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Vogh
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Vogh didn’t answer the dragon this time, instead, she returned to companions. Still, in her telepathy, she spoke to them as she approached. “Well, we have been given a free pass thanks to a few magic items I had to give up. They were minor so not a huge loss. I have learned that there is a passage on the other side that leads to a large cavern with humans. They bring valuables down to the dragon so that he leaves them alone. Now I don’t know for sure, but even though this might not seem like the right path it seems like nothing has been down this way in a long time which doesn’t necessarily mean it is the wrong path. The only thing we need to figure out is how we can get to the other side since the dragon said there is no walkway. Any ideas on what we should do?”
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Bharash
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There is a brief, near-stabbing when a pack of Mind Flayers appear out of the darkness, but Bharash is very apologetic when it’s all over and the dust has been brushed off…
Otherwise of course, he hasn’t heard any of the back-and-forth and was all too glad to be nowhere near the damn’ dragon when it was being interrogated, but his tick-tock mind is, as usual clicking away and he reiterates his earlier misgivings along with one or two questions “Well, handy as that is we still don’t know if it’s the right way. I can’t see a dragon letting random half-wits stomp through his lair on a regular basis. What did he say about the cultists planning to resurrect an ancient, hungry evil literally on his doorstep?”
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Vogh
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“Well, I didn’t say that we were adventurers. I came disguised as a Mind Flayer, even had the mirror image of 7 more to have it make sense. Anyways, as far as the dragon knows we are all mind flayers disguised as a band of travelers. It doesn’t have true seeing or I would have been found out. I didn’t ask about any cultists passing through or anything. Just didn’t seem right. I played it out that we were looking for powerful creatures to aid in our cause. He declined but said we could pass through his area to the area beyond. But, as I said we have to figure out how to get across the water and it doesn’t look safe to swim. There is also some sort of aberration in the water as well I believe. I sensed it on the other side of the dragon. Not sure how that works though.”
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Bharash
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“Well… yes, I know. Now. That’s why I nearly stabbed you.” Bharash answers with a small smile, only to sigh heartily and drop his face into his palm “So you told them you had plans, but not what they were and we’re coming from the direction of the chaos cult so he knows who we ‘work’ for or have ‘an alliance’ with. You’re right, it’s going to be really hard coming back from that to actually ask about what we’re interested in.”
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Vogh
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“We don’t really need to speak any further. If we are asked questions I will speak to him through my telepathy. None of you need to speak. But still the question remains. How can we get across the water? We could do the flying chain thing as we were going to do for the acid pit. We could go back and get the bridge we used. Or a little bit of flying and a bit of dimension door.” Vogh was looking for options from the others.
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Bharash
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“Well, that’s one question, certainly. Another is ‘why are we trying to get across the water’ but I think that’s been answered a while back with ‘because it’s there’. As for crossing it, the bridge isn’t long enough and if the dragon was the one responsible for the acid bath and we just cut a hole in the top of his tub, he’s going to be pissed.” Bharash answers, visibly still thinking “Crossing it though… Yeah, I’ve got nothing except that you’re going to want to be careful with the thing in the water.”
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Talin
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“Before we begin moving the troops across, I think it would be prudent to determine what “across” actually entails. I believe we should fly a small scouting force across the lake to see what is over there and also to find a good spot to teleport the rest of the group to. Perhaps two people, one to fly and carry the other, making sure it is one of us with knowledge of making a dimension door for a speedy retreat, if needed. The room’s languid inhabitant might be willing to grant us passage if they know some horror beneath the waves will dispatch us without it having to break its word.
To Vogh ” your deception, although likely a ploy with a solid purpose, has limited our ability to gain more intel from the being. In fairness, it has also limited its ability to know, or share, anything about us. Swings and roundabouts, after all. I think it might be good to ask it if it knows anything else about the nature of those beyond.
To the group again “teleportation will likely be the only expedient and safe way for us to passage this treacherous subterranean whirlpool. How many could be taken at once? Vogh and I can take 4 each, with Deacon and Tristan likely the same. 3 if the Guardian is in that group. That would leave us about three short, if my math supports me. One of us could fly back and take the final group. IT would burn a lot of spell resources, but I think it might be the only viable option”
Talin turns in the direction of the sea and its overseer and continues ” The dragon only guaranteed us a path across… not back. It could be that it plans to trap us there. We need to be sure of what is over there before we move everyone over”
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Vogh
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Vogh listened to the others and while they had reasonable questions and concerns she too thought about them and it was now too late to correct. She had made her play, right or wrong, and now they needed to do something about it. “I think the dimension doors are the way as well. I believe we need to keep our show of force strong. Scouting is needed as well. Deacon why not use your eye to find the other side and go in about 100ft. That will put us a little farther away from this pool. You can describe to us what you see and the distance it is. We can then use our dimension doors to go to the spot.” She then thought that perhaps it was time to let everyone be able to see in the dark.
“Deacon I think it is time to cast your spell so we can all see in the dark. Once we know the spot we are hopping to we could then make the dimension hops. I think we should have Tristan take 3 soldiers and Bharash. Talin take 3 soldiers and Hulgar. Deacon take 2 soldiers and Thorrim. I will take 2 soldiers, Jaylen, and Josiah. That will leave Helmut and his guardian, Julia and Kal. Talin and I can hop back here and then hop again back to everyone and we can continue on. Yes, we may be missing some important information but I felt that I wasn’t getting much from the dragon anyways.”
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon nodded and sent his eye forward into the cavern. He made sure to keep it close to the roof and went straight out to the other side. He would take it out as far as Vogh said at least 200 ft beyond the cavern to make sure the other side was completely clear. He would relay what he saw along the way.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kalerecent spoke up, but softly, “Perhaps my men and I should remain here? You are all discussing using a lot of magic to traverse this area. If we are trapped in a bad position on the opposite side, escape might be impossible for everyone.”
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Narrator GM
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Deacon’s spell eye floated down the tunnel and into the cavern. He wove through the stalactites, over the dragon which lay as if in sleep. Water swirled all around the cavern. It wasn’t immediately apparent where the water escaped which came from the falls. [Private to Deacon Havenhold: (Roll perception and knowledge arcane)]
A few more small islands dotted the cavern, then the wizard saw a finger of stone which jutted into the water similar to the one on their side of the cave. Another set of natural stairs led up into a tunnel nearly directly opposite the entrance.
Traversing a little ways down the tunnel Deacon found much they same as they had come through getting here. Natural stone with uneven floors and ceiling.
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Julia Graymantle
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In reply to Kalerecent (msg # 270):
Julia thought a while about Kal’s suggestion. I think you and your men should come with us, Kal. I get the feeling that, whatever happens on the other side of this cavern, down whatever paths we may go… well, I get the feeling that we won’t be returning this same way. You might send a pair of soldiers back to the other group that remained and tell them to head back above ground. Whatever creatures might have thought to chase us, well, I don’t suppose they are going to be able to follow us past this dragon. And I think we’ll need you on the other side. So, please come with us.
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Bharash
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Bharash folds his arms and leans back against the wall, letting his eyes half-close as he listens to the conversation back and forth – it’s pretty obvious that the others have set their course and he’s not going to persuade them otherwise, so he’s just going to go along to get along and see where they end up.
As long as it isn’t kneeling before a dragon, he figures he’ll be okay with it.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kalerecent is visibly nervous about the prospect of bringing the men. But he doesn’t argue against Julia. The paladin nods with pursed lips. He also makes sure to stay faced away from the men so that they see no indecision on his face.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon gave his report to the others on what he saw. “I can see that the water is unnaturally flowing against the left wall there isn’t any crashing bubbling look like it should. I believe it’s an illusion spell blocking another exit.” Deacon flew the eye through what he thought was an illusion and what he found was an underground waterway. “It was an illusion. The tunnel continues away from the cave a short way then it goes completely underwater. Were not going that way for sure. Seems like it may have been a trap to drown unsuspecting swimmers.”
Deacon let the eye fly back and then he saw a finger of stone which jutted into the water similar to the one on their side of the cave. “I think I found the exit. There is another set of natural stairs that lead up into a tunnel nearly directly opposite the entrance.”
Deacon found much of the same deeper into the tunnel and so relayed all that he saw. It should be easy given the direction and distance for the others to use their spells to port across.
“Shall we?” Deacon asked since he hadn’t been following the conversation Kal had been having with the others.
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Talin
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Having listened to both Vogh’s plans, and knowing that if nothing else is certain he would trust her to lead them into and out of hell, and to Deacon’s report on the far side of the cavern, Talin stands by Bharash.
“I have seen you face down certain death with less hesitancy than this lone dragon appears to impart in you. No disrespect of course. In a few moments, we will part space and time to leave this oppressive sea behind. Do you have any thoughts on which three of Kal’s corps we should be blessed, and bless in return, to join with us two for the jaunt?
Talin will be ready to take Bharash and three troops across to the far side, looking to set them a little further along the path so that any threats that might come once the travel will hit him (and Bharash) first.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan wasn’t sure leaving behind them a huge black dragon was wise. Nor this aberration Vogh spoke about. Aberrations could be quite devious and were very capable foes but the terrain didn’t suit the group to try and battle either of the creatures let alone both at the same time. So, the decision to use their dimension doors was fine with Tristan. As Vogh had said, he moved to 3 of the soldiers and motioned for Hulgar to follow. Once the others began their spellcasting so too did Tristan aiming for the direction and distance Deacon gave. “Are you all ready? Join hands, this is a bit unnerving the first time!” Tristan said with a grin!
Cast dimension door while touching Hulgar and three soldiers.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Upon looking back and seeing everyone ready, Deacon moved to Thorrim and called over two of the soldiers. “I guess you are with me. Touch hands and get ready for a ride,” Deacon said and then began to cast his spell.
Cast dimension door
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Vogh
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Vogh looked at Kal when he voiced his concerns. “I understand your thoughts and while I admire your care for your men, heading back the way we had come could spell doom for them. We have no way of knowing if there were more wights, or wraiths just waiting to attack us back there. We didn’t comb the whole of the complex to know. We are spreading out our magic so as to not have one person absent the ability for themselves. So, if you can wait here with High Priest Helmut and his Guardian, I will return in a few seconds.”
Vogh thought at that moment that she should have ordered the 10 soldiers to return with the others she sent back. Surely 20 soldiers and the twins would have led them back up to the apartment without incident, but they were way past that point now, and proceeding forward was a better option than retreating.
Vogh moved to the remaining 2 soldiers and Jaylen and called Josiah over. “Touch hands and we will be whisked away to the other side.” Once they all held hands Vogh touched Josiah on the shoulder and began her spell.
Cast Dimension door
Once the first group was brought over, Vogh grabbed Talin’s hand and cast Dimension door once more taking them back to the others. She then touched Helmut and his guardian one last time at the same time that Talin touched Julia and Kal to all be dimension door’d to the others.
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Bharash
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“We’ve got history with dragons. My folk.” Bharash ‘explains’ (for a given, rather generous interpretation of the word) as he pushes off the wall in response to the general readiness to move out, although he seems to be taking the second question with rather more seriousness when he addresses it by sighing and starting “If it were me, I’d send then all back. We’re pretty far off the trail and floundering around by my reckoning and I’d rather not deal with the embarrassment when they realise that… But that’s just me.”
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Narrator GM
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Leaving the cavern behind them, everyone kept marching forward. The tunnel narrowed to where they had to all go single file, then widened again in several places. Consistently the tunnel also descended deeper into the earth. Clearly they were traversing farther below the land above. There were a handful of side caverns off the main tunnel, but they were all small and empty. Several hundred more feet passed by uneventfully until the tunnel became worked stone once more. Shortly after it did, the front scouts called for a halt as their dark vision revealed a solid stone wall in front of them. It matched the construction of the hallway and appeared to be slid into place based on the interrupted pattern of stones. Nothing glowed with magic to those looking.
As they looked over the place a voice echoed out from a hole on the right side wall. Looking around their eyes noticed several more holes in the walls and ceiling. The voice sounded like metallic strings were vibrating as the sound bounced around in the stone hallway. (Sounds mechanical. I’m not sure how to describe that.)
“Identify Yourself.”
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Talin
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At Vogh’s direction, Talin casts dimension door while touching his introspective friend Bharash, Julia, and Kal.
Staying close to the lead as they march through the tunnels and corridors, Talin muses on Bharash clears misgivings about their chosen path. His instincts and insights are on the shortlist of voices that Talin believes should be listened to beyond logic. But Vogh is certain of their course, and Talin will follow her lead above all. Still, he muses on.
When the voice rings out, Talin pulls up short. He trusts Vogh to handle the parley, and instead casually prepares himself to react if those holes begin to disgorge anything besides menace.
Talin prepares to perform Satire if any threat presents itself from the holes.
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Julia Graymantle
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Once Talin has safely teleported her to the other side, Julia looks around. This side seems exactly the same as the other side. Julia hopes they are going the right direction, but there is a seed of doubt in her mind.
Vogh has again and again proved herself to be an excellent leader, so Julia ignores that doubt and begins to move on with the group.
Once Deacon casts his spell allowing everyone to see in the dark, Julia ends the light spell, that she had cast upon Talin’s blade, removing the glow from the sword.
The trek through the tunnels is long and even though it is mostly straight, it gives them the sense of going in circles, as the various caverns along the way all look the same, as if they were passing the same one again and again, until finally the passage gives way to worked stone.
As they approach the strange wall, Julia sees no sign of magic. When the strange voice rings out, Julia stops. Like Talin, she prepares herself to react in case a threat emerges from one of those openings in the wall.
Julia readies an action to cast Shield of Faith on Bharash.
Active Spells
Blessing of the Watch – +1 Morale Bonus(applies for entire party) on attack rolls and saving
throws against fear effects. Duration remaining approx. 11 hours.
Expired Spells
Light – (cast on Talin’s sword) 20 ft radius of normal light plus additional 20 ft radius 1
step up from the current ambient light.
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Vogh
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As they traveled further and further away Cogh was second guessing her decision to come this way. If this led to nothing she would eat her words.
When they finally got to some worked stone her heart rose again. Then as they saw the stone wall with holes they stopped the others with a raised hand. Just as she was about to look for ways in a voice rang out. It wasn’t human and reminded her of Geristamos.
Thinking what to say she thought about all the names she had been given. Deciding on a name she said, “Illadras sent us. We are to check on the machine to ensure things are running smoothly.
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Narrator GM
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“What’s the passphrase?” The voice echoed back into the tunnel.
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Vogh
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Vogh spoke to the others, “Did Illadras give any of you the password? I was in such a hurry to get here I didn’t think to ask.”
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Narrator GM
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“Identify yourselves. What are your names?” It asked back. The voice sounded masculine, with a hint of an accent that was hard to put a finger on with the distortion and echo.
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Vogh
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Vogh thought into the heads of the others, “I am not sure I can get through with just my words. Be prepared to defend yourselves.”
“My name is Fistrial the other female is Theissa. We also have Zlith, Vocaetun, and Grealdan. If you really need the names of us all this is going to take too long! Now open the damn door already!” The ire in her voice was quite apparent as she raised her voice to a yell towards the end.
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Narrator GM
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“Wait one moment.” The voice crackled back then silence filled the tunnel as the echo faded.
(I’ve updated roll20 so please position yourselves accordingly. Vogh would need to be at least 10 feet from the speaker for it to accurately pick up her voice.
There are holes on both sides of the wall, as are the ones in the ceiling. There are 4 holes on the wall, 2 on either side about 5 feet away from the door. Then the voice hole is closer to the door. There are 4 holes in the ceiling.)
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Narrator GM
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Things deteriorated rapidly. Simultaneous explosions echoed out from two of the tubes. Overlapping cones of metal shards came flying out from two of the holes in the wall. It seemed the jig was up.
(All within 60 feet need to make 2x DC 16 reflex saves for half damage. One for each hole. 1st) 23 & 2nd) 23)
From tubes in the ceiling, two spheres dropped down, each burst when they hit the floor in a silent flash of white light.
(All within 20 feet of Vogh need to make 2x will saving throws, DC 17, or become completely docile, peaceful and calm, unable to attack or cast spells for 8 rounds.)
Ref: Helmut (unmodified) 15
Will: Helmut (unmodified) 8
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Vogh
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Failed both reflex saves but passed both will saves.
20:55, Today: Vogh rolled 23 using 4d20 with rolls of 1,3,12,7
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Deacon Havenhold
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Made 1st ref but failed the second. Made both will saves.
20:58, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17. Reroll from ability.
20:55, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 32 using 4d20 with rolls of 13,4,1,14.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Failed 1st ref and passed all the rest.
20:56, Today: Tristan rolled 30 using 4d20 with rolls of 1,8,6,15.
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia fails the first Ref, but succeeds against the second. Takes 35 Pts Dmg (New HP 71)
Julia succeeds in 1 will save and fails in another. She uses an Oracle Trait “Lessons of Chaldira” to reroll 1 failed save per day and succeeds the roll.
Active Spells
Blessing of the Watch – +1 Morale Bonus(applies for entire party) on attack rolls and saving
throws against fear effects. Duration remaining approx. 11 hours.
23:07, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 30 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 18. Reroll Will Save 1 Using Oracle Traint Lessons of Chaldira.
23:05, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 25 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 13. Will Save 2
23:05, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 15 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 3. Will Save 1.
23:03, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 22 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 14. Reflex 2.
23:02, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 10 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 2. Reflex 1.
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Bharash
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In defence of his doubts about this whole enterprise, Bharash wasn’t actually present for the interrogation of the three prisoners they took from their hit-and-run raid, having instead chosen to keep two of them separated for each separate questioning session (since he seemed to think that they might serve as useful checks on each other if they were kept apart) and afterwards, no-one actually got around to telling him what they learned (they took their prisoners straight to the guards, then came home to get some rest)… So all he has to go on is that they’ve re-entered the seemingly abandoned complex underground, picked a passage leading off it and have set about walking a distressingly long way through multiple dangerous locations deep underground and the one witness they did find they didn’t trouble themselves to question about it.
So… doubts then. But not doubts that keep him from coming along, just doubts that make him pointedly back away from the obvious murder-holes when Vogh tries to scam the unearthly voice…
…but not far enough back to avoid the wash of flame and metal fragments that goes off when the two wall-mounted petards detonate because sixty feet is rather more paranoia than he’s currently hosting, his instinctive duck-and-turn achieving little but to take a few of the less deadly shards across rather than through his breastplate.
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18:18, Today: Bharash rolled 16,13 using 1d20+7,1d20+7. Reflex save(s).
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Talin
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20:25, Today: Talin rolled 56 using 4d20 with rolls of 17,17,10,12. Saving throws, 2 Reflex 2 Will.
Reflex saves 28, 28. Both were successful for half damage. Total damage taken – 24
Will Saves 19, 21. Both were successful
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Deacon Havenhold
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Feeling the pain from the shards Deacon grits his teeth and decides it is time for them to move forward and fast. Grabbing a small stone and dust from one of his many pouches he makes a few movements and as he points to the wall ahead a ray comes forth and hits the wall destroying a 10ft cube.
Cast disintegrate at the wall to our front.
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Julia Graymantle
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It happened so fast. Before she could think, Julia was sprawled on the ground, with deep gouges in her arms and legs from something that had exploded out of the wall. Looking around Julia saw the source of the cuts, small metal shards sprayed across the floor.
Julia saw that most of the others were similarly in disarray, bleeding from various cuts, bent over or ducked or lying on the ground as she was.
Julia ground her teeth together and tried to ignore the pain screaming through her. Through gritted teeth she took a steadying breath and summoned the familiar energy. Something was ever so different about it, but that did not disturb her focus. After a moment, the familiar wave of bright, divine light burst from her, healing Julia and her party members.
