North doors.
The rattling of the chain follows before Hear'Thalis and Luke join the party, both looking pleased at the dead tieflings, maybe Luke more so than Thalis. "Followers of the Tyrant then" she murmurs looking at the tattoos. "And a pool of some kind..." holding a hand near the surface she shivers. "Icy cold, I would not approach if I were you". The others look at her with a slightly bemused expression. Clearly none of them had any plans of entering the dark and obviously evil liquid. Scaling the curving stairway all the way to the 3rd level some 30ft above the pool as he explores Luke calls down "Looks like they throw people from here" before hefting up something else "Offerings I think, some coins and a vile statue of Erythnul." With a sneer he drops it into the pool that swallows up the idol, the thing sinking very slowly and slowly getting a layer of black ice coating it until its swallowed in darkness. At the casual loss of a valuable statue Mosk and Thalis catch each other's eyes and shake their heads sadly.
Bag with 100gp
"So..." Thalis begins "Which God shall we tackle first". The others pause before both Rosalyn and Luke unsurprisingly choose "Hextor", the dark brother of their own God. The party all nod in unison and move towards the door. Forge, Mosk and Luke readying to rush right in. Justen armed with the tiefling's bow, and Rosalyn and Haer'Thalis toting their crossbows hanging back slightly. Mosk glances at one of the potions recovered from the Tieflings and chugs it back, a dull blue glow emanating from his body.
Drinks potion of Shield of Faith
Forge approaches the door, one of the Tiefling's keys in hand as he opens the door... Light from the hearthfire and everburning lanterns spilling into the room. A dozen suits of armour, ranging from battered leathers to rusted and holed full plate line the walls of the chamber. The bleached white bones of human, dwarf and orc skeletons contrast with the bloodstained armour. The suits are carefully arranged as if the dead were preparing to march for war. Each suit has a mace hooked to it belt while bells of various sizes are tied to the long jangling tassles. As the double doors swing open and light spills in 8 of the suits rise to attack, the skeletons inside animated by fell magic, bells jingling as the creatures rise!
Init
Mosk [roll0]
Forge [roll1]
Justen [roll2]
Luke [roll3]
Thalis [roll4]
Rosalyn [roll5]
Skeletons [roll6]
The Rabble arrive in [roll7] rounds Init [roll8]
The guards from 4 arrive in [roll9] rounds Init [roll10]
At the sight of the skeletons the three clerics and Thalis all speak as one "bludgeon them!"
The skeletons move in, maces swinging as Mosk and Forge are brutally assailed by swinging blows of rusted metal... All of which amount to nothing! Forge hunkering down behind his shield and Mosk parrying with his claws.
Attack Forge [roll0] Dam [roll1]
Attack Forge [roll2] Dam [roll3]
Attack Forge [roll4] Dam [roll5]
Attack Mosk [roll6] Dam [roll7]
Attack Mosk [roll8] Dam [roll9]
Attack Mosk [roll10] Dam [roll11]
Even as the blows rain upon them the three clerics all join together, symbols of the Lightning Lord and the Lord of Sun glowing with blinding power as they wash over the skeletons...
Luke is first, the fires of Heironious washing over the skeletons consuming them utterly in flickering golden flames!
Luke turn check [roll12] for level
-- [roll13]
-- Flame damage [roll14]
EDIT: All cooked with exalted turning
Rosalyn turn check [roll15] for level
-- [roll16]
Justen turn check SUN [roll17] for level
-- [roll18]
The flames calming down the suits crash to the ground empty save for charred dust purified by fire. THe party surge into the room. All smiling at the smoke in the air... "Fear the powers of the holy orders" Justen mutters still clutching his holy symbol. "Well done Luke" Rosalyn praises loudly. Forge looks left and right and straight ahead, the widest passage straight ahead. "That way seems most logical?"
Even as he speaks the doors to the left and right burst open, another pair of tiefling guards to the right and a rabble of spear wielding fanatical cultists daubed with symbols of Hextor rushing out...
http://imageshack.com/a/img809/7958/glub.png
The party leap into the assault without hesitation! Mosk spinning on his feet and leaping towards the tieflings before they can even get out the narrow corridor! Claws flashing and slashing... the first tiefling is torn apart in a wave of savage splattering blood!
Charge tiefling
[roll0] damage [roll1]
[roll2] damage [roll3]
Luke darted forward using Forge and Justen as cover from the long spears of the cultists, as he spins forwards he twirls around with his cloak of fire whirling in the dance of combat as he lashes out at the cultist threatening Rosalyn the blow sending the man tumbling dead to the ground.
Attack [roll4] Damage [roll5]
Thalis gestures towards the room full of cultists, a curt word and a vast blanket of sleep inducing madness washing over the rear ranks of the cultists, 3 of them slipping into a stupor on the floor.
VS DC 15
Will 1 [roll6]
Will 2 [roll7]
Will 3 [roll8]
Will 4 [roll9]
Even as some of the enemy are slaughtered Roslayn levels her crossbow firing at the lead spearmen. With a dull thunk the bolt flies free before it pings off the wall...
Attack commoner in the door [roll0] damage [roll1]
The cultists of Hextor leap into action with furious focus. The tiefling stepping forward over the massacred remains of his partner. Swinging the great axe he tries to decapitate Mosk
5ft and attack Mosk [roll0] dam [roll1]
The small posse of cultists with spears all lash out stabbing and thrusting at Forge and Justen, the two at the back kicking and stamping on their two associates to wake them up, only one of them remaining asleep. The rest stabbing manically.
cultist 1 aid cultist 2 [roll2] VS 10
Cultists 2 stab Luke [roll3] (+4 if aid worked)
Spear damage on Luke [roll0]
The spear stabs into Luke before Forge lashes out with his spinning sword seeking to hack down the uppity cultist, as he does that Luke slams his fist forward twice to crush the man's skull!
Forge Attack [roll1] damage [roll2]
Luke Attack [roll3] damage [roll4]
Luke Attack [roll5] damage [roll6]
Justen slips forward ducking under a pair of long spear points before striking at the leading cultist coming up the narrow corridor, the energy of the blow seeking to draw in the injury and heal his friend Luke.
Crusader strike [roll7] damage [roll8]
Heal [roll9] to Luke
Even as they engage the first pair Thalis waves her hand once more, although this time her fingers crackle with flames as the three men recently awakened are engulfed by crackling red flames...
Fiery burst to get 3 at the back [roll10]
Ref DC 16
[roll11] on all 3
Even as she does that Roslayn steps forward behind Justen and using the cover her friend provides she gestures with a hand and a long searing whirling column of steam blasts down the corridor engulfing 4 of the cultists!
Jet of Steam [roll12] damage REF 14 for half
[roll13]
Even as the axe slams into his chest Mosk growls and hurls the axe aside lashing twice with the gleaming claws at the silent and rage filled Tiefling
Mosk [roll14] damage [roll15]
Mosk [roll16] damage [roll17]
With a great explosion of violence and carnage its all over... The tiefling's fire and the long column of searing steam tears apart the cultists, even as the two leading ones killed by sword and blade. The dying cultist healing most of Luke's wound. Only one of the cultist's lives, a sleeping one that is rendered unconscious and restrained with rags torn from his companions clothes. The tiefling is cut in half by the vengeful dwarf!
Warhammer coupdegrae for nonlethal ([roll0]) and then tied up for later arrest.
"A friendly welcome" Thalis mutters looking around at the piles of bodies, both undead and now dead that are piled up in the entryway. "They deserved what they got" Rosalyn adds looking with satisfaction at the carnage, luke nodding in agreement.
"Ma' shoulder stings a bit eh?" Mosk mutters slightly before Justen heads across to him. "Here, this guy has two of them." And hands up two curiative potions to Mosk who downs both with a slightly sour expression. Ale is better lad.
Luke walks into the room and glances around, "Just a small guard room. Nothing of note" he mutters before tossing a bag of coins to Forge.
Thalis glances around the other room shaking her head sadly at the rags and the blankets in the room "Rags and cultists, nothing else."
Tiefling loot
2 Cure light
2 Shield of Faith potions
54gp
20pp
Golden necklace worth 100gp
Mosk drinks 2 potions [roll1]
Looking up the corridor she mutters, further into the heart of the beast then?" All 5 nod and begin to move towards the northern tunnel...
The party pause looking at a mudsplattered door to the left, a heavy door to the right and a pair of massive ornate doors straight ahead carved with the likeness of the 6 armed tyrant!
The door to the left is wrapped with a large padlock and a faint smell of musty animal dung. Justen looks at the door and stands next to it with one of the skeleton keys. Mosk standing next to him.
Shall we?" asks Justen, the others nod, Thalis muttering the "better dead behind than alive that may ambush us."
With a clunk the padlock falls off and the doors swing open revealing the large room filled with filthy hay and large piles of dung. The lighting provided by a guttering red fires attached to a stone spike hanging from the ceiling. The beast within rises to its feet and charges!!
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090711182459/wowwiki/images/c/c3/Dire_boar.jpg
Initiative
Forge [roll0]
Justen [roll1]
Mosk [roll2]
Luke [roll3]
Thalis [roll4]
Roslayn [roll5]
Dire Piggy [roll6]
With a snarl the gigantic piggy leaps forward thrusting forward with its steel tipped snout horns. Brands of hextor burned into its flanks! It thunders into Justen like a massive tide of muscle and horn.
Charge Justen [roll0] Dam [roll1]
Even as Justen is rocked upon his feet the party attempt to respond with brutal fury, all of them swinging and chopping at the massive beast. Justen muttering "We should have left the door closed!". Swords and claws hack down from Justen, Mosk and Forge as Luke spits a vast gobbet of acid and Thalis and Roslayn strike with spells a vast pool of grease appearing under the piggy trying to topple the creature and a shimmering blade of force balanced on the other side of it stabbing at it.
Thalis Grease - [roll2] VS DC17
Roslayn Persistent blade [roll3] Dam [roll4] (flanking)
Luke [roll5] VS touch [roll6] acid damage
All following get +4 if it falls over
Justen stone bones or crusader if injured [roll7] dam [roll8] -- healing [roll9] or DR 5/adamantine
Mosk [roll10] Dam [roll11]
Mosk [roll12] Dam [roll13]
Forge [roll14] Dam [roll15]
Tiefling listen [roll16] VS 9
The pig is brutalised as it slips over collapsing onto the ground, Justen's shield battered and bruised by its impact but the man himself unhurt. The pig continues its assault on Justen even as blood pours out of its ravaged body... After the blow it struggles to its feet as the 3 heoroes batter at it once more...
Attack from prone [roll0] damage [roll1]
Justen AoO [roll2] dam [roll3]
Mosk AoO [roll4] dam [roll5]
Forge AoO [roll6] dam [roll7]
The blow tears into Justen with a horrific crushing sound, only his adamantine infused bones from his training stopping the blow being near mortal.
11 damage after DR
The pig however is brutally killed by the return attacks...
Roslayn looking at the injury and pressing her hand upon it as it starts to close...
Rosalyn casts Lesser Vigour hea l1
Barely a second passes after the death of the pig before the door behind everyone swings open and a pair of tiefling guards leap out of the door with their axes swinging! As on swings at Thalis the tielfing looks shocked for a second before vanishing in a puff of red smoke appearing on the other side of the wall of heavy melee fighters atop the still steaming body of the pig! The tiefling looking surprised...
The second one rumbles out and attacks Rosalyn while she still tends to Justen. Axe chopping down, this time the young girl not able to summon the magical power to duck out of the way. The tiefling shouting in harsh Infernal "TO ARMS, TO ARMS!" alarm bells beginning to sound deep within the complex.
Tiefling 1 - misses when Haer'Thalis abrupt jaunt's away
Tiefling 2 - Attacks Rosalyn [roll0] dam [roll1]
The party react angrily! Luke stepping up to the surprised one in a flurry of fists, Forge whipping around and lashing at the same one. Justen still bleeding leaps forward lashing at the one attacking Rosalyn, the crusader's strike trying to heal any damage and Mosk moving up, a claw trying to tear a head off!
Vs Tief 1
Luke flurry [roll2] dam [roll3]
flurry [roll4] dam [roll5]
-- Essentia to max in cloak of fire (3d6)
Forge [roll6] dam [roll7]
Vs Tief 2
Justen [roll8] dam [roll9]
- heal [roll10]
Mosk [roll11] dam [roll12]
Thalis and Rosalyn to go still
Thalis responds with a brutal flourish a ball of fire erupting behind the Tiefling and engulfing him in flame, he staggers about for a few seconds before toppling black in a writhing form masked by black smoke.
Ref [roll0] VS 15 [roll1] FIRE
Roslayn leans back avoiding the blow and lashes out with a sonic crackle of explosive air as she lashes out seeking to literally crush the tiefling's head, the snap of air crushing his skull and leaving the demon dead on the ground.
5ft step back
Sonic snap [4] damage
Will [roll2] VS 13 or deafened
Even as Justen's wounds heal the party can hear the shouts echoing from inside the massive complex. Doors being bolted and then newer shouts from the far side of the double doors...
Rifling through the pockets Mosk hurls the shield of faith potions to Luke and Justen. "Drink these, I'll be having this one. I reckon its going to get violent through there!"
Rosalyn casts shield of Faith 10/10
Mosk/Luke/Justen drinks Shield of Faith 10/10
Mosk - Toughen construct (+2 Nat armour) 40 mins
Mosk - Shield of Faith +2 deflect 40/40
Thalis - Shield on self 30/30
Thalis - Enlarge Person on Mosk 40/40
Justen/Roslayn - Divine Vigour (6hp/ 10ft speed)
Prepared for war the party burst into the main chamber - a TRAP! The long chamber is surrounded on all sides by a balcony perched twenty feet above the floor, torches of red light lining the balcony lighting the dim area. In front the balcony houses a large viewing box with a sloped floor and ostentatious chairs. A huge stone statue of the 6-armed god clutching weapons stands in the centre of the chamber a fist sized ruby affixed to it head. A thick layer of blood stained sand covers the floor and the walls are all decorated with red tapestries of the fist of Hextor clutching 6 barbed arrows.
As you burst in you can see a row of watching Hextor cultists waiting for you, the doors behind clicking shut with a dreadful finality. The high priest looks down at you from his throne, garbed in black full plate every inch the high priest of the Tyrant. "You have defiled my temple. Now you can bleed your life away on the sands of his arena!"
http://home.comcast.net/~ransomp/aow/images/theldrick.jpg
To his side is another tiefling guard, bow clutched in hand already nocked with an arrow. Two more metal garbed clerics flank him, one a pale woman with thin scraped back black hair, and scars on her severe looking face. The other is a hulking half orc Brute!
Finally positioned halfway down each long side of the temple stands a large partially decomposed tiefling zombie...
Initiative EVIL [roll0]
Forge [roll1]
Justen [roll2]
Rosalyn [roll3]
Thalis [roll4]
Luke [roll5]
Mosk [roll6]
The evil clerics looking down at the party smile cruel and evil smiles and begin dark prayers to Hextor as they begin to invoke magics to hurl down upon the party!
Evil has 3 rounds buffing
Garras: Drinks potions Blur, Bulls Strength and Shield of Faith
- 20% Miss chance, +2 hit/+2 damage, +2 AC (AC 20)
Kendra: casts protection from Good
- +2 AC vs most of the party (AC21)
Tiefling: Drinks Shield of Faith potion
- +2 AC (AC 19)
Theldrik: Potion protection from arrows, Aid [roll0] Hps, Divine favour +2 hit/dam
The two zombies stand there waiting any of the party to try and scale the walls, the tiefling beside Theldrik choosing the flaming but visibly unarmoured Luke to shoot with his bow
Shoot Luke [roll1] Damage [roll2]
All 3 of the clerics begin to turn to magic! The blurred Half-Orc drawing a potion from his belt pouch and swigging it down as is green scaly skin hardens and crisps further. His female companion pointing towards the party as a massive wall of gloom settles over them all as a web of bane curses them with Hextor's wrath. Theldrik himself miutters in infernal as flames in a pentragam begin to appear on the floor as he begins a summoning...
Garras: Drink Barkskin AC --> 22
Kendra: Casts Bane DC14
Justen Will [roll3]
Thalis Will [roll4]
Forge Will [roll5]
Rosalyn Will [roll6]
Luke Will [roll7]
Mosk Will [roll8]
Theldrik: Begin summon III (Fiendish ape)
Even as the bane sweeps over the party they leap into action. Mosk pulling forth a potion of Jump from his beltpouch and quaffing it before taking a few steps and hurling himself up towards the balcony edge, his massive reach and now 9ft tall body able to reach the lip and then pull himself over it!
Drink potion of Jump, move and leap! [roll9]
Thalis curses as the magic falls around her and also begins summoning, spectral celestial creatures beginning to appear atop the balcony beside the dark clerics. Rosalyn is far more direct in her application of violence, bolts of golden light streaking from her hands slamming into the high priest while he is still occupied with summoning his own monster...
Thalis - begins Summon II
Rosalyn - Magic missile Theldrik [roll10]
- Concentration [roll11] VS 18+damage
Luke rolls forward darting across the floor of the chamber, eyes locked upon Kendra before he spits a gobbet of dark acid at her!
Dissolving spittle [roll12] VS touch Damage [roll13] acid
Justen stands in the centre of the room staring darkly at the forces of evil arrayed around him before with a chopping motion an enormous glowing golden mace appears beside Theldrik and begins to assault him.
Cast Spiritual weapon - attack Theldrik
[roll14] damage [roll15]
Finally Forge embraces his infusions charging his armoured body with magical energy before...
Casting infusion for Aporter armour
Use rapid infusion to speed it up to 1 round
The battle explodes, a wave of dark energy settling into Thalis, Mosk and Forge. The magic of Theldrik disturbed by the pair of missiles slamming into him fizzles going nowhere. But ignoring the golden mace bouncing off his form. Beside him Kendra, the female cleric screams as acid sears her body brutally!
Mosk leaps up onto the balcony like some sort of horrid long clawed bearded simian, Forge's armoured form glittering dangerously. Theldrik points at the Tiefling screaming "Stop her!"
One of the zombies charges at Mosk, the long arms slashing at it as it runs in head butting and slamming at the dwarf. The second zombie moving around to support the other.
