The Chancers Invitational, Part 5 - The Grand Tournament
Dawn
DM Carl Monday April 5th, 2021 3:32:52 PM Fang has a good, restful night of violent dreams.
Rill thinks to contact the abbot about destroying the clones. It's a good thought, but maybe he remembers the abbot already tried that? The abbot killed dozens before realizing their numbers weren't dwindling. They're replaced almost immediately and perfectly seamlessly. They decided it was a futile effort, especially when Domi instructed them to proceed with the Invitational despite the risk. The abbot has addressed the issue as best he can: monks travel in groups now. They do everything they can to ensure living monks outnumber the constructs. There are a lot of constructs, but the living monks still outnumber them significantly.
Should Rill contact the abbot knowing all that, he finds the old gnome as pleasant and willing to listen as always, but still beholden to Domi's orders.
Aexana meditates. Alone with her thoughts, she closes her eyes and lets her mind explore. The scent of the ocean lingers on the old gnome, but as she clears her mind the scent grows strong. The sound of waves fills her ears and salt water wicks her clothing as she begins gently bobbing up and down. Her eyes open, and she finds herself floating on a tranquil sea under a night sky glowing bright with distant stars. Wardd and Kerracles, the twin moons of the Wold, shine like suns in the sky. The night lights turn the ocean's surface into quicksilver.
The ocean speaks to her. "Be at peace, child. I have carried you too long across myself to let you face this fight without your full arsenal." The light of the stars and moons dims, and Aexana sees below the surface. She floats above a vast kelp forest. Small silver fish dart through the long stalks as they sway with the ocean's constant movement. A clump of the kelp braids itself together and grows until a small pillar of it sticks out from the water. It continues swaying as if it were submerged. Slowly, the braids untie themselves to reveal a staff of fossilized kelp, studded with colorful corals and groups of tiny, razor sharp barnacles. Even out of the water, the tiny creatures draw life from the living staff. It waits for Aexana to claim it, and her journey ends abruptly once she does. She finds herself back in Rill's mansion, though her clothes are still wet with salt water.
*The staff functions like your previous one, but the creature it grows is made of petrified kelp and studded with sharp sea life. It gains DR10/bludgeoning and does an additional 2d8 slashing damage from the corals/barnacles on all attacks. The damage also is applied to anyone striking or grappling the treant. These are in addition to similar abilities and stack. It is otherwise identical.
Tahni prepares her spells*.
*I am fine with you folks changing your spell selection after I announce the rules but before combat starts. Obviously once we're fighting spell selection is final.
Jozhur seeks to spend an evening with Urlryn*.
*I sent you an email, Brock. I'll update this post w/ more after you respond.
***
The last peaceful evening before the final ordeal passes without incident...at least for you folk.
Breakfast the next morning is late. Not terribly so, just a few minutes, but you could have set a clock to Heather's delivery before today. It looks as delicious as always, and searches for poison reveal nothing.
Heather looks rough, like she hasn't slept at all. For the first time since you've met her, she's dressed in comfortable, functional clothing. "Sorry I'm late, Dragons. We've all had a busy night."
Perception DC20, Highlight to display spoiler: {It is very quiet. There's been the constant din of thousands of Invitational attendees since you arrived, even here in the relative seclusion of your tent. You can no longer hear anything coming from outside.}
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 Monday April 5th, 2021 5:17:46 PM "Heather, please sit and join us for breakfast. You have been so kind to see to our needs this whole time.
"Yesterday, when you spoke you seemed to speak as one of the Chancers. I was of the impression that you were highly skilled person in thier employ. Are you indeed one of the Chancers? Also, you look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Please sit with us for a moment and tell us what's going on. Why is it so quiet? What news is there? Did anything happen during the night?"
Nodding to Heather, Bralin steps outside. He takes a sweeping look around at the landscape, and then returns to the table.
The dwarf mentally reports on anything relevant, while getting in a good meal.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Monday April 5th, 2021 8:36:37 PM
Fang doesn't even notice the lateness and just ignores the comment to dig in.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Tuesday April 6th, 2021 4:23:44 AM
(Wow thanks DM's)
Without making a sound Aex gazes the new Lifewood staff in her hands... the salty water around her feet prove that this dream may have been more than just that.... And on top of all this just being weird, the staff is just gorgeous... and alive...
