Yggdrasil (Afina, Moore, Jaela)

[Anastasia]

"PROTECT THE QUEEN!" Crystal declares, spurring Hope on. She charges headlong, lance gleaming with holy power as she rushes in.

No AoO, he's flatfooted and lacks combat reflexes.

Crystal uses a swift action rhino's rush.

> roll 1d20+64 (+1 haste, +14 bardic music, +11 smite evil, +2 charge)
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+64 (+1 haste, +14 bardic music, +11 smite evil, +2 charge) --> [ 1d20=20 ]{84}
> roll 1d20+64 (+1 haste, +14 bardic music, +11 smite evil, +2 charge) crit?
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+64 (+1 haste, +14 bardic music, +11 smite evil, +2 charge) crit? --> [ 1d20=14 ]{78}

That's a crit on a spirited lance charge with rhino's rush. Oh boy.

x3 for spirited charge with a lance. That goes up to x4 for rhino's rush and then up to x7 for the x4 critical hit multiplier on her weapon. Ow.

> roll 7d6+301+2d6
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 7d6+301+2d6 --> [ 7d6=20 2d6=6 ]{327}

In spite of her sickness and fatigue, Crystal charges on. She's like a javelin, going right up into the balor's face. She blasts through his mid-face, nose and brains, sending flaming skull and brain parts everywhere. The balor thrashes about, head ruined and gray matter mostly on the wall and floor. Incoherent screams come from it, but amazingly, it does not die. It does not explode. Most of its head is gone, but it still lives.

Ilsenine holds for the moment. Go Jaela.

[spoiler]

Crystal
HP: 191+50/191 (-3 Con)
Spells Active: Heroes Feast (CL20), Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Conviction (CL14), Haste (CL24), Righteous Fury (CL23)
Bonuses: Immunity to poison, +1 morale attack and Will, +4 morale to all saves, +1 attacks/Ref, extra attack on full attack, movement speed bonus, +14 attack/weapon damage/saves vs fear morale, +4 Strength.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 smite evil.

Ilsenine
HP: 261+13/261 (-1 Con)
Spells Active: Heroes Feast (CL20), Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Conviction (CL14), Haste (CL24)
Bonuses: Immunity to poison, +1 morale attack and Will, +4 morale to all saves, +1 attacks/Ref, extra attack on full attack, movement speed bonus, +14 attack/weapon damage/saves vs fear morale.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Spell-Like Abilities

1/day-confusion, dancing lights, detect chaos, detect good, detect evil, detect law, detect thoughts, dispel magic, entangle, permanent image. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs 21 + spell level.

Crystal casts as a 23rd level paladin. All of her paladin spells are automatically quickened. She may memorize ranger spells in her 1st-3rd level paladin spell slots.

[6/day]1: Divine Favorx2, Lesser Restorationx2, Rhino's RushSC.
[5/day]2: Eagle's Splendor, Fell The Greatest Foex3SC, Mirror ImageFP.
[5/day]3: Heal Mount, Righteous Furyx4SC.
[4/day]4: Greater Mirror Imagex2FP, Holy Swordx2.
[4/day]5: Divine AgilitySC, Inner BeautyFC1, Righteous Mightx2

FC1 - Fiendish Codex 1.
FP - Extra spell granted by fey paladin.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Crystal casts as a 19th level ranger. All of her ranger spells are automatically quickened. She may memorize paladin spells in her 1st-3rd level ranger spell slots.

[5/day]1: Lesser Restorationx2, LightfootSC, Rhino's Rushx2SC.
[5/day]2: Barkskinx5.
[4/day]3: Brilliant EmanationBoED, S(1d3 str), Heal Animal Companionx3SC.
[3/day]4: Freedom of Movementx2, SunmantleBoED, S(1d4 str).

BoED - Book of Exalted Deeds.
S - Sanctified spell. Sacrifice cost is noted in parentheses.
SC - Spell Compendium.
[/quote]

[Corwin]

No time to equip her armor. Probably no need, either, given how strong the opponent is. In either case, Crystal's got the right idea! They just need to overwhelm the balor's regeneration!

Swapping Gae Bolg for Gae Dioltas, Jaela dashes after Crystal to run the balor's body through!

[22:38] <@Shizuru> roll 1d20+57+14 charging smite! divine might
[22:38] <Rei-chan> Shizuru rolled : 1d20+57+14 charging smite! divine might --> [ 1d20=4 ]{75}
[22:43] <@Shizuru> roll 3d8+180+39+42+6+2d6 charging smite+divine might+morale+evil outsider, silver+good+epic vs evil outsiders
[22:43] <Rei-chan> Shizuru rolled : 3d8+180+39+42+6+2d6 charging smite+divine might+morale+evil outsider, silver+good+epic vs evil outsiders --> [ 3d8=11 2d6=4 ]{282}

[Anastasia]

Good play, you got it down before it could rage and get even harder to deal with. By a lot, it was set up for shenanigans.

