Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

Surraruthru returns to his hoard. There's some time for the little things in life - resorting your treasures just so, basking in the glow of what you have, daydreaming about getting more. It's lovely all told, until Kascha enters. "Oh, Surraruthru. Were you planning on continuing your efforts for Myr's Sword right away?"

"Yes. Though, considering Vivanthia's comments, we should bring her into the planning. She may see something I can't."

A quick side trip gets Vivantha here. "You called?" she asks.

"I did. You thought us unprepared last time, and I'll admit you weren't incorrect. I was hoping you'd be willing to help in the planning for our next attempt to find the sword."

"As you wish," Vivantha says, "What do you have so far?"

Surraruthru goes into a detailed run down of all the info they've discovered about the Sword of Myr and Secretus.

"Alright, and then you teleported them back?" Vivantha repeats, "So is your plan to continue on that path?"

"It what everything we've found out leads us to so far. If you can see something in it we've missed, please help us."

"Going a-wandering in Hades strikes me as a poor strategy," Vivantha says slowly, "Let alone that the lair of a daemon of secrets could be so easily ferreted out."

"It wasn't easy. But it wasn't especially difficult to do, either. I'm guessing it's a trap of some sort. I'm expecting that Secretus knows we're looking for him to get the sword to show, and he's waiting for us to bring it to him. I'm not sure what to do about that, though. It seems to follow Aurora's typical battle strategy to walk into things we know are traps."

"Aurora itself is a tremendous force multiplier," Vivantha points out, "Being able to direct a nearly invincible fortress up to anything we wish invalidates many traps altogether. We don't have that luxury for this. Yet...'

"Hm?" Kascha asks, "Do you have an idea?"

"Not in particular. Yet our best option seems to be to do that, for how likely are we to find out better things for a daemon of secrets?"

"Truth be told, it'd be my preference to capture Secretus. I think he may be a bigger prize than the sword. But capture is always harder and more dangerous, so I'm unsure if it's possible."

"Do we know anything of his combat ability?" Kascha asks, "Facing a powerful daemon with no idea of what he can do is really dangerous!" She frowns at that, "He might have something that leaves us all helpless that we could stop with preparation."

"Secrets. I imagine this includes a wide array of lost and forgotten magic and abilities. By his nature, we know almost nothing about  him. I exhausted almost all of my resources to get what we have. If you have other suggestions, then I will be entirely happy to pursue them."

"I could go and ask Seira in person," Kascha ventures, "She's never mentioned a Secretus, so she may not know, either."

"I could ask the lillend. We know many things, as we watch the Infinite Stair and those who travel it," Vivantha ponders, "They may know of him."

"I'm fully supportive of both avenues. I'd be happy to accompany either of you, though showing my face to Seira more often is of more benefit to me, personally. I may be able to find out more about Goldenfire, as well."

"More benefit...to you?" Kascha frowns a bit, "You really take after the Waukeenite section of Seira's faith, don't you?"

"Well, he is a dragon," Vivantha smiles slightly. "The treasures brave hero took from dragon hoads alone proves that."

"He is a dragon and somewhat akin to a teenager as well. That's quite the combination." Kascha looks at you and smiles warmly, "Oh, did your parents follow any particular faith? I know dragons are often not terribly religious, beyond lip service to a draconic deity close to their interests."

Surraruthru gives Kascha a slightly surly look at being called a teenager.

"Well, they did follow Asgorath, but I think that was more of a function of keeping neutrality between Bahamut and Tiamat. As for the Waukeenite comment... I think most dragons would almost automatically qualify as being one of hers. Except the whole... charity thing. Well, I mean, if I give it to myself to improve my own standing, it could still count..."

Surraruthru considers this...

"Hmmm. A question then. You have ten gold coins. Is it better to add them to your hoard, or to give them to a hungry family so that they may eat?" Vivantha asks, "Even if no one would see you or praise you for it?"

Surraruthru shudders at the concept of simply... giving... money away.

"I'd rather buy them the food and keep the change. I can ensure they get what they need, and if I know a good merchant, keep.. as much as I can... for myself. Most mortals tend to have poor priorities when it comes to money. Which is why they try to steal hoards from innocent dragons. For their own greed."

Surraruthru nods sagaciously.

"I think you're both wrong," Kascha says, "It would be wiser to resolve the underlying issue of poverty rather than simply give them gold. Why is the family starving? Is it something you can fix? A man that can stand on his own does not need as much charity. I can see it now," Kascha starts pacing, "The father worked as a scribe until he offended his boss and was fired. They live in a city so farming isn't an easy answer. Money grows tight, the children are hungry. His name has been befouled and none will hire him. The baby cries, his wife is dirty and stressed."

> roll 1d20+8
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{18}

Kascha's ion stones fly around her head as she talks in quick, swooping patterns. She almost stumbles on a small pile of gold, but nimbly hops over it. "Oh yes, so you go and clear the good man's name, get him a respectable position and the family is free of hunger."

Vivantha claps thrice, slowly. "A wise lesson, but you've rather taken my question and ran to the horizon with it."

This gets Kascha to stop and blush slowly, "Um, sorry! I did get carried away, didn't I? But I imagined that family all around the dinner table, the wife-" Kascha stops as Vivantha clears her throat. "Sorry."

"Very well. You buy one family food. His neighbor is just as hungry. The whole town suffers from a bad harvest and must buy food from surrounding villages and merchants. Tell me, do you spend that money and more from your hoard? Is glittering gold worth more in your hoard than food in bellies? What if they hear of your gold and storm your lair, so that they can take your treasure and ensure their children do not starve this winter?"

Surraruthru eyes Kascha suspiciously.

"That sounds suspiciously like the basis of a play or novel... And your excitement for it... Is that from one of those romance novels I've heard whispering about from women in the library? Do you have a pen name that you've hidden from us?"

Shaking his head to dismiss the idea of Kascha the trashy romance novelist, he turns back to Vivanthia.

"Well, if they storm my lair, they'll likely die. Charity or not, Seira or Wakueen, a Dragon's lair is their castle, and trespass will cost dearly. But to answer the core of your question, if there's a situation such as that... There's opportunity there. Kascha's answer would be best suited; find a way to solve the underlying problem. Bad crops? Try to find a way to allow them to stand on their own. A service or merchant that can work a deal out. As poor of an answer as ignoring them is, simply throwing gold at a problem until it goes away is equally as bad. As an aside, 'if-ing' a factious situation to test someone's morals is both a deep hole, and a path that lead to insult. I may be a... teenager..." Surrauthru adopts a look of distaste, "... but I've proven my moral standing, I believe. I have my greed, yes, but I've also gone out of my way to assist others. I doubt Baleruk, Hope, or Arrel get questioned this way. Many people here seem to question me this way. Is it because I'm new, or simply too small to be viewed as a dragon?"

"What? No!" Kascha declares, blushing hotly and shaking her head in the background.

"If I've caused offense, I apologize. It is not to question your morals nor to cast shadows on your character. The most kind-hearted and righteous dragon still feels the lure of a treasure hoard; the morality of a dragon is a different thing than other creatures. The insight a dragon can provide to those questions is interesting. There are many approaches on how to be a good person, that is but one of many."

Surraruthru shifts a bit, then nods.

"Very well. I may have been a touch sensitive. I've been getting questioned a lot like this since I've arrived. I dislike it. I am a dragon and unused to being questioned. As for your scenario, there's not going to be any singular sufficient answer. I'm not opposed to using a bit of my hoard to help, but simply giving money away is a poor answer indeed. Kascha's more on the right track, I think. Use power, influence, and money to assist with establishing self-sufficiency, but nothing in the world is free. Nothing. A return, a trade, must also be made, even if in simple gestures."

"Nothing in the mortal world, at least," Vivantha appends, "If only all the realms were like the Heavens, then we would not be at war."

"Well yes, but that's why we keep going." Kascha retorts, "If you gave paradise to the devils, it would soon become Hell. The realms reflect those that live there."

"As we've seen with Lifasa. In any case, I believe we've deviated from our discussion. How should we split ourselves, and are there other resources we've overlooked?"

"There may be one. I heard a dragon recently joined us. He goes by Gold and you can guess the type of dragon he is," Vivantha says, "Maybe he'd be able to help you with the lore, Surraruthru?"

"Mmm... We could make a stop, certainly. Golds are typically fairly friendly for dragons, and I'm assuming he's a gold because name, so I wouldn't mind so much."

"I was thinking we could split up, accomplish more with swiftness apart than alone. We all head to friendly territory, force of arms is not needed," Vivantha says. "Though I have no objection if speed is not a concern."

"Very well. I'll find Gold. If Kascha hasn't finished by then, I'll join her, and we'll find you after we finish."

Okay, off to find Gold? If so, how? Mostly asking if you're going to Elena it or just hunt around on your own.

Yea, off to Gold. Elena it, likely.

Elena pops on in when you request her. She's dressed up in a dragon costume - looks high quality, at least. "Rawr, I'm a dragon now!" she declares, "Gold's off at the phase spiders, talking to Ebony and Moore. Canderella too."

"...Thank you..."

Surraruthru wings off to the Phase Spiders!

Okay, time for a quick topic hop over to Moore's. I'll move you over there shortly.

Elena's not hard to find. "Oghma?" she replies once you ask, "Well, we don't have a lot of them here. Sylvie does follow him, though. She's really good at that sort of thing. She's in the baths, do you want me to tell her you're looking for her?"

"Please. I'd like to enlist her help."

Elena vanishes and reappears shortly, "She'll meet you in the library in a half hour," she says.

Good to hop along?

Yep.

A half hour passes. You find yourself sitting opposite Sylvie, who is all fresh and clean. ""You called?" she asks. She concentrates and waves her hand a moment, the scent of strawberries filling the air.

"I did. Thank you for coming. Gold suggested I consult with Oghmites about my inquiry. I'm hunting a daemon named Secretus. Canderella has had a run in with his servants in the past. He deals in secrets and lost knowledge. I'm hunting him because I believe he and the Sword of Myr are hunting each other. I'm hoping if I can force a confrontation, the Sword will reveal itself, but all I know of Secretus is that his realm is in Hades. I'd like to capture him if possible, but I lack knowledge of almost everything about him."

"You came to the right place," Sylvie cracks her knuckles, "Let's get to it. Give me some time."

> roll 1d20+103 (+15 library, +10 knowledge of the gods, +23 factotum)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 105 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+68 (+23 factotum)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 69 > [d20=1]

Sylvie's busy for awhile, checking books with growing speed. She whips around, hair wild as she checks more and more. She scribbles notes, works away and finally mutters, "Got him!" It's been over an hour but she's smiling, "That's the trick to it. It's not anathemic knowledge but something different, more like secrets hiding in words and allusions. No wonder you can't find anything about him, the knowledge disguises itself, slips between pages and books like a chameleon. It's a code so well hidden you don't even realize there's a code. Oh, he's been written about before, but that's how he stays obscure. Tricky bastard."

"Oh? Anything useful? If we could capture him, he'd be a great source of information, wouldn't he?"

"Sure, if you could make him talk." Sylvie says, "He hides himself. He controls secrets, uses them as weapons. He can strike and steal things about you, make them unknown. He could make your spellcasting a secret and you'd forget you could do it. Everyone would. He can do that to almost anything. An abomination." Sylvie's lips curl in a frown, "He takes knowledge and effectively kills it, save to serve him."

"That's... really dangerous. This is sounding like we'll need some divine help with this."

"You might. He's fearsome in battle because he can draw on everything he's stolen." Sylvie says, "He has the spellcasting of Oghma only knows how many spellcasters, the fighting ability of countless warriors, every trick from here to the end of Creation. He's swollen with power on account of it."

"He seems like he'd be an enemy of Oghma. Do you think he'd be willing to lend aid?"

Sylvie sits back and smiles, "I'm here, aren't I? I'm a spirit now and serve Oghma. That qualifies."

Surraruthru nods. "I figured, but didn't want to presume. Can you think of any preparations we should make? Perhaps some kind of... divine record of ourselves so that he can't lock us out of our own abilities?"

"I don't know." Sylvie admits, "Not offhand. Mind blank's a given and that may or may not help, depending on how strong he is and if he can throw around dispels. Well no, there is one thing, but it would be a side trip. There's a type of crystal that can absorb much of your memories, copy them. They're used by Oghma's faithful to preserve the work of masters who don't have the time or ability to record them in writing. It's imprecise and horribly expensive, but it's an option."

"Considering how limited our knowledge on him is, expensive or not, it seems a wise choice to take every precaution. I'd like to prevent another Lief and Muirfinn incident. Where would we need to go?"

"A central temple of Oghma or the House of Knowledge," Sylvie replies, "I haven't been there since I changed, but since I haven't been smote yet, that shouldn't be a problem."

"Well, Kascha and Vivanthia are out getting information on their own. Would you care to go with me or suggest a temple to me?"

"House of Knowledge it is," Sylvie says, "No sense but to go to the source. Ever been before?" She gets up at that, "Are you familiar with Oghma's faith and doctrine at all?"

I don't have K:R, so a Knowledge check for general knowledge?

Do you have lore, bardic knowledge or anything like that? Those are applicable, otherwise just roll a straight Intelligence check.

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

Oghma's the deity of knowledge and related things. You don't know a lot, but you know those basics about him. He protects lore and the like.

Untrained knowledge checks are capped at DC 10 for results, no matter your total.

"Just the basics. God of knowledge and lore."

"That's enough to work with. The House of Knowledge is the domain of Oghma, as well as Gond, Deneir and Milil. It's like a spacious, uncluttered forest with clear blue pools, old oak trees and scattered buildings. It's peaceful and every scrap of knowledge in Creation is there. However, finding any bit is its own adventure. We can enter if we offer up knowledge to them. I'm working on an account of my transformation, so that should qualify. From there we can find priests who can sell us what we need." Sylvie explains.

"Hmm.. I don't believe I have much hidden knowledge to offer. Maybe something about being a Grand Weaver?"

"My book should get us in, but more the better," Sylvie says, "It's all symbolic, anyway, the offering it part is what's important."

"Very well then. When would you like to go? I know Kascha would go crazy if she came with us. Additionally,"

Surraruthru takes a moment to dig around in his haversack saddlebags, producing the Sandalphon's Amazing Barrage scroll.

"I picked this scroll up from Filbrez. It's cursed to lock it shut. I haven't had a chance to take a look at it with detect magic yet, but I figure that either you, or one of the Oghmite priests would have an idea about removing the curse."

"Let me study it," Sylvie says, picking it up and sitting down. "Make yourself comfortable."

Sylvie is taking 10 on Appraise. She'll cast appraising touch first for a +10 insight bonus via limited wish. Technically the +10 only applies to identifying the value of the item and not epic skill usages, but she's mimicking a 1st level spell with limited wish so I assume it has enough oomph to work that out. Anyway, upshot is that her take 10 total is 65. She's using the discern curse and item history epic skill usages to start, followed up by detecting magic.

Note to self, have Sylvie slip that into her regular spellcasting arsenal. Better yet, make a slightly enhanced version for her needs.

After a time, Sylvie sits back and stretches. Maybe 10 minutes or so. "Oh boy, this one's a doozy," she remarks to you.

"I expected such if Filbrez wasn't able to be done with it and sell it for more. What are we looking at?"

"A serious curse is what we're looking at." Sylvie says, "Okay, the legend I got comes down to this. A long time ago a powerful wizard made a powerful spell. For some reason one of his rivals didn't like it, so they stole the copy and cursed it. For whatever reason they didn't learn it themselves, just cursed it so it can't open hurled it into the planes. The legend doesn't mention magic to shield it from divinations, but it's there."

A pause as the blonde dusts her hands off, "I'd suggest anti magic, but I suspect Filbrez would've tried that too. An excessively powerful dispel might do it."

"Well, I might be able to take care of that now.."

Surraruthru focuses and calls forth his most powerful Dispel.

Casting Superb Dispelling.
> roll 1d20+39 Dispel Check
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=4]

There is a thunderous burst of sound as the scroll opens up, ears ringing as magic crumbles on it.

Surraruthru shakes his head at the noise.

"Well, done is done, I suppose. Shall we see what was locked away?"

Surraruthru examines the scroll!

The scroll provides the following spell:

Sandalphon's Amazing Barrage
Evocation [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 12
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 100ft/level
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

All enemies within range of this spell are struck by Sandalphon's unerring projectile.

A paste of the spell from the spell collection is provided.

Sandalphon's Unerring Projectile
Evocation [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100ft + 10ft/level)
Target: 1 creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell invokes a shining white ball of light. This unerring projectile flies true, always hitting and ignoring any spell resistance the target has. This deals 1d3+1 points of force damage per level, to a maximum of 1d3+30.

Interested in scribing a scroll of this to give to Aurora for copying into people's spell books. I know the formula SRD is 25 × level of spell × level of caster, which for me would be 7,500 at CL 25, but I don't know if it being an Epic Spell changes the formula.

Formula's unchanged, but it's also not needed. It's already in scroll form, unless you intend to copy it to your spellbook and then hand out scrolls of it.

Incidentally, your math is wrong. The lowest level you get 12th level spell is 27th.

> roll 25*12*27
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 25*12*27 --> {8100}

So 8100 gold would be the standard for a 12th level spell scroll. You'd also need epic crafting to make scrolls above 9th level. The simplest method would be to copy it into your spellbook, as there's nothing preventing you from adding higher level spells than you cast to your spellbook. You just can't memorize them since you lack the spell slot to do so. From there others could copy it into their own spellbooks.

I'll do that, then. Anyone who wants the spell can copy it from me.