She always dressed in vibrant greens befitting a life in the woods but she has spent most of her adventuring days at sea... With a little prestidigitation she dries her clothes and while at it, she changes its color from vibrant greens to the colorful palette of a grand and majestic coral reef. Resembling a Sea Anemone, her purple pink hair still fits though...
The little growl in her belly reminds her she's hungry now so she goes to her friends to break fast with them.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Tuesday April 6th, 2021 12:47:12 PM Love the new look, Aex. It suits you.
Terser scoots over on the bench so Heather has room and fills her a cup a coffee. It looks like she needs it.
DM Carl Tuesday April 6th, 2021 3:34:08 PM
DM Post addendum *** Urlryn is sitting on the railing of her ship by the time Jozhur arrives at the gangplank. "Captain said she saw you headed this way. Come to check on me?" She waves him up. The rest of the Seven seem glad to see him, except Hin because he's a jerk. Jozhur's offer to stay raises her eyebrow. "That would be highly improper, of course...but who knows what your fan club is going to pull tomorrow. Wait here a moment." She disappears into the ship for about 5 minutes before returning with a small pack. "Needed to grab a quick bite. Lead the way." It's a bad joke, but she pulls it off.
Sense motive DC 19, Highlight to display spoiler: {She's still worried Jozhur not fully accepting her undeath, especially considering he consorts with one of Gargul's mightiest followers.}
We'll leave the details of the evening to Jozhur. This is a family site, after all.
There is an early morning conversation the following day. "You know we won't be going easy on you today, right? We're contractually bound to fight to the best of our abilities, but more than that we really do want to win." She sits up, holding Jozhur's (hopefully clean) sheets to her chest. "...and if you don't come at all of us today with everything you've got, I'll think less of you." She says it in a deadly serious tone, but softens it by resting her head on Jozhur's shoulder. "So don't."
***
Urlryn's presence at the breakfast table gets a wide-eyed response from Heather, but she recovers quickly. She flashes a smile and wink at Jozhur when Urlryn's attention is elsewhere. Is there some jealousy there?
Sense motive DC 15, Highlight to display spoiler: {No, there's not.} Failure by more than 5, Highlight to display spoiler: {Yes. She is very jealous.}
Bralin looks outside. It's nearly a ghost town. The tents, the crowds, the vendors...all gone. There is a small gathering of a few dozen people standing in a line on a far hill. He watches as a group of 5 shirtless dwarves step into a roped off circle, then vanish. Bralin sees Bezos' unmistakable bald head holding a clipboard. He makes 5 quick marks on it, then motions for the next group. There's nothing else save the detritus of hundreds of litterbugs. He reveals this to his friends via their link.
Rill invites Heather to join them. She doesn't even offer a token refusal. She helps herself to at least one of every kind of meat, eggs, and 2 biscuits. It's a big plate. If she eats like this often and still looks like that...well, it's an unfair world sometimes. She eats ravenously, but it's the coffee that really hits the spot. She sighs contentedly and some stress oozes off her. "Cthonia beans. The volcanic ash in the soil makes all the difference." He asks Heather about her standing in the Chancers. "I am 10th generation Chancer," she replies. "That means nothing; Chancers aren't big on birthrights. Still, the lifestyle's in my blood and I'm the closest thing to royalty the Chancers have." Meanwhile, she confirms what Bralin's discovered. "We spent all evening evacuating the attendees to a field on the outskirts of New Elena via teleportation circles. We've got a few illusionists working to set up some remote viewing system. I don't know the specifics of that. There was a lot of push back, but between the Abbot and Bezos' logistical support, we managed." She smiles as Terser fills her cup. "Bezos is finishing up the rest of the evacuations now."
Aexana changes her look to match her new staff, eliciting a low whistle from Heather. "I hope I'm half as cool as you when I grow up, Lady."
She finishes up and looks much better for it. "Thank you. I needed that. It's going to be a long day. Maybe we'll even see the end of it! Anyway, you folks still need the lowdown on the rules. She looks at Urlryn. "Your own folks are probably getting this talk now, so it's a good thing you found your way here to listen. Rules are simple. You must enter the arena without any spells cast on you. Even those permanent ones will be subdued. You'll have 20 seconds to cast any defensive spells. Only spells that affect your teammates specifically can be cast. You'll have no privacy during these seconds, so the other team will be able to see and hear you casting. All magic gear is fine. Anyone who leaves the arena is disqualified, including teleporting to other planes. Shadow plane travel is fine, but if it pops you back out of bounds then you're out. Spells that permanently remove your opponents aren't allowed. The word "permanently" is in there because you CAN cast spells that take them away temporarily, like Maze.
