Good Strikes Back (IC)

[BelGareth]

Raodan blinks, and the beast was slain. This group was truly impressive, he made a mental note to remember that.

Turning in time to avoid seeing the Pit fiend disembowel the wurm to rescue an elemental, Raodan grinned at the craziness of it all.

He nodded to Otrera in her wraith form, and moved to follow. "Of course"

Spoiler

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Raodan
HP's: 117/101
AC: 37
T: 29 FF: 29
Saves- F: +12 R: +24 W: +20
Effects: Heroe's Feast (16 temp HP, immunity to poison/fear for 12 hours & +1 morale to attack and will saves), Extended Superior Invisibility (34 minutes), True Seeing (160 minutes), Telepathic Bond (160 minutes), Mass Resist Energy, Fire and Cold 30 (~170 minutes), Foresight (170 minutes?), Ghost Mind (caster level check DC 38 vs scrying), Ghost Sight (see invisible and ethereal), trapfinding.

[MikelaC1]

There are no signs of life beyond the door and a quick search of the room reveals no magic. The elemental is quickly cut out of the worm and is in quite a huff about the whole situation.

[Debatra]

Mulcri will use her Third Eye to check behind the door as well.

"I apologize for my lack of contribution to that last battle. Many of my current spells are the sort that ought to be saved for something more substantial than a single angry beast. Quite the oversight on my part, I must admit. At least this was a simple enough creature to be handled without issue."

[MikelaC1]

The eye sees nothing but a corridor that appears to bend back towards the dwarf sleeping quarters

[Aracor]

Considering the fact that no one got hurt except for a summoned elemental, I think we're okay with you saving your spells for something more dangerous. The question is, why does this room even exist?

[Cavir]

Sora

"Better to kill it now than have it drop down while we are fighting below. Our next fight will be far more dangerous. Let us go head back and take the other passage to the refinery. We need to discuss strategy along the way."

"We seem to be facing a Pit Fiend, Ice Devil, giant, dwarf, and possibly the source of the voices. Maybe more if they can summon help. I'll need to cast Dimensional Anchor right away at least once so that no enemies live to warn others about us. Can someone take on Dispelling what they cast? I'm primarily concerned with what the Pit Fiend can cast. I can take on dispelling later but I have many devastating spells with their names on it. Once we know they can't escape I can let loose. For those in melee please stay on our side of the battle. Many of my spells need space. Don't want any of you to feel a prismatic spray or worse."

"The Heroes Feast will protect us from fear. Stay within 20' of me for protection against stunning and confusion. This spell may not help most of you, but it will at least aid the elementals."

"And yes, the voices are much quieter now.


With the speed of thought, there's plenty of time for the others to pitch in their thoughts. Sora welcomes them.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast Mass Bear's Endurance on whole party including elementals. +4 CON enhancement for 19 minutes.
Large elementals get +16hp = 113hp each minus the damage L1 has from the worm.
Huge elemental gets +32hp = 240hp
In about 8 min, a greater earth elemental shows up, completing the summoning for that spell.

[Debatra]

"We should try to enter quietly. My divination is still up, so it would be a great benefit to know what magic they already have active. Once we have that information, I will open with a Reaving Dispel, most likely targeting the Pit Fiend. I also have one spell that can force several foes to teleport a short distance in a random direction. In addition to scattering their ranks, our Anticipate Teleportation will remove them from the fight for a while. I have Dimensional Anchor as well as Dimensional Lock ready if needed."

"I have one last Greater Invisibility available. The less powerful, shorter-term version I mean. Does anyone in particular want it?"

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

At Otrera's signal, the pair drift back to rejoin the main group.

*The presence of this chamber underground is indeed puzzling. Dwarves would have more care of their surroundings than to simply make a garbage dump in the middle of their mine complex. Nor is there any trace of the poisonous ore, as there might be if this place was used as a repository.

*Still, these are questions we can ask the fiends later, if need be. Thank you for your kind offer, Mulcri, but I'll rely on other methods to avoid detection. We should go, before the shift change begins, yes?*

When the others signal their readiness, Otrera and Hillock once again sink into the floor so as to take the lead, watching for any traps in the floor or signs of life in the passageway ahead.

[Aracor]

I can throw a dispel or two if necessary. And Starlight Grace (her sword) is more effective against outsiders, so that should help as well. And if no one else wants an invisibility spell, I'll take it.

I can cast Haste and hit everyone with it this time including all of the elementals. That should help us out.

Tessa will cast Ray Deflection on herself before we go in (duration 38 minutes).

[Cavir]

"The dwarves said the other passage leads to the refinery with access to the other level. Scouting ahead to the refinery where the ore should be would be good. From there we can divine what's below."

"This complex may be worked by dwarves, but they are just the slave labor. The worm was probably the devil's idea of a pet for cleanup and backup in case of attack."

