Of all the rooms in the tower, the top floor stands out. It is one open space room, no internal walls to divide it. One great office, not decorated as for now, save for a single chair where a creature sits. A big green orc, scraping towards seven feet tall. He's tremendously muscled, looming over you like a titan. He's wearing leather boots joined by a traveler's sturdy cloak, tunic and pants. It's all unremarkably colored, letting his green skin stand out all the more. He slowly licks his lips, two small fang-tusks jutting out, before he rises.
"Alyssa." A simple greeting, voice rather quieter than you'd expect.
Ianvasah isn't going to be done until tonight, but she shouldn't matter for this.
"Bastian, it's good to meet you. I've been needing help for a while now. I look forward to success with you."
Bastian leaps to his feet in one smooth, flowing motion. It's pure, natural grace and might combined as he rises "The Rider of the Winds told me what you wanted, but tell me yourself what you need."
Alyssa eyes his movement, evaluating it as so done who has skill in stealth herself.
"I'm in direct conflict with Shar. She's sent assassin's after me before, and I'm guessing she will again. I have some skill in moving in shadows, but not in the world that goes with it. I need someone who can spot those agents and root them out. I'm associated with an Arcane Order, and I might need you, if you agree to join me, to make a pass through there as well "
"Tell me more about those people and your order," Bastian comes forth and offers you his chair.
"Shar's assassin's got into our plane and one into our order. They were able to kill a few of our ruling council, unfortunately, before I was able to pin down the one in the Order. I turned him over to Seira, as her daughter helped capture him and.... We didn't have anyone who really knew what to do with him. We're primarily researchers with a little bit of adventuring for resources and funds. I've laid the groundwork for them to develop into a nation on their own, though."
"What about the people who came with you?" Bastian asks next, "Tell me about them."
"Jarem is a knight-cleric of the Red Knight. She and I ha e an alliance and he was dispatched to be my advisor. Trustworthy and stalwart, but a bit of a Playboy and smart ass.
Emily is the daughter of Seria. Both of her parents are God's now, actually. Heavy in the magics, but young and thrill seeking. She thinks only by getting tales of her own will her parents be proud of her. She's learning from me, I think, about obtuse solutions and not always going head on.
Ianvasah is something of a newcomer, but one I trust. She's become an exceedingly strong druid, and is trying to find a goal for her power.
The rest are my family, and some of Jarem's support units."
"The rest I'll learn from experience," Bastian says, "Shaundakul has commanded me to serve you, so I will serve you. I expect you to live up to what you've been given."
"I expect you to advise as much as act. I don't expect anyone to put their own goals to a complete stop. Let's go meet the others."
A grunt at that, "Let me meet them on my own terms. Goes better that way."
Alyssa nods.
"Anything you want me to tell them?"
"I'll take care of it," Bastian says, getting up and going.
Okay, I assume there's going to be some settling in for sure. Gimme a loose agenda for things as you get in and establish your new base of operations?
Just settle in. Start doing some research on how to strike at or counter Shar, and hit Moore for another lesson and so e leads.
About an hour later, you're getting a grasp of your office, decorating it how you like. By chance you go to the window and glance out - and below Jarem and Bastian are fighting.
Well, sparring perhaps. A practice blade and no shield for Jarem, while Bastian fights unarmed. It's not as fast as you've seen Jarem move, no magic coming from him. Yet they both move with a skill that puts them above mortal, above others you could hope to find. An ease of movement, a skill borne of hard battles and harder injuries overcome. Each move is economical and flawless, no mistakes - only anticipation and counter, the two going back and forth.
Alyssa continues to work but continues to watch, hoping to learn something.
> roll 1d2
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d2=2]
In the end it's Bastian who gets the better of it - he manages to knock Jarem's blade away. The two exchange a look and Jarem says something and then Bastian replies, your position too far up and away to hear. Regardless of what it is, Jarem offers his hand out and grabs Bastian's, shaking it. After Jarem leans in and murmurs something to Bastian, getting a sound that carries high enough for you to hear - a startled little bark of laughter.
Alyssa chuckles at the ice breaking and goes back to settling in.
'Men.'
It's not too much later than Delaize knocks and enters your office as you work. "A small matter - Emily's sister came to visit Emily, along with a figure in heavy clothes and a robe. I did not catch his or her name."
Alyssa blinks.
"Sister? I don't recall her ever mentioning one... Have you told her?"
Alyssa runs through what she knows of Seira and Amryl for mention of a second child...
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+60 : 20 + 60, total 80[/blockquote]
Emily does have a sister, yes. Her name is Xera and she's a monk of considerable skill. As you recall, she's trained on Solania in Mount Celestia.
"I recall her, but not from Emily. Hm. Do we have any waiting rooms furnished? Send them there, I'll go find Emily."
"Emily was present, they're already talking," Delaize says.
"Let's go meet them, then. We'll take our time, however, and let them have their sister-talk."
Delaize falls in step with you. He takes you all the way to the bottom, to a closed door in the living quarters. "In here," Delaize says, gesturing with an open hand towards the door.
Alyssa knocks and waits!
"Come in," After about ten seconds that's the reply you get. "It's open now."
Alyssa does so!
"Hello!"
Within are three figures. Emily is one, a little pale but smiling quickly. The second is clad in plain brown robes and a hooded cloak, features hidden. The last is...
Cor provided a picture with Xera, so I'll just link that for a change of pace.
https://i.imgur.com/zQWzctP.jpg
"I am Alyssa Songsteel. You must be Xera. I was recently at Mount Celstia myself. Quite a place for you to have picked. I'm sure you have questions, please, let's sit and introduce everyone."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Xera replies, "But I wouldn't want to impose when you're settling in."
"Please do. I'd rather get to know Emily's family better than move things around from boxes."
With a smile at that, "Then please understand we have a sensitive guest whom wishes not to project her identity, because it could cause a great deal of misunderstandings and difficulties, and know we are here with Shaundakul's agreement, so you are not in any danger." Gesturing to the robed and hooded figure, Xera continues. "Still, it's good to meet you, Alyssa."
The robed guest is silent, looking in your way, hood completely obscuring their face.
Alyssa inclines her head .
"Your alliances and confidences are your own. In turn please do not take offense if I decide the answers to some of your questions to be more private than to be heard by someone I can't identify.
Now, to the real questions. How much trouble is Emily in now?"
Alyssa smirks at the end.
Xera inclines her head to you as Emily fidgets, eyes cast down.
"Thank you." The voice from the hooded person is quiet and distinctly that of a woman.
Alyssa has her suspicions about the cloaked woman, but...
"So, as I was asking. What's Emily into now? Seems like every time some of her family shows up, it's with trouble for her."
"It's private family business," Xera says, shaking her head.
Alyssa nods slowly.
"So be it; until it interferes, then I might have to insist, if it proves detrimental. But that's an unpleasant possibility that's a long ways off. In any case, I believe you're training as a monk? We haven't met many of them. What sorts of trouble do you get into with that?"
"The sort of trouble that has dead fiends beneath my feet," Xera says, "As it should be."
"Fiends? Interesting. Emily here has been practicing with Jarem. She gets quite enthusiastic with her spells. She's helped me catch an assassin of Shar and beat a few abominations of leviathans."
She grins, "She doesn't think either of these are worthy of song or story yet."
Emily looks down at that while Xera smiles, "I've heard something about those. Congratulations on those victories. Can you tell me more about them?"
Alyssa grins.
"Well..."
She launches into the stories of what's been done, using a bit of Prestidigitation and some calling on the Spellpool to use illusions to show the really amazing parts.
"I think my favorite, in the end, was when she captured the assassin in the force cage. He threw out this smoke and we just opened a window and blew it out with a breeze. He just looked at us and said, 'Shit.' It was hilarious."
Xera's smiling as she listens, "That was good," she agrees, as Emily keeps quiet. "Now that you've moved, now what will you be doing?"
"Hopefully gaining some information on those moving against us, and continuing lessons with Moore, and helping Emily with her research. I'm hoping to inspire her to some surprising tactics. She's quite the power house and has the makings of a real tactical force. She'll have legends about her yet, I'm sure of it. If there aren't already a few brewing in the Order, which I don't doubt.
I never told her, but she turned the Regent's Council's spines to jelly."
"Really?" Xera turns to Emily.
Emily looks up a bit, "...I suppose I did, sister," she finally says, "I put some fear into them."
"I was just telling Emily she has that will in her," Xera mentions, "But I really should be going. Good luck building here, Alyssa, and may you follow a righteous path."
Alyssa nods.
"If I might say a final word? Everyone from Emily's family I've met so far, barring Amyrl, has done nothing but put pressure on her. While it's not my place to interfere with family dynamics, I've got something of an insight to it considering how many runaways and students my Order has taken in and raised over the years.
You're all projecting on her and stifling her growth. She's going to make mistakes, no matter what you do to protect her from them, but those mistakes are part of growth. I believe she'll flower into someone magnificent. Without a doubt."
"Then I wish you well, both of you," Xera says, leaving after, her companion with her.
Alyssa looks over at Emily from the corner of her eye, waiting for her to gather herself and say something.
Emily takes a breath, "It's....It's just family business," Emily finally says. "I needed to hear something."
Alyssa nods.
"Well, you know where I am if you need help. I won't butt in, but you're here and so am I."
"Thanks." Emily gives you a quick hug, "I'll be okay, I promise. Besides, we're going out soon to smite some evil and bring back treasure. I'm going to find something worthwhile for us to do."
"Like find a certain artifact?"
"Well yes, but I know that's unlikely," Emily slumps a little, "But I'll settle for going and making a difference somewhere."
"Hmm... I don't think Waukeen would have given you a completely impossible task. The first one was made, so there's bound to be others. Or... Hmm... I wonder if we could isolate the spell matrix in you and copy it..."
"I doubt it, remember that they can't be made anymore," Emily shakes her head.
"And I can't learn the Words, either."
Alyssa smirks.
"Just because a thing is lost, doesn't mean it can't be found again. Still, it's your quest, approach it how you will. In the mean time, do you have any ideas for this treasure hunt?"
"I'm going to go ask a few friends discreetly and safely," Emily says, "...after making sure it's really safe, and maybe just invite them here."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow.
"Isn't that something you should at least run by me? This place was entrusted to me, after all."
"Well, I'm running it by you now," Emily counters back, "They're trustworthy, I promise."
"Mmmm... Let's meet them elsewhere first. Then I'll decide. We left the Order to keep ourselves hidden so we can strike fast and hard. The more people that know of this place, the more chance of it being found. Fair?"
"That's fine," Emily says, "I'll let you know once I have something lined up."
Alyssa nods.
"In the mean time, I'm going to stop by Professor Tinsel. I think he should be done by now. After that, I'll talk to Moore about arranging another lesson."
Okay then, going to go pick up the bowl?
Sure.
Okay, going alone or with anyone?
No one especially. Whoever wants to.
Jarem will on general principles of safety and request mind blanks on general principles as well. Can you fulfill those?
I have Mindblank, Chained ready, yes.
Professor Tinsel is there and waiting for you when you arrive. "Ah, Alyssa," he greets, "It's ready."
"Excellent! How did it turn out?"
"Quite well. It allows you to scry up to 5 places at once as well as focus properly on all of them," Professor Tinsel says.
"That's quite fantastic! Truly an achievement, and exceedingly useful. What about transferring the field of scrying?"
"You can change each one individually," The Professor says.
Jarem whistles low, "Useful if you're short on scriers."
"Or are a battlefield commander needing to coordinate multiple points and groups with say... A telepathic bond."
Alyssa give Jarem a meaningful look.
Jarem's smile back is not a kind one, but it is a smile.
"Yes, I think this has found a permanent home. Very well done, Professor Tinsel. Thank you for your help. Any ideas about grafting Melweather's ability over to myself, for more localized use?"
"I'll need time to work with what I've learned from that," The living tree says, "Come back later."
Alyssa nods.
"I hope you've learned something to advance your own projects. If you need help, please ask."
Cool. Anything else here?
no
Loot post. Go read and reply here that you've read it.
Read it. Neat little thing.
This should have been done first, but I legit had a brain fart on it since level ups. Since you can't just teleport in and out of demiplanes normally.
Thus you return back. In this case it is into a field of white flowers, white flowers everywhere. The air is sweet with fragrance and the occasional white flower petal carried on the breeze. It is nighttime, the full moon shining down on all. Ahead through the field is a single dirt path, leading onward through the field. "That path should be the path back into the demi plane. We'll have to walk out here to leave, but that's hardly too big an imposition." Jarem says. "Nice view, too."
"A bit of quiet focus on the way out, and relaxation on the way back. Quite nice."
Jarem kneels before the flowers, examining them. "Do you happen to know what type they are? The flowers." He picks a few, "Never head a good head for farming and plants."
Alyssa inspects them, trying to identify them.
K:N.
K:N/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+60 : 4 + 60, total 64[/blockquote]
They are Moonflowers, a type of flower that grows in the moonlight of the Gates of the Moon.
"Moonflowers. They only grow here, in this place and under the light of the Moon."
Turning with a smile, "Here," he hands them to you, and before you can react, "Your mages can discern if they have any useful properties. We're not quite on our own here, but we have what we have and we have to use it well. Our own demiplane." That smile goes a little bigger - before you feel it, that connection with Jarem flaring again.
Node update, go read.
Nice armor.
"Well thank you. We should probably ask our hosts about them, too."
"I'll run it by Bastian. He's a stout fellow, he'll know or know someone who knows," Jarem agrees, turning and starting to walk again. "Nice to know we're getting some support. Anyway, I'm also hoping Emily's got something lined up like she said she would."
"Mmmm... I think she's feeling a little like she's under performing. She had some family visit recently, and I think it's put some pressure on her."
"Yeah, she has a lot to strive to," Jarem agrees, "I'll go find out."
Alyssa shrugs.
"I've already offered, and I doubt she'll like it if you come straight out about it. She'll likely be embarrassed that I mentioned it. Just be around and notice it on your own. She's going to have to start relying on others. This obsession she has with being a hero of legends is going to lead to bad decision making."
"I meant," Jarem smoothly continues, "About those leads."
"Ah. Well, do the other thing too. She hasn't opened up to me quite yet, but she might to you."
Okay, doing anything within the next hour or two IC or good to move along past that to something?
Nah, just maybe tutoring Alihana or checking in with the family, but that can all be handwaved if you want.
Soon enough the five of you are gathered together. Emily's smiling, "Great news," she says, "I have a lead on something that'll get us battle experience as well as treasure, not to mention smiting some efreet."
The location is your office in the tower, Jarem sitting while Bastian waits at a window, looking out below. Ianvasah standing near your desk as...
Go ahead.
"Oh? Details, then."
"Doing your mother's work?" Bastian asks, not looking back.
This gets Emily to stiffen up, "Yes. It's a good thing to do - I've heard of a location of where efreet slavers keep some of their funds and ill gotten resources, as well as hopefully information and perhaps even slaves. People need hope against efreet tyranny."
Jarem scratches at his chin, "I'd say we're picking a fight by doing that," he says, "But hell, there's enough people fighting over that as it is."
"There should be more," Emily says, "So don't you dare come up with reasons not to do this." She steps forward at that, gaze all on Jarem.
At that Jarem smiles a bit, "One," he says, "I'd be negligent at my duties if I didn't consider that. Two, do we want to stick our d-er, ahem. Our fingers into this buzzsaw of a war? Three, we deserve to know: Is this a task from your parents?"
Emily's expression turns stormy, fists balled up at her sides and posture rigid. "It isn't, I found it by myself."
Jarem's gaze meets Emily's and...
> roll 1d20+12 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=6]
...Emily does not break. Unperturbed, Jarem goes on, "Did you find it from those who serve your parents?"
> roll 1d20+11
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=10]
At this Emily's expression turns to a scowl, "Well yes." she admits, "Not quite a servant, but a family friend who's highly placed somewhere important. They didn't want to be directly involved or mentioned."
Jarem invokes his daily use of sharp insight.
"Then it's probably legitimate," Jarem finally concludes, turning to Alyssa.
"Probably?" Emily echos, gaze still on Jarem.
Without even acknowledging that, Jarem goes right on. "It sounds good, so long as you don't mind making a splash and possibly getting reprisals or even dragged into that war."
At this Ianvasah adds, "How much treasure is it likely to be?"
"Well," Jarem scratches his chin again, "Efreet are wealthy, but I'd also say if it depends on if they think that location's really secure or if they're investing resources into guarding it. If I were an efreet with holdings in slaves and my money tucked away into different corners of Creation, I'd think about recalling at least some of them home, because I'd expect this sort of attack."
Alyssa considers...
"The point of coming here was to get less scrutiny for ourselves. Though I do agree that slavery is horrific; I value freedom above most everything else.
Bastian and Jarem's concerns about the greater fight are valid..."
Alyssa leans forward and locks eyes with Emily.
"Since this came from a connection to Sierra, see if that connection can tell us if there's going to be another raid elsewhere by Seira's forces or others. If there is, we can time a move with theirs and use it to mask ourselves.
Bastian, Jarem, do the same. If Seira's forces don't have anything planned, let's see if we can't find someone more local that's getting into fights.
Let's get some options before anything final is decided. Emily, was there a time limit on this information?"
"There's no time limit, but it's at risk of being less useful the longer we wait," Emily says, "Also Valar - one of Mom's generals - is launching attacks as often as he can. We don't need to worry about that."
"The question lingers: We have a location, but where and what is it, Emily?" Ianvasah asks.
Alyssa nods to Ianvasah.
"She's right. We don't have a huge cadre of diviners any more. I'll have to run some tests on the bowl we got to see how easily detectable it is and set up some security for it. We'll need more information, either way. Bastian, I'm not entirely sure of your reach. What can you suggest?"
"Emily's logic about striking sooner than later is sound," Bastian begins, "I haven't been too involved in the war yet, but I've heard things on my trips around. Both sides are focusing on attacking resources and limited probes into the other's planes. Regardless of what the efreet do, we may be beaten to this target by another if we tarry."
Alyssa nods.
"Okay then. If no one has any hard objections, then Emily find out about Valar's next attack. Jarem, get me a list of what you think we need in resources for this. Ianvasah, you're one of our more terrorizing combatants, so you'll need to coordinate with Jarem's plan. I imagine they'll focus on you to a certain degree once you go full dragon on them. Bastian, I'll get you what I can from the bowl for a layout of the facility. You can take your pick between freeing the slaves or going after the commander. I'll do whichever you don't.
Bring me concerns and plans. I want a solid framework before we start on this."
General agreement and...
Doing anything else for prep while they set this up?
Check to see if there's any way to super stealth the bowl?
Super stealth the bowl? What precisely do you mean?
Try to make it's scrying undetectable.
Is there any example of undetectable scrying that you know of?
Not really. I can't find anything that counters things like detect scrying, which is kinda weird.
It's not really common short of mind blank.
Tell you what, post about it in loot and I'll hash something out there tomorrow.
In the meantime, anything else?
Kill time tutoring sis?
Skip alongable for now then.
Soon enough everyone gets back together.
"Good news, there should be some efforts tomorrow," Emily opens up with, smiling, "So we can prepare in the morning and then go."
Alyssa nods.
"Our primary goal will be rescue. Secondary is the commander and Intel."
Jarem nods a bit to that, "Emily, why don't you tell us about this location now?"
Ianvasah's quiet, "I'd rather like to know so I can prepare as well. We all need to prepare."
"Unless Alyssa has more first?" Emily asks, deferring to you.
"Still working on trying to conceal the divination. If I can't find a way, we'll ha e to scry it just before we leave and make a plan fast."
"The location is the Farrols, locatedin the Deep Ethereal," Emily explains. "Are you any of you familiar with it?"
Am I?
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+60 : 4 + 60, total 64[/blockquote]
It doesn't ring a bell. This isn't unusual, as the Deep Ethereal is fairly quiet and obscure, with all sorts of discreet holdings.
"Not to me. The Deep Etheral is pretty sparse for information sometimes."
Headshakes all around, with Bastian adding, "Not surprising, no."
"It's a bank, sort of. They hold anything there. Money, property, magical items, ideas - even slaves. As long as you pay the banking fee and you know someone to get you in," Emily explains. "It's exclusive and private, serving a select clientele."
"Including efreet," Jarem finishes. "Who owns and runs it?"
Here Emily takes a breath, "In theory, a detached marut Inevitable. No one knows why he's not doing his normal duty, but he runs the bank precisely and according to its rules."
Alyssa leans back and glances at Jarem and Bastian.
"Well. That's... interesting."
She taps her chin and looks up at the ceiling.
"To be honest... I kind of want to just... steal the whole thing. I wonder.... Teleport Object is a bit limited, and we don't have enough casters to link with cooperative magic to move the entire building, I don't think... Unless we can either sneak a bunch from somewhere or engineer some sort mix with Teleportation Circle. But that's rather limited in size... Or if there's an actual physical vault, but that's limited in size and number of casters, too..
