It's the sound of hammers slamming into wood that does it for Alyssa.
Alyssa looks out from her window and sees it all for miles, hears all, smells all, tastes all and more. Of all those sensations, of all those deific senses she endures and learns, it is that sound that is right. The sound of growth as yet another house is built below, as more and more surrounds the Alyssum Royal Academy. Houses, streets, shops, ditches, fountains, bridges. So much and more is built as your realm expands. The sound is that of growth, of harmony and power and progress.
At the same time it has begun. Whispers, really. The beginnings of whispers, of noise, of movement. A momentary whisper for protection, another for insight. You hear them as clearly as if you were right there, in spite of them being planes and worlds away. The first cries of your faithful, the first steps forward as your task has begun anew. Those who would bow to you, to venerate you and serve your name and all you represent. It is a tide that eternally laps at the edges of your mind, yet you find you can handle such things without the slightest difficulty. Your mind expands and contracts as needed, as if some part of you is always ready to hear such prayers, to receive them and understand them. A flex of yourself, belief, power and magic. Granted spells to your first few clerics, each as precious as a dragon's hoard.
Below you see Jarem as he leads soldiers. Not to war but to more practical matters. They help build, both through brute strength and through magic. Jarem leads the way, a command and a finger point as an entire furrow of earth is moved in an instant. He works as a few in particular trail him, listen to his words and deeds. The bones of what will be a great barracks and military center has begun to rise, ribbon-like coils of stone emerging from the earth as magic works, cuts, polishes and smooths the rock at once. This contributes yet more sounds of hammers as wood is used to reinforce inside of the stones, wood and nails united by hammerstroke.
A flicker.
A great procession of refugees explores unknown lands on a Prime forged on the back of a broken elder titan's skeleton, so vast as an entire world forged itself around and with it. Another Prime, a great college of researchers all work together towards a symbol of great magic, as so many strive to cross beyond the ninth circle. Primes and worlds and great events of your portfolio pass through your mind every moment. Like the worshipers you take it in without the slightest bit of hesitation, as if it were no more strenuous than a gentle sigh. Each act big enough to net your divine attention plays by your senses, aware to you like you were there for it.
What disrupts you from your reverie is the sound of whistling wind. From above Bastian plummets. He lands besides you, though the roof as if it was not there. He lands in a crouch, cracks spreading across the ground as the entire floor shakes. He lets out a breath before he stands up, "The moon's very high in the sky," he says, almost blandly, as if merely discussing the weather. He dusts himself off and stands, "Got a message for you, it's from Emily but she's going to stay up there a little while longer."
At the same time you sense it. Araseis comes to your mind as she whispers a prayer to you. She proceeds through a dark ruin, deep underground. Across treacherous floor as she dodges falling globs of acidic slime, hurrying along as swiftly as her cloven hooves can manage. These are not easy dodges, and a misstep could result in a glob of acid on her head, a fate that likely ends her mortal life then and there. Yet if this disturbs Bastian he says nothing of it and instead adds, "Anyway, her Moms have largely finished the move to Bytopia, so we'll head there the next time we have to visit."
A slow rub of his chin, "And I don't think I'll ever get used to how easy this is. It's like I can concentrate on everything I need to and it comes right to me. Did you sense that world that incorporated the skeleton from that elder titan, and those refugees there?"
Alyssa points at the cracks in the stone slightly distractedly, "You're fixing that. By hand, if need be." She turns full to him with a bit of a huff, "Don't go around breaking my tower! You can teleport now. I know you can! At least teleport the last few inches to keep from breaking things. Bytopia? Alright... We'll have to figure out what sort of gift to bring for them. And yes, I'm watching them. I'm considering trying to get one of my faithful to them to help, but... The one I would send is in the middle of something... Dodging acid slime, actually. We might want to help them along. They'd be a good foothold there... Croneasco would be a good choice. Refugees always have injuries and sickness to deal with, and he could help them with tools..."
Alyssa blinks and catches something he mentioned, "The moon? What were you two doing up there? Wasn't Emily supposed to be working with Donald arranging a meeting with someone to help us?"
Bastian kneels and places his hand on the ground. "Get it together," he murmurs to the floor, as cracks seal and stone is made whole. "Be stronger." Once done he rises and dusts his hands off, "We had to stop there. It's a not very interesting story," Bastian waves it off. "Donald's got that done as well, she'll be here tomorrow."
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d100=25]
Meanwhile you see Araseis dodge acid and hurry along, untouched. You feel and hear the quick prayer of thanks, a breathless murmur as she hurries along. For now, one of yours is safe from the embrace of death, at least for a time yet.
You claim knowledge, Alyssa Songsteel?
A new, unknown divine voice is heard in your mind at the same time, a simple question. A cold voice, haughty in its way, but more than anything else as cold as the grave.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, I claim to seek it. I do not believe knowledge should be owned or hoarded. Though caution in its distribution is always wise. To whom am I speaking?
I am Lixer, Lord of the First. Then what value is knowledge to you if you do not own it?
Meanwhile Bastian crosses his arms and waits a few moments, "Well?" he asks, then in a moment of silent understanding he goes silent before, "Oh, someone has your attention. Someone do something brave?"
Alyssa sighs, "The other thing. Lixer, Lord of the First."
In the learning and teaching. In the further and deeper knowledge it leads you to. In the use of it, and the spreading of it. Knowledge spread gathers strength to itself like the roots gather strength and support a tree. The more its fed, the greater what it leads to.
Then, immediately following this, she speaks to her friends, Lixer, Lord of the First is contacting me about knowledge.
Yeah. He has a good tactical head on his shoulders, but he's a spoiled, surly prick.
Jarem's voice is the reply as you hear Emily gasp without any words of reply.
Strength and power, to use your knowledge to bind others to you. To serve you?
Alyssa sends out a quick reply to her friends before focusing back on Lixer, I'm going to loop you all in on my response, but let me handle this. If you have advice beyond 'don't trust him' on his replies, send it to me separately. I don't want to give him an opening to twist my responses against each of us.
Alyssa takes a moment to settle herself and then responds, You really are a devil among devils, aren't you? You do your fore-bearers proud in that regard.
No, not to bind them to service. I don't particularly care for anyone being bound in service unless it's by their free will. I hold knowledge highest, but freedom of choice is a close second. I do it to enrich and strengthen them. Alliances are often born from this, but they are ones built from practicality first, then grow into mutual respect and desire to strengthen each other as a whole, not to bind others into servitude. The stronger the allies that stand beside you, the stronger your battle lines is typically the foundational idea behind this. Though, in my experience, they often evolve to be equally made out of friendship.
I explain this not as an insult, or from a position of holding myself as better than you, but because in my research on, and dealings with, other divine entities, I've come to realize that the concepts that drive one deity are often alien, antithetical, and incomprehensible to those that have drastically different purposes.
You said something to provoke a Diplomacy check, so give me one.
Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+99 : 2 + 99, total 101[/blockquote]
Naught but foolishness. They are your minions, your slaves.
As I said, these points are often antithetical between deities. In any case, why did you contact me? I assume you had something more critical than the philosophy of power dynamics?
I have found all I need. Be silent.
Rudeness is a sign of low breeding and education. I expected better of you.
There is no reply to that message.
Alyssa sends to the rest of them, Well, that went about as well as expected. Let's get back on track.
Bastian glances at you, "Which means?"
You two clearly wouldn't get along. No death curses or anything worrying?
Meanwhile, another murmur of your name. Araseis stands on stable ground now, before a forgotten library. Most of the books are acid-marred or crumbled to age, but you can spy several that look intact. Yet you see it behind her even as you sense it. A shadow darts from behind bookshelves, a blade of shadowstuff in hand as it silently approaches her from behind. The blade is raised and ready to strike as she reaches for the first book.
Not that I've noticed, but I'll do a quick inspection.
She then focuses on Araseis, sending her a sense of warning of it, just bare brush on her mind, a warning of danger behind her.
She then focuses on inspecting herself for any trick or curse from Lixer.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 86 > [d100=86]
Your warning is just in time - but the shadow surges faster. Enough for the blade to clip Araseis's arm, blood trickling from a wound already black with rot. "Pigfucker!" she swears viciously, fingers moving in an arcane pattern.
Shadow. Nights and caverns. Darkness.
Shar.
Come now. She is due her rest, Alyssa. She has no reason to live. I will liberate her from the pain of existence, as I have to so many others.
Spellcraft and note your level of detection, from simple DM up to up if you have See Magic as an SDA.
Spellcraft/Knowledge Devotion:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+90 : 18 + 90, total 108[/blockquote]
I have Detect Magic prepared, Divination (4th level spell) as an at-will SLA, and Foresight (9th level spell) as an at-will SLA.
You don't detect any curses on yourself or anything from that interaction.
Alyssa sends to the others, I haven't detected anything directed towards me, but Shar is targeting Araseis with a shadow assassin now. Some sort of rotting curse.
Can I identify what it is? Both the attacker and the rotting?
Sure, K:R and K:A.
Take 10 on both for 67. Really need some sort of skill booster for those.
The creature is a shadow - an advanced one most likely.
The poison looks like something that attacks the body directly, which ruins health and vitality. It'll make her easier to kill if it doesn't do the job outright.
Is this something a level 5 even has a chance against?
OOC, you'd know a shadow is CR 3.
https://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/shadow.htm
OOC again, it depends on how far advanced it is. IC, your reasoned estimate would be yes, she has a chance but it's likely not an easy battle at best.
Alyssa sends Araseis a thread of the confidence she has in her and continues watching.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good --> [ 1d100=78 ]{78}
Blood.
Araseis bleeds as she dives to the side, a seconds wipe missed. At the same time her fingers point forward, as a three-set of magic missiles pepper the shadow. The ethereal being recoils from the assault, gliding back and through a bookshelf as Araseis crawls behind one, both momentarily out of sight. A tense and terse moment as meanwhile...
Then don't let Shar bully you. Don't let her take another soul!
As you hear those words Araseis pulls out a potion with her good hand and drinks it without hesitation. The wound's bleeding ceases, a scabbed over gash instead of a weeping wound. Just in time she rises and desperately dodges to the side, as the shadow comes through the floor sword first. This one moment is enough, for another quick chant sends missiles into the face of the shadow. It howls in pain and lunges.
In desperation there is only one choice. A curved, silver dagger is drawn as Araseis tries to dodge and counter.
Neither succeeds at the first part.
The dagger goes into the center of the shadow. The horrible being flickers out with a wail and a cry, the sword gone as well. Yet that's not before Araseis is stabbed in the shoulder, straight through. A new hole in her shoulder now freely bleeds as she slumps to her knees, hand on her wounds. "Ah...bastard," she growls, even as the wound blackens.
Can I tell if it's poison or the Strength Damage ability?
Poison.
Alyssa draws on her divine power and creates a potion of Neutralize Poison and one of Cure Serious Wounds, then sends them into Araseis's bag, then sends her a message, A well earned victory. Learn from this and teach others.
Those potions are 750gp each. My divine creation covers 4,500gp/day, so I should be good. For portfolio concerns, I'm going with they'll allow her to perform at full ability/potential to continue her exploration.
Araseis looks up with wide eyes, "Who?" she manages as she holds her shoulder.
First, your bag, then your exploration.
To her friends, she sends, Araseis was victorious. A minor note for Shar, but every large victory is made up of small ones.
The potions are fumbled for, taken and drunk. As Araseis saves herself and manages to stand up. As she makes her escape?
"Good work," Bastian says aloud, rolling his neck. "How close was it?"
"She won decisively, but was poisoned. She didn't have much of a plan for how to deal with it, so I gave her a hand. She'll learn from it, I believe, and be better prepared next time. Now, back to what we were speaking of before. What's your plan now?"
"For now? Focus and wait on our guest," Bastian says, bluntly. "See if she can help like we hope she can help."
Alyssa nods.
"I don't suppose you've stumbled upon a great hoard of treasure in your gallivanting? I need some for a few projects."
"How much do you need?" Bastian asks right back.
Basically need to fund the crown stuff. I believe you pegged it at 1 mil, but I also think I need to re-look at stuff since I now have divine bonuses that might overwrite what I had planned.
"A lot. I'm trying to get the Nine Stars project finished, and any injection of money we can field into development of our realm will go a long way."
For some reason that makes Bastian smirk, as if he knows something you don't.
Alyssa narrows her eyes at him for a moment, then sighs, "You four have been doing side projects and saving money to pay for the crown as a coronation gift, haven't you?"
Bastian just smirks and reaches out, ruffling your hair as if you were a child.
Alyssa snorts and grins, "Well, I guess I'll just have to find something to get all of you in return. In any case, I think we'll need to take another look at our equipment now that we're deities... Actually, speaking of that. I need to remake my smithing hammer and tools again. I'll do that in my free time... So what are you and Emily doing?"
"Well...."
Okay, it's worth touching on a few things. I presume the coronation will be soon, once you meet with Honeydip either way?
Well, we were supposed to roll the coronation into The Red Knight's visit, also. So I suppose getting the crown, Honeydip, and whatever quest/hunting thing for the Red Knight/Coronation feast done soon would fit with first-step stuff?
Okay. Which do you want to do first?
Hmm.. Honeydip -> Hunt -> Red Knight/Coronation. That'll give some time for Honeydip to get RP established and for you to do whatever level up she needs without any sort of combat requirement crunch for it.
Okay, how do you plan to greet her and approach this?
Well, Emily was supposed to work with Donald to set something up. I figured having a meeting/introductions and some RP talk and go from there. Maybe some sort of non-combat side thing so she can see me in action or something?
It's a simple meeting in your office. The windows are open to let in the breeze, the scent of the clean air as winds blow through.
> roll 1d100 low is good Kobot
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good Kobot --> [ 1d100=53 ]{53}
Jarem sits nearby, in his armor but relaxed. Almost absently he sips from a fine crystal goblin of water, lost in his own reflections or perhaps those of his newfound followers. He hums very softly before he murmurs, "Like that, just like that."
Dolmaya sits next to him, expression calm and reserved - but your keen eyes notice she's sitting farther from him than usual. Her posture is also perfectly rigid.
> roll 1d100 low is good Kobot
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good Kobot --> [ 1d100=24 ]{24}
Bastian stands by a window, expression faraway. A slow smile comes to his face every now and again nonetheless.
You can see them before they come of course - Emily and Lady Honeydip come up the stairs, the latter fluttering up in spite of her armor. It doesn't seem to slow her down at all. "Alyssa," Emily calls, "We're here!"
Alyssa eyes Jarem and Bastian before replying, "Welcome back, Emily. Lady Honeydip, welcome. I'm glad to make your acquaintance. Please, make yourself comfortable."
Lady Honeydip flutters in and takes in the room. "Lady Alyssa," she settles on. "Lord Bastian, Lord Jarem, Empress Dolmaya."
"We aren't that formal," Bastian looks back from the window, "Bastian'll do."
Emily smiles at that, "Really, you're amid friends."
"Bastian," Lady Honeydip agrees after a few moments, "Donald said you wanted to meet me, but was a little thin on details."
Alyssa nods, "Yes, well... Your visit was prompted by recommendation and.. tragedy. We lost a dear friend to Shar. To prevent that from happening again, we're looking for some help. I've been studying with Moore and his abilities are rather impressive. You came as a recommendation for help along the same lines."
"I hate to be mercenary about it," Jarem adds after that, "But the loss of Ianvasah hurt us. It hurt us to lose a friend and it hurt us to lose a skilled ally."
Emily bows her head at the mention of Ianvasah while Dolmaya adds rather coolly, "As well as that we'd like to encourage strong relations between us and the Court of Stars, and you are a known and favored servant of that court."
"I heard about Ianvasah," Lady Honeydip goes on, "I've lost too many friends during my war in Androlynne. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you for that. And yes, to Jarem and Dolmaya's points. We need to recover ground in our combat ability, and the abilities of you and Moore are significant force multipliers. I've also had contact with Queen Morwel, her library is magnificent, but more than that... People of your and Moore's kind bring heart, bonding, and passion with you wherever you go. After Ianvasah... We need a bit of that. I don't expect you to commit here and now, but I wanted to invite you to spend some time here in our realm and with each of us, so that you can make a fully informed decision."
Lady Honeydip goes and sits on the edge of your desk. As she does, her long hair snakes out like a living thing. One tendril of it grasps a goblet and another pours herself a glass of iced water. It brings it to her hand, which takes it and she has a long drink before she goes on. "So Donald was the one who recommended me?" she muses aloud after.
"Well, that and you really would be useful here, and Queen Morwel didn't object to Donald's request." Emily speaks up, "I don't think there's a concern there."
Dolmaya inclines her head, "The chaos spirit still serves you? I've heard the stories about it."
In answer, Lady Honeydip's hair waves at Dolmaya.
Is this something Alyssa would know about because I don't.
Is what something Alyssa would know?
This Chaos spirit thing.
Sure, K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
Take 10 for 82.
You recall stories that Lady Honeydip's hair is alive, possessed by an unnamed spirit of chaos under her control. It can be an arm, a shield, a weapon or more.
"So, what do you think? Even if you don't join us, at least a few days of vacation in a new place?"
"At least," Honeydip agrees, "Tell me about yourself, tell me about your group. Why should I stay with you? Besides you, Emily," A ghost of a smile at Emily, who just laughs and steps back.
"Well, my name is Alyssa Songsteel. Born to Walt and Alilynn, a lord's blacksmith and seamstress respectively. They're both here, we'll have to have a family dinner so you can meet them and my sister, Alihana. I grew up in books and my papa's forge. When I was old enough, and discovered my magical talents, I headed off to the Arcane Order and began my apprenticeship. Through the years I discovered a talent for research and exploration. Both lead me to Shaundakul.
Eventually it came time for me to graduate and I challenged the labyrinth that the Order had discovered and used for the test. I was the first to actually complete it. I discovered an.. echo of Lord Io, who empowered me beyond mortal magic as a reward. This, of course, got attention. Internally, the leadership of the Order didn't know what to do with a new graduate whose magic was growing and outstripping the leadership, so they fast tracked me for leadership to keep me close. Shar was another one who took an interest. She sent assassins into the Order, which led me to searching for allies. I was powerful, but a deity is a deity, after all.
Shaundakul led me to The Red Knight. I met with her, formed an alliance, and she assigned Jarem and a contingent of soldiers to assist me with the Order. This only seemed to give Shar reason to increase her interference, so I came here to remove the source of her interest until things were... More stable.
More practically, and personally, I'm a researcher, explorer, and educator. My desire to learn, gather knowledge, make that knowledge available to any who want to learn, use it to improve the lives of everyone, and to explore beyond what's known. That's really all I wish for. I still work in my papa's forge, I still sew with my mother, and I've inflicted Alihana and Dolmaya on each other."
Alyssa grins at Dolmaya before continuing, "Everything I have, I share freely. Well, once I'm confident the other party is responsible enough to not, say, rip a hole in a plane from negligence. That's the extremely short version, so ask your questions. If you want a more detailed version, I do have a spell that will let you view memories."
Lady Honeydip listens to all of that, "What lead you to this?" she asks at last, "It's the question everyone asks about the Godsrush."
"Need and coincidence, honestly. I needed to be able defend against Shar. Which led to allying with Gods as a mortal. Which gained me more attention, which put me on the path to more power, which led to ascendancy."
Alyssa leans back and looks a bit disgruntled, "I didn't much like being a Regent in the Order, ask Delaize. Now I'm responsible for even more. If it keeps up like this I'll never be able to explore again. Now I have to worry about going onto primes and causing problems."
"We stumbled into it," Jarem admits after a moment, "Right people, right place, right time. None of us sought this, not even Emily, in spite of her parentage." He gestures in Emily's direction, "Call it a cosmic fluke, a bit of divine whimsy."
Dolmaya's posture remains rigid as she goes on, "I chose to forsake that path, but the others did not."
Lady Honeydip considers again, "No," she says at last, "I understand that. To fight demons in the Abyss for so long was not what I imagined my life would be as a child. The swaying of Yggdrasil's branches obeys only the wind, not will."
"Indeed, even gods don't control their own fates. In any case, we're doing what we can, one step at a time, for now. We're also going to be hosting The Red Knight soon, as well as having a coronation. You're welcome to stay for both. Though we still have to hunt something for the feast."
"You know your way around a sword," Bastian turns to Honeydip fully, "Up to getting beaten in a spar?"
Lady Honeydip's smile is all feline-like, predatory intent. "The demons of the Abyss could not dull my blade. What are you to it?"
"Speaking of swords, I need to get my hammer and tools made and figure out what we're going to hunt for The Red Knight. Jarem and Dolmaya, since you two know her and are planning the event respectively, stay back for a few while Bastian and Emily go exercise with Lady Honeydip."
This is easily enough done as the others go off. Once gone, "Yes?" Jarem asks.
Go ahead.
"What sort of game would the two of you suggest?"
Brr. Did it just get colder in here or is it you?
Dolmaya says slowly, "I believe she would like a hunt." she says, each word carefully enunciated.
"Well..." Jarem begins, and after a moment, "What do you think, Alyssa?"
"I think you two need to figure out whatever your problem is before it becomes my problem more than it already has."
"Let's," Jarem says and takes Dolmaya's hand. "Come on."
Dolmaya merely stiffens and nods, before both vanish.
Alyssa taps her fingers against her desk, then sends to both of them, I still need a suggestion for the hunt. I wanted both of your inputs because you know her, Jarem, and you, Dolmaya, have hosted far more events of this sort and know what would be suitable for station and service.
I'll take care of it, Alyssa.
I want to take part in the hunt, so let me know when you want to get it done.
I will when she's here.
Alyssa sighs and shakes her head, then stands up and begins taking a stroll to find her mother and father.
Okay, so Honeydip's in motion. What's your next move?
Well, Coronation and Red Knight visit and the hunt are all pending Jarem/Dolmaya drama, so until then... Work on the library, general looking over the realm, and getting the family together for a dinner with Honeydip. Beyond that, start looking into Shar targets to strike while also looking for the hidden room in Creation.
As you go to do that, you sense something amid the prayers of your followers.
Croneasco's voice. "Help me, Alyssa," she prays, "This is a devilish trap."
He's bro, not a she.
Alyssa continues on, but turns her attention to Croneasco to see what his situation is.
You are correct, my bad.
Croneasco prays over a book. A book that brims with dark magic, a cursed thing despite the plain leather that forms its front cover. "Protect me, I feel something wicked lies in this book."
Alyssa inspects the book, trying to figure out what magic is on it.
Spellcraft real quick, but mostly just for my own reference.
Spellcraft:
Take 10 for 69. Also of note, if possible I would use Alter Reality to have Greater Arcane Sight, citing Knowledge for portfolio and the fact that the spell gives knowledge of magical effects on things.
The book is indeed cursed - with a spell to bring full darkness when it opens, making it impossible to read. What's worse, is that a false aura is part of it, which makes it look actively harmful, when in reality it just makes it impossible to read without superior vision.
Alyssa chuckles a bit and lets it be. He'll learn one way or another.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 79 > [d100=79]
Your servant works away - diagnostics and finally a remove curse and dispel magic, but he's not getting anywhere.
Is there any other magic on it than just the darkness stuff?
Just that.
I'm assuming it's not a permanent curse for the following. If it is, I'll do something different.
Alyssa lets it be. He'll learn from the experience and not every encounter needs her intervention.
It is not.
You want to spent time with Honeydip, you mentioned a dinner. Sure, set it up and I'll play off that, see how you mix with her.
Yeah, that's why I was heading to find mom/pop. To tell them and start getting set up for it.
Sure, but that's honestly pretty skippable if you're just telling them to set up for this. Go ahead and take a few liberties here and get the ball rolling, unless you have something really important to tell them.
Alright.
Alyssa strides towards Lady Honeydip with a smile, "I've let my family know you're coming for dinner. They're shocked by both meeting a pixie and by your station, but looking forward to it. They're getting everything ready, so when you're feeling hungry we can start our way home."
"Now is fine," Lady Honeydip departs from Emily, whom she was talking about matters with quietly. "Deities rarely have family like this that I've ever encountered."
"Well, I was mortal until not too long ago. And look at Emily. She's got a family, too. Must be something in the lingering imposition of death and mortality. Let's go!"
Alyssa turns and heads towards home!
Home is quiet - your will sees to that. The smell of fresh bread fills the air as Honeydip flutters along. Smells good.
Alyssa picks up the pace with the smell of her childhood and home cooked meals.
"I think you'll like them, but they will be a bit awed. So be ready for it."
"They're normal?" Honeydip asks, "Just mortals with a famous child?"
"Yep! A seamstress, a blacksmith, and my sister. Unofficially apprenticed to Dolmaya, though."
"How remarkable," Lady Honeydip observes, "I met Alicia's parents in passing once, they two were ordinary mortals."
"Well, you'll have an idea of what to expect then."
"Are they still fully mortal?" Is the question that comes next, "Time in these realms changes mortals."
"I've used Wizards Grace on my parents, but yes, as far as I'm aware. "
As you talk, you also notice something.
Araseis murmurs your name in prayer as she walks a cavern tunnel. Upwards, as if escaping the underground ruin she was in before. For barring her way out is a big, animated suit of armor, each fist with a dagger built into it. "Just can't make a clean getaway, can I, assholes?"
Evaluate them to figure her chances?
It looks like a powerful animated object. In her current state you estimate she has a chance, but odds are it's going to be hard with spells and energy expended.
Alyssa let's it be for now, but keeps watching.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 78 > [d100=78]
Blood. Steel.
In the end it's a shocking grasp that fells the statue as Araseis slumps against a wall. Battered and wounded further, but still up. "Alyssa," she breathes, "What...what was so important about this ruin?" she murmurs. "Dragon's bleeding balls, what was so important?" She grimaces and pulls out some cloth, bandaging her wounds as she mutters, "A shadow assassin and now animated armor to stop my escape. Someone wants me dead or something important is in here."
A shuddering breath before she goes on, "Hear the Lady of Loss has made trouble but..." A breath out again. "Heh...gotta explore and gotta live up to my potential." A shake of her head, "Gotta pull it together and get back to safety, then speculate." She strides forward, leaving the armor where it lies.
You have been heard and watched. Be proud and reflect on all you have done and learned. It was a worthy adventure.
Araseis stumbles and manages, "Hearing voices..." she shakes her head and wipes blood away from her lips. "If you're listening, I'm not dead yet, you hear me. I'm not fucking dead!"
I hear and approve. I look forward to reading the book you've found in my name.
Araseis manages a bloodied smile.
Meanwhile you hear, "Sister," Alihana calls from a window, getting your attention.
Can I tell how hurt she is?
Alyssa smiles at Alihana and waves, "Hi sis!"
A bit of alter reality lets you know she's gravely injured but not in immediate risk of death. She needs healing for certain though.
"A pixie tonight?" she calls back, "That is a pixie, isn't it?"
"Sister, introduce yourself and find out."
Alyssa grins at her sister.
Can I use Opportunistic Piety to heal her?
You could just use Alter Reality if you want to to intervene again. Either way.
"Alihana," she calls as she comes around and opens the door.
"Honeydip," Is the pixie's greeting as she flies in, "Your home is nice."
An awkward pause there, a stretch a moment before, "Well, come in and sit down," Alihana invites.
Alyssa continues to monitor Araseis for now, but holds off interfering.
Alyssa pokes Alihana in the shoulder as she passes, "Stop being nervous," and goes in to sit down herself.
Alihana huffs out a breath as Araseis meanwhile escapes, hurrying out.
All of you sit and there's a pause before, "I have no idea what to talk to a fairy about," Alihana confesses. "Flowers? Kidnapping babies?"
"That," Lady Honeydip's voice is severe, "Would be the Unseelie Court, not the Court of Stars."
Alyssa snorts a bit and chuckles, "How about just asking her the same questions you ask everyone? Likes, dislikes, favorite foods, friends, and the likes."
"My favorite blade is my short sword here, Fairy Wind," Lady Honeydip cuts in. "I find hezrou the most pleasing demon to slay, as they offend me with their foulness. I expect my orders to be carried out swiftly but with intelligence, and flexibility within them."
Alihana starts to speak, stops. "There's militant pixies?" she asks at last, voice small.
"I lead an army against the Abyss," Lady Honeydip explains, "I am a leader of soldiers, a general."
Alyssa pokes at Honeydip, "Family dinner, remember."
Lady Honeydip merely says, "Well then, Alihana?"
"Uh..." Alihana flails for several seconds, verbally lost. "How is the Abyss?"
"Hellish. Miserable. It exists to torment evil souls without restraint and contain the many and myriad demons that form there. It is no place for anyone but the most wicked, but its very nature requires intervention to stop many of the horrors within."
Alyssa rolls her eyes and taps the table, "I declare there shall be no more work talk at the dinner table. Honeydip, why don't you tell her about Queen Morwel's court? There's some beautiful places to visit, are there not?"
Give me a Diplo check here.
Diplo:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+68 : 16 + 68, total 84[/blockquote]
That at least stops the current conversation before walk of the Court begins. As it does, "Oh, Alyssa," Mother pokes her head out, "Come in here, we're almost ready."
Alyssa stands and heads in!
It's a peaceful enough dinner. Everyone settles into it with your guest.
"You're a blacksmith?" Honeydip asks as conversation goes around the table.
"I do a lot of smithing," FAther agrees over it, a deep nod to the pixie, "Do you have the inclination, miss?"
"Only enough to know a good sword or shield," Lady Honeydip demurs, "Unless a pixie uses magic, making weapons big enough for most creatures is impossible."
"Quality is still quality. Any skill that lets you create something is worth learning."
"Creation is important," Honeydip agrees as you all eat. "But not every person has the time or energy."
"Or talent," Mother points out, "There's more to it than just time and energy."
