Okay Iddy, let's start with how you plan to prosecute this hunt and who you are taking. Also, paste the info block from the end of the last topic. Thanks.
Quote from: Anastasia on April 27, 2018, 03:09:51 PM
We also have information of a lost treasure in Ooze. Details are scarce, but a treasure ship of the Githyanki was lost after a planar mishap, and according to our information, was lost in the vicinity of the Drowning Mountain, a landmark within Ooze. We consider there to be good odds that the treasure is still there and unplundered, as few care to venture into Ooze.
Okay, so. I ordered the Diviners to try and get more information and a location on this thing. Depending on what they say, if they get an exact location or not, I'd teleport/plane shift/whatever there. If not, I'd then start a search pattern to find the damn thing, with some more local divination to help narrow it down. I'd preferably want to take people who can either fly or earth glide.
I ordered Madala to put a team together, which IIRC, she's in charge of Sorcerers, so they'd have lots of castings of whatever. I'd have mages who aren't going and are on like, support staff duty to do long duration buffs on everyone before we leave with stuff that would protect from the negative effects of the plane.
I also wanted to do some preparation for possibly teleporting/gating the whole damn thing back. I don't know what this would take, as there's not a big "teleport a massive thing" spell that I personally know of. That being said, Cooperative Spell is a thing that every mage in the Arcane Order has, so we can circle up and Co-op gate or whatever as a quick fix me for that, or do some design into a huge magic circle for it.
I'd also have Jarem come and pull some of his people, and have his people who aren't going provide long duration buffs, too.
Roll and post 1d100.
> roll 1d100 for Dune!
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 76 > [d100=76]
Your team has tracked it down to a general area of approximately 20 miles in Ooze, as well as established a safe base camp there.
Jarem will be glad to help out.
Any other prep for it?
Yep. Buffs. I've listed them below, but there's a math thing we might need to work out. Energy Immunity is a level 10 spell. That means I need a CL of 21 to cast it. Tacking Echoing Spell onto it bumps it to a level 11 spell for me, which needs a CL of 24. My CL is 29 and Echoing Spell is -4 CL each casting. That means I can cast the Echoing version twice, then cast a regular level 10 version for 3 of them, yeah?Heart of Fire, CL 29, Duration: 29 Hours.This spell converts part of your body into elemental fire, which speeds your step and toughens your flesh. You gain a +10-foot enhancement bonus to your land speed and resistance to fire 20.
Furthermore, while this spell is active, you can activate a fire shield effect (as the spell; fire-based protection only) on yourself as a swift action. This benefit lasts for 1 round per level, at the end of which time the spell's entire effect ends.
For funsies, I pick the hair to turn to fire.
This spell converts part of your body into elemental air, freeing you somewhat from the bonds of gravity. You gain a +10 enhancement bonus on Jump checks, and if you have a fly speed, that speed gains a +10-foot enhancement bonus.
Furthermore, while this spell is active, you can activate a feather fall effect (as the spell) on yourself as an immediate action. This benefit lasts for 1 round per level, at the end of which time the spell's entire effect ends.
You have the benefits of the attune form spell (page 17) with respect to the appropriate element. If you choose a water body, for example, you can breathe normally on water-dominant planes.
You are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning, and are not subject to extra damage from critical hits or flanking. You gain darkvision out to 60 feet.
Your creature type remains unchanged, so you are unaffected by spells that target elementals, but you gain the air, earth, fire, or water subtype depending on the elemental substance you chose.
Fire: Fire immunity, burn (those you hit in melee and those who attack you with natural weapons must make a Reflex save or catch fire, with a save DC equal to that of a fire elemental of the same size).
The subject is protected from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts. This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish spells when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject's mind or to gain information about it. In the case of scrying that scans an area the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn't detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.
You establish a connection with the platonic ideal of a library and fill your mind with lore. You gain a +15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained. This knowledge extends to knowledge of your own life. You you have perfect recall of your own memories for the duration of the spell. Effects that change your memories, such as modify memory or mindrape, are suppressed for the duration of the spell. You gain the ability to read and speak all languages during this time, as if affected by a comprehend languages and tongues spell. Finally, you may instantly absorb the information of any written material you touch, as if by a scholar's touch spell. For the duration of the spell, you have perfect recall of the material read in this manner.
This abjuration grants a creature and its equipment complete immunity to one of the five energy types-fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic. Energy immunity only absorbs hit point damage, so side effects such as deafening from sonic attacks or immobilized in ice by an ice spell still apply.
This abjuration grants a creature and its equipment complete immunity to one of the five energy types-fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic. Energy immunity only absorbs hit point damage, so side effects such as deafening from sonic attacks or immobilized in ice by an ice spell still apply.
This abjuration grants a creature and its equipment complete immunity to one of the five energy types-fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic. Energy immunity only absorbs hit point damage, so side effects such as deafening from sonic attacks or immobilized in ice by an ice spell still apply.
This spell is identical to moment of prescience, except you can use its effects once, plus an additional number of times equal to your caster level divided by 10. The insight bonus equals your caster level (maximum +30).
This spell is identical to mage armor, except that it grants a +20 armor bonus to armor class.
HP: 288/288
Spells Active: Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA)
Negative Conditions:
Due to Starmantle being banned, I rejiggered my prepared spells, which led me to re-doing my buffs. See below.Create Magic Tattoo: +1 Spellcaster Level, CL 30, Duration: 24 Hours.+1 spellcaster level. This effect increases the subject's effective level, but not the total number of spells. For example, an 11th level caster who receives this tattoo functions as a 12th-level caster for the purpose of determining level-based spell variables (such as range, area, effect, and so on), but he does not receive any extra spells.
You imbue a suit of armor or a shield with an enhancement bonus of +1 per four caster levels (maximum +5 at 20th level).
An outfit of regular clothing counts as armor that grants no AC bonus for the purpose of this spell.
This spell converts part of your body into elemental fire, which speeds your step and toughens your flesh. You gain a +10-foot enhancement bonus to your land speed and resistance to fire 20.
Furthermore, while this spell is active, you can activate a fire shield effect (as the spell; fire-based protection only) on yourself as a swift action. This benefit lasts for 1 round per level, at the end of which time the spell's entire effect ends.
For funsies, I pick the hair to turn to fire.
This spell converts part of your body into elemental air, freeing you somewhat from the bonds of gravity. You gain a +10 enhancement bonus on Jump checks, and if you have a fly speed, that speed gains a +10-foot enhancement bonus.
Furthermore, while this spell is active, you can activate a feather fall effect (as the spell) on yourself as an immediate action. This benefit lasts for 1 round per level, at the end of which time the spell's entire effect ends.
Spell resistance equal to 10 + 1 per three caster levels.
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls.
You have the benefits of the attune form spell (page 17) with respect to the appropriate element. If you choose a water body, for example, you can breathe normally on water-dominant planes.
You are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning, and are not subject to extra damage from critical hits or flanking. You gain darkvision out to 60 feet.
Your creature type remains unchanged, so you are unaffected by spells that target elementals, but you gain the air, earth, fire, or water subtype depending on the elemental substance you chose.
Fire: Fire immunity, burn (those you hit in melee and those who attack you with natural weapons must make a Reflex save or catch fire, with a save DC equal to that of a fire elemental of the same size).
This spell functions like resistance (PH 272), except as noted here. You grant the subject a +6 resistance bonus on saves.
The subject is protected from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts. This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish spells when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject's mind or to gain information about it. In the case of scrying that scans an area the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn't detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.
You establish a connection with the platonic ideal of a library and fill your mind with lore. You gain a +15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained. This knowledge extends to knowledge of your own life. You you have perfect recall of your own memories for the duration of the spell. Effects that change your memories, such as modify memory or mindrape, are suppressed for the duration of the spell. You gain the ability to read and speak all languages during this time, as if affected by a comprehend languages and tongues spell. Finally, you may instantly absorb the information of any written material you touch, as if by a scholar's touch spell. For the duration of the spell, you have perfect recall of the material read in this manner.
This abjuration grants a creature and its equipment complete immunity to one of the five energy types-fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic. Energy immunity only absorbs hit point damage, so side effects such as deafening from sonic attacks or immobilized in ice by an ice spell still apply.
This abjuration grants a creature and its equipment complete immunity to one of the five energy types-fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic. Energy immunity only absorbs hit point damage, so side effects such as deafening from sonic attacks or immobilized in ice by an ice spell still apply.
This abjuration grants a creature and its equipment complete immunity to one of the five energy types-fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic. Energy immunity only absorbs hit point damage, so side effects such as deafening from sonic attacks or immobilized in ice by an ice spell still apply.
This abjuration grants a creature and its equipment complete immunity to one of the five energy types-fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic. Energy immunity only absorbs hit point damage, so side effects such as deafening from sonic attacks or immobilized in ice by an ice spell still apply.
This spell is identical to moment of prescience, except you can use its effects once, plus an additional number of times equal to your caster level divided by 10. The insight bonus equals your caster level (maximum +30).
This spell is identical to mage armor, except that it grants a +20 armor bonus to armor class.
HP: 288/288
AC: 53.
Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL30) Heart of Fire (CL30), Heart of Air (CL30), Create Magic Tattoo (Spellcaster Level/SR/Attack) (CL30/26/22), Elemental Body (CL30), Superior Resistance (CL30) Mind Blank (CL30), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL30), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL30), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL26), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22), Many Moments of Prescience (CL30), Epic Mage Armor (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +6 Saves (SR)
Negative Conditions:
Are any of those being cast on Jarem as well or all they all Alyssa only?
Alyssa don't have an Eldritch Tapestry, so no. About the only ones I cast that can be cast on others is like, Magic Tattoo. If he wants that, I can give it to him. Um... I guess I can make Heart of Air echoing and give that to him if he wants? But no, generally all these spells are personal. The only ones he'd really benefit from are Elemental Body and Mind Blank, but I honestly don't have the slots to make those echoing. It'd be best to have a minion mage give those to him.
That's fine, we'll deal with details as things go on.
The base camp is a sphere - literally. A sphere of perhaps 50ft in diameter, a slab of stone serving as a floor. The dark, thick muck of Ooze is held at bay, clean and fresh air within here. Ritual circles are set up, wizards and sorcerers working away to maintain it.
Jarem wrinkles his nose as you have a moment to look around, "Ugly place. The sewer of the planes, isn't it?"
"Some may think of it that way, but to the those that exist here, it's paradise. I'll agree the... aesthetics... of the place don't agree with me, however."
She turns to the mages, "Report. Have we gotten the location narrowed down?"
"WE have, ma'am," The mage here is Researcher Janise, a rather homely woman with an unfortunately long face and far too piggish nose. "We believe it's embedded in a deep muck pool. However, something on the ship is scrambling teleportation, wounding creatures who teleport close by - and the auguries of trying to teleport directly to it suggest that a direct teleport will not be survived."
"Mmm. What kind of wounding? And how close can we get? How far from here?"
"Being directly scrambled, ma'am," Janise replies, "Parts of the body not where they are supposed to be."
Alyssa lets out a low whistle.
"Well, that's a bit mean. And the rest? Distance and direction?"
"About three miles that way," Janise points downwards and to the right.
"What kind of locals?" Jarem asks, "Any encountered?"
"No, sir," Janise replies, "But we haven't gotten too close to the ship."
"Mmm... They'll show up, eventually. I'm sure they'll want to claim it themselves. Or consume it. Okay, people, leave a group here to guard, this is our anchor-hold, so to speak, and we don't want to lose it. Everyone else, I want you all to get ready. Final preparations. We'll take a pause right before we hit the field to do final spells. Jarem, same for you and your people. If you have other suggestions, I'd like to hear them."
Okay, what sort of group is going forward and how you planning proceed in the hostile environs of Ooze?
Well, I should be perfectly fine since I have the Amulet. Others I would expect to be able to use Planar Tolerance or Avoid Planar Effects, they're level 5 and 2 spells, respectively. As for the group, it'd depend on who/what is available, and how many. I'd say 1 cleric for every 3 or 4 people, and one of those 3 or 4 would be an Abjurer for dispelling/counterspell/buffs. The rest would just be a mix of whatever, I suppose.
Sounds solid. Just elaborate on your marching order here and I'll get you going.
Someone with good scouting-ish would go first, then me, then whoever else, then a cleric, then the rest. Before we leave-leave, though, long duration buffs! To make a note when I think we're close to the ship, I'd stop to do minute/level buffs.
Hour/level duration:
(Reach+Chained) Greater Magic Weapon +5, CL 30, Duration: 30 Hours.
I carry 5 weapons, so that'd be 16 enchantments on whoever's weapons aren't more than +5 in the group.This spell functions like magic weapon, except that it gives a weapon an enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls of +1 per four caster levels (maximum +5).
Alternatively, you can affect as many as fifty arrows, bolts, or bullets. The projectiles must be of the same kind, and they have to be together (in the same quiver or other container). Projectiles, but not thrown weapons, lose their transmutation when used. (Treat shuriken as projectiles, rather than as thrown weapons, for the purpose of this spell.)
Dragonskin +5 NA, CL 30, Duration: 300 minutes.Your skin toughens and becomes scaly like that of a chromatic dragon, of a color that you select. You gain an enhancement bonus to natural armor equal to +1 per two level (to a maximum of +5 at 10th level), as well as energy resistance 10 against the type of energy appropriate to the color you select: acid (black or green), cold (white), electricity (blue), or fire (red). Your energy resistance increases to 20 at 10th level.
