Wow, you reached level 37.
Let me know your plans, if any, so I can work with them in the coming posts.
Continue on Shar targets, want to find that solitary mistwalker, and start developing my three followers. That's about it for solid plans.
Sure. Refresh me on the mistwalker first of all?
I didn't have much on him. Just that he was a wanderer that knew secrets.
Okay, and how were you going to find him?
Not really sure! Combination of rumor digging and Legend Lore.
Gimme an K:P check with your library bonus to start with.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Library:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+83 : 19 + 83, total 102[/blockquote]
First of all, are you sure about that name? I went back and checked, and I couldn't find anything about a mistwalker in your topics. It wouldn't be the first time you got a name mixed up.
Yeah, I can't find anything on him either. I know it was something about him knowing secrets, and I thought he wandered the mists of forgotten memories or something, but I can't find it. So I guess shift gears to Hades Living if that hasn't been resolved by someone else.
Okay, what info do you have on that one?
Just from the pre-game stuff. I had this:
Hades... Keep an ear out. Have our Celestia envoy mention it. I doubt we can afford to expend serious effort looking into it, considering what else we have going. Keep a tab on it, though. Have our people look for information on it when they're out and about.
But I didn't pursue it any further because it was way back when Alyssa was still scrambling.
Okay that's seriously dated so gimme K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Library:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+83 : 14 + 83, total 97[/blockquote]
Checking into it further, reports of this persist, but have dwindled in the current month or two. It's more of a whisper now than anything else.
Alyssa decides to do a bit of scrying and Legend Lore to see if the situation has been resolved or if people have simply lost interest.
Okay, who are you scrying or what are you legend loring? Give me details to aim it that fit the targeting requirements of the spells in question.
Okay, so I'd want to scry any areas of new life, but I'd try to legend lore first the first place new life was discovered in Hades, and the newest place life was discovered. Using that would improve my scrying.
Gimme a CL on Legend Lore?
It'd be 37.
I'm sorry, that's pure rust on my part. A CL check.
CL Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+37 : 6 + 37, total 43[/blockquote]
Something powerful is blocking your Legend Lore - likely the work of another deity.
Alyssa taps her chin, "Well that's interesting..."
Anyway to track down who it is?
Not from just the spell being blocked without anything else employed.
Alyssa calls in Dolmaya to consult.
"So," Dolmaya says, "All you have is strange stories and the knowledge a deity may have blocked it?" Dolmaya asks once you catch her up. A wise woman sees that and lets it go. Opposing the gods usually ends in tragedy. You're also a god, so I suppose that's not as applicable."
"That's my general idea, unless the one poking about into it is someone we're friendly with. Other than that, though, I was hoping we could take the chance to figure out a way to identify which god together. I think, in the future, if we have any sort of run in with other deities like this, I'd like to be able to figure out who we're running into before we decide what to do."
"Can we go to this location?" Dolmaya asks, "It cuts to the heart of the matter, even if dangerous."
"To Hades? Sure. I can't get us to the exact location since I was blocked, but Hades in general, yes."
"So no precise location?" Dolmaya says, "That makes it a fool's errand."
"I was blocked, so outside of sending teams to search, for now yes."
Okay, if you're blocked on that then, anything else here or move on?
Move on.
Next play then from your list of todos?
Let's check in on the refugees on the giant's skeleton. I sent one of my peeps to 'em.
Cool, refresh me on info there?
A great procession of refugees explores unknown lands on a Prime forged on the back of a broken elder titan's skeleton, so vast as an entire world forged itself around and with it. Another Prime, a great college of researchers all work together towards a symbol of great magic, as so many strive to cross beyond the ninth circle. Primes and worlds and great events of your portfolio pass through your mind every moment. Like the worshipers you take it in without the slightest bit of hesitation, as if it were no more strenuous than a gentle sigh. Each act big enough to net your divine attention plays by your senses, aware to you like you were there for it.
You research and finally find it. A world called Talydar. It is known as a world where the main conflict is between law and chaos, a world where chaos is broken apart and fragmentary, but eternally resists the forces of order of all kind. Law always seems to be waxing in power yet cannot decisively finish chaos, and thus the battles continue.
Emily set something up with Waukeen to get Croneasco there. Last I had on it.
You thus look in - the refugees are being aided, you can tell that much. But even more as you peek in on that? Croneasco has come on something. A key hewn of ruby and emeralds together, green and red married into the form of a key.
Alyssa searches her memory and uses Legend Lore to try and figure out what the key is for.
K:P check here.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 2 + 73, total 75[/blockquote]
You recall ancient lore - a titan or elder titan, perhaps. A god like creature once created keys that opened a special door, but are cursed to attract power beings to this door and what lies beyond.
It is said in legend that none have ever returned.
Alyssa makes a note of it to do more research, then goes back to watching the group to identify what further help they might need.
You work on this a day or so. It's not too hard, seeing to the better - but you see it when it happens. The ruby and sapphire key, a great treasure, simply vanishes from Croneasco's possessions when she looks away.
A moment later, you can fee it. The key itself, trying to enter your divine realm. It would be no great difficulty to allow it in or to stop it altogether.
Can I divert it somewhere safe/secure until I look into the curse magic on it?
Sure.
Alyssa tries to divert it into safe storage, away from everyone, until she can research the curse on it more.
Done and done. It's your divine realm, such a feat is trivial.
Alyssa calls the others to a meeting about it.
"Okay, so you got us together for a key?" Jarem asks, "And...?"
All of you get together in your towertop office, the sunlight streaming in.
"A key and a curse. This is becoming a routine for us. But no, not only the key. The refugees on Talydar are beginning to stabilize. I wanted to give you all a chance to take part in laying the foundation. A new town in a new plane to help spread your own people.
There's also the matter of the mansion we took. We don't have much use for it here, directly, other than just a nice place to be. I wanted to hear your opinions on turning it into a floating fortress. Something we shift from plane to plane and use as a headquarters and troop staging."
"Okay. Work on the manor, we have the resources. We'll work out and send some faithful," Jarem goes on, "Both of those are easy. Anyone say otherwise?"
"No, that's my impression too," Emily admits.
"Mine as well," Bastian looks out the window, "Already sending someone. As for the key, what's it do?"
"Don't know yet. I remember some stories about an elder titan making some to unlock something special, but they're cursed. I want to figure out the curse before exposing anyone to it. It's supposed to draw in powerful entities. I want to work on it, but keep a few of you away from it incase it starts influencing those of us who work on it, so objective opinions and decisions can be made if it does. So, who wants to volunteer?"
"If it can infect a god, we've already lost," Jarem says plainly, "I'll help you, we can get to the bottom of this and see if it's worth anything to us. Honeydip, can you cover me?"
"Yes," Honeydip agrees, "I'll see to it."
Alyssa nods, "Yes, but we don't have only gods. Honeydip, Dolmaya, everyone else. So let's keep it isolated, and just because it may not affect us, doesn't mean we can't carry it to others. It's being overly cautious. But only until it's not being overly cautious.
But yes, let's get to work on it and figure it out."
Cool. Plan to figure it out then, Alyssa?
Yep, unless something more pressing pops up.
Okay, as in how are you going to try and figure it out?
Check out the curse that's on it via a mix of Legend Lore and Greater Arcane Sight to figure out what it is, then go from there.
K:A and Spellcraft first of all, we'll hit legend lore after.
K:A/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 15 + 73, total 88[/blockquote]
Spellcraft:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+90 : 17 + 90, total 107[/blockquote]
Intense study reveals that the key is exceptionally well made. It seeks and finds powerful people and is drawn to them. It then directs them through dreams and visions towards a door it opens. The raw tenacity and power of the magic is fearsome indeed.
"Alright, let's see if we can't find out what his door is and what the magic on the key is. I don't want this ending up with us unleashing some unspeakable horror."
"The simplest way would be to hold the key and let it work," Dolmaya notes as she looks over the key. "Also the riskiest."
"Hmm..."
Can I judge the strength of the magic on the key and if it'll do something like make me go insane or the like?
It's overwhelming magic. You don't think it will, and even if it did, it would be surprising if it could affect you to madness.
"Well, I don't think it's powerful enough to really affect me... But let's see if I can't track the spell it's linked to. It should be either more keys or the door itself. If there are more keys, it'd be best to get them away from those it can affect."
"I agree," Dolmaya says as...
Next move against it then? Legend Lore or something else?
Yeah, unless there's some way to like, use the magic that's on the key to find similar magic, or the matching magic of the door.
You have magic as a domain, right?
Yarp. Domains: Magic, Knowledge, Travel, Forge. I was hoping I could do some sort of tracking with Magic/Knowledge, and then figure out where it led to with Travel.
With those two domains it would be up your alley and you might be able to cobble something together. Moreso if you see what it tries to do to someone.
Alright, then let's do that with tracking stuff down as the primary focus and seeing the effects as a secondary goal.
Looking carefully and with a good deal of work, you believe the key is trying to take you to somewhere in the Deep Ethereal. It's not that hard to figure out when it's purpose is to get you to go there.
"Well, it's in the Deep Ethereal. Let's see if we can't narrow that down at all..."
With a bit of time you can - a particular nexus of energies in the Deep Ethereal. Nameless, perhaps unknown to all but a rare few. A convergence of dreams and mist, where reality becomes more suggestible.
"Well, we have a location now. Opinion on who should go?"
"A good adventuring party," Dolmaya says, "I can handle matters here and I have no interest in going. Take the others."
Alyssa nods. "Let's get the others and figure out who's going."
Okay, this can be done OOC. Who do yo uwant to go? Also, prep?
Uh, no mortals. Don't wanna risk it with the keys. So, I guess Emily and Bastian? As for prep, I'll have to look into Deep Ethereal and what the dangers are.
Okay, K:P on it real quick.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 14 + 73, total 87[/blockquote]
The main danger is that's chilly and misty. It's not the most dangerous place, mostly empty. Just don't' get unlucky, really.
Alright, I'm mostly ready then. We can pause till tonight if you want.
Go ahead and at least list spells that I'll need to prep up in the stat blocks, precasts and the like.
Long Duration:
Self:
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 35, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 spellcaster level
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+2 competence bonus on attack rolls.
Mind Blank, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
Protection from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts.
Energy Immunity x2 (Electricity/Sonic), CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
Immune to Electicity/Sonic
Epic Mage Armor, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+20 armor bonus to AC.
Bibliotheca Arcana, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained.
Prying Eyes, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
1d4+36 eyes, 120 ft normal vision in all directions, 25 word instructions:
"Orbit me in ringed layers leaving no gaps and report any useful resources or dangers."
Elemental Body (Fire), CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
Attune Form spell, Immune to Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Fire Sub-type, Darkvision 60ft.
Agility of the Dragon Princess, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Dex
Beauty of the Dragon Princess, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Cha
Mind of the Dragon Princess, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Int
Many Moments of Prescience, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
4 uses, +30 Insight bonus to any single attack roll, opposed ability or skill check, saving throw, or AC vs. a single attack.
Everyone:
Mass Energy Immunity (Acid), CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
Pre-combat, medium duration:
Greater Spell Immunity (Crown of the Ten Stars), CL 30, Duration: 300 minutes
1st: Greater Dispel
2nd: Dimensional Lock
3rd: Binding
4th: Ability Rip
5th: Antimagic Ray
6th: Banishment
7th: Enervation
Spell Turning (SLA), CL 36, Duration: 360 minutes
1d4+6 spell levels turned
Alyssa
HP: 703/703
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
AC: 108
SR: 52
Bonuses: Attack+54/49/44/39, Damage+0 AC+20, Saves+2, Skills+0
Resources: 29 Inspiration, 14 Opportunistic Piety
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Darkvision 60ft, DR 20/adamantine and epic, Resistance 20 Acid/Electricity/Fire 20, Immunity Electric/Sonic/Acid/Cold/Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Never Flat-footed, Attune Form, Fire Sub-type, +4 Insight Bonus Dex/Int/Cha, +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge Checks
One problem, Iddy. Spell immunity only covers spells that allow spell resistance, read the spell text. Greater dispel doesn't allow it and is thus not a valid selection. Go ahead and choose a different spell for that, or point out if the crown has text that allows this choice nonetheless.
Swap to Disintegrate I guess.
Okay cool. How are you getting there?
[spoiler]
Emily
HP: 845+34/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mass Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL37)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mass Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL37)
Notes:
I have greater plane shift.
It's so cold.
The mists are like a chilling nightmare here. Your breath mists amid the fog, glimmers of ice suspended in it. The fog is oh so thick in all directions, visibility barely better than 5ft in any direction. Bastian and Dolmaya are hazy to your basic senses at least, though Bastian says, "Mortal eyes won't do us much good in this," he declares. "Don't pretend we have to use only them."
"He's right," Emily seconds. "So cold, too!"
Alyssa nods, sending out her prying eyes in a sphere around them as an extra layer of security, then tries to focus on her domain controls to find the way to her goal.
Trying a particular spell here?
Not really? I figured with the previous use of Legend Lore and stuff I'd have enough to go off of. Is that not the case?
I'm trying to figure out mechanically what you're doing here is all.
Oh, gotcha. Just sorta relying on feeling/influence of Travel domain to lead me to it. That comes with Find the Path if needed, and also the Minotaur's Sense if it's applicable.
Okay, d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 42, total 42[/blockquote]
You feel drawn ahead, drawn forward. It's definitely that way, you can tell with ease.
Alyssa heads towards it, sending a telepathic direction to the others.
For my reference here, Perception and note any special means of perception yo uhave.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 1 + 65, total 66[/blockquote]
Crown's 6th (Black Diamond): As a rod of enemy detection.
Is that enemy detection always activated, or if not, activated right now?
Not specified, but reading the rod itself, I'd say it's on use. I would have logically used it when we started in case of ambush, but I didn't state so, so I guess no, not active right now.
You fly on - and in the near distance a little chunk of land floats in the thick mist.
"There," Bastian says, already heading that way. "We can at least have solid ground beneath our feet and a reference point."
Alyssa nods, "It'll stand out as a marker so beware of other things focusing on it."
Emily lands. "I'm going to try dispersing the mists," she announces, "Brace yourselves."
Bastian stands before her, arms crossed. "Give it a good shot. If you can't, I can."
Alyssa watches the magic happen!
There's no words - merely focused will. The mist begins to thin and thin. Ahead and around you is an ocean of little islands that float in the misty expanses. All are bare rock with very little growth on them, several with ice patches. This goes on for a few hundred feet, before the mist becomes thicker again and seems to churn in on itself.
Alyssa sends out her eyes to survey the area, looking for anything odd or out of place.
You find your eyes can't penetrate into the deeper fog ahead.
Bastian peers ahead at it, "That fog's just about solid. I think that's what we're looking for, has to be."
"Then why is this land here?" Emily speaks up, tapping her foot against it.
"Let me ask it," Bastian kneels and places his hand on the ground.
"You can manage that already?" Emily says, "You're getting comfortable with your power."
"I've known many lands beneath my feet," Bastian's reply is distracted, "I finally know how to get them to answer me when I ask them a question."
Alyssa waits patiently for Bastian to do his work.
"It's newborn, no more than weeks old," Bastian announces, "Created from nothing and it came out from there," he points ahead at the thicker mist.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow.
"Something is creating new terrain? Interesting... I wonder if something is trying to make this into a new habitat. Only one way to find out; let's check the mist out. I want to get closer to inspect it before we try going in."
"Yeah, let's go take a look," Bastian rolls his shoulders and then cracks his knuckles. "See what's happening here."
Alyssa heads closer to the mist to investigate!
As you all get closer, the cold notably intensifies.
Can I tell if it'll go through protections?
Not as far as you can tell based on arcane knowledge. Looks like normal cold.
Alyssa continues on!
Going all the way in then?
Just up to the wall to do closer inspection.
You reach the wall without incident. Nothing immediately jumps out at you.
Alyssa inspects the fog, trying to understand the magic behind it.
Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+122 : 16 + 122, total 138[/blockquote]
It looks to indeed be a place where reality and dreams grow close, and dreams can become reality. If you go within, you'll be in a realm shaped by will and desire, by the dreams of many.
Alyssa passes that on to the others, "Opinions?"
"Go in," Bastian says, "We're not some cowardly little adventurers any more." He doesn't hesitate, starting to fly ahead.
Alyssa goes in as well.
Emily starts to speak, sighs once along and mutters something to herself that the others don't hear, before following.
A buffet of cold winds. Everything here is misty, foggy.
Then it is a room. A military barrack. Beds lined up in order, simple chests at the foot of each bed. Hundreds of beds in both directions.
Alyssa sends out a telepathic message to the others while she inspects the area.
...which is? What sort of message? What are you telling them?
'Are you all okay? I ended up in some... Military bunk house.'
"I'm here," Bastian is at your side, as Emily joins him. "We're fine."
"Looks like a military garrison to me," Emily reckons, "I'd hate to sleep somewhere like this, no privacy at all."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "Just use magic to isolate a bunk. In any case, if the fog is influenced by the minds of many... Think this means there's a lost garrison somewhere in here?"
"It's possible?" Emily speculates, "How about we look around and see if we can find them?"
"It's a good place to start," Bastian says, striding forward.
Alyssa nods and moves with them, sending out her Prying Eyes to expand the search.
Perception.
Perception/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+97 : 9 + 97, total 106[/blockquote]
As you go in, you notice it. The edges of things have a faint blur to them. Everything is out of focus, slightly unreal.
"Hmm, this place is slightly out of focus. I wonder if we could alter this place through will..."
Alyssa tries to will one of the blankets on the bunks to change color.
It's easy as can be for you. The pillow immediately turns a deep blue, as desired.
Alyssa nods, "Thought so. So now we just need to influence this place into leading us to the door..."
Alyssa focuses and tries to open a path to where the key can be used.
Charisma check.
Cha/Brains over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 1 + 28, total 29[/blockquote]
You feel something resist you - it slows the effort, reality tugging back and forth against it. It doesn't feel as strong as you, but it fights with a certain franticness, constantly pulling against you.
"It's resisting..."
Alyssa tries to maintain the effort, to make headway bit by bit.
Gimme one more Charisma check.
Cha/Brains over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 10 + 28, total 38[/blockquote]
It's not too hard to push back and reality twists, a path ahead that cuts through the barracks.
"Better," Bastian says, striding onward.
"What is it, Alyssa?" Emily asks as she follows, "Some sort of controlling spirit?"
"Not sure, it was an active resistance, though..."
Anything I can do to identify what that was?
Not from just that.
Alyssa shakes her head and then heads down the path.
A step, another.
You feel it, a mind, a presence. Strong, furious.
Bastian merely cracks his knuckles.
Emily looks around and intones: Run now and keep your life.
> roll 1d20+56 Emily intimidate
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d20=19]
A howling, an inhuman sound of terror and fury mixed together. But the presence fades, fleeing away.