Hmm... What about... A breach? Shift the entire thing into a different plane for our leisure?"
"Ambitious," Jarem smiles a bit, "I like the idea, but can we do it in reality?"
Ianvasah says, "Some sort of huge portal?"
"Maybe... I'm not sure we could make a portal that large, but... Hm... I wonder if I can work out a more powerful version of Shrink Item. If we could reduce the size of the building, then a large portal might be feasible. Maybe... A rune or spell circle of some sort. Apply it to the outer walls, activate all at once? What do you think?
A Gate is roughly... 20 feet in size. We could maybe link multiple, but I think that's more likely to just rip chunks off of the building. Unless you have an idea?"
"Ahem," Bastian clears his throat, "More importantly, can you do it within the time allotted?"
"... We might be able to, actually. Emily, Delaize, and I are all... very advanced mages. If we work together, we might actually be able to figure it out. I won't say that we should plan only for it, but... If you and Jarem work out a plan for us to follow in case we can't, that'll let us focus on it."
I just kinda threw it out there. I have no idea if we can? It depends on which route is more reasonable to you. The shrink item thing is a low level enough spell that it should be considered exceedingly simple to the three of us to expand on. It's a level 3 spell, so extremely basic. At my CL, it'll clear 64 cu ft, which isn't huge, but will certainly cover a wall. A more powerful version of it linked by runes or a spell circle should be reasonable, in my mind, especially if you consider the existence of the Instant Fortress item.
I'm not talking like pocket sized building here, but a gate is 20 ft in diameter, so shrinking a building down to that size should be reasonably possible when you have an Instant Fortress item that's a 20 sq. ft. wide and 30 ft. tall building that shrinks down to a pocket sized cube.
It would also depend on the size of the building. Do you have any idea how big the building is?
Not until divinations, unless Emily has Intel.
On the fly it's iffy at best, and that's if you knew the building you were working with. You're essentially limited by time demands here.
Of course, throwing powerful magic at it can likely speed the process along. A properly used wish or miracle could brute force a lot of this.
That works for me, as long as I can figure it out before hand, so that wish is the very last thing I can't before I go through the gate to minimize risk of spell failure in combat.
"Hold on," Jarem says as Alyssa considers. "Go back to that Inevitable. You said in theory he runs the back. Why?"
Here Emily shakes her head, "He's somewhat reclusive, I hear, and usually operates through lieutenants."
"Great, just great," Jarem says, starting to tick off fingers. "Okay, does this marut have a name? Do his lieutenants have a name?"
Alyssa waits for the answers, suspecting Jarem's concern is about higher level response.
"His name is Nales XI," Emily begins, "Ah, he has a few lieutenants. One is Corryn Featheroak, a half elf with genie blood. A skilled fencer and diplomat from what I've heard. Azile, a gelugon who has gone rogue to further his own career and a telepath of considerable power. Finally, a moon dog. A gray moon dog - which means one that's turned against its nature, but hasn't fallen all the way to evil. His name is Bannoth and is a powerful shapechanger."
Alyssa turns to the others, "Thoughts?"
"Assuming all four of them are competent," Jarem begins, "Then we have four credible threats. How competent is a question, but with what they're handling, I'd suspect they aren't weak."
"I know Azile," Bastian speaks up, at the window again and looking back. "He's been active for about 10,000 years that I know of, doing this or that to further his wealth and position. I haven't heard of him in a few centuries, so I presume he's been busy with this. He's strong and defeats his opponents by attacking their minds."
"All men," Ianvasah frowns, "We can lead them rather directly if we care to manipulate them."
"Do you know anything specific about his abilities? We can put better defenses in place if so. What about the others?"
"He assaults your mind, causing mental breakdown and ultimately catatonia," Bastian says, "It destroys the mind and without restoration, it stays destroyed."
"Hm... Mindblank is standard... and likely expected. I would assume he'll have some way to deal with it. I'll look into it."
"That's a start," Jarem agrees, "As far as spells cast before we leave, what are we looking at?"
Long Duration:Everyone:Create Magic Tattoo: +1 Spellcaster Level, CL 32, Duration: 24 Hours.Create Magic Tattoo: Spell Resistance 20, CL 31, Duration: 24 Hours.Spell resistance equal to 10 + 1 per three caster levels.
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls.
+5 armor bonus to armor/shield. (+2 via Mind over Matter: Total bonus +7)
enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls of +5
This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish spells when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject's mind or to gain information about it. In the case of scrying that scans an area the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn't detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.
This spell is identical to mage armor, except that it grants a +20 armor bonus to armor class. (+2 bonus via Mind over Matter: Total bonus +22)
You have the benefits of the attune form spell (page 17) with respect to the appropriate element.
You are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning, and are not subject to extra damage from critical hits or flanking. You gain darkvision out to 60 feet.
Fire: Fire immunity, burn (those you hit in melee and those who attack you with natural weapons must make a Reflex save or catch fire, with a save DC equal to that of a fire elemental of the same size).
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained. Perfect recall of memory and anything heard/read. Speak all languages.
Improved Initiative.Magic Circle Against Evil, CL 32, Duration: 320 minutes.+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistace bonus to saves. Immunity to possess or exercise mental control (charm/complusion). Natural weapons recoil.
+5 ehnacnce to Natural Armor, racial bonus on saves vs. poison, racial bonus on Hide checks.
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
HP: 281/281
AC: 57.
Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL21), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body: Fire (CL30), Mind Blank (CL30), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL30), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid/Electricy/Sonic (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL30)
Bonuses: SR 20 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +7 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV)
Negative Conditions:
Okay, you have Jarem, Emily and Ianvasah able to chip in as well. Any bases you want covered by them?
I haven't gone through their spells. They should probably get Spell Turning or something if they can. Anything they can provide that stacks with my stuff. Morale bonuses or sacred. If that brain melter is going to be around someone/thing to counterspell might not be a bad choice.
Okay, I'll whip a few up. More incoming.
As you all talk and settle that particular point out? "Finally," Jarem says, "We need an escape plan if this goes all wrong."
"They'll likely have a teleport beacon of some sort, if it's as secure as it's supposed to be. Desiginate pairs or groups to evacuate together, then make a direct line out of effect and plane shift somewhere safe.... Say... Celestia or the like. With ready aid or healing there."
"Ysgard," Emily speaks up, "It's the best for anything like that. Anywhere in Ysgard's first layer."
Alyssa nods.
"Ysgard then. If push comes to shove, we can try to rally near The Red Knight's territory if we can't make our way back here."
"It's a plan," Jarem concludes. "If you have anything to do or prepare for, now's the time. Be ready and let all of us know if you want to change something in this plan. Alyssa, anything else to add?"
"I may change a thing or two depending on how my research turns out. I have an idea for the same tactic as with the assassin, if it shakes out. If it does, prep some walls of force and antimagic."
"I'll take care of it," Jarem promises and...
Okay, is there any todos, prep or RP you want to get done before this now?
The scrying stuff. My plan will depend on that.
See loot.
Alrighty time for some scrying then. Goal is to get a map of the area, locations of the slaves, and size of the building. After that, a general idea of the forces in the area and maybe if there's a teleport divert/block thingy.
Okay, who are you aiming at, then?
Can I aim at the slaves or does it have to be someone with a name I know?
It can be any creature, but if you don't know the creature at all, you have to have some sort of connection to them to aim it at them.
Like what? Need some sort of example here. I mean, if I want like a servant slave, do I need a feather duster or something here?
Something connected to them. A piece of clothing, a bit of blood or hair, or something with a symbolic connection to them personally (not who they are in general).
Hm. So can I use wish to get things like that and use the bowl? Like if I were to say, "I wish for small innocuous belongings of five servants in the Farrols who's movements will give me a full layout of the building while minimizing the chance of scrying being discovered." and have enough recovery time that the spell failure will be gone by the time we move?
It depends on precisely the wish. A wish to steal something of theirs might work, or a wish to divine a few names may work too. As always, keeping freeform wishes simple helps adapt them and prevent overreach since you only have so many spell levels to work with.
Okay, that's the route I'll go with if I can rest out the Wish spell failure?
As long as you have the free time to do so, sure.
I mean, do I have the free time? You're sorta the time keeper here. How many hours between the end of the meeting and step off for the raid?
14, let's say.
Then yeah, doing that.
Cool, declare what you're doing and we'll work with that.
Alyssa sits down in her office, taking a moment to clear her mind and focus on the spell she's going to cast before chanting.
Wish, CL 32.
"I wish for the information or materials to successfully use the Bowl of Scrying on five creatures in the Ferrols who's movements will allow me to map the entire facility and defenses with the minimal risk of detection."
CL check on the wish.
CL check for Wish:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 11 + 32, total 43[/blockquote]
A sheet of paper appears on your desk.
Alyssa picks it up and reads over it.
It's a list of 5 names.
Addran
Billy Kirnan
Zalm
Rockcrush
Pelae
Alyssa calls the others in for the scrying.
"I've used Wish to get a list of names to scry on with the bowl. If the wish worked correctly, we should be able to map out almost the entire area with minimal risk of detection. I wanted you all here because each of you will notice things I won't, and we can each focus on copying down what we see to draw a complete map."
General agreement all around.
"If it works," Emily says, "How strong are the scryings, Alyssa?"
I dunno what to say here, really.
"Middling. I plan to try to improve it later, but for now, I specifically asked for targets with movements that would show us the entire facility while minimizing the risk of detection."
"Then let's try," Jarem agrees, leaning in towards the bowl.
Go ahead.
Alyssa holds up the sheet and calls the names out, focusing on them through the Bowl to scry them!
CL check on the bowl.
Bowl of Scrying CL check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 2 + 15, total 17[/blockquote]
No good. Whatever magic is here, it blocks the scryings.
"Damn. Not entirely unexpected for someplace being discreet, but I had hopes they were more dependent on secrecy than power," Jarem says.
"Not our luck," Ianvasah says, "Is there anything we can do?"
"Try again with our own scryings, or perhaps investigate magic skilled at penetrating such defenses?" Emily blows out a breath, "But it's okay, we'll solve them with or without information. It's the right thing to do."
"If push comes to shove, we can also use a wish to get the layout."
"Depends on what the magic is, but if it worked before, it may be capable of it again," Here Jarem peers down at the bowl, "Worth a try. If they know from the first wish, another one won't meaningfully alert them any more."
Alyssa nods.
"Then lets do that. I've used the one I prepared already."
To be clear here, no more are memorized for you?
I only memorize one wish per day. If it's a new day, then I'd have one.
It is not.
Then nope, I'd only have one prepped, and used it for the names.
Emily or Jarem can do that via miracle, if you want them to try.
Sure.
Preference on which?
Nope. Is there enough time to get through the spell failure?
Yes.
Then one do a mini model of the place and one ask why a Inevitable Marut is running an efreet bank, because I don't think that makes sense.
> roll 1d20+33 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+29 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 41 > [d20=12]
Jarem kneels in prayer, silent for a time. "Got it. Where did you say this place was again, Alyssa? Also, I'm pretty sure I was sensed doing it."
"Emily found it. Where again?"
Emily shakes her head, "The Deep Ethereal," she announces. "Why?"
"It's hazy. Moving. Like mist," Jarem says. "I'm not sure the entire thing isn't much more than magic or will."
"Hm. Ideas?"
Bastian crosses his arms and shakes his head, "We know now we need to account for that. The Deep Ethereal is a realm of dreams, it may be tied to dreams or similar things."
"Right," Emily frowns at that, "I suppose that makes sense for a place that needs to be able to store anything."
"Well, does anyone know a powerful dreamer or specialist they can call in on short notice? If not, we'll have to consider what sorts of specialized defenses for it we can pull together on short notice."
"Got something in mind?" Jarem asks, turning ot you.
"Well... If the Deep Ethereal is strongly influenced by dreams and will power... If we can combine the distraction of our attack with someone of sufficient skill and willpower to influence those dreams... We might be able to take control of the area. If so, we can turn it against them, or maybe just shift the whole thing somewhere else."
"Sounds nice in theory," Ianvasah says, "Is it worth kindling in reality?"
Here Bastian looks out the window, "...maybe. It may or may not even be malleable to use. Plan but don't assume. Willpower would help, no doubt."
"Know anyone, then? Every little bit helps."
"Yeah, but short notice is hard," Bastian says, "Probably not worth the trouble and time."
"Mmm... So, what alterations to the plan do you suggest? They're almost certainly aware of the scrying."
"They know someone may be coming," Emily reasons, "So we'll have to hit them hard and assume they'll be ready."
"Which means we come in and hit hard," Jarem says, "If they're defending, we have to be a strong enough fist to break through that."
"Is who we brought enough, or do we need to call in reinforcements?"
Bastian shrugs, great big shoulders rolling before he smiles, a hint of fangs. "If you're worth the bucket your piss, the five of us shouldn't need backup unless we're already fucked. I'm good and I know all of you are supposed to be great champions."
Smiling just a bit, "Yeah. We good, so can we scratch up people who will make a meaningful difference?
"To get the slaves out. I'd rather have us able to focus on threats than having to heard confused and scared people around."
"We're short on warm bodies, but I can muster the contingent I have," Jarem says, "If we can manage the transport efficiently without the guild's magic."
"Gate or Plane Shift. Delaize can go with the contingent and get them back, if need be."
Logistics question: How many people are you bringing?
Minimum needed. Node peeps for combat, and then however many to evacuate slaves.
Well, that's the question. How many do you think you'll need for that?
I have no idea. Do I know enough about efreet stuff to guesstimate how many slaves there might be?
Not really? You just don't have the information to know how many slaves might be held here.
"Well, we don't really know how many people we'll have to corral. I'd say... Ten or so? What do you think, Jarem? I've never done a mass evacuation before."
"I have," Jarem says, "Chaos is the nature of the beast." He glances out the window himself, "Speaking of, what's so interesting out there, Bastian?"
"The roads," Bastian's reply is short, his gaze going back out.
"Religion." Jarem's answer is casual, "Regardless, you need enough bodies to direct people along with someone who can get them moving in the right direction. The distance you have to cover, the number of people and other things all factor into it. You can do it short if you have good people or the people you're rescuing aren't going to panic, but we don't have the latter luxury. I can put good people on it, but we're still guessing blind on how many we'll need. I'd say 20 if we can manage the magic to ferry them both here and back safely."
"Can we pull that many together? Or do we need to consider summons?"
"Unreliable," Jarem shakes his head, "Contracting callings are the way to go, such as summon planar ally."
"I could set something like that up," Emily says, "It's a good cause so my Mom's servants will be more cooperative, too."
"Family is always a boon to call on," Ianvasah says, "A truer lesson never said."
Alyssa nods. "That's a solid solution then. Agreed? Any other issues?"
"I think we're ready," Jarem says, and...
Okay, what's your current plan looking like?
Teleport in as close as we can. Split into two groups. One to steal/shrink the building, one to rescue slaves. Gate out. I'm not sure what the best split is... Bastian with me since stealth?
It's worth noting that Ianvasah also has ranks in stealth.
Then the three of us, yeah. She can be our big gun, and Emily and Jarem like breaking things.
Alrighty. Can you quote or repast the spells decided on for this from Alyssa?
Long Duration:Everyone:Create Magic Tattoo: +1 Spellcaster Level, CL 32, Duration: 24 Hours.Create Magic Tattoo: Spell Resistance 20, CL 31, Duration: 24 Hours.Spell resistance equal to 10 + 1 per three caster levels.
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls.
+5 armor bonus to armor/shield. (+2 via Mind over Matter: Total bonus +7)
enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls of +5
This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish spells when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject's mind or to gain information about it. In the case of scrying that scans an area the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn't detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.
This spell is identical to mage armor, except that it grants a +20 armor bonus to armor class. (+2 bonus via Mind over Matter: Total bonus +22)
You have the benefits of the attune form spell (page 17) with respect to the appropriate element.
You are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning, and are not subject to extra damage from critical hits or flanking. You gain darkvision out to 60 feet.
Fire: Fire immunity, burn (those you hit in melee and those who attack you with natural weapons must make a Reflex save or catch fire, with a save DC equal to that of a fire elemental of the same size).
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained. Perfect recall of memory and anything heard/read. Speak all languages.
Improved Initiative.Magic Circle Against Evil, CL 32, Duration: 320 minutes.+2 deflection bonus to AC, +2 resistace bonus to saves. Immunity to possess or exercise mental control (charm/complusion). Natural weapons recoil.
+5 ehnacnce to Natural Armor, racial bonus on saves vs. poison, racial bonus on Hide checks.
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
HP: 281/281
AC: 57.
Spells Active: Magic Vestment (CL21), Create Magic Tattoo (SR/Spellcaster Level/Attack) (CL29/25/21), Elemental Body: Fire (CL30), Mind Blank (CL30), Bibliotheca Arcana (CL30), Energy Immunity: Cold/Acid/Electricy/Sonic (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL30)
Bonuses: SR 20 (CMT), +1 Caster Level (CMT), +1 Luck Attack (CMT), +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge checks (BA), +20 Armor Bonus (EMA), +7 Armor Bonus/Shield (MV)
Negative Conditions:
Is Greater Magic Weapon meant to be cast on everyone, Iddy? It mentions your weapon by name.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 504/504
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 503+31/503
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 525/525 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 527/527 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources:
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
It's chained, so it hits 21 weapons.
Okay, since you're bringing a lot of people we need to talk about what spells are being used to move people and who are casting them. Let me know who and how.
I can prep a gate or two. Emily and Do should be able to also. I'm not sure how many it would take?
Emily and Do?
A gate can last 1 round/level, so even assuming 1 person a round that should suffice. Where are you aiming it?
Delaize. As close as we can to the facility. Did we ever find out if there was a block?
No, but something is interdicting scrying at least.
Edge of that radius then.
Did you determine what the radius on that was to do so?
Don't think so. We got a model of the place, but I think that's it. We can try throwing a gate at it and seeing. Alyssa should be able to make a decent guess at the range considering her spellcraft and general knowledge checks, and her personal experience with the teleport beacon, though.
Most likely, a teleport block covers the building or a range of 1 mile. It's not iron cast, exceptions exist, but those would be the most likely outcomes.
We'll go on that general assumption.
Okay and where are you aiming at, then? Back to that question, there's two possibilities and possibly more and you don't specify.
I mean, in line with the slave pins? There's the problem of is this a 360 degree environment or something? I can't really be super specific here other than just to say the best path to it.
Then just give me relative distance you're aiming for? By the building? A mile away? Ten miles? 1000ft? Give me something to latch onto here.
1.25 miles. I said the edge of the assumed teleport block radius.
Okay, in the future just give me flat numbers when possible to eliminate ambiguity, especially as I said, you weren't sure and had a few probably distances. That assumes something that I know you don't know, so isn't a viable answer for me to work with.
Fog.
Fog is the first thing you see when you at last step through. It's a bit chilly but nothing terrible, but thick fog blocks everything ahead out to about 60ft. Fortunately it's not so thick around you do be truly blinding, but visibility is bad.
"Okay, so far so good, but they'll likely know we're coming. Stealth and speed will help, but... assume this place is going to be heavily defended. If we're not gaining ground and begin to stall, it may be best to decide to fall back before losses turn heavy for no reason."
Everyone's setting up, Jarem flying over to you. "We don't have to make this a hill to die on. If they're stronger or just resilient, we fall back and fight another day."
Alyssa nods.
"Everyone here knows their jobs and is competent. Let's get this done fast and get out of here. We want the slaves and the building. Anyone we avoid and leave here will likely be killed by patrons of this place, so don't lose sight of our objective for a fight."
Okay, so two teams right? When will you split up and what's your marching order here?
Split up when we get there, in case they counter attack in force. I think we settled on Bastian, Alyssa, Ianvasah and then Jarem and Emily.
Thus you begin to fly ahead - and immediately you can tell the visibility is going to limit scouting ahead and simple sight. As you fly on...
d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 83, total 83[/blockquote]
You begin to go - and as you do, not even a full mile away? The the mists begin swirling around all of you, moving like a bowl of cake batter being stirred, all heading inward towards the party.
Alyssa motions for everyone to assume a defensive formation and studies the phenomenon... This is the Deep Ethereal and will has a part to play... Could she counter this?
Jarem and Emily ready weapons, Ianvasah is at alert. Bastian merely slowly stretches while the common soldiers behind you take defensive positions.
"Careful now," Jarem says, "Someone's up to some sort of troublemaking."
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
Take 10+83 = 93
The mists swirling like this isn't natural. Something's manipulating them directly. Not unheard of on the Deep Ethereal, but no less deadly.
Alyssa tries to use her own will to manipulate them and clear it away.
