Another Glyph! Round 39 (DM Cayzle) Wednesday February 15th, 2006 7:32:18 AM
To open the door normally would be a DC18 check. An Arcane Lock adds 10 to that DC. I'll grant Black Paws an extra +2 due to size (the DMG suggests a +4 if it were BP who was rolling). So Monthor's 24 gets a +2 boost from Black Paw's Aid Another, and an extra +2 size bonus -- exactly enough to break through!
Monthor and Sarigar burst through the door. Monthor goes another 20 feet onward. He sees that the corridor ahead bends. At the bend there is a magic flame cast on the ceiling lighting the bend. Under the flame there is a large wicked looking rune written on the floor.
So Renik's clever idea about sharing his ring is not needed. Just as well, for the fingerless sake of Sarigar's canine friend.
(Sorry this is hurried. I'll try to get a map out tonite, but no promises.)
monthor Wednesday February 15th, 2006 9:35:40 AM
" It's another one of those rune thingings. One of you magic using girlies do something about it! Me want my hands around Serge's scrawney little neck! "
:: Monthor waits.... not so patiently. ::
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-11=203), AC24/21) Wednesday February 15th, 2006 2:35:25 PM
Once the door cracks from it's frame and opens up the hallway, Sarigar bounds down the passage. As he approaches the bend where the torch hangs and the rune is scrawled, he holds up. The last strange writing like this the pack encountered made everyone act funny.
Sarigar crouches down next to it, careful not to touch it. He cranes his neck toward the rune, staying just back from it and sniffs at it. Not sure what to make of it, he points back to the others, then at the rune and tries to say something, but can only mouth the words. Obvious frustration at his mutness is seen in his eyes.
Black Paws shakes the dust and splinters from his coat, giving the others time to pass. Lucky, since it looks as if he might clog up the works if he goes through too soon.
Draax AC 23, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Thursday February 16th, 2006 3:42:51 AM
A loud groan escapes Draax's lips when he hears there is another rune. "Can any of you magic types tell if this rune is the same as the other one? I remember a few years ago one of these trap type runes blasted me across a room. I do not want to find out what surprise this one holds."
Cayzle OOC Thursday February 16th, 2006 7:08:21 AM
Wating for more posts!
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Invisible, Blessed, Blinking, Protection from Evil, Flying d20+14=21 d20+14=32 Thursday February 16th, 2006 7:09:13 AM
Renik pauses at the glyph. He too has known these things to be extremely dangerous. He awaits Arien's inspection of the magic rune before passing it.
He keeps his senses alert for signs of the enemy (Spot 21, Listen 32).
Feng AC 23 HP 52/ 117 Thursday February 16th, 2006 10:19:59 AM
"You know I miss the days with the masses of undead and rampant disease. This Sage is getting on my last nerve. He's dug himself in quite well and had time to lay plenty of traps. Just how long has be been here?"
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance d20+10=30 Friday February 17th, 2006 12:29:54 AM
Seeing the rune Arien quickly casts a Dispel Magic in an effort to negate it. (Dispel Check: 30 nat 20 yay!)
(Ack real life intrudes the worst times, my car died recently and I've been in a frenzy trying to figure out how to get to work and a tow when I am near broke. Well things finally came together today *whew*)
The Inner Sanctum! Dum-Dum-DUMMM! Round 40 (DM Cayzle) Friday February 17th, 2006 6:04:20 AM
Arien's dispel takes effect and the rune vanishes with a pifff.
You have the sneaking suspicion that what may be the longest three minutes of your life are about to pay off in a final confrontation with Sahnhan the Sage.
Someone (Renik? Not True-Seeing Tratain, not yet!) takes the quickest of peeks around the corner, and sees this:
You have reached the inner sanctum of the Sage. It is a large chamber, open without obstruction, well lit, offering no shadows at all in which to hide. At the back there are several doors.
In the room you see:
A large number of Sages, shifting and moving back and forth, clearly a mirror image, but so many!
About ten huge ants, led by what must be a gigantic ant queen!
Three elves, in chains, chained to the floor, each with a human or half-orc guard.
Note that it might be hard indeed to avoid the elves if an area-effect spell, like a fireball, say, were cast into the room. Not impossible for the clever, but hard.
Note that the ceiling is 20 feet high. You could fly over an ant, if you didn't mind the AoOs. You can't fly over the queen -- her head brushes the ceiling.
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Invisible, Blessed, Blinking, Protection from Evil, Flying d20+24=25 d20+21=23 d20+14=28 d20+14=28 d20+3=15 Friday February 17th, 2006 8:57:02 AM
Renik pulls back and quickly whispers his findings.
"There are 10 or so giant ants, one bigger than the rest. The sage has mirror image cast upon himself. Tratain, you target him, you should be able to see the real sage amongst the copies. There are guards on each of the elves. I'm going to focus on them. They may have been given instructions to to slit their captives' throats. Give me a few seconds to get into position before you begin the attack.
Arien, maximum damage to maximum number of enemies without harming the captives. Draxx, keep back with Arien and target your fire on the guards first.
Everyone else get in amongst them. Protect Draax and Arien. Good luck!"
Then he slips out of the corridor, hugging the shadows of the ceiling as he flies silently to a position directly above one of the guards (AU62), ready to strike. Along the way he will keep an eye out for signs that he has been spotted, aware that the ants' scent ability may alert them to his presence.
(Hide 25 + Invis, nat 1! MS 23, Spot 28, Listen 28, Sense Motive 15).
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-11=203), AC24/21) d20+17=22 d6+4=5 Friday February 17th, 2006 11:42:10 AM
As the rune flashes out of existance, Sarigar, from his vantage point (he was at the run, sniffing it and pointing to it) he takes a peek around the corner and sees what Renik saw. He digs his claws at the stone floor in anticipation of the fight that will surely ensue. Despite the seemingly overwhelming odds, he's more than tempted to just dash in and start ripping away until his teeth are on the Sage's throat, but Renik's words of a plan hold him back...barely. His body tenses up and he begins shaking with adrenelin. (Holding action to charge the first ant, AC22, Dmg5 if the signal is given or Renik cries for help)
In the rear, by the door, Black Paws bares his teeth and Tratain can hear a low growl begin issuing from his throat. He begins breathing hard and his hot breath brushes over Tratain's head. The distinct impression that Black Paws might just run over him any moment flickers in his mind. (Holding action to move as close to his brother as possible once a path is cleared)
Feng AC 23 HP 52/ 117 Friday February 17th, 2006 5:22:46 PM
Feng tenses. This Sage was very crafty and seems to have control of the situation even now. Besides the large ants and the huge Queen how where they supposed to find the real Sage.
"Perhaps the Sage isn't even here. Maybe its an illusion designed to think he used this mirror image spell you say he has."
MonthorHP 75, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+25=40 d10=9 d6=4 Friday February 17th, 2006 10:47:28 PM
:: Monthor will stay close by Arien and await Renik's and the mage's action. Once that is done, He'll charge into the melee and enter the frey. ::
ooc> advances to Ak61 and attacks the ant at AJ 61. I don't think Monthor gets there and has an attack this round but, just in case... Hits AC 40 for 29 ( 9 roled +12 strengt + 2 weapon specilization +2 weapon bonus )physical damage and 4 fire damage (33)
Oh and are the ants considered "giants"? If so, vs the ants, Monthor's AC is increased by 4 (dodge) to 26, 27 vs the first ant and 31 vs AoO)
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Saturday February 18th, 2006 5:20:21 PM
Draax switches to his bow and will move to get a better aim on the enemy. His exactly location will depend on where Arien moves, Draax will stay a square ahead of Arien and to Arien's left to stay out of his line-of-sight.
OOC DM Cayzle Monday February 20th, 2006 6:55:58 AM
Friends, fair warning. This is now the most dangerous encounter of the module. There is significant risk of death or worse. We absolutely need every player to post ever round.
Who are the buddies for Tratain and Arien? The primary divine and arcane spellcasters of the group have to be busy every round. Let's post for them asap.
I'm e-mailing Joe and Adam.
Carl Monday February 20th, 2006 7:58:12 AM
Cayzle, I'll post for Arien. Could you mail me his latest sheet please?
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] d20+12=31 d20+13=15 d20+13=28 Monday February 20th, 2006 12:57:30 PM
Tratain Moves down to the Room to AA 60 His True seeing should let him see through the illusions of the Sage. He casts Dimensional Anchor on the sage.
Hits Touch AC 31, No Save. If a Spell Resistence Check is Required Used Hero Point to Make the Check 28.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance (Subbed by Carl) Monday February 20th, 2006 3:44:46 PM
Arien prepares his spell and gets ready to move. He waits for Renik to get into position, mentally preparing himself for the battle to come. He draws his maximising rod as he does so.