"Fire and fury, hmm?"
Alyssa grins at Emilyl.
"Bastian's right. We're not mortals anymore, let's remind others of it," Emily smiles back. "A little fear is better than a fight."
Alyssa chuckles. and keeps going.
You walk along. The barracks fades away and there is no more resistance to your will. Ahead stands a wooden door with a keyhole in it, set in the back wall of the barracks.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow and inspects the door for ticks and traps!
None that you can discern.
Alyssa produces the key and tries it!
"Here goes nothing."
The door pops ajar, as if to invite you within. The key dissolves away once used.
"Well, time to go see what all this is about," Bastian agrees, at the ready. "You ready?"
"We're here aren't we?"
Alyssa strides in confidently.
To set up next time, give me Perception for the coming section?
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 10 + 65, total 75[/blockquote]
What lies ahead is a vast gray expanse. Nothing is ahead and yet? You feel its pull, you feel an attraction. Artificial and wrong to your divine senses, but an urge to come in. That this place awaits you, that something greater awaits you within.
It watches you.
Every moment you stare at this expanse you see it begin to form. A stone pillar, vast and deep, with a platform on it large enough for hundreds to stand on. In the dead center, in a recess, is a stairway that leads into the pillar itself.
Alyssa tries to assert her own will to ward off the urge and focuses her divine senses on the presence, letting it know she can perceive it as well.
That sense retreats back and away, gone in moments.
"Impressive, whatever it is," Bastian says slowly, "You got any ideas?"
"Not yet. I chased off whatever was watching us, though. Let's go look at this pillar."
Alyssa moves to inspect it and figure out what's going on here.
What sort of checks are you angling to make here?
Uh, I guess Spellcraft and Knowledge using Greater Arcane Sight, followed up by Legend Lore to round things out?
Give me Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+122 : 1 + 122, total 123[/blockquote]
The pillar itself is thickly warded with various protections, as well as being thick enough to prevent you from seeing what magic lies within. It's all standard things - anti scrying, anti teleportation and so on.
CL check on them?
As in you want to know the CL or you think you need a check or...?
Wanna know what they are via the Epic Spellcraft use or whatever.
The caster level on all of them is 51.
"Hm. The magic on it is too strong for me to unravel, and it's got substantial, but standard protections, and too thick for me to see what is exactly in there. Dolmaya, any ideas?"
Dolmaya isn't there. It's just Emily and Bastian.
Sorry, out of it.
"Hm. The magic on it is too strong for me to unravel, and it's got substantial, but standard protections, and too thick for me to see what is exactly in there. But maybe I can try something else since this place seems to be dominated by will..."
Alyssa tries to impose her will on the area, focusing on her domains of Knowledge and Magic, to reveal the purpose and use of the pillar.
To this, nothing happens at all.
"If an elder titan made this," It's Emily who speaks up, as she hovers well above the tower. "It's said they're some of the mightiest beings in Creation short of the divine. It may be that we can't force it, even as we are now."
"I've heard stories," Bastian admits, "Are they that strong?"
"Yes," Emily says right away, "Strong and stronger than you imagine."
"Hm. Well, I guess then it's back to simple studying, then, unless anyone has ideas."
Alyssa approaches closer to study it to figure out what to do with it.
Trying something in particular?
Just a combo of skill checks and Legend Lore with the Greater Arcane Sight.
Okay, give me CL on legend lore.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 8 + 38, total 46[/blockquote]
Legend Lore doesn't work - it's being flagrantly blocked in particular, it seems. At least in regards to the tower.
Alyssa chuckles, "Well, there's something blocking Legend Lore, specifically."
Alyssa considers the magic she can see and how it flows around the pillar, trying to figure out the magic has an action or something it's keyed to.
It's woven skillfully into the pillar itself.
"That's not that big a surprise," Emily admits, "Whomever did this did so to keep it secret - but strange our basic analysis spells aren't blocked."
"Hmm... Think there might be a spell key? Something like that hints to it... A basic spell that would be overlooked by those arrogant in their power?"
Alyssa tries to mentally work the lower level spells into the pillar's magic to see if anything might fit in.
Which spells in particular?
I honestly have no idea. I guess I'd go with something that fits the rest of the magic; a low level scrying or Detect Magic style spell.
Okay, choose one in particular.
Detect Magic.
Caster level check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 1 + 38, total 39[/blockquote]
The effort is completely repulsed and fails.
"Hm. That didn't work. Maybe Read Magic?"
Alyssa tries that!
Same CL check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 2 + 38, total 40[/blockquote]
Again it fails.
"Well, those weren't it... Ideas?"
Alyssa asks as she tries Identify.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 1 + 38, total 39[/blockquote]
Still nothing.
"We could humor it and go in," Bastian says at last, "If he's good enough to keep up with a demigoddess, he's good enough to entertain us."
Alyssa stands up with a sigh, "Yes, this doesn't seem to be working anyway. We might as well enjoy the hospitality."
Alyssa goes in!
Refresh me on what protection spells you have up?
Long Duration:
Self:
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 spellcaster level
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+2 competence bonus on attack rolls.
Mind Blank, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
Protection from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts.
Energy Immunity x2 (Electricity/Sonic), CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
Immune to Electicity/Sonic
Epic Mage Armor, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+20 armor bonus to AC.
Bibliotheca Arcana, CL 37, Duration: 24 Hours
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained.
Prying Eyes, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
1d4+36 eyes, 120 ft normal vision in all directions, 25 word instructions:
"Orbit me in ringed layers leaving no gaps and report any useful resources or dangers."
Elemental Body (Fire), CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
Attune Form spell, Immune to Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Fire Sub-type, Darkvision 60ft.
Agility of the Dragon Princess, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Dex
Beauty of the Dragon Princess, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Cha
Mind of the Dragon Princess, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Int
Many Moments of Prescience, CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
4 uses, +30 Insight bonus to any single attack roll, opposed ability or skill check, saving throw, or AC vs. a single attack.
Everyone:
Mass Energy Immunity (Acid), CL 37, Duration: 37 Hours
Pre-combat, medium duration:
Greater Spell Immunity (Crown of the Ten Stars), CL 30, Duration: 300 minutes
1st: Disintegrate
2nd: Dimensional Lock
3rd: Binding
4th: Ability Rip
5th: Antimagic Ray
6th: Banishment
7th: Enervation
Spell Turning (SLA), CL 36, Duration: 360 minutes
1d4+6 spell levels turned
The three of you take the stairs down. Once you're a few steps in you see it stretches long and deep, walls stopping you from seeing too far, the stairway's progression hidden by them.
What's more is that they rise from the floor itself. A trio of large, armored warriors. Yet in place of flesh is blue flames, and they stretches out wide so that their blades can strike from afar. Sharp looking swords are held along with steel shields.
"Hello?" Emily tries even as she readies her weapon, just in time for her to sidestep a swipe that comes up short. "I was afraid of that."
Init.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 8 + 27, total 35[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+10 soldier of fire
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+13 soldier of fire
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+14 soldier of fire
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=11]
Init is Alyssa (35) > Soldier of Fire (25) > Soldier of Fire (23) > Bastian (22) > Soldier of Fire (18) > Emily (17)
Open.
Is my Arcane sight active still? If so, what's it say is on these guys?
Skipping Spellcraft since you can't fail.
These creatures are mere extensions of the tower - non intelligent, just creations. Rather like a construct so typical construct strengths and weaknesses apply.
Alyssa casts a brace of spells!
Multiaction gives me 2 moves:
Move 1: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Maximized/Quickened SDA), CL 38.
90 damage.
Move 2: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Maximized/Quickened SDA), CL 38.
90 damage.
Standard: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Maximized/Quickened SDA), CL 38.
90 damage.
270 damage total, no SR, DC 30 Ref/half.
> roll 3#1d20+30
> roll 3#1d20+30
> roll 3#1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 36, 36, 40 >
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 47, 41, 32 >
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 31, 33, 40 >
Acid rains down, a sudden storm of it engulfing your enemies before they can advance. They sizzle deeply, armor smoking from that barrage as...
Anything else for your turn?
Nope.
The acid eats at them, but the first soldier's arm stretches out. Blade in hand it slashes at Alyssa, trying to cleave into her body.
> roll 1d20+63 (+3 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d20=11]
AC?
110.Alyssa
HP: 703/703Negative Conditions:
Aura:
AC: 110
SR: 52
Bonuses: Attack+66/61/56/51, Damage+33, AC+20, Saves+2, Skills+0
Resources: 29 Inspiration, 14 Opportunistic Piety
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Darkvision 60ft, DR 20/adamantine and epic, Resistance 20 Acid/Electricity/Fire 20, Immunity Electric/Sonic/Acid/Cold/Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Never Flat-footed, Attune Form, Fire Sub-type, +4 Insight Bonus Dex/Int/Cha, +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge Checks
The blade glances off your invisible mage armor, not even coming close to your body. You hold your ground as the second soldier strikes, this one slashing away freely at Bastian.
> roll 1d20+63 (+3 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 79 > [d20=16]
A gentle move of Bastian's hand deflects the blade, before he steps into the soldier's guard and his fists do the rest.
> roll 1d20+71
> roll 1d20+71
> roll 1d20+71
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 86 > [d20=15]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=9]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 79 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+66
> roll 1d20+61
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=14]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+56
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d20=15]
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d12=3,6,5,8]
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d12=3,1,11,3]
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d12=8,4,8,9]
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 90 > [d12=11,10,10,7]
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d12=6,3,9,10]
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d12=3,3,3,2]
Init is Alyssa (35) > Soldier of Fire (25) > Bastian (22) > Soldier of Fire (18) > Emily (17)
A deft series of strikes shatter the soldier's armor and sends hunks of its flaming body flying back. It falls apart, crushed in one series of strikes as the third reaches out to swing at Emily.
> roll 1d20+63 (+3 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 67 > [d20=4]
Emily's shield comes up, fiery sparks coming from the impact of sword on shield. She holds her ground at that, and instead says, "Alyssa, do you want to finish them?"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "Why shouldn't we? If you mean to interrogate one, I suppose we can try, but from what I can tell they're constructs; it's unlikely they can communicate."
Emily will hold them and let you get the kill as desired. Go.
Oh, I thought she meant to try to find out information. If it's just for a kill, nah, she can do it.
Well she held so the ball is in your court now.
Alyssa begins casting!
Multiaction gives me 2 moves:
Move 1: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Maximized/Quickened SDA), CL 38.
90 damage.
Move 2: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Maximized/Quickened SDA), CL 38.
90 damage.
Standard: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Maximized/Quickened SDA), CL 38.
90 damage.
270 damage total, no SR, DC 30 Ref/half.
> roll 3#1d20+30
> roll 3#1d20+30
> roll 3#1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 31, 31, 43 >
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49, 42, 44 >
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 44, 37, 37 >
Ignore the last set.
Under acid the other two melt away. Bastian cracks his knuckles after, "Not bad for minions," he says. "Whatever this place is, it's not weak."
"Measures up to what Emily said about the Titans. Look for anything useful and let's keep going."
"It's magical but fading," Emily announces, "None of it will survive long." She studies the weapons and armor, "Good quality metal, though."
That perks Alyssa's blacksmith's instincts and she takes a moment to gather it and place in her haversack.
Done. You gather it all up.
Alyssa waves the group on, further down the way.
Give me new Perception checks.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 15 + 65, total 80[/blockquote]
You walk down the stairs - and see it leads to a landing, plain stone, with a bookshelf in the middle.
Alyssa inspects the bookshelf.
Bastian looks about as meanwhile Emily joins you. "Books?" She asks aloud. None of the books have titles, but there are many of them on the shelves, each old and thick.
"My area of specialty! Well, one area, at least."
Alyssa considers the books, and then tries to tap into her domain of Travel to see if she can get any intuition about if a specific book would help her on her current journey.
Trying to mimic any particular spell with alter reality here?
Not unless I get some sort of gut instinct that tells me.
None of the books feel right for that.
"Hmmm... I'm not getting any good intuition for any of these... So either it's a distraction, or my intuition is broken. Pick one at random?"
"Just pick one," Emily agrees, "That seems to be the intent of this."
Alyssa reaches out and grabs one by random.
It's a thick gray book. No title on it, but you can feel a sensation of warmth from it as you hold it.
Alyssa opens it!
Inside the book is...
Huh.
You do not hold a book now. You hold a tiny stairway in the palm of your hand.
Alyssa shows the others, "Shrink person time?"
Bastian's answer is to shrink down, while Emily smiles and says, "I think so, Alyssa."
Alyssa nods and shrinks too!
The stairway sinks to the ground and the stone parts around it once you're all shrunk down, revealing a path further down.
"Interesting," Emily says, "Almost whimsical, isn't it? Like a story."
"It is a book after all. "
Alyssa heads down the path!
Do you have any resistance to fire or immunity?
Immunity via Elemental Body: Fire.
The party walks down. It gets much warmer here, the s ky blue once more and the sun bright. A dusty old road, Bastian following it with practiced ease. Open plains and hills are about, the occasional tree but little more to break up the terrain.
"This could be any prime in thousands," Emily says, gaze cast about, "Easily any of them."
Alyssa focuses on her Travel domain and knowledge of the planes to try and figure out where this is.
K:P check.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 15 + 73, total 88[/blockquote]
Your guess is a small, morphic demiplane.
"Hmm... My best guess is a small morphic demi-plane. In any case, the road is the way."
Alyssa walks it with Bastian.
You walk a few minutes. "Demiplanes are limited, so there has to be a point to this,"B astian agrees. "Keep your eyes open and be ready. It looks clear, but ambushes can always surprise you."
Alyssa nods and sends her Prying Eyes out to scout around them.
How far can they go?
1 mile.
You send them out. They only see grasslands except ahead. Ahead, hidden by a dip in the path, is a stairway further down, plunging into the earth.
"There's another stairway ahead. Hidden a bit."
Alyssa leads them to it!
Perception, +5 bonus.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+70 : 16 + 70, total 86[/blockquote]
You approach - and react in time to avoid ambush. They rise. Two large tortoises of grass, woven together as they rise, one on either side. Their shells gleam like metal in spite of being nothing more than woven grass. Ahead from the dirt rises a stone warrior with two blades in hand, sharp and gleaming metal.
"Hello! I'd prefer to avoid a fight, but if you don't want to talk, I can set you on fire or disintegrate you!"
Alyssa smiles warmly at them.
Perhaps such things are beyond diplomacy, but they advance forward.
"Probably no intelligent mind to know they should be terrified of us," Bastian says, "Suits me fine." He cracks his knuckles, "I have the swordsman."
Alyssa nods and begins casting!
I'm assuming init here:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 7 + 27, total 34[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+4 tortoise 1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+4 tortoise 2
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+14 rock soldier
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=8]
Init is Alyssa (34) > Emily (32) > Rock Soldier (22) > Tortoise 2 (18) > Bastian (15) >Tortoise 1 (14)
Go.
Alyssa finishes her casting and throws out a trio of spells!
Multiaction:
Move 1: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Quickened/Maximized SDA), CL38
Ref half (DC 30)
90 Damage, 20 ft cylinder (aimed to hit as many as I can)
Move 2: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Quickened/Maximized SDA), CL38
Ref half (DC 30)
90 Damage, 20 ft cylinder (aimed to hit as many as I can)
Standard: Acid Storm via Alter Reality (Quickened/Maximized SDA), CL38
Ref half (DC 30)
90 Damage, 20 ft cylinder (aimed to hit as many as I can)
270 Damage total.
They're far enough apart you can only hit one per cylinder. How do you want to split them up?
All on tortoise 2, then.
CL checkx3. This isn't SR.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 3 + 38, total 41[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 11 + 38, total 49[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 4 + 38, total 42[/blockquote]
Acid Storm doesn't allow SR.
> roll 1d20+20 at least tortoises aren't fast or dodgy
> roll 1d20+20 at least tortoises aren't fast or dodgy
> roll 1d20+20 at least tortoises aren't fast or dodgy
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=17]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=20]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=4]
Acid rains down on the tortoise. It smokes and smolders, acid eating away at it as...
That it for you?
Yep.
Init is Alyssa (34) > Emily (32) > Rock Soldier (22) > Tortoise 2 (18) > Bastian (15) >Tortoise 1 (14)
Emily steps forward as acid eats at one tortoise. Her blade flashes out, slashing away into it as golden flames travel up the length of her sword.
> roll 1d20+57 (+1 blinding speed, dragonfire wrath used)
> roll 1d20+57 (+1 blinding speed, dragonfire wrath used)
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 67 > [d20=10]
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+52 (+1 blinding speed, dragonfire wrath used)
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 61 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+47 (+1 blinding speed, dragonfire wrath used)
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+42 (+1 blinding speed, dragonfire wrath used)
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d6+19+1d6+12d10
> roll 1d6+19+1d6+12d10
> roll 1d6+19+1d6+12d10
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d6=1,6][d10=7,3,10,5,2,3,9,3,5,6,2,3]
> roll 1d6+19+1d6+12d10
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 87 > [d6=6,5][d10=2,3,2,10,9,6,2,1,10,1,4,7]
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 92 > [d6=1,5][d10=10,1,8,1,5,5,7,4,1,10,5,10]
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 94 > [d6=3,5][d10=10,7,3,3,9,5,3,7,1,4,10,5]
Init is Alyssa (34) > Emily (32) > Rock Soldier (22) > Tortoise 2 (18) > Bastian (15)
In one flurry of blows flames finish what you started. The tortoise falls, ablaze and sizzling with acid even now. Meanwhile the rock soldier turns to you and...
Will save.
[spoiler]
Emily
HP: 845+34/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 24/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mass Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL37)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Mass Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL37)
Notes:
Will/Cunning Insight:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+54 : 7 + 54, total 61[/blockquote]
If everyone is making this check, I'll use Aura of Inspiration to give the bonus to everyone, just let me know so I can subtract the inspiration points.
You feel a strange chill, but it immediately passes. It lunges at you and...!
Provokes an AoO from you if you care to take it.
I'll pass. I don't have any relevant feats or spells already cast on myself to really take advantage of it. I can swing once, which will be just 1d6 damage, which is eh.
> roll 1d20+64
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+64 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{83}
AC?
110.
Alyssa
HP: 703/703
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
AC: 110
SR: 52
Bonuses: Attack+66/61/56/51, Damage+33, AC+20, Saves+2, Skills+0
Resources: 29 Inspiration, 14 Opportunistic Piety
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Darkvision 60ft, DR 20/adamantine and epic, Resistance 20 Acid/Electricity/Fire 20, Immunity Electric/Sonic/Acid/Cold/Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Never Flat-footed, Attune Form, Fire Sub-type, +4 Insight Bonus Dex/Int/Cha, +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge Checks
Init is Alyssa (34) > Emily (32) > Rock Soldier (22) > Tortoise 2 (18) > Bastian (15)
Alyssa smoothly sidesteps as the second tortoise turns, a searing blast of raw heat coming from its strange mouth to engulf the three of you.