"There's no official time limit, but the judges reserve the right to disqualify anyone they feel is just stalling. The fights are supposed to be exciting. You're considered out after being rendered unconscious or 'slain', but that death field is still in effect." She drains her coffee. "Questions?"
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Tuesday April 6th, 2021 6:05:33 PM "So just to be clear... is it strictly defensive spells only or just no directly offensive spells?! Say an evocation or conjuring spell.
And... how does the arena look like? What marks the edges of the arena? Is it a wall or more like an imaginary line? "
Through the rings Aex continues... "Would it be enough just to blow the other teams out of the arena? I'm sure a nice tornado will certainly blow some right out... no?"
"May we cast defensive spells affecting only ourselves in those 20 seconds? Shield of Faith, for example"
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp d20+30=39 ; d20+23=35 ; d20+23=43 ; Tuesday April 6th, 2021 7:44:21 PM
It takes Jozhur a second to catch Urlryn's "joke", "Hurr hurr, good one."
He grimaces when Urlryn brings up facing off against each other. "I wouldn't expect you to go easy on anyone, and I don't have plans to go easy on you. But, stabbing you would still be difficult. Hurting anyone I really care about would be hard. The possibility of the magic preventing death being removed or failing has been in the back of my mind these whole games. If any of us were killed, we could surely petition Gargul. But I don't think the "big guy" would be too fond of us asking for you back. I'm not even sure how that would work." He pauses just a moment pondering how a vampire could be brought back to "life". He quickly snaps out of it and gives Urlryn his best lighthearted smile, "Don't go easy on me. Feel free to bite me even, just don't eat my heart out."
Jozhur is in a good mood for breakfast, rather looking forward to the competition. He returns Heather's wink, and reserves judgement when she pigs out on breakfast. When Heather mentions all spells will be removed, he looks at Urlryn with some concern.
He stifles a laugh at the image of Aex blowing everyone out of the arena with a tornado.
------------------------- Jozhur passes the perception and sense motive checks easily.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Tuesday April 6th, 2021 8:19:49 PM "Permanently remove? So what about something like Disintegrate? Can we reduce someone to ashes, or will the magic of the arena save them?" Tahni wants to put up a good fight but doesn't feel entirely comfortable killing someone for sport. She's pretty sure the death field will save them, but doesn't hurt to clarify things. "As for leaving the arena and being disqualified, does that mean we could find ways to teleport our opponents outside the arena and have them disqualified?"
She's quite happy that the permanent spells will simply be subdued this time rather than dispelled outright. That will save her some gold.
What spells to cast in that 20 seconds of preparation though? Hmm.. that's a headscratcher.
"How many bouts will we be fighting? Will it all be wrapped up today, or will each bout be held on it's own day?"
"Also, do you happen to know who we've drawn for the first round?"
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+11=13 ; Wednesday April 7th, 2021 8:10:14 AM
At the start of the festival Fang had dressed to impress once or twice but no longer. It's all worn leather and practical gear now. She envies pure casters their ability to dress nice and still be effective sometime. "I'm pretty sure they mean spells that teleport or banish people from the arena. It wouldn't be very sporting to just port an enemy team out of the arena."
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Wednesday April 7th, 2021 12:28:20 PM
Only really having one spell to cast himself, Terser isn't worried about any of that. He empathizes with Jozhur though, and wonders what would happen should he come face to face with Jada.
There should be plenty of targets besides her though, so he won't have to worry about it at first. Hopefully. And he doesn't envy the repairs she'll have to do to her team after, since they likely won't be benefiting from a spell against death. He even contemplates asking Rill to prepare some make whole spells, but doesn't think he would cast them on a construct.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Wednesday April 7th, 2021 1:01:32 PM
Aex looks at Tahni and asks : "Are you sure we're going up against one team at once only? I was expecting this grand battle would be all teams against each other in one large arena... would be an interesting event... will teams work together to decimate another? Will all concentrate on the Dragon team or will they avoid us??"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Wednesday April 7th, 2021 7:51:29 PM
Tahni looks to Aex. "Hmmm. I guess I was just assuming it would be bouts like earlier. I wasn't expecting one grand melee."