So noted. Now that this is sorted out, any more prep to do or are you ready for a trip to the House of Knowledge?

Spells, maybe? Unless you think I won't really need to cast spells, then we can just go.

Best to have your spells sorted. Do that real quick and post when you're ready.

Spells updated.

You step out into Elysium and Sylvie takes your hands.

It's the smell of old forest, bringing to mind childhood and lost days.

It's the feel of a cool breeze across your face on a sunny day, a dozen memories of happier days bubbling up in your mind.

It's the sight of a sparse, sunlit forest, all old oak trees that stand amid the sun's rays, like a taste of Lifasa that inspires a surge of homesickness.

"It's home," Sylvie murmurs, as you arrive at the House of Knowledge. "I'm home." She takes a deep breath and smiles widely, "It's always so good to return to where you are meant to be. It's like you were missing a vital piece of yourself."

[spoiler]

Sylvie
HP: 305/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Deeper Darkvision (CL23), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23)
Bonuses:
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Always active: Deeper Darkvision, Greater Mighty Wallop, Endure Elements, Overland Flight.

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex3, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC, Displacement, Greater Mighty Wallop, Heroism, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3, Ghost Touch WeaponSC
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Might, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

"Yes... it's quite the pleasant place. A bit bittersweet. I'm glad you've returned. Maybe I can find help with my grove here..."

"You can find any knowledge here, but much of it's hard to find," Sylvie admits, starting to walk, "Our best bet is to walk until we find a spring or a building."

"A spring? Hm, well, I suppose it's been some time since I cleaned. Since the Hydras, I believe..."

Surraruthru takes to the air, heading off in search of a spring or building.

Heading in any particular direction?

Nope, just picking one at random, unless Sylvie wants to take lead.

She will then.

> roll 1d100
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 5 > [d100=5]

You wander for a time in this place, going amid groves and clearings, winding aimlessly at Sylvie's lead. No one seems to be around - it's quiet, serene. Reminds you of a library. Soon enough you come to a building, covered in ivy. It's three stories and rather large, surrounded by oak trees on all sides but the front. The doors are wood with a symbol overlaid on the center, that of an eye with a triangle within the pupil, topped with a burning candle above it.

"Deneir's symbol," Sylvie says, "Any building here is marked by a symbol on the door, to identify which of the House of Knowledge rules it. In any case, these buildings are related to knowledges useful to Deneir's writing of the Metatext."

"Hmm... Would that be useful to us? I'm not familiar with Deneir."

"Probably not, except for directions. No one's allowed to see the Metatext besides the four who rule here." Sylvie admits, going to the door and knocking, "Pay attention, there's protocol here."

Surraruthru lands beside Sylvie and waits.

The door is soon opened by a human with gray skin. He is bald and middle aged, wearing a brown robe. Sylvie bows to him and speaks in Common, "Keeper of Knowledge, I seek guidance. Directions, particularly."

The bow is returned, "Seeker of Knowledge, All who seek shall find knowledge in the end. What knowledge do you seek?"

"I seek knowledge to the nearest temple of Oghma, so that we can buy memory preservation crystals. We also are interested in information on a yugoloth." Sylvie replies, "Please, help us learn."

The monk's attention is on you after that, "Are your desires for knowledge the same?"

Surraruth bows his neck to the human.

"It is, Keeper of Knowledge. Please help us learn of this yugoloth and provide us directions."

"Head to the northwest," He points in that direction, which is...hm, you were traveling roughly south then. "For information on fiends, ask your temple. This reserve deals with knowledge about elven mining. I am not personally familiar with the lore of the fiends."

"Thank you, Keeper of Knowledge," Sylvie bows again, "We will follow your teachings and learn." She turns away and begins to head to the northwest, as directed.

"Thank you, Keeper of Knowledge."

Surraruthru bows again and follows after Sylvie.

"Just like that," Sylvie says, "Manners are important here. Most of the monks and priests here don't like being disturbed, since it takes them away from learning."

> roll 1d100
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 29 > [d100=29]

"I can have manners when I need to. Seira and Kascha would have a fit if I didn't, and it's far easier to appease a dragon-woman and phoenix-woman from the start than to win an argument."

Sylvie gives you an amused smile, "So are you emphasizing the dragon and phoenix part or the woman part of that?"

Surraruthru stares Sylvie dead in the eyes with a haunted look.

"Yes."

"Aaahahahhahahaha." Sylvie laughs at that, following along with you. "So it's like that, even for dragons."

"Just for ones that stay with others, I imagine. Faerie dragons stay in groups. Most other dragons don't."

"Yeah, but I grew up with stories about Seira. I'm from the city she served when she was mortal. Everyone took her seriously and she was a national hero. Now you're talking about her like a nagging mother." Sylvie shakes her head in amusement, "It humanizes her and you."

"Dragon-izes. Let's be proper, now. Consider this, however. She became a god, and are not all of a god's followers their children? That's what I often hear priests say, at least."

"Yes, but not like that," Sylvie retorts, "Anyway, let's get going. Distance is somewhat variable here, but we still have a walk ahead of us."

Surraruthru nods and follows along.

> roll 1d100
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 14 > [d100=14]

You wander for a time. You aren't sure how long, but the sun sets and night comes. The sky is bright with stars, so many that it's easy to see even before a full moon rises. As you wander the night time forest, not feeling the least bit fatigued yet, you come to a clearing dominated with a spring. A clear spring that reflects the night sky like a mirror, Sylvie stopping.

"The springs in the House of Knowledge are enchanted. They can bestow knowledge and wisdom...or take it. The wise are able to study it with Spellcraft and choose if it is a spring they want to drink from, or to search for the knowledge about a spring before trying it. The foolish charge in and drink themselves silly and roll the dice." She bars your way with her arm in front of you, dropping it when she finishes, "Do you care to study the pool?"

"It's rare I'll get a chance to do this again, so yes."

Surraruthru takes some time to study the magical properties of the spring.

> roll 1d20+34 Spellcraft
<PlushieIthea> Iddy roll for PlushieIthea < 44 > [d20=10]

This pool is magical. It takes knowledge from you unless you offer an enchanted book or spellbook to it by dropping it in. In which case, you can drink right after and you'll gain knowledge instead.

Surraruthru throws the book 'The Defectors' into the pond, then drinks from it.

Knowledge fills your mind. You feel it flow in like a stream being funneled into head, filling it with images. Images of Inevitables, great gear islands, the song of the gears. You can see them, legions marching in perfect order. A great army ever growing and ever expanding, perfecting itself through rigid, unyielding discipline from top to bottom. Everything moves in harmony, inefficiency slaughtered in the name of progress.

You gain two ranks of Knowledge (Local: Mechanus). These are bonus skill ranks that don't take skill points, they're free.

"Hmm... Mechanus. Well, shall we continue on, Sylvie, or would you like to use the spring?"

"Another time," Sylvie says. "What did you find out about Mechanus?"

"Some local, generalized information. It may come in useful one day. In the mean time, shall we continue on?"

> roll 1d100
<PlushieIthea> Kotono roll for PlushieIthea < 65 > [d100=65]

Hours pass and night continues. You eventually come to another building. This one is seven stories, rising up as one great mass around the oak trees. The front doors have a symbol of a blanks scroll on them.

"This should be it," Sylvie says.

"Excellent. Are the customs different since this is your god's temple?"

"Slightly," Sylvie says, going to knock. "Follow my lead."

Surraruthru does so!

The doors open. A human is here, fair and red haired. A middle aged man, a hint of sunburn to his features even at night. "Welcome, welcome. Seekers of knowledge, do you..." he pauses on seeing Sylvie's holy symbol around her neck, "A fellow of the faith!" he greets, offering his hand out, "Ah, is that your familiar?" he asks Sylvie, "He's a magnificent faerie dragon."

Sylvie shakes his hand, "Hah, no. Also, you're ignoring the normal rites and ritual."

"Hang that," The red head retorts, "Such a lovely guest joined by the august majesty of a dragon deserves a more personal reply." He takes Sylvie's hand up and lays a kiss on it, "Though you appear to be a warrior as well as gorgeous. Remarkable talented, aren't you?"

"Familiar? Why would a dragon ever consent to-- wait, I suppose there's that Hope fellow isn't there... Hm. Well, regardless of that, you're significantly more talkative than the other one we met. I am Surraruthru, Keeper of Knowledge."

You get a bare glance, but the man's attention is all on Sylvie.

"Charmed," Sylvie says dryly, "We're here on business, so if you'd stand aside?" she says.

"Of course," He does so, "Say, there's a communal breakfast when the dawn breaks. Would you care to join me?" he asks.

Sylvie just keeps her smile in place, "Thank you, but no. We're here on business. Surraruthru, it's important business, yes?"

"Yes, quite. Yugoloth that specializes in stealing knowledge and locking it away and all. Liberation of a sword that specializes in revealing truths. Things I imagine Oghma would interested in stamping out. Obviously I'm not of the faith, but Sylvie is and that's the impression I gleaned from her.

I don't know human customs, but I'm guessing breakfast might be of enough importance to bypass business reasons?"

Surraruthru glances at Sylvie with a confused look and mischief in his eyes.

"Afraid not," Sylvie doesn't miss a beat. "We need memory recording crystals and to research the yugoloth he mentioned. Sorry," she firmly steps aside, going on in. "Come on, Surraruthru."

The man sighs slightly, and as Sylvie passes away from him, your keen ears can make out a muttered, "Damn."

Surraruthru edges close to Sylvie and keeps his voice down.

"Must be quite the lonely fellow to simply ignore the rituals and not even inquire about the reasons for a visit. Especially from a fellow follower of Oghma."

"That or I'm beautiful," Sylvie says, rather immodestly. "Let me interpret it how I please, it's a woman's prerogative."

Surraruthru chuckles. "To ignore the majesty of a dragon next to you, you must be. Where should we start?"

"Just follow me," She says, though pausing as you head inside - the first room is a small antechamber, decorated with oversized scrolls that hang from the wall. They have writing in various languages, including common and draconic. "We'll go inside. There shouldn't be any threats, so no need to be worried. Being courted was probably the worst of the troubles we'll have here."

"The least of *your* danger."

Surraruthru smirks as he follows.

Inside is closer to a library and study than a cathedral. Bookshelves everywhere, built right into the walls. Scrolls, tablets, books and more are all stuffed in, each one filled to the brim. People are about, reading or listening to speakers discuss various subjects.

"In general and with a few exceptions, law recoils from silver and chaos detests cold iron..."

"Typically, lycanthropy cannot be passed onto many types of creatures, but aberrant lycanthropy..."

"The neck glands of a typical gold dragon are capable of conjuring heat in excess of..."

As you bask in the snippets of stories told, Sylvie says to you, "There's no altar, the entire building is a library and that is the altar to Oghma."

"Hm. Impressive and understandable. A housing of knowledge of befit a god of knowledge."

A nod as Sylvie leads you along. In the back are stairs going up to the next level. You also note doors going further into this floor, one of which Sylvie leads you to. When she goes to open it, a voice asks, "What is one of Zaaman Rul's titles?"

"The doors ask questions. It's a way of learning," Sylvie says. "Do you know, Surraruthru?"

Sylvie takes 10 on K:P or K:R, doesn't matter here since either works.

Surraruthru, you can make an K:R or K:P check to answer.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=6]

Several come to mind for you: The Ember Excellency, The Flame of Purity, The Resilient Ember.

"The Flame of Purity, if I recall correctly. I can think of two more."

"Correct," The voice replies, the door unlocking and moving ajar. As Sylvie goes to open it, "Keep listening and learning. You never know when a scrap of information will help you."

Surraruthru nods to Sylvie and follows.

You walk through halls and to a room, Sylvie seemingly knowing the way. The door she stops at speaks to you, "What is the tenth letter of the Ignan alphabet?"

K:P. +20 circumstance bonus if you speak Ignan.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 38 > [d20=4]

It is siss.

"Siss."

"Correct." The door opens, Sylvie nodding in approval. "Good. Living in one of these temples is great for picking up trivia. "

Within is a room full of small crystals. They hang from thin strands of string tied to the ceiling, hundreds of them. The sway gently and move out of the way as you walk through, until you come to a young dwarf with a bright red beard, "Welcome, Seekers of Knowledge," he greets you, clad in heavy armor.

Sylvie bows her head in polite greeting, holding it. "Keeper of Knowledge, we seek memory crystals for our quest."

Surraruthru bows likewise.

"Keeper of Knowledge, we seek information on a yugoloth as well."

"I don't know daemons," The dwarf grunts, "But I do know memory crystals. How many do you need?"

"At least two, more if Surraruthru brings more people along with him." Sylvie looks sidelong at you, "Are you? This is your crusade."

"Hm. Well, there's Sylive and me, and last time Kascha, Vivanthia, Ebony, and Tryll came as well. What's the cost of six crystals?"

"18000 per crystal, so 108000 total," he says.

Sylvie shakes her head, "There's expensive and there's too expensive. Friend," she comes over and kneels down next to him, "We're doing Oghma's good work. The reason we need them is a precaution against Secretus, a yugoloth that rules over secrets and steals knowledge, all to be his and his alone. This isn't a question of profit, it's a question of the faith." She reaches out and jabs a finger into his chest, smiling all the while, "Now you can cooperate or I'll go over your head, play nice and get them to tell you why you should give them to us."

Trying straight Diplomacy.

> roll 1d20+48 (+23 factotum)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 53 > [d20=5]

Feel free to chime in if you like, Surraruthru.

"She'll do it, too. No question. Listen, my plan is to, hopefully, capture this Secretus. If I can do it, if these crystals allow us to do so by preventing him from ripping knowledge of ourselves away, then I plan to repay your temple in full. More than in full. Aurora is adept at dealing, holding, and interrogating devils. A daemon like this? We might be able to do it. But we'd be in a far better position with the aid of Oghma's faithful.

Think of what might be regained from this thief. The knowledge returned to all. You'd have to take *heavy* precautions, of course. There's no way in hell you'd ever want him near any of the Oghma temples, or in this place. The damage he could cause if he were to get loose in a repository of knowledge like this is unimaginable. But if we work together, we could pry those secrets from him. These crystals are the first step to that."

> roll 1d20+33 Diplo
<Serith> Rhaqa roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=10]

A long grunt from the dwarf, "Tell you what. Go up the chain and get that approval. Get someone to vouch for you and I'll do it."

"Very well. Sylvie, who should we speak to? I imagine you know a specific person who will solve this quickly."

"Yeah, where's the High Knowledge Keeper here?" Sylvie asks, a hand on her hip, looking unamused as she stands back up.

"Volat, he should be out there," he gestures with a hand, "Human, old looking, walks with a limp."

"Let's go then."

You go back and find just that person wandering. An old man with a walking stick and wearing plain gray clothes, old wool well kept but nothing special. "High Knowledge Keeper Volat, we need to speak with you," Sylvie says.

The old man frowns, cups a hand to his ear and goes, "Eh? Eh? What was that, youngin'?"

"That doesn't work well in paradise," Sylvie says, her hand lashing out at his walking stick.

> roll 1d20+45 disarm +14 inspiration to the attack roll
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+45 disarm +14 inspiration to the attack roll --> [ 1d20=3 ]{48}

Includes an additional +5 for knowledge devotion for a total of 53.

The old man moves his staff back lightning fast, grinning. "Ah ah, you're a millenia too young to disarm me," he says, "Sylvie and Surraruthru, you're here about the memory crystals?"

"Yes, High Knowledge Keeper. It's very important we get them. I assume you already know why and what I told the dwarf?"

"See me when I try seriously," Sylvie retorts, rubbing her hand after the miss. "That's what we need and you know why?"

"Yes, yes, I'm already aware of it all. See the title? High Knowledge Keeper. It's my job to know things." The old man begins to walk at a brisk pace, leading the three of you out of this, through a few more doors (no riddles, they stay silent as he opens them) and to an empty room.

"Pardon the lack of decor, but none of us want to stand on boring ceremony. Surraruthru, you seek the Sword of Myr? That's been lost a long time."

> roll 1d20+14
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{20}

"I do. Not only could it be a powerful ally, but it is a task from Seira. From my research, I've figured out it and Secretus are likely hunting each other."

"An interesting theory, one I hope you survive to prove or disprove," The old man says, "What do you think of it?"

Surraruthru shrugs.

"Seems a proxy for most higher conflicts. The Sword meant to empower a champion of knowledge, truth, and enlightenment. The yugoloth trying to consume it and hold knowledge for power. I can easily imagine Oghma having a finger or two in it. Or one of the other gods represented in this community. I don't know who created the Sword or to what exact purpose, however, so it's simply speculation.

Though as evidenced by the conflict between Aurora and the Devils, it's likely a proxy fight for something on a much higher tier of conflict. Chess pieces and champions and all."

"Well, well, an even more interesting theory. Who am I to stand in the way of a good game?" The old man chortles, "Go on, tell that old dwarf you have my permission. I will bill Aurora if the crystals aren't returned, though."

"I'd ask for a grace period in case of destruction, but I imagine if the crystals are destroyed, I won't remember the debt anyway. Thank you, High Knowledge Keeper."

Sylvie quietly nods and goes right off at that. As you head away, "Nice job," she murmurs.

Surraruthru nods to her and gives her a toothy smirk.

"This dragon's good for more than magic. Let's go ruin a dwarf's day, shall we?"

With a smirk Sylvie heads on back. A few riddles about bat guano and elves later, you're back at the dwarf. He just gives you a resigned look and passes over six crystals, "Crack a single one and you're paying for them," he warns.

Surraruthru grins at the dwarf and gets the crystals into his haversack saddlebags.