Okay, do you have anything relevant or related to that at all?
As in a special ability? No.
Charisma check.
Cha:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 12 + 3, total 15[/blockquote]
Nothing seems to happen, the swirling continuing unabated.
Alyssa motions everyone forward.
Everyone begins to go, before the mist suddenly coils, swirls erupting out over everyone, powerful winds blasting into all of you.
Strength checks, all.
Str/Brains Over Brawn:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 10 + 9, total 19[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+7 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+7 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+9 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+15 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=1]
The blasts of winds send several flying - including Emily - cast about in all directions. About half of Jarem's forces are, but the rest of you stay in position.
"Don't think that was the right idea," Bastian growls, holding position against the winds. "Wizard something at it!"
Alyssa begins to chant!
Greater Magic Dispell, CL 32
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+20 : 9 + 20, total 29[/blockquote]
Concentration, the winds require it.
CL/Int/Gauntlet Bonus:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+46 : 19 + 46, total 65[/blockquote]
At this the mists swirl and slow - the winds stop, though the swirling hasn't stopped entirely.
"A continuous effect, likely. We'll need to move."
"Aaah!" Emily manages to fly back as others rally, "We're alright, we can go."
"Good. Move, move," Jarem calls, "Forward!"
Alyssa does so!
As you fly...
"Excuse me," A cultured, urbane voice speaks up, coming from all around. "But what do you think you're doing here, good sirs and kind ladies?"
"As dear Emily would say, striking against evil. Is assume you're the Inevitable Marut? Or a Lieutenant of his?"
"You come and invade and you don't even know my name." The voice is a faint chiding.
"You harbor slaves of the efreet, free souls who deserve better," Emily declares loudly, "This won't stand."
"I am a creature of business," The voice retorts, "I deal in gold and goods, not steel and spell. Come, put aside this trouble and we can come to a profitable resolution for everyone."
"I'm not entirely opposed to this, but unfortunately I don't think the price you'll ask will be something anyone can afford, considering what we want. Unless you think we can help you with your task."
"Then what is your price?" The voice asks as every one pauses, listening and on guard.
"Everything here. I want the slaves free, and the facility here."
A sniff, loud and haughty. "Ah, barbarism," Is the reply you get. "Forsake the law and rationality, steel and spell will carry force and your will. Take it all and leave those who earned it destitute and broken, if not dead for buzzards to scavenge them."
"What I want is their freedom. What's in the buildings can be used to gain it for others. Those here, who run this place are far from being so powerless as to have no other options. They have enough power to go elsewhere and be."
"Ah, a barbarian's peace. Flee and leave your treasure, and you can live a life in fear. Barbarism!" The voice scoffs. "The tanar'ri would approve of every jot and tittle of your deeds here, woman."
"Fuck you." Jarem speaks up here, "Fuck you and fuck hiding behind the law to try and shield yourself from the consequences of your own crimes. You want to try and stop us? You know where we are, and we're coming right your way. Deal with that rather than whining about someone stepping up and doing what needs to be done."
"Now wait. You expect me to be reasonable and flexible to your opinion, but not you to mine. I don't deny law; there are many who... Need it. But law and rules are different than slavery and ruthless domination. Those that patron this place go far beyond anything the reasonability you ask us for."
"Then," The voice says, "I do not believe we have any further negotiations. I will not mourn your deaths."
"It is indeed unfortunate that your inflexibility will lead to a fight. Such is always the way with dictators and dominators. I had hoped you might have more perspective."
There's no reply to that, at least verbally.
Alyssa motions everyone forward!
Before anything else, are you warded against mind affecting?
Mindblank, CL 32.
Images begin to form in the mists. Indistinct and hazy to you, yet the common soldiers freeze, several screaming. The swirling mists resume, spreading those strange images about.
"Fear attack," Jarem calls loudly, "Rally your wills and prepare counter measures!"
Emily stops, "Be strong," she calls, "Hope is with you."
Ianvasah growls low as she goes along, while Bastian shakes his head, "Mind games," he says in disgust, "Cowardly tactics by a cowardly wizard."
My Mindblank hits 21 peeps. It's reasonable that I'd include as many as possible in it.
Alyssa gives Ianvasah a flat look at the wizard comment.
"It's effective, Jarem, can you help them?"
That's a fair point and would cover most of the army. In that case revising.
Images begin to form in the mists. Indistinct and hazy to you, yet a handful of common soldiers freeze, several screaming. The swirling mists resume, spreading those strange images about.
"Fear attack," Jarem calls loudly, "Rally your wills and prepare counter measures!"
Emily stops, "Be strong," she calls, "Hope is with you."
Ianvasah growls low as she goes along, while Bastian shakes his head, "Mind games," he says in disgust, "Cowardly tactics by a cowardly wizard."
To be fair, I should have thought to mention it. Of note, most of my buffs were Chained which covers 21 people each spell, so I dunno if you wanna make a quick cheat sheet for it, since a lot of them are pretty significant (I.E.- Epic Mage Armor, Energy Immunity, ect.
Alyssa gives Ianvasah a flat look at the wizard comment.
"It's effective, though. Jarem, can you help them? I suspect our host might think much like I do, considering. Everyone might want to reevaluate how to fight him."
The soldiers work, spells cast and people grabbed. It causes a stop but quells the panic, containing it with superior numbers. "The faces," one calls, "Don't make me look!" Then a simple spell is woven, calming the soldier.
"We have it under control. C'mon, before they do another stunt. We're wasting time," Jarem says, Bastian agreeing with a grunt, flying forward.
Alyssa nods agreement and moves forward!
Onward. You're less than a mile away now, flying through the mists as fast as you can. Yet ahead there is a shuddering noise, when abruptly - !!!
Perception.
Perception: +3 if terrain bonus applies
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 12 + 45, total 57[/blockquote]
What terrain masteries do you have? Matters here.
Hills, Marsh, Plains, Underground, Desert, Transitive, Weightless, Cavernous, Aligned.
Bonus applies for a total of 60. Matters here.
Ahead, as far as your limited sight can see? They come from above, masses moving dimly in the mists, heading for the party. Two or three is your guess based on a quick look. Big things, bigger than humans and not shaped like them at all.
"Ahead and above. Two or three targets, large and not human. Ready yourselves."
"Ready!" Emily calls back, everyone falling into position and - here they come!
Init.
Alyssa chants a fast spell!
Nerveskitter (Chained, Echoing), CL 32.
+5 Init Bonus
Init/Brains over Brawn/Nerveskitter:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+21 : 14 + 21, total 35[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+10 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+14 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+17 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+4 soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+9 ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+10 ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+9 ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=5]
Init is Alyssa (35) > Bastian (27) > Ianvasah (22) > Emily = ???2 (17) > Jarem (15) > ????3 (14) > ???1 (12) > Soldiers (5)
Open.
Knowledge check to ID and get Knowledge Devotion?
Not without better visuals, you'll get one once you have a better eye on them.
Hold till they get closer then.
Bastian waits, peering ahead.
Ianvasah, Bastian holds. Ianvasah does the same actually, waiting to clobber whatever comes. Emily follows suit.
The creature that comes forth fast is mist. Pure mist, a great, spinning octopus of it, tentacles out wide and reaching as it flies dead on at the group.
Chance for K:P before anything else.
K:P/Tale Keeper/Knowledge Devotion:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 4 + 50, total 54[/blockquote]
These are constructs of pure mist. Unliving things, animated by another's will. Perhaps some rudimentary dream given form by that will, or perhaps simply mist. If it is a dream, it'll be much stronger than a mere construct of mist.
Dispelling them if they're merely mist is effective. If it's a dream you'll need to fight it the hard way. Direct, physical attacks are likely to be of a greatly reduced effectiveness.
How would TK Violent Thrust work? If they're mist, would it just sorta blow them apart?
It may, yes. More if they're not dream based.
Alyssa focuses and throws out a wave of telekinetic power at them!
Telekinetic Thrust, CL 37.
1 target per CL, max 15, within 10ft of each other.
Mist Construct 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+41 : 10 + 41, total 51[/blockquote]
Mist Construct 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+41 : 11 + 41, total 52[/blockquote]
Mist Construct 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+41 : 7 + 41, total 48[/blockquote]
Forgot to include the +5 from knowledge devotion, the +3 from terrain mastery, and the +1 luck from magic tattoo. +9 to each of those.
60, 61, 57.
Refresh me, are those attack rolls or CMB rolls for this?
Attack.
The creatures in the mist are sent hurtling away, cast away by your power and flying backwards. They fly into the mists and the cover of it, no immediate sign of them - not that you can see from here.
"That do it?" Jarem asks, voice tense.
Init is Bastian (27) > Ianvasah (22) > Alyssa = Emily = Mistopus 2 (17) > Jarem (15) > Mistopus 3 (14) > Mistopus 1 (12) > Soldiers (5)
"Let's keep going. We'll find out one way or another."
You begin to fly forward - and at once they come, from all directions. A dozen of the mistopus, above, below, behind and ahead. They form from the mists as Bastian grins, "Oh, there you are. Was it a good trip?"
Emily draws her blade, "Everyone, focus on breaking through ahead. We can't get bogged down here."
Jarem glances sidelong at Bastian, muttering something under his breath.
So it was enough to affect them, what about holding them in place? Violent thrust is 1 creature per CL, and sustained force goes by weight.
You'd assume you could if you wanted to.
I will try this!
Sure, make any needed rolls.
Alyssa focuses her telekinetic ability again, if she can manage to hold them in place, it'll make thing significantly easier for the others...
Telekinesis SLA, CL 33+5 (forgot to use the Char Level for SLA last time).
Violent thrust?
Target: Hold the dozen mist constructs.
ATK 1 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 13 + 59, total 72[/blockquote]
ATK 2 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 7 + 59, total 66[/blockquote]
ATK 3 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 11 + 59, total 70[/blockquote]
ATK 4 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 4 + 59, total 63[/blockquote]
ATK 5 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 4 + 59, total 63[/blockquote]
ATK 6 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 12 + 59, total 71[/blockquote]
ATK 7 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 1 + 59, total 60[/blockquote]
ATK 8 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 8 + 59, total 67[/blockquote]
ATK 9 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 6 + 59, total 65[/blockquote]
ATK 10 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 19 + 59, total 78[/blockquote]
ATK 11 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 15 + 59, total 74[/blockquote]
ATK 12 (SLA/Gauntlets/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 16 + 59, total 75[/blockquote]
I apologize, but I meant to say 'please roll init since you're taking hostile action. This is 110% my fault since I was replying just after waking up and my brain wasn't fully awake yet.
In lieu of that, and feel free to keep those rolls as needed for the coming round, please roll init.
Init/Brains over Brawn:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+16 : 3 + 16, total 19[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+9 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+12 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+4 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+4 soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 10 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+9 Mistopuses
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=12]
Init is Ianvasah (32) > Mistopuses (21) > Alyssa (19) > Emily (12) > Soldiers (10) > Bastian (9) > Jarem (7)
Iavansah opens. First, give me Perception, Alyssa?
Perception: (+3 if terrain mastery applies)
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 1 + 45, total 46[/blockquote]
Ianvasah charges in, lightning fast, at the one dead ahead. She morphs into a dragon as she goes, suddenly looming vast, and throwing her head back to breathe a torrent of pure lightning over her prey.
> roll 33d10
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 152 > [d10=4,1,3,7,3,2,4,5,1,4,10,2,8,7,6,4,1,6,10,2,9,6,3,5,8,6,3,5,2,7,1,6,1]
> roll 1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d4 recharge
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d4=3]
The lightning crackles through the mist, a line plunging straight through it. Parts of it are disrupting, fizziling, leaving it like an octopus with great hunks of itself missing. Yet it endures that, ragged and crumbling.
Moments later the mistopuses close in from all directions, the party under attack, tentacles lashing out for everyone.
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d20=17]
> OOC: To be clear, that one was aimed at Alyssa.
> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???) Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???) Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 61 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???) Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???) Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+54 vs soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=8]
AC, Alyssa, and is any miss chance or the like relevant?
AC is 50 I believe, no miss that I can recall. If they hit me,they take 2d6 electric damage per hit.
Sure. Roll up that damage while I sort out a bigger post.
Elec. Damage:
[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 6, 4, total 10[/blockquote]
Alyssa's hit, Jarem's hit, Emily's hit, Ianvasah's hit, Bastian hit and the soldiers are hit. Okay.
> roll 4d8+18 Alyssa
> roll 4d8+18 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d8=8,7,2,4]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d8=5,2,3,2]
> roll 4d8+18 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d8=2,5,1,7]
> roll 4d8+18 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d8=7,3,6,4]
> roll 4d8+18 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d8=1,3,8,2]
> roll 4d8+18 soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d8=7,6,4,3]
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs Alyssa
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 73 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d20=16]
CMD, Alyssa?
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 504/504
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 503+31/503
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 525/525 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 527/527 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources:
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
[/quote]
43+3 from terrain mastery +9 from Brains Over Brawn. 55 total.
Alyssa hit, Emily hit, soldiers hit. CMDs vary wildly.
Ack! Amid the chaos all are struck by tentacles - and two misty tentacles wrap around you, grapping you. You hear Emily cry out as Bastian is glimpsed dodging, while...
It's your turn. Mistopuses ni your face and you're grappled. So is Emily and several soldiers.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 474/504
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 501/503
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 487/525 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 495/527 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources:
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Can I use my Dimension Door SLA to pop away?
You can if you manage a successful concentration check.
Can I Sue inspiration on the check?
It is not a skill check, so it doesn't look like it.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 15 + 38, total 53[/blockquote]
Alyssa tries to cast, but she's held tight, unable to concentrate and manage her spell. "Hold on," Bastian calls in the meantime, as...
That was your standard. Any other actions?
Alyssa draws Life-drinker from her cloak!
Swift action for that.
I'm going to call that a CMB check against CMD, as the mistopus has tentacles wrapped around you. Your mobility's a bit limited right now.
Can't I use TK?
Do you have it active and can you use it as a move action, as you've used your standard and swift?
I have no idea. I'm going to guess no.
CMB/Gauntlet/Cunning Insight/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery::
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+51 : 3 + 51, total 54[/blockquote]
In that case, what precisely are you doing? You just rolled a check for reason I'm not clear on with your move action.
You called for it to draw Life-Drinker. I assumed it was for a manual draw instead of TK. Cloak makes it swift.
That's my bad, I got confuzzled with the question about TK and move actions.
Alyssa tries to draw her blade, but she's held tight by the mistopus, struggling in vain.
Anything else with your move?
Can't.
Init is Ianvasah (32) > Mistopuses (21) > Alyssa (19) > Emily (12) > Soldiers (10) > Bastian (9) > Jarem (7)Emily struggles in vain, held and trying to escape, "Let go!" she cries, "Let go!"
> roll 1d20+39 trying direct CMB first and then may try concentration
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d20=3]Yet Emily's held tight, struggling to escape.
> roll 1d20+45 she'll try to get a spell through
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=8]As Emily struggles, magic fizzling? Captures soldiers resist in vain, while those that rally heed the call, "Defend," Jarem calls, while suddenly Bastian ducks and dives, tentacles from his mistopus striking out.
Can't help but eat an AoO here. He's also blowing his daily travel devotion because yeah, leader being grappled hard and being a caster is a deadly combo.> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=11]
+8 vs AoOs carries the day.[/i]
Yet Bastian dodges these and is at your side, striking with a flurry of punches.
> roll 1d20+62 (+6 terrain, +1 luck)
> roll 1d20+62 (+6 terrain, +1 luck)
> roll 1d20+62 (+6 terrain, +1 luck)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 64 > [d20=2]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d20=9]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+57 (+6 terrain, +1 luck)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+52 (+6 terrain, +1 luck)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 67 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+47 (+6 terrain, +1 luck)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=18]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d8=6,2,5,6]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d8=8,8,3,3]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d8=8,6,5,5]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 61 > [d8=1,4,7,3]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 60 > [d8=1,3,7,3]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 60 > [d8=1,6,3,4]The flurry of blows seem strangely solid to the mistopus, his wrapped hands striking true and hard. It breaks up the mist like a solid thing, the mistopus fading away and freeing you. You can move!
Jarem next, just a chance to react since this is a long post already.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 474/504
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 501/503
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer,
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 487/525 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 495/527 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
"Thanks. Focus on getting Emily and Ianvasah free, I'll help Jarem."
> roll 1d20+33
> roll 1d20+33
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 52 > [d20=19]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=13]
Jarem points his blade and prays, "Through battle we find clarity, through intelligence we break the bonds of our enemies. Lady of Strategy and Tactics, crush those who deceive us in our holy mission!" Two of the mistopuses, one grappling Emily and one nearby, dissolve in a puff of fog.
Superb dispelling got two of them. Ianvasah's up.
Iavansah dodges tentacles and shifts into her normal form in a blur, a gesture and a strange word called, before flames erupt in great cubes all about, frying the mistopuses.
Greater Firestorm.
> roll 33d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 117 > [d6=2,5,4,3,5,4,1,1,3,4,6,1,1,6,6,6,6,6,3,1,3,2,2,3,3,3,2,3,4,4,3,5,6]
> roll 1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=10]
Flames roast the mistopuses. The ones before Ianvasah is consumed, while the others burn. A few soldiers are burned and scream, though it buys them their freedom. Yet the creatures of mist do not relent, the survivors swarming in, more tentacles lashing out.
> roll 1d6 1 Alyssa 2 Jarem 3 Emily 4 Ianvasah 5 Bastian 6 soldiers
> roll 1d6 1 Alyssa 2 Jarem 3 Emily 4 Ianvasah 5 Bastian 6 soldiers
> roll 1d6 1 Alyssa 2 Jarem 3 Emily 4 Ianvasah 5 Bastian 6 soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d6=2]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d6=6]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d6=4]
> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???) Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???) Soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+54 (+2 ???, +5 mist champion, +4 ???, +1 ???) Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 58 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d100 vs 50 Jarem miss chance
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d100=50]
So on the soldiers and Iavansah are liable, and both are hit.
> roll 4d8+18 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d8=7,7,4,7]
> roll 4d8+18 soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d8=6,7,6,6]
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs Ianvasah
> roll 1d20+66 CMB vs soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d20=5]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 70 > [d20=4]
Success on both, as Ianvasah loses bonuses from being in shfiter form.
Both are grappled by the mistopus remainder, battered and beaten amid the battlefield as...
Go.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 474/504
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 501/503
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer,
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 448/525 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 497/527 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Alyssa draws Life-Drinker now that she's free and wields it with her telekinesis to lash out the nearest!
ATK 1/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo Luck:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 18 + 59, total 77[/blockquote]
ATK 2/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo Luck:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+51 : 14 + 51, total 65[/blockquote]
ATK 3/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo Luck:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+49 : 4 + 49, total 53[/blockquote]
ATK 4/Knowledge Devotion/Terrain Mastery/Tattoo Luck:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 7 + 44, total 51[/blockquote]
Properties of the weapon real quick? I tmatters.
[Weapon] Life-drinker +1 (+14 total enchantment value), 1d12, x3 Crit; Bestows two negative levels on damage, 1 day later DC 16 fort to lose a character level. Bestows one negative level on wielder on damage; In addition, it is also Anarchic, Transmuting, All-Bane, Wounding.
Hits, damages.
Are these things Law aligned for the Anarchic extra damage? Forgot swift to all-bane; first time I've used it in combat.
They are not.
ATK 1: 2 negative levels, 1 con damage, +5 Knowledge Devotion, +3 Terrain Mastery, +1 Tattoo Luck.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+10 : 1 + 10, total 11[/blockquote]
ATK 2: 2 negative levels, 1 con damage, +5 Knowledge Devotion, +3 Terrain Mastery, +1 Tattoo Luck.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+10 : 7 + 10, total 17[/blockquote]
ATK 3: 2 negative levels, 1 con damage, +5 Knowledge Devotion, +3 Terrain Mastery, +1 Tattoo Luck.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+10 : 8 + 10, total 18[/blockquote]
ATK 4: 2 negative levels, 1 con damage, +5 Knowledge Devotion, +3 Terrain Mastery, +1 Tattoo Luck.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+10 : 1 + 10, total 11[/blockquote]
Total: 8 negative levels, 4 con damage.
It isn't terribly effective, but already fireburnt, it's enough. Or perhaps it's the life draining of the weapon, you know not. But your mistopus crumbles away to your assault and...
That it for you?
Full round attack, yep.
Init is Ianvasah (32) > Mistopuses (21) > Alyssa (19) > Emily (12) > Soldiers (10) > Bastian (9) > Jarem (7)
Emily holds her position, free now and hovering in the air. She breathes in and out before calling, "BREAK!"
Going all in on superb dispellings.
