Planescape: Full Circle - IC

[razorback]

As he is attacked and nearly torn to pieces, Dannos manages to fight off the attack as he whips his chain about as he tries to beat down the evil creature.

Spoiler

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Dannos
HP - 107 Current 34
AC - 20 Current 20/T13/FF18

Item Familiar activates its Cure Moderate Wounds
(2d8+3)[6]

Free Action
Knowledge Devotion
Kn:The Planes Hamatulas(1d20+11)[21]
Kn:The Planes Hellcat(1d20+11)[24]

Spoiler

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Check Result Bonus Granted
15 or below +1
16—25 +2
26—30 +3
31—35 +4
36 or higher +5

Full Round - Attack Hellcat, Fiendslayer crystal (Good)
1st - Trip attack Hellcat with his spiked chain
(1d20+8)[18] touch attack + Knowledge Devotion bonus above
If successful, opposed strength check
(1d20+19)[22]includes Strength +2, Brains over Brawn +5, Powerful Build +4, Improved Trip +4, Chain +4, Armbands of Might +2 = +21


If successful, follow up attack granted by Improved Trip
(1d20+12)[26] includes +4 for prone + Knowledge Devotion bonus above

Damage
(2d6+2)[9] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + Knowledge Devotion bonus above + (1d6)[2] Fiendslayer

Critical 20/x2
(1d20+12)[14] includes +4 for prone + Knowledge Devotion bonus above
(2d6+2)[14] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + Knowledge Devotion bonus above

2nd - Trip attack Hellcat with his spiked chain if still standing, otherwise beat it again
(1d20+3)[14] touch attack + Knowledge Devotion bonus above
If successful, opposed strength check
(1d20+19)[38]includes Strength +2, Brains over Brawn +5, Powerful Build +4, Improved Trip +4, Chain +4, Armbands of Might +2 = +21


If successful, follow up attack granted by Improved Trip
(1d20+7)[9] includes +4 for prone + Knowledge Devotion bonus above

Damage
(2d6+2)[6] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + Knowledge Devotion bonus above + (1d6)[5] Fiendslayer

Critical 20/x2
(1d20+7)[11] includes +4 for prone + Knowledge Devotion bonus above
(2d6+2)[7] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + Knowledge Devotion bonus above


3rd - Trip attack Hellcat with his spiked chain if still standing, otherwise beat it again
(1d20-2)[16] touch attack + Knowledge Devotion bonus above
If successful, opposed strength check
(1d20+19)[20]includes Strength +2, Brains over Brawn +5, Powerful Build +4, Improved Trip +4, Chain +4, Armbands of Might +2 = +21


If successful, follow up attack granted by Improved Trip
(1d20+2)[3] includes +4 for prone + Knowledge Devotion bonus above

Damage
(2d6+2)[8] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + Knowledge Devotion bonus above + (1d6)[4] Fiendslayer

Critical 20/x2
(1d20+2)[19] includes +4 for prone + Knowledge Devotion bonus above
(2d6+2)[13] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + Knowledge Devotion bonus above

Effects~
Sickened - The character takes a -2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Swift and Silent(Feat): No Penalty on Hide and Move Silently checks when you move at your normal speed.
Invisibility: At-will; If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving.
Nemesis(BE 44) (Arcanists): Detect the presence of favored enemies.
Raptor's Sight (4 hours)- You gain a +5 competence bonus on Spot checks. If you have 5 or more ranks in Spot, you take only half the normal range increment penalty for ranged attacks (-1 per range increment instead of -2).
Primal Speed (24 hours) - You gain a +5 resistance bonus on Reflex saves and a +10-foot enhancement bonus to all your speeds.
Tremorsense (60 minutes) - You can automatically pinpoint the location of any object or creature within 30 feet that is in contact with the ground.
Tojanida Sight (60 minutes) - You gain all-around vision, allowing you to see in any direction. You gain a +4 bonus on Spot and Search checks, and you cannot be flanked for the duration of the spell.
Camouflage (60 minutes) - This effect grants you a +10 circumstance bonus on Hide checks.

[kinem]

Adamant's mighty blow cuts deep into the invisible creature - making it screech! - but does not bring it down.