"Thank you. I'll do my best to not crack it. A few scratches or fang marks, though... I do so get bored when I don't have my hoard to lounge in."

"Your gold paying for it, not mine," The dwarf warns.

Surraruthru grins at him again.

"Dragon."

Then he turns to Sylvie, "Anything else you can think of here? Maybe we can find something more on Secretus or the Sword? Or Lixer?"

"We go could looking," Sylvie agrees, "Up to you there, trips for knowledge can take time and aren't easy. Good knowledge is always a struggle to find, because that's the nature of learning."

"Hmm... Perhaps we should meet the others and see what they've come up with. If the group isn't feeling solid about proceeding, we could consider a trip back here to learn more?"

"Right," Sylvie says.

Ready to head back then?

Yup.

You return without incident. Once you get back to your hoard, you find Kascha's not there for once. On asking, "Oh hi," Elena says, "Kascha's in the library. Who are you looking to get together, since if it's Canderella, she's out with Calleigh and Tryll right now."

I'm assuming Sylvie is still with me.

"Ideally Kascha, Vivanthia, Ebony, and Tryll, but if Tryll is out, the others are fine. Any idea how long Tryll's outing will last?"

"I don't know, they're looking for Lathander or something," Elena's dressed up like a cat today, down to cat ears. "Tryll took Vivantha, Canderella and Moonlight with him. Want me to get the other two?"

"Sure. We'll make a group decision on whether or not to wait for them."

Ebony's first, coming in with a nod. Kascha's right behind her, "Oh, you're back! How did it go?"

"Quite well. We have six crystals on loan. They're 18,000 gold each if damaged, so let's not do that. Any luck on your sides?"

Total DM derp moment, refresh me on those tasks?

Basically everyone was checking their own places for info on Secretus or the Sword, or anything that could give us an advantage and let us capture him.

Kascha begins, "I asked, but Seira doesn't know much about him. She's heard the name once, but she's young by cosmic standards. Considering it's a daemon of secrets, it's not really surprising. But she did find something useful out. There's something in place inhibiting divinations about Secretus and giving out false information."

"Unsurprising. Regardless, Sylvie's run into his minions before, and has a fair idea of how they operate. We've gotten the crystals, and I've memorized some spells to prevent escape. Any other ideas?"

"Yes. Surraruthru, the information we got on how to find Secretus was from a divination, right?" Kascha says, "Do you see where I'm going with this?"

I actually can't remember if the information came from a divination or that giant guy we met. I can't remember his name to search for it.

Quick refresher then:

Quote"His name is Secretus," The titan grins, "Almost as bad as Anthraxus. Those daemons have all the imagination of an ant. He resides in Niflheim somewhere, though even I don't know where. All I do know is that the passage to his kingdom is marked by six dead olive trees, each of which has an valeoloth hung from it."

You got more information from a divination spell from Tryll:

QuoteTryll gets the following answer: Find the Weeping Olives and head north, north, north.

He then divined for the location of the Weeping Olives:

QuoteThe Weeping Olives lie in Niflheim.

"To a degree. If there's magic in place to deflect divination, then our information is certainly suspect. Machos told us it was in Niflheim and marked by six dead olive trees with valeoloths hung from them, and Tryll's divination said to continue north. You're thinking it'll be in a different direction?"

"Let's assume Marchos is accurate for now," Kascha says, "Logically, we have to assume that the information about the Weeping Olives and the direction are both in error. All we really know is that it's somewhere on Niflheim. Barring planar strangeness, it has to be in a direction from the Weeping Olives, but it may be so distant that's irrelevant. That's the problem with infinite planes."

Ebony's taken a seat by now, "Perhaps that's why we found a manifestation of the Father and his cult instead. Cast adrift to the whims of evil, he took the chance."

"Well, unless we kind find a guide to Niflheim, we're essentially reduced to wandering. Which is both dangerous and time consuming."

"That's a terrible option, but it's the only one we have," Kascha frowns and sighs, "We'll need to find a yugoloth and make it help us, and in a way that it can't betray us. Oh Seira, this is going to be a trial."

"Specifically, it's a trial from Seira. I don't suppose we have any yugoloth's in captivity or that can provide us names? Or a contact that can provide a name."

"Nothing like that," Ebony speaks up, "Our guests are mostly devils, unfortunately."

"Hmm... A mercenary? Brightwater, perhaps?"

Kascha and Ebony share a look, "It's not a bad place to start, but yugoloths aren't welcome there. We might be able to find someone who knows someone and refer us along."

"It's the best idea," Ebony says with a grimace. "Distasteful but unavoidable."

"To Brightwater, then."

Going to just GI and search for guides to Niflheim or something?

Unless we already have contacts there, yeah. I personally don't have the skills for it, though.

Ebony has gather information so she'll take a lead. Surraruthru, can you and Kascha aid her, please?

> roll 1d20+8 Int
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 10 > [d20=2]

No, I can't.

Gather Information is Charisma based. 10 is a bare pass, but what's your Intelligence modifier?

Unless you have something that lets you sub in Intelligence, then say so.

Ah, I used Int instead. My Cha mod is +7, so it's probably a fail.

9 total, so a bare fail.

> roll 1d20+7 Kascha can help too, right!
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=10]

> roll 1d20+38 (+2 Kasch aiding)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 57 > [d20=19]

Ebony asks around quietly, talking to a few people here and there. The street of Brightwater are busy as you go about, brief conversations you often don't catch as she goes from contact to contact. Some she merely greets with a nod or a few words, but others get name exchanges, handshakes or even hugs. Finally you're lead to a jewelry shop of all things, where gold and gems glitter behind glass cases. An unremarkable, bland and boring human mans the desk. Who cares? Treasure.

Meanwhile, Ebony goes up, "Dela-umas," she greets quietly, hood drawn up.

"Lady Ebony," the bland man - ugh, you can barely look at him before you shake your eyes clear. It's like...something's trying very hard to tell you he's boring, uninteresting, bland. You should look away. You need to look away. Thanks to your mental protection of mind blank, it's just suggestions and easily discerned. Blinking, you see he is an unremarkable man. Thirty, blonde hair, spectacles. Average, though not nearly so bland as you something wanted you to believe.

"As always, you are welcome here," Dela-umas says, "How can I help the Queen of the Battlefield?"

With a faint smile briefly visible as she adjusts her hood, drawing it back and down, "This isn't that business, but my own business. I've been assigned to aid Aurora in their crusade against Hell. Right now, that leads us to need a reliable - and I know how relative that is - guide to Niflheim. All things considered, it will probably have to be a daemon. Surraruthru and Kascha will be traveling with me there, so feel free to speak around them."

Surraruthru hops up on the display case, cock his head to the side so he can look at the man with one eye and the glittering gold with another.

"This is an excellent shop. I approve."

"Why thank you," The man taps the glass case you're on, "Are you interested in buying? But please, excuse me a moment."

Then back to Ebony, "I know people that know people, and such that is the way of the world. It will probably come down to a yugoloth, and how you keep them in line is up to you." Leaning back on the case behind him, "Betrayal's in their blood. You'd best make whatever option you use to keep them in line a good one."

"Yes, we've come to the same conclusion ourselves," Ebony agrees, "We don't have a choice, unfortunately. Moreover, the nature of what we seek may require a strong, powerful and experienced guide. It is not something a typical yugoloth would know about."

"Then you really only have one choice," Dela-umas remarks, "Head on over to the Carrock. It's right on the border of Brightwater, a beached galleon converted into a hotel. The owner is named Maras, tell him that I sent you to find a guide." After that he clears his throat, "Now then, Surraruthru, can I interest you in this?" He takes out a ring with a big, bright ruby atop it. The gem has an intense red color, a deep clarity to it. "2,000 gold for a ruby mined in Magma set atop alchemically purified gold."

"Hmm... Perhaps later. As it is, I feel I've been hemorrhaging money far more than I should have of late. I am loathe to part with more until a few more goals of mine have been met. I may return or commission an item from you one day, however."

"I look forward to it. In the meantime, are you interested in low cost investments? We're selling parcels of gem and gold laden soul, unsifted and unsorted. For 10 gold you can have one, see what's in there and possibly make much more than your money back," he says.

Ebony discreetly coughs. "Thank you for your help."

"Ah. You're busy, I understand. Come back any time." Dela-umas replies.

Kascha hums, "That sounds an awful like gambling with geology instead of dice." Her ioun stones whirl around her head in rather rapid loops, "Though it is much more affordable than your other offerings."

"Hmm... I'll take one as an amusing oddity and a hopeful promise of future business."

"Done," You get a little box tied up with string, "Good luck!"

Post the expense in loot.

Surraruthru opens the bag, rifling through it.

> roll 1d100 Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 16 > [d100=16]

Any ranks in Appraise or K:D?

> roll 1d20+34 K:D Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 54 > [d20=20]

No luck - it's the sort of dirt that could have gold, but you only see a few tiny flecks in yours. You could get a few coppers for them, perhaps. Clearly luck was not on your side.

Indeed, luck did not favor you.

Surraruthru grunts, scooping the dirt back into the pouch and then into his haversack. A trinket for a lesson learned.

"Let us be on our way, then."

> roll 1d100 Kobot
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 Kobot --> [ 1d100=27 ]{27}

It's an actual galleon. A big boat sitting on the ground just on the outskirts of Brightwater, away from the streets of gold. Here tents and stalls are the order of business, a bevy of lesser businessmen. Amid all them stands a galleon - an actual beached ship, a big door built into the side with wooden stairs leading you in. Kascha stares as you approach, "Isn't that a remarkable idea? Do you think the ship was built here or he brought the ship from a real sea?" Kascha takes out a book and starts writing in it, "Surraruthru, do you think it's authentic or just a ship built to be a building?"

"I don't know much about ships. I'll guess that it was beached and converted, and then kept as such as an established novelty."

> roll 1d20+29 Kobot
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+29 Kobot --> [ 1d20=8 ]{37}

Bardic knowledge.

Ebony butts in without preamble. "A few decades ago, a story went around that a mercenary group brought a ship back as plunder from a raid on the River Styx. They routed the demon pirates and took the ship back with them, navigating it from the Styx to the mortal world, then through an obscure passage to the River Oceanus."

"Oh!" Kascha looks up from her writing, a bit of ink on her fingers, "Do you think this is it?"

"If it is, the construction of the ship might be able to lend a clue to a resistance to the Styx rain we encountered."

"Oh, I'll get right on that. You two go inside," Kascha says, heading up to the hull, "I'll just study it with magic and see if anything's evident."

"Annnd she's gone. For a few hours. We've lost her."

Surraruthru turns to Ebony.

"Shall we find this Maras? Do you have any ideas on how to bind this yogoloth? A geas or something?"

"I have a few approaches in mind, but that's borrowing trouble from tomorrow. Today's current problem is enough," Ebony says, "Shall we go in?"

"Certainly."

Surraruthru takes wing and lands on Ebony's shoulder.

"Would you like me to play the loyal and enthralled personal dragon of the Queen of the Battlefield for this?"

A slight frown crosses Ebony's face. "No, though it is more because I am not the Queen of the Battlefield. I serve her, I am not her."

"No offense intended. Still, you have no desire for a personal dragon? Most would jump at the chance."

"Dragons are like men," Ebony remarks as she draws her hood up, "Lovely things that appeal, but one must forever spend time on upkeep."

"True, the hourly fee is horrendous. But then, hoards must grow, don't they?"

The two of you head in. It's a big room - far bigger than typical for a ship. It has a nautical theme, full of people eating and drinking. It looks more like a general restaurant than a bar, the smell of cooking meet thick in the air, mixing with the scent of smoke. Ebony looks about at the people eating - a mix, but most look rough and tumble, as well as well equipped. A serving maid passes, Ebony stepping in front of her, "I'm looking for Maras, Dela-umas sent me. Tell him that."

> roll 1d20+43 Kobot
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+43 Kobot --> [ 1d20=11 ]{54}

"Yes, ma'am. Right away," The serving maid balances a tray of empty plates and hurries off, Ebony going to sit at an empty table in the meantime.

Surraruthru takes his place on the table in front of Ebony, stretching his wings out before settling down to lounge lazily, but watching the room closely.

Ebony waits, her head slightly bowed as she waits. She's mouthing something, but it's so soft you can't make it out.

Surraruthru mostly ignores the mumbling, deciding to wait in peace.

The server soon comes back and finds you, "Mr. Maras will see you in the back," she says, leading the two of you along. Through a side door that grazes the kitchens, giving you a glance of people at work. Smells good, makes you hungry. Then to more mundane rooms and offices, the farthest one and the biggest your destination. It has windows, letting in the light of Brightwater. Here a male elf kicks back in a captain's chair, scarred and rugged. His left eye is naught but a mess of scarring and white and his right hand is missing two fingers. His good hand holds a shot glass, which he sips from. He's slender as any elf, with dark brown hair.

"What does Dela-umas want?" he asks straight away, finishing his drink. He draws a dagger and idly tosses it, catching it each time without even looking at it. "Let me guess: A fiend needs killing and you can't dirty your lily white wings with blood. You'll ruin your manicure too, and we can't have that." He barks laughter right after.

Ebony comes in and pushes back her hood, wings still as her serene face. She takes a seat without being invited, "I'm am Ebony of Sylica, though I currently am assigned to serve Aurora. This is Surraruthru of the Cauldron, who is also currently with Aurora."

With a deft move Maras catches the knife and stabs it into the armrest of his chair, "Fancy names to be throwing around, but respect isn't that easy, babe."

Ebony meets his eyes, "I have seen evil, Maras. I have been evil and I have struck down evil. I have bled for Sylica and given my mortal life for it. Your respects does not matter a damn to me. What matters is that you cooperate and do as you're paid to do. Will you do that?"

> roll 1d20+43
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+43 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{52}

Diplo check. Feel free to react here and throw in your two cents, Surraruthru.

Surraruthru smoothly leaps to the back of Ebony's chair, sitting fully upright behind her and letting his tail drape over her shoulder.

"Our task is all that matters here. Not your respect, not your ego, not your reputation. You are a very small, but singularly useful cog, but only in this context. Your life has little meaning to us in the face of our task. All we require is the loyalty and work we purchase from you. A being can't live well in Brighwater if they are too incompetent to do so, so spare us your dramatics and let us get down to business."

> roll 1d20+33 Diplo/Assist
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 53 > [d20=20]

Maras snaps his fingers, his shot glass flying off and meeting a bottle. They both fly and pour him a new glass, which he takes and sips. "Fine. What is it you need?" he asks, closing his eyes as he takes a long sip.

"A guide to Niflheim. A knowledgeable one, probably a yugoloth because they're the only ones who know it well enough. Distasteful, but our business requires us to go there." Ebony folds her hands into her lap and speaks calmly, without a trace of heat after the back and forth. "Can you do this?"

"Yeah, I can do it. Made my big break in the Blood War, know some players. You want a name you can summon and bind, or you want someone you can meet in the flesh?" He puts down his shot glass again and hmphs, "Second one, isn't it?"

"Surraruthru, do you have a preference?" Ebony asks, mulling it. "A greater planar binding spell should be sufficient to make a guide work from us, but the 'loths are known to be able to subvert those spells at times. However, it's quickest and the fiend will be in a position where bargaining with us makes the most sense. Alternately, meeting one in person lacks the confines of that spell, for good and ill, as well as opening the possibility of guides too powerful to be summoned, or who have found ways to protect themselves."

"Hmmm... If we summon one, we should at least speak to it in some way. Simply summoning it and binding it as a surprise would likely make it's already distasteful disposition worse. So I suppose a conversation and a summoning. As foul as dealing with a yugoloth is going to be, we should be... somewhat... fair in it."

"For what good it will do, though I agree with your sentiment," Ebony says, "Do not return evil unto evil. Very well, Maras. We desire a name to summon."

"1,000 gold," Maras replies.

Ebony raises one eyebrow, "1,000 gold for a name? Are you that afraid of the consequences?"

"As a matter of fact, I am." Maras says blandly, "I don't fucking need 'loth revenge schemes in my life. My name also stays out of this, you don't tell them where you got the name. The price is what the information's worth, plus a markup to ensure my personal security is up to snuff."

This has Ebony sit back and murmur to you, "Split the cost evenly?"

Surraruthru murmurs back, "I'll cover it. It's my mission."

"Then we have a deal."

"As you like," Ebony says, "But I have more than sufficient funds if you need them."

Maras nods, "The name you is Thurra. She's a mortal that became a 'loth somehow. Not sure how, she's not talking, but she's older than some worlds. She's a wanderer and knows all the trails of Niflheim. A greater planar binding should be just enough to get her."

Post the expense in loot, Iddy.

"As do I, Ebony."

Turning to Maras, Surrarthru replies, "Thank you. Any further information on her? Likes, dislikes, weaknesses?"

"She's a sadist," Maras says, reaching up to trace the scar over his dead eye. "Got this from her, she's a quick hand with curved knives. Likes to dig them in and pull out whatever she catches in them. She makes cursed wounds that don't heal right and she can rip you apart in the blink of an eye."

Ebony inclines her head forward, "Thank you. Anything else?"

"She's not one for weaknesses. She doesn't like holy power, but what fiend does? Push her hard and she'll either go docile until she can get revenge or go berserk. Never figured out how she chooses between them, might be random." Maras adds with a rueful grin, "Guessed wrong the day I got that scar."

"We can handle one such as her," Ebony rises, turning to leave.

Anything else you want to do here, Surraruthru?

Not really. Summon her in the dungeon with some clerics and jazz, I guess?

Outside of Aurora since Aurora's defenses put a damper on that. Afina has a routine for it when she's summoned. Afina, what's your routine for it?

