Anauroch: Empire of Shade IC

[paradox26]

Darcassan, who you have heard of as Darcasson the Farseer, Last Elder of the WIndsong Tower, and for whom the name change could be significant, looks like a stately but otherwise normal elven male. You notice that he does wear a Windsong Ring. However, he is very slightly transparent. He wears a robe of royal blue, and soft elven boots and an elven cloak, by the looks of it. You have trouble focusing on his form, as it seems to very slightly flicker. He is a handsome elf, with long blonde hair and blue/grey eyes. He looks very much, overall, like the sort of being who would be left to control such a tower.

"You say that the Shades are invading, yet I find you here in my Tower uninvited and not them. Can I ask what purpose you have in trespassing, besides the search for the possibly mythical Shades? Do you come to rob my Tower of its treasures?" he asks the party.

[rax]

"Come now, Mastar Darcassan, if it were our intent to rob the Tower of its riches, we would hardly be telling its guardian all about it!" Aubryn chuckles. "As for whether we are here uninvited, that is a matter of perspective. We have sought and received the permission of Her Highness the Coronal to enter the tower and search for the Shadovar, and we do so at the behest of Elminster, the Mage of Shadowdale, whose name is no doubt known to you," he adds.

[Alhallor]

Shraxtrix points towards the spring that she hasn't cleared out of it's riches.

As you can see we haven't taken anything from you're tower.

Of course she would have taken the treasure as a just reward later. But currently it seemed more wise to let Darcassan keep it.

As you can see we also have some rings here and have arrived here, in an official Mystra approved way.

Shraxtrix shows off her ring that she got from Elminster to further prove Aubryn's point.

[samduke]

Darla resting easy on her big cat listening to what is said and seems satisfied with Doria’s response

[paradox26]

Darcassan, or whoever claims to be Darcassan, steps forward. He is still transparent, but he also seems to be more solid than a ghost. He does actually appear to be partly shadowy, but it is hard to tell if he is a shadow creature or if he is using a spell of some type to present himself.

Spoiler: OOC Actions

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Can I please get a DC24 Will check off everyone.

[BananaPhone]

Faora

When the environment itself seemed to stonewall her efforts to commune with the spirits of the earth, Faora growled softly under her breath and furrowed her brow. Drawing herself up straight, shoulders square, eyes narrowed into suspicious slits, she looked over at Cuddles form, the bear having sat back onto its broad rump and pivoting its massive head about as a look out.

<"Nothing!"> Faora spoke to her companion, her words spoken in that of the Druidic tongue so that only her companion - and the other druid - would understand her. Whether this cipher was deliberate or extended from habit was unknown.

<"The world itself seems walled off, and any attempt to commune with the spirits leads to...">

It was then that a spirit appeared to begin communing with the group, the translucent elf wearing the guise of the prior owner in all of its somber finery.

The apparition seemed merely curious at first, cautiously optimistic even. But as the conversation unfolded, Faora's instincts were telling her that something was very wrong here.

"You say that the Shades are invading, yet I find you here in my Tower uninvited and not them. Can I ask what purpose you have in trespassing, besides the search for the possibly mythical Shades? Do you come to rob my Tower of its treasures?"

Her compatriots answered the question first, with both word and deed, but Faora still felt a growing unease, particularly as the opacity of the specter seemed to shift with each passing moment.

Watching from the rear of the group and from the safe position of adjacency to her pet dire bear, Faora remained alert to the situation...

[Nines]

Listening to Darcassan's words, Ixtalan gathered of him to have the cautious demeanor of an even-tempered sentinel. He didn't appear deranged like many haunts could become in their long vigils.

"We were not apprised of the towers' contents before entering, but reliable intelligence indicated the school as their intended target." Said Lune generously, aiming to assuage the guardian of their intentions, his mind beginning to deduce the picture more clearly.

"Are these treasures intact and secure?" He queried the apparition's form carefully. "If your maligners eluded detection, then it is plausible what the Shadovar ultimately coveted may be among them." He said, explaining his reasoning as much to himself as Darcassan, as he worked through the machinations. He knew the Shades to seek items of magical import, and this seemed like a prime motive for such a brazen incursion.