The heroics spell temporarily grants the subject a feat from the fighter's bonus feat list. For the duration of the heroics spell, the subject can use the feat as if it were one of those the creature had selected. All prerequisites for the feat must be met by the target of this spell.
Spells and spell-like effects targeted on you are turned back upon the original caster. The abjuration turns only spells that have you as a target. Effect and area spells are not affected. Spell turning also fails to stop touch range spells.
From seven to ten (1d4+6) spell levels are affected by the turning. The exact number is rolled secretly.
When you are targeted by a spell of higher level than the amount of spell turning you have left, that spell is partially turned. The subtract the amount of spell turning left from the spell level of the incoming spell, then divide the result by the spell level of the incoming spell to see what fraction of the effect gets through. For damaging spells, you and the caster each take a fraction of the damage. For nondamaging spells, each of you has a proportional chance to be affected.
If you and a spellcasting attacker are both warded by spell turning effects in operation, a resonating field is created.
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
Negative Conditions:
Ooze.
Even with magic keeping an air bubble around you, with the smell filtered - you see waste, filth, disgusting things. Ooze is constantly jiggling, roiling, bubbling. Like a cauldron of molten trash and worse, hunks of...things best not looked at closely littered throughout it.
React and toss a d100 for me, would you?
> roll 1d100 Dune Request
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 29 > [d100=29]
Your trip is largely uneventful at first. You travel along perhaps a mile, Jarem keeping his eyes open and staying close to you.
In a low voice he adds, "First time on Ooze?"
Alyssa nods. "Maybe last. Not sure I really want to discover the benefits of staying here too long. Yourself?"
"I've heard war stories of the occasional skirmish here. It's a miserable place, where disease kills ten times as many as violence." Jarem keeps his voice down as you fly along. "The diseases are horrifying, brutal and lethal. I've heard of men vomiting themselves to death an hour, or fevers so hot that the soldier who caught it burst aflame."
"Yeck. Much like the marshes I've had to wade through to find ruins. Fortunately, I learned enough from that to likely keep myself safe here. Though if we have future teams come through here, we'll have to make it a point to prepare for that. Though the flaming fever one sounds like a magical disease. How curious. I'd be interested in finding out what causes the combustion..."
With a dry laugh, shaking his head a bit, "Someone tried, and got the same thing. They survived because of magic, but swore off getting to the bottom of it. I'd suggest being prepared if you do."
Alyssa pulls out her notebook once again and jots something down before continuing on their way!
Okay, Perception for reference.
> roll 1d20+42 Perception for reference
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=9]
Great. Make a Fort save, too. No need if you're immune to disease.
Horizon Walker 2:
-Terrain Mastery (Marsh): You are immune to diseases.
Jarem doesn't auto fail saves on a 1 from a knight class power, and he can't fail this save, so no point rolling.
Within another half mile, you catch something. A minor aid, a lesser wizard coughs thrice, slowing in the air as he grimaces. He looks down at his hand and calls, "Healer!"
Alyssa motions towards him. "Check him. If he's infected, let us know if you need to get him out of here or not."
A red-clad cleric goes over and...
Taking 10 on Heal.
"Consumption," The cleric announces, "Fast onset. Come here, you need immediate healing."
Jarem's face tightens, "Fast onset consumption? I hope such a thing can't survive past Ooze, or it could eliminate entire villages in a day."
"Pay attention, then. Learn how to counter it from practical experience, then teach others. Do you need anything special to deal with this?"
After a casting and observation, "No," The cleric reports, "The disease is gone. Virulent but not resistant to magical healing."
Alyssa nods. "Jarem, make sure to note and pass that information out to your clerics so they know to watch for it. I'll have my people watch for symptoms in themselves and others. That should, hopefully, be enough to stave off any casualties from it."
With that, they continue their journey.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 32 > [d100=32]
You get closer - and you can see it ahead. A great, swirling pool of black, red and brown muck, chunks of things best unconsidered swirled around in it. Floating in the center of it is a ship, barely visible from here, nary more than an outline.
"Alright everyone, take a moment. Get your last medium duration spells going. Where's my Abjurer? Watch for whatever's scrambling the teleports. We need to find it and knock it out so we can get this thing out of here. Jarem, I want you to be my eyes on the Abjurer; they're likely to be busy focusing on finding the spell and will likely put a foot somewhere they shouldn't. If you think of anything that needs to be done, speak up."
With that, she begins casting her own spells.
(Reach+Chain) Sonic Weapon, CL 30, Duration: 30 minutes.
Alyssa carries 5 weapons. This will mean 16 weapons from the rest of the group will get this enchantment.While the spell is in effect, the affected weapon deals an extra 1d6 points of sonic damage with each successful attack. The sonic energy does not harm the weapon's wielder. Bows, crossbows, and slings that are affected by this spell bestow the sonic energy upon their ammunition.
Alyssa carries 5 weapons. This will mean 16 weapons from the rest of the group will get this enchantment.A longing for battle fills you as you complete this spell. Upon touching the intended weapon, the feeling fades even as a dull red aura encompasses the weapon.
For the duration of the spell, the weapon's threat range is doubled, and its critical threats automatically confirm, so every threat is a critical hit. The latter effect does not apply to any weapon that already has a magical effect related to critical hits.
Multiple effects that increase a weapon's threat range (such as this spell and the Improved Critical feat) don't stack. You can't cast this spell on a natural weapon, such as a claw.
> roll 1d4+8
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 9 > [d4=1]This spell functions like mirror image, except that an additional image is created in each round after the first, up to a maximum of eight concurrent images. If all images are destroyed, the spell ends. This spell also differs from mirror image in that you can cast this spell even when it's not your turn.
This spell functions like arcane sight, except that you automatically know which spells or magical effects are active upon any individual or object you see.
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
Negative Conditions: [/i]
As you begin to cast, "Ma'am!" Your scout calls, "Something's coming from the ship!"
Alyssa pauses her casting long enough to say, "Could be a survivor, try to identify it as it comes," before going back to casting. If whatever this is, is hostile, then finishing her spells will be key.
"It's some sort of blob of filth in the form of a dragon, ma'am! It might be a real dragon!" Is the call back.
Jarem readies his blade carefully, shield raised. "Time to earn our pay," he smiles tightly.
Once Alyssa finishes casting her spells, she inspects the oncoming filth dragon, trying to identify it and use her Arcane Sight to identify the spells on it.
Okay! Exercise in timing time! The plan here is to try and judge its speed so I can pop Time Stop to buff up right as init starts so I don't burn any rounds of the spells. If that's not really feasible, then I'll just do it when combat starts, but I have 5 spells to cast, so considering I'm likely to roll a 1 or 2, that'll be at least two time stops. You get the idea.
K:P first of all.
Using both Knowledge Devotion and Tale Keeper skill trick.
> roll 1d20+42+15+5 K:P/Bibliotheca/Tale Keeper
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 66 > [d20=4]
Oh!
It's not a dragon at all.
It's a creature called a Living Filth. They're basically giant, semi-sentient puddles of ooze that carry absurdly powerful and varied diseases and take the form of other creatures. Don't get too close and really don't get hit by it or you'll get who knows what diseases.
"It's not a dragon. It's a Living Filth. Puddle of ooze that's riddled with diseases. Keep your distance, bombard it. Try to slow it or immobilize it, keep range as much as you can. Anyone that's disease resistant, run interference. That's likely me, primarily. Clerics, watch anyone hit for signs of disease. If anyone feels like they're getting sick, fall back and get check immediately. Wait until it's focused on someone to go all out; hopefully, we can keep it moving from target to target and minimize focus on any one person."
Okay, so by running interference you mean...?
Typical tanking or distracting things. Honestly, I suspect I'm the only one immune to disease here. Maybe Jarem, but that's it. It's more just a throw-out-there tactics thing. Basically, if you're immune or resistant to disease, get its attention as best you can so those that aren't can pelt it from range.
The rest is, if it changes targets, someone who can deal with diseases needs to be getting between it and those that aren't so disease doesn't spread. Everyone else range pelt it. I imagine I'll be doing the majority of the tanking since I'll sorta be in its face so Dancing Blades and Steeldance will be close enough to trigger.
Okay, the Living Filth is 300ft away. Init.
Huh. Just realized that Nerveskitter is Chain Spell legal. Have to remember that for next time.
Nerveskitter, CL 30, Duration: 1 round.
+5 bonus on initiative check.
> roll 1d20+11+5 Nerveskitter
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=10]Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
Negative Conditions:
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+4 follows
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+8 living filth
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 9 > [d20=1]
Init is Alyssa (26) > Jarem (16) > Followers (14) > Living Filth (9)
Open.
Alyssa begins chanting, casting a spell!
Time Stop, CL 30.
> roll 1d4+1
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 3 > [d4=2]
This spell seems to make time cease to flow for everyone but you. In fact, you speed up so greatly that all other creatures seem frozen, though they are actually still moving at their normal speeds. You are free to act for 1d4+1 rounds of apparent time. Normal and magical fire, cold, gas, and the like can still harm you. While the time stop is in effect, other creatures are invulnerable to your attacks and spells; you cannot target such creatures with any attack or spell. A spell that affects an area and has a duration longer than the remaining duration of the time stop have their normal effects on other creatures once the time stop ends. Most spellcasters use the additional time to improve their defenses, summon allies, or flee from combat.
You cannot move or harm items held, carried, or worn by a creature stuck in normal time, but you can affect any item that is not in another creature's possession.
You are undetectable while time stop lasts. You cannot enter an area protected by an antimagic field while under the effect of time stop.
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
Negative Conditions:
3 rounds, go for it.
Round 1 Standard: Improved Blink, CL 30, Duration: 30 Rounds.Physical attacks against you have a 50% miss chance, and the Blind-Fight feat doesn't help the attacker.
If the attack is capable of striking invisible or incorporeal creatures, the miss chance is only 20%. An attacker who can both see and strike ethereal creatures takes no penalty.
You have no chance of interfering with your own attacks.
Individually targeted spells have a 50% chance to fail against you while blinking, unless your attacker can target invisible, ethereal creatures.
You have no chance of interfering with your own spells.
You take only half damage from area attacks (or full damage from those that extend onto the Ethereal Plane).
While blinking, you strike as an invisible creature (+2 bonus on attack rolls), denying your target any Dexterity bonus to AC.
You take only half damage from falling, since you are subject to gravity only while you are on the Material Plane.
You can ready an action to blink away from a specific enemy attack, physical or magical. If you do so, the attack misses automatically unless it can also affect ethereal targets.
You move at three-quarters speed, since movement on the Ethereal Plane is at half speed and you spend about half your time there and half your time material.
While blinking, you can step through (but not see through) solid objects. You do not risk materializing inside a solid object unless you actually end your move inside one, in which case you materialize and are shunted off to the nearest open space. You take 1d6 points of damage per 5 feet traveled in this manner.
Since you spend about half your time on the Ethereal Plane, you can see and even attack ethereal creatures. You interact with ethereal creatures in roughly the same way you interact with material ones (their attacks have a 50% miss chance against you, and so on).
All of Alyssa's weapons, except Lifedrinker (reserved for TK).This spell animates a melee weapon currently in your possession, causing it to fight your foes as you direct it. Once each round as a free action, you can direct the blade to attack an adjacent foe (a weapon with reach can attack a foe 10 feet away). The weapon's bonus on attack rolls is equal to your caster level + your key ability modifier, plus any enhancement bonus the weapon might have.
It deals damage equal to the normal damage of the weapon, plus your key ability modifier and any enhancement bonus or other bonus on damage inherent in the weapon. The weapon attacks once per round.
Despite the spell's name, it works on any melee weapon (not just blades). While your weapon is dancing, it cannot make attacks of opportunity, and you are not considered armed with the weapon.
It remains in your space and accompanies you everywhere, whether you move by physical or magical means. The weapon cannot be disarmed.
Time Resumes.Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30), Dancing Blade (CL30), Improved Blink (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
Negative Conditions:
In a blink you are there - in the choking, miserable mire. In the muck, fighting against it as...
For the sake of penalties, the muck is severe enough to count as fighting underwater, so include those penalties from the SRD.
Anything else this turn?
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/wilderness.htm#underwaterCombat
Does Freedom of Movement beat that penalty? Because I have a ring of that.
I think Dancing Blade can attack this round?
It does, okay.
Also more. Make a Fortitude save.
Spending 1/12 inspiration.
> roll 1d20+17+6+9 Fort Save/Sup. Res./Cunning Insight
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 42 > [d20=10]Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Inspiration: 1/12Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30), Dancing Blade (CL30), Improved Blink (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
Negative Conditions:
> roll 5d10
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 23 > [d10=2,8,1,9,3]
Halve this.
OW! As you appear you feel a sharp pain, parts of your body stinging from the teleport. That -hurt-!
Make your blade's attacks.
> roll 1d20+25 ATK 1
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+25 ATK 2
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 38 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+25 ATK 3
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+25 ATK 4
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 35 > [d20=10]
Forgot Greater Magic Weapon, +5 to all of those. So the results are: 35/43/45/40.
ATK 1: > roll 1d10+5+1d6+1d6 Desiccating Sure Strike Heavy Flail +Sonic Weapon
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 16 > [d10=1][d6=6,4]
ATK 2 (add +2d6 if this thing can prepare arcane spells): > roll 2d6+5 Magebane Shattermantle Greatsword
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 15 > [d6=5,5]
> roll 2d6 Magebane
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 6 > [d6=3,3]
ATK 3 Crossive Eager Rapier (Auto-confirm Crit via Dolorous Blow, second 1d6 is Corrosive): > roll 2#1d6+5+1d6
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 13, 12 >
ATK 4 (Silver): > roll 1d4+5
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 6 > [d4=1] Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Inspiration: 1/12Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30), Dancing Blade (CL30), Improved Blink (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
Negative Conditions:
It's immune to crits, so reroll the crit damage for normal? Mechanically it's an ooze and they're immune to them from the ooze type.
