Drow Against Midnight IC

[Debatra]

Perhaps something we can take advantage of later then. For the moment though, I believe we should just move on.

[Cavir]

Fine. Get up here and let's continue.

Faazeran looks above again, then back into the chamber. An unseen hand gently nudges the hanging and bloodied stone disk.

Spoiler: OOC

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Faazeran turns her gaze upward. How much further up does the vine go? Are there more chambers? Does the abjuration spell reach to the ceiling? Anything watching us or on its way down?

Does there seem to be more above, or this should be it?

Facing the main opening to the south hangs a bloodied stone disk, etched deep with a leering winged humanoid bat dressed in a girdle of skulls.
Both openings are within the area protected by the abjuration spell.

Not trying to pull it down, just a little swing to see if there is anything that reacts in there.

[kinem]

The stone disk moves slightly, briefly producing a grating noise. Everything else remains silent as a grave.

There is still about one quarter of the length of the vine above the entrance hole. You would have to float up and circle around the vine to know whether there might be any more entrance holes up there. The abjuration does extend to the top. You don't see any creatures watching you or approaching, only bats fluttering in the distance.

ooc: I'm going to assume that someone does explore around the upper part ...

Up about another 20' and around to the right by about 90 degrees is a large window of warped glass. There is no light coming from within; that is not a problem given your darkvision, but you can't see much beyond the window as it is blocked by something a few inches beyond it. There are no other entrance holes.

[razorback]

Kyornor, knowing he is lowest in the pecking order, goes up and checks out the area, mentally describing the next room with the warped glass.

[Cavir]

Once Telas and Jack are seen to be coming up Faazeran turns her attention upwards. Kyornor's information gives her a thought. She floats closer to the temple entrance stopping short of the abjuration spell. She adjusts her altitude as needed. Could the temple reach upward and include the warped glass window above?

[kinem]

Upon closer inspection, the ceiling of the entrance hall is about ten feet above the floor. The window must be on a level above it. In fact, to the left side next to the stone carving, rungs embedded into the structure’s trunk form a climbing ladder that presumably leads to an entrance to that upper level.

[MinotaurWarblad]

Jack views the upper area with curiosity. He raises a hand, and intones a magic phrase.

Spoiler: OoC

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Dispel magic: (1d20+10)[11]
Edit: Welp... That didn't work.

[Debatra]

Upon seeing the lack of change in response to her compatriot's spell, Tela will make an attempt of her own.

Spoiler

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Dispel Magic, taking ten with her Arcane Mastery feat and using Sudden Insight for a total of (1d6+24)[25]

[kinem]

Jack’s spell has no effect on the abjuration aura, but it vanishes after Tela casts her spell.

[razorback]

Seeing the others begin their incantations and Tela was able to overpower the protective magic, he slides forward, inspecting the room.

[kinem]

When Kyornor enters the structure and looks around, he sees what could be a dining area to the right side, with a long table and chairs around it, but nothing on the table but dust and guano.

To the left side, he sees that layers of brimstone-reeking guano coat the stylized carved bats and defaced figures on the walls. Mounds of humanoid, animal, and other rune-covered skulls flank the 8' tall stone statue of a terrifying bat demon situated at the far wall of this chamber. Bloodstains mar the carved mouth and claws of the fiendish creature, and several partially melted candles lie at its feet. A tattered curtain hangs here, swaying in the faint breeze, separating this chamber from another to the east.

In order to see what lies on the other side of the large central support stem of the place, it would be necessary to circle around on one side or the other.

[Debatra]

Tela will take a moment to fish around in her bag, pulling out a tiny mouse skull of her own, though this one appears to have been polished somewhat. She will also take a wand from her belt, tap the skull, and sen it floating ahead of the group barely half an inch above the ground.

Spoiler

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The skull has about 13 hours left of the Extended Echo Skull I cast on it last night (gotta love those hour/level spells). The "wand" is actually an at-will spell trigger item with a few cantrips, including Mage Hand.

[Cavir]

A shame we didn't find out what that spell was. Could have given us insight for later.

Faazeran keeps an eye on Kyornor's approach, ready to use her telekinesis if something should try attacking him. With nothing accosting him her interest is piqued by Tela's actions as Faazeran steps into the chamber, unhindered by any webs. Looks like Mage Hand, but what is the skull for?"

Four unseen hands spread out across the bottom of the swaying curtain and gently lifts it up, exposing the other part of the room.

[razorback]

Kyornor holds his position, keeping watch as the others use their magic to scout the area.

Spoiler

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Listen
(1d20+3)[15]

Spot
(1d20+6)[17]

[Debatra]

I can see through the skull's 'eyes'. Let it scout ahead.