Are you immune to fire? If not Reflex save.
Immune to fire via Elemental Body: Fire.
Yet the flames wash over the group harmlessly.
Bastian cracks his knuckles. "That it?" he asks, stepping into the soldier's space, fists lashing out.
> roll 1d20+71
> roll 1d20+71
> roll 1d20+71
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+71 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{73}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+71 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{72}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+71 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{83}
> roll 1d20+66
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+66 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{78}
> roll 1d20+61
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+61 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{81}
> roll 1d20+56
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+56 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{62}
> OOC: No crits here, though he's happy about the no fail on 1s anymore.
> roll 4d12+52
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=24 ]{76}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=34 ]{86}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=22 ]{74}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=22 ]{74}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=16 ]{68}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=24 ]{76}
A powerful sweep knocks the rock soldier down. Once he is, Bastian leaps atop him and his fists blur. Dozens of blows shatter it to rubble, leaving only but a single tortoise up.
Go.
Can I tell roughly how hurt it is?
It has not been meaningfully damaged.
So these things are immune/resistant to spells that have SR, but Factotum allows me to ignore SR. So does that mean I can use SR spells against them as long as I use the Factotum ability with it?
You'd have to try to find out.
Alrighty.
Alyssa starts casting!
Disintegrate (Quickened/Maximized SDA), CL 38.
Spending 2 inspiration to bypass SR.
228 damage.
Can I hold the rest of my actions to see the result of this?
> roll 1d20+25
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{28}
Save DC?
30.
The turtle's shell is gone - obliterated by your spell completely. Nothing between you and it now.
Alyssa nods to herself, content with the test results and casts two more spells!
Disintegrate (Quickened/Maximized SDA), CL 38,
Spending 2 inspiration to bypass SR.
228 damage.
Disintegrate (Quickened/Maximized SDA), CL 38, DC 30.
Spending 2 inspiration to bypass SR.
228 damage.
456 damage total.
> roll 1d20+25
> roll 1d20+25
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{42}
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{37}
Made both saves, so total damage?
BAH!
60 total. Lame.
Without its shell, the disintegrations hit the tortoise. Parts of it are gone - enough for it to fall apart entirely, shorn of defenses.
Free act.
Alyssa looks around briefly for anything useful before turning to the others, "So, onwards and downwards. Who wants to head down first?"
Bastian cracks his knuckles as you don't see anything useful this time. "Again, not a bad warmup, but this feels like it's keeping the mortals out."
":It's nice to be strong," Emily agrees, "Just we need the patience as we go onward."
Alyssa nods and heads in.
The stairway plunges down. In several steps you return to the bookshelf from before, as this time you notice there are more books on it.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow and looks them over, trying to puzzle out what the new books are and what caused them to appear.
Are you trying anything in particular for this?
Not yet. Just lookingfor a pattern or something.
Nothing is immediately obvious.
Are they all still blank?
You check one at random. It is no longer blank. On a glance, it seems to discuss the sky.
Alyssa starts going through them, comparing the different subjects.
On a quick check, they're all about different types of terrain except one. One book looks to be about clocks.
Alyssa shows the others, "Different terrain and clocks... ideas?"
Alyssa reads the clocks book with more detail.
It's a book about clocks. Lots of clocks. All sorts of clockish information.
"Terrains, maybe," Bastian says, "Except the clocks, I'm not sure what that is."
"...how old is this place?" Emily asks abruptly, "I might have an idea."
"Oh? What is it?"
"The Temporal Compact didn't happen at the beginning of Creation. If this place is the work of an elder titan who predates it, perhaps there's still chronomancy about to be found." Emily remarks, "Which could be troublesome, as we don't have chronomancy to counter an enemy's chronomancy."
Alyssa raises both eyebrows, "Well. That's... Quite tempting. That's something I want. So, what's the connection between terrain types and clocks? Each corresponds to a type of clock? Or is it terrain types created in order?"
"I don't know," Emily says, "I'm speculating."
Bastian hms, "Chronomancy? Well, if it is, it might modify the other books, if they produce terrain paths like that first book. Or something else altogether. Let's try one."
Alyssa lets her wanderlust and travel domain lead her choice of book.
d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 53, total 53[/blockquote]
Your hand comes back to the book on clocks, as if guided there.
Alyssa picks up the book, "This one draws me."
"Time it is," Emily agrees, "I thought you'd choose that one."
Alyssa tries to use it the same way as the last one.
A stairway appears again, going down.
The click-clack of clocks can be heard, like the metalworks of Mechanus.
Alyssa heads down, relying on past experiences with Mechanus!
Give me Perception.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 12 + 65, total 77[/blockquote]
You notice it - a faint shimmer 20ft below on the stairs. Just a moment, giving you a second to react - something's appearing.
Alyssa points, "There! Something's coming!"
Bastian glides forward, ready to strike. Emily has a spell on her lips.
"If you could not, please? I'm here to instruct you," A man's voice states. It is an Inevitable of solid gold plating and iron beneath that greets you. It has three claws as toes, a corded body of steel and adamantine, and no facial features. Humanish and yet not, bowing to you. "It is an honor to meet you, as you are right on time. I am Chrona 42."
"Well, hello there. Excuse our caution. Even more so now that you've revealed yourself. The last Inevitable we met was less than pleasant."
"You have my apologies for that, goddess," Chrona 42 replies. "I am here to teach you about chronomancy, as in your duties you may come across it. While you are not exempt from the Temporal Compact, you may come across a violation that has to be addressed immediately."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "That's certainly enticing. I assume there's a catch or two?"
"None," Is his answer, "You are to be trained because of your divinity, nothing less and nothing more. This titan's old workings merely provides a fine place to do so."
"Ooooh, Mom recently mentioned you," Emily speaks up, "Seira went through the same thing. I think she mentioned Alicia did, too."
"Interesting. Well, thank you, then. I do appreciate your efforts."
Bastian merely listens.
"Then we can begin. Are you familiar with chronomancy?"
"The general concept, but nothing more. Though I've attained divinity, I was mortal and it was only in whispers that Chronomancy existed."
"Time magic, the ability to alter time. Far from impossible, time travel is entirely possible within the Weave." Chrona 42 begins as he starts to walk down the stairs. "So possible that history become open to endless revision, until all the gods grew weary of it and chose to enforce a ban on this magic."
Alyssa taps her chin, "I wonder, if it exists within the weave, could you take spells from the weave also? So, if the day before I hadn't used my most powerful spell, could I cast it today using the weave yesterday?"
"Temporal magic to recover spells is possible," Chrona 42 says, "If difficult due to the specialization involved. The breadth and depth of chronomancy is impressive, as the nature of time allows it to be changed freely."
"Hm. I can see why it was considered so dangerous. Might I ask who decided we would be allowed to learn it?"
"You are a god. You are allowed to study it for the purposes of understanding violations, but you are still forbidden to use it freely." Chrona 42 explains, pausing his walk. "Emily, has your mother informed about this?"
"The basics," Emily goes on, "It's enforced by every other deity and plane. No one wants a return of when time became constantly up for revision." Here Emily sighs, "I hate it, chronomancy's magic allures me, but I see why it's necessary. Aunt Waukeen also had some pointed comments for me about it. We deities are immune to temporal change. You can't hurt us by changing the past, we're beyond that. But those who are not divine are not."
"Thank you, Emily," Chrona 42 picks up from there, "Imagine you have a brave worshiper who died this morning and traveled to you. Then you blink and no! He's no longer there. Someone traveled in time and he died before he served you now. So you dispatch a servant to set it right. So be it and he returns. Then a flash and now he is alive and serves another. Again history is changed. Everyone grew weary of such a reality."
Alyssa nods, "I can extrapolate the problems, yes. I assume it will be part of the lessons?"
"Serious time travel? No," Chrona 42 says, "You aren't vulnerable to it, and in the event someone manages it, the Keepers of the Temporal Compact will personally deal with it. But there is more to chronomancy than going into the past. First of all, magical theory. Ahem." Chrona 42 clears his throat. "Do you know what the Absolute Present is?"
"I meant a deeper discussion about the restrictions and consequences. To ensure what I learned as a mortal was accurate, let's go with the full explanation."
Chrona sits on the steps at that, "Then rest and ask away. Don't worry about interference, we have time."
"Let's start with absolute present."
"The Absolute Present or the Present is a term that indicates the current present time in Creation. Time travel to the past is possible in Creation but travel to the future is not. This is due to the fact that while the past and present are malleable and adjustable, the future is undetermined. This concept is called the Present or sometimes the Absolute Present. In other words, the nature of time means that travel past the Absolute Present is impossible."
Bastian takes that in, "And we're in the Absolute Present, right?"
"We are," Chrona confirms.
"I understand the concept. What's the next piece?"
"Do you know and understand who the Keepers of the Temporal Compact are?" the Inevitable asks.
"I can imagine the concept and purpose. Details, though? No."
"
The Keepers of the Temporal Compact oversee the enforcement of the Temporal Compact as well as deal with other matters related to time. Each of the nine alignments has a Keeper of the Temporal Compact, and they in turn are served by specially chosen servants from their ethos. They are additionally served by Quaruts and other creatures related to time. In other words, they're the ones who deal with all of this," Chrona 42 explains.
"And do we meet these keepers?"
"If you wish," Is Chrona 42's answer. "For example, one of them is Erathaol, one of the Hebdomad, and you may have met him in matters unrelated to time."
Uh, those sound familiar, but I can't recall?
Erathaol is a member of the Hebdomad, the leaders of Mount Celestia. I don't believe you've personally encountered him in character, but he tends to show up in Moore's threads semi regularly.
Alyssa nods, "I may run into him at some point, then, yes. And the one for my alignment?"
"Which is?" A question back, "I wouldn't dream of peeking at a goddess. But as I understand it, you align towards chaos?"
"Chaos itself," Emily speaks up, "Though I strive to make her look more towards the righteous ways."
"Chaos and neutrality, yes."
"He goes by many names as an agent of chaos," The quarut explains, "It's often easier to call him Frog or Slaad since it's close enough, though he seldom has a form like that. Or she, gender doesn't matter to him, either, and routinely changes."
"What use is he?" Bastian says simply at that, "If he's so disorganized?"
"That part is simple," Chrona 42 declares, "He excels at the elimination of Chaos and random chance that stumbles onto chronomancy, and may be otherwise difficult for us to manage."
Alyssa nods, "Letting the winds of chaos guide you often leads you to the wake of things. It's sort of like an ocean current; the random swirls pull lots of things in, not just you. How do I get in touch with the Agent?"
"Simply contact me and I will put you in touch with his vizier," Chrona 42 answers, "Who is much more reliable, being an Inevitable."
Alyssa nods, "Then let us continue."
"To cover your responsibilities under the Compact, they are simple. Should you come on a violation of the Temporal Compact, that is the active use of chronomancy by someone who isn't a servant of one of the Keepers of the Compact, that you stop it or alert the Keepers." Chrona 42 says, "As well as respect the ban on chronomancy."
Alyssa nods, "How often do these violations occur?"
"Rarely. We take care of most before they happen," Chrona 42 says, a hint of pride in his voice. "But occasionally we miss one or is somehow obscured from our sight. It's simple - the moment you detect chronomancy, alert us. Doubly so if it's one of your worshipers. I know your first instinct will be to protect them -"
"Of course!" Emily slams her hand down, "They look to us and we're supposed to sell them out to you?!"
As if uninterrupted, "-but this means that at worst, they die and pass onto you. Otherwise whomever finds it may be far more destructive, and if they believe you're complicit in a violation or find evidence of that? You will have vastly more trouble than it's worth."
Bastian scowls a bit, "In other words, make sure they get a penalty we can both live with, because the alternative may be worse."
"It's distasteful," Chrona 42 admits, "But it's to eliminate any chance of games and temptations being played. We all know that if loopholes and niches exist, abuses will follow, and that threatens the entire Temporal Compact. No one wants to go back to the way things were before. No one wins."
"Which puts more pressure on us to stomp it out if we find any signs of it in our faithful," Bastian goes on, "Make us uphold it ourselves so that ours aren't a problem in the first place."
Alyssa looks at the others flatly, "Or you could nip it in the bud ahead of time and give your followers guidance away from it."
"That is the ultimate idea," Chrona 42 agrees, "If you see one peeking in those directions, a gentle nudge away can save us all a great deal of trouble."
"I will do so, but.. Understand that I'm a researcher. I won't stop them from gathering information, but I will restrict how they use it and access it. If some of my followers are strongly talented in it and cannot be dissuaded from it, is there a possibility of introducing them to an appropriate Agent for recruitment? This would allow them to develop their talents while under watch of the Agents, and working towards the protection of the compact simultaneously."
"Highly unlikely. You have to understand that if not prevented and it has to be dealt with, the most likely fate is execution," Chrona 42 says, not unkingly. Simple and plain instead, "Understand that even then however, few will get that far as they will be nudged and manipulated away through temporal meddling if we must."
Alyssa nods, "Alright. I'll work with it."
"Next question?" Chrona asks once that's settled.
"None from me at the moment. Anyone else?"
"Then you understand enough of the basics," Chrona 42 declares, "Now to the lessons of chronomancy."
"Finally," Emily says, "I've been very curious from what I've heard already."
Alyssa settles in to learn!
Instead, Chrona 42 rises. "It is a hands on lesson below," The Inevitable declares, "Far more entertaining than more lecture."
"Lead the way."
You step down - and the sounds of Mechanus intensify. Clicking, whirring. All around you now are the gears of Mechanus, clockwork moving about internally, greats great and small alike towards some unknown purpose.
"I remember when Auntie Antenora took me to Mechanus," Emily murmurs, mostly to herself.
"She has lovely taste," Chrona concurs, "But not the point at hand. If we may? Stop here and sense. See if you can discern it."
Alyssa does as asked, attempting to sense the flow of time, maybe?
Cha check.
Cha/Mind over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 20 + 24, total 44[/blockquote]
Your divine will springs to it, reality changing subtly. A spell you've never seen before, but one to sense temporal anomalies.
Time is wrong here. Malleable, the past easy to slip into.
"Hm. I feel it. This place makes it easier to travel to the past."
"Yes, a rather annoying bit of custom work he did," Chrona agrees, "The spell you copied is of more interest. A slight evolution of Detect Temporal Position, but sufficient for your needs."
"Never thought I'd see that," Bastian says, his focus dead ahead. "It feels strange."
"That's because you're not used to it," Chrona asserts, "Chronomancy is as natural as any other school of magic."
Alyssa nods, "And so the spell required to correct it?"
"Normally a proper dispel would do, or the right counter spell. But in this case it's anchored, so we have to find the source of it," Chrona explains, "After you."
Alyssa attempts to find the source.
Cha check again.
CHA/Mind over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 10 + 24, total 34[/blockquote]
Your will again works and you can sense it below, clear. Further down, further ahead.
"This way..."
Alyssa leads them on!
You walk down. A path appears ahead, the stairway coming to an end. A path of gears, ever turning and ever moving. It takes you deeper into the heart of this place - and in the direction that you sense the anomaly.
"Dangerous, if we couldn't fly an inch above the ground," Bastian notes as he goes forward. "But I doubt anyone who makes it this far is land bound."
Chrona 42 reserves comment, but merely glances ahead as you see it. Something's coming from the gears, hidden, but your keen vision lets you notice the slightest, tell tale signs of movement.
Alyssa examines it as they approach, looking for any sort of danger as she readies to study it and work out what spell is best to use.
Give me an K:A check too then.
K:A/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 7 + 105, total 112[/blockquote]
I'm sorry, K:N, my mistake. Does that change the result?
Same ranks for all knowledges.
What you glimpse is a smiling thing - humanoid and covered in red and orange leaves. Glimpsed only a moment, but you know a fey when you see one. It moves between the gears fast, masculine but slender, feminine in build despite male features. A unique fey you're pretty sure, rather than a normal one.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "A fey. Messing with Chronomancy?"
Bastian cracks his knuckles while Emily says, "We see you," she calls, "You can come out."
Chrona 42 keeps his peace in the meantime.
'Do you really? Do you really see me?'
I see you.
> roll 1d20+56
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+56 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{57}
> roll 1d20+40
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+40 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{55}
"AAAH!" A scream of fear, from behind one of the gears. Emily looks on, her normal kindness gone. Instead she says, "Are you that much of a fool to offend me twice, fey?"
Alyssa sighs and follows suit, You would be wise to present yourself. Drawing this out will only further increase our ire.
The figure that emerges is perhaps five feet tall. A masculine face and yet a fully feminine body with curves and a bosom. Red and orange leaves cover the creature's body.
"Autumn fey, if I don't miss my guess," Emily remarks easily, "What are you doing here?"
The figure looks on at the three of you as Bastian again cracks his knuckles. He doesn't say anything, but instead the figure quickly kneels. "I...I don't know. I forget things as time moves here. Up and down, left and right, the lady's whim and will."
Alyssa glances at Emily, "Which lady's whim? Queen Morwel?"
"No! The Queen of Fairies!" Is the hiss, long and low. "Her Majesty, Titania!"
Alyssa nods slowly, "Are... you implying that Titania has ordered you to come here and interfere with Time?"
"No, no. Her will, not her orders," The creature says quickly, "Divine ones, she sees time back and forth, forward and back, don't you see?"
"Ahh... ha... And how exactly were you executing her will? What were you trying to accomplish here?"
The creature flickers. Like an illusion in the sunshine, distorted by heat. "I..." Another flicker, "I don't remember."
Alyssa focus her senses to see if this Fey is flickering through time, "Okay, so, until we talk to Titania and figure out exactly what she wanted that you can't remember how about you don't continue and instead tell us what you were doing?"
A new spell comes - different, but alive and beautiful. A spell you've never seen before, but feels right.
"I...had to...stalk? Find? Fight?" It answers slowly, "The more I stop to think, the less I know!"
It is indeed out of time and out of phase. Everything about it is wrong.
"Suppose we'll have to fix it," Bastian says leisurely, "Metal man, you know how?"
"It happens that I can advise on you this, but ultimately you'd be best to solve the problem here and then treat...pardon the question, but are you a man or a woman?" he asks, rather delicately.
"I..." A long pause, the strange creature unresponsive.
"You don't know," Chrona 42 surmises. "Unfortunate and confusing, but you that can be settled later. Fortunately if you've survived this long, you'll survive longer yet. You see, this is a case of Temporal Misadjustment. A disease of sorts, but it's closer to a curse. Repeated, uncontrolled and rapid time travel can cause confusion and loss of memories. This is mostly a mortal affliction, but even spirits can be affected with sufficient exposure. Not everyone is vulnerable to it, but it seems our friend is. Relatively rare even when chronomancy was common, it's thought to be the result of a particular weakness or quirk of the person afflicted. As in the same way that some people have brown hair or blue eyes, it's merely a quirk of bloodlines."