[ngilop]

Tinac looks around at nods absent-mindedly as the rest of the group makes statements as to the nature of the chamber, as he has absolutely no knowledge of mining or stonework himself. I can recite a prayer to give us all an extra edge and them a malus once we get into the thick of things. Of course, if any become injured I have heals enough for all. If need be, I can unleash holy power upon the fiends if you need assistance in combatting them.

Spoiler: OOC

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Recitation gives +2 luck to attacks and saves (+3 if you also worship Endolin Domar) as well as a -2 luck penalty to enemies> this is a 60 foot burst with no save and last 18 rounds.

Holy word might not do much to the pit fiend, but might make the others severely weakened.

[BelGareth]

"Will the Pit fiend be able to see through our invisibility? I would be happy to scout ahead and report back."

Spoiler

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Raodan
HP's: 117/101
AC: 37
T: 29 FF: 29
Saves- F: +12 R: +24 W: +20
Effects: Heroe's Feast (16 temp HP, immunity to poison/fear for 12 hours & +1 morale to attack and will saves), Extended Superior Invisibility (34 minutes), True Seeing (160 minutes), Telepathic Bond (160 minutes), Mass Resist Energy, Fire and Cold 30 (~170 minutes), Foresight (170 minutes?), Ghost Mind (caster level check DC 38 vs scrying), Ghost Sight (see invisible and ethereal), trapfinding.

[Cavir]

Sora nods at Tinac's plans then turns to Raodan "Go ahead. With Otrera and Hillock you won't be alone and we won't be far behind. I imagine the enemy will be more focused on the next level, 'encouraging' the dwarves to work faster so we'll have the refinery and shaft to deal with first. Let's go." Sora and her escorts follow Raodan, a ways back, toward the refinery.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spells in effect:
Retributive Spell - Split ray Disintegrate (SL9)
Banner of the Storm's Eye (MIC151) 20' suppress fear, immune to stun/confused
Heroes Feast: 16 temp hp, +1 morale to attack and will saves, immune to poison and fear.
Greater Anticipate Teleport: 105' radius. 3 rounds delayed.
Greater Magic Weapon +4: Long Sword
Protection from Arrows
Moment of Prescience
Mass Darkvision
Telepathic Bond
Elemental Swarm: 5x Large earth (113hp each, L1 damaged), 1x Huge earth (240hp)
Absorption
Mass Resist Energy, Fire 30
Mass Resist Energy Cold 30
Chained Keen Edge
See Invisibility
Mass Bear's Endurance

Side note, Recitation:
The fiend may think differently about the spell after an energy drain or two

[MikelaC1]

The group proceeds to what they were told would be the refinery, going through the empty dwarf sleeping quarters in the process and then through the other tunnel which leads to a large cavern. The tunnels to the worm cave bracketed it like arms. This cavern is even larger than the worm's was and bears signs of being formerly worked for ore, but it must have played out. There is a large quantity of machinery, none of the group are experts in mining or refining but given the huge pile of large rock at one end of it and a much smaller pile of silvery white material at the other end, along with several small boxes stacked neatly containing more of this material, you would venture a good guess that this is indeed the refining operation. In the middle of the room is a simple rope and pulley lift, at the moment the platform is up in the room.

Blow the earthquake here, you'll bury them all
Flee, the pit fiend will eat your souls
The best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup
Elinon has betrayed you, there will be 9 devil lords at the bottom of the lift
Tonight on Sportsdesk, Erandol captures Olympic gold over Varstok

EVERYONE, make a will save.

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

Otrera and Hillock drift up out of the ground to better look around the massive chamber.

*I'm not sensing any living creatures here. In our current form, we won't be affected by that metal - you might want to let us take a closer look, at least until Sora disposes of that ore.

*And, as a bonus, the voices are telling us that we'll have an opportunity to face down a bunch of devil lords. I look forward to it.*

Otrera gestures, and Hillock follows her on a circuit of the large room.

Spoiler: OOC

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Otrera Will save: (1d20+27)[38]. In her current undead form, she is immune to mind-affecting effects, if that matters.
Hillock Will save: (1d20+17)[21]. In her current undead form, she is immune to mind-affecting effects, if that matters.

They do a clockwise circuit of the room to check for any signs of a living creature.
Otrera spot: (1d20+41)[55]
Hillock spot: (1d20+21)[37]

[MikelaC1]

Otrera and Hillock do not sense any living creatures, outside of a few rats and bats (and not the kind that attack parties either)

[ngilop]

The voices are trying extra hard I feel now, plus there's a new one... at least for me Tinac shrugs and watches as Otrera and Hillock come out of the ground say a few words, then patrol the edge of the room

Spoiler: Will Save

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(1d20+29)[38]

[Cavir]

"Yes, the voices know more than expected. Perhaps they can tap into our telepathy. Let's continue with our plan quickly before they can do more to react. If they had that many lords down there they'd be up here to stop me. Otrera, if you want a closer look then hurry. I suspect that stuff may strengthen the power of the those behind the voices so once the elementals do their part I'll do mine. Everyone be alert in case the enemy acts to intervene."