Dannos attempts to trip it, but his first attempt fails and his next two swings miss due to the thing's concealment.

Joel blasts a stream of acid in the location where he thinks the cat would be, and you hear a thud as the creature goes down! Silent now, it remains invisible for the moment; not quite dead yet ...

OOC: Avakuss to act

[Cavir]

Avakuss was glad to hear the invisible creature hitting the ground. He takes one storm giant sized step forward as claws appear on his hand, seemingly too large for even his size. Figuring the devil's barbs won't hurt as much as his claws would on them he starts tearing into the closer Hamatula.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

5' step, trying to get both Hamatula at 10' range so he can reach them (15' reach) but they can't 5' step out of range.
Swift: Call claws
Full attack on one Hamatula

Claw1: (1d20+17)[25] crit: (on 19+): (1d20+17)[32] Adamantine (+9 str, +8 BAB, -2 size, +1 weapon, +1 focus, Keen)
damage: (6d6+10)[30] crit: (6d6+10)[34]

Claw2: (1d20+16)[32] crit: (on 20): (1d20+17)[31] Adamantine (+9 str, +8 BAB, -2 size, +1 focus)
damage: (6d6+9)[28] crit: (6d6+9)[34]

AC 25
20% miss chance
DR2
Energy Adaptation (resistance 20 against any attack that deals acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic damage)

[kinem]

Avakuss' first claw attack doesn't penetrate the creature's tough exterior, but his second one does draw blood. However, he finds out that the devil's barbs are quite real as his arm gets poked by them.

OOC: (1d8+6)[7] damage, DR applies

The hamatulas, perhaps seeing Avakuss as the larger threat, choose to concentrate their attacks on him. They tear at him with barbed claws.

OOC: vs AC 25
H1 Claw1 attack (1d20+18)[37], damage (2d8+6)[18]
H1 Claw2 attack (1d20+18)[25], damage (2d8+6)[13]
H2 Claw1 attack (1d20+18)[38], damage (2d8+6)[9]
H2 Claw2 attack (1d20+18)[32], damage (2d8+6)[21]

DR applies. When he is first hit by each devil, Avakuss must make a DC 20 Will save or become Panicked for 9 rounds. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature cannot be affected by that same barbed devil’s fear ability for 24 hours.

Dannos and Adamant to act

[kinem]

H2 Claw1 crit (1d20+18)[35], damage (2d8+6)[20]

[razorback]

Dannos bellows his frustration as his chain fails to gain purchase on the devil. "Adamant, help Avakuss." he calls out to his ally.

Spoiler

Show

Dannos
HP - 107 Current 34
AC - 20 Current 20/T13/FF18

Item Familiar activates its Cure Moderate Wounds
(2d8+3)[12]



Full Round - Attack Hellcat, Fiendslayer crystal (Good)
1st - Trip attack Hellcat with his spiked chain
Miss Chance
(1d100)[90]
(1d20+10)[17] touch attack
If successful, opposed strength check
(1d20+19)[33]includes Strength +2, Brains over Brawn +5, Powerful Build +4, Improved Trip +4, Chain +4, Armbands of Might +2 = +21


If successful, follow up attack granted by Improved Trip
(1d20+14)[16] includes +4 for prone

Damage
(2d6+4)[7] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + (1d6)[4] Fiendslayer

Critical 20/x2
(1d20+10)[25]includes +4 for prone
(2d6+4)[10] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy)

2nd - Trip attack Hellcat with his spiked chain if still standing, otherwise beat it again
Miss Chance
(1d100)[48]
(1d20+5)[10] touch attack
If successful, opposed strength check
(1d20+19)[30]includes Strength +2, Brains over Brawn +5, Powerful Build +4, Improved Trip +4, Chain +4, Armbands of Might +2 = +21


If successful, follow up attack granted by Improved Trip
(1d20+9)[27]includes +4 for prone

Damage
(2d6+4)[13] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + (1d6)[4] Fiendslayer

Critical 20/x2
(1d20+9)[21]ncludes +4 for prone
(2d6+4)[7] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy)