> roll 1d20+29
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 36 > [d20=7]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 36 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+29
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=20]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=17]
The remaining mistopuses fade away at this, crumbling to mist and nothing more. A deep exhale after, "I think that's all of them for now," Emily calls.
Free act.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 540/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 567/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer, 3 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 481/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 563/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Alyssa grunts.
"Well, so much for conserving spells. I expected more fleshy opponents. Let's continue."
"Do you need healing?" Emily asks as you all get moving again.
Alyssa shakes her head and casts a quick spell herself.
Vigorous Circle, CL 23, Duration 33 rounds.
Fast healing 3 for Alyssa and 10 others who are hurt. Total healing: 99hp.
Awesome. Gimme a new Perception check.
Perception: +3 if Terrain Mastery applies.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 2 + 45, total 47[/blockquote]
On you fly, on and on and on. Less than a mile, maybe 3/4ths of a mile now or less. You're closing in surely when...
You can hear the sound of something stirring above, something loud and sudden, winds blowing down on everyone.
Alyssa spins to face it, preparing to use a TK blast to counter it.
"Brace! Above!"
Above! This time the mists have solidified into a great, big beast. Massive and with a huge maw, claws and mouth, looming above like a malediction. It is dominated by a massive carapace on the back, spikes rising all over from it. It's big enough to dwarf your forces and it's coming right down at the party, falling fast.
Chance to react, though almost 100% chance it's to init.
"Everyone to me! Close enough to touch! I can get us out of the way!"
Everyone begins to rally towards you as...
Init.
Alyssa fires off a spell as fast as possible!
Nerveskitter (Chain, Echoing), CL 32.
Alyssa and +20 friendlies get +5 on init.Init:
Alyssa fires off a spell as fast as possible!
Nerveskitter (Chain, Echoing), CL 32.
Alyssa and +20 friendlies get +5 on init.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+21 : 20 + 21, total 41[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+16 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+25 Emily
> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=2]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+23 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+15 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+11 mist giant
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+4 soldiers
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=1]
Init is Alyssa (41) > Mist Giant (31) > Bastian (28) > Emily (27) > Jarem = Ianvasah (24) > Soldiers (5)
Open.
Everyone in range?
They will be on their turn, they weren't faster than the giant.
Alyssa begins to cast a spell!
Spending 2 Inspiration to use Cunning Breach. 13/15 inspiration.
Maw of Chaos, CL 32, Duration: 32 rounds.
Range: 100+320ft.
Target: Mist Giant, 15ft radius.
All creatures in the area take 1d6 points of damage/CL every round. Will save vs Dazed for 1 round (DC 27
Second, the chaotic energy makes it difficult to concentrate. Any activity that involves concentration (such as casting a spell or using a spell-like ability) requires a Concentration check (DC 35) to succeed.
Damage:
[blockquote]Rolled 20d6 : 1, 3, 4, 5, 1, 4, 5, 2, 2, 1, 4, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2, 5, 1, 3, 4, total 54[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+36
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 52 > [d20=16]
The maw erupts, raw and wild planar energies tearing at the beast of mist. It's already moving, enduring it as...
Anything else this round or is that it?
That's it
The mist giant plunges down, one great claw slashing out over the battlefield, mist following and billowing forth, thick and almost solid.
> roll 1d20+62
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=14]
AC?
Not that high.
> roll 1d100 vs 50 Jarem, seeing if I even need to do math here
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 88 > [d100=88]
Jarem hit, Emily hit and will use spell shield, Ianvasah hit and Bastian hit. Basically everyone hit. Also no spell shield, it's an immediate and Emily's flatfooted still. Alas.
> roll 2d12+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d12=5,9]
The slash skewers soldiers, cuts into you, spreads mists. Thick mists, thick and impassible as anything that...you know this effect. Solid fog, blanketing everything that...
Do you have true seeing or something similar up, or freedom of movement?
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 523/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer, 3 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
I have both true seeing and freedom of movement.
You can see through the thick fog, able to move in spite of it. It coils and twists over the battlefield.
The entire battlefield is now under a solid fog effect.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/solidFog.htm
You see Bastian step forward slowly, fighting against the mist and getting nowhere fast. As he pushes against it?
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=20]
Emily draws in power, a gust of wind around her asshe utters, "Break...break...BREAK! Break apart before the tears of the four faces of the mourner!" she intones. Magic crumbles before her spell, restoring normal conditions to the battlefield.
The fog is gone.
Init is Alyssa (41) > Mist Giant (31) > Bastian (28) > Emily (27) > Jarem = Ianvasah (24) > Soldiers (5)
Emily also takes K:A on the beast.
"Alyssa!" Emily shouts, "That looks like a replica of a tarrasque and seems to be as mighty as one. Don't hold back."
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 523/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer, 6 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Alyssa nods and considers her options while the others continue.
"We are strong, for SHE rides with us!" Jarem declares, holy symbol glowing bright. All around Jarem grows dark as the clashes and sounds of war echo about, filling all the party with unnatural vigor.
War's Echo. +4 morale Strength and Con to all, -4 penalty to enemies if they fail a DC 33 Will save.
> roll 1d20+36
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=13]
As Jarem's echo spreads about the battlefield, Ianvasah looks up at her opponent. She hodls her position, as suddenly thousands of rocks, pebbles and hunks of stone slam into the misty beast from above, a cylinder of them clattering down onto it.
> roll 20d8
> roll 20d8
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 87 > [d8=2,7,5,6,2,7,1,7,8,6,6,2,7,4,4,1,4,2,1,5]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 85 > [d8=2,4,3,3,7,3,4,4,7,4,6,1,7,3,1,7,4,4,4,7]
> roll 1d20+43
> roll 1d20+43
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d20=13]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=3]
The rain of rocks passes through the misty thing, making the mist ripple more than anything else as the soldiers fall back, retreating and battered from the claw swipe, getting away as fast as they can.
Go.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 523/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer, 6 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
[/quote]
What's my range to this thing?
It is currently 30ft away from the party, above you and attacking with an oversized, misty claw.
Alyssa quickly studies the creature, hoping for the same insight that Emily gained!
K check for Knowledge Devotion. K:A check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 7 + 45, total 52[/blockquote]
It is indeed some sort of copy of the legendary tarrasque. It's made entirely from mist and powerful. The mist claw is new, but the generals look the same. Insane durability, impossible to kill normally, generally unstoppable. A tarrasque regenerates rapidly, making most damage against it last but mere seconds.
Does that include negative levels? Or is my check not high enough to figure it out?
You recall negative levels are futile against the tarrasque.
Alyssa chants a spell, hoping to disable it enough to allow the others to be safe and strike back!
Flash Bolt, CL 32, Duration: 1d4+1 rounds.
Blinds the target with a successful ranged touch attack.
Ranged Touch (33+3Gauntlets+5Devotion+1luck) +3 to this if Terrain Mastery applies:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 12 + 42, total 54[/blockquote]
Duration:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d4+1 : 4 + 1, total 5[/blockquote]
What's that spell from, Iddy?
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104100.msg1139820.html#msg1139820
First use of it. You said to try it as posted.
In that case gimme SR.
Ah, missed that. Can I spend an Inspiration to activate Cunning Breach?
Yes, but remember it next time
A bright flash of light shines amid the misty tarrasque's face, the entire thing roaring and seemingly momentarily blinded. It roars and thrashes its head back and forth, a claw coming up to swipe at its face as...
Anything else for your turn?
That's my actions.
Perhaps blinded, the mist beast rears back and fog emits from it in all directions. Again it's solid fog, Bastian grunting sourly as you can see the mist beast stumble upwards and aside 50ft, moving through the thick fog as if it wasn't there.
Solid fog again, all. Bastian holds. Emily.
"Can you take down this fog?" Emily shouts, sounding faraway in the mists.
"It's likely a different form of the creature, not a spell. Dispel might have some effect, but I can't be sure. We could try to burn it away as well."
"I'll trust you, then," Emily calls back, "Get rid of this fog and we'll end it!"
Emily holds for you.
Jarem holds position as well, waiting, trusting.
Jarem holds. Ianvasah holds. Go.
I mean, I don't have any fire prepped. It was an idea >.>
Alyssa blinks, but begins to cast...
Greater Magic Dispel, CL 32
+20 caster level check max.
CL Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+20 : 5 + 20, total 25[/blockquote]
Yet to your magic the fog does not relent, resisting your call to break apart. The names you call on are not enough as...
That it for your turn?
Yep.
Emily merely calls, "Again, BREAK!" she chants, as...
First quickened into her last 11th level charge for superb dispelling.
> roll 1d20+29
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=9]
Yet the magic fog does not fade, until Jarem shakes his head, "Show the way to victory," he calls, as suddenly...
> roll 1d20+33 fuck it
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=11]
The fog is at last gone again, as Bastian takes this chance, charging in fast as a blur. At the same time the misty beast swipes out, claw coming down and raking across the party.
Bastian provokes an AoO, tries acrobatics to negate it.
> roll 1d20+38 trying acrobatics but probably doomed here
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 58 > [d20=20]
Unfortunately the beast's CMD is still way too high for this. Alas.
> roll 1d20+62
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=18]
AC?
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 523/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Not frikken 80.
Did blind wear off? Was 5 round duration.
Good point, negates the AoO. Bastian continues then.
Yet the swipe is clumsy and misses everyone as Bastian is there, a single, powerful blow at the beast's misty middle.
> roll 1d20+60
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=16]
> roll 4d8+42
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d8=4,1,7,1]
A solid blow to the thing, wrapped fist striking the mist as if solid. Ianvasah is right behind him, going dragon, roaring as she pounces at the momentarily blinded imitation.
> roll 1d20+44 (+2 charge, -20 PA going for a big bite)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 90 > [d100=90]
> roll 4d8+61
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d8=8,3,6,2]
Ianvasah bites deep into it as Alyssa's maw of chaos swirls ot the side, mist torn away as the beast roars, the fog coming as it retreats back and...!
Again with the solid fog. Did provoke with its retreat, through.
> roll 1d20+60
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=5]
> roll 4d8+42
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 63 > [d8=8,2,4,7]
> roll 1d20+42 (-20 PA going for a big bite)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=13]
> roll 4d8+42
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d8=1,6,5,8]
Both Bastian and Ianvasah strike - much of it's neck is torn away, mists fading away in Ianvasah's mouth. Bastian leaps up and punches through that hole, coming out of the side of the neck as thick fog again strikes, binding and slowing everyone, giving the beast cover as it retreats.
Go.
Does Bastian get sneak attack?
Bastian doesn't have any sneak attack last time I checked. Did something change?
Couldn't recall, so I asked. Knew he was a sneaky type though.
Okay then, you're still up. Go.
Alyssa calls on her old faithful and casts a spell with Life-Drinker as the focus!
Alyssa's Aerial Assembly, CL 32, 32 rounds.
8 Copies.
Weapons multiply under Alyssa's magic, splitting apart into 8 copies of her blade.
That it?
They attack on this round. I was just giving you a chance to do anything you wanted.
ATK 1 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 8 + 44, total 52[/blockquote]
ATK 2 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 2 + 44, total 46[/blockquote]
ATK 3 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 10 + 44, total 54[/blockquote]
ATK 4 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 18 + 44, total 62[/blockquote]
ATK 5 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 11 + 44, total 55[/blockquote]
ATK 6 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 11 + 44, total 55[/blockquote]
ATK 7 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 13 + 44, total 57[/blockquote]
ATK 8 (32+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 8 + 44, total 52[/blockquote]
Everything but the 49 hits.
Spending 7 inspiration to activate Cunning Insight on each of the attacks that hit. +9 to damage already added in to each.
Remaining Inspiration: 7
ATK 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+21 : 5 + 21, total 26[/blockquote]
ATK 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+21 : 12 + 21, total 33[/blockquote]
ATK 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+21 : 9 + 21, total 30[/blockquote]
ATK 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+21 : 2 + 21, total 23[/blockquote]
ATK 5:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+21 : 9 + 21, total 30[/blockquote]
ATK 6:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+21 : 11 + 21, total 32[/blockquote]
ATK 7:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+21 : 3 + 21, total 24[/blockquote]
Do your weapons have ghost touch or strike ethereal creatures? If not, d100 on each of them.
They are Ghost Touch.
Tarrasque is up.
As it is sliced, phantom blades carving out a tribute from it, the beast draws back - and fades entirely into mist, retreating away and dispersing, gone. You did it, it's chased off. You won - for now.
Free act.
"Well done everyone. Solid response. I expect we've just gone up a notch or two on the threat evaluation. Which means the defenses are likely to ratchet up. Let's keep moving and get this done."
Emily exhales, "That - I want to know how they did that."
Bastian dusts himself off, "That could have been much worse," he agrees, "Well fought."
Jarem turns back, "Give me a minute to get them back in order," he says, flying back.
Alyssa nods to Jarem.
"Yes, it could be. I can cover those I missed before with a Mindblank."
Jarem soon enough gathers the troops - no sign of a further attack, at least right away.
Alyssa follows her word and casts a second Chained Mindblank on the soldiers she missed before!
"Let's go everyone. We need to finish this as fast as we can."
Most of the rest of the way is without challenge. Yet as you get closer - ahead you can see the mist thickens abruptly into a near absolute wall of fog, blocking vision ahead.
"Dispel, you think?"
Alyssa asks as she inspects it.
The wall of fog looks quite solid.
How are you inspecting it?
I can cast detect magic and do so.
Gimme the dread Spellcrafting.
Spellcraft:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 5 + 57, total 62[/blockquote]
It's magically gathered and dense fog, solid enough to resist even true seeing, as it's a solid object. A dispel should work.
"Dispel will work. Emily? You seem to be having better luck with it than I am."
"I've expended a lot of energy," Emily demurs, "I'd prefer to save more power for ahead if possible."
I've used my dispels too. I have spell engine to swap them out, but that's a 10 min spell.
"I can do it," Jarem offers, "Can you two be ready? This has the feel of a setup for an ambush."
Alyssa nods, floating Life-Drinker to the ready and preparing a spell in her mind.
> roll 1d20+34
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+34 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{40}
Before you the wall of fog crumbles. 500ft ahead of you is a walled fortress, no obvious way in. It seems hazy, shifting and indistinct. Yet that's hardly what you have time to look at. For ahead the fog thins out entirely, revealing hundreds of them. Winged birds carved of what looks to be solid iron with eyes of glittering gemstones. They hover all about, like a flock about to come low on you. Behind them, just against the wall of the fortress, is a single person.
He is a short half elf, hair frizzy and red. He has a rapier in hand, his other hand empty as he beckons you on. "Ho there," he calls, "Sorry, bank's closed, go home."
As he talks, the walls of the fortress ripple open like spreading smoke. From one hole a great big, black hound emerges, bigger than most horses. It snarls and stares the party down, licking its chops before uttering, "Fools who attack us will suffer the ultimate penalty."
"That's good news for us, then, since we primarily only want the slaves, not teller services."
"Aaahahhahahahahaaa!" The half elf throws his head back, wearing light clothes, iron bracers and several sparkling rings. "I heard the message you gave the boss. It sure didn't sound like that was your plan. You want the entire place.." Grinning at that, "You're pretty." As you watch him, his hair seems to frizz more, becoming little puffs of wind carried away on the breeze.
"Corryn Featheroak and Bannoth," Bastian cracks his knuckles, "Heard of you two motherfuckers. You know this isn't going to end well for you."
"Bastian," Bannoth growls low, baring his teeth. "Emily Aryn. Your mother has too many willing servants and catspaws. Too many believe a fool."
"What did you say?" Emily bares her blade at that, "My mother is not a fool. Take that back."
With those long, sharp and white teeth visible, Bannoth growls back, "Your mother fellates red dragons and then drops her pants for Waukeen's gold. She perverts herself with the blood of whatever catches her fancy and shows her mutant face as proudly as a whore wears the pearls a paying customer gives her."
Emily's expression tightens, "I am going to kill you," she grinds out, "I will not have my mother's name sullied by a coward who runs away from everything Good!"
"Dog," Ianvasah spits to the side, "Be silent when your masters talk."
Bannoth took 10 on relevant Knowledge checks in this post.
Okay, knowledge check(s) time. Wanna run the full gambit here, who they are, what they are (knowledge devotion), anything lore-wise that might give me an edge on either getting them to run or otherwise kill them.
K:P for Corryn and Bannoth, separate checks. K:A for the birds.
K:P/Bibliotheca: Corryn
45+10, take 10 for a total of 65.
K:P/Bibliotheca: Bannoth
45+10, take 10 for a total of 65.
K:A/Bibliotheca: Birds
45+10, take 10 for a total of 65.
This is what Emily already told you earlier.
"His name is Nales XI," Emily begins, "Ah, he has a few lieutenants. One is Corryn Featheroak, a half elf with genie blood. A skilled fencer and diplomat from what I've heard. Azile, a gelugon who has gone rogue to further his own career and a telepath of considerable power. Finally, a moon dog. A gray moon dog - which means one that's turned against its nature, but hasn't fallen all the way to evil. His name is Bannoth and is a powerful shapechanger."
Corryn Featheroak is skilled with a unique trick. The more he talks to you a person before battle, the stronger he is. The details aren't known. It's also whispered he may have a splash of sorcererous talent.
Bannoth can take the form of a vast wolf of various forms, all with deadly attacks and overwhelming speed. He also pounces on his foes, tearing them apart nigh instantly. He's also remarkably evasive, as is the norm for moon dogs.
Finally, the little birds are likely some type of golem. You aren't sure what - they look custom, but the eyes likely are tied to their powers, they stand out.
Alyssa simply grins at Corryn and replies in a sing song voice.
"I know your trick, genie half-breed. You're not one to talk about blood lines."
With that, Alyssa begins to cast a spell!
Time Stop, CL 32.
Gain 1d4+1 rounds of actions while time is frozen.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d4+1 : 2 + 1, total 3[/blockquote]
In that case I call for init. Good luck.
In that case, I have another spell!
Nerveskitter (Chain, Echoing), CL 32.
Gain a +5 bonus on initiative checks. Hits 20 friendlies.
Init/Brains over Brawn/Nerveskitter.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+21 : 20 + 21, total 41[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=6]
> OOC: 16 total for Jarem.
> roll 1d20+14 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+17 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+30 Corryn
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 41 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+7 Bannoth
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+4 birds
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+11 ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=13]
Init is Alyssa = Corryn (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)
Open Alyssa while I work up Corryn's turn.
Keep the Time freeze or redo it since init happened?
Keep.
Alyssa marvels anew, always, at the usefulness of this spell as she begins casting another!
Space Compression, CL 32, Duration 32 rounds.
In a radius of 3,200ft, once per round as a free action the caster may alter the distance between any two points within its area of effect such that distant squares are treated as adjacent to one another.
That's round 1 of the time stop. What about rounds 2 and 3?
Was giving you a chance to respond, but I'll do it all at once.
Alyssa begins casting her second spell!
Alyssa's burst of Inspiration, CL 32, 32 rounds.
+18 enhancement to intelligence, wisdom, and charisma. +10 enhancement bonus to saving throws.
And she follows it with a third!
Spell Turning, CL 32, Duration 320 minutes.
1d4+6 Spell Levels that target you are turned back on the caster.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d4+6 : 4 + 6, total 10[/blockquote]
Going to use space compression this round?
Yeah, forgot. After time resumes, I plan to tell the others about it and use the weapon as the marker so they can make use of it.
Alyssa sets the Space Compression point 10 feet infront of her self, hovering Life-Drinker just underneath it.
Okay, you clearly have a plan here. Walk me through this and why you put space compression here? I confess I don't get it at all.
So that everyone else can fire into it and hit them while keeping range. It's mostly for a single round since I don't have any actions left right now, and no one on my side can cover 500ft in a single move that I know of. Next round will likely be Stone Skewers to reduce mobility and then using compression to cover the distance for axe of deathing.
Okay, so you have a point 10ft in front of you. What's the other point that it draws adjacent to?
Whoops, forgot sorry. I say, about 30 fr behind and slightly above the talker.
Two points:
Before you the wall of fog crumbles. 500ft ahead of you is a walled fortress, no obvious way in. It seems hazy, shifting and indistinct. Yet that's hardly what you have time to look at. For ahead the fog thins out entirely, revealing hundreds of them. Winged birds carved of what looks to be solid iron with eyes of glittering gemstones. They hover all about, like a flock about to come low on you. Behind them, just against the wall of the fortress, is a single person.
He is a short half elf, hair frizzy and red. He has a rapier in hand, his other hand empty as he beckons you on. "Ho there," he calls, "Sorry, bank's closed, go home."
As he talks, the walls of the fortress ripple open like spreading smoke. From one hole a great big, black hound emerges, bigger than most horses. It snarls and stares the party down, licking its chops before uttering, "Fools who attack us will suffer the ultimate penalty."