"Well, it doesn't need to be perfect, and to each their own, but it's important to have something that fits the bill. I plan to remake my tools soon, actually. If you stay with us, I'll make you something."
"Fairywind is a fine blade, but there's always better," Honeydip says, "Have you seen it?"
"Not yet. But not now. Mom has a rule about tools and work at the dinner table. Tell us about it, though."
"It was once a spear," Lady Honeydip says, "Until Queen Morwel herself changed it."
"A spear into a sword? How?" Father asks at that. "That has to be magic."
Alyssa nods, "Yes, I can see how you would do it with magic. There's spells that do similar things, so a slight modification of one would make it simple to do so."
"She said it would serve me well," Lady Honeydip notes, "Anyone it by it is blown right away by fey winds. It's incredible to get an enemy away from me."
Alyssa nods, "Very useful. Still, tell us about where you've been. I'm sure the fey world has things to see that we can't imagine."
Here Lady Honeydip lets out a soft sigh, "I am no longer part of the fey world. I may look as a pixie yet, but I have become a spirit tied to the Court of Stars."
"Ooooh..." Alihana says, sa if she follows that.
"Is that such a bad thing?" Mother asks over her meal.
"It's a sensitive thing, mom. Not lightly talked about. Then tell us about the wonders of the Court of Stars. I've only seen Queen Morwel's library."
Mother has the good sense to know when to shut up. How admirable.
Lady Honeydip smiles at that, "It's like a dream. A grand, dramatic dream. Everyone is so alive and beautiful, and it's like a play is always unfolding around you. Days are full of life, love and leisure, and nights are full of quiet, drama and excitement. Should you be weary, your day will be a pleasant idyll with treasured friends and your nights full of restful sleep. Should you instead be energetic, you will find yourself woven into the excitements of the day. No one is ugly there - even the most foul and loathsome that accept a place in court become beautiful in their own ways, even if their bodies have not changed. A scarred man's ruined face instead become symbols of the adventure and danger in his life, and represent the quiet, independent nobility of his valiant struggles. A ugly spinster emerges from her cocoon at last as a beautiful butterfly and takes the Court by storm."
"What of serious disfigurement?" Walt speaks up here, a little wave of his fork.
"It's Heaven," Lady Honeydip says reproachfully, "The Queen's soothing touch is but a moment away, through her many servants. No one is weak, infirm and broken in the Court of Stars. Those who suffer the greatest come renewed by Her Majesty's caress, a gentle touch with her hand enough to undo any hardship in life, no matter how darkly cursed."
"That sounds amazing. If you stay with us, you'll have to teach Alihana and I how to dance so we can go to a ball or the like."
"It sounds like a fairy tale," Alihana agrees in wonder as Mother nods along. "Like I'll wake up and be married to a beautiful prince."
Lady Honeydip nods along, "If you visit, you can learn how. The eladrin love to teach others how to have a good time. They're all so dashing and handsome."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow at Alihana, "Well, well, that sounds like it has possibilities."
"Maybe..." Mother begins.
"Oh hush," Alihana shushes her, "We should go as soon as we can, sister!"
"Well, we should wait for an invitation."
""You have one," Lady Honeydip smiles slightly, "As of now."
"Well, I guess it's up to mom and me to get some dresses ready."
"I suppose it is, dear," Mom agrees at last.
Amid smiles the dinner passes now - is there anything else you want to talk about right now?
I've got nothing except just random small talk. This was just RP stuff for Honeydip.
Sure. That was pleasant enough, what's next on the agenda?
Library, Shar targets/loot chances, hidden room in creation.
Did anything IC need to happen with the library, since that's a DM side todo after session.
Up to you? I don't think so, it's just sorta all collected together, isn't it?
Okay cool, what about the coronation?
That was between Dolmaya and Alihana. My part was the hunt for The Red Knight and funding the crown.
Soon enough you sense it - it's time The presence of the Red Knight looms at the edge of your realm. The visit is here - how are you going to do this?
Alyssa sends out to her friends, Delaize, and Alihana, The Red Knight has arrived. Prepare to receive her.
Then she heads over to meet her.
A military parade is at the path that will lead her in. Soldiers are at arms and in parade positions, Jarem's forces at the front. Jarem is there as well, Emily and Bastian with them. Dolmaya joins Delaize and a few others as you all gather.
"Over here," Jarem calls. "Take position and we can let her in already."
Alyssa teleports into place.
Soon enough the Red Knight comes. She rides in with an honorguard of red cloaked and armored warriors on red horses. You see mortals of all stripes and shades, celestials, inevitables, devils, a single beautiful woman who may well be a nymph and many others. She rides on a massive red steed that dwarfs even Hanna in size. "Alyssa," she calls grandly, "Jarem. Your realm looks vital and strong."
Alyssa nods back, "Even more so with your presence, Red Knight. May honor and wisdom in battle always carry the day for you and yours. We welcome you to our home and invite you to think of it as a place of welcome and respite."
The Red Knight leaps off her stallion and lands perfectly, right before you. She offers you her hand and says, "Invitation accepted."
Alyssa clasps it with a smile, which then turns into a grin, "Hug?"
"Bold of you," The Red Knight pulls you into an embrace, strong as steel. You're let go right after and she goes to Jarem - and pulls him into a hug. "Jarem, Jarem, Jarem," she says, "You've made good for yourself."
"Thank you," Jarem bows his head deeply to her once he's freed of her embrace. "We have a hunt prepared as well as other entertainments."
"I'm sure you can entertain me." The Red Knight declares easily, an open smile on her face.
Alyssa nudges Jarem in the ribs, "He's done well, but... Still a work in progress. Hopefully the effort will pay off, though. It better for all the guidance we women are giving him. Let's get your people settled in and talk about our plans, shall we?"
Just so I can prep, what precisely do you want to talk to her about?
Oh just the order of stuff she wants to do, or what she isn't interested in. Like, I assume there's going to the basics of a tour, she'll want to inspect some of the troops, then there's the hunt, then the dinner, and if there's anything she wants to do outside of that.
The tour is nice. As you show her around the town and she sees the mountains beyond, "Good terrain," she remarks, "It'll take an army months to press through that."
Alyssa nods, "It'll take my adventurers years to explore it as well. When there's a valley or the like discovered that suitable for development, we support it. We're still working out the details of communication between any newly developed area, but they'll serve as good look outs and fall backs as well.
If anyone ever does manage to take our main areas, it would take... An incredible amount of time to find our resistance forces in the mountains and clear us out."
"I'll see about that," Jarem agrees.
To that the Red Knight smiles and slowly turns to him, "Oh, I'll be watching," she promises, warmly. "You'll have my attention, Jarem."
Emily blinks.
Dolmaya is quiet, holding her tongue.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, but then sighs and shakes her head, then sends, You... three... need to work this out before something public happens.
More verbally, she says, "I'm also looking to use these pocket homesteads as supply depositories. A nominal fee to the homesteaders to maintain supplies, or house a patrol or scouts, will be good supplemental income. Encourage any troops stationed to help train the homesteaders if they're interested, which will let us call on them and have a higher starting point for training if need be."
Look, I'm working on it. Don't nag about it.
Jarem doesn't bat an eye publicly "We don't need as many supplies with immortals as mortals, but we still need them."
"It only makes sense," The Red Knight concurs, "As long as you can control banditry and thievery, but that should be easy in your realm."
Alyssa nods, "That's something we haven't had to deal with yet. We'll come up with a few ideas. Do you want to look at the mountains more closely?"
"Yes," The Red Knight says. As you begin to head that way?
If this isn't settled by tonight, I'll tell you the details.
What...are those two...is this a love triangle, Alyssa?!
Alyssa sends to Emily, Mind your manners and own concerns.
"Then let's go. Anywhere particular?"
But...
Emily's voice wilts in your mind at that rebuke and doesn't argue it further.
"Show me one of your valleys that's come along," The Red Knight decides, "Impress me!"
I dunno if there are? I never specified?
It's really up to you, feel free to have one.
okay.
"Sure, there's a small place near by. I believe they do their own farming."
Do you want to go into this, describe what you want this sort of thing to look like? It's a chance to build your realm a bit if you want to.
Ehh, okay.
Alyssa leads them to a small valley in the mountains that holds a small village of a half dozen families, with a small river running through it and a small outpost manned by a half dozen scouts.
Everyone follows as the Red Knight takes it in. She looks over it, the small village. The farmers, the families, the river, the outpost and scouts. She looks over it long as eyes turn to you, residents in sudden shock.
The Red Knight smiles slowly, "Good," she says, "It begins here, a small outpost and a few farmers."
"It's a good valley," Bastian points out, "The land's strong and the river waters are strong and cold. They'll not lack for anything as long as they work for it."
Alyssa nods, "Yes, it's a good place."
Alyssa waves to the residents and smiles at them.
A few stop what they're doing and bow, while others openly watch.
The Red Knight turns, "What is it named?"
"I don't know, let's go find out!"
The scout you approaches kneels, long hair cascading down as he keeps his head down. "Welcome to Lenar's Valley, my lady."
Alyssa smiles, "Thank you, soldier. This is our guest, The Red Knight. Please tell her about this place."
"Yes, Majesty," Is the answer as he does so. At the same time Dolmaya stays quiet.
Alright, it's settled for now.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, but nods.... for now.
"Let's meet some of the others and have them tell us how they established this place."
Sure. Gimme a d100 real quick?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
The conversation goes on for some time as you show her around and...
Anything else to do here or ready to move along to the coronation?
I'm good with moving on if she's happy.
You end up in an antechamber with Jarem and Bastian. You await, dressed up to the nines as...
Go ahead and describe yourself here, since it's a fancy coronation and all that.
I hadn't really thought that far...
Alyssa stands in an outfit reminiscent of her normal garb, but far more formal. It consists of silks and velvet of purples and golds, suitable for any formal event.
"You look good," Jarem gives you a look over, "Just look regal and commanding. Don't be afraid to smile but don't look like an overawed schoolgirl. Be the symbol everyone wants you to be. Beautiful, mature, wise, pure, worldly. Whatever else anyone wants to read into you."
Bastian sits nearby, in his normal garb, if cleaned up and with a large, chunky necklace of gold around his neck, which hangs down to the bottom of his chest. "Done this before?"
Jarem ignores that as he goes on, "In other words, go out there and impress them."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow with a small smirk, "I do have some experience with similar things. High Regent of the Arcane Order, hmm? But thank you, Jarem. Let's get this done."
For my own reference, give me a raw Charisma check. No worries about failing, I just want a number to pin on this.
Cha/Brains over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 13 + 24, total 37[/blockquote]
Thus you emerge. The hall is full of onlookers and spectators, great rows of them as you approach in. Jarem and Bastian are at your side as excited murmurs give way to eager looks.
You notice the windows show it is night time and the moon shines bright and full, the light of it cascading into the room.
Alyssa strides confidently and purposefully to her place, gazing at the gathered and making a point to make eye contact with as many as she can.
As she takes her place, she uses her divine power to speak to the entire realm and all of her followers, wherever they are, I am Alyssa Songsteel. You have given me your faith. You have given me your trust. You have given me yourselves. I thank all of you for what you have given me. This realm is a testament to all of you, long before it is a testament to me. Though it is my power that has helped create this place, it is your effort and belief that has breathed life into it. Though you have been guided here, it is your hands that build here. Your sweat that mixes into the soil. Your community and hearts that bind each of you to this place and each other. I will continue to guide this realm and you, the people of this realm, to knowledge, wisdom, and your goals.
This day may be my coronation as your Queen, but make no mistake. This day could not have happened without every single drop of effort from all of you. I ask that this day be celebrated not only as my coronation, but as the day that we all declared ourselves united as one people to all of the planes and realms of creation! Celebrate, for you have built this place! Celebrate, for your bound yourselves together as one! Celebrate, for your have made this place into your home! Celebrate Alyssum!
Cheers go up at your speech, long and loud. They seem to envelop your entire realm as footsteps are heard. Shadakul approaches now, towards the throne you sit on.
"Alyssa, are you ready," he asks, voice entirely solemn.
Alyssa nods, "I am. Thank you, Shaundakul."
From nowhere Shaundakul produces it, a golden crown with many gems and facets. "Are you prepared to rule this realm forever, in all health and all strife, as long as Creation endures?"
"I am. I swear upon all I am."
"Then under the light of the moon and the grace of the paths, I crown you, Alyssa," The crown is placed on your head with great cheers, a storm of noise that batters and bowls against you.
Alyssa smiles and runs a thread of her power through the realm and her followers to share her joy with them.
Joy spreads under the moonlight, as radiant as bright as sunlight in this moment of triumph. Your family and friends watch, clap and cheer for you, joined by all the realm.
Welcome, Alyssa. Prove yourself worthy of the crown we and your friends forged for you.
I will, and will look to my peers for wisdom and lessons.
Thus amid your triumph you celebrate. As you bask in cheers and ceremony?
Lasri's prayers are heard. She uses a smith's hammer to battle another dwarf, this one with a torch. That would be one thing, the fact that they battle in Lasri's library is another, as she lets out a breathless prayer to protect her books, that she can manage to stop this attack.
Alyssa frowns, Hold true, Lasri. Push him out or keep it on the ground.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good --> [ 1d100=91 ]{91}
You see the struggle - and a punch to Lasri's head stuns her. It's enough for the dwarf to let out a cry and hurl his torch onto a shelf. Flames begin to spread at this, Lasri groaning as she tries to rise.
I'm going to assume her casting stat is at least +1 so she has access to at least 1 level 1 spell slot here.
Stand and use Create Water. The books can be repaired or replaced, but only if you hurry.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good --> [ 1d100=98 ]{98}
Lasri whirls and turns, a spell on her lips.
A dagger in her back.
The other dwarf chuckles as Lasri falls, heart pierced and flames starting to surround her. A rather short dwarf, red bearded and haired. He has a nasty glare as he turns to flee, the deed done. You feel Lasri's spirit begin to depart her body, cool mists surrounding it as the Well of Souls comes to claim it and ensure it passes onto your realm peacefully.
So what are my real options here? Can I still heal her?
You could intervene to save her, but that's pretty big and if anyone's watching you'd likely draw a response.
Alternately, you could accept it and prepare her place in your afterlife, whatever it is and however you wish to do it.
Alyssa focuses on Lasri and runs a thread of magic, using Alter Reality to stabilize her and return her to consciousness.
As the killer escapes, slowly Lasri stirs. A cough and another and another as her books burn. With shaking hands she lays her hands on herself, her wounds healing. Enough for her to rise amid the flames. It's spread and she regards it a moment with a look of open pain, before she does the only thing she can - she turns and flees. At the same time, a murmured question and prayer in one word, "Why?"
You don't see any sign of obvious retaliation, but you suppose it could be coming.
There are always those who fight the spread of knowledge. What you will accomplish with your life far outweighs the loss here. Heal. Rest. Rise again, and continue your mission.
Coughing and fleeing, "T-thank you," Lasri mentions as she retreats, her escape made. Out of her library and her room. Yet you feel it. Darkness pools around her, the touch of death lingering to her. A curse, someone is trying to curse her.
Alyssa looks at the magic, trying to identify it.
It's a curse that will render Lasri one of the undead, cursed to be walking flesh that has left mortality behind. An intelligent zombie in particular, one with a cold craving for warm blood.
Okay, that ain't gonna happen. If she goes to like a temple or something, can they dispel it before it overtakes her or what?
It's a deific curse - you can tell it's from Lixer. Guess he wasn't amused by your answers. That's usually beyond the power or mortals to dispel.
Okay, so what can I do? Like, will a disjunction work?
You'd have to directly intervene with a powerful dispel or the like, yes, or just try alter reality and hope your divine will outdoes his. Pick your poison.
Alyssa sends to the various gods present, Lixer is trying to curse one of my followers into a blood thirsty undead. I'm going to try and counter it, but... It may escalate things.
Alyssa dips into her domain powers and sends a Disjunction spell at the curse.
Magic Disjunction, CL 36
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 2 + 30, total 32[/blockquote]
We'll be ready, Alyssa.
You throw your magic at it, yet Lixer's is stronger. Your magic cannot undo the curse, which even now sinks into Lasri's body.
My magic failed. I worry another attempt will result in more direct conflict. Ideas?
Lixer directly cursed her? But why? If he escalated that far for no reason, you should do the same and more!
I'm going to bring her here, then.
Alyssa attempts to teleport Lasri to them.
A moment of violent struggle and suddenly Lasri is before you, falling over and screaming at the top of her lungs as her flesh rots.
Alyssa attempts to dispel it again!
Disjunction
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 10 + 30, total 40[/blockquote]
No good. The curse is strong - you'll need something stronger.
"My disjunction isn't strong enough. Anyone specialize in curses?"
As everyone rushes over, a commotion amid all the ceremony, "I'll try something stronger," Emily promises right away. A glow as magic manifests around her, like a halo of power.
> roll 3#1d20+37 Emily just throwing a bunch of superbs at it
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 3#1d20+37 Emily just throwing a bunch of superbs at it --> [ 1d20=20 ]{57}, [ 1d20=4 ]{41}, [ 1d20=11 ]{48}
With a soft cry Lasri goes limp on the ground as Emily's magic roots out the curse, leaving her there with the magic broken. Whew.
Alyssa channels one of her Opportunistic Piety uses at her.
+78 hp
Bastian quickly clears people away and silences the crowds as Jarem checks her over, "That's one dreadful curse. Who did it?" he asks, not looking up.
Meanwhile Lasri lies there, half out of it and dazed, even as her flesh knits back to wholeness.
"Lixer."
Alyssa bends down and helps Lasri up, then addresses those present, Might I introduce one of your fellow compatriot, Lasri. She was struck by a curse from one who covets knowledge and wishes to keep it secret. Welcome her as one of your own, and care for her as a true believer.
"I...am I home?" Lasri manages, sounding dazed. "I feel as if this is home, more than anything else before."
Now no longer silenced cheers go up as Emily comes forward with a smile, "It's home," she agrees, "Let's go, Lasri, I'll introduce you to some people who will help you."
Alyssa hugs Lasri and whispers to her, "Welcome home."
The dwarf returns it, openly dazed. As you watch...
Take her home instead of let her suffer under that curse? Well, we'll find a use for her here then.
This is her home, she has a place here. It's a matter of discovery.
To the rest of the gathered, "Let's begin the celebration!"
Anything else to do here? I'm likely to move Lasri into a different role now, possibly a leader since you're still short on those.
I'm good.
Next todo then?
RP lines.. Probably the hunt? Or making the alliance more well-defined. Game advancement-wise... Lootable targets/Shar targets. I guess expand that into Lixer targets, too.
Okay.
That evening you sip champagne on a balcony and bask in the cool evening breeze. You close your eyes and bask in the cooling air as you hear Bastian call, "There you are," he says, coming on over to you. Below you the new formed town grows and Bastian adds, "Have you decided on a name for the town yet?"
"Hmmm... No. The new locals will decide that. It'll happen naturally and I won't interfere with it... Unless it's something horrible like Alyssaburg. That won't be happening, even if I have to write it in the sky. What about you? Have you decided if you want to take over management of something? I think watching over the new settlements in the mountains might be a good fit for you."
A long chuckle at that, "Yeah, got some plans. After all, I managed one of those hunts for the seeds." Bastian remarks. "Now I have to do all the work that comes with it."
"Well, we're getting the light end of it. There's four of us in a single place, after all. Easy enough to split duties up. Though that also makes us a prime target, so we'll need to be vigilant. What are your ideas?"
"Well..."
Bastian begins and then you feel it. A pulse of light, a connection to Bastian, strong and true.
Node update.
"Well, well, someone had their sights set on something."
"About time," Bastian cracks his knuckles, "Now I feel even better." He pauses to glance back, "Here she comes, I'll leave this to you." With a nod to you Bastian steps forward and leaps off the balcony, landing far below without even a slowdown. He's not hurt in the slightest, moving onward.
The Red Knight approaches. She is free of a helmet but otherwise in her armor, a mug of ale in hand. She has a long drink before, "Loyalty is expensive, be it in coin or sweat."
"I assume this in regards to something specific? You caused quite the issue with Jarem the last few days."
"I tried to recruit him," The Red Knight says without rancor, looking out over your realm. "He's remarkably dedicated to your cause to turn me down, or more ambitious than I ever knew."
"Hmm... I think it's more a combination of dedication to his oath, the scale of the cause, and a desire to strike out on his own and flex his wings, so to speak. He's frivolous in some regards, but that's simply a means to relieve the pressure of stress in a way that's more controlled than it seems. He made an oath for this conflict, and he means to see it through. He's new to his power, and like any man, he wants to see what he can do with it and how far it'll take him.
Besides, there's eternity for all of us now. He'll grow into being comfortable with what he is now and at that point, who knows? But I'd certainly let him get it out of his system or he'll dig in for sure."
"I have no intention to push the question. He made his choice," The Red Knight says in way of answer.
Alyssa nods and shoots her a sly grin, "I also suspect there more to that offer than just recruiting. But! I won't pry and on to other things. Our alliance. It's no longer supporting a mortal and I have my own divine realm. I've opened it, and any temples that might eventually come to be, to Shaundakul's faithful and Selune's. I want to make the same offer to you. Any of your people that need a bed for a night, supplies, reinforcement, anything of that nature, my houses will be open, if we can come to an accord.
I'd like similar in return for my people. Many of mine are wanderers, settlers, or explorers. Such people don't often travel in force and, except for the settlers, tend not to stay in one place long. I'm expecting my temples to be smaller and a bit more... mobile than most, outside of centers of learning. I imagine they'll be on the outskirts of things, and your scouts and forward units will find good use of them. In return, I'd like my people to be welcome in your forts and established camps. With the nature of their wandering, I can't imagine it'll be in large numbers or for more than a day or two before they move on. Though my settlers might like to build near your more forward fortresses. Close enough to have military support if need be. Thoughts?"
With a hearty laugh, "I can't speak for Tempus or Garagos, but for my own temples, you have an agreement." The Red Knight finishes her drink off, "I'd say our investment in each other has paid handsomely."
"Well, you made the initial investment by assigning him here. And if I didn't support him as much as he does me, I wouldn't hold his loyalty, would I? Speaking of Tempus and Garagos... Well... I can't see Garagos taking a shine to me much at all. Tempus... I'm unsure about. He's honorable and intelligent, so I don't think he would be directly opposed to me, but... I'm not sure he'd see much value in any sort of alliance."
"Tempus focuses on war of all kinds," Is the answer you get, "But he is somewhat aloof because war is always a busy business."
Alyssa nods, "Well, outside of the lessons learned, I don't have much personal interest in it. Though it's always amazing how war spurs development of technology and techniques while simultaneously destroying things. In any case! What else was there for us to discuss?"
"Nothing but a good night's celebration," The Red Knight declares, "Come, it's your coronation day, let the people see you again!"
Alyssa chuckles, "Can deities even get drunk?"
Alyssa links arms with the Red Knight, "But yes! Let's go! Also, if I do get drunk, I'm going to need something easier to call you than 'The Red Knight.' Ideas? Preferences?"
The Red Knight takes your arm in hers, "Only Tempus knows my real name," she confesses with a smile, "You have a ways to go yet, Alyssa."
"Oh, I wasn't meaning that. I meant more of a nick name? If not, I'll do my best if I'm drunk. Oh! Before that, do you want to meet my family?"
With a laugh and warmth, the two of you go off and...
Anything to add here?
Nah.
Next move then?
Go over crown stuff, then start looking for targets. I also need to eventually make my blacksmithing tools with WoC, too.
Quick refresh: Targets for what?
Intel gathering, or just general strike targets. Need to start swinging back in this little war with Shar.
Sure thing. How do you want to proceed on that precisely?
Well, use the new scrying thing to find any good targets or places that could provide intel.
Okay. Sure, gimme something you try to scry and we'll roll off of that.
Hmm... What about a location or a high ranking Shar priest?
Sure. Got a name? You need someone in particular to focus on for a scrying.
Bastian was supposed to be spy master. He come up with anything?
"So," Bastian begins once you ask him, "I've been focusing my efforts on a group that's gotten attention lately. The Shadow Twelve, a group of elite Sharrans who set up cults that doom entire worlds."
"I would have disliked them for being Sharrans, but dooming worlds puts them at the top of the list. What have you found?"
"Got some info on them," Bastian says, "The good news is that at least one of them is out of circulation. This stays private until I check if we can spread it, but Jessica told me that Sylica already got Dragodan, one of the twelve members. That still leaves 11 more."
Alyssa nods, "Do you think you have enough to go on to use the crystal to find at least one?"
"I know of one named Golar," Bastian says, "We can start with that one."
Alyssa nods, "Let's go find out what we can, then."
Everyone, meet Bastian and me at the crystal if you can.
You happen to meet Emily as you go. She falls in step, "Oh, Alyssa," she greets, "Lasri's settling in well now that she's recovered from that dreadful shock she had."
"Thank you for taking care of her. I'll have to meet with her soon and explain exactly what happened. I take it she didn't fully realize who you were?"
"She didn't," Emily agrees, but smiles, "She's going fit in here fine."
"Well, she is among her own now. Bastian here has a lead on a new target."
"Let's get on that," Emily says, and soon enough all of you are there.
Go ahead.
"Bastian has a lead on one of Shar's high priests. This is the first time we're putting our new crystal through its paces. I'm not sure how well this will work, so I wanted all of you here just in case. We all know how Shar works, so I set this up to alter any incoming damage, and built in some anti-curse measures, but... We still don't know, so everyone be ready.
Bastian, tell us what all you know. The more information I have, the better this will work."
"He's one of the Shadow Twelve," Bastian goes on from that, "One of Shar's elite cultists that tries to seed the doom of entire worlds. Here."
Bastian takes out a folded sheet of paper. "A sketch of him. It should help."
Alyssa studies the drawing, memorizing it, before passing it around. Once everyone's had a turn at it, she turns to the crystal.
"We all ready?"
"Ready," Dolmaya agrees, "How does it work?"
"It channels a scrying spell. Something I wanted to talk to you about. If this works, I want to try and come up with a better scrying spell."
Alyssa turns back and begins channeling magic into it.
DC 45, Greater Scrying.
Nothing. You can tell that where ever he is, he's blocked entirely from scrying.
"Annoying," Jarem agrees aloud, "But hardly surprising. If they're in Shar's realm, they're almost certainly protected."
"Let's try someone else. Bastian?" Emily suggests.
Bastian goes on from that, "I heard of a wandering Sharran named Byloths. He has a lot of bodies on him and a lot of sorrow left behind on the planes. He doesn't pretend he's helping you, he just makes you miserable before ending your life."
Alyssa nods and tries again!
DC 45
> roll 1d20+34 (+5 secondhand)
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+34 (+5 secondhand) --> [ 1d20=7 ]{41}
Sure enough, you get an image. It's of a man in full armor who strides alone, face hidden by a metal mask. He walks somewhere dark, somewhere barren and empty. A cavern perhaps.
That enough to get a location can teleport to?
"Success. Armored and somewhere dark. Cavern."
Depends on the spell. Which spell do you have in mind.
Emily watches, "It looks safe, hopefully it's not a trap."
"Any Sharran is a trap," Bastian says offhandedly, "Some more than others."
Greater Teleport. It's the SLA. Or is there a better option?
"Likely... let me see something..."
Alyssa tries to get a better idea of where he is and what is around him.
Greater Teleport is plane only. It's highly unlikely a Sharran like that is in the Gates of the Moon anywhere, including your realm.
Then Greater Plane Shift.
That would do it.
K:P.
K:P/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+72 : 17 + 72, total 89[/blockquote]
You aren't sure, but you notice something. As he passes a bit of rubble is dislodged from the wall nearby. It falls fast - fast like in heavy gravity, like the Elemental Plane of Earth has.
"I think he's somewhere on the Earth Elemental Plane..."
Alyssa uses Alter Reality to cast Greater Arcane Sight (Magic, Knowledge) and inspect him to see what spells are on him.
Not sure how to find out enough info to really pinpoint him.
Reminder, you're limited to detect magic through greater scrying unless you have something that says otherwise.
That then.
CL check then.
CL:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+37 : 16 + 37, total 53[/blockquote]
He has nondetection on him as well as blood seal. That's it, he's not too overwhelmingly protected. For once.
What's Blood Seal do?
It prevents diseases of all kinds.
"Well, I don't see any defensive magic on him except non-detection and a disease immunity spell... Hmm..."
What are my options for either IDing enough stuff to teleport to him or just ripping him off to somewhere secure?
If he is on Earth, your knowledge tells you could go on Earth and then just Greater Teleport to him. Two steps instead of one but it works.
"I believe he's on Earth. We can go there and then teleport to him. Opinions?"
"Let's do it before he gets far away from where we see," Bastian says, "Do this quickly and effectively."
"Yes," Emily agrees, "And if it's a trap somehow we can escape quickly if we're overwhelmed somehow."
Alyssa nods, "Let's get moving, then."
Alyssa uses Greater Plane Shift to get them there!
I'll assume you aim for a random spot on Earth of no consequence you already know.
In moments the party appears on Earth, ready for the teleport and to get this going.
Go ahead.
"Everyone ready? Any last second prep?"
"Let's do this quickly," Jarem says, "Ready."
Alyssa teleports everyone to the target!
You appear in a cavern - a path through the endless stone and dirt of Earth. He's a bit ahead of you, back to you and 80ft away. For the moment, you have a chance to strike if you care to take it.
Alyssa casts Time Stop!
Rounds:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d4+1 : 1 + 1, total 2[/blockquote]
2 rounds of time. Go for it.
Fucking 1s.
Round 1:
Superior Mighty Wallop.
Move up in front of him.
