DrK's Age of Worms IC pt3 [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

DrK

2016-06-09, 04:02 PM

Mirriana steps back from the battle line, converting Mystara's gift to magical power, wounds closing up as she emerges from the cloying unholy blight. Muddy, the clumsy earth elemental joins her a moment later, rocky claws fastening the healing belt loosely around Mir's thin waist. Merrick points tentacles at the bloodhulk and the insane Kyuss cleric, the long teethed tendrils tearing the undead flesh but being deflected by the heavy chain around Bozal.

The cleric points at the party - "The Age of Worms shall come. The rituals cannot be stopped now and the spawn of Kyuss will destroy this city and the God of Undeath shall reduce this place to the ground! This I, Bozal, shall swear and drag your souls screaming from your wretc.....". He is interrupted horribly as the trident stabs into fat stomach and he coughs up a gobbet of thick red blood. Even as the cleric is interrupted Talsien, Zarina and Mirriana all savage the bloodhulk, the sword, claws and club ripping and smashing into unrecognisable smears of bloody flesh. Blood splashing over all three in a thick wave of red gore.

Zohal looks daggers at the party, hate filling his eyes as he gestures at the party once more, this time unleashing a devastating wave of magic. His dark power reaching out tear Lan's heart from his chest. The halfling feels a horrific feeling of cold death wash over him a his heart begins to pulse and appear in Bozal's clawed hand!

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/9/99/Mola_Ram.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20111119144906

Throwing a vial of unholy water on the floor the the roof of the temple swirls around with dark power before black clouds and green streaked rain pours form the roof burning the skin of all but Merrick and muddy where it lands!

Standard: Cast Heartripper at Lan!
The caster holds out his hand and the still beating heart of the victim appears within it!
Fort DC20 or die within 2 rounds ; if pass 25 damage

Swift: Burn 5 turn undead for Divine (quicken): Unholy storm in 20ft emanation from him
Rain of unholy water doing 9 to all good aligned creatures within 20ft - so most of the party!
- -4 to spot/listen/ranged attacks

redzimmer

2016-06-09, 04:25 PM

Merrick

Irriatation and confusion washes over Merrick as the cleric apparently wants him to be wet.

No matter. Avoid the perimeter of this mist, I cannot control it, he advises his companions.

Tenebrous compels the mage to not take any action before the rest of his associates, so he waits before conjuring the multi-coloured mist.

Starbin

2016-06-09, 05:02 PM

As the cleric casts his spell, Lan felt a pressure in his chest ... then it was as if something inside him tore. In the cleric's hand, a flickering image of a small heart appeared as the bastard squeezed. But before it could burst, the heart disappeared, leaving the evil priest's hand empty. Lan smirked, spitting blood at the man. He was obviously hurt, but moving as quickly as he could without vomiting, he sped away from the priest and down the wall, only to spin and throw his trident back at the unholy man ... with unerring accuracy at the man's chest ...

Attack in OOC: 29 to hit (potential crit), 25 to confirm. 19 dam (or 26 if confirmed)

Boo.

Yah.

Status
HPs: 3/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?); haste [+1 att/Ref, +30 speed, 1 extra attack; 1 more rnd); sickened (-2 all rolls, 2 more rnds)

redzimmer

2016-06-09, 05:11 PM

E Fects

D8 Roll Color Effect
1 Red 1d4 Points of fire damage
2 Orange 1d6 Points of acid damage
3 Yellow 1d8 Points of electricity damage
4 Green Poison; 1d4 points of str damage. Fort save negates
5 Blue Slowed for 1 round. Will save negates
6 Indigo Lesser Confusion for one round. Will save negates, mind-effecting
7 Violet Dazed for 1 round. Will save negates
8 N/A At the junction of two colors; roll twice more ignoring any '8' results

redzimmer

2016-06-09, 05:27 PM

Muddy

Hurrying over to his Master's fallen friend, the small dirtman pours a potion of faintly peppermint undertones down his throat.

It would have been s grand Cure Serious Wounds.[roll0]

Poor Muddy. He will never be rid of this potion at this rate.

Stegyre

2016-06-09, 07:10 PM

Taliesn

Taliesn hops back, out of the rain and away from Merrick's mist (which he remembers all too well). He shakes his fur. Can't get close to the cleric. This will have to do. He opens his mouth and spits a stream of acid in the direction of their final foe.
Move action back to the doorway or anywhere else 30' from the cleric.
Swift action to put 2 essentia into dissolving spittle. The remaining point will remain in vambraces (DR 4/magic)
Standard action spitting touch attack: [roll0] (Not sure if the -4 to ranged attacks still applies if I have moved out of the rain but must still shoot through it; if so, subtract 4.)
[roll1]
Not nearly as satisfying as a good claw attack. I need to learn to rend, and to power attack.

DrK

2016-06-10, 01:29 AM

Hearts are narrowly saved, unholy rain that sears the skin falls from the black stone roof as Zarina feels a chill at the horror of the battle. The colourful mists surrounding the priest don't obscure the vision of him as another trident thrust plunges deep into his body! The beast's skin sizzles slightly as acid spittle splashes over him.

Zarina looks at her allies, all wounded horribly and feels worry. Looking back at the cleric behind the strange green beam of light and his glittering anti-life ward, alone now as her 3 mirror images blink from existence under the black and green streaked rain. "What do we do?" she shouts to Mirriana, "We can't stay here, this black rain will kill on in the state we are in." Her eyes looking up at Lan and Goat in particular.

Seeing the rain falling she reached out a hand channelling the last of her golden belt's healing into the raging barbarian.

Heal belt last charge [roll0]

Hps 35/54
Saves +8/7/6 +2 VS EVIL +3
AC 27 ff 27 T 12 +2 vs EVIL

Dragonskin (red) +3 NA, fire 10; 57 mins
Bless (+1 hit, +1 morale vs fear) 7 mins
Conviction (+3 saves) 7 mins
Protec from Evil +2 deflect/Saves vs Evil 9 mins
Shield 12 mins
B.Strength 3 mins
Haste 1 rounds

Devotion +2

RCgothic

2016-06-10, 03:16 PM

Mirriana

I sigh in anguished frustration. We retreat, I send to the others. There's no sense standing in this rain when most of us can't hurt him. But we can't let him get away either! Muddy, can you glide to the other side and keep him penned into the Must by his anti-life shell? Tal, can you cut off his escape by blinking?

I retreat beyond the storm and activate a charge of the healing belt.

redzimmer

2016-06-10, 03:21 PM

Merrick

Merrick sends the mental command for Muddy to move where directed by Mirriana. The flemental leaves the potion beside Goattracker before moving.

Felhammer

2016-06-10, 03:58 PM

Goat

The cleric furiously casts his gaze around for who or what has caused the latest pain. In his delirious state, it takes him almost a full second to find the real enemy. All of his animalistic impulses scream at him to charge forward and slay the foe! Murder him! Butcher him! Make him pay! MAKE HIM PAY! But then a noise in his head begins. Softly at first but growing and growing until it becomes a deafening angelic song. He hears the wise words of his Chieftess... And with her mere mental utterance, his barbaric rage ends.

And he runs away.

The cleric sighs.

He failed this day.

He failed his friends, the people of this wondrous city and the whole world.

He would not let it happen again.

Cure Serious Wounds on Goat: [roll0]

redzimmer

2016-06-10, 04:07 PM

Merrick

As she falls back, Merrick hands his toothed tentacles wands over to Mirriana.

Remember me. Avenge me if I fall, he says.

As Muddy glides to the far side of the shell and mist, Merrick moves to the spell edge on his side.

Stegyre

2016-06-10, 09:59 PM

Taliesn

Mirriana

. . . Tal, can you cut off his escape by blinking?
The cursed rain, the spreading, colored mist, the evil priest's strange field that hedged out life. (Can't even blink into that.) This battlefield left a lot to be desired.

But this cleric was doomed. He could only have so many tricks up his sleeves, and sooner or later . . .

I'm going behind the West door, first. Taliesn figures the strange light beam should allow him to see. The North door isn't yet in range, anyway, but it would be from behind the West door. Those doors surely block all the arcane chaos.

His eyes go slightly out of focus, as he visualizes his position on the other side of the door – and then he is there.
Swift action to shift essentia into Blink Shirt, DR 4/magic.
Standard action blink. I've got a 30' range, which should be able to put me directly on the other side of the door, just south of where the beam comes through.

Let's see what's behind Door Number One.

DrK

2016-06-11, 01:04 AM

With the rain pouring down from the ceiling Lan, Mirriana, Goat and Zarina retreat to the south end of the room, the tiefling's gleaming eyes glittering through the black rain and shimmering prismatic mist as he watches them, the 3 spell casters using healing magic to knit wounds back together.

The look is cut short as the trident flashes out again skewering him, leaving him staggered against the wall. Talsien joins in spitting acid at the creature from the back of the room.

With the room filling with prismatic mist and unholy rain Merrick and Muddy run into the rain. Muddy pushing open the Western doors as he peers down a 25ft corridor lit by the eerie green beam. It terminates in a stone circle blocking the corridor, the stone depicted with an orgy of dad wirm ridden corpses. In the middle of the mass of corpses a worm filled skull of Kyuss screams in silent triumph. The entire stone disc and far end of the passage is sheathed in a green glow like the green beam hitting the surface and spreading around it, forming a sphere of the strange green energy that must be 20 or 30ft in diameter....

Bozal clutches his chest where multiple penetrating trident wounds leak blood and gore soaking his armour. He staggers back towards the north door lurching through the wooden door drawing a vellum scroll from the belt at his waist.
Some 10ft up the narrow corridor beyond, by a stout wooden door decorated with images of worms and undead, he turns and reads from the scroll as a bubling mass of organic ooze slowly bulids up into a glistening mass of slime that fills the 20ft wide, 20ft tall altar room with a thin wall of glistening slime.

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/KHolbourn/AgeWorms/Age%20Worms%20lower%20level%204.jpg

Retreats 20ft north through the door drawing a scroll as he goes.
Cast Wall of Ooze to run along north wall of the Altar room blocking the doorway from floor to ceiling.
Wall of Ooze blocks LoS

Prismatic mist and Unholy storm remain

redzimmer

2016-06-11, 02:10 AM

Merrick

Lan, would you like to trade spots with Muddy?

The colours roll through the mist as Merrick pulls out his benign transposition wand.

[roll0] effect:

RCgothic

2016-06-11, 12:32 PM

Mirriana

"Merrick, wait!" I command. "Take Lan and Tal and Dimensional Door to cut off his escape! 30ft beyond that ooze! Muddy, glide past the ooze to hem him in! Zarina, Goat and I... we'll await your successful return. Lan, take this:" I channel my most potent healing spell into the badly injured scout. "Go now!"

Delay Death -> Cure Critical Wounds [roll0]

You're moving out of my range now, so there's no point hoarding it...

Starbin

2016-06-12, 01:56 AM

Still staggered, as the cleric cast his wall spell, Lan was greatful for the healing from Mirriana. Nodding, he gripped the trident and moved to join the others for the plan ...

Up to 27! Bglad to have a little room away from 3 ...

Status
HPs: 27/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?); haste [+1 att/Ref, +30 speed, 1 extra attack; 1 more rnd); sickened (-2 all rolls, 2 more rnds)

Felhammer

2016-06-12, 02:10 AM

Goat

The goliath pants heavily as he casts a healing spell. "Best of luck my friends."

Cure Serious: [roll0]

redzimmer

2016-06-12, 02:10 AM

Merrick

Merrick focuses on the destination from the empathic direction relayed by familiar.

Casting dimension door, he transports Taliesn and Lan with him.

Whoosh

DrK

2016-06-12, 06:16 AM

Mirriana and Goat pour healing energy into Tal, Lan and Merrick before with a pop the three of them vanish from view! Leaving the bloodied 3 warrior clerics/mage panting and watching the storm of unholy rain, the pulsing slick oozing wall and the swirling rainbow coloured mist....

Zarina looks at Mir' and Goat. "I hope the Gods keep them safe" she whispers pointing at the wall of ooze as fire blooms in the midst of it. "We must listen carefully, if there find trouble we may have to brave the ooze, mist and the storm to save them!" she gulps in the mild panic that such a thought provokes. He breath leaves her a second later as her accelerated perception fades, the haste spell wearing off them all.

Fiery Burst on the OOZE wall [roll0]

Hps 29/54 (lost another 6 from acid mist)
Saves +8/7/6 +2 VS EVIL +3
AC 27 ff 27 T 12 +2 vs EVIL

Dragonskin (red) +3 NA, fire 10; 57 mins
Bless (+1 hit, +1 morale vs fear) 7 mins
Conviction (+3 saves) 7 mins
Protec from Evil +2 deflect/Saves vs Evil 9 mins
Shield 12 mins
B.Strength 3 mins

Devotion +2

-----

"POP" With a tear of ripping air the three heroes stumble out into a dimly lit room, Merrick and Lan landing on the wooden bed with filthy sheets that creaks alarmingly. A central pillar of green marble carved in the likeness of a segmented worm supports the ceiling of this square room. The room is dimly lit by a single incense burner that sheds a ripe fruity off-ripe aroma. The room is lined with woolen tapestries depicting coiling green worms and contains the rough bed, an armchair and a tall cupboard. Near the bed is a small nightstand with an ornate elongated trunk - an object that is both fascinating and disgusting, crafted from darkwood and bound with steel its covered in ornate depictions that are too small to make out in the dim light without closer investigation.

A door to the south is fractionally ajar - and you can guess Bozal must be behind it as a field of shimmering energy projects into the room that you recognise as the anti-life shell. Of more concern standing in front of that door and in front of the door to the west a are a pair of worm riddled Kyuss skeletons that hiss in anger as you stumble into the room. The waves of paralysing fear washing over the three of you!

2 x DC14 will save Vs fear please!

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/KHolbourn/AgeWorms/Age%20Worms%20lower%20level%205.jpg

Lan and Talsien to act (depending on their ability to resist the terrifying Spawn fear!)

redzimmer

2016-06-12, 09:42 AM

Merrick

I may have miscalculated.

[roll0]

Stegyre

2016-06-12, 07:21 PM

Taliesn

Lan, kill the cleric! To the others, Taliesn reports, Two more spawn in the cleric's chambers. I think we are holding.
Taliesn will wait for Lan's action to see if Lan takes down Bozal.

A. If Bozal is still standing, standard action to spit at Bozal (ranged touch attack) [roll0] (that's without any mods for Mirriana's bless, if still active or for being shaken on a successful fear save, so please adjust accordingly, if relevant), [roll1]. Followed by a 5' step toward the West spawn (protecting our caster and avoiding standing too close together). Swift action to move essentia to vambraces, DR 6/magic.

B. If Bozal is down, swift action to move essentia into landshark claws, instead, DR 4/magic; move action leap, standard action to claw the West spawn:
[roll2] [roll3] (includes the -2 for shaken)
[roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]

Starbin

2016-06-12, 10:01 PM

Lan felt a wave of fear wash over him as they entered the room, but managed to shake most of the effects off. He grunted in acknowledgement to Tal's direction. With trident in hand he let fly at the cleric

The way I understand it, Lan has to move 20' in a round, regardless of how. Also, I'm guessing Lan is at least 20' from the priest. So hear we go!

[roll=1d20+10[/roll], [roll0]

Status
HPs: 27/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?); shaken [-2 all rolls; 1 round); sickened (-2 all rolls, last round)

DrK

2016-06-13, 01:53 AM

As the three larger armoured warriors await news of the battle the rest in Bozal's bed chamber have an explosive battle! Lan dives left, trident pinning the spawn to the door. Tal leaps in the air, long legs stretching out to tear the spawn apart with 4 rending slashes. As he does so the worms inhabiting the beast's body swarm over his claws seeking to burrow into his flesh and find out the soft juicy squishy bits of his brain. Those who are felled by the worms will soon rise as one!

How do your to hit/dam work out?
I end up few points shorter than you.

See OOC for the worms touch attacks on Tal.

The remaining spawn ensnared by the mist lurches forward, claws going for the wizard's throat, worm ridden corpse spilling worms over the anima mage.

Partial charge vs Merrick [roll0] dam [roll1] + WORM + DC12 or horrific disease

Bozal opens the door a crack and curses as he can't move forward against his abjuration. Keeping the door ajar he cackles as he channels a wave of negative energy into the room. Seconds later he calls upon the last of Kyuss's blessing, his holy reliquary symbol darkening as he launches a bolt of black darkness at Talsien, the crackling power dark and evil, angered at the casual way the shifter destroyed his spawn and Tal and Merrick trapping him in the mist!

Convert Harm --> Inflict Moderate mass
[roll2] Will DC21 for half for all PCs. Spawn and Bozal heals that much.

Divine quicken Darkbolt at Tal
[roll3] Touch dam [roll4] half cold, fort DC17 or stunned 1 round

RCgothic

2016-06-13, 02:32 AM

Mirriana

I trap my sword against the ground, anxious about how the others are fairing up ahead. Instead I try and distract myself with other considerations. "So that beam of energy can't be good," I tell the others. "Any thoughts on how we stop it?"
Another charge of the healing belt [roll0]

redzimmer

2016-06-13, 09:38 AM

Merrick

Knowing it will leave him open to attack (and likely his death), Merrick smashes a vial of alchemical fire onto the spawn attacking him.

Taliesn, try to let the flame hit you! It will hurt, but the alternative would be much worse.

[roll0] to hit

Damage [roll1]
Yeah, well I still want the splash.

Felhammer

2016-06-13, 12:30 PM

Goat

The cleric taps himself with his healing wand as he comments, "Our friends will succeed."

CLW Wand: [roll0]

redzimmer

2016-06-13, 01:27 PM

Muddy

Understandably apoplectic, the little earth elemental tosses the alchemist's fire at the wall of ooze in opes of reaching his fallen Master.

[roll0] ranged at wall
[roll1] damage plus 1 splash to any adjacent wall squares.

Mist roll [roll2]

DrK

2016-06-14, 12:39 AM

Zarina

Zarina looks at the other two biting her lip nervously. "I can't hear much, there's no screaming. With Tal and Lan I'm sure they can look after themselves and keep Merrick safe."

Staring at the ooze wall she gestures with a hand. More fire flaring as she targets the same square as Muddy did and that she did previously. The ooze wall starting to look thin and ragged on that corner.

Fiery burst again [roll0]

The left hand side is starting to look thin and frayed. More damage or abig lush could tear through it (the push would risk the acidic ooze paralysing you and starting to digest you.

Starbin

2016-06-14, 05:18 PM

Another wave of pain washed over the halfling, eliciting a grunt from the small warrior. Seeing his companions drop, Lan growled to himself moved to the climp up to the corner of the room where the cleric could not see him. As he moved up, he slipped a potion out of his belt and held it tightly.

So the spot where Lan already is is out of visibility of the door? Shouldn't that mean he wasn't impacted by the inflict wounds? Or only the ceiling corner? If so, how high is the ceiling? If it looks like I'm just delaying the inevitable, and the spawn and the cleric are just going to walk right in on me, can Lan flee to the hallway?

Status
HPs: 27/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?)

DrK

2016-06-16, 12:49 AM

As Lan races to the corner he scales the wall crouching in the shadows of a ridge of stone and the thick heavy fold of a tapestry to Kyuss's glory. The spawn hisses, sniffing around as it moves towards the door to the west, vanishing through it following the priest.

Bozal moves into the room, cursing as he allows the antilife shell to collapse as he strides past Merrick and Talsien's fallen bodies. He vanishes through the door, the heavy door to the west slamming shut after him, a puff of acrid chemical smell wafting in...

Double moves and vanishes through door to the west.

DrK

2016-06-16, 01:59 AM

Zarina

Zarina looks up as Muddy stiffens in the narrow side corridor. Her eyes narrowed as she looks at the swirling mist, rain and storm. Reaching out mentally she looks at Mirriana and Goat. "Can you hear friend Tal?"

Focusing she reaches into the depths of her magical reserves summoning a pair of beams of fire. Tired she knows now she has exhausted her ability to summon fire for the day.

The ooze wall and unholy rain react badly,the black rain diluting the fire and refracting it to no more than a warm glow that has no effect on the thinned and damaged patch of wall that she had been targeting.

Scorch ray (no fire spells left so no fiery burst anymore)
[roll0] to hit right square [roll1] Fire!
[roll2] to hit right square [roll3] Fire!

Edit: well damn, that's unlucky!

Felhammer

2016-06-16, 10:45 AM

Goat

The goliath pleads, "Hurry Zarina. We have no time to waste! Friend Tal needs us!" Goattracker then uses the wand to heal himself again.

[roll0]

RCgothic

2016-06-16, 11:01 AM

Mirriana

I wait a moment whilst I assess the absence of Taliesn's thoughts. "You're right, something's wrong. I'm going in."

Sprinting across the stormy, misty room, I attempt to slash a hole in the damaged region of the ooze.

Unholy Storm:
Mist: [roll0]
Saves if necessary: [roll1](modifiers added later as appropriate)

Tactical Strike:
Attack [roll2]
Damage: [roll3][roll4]

"Goat, go through!"

Starbin

2016-06-16, 11:26 AM

Drinking the potion he had slipped out, Lan faded from sight ... although no one was in the room to notice. Immediately he climbed down and looked to his companions, trying to rouse them back while looking for signs of anything. He remember something Mir had taught him and he quickly sent a mental message to the woman. Mirriana, the mage and Tal are bleeding out. The priest and his spawn left, but his shell is down. Any advice on stopping the bleeding? Hurry!

Heh, I get to use Weavespeak to send to a divine class of Mystra! Also, drinking an invisibility potion and trying to staunch the wounds of my friends. Hopefully I either see some potions (which this guy probably doesn't have any cure potions, but Lan will look) or get lucky on my heal check. Maybe Mir can aid me via the sending!

[roll0], [roll1], [roll2]

Status
HPs: 27/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?), Invisibility (30 min)

redzimmer

2016-06-16, 11:41 AM

Muddy

The small man of dirt tosses its remaining vial, this of liquid fire, at the wall, as far from Master Merrick's associates as possible.

[roll0] to hit
[roll1]
[roll2]

DrK

2016-06-16, 04:07 PM

In the bedroom Lan drops down from the wall as the door slams shut. Magically reaching to the Priestess of Mystara he sends out the plea for help as he drops down beside the shifter and downed wizard. Hands trynig to stem the bleeding on Merrick or the strange frozen black patch of dead skin on the shifter. Back in the main room the small elemental hurls his fire with far better accuracy than Zarina's errant rays of fire. The liquid embers wash over the wall of devillish ooze leaving the patch of wall thin, a thin-ness that is shredded seconds later as Mirriana runs in braving the rain that hisses and burns her skin, her sword flashing out shearing through the burnt and sizzled wall of ooze leaving a gaping slime edged hole some 5ft in diamater. Through the hole the priestess can see maybe 30ft ahead the room where Lan crouches over their 2 fallen comrades in the flickering gloom of a single candle...

Felhammer

2016-06-16, 04:30 PM

Goattracker

The Goliath runs forward as fast as possible through the ooze - wand in hand - to help his allies.

What kind of saves do I need to make?

redzimmer

2016-06-16, 05:18 PM

Muddy

Through the hole created, Muddy rushes to his Master.

DrK

2016-06-18, 12:45 AM

Zarina

Zarina looks at Mirriana and Goat as they run off. She grimaces, holding an arm above her face before she sprints into the storm and the prismatic mist, ducking her head to get through the hole in the ooze.

