Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

You head out to go deal with the planning for the coming raid against Harkin. However, you're interrupted as you reach your room by Elena. She's now dressed in thick winter furs, face barely visible. "Hi, there's a diplomat from Fury's Heart to see a general."

"You look really nice!" Jaela compliments Elena, before her words are parsed and Jaela grows more businesslike. "I'll handle it," she agrees. "Let's go meet with them together."

"Thanks," Elena smiles ear to ear, "Do you like it?" She starts leading you along, "He's in the meeting room, has a few underlings with him. Some sort of frost or ice humanoid, perhaps once an elf, he has elf ears and features. Carries an iceaxe and wears Auril's symbol."

"The juxtaposition really works, since we're in a pleasantly warm paradise," Jaela elaborates, nodding as she listens. "How's the mood in the meeting room? Are our guests hostile?" She decides to switch from her traditional armor to Brokion, asking Elena, "What do you think, does hide work better for this?"

"No sign of hostility, they came in peace and bearing a flag of truce," Elena reports, "Wise considering where we are, even if they appeared close to us. I wouldn't be surprised if Auril herself moved to get them here safely or called in a favor, since Aurilites can't just walk around Elysium."

Elena then gives you a look over, "It works okay for you."

"Nice." Jaela walks for a time, before snapping her fingers. "Auril's Mercy. The greatsword in our vaults. Have someone bring it near, so your other self could signal them to present it as a gift if things lead that way and I signal you. I assume you already handled the basics? Refreshments suitable for ice people, the ambient temperature, all of that?"

Gimme the stat block of Auril's Mercy real quick?

Thinaun Greatsword+5, keen and frost. This weapon is brand new, like the mace. It has a name engraved into the hilt: Auril's Mercy. 118,000 gold

"Other me's doing it right now," Elena confirms. "All the niceties are taken care of, Morniel's helping out there, of course. They're speaking in Common after a few polite exchanges in Celestial and then some love child of Auran and Aquan."

"You know," Jaela muses, "it used to annoy me something fierce I couldn't do all these little things just about any angel does? Like casually casting Tongues? I'm actually still pretty annoyed, even if it's ridiculously petty." But that would hardly stop her from getting there and seeing to the delegation. She has a decent guess and can't wait to tell if she's right!

"Jealousy gives you wrinkles," Elena leads you to the portal and pauses before that. "Do you want to get wrinkles while Hanna looks perfectly youthful?" She giggles afterwards, "He's in there, go ahead."

"So you're invested in my beauty?" Jaela asks Elena with a grin, stepping through without giving her a proper chance to answer.

The elf inside indeed looks like an elf. Pale, drawn skin and elven features, entire body a frosty white color, including his hair. He wears blue plate armor sans a helmet and painted with Auril's unholy symbol. Four humanoids in dark blue robes stand behind him, ready to attend him at a moment's notice.

"Valyse Frostmorn," The elven creature rises, "I come bearing tidings from the Frostmaiden."

"Jaela of Aurora," she reciprocates, though given the context that much should be obvious. "Welcome, Valyse Frostmorn, emissary of the Frostmaiden."

Each of the humanoids stands back, hoods pulled up to conceal their faces. They are impassive as Valyse offers his hand with a cool smile. "Word of what Bel has done ripples throughout the halls of power in Creation. A deity does not just step into a Prime like that, even one as corrupted as yours."

Trusting in her modest protection against the element, Jaela readily shakes the proffered hand. "Hell won't stop cheating, which given devil nature of rigid adherence to the rules is ironic."

A firm handshake, "Hell obeys its own rules and regulations as it sees fit," Valyse says coolly again, no emotion in his voice. He sits once the handshake his done. "The Frostmaiden has no desire to see Hell claim Lifasa fully, to drag it to a place where it will never know winter's caress again. Practical considerations render direct aid infeasible." A pause, a firm look at your wings rather than your face. "Nevertheless, the Frostmaiden is willing to offer some aid. We have a previous accord, she wishes to expand it."

The first part is as she expected, going in. Their agreement with Auril means that Auril will lose out on her chance at Lifasa if the devils destroy or claim it. The second part, however....

"Expand it how?" she asks curiously, deciding to move the conversation towards the topic the emissary came here to discuss.

"Far away from any lands near the equator of Lifasa lies a handful of islands. Less than a dozen total, all the result of a cluster of volcanoes. When Lifasa is reclaimed, Auril wishes to freeze them and the water within and around them, to make a large island of eternal winter within summer's grip of power."

"That might prove difficult, with direct aid off the table," Jaela admits. "Normally, we might leverage information into action, but due to Bel's actions we've been put on the clock. All our assets will be occupied with launching strikes against devils rather than pursuing information outside the immediately actionable. And...." She glances at her own wings, much like he had just then. "Those same patrons are now offering that already, given the situation."