I usually just pick a spot outside near the gates to draw the summoning diagram and bring along a few helpers to immediately bludgeon the summoned devil into unconsciousness before dragging them into the dungeon.

Thank you, Afina.

So go ahead and elaborate on how you plan to do this and who is casting greater planar binding, Surraruthru.

Well, I suppose it'll be Ebony, Surraruthru, Sylvie, Tyrll, Vivanthia, (depending on who's around) and whatever most powerful cleric we can get. I'll cast binding, though my Conjuration bonus is just base. We'll do it right outside the gate like Eb suggested. The others can put in whatever suggestions they have.

Tryll's not around. Also, it's Vivantha. Anyway, that's fine. Are you familiar with the spell?

Not especially. I know it's conjuration but that's about it. I'll read up on it.

Edit: After quickly reading over it, I don't think Surraruthru should be the one to cast the summoning. All of the checks involved are Cha checks, and that's not his strongest suit. That said, RP-wise, unless we get a Cleric or someone, then Surraruthru will do it.

Also, I meant to put Kascha in the group, but somehow missed her name.

That's fine, she'll sub in for Vivantha, who's still off with Tryll.

Kascha could memorize it and cast if you like, she has a decent Charisma score.

That's fine. I can do the magic circles and stuff to reinforce it, as well as dimensional anchor and stuff. I doubt we'll need it, but would force cage and the teleportation cage be useful too?

Not really for a variety of reasons.

So Kascha casts the actual spell and you do the rest of the casting?

Sounds good to me. Dimensional Anchor and Magic Circle Against Evil, correct? Anything else I should consider?

When you ask Kascha, she considers, checking some notes, "No, the best thing is to have capable people there in case things go wrong," she says. "Summoning a yugoloth into Elysium might get attention as well. It's spiritually like lobbing mud onto a clean dress. Ugh, I'll feel dirty for weeks afterwards," Kascha admits, "Even if it needs to be done."

"Well, Elysium might be the best place to do it, actually. As a yugoloth, she's going to inherently be weakened, no? Stuck on an a plane that's an anathema to her, surrounded by Ebony, you, Sylvie, and me, she should be at enough of a disadvantage to be more willing to deal. Is there anyone else you think we should include?"

"That should be enough. If something that spell can get can get past all of us, we deserve to fail," Kascha says, firmly. "Seira won't let us fail, anyway."

"Yes she will. You learn more from failure than you do success, after all. Just just may not let us die horrible, agonizing, soul-scarring deaths."

Kascha's wings sag, a sad little frown on her face. "I hope not! I've died before on Earth and it's really not fun!"

"You're a phoenix. That won't happen. Well, it shouldn't happen."

"I hope so," Kascha agrees, as the two of you head out.

Kascha's slotted all of her 8th level spells to greater planar bindings, so she can try up to 5 times.

From there the circle is set up. Kascha begins to cast, gesturing and calling on great names of power. She invokes all of them one after another, then abruptly:

> roll 1d20+17 vs 28
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 30 > [d20=13]

Ten minutes and barely a jolt, Kascha shaking her head. "Ugh," she rubs her arms, "It resisted. Again." The circle is cast, the anchor set and everything prepared. Again she chants, "Brave Luse, seal the gates of the heavenly prison! She of the hidden, bind the gate! Wise Faerinaal, grant me the wisdom of the ages in my magic! Great Gwynharwyf, protect me with your blades! Queen above all, open the stars of the sky to shine down on my magic! Dragon princess, let your roar cow the will of the wicked!"

> roll 1d20+17 vs 28
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=17]

"...nothing," Kascha scowls, a little pale. "She resisted again."

"Can you continue?" Ebony steps forward, speaking softly.

"I will." Is Kascha's reply, "Be ready, I won't fail a third time!"

This time Kascha chants in a language you don't know, but you do pick out a few names from before, as well as Morwel and Seira.

> roll 1d20+17 vs 28
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 29 > [d20=12]

Kascha sags and falls to a knee when the spell fails a third time, "The fiend may be somewhere that's interfering, or someone is protecting it." Kascha remarks, "Thurra may also be unnaturally willful." She then rises, "Two more. I won't stop until it's finished."

This time she chants simply and with focus, another unknown language this time.

> roll 1d20+17 vs 28
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=6]

Kascha's wax-pale by the time the fourth casting ends, but there is success. She is clad in leathers, daggers strapped all over her body. About seven and a half feet tall, midnight blue skin and long blue hair. She looks about immediately, hissing low, "Who wishes to die?" she asks in a sweet voice, "I'm only called when someone needs to die."

Surraruthru slinks around Kascha's legs, staring at the yugoloth.

"One of your fellow yugoloths. I imagine there's not going to be much love lost there."

"A lie," Sylvie says dispassionately, cracking her knuckles. "You've been called before for other things, fiend. Every breath you exhale is coated in lies."

The daemon's gaze turns on Surraruthru, "You want to me to betray one of my own? You'll need to pay properly."

Ebony steps forward, hood pulled down to the point of hiding her face. "Be thankful we do not blot you from Creation as we did Athux," Ebony adds, "Have you heard yet? Athux finally worked up the courage to strike out on his own and rise to the rank of demon lord We were not amused and we went there, slaughtered those who defended him and and obliterated him."

Kascha is sickly pale, but her gaze is determined. "Yes, I was one of the ones who part of that. Offer us insolence, strive to commit evil against us or others in our service or plan revenge afterwards and you'll regret it - briefly."

The daemon hisses like a snake, stepping back as far as the circle allows her to. "Which one do you seek?"

"Secretus. We desire a guide to the gateway to his domain. You will serve as it and you will be properly compensated for the service." Kascha meets the thing's gaze, "Your life is an acceptable reward, daemon?"

Surraruthru circles around to behind the yugoloth like a stalking predator.

"Power is everything to your kind. Position. Reputation. Even just whispers of it entice your kind. Rumors breed opportunity. Assist us and have your name attached to the fall of a Daemon lord. One such as Secretus, even as hidden as he is, is known for position and power. You will help us, willingly or not, and we all know it. Take a small piece of that rumor for yourself, disappear from our sight after. Profit from it.

Attempt to strike back at us or betray us, and we will scour you from existence, and you know we can. And desire so. Be wise against your nature in this. Aid us. Guide us. Scrape what you can for your name from this, and continue to exist."

Make an Intimidate check, Surraruthru.

> roll 1d20+7 Cha
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=11]

> roll 1d20+10 Ebony Intimidate
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 11 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+48 Sylvie Intimidate (+23 inspiration)
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 62 > [d20=14]

To the shock of no one, Sylvie carries a skill based situation.

Thurra's eyes whip around, looking for escape - but they land on Sylvie instead. Something the daemon sees is enough to visibly spook her, eyes widening and another snake-hiss coming from her. She holds up her hands as if to shield herself from being struck.

Kascha Charisma check for forcing the bargain. +4 circumstance bonus since y'all but fear into the daemon. It's opposed by Thurra's own check.

> roll 1d20+11 (+4 circumstance) Kascha Charisma
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+6 Thurra Charisma irrelevant
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=13]

"Stop! I will do it!" Thurra hisses again, "I will show you the way!"

"Excellent. At least you are decisive. Tell us what you know of him and how we get there."

"There is a hidden grove of olive trees, where ultroloths that have failed him hang. They're transformed into valeoloths," You can her the sneer in her voice as surely as seeing it on her face, "They hang vigil and protect the gate. Even if you reach there, you have to overcome the six of them to obtain entrance. It won't be a quiet fight and it'll ruin any chance at surprise. To get there, you must travel west from," A garbled word next, incomprehensible, "You couldn't understand that, could you? [Garbled word] is cloaked in anathemic secrecy since it was taken. Travel west from there for one day and never look back. If you look back at [garbled word], you'll go there and never return."

"Hmm... How do the valeoloths detect things? By mundane senses or something magical? We might be able to find a spell to hide us from them.. Superior Invisibility and Screen maybe?"

Make an K:P check here, Surraruthru. I'll have the others roll as well after that, then add Thurra's answer.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Serith> Rhaqa roll for Serith < 50 > [d20=16]

> roll 1d20+55 Sylvie K:P
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+55 Sylvie K:P --> [ 1d20=6 ]{61}
> roll 1d20+32 Ebony K:P
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+32 Ebony K:P --> [ 1d20=3 ]{35}
> roll 1d20+36 Kascha K:P
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d20+36 Kascha K:P --> [ 1d20=20 ]{56}

You recall that a typical valeoloth has several tricks. They have keen eyes and ears, darkvision and mindsight. They have eyes as true as any angel's, able to see the invisible and through illusions with see invisibility and true seeing.

"They are sharp eyed and the dark holds no secrets from them," Thurra hisses, "But nothing more."

Mindsight is a feat from Lords of Madness.

"Hmm.. They have a variety of abilities that let them see past magic. True seeing and see invisibility, namely. Darkvision and mindsight as well... If we want to get past them, we need an *extremely* reliable stealth specialist... Though how to defeat all six before they can sound the alarm... Cone of silence? Only if the alarm is sound only... Anti-magic field could work, but it'd have to be shaped correctly.. I could likely take care of the anti-magic field route well enough, but getting close enough to cast it would be a significant issue. Maybe a stealth specialist with a scroll of anti-magic field? Hmm... Suggestions, anyone?"

"Oh, look at that. She lied again," Sylvie says, deadpan and unamused.

"It's a daunting task," Ebony admits, glancing sidelong at Sylvie and the daemon. "The daemons have telepathy, but that may or may not matter, depending on how they're meant to send up an alarm. There may be magic in play, so anti magic would be the best choice."

"A dangerous one," Kascha remarks, "That limits us as much as it limits them."

Surraruthru nods to Kascha. "True, it does. But if we can find a stealth specialist that can shape an Anti-Magic Field, that'll wrap it up nicely. Do we have anyone who can do that?"

"I've never been much for reshaping spells like that, but..." Kascha considers, "Elena!"

After a beat Kascha blushes and shakes her head, "I forgot we're not in Aurora. I'll ask her later. Also, one of us will have to stay here to make sure her circle isn't disturbed. At least until we're ready to go."

"I hate to put you on the spot, Sylvie, but I think you or Ebony would be best suited to guard against any tricks she might have. Would you be willing?"

"I'll do it," Sylvie says, arms crossed. "Give me a reason," she says coolly to it.

Ebony raises an eyebrow, but lets it pass without comment.

Thurra merely stands in the circle, still and waiting.

Plans now?

Go with Kascha and talk to whoever she has in mind, check of Tryll and Vivantha are back, and set up my spells. Spells likely won't be ready until sometime tomorrow night. My pc dying and glasses breaking and back issues have very much distracted me from things.

Okay, lemme pause you until you have spells ready. Kascha's all about me doing a bit of homework on that, while you're waiting on Tryll for the other thing. So relax, let your back heal and get spells in order.

Preparations go by uneventfully.

"There's only one problem," Kascha says, just the two of you in your hoard. "We don't have anyone who fits the bill for an antimagic field like that."

"Hmm.. Do we have a stealth specialist that could use a scroll to put the field in place? The size of it is pretty static, so it's matter of placement."

"Wouldn't work," Kascha points out, "The spell is focused on the caster and only extends 10ft."

"Hmm... So then we'd need a team to do it, and one who could kill the valeoloths after they're in place... Or another plan entirely... Anti-magic rays? But the range on those is rather limited, too... Could we enchant a few items.. Say stones or the like, with it, fly above their sight range and drop them down?"

"The last one might have merit, but it would be expensive," Kascha considers, "Afina would help, but it's still painfully expensive."

"Well, let's keep it on the board, at least. Can you think of any alternatives?"

"Not really. There's little that'll really stop a valeoloth short of killing it, and that's not fast to do," Kascha admits.

"Hmmm... Well, let's find out how expensive the antimagic stones would be. Maybe Afina will have an idea. Any thoughts on who we could consult with about this?"

"Well..."

Okay, quick question. Mechanically, what would you want out of these anti magic stones?

To shut down any magical alarms they could sound/trigger. If it's psionic telepathy, I doubt it'll be affected, but magical stuff should get shut down by it.

Due to magic/psionics transparency, psionics are shut down by anti magic.

So basically just some stones with a permanent antimagic field on them?

Basically. That or arrows, I guess. I'm not sure which would be more reliable.

An item of permanent antimagic field is 132,000 before Afina's 75% discount and 33,000 after. You'd need multiple based on things, at least six Kascha would guess, possibly more. Hence her saying this is a big expense.

Cutting corners to make them a 1/day thing would knock it down to 26,400 before Afina, which is more manageable.

Would have to do that. I only have 42k. 75% off of 26.4k is 6,600*6=39,600. I can cover it, but shit am I broke after.

Okay, do you want anyone else to buy more so that you have more than six?

Also post your expense in loot.

If any of the NPCs want to, it wouldn't hurt to have extras in case of a 1.

Kascha will buy an additional 2 for 13200 gold. Any other prep or are you ready to go?

I'm good unless any of the NPCs have anything to do.

Everyone's good. Ready to move on then?

Probably not, but sure.

The four of you gather around Thurra circle, ready to go and equipped. "I'll take you there, aim for [garbled word] and close your eyes. Open them when I say you can."

"She's telling the truth," Sylvie says, "I've made sure that she knows that she can't lie to us and what will happen if she tries it."

I'm assuming I've attached everyone to my Tapestry?

Surraruthru nods to Sylvie as he curls around Kascha's shoulders. "Thank you, Sylvie. Let's see what unpleasant things are in store for us today."

Certainly. Going to fire off any spells before you go?

Yep. Spoiler'd 'cause of wall o text.

Also, are you going to include Thurra in your tapestry?

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

No, not connecting her to it.

You close your eyes and vanish. It's hot here, unpleasant and stuffy. The air smells of rot and dust, like a forgotten coffin. "Don't open your eyes yet, slowly turn to your left, all of you." Thurra says.

Surraruthru keeps his head trained on where Thurra's voice is coming from, ready to blast the area if need be, but otherwise remains on Kascha's shoulders.

Kascha slowly turns until Thurra says, "Stop, it's safe."

"She's not lying," Sylvie says.

"Oh yes, it's safe," Kascha says, "We're on Niflheim."

"Whatever you do, do not look back," Thurra says, "You'll regret it."

Surraruthru opens his eyes, scanning in front of the group and the sides, but not looking back..

Ahead is wastelands - blasted olive trees, cracked ground and heat. It's Niflheim.

Ebony walks ahead at a brisk pace, Thurra leading the way. Sylvie does the same, "Whatever is behind there, it's something the 'loths did a long time ago. Thurra wasn't forthcoming with details, but they hid something precious."

"Hmm, something to look into after we finish our mission, then. First thing first, though. No use in wasting our strength right now. Thurra, any clues as to what we can expect from Secretus?"

"I've never been in his realm," Thurra admits, "I only know the way, who dares six valeoloths?"

"More truth," Sylvie adds as you hurry along.

"We do, apparently."

With that, Surraruthru remains quiet while they head towards their goal.

> roll 1d100 random
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 random --> [ 1d100=2 ]{2}
> roll 1d100 random
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 random --> [ 1d100=28 ]{28}
> roll 1d100 random
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 random --> [ 1d100=91 ]{91}
> roll 1d100 random subt able
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 random subt able --> [ 1d100=61 ]{61}

You travel for three hours. After two of them, Thurra says you can look behind you now. A glance shows nothing but empty horizon and on you go. It's then that...

Spot. Also note any special senses you have.

> roll 1d20+31 Spot
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+31 Spot --> [ 1d20=19 ]{50}

Darkvision, Low light vision, Scent

> roll 1d20+34 Spot
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+34 Spot --> [ 1d20=7 ]{41}
> OOC: For Kascha
> roll 1d20+24 Sylvie
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+24 Sylvie --> [ 1d20=17 ]{41}
> roll 1d20+32 Ebony
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+32 Ebony --> [ 1d20=12 ]{44}

As you walk, you notice something. Less trees, with more rocky outcroppings coming out of the ground instead. The scent of blood and meat is in the air.

"Hmm.. Terrain is changing. Blood and meat in the air. Must be getting close. Start watching for the valeoloths. I'll drop the stones on them when we find them."

Kascha looks around, "I don't like this. Are we in a monster's territory?"

Thurra chuckles, "Everything here is territory, even if you don't see it. Only a yugolth can properly appreciate it."

"Then you best guide us through it safely. I doubt any other yugoloths we run into will be... understanding... of you guiding us through their territory to a daemon lord's domain."

"Hmph. Fine. This is the territory of a cannibal," Thurra warns, "Though it'll probably eat the flesh of any intelligent creature."

Sylvie scowls, "Really." She says, voice bone flat. "This is purely coincidental?"

"Yes!" Thurra snaps back, hissing, "As far as I know, woman."

"More truth," Sylvie's scowl deepens, "If anyone starts feeling hungry or wanting to eat things, speak up right away."

Surraruthru grumbles.

"First those dwarves, now a cannibal. I think Father's influence is growing on this plane. We should look into it."

Ebony takes out her harp, strumming a gentle tune. "Peace," she whispers, "I fear it is not The Father on others, but The Father on us."

Kascha startles at that, "Oh my, I hope not."

Thurra blinks and suddenly begins to laugh. She stops and laughs, long and loud.

Surraruthru stares at her for a moment.

"Silence. You'll draw whatever lives here to us."

"The Father! Oh, The Father!" She's grinning, a dark and horrifying look that makes your skin crawl. The flesh of her face is too...liquid. Moves too easily. Wrong. "I heard about him! He's still alive and you're worried about him?"

