Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

Aaah, the lair looks better now. More gemstones, more treasure. Kascha's studying one of the coins, her ioun stones flying around her head. She has a few new ones, including a diamond one that rests on her forehead, sinking in there as if it were part of her. The stones make erratic patterns all around her body as she studies the sapphire coin, occasionally  murmuring a word of magic or pausing to scribble things down.

If you wanted to offer the painting, now's the time. We can start with that and segue onwards.

Surraruthru takes to the air and lands on Kascha's shoulder, eyeing the floating stones.

"Kascha. The painting I acquired. I believe you might like it as well."

He motions to the covered painting leaning next to the door.

"Oh?" Kascha rises and takes the covering off, looking at it. "Oh, that's sweet of you," she gushes, "For a dragon, you're learning to share really well. The virtue of generosity is an important one, perhaps the most important. Salvation isn't given because it's earned, but because it's earnestly asked for. All you have to do is embrace one of the forces of good and overcome your si-"

Kascha stops, "Oh, sorry, I got going again. It's lovely, Surraruthru."

Surraruthru rustles his wings a bit.

"... Yes, I got the point that I was rather... lacking... in certain respects from Seira's mate. I believe I have the capacity for it, considering I willingly share my power with others when we fight, so I'm trying to build on that sense of... altruism..."

Surraruthru is obviously slightly uncomfortable with this.

Oh, Kascha watches that and laughs. "Oh Surraruthru, you're trying and learning. That's the important part. Thank you, I like it." The portrait is taken, Kascha heading off, "I'm going to go hang this in my quarters right now."

Surraruthru nods.

"Then I should find Balyss or Tannin. I shall contact you when I plan to leave for the caches."

From there, finding Tannin isn't hard. He's in an empty officer's quarter, or formerly empty. It's now decorated with several piles of paper, a big desk and a few chairs. Tannin's sitting behind the desk, his feet up as he reads a sheaf of paper. "Come in," he says to Surraruthru, "Need something investigated?"

Surraruthru lands on Tannin's feet, balancing by keeping his wings spread and shifting.

"Yes. I conversed with Seira. Between her answers and my research, I've determined that the best chance of finding wealth here on Water are lost caches. Seira recommended that you could obtain the locations of these."

"I could," He snaps the papers shut and tosses them aside, looking up at Surraruthru from his foot perch. "Need to do some coordinating, but I can do it. Got a few friends here." He swings his legs down, sending Surraruthru off his feet. "Any preferences or just a vague direction for treasure?"

"According to my research, the lost caches are the best chance treasure while not harming or offending the locals, and that looking for pockets of air is probably the easiest way of locating them. Seira said you'd need help, but would know what help was needed. I personally have no particular care for what type of treasure you look for, but things like rings and necklaces are the easiest to transport, with weapons and armor following. I am open to suggestions for this, if you have any."

"Yeah, got a big one," Tannin says, "You know that spell that lets you move through water and obstructions easily? Have it for your trip out. Fighting underwater without is is for the fish." Tanning starts to go, "There I was, facing down a raging shark and swimming like a stone," he mutters, shaking his head. "Don't make that mistake."

Surraruthru nods.

"I swim well and can breathe water, but yes, that would be of help to any who accompany me. Thank you."

Okay, anything for you to knock out while you wait for Tannin to return?

Balyss.

You find Balyss in the courtyard, along with Stille. The two are taking notes and drawing diagrams on some paper they brought along, measuring angles and often looking to the sky above. The Ysgardian regulars and the direwolves are watching, keeping a respectful distance back.

Surraruthru wings his way towards the two, maintaining a respectful distance, but speaks up.

"Balyss. If you have a moment, I have information for you."

"Hm?" Balyss answers, "Hold on," she says, turning back to Stille. The two exchange a look.

"Go," Stille says, "The calculations are almost done. The moon will rise tonight."

Balyss comes on over, brushing aside a bit of her silvery hair. "What is it?"

"I have spoken to Seira and have information about Lief and Muirfinn. She let me know that there is an alliance we need to be able to save them. I don't specialize in divination, so I was unable to find out the name. I was, however, able to learn that it is not someone known to us, but they are on a plane we currently have contacts on. That should hopefully be enough for to work with."

"It's thin," Balyss remarks, "But I may be able to get something. Is there anything else you know about it?"

"No. I've never communed before, so I was unsure where to go with it. I was unsure about which planes Aurora has contacts on."

"Yes," Balyss murmurs thoughtfully, "That would matter."

Surraruthru nods at that.

"There's more. I'm unsure if you can help with it, but Seira and Lady Amaryl have tasked me with a mission. I am to find Myr's Sword. It was lost after Myr ventured in Hades, but lost after being successfully used to stop some fiends at the source. Since the, it's appeared seemingly randomly across the planes; appearing suddenly and disappearing just as quickly. It is apparently protected by extremely powerful magic, so I'm unsure if anyone will be able to divine information about it. My abilities in divination are significantly lesser than yours; I'm hoping you will be able to help give me guidance."

"Hmm..." Balyss drifts away from things with Surraruthru, the two getting a bit more distance. "Maybe. Selune may yet reveal the way to it. A weapon like that is likely...actually..." she stops, hand going to the hilt of the Sword of the Moon, resting on her side. "That rather sounds like what the Sword of the Moon did and now does, doesn't it?"

Surraruthru eyes the sword.

"I'm unsure..."

Is there a K:P here or something?

No, not really. You may want to go read Sword of the Moon's stat block in loot, I'll link you.

http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,101784.msg1068933/topicseen.html#msg1068933

"It does. I'm not sure what connection there is, but it seems to behave in the same way. Was there something in the behavior of the Sword of the Moon's movements that could lead us to being able to predict the Sword of Myr's?"

"Well..." Balyss considers, drawing the blade. Moonfire runs along the naked blade as she says, "It was created to be one of the keys to open Medi's quarters. Thereafter I loaned it to Vivantha when she went with Muirfinn to defeat Athux. It was lost when Athux was slain, though Selune promised it would return in Vivantha's prophecy. Now that it's back, she's told us that it will do that again when the time is right."

This gets Balyss to look to the sky, the oceans of Water endless above Aurora's field of force. "It tells us that a powerful patron protects Myr's Sword. It might even be Selune, though I've never heard anything to support that."

"Is there a way to find out which one? The legends that I recall say that it was the blade of a sentinel who defended a prophesied savior against the daemons. The blade reveals the truth of everything it strikes and banishes illusions and darkness. Which deity would be likely to impart those abilities for a mission to Hades?"

"Lathander would be my best guess," Balyss says, "Especially for vanquishing darkness. It could be almost anyone however, as a sentinel could receive support from virtually any holy patron. I'll add it in my divinations and research, see if I can find anything."

"A last thing you might be able to assist with. Seira said that resolution with Bahamut, while Baleruk is part of Aurora, is unclear. I take this to mean it is not yet impossible. There could be a way to, if nothing else, not be at odds with him. You may decide to pursue this or not, I simply mean to say that it's not impossible at this point."

Pretty much done here.

"I'll let you know," Balyss says, as you go off and wait.

The next day passes in hoarding. Surraruthru's currently enjoying all of his newfound wealth, Kascha taking an inventory of what is there. "Hmmm," she murmurs, "I really think you need more coins," she suggests, "Any good hoard's backbone is a great big pile of gold coins."

Meanwhile, the door to your room opens. Tannin strolls in, soaked and dripping. "Yo," he says, "Got what you were looking for."

Surraruthru perks up at this.

"Ah, excellent! Thank you!"

"Oh, hi," Kascha perks up, "What is it?"

Tannin closes the door and sinks down, one knee cocked up and he rests. "So there I was, running away from a dire shark and avoiding small icebergs," he begins, "Have either of you ever heard of the Crystal Reef Sea?"

"Not immediately, but let me think a moment..."

K:P check, if that's what your fishing for.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Penuche> Rhaqa invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=17]

Surraruthru recalls the Crystal Reef Sea. It's in the border area betweeen the Elemental Plane of Water and the Para-Elemental Plane Ice, on the Water side of it. Most of that endless expanse is stormy and miserable, mostly empty of life except for travelers. The Crystal Reef Sea is an exception, a thick, frozen jungle of massive tangles of kelp, free floating icebergs and masses of coral. Unlike most of Water, the Crystal Reef Sea is considerably filled with solid materials. Exploring it is akin to exploring a rather airy and passage-riddled cave system.

"It's a border between Ice and Water. Unusually full of materials. Cave like, yes?"

"Sort of," Tannin says, "Colder than Water, nasty. Really tough critters there but there's lots of them. You didn't hear it from me, but all sorts of big and powerful sorts like to have hidden lairs there. Place is said to be big as some Prime worlds, yeah? One giant ecosystem full of creatures adapted to it. Elementals don't much like it there, either the cold or the water ones, nor do the marid. So there's a power vacuum no one ever really fills."

Surraruthru nods.

"So the powerful things in the area amass treasure with virtually no interference. Did you find the locations of some?"

"Got one really promising lead," Tannin says, pausing to thwap the side of his head. Water from his ear on the other side squirts out, "Aaah, that's the stuff. So, couple hundred centuries ago or so, there was an extra ugly squabble for the Coral Throne. One of the contenders was a merchant princess who went by Argaba. Didn't work out for her, she ended up getting a shallow grave out of it. But when the new Padisha went to repossess the 'rebel's'," Here Tannin rolls his eyes, "Yeah, that Padisha was a hard-fried bitch, let me tell you. Thought Water was her oyster to plunder, ended up not lasting that long. Pissed off everyone, even managed to personally offend Istishia. Anyway, you can guess how that song and dance ended and they had a new Padisha soon after."

Tannin pauses to clear his throat, before snapping his fingers. "Can I trouble either of you for some water. You know how it is, all the water and not a drop to drink? Right now the water outside of Aurora's saltwater."

Kascha pauses, fishing out a cup and using a bit of magic to fill it. Tannin drinks deeply, "Thanks. Now anyway, upside to that whole thing is that merchant's holdings were raided, turns out all the wealth was gone, along with an offensive little note. Insulted the Padisha and told her she'd never find her treasure in the Crystal Reef Sea. Heard she never did and no one did. 'course, I actually know why. Argaba laid a curse on it so no native of Water or Ice could find the hideaway."

Tannin stops and finishes his water, "See where I'm going with this? Turns out I also got a good lead on where it is. Now it might already have been raided, but I figure it's our best chance to start with."

Surraruthru nods eagerly.

"Yes, very good. You've lived up to your reputation. Kascha, do you wish to go? Should we take others?"

"I wish you well. I have a location to teleport to that should be close. Rest's on you," Tannin says, "You're aiming for the Icemast, a great pole of ice that's hundreds of feet long. It's as close to a local watering hole as there is. Thing is, the area's not long on anything like intelligent, civilized folks. So don't go expecting a town." Tannin says.

Kascha considers, "At least one more. Are you coming, Tannin?"

"Nope, had enough freezing water for now. See, on top of breathing water, make sure you can deal with the cold. Need to hear about the local conditions?" Tannin holds his glass out, Kascha filling it again.

"Please!" Kascha says, taking her book out and writing, "So Water's native conditions are dominant?"

Surraruthru listens intently, planning out what spells to memorize for the outing.

"Yeah. 'cept a few things. First off, it's cold. Cold enough to freeze a red dragon's nuts off," Tannin shivers, "Be at least resistant to cold, but those who can't be hurt by it are even better. Cold water gets you faster for hypothermia, you won't last long without magical protection. If you make it any colder, like with cold magic, the water affected with flash freeze solid. Actually not a bad thing if you use it to your advantage, the natives do. It'll catch you right in a block of ice and you'll be in trouble." Tannin remarks.

Kascha furiously scribbled away, nodding all the while.

"Hmm.. Is there anyone in Aurora that would be a good choice? Afina, obviously, but she seemed busy."

"We don't really have an ice specialist," Kascha admits, "The problem is that most people who specialize in ice follow Auril." Kascha shivers, "She's mean and terrible, cruel as a winter wind. It's an area evil has a bit of an edge over good on."

"So go for those who can't be hurt by the cold," Tannin drawls, "Or those who can enchant you against it. Hey Elena, pop in here and tell us who fits."

Elena appears on command, dressed up like Canderella today, in a pretty little black dress. "Well," she picks right on off, "You can't freeze Hanna, 27 tried. Ebony too, angels are like that. I hear they have too much warm love in them to freeze. Mirajane and Cresiel also qualify for that."

"I would prefer Ebony. I have dealt with her before, and I would like to strengthen our alliance. I have future plans with which she will make... easier."

"I'll tell her," Elena says, vanishing.

"Right, right," Kascha scribbles, "If we wait until tomorrow, I can prepare my spells properly," she says, "What about you, Surraruthru?"

"I agree. I will have to prepare quite differently than previously."

"Yes," Kascha says, "What spells are you thinking of? We'll need spells suited to the terrain, spells to explore and also some spells to protect ourselves."