Aside from being a negotiation tactic, what seems like haggling at first glance is really Jaela waiting to see what the actual offer is in clearer terms.

"Time is of no essence," Valyse replies as he folds his hands together, watching you all the while. His eyes are a deep white, matching the rest of him. "Auril would not begin this until after Lifasa is saved. All we ask is Aurora's agreement and promise, not immediate action. In return?" The man snaps his fingers.

One of the robed men produces a large jewelry box, "Within are a set of 12 flawless blue and white diamonds known as Winter's Stars. They are estimated in value at 150,000 gold. Sold, they will provide Aurora with additional funds. They are Aurora's as support should an agreement be reached."

A second snap of Valyse's fingers brings the second robed man forward. He places a slender wand, perhaps a foot long and made of ivory inlaid with blue ice, on the table next to you. "This is Evercold, a minor artifact that can eternally cast polar rays, three at a time, though each must be aimed at a different target. The wand is not limited by charges and can be used endlessly. It is Aurora's until Lifasa is freed or lost if you agree." Valyse says, holding one moment.

Then a third snap of his fingers. The third man places a chunk of shimmering silver rock, silvery light shedded from it. "This is said to be a small peace of the true moon, one of Selune's lost fragments from her first battle with Shar at the beginning of everything. While Selune herself cannot reclaim it, it would empower any magical weapon empowered by the moon, such as General Adrian's Gaelach. It is yours to keep if you agree to this offer."

Jaela considers the offer, nodding as each robed man presents a gift to the Crusade. Aside from the money, they are priceless. And yet....

"On behalf of Aurora, I thank your goddess for her generosity," Jaela responds. "Yet, at this time, we are focused on bringing our forces to the best standard possible. If Adrian or another of our officers had to take time off for training with an unfamiliar weapon, it would distract us at this crucial junction of the Crusade. It is my opinion that the shifts that might come as a result of expanding our agreement with the Frostmaiden might well hazard the successful execution of the original accord."

Valyse merely accepts that and then says, "Is that final, or do you desire a counter offer?"

"It is final. Aurora will respect our current agreement and will be honored to have the Frostmaiden on Lifasa after our victory against the devils, as should have been in the first place."

"I wish you good fortune against Hell," Valyse rises, the items taken away by his underlings. As he does so, Morniel comes in.

"I apologize, another matter pulled me away, General Jaela," Morniel says, walking briskly back to the table.

"Thank you, Emissary Valyse," Jaela responds formally, nodding her acknowledgement at Morniel afterwards.

Vaylse and company head out. Once gone, Morniel sits and asks, "How did the meeting go?"

"Fairly well," Jaela responds. "Unfortunately, they only offered cash and a couple artifact. Aside from a boost to Adrian's combat power, it was useless to us for the goal of freeing Lifasa, and they wanted to shift the balance upon it once it was freed. That was a poor idea, given our proposal to Auril was based on the need for balance. I'm not sure where breaking that reason would've lead us, so I declined."

"Hmmm...." Morniel bows his head and considers, "I have a few theories."

A pause to clear his throat, "The first is that Auril intends to break the pact and make a play for Lifasa. Unprovable and perhaps unlikely, but it cannot be discounted. It is also risky and endangers her current agreement with us, so I find it unlikely."

"The second is that Auril anticipates fire and summer being stronger in Lifasa afterwards. Hell is mainly a fire-dominated plane, two layers excepted. She may strive to bolster the balance rather than overthrow it. Though if that was the aim, it was either meant to be self evident or was not mentioned. I find both unlikely, so...I do not know, but I do not put strong stock into this theory, either." Morniel's head is still bowed, hand on his chin.

"Third, this offer was meant to be rejected," Morniel says, "The reasons why could be many, but I do not know nor can I discern details as is."

"I rejected it while reaffirming our existing agreement, so if she was looking at a show of disrespect, I'm afraid I disappointed her," Jaela muses. "I wouldn't look too much into this. She probably thought to get a better deal, but made a mistake by not offering direct support. After all, if we'd been forced to choose between her soldiers or our ties with our current allies, it would've been ideal for her."

She shrugs, then. "If circumstances force us to reconsider, I figure we could reach out with minimum fuss. Now, before I head off to deal with my prep, was that a private business you had to take care of, or would you like to share the details with me?"

"It is possible Auril made a mistake, but Auril is not stupid." Morniel points out, "While always possible, I find it the least likely answer." The faintest smile appears on Morniel's face, "I welcome a chance to study this, plus I can hardly mourn Auril's influence being lessened."