Surraruthru takes a moment to study her, trying to figure out what insanity she's going through.

"Be silent, daemon. It's a thing to deal with after Secretus."

Thurra turns to you, grinning ear to ear. "Oh, I'm sure it'll be amazing to see. You'd look better with mouths all over your body, tearing into some poor mortal like a tender morsel."

Surraruthru rolls his eyes at her.

"Please. I am both a dragon and a follower of Seira. I believe I can deny the.. temptation, if you can call it that.. that he might hold for me. In any case, if you don't start guiding us again, you'll not live long enough to see what happens either way."

Listen check.

> roll 1d20+31 Listen
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+31 Listen --> [ 1d20=4 ]{35}

> roll 1d20+34
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+34 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{45}
> roll 1d20+24 Sylvie
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+24 Sylvie --> [ 1d20=19 ]{43}
> roll 1d20+32 Ebony
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+32 Ebony --> [ 1d20=18 ]{50}

All of you can hear an odd rustling beneath you, coming from the ground.

"Below!"

Surraruthru takes to the air, preparing a spell to splatter whatever this daemon threat is!

"Fly up!" Kascha eeps as she follows Surraruthru, the other two following. Thurra skitters away on the ground fast, out of the way in time. Where you were moments before explodes upwards as a massive worm erupts out, biting and trying to swallow air whole. Safe! At least for now. The worm is a sickly purple color and its maw is big enough to swallow Hanna whole, let alone any of you.

Init here, along with K:A if you want to identify.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:
[/quote]

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+34 K:A --> [ 1d20=8 ]{42}
> roll 1d20+12 Init
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+12 Init --> [ 1d20=1 ]{13}

> roll 1d20+12 Kascha
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+12 Kascha --> [ 1d20=12 ]{24}
> roll 1d20+24 Sylvie
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+24 Sylvie --> [ 1d20=18 ]{42}
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+8 Ebony --> [ 1d20=8 ]{16}
> roll 1d20+4 worm
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+4 worm --> [ 1d20=2 ]{6}

Init is Sylvie (42) > Kascha (24) > Thurra (20) > Ebony (16) > Surraruthru (13) > Worm (6)

All of you are 30ft above ground and the worm's mouth.

> roll 1d20+50 Kascha
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+50 Kascha --> [ 1d20=5 ]{55}
> roll 1d20+55 Sylvie
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+55 Sylvie --> [ 1d20=7 ]{62}
> roll 1d20+32 Ebony
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+32 Ebony --> [ 1d20=12 ]{44}

K:A checks.

The creature before you is a purple worm. You know it well - it swallows prey hole, has a poisonous bite and is a dumb animal past all the bulk and power. However, this one looks like it's been twisted by fiendish power - it's probably both smarter and has powers relating to that.

Worth noting OOC it may be smart enough now to gestalt, which introduces all sorts of possibilities. Anyway, Sylvie opens.

Sylvie flies another 30ft up, "Stay away, it'll struggle from afar!" she warns, extending her fingers out. Five magic missiles fly from her fingers, seeking the worm's gullet.

> roll 1d20+23 caster level check
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+23 caster level check --> [ 1d20=10 ]{33}
> roll 5d4+5
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 5d4+5 --> [ 5d4=11 ]{16}

The missiles strike the worm, leaving behind a few welts but nothing more.

Kascha meanwhile joins Sylvie 30ft higher and begins to cast, "The sixth gate crumbles ot the seventh, and from it comes the breath of undeath!" A thin purple beam flies from her finger...

Empowered maximized enervation for 6 negative levels. No SR check since she can't fail it.

> roll 1d20 touch AC only misses on a 1
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20 touch AC only misses on a 1 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{11}

The worm is hit directly, shrinking down and slumping. It looks far less, scales cracking and a few falling off. It's starting to slump back down into the hole it came from.

"No. You will not escape from this reckoning, worm," Ebony says, as a single ray of sunlight comes from above. It shines down on the worm, before exploding in a potent burst of radiance.

Purified righteous smite.

> roll 1d20+22 caster level check
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+22 caster level check --> [ 1d20=17 ]{39}

> roll 20d10
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 20d10 --> [ 20d10=107 ]{107}
> roll 1d4 rounds blind
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d4 rounds blind --> [ 1d4=3 ]{3}

This magic makes the worm's eyes burst into white flames as it trills - a horrifying, skin crawling sound that makes the insides of your teeth ache - andthrashes, tearing up the ground below. "Surraruthru, finish it!" Ebony demands.

Meanwhile, amid the combat, Thurra's falling back and well out of range of the worm, but she doesn't attack it, either.

Go, Surraruthru.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3, Ghost Touch WeaponSC
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

Surraruthru draws up a bit, chanting under his breath before snapping his head forward and opening his maw, launching the spell from in front of his mouth!

Lightning Bolt, level 3, CL 25
Reflex Half, SR allowed
> roll 10d6 Lightning Bolt
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 10d6 Lightning Bolt --> [ 10d6=44 ]{44}

Caster level check for SR.

> roll 1d20+25 CL Check
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+25 CL Check --> [ 1d20=17 ]{42}

Init is Sylvie (42) > Kascha (24) > Thurra (20) > Ebony (16) > Surraruthru (13) > Worm (6)

Quick note, the previous post omitted the purple worm's Will save against righteous smite. It was made but not posted due to an oversight. It's below, then the Ref save against Surraruthru's lightning bolt.

> roll 1d20+11 Will vs 27
<Rei-chan> Infinite_Xorn_Loop rolled : 1d20+11 Will vs 27 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{25}

> roll 1d20+14 Ref
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d20+14 Ref --> [ 1d20=3 ]{17}

The bolt of lightning hits the worm directly in the maw, making it convulse and smoke. It lets out a strange, buzzing trill as it retreats down, the tunnel it came from collapsing behind it. All that's left is an indent in the ground to show the battle happened, the worm outright retreating.

Free act. It ran after getting beaten around good.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3, Ghost Touch WeaponSC
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

[/quote]

Surraruthru snorts at the worm.

"Filthy worms. Thurra's lack of effort has been noted, though I'll admit I don't recall anyone ever making her help against enemies part of the deal. We should address this before we confront Secretus and she joins him against us."

Surraruthru stares at Thurra as he finishes.

Thurra dusts herself off and sends to you, 'I have no obligation to aid you in battle, only to guide you.'

"I'm aware, and said as much. But you turning on us once we find Secretus is something to be addressed. After all, delivering multiple agents of Aurora might just be enough to earn the forgiveness of a Daemon Lord for ousting him in the first place. May earn quite a chunk of reputation as well, if played off as part of a cunning plan."

Sylvie drifts down, "You know what will happen if you betray us. Will you betray us like Surraruthru said, or in any way we would consider it?"

> roll 1d20+53 intimidation (+23 inspiration, +5 circumstance)
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d20+53 intimidation (+23 inspiration, +5 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=7 ]{60}

Something in what Sylvie says makes the daemon draw back, 'I will not,' she hisses in all your minds, to which Sylvie nods.

"She's telling the truth."

Surraruthru chuckles.

"She's been exceedingly trustworthy so far... For a daemon. I'm impressed. We'll have to do what we can to help spread that part of your reputation around. But for now, let us continue."

> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=84 ]{84}
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=39 ]{39}

You wander for a few more hours. You're starting to get a bit hungry, but fortunately Niflheim seems bigger on desolation and creepiness rather than obvious problems right now. You really could go for a bite to eat.

As you ponder that, you hear Afina's voice in your mind. She says the following: 'Surraruthru this is Afina, is everything proceeding well? 27 believes you to be dead. Possibly. He's vague about it.'

'We're alive. Fought a worm that was no danger. We're in Niflheim hunting Secretus with a Yugoloth guide named Thurra, if you wish to come.'

Thus the message is sent.

Okay, I pasted it into Afina's thread. Anything you're going to do in the meantime or just going to keep going?

I'd let the others know about the sending, but yeah, keep going.

On telling the others, "It's probably due to where we are. That...whatever it is," Sylvie gestures back the way you came, "Plus being so close to the lair of Secretus. It must be foiling 27's sight."

"Probably so," Ebony says softly, hood drawn up tightly and robes thick around her.

"Oh yes," Kascha takes out a book and starts to write, "How fascinating. So 27 couldn't see us, there must be some sort of interdiction against divinations in addition to everything else. Which fits with what we know of Secretus."

"Indeed. If Afina wishes to join us, she'll find a way. For now, let us continue."

> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Koaway rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=7 ]{7}

You fly for hours. It's empty, desolate and miserable. You're beginning to feel tired, but all the outsiders are going on without stopping.

This is basically a check if you're going to rest or just forge through, since it takes a day (according to Thurra) to reach the gate.

"I am... loathe... to admit it, but my endurance does not seem to be as endless as all of you. I will need to rest soon, unless someone has a way of... carrying me."

I'd prefer to get some rest and have a chance to give my spells one list go-over before the big push.

"I can take care of an extra dimensional space if you need to rest," Kascha says, slowing her flight, "Though should we push further first?"

As you talk, you hear the sound of breaking glass.

"The decision might be made for us..."

Surraruthru cranes his neck around, looking for the source of the sound, a spell coming to his mind...

Listen check.

> roll 1d20+31 Listen
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+31 Listen --> [ 1d20=6 ]{37}

Ebony looks around as you don't hear anything else. At the same time, you have to smother a yawn, sleepiness spreading throughout you.

"I don't see anything," Kascha's sword is ready, fingers of her free hand in an arcane pattern, ready to trace it onto the foul air.

"I heard.. a cracking like--" Surraruthru yawns in the middle of his sentence, "breaking glass... Nothing else, though..."

Surraruthru looks about the area again, looking for anything out of place as sleepiness tugs at him, trying to resist any sleep until this possible threat is sorted.

You begin look around - and see a pale, pallid white smoke starting to seep into your scales, barely visible. Only the second sight of true seeing sees it.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3, Ghost Touch WeaponSC
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

[/quote]
[/quote]

Surraruthru snarls and hisses.

"White smoke is seeping into me! True seeing reveals it!"

Surraruthru tries to identify it before it can bring him low.

Surraruthru
HP: 296+12 (150HP 10/adamantine)
AC: 32+6
Touch AC: 17, Flat Footed: 26, SR: 33, CMB: 26, CMD: 42
Init: +12, Touch Atk: 29
Active: Mindblank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves
Passive: Improved Evasion, Diamond Body, True Seeing

"I see it too," Sylvie says, as...

K:P.

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

You believe you are under attack by a morpheoloth. They are a type of demon that attack through sleep and dreams, slaying the victim in a cascade of fear. The typical victim dies of a heart attack while asleep, never to rise again. These fiends can take a ghostly form to infect a victim and will then kill them once they fall asleep. They make the victim sleepy, and while it can't be blocked by normal means to stop sleep, it is entirely resistible.

Removing a morpheoloth requires a dispel evil spell. Alternately, one can go to sleep and attempt to slay the morpheoloth, though as morpheoloths can control and manipulate dreams, this is not recommended unless you are a trained oneiromancer.

Damn, this is the exact type of thing Surraruthru's old build should have let him *destroy.*

"Morpheoloth! I need a dispel evil spell, or I'll have to fight it in dreams."

Surraruthru says this slurringly through sleepiness and shaking his head to fight it off.

Ebony rushes forward, hood falling back as she places her hand on your chest. In Celestial she calls, "In the name of the Queen of the Battlefield, begone. By the evil that shattered within the heart of another, leave. By the mercy of all above, this one is not yours, daemon!"

You feel a crack deep in your chest followed by a ghostly wail, white smoke pouring out of you from all over. It whirls out around all of you, spinning 'round and 'round before fleeing.

'You are known to us. You will not escape.' A toneless grating voice slashes across your mind like a blade.

Ebony used one of her weekly dispel evils.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3, Ghost Touch WeaponSC
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

Surraruthru snaps back into full consciousness with the crack of power flowing and responds to the mental threat by drawing himself up into a rage and roaring defiance to the ethereal.

"I will rend your souls and scour your lands! I will break everything that you are! Escape! I stand waiting, with my allies, against your treachery!"

The four of you are close together. Sylvie is in a loose stance, ready to strike out. Ebony is drawn back tensely, a silver holy symbol of a queen chess piece brandished. Kascha has her sword held up in defense.

All around the four of you white smoke gathers. Far more than before, a susurrus of many voices just barely audible. Half heard threats surround all of you like a coffin.

Can I roll a check to see if/what kind of effect Celestial Valor or Naye's Life Font will have against these things, outside of they're typical effects? They're both holy/sacred energy spells, so I'm hoping they'll do something.

Alternatively, what effect will Hallow or Magic Circle Against Evil have?"

Sure.

Spellcraft or K:A?

K:A.

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+34 K:A --> [ 1d20=10 ]{44}

Your knowledge of magic and the planes tells you the following:

Celestial valor and Naeys's life font shouldn't have a meaningful impact on the morpheoloths. Fiends tend to flee or try to destroy hallowed spaces, so at the least that would draw an action. A magic circle against evil would help protect you, but it wouldn't stop the morpheoloths on their home ground.

Surraruthru prepares himself, readying a spell as Morpheoloth begin giving him targets.

In that case init, since things seem to be happening.

> roll 1d20+12 Init
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+12 Init --> [ 1d20=8 ]{20}

> roll 1d20+12 Kascha init
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+12 Kascha init --> [ 1d20=18 ]{30}
> roll 1d20+24
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+24 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{29}
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+8 Ebony --> [ 1d20=8 ]{16}
> roll 1d20+10 mists
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+10 mists --> [ 1d20=17 ]{27}

Init is Kascha (30) > Sylvie (29) > Mists (27) > Surraruthru (20) > Ebony (16)

The mists begin to gather around all of you. As this happens, Kascha lashes out, a whirlwind surrounding her. "Come!" she calls in Celestial, a single word as a great mass of air settles in around you. A mass vaguely in the shape of a human, but far bigger.

Using summon greater elemental with her one/day free quickening of it.

The figure rises up and becomes a massive tornado, swirling around the mists and circling the party.

> roll 1d20+16 vs 22
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+16 vs 22 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{25}

Init is Kascha = Greater Air Elemental (30) > Sylvie (29) > Mists (27) > Surraruthru (20) > Ebony (16)

The mists are somewhat dispersed, but largely  maintain coherency, resisting the tornado.

Sylvie shakes her head and holds her holy symbol. Amid a cry of "Oghma!" her fists become semi transparent.

Ghost touch weapon on herself to beat up the mists. Mists are up.

The mists, stirred but not dispersed, begin to flow into all of you.

Will saves, all. Any bonuses against evil apply.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

> roll 1d20+28+1 Will Save
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+28+1 Will Save --> [ 1d20=1 ]{30}

> roll 1d20+26 Kascha
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+26 Kascha --> [ 1d20=1 ]{27}
> roll 1d20+48 (+1 heroes feast, +14 inspiration, 12/13 left for encounter) Sylvie
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+48 (+1 heroes feast, +14 inspiration, 12/13 left for encounter) Sylvie --> [ 1d20=15 ]{63}
> roll 1d20+34 Ebony (+1 heroes feast)
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+34 Ebony (+1 heroes feast) --> [ 1d20=4 ]{38}

The mists flow. Surraruthru begins to feel tired as they seep into him, Kascha slumping as well. You feel so tired, like giving up and falling to the ground to sleep. So tired.

Go Surraruthru. There's no mechanical penalty as of yet.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

Can I K:A for what kind of effect a Dispel would have?

K:P but yes.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+34 K:P --> [ 1d20=1 ]{35}

No good. You need dispel evil or something similar to force a morpheoloth out.

Is there enough them visible for me to hit with a spell?

You could attack the mists, yes.

Surraruthru shakes his head, trying to ward off the sleepiness, before launching a spell at the thickest gathering of mists, hoping to punch a hole in the Morpheoloth's plans.

Hellball, level 10, CL 25.

> roll 10d6 Fire
> roll 10d6 Sonic
> roll 10d6 Acid
> roll 10d6 Electricity
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 10d6 Fire --> [ 10d6=31 ]{31}
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 10d6 Sonic --> [ 10d6=37 ]{37}
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 10d6 Acid --> [ 10d6=30 ]{30}
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 10d6 Electricity --> [ 10d6=39 ]{39}
> roll 1d20+25 CL Check
<Rei-chan> Iddy rolled : 1d20+25 CL Check --> [ 1d20=7 ]{32}

> roll 1d20+16 vs ???
<Rei-chan> Kowork rolled : 1d20+16 vs ??? --> [ 1d20=3 ]{19}

It fails, though for the record, what's the DC?

28.

The hellball detonates amid the mists, a great chunk of them fried, stirred, shocked and seared. You feel the pain as well, a distant echo in you as smoke pours out. The whispering voices become more like howls of pain, more audible to you. So many voices crying out in pain as one, a song of misery in response to your magic.

Init is Kascha = Greater Air Elemental (30) > Sylvie (29) > Mists (27) > Surraruthru (20) > Ebony (16)

Ebony is up.

Ebony utters a single word, the power of pulsing around you like the noon sun shining down. The mists swirl faster, but nothing more happens.

> roll 1d20+14 (-4 holy word) vs27
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+14 (-4 holy word) vs27 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{32}

Kascha's up.

"Elemental..." A yawn as Kascha struggles to stay up, "Spin!" The whirlwind above you spins again, going through the mists.

> roll 1d20+16 vs 22
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+16 vs 22 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{32}

No luck. Sylvie.

"Hells with this," Sylvie cracks her knuckles, before stepping into the mists and swinging all about.

