Evaris [AC 20; HP 93/93] Monday May 22nd, 2017 5:34:15 PM
As Velarin speaks, Evaris obligingly takes the box out of his Handy Haversack, but does not open the box yet.
Divinations & Celebrations (DM Damarr) Monday May 22nd, 2017 7:36:44 PM
Though he is curious about the Vale's most-respected resident Bloodwitch, Lanliss decides to observe for now, and let someone else do the explaining.
Baslim is a bit standoffish, and similarly quiet.
V thanks Dulcet for her hospitality and offers a detailed account of the heroes' request,
The old woman lights up like a giddy school girl as Evaris takes the box containing the mini sword out of his conveniently carried extra-dimensional space. Her cackling laughter seems to roll through the entire manor before coming back to bounce off the walls of the sitting room some more.
"Don't be such a tease! Let's see the little curiosity, then." Dulcet says, smiling with her hand out, palm up. "Your trepidation might give me pause for concern, were it not for this one!" She reaches out to pat Baslim's knee, winking at the Shepherd. "I might have to see about keeping you around. I haven't felt such youth in years! I'm sure my sisters would love you."
As she waits to see the sword, a big black cat jumps onto the back of Dulcet's comfy chair, tail swishing about as he purrs loud enough for everyone to hear. "Oh yes, I almost forgot, the Day of Renewal." She says, before leaning in close to the cat. She glances once at Emrys before turning back the cat, who immediately bolts off into the manor, and Dulcet returns her attention to Evaris. "The sword, please, first."
A few moments later, five women and two men arrive in the room, ranging significantly in age and attire. They stand on the periphery, clearly deferring to the impatiently waiting leader of the gathered coven.
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 d20+20=35 ; Monday May 22nd, 2017 9:12:20 PM
Edson takes a seat and watches the ceremony with gusto. He never met a blood witch before and was curious what would happen.
He keeps peering around.. perception 35
Barratore Steelwind (Dan K) AC: 31 (T 15 FF 29), CMD:34; HP: 149/149 Character Sheet Monday May 22nd, 2017 11:12:13 PM
Barratore squeezes into the house and tries to not be a literal bull in a china shop. V had taken the lead and the fighter had little to add even less than usual in this environment. It was a strange house and an even stranger room to him. As he takes in the unfolding scene in front of him, it strikes him as odd that this Dulcet woman makes some of the others nervous. What possibly could this frail old woman do to the likes of them even if she were inclined to do so? Magic was magic, was magic. He learned that lesson very early. While he knew little about magic, he had learned that no group had any more powerful or strange magic than any other. Some called it Divine, some claimed dragon ancestory, but in the end it was all simply magic and was far more dependent on the caster than anything else.
Barratore shifts as the room becomes more crowded. Joy, a packed house.
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 Monday May 22nd, 2017 11:51:16 PM
Baslim nods politely to Dulcet's compliment.
Note to self: Purify robes when I get home.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54 d20+24=30 ; Monday May 22nd, 2017 11:56:00 PM
(Sorry, for the missed posts.)
Emrys glances at the curious cat and he gives it a knowing smile before it darts off. He can't help but notice the look he received from Dulcet as well. He knew his silence would be provocative, knowing his true nature and all. He's certain it has made him irresistible to the many onlookers, both present and unseen. He's felt their eyes upon him long before they arrived in Witchspawn.
(Sense Motive: 30. To determine the truth behind the look he got.)
He finally breaks his silence, somewhat suddenly, "Certainly Madam," he says to Dulcet. He then turns to whoever has the sword and pleasantly asks, "we shan't keep the lady waiting. Please, produce the tiny sword so we all call can be illuminated."
(I don't know who has it. If I have the sword, I will present it. )
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 12:03:18 AM
Emrys gives Edson a confused glance. He's not sure why, but gets the odd feeling, more like an impression, that the young, roguish elf doesn't know him like he should.
(Emrys is a blood witch :)
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 1:56:16 AM
V waits for the sword to be presented and Dulcet to examine it.
Lanliss HP98/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 d20+17=30 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 8:30:40 AM
Lanliss keeps a watching on what is going to happen, still curious of course. Perception 30
Evaris [AC 20; HP 93/93] Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 1:10:21 PM
Evaris obligingly opens the box.
"Since it was used as the focus of a Scrying spell," he explains. "I didn't think it polite to unveil it until you were ready. Whoever is behind this could use it to spy into your home."
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d20+5=13 ; Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 1:56:49 PM
Brom moves into the house and finds a place to sit or stands if not enough. He doesn't speak, only listens to the conversation. They were dealing with magic stuff. It wasn't his area, so he leaves it to the professionals.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 11:37:47 PM
"I'm certain the good lady here, Dulcet, has protective wards already in place to keep out prying outside eyes, however your concerns dear Evaris are quite valid. Any misdirection magic I can provide will only cloak the object against detection spells. I'm afraid it wouldn't hide it from more powerful scrying magic, like a fine, thin, lead-lined box."
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 11:57:43 PM
ooc: check
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 Wednesday May 24th, 2017 8:01:51 AM
Edson reaches Into his handy haversack and produces a little flask. He takes a swig and hands it's to Brom. Momentarily pulls it back. " Don't hog it." And then really hands it to Brom.
Shaded Revelations (DM Damarr) d20+16=35 ; d20+16=30 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2017 8:18:46 AM Emrys saw the faintest glimmer of an eager invitation in Dulcet's eyes before the witch turned back to her black cat familiar to call her coven. The look is gone when she turns back to the heroes.
"Let them spy on little old Dulcet of Witchspawn," She laughs, a dry chuckle sounding like it wants to be a cough. When Evaris takes out the sword, you notice it's not glowing. You haven't taken it out of the box since you put it there? Highlight to display spoiler: {It's not glowing more often than it is; giving off no active magic most of the time.}
The old woman appears to be all business now.
"The Day of Renewal remained unclear, although it is clearly drawing close. I was not concerned until just now, having looked into your pending visit this afternoon." She doesn't say how she knew you were coming, as she takes the sword from Evaris, and the spirit bound to the shape of a black cat slinks back into her lap. "Athena tells me now, that even a closer look at the date of Glitterox eruption appears shaded and murky."
Dulcet casts a spell on the sword, then looks briefly, in turn, to two older women among the members of her coven. The eight witches are all silent.
"This pendant is the focus for a powerful Scrying spell that's been Tinkered to work across planes." Dulcet states. "I am certain your scryer is a witch, casting from another plane."
She pauses for the briefest moment.
"My coven and I can provide you a path to that plane, linking them through the Shadow Lands. This should place you near the scryer, but once there, it will be up to you to locate them." She gives the heroes a moment as she hands the little sword necklace back to Evaris (Please keep track of that).
"It is late, so I understand if you wish to rest for the night - you'll find Auslan at the Scattered Pyre has agreeable accommodations. We are gathered, but we keep odd hours; you may return in the morning if you are not ready to go now."
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) d20+16=35 ; Wednesday May 24th, 2017 9:33:23 AM
V looks at the rest of the Keepers "We have traveled most of the day, and since we are unsure of what awaits us, I think it would be our best course of action to rest for the night and depart in the morning. New spells may be prudent depending upon where we are going. This will also give us time to send a runner or a message to Lord Hmitri regarding the tree, and the possibility of us not being at the celebration depending upon our current planar location"
V turns back to Dulcet, "Do you know which plane we are headed to? I am relatively well versed in the planes, and might perhaps have some knowledge of it(Knowledge of the planes 35). V will wait until they have acquired a room for the night before sharing what he knows of the plane, if anything, with his friends.