Round 2:
Aerial Assembly.
Also: I meant for that time stop to be quickened. SDA is still new to me.
You weave magic around yourself and your speed returns to normal, at which point...
Anything else left this round?
Well, with the SDA quicken and Multi-Action, I can still full round this fool.
Then go for it.
As time returns to normal for her, she looks at the target in front of her and with a cheerful, "Hello!" Alyssa launches her attack!
Flailing Strikes bonus attacks:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d4 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
2nd quickened spell: Haste.
Using Flailing Strikes
ATK 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 3 + 59, total 62[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 5, 12 + 10, total 27[/blockquote]
ATK 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+54 : 19 + 54, total 73[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 4, 11 + 10, total 25[/blockquote]
ATK 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+49 : 9 + 49, total 58[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 7, 11 + 10, total 28[/blockquote]
ATK 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 7 + 44, total 51[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 11, 6 + 10, total 27[/blockquote]
Flailing Strikes ATK 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 3 + 59, total 62[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 5, 10 + 10, total 25[/blockquote]
Flailing Strikes ATK 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 20 + 59, total 79[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 11, 12 + 10, total 33[/blockquote]
Flailing Strikes ATK 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 10 + 59, total 69[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 11, 6 + 10, total 27[/blockquote]
Haste ATK:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+60 : 5 + 60, total 65[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 8, 10 + 10, total 28[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 8 + 59, total 67[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 10, 6 + 10, total 26[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 9 + 59, total 68[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 9, 6 + 10, total 25[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 4 + 59, total 63[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 3, 11 + 10, total 24[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 6 + 59, total 65[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 3, 12 + 10, total 25[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 5:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 5 + 59, total 64[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 12, 12 + 10, total 34[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 6:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 20 + 59, total 79[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 6, 11 + 10, total 27[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 7:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 13 + 59, total 72[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 12, 8 + 10, total 30[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 8:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 7 + 59, total 66[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 12, 1 + 10, total 23[/blockquote]
AAA ATK 9:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+59 : 2 + 59, total 61[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 2d12+10 : 4, 5 + 10, total 19[/blockquote]
Update: I forgot that Swashbuckler gave me Int to damage, so the bonus damage is actually +22 for each attack. I'll do the math for it once I know how many hits I have.
AC is 49. Do the math from there.
I, uh, did not expect it to go this way. Everything hit and there was a crit in there that I didn't do the math for because it's already overkill.
720 damage.
I straight up did not expect everything to hit or I would have declared it non-lethal. Even with the -4 from non-lethal all but 1 hit, and the non-lethal total is 726 with the critical.
My preference would be non-lethal, but since I didn't declare it, I'm okay with whatever you decide.
Normally you'd be boned here, but since you're still new to this I'll give you a break this time. If you do it again you're SOL, though.
It's a blurry flurry of fists and kicks. To this your foe manages to turn only to be bashed around violently, slammed down and into the wall. Well, that was easy.
"Alyssa!" Emily gasps, "You've gotten so much stronger with that!"
Alyssa blinks at the unconscious body. "Yes... That worked out far better than I expected... Instead of getting overconfident, though, I'm going to chalk it up to us being prepared, him not, and there being a power difference. Let's get him somewhere more secure than here. Emily, doesn't your mother have a specialist for Sharrans? I haven't set up a facility at home to deal with them yet. Unless one of you has while I was busy?"
"Not that well. I'll take it from here," Emily says, kneeling and taking the Sharran before both of them are gone.
"Let's do a bit of investigation to see what he was up to here. This is the second time we've run into Sharrans on an elemental plane. I can't imagine they're not trying to establish some sort of operations here. We're all able to teleport so let's go in teams and spread out."
"See if we can find anything, but it's possible we're not near any settlements," Bastian points out, "Earth is like that."
"In other words, don't waste forever on this," Dolmaya agrees, "We can get the information from him directly."
Alyssa nods, "Just do a quick loop. Make sure we're not missing anything. For all we know, he could have been meeting with someone else and we can get them too."
Okay, gimme a Perception check.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 6 + 64, total 70[/blockquote]
It's just empty caverns of softer stone and dirt - no sign of anything interesting in the vicinity.
Alyssa sends to the others, Nothing. Let's head back home. Odd that Shar hasn't tried to retaliate.
She sends to Emily, Shar hasn't tried to retaliate yet. Has she tried anything on your end?
No, but she doesn't always retaliate, so we may have gotten away with one this time.
Or it's a trap, but with Shar that goes without saying.
Alyssa sends back a feeling of agreement before returning back home with everyone else.
Next move, Iddy?
Nothing specific except looking for targets/loot. I could do some RP to remake my tools, though. Or something with Honeydip.
Well, that Sharran will hash out. Do you want to do that first?
Sure.
Soon enough Emily returns. "Well, we've interrogated him," Emily says with aplomb, "As well as seen to his equipment." She sits down in your office and goes on, "Do you want all the details?"
Alyssa shrugs, "If they're relevant, feel free."
"Byloths was up to all sorts of plans, but he was on..." A hesitation from Emily, "Let's call it a sabbatical. He thought himself safe and wished to get away for a time. He believes himself in his master's good graces and this request was granted. He'd done evil here of course, but more in passing than a current, concerted effort."
"Mmm... Well, it's a piece off the board. Did he have anything that could point us to more targets, or any of the high priests?"
"Oh yes, we got some information that's useful there, we're still exploring it," Emily says, "I'm due a report any minute now. While I wait for that, we can talk about what he had on him."
Alyssa nods and motions her on.
"He traveled light, and I gave the loose coins to the Cauldron since they weren't too many," Emily goes on, "But here."
Loot post.
"Hmm... Well, the sword we can get rid of. The rest... The ring would likely be best for Bastian... The armor... Let's gift it to one of our captains."
"We should put the sword on hallowed ground and keep it as a trophy," Emily says, "Sylica has one of those and Mom has her vault, and both are good." She smiles then, "Byloths's sword can be our first display piece of the vanquished."
Alyssa shrugs, "If we're going to keep it around, we should purify it entirely as a statement, then. The rest of it, we'll just give it out as rewards. If none of the Captains need any of it, then maybe our new resident might?"
I'm having a tremendous moment of stupidity, who do you mean by your new resident?
Dwarf I saved from Lixer.
Lasri, okay.
"I'll see what works there," Emily promises.
"Alright. In the mean time, does anyone have anything they want to accomplish?"
"Nothing ur-" A pause, "Hold on, I'm getting that report now." Emily closes her eyes and a sheaf of papers appear in her hands. She begins to read it, "Hold on."
Alyssa takes a moment to look in on her followers and do a quick look over her realm while Emily reads.
d100, Idward.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d100 : 94, total 94[/blockquote]
All seems peaceful enough. There's no disturbances in your divine realm of any note.
You notice a handful of Mercane travel into your realm, guided by Selunites who openly wear the Moonmaiden's symbol.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, but takes it as a good sign that they're interested in trade.
Do you care to listen in at all?
Nah. Life happens. I don't need to push my way into everything. If they want an audience, they can ask.
"Here. No one huge, but we have names we can pass onto our faithful," Emily reports, "On a few worlds, no less. He's been busy."
Alyssa nods, "Circulate them. We'll need to do some more searching, then. We need targets to hit back at."
As Emily nods?
It seems you continue to live, Alyssa.
Alyssa rolls he eyes, "It's Shar."
So far, yes. It is, unfortunately, something that's required of me to achieve my other goals. Difficult to research things whilst dead. Well, unless you're a lich, but that's just not a good look for anyone.
Ianvasah is at peace now. She no longer suffers. She no longer endures the pain of failure. Join her and rest easily at her side.
You keep repeating yourself. I wonder if you're as trapped in this as everyone else. In any case, your attempts to provoke me are... oddly childish. Considering what you're supposed to be, I find you to be sadly... Reduced. Unless you're contacting me for something specific, please, keep to yourself.
Give me a Diplomacy check there, you said something that was worth one.
Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+99 : 4 + 99, total 103[/blockquote]
Come, Alyssa. You play at divinity while living by the skin of your teeth. Next time you won't be so fortunate. Why suffer when in the end you know that only death awaits you?
My answer won't change, Shar. I can only be what I am, just as you can only be what you are. If you're going to repeat yourself ad nauseam, then at least have the dignity to spare me from it. I've got things to do that will actually lead to something productive.
Then let your suffering begin.
"She'll be striking back soon, I think. She'll certainly be refocusing her efforts towards us. We'll need to be on the watch for infiltrators. We're going to have to open communication with the others, and try to coordinate our attacks so she can't focus completely on one group of us."
Emily immediately nods, "I'll let them know right away," she promises, "Anything else, Alyssa?"
"I'm sure there is. All of us are here, so why not share ideas?"
Jarem shakes his head, "Did she tip her hand at all otherwise?" he asks to start with?
"A taunt about Iavanash, asking me to give in and die. Next time I won't be so lucky. My suffering will begin. The expected. But it implies she's going to start putting more focus our way. The fact that it came on the heels of our capturing her guy also shows that we've honestly irritated and inconvenienced her. So take pride in that."
"We get her attention, we are fortunate," Bastian says sardonically, before, "Pride taken, if we fail it can go on our graves."
"Unfortunately, we can only do so much if she's the one attacking. Defense is reactive," Jarem points out.
"Which is why I want targets. Not just random outposts. Real targets. She's got people who make weapons and armor for her people. She's got places of power for rituals. They get food from somewhere. Let's start finding these places. More than that, we need to find ways of shackling her. Sealing abilities, even if temporarily."
"The problem is that many of those are on Shadow," Jarem points out, "Which is a suicide mission even for us. Just as in time, our resources and forges here will be similarly unassailable by enemies."
"Many doesn't mean all," Bastian counters, "Can we find any way to seal her abilities? She's a deity like us and I'm not seeing ways to seal us. Are you?""
"Oh, research?" Emily says, "Or ask our patron?" She uses her divine will, a flex of magic for privacy. "Lord Zaphkiel? Can the gods be restrained?"
Alyssa leans back while Emily's magic washes over them, "Well, for the Shadow places... What about planar rifts? If we could figure out how to localize it and build in a timed effect to seal the rift... We might be able to figure out a way to open a portal for a split second, fire it off, and then close it? But.. If we get it working... It won't be long until she figures out the trick... Unless we conceal the method or make it require something extremely specific that we solely control, or that will hurt her to come into contact with..."
Alyssa taps her chin before continuing, "As for the sealing.... I think I might have a crazy idea that Io might be able to help with."
To bind and seal the divine is no simple matter. We created them to rule Creation and direct aspects of it. To have others directly frustrate those aspects weakens Creation as a whole. The few that can, such as Mystra removing magic from a deity, will result in her doom because we recognized this when we forged Creation.
"But," Emily speaks up, "The divine aren't native to Creation. We've seen that in the Beyond when some of us became One." Here she stands and shakes her head, "You also didn't say it was impossible."
"Possible doesn't mean we can do it," Jarem reflects, "It's possible I could kill Demogorgon as I am now if everything went perfectly for a century, but it won't, so I can't kill Demogorgon even though it's possible." He taps his fingers on the armrest of his chair, "Is that a sufficient metaphor for the difficulties this idea presents?"
Yes.
One of the greatest difficulties of my counterpart and I's quest is that we did not leave flaws in Creation to exploit. There are no great shortcuts to our goal, no deeds that will melt a great difficulty before us. We built it to last forever if that is what an Answer takes.
Eliminate proxies and capture proxy sparks from your enemies. Destroy their avatars. Both provide you an advantage against them.
"Thank you," Emily says with a bow of her head.
Nonetheless, try. Mortals have surprised us before and perhaps you will surprise us again.
I did not expect to have my son back yet.
Try with all your resourcefulness and all of your hopes. Try with my blessing, but understand that you may be on a road with no reward at any given time. Do not lose sight of your greater goals for these - to grow stronger, to establish yourself and to prepare for the battle with Shar.
"... What about using tools or knowledge from outside of Creation? Io has been out there long enough, even a thread of knowledge that might lead to something might be what we need here. Even if it's not enough to seal her, or if that's too dangerous, we could find something that will... Unravel what she tries to do... Or morphs it into something unpredictable. If she can't trust her own abilities, it'll certainly put her on her heels."
There may well be such a thing. Creation may even survive its use.
"I was afraid that was your answer," Bastian shakes his head. "Is it really that damaging if the Far Realm hits Creation?"
Yes, and the Far Realm resists divine power. It will be no trivial thing to stop something from it. Seek these methods as you wish, but use the utmost caution lest you render your defeat at your own hands.
"Well... Then... Let's pick our terrain. The boundary area. Can we figure out a way to invoke that at will? If we can draw her into a direct fight, invoke it, lock her there, even for a time, then we'd have a far better chance to make use of anything from the Far Realm we might figure out."
"The blue," Emily murmurs in thought.
"Even if we can, the boundary is about purifying the Far Realm," Jarem points out, "That works against us."
"... Then make our own boundary. Balance, no? If one exists to purify..." Alyssa lets it hang.
"Elaborate?" Emily asks at last, as Dolmaya considers.
"Well, the Blue was made to purify the Far Realm. For everything in creation, there's a balance. Elements. Chaos and Law. Good and Evil. Shouldn't there also be a place that's the opposite of the Blue to keep that balance? What's the opposing color? Orange? An Orange boundary, where we could use Io's knowledge of the Far Realms to get an upper hand on Shar. If we can pull her into it."
"A big if," Jarem muses, "If you can do all of that and you can do it safely and you can get Shar to fall into it. There's a lot of points of failure there."
"Still, it's an idea," Emily pipes up, "Can we improve it to make it better?"
Alyssa grins at Jarem, "Isn't every war a series of ifs, oh great Strategist? But yes, we need to figure out first steps. Dolmaya, you and I will research and search for the inversion of the Blue. Bastian, keep pulling on threads; we need targets. Emily, Jarem, go through what Bastian finds, and talk to our allies to sort through what targets are viable for us."
"Then let's do that," Emily agrees, getting up, "We can make progress this way!"
"Does anyone else have things they want to look into or accomplish, on a more personal or general level?"
"I'm busy with my faithful," Emily shakes her head.
"That's taking my focus, too," Jarem admits, "They grow on you so fast."
Alyssa taps her chin, "Maybe we should have a few of them meet... Speaking of, Lasri... I like being hospitable, but I get the feeling if I invited her to diner her heart might explode."
"She's spending time all around anyway," Emily says, "She's keeping herself very busy." A shake of her head and a big smile, "She's fit in very well here and she's a bit of a bossy leader."
Alyssa snorts, "Well, if no one has anything else, let's get some things done."
In that case, next move, Alyssa?
Well, realm is still stabilizing, which includes resources and stuff. So until target info resolves, uhhh... Either a money dungeon thingy or visiting Morwel or Queen to make stronger alliance stuff. Or find new people to get alliances with.
Edit: Or start getting back to the Arcane Order. That might be a solid boost to strength.
Sure, pick one and we'll go with it.
Arcane Order.
Sure, what's your plan there?
Well, make contact with Madala and see how things are going first, then test the waters to see about either transporting them over.
Sure, go ahead and I'll roll with how you do it.
Alyssa calls Delaize in.
Delaize enters and nods deeply before, "Alyssa," he says softly, "What do you need?"
"Now that we've stabilized things a bit, and I've gained some power, I'm considering contacting Madala. I wanted your opinion."
"To what end?" Is Delaize's question, right back.
"Well, that depends on Madala. In a more business sense, my preference would be integration... But I also honestly just want to know they're okay."
"I'll see to it," Delaize promises, "At the least poach a few more useful members."
"Well, I definitely want to at least invite the Regents here for a visit. Let me know."
"I will not be long with any fortune," Delaize agrees.
Going to just wait a few on results for him?
Sure.
> roll 1d100-10 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100-10 low is good --> [ 1d100=66 ]{56}
I don't normally hand out bonuses on these, but this such an on point mission that I'll allow it this time.
Delaize returns that in less than a day. "Alyssa," he greets when he returns.
Alyssa glances up but continues working, "Yes? What do you need help with?"
"At the moment, nothing. However, the Academy doubts your claims of divinity and demands an omen as proof," A mere nod to you, "The politics of it are divided greatly, and some call you a heretic. I believe a proper display will settle this in your favor."
Alyssa snorts and then breaks out laughing, "That is... Amazing. Okay. Let me get my amusement under control."
Can I look in on them with my divine senses since I know them?
Sure, who in particular?
Madala first, but they might all be together in a meeting or something.
You find Madala happens to be in her room, head bowed in thought as she sits.
Alyssa smirks, Hello Madala! Is being High Regent everything you hoped it would be?
A sharp, sudden look around. "Alyssa?"
Yup! Delaize passed on what the council said, but no details. I figured I'd look in myself. Seems like you were dealing with something causing you a headache. Let me guess... Me, like always?
"You," Is the answer, "Well? It is true or is this merely the stat of suicidal hubris, Alyssa? You would not be the first mage to think themselves above mortals."
Indeed, if it were delusion, I would be far from the first mage to fall to it. Before we get to any of that, though, there's a far more important reason I'm contacting you... How have things been? Was I correct that my leaving removed interest in the Order? Was enough foundational work done?
"Yes and yes," Madala replies shortly as she sits back now, though her eyes stay sharp. "We've had no overt Sharran troubles since your departure. A few whiffs, a few hints, but nothing threatening."
That... Makes me extremely happy. I'm glad things have flourished. Any issues with that pain in the ass inspector that came to investigate us?
"That's not a concern. What's a concern is the answer to my question," Madala fires right back.
Well, the answer to your question depends on next steps. I'm not trying to be dodgy, but let's be honest. If I'm a heretic, then there's no point. I mean, I'm sure a couple of the council will call for my head, but who cares about them. But if I'm not a heretic, then what happens next? I can't exactly extend my control over all of Arythma, which means the first step would be the Order. What would you do if I were a Goddess? Would the entire Order come to me? Would you want to stay where you are? Would you allow those who want to leave to do so and those who want to stay, stay?
Because if I am a Goddess, and the Order acknowledges it, Shar will know. And if the Order is split, then the original danger remains for those who stay. If I were a Goddess, I would be able to extend some protections, but it's unlikely they would be as robust as we both would like them to be.
So, under threat of Shar possibly forcing the Order into exodus or returning to being under siege... Would you want me to be a Goddess?
"Hmph. Reality is not multiple choice, no matter how we play games with the truth," Madala retorts sharply, "Answer me."
Alyssa, Oh, fine. Here, come through, and hurry. I don't want to leave it open.
Alyssa uses her Alter Reality ability to open a Gate for Madala into her study.
Gate is a 9th level spell, but I presume you have a casting handy when you're not on a combat set of spells, so that works just fine.
Madala rises swiftly and her jaw tenses, but she strides right towards it and through. She then looks around, taking in the surroundings as...
Go ahead.
Alyssa leans back in her chair and grins, "Hello! I needed to bring you here for a reason. Gods that are in opposition to each other often watch for effects from those they oppose. I didn't want to draw attention to Arythma if I didn't need to. Now, for your question."
Alyssa releases her divine aura and channels a thread of her power around Madala so she can feel it press against her.
I assume I won't have to do something drastic like disintegrate a mountain range to prove things to you more than this?
In a moment Madala's composure breaks and she stumbles to her knees, bowing her head. She says not a word for several long moments until, "I..."
A moment of speechlessness.
Alyssa rolls her eyes and reigns her power in, "Oh stand up. Sit in a chair, have something to drink and get back to you grumpy self. This'll go a lot faster if you're all crotchety instead of a stammering maiden."
Slowly Madala manages to get to her feet and slump into a chair. She buries her face into her hands for several moments until, "Then how by Sune's teats did you ascend and why?"
Alyssa leans forward, "Well... The exact method, I can't tell you. There are concerns and rules, even for deities. How it happens is rather limited. Combined with the current conflict, well... Having whoever manages to check all the boxes, so to speak, just ascend at will would be... Rather horrific for all of Creation.
What I can tell you is that it was tied to the power I received in the Labyrinth. It opened the door, so to speak. Once I was away from the Order, I continued to develop and certain opportunities made themselves known. I took the chance and it paid off... After a few setbacks."
Alyssa sighs and looks out of the window of her study, "... Ianvasah died. Her soul was destroyed completely by Shar. She did it to save me. I still died, but Shaundakul was able to bring me back. After that, I raced for options for power."
Alyssa locks eyes with Madala, "It's not what I wanted or why, but it's what's needed. Shar's little war extends farther than you know."
All of that is taken in. Silence for a time after. Eyes meet eyes.
"So what now, then?"
"Well, this is my divine realm. I can offer you a tour, but that's not really the issue. The issue is that I need resources and personnel. The Order would be a magnificent resource for me. But that brings us back to the question I asked you before. Your inclination is going to be to ask 'why should we' and 'what's in it for us,' and while I can't tell you the exact details yet, know this: If you choose to stand aside and we lose this fight, you'll be scoured from existence the same as if you had fought."
"You're that certain Shar will do that?" Madala challenges back.
"Absolutely. Without doubt. She herself considers it utterly inevitable. In her mind, it's a foregone conclusion."
"Hmph." Silence from Madala after, deep and heavy. "Foolishness until the end. Well then, oh Goddess, what would you wish us to do?"
"Answer the question I asked earlier. You've deflected and are trying to get me to give you a command, but I won't do that. You have to decide for yourselves if you want to be a part of this. I don't expect an immediate answer, so let's get that tour out of the way, so you can see a portion of what you're getting into."
"Fine," Madala retorts, "Do we have a choice, the way you say it? I know what happens to those who openly deny divine commands."
"Yes, I know the history and lore, too. And you're right. Mortals don't have a say in things on the divine stage. Typically. And yet... Mortals make up the largest bulk of Creation. Having been mortal so recently, I think I have something of a unique perspective on it, so I'm going to do something that's probably going to make everyone angry, as usual.
In this case, you mortals do have a choice. I will make no decree, no demand. You have a choice to step into this fight, or not. I can't force any other gods, much less Shar, to give you a choice, however."
"Bitch." Madala says it as half a compliment and half a curse. "Not everyone will come, no matter what we say. There's going to be splinters and defections."
Alyssa nods, "That will be unfortunate. But there's more. For the most part, I don't intend to alter the structure of the Order, but things will still change. You will be expected to integrate and contribute. My goals are no longer aligned with what the Order was founded on, exactly.
I focus on education, research, and exploration. Knowledge will not be hoarded. Anyone can learn... provided they don't endanger others for foolish reasons. Not just magic, either. Skills and general education.
And... the power dynamic will be different. I don't intend to replace anyone personally, but... I will no longer be first among peers. I am Queen here. I am a Goddess. My touch will be light, but it will be unyielding when I exercise it."
"I'll tell them and they can make their own decision," Madala shakes her head, "They can obey or defy the divine as they wish."
"Mmm... They'll likely want proof as you did. Call out for me when you have them together and I'll bring you all over. As I said, I don't want to draw too much attention to you until you've made your decision."
"I will," Madala agrees to that.
Anything else to do here?
Nope.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good --> [ 1d100=84 ]{84}
The next day you get a message, a simple sending from Madala. 'Alyssa, there is heavy splintering but a large faction will obey.'
Still, bring the leaders. They have a right to be heard in this matter.
'I will see what I can do.' Is the answer.
Alyssa sends a confirmation and continues on with her work.
A mere day later when...
'We're ready, the ones of us who will come and obey are gathered.' Is Madala's sending.
Alyssa rolls her eyes and opens the Gate.
Thus they come. A great caravan of them. Hundreds as well as beasts of burden and servants, possessions carried along with them. Both by mundane means and with things such as bags of holding and portable holes, down to wagons full of construction materials and salvaged things. Even wagons laden with foodstuffs, crammed with whatever could be fit in there.
Alyssa watches, looking for Madala and the other leaders.
You see them amid them all, Madala in particular.
Alyssa teleports to them, "Hello!"
Madala turns, "Alyssa," she bows her head to you in a moment, "All that would come have come with whatever they can."
Alyssa nods, "And those who have chosen to stay behind? Are any of the leaders willing to meet and discuss things?"
"No," A headshake, "I suspect influence of other forces, so I hastened our departure."
"Plausable. Let's get you all settled in, and then we can talk next steps. But first.."
Alyssa sends her voice across the realm, My friends, let our realm welcome those who have come to us. Welcome the Arcane Order. They will need help settling and finding their place among us. Welcome them as the teachers and students they are, and as the friends they will become. They will lend us their knowledge, skills, and experience. Lend them yours in return, for our realm is new to them, and they will have much to explore.
Quick Diplo, +10 bonus.
Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+109 : 2 + 109, total 111[/blockquote]
Your words and will spread like fire amid your people. You feel them all work out, all of them spread as your will is done.
Anything else to do with your gains here, or just let them integrate?
Just let them get settled. I'm sure the new leadership will want to have a word at some point though. And I do actually want to peek in on those who left. Doesn't seem right to just 100% leave them out.
Sure, what's your plan dealing with the remnants?
Well, for now I'm just going to make sure they're not in immediate danger. After that, ID the leaders and see if I can't do a personal talk with them.
On a glance, a few are gone. Of the ones you can find, the main one is Sebastian Redlock, a relatively middling wizard with a skill in enchantments.
Hello Sebastian. I would like to have a conversation about why you decided to split off from the rest of the Order.
He is currently in one of the Order's libraries, an open pause as he hears your voice - before he goes back to what he's doing, no hesitation.
Oh, don't ignore me, it's petty. I'm not going to try to force you into anything. I just want you to be aware of what might be happening. I'm sure Madala gave you the overview, but she's often confrontational when she doesn't need to be. I want the Order to be as aware and prepared as possible; I was High Regent and I still care about all of you.
"Repent, heretic," The man says those two words, ice cold, and nothing else.
Regardless if you believe in me not, I was High Regent. The very least you can do is be civil.
"Burn in hellfire, heretic," The man snaps out.
Alyssa attempts to pull him to her study.
Not sure which spell is best for this. Gate?
What's the DC of alter reality for you, let's start with that.
36.
Okay, looking at mechanics it would be something like opening a gate and using alter reality to shove him through it, which should work fine.
> roll 1d20+14
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{33}
It works. Just like that he's pushed through and lands in a heap.
Peace, Alyssa. This one is one of mine, even if he does not proclaim it loudly. He is misguided, but out of respect for whom he serves.
The wise and strong voice of Tyr, the Maimed God, is heard in your mind.
Alyssa pauses at that and nods, Understood, Lord Tyr. I mean no disrespect or offense to you and yours. Just as he is one of yours, he was also one of mine when I was of the Order, and I have great concern for the safety of all of them. His stubbornness places himself, and those who depend on his leadership and clear thinking, in danger. I simply want him to understand what he faces, and for that, I needed to push past his mistaken beliefs. Do I have your approval to try to do so? Or do you want to assist me?
Be gentle and respect his free will, no matter what his choice is.
Absolutely. I have no desire to force obedience, just to help provide understanding and open eyes.
Turning to Sebastian, she speaks, releasing her divine aura and threading her power into her voice, Sebastian. I had no desire to have this conversation in this way, but your stubbornness somewhat forced my hand, as time may be critically short. Lord Tyr has provided me some insight into the source of it, and I want to assure you: I have no desire to change your faith or your will. More so since you have others who follow and rely on you. My only desire is for you understand what is happening and what might be coming. Your faith in Lord Tyr is strong, and true, and I will respect it.
Alyssa continues in a more conversational tone, "Now, will you please sit and have a conversation with me? As old comrades of the Order?"
Go ahead and gimme a diplo check here, at least.
Diplo:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+68 : 17 + 68, total 85[/blockquote]
Sebastian eyes you long, but ultimately sits at your request. He doesn't say anything, but he's sitting.
"Thank you. Now, I'm not sure how much you're actually aware of about what's going on. The murders that happened before I left were caused by Shar. She targeted the Order because of me. I gained her attention when I completed the labyrinth, and as my power grew, so did her interest. I left to reduce the chance of her continuing to target the Order, and it worked. For a time.
I've gotten more than a little indication from her, personally, that she wanted to strike at me in ways that would hurt. Since my family is already here, that meant the Order. My invitation to come here was to help protect everyone, and in turn, further develop this realm. I knew not everyone would come, but I didn't anticipate that those who stayed would completely ignore the danger.
Now, I'm not trying to force you or anything of the sort, but if you're going to be the leader of your own faction, you need to understand the danger. Shar will come for you. The fact that you're a follower of Lord Tyr will lend you a measure of defense. Personally. If those that follow you aren't as devout as you, then the intervention Lord Tyr will likely be limited. She will strike at everyone she can, and you likely do not have the defenses set up to stop her.
That said, there's an opportunity for both of us. Yours is not the only faction that stayed, but... Those that stayed aren't the most powerful or experienced of the Order, either. My realm is still developing, so I propose this: remain in contact. You're going to face challenges of leadership, logistics, and things that would make you laugh at the ridiculousness of them except that people will draw blood over them. Dealing with them will require experience and resources. Keep in contact with your mentors that came here. Ask them for advice. Continue the Order on Arythma, and evolve it into something new, and something unique to those who stayed. Doing that will benefit both of us: we get a new partner to discuss and research things with, and you get backing against the Mageocracy and whatever dangers approach.
It's my full intent that we continue to improve the defenses and detection abilities for those of you who stayed, either way, as long as you're at least will to talk to us."
"We will meet Shar's forces and we will crush them," Sebastian's voice is firm, steady. "Any Sharrans will be rooted out and meet the noose for heresy. Tyr will protect, Tyr will guide and Tyr will triumph in justice against her. You have left, but we will not fall. We are depleted," Sebastian says, "But we will regrow and we will triumph."