Skidding into the next room she spies the destroyed spawn, her fallen friends and the tapestries of the worm apocalypse. Looking around she can see two bodies, and pulling out a lesser vigour potion she pauses unsure which to save.

Goat, where's Lan? I can only see Merrick and Tal. Who do I save first?"

Double move through the mist and storm
Draw vigour potion as she walks
- look confused as to who to save

Storm [roll0]
Mist [roll1]
Save [roll2] dam as needed [roll3] [roll4] [roll5]

Mist [roll6]
Save [roll7] dam as needed [roll8] [roll9] [roll10]
Mist [roll11]
Save [roll12] dam as needed [roll13] [roll14] [roll15]
Mist [roll16]
Save [roll17] dam as needed [roll18] [roll19] [roll20]

- saved vs Slow

Hps 20/54
Saves +8/7/6 +2 VS EVIL +3
AC 27 ff 27 T 12 +2 vs EVIL

Dragonskin (red) +3 NA, fire 10; 57 mins
Bless (+1 hit, +1 morale vs fear) 7 mins
Conviction (+3 saves) 7 mins
Protec from Evil +2 deflect/Saves vs Evil 9 mins
Shield 12 mins
B.Strength 3 mins

Devotion +2

Starbin

2016-06-18, 02:20 AM

A whisper from near the bodies whispers, "I'm here ... help Tal first."

Guess we're waiting ...

[roll0], [roll1], [roll2]

Status
HPs: 27/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?), Invisibility (30 min)

Felhammer

2016-06-18, 10:53 AM

Goat

The Goliath gingerly cradles Tal in his arms and he gently taps him with the healing wand.

CLW [roll0]

Stegyre

2016-06-18, 02:13 PM

Taliesn

Taliesn stirs, eyes opening, to see GoatTracker towering over him. Good, the others were here.

Did you smash him good for me? He looks around, trying to spot the remains of that cursed demon cleric.

Felhammer

2016-06-18, 02:16 PM

Goat

The goliath looks away, ashamed, "We only rushed in once we knew you were close to death."

Wand [roll0]

RCgothic

2016-06-18, 04:31 PM

Mirriana

The first rule of triage is that you have to make sure to take care of yourself first. I can tell I'm pretty beaten up, and that only divine fury and magic are keeping me going. I channel one of my remaining spells into a burst of healing energy that should keep me functioning even when the effects of adrenaline and enchantments wear off. I'll get to healing Merrick once I'm more stable on my own feat.

"I fear the consequences of our failure to stop that man. Even now his scroll is doing something nefarious, yet that room is too suffused with dangerous energies for us to reenter just yet."

Move into the room
Cast Silence -> CMW [roll0]

Starbin

2016-06-20, 05:26 PM

Lan muttered from somewhere on the ceiling. "The hell you say. We're alive ... harder to stop him if we're all walking around as his meat puppets. Heal up and we can go find him if you like. Or drop the mist and go stop the spell ..."

Yeah, it sucks to lose the fight, but it sucks worse to lose your character. :smallsmile:

And Lan has some good sneakage left in him.

Status
HPs: 27/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?), Invisibility (30 min)

redzimmer

2016-06-20, 05:33 PM

Muddy

Reaching the rest of the crowd, the elemental frantically pantomimes Zarina to do something or other to Merrick's mouth.

Use your liquid not-kill and make master un-undead, Prime!

DrK

2016-06-22, 06:36 AM

Zarina

Sprinting out of the burning rain Zarina slides down beside the diminutive rock creature and the downed wizard. Her hands shaking as she see's the burns and claw marks covering Merrick's body. She cradles his head and pours the potion into his mouth and waits to see what happens. Pausing she rises, both hands clamping onto her sword as she watches the far door and looks around the room with curiosity. Looking about she winces at her own wounds as she scans room. "What do we do now? the rain and mist will fade shortly and we can examine the scrolls...

Gets fed a lesser vigour potion.
11 hps. 1 hp per round

Dropping out of initiative unless you are chasing through the door?

Stegyre

2016-06-22, 11:47 AM

Taliesn

We should get after him now. He will only be better prepared next time. If Lan can scout ahead quickly, invisibly, and let us know where he is, I can cover the distance and try to end him.
Yes, Taliesn likes to live dangerously. Undead are a favored enemy, and here's a foe intent on making more of them. It's what needs to be done.

RCgothic

2016-06-22, 03:21 PM

Mirriana

I sigh.

"Well we can't go back until until those storms disperse, and we may as well make use of our defensive enchantments. If we catch him we can still stop him! Lan, go first, make use of your invisibility - we have got to stop blundering into things! Goattracker, keep using that wand! We need to be as healthy as possible! I won't have any spells left after this either..."

I bend down to cast Cure Moderate Wounds on Merrick.

Hold Person -> CMW [roll0]

redzimmer

2016-06-22, 03:47 PM

Merrick

As he recovers, the wizard gives his familiar a reassuring pat.

"If those wormy abominations are just the foot soldiers of this Age of Worms, then we MUST stop it at all costs. The cleric must die. Also, may I have my wand back?"

RCgothic

2016-06-22, 03:52 PM

I hand back the wand of toothed tentacles. I'm going to be much more comfortable wielding my sword.

Starbin

2016-06-23, 05:46 PM

Through Taliesn, Lan thought, Let's go, then. Time to hunt ... unless there are some spells to be had? He was ready to move out, hoping the others would open the door first.

Recommend we burn the bull's strength for healing. How long does aid last again? Also, Enlarge person might work for the lady with the nasty sword.

Status
HPs: 8/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 4min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 4min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 40 min); Darkvision 60' (1hr); spider climb (50 min?), Invisibility (30 min)

redzimmer

2016-06-23, 06:01 PM

Merrick

Merrick holds out his resist energy potion for Lan to take, then rifles through his wands, selecting the benign transposition.

When we are ready, expect a trap on the door. Can we simply destroy it? I can burn it or inflict sonic energies at it.

redzimmer

2016-06-24, 02:31 PM

Merrick

While plans are laid, Merrick quickly searches for anything which might aid them.

[roll0] :mitd:

DrK

2016-06-25, 12:13 PM

redzimmer

2016-06-26, 01:11 PM

Merrick

We must be swift. Each second we waste the hellspawn will grow stronger.

Merrick casts haste upon his allies.

Hastened, seven rounds.
Protection From Evil 5 minutes? Maybe?
Mass Conviction??
Bless??

??-denotes uncertainty of duration.

RCgothic

2016-06-27, 12:54 PM

The door Bazol fled through swings open, the cleric and his spawn minion moving fast had not stopped to lock it. The door opens down a 15ft passage before expanding into a bare looking rectangular room.

A Brazier burns in the North West corner, flickering green illuminating the bare black Stone wall. The Western wall has a solitary wooden door in it and the whole southern wall is concealed behind a curtain of heavy black silk.

For hps and spells how many rounds of you buff for?

Looking like two rounds before we move on?

Mirriana

I channel some of my last healing into Taliesn. We can't afford for our heavy hitters to be low on health. Then I follow along after the others

Hold Person -> CMW [roll0]
Move up to 60ft (hasted).

Felhammer

2016-06-27, 01:03 PM

Goat

The goliath casts his two spells, then follows Mir.

Stegyre

2016-06-27, 06:40 PM

Taliesn
It occurs to me that I do have spell effects to report on.

Protection from Evil and Magic Fangare both minutes/CL, but since they're just first-level potions (and I expect I should have paid a higher price for higher CL), ithey're probably only good for 10 rounds. Without going back and counting, I suspect we are at least half-way through that, if not more, though I don't think we've yet used the entire 10 rounds, have we?
Feeling much better than when he was at death's door, Taliesn prepares to follow Lan through the doorway.
So, my understanding: Lan is going first, invisible and spider climbing along the ceiling. Taliesn plans to give him at least a 20' lead – keeping track of where Lan is via telepathy from Lan.

Can Lan check for tracks in the room, to discern which way our target may have gone? (How I yearn for mindsight (http://dokdorspace.com/dndtools/feats/lords-of-madness--72/mindsight--1960/index.html) at 9th level.

DrK

2016-06-30, 07:04 AM

Zarina

As the others rush into the room Zarina pauses for a brief respite. Blood and burned welts covering a fair portion of her body as she seems tired. She follows the rest in keeping behind Goat and Mirriana who are now semi-healed after the ministrations of the wand and their own divine power. She touches her thin golden belt, the jeweled clasp glowing dull and lifeless as the magic is drained of power for the day. A few of the burns fading slightly as she does so. "Come then," she mutters as she hefts the sword once more. "Let us see if we can finish this once and for all."

Last charge of healing belt [roll0]

Hps 20/54 + above healing
Saves +8/7/6 +2 VS EVIL +3
AC 27 ff 27 T 12 +2 vs EVIL

Dragonskin (red) +3 NA, fire 10; 55 mins
Bless (+1 hit, +1 morale vs fear) 5 mins
Conviction (+3 saves) 5 mins
Protec from Evil +2 deflect/Saves vs Evil 8 mins
Shield 12 mins
B.Strength 2 mins

-----

Looking about the room the party speed in, bodies supernaturally quickened as Lan scampers on the ceiling and rest race in, looking around but aside from the curtained off section to the south and the door opposite your one there is no movement or things of interest!

Before he joins them Merrick has a quick glance around Bozal's bedroom - but aside from the massively ornate and very disturbing looking chest the room has only mundane things that a priest would need. The chest is highly ornate although the depictions on the metal plates of mortals being horrifically tortured and killed by worms and undead is very, very disturbing!

redzimmer

2016-06-30, 09:50 AM

Merrick

Merrick ponders the chest, but decides it can wait for now.

In case the images are in any way relevant
[roll0]

He readies his toothed tentacle wand and mentally gathers his remaining spells.

Stegyre

2016-06-30, 12:10 PM

Taliesn

Not waiting to be asked, Taliesn blinks to a point 5' beyond the other side of the wooden door. I will check for signs of passage here, so we need not risk a trapped door if not necessary. Assuming there is sufficient lighting, he checks for any signs of recent passage.
Tracking: [roll0], add +2 on account of the favored enemy zombie.

Edit: Yes! Lan may be our best tracker, but he is not our only tracker.

RCgothic

2016-07-03, 03:58 PM

Mirriana

Following along with the rush I channel the last dregs of my magic into healing.

Sanctuary -> CLW [roll0]

Priority is Taliesn, Goattracker, then lowest health otherwise.

DrK

2016-07-04, 12:15 AM

As everyone barrels into the room Talsien blinks out beyond the door, there is a wet splash as his left leg splashes down the toilet, the rest of him poised above it. The small room is little bigger than a cupboard with a carved stone throne that drops into a wet sewer pipe that smells. The only other thing in the toilet are some questionable towels and a bucket of clean water. There are no tracks save scuffs that suggest people come in and out as expected.

In the main room the rest stand looking around, Lan's sharp eyes noticing that there is more of the room hidden behind the curtain and a strong bitter chemical smell.

Starbin

2016-07-04, 12:39 AM

Peering in the room Lan caught sight of the curtain, and the odd line it made ... as if something lay beyond it. Mentally he sent to the shifter and the others, Hidden area here ... smells odd, like alchemical stuff ...

Looking and listening [roll0], [roll1] +4 to each vs undead

Status
HPs: 8/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 3min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 3min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 39 min); Darkvision 60' (59min); spider climb (49 min?), Invisibility (29 min)

Stegyre

2016-07-04, 02:34 PM

Talsien blinks out beyond the door, there is a wet splash as his left leg splashes down the toilet, the rest of him poised above it.
Very funny, fate. Hah, hah.

They did not come through the door, he sends back to the others (along with Lan's message). Don't ask how I know, please.

He shakes his leg off and blinks back to the others.

RCgothic

2016-07-04, 02:56 PM

Mirriana

"Ok, then what's behind the curtain?" I ask, as I activate the last charge on my healing belt.

[roll0]

redzimmer

2016-07-04, 03:07 PM

Merrick

Wand still at the ready, Merrick casts silent portal on the curtain to diminish the rustling it will make if pulled aside.

Muddy

Thus the portal silenced, Muddy pulls the curtain aside.

Then he wonders where everyone went.

DrK

2016-07-06, 04:07 PM

The curtain is silently pulled aside, Merrick's cantrip leaving it moving silently without even a rustle. The space beyond is maybe 10ft deep, more bare tiles and empty save for a fabulously ornate urn some 7ft tall and 6ft in diameter in at its widest. The back wall is a huge and complicated mosaic of thousands of tiny worm tongued skulls of Kyuss. They merge to form a single massive mosaic skull in the centre of the room that flashes with a massively powerful symbolic blast of green chattering light as the spectral skull erupts from the wall, nercomantic teeth savage the heroes and heroines standing in the room!

Will DC 20 or [roll0] Str damage!

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o72/fausto_passarelli/Age%20of%20Worms/Age%20of%20Worms%205/alkilith_zps1bbe3ba7.jpg

Even as the symbol fades, glowing less brightly green on the wall the urn vibrates and shakes, ooze crackling with acid and a stench of alchemical tang as a the oozing pile of alchemical ooze rises upwards in a globular shape, bright green cracks shimmering on the creature as it surges upwards! The ooze-demon Zarina points at squeaking n worry - "Its an Akilith! A powerful demon!"..

Mirriana
Lan
Merrick
DEMON
Everyon else

redzimmer

2016-07-06, 04:19 PM

Merrick

"I am growing to hate Kyuss," Merrick says mildly.

[roll0] Will
[roll1] What does Merrick know about an Akilith? For example, will my protection from evil hedge it?

redzimmer

2016-07-06, 04:28 PM

Merrick, Who Forgot to Do Anything

Toothed tentacle wand at the ready, Merrick lets fly the teeth.

[roll0] to hit
[roll1] to hit
[roll2] to hit
[roll3] damage
[roll4] damage
[roll5] damage

Meanwhile, Muddy hurriedly pulls the curtain back.

Starbin

2016-07-10, 01:46 AM

As the wave of magic washed over him, Lan blinked in surprise, as the ceiling suddenly fell away from him. With a soft this and grunt, the invisible halfling landed somewhere in the room. He thought to his companions, I'm down, center floor. Can't move my arms. Grab me and let's get the hell out of here!

Time to fly!

Status
HPs: 8/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Spell-like abilities: Shield Other; Sanctuary
Effects: living prints (4hrs); mass conviction (+3 saves [morale] / 3min); bless (+1 Att/ save vs fear [morale], 3min); embrace the wild (+3 Spot/Listen; low-light vision/ blind sense 30' / 39 min); Darkvision 60' (59min); spider climb (49 min?), Invisibility (29 min)

RCgothic

2016-07-10, 07:39 AM

Mirriana

I move to pick up Lan, even as I stand between Merrick and the curtain.

"Get out of here! Go!"

DrK

2016-07-10, 12:44 PM

Merrick look lashes out at the extra Planar demonic form but it's natural toughness means the tentacles cannot shred its odd hide. Lan, weakened by the evil symbol gives a shout as he tumbles nervelessly from the ceiling landing on the floor.

Mirriana leaps forward, one hand hefting up the halfling as she moves to shield the overly brave wizard from the demon beyond! Before the demon can unleash horrific magic upon them the little earthen creature pulls the curtain back across hidingbthe beast from sight.

It starts to chant, a rumbling absyaal gurgling as a spinning black portal begins to spin and large claws appear at the portal!

[roll0]

Talsien, Goat and Zarina to go

DrK

2016-07-10, 12:57 PM

Zarina

Zarina braces herself and clutches he holy symbol till it digs into her palm drawing blood. The wave of dark magic washes over her but she throws off the effects. Seeing the demon is another issue entirely! She shouts to the others as the portal opens, "Its summoning more demons. Quickly, we must go!"

She waits by the doorway, quickening magic washing through her.

Delay to move with the others
Then double move 120ft!

redzimmer

2016-07-10, 01:56 PM

Merrick

"Flee Muddy! We cannot win."

Retracing his steps, he exits the door and return to the bedchamber. Feeling particularly spiteful, he draws his combustion wand and set the cleric's bed alight. He ponders the chest, but has been at the sharp end of too many traps to touch it.

Onward he presses back the way he came.

How many rounds since I cast the mist? Will flicker and [i]transpositon[/roll] us through if still up.

Stegyre

2016-07-10, 07:16 PM

Taliesn

Death and Damnation! Where did the cleric go?? Taliesn reaches out with his mage hand to close the curtain between what's left of the party and the growing cohort of demons. Think that'll hold them? Put Lan on my back, he suggests.
Not sure who might carry Lan better: Mirriana with her unreduced strength or Taliesn with his reduced strength but quadruped bonus and higher move.

RCgothic

2016-07-11, 01:06 AM

Mirriana

"No time, just run!" I manage to get out as I pass through the doorway, carrying Lan along with me. "Back to the well! Close doors behind us if you can!"

Full retreat

DrK

2016-07-12, 12:40 AM

The party sprint back through the bedroom and strange altar, all ducking under the strange green light that flows from the scrolls to the mysterious door! Behind you you can hear the savage roars of the hulking toad like Hezrou demon but quickened as you are the walls blur as you race past the destroyed undead and back to the well.

It's only a few moments as you slide down the chute landing in the waist deep sludge and starting to walk back through the tunnels. In less than 2 minutes you are back through the "plug", this time with no ghouls present, and into the crumbling ruins and massive arched vault of the Titans House.

Zarina slumps to her knees in the dust and gravel. "Is everyone okay? That was terrifying. And we still did not answer what the scrolls were doing. Though I don't think we had much of a chance to! That priest was powerful, we will need to be careful next time we face him"

It's still only lunch time. The parties exploration having only taken a few hours and Zarina is quick begin presdigitating her clothes and the others. "I don't want to look weak in front of the others. Plus the sewage is horrific..." she explains.

While you ponder what to do you are cheered at least that your arena manager is due to visit in a couple of hours as part of his team mentoring. Ekaym will at least be able to get a message to Eligos and Celeste!

Felhammer

2016-07-12, 01:20 AM

Goattracker

The Goliath slams his fist against a wall in anger... And in defeat. "Damn them. Damn them all."

redzimmer

2016-07-12, 01:27 AM

Merrick

"Let us dissimilate everything we learned. If we can get a message to Eligos of our discovery, he may be able to at least offer assistance. In the meantime, what exactly are we going to do about demons and undead and Kyuss cultists not ten metres below us?"

RCgothic

2016-07-12, 03:18 AM

Mirriana

"This is not a defeat!" I insist, the moment we've ask caught our breath, realising that even thus result is preferable to the pyrrhric victory against Zyrxog. "We merely lack the resources to progress further today. We are all alive, and we know the cult of Kyuss is definitely active in the catacombs. We may not have foiled their plot today, but there is nothing to stop us trying again."

"Okay, review:"
"We're all a little beaten up. We can fix that with Goattracker's wand."
"Who was affected by the symbol? Goattracker and I should be able to undo most of the harm tomorrow, but it might be preferable to go for a wand of Lesser Restoration if we can afford it, or maybe a couple of scrolls of Restoration be cheaper for now, if less useful in future."
"Tal, you got in a pretty nasty fight with the ghouls early on. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Those are the immediate concerns. Next we have to consider what we're going to do. I think we should be safe in the Coenby for now. I agree with Merrick, we should definitely pass on our findings to Eligos, Celeste and Ekaym. And warn them! Raknian already put out a hit on us, and that cleric will surely alert him that we're closing in on him. He may go after our allies whilst we're cloistered in here."

"As for what we should do... We should rest and prepare for our battle tomorrow. We still have no proof. We have to continue in the games until we get a chance to investigate further."

redzimmer

2016-07-12, 01:39 PM

Merrick

"If we can call under the nose of the architect of all our current misery "safe", then I suppose you are correct. However we should at least tonight sleep in shifts."

Awaiting their manager's visit, Merrick scribbles a DO NOT USE mark over the prismatic mist entry in his spellbook.

"I have nearly killed us quite enough times thank you. Let us discuss arcane/divine/martial strategic synergies while we mend up."

DrK

2016-07-12, 04:30 PM

Stegyre

2016-07-12, 06:23 PM

Taliesn

"This is not a defeat!"
Heh! Does she know the meaning of "defeat"? Because I'm pretty sure that running as fast as you can, with your tail (literally) between your legs – that's "defeat." I still cannot believe you beat me. 'Shouldn't have let you know I was coming.

"Okay, review:"
"We're all a little beaten up.
Me.

"Who was affected by the symbol?
Also me. Taliesn feels sheepish. He hasn't felt this weak since . . . ever. If I shifted to humanoid form, I'd barely be able to move, he thinks.

"Tal, you got in a pretty nasty fight with the ghouls early on. Are you sure you're okay?"
No. In fact, this cut burns. He indicates a cut along one thigh, where the surrounding flesh has turned an angry red for a couple of inches to either side, with inflamed streaks stretching even further, while the deep center of it is a disturbing, necrotic grey. During the ardenaline-flushed fights, he had not noticed, but now the spreading infection was hard to ignore. He stretches his shape-changing and body-control abilities through his form. If only there were some way I could control myself to heal my own wounds. *Sigh*
Only one more level. Just trying to RP the development.

I admit, the extended reach has been useful.

We still have no proof.
We didn't even get that damned scroll!

I have money. What do we need to buy?
Taliesn's sitting on 4,900 gp. I think that is net of what he put down for the team wager, and I don't think we've yet received our gambling winnings. It's been such a long time IRL, however, that I could be wrong.

He'll want to reserve 100 gp to buy replacements for his magic fang and protection from evil potions, but otherwise it's generally available.

RCgothic

2016-07-13, 02:53 AM

Zarina

As they struggle back into the Coenby Zarina huddles around shielding the limp form of Lan from the others. She looks at Mirriana, "Retreat is never cowardly if it allows you to fight again Mirriana. Its not a defeat. Just a temporary set back." She grins shyly at the goliath, a hand on his arm to stop him punching the wall again. "Calm Goattracker. We won a mighty victory, we slew ghouls and legions of undead and forced Bozal to retreat. No mean feat. We can speak with Eligos, even if through Ekaym, and he will give us some advice. Of that I'm sure."...

Mirriana

I smile appreciatively at Zarina's words, which convey much the same meaning as my own and reinforce them. As long as morale holds we can keep pushing forward.

Taliesn
Me.

Also me. Taliesn feels sheepish. He hasn't felt this weak since . . . ever. If I shifted to humanoid form, I'd barely be able to move, he thinks.

No. In fact, this cut burns. He indicates a cut along one thigh, where the surrounding flesh has turned an angry red for a couple of inches to either side, with inflamed streaks stretching even further, while the deep center of it is a disturbing, necrotic grey. During the ardenaline-flushed fights, he had not noticed, but now the spreading infection was hard to ignore. He stretches his shape-changing and body-control abilities through his form. If only there were some way I could control myself to heal my own wounds. *Sigh*

I have money. What do we need to buy?[/I][/COLOR]

"Damn. Ok, looks like we're going to be splashing out on healing scrolls."

Shortly after that a bell rings as you see various managers coming down the stairs each escorted by a guard. Ekaym waves across as he ducks into the small chambers that you'd occupied. The tall blonde man sits down, helping himself to an ale.

http://theoldworld.wdfiles.com/local--files/ekaym-smallcask/CB-EkaymSmallcask.png

"Greetings to you all. You must be happy, Eligos and Celeste congratulate you as well on your fine performance on the arena floor. We should find out your opponents for tomorrow. I've really come to visit to find out if you need anything to aid you in battle tomorrow?
"As it happens, not very," I inform our manager. "We've made progress; as we suspected, there are dark forces gathering in the undercrypt, but we were unable to stop them or divine their plan. We sustained many injuries in the attempt."