Barratore Steelwind (Dan K) AC: 31 (T 15 FF 29), CMD:34; HP: 149/149 Character Sheet Wednesday May 24th, 2017 10:36:20 AM
Barratore listens to Dulcet with some interest as she speaks about the sword and Glitterox. He wondered if her inability to to see the date of the eruption was an outlier or if it was not without precedent. Planar travel perked his ears and brought a small grin to his face, excitement lighting up his large brown eyes. V was correct, the casters should prepare for the night and look to travel first thing in the morning. Barratore wondered if he would be able to sleep or if he would be too excited to do so.
Evaris [AC 20; HP 93/93] Wednesday May 24th, 2017 11:19:48 AM
Evaris carefully places the little sword back in the box, and places the closed box in the Handy Haversack.
"A new spell selection would be a good idea," he agrees. "Among other things, we probably ought to have a Plane Shift prepared--just in case. So I vote we spend the night and then leave in the morning."
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 Wednesday May 24th, 2017 3:51:38 PM
"Well we basically punched everything on this plane in the nose. Might as well start on another plane. "
He nods in agreement with Gelatin. " Yeah.. let's get the casters a chance to prep spells for planar usage.. plus a grip to the catacombs perhaps?"
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) Wednesday May 24th, 2017 11:08:59 PM
Brom listened intently to the conversation. "Blah, blah, blah...blah, witch, blah, blah, another plane..." That caught his attention. Another plane meant demons, undead, fantastic monsters to challenge the battle crazed barbarian.
Edson was right on point. He'd fought all kinds of things on the continent, but new things and new challenges would await him. The hair on the back of his neck stood up in anticipation.
Tomorrow...a sigh came from him unknowingly. He'd have to wait.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54 Wednesday May 24th, 2017 11:30:54 PM
"I can access the Shadow Lands as well ... that part is easy. Traveling in the Shadow Lands is another thing altogether. I assume you wish to use the feline's trinket to divine this witch's location ... it is the personal property of the witch in question after all? I doubt you need it, and if you approve, I would greatly desire to help in this task in any way I can."
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 Wednesday May 24th, 2017 11:55:20 PM
Baslim is suddenly glad he prepared word of recall earlier that day and designated their home as his sanctuary. "Yes, let us prepare. A spell selection geared toward disarming another spellcaster is always tricky business."
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) Thursday May 25th, 2017 10:10:17 AM
V is inwardly quite pleased that he just added plane shift to his available spells. It appears that it will come in quite handy. He waits for Dulcet's response, hoping he knows something of this plane, and hoping that none of his spells will be irrelevant there.
Memorized Spells: 1st: Protection from evil, Identify, Mage armor(extended)-C, Shield, Magic Missile, Magic missile, Magic missile 2nd: Invisibility, Bulls strength, Mirror image, Scorch ray, See Invisibility, Knock, 3rd: Fireball, Haste, Haste, lightning bolt, Dispel Magic, Fly 4th: Dim Door, Dim Door, Empower Scorch ray, greater invis., empower scorch ray, silent Dispel Magic 5th: Empower Fireball, Summon monster 5, empower fireball, Wall of force, Silent Dim door 6th: Chain lightning, Greater dispel magic, Freezing Sphere 7th: Force cage, quickened fireball
Lanliss HP98/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 Thursday May 25th, 2017 11:28:58 AM
Then, let's us go and rest and go to the other plane first thing in the morning, we don't know if our spy from another plane is ....planning us any surprises.
Shaded Revelations (DM Damarr) Thursday May 25th, 2017 4:52:00 PM V states that taking the night to prepare new spells for the journey would be best, and asks Dulcet for more information on their destination.
Barratore pays closer attention when Dulcet tells the heroes the'll need to travel across the planes to meet their scryer. He takes note of Dulcet's inability to see the date of the Day of Renewal - Barratore might notice that the witch herself seemed to connect that phenomenon and the Keepers' current mystery, although that seems to be more for the coincidence of timing and the mysteriousness of the two events than any direct correlation.
Evaris puts the little sword back in the box and places that into his Handy Haversack. He agrees that he would like to prepare new spells, and mentions that a Planar Shift spell would probably be a good one to prep.
Edson brags that the Keepers have already made their mark on the Material Wold, so it might be time for you to find new people to punch on an alternate plane of existence. He asks about a last-minute trip to the Catacombs, having missed the bus on the Keepers' recent field trip to the magic mart. Highlight to display spoiler: {Jarlswolf is very close to Witchspawn, so if you go tonight, you can visit the Catacombs through the entrance there & return to the Inn in Witchspawn in a matter of hours. If you needed to prepare spells, the lack of contiguous hours of sleep might be an issue, but for you it should be no problem.}
Brom is also disinterested in the discussion until planar travel is mentioned. Always looking for a challenge, the barbarian agrees with Edson that a new setting, with new enemies to defeat, might be just the thing he's been looking for.
Emrys notes that travel to the Shadow Lands is a simple matter for any witch of significant skill; indeed, many casters are able to traverse the planes, but, once there, finding access to a different, connected plane, or even traveling through the Shadow Lands themselves, is much more difficult. He asks Dulcet how she will divine the scryer's location, and offers his aid in the matter.
Baslim states that facing an enemy caster can be tricky, and he's glad to have prepared his contingency teleportation spell. The Shepherd of Alemi should be wary, however, that Word of Recall does not function across planes.
Lanliss is ready to go, and cautions haste as the casters prepare themselves. Who knows what the mysterious caster Scrying on you has planned for the Keepers of the Vale.
Dulcet chuckles in response to V's questions. "I do not know which plane your scryer is on, or what awaits you there. What I can tell you is that he or she is casting from a plane that sits... adjacent… to the Shadow Lands. To reach that plane, you will need to travel through the Shadow Lands - this, my coven and I can facilitate."
She gives Emrys a knowing look. "Were you to otherwise wander through the Shadow Lands in search of an unknown plane on the periphery of that realm, your objective would be near impossible. Rest and prepare yourselves for the journey - we will need to Tinker a spell of our own to get you to your destination. You may keep the trinket – we have what we need to perform our ritual, and you might find it helpful in dealing with your scryer. Return here in the morning when you are ready to depart."
Battle at the Standing Stones (DM Damarr) Round 0 Thursday May 25th, 2017 4:57:41 PM
The next morning, Dulcet and the seven other members of her coven are waiting for you outside the witch’s manor. They lead you to the standing stones just south of Jarlswolf; this is where you met the riddling satyr while on Garth's trail during your last adventure.
If asked about it, Dulcet tells you that the witches will use the latent power of the standing stones to amplify their coven’s spellcasting.
They form a circle around a medium size cauldron and begin their ritual. Detect Magic:Highlight to display spoiler: {There are many spells being cast, all heavily ‘Tinkered’. Find the Path, Detect Scrying, and Ethereal Jaunt are among some of those ‘Tinkered’ spells you might recognize.}
Almost as soon as they begin casting the first spell, a maelstrom of shadow bursts forth from the center of the standing stones.
“We haven’t completed the spell! Keep them off us!” Dulcet shouts to the heroes, as the shadows congeal into four buzzing, biting cockroach swarms!
The swarms are adjacent to each other, 30ft from you all, in the middle of the standing stones. The witches are 10ft away on your opposite side. Go ahead & take your first round actions, using a little abstraction if necessary, & I’ll get us a map by tonight.
Barratore Steelwind (Dan K) AC: 31 (T 15 FF 29), CMD:34; HP: 149/149 Character Sheet Thursday May 25th, 2017 8:54:16 PM
Barratore has a fairly normal evening with a few ales and a flank of meat. Later, he locates some bread and cheese and chases it down with some more ale.