---
First, they're both against the wall of the fortress so that's would mean you'd be aiming into the fortress itself. Two, there were two talkers, did you mean either in particular?
Talking this out since this is the first time this spell has seen play and it's complicated enough that I want to make sure we all get it right.
The genie half blood guy. And I just meant a point out of their direct line of sight by behind.
They're against the wall of the fortress. You could do above, though.
That, then. Above about 15 ft.
Init is Alyssa = Corryn (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)
"I find your manner weak and your words curlish," Corryn retorts, shouting over the battlefield. The words carry to Alyssa, suddenly - !
Fort.
Fort/Cunning Insight (14/15 insp):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 5 + 27, total 32[/blockquote]
> roll 12d12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d12=6,8,7,3,5,2,4,2,5,7,12,4]
Full.
AGH! You ache all over, as if you were pummeled and beaten, momentarily staggering from Corryn's words. As you recover from that, you hear a loud roar from the party's rear. A roar loud enough to shake everything, akin to a dragon's roar but even more.
"It's BACK!" Emily cries, "Behind us!"
Alyssa sags a bit from the sudden attack, but tries to shake it off.
Speaking a voice low enough to not carry, "Aim just above my axe head. I've warped the space to not far above him. Your spells and strikes will come through there. Jarem, organize against the construct, Ianvasah, back him up if need be. Corryn's sure to be less durable than it, so let's squash him first then readjust."
Init is Alyssa = Corryn (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)
In that case Ianvasah holds for Jarem so they can go back and deal with that. Bannoth is up.
Bannoth grows, striding forward. He grows larger and larger, dwarfing all else as he walks. At the same time he howls deeply, a chilling sound that - !!!
Protected against fear and/or mind affecting, all?
Everyone should have Mindblank CL 32.
Yet nothing happens as Bastian steps to your side, "Need a guard?" he asks plainly.
"Need someone to be exploitative and strike hard and smart. You have Shaundakul's trust in your abilities, then you more than have mine. Gore them as much as you can. I'm going to try and reduce their mobility."
Bastian nods, "I can go through the space there?" he asks back quickly.
I think he can? I don't know how big the hole is, only that it puts the two squares next to each other. Can it be used like a portal?
Yes.
"You can, but remember how far from us you'll end up."
Then Bastian is plunging forward and then down, Corryn letting out an alarmed yelp as...
> roll 1d20+60 (+2 charge, +2 str, +1 luck)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d20=17]
+6 more for terrain.
> roll 4d8+48
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 72 > [d8=8,8,2,6]
Bastian's foot slams hard into Corryn's jaw, slamming him back into the wall as meanwhile...
Init is Alyssa = Corryn (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)
Jarem and Ianvasah meanwhile turn and fly back, going to face the mist beast that's reappeared, "We'll handle it," Jarem calls back, as meanwhile Emily turns. She begins to chant as she comes to your side, then, "Do you need any of them to survive?"
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 523/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 1 13th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
"They probably know the tricks and traps, but they're probably also not willing to tell us... Best judgement, Emily."
"Enough of this," Emily snaps, raising her hand up. Sunlight gathers there, "Lathander, I call on you to be my javelin to strike down my foes," she demands, a burst of glowing sunshine in her hand, hurled forth. Again and again she chants it, three lances hurled, spread out, into the masses of birds.
Sunlance plus two quickened sunlances.
> roll 1d20 touch AC 1/20 check 1
> roll 1d20 touch AC 1/20 check 2
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=14]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20 touch AC 1/20 check 3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=13]
> roll 30d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 96 > [d6=3,1,1,1,5,5,2,3,3,1,4,1,1,4,3,5,4,5,4,3,2,1,5,6,6,4,4,2,5,2]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 102 > [d6=4,5,3,3,5,1,5,3,6,5,2,5,5,2,1,4,3,2,6,3,5,1,3,2,5,4,1,2,2,4]
> roll 6d6
> roll 6d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d6=5,2,4,3,2,4]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d6=6,3,1,3,2,2]
> roll 1d20+12 constructs suck at all saves
> roll 1d20+12 constructs suck at all saves
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=14]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=6]
The wrath of the sun illuminates all, scorching and blasting away chunks of the bird constructs. Nonetheless there are still many more, the lines thinned but not eliminated as the birds come forward, flying ahead to swarm Emily and Alyssa. They swarm over the party, jewels on them glistening as light comes from them, forming into bursts of magic all around the two of you.e
Ref saves, you two.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 523/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 3 11th level sorcerer, 1 13th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Ref/Brains over Brawn:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 18 + 30, total 48[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+37 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=16]
> roll 40d4 and no other effect, lucky
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 101 > [d4=3,3,2,3,2,4,3,1,3,2,1,4,2,3,4,4,3,1,4,3,3,3,4,4,3,2,1,2,2,3,1,1,1,4,3,1,1,1,4,2]
Full damage but nothing else. Ow. What's that put your HP at?
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 422/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 3 11th level sorcerer, 1 13th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
180/281
The pain from the blast is not inconsiderable, leaving you momentarily reeling. Yet you rally yourself, keepin it together despite the pain of magic burns, of raw spell power scorching your bodies.
Go, you're up. So is Corryn.
How close is everything to the wall? Like, close enough to anchor to the wall with Stone Skewers?
Yes.
Alyssa starts chanting, aiming her spell through the Compressed Space!
Stone Skewers, CL 32, 32 day duration.
32d6 damage, pins target (CMB 30 vs. on their turn)
Spending 1 inspiration to bypass SR.
[blockquote]Rolled 20d6 : 5, 6, 5, 6, 2, 3, 3, 5, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 6, 1, 4, 6, total 68[/blockquote]
Additional note: That's chained, so it hits 20 additional targets in range (420 ft.), primary target: Corryn.
Isn't cunning breach 2 inspiration, or do you have a means or trick of lowering it?
I thoguht it was 1, let me check..
Nope, 2. That's fine, I should be at 11/15 now.
What's the save DC, Iddy?
No save.
Iddy, the spell has a save on it.
Whoops, looked at the wrong spell. Save is 28.
> roll 1d20+42 (+8 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=14]
Skewers lash out and impale Coyrrn, Bannoth and birds around, smashing the birds and wounding the two. Great spikes of stone erupt out and pin into the walls as...
That it your turn or do you have more?
That's it unless someone responds to this:
"I can change the warp place if someone needs me to."
Init is Alyssa = Corryn (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)]
At the same time as this Corryn glares up at Bastian, before uttering a terrible word that resonates with, "Fuck off!"
> roll 1d20+23
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=9]
Bastian freezes at that, as Corryn is impaled and...
From behind you hear a terrible roar, echoing out from the misty morass behind you. Meanwhile as combat rolls on, the gray moon dog sniffs at the air and bites, before suddenly...!
Fort.
Fort/Cunning Insight: (12 insperation)
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 5 + 27, total 32[/blockquote]
You feel jaws around your throat, ready to close in and tear your throat open. You don't see any, yet you can feel them, waiting and poised to strike.
Quick chance to react to that since it sorta begs it, after combat will continue.
Can ID the spell or ability?
Spellcraft, sure.
Spellcraft (+3 if Terrain Mastery applies):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 16 + 57, total 73[/blockquote]
It's a unique spell-like ability. If you utter a single word, your throat will be torn open, gravely wounding you.
Alyssa holds her silence, glancing at the moon dog in irritation before motioning for Jarem's attention and motioning to her throat by clamping her hand on it, then pointing to her mouth and holding her hand over it, then pointing to the dog.
Unfortunately Jarem, along with Ianvasah, went back into the mists to deal with the resurgent mist beast.
Oh. Who's around?
Bastian is off fighting Corryn through your Space Compression point.
Emily's nearby.
Alyssa motions to Emily instead!
Init is Alyssa = Corryn (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)]
"Got it," Emily says, as Bastian stays frozen, unable to move. He's held in place as...
Jarem and Emily. Go Emily.
Emily gestures, a sudden burst of raw force slamming down ahead, over both Corryn and Bannoth. It strikes like a thunderbolt, cracking in the air as Emily chants, "The broken sky, the wrath of the heavens comes for you in my name!"
> roll 1d20+35 Corryn
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+31 Bannoth
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=15]
> roll 34d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 118 > [d6=4,3,6,6,3,3,2,4,2,5,4,4,3,4,1,4,2,2,4,5,2,6,5,6,2,6,4,2,1,6,2,1,1,3]
The raw shot of force hits both hard, slamming them back and down, stones skewers still stuck in them. Yet her chanting continues, aiming through the twisted space, "You who are within hoary Mephisto's domain, plead for mercy, for only salvation shall save you!" Twin blue beams lance from Emily's fingers, aiming at Corryn.
Two maximized and quickened polar rays since fuck them.
> roll 1d20 1/20 checks ranged touch
> roll 1d20 1/20 checks ranged touch
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=5]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+34
> roll 1d20+34
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=17]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d20=16]
300 cold damage.
Corryn freezes solid, the first ray spreading ice all over him. The second ray hits and consumes him, causing him to keel over before the last dregs of the forceful strike hit, causing parts of him to crack loudly as he plummets.
"Those who defend slavers will be cast into fires everlasting!" Emily shouts, "Surrender or face the final judgment!"
Yet the birds continue. The birds strike all around the two of you, jewels glittering.
Ref, you two.
Init is Alyssa (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)]
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 422/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 5 11th level sorcerer, 1 13th level sorcerer, 1 14th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Since Ref is a dex check, I believe Brains Over Brawn applies here.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 10 + 30, total 40[/blockquote]
It doesn't. Initiative is a Dexterity check, while saving throws are something different. In this case, a Reflex saving throw adds Dexterity to it, but is not a Dexterity check.
That's what using inspiration on cunning insight is for.
Ah. Since it was based on dex, I thought it did. I'll spend the insperation then. 11/15, IRRC.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 17 + 30, total 47[/blockquote]
No need to reroll, first roll stands.
> roll 1d20+37 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=9]
> roll 40d4 and nothing else you two ow
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 101 > [d4=1,2,1,3,1,3,4,2,4,1,3,4,1,3,4,2,1,3,2,1,3,4,4,3,1,4,1,4,3,4,3,1,2,3,4,4,3,1,2,1]
Made the save so damage is halved.
Ow. HP after that?
129/281. And my insperation is at 10/15.
The blast is agony, searing you and leaving you pained and bashed. You're bleeding from a cut over your eyes, the feeling of teeth on yoru throat not relenting. Amid all of this...
Init is Alyssa (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)
Go.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 372/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 5 11th level sorcerer, 1 13th level sorcerer, 1 14th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Alyssa considers for a moment and shifts the Space Compression point to be behind the Moon Dog, then lashes out through it with Life-Drinker!
+3 to all of these if Terrain Mastery applies.
ATK 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+50 : 3 + 50, total 53[/blockquote]
ATK 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 3 + 45, total 48[/blockquote]
ATK 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+40 : 17 + 40, total 57[/blockquote]
ATK 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 13 + 35, total 48[/blockquote]
Two hits.
Is this thing lawful?
No.
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+1 : 12, 9 + 1, total 22[/blockquote]
Also note that it takes 4 negative levels and 2 points of Constitution damage.
Could you give me that damage roll by roll? Matters here.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+1 : 3 + 1, total 4[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+1 : 3 + 1, total 4[/blockquote]
Your blade slices into the flank of the hound - cutting and leaving cursed wounds, negative energy tearing at the gray moon dog.
Meanwhile Ianvasah's scream is heard loud and clear, loud enough to carry over all the chaos of battle. Amid this Bannoth growls low, before the feeling of teeth around your neck fades. A moment later Bannoth retreats into the wall, which opens up to admit him and closes after.
Emily's up.
"Do you need healing, Alyssa?" she asks quickly.
"I think Ianvasah and I both do. Check on her."
"Finish the birds off," Emily agrees, tapping your shoulder before going.
Quick action Heal, +150 HP.
Now the birds focus wholly on you - and you barely have a chance before the pain comes again, focused now.
Ref.
Ref/Cunning Insight: 9/15 Insperation
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 1 + 30, total 31[/blockquote]
> roll 40d4 full
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 107 > [d4=3,1,4,2,3,3,4,3,2,1,1,3,3,4,4,1,2,2,2,2,4,3,1,2,1,3,1,2,3,4,4,4,2,4,3,4,2,3,3,4]
Are you immune to stunning?
Don't believe so.
> roll 1d4
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d4=4]
Stunned 4 rounds. Ow. You're up but that's round 1 of stunning.
Init is Alyssa (41) > ??? (24) > Ianvasah (22) > Bannoth (21) > Bastian (19) > Jarem = Emily (16) > Birds (8)
Amid it all Bastian finally rallies, moving once more. He spits out blood and...
What sort of shape are you in? Influences Bastian's next move.
172/281 hp
Bastian flies through your compression point, by you in an instant. He grabs you and flees back, "Get it together," He says as strong arms pull you along, fleeing the birds. "That's the sort of enemy we need magic to deal with, I can't kill all those birds by myself."
Thus you plunge into the mists once more, Ianvasah screaming again, sounding closer.
"I've been rather off... I'm concerned something might be interfering... But Life-Drinker ran one of them off quickly. That gives me something to work from."
Seeing no one pursuing, Bastian holds you a few moments until you get your wits back. A great roar from ahead shakes everything, the mists themselves quaking.
3 rounds, so you can act again.
"Let's regroup and refocus now that we know what threat level each is."
As you go to speak, another roar comes from deeper within the mists.
"I think we still have a problem," Bastian scowls, starting to fly ahead.
Alyssa nods and follows.
Thus Alyssa flies back - and sees it in the mists ahead. Jarem struggling to escape the misty beast's maw, sword hacking away mist-fangs. Ianvasah's left wing is gone, pouring blood down the side of her currently draconic body. Emily's rushing to Ianvasah in the meantime.
Range to it?
About 30ft away, just visible thanks to displaced mist.
Alyssa shifts the All-Bane enchantment on Life-Drinker to Target Constructs before she begins casting one of her signature spells!
Alyssa's Areial Assembly, CL 32, 32 rounds.
8 copies.
Okay, time for init in that case. Roll up.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+16 : 12 + 16, total 28[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+11 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+15 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+18 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+10 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+11
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=11]
Init is Ianvasah (34) > Alyssa (28) > Mist Beast (22) > Bastian (20) > Emily (17) > Jarem (13)[/i]
One wing down, Ianvasah retreats back, stumbling and staggering in flight. She shifts back to shifter form, choking out syllables of healing magic to mend her injuries. Her arm stays gone, but the bleeding stops as...
Go.
Did my spell complete and this is a new round, or still same round for it?
It's the same round, so do your spell thing and all of that.
I'm assuming that the mist thing is the same one from before and Knowledge Devotion is still working. If it's not, subtract 5 from the attack rolls for it.
"Ianvasah, focus on defense and recovery! Bastian, watch for a strike from the walls! Jarem, Emily, cover us!"
With the new copies of Life-Drinker appearing around her, she sends them out to attack the Mist thing!
Copy 1 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 6 + 45, total 51[/blockquote]
Copy 2 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 19 + 45, total 64[/blockquote]
Copy 3 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 16 + 45, total 61[/blockquote]
Copy 4 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 15 + 45, total 60[/blockquote]
Copy 5 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 20 + 45, total 65[/blockquote]
Copy 6 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 1 + 45, total 46[/blockquote]
Copy 7 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 6 + 45, total 51[/blockquote]
Copy 8 ATK (32+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 17 + 45, total 62[/blockquote]
KD applies, and at worst you'd just reroll it and get the same +5 result.
5 hits.
I forgot the +2 from the bane: constructs I threw in there. I'll just apply the damage bonus from it and be good.
ATK 1 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 9 + 13, total 22
Rolled 2d6 : 5, 1, total 6[/blockquote]
ATK 2 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 8 + 13, total 21
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 5, total 6[/blockquote]
ATK 3 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 12 + 13, total 25
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 3, total 4[/blockquote]
ATK 4 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 4 + 13, total 17
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 4, total 7[/blockquote]
ATK 5 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 2 + 13, total 15
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 4, total 7[/blockquote]
Totals:
130 HP damage, 10 negative levels, -5 Constitution.
Blow after blow ravages the mist beast, striking it's flanks hard and true. Your blade tears into it, slicing away. It turns on Alyssa with a roar, charging at her dead on, massive maw going to snare her in hard.
> roll 1d20+64
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=2]
AC?
Also a Will save unless you're immune to fear.
Less than that, and I think Mindblank beats fear?
Yes, all fear effects are mind affecting. In that case, damage time.
> roll 6d8+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d8=7,4,4,1,6,4]
Now a CMB check for improved grab.
> roll 1d20+72
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 78 > [d20=6]
CMD?
43. +3 with terrain.
Ah! Alyssa's caught in the beast's maw, pinned and grappled. She can't move, can't escape, struggling away as...
You're grappled.
Init is Ianvasah (34) > Alyssa (28) > Mist Beast (22) > Bastian (20) > Emily (17) > Jarem (13)
Bastian steps right in, taking the charge as a chance to shift in. A flurry of punches and kicks batter the misty beast's maw, striking all around where it holds you.
> roll 1d20+61
> roll 1d20+61
> roll 1d20+61
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+56
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=20]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 72 > [d20=11]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+51
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=3]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d8=4,8,5,2]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d8=1,6,2,4]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 57 > [d8=3,2,5,1]
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d8=4,3,1,8]
> roll 4d8+46
> roll 4d8+46
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d8=2,5,4,5]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d8=5,2,4,8]
Blow after blow rocks the mist beast's maw, mists dispersing but still holding you, the flurry not enough as meanwhile...
What's your HP? If you look wounded it may matter for her turn.
116/281.
Bleeding herself, Emily flies in and calls, "Mother, help us!" Healing energy fills the party, washing away wounds.
Mass heal, +250 HP and various non relevant statuses healed.
A moment later Emily gestures down sharply, a column of sheer force slamming into the misty beast.
> roll 1d20+34
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=4]
> roll 34d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 107 > [d6=5,2,4,5,3,2,4,4,2,3,3,1,5,1,4,2,5,2,6,1,3,6,5,1,3,3,2,3,1,5,4,3,2,2]
It's enough to check it back, all while the beast holds on tight to you. Jarem is just free himself and draws his blade, but waits just a moment.
Jarem's waiting to see if you need help escaping. Ianvasah is up.
"Don't close in from afar, you'll never get past his bite," Ianvasah shouts, "My spells aren't hurting it, either. Use force or ghostly weapons!"
She'll hold because she really can't do a lot here, this monster really hoses her, as she's found out. She'll try something before its turn in case no one else can put it down or be emergency healing. Go.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to initiative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 563/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 569/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 5 11th level sorcerer, 1 13th level sorcerer, 2 14th level sorcerer, 2 6th level favored soul, 1 9th level favored soul, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 537/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment, Heal.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 593/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Alyssa focuses on one of her innate abilities to escape!
Dimension Door SLA, CL 33.
Teleporting 30 ft above it.
I'm sure this will trigger something before the rest of my turn.
Remember there's a teleport block in play here, Iddy.
I did forget that.
Alyssa focuses on offense, thinking she's not likely to break away from the thing without taking even more hits.
This is going to be a lot of rolls. First four are my full round attacks, last eight are the AAA copies.
ATK 1 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 18 + 62, total 80[/blockquote]
ATK 2 (33+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 1 + 57, total 58[/blockquote]
ATK 3 (28+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+52 : 13 + 52, total 65[/blockquote]
ATK 4 (23+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+47 : 8 + 47, total 55[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 1 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 8 + 62, total 70[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 2 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 6 + 62, total 68[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 3 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 13 + 62, total 75[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 4 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 9 + 62, total 71[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 5 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 3 + 62, total 65[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 6 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 2 + 62, total 64[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 7 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 2 + 62, total 64[/blockquote]
AAA Copy ATK 8 (38+9Int+1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain+2Bane):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 3 + 62, total 65[/blockquote]
All hit.
Oof, okay. I'll do a totals/summary after I get the roll results for ease.
ATK 1 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 7 + 13, total 20
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 4, total 5[/blockquote]
ATK 2 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 3 + 13, total 16
Rolled 2d6 : 2, 3, total 5[/blockquote]
ATK 3 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 8 + 13, total 21
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 6, total 9[/blockquote]
ATK 4 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 3 + 13, total 16
Rolled 2d6 : 5, 4, total 9[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 1 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 3 + 13, total 16
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 5, total 6[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 2 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 10 + 13, total 23
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 6, total 7[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 3 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 11 + 13, total 24
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 1, total 7[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 4 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 3 + 13, total 16
Rolled 2d6 : 5, 2, total 7[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 5 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 10 + 13, total 23
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 1, total 5[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 6 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 10 + 13, total 23
Rolled 2d6 : 5, 3, total 8[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 7 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 10 + 13, total 23
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 3, total 7[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 8 damage (1Weapon+3Gauntlets+1Luck+5K:Devotion+3Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d12+13 : 1 + 13, total 14
Rolled 2d6 : 2, 1, total 3[/blockquote]
313 damage total, 24 Negative levels, -12 Constitution.