[Cavir]

Interesting. My telekinesis can carry it out to long range when and if you like."

Faazeran keeps alert as the curtain raises.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spot (1d20+19)[38]

[kinem]

There is a strong aura of necromancy on the statue of the bat god.

The rune-covered skulls that are piled around the statue are each etched with a litany of prayers to Camazotz, all written in Undercommon. Several of the skulls hold gemstones embedded into them.

Lifting the curtain reveals the remaining part of this level: Scattered collections of blankets, crates, barrels, and bedrolls lie in piles throughout this narrow, curving chamber. Moldy remains of clothing spill out of broken chests and torn sacks, and guano coats everything in the room. Four of the hammocks lining the walls are filled with thick knots of spider webbing, the dense strands cloaking piles of cracked yellow bones.

[Cavir]

Strong necromancy on the statue. I do not like that. Bloodstains on the mouth and claws. I'd suggest steering clear of it unless we need to later, and be wary of if animating. Perhaps it is our target, but let's rule out elsewhere. Up the ladder?

Tela, any idea how long ago they started working on the Glyphs? Recent usage of an area would be an indicator for us.

[kinem]

There is a barred gate in the floor below the ladder, and in the southeast corner is a small chute that smells like it was used for dumping waste.

Spoiler: Tela

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From what Tela recalls and can conjecture, Matron Allevrah Azrinae must have begun her big project in the Land of Black Blood about six months ago - after several years of gathering information and resources.

Suddenly, ghostly hands reach up through the floor and attack the group! There is one assailant for each of the four of you …

Incorporeal touch attacks:
vs Jack (1d20+6)[20], damage (1d8)[8] + 2 negative levels
vs Kyornor (1d20+6)[9], damage (1d8)[8] + 2 negative levels
vs Tela (1d20+6)[23], damage (1d8)[4] + 2 negative levels
vs Faazeran (1d20+6)[15], damage (1d8)[6] + 2 negative levels

ooc: Roll initiative. Every one of you is solid now, or no?

[kinem]

ooc: Almost forgot. They each have a 25% miss chance due to staying within the floor, allowing them to have total cover. You can ready actions to target them as they attack if they do so again.

Lower than 26 means miss:

vs Jack (1d100)[41]
vs Kyornor (1d100)[15]
vs Tela (1d100)[74]
vs Faazeran (1d100)[74]

[Debatra]

As the group moves onward, Tela finds herself hesitating for the barest moment, an unclear thought worming its way into her head. This moment turns out to have been vital, as a spectral hand rises from the ground where she was about to walk.

Spoiler

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Using Sudden Insight to boost AC, not rolling because even the minimum is enough to make that attack miss.

Initiative (Ring of Anticipation lets me roll twice and take the better)

(1d20+3)[13]
(1d20+3)[5]

[MinotaurWarblad]

Jack steps to the side, but the ghostly hand still reaches out to strike at him! Fortunately, due to receiving Mage Armor from Faazeran at the beginning of the day, the hand slides against him to no effect.

Spoiler: OoC

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Initiative: (1d20+3)[4]

[kinem]

The ghostly attackers' initial attacks missed but they once again attempt to strike the drow invaders by reaching up through the floor … and once again, they all miss

OOC: Incorporeal touch attacks:
vs Jack (1d20+6)[13], miss chance (1d100)[10], damage (1d8)[4] + 2 negative levels
vs Kyornor (1d20+6)[19], miss chance (1d100)[16], damage (1d8)[8] + 2 negative levels
vs Tela (1d20+6)[13], miss chance (1d100)[11], damage (1d8)[4] + 2 negative levels
vs Faazeran (1d20+6)[9], miss chance (1d100)[28], damage (1d8)[5] + 2 negative levels

PCs to act

[razorback]

"What the...!!!" is all Kyornor can get out as translucent hands reach out for his feet. Taking a step back he aims his mace at the ground, preparing to unleash his power.

Spoiler

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Kyornor
AC ~20; Current ~ 20
HP ~ 86; Current ~ 86

5 foot step back

Ready action to blast the hand if it appears
Essence Blast - Ranged touch
(1d20+14)[18]

Damage
(8d6+9)[42]

Crit 20/x2
(1d20+14)[33]
(8d6+9)[35]

Effects ~

[Cavir]

Faazeran was surprised by the attacks from below. Her magic protected her so far. Time to add to that. She floats upward and casts Shield. Get off the ground if you can. Draw them out.

She speaks in Undercommon. "Who are you? What do you want?"

Spoiler: OOC

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5' up. Cast Extended Shield (28 minutes) for +8 AC (class ability). Touch AC vs the ghosts now 30.

