Good Strikes Back (IC)

[Aracor]

To arms, everyone!

She hastens everyone and then rushes to meet one of the middle spiders (X O O X) one of the O ones, doesn't matter which. That way she'll be more likely to be able to move a short distance and still get a full attack next round.

Spoiler: Actions

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Initiative roll: (1d20+21)[39]

Swift action: Cast Haste
Free action: Activate Arcane Strike. Sacrifice a 6th level spell to add +6 to attacks and +6d4 to damage for each attack.
Move action: Move up to a spider
Full-round action: Full attack on a spider

Attack 1: (1d20+42)[61] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 1 confirmation: (1d20+42)[59]

Damage 1: (2d6)[7] + 21 + (1d6)[2] Swift Surge + (1d6)[5] Cold + (6d4)[14] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 1: (2d6+21)[29]

Attack 2 (haste): (1d20+42)[44] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 2 confirmation: (1d20+42)[57]

Damage 2: (2d6)[9] + 21 + (1d6)[3] Swift Surge + (1d6)[6] Cold + (6d4)[16] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 2: (2d6+21)[28]

Attack 3: (1d20+37)[47] (Above 52 is a critical threat)
Attack 3 confirmation: (1d20+37)[57]

Damage 3: (2d6)[5] + 21 + (1d6)[5] Swift Surge + (1d6)[1] Cold + (6d4)[19] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 3: (2d6+21)[27]

Attack 4: (1d20+32)[37] (Above 47 is a critical threat)
Attack 4 confirmation: (1d20+32)[35]

Damage 4: (2d6)[8] + 21 + (1d6)[6] Swift Surge + (1d6)[3] Cold + (6d4)[17] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 4: (2d6+21)[25]

Cliffnotes
Attack 1: 61 threat, 59 to confirm. 49 damage, 78 if crit (5 of which is cold)
Attack 2: 44 to hit. 55 damage (6 is cold)
Attack 3: 47 to hit. 51 damage (1 is cold)
Attack 4: 37 to hit. 55 damage (3 is cold)

[Cavir]

Atalanta

Her eyes catch the unnatural nature of the enemy, something vaguely human about them. In a flash her bow was the source of streaks of force whittling down the spiders.

Spoiler: OOC

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Sorry, I am out of town this week.

Full Attack with Rapid Shot and Woodland Archer (+4 to hit after a miss). Assuming she knows it is some kind of magical beast.

Haste: (1d20+30)[33] (+18 BAB, +8 DEX, +2 Bow, +1 PBS, +1 Haste)
Damage: (4d6+15)[31] (2d6 arrows, 2d6 bane, +2 bow, +2 FE, +3 Imp FE, +4 Hunting, +3 STR, +1 PBS) Force

Rapid: (1d20+30)[45]
Damage: (4d6+15)[30]

Attack1: (1d20+30)[38]
Damage: (4d6+15)[26]

Attack2: (1d20+25)[36]
Damage: (4d6+15)[21]

Attack3: (1d20+20)[32]
Damage: (4d6+15)[26]

Attack4: (1d20+15)[16]
Damage: (4d6+15)[31]

[ngilop]

Well spiders are NOT supposed to look like that! Tinac says loudly as the 4 of them climb aboard the ship. He quickly takes a deep breathe in an unleashes a horrifyingly loud roar, but one that soothes his allies.. the same cannot be said of the colossal bugs.

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative: (1d20+5)[22]
Lion's Roar Fort DC 26 (9d8)[56] failed save stuns for 1 round.
(1d8+18)[23] temp HP for all allies plus a 1 morale to attacks and saves vs fear.
Available Spells Remaining
Zero: 6
[LIST=1][*] 8 +1[*] 8 +1[*] 8 +1[*] 8 +1[*] 5 +1[*] 3 +1[*] 5 +1[*] 4 +1[*] 4 +1

[Cavir]

Sora

Creatures looking to make her and the others a snack in a classic situation. Sora didn't need to ponder her spells. An accelerated casting called forth an arc of lightning between the beasts.The spell was followed by a conjuration of a sphere of the blackest black. It's first target was one of the closer spiders that had already felt the lightning bolt.

Spoiler: OOC

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Know (Arcana) (1d20+25)[32]. Also interested in if they are mindless. If I determine they may be susceptible to mind affecting will immediately let Mulcri know.