The beast is struck again and again - and this time it fades to mist, freeing you. The mist flows away and retreats, into the fog and gone. It's fleeing, little more than more fog in an endless plane of foggy dreams.
You did it. The battle's over.
Free act. Feel free to pursue or not.
"One down, unless someone wants to hunt after it. We've given time for those on the other side of the wall to regroup, however. They're our target, but I'm tired of this thing coming back. Jarem, tactical advice?"
Jarem takes a moment to look around, "The forces we brought are in full retreat by my command, they're simply not strong enough. I'll not waste good soldiers against elite enemies. If we're able, we continue on and crush the enemy before they can regroup."
Alyssa nods.
"Bastian, recon. See if you can track down our main targets. Jarem, Ianvasah, I want you as our vanguard. Emily, you've spent a lot of spells here, I want you in reserve. I'll support and back up where needed. Jarem, any alterations to that?"
Bastian gives yo ua long, slow nod at that, "Pulling your weight now?" he asks plainly, before darting ahead.
"That's fine," Jarem says, "Did you finish off the birds?"
Alyssa shakes her head and shoots Bastian a look.
"I got stunned and Bastian saved me by pulling me out. I've got a better handle on their defenses now. I'll focus on those things when we head off. I've got a Disintegrate or two for them. I'm not entirely sure why my defenses were seemingly easy for them to get through, but I'm sure they noticed. We can use that, to a degree. I'm certain they're at least vaguely aware of our fight here, so they'll likely target me. As much as I don't like being made a pin cushion, using that will open them up. Watch the Moon Dog, it has an ability that will deal an.. alarmingly lethal strike to the throat, triggered by speech. It's a solid counter to any caster."
Bastian's reply is a big grin at that look, going off to scout.
Meanwhile everyone takes that in and...
Waiting on Bastian?
I was actually going to cast a spell on everyone before he took off. Can we semi-retcon that so he's around long enough for it?
Yeah sure, go for it.
"Before we move, I intended to do this, but things escalated faster than I expected..."
Alyssa begins casting:
Interplanar Telepathic Bond, CL 32, 320 minute duration.
Target: Can hit 10 people, so us all and I guess whatever commanders Jarem wants to include.
'Good,' Bastian sends back once it's cast. 'I'll send word as soon as I can see.'
Alyssa nods to herself.
'Let's start moving ourselves so we're not static targets.'
You begin to move back - but it' snot far until Bastian sends, 'The birds remain, Alyssa. They're standing in general defense.'
Alyssa sends back, 'I'll hit them and get their attention. Use it as cover to continue. How many are there still?'
With that, she moves faster towards their targets, intending to hit them before they can react.
'Lots,' Bastian sends, 'They're on alert, so come in strong.'
Alyssa keeps going.
The party quickly catches up to Bastian. He lingers just before the wall of mist, "They're right out there, as they were before," Bastian says, "They don't seem able or willing to enter the mists themselves."
Alyssa nods. "Everyone ready?"
"Ready," Jarem says.
"I'm ready," Bastian agrees.
"Ready," Emily calls, "I'll help in this fight, we need to be able to strike far and wide."
"Ready," Ianvasah says softly, peering ahead, still down an arm.
Range to them?
The mist wall is ahead. You'd have to fly through that first.
Alyssa heads through the mist wall.
Thus you see the birds spread out again and...
Init.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+16 : 14 + 16, total 30[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+11 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+15 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+18 Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+10 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+4 birds
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=16]
Init is Ianvasah (38) > Emily (34) > Jarem (31) > Alyssa (30) > Bastian (24) > Birds (20)
Okay then, init is a thing tonight.
"Do I need to stay back and out of spell ranges?" Ianvasah quickly asks.
"You know your abilities best. Do what you know."
"I mean YOUR spells," Ianvasah snaps back.
"I don't have many area spells ready. I've prepared spells against many targets."
Ianvasah surges forward and morphs into her dragon form, lurching to the side without one wing. Nonetheless she lets out an exhalation of lightning, slamming into the birds.
Breath weapon.
> roll 33d10
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 184 > [d10=10,8,10,8,4,9,1,2,4,3,3,3,4,5,6,2,6,9,10,1,7,5,10,2,10,4,6,8,7,4,9,1,3]
> roll 1d20+12 ref
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d4 recharge
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d4=1]
The line of lightning cuts through half a dozen of the avian golems, causing them to blacken and crackle from it, as...
Emily will hold pending interrupting the birds, as she's trying to save resources. Jarem.
Jarem begins praying quietly, gathering in magic as...
Fire storm, one round casting time. Go.
Is knowledge devotion still working?
Make the check real quick and go on with your turn, but I believe you get max result regardless unless you check is lower than I anticipate.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+45 : 12 + 45, total 57[/blockquote]
+3 for Terrain if it applies.
Maximum bonus, as expected. Carry on with your turn.
Alyssa follows after the dragon and begins casting!
Disintegrate (Chained), CL 32.
21 targets, birds primary.
Spending 2 Inspiration for Cunning Breach.
Ranged Touch Attack 1 (1Luck+5Devotion+3Terrain):
> roll 21#1d20+42
<Penuche> IronDragoon invokes Penuche's magic: < 47, 62, 50, 43, 50, 61, 43, 58, 58, 59, 48, 56, 50, 51, 54, 59, 43, 58, 59, 61, 58 >
All but 3 hit, and those only miss due to natural 1s.
> roll 18#1d20+12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 29, 13, 24, 29, 21, 16, 32, 16, 17, 30, 18, 17, 31, 30, 16, 26, 14, 13 >
All but 1 of them are the full damage roll, only one hits the minimum damage roll. Damage, roll it.
> roll 18#40d6 full damage
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 141, 141, 137, 147, 141, 147, 157, 139, 135, 137, 143, 135, 131, 131, 133, 121, 150, 155 >
> roll 5d6 partial damage
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d6=5,2,3,6,6]
Over a dozen birds disintegrate at once, vaporized down to the last. A hunk around you is now gone, an open space free of the jeweled constructs. With a big gap in the horde, Emily flies forward.
Bastian's going to hang back since it's a spell fest here and he's a melee slugger.
Init is Ianvasah (38) > Emily (34) > Jarem (31) > Alyssa (30) > Bastian (24) > Birds (20)
Emily takes her held turn.
In Emily's hand is all the sun, flying forth in a massive detonation of power, that momentarily brings the sun to the Deep Ethereal.
Maximized sunlance.
> roll 1d20 touch AC so really just a 1/20 check
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=18]
180 damage on the lance and 36 damage on the sunburst.
> roll 1d20+12 ref
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=6]
The burst of sunlight vaporizes one of the birds ahead, and dozens of others are battered. The horde is thinning out rapidly, but not fast enough. They all begin to fly forward, starting to glow red and crack all over. "Dod-" is all Jarem can get out, before the remaining swarm bursts, a massive strike of retribution engulfing all of you.
Reflex all, -4 penalty to the save.
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 372/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 5 11th level sorcerer, 1 13th level sorcerer, 2 14th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 437/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 534/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
Ref/Cunning Insight:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 13 + 26, total 39[/blockquote]
12/15 Inspiration (assuming this is new combat instance)
It is a new encounter, yes.
> roll 1d20+35 evasion Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+33 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+24 evasion Ianvasah
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+16 Bastian improved evasion is nice
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=3]
Jarem takes none, Emily takes half, Bastian takes half (improved evasion here since he failed the save), Alyssa takes half and Ianvasah takes full.
> roll 25d10
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 125 > [d10=5,6,6,4,6,8,3,10,7,3,3,7,8,2,9,2,6,3,3,1,4,6,9,2,2]
Emily also uses a 9th level spell for -45 damage off the 62 she takes for a total of 17.
HP after that?
[spoiler]
+10 enhancement to str, dex, con. +8 enhancement to Natural Armor. +20 competence bonus to Hide/Move Silently, +6 to iniative checks, cannot be flatfooted, gain Combat Reflexes feat, and scent special quality.
+4 str/con add.
Jarem
HP: 496/570
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 8/8 Smite 6/6 Knight's Challenge 21/21 Law Devotion 1/1
Spells Used: War's Echo, Superb Dispelling
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32), War's Echo(CL34)
Notes: Tripping: +12 CMB/CMD on it, free attack on trip, make a DC 32 Fort or be unable to rise for one round.
Emily
HP: 355/569
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear)
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 11/11 Channel Energy 14/14 Lay On Hands 33/33 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: 5 11th level sorcerer, 1 13th level sorcerer, 2 14th level sorcerer, 7 11th favored soul
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Ianvasah
HP: 315/558 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: Protection Domain 1/1
Spells Used: Greater Firestorm, Quickened Bombardment, Bombardment.
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes: Has notes for shapeshift on her sheet.
Bastian
HP: 462/593 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
Bonuses: Attack+1 (+1 luck), Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0 +1 CL, SR 20
Resources: travel devotion used.
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active: Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Create Magic Tattoo (CL32), Mind Blank (CL32), Energy Immunity (Acid) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Cold) (CL32), Energy Immunity (Electricity) (CL32), Mass Energy Immunity (Sonic) (CL32), Epic Mage Armor (CL32), Magic Circle Against Evil (CL32), Spiderskin (CL32), Power of the Huntress (CL32)
Notes:
218/281
In the aftermath of the blast, the birds are gone - not a single gem survives. You're hurting but intact - it's over, at least for now.
Free act.
"A possible trap, but too good to pass on. Jarem, can you reorganize our people? Emily, can you do anything more for Ianvasah's arm? If not, we might as well continue our momentum."
"I can regrow it," Jarem speaks up, "But it'll take a bit. Emily, could you see to the soldiers? They should be holding formation well back in the mist."
"I can do that," Emily agrees, quickly flying back.
Just a case of Jarem having regenerate memorized.
Alyssa nods and holds and keeps watch until it's done.
It's not long until Ianvasah's arm is regrown, all with prayer and thanks to the Red Knight. MEanwhile Emily quickly sends, 'The soldiers are okay, Alyssa. They weren't attacked by the mist beast or any other enemies.'
'Interesting. That bodes well for them getting the slaves secured. Get them ready to move when we breach the walls.'
Do you have any active magic detection spells up?
Just true seeing.
Done and done. There's no signs of further resistance, at least not outside.
Go ahead.
Alyssa commands everyone to advance!
What's the wall like here? Do I need to blow a hole in it or something?
Before you the wall of fog crumbles. 500ft ahead of you is a walled fortress, no obvious way in. It seems hazy, shifting and indistinct.
From the description you got when you got here, so yeah, no obvious way in.
Can I tell what's protecting it or if a Disintegrate will punch through? Or do I need a detect magic or something?
DM required, yeah.
Alyssa casts a quick spell.
Detect magic, CL 32
The walls are enchanted to be stronger, though not disintegration proof.
More interestingly, you note the teleportation block is no longer in effect here.
Alyssa sends to the others, 'I should be able to rip a hole in the wall. Be aware that the teleport block seems to be gone. Either it was an ability of that mist construct or they're pulling in reinforcements. That can go both ways though. Emily, Jarem, see if you can contact your respective houses and commanders for possible back up. I don't want to do it if we can avoid it, but I don't want to be slogging 10 to 1.'
'Understood,' Emily says, 'I'll be ready.'
So first, do I still have to ranged touch attack a wall? Second, are there other targets around?
Yes, to guard against natural 1s.
What do you mean by targets? There's lots of wall to aim at if you want a particular stretch of it or not.
I mean all my Disintegrates are chained, so it hits 21 targets. Unless you let me hit 21 chunks of the wall, I'll have things to spare.
Feel free if you want to destroy that much wall, sure.
I mean, are there other things than the wall to target?
Nothing hostile, there's no more resistance out here at the current time.
Alyssa starts casting as they approach the wall, intending to decimate it as an example of power.
Disintegrate, CL 32.
21 sections of wall.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 18 + 42, total 60[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 9 + 42, total 51[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 6 + 42, total 48[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 2 + 42, total 44[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 12 + 42, total 54[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 15 + 42, total 57[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 13 + 42, total 55[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 15 + 42, total 57[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 2 + 42, total 44[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 10 + 42, total 52[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 2 + 42, total 44[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 13 + 42, total 55[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 12 + 42, total 54[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 14 + 42, total 56[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 10 + 42, total 52[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 17 + 42, total 59[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 4 + 42, total 46[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 15 + 42, total 57[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 6 + 42, total 48[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 5 + 42, total 47[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+42 : 14 + 42, total 56[/blockquote]
Well, that takes care of that. The entire front before you is gone, revealing rooms. Some rooms richly decorated, slightly less opulent halls, a kitchen, that manner of thing. It's all wide open - and not a hint of a single servant or warrior to oppose you.
Alyssa heads in, wary of the trap sure to be waiting.
Jarem and Emily are at your side, "Do you think they fled?" Emily asks.
"It's possible," Jarem remarks as you all go forward. "I doubt glorified bankers are interested in a fight to the death."
Bastian flies along with you, slowly cracking his knuckles, "There's always a sunnier road than the one you're on. They're wise to realize that if they did run."
"If," Ianvasah says, "They may be preparing a more serious counter attack within."
"Good," Emily says, "We can bring them all to justice then." She smiles brightly, "As we should!"
Alyssa responds with the link, 'It's surely a trap of some sort. That Inevitable who spoke before isn't the sort to simply leave."
'We did crush some absurdly powerful defenses,' Bastian counters, 'Running would be the logical choice.'
Meanwhile Jarem keeps his guard up, advancing on and in.
'Act as if they haven't. The first half of the fight went their way, they won't forget that. Let's move and get control for sure. Then we can start the casting.'
For reference while doing this, give me a Perception check.
Perception/Cunning Knowledge (+Terrain):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+71 : 4 + 71, total 75[/blockquote]
You wander about. The outer areas are all living spaces, offices, viewing rooms for treasure, that manner of things. Impressive, though some rooms have parts missing - the occasional statue or gilded thing. All of it leads to one door in the north, that leads into the center. This door is of solid metal and has an engraving on it. It reads as follows.
'Greedy hearts, shallow graves.
Pure hearts, be brave.'
Alyssa considers and inspects the door and if there's magic on it.
Detect Magic again if needed.
CL check on DM.
"A riddle?" Bastian scowls, "I hate riddles."
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+32 : 5 + 32, total 37[/blockquote]
There is indeed magic on the door.
Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge/Terrain:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+83 : 15 + 83, total 98[/blockquote]
It's a complex spell weave. On the surface it appears to be naught but what the riddle suggests: Any but those without greed or desire for what lies within will be struck down. That's also complete bull, your mastery of magic letting you see past such deceptions and into the true magic in play.
What lies beyond that is a spell that simply smites anyone who attempts to open the door unless they're attuned to the door itself. No way around it no matter how pure your heart is, unless you are already set so the door will let you open it safely. Otherwise, expect to get zapped and be unable to open the door anyway.
Alyssa considers how to force or manipulate the weave to attune herself to it.
It..might be possible with the perfect attunement and bluff, but it wouldn't be easy.
UMD, to be clear.
I have some ranks in that. Let's try it. Just UMD or Bluff and stuff?
Pure UMD. It'll involve trying to open the door bear in mind, so if it goes south it'll be a blastin'.
Some defenses first then. Can I tell the CL of the blasting?
27th. DC 40 epic skill usage for spellcraft with DM. Trivial for you to hit.
Alright, gonna be expensive but... Let's cast Effulgent Epuration and then immedately go into the skill check before it expires.
Okay then, gimme UMD.
UMD/Cunning Knowledge/Terrain:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 2 + 64, total 66[/blockquote]
It's hard - painfully hard. You have to chant just the right names, move just so...but somehow you manage it. The door pops ajar, without smiting you or anyone.
Alyssa sighs and wipes a bit of sweat off.
"This trap is finished. Hard one. Let's get this finished."
"Good work," Emily smiles brightly as Bastian lowers his arms from shielding his face.
"Let's finish this," Ianvasah agrees, "See what traps this male set up so diligently within."
Alyssa nods and heads in.
Ahead is a hallway dozens of doors long, with them on each wall, evenly spaced. Each door is made of solid, polished wood and has a plaque dead center on it.
Alyssa glances at them as they go, reading.
They are all blank, it appears.
"An oddity. We don't have time to search it all now. Let's keep going. We'll have time later."
You go down to the end of this hall - which is a dead end.
"Is this it?" Emily asks, "This must be where they keep everything."
"Who knows what the patrons consider valuable. We look for the leader. If we don't find him, we'll start work on moving this place."
"Then let's," Jarem agrees.
Next move?
Look for the boss. If we don't find him, wishes to move this place.
There's no sign of a single soul as you search. Yet in one office you find a folded slip of paper labeled, "Alyssa."
Alyssa looks over it, looking for magic or traps.
Nothing on it at all.
Alyssa opens it and reads.
It reads as follows.
'We'll be back.
We don't forget our debts, Alyssa.'
Alyssa hands it over to the others.
"Guess it's time to secure the soon to be former slaves and start on moving this place."
"We still need to find them, if they're here," Jarem points out, "Check all the vault and treasure rooms we found."
"Secure the rescues and I'll start laying the spell work to teleport this whole place."
Plan here then? Assume for now you'll be unopposed unless I say otherwise.
Get the slaves together and get them out, then start using wish to move the whole place back to the demi-plane like we talked about.
It's not too long before Bastian comes strolling up to you in a good clip, "The good news is that while they fled and took some treasure, they did not have the time or ability to take it all. The bad news is that they seem to have prioritized slaves, because we've found evidence of them being here but none are to be found."
Alyssa sighs. "We told them we wanted the slaves above the treasure so they took them to spite us. I guess we can at least say we've stopped it here. But we've really only displaced them."
Alyssa takes a breath, "No, I suppose we've broken their reputation too. It's unlikely they'll operate on this scale again. A hollow thing."
"We cut their balls off in front of all of their clients. No one wants ball less bitches to protect their valuables." Bastian turns and spits to the side before going on. "It'll do. Emily's upset, but at least listened to Jarem explaining why this is a success. Ianvasah's acting like a dragon. So Jarem wants you to wait until he's sure there's nothing here that won't cause a transportation catastrophe, as well as trying to figure out how this place works. He's tracking down the control artifact, which he thinks is still here - built in."
Alyssa nods. "I can do that as well as any and better than most. Let's go."
You find Jarem in a hidden room - in back of one of the offices. Here an array of glowing, milky white crystals are set into what looks to be rune carved steel. It would be beautiful - if not for half the crystals being cracked or broken, and deep dents in the rune carved steel.
"Take a look," Jarem offers, "It's not unstable I think, but they made sure to damage it on the way out."
Alyssa starts working!
DM I assume?
Yes. Spellcraft.
Spellcraft/Terrain:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+60 : 2 + 60, total 62[/blockquote]
This would have once controlled various functions of this building - blurring the walls, allowing it to be somewhat morphic and so forth. Unfortunately it's destroyed and inoperable.
"I think it's inoperable. It controls functions and makes this place somewhat morphic... Maybe I can repair it in time. But for now, I don't think I can do anything with it."
"So let's get this going then," Jarem agrees, as...
Anything else or good to go?
Nothing until we get back.
Unopposed and with magic, it's not too hard to take the entire building back and to the border of your demiplane. It will take more magic to get it in, and as you do, one question looms: Where do you put it?
Is there no space at all anywhere? If not, Spell Engine Wish and make it fly?
Space isn't a problem, it's just where you put it, you have space to fit it outside the school and tower if you wish.
Yeah, that's fine.
And thus it is done. You rest upstairs in your office afterwards, a chance to relax after struggles and bloodshed. It's Jarem who comes up, Bastian right behind him. "We're sorting out all the treasure now," Jarem announces, "It'll be sometime, but it's safe here so there's no hurry." He grabs a chair and sits, taking off his gauntlets after.
"It'll be a rich haul even then, and what's better, each lot is marked," Bastian says, "So we know who owns what."
"Indeed? Well, that information will be valuable on it's own. We're any of the rooms trapped?"
"Nothing that wasn't internal security," Jarem says, running. "It's all internal. My thinking is that they never meant to make a stand here if pressed. The defenses should stop any normal assault cold."
"Well, let's get that list made and go through what we have. I'll help going through everything and identifying magical things. How's Emily and Ianvasah doing?"
"Dealing," Jarem says shortly, "Emily's brightening up and I think Ianvasah's trying too hard to act like a dragon, it's transparent. Anyway..." sitting back, "We have treasure, we have a strong start."
A moment, a connection with Jarem. It flares bright, coming back to you again.