"In that case, we'll see to your recovery," Emily agrees, "And if you've committed crimes beyond the pale, your Queen can judge you."
"Will stabilizing the anomaly stabilize him?"
"It'll be the first step," Chrona 42 explains, "Otherwise it's like trying to dry the deck of a ship while waves crash over and onto the deck."
Alyssa nods, "And the spell to stabilize it?"
"I'll teach you how to use it once we get that far," Chrona 42 says easily, a little smile on his face.
"Fearless, aren't you?" Emily observes, "You're polite but you don't fall to pieces around a deity." She approaches him, "Then again, you helped Mom and Alicia with this."
"It may soothe you that one reason I have this duty is that I am good at dealing with powers and the divine." Chrona explains, "We all have our gifts and perhaps that is mine from Primus."
"Well, it helps that we're all amicable. Let's see this in action."
See what in action? You lost me.
The spell to fix this.
"I can demonstrate it if you like," Is his agreement, "You should be able to use this through your divine will."
"Good," Emily says, "Would a heal spell work?"
"It would be sufficient in minor cases, but an advanced case like this needs a more specialized treatment." Chrona 42 explains.
"Please demonstrate."
It is like a twist of magic that should have always been there. Unfamiliar but right, something that feels good as you watch it, understand it.
The creature lets out a sigh of relief, before a flicker and another. "What...what was I...?"
"As you can see, the deck is wet again, to continue the metaphor." Chrona 42 explains.
Alyssa nods, "And it's fixed? Or is there follow up to make sure it doesn't reopen?"
"Alyssa," Emily says gently, "The problem's still there. He tried to fix that poor fey, not the underlying problem."
Alyssa tries to mimic the spell, to fix it.
It's easy. It flows so well, your divine will copying the spell you just did.
A moment later Emily does the same, "I didn't know I was missing so much magic," she murmurs aloud. "Not in my heart."
"There's always more to learn."
"Now then," Chrona 42 says, "I believe you have a path onward?"
Alyssa nods, "We need to get this one back to Titania and figure out what he was doing."
"Now or later?" Bastian says, "Well, once we deal with the source of the time problems."
Didn't I just fix it? That was my intention.
You fixed the problem with the fey, which was noted to recur if the underlying cause (the temporal issues here) weren't resolved.
Oh, I thought by that you meant the actual time anomaly thing. That still needs to be resolved?
Yes. As noted that has be gotten at the source.
Alyssa moves to work on the source of the problem.
Perception as you keep going down then.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 4 + 65, total 69[/blockquote]
Deeper into the gears. The fey follows, not resisting you at all. Ahead, amid the gears, sits a glass sphere. It's taller than any of you are and extremely wide, full of pale white light within.
That's the source of it, alright.
Alyssa examines it, trying to figure out what it's doing to time, exactly.
Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+122 : 17 + 122, total 139[/blockquote]
In essence, it's a magical item. Meant to manipulate time, it's not actually here. It's about 10 seconds before the Absolute Present, and kept in sync by magic. The spell work's unstable now and as a result it's causing these problems.
"Would it be better to try to resync this? Or simply negate it altogether?"
"Destroy it." Chrona 42 says immediately, "It's too degraded without extensive chronomancy, and the point is to not use it whenever possible. But...your attempts to repair it would be instructive. Feel free to try."
Alyssa studies the magic around the sphere to figure what spell would best work.
Emily joins you as Bastian watches, arms crossed. "Not my field, but I might learn something," he admits.
Spellcraft and K:A both, both with a +2 bonus thanks to Emily aiding.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+124 : 2 + 124, total 126[/blockquote]
K:A/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+107 : 6 + 107, total 113[/blockquote]
What it really needs is time with a capable magical artisan who knows what to do. In lieu of that, a miracle spell or a wish might be enough to patch it up for awhile. It's really just in bad shape and needs more than most single cast spells can provide.
As a deity of magic you can probably fudge it more than well enough with a wish or miracle, though.
What do you mean by artisan? Like a specific feat? Or just a skill?
Nothing. Just a generic description for someone who has magic item creation feats and is thus a creator of magical items.
Gotcha.
"Well, I think a magical artisan could actually fix this... I can patch it up and look for one, if you'd like. We know a number of gods who might be able to point us in the right direction."
Chrona 42 clears his throat, "I did not get this task by being unable to offer services here as well. You need look no further if you require instruction."
"Oh? I'd be happy to work with you if you think it'll work to fully repair it."
In that case, give me another round of Spellcraft and K:A checks.
Spellcraft:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+90 : 7 + 90, total 97[/blockquote]
K:A/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 11 + 73, total 84[/blockquote]
Oh, and do you have any item creation feats?
Not me personally, but I have crafting skills.
It's quite complex. You know a lot of this from osmosis, but you've never formally trained these skills. Nonetheless you gather it's similar to other wondrous items, only with spells you don't know. Chronomancy, woven into it as the sphere is slowly repaired.
But it's not right - ah, you see.
Chrona 42 is also in the past. He works in the past, a sense of it with your spells active. Work in perfect harmony, each part of greater tasks together.
Alyssa wonders if she should be in the past working on it too...
As you speculate on such things, "All done," Chrona 42 announces, "Now if you'd fix our guest again?"
Alyssa nods and begins working on the Fey!
A second time does it. The fey stands there after. "My name! I remember my name! By the Queen, I remember my name!"
"About time," Bastian notes, "You sane again?"
"And able to tell us exactly what you were trying to do?"
"I was trying to escape," Is the fey's answer right away, a hand on hip. "I'm even stuck between seasons, how intolerable!"
> roll 1d2
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d2 --> [ 1d2=2 ]{2}
A shift. The fey is now fully feminine, ample curves and a beautiful look. "Either side is better than that, my times were all twisted. My name is Autumnal and I am an elder spirit in service of Her Majesty, Queen Titania. I was kidnapped," Venom slips into that word, "By a bastard of an elder titan!"
"Ooooooooh..." Emily says slowly. "That explains a lot."
A deep bow after, "You have my gratitude, divine ones. Though I confess I do not know you or your names. It has been a long time, hasn't it?"
"More years than you want to contemplate," Chrona 42 agrees.
"We're... Somewhat newly risen. I've yet to formally meet Queen Titania, I believe. We can escort you back, if you wish."
"Please," Is the answer, "I've been gone a long time."
Alyssa nods and turns to Chrona 42, "Anything else we need to go over before we take this one back?"
"Go on," Chrona 42 agrees at last, "You understand the basics now, and you rule over magic. The rest should fit into place easily."
Alyssa nods, "Let's go then."
Perception for the way up, Idward.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 8 + 65, total 73[/blockquote]
The trip back up to the bookshelf is without incident, as is the trip out.
"Where are we?" Autumnal asks.
"The Deep Ethereal," Emily answers, "This way, we'll leave and get you back to where you need to be."
Alyssa nods and lets Emily take the lead.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=18 ]{18}
The trip out is quiet at least. "I'll take her back," Emily says, "Do you want to come along, Alyssa?
"Sure, doesn't hurt to make acquaintances."
Okay, any prep before you go over?
Nah, I don't expect this to turn into combat or anything.
Emily takes you over. You stand in a forest glade, a little brook nearby. Emily looks about, "This way. Be polite, don't make any promises you don't intend to keep and...well, it's probably okay if you eat something here."
Autumnal takes a breath, as you see it's warm. High summer, everything in blossom. "You'll be fine, divine ones. My presence should be enough."
"I would have hoped that being Gods and non-hostile would have been enough."
"Some of the fey can be...boisterous," IS the answer you get, "And drunk."
"Guess I can work up a Force Sobriety spell in the future, then."
"I recommend it," Bastian says, "Done something like that a few times now, it saves time."
"I mean for others, but yes. In any case, lead the way, Autumnal."
Cool. Gimme a d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 100, total 100[/blockquote]
You walk - and as you do, you hear the sounds of revelry ahead. Bright and joyous, coming to you all at once, as if they weren't there a moment ago.
Alyssa continues on, expecting such from the fey.
"Yeah, I heard that too," Bastian murmurs, "Out of nowhere."
You advance on. Ahead you see a great festival, of countless fey of all kinds. Tents are erected and musicians play. Food and drink flows freely amid this revelry. It is a scene of fantasy and joy, and yet amid it? In the distance one great tent, red as fire, catches your eye. It looms above all others, dominating the view farther ahead. A banner flies from it, which shows a tree on a circular field of silver and red.
Do I recognize the crest?
"Any idea what this festival is for?"
Your religious knowledge allows you to identify the holy symbol of Titania, Queen of the Fey.
"The fey hardly need a reason," Emily adds, as Autumnal smiles at it all, widely and happily.
"Well, perhaps we can give them a reason and turn this into a welcome home party. Let's go, Autumnal."
Thus you head into this celebration and...
Doing anything or just striding in like you own it?
I would assume Autumnal would know all the customs and courtesies, so I'd let her lead.
Autumnal's answer is easy - she rushes right to the nearest source of drinks and gets herself one.
"Well, why not?" Bastian smiles a bit, then sidelong, "Didn't you say something about not eating and drinking?"
"I did. None of it should be able to affect us," Emily shakes her head now, "So if you're thirsty, drink."
'Or come forward.' A woman's voice in your minds, soft but firm.
"Or both?"
Alyssa scoops up something to drink and heads towards the voice!
A table served by a doe-headed woman - the head of a deer and a beautiful body. Her lips twist into a smile, "Drink and drink freely."
Bastian just regards her with idle curiosity, a long drink. When nothing happens the woman stares as Bastian takes out a platinum coin and flips it to her. "Nice try."
You walk onward. Ahead. The fey simply part around you without seeming to notice. The path to the voice is clear - the path to the tent is clear.
Alyssa sips as she continues towards the tent!
Inside the tent you feel a cool breeze. You stand in another forest clearing. There's no sign of the revelry here. Instead, sitting on a throne of bark and wood, is a beautiful queen. Red haired and vibrant beyond any words, she is royalty without a crown being worn. A raw sense of it, a regal face that commands your complete attention. She is clad in a war-gown of forest green, colorful armor sewn into it - a bit of stone there, a gemstone greave there, wooden bracers as well.
Unearthly beautiful, a beauty that makes your eyes sting in pain. Reality pulses as you view her, and yet her voice is firm but not unkind. "You returned Autumnal to me."
Emily bows deeply, "Lady Titania," she murmurs, respectfully.
Alyssa bows as well, enough to be respectful, but none-the-less as one ruler to another.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Titania. Yes, we came across her in quite a predicament while training with Chrona 42."
"It seems I am in your debt," Titania muses, then with a gesture of her hand, "I take my debts with the utmost seriousness. What do you desire?"
"How about closer relations? My realm has a small population of fey. Lady Honeydip is helping to better integrate them into the whole of realm's population and establish them. Though their number is small, I feel they bring much needed... levity and life to the realm, as well as knowledge and balance with nature. We also have a sacred grove that I've entrusted to the druids. Fey are notoriously hard to settle in newer areas. Opening an active trade route between us, along with some educational and training exchanges would help. I gather any who are searching for a home, to learn, and welcome the wanderlust of all. I would greatly like to have your people consider my realm to explore and enjoy.
... And access to your library, if possible."
Toss on a diplo check here.
Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+101 : 14 + 101, total 115[/blockquote]
Almost disinterestedly, the Queen states, "Done." A snap of her fingers, "Fey will find their way to your realm and explore it, as you wish."
Before I respond, I passed some info on about a gemstone that Rumza had onto Morwel, who was supposed to pass it on to Titania, I believe. Would it be appropriate that Alyssa knows/figured it out and brings it up? Don't wanna over-meta or anything.
Doesn't have enough to work it out as far as I know.
Alyssa inclines her head, "Thank you, I appreciate it. I look forward to our relationship in the future. I'm glad to have returned one of yours to you. She was a bit delusional, though, and believed she was acting under your orders doing whatever she was with the relic and chronomancy. I'm not sure what implications that might have with the agreement, but you should be aware of it."
"She will recover in time," Titania agrees, as she withdraws a silver key. It is tossed to you, "Build a door in a forest, standing alone and use this key to open it."
Alyssa takes it, "Here, in your forest, or in the forest in my realm?"
"Any realm, any forest," Titania declares, "Do not lose that key."
Alyssa nods, "What does it do? Or is it a surprise?"
"It will answer your other request," Titania declares, looking on at you, "The way can be found, but what lies within is not the tame knowledge of man, but the living knowledge of nature."
"Sounds like a fine addition to Ianvasah's Grove."
"Hm, yes," Is the agreement. "That place would do."
"Well then, if there's nothing else, we'll be on our way. It's been lovely to make your acquaintance."
"The door out of this tent will take you to where you wish to go," Titania notes, "Merely think of it when you pass through."
Alyssa nods and bows again, and heads out, thinking of her study in the tower!
You step out right into it.
"Well, we didn't figure out the titan's mystery," Emily says once you're in, "But we did succeed in another way."
"The mystery still exists, we can always return. Returning Autumnal simply took a bit of priority."
Bastian hops over to one of the chairs and sits down. "Interesting enough," he agrees. "I'll note our agreement with that Compact wasn't requested, but assumed."
Alyssa shrugs, "Well, to be fair, it's enforced by every deity. Supposedly. Even if it wasn't Ao can enforce it himself. At this point, until we know more, trying to fight it is largely pointless and a waste of effort."
"Then it's good to know about it," Emily speaks up, "In the meantime, now what?"
"Well, first let's use this key... Then we should have a try at finding another Seed, perhaps? Maybe... the one in Acheron? It's a land of battles, and between Jarem and Emily, it seems like it would be the best fit of the remaining options."
"We could try, if the devils haven't found it first. It is in their backyard," Emily muses.
Alyssa nods, "Zaphikel might be able to confirm one way or another."
Going to ask him then?
Sure.
Lord Zaphikel, would you happen to be able to confirm if the seed in Acheron has been claimed by one of Asmodeus' people or not?
My counterpart has not spoken of it.
Thank you.
"Well, Asmodeus hasn't spoken to him about it, but that doesn't exactly confirm anything. Outside of directly asking Asmodeus, though, all we can do is start some information gathering on it."
"If we can find anything about it," Bastian shakes his head slowly, "But better to try and find it than to do nothing."
Okay then, how do you plan to information gather?
Well, we got absolutely nothing except for it's somewhere on Acheron. So, I suppose a combination of Legend Lore and buying info from a broker somewhere, if I can find one.
Legend Lore on the divine seed, you mean?
On it's location, yeah.
The legend lores return nothing.
If Legend Lore would do it, you would think Zaphkiel or Asmodeus would have had that seed long ago.
Well, I'm not entirely sure how to start here outside of that spell. Outside of just researching lore?
Pretty much.
What sort of lore are you going to research?
Well, any sort of area or phenomenon that can be attributed to divine power without being directly connected to a deity, or any sort of myth/lore/trial type deal that falls in line with a trial like we've done before.
Sure, gimme an K:P check, library bonus applies.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Library/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+115 : 11 + 115, total 126[/blockquote]
Give me a d100 as well.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 58, total 58[/blockquote]
"The main thing," Emily says after some time at it, "Is to not put too fine a point on it, but to weed out the..." she sighs, "The utter bullshit from the fanciful mistakes and genuine misunderstandings." She puts another book aside, "But my list is getting longer. I have a handful that might fit and may be something. I've ruled out any thing too old, as by now they'd surely have been investigated."
Alyssa nods, "Give me the list you have. We'll look into it while you keep working."
"Here," Emily passes it over. "It's a start."
Alyssa looks it over.
There's a few notable reports.
The first is a report of two cubes being destroyed by an unknown force. Details are scant but survivors are many. No one really knows what happened, but it was bad.
The second is a report of spontaneous resurrection on several battlefields. The details of it are hazy, but multiple powerful champions rose from defeat to fight again.
The third and last she has is of spontaneous, unknown portals that stole an entire cube.
Feel free to ask for more details and you'll get them, just trying not to write 6 or 7 paragraphs in a single post.
Let's start with the portals. Every seed I've dealt with so far has been portal-y, so why not. Any additional details on that, or do you want me to ask specific questions?
Questions are fine.
Alright, did it leave any sort of lingering energy or the like? Is it possible to still trace the spell?
According to reports, no. It's too far gone for traditional detection spells to still pick up on it even if it was a normal spell. You'd have to use a stronger divination.
Can I get any sort of first hand reports on it? Something that might let me match up details to the properties of other seed portals I've dealt with?
You could, sure, but you'd have to hunt someone down. Hardly impossible, but it would take a bit of effort.
Alright, I'll set Bastian on that, then.
Do know exactly where it happened? Like, can I go there?
It happened in Tintibulus, the 3rd layer of the plane. You could find the location if you wished, sure.
What do I know about Tintibulus?
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 4 + 73, total 77[/blockquote]
It's the third layer of Acheron. Lots of uneven shapes and collisions there, so it's relatively lightly inhabited. It's still a battlefield but more of a brutal one. Fiends cavort there and the Blood War is fought, as it often is on the lower planes, but it's mostly general nastiness.
Are there any groups or a single rumored entity that might match up with what we've seen of Guardians in the past?
Nothing that leaps out as such, no.
Which forces hold sway there?
Mostly devils and warlords. It's a nasty brutish place in the shadow of Baator. A lot of various evil deities have some influence here, but it's a bit wide open in that aspect. Used for that freedom for all sorts of nastiness meant to be kept out of general circulation.
Hmm.. Not sure what else I should ask. Do Bastian/Dolmaya/Honeydip/Jarem have any?
Have what?
Questions.
None immediate.
I can't really think of anything.
"So portals in Acheron," Jarem muses once you're done with the basics. "Someone was playing around with something, at least. Might or might not matter to anything. You like this one, Alyssa?"
"It fits more than the others, I think. Portals, chaos, and no one specifically responsible."
"There's a real possibility none of these has anything to do with it," Jarem continues on, "But better to try than to do nothing."
"Unfortunately we'll have to do this the hard way and hope we get lucky," Emily agrees, "Though if all else fails, we can explore the deepest layer and see. That's where I'd hide it, but that doesn't mean it helps to find it."
Alyssa nods, "Well, until we get a better idea..."
"We can go investigate," Jarem agrees. "Who goes?"
"Me, obviously. Anyone else want to? Someone aligned to war."
Jarem steps forward. After a few moments Honeydip does the same, "The three of us can handle most threats easily," she declares, "As long as we don't try and fight an army."
Alyssa nods, "Then lets get our prep done and be off."
Okay then, to set up for next week, what's your prep here?
I'm gonna redo my spells to be a bit more combat oriented. In that vein, I assume Dolmaya would teach me her spells?