AoO [roll0] dam [roll1]
Trog [roll2] dam [roll3]
Garras the half-Orc roars a challenge and hurtles at Mosk, the massive dwarf unable to strike, claws tangled in the zombie's body. Garras swings the heavy flail with bonecrushing force, Mosk reeling slightly from the double impacts!
Garras charges SMITE! Mosk [roll4] Dam [roll5]
The Tiefling lets fly an arrow at Thalis who hops 10ft to stand directly behind the statue as the arrow flies wide...
Tielfing shoots arrow, Abrupt Jaunt to behind statue for safety.
Kendra screams as she burns from the spittle. Reaching down she touches her holy symbol and a wave of hate and malice envelops Luke... but he resists the dark magic.
Cause fear on Luke
Will [roll6] VS DC14 or flee for [roll7] rounds
Theldrik curses about losing concentration and opens his hand releasing a bolt of dark nightmare energy at Roslayn, although not stunned by the magics she topples to the ground blasted and flesh seared by the wave of dark freezing energy!
Darkbolt [roll8] Damage [roll9]
Fort [roll10] VS DC 15 or stunned for one round
- reduces her to 0 HPS!
Rosalyn shrieks slighty, even as she sways Justen holds up his symbol, a warding shield surrounding Roslayn ablating some of the damage. Justen continues the assault the golden mace continuing to pound at Theldrik...
He begins to summon as well, a large golden creature beginning to form near Theldrik
Immediate Invest [roll0]
- Because of Divine Vigour actually at 6 HP!
Spiritual weapon [roll1] damage [roll2]
Rosalyn staggers back, flesh burned by the darkbolt as she once again motions up towards Theldrik, another pair of magic missiles streaking towards him slamming into him.
Magic missiles [roll3]
Thalis seeing the wounded Kendra summons a glowing hive of giant dog sized silver fire beetles that all appear around the woman smiting her with tiny jaws.
[roll4] beetles
attack [roll5] damage [roll6]
attack flank [roll7] damage [roll8]
attack other [roll9] damage [roll10]
Forge touches the armour briefly before shimminering and vanishing fomr sight, appearing seconds later spinning sword in hand behind Theldrick on his throne!
Activate Aporter armour
Luke points towards the pair of zombies and holds aloft his holy symbol seeking to burn them from existence...
Turn check [roll11]
Turn damage [roll12] + [roll13] fire
Finally Mosk roars in rage, releasing the inner beast from within and leaps to attack the massive half orc with huge slashing rends of his claws.
Rage and attack the orc
[roll14] damage [roll15]
[roll16] damage [roll17]
[roll18] damage [roll19]
Thalis looks up at Theldrik a look of annoyance on her face before she gestures with her hand a cloud of wispy white clouds settle around Kendra and the tiefling as they both ready to fall asleep!
- and seconds later both topple to the ground with peaceful closed eyes... The beetles looking hungrily at the sleeping woman.
Thalis casts sleep
Tiefling [roll0] VS 16
Kendra [roll1] VS 16
Theldrik looks concerned as the Tiefling and Kendra drop to the floor asleep near by to him. Kendra surrounded by the gnashing teeth of the beetles that all seem to be eyeing up her exposed neck and clicking their pincers! The hulking warforged appearing behind him did not help, neither did the pair of missiles that slammed into his chest! Spinning round he steps towards Forge and swings the heavy flail at the warforges's head.
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Garras and the zombie continue to pound at the massive Mosk, the other zombie reversing its course and hurling itself at Forge supporting its dark clerical master.
Garras Vs Mosk [roll2] Damage [roll3]
Zombie Vs Mosk [roll4] Damage [roll5]
Zombie charge Forge [roll6] Damage [roll7]
AoO with spinning sword [roll8] damage [roll9]
Forge w/vestment, toughen, shield of faith = AC 27!
The battle going well a large heavy set dog appears behind Theldrik to support Forge, Justen's glowing canine pouncing forward on the Hextorian cleric. Even as the dog appears he presses a fist against the symbol of Pelor upon his chest and speaks the holy words causing the room to flare with bright light that seeks to destroy the two zombies.
Attack [roll10] damage [roll11]
-- trip [roll12] VS [roll13]
Turn Undead [roll14] for level
-- Damage [roll15] for HD = SUN DOMAIN BOOM!
Mosk still incensed with fury pounds and rends at the injured Garras with fast brutal strikes of his giant long tearing claws.
Attack [roll16] damage [roll17]
Attack [roll18] damage [roll19]
Attack [roll20] damage [roll21]
Forge beset by the cleric just slashes at him, content that in a battle of attrition his adamantine plating and magically protected form will see him safe.
Attack theldrik [roll22] damage [roll23]
The zombies explode as sunlight bursts from Justen's holy symbol, seconds later Garras the half orc cleric is torn into shreds by the raging towering figure of Mosk. Theldrik looks about, the situation getting desperate as Rosalyn again looks up at him along with Luke and Thalis.
Luke waits patiently, just waiting to see what will happen next. Thalis directing the beetles to feast upon the sleeping Kendra - her scarred face torn to shreds by the glowing silver beetles that flense most the flesh off the top half of her body.
Treble coup de grae on the sleeping Kendra [roll0] damage!
The two women watch with satisfaction as Forge and Theldrik duel to a near standstill, Forge stabbing the cleric but the cleric unable to batter down the multiple layers of protective magic shielding the warforged. Still heavily injured Roslayn channels her magic into herself curing some of the damage caused by the bolt of blackness.
Cure light [roll1]
Thalis is less kind as she stares daggers at the hateful cleric. A simple wave of her hand as she lashes the cleric with magic seeking to daze and befuddle his mind.
Casts Daze Will save [roll2] VS DC15
Theldrik staggers sideways, now alone to fight the entire party of vengeful heroes! He swings his flail around seeking to crush Forge's skull.
Attack [roll0] dam [roll1]
Even as that happens Forge lashes out with the spinning sword seeking a weak point Theldrik's plate. As that happens Forge steps to the left waiting for the massive beast of a dwarf to arrive... Seconds later he does, Mosk rolling in a torrent of slashing claws and gore!
Forge Attack [roll2] dam [roll3]
Mosk [roll4] dam [roll5]
Mosk [roll6] dam [roll7]
Mosk [roll8] dam [roll9]
Justen, Luke, Rolsayn and Thalis just look on, smiling to themselves. Above them all the summoned animal all pounce upon the downed tiefling where no-one can see what happens!
Beetles [roll10] +11 Damage [roll11] x3
Dog [roll12] Damage [roll13]
Theldrik's flail slams into forge with a massive crunch although the magical buffers he had cast previously absorbed most of the impact. The blow distracts Forge and he misses and only 1 massive claw swipe from Mosk makes contact, the blow tearing a chunk out of him
Crit threat extra [roll1] fails to get 27
(4 Temp hps remaining)
Even as the summoned animal rip apart the Tiefling Roslayn looks up and sees how wounded Theldrik looks. A quick casting and another pair of golden missile streak upwards unerring striking the heavily injured cleric of Heironious's enemy
Magic missile again [roll2]
The missile end it. Both of them slamming into the man's chest shattering bone and tearing through muscle until he slumps dead to floor.
The party breathe a sigh of relief, ""It is done" Justen breathes as he and Luke settle to their haunches and rest. Justen rises and walks across to Rosalyn, a pair of touches from the Wand of lesser vigour healing her wounds.
The search of the Hextorian sections turn up many interesting things and much in the way of wealthy loot! Even as they loot Haer'Thalis is happy to see a scroll covered in magically concealed runes atop the dresser.
Forge and Mosk strip off the more valuable sections of loot piling up the armour and weapons by the door of the Temple in a pair of large sacks ready to transport back to town. Luke shaking his head sadly at their materialistic ways...
Forge searching for Traps
Temple:- Search [roll]1d20+14 VS 26 disable 1d20+10 VS 26
- Will 1d20+4 VS 11 for half of 1d8+1
Potions: Shield of Faith, Cure Light x4,
Scroll: Silence, Sound burst, Bulls Strength, Spiritual Weapon, Dispel Magic
Wand: Cure Light (41), Enlarge Person (42)
Pearl of Power 1st
Ring of Protection +1
Full Plate +1
2x Half Plate
2x MW Heavy Flail, 1 x MW greataxe
--unassigned
325gp
Jewelled Bracer (1000gp), Golden Chalice (250gp), Silver Dagger (150gp)
Gold and Jewelled Dwarf (2400gp), Red Hextor Jewel (800gp)
The temple of Hextor having been thoroughly looted is abandoned Roslayn and Luke pleased to have destroyed their foe's stronghold. An assessment of the magical power of the group is agreed that everyone can carry one, fora while at least. With the wands and scrolls there should be enough resources.
"Vecna is a tricky on" Thalis mutters while the others nod and everyone moves towards the rough hewn natural looking caves that presumably must represent Erythnul. Thalis holing onto the high priest Theldrick's notes until she can study it at her leisure to break the code written into it.
As the party move forward into the darkness the everburning lantern, Hearthfire and a sunrod are all lit to provide some much needed light that spills into the tunnels ahead. Even though Haer'Thalis and Mosk do not require it. The narrow passageway winds through the natural crack in the bed rock for some distance before descending down a steep flight of natural rock stairs that opens out into a wide cavern with a high ceiling some 40ft above. A forest of stalagmites creeps up from the floor while long stalagtites hangs from the ceiling like stony fangs. The rocky formation blocks a lot of the view and in the torch light the far side of the cavern is not immediately obvious. The constant drip drip of ground water echoes strangely and puddles are scattered all over the rough uneven floor. "Spooky" mutters Rosalyn, Justen nodding in agreement.
The party enters slowly picking their carefully over the rough and broken ground....
Cave floors are difficult terrain, no charging, 5ft step and half speed
As they advance the first they know of trouble is a hail of stone tipped javelins hurtling out of the shadowy edges of their lights, The everburning and hearthfire lanterns the targets of two of them! The third just seeking to plunge into the glowing Luke's flaming cloak!
Javelins VS Justen
[roll0] damage [roll1]
[roll2] damage [roll3]
Javelin VS Luke
[roll4] damage [roll5]
Init
Forge [roll6]
Justen [roll7]
Mosk [roll8]
Rosalyn [roll9]
Thalis [roll10]
Luke [roll11]
Grimlocks [roll12]
http://mutantur.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/grimlock.png
The javelins bounce off armour harmlessly. But the grimlocks look ready to do battle in a most aggressive manner. Luke is the fastest to react, closing some 15ft towards the closest one and spitting a virulent ball of acid at the beast.
Touch [roll0] damage [roll1] acid 20% miss [roll2]
Even as that happens the two closest ones draw their stone morning stars and shields and close on Luke, the flaming cloak's brightness an affont to their sightless eyes.
The third one stays near the back poised to run and hurls another Javelin at the fragile looking Thalis... but the tiefling is far too cunning for that and appears 10ft further away behind a large stalagmite, the javelin going astray.
Attack Luke [roll3] dam [roll4] --- fire cloak [roll5] fire
Attack Luke [roll6] dam [roll7] --- fire cloak [roll8] fire
- Javelin at Thalis - Abrupt Jaunt out of the way (3/8 Jaunts used)
The one seared by acid swings but misses and the other shys away from the heat of Lukes flaming cloak. The third missing the tiefling.
Thalis, Justen and Rosalyn both reply at the third grimlock, crossbow bolts and arrows snapping in the dark cave...
Rosalyn [roll0] dam [roll1] miss [roll2]
Thalis [roll3] dam [roll4] miss [roll5]
Justen [roll6] dam [roll7] miss [roll]1d100[/roll
Mosk and Forge tramp forward towards the ones fighting Luke reaching them after scrabbling across the broken and treacherous ground as the grimlocks seem surprised by the arrival of a wall of ginger beard and adamantine...
Luke whirls around with his allies lashing out at the wounded beast.
Flurry [roll8] dam [roll9]
Flurry [roll10] dam [roll11]
The grimlock hiding at the back topples backwards pincushioned by bolts and a arrow. The two battling the others flail and miss and are missed by Luke in return.
Growling with rage they shout in their in own incomprehensible language they attack Mosk and Luke with great swings of the crude stone weapons that miss wildly or are deflected by the long incarnum claws.
attack Mosk [roll0] dam [roll1]
attack Luke [roll2] dam [roll3] -possible [roll4] fire
The three men engaged in the combat strike and attack hard, claws, fists and spinning swords slashing and punching towards the blind humanoids... Again its Mosk who strikes the hardest, each of the claws tearing the chest off each of the grimlocks in a torrent of ribs and blood.
Forge [roll5] dam [roll6]
Luke [roll7] dam [roll8]
Luke [roll9] dam [roll10]
Mosk [roll11] dam [roll12]
Mosk [roll13] dam [roll14]
Justen, Rosalyn and Thalis all move slowly forwards approaching the others, the two women reloading their crossbows carefully and Justen nocking another arrow. Rosalyn looking at the others "unpleasant beasts, I wonder if we will be meeting more of them in these caves." the others all look at her ad nod, eyes scanning the 60ft of light that the torches, sunrods and hearthfire provide...
The party runs forward ghosting down the windy tunnels and creeping along between the rock formations, Forge and Mosk joining the others in drawing out crossbows and bows leaving only Luke ready to spit his incarnate acid...
The corridor turns to reveal another room choked with rocky formations. Stalagmites and stalactites block the lines of sight ahead. Like the last chamber has a rough and rocky uneven floor. It slopes downwards and in the faintest edges of the light appears to drop away to "nothing"...... A vast cliff face dropping down to an unseen cavern below.
The party glance about but see nothing before suddenly with a strange whistle and then a barking howling in a terrifying manner with their skin pulled back to reveal veiny flesh a pair of krenshar burst out from behind a pair of stalactites and a fusillade of arrows flies out of the darkness to the other side...
http://educatedgamer.net/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_TFE5a_CavesofErythnul_28x23_cis.jpg
Grimlock kennel master to the left (30ft) (swap Skill focus/Weapon focus for PBS and Rapid shot)
2 Krenshar to the right (30ft)
They wait till you're about 15ft into the cavern (so ~30ft from the edge of the massive drop into the U-Shaped cave).
Kennel master goes for Luke
- [roll0] dam [roll1]
- [roll2] dam [roll3]
Krenshar 1 scare... DC13
Mosk [roll4]
Justen [roll5]
Forge [roll6]
Luke [roll7]
Rosalyn [roll8]
Thalis [roll9]
Krenshar 2 scare... DC13
Mosk [roll10]
Justen [roll11]
Forge [roll12]
Luke [roll13]
Rosalyn [roll14]
Thalis [roll15]
The krenshars howl echoes around the cavern giving a terrifying shiver of fear driving down into the depths of Thalis, Luke and Forge's spines. Even as that happens an arrow from the grimlock kennel master grazes Luke's arm leaving a thin trail of blood...
Thalis, Forge and Luke all flee away from the Krenshars... The two lightly armoured ones staggering to the edge of the cavern where in the light of Forge's sun rod they can see a massive cliff face dropping into darkness - the cliff face opposite some 40ft away. The cliff face studded with iron ladder rungs that may offer a retreat from the horrific beasts!
Rosalyn, shaken but not scared steps forward towards the krenshars and as she draws closer a great wave of fire explodes from her engulfing the beasts. burning both horrible creatures to ash in seconds as they writhe burning and melting upon the rocky floor.
Burning hands [roll0] DC 14
- Krenshar 1 [roll1]
- Krenshar 2 [roll2]
Justen and Mosk ignore the flames as they let fly at the Grimlock, Mosk's arrow slamming into the creatures chest, beneath his wolf skull helm the kennel master howls in rage!
Justen [roll3] dam [roll4]
Mosk [roll5] dam [roll6]
Thalis, Luke and Forge reach the edge of the ledge and stare down into the blackness below, the light of Forge glowing enough to show the iron spikes in the wall making a crude ladder and the cliff face opposite some 40ft across the cavern...
Back amidst the stalagmites the kennel master incensed with rage about the death of his hands rages forward, angry beyond belief as he throws the bow aside and races towards the "witch" who had burned his krenshar's to death. The axe slashing at Roslayn's head as she lets out a "Eek! Justen! as the blade skims past her slashing into her leg!
Kennel master move and attack Roslayn
[roll0] dam [roll1]
Even as he attacks she lunges forward with her own blade as she attempt to parry and riposte like Justen and her old masters in the academy taught "For Heironious".
Attack [roll2] dam [roll3]
Even as she lashes at him Justen and Mosk drop their bows and leap forward to support her... Justen leading the way, blade alighting with a golden light to try and guide Mosk's glittering incarnum claws! Angered by the blood leaking down Rosalyn's leg his blade hews into the grimlocks neck followed a second later by the claws eviscerating the beast as it topples sideways...
Justen Leading the way [roll4] dam [roll5]
- if it hits Mosk gets +4 to hit
Mosk [roll6] damage [roll7]
As everyone dies the party slow down. The three by the cliff face looking embarrassed, Luke in particular as he drops to a knee "Lord of Glory forgive my cowardice." Thalis far more practical looking at the cooked krenshar's with a shrug. "Nasty beasts. There are stairs leading down if we wish it?"
The others all nod and look down the cliff face towards the barely illuminated rough cave floor 60ft down. "Smells like a trap" Mosk grunts. "Half go down and then the rest follow."
Justen slings his shield and sheathes his sword as he Luke, and Thalis prepare to begin climbing down...
Unaware that on the ledge opposite a pair of Grimlock archers are taking aim!
As Thalis, Justen and Luke get about half way down Thalis points behind them. A narrow passageway on the other side is a hole in the dark leaving a way across without descending to the floor of the cavern. "Another way through maybe?" she asks. Luke shakes his head, "No way across, we'd best go down to the ground and then climb back up the other side, the ceiling is low so if someone gives me a boost I can reach the wall and get into that cavern"
Even as they speak the grimlock archers step out and surprise them with a fusliade of arrows from the the small ledge on the opposite side of the hole a mere 20ft away from their exposed backs! Justen's lantern and Luke's cloak of fire an easy target for the archers!
http://educatedgamer.net/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_TFE5b_Cavesof_Erythnul_29x24_cis.jpg
At 30ft down the ladder the grimlocks open fire!