She turns to Heather, curious now to hear the answer.
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 Wednesday April 7th, 2021 8:01:56 PM "Chancer royalty, eh?
Rill will smile as he bows to Heather.
"In that case, we are honored to be served by Princess Heather. Queen Heather? Perhaps Dame Heather or Lady Heather is in order - a bit more fitting?"
"As for the competition, you mention that travel through the Shadow Plane is allowed. What about the etherial? It touches the Prime Material plane at all points in the same way. Is etherial travel allowed?"
Silently through the rings, Rill will say, "Spell to cast. Holy Aura would be good, as would Holy Word. Maybe an Insect Plague? What about Greater Dispel Magic?"
DM Carl Wednesday April 7th, 2021 9:02:12 PM
There are some questions about what permanently removing someone from the arena means, but Fang has the right of it. "Yes, what she said," Heather answers. "Disintegration breaks targets down to their smallest pieces, but those pieces aren't tossed into the Lands of Rest. Conversely, teleporting your opponents outside the arena is specifically prohibited. Your opponents must be disabled to be defeated."
Tink has further questions about the number of matches today. "All the matches happen today. Wounds are healed between matches. Sometimes odd numbers mean a team that's fought more matches than their opponents is lower on resources. Judges sometimes allow teams some time in our temporal suites to recover spells or abilities. If both teams have fought the same number of fights, they're considered even. Once, about three years ago, judges allowed a trip to the Catacombs to recharge a wand, but it was a big scandal. I doubt it would be allowed again, but maybe they could be talked into it? They would absolutely NOT allow purchasing new equipment during the tournament, though. Hopefully you've all done your shopping."
Fang laments her inability to dress as fancy and functional as casters. Your DM has it on good authority that Restlin the Amateur Fashion Designer could have found the right people to put together an outfit both beautiful and functional for Fang, but it's probably too late for that now...unless it's not? The fellow Dragon is just a ring call away and is probably paying close attention anyway.
Jozhur gives Urlryn a worried look when Heather mentions removing existing spells. The vampire catches the look, then smiles and caresses a fine chain around her neck. Whatever's on the end of it is hidden under her dress, but maaaybe Jozhur saw the large uncut ruby with the deep engravings on it last night. Maybe. We'll never know...
Aexana has questions about the arena. "You'll have to wait and see, just like the Gauntlet. Historically there aren't hazards like the martial competition, but it's not just an open field either. There's usually some sort of symmetrical cover." She wonders if blowing the other teams out of the arena would be considered against the rules. It doesn't seem like it violates those rules, but maybe? She could ask Heather, or keep it under her hat and spring it, or just disregard it entirely. Either way, best not to let Urlryn in on the discussion.
Bralin, Aexana, and Tahni wonder about the buffing period before the action. "I may have over explained it," answers Heather. "You'll be in a cube of force. You're not allowed to leave and not allowed to finish casting spells that have any effect outside the cube."
Sense motive DC30, Highlight to display spoiler: {Heather lightly taps the table twice on the word "finish". Urlryn doesn't seem to notice it.}
"You can cast spells on yourselves or each other. You can cast beneficial spells that have an area of effect, like Bless. You can cast summoning spells, just make sure that whatever you summon is summoned inside the cube."
There are questions about whether there are individual matches between teams or one grand melee, which comes as a surprise to your DM. One huge combat with seven level 20 characters and twenty-eight level 17-20 NPCs? I thought we were friends...
Rill lightly chides Heather about being "royalty". She scoffs in return. "Your Highness will suffice." She offers her hand to Rill and looks away dramatically. He wonders about traveling to the ethereal plane. Technically, the Wold doesn't have an ethereal plane. It's just The Living Wold, The Realms of Shadow, and the Lands of Rest. I guess it's assumed spells like ethereal jaunt reach into the shadow plane. Practically speaking, the spells are allowed.
Heather reaches into the pocket of the pants she wears and pulls out a glass thermos. Even her work clothes have dimensional spaces, it seems. One has to admire the practicality in a world where women's fashion commonly omits pockets. She opens the thermos and fills it with some of the remaining coffee. She seems to have brought a lot of coffee with your breakfast this morning. "This will help. I need to go make sure the evacuation is complete and that we're on schedule. I'll be back here in an hour to escort you to the tournament grounds."