"I can memorize a number to give us benefits while there, and to protect ourselves... I have a few that deal in cold damage and stopping water or transforming it to acid. I'll have Wand with me, of course, but only for emergencies since he specializes in fire."

"I'll get ready for it," Kascha says.

Want to go grab Ebony for this or have Kascha do it offscreen?

Kascha can do it for expedience.

Ebony meets Kascha and Surraruthru at Aurora's gate. Ebony is dressed down, her normal black robe is gone. She wears a simple two piece swimsuit of sturdy, thick cloth. She wears a vest over it as well as a cloak, and you can see hints of a corset poking out from the edges of the swimsuit. Kascha just wears light clothes, nothing too loose.

"How will we proceed?" Ebony asks right away. "What spells will be use?"

Both are out of normal clothes due to practical considerations. Robes underwater are a hassle and slow you down. Magical gear's tolerated and protected.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23)
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active:
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[6/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[7/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

I'm going to proceed assuming that between spell memorizing and prep, Surraruthru has connected Kascha and Ebony to the Eldritch Tapestry.

"I plan to negate Crystal Reef Sea's freezing with Energy Absorption; all three of us will benefit from it. I'll then cast the spells Transformation of the Deeps and Cloak of the Sea on us all; this will let us all breathe water and move freely. I will also be giving us all Greater Mage Armor. Beyond that, I plan to generally improve everyone's abilities, focus on counterspelling, which I can share with you two to a limited degree, and use combat magic. I've focused on cold, water, and acid spells for this."

First off, cloak of the sea is updated in the Spell Compendium. It's mostly the same except it's a 6th level sor/wiz spell and it stops all nonlethal damage instead of only subdual (which isn't a 3.5 term anyway) damage from water pressure. So check and update for that version of the spell.

"Good work," Kascha claps agreeably, before heading out into the water. Ebony smiles slightly and follows, the three heading out. As they do, "Who's managing the teleport?"

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[6/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[7/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]

Gotcha, I'll update my notes.

Surraruthru stares blankly at Ebony for a moment.

"I... neglected to prepare that spell."

Kascha closes her eyes and slowly sighs, then perks up, "Don't worry, one of Seira's lessons is applicable here. It goes, 'You can never have enough teleportation.' I can teleport myself at will, though."

Ebony glances back, her black hair flowing freely behind her for once, instead of held back. Her voice is clear with the magics you have on you, "I can teleport us to and back many times." She offers her hands out, "Take a hand and form a circle."

Surraruthru slices through the water like a water-born serpent, taking full advantage of the rare opportunity to indulge in his swimming ability, to come to rest on one of Ebony's arms, curling around it like a snake.

Hand in claw, the three join together. Ebony utters strange words and then you're simply elsewhere, nary a moment of disorientation before it's suddenly much colder. You float in waters lit by ambient light from nowhere, as well as faintly glowing coral and floating ice. It sends light all aorund, mostly a pale white-blue but with warmer oranges and reds near coral. It's like being in a large cave with a great pole of ice through the middle.

All around you are passages in the masses of ice, kelp, coral and so forth to explore, going in all directions. Brightly colored fish swim about in large schools, while several oversized, horn laden sharks swim here and there.

Surraruthru inspects the area, looking for the tower they're there to target, but also watching the sharks.

Spot check.

Kascha also looks around, while Ebony murmurs, "Careful now, the inhabitants may think we're food." She murmurs, keeping her gaze solely on them.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[6/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[7/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

> roll 1d20+31 Spot
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=9]

"They may. Much to their folly."

> roll 1d20+33 Kascha spot
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=18]

No sign of the lost manor you're looking for, though the Icemast is quite visible in the middle of the area. It's a big, thick pole of ice that extends in two directions, longer than the area and boring a hole through the ice to continue on.

"Well, towards that, then, I suppose. Everyone ready?"

A few nods as you begin to go along.

> roll 1d100+35 (+35 since the sharks are right there, only a question if they decide you're lunch or not)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 132 > [d100=97]

Oh boy.

You begin to go - before suddenly the sharks start to move. Away from you, that is, fleeing as fast as they can. "Eh?" Kascha stops and stares, "Are we really that intimidating? Animals usually like celestials."

"Perhaps they recognize Ebony and I as predators? Or something else might have startled them..."

"I haven't been a predator in a long time. A lifetime ago," Ebony murmurs, looking about.

"May-" Kascha begins, but stops. Coming from above you, in a gap in the ice near the Icemast, is a humanoid figure. It seems shark-like, as if a shark and a human were blended together. Its head is sharkish, gaze sharp on the three as it stares at them.

"Hm? Travelers?" He asks, overly muscled body barely hidden by expensive looking clothes that are colored a pristine white, not a hint of water touching his body, a thin layer of air surrounding him. He addresses the three in draconic, "Dragonling and celestials. So far away from home, so lost and so forgotten," he says, "You've come to my territory, and with that comes my toll."

Surraruthru narrows his eyes at this being, trying to assess him or remember any bit of lore that mentions a being like this. Dragons part with treasure grudgingly, and having a toll imposed on him sits... poorly.

K:D.

> roll 1d20+34 K:D
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d20=9]

This creature is likely an aberration, but not one you've ever heard of before. Something's wrong here, this form may not be natural.

"Interesting... Who and what are you, and what's this toll?"

"You presume much," Ebony says softly in common, gazing on at the strange shark humanoid. She also switches to draconic, "Avarice is a sin, a ever-hungry shadow over your heart. Its golden fingers will wrap around your heart and never let go, no matter to what ruin it leads you to."

"More importantly, why draconic? You don't look like a dragon," Kascha challenges, "Nor a dragon blooded creature."

The shark creature laughs, "Pitiful. Bound to your eyes and grasping at straws. At least the dragonling understand the proper order of things. The toll is as much gold as I saw it is. In this case, enough to fill this." He snaps his fingers, a cauldron of ice forming out of the cold waters. It's several feet in diameter and several more deep, quite the large cauldron indeed.

Surraruthru takes a moment to inspect the ice cauldron, trying to determine if it's normal ice or magically strengthened.

It looks normal enough. It's nice, and unless you study it for active magic, there's not much of a way to tell. However, some of those type of effects are instantaneous, which means it happens and then is done, no more magic.

Odds are it is just ice, though.

"Yes, I agree that is an appropriate amount of gold. If you fill it and hand it over, we'll consider it penance for interfering with us and for petty banditry. Call it a donation to the Aurora War Fund, if you must assuage your pride. If that's distasteful to you, we can simply take everything you have."

Surraruthru says this with absolute confidence, but watches the strange creature, readying a Chain Dispell to counter his next spell.

"You have no idea what foolishness your sin drives you to," Ebony says stonily, "You stand at the precipice of eternal damnation. Turn away or be immolated for all time."

Kascha smiles, "Would you face a creature of legend?" she asks, before stepping back and expanding. Behind you is now a phoenix, Kascha's burning body causing the waters around her to boil. Her voice is a shrill cry of defiance, a great cry that echos amid this place and chases the fleeing sharks.

Make an intimidate check, +4 circumstance bonus on top of it. Kascha and Ebony will attempt to aid.

> roll 1d20+7+4 Intimidate/No skill Stat check
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=10]

> roll 1d20+7 Kascha aids
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+10 Ebony
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=4]

Total of 25.

> roll 1d20+22 vs 25
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=8]

Unfortunately for him, arrogance seems to override fear.

Despite your display, the creature holds his ground. Nonetheless his eyes narrow at this display, "You think to command and disregard me? What you see here is only a splinter, for I am a dragon! All of winter fears me!"

"And we are far more than a mere dragon. We stood against Bahamut and Tiamat and returned to speak of it. You, a mere shape changed dragonling," Ebony drawls this in draconic, letting derision enter her voice, "You think you can challenge us?"

"We could use a sending and let our resident Prismatic Dragon let him know someone wishes to challenge him. I'm sure it wouldn't take long for him to arrive."

Surraruthru grins toothily.

The shark creature's expression twists into a foul grimace, "You're lying," he declares, though his voice shakes a little bit. Cracks.

"Celestials lying," Kascha trills, "Do you really believe that?"

"Two Celestials and a dragon. A dragon trying to become a Celestial. And you think we're lying? No, you don't. You're just trying to assuage your pride. I can understand that as a fellow dragon, but come now. All of winter? You're obviously a White. You're here because of the advantage the plane gives you and the power vacuum. We're not here to move into your territory, we just want what we came for and we'll be on our way."

Make diplomacy now, Surraruthru. +7 circumstance bonus, he's pretty worked over.

> roll 1d20+33+7 Diplomacy
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=11]

> roll 1d20+42 Ebony aids
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+32 Kascha aids
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d20=10]

Total of 55. DC was 30 since despite his pride, enough things were happening to make him think twice.

"Oh yes," Kascha says, "You see, we're looking for things for Surraruthru's hoard. If you could help, that would be kind of you."

Ebony considers this, "Yes. Yes, that would be. Avarice has nearly lead you into ruin, friend," she advances towards him freely, "Baator is close after that. Tell me, do you cherish the feeling of hellfire on your immortal soul, white wyrm? Sacrifice and generosity are an excellent tonic to cure avarice." She reaches him, the shark-creature not resisting as she reaches out and takes a hold of his chin. "There is still time. We have not sent your soul screaming into the Lake of Fire. Your hoard is a disgusting display of your sin, you wear it like a prize. Repent! Rid yourself of it and rid yourself of your sin!" Throughout all this she speaks softly but powerfully, projecting her voice to carry.

> roll 1d20+49 Ebony's making her own diplo check here as an add on, +7 circumstance
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=6]

DC was 55. The situation and Ebony's skill were sufficient.

The possible dragon stares at all this, then into Ebony's eyes. It shudders violently, "Stop! Stop! Stop!" It cries out, "Whatever all of you are, stop!"

"Only you can stop it now, since you started the situation. Your corruption led you here, only you can get yourself out of it. I'd heed her words. She is, after all, quite knowledgeable in this."

The shark creature makes a sound somewhere between a cry and a whimper, pulling something off its finger and shoving it into Ebony's hands. It swims back in a frenzy, turning and fleeing from the party.

Ebony meanwhile looks down at her hands, and once he's gone, "I do believe we've talked a dragon into giving up wealth to repent its sin of avarice." She turns and smiles warmly, "We've done well today." She comes on over and presents the item given to her to Surraruthru. It's a gold ring, topped with a white gemstone.

Loot.

Surraruthru stares in awe of Kascha and Ebony.

"I would never have thought you could have accomplished that. Obviously I have much to learn to become a Celestial."

He then tucks the ring away.

"Well then, should we continue?"

Kascha retakes humanoid form, shivering. "I'm glad it worked, because my phoenix side really doesn't like water." Her ioun stones fly faster around her, close to her skin, almost rubbing against her.

"Anything can repent if properly shown the light, even evil itself," Ebony says quietly, "I pray that this lesson will remain and not fade, and instead be the key to open his heart to a better path. For surely much of his hoard comes from ill gotten gains."

Which direction do you want to go in. Lots of paths and virtually any direction is open.

Surraruthru shifts a bit at this. "I will... endeavor to remember that for myself, as well."

Towards the pillar, since that's supposed to be closest to the Manor, correct?

Tannin said it was probably in the vicinity.

There's passages near the Icemast, going in both directions it continues in. Orienting yourself, it's simplest to think of them as up and down.

Surraruthru heads down!

> roll 1d100-5 randoms Surraruthru (-5 since the shark/possible dragon scared some things off)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d100=44]

You swim in a tunnel of ice, surrounded by filtered blue-white light all around. The ice sparkles, glittering light over everything. It reminds Surraruthru of a gemstone's luster when held to the light, ever changing and ever shimmering. The three of you swim on down this tunnel for a little ways, coming to a larger room with hunks of icy seaweed floating about. There's two tunnels going further down - one straight down and one to the down and west. The one on the west has a bit of coral growing on the rim of the ice tunnel, occasionally twitching like a living thing.

Surarruthru darts through the water, heading into the tunnel that leads straight down, but being sure not to out pace the other two.

As you swim down, the tunnel icy and clear, "Do you think that was an actual dragon or was it a bluff?"

"I know not," Ebony confesses as she follows, taking up the rear. "But my instincts say yes, even if I truly wonder if a dragon could so easily be cowed into giving up his treasures."

"It's certainly unusual. Using that form instead of his true form? Why? A dragon would be far more intimidating than that shark-thing he was. There's certainly a reason he did so, and I suspect it was to cover up an inability of some sort."

A school of pale blue fish swim from the tunnel below you and past, little jets of color going right past you. As they do, Kascha comments, "It is, but many dragons are accomplished shape shifters. It's certainly in the realm of possibility....oh, I wish I could write that down," she murmurs, saddened.

"It is a white dragon," Ebony adds, "They are true dragons but only possess a fraction of a greater dragon's might. Perhaps it is compensating for this weakness with bravado and deceptions."

