Scarwall, the Woods Surrounding, and Acid City (DM SteveK) Monday January 28th, 2013 11:11:03 AM
Sister Chadra averts a near disaster when she wakes the Blackbird Lake heroes from their trance and reveals a previously invisible acolyte holding a tray of ... heartseeds!
Malgant ensures that when the group is prepared to teleport away that Sister Chadra is also with them so she is not left behind to be punished for doing what she was asked to do.
Jass is ready to Disintegrate any that come too close.
Vorelle blinks and looks around, startled, and only lets out a sigh of relief when they are back home and everybody is okay.
Brahmah sees Polo and all his equipment are just as they were before being transported to the contest arena, and then feels the pull back to the castle.
Sir Joshua sees what the cleric was trying to do, and, knocking the tray to the floor he stamps on all the wriggling vines until they are only a green mush. The cleric with the tray is ashen, sweating, and trembling, clearly expecting the paladin to throw him to the floor and resume his stomping. Perhaps strangely, none of the other Alisiduians in the room make a single move to stop the destruction of the heartseeds...
Vauhwyt collects Mookie and Aztyr is ready as well, and the group is transported back to Scarwall outside of Acid City. .....................
True to the Ga'alian paladin's word, a new, non-denominational park is created in Acid City, featuring the statues of certain heroic personalities. Just walking through the park makes you feel more like heroes, somehow. Vorelle, Vauhwyt, Aztyr, Malagant, Jass, and Sir Joshua can all notice that the park seems a popular place for families on an inner city picnic, youth playing games, and older strollers of the park.
Shortly after returning home, Brahmah sends word to the ship that he has returned. His First Mate reports that they are ship-shape and there has been no unusual activity on the docks of Acid City. "There are a couple of Ga'al preachers, but they are not any pushier than any other that is god-touched."
Sir Joshua and William are relieved to be back on solid ground again. William snorts several times, stomps his hooves and goes off on a long run...
Vauhwyt and Mookie confirm that everything happened on a non-physical plane. Items were not destroyed or affected on return, and neighter were any charges, consumables, or heroic efforts (hero points) expended. It was almost like a dream! They go to the Catacombs and sell outstanding loot and distribute it among the BBLers. She trains at the new Acid City Woldian League of Adventurers outpost, another sign that the Alisidurian hierarchy is so far keeping their word for Acid City to be an open city for all. Vauhwyt notes that the group still has the Cap of Doubling (which is currently in Atzyr's possession. Cap of Doubling:Highlight to display spoiler: { Place this cap over one end of any staff, and it doubles the size of any effect from that staff that has an area of effect. For example, used with the Staff of the Turtle People, it extends the area of protection from a 30 ft radius to a 60 ft radius. [OOC: This is a Fate Item and can't be sold in the Catacombs.]}
Mookie finds out that no matter his outward appearance, he still can't utilize magic rings. Vauhwyt notes this is similar to no matter the Elemental Body that Jass has worn, it has inherently still been Jass.
Vorelle is very quiet, but then, Vorelle is always pretty quiet. She observes and thinks and watches and comes to a conclusion... she is going to leave, and she tells Vauhwyt who decides she will stay with her friend from Dirt City.
Brahmah can be found in the nearby wood with Polo or training with the WLA in the next few days and weeks. He has a tear in his eye when he gives his goodbyes, and tells the ladies where he could be found; the castle or travelling the sea.
Jass is stunned by Vorelle and Vauhwyt announcing that they are leaving and tries to cajole the girls into doing something together, but doing what THEY want to do without gods or nations jerking them around.
Malgant, walking in on the conversation, is quick to pose his anwer; "End the boss of the Liches that were part of killing the hatchlings!" There is also some unfinished business in the Temple of Ga'al. Malgant has to believe that something good can still come from this meeting, and the park, and the castle."
Malgant heads into Acid City and looks for a particular merchant to get a small statuette. He is then ready for the next part of his plan... (ooc: because I don't know the backstory, please elaborate in your post as to people and items. It will give me something to have NPCs react. 
.........................
The BBLers can see that in the next couple of weeks that the Ga'alians are true to their end of the deal made when Scarwall suddenly appeared just north of Acid City. - LeGorne is gone and not bothering any of the BBLers. - The nondenominational Heroes Park is complete in the center of Acid City, with statues of each BBL hero. The very statues of the great heroes seems to make the place more safe, and even at night an elderly lady could walk alone without fear. - The Church, Lord Agor, and Lord Norius have agreed the deed to the land of Scarwall is now the BBLers, and that any taxes for the castle in the future would be decided and only used by the free city, Acid City. - The Church also convinced Lord Agor to revoke the heartseed tax for any on his lands, and granted a charter to Acid City as a Free City. Acid City, providing an annual payment for Free City status, is able to choose their own destiny.
The BBLers have also noted that the large temple to Ga'al in Acid City is still there, but the leaders of the Temple is the High Priest Hammond for spiritual leadership and Sir Horace for secular. It is going to be rather easy to track down the good paladin of Ga'al. (Can anyone say Oxymoron?)
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Monday January 28th, 2013 1:59:31 PM
The likenesses are there, but fairly unremarkable. His own statue, in a humble yet quite informed opinion, fails to capture the flair and the dash that is Jass of Downs. The artist, rather, seems to have seen nothing but the gaunt and empty aspect of the undead that had returned with him after the incident in the caves under Turtle Lake. But was this the fault of an artist who saw little more than surface appearances? Or has this undead malaise so overcome him that what he thinks of as his self has become subsumed?
Despite the sun and the cloudless sky, despite the pleasant and well kempt park, Jass' mood slinks away to places darker than Scarwall had ever been. Even beyond their less than impressive workmanship, the statues further serve to remind him of the fragility of their little group. Vorelle had nearly left, taking Vauhwyt along with her. The shock to Jass has been palpable. But, of course, she would leave. Someday, if not today. What did he expect? That their bold camaraderie would remain frozen in time forever? They would remain collectively married to one another till death brought its bitter sweet parting?
They might always have the castle, and these brief shining moments of heroism and comradery. But time moves all things along, sweeping them in different directions. Malgant, Vauhwyt, Aztyr, Brahmah, Vorelle, Sir Joshua, himself, they may all remain comrades and friends for the rest of their lives. But they would never be as they are now. Or, rather, as they were then Jass realizes: The shining moment had already passed.
"About your thought, Mal," he says upon returning to the castle from Acid City and the park, "ending the boss of Liches and such. I think it's a capital idea." Jass flexes his fingers as though in preparation for a spell. His gray face falls into lines of grim intensity. "Just the thing I need right now. Capital, indeed."
DM SteveK: I knew it! Al is the perfect sub for Jass. You captured his inner and outer juxapositions perfectly!
AC 44,Touch 35,Flat 26 CMB 40, CMD 55 on level gound CMD 45 otherwise, 241/223(169) hp Malgant Winterborn Monday January 28th, 2013 2:29:59 PM
OOC The item Malgant is shopping for is a fragile 1500 gp item, last time he got a small statuette, probably made of ivory and well carved to be worth that much and still be small. It is the material component to a spell that normally teleports the person breaking the item to the cleric that cast it. The reverse of the spell, the one I cast for Sally, the innkeeper when she was helping to get people out of Alsidur would summon me to her if she broke it, in case she got in trouble. I plan to challenge Sir Horace to pursue the vision of the church of Ga'al that he proposed to us. The lawful benevolent if not good church of Ga'al. If he can "man up" and become the heroic leader that the movement needs to have a chance of making that church a reality, then I will give him a statue too along with my support. I feel that to give the statue to what should be an enemy of my church is a pretty profound statement of my faith in him that he can make the church as he sees it happen, even if it is only a splinter sect. Towards that end...
IC " Glad to hear that Jass. However you seem..... down. Normally you would be flitting around here sprucing the place up and well, being exuberantly positive. And you are not. I won't ask you what's wrong, you'll ask if you think any of us can help, but I could use that Positive Jass to come with me for a talk at the local temple of Ga'al. As you know Sir Horace has been installed, or exiled there, depending on how you rate what happened on the mission. I have a job for him and I need someone... less intimidating than me and with a better relationship to him to help me make him want it. If you would walk there with me I'll explain along the way. Shall we?"
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Monday January 28th, 2013 2:42:18 PM
Sir Joshua admires the beautiful statues and notices all the shy smiles from maidens everywhere. And of course any mares that pass by give William a glance too, noting his strong haunches and great mane... The two are truly a pair, the shining knight and his mighty steed...
He's also glad that there's finally peace in this area and their mission was mostly successful... He still doesn't trust that church, but as a monotheist, that's no surprise...
He's also saddened that some of the companions that he's just getting to know are leaving, but he knows that their journeys will take then to different places in life... He shakes each of their hands, tells them how much he's appreciated them and promises that if they ever need help in the future, to please ask..."[/b]
At the sound of going after the liches, he smiles broadly and says, "Yes, I like that idea. Anything we can do to rid the world of those undead vermin is a good thing..."
Finally, he does some shopping with his new coin...
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Monday January 28th, 2013 3:52:55 PM
The cadaverous sorcerer dismisses any concerns that the Hand might have with a wave of his own ... well ... hand. "Don't mind me, Mal. I certainly don't."
"Lead on. Lead on. I've just come back from town. But I see no stigma associated with going back into town. Do tell, what is your plan? Or, are we to wing it?" Jass' dead gray lips part in a smile that reveals teeth that are perfect, white and even. "I can wing it too."
"But ... what if that vision of the church of Ga'al is what Sir Horace had been intending to pursue all the long, Mal?" the sorcerer asks after the plan has been explained? "That is to say, he seemed pretty sincere in his goals and beliefs before. What happens then? Do we get to keep the statue? Well, no. I see you'd want to give it to him anyway."
"Well, paladins being what they are, I don't see him putting up much of a fight."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday January 28th, 2013 6:37:49 PM
Vauhwyt is never one to dwell on anything for a very long time. She is too easily distracted. Letting Vorelle know that whatever she decides is what Vauhwyt wants too, she has some fun stuff to try.
OOC: Vauhwyt's new 8th level spell is Polymorph Any Object ... and she is swapping her Alter Self for Invisibility. I'd also like to do a teensy bit of PC surgery, if that's okay ... swapping her Liontaur Charge fear for the new Woldian Improved Familiar feat, which got approved between 18th and 19th levels. Finally, for her new feat at 19th level, she'll take the APG Newfound Arcana feat ... the one that lets her take two new spells. She'll take Sequester and Floating Disk! Hoping for kindly DM Steve's approval on that.
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Monday January 28th, 2013 6:37:57 PM
Aztyr takes the time and makes sure everyone's wands and staffs are fully charged up. She also announces that she has perfected a spell, of course it's a fire spell.
(i'm back, but it'll be slow going, got multiple blood clots)
Wold's Blood Draws : 8/8 Wold's Blood in storage : 8/8 drop(s)
Spells on Aztyr :
Permenancied Spells on Aztyr:
Arcane Sight Resistance Tongues See invisibility Greater Magic Fang +5 on Dragon Claws Greater Magic Fang +5 on Liontaur Claws Comprehend Languages Dark Vision Read Magic Telepathic Bond (everyone)
AC 35(49),Touch 29(37) ,Flat 16(24) CMB 34, CMD48(58 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday January 28th, 2013 7:39:45 PM " If he requires no further prompting then I can save 1500 gp. Aztyr can probably make something nice out of that, being such a proficient crafter. Lets go see him."
Vorelle Monday January 28th, 2013 11:39:49 PM
After giving it some thought, Vorelle agrees to stay, at lest for this mission. But....
"If there really is a plague coming," she tells Vauhwyt, "somebody will need to look out for Dirt City, or they'll be forgotten. People think that nobody good lives there, but they're wrong."
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Tuesday January 29th, 2013 3:39:34 AM
Brahmah looks older and more haggard than ever hearing the news. "What?!! You have to be joking! We get Scarwall?! ****! I'm liking this less and less. First I couldn't get away from it fast enough, and now we own the damnable place. ****ing son of a ....." He trails off. The sailor has come out full stream. He gradually calms after a walk in the new park.
He returns from his walk, slightly annoyed and a bit disturbed what he didn't see in the park. A glaring omission that the park service made, either on purpose or an oversight, but bothers the ranger none the less. "Friends, the park has made a grave error. One that needs to be corrected soon. It's horrible. They left out our animal friends. No Polo! No Mookie! No William! They are just as important as we are. More so in some cases!" He snorts. "And I believe they got my nose wrong." He thinks. "but I'm not vane. It's just true."
He rubs a sore muscle, a residual pain from a slightly rough training session with an overzealous war horse. Horses... not for minotaurs and not for this ranger. "Friends, I believe it's time for me to tell you the truth. A truth that should have been made clear before the trip for Jangle through the elements." The dark haired minotaur and devout worshiper of Domi for his entire life, slides off his mithril shirt, bearing his chest to all who might be there (hopefully the remaining members who haven't retired). He bears a plant sprout from the center of his chest. A Heartseed. He looks sheepish. "It hasn't changed me. I hasn't turned to a Ga'alite. In fact, it gave me an insight to people's attitudes I didn't have before and more prowess on the battle field." He pauses for a reaction.... pretty much expecting Malgant's first.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Tuesday January 29th, 2013 3:40:23 AM
OOC: Malgant. I noticed your header is saying you are still hurt. You might want to fix it. :)
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+38=42 ; d20+38=50 ; d20+38=57 ; d20+38=53 ; d20+38=57 ; d20+38=49 ; d20+38=49 ; d20+38=42 ; d20+38=45 ; d20+38=52 ; d20+38=51 ; d20+38=45 ; d20+38=57 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2013 6:40:13 AM
Vauhwyt takes her walk through Hero Park and agrees with what Brahmah had reported. The statues are okay, but not great. And the group's friends are missing. Well, we'll see abut that.
She casts Crafter's Blessing and Greater Heroism to boost her natural ability. She polymorphs Mookie into his gnome form so he can help her in her work (aid another).
The liontaur uses stone shape and her masterwork tools to improve the existing statues. Craft checks:
"You did the worst job on yourself, Boss!" Mookie points out. Vauhwyt shrugs.
She takes a small chip of leftover stone and Polymorphs it into a big piece of stone, big enough for several more statues (she can make a block of stone up to 10 ft x 10 ft x 19 ft). Fabricate and stone shape get the rest done toot sweet.
William - 42 Polo - 45 Champ - 52 (a shaggy dog, at the statue of Vorelle's feet) Piper - 51 (a raven on the right side of the entry gate) Macaw - 45 (a raven on the left side of the entry gate) Mookie - 57 (half out of Vauhwyt's belt pouch)
"Aw, Boss!" caws Mookie. (Even in gnome form, his voice is a caw.) "You made mine the best!"
==========
Vauhwyt spends the next several days casting Sequester on all of her possessions. Soon, the only things not made invisible are her clothes and her two earrings -- one is a green leaf (won in a GG contest) and the other is a dangling scales (a gift from the Bill Troublefinder). On her white shirt (the one with the green embroidery) she wears her WLA pin, and on her hand she wears a silver wolf ring. Her clothes seem kind of rumpled, but that's because she is wearing invisible celestial armor over them.
She also buys a metal-reinforced chest, and polymorphs and fabricates it carefully: She turns it into a wooden box, five feet on each dimension, metal reinforced. A 5 ft x 5 ft x 2 inch slab of oak, at 50 lbs per cubic foot, weighs about 200 lbs. Add in 100 lbs of iron banding. That's 300 lbs per side, and six sides, so 1800 lbs. Each side of the die has a one ft diameter hole, so it kind of looks like a d6 that always rolls a one no matter what. Except on the bottom, there is a convex bulge out, 3 ft in diameter and a few inches deep. And there is a secret door on the top. The Cube is designed to fit right onto a Floating Disk. After Vauwhyt makes it, she casts Sequester on it to make it invisible, casts Floating Disk under it, and says to Mookie, "Hop in!"
"What's with the leaky invisible bird cage, Boss?" he says, eying it dubiously.
"It's not a cage, silly," she says. "It's a flying armored fortress!"
The liontaur is serious for a moment. "In Koshe Marr, you got hammered," she says, looking grim.
"You mean killed, Boss!"
"Yeah, right. Well, last time out I was too scared to let you do anything."
"I was bored to tears, Boss!"
"I know," says Vauhwyt, suddenly grinning. "So I made you a play fort! You can float around behind me, and you get improved coverr!" In her excitement at her latest scheme, her accent makes an appearance.
"And how does this fit with the AM Field thing, Boss?" Mookie laughs.
"No, that was last week. This is this week! I can even share a Fluid Form with you, and you can stick your beak out 15 ft through a porthole and bite enemies!"
"Oh boy!" says Mookie sarcastically. But you can tell he is actually excited about it.
"Technically, you can even use your Hide skill, I mean Stealth, since you have 90% cover. You even get a bonus on Stealth checks!"
OOC: Improved Cover: In some cases, such as attacking a target hiding behind an arrowslit, cover may provide a greater bonus to AC and Reflex saves. In such situations, the normal cover bonuses to AC and Reflex saves can be doubled (to +8 and +4, respectively). A creature with this improved cover effectively gains improved evasion against any attack to which the Reflex save bonus applies. Furthermore, improved cover provides a +10 bonus on Stealth checks.
Mookie rolls over laughing. "You mean that in an invisible box, floating on an invisible disk, I get +10 on Stealth checks! And I can make them any time?"
"That's the beauty of Improved Coverr, old friend," says Vauwhyt.
OOC: New standard operating procedure to add to Vauhwyt's morning routine: Cast Floating Disk daily to float Mookie's new Fortress Box on.
Scarwall, the Woods Surrounding, and Acid City (DM SteveK) Tuesday January 29th, 2013 11:05:10 AM
Several of the heroes are not quite happy with the work of the statues in Heroes Park. Vauhwyt puts thought to action and begins making her own improvements on the statues; a chip here, a rasp there. And the liontaur also magics up some similar stone then turns them into the animals that have been so much a part of the heroes' lives. This takes the happy liontaur a couple of weeks until she gets everything the way she wants. Every evening she returns to Scarwall covered in stone dust and a contented look on her face.
In the evenings, Vauhwyt and Mookie play and plan with magic. It is another week before Vauhwyt has her Mookie's Floating Fortress all set up and ready to go, but it appears that Mookie may be able to adventure with his mistress again.
(ooc: Love you like a brother, Cayzle, but it is not usually a good thing to make the DMs head hurt before you even start... :-) )
(ooc: Surgury is OK for Vauhwyt. Sigh...)
(ooc: If she takes Sequester... As 7th level spell V can cast x8 per day using 7 and 8th level slots. With 40 personal items, it will take 5 days to cast all Sequesters. The spells last 19 days and so V will have to recast every 15 days (27% ). V needs 8 hours of rest before regaining the spell slots (33% of day). Therefore, there will be a 27% then 33% chance at the start of an encounter day that Vauhwyt has used all of her 7th and 8th level spell slots.)
Brahmah is not happy to learn that he is now partial owner in Scarwall. Yet as the weeks pass, it is evident that the castle no longer bears a resemblance to an evil place. Malgant or Jass or Sir Joshua understand it is the nature of good and evil in the Wold that is at work. Evil gathers rapidly, but also dissipates rapidly, and the overwhelming power of Sablihelm not only transported the Castle from Koshe Marr to the Wold, but purged most of the evil. And now, just the fact that good people are living in the castle, Good is slowly permeating into the very stones.
And Brahmah feels it is time to reveal another secret. With all his friends together, the minotaur WLA Captain bares his chest to reveal... an implanted heartseed!!!
Aztyr has been playing with a new fire spell, overjoyed to dance in the flames as a flame herself.
Malgant determines to have a meeting with Sir Horace, and invites Sir Joshua and Jass to accompany him. The three heroes are immediately ushered into a vestibule of the Temple of Ga'al where refreshments have been laid aside. Quickly enough to see that Sir Horace didn't even take the time to change, the paladin of Ga'al arrives and smiles. "How may I help you? I apologize again for the invisible cleric, he has already been punished and is now conducting penance on a ship bound for Rum to establish a small temple on the far side of the wild ocean."
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Tuesday January 29th, 2013 2:37:04 PM
Sir Joshua accepts the paladin's apology, but still doesn't trust their pagan religion. He's also VERY disappointed at Brahmah for doing such an act of apostasy.... He wonders if he'll ever be really able to trust his friend anymore...
To Horace, he nods in a friendly manner, and thanks him also for taking care of the ill meaning priest...
OOC - (In the process of updating based on level 19 and the small amount of loot for him. Already have ghost touch on armor and sword so that's one problem settled)
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al d20+18=29 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2013 4:03:52 PM
Refreshments.
Jass had swept through the doors of the Temple of Ga'al, wreathed in the smile on his gaunt gray face. With a surprisingly strong grip he had pumped the hand of the paladin of Ga'al. Hullo's, How Are You's, and various pleasant enquiries into the state of things had proceeded with great effluent gusto. Not a few words had been expressed on the manner in which Sir Horace had proven his integrity, along with expressions of regret that they Blackbird Lakers had not been able to retrieve the magic amulet after all.
Refreshments.
Now that the field has been properly and quite fragrantly fertilized, Jass steps aside. (Metaphorically, of course.) In the world of the literal, what he actually does is to step to the table of various drinks and small confections laid out for their consumption. He picks a snail shaped offering made, from all appearances from spun sugar, off the table as he waits for Malgant to proffer his proposal.
What in the world could Brahmah have been thinking, the gray sorcerer conjectures. The curved edge to the opening of the snail's shell crumbles to the invasion of his top teeth. Sweet. As expected. But inside, in some simulation of a snail's meat are ... bacon? And ... watercress? The heartseed would explain a lot about Brahmah. Indeed. It would explain a lot.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Diplomacy 29
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday January 29th, 2013 4:07:22 PM
Vauhwyt looks at Brahmah carefully. "Whatja get for that, old pal? Something good, I hope! You're not a jack or anything?"
=====
Vauhwyt enjoys playing with her Polymorph Any Object spell. She and Mookie show up in a different form each day. One day she is a gnome and Mookie is a liontaur. Another day she is a gargoyle riding Mookie the elephant. Another day she is a sylph and Mookie is a unicorn.
"Boss," says Mookie, "What shape should I wear when we go adventuring?"
"What, gnome isn't good enough any more?" Vauhwyt asks back.
"Well, I miss flying."
"You need something with hands, so you can use wands and scrolls. You need wings. It would be nice to have a natural attack, so you can flank and aid another and Smite evil things."
"And fit in the Die of Safety!" adds Mookie.
"Yeah, size small or maybe medium if you are shorter than 5 feet."
"Hmm ..."
OOC: Anyone have ideas on Mookie's ideal shape?
=====
OOC: Ugh, no surgery for me! I'll keep the Improved Share Spells. Alas! I'll have to use my swap to change my Mage's Mansion for the Sequester ... since we have the castle, we don't really need the mansion. And I'll just buy some high-power Floating Disk scrolls.
As for the Sequester, I'm counting 25-30 items, max, not 40 ... because items stored in the haversack do not need to be sequestered. And Vauwhyt's Sequester lasts 23 days based on caster level 23. So she casts one each morning, max, to cover 23 items. Let's say that half the days she casts another when she goes to sleep with an extra slot she did not use that day ... that's another 11 items covered. Fact is, she likely has 1-3 slots left over on 90% of days. So at a cost of one slot cast in the morning, and another 0-3 each night, she can easily keep all her items Sequestered.
How's that sound, kindly and patient DM Steve?
SteveK: to make it easy, we can just say Vauhwyt has one 7th level slot used on any given day and leave it at that. Suits?