Arriving at the standing stones, Barratore folds his arms and and settles his hooves to a comfortable just past shoulder width stance. His sword seems to appear in his hand as the shadows appear and Dulcet cries out in warning. Barratore grimaces and calls out to the spell casters, "Blades will be of little use against swarms. We need area spells V!"
Barratore pulls and drinks a potion, Protection from Evil
Spell affect: Protection from Evil
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) 10d6=31 ; 10d6=33 ; Thursday May 25th, 2017 10:41:34 PM
V waits for the witches to do their thing, disappointed that they can't tell tell him more of their destination. Shortly after which, all hell breaks loose.
"Seriously Barratore? I just prepped spells for the horrors of a random plane, and i gotta burn em on shadowy cockroaches? how about demons and devils and unknown horrors? but no, flying cockroaches. Fine. You want to call down the thunder, you got it."
V casts a fireball, followed immediately by a quickened fireball, getting as many of them in the blast of each(different location depending upon effects of first one, without effecting any of the good guys. fireball #1: 37 damage, reflex save 20. fireball #2: 39 damage, reflex save 24
Memorized Spells: 1st: Protection from evil, Identify, Mage armor(extended)-C, Shield, Magic Missile, Magic missile, Magic missile 2nd: Invisibility, Bulls strength, Mirror image, Scorch ray, See Invisibility, resist energy, 3rd: Fireball-c, Haste, Haste, lightning bolt, Dispel Magic, Fly 4th: Dim Door, Dim Door, Empower Scorch ray, greater invis., empower scorch ray, silent Dispel Magic 5th: Empower Fireball, cone of cold, empower fireball, Wall of force, Silent Dim door 6th: Chain lightning, Greater dispel magic, disintegrate 7th: plane shift, quickened fireball-c
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54 d100=59 ; d20+11=29 ; Thursday May 25th, 2017 11:39:16 PM
The swarms appeared out of nowhere! Were they summoned, he thinks, or was the thin veil between the Living Wold and the Shadow Lands folded away when the coven began their ritual? He kinda hopes they were summoned, because then his next action would have a chance to work.
He begins to cast a spell of anti-magik and sends it hurtling at the closest swarm. He quickly crosses his fingers.
(Leyline: 59. Casting Dispel Magic, targeted dispel on closest swarm. Caster Level check: 29 vs "spells" caster level. Save: none.)
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d20+22=25 ; Thursday May 25th, 2017 11:51:15 PM
The fireballs streak towards the swarms. Explosions and fire erupt.
Brom moves in between the witches and the swarm, positioning himself so there is 20-ft behind to the witches and 10-ft from the swarms. He draws his sword as he moves, mostly because that's what you do when there is an enemy in front of you.
Perception DC 25
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 Thursday May 25th, 2017 11:54:22 PM
Shepherd Baslim steps into the center of the witches, raps his staff onto the ground, and raises his hands in prayer.
"O Alemi, hear my cry: Guide me through the blackest nights. Steel my heart against the temptations of the wicked. Make me to rest in the warmest places."
A ball of white energy forms over Baslim's heart, vibrates for a moment, then expands into a pearlescent bubble that encompasses those around him.
Evaris [AC 21; HP 100/93] d8=1 ; 13d6=43 ; Friday May 26th, 2017 11:46:06 AM
Before leaving for the journey, Evaris prepares a Heroes' Feast for any of his companions who care to partake. He invites Dulcet to participate as well.
[7 temporary hit points to anybody who participated]
At the standing stones, Evaris casts a Flame Strike on one of the swarms. The swarm takes 43 points of fire/divine power damage, Reflex save DC 20 for half.
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 d20+16=32 ; d20+11=14 ; d8+2=3 ; Friday May 26th, 2017 12:15:07 PM
Edson takes the quick trip to the catacombs over night and is back early enough to get some rest. (Will take care of over the weekend).
When the shadows erupt, the elf is unsure how his arrows will work but fired off two none the less.
Hit ac 32 3 dmg Hit ac 14
Lanliss HP98/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 d20+14=19 ; d6+1=5 ; 6d6=27 ; Friday May 26th, 2017 12:58:40 PM
Lanliss moves swifty to the closest swarm that is near the witches and starts attacking
Hit AC 19 Damage 5 Sneak attack damage 27 (if applies , If flanking the enemy )
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) Friday May 26th, 2017 5:16:40 PM
Brom holds his ground.
He sees and Lanliss striking at the swarm in front of him, and a thought comes to mind. If I grab Lanliss and start using him to smash the bugs, smashing him over, and over, and over again...into the swarm, would it work...? Probably not...
;-p
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) Friday May 26th, 2017 5:18:10 PM
He looks over his shoulder at Barratore. ...definitely not...
Evaris [AC 21; HP 100/93] Saturday May 27th, 2017 12:33:29 PM
"Where did these things come from?" Evaris calls to his companions. "Were they just hanging around, or would they have to be summoned?"
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) Saturday May 27th, 2017 1:34:36 PM
Brom holds his ground.
He sees Lanliss striking at the swarm in front of him, and a thought comes to mind. If I grab Lanliss and start using him to smash the bugs, smashing him over, and over, and over again...into the swarm, would it work...? Probably not...
He looks over his shoulder at Barratore, his large minotaur friend. ...definitely not...
ooc: condensing the two posts.
Battle at the Standing Stones (DM Damarr) Round 1 d20+3=9 ; d20+3=16 ; d20+3=6 ; d20+3=21 ; Sunday May 28th, 2017 3:13:25 PM
Downing a potion of Protection from Evil, Barratore warns the others that weapons will be of little use - you need offensive spells on this one.
Almost as quickly as they appear, Velarin hits the swarms with a Fireball. He grumbles about wasting his best blasting spells before they even leave the material plane, and as two of the Shadow Cockroach Swarms burn away to wisps of ash and smoke, it's not hard to believe the powerful mage. (Keep your Quickened Fireball).
Edson is uncertain about the effectiveness of his arrows, but lets a couple loose all the same. The arrows do no discernible damage.
After preparing a Heroes' Feast the night before, which Dulcet respectfully declines, Evaris calls down a Flame Strike, finishing off the last of the swarms.
Brom positions himself between the swarms and the witches, and draws his sword.
Lanliss, unconcerned for his own safety or the swarms' traits, also rushes in to attack and defend the witches. (that info should probably be a Knowledge check, but they're dead anyway)
Emrys casts a spell of his own, hoping to Dispel the Shadow Cockroaches and send them back to their home plane. The swarms are dead, so don't expend that spell slot, and make a roll for the spoiler below with your actions for next round. Knowledge (Planes) DC 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {The area is full of conjuration magic, tied between the circle of witches & the shadows swirling among the standing stones. You get the sense, however, that these creatures were not summoned, but are able to come through to this realm as a result of Dulcet's coven's unorthodox spellcasting, which is in the process of connecting this plane to another.}
Baslim moves to the middle of the witches' circle, and, with a prayer to Alemi, creates a field of force to protect those nearest him.
The Shadow Cockroach Swarms disperse in the face of V & Evaris' area spells, but as the flying mass of bugs buzzes around the standing stones, two large claws emerge from the shadows and grip the edges of one of the stones. A hideous beast, blending the features of bat and ape, appears to forcibly pull itself from the cloud of shadows. The beast stands twelve feet tall, with fleshy wings topped with hooked claws and a six-foot tail ending in wicked barbs. The creature's smoky gray fur appears to blend in with the nearby shadows.
Moments later, another seven winged beasts join the first, roaring their hatred of your world with their first breath of its air.
It's earl AM, twilight hours, so the entire map is considered "dimly lit" as the prevailing light condition. You all can see fine, but these monsters have concealment. Please roll for 20% miss chance on any attacks vs these monsters, and note any light sources you have.