Julia casts Channel Energy with Spirit Boost, healing party members in a 30 ft Radius for 28 pts. (New HP 99)
Julia watches as the wounds on herself and those around her quickly heal. The blood sprayed on the floor remains, sticky and red. As their wounds are magically healed, the others begin to spring into action…
Active Spells
Blessing of the Watch – +1 Morale Bonus(applies for entire party) on attack rolls and saving
throws against fear effects. Duration remaining approx. 11 hours.
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Talin
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Talin was fortunate that he was watching the holes as Vogh began her parley. The flash of the exploding metal and fire gave him just the chance to spin and spring away. Instead of taking the torrent of death in the face and chest, they scored his back and arms instead. Flesh wounds instead of debilitating. He could feel whatever effect the white balls were attempting to have on his mind, but he had spent too many years learning how to influence the minds of others to be an easy target himself. It tugged at his mind for a moment, found a strength of will that it was far too feeble to ensare, and slipped away.
As the bloody gashes he was unable to avoid began to sow up under the heavenly glow of Julia’s power, Talin stood straight and began to chant. The wall in front of them flashed to dust from Deacon’s magic, and his voice boomed through the opening into the space beyond. The chant spoke of the folly of standing before such heroes as they that came to call. It spoke of death, and ruin, for those that could hear its sardonic verse.
Talin takes a swift action to begin performing Satire. -3 to attack and damage, -3 on saves for fear and charm. Affects anyone foes who can hear the chant and understands common. All allies within 30 ft gain 1d6 sonic damage to attacks.
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Vogh
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Vogh wasn’t actually surprised by the response that was given after her attempt to talk her way through. Not having the password made it impossible.
Being in the dront of the assault on her and her companions it was no surprise that she took the blunt of the attack. She couldn’t escape or even shield herself from the cutting shards of metal as the tore her supple skin easily. Blood dripped from many different places but only for a few heartbeats as Julia sent out a wave of healing energy. Deacon too was already in action as he cast a spell and a ray of energy blasted the wall before her.
With Talin’s music filling her ears, Vogh added to the sound with her own music which was much more uplifting than Talin’s.
“Swift action to start her inspire courage to add +6 to everyone’s attacks and damage.
Standard action to cast Good Hope giving everyone a +2 morale bonus to att/dam, skill checks, and save. Affects 12 of us for 12 mins.
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Narrator GM
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As the group moved forward they noticed the worked stone give way to a natural cavern once more. A faint glow was flickering in the large cavern beyond. When the group neared the end of the worked tunnel a voice boomed out of the cavern, echoing on the stone walls.
“HALT! YOU ENTER WHERE YOU ARE NOT WELCOME! TURN BACK OR FACE OBLITERATION!”
A fire giant stood with his beard entirely flame licking at his face, and holding a huge war hammer. Resting against his person was a huge tower shield, blocking half his body.
[Private to Vogh: Vogh can sense four aberations, two on either side (left and right) of where the cavern opens up but not in her sight.]
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Vogh
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As they moved forward a little Vogh could sense the giant and then finally she could also see it but she also sensed 4 other things as well, “Be careful inside. I sense 4 aberrations in there somewhere as well. They are just out of sight.”
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Deacon Havenhold
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Pleased with his short work on the wall Deacon follows behind the others until he spots a fire giant in front of the group. He couldn’t hear what the giant said and coudln’t read his lips from this distance but when Vogh says what she senses he decides to cast a spell giving the others a boost in speed.
Deacon will cast haste lasting 12 rounds.
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Bharash
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Accompanied by the faint ‘tink’ sound of fragments of shrapnel extracting themselves from his rapidly-healing flesh (and the disagreeable poking sensation of them rattling around inside his armour), Bharash steps forwards in an unhurried fashion, one sword resting on his shoulder and the other one held at his side as he becomes the focal point of a positive barrage of empowering magic that would make his hair stand up on end if he had any.
Getting to the end of the hall, he stops, grounds one sword and calls out – largely on the off-chance – “We tried knocking, it didn’t go well. We’re here looking for cultists in cahoots with a bunch of demons. Does the term ‘Night of Dissolution’ mean anything to you, or did we just bust down the wrong door?”
Sure, the giant’ll probably lie but you never know, right?
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Giant
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“What?” The giant scrunched up his face in confusion at Bharash’s question. It’s voice boomed in the cavern, echoing against the rocks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m paid to keep anyone from coming through here except who the boss says can come. No one has come this way for a long time and no one told me to expect you. So it’s best you leave. I can see there is a bunch of you. If you’re Delvers, then you took a wrong turn and need to go seeking your treasures elsewhere. You clearly don’t know whose property you’re on right now or you would be running already. There’s no cults here. The boss doesn’t like them.”
[Private to GM: Phasm, rolled 28 bluff]
(If you ask the name of his boss he will not tell you. Just to make your next posts faster.)
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Talin
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Talin doesn’t have any illusions that this encounter will go better than with the disembodied voice in the hall, but he wants to give Vogh the chance all the same.
In preparation for the violence that is oh so likely to follow, the big bard slides his legendary sword in its sheath. “the right instrument for the song of the moment, after all” he mutters between lines of his chanting, rhythmic song. With that he unlimbers his composite bow. Idly, he wonders if the string is still good, forgetting in his focus on the behemoth ahead that the magic string will likely outlast him. As he pulls an arrow out of the worked leather case, he palms a six-inch silver rod shaped like an intricate flute.
He holds the arrow and bow in one hand, the little fluted rod held in the other partially concealed by his sleeve. Talin draws his focus and prepares to lock this brute in place if things go as he suspects… or try to in any case. Vogh always tells him size doesn’t matter…
Talin draws his bow, readies an action to cast hold monster on the Giant (DC 19 Will Save)
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Vogh
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Vogh too had slid her purple blades into their scabbards and drew her bow. She didn’t know what these aberrations were and didn’t want to chance to head into a huge trap. Aberrations were strong with their spell-like abilities which were one of the reasons why they had skipped the other encounter with the huge dragon.
“Bharash I don’t think the thing is willing to give up any information and either we meet it head-on or we dispatch it from here. Talin, Julia, and I can pepper that thing with arrows right now.” Vogh said mentally to their whole group.
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Narrator GM
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The giant looked Bharash over, and the others behind him and shifted a bit nervously. “Aggah-Shan. That’s the boss.” Looking over their faces he looked worried that they weren’t worried. “Listen… If you’re not delvers, then what are you doing down here? There’s nothing beyond here except some big machine. No tresure or anything.”
[Private to Vogh: Narrator GM, on behalf of Vogh, rolled 20 using 1d20+17 ((3)). Knowledge Local
Vogh had heard of the ellusive figure before. He was a crime lord who was typically at odds with the Balacazars. To her knowledge, no one had ever seen him.]
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia is surprised by the response from the fire giant and she is uncertain that there is any way he will simply let them pass. But, if there is a chance to pass without killing the creature, she is open to trying it.
My dear, we seek stop Aggah-Shan from destroying the city above us and killing all of its inhabitants. It may be that you and your own kind will equally suffer if this plan succeeds. I hope you have considered that as you entered his employ.
We seek to find this machine and destroy it. However, we mean you no harm. If you will allow us to pass, we will do so peacefully. I can see that you have been placed in our way to slow us down. But please know that, you may slow us, but you will not stop us. If it comes to violence, our path will continue beyond this place, but yours will not.
If you lay down your arms, in service of the city, your name, if you give it to us, will be sung in the songs of glory of this day. Your great deed will never be forgotten.
So, tell me, my dear, what will it be; the carrot, as she raises her crossbow and levels it at the giant, or the stick?
Julia readies an action to fire her crossbow at the giant.
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Narrator GM
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The giant actually laughed out loud. “Destroy the city? I assure you. He has no such desire to destroy a city that makes him so much gold.” The giant shook his head and chuckled lightly again. “You’re talking again about the crazy cultists. Now they would like to destroy everything. You should find them and destroy them.”
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia looked at the others around her in confusion and mouthed silently Where are we?
She focuses on the creature in front of her as she speaks. You would have us believe that the cultists do not lie beyond? But you do clearly know of them and their plot. Speak plainly, my dear. Your life may depend upon it.
Julia casts Discern Lies as she concentrates on the fire giant and awaits his response.
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Narrator GM
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The giant cocked his head at the woman with an interested expression on his face. “Listen. I get paid to guard this door. I don’t know a ton. I know about the cults and their crazy plan for some gods they want to resurrect. Aggah-Sahn is a business man, first and foremost. Destroying the world isn’t exactly good for business, you know? His machine is about magic or something. He used the cults to help him, but he doesn’t want much to do with them. I don’t want to die for this job. There is a bunch of you, and if your big friend there is any indication, then I’m certainly not spoiling for a fight. But listen to me, if you smash down the door, you’re going to be pissing off one really powerful guy. Pain and shadow. I’ll just let you pass if you’ve got a good bribe.”
Julia senses no lies
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Vogh
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Vogh listened to Bharash, the fire giant, and Julia speak. It seemed that the giant was a little more forthcoming than he originally had thought he wanted to be. Guess it figured its life was more important than guarding a door.
What Vogh did though while all this was going on was try and sense exactly where the aberrations were. “Seems that the aberrations haven’t moved and are probably waiting for us to move forward.”
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia keeps her crossbow leveled at the creature in front of her. My dear, I am pleased to hear this. And, of course, our party is happy to offer you a most wonderful payment. I want you to imagine a life beyond this job. A future, perhaps filled with riches and comforts of every imaginable sort. We offer you the chance to have that. A life, a future, after today, after this moment in time. Will that suffice for a bribe?
Julia sends a thought to Vogh, Vogh, I’m not sure if this one is just delaying us or really considering giving passage. If they don’t move immediately, then we should force our way through. I don’t think we can afford to delay any longer.
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Narrator GM
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The giant frowned. “You cannot offer me anything… More substantial?”
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Vogh
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“Look here, we have offered you something more substantial than standing guard at a door for who knows how long you have been doing so. If you want to live I suggest you just open that door and let us deal with what is beyond. You and your aberration friends that are ever lurking out of our line of sight can chew on that fact. If a fight is what you want then we can just end all your existence now.” Vogh was done messing around. She put her bow back on her shoulder and pulled her blades once more ready to move.
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Narrator GM
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Fire flared in the Giants eyes. It clearly was unhappy with the prospects being offered. “You know what. Fine.” It turned and stomped away out of the range of their dark vision.
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Julia Graymantle
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20:01, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Initiative
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Vogh
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21:22, Today: Vogh rolled 9,10,15 using d20+7,d20+7,d20+9. Initiative
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Talin
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” and here I thought the worst that could happen was for him to strike. Now we have to advance further into the room to engage the giant, placing us again right in a kill zone. Vogh love, what happened to that velvet-coated tongue that could bend kings and amazing handsome bards to your will?” Talin winks at the beautiful badass to make sure she knows the jest for what it is… and to keep those twin blades from his hide.
I think Bharash and Tristan should take the lead to confront the Giant should it be waiting to hit us once we are fully in the room. Vogh and I should guard their flanks, ready to engage the aberrations, in whatever form they take. Deacon, Julia, and good sir Helmut in the center to provide support where needed. Kal and his men can guard our rear, keeping us free from ambush and making sure there is a path back if needed.
As he speaks, Talin keeps up the rhythm of his song with the staccato beat of the little silver rod against his wrist
In answer to am indignant roar, “Of course Lionel, you will be guarding MY flank. Just remember it is not for tasting.”
Talin slides the unused bow and arrow back in their cases and frees the great sword from its sheath. The right instrument for this new, uncertain song. He keeps the fluted silver in his hand, in case the fire giant decides its life is an insufficient bribe.
14:15, Today: Talin rolled 12 using 1d20 with rolls of 12. Initiative – 19
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Bharash
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Bharash, who had made something of an effort to open negotiations rather than just kick down doors and start killing people more or less gets steamrollered in the negotiations that follow, but since the party is more socially skilled than he is (his main skill down here mainly seems to be his ability to retain sight of the fact that the undercity is, in fact a city and that not everyone in it is working for the same people).
He opens his mouth as the Giant declares no intention of destroying the city, then closes it again as Julia takes over, opens it a second time when the big warrior asks for a bribe, only to close it again and then throws up his hands before stepping back to lean against the wall, reasonably expecting that the others will wake him when they’re done.
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Vogh
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Vogh moved past Bharash even as Tristan began to move forward. She wasn’t sure why Bharash was leaning against the wall but perhaps he had something he was doing?? So, she decided to contact just him through her telepathy, “Bharash let’s go he moved so we can go through the door.”
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Bharash
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“Yeah, I noticed. After we took every effort to piss him off without giving him reason one not to raise the alarm.” Bharash states, lifting his visor to meet his friends eyes, “And that only after you all decide – again – that we can just flat-out murder anyone we feel like just because they live below ground level. Gods alone only know what you’ll do if I get a basement.”
“Look.” he states, drawing a deep breath and trying to stay calm as he clarifies his point “The undercity is an undercity. As many people live underground as above it, and while I grant you most of them are arseholes, we’re about as far from where we started as The Old Goose is from Delvers Square, and if you caught me putting the boot into Unos because Vard served dodgy beef one night you’d think I was mental. Why are you so sure this is the right way?”
At around which point the jack might drop that after interrogating the three women, they were taken straight to the watch, then everyone came back and pretty much turned in before hitting the temple in the morning and no-one ever quite got around to telling Bharash what they’d learned… And that he’s come with the group today entirely on trust in his friends.
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Vogh
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“What makes me so sure is that he just told us the machine is on the other side of the door. You have done as much with us before and had no problem doing it. I understand that there is an undercity, but this isn’t it. We aren’t just going around murdering everything in our path either. On the contrary, I, we have taken every opportunity to talk with people before immediately attacking. That didn’t get us very far trying to get through the door back there did it?” Vogh showed Bharash her torn trousers just to hit home the point.
“I get that your life hasn’t been the best and you have a sort of kindred for these creatures. It has even brought doubt about my past dealings into my mind and I thank you for that. Now, if we can get through the door without conflict then we have done our job and can deal with whatever this machine is.”
Vogh moved down to the edge of the hall to where the cavern opened up. She could sense the aberrations near and made sure the others knew as well. She also kept her mind on the fire giant as it moved away so she knew where it was.
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Bharash
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“Yeah, and I’m still kind of vague on what the machine is supposed to be or do exactly…” Bharash replies, before staring at Vogh as if wondering if his friend’s entirely forgotten the ‘I can pepper it full of arrows’ comment from mere moments before putting voice to hushed words “Seriousl..? Are yo..? Hey, don’t walk away from me while we’re talking.”
Assuming that Vogh actually stops, he goes on “Look, the door was a trap and we triggered it. Hard on us, not really the fault of whoever runs this place. But how sure are we that we’re going the right way? How did you find out about this machine of yours? Have you ever heard of this Agga-Shan creature?”
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Vogh
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Vogh does stop when Bharash asks her to. “I thought I had told you before, but perhaps in all of this mess, I forgot to say. The priestesses we interrogated stated that the big machine is supposedly beneath the White House brothel. Apparently, the machine is a joint effort between the owner and the cultists. They were unclear what it does or why the cultists care about it, but supposedly it’s important. As for this Agga-Shan, I have heard of him before. He was a crime lord who was typically at odds with the Balacazars. As far as I know, no one has ever seen him.” (the GM rolled a crappy roll for my knowledge check 🙁 or I could have gotten more. But with the knowledge we just got it ties things together at least a little better.)
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Narrator GM
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The group moved into the cavern (I assume) and was shocked to find it empty. (Roll Perception Checks)
Vogh can sense aberations, two on the left and two on the right, but she cannot see them.
However, they needn’t be shocked for long, as two of the venom shaped thralls appeared as they attacked from either side. These appeared larger than the ones they had faced in the apartment before. They also wore crude armor and wielded long spears with large swords belted around their grotesque waists. Muscles bulged between carapace pieces of natural armor that look hard as the steel plates covering their bodies too.
(Readied Actions: Not sure who is walking in first, but left attack is this
27 attack for 19 damage
16 attack for 15 damage [as if])
The cavern continued forward, but there seemed to be two corridors going off to the right.
Vogh can sense two more aberations to the right, in the first corridor, and another two in the second. Vogh couldn’t sense the giant any longer.
[Private to GM: empire supporters crying about needing the empire against the barbarian]
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan had been moving slowly to the main cavern on the advice of Vogh. He knew that the aberrations were on his left and right and when he looked inside he couldn’t see them. It was almost a surprise when they both suddenly appeared and attacked him. He dodged the blade with a slight bend of his knees as it whizzed over his head. The second tried to stab him in the gut but a well-timed parry had the blade out wide.
It was his turn to attack and with his black blade in one hand and staff in the other, he was truly ready to battle both. (His spell ended) He wouldn’t be able to use his spell strike with both hands wielding weapons so he decided to just slash at and bash them. Tristan took a step to free up some space and attacked. The black blade tore into the ugly creature he had never seen before opening a wide gash on it. His staff wasn’t as skilled and could only bang off the armor. “Bharash a little help if you please!”
Crit with two nat 20s for 52 damage, Hit AC29 for 22, Hit AC15 for 20.
20:28, Today: Tristan rolled 36,25,5 using d20+16,d10+16,d6. crit check.
20:28, Today: Tristan rolled 36,17,5,29,19,3,15,15,5 using d20+16,d10+16,d6,d20+16,d10+16,d6,d20+9,d6+12,d6.
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Bharash
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“The priestesses? Those three eager-to-talk, unprotected girls we plucked out of a demon lair after everyone else evacuated?” Bharash asks, sounding gently horrified as he unpicks the provenance of the information they’re working on, then leaps ahead a pace to ask “Hold on, aren’t the Balcazars and the Killravens in a perpetual state of low-grade war? And it was a Killraven assassin that tried to poison us in the Minstrel.”
The uncomfortable notion that his friends have been played – quite severely – and he’s been dragged along with it because he didn’t question them firmly enough is starting to dawn on the big Dragonborn, just in time for a couple of Venom thralls straight out of the apartment building from the other day to reassure him – because surely two groups of idiots can’t be using the same disposable blade-fodder.
“That’s a relief!” he states as he nods to Vogh and starts forwards, getting a look at the things “I was starting to think you’d all been conned.”, building up to a slow jog and then a dead run as his sword comes out, engimatically-sourced holy fire flaring around it.
From the perspective of the right-most (from his point of view) venom thrall, the world rather abruptly becomes filled with shiny armoured dragonborn and a very great number of regrets as Bharash makes a respectable effort to drive his falcatta into the things sternum, up into its ribcage and then use the leverage of his blow to lift it clear off its feet before pitching it down onto the stone on the far side of him.
—
50 to hit, 47 to confirm. 78 damage plus 12 holy fire. I have not included any currently active buffs from anyone else.
17:03, Today: Bharash rolled 42,18,4 using 1d20+24,1d8+13,2D6.
17:04, Today: Bharash rolled 39 using 1d20+24. Critical threat.
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Talin
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Talin takes in the expanse of the cavern as they proceed in.
16:56, Today: Talin rolled 21 using 1d20+16 with rolls of 5. Perception check
He also takes in the discussion between Vogh and Bharash with an ear-cocked and a hooded glance. He directs his words to the furry companion currently sniffing the dark for prey or predators. “I know Lionel boy, I thought that went about as well for that giant as he could wish. Instead of a flurry of arrows and death, it got the chance to breathe another day. There have been many guardians, both above and below, that have set themselves in our path that did not get that gift. You would have already been feasting on their meat.”