Quickened Arc of Lightning (SL9). Getting as many of them as I can (hopefully at least 3) without hitting allies or the ship, preferably high up since the spiders are tall too. (19d6)[60] Electricity. Reflex DC 27 for half.

Sphere of Ultimate Destruction (SL9). First target is one of the spiders that survived being hit by the first spell (if any).
Ranged Touch: (1d20+17)[31]
Damage: (38d6)[117]
Fort DC 28. On pass just takes (5d6)[17].

[MikelaC1]

Spoiler: at Sora, Mulcri

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Vermin should be mindless, these creatures have given no indication of being better than that, just attacking you. However, they ar also bigger than even the colossal spiders that supposedly inhabit the deepest, darkest spots of the Amazon jungle.

When Mulcri attacks, this post will be edited.

[Debatra]

(Sorry about the delay.)

Mulcri will take to the air, bolstering her defenses before casting a spell to hinder their own movements.

Spoiler

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Initiative: Rolled 24 in OOC thread.

Cast Quickened Shield, then Slow targeting the spiders, Will 25 negates.

178/178
AC 42, T 32, FF 34, TFF 24
180' Darkvision, 120' Arcane Sight, 90' Blindsense

[MikelaC1]

Spoiler: Initiative

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Tessa, Sora, Mulcri, Tinac, Spiders, Atalanta, Otrera

Tessa slashes at a middle spider, connecting on all of her strikes, but the beast just absorbs the damage and keeps going. Sora's lightning arcs between 3 spiders (the one being engaged by Tessa is not hit, in order that she not get hit) and then her sphere rolls into the spider on the far right, again, all the beasts are all fully affected and all just keep on motoring. Mulcri's spell slows them all, reducing them to only one bite attack per round and denying them the ability to web up the group. Tinac roars loudly as well, further damaging the spiders but not stunning them as well as bolstering the party. The spiders bite, two spiders bite at Tessa, one misses but one connects for 21 but also injects its venom into her. (FORT DC30, or 9 STR damage), one spider bites at Hillock, who is immune to such sort of natural attacks and one bites at Tinac, connecting for 25 and likewise injecting a venom (FORT DC30 or 8 STR damage). Atalanta unleashes a volley of arrows at the far left spider, who also feels the ghostly touch of Hillock draining him of constitution and damaging him as well.

Round two. Spider on Hillock/Atalanta has taken 238 points and 5 constitution
Spider on Tessa has taken 265
Spider on Tessa that she is not striking has taken 116
Spider on Tinac has taken 215 (that one took the sphere hit)
No spider dead yet

[Debatra]

Mulcri's arm shoots forward, and a burst of rainbow lights explodes on the deck, briefly engulfing the spiders.

Spoiler

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Lose Scintillating Pattern to spontaneously cast Heightened Major Image into Radiant Assault, covering as many of the spiders as can fit into a 20' radius burst, using Mastery of Shaping to keep everyone else safe.

Sighted creatures take (15d6)[44] damage and are dazed for 1d6*2 rounds, Will 31 for half damage and dazzled instead of dazed.

(They also technically get a save to disbelieve, but the spell is high enough level to be 100% real even if they succeed.)

201/178
AC 42, T 32, FF 34, TFF 24
180' Darkvision, 120' Arcane Sight, 90' Blindsense

[ngilop]

They can see me! Tinac shrieks. He swings his mace twice at the giant spider creature, knowing that he will not do as much damage as the rest of the group, but some is better than none.

Spoiler: OOC

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FOrtitude save (1d20+25)[44]
Att #1 (1d20+25)[35] dmg: (1d8+1)[9] wpn+ (2d6)[11] holy
Att #1 Confirm (1d20+25)[29] X2 +(3d6)[10] + DC 14 Fort or go blind + -4 Strength for 10 mins
Att #2 (1d20+25)[26] dmg: (1d8+1)[4] wpn+ (2d6)[9] holy
Att #2 COnfirm (1d20+25)[31] X2 + (3d6)[14] + DC 14 Fort or go blind + -4 Strength for 10 mins

[Aracor]

Tessa gracefully dodges through the spider mandibles, but one of them got lucky. She hisses with pain as they connect, and she makes a warding gesture as she feels the venom burning in her, then fade away again as her protective spell takes effect.