"I approve. I hope you think on what I've offered. Think and pray to Tyr. I doubt he'll tell you maintaining communication, at the very least, is a bad idea.
On a more personal note, Sebastian, you're correct on your opinion about mages claiming to be Gods. But mages who are under that delusion tend to have significant power. Beginning any conversation with one will always lead to conflict."
Sebastian meets your gaze. He does not flinch nor hesitate - truly fearless or so stupid as to not know better. "Let the heretics be judged," he says, "I am armored from above."
Alyssa senda to Tyr, You've got your work cut out with him. He'll need your help.
"Very well. Just remember, we're here for you if you need it."
Alyssa opens a way home for him.
Do not underestimate a man armored in faith, for he wears the armor that shall never break.
Meanwhile, Sebastian takes that chance and returns.
A few moments later?
Alyssa, this is Sylvie. You visited the Ordial Plane to find a divine seed? What was it like?
It was a white nothingness. Full of energy and potential, but fallow. Why?
Did it have winds or any mentions of things like that?
Yes, there was. The light of 21 followed it. Have you found another?
No, it's confirming something else altogether.
Do you want me to check it out? Ordial required a very specific type of affinity.
I'll get with you soon and talk about it face to face.
Alyssa leaves it at that with her, but sends to the others, Sylvie will be visiting us soon. Bastian, would you make sure to be here when she does?
A soft thump as Bastian appears next to you, dropping a few inches from above to the ground. "Yeah," he says, "What's it about?"
"She's got questions about Oridal. My success with it required affinity with Travel, and you have that as well. More points of view, more data points, better solutions."
"Fine," Bastian says to that, "Wasn't Emily there too?"
"She was, but what Sylvie alluded to was less about the experience. I think she'll probably show up anyway, but if not, I can call her in. I have a feeling it'll pertain to our abilities far more than hers."
"Alright, "Bastian agrees, as...
Araseis catches your attention as she prays. A short prayer as she goes out, hood up and cloaked. "Guide me as I seek the truth to the interference that wounded me so," she asks.
Alyssa considers and then threads to her a bit of inspiration to research the gods in the library.
> roll 1d100 low is good
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 low is good --> [ 1d100=90 ]{90}
At least she's not really at risk of death here short of an even worse roll. There's only so many dangers in a library.
Araseis goes - and checks the libraries, but you can see it quickly becomes a fruitless labor as she works away, no useful knowledge found.
Alyssa lets her be. Studiousness and perseverance are acquired traits.
Okay, any small todos while we wait on Sylvie being freed up? Shouldn't be long.
Eh, not really. Still have to remake my hammer, though, with the WoC.
What was your plan there?
Just replicate it the same way as I did before.
Sure, link me to the results you got last time?
http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104121.msg1163952.html#msg1163952
Okay, make the same checks for it that you did last time.
It was a Cha and Con check:
Cha/Brains over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 7 + 24, total 31[/blockquote]
Con/Brains over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 11 + 24, total 35[/blockquote]
The Words come easier now. Much easier, far less strain you. It is not nearly as difficult to form a hammer this time, a copy of your previous soon called and created by your hand.
Alyssa hefts it.
"Well, that was far easier. I'll have to experiment later."
Anything else to do with it?
Nah, not for now. Might try to improveit later but no ideas on how yet.
Sure thing. Next move in the meantime? We're mostly just killing a little time until Sylvie's available, Moore's thread is running long.
Uh, could talk to Dolmaya about finding that other version of the Blue?
Sure.
It's not hard to get Dolmaya away from her work - she follows you along and...
Go ahead.
"So, what did you think of my idea about the opposite of the Blue?"
"It's a nice theory if it works, but it's just a theory," Dolmaya says as she walks along with you. "Do you think it's more?"
"Well, looking at the way everything else in creation works, it makes sense. Law and chaos. Good and evil. Celestials and devils. Deities almost always have some sort of opposite. The question is, how do we go about proving or disproving it?"
"That assumes the opposite isn't the Far Realm," Dolmaya counters, "And that this entire thing isn't a fool's errand. As for proving it? I don't have the foggiest idea," she admits, "It wasn't something I'd heard of until we went there, and I haven't heard of it since."
"Hmm... We may have to take a trip to our patron, then."
"We may have to," Dolmaya agrees.
"Hmm. Let's go after our visitor, then. Pending nothing else comes up."
"Seize the day," Dolmaya agrees to that. "Firmly."
"Outside of that, you're far more of a combat mage than I am. I was thinking of working out a... signature spell or sorts with you for me. Interested?"
"Of course. Every wizard needs such a thing," Dolmaya concludes. "How about Alyssa's Plasma Rain?"
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "Well, it's certainly got my attention. Details?"
"That," Dolmaya says with a hint of a smile, "Is what we work out when we develop the spell!"
"Well, it certainly is interesting. What base are you thinking? It'll have to be able to deal with immunity spells."
"Perhaps fire, or something similar that doesn't burn at all," Dolmaya says, "Raw force or light - there's spells that do well with that."
"Light would be best, considering it's effect on Shar's servants and shadow magic."
"Sunlance is a superb spell," Dolmaya concurs.
"Hmm... Area of effect, or multiple targets?"
"Something big, something impressive," Dolmaya says, "Something to sweep your enemies away!"
"Hmm... A line? Cone? Or Pillar..."
"A towering pillar. Let your enemies quail before it," Dolmaya agrees.
"Hmm... Should we build in a dispel? Like Rain of Desolation?"
"Oh, leave other spells for that unless that's what you want. You want great destructive power, don't you?" Dolmaya asks.
Alyssa nods, "Sounds like a solid frame work, but do we want to just settle for a scaled up Sunlance? We need something unique... Hmm... I'll have to think on it."
At this moment, the interruption comes - Sylvie is just outside and awaits you.
"Come on in!"
Sylvie enters as Dolmaya goes to take a seat.
"Ladies," she greets, "We can keep this brief as possible, I just need to know about what you saw in the Ordial Plane."
Alyssa nods, "Let me get Emily in here, in case she saw anything different."
Alyssa sends a quick summons to Emily before continuing, "When we entered, it was a plane of endless grey. The guardian could manipulate it freely, it seemed. Endless field of wheat, but everything remained in shades of grey and incomplete, until the wind and the light of 21 came. Then it was pure white."
Emily enters and quietly joins you. "What I want to know about was the wind," Sylvie goes on, "We think we know someone who's aware of the Ordial and gleans wisdom from it. It's not critically important, but it would verify his insights as worthwhile."
Alyssa nods to Emily and considers, "The guardian said that the winds screamed at the return of the light of 21, and that it was an echoing idea. It was drawn to us, I think perhaps because we had been touched by the 21, when we helped you. The guardian said it didn't matter, and that it wouldn't consume us.
So, based on that, whatever this wind is that you're hunting is attracted to 21... Perhaps as part of a concept given form? If it consumes and seeks 21, perhaps some sort of attempt at a counter for it?"
"That echos with the Man of the Winds says," Sylvie agrees, her head bowed down in thought. "On Pandemonium, the realm of eternal winds." She drums her fingers on her thigh, lost in thought. "No, the why isn't important, only the verification. I don't desire to force an answer out of him, it'll probably be more trouble than it's worth."
Alyssa gets a gleam in her eye, "Answers are always worth it. It's obviously connected to 21 and I was already intrigued by what it was an echo of and how it was connected to 21. If it's something like an echo of its power, or an echo of its creation, it will be absolutely worth learning."
"It will be," Sylvie agrees, "But it's also not important to our greater goals at this moment. Priorities, I needed to test his veracity."
"We could split the work..."
Alyssa grins slyly.
"We could," Sylvie cracks a slight smile, "Couldn't we?"
"Indeed. And more than that, I have a theory that 21 might be able to help with as well. Interested in a bit of mutual collaboration?"
"Well, we no longer have 21," Sylvie says blandly, "But if anyone knows enough about it, I do."
"You remember the Blue? It's a boundary to filter out the Far Realm from Creation, correct? I have a theory that Creation i built on balance: Law and Chaos, Good and Evil, and so on. So if there's a place that filters it out, could there be a place that mixes it in?"
"No," Sylvie says without hesitation. "I don't think the Far Realm filters in like that - it's adapted to safety."
"Hmm... Something about it doesn't feel right. I'll keep poking at it. What do you need me to do for your investigation?"
"That's what I needed," Sylvie agrees, "Thanks for the time."
"Well, what about splitting the effort up? Did you want me to go investigate Pandemonium?"
"No, leave him alone," Sylvie shakes her head. "Or at least be careful."
Just a couple posts ago, she agreed to split the work for this. Am I missing something?
Probably better to ask her IC.
"What happened to splitting the work up?"
A shake of her head, "No, more than he may be dangerous or have abilities we don't know about. Step lightly around him, he may know dangerous things."
"I'll gather what I can on him remotely."
"Good luck then," Sylvie agrees.
At this Emily speaks up, "Thanks," she smiles momentarily, "Be careful."
"You too," Sylvie says, as she goes to leave.
Alyssa grins and waves as well.
Okay then, next move?
Looking for that hidden room while we're waiting for target Intel. Or looking for more library or loot sources.
Sure thing, how are you going to go about looking for that door?
Well, we already know it's in the 10th layer of the Abyss, so we need to start running divinations, doing research for anything that might give us a clue, or looking for fairly neutral people we can hire to search around. I'd rather go myself, but that's inviting some bad stuff to happen to just be turning rocks over.
Okay, go ahead and lay out which one you do first and how, we'll roll with t hat.
"Emily, Bastian, Dolmaya, we're going to begin hunting in earnest for the hidden room. We know it's on the 10th layer of the Abyss, but now that we have the crystal, our divinators have some protection when they try to scry. Let's try to figure out a framework for them to look for clues. Bastian, we're going to need some discreet help as well. We'll need at least a few bodies able to move around there at will."
"Are we going to go ourselves, Alyssa?" Emily asks right off. "It could be dangerous for others."
Bastian nods a bit, "Fine. I'll see if I can find someone tolerable and trustworthy enough."
"Which rules out all the natives," Dolmaya frowns, "But there's enough there to still work with others, loathsome as it may be."
Alyssa turns to Emily, "Eventually, but the issue is the attention. Whenever we go, we'll instantly have every eye on us, and the last thing we need is for someone to figure out what we're doing before we've found it. I personally don't want to see any Abyssal get their hands on whatever might be there. So, we have to rely on a more hands off approach until we have something reliable to go on."
"Well," Bastian grunts, "Have you offended any demon lords, Alyssa? Anyone who may make a point to notice?"
Alyssa tries to look innocent, "I... may have ignored ambassadors and messages from... Malcanthet..."
"Hmph." A little murmur from Bastian, "At least it wasn't a direct insult."
"Well, I honestly doubt she's the sort to let it go. By nature she's not acclimated to being ignored, so... She'll definitely take interest in my showing up on her doorstep, so to speak, after ignoring her."
"Well, we can't let that control us, either," Emily counters, "Otherwise we may as well not go anywhere."
"Still, it's better not to provoke her, do you think she'd care?" Is Bastian's counter back.
"I have no idea. And Emily, we're not letting it control us. We're doing as much reconnaissance and ground work as we can before we possibly expose a flank to her. We'll be going ourselves when we're ready."
"Well..." Emily begins, but nods.
Okay, moves from here about this?
Well, probably research and Bastian investigation to get at least clues, then scrying to whittle down from there?
Sure, we'll start with an K:P check on it, declare precisely what you're researching first. Include any library bonus you have for your library.
Okay, so. First I'll be searching for anything that's 'hidden' on the 10th layer. By that I mean things or areas where treasure hunters (or whoever) have gone looking for stuff and never found it. Building on that, I'll then look for any areas mentioned multiple times. After that, I'll look for more out-there, strange things related to the 10th layer.
K:P/Libarary/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+113 : 10 + 113, total 123[/blockquote]
Previous info for it, for reference.
The 10th layer of the Abyss, simply known as 'That Hellhole'. It's known of a dark place of pain, fire, feeding and misery. Granted, that's the Abyss in general, but it tends to be a free for all at the best of times. Fire is common and deadly there, fire fueled by pure hatred that burns anything and corrupts those who channel it there.
What is known about That Hellhole is minimal. It's said to be a realm of darkness and fire like you learned before. Gnawing and clawing things are there, and it's said that few last more than moments before being torn apart. Most of the layer is hidden as a result and few return from the fanged beasts there - things said to have many arms and mouths, that rip and bite their foes apart.
It has no known demon lord that rules it, or perhaps such a figure is hidden. Instead the things with in tear and eat, and swarm any who enter the layer. As your divination showed, you absolutely cannot channel fire there - fire spells, fire abilities or anything - without a serious risk of corruption. What far fewer know there is that fire is both effective against many of the denizens and the more you channel, the stronger the corruption and the difficulty to resist it becomes.
I want to follow up with research on the description of the creatures and the corruption. Sounds like limbo or far realm style creatures, and I have an idea for the fire stuff.
Sure, another K:P check.
K:P/Library/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+82 : 10 + 82, total 92[/blockquote]
The good news: You can immediately rule out the Far Realm. If it was Far Realm creatures, there wouldn't be an Abyss anymore, or a Creation altogether.
The creatures vary. Some are lizardlike, some are crablike and reports of humanoids are known of as well. Sometimes twisted versions of normal demons are seen as well. There's not a lot of reports from it and they all vary on the exact details of what is encountered. The main thing that can be agreed on is that they probably aren't obyriths, for what little good that does anyone.
The corruption's reports are likewise limited, but the twist the creature into something of evil. Heavier exposure is unclear likely because anyone altered that far doesn't survive to come back. Light changes induce a collapse in any moral fiber and a distinct desire for destruction. Sufficient holy magic can reverse these changes at that stage. Likely as a deity you'd shrug off such things, at least.
Hmm... Can I like, abduct one of the twisted creatures for study or something? Summon one or something? And is there anything I can do to figure out if Holy Fire would work normally?
You could try to abduct one. How would you do it?
You could probably work out some way to possibly summon one as well.
Go there and try it, or somehow get more info or use divinations, you'd imagine.
Okay, then I'll try the same thing as with Sebastian: try to scry one then Gate and pull.
And let's try to do some more divination for the holy fire vs. corruption dealio.
Okay, which one first?
Getting a test subject first. If they're corrupted, then we can also test out holy fire on them.
Okay, so who exactly are you scrying on?
Well, let's start with general scrying on the Hellhole and go from there. I'm not looking for the biggest, baddest dude around, just something that's corrupted in there.
CL on the scrying real quick.
CL:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+40 : 11 + 40, total 51[/blockquote]
It's dark.
Not a darkness of a lack of light, but something more.
The eyes drink in the light. Pairs of eyes, of things. Rambling and rumbling things, crawling and slithering things with so many mouths that all open wide. Flames burn amid them as snapping, clawing, twisting hands reach up by the dozens.
A broken place of rock and dead earth. It is littered with these things that scurry and slither and climb. Reptilian ones with eyes that seem to know and hate you. Gnarled ones like old wood warped into a suitable form. Avians that glare death and destruction, birds with clawed wings and feathers that consume.
Alyssa looks for one that can't fly and is a little isolate, so she has time to close the gate without it getting rushed.
She sends to the others, Everyone, I want you at the Crystal. I'm going to try and pull one of the denizens here so we can study it. I want you here in case something goes wrong.
Bastian's voice in your mind, 'Fine.'
It's not hard to get everyone together, just in case.
Any prep for this since you're taking it seriously?
Gonna need some sort of holding cage?
What do you have in mind?
Well, protection circles are supposed to have some restraining abilities, but only if they're part of a summon. I doubt this qualifies? So I'd suggest... Force Cage and that teleport cage? And do it in a secure room. Maybe one of the vaults in the bank?
Sure, okay. Set yourself up with how you're doing this and we'll roll.
Alyssa takes everyone into one of the bank vaults, "So, we don't what this thing will end up being like. I want to do this somewhere remote and secure, and this is the best place, I think. My idea is to pull it in through a Gate into a Force Cage, then put a teleport block on it so it can't go anywhere. Any other ideas?"
"If we can open a Gate there, it should work," Jarem says after a moment.
"If it does," Dolmaya agrees, "But we'll find out."
Alyssa nods, "Then let's get ready."
Can we just assume that we have the spells for this between everyone?
Sure, go for it.
Alyssa sets up the Force cage and starts looking for a suitable target, the Gate spell ready to go.
I'm assuming there's some sort of roll for this?
Yes, where or whom are you targeting, first of all?
I mentioned before looking for one that was a bit isolated, so that.
Okay, quick CL check, +5 circumstance bonus.
CL check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 18 + 38, total 56[/blockquote]
You see them again. They crawl, they move, they writhe. You see many of them, many possible targets for you to go for if you wish.
Alyssa selects one and starts casting!
> roll 1d20+15
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+15 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{26}
One of the lizardlike ones is all too easy to get. A portal, a cage and a block are all done smoothly by your group - not hard at all. It thrashes, bites and rips at the force cage, all to no avail.
"Alright, that went well enough. Dolmaya and I will get started researching it. Emily, interested in helping?"
"Of course," Emily volunteers right away.
Alyssa nods and gets to work, "Let's try to figure out how this corruption works and what we have that can counter it..."
Okay, how are you gonna do this?
Well, start by trying to figure out what sort of corruption it is, then go through typical purification stuff? See if holy/good spells do anything, and then try to build a custom spell from there.
Sure. Give me an K:P check here too.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Library:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+82 : 18 + 82, total 100[/blockquote]
It's nasty stuff. It's not danger to a deity you think in any normal quantity, but it is corrosive. Sufficient holy power burns it away, thankfully. Generally, a 7th level or higher holy spell (with the good subtype to be clear) seems to be sufficient.
Alyssa turns to Dolmaya and Emily, "So, we've got something to work with now... I think we should build two spells for this: a spell that hits a large area, and a defensive one."
"What do you have in mind in detail?" Emily asks.
"Hmm... Either something like a scaled up Holy version of Chain Lightning, and... Sacred armor or aura?"
"I already know a holy aura spell," Emily points out, "That would do well. I think there's holy magic called heavenly lightning, but I'm not sure you could use it."
Do you want me to search through the Good descriptor spells before going further, or just do something from scratch?
Whichever you prefer.
Waiting on that Rod of Purify question/total so I can decide.
I'd rule to just seek multiple rather than opening the door to stronger/more uses rods for now.
Boo. Guess I'll just duct tape them together so I can hold them all at once. =p
"Well, Good magic is primarily the domain of Clerics and Druids... I can dabble a bit in the first, but... I think it might be more effective to get a few Rods of Purify Spell. That will allow me to use my more powerful magic."
"I can handle a good deal of holy magic, too," Emily pipes up, "We should be alright with that, and we can fall back if it turns out we aren't."
Dolmaya frowns but adds, "It's troublesome, but we can't let such a thing slow us."
"Well, I'd rather be over-prepared. Who knows how many of these things are down there, how powerful they are, and if there are guardian level protectors. So, let's work on at least one of these rods for both Dolmaya and myself."
Okay then, so are you getting or making those rods or what?
Well, I'm broke, so adventuring first for money, then making them.
Emily still has over 60k, how much do you need?
Your realm isn't really up and running yet so this is at least worth considering for awhile yet.
Uh, well, I'd want two Greaters, so that's 49k. Honestly, I don't think this hidden room is a super-critical time sensitive thing, so I'm good with holding off and doing more research on these things to find more weaknesses.
It's your call on how you do it. Emily doesn't care about the money at all.
Eh, I'll pay her back. Two of 'em. One for Dolmaya and one for me.
Go post the expense in loot, please.
Posted.
Okay, any prep for this trip then, assuming you're going now?
I'm going to have to redo my spells first, so I guess pause me til tomorrow.
Sure, do you have a lot to adjust?
Well, I'll have to replace anything that's fire-related, and set up some Holy type defenses, so a decent bit, I think.
Sure, post when you're set up.
Spells updated.
Okay then, any prep for this beyond adjusting spells?
Nope. Does anyone else need help doing stuff?
No, they should be fine. Are you all going then? If so I'll get this on the road.
Sure.
Thus you all gather, prepared and ready to go.
"Alright," Dolmaya says, "We go in, attack, smite it all, leave if needed. I doubt each demon is any threat to us, but they are usually legion. Expect a lot of combat against great hordes."
Alyssa nods, "Be very cautious of fire spells. We'll be looking for something that I have no idea what it looks like or where it might be."
"We'll ward against it, but still," Jarem agrees.
Go ahead and have someone start this off with whatever transportation and I'll get spoiler blocks up.
Alyssa uses Greater Plane Shift to get everyone as near as possible to the Hellohole.
It's a layer of the Abyss. You're either on it or you're not, so what do you mean by close?
I was just generalizing since I don't know the actual layout. It's a plane, like you said, so it's huge. I just mean close to wherever I was scrying before.
It's hot. Oh so hot as you appe - !
They come! Biting and clawing, an immediate tidal wave of what you've faced, racing in. You barely have a second to react before...!!!
Init. This is a friendly plane, they come right up to you.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845+34/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 12/12
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 8 + 27, total 35[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 Jarem --> [ 1d20=10 ]{18}
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+16 Emily --> [ 1d20=17 ]{33}
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 Bastian --> [ 1d20=14 ]{23}
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 Dolmaya --> [ 1d20=1 ]{19}
> roll 1d20+6 demons everywhere
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 demons everywhere --> [ 1d20=19 ]{25}
Init is Alyssa (35) > Emily (33) > Demons (25) > Bastian (23) > Dolmaya (19) > Jarem (18)
Open Alyssa.
Are we treating this as a general en mass wave, or individuals?
The former.
Alyssa starts casting!
Sandalphon's Amazing Barrage (SDA Maximized/Quickened), CL 36
All enemies within range of this spell are struck by Sandalphon's unerring projectile. This deals 1d3 damage +1 points of force damage per level, to a maximum of 1d3+30.
So 33 to all. I dunno what their HP is, so I'm holding my additional actions until see what the results of this are.
Does it allow SR?
Nope.
The demons are blasted. Across this dead plain you can see them - hundreds in every direction, swarming on you like they're ravenous. Madness is in their eyes and nothing else, sheer hunger that defies any other thoughts.
Your barrage takes a few down and others are wounded, all across, but only a few go down, the weaker ones.
Alyssa begins casting another spell!
Summon Solar, CL 36.
36 rounds.
Okay, that it for you then?
Yepo.
Init is Alyssa (35) > Emily (33) > Demons (25) > Bastian (23) > Dolmaya (19) > Jarem (18)
Emily is up.
"Do you need support?" Emily asks right away, as magic dances between her fingers.
"Smite away. Just keep in mind we might be searching for a while."
> roll 3#1d20 touch AC so these are mostly just quick checks for crits
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 3#1d20 touch AC so these are mostly just quick checks for crits --> [ 1d20=7 ]{7}, [ 1d20=19 ]{19}, [ 1d20=20 ]{20}
> roll 1d20 crit confirm
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 crit confirm --> [ 1d20=4 ]{4}
Three sunlances, all automatically maximized. Ow.
> roll 3#1d20+38
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 3#1d20+38 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{57}, [ 1d20=17 ]{55}, [ 1d20=11 ]{49}
Ow.
The sun rises again.
Three sunlances come from Emily, tearing great holes in the enemy order. Already battered by Alyssa's spell, the sunlances tear great, gaping holes in the demon formations. Dozens and dozens are burnt away in an instant, yet more come, heedless and suicidally aggressive. Not even divinity seems to scare such wretched things, perhaps beyond even fear at all.
> roll 1d20+53
> roll 1d20+53
> roll 1d20+53
> roll 1d20+53
> roll 1d20+53
> roll 1d20+53
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{68}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{54}
> roll 1d20+53
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{66}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{57}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{73}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{72}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{69}
> roll 1d20+53 crit?
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 crit? --> [ 1d20=8 ]{61}
AC, Alyssa?
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845+34/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Sorcerer: 3 11th level
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 12/12
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
100.
Only the crit hits everyone and it's not even a crit, just a normal hit since the confirmed failed.
> roll 2d8+18
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 2d8+18 --> [ 2d8=10 ]{28}
Doesn't beat anyone's DRs, so take damage appropriately. Go ahead and post an HP update.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 887/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845+21/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Sorcerer: 3 11th level
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 763/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 721/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 12/12
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa
HP: 676/684
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
AC: 104
SR: 51
Bonuses: Attack+54/49/44/39, Damage+0 AC+20, Saves+2, Skills+0
Resources: 26 Inspiration
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Darkvision 60ft, DR 20/adamantine and epic, Resistance 20 Acid/Electricity/Fire 20, Immunity Electric/Sonic/Acid/Cold/Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Never Flat-footed, Attune Form, Fire Sub-type, +4 Insight Bonus Dex/Int/Cha, +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge Checks
> roll 1d20+62
> roll 1d20+62
> roll 1d20+62
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+62 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{64}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+62 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{72}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+62 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{79}
> roll 1d20+57
> roll 1d20+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+57 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{65}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+52 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{69}
> roll 1d20+47
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+47 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{53}
> OOC: +8 more for terrain.
> roll 4d12+52
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=23 ]{75}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=33 ]{85}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=25 ]{77}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=21 ]{73}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=23 ]{75}
> roll 4d12+52
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d12+52 --> [ 4d12=30 ]{82}
A swift sweep of the field clears out monsters that menace you, Bastian a blur as he ensures a few more moments of safety from this hoard.
Init is Alyssa (35) > Emily (33) > Demons (25) > Bastian (23) > Dolmaya (19) > Jarem (18)
Dolmaya.
> roll 1d20+18
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{24}
> roll 25d6
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 25d6 --> [ 25d6=85 ]{85}
Dolmaya utters a single word and the demons go flying. The crawling, clawing things are sent flying back, slamming into one another as they hurtle well away. Great heaps of them lie about now, your overwhelming offensive sufficient to leave you victorious - for the moment.
Sandalphon and then Dolmaya's Scathing Rejection was a brutal 1-2 here and almost perfectly chosen. For the moment free act.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845+34/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Sorcerer: 3 11th level
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 12/12
Spells Used: 1 14th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
"We need to start searching and finding this thing. We won't be able to do this forever."
Alyssa begins using her divine abilities to try to feel out this place.
Idea is to use to porfolio for travel to find anything hidden/blocked off, sorta like I did with Ordial.
Do me a favor and link me to precisely what you did?
Here's the begining of it: http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104407.msg1174534.html#msg1174534
Nothing nearby, but it's difficult - for if nothing else, you can sense the travels of so many creatures around, thousands and tens of thousands that roam this cursed place nearby.
Perhaps if you were closer to it.
"There's too much here to sift through... We'll need to get closer, but.. Let me see if I can't at least get a general direction..."
So I got 360 degrees and up and down to pick from. Anything I can do to narrow that down?
Give me a rank check, please?
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 3 + 2, total 5[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+3
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{16}
As you do, you feel a flash. Something watching, something hungry. It pushes your will back, as all the realm seems to rumble with hunger, as if a stomach unfulfilled.
"Well, I certainly got something's attention... Let me try this again, then we'll have to start moving. And quickly."
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 20 + 2, total 22[/blockquote]
As much as I hate to rain on the parade since you got a natural 20, are you doing the exact same thing?
Pretty much? Trying to get a better direction of where to search. Right now we're wandering blind, and eventually, will be worn down.
Generally, you can't retry an opposed rank check right off. As a rule on something they last for an encounter on a particular attempted action so things don't end up spamming them. You could try a different thing and if it was opposed that would provoke a new roll.
I guess I'll try to figure out what it was that pushed back.
Okay, cool, how are you trying that then?
Alter reality to scry or something to identify it? Not sure beyond that vague idea.
Sure, gimme a spell you could alter reality and I'll roll with it.
Probably some combo use of Foresight and Scrying.
You can't alter reality foresight, that's a level 9 spell.
I meant use it together with an alter reality'd scrying. I dunno if it works exactly like I think, but the fluff of the spell implies it'll give a general sense of 'good' and 'bad' actions. I'm hoping having it active during the scrying will help give me *something* I can use to sorta steer myself around.
> roll 1d20+3
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{8}
> roll 1d20+53 it's still entitled to a save against scrying
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+53 it's still entitled to a save against scrying --> [ 1d20=15 ]{68}
You feel it. A malignancy. A rot. A dreadful thing, a horror that eats and hungers, one that creeps towards you. It watches you from a hundred vantage points here, from a hundred sets of eyes broken and yet alive.
It is many.
It is a legion.
The creatures of this realm writhe and watch you, hunger and tear at your body.
A demon lord gazes at you through the many that are part of him, the endless creatures you have pushed back for this time.
Alyssa sends to the others, There's a demon lord watching us through all of these things' eyes. Hunger and rot. I'm betting it won't show until we've taken a significant portion of these things out, and it'll survive if we don't get all of them. Ideas?
Great. So we have to face a demon lord and he has home field advantage.
If the Red Knight did it, we can do it!
The Red Knight probably had a bit more intel on her target and planning, but let's at least not waste our being here. We'll push as far as we can and pay attention for weaknesses, or anything of note we can make use of if we have to come back.
'If,' Bastian sends back through pure telepathy, 'Anyway, enough talking, let's move before they make another wave attack.'
Alyssa nods and moves with the group, starting a general search for the Hidden Room.
Looking about, you have several hundred feet of free space. The ground is blasted, cracked and ruined. Bone dry if you don't miss your guess.
Ahead is more of the same, save monsters crawl across it relentlessly. The ones you've seen before and more, horizon to horizon that you can see and probably beyond as well. The only hint of anything ahead is a tall mountain very distant on the horizon.