Should he hear signs that the battle has begun he will move to Z60 and cast a maximised lightning bolt that should hit 2 ants and 5 of the sage images (line from AA60 to AW60 for 60 hp, REF for 30 hp).
Battle Commences: Round 41 (DM Cayzle) d20+6=7 (dispel check) d20+5=21 d20+5=9 (ant bolt saves) Tuesday February 21st, 2006 8:04:46 AM
Renik moves up to AU62, flying invisibly over two huge ants. Their scent ability does alert them to the invisible flier, as Renik passes within five feet of each. However, it would take a move action to pinpoint the rogue's square, so no AoOs are allowed. However, they are clearly aware that Renik is in the vicinity.
Sarigar and Black Paws may move up, if they wish. (Remember that you can move through an ally's square with no penalty -- just not end your move in an ally's square.) The ants, due to the magic that makes them so big, also have damage reduction 10/magic. Are Sarigar's or Black Paws' attacks magical in any way, as with an amulet of mighty fists or a magic fang spell? Please post the square in which you wish to end your moves.
Feng moves up enough to see the entire scene (what square?!?). He spends the rest of the round looking closely at the many images of the Sage. He notes a curious thing ... there are two sets of images! In one, the sage has his hair mussed, in the other, combed. In one, the sage is looking ready to act, in the other, he is digging out a spell component.
Monthor moves up to the front of the battle but does not have time to swing.
Draax moves with Arien into view. He is ready to shoot.
Tratain moves up. He sees through the mirror images, but there are still TWO sages! Which one does he target with his spell? The one nearer the Ant Queen (58AW) or the other one (60AW)?
Arien moves with Draax and casts a lightning bolt. One of the sages had a Dispel Magic readied to counter, and he uses it as Arien casts. That means opposed caster checks, if I am not mistaken. The sage rolls a 7 (nat one!), and fails to beat Arien's roll, whatever it is! Arien's spell has a DC 22, as I figure it, with Int and feats. Both ants fail and are scorched near to cinders. Severly wounded, just one more hit will take out each.
The sages are scorched (I'll roll their saves in a bit, but I am absolutely sure both survive).
Now it is the monsters' turns, but before I do that, i really want to know where Feng, Sarigar, and BP end up. I moved them a bit in the map; please refer to this round's map and last round's when doing movement. Please give coordinate positions when you move.
So I need posts from Feng and Sarigar before I do the monsters. Then everyone can post for Round 42. Sorry if I am drawign this out, but I don't want anyone to complain that I didn't give them a chance before they died. :-)
And the Map! (NOTE: Does not show monster moves and only partly reflects all PC movement!) (Have to get to work. Map up SOON!) Here's a pdf version.
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-11=203), AC24/21) d20+5=23 d20+5=22 d20+5=15 d20+12=32 d20+12=24 Tuesday February 21st, 2006 11:48:22 AM
Seeing the elf just before he was going to rush in, Sarigar quickly thinks up a different strategy. As if on cue, Black Paws begins to dash forward and his brother swings up onto his back like an expert horseman (Ride 23). As Black Paws continues to sprint straight at the first ant, Sarigar rises to his feet in a crouching position on his brother's back. (Ride 22, Balance 15)
Five feet before the ant, Black Paws pulls up short (AI60-AJ61)and Sarigar leeps with all his might (Jump 32+4 from BPs speed, nat 20, enough for a 35ft jump) and flies through the air right toward the guard with the closest elf Ref 24 to detemine how well he landed/aimed, if he can plow into the guard, so much the better but I'll leave that to you =) ).
ooc: From being a Lost Child, both Sarigar and Black Paw's natural attacks are considered magical weapons, at their current level, +2.
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) d20+19=34 d20+14=28 d20+9=26 d8+3=9 d8+3=5 d8+3=5 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 4:32:56 AM
Draax fires three arrows at the closest guard (62AP) that is guarding one of the elves.
(hit AC 34 for 9dmg, AC 28 for 5 dmg, AC 26 for 5 dmg, 19 dmg if all arrows hit)
Monthor Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 6:08:57 AM
ooc> We still waiting for Feng?
Cayzle: Nah. But I DO need Tratain's targetting and attack rolls for the Dimensional Anchor. See below.
Battle Commences: Round 41 continued! (DM Cayzle) d20+15=16 d20+15=32 3d6(3+4+4)+16=27 (Ant AoOs on Sarigar) 5d4(2+1+3+1+2)+5=14 (QMM vs Monthor) d20+15=29 d20+15=31 d20+15=28 d20+15=20 (three of four hits on Sarigar) 3d6(5+3+6)+16=30 3d6(6+1+2)+16=25 3d6(5+5+5)+16=31 (3 damages vs Sarigar) d2=1 (roll to fight Mon or BP) d20+15=34 d20+15=30 (two atts on Monthor) 3d6(4+6+5)+16=31 3d6(5+3+6)+16=30 (dam on Monthor) Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 7:31:14 AM
Renik moves up to AU62, flying and invisible.
Monthor moves up to the front of the battle (AK62) but does not have time to swing.
Arien casts his lightning bolt but has to angle it just slightly north of pure east in order to avoid his dwarf friend. The bolt (DC22) badly scorches two ants. But when the bolt gets about ten feet from the sage's images, it hits a faintly shimmering globe that surrounds the area (10 ft radius) -- and the bolt fails to penetrate the globe. Spellcraft DC24 tells you it is a Highlight to display spoiler: {lesser globe of invulnerability}.
Draax moves with Arien into view. He is ready to shoot, and can get one shot off this round (since he moved as well). He shoots an orc guard, who falls to the ground.
Note that the elves are in irons, hand and foot, and chained to spikes in the floor.
Tratain moves up. He sees through the mirror images, but there are still TWO sages! Which one does he target with his spell? The one nearer the Ant Queen (58AW) or the other one (60AW)? Also, his spell requires a ranged touch attack -- and the huge ants provide some sofrt cover on that ranged attack! I need to know which sage Tratain is targetting, and I need a ranged touch attack roll!
Feng moves up near the casters. He spends the round looking at the sages and sees that there are two sets of images.
Sarigar and Black Paws burst onto the scene! Black Paws ends his move near Monthor, and Sarigar hurdles over an ant and lands next to a captive chained elf. He sees the elf is chained to the floor. The guard that was next to him is lying on the floor bleeding and unconscious from Draax's well-aimed arrow.
If Sarigar can make a Tumble Check DC20, even untrained, he can avoid one Ant AoO. If he can ALSO make a Tumble Check DC22, then he can avoid a second AoO from the ant next to the first. Otherwise, those AoOs miss (nat one!) and hit AC32 for 27.
Now the enemy attacks!
The Southern Sage readies a spell.
The Northern Sage casts two spells! A Quickened Magic Missile hits Monthor for 14 hp damage. And seeing Renik with an already cast See Invisible spell, the Sage has no trouble targetting Renik with a ForceCage spell. There is no save and no spell resistance. Renik finds himself bound in the tight version of the spell, with six walls of force surrounding him on all sides. He and the cage are 15 feet off the ground, as well.
The ants attack! Note that they stand their ground and do not move. Therefore two attack Sarigar. They are hasted, so they get two attacks each. Of those four attacks, three hit, inflicting 30, 25, and 31 points of damage.
The ant near Monthor and Black Paws attacks Monthor, hitting AC 34 and AC 30 for 31 and 30 hp damage.
The two remaining guards do their best to be on the defensive!
No enemies move. The fight starts in silence, aside from the crackle of the lightning bolt and the clack of mandibles, with no one talking on either side.
Monthor ooc> Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 8:24:45 AM
DM- Can you give me a more detailed description of the ants? How wide, how tall, size (height) of the legs/distance between floor and body. Approximate weight. What's the height floor to ceiling?
- Thank the gods of the Die Hard feat!!!! Monthor's gonna have to get creative... BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Invisible, Blessed, Blinking, Protection from Evil, Flying Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 10:18:32 AM
After a couple of moments of panic Renik realises there is no way out of the prison the sage has created. Even his blinking ring cannot help him now.
He wracks his brains thinking of a possible means of escape, but finds none. Instead he sits cross-legged, his blades still in hand, waiting as calmly as he is able. He can only hope that his companions find a way to free him or kill the sage.
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-97=117), AC24) d20+5=23 d20+5=22 d20+16=31 d20+11=26 d20+6=22 d8+4=12 d8+4=9 d8+4=11 d20+14=24 d20+9=22 d20+4=20 d6+5=11 d6+5=8 d6+5=8 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 11:34:20 AM
As the ants he flies past try to bite at him, Sarigar twists, almost impossibly in the air, barely avoiding their sharp mandibles (Tumble 23 and 22). However, as he prepares to attack the orc, that Draax has so deftly slain, he is clipped, rather nastily by two ants. Blood gushes from the wounds, but despite the twisted look of pain on his face, he's unable to exude the scream. Black Paws, on the other hand, yelps in pain as identical wounds rip into his own flesh.