After that he clears his throat again. "Pardon. No, Adrian needed advice on a possibly problematic recruit. A succubus named Lucy claims to be free of evil and wants to come to Aurora, but it being on Elysium is tricky. Adrian's handling it, going to see her in Brightwater since the Silverbrow Consortium verifies this story."

"I guess we did find Candy on Water," Jaela muses. "Maybe have her around just in case? Anyway, you're free to look into Auril's offer further if you'd like."

That said, Jaela heads to collate the information about Harkin so she could come up with an action plan.

It's an analysis of an area called the Arklea Plains. It's ringed by mountains and narrows to become a long pass through a mountain range, giving it importance as a defense against land-based invasion. The biggest weakness is attack from the air, part of the purpose of the Burning Aeropolis is to defend against that for it.

The troops are generally focused in a series of small fortresses as the pass narrows, with complex, interconnecting tunnels leading to various caches, murder zones, hell scapes and perhaps even to Arklea's Wall, the main fortress at the narrowest section of the pass. It's set up to be defended from either side.

Go ahead and ask questions from here for details, work on plans or what have you. This is just a short taste without getting bogged down in details yet.

Since its weakness is aerial attack, let's focus on that. Is there an interdiction against dimensional travel above the main fortress, and if so how far up does it extend? How close are the nearest fortresses to it, and what sort of troops can they send in aid? Do we know of any exotic spells or conditions upon the area?

There is, he wasn't sure how far it was, but probably not more than 900ft. Maybe 999ft.

Do you mean the little fortresses mentioned or a bigger fort?

Nothing too exotic, just a well defended point in Lifasa.

The main fortress is described as being in the center of a network of tunnels and killzones and smaller fortresses. I want to understand how far the closest smaller fortresses are to it and what forces they hold. Intention is to bomb them upon approach if possible, or ignore them if they only hold a couple guards.

Are there any automated defenses that we could seize? If so, where are they controlled from?

To confirm, Harkin spends his time at the main fortress? What sort of garrison does it have? How about any 'special units'?

The complement of soldiers varies from 50 to 200 for most, but a couple of larger ones at the midpoint do exist. The closest smaller fortresses are approximately 2 miles away.

No, nothing like that. The closest is devil SLAs and while infinite, they aren't automated, no matter how regular devils are about using them.

When he's there, yes. He isn't a lot, he's covering but it's not his big base of operations. If he is in the area, it's where he'd be, though. It holds a few thousand troops and can surge to several times that as needed.

Time to focus on the layout for the main fortress. Locations for barracks and armories, times for shift change, patrol patterns around it in the air. Points of entry, too.

The fortress is a square. Towers at the corner, tall walls for defense and manning. It becomes a series of smaller squares as you go deeper, each one able to be defended down to the final inner keep of four rooms.

The barracks are in the interior, about midway. The armories are likewise.

There are three rotating 8 hour shifts for guards, fairly regular and overlapping patrols with few if any weaknesses.

Besides suicidal tunnel entrances, there's one main gate to the west and one to the west. That's it.

"Elena," Jaela speaks into the air. "Can you tell me whether Gisfal or Afina are available for a consultation?"

"Afina is," Elena pops in. "She's working in the forges but she interrupts that all the time."

Elena's wearing an airy, light sundress now. She uses a handheld wicker fan to cool herself.

"Ask her to meet me for final planning, will you? Also, nice accessorizing!"

"Thanks," Elena smiles and waves it at you, before going off.

Soon enough, Afina is with you.

Go ahead, Jaela.

"I don't think we need to go for something too complicated, here," Jaela tells Afina, gesturing at the map of the main complex. "The closest enemy forces are two miles out, and they shouldn't have more than a couple dozen fodder total. It'd take them a while to reinforce the fortress traveling through their tunnels, so a blitz attack seems like our best shot."

She indicates the four towers at the corners. "I propose we bring four trusted aides who could each take a guard post on their own and prevent any patrols from getting too close until we're done, while the two of us break right through the ceiling and the surrounding levels without bothering with the corridors and hit the barracks, then proceed to the inner sanctum."

Jaela moves the larger map closer, then. "To be on the safe side, we'll plane shift a thousand feet above the fortress to dodge any teleportation blocks and plummet down from there. I don't see a way to ensure Harkin is around, and they have overlapping patrols but dispersed guard posts, so I don't see either us either sneaking or using that nasty surprise you gave Willah. Thoughts?"

"Even if Harkin's not there, every fortress we destroy gives him one less place to hide," Afina says, looking over the intelligence and Jaela's notes. "The four taking those guard posts all need to be able to teleport so as to quickly reinforce each other or evacuate depending on whatever response they garner. Otherwise yes, simultaneous strike with them attacking the guard posts at the same time as we attack the main fortress. We can disintegrate our way through the floors to reach the inner sanctum, eliminate any resistance, then level the place with earthquakes and tornadoes."