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday January 29th, 2013 5:31:39 PM
"Oh! How about a mephit, Boss?" asks Mookie.
"Well ... wings, check. claws, check. hands, check. We could try that. But a mephit is made of elements, not flesh and bones, so I think it would only last a short time. Changing a living thing into an elemental, I mean."
"Hmmm," Vauhwyt ponders. "How about a homunculous? Same size. Both creatures made of flesh and bone. Should last at least a week. Wings, hands, bite -- that's the package."
Vauhwyt casts Poly Any Object on Mookie to change him into a homunculous.
OOC: DM Steve, does that even work? Should I adjust his ability scores any? I'm assuming he can gain the flying and the bite. He would retain his voice, which is a supernatural ability. He would lose his base natural armor, though not his bonus natural armor, which is a class feature. Thoughts? Edit: Also asked on the rules board in an effort to spare my poor DM!
DM SteveK: 1) Homonculus is a construct (no relation (+0), same size (+2) and 10 Int. Is that lower or higher than Mookie? I think higher(+0). That is a +2 and the spell would last 1 hour. Good for an intense series of combats. 2) I don't think there are any ability changes since a magical beast to construct has no equivalent polymorph spell. 3) And bite, hands, and fly package... yes.
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 d20+27=30 ; d20+27=35 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2013 6:06:01 PM
Aztyr takes 4 days to craft a pair of Meta Magic Rods, lesser Maximize. reducing time by skill DC+5, and a drop of blood. blood draws are automatic (drawing 6 or fewer drops at a time) The crafting DC for the rods are 32 (add 2 for 2 of squinkies pills from christmas,) first roll = 32, second crafting roll = 35 both rods are crafted.
And Aztyr didn't learn fire body, that'll be the last spell she learns, she learned Wish, but she did perfect Scorching Ray, which is a very cool feat from APG, look it up if you don't know it.
So, Aztyr has 17 days for crafti9ng what Malgant needs done.
Wold's Blood Draws : 8/8 Wold's Blood in storage : 8/8 drop(s)
Spells on Aztyr :
Permenancied Spells on Aztyr:
Arcane Sight Resistance Tongues See invisibility Greater Magic Fang +5 on Dragon Claws Greater Magic Fang +5 on Liontaur Claws Comprehend Languages Dark Vision Read Magic Telepathic Bond (everyone)
AC 35(49),Touch 29(37) ,Flat 16(24) CMB 34, CMD48(58 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Tuesday January 29th, 2013 7:04:58 PM
Malgant looks at Brahmah's chest, horrified. But then he realizes that Brahmah hasn't really changed. If anything he is just as woodsy and devoted to his passions, the wild, sailing and not being in Scarwall, as he was before. " No ill effects? No overwhelming urge to be a massive jerk and impose your will, rather Ga'al's will on everything you see? Odd, I thought it would be different. So, who grants your prayers now? Ga'al or Domi?"
Temple of Ga'al Malgant accepts the apology, he didn't think that Horace was involved in the tray of heartseeds in the first place . In fact, he takes heart to hear how Horace is more interested in justice being done than in anything else. When Jass looks at Malgant the Hand knows it is time for 'the pitch'. " Sir Horace, I had grave doubts that you had anything to do with that tray of Heartseeds, but I am happy to hear that you are passionate that it be made right. Your church has many wildly differing factions, more than any I have seen before. What I am going to ask you may be a surprise to you, but I have a great deal of respect for the way you defended your point of view when I challenged you about your god and how your more lawful than bad view could exist side by side with the oppressive temple of Ga'al I was acustomed to. Toward that end I would like to see more Ga'alians like you. As it happens you are the perfect one to make that happen too. You mentioned you were a Bard before you devoted your life to Ga'al. You are heartseeded and that now takes on a different outlook than I had previously thought of it in.You can influence people, both with your bardic skills in story telling and song, and your conviction through your heartseed and paladinhood. I would like you to promote your vision of the church of Ga'al, hopefully with the intent that it become the unifying vision of the Ga'alian church. If you take on this charge and are willing to see it come true I would like to offer you two things I never thought I would offer to a Ga'alian. My help if you need it, and a token of Refuge, that will allow you to call me to render that help if you feel the need. The fact that I cannot resist the pull of the token should you use it, and that some factions of your church would jump at the opportunity to have a Protector and Hand of Imod delivered to them on their terms when they choose should show y level of commitment and faith in you and your cause. " What do you say?" If he accepts Malgant will remove the token from his robes and cast the reverse of Refuge on it, allowing Sir Horace to summon him by breaking the item and speaking the command word. The token is an intricately carved horn made of Ivory, looking just like Le Gorrne appeared, with gilded trimmings and small carvings to Ga'al inscribed on it. Were it blessed it would make a superior holy symbol since the minute carvings are actually Ga'alian text. The whole thing costing 1500 gp.I could be made easily into a pin or worn on a chain.
Vorelle Tuesday January 29th, 2013 10:36:35 PM
Vorelle watches as Vauhwyt makes improvements to the statues, and adds the animals. It is a little odd. On the one hand, she remembers a faithful, shaggy dog companion named Champ. On the other hand, she is quite certain that she never had an animal companion, a dog or anything else. She cannot account for it.
She is a little concerned for Brahmah and his heartseed. She wants to think the minotaur knows what he's doing, but still.... "Does it hurt?" she asks tentatively.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday January 30th, 2013 12:05:43 AM
Vauhwyt pauses, and thinks for a minute. "What the heck!" she says at last. "Why didn't I think of that earlier!"
"Here, Mookie, try this shape on for size."
She casts Polymorph Any Object and turns the celestial raven into a celestial harpy, with black feathers.
"Boss?!" exclaims Mookie. His voice is the same, and reflects some hesitation.
He flexes his wings, talons, fingers. "This is great, Boss ... but are you sure?"
Vauhwyt shrugs like it is no nevermind, but her twitching tail says otherwise. "I think it is fine, Mookie. Maybe even a good thing," she says.
==========
The liontaur shows off her current human form to Vorelle. "Ha! Now we are just like sisters, at least for today, huh?" She tells her friend that if she wants to try any other form, she can. Elf, gnome, minotaur ... drider, harpy, pixie ... elemental, plant, unicorn ... Vorelle is more than welcome to try any of them.
[Presuming Vorelle asks about being a ghost, per email exchange ...]
Vauhwyt gets an odd look. "Well, actually, funny you should mention it. I just learned a new Grim trick. I can make myself incorporeal. And I can make my friends incorporeal too. Walking through walls, the whole nine yards." She explains that her friends who come along have to make a save or take some temp Con damage, no biggie with a potion of restoration. And of course, with ghost touch weapons, you can be incorporeal and also still attack corporeal foes. You are completely silent if you want to be, and if invisible, even better.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Wednesday January 30th, 2013 6:44:58 AM
Brahmah addresses his friends concerns the only way the ranger knows how.
"Yup. Still me. No better and no worse than before. Polo doesn't even notice the Heartseed. Doesn't phase my companion. It hasn't technically been very long. It was implanted right before we left for the Jangle and Tangle mission, when we were still in the Ga'al temple. The procedure was easy and painless. It still is painless. All I have to do is attend Ga'alian services a couple times a year. I'll probably do the midsummer and harvest time celebrations, mainly cus it's hurricane season and the ship won't be sailing.
As far as I can tell, I still FULLY serve Domi and always will. I'll tear this thing out if it does anything against Domi. I've had no pull toward Ga'al at all. And I still only pray to Domi. I only give thought to Ga'al when I hear the name Horace or think about that damned horn.
As to what I have gained from the Heartseed... and this is no hard sell, sales speech or gimmick to get anyone of you to get one, in fact, I'm glad I'm the only one who DID get one as far as I know. I gained a greater insight into people (huge bonus to Sense Motive, my choice), which I never really had before and a bit more battle prowess (Whirlwind Attack, no prerequisites required). And of course I kept a healing badge on the off chance that it might come in handy when dealing with hostile Ga'alians.
Did I have ulterior motives for accepting the Heartseed and badge? You better believe it. First, this was a next generation Heartseed, one that supposedly isn't controlled by a hive mind. So if there were any safe Heartseeds, these would be them. The badge can be studied too, see what really makes it tick. If it can be magically tracked. What have you.
Secondly, if Ga'al was going to start doing anything about or to the new Seeds, wouldn't we want to know right away? What better way than having a first hand experience. An inside to the hive or whatever. With insider knowledge, we could stop things sooner rather than later. On the other hand, I am pretty certain you all would have killed me on general principle not knowing what the hell was happening... another reason to tell you. I've been wanting to, but was a bit uncomfortable about... 'hey friends, I have a potentially explosive Heartseed in my chest and I don't know what will happen. Let's go on this mission to this other plane now' *rolls his eyes*
Thirdly, my choices for benefits were hardly random when getting Heartseed and were completely practical and priceless if coming up against anything, especially wild Ga'alian Heartseeded freaks on a rampage. I can potentially anticipate what people are going to do and then fend off the hordes with whirling blades more effectively.
Lastly, I truly believe, as a Chosen of Domi, I would have received a sign from Domi if my choice was entirely wrong. I had concern about that and got some guidance about it. I believe I can help more people in the Wold, the WLA, BBL, the city here, on the docks and aboard ship.
I genuinely believe I can be.... a better taur, Woldian, hero, whatever, if I trust more. Trust is strength. Trust is Courage."
The ranger smiles, but looks a bit concerned. "If you all are overly concerned with traveling with me and fighting along side me, I will, with some reluctance, have it removed. But I will not show bitterness or spite. That's the trust thing. On the other hand, if you let me keep it, and I do slip and it takes me over, I want you to kill me as fast as possible so none of you are hurt."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday January 30th, 2013 10:56:24 AM
Vauhwyt grins. "Brahmah, old friend, if you want to grow a flower in your body who am I to judge? If it goes sour, I'll polymorph it into a rot grub and yank it out."
Mookie caws, "Haw! I like to eat worms!"
[OOC: More later.]
Vorelle Wednesday January 30th, 2013 1:26:39 PM
Vorelle really likes the idea of going incorporeal. "That way I don't have to worry about all the blade barriers and stuff," she explains.
For right now, just messing around, she likes to be Polymorphed into things with wings. Vorelle really enjoys flying!
She accepts Brahmah's decision without further comment, but for the next few days she watches him closely--more out of curiosity than anything else.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday January 30th, 2013 1:52:23 PM
Vauhwyt, Mookie, and Vorelle enjoy flying around as harpies. Anyone want to join in?
Vauhwyt decides to replace Mookie's Int Boost Headband that grants ranks in Ride for one that grants ranks in Fly.
Scarwall, the Woods Surrounding, and Acid City (DM SteveK) Wednesday January 30th, 2013 3:30:21 PM BRAHMAH'S REVELATION.................
Sir Joshua isn't sure he's going to be able to trust the minotaur again...
Vauhwyt wants to know more about the heartseed and whether Brahmah is a "Jack".
Malgant looks at Brahmah's chest, horrified. But then he realizes that Brahmah hasn't really changed. If anything he is just as woodsy and devoted to his passions, the wild, sailing and not being in Scarwall, as he was before. " No ill effects? No overwhelming urge to be a massive jerk and impose your will, rather Ga'al's will on everything you see? Odd, I thought it would be different. So, who grants your prayers now? Ga'al or Domi?"
Vorelle is a little concerned for Brahmah and his heartseed. She wants to think the minotaur knows what he's doing, but still.... "Does it hurt?" she asks tentatively.
Brahmah replies in his blunt directness. "Yup. Still me. No better and no worse than before. Polo doesn't even notice the Heartseed. " Brahmah tells the others that he accepted the heartseed right before they went on the last mission. That he is still a faithful follower of Domi. The benefits are insight, battle prowess, and some healing and diplomacy to deal with hosile Ga'alians.
Even better, Brahmah tells the others, is that this "next generation" Heartseed isn't controlled by a hive mind. And now that he has one, the others can study it and the badge to ensure it doesn't start to dominate. Keeps the group to have some insider knowledge on if Ga'al or his hierarchy will start trying something sneaky. Finally, as a Chosen of Domi, Brahmah is certain that he would have received a sign from Domi if my choice was entirely wrong.
The ranger ends his explanation with a warning. "If you let me keep it, and I do slip and it takes me over, I want you to kill me as fast as possible so none of you are hurt."
Vauhwyt grins. "Brahmah, old friend, if you want to grow a flower in your body who am I to judge? If it goes sour, I'll polymorph it into a rot grub and yank it out."
Vorelle accepts Brahmah's decision without further comment, but for the next few days she watches him closely--more out of curiosity than anything else.
MEETING WITH SIR HORACE..................
Sir Joshua accepts the paladin's apology, but still doesn't trust the Ga'alians in general or their diety in particular.
Jass works hard by looking like he isn't working at all, and lays firm ground in the meeting in the Temple of Ga'al. And, ah yes, refreshments! The sorcerer sweeps in and then away as if he has rehearsed this particular dance a hundred times.
Malgant smoothly takes over the conversation as Jass leaves for the food table. He accepts Sir Horace's apology at face value, but that is only the start of his reason to visit. The cleric minotaur of Domi not only asks for Sir Horace to use his bardic and paladin skills to influence other people to accept his professed version of Ga'al; as an option but not a "convert or die" ultimatum. What's more, Malgant is willing to assist Sir Horace in converting people to the non-mandatory worship of Ga'al and will give the paladin the material component of a reversed Refuge spell so Horace can summon Malgant!
Sir Horace is momentarily stunned by this apparently sudden change of heart of the indomitable Malgant, but then the human breaks into a smile and gives Malgant a spontaneous hug. "Yes! Yes! A hundred times Yes! All we have been praying for is a chance to demonstrate the virtues of Ga'al, that it has been evil men who subverted the noble cause of order! I pledge upon my heartseed, my god, and my sacred honor that I accept your offer not lightly, and may peace reign in Aisildur with the blessings of Ga'al being ever a gentle touch."
Sir Horace also accepts Malgant's token of the carved horn, and places it on an adamantine chain about his neck. "It shall be known only to us in this room the true nature of this horn, and it will only be used in my greatest need. Thank you, noble Malgant, and you will find us true."
IN ACID CITY...................
Vorelle watches as Vauhwyt makes improvements to the statues, and adds the animals. It is a little odd. On the one hand, she remembers a faithful, shaggy dog companion named Champ. On the other hand, she is quite certain that she never had an animal companion, a dog or anything else. She cannot account for it.
AT SCARWALL................
Vauhwyt and Mookie enjoy playing with the Polymorph Any Object spell, and consider many scenarios to use the spell with Mookie's Instant Fortress. She finds that a Celestial Harpy to the Celestial Raven Mookie makes the change Permanent! (+5 animal, +2 intelligence, +2 both outsider) It makes Mookie a medium creature, but he now has attack, fly, and hands all at the same time!
Vorelle really likes the idea of going incorporeal. "That way I don't have to worry about all the blade barriers and stuff," she explains. She also likes flying!
Vauhwyt also invites anyone else to become a Harpy for a flight around Scarwall.
Aztyr crafts a pair of Meta Magic Rods, lesser Maximize and is also able to craft an upgrade into Malgant's Amulet as well as Perfect her Scorching Ray spell.
And in the first weeks of settling down in Scarwall, the BBLers receive a visitor, it is Priscilla, the Witch of Blackbird Forest with her Vulture, Warwick! Priscilla still looks like she is in her late sixties, and wears a robe made up of a multitude of scraps of fabric and feathers, all tied together at her waist by a string. The cloak over her shoulders is similarly constructed and hangs nearly to the ground. She has very long gray hair streaked with the red it once was, and it is currently hanging in three loose braids that are tied off with brightly colored ribbons. She raises her right hand in greeting and you notice she is missing two fingers. Warwick is Priscilla's Familiar Spirit, and the constantly molting vulture sits on Priscilla's staff like it is a throne.
"Word is coming even to my forest that the Blackbird Lake heroes have a castle and a home. And are vulnerable." Priscilla rarely minces words, and while she often has spoken to the heroes in riddles, it is usually straight to the point.
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Wednesday January 30th, 2013 5:50:54 PM
Jass reaches out a ginger hand to tweak the exposed heart seed. "Well, if you ask my opinion, Brahmah, get rid of it. Piggies, I mean, if you're asking us to kill you if the thing goes wrong, you obviously don't trust it. And, if you don't trust it, then you know it will, in all likelihood, go wrong at the absolute worst moment."
"Just my opinion, though. Opinions being what they are. Just a lot of air."
"What exactly do you mean by Vulnerable," asks the sorcerer of the witch, turning his attention on a dime. "Should we now all begin wearing masks and take on exotic pseudonyms in order to protect the ones that we love?"
AC 35(49),Touch 29(37) ,Flat 16(24) CMB 34, CMD48(58 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Wednesday January 30th, 2013 6:36:01 PM
Malgant feels the old terror he experienced the last time they visited the witch in her home in Blackbird Forest surface for a brief moment, then with a deep chuckle he manages to banish it and welcome the witch. The laugh seems to say This is not her home with it's small size threatening that every time you move you will destroy some cherished artifact in her home. Nor is this in the middle of the forest where the dreams of the trees could come to life and kill you. Take heart hero, this is YOUR home where your family and friends look to you for strength and bravery. No Hand of Imod should be afraid of things that do not exist in this place Even tough that power of his god has not yet manifested itself in Malgant, the laugh does what it was intended to do and steadies the Minotaur. " Welcome to our home Priscilla, Please make your self comfortable and lend us your knowledge of these portents. Your visions were of great help in preparing us to help Acid City in the past and I look forward to their help now."
OOC Let me know when you need a spell list ready, i haven't gotten around to that yet. Also have the items I need been finished yet or are we still in down/crafting time? Since the purchases were approved I was going to change my sheet to reflect them.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday January 30th, 2013 8:07:07 PM
OOC: I have to go shopping too. I'll email about that to the group.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Thursday January 31st, 2013 3:00:16 AM
Brahmah listens to everyone.
To Jass he says, "I do trust it. It was not lightly that I decided it. But I haven't had as many bad dealings with Ga'al as it sounds that you all have. My magical friend, I do respect your opinion. It is not air, but stone. It will way heavy, your opinion."
He simply smiles at Vauhwyt. "Thank you."
He will wait to hear everyone's opinion about the Heartseed before deciding.
Upon hearing that the group is vulnerable, without knowing to what, Brahmah sends word to the ship. He sends word to Seaendithas Kaladir, his drow First Mate and acting captain on the Courageous and asks that they only take aboard standard and known cargoes, no additional passengers and to avoid regular routes while at sea. "There are goyna to be problems by the sound of it and ya'll need to keep yur wits about all of ya." His sailor tongue comes out and it sounds odd, even to the ranger. "So I request you make for some unknown berth and return when you hear from me." The drow moves to leave and as she reaches the door, she throws up her hood, adjusts two hilts under the cloak and slides off at rapid speed.
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Thursday January 31st, 2013 3:04:55 PM
To the visitor, Sir Joshua was at first respectful of the elder woman, but with her comments about their vulnerability puzzle him and it sounds like she's besmirching his and his companions' honor... "Madam or whatever people call you, what do you mean by vulnerable? I'm Sir Joshua the Virtuous Martyr, a brave and honorable paladin of YHWH and I take great offense at your comments if you mean to disparage our prowess in battle. Woman, explain yourself!"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday January 31st, 2013 4:00:09 PM
Vauhwyt grins like a mad fiend to see an old friend.
"Oh, Josh, don't worry," she tells the paladin. "This is Priscilla, and Warrick, of course." She introduces any who may not remember the witch.
"Please, come in and sit down," Vauhwyt says. She leads the older lady into the keep and makes everybody some hot tea by with a Fabricate spell.
"We always like to see old friends, but it sounds like you have some news."
Vorelle Thursday January 31st, 2013 5:30:17 PM
Vorelle joins the others in greeting Priscilla. "Hello, Warwick," she adds.
She joins the others for tea. "Vulnerable to what, exactly?" she asks.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday January 31st, 2013 5:36:43 PM
Vauhwyt, wearing a harpy body today, also introduces herself.
"Oh, and this is me, Vauwhyt! I'm usually a liontaur, but today I am playing at being a harpy."
"Hey!" says a cawing voice.
"Oh, and that's Mookie. Also wearing harpy feathers today."
AC 35(49),Touch 29(37) ,Flat 16(24) CMB 34, CMD48(58 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Thursday January 31st, 2013 6:53:16 PM
Aztyr
When Aztyr hears that Priscilla has come to visit she stops her work enchanting and joins her friends to hear what the witch has to say. No stranger to Priscilla's portents, the studious liontaur prepares to write down every word the witch utters.
OOC John is in the hospital again and was taken there without any prep time so he doesn't have his charger for the tablet so he won't be able to post or look in until he is home again. It seems he has another blood clot that is interfering with his breathing. Steve, I will resume posting for him in Hook City tomorrow, he said he posted already today.
Priscilla and Warrick (DM SteveK) Thursday January 31st, 2013 10:00:54 PM
Warrick preens his body as greasy feathers and fluff float about the hall, but his bristles as Sir Joshua's words. "You sirrah, are in the presence of The witch of Blackbird Forest and the most powerful mage of his time!" He waits a moment as if expecting an 'ooo' or an 'ahh', then the vulture harrumphs and studiously ignores everyone as he goses back to fluffing his partially bald body.
Priscilla takes a cup of tea and sits, smiling at Vauhwyt and Vorelle (whom she has known since those two were neophite adventurerers in Dirt City), nodding at Brahmah and Malagant (who have both met the witch at least once) and Jass (who has lived in Blackbird Forest for a few weeks). To Sir Joshua, she merely cocks an eyebrow. "Nothing moves in Blackbird Forest without me knowing about it, but I haven't seen this castle or you before, so you must be fairly new to this group of..." she seems to be searching for a word... "heroes?"
"No portents brought me from my Forest, child of Tomi", Priscilla says to Aztyr who is obviously ready to write down every word of the old woman. "But forces are on the move and are trying to track you down. Groups have tried to penetrate Blackbird Forest trying to get to your old hideout, and have sailed on the Lake following the route of the Elemental Gate. All of these groups have had the smell about them of Bone Mountain, and the taint of the great lich that lives there." She looks at Vauhwyt intently. "The same taint that took your babies."
"And then I hear of a castle appearing out of nowhere, and a park dedicated to a group of heroes that fit your descriptions. I hear these rumors from the depths of Blackbird Forest where rarely a living traveller enters or leaves. And if I have heard them, how much time will it be before Bone Mountain, your enemy, also hears of these rumors and comes searching for you?"
Priscilla takes a look at each heroes' face and can see that she has everyone's attention.
"Your enemy who enjoys giving you pain by attacking those you most love and are most defenseless? Do you still say you are not vulnerable?"
..................
NOTE: Have equipment and spells ready by Monday.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday January 31st, 2013 10:55:10 PM
"Meh," says Vauwhyt, shrugging. "We are not too vulnerable these days, seeing as we actually do not have any followers, children, spouses, servants, or even loved ones to worry about."
She peers straight into the witch's eyes. "I learned that lesson a while back," she says, thinking of her fledglings. "If you leave all that you love behind, you have no vulnerabilities."
"There's this place, but it is just stone. If they come at us herre, then we are in a strong place. If they ruin the castle when we are not herre, that's okay. We can either fix it or find someplace else." An old touch of accent reveals Vauhwyt's seriosity.
"But you have come in good faith to warn us, and for that we are really grateful. It is advice well taken. We should start to move around. Sleeping in the same place every night is dangerous. Maybe I should not have given up my mansion spell."
