Io's Labyrinth

[Nephrite]

Moore will hold since there's not a lot he can do!

[Anastasia]

Oberuth is up.

> roll 1d20+62 (+2 charge, +36 various, -30 PA)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 64 > [d20=2]
> roll 6d8+192+1d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 227 > [d8=1,6,7,1,6,8][d6=6]

In between the blinks of an eye Oberuth goes from where he was to where the dragon was, no sign of it at all. His blade is out, the last gone. You did it! You won!

Io's voice is heard afterwards.

"Mighty as they were, they were too easily dispersed and blown away. This was not the right path, either."

Free act.

[spoiler]

Antenora
HP: 768+66/768
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Protective 20ft (+4 deflection/+4 resistance vs evil) Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+36 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck, +8 competence, +4 moore), Damage+26 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +4 moore, +2d6 holy) AC+22 (+6 morale, +4 sacred, +12 dodge), Saves+18 (+4 more vs CV's)(+12 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck), Skills+4 (+10 more Perception/Bluff/Diplo/Intimidate)(+4 morale), Checks+2 (+2 morale)
Resources: Holy Fury 36/36 (enc) Divine Retribution 1/1 Smite Evil 7/7 Channel Energy 17/17 Lay On Hands 448/448 Remove Disease 9/9 (week), Spiritual Connection 3/3 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Nondetection (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL32), Mass Death Ward (CL33), Mind Blank (CL33), Glorious Rally (CL33), Celestial Valor (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Ghost Touch Armor (CL33), Recitation (CL33), Foresight (CL33), Superior Vigor (CL33), True Seeing (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Detect Scrying (CL33), Greater Arcane Sight (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Pass Without Trace (CL33), Greater Anticipate Teleport (CL33), Voice of the Dragon (CL33), Good Hope (CL33), Heroes Feast (CL33), Energy Resistancex5 (CL33), Fortunate Fate (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Moore's Bardic Music (CL-)
Notes: Can always inflict nonlethal with attacks, spells, SLAs and abilities.
Smite Notes: +2 damage/paladin level on a charging smite. Each point of favored PA on charge is worth 9 points of damage, post charge multiplier (15 on crit).
Typical Charging Smite Baseline: 3d8+480 plus +4/+4d6 vs fiends plus 2d6 holy plus 2d6 axiomatic 19-20 x3 (base charging smite bonus damage is 64+64=128, includes favored enemy bonus)
Remember everything triples and x5 on a crit when adding things.

Jetina
HP: 555+66/555 (fast healing 5)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Positive Energy 10ft (1 hit point healing/round)
Bonuses: Attack+36 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck, +8 competence, +4 moore), Damage+26 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +4 moore, +2d6 holy) AC+22 (+6 morale, +4 sacred, +12 dodge), Saves+18 (+4 more vs CV's)(+12 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck), Skills+4 (+10 more Perception/Bluff/Diplo/Intimidate)(+4 morale), Checks+2 (+2 morale)
Resources: Smite Evil 7/7 Smite 5/6 Channel Energy 14/14 Emergency Healing 3/3 True Believer 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Nondetection (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL32), Mass Death Ward (CL33), Mind Blank (CL33), Glorious Rally (CL33), Celestial Valor (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Ghost Touch Armor (CL33), Recitation (CL33), Foresight (CL33), Superior Vigor (CL33), True Seeing (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Detect Scrying (CL33), Greater Arcane Sight (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Pass Without Trace (CL33), Greater Anticipate Teleport (CL33), Voice of the Dragon (CL33), Good Hope (CL33), Heroes Feast (CL33), Energy Resistancex5 (CL33), Fortunate Fate (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Moore's Bardic Music (CL-)
Notes: Divine Vigor is +10ft land movement and +2 temp hp per hit die. Divine Shield is Cha mod to shield bonus to armor class.