"Hmm... Perhaps. Still, that form is strange... I wonder if it could be a thrall of some sort. Similar to Tyrll and Calleigh."

Surraruthru says this as he eyes the fish swim past... He'll snap a few up if they swim close enough.

Make a quick attack roll for your bite, Surraruthru.

> roll 1d20+22+4+1 Attack!
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d20=16]

Chomp!

Surraruthru gets one of the fish, the rest swimming away and breaking up as one of their number becomes the fairy dragon's lunch. Kascha chuckles, "How is it?" It tastes sort of like cold salmon, actually. Very cold, icy.

Meanwhile, you can see the tunnel's curving at an angle ahead, losing some of it's straight down sharpness in favor of a gentler slope.

"Iced salmon. I approve. You should try it."

He continues down the tunnel, wary for surprises. Tunnels make for good ambush spots, after all.

Spot, Surraruthru.

> roll 1d20+31 Spot
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d20=2]

Surraruthru doesn't notice any threads as you follow the tunnel. It widens a bit and ahead you see something. Clusters of dull purple coral grow out of the ice, and atop several of those clusters is a big, white, gooey blob. It jiggles whenever it moves, slowly moving over the coral here.

Surraruthru eyes the thing, trying to identify it.

K:D.

> roll 1d20+34 K:D
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 52 > [d20=18]

The creature before you is a coral eater, a variant of white puddings. They are oozes that eat coral rather than flesh and don't care about living things. So long as you leave them alone, anyway. Unlike the vast majority of oozes, they're harmless to you. If you do provoke one, they spit sharp, acid tinged coral as well as an acid slam attack. Oh, and they split into two if you cut them.

"Unpleasant. I say we leave it be and continue."

Swimming past it is easy enough now that you  know, the three continuing down. You go on this passage for several minutes, more fish and coral passed. As you swim, you feel a momentary dizziness, like you got spun around.

"Did you feel that?"

Surraruthru looks around, trying to find the source of the odd feeling.

"Y-yes," Kascha wobbles about, hitting against the side of the tunnel with a dull thunk. "Oooowww!"

Ebony holds her head in her hands a moment, "The world spins like a top," she says, "Vertigo overwhelming."

"Magical deterrent, you think?"

> roll 1d20+46 spellcraft Kascha
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 60 > [d20=14]

"Yes, yes. There's some magic here, and oh it's interesting!" Kascha's eyes widen, "It's not attacking the mind, it's attacking the body to try and make us reverse direction. Very tricky, it gets around protections against mind-affecting magic by targeting the body." She moves to pull out her book, but stops and mutters something in draconic about water and books. Something rather unkind, her shoulder slumping.

"You could use a sending to relate it one of the sages for annotation, Kascha. Either way, let's keep going. It certainly seems like something interesting is this way."

Thus the party continues on. You swim down, down, down and down some more. Ahead the space opens up into what looks to be a vast sphere, more or less in that shape and made of solid ice. There's plenty of space in the middle, and the walls are riddled with large tunnels leading further down.

Spot checks, all.

> roll 1d20+31 Spot
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=8]

> roll 1d20+33 Kascha goes spotting
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+31 Ebony is also all spotty
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=7]

One problem. Each of the other tunnels have bloodstains. Recessed into each tunnel are great beasts, lizard like things far larger than any normal lizard. They have man long necks and heads, ranging from six to more than a dozen. One in each tunnel, nestled into them.

K:A applies.

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=10]

The creatures ahead are cryohydras. They're hydras with powers over cold and a potent breath weapon. They're carnivores and will eat any meat they can get.

"Cryohydras. Shall we, or shall we turn back?"

"We can resolve this without violence," Kascha says, "I can just charm one into liking us."

"Yes, that may be wise," Ebony seconds, "I can do the same, though I fear they have minds of a beast and cannot converse with us. But charming them should be adequate."

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[6/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[7/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]

"I can attempt the same on the third. It's not my strong point, but I can do it."

"There's more than that," Kascha points out, taking a moment, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 passages, I think. I think each one has one, too. This must be some sort of pack of them. Though I don't know the name for a pack of hydras."

" Which should we target then?"

"Pick one," Kascha says, pointing to one to the northwest, "I'm going to try that one, wish me good fortune."

Ebony chooses one to the east and a bit below your exit, swimming on out.

Feel free to choose a direction or state any other prerequisite or preference to dealing with this.

I'll go for one directly front.

Surraruthru swims out after Ebony, heading towards his chosen target.

Before Surraruthru is a great mass of heads. Ten in all, watching the dragon as it comes closer.

Go ahead.

Surraruthru swims out to a safe-ish and respectful distance from the center head and focuses on his natural ability to charm creatures, trying to make friends. He attempts to use his knowledge and experience in dealing with creatures to make himself seem non-hostile.

Activating Charm Monster SLA, DC 28.

> roll 1d20+5 vs Surraruthru's charm
<Penuche> Ko-AllEyesOnNitori invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=6]

All ten heads come forward, studying Surraruthru. But none take aggressive action, seemingly more interested in watching the dragon than doing anything about him.

> roll 1d20+4 Kascha's charm
<Penuche> Ko-AllEyesOnNitori invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=14]

> roll 1d20+6 Ebony's charm
<Penuche> Ko-AllEyesOnNitori invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=18]

No sounds of chaos from the other two, so they probably have it in order. The cyrohydra's sniffing you now, the heads bobbing back and forth around you are it studies.

> roll 1d20+40 in a pinch, she'l try music to soothe the beast
<Penuche> Ko-AllEyesOnNitori invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=13]

Then you can hear gentle singing from Ebony. Celestial, a soothing song of love and rest after a hard day's work. It's distorted by the water, but the loveliness of it is still evident. Warmth blossoms within you as you hear her voice, gently beseeching the cyrohyrda in front of her.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[7/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

Surraruthru studies the heads in return, using similar reptilian behavior to, hopefully, give the hydra something familiar to identify with, maintaining a non-hostile intent.

Diplo check, -10 penalty. Normally you can't diplo unintelligent animals or magical beasts like this. You need wild empathy. However, with your charm and with your similarities, there's enough common ground where you have a shot, albeit a difficult one.

If you have wild empathy, you can use that instead and only suffer the standard -4 penalty for influencing a magical beast. The charm'll lower the DC of success nicely.

> roll 1d20+33-10 Diplo
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=6]

The hydra sniffs Surraruthru several times before rearing back and studying him intensely, sharply. It's starting to twitch in the water.

K:A check.

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=5]

Uh oh. This isn't good. It's not hostile, oh no. It's sizing you up as a potential mate. It's interested in you and it (she?) sees something it likes. Normally that would be absurd since you're not a hydra, but dragons do have a reputation.

This can't possibly be good.

That was not a check you wanted to fail, but fail you did.

Surraruthru begins to look slightly... confused... He's not sure what to do about this...

"Well... It's... *She...* isn't hostile. She's considering me as a.. mate."

... After all, dragons *do* have a reputation.

Ebony's voice stops abruptly, followed by Kascha quickly swimming over. Her eyes are wide as can be as she says, "Um, that's a bad idea. A really bad idea. How about we just go back a bit?" she suggests, rather quickly.

Meanwhile the cyrohydra licks all of it lips as it studies Surraruthru.

"I agree, though I don't understand why you're so alarmed. Does it eat its mates or some such? Either way, it's not hostile. Do we want to continue past it?"

"How about we try mine instead," Kascha says quickly, "You're too young to get started on this," she adds, grabbing him and pulling him back.

"Fine. I'm not *that* young. An army of Cryohydras wouldn't be bad, though..."

He doesn't resist Kascha's pulling, though.

Kascha leads you back to hers, while Ebony meets up with you. A seven headed one is here, watching Kascha sedately. There's space to go past it, but not a lot - you'd need to wiggle and swim carefully. "Don't worry," Kascha says in a soft, soothing voice, using Celestial. "We're just going to go by, okay?"

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[7/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

[/quote]

"You know, giants like having hydras as guardians. We could try to relocate them. Raise their intelligence. It shouldn't be hard for us, and they'd be a nasty surprise defense."

Ebony stops at that, "Possibly so, but how do we deal with them? They're mere animals in mind, we can't negotiate with them."

"Do we not have any Druids? We could always try to use magic to make them intelligent so we can."

Kascha takes ten on K:A here.

"Awakening only works on animals and trees. You'd need something more specialized," Kascha says, leaning against the tunnel wall and stopping, smiling warmly at the hydra. It seems content to watch as Kascha goes on. "I'm sure it exists, or we could develop it...or maybe mimic it with a wish or miracle," she says, suddenly smiling. "Of course! That would be it!"

"Cryohydra followers of Seira... I like it. I say we try it."

"But the problem is that it takes money for the right offerings," Kascha says, "Which is about 2,500 gold coins, assuming the version for a magical beast wouldn't need more. I'd want to provide extra offerings for that reason. Hmmm...""

Ebony gently coughs, "Perhaps a simple return to Aurora and a discussion on the logistics of this with a specialist would be wise? We have no rush."

Surraruthru nods.

"I could afford it, but all of my coins are back in my lair. A second trip would be best. Perhaps a divination to see what would be the most appropriate offering would be."

"Yes, that can work," Kascha says, "Ready to continue on then? I think we can get past my hydra."

"Lead the way."

The three swim along, Kascha's hydra not offering resistance as you squeeze past. This tunnel leads further on down and then at a gentler slope, several minutes passing. Soon enough it empties into a much larger chamber, many tunnels ending here. Here several cryohydras swim about a great nest made of seaweed and coral, the entire thing coated in ice. Within it you can see dozens of what look to be pale blue eggs, simply sitting there.

The far end of the room has no tunnels. It's instead a thick, massive wall of seaweed and coral, blocking the way forward and extending farther than you can see in any direction.

Surraruthru examines the eggs, assuming they're Cryohydra eggs, but wanting to verify.

"Seems like we've found the nest. Think there's a way through that seaweed, or is time to try another route?"

How close are you getting to the eggs?

Just enough to verify, don't want to trigger nesting instincts and start a fight.

K:A, Surraruthru.

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=1]

They sure look like them to you. You think you're correct.

Surraruthru leaves the eggs for now and searches the area for anything hidden or interesting.

Search check then.

> roll 1d20+8 Int/Search
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=7]

"Maybe-" Kascha starts to say, but Surraruthru searches. The moment he does, the cryohydras start to look at him, growling roars like ice falling from a glacier. About eight of them in total, none with no less than seven heads. Ebony smoothly comes forward, uttering a word of Celestial that makes the waters around her tint metallic gold.

She's using mass charm monster to try to nip this one in the bud.

> roll 1d20+4 vs 26 1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+4 vs 26 2
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+5 vs 26  3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+5 vs 26  4
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+5 vs 26  5
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+6 vs 26  6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+6 vs 26  7
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+6 vs 26  8
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=3]

Ebony advances slowly, singing a little, trilling note that is crystal clear to your ears. It ignores the water altogether, unmuffled. Save for one, the hydras all turn to her, as she murmurs out of the corner of her eye, "If you could charm the last one on you?"

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

[/quote]
[/quote]

Surraruthru nods and focuses on the last one, attempting to repeat... most... of his success with the ten headed one, focusing his innate abilities on it.

Activating Charm Monster SLA, DC 28.

> roll 1d20+5 vs 28
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=18]

The last cryohydra's roar dies down as it looks to Surraruthru, mouth closing and obvious menace dying down.

Surraruthru nods at it.

"I think I've got it. Should we leave while we have the chance?"

"I sort of want to study them," Kascha admits, "It's not easy to study hydras normally, since they're often wild and territorial."

"Incentive to return and grant them true intelligence, then. Let us move on for the treasure so we can pay those offerings, hmm?"

Where do you intend to go to, Surraruthru?

Well, unless my search revealed another path, this is a dead end, right? Go back to the branching caves and go another direction.

Your swim back out is uneventful enough. Kascha goes to another hydra, seeking to charm it and allow you to pass freely.

> roll 1d20+5 vs 21
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=10]

A few kind words and a smile let you slip past another cryohydra. You swim along a tunnel, this one empty of fish but thick with coral. Sharp coral everywhere, the way ahead difficult. Like a maze of jagged edges, not an easy crossing.

Ebony looks at, "Some selective destruction may be advised," she remarks, "I do not wish to be slashed open."

"I can deal with that, one moment."

Surraruthru calls up his energies and casts a spell into the Tapestry, granting the spell to all of them!

Stoneskin, CL 27, Duration 270 minutes, pool of 150 points.
The subject gains damage reduction 10/adamantine. Once the spell has prevented a total of 10 points of damage per caster level (maximum 150 points), it is discharged.

Okay, make sure to deduct the material component since it costs more than 1 gold.

