Second Darkness [Shadow in the Sky] (IC)

[bcool999]

Ozlech

Hearing a question as to what these creatures were, Ozzy will examine the body of the one they brought ashore and killed, but will caution, "I can take a look at it now that I can see it well. Not really an outdoors type though so one fish is the same as another to me for the most part."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Try to identify the fish. Lack training in knowledge nature though so unless it's a weird fish Ozzy doesn't have a clue.

[lostsole31]

The party looks over the skewered fish. Visto offers some insights, and it is Sol who does have the answer now that he has had a chance to study and gets insight from Visto. "Oh, okay. This is a swamp barracuda. That's why the overdeveloped fins there that help them move slowly on land to get from one area of closed water to another in a swamp. I guess with the Boneyard, there is an underwater connection somewhere, but not where we can get to."

[meemaas]

Visto sighs a sigh of relief. "Visto is thankful for that. Let Visto and Friends move on. Waiting around here will only waste time." With that, he takes a look around to see if he can determine what the options are for them to move forward.

[lostsole31]

Does the group do anything for post-battle? What is your marching order if you do head out now that your primary "all warrior" ally is gone?

[AggressiveBread]

Rodriguez pipes up.”Visto, I was injured healing Apophis during the fight. Could you spare me any healing?” If the party plans to continue on, Rodriguez will situate himself with Apophis toward the head of the marching order.

[lostsole31]

Assuming Visto checks out Rodriguez, the tiefling skald is at about 75% health.

[meemaas]

Visto will give Rod a shot of healing with his Unicorn Feathering, then, after doing so, will direct the Essence he uses to power it into Ozlech, giving him the same benefits he had given Eric prior to his death.

Spoiler

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First, use Unicorn Feathering on Rod.
Second, invest the 2E in Feathering into Rod, giving him the Ferocity Vivification.
Third, activate his Weatherproofing, which I had thought was active, applying it to all five remaining party members.

[bcool999]

Ozlech

Ozzy will do a few things to prepare to advance. He changes his essence to focus more on defense and recovers his essence from Visto and Apophis before bestowing it on Rod and Ginny. He will share his Loyal Paladin’s Spear of Light with Rod through the essence he bestowed on him and explain how to reform it should it dissipate.

”I can take point,” Ozzy offers after they finish preparations, ”I don’t like digging into a stand up fight though so I may move out of the way at any time though. Just to let you know.”

When the party is prepared to move forward, Ozzy noticeably breathes in a specific rhythm. His nostrils flare as if to catch the slightest smell.

Spoiler: OOC

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Post Battle Prep: Move Essence around. Empty the Loyal Paladin’s Spear of Light and move the 2 Essence into Ring of the Abjurer. Then reallocate the 2 Essence in Akashic army from Visto and Apophis to Ginny and Rod giving them the benefits of the Escape Route teamwork feat and Rod the Loyal Paladin’s Spear of Light Veil.

Ozzy will enter the Spirit Sensing Stance and gain the scent ability as he moves at the front of the marching order. Hopefully we won’t get surprised next fight.

[lostsole31]

Rodriguez is now fully healed. Ozlech doesn't need any healing, being unarmed.

There are only two people with any wounds. First is Apophis, who has more of some minor laceration.

However, Visto, umm .... heal thyself? Because you are at about 10% health!!!!

[meemaas]

Visto will indeed take the time to heal himself, drawing out his Essence from Rod to do so, before reapplying his Essence to Rod.

Spoiler

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Clearly, Visto was so distraught over the death of Eric he forgot to take care of himself. Textbook healer. I think.

Allocate 2E from Rod into Unicorn Feathering, apply it to self once, then reinvest into Rod with the Ferocity Vivification.

[lostsole31]

With Ozzy in the lead, the party travels ~25' to the NE before reaching a N/S split in the passage.

What now?

[bcool999]

Ozlech

Ozzy will take a look around and see if there are any differences in the paths.

Should they appear mostly the same to his senses, he will say, ”The path splits, any preferences or should I flip a coin?”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Perception Checks on both paths of the split, Darkvision, Scent if I can maintain Spirit Sensing Stance, and the 60ft cone of light from White Riders Sash apply as needed.