> roll 1d20+38 (+1 heroes feast)
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+38 (+1 heroes feast) --> [ 1d20=6 ]{44}
> roll 1d20+38 (+1 heroes feast)
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+38 (+1 heroes feast) --> [ 1d20=17 ]{55}
> roll 1d20+33 (+1 heroes feast)
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+33 (+1 heroes feast) --> [ 1d20=13 ]{46}
> roll 1d20+28 (+1 heroes feast)
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+28 (+1 heroes feast) --> [ 1d20=5 ]{33}
> roll 1d20+37 (+1 heroes feast, +14 inspiration 11/13 left for encounter))
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+37 (+1 heroes feast, +14 inspiration 11/13 left for encounter)) --> [ 1d20=10 ]{47}
> roll 3d10+28+3d10+28+3d10+28+3d10+28+3d10+28
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 3d10+28+3d10+28+3d10+28+3d10+28+3d10+28 --> [ 3d10=12 3d10=17 3d10=11 3d10=13 3d10=8 ]{201}

Surraruthru feels every blow. Sylvie strikes with precise jabs and knees, beating the mist around. Semi-solid demons, humanoid and ghostly, appear before breaking apart before her blows. She rips through the mist with a kiai and kick that sends much of the mist fleeing. It begins to flee, much of it fading away as the feeling of fatigue leaves you. Smoke pours out of yourself and Kascha, fleeing.

Free act for now, you're welcome to pursue if you wish.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28), Ghost Touch Weapon (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Stoneskin (CL28), Spell Turning (CL28)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegratex2, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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).
[6/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous SmiteBoED.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

Returning to full consciousness again, Surraruthru considers going after the things.

"They could alert Secretus... but he likely knows we're coming already, and chasing them might take us away from our path."

Surraruthru shakes his head and sighs. "I suppose my rage will have to be sated with this."

"We will endure," Ebony adjusts her hood, "There is naught to do but proceed and stand against the daemons."

Kascha checks herself over and exhales, "Whew. We also need to be careful and save resources where we can. Secretus will be a dreadful battle and we will have to face much to reach him."

Surraruthru nods and settles in to rest while the outsiders travel.

Just going to take a nap on someone's shoulders then?

Sure, unless it's going to be a full rest of 8 hours, then I'll want to be wherever I need to in order to refresh spells.

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 77 > [d100=77]
> roll 1d100+5
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 86 > [d100=81]
> roll 1d100+10
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 100 > [d100=90]
> roll 1d100+10
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 99 > [d100=89]

You don't know how long you sleep, but it ends with Kascha's cry of, "Wake up!"

Surraruthru snaps awake, taking to the air and trying to get a quick read on the situation, preparing a Hellball.

That's the problem. Up in the sky, about 600ft up and circling above you is a huge dragon. Massive, village sized. It's a rusty red with metallic flecks here and there, "Rust dragon, normally native to Acheron," Kascha says softly, "What's it doing here and why is it stalking us?"

"Has it tried anything yet? Maybe it's just curious or sizing us up..."

"I doubt we're that lucky," Sylvie murmurs as the dragon begins to circle on downward, descending.

Ball's in your court at the moment, y'all.

Roll for info on Rust Dragons? Maybe a way to end the encounter non-violently or just get it to go away?

K:A.

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Serith> Rhaqa roll for Serith < 41 > [d20=7]

Rust dragons are planar dragons normally native to Acheron. They are true dragons and have all the traits true dragons have (except innate sorcery, though many study it independently). Metal weapons used against them are ineffective, and only highly enchanted magical weapons will do anything but crumble to dust if they strike them. They have an acid breath weapon as well as a rust breath weapon that instantly destroys metal.

What one's doing in Niflheim is anyone's guess.

"Well, we can try to reason with it, or just fight it. We're trying to conserve strength and spells. Talk it out?"

"We lose nothing by trying," Kascha murmurs back to you.

"I don't like it, but fighting closer is to our advantage," Ebony says, "But not too close."

Sylvie cracks her knuckles, "We'll deal with it any which way."

Surraruthru looks up at the approaching dragon and calls out in draconic, "Hold! We're only passing through your territory for find a Yugoloth! Leave us be, and neither of us has to waste strength. You'll be able to claim the Yugoloth's territory for your own, if you let us pass!"

The dragon comes down to 300ft above the party, circling in a broad loop around you. "Dragonling," she sneers, a feminine voice, "I am here to accept your surrender. You will now prostrate yourself before me or be obliterated. The outsiders with you will be allowed to surrender as well."

Surraruthru snorts at the larger dragon. "Do not mistake my willingness to let you fly away as weakness, dragoness. Passing through your lands is only an inconvenience. The prey we hunt is likely using your strength and lands as a screen to hide behind, growing rich and fat off of your protection. Let us pass and you'll benefit greatly; take his lands as your own and do so with no effort on your part. A good deal for anyone."

The dragon sneers down, "Then die!"

Unfortunately she's not a friendly dragon and your words just aren't working. Init here.

> roll 1d20+12 Init
<Serith> Rhaqa roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=7]

> roll 1d20+12 Kascha
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+24 Sylvie's fast
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 37 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+8 Ebony
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+16 rust dragon
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=11]

Init is Sylvie (37) > Rust Dragon (27) > Kascha (26) > Surraruthru (19) > Ebony (18)

Sylvie opens, which will happen in the next post. One moment.

Actually, part 2. Enough time has passed to end the following spells active on the party: Fortunate Fate, Stoneskin, Spell Turning.

Sylvie quickly makes a few strange gestures and points, a thin green beam flying at the dragon.

> roll 1d20 ranged touch against a dragon, this is only gonna miss on a 1
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 12 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+23 caster level check
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=2]

"Spell resistant," Kascha calls out as the spell fails to do anything at all. It hits the dragon but nothing else happens. Meanwhile the dragon flies overhead...

Dragonfear, but all of you are immune to it.

...and then utters a strange series of words.

> roll 1d4+1 time stop rounds
<Serith> Kowork roll for Serith < 5 > [d4=4]

Then dragon's gone? You barely have a moment to discern it, as to your side a massive hunk of rock in the shape of a human looms over you. It's titanitc and glowing with purple and red eldritch energies.

K:P if you want to try and identify this, Surraruthru,

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegrate, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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).
[6/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous SmiteBoED.
[6/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

[/quote]
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> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Serith> Rhaqa roll for Serith < 51 > [d20=17]

The creature before you is an earth monolith. It's been magically enhanced, based on the energy flowing around it.

I believe you're largely familiar with them from summon elemental monolith. If you aren't I can go into more detail, just say so.

Init is Sylvie (37) > Rust Dragon = Elemental Monolith (27) > Kascha (26) > Surraruthru (19) > Ebony (18)

As you do this, the monolith raises both fists up, slamming down with a brutal axe-handle strike on Surraruthru, the shadow of its fists falling on him like encroaching twilight.

> roll 1d20+51 (+6 ???, +5 ???)
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+51 (+6 ???, +5 ???) --> [ 1d20=9 ]{60}
> roll 1d20+51 (+6 ???, +5 ???)
<Kobot> Kowork rolled 1d20+51 (+6 ???, +5 ???) --> [ 1d20=3 ]{54}

AC, Surraruthru?

38.

> roll 6d8+21
> roll 6d8+21
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 43 > [d8=2,7,1,5,1,6]
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 40 > [d8=5,2,1,1,4,6]

Surraruthru is smacked hard into the ground, smashed against it by tons of stone. Only a hastily uttered word of power stops him from being ground into paste. As it is, his entire body aches sharply from it, a general welling of pain throughout his body.

Kascha'll hold one moment to let you go. Go Surraruthru.

Surraruthru glares grumpily at the monolith, then the Rust Dragon. Two can play that game...

Thinking so, Surraruthru begins casting a spell...

Casting Time Stop, DC 27, CL 25
> roll 1d4+1 Time Stop
<Serith> Rhaqa roll for Serith < 3 > [d4=2]

1st round: Cast Blink, CL 25, Duration 25 rounds. Move action: Fly above Monolith.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Physical attacks against you have a 50% miss chance, and the Blind-Fight feat doesn't help opponents, since you're ethereal and not merely invisible. If the attack is capable of striking ethereal creatures, the miss chance is only 20% (for concealment).
If the attacker can see invisible creatures, the miss chance is also only 20%. (For an attacker who can both see and strike ethereal creatures, there is no miss chance.) Likewise, your own attacks have a 20% miss chance, since you sometimes go ethereal just as you are about to strike.
Any individually targeted spell has a 50% chance to fail against you while you're blinking unless your attacker can target invisible, ethereal creatures. Your own spells have a 20% chance to activate just as you go ethereal, in which case they typically do not affect the Material Plane.
While blinking, you take only half damage from area attacks (but full damage from those that extend onto the Ethereal Plane). You strike as an invisible creature (with a +2 bonus on attack rolls), denying your target any Dexterity bonus to AC.
You take only half damage from falling, since you fall only while you are material.
While blinking, you can step through (but not see through) solid objects. For each 5 feet of solid material you walk through, there is a 50% chance that you become material. If this occurs, you are shunted off to the nearest open space and take 1d6 points of damage per 5 feet so traveled. You can move at only three-quarters speed (because movement on the Ethereal Plane is at half speed, and you spend about half your time there and half your time material.)
Since you spend about half your time on the Ethereal Plane, you can see and even attack ethereal creatures. You interact with ethereal creatures roughly the same way you interact with material ones.
An ethereal creature is invisible, incorporeal, and capable of moving in any direction, even up or down. As an incorporeal creature, you can move through solid objects, including living creatures.
An ethereal creature can see and hear the Material Plane, but everything looks gray and insubstantial. Sight and hearing on the Material Plane are limited to 60 feet.
Force effects and abjurations affect you normally. Their effects extend onto the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, but not vice versa. An ethereal creature can't attack material creatures, and spells you cast while ethereal affect only other ethereal things. Certain material creatures or objects have attacks or effects that work on the Ethereal Plane. Treat other ethereal creatures and objects as material.

2nd round: Cast Wall of Force, CL 25, Duration 25 rounds, Effect: 25x10ft square, Range: 85ft. Move action: Retrieve one anti magic stone from haversack.

Spoiler: ShowHide

The wall cannot move, it is immune to damage of all kinds, and it is unaffected by most spells, including dispel magic. However, disintegrate immediately destroys it, as does a rod of cancellation, a sphere of annihilation, or a mage's disjunction spell. Breath weapons and spells cannot pass through the wall in either direction, although dimension door, teleport, and similar effects can bypass the barrier. It blocks ethereal creatures as well as material ones (though ethereal creatures can usually get around the wall by floating under or over it through material floors and ceilings). Gaze attacks can operate through a wall of force.

Placing the blocks to create a net-like barrier between myself and the Rust Dragon, with spaces in it so I can step out from behind it to attack.

3rd round: Activate Anti Magic Field Stone, drop rock onto Monolith's head, which should cause it to wink out if it was summoned.[/spoiler]

As time snaps back into full force, Surraruthru stares calmly at the Rust Dragon, his form blurring and shifting and teleporting, from behind the Wall of Force and the many murder holes he's built into it.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Surraruthru
HP: 296+12
AC: 32+6
Touch AC: 17, Flat Footed: 26, SR: 33, CMB: 26, CMD: 42
Init: +12, Touch Atk: 29
Active: Mindblank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves
Passive: Improved Evasion, Diamond Body, True Seeing

Okay. Apparently the stone trick words RAW, so we'll roll with it for now. I'll come back to the headache of time stop + casting antimagic field later.

You move like a blur, sand appearing around the monolith's head as you drop your stone from above. Time returns as you activate it - and the monolith winks out as it comes closer and hits the ground.

"Where is he?" Ebony asks.

"Over there!" Sylvie points ahead, about 90ft up and 20ft to the side. "There! Are you still able to cast, Surraruthru?"

Sylvie has true seeing and can detect the dragon. Ebony held for a moment.

As a heads up, Habob is what I cut out of my Time Stop actions, so I'm not sure if you want remove your mention of sand. Also, I have True Seeing via Hathren Mask of True Seeing.

Surraruthru looks across to where Sylvie is pointing, watching for the Rust Dragon's reaction to his response while calling out to the others.

"Not at this second, but yes. I will do something about her invisibility when I can!"

Thanks for the heads up on both, your post was edited so many times that I lost track. (That sounds way more passive-aggressive than I meant.)

You can see the dragon as well, semi transparent from revealed invisibility. The dragon's gaze is on all of you, Its wings wrap tight around it, staying afloat without them.

Init is Sylvie (37) > Rust Dragon = Elemental Monolith (suppressed) (27) > Kascha (26) > Surraruthru (19) > Ebony (18)

Ebony's up for the sake of keeping init in the same order, rather than having her hold after Sylvie.

Ebony slowly turns, bowing her head. She utters a nearly silent prayer, lost in the sounds of battle. Yet the skies above part, glorious light parting the gloom of the realm. A faint shadow over your heart vanishes as you realize it was even there. Reality seems more, as the light focuses on the rust dragon.

Ebony's casting a purified righteous smite. Due to her exalted arcanist training, she can do this without increasing the casting time.

> roll 1d20+22 vs dragon spell resistance
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=3]

Bummer.

Yet the dragon is unscathed. "It is more powerful than I thought," Ebony appends, her voice carrying. "We cannot afford to hold back."

"Fine, spread out." Sylvie says shortly, cracking her knuckles before walking 20ft straight ahead. Just positioning as she takes out 21, the book shining with light as she utters three incomprehensible words. A great ray of light flies out, a massively wide beam flying out and consuming the dragon.

> roll 1d20+30 reflex vs DC 46
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 50 > [d20=20]
> roll 21d12+21 halve this
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 138 > [d12=2,2,7,5,8,5,5,1,7,1,12,5,5,7,6,11,6,9,9,3,1]

In the aftermath, the dragon is visibly shaken. Some of its scales crumble away into dust as it recoils, before...

> roll 1d4+1 time stop again
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 2 > [d4=1]

In an instant, the dragon is gone. You can't see it anywhere - at least within the range of true seeing.

Free act for the moment, though it's possible the dragon's still in range to be dangerous. True seeing has a range of 120ft.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegrate, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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).
[6/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous SmiteBoED.
[5/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome

"Sylvie, and anyone else with True Seeing, spread out and orbit the others. Try to keep in range so the others can assist, but we need to find it."

Saying so, Surraruthru dives out of the air to land on Kascha's shoulder, then takes three additional AMF Stones out of his Haversack-saddlebags and passes them to her.

"I've got two more, but just in case. You can activate them and throw them to zone off an area." With that, he takes off to orbit the group, trying to find the Rust Dragon, including flying up, since it originally came from altitude, that might be its preference.

Kascha takes them as Sylvie fans out. Looking about, none of you see the dragon at all. "Nothing," Sylvie calls from opposite as she continues to walk around at a good clip, "No sign of it without going up and flying around."

"Should we do so? I don't exactly want to continue on with a Rust Dragon stalking us from a few hundred feet up. It'll pick the worst moment to come back for revenge. I would. Plus... I may have a plan or two that requires certain... Bits and pieces I want to gouge out of its hide."

Surraruthru snorts at the thought of the Rust Dragon.

"The gall. To challenge me, to strike me, after I generously allowed it the option of letting us pass without our killing it on principle."

"We can't go on with that hanging over our head, but we can't afford a damaging battle, either," Kascha says, frowning.

"Which means we have to choose one or the other," Ebony softly adds.

Meanwhile, Thurra creeps back over. In your minds you hear, 'Still alive?'

"Yes, we are. It appears to have run. Sylvie, do you want to do aerial stacking while we continue? One of us every 90 feet or so? We still need to wait a bit until the Monolith summon expires and I can get the stone back."

Aerial stacking? What's that?

Like walking in a line, but vertical. So if the range on True Seeing is 120 ft, have Sylvie at like 110 ft. above the ground people, and then me 110 feet above Sylvie. I still need to wait out the summon time on the Monolith, which I'd guess is about 10 min, so I can get my AMF stone back, too.

Okay, how long are you waiting to kill the summoning time?

I'd guess about 10 min.

Ten minutes pass tersely, uneventfully. You pick up the stone and the elemental does not return.

As an aside, activating Detect Magic at-will SLA.

"Let's continue, I suppose. We'll be wary, but standing here for much longer is an equally bad idea. We may need to find a place to rest before we make any direct moves against Secretus."

Spot checks, all.

At work. Requesting roll. +34 I think.

[14:48] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+34 spot Surru
[14:48] <Rei-chan> Nephrite rolled : 1d20+34 spot Surru --> [ 1d20=8 ]{42}

As a note it's listed as 31 on the sheet, so that should be 39 unless there's a booster I'm unaware of.

Iddy, the difference may matter here, so please clarify.

It's whatever is on the sheet. At work and can't really check. I said +34 because most of my skills are, so I said I think.

> roll 1d20+34 Kascha
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+21 Sylvie
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=19]
> OOC: +5 to that for a total of 45.
> roll 1d20+32 Ebony
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=20]

You begin to go about. No sign of the rust dragon that any of you see, thankfully. Is it gone? You aren't sure, but after about 20 more minutes of travel through the wastes of Hades, "It's not here,' Kascha murmurs, "Or it's hidden so well we can't detect it."

Surraruthru goes down in altitude to better speak with the others.

"We'll just have to operate on the assumption it's going to ambush us when we're weakest. If it's a dragon that's craven enough to flee, then it's craven enough to let something else defeat us for it. Further proven by it's use of the Monolith. In any case, I've used some precious spells. Should we look for a place to rest before continuing or push ahead?"