"But I know we have not been scried. I would have sensed that. They made that mistake once, and they will not do so again!"
"Thank you, Priscilla, for coming to warn us. You have always been a good friend, and a powerful one. Those are the best kind to have -- they are harder to threaten. Though of course, you know that if you were abducted or kidnapped or put in danger, we would not come to your rescue. And you must treat us the same way. Otherwise, YOU become our vulnerability, and we yours!"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday February 1st, 2013 10:56:33 AM
Vauhwyt ponders resuming their hop-a-long lifestyle, and thinks about trucking Mookie's new Invisible Fortress Box everywhere they go.
"It is for this that they invented the Shrink Item spell," she murmurs.
OOC: Kindly DM Steve, the box is 5x5x5 = 125 cubic ft. V's Shrink Item covers 46 cubic feet, max. So she needs to disassemble the fortress into three pieces, of two sides each, say, with the pieces able to be put back together and latched / buckled / snapped into place. She'll put some thought into that, then use her Fabricate to do it, then practice putting it together and apart to make sure it works, then shrink the three pieces and store them in her haversack.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Friday February 1st, 2013 11:13:35 AM
OOC: How many days have passed since the first day in Jangle and Tangle's realm?
DM SteveK: It has been 23 days since the group returned from Jangle and Tangle's realm.
Spell list is going to take a day or two. Suggestions would be welcome. ---------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, 3rd(3)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement, Grove of Respite,
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: used Guiding Star (on himself, 13/15 days, Blackbird Lake, cast day one upon return)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater, in haversack] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Mystery Item (4d8+7, 3/day)
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Friday February 1st, 2013 3:14:11 PM
His suspicions dismissed and honor regained, Sir Joshua nods at the witch and says, "Then well met madam and I thank you for the warning. Could you tell us more about these forces in the woods, such as the numbers, types of foes, etc.? is there a specific member of our group that's being targeted or do you have a general feeling that applies to all of us?"
AC 35(49),Touch 29(37) ,Flat 16(24) CMB 34, CMD48(58 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Friday February 1st, 2013 5:10:23 PM " Speak for yourself Vauhwyt. Some of us uprooted family and kin to have them near the protection of an amulet we never won. Also, I will not leave them unguarded to spare my own hide. Waiting for an attack means that we do not have the upper hand or the element of surprise on our side. Which leaves us one other option..." " Priscilla, would you know the name that leads this evil. We have destroyed some of his hands, and thus made him our enemy and invited his wrath. The time has come to put paid to that bill. No matter the cost to me, my brother and his family and my parents would be safe and my family's honor would be unstained. Anything you can tell us would help us begin to track the prime evil that corrupts the mountain would be appreciated. Perhaps the removal of this evil would cleanse some of the land around the mountain as well."
AC 35(49),Touch 29(37) ,Flat 16(24) CMB 34, CMD48(58 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Friday February 1st, 2013 5:14:48 PM
Aztyr Aztyr thinks furiously about how they can figure out the name of the inhabitant of Bone Mountain, then looks straight at Vauhwyt." Why not ask Gargul Vauhwyt? Surely he knows the names of those that have cheated him. An undead as powerful, or more powerful than a lich would not be unknown to him. With the name we can start divinations on him and get the information we would need to strike first. Surely corrective action is better than waiting for an attack."
Vorelle Friday February 1st, 2013 8:03:04 PM
Vorelle shifts uncomfortably when Vauhwyt talks about not having loved ones to worry about. Vorelle kind of wishes that were true. She wishes she didn't worry about her family; she's pretty sure they don't deserve it. But, deserved or no, she does worry about them, and she would feel bad if they were harmed because of her.
"Should--should we be warning people?" she asks.
Priscilla and Warrick (DM SteveK) Friday February 1st, 2013 10:35:41 PM
Priscilla sips her tea and nods.at the various responses by the heroes of Blackbird Lake. "A lifetime of running and hiding, isolating yourself from any noble touch. Yes, that would be a true life of a hero, wouldn't it?" It seems Priscilla still has a full dose of biting sarcasm when she wants to use it!
But then the old witch answers Malagant. "Turning the tables, striking at the heart of Bone Mountain when most of the great lich's forces are combing the Forest and Aisildur looking for you? That would be heroic, and make the lands safer for a generation. I will tell you what I can, but it is little enough. There is a great lich of Bone Mountain that has gathered many strong lieutenants to have even more power. There is said to be a lair where the lieutenants vie for power, the strongest holding the keys to the inner sanctum. In the history of New Elennia, whole nations have fought against Bone Mountain and only have been able to gain peace for a generation or two. For you to end the threat to anyone you come in contact, you will have to learn where the lair is, gather the keys, and defeat the great lich himself."
Warrick mantles above Priscilla. "So, how are you all going to get that information?"
AC 35(49),Touch 29(37) ,Flat 16(24) CMB 34, CMD48(58 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Friday February 1st, 2013 11:27:37 PM " We could use magic to divine it, or we can go find one of the groups searching for us and beat it out of them."
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Sunday February 3rd, 2013 12:40:56 AM
OOC: I prepared Versatile Weapon. It works like Greater Magic Weapon, but also changes the material of the weapon, to bypass DR. Lead Blades increases the size category of the weapon.
Knowing they were getting close to the departure time, Brahmah casts Extended Guiding Star (yesterday, day 22). The spell is virtually useless when he has the use of the Word of Recall to the castle, but it can be useful in other ways. ------------------- "My father died long ago. I haven't seen mother in years, but her health was not good, so she is likely dead. All of my siblings are either dead, at sea, still working the vineyards or don't wanna be found. I have no children or wife and all of my personal affairs are in order. No one I care about, beyond this group, will be targeted. I'm sure of that. And Domi help those who go against any of my family." ---------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Guiding Star (31/32 days, castle)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Sunday February 3rd, 2013 8:59:21 PM
"As I thought," says the man from far off Hook City. Even there, he'd never had many close ties. Oh, a few here and there. He'd drop in for warm greetings. But he'd never stayed long in any one place. As powerful has had ever been the pull of a place or a group of people, the pull of his wandering foot had always been greater.
And now, well, yes of course. It's as though he'd always known it. All this time. Even if they had no enemies. Too much attachment to things must necessarily make one vulnerable. It must. Because all things change. The one constant in the sum total of all things. Change.
"It's a good thing that we were just talking about a trip to Bone Mountain. Eh, Malgant? We've been planning on a conversation with the Master of the place."
"Excuse me, Pris," the cadaverous sorcerer bows with a gentility to match that of Sir Joshua, "I'll just be gone no more than a few moments. Please stay till I return. I'd be so sad if I were not here to give you a proper farewell." With these words, Jass retires to another room to cast a Contingency spell.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.)
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 4th, 2013 10:15:37 AM
OOC: Sick at home with the flu ... working frantically to get my shopping and PC sheet in.
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) Monday February 4th, 2013 11:16:30 AM
The Blackbird Lake heroes discuss how to get more information than the little that Priscilla has given them.
Brahmah and Jass cast some preparatory spells. Even as they deny they have any vulnerabilities, the heroes think. There is Brahmah's boat and crew. The innocent people of Acid City and Turtle Village. Sir Horace whom they have just come to an understanding. Priscilla and Warrick. And going further away are the cities of Dirt City, Hook City, and the Tauric Isles, and thousands of unsuspecting common people of the Noble and Ignoble races that could be on each heroes conscience. The heroes have fought this type of enemy before, and are certain as the sun rises that if Bone Mountain can't find the target it wants, well, any target would do...
Jass notes that twice now, Bone Mountain has come to the group's attention. The first was when Vorelle and Vauhwyt nearly left for Dirt City, and the group decided to put an end to the lichs that have dogged thier steps since coming together. And now this second time with Priscilla's warning, it appears that Bone Mountain once again is front-and-center. Not everyone has chimed in, but right now it looks like a preemtive strike is preferred to holing up or living a life on the run...
What is needed now is some studying, recalling knowledge, or divinations to find more names, abilities, and ... maybe... a location to attack, for Bone Mountain is huge. Without a more precise location, it is certain that the BBLers would not be able to find even one lieutenant let alone the master lich itself!
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Monday February 4th, 2013 12:17:15 PM
"Well,"Jass drawls with a smirky smile upon his dead gray lips, "we can only hope that Bone Mountain is as oafish as they seem to be now. That they're still looking for us even now suggests that they haven't even thought of a divination. And who could miss a great whacking castle that suddenly appears on the shores of Blackbird Lake? Either their very very stupid. Or ... their very very clever."
"And, in case of the later," the sorcerer begins a second long conjuring of the day. When he completes the last flourish, a dark, foggy mass appears. "Step into my private sanctum," says Jass, bowing deeply as he offers entry.
"If we're going to plan, we may as well do so free from scrying eyes, so to speak."
"Now, if I recall correctly, Mac and I arrived just after the conclusion of your adventures on Bone Mountain. I heard some story, in fact, of you returning with an actual lich entrapped in a crystal of some sort. It may be helpful if someone could recount what happened while you were there."
"You didn't happen to retain that crystal, did you? Or something that we might use for a scrying of our own?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil d20+17=34 ; d20+6=7 ; d20+10=14 ; Monday February 4th, 2013 1:08:01 PM
Sir Joshua's inspired by the thought of a noble battle, especially against an undead lich and its lieutenants. "Undead are the scourge of everything that's good and if we can make a preemptive strike, then count me in. Furthermore, it's the honorable thing to do in order to prevent the lich's forces from killing innocents."
However, their actions are limited by a lack of information, so he goes and finds both the local priest of YHWH and the local nobles, using his charm and similar noble upbringing to discern where this Bone Mountain is, where the lieutenants might be operating from (if not in Bone Mtn) and any other rumors from parishioners or townsfolk or merchants who might have traveled through those areas...
William needed updating too, so he's now at 191/191 hps (had forgot to update Con bonus to hps but fixed now)...
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 4th, 2013 3:58:00 PM
Vauhwyt first of all asks Priscilla if she has any suggestions for finding a location to strike as a pre-emptive move. She also asks Warrick if he has any advice for tackling liches in general, or this one in particular.
Turning to her friends, she says, "The usual divinations, like Vision and Commune and such, will likely serve us well, and we should try them. We might also consider a Gate spell to ask for specific advice. But there is just no substitute for a good scouting expedition. I know that lair in which we defeated the three. We could send a scout team there, invisible and ethereal or incorporeal, and do some wandering around. Odds are pretty good we would get out without detection, and excellent that we would get out even if we ran into trouble."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 4th, 2013 5:39:46 PM
OOC to Sir Josh -- My friend, please keep your 1,000 gp for the rod. Use it for more diamond dust or something. I had enough cash on hand myself to buy the rod. What I would LOVE is a Bear's Endurance once a day?
...
Oh, that's not a paladin spell? Sorry, How about Bestow Grace?
...
Mal, you got a Bear's Endurance for me maybe?
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 4th, 2013 6:39:47 PM
OOC: PC sheets for Mookie and for Vauwhyt have been completely updated.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday February 4th, 2013 6:57:21 PM
OOC Whew all done. Sorry it took so long. I found and fixed a few error along the way. Current header is as he stands now, without short term buffs. Text assumes we get to cast some divinations before we are set upon or attack. IC Malgant waits for any further advice that Priscilla or Warrick wish to give. He knows the bird as a crotchety old naysayer, but that doesn't mean that the creature doesn't know more than Malgant does about things. When the visit is concluded, Malgant will cast the required Visions, especially if Priscillia or Warrick can give them a name, either the current name of the leader or the name it used in Life. Malgant wonders if it was even one of the Noble or ignoble humanoid races. For all they know it could be an accomplished Dragon Mage that wanted immortality and had the means to make itself a Lich. He makes sure that his normal defenses are up each day now that there is an actual threat. He also knows to make sure that his father and or brother go armed with either his mother or sister in law when they go to town. He takes special care to see that their son, named after Malgant himself is never left unattended.
Spells and effects On Malgant Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank 48 hour duration CL 20 Extended Contingency 40 day duration," Cast Breath of Life on me if I fall below 0 Hit points" CL 20 Permanent Telepathic Bond CL 17
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday February 4th, 2013 6:59:41 PM
Um, I think I can squeeze it in, you know it is kinda short term now right? only 1 min/level. I can trade you for that heroism I always ask for 8). I will do my own GMWs now Vauhwyt.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday February 4th, 2013 7:06:48 PM
OOC I am not sure if John updated Aztyr's sheet and I am still fighting an unknown respritory ailment, so I'll get tit done when I can if he hasn't finished it yet. In the mean time I will copy his list o' stuff from the post he made before he went back in the hospital. IC Aztyr waits for any more information she can gain and then will use any divining powers she has to look into it. (I think that is limited to scrying or anything 6th level mage or 5th level other class). She also finishes up her crafting. Aztyr will provide any who ask with a Magic Vestment cast at 20th level each day, that's a +5 armor bonus. Let me know how many, Malgant no longer benefits from this.
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Aztyr's Spell Info:
Wold's Blood Draws : 8/8 Wold's Blood in storage : 8/8 drop(s)
Permenancied Spells on Aztyr:
Arcane Sight Resistance Tongues See invisibility Greater Magic Fang +5 on Dragon Claws Greater Magic Fang +5 on Liontaur Claws Comprehend Languages Dark Vision Read Magic Telepathic Bond (everyone)
Non-Permenancied Spells on Aztyr :
Charges: Staff of Healing 10/10
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday February 4th, 2013 7:14:28 PM
Malgant answers Jass." I think, but am not sure, that we found and destroyed all three of the phylacteries they were hiding in. Thus denying their master three minions. The crystal may have something resonant of their master though. Vauhwyt do we still have that?"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 4th, 2013 11:03:05 PM
Vauhwyt shrugs. "Wasn't I dead then?"
"I sure was," caws Mookie, the raven's voice at odds, maybe, with the harpy form he is wearing.
Vorelle Monday February 4th, 2013 11:37:03 PM
"I think you picked that up, Malgant," Vorelle says. "Or maybe you asked me to do it. Hang on, I'll check in my stuff."
[OOC: The archives are a little unclear on this, but I think Malgant grabbed it. If not, I specifically posted that Vorelle picked up anything the spellcasters told her to pick up, so if Malgant doesn't have it, Vorelle probably does.]
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt d20+2=17 ; d20+20=35 ; d20+21=28 ; d20+33=51 ; d20+14=16 ; d20+26=38 ; Tuesday February 5th, 2013 3:25:24 AM
Brahmah casts a side glance at Mookie's strange form, but says nothing.
"I seem to remember that the lich I fought so many years back was a real bastard." He struggles to remember general information about this undead type, beyond the phalatory it is bound to be hiding. (general Know Undead, Favored Enemy, 17)
The ranger is also experienced with some of the terrain around Bone Mountain and the related area. It's been awhile, but he thinks back. What were weather patterns like? Which ways were easier to travel than others? Peoples in the area? Rivers and lakes in the area? Etc. (Know Geography 35, Know Nature 28, Survival (general and weather) 51, +2 for favored terrain were forests, urban and water where appropriate, and Know Dungeoneering for that odd factoid, 16, +2 underground favored terrain)
OOC: I didn't really think about it when speaking with Warrick and Priscilla, but Brahmah would have Sensed Motive regardless if anyone else is better at it. (Sense Motive 38) ---------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Guiding Star (31/32 days, castle)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) Tuesday February 5th, 2013 11:22:04 AM
Jass speculates that Bone Mountain is being very, very stupid... or very, very clever. He casts a private sanctum to plan away from scrying eyes, before asking for a lich entrapped in a crystal. Malgant, Vauhwyt, and Vorelle have an intense conversation and searching of their possessions before the Crystal appears among Vorelle's belongings in her room. The Crystal pulses with a baleful light and a True Seeing can still see an emaciated figure within!
Sir Joshua is inspired by the thought of noble battle against an undead lich. Since they need information, the paladin goes forth to question the closest priest of YHWH and the local nobles, asking of the location of Bone Mountain, an area of operations, and any other rumors, but the great paladin comes up with very little. Everyone knows where Bone Mountain is (also called Mount Bone) Culverwood and Izen for it is in the wilds of Izen, halfway between Blackbird Forest and Dirt City. The only thing the nobles, priests, and commoners know of Bone Mountain are legends and rumor, mostly dealing with hordes of undead crawling over armies to strip them of their flesh. Mount Bone, however, consists of miles and miles of crevasses, minor peaks, and many, many caves. A scouting party could spend a lifetime there without searching everywhere!
Vauhwyt puts her first questions to Priscilla and Warrick for any suggestions for finding a location or for tackling liches. She suggests those who can do divination spells to do them and then there is always a scout team to go about Bone Mountain and the location where they defeated the three previous liches. Priscilla can't provide any more information, for she doesn't know of any. Warrick is able to tell the group what Malgant has already said; "Few creatures are more feared than the lich. The lich is a spellcaster who has chosen to shed his life as a method to cheat death. The quest to become a lich is a lengthy and expensive one. Further complicating the ritual is the fact that no two bodies or souls are exactly alike--a ritual that works for one spellcaster might simply kill another or drive him insane. The only way to get rid of a lich for sure is to destroy its phylactery. Unless its phylactery is located and destroyed, a lich can rejuvenate after it is killed. The lich has spell resistance and damage reduction, only blunt AND magical weapons can easily overcome."
Malgant makes sure that his normal defenses are up each day and makes sure all his family go armed wherever they go. He takes special care to see that their son, named after Malgant himself is never left unattended. Malgant Jr himself is daily practicing with staff and bow and unarmed combat. And then, Malgant takes the Crystal and casts his Vision. Immediately, his consciousness leaves the minotaur and flies into the Crystal! Malgant can see that his astral projection is standing in the faceted jewel, very similar to how Jangle brought the group to his arena. The jewel is smokey and he can't see out, and standing before him is a gnome with jeweled eyes and an evil smirk on his face. "So, someone has finally decided to say hello to Pindar. There is no death here, so you may bargain as you may. What do you want? And I will tell you what I want. If there is an agreement, I will tell you what you wish to know."
Aztyr waits for any more information she can gain and then Scrys if she has a name or description.
Brahmah also recalls all the information the Warrick has told the group before he was told. The ranger is also able to draw up a map of the area around Mount Bone, mostly desolate and uninhabited by any other than occasional nomads. Brahmah is certain that Priscilla and Warrick are both telling the truth as they see it.
..........................
The Vision spell for Malgant is truly strange. Whether it is the power of the Crystal, the deep bond of the BBL, or the touch of a diety, each of the heroes are suddenly aware of Malgant casting the spell and the minotaur astrally inside the Crystal talking to the Gnome who called himself Pindar. It is like looking over Malgant's shoulder.
Malgant for his part, is also aware of Sir Joshua, Vauhwyt, Jass, Brahmah, Vorelle, and Aztyr behind him somewhere. Further, each hero realizes that they can communicate with each other and with Malgant, though Pindar only seems aware of Malgant.
(ooc: DM deus ex machina to allow everyone to be involved with the interrogation of Pindar. Roll with it :-)
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Tuesday February 5th, 2013 11:40:08 AM
Sir Joshua comes up short on finding much helpful information, but he does report what he discovered to the group... "Maybe the others had more luck," he adds hopefully... "I've been sitting around too much and William's putting on a few extra pounds that we need to get rid off... It's past time for a good fight and maybe I'll see if Sir Horace wants some jousting practice... "
While Malgant uses the crystal, SJ waits to see the results and he keeps a close eye on the castle's security arrangements...
_______ Great point on Bestow Grace and yes, I'll memorize that for Vauhwyt
Made change to money so have a bit more for Restoration spell...
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al d20+18=26 ; Tuesday February 5th, 2013 12:38:45 PM
Pindar ... After the break up of the Crimson Shields, he and Mac and Belkior and Syrdeth had come together with the Gray Knights to battle the Dread Lords in their floating lands.
"Be careful, Malgant," the sorcerer warns over the Telepathic Bond.
edited by DM Steve
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sense Motive 26 (To interpret Pindar's reaction)
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vorelle Tuesday February 5th, 2013 1:37:44 PM I wonder if I'm really here? Vorelle thinks.
[I'm not sure if this will work, or if the gnome is even undead. Vorelle tries to use her Hunter's Bond ability to give her companions half her Favored Enemy bonus (which works out to +3 if he's undead) against the gnome. This includes Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks, some of which may come in handy. You know, if this even works. :) ]
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday February 5th, 2013 1:41:27 PM
Vauhwyt is so confused. "Is this the crystal that Mookie was trapped in? And me, for a shorter time? Is that the lich? The lich is a gnome?! What is going on, anyway?"
She hears that Jass clearly has an inside line. "Jass! Jass!" she whispers, "Who is this bum? Is he a good guy or a bad guy? How do you know him?"
She whispers to Mal, "Ask him about the Master of Bone Mountain, Mal! And where we can find him."
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Tuesday February 5th, 2013 2:26:11 PM
"It's a memory that I have from my time with the Crimson Shields and the Gray Knights, Vauhwyt," Jass thinks in reply. Jass strains for more details. "The memory is faint. The name Pindar wakened something in my mind, but it's fading. Pindar. Bas'Anut. And ... Dredd. No, not Dredd, but Dread. The Dread. Dread Lords."
"Now it's gone. I don't remember anymore. For a moment there it seemed like just yesterday. Funny how time can play tricks on the mind."
OoC: I think you have conflated two different modules, Vauhwyt. You're thinking of the Demilich from the Scarwall module. The lich that we're all talking about was from Bone Mountain. See the archives around Tuesday June 14th, 2011 9:30:37 AM for the end of that adventure and the lich you brought back.
OoC2: Ooops. Sorry, when Steve mentioned the last module of the Gray Knights I didn't make the connection. I've actually played some of this module as a sub for various characters in either the Gray Knights or the Crimson Shields. I also subbed for DM DanielK for a while and got to read parts of the module. I don't know all of the module, though.
As I recall, Jass also went through the module with the Gray Knights and Crimson Shields team, which will make this sort of surreal going through it a second time. I'll just have to selectively edit some of Jass' memories.
I wondered why the name Pindar seemed so familiar.
DM SteveKto Al Highlight to display spoiler: { Yes, this is the same module, only slightly revised. I also DMd some of it before the end of Crimson Shields so it was surreal to me as well. :-) Please do edit Jass' memory so he doesn't give anything away. }
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday February 5th, 2013 3:44:40 PM
"Boss, my brain hurts," whispers Mookie.
The liontaur sighs. "Me too."
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+19=32 ; Tuesday February 5th, 2013 8:37:29 PM " Hush for a moment you guys. Keep thinking of stuff to ask him, specific stuff. I'll start off trying to find out who he is and what he wants. He seems....unctuous and not so wholesome to me, but I don't know if it is how he started or if he became this way from being in here. Keep thinking but try to keep it down eh? Oh, and throw a quick greater heroism on me please. Should have asked before I tried this. Hope it works in here if you cast it out there. Joshua, can you sense evil about him? He looks evil, maybe a bit crazed but looks are not always what they seem. Strap in because I think this will be a wild ride, and I expect it'll cost me a fair amount in fatigue when it is all over. Maybe find something soft for me to land on when this is over."
To Pindar Sense Motive 32 +4 for the heroism if I get it and if it helps, +3 more if Vorelle's Sharing helps Malgant casts consecrate. If this conversation goes on longer he will cast True Seeing next and then Wrathful Mantle. All this based on the Jangle game, I am assuming I can do these things in here and they will affect things in here, but not outside. the key word is assume, because this is really weird.