3rd - Trip attack Hellcat with his spiked chain if still standing, otherwise beat it again
Miss Chance
(1d100)[57]
(1d20)[9] touch attack
If successful, opposed strength check
(1d20+19)[37]includes Strength +2, Brains over Brawn +5, Powerful Build +4, Improved Trip +4, Chain +4, Armbands of Might +2 = +21


If successful, follow up attack granted by Improved Trip
(1d20+4)[17] includes +4 for prone

Damage
(2d6+4)[9] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy) + (1d6)[4] Fiendslayer

Critical 20/x2
(1d20+4)[24] includes +4 for prone
(2d6+4)[12] +2 if Arcanist (Favored Enemy)

Effects~
Sickened - The character takes a -2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Swift and Silent(Feat): No Penalty on Hide and Move Silently checks when you move at your normal speed.
Invisibility: At-will; If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving.
Nemesis(BE 44) (Arcanists): Detect the presence of favored enemies.
Raptor's Sight (4 hours)- You gain a +5 competence bonus on Spot checks. If you have 5 or more ranks in Spot, you take only half the normal range increment penalty for ranged attacks (-1 per range increment instead of -2).
Primal Speed (24 hours) - You gain a +5 resistance bonus on Reflex saves and a +10-foot enhancement bonus to all your speeds.
Tremorsense (60 minutes) - You can automatically pinpoint the location of any object or creature within 30 feet that is in contact with the ground.
Tojanida Sight (60 minutes) - You gain all-around vision, allowing you to see in any direction. You gain a +4 bonus on Spot and Search checks, and you cannot be flanked for the duration of the spell.
Camouflage (60 minutes) - This effect grants you a +10 circumstance bonus on Hide checks.

[Archmage1]

With the Hellcat dropping, Adamant doesn't hesitate, and rushes the closest Hamatula, his sword flaring with arcane energies once more as he swings it towards the devil.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Swift: Arcane Wrath.(Burning blades of fire)
Charge!

PA for 10.
(1d20+20)[35] Attack!
(2d6+37)[45] Damage + (1d10)[1] untyped + (1d6)[6] Acid

[kinem]

Adamant's magically charged blade strikes the barbed devil and it's a solid cut, but the creature is still far from defeated. The devil's barbs scratch Adamant in turn.

OOC: Barb damage (1d8+6)[9]; DR applies

Dannos to act. The hellcat went down when Joel blasted it.

[Archmage1]

The harsh barbs of the devil just bounce off of Adamant's magically fortified flesh, leaving not a mark.

[kinem]

Dannos charges at the wounded hamatula, tripping it with his spiked chain but his attempt to further wound it does not succeed.

Joel attempts to blast the wounded devil with acid; this time he goes all out, giving it all the power he can muster. He strikes it and the acid burns the devil but does not slay it.

OOC: Ranged Touch Attack (1d20+12)[32] vs TAC 20; Damage 37 + ((6d6)[15])/2 -10 Acid Resist

Avakuss to act

[kinem]

Crit (1d20+12)[13], dam 37 + ((6d6)[14])/2

Crit attempt fails

[Cavir]

The hamatulas' barbed claws devastate the immense goliath, nearly taking him down in the bloody assault. Filled with pain, he mentally redirects the pain and injury into the more injured hamatula.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Empathic Transfer, Hostile used defensively (auto pass). 7PP spent. Touch attack to deal 70hp, Will DC 18 for half. I get healed for whatever damage it takes.

Touch attack: (1d20+17)[37]

If I miss, swift to activate Anklets of Translocation to get behind Adamant. I'll still have reach but with 13hp left I can't afford to get hit again.

Touch attack.. so if I miss it's still active. Can that be combined with a claw attack next round?

[kinem]

The fallen hellcat's form becomes visible as the acid residue finishes off the creature.

As Avakuss strikes the wounded barbed devil, its barbs rip his flesh once again. However, his psionic power drains the life from the creature and pulls it into himself, as the creature drops to the ashy ground.

OOC: Avakuss heals 48 hp

The other hamatula's shifting eyes rapidly take in the situation. It vanishes!

Joel says "We don't have much time. Soon it will be back with reinforcements. Avakuss, can you move that boulder blocking the tunnel?"

[razorback]

Dannos waves him on "Come on, then, get on with it. I'm half a step behind you."