Amaryl
HP: 554+66/554
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+36 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck, +8 competence, +4 moore), Damage+26 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +4 moore, +2d6 holy) AC+22 (+6 morale, +4 sacred, +12 dodge), Saves+18 (+4 more vs CV's)(+12 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck), Skills+4 (+10 more Perception/Bluff/Diplo/Intimidate)(+4 morale), Checks+2 (+2 morale)
Resources: Emergency Skirmish 1/1 Blinding Speed 25/25 Elemental Summon 3/3 Smiting 1/1 Dragonfire 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Nondetection (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL32), Mass Death Ward (CL33), Mind Blank (CL33), Glorious Rally (CL33), Celestial Valor (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Ghost Touch Armor (CL33), Recitation (CL33), Foresight (CL33), Superior Vigor (CL33), True Seeing (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Detect Scrying (CL33), Greater Arcane Sight (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Pass Without Trace (CL33), Greater Anticipate Teleport (CL33), Voice of the Dragon (CL33), Good Hope (CL33), Heroes Feast (CL33), Energy Resistancex5 (CL33), Fortunate Fate (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Moore's Bardic Music (CL-)
Notes: Always goes first with supreme init, +4 bonus to attacks after the first miss in a round.

Commander Oberuth
HP: 1100+66/1100 (regeneration 20)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+36 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck, +8 competence, +4 moore), Damage+26 (+18 morale, +4 sacred, +4 moore, +2d6 holy) AC+22 (+6 morale, +4 sacred, +12 dodge), Saves+18 (+4 more vs CV's)(+12 morale, +4 sacred, +2 luck), Skills+4 (+10 more Perception/Bluff/Diplo/Intimidate)(+4 morale), Checks+2 (+2 morale)
Resources: Defensive Stance 11/11 +5 One Attack On FA 1/1 (rnd) Take 10 On One Attack 1/1 (rnd) Spellruin 1/1 Smite 1/1 Maim 1/1 Lifetheft 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Nondetection (CL33), Greater Heroism (CL32), Mass Death Ward (CL33), Mind Blank (CL33), Glorious Rally (CL33), Celestial Valor (CL33), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL33), Ghost Touch Armor (CL33), Recitation (CL33), Foresight (CL33), Superior Vigor (CL33), True Seeing (CL33), Vision of the Omniscient Eye (CL33), Detect Scrying (CL33), Greater Arcane Sight (CL33), Freedom of Movement (CL33), Pass Without Trace (CL33), Greater Anticipate Teleport (CL33), Voice of the Dragon (CL33), Good Hope (CL33), Heroes Feast (CL33), Energy Resistancex5 (CL33), Fortunate Fate (CL33), Spell Turning (CL33), Moore's Bardic Music (CL-)
Notes: Immunity to sickened and reduces nausea. Immune to critical hits and precision. Allied defense applies combat expertise to all adjacent allies.

[Ebiris]

Alicia shrinks down to her normal size once more. "Well handled everyone," she praises the group. After a look around the room she goes to investigate the golden sphere next.

Spellcraft, taking 10 for 61.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Alicia: 696+60/696
Active spells: Extended nondetection (CL 33, 65hrs), many moments of prescience (CL 32, 31 hrs), extended repelling shield (CL 33, 57m), keen edge (CL 32, 311m), sensual blessing (CL 32, 23m), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 32, 23m), greater heroism (CL 32, 23m), death ward (CL 32, 23m), extended ray deflection (CL 33, 57m), divine insight (CL 32, 32hrs), foresight (CL 32, 320m), dance of the unicorn (CL 32, 32m), recitation (CL 32, 3m), greater visage of the deity (CL 32, 3m), ghost touch weapon (CL 32, 32m)
Defences: AC 91 (touch 52), CMD 133, spell resistance 47, status immunity (dazzled, blinding, polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), energy immunity (fire, cold, negative energy), energy resist 10 (acid), nondetection (DC 48), ray deflection
Stat buffs/penalties: +9 shield AC, 17-20 crit range, +25 competence perception, +10 insight perception, +4 morale skills, +18 morale attack, +8 competence attack, +4 untyped attack, +18 morale damage, +4 untyped damage, +12 dodge AC, +12 morale saves, +15 crit confirmations, +2 insight AC/reflex, +3 luck attack/saves, +1 natural armour, +4 str, +2 dex, +4 con, +2 int, +4 wis, +4 cha
Perceptions: Darkvision 2 miles, scent, low-light vision, tremorsense/blindsight 2 miles, arcane sight, perception +88
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/13/6/9/15/8/7/7/8/5/6/5
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/21/20/7/7

[Anastasia]

It looks to the identical to the previous sphere that granted Jetina her armor.