> roll 1d6+5+1d6 Crossive Eager Rapier
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 9 > [d6=1,3]
Blow after blow hits the Living Filth. It's strong - your weapons struggle to damage it, but the sonic bursts and particularly the desiccating weapon seem to injure it a bit, the latter sucking the liquid right out of it or close enough.
Jarem.
Jarem merely points his blade to the air, "Mistress of Tactics, strike down those unworthy!" From above a massive bolt of lightning hits, slamming into the Living Filth.
Wrath of the Heavens.
> roll 20d10
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 114 > [d10=1,9,1,10,1,8,8,2,10,8,6,6,1,9,5,9,3,5,6,6]
> roll 1d20+22 Fort
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=11]
The shock makes the Living Filth vibrate all over, wildly shaking from the blast as...
Minions.
Fire, ice, lightning. The elements are sent in a volley at the ooze, striking the Living Filth all over.
> roll 1d20+12 Reflex
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=2]
The Living Filth is battered by all of them - frozen, shocked, burned and more. An array of brilliant colors light of the grimy, sickening muck around you as the Living Filth writhes, before starting to swim and flow down and away, retreating at a fast clip.
Withdraw action. Alyssa, go. It's 240ft away now after withdrawing to avoid any AoOs.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 462/462
Spells Active:
Bonuses:
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Wrath of the Heavens
Forgot to roll the 1d4 for Dimension Door cooldown:
> roll 1d4
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 1 > [d4=1]
Are Oozes legal for Nerve Overload?
Creatures without nerves or who do not feel pain are immune to this spell.
They are not. They have no nerves. Also, isn't that a cleric only spell, so how did you get it?
By searching for transmutation and not noticing the cleric part. Will fix.Alyssa starts casting a spell!
Haste, CL 30, Duration: 30 rounds.
Up to 30 creatures, so everyone in the party.When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with any weapon he is holding. The attack is made using the creature's full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This effect is not cumulative with similar effects, such as that provided by a weapon of speed, nor does it actually grant an extra action, so you can't use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round.)
A hasted creature gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
All of the hasted creature's modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject's normal speed using that form of movement. This increase counts as an enhancement bonus, and it affects the creature's jumping distance as normal for increased speed.
Multiple haste effects don't stack. Haste dispels and counters slow.
With her new speed, Alyssa will fly after the thing!
100ft movement per round, flying.
You have a telepathic bond up, right?
Nope, couldn't quite fit it.
That it this round then?
Yep.
Fire support stops as the creature flees away, even farther as it still outspeeds you. It's getting well away by now, harder and harder to see in the muck.
Go.
Alyssa waits for the others to catch up, unwilling to be drawn out by herself more than necessary.
Even with protection, you feel filthy. The stench of Ooze is horrifying, only your spells and toughness stopping you from being violently ill.
"Nice shot," Jarem calls as you come back, "Take me next time in case someone hits back. I'm good at that sort of thing," he says, wrinkling his nose. "Also, clean yourself. That smells like a demon latrine."
In the background other wizards gag and make space around you, some of the clerics as well joining them.
"Bah. Was hoping I could slow it down for you all to hit it from behind. As for cleaning up, I'll wait until after we're finished. No point in cleaning up if we just get filthy again. Do a quick check to make sure no one's sick, and then we'll go after the ship. I'm betting that thing can blend into everything here, so keep an eye out."
"No really, I insist," Jarem grimaces, keeping his voice down. "Don't appear filthy and vulnerable as a leader. Project confidence and being above it, let the men and women under you think that you're superior to such things. Let them build your legend for you."
Alyssa grunts and turns her back to the others, letting out a quick word of magic and having Prestidigitation clean her up before turning back.
"Get together, keep an eye on your teammates, and let's move. Abjurer, get this teleport scrambling spell figured out."
With that, she heads towards the ship, keeping her pace down for the others to keep up.
The ship lies on its side, as if beached and forgotten. That's one thing.
The other is that hunks of space in it twist and turn, moving about impossibly. Distance seems wrong, contorted, alien. It hurts to look at long.
Does my Greater Arcane Sight tell me anything about what's going on? Or Spellcraft?
You'd have to get within 120ft.
Let's do that, then!
The ship is dimensionally distorted. Something has gone dreadfully wrong with a powerful magic item or effect, causing parts of the ship to be in separate dimensions and have the geometry of it terribly warped.
Fixing is possible, but you'd have to find and destroy or repair the source. Destroying it would work for sure but be destructive, while repairing it would be harder and riskier if you fail at it, but better if you succeed.
"Dimensional distortion... I think I can fix it if I can find the source... Let's see if we can find the source. The rest of you, keep an eye out for that Filth. Or anything else this thing might have attracted."
Alyssa attempts to find the source!
Doing so would require going in the ship, naturally. Are you going to enter the distorted ship?
If I can figure out that it's safe, sure. If I can't establish that, then I'll have the others establish a perimeter and go from there.
The ship is dimensionally twisted. Basic planar knowledge tells Alyssa that it is emphatically NOT save to go in there.
Okay, so... How would I do this? I mean, obviously I have to go in there, but what sort of thing can I do to minimize the danger here? I'm not exactly a theoretical planar mechanics degree holder in real life =p
There's not a lot you can do. Situation's fucked, this is when you call in the adventurers and hope they can reach the problem and fix it.
"Okay, we're going to have to go in there. I am, at least. Jarem, you're with me. The rest of you, get that perimeter established. I figure this distortion is what's causing the teleport mess up. There's not much other choice except blowing the whole thing up, so lets get this work done."
Alyssa idly wonders if the researcher's color pool incident caused this... Like some sort of astral sea mine that knocked the ship into a random plane... but then decides that's for later consideration and to deal with the situation now.
Jarem is with you, a short nod as he readies himself. There's a few places you could enter the ship.
You could fly to the main deck and go through one of the two sets of stairs to the decks. One is twisted and looping seemingly endlessly and the other wavers back and forth like a heat haze.
There's a gash on the upper side of the ship, large enough for a person to go through. Things look fairly stable there, but the muck is even thicker there.
Alyssa motions Jarem to follow her, moving to inspect the stairs that look heat hazy. If it's just a temperature difference, they might be able to work around it...
I'm guessing Dimension Door is scrambled by this effect?
If you think you can survive despite the warnings, you could try.
Jarem follows, and as you get closer, the distortion moving faster and waving back and forth, the stairs rippling like an image atop water, disturbed by a stone thrown through it.
"So," Jarem declares as you pass through the horrid, foul muck, your abilities, magic and training keeping you from being wretchedly ill, "Now what? Chance going through that?"
Alyssa inspects, taping a finger on her chin, considering... Would her fire immunity hold up? If not, could Time Stop let her pass? She glances down at her feet.
... Could she simply cut through the deck?
Questions I'm asking are pretty obvious, but the deck thing. I remember they have like a hardness or ac or something? Would Brilliant Blade bypass that?
Read the spell carefully. Brilliant energy weapons can't damage objects.
What about Fire Immunity or time stop? Also, does the ship have hardness?
Naturally, fire immunity would help if this deals fire damage. If not, not.
Time stop and dimensional disturbances can be finiky. Usually you simply can't deal with one in a time stop but results can and will vary instance from instance. It's a risky game.
Alyssa turns to Jarem.
"Well... I could test my fire immunity or we could hack through the deck... Or get a bit dirty. I'm guessing there's probably going to be some sort of ooze or something in around the hole in the ship, though. I say a bit dirty is, over-all, the wiser choice."
With a solemn look that softens into a smile as he speaks, "Alyssa, I've learned one thing - when in places of high magic, listen to the wizard. Lead on."
Alyssa does so! To the hole in the ship and through!
Perception, you two.
> roll 1d20+42 Perception Alyssa
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 58 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+43 Perception Jarem
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=14]
You don't see anything around here, just thicker and nastier muck. Heavier, more solid almost.
Alyssa mentally prepares herself and gets Lifedrinker ready with her Telekinesis before going in through the hole!
Woosh!
Gravity. Pressure. You are in a muck filled cavern, the gravity much stronger than usual, like on Earth. A cavern covered in filth, a winding chasm ahead with a single stone bridge over it. Beyond that is indistinct, distance turning into a wavering haze.
So... I got gated somewhere? Or what roll to figure out what happened?
K:P.
K:P
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 15 + 42, total 57[/blockquote]
Looks like the distortion has reached into Earth, and a small pocket of it can be accessed through that. So right now you're on the Elemental Plane of Earth. Fortunately, going ahead should lead to something that takes you back to the ship.
Alyssa looks around for Jarem.
Jarem's right besides you, grimacing at the muck on him. "You alright, Alyssa?" he asks, eyes sweeping around. "We're on Earth."
"Fine. Just looking the place over. We should get back to the ship if we just go through here."
She waits until he's sorted himself out to fly on!
Going ahead where exactly? The chasm and stone bridge? Okay. How high are you flying? Ceilings 25ft up.
Yes, to the bridge, yes flying, half way up, so 12 ft.
The twof you fly along - and as you begin to cross the chasm, you see it coming up your way. A rather impressively large elemental, an earth elemental covered in filth. "Graaagh!" A cry in Terran as...
Do you speak Terran or can otherwise understand it?
I speak it.
"MORE NASTIES! SMASH!" The elemental roars before...
Init, the native is not happy.
> roll 1d20+11+2+5 Intiative
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+11+2+5 Intiative --> [ 1d20=2 ]{20}
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem Init
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+5 Jarem Init --> [ 1d20=13 ]{18}
You don't need to be making Jarem's rolls, but I do appreciate it.
> roll 1d20+4 earth elemental is not fast
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+4 earth elemental is not fast --> [ 1d20=3 ]{7}
Alyssa (20) > Jarem (18) > Earth Elemental (7)
This might be a long shot, but...
Alyssa casts a quick spell of Prestidigitation to alter the smell and feel coming off of her to simulate that of an Earth Elemental, hoping it's enough to give the Elemental pause.
After, she shouts in its native Terran, "WAIT! NOT NASTIES! STONE-FRIENDS!"
Heh, heh, that's worth a shot. Diplo, +5 circumstance bonus for cleaning yourself off.
Glad you liked it =)
Using Inspiration here cause I wanna win.
> roll 1d20+36+5+20 Diplo/Circumstance/Cunning Knowledge
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+36+5+20 Diplo/Circumstance/Cunning Knowledge --> [ 1d20=14 ]{75}
The elemental...slows. Stops. It rises up but does not smash either of you.
"Grr," it rumbles in Terran. "Why nasties come here? Nasty, bad nasties. Everything nasty now."
Alyssa continues, "Nasties came through rip in space. We follow, try to fix. If fix, no more nasties."
"Okay. Stone take care of food that came through," The elemental says. "Nasties would take it too."
"Food? Show. May tell what happen."
Jarem watches this and gives you a side long look, "You have a way with elementals? I don't speak Rock."
The elemental sinks down adn then emerges with a chest. It's half eaten, gold coins spilling out of it onto the elemental's hand. "Food. Gold food."
"Patience of stone, friend."
She turns to Jarem, switching back to common. "I speak many languages. It was angry; some of the Oozes came in through the rift and started eating things, making a mess. I've calmed it enough that I'm trying to figure out what all happened. Apparently, some, no idea how much yet, of the treasure from the ship came through. It thinks its food..."
Alyssa considers, then turns back to the elemental... "What want for food? Trade? May draw nasties out, follow us out, gone."
With a negligent drop, the elemental drops the half eaten chest and coins onto the ground near the chasm. "Take food. Just kill nasties. Stone find food elsewhere, dig for it. Free food too much trouble."
"Well, he just gave us treasure, so you did something right," Jarem agrees.
Alyssa nods and starts packing the treasure away in her Haversack.
"Thank you, friend. Many Nasties left, or you kill most?"
She turns back to look at the portal they came through, trying to figure out if she can seal it.
[Loot post started, just lemme know you read it since about out of time. That post here will be what I start off tonight, so get it in.
Read it.
"Kill nasties. More come. Then more come. They not like it here," Stone grunts, like boulders rolling downhill.
Alyssa nods and turns to Jarem, "Primary complaint is that more oozes come through... Give me a bit to see if I can close this side..."
She heads back to her entry point and inspects it, trying to figure out a way to seal this side of the rift.
K:P.
Cunning Knowledge here. Wanna get this sealed so I can use it as a base for the rest.
> roll 1d20+42+20 K:P/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 77 > [d20=15]
Yep, still a mess and only fixable by dealing with the source. Not even a dimensional anchor will work. It'll struggle against the weight of the rest of the connected rifts and fail due to those.
"Mmm. Not from this end either. Only way is the source..."
She sighs and heads back to the elementals, "Take time. Find source, only way. More nasties may come, will stop when I fix."
"Good. Fix. Stone like you. Good fleshy." Stone rumbles, then begins to sink back into the chasm.
Alyssa nods and turns to Jarem, "Let's go get this done as fast as we can. This damn plane is one I don't want to stay on."
Jarem nods and takes the point, "Let me lead on, I can take an assault better than you, I think."
Alyssa nods and let's him go ahead.
With a smile and a sweep, Jarem flies ahead. He makes it about halfway across the chasm before he vanishes in an instant, the air rippling around him.
Alyssa follows!
