Servants of the Thrallherd IC 2 [3.5, faster posting speed]

[J-H]

Round 37, Part 2

Rex and Melinda each heal 2hp from Rex’s Aura. Melinda edges around the edge of the room, planning something, as she is still slowed (unable to move and cast True Strike).

Xaanthios continues to laugh at the rather bad joke, and Rex tries to break free. Cendrik rushes into the tentacles, teleporting to the far side of the wall, then jumps up, grabbing the dwarven wizard, and throwing him down to the ground. He hits, bounces, and is grabbed by one of the tentacles of his own spell, which latches on and squeezes his bleeding form, cracking ribs and killing him.

Spoiler

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Tentacles presumably only grab once per round, so letting that happen and then teleporting out looks fine. Jump check succeeds.
Mezzir-shazz fails the contested trip check.
Throw damage 16. Mezzir-shazz has 3hp left.
MS grapple (1d20+6)[16] vs Tentacle (1d20+22)[33]; damage (1d6+4)[7]

The wall of force and black tentacles expire, as does the spell that's been incapacitating Xaanthios, and the Slow effect on Melinda and RexThaun.

Spoiler: Map & Status

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Cendrik 24 damage
Rex 85 damage
Melinda 59 damage
Xaanthios 1 damage; Share Pain
Psicrystal 0 damage
AC 23 damage

=>Party
Take 1 round of actions only

[Cavir]

"Perfect! Killed by his own spell. Wish Great Leader got to see that." Cendrik glances around at his fellow true believers. "Don't forget the trap right there, stay away." He addresses Rex and Melinda. "You two are looking pretty beat up but we haven't heard from Albin above. Want me to go see what's going on up there?" While waiting on an answer the swordsage takes a knee and does a quick search of Mezzir-shazz's body. "Check Brand's body, he didn't get a chance to use any healing potions."

[BelGareth]

Rex was struggling, and gritting his teeth, thrice cursed arcana magiks! At least xaan's magiks could help him, but he was fast growing frustrated with how helpless you could feel with magik in general. The damnable black tentacles kept on squeezing, and he was certain he was looking down the maw of his doom. But, then they stopped, and he opened his eyes, and then fell to the floor in an awful clang and clatter of armor and weaponry as the tentacles that were holding him fast vanished.

Getting up, with a little bit of struggle, he stayed in the kneeling position, and merely rested. Cut's, stabs, and slashes slowing mending upon his flesh, the blood was slick, and hot, but it was no longer flowing freely, and he caught his breath.

"That was a good move Cendrik, I applaud your battle sense, I was starting to think taking on this Grand Mage was a bad decision," he said with a lopsided grin you could barely make out from under his helm.

Looking up to the stairs, "Someone should let them know? Or do we need to go help with the demon thing?"

Spoiler

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Rex
Steely resolve: 0/5
HP's: 68/136
AC: 26
T: 11 FF: 26
Effects: Iron Guards Glare stance (-4 on attacks vs allies to opponents that I threaten), Aura of Vigor, breath cooldown [2/3]

[Kish]

"Too cocky. He should have retreated when he saw how badly he was outnumbered. Or at least at some point before he died. Ow," Melinda comments.

[PeacefulOak]

Xaanthios

Breath wheezing in his aching throat, the psion struggles to his feet and moves into the room. A though directs Avalon to the stairs. "We must be wary, the wizard invoked a pact with a demon of some sort, most likely the one our ally mentioned earlier. Be ready, this fight is not yet over."

[J-H]

Round 38, Part 1

Xaanthios stands, sending his construct towards the stairs. Rex also rises, catching his breath. Melinda snaps free of the slowing effect.

Cendrik checks Mezzir-Shazz’s body.

Spoiler

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Items that look like they might be relevant. Take only 1, as it takes a few seconds to assess the body.
Circlet
Belt
Spellbook
Ring 1
Ring 2
Mage Robe
Amulet
Earring

Round 38, Part 2
With the squeal of bending metal, the big brass statue of a minotaur begins to move, sending up a small cloud of dust. Its metal feet scrape against the stone as it shifts its stance and raises its greataxe, light glistening off of every part of its massive, dense body.

Xaanthios and Melinda are able to identify it as a brass golem, a type of golem that only activates when a specific contingency has been met, and which will follow its prey anywhere. Melinda knows that it’s almost totally immune to her magic – except that electricity might interfere with its movements - hard to hit, and poses a deadly threat, especially to the group in its weakened condition.

Spoiler

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K: Arcana Natural 20 + 14 = 34!
Not quite using the base version from MM2... but not too far off.

Magic Immunity (Ex): A brass golem is immune to all
spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural effects, except as
follows. An electricity effect slows it (as the slow spell) for 3
rounds, with no saving throw. A fire effect breaks any slow
effect on the golem and cures 1 point of damage for each 3
points of damage it would otherwise deal.