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Thursday April 8th, 2021 1:02:26 AM
Jozhur nods at Urlryn, he was wondering about that necklace.
"You should probably get back to your team, I'm sure they're getting prepared. And we need to prepare as well.I'm sure I'll be seeing you again later. I promise I won't hold back."
Sounds like we will want to save spells for the tough matches if possible. B
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday April 8th, 2021 8:29:12 AM
Fang seems unconcerned. "Simple enough. Cast buffs, kick but."
As soon as Urlryn is no longer with them Aex will turn to Heather and ask if a said Tornado that blows opponents out of the arena would be allowed or not. Since you are out of match as soon as you 'leave' the arena that would sounds like a pretty simple way to ditch some opponents right... or perhaps even an elemental vortex could do that trick...
"Flying and burrowing is allowed I trust - as long as you stay within the boundaries of the arena right?
Oh and I sure can send some insects at them...
Are there any particular spells we have that can be especially damaging to one or the other team? "
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Thursday April 8th, 2021 6:55:46 PM
Bralin has no further questions, and is unable to answer Aex's.
He plans his low level spells, and waits.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Thursday April 8th, 2021 8:06:33 PM "Assuming we win each round then by my reckoning we'd be fighting 3 times. I suppose we should plan our resources accordingly."
Tahni then sets to thinking of particular spells that would be useful
"Animated Disjunction would be particularly potent against iConstruct. Most of the team could be wiped out in one go. I imagine Silence spells would be very effective against Dragonsound. They also lack any real martial abilities, so getting in close and just hacking away might be a good tactic."
DM Carl Thursday April 8th, 2021 11:07:17 PM Jozhur says farewell to Urlryn, correct that they both have to get ready. They embrace and Urlryn sees herself out.
Fang succinctly summarizes the afternoon's activities.
Aexana asks about forcing opponents out of the arena the old fashioned way. Heather smiles. "Oh yes. Throwing an opponent out of the arena is within the rules." Cool. Can they fly or burrow? "Of course. There's no rule about how high up you can fly, either. Remember this: if there's no rule against it, it's allowed. Remember what I said about stalling, though. Don't just go up there and fly around for thirty minutes."
Bralin finishes his spell selection.
Tahni discusses the importance of diversification.
Thirty minutes go by as the party finalizes their tactics and spell selections. One of the monks pokes her head in. "Excuse me, sirs. There's a Mr. Be..."
"Just Bezos, please."
"Right. There's a Bez..."
"I am not a Bezos. Just Bezos, please."
"..."
"Bezos is here. Is it ok to let him pass?" Rill's construct and outsider sense are both quiet.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Thursday April 8th, 2021 11:39:09 PM
Jozhur perks up at the odd bit of conversation. He slowly gets up from his chair, waiting to see what is coming.
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 Friday April 9th, 2021 2:02:17 AM
Rill replies to the monk, "Most assuredly Bezos is to be allowed in."
Once Bezos enters, Rill will address the man.
"Bezos, before you begin, I owe you an apology. In retrospect it was kind of a cheap shot for me to publicly chide your team for leaving. I apologize for insulting you. While I will admit to some satisfaction in getting under Kale's pompous skin I was reminded by my better angel..." Rill looks sidelong at Tahni, "...that we really should be setting a better example. So I am sorry.
"But that's probably not why you came. How can we help you?"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Friday April 9th, 2021 1:44:18 PM
Terser offers Heather a tot from his mini keg to add to her coffee. This may be better than coffee, and certainly will improve the taste.functionally a lesser restoration
He doesn't have any personal beef with Bezos, so he acts as with any other guest, offering a chair and some coffee.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Friday April 9th, 2021 4:48:36 PM
Aex frowns when Bezos arrives. She had expected more from him and his team.
"Sir Bezos... how good to see you. " If there´s any sarcasm in her words its not intentional but she has a hard way concealing she´s unimpressed by the 1% exit.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Friday April 9th, 2021 6:01:44 PM
Tahni's remark evokes a question from Bralin. "All the rounds will be on the same day?"