Here's the Map - Not exactly how I described it at first, but it's close(ish). You should be able to edit the map; I tried to place you roughly where you stated from this last round or wherever seemed most appropriate. You're all in close range of everything, but if you don't like your initial placement feel free to make a small adjustment before you take your actions.
Please move yourselves on the map according to your posts. We can get some better images to use moving forward, but I just wanted to get this up there. Also, if you have any issues with the map itself, bring it up via email & we can sort it out.
The big red ones are the bad guys. The green ones are the witches. You guys are blue.
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d20+20=40 ; d20+20=25 ; 6d6+28=52 ; 2d6+28=38 ; Sunday May 28th, 2017 3:36:50 PM
Brom says "Yeah!" at the demons appearing through the shadow of bugs. He quickly moves to engage them. Swing a great swing a W3, his sword making a deep cut into the creature.
Note: sword has ghost touch and can harm shadow or incorporeal with no chance of missing
Damarr: My bad... the big red ones are the bad guys. The green ones are the witches. You guys are blue. Repost if you want, otherwise I'll put your attack toward one of the baddies.
Highlight to display spoiler: {Ghost touch allows you to hit incorporeal creatures with no damage reduction, it doesn't affect miss chance. In any case, they are not incorporeal, they have the Shadow Blend special quality, which gives them concealment in any lighting below "well lit".}
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d100=17 ; Sunday May 28th, 2017 3:56:45 PM
Brom makes his attack on Ahool6 instead.
Concealment: roll 17, yuck.
Evaris [AC 21; HP 100/93] Sunday May 28th, 2017 4:29:04 PM
Evaris casts Dismissal on Ahool 7. If it is indeed extraplanar, it needs to make a DC 19 Will save or go bye-bye.
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 Sunday May 28th, 2017 10:33:24 PM
Baslim lightly touches the cloak of the witch in front of him (W5).
"O Alemi, see me kneel: For I walk only where you would bid me. Stand only in places you have blessed. Sing only the words you place in my throat."
The witch's cloak shimmers and sheds bright light in a 60-foot radius.
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 d20+16=31 ; d20+8=9 ; d8+2=4 ; Monday May 29th, 2017 7:32:00 AM
Edson fires two arrows at ahool 8. The first looks good but the second is way off. He stays in the same spot, just trying to snipe.
Hit ac 31, 4 dmg Second shotmiss.
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) d20+16=32 ; 13d6=49 ; Monday May 29th, 2017 7:42:16 AM
"The witches have opened a sort of door between planes. These things and more can enter freely as long as it's open(knowledge planes 32). Looks like I have my planar horrors after all. I've got a spell for them that I haven't had the opportunity to use yet, so let's see how this looks."
V casts a Chain Lightning, targeting ahool1 as the primary and then arcing to every other ahool. (Reflex save 23 for ahool1, and reflex save 21 for the rest). Damage is 55 for a failed save, and 30 for a successful save. V then moves back a little ways behind Barratore.
Memorized Spells: 1st: Protection from evil, Identify, Mage armor(extended)-C, Shield, Magic Missile, Magic missile, Magic missile 2nd: Invisibility, Bulls strength, Mirror image, Scorch ray, See Invisibility, resist energy, 3rd: Fireball-C, Haste, Haste, lightning bolt, Dispel Magic, Fly 4th: Dim Door, Dim Door, Empower Scorch ray, greater invis., empower scorch ray, silent Dispel Magic 5th: Empower Fireball, cone of cold, empower fireball, Wall of force, Silent Dim door 6th: Chain lightning-C, Greater dispel magic, disintegrate 7th: plane shift, quickened fireball
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) d100=94 ; Monday May 29th, 2017 7:46:37 AM
(OOC: don't think miss chance applies to a lightning bolt as it's not a ranged touch, but an automatic hit, but just in case, got a 94.)
DM Damarr: No worries on miss chance. A6 & A7 are exactly 30ft apart, nicely done. Please roll CL vs SR 16 for each Alhool.
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) d20=6 ; d20=19 ; d20=18 ; d20=2 ; d20=14 ; d20=14 ; d20=4 ; d20=9 ; Monday May 29th, 2017 5:27:21 PM
(OOC: I get a +2 racial to overcome spell resistance, so I make it even on a 1, unless 1 is an auto fail. Here are 8 20D either way. Lowest I got was SR 17, so should be good.)
Lanliss HP98/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 Monday May 29th, 2017 6:36:51 PM
Lanliss sees the horror in front of him and decides to not act looking at the ape-bat thing, he decides to wait just a mere more second to see what Brom and Barratore might be up to.
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) Monday May 29th, 2017 10:17:39 PM
checking in
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54, good hope d20+14=15 ; Monday May 29th, 2017 10:30:06 PM
With all the explosions and fire and holy energies, Emrys is caught at a moment of indecision, but then decides to bolster his fellow Keepers with a sense of Good Hope.
(Casting Good Hope. Up to 11 people, no 30ft apar, +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.)
(Knowledge [Planes]: 15, natural 1)
At the moment, Emrys can't recall a thing about the Planes ... what Planes? Except for a song that sings about the rains in Spain falling mainly in the planes ... whatever a Spain is! Unless they're talking about the gnomish word 'spaine' which is the length between one's elbow and wrist. That's it ... too much random information ... other than what he wants to know!
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 Monday May 29th, 2017 11:56:27 PM
ooc: check
Battle at the Standing Stones (DM Damarr) Round 2 d20+8=12 ; d100=3 ; d100=31 ; d20+18=23 ; d20+18=21 ; d20+18=38 ; d20+18=26 ; d20+13=30 ; 2d6+14=24 ; d8+3=11 ; d20+18=27 ; d6+7=9 ; d6+10=14 ; d6=2 ; d20+24=27 ; d20+24=41 ; 2d6+7=10 ; d4=1 ; d20+12=28 ; d20+12=31 ; d20+11=29 ; d20+11=27 ; d20+11=24 ; d20+11=17 ; d20+11=22 ; d20+11=18 ; d20+11=24 ; d3=3 ; d20+11=18 ; d20+13=15 ; d20+18=23 ; d20+18=37 ; d6+7=10 ; d20+18=38 ; d20+18=22 ; 2d6+7=13 ; d20+24=32 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 3:30:23 AM
((So, I thought & had always played CL vs SR was an auto-fail/succeed on 1/20, but it seems that's probably wrong, so V is good. I just made an oversight not mentioning it when they initially appeared.))
K:Arcana DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {These are Ahools, powerful magical beasts known to favor ancient, forgotten ruins. But these particular Ahools are different. From the formless dark cloud they crawled from to arrive here, to the way they blend in with the surrounding shadows, it's clear these beasts are, now, entirely foreign to this realm.}
As soon as the Ahools appear, Brom rushes the nearest one. His mighty swing is off by inches coming down, but the light of Baslim'sSunlight gives the veteran the moment of clarity needed to correct his aim. A6 roars in pain as you wrench your sword from it's shoulder (crit confirmed, added +2 from Good Hope for this round, for 92 damage).
Velarin sends a bolt of Chain Lightning streaking through the Ahools. Four of the agile beasts appear to shake the shock off, clearly making their saves, while all of them exhibit some resistance to the electrical damage.
Evaris banishes Ahool7 with his Dismissal (rolled 30 at CL 13; feel free to question/comment). Its frustrated howl fades into the distance as it snaps from sight. Emrys, bolstering his allies with Good Hope, ponders the mysteries of the planes. He might, seeing Evaris' spell, question the implications of such magic sending the target somewhere other than it's home plane, as can happen... (I nudged Barratore 5ft closer so everyone gets Good Hope).