Black Paws steps up next to Monthor and bites into the ant (AC 31/26/22), his powerful jaws and teeth cracking it's shell with loud crunches (Dmg 12/9/11).
As he turns from the orc, the charred condition of the ant near him does not excape even his now animalistic mind. KILL THE WEAK PREY!! Claws and teeth extended, he tears into it with raw beastial fury (AC 24/22/20). Ant "blood" sprays around and on him in glops (Dmg 11/8/8), but in his present state of mind, he doesn't notice.
Feng AC 23 HP 52/ 117 d20+18=20 d20+13=26 d20+8=19 d12+16=27 d12+16=27 d12+16=26 Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 4:43:46 PM
Standing before an ant (AM 56) Feng raises his holy great axe. The finely crafted mythril weapon was heavily enchanted and empowered with the essence with all that is holy. A perfect weapon in his opinion. The burly half orc moved gracefully is his breastplate armor. Bringing the axe around he shifts his feet and steps into the swing for added momentum.
ooc: power attack -3 to hit, +6 damage. Hit ac 20 for 27, ac 26 for 27, and ac 19 for 26
Monthor (HP 0, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 10:08:36 PM
The dwarf has an extreme amount of damage. Only his die hard (feat) will to survive is keeping him moving. In a moment of extreme dispair he reaches deep down, takes his last quaal's feather token and throws it under the ant, activating it. Monthor hopes that the resulting tree, instantly springing from under the ant, should destroy it. Monthor then activates his boots and attempts a tactical withdrawl (at maximum flight speed) back towards Tratain. Hopefully, the cleric will be able to heal Monthor back up enough for him to rejoin the battle.
Monthor clarification Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 10:10:29 PM
he means the ant directly in front of him. Al or Am 62 (AM if possible).
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] Wednesday February 22nd, 2006 11:17:05 PM
From Last Round: Tratain casts his Dimensional Anchor spell on the Sage in 58 AW. ((Hits Touch AC 31, No Save. If a Spell Resistence Check is Required Used Hero Point to Make the Check 28))
This Round: Tratain Moves to Monthor if he is not close enough, and Casts Heal on the Dwarf. (Monthor Heals 130)
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) d20+19=37 d20+14=23 d20+9=25 d8+3=5 d8+3=4 d8+3=11 Thursday February 23rd, 2006 12:53:14 AM
Knowing that his arrows will not have much of an affect on the large ants, Draax fires three arrows at three separate images of the mage.
(arrow for image AU61 hit AC 37 for 5 dmg, arrow for image AV59 hit AC 23 for 4dmg, arrow for image AV58 hit AC 25 for 11dmg)
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance (Subbed by Carl) d20=14 Thursday February 23rd, 2006 4:03:28 AM
Arien recognizes that the sage has a lesser globe of invulnerability cast. He needs a spell that will get through it. Raising his maximize rod high over his head he dips his other hand into his component pouch and flicks a few droplets of water and dust in the direction of the sage.
The cavern is suddenly filled with the sound of a thousand gigantic hailstones crashing down upon the numerous sages (Maximised Ice storm centered on the sages (should catch most or all of the images) for 18 bludgeoning and 12 hp cold damage).
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 42 starts (DM Cayzle) d4+6=9 d4+3=6 d2=2 d10=6 d2=2 d8=3 d2=2 d8=7 Thursday February 23rd, 2006 7:32:43 AM
From last round: Tratain hits the sage to the north, that is, the one nearer to the Ant Queen, with his dimensional anchor. (No spell resistance, save your hero point.)
Current turn:
Sarigar attacks the scorched ant next to him and finishes it off with just one attack. That's one ant down.
Sarigar turns and attacks the ant between himself and Monthor. Black Paws attacks that one too.
Then Feng approaches and kills that ant. That's two ants down.
Draax fires off three arrows. The northern sage has 8 images; the southern sage, 6. Draax picks off three of the northern sage's images; now there are 5 images and a sage to the north, and 6 images and a sage to the south.
Draax, are your arrows or bow magic? How much?
Renik thinks about what to do, but it stymied for now.
Tratain moves up and Heals Monthor.
Monthor acts (standard action) and then backs off (move action) for healing. Since the bug in front of him is dead, there is no use, I think, in wasting the feather token. And there is no enemy in reach to swing at. Still, Monthor has an action. Please post your action. Note that you can take a double move, that is, move to Tratain, get healed, then move back toward an enemy. Or take some other action, like activating a magic item or whatever.
Arien wants to take down those mirror images, but an Ice Storm will not do that. Per the Mirror Image spell, "Figments seem to react normally to area spells (such as looking like they're burned or dead after being hit by a fireball)." So after an ice storn spell, the images might look battered, but all still be there. Only specific attacks will work, like magic missiles, for example. If Arien wants to reconsider his spell cast, please go ahead and post again.
Therefore, before the monsters act in the bottom of Round 42, I would like extra posts from Arien and Monthor, please.
Monthor (HP 125, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+16=34 d6=6 d6=5 Thursday February 23rd, 2006 8:44:09 AM
ooc> what square is Monthor on? What's the scale of the map (5 or 10?)? Can he use his cross bow to fire as his action? (I'd guess not but worth a try asking)
Option one If Monthor can't fly above the foes to the AX line . - TRATAIN! Which Serges are real Serges? Shield me up cleric! This dwarf's charging in!
Monthor doesn't move this round and will wait next round until after Tratain's action. Shoots cross bow at the injured remaining ant (if he can) [Hits AC 34 for 12 damage total (13 if withing 30 range) 7 (8) physical D, 5 flame D.]
Option two If Monthot can fly to the AX line.
- TRATAIN! Which Serges are real Serges?
Monthor flies at maximum safe heeight above the foes, avoiding possible AoO, to the back of the closest Serge pointed out by Tratain (likely somewhere's on the AX line) and lands.
Arien: repost by Carl Thursday February 23rd, 2006 9:19:28 AM
Arien rethinks his approach. He decides to inflict maximum damage instead.
Arien casts a maximised delayed blast fireball (with no delay!) targeted behind the sage images so that the blast radius catches as many sage images as possible, as well as the guards if possible. If he can't banish the images perhaps he can hurt the real sage a bit. He is careful not to catch the elves in his blast.
(78 hp damage)
Stan Thursday February 23rd, 2006 9:15:37 PM
OOC: Draax is using a +3 longbow and non-magical masterworked arrows.
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 42 ends (DM Cayzle) d20+6=8 (caster level check) d20+15=25 (northern sage save fails) d20+8=23 (southern sage save fails) d20+5=24 (ant fails) d20+8=15 (queen fails) d20+15=22 (sage fails concentration check!) d20+11=23 d20+11=25 d20+11=24 (scorch ray attacks) 12d6(3+1+2+1+3+1+1+2+1+6+2+6)=29 (scorch damage to Monthor) d20+24=41 d20+24=42 (two queen bites) 4d6(2+4+6+1)+24=37 4d6(1+4+5+1)+24=35 (two queen damages) d2=2 (roll to see if ant attacks BP or F) d20+15=19 (miss Feng) d20+15=24 d20+15=21 (one hit, one miss on Sar) 3d6(4+5+1)+15=25 (dam on Sar) Friday February 24th, 2006 7:17:01 AM
The Hamleteers
Sarigar attacks the scorched ant next to him and finishes it off with just one attack. That's one ant down.
Sarigar turns and attacks the ant between himself and Monthor. Black Paws attacks that one too.
Then Feng approaches and kills that ant. That's two ants down.
Draax fires off three arrows. The northern sage has 8 images; the southern sage, 6. Draax picks off three of the northern sage's images; now there are 5 images and a sage to the north, and 6 images and a sage to the south.
Renik thinks about what to do, but it stymied for now.
Tratain moves up and Heals Monthor.
Monthor steps back to Tratain, and he is healed by the protector. That's a move action.
Arien casts a Delayed Blast Fireball, hold the delay. With very careful positioning, he can hit both sages, two guards, an ant, the ant queen, but not the elves or Renik. The save DC on his spell is 26. The maximized damage is 78.
The southern sage had a readied Dispel Magic to use to counter this exact kind of threat. His caster level check is an 8 -- no way he can beat Arien's d20+13.
The northern sage fails his save, and the entire 78 hp comes off his Protection from Fire spell. He is unscathed. The southern sage also fails to save but has no protection in place. He disappears in a vapor of steam. The two guards are destroyed and turned to ash, whether they save or no. The affected ant fails and is killed. The affected ant queen fails and takes 78 hp fire damage but is not dead.
The blast also destroys two doors, revealing chambers beyond.
Monthor, now healed, flies over the enemy to land next to the sage.
[Yves asked about how tall the ants were and I never answered. If I had, I would have warned him that the ants could reach up and attack a flier. But since I did not answer his question, I'm going to skip the AoOs this time. FOR THE FUTURE, anyone flying over ants who is not invisible will take AoOs!