" Pindar? Do I know you? I want to say yes, but I can't put my finger on it. Are you famous that I might know you from somewhere else? Anyway, you say you wish to bargain, for information. What is your proposal? Let me hear it and I'll probably make you a counter offer. Maybe we can deal."
OOC I didn't memorize a Vision because I thought that we would search for answers before going on the war footing. So did I use the one Miracle I had memed for the Vision or do I have say... 1 or 2 more left? You'll laugh at what I want to cast if I do, I promise. Also the child is Malgant's nephew, his brother's son. They thought Malgant was dead after being gone so long and named him after Malgant. So sword and board like his dad and grandpa might be more his speed. Also last I mentioned him he was young. He wanted to be a physical fighter like his male role models( dad and gramps), but was still a little, not by much, young. But hey, Minotaurs live such a short time that they grow up fast, so... Also keep that growing up fast stuff in mind for the upcoming 1st level game 8). DM SteveK: you hadn't mentioned an age so I figured that he was a rather young nephew. Every martial training I've ever done has started with physical fitness, coordination, and strength; followed by either staff or a bokken (wooden sword) before ever getting to live steel. My thought was that because of the danger, the boy has been accelarated in his studies and gone from fitness to staff a little early.
Spells and effects On Malgant Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank 48 hour duration CL 20 Extended Contingency 40 day duration," Cast Breath of Life on me if I fall below 0 Hit points" CL 20 Permanent Telepathic Bond CL 17
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Tuesday February 5th, 2013 8:50:20 PM
Aztyr Thinking Malgant, the bluntest person she knows may need to be socially acceptable in there, Aztyr uses a limited wish to cast Mass Eagle's Splendor to enhance Malgant's and everyone elses charisma by +4
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Aztyr's Spell Info:
Wold's Blood Draws : 8/8 Wold's Blood in storage : 8/8 drop(s)
Permenancied Spells on Aztyr:
Arcane Sight Resistance Tongues See invisibility Greater Magic Fang +5 on Dragon Claws Greater Magic Fang +5 on Liontaur Claws Comprehend Languages Dark Vision Read Magic Telepathic Bond (everyone)
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday February 5th, 2013 10:35:37 PM
Vauhwyt casts the Greater Heroism on Mal.
She already has a +4 enhancement bonus to Chr, but Mookie preens and likes it.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Wednesday February 6th, 2013 5:03:50 AM
Bramah contemplates what he is experiencing and basically comes to the conclusion that is the Mind Link's function and some spell combination or divination which has gone wrong or right.
Concentrating on his map, with as much detail, he keeps plugging away, unable to help with the questioning.
"I hope when we leave, we go the old fashion way. I could use a good cross country hike." --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Guiding Star (31/32 days, castle)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday February 6th, 2013 8:21:17 AM
"Mal! Mal!" Vauwhyt whispers, "I got an idea! Ask him if he knows the history of Mount Bone! Maybe there's something interesting therre!"
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Wednesday February 6th, 2013 10:07:13 AM (Can SJ do a detect evil on someone through a mind link? I'm not sure who Malgant wants SJ to do this on, but he will if he can...)
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) d20+20=32 ; d20+22=39 Wednesday February 6th, 2013 10:27:47 AM
Malgant, with Sir Joshua, Vauhwyt, Jass, Brahmah, Vorelle, and Aztyr all aware of the conversation, speaks with this gnome who called himself Pindar.
The friends cast spells and are pleased to see they can actually do it, assisting Malgant with a myriad of subtle enhancements to include Hunter's Bond, . This is one strange Vision!
Malgant wishes that he had memorized Vision this morning, but he didn't memorize a Vision because he thought that they would search for answers before going on the war footing. So he used the one Miracle he had. Such is the wisdom of hindsight!
Sir Joshua finds his consciousness is totally taken up in the Crystal and can't patrol the grounds. The paladin is also as certain as his adoration of YHWH that the conversation is effectively taking only an instant. Nothing can possibly happen while the Vision spell is in effect. Without much hope, Sir Joshua tries to detect evil on the gnome, and finds it works. Right now, the paladin does note there is evil in this Crystal.
Jass gets a feeling of deja vu, and warns Malgant to be careful. The sorcerer remembers a bleak fortress and hordes of undead in the lair of the Dread and eight liches each representing a school of magic. The Gray Knights defeated the Dread and smashed the phylacraties, scattering that black cabal. And now, it seems, he will once again have to put his head in the ranthom's mouth. Jass tries to interpret Pindar, but is able to get no hints or intuitions.
Vorelle wonders if she is really there, but her Hunter's Bond is active.
Vauhwyt is confused. This is not the Crystal from Scarwall but one collected when they fought the Mount Bone liches that had killed the harpy babies. (ooc: and if it isn't, let's just say it is to forward the story. This gives a plausible connection with Mount Bone and a reason why Pindar will know so much about the place.) She suggests a course of action for Malgant's questions and casts Greater Heroism on Mal.
Aztyr thinks Malgant is the bluntest person she knows and so uses a limited wish to cast Mass Eagle's Splendor to enhance Malgant's and everyone elses charisma.
Bramah comes to the conclusion that the Mind Link's is helping the divination to go wrong... right. He concentrates on his map as he feels unable to help with the questioning.
Malgant thinks back at his friends, and then, after getting buffed up, looks carefully at the gnome to read his reactions, and begins his talk. While speaking, the great minotaur realizes that as laid back as Pindar seems on the outside, the gnome is VERY anxious that the BBL accept his bargain!
.....................
The smug gnome casually walks in a slow circle. "Know me? I doubt it. I don't know you or any of your ghost friends behind you, so personal connections are out. And I spent a great deal of energy making sure I didn't leave any clues behind before I put myself in here. Like it? There are actually many facets in the Crystal, and just because you look at one side doesn't mean you can see the other. Hee hee!"
"My proposal? What is your proposal? You were the one who used this Crystal as a focus for a Vision spell, after all." Pindar doesn't leave much of a pause, but continues in a calculating manner that proves the intelligence of this gnome. "But one of us has to start, so here's mine. I figure that you wouldn't cast a divination with a Mount Bone crystal unless you want to know more about Bone Mountain. You seem strong enough that you may want to heroically challenge the Great Lord and yadda yadda yadda, but you have no idea where to find him. Am I close?", he says with an evil-looking smirk.
"So, I can tell you all about it, where the Great Lord is and how to get at him, but I don't give away anything for nothing. I've been trapped here since before the Cataclysm and I want out. There is only one place which is at Bone Mountain that can shatter this Crystal."
"And now the Bargain. I tell you how to get to the secret lair and collect the Keys. You then break the Crystal. Then I tell you where the Lock is at. I leave, you have your glorious showdown where the bards will sing for generations and blah, blah, blah."
Pindar the gnome shrewdly watches Malgant and the others for any hints of his own while they chew on his words.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+3=16 ; d20+26=33 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 7:11:17 PM
OOC Did the consecrate effect him, making him seem any less competent? It probably would if he were undead. Does the true sight show anything different than it appears to the naked eye? IC Malgant knows that his mind is as well guarded as an iron fortress, but his face is another story entirely. The gnome knows what tthey seek, and is really willing to give up the info. Thus there is something very wrong here. The questioning begins... " You seem to know alot for a guy stuck in a gem, but like you said, you can see out and you have been to alot of places I imagine. So here is my big question for you. What assurances do I have that you are not a bigger threat than the power behind Mount Bone? You say you entered here willingly, before the Cataclysm and you are still here. That speaks of a great deal of power. However it seems you lacked the forethought to install a back door so you can't get out. I find that odd for someone as powerful as you claim to be. Is it possibly more correct to say you were banished in here and can only be let out by a willing owner of the crystal willingly allowing you out? Tell me more about who you are and how you got in here." sense motive 33 Bluff 16
Spells and effects On Malgant Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank duration 48 hours CL 20 Extended Contingency duration 40 days " Cast Breath of Life on me if I fall below 0 Hit points" CL 20 Permanent Telepathic Bond CL 17 Consecrate duration 40 hour CL 20 True seeing duration 200 minutes CL 20 Eagles Splendor duration 19 minutes CL 19
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+27=29 ; d20+27=31 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 7:15:55 PM
Aztyr Aztyr winces at Malgant's blunt delivery. Of course the gnome is hiding something, duh. As the questions flow Aztyr wracks her brain trying to fathom what magic could do this to a person and whether she has ever heard the name Pindar in her arcane studies. Knowledge arcana for the spell 29...for the name 31
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Aztyr's Spell Info:
Wold's Blood Draws : 8/8 Wold's Blood in storage : 8/8 drop(s)
Permenancied Spells on Aztyr:
Arcane Sight Resistance Tongues See invisibility Greater Magic Fang +5 on Dragon Claws Greater Magic Fang +5 on Liontaur Claws Comprehend Languages Dark Vision Read Magic Telepathic Bond (everyone)
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al d20+18=30 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 7:51:25 PM
"Hmm," muses Jass over the Telepathic Bond, "ghost friends? It seems he can see us. I wonder if he can hear us. Lets find out."
"Yes," Jass agrees with Malgant, "you must be very old and powerful to have lived this long. And I love what you've done with your eyes. That's a very striking effect, you know. The gems. Mysterious and yet commanding. Yes ... " drawls the gaunt gray sorcerer.
"And though my friend here has a point here in that you might be a concern to us were we to release you, let me speculate upon a few things. First, you claim to be hiding here. Therefore you must be hiding from something. Second, you're willing to betray this Great Lord of Bone Mountain to us, and afterwards come out of hiding. This says to me that it's the Great Lord himself that you are likely hiding from. His removal by us, removing the necessity for further hiding."
"And if this is all true, Pindar, have you considered this? If you fear the Great Lord of Bone Mountain, and we are able to defeat the Great Lord of Bone Mountain, shouldn't you be afraid of us as well? Just a thought. Something that might influence your future behavior, yes?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Diplomacy 30
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday February 6th, 2013 8:35:39 PM
Vauhwyt wonders why we are even talking to this fellow.
"Look," she says out loud so Pindar can hear, "What the heck was wrong with Plan A? Each day, we buff up, cast a Private Samctum, blip to Bone Mountain, find some undead, destroy it. Retreat to the Sanctum if need be. Each night, we blip somewhere random, hide from scrying, and heal up in a different Sanctum. Next day, rinse and repeat. Destroying undead is fun and worthwhile. If we get in over our heads, we blip out. Eventually we'll either destroy all there is to destroy, or we find Mister Big and fight him."
"It sounds like a win to me. Why bother cutting a deal with this guy? We would we even want to let him out? The bargain with the Ga'alians did not turn out so great. Why would dealing with this crazy fellow be any different?"
"Besides, if Plan A does not work out, we can always come back to Mister Pindar if we want."
"But if you ask me, if I were the master of Bone Mountain, I'd make a slew of magic gems, put Pindars in them, scatter them around for heroes to find, and get the Pindars to lead any actually threatening heroes into traps I had set up ahead of time."
Mentally, to her friends, Vauhwyt says, "Look, somebody has got to be the bad cop here. Besides, what's wrong with Plan A? We'll meet Doctor Bones soon enough if we make a big enough pest of ourselves."
"Besides, what do we think the enemy strategy will be? That he'll pop up, smash things we treasure, then run away? Why not use that strat on him first? Let him play defense. Let him try to find us."
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Thursday February 7th, 2013 6:46:52 AM
Mentally, "I think this 'gnome' is actually Mr. Big taking the form of a lesser creature. Besides, is he stuck in a crystal? Wasn't the lich also stuck too? Am I missing something?" --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Guiding Star (31/32 days, castle)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) d20+10=22 ; d20+10=19 ; d20+10=22 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 11:04:22 AM Malgant uses his considerable spell buffs to try and look at this Pindar. The Consecrate spell only seems to be countering an Unconsecrate effect and so balances things out. His True Sight and sharp eyes show the minotaur that Pindar is as he appears to be, a gnome, but with a peculiar faint nimbus of silver light about him. Malgant looks at himself and notes he does not have that silver light... although the Silver Cord that ties his soul to his body is of the same color!
Malgant is certain there is something very wrong here because the gnome seems to know everything. He pushes himself to his highest awareness as he questions Pindar, who answers in turn.
"Assurance that I'm not a bigger threat than the Great Lich? You flatter me. You want my story?" At this the gnome has to stop and think hard, before laughing. "A rich jest that I am so used to keeping secrets that I don't want to say anything even if it means my eventual freedom! OK, minotaur, you got me there. I am Pindar the Magnificent, the most powerful mage of the Nallian Hill Gnomes. I was in some deep experiments when rumors that the gods didn't like the noble races anymore so I devised a way to survive the Cataclysm and living forever by trapping my own soul in a specially made container... this Crystal. Unfortunately I miscalculated, and the Cataclysm no only destroyed my body, but every body that tried to regenerate for next thousand years. By the time I got a body, it was completely in the power of the Great Lich of Mount Bone. Now, I do whatever he says and can't do my own experiments. You think that me alone without any followers or assistants is a bigger threat that the Great Lich who commands dozens of other lichs to include my body and legions of undead? I am flattered!"
"I tell you where the lair is and how to collect the Keys, you break my Crystal and get me out, and I tell you where the Lock is then run. If you actually slay the Great Lich then I'm free, and if not, I at least have a running start."
Aztyr winces at Malgant's blunt delivery and wracks her brain for the magic to trap a soul or the name of Pindar. For the name, it must be history that Aztyr needs to study, for she has never before heard of a gnome named Pindar. For a magic, now, Aztyr can think of several; Magic Jar, Trap the Soul, and... becoming a lich.
Jass tests out a theory by speaking directly to Pindar. The gnome's eyes narrow and he tilts his head for a moment. "You know, I nearly caught that, but it has been a long time since I have read lips, ha ha! Something about my eyes? The same as I was born with, runs in the family and so on."
"Afraid of you more than the Great Lord? Only if you manage to kill him, and you don't own my body right now. He is my greater threat. And if you DO utterly slay the Great Lord, I'm not planning on sticking around anyways! I hear the Southern Continent is warm this time of year."
Vauhwyt wonders why we are even talking to this fellow, and also talks to Pindar. The gnome responds, "Sorry, but I'm not used to seeing noble lips around a predator's teeth, I can't make out what you are saying." Presumably (ooc: again to keep the ball rolling) Malgant repeats Vauhwyt's words, and the gnome throws his hands up in the air while stomping in a circle. "Of all the... fine. I was wrong. You area all as stupid as every other would-be hero I've tried to recruit. Why do you think no one... NO ONE... has been able to put paid to the Great Lich in a thousand years? Not nations, not the Gold Dragons, not Alemi and Domi themselves when they were still mortal and concerned about those things? Because ... It... Is... Hidden! Go ahead and traipse about Mount Bone." Pindar's anger mounts, and he speaks to Vauhwyt as if she was a child. " If he wants to remain hidden, he'll give you a few hundred undead to fight and you'll go away satisfied that you did your job. And it will still be there. And if he wants you, he will attack with overwhelming force."
"I see you don't believe me. That you are oh so confident in your own magic and abilities, and take no account that anything cast can be countered. Can you fight off the Dimensional Lock of a dozen liches? The Anti-Magic Field of a hundred ghosts? The touch of a thousand dread wraiths? Augghh!" Pindar exclaims and falls silent.
Brahmah keeps his thoughts in the Telepathic Link, suggesting that the 'gnome' is actually Mr. Big taking the form of a lesser creature.
..............
Anyone with Sense Motive DC 22 Highlight to display spoiler: { he is not bluffing at any point and is telling the truth as he sees it.}
Know History DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { Pindar's story matches what is known about the Cataclysm and various expeditions to Mount Bone. }
Know History or Geography DC 22 Highlight to display spoiler: { The Nallian Hills were a region of Elennia that was destroyed in the Cataclysm. }
Know Religion DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { Pindar's story matches what is known about the life of Alemi, Domi, and the making of a lich.}
Know Religion DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: Highlight to display spoiler: { Malgant and Pindar are souls in the Crystal. Malgant is attached to his body by the Silver Cord but Pindar is trapped in the Crystal.}
Know Religion DC 25 Highlight to display spoiler: { Pindar's story adds up. If the Crystal is a Phylacraty and is destroyed and his lich body is still alive, then he could possibly leave the area and make another phylacraty to house his soul.}
Vorelle d20+19=32 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 11:51:11 AM
Vorelle smiles a little at Vauhwyt's plan. "Vauhwyt, we're not obligated to do everything the hard way. Even if that's how it usually turns out."
[Reminder that everybody gets Vorelle's pathetic +3 on that Sense Motive check! Also on the Religion checks, if they apply to Pindar.]
[Vorelle's Sense Motive is 32, FWIW.]
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil d20+10=16 ; d20+11=14 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 2:42:26 PM
Sir Joshua is intrigued by what seems to be an interesting and challenging story.... (Know (R) = 16, SM = 14)... However, he keeps getting distracted by visions of the great battles that lie ahead and what glory he, his companions and his loyal steed will gain from victory over this lich, and can't remember much from his religion courses nor does he get much from the gnome's story...
After a pause, he tells his friends, "I'm OK with Plan A or B, though I want to ensure we put an end to this lich. He is a great evil that must be destroyed, and am not overly concerned how we go about it. Let's find this lair and cleanse the area of the stench of these undead.... I do, however, sense evil in this crystal and caution you not to put much trust in Pindar."
DM SteveK oops, sorry! In the second round of detect evil Sir Joshua sees that both the Crystal and Pindar are evil. Next round, he'll find out what strength is the aura.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+22=26 ; d20+26=44 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 5:01:34 PM
Knowledge Religion 26 " OK, so let me recap. You are a Lich. You got trapped here by the cataclysm because there were no bodies to take over and the Big Bad beat you to the first one. By telling us how to defeat him, your biggest enemy you gain the freedom to roam about, craft a new phylactery and take over where he leaves off, once you have enough time to gather a following. BUT, if I want to protect those I care about from eventual discovery by the Big Bad then I have to let you go so that I have all of the correct information to finish the job." Malgant pauses to watch the effect on Pindar. Sense motive 44 " A damn fine plan you have there. Tagging along with us and being able to see how we work, size us up, make your plans. Did you notice I don't like evil people, especially evil undead? Did you see the Crone in Scarwall that stank of evil even to my untrained nose? You remember how her story ended with me bashing in her skull. What makes you think I won't do the same to you once you tell us what we want?" Again the Minotaur waits,and again he plunges on. " Imod was not able to put paid to this and I suspect he feels the sting still. You ask if I can survive those trials and proudly I tell you I can. Imod forged me on the anvil of hardship using the hammer of desire to improve myself and raise my family's honor. He has tested me in every way and not found me wanting. I can survive the trials you propose and kill this Lich. We will come to a deal, and it will be done. Count on it." To his friends Malgant thinks " He has the information he says and he believes he has the best of the deal. I will release him when the time comes, get the information to finish this and then remove him from the Wold. A soul that has escaped Gargul's realm for this long is an abomination. The reason Plan A doesn't work for me is my defenseless family. I will not use them as bait. Vauhwyt knows the pain that lies there, and I am sorry she felt it, but I will not put them on the line, even for a cause like this. Especially when we have other means."
Spells and effects On Malgant Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank duration 48 hours CL 20 Extended Contingency duration 40 days " Cast Breath of Life on me if I fall below 0 Hit points" CL 20 Permanent Telepathic Bond CL 17 Consecrate duration 40 hour CL 20 True seeing duration 200 minutes CL 20 Eagles Splendor duration 19 minutes CL 19
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+12=29 ; d20+7=19 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 5:12:33 PM
Aztyr Knowledge religion 29 Sense motive 19 Aztyr doesn't know anything about Pindar's story. He seems to believe it, but she has been fooled before. Malgant seems to think it's the truth, and she knows his wisdom allows him great insight into these things. What she does know is that the lil' dude is a Lich from his description and that Malgant probably wants to wring his scrawny little neck but is still holding back, trying to make this work. She prepares a dimensional anchor in case the lil guy somehow gets out prematurely.
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al d20+18=33 ; d20+20=36 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 6:30:21 PM
"Well yes. I agree, Malgant," Jass thinks over the Telepathic Bond. "He does appear to be dealing with us in all honesty. That this happens to coincide with his self interest is ... well, irrelevant."
Jass, however, rolls his eyes ever so slightly to the metaphorical heavens as the Hand of Domi goes on. "Remind me, though, Mal, not to rot too mightly in front of you. Wouldn't want there to be any mistakes made, you know."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sense Motive 36 (w/Hunter's Bond) Knowledge Religion 39 (w/Hunter's Bond)
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Thursday February 7th, 2013 7:56:42 PM
Still keeping to the mental link, Brahmah says. "It was probably as obvious to everyone, but this gnome is REALLY into himself. Thinks he's got it over on us." --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Guiding Star (31/32 days, castle)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) d20+10=12 ; d20+20=25 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 10:20:21 AM Vorelle tweaks Vauhwyt just a little that they are not obligated to do everything the hard way.
Sir Joshua is intrigued by what seems to be an interesting and challenging story, and is OK with either plan, cautioning to not trust Pindar. Continuing his detect evil the paladin sees the Crystal is strongly evil and Pindar's soul is moderately evil.
Malgant does a recap, and he and the other heroes watch Pindar's soul carefully. The gnome is able to calm himself down and respond with what the heroes can consider as his usual biting wit. "You have most of the ingredients, but your formula needs some work, capise? Yes, I admit it, my body is a lich, nothing wrong with that, just a different way to go about what you need to do in life. And this is my phylactery. Now here's where the formula changes. The Great Lord keeps my body self in the lair because he can't trust me away from Mount Bone. He can't trust me because the Great Lord doesn't control my phylactery like he does the other lieutenants. However, if you break this Crystal now, my soul will move to the Key phylactery that the Great Lord has prepared for my soul, and then I will be his completely, and yadda, yadda, yadda." Pindar seems very frightened about that possibility.
"By telling you how to defeat him, the master of my body, I gain the freedom to escape and finish my reason for getting myself to be a lich in the first place. You obviously have some reason for wanting this information because you tried a Divination spell with my phylactery as a focus, something most people wouldn't try."
Pindar laughs a little. " My plan? MY plan? My plan didn't involve becoming the stooge of a stronger spellcaster. My plan involves trusting a bunch of do-gooders who I have no idea how powerful they are, but willing to put my life and worse on the line to have a chance to escape and run for the hills. You seem to think that just because my body is undead and I care more about what I want to do than what anyone else wants to do that I want to collect minions and set myself up as a king. Blech! Everyone is cut from the same mold! Yes, I was right, you are all stupid. Go ahead and do the same as Trell, Alderan, Blodgett, and Dalenorre which was the last group I tried to recruit. Bet you haven't heard those names, have you? It's cause they are all dead a long time ago."
"Go ahead and go, just please leave me somewhere hidden so in a couple hundred years maybe another group will come by who is willing to listen and bargain."
Aztyr realizes that the lil' dude is the soul of a Lich, and that Malgant probably wants to wring his scrawny little neck but is still holding back, trying to make this work.
Jass agrees with Malgant over the Telepathic Bond, and suggests that just because the group's interest and Pindar's self-interest coincide, it is irrelevant. Then he keeps things light about his present Necromantic condition...
Brahmah keeps to the mental link and the communication advantage.
...................
Sense Motive DC 25 Highlight to display spoiler: { Pindar's soul seems to believe everything he says. He is also earnest in reaching an agreement with the heroes. Pindar seems very tired about hiding from the Great Lich and is grasping that the BBLers are the best chance he has had in a long time.}
Read Lips DC 12. It is obvious that Pindar can't read anyone's lips this round.