Well, it's a bit obvious to be concealing the hidden room, but we might as well rule it out. Let's head for the mountain.
Can we just like, teleport to it?
You could try, sure.
Alyssa attempts to teleport them to the mountain, figuring her abilities with Travel might help with anything that tries to impede them!
Now that's worth a rank check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 13 + 2, total 15[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+3
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{6}
Something is working - a hand twists here, a will opposes your own. But whatever it is isn't done, and you're able to move just in time.
The mountains are great, jagged peaks of torn rock. They are far too steep to be anything but daggers into the sky, dotted with caverns all about and over.
Come here. Come here and be eaten. I see you. I see you. I see you. I can taste you. I can taste your flesh!
Alyssa responds, including the group, Yes, yes, gibbering madness and hunger and rot. I gathered that from before. Are you coherent or polite enough to introduce yourself?
Just for my own reference, gimme a Diplomacy check?
Diplo:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+68 : 17 + 68, total 85[/blockquote]
Your answer is a loud, furious shriek into your mind.
Then again, demons.
Alyssa sends to the others, So much for that. Keep on guard and be ready to get out of here.
Alyssa keeps going, looking for a way in, or hidden passages.
Perception.
"It's just a matter of time," Dolmaya says aloud.
We need to bait this demon out or we'll run around fruitlessly against it.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 16 + 64, total 80[/blockquote]
Ideas on how to do that? If we stay out here, it'll just throw minions at us to wear us down.
You see caves - many of them you can catch glimpses of horrors in, but one a bit below seems to be free of them.
Provoke it into facing us and making a mistake.
Alyssa sends to the thing that screamed at them, If you're going to be that petty, then at least stop wasting my time cowering in whatever hole you're in and come get us. Though I doubt you'll do much than impotent screaming and throwing your fodder at us.
Hm. Are you trying to be intimidating here? Matters for which check I call for.
Just trying to provoke.
Gimme a Diplomacy check to see how precisely insulting you are, I suppose.
Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+99 : 9 + 99, total 108[/blockquote]
I will rut in you and then devour you and our children! I will drag your soul here to be eaten for eternity!
The roar is one of mindless rage, of fury unrelenting.
So says the pathetic one hiding in a hole.
Abruptly the sky begins to twist around you, becoming great heaps of teeth and claws, as if to rip and sunder all of you apart.
"No," Jarem speaks aloud, a moment of will meeting will.
> roll 1d20+3
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{16}
> roll 1d20+1
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{3}
But nothing happens as they continue to form, fast around all of you, the air becoming a living hazard.
Alyssa tries to help Jarem counter it with her own power.
Rank check then, sure.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 19 + 2, total 21[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+3
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{16}
That, at least, is enough to stop the mouths. They cease forming and the sky is still the sky - for now.
"We really aren't getting anything productive here, are we?" Bastian stays, looking about. "What was that about a cave?"
"I have a feeling it's hiding somewhere inside here. We have no idea what it is, though, or where exactly it is."
Meanwhile, you notice the mountain is beginning to grow long, rocky claws and arms all over it.
Emily points at those, "Um...is it possible that it IS the mountain?"
"... Well, you wanted a story. Beating a mountain is a pretty good one. Ideas?"
"It's a mountain," Bastian says slowly. "You don't fight a mountain. It's too big."
"I've heard stories about this," Jarem speaks up, "About facing things this size. You can't kill it from the outside, so go in and destroy the heart, brain or something else critical."
Alyssa inspects it, trying to analyze it and pick out that critical something.
Know it's probably a long shot, but any sort of check to identify something? For example, like eyes are always near the brain.
It's a giant possibly alive mountain. You'd assume the top for the brain if it goes humanoid-shaped but even that's not certain.
You just don't have anything to go on.
"Well, it'll take some effort figuring out where what is... I'm going to bet any caves we find are going to be like an anthill: infested with his little minions. Start looking for ways in, I suppose."
There's lots of caves you can go in, as you saw. Are you looking for something else?
Just one that looks big enough for fightingin.
There's several to choose from - all but one brim with monsters within, awaiting you.
"That empty one feels like we're being herded."
"Well, let's make a choice already," Dolmaya declares, flying ahead.
"We're short on time," Bastian agrees, following.
"Well not the obvious one, I think."
Alyssa heads to the one nearest the unoccupied one.
This is a fairly wide chasm in the side of the mountain, which continues to grow arms and claws and worse by the moment. Within you can see it stuffed full of crawling, snapping, clawing things, surely hundreds of them clogging the way ahead.
"So, this way or the seemingly safe way?"
Before anyone can open their mouths, the monsters spill out, gushing forward and flying as if gravity means nothing to them.
You have a more pressing problem. Init.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 5 + 27, total 32[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+8 Jarem --> [ 1d20=14 ]{22}
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+16 Emily --> [ 1d20=8 ]{24}
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 Bastian --> [ 1d20=13 ]{22}
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 Dolmaya --> [ 1d20=3 ]{21}
> roll 1d20+10 demons everywhere
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 demons everywhere --> [ 1d20=19 ]{29}
Init is Alyssa (32) > Demons (29) Emily (24) > Jarem = Bastian (22) > Dolmaya (21)
Open.
Alyssa begins casting!
Sandalphon's Amazing Barrage (SDA Maximize), CL 38
33 damage to all.
Refresh me on how far that reaches?
Medium. So 480 ft for me.
Your blasts slam in fast and hard, another shot that strikes true. You wound them deep into the tunnel as...
Anything else this round?
Nah, just kind of want to wait to see what's going to happen.
The answer is for the demons to erupt out with bile and acid, with burning hate and corruptive fire - a great wave of it heads at all of you.
Ref all.
Ref/Cunning Insight/Aura of Inspiration (19/27 Inspiration):
Everyone gets +16 to this save.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 16 + 62, total 78[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+68 Evasion Jarem
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+68 Evasion Jarem --> [ 1d20=4 ]{72}
> Emily can't fail it so won't roll, rolled Jarem out of habit.
> Same with Bastian + improved evasion.
> roll 1d20+60 Dolmaya evasion
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+60 Dolmaya evasion --> [ 1d20=11 ]{71}
Do you have evasion, Alyssa? If you do, please note it when you roll the save.
Yes, I do. Got it from Monk. I'll try to remember to add it.
> roll 30d6
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 30d6 --> [ 30d6=109 ]{109}
Everyone but Emily evades, Emily takes half.
The discharge of acid is easily dodged, only Emily grazed at all. As you all fly about Emily calls, "I'll clear it out," she shouts. Sunlight fills the cave ahead and...
Quickened maximized sunburstx3.
> roll 3#1d20+38
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 3#1d20+38 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{47}, [ 1d20=17 ]{55}, [ 1d20=4 ]{42}
> roll 1d20+23
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{31}
> roll 1d20+23
> roll 1d20+23
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{35}
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{32}
The sunlight scourges away at the wounded hordes, and with that, the cavern is opened up - at least the entrance an immediately in. Emily flies in, Jarem, Bastian and Dolmaya following.
Go, your turn.
[spoiler]
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 825/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 3 11th level
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 12/12
Spells Used: 1 14th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa follows, keeping a look out for any other passages, and trying to get a sense of direction towards their goal.
Perception then real quick.
As you fly in you can see the passage goes on for about 100ft, then makes a turn. Demons are bunched up around that corner, dead or dying, fading when slain. It looks like Emily's mostly cleared the entrance out. She's flying ahead, the others following.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 19 + 64, total 83[/blockquote]
No signs of secret passages or anything hidden as you go, too.
I'll keep an eye out for anything. I'm trying to get a sense of where our target might be.
Since I have a fairly specific target, is the Minotaur's Sense helping me any?
Paste me it real quick?
Servants of Shaundakul are natural wanderers and gifted at travel. They never get lost and can track enemies. They are also immune to maze spells. Finally, they are never flat footed.
This is identical to the natural cunning of a minotaur.
You get the feeling you should go ahead, at the least.
I'm getting a sense we should keep going straight... Not that we've found any other direction to go yet...
Is there anything I can do to... I dunno, boost that sense? Anything with divine abilities or inspiration?
Not really, though you could use spells to perhaps gain more information or the like.
Such as? Not really sure how this sense works. This is only like the second or third time I've messed with it.
Information always helps.
There's only so much I can say here since this comes down to you making a choice and not the DM doing it for you.
Alright, gonna try something.
Alyssa uses her Alter Reality spell to cast Vision and try to find out more information about where they are and who this demon lord is.
Vision mimics legend lore, so you have to choose a particular location, person or item to focus on. So choose one.
Let's go with the location for now, so we can find our way around.
You mean the mountain or the plane in particular?
Mountain. We're inside it and need to navigate, so let's get it and the Minotaur's Sense working together! Hopefully.
Krygathos is the name of the mountain. Stories of horror, stories of woe. Sacrifices within. A beating inferno deep in the heart of the mountain. A place where the blasphemies are committed as captives are devoured. A throne of dead blood from a million slain souls. A place where a being sits, a horrid thing that is whispered of in the madness of twisted demons and demon-touched.
Do I have time to do it again for the thing that talked to us? Or do you want to have other stuff happen between?
This place is... Krygathos. There's an inferno at the heart, and a demon lord resides here... I'll try to figure what he is and where we need to go.
Up to you if you want to spend another round on it.
'We need to move fast,' Jarem agrees, already hurrying along.
Alyssa casts it again, focusing on the thing that resides here and it's weaknesses.
Rank check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 13 + 2, total 15[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=11]
A blur. A raging thing, a deep hunger.
It is whispered of, little known save by elite demons. Legends. It is known as Devour, nothing else. It stands over sacrifice and consumption, over destruction and secluded madness. It is said to be a vicious, hateful thing with no remorse, no regret, no control save for its own passions and hatreds.
A legend whispers that the only way one has ever escaped its grasp is by holding a blade 'more sacred than a saint', whatever that means.
Alyssa passes it on to the others as they start moving again.
'Any idea what a blade more sacred than a saint might be?'
Any knowledge check from that?
K:R.
K:R/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+103 : 6 + 103, total 109[/blockquote]
It's a particular phrase from faith of Ilmater - a blade touched by Ilmater himself.
'That phrase... I remember it from texts about Ilmater... It's a blade touched by Ilmater himself.'
Meanwhile you turn the corner. No vermin immediately here, just a long shot passage leading you deeper into the mountain.
'Not an option then,' Emily says, 'We have to make due with what we have.'
'In that case, our best bet is to delay or pin him down.'
'Got a way to do that?' Bastian asks as you hurry along.
'Ectoplasmic Terrain might slow him down. Other than that, just fighting and keeping him busy.'
Any sort of check to figure out his weaknesses? Or is that going to require another Vision?
Have you already made an K:P check on him in particular?
Nope, just the Vision thing.
Go for it, then.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+103 : 12 + 103, total 115[/blockquote]
You would assume he has normal demon weaknesses, but beyond that, you don't recall anything specific beyond the bit of legend you recalled.
'I can't recall anything beyond normal weaknesses, so we'll have to work from there.'
On you fly - and around another corner they are ahead. More of them. A great tide of snapping, biting, clawing things. Vermin all lined up, ready to block your way and rend you all apart.
Alyssa draws on her powers and summons!
Summon Monster IX (SLA, Chaotic only), CL 36
Summoning a Bebilith because fuck them, they can kill each other.
Where are you putting it?
In their way.
Thus the demon appears - a great skittering thing, inhuman and loathsome. As you see it -
"What did you just do," Emily shouts aloud, "That's a demon!"
"And they'll fight each other, delay the hoard for us, and we don't have to worry about blast radius. Fire away."
Init regardless.
[blockquote]'d120+27' is not a valid dice string![/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 3 + 27, total 30[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+16 demons
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=12]
Roll init for your Bebelith.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 8 + 5, total 13[/blockquote]
Init is Dolmaya (35) > Alyssa (30) > Demons (28) > Emily (26) > Bastian (23) > Bebelith (13) > Jarem (11)
Dolmaya holds one moment as Emily turns, "No, that's wrong," Emily declares, shaking her head, focusing away from the demons. "You don't just summon demons like that!"
Alyssa is up, go.
Alyssa stare at her flatly, "We're in the abyss. I'll have them fight each other as much as I want."
Alyssa casts another spell!
Sandalphon (Maximized), CL 36
33 to all.
Your spell blasts into the demons, peppering them with hits all over. It scores well and as it does...
Anything else this turn?
Nah, not for me.
> roll 28d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 106 > [d6=4,4,5,4,6,1,2,5,5,1,5,3,4,5,1,2,6,6,3,5,1,1,3,4,4,5,6,5]
> roll 1d20+24
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d20=18]
Dolmaya gestures ahead as force slams the demons back. It pummels them, crushing several while more maintain themselves. It's enough to check them for a few seconds, before they surge forward - and the bebelith is in the way.
> roll 1d20+45
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=10]
AC for it?
The d20 website says... 22.
> roll 6d6+66
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 88 > [d6=3,1,6,6,3,3]
Does it survive?
Yepo. 62/150 remaining.
The demons tear at it, gnaw at it, devour it. Yet it holds, at least long enough to buy all of you a few seconds.
Init is Dolmaya (35) > Alyssa (30) > Demons (28) > Emily (26) > Bastian (23) > Bebelith (13) > Jarem (11)
"It's evil magic," Emily retorts, "Just because you're in the Abyss doesn't mean -"
"Later!" Jarem snaps, "Ethical discussions when we're not in battle!"
"Agreed. Time and place, Emily."
Emily turns, eyes tight as she looks at the horde. Suddenly twin suns explode amid the demons, savage and strong.
Two maximized empowered sunbursts.
> roll 1d20+22
> roll 1d20+22
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 38 > [d20=16]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=3]
With the enemy already battered and blasted back, sunbursts scourge them away again. The way is clear, at least for now.
"Save some for us next time," Jarem notes, though there's no anger in his voice. "These are just minions, anyway."
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 825/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 12/12
Spells Used: 2 14th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
"And reserve some spells, we still have a demon lord to deal with."
Alyssa tries to figure out where to go next!
You feel pulled ahead, then have a hunch you should turn right.
Alyssa leads the group to the right!
On you rush. You hurry onward as -
Refresh me, you have foresight active or no?
I have it as an at-will SLA, but I don't believe I declared it.
You go and...
Perception.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 5 + 64, total 69[/blockquote]
You here a sudden, slight grinding of stone to your side.
'Stone to the side!'
Alyssa turns and readies herself to use her Repel Metal or Stone ability!
Gimme a quick init check then.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 4 + 27, total 31[/blockquote]
High init saves the day. It can't beat that so no roll.
The stone to your side twists into a mouth of stone, a great gaping maw ready to swallow you whole.
Go ahead and react.
Can I tell how much this might weight? Since Repel has a weight limit.
You have the skill ranks to tell a lot. It's solid stone and a lot of it. A few tons at the least.
Alyssa uses one of her abilities!
Disjunction SLA, CL 36
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+30 : 4 + 30, total 34[/blockquote]
"Alyssa," Bastian's already moving, but it's too late. Your spell ripples out and the mouth distorts - but it does not stop and...
> roll 1d20+40
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=15]
I know your AC is higher than that.
You're pushed away by Bastian as the party moves past it quickly, the loud crush-chomping of stone echoing. "Keep moving," he suggests, "Rather than get tied down."
Alyssa nods and continues!
You walk along and ahead is light. It looks like the cave opens up into something.
Alyssa approaches stealthily to try and scout it out a bit.
BTW, for the sake of record keeping, I have the following at-will SLAs going:
Foresight, Protection from Spells, and Detect Secret Doors.
You look ahead and see it. It's a passage out, back the exact way you came, in spite of the seeming impossibility of it.
Alyssa blinks.
'It looped us back around?'
Alyssa narrows her eyes and tries to use her influence over Travel to figure out what happened.
"It's a trick," Emily explains, "I've seen Mom do it before, you just loop space outside of their immediate awareness and loop it back around. You end up going nowhere."
Indeed, you're pretty sure that's exactly what happened.
Is that something I can counter with my Travel domain?
You could try and oppose his will, sure.
Lets give it a whirl.
Rank check then.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 17 + 2, total 19[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=14]
With a loud snap directions seem to shift, and you see a passage that leads ahead into the mountain now.
Alyssa grins.
'That should sufficiently piss him off. Let's try this again.'
"Hurry," Jarem agrees as Dolmaya follows, the party racing on. Ahead, left, left, up. You follow your instincts as you feel a sense of malice around you, a sense of hate and hunger. As if something will tear your apart, bite by bite by bite.
Alyssa attempts to counter the feeling with her sense of wonder at exploration and hunger for knowledge.
It feels held at bay as Bastian says, "Mind games."
"Nothing but," Dolmaya agrees, "Break the mind, break the will."
"Lets burn him out of his hole in the ground."
Just going along or was that a particular call to action?
Just a motivational type thingy.
On you hurry.
They come.
Another hoard of them, relentless as you hurry down this passage. Above and to your sides the walls quake, breaking as more of them spill out, rushing all of you.
"He has minions to spare," Emily cries, "We have to break through!"
Alyssa nods and prepares a spell!
Init then. Good luck.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 16 + 27, total 43[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=6]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=14]
> roll 1d20+ 18 ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d20=2]
Last one should be 20 total.
Init is Alyssa (43) > Dolmaya (32) > Jarem (26) > Emily (22) > Demons (20) > Bastian (15)
Open.
Alyssa begins casting a spell, using her Greater Rod of Purify!
Meteor Swarm (Maximize SDA, Purified), CL 36. DC: 33
42 purified fire to everything in radius, 18 bludgeoning to anything hit directly.
Targeting them just to have a good spread across the group.
Gimme an attack roll since meteor swarm requires one.
I think that's only if you're targeting a specific creature.
ATK:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+58 : 20 + 58, total 78[/blockquote]
Nice, confirm your crit.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+58 : 17 + 58, total 75[/blockquote]
Crit. Damage?
84 purified fire and 36 purified bludgeoning then.
Your blast of purified magic is enough to knock the demons back. A tremendous blow, the front line checked by it and crumpled. For a moment, they are still. Holy power sizzles amid them, flecks of light burning them like acid.
Anything else this turn?
Alyssa draws on her divine power to speak to the demons, Begone or cease to exist. Fight amongst yourselves elsewhere.
Intimidate.
Intimidate:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+65 : 3 + 65, total 68[/blockquote]
With that blast of holy power, the demons recoil back. They begin to flee away, chastised by your greater power.
'Let's keep moving.'
Ahead. You're feeling pulled onward and inward - towards a larger cavern opening, where you can see the air ripple as if with a heat haze.
Alyssa inspects the effect, to make sure there's nothing unusual or harmful to the effect.
To be clear, are you doing detect magic or...?
Yeah, since I can cover it with Alter Reality.
It's not magical. As far as you can tell, it may be some sort of actual heat haze.
'Let's keep going, but remember, fire is corrupt here, so it may have strange effects on our protections. Keep your guard up.'
"Does anyone need further protections before we go?" Jarem asks.
'I think I'm fine.'
In the party goes. Here the heat is faint but not non existent. Perhaps as warm as a hot spring day. It's a larger and open cavern, no demons here to immediately bar your way. Just that heat haze.
Alyssa keeps moving, eyes sharp for anything dangerous or hidden.
"No opposition?" Jarem says, "Then the cavern itself is the enemy."
"Probably," Bastian agrees as you begin to move forward. "Eyes open."
Perception, -1 penalty.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+63 : 19 + 63, total 82[/blockquote]
The air seems to be hiding spaces here - places you won't realize until you step into them. It's subtle, but you're far better than that, and the moment you see it, you can easily feel them.
Can I tell what's in them?
Great quantities of fire and lava.
'Follow my steps, there are traps of fire and lava.'
Alyssa leads them through.
Easy enough since it lends to your talents.
Bastian nods and hurries along, "Like that," he murmurs, a nod to you as he goes.
Alyssa nods, 'Let's keep going. I'm ready to be done with this.'
On you go, down another tunnel as you feel it. A great malice, a sense of being watched from all directions. Like a suffocating hood over your head.
Can I use travel or something to hide our progress?
You could try, sure. He'd be able to resist it with a rank check, though.
Let's give it a shot.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 2 + 2, total 4[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=4]
You proceed on, but the the sense of being watched does not fade.
'Hmm... I can't hide us from him...'
Any chance I can try to mimic the teleport to where you want effect so we can get straight to him?
Doesn't look like it to you.
"Then we focus on," Jarem says, "He knows we're coming, let's not let him down."
Alyssa nods and continues on.
]Perception.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 19 + 64, total 83[/blockquote]
You proceed ahead and as you do, you notice tiny grooves in the stone ahead. It's leading around a bend and into a large chamber from the looks of it.
Can I ID anything about the grooves?
Sure, K:N.
K:N/Bibliotheca:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+72 : 1 + 72, total 73[/blockquote]
They resemble spider tracks, but far stronger to press it into stone.
'This looks like some kind of spider? Anyone recognize it?'
"I don't," Dolmaya says, "Emily?"
A shake of her head, "It might be something unique," she warns, "Something like an Abyss surprise."
'Oh joy. One of those. At least we have some sort of forewarning. Keep in mind spider hunting tactics: watch above and below for ambushes.'
Nods all around as you proceed on. The chamber ahead is choked with cobwebs - a great many of them. No, not cobwebs. Spider webs. They cloak above and below, spreading out everywhere.
'Set them on fire?'
Alyssa inspects them to try and determine their flammability.
Perception again.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 1 + 64, total 65[/blockquote]
You see a blur of something moving amid the webs, a split second of it well hidden by them.
'They're here, watching us.'
"Then-!" Bastian begins, before - !
Init, it saved an ambush.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 17 + 27, total 44[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+13
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+13
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+13
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20+19
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+22
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=18]
Init is Alyssa (44) > ???5 (40) > Dolmaya = ???4 (35) > ???1 = ???2 (33) > Emily (29) > Jarem = ???3 (15) > Bastian (12)
Open.
Alyssa casts a pair of spells!
Acid Storm (SDA Quickened/Maximized), CL 36
90 damage to everything in 20ft radius, 20 ft high. Placed to hit as many as possible.
Acid Storm (SDA Maximized), CL 36
90 damage to everything in 20ft radius, 20 ft high. Placed to hit as many as possible.
You did only get a glimpse of one, so where exactly are you placing these?
Oh! I thought they came straight at us. Uh, then I'll hold my action till they reveal themselves.
Okay.
"They're around us," Emily warns as from the webbing, a glob of it comes forth, falling dead on at Jarem.
> roll 1d20+40 touch AC
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=6]
Jarem's shield bashes it aside, a few tendrils sticking but nothing else. You can get a glimpse of it above all ofyou, in the webs. Half woman and half spider, top to bottom. Some sort of loathsome half and half, a chimera of some kind perhaps.
Going to go now or hold longer?
Can I see just the one or all of them?
Just one.
I'll wait for more then.
Init is Alyssa (44) > ???5 (40) > Dolmaya = ???4 (35) > ???1 = ???2 (33) > Emily (29) > Jarem = ???3 (15) > Bastian (12)
Dolmaya holds a moment as well. ???4 is up.
"Below," Bastian calls, as a great tuft of webbing is flung up, a glimpse of something almost entirely hidden by webbing, as it comes right at you.
> roll 1d20+41 touch AC
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 49 > [d20=8]
Touch AC?
65 for touch ac.
But Alyssa smoothly dodges aside as a second target is seen and...
Still holding or going to blast now?
Can I hit both of them? 20 ft effect.
No, one's above and one's below. Distances just don't work out.
Ah well. Guess I'll hit one with each spell.
Alyssa casts a pair of spells!
Acid Storm (SDA Quickened/Maximized), CL 36
90 damage to everything in 20ft radius, 20 ft high. Placed to hit the one above.
Acid Storm (SDA Maximized), CL 36
90 damage to everything in 20ft radius, 20 ft high. Placed to hit the one below.
Is there a save or SR attached?
Ref. Was gonna bypass it with inspiration, but forgot to include it, bleh. Save is 30 ref/half.
> roll 1d20+24
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+25 evasion
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=2]
That acid boils in the air, dissolving webbing as hisses and cries come from the scalded ones. They're half woman and half spider, with a spider bottom and womanly top. They're a pale, almost milk-like color with dark streaks, crying out as acid assails them. As the upper one burns with acid, a resonation happens as...
Init is Alyssa (44) > ???5 (40) > Dolmaya = ???4 (35) > ???1 = ???2 (33) > Emily (29) > Jarem = ???3 (15) > Bastian (12)
Fort, Alyssa.
Fort/Cunning Insight:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+52 : 3 + 52, total 55[/blockquote]
You ignore a moment of weakness, a faint flare of will enough to cleanse it from you.
With the enemy revealed, Dolmaya takes aim at the one on the bottom, a point and a ray of force arcing out for it.
Fully kitted out Dolmaya's Force Ray, aka her I'm tired of you beam.
> roll 1d20 touch AC, will check if needed
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20 touch AC, will check if needed
> roll 1d20 touch AC, will check if needed
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d20=1]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20 touch AC, will check if needed crit?
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=15]
Just eyeballing it, no need to tally it up since it's not that HP heavy.
Init is Alyssa (44) > ???5 (40) > Dolmaya (35) > ???1 = ???2 (33) > Emily (29) > Jarem = ???3 (15) > Bastian (12)
As acid eats through webs and gives her a shot, Dolmaya's blast tears that spider hybrid apart. Just in time for two more webs come, one at Emily and one at Bastian.
> roll 1d20+39 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+40 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 46 > [d20=6]
Emily hit, Bastian missed.
Webbing covers Emily all over, sticking to her like a net. As she struggles with it..
Perception as I work up Emily's turn.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 12 + 64, total 76[/blockquote]
You can see them skittering behind the webs, moving away as Emily struggles with the webbing, then simply begins to slip out of it.
Standard for FoM SLA which will help her escape nicely. She can't fail the concentration check or the escape check with that active, so not rolled. Unfortunately it takes a full round to escape the webbing so she can't get out of it yet. However she still has swift actions.
As she does fires erupt everywhere, golden-yellow flames that seem to burn away the webs like tissue paper.
Two purified, maximized fire storms.
So 160*2 damage to every creature in the range. She has the right tool for the job.
> roll 1d20+38 Emily CL
> roll 1d20+38 Emily CL
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d20=18]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 52 > [d20=14]
> roll 2#1d20+24
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 29, 44 >
> roll 2#1d20+23
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40, 26 >
> roll 2#1d20+23
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 36, 28 >
> roll 2#1d20+24
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 31, 29 >
Webs burn away and reveal them - burning and marred spider women, hybrids screaming as Emily's holy fires erupt around them. The webs do not even produce smoke when consumed, destroyed to the last. Four of them remain, all of them crackling merrily in the flames.
Chance to react, Jarem's up next. Segmenting due to length.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 8/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 2 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 11/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
'There they are. No more hiding. Don't burn more spells than you have to!'
Jarem glides forward above, to one with half a burnt face as he strikes, "For the Lady of Tactics and the Strategist!" he cries, blade coming down in one decisive blow.
> roll 1d20+67 (+2 charge, +11 smite)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d8+56
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d8=6]A quick slash bloods that one further, ripping across its side as another scurries away, all as...
> roll 1d20+25 vs SR
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=5]Darkness touches Emily yet nothing happens, the spell crumbling around her.
Bastian.
> roll 1d20+70 (+8 terrain)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=11]
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d12=5,6,6,8]
Init is ???5 (40) > Alyssa (39) > Dolmaya (35) > ???1 = ???2 (33) > Emily (29) > Jarem (15) > Bastian (12)A moment later the spider who threw that darkness reels back from a violent punch, a snap as its neck breaks. The entire spider fades into a black goop and is gone, as the surviving 5th spider hybrid lunges towards Alyssa, fanged mouth opened wide.
> roll 1d20+64 (+7 smite, +2 charge)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+64 (+7 smite, +2 charge) critski?
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=1]
Well, AC doesn't matter with those rolls. Any miss chance?
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 2 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 11/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
My AC is actually 84, but no, no miss chance.
> roll 2d12+75 smites hurt
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d12=3,4]
Does not beat your DR so that reduces it somewhat. You also negate the poison by divine immunities.[/color]
A bite on your arm, a flash of pain as it tries to maim you, fangs sunk in deeply as...
Go.
Alyssa casts a quick spell!
Alyssa's Aerial Assembly (SDA Quicken), CL 36
9 copies: Fist.
Okay, that's not being contested. Anything else?
Was waiting to see if it contested it, so I'll do the rest of my actions.
Alyssa glances at where she was bitten and then looks back at the hybrid that bit her with a frown as she cocks back her arm.
Activating Arcane Strike, burning Waves of Fatigue (5th level), +5 to hit, +5d4 damage.
Activating Flailing Strikes:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d4 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
ATK 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 2 + 61, total 63[/blockquote]
ATK 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+56 : 3 + 56, total 59[/blockquote]
ATK 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+51 : 20 + 51, total 71[/blockquote]
ATK 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+44 : 3 + 44, total 47[/blockquote]
Flailing Strike 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 1 + 61, total 62[/blockquote]
Flailing Strike 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 1 + 61, total 62[/blockquote]
Flailing Strike 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 13 + 61, total 74[/blockquote]
Flailing Strike 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 17 + 61, total 78[/blockquote]
AAA 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 12 + 61, total 73[/blockquote]
AAA 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 4 + 61, total 65[/blockquote]
AAA 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 13 + 61, total 74[/blockquote]
AAA 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 19 + 61, total 80[/blockquote]
AAA 5:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 8 + 61, total 69[/blockquote]
AAA 6:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 5 + 61, total 66[/blockquote]
AAA 7:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 4 + 61, total 65[/blockquote]
AAA 8:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 2 + 61, total 63[/blockquote]
AAA 9:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+61 : 15 + 61, total 76[/blockquote]
Shit, forgot the +5 from Arcane Strike. Add +5 to all of them.