The Enemy
The Sage is not pleased at all by the loss of his Simulacrum or three of his ants. And now he has Monthor to worry about -- and he is annoyed about that! He casts on the defensive: 12 ranks in concentrate, +3 for Con is a +15. He rolls a 22, and the required DC for the 8th level spell he had planned is a 23! His spell fizzles, and the look on his face changes from annoyance to fear.
Then he casts a quickened scorching ray on Monthor. A quickened spell provokes no AoOs, so no need to cast it defensively. His touch attacks hit AC23, 25, and 24. He inflicts 29 points of fire damage to Monthor in that way.
Then the Ant Queen attacks Monthor. She gets two attacks because she is hasted. She only misses on a 1. She hits AC41 and AC42 for 37 and 35. That's a total of 72 bite damage and 29 fire damage to Monthor this round.
The ants move forward, closing ranks so that no one can get by.
An ant attacks Feng, hitting AC19 ... a miss.
Two ants attack Sarigar after moving up. They hit AC21 (miss) and 24 (hit) for 25 hp.
Draax d20+17=22 d20+12=28 d20+7=16 d20+17=25 d8+3=10 d8+3=5 d8+3=4 d8+3=5 Friday February 24th, 2006 7:19:49 AM
Figuring he has the best chance of hitting the sage with 5 duplicates, Draax uses his rapid shot feat to shoot at 4 different images of the sage to the north.
(AC 22 for 10dmg, AC 28 for 4dmg, AC 16 fpr 4 dmg, AC 25 for 5dmg.)
[OOC: I reposted Draax's turn AFTER the DM post to reflect when his actions take effect. Feel free to revise or repost for the round if desired. Cayzle.]
Feng AC 23 HP 52/ 117 d20+16=20 d12+20=24 Friday February 24th, 2006 7:22:37 AM
Knowing better than to get in the way of warring spellcasters Feng moves forward and up in the cavern (ap 52). Raising his axe, Feng brings it down hard on the ant.
ooc: power attack -5/ +10. Hit ac 20 for 24
[OOC: I reposted Feng's turn AFTER the DM post to reflect when his actions take effect. Feel free to revise or repost for the round if desired. Cayzle.]
DM Note! Friday February 24th, 2006 7:23:26 AM PLEASE post current hp and ac in your header. Post spells in effect in the header or in the post. Cayzle.
Monthor (HP 24, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+23=43 d20+23=42 d10=9 d6=3 d20+18=35 d10=10 d6=1 d20+13=29 d10=5 d6=6 Friday February 24th, 2006 8:21:05 AM
ooc> I don't think you ever answered whether or not the ants are considered 'giant size' creatures or not. If so, the Monthor's effectice AC is 27, (31 vs AoO) vs the ants.
Monthor recognizes that the ant queen is the greatest threat to him right now and swings his axe two handed at it. Should he manage to kill it, he'll cleave at Serge.
ooc> Monthor swings three times using his power attack. He takes 5 off his attacks and adds 5 to the damage. Natural 20 on the first role!!!! No books here at work DM so please check to make sur I do this right.... I re role the crit.. AND GET A 19!!! Which is another critical hit!!!! Monthor hits AC 42 and 41 on the roles. Damage role: role (9) + 21 (strenght 12, weapon bonus 2 and feat 2, 5 power attack), plus 3 fire damage for a total of 33 damage. Now, his critical damage with the axe is (times 3). This is where I'm not sur so I'll let you do the math. I doubt that it's 33X3. But it would sur be nice if it was!
Monthor's second attack: Hits AC 35 for 32 damage ( 31 physical, one fire).
Monthor's third attack: Hits AC 29 for 32 damage (26 physical and 6 fire damage).
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Invisible, Blessed, Blinking, Protection from Evil, Flying d20+12=28 d20+12=28 Friday February 24th, 2006 8:46:23 AM
Sitting in his force cube cell, Renik watches the battle in mounting frustration. He needs to be out there , battling alongside his companions! Monthor is taking an almighty battering, he should be at the dwarf's side!
He growls in fury, knuckles whitening around the pommels of his swords. But try as he might he can think of no way out of this prison save by the death of that accursed sage. He can do nothing to help his companions whilst locked up in here, nothing!
Or perhaps he can. Not all weapons are of steel and sinew, thinks the rogue He has one weapon far mightier than both, and that he can use. Perhaps he can buy Monthor just a few precious seconds by distracting the sage, with duplicity instead of force of arms...
Renik calls down to the sage
"Sahnhan! Wait! We need not fight! Just let us take your captive elves and we will leave in peace! Call your creatures back and my companions will disengage! We have sworn to save the elves, but you need not die into the bargain! And make no mistake, sage, if you continue this fight you will die. Consider that a promise."
Bluff check 28 to convince the sage his offer is genuine. Bluff check 28 to send this hidden message to his companions:
"Don't stop fighting! Kill that no-good $%*&@!!"
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance (Subbed by Carl) d20+13=22 d20+20=30 d20+20=33 d20+20=30 d20+20=38 d20+20=38 d20+20=33 d20+20=31 Friday February 24th, 2006 9:21:22 AM
The battle is at a precarious point, thinks Arien. One wrong move here could spell death...
Arien hears Renik's words, and understands the subtext. They need to put the sage on the back foot, make him scared enough to consider the rogue's offer.
He pulls out a scroll and once Draax's arrows have taken out some more images he casts carefully, realising that he is casting a far more powerful spell than he is used to. His concentration pays off, and a level 20 Dispel Magic targets the sage.
(OOC: Think I got that right: made caster level check vs DC 21. If I didn't get it right I'll use a hero point to reroll if needed. Arien will wait until Draax's arrows have whittled down the number of images, then cast at any remaining. If the Ant Queen is still standing after Monthor's attack Arien will try to include it the area effect, but the sage is the primary target. Dispel vs the following DCs: 30, 33, 30, 38, 38, 33, 31.)
Arien grins, his whole body charged with energy in the aftermath of casting such a powerful spell. What a rush!
"Ready for some more of those fireballs without your protection, sage? Or do you stand down?" calls the elven mage.
(OOC: I could really use Arien's character sheet Cayzle! I remembered he has that scroll, but after that I'm playing Arien blind.)
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-122=92), AC24) d20+16=34 d6+5=11 d20+11=21 d20+6=24 d6+5=10 d6+5=7 d20+16=28 d20+11=29 d20+6=26 d20+6=20 d8+4=7 d8+4=12 d8+4=12 d8+4=12 Friday February 24th, 2006 11:07:02 AM
Despite (or because of?) the nips and clips from the ants' mandibles, Sarigar seems to have gone off the deep end. Is there a man still in there? Whatever he's become, it definitely seems intent on the Sage as his eye never leave him.
He lashes out at the near dead ant blocking his way (AC34, dmg11).
If the ant drops, he will move up as close as possible (AT59).
If the ant doesn't drop, he unleashes his full fury on it (AC21/24, Dmg10/7) and steps up into it (if is now dies, 5ft step to AP59, Sarigar's between squares on the map)
Black Paws shoulder splits open as Sarigar is bitten on his should by the ant attacking him, but he doesn't seem to feel it. Like his brother, any semblance of sanity is quickly fading from the proud wolf. With foaming maw, Black Paws bites at the ant before him, his last bite is particularly viscious as he bites and rips and twists and nearly takes the beasts leg off (AC 28/29/26(20crit), Dmg 7/12/12+12 crit) AT59
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] d20+20=36 13d6(3+2+4+2+5+3+2+3+2+3+5+1+2)=37 Friday February 24th, 2006 11:43:32 AM
Tratain takes in the Battle, Monthor is to Far away for Healing and Damaged again. The Protector Decides to Run (x3 Movement) and Try and get a little Closer to him. (Moved to AS 59)
(If Tratain is not Able to Move to that Square he Moves to the Square Feng just left and defensively Casts Flamestrike on the Three southernmost Ant. Damage 37, Reflex DC 21 for Half. I have enough Movement to get there, its just a matter if that Ant Dies or not.)
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 43 (DM Cayzle) d6=1 d6=2 d6=2 d4=2 (which arrows hit which images) d20+23=32 (Monthor's cleave through vs sage hits with one to spare) d10+26=35 (Monthor Damge) d6=4 (ax fire damage) d3=1 (cleave follow up hits the sage) d3=2 (next att hits an image) d2=2 (next att hits the last image) 3d6(3+3+4)+16=26 (dam on sa) d20+15=21 d20+15=20 d20+15=21 d20+15=21 d20+15=23 d20+15=33 d20+15=18 (lots of bad ant attacks!) 3d6(5+3+1)+16=25 (dmg to BP) 5d4(3+2+3+4+3)+5=20 (mm dam to Sar) Saturday February 25th, 2006 9:00:14 AM The Hamleteers
Draax fires four arrows at the Sage and his five images. The first is aimed at the sage, but is a miss. The second dispels an image. So does the third. So does the fourth. So after Draax's arrows are done, there are only 2 images next to the sage.