A shiver as you're transported again. A ship's stairway going down to the deck proper, Jarem there to catch you as you come down. He holds you and gently places your feet down, "Careful, m'lady," he smiles, "That first step can be a bit much."
Alyssa shakes her head. "Yes, quite." She looks him dead square in the eye. "Don't be too grabby now... And bathe first next time." With a smirk she looks around, trying to figure out where on the ship she is and if she can figure the direction to the distortion source.
With an easy smile back, "Yes, ma'am," he agrees, meeting your gaze with one of his. You look to be on one of the two main stairways going down into the ship, oddly right side up despite the ship lying on its side. Odd, that.
Before you have much time to ponder, you hear a growl from below.
Alyssa ignores the growl for a moment, "Hm... It's own gravity... A function of the ship or the rift... In any case!"
She focuses on the growl, trying to identify it as she motions Jarem forward.
K:N.
> roll 1d20+42+5 K:N/Tale Keeper
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=4]
Well, the roar sound sdeep enough to - oh, nevermind. It just came to the base of the stairs. It's a big tiger, bristling and huge, bugling with muscles.
Jarem shakes his head, "The magic here must be hello," Hefting his shield into position, "Think you can fry it while I stab its face in, m'lady?"
You can tell it is a dire tiger. Don't let it pounce you and don't let it claw you up and you should be okay. It's basically a tiger, only meaner and stronger.
Alyssa casts a spell, nearly undetectably: Unseen Needle.
From the spell: As this spell lacks verbal and somatic components, this spell is nearly undetectable. Any creature that cannot see invisibility does not notice this spell being cast. They are treated as being flatfooted against it, including allowing the caster to inflict sneak attack damage, if they possess any. A creature that does not notice this spell cannot use spellcraft to analyze the spell, as they were not aware a spell was even cast. Creatures that can see invisibility defend as normal from the spell, but they cannot tell from where the spell came from.Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Inspiration: 1/12Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30), Dancing Blade (CL30), Improved Blink (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
If you're attacking we're going into init, since it was going to be called for almost regardless here anyway. It's hostile and advancing, after all.
Okay, the two of you are in a ship's stairway. It's pretty narrow, so only one person there and passing Jarem (or him retreating behind you) would be difficult, fair warning. Flight isn't an option due to the low ceiling.
Can I fire spells off around him? Enough space there?
He's blocking things up pretty good, so no. You're working with limited space.
So yeah, init time.
> roll 1d20+11+5 Init/Nerveskitter
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=18]
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+6 dire tiger
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=4]
Init is Alyssa (34) > Jarem (17) > Dire Tiger (10)
Open.
"Jarem, I need a clear shot at it. Duck down!"
Holding for a clear shot.
"Such a demanding lady," Jarem laughs, kneeling with his shield in position, bracing. "Red Knight protect me, this one has some sass in her!"
Go ahead and take your held action.
Alyssa fires off her spell!
Unseen Needle, CL 30.
Target: Dire Tiger.
Also spending 1 inspiration to activate Cunning Strike. +1d6 Sneak Attack Damage.
> roll 1d20+30 Ranged Touch
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 45 > [d20=15]
> roll 25d6+1d6
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 109 > [d6=4,5,6,1,4,6,6,6,3,2,6,6,5,4,4,2,5,3,2,6,6,2,6,2,4,3]
Direct hit! Right between the eyes, the tiger now having a bleeding hole on his head. It still gallops up the stairs, coming for Jarem with a snarl.
> roll 1d20+27 claw
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+27 claw --> [ 1d20=16 ]{43}
> roll 1d20+27 claw
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+27 claw --> [ 1d20=18 ]{45}
> roll 1d20+22 claw
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+22 claw --> [ 1d20=1 ]{23}
> roll 1d20+22 claw
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+22 claw --> [ 1d20=7 ]{29}
> roll 1d20+27 bite
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+27 bite --> [ 1d20=12 ]{39}
> roll 1d20+27 rake
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+27 rake --> [ 1d20=9 ]{36}
> roll 1d20+27 rake
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+27 rake --> [ 1d20=1 ]{28}
AC of 55 holds, no need for his miss chance to be rolled.
Yet Jarem meets that charge with his shield, shifting forward to parry claw and bite with it, armor holding against scratches that get through. Voice slightly muffled from his helmet, Jarem declares, "Down!"
> roll 1d20+49 tripping
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+49 tripping --> [ 1d20=19 ]{68}
> roll 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) bonus attack
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) bonus attack --> [ 1d20=19 ]{56}
> roll 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) bonus attack crit?
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) bonus attack crit? --> [ 1d20=2 ]{39}
> roll 1d20+32 (-4 nonlethal) second attack
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+32 (-4 nonlethal) second attack --> [ 1d20=8 ]{40}
> roll 1d20+27 (-4 nonlethal) second attack
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+27 (-4 nonlethal) second attack --> [ 1d20=16 ]{43}
> roll 1d20+22 (-4 nonlethal) second attack
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+22 (-4 nonlethal) second attack --> [ 1d20=10 ]{32}
> roll 2d8+26
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d8+26 --> [ 2d8=11 ]{37}
> roll 1d8+13
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+13 --> [ 1d8=6 ]{19}
> roll 1d8+13
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+13 --> [ 1d8=6 ]{19}
> roll 1d8+13
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+13 --> [ 1d8=8 ]{21}
> roll 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) shield 1
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) shield 1 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{54}
> roll 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) shield 2
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+37 (-4 nonlethal) shield 2 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{50}
> roll 2d6+18
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d6+18 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{25}
> roll 2d6+18
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d6+18 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{26}
Normally Jarem relies on knock down for the free trips, just FYI. Did it that way by mistake and rolled with it.
Blow after blow slams into the tiger - the flat of the blade and the front of the shield smash his face in, causing it to tumble over, landing at the bottom of the stairs in a heap. It's still breathing, but also out cold. Standing up after, "Alyssa, do you know how much a dire tiger sells for on the market, or how nice one is as a protector if you get it trained?"
Free act.
Uh, appraisal? I guess?
It was a rhetorical question, not a request for appraisal. But make one if you want to, sure.
"Not specifically, no. I imagine it's a decent sum. You're free to bring it, if you wish. If you can."
"It's out cold," Jarem nudges it with a booted toe, "We can have our soldiers take it back once we're done and this is fixed."
"If you have rope, I'd suggest using it. Just in case. But yes, let's get this finished."
Alyssa waits for Jarem to take the lead again.
Down the steps you go. A hall here, going in both directions. Behind you it goes about 10ft before wavy and rippling air, four doors past it and stairs going further down. Ahead are two doors - one on each wall - and stairs going further down as well.
Can I use Detect Magic and spellcraft to get any kind of direction on the source of the distortion?
You can try, sure. Go for it.
Alyssa takes a moment to cast Detect Magic on herself and survey the room...
> roll 1d20+42 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 61 > [d20=19]
Further down in the ship and towards the prow if you're reading the energies right. Which you admit you aren't sure you are, it's an awfully fine art to do so.
"Towards the prow... I think. Let's go."
Alyssa heads towards it, pacing herself so she can study the magic more. The more she learns now, the better she can find a solution later.
It looks to be going ahead towards the two doors and the stairs going down, notably.
Jarem nods and follows, going to a door. "Can you provide support if a hostile enemy's behind one of these doors?"
"Limited in this enclosed space. Most of my spells are somewhat large effect."
"Alright. Stay back and do what you can," Jarem says, nudging the door on the left side open. As it opens - Jarem vanishes in an instant, gone.
Inside the room you can see the front half of it is covered by twisting, looping distortion. The back half isn't. Regardless, it looks to be a set of quarters for a single person. Nice enough by ship standards, you suppose.
Alyssa leans in and calls out for Jarem, using her Telekinesis to wield Lifedrinker.
How far are you leaning in?
Just a bit. Right up to it but not in.
No response. The room is empty. There's a bed, an overturned table, a dresser, a chest the floor and a weapon rack with a pair of sheathed swords on it. Also an empty armor rack on a second glance.
Alyssa sighs. Better go in and find him. Best not to separate.
She steps and into the room.
White sand.
White sand everywhere. Behind you is distortion, and distortion is to the sides 20ft to the left and 40ft to the right. 200ft ahead is more distortion. The sky is a brilliant shade of pale blue, no clouds at all. Perhaps a dozen broken and slain gith corpses lie about, already half covered in the chalky white sand. Jarem kneels before one, checking it over.
Alyssa flies over, hovering over Jarem.
"Crew, you think?" She also eyes the sand for any loot...
All of them are armed and armored - chain armors and plate, by and large. Some possessions are scattered about, too.
"It's the crew," Jarem concurs, "All dead."
"Well. The polite thing to do is to take them back through and arrange for either burial or return to the Gith."
"Polite, honorable...and completely unprofitable, unless you plan to return this all to the gith. Do you?" Jarem glances sidelong at you.
"... I'm willing to keep my options open. The gith might care far more for the ship than the treasure. We might make out on it. Doesn't hurt to keep the choice open. For now."
Jarem clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, clearly heard. "Well then, m'lady, I suggest we loot them now. We may not be able to get back here once we fix this."
Alyssa nods and slings her haversack into the sand, getting to work.
Perception-a-roo.
Cunning Knowledge saved my ass there.
> roll 1d20+42+20 Perception/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 66 > [d20=4]
You gather up the gear. As you do, you begin to hear a soft, whistling sound. The wind is stirring as well, you note.
Alyssa gets suspicious.
"Dead gith and a whistling, stirring wind. I'll bet they're connected. How about we get out of here?"
"Lady, that sounds like a great idea," Jarem agrees, tucking away the last of the armor and weapons. He stands, your bag loaded down heavier as...
Which direction?
"Nothing so far has been easy. Let's get to the that one." Alyssa points at the distortion 200ft away.
You fly on, making it about halfway before there is a loud whistle of winds. It's all the warning you get before a gale force wind slashes into the two of you and...!!!
Okay, strength checks, both of you.
Factotum is doin' work for me.
> roll 1d20+0+9 Str/Brains over Brawn
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+7
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=7]
Somehow you manage to land in a crouch, covering your face with your arms. It shields your eyes from the blast, as you're dimly aware of Jarem crying out, the sound growing more and more distant as...
Act. It's currently an abrupt and rather unpleasant sand storm all around you.
Can I find Jarem at all?
If you're willing to look up and get sand wind to the face, possibly.
I shall do so, using the hood of my cloak as best as I can to protect me!
Fort, +2 circumstance bonus for the hood.
> roll 1d20+17+6+2 Fort/Sup. Res/Cirumstance
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=11]
You manage to keep your eyes free of the gritty sand long enough to see. Jarem is hurled towards the left, into the distortion there and vanishing as he flies into it.
Alyssa sighs and flies into the distortion after him.
Men.
Sand again. Nicer sand, warmer sand. A sandy beach, an ocean all around you. A small island, perhaps a hundred paces across, closer to being a sand spit with a hill of rocks in the center. All around the island is wavering distortion, Jarem slowly getting up from landing hard on the sands here.
Alyssa gives him a hand up.
"Well, it's better for sure... But I dislike that we're now two steps away from the ship. The further away, the harder to find our way back."
She absently shifts her clothes to something more fitting of a beach. A sarong, light top, wide hat, and a whisp of a shawl.
Jarem gives you a long look over, perhaps smiling beneath his helmet. "You make a beautiful island maiden," he remarks, "But you'd do that in your free time back at your guild?"
Alyssa drops him back into the sand.
"What I do in my free time is my business. But yes, I live on an island. I take advantage of it."
She looks around, inspecting the area for more distortions or other interesting things.
Jarem lands and stands on his own this time, "Of course it's your own business, Lady," he smiles, "But I'll be there too now, so it is rather my business."
Besides the distortion around the island, you notice...
Perception.
> roll 1d20+42 Perception
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+42 Perception --> [ 1d20=13 ]{55}
After looking around she inspects Jarem with an arched eyebrow. "... I suppose you might make an acceptable drink carrier. Typically I have Lorathana for that. I doubt she'd approve of you trying to take work from her. I'll be interested in seeing the outcome."
You can see something glinting atop the rocks.
Jarem merely smiles, "I think Lady's just the right name for you, Alyssa. That or Queen."
Alyssa gives him a confused glance, "Of course. I already effectively rule an island nation. Even if it isn't official and I like the council. "
She walks off with a shake of her head towards the glint.
Jarem shakes his head and laughs, following along with you. Atop the stones lies a bloodstain, and within is part of a hilt and about four inches of broken sword still attached to it. The blade is a smooth, shiny silver color.
Alyssa inspects it with detect magic, wary of cursed items.
It's magical. Make Spellcraft.
Spellcraft:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 16 + 42, total 58[/blockquote]
It was part of a magical weapon, a fairly powerful one. It's broken now, unfortunately. The magic's too far gone to identify much more about it.
Alyssa picks it up and stores it.
"Broken, but I might learn something from it."
She looks around for distortions or anything else.
Nothing else that you can see of note.
"I don't think there's much here... Well, besides a nice beach. Let's head back through."
She does make a note to invest in a private beach at some point, though.
Where in the distortion are you going?
I'll trust in Shaundakul and just go random here, I guess.
Roll 1d10 and post it.
> roll 1d10
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 1 > [d10=1]
Your lucky day.
Boxes surround you. You are on a ship - perhaps your ship. Boxes from floor to ceiling, caved in slightly and blocking your way. You have about 10ft by 5ft of space to work with. One of the boxes has a crack in it, black gemstones falling out of it. Jarem kneels and picks one up, tossing it to you, "I'm no merchant, but when I see black gems, I think black onyx and necromancers."