Perception DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { The hero realizes that Pindar has never once spoken anyone's name, or anything about loved ones, or about any history or geography other than immediately around Mount Bone or long ago before the Cataclysm. }
Perception DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { The hero realizes that because Pindar has never spoken anyone's name, there are things he doesn't know. }
Perception DC 25 Highlight to display spoiler: { The hero realizes that Pindar doesn't know things because his soul can't see out of the Crystal! Everything not from the past or his own body's perceptions has been speculation confirmed by the heroes' own words! }
Know Arcana or Religion DC 30 Highlight to display spoiler: { The hero realizes that as a soul in a phylactery, all Pindar's memories, senses, and spellcasting ability are with his body... his soul is trapped inside the Crystal.}
Ooc: Trell, Blodgett, Alderan, and Dalenorre are all PCs of DanK, MikeK, and SteveK when we were playing tabletop in high school with 1st Edition back in the early 80s. :-)
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al d20+18=25 ; d20+20=24 ; d20+24=33 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 10:58:15 AM
"Er ... Malgant ... " In a perceptive moment, the strength of which seems to come somewhere from the vicinity of Vorelle, Jass has a realization. "I think we might be giving away more than we are getting. At least that would be the case if we continue to speak as much as we are."
"I'm fairly certain that Pindar has no idea what's going on outside of this phylactery of his. The more we say, the more he learns of the outside world. I say that we conclude this negotiation as soon as possible. And I say that we conclude by accepting his offer. It's the best thing we have on the table now. With the added information we can strike immediately while an element of surprise might still be ours."
"If that doesn't work, we could always fall back on Vauhwyt's plan."
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday February 8th, 2013 11:25:10 AM
Vauhwyt thinks to her friends, "I'm in. But can this fellow do anything tangible to help us? Or offer us any advice on what we will face? Will the info he gives be enough to teleport? Is the Lich's place guarded against dimensional spells or effects?"
Vorelle d20+19=22 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 2:23:34 PM It all depends on what we want to do, Vorelle sends through the link. If we want to destroy the Lich of Bone Mountain, we should agree to Pindar's terms. If we want to just start wiping out undead, because they shouldn't be around anyway, then we don't need his help.
Personally, I'd rather go after the Lich. I vote we take the deal.
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil d20+10=19 ; d20+21=28 ; d20+11=20 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 2:41:55 PM
Through their telepathic link, Sir Joshua comments, "Yes, as much as it pains me, it seems that the most good will be attained by agreeing to this... However, once our agreement is concluded and the bone lich is destroyed, then I plan on pursuing Pindar and destroying him too, thus eliminating that stain of evil from the world. On another note, I should add that so far, he hasn't spoken any of our names and it seems his knowledge of us is very limited..."
(Kn R = 19, Perc = 28 SM = 20)
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+22=28 ; d20+26=37 ; d20+31=44 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 3:01:58 PM
Knowledge religion 28 Sense motive 37 Perception 44 " He must know what we need to know Vauhwyt, at least from all the clues I can read from him he does. I too am seeing we are telling him more than he already knows, so let's conclude this negotiation. I can't believe we will be looking for keys again. Does anyone else sense a sinister pattern to our lives?" To Pindar " Very well your deal is accepted. We will break your phylactery when you tell us the items we need to find and defeat the Great Lord. Is that acceptable?"
Spells and effects On Malgant Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank duration 48 hours CL 20 Extended Contingency duration 40 days " Cast Breath of Life on me if I fall below 0 Hit points" CL 20 Permanent Telepathic Bond CL 17 Consecrate duration 40 hour CL 20 True seeing duration 200 minutes CL 20 Eagles Splendor duration 19 minutes CL 19
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+30=41 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 3:06:04 PM
Knowledge Arcana 41 Aztyr chimes in. " You know, he hasn't said anything his BODY can't see. His memories and such are trapped there, not in his soul or phylactery. I don't know if that means he will be able to help us or not."
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Aztyr's Spell Info:
Wold's Blood Draws : 8/8 Wold's Blood in storage : 8/8 drop(s)
Permenancied Spells on Aztyr:
Arcane Sight Resistance Tongues See invisibility Greater Magic Fang +5 on Dragon Claws Greater Magic Fang +5 on Liontaur Claws Comprehend Languages Dark Vision Read Magic Telepathic Bond (everyone)
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Saturday February 9th, 2013 2:52:15 PM
Ooc: With his knowledge of the spell Guiding Star, do you have to be physically in a place to get attuned to it?
The reason I ask is if all I need is to view where the gnome is, and cast new Guiding Star, can Brahmah know the direction of the phylactery? I figure not, but it doesn't hurt to ask. There are likely more useful spells out there.
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) Saturday February 9th, 2013 7:19:22 PM
Malgant's deal actually has little Pindar shaking in fear. " No, no NO! Don't break the Crystal until you have the Keys, okay? I don't want the Great Lord to get me, and he will if you smash the Crystal too early."
"Deal? Deal! The reason that no one has been able to find the lair in Bone Mountain is ... the lair isn't in Bone Mountain!" Despite the seriousness of the situation, the gnome laughs at the rich jest. "The Great Lord has suspended the lair miles above the mountain and hidden in a cloud with strong counter divinations. If you can get to Mount Bone without being seen and then fly straight up, in about 7 miles you will get to the Flying Fortress. No dimensional transportation will work to get there."
The second step is to get the Keys. Each of the Great Lords' chief lieutenants is a lich and so has a phalactery. Put a certain number of the phylacteries together in a certain combination, and a Gate is opened to the Great Lord. This lets the lieutenants meet the Lord and also protects the Lord. But if you sneak onto the Flying Fortress and collect phylacteries, I'll tell you how to put them together so you can get at the Great Lord!"
There. Pindar has showed his hand, and is only holding a last ace to be still valuable to the Blackbird Lake Avengers.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Sunday February 10th, 2013 11:11:43 AM " So we just need their phylacteries? Killing them is optional? Or do these liches, unlike most keep their Phylacteries close at hand? Can you give us a layout of this fortress? Do you know the best points of entry, or the weaknesses of the lieutenants?"
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) Sunday February 10th, 2013 12:29:21 PM
Pindar gives out some more information. "The lieutenants keep thier phyalacteries close at hand, for that is how they communicate with the Great Lord, and also how the Great Lord keeps track of them. As to which will be in residence? Most of them do not permanently stay there, but have temporary rooms. No one really trusts anyone else, so the defenses are geared to the individual. Two that are always in the Flying Fortress is Chazzak the fighter and Bakkis the dracolich. Chazzak keeps away from the others and holes up in a mausoleum on the grounds outside the Fortress proper. Bakkis also has kept away, lairing up on the mountain, but no one claims to have seen him for a hundred years."
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Sunday February 10th, 2013 6:58:35 PM
"Well. That's very interesting," says Jass, moving his mouth with an exaggerated care that would allow this Would-Be-Lich to read his lips. "I have to ask myself, what need there is to communicate with this Great Lord? Because, by my reasoning, if you need all of the keys to unlock the way, each Lieutenant Lich holds a key, and one of these Lieutenant Liches hasn't been seen in a hundred years, then that meabs there has been no communication with the Dread Lord for at least a hundred years. No?"
"Not. That. I. Doubt. Your. Word. Pindar."
"Just a commenatry on the ways of the severely undead, as it may be. So, we have Chazzak the fighter who holes up in a mausoleum on the grounds outside the Fortress proper. We have Bakkis, a dracolich, who is lairing on Bone Mountain. That's two of ... how many did you say? And who are the others. What can you tell us about them?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) d20+10=26 ; Sunday February 10th, 2013 7:52:08 PM
Pindar grins as the ghostly Jass slows his mouth down for the gnome. "ALL the phylacteries are NOT needed, but I'm not going to tell you how many you DO need, cause then you are halfway to finding the Lock, and that's the only reason that you will let me go, right?"
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Monday February 11th, 2013 4:21:10 AM
Keeping to the mental link, "Jass, I doubt the gnome. I don't think the entire truth is being told. Truth is of course subject to the teller." To the rest, still mentally, "I really don't like that this being, whatever it really is, is using the form of a gnome to try to get sympathy for it's plight. I'd be more comfortable if it showed us it's true form." --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Guiding Star (31/32 days, castle)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Monday February 11th, 2013 8:55:14 AM
"*Ehem*." Through some extraordinary means the cadaverous sorcerer manages to cough over a telepathic and purely mental connection. "Let me point out a few epistemic items for you, my dear Minotaur. Do you see the silver lines that trail from us, Brahmah? They connect our soul selves to our bodies. They are life lines of pure soul energy that keep us tethered to the Wold."
"Now, look at the gnome. Do you see the glow about him? It's the same stuff. Pindar is pure soul energy. It is the nature of a phylactery. It stores the soul. This is the truest form of Pindar that you will find. When released from this gem, he might actually take on any properly prepared form that he might wish. Though, in truth, most liches find it easier and more comfortable to prepare the body that they had in life."
"As for doubt, I have none, my dear Brahmah. I've been observing him, and I believe that he's telling the truth in as far as he knows it. This is less, of course, due to any sense of honesty on his part. Rather, from the fact that he is clearly ... " And here the sorcerer breaks the word into its separate syllables. " ... de spa rate."
"Do you see?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) Monday February 11th, 2013 10:17:18 AM
Before any other questions may be asked, reassurances had, or answers gotten, the Crystal about Malgant and Pindar (and the ghostly forms of the others) develops a crack.
It is a small crack, merely a scratch, yet it rapidly spiderwebs with snaps and pops, beams of light striking through the gem-like contraption.
Pindar the Magnificent, the gnomish soul who has been bargaining desperately with the heroes has time only for a widening of his eyes and an anguished scream.... "NOOOOOooooo....."
And then the Crystal explodes.
Protected by their Silver Cords, the heroes are jerked back into their bodies, and immediately see the cost of all their attention being sucked into the Crystal along with Malgant. The Crystal lays shattered on the stones, and Priscilla is standing over it!
Jerking woodenly, Priscilla faces Malgant, an evil-looking dagger in her hand. Above her, Warrick is circling among the rafters along with Mookie. It may take a moment, but it is clear they are not chasing or fighting one another, but are dodging about with extraordinary agility. Warrick calls down from his height, "Don't hurt my Priscilla! She suddenly started casting rays at us and then shattered the Crystal while you were all senseless!"
Spellcraft DC 24 Highlight to display spoiler: { Priscilla is controlled by a Dominate Monster spell. }
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al d20+19=29 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 10:47:08 AM
The problem is immediately apparent to Jass' trained eye. "Not to worry, er, Warrick," he assures. "I think we have this under control."
"It's a Dominate Monster spell," he warns the others. "I'll try to dispel it. But the larger question is, who cast it upon her? How did they breech our defenses?" And then, muttered more to himself, as a prelude to his spell, "Oh yes. I forgot. What defenses?"
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 11th, 2013 11:11:13 AM
As always, Vauhwyt has Detect Scrying up and running -- is that thing going off right now?
"Mookie! What happened!?" she demands via telepathic link. She assumes that an invisible caster teleported in, started casting, likely under greater invisibility, and likely still and silent spells so as to remain undetected. Can Mookie confirm that scenario?
Steve, how do you play teleports? Is there a popping sound or breeze, etc, as air is displaced and teleporting characters blip in and out? Or is it completely silent?
"Dominate Monster has only a short range, so where is the caster who is dominating our friend?" she thinks to her friends.
There's also the chance that the caster is ethereal, she thinks.
Vauhwyt casts See Invisibility. And looks into the Realm of Shadows as well. She calls for the perceptive folk to search for any traces -- "Vorelle, Brahmah? Look for stealthy types in here, check for tracks. Aztyr, can you smell anything?" [ooc: Does Aztyr have scent?]
She also thinks to her friends: "Dimensional Anchor and Lock should be our top priorities if the enemy caster is still here."
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil d20+16=35 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 11:19:18 AM
Sir Joshua shakes his head and mutters, "This is what we get for dealing with an evil creature in a crystal... Well, at least we made some progress and let's see if we can find out who's causing all this trouble..."
He's no magician so he trusts the others to help free Priscilla... Meanwhile, he looks for the caster, takes his sword, and turns to the East, trying to detect evil from that direction while commanding William to sniff to the south, using his Scent ability...
Perc (William) = 35
(DM - Not sure if it matters, but did Priscilla get her +4 bonus vs. compulsion spells/abilities due to being near Sir Joshua? Or if it is supposed to be part of the scenario that she was dominated, then disregard my note ;)
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Monday February 11th, 2013 11:30:20 AM
OoC: BTW, given that Dominate Monster is a 9th Level Wizard spell, it's unlikely that Jass' Dispel has succeeded. You might proceed along those lines. Protection from Evil might be a good idea to try.
Vorelle d20+26=34 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 11:54:13 AM
Vorelle doesn't quite understand what's going on, but she looks around for signs of an intruder.
[Perception 34, or 42 if this counts as Urban terrain.]
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+20=40 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 5:21:42 PM
OOC That was my first priority Al, after I finished reading the others posts 8). Second The castle is Hallowed. Hallowed effects are as follows: Hallow makes a particular site, building, or structure a holy site. This has four major effects.
First, the site is warded by a magic circle against evil effect.
Second, the DC to resist positive channeled energy within this area gains a +4 sacred bonus and the DC to resist negative energy is reduced by 4. Spell Resistance does not apply to this effect. This provision does not apply to the druid version of the spell.
Third, any dead body interred in a hallowed site cannot be turned into an undead creature.
Finally, you can fix a single spell effect to the hallowed site. The spell effect lasts for 1 year and functions throughout the entire site, regardless of the normal duration and area or effect. You may designate whether the effect applies to all creatures, creatures who share your faith or alignment, or creatures who adhere to another faith or alignment. At the end of the year, the chosen effect lapses, but it can be renewed or replaced simply by casting hallow again.
Spell effects that may be tied to a hallowed site include aid, bane, bless, cause fear, darkness, daylight, death ward, deeper darkness, detect evil, detect magic, dimensional anchor, discern lies, dispel magic, endure elements, freedom of movement, invisibility purge, protection from energy, remove fear, resist energy, silence, tongues, and zone of truth. Saving throws and Spell Resistance might apply to these spells' effects. (See the individual spell descriptions for details.)
An area can receive only one hallow spell (and its associated spell effect) at a time. Hallow counters but does not dispel unhallow. Assuming there is a way around the magic circle not protecting Priscilla my actions are... IC Malgant takes a brief look around, looking for an invisible caster via Truesight (since I was inside before this should be my first opportunity to look for one) As he does that the Hand speaks a word of protection, warding all of his friends, including Priscilla, William, Warrick and Mookie plus anyone else in the room up to 20 targets (Cast Holy Aura According to the spell she does not seem to get a save vs it, but I might need to beat spell resistance so Spell penetration 40 ) Provided casting a resistable spell is enough of an action, Malgant will also use interpose on Priscilla.
Spells and effects On Malgant Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank duration 48 hours CL 20 Extended Contingency duration 40 days " Cast Breath of Life on me if I fall below 0 Hit points" CL 20 Permanent Telepathic Bond CL 17 Consecrate duration 40 hour CL 20 True seeing duration 200 minutes CL 20 Eagles Splendor duration 19 minutes CL 19
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+13=31 ; d20+22=40 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 5:29:46 PM
Aztyr uses her permanent see invisible to see if she can spot anyone in the room that does not belong, If she sees one she fires off a dimensional anchor spell at it Ranged touch attack hits AC 31 spell penetration 40
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Aztyr's Spell Info:
Wold's Blood Draws : 8/8 Wold's Blood in storage : 8/8 drop(s)
Permenancied Spells on Aztyr:
Arcane Sight Resistance Tongues See invisibility Greater Magic Fang +5 on Dragon Claws Greater Magic Fang +5 on Liontaur Claws Comprehend Languages Dark Vision Read Magic Telepathic Bond (everyone)
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) Monday February 11th, 2013 5:59:55 PM
Addendum
- There is no description in the spell for teleportations to BAMF people in with a puff of air. (Even though I personally like the idea ! :-) In this instance, it appears neither Warrick or Mookie noticed anything wrong until Priscilla drew the evil-looking dagger and with a single swipe, broke the Crystal.
- Hallowed is only a 40' radius and insufficient to cover the entirety of Scarwall. That is unless I'm forgetting something. Was there something from the Koshe Marr module that gave us a Hallow on the Entire Castle? I can't remember.
- Protection from Evil only allows another saving throw for possession. If would be safe to assume that Priscilla failed both her saving throws.
- None of the BBLers detected Priscilla acting different when she arrived, so the assumption that the domination occurred only while the BBLers were otherwise occupied with Pindar is sound.
- So far, none of the detection magics of the BBLers ( detect scrying, Scent, See Invisible, Perception [yes, this is Urban terrain], or True Seeing) reveals any other intruder in the Castle area where the group is at.
- Vorelle, who has met Priscilla many times before, has her sharp eyes glued to the dagger. Vorelle has never seen the Witch of Blackbird Forest with this blade before!
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday February 11th, 2013 6:19:42 PM
Yup, the whole thing is Hallowed
from 9/20/2012
Here are two features of your new castle.
1) Hallowed Ground: The castle acts as though covered by a Hallowed spell. As with the Hallowed spell, one spell at a time from the Hallowed spell list may be fixed to the castle at any time. This will last for one year or until it is replaced with another spell. Replacing this spell requires ten full minutes of stillness, and, of course, the ability to cast that spell either from one's spell list or from a magic item.
2) Recall: Once a day, any and each member of the Blackbird Lake team can teleport themselves back to the front door of the castle as though by the spell Word of Recall (CL11). The only restriction is that this ability takes ten full minutes of stillness to activate. This ability does not work across planes.
on 10/12/12 Mal sets the Hallow spell to give Freedom of Movement to the heroes within.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday February 11th, 2013 6:25:04 PM
If no invisible or obviously out of place targets are seen with see invisible, Aztyr uses the dimensional anchor on Priscilla.
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Monday February 11th, 2013 6:42:03 PM
OoC: I will confirm the point that Malgant has already mentioned. It was the intent of the creator (me) of the castle Scarwall as given to the Blackbird Lake Avengers, that the entirety of the castle be covered by the Hallowed effect. It's a powerful gift, designed to be a fortress and home, that no one seems to have quite taken to ... yet.
Er ... not that this is to take precedence over the current, and, most certainly, already initiated circumstances. But, this is just the thing that the castle is supposed to provide sanctuary against.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 11th, 2013 7:34:30 PM
Vauhwyt sees Vorelle's eyes fixed on Priscilla's blade.
"Warrick!" she shouts, "Is it that blade that is controlling Priscilla?"
OOC: Assuming nothing is seen by V in the Realm of Shadows as well.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt d20+29=45 ; d20+41=45 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 4:07:10 AM
Brahmah says to Jass, still in a mental state, "I can't understand this arcanist stuff. Just don't get it. Overly complicated. Memorizing, reading, researching and creating spells. It's all a lot of work for random results. Granted, you can't deny the success most arcanists, like yourself." He is interrupted by the request to search for intruders of a type. So the ranger sets to task.
"Invisibility Purge might work. I have a Philter to help with that."
Ooc: I originally asked this Saturday. It's been reworded for this post.
With his knowledge of the spell Guiding Star, do you have to be physically in a place to get attuned to it? Or simply see the place.
The reason I ask is if all I need is to view where the gnome is, and cast new Guiding Star, can Brahmah know the direction of the phylactery? I figure not, but it doesn't hurt to ask. There are likely more useful spells out there. --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Guiding Star (31/32 days, castle)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Target: Bone Mountain (DM SteveK) d20+15=33 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 10:21:46 AM Jass immediately sees the problem with Priscilla and tells the others, himself attempting to dispel the magic controlling Priscilla to no avail.
Vauhwyt has Detect Scrying up and is certain that nothing is watching from outside the castle. Being inside Jass' Private Sanctum which is inside Scarwall's Hallow, it is a triple indication that there is no outside interference. What is controlling Priscilla must be within all the spells because of the short range. Mookie has not perceived any attackers coming into Scarwall. The liontaur casts See Invisible and also looks into the Realm of Shadows without finding an attacker.
Sir Joshua feels at least they made some progress. Meanwhile, he looks for the caster, takes his sword, and turns to the East, trying to detect evil from that direction while commanding William to sniff to the south, using his Scent ability. The paladin sees nothing registering to the East, and William doesn't note any new bodies in the Foyer either; just the BBLers, their animals, Priscilla, and Warrick.
Vorelle doesn't quite understand what's going on, but she looks around for signs of an intruder, and the only thing her sharp eyes see that is remotely out-of-place is the dagger, which Priscilla as a witch has never before had in her possession. (The castle counts as Urban terrain). Seeing Vorelle's eyes, Vauhwyt asks a question of the molting buzzard circling the rafters.
Malgant takes a brief look around, and can't see an intruder even with True Seeing. So he casts Holy Aura, enveloping all the people in the room. As the protections again flash outward, Priscilla stumbles, apparently trying once more to overthrow the yoke of another will. After a moment's struggle, her body stops behaving recklessly and she drops the dagger with a gesture of revulsion!
Aztyr uses her permanent see invisible to see if she can spot anyone in the room that does not belong, then fires off a dimensional anchor spell at Priscilla, catching her in the ray.
Brahmah has no better luck than Vorelle to see anyone else in the Castle Foyer. In considering Guiding Star, the minotaur is certain that he would physically have to be in the location to become attuned to the place.
............................
Priscilla backs away from the dagger laying on the floor, her eyes scared. Then she looks at the heroes and a look of horror comes across her face. "I couldn't stop myself. As soon as you all seemed otherwise occupied, I grabbed that dagger and attacked the Crystal Malgant was holding. I was then supposed to kill each of you, which would also have ruined my own magic abilities."
The evil-looking dagger lays on the stone floor where it was dropped. Atzyr can immediately see from her Permanent Arcane Sight that it is strong enchantment aura which had been masked by all the other enchantment magic items Priscilla possesses.
Anyone DC Arcana 25 Highlight to display spoiler: { It is also cursed, adamantite, and has earth-bane properties. There was probably a contingency spell on it as well, although that is fading.}
Neither Priscilla or Warrick remember how the dagger came into her possession. Warrick speculates that they must have been captured by Bone Mountain forces then released to be a lure to track down the heroes and cause mischief. "Well, he concludes, having once more settled onto a perch of a large chair, "do you have the information you seek? And what are you going to do about it?"
...........
Scarwall Castle 1) Hallowed Ground: The castle acts as though covered by a Hallowed spell. (with Freedom of Movement keyed in to only the BBLers)
2) Recall: 1/day each BBLer Word of Recall [CL11] with 10 minute casting time. This ability does not work across planes.
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Tuesday February 12th, 2013 11:04:26 AM
"Well, it's clear that the dagger is cursed," Jass says once the excitement has gone out of things. "Along with its earth-bane proprieties. Adamantine as well. The domination likely triggered by a Contingency." He waves his hands in a simple magic pass, conjuring an Unseen Servant. "Pick that up, if you please," he commands of his creation. "Vauhwyt, can you whip up a quick stone container in which we can entomb this vile thing? Preferably something that cannot be easily opened."
"As for you, my dear," Jass addresses the witch Priscilla next, "no one ever has all of the information that they need. And, it might be better if you remained here while we tend to this. I think it would be safer for you and Warrick, and we could certainly do with someone to watch over things while we're away."