“We also got a bit of info that I did not think we could get… the name of the entity that is placing these obstacles in our path. A name to surely add to my list. All in all, teamwork again brought the best outcome.”
it wasn’t the horrors that sprung for nothing to attack that took Talin aback, even for a second. It was that Bharash found more comfort for the face of their enemy than he did in the judgment and capability of his companions. A concern just as large as the ambush, if not more. To be addressed after the fight, though. These damn things were big and had spears.
Talin closes with the monster attacking Tristan and attacks with the greatsword.
17:17, Today: Talin rolled 41,23,5 using 1d20+26,2d6+16,1d6 with rolls of 15,6,1,5. Single attack with sonic damage, no other bonus. Not sure what else is still active.
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Vogh
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With the conversation ended and Bharash moving to attack Vogh followed behind. She moved behind Bharash as the rather large thrall attacked him at the same time he attacked it. This gave Vogh an opening to put Serenity to work.
Hit AC26 for 36 damage.
09:52, Today: Vogh rolled 26,33,3 using D20+23,d8+25,d6. Attack.
09:50, Today: Vogh rolled 23 using 1d20+19. Perception check
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon watched as the others moved down into the room. He couldn’t actually see an enemy from his position so he too moved further down.
That was when he saw the large thrills attacking his friends, though it wasn’t hard to see that between the 4 of them and even the golden celestial lion they had things well in hand.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kal heard the fighting ahead and looked back to his men and called them forward knowing that they might be able to get into the much larger cavern and be able to help out.
Kal then moved forward past the guardian and Helmut. With his Sword of Truth held high he meant to join the fight only to find the enemy already defeated. “Didn’t save anything for me and the men huh?”
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Narrator GM
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Vogh sensed the beasts rushing forward, then they became visible as huge spears stabbed out at Bharash, Vogh, Talin, Tristan and Lionel the Lion. Tristan took a blow (21 dmg) and Lionel took a nasty stab from the big weapon (22 dmg)
Advanced Venom Shaped Thrall: 26 AC, 88 HP for your posts.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan didn’t see the thrall until the last moment as the spear slipped past his defense. It dug deep into his shoulder just above the shoulder plate. Yanking his shoulder free of the spear he took a 5ft step into the creature that just stabbed him and swung his black blade into this one. The blade cut across the hard carapace of the creature causing a gash to open and blood ooze out. The next strike though was placed perfectly and caused the thing obvious discomfort. “You are an ugly one aren’t you?”
Hit AC 26 for 26, Crit hit for 46, and a miss.
21:07, Today: Tristan rolled 29,18,2 using d20+16,d10+16,d6. crit check.
21:04, Today: Tristan rolled 26,22,4,35,23,3,10,16,2 using d20+16,d10+16,d6,d20+16,d10+16,d6,d20+9,d6+12,d6
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Vogh
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Vogh could sense the thralls coming closer and just before they reached her they appeared and attacked. Vogh’s two magnificent blades worked in random as they deflected the spear attack. She then stepped inside the thralls’ reach to get closer and worked those blades in a blur of action. In a matter of 6 seconds the limbs had been cut off and as it fell the head was sliced clean from the shoulders. Vogh turned and saw Kal arrive on her left shoulder.
Hit AC30 for 31, AC36 for 33, AC27 for 37 and DEATH!!
21:19, Today: Vogh rolled 30,31,1,36,27,6,27,32,5 using D20+23,d8+25,d6,D20+23,d8+25,d6,D20+18,d8+25,d6.
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Talin
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Talin wrenches his blade free from the dying thrall as he hears the mighty lion roar in pain. Lionel is too smart a predator to let anger at the thrall that stabbed him cloud his judgment. He instead savages the weakened monster facing Tristan, ensuring fewer spears will remain to stab.
Roaring in pain, the lion attempts a full attack, teeth and claws. The thralls armor should have been too much for the heavenly beast. Ferocity alone will not pierce the foul metal. But the big cat is not alone. Empowered by the many blessings and spells of his allies, his claws and teeth slice through the thralls armor like soft wax… wax melted by a celestial sun. His claws sink into the abomination’s chest, opening large rents in its flesh. More importantly, and disastrous for the thrall, Lionel’s claws give the mighty cat purchase to reach his prey’s neck. Magically powered teeth rip the thrall’s neck in half, nearly decapitating it in one bone crushing bite. Lionel spits the flesh out like a hair ball, disgusted by it’s fetid taste. The cat has standards, after all.
Full attack, Bite and 2 Claws.
22:06, Today: Talin rolled 19,24,19 using 1d20+8,1d20+8,1d20+8 with rolls of 11,16,11. 1 Bite and 2 claws. All misses
Edit. Those attack rolls should 27, 32, and 27 due to +8 to attack. All hits
10:03, Today: Talin rolled 16,15,14,11,8,13 using 1d8+13,1d4+13,1d4+13,3d6,3d6,3d6 with rolls of 3,2,1,5,5,1,4,1,3,5,4,4. Bite and 2 claw damage, plus d6 sonic and 2d6 holy per attack. Damage total 77,
Sorry, removing 2d6 per attack. Misunderstood buffs. Damage total is 59
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Bharash
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Coming around the corner, Bharash neatly deflects the spear of the venom-thrall that had been waiting there and so deftly strikes out with his other sword that he drives it smoothly into the things midriff and angles up, all but coring it as he lifts it clear of the ground by sheer main strength and then slamming it down on the far side of him in a shower of ichor before squaring his shoulders and advancing on the next, aiming to back up the lion with a low, angry growl of “Hey, you! Why don’t you pick on someone smaller than you?” and lashing out with the clear intention of hacking off an errant limb, although needing to move wide to avoid the thrashing cat does mean that his blow goes in a little late and a little light, by his standards.
—
01:07, Today: Bharash rolled 35,23,2 using 1d20+32,1d8+21,2D6. Stabbity.
Minimal damage, 25 total.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kalerecent moved next to Vogh and though he couldn’t get in a full attack he dealt a mighty blow to the thrall as the Sword of Truth cut a deep wound in the belly of the beast spilling ichor onto the ground. “I got your side Vogh.”
Hit AC38 for 31 damage.
10:05, Today: Kalerecent rolled 38,22,4,5 using d20+24,d8+21,2d6,d6. power attack, holy, sonic.
[Private to GM: After hitting the thrall Kal takes a quick look to see if he can see anything else. The sword of truth gives Kal true seeing.]
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Julia Graymantle
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As the others rush forward and engage the Thralls, Julia levels her Crossbow towards the one nearest Bharash, as she has a clean shot on the monstrosity. The Thralls seem to swim through jelly, as their movements are slowed in comparison to those of her friends.
With practiced movements, Julia aims, fires and reloads, the haste spell making everything move that much smoother, quicker. The bolts jump from her crossbow in a flowing rhythym.
The first shot was well-aimed and caught the creature through the throat. The creature’s entire body is turned with the impact of the bolt, causing Julia’s second shot to miss. The next two shots hit the mark, both catching the beast in the chest near the shoulder.
Julia Hit AC26 with rolls of 37, 37, 26. Missed one with attack of 23.
Damage 30, 25, 22 Total DMG: 77 (17 Holy, 16 Sonic)
15:11, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 37,23,37,26 using d20+21,d20+21,d20+21,d20+15.
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Helmut Itlestein High Priest (NPC)
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Helmut couldn’t easily get past the friends already engaged with foes, but he did move forward – with his construct behind – and flicked his finger at the thrall Talin was fighting. An arc of lightning proceeded from his phalange and racked the body of the twisted creature. (10 dmg against Talin’s thrall)
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Talin
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My thanks for the assist, master Helmut, but I beleive this one will soon be in its grave. My feline companion, and others, might be better aided considering your powerful ability to mend wounds.
Putting a point to his words, Talin steps into the beast and strikes. Three quick, powerful strokes of the silver greatsword rend the thrall to the beat of Talin’s song. One to take off a leg, two removes an arm at the shoulder, and the final drumbeat takes the head cleanly off.
You see Lionel, when you use a blade you dont get anything foul in your mouth. It was at that moment the spurting stump of the thrall’s ruined neck showered his face with blood.
The lion coughs a low roar… sounding a bit like a chuckle.
3 attacks hit ac26 with rolls of 37, 49, and 41. Total damage 119 (12 sonic, 18 holy, the rest badass bardage). It dead
2:05, Today: Talin rolled 37,49,41,33,29,27,9,14,7 using 1d20+33,1d20+33,1d20+28,2d6+24,2d6+24,2d6+24,3d6,3d6,3d6 with rolls of 4,16,13,5,4,2,3,1,2,5,2,2,6,6,2,1,3,3. Full attack plus haste attack, 2d6 holy and 1d6
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Narrator GM
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The last two standing stabbed out at Vogh and Kalerecent, but neither even came close to the fantastic warriors. Working together the last two thralls fell to the ground, like crabs cut out of their shells. Looking into the alcoves revealed nothing. Clearly the thralls didn’t spend much time in this area as there was no detritus, waste, bedding or anything. Another tunnel extended out of the cavern they currently stood inside. Moving forward the group saw nothing magical and Vogh sensed no other intelligent life in her range. The troops blanched at seeing the strange, insectoid creatures, but steeled their resolve and continued through the cavern behind the powerful friends.
Walls and floor remained natural and unworked as the group moved cautiously forward, and the tunnel continued to descend them deeper in the earth at a slight downward angle. Furthermore, the temperature which had remained rather constant started to rise and a low rumble could be felt in the earth.
Hulgar commented up to the group, “The walls are shakin’ my friends. Somethin’ is vibratin’ the stone around us. Gotta be somethin’ big to send tremors through solid rock. It be consistent too. Not like blastin’ or even hammerin’, ya know?”
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Julia Graymantle
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Have you ever felt anything like it before, Hulgar? If anyone would know what could make stone behave this way, it would be you.
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Narrator GM
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Hulgar shook his head. “No miss. It’s quite strange. To be this consistent, it must be something mechanical. You know? Anything geological wouldn’t be so consistent. Blasting. Mining. They all ebb and stop.”
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Vogh
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Vogh could feel the stones rumbling as well once Hugar had pointed it out. As he and Julia spoke Vogh said, “the priestesses said the machine was this way. If that is the machine they were talking about it must be rather large to be causing the ground to rumble as it is. Let’s go find out. The fire giant went this way so let’s follow it.”
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Bharash
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Crouching by one of the cadavers, Bharash lifts its head to examine it for a few moments, then rumbles “Good news, bad news. Bad news is that if these are anything like the last ones, they used to be someone before they were mutated into monsters. Good news is that this is the first evidence we’ve had that we’re on the right trail. I hope. It was divination spells that led us to Confluence Village, right? Tracking one of the things those assholes stole from us?”
By which time he’s talking to an empty room and has to hustle to catch up to the back of the party, once again grumbling about damn’ impatient adventurers.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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With Kal being towards the back with his men he heard Bharash. He wasn’t sure what the gruff fighter was mentioning so asked, “What is the Confluence Village you said?”
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Bharash
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Bharash breaks off muttering swear words as he hustles up to the back of the group, armour jingling “Apartment building. We reached something that was stolen from us to it, only to find out that the residents had been turned into demon bug monsters by cultists who had access to animated statues. I’m trying to buy the place because it’s got a hole into the undercity in it, so I should be able to get a good price.” he explains, slowing as he comes up alongside the other man.
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Talin
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Talin sheaths his greatsword, careful to clean of the black icon staining its length. As he goes to ruffle Lionel’s full mane, thanks for a job well done, he notices the extent of the loin’s injury. Potentially a temporary companion or not, it would be poor repayment for a job well done to leave him in this state.
“Julia, would you mind helping our feline warrior here? That crab took a good chunk out of his side, and I think it is far worse then he is letting on. Didn’t stop him from removing its head though…. Good kitty!
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Narrator GM
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Moving forward the group found the natural cavern give way to worked stone once again. The hallway was about ten feet wide and tall, basically square, and looked to be of newer construction. After a few dozen feet only the hallway opened into a small room which had a single door on the far side. The door was thick iron and locked. The door was also covered with graven images of coiled serpents and plants found in a swamp. The heat here was intense, and the door even a bit hot to the touch. Not so hot as to burn, but certainly uncomfortable to maintain contact with. Anyone who wasn’t already sweating likely was at that point.
(Roll20 Updated. New map!)
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Vogh
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As Tristan advanced towards the door, Vogh moved up next to him to check the door for traps. He had already told her that there was magic on the door but not what the magic was. “I wouldn’t touch it quite yet. I will check the magic.” Vogh studied the door for almost a minute and something about it didn’t seem right. She reached out and touched the door and suddenly a grid of letters appeared.
SBKXD
PDJVZ
RWFZU
FPIUX
BNXIJ
Vogh began to look at them and a sudden explosion of rock erupted from magic on the door sending a spray at her and Tristan. Vogh tried to cover up but it didn’t matter as she was pelted with stone. “OUCH, that wasn’t good. I should have known from the magic that there was a trap in there. Guess I didn’t see it when I checked. Tristan let’s write this down and take it to the others and see if they can figure it out.” Together they moved back up to the others and showed what they found. Not speaking to anyone in particular Vogh said, “I could use some healing. Tristan too even though he won’t say so.”
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Julia Graymantle
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As Vogh and Tristan begin to study the door, Julia walks over to Talin and Lionel to take a closer look. As she nears, Julia notices that under one of the golden cat’s forelegs, the fur is sticky and matted. As she bends down, she sees a large stab wound under the foreleg, piercing into Lionel’s chest.
Oh, Lionel! That looks terrible. Why didn’t you say something, you big oaf. Do you and Talin share the same brain or what? I thought you would be the sensible one of the pair. Let me have a closer look.
As Julia is looking over Lionel’s wound, she hears an explosion from the direction of the door, and curses from Vogh and Tristan. Without looking up from her work, Julia says, Helmut, it sounds like the trap-finding was more successful than the trap-diffusing. Can you please check on Vogh and Tristan?
As Helmut moves off to Vogh and Tristan, Julia looks into Lionel’s eyes, Listen, you big furball, I don’t know where Talin dug you up, and I am expecting some answers from him when this is all over. But you have the look of a honorable and sweet creature, and I rather think I like you. So next time you take a gash like this, I expect you to speak up, or, this said with a glare in Talin’s direction, I’ll box both of your ears. Of course, you’ll still get a belly rub after, Lionel.
Julia is smiling at Lionel as she says this, and begins to focus herself to heal him when he suddenly becomes…filmy, almost transparent, and Julia can make out Talin’s shape through him. A moment later, and Lionel GoldenMane, the anointed Sun Risen King of the Savannahs vanishes completely.
Julia looks at Talin with distinct displeasure. That’s it? He’s just gone? Is he a summons? Talin, where did you learn that? I didn’t even have a chance to heal him. Julia straightens to her full height, still looking at Talin. Can you bring him back? Or do we have to wait a day? He had better be fine, Talin. Maybe next time he can stay and you can vanish! I certainly know this, when we’re finished here, you owe me some answers about Sir Lionel. Without waiting for a response, Julia walks away from a somewhat bewildered Talin, who may be wondering if he is surrounded by more than one lion.
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Talin
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Talin ruefully shakes his head at his “conversation” with Julia, wondering is she was even aware that she asked a dozen questions, demanded answers, and left without ever letting him crack his jaws.
Hoping he would have better luck with the door, he carefully approached it and investigates the letters. He swears he read about something like this before, in his studies of dungeons and the surprises they contain.
knowledge check – dungeoneering – 25
:03, Today: Talin rolled 25 using 1d20+21 with rolls of 4. Knowledge check – dungeoneering .
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Deacon Havenhold
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When Deacon was told what magic was on the door he though about it for a moment while the others were talking amongst themselves about the letters Vogh had given.
Then as Talin moved to the door and looked it over with no result, Deacon had an idea. “I think the other aburation spell is an arcane lock. I have a spell that can suppress that easily enough but it won’t get rid of it nor the other moderate magic on it. I can cast it and then if Helmut can have his guardian bash it down we should be able to get through in time.”
Move to the door and cast knock.
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Narrator GM
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Deacon was surprised when his spell took effect, only to have the entire room explode in a ball of fire. (DC 21 Ref for 1/2 of 42) Looking over the door with magical sight, the group can see that no spells remain in effect.
(The door is unlocked and there is a pull ring so it opens toward you)
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon knew that even though he would be able to dispel the arcane lock something could happen. True to his thought he felt a sudden influx of magic and pulled his cloak up and over his head just as the blast exploded. He felt the heat of the blast but his magical cloak shielded most of the heavy heat.
Once the blast ended which was only a second or two he came walking out of the hall. “Well, I didn’t think that would happen but looking at the door there is no magic currently. We need to hurry through before the door locks again. High Priest Helmut, do you think you can channel your healing energies and heal us. Kal if any of your men are injured we should include them as well.”
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Helmut Itlestein High Priest (NPC)
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Helmut nodded and waited for those who needed assistance to gather then a wave of energy washed out from him, healing their wounds. (Helmut Itlestein High Priest rolled 24)
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Tristan (NPC)
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Once Helmut had given his healing Tristan gave him a nod but then said, “I am still quite injured those spells did quite the number on me. Mind giving me a single heal?” As long as Helmut did, Tristan would then head back to the door and get ready to go through.
He did cast his spell again to join his staff and blade though, as it had expired and he wasn’t as good fighting with both in his hands.
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Helmut Itlestein High Priest (NPC)
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Helmut nodded and touche Tristan’s arm, healing energy surging into him powerfully and stitching up all his wounds, leaving behind only a few bruises.
[Private to Tristan: Tristan was a bit shocked to feel the power of Helmut’s grasp. He must be much stronger than he looked, despite being in good physical shape.]
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Narrator GM
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The group felt the heat in the room, and could feel the vibrations even more keenly now. Whatever was moving the earth had to be just on the other side of this door.
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Narrator GM
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(This if for whenever you open the door, as it’s bound to happen.)
Upon pulling the heavy ring on the door, it swung open on well oiled hinges with very little sound. However, what greeted them on the other side wasn’t a mass of monsters but rather completely impenetrable blackness enveloped them in the room and heat washed over them like opening a furnace.
All vision, including their dark vision, was completely blacked out. It seemed the darkness even extended twenty feet into the small room some of them occupied.
(Four squares away from the door is now completely black, even to darkvision. No one can see beyond the door either.)
A shout from the troops at the back came, asking if they were still there but it was difficult to hear over the hissing and clanging of something mechanical. Noise was constant in the room, so many different clickings, clanging, hissings, scrapings and more of metal on metal echoed inside the chamber beyond. The heat was stifling and wet! No sweat could evaporate off their skin (or scales) as the humidity in the place was so pervasive.
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Bharash
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Bharash, having been caught in conversation with Kalarecent about the encounter at the Confluence Village apartments manages to avoid being anywhere near the explosion, while folks up at the front of all of this nonsense cheerfully do their thing, giving him plenty of time to drink from his waterskin, eat one of his sandwiches and generally wind down, since there’s a bloody great mob of folks between him and all the action and he’s not about to go shouldering past them unless something demands his presence.
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Talin
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Talin had not moved far enough back from his investigation of the door when Deacon set off the fire trap. He had relaxed when Deacon appeared to be satisfied with his job unlocking the door and Talin had turned to call the others forward. Then the fire wracked his side and back. He would have been in a bad way had Helmut’s healing magics not removed most of the burns and some of the char.
Failed save, took 42 damage, 18 total after Helmut’s healing
20:16, Today: Talin rolled 14 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 2. Reflex save.