Alyssa catches it with her telekinesis, bringing it float and spin before her so she can inspect it.
"Perhaps... An unusual amount of them, though. This is a fair bit more than the Order has, and we have a dedicated Necromancy tower... If they're using these for necromantic spells, it's... a lot of them. An army's worth."
Appraise.
> roll 1d20+42 Appraise
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 46 > [d20=4]
It's a black zircon. They occur in some Prime worlds, Earth and connected Inner Planes, Pandemonium and a few mountains in Maladomini in Hell. They're not very valuable, unfortunately, but there are a lot of them.
"Hm. Black zircon. Not especially valuable... Not enough to justify a shipment like this..."
She tries to think of what could need this amount as she heads out, hoping to find the source of the distortion.
K:A.
> roll 1d20+42 K:A
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=1]
Nothing magical comes to mind. Zircon is rarely used in magic, as diamonds are often tied to restoration, and something seen as a fake diamond largely mitigates those spiritual properties. They're still gemstones, however, and thus valuable cargo.
"Hm. Let's move. We can deal with this later."
Jarem stand and readies his gear, "Think there's another distortion on the far side," he gestures to the end of the little cubby of sorts you're in.
Is there no other way out of the room? Or is the other distortion my only option?
Boxes surround you. You are on a ship - perhaps your ship. Boxes from floor to ceiling, caved in slightly and blocking your way. You have about 10ft by 5ft of space to work with. One of the boxes has a crack in it, black gemstones falling out of it. Jarem kneels and picks one up, tossing it to you, "I'm no merchant, but when I see black gems, I think black onyx and necromancers."
To refresh. No obvious path out of anything, what you do from here is your choice.
Can I clear a path out of the room with TK? If not, then the distortion is the only option.
You could, but you'd have to be careful not to send boxes down on your heads.
"Jarem, help me clear a path here. I'll move the boxes, just make sure they don't fall."
Alyssa begins shifting the boxes around to make room! And she surreptitiously decides to dump the cracked open crate of black zircon into her haversack... Just in case. Adventurers are prudent about an opportunity, after all.
Added to loot. Perception check.
> roll 1d20+42 Perception
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 61 > [d20=19]
As boxes are moved, you begin to notice the space around you subtly shifting, wobbling, twisting.
"Hold. Things are... twisting. Be very careful."
She starts being significantly more careful as she tries to figure out what this might mean.
Your arcane and planar knowledge suggests that a distortion is in and between the boxes. Moving them is changing it and how and where it manifests. For whatever reason the boxes aren't being moved, but other things may not be so lucky.
"What in the hells... The distortion is anchored to the position of the boxes. We move them, it changes. I wonder if we could use this to... Target the other end of the distortion. Maybe get it to take us to the source..."
Any roll/chance of that?
K:P.
> roll 1d20+42 K:P
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 61 > [d20=19]
Possibly if you figure out how to sort it just so and enter at the precisely the right point. If you're right, great. If you're wrong, it coudl be destructive.
Alyssa considers, trying to plan this out and figure out the mechanic behind it, before pulling out her notebook and making notes while working through the problem.
Let's give it a shot!
Make four K:P checks and four Spellcraft checks.
The first K:P and spellcraft check have a +2 bonus, the second ones have on modifier, the third checks have -2 and the last have -4.
Any chance of Jarem assisting?
> roll 1d20+42+2 K:P
> roll 1d20+42+2 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=7]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+42+2 K:P
> roll 1d20+42+2 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=8]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 45 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+42+2-2 K:P
> roll 1d20+42+2-2 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 45 > [d20=3]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 55 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+42+2-4 K:P
> roll 1d20+42+2-4 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 48 > [d20=8]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 53 > [d20=13]
Sure, go ahead and make the aid another rolls for him.
> roll 1d20+38+2 K:P Aid
> roll 1d20+38+2 Spellcraft Aid
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=17]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+38 K:P Aid
> roll 1d20+38 Spellcraft Aid
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=13]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 53 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+38-2 K:P Aid
> roll 1d20+38-2 Spellcraft Aid
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=3]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 46 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+38-4 K:P Aid
> roll 1d20+38-4 Spellcraft Aid
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 41 > [d20=7]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 50 > [d20=16]
Great, gimme totals.
Totals are:
Set 1: 53 K:P, 57 Spellcraft
Set 2: 54 K:P, 47 Spellcraft
Set 3: 57 K:P, 57 Spellcraft
Set 4: 50 K:P, 55 Spellcraft
You set it up, moving the boxes just so - ahah! A portal slowly forms, flickering and unsteady. It may not last long, but that should work.
You think.
"Let's go explore this."
With that, Alyssa heads through!
"Hope this is a winning strategy, Queen," Jarem remarks as the two of you fly on through and...
Fort save.
> roll 1d20+17+6 Fort Save
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+33 Jarem
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=4]
Woah!
Your stomach twists at the strange movement, but you are now in a deep, misty place. Mist everywhere as you float in nothing at all. Ahead of you lies an endlessly refracting crystalline cluster, colors rippling through it as space twists and turns around it.
Taking 10 on his K:P check.
"The Deep Ethereal," Jarem remarks as he looks around, "Good odds its safe, not a lot lives out here. Though, the Red Knight teaches to be the most vigilant then, because a surprise when you expect it the least can be the most destructive.""
"Be cautious. I've heard reports of devil-kin in the deep ethereal. This might have attracted attention."
Following her own advice, she readies Life-drinker with her TK.
Perception, indeed.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 15 + 42, total 57[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+43
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 44 > [d20=1]
You swear that you hear a ribbit, rather distinctly.
Alyssa pauses, running the sound through her memory... Could it be...
Knowledge to identify?
K:P.
> roll 1d20+42+5 K:P/Tale Keeper
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=7]
Well, it could be a giant frog or similar thing. It could also be a slaad of some kind.
I can go into more detail if you need it.
I figured it was some sort of Slaad. If I could confirm that, that's what I'm looking for.
It probably is, but it could be something froggy and unrelated. A ribbit just isn't a lot to go off of.
"... I have a feeling that was a Slaad of some sort. Be on the watch."
She goes back to inspecting the place, trying to figure out what's to be done here with the distortion, inspecting the crystal.
As you slowly study the crystal, you glance up and see it. At the same time Jarem's moving, "Down!" he calls, shield out and rushing to your position. A stream of ghostly, gnawing piranhas are darting right towards you, dozens and dozens all coming at you.
Can I identify if this is actually dangerous or just some weird apparition thing?
Alyssa uses her Dimension Door ability to teleport herself and Jarem away and out of danger, to the other side of the crystal.
Oh boy. Make a Spellcraft check.
> roll 1d20+42 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 62 > [d20=20]
Teleporting next to this sort of distortion? Probably not wise. The magic immediately collapses, only a quick control by Alyssa stopping it from scrambling her and Jarem like eggs. Jarem meanwhile shoves you aside, taking the assault head on and...
> roll 1d20+37 evasion
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 53 > [d20=16]
Jarem's shield holds, devouring ghost piranha's deflected away. They split around him and loop back, the stream quite long indeed. It comes, perhaps 30ft away and just visible through the fog. A frog-like humanoid, a dull white color, the same as the mists here. It ribbits again as the ghosty piranha swirl around it, as...
Init.
> roll 1d20+11 init
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=6]
Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 288/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Inspiration: 1/12
[spoiler]Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30), Dancing Blade (CL30), Improved Blink (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)[/spoi
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+12 frog man
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=7]
Init is Frog Man (19) > Alyssa (17) > Jarem (13)
Frog Man opens.
The stream of piranha flies forth. looping around and around in a helix, before coming right at you.
Reflex.
> roll 1d20+20+6 Ref Save
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=11]
> roll 20d6 halve this
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 82 > [d6=5,5,3,4,6,4,1,6,6,6,4,1,2,6,4,5,6,1,6,1]
Force damage.
OW. You dodge to the side by ghostly fish still gnaw against your shoulder and ribs, drawing blood. You can't see the frog-man, slaad or not, well from here. With the mists, you'd need to get closer, they're hiding him quite well.
Go.
Alyssa flies towards the thing, stopping close enough to get a good view of it before she begins casting a spell!
Summon Monster 7: Fire Elemental, Huge.
Duration: 30 rounds.
Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 247/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Inspiration: 1/12Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30), Dancing Blade (CL30), Improved Blink (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
You fly 10ft forward, 30ft away now. The mists do not clear, clinging to it instead. It doesn't seem to be going away. You could continue to get closer if you want or cast now.
Is this something my True Seeing would beat?
It does not, it notes it does not defeat concealment caused by fog or the like.
I wasn't entirely sure what the effect was, it it was some etheral thong of actual fog.
Could I use violent thrust to blow away the fog?
Technically it's not an object so I wouldn't normally allow it, but eh, you're really good with TK so I think it's a reasonable bit of leeway to allow. You could try, sure.
Improved Violent Thrust!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+39 : 2 + 39, total 41[/blockquote]
The fog is blown away. It is a frog man - twisted and misshapen, webbed hands and feet. It is a vague greenish color with the mist gone, skin slimy and oozy. Your knowledge lets you know that this is not a slaad, you aren't sure what the hell it is.
That it for your turn?
Unless I can roll to figure out what it is.
Jarem is a dart as the mists part, shield lowered as he races in, blade up to cleave the frog-man apart. "Too slow, too stupid!" he taunts as...
> roll 1d20+45 (+2 charge, +5 smite, -5 PA)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+45 (+2 charge, +5 smite, -5 PA) --> [ 1d20=1 ]{46}
"Tsch!" Jarem grunts as the frog-ma twists back, vaulting away as Jarem extends his shield out. The symbol of the Red Knight burns bright on it, as a flash of lightning strikes from above, right on the frog man.
> roll 20d10
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 20d10 --> [ 20d10=104 ]{104}
> roll 1d20+20 fortitude
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+20 fortitude --> [ 1d20=7 ]{27}
Save failed, so blinded and deafened.
The flash of lightning is near-blinding, a shriek as ghost piranha flow around it. "Whatever it is, it's close enough to the slaad for the Red Knight not to approve," Jarem shouts, as...
Calculated gamble paid off. Frog-man is up.
The frog man writhes, holding his hands over his eyes, screaming shrilly.
Go. He's not in a condition to do much at the moment.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 462/462
Spells Active:
Bonuses:
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 smite, 1 wrath of the heavens
Alyssa sends Life-Drinker out, slicing and hacking at the frog!
> roll 1d20+38+5+1 ATK 1
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+38+5+1 ATK 1 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{60}
> roll 1d20+33+5+1 ATK 2
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+33+5+1 ATK 2 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{51}
> roll 1d20+28+5+1 ATK 3
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+28+5+1 ATK 3 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{53}
> roll 1d20+23+5+1 ATK 4
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+23+5+1 ATK 4 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{33}
> roll 1d20+28+5+1 ATK 3 crit confirm
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d12+5+1+1d6 ATK 1
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 20 > [d12=8][d6=6]
> roll 1d12+5+1+1d6 ATK 2
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 14 > [d12=2][d6=6]
> roll 1d12+5+1+1d6 ATK 4
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 15 > [d12=7][d6=2]
Holding roll for ATK 3 for crit confirm.Alyssa Songsteel
HP: 247/288
AC: 57.
Init: +11.
Inspiration: 0/12Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL29) Heart of Fire (CL29), Heart of Air (CL29), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body (CL29), Mind Blank (CL29), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL29), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid (CL29), Energy Immunity: Electricity (CL25), Energy Immunity: Sonic (CL22) Many Moments of Prescience (CL29), Epic Mage Armor (CL29), Heroics (CL30), Dragonskin (CL30), Spell Turning (CL30), Sonic Weapon (CL30), Dolorous Blow (CL30), Greater Mirror Image (9 Images) (CL30), Greater Arcane Sight (CL30), Dancing Blade (CL30), Improved Blink (CL30)
Bonuses: +10 Ground Speed (HoF), +10 Fly Speed (HoA), SR 19 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +5 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV), +4 Initiative (Heroics), +5 NA (DS)
That is a crit.
I forgot to add my Cha mod in for the damage rolls, so I'll be adding it in on totals. The Modifier is +3.
> roll 2#1d12+3
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 8, 6 >
> roll 1d6 Sonic
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 5 > [d6=5]
Totals:
ATK 1: 20+3=23
ATK 2: 14+3=17
ATK 3: 19
ATK 4: 15+3= 19
Total: 78.
Any add on effects like negative levels? If so, include those with the damage next time.
Yes, forgot the negative levels. -2 levels per hit.
Blades slash into the hapless creature, slicing it and slicing deeper. Into its very essence, shredding and tearing. It screams, a deep croaking sound as it bleeds, arm slashed, stomach gashed and head bashed. Reeling, it can barely offer a defense as Jarem savages it, shield and sword working together like a natural combo.
> roll 1d20+43 just going for hit volume here
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+43 just going for hit volume here --> [ 1d20=2 ]{45}
> roll 1d20+38
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+38 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{47}
> roll 1d20+33
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+33 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{49}
> roll 1d20+28
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+28 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{36}
> OOC: -2 to all of those, forgot the TWF penalty since I just grabed his number for a normal attack.
> roll 1d20+41 shield 1
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+41 shield 1 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{60}
> roll 1d20+36 shield 2
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+36 shield 2 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{56}
> roll 1d20+36 shield 2 crit?