"Why don't we make our first stop tomorrow Bone Mountain. Some of you out-of-doors types," and the sorcerer indicates Brahmah and Vorelle with a nod of his head, "can make a brief cast about for signs of Bakkis the dracolich. I can't imagine something like that wouldn't leave tracks. If we can't find anything, we can always go straight up from there to the ... what did Pindar call it? The Flying Fortress."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Knowledge Arcana Autosuccess Cast Unseen Servant
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Tuesday February 12th, 2013 4:25:34 PM
OOC Does the dagger need to be touched to be used as a focus for a scrying spell? If it does, do any of us have any clue how to ward against the curse on it? IC Always on a hair trigger Malgant is all for going after the person who did this to Priscilla. Not only because they have harmed her and angered him, but they likely know where the group is now, even without scrying them. " I say we scry whoever owned that dagger and go kick their ass right now. I doubt they would be prepared for it, and if they are, then, we will as always bite off more than we can chew and somehow choke it down anyway. Aztyr, can you scry on them with it?"
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Tuesday February 12th, 2013 4:31:19 PM
Sir Joshua's relieved that Priscilla is back to herself, as he was getting ready to tackle her and prevent her from injuring anyone (or herself).... At the sound of kicking the rear of whoever owned the dagger, his ears perk up and he says with a gleam in his eyes, "Just tell me who to charge and crush, and then get out of our way..."
"Otherwise, I think that Bone Mountain would be a good next step too... We've got plenty of information and now we need to act on it...," he urges them, never the one for long deliberations... After all, the beautiful maidens like a shining knight who charges into honorable and valiant combat, not one who sits and debates...
Vauhwyt and Mookie d20+22=23 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 6:17:04 PM
If none of her friends with better spellcraft volunteer, Vauwhyt will cast Identify to try to learn more about the blade: Spellcraft 23 nat one! Someone else, give me a hand here!
=====
Vauhwyt agrees with Mal's idea to scry and blip, but she has a few second thoughts. She communicates the following with her mental link:
"Friends, I want to scry the villain and attack right this second. Maybe we can get the jump on them. Maybe we can use this cursed or intelligent blade to scry with. But we have to think two steps ahead of the enemy, We have to try to anticipate what the enemy will do, what the enemy will expect, and then do something different."
"Surely the enemy will anticipate that we might strike back hard immediately. If I were the enemy, I would have a trap set up in anticipation of that."
"Also, we have to suspect that the whole thing, including Pindar, is a ruse and trap laid for us. We have to take the information we discovered from Pindar with a grain of salt, and confirm it before we believe it."
"So what does the enemy expect us to do? One, to hit him back, hard and fast, now. Two, to hit him back, hard and fast, tomorrow. What does he NOT expect us to do?"
"He does not expect us to try to negotiate with him -- we could do that, either in good faith, or as part of a trap. Imagine if we visit the summit of Mount Bone and carved a message to him at the very top."
"He does not expect us to put a price and bounty on his head, or contract with the House of Darts to assassinate him."
"He does not expect us to raise an army and storm Mount Bone by force -- we could do that too, either by recruiting an army of powerful friends, such as Priscilla here, and the Cloudprance family, or by hiring the Mailed Fist, or bringing the WLA around to our cause."
"He does not expect us to fortify ourselves and seek info and allies while he strikes at us -- we would, of course, counter every strike he makes -- and the word will spread of his evil, and the citizens of the Wold will rally against him."
"We need to think creatively, friends, and decide on a course that will put Doctor Bones off his balance."
==========
Vauhwyt turns to Priscilla. "Dear friend, forgive long silences. We are conferring with our thoughts telepathically about the best course of action. And we need your help. Can you use your magic to find out how this weapon came to you? You have access to powerful divinations. Also, can you use this dagger for your scrying or to twist your magic against the omne who coerced you?
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn d20+27=29 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 7:12:21 PM
Aztyr follows Vauhwyt's lead and tries to identify the dagger using a limited wish to cast Identify ( she rolls a 2+ 27 Spellcraft + 10 for the identify = 39) Once she knows what it can do she might try to cast scrying on it.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Tuesday February 12th, 2013 8:23:04 PM
Vauhwyt laughs to see her friend use a Limited Wish to cast a first level spell!
Vorelle Wednesday February 13th, 2013 12:49:13 AM Maybe we should take a holiday to Plateau City, Vorelle's mental "voice" is amused. That would be unexpected.
Aloud, she says, "I'm ready for whatever we want to do. But let's make sure that knife can't work any more mischief."
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Wednesday February 13th, 2013 4:27:23 AM
Brahmah is eager to jump in and grab the dagger, but won't. He remembers the Black Sword from years ago and what it did to Flat-top, or was it Roarr? If he recalls correctly, it was in the ziggerats and undead were at large there too. "I have seen weapons enchanted in this manner. Nearly had to kill and close friend too." He looks at Priscilla. "No need to fear, we would have done our best not to kill you." He tries to be comforting, but clearly fails miserably. There is an uncomfortable minute of silence and then the ranger moves on.
"Jass, I'll happily go out first. If I can get teleported into the area, I can recon and use the Recall to get back here. I would have speed on my side and the map I've been working on. Having anyone else along, would slow me. However, Vorelle would be an asset. I am usually no use in the divinations, magical talk or arcane mysteries you all deal in. I would be of more use in the wild and on recon. If you like, I/we can do the recon tonight and we can all get started tomorrow at first light. This also means any daily spells or magics would have time to recharge I think. I have stealth on my side and a bit of healing magic. I'll be fine. If I run into the dracholich, I'll run like blazes and Recall here immediately." --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Hallowed and Freedom of Movement (castle only) Guiding Star (31/32 days, upon returning to the castle, cast day 23 after elemental dimension challenge)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Wednesday February 13th, 2013 8:44:59 AM
OoC to Brahmah: Remember, that according to the description of the power, it takes 10 minutes to activate the special Recall power of Scarwall.
The Cursed Dagger (DM SteveK) Wednesday February 13th, 2013 10:05:13 AM
Our Blackbird Lake Heroes are fired up at this subversion of a friend, attack within the safety of Scarwall, and many are ready for a quick scry, teleport, and, in the words of two long ago Mailed Fist commanders of cavalry, "Get there first-est with the most-est" and "Smash 'em up".
The first delay is no one wants to touch the dagger, though Jass has an Unseen Servant pick it up, waiting for an action to deal with it. Malgant realizes that using the dagger as a Focus for a spell may not require an actual physical touch, but would be just as intimate a connection. In very recent experience (with Brahmah supplying the example of still another cursed blade) that much of an intimate touch may be very bad indeed.
Jass suggests that Priscilla and Warrick stay at Scarwall for the time being (both for their protection and the castle's defense) and then conduct a recon of Mount Bone before attempting Pindar's assurance that flying to the sky fortress is the only way to get there.
That delay leads to Vauhwyt able to go suggest several ideas of her favorite tactic, doing the completely unexpected. Several are fanciful or full of holes, but Vauhwyt has always danced to the beat of a different drummer, and if one throws out enough tanglefoot, something is bound to stick!
Vorelle jumps in with a suggested holiday to Plateau City.
Aztyr and Vauhwyt cast Identify on the cursed dagger and learn the same as Jass did; it is a +5 cursed adamantite dagger with earth-bane properties; probably the reason why the dagger so easily destroyed Pindar's Phylactery.
The plethora of ideas allows others to consider and further allows their guests, Priscilla and Warrick, to compose themselves and they start to think instead of reacting.
Priscilla is thankful that the BBLers dismiss any wrongdoing on the part of the Witch, and even Brahmah's rough assurances seem to be a comfort to her. "Brahmah, I would rather be immediately slain by a friend than cause harm to one or be enslaved in my mind. Your's is a good soul."
"What Vauhwyt says is true, given some time, I could Tinker with this dagger and turn its powers to our advantage. And now aware of the threat, I can protect myself somewhat from its effects, yes I can."
Priscilla's mind continues to work and the BBLers see she is getting back to herself as she gets more mysterious and obscure. "Make not the mistake of assuming omniscience to your enemies. And a KISS often works better than a long engagement, my dears."
Warrick harrumphs again, shaking his head, and talks to Vauhwyt in biting sarcasm. "The biddy's mind is gone again, oh, thank you SO much! What she is saying in her confusing manner is this: what makes you think the enemy knows that any of this has happened?"
The buzzard looks around challengingly at his statement, and then (assuming that the heroes have told their guests of the conversation in the Crystal cause they weren't there and don't know) ticks off points with his claws. 1. Priscilla and I took weeks to get here, and so the dagger must have been planted even before then. 2. The dagger is obviously a phylactery killer and was not an attack against you, but against Pindar. 3. You said you found Pindar's Phylactery in Koshe-Marr, and you returned here weeks before the Mount Bone forces started searching, which was enough time for the Great Lich to learn you were in Koshe-Marr where he must have known Pindar hid his Phylactery. 4. The dagger is obviously a contingency by the Great Lich to eliminate a potential threat to his security and not primarily an attack on you.
Warrick puts down one claw and picks up the other, ticking off more points. 1. You have protections of Hallow, Detect Scry, and Private Sanctum covering you to stop anything less than a god to see what is going on right now. 2. There is no evidence that the Great Lich or any of his forces knows where you are or knows what has happended here... yet. 3. If you believe anything that Pindar said to you, the Flying Fortress is protected against scrying and teleportations. You won't be able to get there that way. 4. The longer you delay the greater chance for your location and situation to be discovered.
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Wednesday February 13th, 2013 3:07:19 PM
"Hmmm. Yes," Jass drawls as both the witch and then her familiar finish their assessments of the situation. From there he turns his attention to ... "You know, Vauhwyt, I don't think I'm comfortable putting any more lives at risk aside from our own. The individuals you've mentioned are, in my estimation, less powerful than we are, and if we can't stand up to whatever's waiting for us, then sending them in would be little short of a death sentence."
"We might bring one or two along as camp followers to cook and clean and offer healing services should we feel the need to retreat. But, to tell you the truth, that doesn't set very well with me either. They'd still be at risk. That's the problem with becoming attached to things. They do become vulnerabilities."
"And besides, I doubt they'd be of much greater use than would be the cost of flying them up seven miles to the ... to whatever lands up above that the Great Lord maintains."
"I'll tell you what, I'll be headed for Bone Mountain tomorrow first thing. You're welcome to come along. Lacking teleportation, I'll be traveling overland. The objective will be to find Bakkis wherever he's lairing up, and possibly to make a foray to reconnoiter the lands seven miles up. We can keep in touch through the telepathic bond."
"Priscilla, if you think you can handle the blade, please take it." He directs his Unseen Servant toward the witch. "Hmmm. Please take it anyway. It will be interesting to observe the nature of the curse."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday February 13th, 2013 3:18:25 PM
Vauhwyt laughs at Vorelle's idea of going on vacation. "That woudl be a surprise," she says, grinning, "but I'm not sure it would put any kind of crimp in Dr. Bones' style. We have to surprise AND harm the fellow."
The liontaur suggests a recon flight. "We gotta learn more about this cloud fortress. Like Warrick says, we can't scry or blip therre directly. We gotta come in close, then sly up undetected like. I'm thinking I would could teleport to Bone Mountain, fly invisibly and incorporeally straight up to the fortress. Scout it out. Memorize a place outside it to which we could teleport. Get some intel. Come back."
"Thoughts?"
Vauhwyt thinks for a moment. "A Dimensional Lock spell is an 8th level spell that covers a 20 ft radius. A Widened Lock would cover a 40 ft radius as an 11th level spell. How could Dr. Bones cover an entire cloud castle with a Dimensional Lock? The spell lasts 1 day per level. If he is 25th level, he can cast it once per day and have 25 running at the same time. A 20 ft radius is 1200 square feet. Multiply that by 25, and Dr. Bones can cover 30,000 square feet, or a castle that's 200 ft by 150 ft."
"Of course, that suggests a prime tactic would be to cast Greater Dispel to get rid of the Dimensional Anchorr."
She trails off, musing.
Vorelle Wednesday February 13th, 2013 3:23:54 PM
"We could scout the place," Vorelle agrees, "but we shouldn't just assume we'll get in and out undetected. We need to have a contingency plan, and we need to be prepared to fight right then and there, if that's what it comes to."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday February 13th, 2013 3:26:49 PM
"Seven miles!" Vauwhyt wonders. "So could we teleport eight miles above Bone Mountain? How about seven and a quarter miles? Anything that can cover an area of miles with a Dimensional Lock is godlike beyond anything we can tackle, maybe?"
"We need to know more about this cloud castle. What can we cast there, and not. Can we cast summons and calling spells? Do dimensional items work? The danger of scouting is that we might tip off the enemy. The danger of not scouting is that we end up not knowing the simple stuff that could have saved us. At the very least, we should cast a Commune and a Vision / Legend Lore and ask some basic questions."
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Wednesday February 13th, 2013 4:10:13 PM
While the others discuss how they'll get there, whether its overland or flight or teleport, he checks his saddle, Williams tack, etc., and makes sure everything's ready to go...
He knows that scouting is not his forte, and he's better at a stand up slug fest... The others are more quiet and stealthy than him, and he offers says, "While it is risky, I think we need to scout as much as we can and find out exactly what we're facing. I don't want to charge into something unknown, as it could work out poorly if we're not ready... And after all, William and I are ready anytime, anywhere for a fight..."
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Wednesday February 13th, 2013 7:06:52 PM " Forbiddance would cover an area as large as needed provided the funds to do it were available. Anyway, recon is one thing, but I want some firsthand knowledge. I suggest we visit Lady Xil and ask her about the Dracolich. She may not be THAT old, but he was once a dragon and dragons tend to know about dragons. Second, I suggest we go see your boss Vauwhyt. Gargul can likely tell us all about the lieutenants. After all they are all undead that have long eluded his realm. Because of that I think he would have a great deal of knowledge on the subject. Question is, do we need a dead body to resurrect to go see him or can you arrange a meeting Vauhwyt?" " I also agree that this mission would likely be a death sentence to any allies we bring. However allies all have their niche and can be used for other things. The Cloudprance's might know something about how a castle could be made to fly. I would bet a fair amount that a flying castle is a Teucri artifact. Knocking it down with an antimagic field would probably not work. But shutting down or destroying whatever keeps it flying might. Additionally, our conversation with Prindell needs to become common knowledge in case we fail. That way others will know where to look to kill this guy." " Oh, and Warrick, why I think that the Great Lord of Mount Bone knows where we live is because Prindell's body was in the Great Lord's possession. When that Phylactery broke his soul got sucked right to his body and is probably being grilled right now. Chances are he won't last long, so what we know and where we are will be the Great Lord's knowledge, IF Prindell himself knew. I prefer to figure that everything that can go wrong will, so even though he couldn't see out of his prison, there might be a way to figure it out because that would complicate things." "First thing I will need is a ride to the Cloudprance's. Who's driving and who else would like to come?" "Oh, and one more thing. Unless my revival will greatly increase the good in the Wold, I do not wish to be returned to life if any of these coming battles kill me. Just so we are all clear."
Spells and effects On Malgant Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank duration 48 hours CL 20 Extended Contingency duration 40 days " Cast Breath of Life on me if I fall below 0 Hit points" CL 20 Permanent Telepathic Bond CL 17 Consecrate duration 40 hour CL 20 True seeing duration 200 minutes CL 20 Eagles Splendor duration 19 minutes CL 19
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Wednesday February 13th, 2013 7:08:46 PM
Aztyr Aztyr says" I can port us there, who else is coming? Oh, and as far as scouting goes, we might not be able to teleport back OUT either. We may need to win or die once we get started."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Wednesday February 13th, 2013 10:19:46 PM
"Great ideas," says Vauhwyt. "We should definitely go see Lady Xill. And then we should go see the head priest in Plateau City. He has helped us before even though his name now eludes me. I really should put a rank in Know Religion. Anyhoo, he could help us out with a Commune Spell, to start, and if that goes well, we could ask permission to use a Gate spell to talk with Lord Gargul or a minion of his."
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Thursday February 14th, 2013 7:30:46 AM
"I'll keep that in mind." Says the ranger to Priscilla, looking grim.
"I don't care if Recall takes ten minutes or however long, I would make the effort. On the other hand, if someone set a Contingency spell for a condition or something, like death or unconsciousness, to Teleport back here, on me, I would be happy to play canary. I don't have a death wish mind you, I wanna be help in the planning. If I'm there, I can convey mentally what I'm seeing and feeling. As far as I know, spells can't give opinions, apart from some divination spells. I really want to help. I give you all a mental idea where tactical and terrain positions are, so when we get there, we know immediate positioning."
The minotaur knows the topic is probably a moot by this point, but he still makes the effort. --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Hallowed and Freedom of Movement (castle only) Guiding Star (31/32 days, upon returning to the castle, cast day 23 after elemental dimension challenge)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
The Cursed Dagger (DM SteveK) Thursday February 14th, 2013 9:12:47 AM
Some heroes are ready to teleport to the base of Mount Bone (or the top? or one of the faces?) Brahmah's excellent knowledge of the area is enough to realize the single mountain covers over a hundred square miles of secondary peaks, gullies, caves, forests, snowscapes... and none of your information shows that any of the main liches live on the mountain itself. In fact, all evidence points that any "recon" of the mountain are likely to only alert the liches of the location and probable course of action of the heroes. Especially since every day tends to Pindar spilling his undead guts at what he knows...
There are a couple of suggestions to go see Lady Xill and some others. Again, the feeling that the clock is already ticking because of Pindar... How long will the lich soul last?
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Thursday February 14th, 2013 9:48:31 AM
"Well, that's very interesting information that you have there, Brahmah. Certainly saves me from wandering lost and alone about the vastness of Bone Mountain."
"I suppose the only thing to do then is to fly up from Bone Mountain and see this floating land for ourselves. I can magic everyone up for the flight quite easily. The only question is, do we go now? Or, do we wait until tomorrow and the new spells that a day will bring us?"
"If we wait until tomorrow, we can use the rest of today to visit the dragons. Even if they know nothing about the liches, I think that they would be the best people to leave with the knowledge of what we are about to do. That is," and Jass inclines his head to the visiting witch, "for you Priscilla dear."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday February 14th, 2013 1:47:18 PM
Just to confirm, this is still the day that we met Pindar, right?
==========
For the record, here is the daily grind for spells cast every morning:
Vauhwyt activates her Karma Bead.
She casts Detect Scrying and Sequester, as she does every single day.
She casts False Life on herself, and another one on Mookie. She casts Extended Heroism on herself, and another one on Mookie. She casts Taur's Try (liontaur version) on herself and on Mookie; she recasts that through the day at odd moments.
Every other day she casts Extended Greater Magic Weapon on -- her own armor spikes -- Vorelle's three weapons (2 axes and a bow?)
Every other other day she casts Extended Greater Magic Weapon on -- Brahmah's two weapons (kukri and the other one?) -- Sir Josh's lance and sword?
Those are the dailies, cast every single day, rain or shine.
==========
Vauhwyt asks Priscilla to use the cursed dagger to tinker her way to some information, maybe via a Vision or other Divination spell. She hopes Priscilla can confirm the info we already have and maybe find out more.
The Grim Trickster says that today should be for gathering info, and tomorrow for the assault!
Vauhwyt says, "We need more answers. I'm teleporting to the Temple of Gargul at Plateau City to ask Gargul some questions. Who wants to come?" OOC: She can bring Mookie and five mediums, where a large PC equals two mediums. If everyone wants to come, Aztyr and Vauhwyt together can do the job,
At the temple, she gives the High Priest a gift: two Elixers of Hiding and two Elixers of Vision. She tells the high priest that the group is going to battle the master of Bone Mountain. She asks for his advice and a Commune spell, if anyone has one prepped today. Here are her questions (Odds are too many are given below; please omit as needed from the bottom):
1. Would you give your approval to the heroes of Blackbird Lake, including Vauhwyt, your liontaur Grim Trickster, in an assault on the Master of Bone Mountain?
2. Is it true that the Master of Bone Mountain has a floating fortress about seven miles above the mountain?
3. Where does the Master of Bone Mountain reside?
4. Is it true that the Master of Bone Mountain is a lich who can be utterly destroyed if we destroy his phylactery?
5. Where is that master phylactery?
6. Is the master phylactery on the flying fortess?
7. Is it true that his phylactery is locked away, and the key or keys to his phylactery are the phylacteries of his lich underlings?
8. How many phylacteries are needed to make the key?
9. How do we assemble the key?
10. How do we use the key to get to the phylactery of the master of Bone Mountain?
11. How do we identify the phylactery of a lich once we have defeated it?
12. What is the best time to make our assault on the Master of Bone Mountain and his sub-liches?
13. Is it possible for a Grim to Darkwalk in the Flying Fortress?
14. What methods does the Master of Bone Mountain use to detect intruders?
15. What is the best way to sneak into the Floating Fortress?
16. Is the Flying Fortress a Teucri artifact?
17. Is there any secret to the Flying Fortress that will aid us in our quest?
18. Besides Chazzak the fighter and Bakkis the dracolich, who is the most dangerous of the lich underlings?
19. Where is Bakkis the Dracolich laired on Bone Mountain?
20. What mistake or mistakes did Trell, Alderan, Blodgett, and Dalenorre make when they tried to destroy the master of Bone Mountain?
Vauhwyt also asks for the blessing and advice of the High Priest.
==========
After that, it is time to teleport back to Acid City, to visit Lady Xill or whoseoever of her children the party can find. Vauhwyt or whoever in the party wants to will fill in all they have learned today, especially about the flying fortress and the dracolich. Any advice the family can give us about these things would be great!
==========
Then back to Priscilla to see if she has discovered anything else.
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Thursday February 14th, 2013 4:19:05 PM
Sir Joshua is good with their plan, especially that of gaining information and heading out in the morning once they've reset their spells.... He spends his time sharpening his weapons, keeping guard over the castle, fattening up William for the journey ahead and praying that they have success in the battle ahead...
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Thursday February 14th, 2013 4:24:31 PM " I'll go with you, and Aztyr has a wand of reduce person so we all can go if both of you cast teleport. We all who can cast teleport, have been there so we all know where to port to. Perhaps the high priest can tell us what disguises Vauhwyt should use this time to get close to some of our targets, like we did before."
OOC sorry, kinda burned out from the week. If I can think of any more questions I'll add them later.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Thursday February 14th, 2013 4:26:27 PM
Aztyr Aztyr will teleport any other who want to go to The Temple of Gargul in Plateau City when Vauhwyt goes. OOC I think his name was Mortimer or something like that. It would have been in the archives before the turtle people, while Glenn was DMing us.
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Thursday February 14th, 2013 4:47:54 PM
OoC: Jass will go along.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Thursday February 14th, 2013 10:54:29 PM
Brahmah would like to go along to temples and other places, but for once, he's thinking on the practical side. The ranger will make copies (3) of his map for his companions who are lacking in wilderness survival training and tracking.... just in case we get separated from each other. It will be a bit time consuming, but worth the time taken. (OOC: And when the divinations and the like are complete, Brahmah will help to add information pertaining to the map)
"I think if we go now that we'll get into the same trouble we did in the elemental challenge. We need to hone our knowledge, divine everything we can and study the area front to back so we ALL know what our roles are and what is expected of each of us when we get to where we need to go. We need to be as prepared as possible, to the point of ridiculousness."
"I think there is a position here, outside Mount Bone proper, a place we can teleport into that shouldn't be occupied or watched. It's a deep cave, it should be far enough away not to raise alert that we are there. Of course traveling a bit to actually reach our destination." He points on his map. "Is there any way we can hide our true identities while en route to the Mount? Changing our forms to rather benign looking adventurers so as not to concern the liches? I suggest young hyper looking halflings." --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Hallowed and Freedom of Movement (castle only) Guiding Star (31/32 days, upon returning to the castle, cast day 23 after elemental dimension challenge)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Vorelle d20+18=31 ; d20+18=31 ; d20+20=34 ; d20+26=42 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 12:34:50 AM
Vorelle contributes what she can to the information-gather-a-palooza, but she recognizes that she's probably outclassed here.