Jaela's charge is just as swift. She impales the balor through the chest, heart pierced as it thrashes. It's chest falls back, almost throwing Jaela behind it, as you see its midbody has a hidden mouth, ready to bite you in two. But it shudders before it explodes in a massive detonation of light.

Ref all.

[Ebiris]

[20:47] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+42 ref evasion
[20:47] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+42 ref evasion --> [ 1d20=13 ]{55}

[Nephrite]

[15:48] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+47 evasion
[15:48] <Rei-chan> Nephrite rolled : 1d20+47 evasion --> [ 1d20=18 ]{65}

[Corwin]

[22:48] <@Shizuru> roll 1d20+41 evasion
[22:48] <Rei-chan> Shizuru rolled : 1d20+41 evasion --> [ 1d20=12 ]{53}

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+43 (+1 haste, +4 conviction) Crystal evasion
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+43 (+1 haste, +4 conviction) Crystal evasion --> [ 1d20=9 ]{52}
> roll 1d20+33 (+1 haste, +4 conviction) Ilsenine
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+33 (+1 haste, +4 conviction) Ilsenine --> [ 1d20=18 ]{51}

150 damage. All of you evade except Ilsenine, who takes only half. So 75 damage to her.

In the aftermath of the blast, the balor is gone. Most of you are untouched and the area around you is completely undamaged. However, Queen Ilsenine is on a knee, already rising despite some visible burns.

Free act.

[spoiler]

Crystal
HP: 191+50/191 (-3 Con)
Spells Active: Heroes Feast (CL20), Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Conviction (CL14), Haste (CL24), Righteous Fury (CL23)
Bonuses: Immunity to poison, +1 morale attack and Will, +4 morale to all saves, +1 attacks/Ref, extra attack on full attack, movement speed bonus, +14 attack/weapon damage/saves vs fear morale, +4 Strength.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 smite evil.

Ilsenine
HP: 199/261 (-1 Con)
Spells Active: Heroes Feast (CL20), Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Conviction (CL14), Haste (CL24)
Bonuses: Immunity to poison, +1 morale attack and Will, +4 morale to all saves, +1 attacks/Ref, extra attack on full attack, movement speed bonus, +14 attack/weapon damage/saves vs fear morale.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Spell-Like Abilities

1/day-confusion, dancing lights, detect chaos, detect good, detect evil, detect law, detect thoughts, dispel magic, entangle, permanent image. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs 21 + spell level.

Crystal casts as a 23rd level paladin. All of her paladin spells are automatically quickened. She may memorize ranger spells in her 1st-3rd level paladin spell slots.

[6/day]1: Divine Favorx2, Lesser Restorationx2, Rhino's RushSC.
[5/day]2: Eagle's Splendor, Fell The Greatest Foex3SC, Mirror ImageFP.
[5/day]3: Heal Mount, Righteous Furyx4SC.
[4/day]4: Greater Mirror Imagex2FP, Holy Swordx2.
[4/day]5: Divine AgilitySC, Inner BeautyFC1, Righteous Mightx2

FC1 - Fiendish Codex 1.
FP - Extra spell granted by fey paladin.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Crystal casts as a 19th level ranger. All of her ranger spells are automatically quickened. She may memorize paladin spells in her 1st-3rd level ranger spell slots.

[5/day]1: Lesser Restorationx2, LightfootSC, Rhino's Rushx2SC.
[5/day]2: Barkskinx5.
[4/day]3: Brilliant EmanationBoED, S(1d3 str), Heal Animal Companionx3SC.
[3/day]4: Freedom of Movementx2, SunmantleBoED, S(1d4 str).

BoED - Book of Exalted Deeds.
S - Sanctified spell. Sacrifice cost is noted in parentheses.
SC - Spell Compendium.

[Corwin]

Jaela returns to the queen's side, placing a hand on her shoulder, and Ilsenine is healed! Another spell, a cantrip, takes care of any clothing mishaps as a result of the blast. "Balors," she muses. "There must be a better way of fighting them."

[Ebiris]

"I apologise, you Majesty," Afina says as she flutters back. "I failed to take the foe seriously."

To Jaela she adds, "At the battle of the rift I used prismatic walls to shield our forces before slaying any balors that reached our lines."

[Anastasia]

"Thank you," Queen Ilsenine says as her injuries are mended.

Crystal returns and bows, "I apologize, Your Majesty. I felt the simplest way to protect you was to eliminate the threat immediately."

"Yes. Afina, should this occur again, use your prismatic walls to protect us," Queen Ilsenine orders. "Crystal, continue to attack as you did, for you were effective."