"Oh, thank you. I didn't need it, but it's appreciated," Kascha smiles warmly at Surraruthru, before swimming through the coral. Ebony follows as the party advances on. The tunnel goes a way on, before coming ot the same sort of dead end as the egg room. A great mass of seaweed and coral completely blocks the way ahead completely.

"Hmm.. A dead end? Let's look around for a path through or anything we missed."

Deducted. I'm going to have to try and remember to do that.

So are you looking around here then, Iddy? It isn't quite clear.

Yeah. Search the area for anything hidden or a path that isn't readily visible.

Search check. Ebony and Kascha will aid you.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

> roll 1d20+8 Search/Int
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=4]

> roll 1d20+6 Ebony aids
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+10 Kascha
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=10]

16 total.

It's a big wall of coral and seaweed. More seaweed than coral, just dense. You push aside a little bit of it, but stronger measures would be needed to get through it at all. In any case, you don't find anything immediately interesting.

"Well, this isn't going well. Shall we head back and search another branch in the cave?"

"Unless you feel like burning that down," Kascha remarks.

"I'm sure wand is. Shall we give it a try?"

Surraruthru holds Wand up.

'Finally!' Wand says, 'I was getting bored.'

Kascha just scurries back while Ebony remarks, "As you wish, but it may well attract troublemakers."

Surraruthru focuses a level 6 spell into Wand!

Burning an Otiluke's Freezing Sphere

Spellcraft real quick.

> roll 1d20+34 Spellcraft
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=17]

'Going to need some big fire for this,' Wand declares, as a fireball soars out and explodes amid the seaweed and coral. It stays fire for a few moments before becoming a sphere of steam, ripples of heat flowing through the water all around. Ahead 30ft is another dead end - this of scorched white stone, smooth and showing no signs of erosion.

"A true dead end, then. More back tracking it seems."

Welp, same, go back to a branch and take a tunnel we haven't yet.

"Um," Kascha speaks up here, "Surraruthru? You know, white stone isn't native here."

"It's not? Hm, I hadn't even considered that. Should we try and cut through it?"

"Maybe?" Kascha considers, "Surraruthru, can you think of why something like this would be here?"

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]

"Hmm. Perhaps to act as the wall of something. If it's significantly out of place, then there's less chance a native would know how to bypass it. What kind of stone is it..."

Surraruthru examines the stone!

Any ranks in anything relevant, Surraruthru? Anything related to stone or geology?

Nature it Dungeoneering maybe?

Dungeoneering is good.

> roll 1d20+34 Dungeoneering
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=11]

It looks like a smooth sandstone. Not polished, but not naturally rough. Worked enough to not be coarse to the touch.

"Seems like sandstone. Should be simple enough to get through, it tends to be a softer rock. Anyone wish to give it a go?"

"Hmmm," Kascha peers in and murmurs, water bubbles coming from her mouth. "Do you have Disintegrate prepared, Surraruthru?"

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]

"Not prepared, but Wand can make it happen."

'Not so easily,' Wand pipes up, 'I deal in fire, and Disintegrate isn't fire. But if you make fire hot enough, it'll melt stone.'

"How hot are we talking? 6th level spell? 7th?"

'With the water, I'll need hot enough fire and concentrated time, rather than just a flash of fire. I'm thinking 8th circle,' Wand says, 'Yes, that should do.'

Surraruthru feeds Wand an 8th level spell to work his mojo with!

Burning Moment of Prescience for Wand.

Spellcraft check since Fire descriptor spells are impeded here.

> roll 1d20+34 Spellcraft
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=11]

Surraruthru pushes his magic as hard as it can, but it's like squeezing rocks through the eye of a needle. It just doesn't work.

'Damn it,' Wand growls, 'This realm's impeding fire magic and it's a hell of a crush.'

Ebony gently coughs, "Then if fire won't work, perhaps acid shall have its say."

"I only have a second level acid spell ready. I think one of you might have to cover that."

"Could you use that?" Kascha asks, "It'll give us an idea of how much acid we need."

Surraruthru casts an Acid Arrow at the stone!

Using Melf's Acid Arrow, CL 24, 12d4 Damage.
> roll 12d4 Acid Damage!
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d4=4,3,4,4,3,2,2,3,1,4,4,4]

Are you counting the rounds it lingers in that damage?

Yes. I figured you could extrapolate when it would expire vs how much damage was needed, so I just did the whole thing to save time.

Cool, just needed to know. Thanks.

Acid sizzles against the sandstone. It slowly eats away at it, waters diluting it as it goes on. The second half of the effect is reduced a good deal by it, sitting acid becoming less and less potent as it mixes with the cold waters.

Ebony reaches out and touches it, her finger unburned by the caustic substance. "A start, but we need a stronger single blast or a consistent source that produces more to offset the water's dilution."

"I'll handle it," Kascha says, "All the preparations and I didn't think to include an acid spell or disintegration." She laughs a little bit, "I should really have known better. Seira always says that successful anticipation is the key to being a wizard. Please step back." Kascha centers herself, taking out a stick of golden chalk. She sketches patterns around her, arcane diagrams that come to life in neon light. Seven of them, all around her and with words of Celestial forming on them. Too fast to read, blurring by rapidly as she begins to chant, "The Weave is my blood and the Weave is my magic. I offer my blood and I offer my magic, let magic reply! Queen of Dreams and Princess of Dragons, unbind the Weave to my will!"

A great orb of acid appears in Kascha's hands, hissing against the water. Kascha hurls it right at the already damaged point of the wall, throwing it with all she has.

Empowered orb of acid. 15d6*1.5 if she doesn't roll a 1.

> roll 1d20 no 1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=13]

> roll 15d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d6=6,6,1,2,6,5,2,1,5,2,2,3,2,3,2]
> roll 48*1.5
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < error: missing right parenthesis >
> roll 48+24
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 72 >

The sphere of acid hits the weakened section of wall, eating right through it. An hole the size of your fist is now visible in the wall. The wall's maybe a foot or so thick, and oddly, you can see the water doesn't go into the hole. It just stays outside of it, leaving what lies beyond free of water.

"Whew," Kascha huffs, drawing her greatsword, "Now give me a little bit and I'll just tear open a hole. Thew all's weakened and there's a gap to work with, so it shouldn't take long."

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

"If you wish, I can try to turn the water surrounding it to acid and we can wait."

Totally missed that I have Turn Water to Acid prepped.

"Oh yes-" Kascha starts, then frowns, "Surraruthru!" Her ioun stones whirl around her head in a storm, "Then why did you need me to use a Wish to make that hole?"

Surraruthru stares her dead in the eye.

"... I forgot I had memorized it. Turning water to acid isn't something I really tend to do."

So saying, he casts the spell on the area!

Since I'm out of tithe house, could you do the damage and rolls for it? CL should be 24.

Certainly.

> roll 24d6 for 24 rounds
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 90 > [d6=3,5,6,3,6,2,2,6,2,2,6,1,2,5,1,2,6,2,4,5,6,1,6,6]

Kascha steps back, though Ebony doesn't bother. The water around her turns into acid, eating at the stone but not the angel. It simply doesn't burn her or react to her in any way. Meanwhile the stone is quickly eaten away as a great quantity of water around it is turned to hissing acid, the already weakened wall giving way. A large hole is now there, more than enough to go in through. Water still refuses to enter, keeping within dry.

Ahead is a square room, full of empty shelves and lit by fireless torches on the wall. A few jars lie on the floor, generally empty. There's a door on the other three walls, each one closed and leading further in.

Surraruthru darts through the water, shooting into the open air of the room, unfurling his wings and gliding to the ground, inspecting the room and listening for anything to discern a difference between the doors.

Ebony follows, coming in and landing on her own two feet. She mutters a single word and she is dry, "Would you care to be dried?" she asks.

> roll 1d20+8 Kascha
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=8]

Kascha comes in a moment later, managing to land in a crouch and rise. "Please," she says, dripping icy-cold water.

Listen check then.

"No thank you, Ebony. It doesn't bother me."

Roll for me again? Thanks.

> roll 1d30+31 Surraruthru listen
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d30=20]

It seems quiet. No noise and no sign of anything unusual. Ebony goes to study a glass jar, "It looks like good quality glass. Clear, no imperfections. Better than made by most mortals," she observes. "But beyond that I know not."

"I say the left door then."

The door isn't locked. In fact, the lock's been broken and offers no resistance. Ahead is another room, a door opposite this one and to your current right in this room. More shelves are here, as well as some opened and empty chests.

> roll 1d20+6 Search Ebony
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=11]

Ebony looks about, "There's some copper coins in these chests," she remarks, "But the dregs of them. Whatever this is, people have been here before."

"Unfortunate, but unsurprising. The lore I remember said the manor had been sacked, but the vault was not found by the locals, and couldn't be found by them. We'll just have to be thorough, unless anyone has another idea?"

Surraruthru says this while heading to the new door.

"Only one thing. Should we bother to collect minor things like these coins and bottles?" Ebony asks, "I care not, but it is your hoard you wish to build."

Surraruthru glances back and eyes the items.

"A good point. If we can't find the vault, then the dregs may lessen the hurt of wasted time. Yes, let's take them."

So noted. Loot post. In the meantime, how deeply are all of you searching here? Any pattern and any precautions?

General searching for hidden things. Doors or hatches primarily, since we're looking for a hidden vault. As for precautions, general cautions for traps.

Search check or any magical means to replace or enhance that.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

> roll 1d20+8 Int/Search
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=5]

F'n Search.

You find you are in a great complex of storage rooms. Dozens of them, generally ransacked. You pick up a few odds and ends as you go, but most of it is just the leavings of others. You eventually find a stairway going down and follow it. Below are empty weapon and armor racks, some broken and splintered. Little is here and in due time you find another stairway down. This leads to a hallway that ends in a dead end - a sealed iron door is here, a great circle of unmoving metal. Ebony tries the door and says, "Locked."

Surraruthru inspects the door, trying to discern if the lock can be melted with acid, or the wall/frame around it.

It looks like an iron door. Enough acid would probably do it. There's no visible lock or keyhole. The wall around it is the same stone, so it should melt just fine.

Surraruthru launches a bolt of acid at the door, hoping to burn a big enough hole in it to either squeeze through or reach in and open it!

Using Melf's Acid Arrow, CL 24

> roll 12d4 Acid Damage!
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d4=3,2,2,3,3,3,3,1,3,4,2,1]
Same deal as before, just went ahead and rolled the whole deal.

Huh. The door is hit by acid and...nothing happens. It just doesn't react to the acid, not corroded by it at all.

"Well, that's unusual. Ideas? I can imagine the walls around it are protected similarly. It would be a foolish mage to leave such an oversight."

Kascha goes to it, casting a simple spell and studying the magic there.

> roll 1d20+46 Kascha
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 54 > [d20=8]

"There's magic here," Kascha murmurs, "An entire complex array of it. Oh!" She dashes about, studying this angle or that. "Goodness, that's tricky of them." Her ioun stones rattle 'round and 'round her head as she says, "They froze the state of it by only allowing it to open when it was already open. Since it's closed, it's a self reinforcing loop that it stays close, since it can only open when it's already open."

Ebony frowns and then asks, "Which means we can't open it because it's not already open?"

"Exactly. Which means it's not meant to be open. This must be a vault and I'd wager there's still treasure behind there." Kascha taps thew all with her knuckles, "But it'll need some serious magic to get past."

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[7/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]

"That sounds like some slaad logic. What kind of help do you need?"

Anything I can roll here to help?

"Take a study of it yourself and see what you think," Kascha says.

Spellcraft.

> roll 1d20+34 Spellcraft
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=4]

There is indeed magic there keeping the door open, strong magic. It's not giving easily. It seems focused on keeping people out rather than letting them in.

"I can't see anything you haven't already mentioned... Let me try one more thing..."

Surraruthru calls on his magic and casts Greater Arcane Sight before inspecting the door again.

Greater Arcane Sight, CL 24, lasts 24 minutes.

The door's exactly like Kascha said it is. The magic's looped into an infinite loop dedicated to keeping it closed. No physical force can overcome it. However, there's a secondary way to open it. It's attuned to something, some sort of key that will open it. On the plus side, the key should have a magical aura that you can discern and identify. On the other hand, you don't have such an item ready.

It might be possible to overwhelm the lock with a sufficiently powerful dispel, but it would need to be unthinkably potent. Perhaps an epic spell or some such.

"Well, nothing physical can overcome that spell. There's a key, though, and it will have a strong magical aura. A dispel will work, but it'll have to be incredibly strong, epic level."

"Epic?" Kascha frowns, "So an extremely powerful dispel or a key we have no idea where it is, and probably isn't even here. What's the strongest dispel we can get?" she asks.

"Jaela's good at dispelling," Ebony murmurs, "But we may need even more than that, or a specifically powerful dispel to do it."

"Well, I specialize in it too, but I don't know an epic dispel. Unless we have a way to get a scroll of it or something... or a way to bypass it? Dimensional bypass?"