Attack Luke [roll0] dam [roll1]
Attack Thalis [roll2] dam [roll3]
Attack Justen [roll4] dam [roll5]
Attack Luke [roll6] dam [roll7] - additional 10 damage then 13 from the fall reducing him to -19.
Luke is dead!
Initiatives
Thalis [roll8]
Justen [roll9]
Forge [roll10]
Luke [roll11]
Roslayn [roll12]
Mosk [roll13]
Grimlocks [roll14]
The arrows fly straight and true slamming into the people climbing down the narrow ladders. Thalis curses darkly in infernal as an arrow grazes her. Justen is lucky as the arrow buries itself in the shield on his back. Luke however is less lucky - a pair of arrows slamming into him. One hitting his shoulder, the other slamming in his back and erupting from his chest. He looks at Justen, eyes fliming over... "I'm sorr...." before he falls backwards landing with a thump amidst the rocks, the cloak of fire extinguishing as his incarnum soul is crushed... Justen and Roslayn howl in anger and Thalis closes her eyes briefly before spinning to stare at the archers on the opposite ledge...
As Luke's body falls and slams amidst the rocks Mosk howls in rage releasing the dwarven battle rage and sprints towards the edge hurling himself from the edge towards the archers on the opposite ledge!
Landing he rolls to his feet slashing wildly before his with third strike he literally tears the creature in half with a single blow...
Whirling frenzy! and charge the archers on the far ledge...
Jumping - [roll0] needing 15ft
- 20ft jump -5ft due to the 15ft height differential
Charging one of the archers
[roll1] dam [roll2]
[roll3] dam [roll4]
[roll5] dam [roll6]
Roslayn screams "By the Gods... Luke... NOOOOOO! before raising her hand and sending a ray of fire streaking towards one of the archers. Thalis joins in the pyrotechnic display - turning and gesturing with one hand summoning fire that coalseces around the one hit by fire bolt!! the survibing archer roars in pain as fire engulfs it nearly killing it!
Thalis Fire burst [roll7] Ref DC 16 [roll8]
Rosalyn Fire bolt [roll9] touch [roll10] damage
Justen looks down to his friend drops down to the ground beside him, trying to soften the landing but not caring overly as he tries to heal his friend. As the healing magic is rebuffed by Luke's now dead body he cries out "He is dead.. they have killed him". Rage building he whips free his longsword - then notices the small black tentacle creatures lurking on the floor that were approaching him now bathed in his lantern light. The chokers just coming out from under the narrow knob of rock.
Drops down taking [roll11] damage Jump [roll12] VS 10 to drop the first d6
Then goes to cure light on Luke [roll13] - rebuffed by Luke being dead he gives it himself.
Draws sword
As the others unleash furious flames or leap across the chasm Forge considers his move but can do more than begin to climb down slowly...
Climbs down 20ft
On the ledge the surviving archer spins around, still engulfed in flame as it levels its bow down at Thalis, its snarling face twisted in an evil grin as it looses a pair of crude stone tipped arrows.... both slamming into Thalis painfully as she cries out feeling weak from the blood pouring out of her body.
[roll0] dam [roll1]
[roll2] dam [roll3]
Behind Mosk there is a chittering sniffing sound as from the narrow passageway the feral looking muscled grimlock strides forward leaping out of the shadows, howling its releases its own fury slashing at Mosk with rusty blades but the blade is parried as the angry dwarf turns to face the raging grimlock
Move, rage and attack Mosk [roll4] dam [roll5]
On the floor of the cave the chokers bound forward, longs tentacle lashing out Justen from out his reach as the lash and flail at the angry cleric! Tentacles lash at him and soon he beaten and wrapped in their long leathery arms blood pouring from his wounds.
Both move to 10ft and then full attack
[roll6] dam [roll7] grapple [roll8] VS Justen's [roll9]
[roll10] dam [roll11] grapple [roll12] VS Justen's [roll13]
[roll14] dam [roll15] grapple [roll16] VS Justen's [roll17]
[roll18] dam [roll19] grapple [roll20] VS Justen's [roll21]
Forge continues to trapped on the cliff face unable to help anyone and with no ranged spells to help obliterate people and drops another 10ft down, though as he reaches Thalis he climbs around her shielding her from further arrows with his own metallic body. Thalis rests her head against the massive warforged as he shields her and directs her flames against the burned grimlock sniper.
Fiery burst [roll0] fire Ref [roll1] VS DC15 for half
18/25 on the archer
Justen attempts to break free from the Choker's grasp as they both try and crush the life out him. In the light of his torch Rosalyn can see him struggling and screams No justen... not you as well" and using the last of her powers hurls a pair of glowing missiles at the chokers, one of the beasts exploded in a gobbets of flesh and Justen tore the remaining one's tentacles off his arms and chest.
Grapple [roll2] VS Justen's [roll3]
*7 due to assist of 2 chokers
Magic missiles
[roll4]+[roll5] on choker 1 -- dead
[roll6]+[roll7] on choker 2 -- 5/16
Ignoring the flames and the screaming behind him Mosk spits at the raging feral grimlock before lurching forwards with massive sweeping and slicing claws! Blood spraying as he clashed the beast twice...
[roll8] dam [roll9]
[roll10] dam [roll11]
[roll12] dam [roll13] 18/54!
THe burning grimlock hoots loudly in the cavern as he launches another pair of arrows at Thalis, or at least the massive warforged guarding her. 10ft from the burnt creature the two ragers hack and slash at one another as the grimlock lashes at Mosk twice with her long daggers...
the two arrows bounce off the warforged doing nothing to his massive armoured body. The dagger wielded by the feral monster nicks Mosk who cares not for such petty damage.
[roll0] dam [roll1]
[roll2] dam [roll3]
- The hoot alerts the 3 grimlocks by the bridge who start advancing
Vs Mosk
[roll4] dam [roll5]
[roll6] dam [roll7]
On the ground the wounded choker flails and lashes and beats as Justen.. the injuries took much for Justen as the claws close on his throat tearing free in a welter of blood as he falls down spraying blood, the world going dark as his last view of Rosalyn wreathed in light fades away...
[roll8] dam [roll9]
[roll10] dam [roll11]
[roll12] dam [roll13]
-- drops Justen to -9!
Rosalyn screams as she sees Justen fall as well. Her two closest friends both dying in these horrific tunnels! "Forge, Thalis save him!" she shouts as she pulls out her crossbow firing down at the choker... the shot injuring the beast some more.
[roll0] dam [roll1]
-- 9/16 taken now
Thalis climbs closer to the ground - another vast plume of fire engulfing the resilient archer who contines to draw breath, beside her Forge drops to the ground pulling forth a potion from the downed Justen's belt and pouring the contents over the wounded cleric. The choker lashing and flailing at him as he does so to no effect.
The potion gives Justen a chance as he takes in a breath, the flow of blood slowing down.
Thalis [roll2] DC 15 or [roll]1d20+6[/roll[ for half
-- now up to 21/25
Forge [roll3] falling (jump [roll4] Vs DC10
- Potion of CLW [roll5]
Choker AoO[roll6] dam [roll7] Grapples [roll8] VS [roll9]
On the ledge the flurries of claws and knives continue as blood - dwarf and grimock begins to splatter on the walls and floor but after one claws pins the beast in place Mosk rips through it with the seconds and he tears into bloodied chunks before whirling to face the archer who looks worried scenting the grimlock blood on the air!
[roll10] dam [roll11]
[roll12] dam [roll13]
[roll14] dam [roll15]
The archer spins around firing a barrage of shots at Mosk from near point blank range as he steps around. Even as the archer pant hoots again summoning more help the 3 unseen grimlocks begin to navigate the rope bridge - the lead one entering the small horseshoe cavern where the feral one came from... Mosk barely flinches as one of the arrows punches into his arm!
[roll0] dam [roll1]
[roll2] dam [roll3]
On the ground floor of the dungeon the choker continues to try and assault the massive forged, long tentacles meeting the spinning swords... Grazes and sparks from the tentacles as it scraps across the massive robot.
Attack Forge
[roll4] dam [roll5]
[roll6] dam [roll7]
On the floor of the caverns Thalis gestures at the Choker engulfing it in flames as Forge lashes the beast with spinning sword still standing astride Justen and in front of Thalis with his vast bulk, the choker falling backwards smoking and charred...
Spinning sword [roll0] damage [roll1]
Thalis [roll2] Fire DC15 ref [roll3]
Atop the thin ledge Mosk hurls the arrow out of his arm, growling low in his chest as he leaps forward in a flurry slashing claws atop the wounded and scorched grimlock, the claws now drenched in grimlock blood as the bits of archer are kicked off the ledge.
[roll4] dam [roll5]
[roll6] dam [roll7]
[roll8] dam [roll9]
Even as the choker and the archer are brutally killed the 3 guard grimlocks pop out of the tunnel, the first out swinging an axe at Mosk's back, the other two lining the ridge and hurling javelins up at Roslayn and down at Forge... But all go wild!
Axe Mosk [roll0] dam [roll1]
Javelin Forge [roll2] dam [roll3]
Javelin Rosalyn [roll4] dam [roll5]
Down on the cavern floor Thalis moved forward and crouched in the warforge's shadow as she reaches into her pouch and pours another potion in Justen's many wounds. Forge pulls the wand of healing from the poor boy's belt and tries to activate that as well...
Even though the wand does not function the potion works and Justen breathes loudly opening his eyes and slowly sitting up as the blood dries and clots on his wounds...
Thalis feed justen a potion [roll0]
Forge draw Justen's wand and try and use it UMD [roll1] DC 20 and cure [roll2]
Rosalyn points her finger at the newest grimlock on the ledge, a razor thin beam of frost firing towards him that leaves the creature's arm hanging limp and frozen with black flesh.. Even as that happens Mosk looks to savage the one that had attacked him rending him in twain before stepping forward and slashing open another one that has a strange frozen black arm...
Roslayn ray of frost [roll3] touch [roll4] cold
Mosk
[roll5] dam [roll6]
[roll7] dam [roll8]
- if first 3 drop a grimlock then advance and use 3rd attack on the next one
[roll9] dam [roll10]
The remaining two grimlocks pound at Mosk with their axes as the dwarf howls and screams his battle rage at them!
[roll0] dam [roll1]
[roll2] dam [roll3]
Mosk retialates with a violent fury at both of them slashing manically! catching another one and tearing his arm off...
[roll4] dam [roll5]
[roll6] dam [roll7]
[roll8] dam [roll9]
With Mosk engaging them Rosalyn starts climbing down the cliff face while the two grimlocks are engulfed in flames from below from Thalis. Both of the grimlocks collapse down, crumpling dead and dying as they are burnt to char.
Forge standing a silent guard and Justen chanelling healing energy into himself as he slowly regains his wits...
Thalis [roll10] fire Ref saves [roll11]+4
Justen - lesser vigour on self
Rosalyn climb 30ft down
With everyone dead the party congregate at the bottom of the cavern, everyone bearing wounds and all standing around Luke's broken body. Roslayn the first to speak "He was like a brother", Justen nodding "He was my brother, in spirit if not in blood."
Thalis and Forge look at each other, Thalis speaking softly, "I am sorry. If I had not..." Mosk cuts her off "Enough lassie, he was brave, and a hero. If not here it would have been somewhere else. He died trying to save his home town. Plenty worse ways to go." Forge pats Luke's bloodstained hair, "Goodbye friend. My existence was enriched for having shared yours."
Looking around Thalis shakers her head again, "We are tired and we are bloodied and we of magical nature are running short of power. Shall we use the scroll that Allustan gave us, it will give us sanctuary - for a night at least." Everyone nods and then everyone climbs up to the narrow archer's ledge now piled with Grimlock bodies where Mosk fought. Moments later the rope trick springs into existence and the 5 of them clamber into the small "space" dragging Luke with them. Hidden in the corner of the ledge it is invisible to blindsight and sight alike. They begin the healing process as wands and spells are released to seal wounds. Forge elects to stand guard through the night whilst Justen and Rosalyn pray for Luke before tearfully drifting into troubled sleep.
Forge 2 repair lights [roll0]
Rosalyn - Lesser vigour wand for all 4 others
Loot!
Drow Ivory dice (300gp)
Gold Necklace with 4 rubies (200gp)
Potion Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace
242gp
Studded Leather +1
Wand Cure Light (34 charges)
Rest for 8 hours in the Rope Trick from the scroll.
LEVEL 4!
In the morning the Thalis motions to the others and they drop down the rope as the small dimension wavers and vanishes from sight and reality. They look at one another and Roslayn, Mosk and Justen carefully shroud Luke's body and leave him covered under a small cairn to collect on the way out. Rosalyn giving the cold forehead a light kiss - "Goodbye Luke. We will miss you." Mosk pats her on the back, wrapping her in his now shining cloak of golden feathers. "He were brave lassie and he will be avenged aye". Justen and Rosalyn nod and the party moves out winding through the narrow horseshoe cavern and upon finding a rickety looking rope bridge make their way across.
Morning Buffs
Mosk: Binds Llamasu Mantle, Wormtail Belt, Sphynx Claws, Dread Carapace and puts 1 essential into Cobalt Rage
Forge:
Magic Vestement +2 (5 hours in body),
Reinforce Construct [roll0] Temp HPs (5 hours)
Bane (Monstous humanoids) (50 minutes)
Thalis: Mage armour 1 hour
Moving stealthily they ghost up the passageway further into the grimlock caves and slowly enter a wide open cavern. The roof of the cavern glistens some twenty feet above the party and is traced with faint veins of iron ore. Barely ten feet to the east the cavern floor rises up into a steep 10ft tall scree slope... A pair of grimlocks with long stone tipped spears standing casually at the top of the slope...
http://home.comcast.net/~eberron/aow/GrimlockCavern.gif
Girding weapons the party move forward, ranged weapons ready to take out the two grimlock guards before they have time to even twitch. The three men all toting crossbows or bows and Rosalyn and Thalis readying a far more dangerous weapon; magic.
With a snap of bow strings the crossbows and long bows fire, Rosalyn hurling a burning meteorite, powered by her rage the meteorite blows the head clean off the left hand guard. The right hand guard filleted by the three missiles that slam into its chest pitching it down the steep slope...
Rosalyn Kelgore's Fire bolt [roll0] DC14 [roll1]
Forge shoots one [roll2] damage [roll3]
Justen shoots one [roll4] damage [roll5]
Mosk shoots one [roll6] damage [roll7]
Thalis sleep DC 16 [roll8] [roll9] - not required
Smiles all around the party as they scramble up the bank and have a choice of moving towards the left or the right, the left hand tunnel stinking with offal and death and the sounds of movement of a large number of creatures... The party all nod and ready to storm the grimlock chamber! Justen's muscles swelling as he takes the blessings of his God upon himself and Mosk swelling up to twice his height
Justen cast's Bull's Strength (4 minutes)
Thalis cast's enlarge person (4 minutes)
The party stride into the chamber weapons raised and vengeance in their eyes. The scent of rotting meat and offal fills the air thick enough to cut. Moldering furs, crude bedrolls and other signs of a campsite cover the floor of this large natural cavern. Spears and crude axes are piled the near the entrance to the left along with a disorganised stack of shields. Six grimlocks lounge in the chamber leaping to their feet as the party race in!!
Letting loose a roar of rage Mosk hurls himself at the nearest one tearing at the beast with his massive claws almost as long as a longsword blade each. The spinning sword of Forge lashing down as well as Justen races forward with his divine inspired speed lashing out with the sword...
Moving to the right Rosalyn holds forth her hands and a fountain of flame washes over 3 of the grimlocks, Thalis behind the young warmage points a finger and once more a corona of sleep falls upon them...
Prior to entrance - Rosalyn/ Justen "Divine Vigour" for +5ft speed, 8 temp HPs
Mosk - frenzy and charge
- attack [roll0] damage [roll1]
- attack [roll2] damage [roll3]
- attack [roll4] damage [roll5]
Forge Charge
- attack [roll6] damage [roll7]
Justen Charge
- attack [roll8] damage [roll9]
Rosalyn [roll10] Fire DC 14
- Ref saves [roll11][roll12][roll13]
Thalis
- Will saves DC16 [roll14] [roll15] [roll16]
Initiative
Forge [roll17]
Justen [roll18]
Roslayn [roll19]
Thalis [roll20]
Mosk [roll21]
Grimlock [roll22]
Chief arrives in [roll23] rounds
The three grimlocks assailed by the men are summarily butchered, in seconds their remains are chopped and slice into ribbons by the long claws of Mosk, the enchanted spinning sword of Forge and the divinely powered Justen!
Another of the grimlocks was scorched and blackened to a fine crisp by the burning hands before the remaining two succumbed to the sorcerous display the Tiefling and slumped sleeping to the ground, only to be dispatched seconds later by sweeping claws and spinning blades!!
Coup de Grae by Mosk and Forge
The arrival of the grimlock chief seconds later as they survey the scene of destruction takes them aback! The massive grey skinned brute, muscled body covered in brutal and ugly tattoos barrelling into the cave as Forge and Thalis move about searching for any hidden clues, seeing the massive Mosk the chief feels the insult to his pride strongly and launches himself at the still angry and raging Mosk in an all out assault with a massive Greataxe!
Grimlock chief "surprise"
- Rage and charge (P.Attack 3)! [roll0] damge [roll1]
Even as the axe flies Mosk responds faster, claws flashing in the torch light of the rancid cave as they seek to disembowel the massive grimlock chief... The grimlockhacking back with wild abandon as they duel to the death!
Mosk
Attack [roll2] damage [roll3]
Attack [roll4] damage [roll5]
Attack [roll6] damage [roll7]
Grimlock
Attack PA3 [roll8] damage [roll9]
Justen and Mosk respond more slowly both moving into flank the massive beast, both attacking with powerful chopping blows from spinning blade and longsword, Justen casting aside his shield to chop down with massive two-handed blows!
Forge and Justen move to flank
Forge [roll10] dam [roll11]
Justen [roll12] damage [roll13]
Thalis waits patiently for the outcome, a wave of her hand as she attempts to cloud the beast's mind. Rosalyn taking a more direct route as a pair of missiles slam into the chieftan's body with magical force.