Bezos then enters, and Bralin waits, curious as to why he has come.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday April 9th, 2021 6:04:44 PM
Fang gives a lazy wave to Bezos as he enters.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Friday April 9th, 2021 7:12:10 PM "Better angel? Hmm... I like that" Tahni smiles back to Rill and then looks to Bezos, curious what has brought him here.
DM Carl Saturday April 10th, 2021 12:01:39 PM Jozhur prepares himself for Bezos, and the thin bald-headed man enters without any sort of fuss. He's dressed in comfortable work clothes that somehow still look like they cost more than most families see in a year.
Rill immediately gives an apology. Bezos nods along. "Accepted. You're not alone in your disdain for my former team mate. I also am disappointed in him. His inclusion was part of a larger deal that's proved profitable enough to offset his presence.
"The worst part is that he's genuinely quite capable. If he had climbed The Gauntlet instead of insisting the orc Bokkun carry him, we might have placed. It is a sad situation." He doesn't mention the rest of his team, but they don't seem like the types to help others evacuate.
Heather considers the drink from Terser before she goes. Her face betrays her surprise when she suddenly doesn't feel so fatigued anymore. She gives Terser a hug. "That's going to help a lot, dude. Thank you."
Aexana is disappointed in Bezos and his team, but should she be? Let's see what he has to say. The rest of our heroes listen to why Bezos has come.
"Nothing of any real import other than wishing you my best. I am disappointed that we will not be facing each other in the Tournament after all that's come to pass this year. I very much would have liked to test myself against all our competitors, especially yourselves.
"Once I'd decided to spearhead the evacuation, I knew I couldn't do both. Multitasking is a myth, a trap I don't allow myself to fall into. On the chance that this is the last time we're able to speak before this is all over, I want you all to know it was an honor competing with you. Witnessing your camaraderie has given me much insight into how to recruit next year's team." He does not dally once his message has been delivered, other than to respond to anything else our heroes have to say.
Heather returns right on time to collect you, once again dressed in her bikini top/long skirt combo. She looks much better than she did an hour ago, but she's a bit unnerved. "So weird doing this without any crowd. Show must go on though, right?"
If everyone's ready, it's time to follow her to the arena.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 d20=12 ; Sunday April 11th, 2021 2:37:08 PM
Aex moves from one foot to the other. Ok taken... Sir Bezos's words make sense but still she wonders if there's a hidden agenda in his speech somewhere. Nah... let's not get too paranoid shall we?!
"It's been an honor to meet you Sir Bezos... perhaps next time we'll come a cheer for you and your team then."
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Sunday April 11th, 2021 7:51:15 PM
It couldn't have been easy for Bezos to come visit the party like this. "Thankyou Bezos. Hopefully next year the tournament will have fewer outside distractions, so to speak"
Tahni's as ready as she will ever be for this bout of the tournament.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Sunday April 11th, 2021 10:22:01 PM
Fang is always more then willing to spare. "There's always after the tournament. Sure we won't have fancy magic making it safe but we can still test each other with some sparing." she offers.
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 Sunday April 11th, 2021 11:51:00 PM "Thank you for your work helping with the evacuation Bezos.
"As you consider your next investment, let me suggest that there is more than profit and loss, winning and losing. There is an intrinsic and somewhat esoteric value in that comradery you mentioned. Building supportive relationships and 'doing the right thing' takes time and often involves short term loss. The payoff is often difficult to measure, and may not really result in a profit. But I offer our success as evidence that it is still worth it in the long-run.
"I wish you well in all your future endeavors."
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Monday April 12th, 2021 11:30:38 AM "To go through the trouble of bringing a team here and not competing? Are the evacuations not complete? I guess that's rather honorable of you Bezos."
Jozhur is ready.
DM Carl Monday April 12th, 2021 4:08:28 PM Aexana changes her mind, which is good. Fang offers to spar with Bezos anytime. "A kind offer, but my manner of fighting does not lend itself to traditional training methods." He doesn't seem interested in elaborating. Tahni and Jozhur both wish Bezos well. He seems genuinely pleased to receive the compliments, but just a tiny bit shows. Rill offers some advice. "You are not wrong, but I've found achieving my more esoteric goals is easier with the proper application of finance."