AC is 57. Go nuts.
14 hits. 1 Crit, 2 Crit fails.
Crit confirm:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+51 : 13 + 51, total 64[/blockquote]
1. We don't use crit fails. 2. Remember, you don't automatically fail on natural 1s now.
Also based on the AC of 57, that's a crit confirmed.
<Iddy> roll 15#3d10+18
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 33, 30, 26, 29, 34, 37, 41, 29, 35, 32, 36, 26, 42, 35, 31 >
496 there.
Crit:
<Iddy> IronDragoon roll 3d10+18 crit
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d10=4,7,1]
So at x2, that's 60.
Total: 556.
<Iddy>roll 16#5d4
9:26 PM <Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 15, 11, 14, 12, 9, 19, 15, 9, 15, 11, 10, 16, 14, 16, 10, 15 >
211 from Arcane Strike. 767 total.
Init is ???5 (40) > Alyssa (39) > Dolmaya (35) > ???1 (33) > Emily (29) > Jarem (15) > Bastian (12)
In a single blow that is many, the spider is beaten all over. It's slammed back in pieces, no longer the slightest threat to you as...
Anything else this turn?
Alyssa turns to the remaining hybrids and smiles welcomingly and brings her fist up, then clenches is with a popping of her knuckles.
"Delays are annoying, no?"
Intimidate check, +5 circumstance.
Intimidate/+5 Circumstance:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+70 : 4 + 70, total 74[/blockquote]
Beaten, the enemy begins to flee. Dolmaya holds her assault as they do, "Let them scurry away, we have more important opponents ahead."
Free act.
Alyssa huffs to herself in satisfaction.
"Yes, let's keep going."
You hurry on - you see with the webs cleared there's a few passages, but the one to the northeast feels right. There's also a dim red glow that comes from it, as if an unseen source of light ahead spills over - but you see no sign of such.
Alyssa angles towards it, 'This way feels right.'
Jarem takes 10 on Spellcraft.
Jarem holds your shoulder, "The light there will sicken and wither those who pass it," he warns.
Dolmaya jets forward to the edge of it, "Yes, but I don't think it'll be a threat to us."
Alyssa inspects the effect, trying to figure it out for sure!
Detect Magic as needed. Might as well consider it permanent since I can do it as an at-will SLA type deal.
Sure, spellcraft.
Spellcraft:
Take 10 for 99.
It's exactly what they said. That light will leach life and vitality away to any who pass under it.
Can I tell if it will actually affect us? And if so, what will counter/dispel it?
You do not believe it will, unless it's far stronger than you estimate.
'I think Dolmaya is correct. My only worry is if the Demon Lord can strengthen the effect.'
"We need to go quickly," Bastian glances back, "I hear something in the passages we came from. We're being boxed in."
"Brazen it," Jarem says, "We're more than mortal, it's time to trust in that."
Alyssa nods and heads in.
You feel nothing as you pass into the light - no weakness at all as you hurry along.
Alyssa continues, seeking her foe!
Give me a Ref save.
Ref/Cunning Insight/Aura of inspiration (Evasion):
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 3 + 62, total 65[/blockquote]
Everyone gets +16 to their ref save.
Just you, fortunately.
There is an abrupt shift in the air as dozens of mouths form from nothing, but you're faster. You glide away, dodging in six directions and weaving out, untouched.
Alyssa sniffs disdainfully and glides on.
"Careful," Jarem says, "Go, now! Run!"
"But wh-oh. Behind us, RUN!" Emily seconds, taking one glance before breaking into a sprint.
Can I tell if there's a teleport block?
If you take the time to study the magic, sure.
Eh, we'll just keep moving. Can I use my Travel portfolio to increase our speed or something?
You could manage alter reality for something that could help, sure. Glance at spells and go with something reasonable.
Expeditious Retreat, CL 36, 36 minute duration
+30 land speed.
Easy enough to get that on everyone. Does it have a bonus type?
Enhancement? That probably doesn't stack with the DvR bonus. If it's not compatible, the only other option is Wind Walker, but that's a divine spell.
The DvR bonus stacks with anything, it merely adjusts your base movement speed.
Ah, then +30 ft enhancement.
Thus the party sprints forward, hurrying away. You bound into another cavern, barely a chance to look around - but a moment is all you need. Here a great wall of demons rise. Hundreds of demons merged together, bodies blurring together. From lowly manes and dretch to succubi to balors to even vrock, hezrou, armanites, adaru, bar-lgura and countless other horrors. They are merged so that they can in equal parts bite into each other, while they also rut with one another. The blasphemy blocks your way entirely, a monument of hunger and depravity.
A chorus of groans, cries and worse come from it, the song of hundreds of demons in a perverse, black celebration. Curses and cries, torment and ecstasy are woven together.
You have tremorsense, I believe?
Will saves bypassed by immunity. Lucky you.
Er, actually I don't anymore. It was a permanenced spell before Alyssa died, and I remember mentioning wanting to redo those, but according to my sheet, I don't think we've gotten around to it yet. I think Bastian does, though.
Emily's face turns green, a strangled cry as she looks away.
Jarem's expression tightens as he readies himself.
Bastian snaps, "Don't be distracted, they come from below, too, and behind us!"
Init here. The wall is 50ft away.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 18 + 27, total 45[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+24 demon wall
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+19 ????
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 36 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+18 ???2
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=14]
Init is Alyssa (45) > ???1 (36) > ???2 (32) > Bastian (29) > Demon Wall (27) > Jarem (23) > Emily (22) > Penuche (19)
Go ahead and open, Alyssa.
Multi-action time!
Alyssa begins casting a collection of spells!
First up, Empress's Remand (SDA Quicken), CL 38
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 10 + 35, total 45[/blockquote]
Second up, Meteor Swarm (SDA Quicken, Maximize, Good), CL 38
Save: None or Ref Half (none if hit by bludgeoning/ranged touch)
Using Rod of Purify Spell.
Ranged touch:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+62 : 20 + 62, total 82[/blockquote]
16 Bludgeoning damage, 48 fire damage.
Third up, Summon Solar, CL 38
Duration: Concentration; up to 1 round/level + 1 round
Acts on round.
We'll deal with remand first. Give me 6 dispel checks.
Dispel 1:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 3 + 35, total 38[/blockquote]
Dispel 2:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 8 + 35, total 43[/blockquote]
Dispel 3:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 19 + 35, total 54[/blockquote]
Dispel 4:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 11 + 35, total 46[/blockquote]
Dispel 5:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 5 + 35, total 40[/blockquote]
Dispel 6:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 18 + 35, total 53[/blockquote]
You get the following spells: Cat's Grace, Bear's Endurance, Protection from Good and Greater Mage Armor. Who gets them?
Grace to Bastian, Endurance to Jarem, and the Good/Greater Mage Armor is either pointless or everyone has more powerful versions, I think.
Okay, does meteor swarm allow SR? If so give me a caster level check.
It does, missed that.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 20 + 38, total 58[/blockquote]
Spells are torn away as you cast, your summoning begun as you hold your ground.
Init is Alyssa (45) > ???1 (36) > ???2 (32) > Bastian (29) > Demon Wall (27) > Jarem (23) > Emily (22) > Penuche (19)
> roll 1d20+52 evasion Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=13]
Meanwhile Jarem takes to the air, just in time as the stone beneath him swirls. It turns into a muddy gloop, dozens of tiny hands reaching up from it for him. But he's too agile for that as meanwhile there is a roar from the passage you came in from. They begin to protrude in, a great swarm of devouring demons big and small.
That, however, just gives Bastian something to turn towards. He cracks his knuckles and calls, "Get the wall, I'll get these!" He steps in, a flurry of blows striking the demons en masse.
> roll 1d20+70
> roll 1d20+70
> roll 1d20+70
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 85 > [d20=15]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d20=7]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 78 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+65
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d20=9]
> roll 1d20+60
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 67 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+55
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+55 crit?
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=7]
> roll 4d12+52
> roll 4d12+52
> roll 4d12+52
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 71 > [d12=2,2,8,7]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 72 > [d12=10,1,4,5]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d12=10,5,3,10]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d12=10,3,9,6]
> roll 4d12+52
> roll 4d12+52
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 88 > [d12=12,12,7,5]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d12=5,2,6,11]
> roll 8d12+104
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 158 > [d12=12,3,3,10,4,9,6,7]
The crack of bone is a series of sharp retorts as Bastian strikes. Demon after demon is broken as he opposes them alone, barring the way further to them. Each quick punch checks back half a dozen of them, then further blows break them apart. As demon blood stains the stones of this cave, meanwhile the wall of demons groans. There is a surge around you as...
How many spells active on you?
15. I should have thought to post the list at some point. Do you want me to now?
Yes.
Long Duration:
Self:
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 35, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 spellcaster level
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+2 competence bonus on attack rolls.
Mind Blank, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
Protection from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts.
Energy Immunity x2 (Electricity/Sonic), CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
Immune to Electicity/Sonic
Epic Mage Armor, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+20 armor bonus to AC.
Bibliotheca Arcana, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained.
Prying Eyes, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
1d4+36 eyes, 120 ft normal vision in all directions, 25 word instructions:
"Orbit me in ringed layers leaving no gaps and report any useful resources or dangers."
Elemental Body (Fire), CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
Attune Form spell, Immune to Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Fire Sub-type, Darkvision 60ft.
Agility of the Dragon Princess, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Dex
Beauty of the Dragon Princess, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Int
Mind of the Dragon Princess, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Int
Many Moments of Prescience, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
4 uses, +30 Insight bonus to any single attack roll, opposed ability or skill check, saving throw, or AC vs. a single attack.
Everyone:
Mass Energy Immunity (Acid), CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
Alyssa
HP: 676/684
Negative Conditions:
Aura:
AC: 104
SR: 51
Bonuses: Attack+54/49/44/39, Damage+0 AC+20, Saves+2, Skills+0
Resources: 26 Inspiration
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Darkvision 60ft, DR 20/adamantine and epic, Resistance 20 Acid/Electricity/Fire 20, Immunity Electric/Sonic/Acid/Cold/Fire/Poison/Sleep/Paralysis/Stunning/Flanking/Critical Hits, Never Flat-footed, Attune Form, Fire Sub-type, +4 Insight Bonus Dex/Int/Cha, +15 Insight Bonus to Knowledge Checks
> roll 15#1d20+33
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40, 49, 46, 36, 36, 47, 53, 38, 47, 52, 48, 39, 53, 36, 50 >
Okay, so Create Magic Tattoo (luck bonus), Epic Mage Armor, Bibliotheca Arcana, Elemental Body, Agility of the Dragon Princess, Beauty of the Dragon Princess, Many Moments of Prescience are dispelled. I only see 14 spells here, correct me if I'm wrong since the 15th roll was good.
2x Energy immunity.
Okay, the second one will be last so energy immunity sonic is gone. Make adjustments.
Magic crackles around Alyssa, a burst that shatters several of her spells. Yet others endure as she holds her ground, as the wall reaches out in vain, trying to grab heroes that have not approached.
The wet sounds of consumption and rutting echo in the air, a constant chorus to the chant of magic and the slam of Bastian's fists.
Init is Alyssa (45) > ???1 (36) > ???2 (32) > Bastian (29) > Demon Wall (27) > Jarem (23) > Emily (22) > Dolmaya (19)
Jarem glances at the quagmire beneath Alyssa, as stone replaces rock in a split second.
> roll 1d20+20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=5]
The hands are trapped in the stone, stuck in it and still. They can't move an inch now as meanwhile...
Emily.
"Disgusting," Emily says, turning away from the wall, at least in part. Enough for her to gesture and point, "You know me, forces of Creation. Smite!" Columns of raw force, like great strikes from above, slam mercilessly into thew all one after another.
3 quickened maximized purified Emily's Forceful Smites because she wants no part of that wall's crap.
360 base for each one and possible stunning.
> roll 1d20+24 a giant wall is not that great at dodging no matter how many hit dice it has
> roll 1d20+24 a giant wall is not that great at dodging no matter how many hit dice it has
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+24 a giant wall is not that great at dodging no matter how many hit dice it has
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=16]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 44 > [d20=20]
Well that takes the wind out of her tails a bit. 180*3=540 damage.
Chunk after chunk of the wall is pulverized. Demons are smashed apart, holes in it as Dolmaya turns, "Go!" she cries, pointing ahead herself. As she chants the remnants of what was smashed drains of color, parts of demons crumbling to ash. Yet on the remnants bitter cold comes, a ray striking it center mass.
> roll 1d20 1 check since ranged touch on a big target
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d20=1]
Alas.
Yet a chunk of hezrou falls away and accidentally intercepts it, flash frozen but the spell stopped. It buys a precious few moments for it.
Go.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 2 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 10/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th, 1 1 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
You skipped my Solar's first turn, yo.
The spell has a one round casting time. You'd finish it this round.
Alyssa casts a brace of spells again!
1st swift: Magic Missile Massacre (SDA Quicken/Maximize), CL 38.
Target: Demon wall.
190 damage.
1st swift: Magic Missile Massacre (SDA Quicken/Maximize), CL 38.
Target: Demon wall.
190 damage.
Can I see what the result of that is, and get the summon finished before I do the final action?
Sure. Gimme a caster level check if that allows SR.
Forgot it again, damn it.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 17 + 38, total 55[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 19 + 38, total 57[/blockquote]
Under that assault the demon wall groans, the remnants of it blasted away. It crumbles, a way ahead revealed as demons are slaughtered beneath magic and might. "Go," Bastian calls with a look back, "GO!"
Alyssa heads that way, giving orders to the Solar, "Use your Summon to call Hammer Archons and cover us as we move. We're assaulting a demon lord."
"I will obey," The solar does not question the request, as...
Go ahead and control it and finish your turn as well.
The Solar turns back to the on coming demons and heeds the orders given.
Summon Monster 8, CL 20
Summoning Hammer Archon.
Alyssa stops for a moment to cast a spell to assist the Solar!
Divine SLA: Summon Monster IX (Chaotic only) used to pull from Summon Monster VIII, CL 38
Summoning Warden Archons.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d3 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
Init is Alyssa = Solar = Hammer Archon (45) > ???1 (36) > ???2 (32) > Bastian (29) > Demon Wall (27) > Jarem (23) > Emily (22) > Dolmaya (19)
Is that it for your turn?
Yep since we are fleeing.
Init is Alyssa (45) > ???1 (36) > ???2 (32) > Bastian (29) > Jarem (23) > Emily (22) > Dolmaya (19)
> roll 1d20+55
> roll 1d20+55
> roll 1d20+55
> roll 1d20+55
> roll 1d20+55
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d20=13]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d20=20]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 65 > [d20=10]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 59 > [d20=4]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+55 crit check
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 75 > [d20=20]
> roll 18d6+180 ow crit pain of big multiplier crits
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 246 > [d6=5,4,5,4,5,2,5,6,2,4,5,3,3,4,2,2,3,2]
That was unlucky.
Meanwhile Bastian holds them back a little longer, as dozens of blows reach for him. One surges forward, a rip as his arm is slashed deep. Blood wells up - blood the color of dusty roads, a grimace as Bastian falls back, "Go!" he cries, taking off at a run. Jarem, Emily and Dolmaya follow as...
Go. Feel free to follow or not as you wish.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 2 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 552/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 10/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th, 1 1 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa follows as well, using one of her abilities on the go!
Opportunistic Piety (13/14 left)
+98 HP to Bastian. Not a cure-all, but a good band-aid.
Cool. Movement speed?
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 2 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 652/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 10/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th, 1 1 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
230 ground, 500 flying. I'd be flying since we need speed.
Running, hurrying - and abruptly suddenly everything caves inward, a sudden crush all around you.
Ref saves, all.
Ref/Cunning Insight/Aura of Inspiration:
+18 to everyone's save.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+18 : 2 + 18, total 20[/blockquote]
Uh, what's your actual total? I don't think 20's your total result.
Whoops, yeah. Somehow forgot to add in my actual ref save bonus. 66 total.
Okay, the bonus makes there be no need for save.s Evasion also isn't terribly important here.
It's sheer speed and reaction that saves all of you. You split the wall ahead with a thought, enough to race through and on. Ahead is a downward slope, plunging sharply inwards. A dull green light can be glimpsed below.
Can I ID what the light is at all?
K:A.
K:A
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 18 + 57, total 75[/blockquote]
Quick and dirty guess, but you'd guess necromancy of some kind. It's not 100%, colors vary, but that's what your expert opinion would be.
'Best guess while moving, that's Necromancy up ahead.'
'This place keeps getting better,' Bastian snarks as you all rush down, the sounds of battle behind you.
Ahead, remnants. Skeletal hands. Legs. Skulls. Hip bones. All the parts of the skeleton are scattered about a vast chamber, surely tens and tens of thousands of bleached white bones are here.
You sense it. The way forward is ahead.
You feel the dark magic here, a curse on reality, a curse on life.
The bones begin to rise before the party's eyes as Jarem steps forward, on the defensive. It is as if this cavern is one great ossuary full of bones that refuse to embrace their final rest. More, big and black vermin roam amid the bones. Some sort of horrid insect, crawling and skittering forward. Things bloated on flesh and marrow, far too large like overfilled pastries ready to burst.
"Damn, he's just throwing one big battle at us after another. All the strategic acumen of a puddle of piss," Jarem notes, "Get ready!"
'There's a curse here. Let me see if I can't figure out what it is.'
What detection are you using?
I can use Alter Reality for either Detect Magic or Greater Arcane sight, whichever is better.
Either takes an action you don't have freely, so let's do init.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 3 + 27, total 30[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=8]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+12 bones
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+8 bugs
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+20 ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=8]
Init is Alyssa (30) > Emily = ??? (28) > Dolmaya (25) > Bones (23) > Jarem (16) > Bastian (13) > Bugs (12)
Open.
Casting the better one of those two to ID the spell (not entirely sure which is better, hoenstly)
Okay, it's not detect magic since that's 1st level. Quick spellcraft.
Spellcraft:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+89 : 13 + 89, total 102[/blockquote]
The bones are possessed by a vile spirit. They are merely a mechanism it possesses and lends power to. This spirit must be purged to end the threat for good.
It is no weak thing, but a predator born of hunger, pain and the sorrows of those devoured in this place.
'There's a spirit possessing the bones. It needs to be purged or they'll keep coming.'
That was your standard. Anything else this round? I'll have them reply once that's sorted.
I don't think I have anything that will help with purging the spirit.
Init is Alyssa (30) > Emily = ??? (28) > Dolmaya (25) > Bones (23) > Jarem (16) > Bastian (13) > Bugs (12)
"In Sei- no! In my name, begone, impure spirit!" Emily demands, a word of thunderous power, again and again.
Miracle spell cast and used for anti possession means, up to three times if needed.
> roll 1d20+27
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 47 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+27
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d20+27
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=18]
Unfortunate.
Yet the spirit resists, as meanwhile...
'Flee, godlings,' A cold voice whispers in your minds. 'Know that I am Dromen and I am your doom.'
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 662/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 10/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th, 1 1 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
K check on that name?
K:P.
K:P:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 14 + 57, total 71[/blockquote]
Dromen is the name of a marilith who formerly served Dagon, Demon Lord. What happened isn't clear as it was a long time ago, but Dromen left or was ejected from Dagon's service and has been a free agent since that time. A wandering killer for any who will pay her for her services - or simply catch her fancy. She's a skilled warrior with many blades at once - whatever you do, do not fight her in close, for she has the same skillset someone like Kaja has. It's said she's defeated great wyrms with her blades alone, as well as greater fiends of all kinds, as well as liches and other horrors.
While she only participates in the Blood War in passing, she's held her own there when needed.
Alyssa passes this on to the others!
In the middle of combat? Go ahead and pass a few words along real quick, type it out since talking is a free action does have some limits.
'She's a marilith. Uses multiple blades, do not engage in close combat!'
Init is Alyssa (30) > Emily = ??? (28) > Dolmaya (25) > Bones (23) > Jarem (16) > Bastian (13) > Bugs (12)
'Same,' Jarem agrees quickly, as meanwhile Dolmaya looks on. "Get away from me," she snaps, as raw waves of force come from her.
Maximized Dolmaya's Scathing Rejection. That's a base of 150 damage as well as the bonus 3d6 she gets on damaging spells. Fort saves incoming.
> roll 1d20+16 undead are not good at fort even at high levels
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+23 strange vermin
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=14]
The bones and bugs crash down far away, in a heap at the end of the chamber. A great din of bones sent flying, dust and bone shards flying everywhere from the impact. For a moment they're all crashed together, many snapped and broken. Then, damaged or not, they begin to rise. They whirl in the air, becoming a tornado of bone.
Fortunately, all of you are well away from that, not immediately menaced thanks to Dolmaya's spell.
Jarem in the next post, segmenting, so toss a reaction down.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 662/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 11/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 10/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
'I'll try to counter the curse, keep a watch for her direct attack.'
Init is Alyssa (30) > Emily = ??? (28) > Dolmaya (25) > Bones (23) > Jarem (16) > Bastian (13) > Bugs (12)
Jarem will hold in case Dromen tries something and he can move to interdict it. Bastian.
> roll 1d20 touch AC vs giant tornado
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=17]
> roll 9d12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d12=7,11,6,2,7,6,6,7,3]
Bastian hangs back and gestures, a slashing gust of wind and dust scoring the bonenado. It's enough to momentarily check it, as the bugs are tossed about and caught up in it, ground down amid the maelstrom.
Go.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 664/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 10/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Okay, so I should have Greater Arcane Sight going and I've done a round of inspecting on this curse. Do I know what can counter or break it? Like, some spells have a direct counter: Light dispels Darkness, ect. Anything like that for this, or is a Supreme dispel my best bet?
A really big dispel can do it, sure.
Can I tell how big we're talking here? I've been able to peg CLs before, but dunno if that was because Surraruthru was so over-specialized in it or not.
What's the total of your Spellcraft check, real quick?
It was 102.
A DC 40 epic skill usage of Spellcraft allows the exact identification of caster levels. In this case the caster level is 32nd.
Alyssa focuses on the curse energies and dips into her Factotum abilities to cast a spell!
Superb Dispel, CL 33
+40 max bonus.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+33 : 19 + 33, total 52[/blockquote]
With that spell, you hear a cry of discord as the bones rain down. A great collapse of them as you glimpse a deep, midnight black energy escape away, down a tunnel leading further in. For the moment at least, you're safe.
Free act for now.
Alyssa points down the tunnel, 'She fled that way, I believe.'
BTW, we've had a few fights now, and I know we're in a hurry, but if there's anything from these fights that look like interesting loot, I'd like to pick it up. Nothing super in-depth that would massively slow us down, but yeah, I don't wanna come out of here with just the minimal stuff.
Sure. There just hasn't been much loot in the last few encounters is all.
"Quickly," Jarem concurs, as Dolmaya hurries along.
Just thought I'd make a formal note of intent for it.
Alyssa speeds along, flying just above the ground, with the others, keeping an eye out for traps or false walls or tunnels.
Perception, relevant.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 18 + 64, total 82[/blockquote]
You sprint through the winding passage ahead - and as you do, you notice a faint blue glow in the air - likely signs of powerful abjurations or other such defenses.
Time to ID it?
1 round.
Give it a shot.
The areas ahead are warded against holy energies, which will impede both holy magic as well as healing magic.
'Warded against Holy magic and healing. I can try to dispel it.'
"Swiftly," Dolmaya commands as she pauses.
"We are in a hurry," Jarem glances back, "I think I'm starting to hear more pursuit."
Superb Dispel (SDA Quicken), CL 38.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 4 + 38, total 42[/blockquote]
You can feel the magic, deeply anchored and tremendously powerful. The work of the lord of this place perhaps, and enough to resist your magic.
'It resisted me. Anyone else, or other ideas?'
Yet before anyone can reply, you hear a loud stomping ahead, coming around the winding tunnel. Again and again - something's moving.
'Emily, work on the magic. Fast. Everyone else, as much readiness as possible.'
In that case gimme init.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 4 + 27, total 31[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d20+13 ???
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d20=14]
Init is Alyssa (31) > Dolmaya (29) > ??? = Bastian (27) > Emily (22) > Jarem (11)
Open.
Not visible yet? If not, hold action for now.
Sure, Perception real quick.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 8 + 64, total 72[/blockquote]
Dolmaya does the same as you hear it - an echoing thump, soft but coming closer. Whatever's head is indeed coming close, as it barrels around the corner. It's a great big, bloated demon, yellow and fat. It's running as fast as it can, a demented grin on its face as it approaches. Hissing acid drips from it as barrels in and...
It's coming your way. Going to take your held action?
Alyssa casts a quick spell!
Field of Blades (SDA Quicken Spell), CL 38.
Inspiration to bypass SR.
10d6 damage, halves speed.
Ref save vs. 33.
> roll 1d20+24
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d20=18]
He made the save, bad luck. Does that negate the halved speed or just the damage by half?
Negates speed too.
> roll 1d20 Dolmaya drops the rays
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20 Dolmaya drops the rays
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20 Dolmaya drops the rays
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20 Dolmaya drops the rays
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20 Dolmaya drops the rays
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d20=12]
No need for damage, the HP isn't that high.
Your field of blade momentarily bloodies and slows the demon, but it isn't enough - until it crumples inward and explodes from a bevy of Dolmaya's force rays. She lowers her hand after, as the demon explodes in a small but intense burst, destroying the stone around it but leaving the party safe.
"Scum," Dolmaya says, nodding to you and already heading along.
Both of you had the same idea and it worked out well. Free act.
Alyssa turns to help Emily.
"I'm fine," Emily replies as you help her, "Are you alright, Alyssa?"
"Perfectly, excepting the stumbling blocks we keep running into. All we can do at this point is to continue on."
"Alyssa, over here," Jarem calls in the meantime, "The demon left something worthwhile behind."
Alyssa heads over to check it out and inspect it for curses or traps.
Sitting in the blast zone of where the demon exploded sits a large yellow gemstone, roughly the size of both of your fists. It's polished smooth and cut well.
Alyssa looks it over to figure it out.
No magic - as far as you can tell it's just a gigantic gemstone.
Alyssa scoops it into her haversack for later appraisal, "Good eye. Let's keep moving, we need to finish this fight and look for the room before the endless tides wear us down."
As you go?
'How are your reserves?' Jarem asks.
'Acceptable. I've been avoiding using my primary weapon spells as much as I can. I still have Aerial Assembly and Superior Mighty Wallop ready to go. My defenses took a bit of a hit, but they're still acceptable, and I have Epuration available. Melee attacks have a higher chance of making it through, and Sonic will hurt, but I'm confident in everything else.'
'Let's go finish this,' Jarem sends back in agreement.
'We have to be getting close to something, this demon can't be the kind to let us wander forever.' Emily sends, voice hopeful.
'Either it, the marilith, or the room. Any way we do this, it'll be a significant victory. Another chapter in the ballad of Emily.'
Emily blinks, "But you're the one leading us," she says aloud.
Alyssa waives a hand at that, "But I'm not a righteous battle leader. I'm more of a logistics types, shall we say. Let's move!"
Thus you rush on - as the walls rumble and crash down, the hallway slamming into all of you wildly, one segment at a time as you all fly through.
Ref saves, all.
Ref/Cunning Insight/Aura of Inspiration: +18 to everyone's Ref
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 11 + 64, total 75[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+70 evasion Jarem
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d20=10]
> roll 1d20+66 Emily
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 72 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+50 Bastian improved evasion
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 62 > [d20=12]
> roll 1d20+62 evasion Dolmaya
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d20=15]
On you run, past wall bursts and cave ins. Divine will clears away collapses and barriers as you hurry on, race on. A dead end? It leads to a dead end with a stairway that rises up into the wall and stops there. Yet you feel that going on is the correct choice.
Can I tell if it's an illusion or actual stone? I have Repel Metal or Stone as an SLA. It's for up to 500lbs, but we can break the wall or something easily enough.
Perception.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 17 + 64, total 81[/blockquote]
It's an illusion - a strong one, powerfully reinforced - but still just an illusion and your sharp eyes can see the tiny tells.
'Illusion. Keep moving, follow me.'
Alyssa speeds through the illusion!
The illusion parts for all of you as you go - and Bastian dives ahead of you, blocking. An array of arrows are knocked aside, for ahead is a problem. Dozens and dozens of holes on the wall, each just big enough for arrows, are all pointed at you. A rain of arrows begins to come your way as Bastian calls, "Go!" he points ahead, where a chasm going straight down can be seen.
Alyssa takes the path pointed out!
Arrows come as you all brazen it out, racing ahead countless dozens of them are launched at you.
> roll 1d20+66 great arrow volleys
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 69 > [d20=3]
AC?
84.
Not a single hit.
All of you blur through the field and leap down. Yet as you do, you hear it again. A roar of fury in your mind, wordless hate focused all on you.
Alyssa send back a feeling of smugness and amusement.
The chasm deepens by the moment as it roars in your mind, 'Then come and die, bitch!'
Alyssa chuckles, 'I just made them mad. Expect an ambush and hope they'll be sloppy about it because of it. They'll certainly target me, so take advantage of it.'
Emily nods and smiles, "Good," she calls, as you race down and down.
You land.
Here is a vast chamber, stone walls rough and damaged, many with shallow holes or gashes dug out. The only light are torches, which gives the room a smokiness to it. From those flames maggots fester and fall, sizzling but alive in piles beneath each torch.