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+36 shield 2 crit? --> [ 1d20=8 ]{44}
> roll 1d8+13
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+13 --> [ 1d8=6 ]{19}
> roll 1d8+13
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+13 --> [ 1d8=6 ]{19}
> roll 1d8+13
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+13 --> [ 1d8=6 ]{19}
> roll 1d8+13
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+13 --> [ 1d8=3 ]{16}
> roll 2d6+18
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d6+18 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{22}
> roll 4d6+36
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 4d6+36 --> [ 4d6=14 ]{50}
Blinded, deafened and wounded, the frog-man puts up no further resistance. Jarem's blows are solid, effective and lethal, blade spilling his blood and shield beating what's left to the ground. He goes limp and plummets down, farther into the Deep Ethereal. You won!
Free act.
Also Iddy, just walk me through how you got a full attack there out, would you? Just wanna make sure I grasp how your combo works.
Via below, sir:
MotUH 3:
-Full Attack Telekinesis (Ex):
At 3rd level, a master of the unseen hand is as skilled in telekinetic combat as a fighter is with melee combat. When using the combat maneuver version of telekinesis or wielding a weapon telekinetically, the master of the unseen hand can make a full attack, potentially attacking, bull rushing, disarming, grappling, or tripping more than once per round. Just as with nontelekinetic attacks, the master of the unseen hand gains an additional attack for every 5 points of base attack bonus above +1 (using caster level for base attack bonus as described in the telekinesis spell description).
Alright, go ahead and act.
"Jarem, check for anything worthwhile on that thing... In fact, bring the corpse if you can. I don't recognize the creature and would like to study it."
She says this as she flies towards the crystal, inspecting it to figure out how it works, what it's doing, and how to fix it.
Jarem dips down after it, "Sure thing, Queen," he calls, as you begin to approach the crystal.
Make Spellcraft.
Using Inspiration here. Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 5 + 62, total 67[/blockquote]
This is it, alright. The force of all the disturbances - and it's badly unstable and slowly degenerating. Things are only going to get worse without serious intervention.
Alyssa runs spells and techniques through her mind, trying to figure out what would stabilize the crystal.
A dimensional anchor or dimensional lock would work, or anything in that vein.
Might need some power behind it, though.
Uh, I have neither of those prepped.
Then ball is in your court to do something, try something, or do nothing. Up to you.
Okay. If I use Summon Monster X to summon a Ghaele Eladrin, would it have Dimensional Anchor or Dimensional Lock? Alternatively, I can use it to summon 1d4+1 Firre Eladrin who do have Dimensional Anchor on their typically prepared list, and is there a way for me to sacrifice like one of my 12th level spells to provide them more oomph?
It would only if it has it on the example spell list provided. Otherwise it would not.
Alyssa begins to cast a spell, summoning help!
Summon Monster X, CL 30, Duration 30 rounds.
Summoning from SM9 list: Firre Eladrin (BoED)
> roll 1d4+1 Summons
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d4+1 Summons --> [ 1d4=4 ]{5}
5 Firre Eladrin summoned, Dimensional Anchor on their example list.
The eladrin appear as summoned and...
Go ahead.
Alyssa turns the Eladrin and speaks to them in a formal and respectful tone, "Eladrin, I request your help. This crystal is disrupting and distorting the planes all around it, from here in the Deep Ethereal. Simultaneous Dimensional Anchors will help stabilize and control it."
They're your summons and obey the caster, so go ahead and have them act.
The five Firre nod and place themselves evenly around the crystal and begin casting, green rays shooting out at the crystal.
1 checks against the crystal for each of them for the ranged touch roll, then CL checks, each of them that hit.
Firre 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 6 + 11, total 17[/blockquote]
SR:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 6 + 12, total 18[/blockquote]
Firre 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 3 + 11, total 14[/blockquote]
SR:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 10 + 12, total 22[/blockquote]
Firre 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 7 + 11, total 18[/blockquote]
SR:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 10 + 12, total 22[/blockquote]
Firre 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 16 + 11, total 27[/blockquote]
SR:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 17 + 12, total 29[/blockquote]
Firre 5:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 17 + 11, total 28[/blockquote]
SR:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 15 + 12, total 27[/blockquote]
You mean CL, not SR, right?
Yes, sorry. It was their CL. They cast as 12th level clerics.
The green beams hit the crystal dead on. It begins to glow green and the distortions visibly begin to waver, slowly spreading.
Do I have any clue what's happen? Is it working?
Make K:P again then.
K:P
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 18 + 42, total 60[/blockquote]
They were strong enough to partially effect it. It's half trying to overlord and go way worse and half trying to shut down. It needs something to move it in either direction - fast.
"Jarem, can you hit it with a Dimensional Anchor or Lock? They're holding it, but it'll over power their spells eventually."
Jarem's still flying down after the corpse and is not quite back yet, unfortunately.
Anything I can do like using Spellcraft to help stabilize it along with sacrificing a high level spell?
You need something that ties to dimensional anchoring and stability, anything really.
Nope. Nothing. I can use summon monster x to call more Firre?
If you like, sure.
Alyssa calls upon her connection to the spell poop, sacrificing Synostodweomer for Dimensional Lock!
CL check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 10 + 30, total 40[/blockquote]
Alyssa begins to cast!
Summon Monster X, CL 30, Duration 30 rounds.
Calling Firre.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d4+1 : 4 + 1, total 5[/blockquote]
Alyssa directs the new Firre, "Help them stabilize it! Dimensional Anchor!"
> Firre 6:
> roll 1d20+11 Touch ATK
> roll 1d20+12 CL Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=7]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=19]
> Firre 7:
> roll 1d20+11 Touch ATK
> roll 1d20+12 CL Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=17]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=11]
> Firre 8:
> roll 1d20+11 Touch ATK
> roll 1d20+12 CL Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=13]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=3]
> Firre 9:
> roll 1d20+11 Touch ATK
> roll 1d20+12 CL Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=12]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 29 > [d20=17]
> Firre 10:
> roll 1d20+11 Touch ATK
> roll 1d20+12 CL Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=5]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=2]
More green rays hit the crystal, causing the wavers to shake more and more, violently.
Meanwhile Jarem comes up with an armful of dead frog...thing, "The distortions are going crazy," he calls, "The hell's going on?"
"The crystal was on the verge of collapsing entirely. I didn't prepare any spells that would stabilize it, so I had to call on these lovely Firre to help. You wouldn't happen to know Dimensional Anchor or Lock, would you? It's close to stabilizing, I think, but needs a little more."
"Of course I do," Jarem smirks a bit, "It's only good tactics to be able to stop your enemy from running away." Taking out his holy symbol and sheathing his blade, "Red Knight, Lady of All Tactics, reveal your will here and flank the cowardly's retreat!"
> roll 1d20 1 check
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20 check --> [ 1d20=4 ]{4}
> roll 1d20+30
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+30 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{37}
There's a deeper rumble here, like the earth shaking, as suddenly reality SNAPS and...!!!
He succeeded FYI, but it isn't painless. Fortitude, both of you.
Fort/Cunning Insight/Superior Res.:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 5 + 32, total 37[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+33
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+33 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{51}
> roll 30*6
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 30*6 --> {180}
180 damage. Both of you made the save, with you getting it on the number.
HP after that?
157 HP left.
You're face down on something hard, entire body hurting. Fuck. Whatever that was, it felt like you got scrambled like an egg and then dropped down, face first.
Alyssa groans and rolls over, breathing deep and letting the pain subside, "Jarem, you alive?"
She opens her eyes and looks around.
"Yeah," Jarem grunts, "Had worse, but feeling like I've been shaken internally is new." You're in a ship room again, the crystal sitting atop a pedestal here. He slowly sits up and groans, spitting up blood. "Internal bleeding, who knows what. Don't need a doc to tell me that when I can't stop spitting red. C'here, Queen, I'll heal us."
"If I'm a Queen, you should come to me and spare me the pain."
Alyssa heaves a playfully put upon sigh, "I suppose I should show kindness to a deserving servant, I suppose."
She uses her flying to get up and floats over to Jarem, calling on her Factotum casting ability to Heal them both.
Factotum 20 maxes it out for 150 hp
The healing makes you feel much better. "Wait," Jarem says, "I thought you were a wizard."
Alyssa looks at him with a haughty smirk.
"Queen is whatever she wants to be. And a woman has to have some secrets."
The smirk becomes playful."Let's go see where we wound up."
Jarem chuckles at that as you get up and go. It looks like the gith ship - albeit one intact, no sign of distortions. Tiger's still there, though, still out cold.
Quick note Iddy. You can only prepare a factotum spell once. So you can't have two heals memorized, just heads up. I'll assume Jarem healed himself in this case, as I'd forgotten that until someone pointed it out.
Ah, yeah, I thought I had it Chain'd but I forgot I didn't prepare it that way.
Okay, live and learn. Anyway, your move.
"Let's get outside and get the others in here. More bodies will make this faster."
Easily enough done - and there's a problem.
Your bubbles of forces in Ooze oppose another bubble. They've turned around to face them, a group of githyanki soldiers, warriors and robed spellcasters of some kind. On a glance, it isn't combat, but both sides are looking over one another."
Alyssa snorts and turns to Jarem.
"Figures they'd wait until the heavy lifting was done to show up. They let it sit here and rot until someone does things for them."
She starts heading towards the two groups.
BTW, is there a roll or something I can do to get more info about what actually happened with the crystal? May wind up being relevant to negotiating with the Gith. I can come up with a few specific questions if need be.
K:A, go for it.
> roll 1d20+42+20 K:A/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 73 > [d20=11]
Okay, so. For specifics.
1) I'm guessing the crystal was something similar to the ship's engine for plane-shifting and what-not?
2) Can I figure out if the frog-thing was connected to the crystal going bonkers?
3) What did the crystal actually do to cause everything to go distortion-y?
Correct on the first account.
You have no idea, but no evidence suggests it was connected.
It was responsible for planar travel for the ship. When intact and fully restored - and this is a stopgap FYI - it can plane shift the ship and everything on it.
What do you mean stopgap? Like, not going into extreme detail because it's a pain to do so, or the one on the ship isn't functioning or something?
The dimensional anchors stopped the distortions and problems, but it's more like putting duct tape over a gaping crack. It works, but it's not a long term solution.
Okay, so the crystal is still broken, just contained/stabilized. Gotcha. Should be it for questions at the moment.
"Yeah, this'll be trouble," Jarem agrees, "Got a plan to handle this, Queeny?"
"Depends on what their intentions are. If they're here to fight, I think it would have started while the two of us were in the Deep Ethereal. For now, let's see what their not-so-subtle demands for compliance are going to be. I'm not keen on a fight with them right now; I didn't exactly prepare for war today. I was expecting some light exploration for the most part."
"Yeah, I don't like this as a battlefield, and three to one the gith are prepared for this," Jarem says, "The timing's too coincidental otherwise."
Alyssa nods and continues to head towards the groups.
Perception.
> roll 1d20+42 Perception
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=9]
Thus you fly back up. "Ma'am," One of the wizards says, "The gith here claim this is their ship and want us to leave immediately, and surrender any salvage we've made."
"Yes, I'm sure they do. Which one of them spoke?"
A point to one in plate armor and carrying a sword on his side, shield as well. "That one, ma'am. Ril'kasa is the leader there."
"Thank you. Be ready. I doubt it'll come to blows."
With that, she flies towards Ril'kasa.
So I don't know much about Gith. Mind giving me a quick run down?
K:P for reference?
> roll 1d20+42
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=15]
The githyanki are the dominant race in the Astral Plane and are lead by Queen Vlaakith, a powerful gith lich. They're yellow skinned, rather vicious and altogether unpleasant. They do not have any clerics as Vlaakith does not allow them, and gith who grow too powerful are generally consumed by her. It's an ugly business, all told.
They are cousins of the githzerai, an offshoot of the same base race they descend from. The githzerai live in monasteries in Limbo and are nicer sorts, all told.
Alyssa figures if a Queen is what they're used to serving, a Queen is what she'll give them.
She flies towards them, positioning herself above them, looking down at them.
Ril'kasa looks on, face cold as you approach, looking up to you as you do. They don't immediately react as..
Ball is in your court here to make an impression and act as you see fit.
"I see your manners are as atrocious as your timing. I'm surprised. I'd heard Queen Vlaakith took steps to ensure her people were better than this. I'll have to remember this when I send a delegation to her. If I do, after this. Speak your peace before your behavior tarnishes my impression of your Queen further."
Ril'kara sneers, "Human," he drawls, voice carrying through the muck between the two of you. "The matter is simple. You are exploring property of the Githyanki. You will surrender what you have taken from it and leave, and cease putting on tiresome airs as well. I find them offensive."
Jarem smiles at that, "What I find offensive is that a man without a cock is whining at us," he fires right back, "Queen," He emphasizes this word, "I do not think they appreciate the situation."
"What they appreciate is beneath my concern. This was Githyanki property. Until your absolute failure of timing made you entirely too late to the party. A feat which Vlaakith will duly reward you for, I'm sure. Though... Hmm..."
Alyssa turns to Jarem, "Should I give them a chance to save their lives from Vlaakith's wrath? I did put a fair bit of work into this already... And the smell."
Lemme get a Diplomacy check here, for reference, though this is pretty borderline between that and Intimidate.
> roll 1d20+36+20 Diplo/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 76 > [d20=20]
"How DARE the two of you?" The githyanki hisses, his soldiers shifting a bit as he glares death at the two of you. "But...to humor you, a finder's fee is acceptable."
Alyssa snorts.
"My fee is whatever I want it to be. And if you don't start being suitably respectful, I'll have the delegation I send to Vlaakith let her know you, personally, allowed the knowledge of why this ship crashed in the first place slip away. Knowledge that applies to every. single. Gith ship."
Alyssa blinks and turns back to Jarem.