All things being equal, still better a better result than his conversation with Julia. At least the path this way was now clear to open the door. God only knew what Julia planned regarding Lionel.
While Tristan is getting extra healing, and with Bharash nowhere in sight, Talin figured it was his turn to take point. The others had already sustained enough abuse.
Talin drew his blade, waited for Tristan to prepare his weapons, making eye contact so he would be ready. Nodding to the mystical warrior, Talin grasped the ring quickly and opened the door.
As darkness engulfed him. he ducked sideways to keep most of his body protected by the door frame and strained to hear or sense anything apart from the machines.
If nothing immediately jumps him, he will pull out a belled chain with one hand and VERY quietly whisper a few well-chosen words <alarm spell).
He casts alarm in the space in front of the door on the other side, so it won’t get them but would get anything that approaches within 40 ft of the opening.
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Vogh
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Just after Talin had pulled the ring on the door and yanked the door open she was covered in the darkness. She couldn’t even see 5ft in front of her anymore but she knew that Talin and Tristan were still there. “Bharash! If you can see, move to the door with Talin and Tristan.”
Vogh thought she might know what spell could do this as there weren’t many that can defeat darkvision. “Deacon I believe there is a deeper darkness cast. I am afraid I don’t have a light spell of sufficient strength to defeat it. Do you or anyone else? Kal, keep your men back till we figure this out.”
07:44, Today: Vogh rolled 28 using 1d20+10. spellcraft.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon moved into the darkness and studied it for a moment.
07:48, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 37 using 1d20+23. spellcraft.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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In reply to Bharash (msg # 350):
“Ah is that the name you are going to give it then? So were these thralls we just beat like the ones you initially fought in the Village?” Kal asked. “So, you are trying to buy the place huh? Seems like, with the way it looks, it will cost you a fortune to fix it up!”
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Bharash
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“Eh? No, no that was the sign over the door. Damn silly name if you ask me, but I didn’t build it.” Bharash replies, waving his free hand back the way he came “Basically, yes. Nine-ten feet tall, chitin, tormented, once-human visages… It’s reassuring in a way, because it means that we might be on the right track.”
“Probably, although I’m hoping to have money on security expenses by virtue of being, well, me. As for the construction work, I plan to shamelessly leverage the fact that my friends have a magic lyre that can build things…” he carries on, only for his head to perk up abruptly as he grins “Hold on, the missus is calling.”
At that, he ‘excuse me’ and ‘make way there’s his way to the front of the pack “Alright, what are we dealing with?”
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Vogh
———————————————————–
“Bharash, are you able to see through this darkness with your exceptional vision? I believe it is a deeper darkness.” Vogh was pretty confident in herself with the guess. “Deacon do you have Daylight in your repertoire?”
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Deacon Havenhold
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“It definitely is deeper darkness.” Deacon said quickly. He and Vogh had been out of this darkness when Vogh asked the question. “I don’t have the spell memorized for the day, but I could swap out one of my other spells and then I could cast it. Unless someone else has it?” The question was asked to everyone.
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Bharash
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“Doesn’t seem that exceptional to me, but then, it wouldn’t.” Bharash replies cheerfully, stepping up to the door and flat-out sticking his head into the area of the spell, just to see if it helps.
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Vogh
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“Wait, Talin… you got that one wand a while back. Come up here and get rid of this darkness so we can see what is happening.” Vogh called to Talin.
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Talin
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Talin moved forward and rummaged in his haversack and pulled out the wand with the sun symbols on it. With a word to activate the wand, the spell was cast into the darkness.
As the spell took hold the darkness and light battle each other fiercely, but the activity of the battle canceled out both spells entirely. Then they could all ‘see’ with their darkvision once again.
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Narrator GM
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As the darkness and light cancel each other out, the group can see into the cavern beyond, for that’s what it was, a massive cavern. The noise and heat and moisture were constant and oppressive. Just speaking normally was difficult in the hallway, inside it would be nearly impossible unless someone was shouting nearby.
The worked stone floor continued into the room similar to what they currently stood upon. But then it disappeared at the edge of a lip. The ceiling above them was worked stone for the same stretch as the flooring, then the natural cavern rose up beyond the limits of their sight. Judging by the echoes in the chamber, the cavern was very, very large and seemed to curve away from them to the left and right.
Directly across from where the floor ended they could see a metallic grid structure of catwalks. Atop one of the catwalks lay another piece of grating which looked like it could be extended across from the stone to the ring of walkway. But that gangplank was currently twenty feet away from the stone.
All of the catwalk they could see shuttered and shook with tremors from something beyond. it seemed an outer ring of the structure had a connection piece to something farther into the cavern.
(Roll20 updated.
The black speckled rectangle is the movable catwalk, clearly it connects from the center to this area but has been moved away.
The gray speckled part is metalic catwalk and the white between everything is empty space to fall lower.)
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Vogh
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Vogh moved down into the chamber and her jaw dropped. The machine as the priestesses had called it was enormous! Stopping this thing from doing whatever it was doing would not be easy at all.
“So, do we need to destroy this thing or just kill the operators??” Vogh spoke to everyone in their heads. There was no way they would be able to hear over the cacophony that the machine was making.
“Do we even want to find out what it is doing?” Vogh said as she looked across the way and saw the missing piece to the walkway. “I guess first thing we should do is get over there and put the piece of the walkway down.”
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Narrator GM
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You all won’t be able to see this entire thing currently, but I wanted to give you an idea what you’re looking at.
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Bharash
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Bharash swears briefly as the light goes on while he has his head stuck in the field of darkness, holding up one hand to cover his eyes but it doesn’t take him more than a moment to start thoughtfully note ‘Orrrr, find out what it does first. I don’t want to be the one to throw a shoe in the gears only to find out that it’ll collapse a chunk of valuable real estate… And the people who live there.’
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Tristan (NPC)
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“I could fly someone over there to help me move the piece back so the rest can walk across. Talin, want a ride over?” Tristan asked.
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Talin
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Not sure that he heard exactly what Tristan said over the mechanical cacophany, Talin got the gist for what he could hear and gestures.
Talin advances to join the dark elf, trying to ignore the constant chime in his head as they all pass through his spell.
Shouting to be heard over the noise, and leaning in close for good measure, Talin tells Tristan “It would be a pleasure, good sir.”
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Narrator GM
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Having to nearly shout over the din the group didn’t hear anything coming down from overhead. They couldn’t even see the very top of the cavern’s roof. However, just at the edge of their darkvision six flapping creatures came into view. The animals appeared to be two birds meshed together. Four wings extended from a sinuous, almost snake-like, body and it had a pair of eyes both above and below its beak. Yet this was no natural creature. First, Vogh could not sense their minds. Second, their eyes glowed red and rather than colorful feathers, they were all silver and metalic. The group didn’t have much time to think about it though, because of the six, two each loosed rays of lightning at the trio standing on the balcony.
(Ranged touch attacks:
Vogh:
27,7
16,4
Talin:
15,2
20,6
Tristan:
15,6
26,12
50 feet in the air)
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Julia Graymantle
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As Julia is peers through the door to the room, she barely has a moment to take in the machine when the two bursts of lightning crash down into the three in front of her. Instinct takes over and Julia pushes past Bharash into the room. She can make out six shapes…birds? But they writhe more like snakes rather than flapping as birds do.
Summoning her divine energy, Julia calls for a blessing of protection for her companions, and is rewarded with a sort of shimmering aura extending 30 feet around her. The shimmer does not emit a light, but her companions nearby would seem to be cloaked in a transluscent mother-of-pearl.
Stay close! Julia shouts to those near her. The aura will shield you from the elements! Vogh, tell Kal to keep his men back. It is too dangerous for them here!
Julia casts a divine Protection Blessing, Aura of Protection. She will emit a 30 foot aura of protection for 1 minute. All allies within the aura gain Resistance 10 against acid, cold, electricity, fire and sonic.
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Bharash
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“I do not like flying monsters. Or pits. Or flying monsters over pits.” Bharash grumbles loudly, albeit not really loudly enough to carry as he sheathes his sword and swings his compound bow off his back, knocking an arrow.
—
Move action to sheath, action to draw and prep, next round we be loosing!
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Vogh
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Vogh was hit by the ray of electricity which caused her teeth to clatter, but she knew she needed to fight through it so she could start her music. “These are some sort of perverted arrowhawks. They can shoot that ray any time so be careful. Kal keep your men back and ready to move through the door in an instant.”
Vogh put her blades away and then pulled her bow and an arrow while beginning her inspire courage. Each person gets +6 to hit and damage. Vogh then took a shot at the arrowhawk that shot its ray at her.
Hit AC34 for 25 damage.
21:43, Today: Vogh rolled 34,25 using D20+23,d8+17.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon heard Vogh through the telepathy and so moved onto the small platform. Flying creatures weren’t the easiest to deal with but Deacon was a master at summoning a certain ally. Pulling out two different rods Deacon called forth his friends putting a little extra on them.
The large Bralani appeared in the air about 50ft up
Deacon cast Summon Monster and calls forth 5 large Bralani. Duration is 24 rounds.
Hit AC32 for 16, AC32 for 13, AC28 for 18 on the bottom one that Vogh hit.
Hit AC32 for 18, AC31 for 18 for 36 on the next one up.
22:00, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 468 using 10d100 with rolls of 73,34,84,69,8,39,13,21,94,33.
21:59, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 25,16,31,18 using d20+18,d8+12,d20+13,d8+12.
21:58, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 33,13,32,18 using d20+18,d8+12,d20+13,d8+12.
21:58, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 23,19,22,18 using d20+18,d8+12,d20+13,d8+12.
21:58, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 32,13,28,18 using d20+18,d8+12,d20+13,d8+12.
21:58, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 25,13,32,16 using d20+18,d8+12,d20+13,d8+12.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan accepted the lightning with a smile. It was almost as if he enjoyed the jolt. Arrowhawks he thought to himself before casting a spell directed at them. At the top of his lungs, he yelled, “You will pay for that!”
Tristan casts Glitterdust on the 4 things within the circle. Will save DC20 to not be blind.
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Talin
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Talin didn’t see the mechanical beasts descending from above until he saw Tristan and Vogh look up. That was quick enough to avoid one of the lighting streaks, but not the second ( -6 HP from the second attack .) It didn’t hurt too bad, but Talin was starting to feel that they were being slowly bled by a thousand tiny cuts. He now had a nice burn on his bicep to go with all the previously accumulated char
Shouting “Look out, flyers!” even though nobody could hear him, Talin drew his bow (having just sheathed SolarSong in preparation for the flight). Just as he went to draw the first of two arrows to his cheek, he could feel the wash of energy from Vogh’s performance. The woman always has perfect timing… always.
Full Attack, 2 bows shots. 1 to hit AC40 for 22 damage, 1 to hit AC28 for 28 damage
19:08, Today: Talin rolled 40,28,22,28 using 1d20+30,1d20+18,1d8+20,1d8+20. Two bow shots.
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Narrator GM
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Vogh’s Attacks: (lines are super helpful. thank you)
AC34 for 25 damage
Deacon’s Bralani:
Hit AC32 for 16
AC32 for 13
AC28 for 18 on the bottom one that Vogh hit.
Hit AC32 for 18
AC31 for 18 for 36 on the next one up.
Talin’s Attacks: (blue line)
AC40 for 22 damage
AC28 for 28 damage
The ones with the target icon on them have glitterdust, so no concealement miss chance for them.
The bralani’s attacks ripped away chunks of metal and broke off pieces of the construct to fall below in an unheard clatter. Then the creature shrieked and flew straight toward the flying warriors to explode in a withering effect which sucked all the moisture out of the air around four of the bralani. A void remained where all the steam simply vanished, as did moisture from inside the bralani’s bodies. Talin had felt this effect once before. (Fort Save DC 18 for half of 21 dmg)
To the group’s far left, the creature loosed a green ray from beneath it’s belly which smelled of rotten eggs and flew near to Tristan, but did not connect. It seemed unable to target him correctly.
Each of the other four also fired rays from their belly area, rather than the electricity that shot from their mouths. The first ray was a crackling beam of black energy aimed at Talin. Next a white beam sparked as it flew. The third was blue and froze the air around it. Finally the fourth was a sickening yellow with swirling parabolas orbiting the main shaft of light.
These are all touch attacks. Please let me know if they hit so I can describe.
Talin: 20,20 [Private to GM: Dissentigration, Disruption, Freeze, Paralysis]
Vogh: 19,13
Bralani: 22,5
Bralani: 16,11
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Bharash
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With his swords secured, Bharash rolls around the door and lifts the massively powerful bow, drawing it with an audible creak while lining up on his first target – the left-most enemy – and hardly seeming to aim as he sends a broadhead arrow slashing through the air towards it. A heartbeat later, he fumbles his grab for the next arrow as it gets caught on the door, momentarily throwing off his rhythm. Cursing, he clears his flank with a half-step and looses a second shot at his target a moment later.
—
Three shots, hitting 44 for 16, missing and then hitting 22 for 21.
03:08, Today: Bharash rolled 33 using 1d20+22. Critical fail risk.
03:07, Today: Bharash rolled 44,16,23,16,22,21 using 1d20+27,1d8+15,1d20+22,1d8+15,1d20+17,1d8+15. Buffed archery.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan looked out and saw his spell take effect and hoped it was enough for the archers to get in a good shot on the arrowhawks. Figuring that the others could use ranged attacks Tristan decided to cast a spell to hasten everyone else’s attacks.
Tristan casts Haste
[Private to GM: Also, I calculated the damage and should have killed that thing before it flew at the bralani.]
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Deacon Havenhold
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08:05, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 28,17,21,16 using d20+13,d20+13,d20+13,d20+13. saves. 2 made it and 2 failed…. if that thing actually lived which it shouldn’t have.
The bralani felt Vogh’s spell take over them and smiled wide. Taking aim they let loose another barrage of arrows.
Hit AC36 for 14, AC36 for 14, AC29 for 18, AC38 for 15, AC30 for 15 Total: 76 to previously injured arrowhawk.
Next bird thing that Talin just attacked AC29 for 16, AC36 for 13, AC38 for 18, AC33 for 13. Total: 60
08:24, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 23,20,38,18,33,13 using d20+19,d8+12,d20+19,d8+12,d20+14,d8+12.
08:24, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 36,13,22,14,16,20 using d20+19,d8+12,d20+19,d8+12,d20+14,d8+12.
08:24, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 38,15,30,15,29,16 using d20+19,d8+12,d20+19,d8+12,d20+14,d8+12.
08:24, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 22,16,36,14,29,18 using d20+19,d8+12,d20+19,d8+12,d20+14,d8+12.
08:24, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 36,14,24,13,19,13 using d20+19,d8+12,d20+19,d8+12,d20+14,d8+12.
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Vogh
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Vogh was hit by some form of white energy (What type are all the rays? We have resistance right now.) and while it hurt it could easily be healed by Julia.
Vogh saw who the bralani attacked and aimed at one that Bharash had shot at.
Hit ACC34 for 18, and AC37 for 24 Total:42
08:53, Today: Vogh rolled 34,18,25,23,37,24 using D20+24,d8+17,D20+24,d8+17,D20+19,d8+17.08:54, Today: Vogh rolled 40 using 1d20+24. crit fail check passed.
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Thorrim
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When Thorrim advanced so he could see inside the large cavern he noted the machine before him. He shook his head knowing that it wouldn’t be something that his large frame would be able to manage.
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Julia Graymantle
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Just as Julia finished her spell, she felt the haste take hold and the world shifted in that strange way. She raised her crossbow, taking aim at one of the flying monstrosities.
Julia often thought of herself more in terms of divine magic, and she was certain that many who met her saw more of the oracle than anything else. Truth be told though, Julia had been holding bows long before she had found her divine path. So the motions were practiced and smooth.
The first bolt left Julia’s crossbow on mark, but the sinuous creature managed to dodge it at the last moment, and the bolt sailed off into the distance. Julia was undeterred. She quickly loaded and fired 3 more bolts, aided by her years of practice and Tristan‘s magic. The bolts each connected, the first one piercing the creature’s wing, which elicited a shriek from the beast. As it howled in pain, the second and third bolts followed, one lodging deep into the Arrowhawk’s abdomen and the third deep in its chest.
The Arrowhawk was severely injured, but continued flapping weakly, managing to stay in the air.
Julia hit AC 26 with attack rolls of 38, 30, and 27. Total damage is 55 (18+15+22) 11 of that is holy (4+3+4)
14:15, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 14,4 using d10+9,2d6. Attack 4 Dmg.
14:15, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 12,3 using d10+9,2d6. Attack 3 Dmg.
14:15, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 18,4 using d10+9,2d6. Attack 2 Dmg.
14:13, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 25,38,30,27 using d20+20,d20+20,d20+20,d20+14. Julia Attack rolls.
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Talin
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Talin wished the noise would allow some communication, as it was getting to the point where they could also use some group healing. But he could not take his eyes off these flying automatons long enough to get Julia or Helmut’s attention. Also, the noise was making his performances all useless. Well shit.
These things seemed to be taking a decent pounding and still able to give it back. Well, at Bharash would hopefully be excited about that. Although he would probably complain about being stuck using his bow.
Talin didn’t know what hit him, but he didn’t care to give it much thought. Three more quick, practiced motions: arrow to cheek, breath, release.
Full Attack on the one that attacked him: bow shots hit AC32 for 22, AC35 for 27, and AC21 for 26
15:00, Today: Talin rolled 32,35,21,22,27,26 using 1d20+30,1d20+30,1d20+18,1d8+20,1d8+20,1d8+20 with rolls of 2,5,3,2,7,6. Full attack + Haste attack with +7 to hit and +6 damage.
Rolled 11 for the initiative.
15:05, Today: Talin rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Initiative.
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Narrator GM
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Talin: 20,20 [Private to GM: Dissentigration, Disruption, Freeze, Paralysis]
Vogh: 19,13
Bralani: 22,5
Bralani: 16,11
The black ray that hit Talin felt like it was stripping away the very fiber’s of his being. He had felt sword cuts and stabs, endured terrible blows from a mace, even been perforated by arrows, but this was a truly terrifying feeling. He felt like he was being disintegrated.
Vogh was wracked with pain. Despite the damage not being severe compared to other things she had experienced, the searing agony was terrible. (Fortitude saving throw (DC 14) or suffer a –4 penalty to attacks, saves, and checks for the next 3 rounds)
One Bralani felt ice cold wash over its body, but celestial resistance protected it from the chilly bite. However, a secondary effect fought against its physical form. (Fortitude saving throw (DC 17) or be slowed for 2 rounds)
The second Bralani felt like it had been punched by a giant, then its wings faltered a bit as it fought off paralysis. (Fortitude saving throw (DC 17) or be paralyzed for 6 rounds after being struck by the ray. Paralyzed creatures can take no actions other than purely mental ones, including flying…)
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Bharash
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Unhesitatingly, Bharash continues to draw and loose as swiftly as he can, the addition of the swiftness haste adds to his actions almost imperceptible once he has his eye in and the old, ingrained reflexes return to him – careful as ever to avoid overstressing his bow with the immense power of his augmented muscles – and in the process generating a one-man arrowstorm with which he brutally punishes his chosen target, servicing the flock of enemies from left to right if the first should fall.
—
To-hit (I forgot to add haste, which I have now done):
34 for 23
45 for 22
35 for 23
30 for 20
01:22, Today: Bharash rolled 33,23,44,22,34,23,29,20 using 1d20+27,1d8+15,1d20+27,1d8+15,1d20+22,1d8+15,1d20+17,1d8+15.