The aim of Edson's first arrow is true, but the shaft breaks on impact with Ahool 8, appearing to not even draw the beast's attention. (they have DR/magic - you're using regular arrows?)
Ahool 6 is dead; it's late, my math is bad.
((I missed the lightning damage after I sat back down & had it making a full attack, rolling all those dice up there.. it is still standing, but it's staggered so just the main bite attack. Failed the save too. Nope. Dead)).
Ahools 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 take to the air, easily ascending 10 feet to clear the standing stones.
Ahool 3 is within reach of Brom with two pumps of it's large wings, provoking an AoO, before sinking it's needle-sharp teeth into his arm (AC 27), and grabbing him to give both Brom and Ahool 3 the Grappled condition (Grapple 41). Brom takes 10 damage, and 1 (precision) dexterity damage from the Ahool's snapping bite.
Ahool 2 & 5 fly over to the circle of witches with Baslim in the the middle; the source of the wretchedly glaring light. Baslim's abjuration barrier holds, however, and the monster's slam into the invisible barrier before they can swipe and the near-helpless witches. (Antilife Shell is subject to SR; I factored Baslim's CL at 12, given the level composition on your sheet, and didn't see Spell Penetration or any such, but I rolled 28 & 31 for you vs SR 16 all the same; feel free to comment).
Ahool 8 takes a 5ft step toward Barratore to swipe at him with the reach of it's claws. One hits vs AC 37 for 10 damage. Ahool 4 flys over to the minotaur, provoking an AoO as it comes in close to hit with a natural 20 on the bite for 13 damage, grab fails vs CMD 32.
Ahool 1 lands on the nearby standing stone, perched in a predatory stance, senses trained on Edson and the others off to the side.
Lanliss, I might've placed you poorly on the map between when we started with the roach swarms & then I made a map & then realized the roaches were dead. Go ahead and take an extra standard and move action next round in addition to your normal actions.
Barratore, take an additional standard action next round as well.
I hope to avoid make-up actions, but it might be necessary to keep things balanced as we figure out our pace.
Let me know if I missed something.
Ahool AC 24, Touch 12, FF 19, CMD 33, SR 16.
They no longer have concealment.
A1 - 20 damage A2 - 20 damage - SR vs Antilife Shell (Held) A3 - 20 damage - Grappled A4 - 45 damage A5 - 20 damage - SR vs Antilife Shell (Held) A6 - 137 damage - DEAD A7 - You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here A8 - 51 damage
Witches all uninjured & continuing their ritual. The one with the glowing cloak gives Baslim a brief scowl, but it doesn't interrupt her casting.
Barratore Steelwind (Dan K) AC: 34 (T 15 FF 31), CMD:34; HP: 139/162 Character Sheet d20+27=29 ; 2d8+14=25 ; d20+25=40 ; d20+20=29 ; d20+15=30 ; 2d8+22=29 ; 2d8+22=32 ; 2d8+22=34 ; d20+29=45 ; 4d8+22=44 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 8:24:24 AM
As Ahool 4 flies over, Barratore strikes at the thing, Hit AC 31 Dmg 25
Barratore Growls at the demon thing before him and puts his magical blade and long hours to work. The blade flashes across the chest in three consecutive hard strikes
PA Penetrating Strike (ignore 5DR) Hit AC 40/29/30 Dmg 29/32/34
Barratore turns his attention to the one on his left if Ahool 4 is fallen and plunges his sword into it
PA Penetrating Strike Vital Strike Hit AC 45 Dmg 44
Spell affect: Protection from Evil Good Hope
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) 10d6=36 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 8:27:34 AM
V will drop an empowered fireball to the left and a little behind ahool 1, positioned so that it only hits Ahool 1, 4, and 8. Reflex Save 23 for 1/2. Damage 60 on fail, 33 on save.
Memorized Spells: 1st: Protection from evil, Identify, Mage armor(extended)-C, Shield, Magic Missile, Magic missile, Magic missile 2nd: Invisibility, Bulls strength, Mirror image, Scorch ray, See Invisibility, resist energy, 3rd: Fireball-C, Haste, Haste, lightning bolt, Dispel Magic, Fly 4th: Dim Door, Dim Door, Empower Scorch ray, greater invis., empower scorch ray, silent Dispel Magic 5th: Empower Fireball, cone of cold, empower fireball-C, Wall of force, Silent Dim door 6th: Chain lightning-C, Greater dispel magic, disintegrate 7th: plane shift, quickened fireball
Evaris [AC 21; HP 100/93] d20+13=23 ; d20+13=19 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 9:07:05 AM
Evaris casts a spell, and a glowing hammer appears next to Ahool 3, and tries to attack.
[Caster level check 23 to overcome SR. Hit AC 19, miss.]
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (189/193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d20+20=29 ; 2d6+30=37 ; d20+23=25 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 11:27:08 AM
AoO: AC 31 (GH+29), damage 37
Brom attempts to break free of the grapple.
CMB: +23; 25 vs. CMD
Effects: Rage: 2/30 Good Hope
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 d20+16=27 ; d20+11=12 ; d8+2=4 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 11:42:25 AM
Oic: Edsons bow is +2. So it transfers it's magic to mundane ammo. Atleast by what i read online.
Edson turns his attention to Ahool 1 and lets loose with two more arrows. One connects. 4 dmg (+2 Good Hope)
DM Damarr: You're right, I apologize. I was confused between damage bonus from composite strength bows (which isn't magic) & the bonus from an enhancement bonus on the bow, like you have. I added your damage from last round. Don't forget Good Hope from Emrys, that's +2 attack & +2 damage (added for last round, noted above).
Lanliss HP98/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 d20+14=23 ; d6+1=2 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 5:59:16 PM
Lanliss tries to run from his location to the right of Ahool2, he pauses for a moment and decides to attack if possible so he can attention from the critter so the witches will not get hurt,
Attack AC HIT : 23 Damage 2
OOC: 60feet/5feets=12 steps OOC: assuming I can somewhat use run action.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54, good hope d20+20=24 ; d100=49 ; d20+11=29 ; d20+8=14 ; d20+8=12 ; d20+8=23 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 11:23:35 PM
(Knowledge [Arcana]: 24, still a low roll.)
Emrys seem to have a better understanding of these creatures from the Elsewhere. However that knowledge doesn't change his next actions. Taking his Rod of the Quickening, he lets loose several devastating spells upon these unfortunate visitors.
(Leyline check: 49, success. Casting Hold Monster on the Ahool grappling Brom. Will Save: 24. Duration: 11 rounds. In case of Spell Resistance, Caster Level Check: 29 to penetrate SR.)
Then just as quickly, a feeling of Slooowwwneessss falls upon the unwelcome crowd.
(Casting Slow. Centered in an area to get all of the Ahools in his snare. Will save: 21. Caster Level Check: 14 vs SR. Rerolls with hero point, but not any higher.)
(The last d20+8=23 was from an accidental double-click, don't count that one, even though it's what I was needing :/ )
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 12d6=37 ; Tuesday May 30th, 2017 11:37:11 PM
Baslim raises a hand to the heavens.
"I call upon the Light! Smite these creature of darkness! Let them feel the fiery judgment!"
He brings down his hand, and a roaring column of white fire blasts the two ahool in front of him.
ooc: Cast flame strike. 10' radius centered between A2 and A3. 37 damage on A2 and A3, half fire and half holy. Reflex DC 23 for half damage.
V doesn't miss a beat with his next Fireball, finishing off Ahool 8.
Evaris summons a spiritual weapon, but it isn't able to connect with the Ahool grappling Brom, who struggles with the beast but isn't able to pull himself free.