***
...and with that, the party is lead towards the arena. The evacuation seems to be complete. The only other persons our heroes spy as they walk are monks. Should any of the party look behind them, they'll spy the Sapphire Seven trailing behind them about 5 minutes. The monks are very busy cleaning up refuse and disassembling tents, stands, and other temporary buildings. Rill spies the usual amount of construct monks mixed in there. He spots one having a friendly conversation with a real half-elven monk as they walk the grounds picking up trash. The half-elven carries a sharp metal stick to puncture soft trash. The construct carries some sort of mechanical claw on a stick to pick up larger items. A basket for the waste is strung between them. The walk is uneventful otherwise. At least the weather is nice. A clear blue sky with patches of wispy clouds. The breeze from the ocean meets the hot sun in a happy medium.
When they arrive at the arena, the party is lead directly onto the field. True to Heather's words, it's mostly open with a few large iron pylons arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides. Careful observation of the pylons show they're all surrounded by iron plates. It looks like they may be able to lower them into the ground. There are similar plates scattered across the arena with no pylons, likely just ones that aren't raised.
The Sapphire Seven are the last to arrive. Along with the Sea Dragons, the other teams are spread out on the field: The Talons of Aisildur; The Last Whisper; Dragonsound; I, Construct; and Fangs of the Beast. Kozy arrives without fanfare, just where he was yesterday evening.
"Contestants," he begins, "this has been a challenging year for the Invitational. We've all had to make sacrifices to be here. Some more than others. However...I cannot stomach making you sacrifice an audience." He turns to a dark elf next to him some of you recognize as Licnana. She was in charge of administering the ritual which suppressed your magic prior to The Gauntlet. "Licnana, if you'd be so kind." The dark elf casts a spell that's not immediately recognizable, but which bears some resemblance to scry. It takes a full minute to cast, obviously taking a lot out of her. Eventually, the din of a crowd becomes audible right before an enormous purple line runs around the circumference of the stands until it rotates back around to itself. The line splits in to and separates, opening an enormous window showing a cheering crowd sitting in an open field. Far in the background in the eastern section of the stands, Plateau City can be seen in the far distance. The crowd must be in the plains south of New Elena.
"HELLO INVITATIONAL!" shouts Kozy, and the crowd goes crazy. "CAN EVERYONE SEE OK? REMEMBER, TALL PEOPLE IN THE BACK! YOU DON'T WANT TO BLOCK A DWARF'S VIEW WHEN HE'S GOT GOLD ON THE LINE!" He's right. There aren't stands like here in the arena, just an open field. The audience has segregated itself by height with gnomes, halflings, and dwarves all sitting in the front of the rows and the taller races behind.
There is a collective sigh of relief from your fellow contestants, and perhaps you as well, as the crowd makes the entire affair much less ominous.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Monday April 12th, 2021 6:58:18 PM
Bralin nods in approval, for what good a tournament without an audience?
He turns to salute each of the four sides of the stands, and then brings his attention back to Kozy.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Tuesday April 13th, 2021 12:13:27 AM
Well, not the same, but better than no crowd. Jozhur turns as he waves to all the spectators.
He's glad to see the arena looks fairly straight forward.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Tuesday April 13th, 2021 3:10:22 AM
Tahni gives a nod of acknowledgment to each of the other teams, and a reserved chin jut to the Fangs.
She's still very interested to learn what the first round bouts will be.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Tuesday April 13th, 2021 7:18:17 AM
Fang is indifferent to the audience, focused entirely on her own mental preparations for the coming combat.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Tuesday April 13th, 2021 11:31:41 AM
Some quick maths tells Terser that there won't be more than 3 matches for any one team, if the Chancer's are using standard brackets. How best to husband his resources then? It will have to be a last minute decision based on which team they're facing to figure out which spells to use and which to save.
He waves to the crowd with the others, especially the fellow shorties in the first two rows, and looks around to see if the matches happen to be posted on a convenient, overlarge sign anywhere.
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 Tuesday April 13th, 2021 1:20:19 PM
Rill adjusts his enameled breastplate and shield. Then he absently smooths his white robes and pants as he waits, magically restoring them to a clean and pressed condition, he manages to catch Xuffie's eye and nods.
Silently he says, "So, we'll have three rounds to cast preparatory spells. It depends on our first adversary, but once we attack a quick teleport into their midst with our fighters might be a good tactic, eh? But if we have to face three combats today, that will not be possible for me each time."