Thalis Daze [roll14] DC15
Rosalyn magic missiles [roll15] damage
even as the chieftan's axe is parried twice by Mosk's glowing claws and shimmering golden cloak the party strikes and seconds later it is over as the massive grimlock chief falls backwards with claws and two swords impaling his body and deep impact craters from magic missiles. A whispered "For Luke" from Roslayn
As that happens Forge continues to search this chamber and the adjoining one where amidst a fire with a stew of hallucinogenic mushrooms they find the chief's treasury.
Loot!
4x 100gp rubies
380gp
Jewelled Drow statue (450gp)
Hewards Handy Haversack
Mithral +1 chain shirt
Mosk pulling off the Mithral chain shirt with a faint "Too good for the likes of you eh?" Forge far more interested in the haversack as he empties the jewels and gems into a side pocket and the spare armour into the main space. "A handy thing this, pounds of space with no apparent weight,"
Looking down the last tunnel Thalis motions - "That should just leave a high priest I would think. One we should remove as swiftly as possible"
Mosk and Justen both agree with each other and move forward taking the lead as Forge keeps close to Rosalyn and Thalis, the party moving swiftly down the dim corridors towards the third and final tunnel where they can faintly see a dim red glow and the sound of some slightly insane chanting.
The long passage through the rock winds down, deeper into the ground curving slowly inwards in a decreasing spiral. The air growing musty, stale and thick with the sickening smell of rotten flesh. Eventually it opens into a wide cavern that a little in front has a small natural stage some 10ft tall, the smoke from a fire clouding the top of it and 3 grimlocks with long stone tipped spears at its base.
The shadow on top of the stage moves and the smoke parts for a second giving you a glimpse of the insane grimlock priest, red hair and red runes cover his grey flesh and most horrifying are the unnatural eyeballs that have been sewn into his otherwise empty sockets. Clutching a symbol to the lord of slaughter he begins to summon his dark magics as the 3 grimlocks form a protective ring at the base of the plinth...
Party arrive some 25ft away from the plinth
Grimolocks [roll0]
Forge [roll1]
Justen [roll2]
Rosalyn [roll3]
Thalis [roll4]
Mosk [roll5]
Without a second's pause Mosk hurls himself forward, his unexpected speed catching the grimlcoks off guard as he enters a new frenzy of howling warcries and slashing claws - two of the guards shredded by the raging and howling dwarf!
Frenzy, charge 2 grimlocks
attack [roll0] damage [roll1]
attack [roll2] damage [roll3]
attack [roll4] damage [roll5]
Rosalyn moving up close behind him throws out her hands a pair of missile whistling through air before vanishing as a protective magic amulet absorbs the powerful attack!
Magic missiles, [roll6] absorbed by Brooch of Shielding
Graal, the crazed priest quickly summons a shimmering shield of warped air to protect him as his last follower steps back thrusting and stabbing at Mosk...
Attack [roll7] damage [roll8]
Attack [roll9] damage [roll10]
Attack [roll11] damage [roll12]
Even as Mosk tore apart two of the guards and Rosalyn's missiles were absorbed the rest of the party moved up to support their colleagues. Forge tramping ahead across the rubble, enhanced spinning sword slicing down towards the back of the grimlock's head as it tried to skewer Mosk
Forge walks and attacks [roll0] Damage [roll1]
As that battle is occurring both Thalis and Justen begin readying potent spells to rain down fury upon the crazed shaman. Thalis extending a hand and pointing with a mighty incantation as glowing glittering beetles begin to appear beside the shaman, Justen speaking the words of his faith as a large glowing golden sun mace appears beside the shaman raining blows upon him.
Justen:- Spiritual weapon [roll2] damage [roll3]
Thalis:- Summon II summoning [roll4] celestial giant beetles
- Smite Attack [roll5] damage [roll6]
- Smite Attack [roll7] damage [roll8]
- Smite Attack [roll9] damage [roll10]
* If I get two then they flank!
Back on the ground Mosk ignores the spear wielding grimlock regardless of its life or death at Forge's hands and scrambles up the slope, a long tearing claw slashing at the insane shaman
Attack [roll11] Damage [roll12]
And the grimlock's AoO if required [roll13] dam [roll14]
Rosalyn her first line of attack thwarted strides a little closer, this time here hands cupped before extending upwards and with a shout "For Luke" she unleashes a searing beam of burning hot fire at the shaman
Scorching Ray [roll15] touch for [roll16] damage
The last of grimlocks is felled by the whipping spinning sword leaving Mosk free to scramble up the slope to the shaman even as a glowing mace thumps him, a blast of red hot fire sears across his chest and a pair of glowing beetles appear on either side of him! He barks a whooping cry of fear as he sees he is insane, dead beholder eyes rolling in their sockets. As he becomes surrounded he backs up 5ft, seeking to stop the assault of the massive and angry raging mosk!
5ft step back from Mosk
Cast defensive [roll0] VS 21
- Hold Person on Mosk [roll1]
With more magical fire from Rosalyn, the gnawing attacks of the glowing beetles and floating golden mace from Justen and the brutal hacking claws of Mosk the grimlock barbarian is disapatced seconds later in a welter of blood and skin as he is buried under the attacks of the party. Mosk stamps on the corpse a good few times to make sure as Rosalyn and Justen share a significant look. "Luke would have been happy".
Thalis is far more prosaic as she clicks a finger and Forge joins her picking through the strange mushrooms and paraphenlia surrounding the insane cleric's stuff. A muttered, "Beholder eyes, wonder he got them?" from Thalis that gets a metallic creaking shrug from Forge. Behind a rock in the corner of the raised platform Forge pulls out a heavy sack that clinks in a good way. Mosk seeing it grins, "Excellent, well I'll raise a toast or two to the fallen boy with these pretty pennies eh?" While the tone is rough the sentiment is genuine and Justen nods in agreement with the crude dwarf.
Potion Cure light
Banded Mail +1
Brooch Shielding (70 charges)
500gp
Silver Lolth holy symbol 200gp
Pearl necklace 400gp
Rope of Climbing
Reading the scrolls picked out form the body Haer'Thalis shakes her head sadly. "Why can't prophets of evil write in conventional language." Shaking her head she studies it before continuing "A dark power grows in the pool of the Dark Cathedral. A champion of the Ebon Triad waiting to be born." - "Well that don't sound good" Mosk interjects.
"At last the will of the Ebon Triad will be done, the worm fall is upon us and with the Ebon Triad in ascendance the great Kyuss will return to end the Age of mortals and usher in the Age of Worms"
The loot is shared out, Mosk smiling at the rope that climbs by itself and Justen thanking Thalis as she cleans up the suit of enchanted banded mail to a fine polish. Looking around the decision is made to rest the night before they confront what horrors the Temple of Venca may hold. The silence filling the temple still a testament to the degree of mistrust between the 3 faces of the Ebon Triad still.
The night passes peacefully, all of the heroes getting some much needed sleep under the watchful and unblinking eyes of Forge. The hulking warforged sat silently watching everything and everyone as he stands guard musing on the what the Temple of Vecna may appear like. In the morning, or at least after everyone has had some sleep the party rouses. The hearthfire lantern being lit and the enchanted torch burning.
THe party troops back slowly through the grimlock caverns passing Luke's impromptu cairn where they al stop to pay their last respects before getting back up to the almost "airy" vaulted cathedral and the stone doorway leading into the Tomb of Vecna. Thalis looking about "She is a goddess of magic, knowledge and deceit, I would expect masters of the arcane and trickery." The others nod in agreement...
Forge: Magic vestment +2; Toughen construct +2 NA; Reinforce construct [roll0] temp HPs
Mosk: Sphynx claws, wormtail belt, dread carapace, llamasu mantle, Cobalt rage
Thalis: Mage armour
The maze is confusing with walls that look the same and passages of Vecna's books that shift and change every time you read them. As the party push through the maze, chalks marking the walls not helping as it seems like the walls themselves are shifting. As they reach a small open room the surrounding walls slide open and the spaces fill with a horde of beaked cloaked assassins wieding razor sharp knives! The kenku attack, as the wall opens beside Mosk, massive 5ft long sleek back weasels hissing and snapping.
The kenku boss hurls a massive fireball into the midst seconds before his minions attack, the fire assaulting the party in a brutal manner!
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/KHolbourn/AgeWorms/Vecna1.png
Kenku boss Necklace of fireballs
Vs Justen
aid top kenku [roll0]
Flanker 1 [roll1] (assuming aid+3) dam+sneak [roll2]
aid bottom kenku [roll3]
Flanker 2 [roll4] (assuming aid+3) dam+sneak [roll5]
Vs Mosk
Weasel [roll6] dam [roll7]
Weasel [roll8] dam [roll9]
Vs Forge
aid kenku [roll10]
Kenku attack [roll11] (assuming aid+3) dam+sneak [roll12] 25% fortification [roll13] (1 is good)
The attacks are fierce but the party is quick to act, all ducking under the worst of the fireball. Forge hisses in mechanical annoyance as a pair of force missiles punch through his armour.Justen shouts as a short sword stabs into his side and Mosk shouts angrily as the weasel sinks it's teeth into his leg!
Flames and knives and magic missiles lash the party aggressively. Justen soaking the damage and using it fuel his rage and anger at the enemy before he spins smashing at the foe to his left, mace trailing healing light and fire after Rosalyn's touch. Mosk, at the last second moves his leg out of the way, his wormtail belt absorbing the blow and the weasel's teeth unable to penetrate the purple scales on his leg. Grunting savagely he flies into a crazed frenzied rage howling at the beasts and frothing at the mouth as the claws and black carapace over his face shimmer and glow more fiercely! Forge is just as subtle smashing the lead kenku in the face as he lashes at it with his spinning sword. Hopefully stepping forward into the small clearing ahead!
Hear'Thalis looks about her, not liking the feel of being surrounded of the flames that suddenly struck her! Though at least her fiendish heritage warded the worst of that away. Following up Forge she stepped forward, a blaze of rainbow colour washing over most of the kenku in the forward room and one of their small casters
Rosalyn hisses at the flames surrounding her, touching a hand to Justen's mace, a whisper "Remember Luke" as the mace ignites sending flame washing over the kenku before she points her sword at the nearest Kenku channelling her anger into a great gout of flame washing over the kenku and the 3rd sheltering around the corner...
Justen crusader strike to left: [roll0] dam [roll1] + fire [roll2] heal [roll3]
Mosk Claws (PA for 1) Vs the weasels, third attack at Forge's kenku if the warforged misses
[roll4] dam [roll5]
[roll6] dam [roll7]
[roll8] dam [roll9]
Forge [roll10] dam [roll11]
Thalis: Step forward and colour spray (beguiler) 3 kenku, Sorc Kenku and Kenku boss Will DC 16
Boss [roll12] blind, stun [roll13] +1 round stun
Sorc [roll14] KO,blind,stun [roll15] rounds
Kenku [roll16] [roll17] [roll18] KO,blind,stun[roll19] rounds
Rosalyn:
Swift: Burning blade upon Justen
Std: Cast defensive [roll20] VS 15
--- Burning hands [roll21] DC 14 for half
- Kenku 1and 2 [roll22]
- Kenku 3 with +4 from cover [roll23]
Haer'thalis 19/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 20 / 60 minutes
Mosk 41 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Frenzy 1/7 rounds (+4 str, +2AC/ref, flurry)
Justen 23 (5 delayed) /33 Hps AC 21
Spells: none
Rosalyn 20 / 28 Hps AC 20
Spells: None
Forge 38+1/38Hps AC 25
Spells: Magic Vestment (10 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (10 / 50 minutes), Reinforce construct 14 / 15 Temp hps)
The party move into action with ferocious force. At the front Mosk lashes and savages the weasels, eventually catching one with his powerful claws and nearly killing it. Behind him Forge lashes the nearest kenku with the long spinning sword, the blade tearing through the small creature and allownig the Forged to advance over it body. Behind him Haer'Thalis steps up and opens her hand revealing a great corona of lights that dazzles and blinds the kenku, their leader blinded and stunned and two of the kenku dropping to the floor overcome by the display.
Justen smiles as his weapon ignites but cannot land the blow against the nimble Kenku, Rosalyn is more direct sending a great gout of flame down the corridor searing the flesh of three of the creatures that fall to the ground with the smell of burned feathers.
--
The pair of weasels leap up at Mosk, still eager to rend the dwarf limb from limb with their long teeth and sharp claws but both miss as the massive angry dwarf slashes at them or is protected by the thick purple scales.
By Rosalyn one of the vile little bird people pops around the corner, a vial of alchemist's fire in hand that she hurls at Rosalyn. The other two behind the thrower pull out their small vials and drink them, grinning skull masks descedning over their faces with Vecna's blessing. Roslayn screams as the burning liquid covers her setting alight her hair and clothes with alchemical fire...
At the front the remaining kenku sorcerer hisses angrily before gesturing towards Mosk shooting forth a great beam of dark strength sapping energy! The mighty warforged slowing down with dark energy surging through him.
The two beside Justen slash and hack at the young cleric, their friends behind them egging them on and trying to put the young cleric off! But his stout armour protects him from harm.
All dice rolls "X" from the OOC thread, post #35
Weasel 1 "9"+6 = 15 miss
Weasel 2 "2"+6 = 8 miss
Kenku bottom left group
lead- moves and throws alchemist fire "9"+6=15 hit.
-- Rosalyn takes 9 fire (Justen/Mosk take 1)
-- Ref DC15 or catch fire "10"+4 = 14... she's on fire!
Number 2+3 drink Shield of Faith potions (AC-->19)
Forge - Ray of enfeeble "9"+4 = 13 touch
"2" +2 = 4 strength damage
Kenku 1 "15"+1 (no assist with a "1")
Kenku 2 "12"+ 1 (no assist "4")
Forge hisses angrily stomping forwards across the body of the stunned kenku until he stands beside the vile little wizard, spinnng sword whipping and sawing at the creature nearly killing it. Behind Mosk hows and angrily tears at the two weasels with his massive claws!, the incarnum laced weapons tearing both of the weasels into bloody chunks of broken meat and fur.
Justen steps back leaning across to touch Rosalyn, healing energy flowing into her as he channels a spiritual weapon into pure healing energy for her. For her part she screams and drops to the floor rolling around to out out the flames. the flames extinguished and the burns melting under the soft glowing energy released by Justen.
Haer'Thalis seeing that Forge is surrounded by the sleeping and the stunned turns to face the kenku striking from the rear draws her crossbow and fires at the one that threw the fire at Rosalyn. The bolt striking true but only injuring the small beast.
Forge "10+ 5 =15 hit, "6"+1 =7 damage
Mosk (PA+1)
16+8=24 hit 7+10 =17
9+8 = 17 hit 6+10 = 16
17+8=25 hit 3+10 =13... very dead weasels
Justen - 5ft to Rosalyn: Cure moderate 14+5=19 healing
Rosalyn - drop and roll "20"+ lots so she is "out"
Haer'Thalis:- crossbow "16"+3 =19 hit, 3 damage
With the weasels dead, their leaders downed and the massive angry dwarf nearby the remaining 7 kenku flee. The sorcerer trying to tumble from under the spinning sword and failing abjectly only to be cut down without mercy. From then its only a matter of time as Mosk, Justen and Forge systematically crush the skulls of the stunned kenku and their leader killing them. Happy to have driven off the small chittering monsters. Forge is even happier as a couple of minutes later his strength returns as the chill leaves his adamantine frame. "Strange creatures. Better now for being dead" The warforged mutters. At the back Justen and Rosalyn share a happy look and quick hug, "Thank you." she mutters to the embarassed cleric, grateful that she bears no burns. Seeing Justen's injuries she channels some of her own divine power into him, his wounds slowly healing. Then both Mosk and Justen drink one of the minty fresh potions that both of them bear to heal some more wounds from the firebally.
Edifyingly the creatures are a treasure trove of loot and riches that the party is only to happy to seize upon. Forge looking at the alchemical gear with a smile "It is well made", Mosk snorting, "It still ain't dwarf craft".
Hear'Thalis is the happiest as she dons the necklace with two golden orbs and picks up a wand tipped with a purple stone. Tossing a second towards Roslayn who nods her thanks.
Ros: lesser vigour on Justen
Justen: Drink Cure light 5 hps
Mosk: Drink cure light 6 hps
LOOT!
Alchemist Fire (5) ---> Forge
Potion [Shield of Faith] x5 --> 1 per person
Sunrods x10 --> 2 per person
Necklace Fireballs (DC 14, 2x3d6 fireballs) --> Haer'Thalis
Elixir [Hiding, Sneaking, Vision] --> Forge
Wand Magic Missile (CL3rd. 17 charges)x2 --> Haer'Thalis, Roalsyn
Exploring the rest of the maze takes another 20 minutes before Forge with careful examaination and alerted by a "that don't look right" from Mosk find the secret door that opens up into the sanctum of Vecna beyond the maze! Stepping through the party are confronted by the hall of Vecna in all it dark glory. Haer'Thalis eager to see what magical treasures can be plundered. Roslayn and Justen both shaking with dread premonitions. The ten foot wide passage is held up by thin pillars in the centre of the corridor with straneg undulating green patterns that wriggle and writhe. The walls and floor are covered with bone white tiles that bulge with irregular lumps and bumps.
Haer'thalis 19/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes
Mosk 46 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Justen 33 /33 Hps AC 21
Spells: none
Rosalyn 28 / 28 Hps AC 20
Spells: None
Forge 38+1/38Hps AC 25
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes), Reinforce construct 14 / 15 Temp hps)
The ten foot wide passage is held up by thin pillars in the centre of the corridor with straneg undulating green patterns that wriggle and writhe. The walls and floor are covered with bone white tiles that bulge with irregular lumps and bumps.
Seeing the strange swirling pillars and bulging walls Forge grumbles quietly Intriguing. An interesting design expressed by the priest hood of Vecna". As the warforge trundles forwards Thalis speaks quietly, somewhat hushed by the oppressive feel of the place. have a care Master Forge. Vecna's magics are mysterious and dark. I would be wary lest I ensnared myself by mistake" Both Justen and Rosalyn just shiver slightly with the oppressive feel of the place.