Spoiler: Map & Status

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Cendrik 24 damage
Rex 81 damage
Melinda 57 damage
Xaanthios 1 damage; Share Pain
Psicrystal 0 damage
AC 23 damage – how many rounds left on this construct?

=> Party

[Kish]

"Gah. Nearly immune to magic." Melinda snaps up her hands and fires a lightning bolt at the golem before turning to run up the stairs.

Spoiler

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Damage to golem, if the damage roll determines anything: (8d6+3)[38], DC 20 Reflex save for half.

[BelGareth]

Rex sighs, "not again", as he moves to intercept the thing, and keep it from the rest of the party.

Spoiler

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Moves to R7
Standard: Total defense
swift: change aura to Energy Shield (deals 4 electricity damage when hit to attacker)

Rex
Steely resolve: 0/5
HP's: 68/136
AC: 30
T: 15 FF: 26
Effects: Iron Guards Glare stance (-4 on attacks vs allies to opponents that I threaten), Aura of Vigor, breath cooldown [1/3]
Maneuvers available: Shield Block, & Battle Leaders Charge

(1d3)[2]

1. Foehammer
2. Douse the Flames
3. Shield Block
4. Vanguard Strike
5. Battle Leaders Charge

[PeacefulOak]

Xaanthios

When the statue surges into motion Xaanthios curses once, with bitter vehemence. "I am spent, friends, and Avalon has only a short time left with us here.
I doubt our allies capacity to aid us with this new threat. Perhaps flight is our best option?"

A thought sends Avalon crashing into the monstrosity of bronze, both claws lashing out to scrape against the surface of the creature.

Spoiler: OoC

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Avalon move to S8, and attack. I believe this is round 4 for Avalon, meaning 3 rounds remaining. I'll double check. Avalon has a single round left, and then Xaanthios will be contributing ACTUALLY nothing to this combat anymore, apart from my vast knowledge.

(1d20+10)[15] to hit for (2d6+7)[17] damage
(1d20+10)[28] to hit for (2d6+7)[18] damage

Xaanthios will also take the total defense action until his more martial allies give some form of instruction.

[Cavir]

"That dwarf was a coward and an idiot. He'd still be alive and us dead if he had merely woken that thing up sooner. See? I told you it was a threat. Let's see who it really wants." Cendrik grabs the amulet from the dead wizard and dons it while he heads towards the door. He directs a commanding voice to the statue. "Hey! I didn't kill the master. The master killed himself with his own magic. Stop where you are!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Don amulet and move to O11.
How much longer on that wall of cold? I think "friendly" walls have been the source of all my damage in the tower

[J-H]

Round 39, Part 1

Melinda fires off yet another lightning bolt, this one crackling across the room and grounding itself in the golem, leaving electrical charges pulsing on its body, and then runs ups the stairs.

Rex moves forward in a guarded stance, while the Astral Construct charges ahead towards the creature, but misses.

Spoiler

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No pounce, so only one attack.

Cendrik repositions himself, while Xaanthios strategizes.

Spoiler: Status

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Brass Golem slowed until the beginning of Round 42, Part 1

Cendrik 24 damage
Rex 81 damage
Melinda 57 damage
Xaanthios 1 damage; Share Pain
Psicrystal 0 damage
AC 23 damage

Round 38, Part 2

Slowed by the lightning coursing through its form, the golem raises its axe, and makes a mighty swing down at RexThaun with it, but he's able to deflect the blow.

Spoiler

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-1 to hit from Slow.
Attack (1d20+17)[28]
Damage (2d8+8)[24]

Draconic Aura is a supernatural ability, so the golem is immune.

Spoiler: Status

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Golem hasn't moved, assuming don't need to do new map?

Brass Golem slowed until the beginning of Round 42, Part 1

Cendrik 24 damage
Rex 81 damage
Melinda 57 damage
Xaanthios 1 damage; Share Pain
Psicrystal 0 damage
AC 23 damage

=> Party

[Cavir]

Cendrik calls out in a verbal rapid fire. "Rex, we gotta draw it outside to buy time for the others to figure out a plan. I'm quicker than you and I can teleport. Get outside, circle left around the tower and come back inside. I'll keep it busy going around. Worst case I'll make the golem the town's problem. Xaan, down the hole until it's gone. I need you both out of sight so it will follow me. Go go go!"

Spoiler: OOC

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No action just yet, waiting on the other two.
I know Mountain Hammer but it isn't Readied At least I can teleport upwards out of its reach later

[BelGareth]

Rex managed to block the huge axe...somehow, he was almost as surprised as the golem, if the Golem was surprised, he couldn't tell.

Nodding to Cendrik, he withdrew from the golem, careful not to leave an opening.