Taking stock of their location on the foyer landing, "These grounds are extensive." observed Ixtalan. "We could assist you in scouring them for thieves and compiling an inventory, with your leave of course." He said, turning again to the projected presence of Darcassan. "If something is amiss, it behooves us all to know of it, and may aid us in tracking your assailants." He offered the mage, while starkly illustrating the stakes at hand.

Spoiler: OOC

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• I'd like to try and discern if Darcassan seems like he's hiding something from us, either about the contents of the tower, or about himself.
Sense Motive 25 (take 10, plus Allan's assist).

• I'd also like to try and persuade him of our aligned goals with my words, and that we bear him no harm.
Diplomacy 29 (take 10).

[paradox26]

The shadowy figure of Darcassan looks intently at the party, then screeches out, "Deceivers! You will never take this tower."

He launches an attack on Ixtalan even as Ixtalan speaks words of peace. He casts a spell, and a cloud of mist fills the room, the mere touch of which causes intense pain.

Spoiler: OOC

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Note that you didn't have time to take 10 on those checks, as that would take two minutes, one minute per check, and you simply lacked enough time to do that. You won't be able to take 10 for every check.

Can I please get a Reflex save from everyone. The spell deals (15d6)[53] damage on a failed save, half that on a successful save. Spell resistance doesn't apply.

[samduke]

The shadowy figure of Darcassan looks intently at the party, then screeches out, "Deceivers! You will never take this tower."

He launches an attack on Ixtalan even as Ixtalan speaks words of peace. He casts a spell, and a cloud of mist fills the room, the mere touch of which causes intense pain.

*
Note that you didn't have time to take 10 on those checks, as that would take two minutes, one minute per check, and you simply lacked enough time to do that. You won't be able to take 10 for every check.

Can I please get a Reflex save from everyone. The spell deals (15d6)[53] (1d20+10)[21] damage on a failed save, half that on a successful save. Spell resistance doesn't apply.

The damage is Acid, and the Reflex save DC is 22

Spoiler

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Darla the Beastmaster
female TN Human Druid/Beastmaster/WPO, Level 13, Init 5, HP 176/176, Speed 40 fly 40 perfect
AC 20, Touch 14, Flat-footed 17, Fort 16, Ref 10, Will 11, Base Attack Bonus 12/7/2
+1d6 vs undead & or incorporeal +2 Elven Courtblade +17/+12/+7 (1d10+5, 18-20x2)
+2 Mithral Chain Shirt (+6 Armor, +3 Dex, +1 Misc)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 20, Cha 14
Condition
Status Effects:
Hast: for 9 rounds, +1 to Reflex saves
Spontaneous Rejuvenation: All allies within 30 feet of you (including yourself) gain fast healing 3 "stacks"

Darla Reflex Save: (1d20+10)[21] +1 to Reflex saves = pass
Ring of Evasion, Whenever she makes a Reflex saving throw to determine whether she takes half damage, a successful save results in no damage.

Ruh Reflex Save: (1d20+11)[26] +1 to Reflex saves = pass [53>26] (238 hp -26)
Sharak Reflex Save: (1d20+12)[18] +1 to Reflex saves [53] (150 hp -53)
Kodo Reflex Save: (1d20+6)[10] +1 to Reflex saves [53] > possible see ooc question (64 hp -53)
Podo Reflex Save: (1d20+6)[14] +1 to Reflex saves [53] > possible see ooc question (48 hp -53)

[Alhallor]

Shraxtrix positions herself that she doesn't get burned by the brunt of the mist, hisses at the figure of Darcassan, while under her breath murmuring an old draconic incantation.

sinew itrewic lorkorilt, ternockic re draqu'veir, origato mobi qe haste

Spoiler: Draconic

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sinew get stronger, scales are quivering, let there be haste

Then climbs the tower higher to get out of Darcassans range for now.

Spoiler: OOC

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Standard action to cast haste on everyone, except Darcassan, I get 9 people, that should include all of Darla's pets.
Hasted for 9 rounds, don't forget the +1 to Reflex saves, that may be important here.

Move action to get higher on the tower to spread out more. 20 feet more elevation (I guess that Shraxtrix was at 10 - 20 feet to begin with.).

[Nines]

Seeing Darcassan's hands move toward what Lune recognized as a dangerous invocation, he spent half a thought on reconsidering the wraith's mental state. The attack had been unprovoked and without warning.