Mosk ignoring all of that trudges forward, moving around each pillar giving them a wide berth as he moves right. ="darkorange"] Smells funny around here, and funny lights. Must be the main temple." With that said he looks at the others as all of the casters begin to ready spells and enchantments upon themselves and their equipment. Both Rosalyn and Justen offering brief prayers to Raziel and Pelor respectively as holy power suffuses their body. Seconds later they begin to cast other brief spells to boost themselves. Even as the party begin to enchant and enhance themselves the walls themselevs hiss, the bulges opening to reveal bloodshot eyes that stare at the casters, faint magical energy flowing along the walls to alert those within the Temple. Damn. is all Thalis has to say. Seconds later the spell completes as she uses her wand to enlarge Mosk before turning the wand upon Forge as well. A giant robot and giant clawed dwarf now leading the way. Sounds of running and shouts can faintly be heard as whatever has alerted the defenders has made them aggressive! Even as they expand she draws the golden wand of magic missiles and summons a shield of force. Around Thalis the rest of them all summoned protective magics, potions being drunk and other protective magics being prepared...
Rushing around the corner as one group they burst out into the main temple of Vecna, the heart of the complex and the maze. An acrid almost metallic stench fills the air of this chamber. the walls a strange green rock with purple veins pulsing softly and writing. Six pillars of strange black stone hold up the domed roof, the pillars with a strange tarry black appearance with what looks like human hands trying to push out. A plain basalt block with a knife and goblet of blood standing upon it.
In the chamber arrayed in a line against you are the small horde of surviving Kenku's, crossbows clutched in their feathered hands. Behind them a shadowy form descends from the stone itself as the Allip hoves into view. A pair of human cultists of Vecna, thin stringy men with purple robes both clutching thin strips of vellum paper with magical writing! The battle is joined...
Thalis
- enlarge person on Mosk/ Forge
- Shield on self, draw Wand Magic Missile
Forge
- Enlarged
- Potion Shield of faith
Mosk
- Enlarged
Justen
- Divine Vigour (+8hps, +5ft speed)
- Bless
- Shield of faith
Rosalyn
- Divine vigour (+8hps, +5ft speed)
- Shield of Faith
The giant Mosk is the first to react, a mighty bellow and a roar as he enters a blood mad frenzy and bounds forward, claws outstretched for the nearest Kenku's blue incarnate energy chasing him, claws oustretched and ripping 3 of the surviving 8 kenku into bloody shreds in his massive fury!
Roslayn recognising the allip shouts a warning Beware the undead shadow, its touch and sound can sap your mind before gesturing with a hand as a pair of golden missiles fly forth, holy energy channelled into the attack! THe shadowy creature nearly dispelled by the attack. Realising that the undead shadowy beast is the greatest threat Thalis copies Roslayn, raising the purple gem tipped wand and sending a pair of magic missiles at the monster. The magical forces dispersing the last of creatures fell presence...
-All dice rolls in OOC post #36
Mosk, FRENZY, charge kenku
Attack +11, dam 2d6+10
-- 9+11 =20 hit = 14 dam
-- 19+11=30 hit = 16 dam
-- 20+6 (13+6=19) = crit! = 38 dam
Rosalyn - Purified magic missile (lvl2 slot)
2d6+5, +2d6 bane magic = 18+5 damage = 23!
Thalis- magic missile wand 5+3 damage = 8 (29 total)
The 5 surviving kenku raise their cross bows and release a hail of shots at the attacking heroes. Some stepping out of the monster Mosk's grasp, 3 shooting at him and 2 more splitting shots between Forge and Justen, but all the shots hammer into armour or go wide hitting the strange purple walls were the bolts are disintegrated in a fizzles of dark energy.
The two cultists Hiss angrily as they begin to into words of dark magic. The first gesturing as the scroll turns to ash a bolt of dark energy streaks at Mosk burnig his flesh but barely slowing down the massive frenzied creature he had become. the other cultist begins to read from his paper as bones extrude from the walls and the ceiling slowly forming a massive monstrous bony mass...
Kenku - attack at +5
8+5, 12+5, 16+5 = 11, 17, 21 - all miss Mosk
9+5 = 14 miss Justen
1+5 = 6 miss Forge
Cultists 1 - caster level check DC 3 = 12+2 = 14
- Darkbolt at Mosk: hit 17+3 = 20 touch, HIt
-- 10 evil damage Fort "13"+10 = 23 DC 15 to not be stunned
Cultist 2 - caster level check 8+2 DC5
-- Begin to Cast Summon Undead 3 for a troll skeleton (1 round casting)
Justen and Forge looks less than happy about this! Justen springing forward, the divine vigour in his step as he runs up to screen of Kenku, quickened by the power of faith he swings quickly with his mace seeking to undo some of Mosk's wounds, the blow cracking one of their skulls, healing energy restoring most of Mosk's wound. Forge does likewise,moving into the room until he stands by the kenku but the with his massive reach and long spinning blade he lashes at the enemy mage, the blow almost killing him as he expends his last magical energy to keep on his feet and maintain the summoning spell...
Justen - walk up and crusader strike a Kenku
- attack 10+7 = 17 hit!
-- 1d8(6)+2 = 8 damage = dead
-- crusader srtike + martial spirit stance = 1d6(4)+4 = 8 healed on Mosk
Forge
- Move up to kenku, 20ft reach whip the Cult mage
-- Attack 9 + 8 = 17 hit, dam 2d6(6)+4 =10 (now on 0Hp)
-- Concentration (19)+7 = 26 = pass!
End of Round 1
Mosk still filled with rage and anger steps forward, long claws reaching for the last of kenku! Slashing left and right with brutal abandon he barely slows down as his arms and beard become soaked in blood... 2 more of the small creatures ripped asunder by the raging dwarf!
Rosalyn stride forward like an avenging queen to near the last Kenku, before simply pointing at the creature releasing a great beam of fire that zaps the creature searing it the bones leaving nothing but a smear of ash.
Thalis casually gestures again with the wand, not even deigning to use her own powers on the dying mage. Even as the troll skeleton begins to take shape the pair of missiles slam into him blowing bloody chunks out of his body as he falls, the skeleton collapsing into a heap of bones, the spell not quite finished.
Mosk attack remaining 3 kenku
"10"+10 = 20 hits, 18 damage kills
"13"+10 = 23 hits, 19 damage kills
"1"+5 = MISS
Rosalyn
- Kelgore's fire bolt. "11"+8 = 19 touch
-- 4d6(16)+3 edge = 19 damage "scorch!"
Thalis - use wand= mage dies.
Haer'thalis 19/22 Hps AC 21
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes, Shield 4 minutes
Mosk 44 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 1/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Enlarged 4 minutes
Justen 33 /33 +8 Hps AC 23
Spells: Bless 4 minutes, Shield of faith 4 minutes
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 21
Spells: Shield of Faith
Forge 38+1/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes), Reinforce construct 14 / 15 Temp hps, Shield of Faith )
Even as the mage dies there is a vast ripple in the air beside the party behind the two giants leading from the front. A crackling of chitin as a huge gleaming red and black centipede appears in the centre of them all, the door to their right opening revealing the green robed and masked figure of a masked sorcerer along with a pair of lesser of cult spell slingers.
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/2e/bd/1f/2ebd1f206042c491befc14a07b841574.jpg
The lesser cultists open up with a barrage of spells. Both reading aloud from the scrolls clutched in their hands. The Faceless one himself having finished summoning the massive centipede casts out his hand as a vast and explosive blast of lightning sears through Forge, Mosk and Justen!
The lesser ones targeting Rosalyn and Thalis with a bolt of impenetrable darkness and a curse to remove Thalis's sight!
Faceless one: Mage armour, Shield, False life [roll0], Shield of faith +4
Cultist 1+2: Protec' arrows 10/magic, mage armour, Shield of faith +3
Centipede biting Mosk
- Smite bite [roll1] dam [roll2] + grapple [roll3]
poison [roll4] Dex DC 16 fort to save [roll5] grapple [roll6]
Faceless One lightning Bolt [roll7] DC 19
Forge [roll8]
Mosk [roll9]
Justne [roll10]
Blindness Vs Thalis [roll11] VS DC5 for scroll use
Fort DC14 [roll12]
Darkbolt VS Rosalyn
[roll13] range touch [roll14] damage
Fort DC [roll15] or stunned
Haer'thalis 19/22 Hps AC 21
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes, Shield 4 minutes
Mosk 44 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 1/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Enlarged 4 minutes
Justen 33 /33 +8 Hps AC 23
Spells: Bless 4 minutes, Shield of faith 4 minutes, Divine Vigour (8hps)
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 21
Spells: Shield of Faith, Divine vigour (8hps)
Forge 38+1/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes), Reinforce construct 14 / 15 Temp hps, Shield of Faith )
Haer'Thalis's iron will wards off the blindness as her return glare promises a painful vengeance on the cultist that so assailed her! The other cultist is equally ineffectual, the bolt of black energy streaking past Rosalyn deflected by her glowing yellow shield of faith. The centipede and Mosk grapple but the the thick belt of purple scales from a truly monstrous worm covering Mosk the dwarf emerges angry and unscathed!
The Faceless one is a powerful mage however, a vast blast of crackling lightning screaming into the shrine, only Mosk able to step out of the wa only get a minor scalding as the massive blast leaves both Justen and Forge burnt and steaming. Only the vigour from divine or magic means leaving them able to stand at all!
Mosk turns to face the centipde bearing his teeth before launching a brutal assault upon it with a flurry of massive claw strokes. Under the cover of Mosk butchering the centipede both Justen and Forge move sideways deeper into the chamber out of the line of fire. Both applying healing magic, one knitting flesh, one melding metal.
The two spell casters are far more brutal from their position standing in the doorway. Roslayn gesturing with sword as fire flows out from her streaking towards one of the cultists, the orb glowing pure white as she purifies the magic. Thalis begins mumbling as shimmering ghostly shapes begin to appear beside the enemy mages! All of the shimmering forms looking like red and black scaled demonic scorpions!
Mosk
Attack [roll0] dam [roll1]
Attack [roll2] dam [roll3]
Attack [roll4] dam [roll5]
Forge repair moderate [roll6]
Justen cure moderate [roll7]
Rosalyn Purify kelgore firebolt [roll8]
Thalis summon [roll9] fiendish medium scorpions beside cultists and Faceless One
Haer'thalis 19/22 Hps AC 21
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes, Shield 4 minutes
Mosk 30 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 1/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Enlarged 4 minutes
Justen 25 /33 +8 Hps AC 23
Spells: Bless 4 minutes, Shield of faith 4 minutes, Divine Vigour
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 21
Spells: Shield of Faith, Divine vigour (8hps)
Forge 24/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes), Shield of Faith )
The centipede lasts seconds, fragments of the fiendish vermin scattering as the giant dwarf rips though it. The cultist blasted by Rosalyn screams briefly as he is engulfed in white fire that consumes his bone and leaves him as an ash outline on the floor.
The faceless one hisses, eyes flashing at Thalia as he sees the shimmering shapes appearing beside him. Pulling out a scroll he reads and a vast crackling cone of fire washes over the two women and Mosk! Mosk rolls out the and Thalis let's her infernal heritage absorb the flames, her mind holding the spell. Rosalyn is lucky as flames wash over her, the divine prayers (vigour) taking the sting out the flames.
The lesser cultist gestures at Rosalyn speaking quiet hisses as Rosalyn begins to feel sleepy before her iron will kicks in and fire crackles around her promising vengeance!
Blast flame scroll [roll0] DC 14 half
Rosalyn [roll1]
Thalis [roll2] resist 5 concentrate [roll3]
Mosk [roll4]
Rosalyn will DC14 [roll5]
Haer'thalis 17/22 Hps AC 21
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes, Shield 4 minutes
Mosk 23 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 3/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Enlarged 4 minutes
Justen 25 /33 +8 Hps AC 23
Spells: Bless 4 minutes, Shield of faith 4 minutes, Divine Vigour
Rosalyn 21 / 28 +8 Hps AC 21
Spells: Shield of Faith,
Forge 24/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes), Shield of Faith )
The two centipedes materialise beside the faceless one and immediately pounce upon him in a hail of snapping claws and stabbing tails. Both Justen and Roslayn wincing at their dark red colouration! As the scorpions move in Mosk bounds forward like a massive predatory beast, claws eagerly oustretched to the Master mage that has rules this infernal maze, his slightly singed hide still showered in blood from the kenku and centipede. Behind the whip chains sword of Forge lashes down form 20ft away slashing at the cultist as Justen moves up behind Mosk healing the dwarves wounds. Thalis grins a bright smile as she points the wand at the cultist, Roslayn doing the same, both happy to leave the Faceless master to the mighty Mosk and the cultist screams as 4 brilliant scarlet missiles slam into him!
Mosk - charge the Faceless one!
[roll0] dam [roll1]
[roll2] dam [roll3]
[roll4] dam [roll5]
Scorpions east the Faceless one (augment and flank)
Claws [roll6] dam [roll7] grapple [roll8] Vs [roll9]
Claws [roll10] dam [roll11] grapple [roll12] Vs [roll13]
Claws [roll14] dam [roll15] grapple [roll16] Vs [roll17]
Claws [roll18] dam [roll19] grapple [roll20] Vs [roll21]
Stinger [roll22] dam [roll23] Fort DC 13 [roll24] or [roll25] CON
Stinger [roll26] dam [roll27] Fort DC 13 [roll28] or [roll29] CON
giant Forge on the cultist [roll30] dam [roll31]
Justen converting bless weapon to cure moderate [roll32] on Mosk
Thalis and Roslayn unleashing magic missile flurry [roll33]
THe faceless one is hacked down, the pair of scorpions pinching and tearing strips of flesh form his arms before the massive claws of Mosk arrive and in a blind fury the huge dwarf eviscerates the mage, no magic a match for the force of a power of a raging 10ft tall dwarf totemist with 3ft long claws! The green robe sheeting red and soaked in blood. The culstist does not last much longer as he ducks the spinning sword before blasted backwards with 4 smoking holes in his chest form the magic missiles that abuse him.
As the silence descends Mosk calms down looking at the body at his feet before pulling off the strange albino head and holding it aloft in triumph, a faint shimmer of something dark being sucked away a hint possibly of trouble to come. Before the party splits up to begin exploring Roslayn taps everyone with her wand of healing, wounds closing rapidly as they heal the wounds the dark magic had wrought. Forge simply infusing his metallic form with magical power as the damage wrought is undone and the black adamantine gleams once more. "Thank Pelor's light" Justen whispers happily as the wizard dies. Thalis more prosaic waving a hand, "Spread out we should find his laboratory...". A task that takes mere seconds as its found just beyond where has fallen. A pot of something bubbling nastily that Forge mutely shakes hi head at. "Alchemy of the darkest sort. We will leave it to cool and then we can purge this place with fire." The last spoken of with a nod to some of the bottles o the packed shelves.
Forge gets 4+9 =9 HPs back
Everyone else gets 11
LOOT!
Scroll [Summon monster III, scorching ray]
Potions [Cure light x4, Fox's cunning, Gaseous form, Protection from arrows]
Bracers of Armour +1 sell pot
Lesser Rod of extend! Forge
Heavy steel shield +1 of Blinding Justen
Cloak of Charisma +2 Roslayn
Six garnets (50gp each)
340gp
Spellbook --> Haer'Thalis
1st: Ray enfeeble, Exped retreat, Identify, chill touch, magic missile, mage armour, shield
2nd: False life, flaming sphere, web, touch of idiocy
3rd: lightning bolt, Summon III, halt undead, Fireball
Spellbook x4 cultist @ 500gp each to sell
1st: Burning hands, colour spray, cause fear, disguise self, shocking grasp
As the others loot Thalis studies the papers a worrying look on her face as she reads out the tales of woe and doom that are soon to come the worlds if the prophecies of the evil temples are to be believed.
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/KHolbourn/AgeWorms/facelessnote.png
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/KHolbourn/AgeWorms/facelessnote2.png
Rosalyn leans in against Justen for comfort. What does it mean?" Justen shrugs whispering back quietly "I do not know but we have our faith and our comrades to help where we can?". Before they leave, now weighed down with the loot of 3 evil temples Mosk grins. "Now me lovely, now we drinks!!
Haer'thalis 22/22 Hps AC 21
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes,
Mosk 38 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 2/3 used
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Justen 33/33 Hps AC 23
Spells:
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 21
Spells:
Forge 33/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes)
The lab is left in flames as Forge is the last one to leave, spilling alchemical acids and flammables over all of the surfaces and spilling the strange swirling and fizzing cauldron. His metallic constitution immune to the strange odours and vapours. Heading back into the cathedral with the strange dark pool Roslayn and Justen embrace briefly as they look towards the caverns of Erythnul where Luke had fallen. I will miss him. He deserved better. Justen nods, He would want us to continue on. We can do good helping the Lady thalis, she may be mysterious but she is good. And Master Mosk and Forge are able and helpful.".
THe other three stand nearby, raking through the now bulging sack of loot carried by Forge and Mosk. The dwarf clearly happy at the haul and Thalis holding the Faceless One's spellbook in her hand with a smile, only sinister due to her tiefling nature.
The sudden bubbling of the pool takes everyone by surprise, even more so as the black waters part to reveal a vile beast crawling free. The creature is a bizarre amalgamation of the three deities it embodies. Its a ten foot powerfully built monster with six muscular arms. Its grey skin pulses with bulging muscles and arcane power crackles around it. THree hands end in long clawed fingers, the other three in crude massive cleavers. It growls as it crawls free, a face packed full of skeletal features and massive fangs.
http://theoldworld.wdfiles.com/local--files/ebon-aspect/EbonAspect.JPG
The creature stands by the edge of the pool and roars, the noise echoing around the chamber. A vast spinning hextorite flail of black liquid appearing beside it before it spies Justen's holy symbol and it launches at the priest!
Spirit weapon of Hextor
Attack [roll0] damage [roll1]
As the monster launches its assault the party reel back. demon Justen calls! The others roaring into an attack. Thalis and Rosalyn leading with jets of fire. Rosalyn calling down her Gods blessing to guide her rays if purified fire. Thalis surrounding it in spinning shining dust.
Rosalyn
Law devotion +3 to hit, SR [roll2] SR16
purified kelgore Attack [roll3] damage [roll4] fire res 10
Thalis glitter dust will DC18 or blind [roll5]
The men and robots ready weapons! Justen blessing the dwarf with strength of the gods as Forge focuses arcane magics inimical to demons on to his spinning sword. Mosk merely stares at the creature before charging in a flurry of slashing claws!