Feng wants to move to AP52, but an ant is in his way. He uses the delay action to see if he gets a chance to move that way later this round.
Monthor kills the ant queen with a mighty critical ax blow! Then he cleaves over to the sage and then makes another two attacks on the sage.
There are two images and the sage. The cleave attack hits the sage! The sage is AC31, and I rolled a hit on AC32 for Monthor.
Note: When power attacking two handed, the bonus damage is DOUBLED. So Monthor's -5 penalty on attacks translates into a +10 bonus damage.
Monthor's damage is 1d10+26. That's 35 to the sage, and another 4 hp off his pro fire. Of the 35, 10 comes off the top due to the sage's stoneskin spell, inflicting 25 hp damage to the sage.
Monthor's next two hits disrupt the last two mirror images, leaving the sage standing exposed.
Renik tries negotiation.
Arien reads his scroll of Greater Dispel Magic. That takes down everything on the sage except his See Invisible, his Mage Armor, and his Resist Cold. It also takes down the Dimensional Anchor that had been cast on him earlier this battle!
Sarigar kills the wounded ant and then moves up. Doing so provokes two AoOs; one hits for 26.
Black Paws attacks and inflicts massive damage.
Then Feng moves up, flanks the ant BP attacked, and finishes the job.
Finally, Tratain moves up right behind Sarigar.
The Enemy
Two ants take full attacks on Feng and Tratain. Three other ants take moves and make a single attack each on Sarigar, Black Paws, and Monthor.
On Tratain: First attack misses. Second attack misses too!
On Feng: Two more misses! Holy smokes! The Die Roller hates your DM today!
On Sarigar: Another Miss!
On Black Paws: A hit at last! Damage is 25 hp.
On Monthor: A miss!
The Sage gapes at the incompetence of his ant warriors. "I Command Idiots!" he shouts. He casts a quickened magic missile on Sarigar for 20 damage.
Then he calls up to Renik, "Okay! You win! I'll fall back!"
He backs up five feet from Monthor, takes out a scroll, and casts a spell. Spellcraft DC19 to tell it is a dimension door. He disappears.
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] d20+20=35 Saturday February 25th, 2006 6:37:51 PM
Tratain see's the Sage Vanish, but with that last parting shot at Sarigar theres no way hes going to let him just walk away.
Tratain Defensivly Casts Heal on Sarigar (Sarigar Heals 130) and then takes a 5 foot step to AT 58.
Monthor (HP 24, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+23=28 d10=10 d6=1 d20+18=32 d8=5 d10=10 d6=2 d20+13=32 d20+13=26 d10=2 d10=4 d10=5 d6=5 Sunday February 26th, 2006 7:58:53 AM
ooc> RATS! Not even an AoO on Serge.
Monthor attacks the ants two handed with the axe. ooc> First the AX58 one (assigns dodge bonus to the AW one). Power attack at -5. Cleaves to AW if AX is killed.
First attack hits AC 28. Damage 10+26 phydical (36) plus 1 fire. 37 total
Second attack Hits AC 32 for 10+26 (36)plus 2 fire (37) Ignore the D8 role.
Third attack hits AC 32 (critical hit natural 19) Crit role hits AC 26. Damage 2+26 (28), 4+26 (32), 5+26 (31), plus 5 fire damage (96 damage)
Monthor correction Sunday February 26th, 2006 8:07:39 AM
Can't count on a Sunday is seems. The second attack does 38 total damage, not 37. Total for three attacks (if they all hit, with the crit) is 171.
Feng AC 23 HP 52/ 117 d20+16=18 d20+11=28 d20+6=14 d12+20=22 d12+20=30 Sunday February 26th, 2006 6:50:42 PM
Breathing heavily Feng brings his axe down into the ant before him. Those manibles could easily bit him in half and while Feng sees no point in killing the creature now that the Sage was gone he wasn't going to let himself be injured.
ooc: power attack -5/+10. Hit ac 18 for 22 and ac 28 for 30
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) d20+17=23 d20+12=21 d20+7=23 d20+17=32 d8+3=11 d8+3=11 d8+3=10 d8+3=8 Monday February 27th, 2006 3:59:33 AM
Draax is tempted to join the melee but decides to stay with Arien and for now will attack the ants from a distance. He lines up his magical bow on the ant that is engaged with BP (63AL) and using his rapid shot feat again, he fires off 4 arrows.
(hit AC 23 for 11dmg, AC 21 for 11dmg, AC 23 for 10dmg, AC 32 for 8dmg, total of 40dmg)
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance (Subbed by Carl) 5d4(2+4+3+4+3)+5=21 Monday February 27th, 2006 4:26:45 AM
Arien winces as the sage dimension doors away, and voices a silent apology to Tratain. He focuses upon the least damaged ant, sending five arcane blasts of force smashing into it (Magic missile, 21 hp).
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Invisible, Blessed, Blinking, Protection from Evil, Flying Monday February 27th, 2006 4:29:28 AM
Renik's heart sinks as the sage vanishes. How will he get out of this prison now? Still, his companions are fighting well, their foes falling in their droves. He prays that Wardd continues to bless them.
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-61=151, AC24) d20+16=32 d20+11=24 d20+6=21 d20+11=20 d6+5=11 d6+5=11 d6+5=7 d3+2=5 d20+16=31 d20+11=29 d20+6=18 d8+4=7 d8+4=7 d8+4=12 Monday February 27th, 2006 11:34:49 AM
The wounded ant crumples and Sarigar moves on, mind completely focused on one objective. The first pincer tears through the leather covering his right bicep. He barely feels it and moves onward. The second bite slashes across his chest and despite its power and his previous wounds, it hardly registers.
The Sage says something, what, he has no idea, he doesn't care. Streaks of light flash from the Sage and crash into him, nearly putting him down (was down to 21 hit points). But Tratain's magical application heals many of his wounds.
The Sage disappears just as Sarigar is nearly in reach. Sarigar's eyes go wide as his prey suddenly escapes. He throws his head back in frustration then levels his eyes down on the ant before him. The Fury that would have been unleashed upon the Sage suddenly finds it home in the Ant (AC32/24/21/20bite, Dmg11/11/7/5).
Black Paws, just as lost in his brothers madness, lets out narry a whimper as new gaping wounds suddenly tear forth from his shoulder, then his flank, and finally smouldering wounds burn into his chest. Suddenly, most of the wounds immediately knit themselves back together just as he lunges into the Ant before him (AC31/29/18, Dmg7/7/12)
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 44 (DM Cayzle) d10+15=24 d10+15=17 3d6(4+4+6)+16=30 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 5:41:09 AM
Tratain heals Sarigar and takes a five foot step to AT58.
Monthor takes two biting, burning swings at the ant to his north and drops it on the second swing! He then cleaves to the ant to his west and whacks that ant with a critical hit, killing it as well! Two ants down this round!
Feng inflicts a telling 52 hp damage to the ant before him. Sarigar takes a five-foot step towards Feng's ant and puts it out of its misery.
Draax and Black Paws combine to inflict 66 damage to the ant attacking the big canine. That knocks it down.
Finally, Arien hits the last ant standing with a magic missile for 21 damage.
That last ant, standing at 55AP-57AR, acting with insectile lack of regard for its own life, snaps twice at Feng. One of those attacks hits AC24, just enough to hit the paladin for 30.
Only that one ant remains, and no doubt the party will make short work of it next round. The field of battle -- and three chained elves -- will soon belong to the bloodied but unbowed Windhorn Hamleteers!
No need for a map -- look at last round's, sans all the ants but one!
Feng AC 23 HP 22/ 117 d20+16=36 d20+16=18 d20+11=18 d20+6=15 d12+20=25 d12+20=23 d12+20=24 d12+20=21 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 11:03:58 AM
As the blood flows strongly from this latest wound, Feng growls orcishly and buries his axe into the last ant. Despite the loud crack and spray of stuff, Feng buries his great axe into the insect again.
ooc: power attack -5/+10. Crit hit with ac 18 to confirm for 72. (Rolled 3 times because the bonus only went to +50) Hit ac 18 for 21 if needed.
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-61=151, AC24) d20+16=22 d20+11=18 d20+6=17 d6+5=9 d6+5=9 d6+5=10 d20+16=27 d8+4=9 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 12:17:59 PM
With one mind, the brothers combine their attention on the remaining ant, attacking it ferociously like a pack of wild dogs. Sarigar's hands and teeth flash (AC 22/18/17, Dmg 9/9/10) while his brothers chomps at it from the opposite side (AC 27, Dmg 9, 1 attack due to him moving up).
Should the ant drop, the brothers make a quick scan of the room for any more prey, then look to the chained elves.