Finding himself amidst the cloying, acrid cloud as it reached for his lungs, Ixtalan barely had time to bark the words "lareth odar", asking The Lady for passage into the spirit world. He drew his cloak about him and exhaled the charm as a dry whisper on the now burning air. He felt his body give way on the stone floor, as if it no longer supported him, his translucent form green-lit by the pall of deathly magic that enveloped him. But had he been quick enough?

Spoiler: OOC

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Off-turn:
Immediate action: cast permeable form in response to the attack. 50% chance to ignore damage from a corporeal spell. *extend via class feature (2 rds).

Init, round 1: Special: take the Delay action to the bottom of the current round, acting before Darcassan's turn.

Roll post: #220

Summary of actions:
Ixtalan and Allan successfully evade the acid cloud with their incorporeality. No damage taken.

[rax]

"You attack during a parley? For shame, Darcassan, or whoever you are!" Aubryn remonstrates the apparition as he's engulfed in the cloud of acid. Hissing with anger, he stalks out of the cloud and attacks Darcassan with his glaive.

Spoiler: Actions

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Immediate action: Cast nerveskitter.

If a move action is necessary to come within 10 feet, Aubryn will move as far as is needed (his land speed is 60 feet with haste) and then make a standard action attack:
Attack w/ +1 vicious adamantine glaive incl. haste (1d20+19)[33] (ignores incorporeal miss chance)
Damage [roll]1d10+10+2d6[/roll]
Bonus damage if target is incorporeal (1d6)[1]
Bonus damage if target is undead (1d6)[5]
Damage to Aubryn (1d6)[2]

If no movement is needed or a 5-foot step is sufficient to come within 10 feet, Aubryn will make a full attack:
Attack w/ +1 vicious adamantine glaive incl. haste (1d20+19)[36], (1d20+19)[22], (1d20+14)[19], (1d20+9)[11] (ignores incorporeal miss chance)
Damage [roll]1d10+10+2d6[/roll], [roll]1d10+10+2d6[/roll], [roll]1d10+10+2d6[/roll], [roll]1d10+10+2d6[/roll]
Bonus damage if target is incorporeal (1d6)[2], (1d6)[1], (1d6)[6], (1d6)[1]
Bonus damage if target is undead (1d6)[5], (1d6)[3], (1d6)[3], (1d6)[4]
Damage to Aubryn (1d6)[6], (1d6)[6], (1d6)[4], (1d6)[4]

Conditions and effects
Hasted (+1 bonus to attack rolls, +1 dodge bonus to AC and Ref saves, +30 enhancement bonus to speed) = AC 29/17/24 (shield spell not yet cast), Ref save +11, speed 60 ft.
Fast healing 3 if within 30 feet of Darla.

[paradox26]

The shadowy figure takes some hits, and appears badly hurt, in spite of the fact that many attacks missed due to his incorporeality. The figure dissolves into nothingness, a puff of physical shadow the only thing to briefly point to his existence.

The party is startled by how easy the fight was, once his attack had been resolved. Silence descends upon the hall, broken only by the babbling of the fountain.

[Alhallor]

That couldn't have been it, right? Darcassan?

Asked Shraxtrix in common, unsure if she should descend toward the others.

[Nines]

The color returned to Lune's spectral form as the green cloud dissipated around them, illumed instead for a few moments by the cool stone of the wall behind him, before regaining it's solidity.

Looking to where their attacker once stood, laid low by the knight's flashing warglaive, he wondered if the projection had been real at all. Either way, the threat it posed had certainly been real enough. Perhaps it was a trick of the Shadovar left behind to deter investigation, the magic used spoke of them, but it seemed elaborately staged if so.

"Well, that was bracing." Ixtalan said of the encounter as he gathered himself, "Good show, Sir Aubryn." He said, commending the swift response to the sudden assault. "If our counterparts preceded us, presumably they were shown the same quarter." Said Lune, surmising that the interlopers must have had dire motives in attempting to breach the tower. "Is everyone alright?" He asked, seeming genuinely concerned.

[rax]

"That seemed far too easy," Aubryn agrees with Shraxtrix. "We should keep our guard up."