"I doubt it would work," Kascha says, "How about you prepare and throw your strongest possible dispel at it?" Kascha says, "Do you have one of those ioun stones that increase your spell powers?" She grabs one of her stones, an orange one, "Here, use this one to help if you don't."

"I have a basic one, but if yours is more advanced, I'll certainly use it. My most powerful dispel is... Reaving Dispel."

Surraruthru focuses and throws his full power against the spell on the door!

Raving Dispel, CL 29
> roll 1d20+20 Dispell Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=8]

But unfortunately you can't crack it. Ebony hmms softly and advances, "Allow me to try. Perhaps my best will be enough."

> roll 1d20+20 Ebony I'll go with Serith
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=11]

Ebony sings a single, high pitched note that makes the walls shake. But nothing happens after, a slight frown from the angel. "Yes, I fear we may need greater tools than what we have."

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[6/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote], the magic does not give way to Surraruthru's spell.

Surraruthru growls, then sighs.

"Well, if nothing else, we know where it is now. Let's go back and see if we can't find something to get this open."

Going to search the rest of the place?

Sure, might as well.

In the mean time, Surraruthru heads back to check the middle door in the first room.

More searching follows. It's largely more of the same - empty rooms with only a bit of minor salvage to be found. There's three floors above this one, much the same. You eventually find a door in, an entryway that's caved in. The floor looks like it was once inlaid with some sort of metal or material, but it's been rather roughly ripped out.

Ebony kneels and examines it, "Scavengers who will take anything they can," she remarks, "So our fortunes indeed rest on overcoming that vault. I could try and dispel it until can dispel no more, though I am not hopeful of success."

"We could and we don't really lose anything from trying," Kascha says, "You might get lucky, and if not, we can try stronger measures or get reinforcements." Kascha considers, reaching for her book - but it's still not there. "Ah! I mean, we can get the proper items, and maybe I can get an ioun stone that helps dispelling."

"Exhausting our current options is a good thought. No need to inconvenience others if we don't need to. Though this does motivate me to work on dispelling... Anyway, let us go back to the vault and keep trying."

The trip back to the vault is unremarkable. Ebony positions and prepares, before beginning to cast all she has.

> roll 1d20+20
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=20]

"Woe unto the wicked, for the swords of evil become the instruments of their demise," Ebony chants, calling on Reaving Dispel. There's a rumble from door as Ebony calls, "The magic's weakening," she says, "Hit it with any dispel you can, as strong as you can!"

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[5/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home

Surraruthru instantly jumps to the task, casting Chain Dispel on the door!

Chain Dispel, CL 27
> roll 1d20+25 Chain Dispel
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 35 > [d20=10]

One small problem there, Surraruthru. Chain dispel targets creatures, not objects. Check the targets line of it.

Bleh, missed that.

Greater Dispel, CL 27
> roll 1d20+20 Greater Dispel
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=14]

> roll 1d100 Kascha
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 46 > [d100=46]

Kascha tries to cast, but whimpers after a moment and falls to a knee instead.

Ebony keeps on casting, repeating her chant again as Surraruthru throws his own dispel into it.

> roll 1d20+20
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=12]

There's a thunderclap of noise as the three of you are blasted back by it.

> roll 1d6 sonic damage, no save
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 3 > [d6=3]

All of you take that. However, energy absorption grants sonic resistance 10, so it's no damage at all.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]

Surraruthru shakes his head as he regains his footing, before turning to Kascha and Ebony. Primarily Kascha, though.

"Are you alright? You dropped to your knee."

"My magic's still shaky," Kascha smiles, "Did that do it?"

Ebony dusts herself off, "I think so." She goes to the door and gives it a push, finding it to move slightly. "Yes."

"Excellent. Ebony, your help was invaluable... Thank you."

Surraruthru still looks a bit uncomfortable being this... humble, but hey, goals are goals. With that, he flies towards the door!

Ebony smiles, "We succeeded together. Now let's see what rests here." The door is opened. Within is another square room. Nine chests sit in a three by three square. However, the walls are decorated with colored glass orbs. Dozens of them, glittering with a rainbow array of lights.

Surraruthru takes a moment to inspect the area for traps, magical or ortherwise.

As in using Search to do so or something else?

Search is the best thing I got, until I shift some points around, so that or spellcraft.

Search if you're physically looking, Spellcraft if you're using magic to study any possible magic in the room.

Surraruthru flies around the room, looking for any obvious physical trap triggers first.

> roll 1d20+8 Int/Search
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=19]

Once he's finished that, he then makes another loop inspecting the chests and orbs for any magical traps.

> roll 1d20+34 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 38 > [d20=4]

Surraruthru doesn't find anything obvious for trap triggers. He also studies the magic of the room. There is indeed some, the orbs are enchanted to fire-

Unfortunately, Surraruthru seems to have found a firing condition. As he studies the orbs, ten rays of light fire out at him, from all angles all over.

> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=14]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+12 crit threat
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=12]

What's your touch AC, Surraruthru? Also, you're getting beamed from all directions, so if you have an immediate you can throw out that may matter, now's the time.

With Greater Mage Armor, 23. 17+6GMA. I don't really have any instants ready, so I'm just kinda screwed here.

Greater mage armor doesn't apply to touch AC anyway, so 17. 6 hits, one of them is a critical hit.

> roll 10d6-10 fire damage
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 21 > [d6=6,5,6,4,1,1,1,4,1,2]
> roll 10d6-10 fire damage
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 25 > [d6=1,6,2,5,5,4,3,3,3,3]
> roll 10d6-10 cold damage
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 21 > [d6=2,4,6,1,5,4,1,2,4,2]
> roll 10d6-10 acid damage
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 27 > [d6=4,3,6,2,1,6,4,2,4,5]
> roll 20d6-10 acid damage
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 47 > [d6=4,1,2,2,4,3,2,2,4,6,3,1,5,1,5,2,3,2,2,3]
> roll 10d6-10 electricity damage
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 23 > [d6=2,2,5,6,4,2,4,1,6,1]

> roll 21+25+21+27+47+23
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 164 >

164 damage, Surraruthru. Ow. You may want some healing.

The blasts rip into Surraruthru all over, knocking him onto his back. Fire burns him, ice freezes him, acid eats at his flesh and face and a jolt of lightning makes him thrash on the ground.

Amid the pain there is suddenly salvation. Ebony's hand on him, a prayer only half heard as soothing energy wipes away much of his misery.

Heal by her, +150 HP.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[1/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]

Surraruthru groans, then sighs in relief and clambers up onto Ebony's arm and shoulder.

"Thank you. That was rather painful. I'm assuming the traps are now disarmed."

"I don't know," Kascha admits, "Magical traps like this sometimes automatically reset themselves."

"Prudence suggests a simple summoned creature to test them," Ebony says, "I strongly suspect they will fire if the treasures are disturbed, so kindly step back with me?" Ebony says, staying out of the room.

Surraruthru remains attached to Ebony's shoulder as she leaves, watching the room warily.

"I can summon. Give me a moment."

Surraurthru uses his innate powers to bring forth an ice elemental!

Using my 1/day Summon Nature's Ally IV to bring forth a Medium Ice Elemental.

Once the elemental has been summoned, Surraruthru commands it!

"Enter that room and open the chests."

The elemental obeys and goes to open the center-front chest. The moment it touches it, ten more rays fire at it.

> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=12]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=6]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=3]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+12
> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=14]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=8]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=13]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=5]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=6]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=8]

It nulls the cold damage, but there's fire damage to counter and a lot of damage, period. Not going to roll the damage since it would be gross overkill.

Aaaand just like that, the elemental's ripped apart by the beams.

"Well, my Arcane Sight has expired, so let us see if we can't figure out the magic the hard way..."

Surraruthru studies the magic from where he is, trying to figure out the magic.

"Wait!" Kascha stops and shakes his shoulder strongly, "Before we tempt the trap again, how about we take some precautions?"

"Yes," Ebony murmurs, "At the least, I can do it. Cold and acid will not harm me, and further warding will make the dangers trivial."

"Outside of a Wish, I don't have any additional protections against energy types prepared."

"I do," Kascha says, "I can cast Energy Immunity twice."

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[1/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

"If another spell is needed, I will happily use Wish to make it happen. Just let me know."

"Then it's just a matter of choice. Who do we use here?" Kascha asks.

"Ebony? Since she's already immune to two of the four things I got hit with. I remember electrocution and burning. Those would be good choices for your two Energy Immunity castings. I don't remember anything else."

So warded, Ebony goes to the front-middle chest and opens it up, a barrage of beams slamming at her from all directions.

Rolling the last two only, since she nulls the other 8.

> roll 1d20+12 vs 19
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+12 vs 19 crit thread
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=13]
> roll 20d6-10 sonic damage ow
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 70 > [d6=4,5,3,4,1,5,1,2,4,6,2,6,5,6,2,3,6,6,6,3]

All roll off her but two. One misses but the other hits her right in the the stomach. It punches right through like a dagger, blood flowing out and her entire body vibrating violently. Ebony takes to the air and flies straight back, out of the room even as she utters a word of healing.

> roll 4d8+20
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 40 > [d8=2,5,5,8]

The wound closes up, the worst of it repairing itself right away. As she heals herself, you can see what lies in the chest. The chest is full of pearls, stuffed with hundreds of them. Pearls of every color, from glossy white to bright green to radiant pink.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 217/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Energy Immunity (CL23)x2
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, immunity to fire and electricity.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[5/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[1/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

Surraruthru winces.

"Ebony, are you okay? I don't remember getting hit with that... Here, let me, um, help."

Surraruthru starts casting Limited Wish, using it to emulate Silence!

Casting Limited Wish, CL 24 for Silence on the room.

Silence falls on the room. Ebony nods and goes forward, taking the chest. She's able to pull it with a silent grunt, removing the chest as she's peppered with rays over and over. Surely over a hundred by the time it's out.

"There, that's the first -" Ebony gets out, before suddenly the light of the glass orbs intensifies. Blindingly bright white beams of light fly, arching around in zig-zags before going out the door, one at each of you.

> roll 1d20+22 touch AC Surraruthru
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 38 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+22 touch AC Kascha
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+22 touch AC Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=4]

Two htis, only Kascha dodged. Str checks, Ebony and Surraruthru.

> roll 1d20+4 Str Check >.>;
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=15]

> roll 1d20+4 Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 8 > [d20=4]

Kascha eeps and dives to the side, the beam missing her. But Ebony and Surraruthru aren't nearly as quick on their feet, hit dead on. They're pulled into the room in a split second, the iron door slamming shut behind them and cutting Kascha off from the two of you. You land on the far side of the room, 30ft from the door and prone. As you do, the orbs begin to silently emit gas, pumping it rapidly into the room.

Fort save vs poison. If I recall, you have diamond body so you're immune to poison, Surraruthru?

Yes, sir I do.

"Ebony! Poison! Can you protect yourself or do I need to use Wish?"

> roll 1d20+32 Ebony (+4 racial vs poison)
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=1]

Well, that's unfortunate timing for a natural 1.

Unfortunately, Surraruthru's silence spell stops his words. Ebony gets one whiff of the gas and collapses, out cold. Meanwhile...

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 90 > [d100=90]

Kascha automatically passes the Spellcraft check because her mod is high enough to prevent failure.

> roll 30d10 fire damage on door
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 206 > [d10=5,8,5,8,2,9,10,9,4,10,8,3,3,3,10,4,7,8,5,6,8,4,8,10,7,3,10,9,10,10]

Beams savage Ebony. They fire three times as fast, dozens of them slamming into her. Only her protections and the silence prevent her from being utterly obliterated. It's then that a massive burst of fire rips through the door like it wasn't there, molten iron splattering into the gassy room. Kascha is surrounded by a halo of flames, fading as the door and some of the wall around it is melted.

Kascha shouts something blocked by your silence while the gas leaks from the room. However, one of Kascha's ioun stones, a clear cube, whirls around her head, dispelling any gas that gets close. Frowning, she gestures at Ebony and waves you forward, back towards her.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 217/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Energy Immunity (CL23)x2
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, immunity to fire and electricity.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[5/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[1/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

Surraruthru nods and tries to drag Ebony over to Kascha and out of the room!

As you approach, one obvious problem - the beams are hitting her all over. While she may not burn, dissolve, freeze or shock, you do. Getting that close likely subjects you to being hit by some of them.

Meanwhile Kascha drags the chest of pearls away from this entire death trap.

Surraruthru decides that taking one or two beams is entirely acceptable and tries to roll Ebony over on top of himself so he can carry her out... While using her as a shield. He should feel bad, but it's the only way with the silence.

> roll 1d12-1
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 2 > [d12=3]

2 beams hit you. Ebony gives 50% miss chance from the cover she provides.

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 96 > [d100=96]
> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 16 > [d100=16]

One gets through, a cold beam.

> roll 1d20+12
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=5]

> roll 10d6-10 cold damage
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 25 > [d6=6,1,5,6,2,3,5,2,4,1]

25 cold damage to Surraruthru.