Sure.
Alright, spells updated. Before we teleport over, I wanna do the key thing in the grove.
Sure.
Ianvasah's grove is quiet and peaceful. As you'd expect and hope, nothing here to disturb the quiet of it. An honorable resting place for someone lost, who gave so much for you.
Alyssa takes a moment in silence to remember her friend, then removes the key from a pocket and uses it!
That requires a door to be built. Have you done so?
You can just create one through will, this hardly matters, but as it's a feature of the area, take a sec to describe it, integrate it in?
Oh, I misunderstood, I thought the key would like generate one. But yeah, I'll create one.
Alyssa focuses her will, calling an archway for the door into being: a pair of trees twisting together and a door, covered in bark, looking like a part of the trees and living.
It is done to your will, the door created as desired.
Alyssa uses the key to open it!
The door opens. Ahead you see a building - shot through with trees. Trees and stonework meld together here, branches meeting shelves dozens of stories tall. Birds sing in the branches and the sound of flowing water can be heard in the distance. The roofs rise up to work around the trees, vast spaces above. On some branches bookshelves sit, and other branches become parts of bookshelves and support them.
It is bright and sunlit here, in spite of a far above ceiling where the canopy and stone become one.
Alyssa enters, "Excellent! Wonderful addition. This will help get visitors to the grove, and will hopefully help the druids and fey there interact and integrate with the rest of the people of the realm."
The gentle song of the breeze is your answer, as...
Anything to do here right now?
Not really.
Okay, any spellcasting prep for your trip out then?
Nope spells are updated.
You go to open a portal there and...
Let's begin with a CL check.
CL:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 10 + 38, total 48[/blockquote]
The portal opens, but you feel it. Interference. Nothing you can't overcome, but you note it nonetheless.
"Hmm... There's interference..."
Anyway I can identify or track the interference?
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 10 + 73, total 83[/blockquote]
As far as you can tell, it's natural interference. From your guess without a check to confirm it, it's like a mix of astrological and planar energies. For you this is no big deal, you can overcome such things, but lesser mortals may have problems.
"It seems natural. Let's get moving." Alyssa goes through.
A clang. A great din, of objects smashing into each other. The void is full of objects of all sorts of shapes, covered in thick dust as they fly about. Many collide, some shattering and others continuing on. It's simple, almost meaningless chaos on a glance, destruction.
Alyssa closes her eyes for a moment and lets the chaos wash over her, then lets her senses and wanderlust pull at her for a moment to get a feel for the place.
"Alright, let's get some scouting done and see if we can't find where exactly this happened..."
Alyssa sends out her Prying Eyes to scout.
Honeydip immediately weaves her hair around herself as a shield while Jarem braces.
'I'll see to it that we aren't hit by debris. You do your end of it, Alyssa.'
Do the eyes have any particular resistance to harm?
No, but they sort of auto-avoid things and have an AC of 18.
You can tell this is going to be hazardous with them, and the eyes are fragile. It's a smashing mess out there, after all.
Your call if that changes your move.
Ehhh, is there a better wide-range scouting spell? Unless you want to let me do an on the spot modification of Prying Eyes to combine it with Eye of Stone.
You could work out something with alter reality depending on the spell levels, possibly.
Prying Eyes is level 5 and Eye of Stone is level 6.
A wish then if you want to use one on that, or a miracle spell.
Ah! That brings up a question I had when I redid my spell list that slipped my mind. Devout Factotum and Miracle: How do they work together? Since Factotums are basically using SLAs, does using Miracle via Devout Factotum still destabilize casting?
It's moot because you're a deity. Wishes and miracles never cause that problem for a deity.
Ah. Then I'll use it via factotum.
Alyssa uses a quick Miracle to create the spell!
Done. Eyes go and sweep, which...
Perception on them.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 17 + 65, total 82[/blockquote]
Off they go to search and soon enough they return. A field surrounds you, Jarem's will keeping anything from hitting you. Hm. Nothing too interesting, just images of objects hitting one another everywhere.
"Nothing so far..."
Alyssa focuses on her travel domain and wanderlust to try and get a sense of direction towards her goal.
Give me Charisma.
Cha/Brains Over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 3 + 24, total 27[/blockquote]
You feel pulled ahead, to the northwest and downwards.
"Perhaps this way..."
Alyssa takes flight and heads towards the pull!
Perception as y'all go.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 3 + 65, total 68[/blockquote]
You wander a little while, but it's desolate here. Empty. That is until you come on a clear space. About 100ft by 40ft by 40ft. No debris come into here, the air completely clear. It's where you seem to want to go, no doubt.
Alyssa stops, "I feel... This is the area..."
Alyssa casts Greater Arcane Sight on herself and begins inspecting the area.
"Should be," Jarem agrees, "You keep doing it."
Honeydip nods, "Forward," she instructs. "Get it done, Alyssa!"
Motivate Intelligence for +15 intelligence based skills.
Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge/Motivate:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+137 : 20 + 137, total 157[/blockquote]
There's a knot of magical energy here. It's acting as an impromptu stabilization, which keeps this little area of Acheron clear. That's not its purpose - it doesn't have one, just a great deal of leftover magical energies strong enough to endure on their own and react to Acheron.
What's more interesting is that you can discern the beginnings of an intelligence within it.
Alyssa tries to figure out what the energy is from and how to further stabilize and develop it...
"There's... a sort of energy here. It's beginning to develop intelligence."
K:A.
"Get in on it," Jarem says right away, "Don't overwhelm it, but it could use a mother. Might not help since it's been born in Acheron, but without that it'll be another fiend in no time."
K:A/Cunning Knowledge/Bibliotheca/Motivate:
Whoops, wrong button:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+120 : 6 + 120, total 126[/blockquote]
Didn't roll.
Or wait okay, new page. My bad.
It's stable enough now. As for development, it needs intellectual stimulus.
Uh, this is sorta obtuse. What counts as intellectual stimulus in this situation? Like a conversation? Can it even understand language? Or do I need to do something like using my memory sharing spell?
Anything intellectually stimulating. Like engaging a child with learning.
Uh, I don't have kids >.>
Alyssa conjures up balls of light and has them take different shapes and colors, going through and naming them as they dance about in an intricate dance. She starts with primary colors, and has them crash into each other, producing new colors as she goes.
No immediate reaction.
"Alyssa? Is this really the time to practice cantrips?" Jarem asks, as his gaze keeps going about, defenses kept up.
Huh. As you watch, a little tendril of blue light form. It sloppy shakes and throws itself at the various lights, uncoordinated by going for them.
"If you've raised and educated kids before, feel free to jump in. It did, however, get a reaction."
Alyssa continues the dance, but adds a bit of music, synchronizing it with the colors coming together to create new ones, and directing the balls to dance near the tendril, to interact with it.
Jarem takes 10 on Perception.
It's slow and sloppy, awkward, but it keeps on doing that.
"Interesting time to find your maternal side," Jarem murmurs as he focuses. "Still, keep it up, I can hold this off as long as I need to."
"This was quite literally your idea."
Alyssa uses a bit of alter reality to conjure Jarem's voice, repeating his comment, "Don't overwhelm it, but it could use a mother. Might not help since it's been born in Acheron, but without that it'll be another fiend in no time."
Alyssa stare as him flatly, "If you want to comment on your brilliant idea, you can take up parenting here and now, you know."
Alyssa turns back to it, trying to sync the music with it interacting with the lights, then having the lights change shape when it touches one.
Jarem's expression twists into a smile, "Shh, don't argue, you'll wake up the baby." He laughs softly to himself, "I was teasing you, Alyssa."
Meanwhile the tendril of light follows, until it stops and comes, resting against your foot.
Alyssa rests her hand on the tendril and inspects the magical energy of the creature, trying to align her own to it, to make it similar, and then letting the energy flow into her hand.
There's a lurch and -
Okay, how much are you trying to change it?
I wasn't really trying to change it so much as just sort of... Resonate with it?
By changing it to align with your own, to be clear?
Oh, I was just using my own magic, not trying to change it. Full disclosure, I have no idea what either would really do. Is there some sort of check to get a hint on what might happen? I don't wanna like blow this thing apart accidently or something.
Let's call this K:A.
K:A/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge/Motivate:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+120 : 15 + 120, total 135[/blockquote]
If you align its energy with yours, you'd change it to be more like you. This would certainly and permanently affect it, a goddess doing so is going to have drastic consequences on it.
Uh, any clue how we're talking here? I don't wanna like... Make a rando chunk of the astral plane a sentient divine being or something here, but if we're talking something more like a Solar, it might be a different story.
It wouldn't be a divine being, but it would change it. Likely in ways that represent the deity you are.
Ah well, fuck it. Carpe diem.
Alyssa lays some of her magic over the creature, letting it interact and absorb it on its own!
Give me a d100 here.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 85, total 85[/blockquote]
The energy shifts, your influence felt. It begins to condense down, becoming visible as a bright blue energy about the size of a coconut.
Alyssa uses Alter Reality to cast telepathy and attempts to make contact with its mind.
No coherent answer.
Alyssa figures it's adjusting to the change and gives it time to recover and act on its own.
The energy coalesces. It becomes a blue skinned baby and slowly looks up at Alyssa. "Ma...ma....ma..." It manages.
Jarem refrains from comment.
"Hello!"
Gender here?
> roll 1d3 1 male 2 female 3 something weirder because it's an inhuman mass of energy
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d3 1 male 2 female 3 something weirder because it's an inhuman mass of energy --> [ 1d3=2 ]{2}
It's a girl.
The blue skinned baby watches you, reaching out one chubby hand towards you.
Alyssa puts her finger in the hand.
"What do you think of the name Ianvasah, hm?"
"Ma." Is the answer as it holds on.
Jarem's face softens at that, "It's a good name to have," he murmurs to the child.
Alyssa floats the kid to her and holds her, "Well now, this has gotten quite complex. Do we want to keep searching or return for now?"
"I don't see any sign of what we're looking for, but we found something else. Let's head back." He decides.
Alyssa nods and casts Greater Plane Shift to return them.
Thus you return back and one question looms: What are you doing with the baby you now hold?
"Well, I'm going to need to figure out this little one. As it stands, I have no idea exactly what she is. Anyone interested in helping?"
"Let me," Honeydip comes forward. In gentle Celestial, "Be at rest, child." She flutters nearby, "I fought for so many years to save the eladrin children of Androlynne. I know children well."
"I mean, more... What race is she? What does she need to eat? But yes, the other stuff, too."
"She's probably unique," Jarem adds as you tend to her. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."
"... That is what I said I wanted to do."
"Regardless, let's..." Honeydip begins.
Okay, plans?
Try to figure out what this thing eats and what kind of abilities it has. I don't want it to randomly nuke anyone before we know of the possibility.
Sure, what's your plan to determine all of that? Trial and error, magic, something else?
Research, examine the magic the kid is made of, maybe some divine luck/Miracle? I dunno.
Sure. Gimme K:P to cover the research angle.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 9 + 105, total 114[/blockquote]
+15 to that if Motivate Intelligence is still up.
It's a unique outsider. It has no need for food and drink. Well, she anyway. Magic suggests she's going to develop fast, it's not a remotely normal creature so to expect normality from it is absurd.
"Well, she doesn't technically need food, it seems. But I'll be damned if she misses out on amazing tastes..."
Anything on potential abilities that she may not have control of that will hurt mortals?
Nothing obvious. She's a unique outsider so it's a question mark, but nothing's coming up as obvious or likely. Doesn't mean she may not develop such one day.
"Well, I think she'll be safe. No magical explosions, I think. So I guess I'll introduce her to the family. Coming, Honeydip?"
Since this came up in PM, lemme ask you outright: Do you want to invest time into this child or hand her off?
I don't mind doing it, but there's a limit on how much time I want to do it. Like, let's not make it a major thing.
Okay, then it can be put to the side for now. What do you want to do with that particular bit done?
Go back to looking for the seed.
Okay, were you going to investigate another of your leads or what then?
Next lead. Go with the first one: The first is a report of two cubes being destroyed by an unknown force. Details are scant but survivors are many. No one really knows what happened, but it was bad.
Very good. How are you going to investigate?
Same way; some research, questions and what-not?
Sure, go for it, be it checks, spells or what have you.
Let'sstart with some research checks.
KP and KA.
K:P/Bibliotheca/CunningKnowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 17 + 105, total 122[/blockquote]
K:A/Bibliotheca/CunningKnowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 15 + 105, total 120[/blockquote]
Most likely it's a powerful spellcaster, a magic item gone wrong or the act of a deity. You need more to narrow it down, but something that destructive isn't common. Whatever did it must be powerful, but you really just need more information.
Alright, now what are my options? Will Legend Lore do it?
If you could find a valid target, quite possibly. If.
Hm, what about using Scrying of some sort to find the epicenter to use as a focus?
Well, a place is a valid target so yes.
Let's go with that.
Legends have just begun - of a Dead Ground. Where forces unknown shattered two great cubes. The fact of mad wizards, of an angry deity or of something darker. No one knows, but a thousand stories spread, each one like a little fever that infects and spreads with each telling.
Can I look into whether or not there's any sort of lingering energy from the event? Something I might be able to identify, or at least rule out a deity or something?
Sure, you could if you wanted.
Let's go with that.
Divinations suggests any energy from it has faded with time, as you'd unfortunately expect. You'd need the analysis of someone who was there to see it.
Next step is that, then. Can I Legend Lore for someone who was there?
If you have a name, sure.
Okay then. Let's see if we can't dig up a name through any sort of information gathering or tracing back rumors. Any information brokers or story tellers.
Sure, K:P check again.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 6 + 73, total 79[/blockquote]
You manage to get the name of a survivor: Balanursk.
Let's track this fool down!
Sure thing, make a move to do so and I'll sort it out.
Alyssa calls out to Bastian, Bastian, I have a name I need you to track down. Balanursk. He's a survivor of the event that destroyed two cubes. If we can find him and get details, or perhaps use my memory observation spell if we're lucky, I think I can identify the energies that caused the destruction.
'I'll find him,' Bastian agrees. 'Just sit back and wait a little bit.'
Alyssa does so!
Don't really have much for the in-between time. Could do a kid thing. Or the new fey. Or just some random thingy in the realm.
In that case let's just see how long Bastian takes for now to stay on task.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=5 ]{5}
Okay.
You don't have time - Bastian quickly sends back, 'That was easy. I know where he is.'
'Excellent. You deserve a raise. Any idea what his disposition is?'
"Miserable, but most newly risen undead are. He came out second best against a vampire lord." A pause, "There's been vampires active lately, something to do with Aurora. He was able to throw off his sire's control and has retreated to the Negative Energy Plane last I tracked him. A little refuge of the dead."
Alyssa taps her fingers against her desk, "We know people from Aurora; let's find out what's going on. Do we know if he's just hiding, or is he trying to build his own little empire? Most vampires tend to do that, but a newly risen one under no one's control is an anomaly."
'If he's still of his right mind and doesn't want to drink blood, perhaps we can save him? One less vampire and he'd be deeply in our debt, so he'd do exactly what we want.'
'Worth a shot. Let's see if we can find him quickly.'
'Meet me by the paths outside. The two of us can do this quickly. Don't invite Emily, the living dead tend to irritate paladins. Honeydip's probably a bad choice too, but Jarem or Dolmaya have potential.'
Alyssa takes a step away from her desk, shifting to finish it next to Bastian, "Eh, we'll be fine."
Any prep?
Aside from just refreshing spells, I can't imagine dealing with one vampire will be an issue. That said, I'd let Jarem and Dolmaya know we're going out for an errand.
As you walk down the path, away from the noise of the academy and your realm, "It's a pissant little hole," Bastian says aloud, "I'm not sure how he's eating there, last I heard it's only the dead, so maybe he's trying not to. Anyway, it's wild and unclaimed land, the sort where might makes right. If we need to make an example we can do that."
Alyssa nods, "Yes, but I'd rather do this quickly and quietly. This place is somewhere both Lixer and Shar would jump at the chance to ambush us in."
"Then ward us," Bastian says, "The less notice, the better."
I... Assume he's referring to a specific spell that Alyssa would know off hand, but I don't?
Nondetection? Mind Blank? Things like that.
Oh! Okay. Mind Blank is part of my normal buffs, yeah. If Bastian can't cast it for himself, I'll do it for him.
Please.
Dark gloom. There's not much light here, just a town of green lanterns. A run down town, tightly packed buildings on a slab of hard rock in the middle of the emptiness of the Negative Energy Plane. You two float before it as you eye it ahead. You see ashen faced men, skeletal creatures and things of bone and dead flesh move about.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow at the place, but motions Bastian to lead.
You go in. Bastian lands and walks. They watch from windows, alleys, the broken places. Skeletal things, dead things. Crawling, dozens of eyes on the two of you.
"The living..."
"They come..."
"Food..."
Bastian cracks his knuckles as he walks, and aloud he says, "I might spare the first idiot who tries," His voice is clear and carries well, "No guarantees about anyone else."
Alyssa considers for a moment, then uses Alter Reality to cast a quick Disintegrate spell as a demonstration.
"I just used a 6th circle spell to make a point. Consider carefully if it's worth it."
Uh, what are you targeting with it?
Nothing, just firing it into the air as a demonstration. If it has to target something, then just like the ground.
In that case, Intimidate check.
Intimidate/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+98 : 17 + 98, total 115[/blockquote]
Bastian's roll isn't needed.
Skitters. Things flee, deeper into the broken buildings and desolate spaces between them. Bastian merely chuckles as he goes and leads you along.
Alyssa strides along confidently and comfortably with a sly grin.
You are lead to a particular building - an old stone building, dusty and run down. Bastian throws the door open and enters and -
> roll 1d20+28
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+28 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{37}
Bastian catches several knives and drops them, not even slowed. "Shut up and listen, or die again."
"We have a Paladin friend we can introduce you to if you'd prefer that to a conversation."
Gimme another Intimidate check?
Intimidate/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+98 : 12 + 98, total 110[/blockquote]
Inside you see two dead bodies move. They step back, faces mostly gone and with knives in hand.
"Go on, Alyssa." Bastian says.
Alyssa strides in and takes the room in, and the two undead.
It's an old room with a bit of beaten furniture. Both retreat back as Bastian says, "We're looking for a newly turned vampire by the name of Balanursk."
As one, the two point to the next room ahead, a rotten old gray curtain the only thing that serves as a door.
Alyssa decides to teleport into the room since she expects an ambush at the doorway.
What spell?
Just the Greater Teleport divine ability.
You blink in. It's a rough bedroom, even with a bed. None in great shape, but the table, chairs, bed and dresser are all in one piece. A pale, waxy skinned human sits here, in dark clothing and cloak. His eyes are blood red. No sign of an ambush.
"You found me," he says, "What do you wish from me so much that you found me here?"