"Though, I suppose it'd better for us if I just let them all crash. Many more ships to salvage that way."
Jarem smiles, not a kind smile at a ll as...
Toss in an Intimidate check, too.
Not my strong suit. Jarem's probably way better at this than Alyssa.
> roll 1d20+8+20 Intimidate/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=6]
Jarem lacks Intimidate, but this is more an oversight I may correct post adventure. It feels like a skill he should have ranks in, one of those things you feel out as you start with a character.
> roll 1d20+
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 3 > [d20=3]
Total of 8, aid another fails.
> roll 1d20+20
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=20]
That's an unfortunate result.
"You are bluffing. You no more have Vlaakith's ear than I have the ear of Tiamat." The gith scowls, "Cease your prattling and your posturing, woman."
"Look," Jarem says, raising his voice, "Let me put this in a way you can understand, as one head is as empty as the other is absent. I am a personal servant of The Red Knight. Queen over there rules her entire guild and more, an entire nation is hers. You're not pushing around some adventurers who will raise a stink and die when you throw a few red dragons at them. You're facing nations and groups who will roll their sleeves up, draw their swords and use them to treat you like the village whore: Everyone sticks something hard into you. Alternately, you can give us the respect you deserve and handle this properly, before you cause an incident that Vlaakith will be personally irritated over. I've heard Vlaakith is quite willing to punish incompetent servants who irritate her."
> roll 1d20+38 Jarem
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 58 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+58 Jarem I feel an exploding crit is appropriate here
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 69 > [d20=11]
With a look that could curdle milk with a glance and set lessers ablaze, Ril'kasa slowly grinds out, "Fine. What do you think your fee should be?"
"A distinct lack of your presence, of course. One ship to save your entire fleet. Quite the bargain. And to give you... a taste, shall we say, I'll give you a few clues. I know about the crystal. I know what it does and where it draws its function from. I know you want the ship not only because of Gith pride but because you want to know how it was knocked out of a plane with no warning. You want to know how and who. You want to know if it can be repeated."
Alyssa adopts a more relaxed pose. "It can. It will. I've stabilized this one, but the clock is still ticking. It's still tenuous. It's still ready to explode, ripping yet another hole in the planes like the one Vlaakith finished dealing with not too long ago. You take this ship back, she'll have another one. And another, and another, and another, as each of your ships are sabotaged while you try to play catch up.
Or. I get this ship and I tell you everything. Including what caused it and where. The ship is already lost to you. Either I get it and you get the information, or you leave without the information, and the ship rips itself apart inside your kingdom."
That's some hardball diplomacy. Make a Diplomacy check again.
It really isn't. Basically, they're getting key info for something already crippled and nearly worthless to them, outside of they don't wanna.
> roll 1d20+36 Diplo
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=15]
Whole lotta presumptions there.
"You ignorant woman, you know nothing!" Ril'kasa hisses, "I know well how it was knocked out, because it was sabotaged from within. You think this is the first time one of our ships has gone afoul?"
"No," Jarem says quite agreeably, "But I do know you should be asking yourself: Is this really worth it?"
"I know plenty. I know who did it. I have proof of it. I know how it was it was done. It may not be the first time, no, but they're rare occurrences and we both know it. You want control of it because you don't want the information out there because your fleet is one of your biggest backbones. Every instance of one of your ships going down is an opportunity for others to find the flaw in your fleet. And every chance you can get to figure out how is another weakness you can shore up to make the rest stronger. You've figured out by now that I'm of significantly greater power than you were expecting, and neither of us wants open conflict. But what I know has a price and this is it.
You can keep throwing ineffectual insults and posturing, or we can make this trade, and you get a chance to open a path to an enclave of power and magical research that even the Red Knight thought valuable."
"We will consider your offer," Ril'kasa says shortly, "We request a brief recess in this parley."
"Ril'kasa. One last thing."
Alyssa flies closer to him, pulling her great axe up in front of her like a countertop to lean her elbows on it.
"The thing that did this to your ship? Have you so much as seen one yet? Because we have the body."
Alyssa gives him a smile at this.
Ril'kasa gives you a long glare after that, then turns away, his bubble likewise moving back somewhat, giving both groups space.
Alyssa motions Jarem over so she can speak to him quietly.
"Have our people ready. I doubt he'll outright attack us, but they may decide this information is too sensitive to chance. Have the evokers and abjurers focus on their spellcasters and clerics. I want our clerics and generalists set up to bog down their vanguard. Outside of that, have your people prioritize as you see fit; you and yours know what you're doing."
A nod. "At best, they take it and plan to watch us, attempt to get it back later or otherwise deal with us. Manageable if that's what they try. Otherwise...I agree, we had best be ready for a battle if that happens, Queen. Fortunately, I'm here to help, so we'll be fine." A boyish smile shows on his face, "What's a few hundred gith but a warm up?"
Alyssa snorts.
"A hell of a way to make a splash if we win. Be ready to get our people out if we need to. I've got Greater Plane Shift ready, but that won't get everyone out."
"If it goes south, we lose people win or lose," Jarem agrees, "Let's hope he's willing to roll over on this one."
"Mmm. I think he hates me, but yes, let's hope."
Roll and post 1d100, there's some flat luck here.
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 3 > [d100=3]
Chatting. Preparations. It's barely five minutes before you see it far away in the muck. Everything glows brightly, illuminating the ooze. Amid the cries of surprise the githyanki abruptly begin falling back. Jarem readies his sword and shield as...
Twin portals appear, vast and swirling. From them they emerge, two more githyanki ships, sailing through the ooze as if wasn't there. At the same time Ril'kasa begins to approach, calling in a booming voice, echoing far too loudly to be normal, "I believe it is time to parley again!"
How unstable is the crashed ship? If I dump something like a Volcanic Genesis under it, would it be reasonable that it blows up?
And what's my distance to the ships and Ril'kasa?
Your group is about 500ft from the crashed ship. The other two ship sand Ril'kasa are approximately 800ft away and only slowly, slowly approaching now that parley has been called.
It may or may not blow it up, but it would at least set it on fire. If that reached the crystal, the idea regarding it would be dimensionally explosive.
"Jarem, are our people set up to evac? How long do we need?"
"A few minutes for a full evacuation, less than a minute for an emergency one, but we'll lose some supplies that way," Jarem says, eyes on the ships. "I think they're going to try and force this. Got a plan?"
"Hmmm... I don't have much in the way of wide-spread offensive magic... I can cast a couple Vitrification Bombs and a Volcano Genesis. And mimic any 8th circle or lower spell. I've got some decent personal defenses they likely aren't expecting. As long as they target me, I can negate a fair number of spells. What do you think? Push the subject or not? We can call in our own reinforcements now that the distortion has stabilized."
"I don't think it's worth the risk," Jarem shakes his head, "We don't know what tricks they have or if more reinforcements are coming. We're out armed, plain and simple." Scowling as he looks on, "So we focus on getting something out of it, negotiate them down to keeping what we have in your bag from salvage as well as that tiger we knocked out. It'll make this adventure a net gain and save face by not giving up too easily."
Alyssa grumbles but concedes the point.
"Fine. Signal to them to come talk to us."
Easily enough done. Ril'kasa comes forward, "I believe the situation is clear now," he says, shortly.
"Quite. It makes one think that the value of the cargo and ship are quite a bit higher than information. But we'll see how that plays out for you in the long term. In any case, I'm guessing your offer will be along the lines of 'Leave now or die'?"
"Why, I do think you're catching on," Ril'kasa says, "Depart with our well wishes for the future."
"We keep what we have, then, and no further conflict."
"As well as a tiger we knocked out and is still on the ship, one that came through the rifts," Jarem speaks up, "I'm fond of cats."
Diplo here.
> roll 1d20+36 Diplo
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=16]
"What have you already taken?" Ril'kasa asks right away, "Tell me."
"The tiger. A few gems. Only one crate was damaged, the only one we had time to bother with."
Since you aren't mentioning the gith gear and a few other things, make a Bluff check.
I had actually totally forgotten about those.
> roll 1d20+8+20 Bluff/Cunning Knowledge
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+18
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=8]
"Fine. Leave. Soldiers will retrieve your tiger," Ril'kasa says, turning and barking out orders to go fetch this so called tiger.
Alyssa sets to organizing her people to leave while they wait for the tiger.
So basically just prepping a withdrawal then?
Yeah. Considering who to sell the weakness of their ships to. Probably gift it to the Red Knight. Vlaakith have any enemies I might like?
Sure, can look into that later unless you need the info right now.
Nah, just a thing to note.
From there it's almost anti climatic. Your tiger is brought, secured and magic sees everyone safely return home. Once there...
To loot unless you have something more immediate?
Nope. Loot is fine.
It's evening by the time all the wind down is done. A busy day that ended on a unlucky note, but you're back here and intact. That counts for something as you rest in your room. You're going over a few spells when you hear a steady knock-knock-knock on your door.
"Enter."
Jarem walks in, armor off and in a simple set of hose and tunic. He holds up a plate of food, filled with bread, meat and cheeses. Simple food if nothing else. "Dinner, I wanted to talk," Jarem says, "Hungry? I come bearing gifts and tribute."
With barely a glance and a wave of her hand, she uses her telekinesis to pull a chair and small table near.
"Thank you. I've got plenty of research to do."
Jarem grabs some sliced beef and cheese, rolling them together and having a bite. "The cheese is good, it's something we brought. Alembear, it's smoky and nutty." After a few bites he goes on, "So I'm glad you can handle yourself," he says without further preamble, "We could've won that fight, probably, but we'd be burying everyone we brought with us afterwards. Queeny, I've know a few adventurers who would go for it anyway. Stupidity, greed or simply being hopeless daredevils. Doesn't much matter, since dead is dead and all the treasure in the world doesn't fix that."
"It's not my job to be an absolute power. It's my job to ensure the well being of the Order. Deaths will happen, but not cheaply. Though becoming an absolute power will minimize that, so work to be done, I suppose."
"Good. You understand this, we can make this work." Jarem sits back, eating a bit before going on. As he does, you feel it. A connection, a bond between you and him. Power flares through it as Jarem's eyes open, startled visibly. "By the Red Knight's magnificent tits, what is THAT?"
Node update, read and note that you've read it in your next post.
Read it.
Alyssa sits back, closing her eyes and examining the feel.
"I can assure you it wasn't her tits. It feels more like... A familiar's connection? Perhaps. More though. Hmm... Something of a higher power..."
She opens her eyes and sighs, floating a piece of fruit and some slices of meat to her.
"Another thing to puzzle out."
"You have more mysteries than a djinn sorcerer," Jarem remarks, "That's not all. I feel...more. Like something changed."
"Mmm... Something to being to the Red Knight's attention. Perhaps your opinion on her tits as well. She might be kind enough to grace you with your own."
Jarem cracks a smile at that, "Oh, I think I see enough here to tide me over without that," his gaze going down to exactly where you imagine it is.
Alyssa raises and eyebrow and then telekinetically flings one of the many interesting stones she's collected on her travels at him from the shelves behind him.
Make an attack roll, since why not?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 12 + 38, total 50[/blockquote]
"OW!" Jarem rubs his shoulder after the impact, "What can I say? I'm attracted to lovely, magnificent things. Gorgeous creatures in particular, like yourself."
"Sadly, my preference is for less crass men. Did you have any specific reason for visiting? Suggestions on improvements?"
"What can I say?" Jarem admits, "I've never seen the point of beating around the bush." After that he shakes his head, "Not yet, most of it's in that quick report about the treasure. I wanted to ask what your next move is."
"Well this outing revealed some weaknesses for sure. I need to work on my personal spells, but we need to figure out a good way to multiply our forces in a pinch. I think Golems and Summons should be something to look into. Golems... We might be able to figure out a way to shrink them down or enlarge them easily enough, I think. Summons are dependant on the summoner... My current weapons aren't going to suit me much longer, certainly... I'm thinking of binding one as an item familiar. It'll make things easier, but will take time."
Alyssa pauses to eat a bit more.
"I think we should research into the frog-thing. If we can figure out what it is, I might be able to combine it with what I learned about the Gith ships to figure out how they sabotaged them. That'll be valuable. Either as leverage or for selling. We need to get people to Celestia. And Mystra, though I doubt she'll be as open with an offer of an alliance as the Red Knight. We need space to grow. I'm going to research on that extra-dimensional space. It might wind up being a bust, or limited to using portable holes as storage space, but it's with trying I think. The create land... I want a druid in here. And someone specializing in oceans. If we're going to drop a land mass somewhere, I want to make sure it doesn't flood a city somewhere."
"All sensible points but one," Jarem points out, munching on a slice of bread. Sticking a finger out and ticking it off, "You don't know if that frog-man was related directly or merely dimensional debris, the equivalent of a passer by. Unless you had the seers look into it and I hadn't heard?"
"Not at all, but that's what research is for. If nothing else, it's something I've never seen before. I was hoping to sell it off as part of the price of the ship, but nothing worked out well in that situation. It wasn't going to as soon as the Gith showed. Still, was worth a try."
"Oh, and speaking of oddities," Jarem finishes his bread off and clears his throat. "Ahem. As I was saying, I called in a marker with a trainer I know to get the job done fast. We should have a dire tiger that's useful soon enough, depending on how receptive he is to training. Every little bit with Shar boring down on us. Got any plans for him?"
Alyssa snorts.
"Not particularly. I suppose it depends on how strong it ends up being. If nothing else, it'll be an interesting mascot."