Grabbing Ebony and hustling, Surraruthru is fortunate. Only a few beams come close, most hitting Ebony or missing. One gets him on the tail, a freezing blast that numbs it solid. But he flees out, the blasts stopping once you're out of the room. Sound returns, the scraping of Kascha dragging the chest away followed by her voice, "Hurry, let's get well away from that cursed room!"

Surraruthru continues after Kascha, carrying Ebony.

"We should check her for the poison. She passed out instantly."

Kascha nods, one of her ioun stones coming to the fore. A white sphere that glows with light, injuries wiped away from all of you.

Mass heal, 200 HP healed and most conditions negated, including poisoning. Affects all three of you.

Ebony stirs, eyes opening right away. She sits up in a hurry, looking around. After a moment she says, "I was knocked unawares? What transpired?"

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used: Mass heal ioun stone used.

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Energy Immunity (CL23)x2
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, immunity to fire and electricity.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----


Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[5/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[1/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

"Poison. You went down instantly, and the whole room went crazy. We're going to have to come back with better preparation for the other eight chests, unless the two of you think we can get it done now."

Other 8 chests, Surraruthru. It's a 3 by 3 square of them.

Listen checks, all of you.

> roll 1d20+31 Listen
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 46 > [d20=15]

Edited previous post for correct number.

> roll 1d20+33 Kascha
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+31 Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=12]

Surraruthru hears something behind him, from the direction of the room. A footstep, light and fast, but just barely audible.

"Footsteps from behind!"

Surraruthru spins, readying himself for war!

Readying Orb of Force.

"Behind!" Ebony whirls that way, Kascha doing the same. Your sharp ears do not betray you, for from the room rushes a pale man. His skin is gray, the color of ash, and his eyesockets are empty. He carries a club and dashes at the three of you near silently, hefting it and attacking before anything else.

This saved you all from being flat footed against this attack.

> roll 1d20+30 vs party's AC
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 35 > [d20=5]

Surraruthru's at AC 38 with greater mage armor, so a miss on him. Ebony's 37 so a miss as well. Kascha's AC 51 so that's not even close.

But the party's already moving. Ebony leaps back, wings assisting her in gliding well out of range. Surraruthru's just quick enough to throw himself against the wall. Kascha draws her greatsword in one swift motion, parrying the club and briefly closing in on him, before the man pushes back and off. You can see it wears well tailored chain armor that makes not a sound.

Init here.

> roll 1d20+12 Init
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 15 > [d20=3]

<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 28 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+12 Gray man
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=7]

Kascha (28) > Gray Man (19) > Surraruthru (15) > Ebony (13)

Kascha opens.

> roll 1d20+35 K:Ring the enemy
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=8]

"A hoardheart." Kascha says, backpedaling, "A zombie that won't rest so long as the treasure he guards has been taken. Seira, guide us!"

5ft step back, casting surge of hope.

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 74 > [d100=74]

Surge of hope is identical to good hope, except that the bonuses are +4 and that you're also immune to fear for the duration.

Hope swells within all of you. Surraruthru feels a calming sense that he can do this, that they can stop this creature and escape. But before any of you can act on that, the hoard heart closes in on Ebony and tries to pound her down. Blow after blow rains down from above, an absolute beating.

> roll 1d20+30 vs Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 44 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+30 vs Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 44 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+30 vs Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+25 vs Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+20 vs Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 33 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+15 vs Ebony
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=7]

Ebony's current AC is 37, so three hits.

<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 42 > [d8=8,8][d6=6,5]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 30 > [d8=8,4][d6=2,1]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 23 > [d8=2,2][d6=2,2]

Does not penetrate her damage reduction, so -45 from that for a total of 50 damage.

Ebony's beaten over and over, shielding her face with her hands and wings as she's bloodied. Her nose breaks with a loud crack, blood steadily pouring down her face.

Surraruthru, you're up. You can K:R if you want to know about the baddie.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Surge of Hope (CL23)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, +4 morale on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used: Mass heal ioun stone used.

Ebony
HP: 197/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Energy Immunity (CL23)x2, Surge of Hope (CL23)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, immunity to fire and electricity, +4 morale on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----

Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC 1/2, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[5/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[1/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

Don't have K:R, so bust on that.

Surraruthru launches the orb he readied at the thing!

Orb of Force, CL 24

> roll 10d6 orb of force
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 41 > [d6=6,1,4,6,5,6,1,4,2,6]

Requires a ranged touch attack,so make that.

> roll 1d20+28 Ranged Touch Attack
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=9]

The orb hits the hoard heart right in the chest, the force of it caving in his chest. But such a wound barely fazes it as Ebony steps back, bloodied. She holds her hand up as if to stop it and calls on, "False life, be still!"

Halt undead.

> roll 1d20+18
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=19]

But nothing happens. Instead Kascha keeps falling back as well, "Why?! Why is this treasure so overguarded? What sort of sadist does things like this?" Kascha asks, almost as if praying to a higher power.

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 86 > [d100=86]

Empowered righteous smite and using her draconic discovery ability to add twin to it.

> roll 20d6
> roll 20d6
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 70 > [d6=2,5,2,2,6,4,3,1,4,2,4,6,4,6,3,5,3,3,2,3]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 62 > [d6=3,2,4,2,3,4,5,6,2,3,4,6,2,3,3,4,1,3,1,1]
> roll 70+35+62+31
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 198 >
> roll 1d20+18 vs 29
> roll 1d20+18 vs 29
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=16]
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 29 > [d20=11]

Twin blasts of holy power from above crush the hoard heart beneath it. They leave it kneeling and reeling, seemingly unable to act. It begins to glow a pale black instead, a watery color that becomes more intense as the moments pass.

Skips its turn. Go Surraruthru.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Surge of Hope (CL23)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, +4 morale on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used: Mass heal ioun stone used.

Ebony
HP: 197/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Energy Immunity (CL23)x2, Surge of Hope (CL23)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, immunity to fire and electricity, +4 morale on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----

Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC 1/2, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[5/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[1/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[7/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

Tired of this thing, big guns time.

Surraruthru growls at the thing, a deep, low, and chest rattling thing coming from such a small dragon, as he calls on one of his most powerful spells, opening his jaws and launching the spell from just in front of his snout, much like Dragon breath. Not that his own is useless or anything. Or that he wants a vastly more powerful breath weapon. No, nothing like that. Anyway, a roiling ball of four clashing elements forms and launches forth!

Using Hellball, level 10, CL 24. Reflex half, SR allowed.

> roll 10d6 Fire
> roll 10d6 Sonic
> roll 10d6 Acid
> roll 10d6 Electricity
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 25 > [d6=1,5,1,2,6,2,1,3,1,3]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 33 > [d6=3,3,5,6,1,6,5,2,1,1]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 38 > [d6=1,2,4,3,6,4,4,5,5,4]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 30 > [d6=4,4,1,1,5,1,6,2,4,2]

No save, it's not able to dodge right now.

Surraruthru's greatest spell rips through the hoard heart, body burning and falling apart as acid and fire eats it. Electricity shocks it, the remnants encased in ice.

Free act.

Surraruthru roars in triumph, doing his best to push his little lungs to shake the very ground.

Once finished he stares at the corpse pieces and snorts, turning to the others.

"That treasure is *ours* now. After all that's happened, I will not accept anything less than absolute domination of that damn vault. What do we need to shatter those orbs in the walls?"

Kascha shakes her head quickly, "I don't know and I'm not going back there without being refreshed and fully prepared, as well as with all the backup we can manage."

Ebony coughs as...

> roll 1d20+33 Spot
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=10]

..her eyes widen. "It's regenerating, fast," Ebony points. Turning, you can see that the broken hoard heart is reassembling and regrowing, body knitting itself back together before your very eyes.

Surraruthru growls at it.

"Is there a way to stop it? At the moment, the best I can do is Summon Monster X. I have a few sonic and ice spells, but not much more."

"You know what?" Kascha says, "This entire thing is a death trap. Let's take this and go. Ebony, take one side of the chest?" Kascha says.

"No," Ebony shakes her head, "We should find a way to put this thing to eternal rest."

"Yes, but I'd rather not be put to my eternal rest yet!" Kascha retorts, then turns to Surraruthru. "Quick tiebreak before it regenerates?"

"I say we kill it permanently. If we don't, when we return it'll be here waiting and who knows what it'll have done between now and then. Ebony, if you have a way to do so, I'll use my Wish and whatever else I have to assist."

Kascha looks on, "Then we need to act now!"

"The strongest holy magic and power we have." Ebony closes her eyes and focuses before simply touching the creature on the shoulder.

She's trying heal, which works like harm on undead.

> roll 1d20+18
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=12]

Made the save, so 75 damage.

Kascha focuses in the meantime, trying to marshal her damaged magic.

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kobrb roll for Serith < 77 > [d100=77]

Mass Heal on all, including the hoard heart. For y'all it heals you to full and removes many conditions. For the hoard heart it deals damage.

230 damage.

The healing spells cause the creature to crumble again, little more than a pile of bones and glowing ash.

Go, Surraruthru.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Surge of Hope (CL23)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, +4 morale on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
Negative Conditions: 50% spell failure for 1 hour.
Resources Used: Mass heal ioun stone used.

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Cloak of the Sea (CL24), Transformation of the Deep (CL24), Energy Absorption (CL24), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Energy Immunity (CL23)x2, Surge of Hope (CL23)
Bonuses: Water breathing, freedom of movement, blur (20% miss chance), immunity to non lethal damage, immunity to damage from water temperature and pressure, resistance to all energy types 10 (doesn't stack) and can expend it as an immediate action to stop one elemental attack and heal half that damage, immunity to fire and electricity, +4 morale on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

-----

Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only); 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2^SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2^SC 1/2, Shield.
[7/day]2: False Life, Glitterdustx2, Knockx3, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2^SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2^PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2^SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2^SC, Dragon Breath^SC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner Beauty^{FC1, SR}, Greater Mirror Image^PHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater Fireburst^SC, Life's Gracex3^{SC, SR}.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater Elemental^{SC, SR}, Superior Resistance^SC, Surge of Hopex2^Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental Body^SC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2^{BoED, SR}, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[5/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2 (1/2 left).
[5/day]9: Empowered Maximized Enervation, Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[3/day]10: Celestial Valor^Home, Energy Immunityx2^Home

---

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[5/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[5/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's Grace^SC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[6/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Snowsong^Frost, Veil.
[0/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of Heaven^BoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[7/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect Summons^BoED, Sunmantle^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}, Sword of Conscience^BoED, Voice of the Archon^SC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly Lightning^BoED, Sending, Sicken Evil^{BoED, S(1d4-2 str)}.
[9/day]6: Aspect of the Deity^BoED, Bolt of Glory^BoED, Storm of Shards^{BoED(1d3-2 str drain)}.
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous Smite^BoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning Ring^SC.
[4/day]9: Blinding Glory^BoED, Reaving Dispel^SC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen Needle^Home
[/quote]
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Surraruthru again calls on his most powerful magic, opening a portal directly to the positive energy plane.

Casting Naeys' Life Font, CL 24, Duration 24 rounds.
* 5d8+20 temporary hit points. The affected creature cannot go above double its normal hit point total from this spell or other effects as long as this spell is in effect.
* The benefits of a restoration spell.
* Immunity to energy drain and resist energy(negative energy) 50 points.

Positive energy bombards the bones and ashes. The bones crumble to ash as well, trying to rebuild. But the flow of energy around Surraruthru seems to be slowing it greatly, barely moving at all.

Free act for now.

"It's certainly halting it... Not sure if it's absolutely done for. Should we gate directly back to Aurora, or try something else?"

"If this isn't killing it, we simply don't have the means. Let us leave this place and return to Aurora, swiftly." Ebony says, taking one end of the box and then Kascha another. The two set a quick pace, hurrying along.

Going to do anything or just follow along?

Just follow along and do general watching out for stuff.

> roll 1d100+30
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 113 > [d100=83]
> roll 1d100+30 subtables
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 109 > [d100=79]

> roll 1d20+32 Ebony Will save
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 45 > [d20=13]

Somehow you reach the hole out without further encounter. You go back into the water and Kascha leads you a bit away, the group swimming away. Once away a little bit, Ebony utters a few words and gestures, and you stand before Aurora once more. You haul the chest inside, "Well," Kascha says, "That was fun!"

"I agree. Once we rest, I say we return for the other chests. Now that we know exactly where they are. We should take the time to prepare proper offerings for the awakening of the hydras, as well."

What's your plan here? Kascha wants to have things identified for monetary and preparatory reasons, but what's on your prep agenda now?

Well, resistance spell memorizations, poison resistances for whoever is going, and probably floating disk spells for easier/faster transport. As far as the prep for the awakening ritual, I'll have to go with Kascha's advice as she knows more about it.

Loot post.