Justen - bulls strength on Mosk
Forge- rapid infusion bane evil outsider on spinning sword
Mosk - frenzy, charge!
Attack [roll6] damage [roll7]
Attack [roll8] damage [roll9]
Attack [roll10] damage [roll11]
Haer'thalis 22/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes,
Mosk 38 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 1/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Bulls strength
Justen 33 /33 Hps AC 22
Spells:
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 20
Spells:
Forge 33/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes),
The aspect glitters dust but it's eyes glitter with baleful evil and Rosalyn looks deflated as her magic is warded by its dark evil. The spinning flail clatters off Justen's armour before Mosk charges in tearing great strips of demon flesh from its form!
The demon howls lashing at the frenzied dwarf. Its howl filled with bloodlust as the madness of Erythnul takes hold! Even as it pounds upon the dwarf the black flail continues to assail Justen.
HP's 20 dam
Blood thirst: fast heal 10, Dr 10/epic, +4 hit/dam
Spirit weapon
[roll0] dam [roll1]
Bite [roll2] dam [roll3]
Claw [roll4] dam [roll5]
Claw [roll6] dam [roll7]
Claw [roll8] dam [roll9]
Haer'thalis 22/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes,
Mosk 6 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 1/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Bulls strength
Justen 25 /33 Hps AC 22
Spells:
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 20
Spells:
Forge 33/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes),
Justen grunts as the flail cracks against him. Mosk howling as great shreds of flesh are ripped from his body! Justen charges in blade swinging as he strikes with holy fury. Rosalyn walks forward drawing her sword, other hand channelling healing energy into Mosk. Uncaring of his wounds the dwarf slashes left and right with his great claws, blood sheeting his body. Beside him like an adamantine juggernaught Forge crashes in. At the back Thalis points at Mosk, the dwarf swelling adding even more power to his huge claw strokes!
Thalia: enlarge Mosk
Rosalyn: cure light Mosk [roll0]
Justen: crusader strike [roll1] dam [roll2]
-- heal Mosk [roll3]
Forge: walk and strike [roll4] dam [roll5]
Mosk
[roll6] dam [roll7]
[roll8] dam [roll9]
[roll10] dam [roll11]
Haer'thalis 22/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes,
Mosk 8 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 1/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Bulls strength
Justen 25 /33 Hps AC 22
Spells:
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 20
Spells:
Forge 33/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes),
Despite the massed assault the creature is only lightly wounded, a single slash by Mosk making contact, the blow diminished by the now fading bloodlust of Erythnul.
With a nod the creature sends the black flail against Thalis... But just as it moves to strike she vanishes with a pop appearing 10ft further back!
It snarls at its aggressors lashing at Mosk, Forge and Justen evenly! Claw leaving Mosk reeling and savaging Forge. Justen thankfully able to blunt the assault!
Spirit weapon moves to Thalis. Abrupt Jaunt! to safety
Bite Forge [roll0] dam [roll1]
Claw forge [roll2] dam [roll3]
Claw Justen [roll4] dam [roll5]
Claw Mosk [roll6] dam [roll7]
Haer'thalis 22/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes,
Mosk 2 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 1/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Bulls strength
Justen 25 /33 Hps AC 22
Spells:
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 20
Spells:
Forge 24/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes),
The battered melee fighters and the bleeding and shredded Mosk continue to pound on the massive creature. Justen seeing his blows will do little steps back to beside Rosalyn, a hand on Mosk filling the dwarf with healing power, beside him Rosalyn uses the last of her magic to do the same.
Thalis reaches into her reserves summoning more scorpions...
Mosk
[roll0] dam [roll1]
[roll2] dam [roll3]
[roll4] dam [roll5]
Forge
[roll6] dam [roll7]
Justen heal [roll8]
Rosalyn heal [roll9]
Thalis begin summoning [roll10] scorpions
The massive demonic beast is battered by Mosk as Forge cannot penetrate its unnatural hide. Both of the divine channelling healing energy into the still raging dwarf.
The beast lashes out with claws and bites at Mosk and Forge as the black flail chases Thalis who once again steps out of reality to avoid the blow. The two warriors are well skilled however and parry and block the cleaver like claws, onlybthe fangs of the beast clamping down on Forges head.
HP's.. 60 damage
Forge Bite [roll0] dam [roll1]
Mosk Claw [roll2] dam [roll3]
Forge Claw [roll4] dam [roll5]
Mosk Claw [roll6] dam [roll7]
Haer'thalis 22/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes,
Mosk 13 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 3/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Bulls strength
Justen 25 /33 Hps AC 22
Spells:
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 20
Spells:
Forge 18/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes),
As the beast clamps down on Forge's head Mosk tears strips off its body and rips free one of its arms. Seeing it weakening Rosalyn and Justen also step forward into the fray with mace and hand crackling with electricity.
Thalis grins as her scorpion arrives before pointing a finger and sending a ray of disabling magic at the creature.
All but Mosk flanking.
Forge [roll0] dam [roll1]
Justen crusader strike [roll2] dam [roll3]
-- heal Mosk [roll4]
Rosalyn shocking grasp
Cast defensive [roll5] DC 16
Spell resist [roll6] TN16
[roll7] inc. Law devotion dam [roll8]
Scorpion
Claw [roll9] dam [roll10]
Claw [roll11] dam [roll12]
Sting [roll13] dam [roll14] fort [roll15] DC 12
Thalis ray of clumsy
Spell resist [roll16] TN 16
[roll17] dam [roll18] dex
Mosk
[roll19] dam [roll20]
[roll21] dam [roll22]
[roll23] dam [roll24]
The magics fail. Thalis's ray fizzling away to nothing as Vecna's warding shield the beast. Rosalyns attempt being disrupted by flailing claws. Justen lands a blow, healing energy invigorating Mosk. Its well timed as with the distraction provided by the scorpion Mosk and Forge drive their blades deep into the monster and tear great chunks from it. With a roar it sinks to its knees before with a savage slice of his claws Mosk tears its head off!
Haer'thalis 22/22 Hps AC 17
Spells: Mage Armour 40 / 60 minutes,
Mosk 23 / 49 Hps AC 24(+2Vs evil)
Frenzy 3/7 rounds
Cobat Rage: 1E
Llamasu Mantle, Sphynx Claws 2E, Dread Carapace 1E, Wormtail Belt
Bulls strength
Justen 25 /33 Hps AC 22
Spells:
Rosalyn 28 / 28 +8 Hps AC 20
Spells:
Forge 18/38Hps AC 27
Spells: Magic Vestment (40 minutes / 5 hours), Toughen construct (40 / 50 minutes),
And so end the three faces of Evil!
The trip out of the mines was uneventful. The faces of the party as they appeared with the head of the Faceless one and the horrific head of the Ebon Aspect sufficient to terrify the miners and the guards alike. The news spread like wildfire around the town before eventually even the corrupt Mayor Lanof Neff is unable to ignore the signs of trouble and with his brother Allustan's council Smenk and Darksbane are both arrested for consorting with clearly evil cults, hiring necromancers and risking the town itself. Allustan's testimony as to the danger of the Kyuss Worms and the massive 6 armed demon clarly hitting home with most of the high priests who form the jury. And soon enough despite their pleas of innocence and the best efforts of Sheriff Cubbin and his constables both Darksbane and Smenk are soon led to the town square under guard by soldiers bearing the cudgel and ordered by the High Cudgel Jieran Wierus. There in front of everyone and to jeers and hurled rotten food they are hanged like the common criminals they are.
Later in the week in the sprawling Temple Barracks to the "good Gods" both the Abott of the Sun (Velias Childramun) and Valkus Dun the high Blade of Hieronious say a few kind words at a remembrance to Luke. Justen and Rosalyn both speak about their friend as do a few other novices, soldiers and priests of the Temple as he is given a bitter sweet send off.
For most of the week Mosk drinks and whores in the Feral Dog and the Veiled Corridor. Both Justen and Rosalyn split their time between the Temples or the small farmhouse that has now become their defacto base of operations. The basement tidied out and set-up with Filge's alchemical supplies as a small laboratory. A team of local carpenters and some volunteers from the town also helping restore the ground floor and the upstairs into something approaching habitable.The ground floor living room outfitted with basic furniture, the study/library also doubling as s weapons training hall and shrine to Pelor and Heironious. Upstairs Thalis and Rosalyn have the larger room whilst Mosk and Justen share the other. Forge rarely leaving the study or basement where his lab is now set-up.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/scaled/medium/547/k6pp.jpg
Restored over the course of 3 weeks at a cost of 690gp
- is now a functioning house
DC 25 locks on the Front Door, the bedrooms and the door down to the basement
Level 4 craft Reserve
- Holy Reliquary of Pelor [roll0], [roll1], [roll2] DC23
- Requires 500gp, 40XP
- Healing Belt [roll3][roll4][roll5] DC23
- Requries 375gp, 30XP
Scrolls [Haste x 3] @ CL3, 112.5gp 9XP
#1 [roll6][roll7] DC23
#2 [roll8][roll9] DC23
#3 [roll10][roll11] DC23
Mosk --> Totemist 5
Chakra bind (hands/feet/crown), [roll12] or 4 hps
Forge --> Artificer 5
Craft Arms&Armour, Retain essence, [roll13] or 3 hps, +1 2nd level, +1 3rd lvl infusion
Justen --> Cleric 5
1+1 3rd level spell, [roll14] or 4 hps
Rosalyn --> Warmage 5
+1 2nd level spell [roll15] or 3 hps
-- probably learn a spell!
Thalis --> master specialist 1
+2 Will, Skill Focus [Spellcraft], [roll16] or 2 hps
3rd level spells!!!
THe enforced rest does a lot to soothe the party as they consider their next move. All but Mosk also having regular meetings with Valkus and Allustan as they discuss what to do next. Thalis in particular spending many long hours reading books on the Kyuss worm or the strange combination of Erythnul, Vecna and Hextor.
Of Forge however little is seen. The massive warforged spending the vast amount of his time either practicing with weapons in the study hall during the evening. Tending to his alchemical lab and brewing up more and more exotic alchemical reagents and cocktails alongside his more magical creations.
2 x MW potion Belt = 120gp
Crafting:
3x alchemist fire / frost/ shock = 60gp
6x acidic fire = 60gp
3x Liquid Ember = 600gp
Triple Weapon capsule = 450gp
Wand chamber 300gp
Battle fist 1300
Heavy mace +1
Thalis- ~1300gp of spell writing
Sell spellbooks
Retraining:-
Spinning sword --> Power attack
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 21
Mosk 57 / 57 Hps AC 21
Cobat Rage: 1E
Wormtail Belt
Justen 42 / 42 Hps AC 23
Rosalyn 32/32 Hps AC 20
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22
After two long weeks of rest whilst Forge worked tirelessly in his lab and Thalis spent much of her time cosseted in the library/study writing up more spells into her spell book the party had a visitor. A soft "neigh" at the door announcing the presence of a horse before Allustan in his red robes knocked and entered. Greetings heroes of the Darkstone Mines... You are still the talk of the town. Particularly Master Mosk. The town has changed much with the hanging of Darkstone and Smenk. I'm not sure if its for the better or not but Lanod is happy, Sheriff Cubin is being kept in check by more patrols from the militia or the Cudgel and the Valkus's soldiers and there is less crime. I think, in fact, only the Veiled Corridor is less busy now."
He grins thanking Rosalyn as she makes him a cup of tea. I am here today to ask for your aid? You will recall the green worm you find with the necromancer. It has me worried. Particularly with the documents from the mine that talk of the Age of Worms and an apocalypse coming."
"Well, I know a little about this but a colleague of mine, Marzena, knows more. She is a Battle mage from the Free City and I've known her some time. But she's currently serving duty at Blackwall Keep watching the Mistmarsh. I've had letters from her talking about troubles with lizardfolk and also with green worms and undead that are hard to kill. I was planning on going to see her. But the road is a little treacherous and with your skill at arms I'd like you to come with me to help? Valkus agrees..." he adds with a sly grin handing Justen and Rosalyn a letter sealed with the sword of Heironious and Valkus's concise hand writing asking them to accompany the magister. It doesn't take long, Forge and Thalis also agreeing to go, both having their curiosity piqued and happy to meet with another mage. And Blackwall keep is not too far.
The next morning dawns damp and misty as the party assemble waiting for Allustan to arrive. Many sport new magical gear crafted by Forge. Justen resplendant in his new full plate resized from theldrik with the sun of Pelor hanging from his neck and a gleaning heavy mace with the O of the Osgood smithy proud upon it. Rosalyn is ready, wands and spells and replenished. Face once more serene now she has vanished the acute grieving for Luke. Thalis looks the same. Crossbow by her side and a collection of scrolls and wands jutting from her bandolier. Forge has shed his chainsword, now sporting a single massive battlefist of adamanatine and spikes that glitter brightly. A wand clasped to his forearm and a strange trip barreled alchemica contraption on the underside of the battlefist. Mosk has changed, sharper scaled claws covering his arms, a purple scaled belt still around his chest and back but a massive shadowy three headed beast drapes around his shoulder and black scales cover his arms and legs... Allustan pauses, gulping, A fearsome bunch indeed
THe day passes easily, the party meeting some dwarven traders and halfling farmers but few other people. Camping for the night in a ruined farmhouse Alllustan tells stories... The cairns here are home to the Dukes of Aaqa, the last of Wind Dukes. It is here that the ancient Battle of Pesh occured when the last of the Wind Dukes, the Ruler's of Law faced mighty Mishka Queen of Chaos and her demonic hordes. The Dukes were victorious but it was at a cost with most of their army dead. The rod of seven parts shattered and the most powerful of the Dukes slain. And now.. you have found a clue to the resting place of the Rod of Seven parts. I would like to investigate these Cairns further after we speak with Marzena.."
http://www.greyhawk.org.uk/gh/maps/aow3_blackwall.jpg
The next day the walk continues as the terrain turns more to marsh and bogs. The day humid and smelly with the air full of buzzing insects that bite and sting. Only Mosk with his scales and Forge being adamantine happy to ignore the buzzing flies. As you kept close to the tower you can all hear screams and shouts and the sound battle. Smoke rising over the low hills! Mosk grins, Aye trouble it surely is. Best get ready aye!. the others nodding. Mosk creeps up the hill and look down the road towards Blakwall keep. The small tower standing proud with smoke coming from its outbuildings and bodies on the ground. Scattered around the tower massive green reptillian beasts with clubs and javelins. Lots. lizardfolk besieging the tower.". Thalis looks at him nodding before scouting the scene herself. There are a few of them. I count at least 30, the tower looks sorely pressed.". Forge shakes his metallic head as he begins to mutter, runes of anger and rage glowing on his battlefist. "We must save these soldiers. If we advance in force we can punch our way through to the Tower and then help them hold out.".
Allustan nods, "I have a scroll to transport me back to Diamond Lake. If you hold for for 2 days I will come with reinforcements...". The party all nod wishing Allustant well as he and his horse vanish in a puff of smoke. Looking at the scene the shouts begin to rise once more as the balcony on the 2nd floor and the front door are once again pressed by lizardfolkd..
The tower is tall and thin, some 3 stories tall with a wide balcony around the second floor, currently studded with javelins and with a pair of bow armed soldiers huddled down upon it. Around the base of the tower are dozens of sharp stakes and also a half dozen dead lizard folk. And a few feet from the tower a broken stable, thatch roof still smoldering and broken walls revealing the dead and butchered horses within.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2060/2063594013_bd009d0165.jpg
http://ageofworms.wikispaces.com/file/view/BlackwallKeepMap.bmp/33562157/BlackwallKeepMap.bmp
The lizard men are scattered in groups of 8 or so, one of the groups currently pushing at the doors whilst the others take cover behind logs and bushes munching on horse or bits of human flesh.
There are a lot of them? Justen muses as he magically prepares himeslef for the violence to come. "But we have the light on our side... mutters as she stands ready, sword in hand. Divine power surging through her. They stand ready before leaping down towards the distant tower, now 100ft distant! The magic sees Mosk growing, Forge blessing his fist and Justen's mace and both Rosalyn and Justen praying for guidance... Finally Thalis begins it, the world slowing around them as they race forward closing the distance as they sprint past two confused groups of lizard folk. The guttural shouts pursuing them as they run down the hill and path towards the distant slope back up...
Forge
- Bane on Justen and Forge
- Toughen construct
- Fist of stone
Justen
- Divine Vigour
- Shield of Faith
- Bless
- Elation
Mosk
- Enlarged by Thalis
- Drink shield of Faith potion
Rosalyn
- Divine vigour
Thalis
- Shield
- Haste
"Surprise" Round
- All "Run" to close the distance and get on the map.
- With haste slowest people move 150ft to get to the base of hill.
Lizards [roll0]
Forge [roll1]
Justen [roll2]
Thalis [roll3]
Roslayn [roll4]
Mosk [roll5]
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/KHolbourn/AgeWorms/Blackwallkeep.png
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17+4+1
- Mage armour
- Shield 5 minutes
- Haste 5 rounds
Mosk 57 / 57 Hps AC 21+2+1
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapce (feet)
- Enlarge person 10 rounds
- Shield of faith 10 rounds
Justen 42+8 / 42 Hps AC 23+2+1
- Bane (reptiles) 50 minutes
- Divine vigour 10 rounds
- Shield of Faith 4 minutes
- Bless 4 minutes
- ELation 5 rounds
Rosalyn 32+8 / 32 Hps AC 20+1
- Divine vigour 10 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2+1
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 60mins
- Toughen construct 60 minutes
- Fist of STONE 10 rounds
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Running past one group of lizards with the last of the five on the far side of the keep the party rush forward to blitzkrieg the defenders. Mosk is the first in charging the mass sheltering by the corral.
Charge the ones beside the stable
Carapace 1, wormtail 1, claws 1
Bite [roll0] dam [roll1]
Haste bite [roll2] dam [roll3]
Bite [roll4] dam [roll5]
Gore [roll6] dam [roll7]
Claw [roll8] dam [roll9]
Claw [roll10] dam [roll11]
Beside Mosk Forge also charges in. Massive strides blocking up mud as he winds up the empowered battle fist!
Charge one near the stable, PA 3
Battlefist [roll12] dam [roll13] bane [roll14]
The two women join in as well, moving a bit more cautiously and targeting the next group as they move up to the stable. Thalis tearing free a golden globe from her necklave that explodes in fire, Rosalyn sending 3 orbs of magical fire the wounded survivors.