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Vogh
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Round 3
The ray that had hit Vogh twisted her bones inside her. The pain was excruciating and had her bending over in pain. She did manage to look up those to see the last of the arrowhawks fall to Bharash’s arrows. Thankfully that threat had been averted without any loss of life to her companions. Even the Bralani had faired well it seemed. She could see them up above flying about now that the arrowhawks were dead and falling down into darkness. Through gritted teeth, Vogh mentally sent out a request. “Well done everyone! I hope that your pain is minimal. I will be okay my bones feel as though they are being ripped from me, but I think I will be okay for even now it is subsiding. Deacon can you have the bralani move the walkway to where we all can cross?”
[Private to GM: I did all the proper calculations this time and all are dead with Bharash’s last attacks.]
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Julia Graymantle
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The last of the Arrowhawks crashed down in a pincushioned wreck. Julia could hear the various grunts, groans, and shouts of pain around her. She positioned herself in the center of the adventurers and sent a wave of healing through them.
Julia has spoken with many people after she had healed them. She found it interesting that they experienced such varying sensations… some a warming sun or a cooling breeze… some a burning or freezing shock…. and some the brief appearance of old memories long lost, there and gone in an instant. She had never asked these companions what they felt, and for a moment she was disappointed in herself for that. She needed to do better for them.
But for now there was a bigger task at hand. That was the trouble, she thought. There is always a bigger task at hand.
Julia cast channel energy, healing allies for 35 HP
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Deacon Havenhold
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As Vogh had asked, Deacon called his Bralani to him to speak. Once they were all there Julia channeled her divine energy healing all the Bralani who each in turn bowed to her and gave thanks, “M’lady, your healing powers are welcomed. Thank you!” They all said in unison as if one being had said it. Then given the task by Deacon they move to the other platform and with 2 on each side and 1 in the middle they picked up the piece and moved it into position to span the gap as it should.
Does it secure somehow?
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Narrator GM
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Round 4
As the bralani grabbed the steel plank and were flying it over, Vogh sensed new emenies dropping out of the dark! Cloakers descended and as they got within 30 feet of the group two dropped directly onto the flying bralani, one of them was bit (7 dmg) but avoided the stabbing while the other escaped both the beast’s attacks.
The air shimmers as the group all feel something inaudible wash over them. Everyone standing on the landing outside the door felt fear and nausea wash over them. An unnerving feeling sets the hairs on the back of everyone’s necks, all the way back to Thorrim in the hall. (Anyone within 60 feet takes a -2 penalty on attack and damage rolls)
(Everyone on the landing must roll 2 saves:
Will DC 15 or be panicked for 2 rounds
Fort DC 15 or fall prone and be nauseated for 2 rounds
All the above are sonic, mind-affecting attacks. If anyone is immune to those, no need to roll the saves and you don’t take the -2 penalty.
Claoker AC 20 HP 60)
[Private to Vogh: Vogh also sensed 4 aberations 100 feet below them and closing. They seemed to be agaisnt the wall directly beneath them.]
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Vogh
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To get the saves out of the way I am putting them all in 1 spot.
20:20, Today: Bralani 1 rolled 7,14 using d20,d20. Both passed
20:20, Today: Bralani 2 rolled 13,5 using d20,d20. both passed
20:20, Today: Bralani 3 rolled 4,10 using d20,d20. both passed
20:19, Today: Bralani 4 rolled 18,13 using d20,d20. both passed
20:19, Today: Bralani 5 rolled 2,1 using d20,d20. passed the fort save, failed the will save .
19:30, Today: Tristan rolled 12 using 1d20. passed
19:30, Today: Tristan rolled 13 using 1d20. passed
19:29, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 6 using 1d20. passed
19:29, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 5 using 1d20. passed
19:27, Today: Vogh rolled 12 using 1d20. fort save. passed
19:27, Today: Vogh rolled 8 using 1d20. Will save. passed
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Deacon Havenhold
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One of the bralani seemed to not make its save against the fear and panicked. It flew over past the companions to the corner and stayed. The other 4 positioned themselves to fight the cloakers and as they did so they drew their scimitars and attacked. The top slashed his scimitar three times and black blood spilled deep into the cavern as the Cloaker fell dead. The second bralani moved into position and slashed three times at the Cloaker as it flanked with its companion. That one fell as well, joining its Cloaker friend in the darkness below. The next bralani also cut his cloaker to pieces and it too fell below. The last bralani hit the Cloaker twice but it wasn’t enough to kill the thing.
From the top down: Hit AC24 for 20, AC26 for 24, AC23 for 19 total:63
20:41, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 24,20,26,24,23,19 using d20+21,d6+14,d20+21,d6+14,d20+16,d6+14.
Next bralani flanked 1 cloaker: Hit AC41(crit) for 40, AC26 for 21, AC35 for 21 total:82
20:41, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 41,21,26,21,35,21 using d20+21,d6+18,d20+21,d6+18,d20+16,d6+18.
20:42, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 39,19,22,24 using d20+21,d6+18,d20+16,d6+18. crit checks.
Other flanking Bralani changed its target at the last moment and slashed 3 times at the Cloaker: Hit AC41(crit) for 42, AC23 for 22, AC21 for 25 total:89
20:42, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 41,20,23,22,21,24 using d20+21,d6+18,d20+21,d6+18,d20+16,d6+18.
20:42, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 37,22 using d20+21,d6+14. crit check.
Last Bralani attack its Cloaker alshing 3 times: Hit AC30 for 20, AC39 for 19 total 39
20:43, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 30,20,39,19,19,17 using d20+23,d6+18,d20+23,d6+18,d20+18,d6+18.
20:43, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 28,20 using d20+18,d6+14. crit fail.
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Bharash
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Between the resounding clatter of the machine itself and the almost inaudible thrumming of the dissonant sonic assault, Bhrash grits his fangs and bears them as his hand continues to dip and rise, metronome-steady through the slow movement of his other arm and the systematic thrum-thrum of his bowstring, each resonant release sending another arrow out to slam into a target with horrifying velocity as he works through the cloakers that haven’t yet been serviced, this time from right to left.
—
Oops, rolled my saves twice by accident. Made them all though, thanks to our bard.
Then it’s cloaker-time!
38 to hit for 17, 28 for 16, 27 for 20 & 21 for 14.
20:54, Today: Bharash rolled 38,17,28,16,27,20,21,14 using 1d20+25,1d8+13,1d20+25,1d8+13,1d20+20,1d8+13,1d20+15,1d8+13. Firing at will!
20:49, Today: Bharash rolled 28,32 using 1d20+14,1d20+15. Saves versus panic & nausea.
20:49, Today: Bharash rolled 20,19 using 1d20+14,1d20+15. Saves versus panic & nausea.
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Talin
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Talin was grateful to have a mental connection to Vogh once again and thought to her ” Looks like you may have had the worst of that. I only felt like I was losing parts of myself. I seem to still be all here… although I haven’t had a chance to check the important stuff yet.”
Between the lighting, fire, and disintegration, Talin was starting to feel less than well. It was a blessed relief to feel the wash of healing from Julia surround and envelop him. It took almost all the pain away… almost. Hmmm… did she leave a little on purpose? No, of course not.
Talin didn’t think it would be that simple, and so was not surprised when the Cloakers descended. He was taken aback by the wash of sickening fear that followed them. For a moment only. He gave the effect a wry smile as it barely touched his mind. Truly, did they not know he controlled the magic of sound and mind? Well, it was a lesson they would not live long after learning.
Talin rolled 21 for Fort save, 28 for Will, avoided both.
21:28, Today: Talin rolled 21,28 using 1d20+17,1d20+21 with rolls of 4,7. Fort Save, Will Save both +4 for being Sonic .
Focusing his shots on the one injured on the far right, hoping to remove as many claws as possible before they could draw more blood, Talin continued to work his bow. Arrow to cheek, breath, release. 1, 2, 3.
The first arrow took the beast in the eye, and as it screamed in pain the second took it through the mouth. One down. The last arrow thunked into the one in the middle. Not enough to kill it, not yet.
Two arrows killing the left most, hits(AC32 and AC37) for 19 and 26 damage. One to the third to the left (AC37) for 21 damage
21:41, Today: Talin rolled 32,37,37,19,26,21 using 1d20+28,1d20+28,1d20+23,1d8+18,1d8+18,1d8+18 with rolls of 4,9,14,1,8,3. Full attack + Haste with bow.
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Vogh
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Vogh could sense more aberrations (Intelligence please) coming up from below. She was beginning to think that if they just sat on this ledge long enough, all the things would come to them without them having to go find them. She hoped that one of the large Cloakers that had fallen would perhaps fall on top of the coming assault. “We are going to have company in a moment. There are 4 more aberrations that I think are climbing the wall just below us. Grabbing your blades might be best. Julia, finish off the last Cloaker will you please! Everyone but the soldiers should come out to the ledge and fight!”
Vogh put her bow away then and pulled out her crystal blades. Even though Julia had mainly healed her of the worse of the pain from before, Vogh still felt very sore as she readied herself for an attack by casting another spell that filled everyone near her with hope.
Cast good hope lasts 12 mins. +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls. The +1 from the blessing doesn’t stack.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan heard Vogh loud and clear in his head and since he had his blade in his hand already he moved over towards where Vogh was to block whatever was coming from being able to snatch Deacon. In the meantime, Tristan cast a spell on himself to better his defenses.
Cast Defending Bone giving himself DR 5/Bludgenoning.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kal was missing out on the action and was getting anxious to draw aberration blood so moved out onto the ledge as Vogh had requested. “Jaylen, you and Hulgar stay with the men!”
When he got into the cavern and saw the whole of the machine he knew this would be quite the adventure to tell the church… if they made it.
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Helmut Itlestein High Priest (NPC)
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The High Priest moved behind Julia, drawing out two battle staves which were strapped in holsters on his thighs. “I’m getting bored.” He said loudly enough for the friends to hear him as he winked.
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Julia Graymantle
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The waves of fear and nausea were there and gone in an instant. As quickly as they had come, the cloakers departed, until only one remained flying. Julia’s bolts fly, each one striking the cloaker. The fourth bolt impacted the corpse of the cloaker just as it began it’s descent into the darkness. 79 Total Damage, 49 Regular, 30 holy (if applicable).
Julia heard Vogh’s warning and took up a position behind Bharash and Talin and readied an action to cast a spell once the creatures appeared.
16:10, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Fort Save. Passed
16:09, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 20 using 1d20+19. Will Save. Passed (Updated to include the bonus from Vogh. Whew!)
16:32, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 34,29,33,27 using d20+21,d20+21,d20+21,d20+15. Attack.
16:34, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 10,8 using d10+9,2d6 with rolls of 1,3,5. Attack 4 Dmg.
16:34, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 11,7 using d10+9,2d6 with rolls of 2,6,1. Attack 3 Dmg.
16:33, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 14,5 using d10+9,2d6 with rolls of 5,2,3. Attack 2 Dmg.
16:33, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 14,10 using d10+9,2d6 with rolls of 5,6,4. Attack 1 Dmg.
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Talin
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Trusting that the last Cloaker would fall to Julia’s quarrels, Talin stowed his bow and drew out the full gleaming length of SolarSong. Sensing and feeling the wash of magic preparations being cast all along their line, Talin sighed. He knew that assuming just hacking away would win the day was foolhardy and arrogant. He needed to add his voice to aid their efforts, just as his companions used their various arts to tip the scales in their favor.
Talin took a deep breath and knew he was going to regret this in the morning when he would be unlikely to generate a sound above a whisper. Shouting as loud as he could, he chanted a verse of futility and foolishness directed at the abominations rising from below.
Talin begins performing Satire. -3 attack and -3 Damage to enemies within 30 ft. +1d6 Sonic damage to all attacks made within 30ft.
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Narrator GM
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Vogh sensed the aberations stopped their ascent along the walls. They were at least seventy feet down from the ledge, directly beneath them and spread out. With a moment to look around those who had their eyes tuned to find magic noticed the entire wall was covered in illusion magic. Every inch of the wall visible glowed with faint illusory aura.
(Top of Round 5. Your turns.)
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Bharash
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Bharash palms the multi-tool hanging from his belt and turns on the spot to extend a blade from it, driving the long, thin metal awl into the wall next to him and rotating it swiftly, then turning on the spot to do the same again as he calls out “You lot, you got bows?” to the band of soldiers backing them up, putting the full force of his Dragonborn lungs behind the call as he steps fluidly one large pace to the left and repeats the motion a third time, stone sliding out of the hole he’s just cut in the wall in each spot.
—
While the wall proper has quite a few hit points (per 10’x10′ section), Bharash (again) ignores hardness and is doing at least 20-odd damage each time, which ought to let him cut three neat (ish) loopholes in the wall through which bowmen can shoot without being exposed to enemy attack.
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Narrator GM
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The soldiers looked to Kalerecent who nodded and they relayed the call back along the line of soldiers. Three men shouldered their way forward with heavy crossbows. Three more stood behind them to aid in reloading.
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Vogh
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“The aberrations have stopped about 70ft away. I am not sure what they are doing since we can’t see them. Deacon can you send the Bralani down there half way and start shooting at them?” Vogh asked through the connection.
For Vogh she just kept looking about the machine for any sign of another enemy.
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Talin
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Talin shouted over the din, trailing off at the end “WELL, THAT’S NOT VERY SPORTING OF THEM. I WONDER WHY THEY DELAY? IT CAN’T BE GOOD. IT SUGGESTS THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMETHING…probably nasty and painful…”.
Talin let his song fade since they were too far for them to be affected. Hell, he wasn’t even sure how far he could use the effect in this insanity. Realizing that he had let some of his other magics expire during the trek, he does a quick gesture and mutters a few sing-song words. Cast detect magic. duration 12 mins
Taking a long look over the edge and looking for other threats or surprises, Talin once again swapped his giant blade for the trusty bow and arrow.
Satire will last 2 more rounds, if anything gets within 30 ft
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Deacon Havenhold
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When Deacon receives the request he acknowledges by giving a commanding to the Bralani. “Fly 10ft down and shoot your bows at the enemy on the wall!”
With a nod all bralani draw their bows while moving down 10ft and each in turn fires at the enemy below.
1st one hit AC39 for 19 damage.
2nd one hit AC23 for 24 damage.
3rd one hit AC41 (crit) for 65 damage.
4th one hit AC23 for 20 damage.
5th one hit AC41 (crit) for 52 damage.
14:48, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 19 using 1d8+16.
14:48, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 32,34 using d20+21,2d8+32. Crit check.
14:47, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 32,22 using d20+21,d8+16. Crit check.
14:47, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 41,18 using d20+21,d8+16.
14:47, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 23,20 using d20+21,d8+16.
14:47, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 41,24 using d20+21,d8+16.
14:47, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 23,24 using d20+21,d8+16.
14:46, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 39,19 using d20+21,d8+16
[Private to GM: Advanced Thralls: 26 AC, 88 HP]
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kal had a chance to look around and when the others had said that there was magic all over the walls he looked at them closer and found that he could only see a wall. “Seems to me like they are just adding magic to this place to throw off anyone looking about for anything magical. The walls are just stone to my sight.”
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Julia Graymantle
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As the Bralani flew down and began harassing the aberrations, Julia spent a few moments preparing her companions for the troubles to come. Stepping into the center of the companions on the landing, Julia held her arms out and asked them to make contact with her. As they did, Julia emits a series of small bubbles that begin to float somewhat unnaturally toward her companions, growing in size and eventually enveloping each of them.
For those of you who have not seen this before, do not fear. The bubble will provide you protection, especially against poisonous vapors, clouds and the like. You will each be surrounded by a bubble of pure air, allowing you to breathe where you normally cannot. It will also allow you to withstand great heat and cold, so it should make the rest of our adventure into the depths a bit more tolerable.
As the bubbles engulf her companions, the oppressive heat of the cavern vanishes, replaced by a comfortable, cool air. The immense pressure caused by the thrumming of the machinery also disappears. Although the noise of the machinery persists, the bass-laden pounding no longer jolts through them as strongly as it had.
Julia casts Life Bubble on the companions on the platform. The bubbles will last approximately 2.5 hours per person. On her next turn, Julia plans to move to Kal’s men in the hall and cast the same for them.
Life Bubble effects: You surround the touched creatures with a constant and moveable 1-inch shell of tolerable living conditions. This shell enables the subjects to breathe freely, even underwater or in a vacuum, as well as making them immune to harmful gases and vapors, including inhaled diseases and poisons and spells like Cloudkill and Stinking Cloud. In addition, the shell protects subjects from extremes of temperature as well as extremes of pressure.
Life Bubble does not provide protection from negative or positive energy, the ability to see in conditions of poor visibility or act normally in conditions that impede movement.
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Bharash
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Bharash takes the few moments respite to improve the loopholes and add a fourth one, giving space for the crossbowmen to pour in fire with a reasonable viewing range whilst still staying out of trouble, then hooks the tool back on his belt. A moment later, he moves to sling his bow as he asks “Well, now what are we doing?”
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Vogh
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As Julia cast yet another protection on her companions and Bharash improved upon the loopholes he had made Vogh looked over the ledge into the darkness. She couldn’t see anything but knew the aberrations were down there and hadn’t moved as of yet.
That was when she heard Bharash over the din ask what was next. “I think we should make our way over while the bralani are dealing with the aberrations below. Let’s make sure the platform is secure first and then we can head over. Kal I think for now your men should stay back with Hulgar and Jaylen. As we clear this machine I can call them forward.”
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Talin
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Despite everything he has seen and experienced so far in his life, and even given the mystical powers he is able to channel, magic continues to amaze him. He stopped and stood in awe for a moment as the bubble enveloped him, pure wonder on his face. He then gave Julia’s hand a small squeeze of thanks, knowing the physical gesture would speak louder over this din.
Catching most of what Bharash said and all of Vogh’s instructions, Talin stepped over to Tristan and leaned close to say “Shall we try this again? Hopefully without interruption this time.
If Tristan agrees, they cross the makeshift bridge, ready to take flight if it falls or is disrupted. Once they across, Talin turns to cover the chasm with his bow, ready to defend their beachhead as the others cross.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Once it seemed that Talin and Tristan had the other side clear Deacon went ahead and began to cross the platform. As he did he looked down to see how the bralani were doing.
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Narrator GM
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(Top of Round 7)
The soldiers moved in place with crossbows and a reloading team ready, excitement in their eyes along with thanks for Bharash’s actions.
Talin and Tristan made their way across the metalic platform. It didn’t rock on them, and felt sturdy, but everything was vibrating. Standing on the outer ring was not difficult, at about five feet wide; however, the scafolding shook and shuttered due to the constantly spinning and moving machine that was in the center of the room. Both of the seasoned warriors knew fighting on this platform would be precarious.
They could now see there were connecting catwalks that led to an inner ring, which was right up against the colossal machine. Moving parts extended five, and sometimes even ten feet out from the machine, even as the whole thing rotated with varios portions spinning in different directions at different speeds.
Looking down they could see another level about twenty feet below them which had similar catwalks. No way to reach the section below them was apparent, but on the next section down they could see a ladder going down to a third section, then things faded into blackness beyond. No one was able to see the floor or ceiling of the huge underground cavern.
All Deacon’s brave warrior bralani descended deeper into the darkness. No sound of battle rached their ears over the roaring, hissing and clanking. Talin and Tristan also noticed steam venting out from sections, seemingly at random. The hot and moist air would scald anyone it came in contact with, plus it coated the metalic scaffolding with moisture, making footing even more tenuous. Thankfully the grid pattern of the walkways caused most of the water dropplets to fall through to the blackness below.