Edson plugs another arrow into the otherworldly beasts, hitting Ahool 1.
With it's mouth full of barbarian, Ahool 3 is too distracted to swipe at Lanliss as the rogue slips past to strike at Ahool 2 (it's only 30ft=6 squares to where I put you on the map now; you can slip between the "standing stones").
Ahool 3, grappling Brom, shakes off Emrys'Hold Monster spell with a will save 27. Using his Quicken magic rod, Emrys casts Slow on the four remaining Ahools. One of the beasts resists the spell with it's magical defenses (using your CL check), while one of the others makes its save, which, going clockwise from the top, means Ahool 1 & 2 are slowed.
((You need to make a Caster Level check vs SR for each monster affected. I made 3 more rolls for you, which all passed. Save your Hero Points, two of the four monsters made the save either way.))
Baslim Calls down a Flame Strike on Ahool 2 & 3.
Ahool 3 keeps its hold on Brom with Grapple 40. The barbarian takes 14 and 13 damage and 2 dexterity damage.
Ahool 2, staggered by Emrys' spell, bites Lanliss, hitting AC 34, and barely grabbing hold of the half-elf with Grapple 28. Lanliss takes 15 damage and 2 dexterity damage, and is Grappled.
Ahool 5 takes a 5ft step and makes a full-attack against Emrys. The princely witch takes 61 damage, 4 dexterity damage, and is Grappled, as the monster latches on with it's jaws and hits with every swipe of claw and tail. (Just confirming, your AC is 10?)
Ahool 1 uses its single move action to close on Brom.
Shadow Ahools AC 24, Touch 12, FF 19, CMD 33, SR 16.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp54/54, good hope Wednesday May 31st, 2017 12:04:33 PM
(Emrys is a caster ... he doesn't wear armor and has an average Dex, so yes, it's only an AC10. It may help or hurt me, but It's always been my understanding that a single spell is only required a single CL check, even against multiple targets with SR. I may be wrong.)
After the single attack, Emrys slumps into a lifeless yet beautiful lump.
Battle at the Standing Stones (DM Damarr) Round 3 Wednesday May 31st, 2017 12:25:50 PM
Correction to previous post. Rolled a 1 on a claw attack vs Emrys, which means the rend also doesn't hit, so the total damage is 26 less. That's 35 damage, not 61. And 4 Dex damage & Grappled condition. An oversight on my part, apologies. 10 AC is just so inviting, & I glossed the attack rolls too quickly.
((I understand on the AC, just wanted to make sure. The one spell affecting multiple monsters needs a CL check for each because each monster has SR. It could be different types of monsters with more than one target SR to beat, so you're supposed to roll separately. If you roll once/spell instead of once/monster/spell, then the boss dragon gets zonked because his goons have worse SR, or the goons effectively have the same SR as the dragon. Same rule here, just the monsters are all the same. We may, for simplification, do it your way in the future. For now, we're rolling SR for each monster. No worries & please bear with me, I'm still learning things :))
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) d20+15=25 ; d20+15=16 ; d20+15=30 ; 4d6=18 ; 4d6=16 ; 4d6=10 ; d20+8=18 ; d20+8=11 ; d20+8=17 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2017 1:54:12 PM
V moves behind Evaris, and then targets Ahool 5 with an empowered scorching ray.(No save. SR 25,16,30 for three rays) (Damage 29, 26, 17)(ranged touch attacks of 20, 13, 19)
Memorized Spells: 1st: Protection from evil, Identify, Mage armor(extended)-C, Shield, Magic Missile, Magic missile, Magic missile 2nd: Invisibility, Bulls strength, Mirror image, Scorch ray, See Invisibility, resist energy, 3rd: Fireball-C, Haste, Haste, lightning bolt, Dispel Magic, Fly 4th: Dim Door, Dim Door, Empower Scorch ray-C, greater invis., empower scorch ray, silent Dispel Magic 5th: Empower Fireball, cone of cold, empower fireball-C, Wall of force, Silent Dim door 6th: Chain lightning-C, Greater dispel magic, disintegrate 7th: plane shift, quickened fireball
Barratore Steelwind (Dan K) AC: 34 (T 15 FF 31), CMD:34; HP: 139/162 Character Sheet d20+27=33 ; 4d8+22=38 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2017 4:50:38 PM
Barratore pivots left and charges the creature that has Emrys. "Hold on Emrys!" he calls as he plunges his sword into the thing. While saving Emrys was a serious task his next comment was not, "I save you next Brom! Try and hold out a little longer!"
Move 15' PA Penetrating Strike Vital Strike Hit AC 33 Dmg 38
Spell affect: Protection from Evil Good Hope
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (174/193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d20+23=39 ; d20+22=29 ; 6d6+30=54 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2017 6:08:13 PM
Brom continues to try and break out of the beast's grasp. If he manages to breakfree, he will take a swing at the beast.
CMB: AC 39 (41 if GH is added).
IVS: AC29, damage 54
Effects Rage: 3/30 Good Hope
Lanliss HP98/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 d20+12=16 ; d20+12=15 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2017 8:09:30 PM
Lanliss tries to break free from the creature clutches barely able to kick and punch and smooth his way. Emrys, Lanliss shouts as he can barely talk as his escape attempts seem futile at the present moment.
Escape Artist 16 Escape Artist (Second attempt) 15 note to self: -15 damage, -2 dex( applied to rolls)
Evaris [AC 21; HP 100/93] d20+15=22 ; d8=5 ; d8=2 ; d8=5 ; d8=8 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2017 11:17:15 PM
Evaris's Spiritual Weapon continues to attack Ahool 3. It misses again.
Evaris really isn't paying attention though; he's busy casting a Cure Critical Wounds on Emrys.
Emrys is healed 33 points.
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 5d8=24 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2017 11:35:25 PM
Baslim continues calling down heavenly wrath on the shadowy creatures. "The darkness cannot comprehend the Light! It wallows in filth of sin, unable to open its eyes for the muck of its putrescence. Blind them! Sear them! Castigate the, Holy Light!"
The Shepherd points to one of the ahools and a bubble of brilliant white energy explodes, washing over them with holy power.
ooc: Cast holy smite, 20' radius burst centered on A3. 24 holy damage to A1, A2, A3, and A5 (all of them) and they are blinded for 1 round. Will DC 22 for half damage and no blindness.
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp19/54, good hope d100=7 ; d100=21 ; d100=9 ; d100=45 ; Wednesday May 31st, 2017 11:50:58 PM
The pain is as keen as he has ever felt it. The shock allows him a new perspective ... a perspective that allows everything around him to move in slow motion ... voices and the sounds of battle seem muffled. He looks around and observes each person's struggle. Who are they?! Emrys hears a familiar name called out ... 'that's my name,' he thinks ... he turns his head to witness a large, horned beast stomping by, almost knocking him to the ground. The horned beast strikes the monster that had bitten him ... "peas and carrots!?" he mutters, "that thing BIT me!" Emrys then discovers all the blood ... "oh gods!" He loses track of all time as he becomes transfixed on the warm, crimson now covering most of his body ... an eternity could have passed and he wouldn't know it.
He hears his name again ... but he can't look away from all the blood. The shout of "EMRYS!" suddenly hits him at full volume. He turns to Lanliss ... who now dissolves into a gaseous cloud. A spectral hand suddenly appears next to him, awaiting its next command. "When did I summon you?" He then finds himself 10-ft back from the combatants, still holding his sparkling Rod of the Quickening ... "Huh?!"
(Leyline check: 7, failure. Hero point reroll: 21, barely a success. Casting a Quickened Spectral Hand.)
