Good Strikes Back (IC)

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

When Tessa talks about her dedication to the cause of racial survival, Otrera feels a pang. She had never thought of their lives in the desert as 'easy', but there were definitely harder lives out there. As Tessa demonstrates.

"My people, the Orestii, we have a permanent settlement in a desert canyon. A magic spring, a chain of caves, a souk. It is not glamorous, but we have earned the respect of most of our neighbours, and it has been a couple of years since we've had to beat back a dragon. No one gets fat -"

She glances down at her own spreading waist and shrugs.

"Well, too fat. But no one goes hungry. If you are ever ready to hang up that sword - or perhaps use it to train others - you would have a place of honour among us."

--

When Karl calls for folks to keep watch, Otrera raised her hand.

"I can take a middle-of-night watch."

[Cavir]

"Of course. Besides which, it's already served its purpose in getting us here." With a wave of the hand, the group resumes their normal appearances.

Sora nods in thanks then heads up to the deck and takes in the scenery while listening to the others. She notes the effective use of the bag supplying wind. When the question of watches comes up, Sora speaks up.

"May I suggest Tinac and myself for the evening shift, Otrera, Hillock, and Atalanta for the mid shift, then Tessa and Mulcri for the pre dawn shift?"

Sora spends a minute casting a spell. A group of small orbs are conjured. She sends them outward to keep watch at a further distance.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Greater Prying eyes. (1d4+10)[13] eyes. Lasts 19 hours.
"Surround me at a range of two hundred feet and return if you spot any dangerous creatures."

EDIT: Also renewing these spells before the 8 hour requirement. 19 hours duration each
Protection from Arrows
Moment of Prescience

[ngilop]

Evening shift is fine with me. As long as I do not have to get in the water. Tinac adds the later part jokingly.

[MikelaC1]

The first night on the river seems long to those not used to it, there seems to be a lot of sounds, more than they expected. The calls of the bullfrogs seem incessant, and there is the occasional splash in the river as a jumping fish catches a fly. Numerous times, they see the eyes of a hunting cat deeper in the jungle, but the torches on the boat dissuade them from trying to take meal there. There are even nocturnal birds on the wing with either hunting or mating calls as they fly past the river and the boat. At one point, a small water snake slithers onto the deck, but it is easily kicked back into the Amazon, where it heads off in search of more docile prey.
At long last, dawn breaks and crew make the ship ready to move. The bag of wind had been closed over night so it has recharged itself and once again the crew places it and opens it enough to move the ship forward. Captain Karl has numerous maps of the river but he rarely seems to consult them, instead, relies on his ever present spyglass and soundings taken by crew on the sides of the craft.

[Toliudar]

Otrera

Otrera glances up, nodding immediately at Sora's suggestion.

"Excellent! Then I will turn in a bit early and be ready to rise in the dark. But not in a creepy way."

She turns to Tessa.

"You'll excuse me?"

Her parrot still on her head, Otrera heads down to her bunk.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Once the boat ties up, Otrera will activate her bead of Karma and cast the following (on herself and shared with Hillock unless noted otherwise), CL 22:
Endure elements
Energy Immunity: Acid
Superior Resistance (+6 to saves)
Heart of Fire (fire resistance 10, land movement +10')
Heart of Earth (+15 HP, bonuses vs bull rush, overrun, grapple)
Heart of Water (breathe water, swim speed)
Heart of Air (+10' fly speed), Immune to criticals & precision damage with all 4 heart spells
Magic Fang, Greater (+1 to all natural attacks)
Animal Shapes (cast on Hillock - parrot form)

During her watch, Otrera will cast greater blindsight (shared with Hillock), and periodically use Summon Elemental to put a small water elemental circling the boat, with orders for it to pop up if it spots anything bigger than it down below.

[Debatra]

"I have a spell that allows me to remain alert throughout the night, so I can stay on deck with all of the watches. Unfortunately, I can't cast it on other people. Perhaps something to look into when we're finished here." When the time comes, Mulcri will prepare and cast Vigilant Slumber alongside her nightly routine, to awaken her if anything threatens the ship or its occupants.

[Aracor]

Sounds good to me! Wake me when it's my turn and I'll keep an eye on things.