Spoiler

Show

Dannos
HP - 107 Current 78
AC - 20 Current 20/T13/FF18
Burn 6 charges off his CLW wand
(6d8+6)[44]

Also, switching his crystal back, so its twin swords.
And he turns invisible.

Effects~
Sickened - The character takes a -2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Ring of the Darkhidden
Swift and Silent(Feat): No Penalty on Hide and Move Silently checks when you move at your normal speed.
Invisibility: At-will; If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving.
Nemesis(BE 44) (Arcanists): Detect the presence of favored enemies.
Raptor's Sight (4 hours)- You gain a +5 competence bonus on Spot checks. If you have 5 or more ranks in Spot, you take only half the normal range increment penalty for ranged attacks (-1 per range increment instead of -2).
Primal Speed (24 hours) - You gain a +5 resistance bonus on Reflex saves and a +10-foot enhancement bonus to all your speeds.
Tremorsense (60 minutes) - You can automatically pinpoint the location of any object or creature within 30 feet that is in contact with the ground.
Tojanida Sight (60 minutes) - You gain all-around vision, allowing you to see in any direction. You gain a +4 bonus on Spot and Search checks, and you cannot be flanked for the duration of the spell.
Camouflage (60 minutes) - This effect grants you a +10 circumstance bonus on Hide checks.

[Cavir]

"Sure thing. Someone hit me with the healing wand." Avakuss steps up to the boulder and drags it away from the entrance enough for everyone to squeeze in. He waves the others in quickly. He squeezes in behind the rest then drags the boulder back to its original spot blocking the entrance. "What was it you said about our enemy? They can't come in here that's why they brought you?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Can push/drag 24,000lbs. If that's still not enough we all have high strength.

Curious, did the 48hp healed include the 0hp to -10hp part?

[kinem]

Even for the enlarges Avakuss, dragging the heavy boulder is not easy, but he manages to get it away from the entrance of the tunnel. Pulling it back into place from the other side is more difficult, and a bit of a gap remains - only a few inches, but it would be wide enough for the devils to see past and teleport past the obstruction.

The tunnel is roughly carved from the surrounding stone, and pitch black. The darkness doesn't seem to bother Joel, who uses his warlock power to see in it.

OOC: Who needs / has light?

Joel says "Right, the rakshasas couldn't enter the tunnel. I don't know if baatezu can."

The 10' wide tunnel extends about 30' before opening up into a large chamber about 50' in diameter. Numerous glyphs are etched into all sides of the chamber, including the floor and ceiling.

You get an eerie feeling here, as if something is staring at you, but you don't see any creatures. "It's him" Joel says.

In the center of the floor is a 5' wide disk of some kind of dark metal. The glyphs on the floor form concentric rings around it.

To the left and to the right sides of the room, a large archway on each side leads to another dark open space.

[Cavir]

Avakuss pulls a necklace out with a stone giving off light. "Joel, What now? Anywhere here we can't step? Which way did you hear the noise from last time? How long do you need? What can we do to speed things up? We need to do this and get out of here. Worst case we teleport back and try again later." He uses his healing belt on himself and pulls out a couple of potions and his Force Screen dorje.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Did someone hit me with a healing wand? We need to use this time to heal up too.
61/111 hp + vigor if someone used it on me while I was moving the boulder.
Healing belt (2d8)[3]
Potions: Invisibility and Protection from Evil. Not using them yet.
I have effects that lasts 1-2 min. Need to keep track of time from the last fight.
Darn, Joel had said the tunnel was 5'. If I had known 10' I could have used the 110 min version of Expansion instead of the 11 round version, saving a bunch of power points.

[razorback]

As Avakuss asks his question, Dannos puts out a staying hand as he searches the ground in front of them before turning back and using his wand on the Goliath.