Bastian meanwhile comes in the normal way.
"Answers to my questions, primarily. Perhaps a reward if you do so well enough."
"Go on," His voice is tight, but he says, "What is it you want?"
"Tell me about the destruction of the cubes."
"It surprised me," He begins, "I was on the surface of the rear side - the side not facing the other cube. I wasn't involved in the battle directly, I was in command of the rear guard."
"Good. Get to the point," Bastian says, shortly.
With a stiff look back, "Fine," he bites off, "Then everything went wrong and exploded. I survived and immediately began to try and figure out what happened."
Alyssa nods, listening while running what she knows about curing vampirism through her mind.
Quick K:R check.
K:R/Bibliophileca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 5 + 105, total 110[/blockquote]
Resurrection works. Considering how hard that is to do for mortals it's far from easy.
That you're not a mortal makes this a trivial matter if you care to go that way.
"What have you figured out?"
"Not much, but I have all the information I gathered in a tome," he says, but doesn't offer.
"Fine. You give it to us and answer our questions, you get to come with us and see the sun rise without turning into a bonfire," Bastian declares.
"It takes great divine magic to undo vampirism," Is his answer, his breath caught in his throat. "Can you do so?"
Bastian blinks and is now in front of him, "Yes. Be smart and agree, so we both get what we want and can spare ourselves the wasted time over arguing."
Alyssa let's Bastian do his thing.
"If you can-" The man says immediately, and goes to his bed. From under it he pulls out an old, battered tome and thrusts it at Bastian.
With a glance Bastian takes it, and after a touch, "It's legitimate."
Alyssa takes the book and taps her finger in it.
"I think I want you close at hand in case I have questions. Any interest in relocating?"
It's indeed all of his data about it.
"If I'm alive I can't stay here, so yes," he says right away, "I'm interested.
Alyssa nods, "Then you'll you come with us and we'll prepare the spell."
Going back then?
Yep.
It's simple enough to head back, no one dares challenge you after that display. Yet as you prepare to go?
'We need to return somewhere home without sunlight. This is pointless if he burns to death,' Bastian sends.
'The Vaults. Some of them are being used for storage, but there's plenty empty. We'll conjure up some furniture for a day or so until I prepare the resurrection spell. And if he feels the draw of blood too strongly, he can close himself off.'
It's not hard to travel over to one. Dark and not a hint of light. "It won't take us too long, but be comfortable," Bastian says, as simple furniture rises up. "It isn't fancy but it'll do."
"Alright." He sits on the rough bed and simply waits.
"And if you feel your hunger grow too much, close the door."
To Bastian she sends, 'Recall how I've been pushing Emily to consider things outside of absolutes? I think it might be a fine opportunity for her. What do you think of having her cast the Resurrection spell?'
'To end a curse of undeath and return life? That's so paladin that went and killed a demon moments after you said it.'
Alyssa chuckles, then sends to Emily, 'Would you happen to have a Resurrection spell ready?'
'I can,' Emily sends back, 'What do you need, Alyssa?'
'Would you be interested in saving a vampire who resents being turned against their will and has yet to feed on blood?'
"Of course I would," Emily says right away, "Someone who kept their will after the transformation is absolutely worth helping. It's rare but not unheard of, though few can maintain it long unless the deprivation is against their will."
'Well, get over here.'
Emily appears instantly. The vampire shrinks back but she smiles, "Normally," she goes on, "The living dead already died. The simplest thing to do is slay them and so that if the soul remains, it can be free to move on. But sometimes the answer is not the rest of death, but the embrace of life. I don't yet have the ability to gift life freely, but this will do."
At this the vampire stills, "Please," he says in a quiet voice, "Live or die, but this is no way to exist."
"In that," Emily says, "You have seen real wisdom. Dark and flawed you may be, but you understand that undeath is a mockery." Emily reaches out and touches his forehead, hand against, palm first. The touch causes pale, waxy skin to become alive and warm. It spreads throughout him, vitality returned.
Immediately he collapses and holds his stomach, "Hunger's normal," Emily adds, as she pulls a loaf of soft bread and several fruits from nowhere. He snatches on them with animal fury, "Especially for a vampire that never drank blood." A pitcher of water follow those, "Eat and drink."
Alyssa watches with a small smile, 'Congrats. Going to try to make him into a follower?'
'Yes,' Emily says as the food is devoured. 'He needs a better path than what he chased on Acheron.'
'Well, he's the only living witness so far. Get him situated. If his research isn't enough, we may need to use my memory spell to see it first hand.'
As that's done, you...
Hitting that research?
Yeppers
K:A and K:P. Library bonus applies and another +5 for the book you got from him.
K:A/Bibliotheca/Library/Book/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+125 : 15 + 125, total 140[/blockquote]
K:P/Bibliotheca/Library/Book/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+125 : 15 + 125, total 140[/blockquote]
140 for both rolls, oddly enough.
Assuming this is all true? It wasn't other wizards or a deity. It does, however, look to be a unique magical item. Possibly an artifact. It all seems to come from one source, one of tremendous magical power. From what you can figure out, it's geared for destruction and did so quite well.
Is that enough to do some scrying or Legend Lore to track down more specifics?
Sure, depending on what you want to scry and legend lore.
Alyssa casts legend lore!
What artifact is the source of the destruction described in this book and on Acheron?
CL check, there's forces involved.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 4 + 38, total 42[/blockquote]
42.
Nothing.
It's been blocked, you can tell, and not by mortal level magic. A powerful force indeed wards this, possibly another deity. Most probably, you believe.
Alyssa grumbles, then says to the others, "Another deity is blocking me from finding anything out about this artifact."
Dolmaya stands there, watching your work. "That's irritating, but it tells us as interesting as it is, it's not our true goal."
"I'd still like to get my hands on what caused it," Emily agrees, "Maybe one of us can get through with a legend lore of our own or another spell?"
Alyssa shrugs, "Perhaps. There are spells to view the past, which would reveal much in its own way. But Dolmaya is right, it's not what we're looking for. Something for a side project perhaps, but not what we're looking for."
Alyssa taps her desk, "Which means the remaining lead we have is the resurrections. Emily, did you get any more details on that? Which champions rose again and where?"
"Not much," Emily admits, "Someone's gone to some trouble to shut people up about it. I've found more dead ends than I like."
"That level of interference might be indicative of it not being what we're looking for, too. Still, we should look into it until we can say that definitively. Ideas?"
Jarem sits back, "All of this is interesting but it's hasn't gotten us any closer. We need to ask ourselves a question: How do we get the attention of a Guardian? I have an idea."
"Oh?"
Alyssa motions him on.
"At the bottom of Acheron is Ocanthus, the fourth and final layer. At the bottom of that is a seemingly infinite sheet of black ice. No one knows what's beneath it. It might be time to try poking that bear and see if that stirs up a Guardian."
"Hm. I don't specifically object. Anyone else?"
"It's stupid but the best idea we have at this point," Bastian shrugs, "Why not?"
Alyssa nods. "Well, on to figuring out this ice."
Any move towards it right away?
I honestly don't have any ideas to kick this off.
Jarem considers before, "Well, we could go to Ocanthus and go to the top of the ice sheet and see. I know you can't teleport any deeper, but if we could find some way to burrow through...?"
"Having a sample to test on would be best, but... Maybe a portable lab spell like the mansion?"
"That could work," Emily remarks, "It's not the worst idea to start, I'm sure we could do something like that."
Alyssa nods, "Alright. I'll work on the spell, you all dig up what you can on any sort of previous trying, it'll help us keep from duplicating effort."
Okay, what do you want, spellwise?
Just a version of Mage's Magnificent Mansion that's a research facility/workshop/blacksmith type deal.
Sure. Write up what you want real quick? Something simple and to the point is fine.
Just the same thing as Mage's Magnificent Mansion, but a workshop.
Extradimensional workshop; contains tools and work benches for all crafts and magical research.
Sure, we can just call that good as a very minor variant.
Works. Do you wanna peg a level on it? If it's 6th, I can use altar reality to cast it, otherwise I need a rest to prep it.
Same level as mansion.
So 7th. Ew. Okay.
"I can modify the spell to provide what I need, but I'll need time to prepare it. Unless you think we can find a sample of it?"
"No, we can rest a day," Jarem decides, "We can leave first thing tomorrow."
Alyssa nods, "Anyone have anything else?"
"We're ready for tomorrow," Emily agrees.
Okay, so prep and who is going?
Just changing that one spell, and anyone who wants to come? Until I figure out how to get through the ice, I don't think I need a full team, just enough for security.
Jarem will come. Emily will follow in case you need smiting. Anything to add to that or we good?
Nope, good. I may have to call Dolmaya in to help with research.
Okay. So noted.
Thus the three of you gather, ready to go. "I'll open the portal," Emily volunteers.
Alyssa nods and waits.
The portal is opened, "I've warded us against dimensional anomalies, but we may still need a protective sphere of force or similar measures," Emily warns, "So if you get hurt, don't be afraid to speak up."
Alyssa nods and heads through!
Blades.
Blades and shards of ice in the void. In the deepest night, like sparkling harbringers of death. Emily's wards surround and shield you from this storm, as in this misery it lies. An endless bottom sheet of black ice, far larger than you can see in all directions. It is opaque and seemingly endless, the air cold in a way that chills your from the inside out.
Jarem grimaces but says not a word.
"This is a foul, cursed place. Best be quick," Emily declares, "Before something horrible notices us."
Alyssa begins inspecting the ice to figure out what it is and what it's weaknesses might be!
How precisely are you inspecting it?
Arcane sight and detect magic for now.
The ice itself is not magical.
Alyssa uses a bit of fire magic to see what the reaction is.
What spell and how much fire damage? Matters.
Alter Reality to cast Greater Fireburst, Maximized SDA. 120 damage.
The top few feet of ice it covers flash boils away. Lesser shards nearby drift away - but all that's beneath is more ice.
Alyssa tilts her head in thought and tries it again in the same spot.
More melting. Several larger chunks to the side break off and fly away, joining the debris in the air. Yet more ice.
"This has been tried before. As far as anyone knows, it's endless ice." Emily adds as you three stand there, shielded from the storm for now.
Gimme a d100 too.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 100, total 100[/blockquote]
Perception.
Perception/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+97 : 2 + 97, total 99[/blockquote]
You begin to hear a distant wailing noise, like tears and lamentations.
"Does anyone else hear that?"
"Now I do," Jarem says a loud, blade out all at once.
Emily looks about, "Yes, I do," she says, "It can't be good."
Can I do anything to identify it?
K:P might help.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 8 + 105, total 113[/blockquote]
Isn't really decisive by itself, unfortunately. But whatever it isn't a stock resident or a particular established kind of fiend.
"I can't identify what it is, but I don't think it's a local."
"Then be ready," Emily says, turning and looking about as the sound echos around you.
Alyssa nods and takes the chance to cast Disintegrate on the ice to compare the damage done.
A flat chunk of ice vanishes, no splinters. It's just gone, more ice beneath it. Less ragged, more uniform. A cube.
Which cleared more space?
Disintegrate.
"Well, the ice doesn't seem to be reforming or be particularly resistant to anything... The question is, then... How much of it is there?"
"In theory, infinite," Jarem says, "That's what all the stories say."
Alyssa taps her chin, "Being actually infinite is a different thing... I wonder if there's a way to verify if it is truly infinite or just beyond what others can perceive..."
Suddenly the lamentations become a howling scream around you, the tears so loud as to be like thunderbolts.
"Shiiiit," Jarem readies himself, as the winds beyond your area of protection begin to howl violently, shards hurling constantly at it.
Now can I identify it?
Still doesn't ring any lore bells, whatever it is.
Can I at least identify the magic involved in the attacks so I can try to negate it?
Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+122 : 11 + 122, total 133[/blockquote]
There's overwhelming magic here. It covers everything, a thick layer of evocation and conjuration. It's trying to directly control everything here, convert it. It hasn't affected your protections - yet.
Anything I can do to take control of it or negate it? Like how there are specificspells that will cancel things out?
Your arcane knowledge tells you a dispel might work. A really strong one.
Alyssa snaps out a quick spell!
Superb Dispel, CL 38.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 13 + 38, total 51[/blockquote]
Does that include your divine rank in the dispel check. It applies.
Nope! Add +2 then. Total is 53.
And that's just enough.
With a spell the magic around you shatters. It fades as Emily is ready while Jarem said, "Good spell, Alyssa." The sound ceases, silence after.
"Thank you, now... Let's see..."
Alyssa turns her attention back to the ice...
Is there some way for me to use my travel domain to figure out a path beyond this ice?
Gimme a Charisma check, I guess?
Cha/Brains Over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+28 : 1 + 28, total 29[/blockquote]
As far as you can tell, the ice is infinite. Nothing leaps out at you.
Alyssa taps her chin, "I can't find a path beyond it..."
Can I sense anything like a seed or guardian or anything?
You do not.
Alyssa uses her magic to carve out a chunk of the ice, then casts her new research abode spell, inviting the others into it.
"I want to see if there's a way I can counter the ice as a whole. Perhaps a cascading spell that will chain itself and counter it."
Perception, -10.
Perception/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+87 : 11 + 87, total 98[/blockquote]
The faintest blur, something zips past you, barely noticeable. Was that an arrow?
Alyssa looks at what it was, "Something just flew past me."
It slams into the ice below and shatters.
The three of you look up. It's distant, at the edge of your vision, but you can see something coming from above.
Is this interrupting my going into the research area?
Alyssa sends out her Prying Eyes to try and get a look at what it is.
Yes, but you could choose to go in anyway if you wanted.
I'll see what it is first.
In that case init.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 19 + 27, total 46[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+8 Jarem --> [ 1d20=12 ]{20}
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+16 Emily --> [ 1d20=1 ]{17}
> roll 1d20+24 ???
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+24 ??? --> [ 1d20=10 ]{34}
Init Alyssa (46) > ??? (34) > Jarem (20) > Emily (17)
Go.
Range to whatever this is?
It's about a mile out.
"It's fairly accurate considering the distance... I don't want to be drawn into an area it might have prepared for us..."
Alyssa begins casting...
Alter Reality: Wall of Force (Quicken SDA), CL 38
Alter Reality: Wall of Force, CL 38
Setting them up to block the arrows and see what whoever that is does in response.
How close are the walls to you?
I'd put them probably about 10 or so feet out. Set them up to block the ballistic arc of the arrows.
Walls of force spring up to your will as...
Anything else this turn?
Nope.
Hundreds of arrows come from it. A huge beast, the head of a tiger and the body of a strong man. It's larger than a titan, a massive thing with a bow and arrow that moves so fast that it's a blurt. But for now, it's at least stopping the arrow assault cold.
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+73 : 17 + 73, total 90[/blockquote]
It has no known name. Just a few reports - of expeditions to Ocanthus obliterated save for the rare survivor. Half mad rantings of a tiger headed storm of arrows, inevitable and impossible to stop. Reality breaks before him as he slaughters any he finds. He kills without mercy and with a hundred arrows to slay a creature in a second of fire.
Alyssa relates this to the others.
"Fight or other?"
"Fight!" Emily declares right away, "Whatever it is, it's strong."
"See how it is," Jarem responds tersely, ready to strike.
Alyssa nods, "Lead on."
Init Alyssa (46) > ??? (34) > Jarem (20) > Emily (17)
Jarem slowly rolls his neck, "Got something that can hit it from there, Alyssa?"
Quick question because it impacts his turn big time.
Are there even wizard spells that have a 1+ mile range? I know you have some Cleric ones that do, but not any wiz/sorc ones, I don't think.
"Nothing prepared, no."
The sounds of war surround Jarem as he prepares, an unnatural call to battle.
War's Echo, +4 morale Strength/Constitution to all three of you as long as you stay within 185ft of Jarem and may inflict a -4 morale penalty to the same to enemies who come in range. CL37.
As blades meet and steel clashes - at least by sound - around Jarem, Emily raises her hand and chants several times at once, a blur of powerful magics wrapping around you as she continues to chant.
Gives the following: Celestial Valor(CL33), Mass Power Of The Huntress(CL38). She's also chanting Sublime Revelry but that takes a round.
Celestial Valor is +4 sacred to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws. It grants a +8 sacred bonus to saves vs fear and emotional effects. Your weapons count as holy as well, dealing 2d6 extra damage, doesn't stack with holy weapons.
Mass Power Of The Huntress is a +10 enhancement bonus to strength, dexterity and constitution, a +8 enhancement bonus to natural armor, a +20 competence bonus to hide and move silently checks and a +6 bonus to initiative checks. You cannot be flatfooted for the duration of the spell and you gain the benefits of the Combat Reflexes feat. Finally, you gain the scent special quality.
Note the enhancement bonus to ability scores overlaps with your existing enhancement bonus so that part of huntress is irrelevant.
Go.
[spoiler]
+4 morale str/con
+6 attacks/damage, more if two handing. Neither are.
Jarem
HP: 999(925)/999(925)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: War's Echo (CL37), Celestial Valor (CL33), Mass Power Of The Huntress (CL38)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 942(869)+35/942(869)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Can I teleport all of us? I've never tried it in combat so I'm not sure.
Depends on the spell or ability.
The divine greater teleport ability. Like, could I teleport all three of us behind this guy?
It's greater teleport as an SLA. If greater teleport allows multiple passengers, and I believe it does, yes.
Alyssa reaches out to the others, "Hold on, I'll get us in range," and teleports all of them 100 feet behind the archer!
I have multi-action, but I'll give you a chance to deal with any sort of AoO type deal that might have provoked.
Gimme a CL check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 3 + 38, total 41[/blockquote]
You blink and appear. The creature is far larger here, or simply close enough to see it. It's facing you as you appear, not a moment of hesitation as...
Go ahead.
Alyssa quickly casts a pair of spells!
Move action 1: Ray of Entropy (Quicken SDA), No Save, SR Yes, CL 38.
Using Cunning Breech (27/29 Inspiration), ranged touch:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+70 : 4 + 70, total 74[/blockquote]
Move action 2: Ray of Entropy (Quicken SDA), No Save, SR Yes, CL 38.
Using Cunning Breech (27/29 Inspiration), ranged touch:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+70 : 6 + 70, total 76[/blockquote]
Alyssa
HP: 703/703
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
AC: 110
SR: 52
Bonuses: Attack+66/61/56/51, Damage+33, AC+20, Saves+2, Skills+0
Resources: 29 Inspiration, 14 Opportunistic Piety
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Darkvision 60ft, DR 20/adamantine and epic, Resistance 20 Acid/Electricity/Fire 20, Immunity Electric/Sonic/Acid/Cold/Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Never Flat-footed, Attune Form, Fire Sub-type, +4 Insight Bonus Dex/Int/Cha, +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge Checks
Just a quick sanity check, did you mean to cast ray of entropy twice?