"Given time, I could bring us back to full strength, but not without using resources best saved for our match tomorrow. We're going to need some supplies:"

"2x Scrolls of Restoration."
"1x Scroll of Remove Disease."
"1x Wand of Lesser Vigour."
"1x Healing Belt"
"6x Acid Flasks."

"Also, if our foes weren't alerted to our investigations, they are now. Raknian can't target us whilst we're in the Coenby, but he may attempt to target our allies. He's already shown he's prepared to take out hits on those who oppose him. You, Eligos, and Celeste should take steps to protect yourselves!"

redzimmer

2016-07-13, 12:18 PM

Merrick

"If you can find them, I would like the following potions, scrolls or wands, whichever you can find and afford:"

Merrick hands Ekaym a hastily written list.

Scrolls:
arcane eye
greater invisibility
Halt Undead

Wand:
Enlarge person

Potion:
Lesser Restoration

Merrick hands over his purse of 4,100 gold.

"And please if any surplus remains, add it to our wager for tomorrow's match. Any idea whom we will face?"

Starbin

2016-07-13, 04:21 PM

Even as the others discussed whether it was a win, loss or draw, Lan fumed internally. He was to weak to even lift his own arms, and the others had to carry him like a child. Now, there was discussion about how best they prepare themselves for the fight tomorrow. What in the nine hells were these people thinking? If this was going to be the way they approached every situation, they were going to die. And Lan didn't fancy dying with them.

Of course, part of his frustration was that he had missed another critical item - the trap next to the demon. And he failed to kill the priest. And he had almost died.

If anyone tried to speak with him, he simply thought to Taliesn, Let me be ...

Lan is also low in HPs and Str.

Status
HPs: 8/56; AC: 22
F +11, R +17, W +8
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Effects: living prints (2hrs); symbol of weakness (-12 Str)

DrK

2016-07-14, 10:10 AM

Zarina

Tired beyond anything she had been normally Zarina slumps down next to the halfling. "How are you Lan, I know you must be feeling weak, would you like any help with your equipment or some food or drink? At the very least we could get one of the staff to give you some proper bandages and tidy things up?"" She sits beside him offering water as she takes a long drink herself. As Ekaym does the rounds she shakes her head, "Thank you but there is nothing I can think of at the moment thta would aid me in particular. Perhaps after the competition or a repeat excursion into the that vile underground tomb".

--------

At Mirriana and Tal's words Ekaym writes things down with a neat and practiced hand. Looking at the list of mainly healing supplies he nods. "Most of these should be available at the Temple of Pelor and I will do my best with the others. I shall return later this evening after dinner has been served and the games have closed for the day. You will be told who you are fighting then. Do you have any more details you'd like to pass onto Eligos or Celeste? I will find them this afternoon and pass on your words of warning."

redzimmer

2016-07-14, 11:36 AM

Merrick

[roll0]

Merrick identifies the spells the Kyuss cleric cast at them as best be can recall.

"Master Eligos will likely recognize the spell names. This will give him an idea of the powers ammassed against us. Some sort of temporal binding protects the scrolls we seek. I fear whatever ritual he is planning may come to fruition soon."

DrK

2016-07-16, 10:33 AM

After the brief exchange Ekyam senses the slightly downcast tone of the group and offers them his promise that he will head straight to the Temples and the College of Stars (Mage Guild) to acquire the magical trinkets that the group desire. He then takes his leave promising to return this evening when all 6 remaining teams have to go back into the arena for the "draw" for the second round. Although much fanfare and shouting its more of an excuse for the crowds to keep drinking late into the evening and whip up some excitement for the morning. For the teams its a convenient time to catch up with their managers again and collect anything they've ordered!

The afternoon passes quietly. Zarina reads her spellbook quietly and tries as best as possible to bandage up her wounds, mostly surface burns and blisters from the unholy rain and the prismatic mists. Aside from that she sits with Lan trying to help him as best she can. At one point she joins Merrick. "Master Merrick. You are clearly more experienced than I in matters arcane, I have dabbled in swords too much," she adds gesturing at the Goliath sized blade in the corner. "After we have prevented whatever is happening in the Shrine of Kyuss and are out of the arena I would be willing to trade spell books? Perhaps we could both learn more arcane matters from each other?"
To Mirriana and Goat she is more concerned with the Kyuss "stuff". "Mistress Conlon, Kauvolia, what do you think the scroll is protecting? The beam of energy looked to be a shell, or field of some kind. And do you have any ideas about how we could best that monster Bozal? His magic was more far poweful than I have mastered?

She's on 19 out of 54!

The other 5 teams all keep themselves to themselves. Only the dragonborn and their massive hulking half-dragon Captain "Infernus" really speaking with you, and then only to compliment on Zarina on her red scales before the spell wears off. The dwarves and the necromancers stay in their chambers whilst the halflings and Auric and Khellek just keep themselves to themselves. At one point in the afternoon the halflings of "the Night Owl" heading to the Titan's Rest where you had ventured earlier to return a couple of hours talking animatedly after what must have been a good training session. Through all this you can hear the clatter of the game's lifts and talking of the guards as they discuss the minor beast fights and glorified excutions as prisoners are pitched against each other or beasts. Although from the guard's gossip and the muffled roar of the crowd at one point clearly one condemned prisoner has been victorious and as is tradition been granted the Absolution of Kord and been forgiven his crime.

As evening draws close one of the guards asks you to muster in your battle regalia and with a little help for the weakened Lan and Talsien you all manage to ready yourselves and are soon led upstairs. The arena is packed at the end of the day's battle. The sands are stained red in many places and around the edge of the walls you can see the stacked bodies of lions, a minotaur and a hulking albino two headed dire wolf still waiting to be dragged from the ring. As you enter from the elavator one at a time the arena guards point to where you should stand as you turn to face the box where Raknian and the other nobles stand offering you a salute. All of you can see clearly a narrowing on his massive rugged face as you appear - all 6 of you - not looking too worse for ware. In the main box you can also see Ekaym and Eligos, the former giving a slightly effeminate wave to you all. Sadly for Mirriana of Celeste there is no sign.
As you stand basking the crowds wild cheering the aged and long bearded wizard Talbir rises to his feet, a cantrip causing his voice to be magnfied so that every word can be heard around the stadium.

"People of the Free City. I give you the remaining teams vying to be the Champions of the City...." he has to pause as the crowd erupts in cheers, many throwing flowers, bits of cloth wither names or intimate bits of their clothing into the ring. Most of the adulation falls around the Leatherworks but some also lands around the party with a few for Mirriana, Zarina and Lan but the majority being for the massive Goliath. "Tonight we draw to see the order of battle for the 3 great matches tomorrow afternoon where the final three teams shall be decided!" Again he has to pause. Both for the crowd and to kneel down and pick up a battered looking ancient helmet and six gems/lumps of metal all polished and formed into smooth spheres the size of a baby's fist. He quickly explains what coloured gem each team represents (you being represented by the pearl) before all six are poured into the helmet and its shaken to a great cheer from the crowd. Its offered to a noblewomen of the city who draws the first pair.... THe black Onyx of the Skulls of Murk and the Topax of the NIght Owls! The halfings all looking dubious as they stare across at the pair of black hooded necromancers and the undead flanking them. Okoral then moves to do the second draw... Your pearl is drawn toa cheer as he reaches back intp the helmet and pulls out.... the polished adamantine ingot of Pitch Blade! THe team of 4 angry and grizzled looking dwarves turn to face you. Gripping weapons as they gesture rudely at you spitting and cursing at you. THough its drowned out by the crowd as Auric waves his sword aloft and "Infernus" breathes a great plume of fire up into the empty air! The wizard waits for calm. "The draw is complete. The games are ended for day but ready for an impressive display tomorrow. The order will be as drawn. The Skulls and the Night owls shall battle at 2 bells past noon, the Pitch Blade and the Owlbears at 4 bells past and the Leatherworks and Dragonblooded will battle as the sun sets." As the cheers fade the guards motion you each back to the elavator one at a time and you are returned to the Coenby. The guards around you saying little at the draw as the massive crowd of thousands begins to filter out of the arena.

Food awaits you in the Coenby as you make your way down, along with all of your managers. Although for Pitch Blade the manager is swathed in heavy robes that don't allow you to see who it is. Ekaym awaits you a large burlap sack clasped in his hand as he waves you into your chambers in the walls of the Coenby and pushes the door closed. As the door closes he embraces both Mirriana and Zarina enthustiacly, kissing the former briefly before dropping the bag on the ground. His form shimmers slightly, the image of the man melting away and Celeste's slim figure replacing it.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/4a/b1/6d/4ab16de40e1e099d28d0c82201a5fa46.jpg

She grins, a hand resting on Mirrianas shoulder before walking around greeting each of you warmly. She reaches Lan and gently offers him a potion from her belt pouch. "I am sorry for the subterfuge. But it is good to see you. Ekaym explained what happened and Eligos and I thought it would be wise for one of us to come. But Eligos is too well known so it would be hard to explain his lack of appearance tonight, much easier for little old me, a minor mage and adventurer to be absent." She sits down gesturing at the bag. "We were able to get all that you requested so you can be well prepared for your battle tomorrow. It will be tough, the Pitch Blade are a brutal foe. But of more importance please tell me more of what you saw in the shrine. Eligos and I have our suspicions but I hear it from you rather than second hand from Ekaym.

Potiosn lesser restore for Lan [roll0] Str recovered

redzimmer

2016-07-16, 02:09 PM

Merrick

"It would be a delight to share arcana with you, Zarina! I am particularly intrigued by the spell of Dragon Scales."

***

As the nightly announcement is made, Merrick uses the last of his spells and shadow mysteries to create a small sand tempest and disappear behind it.

[roll0]

***

After retrieving his purchased equipment, Merrick distractedly acknowledges the disguised Celeste. Rummaging through his items he looks at his lesser restoration potion and shakes his head. Too meagre for the damage done.

"By Naberius, I wish I could do more, my resilient friend."

[roll1]

He then gives as much detail as he can recall to Celeste.

RCgothic

2016-07-16, 03:59 PM

Mirriana

To Zarina:

"We have heard that Raknian is attempting to create an ulgurstatsa. I am quite sure that the scroll we saw below had something to do with it. But whether they have successfully awakened it and are now just waiting on an opportunity to release it, or if there is yet more to the ritual, I cannot tell. I don't believe Bozal is powerful enough to face us now we are wise to his trick; without his antilife shell and undead minions I have no doubt you and Goattracker could have torn him in half. If he tries the same tactic again we have means to make his life short and unpleasant. And if he does not... more fool him. I believe that next time I will be able to penetrate the scroll's defences. We squandered our dispels on Bozal's shell. Now we know better. Frankly I'm more worried by the demon in that shrine. "

When Ekayn shows up, confusion and consternation at his brooking such over-familiarity rapidly turns to relief and delight!

"Celeste! You are a sight for weary eyes," I say with a wistful smile, touching her at the waist as she does my shoulder. "We have had about as rough a day as can be had with all of us still counted among the living."

I begin to go through the sack, doling out the items to whoever ordered them. The acid vials I distribute one each - it's important that anyone be ready to defend themselves against the worms if necessary. When Celeste reaches for a potion for Lan, I intervene. "Wait! Here... I ordered a scroll that will be much more effective."

I cast three spells from the scrolls - Restoration for Lan and Taliesn, and Remove Disease for Tal as well. Over the course of minutes, so as not to squander charges, I also cast from the wand of Lesser Vigor on anyone in need of healing. An expensive use of party resources, but it helps us be prepared for tomorrow's battle.

As Merrick describes our day, I listen along attentively, adding clarifying comments or elaborations to make sure we give the fullest picture possible. At the end I repeat the warning I'd earlier given to Ekayn:

"Celeste, I worry about you, Master Eligos and Ekayn. I saw Raknian's look at the draw this evening - he is not at all happy with us. I would not put it past him to strike at our allies. Please, be careful. Anyway, there is nothing we will be able to do now until the day after tomorrow. We will need all our resources to beat Pitch Blade tomorrow, and that will leave us poorly prepared to go cavern delving again. Speaking of our match tomorrow, you have seen them fight; my instinct is to use Haste to keep our distance and battlefield control techniques to keep them from closing. Do they have any obvious defences against such tactics? Flight? Dispels? I would hope I know better than to try and match shield and blade against their adamantine weapons."

Lan: Ability damage cured.
Taliesn: Ability damage and Ghoul Fever cured.
Party generally: x charges of Lessor Vigor (heals 11) to heal everyone to full.

DrK

2016-07-17, 05:45 AM

Celeste grins at Mirriana watching her use the magics to restore much of the party. Taking a seat she smiles again at Mirriana. "You are a good leader of your friends here Mirriana, it is good that you take such good care of them." Then with a smile at both Zarina and Mirriana she adds "Men are incapable of looking afther themselves."

At the first question she frowns slightly. "The dwarves are a violent and bloodthirsty team. They were brutal in the first round and killed several. Despite our best efforts neither myself or Eligos have managed to find out their manager. There are four of them. Skeggi and Grekki are both beserkers, brutal and murderous and with their adamantine bladed they will try and destroy your weapons. If you have no weapons you cannot fight back. Snorri is a hunter. A giant hunter I think originally but now he wields his siege crossbow in battle and is wel skilled. The leader is Borgrim, a cleric of sorts though I know not the God that he calls his own. His magic is powerful however and he uses it support his dwarves well. In terms of their tactics in the last match the beserkers took potions of flying and flew around while the Snorri and Borgrim hung back.
I'm sure you will acquit yoursleves well although I fear that there will be little mercy and these dwarves have been paid to kill. So please take care" The last she looks at Mirriana in particular before glancing around at everyone else.

Taking a sip of water she looks around dropping her voice lower as she glances at the door to make sure the door is closed. "The Apostolic Scrolls are deadly. They allow a master to make contact with an Apostle of Kyuss. The Aspostle once gestated in a long and horrific ritual will be released and if a suitable- and large and horrific - sacrifice is performed the apostle can bless the ritual caster with a boon or blessing. Clearly this Bozal must be a cleric of some power to have worked out how to perform the ritual, worse if he is doing it successfully. Neither myself, Eligos or any of the wizards in the circle here have the power necessary to break the ritual. It is possible for those of faith to break it but.... Its is not without risk and one fails then the backlash can be dangerous as you contact the mind of Apsostle. Of the beast itself, the ulgurstasta is a like a giagantic maggot or worm but lethal in its power. It helps if you are using enchanted weapons to pierce its thick hide. Beware its breath, it can vomit out necromantic sludge that can kill one's soul as well as one's body. Also beware of being swallowed, the legends about the beast have rumoured that those that are swallowed by the beast can be vomited back out as Spawn of Kyuss..." She shivers and a look of something passes across her face a mixture of sadness and a horrible memory. "The ritual is long, very long and complicated and the sacrifice must be something specific. If its Bozal or Raknian it may vary but I suspect that given who they are and what has happened that they will have tied the ritual into some aspect of the games. So please take special care.

Eligos is speaking with the council in 2 days, so please hang on until then. Raknian is so powerful in this city that to move against him without overwhelming proof would be dangerous, and even now all we have found is the shrine... The games have a fight tomorrow, and then if you are victorious , as you must be, then a fight with the final three as a one paired match and one mach against "the monster". Then there is a rest day - promise that you will hold off investigating the shrine until then? It will give us two more days to see what aid we can manage to find. Eligos is reaching out to his master and other sages but we just need some more time?

Starbin

2016-07-18, 03:46 AM

With the spell returning his strength, the Halfling rose, a snarl plastered across his face. He flexed a bit, ensuring all his gear was ready to go, checking everything once, twice and three times. During the discussions, he was silent for a bit, realizing the dwarves would be out for blood and ready to kill them. However, a number of things weren't adding up.

After a bit, he finally spoke. "Three things. First, thanks for saving me ... both in dragging me out and casting that spell. In the past, I would have left your stupid arses ... but yer growin' on me." He nodded to Mirriana, uncomfortable with saying thanks, but needing to do it.

"Second, anyone check to see if this patron for the dwarves is our missing cleric? Seems pretty easy way to move in and out of the arena.

Third, this big, specific sacrifice? It'll be at the end of our fights. What better dish to serve up to a giant worm than the champions of the tournament? That, or the crowds ... but either way, I figure the big bad comes on the heels of the final victory."

Sitting back down and grabbing some food, he started stuff his face, feeling suddenly famished. "Tha's what Ah thin" he mumbled around a mouth full of food.

Um, if we need healing even with leveling up, Lan needs 4 hits from the wand. He can heal the remaining four with rest.

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Effects: none

RCgothic

2016-07-18, 07:56 AM

Mirriana

I smirk and roll my eyes at my girlfriend's jest.

"I don't know what they would do without me and my healing magic," I agree in a tone just playful enough to convey that I'm not being serious.

"Still, there are times when things need breaking and on that count they are hard to beat!"

I listen attentively to her tactical assessment, squeezing her hand when she asks us to be careful. I cannot help but be worried by the series of deadly encounters that lie ahead of us, but I do my best to be reassuring. It is good to be worried, I tell myself. It proves I'm not stupid. A point disputed by Lan's next comment, though I appreciate the sentiment.

"There was never any question I would retrieve you. I push us hard - I know that. We walk a knife-edge between disaster: to over-reach or do not enough; it is a difficult course to chart. I would not be able to ask these things were I not ready to risk my life for yours - for any of yours. Truly, I just count myself lucky it was not Kavuloia who fell. I do not know how I would have moved him."

"I agree with your assessments. Whatever plan they have is likely to coincide with the finale of the games. We probably have time enough to wait for Eligos to consult, and we'll need to wait for a rest day in any case - we will need all our resources just to get through these next matches."

"...actually, I am suddenly reminded there is one final spell I still have prepared today! It was of no combat utility, and the energy is all wrong to channel into healing. Divination. Give me ten minutes and I will ask my goddess for the identity of Pitch Blade's manager."

I gather round myself some incense and kneel to pray in a corner. I hope this time Mystara will answer my prayer.

Divination. Success chance 70+CL (78) [roll0]
What is the name of Pitch Blade's manager?

DrK

2016-07-20, 12:53 AM

Mirriana concentrates, her prayers to the Goddess of the Weave take some time as she lights some expensive incense and meditates upon the owner of the Pitch Blade. It takes some time and your prayers almost seem to go unanswered before like a whisper you receive a cryptic clue.
The assassin stands at the right hand of the master, garbed as justice but serving murder. Okoral. Protect those you love as he prepares to strike from the shadows...

RCgothic

2016-07-20, 02:07 AM

Mirriana

I reel back from this revelation ashen faced.

"Okoral. Pitch Blade's manager is Okoral! Raknian's bodyguard and captain of the guards. My goddess named him false justice. Murderer! Assassin!"

"She tells me that he's preparing to strike from the shadows. That I should protect the ones I... the ones I care about," I correct, unwilling to drop that delayed blast fireball at this particular moment. This revelation is exactly what I'd feared.

"Celeste... You have to warn Eligos and Ekaym! And send a message to Allustan too! Please, do everything you can to protect yourselves!"

redzimmer

2016-07-20, 02:18 AM

Merrick

Merrick's mind races as Mirriana reveals her divine inspiration. The forbidden knowledge granted to him by the whispers and shadows for forgotten names might offer him a solution...

Let me see if any vestige might offer a work-around to thwart this Okoral.

I am uncertain if Celeste is still here or not.

"By the grace of the Repentant Rogue, we shall not be taken unawares!"

Immediately Merrick returns to his sleeping quarters and binds himself to Andromalius, sacrificing a spider from his spell components and s single copper coin for the ritual.

Automatically detects sleight-of-hand and can see invisible things. Among other stuff.

Starbin

2016-07-20, 08:55 PM

At Mirriana's exclamation, Lan raised an eyebrow at her emotion. Grimly, he growled, "I knew I didn't trust that bastich." Looking around the group, he pondered for a moment.

"So he's told the dwarves what he's seen of our tactics. He might know more if he's been following Ekaym around.

So do we kill him before he leaves? Or wait for him to attack first?"

Not sure what else we can do to save our allies except to warn them and have them travel in packs ...
Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: living prints; embrace the wild
Effects: none

redzimmer

2016-07-20, 09:56 PM

Merrick

As a second thumb grows into each hand, Merrick's perception sharpens.

[roll0] search
[roll1] spot

It's exciting to have a new skill to fail at!

"I tried my best to disguise and obfuscate my abilities. Tactics will need to change tomorrow."

As he sits and meditates upon the day's event and his second near-death experience in as many weeks, new insight come to him.

"After using this tentacle wand, I think a spell that I've been studying makes more sense. It might prove useful."

New spells in bold:
4x0- All
5x1- , Lesser Orb of Sound, Lesser Orb of Electricity, Shield, Charm Person, Protection From Evil, Ray of Flame, Wall of Smoke, Magic Missile, Color Spray, Sticky Floor, Feather Fall
4x2- Protection From Arrows, Resist Energy, Web, Invisibility, Knock, Spider Climb, Gust of Wind, Baleful Transposition
4x3- Heroism, Prismatic Mist, Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Greater Mage Armor, Haste, Hold Person, Fireball, Greater Mighty Wallop, Mass Snakes Swiftness, Protection From Energy, Evard's Menacing Tentacles, Fly, Displacement
2x4-Charm Monster, Dimension Door, Mass Resist Energy, Otiluke's Resilient Sphere, Evard's Black Tentacles

Metamagic: Energize Spell, Maximize spell

Two Vestiges (http://therafimrpg.wikidot.com/vestiges) up to 4th level

"Let us talk of strategy," he says as the lesser vigor knits and mends his battered and blistered body.

DrK

2016-07-23, 05:20 AM

Zarina

The young mage is happy as the others to see Celeste. But as the others speaks she nods at Lan's words. "You are probably right the sacrifice will coincide with the final game. At least we should fight tomorrow. If Pitch Blade for for Okoral then we can liken them to private assassins. I would rather face them in the arena where some rules and witnesses are than them attacking us while we sleep!"

She looks at the others. "As for the larger problem I'm sure Celeste or Eligos can send word if they think I anything more."

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

There is some more talk with her before the guards give the call for managers to leave. With an incantation she disguises herself once more as Ekaym and takes her leave making sure to give everyone luck and a warm goodbye.

The night in the Coenby passes quietly. Despite setting a watch nothing happens. The guards bored standing watching although both Lan and Talsien with their sharp hearing make out complaints "thrice dammed beast is freezing", "who wants to face an ice worm in summer" "damn thing almost snapped Wagner's arm off"...

[roll0]

The next morning dawns and the guards are keen to wake you, clearly looking on with interest at your condition and you suspect that they play a strong role in the pre-match betting!

Stegyre

2016-07-23, 10:06 AM

Taliesn

Waking a little later than usual, Taliesn stretches (on all fours) and flexes. It feels good to have his full strength restored and his incipient illness cured, thanks to his companion's ministrations.