[MikelaC1]

The second day of travel goes a bit slower than the first as Karl and the crew have to deal with sand bars and back currents, along with no winds at all, but they still make progress. The group keeps the same watches as the night before, and once again, nothing bothers the group. The third day starts out just as calm and the group is beginning to feel that the dangers of Amazon river travels are overstated, when suddenly there are two large bangs and the ship lists badly under the weight of two colossal centipedes that have just dropped in for a snack. Normally herbivores, these two dont seem adverse to supplementing their diets with fresh meat. While the crew heads underdeck to frantically man the bilge pumps to keep you from sinking completely, its up to you to deal with these menaces.

Spoiler

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No one has surprise here, so its a straight initiative roll and state actions.

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

The desert chieftain looks over as the pair of massive centipedes drop down on them, and her first thought is: Goodness. They DO make sturdy trees here in the jungle.

Tessa's quickening magic sweeps through Otrera and Hillock, giving extra drive to their movements to come.

Not wanting to add to the weight already bearing the ship down - or to risk damaging the deck with fire or acid, Otrera rushes for the railing and weaves her spell of transformation. Her parrot, Hillock, dives toward the water and vanishes briefly under the water. A dozen massive blue snake heads rise up out of the water and send blasts of icy air over the pair of centipedes.

"I'll try to stabilize the ship."

With that cryptic comment, Otrera also leaps over the side of the boat and disappears. The badly listing form of the ship soon moves a bit back towards righting itself.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Otrera casts shapechange. Both Otrera and Hillock drop into the water. Otrera transforms into a Huge Water Elemental and tries to brace the ship so that it doesn't capsize.

Hillock transforms into a 12 headed cryohydra, and all 12 heads breathe on the pair of centipedes. Reflex DC 23 for half for each:
(3d6)[7]
(3d6)[9]
(3d6)[13]
(3d6)[8]
(3d6)[10]
(3d6)[9]
(3d6)[13]
(3d6)[10]
(3d6)[14]
(3d6)[12]
(3d6)[11]
(3d6)[14]

[Aracor]

Tessa reacts instantly to the threat, boosting herself and her allies, and then charging in.

Spoiler: Actions

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Initiative Roll: (1d20+21)[34]
Swift action: Cast Haste
Move action: Move within 10 feet of one of the centipedes.
Free action: Activate Arcane Strike. Sacrifice a 6th level spell to add +6 to attacks and +6d4 damage to every attack.
Full-round action: Full attack.


Attack 1: (1d20+42)[49] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 1 confirmation: (1d20+42)[49]

Damage 1: (2d6+21)[28] + (1d6)[6] Swift Surge + (1d6)[5] Cold + (6d4)[20] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 1: (2d6+21)[31]

Attack 2 (haste): (1d20+42)[62] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 2 confirmation: (1d20+42)[56]

Damage 2: (2d6+21)[24] + (1d6)[5] Swift Surge + (1d6)[2] Cold + (6d4)[14] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 2: (2d6+21)[31]

Attack 3: (1d20+37)[49] (Above 52 is a critical threat)
Attack 3 confirmation: (1d20+37)[53]

Damage 3: (2d6+21)[30] + (1d6)[1] Swift Surge + (1d6)[6] Cold + (6d4)[20] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 3: (2d6+21)[29]

Attack 4: (1d20+32)[38] (Above 47 is a critical threat)
Attack 4 confirmation: (1d20+32)[52]

Damage 4: (2d6+21)[27] + (1d6)[4] Swift Surge + (1d6)[5] Cold + (6d4)[14] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 4: (2d6+21)[29]

[Toliudar]

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Otrera initiative: (1d20+6)[22]

[Cavir]

Atalanta

The ranger was surprised her companion eagle Nerva had missed two colossal in the overhanging jungle. A nap, perhaps. More likely those things seemed like giant branches. Atalanta preferred to let wildlife live but not at the expense of those under her protection, including herself. Their corpses would feed many smaller creatures.

Using her Cloudrunner Anklets she started stepping back, up and away from the deck. She fires off a large volley of force arrows at the centipede not targeted by Tessa.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

5' step back and up. Full attack with haste, Point Blank Shot, Woodland Archer (+4 to hit after first miss), Improved Rapid Shot.