"As I said, the information suggests a teleport block of at least nine hundred feet so having the ability is not as important as overall mobility and power," Jaela voices. "We'll also need to be sure to stay connected via telepathy. What about 27? Want to bring him along? So long as we avoid listening to him when he tells us to split up and just keep him for early warning against serious threats like Bel it could work for us."

"Teleport blocks can be dispelled," Afina mentions, since if they couldn't she'd currently be a guest of Taelfagn! "Anyway, I'm fine with 27 coming along."

"Fair enough," Jaela concedes. "Let's go with two person teams for each tower, then. A mage for the teleportation and ranged damage, and a solid fighter for the rest. Candy and the Master, Mom and Ram, Mirajane and Finnegan, Ebony and Dana. If it comes to that, each pair could either support the others or evacuate on their own."

Frowning, she adds, "Not sure if I should call for Mountainous Fire. He's huge, so it'd be instantly obvious I'm there, and for a decent distance. Any preference for that?"

"Does calling on him put you further into debt or make him less likely to respond in future?" Afina asks, not sure how it works to have a friendly primal elemental on call like that.

"No, so long as it's within the terms of agreement it works fine. So devils and slavers should be covered. He'll just eventually ask me to fight Cryonax to uphold my end of it, but I figure it'll wait until after we save Lifasa."

"Up to you then. Personally I wouldn't, or at least not initially. Keep it in reserve for emergencies."

"Works," Jaela agrees. "We might as well get right to it, so let's stop by Balyss to see if Selune left her with some insights specific to this while Elena gathers the manpower we need?"

Selune in Balyss's body seemed to suggest we should come to Balyss before venturing to Lifasa for info relating to the traitors, so might as well. NPCs desired for this mission are the following four pairs: Candy and the Master, Mom and Ram, Mirajane and Finnegan, Ebony and Dana.

Should be fine. Any prep?

If Balyss doesn't say anything of use, we'll use the cafeteria and the readiness arc. Then I'll precast the following spells on the entire group and we all gate in a thousand feet directly above the main fortress.

Spells: Sublime Revelry CL31, Mass Death Ward CL30, Good Hope CL30, Holy Aura CL27. Someone will also cast Interplanar Telepathic Bond between all of us and Tepen.

In case one or more of the eight we selected to take the towers or 27 (who is coming with us) can't fly, we'll ensure Fly or Overland Flight is cast upon them by our local mages, whichever is feasible. Once we appear, the four pairs will take the towers starting from the NE one clockwise all the way to the NW one.

Balyss is praying before the alter of Selune, head bowed and attention focused on that. When you disturb her, "Harkin will likely not be there, but strike swiftly," Balyss warns. "Your advantage is speed, use it and triumph quickly."

"We planned on that much," Jaela agrees. "Any last minute adjustments, Afina?" she asks her fellow general.

"I think we're as prepared as we need to be," Afina agrees. "We all gate in together, split apart to attack our individual targets, then regroup to gate back out or else flee by whatever means available of opposition proves too much."

"One final piece of advice," Balyss says, "Be wary of aberrations."

Jaela nods, speaking to the air, "Get all that, Elena? Make sure the team is gathered by the gates after the outlined preparations."

And she heads off to meet them!

[18:21] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+10 heroes feast
[18:21] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d8+10 heroes feast --> [ 1d8=6 ]{16}

Okay, where precisely are you three gating to?

I won't bother rolling Heroes's Feast's temp hp since I'm precasting Greater Heroism.

Anyways!

We're all gating 1000ft above the main fortress, and those who cannot fly innately will have Fly or Overland Flight precast upon them (CL26).

Groups to attack the four towers of the main fortress complex: Candy and the Master, Mom and Ram, Mirajane and Finnegan, Ebony and Dana.
NPCs coming with us: 27.

Group Spells: Sublime Revelry CL31, Mass Death Ward CL30, Good Hope CL30, Heroes's Feast CL20, Mind Blank CL17, Fortunate Fate CL15, Planar Tolerance CL7. Tepen will also cast Interplanar Telepathic Bond between all of us and Tepen (CL26).
Group Short Duration Spells: Recitation CL30, Holy Aura CL27, Mirajane will also cast Celestial Valor on all of us (CL26).

Jaela's Personal Spells: Sign CL30, Conviction CL31, Vision of the Omniscient Eye CL30, Shield of Warding CL31, Invisibility Purge CL30, Crown of Flames CL30, Greater Heroism CL30, Spell Turning CL26, Foresight CL27.
Jaela's Personal Short Duration Spells: Grace CL30, Moonlight Revelation CL30.

Twinned Disintegrate -> Gae Trocaire

Okay. Anything to add, Afina?