[AggressiveBread]

Rodriguez takes a swig from his water skin before pointing down the passage to the right.”My heart says that way. I’m sure we’ll loop back eventually anyhow.” He looks at Apophis.”You climb as fast as you slither on the ground. If you can, keep on the walls or up high to free up some space. Be ready to pounce.”

[bcool999]

Ozlech

After sniffing, Ozzy makes a face of disgust and says, softer now, ”You may be right. The North path has a stink about it. Not sure if it’s Trogs though.”

Ozzy will fish out his Soothe Syrup and down it before saying, “We will go North barring any objections. Everyone ready?”

[AggressiveBread]

Rodriguez will also drink his soothe syrup”I’m right behind you.” he will also cast a spell on his eidolon, creating a barrier around Apophis

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Cast shield on Apophis

[lostsole31]

The ceiling height is only 7' in the passageways, and no more than 10' in the caverns (unless noted). That, and the slick rocks surfaces are such that Apophis is sure he wouldn't be able to climb them anyway. So, Apophis will merely go in front of Rod, with the protection of the magic the latter bestowed on it.

The group then begins north, with Ginny riding on Ozzy's shoulder. As you move forward, this twisting tunnel is thick with hanging stalactites that glitter strangely. They seem to have crystalline veins running through them as well as larger nodes of translucent crystal. A musty, foul stench wafts from the darkened passage beyond.

Ozzy's knowledge and sense of smell determines that it is the smell of troglodytes. You are on the right trail, it seems.

This twisting cavern has little alcoves and nooks sometimes that you have to be care of, in case something is hiding around them, but the group moves forward purposefully.

Surprise Round ...

S13: A small stalactite hangs from the cavern ceiling, seemingly suffused with strange crystalline veins and nodules. Without warning, its crystalline elements begin glowing faintly and crackling with barely restrained energy, just before those lights strobe out painfully to the eyes! Ginny and Apophis are both dazzled by the effect!

S9: Another of the stalactites, next to the first and both in front of and just above Ozzy also gives a strobing flare. This time, Visto, Ginny, and Rod are dazzled (and Ginny and Apophis both affected further).

Begin Round One ...

R1T18: Visto, you are dazzled right now. What do you do?

[meemaas]

With the rush of the attack and the threat of the creature he has noticed, Visto's power over storms, muted as it may be within the tunnel, starts to rage, and he brings it to bear upon the creature, causing the sound of a crack of thunder to resound within the tunnel.

Spoiler

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Nonaction: Generate 1 Storm Essence and invest it into The Uproar.
Standard action: Activate the uproar targetting Red as he sees it on the map.

Red must make a Fort Save. On fail, it takes (3d4)[8] Sonic damage, becomes Deafened for 1 minute, and is flat-footed until the end of Visto's next turn. On a success, takes half damage and is Deafened for 1 round.

[lostsole31]

R1T18: With the rush of the attack and the threat of the creature he has noticed, Visto's power over storms, muted as it may be within the tunnel, starts to rage, and he brings it to bear upon the creature, causing the sound of a crack of thunder to resound within the tunnel. A sudden peal of thunder then booms next to Red for 4 sonic + deafened.

R1T16: Sol calls out, "Darklands sentinels! Magic beasts, so physically tough. That flare you saw might be a visual alarm for others, but with Visto's thunder, I guess it doesn't matter. Immune to electricity. Sense vibrations in the ground."

Sol concentrates, and a 4-foot sphere of fire appears in the tunnel right below a sentinel before the sphere pops upwards to burn Blue for 4 fire. The flaming sphere drops back to the ground.

R1T14: Ozzy, you are currently dazzled. What do you do? What do you have Ginny do?

[bcool999]

Ozlech

Spoiler: Ozzy >>> Ginny

Show

”Attack Visto’s target!”

After Ginny makes her move Ozzy acts. Ozzy channels Essence into his spear and stabs at the nearest Sentinel with a strike before ducking back hopefully out of range of retaliation.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

FA: Telepathy Ginny
SwA: Reallocate 2 Essence from Ring of the Abjurer to the LPSoL.