The Cursed Dagger (DM SteveK) Friday February 15th, 2013 6:23:27 AM
in a conference, limited access.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday February 15th, 2013 10:23:05 AM
Since Steve is busy, I'll make his job easier and just answer my Commune questions myself.
1. Would you give your approval to the heroes of Blackbird Lake, including Vauhwyt, your liontaur Grim Trickster, in an assault on the Master of Bone Mountain?
Sure, anything to get rid of you pests!
2. Is it true that the Master of Bone Mountain has a floating fortress about seven miles above the mountain?
A floating fortress?! um, yeah, sure, right. Definitely. "Floating fortress," heh! That's a good one. I gotta remember that.
3. Where does the Master of Bone Mountain reside?
In his residence.
4. Is it true that the Master of Bone Mountain is a lich who can be utterly destroyed if we destroy his phylactery?
Well, "utterly" is a strong word. Gotta say no. Not "utterly."
5. Where is that master phylactery?
Somewhere in the Wold.
6. Is the master phylactery on the flying fortess?
On it? Like on top? Well, no, duh.
7. Is it true that his phylactery is locked away, and the key or keys to his phylactery are the phylacteries of his lich underlings?
That's clever! You can't destroy the phylacteries of the underlings because you need them as keys. So the underlings keep coming back. Huh. I gotta remember that one too.
8. How many phylacteries are needed to make the key?
BORED!
9. How do we assemble the key?
SUPER BORED!!
And since a 9th level cleric was the only one available to cast for us, we're done here. Thanks for playing!
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Friday February 15th, 2013 12:11:21 PM
Plateau City is nice this time of year. A bit too ... sterile, though. All of the ever present power, so naked, raw and ever on display in Hook City, are covered over here under a deceptive facade of grace and beauty. All pleasant enough, though. If you like this sort of thing.
"Sounds like you might have gotten a rather whimsical minion of your favorite deity there, Vauhwyt," Jass drawls as they exit the temple of Gargul. "I suppose that's bound to happen every now and again when you depend too much on the gods. We don't really have them where I'm from. Though your northern gods are catching hold. There's something attractive about being able to call upon a higher power when you can't manage things for yourself."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.); Mage's Private Sanctum 24h
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Friday February 15th, 2013 12:28:38 PM
Sir Joshua takes the map and says, "If we're going to go into a deep cave, then let's make sure we've got enough sun rods and spells ready for our trip. I don't want to be fighting in the dark..."
Regarding roles, his is obvious though he's put a lot of energy and time into training his perception skill, so he can be a helpful lookout and try to find any local sources of evil...
He'll make a quick run over to the local general store and buy about 10 or so sunrods for use...
Last Day before the Assault (DM SteveK) Friday February 15th, 2013 2:28:22 PM Jass feels clear that the group should strike the fortress themselves tomorrow and can use the rest of the day to get as much information as they can. He teases Priscilla that she needs to stay at the Castle. The Witch doesn't like it, but has to admit that not even she is safe in Blackbird Forest right now.
Vauhwyt is amazed that this is still the same day that we met Pindar. She reminds herself of all the daily grind of spells she casts, asks Priscilla to use the cursed dagger to tinker her way to some information, and then teleports to the Temple of Gargul at Plateau City to ask Gargul some questions. With an offering, she gets her Commune and listens to the answers.
1. Would you give your approval to the heroes of Blackbird Lake, including Vauhwyt, your liontaur Grim Trickster, in an assault on the Master of Bone Mountain? YES
2. Is it true that the Master of Bone Mountain has a floating fortress about seven miles above the mountain? YES
3. Where does the Master of Bone Mountain reside? OTHER DIMENSION
4. Is it true that the Master of Bone Mountain is a lich who can be utterly destroyed if we destroy his phylactery? YES
5. Where is that master phylactery? OTHER DIMENSION
6. Is the master phylactery on the flying fortess? NO
7. Is it true that his phylactery is locked away, and the key or keys to his phylactery are the phylacteries of his lich underlings? YES
8. How many phylacteries are needed to make the key? CHANGES DAILY
9. How do we assemble the key? PHYLACTERIES ARE THE PIECES
10. How do we use the key to get to the phylactery of the master of Bone Mountain? ASSEMBLE THE PIECES
11. How do we identify the phylactery of a lich once we have defeated it? YOU ARE A GRIM
12. What is the best time to make our assault on the Master of Bone Mountain and his sub-liches? ONE SUN RISE
13. Is it possible for a Grim to Darkwalk in the Flying Fortress? YES
14. What methods does the Master of Bone Mountain use to detect intruders? NONE
15. What is the best way to sneak into the Floating Fortress? UNCLEAR
16. Is the Flying Fortress a Teucri artifact? YES
17. Is there any secret to the Flying Fortress that will aid us in our quest? NO
18. Besides Chazzak the fighter and Bakkis the dracolich, who is the most dangerous of the lich underlings? UNCLEAR
19. Where is Bakkis the Dracolich laired on Bone Mountain? NO
20. What mistake or mistakes did Trell, Alderan, Blodgett, and Dalenorre make when they tried to destroy the master of Bone Mountain? EARLY ALERT
Vauhwyt also asks for the blessing and advice of the High Priest, which she gets the blessing. Of advice, the High Priest says. "Remember that Gargul is the lord of death and life. There is no sin when the normal course of events occur."
Lady Xill is able to provide a rumor that Bakkis was once a Blue Dragon. Beyond that, she doesn't know more.
Sir Joshua is good with their plan, and spends his time sharpening his weapons, keeping guard over the castle, fattening up William for the journey ahead and praying that they have success in the battle ahead. He'll make a quick run over to the local general store and buy about 10 or so sunrods for use..
Malgant and Aztyr and Jass go with Vauhwyt as they collect information.
Brahmah would like to go along to temples and other places, but for once, he's thinking on the practical side. The ranger will make copies (3) of his map for his companions who are lacking in wilderness survival training and tracking.... just in case we get separated from each other. The ranger is confident that he remembers (and can describe to Aztyr) a position just outside Mount Bone where they can teleport into that shouldn't be occupied or watched. He also thinks that disguises may be a good idea.
Vorelle contributes what she can to the information-gather-a-palooza, and can confirm everything Brahmah says. It is nice to have 2 Rangers!
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al d20+21=31 ; d10+10=12 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 4:12:29 PM
Disguises ... Disguises. Jass falls asleep that night considering the possibilities. When he awakes, he sits in front of a mirror and begins working on his face and skin with a mixture of charcoal and animal fat. He accentuates the depressions in his skin, darkening the shadows, and highlighting the structure of his bones. With subtle blending, Jass melts his flesh away, drying it and shrinking it, and, in the end, leaving the impression of dried skin pulled taught over bone.
"Well, what do you think," he asks when he arrives at breakfast. "Not a halfling. But it might pass as a young hyper lich-in-training."
Before making the jump to Bone Mountain, the sorcerer provides himself with a minor boost to his overall health. Other than that, however, spells wait upon what they might encounter on the slopes of the Mountain of Bones.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disguise 31
Active Effects: Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.), False Life (12hp) 19hrs
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Vauhwyt and Mookie Friday February 15th, 2013 5:38:20 PM
Vauhwyt offers to cast Polymorph Any Object on anyone who wants to be something they are not.
"I was thinking of going as a gnome or a halfling," she says. "But then I thought, 'Hey! I could be a Harpy too!"
She thinks for a minute. "But my armor and spikes would not fit then."
"Hey, could Mal or Jass or Aztyr use a Limited Wish or a Wish or a Miracle to wish my armor and spikes to be resized and refitted for a harpy?"
Later edit: Wait, strike that, reverse it! The -4 Str, -2 Con, +2 Dex is KILLER! I'll go with Reduce Person and a big cloak or something. My eversmoking bottle is like a disguise. I'll be disguised as a 50 ft radius smoke elemental.
Vorelle Saturday February 16th, 2013 10:44:47 AM
Vorelle waits, and helps where she can, and makes sure she has a full complement of arrows.
"I'm just dumb muscle," she jokes.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Sunday February 17th, 2013 3:09:23 AM
Brahmah just chuckles at Jass, but says nothing to the powerful mage.
"I suggest nastier the better. Things you might expect to be haunting the area." He names off a few. "Harp is a good one. Pseudo lich is another." He jerks a thumb at Jass. "Halflings might be a bit silly. I was thinking... I'd kinda like to be something large and completely freakish. Or a dragon. But that's an awful choice. I'll say... casters choice!" The ranger smiles. "But we all COULD be harpies." --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Hallowed and Freedom of Movement (castle only) Guiding Star (31/32 days, upon returning to the castle, cast day 23 after elemental dimension challenge)
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Sunday February 17th, 2013 6:54:55 PM
Malgant listens to the others ideas on disguises and shrugs. He will prepare a hide from undead tomorrow and hope someone is able to make him invisible, thats all he should need to get into the castle. Once inside, hiding won't matter as much as being the right size to deliver his punishment to the lichs inside.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Sunday February 17th, 2013 10:03:38 PM
Vauhwyt bows to the high priest, and thanks him for his help and Gargul's. She has one final question for him, if he can help her.
"What large magical beast can talk and has hands enough to cast spells, even though likely it cannot do so?"
Vauhwyt explains, if asked, that she is pondering disguises that will not cripple her capabilities.
She also asks if a wish or miracle or limited wish spell can change her celestial armor from wemic shape to that of a particular large magical beast, for a few days or a week or so?
If the high priest cannot help, she will try the WLA outpost here in Plat City.
Or the Sages Guild, although she has no in there and would likely have to pay for an answer.
If all signs point to go, she'll make her changes today, and she'll ask her friends to help her with changing her armor.
OOC: If you approve this, Steve, I'll fork my PC sheet and make a new one with the requisite stat changes.
==========
She turns to her friends. "You guys! Am I the only one here who takes the disguise idea seriously? At the VERY least, while we're in Plat City, get a scroll of Veil, say! Or use a Lim Wish tomorrow to simulate one!
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Monday February 18th, 2013 12:01:00 AM "Why waste the gold.... I have my handy dandy hat of disguise, yes I remain a quadruped but you can't have everything."
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday February 18th, 2013 7:44:47 AM
[OOC: Per email from kindly DM Steve ... Vauhwyt thinks her latest disguise scheme could work ... if someone can use a Miracle or a Wish to change her armor such that it will fit her disguised shape. So, can anybody spare a wish or a miracle to help out a chum? Pretty please?]
[OOC: Aztyr - your hat of disguise could make you a fine centaur. My ring of chameleon power can add a layer of illusion too.]
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Monday February 18th, 2013 8:41:36 AM
Sir Joshua has mixed feelings on the whole disguise idea.... It's not the most honorable maneuver compared to meeting an enemy in straightforward combat... On the other hand, if it achieves the most good, then one could justify it...
He laughs at the idea of being a harpy and says shaking his head, "Pick a masculine creature and I'll assent, but I can't see myself dressed as a female..."
"You could disguise me but I'd have to dismiss WIlliam for a while.... I could call him back once we're ready..."
Gray Render Vauhwyt and Harpy Mookie Monday February 18th, 2013 11:03:25 AM
Vauhwyt grins at Sir Josh. "I could change you very simply into, say, a dwarf or an elf or half-orc or half-elf. All your gear should be fine. Just readjust your armor straps. The only effect would be that you would be a little stronger."
OOC: Using Poly Any Object to replicate Alter Self for Josh gives a +2 size bonus to strength. There would be no other change except giving you darkvision if you pick dwarf or half-orc.
OOC: Per e-mail with DM Steve, Vauhwyt learns about the magical beast called the "Gray Render," and after polymorphing herself, ends up with a net +2 Str, +5 nat armor, grab and rend, and a good disguise. As long as Mal or Aztyr can cast Wish or Miracle to resize her armor. The link above is for Vauhwyt in Gray Render form, with art and description.
Vorelle Monday February 18th, 2013 11:38:37 AM
Vorelle is puzzled. "Why do we need to disguise ourselves? According to Priscilla, this creature already knows who we are. He's expecting an attack by seven adventurers. If seven random creatures show up and attack him, I think he's going to figure it out."
[OOC: Vorelle is so self-effacing, I have this idea that most people believe the Legendary Heroes of Blackbird lake consist of two female liontaurs, two male minotaurs, one male human, and a dead guy. Oh, and they have a servant or something. :) ]
Gray Render Vauhwyt and Harpy Mookie Monday February 18th, 2013 11:50:51 AM
OOC: How are we getting there? Teleport to the mountain, then mass fly straight up takes like 2.5 hours -- far exceeding the Fly duration?
Hows about we scry a place 8-9 miles above the moutnain and teleport there?
Last Day before the Assault (DM SteveK) Monday February 18th, 2013 1:28:12 PM
Jass enhances his 'undead' looks and Vauhwyt considers and rejects many possibilities for her Polymorph Any spell until the Plateau City prelate pulls out an old tome and tells the liontaur about a "Gray Render". It speaks, has hands, and is a powerful monster itself. Could Vauhwyt become one of them?
Sir Joshua doesn't like the idea of disguises and Vorelle tries to get into the mind of the enemy. If 7 beings of any sort would arrive at the Flying Fortress, wouldn't it still be suspicious?
None of the others even bother with disguises, trusting in secrecy and magic to arrive undetected before it will be too late.
.................
The Day arrives, and Priscilla and Warrick are still at the castle to see them off. The witch promises to hold the place for a while until the group should come back, "but the Forest is my home and my responsibility."
The Witch of Blackbird Forest is able to give the heroes two things of worth.
The first is a glowing wooden amulet shaped like a tree. Priscilla has had her patron, the Blackbird Forest itself, to provide her with a powerful spell to assist in destroying the Lich of Bone Mountain: the Time Capsule.
Time Capsule: creates a Mages Magnificent Mansion and provides a Heroes Feast. Resting for 1 hour is all that is required for a full 8 hours of rest and bestows a Heal Spell. 20 hours of Crafting can be performed.
The second item is information. The Witch has successfully Tinkered with the dagger and is able to provide the following information:
- Flying Fortress won't be there for long, it periodically moves as a further protection. The BBLers have only a day from this morning to overpower the Flying Castle's defenses, and discover the secret to opening the hidden location of the Lich of Bone Mountain before it may be too late.
- It seems that right now, Bone Mountain is involved in one of the very rare gatherings of the heads of the organization; since the founding of Bone Mountain, such a gathering has never been recorded. It presents an incredible opportunity for Bone Mountain to be severely weakened; the evil infesting the mountain would require the direct intervention of several gods, but by eliminating the powerful lieutenants of the Lich of Bone Mountain, it would likely prevent Bone Mountain from ever again being a major threat to the Wold.
- Each of the Lich Lords have a Soul Gem in their possession. These gems serve both as their phalacteries and as pieces of an intricate 3-D puzzle. When the puzzle is assembled, a planar gate is opened to the Bone Mountain Lich itself.
..........................
This morning there is still the execution of the plan to get to the Castle. Most fly spells won't last that long to fly up from the ground. No divinations can pierce exactly where the Flying Fortress is at above the mountain. Teleportions to the Flying Fortress will not work. If the group decided to teleport above the Flying Fortress, where? How high? Mount Bone is 92 square miles in size. Which point above the mountain will the group teleport to?
Brahmah has suggested the group teleport to a hidden crevasse that he knows about, and then fly upwards, looking for the Fortress.
Vauhwyt has suggested the group teleport higher than the Fortress could be and flying down, looking for the Fortress.
Which one is the group going to do?
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Monday February 18th, 2013 2:29:51 PM
Jass smiles, but, for the first time he is shaken by a doubt as to whether the expression has its desired effect. Can the smile of a pallorous and skeletal face be warm, charming, and otherwise inspirational? Has his choice to follow death down its dark hole been, perhaps, a mistake?
"Thank you, Priscilla." The sorcerer stuffs his doubts into temporary storage and closes the lid. "I suppose that means we'll have one chance to rest and recover once we begin this ... little adventure, eh? Let us use our one chance wisely."
"For now, though, we fly." The cadaverous sorcerer waves his arms and calls down a spell from the weave, gracing the heroes of Blackbird Lake with flight. "I agree with Vauhwyt. Struggling upwards up takes over twice again as much time as descending downwards. We'll be much better off teleporting to a space over seven miles over Bone Mountain and then coming down that we would teleporting to Bone Mountain itself and then trying to rise up."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cast Mass Fly on everyone going.
Active Effects: Undead Disguise DC31, Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.), False Life (12hp) 19hrs, Mass Fly 190m
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Monday February 18th, 2013 6:46:08 PM
OOC Got 25k gp Vauhwyt? or know what spell duplicates what you want?
IC Malgant prays the next morning and says goodbye to his family. He warns his father and brother to be on guard against intruders and if they seem too powerful, to know when to run. He cats his normal spells in the morning except for Greater Magic weapon. That he will cast in four hours or when they enter combat so that it remains in effect until he next rests and readies his prayers. He accepts Jass's fly and prepares to assault the undead in their home.
Effects on Malgant Extended contingency " when I fall below 0 hit points cast Breath of Life on me" duration 38 days CL 20 Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank duration 24 hours CL 20
When Vauhwyt hears how expensive it will be, she says, "Ugh! That won't do. I'll have to move to plan B."
Plan B is casting a Fabricate spell to reshape her armor herself. What the heck! She preps with Greater Heroism and Crafter's Blessing, for a Craft Armor result of 23.
If that is enough to reshape her armor (with lucky spikes, of course), then great. If not, then she will put away the mangled armor and try Plan C: putting away her lovely armor and spikes, and using brass knuckles and Mage Armor.
[OOC: If need be I'll rejigger my sheet as soon as I know how it all turns out.]
SteveK I'm gonna have to say "NO" on the Fabricate to alter a magical item. - Fabricate utilizes Craft skill - Craft skill only enables up to Masterwork items - Need Craft Magic Armor to craft magic armor - Fabricate does not replicate Craft Magic Armor
Vorelle Monday February 18th, 2013 11:14:40 PM
Vorelle listens to Jass, and nods cautiously. "Although you might want to give us that Life Bubble thing as well," she says. "The air will be pretty thin up there."
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Tuesday February 19th, 2013 12:10:25 AM
He excepts the Fly spell and suggests that getting closer to the area they need to teleport to is a reasonable idea to make the casting easier, but will go with whichever plan. While fighting undead, especially powerful ones, is no real fun, the ranger is excited for the basics.... undead, a doddle... maybe. --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Hallowed and Freedom of Movement (castle only) Guiding Star (30/32 days, upon returning to the castle, cast day 23 after elemental dimension challenge) Fly
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Gray Render Vauhwyt and Harpy Mookie Tuesday February 19th, 2013 12:34:49 AM
For the next day, Vauhwyt wants to teleport far above Bone Mountain, like 8 miles above, via teleport.
The problem is that you can only teleport to a place that you have at least "viewed once," per the spell. And Scrying spells only work on a person, not a place. Clairvoyance has a limited range. So how to view the destination at least once?
"We could teleport to the mountain and lay low, while Mookie flies up. He can fly up eight miles, then down again. I have the same connection to a place that he does, thanks to our empathic link, so if he has studied it carefully, so have I."
"Aztyr, you could achieve the same thing with a Prying Eye, I guess."
OOC to Vorelle: Hey! I let the "dumb muscle" comment pass. And the "servant" crack was a (funny) OOC joke, but fair warning! If Vauhwyt catches you putting yourself down, she is going to pounce some sense into you! :-)
Vauhwyt thanks Priscilla for the time capsule and the information. "You are the best!" she declares, in her new, deep, 4,000-pound voice, and gives the witch a hug. In gray render form, that's a bit scary, but the liontaur in monster clothing is careful.
"Boss," caws Mookie, "maybe you got the Int of a big dumb lug as well as the shape! This is a really bad idea! You want I should fly straight up for eight miles, passing an evil floating fortress on the way, out of range and out of touch ... and what do you do if I just never come back? If I get in trouble, what are you going to do?"
Vauhwyt ponders. "Teleport to you?"
Mookie shrugs. "24 percent chance of off target or worse? You like them odds?"
"I can make a heroic effort to get it right, if I get a feeling it is going belly up." [OOC: Assuming I can reroll a teleport check with a hero point?]
"Besides, you can't bring the whole party," Mookie says.
"If Brahmah, Aztyr, and Mal were all reduced, I could."
"How are you going to reduce all three on a moment's notice?"
"I ready Teleport, triggered by you thinking the emergency word or you ceasing to keep up a stream of consciousness commentary. Aztyr can ready Limited Wish to replicate Mass Reduce Person, triggered by me casting Teleport. Jass can ready Mass Fly, also triggered by me casting Teleport. See? We can be there wherever you are in a flash."
"Well, it will take me an hour and a half, maybe two hours to fly straight up. You're just going to sit on Mt. Bone for that time, like sitting ducks?"
"An illusion of a rock outcrop can hide us all for that long. Or I could make an actual rock outcrop."
"And what about me, flying around naked and exposed, nothing to hide behind?"
"If you get in trouble, we all blip there that second."
Mookie thinks it over.
"I still hate this plan," he caws, shrugging his harpy wings.
Vauwhyt looks around at her friends. "Anyone else got anything betterr?"
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Tuesday February 19th, 2013 9:53:50 AM
"You have a point there, Vauhwyt." The sorcerer furrows his brow as he considers the magical possibilities as they present themselves from his extensive experience in the craft of spells. "I think that our only hope is to expend a Wish of some form or a Miracle to call upon a Greater Teleport spell. With a Greater Teleport spell, you need not have viewed the location. All that is required is a suitable description of the location. And, personally, I cannot think of a more precise description of where we wish to go than <i>'Eight miles over the center of Bone Mountain.'</i> Sounds quite specific to me."
That said, he complies with Vorelle's request and casts a Life Bubble spell on everyone who will be going.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cast Life Bubble on everyone going. Roughly 4.2 hours for 9 characters.
Active Effects: Undead Disguise DC31, Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.), False Life (12hp) 19hrs, Life Bubble 4.2h on all, Mass Fly 190m
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Tuesday February 19th, 2013 9:56:01 AM
Aztyr shakes her head as Vauhwyt continues to come up with multiple plans that seem to be further and further out there.
"You do realize that we require more than one or two of the lich's to be defeated to get the "key" to reach the Boss of Bone mountain. It'll also be more efficient just to use my wand of reduce person than to use a spell, did you forget I bought it a year or two ago?"
To Get There (DM SteveK) Tuesday February 19th, 2013 10:29:34 AM
Preparation spells are cast. Plans are proposed and rejected. Several of the heroes are waiting for the spellcasters to execute a plan to get the group there.
The problem turns out to be that none of the heroes have a Greater Teleport spell that would make the situation easy! It is either going to have to be using a Limited Wish or Miracle to replicate the spell, or conducting a convoluted reconniassance involving Mookie. Completely alone.
Gray Render Vauhwyt and Harpy Mookie Tuesday February 19th, 2013 10:48:17 AM
Vauhwyt says to Jass, in her new deep voice, "If that wish would work, I'd call that way better than my plan!"
She adds to Jass, "Likely you should hold off on the Mass Fly. The duration is short; we will arrive a mile or so from it; we have to find it; etc. I suggest that we count on showing up above it, and I can cast Feather Fall on all of us to slow our descent to the fortress. My worry is that it will be invisible or that we'll arrive in a fog bank, from which we will not be able to see it. What's our plan if it is not in clear sight when we arrive?"