Sora orders two of the 'smaller' elementals (including the injured one) to move the boxes onto the pile of the silvery white material. Another two are sent through the earth to the bottom of the shaft to see what is there without giving themselves away, with one of them ordered to come right back up to report. The remaining two elementals (including the huge one) stand to either side of her as protection.

Once the material is piled up, Otrera has had a moment to examine it, and allies are clear Sora casts Disintegrate on the pile.

Spoiler: OOC

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Will save from OOC: 32

I don't know how long the tunnels have been but ten minutes since the Huge elemental showed up (before the purple worm), one more elemental will arrive.

Am I guessing right that the ideal earthquake location is on the other level?

[MikelaC1]

Since mortals have next to no experience with sargentum, there is little that Otrera can gleam from examining the stuff.
The one elemental sinks into the ground and moments later returns....shaft leads to empty room with two tunnels leading out
That description jibes with where the dwarf said the best place to cast the earthquake was.

[BelGareth]

Raodan falls to one knee, he stumbles, having a hard time focusing on what is real.

"I...am...having....a hard time." he manages to get out, looking up to them.

Spoiler

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Raodan
HP's: 117/101
AC: 37
T: 29 FF: 29
Saves- F: +12 R: +24 W: +20
Effects: Heroe's Feast (16 temp HP, immunity to poison/fear for 12 hours & +1 morale to attack and will saves), Extended Superior Invisibility (34 minutes), True Seeing (160 minutes), Telepathic Bond (160 minutes), Mass Resist Energy, Fire and Cold 30 (~170 minutes), Foresight (170 minutes?), Ghost Mind (caster level check DC 38 vs scrying), Ghost Sight (see invisible and ethereal), trapfinding, -5 to hit

[Debatra]

"Yes, it's a shame the rest of what they've been saying has been nonsense so far. THose would be quite the fight. But still, nine at once might be a bit too much for us.

[Aracor]

Tessa feels an invasion in her mind, and reacts quickly, attempting to cast a spell so that she can protect herself more fully.

Unfortunately, she can't maintain her concentration due to the voices, and she loses the spell.

OWWW!!!

She reaches up to clutch her head. What in the HELL is that?!

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock


In less than a minute, the ghostly duo have completed their circuit of the room, and watch silently as the earth elementals pile up the sargentum. Partway through, Hillock seems to waver and shimmer, clearly affected by the voices in the complex as well. Otrera supports Hillock as they drift forward.

*All clear.*

[Cavir]

Sora grimaces and picks up the pace of her telepathic chat. "Tinac, can you tell what's going on? Magic, a curse, something divine? Do you know the spell Resurgence? The prayer you mentioned. If you have several castings available you might to keep that active to help against the voices." She pulls out one of her own wands and uses it on Raodan. "Did that help?"

"The elemental says the room down below is clear. We just need to get ourselves under control."

Spoiler: OOC

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Wand of Protection from Evil on Raodan. 49 charges remaining.

I haven't cast Disintegrate yet right? If not, will still follow through with that as soon as the pile is complete and people/elementals are out of the way, hopefully now.

[MikelaC1]

A thin green ray springs from one of Sora's fingers and the silvery grey material, if it is indeed sargentum is blasted out of existence. Almost immediately, everyone's minds clear from the chattering voices in their heads.
For now.

[Aracor]

That...helps! So it's proximity to the purified ore actually causing this?

Good to know. Hopefully you have some more disintegrate spells, because that's not something I really use - but it was definitely helpful there!

[Cavir]

Sora

"Apparently yes regarding the sargentum. In small amounts, the sargentum probably is used to weaken one's willpower making them pliable. That will be useful information for the council. I wonder how the slaves were dealing with it. And yes, I have many slots open for disintegrate, and better." She smiles in anticipation.

"The room below is clear. Mulcri, your sight doesn't notice anything else around here right? Otrera, Hillock, and the elementals can earth glide down. The rest of us can take the lift. Are we all ready to go?"

[ngilop]

Hmm, what is sargentum in actuality again? By that I mean, what is it made out of. Tinac listens to Sora ponder how the dwarves were around it That would explain why the dwarves were insane.

[Cavir]

"It is mined for, like gold or silver, just with it's own special effect. This is the only known location for it on the Prime."

Sora steps onto the lift. If it looks like the lift is manually operated she'll have the elementals supply the muscle once everyone is ready.

[MikelaC1]

The lift is operated manually.