Yeah. Multi-actions gives me two moves, right? And the Quicken SDA makes it cast as a move?
It gives you two swift actions and quicken makes it a swift action. You could cast it twice if you wanted to. Is that what you meant to do?
Yep. -8 to Str, Con, and Dex will hurt this guy.
Both rays hit the creature dead on, but barely seem to slow it. Instead it keeps going - arrows come in a blur, even if you perhaps slow it down, it's not stopped yet.
'Never have I thought I would find such weak deities to feast on!' a voice roars in your mind. Even as you see it slow from your beams it doesn't stop, a storm of arrows hitting all of you.
> roll 5#1d20+79 (-4 rays, +3 ???, +6 ???, +1 ???) Alyssa
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 5#1d20+79 (-4 rays, +3 ???, +6 ???, +1 ???) Alyssa --> [ 1d20=6 ]{85}, [ 1d20=20 ]{99}, [ 1d20=1 ]{80}, [ 1d20=11 ]{90}, [ 1d20=6 ]{85}
> roll 5#1d20+79 (-4 rays, +3 ???, +6 ???, +1 ???) Jarem
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 5#1d20+79 (-4 rays, +3 ???, +6 ???, +1 ???) Jarem --> [ 1d20=12 ]{91}, [ 1d20=17 ]{96}, [ 1d20=11 ]{90}, [ 1d20=19 ]{98}, [ 1d20=9 ]{88}
> roll 5#1d20+79 (-4 rays, +3 ???, +6 ???, +1 ???) Emily
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 5#1d20+79 (-4 rays, +3 ???, +6 ???, +1 ???) Emily --> [ 1d20=1 ]{80}, [ 1d20=11 ]{90}, [ 1d20=12 ]{91}, [ 1d20=12 ]{91}, [ 1d20=16 ]{95}
> roll 1d20+79 crit vs Alyssa
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+79 crit vs Alyssa --> [ 1d20=5 ]{84}
> roll 1d20+79 crit vs Jarem
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+79 crit vs Jarem --> [ 1d20=4 ]{83}
ACs?
110 AC.
1 hit on you, 2 hits on Jarem pending miss chance and 4 on Emily. Neither crit threat was confirmed.
> roll 2#1d100 vs 50 Jarem
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2#1d100 vs 50 Jarem --> [ 1d100=95 ]{95}, [ 1d100=90 ]{90}
No luck on the miss chance.
> roll 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Alyssa
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Alyssa --> [ 6d8=21 3d6=15 1d6=2 2d8=11 1d4=3 ]{109}
> roll 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Jarem
> roll 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Jarem
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Jarem --> [ 6d8=19 3d6=13 1d6=5 2d8=11 1d4=3 ]{108}
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Jarem --> [ 6d8=27 3d6=15 1d6=3 2d8=4 1d4=3 ]{109}
> roll 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily
> roll 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily --> [ 6d8=23 3d6=10 1d6=2 2d8=8 1d4=3 ]{103}
> roll 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily --> [ 6d8=28 3d6=14 1d6=2 2d8=6 1d4=3 ]{110}
> roll 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily --> [ 6d8=32 3d6=9 1d6=3 2d8=13 1d4=4 ]{118}
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d8+57+3d6+1d6+2d8+1d4 Emily --> [ 6d8=30 3d6=12 1d6=4 2d8=8 1d4=3 ]{114}
109 to Alyssa, 217 to Jarem and 445 to Emily. What's your DR?
[spoiler]
+4 morale str/con
+6 attacks/damage, more if two handing. Neither are.
Jarem
HP: 782(708)/999(925)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: War's Echo (CL37), Celestial Valor (CL33), Mass Power Of The Huntress (CL38)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 532(459)/942(869)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
I don't have any.
You're a deity. You get DR as part of the package. Are you sure? At a minimum damage reduction 15/epic and a material of choice, usually silver for lawful and cold iron for chaotic.
Ah, I missed that somehow. Then yes, it would 15 epic/cold iron.
Okay, ironically it doesn't apply in this case, it bypasses it successfully but that's straightened out.
Arrows pepper the party relentlessly. Alyssa gets one in the shoulder, while Jarem takes two in the leg. Emily is hit all over - but does not fall. Instead her calm is replaced with determination, all as Jarem charges in shield first, "Enough of this!"
> roll 1d20+87 (+6 spells, +2 charge, +12 deific foe, +11 smite)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+87 (+6 spells, +2 charge, +12 deific foe, +11 smite) --> [ 1d20=10 ]{97}
> roll 1d8+76
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+76 --> [ 1d8=7 ]{83}
Jarem manages to reach him as Dellos cuts into his side, a quick and sharp slash that hits home. At the same time Emily finishes her chant, "Mercy of all, envelop us!" Then healing magic comes, healing that mends both your and hers wounds.
Sublime Revelry on all. Mass healx2 for 500 healing on both of you. Go.
[spoiler]
+4 morale str/con
+6 attacks/damage, more if two handing. Neither are.
Jarem
HP: 782(708)/999(925)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: War's Echo (CL37), Celestial Valor (CL33), Mass Power Of The Huntress (CL38)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 942(869)/942(869)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Alyssa takes a moment to analyze the titan, looking at what spells are on him and what his weakness might be.
Altar Reality: Arcane Sight.
CL on it, he has wards up.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 5 + 38, total 43[/blockquote]
Nothing. He's warded with a surprising amount of skill and power.
Alyssa snaps off a quick spell!
Consumptive Dispelling (Quicken SDA), CL 30.
No save, No SR.
How many rolls?
10.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 10 + 38, total 48[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 7 + 38, total 45[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 17 + 38, total 55[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 20 + 38, total 58[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 12 + 38, total 50[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 20 + 38, total 58[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 16 + 38, total 54[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 18 + 38, total 56[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 19 + 38, total 57[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 14 + 38, total 52[/blockquote]
Your spell strikes true - magic collapses around him, spells reduced to naught. They crumble away, defenses down.
Anything else this turn?
Nope, but don't forget: each spell that was dispelled imposes 1 negative level!
Blooded and peppered with magic, the tigerheaded creature sneers and blurs back. He rapidly retreats as reality begins to shift around you, thick fog everywhere.
Fort.
Fort/Cunning Insight/Aura of Inspiration:
Everyone gets +18 to their save
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+54 : 5 + 54, total 59[/blockquote]
18/27 Inspiration.
Add +4 to that from Celestial Valor. Total is 63.
> roll 1d20+63 Jarem
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+63 Jarem --> [ 1d20=17 ]{80}
> roll 1d20+76 Emily
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+76 Emily --> [ 1d20=14 ]{90}
The fog is strangely constricting but only lasts a few moments. When ti clears, there's no sign of the monster whatsoever.
Jarem glances around, "Did it get away?"
"Ran when it knew it couldn't kill us," Emily scowls, "An ambush predator, a coward."
Alyssa looks around curiously and sends her eyes out to scout.
"I'm not entirely sure he's gone..."
Perception real quick.
Perception/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+97 : 9 + 97, total 106[/blockquote]
No sign of him that you can see.
"Yeah, but I don't see any sign of him yet," Jarem says, gaze going back and forth.
Alyssa nods slowly.
"Well, we know the range he prefers to engage at now. We can keep a better watch."
"If he comes back," Emily says, "I'd love a second shot at him."
Alyssa nods, "For now, back to our investigation. If he is planning to ambush again, that'll be the time."
With no sign of it coming back, what do you do as Jarem heals his own wounds?
Alyssa thinks on what might be the perfect counter to infinite ice...
I'm guessing some sort of ever-burning flame thing? I'm sorta running out of ideas since everything's failed so far.
As you ponder it, "In theory, a holy flame?" Emily murmurs to herself, "I mean to get through the ice."
Jarem glances back down at it, "Sure, if you can produce one that can burn through infinite ice."
"An ever-burning holy flame... Hmm... Or just an ever-burning flame that we can consecrate."
Any rolls to see if I've ever come across similar before?
K:R.
K:R/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 18 + 105, total 123[/blockquote]
There's infinite flames on Fire, of course. Endless flames. Not necessarily holy, however.
Otherwise, Raziel is the Lord of the Fifth Heaven in Celestial and has power over fire. That would be the most likely place you can think of.
Alyssa relates this to Jarem and Emily.
"What do you think? Raziel would probably be the best source of information. His power over fire would give us insight into Fire, and he might know of a way to consecrate some portion of it."
"That's a good conclusion," Emily agrees, "Oh, Moore knows him and I know Jetina does too. Let me ask them real quick."
"Better than doing it the hard way. I've heard that if you aren't ready, you can spend centuries trying to rise up a single layer of Celestia." Jarem notes.
Alyssa nods, "Well, in any case, unless you two want to hunt that archer down, I think we're done here until we sort the fire out."
"Let's go before whatever that is tries again," Jarem seconds, "Emily?"
Alyssa casts a quick Greater Plane Shift on them back home before Emily can respond.
Thus you return home as Emily is focused on that. "Just hold on, talking now. I'm setting it up."
Alyssa nods takes a moment to relax.
"It should be fine," Emily announces, "I'll see what they set up."
Alyssa nods, "Let me know when you're ready to go."
Anything you need to do before this?
Not that I can think of, unless I need to re-prep spells?
You shouldn't. Just hold on a few while I prep up and get a few things in order for this. Gimme a post back so I know I'm up once prep for this is done.
Sure. Whenever.
Soon enough the three of you head to Celestia. Jetina awaits you there - or her avatar in any case. As you enter Hope's Landing, "Everyone," she calls, "Over here."
Alyssa waves in greeting, "Hello! How have things been?"
"Busy," Is her answer, "I can set up a meeting with Lord Raziel."
Alyssa nods, "Thank you for the meeting. Do you need help afterwards? If you're busy, I'm sure we can speed things along."
"We're fine for the moment," Jetina explains, "Come with me."
Alyssa follows along!
It is to a simple room deep in Hope's Landing. A spring comes up from the floor, and before it stands a figure clad in red armor. His head is crowned in flame, a severe and strong expression. His entire being is like a war tightly coiled, ready to strike.
"Lord Raziel," Emily comes forward, "Thank you for seeing us."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance! Indeed, thank you for setting time aside for us. You likely already know who we are, but allow me to introduce Jarem Aruwood, Emily Aryn, and myself, Alyssa Songsteel."
Greetings all around. As that's done, "Jetina asked me to meet with you," he agrees, "What matter so brings us together?"
"I've come across a problem. I have to deal with an infinite amount of ice, and from my testing, the only thing I can come up with to counter it is an infinite holy flame. With your dominion over fire, I was hoping you could provide some guidance on where to find a some sort of ever-burning flame that we might consecrate."
"And the purpose of this ice and why you must melt it?" Is the question you get right back.
"It's ice on Acheron, and I believe it protects something precious that will help me aid Lord Zaphikel in our struggles."
"Ocanthus?" Raziel asks thoughtfully, "If you are on a holy mission from Lord Zaphkiel, then I will aid you. Others have tried to reach beneath that ice before and failed, know that much."
Alyssa nods, "I know it's not an easy task, but it's one we need to try to solve."
A metal box is produced, small, "This is what you need. The flame rests within, use it when you need it."
Alyssa takes it, "Is it already consecrated and made holy?"
"Yes," Is the answer, "It will serve you."
"Thank you so much," Emily bows deeply.
"Jetina asked as well," Raziel notes, "Her word is not without value."
"I greatly appreciate this. Hopefully it will bear fruit. If you need help with anything in return, let me know. I'll do what I can."
Alyssa bows in thanks.
"Your words will be remembered," Raziel says as he departs, gone in a whirl of flame.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, but tucks the box away and heads back!
What's your plan now?
Gonna head back and consult with Dolmaya about the fire. Get her take on it.
You meet up with Dolmaya. After she listens, "A powerful gift," she finally says, "Jetina's name carries weight there."
"It does. What's your opinion on my plan?"
"Stupid, foolish, idiotic," Dolmaya lists off a few then tosses her hair back, "Like a man sticking his manhood into a vat of acid - unproductive and painful." With such blunt words, "But considering the Guardians, it's still the best shot you have. But for everything you can, be ready for the worst. Who knows what lies deeper in that ice?"
Dolmaya sits heavily down and shakes her head, "No, it's the best option you have for what your goal is. It's just that you have no truly good options when you hunt a being like this."
"I'm open to suggestions on precautions."
Jarem joins Dolmaya, lost in thought until he says, "As much power as we can have, an escape plan and resources. Lots of resources."
"So everyone goes, and someone is on evac duty."
"Yeah," Jarem agrees, "Full group for this one. No questions asked."
"Who's on what duty?"
"Bastian's the fastest of us, he can try to get us out if he needs to," Jarem muses, "Hopefully teleportation works beneath the ice. If not, keep our way out clear and hope it doesn't seal itself up."
Alyssa nods, "Anything else?"
"I'll think on it," Jarem says, "What about you, Alyssa?"
"I think we might need some sort of amplifier, but I'll think on it. We don't have to head out right away."
"Got something in mind?" Jarem asks right back.
"Not just yet. I'm considering a way to speed up the flames. I don't want to wait for another two hundred years for the flames to burn through the last of the ice, after all."
Anything coming to mind that might serve that purpose?
K:A real quick?
K:A/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 8 + 105, total 113[/blockquote]
+15 to that if library bonus applies, too. Also, we never defined what, if any, bonus the library access from Titania provides.
You haven't explored or done anything with it yet. It would require some attention to sort out, because as she noted, it is not a tame library.
The simplest solution is more fire. Obvious, but more fire to strengthen it. Anything that can add power to a fire would do, or make it spread. That's generally the domain of Fire, and the question would be precisely what you want out of it.
Alright, looking for some sort of accelerant here. Something that'll make it spread faster.
The best solution would be Pyredust, a product of Fire. It's made by all the residents there and makes fires spread quite nicely and burn hotter. You'd need a lot of it, though.
How much we talking about here, and do I have any idea on price?
A pinch of it sells for about 20 gold. You need a lot more than a pinch. Generally at bulk prices, assuming you can manage that and yes, you can, you're talking about 1000 gold a pound (there's about 500 pinches in a pound). The more the merrier. Your realm could provide a decent bit of it through trade if that's how you want to do it.
So I have no idea of the math involved here, so what would be a 'reasonable' amount for this? 1 pound? 2 pounds? 500?
That's up to you and how much you think you need. As it's a possibly infinite ice sheet, it's hard to hit too much.
Let's go for 10 pounds I guess?
Okay, you can get your hands on that much easily enough. Any other prep for this or things to do before it?
Not really, except getting everyone together for it.
Okay, any spell prep to cover or is your current set still good?
Should still be good, as long as the fire isn't anything horrific and fire immunity bypassing?
Okay then.
Your group gets together, prepared and ready to go. It's all in your hands now as they await you and...
Go ahead. Good luck!
Alyssa sets the Pyredust out in a small pile and pulls out the box.
"Here we go, get some altitude and be ready to escape in case something insane happens!"
With that, she opens the box and puts the flame into the dust!
You said a small pile, but you have 10 pounds of it. Are you using all of it?
Yes. All of it. LET THE FIRES RAGE. For reference, consider a bag of top soil is 30-50 pounds, so yeah, 10 pounds seems like a small pile to me.
I thought so, but this is a case where I felt I needed to be perfectly clear. How far back are you going to be from it?
I would assume Alyssa would have some sort of idea of what the AoE on it would be, so she'd teleport to safety. If she has no idea, I guess.... 100 feet or so?
This much and a magical flame. She'd guess 2000ft would be the bare minimum safety based on her K:A, possibly more.
Daaamn. Gonna be a show. Then yeah, let's go with 2500ft. And mention it to the others.
Everyone steps well away as you drop the fire and it happens. A massive burst of raw heat that explodes out in all directions. White fire spreads everywhere, intensely hot and with the occasional blue flicker. A moment later you lose sight of the ice below as a great cloud of steam arises, all from the ice that melts below you.
Emily whistles long and low, "So much fire," she says, almost dreamy, "It reminds me of Mom's magic practice."
Bastian grunts, "As long as we aren't in it. I hate burns."
Alyssa uses Alter Reality to conjure up a wind to clear some of the steam out, "Yes, well, I imagine if this works there will be some people who have choice words for us for effectively setting Acheron on fire eternally with holy fire, considering the alignment of this place. Honestly, I was expecting someone to try and stop us, but if no one has, I guess it isn't that bad."
"Or it's going to come shortly," Jarem notes, eyes roaming. You clear away steam. A great depression burns away in the ice, deep and instantly filled again with the steam as it keeps on burning.
"I mean... We can always just go back and monitor it remotely, I suppose."
"That may not be the worst idea," Dolmaya admits, "It's still burning?"
"Ever burning fire," Emily says slowly, "It does that."
Another burst of wind to check, "Yes, seems so. I'm not entirely sure how long this will take. My only concern is if something is revealed, someone else might pounce on it before we get back. But then, it's a simple spell to come back."
It's still burning, still burning away.
"Safer to leave, but more risk of being preempted," Jarem concludes, "What's your risk tolerance?"
"It's mainly... Boring. We could set up spells for stealth and rotate shifts to have two people on hand at any time?"
"We could," Bastian agrees, "Fine with me."
"The fiends aren't bothering us," Emily murmurs, "This should have provoked them, but nothing. Why?"
"Likely because it's slow and hasn't made much of an impact yet? I'm not sure. It's possible that this leads to nothing happening. There's nothing that guarantees our goal lies in the ice."
"That's true. It might really be infinite and this is a waste of time," Dolmaya admits, "But we lose nothing but assuming it lightly."
Alyssa nods, "So, who wants to be on the first rotation?"
"I will," Bastian says, as Emily adds, "I will too."
Alyssa nods, "You can take care of the stealth and defensive spells?"
"I will," Emily agrees, "I'll let you know if something happens."
Alyssa nods and heads back to set up the scrying and check in on things!
Gimme a d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Are you going to do anything while you wait then?
Check in on things/people/clergy first, then try to do some more research on locating the Acheron seed? After all, it might not be in the ice.
Sure, checking in your realm and followers in other words?
Yep! Wanna see what my unique guys are up to and check in on the clergy. I haven't done anything with them at all yet, so I wanna see what's going on.
Sure, gimme a quick d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 49, total 49[/blockquote]
You find your realm is busy more than anything else. People continue to come in and visit as your faiths draw in more people. Slowly for now of course, but still a discernible rise. The town around your academy continues to grow as you look in on it and...
Anyone in particular in mind here, real quick?
Check in on Araseis, Lasri, and Croneasco first, then do a general look over of the clergy; I haven't interacted with any actual clergy yet, so I wanna poke and see if they're doing the right stuff.
Sure, which one first?
Just go in list order. Araseis first.
A peek to Araseis isn't hard. She's currently studying her spellbook, as she should be. You know that well, being a wizard yourself.