Spoiler

Show

Dannos
HP - 107 Current 78
AC - 20 Current 20/T13/FF18

How much is Avakuss down?
Using 5 charges (5d6+5)[23]

Checking the area around the glyph for movement/tracks/traps
Spot
(1d20+18)[24]
Search
(1d20+30)[35]

Effects~
Sickened - The character takes a -2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Ring of the Darkhidden
Swift and Silent(Feat): No Penalty on Hide and Move Silently checks when you move at your normal speed.
Invisibility: At-will; If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving.
Nemesis(BE 44) (Arcanists): Detect the presence of favored enemies.
Raptor's Sight (4 hours)- You gain a +5 competence bonus on Spot checks. If you have 5 or more ranks in Spot, you take only half the normal range increment penalty for ranged attacks (-1 per range increment instead of -2).
Primal Speed (24 hours) - You gain a +5 resistance bonus on Reflex saves and a +10-foot enhancement bonus to all your speeds.
Tremorsense (60 minutes) - You can automatically pinpoint the location of any object or creature within 30 feet that is in contact with the ground.
Tojanida Sight (60 minutes) - You gain all-around vision, allowing you to see in any direction. You gain a +4 bonus on Spot and Search checks, and you cannot be flanked for the duration of the spell.
Camouflage (60 minutes) - This effect grants you a +10 circumstance bonus on Hide checks.

[kinem]

Joel says "There are no traps that I know of in this room, but that doesn't mean much. I heard noises from both archways, I think. That disk is the seal, and the noise started when I tried to fix it.

I think this will take several minutes. It's like using a magical device, only more complex and matching wills with him. I can feel him here, stronger than last time. I don't think we can try much later; it will be too late.

Question is, should we explore the place first? I think so. Better to deal with the guardians on one side first, than to have them come at us on both sides while I am working on the seal and unable to participate in the fight. Unless, that is, if by exploring we would encounter traps or more foes than would otherwise come."

Spoiler: Adamant

Show

The glyphs resemble what you have seen of the Infernal language (not a language you know, but you would have seen some writing in it), but a bit different - an older and more pictorial dialect. They are probably not magical as such, but may have served as a focus component during the casting of a powerful spell focused on the metal disk, which appears to be adamantine. Spells that imprison something sometimes have this kind of circular arrangement.

Spoiler: Avakuss

Show

Oops. Joel's memory must have been a bit foggy on the tunnel diameter, but human memory is like that, not as reliable as we often think.

Spoiler: Dannos

Show

Dannos notices droplets of dried blood on the stony ground. They're all over the room but more concentrated towards the left side arch. Whatever left them seems to have moved under its own power, rather than being dragged or the like. The way they are spread suggests something big and bloody just kind of stomped around the place.

[Archmage1]

Adamant shakes his head, and reaches into his pouch, thumbing over several vials before selecting the one he wanted. He produces a single potion, filled with a clear liquid, and quaffs it, before reaching out, and touching the glyphs, and trying to read them.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Drinking a potion of comprehend languages, and attempting to read the glyphs.

[razorback]

Pointing to the left side of the arch and then moving his arm to follow a hard to see trail of blackness, Dannos says "Well, that wasn't you there, Joel. Something more Avakuss's size than yours. Doubt it was one of those devil things we fought... but whatever it was, it managed to leave under its own strength, by the signs. Not sure how it got past our recently teleported friends."

[kinem]

Joel says "Maybe it was one of the guardians. This is no place to live, but maybe they're in stasis, or undead, or just really patient fiends."

Spoiler: Adamant

Show

Now able to make sense of the glyphs, you read them. They warn intruders to leave immediately, basically saying 'authorized personnel only', and say there is great danger here. The ones close to the seal speak of imprisonment. Notably, there is no mention of who or what is imprisoned, or who placed them inside. You get the impression that this prison was not custom made for the current prisoner, but rather is capable of imprisoning just about anyone.

[Cavir]

"I agree, let's deal with the sides first. I have limited power left. The fire cone on the ogres and life transfer the last fight were draining. Hopefully the blood belongs to the guardian so it'll be easier to kill. Dannos, do you want to scout it first? Don't go too far ahead."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

At 87/111hp. I had actually meant the lesser vigor wand but the CLW is good too thanks.

Are the side passages wide? I figure my Force Screen and Expansion are about to expire. With 14PP left I can use Expand to get Huge for 110min for 9P then the 5PP left can get me one 3rd level power like Claws of the Vampire or Empathic Transfer.

Still have the dorje in hand. The potions are in the masterwork potion belt so free action to draw.

[Archmage1]

With Joel, Avakuss, and Dannos in agreement, Adamant shifts over towards the left arch, and palms a potion.