Move up to stable
Thalis - throw fireball necklace [roll15]
Saves DC14
[roll16][roll17][roll18]
[roll19][roll20][roll21]
[roll22]
Druid [roll23]
Rosalyn
Move with her and magic missile spread
[roll24][roll25][roll26]
Mosk's snapping teeth find no purchase on the lizard scales before he rips one of them apart with his claws, massive claws rending the beast in half. Forge is far less subtle, the fist smashing its targets head to pulp. The other 6 lizardfolk swarm Mosk and Forge. Mosk taking a bite of one as it closes in.. A hail of clubs and teeth descending on the pair.
Mosk AoO [roll0] dam [roll1]
Lizardfolk --> Str 15, con 14, Max HP's at 1= 16
On Mosk
Club [roll2] dam [roll3]
Bite [roll4] dam [roll5]
Club [roll6] dam [roll7]
Club [roll8] dam [roll9]
Bite [roll10] dam [roll11]
On Forge
Club [roll12] dam [roll13]
Bite [roll14] dam [roll15]
Club [roll16] dam [roll17]
The other group, singed and wounded splits up. 2 charging Justen, 2 creeping forward hefting javelins at Thalis, the others moving sideways into the cover of the stable. The druid drnking a potion to thicken his scales.
2 charge Justen
Club [roll18] dam [roll19]
Club [roll20] dam [roll21]
2 advance and Javelin Thalis
Jav [roll22] dam [roll23]
Jav [roll24] dam [roll25]
Other 3 and druid move to cover. Druid drinks barkskin potiin
The two other groups of lizards leap up grabbing weapons, eager to chase down this new prey. The group assaulting the door still doing so, now with even more vigour, one of the soldiers on the balcony cheering as the party charge in...
Justen grunts under the impact of the blows, clubs smashing down on the cleric. Justen snarls as he sound around, mace lashing out hissing with Forge's runes...
Atk [roll0] dam [roll1] +[roll2] bane
Atk [roll3] dam [roll4] +[roll5] bane
+2hps per hit
Forge stood immobile, clubs and claws and teeth raining harmlessly off his Adamantine skin. Reaching out he moved to tear the throats from the foolish creatures that dared stand in his way. Beside him in stark contrast to the controlled fighting Mosk spun and roared and bit and clawed.
Forge Atk [roll6] dam [roll7] +[roll8] bane
Forge Atk [roll9] dam [roll10] +[roll11] bane
Mosk bite [roll12] dam [roll13]
Mosk bite [roll14] dam [roll15]
Mosk bite [roll16] dam [roll17]
Mosk gore [roll18] dam [roll19]
Mosk claw [roll20] dam [roll21]
Mosk claw [roll22] dam [roll23]
The two casters step aside as the javelins fly past without harming them. Rosalyn strides forward to catch up to Mosk and Forge, Come on Justen, stay with us!
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17+4+1
- Mage armour
- Shield 5 minutes
- Haste 4 rounds
Mosk 52 / 57 Hps AC 21+2+1
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 1E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
1E Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapce (feet)
- Enlarge person 9 rounds
- Shield of faith 9 rounds
Justen 37 / 42 Hps AC 23+2+1
- Bane (reptiles) 50 minutes
- Shield of Faith 4 minutes
- Bless 4 minutes
- ELation 4 rounds
Rosalyn 32+8 / 32 Hps AC 20+1
- Divine vigour 9 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2+1
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 60mins
- Toughen construct 60 minutes
- Fist of STONE 9 rounds
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
To do.. Rosalyn and Thalis
Justen spins, mace slamming into both lizardfolk as he moves faster than the eye can follow. The runes of Forge proving their worth as both lizardfolk crumple backwards, bones shattered by the mace's concussive force. Justen stares at the mace glowing with red runes... By Pelor's light...
Mosk and Forge continue to slaughter and maim the lizardfolk. The wary reptiles still dodging and weaving as they duck and use shields to block the slashing and biting teeth. One of them suffering a painful gash to the chest as the claws tear a great chunk of flesh from its chest. Forge is clinical in his execution of them, the massive oversized fist crushing two reptillian skulls as the warforged with his magically enhanced strength contemptuously tosses both creatures aside.
Thalis dodges the javelins before glowering at the two lizardfolk who had dared offend her. Pointing at them both she mutters Ignition as both creatures burst into flames. Behind her Rosalyn runs forward, still moving faster than the eye can follow with the haste effect and stops by the 4 surviving lizardfolk assailing Mosk and Forge. She levels her hands and a great gout of flame washes over them...
Thalis - Fiery burst [roll0] Ref DC18 for half
[roll1][roll2]
Rosalyn move and burning hands [roll3] DC 14 for half
[roll4]*[roll5][roll6][roll7]
*Is the injured one
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17+4+1
- Mage armour
- Shield 5 minutes
- Haste 4 rounds
Mosk 52 / 57 Hps AC 21+2+1
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
- Enlarge person 9 rounds
- Shield of faith 9 rounds
Justen 37 / 42 Hps AC 23+2+1
- Bane (reptiles) 50 minutes
- Shield of Faith 4 minutes
- Bless 4 minutes
Rosalyn 32+8 / 32 Hps AC 20+1
- Divine vigour 9 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2+1
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 60mins
- Toughen construct 60 minutes
- Fist of STONE 9 rounds
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Thalis and Rosalyn consume lizard scales in great flashes of searing fire. Two of the ones assaulting Mosk surviving the flames, sales scorched and blackened. Maddened with pain they both slash and beat at Mosk's massive form with club and bite, one turning with fury upon Rosalyn!
club mosk [roll0] dam [roll1]
bite Mosk [roll2] dam [roll3]
club Rosalyn [roll4] dam [roll5]
bite Rosalyn [roll6] dam [roll7]
The group near the tower spy the massed assault spearheaded by a 10ft dwarf and much to the relief of the soldiers half of them turn to the heroes attacking as they run forward hurling javelins, 3 of them continuing to jab javelins through the door at the defenders within...
A hail of javelins at 2nd increment
Forge [roll8] dam [roll9]
Forge [roll10] dam [roll11]
Rosalyn [roll12] dam [roll13]
Mosk [roll14] dam [roll15]
Mosk [roll16] dam [roll17]
The druid appears around the corner of the stable, chanting under his breath as the plants writhe and wriggle growing 3 inch thorns and engulfing Forge, Rosalyn, Mosk and the two lizards. The three surviving lizards that had accompanied the druid rush forward adding yet more javelins to the sky!
3 run forward adding more javelins
Forge [roll18] dam [roll19]
Roslayn [roll20] dam [roll21]
Mosk [roll22] dam [roll23]
Druid cast's briars web DC 15
Rosalyn [roll24]
Mosk [roll25]
Forge [roll26]
lizards [roll27][roll28]
Even as the horde of lizards arrive the other groups continue to race forward, heads low, tails high and clubs and claws at the ready. One of their number massive and imposing with a club carved from the bone of a massive creature studded with teeth...
The lizard folk rain down javelins upon the party but they patter to no effect, the briar's web is more of an issue as Rosalyn runs clear of it leaving Mosk an Forge trapped. Mosk and Forge move slowly to try and creep free of the thorns managing to break free. Forge moving sideways whilst Mosk runs at the enemy. As the three near the stable avoid the massive patch of brambles Justen shouts a warning "THere's more coming, lots!" as he and Thalis sprint up by the stable.
The lizards are far more aggressive as the one wounded one still burnt runs at Rosalyn swinging his club and 5 others all surround Mosk swinging clubs with wild glee! One of them having to try and avoid a massive bite from the huge dwarf... the druid snarls as the others escape his trap of thorns as he hastily drinks a potion to heal the wounds inflicted by Thalis's fireball earlier. The massive barbarian, despite being clumsy from his size still battles hard avoiding blows or letting his magical protections absorb the blows as he escapes unschathed!
As the fight intensifies the last two big groups of lizards arrive a few more javelins fly free at the metallic robot... A few more soldier's appear on the tower, an old veteran shouting down.. "There's more of the scaled buggers on the way. Get to the door we'll let you in!"
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/KHolbourn/AgeWorms/Blackwallkeep2.png
Druid potion [roll0]
Lizard Vs Rosalyn [roll1] dam [roll2]
lizard vs Mosk [roll3] dam [roll4]
lizard vs Mosk [roll5] dam [roll6]
lizard vs Mosk [roll7] dam [roll8]
lizard vs Mosk [roll9] dam [roll10]
Mosk AoO [roll11] dam [roll12]
lizard vs Mosk [roll13] dam [roll14]
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17+4+1
- Mage armour
- Shield 5 minutes
- Haste 3 rounds
Mosk 52 / 57 Hps AC 21+2+1
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
- Enlarge person 8 rounds
- Shield of faith 8 rounds
Justen 37 / 42 Hps AC 23+2+1
- Bane (reptiles) 50 minutes
- Shield of Faith 4 minutes
- Bless 4 minutes
Rosalyn 32+8 / 32 Hps AC 20+1
- Divine vigour 8 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2+1
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 60mins
- Toughen construct 60 minutes
- Fist of STONE 8 rounds
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Surrounded Mosk flies into a rage, drool flying from the three heads as he claws, bites and tears at the lizards surrounding him! Forge nearby moves up to the beast beside Rosalyn a massive battlefist reaching out to crush the lizard's skull.
Forge move up to creature and attack
[roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] bane
Mosk Frenzy!
Bite [roll3] dam [roll4]
Bite [roll5] dam [roll6]
Bite [roll7] dam [roll8]
Bite [roll9] dam [roll10]
Gore [roll11] dam [roll12]
Claw [roll13] dam [roll14]
Claw [roll15] dam [roll16]
Forge is casually dismissive, the lizardman tumbling backwards skull shattered by the massive fist. Mosk is savage, horns, claws and gnashing teeth ripping and tearing as the massive dwarf is soon coated in lizard blood and bits of the 5 dead litter the ground around him.
On the far side of the tower witnessed only by the archers who duck and cover Haer'Thalis hurls a horse sized ball of fire incinerating all of the approaching lizards surrounding their hulking chief. Justen grins and runs forward into the flames seeking the glory of slaying the chief whilst Haer'Thalis ducks around the back of the stable.
Fireball the leader group (hits all) [roll17] DC 18 half
Kushak [roll18]
Lizards [roll19] +3
Justen charge any survivors
[roll20] dam [roll21]+[roll22]
+2 HP if hit
The fire is intense, 6 of the reptilian monsters collapsing as fire ravages them and they, briefly let out throaty screams. One manages to roll out the way losing most of its arm and its tail, and the massive chieftain staggers free, scales blackened. But Justen's blade slashes down putting the creature out its misery.
Rosalyn moves forward as Forge crushes the lizard that had attacked her. Still dealing with Luke's death she saw the nearby druid and hissed a curse raising her hand and releasing a line of boiling steam that washes over two of its guards and the druid itself. They lizards duck out the way, being scalded but not fatally so!
Move to row U
Colum of steam [roll23] DC15
Shest [roll24]
Lizards [roll25] [roll26]
Seeing the slaughter being wrought upon the lizards the men on the tower give a great cheer and a whoop. The sounds of renewed fighting by the doorway encouraging as the 3 lizards by the door grow less sure of themselves.
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17+4+1
- Mage armour
- Shield 5 minutes
- Haste 2 rounds
Mosk 52 / 57 Hps AC 21+2+1+2fr
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
"Frenzy" = 1 / 7 rounds
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
- Enlarge person 7 rounds
- Shield of faith 7 rounds
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23+2+1-2 charge
- Bane (reptiles) 50 minutes
- Shield of Faith 4 minutes
- Bless 4 minutes
Rosalyn 32+8 / 32 Hps AC 20+1
- Divine vigour 7 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2+1
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 60mins
- Toughen construct 60 minutes
- Fist of STONE 7 rounds
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
The effect on the lizards' morale is devastating. The crisped and burned survivor from Haer'Thalis's fireball crawls away dragging it burned stumps. The three from the doorway darting around towards the tiefling, all drawing javelins and throwing them as they close down on her.
All leave the tower door and move 30ft towards Haer'Thalis
Javelin [roll0] dam [roll1]
Javelin [roll2] dam [roll3]
Javelin [roll4] dam [roll5]
The druid hisses, cold and rot and chilled gelid blood creeping over Mosk's legs as the chill seeps into his bones. Another hiss sends the 3 other lizards including the 2 scalded ones running at Rosalyn.
Charging Rosalyn
Club [roll6] dam [roll7]
Club [roll8] dam [roll9]
Club [roll10] dam [roll11]
Creeping cold on Mosk DC 15 Fort
Fort [roll12]
dam [roll13]
The other large party chasing up the rear look at the great mass of briars blocking the route and run by the stable chasing Justen and Haer'Thalis.
Double move along the stable to near D16
With Rosalyn surrounding and only her divine vigour saving her from harm Mosk plunges into the action in a whirl of tooth and claw! Rosalyn herself laying about with her longsword. Forge stomps behind her as he increases speed crashing into the druid like an unstoppr juggernaught.
Forge charge druid
Atk [roll0] dam [roll1] bane [roll2]
Rosalyn
Atk [roll3] dam [roll4]
Atk [roll5] dam [roll6]
Mosk
Atk [roll7] dam [roll8]
Atk [roll9] dam [roll10]
Atk [roll11] dam [roll12]
Atk [roll13] dam [roll14]
Atk [roll15] dam [roll16]
Atk [roll17] dam [roll18]
Atk [roll19] dam [roll20]
The druid is killed as in a brutal blow Forge punches straight through the beast's head leaving a massive going cavity. Roslyn draws blood with her blade before in an orgy of tooth and claw Mosk charges in and tears the 3 lizard men apart.
Justen fresh from chopping down the chief races towards the ones threatening Thalia even as the wizard herself blasts them with a great spray if colour to blind and confuse.
Thalis move and colour spray Will DC 15
[roll21][roll22][roll23]
Justen charge a still standing
Atk [roll24] dam [roll25] bane [roll26]
With their double lidded reptillian eye the lizard men seem less susceptible to the fkashng lights and none as stunned. None of that helps when Juaten arrives, his blade chopping through one dropping it with a loud thump.
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17+4+1
- Mage armour
- Shield 5 minutes
- Haste 1 rounds
Mosk 50 / 57 Hps AC 21+2+1+2fr
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
"Frenzy" = 2 / 7 rounds
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
- Enlarge person 6 rounds
- Shield of faith 6 rounds
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23+2+1-2 charge
- Bane (reptiles) 50 minutes
- Shield of Faith 4 minutes
- Bless 4 minutes
Rosalyn 32+2 / 32 Hps AC 20+1
- Divine vigour 6 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2+1
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 60mins
- Toughen construct 60 minutes
- Fist of STONE 6 rounds
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Bathed in coloured light the remaining 2 lizards watch Justen effortlessly hack down their clutchmate. As that's happening they can the 3 headed giant dwarf rend, tear and gore 3 more of their kids into bloody shreds. The ground coated with lizard dead they turn and flee. Leaving the heroes in command of the battlefield, a great cheer from the tower as a battered looking veteran appears on the Tower top shouting By the gods. Adventurers! You are a welcome sight. Come in, we'll get ye some ale and the like!
The battered doors of Blackwall Keep open to reveal the tired and exhausted soldiers within. An old grizzled man with the rank of bannerman saluting unsteadily as he leans on his halberd, one leg sheeted in blood. "Thank you. We've been hard pressed since those scaly scum started raiding us. Though we were for the cook pots. I'm Gunz, the Lt. was killed.." at this Haer'Thalis and Rosalyn see a few faces pale and look the other way with strange looks of terror that weren't there even during the height of the battle. "There was 22 of us, plus Mistress Marzena, we're down to 12 now.". Again Rosalyn and Thalis notice a strange pause before the man continues. We should be alrght here. But they took Mistress Marzena and 3 of the lads towards the marsh. Reckon they were planning a feast. You lot seem pretty handy, could you try and get 'em back".
At that Justen and Rosalyn immediately both nod We will save Marzena and your men. It was Marzena we came here to save, but... What of the Lt?". Roslayn fixes him with a fized stare, helped by Justen and the blood splattered Mosk standing right behind her. Beside her Thalis taps a foot impatiently and points outside at the piles of dead. Tell us now..
The Bannerman nods and invites you further in to the main hall now filled with survivors fletching arrows and repairing armour. Offering some hardbread and water he explains. Some 2 year ago we were digging a tunnel down in the basement, Just in case we were ever in trouble like. Well.. The old mage he was exploring some ruins one day and then a few days later he went mad. Started rotting and trying to bite folks with worms falling out his eyes. Anyways we beat him down and locked him in the old escape tunnel. After a few weeks it all went quiet. Thought he's been dead for months now. When the lizards broke in and grabbed Marzena and the others one of them got downstairs into the basement and broke the door down. The thing was still alive, though proper dead now. It killed the lizard but it killed the lieutenant and three of the lads before we managed to seal the basement door on it.
Thalis looks at the others More worms. Troubling indeed.. The warforged nodding in agreement. It is unlikely to be a coincidence that we have encountered much of these of late. Rosalyn and Justen look at the others, Justen speaking out We will rescue the men but we must kill the unliving first.. Looking at the party he seems to expect disagreement but everyone nods in agreement. Mosk loudly smiling and cracking his knuckles and baring the teeth on his 3 blood splattered heads.
The man nods and gestures one of his men to take you to the top of the stairs where 3 men with spears stand watching a barricaded door at the bottom of the flight of stairs with fear and loathing. One of them whispering Ser Arren weren't a bad man for an officer. Be nice for him to rest easy..
Mosk grins, downing a curative potion before nodding his readiness.
Mosk's potion [roll0]
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17+4
- Mage armour
- Shield 3 minutes
Mosk 50+CLW / 57 Hps AC 21
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23+2
- Bane (reptiles) 50 minutes
- Shield of Faith 2 minutes
- Bless 2 minutes
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 55 mins
- Toughen construct 55 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
With a plan fixed in their minds Forge takes the lead as they head down to the much battered door marked with blood trails and the terrified claws marks made by the victims as they've been dragged away.