Haste: (1d20+30)[42] (+18 BAB, +8 DEX, +2 Bow, +1 PBS, +1 Haste)
Damage: (2d6+5)[16] (2d6 arrows, +2 Bow +2 STR, +1 PBS) Force

Rapid Shot: (1d20+30)[36]
Damage: (2d6+5)[13]

Attack1: (1d20+30)[37]
Damage: (2d6+5)[12]

Attack2: (1d20+25)[28]
Damage: (2d6+5)[10]

Attack3: (1d20+20)[30]
Damage: (2d6+5)[12]

Attack4: (1d20+15)[30]
Damage: (2d6+5)[13]

[ngilop]

Tinac eyes go wide as his compatriots just unleash devastation upon the massive insects They were just hungry... he says in a shocked tone.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Initiative: (1d20+5)[19]

[Cavir]

Sora

The centipedes were impressive in size but unsurprising for where they are. Sora was happy the creatures didn't land and flatten anyone, nor significantly damage the ship. She floats up and away from the creatures while throwing a small electric orb at the same centipede Atalanta was firing at. It hit much harder than one would assume for its size.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Moving up and away (40' perfect flight) without getting too close to the jungle and then inviting more trouble.

Lesser Orb of Electricity, with Warmage Edge and Improved Warmage Edge.
Touch Attack: (1d20+16)[21]
Damage: (14d8+44)[99]

[Debatra]

"They're hungry, and we would like to live. If they run off, they can too." With that, Mulcri takes to the air as three jets of flame fly from her hand towards one of the behemoths.

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+19)[27]

If she would go before Sora, she will delay until after her. Sacrifice a casting of Suggestion for Major Image into Scorching Ray, all three rays targeting the one Sora blasted if it's still alive or the other if it isn't.

Will disbelief 25 for 50% effect.

(1d20+15)[18]
(4d6)[17]

(1d20+15)[17]
(4d6)[14]

(1d20+15)[29]
(4d6)[22]

[MikelaC1]

As Otrera and Hillock work to stabilize the ship, the rest of the party unleashes an absolute storm of destruction on the centipedes. All of Tessa's strikes connect as do all of Atalanta's while Sora's and Mulcri's cause even more damage to the beasts while the hydra blasts them even further. But almost impossibly, both centipedes keep on going although its clear that both are close to death. With all other opponents floating out of distance, both centipedes snap at Tessa but the superior defense of the amazon frustrate their attacks.

ROUND TWO: Both centipedes badly damaged but still going

[Aracor]

Sure, they're just hungry! But I don't exactly want to be the meal, so I'm going to either strike them down or drive them away!

She then flits between the two of them, and starts putting her scimitar to work.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Swift action: Activate Anklet of Translocation to appear 10 feet from where she started and preferably where she can strike both of the centipedes.
Free action: Activate Arcane Strike. Sacrifice a 6th level spell to add +6 to attacks and +6d4 damage to every attack.
Full-round action: Full attack.
Standard action: Defensively cast Night's Caress and touch whichever one is still remaining.


Attack 1: (1d20+42)[44] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 1 confirmation: (1d20+42)[50]

Damage 1: (2d6)[6] + (1d6)[5] Swift Surge + (1d6)[2] Cold + (6d4)[17] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 1: 2d6+21

Attack 2 (haste): (1d20+42)[51] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 2 confirmation: (1d20+42)[46]

Damage 2: (2d6)[9] + (1d6)[2] Swift Surge + (1d6)[1] Cold + (6d4)[16] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 2: 2d6+21

Attack 3: (1d20+37)[53] (Above 52 is a critical threat)
Attack 3 confirmation: (1d20+37)[55]

Damage 3: (2d6)[7] + (1d6)[2] Swift Surge + (1d6)[1] Cold + (6d4)[10] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 3: 2d6+21

Attack 4: (1d20+32)[45] (Above 47 is a critical threat)
Attack 4 confirmation: (1d20+42)[54]

Damage 4: (2d6)[5] + (1d6)[6] Swift Surge + (1d6)[3] Cold + (6d4)[14] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 4: 2d6+21

Touch attack for Night's Caress: (1d20+42)[53]
Damage for Night's Caress: (15d6)[55]
There is no save for the damage on Night's Caress. The centipede must make a DC 25 Fortitude save to avoid taking (1d6+2)[6] constitution damage.