Node update, go read and reply.
Read it.
"Let's get things moving, then. See where we stand on money and gear."
This gets Jarem to grin, "Yeah, on it," he says.
Bastian lingers, "The hell was that?" he asks, "Alyssa?"
"What, specifically?"
"You and Jarem," Bastian says, "Whatever that was."
Alyssa nods, "That's part of a larger fight. There's a power that connects us. When we accomplish things it gives us a bit of... A push. A bit more power for the next fight."
With Jarem gone Bastian kicks back in his seat. A long gaze before he says, "Fine, whatever wizardry it is. At least you're worth the trouble. You're no meek woman or ineffective researcher."
Alyssa grins.
"Actually, I am a researcher. It just so happens that I research dangerous thing. I have to be more dangerous."
That gets a grunt from Bastian, "Good, you'll do." He says.
In that moment, you feel it. A faint but real connection to Bastian, blossoming between the two of you.
Node update, go read.
Alyssa crooks and eyebrow and smirks, "Welcome to the family, so to speak. It happens when you accomplish a personal goal. I assume you were suspicious of sticking with me and made up your mind."
"Shaundakul gave me an option to leave if you weren't up to my standards," Bastian admits, standing up, "You're up to them after that. Magic to use more swords. I like it."
Alyssa chuckles.
"Yes, it does tend to be a surprise tactic for most. I chose a good axe for it too. Would you like to meet it formally?"
"Show me," Bastian says, as...
Okay, I presume you want to get to looting now, right?
Sounds good.
Alyssa hustles Emily into her study.
"Emily, I'm not sure how far you have gotten with your debt to Waukeen, but... Do you think gifting the bank to her might help?"
"The bank," Emily says, going to slowly tap a finger on the chair, "The entire bank?"
"The building, not then contents. I had intended to make it into a floating depository for the more dangerous things... And best trophies, but being in debt isn't something I want distracting our efforts either."
"I..." A long pause, "I doubt it," Emily finally says, "It's a noble gesture, but a building hardly matches what was lost."
"Mmm. I figured, but was hoping it would help make some headway with it. Still... I suppose you have more work ahead. Consider researching any mentions of more than standard divine interference. Legends of it are a starting point."
"I will," Emily agrees, "Once this is all sorted out."
Alyssa nods.
"I'm working on a list of people who had storage in the bank. So far we've got some pretty unpleasant people. Once I finish it, I want you and Bastian to see if you have contacts that might want a piece or two as bait or leverage."
"Of course," Emily says, "Also, Jarem mentioned he wants to talk to you about that. He says some people may want their treasures back and may be willing to fight us for them or worse."
A pause, a glance at your hand, a frown. "Which ring is that, Alyssa?"
Alyssa nods to the Jarem part and then glances at the finger the rests invisibly on.
"It's the one we acquired from Shar's assassin. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it before."
Peering at it, "It's easy to miss. Which one was that, Alyssa?"
"The one you captured in the force cage. It gives some stealth effects... And defenses against celestial spells and abilities."
A deeper frown at that, "I think I forgot about that in all that's happened. May I see it?"
Alyssa considers for a moment before taking it off and placing it on the desk.
Emily takes some time studying this, before looking up, "Alyssa," she says calmly, "Get rid of this ring. It's tainted by evil, and relying on evil power can and will taint you in return."
Alyssa takes a breath, "You're not wrong. That said, for now, it's a good fit. I'm only using it because I have you and Jarem to keep an eye on me. And... To be honest... I think having some defense against celestials is called for, and those that fight them are going to have the best defenses."
"Alyssa!" A gasp, a hand to her mouth. Emily stares before, "Why do you think you'll fight angels?!"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow.
"Emily. We're fighting against Shar, an absolute master of deception and manipulation, who has been appointed to destroy creation by the one who created it. It's an almost certainty that there will be a conflict of some sort with the divine, be it because of manipulation or conflicting interests. For example:"
Alyssa picks up the list of vault names.
"Alumar Starwarden. Effectively a saint. Shadin Fescion. Seelie Fey courtier and diplomat to Chauntea. Now, they could have just been stolen belongings. But they could have been personal vaults. In a bank run by an Inevitable and backed by fiends. Emily, this is going to get far more convoluted as we go."
Hands on her hips now, standing up, "Alyssa. If a celestial gets up to that sort of business, they won't be one for long. Even if you're right, you shouldn't rely on evil power. It never ends well for anyone. It's not an elemental force you can control, it is real and it is malicious."
"I agree. Fully. Well, more about the evil power. Emily, it's not like I'm outfitting myself entirely with malicious pieces. It's a single ring, and I'm fully aware of the creeping subversive nature of it. I'm not intending to keep it forever, but it's very useful right now and hard to replace. Once I do replace it, I promise to give it to you to do with what you will. Fair?"
"Alyssa." Emily gives you a long look, "Shar is evil. Do you want to give Shar an in to your heart and soul? It's easy to think you're stronger than it, that you can manage that. How many in one of the Hells thought the same, until they die and find themselves in eternal torment? How many of those soul larvae we found once thought that?"
Alyssa chuckles.
"Emily, I'm agreeing with you. I'm just saying I need to use it until I find a replacement. It's on my higher priority list, I assure you. The last fight has shown me my equipment is... Lacking. A revamp of a lot of it is coming, it's just a matter of greatest need first."
"What sort of replacement do you need?" Emily asks, flat out.
"This ring specializes in stealth, but my defenses in general need improvement. Most of my money will go towards that. And I don't want you to spend the bulk of yours for this. Your equipment is just as important."
"Your soul's more important," Emily shakes her head, "What am I doing here if I let evil get a claw into you? I'll buy it from you for 20,000 gold."
"How about this, Emily. You and me go shopping together in Brightwater, after we get everything with the bank straight. We can find something, and if end up short, you can cover the difference."
"Fine," Emily says, "And you stop wearing it now. We're safe here, no need to wear it in the first place."
Alyssa flicks it around and puts it in a pouch.
"Sure. But if anything happens, I'll use it."
Emily exhales, "We'll have to go soon. What else do you have to do before you can go?"
"Talk with Jarem about our possible bait-loot, and a bit more research on a few of the items. There's some very interesting things there, and a spellbook I haven't managed to crack yet. I want that magic."
"Oh, and be careful of those other spell books. Spells like Seething Eyebane are corrupted magic - the tools of pure evil," Emily warns. "Only the most depraved souls can use those spells."
"Use, yes, but study?"
Alyssa chuckles, "Studying them might help me develop a counter for it. And that I will certainly be doing."
"Be cautious," Emily says, "Don't look too deeply. Remember: Evil wants to hurt you."
Alyssa smirks.
"So you say to the Guildmaster of the Arcane Order."
"At least you're confident," Emily says, "But if you insist on trying, I suggest checking with holy and exalted spells could help, to even see if you need to make the effort."
"I don't have access to many of those. I need to find a larger spell library to work from."
"I can find you some. It's as dangerous as corrupted magic - not out of malice, but because the primal forces of those can only be safely wielded by the sanctified." Emily explains this, hands finally dropping from her hips. "It's like how the Words of Creation can be devastating to someone if they try to pronounce it untrained or with an impure heart."
"And yet I managed to start learning those words. Remember why Ao picked me. I might be able to do it. Either way, I need access to more spells."
With a shake of her head, "Regardless," she finally says, "I'll send Jarem up. I really need to get back to what I was doing."
Alyssa nods.
From there Jarem comes on up, clad in simple workclothes and no armor. "Alyssa," he greets as he comes up, "Do you have something to drink up here? It's been a long day."
Alyssa uses her telekinesis to float a pitcher and cup of fruit juice and alcohol.
The booze is ignored and the fruit juice is taken. He has a long draw of it and then refills, "Anyway, about all the treasure we got: I'm betting at least one of these people are going to want their things back and be both willing and able to pursue the matter. The efreet don't worry me too much, by all reports they're busy in that slavery war. That's a longer term problem but right now we can put them aside. I'm more worried about Dolmaya Augurson - I'm fairly sure we have her personal jewels, for whatever reason she was keeping them there."
Another long drink, "This is good," he says, "Oranges don't grow where I'm from, they're a luxury from the far south unless you know a powerful spellcaster who likes them." Having more before going on again, "If the legends are true, we could have a seriously powerful and ancient sorceress ready to take revenge on us."
Alyssa nods.
"A few others, too. Inbar Hamawi had quite the set of armor stashed away, for all your unconcern for Efreet. That staff in Rosier's vault is quite the item too. Minor artifact. But... Perhaps you're looking at this the wrong way. Instead of keeping them from her... How about using them to make introductions? If we can take advantage of this the right way, she could make every bit as powerful an ally as enemy.
The others... Well, I'm sure we can find more than one person who's interested in taking those items as bait."
This gets Jarem to smile, "See," he says, pointing a finger at you as he holds his drink, "That was going to be my advice. Red Knight's wisdom, she can learn!"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow and gets a dangerous look in her eye.
"And when have I ever not acted with wisdom?"
Jarem smiles and has another drink of his juice.
"I'll have to note this time and date down for the Red Knight. She'll be happy with your growth. In any case, what do you think of the rest of the loot? Anything worth using as bait?"
"We could," Jarem says, "Which ones strike you, oh wise one?"
"D'ylaran is sure to have people after his blood, but these tomes... I haven't gone through them all yet, but it could be some sort of sentimental item. If it, it's even more likely to draw him out.
Myez Windfal isn't someone to target with bait, exactly, but if that doll is a similar keepsake, we might be able to return it for some good will... His trade routes and connections would be useful.
Rosier for sure... I'm not sure how valuable that staff might be to her, but there's sure to be plenty of celestials who want to draw her out.
Inbar Hamawi I've mentioned already... though that one we might want to bait ourselves. There's a set of jewels that requires a Royal Efreet to move. I'm hoping I can loophole it with some blood or the like, and killing her would provide plenty...
Abdul Nasr al-Hariq is certain to want those jewels back, so once we can move them around, that'll likely be bait for sure.
The items from Shadin Fescion worry me. Either he was hiding a Celestial Bane weapon... Or he's hiding his true self. I can't believe he'd have gotten away with hiding in Chauntea's court, but... A long enough con, and well built over time? I'm worried there might be something there."
Jarem listens and finally says, "What about Sandalphon? I'd be thinking about him, too. I've heard of his spells. The rest of it seems about right. Though - if I recall, the Hamawi's are nobles, not royals. I'm not deeply versed on the efreet, though."
"Sandalphon is... an interesting one, yes. I'm not entirely sure what his items do, except seem to generate energy from nothing and shunt it to lighting somewhere. I think I could track it if we go there, but without know what it does, I can't be sure of its value. For all I know it could be a failed experiment that he thought might be unstable and just threw it in a vault to contain it. It's his spellbook that I need to work on also. Let me do that first, before we decide one way or another on him."
"Just don't take too long, in case he wants to press it," Jarem says, "Anyway, you're going to Brightwater soon?"
"After I do some more work on a few items, yes. Emily is up in arms over this ring."
"I heard." Jarem pauses to finish his juice. "Probably for the best - politics if nothing else."
Alyssa grunts.
"Still, yes, I'm planning to go soon. Coming?"
"We have shopping to do," Jarem agrees at that, as...
Anything to add here?
Yep. Other than finishing up the last of the loot stuff, that's pretty much it.
Okay, while that's sorted, gimme an agenda for Brightwater?
Improving shield, getting some CMB/D stuff, replacing ring.
Okay, sounds like all OOC stuff along with any NPC shopping. Any suggestions for them?
I haven't delved their sheets. I don't think anyone has really been failing saves or just getting smashed other than Alyssa. Ianvasah sis lose an arm though.
Which Jarem can regrow with magic so it's no big deal. Okay then, we'll sort it out this evening.
I still need to crack that one spell book from Sandalphon I think.
What was your last move on it?
Failed 1st attempt will save, which had a -4 penalty.
Going to do anything else with it?
Well it was to use Greater Arcane Sight to see what magic was on it so I could Spellcraft it. So try again?
Alyssa goes to try, but this time she simply can't make heads or tails of it at all.
Alyssa considers.
"An effect to scramble it after a single try, maybe?"
She calls for Emily to give it a shot, intending to watch her try with Detect Magic to see the effect of the magic.
> roll 1d20+33 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d20=10]
Emily tries... "I can't make anything out about it," Emily says, "Nothing at all."
"I think there's an effect that scrambles it for you if you fail. We'll have to get some more spell slingers to try."
"Someone will break it," Emily agrees, as...
Anything else to do before the trip this evening?
I think that and the lightning plane thing we're the only things left.
Emily and Bastian are putting together a list of people to sell the vault stuff to as bait... Jarem's doing whatever, and Ianvasah is doing whatever. So outside of some family RP stuff and taking Morwel's painting back to her, Brightwater is it, I think.
We'll do that tonight, then. Let me know when that loot post is done.
Loot post is done.
Alyssa now has 179,420.2gp.
What she needs is improvements to her shield and maybe some improvement to her CMB/CMD. So, we can hit brightwater looking for a new shield. If we don't find one, then I can just get the one I have now better enchantments. Maybe something to give/boost Natural Armor, though I can semi- do that with Spiderskin.
Emily also wants me to replace my ring, so that's a thing I'd keep an eye out for. Something to fit the same general idea: Stealth. Beyond that, I need something to boost Spellcraft, and something to boost saves (preferably non-enhancement since I can do +6 via a spell.)
As for the others.
Jarem: Most of his gear is good, but he's missing a ring, something on his face, shoulders/back, and a hat. Filling any of those would be good.
Emily: Missing hands, face, ring, and boots.
Ianvasah: Missing ring, armor, shield, hat, gloves, boots. She's got some of it in reserve status, so I'm guessing it's all stuff that doesn't carry over to shapeshifting. I'm honestly not sure how to outfit a shapeshifter.
Bastian: Missing shield, gloves/bracers, necklace, rings, hat, and boots. This boy needs help.
Okay, working on that behind the scenes. Is there anything you need to do IC here?
I was gonna give that book of trade records to Waukeen or one of her people.
I'm so sorry, I glanced at this one and I forgot I did, so I didn't realize you needed a post. 100% my fault.
"Well, I could get us a meeting with someone," Emily says as you have drinks after doing much of your shopping. "Do you want to be there in person for it, Alyssa?"
"Should I be? She's your aunt, you know better than I."
Emily has a long drink of her juice before she says, "In truth, I don't think it'll matter if I do it in your name? I don't think this'll go to Auntie Waukeen and..." Here she slumps a bit, "It's probably best if I don't bother her without results." Exhaling after. "So there you go."
Alyssa nods.
"A trinket donated to her church to be put into a library for market study then. Easy enough to give to any priest. How's your project going, speaking of?"
"I'm still not finding anything," Emily admits, "It's such an old magic and it's not one that can be reproduced." Here she shakes her head, "I'm not sure I'll ever find one."
"I have something of an idea. We could use the memory spell to study the magic of the amulet before you absorbed it. If you can memorize and learn it, you might be able to trace similar magic, or reproduce it as a spell. Or perhaps how to make a copy or separate the magic of it from yourself."
"That's the problem - I can't copy it," Emily shakes her head, "If it could be copied, don't you think the rings would be copied in the first place?"
"I didn't mean exactly. You might get enough to make a functional spell, or track another artifact with the same, or similar magic. The magic still exists, just inside of you, so it's possible you might find a way to to work with it."
"Maybe," Emily says, "I'll look into it."
Alyssa nods. "When you're ready, I'll cast the spell for you. We can both study it. Maybe an idea will spark between the two of us."
Okay, gimme a quick d100.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
Soon enough Emily returns, "Hi!" she calls, "Great news, Alyssa!"
"Great! About what?"
"They were grateful for the notes," Emily says, "They said they'd remember it in the future."
"That's good. Good will is always useful. Glad they liked it."
Anything else to do here? Post session I'm going to do a loot post and start sorting purchases out in earnest, since I overslept this morning.
Not unless you want to do some random RP with any of the family or NPCs.
At the moment you have a ton o' stuff to pursue from your last haul. What's the first of them?
Quickest/easiest: Return the painting to Morwel.
Cool. How are you planning on doing that?
Have Emily use a sending to whoever she knows in the court to tell Morwel that we have it and intend to return it when she wants and then just 'port over with it.
Who's going assuming you get the okay, you and Emily?
I don't think anyone else had interest. Unless maybe Ianvasah had interest?
That's fine, then.
It's not long for Emily to send a message. She quickly stops, mere moments after.
"Ah." Emily says, "Are you tired by any chance, Alyssa?"
Alyssa stretches a bit.
"Not really? Oh, is she wanting to meet in a dream again?"
"That's it," Emily says, "She wants to talk to us about that painting."
"Well... I guess I could have a few drinks and lounge in a warm place for a nap. Care to join?"
"You don't turn this invitation down," Emily agrees.
Thus you slip away into rest.
You sit on the shore of a beach. A sunny beach, wearing nothing but a light dress. The waves lap against your toes, Emily in the same dress drowsing besides you.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow and wonders if she can use some sort of willpower to change the design of her dress, but looks around while turning the idea over.
You look behind you. There is another shore line behind you, waves almost coming close enough to lap at your rear. Another ocean, but this one is a verdant green color, like emeralds crushed into a liquid.
On a small boat far in the distance you can see a single woman. She stands there, long auburn hair blown in the breeze, and faraway enough to be indistinct otherwise.
Alyssa nudges Emily and points.
"I wonder if this is what inspired the painting?"
Emily slowly awakens and turns. The woman slowly drifts out of sight and yet you hear the sound of bells ringing behind you.
Behind you is now a village, sunny and well kept. Everything is new, nothing is without damage or grime. On an easel dead ahead is the painting, as if it was always there.
I once gave this painting to a dear friend a long time ago. It seems the sands of time have pried away from her grasp, for time is every the agent of change.
Where ever did you find it?
"In a bank vault. It was backed by fiends and run by an Inevitable. The name on the vault was Dolmaya Augurson. I suppose there's a fair chance she was the friend you gave it to?"
You drift in the wind, floating in the sky. A sky of pink and reds, of the sunset drenching all in those colors.
That is surprising, but she ever favored gambits and plots.
Return this to her if she lives. If not, you may keep it in her memory.
"Well, I have more things from her, but I wasn't aware of her connection to you. I'll certainly return it, if I can find her. Would you have any ideas about how to find her, Queen Morwel?"
You fall, falling gently through clouds and snow.
Merely wait.
Send her before she finds you. She can be hot headed.
"Send her? I'm not familiar enough with her for that. Or... Can I use the painting and other items as a focus for it?"
Then a wish...
"...shall suffice," You murmur on awakening, blinking away your nap. Emily awakens as well, "Oh." she murmurs, "I was there but drowsing, I couldn't focus at all."
Alyssa yawns and stretches.
"Well, I suppose I have work to do. From what I gather Dolmaya Augurson was a personal friend of Queen Morwel. The impression I got was to use a Wish and the items from the vault to give her a Sending before she gets too irate over her missing items."
"That would be wise," Emily says, "I think we chose well - le's hurry, then."
Alyssa nods and sets up to cast the spell!
I haven't redone spells since the adventure, but I had Spell Engine memorized for it, which lets me swap out spells, so I'll just swap the second casting of Mindblank (Chained) for Wish and use it.
Okay, sure, what precisely are you trying?
Wish to get a sending to her using the painting, jewels, and bow as a focus to find her.
Sure thing, go ahead and type out the sending.
'Dolmaya Augurson, my name is Alyssa Songsteel. I have your painting from Queen Morwel, jewels, and bow. Queen Morwel requested that I return it to you directly instead of to her. I believe she wants us to meet, and mentioned how long it's been since she talked with you.'
The answer is short, imperious, 'I'll find you then. Be prepared.'
Alyssa replies, 'I'm currently being hosted by another. Perhaps a meeting place? Queen Morwel seemed to want to visit with you. Shall we meet there, return the items, and you can visit?'
Sending is a single message and a reply, Alyssa. You could cast another to continue it if you like.
That's fine, do that. Thought it might be a bit different sine it was a wish.
The answer is a short, succinct, 'I'll find you,' and nothing more.
Alyssa calls for the others.
It's easy enough to get everyone together and...
Go ahead.
"We're sure to have a guest soon. Dolmaya Augurson is coming to get her things. From what I can tell from our short exchange she's quite the... Imperious one."
"Is she coming in hostile?" Bastian asks, right off. He stands with his arms crossed.
"I think it'll be friendly," Emily says, then after a few moments, "I think. Best to make a good impression."
"She's hot tempered and a conquerer. Friendly or not, it'll be a rough ride I think. Let's give her a warm welcome, though."
"That's only wise," Jarem says, "So what sort of warm welcoming?"