Then, she darts aside and leaves a trail of cuts behind her again. These things are TOUGH!

Spoiler: Actions

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Free action: Activate Arcane Strike. Sacrifice a 6th level spell to add +6 to attacks and +6d4 to damage for each attack.
Move action: Move 10 feet sideways to activate Skirmish. If this provokes an attack of opportunity, so be it.
Full-round action: Full attack on a spider

Attack 1: (1d20+42)[45] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 1 confirmation: (1d20+42)[43]

Damage 1: (2d6)[10] + 21 + (1d6)[2] Swift Surge + (1d6)[6] Cold + (6d4)[15] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 1: (2d6+21)[28]

Attack 2 (haste): (1d20+42)[60] (Above 57 is a critical threat)
Attack 2 confirmation: (1d20+42)[55]

Damage 2: (2d6)[2] + 21 + (1d6)[6] Swift Surge + (1d6)[4] Cold + (6d4)[11] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 2: (2d6+21)[27]

Attack 3: (1d20+37)[41] (Above 52 is a critical threat)
Attack 3 confirmation: (1d20+37)[55]

Damage 3: (2d6)[7] + 21 + (1d6)[6] Swift Surge + (1d6)[3] Cold + (6d4)[13] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 3: (2d6+21)[28]

Attack 4: (1d20+32)[36] (Above 47 is a critical threat)
Attack 4 confirmation: (1d20+32)[39]

Damage 4: (2d6)[6] + 21 + (1d6)[6] Swift Surge + (1d6)[5] Cold + (6d4)[15] Arcane Strike
Confirmation damage 4: (2d6+21)[27]

Cliffnotes
Attack 1: 45 to hit, 54 damage (6 cold)
Attack 2: 60 to hit, 55 to confirm, 44 damage (4 cold), 71 if it crits
Attack 3: 41 to hit, 50 damage (3 cold)
Attack 4: 36 to hit, 53 damage (5 cold)

[Toliudar]

Otrera

Batting cleanup, as it were, Otrera and Hillock watch their colleagues tear into the massive predators. When their turn comes, they square off side by side against a surviving beast. As one, they transform into flaming devils and tear into the spider.

Spoiler: OOC

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Both Otrera and Hillock turn into Pit Fiends, which are immune to poison.

Otrera full attack:
Claw 1 Attack: (1d20+28)[44] Slashing Damage: (2d8+17)[27]
Claw 2 Attack: (1d20+28)[44] Slashing Damage: (2d8+17)[31]
Wing 1 Attack: (1d20+23)[37] Slashing Damage: (2d6+8)[14]
Wing 2 Attack: (1d20+23)[28] Slashing Damage: (2d6+8)[17]
Bite Attack: (1d20+23)[35] Damage: (4d6+8)[18] + Poison (DC 27 or take (1d6)[6] Constitution damage
Tail Attack: (1d20+23)[41] Bludgeoning Damage: (2d8+8)[13]

Hillock full attack:
Claw 1 Attack: (1d20+32)[38] Slashing Damage: (2d8+17)[24]
Claw 2 Attack: (1d20+32)[52] Slashing Damage: (2d8+17)[26]
Wing 1 Attack: (1d20+32)[38] Slashing Damage: (2d6+8)[14]
Wing 2 Attack: (1d20+32)[52] Slashing Damage: (2d6+8)[15]
Bite Attack: (1d20+32)[52] Damage: (4d6+8)[23] + Poison (DC 21 or take (1d6)[3] Constitution damage
Tail Attack: (1d20+32)[38] Bludgeoning Damage: (2d8+8)[14]

[Cavir]

Sora

Sora was impressed with the spiders' resiliency. Were they really native to the area or were they outright attacks from some greater enemy? First centipedes, now spiders. Either way, they would soon be dead. As much as she disapproved of the forms, the fiends that Otrera and Hillock had transformed into opened up her spell options. She casts a significantly enhanced fireball to go off above the spiders, trying to catch as many of the spiders as she could without hitting the ship rigging. She knew her allies in fiendish form were invulnerable to the spell so she was fine with the spell enveloping them too. She then directed the black sphere at the closest spider still alive.

Spoiler: OOC

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I forgot the Warmage extra damage last round. My bad.