[Private to GM: Off camera, Rhodintor cast dispel magics on the Bralani and they are all gone now.]
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Vogh
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When the Bralani got close to the 100ft of her hindsight, Vogh called to them to return. At the same time, Vogh motioned for Julia to come across with her. Once she was about halfway she called to the others on the other side. “Move to the inside ring so that the rest of us can come over! Oh, and Deacon, the Bralani are on their way back.”
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon was fascinated by the machine as he drew closer to the center. He wanted to know more about it and so looked at the thing with an expert eye. “Okay, ask them if they saw anything else. I am busy with figuring out this machine.”
19:38, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 38 using 1d20+18. knowledge engineering.
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Narrator GM
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Vogh was surprised that shortly after she called out to the Bralani, her connection with them was severed. She knew they had not passed beyond her range. One moment she was talking to one of them and could sense their presence, the next, they were totally gone.
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Narrator GM
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Deacon inspected the machine for a few moments while the others were moving around and over (staying round based mindset, 6 seconds). He could tell the thing was massive and incredibly complex. It must have taken months, maybe years, to construct something this huge and convoluted. The mechanics of the behemoth were unlike anything he – or likely anyone – had ever seen. Measuring almost 50 feet in diamater the thing had innumerable moving parts. The wizard could tell being on the inner ring would be dangerous. Deacon also noticed a round hatch about three feet in diamater which seemed to have a combination lock on it, similar to a safe’s door.
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Bharash
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“I know this looks like one hell of a fight, but cover us. If we need to back out of here, you’re going to be keeping the bastards off us.” Bharash rumbles through the loopholes he’s cut, only for Julia’s reply to bring him back to the front of their little landing.
“Uhhhh, I don’t know if it has escaped your notice, but that’s a pretty significant amount of ‘down’ they’ve got there.” Bharash observes, leaning over the edge and peering to the point where his darkvision fails and he’s left just staring into the abyss, “And I do not like the look of that scaffolding. I meant in more of a ‘what goal are we aiming at?’ sense.”
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Vogh
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Vogh wasn’t sure what happened to the bralani but she figured they had been dispelled because she lost contact with all at the same time. “Seems like there is a spell caster here. Someone dispelled the bralani. I don’t know if they took care of the aberrations or not for I lost sight of them as well.”
Vogh made it to the other side and saw Deacon inspecting the machine. “Deacon what did you find there?”
When Deacon explained what he found Vogh joined him to look over the locking mechanism and search for graps both magical and mundane.
10:05, Today: Vogh rolled 30 using 1d20+23. Perception check
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia gathered the remaining soldiers who were positioned just at the doorway and cast Life Bubble on them as well. Then, hearing Vogh’s direction, Julia moved across the walkway and crossed over to Deacon. Julia continued to scan the cavern, looking for the aberrations or any other threats that might lurk below. Julia also spared a glance for the inner ring with all of its dizzying, moving parts.
Vogh, I think we should not linger on this machine. Maybe we should even consider flying down. At the very least, we should hurry. We are certainly in danger on these walkways. She let her thought drop there and resumed studying the bewildering machine.
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Vogh
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“I was just thinking that we should get the ropes out and begin tying ourselves to one another. That way if someone did accidentally fall we would be able to catch them.
Also, Deacon found a round hatch about three feet in diameter which seems to have a combination lock on it. I am looking at it now.” Vogh thought to Julia and everyone else.
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Narrator GM
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(Top of Round 8)
Vogh looked over the mechanism and saw no magic or traps of any kind. It seemed the door simply locked with the combination and opened on internal hinges which they couldn’t access. She had to keep moving to avoid the constantly spinning and twisting pieces of the machine.
Vogh sensed a group of low intelligence (5) outsiders moving up from the depths into her telepathy range. There were a dozen. Two dozen. And more coming!
Anyone looking down saw small, flying monstrocities flying toward them. These things were the stuff of nightmares! Best described as a squirming mass of tentacles with a beaklike mouth at its center and flapping batlike wings, at least a dozen, maybe more, of these freaky creatures were flying up toward the group.
(They are 20 feet away from your feet, flying up out of the darkness.
AC 19. HP 19. Damage Reduction 5/+1. Spell Resistance 15)
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Bharash
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Caught with his bow slung, Bharash grips his swords and takes up a defensive stance just back from the edge of the precipice, ready to cleave the first flying thing that gets anywhere near him into pieces… And also serving as a lure to bring them in to where the crossbows can get a shot off.
—
Five feet back from the edge (so the crossbows don’t need precise shot) and waiting with a held action. Hopefully the soldiers will get a couple.
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Talin
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Talin was eager to explore the catwalk to find the ladder down but held off until everyone was across. His green eyes were constantly scanning below and above, looking for potential pincushions for his bow.
He stayed on the outer row, to cover an attack from below as Vogh and Deacon inspected the machine. Not really a good time to set down roots, with the footing so bad and an ambush almost certain, but Talin doubted he could drag Deacon away from a relic like this with a team of horses. As for Vogh… well, a good mystery and a chance for a sharp fight always got her blood going… as she did his.
Once Vogh relayed to them that the Bralani had vanished, Talin found as firm of a purchase for his feet as he could and unconsciously began counting his arrows with his right hand.
As soon as the monstrosities appeared from below, Talin let three quick volleys fly. Waiting only enough time per shot to make sure his target went down before moving to the next.
Three thumps of string on bracer, three whistles of wind passing over fletching. Nobody could hear them in this din, but everyone could see three of the beasts fall.
Full attack with +1 Bow, Hit AC47 for 28, hit AC41 for 21, hit AC34 for 26
14:34, Today: Talin rolled 47,41,34,28,21,26 using 1d20+30,1d20+30,1d20+25,1d8+20,1d8+20,1d8+20 with rolls of 17,11,9,8,1,6. Bow shots Full attack.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon had just dodged some machinery that came whipping around from his left and as he looked down he caught sight of something… no a lot of something flying their way. He had no idea what they were but knew he needed to hit whatever it was with some of his magic.
First, he thought to use Yaeshla, but her spells wouldn’t be able to hurt as much as a shot from the wand that shot fireballs he had gotten from the halfling. He pulled out the wand and pointed while saying the command word. From the tip of the wand, a small red-glowing pea shot out at a group of unreal-looking monsters.
21:02, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 22 using 5d6. Fireball DC 14 for half to all within the red circle. CL check 15, beat the spell resistance.
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Vogh
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Vogh knew time wasn’t on her side so she couldn’t take as long as she wanted on the lock and it proved to slow her down just a bit but after looking at the mechanism she thought she might have gotten it.
07:44, Today: Vogh rolled 39 using 1d20+24 ((15)). disable device
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia startled at Vogh’s voice saying something about a hatch she was trying to open. Julia saw Talin with bow drawn, firing downward and instictively aimed her crossbow, now seeing the flying vermin approaching them. In an instant she is one with the weapon, load release, load release.
Julia makes a full attack and hits with 4 bolts. AC 39 for 22 (10 Holy, 1 Sonic), AC 36 for 20 (8 holy, 2 Sonic), AC 21 for 27 (7 Holy, 4 Sonic), AC 38 for 26 (6 Holy, 2 Sonic)
09:29, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 18,6,2 using d10+9,2d6,1d6. Attack 4 Dmg.
09:23, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 16,7,4 using d10+9,2d6,1d6. Attack 3 Dmg.
09:23, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 10,8,2 using d10+9,2d6,1d6. Attack 2 Dmg.
09:23, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 11,10,1 using d10+9,2d6,1d6. Attack 1 Dmg.
09:29, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 38 using 1d20+20.
09:22, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 39,36,21 using d20+20,d20+20,d20+14.
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Narrator GM
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Every bolt from Julia and arrow from Talin felled one of the disgusting beasts, but there were dozens more. Deacon’s spell exploded, but to his surprise, none of the monsters dropped or even seemed purturbed by the fire. [Private to Deacon Havenhold: (I’m sure Deacon would know the difference between Bypassing Spell Resistance and Energy Resistance, right?)]
Then, as if hell wasn’t already breaking lose – or open – certainly things escalated when Vogh clicked open the lock to the machine. It was impossible for anyone to have heard the click, even Vogh didn’t, but the moment her lock pick disabled the mechanism a telepathic scream soundling like dozens of voices resonated in everyone’s brain inside the chamber!
Everyone of the allies had heard Vogh’s telepathic speach, and this was nothing like that. It sounded more like children screaming, high pitched and shrill, but only audible in their minds and not out loud. Furthermore, all of the monsters flew up and assaulted Deacon and Vogh, ignoring everyone else in the chamber. So thick was the air around the two, the rest of their allies could barely even see them through flapping bat wings and slapping tentacles!
(Roll20 Updated)
[Private to Vogh: Vogh: Make a concentration check.
Only 2 hits against Vogh, none against Deacon.
9 Damage. Then she needs to make 2x Fort Saves DC 16.
Fail the first and she takes 1 point of strength damage immediately
Fail the second and she takes 4 point of strength damage immediately
If you fail either, the same damage happens the next round until you make a successful save.]
[Private to GM: If Vogh makes the concentration check, not sure the DC, then let her know half a dozen venom shaped thralls, and a dwarf, are making their way up the walls of the cavern, 3 thralls on the side nearest the landing, 3 and the dwarf on the far side of the machine from her. Caldor Sharptongue will speak to them telepathically from 100 feet away.]
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Josiah Crand (NPC)
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Josiah was finally happy to be of assistance. He drew forth a longbow which glowed with holy power, fitted and loosed an arrow which exploded one of the flying abominations before they swarmed Deacon and Vogh. The angelic humanoid spread his wings, ready to take flight.
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Helmut Itlestein High Priest (NPC)
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Helmut and Thorrim both ground their teeth in frustration, as neither had a ranged weapon. However, the cleric was anything but powerless. He fell into spell casting and a canine-headed humanoid appeared beside Vogh, betwixt the swarming beasts. The Hound Archon immediately slashed at the abominations with his greatsword. Vogh and Deacon both felt the effects of the archon’s constant protection from evil wash over them. Unfortunately it didn’t drive away the beasts flying around them.
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Bharash
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“What the hell am I, chopped liver?” Bharash grumbles audibly, advancing again to the gantry edge and looking at it with an expression of deep distrust before putting a boot on it, leaning in a couple of times and checking it’ll take his weight then advancing to where the others are making their stand and stopping behind the stalled-out group who are blocking the narrow walkway, where he audibly – even over the background noise – growls “Well this isn’t the best tactical layout I’ve seen!”
—
Moving up, but I doubt I can slip past friendly squares on the wet, slippery and narrow walkway.
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Vogh
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Vogh had unlocked the door and was hit by the telepathic scream. Thankfully, Vogh trained heavily with noise so it didn’t keep her from completing her task of opening the door. Just as she opened it though she felt the first attack attempt from the creatures. She turned to defend herself managing to only be hit a few times. Then her blades were in her hands and were ready to strike at the oncoming assault.
“Guys, 6 aberrations and a humanoid are coming up the walls. They are just inside 100ft but aren’t moving much closer. 3 thralls are on this side of the landing and 3 more with the humanoid are on the opposite side of the landing from us.”
Vogh struck with her blades and it was near impossible for her to miss with how many of the things that were next to her and Deacon. One, two, three, four slashes and 4 dead things fell to the ground.
21:32, Today: Vogh rolled 29,30,42,30,20,30,32,29 using D20+23,d8+25,D20+23,d8+25,D20+18,d8+25,D20+18,d8+25.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon went on full defense having no solution for why these things didn’t seem to have taken much damage. Another blast from the wand would be a waste and he didn’t want that. So, Deacon just put Yaeshla before him and tried to batter any would-be attackers away.
Full Defense for Deacon
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Talin
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As the creatures flew past and descended on Vogh and Deacon, Talin was tempted to start carving a path to her…. and him. As the would have involved carving through Bharash and Julai, and SOMETHING fro Helmut that he couldn’t quite see, he decided the bow was still the sensible tool for the job.
He worked the bow again, taking into account the close nature of the monsters to his companions and placing each shot with quick but measured precision. No arrow would find a friendly eye. 3 shots, 3 hits. All beasts.
Mentally to Vogh he thought “Was now really the time to poke at strange locks”
Hit AC43 for 28, hit AC 39 for 28, Hit AC 32 for 25. These would all be hits even with the -4 for shooting into a melee
15:39, Today: Talin rolled 43,39,32,28,28,25 using 1d20+30,1d20+30,1d20+25,1d8+20,1d8+20,1d8+20 ((13,9,7,8,8,5)).
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Julia Graymantle
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As the creatures fly up and past her, Julia continued her smooth motions. As the creatures zipped through the air, Julia’s bolts hit and drop them. Two fell just as they reached the catwalk, a third was halfway to Vogh when a bolt caught it pinned it to the machine. Another was headed straight for Deacon, and as he stood, waving Yaeshla at the bats. Just as the creature was about to reach him, a bolt caught it, carrying it off at an awkward angle, its lifeless corpse bounding along the inner walkway, around the curve of the machine.
Julia hits with 27/38/27/32, dealing 29, 23, 20 and 24 damage.
16:23, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 14,7,3 using d10+11,2d6,1d6. Attack 4 Dmg.
16:23, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 12,7,1 using d10+11,2d6,1d6. Attack 3 Dmg.
16:23, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 12,9,2 using d10+11,2d6,1d6. Attack 2 Dmg.
16:22, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 13,10,6 using d10+11,2d6,1d6. Attack 1 Dmg.
16:22, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 27,38,27,32 using d20+20,d20+20,d20+20,d20+14. Attack Rolls.
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Narrator GM
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(Top of Round 10)
[Private to Vogh: Vogh senses the humanoid and aberrations close ten more feet up the walls, slowly. They were roughly 80 feet down from her position, outside everyone’s dark vision.]
“S-s-s-stoooop!!!” A stuttering voice echoed through everyone’s minds.
“D-d-d-don’t hurt my machine! I will kill a-ah-a-all of you if you damage my creation! My m-m-m-master will destroy you!”
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Talin
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With hope that this parlay works better than the last, Talin projected his voice over he noise . “ call off your creatures and we can talk. Let us see if this can be resolved without more violence. To man or machine. “
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Narrator GM
———————————————————–
A moment passed then the flying abominations all soared up and out of the groups vision.
[Private to Vogh: Vogh could still sense them above their heads. 70 feet or so.]
The voice retuned to their minds. Everyone could hear the person speaking.
“There. The obaan will leave you alone while y-y-y-you exit. Now go! Before I sick much worse o-o-o-on you!”
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Talin
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Talin lowered his bow, but didn’t become any less ready for action. He thought to Vogh “Well, we got him talking. What about those coming from below? Did they leave too?”
To the voice he said “Thank you good sir..or madam…. It is a pleasure to find a reasonable entity willing to discuss matters. I assure you that we did not come down here with the intention of harming this machine. It is truly an amazing construction and certainly we could not be blamed for wanting to take a closer look. I assure you again we have done no harm to it.”
“We came here looking for cultists that are bent on harming the City, if not reality itself. Do you know of these ones we seek? Is this machine somehow related to their plans or just an amazing wonder that we have unwittingly stumbled across?”
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Vogh
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Vogh heard another voice in her head. That makes two within the last minute. She wondered if all the creatures here were linked by telepathy. It certainly would make sense with all the noise the machine makes.
“The humanoid and thralls have only moved 10 more feet and stand about 80ft below us. Ask him what the machine does exactly. Oh and ask him how to avoid all the moving parts.” Vogh said in everyone’s heads.
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Julia Graymantle
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As Talin begins speaking with the creature, Julia slides past Bharash. She makes eye contact with Talin as he finishes speaking, she holds her hand out to him, motioning silently for him to take it. As he does, she whispers a few words under her breath, calling a small blessing upon Talin in his endeavor.
Julia casts Enhanced Diplomacy on Talin. Subject gets +2 competence bonus on a single Diplomacy or Intimidate check. Subject must choose to use the bonus before making the roll to which it applies. Lasts for 1 Minute or until discharged.
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Narrator GM
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Again, everyone could hear the voice responding to Talni’s questions. “Yes. Yes. Yes. The cultists. We are not t-t-t-them. No. This machine is not theirs. It’s mine a-a-a-and my masters. They gave us some stuff, but w-w-we don’t care about their plans. They abandoned their t-t-t-temple after the recent attacks. Go! Go attack them! T-t-t-they are crazy zealots. We are just engineers.”
When Talin asked about the purpose of the machine there was a bit of a pause. “The machine gathers energy from chaos to be u-u-used to power other chaositech and even some magic. N-n-n-nothing nefarious here. Nothing for you to fear. We h-h-h-have NO desire to destroy the city. But you must l-l-l-leave from here. My master will not tolerate this invastion.”
(You can roll sense motive and you will know he’s speaking truth.)
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Talin
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Talin took a moment to read the voice and its words. Sense Motive check: 31
Pulling on all his oratory skills, and a little boost from Julia, Talin sought more information from the voice. Diplomacy check using Julia’s boost: 34
“It is reassuring to hear the truth in your words. But you must understand our concerns, a device made or powered by anything from these cultists sounds concerning. They have bad intentions for the city, and they are likely to aid only those things that bring chaos or help their cause. I would know more to help ease our minds. Once we are set at ease, we can leave this place and your device in peace. Who are you, and who is your boss? Do you know where the cultists are now?
15:47, Today: Talin rolled 34 using 1d20+21 with rolls of 13. Diplomacy check +2.
15:44, Today: Talin rolled 31 using 1d20+19 with rolls of 12. Sense motive using oratory performance skill.
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Bharash
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Inches from laying into the swarm of flying things, Bharash slows down and then stops, his blades pausing in mid-air and just sort of hanging there for a moment before he lowers them and, sighing slides them into his scabbards before remarking ‘I too, have questions but talking across each other just gets confusing as hell.’ and stepping back to the outer ring in order to make a ‘stand down’ gesture to the soldiers then heading over to address them directly, opening the door to call through “So hey, looks like there’s an intelligent mind here and the others are talking to it. And yes, this is fairly normal for us. Just don’t let your guard down and hopefully we’ll be back on the trail of the cult shortly.”
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Vogh
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“Something about this isn’t right. The way he is speaking lends me to think there is more. There are many ways, to tell the truth, but still not give all the information. Keep digging Talin you are doing a wonderful job. I am going to check out the inside of the thing a bit closer. Deacon come with me you have a piece of good working knowledge of mechanical things.”
Both will move into the chamber beyond the door and inspect it.
06:31, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 31 using 1d20+18. knowledge engineering.
06:30, Today: Vogh rolled 40 using 1d20+23. perception check.
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Narrator GM
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The voice, even mentally was perturbed. “Listen to me delver. Or not delver. Whatever y-y-y-you are. None of this came from those fanatics. C-c-c-chaos is all around, like magic. They have no m-m-m-monopoly on it’s power. They seek their psychotic gods. T-t-t-that’s all! I created this wonder and… NO!!!”
As Vogh entered the machine the humanoid screamed into everyone’s minds.
“Get out!!! Get her out right now or I will unleash everything on you!!!”
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Narrator GM
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Inside the door Vogh saw a makeshift tunnel less than 5 feet in diameter. Instead of one, unbroken tube of metal, the passage was basically a collection of pipes, wires and mechanisms. The heat inside was tremendous. There we’re moving parts inside as well, but none seemed to enter the hollow area so as to endanger anyone.
After a span, likely halfway into the machine, it seemed there was a tunnel going up and down with a ladder opposite the tube she was looking into.
