The lost fortress (Afina, Jaela; 85 days left)

[Ebiris]

"Should be safe to go above," Afina says, though she sends two slaad back out of the room for safety's sake while the last makes a passwall angling up through the ceiling above the door.

[Anastasia]

You open up a passage in the wall. This opens up a passage above, into what looks to be some manner of room - you can't tell from here, but no lava spray, either.

[Ebiris]

Up they go, and then another passwall will take them back down on the other side of the door.

[Anastasia]

Leading the way, Afina. Listen check.

[Ebiris]

[19:59] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+70 listen
[19:59] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 80 > [d20=10]

[Anastasia]

You can hear the faintest sounds above - footsteps, soft breaths. Someone is in the room above, several someones.

[Ebiris]

Afina halts and switches to telepathy. 'We've got company in the room above us,' she says, listening attentively to try and count them out and mark their positions. Hearing any speech would be even better.

[Corwin]

'How about below?'

[Anastasia]

About half a dozen, you think. No, half a dozen minus one. Five of them in total.

'They may be about to advance or waiting on us to come through. We have little time, for a tiger ready to pounce is dangerous and attentive.' The Master adds silently.

[Ebiris]

'Nothing below, five above,' Afina reports, gesturing a slaad over. 'I'll have a path opened then we'll strike quickly,' she says, waiting for assent before she orders her slaad to passwall straight up at the edge of where she thinks those five are, so they won't come up in the middle of them.

[Anastasia]

'Agreed,' The Master replies.

Sorta waiting on the big J here.

[Corwin]

Jaela readies Gae Dioltas as the only answer necessary!

[Ebiris]

"Passwall up there," Afina points for her slaad, positioning so she can fly up and start killing things immediately afterwards.

[Anastasia]

The passwall opens up and you see them past it - five hooded figures, human sized and preparing magic, gesturing as...

Go ahead, surprise round.

[Ebiris]

Afina doesn't hesitate as she floats up into the room, immediately darting into the midst of them and detonating!

[18:30] <@Ebiris> roll 26d10 greater fireburst, searing
[18:30] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 169 > [d10=3,7,9,8,7,7,9,8,7,6,5,6,6,2,10,4,10,10,7,4,9,8,6,4,6,1]
[18:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+33 sr if needed
[18:30] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=1]
DC  33 ref half, ignores resistance/immunity

[18:31] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+30 init
[18:31] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=1]

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 329+20/329
active spells: glaciante's spiteful ward (CL 29 attached to epic mage armour), heroes feast (CL 20), mind blank (CL 17), fortunate fate (CL 15), planar tolerance (CL 7), epic mage armour (CL 27), many moments of prescience (CL 29), greater heroism (CL 25), afina's perfect vision (CL 27), shield (CL 27), recitation (CL 30), sublime revelry (CL 31), death ward (CL 30), good hope (CL 30), interplanar telepathic bond (CL 26), haste (CL 27)
defences: AC 99 (touch 63), spell resistance 42, immunity to fire, water, earth, cold, disease, poison, fear, mind-affecting, critical hits, negative energy, death effects, half damage from melee/ranged attacks, 50% miss chance, freedom of movement
perceptions: blindsight 200, low-light vision, darkvision 60, all-around vision, see invisible/ethereal, spot +70, listen +70
spell slots: 5/9/10/9/7/9/4/8/8/8/6/2/3