[kinem]

The side arches are 15' wide and 20' high. They are dark; not just lightless, as even darkvision doesn't penetrate.

[Archmage1]

Adamant, prepared to go, looks towards Dannos and Avakuss, to see if they were preparing to investigate, or if he might as well find out if there was something nasty on the other side.

[Cavir]

Avakuss is ready to explore the side passage but figured Dannos would want to go first invisibly.

[razorback]

Spoiler

Show

Sorry, getting back on track after the holiday.

Dannos picks up a small stone then nods as he disappears "I'll throw this back if it's clear to move forward." the disembodied voice says.
Moving forward with all the stealth he can muster, he spies out any traps or dangers as he moves forward. As the blackness envelops him, he keeps his swords in front of him as he reaches out with the power of his magic, trying to sense anything that may be moving as he continues to cautiously step forward, wary of any pit or falls.

Spoiler

Show

Dannos
HP - 107 Current 78
AC - 20 Current 20/T13/FF18

Hide
(1d20+32)[44] +40 if they can't see invisible

Move silently
(1d20+22)[36]

Spot
(1d20+25)[30]

Listen
(1d20+14)[32]

Effects~
Sickened - The character takes a -2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Ring of the Darkhidden
Swift and Silent(Feat): No Penalty on Hide and Move Silently checks when you move at your normal speed.
Invisibility: At-will; If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving.
Nemesis(BE 44) (Arcanists): Detect the presence of favored enemies.
Raptor's Sight (4 hours)- You gain a +5 competence bonus on Spot checks. If you have 5 or more ranks in Spot, you take only half the normal range increment penalty for ranged attacks (-1 per range increment instead of -2).
Primal Speed (24 hours) - You gain a +5 resistance bonus on Reflex saves and a +10-foot enhancement bonus to all your speeds.
Tremorsense (60 minutes) - You can automatically pinpoint the location of any object or creature within 30 feet that is in contact with the ground.
Tojanida Sight (60 minutes) - You gain all-around vision, allowing you to see in any direction. You gain a +4 bonus on Spot and Search checks, and you cannot be flanked for the duration of the spell.
Camouflage (60 minutes) - This effect grants you a +10 circumstance bonus on Hide checks.

[kinem]

Spoiler: Dannos

Show

As Dannos steps through the archway, he blinks as it is no longer dark. Dim light really, but a sudden change. It's obvious that the archway is some kind of magical portal.

OOC: Roll Fort DC 22 or he feels a sudden burst of pain all over and takes -4 on attack rolls, skill checks, and ability checks.

Looking up, he sees a strange looking symbol at the top of the arch on this side, apparently the source of the magical trap.

He steps into a large stone room, 60' wide, with a vaulted ceiling. At the top are a few glass windows, with what looks like a bit of blue sky above and light filtering down. Not Avernus any longer! Perhaps this place is on the Prime!

On the far side of the room is yet another black archway of the same size (and with another symbol at the top of it). To the left side is another archway, but that one has been bricked up.

In the center of the room is a large stone table. On top of it are a number of colored stones.

Roughly in each corner of the room is a creature. Right now, none of them seem to be aware of Dannos.

To the near right is a twisted, swollen form some 18' tall. Its bloated, swollen body is covered with thick, ropy veins that throb with viscous blood. It stares with hollow, empty eyes. This monster is no doubt the source of the blood droplets.

To the near left is a 7-foot-tall shadowy automaton is crafted from a matte black metal that seems to absorb light. It's hard to see it. A mist fills the hollow spaces between its skeletal frame, and its two long arms end in sharp metal claws. A dour, skull-shaped head surmounts its broad torso, but the construct has no neck to speak of. It moves slowly but silently, hovering slightly above the ground and disturbing nothing as it passes.

To the far right is a man-sized molten mass of flesh oozing across the ground. It has a human-shaped head and torso, but its body is a shapeless mass below the waist. A permanent expression of anguish twists across its face.

To the far left is a wooden statue, humanoid in size and shape, but not quite motionless.

[razorback]

Dannos, not quite sure what he's seeing, takes the rock he had picked up and tosses through the portal, not sure what the impact will be to his friends but sure that he can't deal with what he's looking at by himself.