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Vogh
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“You claim that you have nothing to do with the cultists but you have cultist-controlled thralls working for you and they are all over this chamber and the one before we got here. That is no coincidence I am thinking. I will not advance any further if you tell us why this machine is here and what its purpose is. Also, one other thing I would like to know is if you know anything about Wuntad and the Night of Dissolution.” Vogh sent through telepathy so everyone could hear it.
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Narrator GM
———————————————————–
“Stay where you are… Do not move one m-m-m-more inch… Yes. Yes. They gave us things because they t-t-t-thought we were helping their cause, but we’ve given them n-n-n-nothing! And I have TOLD you why the m-m-m-machine is here! My master and I built this to h-h-h-harness chaos and use the energy for machines, m-m-m-magic, power for experiments. My machine will not h-h-h-harm the city! It will HELP it! Yes. Yes. The f-f-f-fool Wuntad and his Ritual. It’s HIM you should be b-b-b-bothering! I don’t know where he is though. I’ve n-n-n-never met the idiot, just his lackies, and them o-o-o-only a couple times. Master and I don’t want t-t-t-them here. The simpletons seek to destroy everything with their g-g-g-gods of chaos. Dullards! What good is destroying e-e-e-everything?! Before you ask, no, I don’t know where t-t-t-they are, and I don’t care. I just w-w-w-want to do my research in peace! So go. G-g-go! Get out of my machine and leave. Go k-k-k-kill the people who truly threaten this city and d-d-d-depart me in peace! My patience wears thin…”
[Private to Vogh: Vogh could sense the strange creatures were descending toward her, slowly, circling and constantly flying, likely going to attack again if she moves inside the machine.]
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Bharash
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“Yeah, so hang on a minute I think they might be picking another fight. Again.” Bharash states with almost artificially intense calm before closing the door and sticking both fingers in his snout before whistling as hard and as loud as he can, then declaring into the mental link “Okay, okay time out! Time out! Deacon, Vogh hold on for like, one minute. Clockwork Sam, ease back on the threats!” as he makes a ‘T’ gesture with both hands for all and sundry to see.
“Look, Sam. You don’t think you can safely defeat us with what you have on-hand or you wouldn’t be talking. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean you can’t defeat us. And guys, he’s not going anywhere. We can take a hot minute to talk without Vogh or Deacon moving from where they are and I doubt they’ve got anything on their side that could stop you from making one hell of a mess in there if they try anything.” the big Dragonborn points out, pitching his case to both sides and looking to see if there’s any sort of agreement on those two key points for a minute.
Assuming sudden violence doesn’t kick off, he points out “Sam. We’re here because we followed some clues that led us here. After some Killravens tried to poison us we went looking for a bunch of assholes who robbed us. That took us to an apartment building full of transformed bug-people like the ones you had on guard. From there, we hit up Wuntad’s temple underground and after like, three raids? Two raids? Several raids, we captured a group of unguarded cultists who directed us here. Somehow. I’m sort of vague on what they told us because I wasn’t there for the interrogation, but they definitely put us onto you. Now we aren’t going anywhere without some answers so maybe you’d like to take a few minutes out of your busy day to provide them as an alternative to it getting suddenly and abruptly very messy in here. Like, giant rending explosions and complicated mechanisms filled with summoned acid messy.”
—
Mediocre, but something!
23:27, Today: Bharash rolled 22 using 1d20+14. Intimidate.
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Talin
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alin felt that Vogh and Bharash were making the right points with the voice and focused his attention on what might happen if this goes sideways.
Talin reached out to Vogh through the mental connection, savoring the sense of intimacy the direct mental link gave him. “I would hold off on too much more obvious inspection of the interior but try to figure out as much as you can. Especially what might happen if we need to destroy this thing and how that might best be accomplished. Also, is there space in there for us all if needed?
Talin caught Julia’s and Tristan’s eye and motioned toward the door in the machine, preparing to use it as a choke point in case things went off. Assuming the battle would come quickly to them, he freed SolarSong.
He left Bharash out of the gesture. His behavior after seeing the painting was concerning. He seemed to identify much more with the subterranean fauna than with the team. Once the thought would have been ridiculous, but now there was doubt in Talin’s mind on whether Bharash could be relied upon to come to the group’s defense. If he somehow related to the voice more than the team, might he just sit a fight out? Ludicrous. But Talin couldn’t shake it from his mind.
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Narrator GM
———————————————————–
(Top of Round 12)
OOC: Everyone on the catwalks, make a will save vs mind affecting compulsion if you have bonuses for those.
[Private to GM: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/c/confusion/]
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia loaded her crossbow as she listened to the conversations going back and forth. It felt like more of the same that they had gotten from the fire giant. Delaying tactics.
She muttered softly to herself, Bless Parnaith, but this is a giant machine. then looked somewhat surprised that she had spoken at all.
Just then Julia caught Talin’s glance and understood his slight nod toward the door and prepared herself to move, if necessary.
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Talin
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Despite the still thunderous noise and impending danger, Talin looked looks unfocused across the group and began speaking in a voice impossible to hear. His words are lost in din, and he did not appear to be directing them at any one person.
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Clockwork Sam
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Laughter echoed back into everyone’s minds. “Killravens? Ha. They are a joke. You all a-a-a-aren’t too bright are you? Do you think the c-c-c-cretin cultists you caught would send you toward their OWN p-p-p-people? Much easier to point you in the d-d-d-direction of someone they don’t care about. Did you e-e-e-ever think about that? Not likely. Now I’ve given y-y-y-you the perfect alternative. Go, find Wuntad. He’s got t-t-t-the items they stole from you. Kill him. End t-t-t-their ritual. Destroy all the halfwit cultists for a-a-a-all I care, and leave us be. Now… The o-o-o-only reason you’re still alive, is the fact that I d-d-d-don’t want to risk hurting my machine.”
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Julia Graymantle
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17:48, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 25 using 1d20+16. Will Save.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kalerecent had his the Sword of Truth out and had been listening to the nonsense the voice was speaking. If he was using chaos to control people and conduct experiments on people like these thralls then he needed to be stopped. Vogh had given him an idea of where the humanoid was and he was quickly going to be making a tough decision. “Or they were thinking about how to make a better way of life for themselves and that can only start by fixing what had been broken. So as a peace offering giving you up and this piece of work you have here. I will not allow such a monstrosity to continue to operate so near to the city I protect!!!”
16:54, Today: Kalerecent rolled 29 using 1d20+16. Will save.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan had been wanting… no needing to do something, anything. The demon things that he had just attacked here are perfect examples of something. Then the person in his head began to speak and honestly Tristan didn’t care either way what happened here. He was here to end whatever the chaos cultists were up to and to kill demons. He was beginning to wonder where those things were. “If you are using chaos to do chaotic things and the chaos cultists helped you build this machine then it too must be destroyed for the cultists mean to destroy the world and this is just another tool of theirs to use even if you think it yours.”
16:57, Today: Tristan rolled 20 using 1d20+16. Will save.
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Vogh
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Vogh didn’t move from inside the machine even though she knew that the bat-like things were coming closer again. The others were getting antsy and understandably so.
“As my friend has said we aren’t going anywhere until we get better answers than those you have given. You can throw everything you want at us but YOUR machine will surely be destroyed in the process. I will leave the inside if and only if you come up here and speak directly to us. Last offer!”
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Clockwork Sam
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A short pause preceeded the next response from “Sam.” “Fine. But there is someone else here who wants to talk to you.”
[Private to Vogh: Vogh sensed an outsider that just appeared about 90 feet below her. 16 intelligence.]
“Greetings…” A voice touched each of those on the platform and even the telepathic connection felt disgusting and disturbing.
(Everyone who rolled Will Saves before, roll again.)
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Talin
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will save for 15
Note : should be 15 instead of 13. Added +2 to my 9 will save instead of 4.
14:04, Today: Talin rolled 13 using 1d20+11 ((2)).
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Julia Graymantle
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17:48, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 23 using 1d20+14. Will Save.
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Talin
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. Talin uses Second Chance to reroll will save for 23
15:41, Today: Talin rolled 23 using 1d20+13 ((10)).
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Bharash
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Oblivious to the doubts of his friends, Bharash puts up with the mockery from the voice of the machine with little more than a snort, continuing to stand at the edge of the antechamber (he went back, one may remember, to address the support squad) as he replies ‘Actually, I did consider that. I’ve been worried for a while now that we were deceived into chasing off the wrong way while the bastards we wanted to stab were laughing into their sleeves… And then you turned out to have the same bug men guards… Also, y’know Sam, the giant chaos engine isn’t exactly reassuring.’, head tilted as everyone else chips in – including the monstrous tones of whatever the hell Sam just invited in.
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Vogh
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Vogh heard the new voice and felt the outsider come into her mindsight about 90ft below them. She didn’t know the others had been mentally attacked at that moment so couldn’t speak on that but she did have something to say and not to the new player on the field. It was time to make a move before they were caught just standing around.
“There is a makeshift tunnel less than 5 feet in diameter. The passage is basically a collection of pipes, wires, and mechanisms. None of the moving parts seem to enter the hollow area so it wouldn’t hurt us all but it would be tight. We could conceivably travel below via this tube.”
After a span, likely halfway into the machine, it seemed there was a tunnel going up and down with a ladder opposite the tube she was looking into.
“Time for action everyone. They have given us zero information to prove they are innocent. We have been attacked repeatedly and it is time to go on the offensive.” Vogh began her song in their heads and then cast haste once more on Talin.
” Those that can fly should meet them head-on. I will be jumping off the platform using my ability to feather fall to keep me from dying.
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon decided to cast a spell on Vogh, he didn’t want her jumping off anything and this would let her still move down the outside of the machine if she wanted.
“Climb down instead Vogh. You will be able to control your descent and be able to attack as well. Bharash I can cast fly on you if you want me to…”
Deacon cast spider climb communal giving each of them an hour of spider climb.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan didn’t cast anything but knew that the enemy was targeting the group and he wanted to spread it out and make it less easy for them to hit more than one person. He felt his speed increase again and smiled at Vogh’s thoughts to them all. He had already been thinking as much and when he looked back behind him he saw that Kal was looking at him he smiled.
Tristan could tell that Kal had the same type of armor on and knew the paladin could fly as well so, with a nod and an arm flap movement to Kal, Tristan jumped off and enacted his armors ability to fly.
Tristan and Kal can descend at 120ft per round and then attack. We need a map showing what is what, so I can take the rest of his turn!
Tristan swung his blade and connected easily on the disgusting beast before him. He wished he had been able to unleash a blast of electricity but he didn’t have the time to do it before slashing at the fat thing. Tristan eyed this thing wondering what it was.
18:44, Today: Tristan rolled 25 using 1d20+23. knowledge planes.
18:43, Today: Tristan rolled 43,21 using d20+23,d10+16. crit check.
18:42, Today: Tristan rolled 41,18 using d20+23,d10+16.
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Narrator GM
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Top of Round 13
(Remember to keep OOC knowledge you read here separate from what your character knows. But I don’t want to post this where only these characters can see.)
Tristan and Kal enacted their armor flight ability and descended the ninty feet to the platform below, passing 4 other catwalks with spinning mechanisms similar to the ones they had seen on the first level. Words could not express what they saw when they reached the level which contained their enemy.
What they saw nearly caused both of them to gag and wretch, but their stalwart wills and warrior instincts kept them focused on the task at hand. What they saw was a grossly obese humanoid form with no hair. It had a wide, toothy mouth, claws for hands, and short horns on its head. From its back sprouted vestigial, rotted wings. Sores oozed pus and bile covering the fat flesh. Most of the skin hung off the disgusting creature, pocked with holes from which intestines and other guts spilled out, spurting fluid constantly.
Kal swiped with the Sword of Truth. His aim seemed true, but for some reason that made no sense to him the creature seemed to dodge his attack. Tristan connected and split into the beasts flesh, spilling more gross intestines, bile and ooze from the beasts body.
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Talin
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Talin was late to pick up on the look between Tristan and Kal as he shook off the effects of… something. Whatever it was, it was mild compared to what tried to get him when Sam’s boss spoke. It hooked his mind for the barest instant, but bards have that special way of spinning fate to their fortunes. Sometimes. This time fate was with him, and he had avoided whatever it was trying to do to him.
All that put him a step behind the blades as they leapt off the edge. Only a step though. Saying the word of power to his Celestial forged armor, Talin leapt after them. The sight that awaited him at the bottom was revolting and made him glad he had refused Bharash’s offer of a sandwich earlier. He might never eat again.
Whirling SolarSong above his head in a two-handed grip, he aimed to empty all of this thing’s guts over ledge. His overhand slash seemed true, but the grotesque entity somehow blurred out from under his strike.
. Will save for 33 successfully avoids effect. Roll of 1 for miss chance fails.
13:11, Today: Talin rolled 33,70,2,1,39,31 using 1d20+13,1d100,1d4,1d100,1d20+32,2d6+22 with rolls of 20,70,2,1,7,3,6. Will save, revulsion saves, 10% miss chance, attack .
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Julia Graymantle
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First Kal, that beautiful fool, and Tristan jump over the edge of the ledge, and a moment later, Talin, another beautiful fool, follows. I guess the negotiations have failed. Deacon, Talin, move down the machine. I’ll follow the fools over the ledge.
And with that, Julia said a command word, and small wings sprounted from her boots. She took a few steps and dove over the ledge, following the others down, to her almost immediate regret.
The foul thing below was like pure rot come alive. The creature was horrendous, but she had dreamed of worse things, and she shook off the feeling of revulsion that tried to overtake her.
As she approached, staying a short distance behind her companions, she thought back on all the years she had studied. Had she ever encountered a description of something like this?
Something caught in her memory, a small thread that pulled something deep in her memory. She had read that small excerpt as a child. She was sure she wasn’t supposed to be in the study, to be seeing what lay open upon the desk, and she had been thoroughly scolded for digging where she didn’t belong.
Julia searched her memory, but it had been so long ago, and just a small passage about him. She could not pull up the memories, they were too long lost in the mists of childhood. Then suddenly something, like a small whisper floated from somewhere in the distance behind her, reaching over her shoulder, and it was there. Julia shouted with her entire being, STOOOOOOOOOOP!!!! Don’t attack it! It revels in violence done to flesh! It is unkillable! The Despoiler! You are the Despoiler! I know you for what you are, foul creature! Why have you abandoned your shrine?
Vogh, we must stop this machine. There is no question. It must be destroyed, now!
20:46, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 27 using 1d20+13. Will Save.
20:47, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 32 using 1d20+16. Knowledge Religion
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Bharash
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placeholder
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Narrator GM
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The vile creature spoke into all their minds, but clearly it was speaking to Julia. “My shrine? Why… this is my shrine, my delicious morsel.” Its voice, even mentally, felt filthy. Like slime coated every word and left a film of rot inside their own minds.
(Roll will saves, Bharash, Julia, Kal, Tristan, Talin)
It shuffle stepped back, fat rippling while intestines writhed like snakes, oozing and dripping on the catwalk. It clearly was not fast, short legs beneath rolls of filthy, disgusting, sagging skin.
Opening wide its toothy maw which stretched the width of its hideous face, its body rippled with the effort and a horrific, corrosive spew sprayed out in a cone over Julia, Kalerecent, Tristan and Talin. Acid burned at their flesh, but far worse than the burning corrosion, was the accompanying contents of the vomit. Rotting flesh clearly riddled with disease and even such disgusting vermin as maggots, worms, and flies coated the valorous companions.
(Reflex DC 23 for half of 31. Roll a Fort Save. Plus a DC 18 Will Save against Revulsion. If failed, roll d100 for shaken or nauseated for 1d4 rounds.)
To make matters worse, Julia, Kal, Tristan and Talin felt shards of metal stab into their backs where a Thrall became visible sticking to the wall and pointing a large tube with insane wiring and flexible hoses proceeding from it. The razor sharp metallic pieces slashed into them, also hitting the monster beyond them which seemed not to mind.
(Reflex DC 16 for half of 17.) [Private to GM: Harrower Emitter]
On the top platform Vogh, Deacon and the Hound Archon were dive bombed and swarmed by the flying squid-like creatures. Deacon got bit once on the shoulder. (2 dmg. Deacon roll DC 16 fort save or take 2 immediate STR dmg.
Vogh & Deacon need to make a reflex save to avoid being hit by the spinning machine. DC 15.)
[Private to Vogh: 5 of the aberrations and the Humanoid all move up 40 feet, so are now 40 feet from the top level. You can sense them, but you cannot see them, likely invisibility.]
(Top of round 14. Everyone can go)
[Private to GM: Remember Rhodintor levitating up. Currently below 100 feet and can move up 20 feet per round.
Remember reflex saves and steam venting]
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Bharash
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Clinging half-on, half-off a gantry as he kills his momentum, Bharash continues to grumble under his breath as he hauls himself up onto his feet and runs inwards along the narrow, greasy walkway, hands going to his scabbards and then falling away again at Julia’s mental cry, answering “Don’t attack it? What in the nine hells are we supposed to do to it then, tickle it?” while yet another wave of mental energy splashes against his sheer, thick-headed obliviousness without noticeably impacting his mind.
One way or another though, he drops down on the far side of the thing and cheerfully attempts to draw its attention with a good-natured “Gah, talk about a face only a mother could love… And here I thought Deacon looked rough first thing in the morning.” as he moves to one knee and slashes with the machete-like tool held in both hands, left and right… At the gantry.
—
Okay, moving (and drawing) then dropping down a level behind it… And hacking with my adamantine tool (at a -4 because it’s not a weapon) at the walkway it’s standing on. Hopefully it, being a fat beggar won’t hang around for long. ^_^
01:59, Today: Bharash rolled 6 using 1d20. Anything but a 1.
01:51, Today: Bharash rolled 20 using 1d20. Will save.
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan didn’t know what Julia was speaking of but he did notice that his attack had absolutely no effect on the grotesque monstrosity. Then the thing spewed forth a nasty mix of acid and vomit at them all. The acid burned his flesh but he had fought against outsiders before and knew that he would take damage either way. Then one of the thralls appeared behind him and shot something at him slashing against his armor and flesh opening up even more wounds.
Deciding that since he could harm the big thing, Tristan turned cast a quick spell, and then attacked the thrall. He needed to only fly out 5ft to be able to hit the thing with his exceptional reach. His blade hit the thrall and sent an explosive shock through the thrall which killed the thing almost instantly and it fell before him still twitching from the power of his attack. “That felt really good!!!”
Cast an intensified shocking grasp then using spell combat and spellstrike
Hit AC37 crit check 26 for 110 damage
Hit AC26 for 25 more.
08:16, Today: Tristan rolled 37,17,38,26,25,16,21 using d20+19,d10+16,10d6,d20+19,d10+16,d20+14,d10+16.
08:16, Today: Tristan rolled 26,25,30 using d20+19,d10+16,10d6. crit check.
All saves made!
07:53, Today: Tristan rolled 5 using 1d20. reflex.
07:53, Today: Tristan rolled 13 using 1d20. fort.
07:52, Today: Tristan rolled 14 using 1d20. reflex.
07:52, Today: Tristan rolled 14 using 1d20. d20+16.
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kalerecent heard Julia’s call and then hell seemed to open up on him and his friends. Kal stood tall even as the acid and vomit hit him and even as the metal shards sliced into him. He was a rock for his friends to see and gain hope to defeat such a foe.
Kal knew he couldn’t hurt the despoiler as Julia had called it and since he and his friends were injured he decided to cast a spell to aid them.
08:42, Today: Kalerecent rolled 12 using 5d6. channel energy which includes the thing. Kal heals an extra 10 points.