Although he'd received no other healing magic, all trace of his wounds has disappeared. He grins, and then "sniffs" the air all around them. His body and his senses feel more alive than ever before. Nothing like facing death to make one feel alive.
Detect Evil / Mindsight. This is really intended for RP purposes – Taliesn has learned to use new senses – not to make DrK have to detail all evil alignments and the intellects of everyone on the Coneby. Any useful information you think we should have, I'm willing to take in and relay. (We already know Pitch Blade is evil; some of the guards may or may not be, but it probably doesn't matter.) Other than that, please don't worry about it.

RCgothic

2016-07-24, 12:08 PM

Mirriana

"Stay safe Celeste," I say, bidding her farewell with a fond kiss, only mildly weirded out by her Ekaym disguise.

Then all it's time to rest and make plans.

"Once again I have a lot of spells that I can cast to aid us in advance. Bless, Sign, Bear's Endurance, Bull's Strength, Divine Protection, Silence, Magic Circle, Mass Conviction, Mass Shield of Faith. Silence for Lan. That will need to wait until last lest it interfere with our other spells. Then once we get into battle properly, Recitation and Holy Storm. I admit I will take some satisfaction from using that last one."

"Plan A has to be to keep them pinned into their starting corner. Our spells will have greatest effect if we can manage that. I can use Downdraft to help keep their flying barbarians within range of an Evard's Tentacles spell. If that fails, I have one which will allow Tal to attack at range with tooth and claw."

"Zarina, Lan, Merrick, go offensive at range. Merrick, stay close and I'll do my best to protect you. Try and cast as many spells in advance as possible."

"Tal and Goat - if their bezerkers get loose it's up to you to stop them. I'd recommend trying to grab them - they're unlikely to match either of you for strength."

"Lan, we'll be giving you Silence again. Get close to their caster and make life difficult for him."

Stegyre

2016-07-24, 04:29 PM

Taliesn

Okay, Taliesn sends. I'm planning to be big, which should help if I need to grab someone.

Starbin

2016-07-25, 12:33 PM

Lan rose the next morning wondering how the battle would fare. The dwarves were a bunch of evil looking bastiches, and wouldn't be offering any mercy to a fallen opponent. It was time to put aside any ideas of fair play and win this battle.

Of course that didn't mean he wouldn't give mercy to a surrendering for - but he wasn't going to play nice. At the team meeting, he told the others what he heard about the ice worm, then shared his spells and such. To Mirriana's battle plan, he nodded curtly. "Take out the cleric, aye. Best keep an eye out for the hunter, too. Prolly used to dealing with big boys, so maybe I can do something about his crossbow." He glanced at Goat and Tal as he spoke.

Ready I suppose
Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: none

redzimmer

2016-07-25, 01:58 PM

Merrick

With the new day, Merrick busily studies his spellbooks for the right mix of offense and defensive arcana.

0: Acid Splash
0: Read Magic
0: Light
0: Daze

1: Magic Missile
1: Magic Missile
1: Sticky Floor
1: Lesser Orb of Electricity
1: Lesser Orb of Sound

2: Baleful Transposition
2: Invisibility
2: Protection from Arrows
2: Gust of Wind

3: Displacement
3: Haste
3: Greater Mighty Wallop
3: Fly

4: Evard's Black Tentacles
4: Mass Resist Energy

Merrick then readies himself for the binding rituals of the day.

Amon [roll0] DC 25, (using Exploit Vestige to get another spell slot, giving up ram attack)
Focalor [roll1] DC 20
I think some Eagle's Splendor potions will be part of my morning repast.

Tears streaming down his face, Merrick casts Greater Mighty Wallop on Goattracker's giant club.

DrK

2016-07-26, 10:31 AM

Zarina

The young woman looks a little downcast as Celeste leaves as the night draws in and they bed down in their caves. She's up early, pacing around as she tries to focus with some pre-fight calisthenics and wizardly focus. But her spell books blurs in front of her as she looks about. Amazed that others don't seem as nervous as she is. Taking a breath she loads the alchemical capsules into her sword to release on the first unsuspecting dwarf that strays to close checking wands and scrolls.

As she joins the others she smiles and joins in with Mirriana, "With my martial blessing I can share that with two you granting you more martial skills. Also Master Lan, I can shroud in a cloak of invisbilty that while shortlived will not fade if you attack. Plus I can as last time speed up our reflexes to allow us to move far more swiftly than the dwarven ones..." She is happy to join in the chatter and feels more relaxed as her confidence grows in the presence of her friends that seem so strong and powerful!

The morning is slow and long as you watch the other four teams going forth to do battle. Each Champions match spaced out between showcases, bands and shows and smaller matches that slowly word the crowd up into a blood lust. In the Coenby its muted to a dull background roar as blood is spilled and people are slain on the arena sands above. In the dim of the caves Pitch Blade keep to themselves, the 4 dwarves looking at the 6 of you from time ti time. One or more giving obscene signs and both of the beserkers pointing at the giant cleric that is Goat and drawing their hands across their throats. Eventually you manage to eat some food before the bells are rung and the Skulls and Owls head up to sands. The game is clearly a good one - but short! A mere fifteen minutes after leaving its is the dark nercomancers of the Skulls of Murk who return bloodied and exhausted with rent clothes and covered in blood down to the Coenby. They grin evilly at the remaining 4 teams before seeking medical aid.

Another hours passes before the guards motion to you... "Prepare yourselves. You go up to the sands in 15minutes, dress and prepare for battle."

Zarina joins the others as she straps on her armour, tests her sword one more time and smiles. her body shimmering as fine red scales coat her exposed flesh and gold flashes in her eyes. She approached Goat and Talsien offering heroic abilities....

15 minutes out she casts
Dragonskin 70 minutes
Heroics (70 minutes) on Goat and Talsien - so choose your feats!
False life on herself 7 hours

Hps 63/63 + False Life
Saves +11/11/10
AC 31 ff 29 T 15

Spell Effects:
False life [roll0] 7 hours
Dragonskin +3 NA, Fire res 10 70 minutes
Mass resist Acid 80 minutes
Mirror image 3 images, 7 minutes
Shield (+6 ac) 14 minutes
Bulls strength 3 minutes
Karmic Aura (DC16 will or fatigued) 12 rounds
Haste 7 rounds

M.Shield of Faith +3 deflect 80 mins
M.Conviction +3 morale saves 80 mins
Bless +1 hit 8 mins

Spells
1st; Burning Hands, Shield x2, Karmic Aura, True strike, Protec' from Evil, Magic missile
2nd: Scorching Ray, Heroics x 2, Mirror image, False Life
3rd: Fireball, Dispel magic, Haste, Dragonskin
4th: Polymorph, Wall Fire, Greater Invis

redzimmer

2016-07-26, 11:12 AM

Merrick

"Given our previous strategy, I'll not be surprised if they have a measure of fire or electric protection, Zarina. Be ready to improvise."

Merrick ready his wand and scrolls as needed, then for "fun" he molds his shapesand into a jaunty beard and mustache to compliment Amon's horns.

Tal, I wish to displace you, then turn you invisible. May I?

As he waits to be summoned, he casts protection from arrows onto his knightly protector Mirriana.

Felhammer

2016-07-26, 12:18 PM

Goat

The goliath preps himself for combat by stretching and exercising. "We can do this friends. We can be the champions. I know it. Kavaki has blessed us!"

Right before the word go, Goat will cast:

Bull's Strength on Someone Else
Shield of Faith
Divine Power
Brambles
Enlarge Person

redzimmer

2016-07-26, 12:23 PM

Merrick coughs.

RCgothic

2016-07-26, 04:36 PM

Mirriana

It's a small cave, and I'm trying to concentrate on my morning prayers. It's not difficult to notice Zarina pacing. I smile reassuringly at her whenever she glances my way until alll is prepared and it's time to go to the arena.

"I believe I'm not too far away from new martial insights myself Zarina. A little magic may help me grasp the thought strands that have been eluding me, at least for this battle."

As we get closer and closer to the start I begin to cast.

Request Heroics, Martial Study: White Raven Tactics. I'll prepare it instead of Charging Minotaur today.

80 minute spells:
Sign +4 INIT [MIRRIANA]
Mass Shield of Faith +3 deflection to AC [ALL]
Mass Conviction +3 morale to saves [ALL]
Magic Circle Against Evil +2 Deflection to AC, +2 Resistance to Saves [10ft Radius of Mirriana]

8 minute spells:
Bless +1 Morale to Attacks & Saves vs Fear [ALL]
Magic Weapon +1 enhancement to attack and damage [LAN's BOW]
Bear's Endurance +4 CON [MIRRIANA]
Bull's Strength +4 STR [MIRRIANA]

8 round spells:

Final Spell:
Silence 8 mins [LAN's ARROW]

Others' spells:
Haste
Protection from Arrows
Heroics

redzimmer

2016-07-26, 05:56 PM

Merrick

"I grieve at the losses we must inflict, Miss Conlan. I hope we make see them properly interred after killing them," Merrick says between sobs.

We will not allow you to heal us. Amon frowns upon it.

Niceties addressed, Merrick awaits the match's start.

When the introductions begin, Merrick in turn begins his castings.

First Spell: Mass Resist Energy (Acid)[roll0]/20 [80 minutes]
Second Spell: Enlarge Person wand on Taliesn [5 minutes duration]
Third Spell: Displacement on Taliesn [8 rounds]
Fourth Spell: Invisibility on Taliesn [8 rounds]

Stegyre

2016-07-26, 06:32 PM

Taliesn

Taliesn endeavors to spend most of the morning out of sight –No sense in letting those bloodthirsty dwarves know anything sooner than they must, he reasons. From within their own enclosure, he can still provide any desired telepathic communications to the party, and he has learned to improve upon his senses, so that (within limits) he can even keep track of where they and even other occupants of the Coenby are, though he finds that some minds pop in and out of his "sight" as they move past certain obstacles and walls. The "sight" is not perfect, and it may not serve for much in the arena, but the next time they must probe the dungeon, he should be able to keep a much better "eye" on things.

He still feels embarrassed that he had not even thought to "smell" for the demon, allowing them all to be surprised. This must not happen again.

He looks over himself. He has never shaped some of these melds before:
A silvery, long-sleeved robe over his torso,
A cloak of wispy blue flames springing from his shoulders and spreading down his forelimbs,
Thick, leathery skin on his hindlimbs, ending in enlarged, sharp claws, mirrored on his forepaws.
These almost completely conceal the light blue fur on his forelimbs and a smaller, ghostly set of claws inside the larger.
And over it all, a glowing argent crown on his head.

I am become the chimera. He flexes his protean body as he variously grows and then resorbs a tentacle, a stinger, and other weaponry, all while shifting his internal organs around. Am I losing myself, or finding myself. He shrugs and then starts pacing, waiting for their turn in the arena, where one can set aside those existential musings for one that is far more concrete: kill or be killed.

Stegyre

2016-07-26, 06:45 PM

Taliesn

We will not allow you to heal us. Amon frowns upon it.
Does Amon frown upon incarnum healing, too? Taliesn asks. It is hard for him to keep up with the binder's shifting eccentricities.
Taliesn will activate one of his Inertial Armor tattoos (duration 1 hr) and quaff his Magic Fang potion once we get to the buffs round(s) of the arena.

DrK

2016-07-27, 05:36 PM

The guards lead you upstairs to the lift up to arena floor. The trapdoor above you opens and the bright afternoon sun streams down on you along with a small cloud of sand from the arena floor. Much of the sand coloured red from the 3 days of fighting. As the lift reaches the arena floor there is a roar from the crowd that almost knocks you off your feet from the volume. The massive crowd has filled the stadium with virtually no seat left empty.

Raknian looks down at your from the box surrounded by many nobles including a posh looknig fellow dressed in fine robes who bears a cold imperious look and a crown atop his head. He leans in pointing at you and then the dwarves on the far side of the arena before laughing and fanning himself. A beautiful woman in a long green dress beside him. With his mind open to the crowd Talsien feels mostly the normal humanoids sentience, Zeech is clever but the woman is highly intelligent but also inhuman, a demon wearing a disguise.

http://theoldworld.wdfiles.com/local--files/prince-zeech/PRH-PrinceZeech.png

Its the cruel Prince Zeech from nearby Alhaster

You can also see Eligos, Celeste and Ekaym alongside the other managers and nobility all crammed in, served drinks by servants and sitting under a silk gazebo to shield them from the jeers and thrown rotting food from the plebs as well as the sun. All 3 of your friends raise their hands to wave at you.

In the centre of the box the wizard stands up and his voice carries across the field "Friends and watchers and nobles. Prepare for the second of the Champion's games fights. Noble owlbears against the dreaded Pitch Blade. THe rules are as before. You have 1 minute before the gong is sounded and the battle ois joined..." He nods toa massive hourglass that is turned and the minute begins to drain...

On the far side of the arena 250ft away you can see the dwarves in rapid spell casting and downing potions....

redzimmer

2016-07-27, 05:47 PM

Merrick

First warding the group against possible acid assaults, Merrick then goes about turning Taliesn into a veritable engine of distraction.

First the shifter doubles in size. Next an incantation makes him appear two places at once. Finally a last word makes Tal vanish altogether.

He then attempts to cipher the spells cast by the dwarves.

[roll0]

Can you send thoughts as far as Eligos, Tal? We might be able to fill him in things more.

Wanda and scrolls within reach, spells ready, souls bound, Merrick stands ready.

Stegyre

2016-07-27, 07:31 PM

Taliesn

As they march past the reviewing stand, Taliesn tries not to start when one of the minds that he "sees" is decidedly not like the others. It is thick, smokey, and foul, like the sensation he had felt only yesterday, when the giant vase had fractured and the ooze demon poured forth.

One of these 'people' is not who she appears to be. The woman there, in the long green dress. Her mind is that of a demon. I will warn Celeste and Eligos, if I get close enough, he assures Mirriana
And that is what he does, assuming he has the opportunity: Celeste, Eligos: the woman in the long green dress: she is not human; she's a demon.
Other than that, he enjoys Merrick's ministrations while adding a few of his own.
Inertial Armor tattoo (1 hour, so I won't worry about duration during combat)
Magic Fang potion

RCgothic

2016-07-28, 12:34 AM

Mirriana

Spells cast, save for a last Silence, I also try and work out what the dwarves are casting.

Also Detect Magic if it would help.
Spellcraft [roll0]
Spellcraft [roll1]
Spellcraft [roll2]
Spellcraft [roll3]
Spellcraft [roll4]
Spellcraft [roll5]
Spellcraft [roll6]

DrK

2016-07-28, 07:45 AM

Walking towards the edge of the arena Talsien's mindsight reaches out across the crowd, Eligos he notes a towering, almost superhuman (>22) intelligence whilst Celeste is a mystery, her mind shrouded from his view by some sort of sorcery. Before he swells up,, starts shimmering and dissapears from view! The spell casters all stare across at the dwarves trying to fathom what sort of spells they are casting. Some proving obvious as the ranger disapears from view after drinking from a bottle, the two barbarians clutching their axes float 10ft up off the ground and the cleric grows to a towering 10ft tall engine of destruction and blesses his followers with inspiring words to bolster them up. As the gong is sounded the dwarf completes his last spell, a long scroll of black parchment crumbling away as shimmering and massive 3 fiendish crocodiles appear each one studded with barbs and festooned with spikes appears around the dwarves to help safeguard them!

As the gon echoes around the arena the crowd roar with excitement at the vast battle about to play out before them....

Ranger = Barkskin, Invisbility, Blur
Cleric = Magic circle Vs Good, Righteous might, Recitation, Summon Monster VII scroll 3 fiendish giant crocodiles!
Barbarians = Fly, Bulls strength, Beast Claws

There may be others but they are the ones with most visible effects or that you can make out

250ft away in a 300ft square arena! Fight! (map to follow tonight)

LAN to go first

Starbin

2016-07-28, 05:37 PM

Lan was silent as they waited, eyes closed to slits most of the time. He watched the dwarves, never reacting as they made rude gestures and the like. It would all be over soon - either with them dead on the floor of the arena, or with his own life's blood pooling into the sands. Either way, there was no changing things now. The die had been cast and they could only play the pips they were given. All he could do is what he did best.

Survive.

Soon, spells were being cast, and weapons enchanted. He let the others cast their spells as needed, casting his own near the end of their preparation and tapping into his scout's headband. Then, right before the fight began, he watched his arms disappear. He gave his team a final dark grin as he faded from sight, pulling out his bow once he was invisible.

Time to show them a world of pain.

As soon as the battle was joined, Lan activated his special ability and sped across the field, hidden and silent. Even his feet left no trace of his passing.

Activate travel devotion - each round, free swift action to move. So let's do a move ... and a move ... and a move (cuz my damage is worthless outside of 30') ... so 180' forward and angled to the side the cleric is on (so not directly at them). 70' away :smallsmile:

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20, Move: 60'
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min); bless (+1 att/save vs fear [morale], 7 min); magic weapon (+1 att/dam [enh to bow]; 7 min); silence (on arrow, 20'; 8 min)
Magic Circle Against Evil +2 Deflection to AC, +2 Resistance to Saves [10ft Radius of Mirriana]; surefooted stride (not affected by difficult terrain, 4 min); arrow mind (threaten w/bow, 4 min); haste (+1 att, AC [dodge], +30 move, 1 extra attack; 8 rnds); greater invisibility (7 rnds); see invisible (9min); travel devotion [59 rnds]

DrK

2016-07-29, 04:37 PM

The crowds cheer as the gong sounds loudly, no-one spying the halfling racing away. Even Talsien with his mind sight loses the halfling as he runs out of range of his mental searching. On the far side of the arena the two flying beserkers - looking as odd as only a flying squat round dwarf with a dragonmail breastplate and a massive orange mohican can look - float across the field, roaring and shouting as they wrap themselves up into a frenzy. You can see they are carrying longaxes and switching them to a long 10ft grip as they drift 20ft above the ground and 30ft apart from each other some 60ft towards the centre of the arena...

go go Mirriana

Google Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15ArgSQ8SYrDOYOs5NmEcNBADTwhO3yoQHuXyj4lx50c/edit?usp=sharing)

RCgothic

2016-08-01, 11:28 AM

Mirriana

If you want to benefit from my recitation, stay close! I transmit over our thought-link.

Black Tentacles won't work from this distance, we have to get closer! Merrick, with me!

I run to 10ft south of where I judge Lan to be.

Run x3 (3x60ft)

DrK

2016-08-01, 03:26 PM

Lan and Mirriana both sprint forward, the former leaving nothing save for tiny footprints as the crowd start hollering and chanting! Even more so as Mirriana looks to sprint towards the pair of flying barbarians all by herself! To Lan's sharp and enchanted eyes he can see the ranger moving unaturally quickly running south in a similar manner to the way which Lan moves - if Lan was three times as heavy, bearded and carrying a great crossbow the size of a small ballista. The dwarf moves fast, as fast as the party before dropping to one knee and letting fire at Mirriana, the shot coming from an invisible assailant catching he unaware! As the bold zips at the cleric the ranger appears, hands reaching for a stubby javelin sized bolt.

move action = move
swift = cast sniper shot
Standard:
Fire at Mirriana from invisible so flat footed
[roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] skirmish

THe cleric, now a towering engine of destruction runs forward behind an ablative wall of massive giant fiendish crocodillian flesh. The sand of the arena floor shuddering under the weight as the crowd cheer the aggressive actions!

All take a run action

go go rest of party

DrK

2016-08-01, 03:38 PM

Zarina

Zarina stands trembling looking around at the others for a second as the gong reverberates around the arena. She marvels how Mirriana, Goat and the others can appear so calm and waves Lan a good lucks as her shield of invisibility settles on him. As the gong sounds she takes a breath and thats all it takes to allow the dwarves to surge forward. Cursing herself she runs lightly across the sand pulling residual transmutation energy into her muscles as they swell slightly and she keeps pace easily with the more heavily armoured Mirriana.

Swift: Minor shapeshift +2 damage (4 rounds)
Full: Run after Mirriana

Hps 63/63 + False Life
Saves +11/11/10
AC 31 ff 29 T 15

Spell Effects:
False life (1d10+7)[14] 7 hours
Dragonskin +3 NA, Fire res 10 70 minutes
Mass resist Acid 80 minutes
Mirror image 3 images, 7 minutes
Shield (+6 ac) 14 minutes
Bulls strength 3 minutes
Karmic Aura (DC16 will or fatigued) 11 rounds
Haste 6 rounds

M.Shield of Faith +3 deflect 80 mins
M.Conviction +3 morale saves 80 mins
Bless +1 hit 8 mins

Spells
1st; Burning Hands, Shield x2, Karmic Aura, True strike, Protec' from Evil, Magic missile
2nd: Scorching Ray, Heroics x 2, Mirror image, False Life
3rd: Fireball, Dispel magic, Haste, Dragonskin
4th: Polymorph, Wall Fire, Greater Invis

redzimmer

2016-08-01, 05:54 PM

Merrick

Zarina, I am now measuring their fire resistance. This should be enlightening.

Reaching for the metamagic rod and ignoring the angered protests of Amon, Merrick pours the vestige's essence into the fireball he launches.

Maximize Spell Vestige Metamagic + Empowered Spell rod * 8d6 (48) * 1.5= 72 points
Centered euqidistant between cleric and as many crocks as it can hit.

Stegyre

2016-08-02, 12:08 AM

Taliesn

Mindful of his enhanced speed, which would be sufficient to carry him all the way to their opponents, Taliesn is also reminded that the team depends upon him to be able to communicate telepathically, without tipping their hand to their foes.

Catch up to the others as best you can, if you wish to communicate, he sends to Merrick and GoatTracker, as he dashes across the sand. He is determined to stalk the ranger, whose next target might not be so well protected as Mirriana.
Full-round action run. With his base 60 speed, plus 30 from haste, I think I can get all the way to AZ-31. That's within 10' of the ranger but also keeps Zarina, Mirriana, and Lan within range of my mindsight/telepathy.

Until we get closer, Merrick and GoatT will have to suffer radio silence.

Felhammer

2016-08-02, 12:35 PM

Goat

Goat lunges forward as fast as his gigantic legs will take him.

Run action.

30 foot base movement. 30x4=120 + 30 (haste) = 150.

Move to AE40/AF41

DrK

2016-08-02, 04:03 PM

THe party rush forward, for the most part both sides of the arena fight running towards the centre of the arena, the huge fiendish crocodiles leading the way! A blast of fire sears the area surrounding the cleric and one of the crocs, the croc horribly burned and near to death but the cleric emerging unscathed as magical protections ward off the exploding sphere of flame. With Talsien so close to the ranger one of the barbarians swoops to above the shifter, the second one zooming in anger towards the massive goliath striding across the arena floor. For both of them Longaxes whirling as they swing from 10ft in the air above their large prey!

B2: 5ft hover down to FA Talsien using Longaxe to give reach
atk [roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] fire
atk [roll3] dam [roll4] + [roll5] fire

B1: Charge the Goat
atk [roll6] dam [roll7] + [roll8] fire

Edit: Go go Lan & Mirriana!

Starbin

2016-08-03, 12:37 AM

Lan growled to himself as the dwarves flew into motion. With giant crocodiles, a giant priest, two berserkers, and a hunter carrying a ballista, Lan knew it was going to be a difficult fight. He thought to the others, Watch out - incoming from their scout. And I think one of those brutes can see us all ...

Unfortunately the arena was so big, it would either take him a great deal of time reaching the enemy cleric or ranger, or he could try to help with the fiendish beasts ... or the ragers. With a mental shrug, he moved to close towards the ranger and cleric, firing at the barbarian attacking Tal.

Swift action to move 60' to AW34. Full attack, rapid shot (w/skirmish!) vs Barbarian attacking Tal (flat-footed?)