All looks good.

edit: Actually she'll haste everyone before we go. Nearly 3 minutes worth so it'll help the NPCs a little.

Okay, one last call since both you have had 'oh, and let me add this' moments. Post that you're ready and that's final once you do.

Really really sure!

We're all gating 1000ft above the main fortress, and those who cannot fly innately will have Fly or Overland Flight precast upon them (CL26).

Groups to attack the four towers of the main fortress complex: Candy and the Master, Mom and Ram, Mirajane and Finnegan, Ebony and Dana.
NPCs coming with us: 27.

Group Spells: Sublime Revelry CL31, Mass Death Ward CL30, Good Hope CL30, Heroes's Feast CL20, Mind Blank CL17, Fortunate Fate CL15, Planar Tolerance CL7, Tepen will also cast Interplanar Telepathic Bond between all of us and Tepen (CL26).
Group Short Duration Spells: Recitation CL30, Holy Aura CL27, Haste CL27, Mirajane will also cast Celestial Valor on all of us (CL26).

Jaela's Personal Spells: Sign CL30, Conviction CL31, Vision of the Omniscient Eye CL30, Shield of Warding CL31, Invisibility Purge CL30, Crown of Flames CL30, Greater Heroism CL30, Spell Turning CL26, Foresight CL27.
Jaela's Personal Short Duration Spells: Grace CL30, Moonlight Revelation CL30.

Twinned Disintegrate -> Gae Trocaire

Fire.

What else can it be but fire.

The air is thick and bitter here with smoke, sooty smoke that rises from the ground itself.

The fortress below is as described, a vast keep of stone and squares, surely crawling with devils below.

"Go," Ebony whispers, "Let us bring justice to them all."

"Stay in touch and advise of any surprises," Afina says as she orients herself towards the larger central fortress and plummets downwards at high speed!

Following suit, Jaela aims to meet the root with Gae Dioltas and make an opening through it, giving Afina the honor of breaking through the next level of the structure a moment later!

Root, Jaela? Do you mean roof? Matters here.

Yes, roof

Jaela plunges down like a meteorite, clad in the power of the Triune. She shines like one of the lost stars in the sky, come down to wreck vengeance on the devils.

Afina is stealthier, a blurry bolt of speed and rainbows hurtling down at the roof.

27 simply follows, falling more than flying, but keeping up nonetheless.

As you plunge down, you see devils on the battlements, erinyes and common soldiers, barbazu and others spotted. But only in passing as...

This is essentially a surprise round, so go for it.

While Jaela does her part to smash the roof, can I ask if our intel from Bahamut tells us how many floors are between the roof and the inner sanctum?

4.

[22:06] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+31+8 can I miss the roof? 20PA
[22:06] <Rei-chan> Annerose rolled : 1d20+31+8 can I miss the roof? 20PA --> [ 1d20=5 ]{44}
[22:08] <@Annerose> roll 16d8+144+160 die, evil roof
[22:08] <Rei-chan> Annerose rolled : 16d8+144+160 die, evil roof --> [ 16d8=84 ]{388}

For the purpose of Hidden Dawn, the default partner is Mirajane.

Hidden Dawn
[spoiler]
Golden Bracers (Hidden Dawn): Ranks are unlocked by using them in battles of the appropriate CR or higher. Multiple ranks can be unlocked in a particular battle if it meets the CR requirements and is particularly epic.
Rank 1: CR 10 or sparring, fire resistance 10, 100ft range.
Rank 2: CR 13, +2 fortitude saves, 125ft range.
Rank 3: CR 15, searing light at will as an SLA, 150ft range.
Rank 4: CR 18, +2 reflex saves, 200ft range.
Rank 5: CR 20, flame strike at will, 300ft range.
Rank 6: CR 21, +2 will saves, 400ft range.
Rank 7: CR 24, +2d6 goldenfire damage on weapon damage rolls, natural attacks and spells and spell-like abilities with the fire descriptor, 700ft range.
Rank 8: CR 27, immunity to fire, 1000ft range.
Rank 9: CR 29, save bonuses increase to +7, 5000ft range.
Rank 10: CR 32, goldenfire damage rises to +4d6, unlimited range as long as on same plane.

I'm waiting to see what gets revealed by Jaela's strike before acting, in case you're waiting on me Dune

Jaela plunges into the roof like a cometfall, shattering the stone and causing it to collapse. Below is a wide room full of boxes, barrels and supplies. A few humanoid soldiers are here, armored and just beginning to react - or be crushed under debris - as...

Afina, go.

Flitting down into the same space as Jaela, Afina accelerates herself rapidly so she can fire down a flurry of disintegrates, coring through the redoubt to reach the all-important inner sanctum below!