(Leyline check: 9, failure!!!!!!!!! Sigh, Hero point reroll: 45, last one! Casting Gaseous Form on Lanliss. Lanliss turns into a gaseous cloud, he gains DR 10/magic and becomes immune to poison, sneak attacks, and critical hits. Can fly 10-ft and no one can grapple you.)
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp52/54, spectral hand, good hope Wednesday May 31st, 2017 11:54:19 PM
Emrys is quickly brought back to the world of the living by the healing magics of Evaris. Things are becoming clearer again. "Bless you, dear Evaris!"
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 d20+16=22 ; d20+11=13 ; d8+4=8 ; Thursday June 1st, 2017 7:43:40 AM
Ooc: Forgot +2 again Edson fires two more arrows a d due to the magic flowing through his blood is able to connect one time go Ahool 1.
Hit ac 24 8 dmg
Battle at the Standing Stones (DM Damarr) Round 4 d20+8=22 ; d20+8=12 ; d20+8=15 ; d100=99 ; d20+18=25 ; 2d6+7=14 ; d20+17=19 ; d100=37 ; d100=35 ; d100=84 ; d100=15 ; d20+18=38 ; d6=4 ; d20+8=9 ; Thursday June 1st, 2017 9:58:48 AM V lines up a shot on the Ahool grappling Emrys and blasts it with a Scorching Ray.
Barratore hustles over and drives his sword into the same beast, but the battered creature ferociously maintains its grip on both life and Emrys.
Brom wrestles himself free from Ahool 3. (it's a standard action to break a grapple, so you can use a move and/or swift action, but can't make an attack after the grapple check).
Lanliss twists around in the clutches of Ahool 2, but luck is not with him this time and he stays grappled.
Evaris casts Cure Critical Wounds on Emrys, while the manifested gavel swings again at Ahool 3 (I think you should get 2 attacks with Spiritual Weapon at +13 & +8, using BAB + Wis. The spell gets iterative attacks if your BAB is high enough).
Baslim casts Holy Smite on the four remaining Ahools. Ahools 2 & 3 are Blinded, and the holy damage finishes off Ahool 5.
Emrys, drawn back to the fight by Evaris' healing and Barratore's shout, casts a Quickened Mage hand with his metamagic rod, and uses the spectral appendage to cast Gaseous Form on Lanliss. ((Just for reference, if you were still grappled, you'd have to make Concentration checks at 10 + enemy CMD, which is DC 43 in this case, or lose the spell)).
Edson Hits Ahool 1 with another arrow.
Ahool 2, finding the Cloud formerly Known as Lanliss slpping through its clutches, bites at the Gaseous form. It hits Lanliss at AC 24, for 14 damage. Rolled 99 on Blinded miss chance. ((You lose AC bonus from Armor in Gaseous Form so your AC technically goes down, but you gain DR 10/magic and can't be grappled. The Ahools also have DR/magic, so their natural attacks count as magic and bypass your DR)).
Ahool 1 misses Brom with a bite.
Ahool 3 blindly swings at Brom in a full attack, connecting with one claw vs AC 38 for 11 damage (rolled 84 on miss chance).
Shadow Ahools AC 24, Touch 12, FF 19, CMD 33, SR 16.
(Stats lower due to Slow & Blindness, check the spell effects if you're close to hitting)
A1 - 79 damage - Slowed A2 - 85 damage - Slowed - Blinded A3 - 99 damage - Blinded A4 - Dead A5 - Dead A6 - Dead A7 - Dismissed A8 - Dead
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (169/193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d20+22=27 ; d20+17=29 ; d20+12=18 ; 2d6+30=33 ; 2d6+30=40 ; Thursday June 1st, 2017 10:38:59 AM
Brom slides over 5-ft closer to Ahool1, and then unloads on Ahool3.
"Don't need any help. Get the one by the witches. I got these two."
Attack: AC 27, 29, 18; damage 33, 40
Note: if the first strike takes down Ahool3, the second will be directed at Ahool1.
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) Thursday June 1st, 2017 10:47:01 AM
With Emrys and Lanliss out of direct danger, V holds back and waits, allowing Brom and Barratore to cut the creatures Down, since it also appears that Baslim has the witches well protected. A very long and dangerous day might possibly still await, and conserving spells for more dire circumstances could be crucial.
Memorized Spells: 1st: Protection from evil, Identify, Mage armor(extended)-C, Shield, Magic Missile, Magic missile, Magic missile 2nd: Invisibility, Bulls strength, Mirror image, Scorch ray, See Invisibility, resist energy, 3rd: Fireball-C, Haste, Haste, lightning bolt, Dispel Magic, Fly 4th: Dim Door, Dim Door, Empower Scorch ray-C, greater invis., empower scorch ray, silent Dispel Magic 5th: Empower Fireball, cone of cold, empower fireball-C, Wall of force, Silent Dim door 6th: Chain lightning-C, Greater dispel magic, disintegrate 7th: plane shift, quickened fireball
Lanliss HP69/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 d20+12=20 ; d6+1=7 ; d20+7=10 ; d6+1=3 ; Thursday June 1st, 2017 7:27:17 PM
Lanliss now feels strangely free from the confinement of a proper physical body, begins to attack the Ahool next to him fiercely without fear. Take that ! He shouts as he uses his short sword to (hopefully) pierce the Ahool body.
Attack #1 20 Damage 7 Attack#2 10 Damage 3
Barratore Steelwind (Dan K) AC: 34 (T 15 FF 31), CMD:34; HP: 139/162 Character Sheet d20+27=43 ; 4d8+22=36 ; Thursday June 1st, 2017 9:09:25 PM
Barratore stifles a grin and retort and heads around the standing stone to attack the thing nearest the witches ( Ahool2)
With a great roar he plunges his blade into the things chest
PA Penetrating Strike Vital Strike Hit AC 43 Dmg 36
Evaris [AC 21; HP 100/93] d20+15=23 ; d20+10=24 ; d8=6 ; d8=5 ; Thursday June 1st, 2017 11:01:36 PM
The Spiritual Weapon continues its attack on Ahool 3. Its aim has improved.
[Hit AC 23, which I'm going to assume hits because of the Slow effect. Hit AC 24. Total damage (from two hits) is 19.]
Like Velarin, Evaris decides to conserve his energy for now. "Besides," he says. "Brom and Barratore and Lanliss are having so much fun. It would be a shame to ruin it."
Emrys Myrridanmyl, stephen f. ac10 hp52/54, spectral hand, good hope d20+21=31 ; d100=39 ; d20+11=22 ; Thursday June 1st, 2017 11:48:44 PM
(Im a little confused, is Emrys still grappled with the alooh or not?? One part of your post implies the grapple never happened, while another part implies he is still trapped in its clutches. Last round, I cast two spells thinking I was free from the alooh's grapple.)
IF Emrys is still grappled, he tries to cast a spell. (concentration check: 31, fails against DC 43. Spell fizzles.)
IF Emrys isn't grappled and 10-ft further away, where he thought he was ... a sense of anger and revenge, the like he has never felt before, envelopes him. He decides he has a taste for turtle soup this evening ... all he needs is a nice snapping turtle! If the spell works, he hopes the Ahool remembers who he was and what got him here to this place.
(Leyline check: 39, success. Casting Baleful Polymorph on the Ahool that attacked him. Fortitude Save: 22 vs being turned into a Snapping Turtle. Caster Level Check: 22 vs. Spell Resistance.)
Shepherd Baslim (Tanner) HP 143 -- AC 14/10/14 -- F+17 R+9 W+20 -- CMD 16 Thursday June 1st, 2017 11:48:53 PM
Baslim lets his arms drop to his sides and breathes a sigh of relief. He withholds casting any more spells, seeing that the martial members of the party are performing their duties admirably.