Standard Action: Sands of Time Approach.
Attack: (1d20+10)[13]
Damage: (1d4+2)[3] or (1d6+2)[3] or (1d8+2)[7] + (2d6)[8] Akashic Damage.

If hit Will save DC 17 vs Fatigue for 1d4 rounds.

(Don’t think the +2 to damage is accurate but that is what is on the sheet)

[lostsole31]

R1T14:

Spoiler: Ozzy >>> Ginny

Show

”Attack Visto’s target!”

Ginny darts off of Ozzy's shoulder to move forward aerobatically to give a vicious peck to the one sentinel for 5 before attempting a wingover and fails, falling to the ground. Because it is crowded where she is, she is still acrobatic in not getting hit by a counter attack, but she lands and stumbles and falls by Ozzy.

Ozzy channels Essence into his spear and stabs at the nearest Sentinel with a strike (that hits against its stony shell) before ducking back hopefully out of range of retaliation.

R1T13: Red reaches down to snap at the fallen raven, but being on the ceiling misjudges the distance and misses.

R1T12: Rodriguez, you are dazzled by the sparky lights, but can otherwise act normally. What do you do?

[AggressiveBread]

Rodriguez begins chanting fiercely, slamming the haft of his weapon on the stone floor to make a backbeat. He pulls a water skin of alcohol off his belt and holds it in his tail. He then moves as close as he can to one of the creatures before shouting to his eidolon.”Go for the one straight to the north! Flank it if you can!”

Spoiler: OOc

Show

STA:begin raging song (everyone affected gains lesser spirit totem)
SWA: use prehensile tail to retrieve a water skin from my belt.MA: try to move within 5ft of red so the spirit can attack it.

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Rodriguez begins chanting fiercely, slamming the haft of his weapon on the stone floor to make a backbeat. He pulls a water skin of alcohol off his belt and holds it in his tail. He then moves as close as he can to one of the creatures before shouting to his eidolon.”Go for the one straight to the north! Flank it if you can!”

A screaming maenad tears her nails into the sentinel for 8 NE.

R1T10: Apophis moves forward to try to get past the sentinels but fails, but at least he doesn't get burned by Sol's sphere for trying it. A screaming maenad wisping around him misses the sentinel.

R1T9: Blue shuffles north along the ceiling before letting loose with an arcing spark that hits Apophis for 6 electricity (he doesn't appear harmed, though).

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T18: Visto, do you take the rage song? You are dazzled. What do you do?

Sol on deck, Ozzy/ Ginny in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Visto shakes off the power of the music, allowing the power of storms to rage within him to empower him further, he launches another crack of thunder upon his target.

Spoiler

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Nonaction: Generate 1 Storm Essence and invest it into The Uproar (2E total)

Standard action: Trigger the Uproar on Red again.

Damage (4d4)[8], Fort Save for half and Deafened for 1 round, otherwise Deafened for 1 minute and flat-footed until the beginning of Visto's next turn.

[lostsole31]

R2T18: Visto shakes off the power of the music, allowing the power of storms to rage within him to empower him further, he launches another crack of thunder upon his target. Maybe because the creature had been deafened previously, but just as it is shaking the effects of that last off, its reduced hearing helps protect it from the next peal of thunder to only take 4 sonic + deafened.

R2T16: Sol has his flaming sphere jump up again, but his fiery emotions are not as good as his alchemical analysis, and this time the sentinel ducks out of the way as the sphere pops back down to the ground underneath it.

R2T14-13.9: Ozzy, you are still dazzled, and now Ginny is prone (and dazzled). Do you take the raging song? What do you do? What do you have Ginny do?

Red on deck, Rod in the hole ...

[bcool999]

Ozlech

Spoiler: Ozzy >>> Ginny

Show

”Wait for my strike before standing!”

Letting the hot blooded emotions from the song fill him, Ozzy switches stance before letting loose a strike at Red!