Succeeded all saves
08:31, Today: Kalerecent rolled 13 using 1d20. reflex.
08:30, Today: Kalerecent rolled 5 using 1d20. will.
08:30, Today: Kalerecent rolled 8 using 1d20. fort.
08:30, Today: Kalerecent rolled 11 using 1d20. reflex.
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Vogh
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Vogh was still inside the machine when the critters came rushing down to attack Deacon and the Hound Archon. They even made it into the machine to attack her but she easily defended herself from their attacks. Quickly Vogh told the others where the enemy was. 5 of the aberrations and the Humanoid all move up 40 feet, so are now 40 feet from us at the top. You all keep up the fight there we will take these here.
Vogh at first had thought to fight with her friends below but with the enemy advancing she thought her was the best so she struck out at the ugly little creatures from inside the door.
Serenity and Clamour struck out three times and dropped three of the creatures dead.
How many are there?
09:44, Today: Vogh rolled 25,26,28,27,28,27 using D20+20,d8+23,d20+20,d8+23,d20+15,d8+23.
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Deacon Havenhold
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When the things descended on them and attacked again he dodged and turned to avoid most of the attacks but one managed to sneak in a bite. Deacon felt something from it but shook off the effects quickly and with Yaeshla still extended before him he tried something else this time. Fire hadn’t hurt it so this time he tried cold.
Yaeshla reveled in her defense of Deacon. Swatting the attacks aside one by one. But then she felt something from Deacon, something beckoning her to unleash her power once more. So with glee, she released a powerful gout of cold that would freeze most things in its place. He aimed it to get the most effect without hitting the others on the other side (Helmut and such).
09:48, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 51 using 15d6 reflex save DC17
09:53, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 3 using 1d20. overcome SR of hound archon.
Made both saves
09:29, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 15 using 1d20. Reflex save
09:29, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 11 using 1d20. fort save
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Narrator GM
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Tristan, Talin, Bharash and Julia couldn’t miss the disgusting beast’s reaction when Kalerecent sent out his wave of healing energy. Kal couldn’t control his channeling like Julia could, so it washed over the creature the same as it did his allies. However, the corrupt chaos abomination’s reaction was in stark contrast to the allies. Where Kal’s positive energy touched it, the rotting flesh burnt and writhed, then the beast screamed in rage in each of their minds.
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Julia Graymantle
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The Despoiler spoke in her mind in that rotten voice, but it could not shake Julia. The detritus-laden spew that erupted from the Despoiler a moment later, however, was unbearable. Julia’s nerves were shot as the filth covered her from head to foot. She might have lost control if it were not for Kal.
Julia had turned her head to avoid the filth, and saw Kal, watched him respond to the attack with courage, and then felt a warm breeze wash over her as he channeled. The scream from the creature caused Julia to turn her head back, and she saw the result of Kal’s channel, the bits of charred flesh, and the Despoiler writhing.
Unkillable, indeed. Covered in rotten sewage, Julia turned to the Despoiler, with a wink of hatred in her eye. Delicous Morsel? Despoiler, I think you’ll rather find that this group will ruin your appetite. You should have stayed in your stone circle, for here, only your end awaits you.
Julia called upon her divine power, that familiar warmth. ‘Parnaith, whoever you are, be with me’, she thought to herself. ‘We have business, still, and I would rather see it through.’
With that, Julia extended her hands outward, and a healing wave erupted from her, taking in her allies as well as the Despoiler. All of them embraced in the healing energies ( Channel for 60 pts of healing).
OOC: With Spirit Boost, anyone in who is at their full HP will also have up to 12 additional temporary HP for the next 12 rounds).
Julia uses Channel Energy with Enhanced cures (9d6 healing energy on everyone within 30 ft). 60 total healing (41 +19 from Talin)
Will Save 1 – Creature’s voice: 21
Reflex Save 1 – Projectile Vomit: 25 – Success, takes 16 dmg
Fort Save: 14
Will Save 2 – Revulsion: 20 – Success
Reflex Save 2 – Attack from minion: 16 – success, takes 9 dmg
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Talin
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Talin did not think he would ever feel clean again. Never. And if Vogh saw him like this, she would probably never be able to touch him again without vomiting.
The vomit took him full in the face as he opened his mouth to perform a special number in response to Julia’s knowledge. Somehow he managed to keep his stomach and his mind… there was definitely a chunk of something that went straight into his throat. Fortunately, if it can be called that, his attempt to shield his face by spinning away let him catch sight of the attack from the rear. He was able to avoid most of that shrapnel, although he did wonder if it would be better to be dead.
By the time he regained the ability to open his mouth, the combined healing effects took away all the physical damage he sustained… nothing could ever take away the mental damage though. CHUNKS!!! in his MOUTH!!!
Throwing all his anger into the words, he boomed the Hymn of Healing across the gantry, then did the hardest thing he could possibly imagine. Talin flew close enough to touch the puss-filled pimple of a demi-god.
Healing hymn – everyone who can hear him gains +19 on healing spells (not items). Moved to touch range
Saves vs vomit attack
Reflex save of 15 against DC 23 – hit for 31 Damage
Will Save 20 vs DC 18
Fort save 17 vs DC 14(?)
Save vs. Thrall Attack –
Reflex 26 against DC16 for half damage – 9
Total Damage taken – 40. With Healing from team, at full HP
10:25, Today: Talin rolled <orange>15,20,17,26 using 1d20+13,1d20+14,1d20+9,1d20+14 ((2,6,8,12)).
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Bharash
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Bharash – in the process of quite literally sawing the vile things footing out from under it with the intention of making it gravities problem instead of his, observes it start to burn horribly and then grins, remarking “Or, you know, there’s always plan B.” before hooking his tool onto his belt, taking a deep breath… And then with a battle cry of “Laundry!” hurling himself at the creatures back with – it would appear – every intention of getting it into a slim, disgusting headlock and pinning it for Julia to finish off, the dragonborn visibly holding his breath and turning his head away in a desperate attempt to avoid more than the absolute bare minimum amount of squishing contamination he has to put up with.
—
Okay, as a move action I sheathe my any-tool, then as an attack I grab it.
It gets an AoO against an AC of 32.
14:21, Today: Bharash rolled 37 using 1d20+19. Euuuuuw, grapple.
If I succeed, in addition to my attempting to stuff its head into its own stomach, it must succeed in a concentration check to get any spells off (DC 29 spell level).
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Helmut Itlestein High Priest (NPC)
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Unfortunately, Deacon’s use of Yeshlas powerful magic destroyed the hound archon Helmut had summoned. But thankful it also destroyed all of flying creatures. Their bodies froze solid in mid-air and clattered below, pieces of their bodies shattering off as they hit the catwalks and spinning pieces of the machine.
Helmut cast a spell on himself, then with a battle staff in each hand he strode across the gangplank and joined those on the top level, looking around for more threats.
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Josiah Crand (NPC)
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Josiah unfurled his wings and with several strong beats, lifted from the ground and flew across the expanse to join Helmut on the outer ring. Likewise he cast a spell upon himself, bring mage armor around himself. He still gripped his bow, with an arrow knocked. Looking about for more enemies.
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Narrator GM
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My how the disgusting beast screamed below. Even those on the first level heard both the primal howl. The pained and furious cry echoed in their minds as well.
As the dragon warrior charged the beast’s claw slashed out much faster than it’s body shuffled. The nimble despite his size fighter dodged the filthy appendage just barely to then get around behind and tackle the best.
Bharash felt filthy skin beneath his hands. Everything was squishy, wet and slippery. He would likely later admit regret at squeezing the obese humanoid because as he slammed into it’s rippling, fat flesh an ungodly cloud erupted from the abominations hind-end.
Roiling fog spewed from it’s body with nauseating odors no living creature should smell! The cloud rolled over itself and Bharash, then extended out to reach even those on the outer ring. The flatulence was as dense and thick as the clouds overhead, obscuring everything more than 5 feet away.
(Fort Save DC 15 or be Nauseated for 1d4+1 rounds. Roll the duration for each of you. If you make the save but stay in the cloud you’ll have to roll the save again each round you remain.
P.s. it did pass the concentration check for using an at will spell while grappled.)
[Private to Bharash: Bharash’s worries extended beyond the disgusting vapor murk, because after the beast released its horrible fart it stepped off the catwalk and plummeted toward the ground.
Ooc: Will he be able to hold on to the beast falling when his feather fall ring enacts its power?]
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Narrator GM
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Helmut, Josiah and Deacon each see a venom-shaped thrall appear from invisiblity as they fire chaositech weapons at them. The beasts had moved up to the same level as the catwalk and shot.
Deacon saw Helmut (10 dmg) look like he was punched in the back by a charging bull from the ray which emenated from the thrall nearest him. A second beam shot just barely past Deacon, the elf feeling the power pass so near his body. Helmut managed to maintain his footing on the catwalk miraculously, and avoided falling over the edge.
Josiah was shot at twice; however, the celestial-man was extremely fortunate as the first weapon exploded in the hands of the thrall, killing the creature instantly! The limb body and destroyed chaos weapon dropped out of sight below. The second ray, black and deadly, slammed into him though and tore at his flesh and wings in an agonizing disintegration. (25 dmg)
[Private to Vogh: Vogh sensed six new threats move into her mental range. She could tell they were right against the outter ring of catwalks. Vogh felt like they were some kind of humanoid, but not something normal. They weren’t outsiders exactly, but they also weren’t “normal” humanoids. She had sensed this feeling once before in the room which Deacon exploded and dropped the room on those creatures.]
(Top of Round 15
Remember your vision distances. Use the ruler on roll20 to know what your character can see. For example, Josiah can only see the thrall that attacked him while I think Deacon could see two of them.
Anyone on the inner ring must make a DC 15 reflex save or be knocked off.)
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Bharash
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Most people think of the primary virtue of plate armour being the big pieces of worked metal that stand off blade and shot alike, but in fact they only form one half of its much-lauded protection, the other coming in the form of the padding worn underneath – as each plate (unless pierced) distributes force over an area, so too does the padding distribute force over time as it compresses under a blow.
So much, so good save that this result in a necessity that it decompress again after a strike, a quirk of physical law that Bharash has cause to regret over the course of the next few moments as each padded part of his hauberk and harness soaks up more than its own weight in chunky, greasy, decomposing fluid before squirting it back out again each time he moves.
Holding his breath staunchly (and not even thinking about thinking about biting the damn’ thing) Bharash takes a firm hold of it by the back of the neck and one arm, twisting and pushing to move it into a pinned position on the gantry… And in the process sinking his gauntlets inches deep into pus-yellow-green flesh that oozes greasily, spattering fetid material permeated with wriggling life over his armour and the padding beneath. The fecal stench erupting from the bruising grip he’s pressed into its unnaturally pliable hide wars with the stink of the gas cloud encompassing it and corrupt slime coats the thing, the gantry and Bharash himself.
It’s a testament to the adventuring life that so far, the whole situation is only a candidate for the most disgusting experience of his career.
Stepping into his hold, he moves to slam the thing face-down onto the metal but simply can’t get a good grip.
—
Ouch. Good thing that a grapple check isn’t an attack roll so it’s not an auto-failure or botch. ^_^
16:22, Today: Bharash rolled 20 using 1d20+19. Pinning check.
16:14, Today: Bharash rolled 30 using 1d20+13. Fortitude save.
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Talin
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As Talin stood there, literally covered head to toe in what resembled (and felt!) like something dredged from the bottom of the worst sewer in the undercity, then birthed out of a zombie mother’s putrid canal, and then eaten and regurgitated by a necrotic bird… he stopped and said a silent apology to Julia. No twisted berating or bizarre conversations would ever be annoying enough for him to ever forget this moment. As the literal fart cloud washed passed him, and the clear outline of pure air was visible around him, he almost wept.
“Payback time, you dingleberry on a godling’s hemorrhoid” . Talin knew that didn’t make any sense. And he didn’t care.
He let the healing song fade from his lips as he threw the curse at the creature. The magical effect would last long enough to deal with this thing. If they where still fighting this thing when it finally faded, they would likely just call it a life and take a long bath in a deep volcano.
Talin gathered all his will and fortitude. Then he touched it. And let loose the strongest healing spell he could at it.
Targeting the Despoiler with a touch attack for Cure Serious Wounds.
Touch attack to hit – 27.
Caster level check of 17 to overcome spell resistance
45 healing from Cure Serious Wounds
19:05, Today: Talin rolled <orange>27,17,45 using 1d20+19,1d20+12,3d8+31 ((8,5,6,7,1)).
</orange>
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Kalerecent (NPC)
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Kal could feel the agony the creature had when he released his channel and healed everyone near him and then as Julia blasted it with even more healing Kal smiled wide. The Despoiler was going to feel the full divine power of Lothian and Kal would reveal in the fact the evil monstrosity would suffer.
Kal flew over to the inner ring behind the thing and reached out to touch it. As his hand touched his disgusting flesh Kal release a powerful healing into the thing.
Hit touch AC29 for 19+19=38 positive healing + healing hymn.
06:09, Today: Kalerecent rolled 29,19,97 using D20+21,5d6,d100
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Vogh
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The best thing Vogh could do right now was to give everyone the whereabouts of the enemy. She had detected more movement below so that meant the others were going to need help. She couldn’t just go down though for Deacon and the others up here needed her as well.
“Looks like there are more humanoid-like creatures coming near you all down below. They are in the outer catwalk so prepare yourselves.”
Vogh then pulled her bow out and leaned out far enough to shoot at the thrall she could see. Her first arrow hit the thrall in the chest but the second clanged off its hard exoskeleton. The last arrow hit it in the face killing it. Instead of falling down into the depths though, it hung limp on the side of the chamber its claws stuck in the stone.
Hit AC26 for 18 damage. Hit AC39 for 19
07:58, Today: Vogh rolled 26,18,22,21 using D20+23,d8+17,d20+18,d8+17. Shoot bow
Forgot haste attack 21:00, Today: Vogh rolled 39,19 using D20+23,d8+17
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Tristan (NPC)
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Tristan was pleased his attacks had felled the thrall and was looking for a way to attack the thing before him but there just wasnt any room to do so. Then Vogh called out more enemies on the move towards them. He couldn’t see anything at the moment but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. He worried about Julia so exposed on the outer catwalk so flew over next to and readied an action to strike anything that appeared. “I got your back Julia!”
Hit AC27 for 21 damage.
08:16, Today: Tristan rolled 27,21 using D20+21,d10+16
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Julia Graymantle
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Julia was surrounded by a fog of flatulence, but the Life Bubble kept the stink at bay. Although she could not see through the fog, she could hear quite clearly where the Despoiler was struggling to free himself from Bharash’s tackle. Julia had spent her entire life watching the world through a fog, so it was not difficult for her to navigate through the murk and approach the Despoiler. She hovered between Kal and Talin, and reached out with a surreal calmness as she neared the god-beast.
She came so near to him that she could make out the black marbles that were his eyes. She saw him writhing and hissing in Bharash’s grasp to no avail. Despoiler, God of Rot, you’ve cursed our world for far too long, laid many good people low. It is fitting that your putrid journey should end here; helpless, hopeless. A waste to the very end. You should know the names of your conquerers. Talin of the golden voice; Kalerecent, holy champion of Lothian; the mystic warrior, Tristan, and I, Julia Graymantle, disciple of Parnaith. Julia reached out with both hands and cradled the swollen, half rotten head of the despoiler between her hands. It is good that you came here, Despoiler. And now I think it is time that you depart.
A bright, white light forms between Julia’s hands, engulfing first the head, and then the entire body of the Despoiler.
Julia casts Heal on the Despoiler for 120 HP healing. Spell DC 22.
20:22, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 30 using 1d100. – Miss Chance
20:20, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 32 using 1d20+12. – Spell Resistance (Natural 20)
19:21, Today: Julia Graymantle rolled 21 using 1d20+12. – Touch attack
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Deacon Havenhold
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Deacon somehow managed to dodge the black ray that came at him, perhaps it was that last meal that he didn’t eat??? Deacon almost laughed at himself at the thought. His attention didn’t stay distracted for long for there were enemies needing killing.
He turned around to see the thrall that had shot at him and fired off 5 globes of force which hit the thrall easily but the power behind the spell wasn’t quite what he wanted.
20:05, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 14 using 5d4+5. magic missle.
20:08, Today: Deacon Havenhold rolled 18 using 1d20. reflex save
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Narrator GM
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Hate blazed in the creatures eyes as Julia floated toward it. Maggots squelched out from its ocular orbs, straming blood after them. Puss oozed from the rippling fat. Black blood dripped from open wounds, sliding down exposed intestines like greased pipes to clog the catwalk’s grate openings. It tried to flex ripped and blistered wings, but a certain steel clad boulder had it locked in a death grip. One arm was likewise pinned by Bharash’s crushing grip, but it managed to slash a diseased ridden claw across the woman’s arm. (Critical hit. 25 dmg. Roll Fort Save DC 14 against Devil Chills disease.)
The attack did nothing to deter the locked on cleric. Her hand touched slimy, boil covered flesh and unleashed godly powers the likes of which no one in the room had ever seen. Julia had never before used the ultimate healing spell in her arsenal. Likely she expected only to feel the tingle of her lesser healing spells, but that’s not what happened.
Darkness was chased from the entire chamber as Julia’s body glowed. Her eyes lost all color, turning pale white which Bharash was able to see perfectly as he stared into her blazing face. Vogh, Deacon, Helmut and everyone else above saw light rush up from below. Looking down they witnessed Julia flying next to the most hideous monster any of them had ever seen. No one had to shield their eyes, nor could have had they wanted to, as the light didn’t bother them at all and only lasted a moment.
However all were able to witness as the despoiler grew in size at Julia’s touch. It screamed so loud the entire chamber echoed with the sound, shaking the machine and catwalks even up to the first level. Bulging into a tightly stretched and bloated ball, ichor, blood, guts, maggots and all manner of filth started squirting out of the expanded beast like a fireball erupted inside its guts.
Bharash was throw back from the creature’s back, unable to wrap his hands around a now fifteen foot diamater inflated sphere. As the sound of the scream died away in the room a silence followed, then the overstretched obese and torn skin exploded!
(Everyone on the catwalks make a DC 20 Reflex Save or be knocked prone. Make a DC 15 reflex save if you fail the first to avoid falling off the catwalk. All those flying/floating near the monster are pushed back 10 feet.)
Gore flew everywhere, even banging into catwalk two levels above the creature’s position. All near it, except Julia, were coated in festering and burning purulence. Once again they felt acid burning them in conjunction with the indescribable filth.
(All those near the monster – except Julia – roll DC 23 Reflex for Half of 43. Also do the Revulsion saves bundle again.)
No gore seemed to touch the floating and glowing woman! [Private to Julia Graymantle: Roll a DC 18 Will save or float to the catwalk and pass out. Safe from falling. If you pass the save, then just know Julia’s body just went through an insane surge of power.]
In the light the six monsters Vogh had mentioned became visible. Six demon creatures which resembled humans mixed with goats were floating up, nearly to the allies by the beast. Julia, Bharash and Deacon recognized the red demon-like creatures, Rhodintors, from the Pythoness house. However, they had only seen red skinned versions of the beasts. Two such were floating near them now, but there were two which were blue, and two which were black also. No one knew what the color differences meant.
As darkness enveloped everyone once again, a final mental scream from the beast stabbed into everyone’s mind like a hot poker being rammed through their eyes.
(Everyone take 20 damage. Everyone.)
The allies saw even their enemies clutch their heads in agony the same as them. When the light completly faded and the underground cavern was once again pitch black the hissing and clanking of the machine returned to everyones ears once more.
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