Alyssa takes a quick look at her with Arcane Sight just to make sure that Shar hasn't laid any more curses or other magic on her.
Nope, nothing like that. She's before a fire in a plain enough inn room, focus on her books. A wizard's daily struggle, one you know well.
Alyssa smiles and sends her a little help.
Create Magic Tattoo on her, +1 CL.
Araseis pauses and looks up as she works. "Was that...?" she whispers aloud, looking about.
Alyssa chuckles and moves on to check the others.
Lasri is busy. She's listening to a lecture and taking notes in your very academy, surrounded by a dozen others. She's enthralled, listening to every word of the lecture on enchanted stonework.
Alyssa lets her continue to listen, but uses her magic to help the students absorb and retain the lecture better.
No reaction but they all seem to be more focused as they learn away, as is only proper at your academy.
Alyssa looks in on the next!
Croneasco is busy - arrows fly by as he stands his ground. He's kneeling before an array of runes carved into a ruin wall, half collapsed as he works on. Fully focused despite battle around him - a pitched melee, forces on both sides clashing in a confusing mess.
Alyssa takes a moment to assess what's going on.
It looks like a pitched battle. Both sides are humans, but some trained dogs are being used as well. From the looks of it the force Croneasco is on is defending him, while he works on those runes.
Alyssa inspects the runes, to figure out what it is he's working on.
It looks to be the activation for a great deal of magic here - an entire array of magical defenses.
Alyssa considers how to activate it and watches what Croneasco is doing wrong.
It would be trivial for your power and skill. He's not doing anything wrong, just figuring it out on the fly, which is not easy.
Croneasco is male, BTW.
Alyssa will continue to watch and not interfere until it looks like he needs it desperately... And even then will only provide a spark of inspiration for the sequence.
I hate typos.
d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 91, total 91[/blockquote]
It's tight, tense - and the defending side is losing. Croneasco is running out of time, fast.
Alyssa sends him a little burst of inspiration. Some help to think a bit faster and a bit of dust swirling around the runes he's making mistakes with.
d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 29, total 29[/blockquote]
At the last moment it's done. As they approach the defenses come to light, blasts of fire and heat slamming into the enemy forces.
Alyssa continues to watch, just to be sure.
It's over - the enemies retreat. No immediate danger now, at least.
Alyssa moves on to the clergy.
Any in particular or just the top down view?
Either. Doesn'tmattertome.
Your clergy is busy. Still small of course, but they're steady and busy across your realm. They teach and learn, build and live and spread your dogma most of all. On a glance all looks to be as it should be there.
Alyssa sends out a but of magic to give them some extra vigor.
Easily enough done, as you feel a sense of satisfaction at them. It feels right to see them productive.
Alyssa turns to inspect the rest of her realm.
It's busy and prosperous. You see valleys carved out, schools made and settlements begun. People come and go as they visit, a steady stream of life bringing travelers.
Int check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+18 : 6 + 18, total 24[/blockquote]
There's signs of many travels - and all good. You're not seeing anyone immediately dangerous, but a few with potential instead. All coming with groups of Shaundakul's followers.
What kind of danger?
You're not seeing danger. Bad turn of phrase, perhaps.
Ah.
Alyssa let's them pass, if they achieve their potential or not is on them. All she'll do is make sure the resources for them to are available.
Done easily enough. Now what?
I got nothing specific? I dunno how gods interact with clergy, really? I guess I just want to make sure like my peeps are focusing more on teaching than preaching, and want to make sure my paladins and stuff are where I need them to be?
Sure, easy enough. Okay, more.
Several hours pass.
'Alyssa,' Bastian's voice, 'The flames suddenly stopped. There's something down there.'
'That's not good.'
Alyssa sends a message to the others to meet so they can all meet Bastian.
Soon enough all of you meet. There is now a massive chasm burnt out of the ice. Steam still lingers in the air, and it is utterly silent here. Not even the slightest noise as you peer down, your party with you.
"Well, let's go see what happened."
Alyssa starts down, using some magic to clear the steam!
More comes - and it seems like a chasm miles and miles deep. This will be no short trip indeed.
How viable is just using the Greater Teleport ability to get down there? Like, I don't wanna crash into a wall or teleport into the middle of whatever's down there.
Viable unless it's blocked. Which is possible, you're operating in the dark here basically.
Let's give it a whirl!
Alyssa gathers the others as they move and tries to teleport them down!
Aiming like, 100 ft or so above the bottom so we have some moving room if we need it.
Perhaps to your surprise, it works.
Ahead is the bottom. More ice is beyond it, deeper yet, but something has been revealed. A large cathedral, dark and clear of ice. Undamaged, as if it was always within this vast ice sheet. It is made of brown stone and spires rise several stories up, like knives towards the sky.
Can I tell anything about it via a knowledge check?
Sure, K:P to try.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 13 + 105, total 118[/blockquote]
Nothing. Whatever it is, you're almost certain that if there's any lore to it, it's been lost for uncounted eons.
You may be the first eyes have seen this in countless ages, perhaps the first ever.
"... I don't think I've ever seen anything like this in any lore. It might be... Completely unknown."
Alyssa approaches cautiously, wary of traps.
"If that's the case, then we'll be getting some serious attention soon. Let's try to focus on making sure there's no immediate danger. We may have to transport this whole thing to safety before we study it, like we did the bank. Something completely unknown like this will draw attention, and I'm worried about our backs being open while we study it.
For now, Dolmaya, see what you can do to plug up this hole, but work with Jarem to leave us a route out. I want to limit our exposure as much as we can, but I don't necessarily want to be trapped in here with whatever might be here, either."
"Alright," Dolmaya agrees and then with a smile, "How interesting!"
"What exactly is it?" Emily asks, "What faith is it for?"
"Don't know, we might only find out if we go in," Jarem remarks.
Alyssa nods, "Once our backs are secured, we'll move in and examine it more closely and find out what we can. But Emily, Dolmaya, and I might have to work together to get this place transported as fast as we can. That means it'll be up to Bastian, Jarem, and Honeydip to cover us if something happens."
So we're on the same page before anything else, how do you intend to move it?
Same way I did the bank and the mansion. I don't then we ever went into super-detail on it, but I've done it twice already, so... I recall something about Plane Shift and Travel Domain, though?
Okay. So run me through your plan then and we'll execute.
Well, once Dolmaya and Jared secure the way we came in, leave one or two watchingthe way in. Everyone else starts an exploration. Mainly looking for traps or anything dangerous. If nothing is overtly dangerous, then we'll look at if there's any magic or anything that could get damaged/destroyed in transport. If there isn't,
we'll move it, if there is, we'll start researching where it is, and we'll bring in extra forces to help secure.
Okay, so who will stay to watch assuming the search goes well?
I guess Bastian and Honeydip.
The doors loom ahead. The way is secured, Honeydip and Bastian guarding your rear. "These are the only doors in," Jarem says, "And the windows don't respond to force."
Alyssa inspects the doors for any tricks or traps!
Perception.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+97 : 16 + 97, total 113[/blockquote]
Not trapped as far as you can tell. However, you can tell they're lead lined as well as likely more to stop divinations. Not trivial efforts either that would stop a mere mortal - this is the work of the legendary or the divine.
"Lead lined and more against divinations... To include our abilities. No traps that I can see, though."
Alyssa attempts to open it!
The door does not open, in spite of all signs that it should.
"Hmm... Ideas?"
Alyssa inspects it for locks or any magic that might hold it.
No locks and amazingly, still no magic when you're sure it's blocked.
"We're in an unknown area with an unknown building," Jarem summarizes quickly, "We're playing with fire because we know nothing."
"We could try force?" Emily says, "But if something's in there it'll mean a fight, but on the other hand, anything in there probably deserves holy justice." She readies her blade, "I doubt a hero retired here."
"Hmm... What about Ethereal?"
A flicker of magic and Emily tries, but she doesn't enter. "Blocked," she says immediately.
I am what lies in life and runs in death. In my birth I fly, yet my home is below.
Uhhhhhhh......
"Snow? Lies on the ground, runs as water, flies in the air.... Don't know about the home? Unless it's referencing this place being below the ice?"
"It's snow," Jarem agrees, "It's an old one, but it's not a bad idiot test if the answer isn't known."
Indeed, once you say that the doors creak open, ajar now.
I figured with the ice and the RL snow that might be it. Didn't get the home below, though? Perma-frost?
Alyssa heads in!
You step in - and before you can, the doors open wide. The way is blocked by a massive, impassive golem of pure ice, larger than a few Hannas. It imperiously looks down before in an ice cold voice, "Explain yourself, trespassers. Who are you to invade a private sanctuary, godlings?"
Jarem shifts himself, "You answered your own question. We're Gods, we do as we see fit. You fancy yourself powerful to talk down to us when you know what we are?"
"Which means," Dolmaya goes on, "Whatever deity you serve or are, we've just found something private?"
Alyssa whaps Jarem in the shoulder, "You'd have the same response if someone came knocking on our gates."
Alyssa turns to the golem, "We're explorers. Travelers. I strive to know the unknown. We got hints that something might be below the ice and endeavored to discover what. Once we revealed this place, nothing about it matched anything I've ever seen or any lore, which only made me more excited.
I am Alyssa Songsteel, The Eternal Academic, and Scholar of the Forge. I search beyond the Horizon to find what is and what might be. Might I have the courtesy of your name and what this place might be?"
Give me Diplomacy here, -8.
Diplo/Cunning Knowledge/-8:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+93 : 11 + 93, total 104[/blockquote]
In a cold voice, "You tread on the domain of the Lord of the Eighth."
"Mephisto," Emily's voice is even, "Lord of the Nine and master of Cania, the Eighth Hell. You're away from home."
"Leave now or perish," The voice is icy cold.
I assume Alyssa would know about this guy, but how much?
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 20 + 105, total 125[/blockquote]
Mephistopheles is the Lord of the 8th Hell. One of the most powerful Lords of the Nine barring Asmodeus, he's also one of the oldest. A being who embodies the cold of Cania and the cold of self interesting intellectualism, he is a wizard with few peers. His command over the cold is said to be one of the strongest in Creation, and all of this makes him one of the graver threats Creation faces.
"How... interesting. Would he happen to be in? Is this a... vacation home of sorts for him?"
"You speak in his presence," The golem, voice cold, declares.
"I'm quite impressed to make your acquaintance then. I've never seen this structure style before. You're quite the intellect yourself, no? Surely a small lesson to sate my curiosity is understandable?"
Diplomacy again.
Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+101 : 2 + 101, total 103[/blockquote]
Emily steps to your side, silently at the ready.
The golem's gaze sweeps over you and yours. Of them all he lingers on Emily a few moments before, "Certainly."
Alyssa nods excitedly, "Thank you!"
"It is Baatorian Classical," Is the lecture, simple and to the point. "High, powerful arches, shadows and the domination of material over the person." The golem's hands go behind its back, "As the buildings serve as symbols of the state, and it the fate of lesser beings to serve under the state, the buildings must dominate over them."
Emily's face twists but it's Jarem who responds, "I've heard of that. Teach them a lesson without a word being spoken, forge them into better servants through manipulation."
Alyssa, he's a devil! A fiend! One of the greatest enemies of morality in wizards and the intelligent in Creation! Just be polite so we can escape if we truly must, or we can fight and oppose the tyranny he represents!
Emily, calm for a moment and think. We found a hidden bastion of the Lord of the Eighth. Unknown for so long that I have never come across anything similar to it. He's currently speaking to us directly, and is non-hostile at the moment. Fighting him something that I can... mostly... agree with, but he's existed longer than we have, has more knowledge than we do, has more power than we do, and is on his own home territory, whose defenses on the front door I couldn't even detect, much less counter. Our chances of wining are questionable at best. And we haven't even crossed the threshold of the front door.
No matter what else they are, devils are Lawful. A moment of politeness and a pretense of conversation to justify our discovery will likely be enough to stabilize this, for the moment. In the mean time, while I keep him busy with our scholarly exchange, you and Jarem can mobilize whatever Celestial contacts you have here and we can get reinforcements. I'm sure you can think of many people who would want a chance to strike at the Devil's second in command at one of his hidden bases, no? And if no one is able to, we can trade off the location of this place quickly enough.
Alyssa nods in Jarem's direction, "Yes, I've seen some human kings do the same. Large imposing gates and arches to further emphasize lesser societal position and power to demoralize those who pass through them before they ever meet the ruler. Similar in theory as to why thrones are elevated and castles have gates, even though architecturally, they introduce weak points for defense.
I've never seen an entire architectural sense based solely on it, though. How interesting. Does it extend to the floor plan in addition to the design? Would one be forced to pass near guard stations and armories to further emphasize that they're alone and surrounded by power?"
Fine, I'll do that.
"Fascinating," The golem agrees, as a book from nowhere appears in his hand. It floats to you, "A study of Baatorian styles. It will answer all of your questions."
Alyssa takes and immediately opens it to skim through it.
Quickly.
While skimming, "For a place as magnificent and imposing as this, it seems wasted to be hidden like it was. If the purpose of the architecture is to be intimidate the visitors, shouldn't there be visitors? I can't recall any lore or mention of a structure anywhere near here, so why keep it hidden and wasted? If it were lab or the like, there's much more efficient design theories and materials that could be used."
"I'm sure you're smart enough to answer that," The golem agrees, as it steps back. "Now, if that will be all?"
"Wait!" Jarem steps forward. "We're looking for something here. Not this, this was an accident, but you clearly have a way to get this down here. Do you have a way to move through the ice here?"
A moment's lingering at that, "Yes," Is the answer back, cooler now. "You desire that?"
"Of course we do," Jarem says right away.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "Well, we do... depending on the price. There's always a price, no?"
Give me one more Diplo check.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
Last cunning knowledge check for this skill.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+105 : 2 + 105, total 107[/blockquote]
"More than you can afford," Is the answer, "But make an offer if you think otherwise."
Alyssa taps her chin, "Spell for a spell. Though before I offer one, I'd want some details on yours. I'd be a poor negotiator if I traded a 12th circle spell for a 3rd circle one."
"It is not a spell. It is a device," Is the answer, "It works and will allow you to travel through the ice. That it all you need to know."
"Oh, a device? Hmm... Well, I need some framework for it's value. What sorts of things are you interested in for trade?"
To the others, How's it looking?
Mother's willing to help - Amaryl, that is.
"Magic," A succinct, simple answer.
Jarem? You get anyone? What do you think of our chances?
"Of what type? Do you have a preference for a school? With the intimidation slant, perhaps... Illusion or Evocation?"
No one useful in the circumstances. Negotiate and get out. I don't like a direct battle here, too much can go wrong.
"I value all magic," Mephisto declares, "Any school will do if sufficiently impressive."
"Hmm..."
Alyssa sends to the others, Opinions on offering Field of Blades?
Refresh me on which spell that is?
Field of Blades
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 7
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25ft + 5ft 2/levels)
Area: One 10ft square per level
Duration: 1 min/level or concentration; see text
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
As you cast this spell, the sound of a blade unsheathing can be heard. The ground trembles noticeably underfoot as blades erupt in the area of the spell.
Any area with blades in it is considered difficult terrain. A creature within the area or who passes through the area takes 10d6 points of damage. Any creature that takes damage from the blades suffers foot injuries that reduce their land movement speed by half. This lasts until magical healing or rest restores hit points equal to the damage taken from this spell. A successful Reflex save halves the damage and negates movement speed being halved.
When this spell is cast, you can choose to concentrate on it. If you do, you exert a level of control over the blades. This changes the duration of the spell to concentration. Additionally, each round you may have the blades do one of the two following actions as a free action on your turn.
Control Blades: You can control the blades to exclude any creatures you wish from the effect, allowing them to pass through the affected area safely. The blades return once a creature has passed through, which prevents other creatures from following safely.
Blade Shot: You can cause the blades to fire upwards up to 50ft and attack a creature directly above the area of the spell. This requires a ranged attack roll and deals 10d6 points of damage. These blades target wings and other anatomically discernible means of flight, a creature who flies from such means loses their ability to fly from this damage. This lasts until magical healing or rest restores hit points equal to the damage taken from this spell.
It's fine.
'Do it as you please,' Dolmaya agrees.
"How about... A spell of my own design. Field of Blades. Your device grants passage, mine denies it. It brings forth blades from the ground, cutting and slowing all who pass through it except those you allow. It also can be triggered to attack a flying enemy."
"More." A single word, implacable, "I have seen similar spells before."
Alyssa shakes her head, "As I have seen terrain movement spells before. Xorn Movement, Earth Glide, Etherealness, Ethereal Jaunt, Excavate, and many others. You've told me nothing of this item. For all I know, it could be a simple Xorn Movement enchanted item."
"If such measures were sufficient here," The voice is chillier now, to match the surroundings, "We would not have this conversation."
"To be fair, I didn't test those spells, I just used fire. What circle is the spell in the device? That will help peg an appropriate starting part."
"14th," Is the answer, plain.
"Hmmm... I don't have any personal spells of that level yet... Is this a standing offer? Since we've been here once, can we return?"
"If you can mange it," Is the reply at last, after a few moments of silence.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "Oh, a challenge? How interesting. In that case, if I can manage it and we can come to an agreeable trade, how about a full tour as part of the deal?"
Raw Charisma check.
Cha/Brains Over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 19 + 26, total 45[/blockquote]
A slight smile, cold. "Impress me and I will duly consider it."
Alyssa grins in return and nods, "See you then."
Alyssa turns to leave.
Just going to get out of here?
Yep.
With that your party quickly retreats.
I doubt we'll find it again, even if we return. He told us he has a way to move through the ice here.
Perhaps, but we've been here once. We know he's got a hide-away here, and we can use my memory spell to examine the place for anything we might be able to track. Either way, we came face to face with the Lord of the Eighth unexpectedly and unprepared and came away unscathed. Newly risen deities are easy game for someone of his rank.
I'm thrilled we're walking away alive too, even if he probably has some scheme already. Just don't expect a retributive strike to be worth our time. He's no fool.
Alyssa nods.
Likely, but the information will still have value.
Thus you go to rise up. Going to do anything once you're up and away, assuming no interruptions?
Nope, just leaving for now.
Your escape is easy enough. After several moments, Emily turns and, "Okay, do we go back to the ice or what?"
"Let's see if we can keep an eye on the facility."
And see if we can get a sufficient force together quickly.
Quick check in, what's your plan here then?
Well, us DvR 2s can't really swing at this guy solo, I don't think, so I'd like to get someone from Celestia to come back us up, just to be safe.
Anyone in mind to ask?
Uhhh, I think most of the other nodes are busy? So anyone from Celestia of sufficient power.
Emily and Jarem can set something up if you like, then.
Sure. Only addition is that some sort of observation needs to be done to see if the place is even still there.
Sure, we'll start with that in a new thread.