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Invisible, Blessed, Blinking, Protection from Evil, Flying Tuesday February 28th, 2006 5:42:10 PM
Renik sheaths his swords and knocks experimentally on his force prison.
"So, anyone got any bright ideas on how to get me out of this thing?"
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 21, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance (Subbed by Carl) 5d4(2+2+4+2+1)+5=16 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 5:50:23 PM
The mage readies another magic missile spell, prepared to cast it on the off-chance that his companions fail to take down the last remaining ant.
(Readied action: cast MM for 16 hp if the ant is still standing at the end of the round).
He looks up at Renik's question, a frown on his face.
"I used the only spell I had that could destroy that force cage when I broke through the wall back there." explains the elven mage. "Unless Tratain can help you I'm afraid you're stuck in there until we can find that accursed sage. Otherwise we will have to wait several hours for the spell to wear off.
Let us search this area quickly. With Tratain's true seeing he won't be able to hide from us if he is anywhwere near."
Monthor (HP 24, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+17=26 d20+17=26 d8=2 d8=6 d6=2 d6=2 d6=6 d20+12=16 d8=6 d6=3 d20+7=16 d8=1 d6=5 d6=6 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 9:37:14 PM
Monthor, covered in blood, uses his cross bow and fires at the sole remaining ant.
ooc> Hits AC 26 with a critical hit (natural 19) HE HE MAKES ANOTHER 19 ON THE CRIT ROLE!
Damage X2 (2 + 2 damage, 2 fire) + (6+2 damage, 2 fire) for 16 damage (ignore the next d6 role)
Hits AC 16 for 8 physica and 3 fire (11)
Hits AC 16 for 3 physical and 5 fire (8) again, ignore the next D6 role
total 35 damage
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] 4d8(5+4+8+5)+13=35 Tuesday February 28th, 2006 11:14:04 PM
After the Ant is Slain Tratain Moves over to Feng and Heals him. (Feng Heals 35)
He says "I don't have any way to get Renik out of that Force Cage. Give me a Moment to Heal Feng and Monthor a little more and we can check around to see if the Sage is still around here or if he's really gone."
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Wednesday March 1st, 2006 2:11:24 AM
After the last ant falls, Draax goes over to look at the chains on the closest elf to see if there is someway to unlock them. If there is a lock but no key he will begin to search the bodies of the guards.
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 45 (DM Cayzle) Wednesday March 1st, 2006 4:26:10 AM
Together the party is quick to dispatch the last ant -- no need to cast that magic missile, Arien! Tratain casts a cure on Feng, Draax finds keys on one of the dead guards and frees an elf, and Renik looks down disconsolately at the scene.
"Thank you! Thank you!" cries the elf. "Please just free my brothers, and we can escape this unholy pit!"
Feng AC 23 HP 57/ 117 Wednesday March 1st, 2006 4:53:32 AM
"Thanks Tratain. I was starting to really bleed all over the floor." He says as he moves to free the other chained elves.
Renik Wednesday March 1st, 2006 6:32:44 AM
On a hunch the rogue calls down "Feng, use your ability to detect evil on those elves before you free them. Given the sage's penchant for duplicity I wouldn't put anything past him, including using his own men as decoys."
Arien (subbed by Carl) Wednesday March 1st, 2006 6:41:50 AM
Arien allows himself to breath deeply, calming himself after the adrenaline rush of the battle. He waits for the others to search the area.
Monthor (HP 24, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless Wednesday March 1st, 2006 7:31:56 AM
A severely bleeding Monthor searches the closest dead guard.
" Tratain! How about some lovin over here! "
" There be two room back here girlies. We need to search them. "
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-61=151, AC24) d20+18=34 d20+20=31 Wednesday March 1st, 2006 11:48:45 AM
With all the ants dead and no new prey to occupy their shared insanity, the brothers begin sniffing around for their true prey...the Sage. They step over to the doors and each sniffs at a different door, hoping that one of them hides the little coward (Survival: Scent 34/31).
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Wednesday March 1st, 2006 9:21:07 PM
Hearing Reniks warning Draax gives the freed elf a suspicious look and does not free the others until Feng gives the OK.
Looking up at Renik and not fully understanding the rogues situation Draax says, "Renik, why are you still in that bubble thing?"
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] 4d8(3+8+1+4)+13=29 d8=1 d8=8 Wednesday March 1st, 2006 10:18:07 PM
Tratain steps over to Monthor and casts a Healing spell on the dwarf. (Healed 36 Points)
If the others Open the doors He will accompany them, if not he waits in the room where they just fought and goes about healing everyone he can.
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 46 (DM Cayzle) d3=1 d3=3 Wednesday March 1st, 2006 10:51:14 PM
The elves are not evil, if Feng wishes to check.
Tratain heals Monthor.
Monthor peeks into the two rooms with the blown-away doors. One looks like a library, the other, personal quarters.
Sarigars sniffs around. The sage has been all through here. No way to tell where he is now. But for sure he is not here in this room invisible, if that helps. Maybe he is behind Door Number Three? Or teleported miles and miles away?
Arien explains to Draax, if he wishes, that the spell that contains Renik is a box of force from which the rogue cannot escape. Renik may be up there for many hours to come. A Disintegrate spell would open it, but Arien used his Disintegrate to get through the stone wall back in the other room.
Feng AC 23 HP 57/ 117 Thursday March 2nd, 2006 9:35:33 AM
Feng did check to see if the elves were evil. Now that the battle was over the adrenaline faded from his system leaving Feng exhausted and weary. He rested the end of his great axe against the floor and leaned upon it to ease the burden put on his legs.
"Well now what?"
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-61=151, AC24) Thursday March 2nd, 2006 12:15:01 PM
With hardly a thought, Sarigar tries to open one of the doors (the northern most door). His present feral mentality won't let go of the idea that the prey got away. From the look of his posture, Sarigar's ready to bring the entire place down just to get at him.
Black Paws tries to scratch through his door (the southern most one) in attempts to get through.
Neither brother seems more urgent than the other, probably indacating that they just want to continue the search, not that either has actually found something.
Renik Thursday March 2nd, 2006 4:01:57 PM
Renik calls down to the elves "What can you tell us of your imprisonment here? Have you any idea where the sage might have retreated to? Tell us everything you can think of, some detail might prove of use."
Arien d20+12=16 d20+12=28 d20+12=25 Thursday March 2nd, 2006 4:03:39 PM
Still kicking himself for dismissing Tratain's dimensional anchor, Arien sets about searching the rooms at the rear of the compound (Search 16, 28, 25).
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Thursday March 2nd, 2006 5:29:49 PM
With Feng's assurance that the elves are not evil, Draax releases the other elves. He waits for the elves to answer Renik's questions before added a few of his own.
To the elves Draxx say, "Who are you guys and what skills can you offer us to help find the sage or get out of this place?"
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] 3d8(1+1+3)+13=18 d8=3 d8=6 Thursday March 2nd, 2006 9:59:54 PM
Tratain Heals Feng again and keeps an eye out for those looking about the other rooms incase they should need some help. (Healed Feng 25)
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 47 (DM Cayzle) Friday March 3rd, 2006 7:19:09 AM
Feng asks, "What now?" and one of the elves says, "Let's get out of here! Please!"
Sarigar and Black Paws try to open two different doors at the same time! If both had opened, who knows what would have happened on both fronts! But both doors are clearly locked (without a key, by the way, so you are probably safe thinking there is magic involved).
Renik and Draax talk with the elves. They say that they were kept in the cage upstairs or experimented on right here. The sage would draw their blood and use it for experiments with plants and animals. In fact, they do look pale, and there are cuts on their arms.
Tratain heals Feng.
Arien searches. In a puddle in the main room (where one of the two sages melted in the fireball) he finds two wands, two rods, and two vials. In the library (center room) he finds a complete set of spell books for a high level mage. These are very out in the open -- this is still round by round. To make real search checks for non-obvious stuff will take time.
The elves say that behind the closed doors is the lab.
IMPORTANT! I want locations for every person! If Sarigar opens that door and there's an enemy inside, I want to know where you are!!!
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] 3d8(4+4+4)+13=25 Friday March 3rd, 2006 4:50:25 PM
Tratain Moves over to Monthor and Heals the Dwarf again (Monthor Heals 25)
Renik Friday March 3rd, 2006 5:18:18 PM
Locked in his cell, Renik can only look on as his companions search the lab. If that was the sage's sanctum perhaps he has retreated there. If so caution will be critical. Cornered and in his greatest place of power the sage will be doubly dangerous.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 25, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance, Shield (Subbed by Carl) Friday March 3rd, 2006 5:30:33 PM
Pocketing the magic items and spellbooks for later perusal, Arien keeps well away from the doors, waiting for the warriors to break them in. While he waits he casts extended Shield upon himself. (AX66)
Monthor (HP 85, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+8=22 Friday March 3rd, 2006 7:06:33 PM
:: Possible showing his lack of magical knowledge... ::
" Hey Arien! Anything in that spell book that can let Renik free?"