Fireball: Widened (if it doesn't mean affecting the ship), Empowered, Quickened (SL8). Probably going to mess with the webs the spiders are on too.
(19d6+44)[106] * 1.5, Reflex DC27 for half

Sphere of Ultimate Destruction touch attack: (1d20+18)[31] (+1 haste, +1 Lion's Roar)
Damage: (38d6+44)[189]
Fort DC 28. On pass just takes (5d6+44)[64] (the warmage bonus damage occurs only once per spell but I didn't use it on the first round.

[MikelaC1]

Tessa continues her chop-chop and finally one of the spiders falls to her blade. Sora'a fireball explodes above the spider that Hillock and Otrera are engaging (anything lower is going to play holy hell with the rigging and lighting the webs on fire is just as bad seeing as they are all over the ship), and he too tumbles into the river (Cue piranha clean up crew). A third spider is blown out of existence by sphere, disappointing the hungry fish to no end (if one of them had a hand, he would flip Sora the bird) and then Mulcri's light show makes a spectacular display taking down the last opponent (we'll take it raw, thank you, just toss it here) But as the last spider falls, the almost human head turns to mage, croaking out Zikram will avenge us

[Aracor]

Tessa flicks the ichor off of her blade before she puts it away again, then floats back to the captain.

I...was under the impression that you have made this trip at least semi-regularly. Are these...NEW? This voyage seems insanely treacherous for you to manage it on a regular basis!

She looks both curious and perplexed.

[MikelaC1]

I usually dont come this far up river but even on the few trips I have made, I have never come across something like this. Not of this size anyway.

[Cavir]

Sora

The last spider splashes into the river. Sora glances around to ensure there are no further threats. "Stay clear of the black sphere. It's mine." She carefully uses the disintegrating sphere to eliminate most of the remaining webs, not getting too near to others or the ship. The warmage then dismisses the sphere.

I usually don't come this far up river but even on the few trips I have made, I have never come across something like this. Not of this size anyway.

"I have been on the river some but have not heard of any vermin that large. Captain Karl, seems you have some new bragging rights on the river. The fewer details of us in those stories the better for us, if you do not mind."

"The name Zikram is slightly familiar though. Dealt in creating abominations using humans. Supposedly dead but that seems erroneous. We should assume this Zikram knows of us. I'll send word back of that news. We should take more care for the remainder of the trip, assuming there will be more interference. Darkvision for me would be useful at night. If Greater Mage Armor would benefit anyone let me know. I'll conjure some protections for the captain and crew."

She casts a few protective spells that would last through most of the following day then takes a few minutes to come up with a message to send to High Priestess Tishtina Bindar II. If all is uneventful Sora will take the time to cast Sending.

Sending to Tishtina:
"Two waves of colossal creatures, centipedes then spiders with human features. Spiders declared 'Zikram will avenge us.' Zikram may still live. Any information on Zikram?"

[MikelaC1]

The reply is not long in coming. If Zikram is still alive he is a priority evil target. Please use all means to eliminate him.

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

As the spiders are dispatched into the water, Otrera and Hillock drift back to the deck and resume their form as amazon and parrot. Otrera helps to dispose of any webs that remain attached to the deck.

"It's a bit loopy that creatures that large have now been able to get the drop on us twice. Something - presumably this Zikram - seems to know we're coming, so I see no point in subtlety while we're on the river. From above, we should be able to see such large creatures from hundreds of feet away, and see things like a web blockade a mile or more downstream.

"Hillock and I will take watch from above until we reach the mountains. Any of you are welcome to join us up there. I'll wave if we spot anything coming."

She murmurs in her parrot's ear.

"Big Bird, Hillock!"

The parrot squawks and flies clear of the rigging before transforming into a magnificent multi-coloured bird of prey, almost as large as the transformed creatures that had been attacking. Otrera leaps into the air, becoming a matching bird, and the pair circle upward to a height of a couple of hundred feet.

Spoiler: OOC

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Both take the form of rocs and circle about 200' above the boat. Otrera and Hillock are now actively making spot checks for now, taking 10 for spot results of 52 for Otrera and 35 for Hillock. After 3 hours, she'll cast Animal Shapes on herself and Hillock (and anyone else who wanted to come up) to maintain the roc forms.