Spoiler

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Full: withdraw out of the tower. (only can move in a straight line, so as far as i can move: 40ft)
swift: change aura back to healing

Rex
Steely resolve: 0/5
HP's: 79/136
AC: 26
T: 11 FF: 26
Effects: Iron Guards Glare stance (-4 on attacks vs allies to opponents that I threaten), Aura of Vigor
Maneuvers available: Shield Block, & Battle Leaders Charge

(1d3)[3]

1. Foehammer
2. Douse the Flames
3. Shield Block
4. Vanguard Strike
5. Battle Leaders Charge

[Kish]

Knowing there's very little she can do against the golem, Melinda races up the stairs in search of Albin and Sierra.

[PeacefulOak]

Xaanthios

Quickly understanding the importance of the advice, Xaanthios turns tail and runs down the stairs and readies himself to open the door should it appear that the Golum is following him.

[Cavir]

With the others out of sight, it was time for him to draw its attention.

"Hey brainless, here I am. Come get me!" Cendrik, somewhat near the doorway already and a ways away from the golem, holds his ground while he refreshes his techniques.

Spoiler: OOC

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Adaptive Style. Changing maneuvers readied.
Last IC had moved to O11.
Was going to move closer to the door but need to give Rex more time to get way out of sight.
Wall of Cold is gone?

[J-H]

Round 39, Part 1

Cendrik stands still, trying to get the golem’s attention. Xaanthios ducks downstairs, while Rex runs outside. The Astral construct remains still, threatening the golem.

Melinda runs upstairs, reaching the fourth floor. She can hear the sounds of battle above her.

Round 39, Part 2

The golem stomps past the astral construct (you may make an AOO) towards Cendrik, still moving slowly.

Spoiler: Map & Status

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Brass Golem slowed until the beginning of Round 42, Part 1

Cendrik 24 damage
Rex 81 damage
Melinda 57 damage
Xaanthios 1 damage; Share Pain
Psicrystal 0 damage
AC 23 damage, about to expire

=> Party

[BelGareth]

Rex moves to the side of the tower and starts running, as Cendrik indicated with his plan.

Spoiler

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Starts to run around the tower, double move so...40ft?

Rex
Steely resolve: 0/5
HP's: 77/136
AC: 26
T: 11 FF: 26
Effects: Iron Guards Glare stance (-4 on attacks vs allies to opponents that I threaten), Aura of Vigor
Maneuvers available: Foehammer, Shield Block, & Battle Leaders Charge

(1d3)[1]

1. Foehammer
2. Douse the Flames
3. Shield Block
4. Vanguard Strike
5. Battle Leaders Charge

[Cavir]

With Rex out the door Cendrik uses his mobile fighting skills to dart by the golem while imparting an imparting stab. He gets out the door and sees Rex still standing just besides the door. "What?! Need you out of sight so I can keep drawing it away! Go!" The swordsage moves away from the door but keeps within sight of the golem to keep its attention.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spring Attack with Mountain Hammer. Move to O17. No AoOs

Claw1: (1d20+12)[28]
damage: (1d4+3)[6] + (2d6)[6] Ignores DR and Hardness

Sorry, looks like we'll need an external map. I think I have ways to hurt it slowly. I'm back from vacation so I'm back to posting faster. Thanks for the patience.

[PeacefulOak]

Xaanthios holds at the bottom of the stairs, his staff held before him in a feeble attempt to fend off any attackers. His mind, still clouded from his last calling of Avalon, struggles to find focus and clarity.

Spoiler: OoC

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(1d20+8)[11] concentration to regain psionic focus

[Kish]

Melinda keeps going up until she can see the specifics of the battle she hears.

[J-H]

Round 40, Part 1

Rex exits the tower and starts circling it. The noise from within has not gone entirely unnoticed, and a small crowd is gathering outside. Cendrik darts in, clawing at the golem and creating four deep gouges on its metallic skin, and then dodges back out the door.

Xaanthios stays downstairs, attempting to refocus himself.

Melinda dashes up the stairs, rounding a corner on the stairs up to the 6th floor to see the demon from earlier, a Hezrou, swiping at Magdalena as she darts in and out. Filister pelts it with crystal shards from a dorje, and Albin casts low-level spells to hinder it. Albin turns to Melinda.

“We’ve got a devil on the loose up here, how are things downstairs? It sounds like you found the canny bugger, didn’t you?”

Round 40, Part 2

The golem turns with a screech of metal and moves to follow Cendrik. It has to bend and twist to fit through the archway over the door, but still manages to lash out once with its greataxe. The haft of its axe bangs against the wall, gouging the stone but causing the minotaur-like golem to miss.