8th level slot for 3 rounds of time stop, disintegrate cast 3 times during time stop and once in normal time
[17:43] <@Ebiris> roll 4#1d20+51 disintegrate spam ranged touch
[17:43] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 4#1d20+51 disintegrate spam ranged touch --> [ 1d20=10 ]{61}, [ 1d20=19 ]{70}, [ 1d20=15 ]{66}, [ 1d20=20 ]{71}

[17:44] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+30 init for after surprise round
[17:44] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+30 init for after surprise round --> [ 1d20=5 ]{35}

[19:46] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+15 init
[19:46] <Rei-chan> Annerose rolled : 1d20+15 init --> [ 1d20=9 ]{24}

Actually should be +17, so 26. Might as well get this out of the way~

The third floor opens into a hallway. The second floor opens into the middle of a barracks. The first floor opens into what looks to be some sort of keep, a half dozen cornugons and a single pit fiend below. Beneath that, the last disintegration opens up a path into what looks to be some sort of underground tunnel.

> roll 1d20+7 cornugons
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+7 cornugons --> [ 1d20=18 ]{25}
> roll 1d20+12 pit fiend
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 pit fiend --> [ 1d20=9 ]{21}
> roll 1d20+11 27
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+11 7 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{19}

Init is Afina (35) > Cornugons (25) > Jaela (24) > Pit fiend (21) > 27 (19)

Go Afina.

Reminder that my init is 26 and I go after Afina~

'Jaela, move away from the hole we just made. You're going to need the cover in a second,' Afina warns via telepathically as she gestures down to the underground tunnel. "Burn for Lifasa!" she calls as rock crumbles away to be replaced by searing hot lava!

Searing/Blistering Volcanic Genesis cast (blistering added for free via hat) with benefit of spell enhancer.

The DC against its various effects is 40.

Round 1: 20 foot radius vein of magma appears, anyone in the area has to make a reflex save or fall in where they'll take 20d6+22 fire damage that ignores immunity/resistance per round of exposure.

Additionally black sulpherous gases rise up 30 feet in height and spread through a 290 foot radius. These gases block vision and do 5d6+22 fire damage that ignores resistance/immunity and makes anyone exposed nauseated. A fortitude save halves the damage and reduces the condition to sickened.

[18:22] <@Ebiris> roll 20d6+22 damage if anyone falls in
[18:22] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 20d6+22 damage if anyone falls in --> [ 20d6=81 ]{103}
[18:22] <@Ebiris> roll 5d6+22 damage from spreading gases
[18:22] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 5d6+22 damage from spreading gases --> [ 5d6=25 ]{47}

Anyone that takes damage from this will also take a -2 penalty on attack rolls for one round

As her volcano takes shape she then darts thirty foot to the left, so the fortress itself will provide her with cover against the violently ejected rocks that will be coming in a few seconds.

> roll 1d20+16 cornugons
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+16 cornugons --> [ 1d20=1 ]{17}
> roll 1d20+19 pit fiend
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+19 pit fiend --> [ 1d20=6 ]{25}

Fire and gas fill up the room below as a newborn volcano begins to erupt, searing lava and choking gases spreading everywhere as...

Jaela.

Jaela can't quite walk away from this, and devils teleport anyway-- wait, they can't teleport here! Aiming Gae Dioltas at the devils she can see below, Jaela adds her own cry to Afina's! "Die, bitches!"

[20:40] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+35+8 ranged touch
[20:40] <Rei-chan> Annerose rolled : 1d20+35+8 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=18 ]{61}
[20:41] <@Annerose> roll 1d20+30 SR
[20:41] <Rei-chan> Annerose rolled : 1d20+30 SR --> [ 1d20=3 ]{33}
[20:41] <@Annerose> roll 30d12 die just die
[20:41] <Rei-chan> Annerose rolled : 30d12 die just die --> [ 30d12=196 ]{196}

Burst of Glory! On all the devils.

Already wounded by Jaela's fires, the cornugons and pit fiend are struck hard. They burst apart into hunks of obsidian, slaughtered to the last by your overwhelming sneak attack. They don't even have time to defend themselves as...

Free act. Ow.

Moving out of the way due to Afina's warning, Jaela sends to the other groups, 'We're done here. Ready to go?'

'Need more time,' Dana sends back, 'We're just getting started.'

"Back off," Afina says, starting to fly up and away. "The volcano will destroy the entire fortress soon enough, but I have a way of hastening the process. We don't want to be close by for it though."

Flying up several hundred feet and backing off a similar distance, as rumblings and tremors below sound from blasts of molten rock slamming through fortress walls and expanding magma devours the foundations, she conjures forth a giant iceberg in the sky which plummets straight down through the hole they made through the fortress, adding several hundred tons worth of water to the magma where it will react explosively.