OOC TO ALL: Keep in mind what the DM said yesterday: No divinations can pierce exactly where the Flying Fortress is at above the mountain. Teleportions to the Flying Fortress will not work. If the group decided to teleport above the Flying Fortress, where? How high? Mount Bone is 92 square miles in size. Which point above the mountain will the group teleport to? Do we have a way to answer that other than "fly around blindly for a half an hour or so and hope we see it before the Mass Fly wears off"?
"If we need better longer term flight," says Vauhwyt, "we need to think about Overland Flight or something like it. I could change Vorelle into a roc, and we could all ride on her back, but someone else would have to dispel the polymorph when we land."
Mookie looks at Vauhwyt. "Boss, you alone weigh the same as a roc, these days!"
Vauhwyt looks down at her gray render shape. She shrugs. "Most of us could ride on her back."
Vauhwyt says to Aztyr, "Sure, the reduce wand is better if we have three rounds warning to reduce three taurs. But if Mookie is in trouble and needs help that instant, how can you use the wand three times before I teleport? And you can't reduce the taurs ahead of time because you would have to keep them all reduced for an hour or two."
"But it is a moot point if we can just use Jass's idea."
==========
OOC: I see that we are casting prep spells. Let's assume that we are all set on our plan BEFORE we start casting! Especially that sweet Mass Fly -- see above.
So, once the plan is set, Vauhwyt starts her castings:
Vauhwyt activates her Karma Bead.
She casts Detect Scrying and Sequester, as she does every single day.
She casts False Life on herself, and another one on Mookie. She casts Extended Heroism on herself, and another one on Mookie. She casts Taur's Try (liontaur version) on herself and on Mookie; she recasts that through the day at odd moments.
Every other day she casts Extended Greater Magic Weapon on -- her own armor spikes -- Vorelle's three weapons (2 axes and a bow?)
Every other other day she casts Extended Greater Magic Weapon on -- Brahmah's two weapons (kukri and the other one?) -- Sir Josh's lance and sword?
All the above at CL23.
Then she starts casting the specials.
Greater Magic Fang (CL8 for +2 bonus) from staff on her own two claws and bite and on Mookie's two claws
Mage Armor (CL1) on Mookie from wand (and on herself if the Fabricated Celestial Armor thing fails).
Barkskin (CL12 for +5 bonus) on everybody (8 castings) from wand.
Extended Heroism (CL23 lasts 460 min) on Aztyr (uses last of 6 meta rod of extend charges for today)
SPELLS from others so far:
Life Bubble, Mass Fly (but not just yet!), Magic Vestment on Mookie's Shield from Aztyr please!)
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Tuesday February 19th, 2013 11:27:02 AM
Sir Joshua ponders the various plans, nodding at several of them, frowning at others.... Finally, he says, "I think all the ideas have merit, so are we essentially down to either Jass's or Vauhwyts idea? I think we need some type of long term flight unless we can find out precisely where this place is... I don't want our buff spells to run out in the middle of a fight b/c half of their duration was burned up trying to find the baddies..."
From the others, he accepts the various spells - Life Bubble and GMW on his lance and sword, and Barkskin (CL 12, +5)... _________________ Spells Prepared 1. Bless Weapon, Restoration (Lessor), Grace, Hero's Defiance, Veil of Positive Energy 2. Resist Energy, Bestow Grace, Instant Armor 3. Heal Mount, Sanctify Armor, MCvE 4. Restoration, Death Ward
Spells Cast (on him from others) 1. Life Bubble 2. Barkskin (+5, CL12) 3. GMW on Sword and Lance
Right before the fun starts, his plan is to: 1. Cast Magic Circle vs. Evil (190/190 mins) 2. Cast Bless weapon on Sword (19/19 mins) 3. Cast Bestow Grace (19/19 mins, +8 sacred bonus on Saves) on Vauhwyt 4. Cast Death Ward on himself (19/19 mins) 5. Cast Veil of Positive Energy (190/190 mins, +2 sacred bonus to AC and saves)
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Tuesday February 19th, 2013 11:35:59 AM
The sorcerer sighs. Despite the threat and dangers of bold adventuring, the devil always seems to be in the details.
"Look, this should be simple. And it should not require a Wish or a Miracle. Not when we have as much money as we do. Money is Power. Or so they say. Well, then, lets use a little of that power."
"What we need is a Shadow Walk spell. And we only need it once. So I'm going to take my magic purse and walk into Acid City to buy one. I'll be back in an hour or two. In the meantime, the rest of you can twiddle your opposable thumbs until I return. After that, we can teleport to Bone Mountain. I'll invoke the Shadow Walk from the scroll and it should be a matter of a few short minutes to rise up to an elevation of seven or eight miles. It shouldn't take too long either to rush around an area of several square miles either until we find a land with a fortress floating on it. We'll still have to use the Wand of Reduce Person, though."
He walks to the door and turns. His eyes glint momentarily with an odd red light. "I'll be back," he says. And then he's gone.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OoC: Jass' CS says 37,387gp available. Can I just assume 1800gp for a scroll of Shadow Walk instead of going through the tedium of the Catacombs? Shadow Walk is
Active Effects: Undead Disguise DC31, Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.), False Life (12hp) 19hrs, Life Bubble 4.2h on all, Mass Fly 190m
9TH-LEVEL N+2+1 * Energy Drain, Clashing Rocks, Time Stop
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Tuesday February 19th, 2013 4:06:03 PM
Sir Joshua shakes his head, puts his hands over his face, sighs and says with mock disgust, "Everybody wants to be an actor... "
"To be, or not to be," intones the nine-ft-tall, 4,000-lb clawed horror.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Tuesday February 19th, 2013 5:26:08 PM " OR just Teleport there and use Wind Walk to fly up. Not all magic is Arcane you know. I shudder to think why we are overlooking that. I mean it is as simple as falling off a log. This is what happens when I let you guys scheme without me. If that's what we want to do, tell me before I pray." Assuming I can change a spell out before we get going Stephen? If not I can Miracle it or Aztyr can wish it, or we can go with Jass's plan.
DMSteveK: You can change out. I want to get going as much as you guys! :-)
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Tuesday February 19th, 2013 5:54:53 PM
OoC: I checked into that. Wind Walk is 1 extra character per 3 Caster Levels. Even at Caster Level 21 that's only 7 characters. We'd never take everyone. Shadow Walk is one extra character per 1 Caster Level. A scroll of Shadow Walk is Caster Level 11.
Even if almost everyone is Medium sized we have 10 characters assuming that Polo is going along and William remains large size.
AC 37,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 18 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Tuesday February 19th, 2013 7:09:51 PM
We can be of any size for Shadow walk, the spell does not limit the size of the creature, just the number.
"This sounds great," says Vauhwyt. "But I did not know you could use Shadow Walk to scout around. Maybe if we use it with Find The Path? Someone can cast that, right?"
OOC: Um, in fact, isn't that explicitly ruled out?
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Tuesday February 19th, 2013 7:33:43 PM
OoC: Shadow Walk does indicate that you can't scout around. Specifically it says, "you can't make out details of the terrain or areas you pass over during transit". But all we're looking for are blobs of land in an ocean of sky. You'd think we could at least pick that out. Once we find it, we drop out and fly the rest of the way.
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Wednesday February 20th, 2013 4:21:32 AM
The minotaur thinks about all the plans and shrugs. They'd come up with something, he was sure. "I don't know if Polo wants to go on this one. He has been really quiet lately. I think the dying and waking up after being smashed to death bothered him. Frankly, I can't blame to poor guy. I'll ask him later."
"As for forms to take, I think I'd rather be larger than I am now. A dragon or elemental. Maybe an Air elemental?"
Then a thought hits him. "What limitations does the Miracle or Limited Wish have? Can you just Wish us up? Not a teleport, or fly, or other form of magical travel... we are just... there, as if we had been there all along. Or does it have to replicate an existing effect?" --------------------------------- Conditions/Other:
Guiding Star- You form a bond with your surroundings when you cast this spell. For the remaining duration of the spell you can always, as a standard action, determine your approximate distance from that area as well as the direction you must travel in order to reach it. You cannot determine the location of the area if you are on a different plane. The area counts as "very familiar" for the purposes of teleport or similar spells. You can only attune yourself to one location at a time. If you cast the spell at another spot you lose the ability to locate your original area.
Traveling Spell list: Prepared Spells: 1st(6)- Longstrider x2 (1 hour per CL), Lead Blades x2, Resist Energy, Alarm 2nd(4)- Hunter's Eye, Versatile Weapon x3 3rd(4)- Darkvision (1 hour per CL), Cure Moderate Wounds x3 4th(3)- Freedom of Movement x2, Grove of Respite
Permanent/Other Effects: Mind Link (group) Large - Reach Fearsome - -2 in Diplomacy URBAN, WATER, UNDERGROUND and FORESTS +2 favored terrain CENTAURS, MAGICAL BEASTS, HUMANS and UNDEAD +2 favored enemy Neutral Good
Active Spells or effects: Word of Recall - CL11 (castle, on plane only) 1/day: Unused Hallowed and Freedom of Movement (castle only) Guiding Star (30/32 days, upon returning to the castle, cast day 23 after elemental dimension challenge) Fly
Item Provided junk: Daylight 1/day See Invisibility 1/day Rod of Extend 3/day Rod of Extend, Lesser, 3/day Pearl of power, 1st-level spell, 1/day Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic (slotless) Necklace of Adaptation (slotless) Frost Chain (on Kukri) [a free action when attacking underwater only, +1d6 frost is null underwater] Greater Improved Shadow Armor (+to stealth) Ring of Chameleon Power (disguise self as standard action, +to stealth) Defender weapons Ga'alian Badge of Friendship (Ga'alians notice this badge, 4d8+7, 3/day) 2 x Toros's Philter, Lesser (caster level 1): Shield. Toros's Philter, Greater (caster level 5): Invisibility Purge.
Hero Points: 6/6 Hero Points Spent: 0
Gray Render Vauhwyt and Harpy Mookie Wednesday February 20th, 2013 6:33:26 AM
OOC: Jay, the best my spell can do is make you into a Large Elemental. But that's not so bad, because as a mostly humanoid-shaped large elemental, you could still wear your armor and use your weapons. If you were bigger, your armor and weapons would not fit any more. Your choices are:
Air elemental: You gain a net -2 size bonus to your Strength, +6 to your Dexterity, -2 to your Constitution, and a +4 natural armor bonus that replaces (not stacks with) your current +1.
Earth elemental: You gain a net +2 size bonus to your Strength, a +0 penalty on your Dexterity, a +0 size bonus to your Constitution, and a +6 natural armor bonus that replaces (not stacks with) your current +1.
Fire elemental: You gain a net -4 size bonus to your Strength, +6 size bonus to your Dexterity, a +0 size bonus to your Constitution, and a +4 natural armor bonus that replaces (not stacks with) your current +1.
Water elemental: You gain a -2 size bonus to your Strength, a +0 penalty on your Dexterity, a +4 size bonus to your Constitution, and a +6 natural armor bonus that replaces (not stacks with) your current +1.
In addition, you gain special elemental abilities, like gliding through stone if you are an earth elemental, flying if you are an air elemental, fire resist 20 (and vulnerable to cold), and water breathing, etc. You gain darkvision. You are also immune to bleed damage, critical hits, and sneak attacks while in elemental form.
You would have to confirm with your DM that you can use armor and weapons in these shapes. The earth elemental, it seems clear to me, could use all your normal gear. The others, I dunno.
And the spell would last three hours for you changing to a large elemental, so I would cast it on you when we got to the floating castle.
I could make you into something even larger in theory, but changing a taur into something else, like a roc, would impose -4 str, +2 dex, and -2 con size adjustments, with almost no other gain in abilities except movement and natural attacks.
Oh! Except I could turn you into a huge animal, such as an elephant or a giant hippo or a dinosaur or a megafauna. Then you would get a net +2 str, -2 dex, -2 con, and most of the animal's special attacks. But then your armor (probably) and weapons would be useless, and you could not cast spells or use command word items.
Note to others: The bonuses for medium size people are much sweeter.
Gray Render Vauhwyt and Harpy Mookie Wednesday February 20th, 2013 10:23:32 AM
OOC: Here's how we could phrase the wish, if we were, say, 13 year old boys: "I wish we could just go to the dungeon already!"
Realm of Shadows (DM SteveK) Wednesday February 20th, 2013 10:27:01 AM
Jass goes to town and gets a Shadow Walk scroll, confidently telling the BBLers that they will be able to walks through the shadows to the vicinity of Bone Mountain and then walk up to the vicinity of 8 miles up. Once popping out of the Shadow Realm, the the group can then use superior Perception of many heroes to locate and get to the Flying Fortress.
Other plans of teleportation and scouting are offered and rejected. Although Jass' plan doesn't seem perfect, it does seem better than others.
So, with no clear consensus, but more in favor than not, the Blackbird Lake Heroes begin their trek!
Jass casts his spell with Sir Joshua, William, Malgant, Aztyr, Brahmah, Polo, Vorelle, Vauhwyt, and Mookie all touching each other, and the group is transported into the Realm of Shadow.
Vauhwyt, Aztyr, and Jass have all passed into this realm in the past and are able to tell the others what to expect. Darke grey vapors swirl around the heroes as Jass confidently steps off on the path the spell has provided. Images are dimly seen, Scarwall, Acid City, Blackbird Lake,,, they are like a heat mirage of gray smoke as the group passes. More solid lines, the only other color in this realm, seem to pulse with a dull maroon and occasional bursts of brillliant red... Woldsblood. The small lines meander towards larger cables, and once, the Shadow Walk path skirts a mighty river of Woldsblood, as the life and souls of the Wold move towards the Lands of Rest and Unrest.
Time seems to make little difference in this land of 'almost', and it could have been a minute or a year before Jass calls a halt. As far as the human Sorcerer can determine, the group is now about 8 miles above the tallest peak of Mount Bone.
Now is the time to assess all active spells and durations, to cast any final spells, and step back into the Wold in the next 6 seconds. .............
SteveK: Me too. Wish granted.
Aztyr AC 31 ,Touch AC 17, 10 DR Fire - SR 18 - HP 177/177 Wednesday February 20th, 2013 11:13:38 AM
Aztyr has her 2 normal spell effects in effect, her extended mage armor and the greater magic vestment. Everything else lasts minutes, not hours. They could be spending hours up here looking for the castle, no need wasting magic power to soon.
Mage Armor, extended w/ Rod Cast at 8am each morning Duration 36 hours Magic Vestment +5 (cast with Wold's Blood at 8am each morning) Duration 36 hours Mass Fly 190m
Permanent:
Arcane Sight, Comprehend Languages Dark Vision, Greater Magic Fang +5 (Dragon Claws) Greater Magic Fang +5 (Liontaur Claws) Read Magic, Resistance See Invisibility, Tongues
Captain Brahmah 261/261hps, AC 31,TOUCH AC 20 FlatFooted AC 25 (Ghost Touch Armor), Comp Lang, Read Magic, Necklace of Adapt Wednesday February 20th, 2013 11:47:01 AM
OOC: Well, I think medium sized coolness would be better too. Any suggestions then for new forms for Brahmah? Medium elementals? Other races? Anything of divine nature might be good... however, the real cool abilities I wouldn't get, like heal at will or a natural aura of good, but other stuff is neat too. Suggestions?
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Wednesday February 20th, 2013 11:49:26 AM
OoC: I don't suppose you could polymorph Brahmah into Chuck Norris, could you? That might be useful.
Jass of Downs (AC31, HP 180 / 180 ) Sub/Al Wednesday February 20th, 2013 1:18:37 PM
Confident that all of his friends are protected by both the Life Bubbles and the power of flight, Jass, like Aztyr, eschews further protection in anticipation of an extended ordeal. But how bad could this be after Scarwall? After dying in the caves beneath Turtle Lake? Perhaps here, in the floating kingdom of the Lich Lord, perhaps here he would find some answers as to where in the Wold his place should be. What place is there for a mage, not lich, not ghost, trapped somewhere between life and death? Perhaps he would find out here.
"I'm ready," he announces to the others, and prepares to step back into the Wold.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Active Effects: Undead Disguise DC31, Contingency (Dimension Door 100 feet away when anything happens to target Jass' Ability scores.), False Life (12hp) 19hrs, Life Bubble 4.2h on all, Mass Fly 190m
While still in the Realm of Shadows, Vauhwyt walks close to Jass, peering back into the Wold using her Grim senses. Perhaps with her help, Jass can better direct us closer to the Floating Fortress.
OOC: More to come on spells cast etc later on.
Sir Joshua the Virtuous (Ken), DR 5/evil Wednesday February 20th, 2013 2:49:31 PM
At the mention of Chuck Norris, Sir Joshua laughs and says in derision, "He may be tough, but he's never met me before. Let's see how he does man to man against a shining knight as glorious as me."
As they depart and they go through the Shadow realm, his senses are on overdrive, as it's a place of questionable evil and unknown threats. He prefers the bright sun to a dim place like this, but refusing to show fear (which no self-respecting knight would ever do), he grips his sword and valiantly moves onward...
He too will wait to cast any short duration spells, as he will need them for any combat that might occur in the next minutes, hours or even days.....
Spells Cast (on him from others) 1. Life Bubble 2. Barkskin (+5, CL12) 3. GMW on Sword and Lance 4. Flight
Right before the fun starts, his plan is to: 1. Cast Magic Circle vs. Evil (190/190 mins) 2. Cast Bless weapon on Sword (19/19 mins) 3. Cast Bestow Grace (19/19 mins, +8 sacred bonus on Saves) on Vauhwyt 4. Cast Death Ward on himself (19/19 mins) 5. Cast Veil of Positive Energy (190/190 mins, +2 sacred bonus to AC and saves)
AC 42,Touch 29(36vs incorporeal) ,Flat 23 CMB 26, CMD43(53 on level gound) , 236 hp Malgant Winterborn Wednesday February 20th, 2013 5:20:37 PM
OOC Will Vauhwyt be using the wand of Barkskin on us before we exit the realm of shadows? IC Malgant has been here before, when they Came to retrieve Vauhwyt and Appolo from Gargul's realm. He knows enough to avoid the Woldsblood, but still marvels at the quantity of it. " Does a river of Woldsblood so close to where we exit mean there is a nexus of some kind here near the castle? Would that make this place more magically potent?" Malgant readies his body for combat by enchanting it do deal magical blows. Barring any other spells cast on him by his friends, he is ready to proceed.
Effects on Malgant Extended contingency " when I fall below 0 hit points cast Breath of Life on me" duration 38 days CL 20 Ring of Counterspells set for Greater Dispel Magic Extended Mind Blank duration 24 hours CL 20 ( cast yesterday) Mass Fly from Jass duration 190 minutes CL 19 Life Bubble from Jass duration 4.2 hours CL19 Greater Magic Weapon duration 20 Hours CL 20 Barkskin Duration ?? CL?? (from wand if Vauhwyt casts it)
Gray Render Vauhwyt (AC44, hp156+17) and Harpy Mookie (AC35, hp78+15) d10+10=17 ; d10+10=15 ; Wednesday February 20th, 2013 5:53:03 PM
Done earlier today, before the Shadow Walk.
Vauhwyt activates her Karma Bead.
She casts Detect Scrying and Sequester, as she does every single day.
She casts False Life on herself, and another one on Mookie. She casts Extended Heroism on herself, and another one on Mookie. She casts Taur's Try (liontaur version) on herself and on Mookie; she recasts that through the day at odd moments.
Every other day she casts Extended Greater Magic Weapon on -- her own armor spikes -- Vorelle's three weapons (2 axes and a bow?)
Every other other day she casts Extended Greater Magic Weapon on -- Brahmah's two weapons (kukri and the other one?) -- Sir Josh's lance and sword?
All the above at CL23.
Then just before the Shadow Walk ... she starts casting the specials ...
Greater Magic Fang (CL8 for +2 bonus) from staff on her own two claws and bite and on Mookie's two claws
Mage Armor (CL1) on Mookie from wand (and on herself if the Fabricated Celestial Armor thing fails).
Barkskin (CL12 for +5 bonus) on everybody (8 castings) from wand.
Extended Heroism (CL23 lasts 460 min) on Aztyr (uses last of 6 meta rod of extend charges for today)
Kindly DM Steve, how long does the Shadow Walk take?
During the Shadow Walk, Vauhwyt does her best to help direct Jass, as she peers back into the Wold.
Finally, just before the group steps out of the shadows, she casts See Invisible, shared with Mookie.
SPELLS from others so far:
Life Bubble, Mass Fly, Magic Vestment on Mookie's Shield from Aztyr please!
[Durations below to be updated after time needed for Shadow Walk.]
Active Spells (V)
CL23 Sequester x23 (remaining durations from 23 days to 1 day) CL23 Shrink Item x10 (remaining durations from 22 days to 7 days) CL23 GMW on brass knuckles (used 0 hrs of 46) CL23 Detect Scrying (used 0 hrs of 24) CL23 False Life (+17 hp) (used 0 hrs of 23) CL19 Poly Any O (permanent) CL08 GMF x3 (used 0 hrs of 8) CL19 Life Bubble (used 0 hrs of 4.2) CL23 Extended Heroism (used 0 min of 460) CL19 Taurs Try (+1 Stealth and Acrobatics) (cast once every 10 minutes) CL19 Mass Fly (used 0 min of 190) CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120) CL19 See Invis (used 0 of 95 min) CL01 Mage Armor (used 0 min of 60)
Active Spells (M)
CL23 False Life (+15 hp) (used 0 hrs of 23) CL23 Poly Any O (permanent) CL08 GMF x2 (used 0 hrs of 8) CL19 Life Bubble (used 0 hrs of 4.2) CL23 Extended Heroism (used 0 min of 460) CL19 Taurs Try (+1 Stealth and Acrobatics) (cast once every 10 minutes) CL19 Mass Fly (used 0 min of 190) CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120) CL19 See Invis (used 0 of 95 min) CL01 Mage Armor (used 0 min of 60)
Active Spells (Vorelle)
CL23 GMW on ax (used 0 hrs of 46) CL23 GMW on ax (used 0 hrs of 46) CL23 GMW on bow (used 0 hrs of 46) CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120)
Active Spells (Josh)
CL23 GMW on lance (used 24 hrs of 46) CL23 GMW on sword (used 24 hrs of 46) CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120)
Active Spells (Brahmah)
CL23 GMW on Kukri(used 24 hrs of 46) CL23 GMW on Falchion (used 24 hrs of 46) CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120)
Active Spell on Aztyr:
CL23 Heroism (used 0 min of 230) CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120)
Active Spell on Jass: CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120)
Active Spell on Mal: CL12 Barkskin (used 0 min of 120)
Slots used:
8th: used 0 of 3 7th: used 1 of 5 (sequester) 6th: used 0 of 6 5th: used 0 of 6 4th used 1 of 7 (1 det scry) 3rd: used 7 of 7 (4 GMWs, 3 heroisms) 2nd: used 2 of 7 (2 FLs, see invis) 1st: used 0 of 7
Used: Karma Bead 2 lesser rods of extend
Vorelle [GMW, Life Bubble, Barkskin, Fly] Wednesday February 20th, 2013 11:11:55 PM
Vorelle accepts a Greater Magic Weapon on her bow and on her silver and adamantine axes. She has no spells to cast herself, and she decides to save her precious Dust of Disappearance for later.
So her preparations consist of a deep breath and a nod to her friends that she is ready to go!
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