Besides, we don't know if anything else is coming through. I might need to save my spells.
Battle at the Standing Stones (DM Damarr) Round 5 d20+12=20 ; d20+8=28 ; d100=2 ; d20+17=35 ; d2+2=3 ; d20+17=23 ; Friday June 2nd, 2017 2:36:29 PM Brom plainly returns Barratore's quip, saying he's fine, as he dispatches Ahool 3, Blinded by Baslim's Holy Smite. The barbarian notes, as the lame and severely injured beast snarls after the first mighty blow, that it does stay standing. The prospect of a one-on-one fight with a fresh Shadow Ahool might catch Brom's challenge-oriented interest. This one did, after all, have a poorly-utilized chance to completely pin the rager.
V, seeing his companions out of immediate danger, conserves his spells. Evaris and Baslim follow suite.
Lanliss, freed from the beast's clutches by Emrys' Gaseous Form spell, returns his focus on bringing down Ahool 2. His first attack hits the Blinded Ahool's Flat-Footed AC of 19, gouging a fresh gash on the already bloody beast, but the second swing goes wide. (Added +2 for Good Hope).
Barratore brings his own sword to bear on Ahool 2, plunging the blade into monster's chest.
Emrys, swelling with anger, casts Baleful Polymorph on Ahool 1, seeing the severely injured Ahool 2 is flanked by Barratore and Lanliss. With a dwindling howl, Ahool 1 transforms into a small turtle. 20 on the Fort save (fail), 28 Will to retain mental stats, abilities & HD (pass). It glares viciously up at Brom standing in front of it.
Highlight to display spoiler: {((I apologize for being unclear. Emrys was grappled when you posted. Before you posted, V cast Scorching Ray & Barratore hit the Ahool, but it was still up, and Emrys was still grappled. You cast spells, without making concentration checks per the Grappled Condition. Then Baslim did the final damage needed to kill the Ahool with his spell. When I posted the round re-cap, I reordered the actions from how they were posted, so that the Ahool was dead before Emrys started casting, and you did not need to make concentration checks. But I noted that, were Emrys still grappled, you would have had to make concentration checks, just as a reminder, and a warning (don't get grappled :))}
Ahool 1, keeping hold of it's mental faculties and evil temperament despite the unfortunate change in form, snaps at Brom, hitting him vs AC 35 for a negligible 3 damage. (it retains HD based on the Will save, so it still has a good 50HP left, and the BAB & mentality of a Shadow Ahool, in the body of a snapping turtle :)
Ahool 2, Slowed and slowly bleeding out on it's feet, bites at the air in front of Lanliss (hit AC 23).
Shadow Ahools AC 24, Touch 12, FF 19, CMD 33, SR 16.
A1 - 79 damage - Slowed - Polymorphed (Small snapping turtle) A2 - 131 damage - Slowed A3 - Dead A4 - Dead A5 - Dead A6 - Dead A7 - Dismissed A8 - Dead
Barratore Steelwind (Dan K) AC: 34 (T 15 FF 31), CMD:34; HP: 139/162 Character Sheet d20+27=29 ; d20+22=35 ; d20+17=37 ; d20+17=19 ; 2d8+22=33 ; 2d8+22=35 ; 2d8+22=28 ; 2d8+22=32 ; Friday June 2nd, 2017 4:48:27 PM
Barratore dispatches the shadow creature in front of him with tow quick strikes and a finishing third that is designed to split the creature in half
PA penetrating Strike Hit AC 29/35/37 crit 19 Dmg 33/35/28 crit 32
He moves towards the witches and Brom afterward. (5' Step)
Spell affect: Protection from Evil Good Hope
Brom the Barbarian - Rich P; AC: 25 (T 14, FF 25, Raged 23), CMD: 32 (35 Raged); HP:154 (169/193) raged; DR 3/- (6/- raged) d20+22=34 ; 6d6+30=51 ; Friday June 2nd, 2017 5:23:42 PM
"Come on! Really!" He says at having his enjoyment ended by the transformation. "My fun...sigh..." With a great strike, he comes down on the turtle-shadow-thing.
ImVS- AC 34, damage 51
Rage: 5/30 Good Hope
Lanliss HP69/98 AC:26 touch:19 flat:18 cmd:28 Friday June 2nd, 2017 6:45:05 PM
Lanilss ponders now about his gaseous form, thinking how long it will last, while Barratore gets the shadow creature beaten up for good.
Evaris [AC 21; HP 100/93] Friday June 2nd, 2017 8:43:14 PM
Its designated foe down, the Spiritual Weapon returns to Evaris's side. He doesn't re-assign it yet, confident in his teammates' ability to finish these creatures off.
Edson Kazil - Shawn R; AC: 28 (T 21, FF 20), CMD: 24 HP: 7/65 Friday June 2nd, 2017 9:45:04 PM
Edson slings his bow and begins laughing at Broms outburst.
" Brom... smasher of turtles."
Velarin Xilontheel(Chris J), AC 17(FF 14), hp 80/80, extended mage armor(24 hrs) Saturday June 3rd, 2017 8:42:21 AM
V waits for either more opponents or the witches to complete their ritual.
"Healers, once you have a moment, it might be wise to give the injured a touch up. More could be coming our way shortly."
Battle at the Standing Stones - Conclusion (DM Damarr) Saturday June 3rd, 2017 1:15:50 PM Brom & Barratore finish off the last two Ahools. The barbarian grumbles about losing his fun and squashes the Polymorhphed beastie, while Barratore takes a gleeful third swing into the already dead pile of shadow monster, cleaving it into two distinct messes, before it dissipates back into shadow.
Edson laughs at Brom's outburst and gives him a new nickname, while Lanliss wonders about his temporary Gaseous Form granted by Emrys. It's mostly a defensive spell - great for getting out of a tight situation, at the cost of movement speed and offensive capability.
Evaris and Velarin wait for the witches to finish their ritual and watch for more extra-planar interlopers.
As the last Ahool goes down, the mass of shadows in the center of the Standing Stones expands rapidly. A frustrated snarl echoes through the area, more man than beast, definitely not from any Ahool. Silently, the swirling shadows collapse back to the center of the Stones, congealing to reveal the Shadow Lands. Curling grey mists and trails of sparkling red Ley Lines stretch as far as you can see. A silvery path leads from the edge of the portal into the fog.
"Nothing less than I'd expect from such heroes!" Dulcet calls from her coven's circle, "We must hold it until you're through. Follow the Path." The other witches appear completely focused on the ritual, while a measure of pride shines in their leader's eyes. She seems more full of energy than you've seen her yet, and, were she not duty-bound to the Valley, looks like she'd be ready to travel on with you into the shadowy unknown.
"Blessings of Alemi and The Sisters upon you, Keepers of the Vale!" Dulcet bids farewell.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone gets 5,000 XP from the opening interlude (forgot to hand it out earlier).
Everyone gets 31,000 XP at the conclusion of this scene.
Lanliss gets a Hero Point for rushing to place himself between the Shadow Swarms & the witches.
Baslim gets a Hero Point for his use of Antilife Shell to protect the witches (I really wasn't expecting that).
Emrys gets a Hero Point for his use of Mage Hand & Gaseous Form to save Lanliss from the grapple (I suspect this is a well-planned tactic for Emrys, but it's the first time I've seen the clever strategy).
Anyone else you think should get (more) Hero Points? Include suggestions in your post or send them via email - that's an open invitation, so whenever you think somebody deserves Hero Points for something and didn't get them, just say so & we'll look at it (& most likely agree :)
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