Monthor waits to be healed by Tratain and then moves up to where Sarigar is (AY 53). He waits for the others to position themselves and then uses his strenth to try to force the door open (strenght check 22)
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) Saturday March 4th, 2006 4:16:59 AM
Draax moves closer to the doors (AV23), readies his bow and waits.
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-61=151, AC24) d20+3=20 d20+2=17 Saturday March 4th, 2006 12:49:38 PM
Not wanting some little door to keep them from their possible prey, Sarigar and Black Paws both try to help Monthor force it open. Sarigar reaching just over the dwarf's shoulders (Strength 20 for a +2 assistance to Monthor) with Black Paws pushing with the top of his head (Strength 17 for another +2 assistance to Monthor). Both brothers dig in, step up onto their toes and shove...
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 Monday March 6th, 2006 1:45:03 PM
Location: AR 59
Feng moves a little easier as the last wave of healing magic takes care of some of his more serious injuries. While he wanted to find the Sage and eliminate him. It might be a good to just get out and live to fight another day.
"Do you think its possible to reach the Sage and survive? I do not think that he was destroyed here and now."
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 48 (DM Cayzle) d20+15=16 4d8(7+3+2+2)+12=26 Monday March 6th, 2006 10:32:51 PM
OOC to Arien: It takes a move action to pick up an item; no way Arien can pick up everything. And those books are heavy! Pick two items to have in pocket or hand, please. Carl, please post for Adam if he is not yet active here -- hopefully he'll be back soon, per his e-mail.
While Feng voices a note of caution, Monthor, Sarigar, and Black Paws apply force to the door. The required DC to burst the magic holding the portal is DC28. Black Paws gives a +4 to the roll; Sarigar, another +2. Monthor rolls a 22, and with the help of the wild brothers, that's exactly the 28 that's needed! The door opens!
Monthor, Sarigar, and Black Paws are at the door. Tratain is behind them, having just healed the dwarf. Draax is at AV23, weapon in hand. Renik is stuck in his forcecage, of coursel. Feng is at AR59. Arien is at AX66.
Hey wait a second! Draax can't be at AV23! That's out of the room! Let's put him at AV53, more likely.
The elves, by the way, have backed off toward the exit.
The door opens and reveals a freakin' gargantuan spider! You also see an earth elemental (large size) and the Sage himself.
As before, the sage is dressed in red and black robes, and he has a magic stone circling his head, and another stone or gem in his hand. You note that he seems cured of all injury. You note a raven on the sage's shoulder; a stone whirls above its head too.
The sage barks out a command that is intelligible to the spider but not to you. The spider bites down hard at Sarigar. But with a natural one it misses!
The elemental readies an attack in cast any enemy comes in reach.
The raven on the sage's shoulder disappears (Tratain sees that it is still on his shoulder, but invisible).
And the sage makes a motion with his gem. Monthor finds himself in a forcecage, just like the one that encases Renik. Now Monthor, too, cannot move, attack, or be attacked. There is no save allowed, unless Monthor has spell resistance (pretty sure he does not).
ACs: Spider AC19, Elemental AC18; Sage AC23 +4 soft cover from the spider is 27.
Important Note! The sage has cast a Repulsion spell on himself. Within 150 feet (AND within line of sight), if you want to move closer to the sage, you must first roll a Will Save vs DC23. If you make the save, the spell has no effect. If you fail, you cannot approach the sage while the spell lasts.
Also note that with Monthor blocking half the door, only one person can fight in the doorway at once.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 25, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance, Shield Tuesday March 7th, 2006 12:02:16 AM
Arien picks up the two rods and slips them into his pocket (last round) and then moves towards the party thirty feet, and then casts Haste on the group near the spider.
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Blessed, Protection from Evil, Flying Tuesday March 7th, 2006 4:44:08 AM
Seeing Monthor ensnared Renik begins to get a very bad feeling. This sage is proving extremely dangerous. He only hopes that the spellcasters are able to lay down some serious damage.
From his vantage point he can just make out glimpses of the elemental and spider, but can do nothing against them. He beats his swords against the forcecage walls in frustration, desperate to get into the battle.
Monthor ooc Rules ruling before actual post Tuesday March 7th, 2006 8:19:48 AM
ooc> Questi-onnnn...
"Creatures within the area are caught and contained unless they are too big to fit inside, in which case the spell automatically fails."
Would this mean that if something IN the cube suddenly became to big that the cube would disappear? Thus feeing the person inside of it?
Cayzle -- You mean like a tree? LOL! Not sure how I would adjudicate that, but the rule you cite clearly refers to something that is too big when the spell is cast, not afterward. Afterward?? Who knows!
Monthor ooc Rules ruling before actual post part 2 Tuesday March 7th, 2006 8:24:11 AM
ooc>
"There is no save allowed, unless Monthor has spell resistance (pretty sure he does not)."
Would the dwarve's natural resistance to spells (+2 racial bonus vs spells and spell like effects) allow him a savings throw then?
Cayzle -- Sorry, nope. Nice try though.
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 Tuesday March 7th, 2006 10:42:22 AM
Location: BC 57
Feng sprints for the center room. There was no way that he could get through the tangle of people, and the giant spider. Maybe there is another way in or if the walls are thin enough he could break through with his axe.
ooc: I believe if Feng uses a full movement he can get to the wall seperating the two rooms.
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25] 13d6(5+2+4+5+1+6+6+5+2+4+5+2+3)=50 Tuesday March 7th, 2006 10:48:52 AM
Tratain Moves Down to AV 54 and Casts Blade Barrier. (From AZ to BE 51, The top of that Room, on the sage and Spider. Reflex DC 22, 50 Damage)
Sarigar and Black Paws (CV158+56BE-61=151, AC24) d20+15=24 d20+10=24 d20+5=25 d20+5=22 d6+5=10 d6+5=10 d6+5=10 d6+5=11 Tuesday March 7th, 2006 11:40:06 AM
Spotting the Sage through the massive spiders tangle of legs, Sarigar's anger flares up again. Since the spider has his path blocked, he can only think (if you can call it thinking) to do is lash out at it...
His gore covered hands begin raking at the spider in a display of raw savage fury, chunks of exoskeleton and gloppy spider "blood" fly. The first two swings are potent (AC 24/24, Dmg 10/10), but the third is frightening as Sarigar puts his claw through the spider's leg and nearly tears it off as he pulls it back (AC 25(22 crit), Dmg 21)
Blocked out by his brother and the cage holding Monthor, Black Paws can do nothing but stand back barking frantically, wanting a piece of the action (and the spider).
Draax AC 21, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless) d20+15=34 d20+10=25 d20+5=23 d8+4=9 d8+4=7 d8+4=9 Tuesday March 7th, 2006 5:31:50 PM
Seeing the opening crowded Draax fires three arrows at the spider. Knowing his arrows add a little extra punch at point blank range, he takes care shooting through the others. (hit AC 34 for 9dmg, AC 25 for 7dmg, AC 23 for 9dmg, total 25dmg)
(OOC: I know the spider is a huge creature but I attacked at -4 because only the areas in melee was exposed.)
Monthor (HP 85, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+5=11 Tuesday March 7th, 2006 7:06:44 PM
ooc> Oh well. No guts, no glory!!!! BANZAI!!!!
ooc> Tries to intimidate Serge skill role 11 " ME COMING FOR YOU SERGE!!!!! YOU ORC LOVING SON OF AN OGRE!!!! ME WILL DRINK OUT OF YOUR SEVERED SKULL YOU PIXIE SIZE MEMBERED, FENG SMELLING... MONKEY BOY!"
:: Monthor downs a potion of cure moderate wounds before taking out his last Quaal's feather token and activating the tree at the farthest corner of the cube. ::
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 49 (DM Cayzle) d20+6=11 (sage save) d20+8=26 (spider save) d20+15=19 spider att misses Sarigar! Darn!) Tuesday March 7th, 2006 11:07:54 PM
Arien moves forward -- he can do so because he does not have line of effect to the sage. Then he casts Haste on Sarigar, Black Paws, Tratain, and Draax.
Feng runs to BC57, staying out of sight of the mage as to avoid the Repulsion effect. Note that there is a door between BC57 and BC56 -- Feng is standing by the door. It is a magically held door, and requires a Str check 28 to open, or you can chop it down (AC5, Hardness 5 and 15 hp, see PHB p 165-166). Feng ends his turn next to the door -- he has not yet tried it.
Tratain moves to AV54, which he can do freely because it gets him no closer to the Sage. Then he casts Blade Barrier across the top of the room, possibly affecting the spider and the sage with it, and cutting the sage off from that door to the north. The sage fails his save and takes 50 hp damage! He is sorely wounded! The spider rolls a 26 and is unaffected by the blades.