[Cavir]

Sora completes her meditative Sending spell. "The council says if Zikram still lives then he is a priority evil target for us to deal with."

"Teleporting those creatures into our path would take some work. Perhaps Zikram has moved to these wild parts to continue his work. Many such size creatures may leave a visible mark. A view from the sky may be useful but remember we are anchored for the night and it will be dark soon. I'll send out sentries for the night."

Sora casts Greater Prying Eyes. (1d4+19)[21] magical eyes appear. "Surround me at ranges of two hundred and three hundred feet and return if you spot any dangerous creatures." Unless otherwise destroyed, they keep watch until the following midday.

[MikelaC1]

From above, it is difficult to visually penetrate the mass of the jungle, but even from up there and down on the river, the trail of destruction left by the spiders is easy to see.

[Cavir]

With friendly rocs overhead, Atalanta takes to the air to see for herself.

Atalanta seeks the nearby trail of destruction and lands in a spot where she won't be trapped by webs. Knowing that the spiders were abominations heightened her urge to learn what she could. On the ground she studied the area. The tracks and more gave the ranger insights to the abnormal spiders that only a highly skilled ranger could learn from so little interaction.

Sora follows Atalanta along up into the air but for her own reasons. While Atalanta studied the details of the individual type of foe down below, the warmage was focused on the bigger picture. The trail of destruction left by the spiders meant they weren't just teleported to attack them. What direction did they come from? Was it random or meandering showing that the encounter may have been by chance? Were there other paths of destruction (on either side of the river) that pointed out more activity? Could she see the City of Gardens from a height? Could she see any other signs of intelligent construction that might give away Zikram's base? Still up above, Sora studied the area that Atalanta was interacting with so that she would be able to teleport the group there later on if need be.

Once both amazons were satisfied with their forays they returned to the ship for the night, keeping their watch as expected.

[MikelaC1]

The spiders came from a northerly direction and did not make it over the river. It appeared to be random as the spiders were just in pursuit of prey, instead of a specific direction. She cannot see the city from the height she achieves, nor can she see what might be Zikram's base. But one would presume that his base is at the end of the trail of the spiders.

[ngilop]

So, this Zikram guy makes those animal abominations? I do not feel well with that.

[Aracor]

I guess we have two big questions. Is this Zikram targeting us specifically? If so, and we're going to go straight after him, it might be safer for the captain to continue on his voyage without us. If they're wandering randomly, it might be best for the ship to simply set anchor and wait in a wide spot on the river for us to return.

Captain?

Her wispy form hovers along with the ship, and c.o.c.k.s. her head curiously as she waits for his response.


...edit. Wow, apparently that word isn't allowed even in non-genatalia context.

[MikelaC1]

I have certain privileges in approaching the City but doing so without passengers would be pressing my luck. If you after this guy, I'll wait here out in the river

[Cavir]

Sora

"The path of the spiders seems random enough to be hunting as they go. It was not a straight path to the river. My conjecture is that these creatures were released or escaped from Zikram's base. The area is wild and dangerous enough for it to have gone unnoticed for now, and those who did notice were eaten. If we follow the spiders' path back it can help us find Zikram."

"To me the questions seem to be to finish our current mission first or head directly for Zikram. Tiffany did stress that Zikram is a priority and since we have a lead and the captain is willing to wait, we should move to stop Zikram, first. Thoughts? We can move out at first light if we all agree?""

Spoiler: OOC

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Does Sora have any sense of what the council's priority would be since the response did not specify?

Original, before DM's clarification
I propose we complete our current task first so we don't insult our hosts and then I can teleport us back to this spot. That would also allow us to discreetly give word of this problem to the right parties. We may also gain information to help find him.

[MikelaC1]

The reply is not long in coming. If Zikram is still alive he is a priority evil target. Please use all means to eliminate him.

ten characters

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

Back in her amazonian form, Otrera considers the growing darkness.

"Unless you have a hankering to try to follow the spider trail back through the jungle at night, I'll suggest that we tie up here, then, and set out to find this Zikram in the morning. Acceptable?"

[Cavir]

Spoiler: OOC

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The reply is not long in coming. If Zikram is still alive he is a priority evil target. Please use all means to eliminate him.

My post above has been updated.

[Cavir]

Atalanta

"Yes, let's go hunting in the morning."