The scene is Surraruthru's hoard. Kascha and Ebony both had couches brought in, each one resting heavily on one. Filbrez sits in a corner, going over your box of pearls and jotting things down as he inspects each one. "We need to talk to a specialist," Kascha says, "I've asked Elder Magi Tepen to stop in, he'll be able to help."

Surraruthru eyes the couches, a distinctly humanoid addition that he supposes will give him an additional place to lounge.

"I agree. We had a rough time of it, but with sufficient preparation we'll be ready to destroy that vault."

"I worry that it may escalate further," Ebony says, "Such a death trap is already absurd, but once absurdity is reached, one can't count on it protecting them."

"Then the question is: How do we prepare?" Kascha frowns, "That's tough."

"Well, going off of what we've seen already, poison and elemental protections, and a defender. The first two are easy enough to guard against, the defender we've defeated once. Locking the door open or creating a second hole to exit through and making the moving of the chests faster. So the question, I think, is how to get through the walls. The chests can be done easily enough with a floating disk, I think. Other ideas?"

"Hmmm," Kascha considers, "Healing. Lots of healing in case things go wrong. I can manage some if I devote my 9th circle spells to to it, but an expert would be better."

Ebony lies face up, hands folded over her stomach. "The most powerful dispels we have. Some system to pull someone out of the vault in case of trouble, perhaps simply reinforced rope or wire that won't easily break. Flexible options in case there's further escalation."

"So that's Jaela. Ropes could be done by the Phase Spiders or Afina? I'm not sure about the healing, but it sounds like a Balyss job."

"Balyss is good for that," Kascha agrees, "But both of them are busy right now, so we'll need to wait for them to return."

"I can see to the ropes." Ebony says, slowly rising from her place. "They will be strong and light. Protecting them from fire would be only wise."

Surraruthru nods.

"If I knew a 10th level dispel spell, I could likely do the job, but I know of none. So, until they return, what about seeing to offerings for the awakening of the Cryohydras? What is needed for that?"

"Tepen should know," Kascha says, as Ebony departs. It's only a few moments later for Elder Magi Tepen to enter.

"You requested a consultation on a esoteric use of awakening?" he asks by way of greeting, coming within and staying standing. "Explain the situation."

"We came across a... Hive? Pack? of Cryohydras. Ranging from six to twelve heads, and a few more. On encountering them, we were able to charm them into non-aggressiveness. One of them, a ten headed, apparently took a liking to me... She considered me a potential mate, from what I gathered. This nest of Cryohydras also had an egg room. They started to become aggressive when we found it, but we were able to calm them. They're magical beasts, but if we could awaken them and recruit them... They would be a significant boost to our defenses, and a nasty surprise to anyone trying to invade, and a solid backbone to any assault force."

"Hm." Tepen considers this, leaning on the Staff of Vithos as he considers the request. "You could power it with a wish or miracle, though that's brute forcing it and slow. A trip to a higher end planar magic shop would likely get you a customized spell that could do it or a lead to one, or you could make your own with research."

"Hmm... I haven't been able to do any spell research since I arrived at Aurora... I'd be interested in doing it myself, but I have no idea how long that would take."

"Well, it involves..."

This is a good time to discuss how I do spell research. A few salient notes.

- It's free, it just takes time and the effort of writing up a spell. I encourage players to make new material and having to pay for the privilege works against that.
- You declare the intent to make a new spell and spend time working on it IC. This is done off camera and the time taken varies on the level of the spell. Spells similar to existing spells (a coldball instead of a fireball, an awaken magical beast instead of awaken) are quicker and more original spells are longer.
- You can't make copies of spell types you don't normally have access to. For example, a wizard can't research a spell identical to cure light wounds.
- You can't exceed normal limits in this way. For example, a sorcerer can't research a new spell and add it to his spells known as a freebie. He has to take it as one of his spells known. As such, a lot of research tends to be the domain of wizards, clerics and other prepared spellcasters.
- What's permissible is as always as DM judgment call.


I'd allow a sor/wiz spell to awaken a magical beast. Magical beasts fall within K:A and that's right up a wizard's alley.

Let me know IC through Surraruthru's reaction if he's going to follow this path or not.

"Hmm... The idea of doing so is very attractive... I believe I'll start with researching awakening typical animals and build from there. I'll likely have to ask for assistance, but I believe I can do it."

Okay then, what's your plan here?

Start the research and work on the spell while waiting for Jalea and Balyss to finish their stuff. If it finishes by then, do the treasure retrieval and awakening in one go, if not do the retrieval first and return again when the spell is done.

Okay, go ahead and write up the spell that you want and post it in nagging for review.

Days of effort pass, but soon enough Surraruthru has finished it. His very own new spell, awaken magical beast. With that done, he now...

Ball is completely in your court now, if you wanna continue to the hydras or do something else or what here.

I'll do the hydra thing, but I need to redo my spells and stuff, and since I work tomorrow, it probably won't happen until Tuesday.

Okay then, post when your spells are in order.

Meeting in front of Aurora's gates only makes sense. The three are ready, Kascha going out and asking, "Any special plans before we go?"

"Just casting spells on everyone again. Did everyone use the new Mission Readiness Stone? Kascha, I've also prepared two castings of Energy Immunity, if we need them, but I had to give up a Gate spell for it, so I can't teleport us this time either."

Asking so, Surraruthru begins casting spells!

"I'm ready and I have gates prepared this time," Kascha says, as the group goes out into Water. A few words opens a gate ahead and the party heads on through. You appear in a tunnel, Kascha saying, "We're near the first group of cyrohydras," she announces, "Surraruthru, how do you plan to do this?"

It's wet and cold here, just as it was last time. The strange light of this place is everywhere, Ebony dressed as she was last time.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 258/258
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL23), Superior Resistance (CL23), Fortunate Fate (CL15), Planar Tolerance(CL7), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Cloak of the Sea(CL24), Transformation of the Deeps(CL24), Energy Absorption(CL24)
Bonuses: +150 hit points if killed (as heal spell), protection from planar conditions, +6 armor AC (overlaps with existing bonus), 20% miss chance underwater, freedom of movement underwater, water breathing, immunity to nonlethal, immunity to pressure/temp damage from water depths, resistance 10 to all elements and can sacrifice as an immediate action to heal at a 2 for 1 rate.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 247/247
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL17), Fortunate Fate (CL15), Planar Tolerance(CL7), Greater Mage Armor(CL24), Cloak of the Sea(CL24), Transformation of the Deeps(CL24), Energy Absorption(CL24)
Bonuses: +150 hit points if killed (as heal spell), protection from planar conditions, +6 armor AC (overlaps with existing bonus), 20% miss chance underwater, freedom of movement underwater, water breathing, immunity to nonlethal, immunity to pressure/temp damage from water depths, resistance 10 to all elements and can sacrifice as an immediate action to heal at a 2 for 1 rate.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

--

Spell-like abilities

At will-aid, charm monster, color spray, comprehend languages, continual flame, dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts, disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster, greater invisibility(self only), major image, see invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only) 1/day-chain lightning, prismatic spray, wall of force. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 21st level wizard. (Caster level 24th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 23rd for other spells. +6 caster level bonus to overcome spell resistance.) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her spell themes are spells learned from Seira, fire magic and minor buffing. Her metamagic options are Empower Spell (+2), Maximize Spell (+3), Twin Spell (+4) and Quicken Spell (+4). She may apply the following metamagics to the following spells once per day without adjusting their casting time or spell level: Magic Missile, empower; Inner Beauty, quicken; Summon Greater Elemental, quicken.

[4/day]0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Prestidigitationx2.
[7/day]1: Lesser Orb of Firex2SC, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Nerveskitterx2SC, Shield.
[7/day]2: Deflectx3PHB2, False Life, Glitterdustx2, Scorching Ray.
[8/day]3: Dragonskinx2SC, Seira's Unicorn Arrowx2PHB2(1), Ray of Dizzinessx2SC, Ray of Exhaustionx2.
[6/day]4: Assay Spell Resistancex2SC, Dragon BreathSC, Empowered Scorching Ray, Inner BeautyFC1, SR, Greater Mirror ImagePHB2.
[6/day]5: Empowered Fireballx2, Greater FireburstSC, Life's Gracex3SC, SR.
[6/day]6: Empowered Enervationx2, Summon Greater ElementalSC, SR, Superior ResistanceSC, Surge of Hopex2Home.
[6/day]7: Delayed Blast Fireball, Elemental BodySC, Limited Wish, Righteous Smitex2BoED, SR, Twinned Seira's Unicorn Arrow.
[4/day]8: Dimensional Lock, Maximized Greater Fireburst, Quickened Empowered Scorching Ray, Mind Blankx2.
[4/day]9: Gatex2, Mass Healx2, Wish
[2/day]10: Energy Immunityx3

Ebony casts as an 22nd level bard. (Caster level 26th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[4/day]0: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Mending, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument.
[7/day]1: Alarm, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease.
[7/day]2: Alter Self, Cure Moderate Wounds, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Silence.
[6/day]3: Charm Monster, Cure Serious Wounds, Fear, Gaseous Form, Major Image.
[6/day]4: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Hold Monster, Modify Memory, Sirine's GraceSC
[7/day]5: Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Seeming, Song of Discord, Summon Monster 5.
[7/day]6: Mass Charm Monster, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, SnowsongFrost, Veil.
[2/day]7: Heal, True Seeing.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 21st level sorcerer. (Caster level 25th vs dispel) The save DCs are 20 + spell level. Her metamagic options are Consecrate Spell (+1) and Purify Spell (+1). Ebony may use Consecrate Spell and Purify Spell spontaneously without increasing the casting time of the spell.

[6/day]0: Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Message, Open/Close, Resistance.
[9/day]1: Bless, Detect Undead, Endure Elements, Magic Missile, Vision of HeavenBoED.
[9/day]2: Blur, Command Undead, Consecrate, See Invisibility, Zone of Truth.
[8/day]3: Analyze Portal, Fireball, Halt Undead, Helping Hand, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light.
[8/day]4: Holy Smite, Perfect SummonsBoED, SunmantleBoED, S(1d4-2 str), Sword of ConscienceBoED, Voice of the ArchonSC(1).
[9/day]5: Dismissal, Hallow, Heavenly LightningBoED, Sending, Sicken EvilBoED, S(1d4-2 str).
[9/day]6: Aspect of the DeityBoED, Bolt of GloryBoED, Storm of ShardsBoED(1d3-2 str drain).
[7/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous SmiteBoED.
[7/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Unseen NeedleHome

"I was going to approach that ten headed hydra first. Since it was interested in me, I suspect it'll be less likely to attack me than any others. I'm not entirely sure how to convince it to let me stay in contact with it for the duration of the spell, but I figure if I can get it to let me approach, it won't be much of an issue."

"That'll be tricky," Ebony murmurs, "Try petting her heads? Maybe you can treat her like an extremely large dog?"

Kascha frowns, "Hydras aren't remotely like canines."

"Well, unless you have a better idea, it's what we have. I mean, they've been trained before, so there's obviously a way."

Surraruthru tries to remember anything that would help him gain the hydra's trust.

K:A check.

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Kobot> Rhaqa rolled 1d20+34 K:A --> [ 1d20=5 ]{39}

Charm's a good first idea, followed by approaching in a non-threatening way. They like to be scratched under their chins but not anywhere else. Don't go in with food to give them, they tend to react strongly to it.

"I seem to remember they have a soft spot for being scratched under the chin. I'll lead with charm to improve her mood and go from there."

You get a nod from Kascha as the three return. It's much as you left it, hydras in many a tunnel. You can see them peering at you, including a familiar ten headed one.

Surraruthru approaches the ten-headed cryohydra, mimicking much of his previous behavior until he's close enough to cast his innate charm!

Activating Charm Monster SLA, DC 28

> roll 1d20+3 Will
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 Will --> [ 1d20=18 ]{21}
> OOC: +2, that should be +5.

Still fails anyway.

The hydra immediate perks up on seeing Surraruthru, heads dancing around as all twenty eyes are on him.

Surraruthru approaches the hydra slowly and non-threateningly, but attempts to avoid any further behavior to make her interested in him as a mate. If she lets him get close enough, he'll attempt to scratch the nearest head under the chin.

As Kascha and Ebony stay back, keeping an eye on the other hydras, Surraruthru advances. The hydra lets him and he's able to get in to scratch. The other nine heads begin to bob as the head you scratch closes its eyes and stays still.

Continues to do this, but tries to find a place he can plant himself to begin casting the spell.

Since the spell has a 24 hour cast time, I'd be looking for somewhere I can maintain contact and stability.

One of the edits vs awaken was the casting time was reduced to 1 hour.

What's your plan for keeping the cryohydra still and compliant?

Gonna try and use scratching and charm to lull it to sleep. I dunno if Ebony or Kascha can help with that.

They can try if you want, sure. Do you?

"Ebony, Kascha, do either of you have anything to keep her calm and still for an hour?"

"Music may," Ebony says, "Is it not said music soothes the savage beast?"