Casting Iceberg and dropping it into the volcano to let physics do the rest.

Jaela can't see how an Earthquake would possibly make things worse, and summons one from beneath the doomed fortress as she raises. 'Everyone, pull back to our arrival point.'

A few arrows come your way but no more. There's simply not enough time as the three of you flee. The explosion is massive, the entire castle shuddering as ice and fire meet. The fortress below is torn in half, gouts of black steam and debris flying up into the air. The others are already hurrying back, Ram there first. "Just a guerrilla strike?"

"He wasn't there," Jaela answers, offering her hands to Afina and Ram. 'Hold on, I'm shifting us to the Stone Forest.'

Afina takes a hand and holds it out so one of the others can also join the teleport circle. "We're not here to hold ground, just cause chaos and destruction," she agrees.

> roll 1d100 vs ???
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 vs ??? --> [ 1d100=55 ]{55}

Listen checks, you two.

[19:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+70 epic listening skillz
[19:17] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+70 epic listening skillz --> [ 1d20=12 ]{82}

Taking 10 for 36. Slightly less epic.

Afina can hear the sound of horses far above, just as the teleportation circle forms.

"Incoming reinforcements," Afina says, looking up.

I have blindsight 200, all around vision (which makes looking up superfluous) and a sufficiently high spot check to get the epic usage of seeing through illusions with visual components

[19:37] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+70 spot
[19:37] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+70 spot --> [ 1d20=8 ]{78}

'We're going,' Jaela thinks to the group. 'In three, two--'

It's a chance for Afina or one of the NPCs to stop me, otherwise I'm teleporting us all to the Stone Forest.

They're appearing 500ft above - something drawn by nightmares. Something biiiiiiiiig. It's just coming through, so you can only see much in the second or two you have.

Your call there, Afina.

Afina doesn't say anything to stall Jaela. It's probably a counter brought in specifically for them after all, better to deny it battle. She might even get a better glimpse of it before the teleport completes and so be better informed should it pursue them later on.

A glimpse of something dark, then you are elsewhere.

Do you all have protections against negative energy up?

Mass Death Ward.

'Do you know what that was?' Jaela mentally asks 27.

There's one problem - you appear in a stone room. All of you, the room dark and leeching at you. Only your death wards protect you. It's pitch black, only darkvision and then the glows of you arms and armor allowing the party to see.

Suffice to say, this isn't the Stone Forest.

Taking 10 for 51 on planes, are we still on Lifasa?

Add an K:A check too.

Taking 10 for 51 on that too.

Same question for me, taking ten for K:P 65

Second question, taking ten for K:A 62 and Spellcraft 54 to figure out what can allow us to leave (superb dispelling?)

You're still on Lifasa, you think. It appear you ran into a teleportation beacon, a means of attracting and diverting teleports. Brightwater uses them, for example, and some plains have the same effect (such as Celestia shunting visitors to the bottom regardless of target).

It doesn't stop teleportation, just redirects teleports aimed within a certain radius to a single spot. There's not a lot to bypass them short of a gate spell (if not sufficiently powerful) or potentially epic magic designed to do so.

Jaela immediately opens a gate to Elysium next to Aurora!

The gate opens uneventfully.

"Everyone, through the gate," Jaela orders, before asking Afina, "Can you wreck this room as we leave?"

"Yes," Afina says, waiting until everyone else is through before she casts another volcanic genesis spell and flees before the eruption of gas can get her!

Afina sees the gases erupting as the room begins to be consumed, then she's through the portal and into Elysium's sunny warmth.

"Bah, cowards," Ram smacks his fist into his palm, "Can't let us go and have a stand up ambush on them."

"Those beacons are expensive. I hope your spell destroys it, that is not a small setback," Ebony murmurs, pulling her hood up.

"Lava has a proven track record of destroying magical items, and mine burns hotter than most," Afina says with a small little smile. "Also they're not effective against gate spells, so we could return to the fray with our original target. Or pick a different one in case our arrival at that particular beacon forewarned them."

"I'm pretty set on the Stone Forest," Jaela admits, "given it holds the trapped souls in our countrymen in endless torment. Give me a moment...."

She tries to open a gate to their desired location, this time, her concentration on the previous one waning.

Where precisely are you aiming at, Jaela? Saome spot as before? Different spot, same location?

Same spot except with gate.

The forest is that of petrified trees and hanging undeath.

The chill of spirits runs across all of you, a mournful howl heard in the air.

It's so cold here. Cold as death, cold enough to freeze you to the quick.

Fog is ever-present, visibility terrible and the air like icy daggers in your chest.

"We burn it all down?" Afina asks as she exerts her control over the local winds in order to better fuel any presumptive fires.

control winds SLA cast.