Sarigar in his fury hurts the spider more than the blades do! He inflicts 41 points of damage to the big vermin this round! Note! The haste spell gives Sarigar another attack this round! Please roll that first thing!
Renik and Monthor are frustrated in their Forcecages, but Monthor takes the time to drink a potion. (You can't do both in the same round ... next round you can try the tree.)
Black Paws growls in frustration but cannot get in to attack.
Draax fires arrows at the spider. His shots also hit their mark, inflicting another 25 on the spider. Note! The haste spell gives Draax another attack this round! Please roll that first thing!
Much the bloodier, the enemy returns the attack.
The elemental moves back and readies an attack on anyone who enters the room.
The mammoth spider takes a five foot step south. and then stabs down at Sarigar with its stinger. It hits AC19, not enough to hit the wild man.
The Sage moves out of sight (but you can deduce his probable location based on his move). He casts a spell.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 25, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance, Shield Wednesday March 8th, 2006 12:10:22 AM
Arien, seeing the large crowd in front of the door and Feng off to the side, moves to be behind Feng to support the paladin. Once behind the half-orc, Arien readies a Slow spell that he will cast should Feng get the door open this round. (Will Save DC 19 for Slow)
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless, Haste) d20+16=29 d8+4=12 d20+16=28 d20+16=26 d20+11=12 d20+6=17 d8+4=10 d8+4=5 d8+4=9 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 1:47:14 AM
(hit AC 29 for 12dmg for last round)
Feeling energized by the haste spell, Draax fires off more arrows at the spider. (hit ac 28 for 10dmg, AC 26 for 5 dmg, AC 12 is a natural one, disregard AC 17)
Monthor (HP 85, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless d20+5=15 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 6:05:34 AM
ooc> Tries to intimidate Serge skill role 15 " ME COMING FOR YOU SERGE!!!!! ME COMING FOR YOU !!!!! :: Monthor takes out his last Quaal's feather token and activating the tree at the farthest corner of the cube. ::
ooc> I'll role the cure moderate once I get to a book to see what i can role.
Renik AC 28, HP 89 (+28, Bear's Endurance), Blessed, Blinking, Protection from Evil, Flying Wednesday March 8th, 2006 7:16:04 AM
In his forcecage the rogue can hardly bear to watch. He wills his comrades on desperately, praying that none are cut down by their remaining foes.
Sarigar (AC24) and Black Paws (AC21) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless, Haste) d20+15=34 d6+5=7 d20+15=29 d20+15=32 d20+10=24 d20+5=17 d20=16 d6+5=7 d6+5=11 d6+5=9 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 11:03:42 AM
With never before felt speed, Sarigar lashes out at the spider yet another time, slashing across it's leg yet again (AC34, dmg 7)
With his newfound speed, Sarigar's rage seems to intensify and he tears into the spider once again. Claws flashings (AC 29/32/24/17, Dmg 7/11/9/0), teeth biting (AC 16, Dmg 0), it's a wonder if he will ever return from the madness that seems to have consumed him. The entire time, his eyes look for one thing...the Sage.
Seeing that Feng has opened a possible route to help his brother, Black Paws dashes through the open door (move to the square "east" of Feng).
ooc: Should the spider fall at any point, Sarigar will move up on the Sage using his Haste movement, most likely drawing an AoO.
Tratain AC 27 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25; Haste] Wednesday March 8th, 2006 5:10:10 PM
Tratain takes a few steps to AU 55 and Ready's an action to Cast Power Word Blind Upon the Sage if the sage steps out to anywhere that he can see him.
(No Save on PWB, Tratains Position should let him see and cover the Doors in the room where the combat is now, and the room to the south.)
Monthor - Cure moderate wounds. 2d8(1+3)=4 Wednesday March 8th, 2006 9:15:24 PM
Add 6 (4 roled +2) to Monthor's HP for a current total of 91
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 d20+5=22 Thursday March 9th, 2006 12:05:06 PM
Location: BC 57
Finding it locked Feng plants hsi feet and brings his shoulder into the door with all the strength he has. A soft whump can be heard just before a groan of pain.
ooc: str check 22
Battle Under Ant Hill: Round 50 (DM Cayzle) Thursday March 9th, 2006 10:31:45 PM
Arien moves up behind Feng and readies a spell. Black Paws also moves up to Feng so that he can help push open the door (next round). Feng pushes the door but it does not yield.
Sarigar rips into the spider, inflicting another 34 hp damage on it. Draax fires more arrows at it, which hit home to finish the job. The monsterous spider fades away, without even bitten once! Sarigar can't move up as he has already used a full round action to attack.
Tratain moves to AU55 and readies a spell.
Monthor's feather token fails to activate. He and Renik stay put.
Tratain sees the Sage's invisible familiar raven fly out of the lab and down to the library, then duck into a corner. No one else can see it, but Sarigar and Black Paws sense the smell of an invisible bird.
The sage himself takes a five foot step so that Sarigar can see him (but not Tratain, as it happens). Due to the Sage's Repulsion spell, please note:
Important Note! The sage has cast a Repulsion spell on himself. Within 150 feet (AND within line of sight), if you want to move closer to the sage, you must first roll a Will Save vs DC23. If you make the save, the spell has no effect. If you fail, you cannot approach the sage while the spell lasts.
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 25, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance, Shield 5d4(4+3+4+1+2)+5=19 Friday March 10th, 2006 12:18:24 AM
Seeing Feng's difficulty with the door, Arien tries to blast the door down with magic by casting Magic Missile at it (19 pts of force damage).
Cayzle: Per the spell description, PHB p251, "Inanimate objects are not damaged by the spell." Arien knows that you cannot use MM to damage a door. Please repost a new action for this round.
Feng AC 23 HP 82/ 117 d12+10=15 Friday March 10th, 2006 12:48:56 PM
Feng grips his axe tightly in both hands and makes sure everybody is clear. He brings the great axe around and into the door with a wood cracking thunk. (15 damage to the door.)
Sarigar (AC24(25)) and Black Paws (AC21(22)) (CV158+56BE-61=151, Bless, Haste) d20+5=23 d20+17=33 d20+12=30 d6+5=8 d3+2=5 d20+2=21 Friday March 10th, 2006 2:30:41 PM
As Sarigar spots his prey, he attempts to move forward, pressing against the barrier the Sage has created. For a moment, it appears that it might stop him, but he presses through it's influence (WS 23) and closes in on the Sage. With a strong rake (AC 33, dmg 8), followed by a nasty bite (AC 30, dmg 5), Sarigar leads the Hamletters in the direct assault on the Sage.
As Feng draws his axe back from his mighty chop into the door, Black Paws lunges at it with a loud thud (Str 21), then steps back to shake the cobwebs from his head.
Being right in his face, the Sage sees Sarigar's eyes flutter for a moment as if he'd just been knocked in the head, but the wild man's resolve is unshaken. The wild man before him has every intention of killing him and it looks as though nothing could hold him back. The most eerie part about it is he looks as if he's screaming savagely, but no sound issues forth.
Cheerleader Renik Friday March 10th, 2006 6:24:19 PM
The rogue watches on, open-mouthed in horror and excitement as he is vicariously caught up in the scene before him. He winces with every wound his comrades suffer, and strikes every blow along with them.
"GO HAMLETEERS!" He yells from his cage, fighting the urge to dance.
Tratain AC 26 HP 117/130 [Bears Endurence; Magic Vestment; True Seeing; SR 25; Haste] Friday March 10th, 2006 8:38:17 PM
Tratain continues to Hold his Position waiting for the Sage to show himself (Continue to ready action for the sage to get in his line of site for PWB). He says "Arien, The sages Raven is 10 feet to your left, right near the wall. Its invisible."
Monthor (HP 91, AC 22 (23.dodge, 27 vs AoO), Bear's Endurance, Bless Friday March 10th, 2006 8:52:10 PM
Monthor sulks and does... nothing.
{ Stupid oak. Must have gotten a bumb one. }
Arien: HP 56 of 80 (56), AC 25, Mage Armor, Blessed, Bear's Endurance, Shield 5d4(3+3+3+4+3)=16 Friday March 10th, 2006 9:17:28 PM
((Oops thats what I get trying to post while on Vicodin. Thanks for the heads up. Quick question, which version of the forcecage are they in, the barred cell or the solid one?))
Realizing his mistake at the last moment Arien instead motions Feng out of the way and casts a Burning Hands at the door scorching it for 16 points of fire damage.
Draax AC 22, HP 156 /156 (Bear's Endurance, Bless, Haste) d20+17=21 d8+4=12 d20+8=23 Saturday March 11th, 2006 12:43:51 AM
Draax moves to (AZ53) and fires an arrow at the sage (hit AC21 for 12dmg) (made will save 23).
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