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Non-Action: Accept Raging Song (no modifiers applied for this below)
FA: Tele Ginny to take turn and get up after Ozzy.
SwA: Enter Aura of Misfortune Stance
SA: Initiate Strike the Hourglass strike on Red which generates Gloom for Ginny and gives foes in the Gloom area a curse and -2 penalty to reflex saves.

Attack: (1d20+10)[14] (+1 for dark focus not added)
Damage: (1d4+1)[5] or (1d6+1)[4] or (1d8+1)[8] + (2d6)[8] Akashic Damage (+1 for dark focus not added)
If hit, Will save vs DC 17 or only take a single Move or Standard Action next turn.

[lostsole31]

R2T14-13.9:

Spoiler: Ozzy >>> Ginny

Show

”Wait for my strike before standing!”

Letting the hot-blooded emotions from the song fill him, Ozzy switches stance before letting loose a strike at Red, his dark focus and enraged strength carrying the strike through to hit the sentinel for 15, which is enough for it to drop off the ceiling onto the floor, unmoving. Despite the screaming maenad's ghostly emanation from Ozzy, it bounces its fist against the sentinel's carapace.

A deep gloom forms around Ginny and she hops onto her legs as she caws angrily and pecks at the sentinel out of spite for 8. Her maenad doesn't attack it.

R2T12: Rod, you are still dazzled, and singing a raging song while holding a waterskin with your tail. The remaining sentinel has a flaming sphere directly underneath it that doesn't show, so be careful. What do you do?

Apophis on deck, Blue in the hole ...

[AggressiveBread]

Rodriguez takes a swig of the mead in his waterskin. Seemingly invigorated, he barely pauses his chanting even to breath. He moves to the north east of Apophis pointing his weapon at the creature.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

FA: maintain raging song
MA: drink a serving of alcohol from the waterskin in his tail, which prevents a round of raging song from being spent. (Comes from the drunken dancer class ability)
SA: try to move within 5 ft of the creature without standing in the orb. If that’s not possible, he moves to the square to the northeast of Apophis.

[lostsole31]

R2T12: Rodriguez takes a swig of the mead in his waterskin. Seemingly invigorated, he barely pauses his chanting even to breath. He moves to the north east of Apophis pointing his weapon at the creature. His maenad strikes the sentinel for 9 NE.

R2T10: Apophis is still dazzled and taking the raging song, and slithers forward to create a fighting line with his master. He lashes out to bite the sentinel through its rocky hide for 9, but does not grab on. His tail slap then smacks the creature for 8, which disables the creature.

R2T9: The creature, doomed as it is, scuttles back along the ceiling just enough to begin a chargeup of electricity. Rod tries to stop it with his guisarme, but misses. An arc reaches out to strikes Rod in his upper left thigh for 4 electricity. Wounded and exhausted, the creature falls to the ground, taking 4 from the impact, and is not moving.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T18: Visto, what do you do? You are still dazzled from the after effects of strobing.

Sol on deck, Ozzy/ Ginny in the hole ...

[meemaas]

The power of storm continues to rage within Visto, but the power of his veil has reached its limit. Nonetheless, he draws upon that veil and launches another crack of thunder by the surviving creature.

Spoiler

Show

Nonaction: Generate one Storm Essence and invest it into Soothing Rains Storm power.
Standard action: Use The Uproar targeting Blue.

Damage (4d4)[7], Fort Save for half and Deafened for 1 round, otherwise Deafened for 1 minute and flat-footed until the beginning of Visto's next turn.

[lostsole31]

R3T18: The power of storm continues to rage within Visto, but the power of his veil has reached its limit. Nonetheless, he draws upon that veil and launches another crack of thunder by the dying creature, which is now dead for sure.

R3T17: A troglodyte double moves in, having come from the west, to now stand before Rod.

R3T14: The wave of stench that hits with the troglodyte coming in is enough to sicken Sol. In response to that, he rolls his flaming sphere into the trog, but the trog beats it back with its club.

R3T14: Ozzy, you are still dazzled, and currently accepting raging song. Roll a Fort save vs. the troglodyte's stench. What do you do this round? What do you have Ginny do?