"I've been conserving to save energy," Ebony admits, "I can go on."

"As can I," Sylvie says, "I don't fancy resting in Hades, this place erodes your soul like acid."

Kascha hums and pulls out her book, flipping through it. "Yes, Hades is a miserable place. But if you need to rest, we'll go extradimensional, of course. A mage's mansion should be suitable."

"We can continue, but I've used some powerful spells. I've still got most of my empowering spells, but I'm down a Wall of Force and Time Stop. I'm also a bit hurt. For now, we can continue, but if we come against more fights, then I'll need some rest."

"Allow me," Ebony comes forward, "I will heal you, if you wish."

Surraruthru nods and lands on Ebony's shoulders, curling around her.

> roll 3d8+15
> roll 3d8+15
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 22 > [d8=2,1,4]
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 20 > [d8=1,1,3]

Two cure serious wounds. What's that put your HP at?

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegrate, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[4/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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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).
[6/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous SmiteBoED.
[5/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome
[/quote]

267/296. And 0/12 temp HP from the feast.

One more then.

> roll 3d8+15
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 24 > [d8=5,1,3]

Temp HP's gone once it's expended, doesn't refill and isn't healable.

"More?" Ebony asks after the third spell.

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegrate, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[3/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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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).
[6/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous SmiteBoED.
[5/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome
[/quote]
[/quote]

"No, I feel much better, thank you."

"Healing is a wonderful gift," Ebony says, adjusting her hood. "If I had it to do again, perhaps I would have studied the arts of a cleric and devoted myself to healing. What is sweeter than seeing the misery of pain be wiped away?"

"Victory. Strength enough to intimidate all enough that harm is prevented in the first place. Mounds and mounds and mounds of treasure. Vast, sprawling, verdant swaths of territory housing many groves. Friends."

Surraruthru settles in for the rest of the ride, trying to rest as much as he can since it was interrupted before.

"...the last is not an answer I expect to hear from a dragon," Ebony says after a few moments. "It is a good answer."

Are you going to try and sleep or just rest?

Sleep I guess. Angry dragon is good dragon.

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 24 > [d100=24]

You drift to an uneasy sleep.

It is a dream of half forgotten nightmares and misery, until you awaken with a start. No. Not a start. Ebony gently shakes you. "Awaken," she whispers. "We've traveled several hours, we're within a few hours of where the valeoloths await us. Do you need that mansion?"

Surraruthru stretches his wings out, hopping to the ground.

"Hmm.. It would be wise to, but we've lingered here long enough, and if that Rust Dragon is following us, it'll only give her time to recover and prepare, as well. Though, we still need to figure out a way to deliver the Anti Magic Stones onto the Valeoloths, to prevent them from sounding the alarms. Ideas?"

"One of us flies up high, since our flight doesn't require magic, and we drop them? From really high up?" Kascha suggests. "It depends on how well they can perceive us and if they'll stop everything."

"We can try, and if it fails, they'll still give us an edge. I don't think 21 cares much about antimagic, if it comes down to it." Sylvie adds.

"Best we've got. Lets do it. Who all wants a stone?"

"I'll take them all and do it," Kascha says, "If it goes wrong, I can escape to Aurora and mount a rescue."

"... Thank you. That's a lot of danger to take on."

Surraruthru hands over the stones.

The stones are duly taken, except for the one already activated today.

How many stones total?

Six total, so five still to be activated, plus Kascha's one.

Thurra leads you - until she stops before a bit of a hill. It's on the horizon, visible but barely. 'It's there,' she points, 'I have concluded my service to you.'

"I am... loathe... to let you go... but a deal is a deal... as long as the others agree that your service has been completed, as well. Though know this. We are not the only ones with your name. If any treachery falls on us because of you, you will answer for it."

"Flee and return to the darkness you hide in," Ebony says coolly, "For as long as Hades cares to allow you to live what misery you call a life."

Thurra hurries away, leaving the party behind once no one objects.

"Well then. One annoyance gone. Let's be about our business. Keep an eye out for the Rust Dragon. Sylvie, do you want to accompany Kascha on her flight, just in case the Rust Dragon is lurking and decides to go after her when she's apart from the group?"

Sylvie nods, "For the best. Do you two have a means of escape of this goes wrong?"

"We'd better," Ebony adds quietly, "I believe you do, Surraruthru?"

"I have Wish prepared, so I'm sure I can figure something out, but it feels like you had something specific in mind, Ebony. What's your idea?"

"A plane shift or superior methods would do," Ebony says, "A wish is more than able to do so."

What superior methods? I assume Surraruthru would know, but my personal knowledge is lacking.

Surraruthru nods to Ebony, "Yes, we're covered there. Any other preparations? If not, let us get this over with."

Greater plane shift or gate come to mind.

"We're ready," Sylvie says, "Good luck, all of you. Oghma, please," she murmurs, hand lingering on her holy symbol before she takes to the air.

Surraruthru waits, keeping an eye out for any threats while Kascha does her work.

Spot check.

> roll 1d20+31 Spot
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=5]

> roll 1d20+32 Spot Ebony
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 43 > [d20=11]

You don't see anything for a time, but eventually Ebony peers ahead and murmurs, "I think I saw them, they've fallen and should be in place." Ebony says, "This is our chance."

"Let's go then."

Saying so, Surraruthru heads off with the others towards the hill.

Taking any other precautions or just walking up?

Mundane stealth. Hide/move silent. Once I get a better view on what's up there and how it's laid out, I may set something up. So speaking of Hide/Move Silent:

> roll 1d20+47 Hide
> roll 1d20+47 Move Silent
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 65 > [d20=18]
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=5]

> roll 1d20+8 untrained hide Ebony
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+8 untrained Listen Ebony
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 26 > [d20=18]

You creep forward. Far ahead you can see a grove of dead olive trees, great hulking creatures hanging from it. Humanoidish with blades. You can't see much more from here, save for the fact they aren't reacting.

Surraruthru whispers to Ebony, "Should we keep approaching like this, or try invisibility? The stone should stop any true seeing abilities."

"Is there a point? The stones will negate it when we need it the most." Ebony points out.

"Could we not circle past them and enter undetected?"

Honest question, could we not just circle around the hill and avoid them entirely? I'm not sure what the lay out here is.

You aren't close enough to see, let alone to note where the stones landed. Getting closer is required.

"Let us get closer and see if there is a way to bypass them. Avoiding another fight would be preferable."

Want to move up and see, then.

You move closer as you see Sylvie and Kascha descending above the grove.

> roll 1d100 luck check for how the stones fell precisely
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 60 > [d100=60]

It is a circle of six trees. Each has a valeoloth hung from it, hanging limply with visibly broken necks. They are perhaps a little less than a dozen feet tall, withered bodies of dull brown, metallic gray and rust red. Their eyes are wide open despite being in death's embrace, each locked in a moment of wide eyed horror. From each of their backs come wings made of blades, even now dripping with blood. Each has a falchion impaled through their chest, a large and bloody wound.

There's no reaction as you approach. You can see the stones are more or less on target, all six daemons covered by the stones. In the center of the grove you can see a whirling, twisting point of black.

Surraruthru considers the Valeolths, idly wondering if there's a way to bind them, like Thurra... They could be powerful allies in the assault, and almost certainly discontent with their current state... That aside, he inspects the point of black.

K:P check.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 47 > [d20=13]

It looks like some sort of portal to step through.

However, with your true seeing enhanced eyes and studying it up close, you can see it's an illusion. An outer defensive barrier, one that acts as a hollow sphere of annihilation. Touching it will deal grievous harm and almost certainly disintegrate you. It must be moved to reveal the portal it hides within.

Meanwhile Sylvie and Kascha land, silently glancing at you. Around you the valeoloths are silent, unmoving and unreacting - so far.

You can make an K:A check about spheres of annihilation if you want.

Surraruthru motions to them to look at the dot of black, and waits to prevent them from touching it.
> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=6]

Useful things:

- You can control a sphere of annihilation with a mental command, but it's not easy. If you succeed, you can move it in a direction you wish. If you fail, it would move towards you instead. That's not good.

- A gate spell will destroy a sphere, but it causes cataclysmic damages and explosion. The fact that there's also a portal inside of it would make it even more explosive. It may or may not damage Secretus' lair, but everything around here would have a really bad day.

- For that matter, the portal there may or may not react if the sphere is moved over it. You'd assume yes, but it also begs the question on how the portal is used if so.

Quote from: Anastasia on October 14, 2016, 01:28:36 PM
Useful things:

- You can control a sphere of annihilation with a mental command, but it's not easy. If you succeed, you can move it in a direction you wish. If you fail, it would move towards you instead. That's not good.

Is this done with a will check or something? Is it opposed? If I do take control of it, can I take it with me through the portal to use as a weapon?

Quote from: Anastasia on October 14, 2016, 01:28:36 PM
- A gate spell will destroy a sphere, but it causes cataclysmic damages and explosion. The fact that there's also a portal inside of it would make it even more explosive. It may or may not damage Secretus' lair, but everything around here would have a really bad day.

Is there a roll I can make to see if there's a way to channel the explosion into the other side of the portal, or a way to like.. fracture it off and seal it away from any other plane? Or a way to increase the destruction to flat out destroy his little slice of hell?

Quote from: Anastasia on October 14, 2016, 01:28:36 PM
- For that matter, the portal there may or may not react if the sphere is moved over it. You'd assume yes, but it also begs the question on how the portal is used if so.

I'm going to have to get Kascha and Sylvie in on this one, depending on the answers above.

Please don't use post quotes in IC threads. Thanks.

It's a special control check. It's 1d20 + hit dice + Int mod. The DC of a bog standard sphere is 30.

K:P check.

Sure, ask them IC and we'll go from there.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Serith> IronDragoon roll for Serith < 48 > [d20=14]

Surraruthru motions Sylvie and Kascha close, whispering, not wanting to alert the Valeoloths, "Once the Sphere is moved, how do you think the portal will act? How can we trigger it?"

Sylvie glances back quickly, but nothing seems to be happening. After a few beats she whispers back, "It's either rigged up to somehow coexist and ignore that portal or it's a booby trap."

Sylvie takes 10 on the relevant Knowledge checks.

"I'm going to bet it's a trap, with what we know of Secretus. It's probably set up to destroy the portal no matter what, to seal his area off from attack... Who wants to move it, or does anyone have a better idea?"

Sylvie considers, "The best hope is to get away, cast a gate on it and pray it destroys it rather than causing a massive explosion."

"Probably so, yes," Kascha whispers back, "Tricky of him, it's a tough trap to deal with even if you neutralize the valeoloths."

"And the explosion may take care of the Valeoloths for us... I don't have gate prepared, though. Does anyone else? If not, we may have to take a rest while I prepare it. Which.. may be a wise idea anyway. I would not put it past Secretus to have an alarm set up if the Valeoloths die or lose contact. If he does, and it's triggered by the latter, he may be waiting, and the time we take may make him curious enough to take a peek."

"Not that particular spell, but if we go back, we're right back to facing down since valeoloths," Sylvie scowls, "Damn it."

[spoiler]

Kascha
HP: 271+11/271
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Superior Resistance (CL25)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: Greater elemental summon quickening

Sylvie
HP: 305+17/305
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20), Greater Mighty Wallop (CL23), Endure Elements (CL23), Overland Flight (CL23)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease, damage reduction 10/adamantine
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Ebony
HP: 256+16/256
Spells Active: Mind Blank (CL25), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL25), Heroes Feast (CL20)
Bonuses: +1 morale attack/will saves, immunity to poison and disease
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 dispel evil

--

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 23rd. The save DCs are 17 + spell level.

Kascha casts as a 23rd level wizard. (Caster level 26th for spells with the fire descriptor; caster level 25rd 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, 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 Blank.
[4/day]9: Mass Heal, Twinned Greater Fireburst, Empowered Righteous Smite, Wish
[4/day]10: Celestial ValorHome, Energy ImmunityHome, Quickened Greater Dispel Magic, Seira's Unicorn ApocalypseHome

--

Sylvie casts as a 13th level chameleon (Caster level 23rd.) Her save DCs are 24 + spell level (arcane) or 15 + spell level (divine). Her spell selection themes are personal power and planar survival.

Arcane casting

[4/day]0: Detect Magicx2, Prestidigitationx2
[8/day]1: Improvisationx3SC, Magic Missilex2, Shieldx2
[8/day]2: Body of the SunSC, Detect Thoughts, Electric LoopSCx2, Resist Energyx2, See Invisibilityx2
[7/day]3: Amorphous FormSC,, Displacement, Greater Mighty WallopRD, Heroism, Sylvie's Speedy AppraisalHome, Vampiric Touch
[7/day]4: Assay Spell ResistanceSC, Attune Formx2SC, Dimensional Anchor, Dimension Door, Enervationx2
[7/day]5: IndomitabilitySC, Overland Flight, Teleportx2, Wall of Forcex2.
[7/day]6: Bite of the Weretigerx3SC, Disintegrate, Greater Heroismx2.
[3/day]7: Greater Teleport, Limited Wish, Waves of Exhaustion.

RD - Races of the Dragon.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Divine casting

[4/day]0: Create Waterx3, Cure Minor Wounds.
[5/day]1: ConvictionSC, Divine Favorx2, Foundation of StoneSC, Goodberry
[5/day]2: Aid, Lore of the Godsx3CC, Spiritual Weapon
[5/day]3: BlindsightSC, Cure Serious Woundsx3
[5/day]4: Death Wardx2, Divination, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement.
[4/day]5: Plane Shift, Righteous Mightx2, Spell Resistance, Zone of RevelationSC
[4/day]6: Healx4.
[1/day]7: Aura of VitalitySC

CC - Complete Champion
SC - Spell Compendium.

Arcane Dilettante casting. 9 spells with a maximum of level 8. Save DCs are 22 + spell level.

Bite of the Werebear, Cone of Cold, Enervation, Greater Mirror Image, Greater Invisibility, Greater Mighty Wallop, Greater Heroism, Polar Ray, Shield.

--

Ebony casts as an 23rd level bard. (Caster level 27th 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.
[3/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.
[4/day]7: Heal, Rain of EmbersBoED(1d2 str drain), True Seeing, Vision.

Frost - Frostburn.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Ebony casts as a 22nd level sorcerer. (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.

[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).
[6/day]7: Greater Teleport, Holy Word, Righteous SmiteBoED.
[5/day]8: Greater Planar Ally, Polar Ray, Lightning RingSC.
[7/day]9: Blinding GloryBoED, Reaving DispelSC, Time Stop.
[4/day]10: Planet DefenderHome, Unseen NeedleHome
[/quote]
[/quote]
[/quote]

What's the duration on the AMF stones?

10 minutes/level. Check loot for the CL, it's 10 * that in minutes. So over and hour but not more than two.

"Well, if we can't get enough time to prepare the spell, then the only option left is to try and take control of the sphere and move it... I wonder what'll happen if we move the sphere into one of the Anti Magic Fields..."

Kascha takes 10 on an K:A check.

"They'll ignore it. Spheres of annihilation aren't mortal magic, they're beyond means such as this." Kascha says ever so softly, constantly glancing back at the silent and still valeoloths.

"Well, if we can control it, then we can at least move it to destroy the Valeoloths. That'll be one less worry, and may give us the time we need to decide on spells. Any objections or other ideas?"

"Can't think of anything else, though we may already be in trouble," Sylvie says, frowning to herself, "I don't like any of this, but I don't think we have a choice."

Surraruthru nods. "I suppose I'll try, then. You may want to step back in case it is trapped."

Everyone steps back as requested.

Surraruthru focuses on the sphere, attempting to take control of it, hoping to do so without blowing himself up or being shredded into nothingness...

> roll 1d20+24+8 Sphere Control
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 38 > [d20=6]

Surraruthru moves the sphere, it responds to his will.

> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Sunshine_Ko rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=84 ]{84}

The moment the sphere moves across the portal, there is a tremendous tearing sound. The sphere is sucked in as the portal expands dozens of times over, becoming larger than any of you. The portal is pitch black and sucks at all of you, drawing you in.

Strength checks to resist, all.

> roll 1d20+4 Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=9]

> roll 1d20+5 Kascha
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 17 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+18 Sylvie brains of over brawn is nice for her
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+4 Ebony
<Serith> Sunshine_Ko roll for Serith < 7 > [d20=3]

Make a Fort save, Surraruthru.

> roll 1d20+29 Fort Save
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=7]

You land somewhere hard. It's pitch black, but your darkvision allows you to see. It's a 10ft by 10ft room, the walls solid stone. No doors, you seem to be trapped.

Surratuthru inspects the room, looking for any weakness in the walls and listening for an indication of which wall leads to a corridor or another room.

Search check.

> roll 1d20+24 Search
<Serith> IronDragoon roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=15]

You check the roof and see faint lines that suggest that the ceiling can open up. You don't see anything on the smooth surface of the ceiling that looks like a way to open it, though. It's also quite warm to the touch, you find. Almost unpleasantly so.

Would Fire Immunity cover things like Magma and molten metals and such?

Yes. It won't stop drowning in them or being coated in cooling rock or metal, but it would stop the fire damage from them.

Surraruthru pulls on his magical reserves casting Energy Immunity (Fire) on himself. Once that settles over him, he focuses again, changint, and lets loose with a blast of Disintegrate, readying himself to leap and fly to the highest corner of the room before he's covered in whatever may come through.

Your spell is timely, for as you wrap fire warding around you, the door above opens. Lava begins to pour into the room, gushing in. It's hot and bright orange, lighting up the room as it begins to fill the room up.