"Please do."

> roll 1d20+40
> roll 1d20+40
> roll 1d20+40
> roll 1d20+40
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+40 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{42}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+40 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{56}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+40 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{42}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+40 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{53}

What passes is an intense, long hour of work. Ebony's voice and scratching her chin help keep it fairly still, letting you weave magic and slowly anoint it with the potion as needed.

> roll 1d100+20
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100+20 --> [ 1d100=14 ]{34}

The rest of the hydras stay fairly quiet during this time, a couple coming and going but nothing more than that. Finally, you utter the last invocation and...

Make the Will save. Good luck. Don't Iddy it and roll a 1.

> roll 1d20+28 Will Save, don't screw me Kobot
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+28 Will Save, don't screw me Kobot --> [ 1d20=16 ]{44}

The hydra's many heads go still as its eyes open wide. Then...

> roll 3d6 Intelligence score
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6 Intelligence score --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
> roll 1d3 Charisma gain
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d3 Charisma gain --> [ 1d3=3 ]{3}

She looks around, eyes suddenly  much clearer and sharper. Reptilian eyes are brighter, glowing a soft ice blue. Then all ten heads turn to Surraruthru, studying him anew.

I'll choose Common as the language the Cryohydra gets.

"Hello, I am Surraruthru. A pleasure to meet you. I'm sure you're a bit confused, but if you have questions, we'll be happy to answer them."

"Ah!" Several heads blurt that out or something similar to it, as it looks around. Its heads weave about, going in different directions, before two settle on Surraruthru. She then says, "I understand! I understand!" Her eyes are wide as she laughs, rather like a dragon's rumbling amusement. "What is all this?"

Ebony smiles and says, "Awareness and higher intelligence. It's quite something, no?"

"Oh yes, it must be confusing," Kascha pipes in, "But you'll adapt quickly. You can thank Surraruthru here for it."

Surraruthru nods proudly.

"Yes, while I worked the magic to awaken you, Kascha and Ebony here-" Surraruthru points his snout at each in turn, "-helped immensely. I'm glad you seem to enjoy it. You were the... friendliest... one here before, so I decided to awaken you first."

"Yes, you will be my -" She stops at that, the heads stilling. "How strange."

Surraruthru cocks his head at the pause.

"What's strange? We'll help you understand, if we can."

"Everything," The hydra says, several of her heads going still and then drooping down. "Everything and more."

Surraruthru nods.

"Don't be discouraged. I can imagine it's a bit overwhelming, but we're certainly willing to help you. The place we come from has a library, a depository of books and knowledge, as well as many people of knowledge. We did this with the intent of helping you learn all you need and want. I understand I forced this awareness on you, and for not giving you a choice, I apologize."

"Learn..." The hydra murmurs at that, "Learn."

"You'll be learning the entire rest of your life. Everyone is. As it is, for now, we'd like to take you back to where we're from. It's a place named Aurora. There's a great many types of creatures there, all friendly. You should know that Aurora is currently in a fight with demons, though."

"Leave?" The hydra quickly frowns on all heads, "But my family's here. My mother, my father, my siblings..." she trails off, "Are they thinking like I am now?"

"No, they're not. We could make them, but it will take time. It's a spell to be cast, and it takes an hour to do. It also takes a bit of money. I'm not sure how many of your family is here, but I can afford to awaken quite a few of them. Possibly all. That being said, before we do actually awaken all of them, if that's what you desire, we'll still have to return to Aurora first and make arrangements. You and your family require... A large amount of space, after all."

"Oh yes, you should agree," Kascha says, "Like this, you'll soon find the others can't keep up with you. You'll grow lonely and..." She suddenly gasps, "Surraruthru, no matter what happens, we have to help more of them. It would be horrible to leave only one of them awoken!"

"Quite," Ebony seconds. "But we do need to see and to make preparations. Take time and think about it, we'll return tomorrow."

Surraruthru nods to Ebony and Kascha.

"Yes, take time and think about it. However, this is a weighty decision. I can awaken one other right now, if you want. If you do, and can help me keep them calm for the casting, then you can discuss it with them and come to a mutual decision. Even if you decide to stay here, I'll still help you awaken the others. But know if you do stay here, your chances to learn will be limited."

"Learn..." The hydra repeats, seeming to ponder it.

Plan is to go back then return the next day?

I offered to awaken one other for her to talk to about it, and asked her to pick one.

Oh sorry, managed to miss that.

After some pondering, "Do it," The hydra says.

"Who do you want me to awaken?"

"My brother," The hydra says, "Move."

From here she leads you to a eight headed hydra on the opposite side. It hisses at her as she approaches, and she hisses right back. Heads move rapidly as they make a lot of wet, hissy noises at each other, until the eight headed hydra lowers its heads down.

"He will do it," The female hydra says.

Surraruthru nods and swims towards the new hydra, resting a claw on the chin of one head and begins to cast the spell!

> roll 1d20+28 Will Save
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+28 Will Save --> [ 1d20=8 ]{36}

The hydra isn't thrilled about it, but he doesn't resist, either. The hour passes in concentration and half heard words from the hydra and your companions. Soon enough...

> roll 3d6 Intelligence score
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6 Intelligence score --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
> roll 1d3 Charisma gain
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d3 Charisma gain --> [ 1d3=2 ]{2}

Languages? He gets two since +1 Int.

Common and Draconic.

The hydra's eight heads go still, until it speaks in both Common and Draconic from different mouths. "What? How?"

"Brother!" The other hydra calls, scooting in and cramming Surraruthru between a pair of cryohydras. "Isn't this so strange?"

Surraruthru grumbles to himself as he works his way through the mass of hydra necks to come to a rest above the two hydras.

"Yes, hello. I am Surraruthru. Your sister asked me to awaken you; to give you full intelligence. By the way, you'll need names."

The hydras speak back and forth in Common. It's a blur, each head saying different things. Greetings and questions galore, then both pause at Surraruthru.

"I'm Blue, becuase Ebony is a color too and she has a pretty name," The female hydra says. Ebony discreetly coughs, hand hiding the slightest smile.

"I'm Ice," the other hydra says, "Ice is good. I like ice."

"Alright, Blue and.. Ice. You both have a lot to talk about and decide. Do you have any questions for us before we leave you to it?"

"Yes, one," Ice says, "Why did you do this?"

"Oh, oh! I know the answer to that, brother. I have to tell you, it's quite a story!" Blue pipes up, heads swirling around in the water.

"As much as I told you, Blue, let me answer. We found your nest while searching for treasure. I was extremely intrigued by your family. Cryohydras are rare. Hydras are sometimes tamed by giants or tamers. While we could have tried to do that, I felt you were more than capable of being more. Your sister is eager to learn, but we understand that not everyone would welcome a change like this. Since you're all family, after awakening your sister, I asked her to pick another to awaken in the same way so she could have someone to discuss the choices with. I plan to help you awaken your entire family if that's what you desire.

We would also like to help you learn all you can and offer a place with us in our city, Aurora. You do need to know that Aurora is currently fighting. We won't force you to come with us or fight for us, and we'll leave you here in peace if that's what you want, but we would welcome all of you and greatly appreciate any help you could offer."

"Oooooooh." Blue says, "Oooooh. That is a lot, but learning sounds good. There's so much now to learn!"

Surraruthru grins at Blue, but turns to her brother.

"Was there anything else? Your wariness shows intelligence and good instincts."

"No," Ice replies, all eight heads focuses on Surraruthru, "Thinking. Yes, thinking. That sounds good."

"In that case, we'll leave you be to talk and decide. We'll return tomorrow."

What's the plan now?

Unless Kascha and Ebony want to give the vault another shot, which I doubt without Jaela and Balyss, then just go back to Aurora and prep lots of awakenings and materials.

Okay. We'll hold off on loot posting all of the awakenings until we know if they're coming over or not. Any prep on that end?

Just materials purchase and spell mems. I only have five level 7 slots, so if Kascha could memorize a few castings (I dunno how many hydras there are), I'll cover the material costs.

That's fine. Same spell buffs the next day?

Pretty much. I'll actually only be able to mem four castings of it. Need one slot for Energy Absorption. Just let me know how many slots Kascha'll memorize so I can loot post the material costs.

She can do up to 6.

Wow, okay. That's 10 castings of it. We'll go with that for now, and tally up the remaining castings after. Loot post incoming.

Okay. Post when loot's done.

Loot post be done!

Surraruthru, Kascha and Ebony return the next day, prepared for what may come. The same spells are on them as before, letting them move through the waters and return. As you approach, you find both Ice and Blue waiting for you, blocking the way in.

"Welcome! Hi!" Blue says, ten deep, reptilian voices speaking as one in Common. "Learning is so much fun! I'm learning so much just talking! I never knew Ice didn't like the purple fish but ate them anyway!"

Ice's eight heads are more focused, all on Surraruthru. "Yes, but Miss Kascha and Miss Ebony told me how important it was to be good, and part of being good is to be grateful. They're better than going hungry."

"That's great! And yes, it's better than going hungry. But if you have the option, I don't think it's a big deal to indulge in what you like, but be grateful for the ability, yes. How did the evening go? Did the other have any reaction to your new behavior?"

"They're confused," Ice says, "They don't really understand anything at all."

Blue nods all ten of her heads, looking about between the three, "They can't, can they? Not like they are, not like we were?"

"No, they can't. There's magic that makes it so that you can talk, but they won't be able to understand, not really. Did you come to a decision?"

"We did," Ice says, "This Aurora is where we can learn? Then we want to go, and we want you to take all of us and awaken them. There's 25 of us in total as well as a clutch of eggs."

"25? That's... More than I expected, to be honest. We've prepared enough to awaken ten of you today, but the rest will have to happen over the next day or two. The eggs are a different story. Moving them will take time since they're likely delicate, and I'm not sure how the magic will affect them. I'll do some research into it, but they may have to wait until they hatch. Have you decided in which order everyone should be woken up? We'll need your help to keep them calm. Kascha and I will be the ones casting the spells, so one of you with each of us to keep things calm would be the best."

"Yes, you see..."

Okay, a lot of this is in the execution stage now. So you're planning to awaken them and then move them to Aurora, pending egg stuff?

Yes. It'll depend if they want to go as they are awakened, or as an entire family unit. The eggs are going to be their own thing, I imagine.

They'll go once they're all awakened. Easiest that way. Do you have the gold to cover all those awakenings?

I've currently got 30,413.13 gp. At 1,000 each, after pixie discounts, that's 25k. So just barely.

Edit: Mathed wrong. Surraruthru is in the hole for 5,586.87 gold for these ten. The cost for the remaining 25, or rather the 27 since he can only afford 8 for this instead of 10, is 108,000gp. So unless we use the pearls to pay for it, I's broke and need a loan.

Ebony and Kascha don't mind that - you made your situation here and you need to resolve it. They'll agree about the pearls.

If we use the pearls to fund it, then it's all good, and we can fund the whole deal.

Edit: after the full cost of the remaining awakenings is deducted from the loot we have so far (pearls, ring, assorted), there'd be 17,810.13gp remaining from the loot.

Okay, make sure loot is up to date on that.

As for getting them in, Elena can sort that out easily enough. Aurora's fairly adaptable. Anything else to address here?

Not that I know of.

It takes a few days - preparations and spellcasting, along with a rather lengthy conference with Elena. But Surraruthru gets it sorted out, awakening the hydras and leading them through a portal. The three lead the way, the hydras all following. Before you is Aurora, Ice the first one through. He stops and stares up at it, having to be pushed out of the way by Blue.

"...wow..." it's all Ice can whisper, looking up and up and up at it.

"Yes, it is a little inspiring. Welcome home. Let's get you all moved and sorted out."

You lead them inside of Aurora's gates to a section of the courtyard, where a pool full of ice has been made. The hydras slither right on in, splashing about as they settle in.

Ball's in your court if you wanna do anything else here. Going to go update the Aurora topic now.

"Once you're all settled in, you can ask Elena to contact me and we can begin providing you with things to read and learn. I encourage you to explore, though some places you won't be able to access because of your size, and learn about the others in Aurora. Is there anything you need right now? I've got some time before I go off on my next outing; I'm waiting for two others to finish up their work."

"Learning," One of the hydras cries as the others go in.

Kascha giggles, "I think it's time to dispense some dragonly wisdom, Surraruthru."

I'm not entirely sure what Kascha means with that, but since I started this, I don't mind having Surraruthru be the one that tutors them. It's a good way to fill his spare time, too.

"Alright, I'll contact the library and Sages and get started."

Okay then, what's next on your agenda?

Just waiting for Jaela and Balyss, really. After that, the sword.

Jaela may be done soon, at least. Do you wanna wait on her or do anything while waiting?

Tutor the Hydras and research the sword is about it. Maybe get Kascha involved in the tutoring if she doesn't have anything else to do.

Going to lock this thread and make a new thread for vault raiding with you and Jaela tonight or tomorrow, depending on how work goes.