Simplified damage for bookkeeping:
Attack 1: 51
Attack 2: 49
Attack 3: 41, 66 if it's a crit
Attack 4: 49

[MikelaC1]

Tessa's shocking display of swordplay finishes off both centipedes

[ngilop]

Tinac walks over as the centipedes sink into the waters below the boat and says a short prayer We could have just given them some cheese. Animals have needs as well.

[Toliudar]

Otrera

Otrera beckons Hillock with a watery pseudopod. The twelve-headed not-a-parrot disappears beneath the water's surface, and becomes an even larger version of the water elemental form that Otrera has assumed.

Together they work to cradle the hull where the added weight of the centipedes are adding pressure.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Hillock becomes an elder water elemental and goes to help hold up the boat.

[Cavir]

Sora saves on a destructive spell thanks to the others' finely honed skills but the carcasses still weighed on the ship. She instead casts Telekinesis and one at a time works the dead weight off. She assumes the ship getting much lighter is a signal to Otrera that they can come back up. She'll call the all clear down the stairway too. If they captain and crew are willing she'll cast protective spells on each of them. "Captain, how many more days to the City?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Greater Mage Armor on the captain, Mage Armor on the two crew. Lasts 19 hours. Will start doing this each morning if they agree.

[MikelaC1]

Both carcasses fall into the water with a splash and it seems like a silence comes over the jungle, almost as if it was holding its breath.

Then it happens.

It starts with a few bubbles that turns into a froth. Within seconds, the froth turns red as it builds quickly. The froth builds to a crescendo with bits of flesh and blood flying, the party also sometimes sees the outline of what appears to be a fish. There seems to be no end to it and then just as quickly as it built up, it fades away and the river resumes its normal appearance. As the ship pulls out into the river proper, the party happens to look over the side and there is not the slightest trace of anything left in the river.

Cpn Karl says it will be about 4-5 more days

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

Fascinated to see this natural extension of the natural order amplified a hundred times, Otrera and Hillock remain below the surface in water form, watching the furor around them build and subside. Fascinating.

Once the feeding frenzy had dispersed, Otrera make their way back up onto the deck and into the previous forms as tourist and parrot.

"Well, that was invigorating. I've heard that such cruises often have live entertainment of some kind, but I had envisioned something more along the lines of a boy with a pan flute."

[Aracor]

Tessa winks at Otrera.

I told you to watch out for the bugs, though I must admit I've never seen any quite that...large...before.

Could they have been grown by magic?

Mulcri, did they happen to have any auras on them?

[Toliudar]

Otrera

Otrera chuckles at Tessa's words.

"I hope you're not telling me I'm going to have to watch out for those in my bedroll at night."

[Cavir]

"Perfectly normal in this part of the world. Should always check your bedroll."

Sora stands near the bow, watching the sights go by.

[Debatra]

"Those were the largest I've seen, but no, they can absolutely grow that large on their own."

[ngilop]

Big bugs might mean even bigger birds... Tinac states, letting the end of his sentence trail off.

[MikelaC1]

The rest of the day passes without incident as does the night. The next day is also uneventful but as the boat prepares to drop anchor and pull close to the shore, the group suddenly realizes (too late) that there are spider webs that the ship is now entangled in. Seconds later, colossal spiders are swarming the ship, it doesnt seem possible that the webs could support them, but they clearly are. 4 spiders are climbing onto the ship and while their heads are clearly those of spiders, there seems to be something vaguely human about them.

Spoiler

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Initiative roll and actions please.

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

This trip was giving Otrera serious questions about how navigable this river actually was. At least, though, she had some context for what spiders this size might eat.

"I'll see if we can draw their attention, distract them."

Activating their shapeshifting magic again, Otrera turns to Hillock.

"Ghosties now, Hillock!"

The pair float up and forward, confronting the first of the two spiders directly. Hillock reaches out with an attempt to chill the spider in front of him to the...exoskeleton?

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative: (1d20+6)[17]

Otrera standard action: cast Shapechange, shared with Hillock
Free action: change into Dread Wraiths. They are incorporeal and immune to non-magical attacks.
Move action (both): move adjacent to one or more of the spiders. Their intent is to draw attacks of opportunity so that others don't.
Standard action (Hillock): incorporeal touch attack on a spider:
Melee touch attack: (1d20+28)[31]
Damage: (2d6)[9]
Fort save DC 18 or take (1d8)[5] Constitution damage.