That happened before the disintegrate, you chose your actions with great wisdom. Go, you can do the disintegrate or take a different tack.

Surraruthru maintains his hovering as close to the ceiling as he can, waiting for the room to fill until it's almost touching him, hoping the lava is released in a measured amount; exactly enough to fill the room. Once the room is almost filled, he fires off the Disintegrate spell, hoping to vaporize the last little bit and leaving the path through the trap door clear to fly through and leaving him from being covered in molten stone.

If not, he decides he'll just swim through it as best he can.

How tall is Surraruthru?

I never really defined, but since I have him as a large-ish shoulder pet, I'd say about he has the body size of a large cat, with a longer tail/neck that drapes down about the length of a scarf.

Surraruthru waits until the last minute, casting disintegrate. The lava in the room is disintegrated, gone, though more continues to pour in from above. No sign of it stopping, unfortunately.

10ft cube in a 10ft room basically clears it.

Surraruthru calls on his innate magical ability and summons creatures to assist him!

Using my 1/day Summon Nature's Ally IV to summon 1d3 Summon Nature's Ally III to summon Thoqqua
> roll 1d3 Summon Nature's Ally III
<Serith> IronDragoon roll for Serith < 2 > [d3=2]

"Thoqqua, work together and burrow up through the lava to the surface!"

Okay, first of all. Can you breathe in liquids in any form, or are you able to stop breathing? Lava's closer to a semi-solid, but whatever.

I have Water Breathing (Ex): A Faerie Dragon can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon, spells, and other abilities while submerged. Other than that, I can hold my breath?

So noted.

You summon the creatures but nothing happens.

K:A check.

> roll 1d20+34 K:A
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 49 > [d20=15]

Surraruthru can tell something's interdicting his summons. Can't tell what from this end of it, but odds are summoning anything is going to fail.

Surraruthru casts Disintegrate directly upwards, hoping to be able clear a cavity through and above whatever river of lava is above him.

How close are aiming in regards to the lava flow?

I'm tying to get as close to the ceiling as I can and cast directly up, hoping it clears through the lava and a small cavity above the lava river.

So like it goes through the lava and hits past it or hits the lava and also gets some other stuff with it?

Goes through the lava and hits past/through it. Trying to make it so I can fly above the lava river above me.

Lava and stone vanish in a 10ft cube above you. You see the lava chute extends higher than that, lava still pouring down after. Bought you some more vertical space, though the air's starting to become gassy and unpleasant to breathe.

Surraruthru takes a moment to cast Superb Dispelling, hoping to knock out whatever is in the area blocking his magic!

Superb Dispelling, CL 30.
Maximum bonus of +40.
> roll 1d20+39 Superb Dispelling
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=13]

Hits up to CL41. Impressive.

Lava continues to fall as everything shakes. Magic shatters all around you, crumbling apart in ethereal shapes of blue fire.

Surraruthru focuses again, casting Wish, "I wish Kashca, Ebony, Sylvie, and myself were teleported together to the most advantageous place in Secretus' domain!"

Kascha, just FYI. Not Kashca.

You cast your wish and reality splits around you. You appear before a swirling black portal floating in the void, nothing around you anywhere save for the portal.

Surraruthru sighs in exasperation, since absolutely nothing seems to go his way on this trip, and looks around briefly before studying the portal.

K:P check.

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=2]

It's a portal. Goes somewhere you think, possibly out of here based on the structure.

Surratthru flies through it.

You feel like you're falling, and you emerge with a start. You stand just before the portal into Secretus' domain, the six valeoloths hanging without a speck of motion. No sign of your friends.

Amazingly, the most advantageous place in a fiend's domain is the exit, so you can get the hell out of there. I don't like being a dick with wishes, but it was the best fit and also unwarded to internal teleport.

Surraruthru decides to just dive back in. He's made it this far and the others are somewhere, so he might as well.

You find the sphere of annihilation isn't there anymore, so diving back in is simple. You appear on the other side of the portal, where you were before. There is void as far as the eye can see. Emptiness, though it seems solid enough for you to stand on if you wish.

Surraruthru simply walks forward to see if anything happens.

Make an Intelligence check.

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

You walk. Around the void forms. Ahead is Aurora, assembling before your eyes. The great fortress of Medi builds itself from nothingness in mere moments. To your left you see your grove on Lifasa appear, whole and safe. To your right you see the Cauldron, appearing as if from thin air.

Surraruthru inspects the images, expecting them to be traps of some sort, and trying to identify what they are.

How precisely are you inspecting them, with just your eyes or...?

I have Detect Magic and True Seeing active. If I don't get anything off of those, I'm going to assume there's something more and probably cast Greater Arcane Sight.

There's magic. Spellcraft.

> roll 1d20+34 Spellcraft
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 52 > [d20=18]

The realm here reacts to living creatures. It reflects the knowledge they know, giving it shape and form. It's not completely unlike Limbo, but entirely cerebral. Fascinating. If you had leisure, you feel you could spend months here, studying it and unraveling the mysteries. Such magic is the work of an archmage of archmages, beyond even your mastery of immortal magic.

Surraruthru focuses on his allies, hoping he can cause the space to provide a portal to them.

Make an Intelligence check.

> roll 1d20+8 Int
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=16]

To your will, a portal appears.

Surraruthru darts into it, taking note of this place. If Secretus is defeated, perhaps the magic behind this place could be learned and adapted to Aurora's benefit...

You slip through the portal, a swirling blackness.

You stand in a dungeon. Stone walls, mold, dank water, cold. Ahead of you is a dead end where Kascha is chained to the wall. She is dressed only in a few mocking scraps that do nothing to preserve her decency. "Surru...help..." she whispers.

Yet your ensorcelled eyes see past it. With true seeing, you see it is not Kascha, but a shadowy thing with claws, vaguely human like. It's waiting, leering, ready to pounce.

Simply locks eyes with the thing and begins chanting, casting Orb of Force at the thing.

Orb of Force, CL 25.
No save, no SR, 10d6 max.
> roll 10d6
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 33 > [d6=6,2,6,2,1,1,4,1,4,6]

The spell hits the shadow-fiend right in the middle, knocking it back through the wall, going through the chains like they aren't there. It comes back out nad roars, "You dare strike me? I am Secretus and you will die!"

Init here.

> roll 1d20+12 Init
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 25 > [d20=13]

> roll 1d20+2
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=20]

Init is Surraruthru (25) > Shadow Fiend (22)

Feel free to make K:R to identify it, Surraruthru. Open.

Surraruthru focuses and calls on his magic again, sending another Orb of Force at the thing!

Orb of Force, CL 25.
No save, no SR, 10d6 max.
> roll 10d6
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 44 > [d6=5,4,2,6,3,4,6,2,6,6]

Like that, the creature of shadow breaks apart. All that's left behind are the chains hanging on the wall.

Free act, it be dead.

Surraruthru inspects the chains and wall, recalling it got knocked through them, approaching to get a better look.

It went through the wall like it wasn't there, so the wall is intact. The wall doesn't seem like an illusion, anyway.

Surraruthru cautiously pokes the wall with the tip of his tail, ready to dodge back if it goes wrong.

It's a solid wall. There's mold growing on it and it's damp. Cold too.

Surraruthru turns away from it, inspecting the rest of the area, looking for hidden doors and where the other end of the hallway leads.

It's a bland square of dungeon, no doors.

Search check.

> roll 1d20+24 Search
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 27 > [d20=3]

No hidden doors or passages that you can find.

Surraruthru decides to try and will another portal open, trying to get to any of his allies that came with him.

Once again make an Intelligence check. +1 circumstance bonus.

> roll 1d20+8+1 Int
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 22 > [d20=13]

Another swirling black portal appears before you.

Surraruthru dives back in, hoping to find the others.

You appear in a large chamber. Here six brains the size of Hanna hang from chains. Long needles are stuck into the bottom of the brains, causing green fluid to slowly leak out of them and into a vat beneath them. Three on your left and three on your right, a path to walk between them. The room itself is made of cold steel, a rough square with a door on the right side of the wall straight ahead, past the brains.

Surraruthru eyes the brains and the set up, suspecting a trap. Thinking the steel floor may have something to do with it, he takes to the air as he inspects the area.

Spot.

> roll 1d20+31 spot
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 32 > [d20=1]

You don't see anything unusual. Well, beyond what you've already seen, anyway. The whole brain thing clocks in firmly in the unusual category.

Surraruthru cautiously flies towards the door, watching for incoming traps.

You reach the door. No sign of traps or anything happening.

Surraruthru opens the door and goes through.

The door's jammed or locked, it doesn't open to a casual attempt.

Surraruthru turns back to the brains and inspects them, suspecting there's some trick to them and to this room.

They're big brains. Rather brainy, all told. You can see the wrinkles and folds of the gray matter up close.

Spot check.

> roll 1d20+31 Spot Serith
<Serith> Iddy roll for Serith < 44 > [d20=13]

You can see tiny green veins criss-crossing the grey matter. The liquid from below seems to be pulled from them.

Surraruthru tries to figure out a way to disconnect the brains.

You could remove the needles on the bottom if you wished to stop the collection of fluid, or you could unchain them from above. You'd need to break the chains in that case.

Surraruthru moves to remove the needles, waiting to see what happens after before worrying about the chains.

You pull the long needles out. On removing the first, a loud shriek comes from the brain itself, pounding in your mind. You can't get it out of your mind. Other shrieks join it, your mind going blank from the sound.

Init.

> roll 1d20+12 init
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 25 > [d20=13]

> roll 1d20+4 brains
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 8 > [d20=4]

Init is Surraruthru (25) > Brains (8)

Open.

Surraruthru winces at the sound, snarling at the brains before casting a Lesser Orb of Sound at the nearest one!

Orb of Sound, Lesser, CL 25
> roll 5d6
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 18 > [d6=1,2,6,4,5]

The brain is hit and scrambled by the noise, but still overall intact. Just a bit mixed up and burst.

The sound gets louder and...

Are you warded from mind-affecting right now?

Mindblank at CL 25

Nothing happens, Surraruthru's wards holding.

Go.

Surraruthru launches an Acid Arrow at the brains!

Acid Arrow, CL 25, Duration: 6 Rounds
> roll 2d4
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 5 > [d4=3,2]

The acid arrow sizzles on the brain, eating away at it slowly. The screams continue in vain meanwhile, pounding futilely against your wards.

Go.

Surraruthru decides to play the long game, studying the brains while the acid does its work.

Do you want me to just roll all 6 rounds of damage for it?

Just roll this round's for the moment.

> roll 2d4
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 7 > [d4=3,4]

The acid sizzles - and the door is thrown open.

The creature that steps out is ten feet tall, shambling and hunched over. Fat, bloated limbs of gray flesh, cracking in places and oozing blood. Despite all the fat on its arms and legs, it is stick thing from the torso to the neck, bony and its ribs showing. It merely has a nub of flesh for a head, no face at all. In one bleeding hand it carries a whip, which it cracks menacingly.

Joining init.

> roll 1d20+10 init
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Ko-NitoriisLezard roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 22 > [d20=12]

Init is Surraruthru (25) > Bloated Nightmare (22) > Brains (8)

Go. Roll acid damage for this round as well.

Surraruthru stares at the monstrous newcomer and takes a 5 foot step back, trying to angle himself so that he can hit the monster and brains as much as he can while he casts Greater Shout!

Greater Shout, CL 25, DC 26, allows Save/SR


> roll 10d6 Sonic
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 37 > [d6=2,4,4,2,5,6,3,4,5,2]

> roll 2d4 Acid
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 6 > [d4=4,2]

Caster level check for SR.

> roll 1d20+25 CL Check
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 39 > [d20=14]

> roll 1d20+19 Fortitude vs 26
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 Fortitude vs 26 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{30}

The scream hits the brains, scrambling them. The injured one falls apart into dead meat, while the others leak green fluid all over.

The bloated thing before you merely  keeps going, undeterred despite the blast of power. It lashes out where it is, whip extending farther than it should, the tip of it aimed at your face.

> roll 1d20+24
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+24 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{35}

But Surraruthru is fast enough to jerk back, narrowly missing the attack altogether.

Surraruthru's up. Go.

Surraruthru focuses again, this time on his Monk abilities. Doing so, he calls on his chaotic nature and takes up the Displacing Stance!

Displacing Stance:
50% miss chance, duration 7 rounds.

Surraruthru slips into his protections, shielding himself from the worst of it.  The bloated thing's flesh-nub that serves as its head splits open, green-black blood pouring down its body as a single hand reaches out from within. A moment later, hands erupt from everything - the floor, walls, ceiling, the brains themselves, the liquid that falls from them. Hundreds of hands, all reaching for Surraruthru.

Init is Surraruthru (25) > Bloated Nightmare (22) > Brains (8)

> roll 1d20+38 vs CMD of 42
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+38 vs CMD of 42 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{54}
> roll 1d100 51+ and Surraruthru is grabbed
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 51+ and Surraruthru is grabbed --> [ 1d100=69 ]{69}

All over. The hands grasp you all over, relentless. Rough hands, smooth hands, soft hands, grasping hands, cold hands. All grab you and refuse to let go.

You're grappled, Surraruthru. Go, you're up.

Also Surraruthru, have you been applying the 50% failure chance after casting Wish to teleport to the portal out?

I haven't, I totally forgot about that. Doesn't starting a grapple require a melee attack? Displacing Stance gives a 50% miss chance like Blur.

Surraruthru struggles against the hands.

It was, that's what the d100 after the attack roll was for.

You're trying to escape so make a CMB check.

> roll 1d20+26 Serith
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 30 > [d20=4]

No good. You're held tightly, firmly. As the brains continue to scream, the hands try to hold onto you and pummel you.

> roll 1d100 51+ means pain
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 51+ means pain --> [ 1d100=38 ]{38}

You begin to slip out of the hands as they can't keep a grasp on you. You struggle with them, avoiding harm, as the bloated nightmare before you lashes out with his whip again.

> roll 1d20+24
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+24 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{27}

You lose Dex to AC when grappling, so that hits.

> roll 1d100 51+ means pain
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 51+ means pain --> [ 1d100=7 ]{7}

Lucky.

But you phase through the whip, your chaos monk training serving you well.

Still grappled, but you're avoiding the worst of it for now. Go.

Surraruthru tries to escape again.

> roll 1d20+26 Serith
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 41 > [d20=15]

No good. The hands have you securely and you just can't escape.

Anything else you can do? Trying to escape the grapple takes your standard and being grappled really stops you moving.

Nope, have to wait till next round.

You struggle in vain, the hands grasping and pawing at you all over.

> roll 1d100 51+ means pain
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 39 > [d100=39]

Fortunately, your stance holds, if just barely. You're able to evade just enough of them to keep from being choked out, as the bloated nightmare points at you with its third hand. Greasy, black and cloying darkness surrounds you, cold and warm at the same time.

> roll 1d20+15 SR
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 25 > [d20=10]

What's your SR, Surraruthru?

My sheet has 33.

The magic washes over you, doing nothing as your defenses hold.

Go Surraruthru. Also note how many rounds of displacement you have left.

I'll note it in my stat block.

Surraruthru focuses on his magical energies again, hoping they don't fail him this time, and calling forth a cloud of death.

Cloudkill, CL 25.

> roll 1d20+34 Concentration
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 53 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d100 Spell Failure
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 9 > [d100=9]

Argh! You focus but your magic is overtaxed, crumbling and failing. As you struggle in vain, the hands continue to grasp at you.

> roll 1d100 51+ means pain
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 71 > [d100=71]
> roll 5d6+18
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 34 > [d6=3,6,3,1,3]

The hands rip you, choking you and raking at your scales. You suppress the pain through pure will, ignoring the bleeding as the bloated nightmare whips at you again.

> roll 1d20+24
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 37 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d100 51+ means pain
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 3 > [d100=3]

But you slip away, phasing slightly as the whip goes through you harmlessly.

Go, Surraruthru.

Surraruthru growls at the pain, but tries to focus past it and cast a spell at the horrid thing attacking him.

Casting Habob, CL 25.

> roll 1d20+34 Concentration
> roll 1d100 Spell Failure
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 42 > [d20=8]
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 33 > [d100=33]

You can't. Your will is fading, crumbling as you're held and beaten. The hands are relentless, without mercy.

> roll 1d100 51+ means pain
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 46 > [d100=46]

Fortune is with you. You endure just a little longer, flickering, twisting and avoiding the attacks. The bloated man again whips you once, aiming carefully and letting out a thundercrack of a strike.

> roll 4d4+17+1d6
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 32 > [d4=4,1,4,2][d6=4]

Fort save, Surraruthru.

> roll 1d20+29 Fort
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 43 > [d20=14]

The merest touch of that whip is agony. It cuts through your scales like a scythe, stinging the vulnerable flesh beneath them. You keep it together, clenching your teeth to stop from screaming.

Made the save. Go.

Surraruthru goes back to struggling to get free.

> roll 1d20+26 CMB
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 39 > [d20=13]

Relentless, grips like steel. The hands won't stop, won't let you go no matter what you do. You have to fight down a hint of panic as they rip at you again, seeking to tear you apart like a roast chicken.

> roll 1d100 51+ means pain
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 88 > [d100=88]
> roll 5d6+18
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Kotono roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 36 > [d6=4,1,4,6,3]

It hurts! You keep your focus even as you're torn apart, as the bloated thing gestures upwards. Chains begin to come down from the ceiling, descending towards you.

Go.

Surraruthru struggles more.

> roll 1d20+26 CMB
<Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea> Iddy roll for Plushie_Mushroom_Ithea < 29 > [d20=3]