[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20, Move: 60'
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min); bless (+1 att/save vs fear [morale], 7 min); magic weapon (+1 att/dam [enh to bow]; 7 min); silence (on arrow, 20'; 8 min), Magic circle vs evil( Deflection to AC, +2 Resistance to Saves [10ft Radius of Mirriana]; surefooted stride (not affected by difficult terrain, 4 min); arrow mind (threaten w/bow, 4 min); haste (+1 att, AC [dodge], +30 move, 1 extra attack; 7 rnds); greater invisibility (6 rnds); see invisible (9min); travel devotion [58 rnds]

DrK

2016-08-03, 07:42 AM

All chaos breaks loose, the barbarian fight Tal grunting in shock as a tri of well placed arrows thud into his side under and around his armour leaving blood spraying onto the sand to a great cheer from the cloud! In sharp contrast to the barbarian's frenzied swinging as he misses the the magically obscured shifter. The dwarf ranger curses his luck as the first arrow misses and steps back away from the clearly invisible foe his friend is fighting, he takes aim at Mirriana and the multiple shifting Zarina's and lets loose with a flurry of heavy bolts. The crossbow magically assisting his speedy reloading!

Vs Mirriana [roll0] dam [roll1]
Vs Mirriana [roll2] dam [roll3]
EDIT: 31 to confirm for 29 overall damage

Vs Zarina [roll4] dam [roll5] - Image [roll6] (1)

The crocodiles surge forward at the direction of the cleric, one snapping at the invisible Tal with its enormous jaw, the other two, one still smoking from the fireball race up to threaten the two women! The one near Tal snapping and ripping at the air where he stands trying to savage him. Its fiendish brain confused but the cleric's imperative strong in his mind.

Croc 1: Move and bite at stealth Tal
[roll7] dam [roll8] Miss (50% low) [roll9] If hit grapple [roll10] Vs Tal [roll11] +??

Croc 2+3 run actions to close on the women

The cleric, still a towering 10ft high figure of dwarfness strides froward, hammer in hand and garbed in plate and steel, he runs forward into the centre of the arena, hands held high to enjoy the cheer of the crowd as he readies shield and spiked hammer for the fighting to come.

Runs

EDIT: Go go party (but I'll do Lan's actions last as he's technically start of next round)

redzimmer

2016-08-03, 09:34 AM

Merrick

Keeping a wall of Mirriana betwixt the dwarves and himself, Merrick casts Evard's Black Tentacles on the ground around the cleric.

"Scream if you require healing, Mirriana! I'll not be the one who must present you to Celeste for raising."

[roll0] spell resistance check
[roll1] grapple vs. dwarf

Felhammer

2016-08-03, 11:46 AM

Goattracker

The goliath laughs off the paltry damage inflicted by the berserker. "WEAKLING! I will show you the true meaning of STRENGTH!" The barbarian flies into an uncontrollable rage. His eyes dilate, his muscles engorge themselves even more than they already are, foam flies forth from his mouth like a rabid dog. With a blood curdling screech the cleric howls, "DEATH! DOOM! GLORY TO KAVAKI!"

Divine Power: Full BAB and +6 STR
Brambles: Weapon does +7 damage
Enlarge Person: +2 STR
Rage: +4 STR
Haste: +1 to Hit

BAB: +9
STR: 20+6+4+2=32, which is a +11 modifier!
Haste: +1 to hit

Attack 1: 9+11+1=21
Attack 2: 3+11+1=15
Haste Attack: 9+11+1=21

Damage: 2d8 base
+1d8 Greater Mighty Wallop
+1d8: Enlarge Person
+7 Brambles
+17 Strength (1.5 STR)

So… 4d8+25

Attack 1: /// [roll] 4d8+25 (4d8+25)[52]
Attack 2: /// [roll] 4d8+25(4d8+25)[45]
Haste Attack: /// [roll] 4d8+25(4d8+25)[52]

DrK

2016-08-03, 01:14 PM

Zarina

Zarina takes a breath in as the wall of red and black skinned crocodilian flesh races towards them, breath like rotten meat wafting over her mixing with the sickly sweet smell of burned meat.

To her left the flying dwarf is batted from the sky, the first blow smashing the raging dwarf to the ground with bone crushing force but astonishingly it begins to rise before the second blow from skullcrusher lands and the dwarves head explodes. The crowd cheering and shocked in equal measure!

Amidst the cleric and crocs black tentacles rise out the ground but dwarf and beast are too strong so far to be slowed by the black rubbery conjurations.

Taking a breath Zarina steps forward blade spinning as she slashes in her punishing stance between the two beasts hoping to finish the wounded one! The wounded on vanishes from this realm as the fullblade cleaves into its skull, the other grunting she lands a punishing blow, the second strike deflected by its heavy scales.

Swift: punishing stance
Full attack
+10, +2 Bulls, +1 bless, +1 Haste, +2 KD -2 PA = 14/9
2d8+5 +3 Bulls, +2 MS, +4 PA, +2 KD, +1d6 = 16

Vs wounded [roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2]
Vs fresh [roll3] dam [roll4] + [roll5]
Vs wounded if not dead [roll6] dam [roll7] + [roll8]

Hps 63/63 + 14 False Life
Saves +11/11/10
AC 31 ff 29 T 15 -2 stance

Minor shift +2 dam 2 rounds
Punishing stance +1d6 damage -2 AC
Know Devotion: croc +2, dwarf +4

Spell Effects:
False life (1d10+7)[14] 7 hours
Dragonskin +3 NA, Fire res 10 70 minutes
Mass resist Acid 80 minutes
Mirror image 3 images, 7 minutes
Shield (+6 ac) 14 minutes
Bulls strength 3 minutes
Karmic Aura (DC16 will or fatigued) 10 rounds
Haste 5 rounds

M.Shield of Faith +3 deflect 80 mins
M.Conviction +3 morale saves 80 mins
Bless +1 hit 8 mins

Spells
1st; Burning Hands, Shield x2, Karmic Aura, True strike, Protec' from Evil, Magic missile
2nd: Scorching Ray, Heroics x 2, Mirror image, False Life
3rd: Fireball, Dispel magic, Haste, Dragonskin
4th: Polymorph, Wall Fire, Greater Invis

Mirriana and Talsien to go
Then Lan

RCgothic

2016-08-03, 02:17 PM

Mirriana

I sink to one knee with a grunt as the force of a siege projectile embedding itself in my midriff expends its momentum, but cool fury and Merrick's magics prevent it doing too much damage. I've had worse, and from what I can see we've been giving far better than we've been getting so I count us lucky.

"Nice work Goat! Zarina, do that again!" I call, as I take my chances with the remaining southern crocodile's maw. Dashing around towards where Taliesn and Lan are engaged against barbarian, croc and ranger. I plant myself firmly between the warring groups and raise aloft my shield, proudly displaying Mystara's holy griffon, and begin to read from a small scroll in a clear loud voice that the crowd might hear me over the sounds of battle.

"Blessed is MYSTARA, my strength!
Who teacheth mine hands to WAR!
Mine aim be TRUE!
Mine blows DEADLY!
And to these SINNERS;
JUSTICE!!"

Swift Action WRT.

Croc 1 gets AoO.

Recitation. No Save.
+3 to Lan and Mirriana
+2 to Tal and Zarina
-2 to foes
LUCK vs Attack Rolls and Saving Throws.

Spell Resistance Cleric (if applicable): [roll0]
Spell Resistance Ranger (if applicable): [roll1]
Spell Resistance Barbarian (if applicable): [roll2]
Spell Resistance Croc 3 (if applicable): [roll3]
Spell Resistance Croc 1 (if applicable): [roll4]

DrK

2016-08-03, 03:57 PM

Zarina

Inspired by Mirriana's bravery Zarina spins around hacking and chopping at the massive crocodile seeking to ensure that it will pose no risk to her friends. She spins and pirouettes, blade weaving a deadly dance as she seeks to separate the beast's head from its shoulders. The first blow pins its head down to the floor before the second huge blow chops the huge creature clean in half! THe two halves shimmering and falling into the lower planes.

With extra +2 to hit increase PA to 4
[roll0] dam [roll1]+[roll2]
[roll3] dam [roll4]+[roll5]
[roll6] dam [roll7]+[roll8]

Hps 63/63 + 14 False Life
Saves +11/11/10
AC 31 ff 29 T 15 -2 stance

Minor shift +2 dam 2 rounds
Punishing stance +1d6 damage -2 AC
Know Devotion: croc +2, dwarf +4

Spell Effects:
False life (1d10+7)[14] 7 hours
Dragonskin +3 NA, Fire res 10 70 minutes
Mass resist Acid 80 minutes
Mirror image 3 images, 7 minutes
Shield (+6 ac) 14 minutes
Bulls strength 3 minutes
Karmic Aura (DC16 will or fatigued) 10 rounds
Haste 5 rounds
Recitation 9 rounds +2 luck atk/saves

M.Shield of Faith +3 deflect 80 mins
M.Conviction +3 morale saves 80 mins
Bless +1 hit 8 mins

Spells
1st; Burning Hands, Shield x2, Karmic Aura, True strike, Protec' from Evil, Magic missile
2nd: Scorching Ray, Heroics x 2, Mirror image, False Life
3rd: Fireball, Dispel magic, Haste, Dragonskin
4th: Polymorph, Wall Fire, Greater Invis

Stegyre

2016-08-03, 10:42 PM

Taliesn

It has been an "interesting" few seconds of battle for Taliesn. Trusting in Merrick's invisibility spell, he veers too near one of the barbarians and is shocked when the dwarf's long axe, trailing flames, slashes to either side – blows that would have been telling if they had connected. The huge crocodile, too, snaps ineffectually where Taliesn should have been, but isn't. Bless Merrick's double-layered protection, he thinks to himself.

That battlefield looks so different when friends and foes light up your mind with their mental presence, and in Taliesn's mind, enemy lights are disappearing with astonishing rapidity. It seems that Pitch Blades past arena victims are being avenged, with vigor.

Taliesn raises his sight to the dwarf flying above him, seemingly out of range. He smiles. It is not a friendly smile, as with almost no warning, his powerful muscles launch him high into the air, while his claws elongate fantastically.
Jump check, just to see how high he reaches: [roll0] /4 for height in feet. (Edit: almost 13' of air.)
That's +24 for movement, +6 for strength (including the +1 for being enlarged), +10 for essentia in landshark boots, +4 for skill points.

[roll1] [roll2]
[roll3] [roll4]
[roll5] [roll6]
[roll7] [roll8]
(Edit: based on Lan's rolls, at least two of those should hit, which probably isn't enough, but maybe I got all four?)

To hit mods: +7 BAB, +6 Str (again, including the +1 for being enlarged), +1 for haste, -1 for size, +2 for recitation, +1 magic fang, +3 essentia, -5 PA

Damage mods: +6 Str, +1 magic fang, +3 essentia, +5 PA

I'm feeling lucky, so crit confirmation:
[roll9] [roll10] Edit: :smallyuk:

Starbin

2016-08-04, 09:41 PM

Lan blinked as Goat smashed one dwarf into paste and Zarina slew two crocodiles. Over the link came the call for fire ... against the other scout. A grim smile slipped to his face as he sprinted forward and fired arrow after arrow into the dwarven hunter.

Swift action to move to BD37. Full attack, rapid shot (w/skirmish!) vs Ranger (flat-footed?)

[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20, Move: 60'
F +11, R +14, W +9
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min); bless (+1 att/save vs fear [morale], 7 min); magic weapon (+1 att/dam [enh to bow]; 7 min); silence (on arrow, 20'; 8 min), Magic circle vs evil( Deflection to AC, +2 Resistance to Saves [10ft Radius of Mirriana]; surefooted stride (not affected by difficult terrain, 4 min); arrow mind (threaten w/bow, 4 min); haste (+1 att, AC [dodge], +30 move, 1 extra attack; 6 rnds); greater invisibility (5 rnds); see invisible (9min); travel devotion [57 rnds]; recitation (+3 attack/save [luck])

DrK

2016-08-07, 10:02 AM

The crowd are whipped up into a frenzy by the blood shed and Mirriana and Goats loud shouts of glory. Within seconds two of the crocs are dead as Zarina dances about in their midst sword laying about. Goat earns a massive roar as he praises Kavaki above the crushed body of the dwarf. Whilst Talsien appears leaping in the air rending and tearing at the barbarian leaving brutal wounds. In the middle Merrick hangs back, a field of tentacles giving rise to a dangerous freezing area and on the right arrows appear out nowhere for the ranger who twists sideways, uncanny agility allowing him to dodge out of the way.

The ranger curses and looks about for "prey", running away from the melee with the massive shifter and unsure of Lan's whereabouts. Glancing about he curses in dwarven knowing the two women with their many layers of enchantments were tough targets! He switched around as he saw Merrick. Activating the boots on his feet he scurried forward and unleashed a torrent of shots against the wizard!

Swift: activate a magic item, gain a move action
Move: move
Full: rapid shot the wizard! (Goat and Zarina have the luck of tentacle cover)
[roll0] dam [roll1]
[roll2] dam [roll3]
[roll4] dam [roll5]

The massive crocodile and the raging barbarian still stymied by the displacement both try and Savage the shifter with tooth, tail and axe! Again the shifter leads a charmed life as neither tooth, tail or axe can find its mark amidst the shifting and shimmering Illusion surrounding him!

Croc [roll6] dam [roll7] miss (01-50 misses) [roll8]
-- if hit grapple [roll9] vs Tal [roll10]+??
If not grappled Tail [roll11] dam [roll12] miss (01-50 misses) [roll13]

Barbarian
[roll14] dam [roll15] + [roll16] fire, miss [roll17] (01-50 misses)

[roll18] dam [roll19] + [roll20] fire, miss [roll21] (01-50 misses)

The cleric strides out of the tentacles, a few snapping off and melting away as he points at Goat - Your God is a puny God. I spit on him and all the weak that would follow such a craven coward!" he follows up gesturing with his hammer as a ray of freezing blackness sears his stony hide with inky cold.

Move out of tentacles
Challenge Goat!
Cast Darkbolt touch [roll22] [roll23] Cold Fort DC18 or stunned 1 round

Edit: Go go party

redzimmer

2016-08-07, 10:56 AM

Merrick

Merrick is surprised by the sudden barrage of arrows whipping past his face.

"A dwarf with a bow. How things change in this new Century..."

His arcane luck about as good as ever, he shifts tactics slightly.

Eyeing the airborne barbarian and the dwarf ranger, he casts baleful transposition upon them.

DC 15 Will for mild inconvenience and possible falling damage.

RCgothic

2016-08-07, 04:58 PM

The cleric strides out of the tentacles, a few snapping off and melting away as he points at Goat - Your God is a puny God. I spit on him and all the weak that would follow such a craven coward!" he follows up gesturing with his hammer as a ray of freezing blackness sears his stony hide with inky cold.

"Yours did such a good job of saving your friend!" I mock the enemy cleric, just before I bombard him with a stream of anti-magic. I then move up to have Goat's back. Or rather, to threaten the cleric's back whilst Goattracker squashes him.

Dispel Magic.

Caster check vs each spell on the enemy cleric. DC is 11 + spell's CL (may be different for scrolls or potions).

I'm guessing he has no more than 6 active spells, roll more if necessary:
Caster check: [roll0] CL15 dispelled
Caster check: [roll1]
Caster check: [roll2]
Caster check: [roll3] CL 10 dispelled
Caster check: [roll4]
Caster check: [roll5]
Caster check: [roll6]

Also, IGG.

Felhammer

2016-08-08, 12:10 AM

Goat

"GOAT NO LIKE MAGIC! GOAT SMASH PUNY DWARF!" The hulking goliath bounds across the arena, bringing the full might of his magically-empowered body to bare against the poor cleric.

Divine Power: Full BAB and +6 STR
Brambles: Weapon does +7 damage
Enlarge Person: +2 STR
Rage: +4 STR
Haste: +1 to Hit

BAB: +9
STR: 20+6+4+2=32, which is a +11 modifier!
Haste: +1 to hit

Attack 1: 9+11+1=21
Attack 2: 3+11+1=15
Haste Attack: 9+11+1=21

Damage: 2d8 base
+1d8 Greater Mighty Wallop
+1d8: Enlarge Person
+7 Brambles
+17 Strength (1.5 STR)

So… 4d8+25

In addition I will Smite on Attack #1 for +8 damage.

Attack 1: /// [roll1] (includes a +2 for Flanking thanks to Mir and +2 to hit for charging)

In case I crit (that way I do not spam the OOC again).

Attack 1: [roll2] /// [roll3]

EDIT: Sorry, charging to space AG/AH 35 and AG/AH 36

Attack 1: [roll] 1d20+21 /// 4d8+25
Attack 2: 1d20+15 /// 4d8+25

Stegyre

2016-08-08, 12:25 AM

Taliesn
Taliesn attacks again, but who (and how) he attacks depends on whether our opponents make their baleful transposition save.

If he's still attacking the barbarian:
[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7]
(Same mods as before, except only 1 on PA this time.)
Edit: looks like 50 more damage, since we know the 23 doesn't hit.

If he's attacking the ranger, it's grapple time:

1. Melee touch attacks to grab
[roll=claw]1d20+19[roll]
[roll=claw]1d20+19[roll]
[roll=claw]1d20+19[roll]
[roll=claw]1d20+19[roll]
Edit: Gah! Bungled those rolls. Redoing them in OOC.

2. Grapple checks
(Swift action to move 2 essentia into Giralon arms.)
[roll8] [roll9]
(That's +7 BAB, +6 Str, +4 large, +6 essentia/bind: I think I'm actually higher than the croc!)

Only one of those, because any remaining attacks will be used to:

3. Pin
[roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12]

Followed with:

4. More damage!
[roll13] [roll14]
[roll15] [roll16]

. . . as well as stopping him from speaking: If you want to surrender, you can tell me telepathically. Look at the bright side: you're actually likely to survive this fight. I'm not so certain about your comrades.

In each step, I think I've correctly calculated the maximum number of rolls I might get. Please just use as many as it takes, and then move to the next step. :smallsmile:

DrK

2016-08-08, 01:30 AM

Zarina

Skidding to a halt, dust rising up around her as the summoned beasts evaporate away she glances around to take things in. She smiles coldly as she hears the clash of titans as Goat and the giant dwarf clash and the shocked cheers as Tal leaps up onto the air, but is grabbed by the croc, blood going everywhere!

She hears Mirriana's shout about tearing down the cleric's defences and speaks a few words to create a whirling sink of antimagic to strip away the dwarf's defences. Sparks fly as 2 more defences flair and fail under the magical onslaught.

Lan, wherever you are, take down the ranger! She shouts as she runs across the arena floor to threaten the dwarf a little.

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

Hps 63/63 + 14 False Life
Saves +11/11/10
AC 31 ff 29 T 15 -2 stance

Minor shift +2 dam 2 rounds
Punishing stance +1d6 damage -2 AC
Know Devotion: croc +2, dwarf +4

Spell Effects:
False life (1d10+7)[14] 7 hours
Dragonskin +3 NA, Fire res 10 70 minutes
Mass resist Acid 80 minutes
Mirror image 3 images, 7 minutes
Shield (+6 ac) 14 minutes
Bulls strength 3 minutes
Karmic Aura (DC16 will or fatigued) 10 rounds
Haste 5 rounds
Recitation 9 rounds +2 luck atk/saves

M.Shield of Faith +3 deflect 80 mins
M.Conviction +3 morale saves 80 mins
Bless +1 hit 8 mins

Spells
1st; Burning Hands, Shield x2, Karmic Aura, True strike, Protec' from Evil, Magic missile
2nd: Scorching Ray, Heroics x 2, Mirror image, False Life
3rd: Fireball, Dispel magic, Haste, Dragonskin
4th: Polymorph, Wall Fire, Greater Invis

Starbin

2016-08-08, 03:01 AM

At the call to attack the ranger, Lan glanced at the barbarian and crocodile, wondering if it was a mistake to not take them out first. With an inward growl he started to comply when the crocodile suddenly ravaged Tal. He heard a mental roar - "KILL THE BARBARIAN" - and he adjusted his move, shooting for the dwarven rager instead.

Swift action to move to AX36. Full attack, rapid shot (w/skirmish!) vs Barbarian

[roll0], [roll1]
[roll2], [roll3]
[roll4], [roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20, Move: 60'
F +11, R +14, W +9
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min); bless (+1 att/save vs fear [morale], 7 min); magic weapon (+1 att/dam [enh to bow]; 7 min); silence (on arrow, 20'; 8 min), Magic circle vs evil( Deflection to AC, +2 Resistance to Saves [10ft Radius of Mirriana]; surefooted stride (not affected by difficult terrain, 4 min); arrow mind (threaten w/bow, 4 min); haste (+1 att, AC [dodge], +30 move, 1 extra attack; 5 rnds); greater invisibility (4 rnds); see invisible (9min); travel devotion [56 rnds]; recitation (+3 attack/save [luck])

Stegyre

2016-08-08, 05:16 AM

Taliesn
So much for trying to sleep tonight.
That tears it! Taliesn is mad, mad at the barbarian for finally connecting with his axe, mad at the crock for grabbing him in the midst of his jump, and mad at himself for not taking a few simple precautions to keep this all from happening. He twists and tears at the crocodile.
[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3] -5 DR/magic
[roll4] [roll5] -5 DR/magic
[roll6] [roll7] -5 DR/magic
Edit: Total: Oh, poop! I forgot the additional -4 for grappling, which means that instead of everything hitting, only one does: 15 damage. :smallsigh:

To hit mods: +7 BAB, +6 Str, +1 for haste, -1 for size, +2 for recitation, +1 magic fang, +3 essentia, -7 PA

Damage mods: +6 Str, +1 magic fang, +3 essentia, +7 PA

Turns out I was misapplying magic fang: as an enhancement bonus, it overlaps the bonus from essentia. Further, with regard to DR/magic (which I think the fiendish template gives the crocs), it applies to only one of my claws, not all of them. :smallredface:

redzimmer

2016-08-08, 09:35 AM

Merrick

In my zeal I have sadly wasted my most powerful spells, so I must make do.

Hoping his friends can handle themselves, Merrick readies his Transpositon wand in case of emergency.

I think the Righteous Might still has SR going, do let's try the vestige instead

[roll0]

DrK

2016-08-09, 01:38 AM

Mayhem breaks out and the crowd loves it! Tal is dragged to the ground bitten and axed as he is whipped from side to side in the crocodiles mouth. A roar from the crowd shows how much they love it!

On the left its a divine battle as the clerics battle, more sparks as two more spells collapse under the magical assault. Mage duels continue with Merrick seeking to manipulate time and space and Lan tries to save Tal, the halfling running forward unseen, silently, leaving not even a footprint in the dust but arrows flying towards the barbarian. The beast ducks left and right, only 1 stabbing into him. He pulls it out of his guts, a mortal wound, only his rage keeping him from collapsing. Licking the blood off the arrow he and it in two and flies at Lan, axe dropping like a guillotine! The crocodile rolls along the ground, teeth tearing and gnawing upon the hapless shifter!

Alive due to rage!
Charge Lan [roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2]

Grapple check to bite
[roll3] vs [roll4]
If wins then bite [roll5]

By the spinning tentacles the giant clerics do battle, the massive dwarf stepping away from Mirriana's iron glare to smash the raging Goliath!