Also note I have blidnsight 200 and various other benefits from Afina's Perfect Vision in case that fog is more than just atmospheric.

"Everything here is vile and death would be a release," Jaela agrees, summoning Mountainous Fire with orders to burn every devil holding down!

Do y'all want anyone else to contribute some carnage to it?

Up to them!

Afina starts off her contribution by creating an incendiary cloud amidst a thicket of fossilised trees, the wind kicking up strongly to fuel the flames from its offshoot fires.

I'm going to delegate this one to Jaela. She's the one who brought 8 NPCs along to this (9 if we count 27), and I really don't want to spend a half hour deciding on all of this, so I'm firmly passing the buck to her.

I don't think any of them have big fire abilities anyway, so lets just have them hold back for now.

Okay.

Mountain Fire is called, beginning to smash through everything as flames explode everywhere save for around the party. Unearthly wails are heard amid the crackling blaze, Ram looking around, "We staying here and letting them come at us?" he asks.

Let's just use a Turn Undead over the area and consecrate it, no need to micromanage the npcs.

"We either burn this abominable forest down or kill the rapid response force," Jaela affirms.

Afina helps deal with the profane nature of the place by summoning forth some celestials!

[18:55] <@Ebiris> roll 1d3 monadic devas
[18:55] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 3 > [d3=3]

As three angels answer her call she orders, "Go after the flames and consecrate this profane earth."

They have CL 11 consecrate as an at will SLA

The angels appear and obey, as commanded.

Basically standing around and waiting for something to happen?

I've grown acvustomed to visible signs of souls freed from endless suffering. I'll use my knowledges to study this place and see what else might be needed.

K:R.

Taking 10 for 65.

The entire grounds need a through hallowing to free all the souls. This case is badly set in, additional power may be needed if the caster of hallow isn't strong enough.

"Everyone, in a wide circle," Jaela commands, calling upon a celestial of her own. "Hallow, on my mark... mark!"

Time for hallow!

Caster level check.

Afina calls her celestials back to aid Jaela!

The devas have CL 11 hallow as a 3/day SLA so they can add that to help.

[19:27] <@Ebiris> roll 3#1d20+11 deva hallows
[19:27] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 22, 21, 30 >

Please roll 1d3 for me for monadic devas from SM X. I have one more deva from an SLA. The please roll their CLs for Hallow. Mine is 27, roll that as well please.

[19:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d3 Jaela devas
[19:33] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 1 > [d3=1]
[19:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+11 deva hallow
[19:33] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 14 > [d20=3]
[19:33] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+27 Jaela hallow
[19:33] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 31 > [d20=4]
[19:34] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+11 extra deva I missed
[19:34] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 18 > [d20=7]

It's on you, Hanna and Mirajane!

Okay cool, roll hallow for Hanna and Mirajane then, Eb.

Does Ebony get it?

[19:43] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+26 Hanna hallow
[19:43] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 36 > [d20=10]
[19:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+26 Mirajane hallow? I can't actually see it on her spell list and she's a favoured soul so she can't swap it in like Hanna could.
[19:45] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=14]
[19:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+24 on the other hand Ebony does have it?
[19:45] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 34 > [d20=10]

Mirajane miracles it, then.

Afina can see throughout the fog - it's just writhing flames for now, though above you can see no sign of portals yet.

The various hallows all ripple through the forest. There is a deeper, pained wail as the ground shakes. Reality's twisting - whatever you did, something's happening! Reality's twisting around all of you like taffy pulled too far.

"Afina, can you handle the portal back?" Jaela asks. "I'm going to follow Mirajane's example to seal the deal as we leave."

"Yes, but I think we should take to the air and get some distance before opening one," Afina says, flying upwards with her summoned angels following.

"Agreed." Jaela intends to bring up the rear, but she directs everyone to head up after Afina.

Except Mountainous Fire, who continues to burn everything with purifying, golden flames.

How high up are you going?

Sufficiently high that reality no longer feels like taffy.

The party flies up. After a few hundred feet that stops - you're free, at least for the moment. What's happening below is getting visibly worse, twisting and turning into itself.

Afina summarily opens a gate back to Aurora's location. "Go on," she gestures for the others to go ahead of her, intending to bring up the rear.

Any particular order? May matter.

Mirajane and Jaela first, since they both just cast miracle and thus are magically impaired for a while. Past that doesn't matter too much, leave 27 and Hanna for last since their size means they can't go through side by side like the others can?

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 25 > [d100=25]

Aurora. Perhaps the forces of holiness are with you today, for the devils do not mount a fast enough counterattack. You all make it through safely, back to Elysium.

Now what, y'all? Everyone else is waiting for day end, do you two have anything else on the agenda?

I think two attacks in one day are enough, we can advance the clock.

Okay, locking and moving onto day 88.