"Food, drink. The usual for nobility. I haven't hosted many rulers of the world. Ideas? How would you welcome a visiting deity?"
"Well, besides my Moms meeting them?" Emily says, "Ceremony and anything befitting them and honoring them," she says. "As fast as we can set it up."
"Well, spare no expense or wish, I guess. Let's get to it. My sister's always had an eye for colors and design. Want to have her help? We can see if my papa can make some sort of welcoming gift?"
Okay, gimme a plan of action here.
Design a welcome party, with sis and mom helping with general party organization with Wish or limited wish to make the hard stuff happen. Dad and Alyssa can work on a smithing up a gift or sorts. No real idea on what she might like, but she's a mage, so... Maybe some sort of silver spell book chain or something like a blessed stone inlaid bangle or silver rope belt?
Jarem takes care of honor guard I guess?
Sure. Anything else? How much are you spending on the gift?
Hell, I dunno. She's a queen of an entire prime. Do I even have enough wealth to mean anything? I think sentiment and usefulness will be more of a hit. So I guess the answer is, as much as it needs to meet that. I've got 13k.
That's up to you. Go ahead and decide how much and post it in loot.
It's just long enough - by luck or design you'll never know, but she strides right in, down the paths towards the school.
She is tall and gorgeous - a red head, clad in an elegant green gown worthy of a queen. Her entire posture has a grace better suited to elves, and indeed, her ears have a hint of elven pointiness. Yet her body is strong, hints of muscle beneath feminine charms. She walks with her head held high, approaching your abode without a moment of hesitation.
Go ahead and set up as you please.
Alyssa waits for her to approach, simply watching calmly until she gets close enough.
"Your highness, welcome to my little slice of Creation, such as it is. We've prepared a welcome for you, but I imagine you're a bit more interested in getting your property back first?"
The woman you presume to be Dolmaya Augurson regards you with a moment of silence. "Oh?" Her voice is rich, beautiful. "Go on."
Alyssa inclines her head slightly and motions into the building, leading her first to a small side room that holds her possessions.
"I assaulted the bank in which your things were kept. The one outside next to the main tower. Our intention was to free the slaves and under mine the reputation of the backers of it. Unfortunately they choose to be spiteful and evacuated the slaves before at least a large portion of the items held.
Once we secured the building, we began identifying the content. I recognized the painting as having been one of Queen Morwel's, who I've had some small dealings in her court with. I attempted to return it to her, which is when she told me about your relationship. The rest you know. Once you've inspected what we have and are satisfied, you're welcome to our hospitality."
The items are inspected first - studied with a moment, arcane energies flashing in her eyes.
When she looks to you it is with a smile. "A meddler with a good heart and friendly soul, rather than selling these off for profit." Her face is radiant like this, "I am Dolmaya Augurson, once the Empress of all the world. Now I am but dabbler in matters far and wide." She goes to the jewelry, looking on at with a fond smile. "I'm pleased that there will be no smites delivered today."
Alyssa laughs with a grin.
"As am I. I'd hate to have holes put in the place. I'm still not quite finished moving in and decorating. I've still got to get the bank floating. I think it'll make a nice back drop with the right coloring."
Alyssa pauses and gives Dolmaya a considering look.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself as well. I am Alyssa Songsteel. Once the Arch Regent of the Arcane Order of Arythma. And I think you and I might have a few things in common. I get the feeling you were looking forward to stretching your arcane energies. Just a bit, at least."
"A little, as much as a courre looks forward to celebrations." Dolmaya says, and at that considering look, "A hero deserves a reward, and you are a heroine of uncommon good sense. I would give you a boon, something I will fulfill if I am able."
Alyssa grins, "Perhaps a chance at a true friendship? Or perhaps a trade of spells. Speaking of things..."
Alyssa motions Dolmaya out of the small room and heads to the room of the welcoming.
"My father and I worked on a small welcome gift for you. I'm sure wealth doesn't mean much to you at this point, so I wanted it to be something whose value was in use."
Dolmaya follows, "A welcoming gift, no less?"
"My parents taught me to be courteous to guests, and it's not every day you get a chance to make an impression on the Empress of a World. You'll meet them, I think."
And thus you go to where the gift is and...
This is your gambit, so go ahead and intro and set it up as you like.
Alyssa takes her into a large center room, with tall windows letting light in. In the tropical way of the Order, there are sling chairs and large body pillows in corners and around a low table in the center of the room, for lounging around the table, piled with sweet meats, fruits, and sweet alcohols.
"Dolmaya, allow me to introduce you to everyone."
Motioning to each in turn, "Jarem Aruwood, Knight in service to The Red Knight and my tactical commander and advisor. Emily Aryn, a staunch friend and warrior, well on her way to becoming a legend. Ianvasah, a powerful druid searching for her own limits. Bastian, of excellent competence and mind in service to Shaundakul. My family will be joining us shortly."
With a quick and subtle spell, she uses a Sending to her sister to bring the family in along with the gift.
Sending has a long casting time, though you could use a lesser spell to have set this up or just servants, so whatever, I'll assume you have it in order.
Jarem steps forward at his introduction. He takes Dolmaya's hand and bows his head to it, not a kiss but still a sign of respect. "It's n honor to meet a worthy Empress."
Dolmaya smiles faintly at this, while Emily gives a cheery little wave.
"Ah, Aryn. Your mother's remarkable. I hope you are as well." Dolmaya muses.
"I'm trying," Emily says quickly, "Mom gave me the best lessons."
Meanwhile Dolmaya is to Ianvasah, the two exchanging a look and a respectful nod.
Finally, Bastian crosses his arms, "Met my share of Empresses. Nice to meet one who lives up to the stories of how beautiful the Empress is. Most are inbred, crossbred or dumb, not to mention not as beautiful as the tales say they are."
"A civilized orc," Dolmaya returns, "One in the service of a worthwhile deity. A pleasant surprise for myself as well."
Bastian grins at that, low and feral.
Alyssa chuckles.
"Yes, quite the band of rogues I've gathered. I myself follow Shaundakul. I specialize in exploration and research. More of a field mage than a battle mage or pure researching Arch Mage. We'll have to trade stories. I'm interested in hearing the true story of how you came to rule your world. I fear when I return to mine, I'll have need of the lessons in it. But for now, please, food, drink and relaxation once everyone else arrives."
A nod - and Father, Mother and your Sister enter. Sister is the one who carries the gift that...
Go ahead and describe it.
I really didn't have any ideas... Hmm...
"This is my family. My mother, Alilynn is a masterful seamstress, once employed as the personal seamstress of a local noble. My sister and I have learned a great deal from her, and are both well on our way to being master seamstresses as well. My father, Walt, was the lord's personal blacksmith. I didn't have much interest in the craft as a child, but after I left home, it was a way to keep him close and I mastered the craft. My sister Alihana is beginning to carve out her own brand as a seamstress and is much more active in it than I. I've also begun her magical training."
Alyssa motions towards the gift, a glimmering rope of silver and white gold, worked with settings for two large gems, and the rope worked with clasps to make the length and connection points adjustable.
"My father and I worked this. It can be worn in many ways. Looped as a necklace, a clasp to hold a cloak closed, a belt, just about any way you want. The settings can hold nearly any stone you desire. If you visit again, I have a plan for them."
Alyssa taps the gem on her forehead. "This is a custom work of my own. It can store a thousand pages of spells. I intended to have them ready for you, but... to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure how our meeting would turn out and I wanted to keep the design closer for the time. I'm sure with a sample, you'll be able to duplicate it yourself in no time."
The three are given a respectful look as the rope is taken. "I find it more than pleasing."
And thus a meal starts and...
Go ahead, initiative for the conversation is in your court, start and direct it how you please.
"So, tell me. What have you been doing since stepping away from your world? I assume you stepped away?"
It's a fine meal, a roasted pig with various fixings and side dishes. As you all eat and savor them, "I had no wish to be a queen forever and ever. It's not the way of the mortal world, something I came to understand in time. Sons and daughters grow, ready to take the stage. What purpose do they have when their parents never step aside?" Dolmaya says, a soft frown. "Children are sometimes better, sometimes worse, but they are new and deserve their chance to live."
"It is the natural way," Ianvasah concurs, "To live forever is not the way of the Prime."
"So I ensured that my child would reign well and ensured my empire would endure through powerful institutions," Here she pauses to eat a bit of potato and onion, a pause after. "Ironic that I have little use for tradition, yet my empire became the greatest symbol of it."
"What empire was it? Perhaps I could tour it."
With a soft laugh, "The Augur's Empire. Unfortunately, it collapsed...." A long trail off, "The last time I cared to count, over a hundred thousand years ago, and that was a long time ago."
"That long?" Emily murmurs, "Is your Prime even still there?"
"It rests in Elysium," Dolmaya says, voice far away. "I never wished to fade into eternity, merely pursue my own paths. It's amazing how time gets away from you like that."
"I've heard that plenty in Warrior's Rest," Jarem speaks up, "I'll be saying that myself one day in the future, I'm s ure."
"I like the idea of Jarem being a salt and pepper commander. It gives me hope I'll get to stop deflecting his trysts one day, instead of worrying about him being around my sister."
Dolmaya smiles at that, "Really? A powerful ally and commander? You should have set them up to be married already," she says, "Or at least encouraged it. It's a natural match and politically sensible."
"Alyssa's not really a Queen, at least in title," Jarem banters back, "She's a sage and scholar at heart."
Said sister is flushing hotly at this, while Walt sips his drink and adds, "We're a common family that's made good. Please, we don't think like a noble or a royal, ma'am."
"Yes, my sister will marry for love, not a lark. And I have no subjects, just friends and students. Almost, though. I had to leave to keep the prime from being torn apart by war. Though I suppose I should look in discreetly. In any case, what have you been keeping yourself busy with, then?"
"Study," Dolmaya says, "I learned so much in my mortal life - a mortal sometimes learns so fast, yet there's so much to learn, to grow from it. To grow further and deeper in magic, to find lost secrets."
Alyssa gets a gleam in her eyes.
"Yes, exactly! That's part of why I follow Shaundakul. There's always something in the next room, over the next horizon to learn. I'd love to see some of what you've found."
"I can share some secrets and lore," Dolmaya agrees, "But tell me of yourselves - why are you here, Alyssa, and what has brought all of you together?"
"Shar. She sent assassin's after me and was striking at the other Regents to draw me out. Setting up defenses altered the balance of power on the Prime and a country ruled by oppressive mages didn't like it. It would have continued to escalate and Shar isn't the kind you want to fight with more than one front under threat. I searched for options and allies-"
A pause to raise a glass to the others, "and Shaundakul offered me a new home."
Cheers to that as Bastian says, "Better than any place Shar can get to."
Dolmaya considers that, "Shar." She says that name like a curse, "A foul and bitter thing. Trash."
Alyssa shrugs. "She is what she is, sadly. I think the God's might have less freedom in their decisions than mortals, sometimes. But yes. Shar. We're going to have to find a way to fight her. From all if my investigations, she's decided it's a her or us fight. So, here we are, building up towards that fight."
A pause to eat as everyone listens, "What did you do to gain her ire, Alyssa? It sounds as if she is motivated."
Alyssa colors a bit, "I believe I found something she covets. One of the promotion requirements in the Order is to challenge a labyrinth. I managed to actually find the center. First one ever. I found an... Echo of Lord Is and was granted power by it. I believe she was hunting for it and, well... She holds grudges it seems."
I presume you mean Io instead of Is.
"That would be remarkably valuable," Dolmaya says, and then with a smile as she regards you, "Whatever was the power you were given?"
Yes, autocorrect.
"It expanded my arcane power above the ninth circle. It was an explosion of growth and it terrified me. I was worried I'd burn myself up every time I tried to cast a spell."
A pause at that, "Exceptionally remarkable," she says at last, "I see why that echo of power was desired." She's eyeing you again, studying you.
Alyssa grins, "Don't get any ideas yourself. I'm hoping it can give me enough of an edge to fight Shar, but I'm still going to need godly allies. Interested? Bored of retirement yet?"
I need to know OOC here: Is this someone you're eyeing for your node, potentially?
Maybe, I don't know her abilities and I think I only have one slot open, so I need to consider what I still need. It's a potential choice though, if it's open.
Okay.
"I would hate to be takign care of all of your work," Dolmaya finally says, "Show me. Show me your most powerful, impressive spell. Let me see how far you've come."
Alyssa considers for a moment and begins casting a spell with a little she's been saving...
Skill Trick: False Theurgy (Thunderous Voice)
Space Compression, CL 32, Duration: 32 rounds.
Target a point behind Alihana, connecting to above Alyssa.
Alyssa uses her telekinesis to reach through the compression point to pull her sister through it, only for her to come floating from above Alyssa and Dolmaya, to rest on the cushions next to her, and wraps her up in a hug, resting against the cushions and looking at Dolmaya with a grin.
Okay, so mechanically walk me through what you're doing here.
Okay, Space Compression. I'm putting one end of the portal behind Alihana and the other in the air above me. Then I reach through the Space Compression with my TK to pull her through the portal behind her. She comes out above me and I float her down to lay next to me.
While you make it look like you're casting Thunderous Voice with false theurgy?
Yeah, just a bit of fun with it.
Thus the spell is cast - and Alihana cries out as you pull her into a hug, space distorted perfectly.
"A spatial distortion," Dolmaya says, "That's not easy magic if you're using the spell I think you are," she slowly considers, "Yet it looked like a different spell altogether."
In the meantime Alihana hisses to you, "Warn me next time!"
"Alyssa's full of tricks," Emily says rather brightly, "She's quite resourceful and tricky."
"Yes, I have a trick or two. You might know the spell, it's not an original. I can demonstrate an original spell if you like. It not quite as much raw power, but I'm rather fond of it."
"I know the spell," Dolmaya waves it off, "...hm. I've not seen combat in eons, beyond intimidating a few foolish enough to cross me. I've let the wars of the planes rage on, lost in studies and content, save for the occasional gambit."
Alyssa nods. "Your decision to make. You're welcome here regardless. I miss having other researchers around."
A stare into Dolmaya's wineglass, the sorceress studying it without comment. She watches the dark liquid swirl, "I hade the misfortune of meeting the General of Gehenna once," she speaks up, "We parted under a chorus of agony and spellfire, and he certainly did not lose, yet he wishes to finish what he began. I once slighted Cyric, I am his enemy and I know nothing will change that. Is that something you're willing to be involved in? They'll try once word of my presence spreads - maybe not soon, but being quiet has the benefit of avoiding them finishing old business."
"I'll be honest, I'm a researcher not a war mage. I lead here, but I'm no tyrant. I'd like to speak to my people. But know this, I think we can be friends and we can at least collaborate on projects."
"Talk to them, then," Dolmaya says, making no more to get up. She slowly sips her wine, lost in thought.
After several moments, "Good idea," Jarem rises, "Let's go talk. Please, enjoy the food."
"Well, this party is for you. Enjoy it."
Alyssa gets up and goes with the others.
Once all of you are a ways away, the party turns to each other.
"I like her," Ianvasah speaks up, "But she seems someone as ancient as the pines, as perhaps as alien as the mind of a treant is to us."
"There's someone playful there," Emily adds her own thoughts, "But past that and she seems distracted, or perhaps scared."
"Maybe she let it slip with the bit about the General of Gehenna," Jarem ventures, "He's rarely seen I believe, and his presence tends to be apocalyptic. I think." A half frown, "Yugoloth lore's less lore and more deciding which lie you think is the closest to the truth."
"I know!" Emily blurts out, turning to Jarem. "Like if you've read any of the Lost Lore of the Abyss tomes, you can see how the information is recorded in a lawful, highly structured manner. But how do you structure and hold lore that by its nature wishes to be forgotten, let alone that lies abound in it? Or that the truth for the daemons is malleable and meaningless?" Here she blows out a breath, "At least devil studies are easier, though you have to deal with the propaganda."
"I'm fine with devil lore," Jarem casually remarks, "I can deal with demons, but I hate studying yugoloths. Reality by consensus and lie becomes an ordeal few wish to endure."
Bastian grunts, "I liked her. She has herself together, and what's old age after awhile? As long as she can perform in the class room or on the battlefield, that's not a concern. And if someone wants to try coming at us here, they can get lost forever trying."
"The question is, without knowing the full depth of her abilities... Does she fit into our group? We're rather eclectic, but I mean raw abilities. We have four spell slingers right now. What tactical hole might we leave?"
"Well then, that aside," Jarem says, "What do you know about her capabilities?"
Alyssa shrugs.
"Legends, really. I think she's more powerful than I am. She seemed to puzzle out the spell I used easily enough, even with my trick, which means she's at least seen the spell but most likely knows it. She mentioned the empire she turned over was over one hundred thousand years ago. She's likely got a width and depth of arcane knowledge that's vastly superior to anything we have. Though... That's a consideration. She doesn't seem eager to fight directly, but in a support role, here, doing research and using contacts... What do you think?"
Emily's quiet, "Queen Morwel directed us to her, I'm in favor of it," she finally says.
"She's not bad, but no. Too much of a possible liability," Jarem says after a bit of thought, "It's tempting, but we don't need that baggage with all we have already."
"In favor," Ianvasah says, "We could learn much from her - of perfection, knowledge and other things."
Bastian rolls his neck slowly, a loud POP CRACK from it. "We take her. If we're too afraid of the chance, we'll likely not be on a road with this level of chance again anytime soon."
"Jarem, what about this... Her first project would be to hide us. She's obviously practiced at it considering the enemies she has and how long she's been alive in spite of them. If she works with our hosts, she could make this place unassailable. There's also the fact that she got here without any warning at all."
"I'm still against it, but it's your choice," Jarem says, "If you want a unanimous vote, you won't get it."
"I agree with you Jarem, it's a massive liability. I think it might work out in the end, though. I think we'll benefit more than we risk. But I want you to keep watching our backs and poke holes in our plans. It's the best way to keep us safe."
"I'm glad to - but you heard her and you know what she brings and what the risks are," Jarem says, "If what liabilities she brings are worth it is a question of opinion."
Alyssa nods. "Then let's put that question to her before we make a final decision."
"Yeah," Bastian agrees, no arguments to that.
Go ahead.
Alyssa heads back to where Dolmaya is lounging and sits next to her again.
"Well, we're not entirely against it, but we have questions. What we know of you is based on legends and stories. You've admitted to bringing along some vast risks. Would you tell us how your help would out weigh those risks?"
"I am an archmage of archmages," Dolmaya declares, looking up from a quiet conversation with your family. "What else need be said?"
"Well, a researcher isn't quite the same as a battle mage, and a battle mage isn't always able to create magic items, and a conjurer can't always control enemy movements. All we've heard about you is legends, and those have a tendency to miss details. Your power and experience makes up a lot of ground, but I'm asking what you would want to do, what you specialize in, not what you can make up ground in."
"I fight with archery and spell, primarily spell. Precise strikes work well when I rely on volleys of arrows," she begins, "My magic is generalized, though I favor cold to defeat my opponents directly, or to otherwise disable them with magic."
Alyssa nods, "Not to be over bearing or prying, but beyond that, what resources can you bring?"
"Myself," Dolmaya says plainly. "And my power, knowledge and magic."
Alyssa smiles at her, "Thank you for your indulgence. A few moments more to speak to the others?"
Alyssa stands to go speak to everyone again.
Once there you...
Go ahead.
"So now we have a better handle on her abilities. Does that alter your minds any?"
Jarem shakes his head, followed by Emily and Ianvasah.
Bastian considers, "If she's as good as you are, we'd be fools not to," he finally says, "Mages of your caliber are rare. I have no talent for it, but mages of your power usually are movers and players in the battles of the planes."
Alyssa considers. "Alright, I'll extend an invitation. I'll keep in mind Jarem's concerns and share them with the other groups we know. More ears may mean more warning, and I'm not sure we wouldn't have run ins with Dolmaya's enemies anyway. The food of murder might find Shar's Gambit a great joke, and who knows about the generals."
The food of murder? Huh?
God of murder. Cyric, sorry, eating and work distracted me from catching auto correct.
"General. He's a singular figure," Emily corrects.
"Then let's do it and see," Jarem says, not arguing it further.
"He is, but who knows who he might bring with him."
Alyssa heads back to Dolamaya.
"We still have some reservations about opening new fronts to fight on, but I think you'll be a valuable ally. The offer is open, Empress Dolamaya."
Dolmaya.
A consideration that's visible, "I did promise you a boon," she says, "Alright, then my boon is that."
Do you want to invite her to your node or not? Now's the time to decide.
She's a Rogue 10/Fatemaker 25//Sorcerer 35 mechanically.
Sure, why not. Team ninja mages.
"Then cheers to that," Emily offers, and thus food and drink are had.
Anything else to do at this meeting, Alyssa?
Not especially.
You're due a new topic, I think. More coming.