5ft out of glare. FA, With smite (domain power)! On first one
[roll6] dam [roll7] + [roll8] unholy
[roll9] dam [roll10] + [roll11] unholy

redzimmer

2016-08-09, 01:49 AM

Merrick

As the tide surges back in the dwarves' favour, Merrick shakes head in disgust.

It seemed like such a good idea at the time.

Leveling four fingers at the remaining crocodile and he lets fly magic missiles.

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

DrK

2016-08-09, 02:03 AM

The ranger gets in on the action as well, seeing Zarina (not seeing the halfling) he runs at her, triggering magic to let him move fast as sprays massive javelin sized bolts at her!

The first shatter her images, the illusions cracking into a thousand wisps of smoke, the third bouncing squarely off her chain armour.

[roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] skirmish
-- image [roll3]

[roll4] dam [roll5] + [roll6] skirmish
-- image [roll7] or [roll8]

[roll9] dam [roll10] + [roll11] skirmish
-- image [roll12] or [roll13]

DrK

2016-08-09, 02:51 AM

Zarina

Zarina looks about as, so often in battle, the situation changes with Tal down and being thrown around by the crocodile, the crazed barbarian hacking at where she assumed Lan must be and nearly all of her images vanishing in a hail of crossbow bolts. Pin pricks of light flit by punching holes in the side of the crocodile from merrick, the wizard wisely hanging back. She looks towards where she assumes Lan must be, "Good luck Lan, I'm going after Tal." and races forward on her long legs, she leaps towards the beast propelled by her diminsing spell of quickness, as she falls she activates the wand on her sword, the blade becoming thin and translucent as she chops down with all her force! As she leaps it lashes out with its tail at her, the muscular appendage trying to bat her away....

Crocodile AoO [roll0] dam [roll1]

Charge Crocodile
Swift: Activate wand wraithstrike
Attack [roll2] Vs touch AC dam [roll3]

+1 bless, +2 recitation, +2 charge, +1 haste, +2 KD, Str +4, weapon +1, BAB +7, PA -7 = 13
+6 STr, +1wpn, +5 stance, +2 MS, +2 KD, +14 PA = 30

She leaps over the tail and lands with her blade tracing a massive arc through the air. The fullblade shearing into the crocodile that already injured by claws, Lan's arrow buried deep in its gut and the line of magic missile holes near its spine rolls over releasing the shifter onto the blood soaked sands as the demon croc is banished back to whence it came.

Hps 63/63 + 14 False Life
Saves +11/11/10
AC 31 ff 29 T 15 -2 charge

Minor shift +2 dam 1 rounds
Leading the Charge Stance
Know Devotion: croc +2, dwarf +4

Spell Effects:
False life (1d10+7)[14] 7 hours
Dragonskin +3 NA, Fire res 10 70 minutes
Mass resist Acid 80 minutes
Mirror image 3 1 images, 7 minutes
Shield (+6 ac) 14 minutes
Bulls strength 3 minutes
Karmic Aura (DC16 will or fatigued) 8 rounds
Haste 3 rounds
Recitation 8 rounds +2 luck atk/saves

M.Shield of Faith +3 deflect 80 mins
M.Conviction +3 morale saves 80 mins
Bless +1 hit 8 mins

Spells
1st; Burning Hands, Shield x2, Karmic Aura, True strike, Protec' from Evil, Magic missile
2nd: Scorching Ray, Heroics x 2, Mirror image, False Life
3rd: Fireball, Dispel magic, Haste, Dragonskin
4th: Polymorph, Wall Fire, Greater Invis

RCgothic

2016-08-09, 03:44 AM

Mirriana

It's a relief to see the giant crocodile vanish, but from this distance I can't tell whether Tal is still breathing. The barbarian is clearly pressing Lan, whilst the ranger continues to be mostly ineffective. Maybe goatttacker will need my help to put down this heretic, maybe not. How can I best hedge our effectiveness? A quick study of the shape of the battle gives me an answer.

"Goattracker, step North!" I call, hoping the command will somehow penetrate the fug of his rage.

Felhammer

2016-08-09, 12:23 PM

(1d20+27)[41] dam (2d6+19)[23] + (2d6)[6] unholy
(1d20+18)[24] dam (2d6+10)[13] + (2d6)[11] unholy

Both attacks hit.

23+6=29
13+11=24
29+24=53

I have 18 Temp HP I forgot to deduct from the last attack (thanks to Rage).

53-18=35

Current HP 68.

68-35=33! :eek:
Goat

The Goliath roars in anger as he is beaten and battered. Goat whips Skullfinder back and brings the full might of the goliath people down upon the small man!

I will Smite on Attack #1 for +8 damage.

Attack 1: 1d20+21 /// 4d8+32

Attack 2: 1d20+15 /// 4d8+25

Haste 1: 1d20+21 /// 4d8+25

For crits, so I don't spam the OOC:

Attack 1: 1d20+21 /// 4d8+32

Attack 2: 1d20+15 /// 4d8+25

Haste 1: 1d20+21 /// 4d8+25

RCgothic

2016-08-09, 01:17 PM

Mirriana

I try to resist wincing as skullfinder connects with skull and I step closer to my giant friend.

"Again Goattracker! Before he regains his wits!" I urge.

Confident that the enemy cleric is not long for this world, I turn my attention to the aid of our other teammates. With a prayer and a few holy motions I summon forth a divine blade to take some of the pressure off of Lan!

5-ft step to get within 10ft of goat and outside threatened squares.

Swift: White Raven Tactics! Goat to go again!

Standard: Spiritual Weapon vs barbarian.
Longsword: [roll0] +7bab +4wis
Damage: [roll1] force

Starbin

2016-08-10, 01:16 AM

With a grunt, Lan cursed under his breath, the noise masked by the spell of silence. Rolling foreword last the rager, Lan slipped away towards his companions and fired off a number of shots at the barbarian.

Swift action to tumble to AY34. Full attack, rapid shot (w/skirmish!) vs Barbarian (remaining shots to the ranger, if the rager falls.

[roll0]
[roll1], [roll2]
[roll3], Damage - (6d6+3)[30] (Attack 2 crit 31 for total dam - 43)
Rapid attack - (1d20+17)[26], [roll4]
[roll5], [roll6]

Status
HPs: 48/65; AC: 28, Move: 60'
F +11, R +14, W +9
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min); bless (+1 att/save vs fear [morale], 7 min); magic weapon (+1 att/dam [enh to bow]; 7 min); silence (on arrow, 20'; 8 min), Magic circle vs evil( Deflection to AC, +2 Resistance to Saves [10ft Radius of Mirriana]; surefooted stride (not affected by difficult terrain, 4 min); arrow mind (threaten w/bow, 4 min); haste (+1 att, AC [dodge], +30 move, 1 extra attack; 4 rnds); greater invisibility (3 rnds); see invisible (9min); travel devotion [55 rnds]; recitation (+3 attack/save [luck])

Felhammer

2016-08-10, 01:57 AM

Goat

The goliath licks his chops, "You heard chieftess! GOAT ATTACK AGAIN!" With the power and ferocity of a behemoth, the barbarian brings his greatclub down upon the dwarf three more times!"

Yay, more attacks! Thanks RC! :smallbiggrin::smallbiggrin::smallbiggrin:

Attack 1: [roll0] /// [roll1] <- Nat 1!!!!

Attack 2: [roll2] /// [roll3]

Haste 1: [roll4] /// [roll5] <- Potentially...

For crits, so I don't spam the OOC:
Attack 1: [roll6] /// [roll7]

Attack 2: [roll8] /// [roll9]

Haste 1: [roll10] /// [roll11] <- PROBABLY!!!!!!!

http://pa1.narvii.com/6054/ee38ae777d85ec378a0a81a229ac3694eab9cfac_hq.gif

DrK

2016-08-14, 04:27 PM

As the dwarves fight back hard. Both Talsien and Goat looking battered and bloody the crowd roaring in delight at the bloody spectacle. Especially that of the two massive giants thrashing at each other with hammer and club the heroes call upon whatever inner reserves they have left! Zarina races in sword slicing hard as she and the flying magical missiles from Merrick banish the crocodile.

Lan spins, a tiny invisible engine of destruction. Arrows flying faster than than eye can follow; the first slipping into the barbarian's throat as the dwarf as he tumbles away from the raging beserker. Spinning ignoring the felled dwarf the next three arrows fly towards the ranger, only missing, the suprised ranger toppling backwards, blood leaking from the twin arrows in his chest.

By the tentacles in the clash of giants the might of Kavaki is proven! Twice the club rises and falls to no avail deflected by the dwarf's hellish enchantments and thick armour but the third blow with power of the mountain god lands true. The club shattering helm and skull and smashing the cleric dead to the ground!

The crowd leap to their feet as the dwarves are dispatched. Mirriana standing in the centre can feel the roar like a physical force and from her vantage can see Raknian throwing his glass to the ground in rage, the purple cloaked Okoral spinning and storming off face dark with rage! The old yellow robed mage rising to his feet and his magically spelled voice filling the stadium. "Behold the winners! The Owlbears. Please, heroes of the sands come forward and receive your prize!....

redzimmer

2016-08-14, 07:55 PM

Merrick

Almost disappointed, Merrick dismisses the black tentacles and walks over to still-unconscious Taliesn.

"Stand and be cheered, my friend," he says as he pours his belt healing into him.

[roll0]

Stegyre

2016-08-14, 08:11 PM

Taliesn

Taliesn wakes and rises, as his wounds continue to (slowly) heal. Thank you. I needed that. He surveys the carnage approvingly. He joins the others in approaching the reviewing stand.

Felhammer

2016-08-15, 05:36 PM

Cure... 2d8... Wounds ;) [roll0]

Goat

The goliath swings his hands up in the air and howls. He breathes in the crowd's cheers like a small child woofs down candy. "GOAT! GOAT! GOAT!" He chants as he swings his club around wildly! He struts around, basking in the adulation. Eventually, he notices his friends assembling to to receive their prize. He drops his guard and his rage. He becomes noticeably less buff (although the other magical effects affecting his frame are still active) as he stands by his companions, eagerly - if a bit tiredly - waiting for the prize.

Starbin

2016-08-15, 05:54 PM

Even as the others gather to earn their rewards, Lan used the last of his invisibility to check the dwarves - both to gather arrows and ensure no one was faking. After a few moments, he suddenly appeared behind the group, standing still as the crowds continued to feed Goat's ego.

I considered strip-searching the dwarves, as well as ensuring they didn't wake up, but decided that someone can probably see invisible, and that might be against the rules :smallsmile:

Status
HPs: 48/65; AC: 28, Move: 60'
F +11, R +14, W +9
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min); bless (+1 att/save vs fear [morale], 7 min); magic weapon (+1 att/dam [enh to bow]; 7 min); silence (on arrow, 20'; 8 min), Magic circle vs evil( Deflection to AC, +2 Resistance to Saves [10ft Radius of Mirriana]; surefooted stride (not affected by difficult terrain, 4 min); arrow mind (threaten w/bow, 4 min); haste (+1 att, AC [dodge], +30 move, 1 extra attack; 4 rnds); greater invisibility (3 rnds); see invisible (9min); travel devotion [55 rnds]; recitation (+3 attack/save [luck])

RCgothic

2016-08-16, 02:48 AM

Mirriana

Less than half a minute. That's how quickly this bloodbath unfolded. Once more our battle plan turned out to be useless, but I suppose I can't argue with results! It's an enormous relief when Taliesn stirs and his thoughts reestablish our group thinkspace. It had been quite disconcerting to be without it.

Even as the crowd hails our victory I self-congratulate, nodding to myself as I survey the aftermath of a job well done. I realise I did none of the heavy lifting this time around, yet I still feel like I contributed well. That Raknian and Okoral are so out out fills me with perverse pressure. And all the evil dwarves are dead. I'm not exactly sad about that either.

I raise my sword in victory salute to the crowd, turning to salute each stand in turn. When I get to Celeste I break out in a relieved grin and blow her a kiss. Then I approach the box to receive our prize, patting my companions on the back as and when they come within reach.

DrK

2016-08-17, 04:41 PM

In the chaos of the aftermath Lan is able to sweep around the bodies of the ranger and the barbarian unseen by anyone. Even the rules wise wizard distracted by the chaos and flurry of activity. The wizard bids you close to the box and approach the nobility.

Lan would have the opportunity to grab something small. Both barbarian and scout have amulets, belts and rings but anymore than that, say like an Axe or boots would be pretty obvious as they vanished.

Looking about he looks confused that Raknian looks to have vanished and turns to a massive fat nobleman with a rotund belly and long oiled beard. "Victors. Please accept this Silver Dwarf to record your victory. THe Lord Dansik will present it." THe fat lord rises slowly to his feet and steps to the edge of the platfrom whereupon Talibir summons a platform to allow the noble to float to the sand. He approaches the party flanked by 4 of the arena guards, his podgy fat eyes eagerly staring at Mirriana and Zarina whilst shying away from the savage Talsien and the massive and blood splattered Goat. Only Lan and Merrick looknig more "normal". "You fight well. You have given me much to think about. I will be betting on you come the next round and after this arena my guild has always need of strong arms to guard caravans." Looking about at the crowd he raises a fat hand bedecked in jewels. "Hail champpions" and the crowd answers with a great roar! He hands Mirriana and Goat a silver statue of a dwarven warrior bedecked with armour. And in a quieter voice "Your manager will also be presented with a promissary note for 5000 gold councils (gp)"

Zarina smiles nervously amidst it all as she looks at the baying crowd and the arena teams drag the four bodies of the dwarves away. Long blood trails smeared across the sand marking their passage. The crowd are left to cheer at you all for a few minutes before Talabir rises again and the noble withdraws. "Hail the Owlbears! We shall see them again on the morrow for the next fight as they battle either the beast or the rival champions..."

Feel free to chat to the lord. Bask in the adulation or send messages via radio Talsein to Eligos

redzimmer

2016-08-17, 05:23 PM

Merrick

Tears streaming down his ram-horn bedecked personage, Merrick-Focalor takes solace knowing the dwarves will be given a proper funerary rite.

"Milord," Merrick addresses the fat lord with a polite bow, "I have been seeking a patron for my studies of late. Perhaps when these games are finished I may present my portfolio to you?"

Stegyre

2016-08-18, 01:26 PM

Taliesn

As his body continues to heal, Taliesn takes the opportunity to discretely heal the others.
Not sure who else has injuries, but I can heal 11 HP on each person each hour.

I take half that amount as damage, but that's gone within 3 rounds.

No longer any need to expend healing resources unless we are rushed.

Starbin

2016-08-18, 05:14 PM

Lan raised an eye at the obese man eyeing the ladies and offering up a statue of a silver dwarf. He thought to himself Ironic and the choice of prize, then waited for the others to finish chatting up the nobles. Instead, his eyes searched the stands for signs of their two biggest fans who had run off ...

Hmmm ... Given grabbing some small stuff, I believe halflings have a think for rings :smallbiggrin: So any rings first, then belts (time permitting).

Status
HPs: 48/65; AC: 28, Move: 60'
F +11, R +14, W +9
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min); bless (+1 att/save vs fear [morale], 7 min); magic weapon (+1 att/dam [enh to bow]; 7 min); silence (on arrow, 20'; 8 min); surefooted stride (not affected by difficult terrain, 4 min); arrow mind (threaten w/bow, 4 min); see invisible (9min); travel devotion [55 rnds]

DrK

2016-08-21, 02:45 AM

Lan, standing by the barbarian and ranger, is able to quickly slip a ring off each fallen foes finger before his absence becomes conspicuous in the roaring and cheering of the crowd. The rings look interesting. The barbarian's ring is spiked with teeth and metal barbs, the ranger's is tarnished with runes of half closed eyes.

Ring of Might: allows a 1d8 unarmed attack. Leaves a mark of a circle of barbed teeth until healed

Ring if darkhidden: invisible to darkvision.

The fat merchant lord looks at Merrick and nods. "There is always a use for powerful mages in my world.." He doesn't get much more out as the crowd driwns out more and soon enough the arena guards are motioning you back towards the lift to return you to the Coenby. Talabir's last announcement filling you with anticipation. "You will see them this evening. Will the face a team of heroes or will they face "The beast"..... The reminder that tomorrow the last three teams, two have a matched fight, the third facing the mystery beast, perhaps the one the guards spoke of the previous night.

As you are plunged back into the dim cool caves of the Coenby the remaining teams watch you warily. The necromancers closing their doors to pointedly ignore you buy both Auric and the draconians giving you respectful nod and smile as you and not the unpopular dwarves return!

redzimmer

2016-08-21, 05:34 PM

Merrick

Exulting in his victory, Merrick ponders his next actions.

With the prospect of a patron, he could take over the Illithid's lab. Possibly take on an apprentice or two.

A fully-stocked lab could aid in their quest to eradicate Kyuss as well, so he goal would not be completely self-serving, he assured himself.

Stegyre

2016-08-21, 08:13 PM

Taliesn

You want to set up shop in a SEWER, where you were IMPRISONED??

I do not know if you have merely forgotten what it smelled like or if your involuntary time there gave you a liking for it.

We drove a necromancer from a tower outside of Diamond Lake, where some of us first met. I think it would make you a much nicer base of operations – though it would be a bit further from the center of things.
The sewer hideout is mine, MINE, I say! I will not see it infested with a weakminded species that are good for nothing but cattle.

redzimmer

2016-08-21, 09:39 PM

Merrick

The wizard shakes his head.

Oh yes, I forgot I was part of a hive-mind for a moment there. But I would like to loot the mind-flayer's lab first. He may have been a simple-minded spell-flinger, but his experiments intrigue me...

The outraged whispers that follow just confuse him.

RCgothic

2016-08-23, 03:04 PM

Mirriana

I nod respectfully to The Leatherworks as we pass. As we get back to our quarters it's time for a team conference.

"Ok team, that went well though I'm sure we all agree we could have fought more cohesively. Are there any items that could be useful? I'm thinking a scroll or two of Revivify might not go amiss after our recent experiences."

Starbin

2016-08-23, 03:28 PM

Lan didn't respond to any of the other teams one way or another, simply eyeing them all with a blank stare. Once they were alone, and Mirriana spoke, he tossed two rings on the table. "Found those ... might be useful. As for the fight, the speed, silence and invisibility helped me. I just couldn't get to the cleric in time. Guess we need to think about who's left and what that might mean. Don't the champs use a golem? What do we expect from the dragons? Guessing those necros will drain life ... or kill us straight out. Might need something to protect against that."

Probably need some death ward scrolls ... and adamantine weapons.

Status
HPs: 48/65; AC: 28, Move: 60'
F +11, R +14, W +9
Spells: surefooted stride, arrow mind
Effects: Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 75 min); (Conviction +3 saves [morale], 75 min)

redzimmer

2016-08-23, 03:36 PM

Merrick

"I think we will need to find out our next opponent first," Merrick say, "I am regrettably unsuited for fighting golems, so I would focus on the warrior Auric. Then disable the mage before he looses lightning in the constructs."

He looks at the dragonborn and necromancers.

"Our manager should have scouted them more since the last match. His insights might help with strategy. Or, we may draw "Monster Fight" and all our stratagems are for naught."

He tries to recall the remarks he overheard from the arena guards from last night.

Stegyre

2016-08-23, 04:31 PM

Taliesn

Merrick's spells were a great help to me

until my luck ran out, Taliesn adds privately to himself.

My claws and protections could be better, but I don't know how your spells might help with that. We could buy or make some things, but not while we are in this contest.
Displacement was great! That was quite a nice run.

Is Lan up to 2nd level Ranger spells? Since demons have started showing up in our dungeons and watching our arena fights, I've become very interested in getting access to align fang.

Felhammer

2016-08-23, 05:49 PM

Goat

Goat takes a seat in the largest chair and munches on some food. As he takes a big bite of an apple, he says, "We were victorious today because we used strategy. We should use that again. He says this in the most innocent way possible. As if he is revealing some unbelievable truth.

Also, Friend Merrick, your spell that makes Skullfinder so big is my favorite. When we die, I shall take you to the Great Ram's hall, where you can personally show your spell to Kavaki!

DrK

2016-08-24, 03:48 AM

Zarina

Zarina looks around. Impressed by the skill at arms and power displayed by her companions. "I'm glad we did so well. Those crocodiles were unexpected. Would we be able to do something similar if we acquired a scroll of sufficient power? Regardless I am once more in awe of your skills. I had not believed a man could be that strong Goattracker to have crushed foes so easily. Or for so many arrows to hit so so hard Lan." She smiles, relatively happy at the outcome of the fight, and secretly relieved that she only crossed blades with fiendish beasts rather than killing other sentient creatures.

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

The rest of the afternoon passes easily. The dragons and the leather works head up to the rapturous heroes welcome that Auric, Champion of the Free City Arnea has come to expect. Judging by the cheers and the occasional dull booming explosion its a hard fought battle until after you hear the massive cheers and stamping of feet through the stone ceiling the Leather Works return down stairs. Both Khellek and Auric looking tired and Auric a mass of blood stained wounds and faint pink scars of newly healed flesh. He grins at you all he shouts for beer - "Aye, Auric is Champion again. If we meet next I will be glorious in victory but then we will drink together." beside Khellek merely strokes his pointed beard and observes you all quietly, eyes fixing mostly on Merrick and Zarina, his arcane opposites.

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

The evening draws around quickly as preparations are made. And soon you are led once more up to the arena floor. A great hush falling on the crowd as the three teams - The Leather Works, the Skulls of Murq and the Owlbears assemble on the stands. This time the gathering is a bit less formal. Chairs and drinks laid out and as you stand on 3 small stages you can see amidst the crowds drinks and food but among the nobility gathered around the food laden tables on the arena sand there is Eligos still in his red sorcerous robes, Celeste in a glimmering silver dress and Ekaym looking happy with a small chest that you assume must be your winnings. Of Raknian and Okoral there is no sign!

Talabir rises and raises a glass to the three remaining teams as a servant brings drinks to you all. "People of the Free City, your champions lie amidst the these three brave and heroic teams. On the morrow two of these teams shall battle each other," at this everyone looks at yourselves and the Skulls (tradition normally results in the defending champions facing "the beast"). Talabir nods and smiles as the crowd in the stands cheer and holler. Accordingly Lord Raknian, who is sadly indisposed this evening, and myself drew for the fights. At sunrise tomorrow the Leatherworks shall battle the Skulls or Murq, at 4 bells past sunrise the Owlbears shall battle Madtooth.. he doesn't get much further as the stadium erupts in shouting, cheering and booing in equal measure. The crowds also surprised by thechange in tradition. Celeste and Eligos catching your eyes with a grim expression. Even Auric looks stunned, his normal happy expression left looking confused. The cluster of necromancers scowl looking at the Auric and Khellek with barely concealed hate.

It takes a few minutes for the crowd to calm and then then some more time for them to start dispersing as Talabir waves at the three teams. "Brave champions all. Come, see your friends and the good and great of the Free City and partake of the feast as tomorrow.... you fight!"

redzimmer

2016-08-24, 12:11 PM

Merrick O'Fey

Have any of you a remaining invisibility? I might want our Muddy to engage in reconnoitering this "Madtooth".

Outwardly, Merry eats merrily enough, giving off an aura of disinterest.

DrK

2016-08-25, 02:34 AM

Merrick O'Fey

Have any of you a remaining invisibility? I might want our Muddy to engage in reconnoitering this "Madtooth".

Outwardly, Merry eats merrily enough, giving off an aura of disinterest.