50ft ahead is a figure - four figures. Four humanoid things with midnight blue skin, nude and merged together. Like siamese twins but four instead of two, molded together. They shamble and stumble forward, enough arms to brandish six weapons total. Each face looks lost in a dream of agony, tears trickling down each face.
60ft ahead and 30ft to the side there is a bee's next attached to the ceiling. Angry red bees come from it, your keen sight letting you see that they have no stingers, but a toothy mouth there instead.
80ft away is a solid line of creatures - the same ones you've cut down here many times, but they form a line.
150ft away and 10ft to the left stands a marilith. It is a deep brown color for the snake part and with a purple shade for its human part. It brandishes many swords, all of them more than ready to strike you down. It wears carefully fitted steel armors, a breastplate to give it more protection. Around it flies a trio of small bucklers, moving steadily to defend it.
In the back of the room, 200ft away or so, stands a blood soaked pillar. Around it stand six figures. Demons clad in red armor and with the heads of chickens, each one chanting choruses of Abyssal, "Eat, eat, eat, eat," they intone.
Can I ID any of these things, and any spells/buffs on them? And if so, their CLs?
We'll start with the IDs. K:P for each.
<Iddy> roll 7#1d20+59
<Penuche2> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 65, 78, 62, 61, 62, 68, 73 >
The four conjoined things are a terror, but not one that is known. So perhaps nothing too dangerous, or something hidden in this Hellhole.
The bees look to be demon wasps, a nasty pest that have a poison sting that causes agony. They're hardly a threat to you as you stand, but a lot of them can form a nasty swarm - and perhaps a swarm mind. They don't tend to like the cold much, so that's a fast way to dispatch them.
The line of creatures are all things you've faced multiple times before. You know most kinds of force work on them just fine.
The marilith is Dromen. To refresh:
Dromen is the name of a marilith who formerly served Dagon, Demon Lord. What happened isn't clear as it was a long time ago, but Dromen left or was ejected from Dagon's service and has been a free agent since that time. A wandering killer for any who will pay her for her services - or simply catch her fancy. She's a skilled warrior with many blades at once - whatever you do, do not fight her in close, for she has the same skillset someone like Kaja has. It's said she's defeated great wyrms with her blades alone, as well as greater fiends of all kinds, as well as liches and other horrors.
While she only participates in the Blood War in passing, she's held her own there when needed.
You've heard of the figures in the back - a hexad coven, a group of demons that worship death and bloodshed. It is said the Abyss has many such altars to them, where profane rites are enables through the sacrifice of goodly mortals. They are said to be powerful sorcerers one and all.
Alyssa passes it on to the others, then follows with, 'I'll drop a Wall of Superb Dispel on the coven. That should delay them, and then I'll bring some light to this place.'
"Kill them," The marilith commands as you speak, as Jarem prepares and...
Not a lot of time to speak, so we'll just hit init.
Init:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+27 : 7 + 27, total 34[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+8 Jarem
> roll 1d20+16 Emily
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 > [d20=1]
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+9 Bastian
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+18 Dolmaya
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+17 The Conjoined
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=3]
> roll 1d20+12 Bees
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+12 Demon Line
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=1]
> roll 1d20+31 Dromen
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d20=19]
> roll 1d20+24 Hexad Coven
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=4]
Init is Dromen (50) > Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > The Conjoined (20) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
A ruby red shimmer surrounds Dromen as a moment later she lets out a hissing cry, as a moment later a massive, drooling mouth appears beneath the party and rushes up towards them, as if to devour you all.
> roll 1d20+40
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=11]
SR?
51 exactly.
Gets everyone but Bastian, who is happy he took improved spell resistance as a feat right now.
Ref all but Bastian.
Ref/Cunning Inspiration/Aura of Inspiration: +18 to everyone's saves
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 19 + 64, total 83[/blockquote]
Also Evasion.
> roll 1d20+62 evasion Dolmaya the other two auto pass with the bonus in play
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 66 > [d20=4]
Everyone makes the save so only Emily regrets not having evasion.
> roll 40d8 ow
<Penuche2> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 193 > [d8=2,2,6,7,6,2,1,2,8,5,5,8,8,3,3,6,2,1,8,1,8,7,6,8,8,3,1,6,8,7,7,6,7,1,4,7,5,2,4,2]
Secondary effect immuned. Damage is halved as well. 96 damage.
The maw tears and nips, yet Alyssa is too fast. Jarem blocks it and skids back while Dolmaya flies up and beyond - and Emily is a bit slow and has no choice but to block it, taking a bite on her side and a tear from one long fang. She shivers from the wound as...
Go, you and Dolmaya are up.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 900/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 749/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 684/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 10/12
Spells Used: 1 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa's brow draws down in annoyance, "Let's make this as unpleasant for you as dealing with you is for us."
Swift 1: Wall of Superb Dispel Dispel (SDA Quicken), CL 38
Dropping this directly on the Coven as much as I can. I don't know the exact terrain layout here, but I'd try to make so they have no choice but to walk through it or cast through it.
Swift 2: Ectoplasmic Terrain (SDA Quicken, Purified via Rod/Staff), CL 38
Covering as much area as I can and turning the brightness up to full on, high noon daylight, gains Good descriptor.
Standard: Heal, CL 31
Target: Emily, +150 HP.
Okay, just one point now since this spell hasn't been used much - bear in mind it dispels creatures that pass through it. It does not inhibit spells cast 'through' it, including ones that have line of effect or sight pass through it. So if they walk through it it'll dispel them, but they could cast a spell through onto you freely. That match up with what you understood?
No, thought it would cancel spells going through it. In that case, I'd drop it directly on them. If it doesn't send them away, then it'll dispel anything they have on them.
You can't cast it on them - the squares it would appear in for that are already occupied by them.
Then just put it where it be most inconvenient for the coven.
Light fills the ground as the terrain changes, as you set up a wall. The demons as one recoil from the spell, the holy light it emanates enough to startle them. You mend Emily at the same time, who lets out a sigh of relief before Dolmaya points at Dromen before - !
> roll 1d20+44
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 47 > [d20=3]
Dolmaya's lucky day. Ray deflection is in play so she gets her chance to dispel it since she's throwing a force ray with all the trimmings.
> roll 1d20+25 the capped dispel check here hurts
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=20]
Failure. I wouldn't normally roll if there's no chance of success, but I forgot that force ray's dispel was capped.
Init is Dromen (50) > Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > The Conjoined (20) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
Dolmaya's Force Ray fires true, but the many rays are deflected away and fizzle out, stopped. Dolmaya steps forward, an open scowl on her face, "Fine, I'll get serious," she challenges to the demon, as meanwhile the Hexad Coven chants. Dark blood begins to pour from the altar, gushing out like a newly unearthed spring.
The four conjoined creatures lumber forward, clearing ground fast, and crash fast and hard into Jarem's shield.
> roll 1d20+83 (+2 charge, +5 ???, +10 ???, +4 smite, +1 ???, +1 blinding speed)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 100 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+83 (+2 charge, +5 ???, +10 ???, +4 smite, +1 ???, +1 blinding speed)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 103 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+83 (+2 charge, +5 ???, +10 ???, +4 smite, +1 ???, +1 blinding speed)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 99 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+83 (+2 charge, +5 ???, +10 ???, +4 smite, +1 ???, +1 blinding speed) crit check on 2
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 98 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d100 vs 50 miss chance Jarem is happy for it after those results vs 1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 6 > [d100=6]
> roll 1d100 vs 50 miss chance Jarem is happy for it after those results vs 2
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d100=84]
> roll 1d100 vs 50 miss chance Jarem is happy for it after those results vs 3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 97 > [d100=97]
> OOC: Negates the first attack, but the second (crit) and the third get through.
> roll 5d12+200+3d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 228 > [d12=8,2,1,7,3][d6=4,2,1]
> roll 3d12+120+3d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 158 > [d12=11,9,12][d6=1,2,3]
> roll 1d20+40 spellstoring weapon SR vs Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+40 spellstoring weapon SR vs Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=5]
> OOC: Both fail to beat his SR.
Also, I forgot to include smite damage. That's another 200 and 120, respectively. Base damage is 428 and 278. -30 total since it doesn't beat his DR.
> roll 428+278-30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 676 >
Ow. He's alive but OW.
A charge. Jarem meets it, as several blades come down from it. The first is blocked, the dull tang of wood and steel meeting a parry for the blow. Yet the second and third get Jarem from each side, cutting deeply into his middle, as if to saw him down like a tree being savaged from both sides. Divine blood falls on the ground and hisses like acid on the stone, plumes of billowing gray smoke as Jarem stumbles.
You feel it in that moment, a sense of hate and malice. The raw rush of opposing divinity writ small. The conjoined horror is a divine proxy, surely empowered by the lord of this blasted Hellhole. Meanwhile the bees above gather, a swarm occuping the ceiling above, gathering numbers by the second as the hive disgorges demonic vermin.
Emily in the next post and she's about to lay down the boom, so I'll segment here.
[spoiler]
Jarem
HP: 224/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 7/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 684/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 9/12
Spells Used: 2 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa glances at Jarem, beginning to plan.
Jarem grimaces and smiles despite the swords that pull out of him, "Just as I planned, asshole."
Emily's expression tightens into one of determination and anger, words coming forth. "In the name of what is lost and what is known, I declare my name. Queen of Stars, Emily Aryn calls on your glories!" Starlight begins to fall as Emily chants words that tint reality around her white, the same color as the blinding light as Zaphkiel's words.
Two quickened Morwel's blessings for 640 healing for all.
"Heavens, protect us!" GLorious light fills all of you anew from that, a familiar spell taking grip on the party.
Celestial valor on the party.
Your words of magic fill those that hear them with deep wellsprings of righteous bravery. Each target of this spell gains a +8 sacred bonus to saving throws against fear and any emotion based effect that would sap the will to fight, such as calm emotions or crushing despair. In addition, celestial valor grants a +4 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws. Finally, any weapon they use counts as a holy weapon for the duration, granting 2d6 extra damage against evil targets. This does not stack if the weapon already has the holy special property.
Bastian is there, slipping on in the horror's flank to support Jarem, ducking a swing as another comes for him, but he's already striking away.
5ft step since it charged into the teeth of the party and he's gonna unload on it.
> roll 1d20+74 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 79 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20+74 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 94 > [d20=20]
> roll 1d20+74 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+69 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+64 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+59 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d20+74 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor) crit check
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 92 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance 1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 47 > [d100=47]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance 2 (crit)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d100=20]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance 3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 42 > [d100=42]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance 4
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 84 > [d100=84]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance 5
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 91 > [d100=91]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance 6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 8 > [d100=8]
> roll 4d12+56
> roll 4d12+56
> roll 4d12+56
> roll 4d12+56
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 68 > [d12=1,7,3,1]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d12=6,10,6,2]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 92 > [d12=10,10,4,12]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 80 > [d12=5,5,6,8]
Bastian goes back and forth with it, cries as he dodges blades and slams his fists and feet into the horror again and again. He pummels its side, landing blows when he can.
Init is Dromen (50) > Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > The Conjoined (20) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
Demon line holds position. Jarem.
Jarem heals and goes low immediately, sweeping down swiftly.
> roll 1d20+66 (+4 celestial valor, +12 feats)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d20=11]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d100=21]
Forgot +4 more for 81 total. Matters here.
Dellos swings low, a bash into the legs of the monster. A cry as the first one wobbles as the others balance it, two swords coming for him. Jarem's shield comes up to block them as he then surges forward, shield slamming the second and then shoving the third. It's enough to send the whole heap of them down, cascading down one after another. Jarem sands over them even as he brings his sword down, the chance taken.
Free attack on a trip.
> roll 1d20+69 (+4 celestial valor, +11 smite)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d20=13]
> roll 1d100 vs ??? miss chance
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d100=37]
> roll 1d8+62+2d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 79 > [d8=7][d6=6,4]
Jarem stabs into one of them as Bastian continues to rain blows down. It's down but not dead, as meanwhile...
Dromen's up next post. Segmenting.
[spoiler]
Your words of magic fill those that hear them with deep wellsprings of righteous bravery. Each target of this spell gains a +8 sacred bonus to saving throws against fear and any emotion based effect that would sap the will to fight, such as calm emotions or crushing despair. In addition, celestial valor grants a +4 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws. Finally, any weapon they use counts as a holy weapon for the duration, granting 2d6 extra damage against evil targets. This does not stack if the weapon already has the holy special property.
Jarem
HP: 864/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 6/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, 1 10th, 2 13th Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 9/12
Spells Used: 2 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa watches the flow of battle, making plans.
Droman holds position as the marilith gestures, and suddenly - !
How many spells do you have active on you?
8
List them, please.
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 35, Duration: 24 Hours
+1 spellcaster level
Create Magic Tattoo, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+2 competence bonus on attack rolls.
Mind Blank, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
Protection from all devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions or thoughts.
Energy Immunity (Electricity), CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
Immune to Electicity
Bibliotheca Arcana, CL 36, Duration: 24 Hours
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained.
Prying Eyes, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
1d4+36 eyes, 120 ft normal vision in all directions, 25 word instructions:
"Orbit me in ringed layers leaving no gaps and report any useful resources or dangers."
Mind of the Dragon Princess, CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
+4 insight bonus to Int
Mass Energy Immunity (Acid), CL 36, Duration: 36 Hours
> roll 3#1d8 targetin
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 8, 8, 8 >
> roll 2#1d8 targeting
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 4, 3 >
> roll 1d20+44 vs mind blank
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 60 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+44 vs energy immunity (electricity)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20+44 vs mass energy immunity
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 45 > [d20=1]
Mind Blank and Energy Immunity are gone, Mass Energy Immunity survives.
Magic crumbles around you as arcane vigor fills Dromen, seeming to bolster her all over as...
Go, you and Dolmaya.
Can I see who has what spells on them, as far as the enemy goes?
CL check.
CL:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+38 : 3 + 38, total 41[/blockquote]
Dromen is well warded, as is the four conjoined creatures.
The bees have Demogorgon's Dual Mind, Mindspring and Mental Revivification active.
The Hexad have Nondetection, Armor of the Profane, Bibliotheca Arcana, Fiendish Clarity and Epic Mage Armor.
Alyssa casts a pair of spells!
Consumptive Dispel (SDA Quickened), CL 38
Target: Dromen
Let's do the dispels before I do the next spell?
> roll 1d20+44 trying to counter
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 56 > [d20=12]
A shout of magic and your spell is countered - but you aren't done yet as...
Go, she managed to counterspell.
Empress' Remand (SDA Quickened), CL 38.
Same target.
15 dispel checks.
<Iddy> roll 15#1d20+35
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 40, 51, 47, 37, 44, 50, 54, 37, 40, 44, 47, 41, 48, 53, 43 >
Give me one more, sorry, I miscounted.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+35 : 20 + 35, total 55[/blockquote]
You get the following spells: Epic Mage Armor, Epic Resistance, Death Ward and Battalion's Charge.
Alyssa casts a final spell!
Magic Missile Massacre (SDA Maximized), CL 36.
70*350 damage. Target: Dromen.
Does it allow SR? Also I think you mean just 350 damage, not 70*350 damage?
It does, I forgot to announce the Inspiration to bypass again, and yes, I was typing the formula but my brain skipped to the total and I put it in. 350 total damage.
Back up a moment as well. Remand lets you resort spells like reaving dispel. Did you want to take those?
Well, a lot of my spell got ripped apart so I'm keeping them. What's Battalion's Charge do?
Epic Mage Armor and Death Ward should be known to you.
Epic Resistance grants a +8 resistance bonus to saves and energy resistance 30 to all elements.
Battalion's Charge grants you a +5 morale attack roll and armor class bonus when you charge, as well as to any allies within 200ft when they charge.
I'll keep the others and pass Battalion's Charge to Jarem, then.
Init is Dromen (50) > Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > The Conjoined (20) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
The blast of missiles strikes home, slamming the marilith back as at the same time, you rip magic away from her. Great sparks of magic cascade out as Dolmaya steps back and supports Jarem, a barrage of rays coming as she calls, "Begone, demon!"
Another Dolmaya's Force Ray with all the fixings.
> roll 4#1d20 rnaged touch so likely 1 checks
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15, 4, 2, 2 >
Now that blast of force rocks the conjoined horrow. Already tripped by Jarem, the blasts savage it viciously, splurts of blood coming from tears all over it. Yet it lives - how you know not, a sudden burst of regenerative energy perhaps. Indeed, for a moment its wounds partially mend, but its grasp on life lasts only a moment. It shudders and draws inward, before bloody darkness erupts from its bursting corpse, all four erupting out around the party.
Ref all.
[spoiler]
Your words of magic fill those that hear them with deep wellsprings of righteous bravery. Each target of this spell gains a +8 sacred bonus to saving throws against fear and any emotion based effect that would sap the will to fight, such as calm emotions or crushing despair. In addition, celestial valor grants a +4 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws. Finally, any weapon they use counts as a holy weapon for the duration, granting 2d6 extra damage against evil targets. This does not stack if the weapon already has the holy special property.
Jarem
HP: 864/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 6/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, 1 10th, 2 13th Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 9/12
Spells Used: 3 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Ref/Cunning Insight/Aura of Inspiration: +18 to everyone's save
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 12 + 64, total 76[/blockquote]
Again your +18 is huge. How much inspiration do you have left for the encounter?
10/26 remain.
Init is Dromen (50) > Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
The blood streaked darkness reaches out for all of you, grasping - yet none of you are touched. Not a one of you as it whirls in place, a great cluster of it where the conjoined horror was.
Meanwhile, the Hexad Coven points at the changed ground as magic around it shudders.
> roll 1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=2]
CL on your terrain spell?
38.
Yet your spell endures - as the bees cluster but stay above and well away from the light of your spell. They buzz and hiss as...
'Can you finish of Dromen?' Jarem sends to you.
Can I tell what Dromen's general state is?
You can see she got blasted by your missiles and hit good, but she looks injured, not dying or anything. Bloodied but not down.
'I'll do my best. Provided nothing goes horribly wrong, I should be able to. And if she tries to make this a melee fight, she'll have a nasty surprise.'
Init is Dromen (50) > Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
"No need," Emily floats up off the ground, wind howling as she chants, "I call on you from above, to come down with the wrath all the wicked face!"
> roll 1d20+38
> roll 1d20+38
> roll 1d20+38
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d20=12]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 54 > [d20=16]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 54 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+30
> roll 1d20+30
> roll 1d20+30
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 50 > [d20=20]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 39 > [d20=9]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 43 > [d20=13]
> roll 37d6
> roll 37d6
> roll 37d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 132 > [d6=6,4,6,2,4,3,1,3,3,2,3,4,5,4,1,6,5,5,5,4,5,1,3,6,2,4,3,6,5,1,2,2,6,1,3,4,2]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 129 > [d6=4,1,1,3,5,1,4,2,3,6,2,5,4,6,1,1,2,1,4,2,6,1,1,3,2,4,2,5,6,6,6,5,1,5,6,6,6]
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 121 > [d6=6,2,6,6,1,1,1,2,3,1,3,6,2,4,4,2,2,3,2,4,5,2,3,6,2,3,3,3,4,6,5,3,2,3,3,3,4]
Three blasts of pure force slam the marilith down thrice, each one cracking scale and bone. She's brought down again and again, shuddering as...
Bastian, segmenting. Go ahead and toss a reaction.
[spoiler]
Your words of magic fill those that hear them with deep wellsprings of righteous bravery. Each target of this spell gains a +8 sacred bonus to saving throws against fear and any emotion based effect that would sap the will to fight, such as calm emotions or crushing despair. In addition, celestial valor grants a +4 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws. Finally, any weapon they use counts as a holy weapon for the duration, granting 2d6 extra damage against evil targets. This does not stack if the weapon already has the holy special property.
Jarem
HP: 864/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 6/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 1/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, 1 10th, 2 13th Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 14th, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 9/12
Spells Used: 3 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa grins at the strike, but sends to Emily, 'Keep some in reserve. Never know who's attention we've caught and who might strike at the end of the battle after we're spent.'
Bastian is a blur now, takign the chance to leap up and vault over it all, coming down right at the marilith. In retort the bloodied creature slashes out at him, which - !
> roll 1d20+70
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+75 (??? used, +5 ???)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 82 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+74 (+8 terrain, +4 celestial valor)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 77 > [d20=3]
> roll 4d12+56+2d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 97 > [d12=9,4,11,8][d6=4,5]
An exchange, fist and sword. Bastian lands in a crouch as the marilith shudders, a burst of blood from her middle. She staggers as suddenly the wound closes. She's healing in a burst of energy, wounds partially mending themselves.
Meanwhile the demon line holds, perhaps as commanded or perhaps checked by the holy power of Alyssa's spell. "Finish her off," Bastian calls, "Jarem!"
Jarem in the next post, segmenting.
Alyssa starts to eye the other targets, sizing up their actions and threat level.
> roll 1d20+76 (+4 celestial valor, +11 smite, +7 law devotion)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 91 > [d20=15]
> roll 1d8+60+2d6
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 76 > [d8=6][d6=5,5]
A blur and Jarem is there. The two exchange blows, but the marilith reels back, sliced open anew. Her body becomes a series of black fractures in the air, which rapidly begin to retreat backwards and away from the battle. Jarem ripples with fractals of energy as he rises from the exchange, even as the wall tears itself apart to allow the marilith to continue to flee.
Meanwhile, the mass of energy that was the conjoined horror continues, still festering away.
Init is Dromen (50) > Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
Go you two.
[spoiler]
Your words of magic fill those that hear them with deep wellsprings of righteous bravery. Each target of this spell gains a +8 sacred bonus to saving throws against fear and any emotion based effect that would sap the will to fight, such as calm emotions or crushing despair. In addition, celestial valor grants a +4 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws. Finally, any weapon they use counts as a holy weapon for the duration, granting 2d6 extra damage against evil targets. This does not stack if the weapon already has the holy special property.
Jarem
HP: 864/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 5/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 0/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, 1 10th, 2 13th Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 14th, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 9/12
Spells Used: 3 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
What's my distance to the Merilith, and can I identify whatever it was she used to escape? And possibly counter it with my dominion over travel?
Marilith. 150ft ahead of you and 10ft to the side.
What about the IDing and countering her fleeing?
It's a spell - not hard for you to grasp, a spell that lets her move and escape. You could counter it now on your turn, but she'd still have the moment she already had on her turn.
Hmm... I'm still not quite sure what the limits of domains are. Is there a way I can somehow... Change her trajectory? So that instead of moving away from us, she's either coming towards us or the like?
You could try to mimic a spell with alter reality. Do you know any spell that does anything similar?
Not off hand... There's like find location and stuff, but I don't know if that would work... But lets try this.
Alyssa snaps her eyes to the movement of the Marilith and draws on her power, "Chains to bind her."
Words of Creation, trying to lock her in place with a binding type deal.
Okay, give me a ranged touch attack roll to start with, let's say.
Ranged touch/Cunning Insight 9/26:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+80 : 17 + 80, total 97[/blockquote]
Glowing chains of light seem to corral the creature - at least for now, its flight at least temporarily arrested for the moment.
Anything else this turn?
Yep! Still got two move actions and Quicken Spell SDA.
Alyssa begins chanting a pair of quick spells!
Magic Missile Massacre (SDA Quicken, Maximize), CL 38.
2 Inspiration to bypass SR (7/26). 350 damage to the Marilith.
Acid Storm (SDA Quicken, Maximize), CL 38.
No SR, Ref half vs 30, Using Purify Rod, gains Good. 20 ft cylinder.
90 damage to non-evil outsiders, 120 to evil outsiders.
Not sure of the spread here, but I'd want to drop it on the coven of casters and whoever else I can.
Init is Alyssa = Dolmaya (34) > Hexad Coven (28) > Bees (18) > Emily (17) > Bastian (15) > Demon Line (13) > Jarem (9)
With that blast of missiles, the marilith screams as she is torn asunder. Her dark form dissipates as her arms and armor clatter to the ground.
> roll 1d20+37
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=14]
Superb dispelling.
Dolmaya advances forward slowly, a finger pointed at the bloody altar. It immediately goes still, the gory eruption stopped. The Hexad wastes no time, breaking apart into worms and spiders, fleeing the way Dromen tried to and getting farther, out of your immediate sight as the bees seethe but make no effort to approach even now.
For the moment free act. The demon line's there but it was set to a specific purpose and isn't really dangerous to y'all.
[spoiler]
Your words of magic fill those that hear them with deep wellsprings of righteous bravery. Each target of this spell gains a +8 sacred bonus to saving throws against fear and any emotion based effect that would sap the will to fight, such as calm emotions or crushing despair. In addition, celestial valor grants a +4 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, armor class and saving throws. Finally, any weapon they use counts as a holy weapon for the duration, granting 2d6 extra damage against evil targets. This does not stack if the weapon already has the holy special property.
Jarem
HP: 864/900
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Turn Deific Foes 11/11 Smite 5/8 Knight's Challenge 26/26 Law Devotion 0/1 Army Domain 1/1
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
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: 845/845
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Courage 10ft (+4 morale vs fear), Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Dragonfire Wrath 12/12 Channel Energy 18/18 Lay On Hands 45/45 Blinding Speed 25/25
Spells Used: Favored Soul: 5 9th, 1 10th, 2 13th Sorcerer: 3 8th level, 2 10th level, 3 11th level, 3 14th, 3 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes: Spell shield to reduce damage.
Bastian
HP: 776/776 (fast healing 2)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Divine 10ft (various)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Divine Blast 10/11 Wholeness of Body 72/72
Spells Used:
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Dolmaya
HP: 724/724 (fast healing 3)
Negative Conditions:
Aura: Confidence 5ft (+10)
Bonuses: Attack+0, Damage+0 AC+0, Saves+0, Skills+0, Checks+0
Resources: Confidence of the Fated 5/5 Ego Manifestation 2/2 Metamagic Specialist 9/12
Spells Used: 1 11th, 3 12th, 2 14th, 2 15th
SLAs Used:
Spells Active:
Notes:
Alyssa stares at them in anger and calls out again, "Chains to bind them all!"
Let's go big. Try to snare as many as I can here.
What exactly are you targeting?
Whoever is left in range? The coven, the Bees, whatever.
Coven's not in sight. Bees and the demon line are.
Those, then.
Ranged touch attack roll.
Ranged touch/Cunning Insight 6/26:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+80 : 19 + 80, total 99[/blockquote]
The chains don't do much to the bees - they just aren't large enough. It's not hard to bind the demon line at least.
'Let's get this cleaned up and move, I don't want to be stationary.'
"Get the marilith's loot," Bastian agrees as...!!!
You feel a stirring. A shake through the ground. The energy that replaced the conjoined terror has begin to move, rising up and beginning to form flesh once more.
Alyssa points to the flesh and calls out, "Disperse!"
Trying to use Words of Creation to prevent the flesh from reforming/blowing the energy apart.
Gimme a rank check.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 12 + 2, total 14[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+3
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=17]
You feel a clash but you're not fast enough as Dolmaya raises her hand, while Jarem calls, "Forget him, get the treasure and go," he calls, "We have a bigger enemy!"
Alyssa nods and uses Alter Reality to mimic Moore's Speedy Gather spell!
Give me a dex check real quick.
Dex/Brains over Everything:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+26 : 13 + 26, total 39[/blockquote]
The party hurries down the corridor. As you do the way behind you erupts into jagged, acidic flames but yet you're faster. All of you rush ahead as the passage ahead beckons you - a slope down is ahead, further into the mountain. Faraway groans can be heard down it.
Alyssa keeps going, 'I think we made him angry.'
"Careful," Emily warns, "I feel some-"
Perception, please.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 12 + 64, total 76[/blockquote]
You rush on as you hear groans of agony, deep and echoing.
For a moment they sound familiar, but your keen ear can tell trickery when you hear it.
'Whatever they're trying, it's false. Sounds familiar, but it's not anything true. Keep moving.'
Down.
Down.
Down.
What is you want, godling?
The voice is full of malice and hatred, but asks you in the vaults of your mind.
Alyssa ropes the others into listening to her reply and filling them in on the conversation, What is hidden here. I search for the door to it, and will find it in spite of your attempts to stop us.
The voice is choked with anger, fury and contempt, but nonetheless it speaks.
What hidden thing and what door?
If you know nothing of it, then leave us be to search. It serves me nothing to give you information you do not already have. We will search and we will find it if it is here. Interfere and lose more servants and reputation. Leave us be and we will complete our search and leave.
Intimidate check, +20 circumstance bonus.
Intimidate/Cunning Knowledge/+20 Circumstance:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+116 : 2 + 116, total 118[/blockquote]
There is a growl that echos before a flicker and a hazy red portal appears ahead.
Go there, explore what you seek and leave, and return on pain of death.
Can I use travel domain to get any info on where this thing leads? What makes this guy think I'm just gonna walk through a demon portal?
That's a very fair point. Spellcraft.
Spellcraft:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+89 : 6 + 89, total 95[/blockquote]
The portal seems to take you to another point in this layer. It doesn't seem trapped.
Alyssa sends to the others, 'Doesn't seem trapped, leads to somewhere else on this layer. Opinions?'
'Do you think he's sincere?' Jarem asks right away.
'It's a safer option than challenging him," Emily points out, 'But we may never get a chance like this again.'
'Better to win at your goals than to lose going for more,' Bastian disagrees, 'Know when to take a win if the portal can be trusted.'
'Agreed, Bastian. We came here for a reason, and it wasn't to fight this demon lord. Let's heal up and go.'
Going on in then?
Sure, why not.
You stand in the ruins of what looks to be a building. Barely anything is left but a few remnants of walls amid utter desolation. Yet amid this stands a door, untouched by the carnage that has consumed everything else. It is a plain door, rather unremarkable to the eye.