As he speaks, the slight burns on his skin slough away, leaving fresh skin and scales behind. Soon, there is little left to show that he had just been engulfed in acid. He also produces a wand, and one command word later, a shimmering suit of armour appears and then melds into Aubryn's plate armour.

"I am fine," he replies to Lune.

Spoiler: OOC

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Combat Focus was activated when Aubryn hit Darcassan and lasts 12 rounds. While in combat focus, he has fast healing 4 (healing 48 hit points in addition to the fast healing provided by Dahlia), a +4 bonus to Will saves, and a +8 bonus to resist bull rush, disarm, grapple, overrun and trip attacks.

He expends a wand charge to cast ectoplasmic armour, providing a +5 armour bonus vs. incorporeal touch attacks for 1 hour (=touch AC 21).

He expends another wand charge to cast shield, providing a +4 shield bonus for 1 minute. This also works vs. incorporeal touch attacks (=touch AC 25) and stops magic missiles. Since the wand is in a wand chamber and the shield is invisible, I haven't noted it as happening in the IC description.

[samduke]

we need to get out of this little area, I do not care to get caught like that again if given a choice.

[paradox26]

Silence reigns over the room as everyone looks at each other, wondering what to do next.

[BananaPhone]

Faora


The druid had copped the brunt of the apparitions spell, hissing loudly as the illusion magic chewed into her flesh and knocked her half senseless.

By the time she had brought herself up and about to return some spells or lend a hand to her allies, the engagement was over. The specter was gone.

Inhaling. Exhaling. Her breath haggard, the human peered aroud with murderous eyes until others broke the silence.

Nodding while still scanning the area, Faora agreed.

"I concur," she stated, pursing her lips.

"A defence of the tower? Or a trap left by the shades?"

[Alhallor]

I'm a bit hurt, but still fine.

Shraxtrix climbs down the tower, looks around, her gaze clinging at the spring for a moment.

We should go deeper into the tower, perhaps we find the real Darcassan somewhere.

[rax]

"Unfriendly sort, whatever he or it was," Aubryn replies to Faora.

"If we're leaving, someone should pick a door and we'll see where it leads," he suggests.

[Nines]

At the sight of Sir Aubryn's apparent regeneration before their eyes, Lune raised an eyebrow, at first in interest, before settling into a look of pleasant understanding. It seemed he was not the only one among them with hidden depths. He noted the distinct mark of El's sense of whimsy in leaving such a detail undisclosed, and smiled to himself.

"Indeed," he concurred of both the presumed majordomo's welcome and his suggested presence further in the tower. "On that front, I may have located our ingress." mentioned Ixtalan, as the conversation shifted to the prospect of doors. "Tend to your wounds if you have need, while I find purchase with it." He offered the group, before setting to work on his task.

Ixtalan returned to the wall that had been visible through his form moments ago, where he felt for a catch along the grooves of the mortared stone. Finding the small pressure release he sought, he deftly maneuvered the disguised mechanism. "Ah, here we are." he said, satisfied as the wall plate slid into it's flush frame to reveal a new path forward. Withdrawing the angled mirror from its hidden topit, and giving a knowing glance to the black corvid astride his shoulder, the pair pressed onward carefully.

Spoiler: OOC

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Summary of actions:
Ixtalan will open the secret door nearby that he found earlier, and he'll attempt to pick the lock if it's locked (see exploration).

He will covertly begin exploring the bottom floor of the tower beyond the secret door and subsequent rooms for anything of interest. He'll be looking for traps, magic auras, secret doors, or illusory features, similar to the ones he found in the main hall.

In the absence of resistance, he will progress until he finds a point of interest. If he notices any potential threats with his mirror or extra senses, he'll stop to use his hand signals via Bluff to alert the party of the danger, including their location and number.

Spoiler: Exploration tactics

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Move stealthily:
Hide 20 (27 at doors or corners), Move Silent 20, Search 22* while moving (take 10, move at half-speed).

Detect creatures:
Passive senses: Spot 27, Listen 15 (Ixtalan); Spot 26, Listen 15 (Allan).

Inspect thoroughly:
Doors, rooms, chests: Search 32*, Open Lock 27* (take 20, as needed, 2min. each).
*Allan (raven)'s assist.