Spoiler

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-1 to hit from Slow, -4 for squeezing
Attack (1d20+13)[23]
Damage (2d8+8)[18]

Spoiler: Status

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Brass Golem 12 damage, slowed until the beginning of Round 42, Part 1

Cendrik 24 damage
Rex 81 damage
Melinda 57 damage
Xaanthios 1 damage; Share Pain
Psicrystal 0 damage

=> Party

[Cavir]

Cendrik allows himself a little smile as the golem gets hindered by its own size. "Rex, I'm headed the other way. Wait then go back in and come up with a plan quick. I won't last all day against it."

With the skill of an acrobat Cendrik runs past the golem this time slashing with both sets of along the way. He keeps moving, starting to circle the tower but keeping just in sight of the golem. He calls out to the gathering crowd. "Run you idiots! The wizard was killed by his own magic and now his golems have gone crazy! RUN!"

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm the idiot. I keep forgetting to note using life drinking crystal for healing. If I do manage to damage it this round I will use it for +1hp per hit.

Swift to switch to Island of Blades stance (also gives +2 to saves from Discipline Focus). Spring Attack then keep moving. The claws allow me to attack with both when using SA. Move (no AoOs) to R16, attack then complete SA move to U16. Move action to X11.
Claw1: (1d20+10)[24]
damage: (1d4+3)[4]

Claw2: (1d20+10)[13]
damage: (1d4+3)[4]

If both claws hit, rending: damage: (3d6)[11]

[Kish]

Melinda talks quickly, "Yes, he's dead. As his last act he unleashed a brass golem. It's immune to most magic, so I came up here hoping you knew or could find some kind of override. This fiend have any elemental vulnerabilities?" Then she casts True Strike, staying out of the fiend's way as best she can.

[J-H]

Round 41

Cendrik slashes at the golem, missing twice, and then moves counterclockwise around the tower. Rex and Xaanthios hide out of sight.

The golem moves to pursue Cendrik, with the lightning effect about to wear off.
The dwarves on the street starts yelling for the City Watch.

Albin replies to Melinda. “It’s a demon, inherently resistant to magic. The only elements likely to work on it are the quasi-elemental effects like Force or Sonic damage. I think they have it handled – Magdalena is quite agile as long as she can see!”

Spoiler: Status

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The golem is 15’ from Cendrik and out of direct line of sight to the tower door.

Brass Golem 12 damage, slowed until the beginning of Round 42, Part 1

Cendrik 24 damage
Rex 81 damage
Melinda 57 damage
Xaanthios 1 damage; Share Pain
Psicrystal 0 damage

=> Party

[Cavir]

Cendrik knew he was on his own at this point. The Great Leader had faith in him so he had faith in himself. He kept moving around the outside of the tower, taking notice of the buildings around. It was up to him to keep the golem busy and whittle it down little by little if he had to. He at least knew Mountain Hammer could scratch with a solid hit. Could he use the golem's mass against itself with Comet Throw? The thing squeezed through the arch instead of busting through so maybe it didn't have unearthly strength.

Spoiler: OOC

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30' move to V6. Sudden Leap (Swift for a Jump move) to the NW, then another move action to continue around the tower. I'll update the final location after the Jump check. Hoping it doesn't realize how much further I went since I'll be out of LoS during the first part of the jump.
Jump (1d20+18)[26]

I need to know about the layout of space and buildings around the towers. With Shadow Jaunt I can teleport 50'. Hoping to be able to use that to jump to a rooftop, or at least a window sill to be able to temporarily get above its reach so I can recover maneuvers. How high up is the window on the north side of the tower?

EDIT: After jump and moves, I get to M4.

[J-H]

The bottom of the first window up in the tower is 10' up, but it's closed and has no sill.

The tower is surrounded by a small yard/garden about 40' in radius, then a fence, then walkways on 3 sides and the river on the 4th side.

[Kish]

Melinda stands in place and chants. I hope he's right about sound working.

Spoiler

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Empowered Lesser Orb of Sound against the fiend, attack roll, True Strike, firing into melee, against touch AC: (1d20+20)[37] Critical threat check: (1d20+20)[36] Damage: (4d6)[18] x 1.5 sonic damage, (4d6)[14] x 1.5 sonic critical damage.

[BelGareth]

Rex nods, and runs back inside, he does a double take, not really know what to do, before heading the tunnel the archmage came out of.

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Double move. Think i can get back to the entrance for now.

Rex
Steely resolve: 0/5
HP's: 76/136
AC: 26
T: 11 FF: 26
Effects: Iron Guards Glare stance (-4 on attacks vs allies to opponents that I threaten), Aura of Vigor
Maneuvers available: Foehammer, Shield Block, Douse the Flames, & Battle Leaders Charge

(1d2)[1]

1. Foehammer
2. Douse the Flames
3. Shield Block
4. Vanguard Strike
5. Battle Leaders Charge

[J-H]

Great!

I think I am waiting on a post for Cendrik right now.