Alyssa casts Greater Arcane Sight on herself and begins inspecting it, leaning on her Travep Domain and Minotaur's sense.
Same sorta thing as when I did the lost plane thing. It might not even be the right door.
The door radiates overwhelming magic. It's sealed a dozen ways, including various epic spells. No way it's going to open without absurd power or some way around those.
'Extremely well protected...'
Can I identify the spells and their CLs?
"Is this it?" Emily asks, "Alyssa, do you have something ready for this, if it is it?"
You can see the spells - all woven together, from things such as arcane lock to far greater spells.
I can go into detail if you like.
Well, some of them may have direct counters? I mean, what's the route for not countering spell by spell? Unless I can use Travel to trace the path and forge a way to the location without opening the door?
Generally dispels unless a spell has a specific way to get past it otherwise.
'Well, we may have to resort to brute force if this key doesn't work. Let's try this first..."
Alyssa retrieves it and tries it!
The moment you hold up the Ocular Key, the wards one by one dissolve, leaving the door unprotected. The key radiates a dull gray light as Emily perks up, "It's it! We did it!"
"Finally," Jarem exhales, "Let's find what's here and get the hell out while we can."
'Or before we get attacked for whatever's in there,' Jarem adds in your mind.
'We have the key, let's get in and lock it behind us.'
Alyssa leads in!
You head into the room.
It's a room. A room well kept, a room of fine brickwork and plaster. A room from a nice home perhaps, though there are no decorations. Instead, a large metal bowl sits on the floor. Plain and polished, it looks to be made of common steel.
Alyssa ensures the door the locked behind them, then cautiously moves around the room, inspecting everything and checking for traps.
Bastian does the same, but you find no traps about.
The metal bowl does radiate strong magic, however. As you scan it, "Blood of the eternal, blood of the divine. An offering shall open the way."
Can I study the magic to try and figure out what it'll do?
Sure, spellcraft.
"Dolmaya, help me study the magic on this. It'll go faster if we help each other."
Casting Greater Arcane Sight on her for expedience. I was also saving Cunning Knowledge just for this.
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+120 : 2 + 120, total 122[/blockquote]
Dolmaya takes 10.
The bowl isn't an artifact, but it's powerful. It's designed to catalyze divine blood and create a grand magical effect. Namely, opening a hidden seal ahead.
The fact that it uses divine blood suggests the creator is a deity themselves or someone aided by one, or otherwise of inhuman insight.
"It requires divine blood to open a seal. Looks to have been made by another deity..."
Can I identify what deity through the magic?
A DC 85 Spellcraft check shows the caster of an ongoing spell or effect, but not an item.
I got +89 for spellcraft checks, so let's do that.
The bowl is an item, Iddy. See my last post about spells and effects, but not items.
For some reason that bit escaped me.
Alyssa pulls out a knife. "Well, we've come this far. Any last second preperations?"
"Just be ready," Jarem says, "It's a small gamble, but we've come too far now," he agrees, "So let's finish it."
Alyssa cuts her forearm open and let's the blood dribble into the bowl.
Blood pours into the bowl, and with that, the back wall shifts and is gone. Behind it lie several things. The first is a great bed of platinum coins, as well as what looks to be coins made of adamantine. They sparkle in the light.
Secondly are six pillars, each one five feet tall and broad enough for something to rest atop it.
On the first sits a bloodstained kukri, fresh red blood glistening on the blade.
On the second rests a small potion bottle, full of what looks to be a bile-brown liquid.
On the third rests a large jug, full of bright red blood. It's made of plain glass and transparent.
On the fourth rests a large eye, white and with a blood red pupil.
On the fifth rests a single greave, made of steel and well worn, as well as freshly bloodstained.
On the sixth rests a still beating heart with thirty six chambers. It is a vast thing that splurts blood every moment, yet the blood fades away before it can splatter anything.
Beyond these, on the back wall, a slender book rests, embedded in.
Alyssa inspects each item, looking at the magic of each, working her way to the book.
Greater Arcane Sight or Identify as needed.
Spellcraft.
"What is all this?" Dolmaya asks as she comes forward.
Emily glances at the jug, "Godsblood," She announces quietly, "Oh Alyssa, I know that when I see it."
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+89 : 3 + 89, total 92[/blockquote]
The kukri has been drenched in the blood of the divine for eons and drank in that power. It is a kukri+6, keen. It is also a bloodfeeding weapon, but with sextupled benefits. It can store up to 60 blood points and can store these points for up to 6 hours. When you activate this weapon to spend blood points, you can spend up to 30 and each point does an extra 12 points of damage.
This unnamed kukri is a minor artifact.
The second bottle is some kind of poison - the bile of a demon lord, you suspect.
The third is full of the blood of a demon lord. What's more, you can sense a presence lingers within it, watching and waiting.
The fourth is the eye of a demon lord. Should this eye be consumed, it will replace both eyes of the creature and grant them a +30 profane bonus to Perception checks, darkvision 600ft and low-light vision. This nameless eye is a minor artifact.
The greave is stained by the blood of a god and left to marinate in that power for ages. Despite being a mere greave, it grants a +10 armor bonus to armor class when worn with no maximum dexterity bonus, armor check penalty or arcane spell failure. Instead, the wearer's blood comes forth to form liquid armor around them to provide this protection. This does not harm the creature at all. The creature gains immunity to all effects that make them bleed, as well as anything that would drain their blood, such as a vampire's bite.
This lost greave is a minor artifact.
This heard is the cursed heart of a demon lord. Great and dark power rests within it.
Finally, the book is merely enchanted to resist the passage of time.
Alyssa tells the others about the items, "I'm going to read the book before we do anything. That blood has something in it, watching and waiting. Be wary."
"A defeated demon lord?" Bastian says, keeping an eye on it. "That's a treasure, alright." He picks up one of the coins and flips it, "Looks real to me. Platinum coins are worth a lot, let alone what those other ones are."
Jarem keeps an eye open as well, as Emily follows you.
Alyssa begins to read the book!
Alter Reality for Scholar's Touch if need be, to speed things up.
The book has but a few words in it.
"Know that I once saw the Pale Mother destroy a demon lord. The remnants are here. The last fragments of my strength put these words to ink, to ensure only someone capable of dealing with this will ever find these remnants. I have learned much, but my mind, life and soul were the price to peer into the Abyss.
The coins are my wealth. Use them as you need to for whatever you will do with these remnants."
Alyssa shows it to the others, searching her memory for stories about the Pale Mother destroying a demon lord.
Obligatory K:P.
"Oh, a bit of demonic history?" Jarem reads it and thinks, "So, do we destroy it? Is there anything we can gain from the last gasps of a demon lord?"
"Possibly," Emily says, "Proxy sparks." She eyes the remnants, the blood and the blade, the heart and the greave. "Even one would be a fair prize for our efforts, if one remains to be taken."
"It's a bad idea," Bastian crosses his arms as he turns away from the money, "But if Miss Paladin thinks it's not morally repugnant, then at least that's not an argument."
"Well..." Emily trails off and looks away, "How much have you learned about proxies so far, Alyssa and everyone?"
"I know enough," Jarem says, "The Red Knight told me about them. Should you take and adjust a proxy spark of another deity, you can claim it as an extra, or use it to replace a lost proxy spark of your own."
"That's right," Emily smiles a little bit, "If we can get one from this, it would be a valuable resource against something going afoul later."
K:P:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 6 + 57, total 63[/blockquote]
It's happened multiple times according to the lore - you simply need a lot more to go on to narrow it down, and even then, it may be some horrific war in the Abyss that was not spoken of beyond it.
In other words just a demon lord doesn't narrow it down. The Abyss keeps poppin' them out.
Alyssa nods, "I've already set Dolmaya up as mine, but... We should look into it for you all, for certain. These items can be useful bargaining chips, and powerfully alluring bait otherwise. They might also serve as components, if we can figure out a way to purify them.
As for the specific demon lord involved here... She's killed a number of them. I'd have to do more study to figure out exactly which one, or ones, these are from."
"Can we take this out safely and escape?" Dolmaya asks, "It's a fine prize, but it's best we get out of this place and get to safer ground, before the lord of this layer changes his mind."
"He's certain to have already set something up. Bastian, let's see if we can work together to forge a new path out of here. I was able to forge a path to the unfinished plane, I'm hoping we can do something similar here."
"If it's a demplane, we'll have to go out," Emily points out, "There's no way we can escape from a demlplane without it being linked to the Astral, let alone one in a hostile power's divine realm."
What about masking our movement then?
It depends on what you have in mind.
Using Bastian and Alyssa's combined Travel domain powers to redirect/off-set our actual location? Alternately, since we've already traveled here and have gained knowledge of the route, can we mimic our home plane's trait of moving directly where we want to go?
Not on the fly unless it's something you can do with a spell through alter reality.
So our only option is to bum-rush outta here? Hmm..
"Well, other than trying to use stealth, I can't think of a way to make this easier... Unless... We get out and use Xorn Movement with stealth to cut through underground?"
"That might work, but if he's smart he'll cover that," Jarem considers, "Considering how most of what we fought through was caverns, he might think to expect it."
"Maybe," Dolmaya says, "But if he chooses to sever the astral links around here, it doesn't matter how clever we are because we have a greater problem."
"We won't ever get out. We can distract with summons easily enough, though doing so with Alter Reality may not provide us enough of sufficient power. That said, enough Greater Storm Elementals will be devastating."
"Regardless," Jarem glances back, "Can we safely transport all of that?"
Alyssa shrugs, "We can spend some time to do some investigation on it. The fact is, if we don't get it out now, that means either abandoning it completely or coming back for it. He's also seen us use the key, so there might be some small chance he saw enough of the magic to be able to brute force it some way and get in here... I don't like the idea of any demon lord getting their hands on any of this."
"Well, we can take some of it," Emily points out, "Doesn't someone have a bag of holding?"
"I can take all of it, yes. Moore supplied us with one. It's just a question of how big of a target it makes us."
"We came this far," Jarem says, "We're not leaving this behind. If he wants to make us a target, he's going to do it by now anyway."
Alyssa nods and gathers everything up into the bag.
"Okay, so, plans? We get out, everyone summons the Storm Elementals, then we try to make a run with it with Xorn Movement? Other ideas?"
"Nothing worthwhile," Emily says at last, "We may just have to fight no matter what."
"We'll have to think on our feet," Jarem agrees, "We go out and we show them why we got this far."
"Alright, let's get ready to do this, then."
Alyssa calls upon her power to restore some of the spells on herself.
Gonna use a couple rounds of Alter Reality to put some spells back on me: Create Magic Tattoo (Luck Bonus), then using Alter Reality to mimic Arcane Conversion to swap Synostodweomer for Elemental Body (Fire), Greater Plane Shift for Mind Blank, Kassim's Sky Flower for Magic Missile Massacre, and using Domain SLAs to throw Spell Turning and Foresight on everyone.
Sure. Ready to go out then?
Yeppers, unless one of the others wants something done.
You step out, ready to go - and it's how it was before. Just ruins, no sign of an attack or any immediate trouble.
Alyssa nods to the others and starts moving, heading back to where they came in.
No sign of demons. "Wait," Jarem says, "If he's not opposing us, try opening a Gate so we can just get the hell out of here."
Alyssa nods, "Let's be ready either way."
Emily chants and opens a gate: And nothing happens, merely passage back home revealed.
Jarem doesn't hesitate, going through, followed by Dolmaya and Bastian.
Alyssa follows!
A step and you return home at last. You're back in your tower top office, safe and sound. The portal closes once Emily is through, the deed done.
"That demon had the good sense to know when he was defeated," Bastian grunts, "Surprising."
"That and I bet his plans didn't work out," Jarem seconds, "I expected a stronger push against us, but demons routinely betray one another."
"So did I... I expected the holy light being given off by my spell to attract more attention. Perhaps it did and he wanted to end the problem as fast as he could...
Regardless, we're back. Let's go through all of this and see what we can do with it. And lock the worst of it in the vaults until we're ready. "
Okay then, I presume you're ready for a loot post?
Unless anyone has something that needs to be addressed, yeah, loot is good.
Loot is up.
Alyssa finishes divvying up the gear to the others.
"Emily, I need you to lead the investigation on purifying the swords and the... parts. You've done that sort of thing before and have more contacts for it. Dolmaya and I will work on the greaves and the power in the blood and heart. Anything else?"
Emily shakes her head. "I think that's everything, Alyssa. We'll be busy with this."
"Yes. I'll have the money split up after we figure out what's possible with the purification."
Thus everyone gets to work and...
Go ahead.
"Okay, where do we want to start? Greaves or parts?"
Dolmaya sits back in thought before, "The parts. The greaves are a side show," she declares, "If a proxy spark can be extracted, that's more valuable than anything the greaves have."
"What if more than a proxy spark is there? Could his divine power still be present?"
"I don't know," Dolmaya says openly, "If it's more, we'll consult an expert rather than risk something going awry."
Alyssa nods, "Well, where to start. I sensed an awareness as well."
"Start there?" Dolmaya suggests.
Alyssa nods and begins examining the blood, looking for signs of the awareness and power, trying to puzzle out the nature of it and the demon lord it came from.
Give me a Perception check and a Will save.
Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 16 + 64, total 80[/blockquote]
Will/Cunning Insight:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+55 : 6 + 55, total 61[/blockquote]
It's not hard to feel - a presence. An angry presence, but fractured, broken. It's clustered around a bright spark of power. Like a tiny fragment of divine power - something you instinctually recognize as a proxy spark. After all, you gave one to Dolmaya.
"There's definitely a proxy spark there. Whatever fractured mind is there is gathering around it."
"Too bad it has to go," Dolmaya says, not sounding sorry at all.
"Hmm..."
Any way to separate the two? Isolate one from the other so it doesn'tinterfere?
You think you could with sufficiently strong magic, yes.
Something like unbinding might work or a similarly mighty spell that specializes in it, or perhaps magic related to the soul, or your raw divine will.
"Something like an unbinding spell of significant power can do it... or enough divine will. Maybe all of us together."
"An unbinding spell would free it," Dolmaya says, "Whatever it is. If we're in a position to destroy it, we might be fine. If we aren't it could get out of hand." She studies it a time longer, "Divine will would be simplest."
Alyssa nods, "Let's look at the heart. If it needs the same, best to set it up to be done at once."
"Let's," Is the agreement.
How are you approaching the heart?
Start with the same basic assessment as with the blood.
Okay, give me K:A and Spellcraft.
K:A/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+75 : 20 + 75, total 95[/blockquote]
Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+107 : 16 + 107, total 123[/blockquote]
The heart is full of demonic energy - but it's not where the mind rests. Just a vast reserve of power, nothing more. If you gave it the blood, then perhaps...?
"So this is going to sound like a bad idea, but I'm going to say it for the sake of research... but mixing the blood with the heart will have a reaction. It may amplify the power."
"Or awaken a monster," Dolmaya retorts, "This is where I suggest we contact a more experienced deity who can advise us, Alyssa."
"Yes, yes. Sensible and all. It's led you to your long life, so who am I to argue. Suggestion as to who? We know a few other deities, but they're also all fairly new themselves."
Dolmaya goes to the window and points out to the sky, where in the night's gloom, the moon's light can be seen.
"Mmm, yes. Let's get the others."
Okay, so plan is to get everyone and try calling on Selune's aid, then?
Yeah.
Jarem, Bastian, Dolmaya and Emily. All of you gather together for this, as the light of the full moon shines down brightly.
Emily stands at the window, hands on the windowsill as she leans out and peers up.
Jarem stands back, watching the view but not adding anything. He seems distracted, faraway.
Bastian paces back and forth, waiting.
Dolmaya sits nearby, her research done and now at the ready.
"So, the blood holds a proxy spark for certain. The heart... Has something more. Not sure what, but... I can tell that feeding it some of the blood will cause something to happen. Dolmaya suggested we consult with Selune about it before trying anything."
"Sensible," Jarem murmurs.
"I thought so too," Dolmaya smiles just a little bit, "Far more sensible than trying it otherwise."
Alyssa nods, "Everyone ready? If we need to ask any other questions, now's the time to get them out."
"We're ready," Bastian says after no one else speaks up. "Selune's on our side."
Alyssa nods, Selune, if you have some time, I have some things to consult with you on.
The moonlight grows brighter now as from it the voice of the moon is heard.
It is the duty of the light of the moon to illuminate the safe way forward. The light that shines down from the moon shall reveal all.
That seems like an unnecessarily convoluted and haughty response.
We have come into possession of the blood and heart of a defeated demon lord. I can tell that by supplying some blood to the heart, some sort of power will be enhanced, but I'm unsure what exactly it will be. I'm wondering if you have any sort of knowledge on this. I'm hoping it may result in divine power I may be able to take.
Yes. You must confront and purge the remnant with your will. Do so and the proxy spark will be yours to claim.
Yes, we've figured out that the spark is based in the blood, but the heart has some... other power. It's different, and I can tell it will react to the blood, but not how.
It is a festering remnant of power of the slain demon lord. Put both together and a mockery of a demon lord will be reborn. Perhaps akin to a greatly diminished avatar.
Okay, as far what I can get from such a thing, what can I reasonably expect? Like, if I do just the blood, it's a proxy spark, but what happens if they're together? Is there something I can roll to figure it out?
It's the sort of divine thing that's likely beyond a check, it's best to simply ask.
Do you have any idea about what we could gain from defeating it?
Peace that one less horror menaces Creation.
Would pulling the proxy spark from the blood accomplish the same?
Yes. Without that it has no hope but to fade away.
Thank you.
Alyssa turns to the others, "Well, seems taking the spark is the best and easiest option. The fastest way is through divine will, so I wanted all of us to try together, to make it easier."
"I'm with you," Emily says immediately.
"It's for the best. Demons lord serve no one but themselves," Jarem seconds, coming to join you.
Bastian approaches, "One less is a win for everyone."
Alyssa nods and brings out the blood, "Let's start, then."
In that case, line away how you're doing it and then rank check.
"Okay... let's have two of us focus our power into containing whatever mind is left, and the other two focus on pulling the spark out. Emily and Bastian, focus on containment. Jarem, help me."
With that, Alyssa focuses her power into surrounding the spark, waiting for Jarem to follow her lead, before trying to coax it away from the blood and conciousness.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 6 + 2, total 8[/blockquote]
+4 strata bonus applies so your total is 12.
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=17]
> roll 1d20+5 Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=8]
> roll 1d20+5 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=18]
> roll 1d20 vs Alyssa
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d20=2]
> roll 1d20 vs Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d20=4]
> roll 1d20 vs Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d20=5]
> roll 1d20 vs Bastian
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=15]
You feel the demon, the hate, the fury. It roars at you - yet your power it is nothing more than grime washed away river water. It dissolves, unable to hold on in such a state. It is held still enough as Jarem batters it as well. Before your eyes the blood dries up and becomes a red crust on the inner bottle, and within it a faint, gorgeous light shines.
"We did it," Jarem exhales after.
Emily claps, "We did! Wonderful!"
Alyssa smiles at the others, "Yes, well done. What to do with it?"
"None of us have lost a proxy yet," Jarem muses on it, "But an extra is a valuable resource. The question is to determine who gets it."
"Alyssa should," Bastian speaks up, "In case Dolmaya somehow loses hers."
"That...makes sense," Jarem says slowly, "It's at least a reason."
"Nope. One of you gets it. I plan to keep Dolmaya around for a long time. One of you having two agents around will be better. "
"In that case, I want it," Jarem says right away.
Emily eyes it before she nods, "It's yours," she steps back.
Bastian eyes him a time, "Alright," he says, "But you owe me a favor."
Alyssa passes it over!
The proxy spark flows out of the bottle and into Jarem's outstretched hand. It hovers there before it slowly sinks into his hand and is gone, "Tingles," Jarem remarks. "In a good way."
"Make good use of it. We're going to get more and more attention from now on. We still need to figure out what possible uses we may have for the heart, and if there's anything for the blood. Emily, anything on the purification of those weapons front?"
"I'm looking into it, I'll let you know soon," Emily nods, and in an instant is gone.
Dolmaya walks out the old fashioned way as things break up. Jarem and Bastian linger, the former shaking his head, "That was a big victory, even if I'm not sure word of it will go far unless we spread it."
"Not many successfully raid the Abyssa and intimidate a demon lord. Or find a plate hidden like that. It was hard fought and well done."
"Oh, and they'll know," Jarem agrees as you feel it. A sudden connection to him, strong and true.
Node update, go read.
Nice.
Alyssa blinks at it, "Excellent. Seems like things are going well for us on this escapade of ours."
Jarem slaps your shoulder and says, "Enjoy it. Bastian, make sure she enjoys it." Then he's gone.
"Asshole," Bastian chuckles just a little bit, "You are due a celebration, though."
"Didn't I just have one for my Coronation?"
Bastian laughs, "One with ale, wine, harder booze and wonderful regrets being made!"
Alyssa gasps dramatically, "But my royal dignity! Whatever shall happen to my reputation for innocence and regalness? Do I truly entrust my entertainment to a ruffian who would defame me in front of my people?"
"That," Bastian clasps your shoulder, "Is why it's a private celebration."
"Well that's not very welcoming of the people! You'd exclude your own subject from exuberance? You're certainly not cut out for this rulership thing, are you? For shame."
"Alyssa," Bastian says slowly, "Just go have a fucking good time already."
Alyssa grins at him, "I already am, oh great dour one. Where exactly is this supposed to happen?"
"Well..." Bastian begins.
Anything else to do here?
Make sure Honeydip joins in for a convenient chance to talk to her? Also, Bastian is terrible at being teased.
He is. Okay, how do you want to talk to Honeydip? Go ahead and set yourself up there, it's your initiative.
Alyssa waves to Honeydip with a grin, "Hello! I'm on my way to a celebration set up for our latest adventure. Care to join? It'll give us another chance to socialize, outside of stuffy ceremonies."
"Of course," Honeydip bows her head respectfully to you.
Alyssa starts towards the celebration, "So, how have you found our realm so far?"
"You've built a lot in a short time," Is Honeydip's answer, "It's not like the Court. It's a human growth, of smoke and wood and steel."
Alyssa inclines her head in acknowledgement, "In part, yes. We've taken in refugees, wanderers, settlers, and explorers from everywhere. Shaundakul led them here to find a home. With such a mixing, certain allowances are required between ideals."
Alyssa gestures around them, "This academy, for example. Schools like this, established and structured, are a thing of humans, primarily. At least, in so much as the way it's presented and classes are presented. With that, comes other things. Smoke, wood, and steel, as you said. But the more you explore, the more you'll find. There's a sacred grove near here, established in honor of Ianvasah. The mountains that surround us are full of caves and hidden valleys, to be settled however the discoverer and settlers wish. With the abundance of caves, I imagine we'll soon have a dwarf outpost. There are forested valleys that I imagine some of the more private elves will seek out. At the foot of the mountains, there are full forests, ready for establishment.
The only thing we enforce is free movement, the safety of others, and, at the very least, neutral relations. No one has to open home and hearth to everyone they come across, but at the very least, polite greetings and hands off weapons."
Honeydip flutters along you as she stops and asks flat out, "Why me? Why truly me? There's more to this than I gather, and the more I ruminate on it and your actions, the more than I feel a piece is missing."
Alyssa shrugs a bit, "I'm a researcher. An analyst. I look at things, disassemble them, figure out why it works, or in the case of a problem, doesn't work. We lost Ianvasah because of an oversight on all of our parts: We were too over-specialized. Jarem, Bastian, Emily, Dolmaya. Jarem's the most defensive of the bunch, but even that is just as a means to create an opportunity for offense. Ianvasah was the same; she favored dragonshape and embodied the traits, and temper, of one.
That left me as the most defensive of everyone, and if you're going to rely on a single person for a role, then they need to be a specialist. I'm not a specialist. I'm very specifically not one. I can do, almost quite literally, a little of everything. My planning and defenses weren't up to par, and both Ianvasah and I died for it. So, I considered the problem, and having dealing with Moore, saw the power of his magic and abilities. I sent out inquiries and was referred to you. You were invited here to meet everyone and so we could feel each other's personalities out. I look for the potential in things, Lady Honeydip. It's part of why I've attained what I have, and with you, I see the potential to fit with us, both ability-wise and personality-wise.
Regardless if you decide to join us in whatever fighting we have in front of us, you'll have a place here, if you want it. We don't have many fey here, but I feel it's just a matter of time."
There's silence before...
I have to ask for IC character reasons: Was all of that true? She was Sense Motive-ing you there.
Yep! I mean, OOC, consider the conversations you and I had, right? After Ianvasah, I was asking about more/better buffing, spreading the defensive spells out more, and rounding the team out. Literally everyone in the team except Alyssa, including Ianvasah, is an offense specialist more than anything else.
"...I sensed, perhaps wrongly but more likely not, that Her Majesty wished for me to aid you." Honeydip says at last. "I have no great lure to this place, yet one does not ignore that, nor the invitation of a god."
A pause.
"You are your own people and I am an outsider to that, a visitor. Many times in Androlynne I commanded those who were like that. Heroes of all stripes who were foreign to me as the snow is to the desert." Her cute voice is thoughtful, "Yet it seems I am called to this again."
Alyssa shakes her head, "No, not called. Invited. You have full autonomy here; my status as god shouldn't influence your decision. Queen Morwel sent you because of your past experience with outsiders, I imagine. She likely wants to establish a relationship with me early, while having someone whose opinion she can trust.
It's a round-about way of it, as most things are with people in positions of power. It's also something I try to avoid. Whether you're here to join us in battle or to assess us, you're welcome in whichever role you decide. Though, if you're not going to stick around, I'd like some help integrating fey before you leave."
Alyssa grins at her.
Give me a raw Charisma check here.
Cha/Brains over Everything!
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+24 : 7 + 24, total 31[/blockquote]
"You will have your answer in an hour," Lady Honeydip says, "I would like to pray to the Queen first. I will see you again soon."
"And here I thought we were going to go to the celebration! But very well, do what you need to. I look forward to it, either way."
It takes just about an hour until you are pulled by Honeydip from the celebrations. "May we go somewhere private?"
Alyssa grabs a drink to go and teleports them to her study.
"Make yourself comfortable."
Honeydip alights on your desk, sitting on the edge of it.
"The Queen chose not to answer my prayer - it is my choice, no matter her desires." Honeydip decides.
Alyssa smiles, "As it should be. What's your mind on this?"
"I'll join you." The answer's simple, quiet. "Once, I fought for a long time until unexpected heroes came and lead to our triumph. One point of that has stayed with me since them - you may not be known or expected, but you may be the hero of this story and not even know it."
Alyssa raises an eyebrow, "I've read a lot of books, and made my way from being the daughter of a blacksmith to being a goddess. I'll assure you of this, if nothing else: Every story has more than one hero, and everyone is a hero in their own story.
We can add you officially joining us as part of the celebration, but I want you to do something for me. I want you to think on what you want to accomplish for yourself. Really think on it. We work towards everyone's goals, whether they be lofty, personal, or small victories. Tell us what you want to accomplish for yourself, and we'll do what we can to make it happen.
But for now, celebration!"
Okay, celebrating aside, what's your next move here?
Well, that was a big one, so... A couple smaller ones for a break. We can do the Solitary Mistwalker guy and contacting the Knights of the Corals to see if we can set up trade and stuff. I'd like to have some stuff happen with realm development, too.
Sure ,choose one and we'll start with that.
Corals.
Sure, what's your move there?
Just research for now. IIRC, it was just a rumor/lore thing from a piece of loot I found that was interesting.
Sure, find out the lore/rumor, repaste it and give me an K:P check.
Gwinnan's Travel Logs, Volume 6: Water.
Gwinnan is a traveling elf, taking in the sights of the planes by his magic and his wits. This book touches on the basics of Water, information that can be found commonly in various ancient tomes. However, there is one tidbit in particular that is of unusual interest.
"In the many marid cities I visited, none were so enthralled me as the Knights of the Corals. These marid breed chaos-blooded sharks as mounts, trained to specialize in what they call the Tidal Waves - great charges of hundreds of marid knights. Moreover, they claimed to craft superior lances from coral to lead these charges. Aghast at such shameless thalassophilia, I scoffed at these claims. The knights mocked my scorn and drew their lances, then one threw it through the water. It traveled faster than if through air and pierced the sedimentary stones behind me. Wondrous things indeed, as they claim the lances are harder than adamantine!"
Coo, so gimme the check now.
K:P/Bibliotheca/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+103 : 12 + 103, total 115[/blockquote]
The Knights of the Corals don't have much trade with others -they're fairly focused on martial matters. Some try because of their lances anyway, but successes seem rare.
Alyssa sends a message to Jarem, I need your help with something minor when you have a few minutes.
Jarem appears before you, "What is it?" he asks, right to the point.
"I found some lore on the Knights of the Corals. They're a very militant faction, and don't often engage in trade. I was hoping you, or the Red Knight, might know something about them, or have some sort of contact with them. Their coral is as hard as adamantine, and unique besides. I don't think we can necessarily recruit them to us, but, we might be able to establish some sort of relationship. If so, we can work towards either trade or figuring out how to cultivate the coral ourselves. Any ideas?"
"I don't know them, but I know someone who knows them," Jarem says, "It's like that in Warrior's Rest." He gets up, "I'll let you know."
Alyssa nods, "Jarem, another thing. Any of your army buddies that are wanderers, or groups looking for a cause? Get us a meeting. After the Hellpit and this conflict with Shar... Things will escalate faster than I think we're prepared for. Anyone who can be trusted, we need them."
A nod from there and...
Okay, you're actually overdue for a new topic so I'm going to do that now before we hit page 100 on this one.