Oberuth sheathes his blade again, "The wizard paradox," he rumbles out, "The ability to alter the world around them as they wish, but by themselves too weak to withstand the perils within it."

"More importantly," Antenora points out, "Io speaks as if he could not grant all of these at once, as if his creation of the draconic race had limits."

[Ebiris]

"A limitation of Io's capabilities, or a limitation enforced by the Incarnations?" Alicia muses at Antenora's point. "Anyway, it seems we've earned another reward. Let us see what is offered this time?" she reaches out to tap the golden sphere.

[Nephrite]

"It could also be that the very concept of whatever he was trying to create didn't exist to the Incarnations at all." Moore says. "Like with good and evil."

[Anastasia]

"It could also be something else," Amaryl speaks up, quietly so, "WE all have the ability to grow. Everything in Creation does, even if only theoretically. It's a pursuit of perfection, not starting perfect."

Meanwhile Alicia taps the sphere. Again nothingness appears and then a great hoard, as Io is heard.

"One of you step forward, one who wishes for a boon from my hoard." Io's voice is heard. "Come you who are deserving, worthy and needy."

[Ebiris]

"Once more I'll abstain," Alicia says, not moving from where she is.

[Corwin]

It's likely all of them will get a chance to benefit from Io's gifts here, but there's always a chance otherwise. "How about you?" she suggests to Oberuth. "Perhaps Io has something that compliments your unique talents."

[Nephrite]

"I have no objections to that." Moore says. "My 'group' received the last one, so I'd prefer if every group had an opportunity to receive something before considering it for myself."

[Anastasia]

Antenora shakes her head, "I am One. I am in no need or race for this blessing." She steps back.

"I have Seira with me," A gentle smile, "What more could I ever need?" Amaryl steps back.

Jetina adds sheepishly, "I already got one gift," she says, stepping back as well.

Oberuth eyes the sphere as Seira speaks. His response is to step forward.

"Why are you deserving?" Io questions.

To this Oberuth looks ahead at the sphere, no weapon out, shield put aside. "You invited me here, insisted on it. I'm worthy because you decided I was. All I ever wanted was to see Balmuria and the Baronies prosper, to see us have a bright future beyond Emperor Ferdi's grasp. I never wanted this great surge of magic in this world, I never asked for all the power I have now. I go forward because I must."

"Why are you worthy?" Io next asks.

Oberuth draws his blade, stabbing it into the ground. "Because I will make this a grave marker for the Gnomish God King, then I will drag Shar down and bury her with him." He stands there, arms crossed. "When I'm finally done, good and honest people will no longer fear Sharrans in every shadow."

"Why are you needy?" This last question hangs in the air a time, Oberuth not responding.

"For whatever damned reasons, it fell to us to fix Creation's greatest mess. I want to do it with a sword that means something to me, like this," he pounds his breastplate with his fist. "Not the forgotten blade of a cursed tyrant who raged against everything. What I know is what we wield and what we are tend to flow into one another for beings like us. I want something that is my blood, sweat and tears. I want it to be something that is me, not something that shows a tyrant's contempt for everything but his own race."

[Ebiris]

She'd never thought of the Second Resort that way, but then again it was never her blade... certainly Alicia feels her respect for her old commander increase as she listens to his heartfelt words, nodding along with him at the end in approval.

[Nephrite]

Moore can't help but smile and nod to Oberuth's words. The paths may be different, but they've led to an intersection with all of them.

[Corwin]

Seira conceals a pout. That's a really nice sword! The maker is irrelevant, it's how you use it that matters, and that blade had been used to kill quite a lot of terrible people.

[Anastasia]

"Then you will have my aid." From this vast hoard of treasure it flies out - a sheathed sword, the sheathe of fine leather and undecorated otherwise.

"It is yours," Io declares, as the nothingness is gone, replaced only by a dead end wall.

Loot post.