"Short term, I'm looking at ways to bolster our numbers," Jarem goes on, "Mercenaries aren't cost effective for what we need right now. I'm thinking more of trained war animals that can be purchased. Nothing extravagant, but extra numbers to bolster our forces, which is what we really need. Perhaps finding a way to convince a few simple elementals to help out."
"Hmm. Animals. A novel concept. We'd need space and handlers. I suspect their usefulness will be limited to harassment."
"Better than -" Jarem pauses. Instead of simple darkness, a faint purple glow emanates from the windows and outside, a rich purple color.
Alyssa sighs and closes her eyes in great frustration before getting up and going to her balcony to see what it is.
Jarem follows, scratching at his chin. "Hey Alyssa, do you ever feel the urge to say things like, 'I'm too old for this'?"
Floating outside of your window is a ball of purple light. An eye is within the light, peering right at you.
Anything to roll to figure this out?
Sure, K:A.
K:A:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 2 + 42, total 44[/blockquote]
It's a scrying sensor. Someone's going to some trouble to make one so obvious and easily seen, as they're normally invisible.
Alyssa stares at it flatly.
"What? You're being excessively rude. There are far more people here than just myself."
Anything about this that'll help me identify who it is?
Not just from this.
"I'm sorry," A voice comes, a woman's voice. "This seemed more polite than just teleporting in. Ah, but if it's still rude, I apologize."
"If you're capable of this, a sending would have been just fine. Still, apology accepted. Would you be so kind as to introduce yourself?"
"Oh. Um, I'm...can I do this anonymously a little longer?" The voice sounds openly embarrassed, "I just heard stories about how powerful you've become and I thought I'd drop in, since it sounds interesting."
Jarem shakes his head as he smiles, "Word gets around, doesn't it?"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow.
"You were considering teleporting in and remaining anonymous? You put a giant purple eye in the sky over an entire guild of mages. I don't doubt there will be research into who you are regardless if I encourage it or not. At this point, being anonymous will attract more attention than simply introducing yourself."
"Can you just trust me at this? I'm new, okay?" The woman says, a hint of peevishness. "Please." Her voice softens on that.
"I can... However, understand that this choice lays suspicion on you, and I won't be able to do much to stop the others."
"...the others? Do you mean the rest of...your guild?" Her voice hesitates there.
"And the clerics. And the regents. Yes, they will likely all investigate."
"...I completely bungled this," The woman says, voice flat, sad.
"Yeah, you rather did. Your tactics and planning need work." Jarem adds in.
"So how about you come inside and we talk. We can figure out what to tell the others. But you're going to be in the spotlight one way or another. Might as well be part of planning the story out."
"Um..." A moment, perhaps freezing up as...
Make a Diplo check.
Diplo:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+36 : 14 + 36, total 50[/blockquote]
"Alright," The voice finally says, "I'll be there in a minute."
"Well, another thing. Let's get ready. Doesn't seem hostile, but who knows."
"It doesn't fit. That was fairly powerful magic," Jarem scowls, waving at the now empty space beyond the window, the sensor gone. "You don't have stumbling rookies throwing around that sort of magic, it doesn't fit."
"Neither is does my advancement, which might explain why the interest in me personally. But yes, get ready, who knows what will come in."
Jarem dashes out, coming back with sword and shield, though without his armor. He has them nearby as he waits patiently, hidden behind a chair.
Perhaps a minute later, a hooded figure appears in the air, looking around carefully. With the lack of light and her cloak, you can't make out much about her, save that she's perhaps around six and a half feet tall.
"You're a tall one."
Alyssa slides a chair over to her worth telekinesis.
"Please be understanding that the way you... announced yourself has put people on edge. As a leader here, I'll have to take that in consideration. Please have a seat."
The woman flies in, going and sitting, hands in her lap. From the slight metallic noise, she's wearing armor. A bulge on her back - a shield, you think.
"Thank you," she murmurs. "I'm mean, I'm sorry, my Mom's really famous and good at this and always knows what to do, and you sound like you're really strong too and I just thought..."
"Woah, woah," Jarem says, voice pleasant. "So your Mom's famous, and probably powerful then if you're anything to go by. Haven't been doing this for long, have you?"
Alyssa decides to treat this woman as an apprentice who's presenting a spell thesis for the first time.
"First, take a breath. Then, take a sip of tea and put what you want to say in order. Then a second sip. And then, start with an intodruction."
A breath is taken, a few sips of tea following. "My name is Emily," she says, "I'd rather not say my last name - you might know it, and I really don't want to go into it. My parents are great, just...just..." A pause, a pull back of her hood. She's blonde and elven featured, pretty. All of her features are good, elegant, noble.
"You want to get away, stand on your own?" Jarem finishes. "Be something more than your mother's child?"
"Well....yes." Emily is blushing, looking down at her tea, finger trailing along the lip of her cup, "Something more than both of my mother's child."
"Both of your mothers?" Jarem gives you a side long look at that.
"Emily. I have to ask. Is your presence here going to cause conflict between our Order and your mothers?"
"No! No! Nothing like that," Shaking her head quickly, "They wouldn't do anything like that, I promise."
"For now, I'll accept that. But understand that may have to change. I'm responsible for many here. Now, why did you want to make contact with me?"
A pause, "I want to be a big adventurer like my parents," she finally says, "But I can't hope to keep up with them, they're so powerful and skilled. All of their friends are, too. But I'm too strong for most normal people, "I wanted to see if we could adventure together some time. You're really strong, but I can't stay here long. I, um, borrowed something form one of my Mom's friends to come here safely awhile, but coming onto the Prime is bad. Bad things happen."
"You're a spirit," Jarem speaks up, "I know what a spiritual wound is. You're a strong one, too, common outsiders don't cause them, only the strongest."
Alyssa considers for a moment, then looks to Jarem.
"Would please give us a few minutes in private? And no listening at the door."
She grumbles about nosey secretaries for a moment.
For whatever reason, Jarem doesn't argue it. He gets up, heading out and leaving you alone with her.
Alyssa takes a moment to run a few questions through her head.
Okay, got a series of questions here. First is: which goddesses have wives?
K:R here.
I had previously entirely forgotten about bibliotheca arcana being running. Whoops.
> roll 1d20+42+15 K:R/Bibliotheca
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+42+15 K:R/Bibliotheca --> [ 1d20=19 ]{76}
Lesbianism isn't terribly common amid the planar rulers. Well, amend that. It happens - Sharess represents all of love and has been openly with women for a time, as has Sune for example - but actual relationships are much scantier. There's Queen Morwel and one of her consorts, Gwynharwyf. There's Alicia Reynes and Syala, two new deities, along with another new set, Seira Aryn and Amaryl Gaial.
Malcanthet might count, if you consider some of her servants as wives, but that's murky at absolute best.
Alyssa considers further; how many of those were 'adventurers?' Implying that they were at least active on the mortal plane? The two newly risen deity sets are the most likely... So which one is known to have either a daughter, or one of the parents have elven features?
You recall that does fit the newly risen ones the best by a lot.
You also recall Amaryl Gaial is an elf.
You additionally recall that Seira was born a half elf, though apparently she's made herself into a dragon.
You recall hearing they have children, but information on them is kept close to the vest.
Alyssa considers... "Seira Aryn and Amaryl Gaial."
She watches Emily closely for a reaction.
Emily freezes at that and then slowly says, "Was it that obvious? How did you know?"
Alyssa sighs and starts counting off fingers.
"One, you want to be an adventurer like your parents. Implies both were active on primes. Two, you cause bad things on primes. Only spirits and gods do that. Three, you have two moms. It's a matter of narrowing down which goddesses or spirits have wives. Goddesses were more likely, considering the attention I've garnered. So, which were mortals? Which have kids? And which have elves for at least one of the parents?"
Alyssa relaxes and pulls some tea and oranges to her to snack on. "Their identities allay most of my fears. For the most part, your presence won't instigate conflicts with anyone we're not already at odds with. Though it will garner more attention for us. That said, I'm not against your company, but considering your position, abilities, and parents, at least a few things will need to be done officially. As much as you don't want to get your parents involved, they're going to be. At least to some degree."
She pauses to take a sip and a bite. "First off, if you think you're getting away with this without the notice of anyone in your parents' cadre of servants, you're likely grossly mistaken. Someone has noticed by now. Or will shortly. Since they're sure to find out, we can use it, to a degree. If you want to, we can try to arrange a... internship, so-to-speak. We can build you a strong argument for being here, and in doing so, they'll likely help you find a way to not rip a hole in the soul of this world."
Alyssa fixes Emily with a harder stare, "But let's be clear here. I'm going to use your presence here for the gain of my Order. You'll be a sort of shield. With you here, there's the threat of retaliation from your parents if you're harmed. The Order is woefully under-prepared at the moment. Between that and the Red Knight, I hope to buy time to build us up. That said, I don't intend to use you as a pawn, so to speak. I fully intend to employ you only in ways the benefit you, and that you agree with. It's just an advantageous bonus for me.
But before that, what do you want from here? Adventure? Your power will easily allow you that, provided you start at the appropriate level of danger. Experience? You could contact any guild or friendly deity representatives for work. Your own name? Pseudonyms are common for adventurers and gods. Have you even sorted out what goals you have? What do you want to accomplish? And dear, I don't mean this to be harsh, but a clear path and starting point are what many who come here were seeking."
"Well..." Emily trails off, "I told them I had business in the Inner Planes, and I did. It's just finished. But about ripping a hole here - Aunt Waukeen was nice enough to give me something to stop it, but only for one night, and she said she'd charge Mom for it afterwards. I just want some good adventures, that's all I want."
Alyssa whistles at that.
"Well. I'll be honest with you. I've got a few things on my plate, so to speak, but right now I'm in a more building up situation... Let me think... What type of adventure are you looking for? Travel and exploration? Combat? Treasure?"
"All of them!" Emily blurts out, "I mean, I want it to be like my Mom escaping from Shar's grasp in her home realm, or the time she fought the Destroyer - that was a super power reincarnated tarrasque. Plus the times she opened up new trades and made a lot of money."
Alyssa sighs.
"I know how you feel, but those things are built up to. The stories never go into details, but I'm willing to bet if you asked either of your mothers, they'll tell you for every grand story about a victory, there's a week of sleeping in mud and boredom. But, let me think... I might have something you can test out. I've heard of two major oddities. First one, there are Ghosts of some sort in Vacuum. Nothing should be there. Second, Hades apparently lives. You can think on both of those, but before I'll agree to do anything with you, we need to put together a proposal for your parents. I will not allow my Order to be dragged into a family argument."
"But...I wanted to do this without them..." Emily shakes her head, "I wanted this to be my own."
"It can be, Emily. The thing is, mothers are protective and you have two. If they notice and don't know what's going on, they'll intercede no matter what. It's best to, at the very least, let them know you're planning to dip a toe into the pool, so to speak.
For example, let's say we do go to Hades. If they have servants investigating or are investigating themselves, and another deity takes notice, what will happen when you show up unexpectedly? Whoever they're in conflict with will almost assuredly draw you into it. I'm not saying you have to check in with them or clear things with them, but they need to know you're out and about so they can take it into account. What if Shar or another god thinks you're out alone and tries to come for you?
Another example, there's apparently a new Archomental on Ash. What if your mothers are in talks with them and you step on to the plane unannounced? Would the Archomental see it as your mothers calling in reinforcements? Or what if I take you there with me to meet him. Does he take your presence to mean I have the backing of your parents when they know nothing about it? The sad truth of your birth is that it places a far greater weight on your actions than it should.
As I said, I'm willing to help you argue the point, to a degree, but going behind their backs is rarely going to go well. Especially since they're gods. Let's figure out a few specific things you want, and we can build a case for you and go from there. Pick which of things I mentioned you're most interested in."
Toss a Diplo check over the shattered hopes and dreams that, Alyssa.
> roll 1d20+36 Diplo
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+36 Diplo --> [ 1d20=19 ]{55}
Emily...slumps a bit, but nods. "Yes, I suppose you're right," she murmurs. After a few moments she recovers and says, "I want adventure, action, intrigue, a beautiful prince..."
Alyssa chuckles.
"Then read a book. Hell, you're the daughter of a god, I'm sure there's a princely son of a god somewhere who'd be interested. For now, how about we work out where you want to go and get things in line for your parents? If you really don't want to confront them, you could simply regulate it to a message to one of their personal servants or the like."
"Well, somewhere with a good fight and good adventure," Emily perks up, smiling a bit, "Mom's trained me to fight evil and Sharrans."
"Sounds like Hades is the best bet. So. Let's see... Something along the lines of... 'I heard a rumor about unusual life in Hades. I'm going to scout it out, but I'm not going alone. I'm taking a mage I heard about who I think might be strong enough to keep up with me. I don't plan to go deeply into Hades, but I think gathering information is something I can handle.'
What do you think? I don't know your mothers, so you'll have to judge how well they'll buy it."
"I think they'll handle that alright," Emily says, "I can send them a message for that."
Alyssa nods.
"That's fine then. You're able to be here for a full 24 hours? I've just returned from Ooze, so I need to rest and prepare my spells. If you'd like, you can take a guest room here for the time and explore. Visit with some of our mages and see if you make any friends."
"Less than that, but not much less," Emily says, "It would be nice to see everyone here!"
Alyssa nods and calls for Lorathana to get Emily situated and guide her around.
Okay, so what's your plan here?
Well, mechanically start the item familiar thing and then review spells. After that, Hades?
Sure, get going on the item familiar thing first of all.
Sure. I have it mostly planned out, I jus have to see how much of it I can afford to do. But that's all stuff I have at home.
That's fine. Get that done this afternoon so we can hash it all out.
Okay, starting a new topic.