Extrasensory:
blindsense 60ft., darkvision 120ft., superior low-light vision, detect magic.

[paradox26]

Ixtalan is the first to move off, finding the secret door in the room and activating the latch. He finds a small chamber, with two doors leading east and one door leading south.

The upper section of this small chamber’s far wall is covered entirely with one immense mirror. Beneath it runs a long counter stained with a multitude of colors. On the left wall hangs a row of closed cabinets, and along the right wall is a series of doors. The doors open outward to reveal closets that still hold a few wizards’ robes and other costumes. The cabinets contain small brushes and pots of dried-up makeup for stage performances, plus several pitchers and basins to hold water for washing.

[BananaPhone]

Faora


The druid panted gently, flicking her tongue and lips as if she had just imbibed a very high proof whiskey. Even Cuddles, the hulking dire bear, mewled pitifully as he drew his huge frame up beside her like a misbehaving pet.

Faora reached into her robe, from which she produced approximately a foot of crinkled, but straight reed. 'Aiming' it at herself, she uttered a few words before tapping it up her forehead, sighing as the rejuvenating properties pushed through and revitalized her body. Turning to Cuddles, she repeated the process, the bear's mewl turning into a satisfied, low growl.

"Alright...who's next?" her voice came over the party, as she held the Wand of Lesser Vigor up for whomever wanted to receive its blessing.

[samduke]

"Alright...who's next?" ... with the offering of healing from Faora, My companions could do with a bit of healing pointing to her bird and mount

[rax]

"Well - now we know why elves are always so pretty. They have the best makeup and mirrors," Aubryn chuckles. "Anyone want to search the closets, or do we move on?"

[Nines]

"Beauty and art are both reflections of the Sublime." said Ixtalan absent-mindedly, giving a studious answer to the brevitous observation as he swept the room methodically with his arcane senses and made it safe for his companions. "It is that which most Fair folk seek." He added, as he kept his eyes on their path ahead.

Moving to the south door as he continued both the conversation and his finely-honed tactile ministrations, "Our host does seem to have little use for material goods," replied Lune, to the question of the cupboards and closets. "Still, he was protecting something." He mused, trailing off to himself as he let his hands do their delicate work on the next entryway. "Perhaps it is best to avoid the appearance of banditry until we can end our parley properly." He concluded, as he finished assessing the stone inset.

Displacing the door in it's frame enough for the mirror and his non-visual senses to surveil the room beyond, he gave the signal for stealth and maneuvered ahead.

Spoiler: OOC

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Summary of actions:
Having swept the room for danger, Ixtalan will proceed to the single South door, and once he's inspected it thoroughly will proceed stealthily into the next room.

Spoiler: Exploration tactics

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Move stealthily:
Hide 20 (27 at doors or corners), Move Silent 20, Search 22* while moving (take 10, move at half-speed).

Detect creatures:
Passive senses: Spot 27, Listen 15 (Ixtalan); Spot 26, Listen 15 (Allan).

Inspect thoroughly:
Doors, rooms, chests: Search 32*, Open Lock 27* (take 20, as needed, 2min. each).
*Allan's assist.

Extrasensory:
blindsense 60ft, darkvision 120ft., superior low-light vision, detect magic.

[paradox26]

The room to the south is another robing room, near identical to the first. You continue to the east, where the only door is, and find something a little different.

Most of the grand chamber lies in shadowy darkness, except for a rectangular section raised several feet above the floor at the far end that is suffused with dim light. Between the door and this raised area are three rows of wooden benches arranged in a semicircular pattern. Curtains hang at the sides and back of the raised area, as well as along its top, creating a perfect stage for performances.

[Alhallor]

Shraxtrix thankfully accepts some healing towards her, then follows the party towards the weird dress-up room. She swipes a bit of the dried-up makeup out of curiosity and perhaps to make some war paint later and is pretty impressed by the grand theatre room.

That looks pretty grand. Kinda like a place of worship don't you think? Perhaps there is something behind the curtains?

Shraxtrix would wait for the others while she climbs up the raised area and take a peek behind the grand curtains.

Spoiler: OOC, Faora

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Shraxtrix thankfully accepts 2 charges from the vigor wand.

[rax]

"Or a playhouse," Aubryn notes with a grin. "But more likely it's an auditorium for lectures and such."