One of the veterans hurls the key to Forge who turns it quietly and pushes open the door to the long sealed basement of the Tower. The ragged door and barricade open into a dark kitchen. Blood smears on the floor going to the adjoining corridors. A large fireplace fills the SW corner and broken clay post and plates are scattered all over the floor.
Thalis calls down softly to Forge, Head left, that was supposed to be Marzena's room. I know she's been taken but there may be some clues in there.
Forge nods slowly trundling that way as Mosk guards the base of the stairs allowing Roslayn to follow the warforged. Justen joining Mosk as Thalis stands at the base of the stairs, a muttered incantation and a touch to a ring on her finger spreading cool light over the bottom of the area. Knowing the dangers posed by the spawns Rosalyn and Justen both pray for guidance, the faith giving them a surge of vitality.
All seem's quiet, for a second until they appear! One bursting out of the mage's door, another from the barracks opposite where Mosk stands.
http://theoldworld.wdfiles.com/local--files/spawn-of-kyuss/EBK-Spawn%20of%20Kyuss.png
The final one from the western corner of the kitchen. They look like half rotted skeletons, 2 bearing armour of the soldiers but all dripping vile green worms from their body as their ragged sloughed off skin writhes with the things. They are surrounded by a vile aura of fear and evil that washes over the party in a great wave sending shivers down all of the heroes backs!
Roslayn Init Fear [roll1]
Justen Init [roll]1d20+-5 Fear [roll2]
Forge Init [roll3] Fear [roll4]
Mosk Init [roll5] Fear [roll6]
Thalis Init [roll7] Fear [roll8]
Spawn:- Init [roll]1d20-1]/roll]
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17
- Mage armour
Mosk 52 / 57 Hps AC 21
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23+2
- Bane (reptiles) 40 minutes
- Divine vigour 8 rounds
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20
- Divine vigour 8 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 45 mins
- Toughen construct 45 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
The stench of vile and evil washing off the spawn of Kyuss is unmistakable and horrifying, the unnatural aura leaving Mosk, Thalis and Justen quaking with fear as they turn to try and flee up the stairs, terrified by the approaching spawn. Rosalyn and Forge stand firm, both angry and furious with the vile creatures. The spawn lurch forward, the one coming from the mage's quarters lashing out at Forge, a second lunging forward seeking to wrap its hands around Rosalyn's throat. Each one of them dripping vile green wriggling worms that leaves them both scared. The third one lunges, fast and deadly lashing at Mosk as he retreat up the stairs.
Vs Roslayn [roll0] dam [roll1] + worm
-- Fort [roll2] VS DC 12 (Kyuss Gift)
Vs Forge [roll3] dam [roll4] + worm
-- Fort [roll5] VS DC 12 (Kyuss Gift)
Vs fleeing Mosk [roll6] dam [roll7] + worm
-- Fort [roll8] VS DC 12 (Kyuss Gift)
The vile creatures lash and claw at the three heroes who dodge and weave or just tough it up through their innate armour and steel. Forge grunts, raising his shield and taking the blow. is feet crushing the worms that slide down the front of the shield. His massive battlefist crackles with fire as he swings a migyty blow and release two of the alchemical capsules in a great bloom of fire!
Behind him Roslayn ducs back hard up against Forge's back as she gestures, streaking orbs of light flying left and right, two slamming into the monster in front of her, the last one one punching into Forge's monster.
Forge PA for 2 - [roll0] Damage [roll1] + 2x fire [roll2] and Ref DC 15 or catch fire [roll3]
Magic missile vs forge's one [roll4] plus [roll5] bane
Magic missiles Vs Rosalyns [roll6] plus [roll7] bane
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17
- Mage armour
- panic 1/7 rounds
Mosk 52 / 57 Hps AC 21
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
- panic 1/7 rounds
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23+2
- Bane (reptiles) 40 minutes
- Divine vigour 8 rounds
- panic 1/7 rounds
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20
- Divine vigour 8 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 45 mins
- Toughen construct 45 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Thalia, Justen and Mosk barrel up the stairs hammering on the door to be opened as the spawn of Kyuss chases them up the stair. Down in the basement Rosalyn and Mosk are back to back as the creatures assault them. Unnatural vitality healing the wounds rapidly.
Vs Rosalyn [roll0] dam [roll1] plus worm
--- fort [roll2] vs Kyuss gift
Vs Mosk [roll3] dam [roll4] plus worm
--- fort [roll5] vs Kyuss gift
Vs Forge [roll6] dam [roll7] plus worm
--- immune to Kyuss gift
Two of the guards hurl open the door, faces wide with shock as the "the great heroes" come racing upstairs. The guards see the spawn and slam the door shut trapping Rosalyn and Forge below. The spawn scrabbles at the door and one of the guards spies the worm protruding from the jagged claw marks on Mosk's back.
The guards lash out with their swords striking at the worm.
Atk [roll0] dam [roll1]
Atk [roll2] dam [roll3]
One of them splitting the tiny creature in half. A warning They burrow" from the soldier.
Rosalyn looks at the spawn as she parries with her sword, focusing she channels her energy three more orbs of white light seeking to destroy the undead. Two slamming into the one attacking her and one striking Forge's. Forge lashes out again with the battle fist seeking to crush the beast's skull even as it still burns with alchemical fire...
Forge slap the spawn [roll4] dam [roll5] plus [roll6] fire
2 on hers [roll8] and [roll9] bane
1 on forges [roll10] and [roll11] bane
Should be d4+1 = 3.
Forge smashes the creature with a mighty blow before the missile blows it off its feet, bones charring with fire. The second is blown to pieces by aggressively baned magical force. Rosalyn grins a savage smile at Mosk... now we hunt it!
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17
- Mage armour
- panic 2/7 rounds
Mosk 38 / 57 Hps AC 21
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
- panic 2/7 rounds
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23+2
- Bane (reptiles) 40 minutes
- Divine vigour 8 rounds
- panic 2/7 rounds
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20
- Divine vigour 2/8 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 45 mins
- Toughen construct 45 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
The spawn at the top of the stairs on the other side if the wall is unaware of its companions deaths as it beats against the door. Rosalyn standing beside the massive robot as both around the corner, Rosalyn fixing the thing with a snarling face as she unleashes a razor thin beam of searing of fire!
Spawn beats on door
Forge double moves to base of stairs
Rosalyn moves and scorching rays
[roll0] touch, [roll1] fire
The spawn hisses, turning around and leaping downstairs, claws outstretched as it hurls itself at the hulking warforged. Forge watching it come with no emotion in his glowing red eyes.
[roll0] and [roll1] and worm
He raises the shield at the last second catching the weight of the spawn upon it.
Forge swivels, servos grinding as he throws the beast back, right arm and fist raised before it drives forward to destroy the undead. Behind him Rosalyn sneers and mutters a faint "Begone foul thing" clicking her finger and smashing it with undead bane sonic energy!
Forge PA 2 [roll0] dam [roll1]
Ros sonic snap [roll2]
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17
- Mage armour
- panic 5/7 rounds
Mosk 38 / 57 Hps AC 21
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
- panic 5/7 rounds
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23+2
- Bane (reptiles) 40 minutes
- Divine vigour 8 rounds
- panic 5/7 rounds
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20
- Divine vigour 5/8 rounds
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4+2
- Magic vestment x2 (6 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 45 mins
- Toughen construct 45 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Mosk, Justen and Thalis slowly come to, all 3 looking at the men with sheepish expressions as everyone breathes a sign of relief when the hammering on the door stops. Before it begins again, the door swinging open as a massive metal fist punches through it. Forge looks through the smashed door at the others, his metallic mask still splattered with undead bits. The beasts were dangerous but Miss Roslayn and have dispatched them all."
The others look even more sheepish before heading down to explore Marzena's room but there is nothing of note there. Marzena carried little with her, only a few clothes and selection of drawings and jokes from the soldiers.
After apologies the party gear up and brefky speak once more to the veteran who points them towards the distant swamp. We hope you can catch them. We don't want Miss Marzena or the bits ending up in a stew pot.
Justen and Rosalyn nod the most emphatically, promising upon Pelor and the lightning lord to return the missing victims.
2 hours later the mistmarsh is spread out before you. A vast expanse of grasslands, shallow streams and strange hazards that lies nestled in the middle of Cairn hills. It is named for the mist that hangs near permanently over the valley. The waterways are you arrive are very common and shallow infested with crocodiles and other creatures and slow to walk across filled with heavy roots and branches. The tracks of the lizard party vanish into the marsh Mosk's tracking keeping the party on track as they wade small muddy pools, slosh through bogs and ford streams.Its a long day tracking through the swamp.
Nine long hours of mud, filth, flies and scrublands as you follow the tracks of the lizards. The tracks suggesting that you are falling behind every hour that you trek, the lizards faster through their home territory. Eventually as night falls you can make out in the dull light of the green moon and the red moon the a massed pile of roots and branches and mangroves grown together into a huge mass of vegetation some 200 hundred feet across. The swamp grove grown over the tribes lair. At one point you can make out a thin hole in the tangled branches, the level hallway faintly visible flat and level and sloping downwards in the green tinged light.
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/177/f/3/twisted_branch_lair_by_hero339-d6asybl.jpg
the thin path is on the top right hand side
Mirriana heads into the lair, the mud wet underfoot and the air dank and heavy with mould, moisture and the smell of lizard glands and swamp. The short entrance tunnel slopoes down and is dark by the bottom, sunrods and torches being lit in the gloom. With the thick leafy canopy, the dripping and the pervasive buzz and click of insects there is almost no sound, your footfalls muffled by the thick moss and mud floor.
At the base of the tunnel an alcove has been formed by the roots. A few javelins and shell covered clubs lean on the wall surrounding a clay jug with crude paintings of what appears to be eggs drawn on the side filled with water and small shiny pebbles and bits of painted stone. Two paths go left and right whilst a thinner path slopes down into the heart of the nest. Pausing Forge looks about muttering arcane words as a green glow surrounds his fist. Thalis looks about likewise unimpressed, I do not like swamps and filth and this is full of both.
Forge casts (Bane Reptiles) on fist
Thalis casts mage armour
Rosalyn standing near the front with the cool blue light from her ever burning lantern nods towards the right hand path. Come, this way seems the right way. I do not like smell of the other. Joining her Mosk nods, Aye lass, I agree and Mosk and Justen lead off.
Ready now the party delve deeper into the heart of the lair. The light barely penetrating the thick fog and faint swamp mist in the lair. The passage leads further around to the left before opening up into another chamber with thick mud and roots on the floor. Scattered around the room are a dozen small raised wooden platforms, each covered with leaves and brush to make a comfortable bed with a smattering of personal possessions around the edge of the sleeping platforms.
The 7 lizard folk in the centre of the room looks angrily up at the party. Half clutch spears and axes, the rest baring only their claws. Though one looks different to the others, a sickly cast to his scales and a mucous white film over his yellow eyes. All 7 hiss and snarl, one speaking in draconic to the others...
Kill the men folk. Spare the woman for the king
Even as weapons fly from sheathes Thalis snarls I think I'd rather die to be honest in hissing draconic
Forge [roll0]
Justen [roll1]
Thalis [roll2]
Rosalyn [roll3]
Mosk [roll4]
Lizards [roll5]
Haer'thalis 28 / 28 Hps AC 17
- Mage armour 1 hour
Mosk 38 / 57 Hps AC 21
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
Justen 39 / 42 Hps AC 23
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20
Forge 45 / 45 Hps AC 22+4
- Magic vestment x2 (4 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 60 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Quick to react Thalis gestures and fire blooms around the shaman and around 2 more lizards.
Dam [roll0] DC18 half
Shaman [roll1]
Liz 1 [roll2]
Liz 2 [roll3]
Justen and Mosk are far simpler, both striding forward to take the battle to the enemy, mace and teeth swinging and chomping.
Mosk walk and bite [roll4] dam [roll5]
Justen walk up and hit [roll6] dam [roll7]
The shaman and 2 lizards wither under the fiery assault, the two fighting Mosk and Justen assailed and heavily wounded, the one fighting Mosk just dodging out of the way of the teeth. As the others attack Rosalyn grins and launches her own attack a string of golden missiles flashing out into the wounded lizard folk sending them spinning bleeding to the ground.
Magic missile on 3 wounded ones
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
The shaman hisses angrily at the loss of 3 of his fellows. He let's out a hooting call before beginning to summon green acidic fire around all the brave heroes. Most enduring the acidic fire well but Thalis, Mosk and Justen bear the brunt of, scarred and wounded.The mage in particular unused to being actually wounded in combat!
DC16 ref for half
[roll3] acid. Ref [roll4] Forge
[roll5] acid. Ref [roll6] Rosalyn
[roll7] acid. Ref [roll8] Justen
[roll9] acid. Ref [roll10] Mosk
[roll11] acid. Ref [roll12] Thalis
The remaining 3 lizards also run into the attack, the one fighting Mosk clawing and scratching at him while the sickly one assaults Forge and the other leaps upon Justen...
Vs Mosk
[roll13] dam [roll14]
[roll15] dam [roll16]
Vs Forge [roll17] dam [roll18]
Vs Justen [roll19] dam [roll20]
For his part the massive black adamantine warforged blocks with the shield before lashing out with the rune covered battlefist to s!ash the offending reptile to pieces.
Fist [roll21] dam [roll22] + [roll23]
The sickly one is smashed by the huge battlefist runes glowing, its head shattering it. As the creature falls its stomach splits open as a thick heavy green worm wriggles out, its segmented body, disgusting rot coloured green flesh and toothy maw looking like the one you had found at Filge's observatory.
All the lizards hiss terrified the shaman pointing in horror, muttering in draconic The curse is upon us again!
Haer'thalis 24/ 28 Hps AC 17
- Mage armour 1 hour
Mosk 48 / 57 Hps AC 21+2
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
Shield faith, Bulls strength
Justen 34 +10temp / 42 Hps AC 21
Enlarged, Bulls strength, Divine vigour
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20+3
Law devotion
Forge 39 / 45 Hps AC 22+4
- Magic vestment x2 (4 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 55 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Thalis pauses more fire crackling around her hands, What curse of you speak of lizard? We have seen the Worms before and destroy them when we see them. Showing the truth of her words she released another blast of fire that envelops the worm reducing it to black residue.
Fiery burst [roll0]
The druid and the lizards pause even as the heroes do likewise. Only Mosk pulling a flask from his belt and guzzling down a potion.
Cure light [roll1]
The shaman speaks again, this time in broken common. Why you invade our home. You kill mates and hatchlings. You butchers. Why you bring dark worms, they kill eggs! the last puntauated with a shake of the spirit staff as they are clearly angered. Behind him you can see at least a dozen more lizards gathering.
Justen steps forward, ignoring Thalis rolling her eyes. Forge doesn't notice instead kneeling down to look at the residue. It appears to be the same Kyuss worm as at Filge's observatory or at Blackwell..
Justen hangs the mace back on his belt and raises his empty hands. I am Justen Noble, initiate of Pelor. We came seeking only our prisoners. We do not wish you harm beyond that. We hate the Worms and kill them.
The shaman hisses to its followers before speaking once more. If we give prisoner you go?. At the question Justen nods in agreement. Only Mosk growling wanting more of a ruck. The shaman flicks his tail, Chief Shukak is mad in head. Black dragon whisper power and gold has made chief sick. Chief has pink skins. You kill chief, you get pink skins, you leave?.
Justen looks at the others Rosalyn nodding and giving him a comforting squeeze on the shoulder. Forge says nothing, the construct seemingly indifferent, and Thalis also nods. Very well. We will do this... The shaman hisses happily and details a small creature to lead you before Thalis stops them. We need to prepare. Attend us. The shaman nods, most lizards slinking to other parts of the swamp complex before the party prepare.
A minute passes as preparations are made, weapons are readied and wounds healed. With a last prayer to Pelor and Heronious from Justen and Rosalyn the tiefling then muttered a few arcane words as Justen swelled to twice his size.
The small lizard scurries forward leading you three more sleeping chambers before pointing down a steep slope, as you approach you can hear crackling flames, a faint whiff of pork and the screams of a man in agony.
Racing down it opens into a large chamber with a crackling fire at the centre, a throne with skulls on its back and arms. The ground on front of the throne is stained with blood, 3 bodies lying there writhing slowly in pain, a 4th spitted through legs and shoulder rotating over the fire howling in the flames. Skin charred and red raw, hair burned off and one eye burst open trailing optic jelly the soldier is clearly in agony.
Atop the throne is a hulking massive lizard with a strange purple scales.
http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0e1d8a6gK1rp34lmo1_1280.jpg
Beside him is 2 additional lizards, both massive and hulking. Your eyes drawn to the prisoners, one in particular with long brown hair and a red dress with her jaw squint and dislocated...
Rosalyn [roll0]
Thalis [roll1]
Forge [roll2]
Justen [roll3]
Mosk [roll4]
Lizard king [roll5]
Haer'thalis 24/ 28 Hps AC 17
- Mage armour 1 hour
Mosk 48 / 57 Hps AC 21+2
Cobat Rage: 1E
WormtailBelt (waist), 2E Threefold chimera (soul/Totem),
Claws of the Wyrm (hands), 1E Dread Carapace (feet)
Shield faith, Bulls strength
Justen 34 +10temp / 42 Hps AC 21
Enlarged, Bulls strength, Divine vigour
Rosalyn 32 / 32 Hps AC 20+3
Law devotion
Forge 39 / 45 Hps AC 22+4
- Magic vestment x2 (4 hours)
- Bane (reptiles) 55 minutes
Capsule (Fire, Fire, Frost)
Seeing the cruelty in the man roasting alive Rosalyn curses and levels her hands channelling raw arcane power. A beam of flames licking around the king as she strides forward into the room. Thalis does similar reaching into her arcane power to hurl magic at her foes. Red dust scattering and blinding.
Scorching rsy [roll0] damage [roll1]
Glitterdust DC18
Minions [roll2] and [roll3]
King [roll4]
Mosk howls like the beserker he is racing in and launching himself and his teeth at the enemy... Forge charges down the side of the room at the other one.
Forge charge, PA 2. [roll5] dam [roll6] + [roll7]
Mosk, frenzy, pounce
Dragon [roll8] dam [roll9]
Goat [roll10] dam [roll11]
Snake [roll12] dam [roll13]
Claw [roll14] dam [roll15]
Claw [roll16] dam [roll17]
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