[spoiler]

Crystal
HP: 191+50/191 (-3 Con)
Spells Active: Heroes Feast (CL20), Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Conviction (CL14), Haste (CL24), Righteous Fury (CL23)
Bonuses: Immunity to poison, +1 morale attack and Will, +4 morale to all saves, +1 attacks/Ref, extra attack on full attack, movement speed bonus, +14 attack/weapon damage/saves vs fear morale, +4 Strength.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used: 1 smite evil.

Ilsenine
HP: 261/261 (-1 Con)
Spells Active: Heroes Feast (CL20), Mind Blank (CL15), Fortunate Fate (CL13), Planar Tolerance (CL7), Greater Mage Armor (CL5), Conviction (CL14), Haste (CL24)
Bonuses: Immunity to poison, +1 morale attack and Will, +4 morale to all saves, +1 attacks/Ref, extra attack on full attack, movement speed bonus, +14 attack/weapon damage/saves vs fear morale.
Negative Conditions:
Resources Used:

Spell-Like Abilities

1/day-confusion, dancing lights, detect chaos, detect good, detect evil, detect law, detect thoughts, dispel magic, entangle, permanent image. Caster level 22nd. The save DCs 21 + spell level.

Crystal casts as a 23rd level paladin. All of her paladin spells are automatically quickened. She may memorize ranger spells in her 1st-3rd level paladin spell slots.

[6/day]1: Divine Favorx2, Lesser Restorationx2, Rhino's RushSC.
[5/day]2: Eagle's Splendor, Fell The Greatest Foex3SC, Mirror ImageFP.
[5/day]3: Heal Mount, Righteous Furyx4SC.
[4/day]4: Greater Mirror Imagex2FP, Holy Swordx2.
[4/day]5: Divine AgilitySC, Inner BeautyFC1, Righteous Mightx2

FC1 - Fiendish Codex 1.
FP - Extra spell granted by fey paladin.
SC - Spell Compendium.

Crystal casts as a 19th level ranger. All of her ranger spells are automatically quickened. She may memorize paladin spells in her 1st-3rd level ranger spell slots.

[5/day]1: Lesser Restorationx2, LightfootSC, Rhino's Rushx2SC.
[5/day]2: Barkskinx5.
[4/day]3: Brilliant EmanationBoED, S(1d3 str), Heal Animal Companionx3SC.
[3/day]4: Freedom of Movementx2, SunmantleBoED, S(1d4 str).

BoED - Book of Exalted Deeds.
S - Sanctified spell. Sacrifice cost is noted in parentheses.
SC - Spell Compendium.
[/quote]

[Corwin]

Jaela can't help but wince at that. "Good point," she muses. "I've had some time to think about fresh spells lately, and I could probably learn one I could deploy quickly. Actually, would a wall of stone hold back an exploding balor? I don't believe I've ever had the chance of trying it."

[Anastasia]

"Should fate turn to worst, at least you would have cover," Crystal remarks, "Though if the blast is sufficiently powerful, the stone may rebound on you as shrapnel."

[Ebiris]

Relegated to barrier maiden status.

Well, it's an honourable role, but still she prefers a more active part. Then again Ilsenine hasn't even really seen her fight since she killed those pit fiends while rescuing her, so it's not as if she knows what Afina's really capable of these days. Settling in next to the monarch she prepares herself to counter any threats that come from other paintings as they continue onwards. She does however take a moment to cast some spells and prove that she is indeed taking things seriously.

Shield and Greater Heroism cast

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina: 287+20/287, epic mage armour (CL 24), glaciante's spiteful ward (CL 24, attached to mage armour), heroes feast (CL 20), mind blank (CL 17), fortunate fate (CL 15), planar tolerance (CL 7), moment of prescience (CL 24), conviction (CL 13), haste (CL 24), shield (CL 24), greater heroism (CL 24)
AC 92, spell resistance 39, blindsense 30, immunity to fire, water, earth, cold, disease, poison, fear, 50% miss chance
Spell charges: 6/9/10/9/9/7/8/8/7/8/6/5

[Corwin]

Jaela resummons her armor, itself a tribute to the Triune. "We'll just have to try if another explosion comes our way," she muses. "Worst case, Afina's defenses will stop any such shrapnel."

[Anastasia]

Ilsenine nods to Afina, "Good," she says with a note of approval in her voice. "I trust your skill with prismatic barriers will protect us."

Crystal agrees with a small nod, "There is no question she can protect us from whatever comes this way." She considers, "Is that not our ultimate purpose, protection? To protect Lifasa from the devils, to protect the souls captured there, to protect them all and ensure the freedom we lost is regained. At times I can think of no higher calling, that any holy duty is ultimately to protect others and the freedom any being deserves, and that attack and vengeance are merely means to which protection is ensured and executed."

How do y'all plan to move on from here? Going on straight, interacting with the paintings at all or...?