[MinotaurWarblad]

Jack blinks his eyes, and the world around him slows to a crawl; time doesn't stop, but the paths of the hands around him are significantly easier to keep track of and avoid. Taking advantage of his new perception of time, he brings forth an incorporeal blade in the air beside him; he couldn't harm the ghosts on his own, but he could let the sword fight for him. He prepares himself to dodge incoming attacks.

Spoiler: OoC

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• Move action: Slow Time I grants +2 to attacks and checks/+2 dodge to AC and saves
• Expend granted move action: Ghost Sword I
• Standard action: Total Defense for +9 dodge bonus to AC (+6 dodge bonus to AC, double Speed VI dodge bonus from +3 to +6, double Speed VI Dex bonus from +6 to +12 BUT armor max dex is +3 so that doesn't matter)
• Current AC: 39, touch 30 (34 vs incorporeal touch from Mage Armor), flat-footed 22
• Current mana: 37 of 42
• The sword randomly picks an enemy adjacent to it and attacks it once per round at the start of my turn until the enemy is dead or 1 minute passes. Since it's incorporeal, it can attack them through the floor. It attacks with a +21 bonus versus regular AC (not on touch), for 1d8+7 damage. It does not receive any bonuses from Slow Time or my other buffs.

[Debatra]

Tela will stand near the others, readying her scythe for the creatures' next assault.

Spoiler

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AC vs Incorporeal Touch: 26, 27 if these creatures happen to be Evil-aligned.

Cast Extended Grave Strike, Sleight of Hand to do so unnoticed: (1d20+25)[28]

Ready Action to attack the first one to appear in her reach.
Attack: (1d20+11)[20] Will use Sudden Insight to deny Dex to AC.
Incorporeal Miss Chance: (1d100)[11]
Damage: (2d4+4)[8] Slashing, (1d6)[3] Electric, (5d6)[19] Sneak Attack

[kinem]

As the spectres renew their attack, the drow are more prepared for it this time.

Kyornor unleases a blast but it misses the spectre, striking the floor instead and burning part of it black.

Tela swings her scythe through the spectre that attacks her, but it does not catch anything and just passes through.

With Faazeran now 5' above the floor, the spectre that was attacking her from the floor instead circles around and attacks from the 10' high ceiling to much the same effect.

OOC: Round 2 spectre attacks:
vs Jack AC 34 (1d20+6)[22], 25% miss chance (1d100)[67], damage (1d8)[2] + 2 neg levels
vs Kyornor AC 20 (1d20+6)[24], 25% miss chance (1d100)[9], damage (1d8)[6] + 2 neg levels
vs Tela AC 27 (1d20+6)[21], 25% miss chance (1d100)[97], damage (1d8)[1] + 2 neg levels
vs Faazeran AC 30 (1d20+6)[7], 25% miss chance (1d100)[79], dmg (1d8)[3] + 2 neg levels

Spotting an enemy of its master, Jack's Ghost Sword attacks its ghostly foe:
(1d20+21)[31], damage (1d8+7)[14]

All of the spectres' attacks missed again PCs to act.

[MinotaurWarblad]

Jack leaps out of the way of the spectres' hands, dancing over to Kyornor. Seeing him focus on blasting the ghost, Jack eyes the ground with the intent to pull Kyornor out of incoming harm once the next blast goes off.

Spoiler: OoC

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• Move action: Tumble ((1d20+30)[37]) over to Kyorner
• Standard action: Readied Action to Aid Another to add to Kyorner's AC against the ghost's next attack ((1d20+19)[20] vs AC 10 when the ghost becomes visible, though miss chances apply), for a +2 untyped bonus to Kyornor's AC (which should apply to the ghost's attack)
• Current AC: 30, touch 21 (25 vs incorporeal touch from Mage Armor), flat-footed 22
• Current mana: 37 of 42
• The sword continues to attack once a round at +21 for 1d8+7.

[Cavir]

Apparently the ghosts didn't want to talk. Time to end their existence. Faazeran had two spells she had specialized in. She had mastered Telekinesis to the point of it becoming part of her, of unlimited usage. The other, Manyjaws, she had mastered to the point of adding secondary effects with far less effort when compared to others trying the same. The force holding the curtains up disappeared and the far side of the room was hidden again.

Faazeran cast her spell, but nothing visible happened. In reality ten pairs of invisible force jaws waited to chomp on the next ghost to show itself.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast defensively (auto-pass with +22) Manyjaws with Invisible, Extend, and Empower = L4 total.
Duration: Concentration, max 6 rounds.
Delay the attack for a ghost to appear, preferably the one attacking Kyornor. Auto hit.
(10d6)[39] * 1.5 (Empower) Reflex DC 22 for half