Zarina

As Merrick speaks about the invisibility Zarina shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. I drew heavily upon my powers today and did not prepare the arcane sigils of any more stealth based magics. Sadly my skills do no lean that way. When this is over If you would permit I would like to offer an exchange of spells, you have some incantations that I don't recognise and I think the same is true in reverse." She looks for the others and then heads across to them. "What do you think this Madtooth is? Though I suspect with the break in tradition something foul is afoot!"

----

With the mingling commencing Eligos and Celeste approach you. Celeste greeting each of you warmly whilst Eligos maintains his somewhat cold and haughty demanour. It is the sage however that speaks first. "Your foray into the the strange undertemple has put Raknian off his game. He has missed several meetings of note with apologies of illness. I have also done more research on this Bozal that you encountered. He is a vagabond and dangerous. My notes and the information I could divine first have him arriving in the Free City 2 years ago where he was almost thrown out as he began to preach "doom" and the coming of an a "apocalypse of worms". Somehow he made contact with Raknian. I suspect that Raknian has somewhat unpleseant hobbies, a number of women he has courted have vanished over the years. Sadly in this case... he nods at Ekaym here who is thankfully out of earshot, "This one was Ekaym's sister. I suspect that Bozal got involved with it and has been holding that over Raknian to subvert him down this dark path. Raknian, for all his faults, was once a good man. But he has become dark of late and it cannot be a coincidence. I suspect though that whilst he may want all of you dead it is Auric that he bears the most resentment for. if Auric wins he shall beat Raknian's arena record and people already speak of him as the "greatest ever", something that Loris will not abide. I think he is aiming to see Auric in the final of the games and sacrifice him to the growing worm of Kyuss to seal the ritual. Kyuss magic is foul and to appease the Ulugursta it will have to be fed."

He falls silent slightly as Ekaym arrives. A smile on his face. "I have good news. We have made almost 2000 crowns wagering on your match and many now speak of you as rivals to the Leatherworks. Would you like me to invest your winnings into the next match or is there any supplies or healing you would like me to purchase. Whilst I could not visit in the morning the guards will allow me to purchase some supplies and hand them down. I may also haeva clue as to the nature of the beast. One of the senior beast guards boasted to me that "my mighty owlbears" would be as nothing for his beast. It took 40 men to drag it from the frozen tundra and it will leave nothing more of you than frozen chips to chill his ale... I do not know how much is exaggeration but it may be that the beast has been captured in the icy barbarian lands.

redzimmer

2016-08-25, 06:35 PM

Merrick

"It does seem odd, and after the encounter with the dwarves, I no longer believe in coincidences," Merrick says.

"In fact, I would not be surprised to find the whole arena staff aligned against us. We should not allow them to 'hand over' any item, as it may be adulterated to fail us when in the throes of battle. Also, between our matches and any information Bozsl may provide, they know our tactics. I would be surprised if this Tundra Beast will suddenly be warded against fire, or prove ethereal."

We should completely alter our tactics.

After some time discussion passes, Merrick retires for the night.

DrK

2016-08-31, 07:22 AM

With the stress of approaching combat the conversation is slow and desultory and soon enough the lamps are lowered and the guards announce that it is time for all of the guests to depart. Ekaym, Celeste and Eligos don't tarry long. Only Celeste taking Mirriana aside for a more protracted goodbye as she beseeches the cleric to try and stay safe in the battle tomorrow come what may.

The Coenby is very quiet now, with only 3 teams left in the games. The staff, who now outnumber the fighters, are attentive and even if you had wished to investigate the undercity once more the constant staff moving about, cleaning and sorting stuff leaves little opportunity. Although sleep may e hard to find eventually you all manage to settle down and soon enough the morning bell is rung and you can hear the clatter of serving staff preparing breakfast for the remaining teams. An opportunity for all three remaining teams to eye each other up as they sit at different edges of the cavern whilst the thunder of footsteps from above filters down as the 10 thousand strong crowd filters into the great arena. It isn't long till sunrise and you can hear the roar of the crowd as the Skulls or Murq and Auric/Khellek head upstairs for the third time to battle each other, Auric pausing to look at Goat and the rest of you, "Savour today! Either I will be crowned Champion today if the beast eats you or we shall face each tomorrow and see who's sword is stronger!" with a wave from the robed wizard he's cut short by his colleague and with a wink at Zarina and Mirriana turns and bounces upstairs. Clearly the current champion fancies his chances in the arena today!

The noise of the contest filters down and after a few minutes you can hear cheers and shouts but before ou see who has won the guards approach. "Come now, we are heading upstairs via the other way. Talabir has instructed you not see who you may face tomorrow lest you spoil the suspense." Ever suspicious of the guards the man seems straightforward in his honesty and soon enough leads you counterclockwise around the upper level instead of the clockwise direction you normally go. Soon enough you are once more standing on the lift, the sand splattered with blood and a long dead skeltal arm from an undead beast of some kind. The guard looks at you as the heat of the sun and roar of the crowd filters down to you. "You have 3 minutes before you head up. Make what preparations you must as Madtooth is hungry today and will surely feast upon you!"

redzimmer

2016-08-31, 09:44 AM

Merrick

Morning comes quickly for the mage, who wakes to prepare his daily spells. Too often now his area-of-effect spells hurt more than helped, so this day he would focus on defense and enhancing his friends' potency.

He then performs the rites required to bind his will to those of Amon and Buer. He is pleased to feel them bend to his will for once.

"Good morning, my fine friends," he trills after everything is in order. "Time to trounce the Terror of the Tundra, yes?"

As is their daily ritual, Merrick casts greater mighty wallop onto Goat's great club.

Stegyre

2016-09-01, 11:03 PM

Taliesn

The arena and the coneby feel more and more like a prison to Taliesn. I will be glad when these staged battles are over, and we are not fighting for the amusement of demons. His thoughts are hard to calm as he attempts his morning meditation, "viewing" the threads of incarnum and the different ways they might be woven around him.

The Shedu Crown – that went without saying. Bound to his crown, it was never unshaped, as it became ever more a part of him.

The Landshark Boots. There were other claws, but none worked quite so well. There were fangs, and stingers, and tentacles. What Merrick had said about altering tactics – there was a ring of truth to that – but there was also something to be said for the security of the tried-and-true. The claws, too, were becoming part of who he was.

The Blink Shirt, also tried and true. It would not have been useful in the open arena against the teams they had fought previously, but against a single mighty opponent, where Taliesn might be going claw-to-claw? To many mighty beasts can grab, or constrict, or swallow. (He still remembered how the mimics had ambushed and trapped him.) Sometimes, the solution to a situation was simply not to be "there."

Lifebond Vestments on his arms chakra. He'd never yet performed in-combat healing, but best to be prepared.

Lastly, Astral Vambraces on his hands chakra. Protection.

Now, I feel ready for the unknown.

Felhammer

2016-09-02, 03:51 PM

Goattracker

The goliath performs his daily rituals after waking up. He prays to the mighty Ram-Lord. The hoots, hollers and yelps can be heard barreling out of his cell. He speaks his native Gol-Kaa.

When morning prayers have completed, the goliath slaps the wizard on the back, "Friend Mer! Your mastery over wallop magic is truly a gift from the Ram-Lord himself! Praise be to Kavaki!"

DrK

2016-09-04, 08:51 AM

Zarina

The young woman wakes early to stretch and then mediate over her well thumbed and nearly written book of spells. She looks up at the others, "I hope that this beast isn't too powerful today. I do not enjoy battling for the crowds amusement and I worry about what that priest of Kyuss is up to."

She looks at the others, "The final match is tomorrow, do we dare risk using all of our power against this beast knowing that we may have to venture once more into the maw of the undead this evening?".

As the time draws near she mutters blessings giving herself an infusion of necromantic power.

Temp Hps [roll0]

Starbin

2016-09-10, 12:46 AM

Rising up, Lan stretched and got dressed, wondering what was in store. Would the worm stop them? Or would it be the necromancer? Either way, it was time to face destiny. As others made preparations, Lan cast a spell of his own, masking his odor; he kept his other in reserve for now. Then he spoke to the others quietly.

"Might we repeat the invisibility and silence spells? Also, something to keep me off the ground might be nice ...

Casting remove scent. Activating scout's headband (Darkvision). Waiting for the monster.

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: sniper shot, remove scent
Effects: no scent (39 rounds), Energy Resistance (Cold; 797 rounds); Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 78 rounds); Bless (+1att/save vs fear [morale]; 75 rounds);
Recitation (+3 att/saves/AC [luck]; 8 rounds); Haste (+1 att/Ref save/AC [dodge] +30 move, extra attack w/full; 7 rnds); greater invisbility (5 rnds); Darkvision (1hr)

redzimmer

2016-09-10, 03:24 PM

Merrick

After a brief strategy session, Merrick pores over his spellbooks to ready himself for the day.

"This will be a busy day. But we cannot look past the monster we face..."

Readying spells for the team, he also brings his enlarge wand close to hand.

I will make you invisible, Lan. But let us hold off on illusions until we know what we face. Those who would do us harm will likely make provisions against our previous tactics.

DrK

2016-09-10, 04:55 PM

In the dim light of the under arena Zarina begins to enscroll herself and the others. Her form changes once more to a sleek silver scaled dragon giving the hint fo supple scales aruond her neck and shoulders. She nods and motions to Talsien as she summons a field of armour around him and then summons a glimmering oval of force that hovers in front of the young woman. She shivers as the elavator lifts you all upwards into the bright light of the arena! The stadium is packed to the rafters, huge swathes of the audience chanting your name as on the far side of the arena a heavy looking wagon with armoured walls and and a massive gate on the front is pulled in by 30 struggling guards. 4 more riding atop the wagon with massive hammers to knock the bolts off the front of the wagon and open the gates.

Talabir stands once more in the noble enclosure. THis time Raknian is back, his rough looking face tired and haggard but staring with thinly concealed dislike and something that looks like smug savage glee on his face. As the crowds begin to chant Talabir does his normal introductions as you ready to face whatever comes out the of wagon!

4th: Polymorph, greater Invis, wall of fire
3rd: Dragonskin, fireball, Displacement, Haste
2nd: Scorching Ray, mirror image, Heroics x 2, false life
1st: Protec from Evil, shield x2, karmic aura, burning hands, truestrike, mage armour

Thinking mage armour for Tal (lasts 7 hours)
Dragonskin (Cold 10) lasts 70 minute for Zarina
Grater Invis: Lan 5 rounds
Heroics: a feat for Mirrian And GOAT!
Displacement: 6 rounds - Tal
Haste all round! - 7 rounds
Shield 14 minutes - Zar
Bulls strength wand - 3 minutes Z

Init [roll0]

As the gong is readied to be stuck Zarina finishes the last incantation, the entire party shimmering with hasted magic as time seems to slow down! The gong is struck and the 4 men atop the wagon swing their mallets and......

please post you "entry to the arena" and all actions and spells before the gong rings. Plus an initiative

redzimmer

2016-09-10, 07:24 PM

Merrick

With a brief - and rare - prayer to Zilchus, Merrick enlarges Tal, Goat and Mirriana. He then casts displacement on Goattracker, and invisibility onto Taliesn.

The breath of Amon is ready.

Enlarge Person wand = 5 minutes
Invisibility = 8 minutes
Displacement = 8 minutes

Stegyre

2016-09-11, 07:46 PM

Taliesn

Taliesn simply stands there, relishing the magical attentions of his teammates (and passing along the occasional telepathic communication). As the others cast there spells, he reaches his mind out to its limits to see what, if anything, he can learn. The arena is so large, the beast is probably out of range, but it still may be worth the effort.
DrK said, "Initiatives," people!
[roll0]

Buffs, so far:
Invisibility
Displacement
Enlarge Person
Mage Armor Armour :smallwink:
Haste

Essentia is currently all in Landshark Boots

RCgothic

2016-09-12, 03:35 PM

Mirriana

"Stay close," I remind the others as we make our final preparations. "Within 10ft if you want me to spot openings for you, or 45ft for protection against massive damage."

All get:
Mass Resist Energy, Energy Resist 20 (cold) 797 rounds
Mass Shield of Faith, +3 deflection to AC, 78 rounds
Bless, +1 morale to attacks, saves vs fear, 75 rounds
Recitation, +2/+3 luck to attacks, saves, AC, 8 rounds

Mirriana gets
Bear's Endurance 76 rounds
Divine Favor 9 rounds
Enlarge Person From Merrick, 50 rounds
Haste from Zarina, 7 rounds
Heroics from Zarina [WRT]

DrK

2016-09-14, 12:37 AM

The gong is struck and the 4 men atop the wagon swing their mallets and...... Nothing the door doesn't budge. You can hear over the amused cat calling and booing of the crowd the vague curses of the guards.

"Come on man, give it some heft" booms Raknian from the box, a smug look on his face as he watches the 3 guards hammering at the door. Talabir looking on with some concern.

As a full minute rolls by, the wait for the heroes time slows down as the haste wears off, Talsien and Goat stop vibrating, Lan reappears from his invisible shroud and the favour of Mystara fades from her sword. Talabir seeing magical effects ending rises to his feet but at an almost imperceptible nod from Raknian the guard strikes once more and the door slides open!

With a BOOM of splintered wood the door flies open, a long tentacle grabbing a fleeing guard and a scream - matched by the crowds cheer- as the guard is dragged into a toothy maw as a weird tentacled frog monster leaps free. The beast is massive, it's huge bulk some 20ft long, massing several tons! The crowd explode into cheers and a chant of MADTOOTH, MADTOOTH, MADTOOTH breaks out.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RikORl2p4vw/U0GFD1CMBYI/AAAAAAAAHzA/9I3hocqt8eY/s1600/CB-Froghemoth.png

Please reduce all spell durations by 18 rounds. Then begin. All bar Merrick go before the beast. It's 200ft away.

Felhammer

2016-09-14, 01:26 PM

Goattracker

The goliath rolls his eyes as he watches the time on many of his spells expire. "This is unfair!" When the gate - FINALLY - opens, the cleric bounds forward at full speed!

Run forward 120 feet directly towards the enemy.

Next turn: Smite Rage because fudge this cheating git wizard and his dumb abomination! :smalltongue:

redzimmer

2016-09-14, 02:23 PM

Merrick

Seeing the beast, Raknian's satisfaction and the look of compliance on Talabir's face confirms all of Merrick's suspicions.

So much for a wealthy patron. Oh well.

With a wan smile, Merrick wags an admonishing finger at Talabir and Raknian. He then pantomimes the universal "I am onto you" temple touch, continuing his cheery smile.

Bluff [roll0] What does he know? Who knows?

Stegyre

2016-09-15, 12:20 AM

Taliesn

With all the build up and the excitement of the night before and this morning, Taliesn is decidedly unimpressed when the wagon opens to reveal –

– a frog.

It's a frog.

An ugly, malformed, very, very big frog, but still just a frog.

I think Raknian got cheated.

Still invisible to the crowd, he lopes after GoatTracker. Don't get too far ahead, friend GoatTracker: the wolf pack is stronger when it works together.

Let's let friend Lan deflate its bulk with his arrows, first.

I think the legs will be good eating: lots of meat!
I'll match GoatT's 120', though it doesn't require a run for me. I'll be about 20' to one side. Even while invisible, I'm not interested in making it easy for both of us to be hit by any area effect it might have, and this is a good prelude to attacking the thing from different sides, just like a good wolf pack.

Buffs I still enjoy. :smalltongue:
Invisibility
Enlarge Person
Mage Armour
Mass Resist Energy (Cold)
Mass Shield of Faith
Bless

All of these are far longer than any combat is likely to take.

RCgothic

2016-09-18, 03:51 AM

Mirriana

I wince slightly. This is surely going to hurt. "Merrick! Prepare the wand of transposition! If it grabs any of us, swap us for Tal! He can at least blink out of its stomach..."

I do my best to keep up with Goattracker, though I can only run 90ft in this armour...

DrK

2016-09-18, 09:15 AM

Zarina

Zarina staggers as the magical quickening fades along with a host of other enhancements. She glares up at the smug Raknain and looks at her fellows shaking her head. "We have been tricked, fire will not work the beast. Its a Forghemoth. Ware its tentacles and teeth as it will try and grab us. But we'll have to deal with it the old fashioned way. With steel", even as she speaks the goliath sprints off so she joins him, racing forward with Mirriana and Goat keeping pace with both of them.

Run action 100ft to be just behind the mighty goliath

Madtooth!

THe giant Frogehemoth has no subtlety. Its lets loose a terrifying croak, fragments of the too slow to move guard being sprayed onto the sand as its hops forward with a series of massive hops, albeit slowly! Closing rapidly on the goliath...

"Runs" forwards closing to 40ft from Goat and Talsien (60ft from Zarina and 70ft from Mirriana)

Post round 2 when ready and I'll do slot Merrick and Lan's action in before the rest of you.

redzimmer

2016-09-18, 10:29 AM

Merrick grabs his benign Transposition wand and readies it in case of an emergency space hop.

Stegyre

2016-09-18, 06:19 PM

Taliesn

"Merrick! Prepare the wand of transposition! If it grabs any of us, swap us for Tal! He can at least blink out of its stomach..."
"Thoughts" of laughter leak through the telepathic network.

HaHaHaHaHa! I like that plan: blinking would be one way to get out of the frog's stomach. I can think of another– Taliesn flexes his four long claws, imagining what he could do to the insides of the creature, if it should be so foolish.

GoatTracker, I shall try to draw its attack, while you land the first blow! Muscles bunch, and Taliesn leaps at the frog-thing, claws splayed . . .
Move action: JUMP!

You just know what's coming next, don't you?
Claw attack!
Nope. Fooled you.
Swift action: shift two essentia into Astral Vambraces, now DR 6/magic
Standard action: Ready action to blink back 10' upon triggering an AoO – I'm not sure exactly how this works, but the goal is to make sure the Froghemoth loses its AoO. If that means Taliesn has to let the attack hit, so be it; if he can blink away and avoid the attack altogether, he'll do that, so long as the thing cannot then use that AoO against someone else.
I'm thinking: (1) Huge creature, has at least 15' reach, so getting within attack range without triggering an AoO seems unlikely; (2) tentacles, and frog-like (doubtless with tongue?): this thing has "grabber" written all over it, so whoever triggers that AoO is going to get grabbed and may not even get their attack.

Sorry to admit it, but I think GoatT does more damage than Taliesn, on average. I also think Taliesn has the higher AC and is better able to recover from attacks, thanks to fast healing.

With a charge, Zarina might be able to cover the AoO range this round, too.

Starbin

2016-09-18, 08:28 PM

With the spells gone, Lan growled in frustration. He commented darkly, via the though link if up or aloud, "Curious - is there a barrier to protect the crowd? I'd hate to accidentally shoot those bastiches ..."

Shaking off the disappointment, he moved to follow his companions ... but something was bothering him. Was this the only trick? The giant frog looked tough, but it still was dig have - especially for this group. Was this all to waste a few resources? Or was it also to keep them focused on the wrong thing. Sighing, again in frustration, he wondered if there was more to this than they could see ...

cast sniper shot (swift), run forward 120' at a diagonal to avoid AoEs (full)

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 20
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: sniper shot, remove scent
Effects: no scent (21 rounds), Energy Resistance (Cold; 779 rounds); Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 60 rounds); Bless (+1att/save vs fear [morale]; 57 rounds); Darkvision (1hr)

Felhammer

2016-09-20, 02:34 AM

Goattracker

The goliath roars, "KAVAKI!" The hulking man's muscles engorge themselves while a thick foam develops around his mouth! "KA-VA-KI! KA-VA-KI! KA-VA-KI! KA-VA-KI! KA-VA-KI!" The cleric barrels forward with all his might, bringing Skullfinder to bare with the ferocity of an enraged bull!

Putting all the eggs into one big attack!

+16 to hit normally
+1 for Enlarge Person
+2 for Rage
+2 for Charge
+3 for Strength Domain

To Hit: [roll0]

2d8 to damage normally.
+1d8 for Enlarge
+1d8 for Wallop
+8 for Smite

+5 strength damage normally
+2 for Rage
+3 for Strength
+1 for Enlarge
+5 for 2 handed weapon

Damage: [roll1]

RCgothic

2016-09-22, 04:24 AM

Mirriana

"I know how you feel Lan," I sympathise, "but if you did that we'd be disqualified and must likely dealt with summarily."

I rush in after Taliesn and Goattracker! I slash heavily at the beast, and then direct Goattracker to strike again in the opening I've made!

Move 60ft (10ft reach)
Charge
Attack [roll0] +2
Damage [roll1] 10

WRT goat to go again

Starbin

2016-09-23, 03:31 PM

Uncertain how this would pan out, Lan called upon his holy ability to move swiftly and moved around to keep the beast at 60' distant (keeping his larger companions in between himself and the beast). Then with a grim look, he fired off three shots rapidly, each streaking toward the beast with murderous fury, powered by his spell ...

Swift action to activate travel domain. Under the effects of sniper shot for this round, so no point blank, but still get to skirmish. Free move action to stay 30' away, Full action to attack beasty!

[roll0], [roll1], [roll2] = 23
[roll3], [roll4], [roll5] = 19
[roll6], [roll7], [roll8] = 18

Probably 3 misses ... sigh ...

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 27
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: sniper shot, remove scent
Effects: no scent (21 rounds), Energy Resistance (Cold; 779 rounds); Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 60 rounds); Bless (+1att/save vs fear [morale]; 57 rounds); Darkvision (1hr); Travel devotion (gain 1 move action as swift per round; 9 rnds); improved skirmish (+4d6 dam, +4 AC, 1 rnd)

Felhammer

2016-09-23, 08:59 PM

Goat

The goliath may be foaming at the mouth but a semblance of his normal self remains. He sees the opening made by Mir and bursts forward, slamming Skullfinder straight into the beast!

+16 to hit normally
+1 for Enlarge Person
+2 for Rage

To Hit: [roll0]

2d8 to damage normally.
+1d8 for Enlarge
+1d8 for Wallop
+8 for Smite

+5 strength damage normally
+2 for Rage
+1 for Enlarge
+5 for 2 handed weapon

Damage: [roll1]

DrK

2016-09-24, 12:08 PM

Chaos breaks out as Talsien races forward, the tentacles lashing out with punishing force to .... Hit nothing! A pop of displaced air is all it encounters as Talsien shifts backwards with his Blink shirt glowing.

Distracted by the shifter in charge Mirriana and Goat, a shout from the warrioress allowing the Goliath another blow! Twice the great club lands on the things arms and bulbous face with bonecrushing force as Mirriana slices into the rubbery flesh.
Seeing the others engaged Zarina joins in the charge, full blade swinging hard as she sends transmutation energy into her form.

Swift: minor shift +2 dam 4 rounds
Charge and chop
[roll0]
10+2 charge +1 bless +2 bull Str +5 know dev -5 PA

Dam [roll1]
5 base +2 minor shift +3 bulls +5 lead charge +10 PA +5 know dev

Even as swords and clubs hammer home with horrific force arrows stream over the heads of the two giant clerics and Zarina. Sadly they imbed in its flesh unable to penetrate

redzimmer

2016-09-24, 12:19 PM

Merrick

Wand still at the ready, Merrick exhorts the crowd to his team's cause.

DrK

2016-09-24, 12:24 PM

The froghemoth tricked by the shifter quivers under the brutal onslaught as Goat lands a pair of massive blows and Zarina and Mirriana follow up slicing deep into its muscled chest.

It rears up,tentacles lashing, tongue dashing out like a spear a teeth closingn on the small woman (Zarina)

Ouch! 136 damage!

Tentacle slap Goat [roll0] dam [roll1]
Tentacle slap Goat [roll2] dam [roll3]
-- multi grab on first hit [roll4] vs Goat [roll5]+???
-- if win constrict [roll6]

Tentacle slap Mir [roll7] dam [roll8]
Tentacle slap Mir [roll9] dam [roll10]
-- multi grab on first hit [roll11] vs Goat [roll12]+???
-- if win constrict [roll13]

Bite Zarina [roll14] dam [roll15]
Tongue [roll16] dam [roll17] confirmed 22 damage
- tongue grab multi grab on first hit [roll18] vs Zarina [roll19]
- when lose construct [roll20]

- ah, 59 damage! She's down to ~17 and false lfe well and truly blown away!

The beast is devastating! Smashing left and right it's massive tentacles as it batters Mirriana and Goat bloody, lifting both into the air with bone crushing tentacles. Zarina is bitten brutally on the shoulder before the tongue jets out skewering her and dragging her screaming into its mouth!

At the chaos the crowd are upnon their feet whooping with cries of "Madtooth, Madtooth, Madtooth!!" as the parties blood sprays over the sands.

redzimmer

2016-09-24, 12:51 PM

Merrick

With a flick of the wrist, Zarina and Taliesn swap places via the wand of transposition.

"Rend the beast, Tal! Make it regret even having an appetite!"

Clomping along on Buer's hooves, Merrick moves close to the wounded warrior witch.

DrK

2016-09-25, 12:11 PM

Zarina

The young woman staggers as she appears beside the beast, blood leaking from her from the tongue, only Mirriana's skills keeping the teeth off her head!

Seeing the brutal horror being vistited on her allies she activates her wand, only a few charges left but her sword becomes mistlike as she chops down hard twice.

PA 5
Swift: wraithstrike wand
Full attack
[roll0] touch [roll1]
[roll2] touch [roll3]

redzimmer

2016-09-25, 12:13 PM

Merrick

With metamagic rod in hand, Merrick channels all of Amon's rage into a ball of electrical energies. Leveling his aim, Merrick launches to orb at Madtooth.

[roll0] +1 bless = 13 ranged touch
Maximize Vestige Metamagic + Empower Metamagic Rod = 4d8 (32) * 1.5 = 48

And...

Stegyre

2016-09-25, 05:12 PM

Taliesn

For someon who teleport naturally, it's always a little unsettling when someone else teleports you, even more so when you end up wrapped in frog tongue. Taliesn catches a quick glimpse of the battered Mirriana, GoatTracker, and Zarina. Not bad – for a toad, but I notice you weren't able to knock anyone down.

He flexes his muscles against the grip and lashes out with all four claws, trying to cut what he can.
Swift action: shift all essentia back into landshark boots, DR 2/magic.
Full action attack:
[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7]
To hit mods: +6 (Str 22 while large), +3 essentia, +1 Bless, +2 Recitation, +7 BAB, -1 Size?
Damage mods: +6 Str, +3 essentia

EDIT: Oops! Forgot the -4 for grappled.

Have I pointed out yet that, if I can ever get the Arm Chakra opened, I can double my claw damage (including bonuses) as long as at least two claws hit? I'm really looking forward to that day.

Starbin

2016-09-25, 09:52 PM

Things quickly went from tenuous to ugly in a hurry. Frustrated at his poor marksmanship, Alan moved quickly, setting up within close range and loosed another volley of arrows. He had to keep up the onslaught, or this would be over very quickly.

Swift action to move w/in 30' then full around to attack.

[roll0], [roll1], [roll2] = 16
[roll3], [roll4], [roll5] = 18
[roll6], [roll7], [roll8] = 23

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 27
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: sniper shot, remove scent
Effects: no scent (20 rounds), Energy Resistance (Cold; 778 rounds); Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 59 rounds); Bless (+1att/save vs fear [morale]; 57 rounds); Darkvision (1hr); Travel devotion (gain 1 move action as swift per round; 8 rnds); improved skirmish (+4d6 dam, +4 AC, 1 rnd)

RCgothic

2016-09-26, 05:45 AM

Mirriana

I gasp as the flailing tentacles crush the breath out of me and then ensnare me. I struggle fruitlessly for a few moments until it becomes clear that I won't be able to free myself, whereupon I twist suddenly to use the leverage of the tentacles to plant an armoured boot in the stupid creature's face.

Tactical Strike: [roll0][+7 BaB, +1 Bless, +5 STR, -4 Grappled, +1 furious counterstrike]
Damage[roll1][roll2] = 14
If hits free 5-ft step to allies adjacent to foe

Manoeuvres next round:
[roll3]
HP 26/86

Felhammer

2016-09-26, 12:54 PM

Goattracker

The goliath struggles to free himself but finds the beast's grip far too firm. This fact angers and enrages the already foaming-at-the-mouth berserker! Calling upon the Kavaki, the Goliath tries to rip himself free with the might of a RAM-LORD!

While grappled, you cannot attack with a non-light weapon or a natural weapon. To draw a light weapon you must make an opposed grapple check.

I could attack with my boot but I don't have fancy maneuvers like Mir does.

So my options are:

- Attack with my boot for - maybe - 11 damage max.
- Drop Skullfinder, win a grapple check, draw cloudseeker (light mace), make an attack with a -4 penalty, deal 1d8+8 damage
- Go for broke and try to break free.

I feel like I should just go for broke and try to break free. If I fail, eh, not a big deal. I will probably die. If I succeed, it means I can full attack next turn with Skullfinder!

Grapple Check. BAB + STR + Size (yay Goliath!)

7 + 8 + 4 = 19!

[roll0] Well that sucked. #GoodByeOldFriend #HelloGnomeCleric

Side note: Super regretting using the Strength Domain earlier in the battle now.

redzimmer

2016-09-26, 02:23 PM

Merrick

Wincing at the carnage wrought onto his friends, Merrick readies him familiar -and thus a part of his own self- to trade places with either who may not fall dead.

"May Grumbar forgive me, my dear friend. We cannot lose."

Muddy says nothing, his thoughts his own.

Once his turn, swap Muddy with with Mir or Goatt, whichever still has +HP.

DrK

2016-09-27, 12:36 AM

The beast was brutal. Horrific and brutal beyond expectations as it grabbed Mirriana, Goat and Zarina crushing them painfully. Things shifted as Tal suddenly traded with Zarina, the beast squeezing hard as the shifter clawed manically at the rubbery flesh shredding it.

Mirriana kicked out hard burying her armoured boot in the beasts limbs as it raised her off the ground. Goat ensnared in two tentacles was unable to move, the rings of rubbery flesh constricting painfully.

On the field there is a sizzling zap and and an orb of crackling lightning flies from the wizard's hand. Absorbing power of Amon's hate it hits with huge force leaving the froghemoth twitching from the crackling electricity. Seeing it stunned Lan and Zarina strike, arrows plunging into its flank seeking it's heart before Zarina strikes twice, the first blow as she wades into the beast's face through thrashing tentacles a massive ckeaving blow that hacks off the triplex eyes and buries itself in the creatures primitive aberrant mind!

Tentacles unwund and drop their prey as the beast patches back twitching and dying on the sand in a pool of bloody ichor. After a stunned moment at the speed of the fight the crowd leap to their feet cheering loudly like a solid walk of noise. Raknian throwing down his glass in disgust at the outcome of the battle.

Standing amidst the blood and rubbery tentacles Zarina looks about, limping slightly "By the gods" she gasps, ",Thanks you Merrick, if it weren't for you that thing would have swallowed me. What madness made you trade places with me Tal."
As she looks at the corpse she spies the arrows in its chest and nods and smiles at Lan.

Stegyre

2016-09-27, 12:43 AM

Taliesn

Taliesn takes a few moments to lay paws on his injured comrades.
Heal 11 HP, anyone who needs it. Heal another 11 HP each hour, as this ability re-sets.
Have the legs roasted, please, he broadcasts to the guards. Lord Raknian, I trust you will join us for our victory feast.

redzimmer

2016-09-27, 12:48 AM

Merrick

"Well. I guess I will not be sacrificing you for the greater good today, Muddy. What happy news."

The earth elemental remains impassive.

As the crowd cheers, Merrick grant the blessing of Buer onto his companions.

So just be patient and we're all good as new.

RCgothic

2016-09-27, 02:10 AM

Mirriana

I raise my sword high in victory, imbuing it with a light spell so that it shines even brighter. Inside my emotions are in turmoil - elation and relief at our victory war with barely damped fury at Raknian's patent cheating. It offends my sense of justice, and I fantasize about hurling my sword at him in defiance. IS THAT THE BEST YOU'VE GOT?!

Momentarily I collect myself enough to check on my team.

"A vicious match," I comment. "Not the sort of fight I would choose, but well fought everyone. Goattracker, your blows were mighty. Lan, good shooting. Merrick and Tal, that switch was inspired. And Zarina! Your finishing blow was perfect!" I clap each of my teammates on the back in turn.

"Come, let's go and rub our victory in his face."

As we line up for the victory presentation I seek out Celeste in the crowd, my eyes softening with fondness and I momentarily share a relieved smile just for her - yes, this battle had me worried and I'm glad we're all okay!

Tal can probably hear that because he hears everything, but I'm not intentionally broadcasting it.

Felhammer

2016-09-27, 12:47 PM

Goat

The goliath is dropped to the ground as the frog monster dies. Goat falls to his knees, breathing heavily. The barbarian allows his rage to fade. Goat then invokes the power of Kavaki to stitch his wounds.

CSW: [roll0]

Starbin

2016-09-27, 04:24 PM

Moving to gather his arrows, Lan pulled out a knife and cut free anything that looked like a good trophy, ignoring the roar of the crowd or the elation that everyone else seemed to be feeling. He nodded to Zarina and the others, but this wasn't about the glory or excitement of the arena - this was life and death, not some stupid game. And yet, they were constantly playing Raknian's game ... and they almost lost! He kept one eye on the bastich, waiting for their opportunity to depart the arena.

And waiting for the inevitable betrayal that was soon to be coming ...

Grab a trophy, follow the others out. I'll update spells once we're sure nothing else is jumping out :)

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 27
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: sniper shot, remove scent
Effects: no scent (20 rounds), Energy Resistance (Cold; 778 rounds); Shield of Faith (+3 AC [deflection]; 59 rounds); Bless (+1att/save vs fear [morale]; 57 rounds); Darkvision (1hr); Travel devotion (gain 1 move action as swift per round; 8 rnds); improved skirmish (+4d6 dam, +4 AC, 1 rnd)

redzimmer

2016-09-27, 05:13 PM

Merrick

Mostly unscathed, Merrick steps forth to accept the adulation. Once Amon's vestige gets over himself and returns to Merrick, he lets out a jet of white-hot flame 50 feet high.

Give them a show. Make them think we were hardly inconvenienced. Then let us get that Lul Gijak-Ishi Bozal once and for all!

He didn't speak orcish, but he loved its curses.

He spreads his arms to accept the cheers, blowing gouts of flame like a dancing fountain.

DrK

2016-10-01, 03:39 AM

At the flames and weapons displayed the crowd cheer again, happy at the slaughter and the battered forms of the Champions who look worse for wear. Talabir raises his hands "Congratulations. You have been victorious in a most impressive manner!". Once more the crowd cheer.

"Tomorrow you face the Leatherworks. The winners to be declared Champions if the arena games and greatest warriors of the Free City!" At the statement the crowd cheer once more. He turns and motions Raknian to rise. "Lord Raknian will present them with the prize today, the silver dragon trophy."

Even as he finishes there is a dull thunk as a 3ft long silver trophy is hurled to the sand by the irate Raknian where the crowd break out into boos and cat calls unimpressed by the bad sportsmanship. Raknian cares not as he strides out of sight. Amidst the noise and chaos you are led back below to the Coenby. Auric nodding as he whispers to Khellek. All of the guards nod to you.

Zarina breathes a sigh of relief, and thanks Merrick as Buers magics heal the wounds from the bite over the course of a few minutes. Her face blushing slightly as Merrick essentially holds her waist for 3 long minutes. Zarina looks around, "What now?"

RCgothic

2016-10-01, 09:52 AM

I lift the trophy from the sand to display it for the crowd, and then lead the others back down to the Coenby. What now?

"I think I'd like to have a word with the Leatherworks," I say.

"Merrick, you're good with words. Would you join me please?" I ask as I approach them.

redzimmer

2016-10-01, 10:05 AM

Merrick

"We can try, Mirriana. Though I suspect we'll meet resistance.

He rubs his ram's horns absently.

"However... Perhaps we can convince them to draw attention while we confront Bozal."

DrK

2016-10-03, 03:46 PM

As you approach the two men Auric is the first to rise striding towards Merrick and Mirriana. His face wide and open (and slightly simple). "You defeated the beast eh? That should have been me and Khellek. I don't like Raknian's petty games." Looking you both up and down with a slight smile he offers a hand to you both. "May the best win tomorrow but I already know that'll be me and Khel here." He says the last gesturing to the wizard who sits not saying much but watching you all over his glass of water. Eyes focusing for the most part on Merrick, Zarina and the glittering symbol of Mystara on Mirriana. Beside him Auric offers seats to you all. "Come sit. Even when we beat you tomorrow we'll put on a good show, there is no shame in losing to me and we can all share much ale and toast me tomorrow night.".

He seems genuine, both in his offer of drinks after the fight as he clearly assumes he wont be doing killing (and indeed you know from the rumours and tales from previous years that he has only killed twice in the arena and both likley more an accident than by design) and in the supreme confidence that he and his partner with their tame golems will be victorious in the match tomorrow.

Stegyre

2016-10-03, 03:53 PM

Taliesn

Watching from a distance, Taliesn scans the Leatherworks.
Not expecting any surprises, but I just want to confirm (a) they don't *ping* the evil meter, and (b) they're human and a general sense of their intelligence.

If, by chance, there are any surprises, Taliesn includes that in his message to Mirriana.
Be sure to let him know about the demon watching the match, he sends to Mirriana.

redzimmer

2016-10-03, 06:26 PM

Merrick

"That would be grand," Merrick replies, "I too wish not to be killed, or am I fond of killing."

He favours both men with warm smiles.

"I cannot help but be fascinated with you golems here. Did you craft them yourself, Master Khellek? How complex of commands can they obey? Are they for sale?"

After a bit more gushing over Khellek's constructs, he changes the subject.

"I suspect Raknian is trying to undermine you, perhaps he is envious of you? I know firsthand how the establishment cannot stomach new heroes taking their place. Would you, Brave Auric, possibly allow us to delve into this arena, to ensure no conspiracy exists to somehow manage the results of our championship match?"

He lowers his voice in conspiracy.

"Perhaps you could give us a means to slip down there unobserved?"

Bluff my purpose [roll0]
Gather some Information on how to control the golems [roll1]
Diplomatically ask their aid [roll2]

And a re-check of Diplomacy if they see through me and I gotta fast-talk out of this. So gang, fingers crossed... [roll3]

DrK

2016-10-04, 01:27 AM

Khellek strokes his narrow pointed beard as he stares at Merrick. "Yes. I did make them myself. I fine job as well. As for whether they are for sale then possibly. It would recoup some coats and after we beat you tomorrow I surely won't need them all. Depending on course if you destroy any. . A quandary for you there Master Merrick..." He smiles cleverly to himself, at what he sees at his own cleverness.

"As to distracting the guards so you can investigate something in the under arena. It depends. What has Loris been up to and why do you interfere. With possibly the exception of the Goliath and the halfling you seem an odd bunch to have entered the games so clearly you have cooked something up with that interfering lorescraper Eligos". His eyes flick to Mirriana's. "Tell me !ore of what you are up to. We may even be able to help, I am less fussed bybyhe glory tomorrow than my strong friend here."

At that Auric puffs up "Khel, what you saying. If we smash it tomorrow we become the only triple champion. Not even Raknian can top that. Plus the gold. We agreed I'd get the belt and you the gold."

"I know my friend I'm sure we'll still fight and you and the Goliath can test each other's strength. But I would hear from Miss Conlon here about what they are really doing in the games ".

RCgothic

2016-10-04, 02:07 AM

Mirriana

"I suspect the only thing Raknian would hate more than you winning, Auric, would be for us to be crowned champions. You noticed how he has us fight the beast in your place?" I ask. "He is indeed up to something, and it is most foul indeed. We joined the games to investigate him, and it strikes terror into his heart that we might succeed." I check to make sure there are no guards within hearing distance before continuing, and look to Taliesn for confirmation.

"Long ago, there was a cult that sought to birth the evil god Kyuss into the world. If they had succeeded the world would have been overrun by undead animated by Kyuss's foul worms. Needless to say they did not."

"However this cult has resurfaced, and as best we can tell Raknian is at its head. Already this week we have faced foul creatures below the Coenby - demons, worm-zombies, a cleric of Kyuss..."

"We believe they have created an Ulgurstata, cocooned beneath the arena. If fed a mighty enough individual - say a champion of the games - the Ulgurstata may birth an Apostle of Kyuss. We cannot let that happen!"

"We think Ranian will unleash the beast tomorrow, either before our fight, or after when the victor is weak. Tonight we will venture below again to do what we can to stop this, but we nearly fell last time and our success is far from certain."

I run my hand through my hair - this next bit is the crux of the matter.

"I tell you this for several reasons - firstly, should we fall and you become champions tomorrow you are now forewarned. Secondly, should we fail tonight and yet live, I would ask for your aid in defeating the Ulgurstata should it be unleashed during tomorrow's match. If it should survive to birth the Apostle, which of us was lucky enough to earn that dubious honour becomes rather immaterial."

"I don't think you would betray our trust to the guards - If I judge you right Auric, you would rather defeat us on the field than be crowned by disqualification. Actually - you would be far more likely to have a match tomorrow if you accompanied us below; together we would all be far more likely to return! If you are not willing, then as Merrick has suggested covering for our absence would be much appreciated."

redzimmer

2016-10-04, 03:59 PM

Merrick

"Or perhaps rent us the services of one of your flesh golems? These forces deal in undead, and from your performance on the sand, the dead stand little chance against constructs."

Merrick sends through Taliesn for his companions to itemize anything of particular interest which might serve as collateral for a mage powerful enough to create constructs.

"Mere coin of course would insult you, but surely we could offer you fair trade in objects or lore?"

The location of a mind-flayer's lair and body modification notes? Study of a relic in our possession? I welcome suggestions friends.

Merrick regretted parting with any of them, but a greater good was pressing.

Starbin

2016-10-05, 11:54 AM

Lan watched the confident warrior and mage, disliking the need to expose themselves to the group more than necessary. He raised an eyebrow when the mage mentioned he and Goat specifically, but otherwise, he simply stayed quiet and focused on listening for sounds of the guards and keeping an eye on these two ...

[roll0]; [roll1], [roll2] vs our 'friends' (+2 vs mage types on all those rolls)

Status
HPs: 65; AC: 27
F +8, R +11, W +6
Spells: sniper shot, remove scent
Effects: no scent (20 rounds), Energy Resistance (Cold; x minutes?) Darkvision (1hr);

DrK

2016-10-10, 04:23 PM

The wizard and fighter look worried. "Are you sure? THis is serious indeed and a worry. Its a nasty beast, one to rival even you my friend." he mutter to Auric, despite the fighter's slightly foolish expression. "I'll make sure to have some precautions prepared for the 'morrow. As for my golems," he pauses looking at Merrick, "Like many of the undead or construct allies they are secured in the upper chambers so we don't have access."

He waves Auric to silence once more as he watches Mirriana. Then carefully reaches into an engraved scroll case that seems to have many scrolls within. "We cannot journey into the depths with you. You must realise that? The guards will take notice should we all go. If you go and we remain it merely looks like secret training. If we can come to an accord for tomorrow then I will give you this for your explorations below the Coenby. We will not seek any mortal blows on you and vice versa then this may serve you." Handing it to Mirriana she can see the skeins of necromancy on the scroll.

Its a scroll of revivify if you want it.

Auric looking about and you realise that he does under stand as he rises to his feet. "Run along little people. You can train elsewhere, Khellek and me need to preapre to defeat you tomorrow and allow me to be the greatest champion ever." Speaking loudly he makes sure the guards can hear him as he winks outrageously at Mirriana, Talsien and Merrick.

Khellek strokes his long pointed beard shaking his head sadly. "Think on the deal and good luck no your exploration. If there is such a beast under the arena. You need to fear its bite. The bowels of the beast can strip your soul and leave you a worm infused husk of an undead when it vomits back up. "

redzimmer

2016-10-10, 06:08 PM

Merrick

Merrick nods his understanding, and discreetly accepts the scroll.

"If we do not appear in the morning, know that we have failed and you may be Raknian's next target. If you can, seek out the sage Eligos and he may help you," he says quietly. He then stalks off, looking affronted.

He returns to his own group's barracks.

Stegyre

2016-10-10, 06:40 PM

Taliesn

If that is done, let's go find our prey, Taliesn suggests.

As they prepare to descend, Taliesn gratefully accepts an amulet from Muddy. Thank you, little one. I think this will do me much good. Here: perhaps you or your master may get good use out of these.

Using the power of his mage hand, Taliesn slips a pair of bracers off his forelegs and levitates them into Muddy's hands.
Bracers of Defense +2 (4,000 gp): useless so long as I am under the protection of mage armor or intertial armor, and once we survive this tournament, they'll be useless when I get some good barding.

My life will be complete if Merrick later enchants the Amulet to include a +1 Mighty Fists effect. It's not the bonus I'm looking for. (The bonus is overshadowed by my essentia, which is also an enhancement bonus.) It's the ability to defeat DR/magic.

DrK

2016-10-12, 05:58 PM

Auric and Khellek offer their hands and after a solid shake of hands they return to their own meals and drinks, the wizard deep in conversation with the burly arena champion. Looking about Zarina joins the others as you all move towards the Titan's rest the long abandoned second chamber. Trooping through the area where you had passed 3 days previously the plug still lies aside and the water still drains through towards the ghoul infested warrren. Scouting around neither Lan nor the searching mindsight of the shifter can pick up any depraved thoughts although the bodies of those you killed previously have vanished and given the shredded bits of a flesh and a bitten finger you suspect that the ghouls are not picky about eating their fallen.

It takes a few minutes as you pick your way through the sewers towards the ramp that leaps up into the Shrin of Kyuss but after ~10 minutes (maybe 40 minutes after you left the arena) you are once more looking up the sewage slide into the dark well that leads into the shrine of Kyuss.

4th: Polymorph, wall of fire
3rd: Dragonskin, fireball,
2nd: Scorching Ray, mirror image
1st: Protec from Evil, karmic aura, burning hands, truestrike

Spells still active
Mage Armour TAL 6 hours 20 minutes
Heroics Goat + Mirriana 20 minutes
Dragon Skin (Cold) Zarina 20 minutes
Shield 14 mins
Bulls strength 3 mins

Zarina splashing along behind the others shivers as she stares back up at the portal yawning above her. "Are we sure we stand ready to face Bozal again? He has has several days to recuperate for the battle ahead." As she shivers she waves a hand a shimmering shield of force appears above her shielding her from harm. Reaching into her pocket she reaches the long thin wand of bull horn and activates that as well leaving her feeling stronger and ready for battle. "Regardless friends, I will do my best to stand alongside you in the battle to come."