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 d20+38=43 d20+33=38 Tuesday April 13th, 2021 1:35:38 PM
Rill asks Heather, "Will we be evenly started? That is, if we are entering our third combat whilst the other team has only faced one, we will be at a distinct disadvantage regarding our spells and such. Perhaps they'll use that little time-thingy you mentioned.
"Also, what do you know about that time room. Control of time is one thing the Tinker was able to do. Is there any chance the Tinker has infiltrated the Chancers?"
Rill scans those present for anything out of the ordinary, or some that seems a bit overconfident or a little too smug and happy.
Perception 43 Sense Motive 38
The Melding
DM Carl Tuesday April 13th, 2021 6:06:46 PM
The party seems mostly pleased that there's an audience, except for Fang of course. There may even be some impatience as our heroes are itching to get into the fights. Tahni gives the Fangs a terse nod. Mirri and Kirri blow her a kiss in return, but Grandpa gives a slight bow of respect after glaring at the two.
Rill has questions for Heather. "They wouldn't do that. If either team hasn't faced a similar number of matches, they'll address it." He also wonders if it's possible Tinker has infiltrated the Chancers, but probably only briefly. Based on what Rill knows about Tinker he'd probably be more surprised if Tinker hadn't infiltrated the Chancers. Remember the odd number of family reunions that have happened in the last few days. Rill scans those assembled for signs something is different, but finds nothing.
Meanwhile, Kozy continues MCing. "Razma! The choosing hat, if you will!" The smartly dressed human walks forward holding a silver top hat in one hand and a stack of seven large wooden coins in the other. The coins are presented to the contestants and crowd alike, one for each team remaining. The coins do not radiate any magic, should anyone think to look. They are just mundane wooden coins, though they are highly polished and quite pretty.
The coins are all dropped into the hat, which is given a good shake by Razma. Kozy moves to reach into the hat, but stops when a confused look crosses Razma's face. As everyone watches, a single wooden coin floats out of the hat and hovers two feet above it. A voice booms out over the crowd.
"NOT THE TALONS! I ALREADY WATCHED THEM FIGHT AND THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND LACKING, EVEN AFTER GIVING THEM EVERY ADVANTAGE!" The coin bursts into white hot fire and is consumed in seconds.
Then, a lot of things happen.
A *tear* appears in the sky with a deafening crack. It appears to bulge for just a second before it explodes outward. Through the sky hole, a dark blue energy rushes forth and covers the arena. Direction, gravity, and time all take a break as two realities meet.
Knowledge, The Planes DC30, Highlight to display spoiler: {That tear is a portal to another plane, but that other plane appears to be forcing its way into The Wold.}
After what feels like just a few seconds (but who knows?), things stabilize. What was a sunny day is now an inky twilight. The other contestants and Chancers both find themselves scattered around the arena, most of them knocked prone. The Sea Dragons are still together, right where they were before. Tahni hears a groan next to her and seems Kirri slowly sitting up, fighting back sickness. Spying Tahni, the beastgirl smiles sweetly. "Hello, love. Maybe next year you sit the Invitational out, yes? You Dragons bring too much trouble."
From the edges of the energy field in every direction, hundreds of people start pouring into the stands. Rill's construct sense goes crazy. Every single one of the new people are constructs. It doesn't take long for everyone to realize all the constructs are copies of the remaining participants. In seconds, thousands of constructs take their seats, but more keep coming.
The choosing hat sits hovering in the air where Razma held it just a moment ago. There's a shimmer in the air, and an ornate throne of silver and obsidian forms behind it. Sitting in the throne is your biggest fan.
"I figured it out!" he exclaims with a huge smile. "I was trying to skip ahead to the part where all of you accepted your place in my plans, but that was premature! My mistake! Of course you're not ready for that yet. You wouldn't be you if you were. So, I got busy." He doesn't appear to be exaggerating. Constructs are still pouring into the arena's stands by the hundreds. Thousands are already seated and quietly watching events unfold.
Through the viewing windows, many spectators have begun running away. Most stay transfixed, gaining some security by their distance from the arena. The contestants and Chancers alike start getting to their feet, all eyes on you.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Tuesday April 13th, 2021 6:31:23 PM
Aex is perplexed... she was expecting something to happen but this is beyond her wildest dreams... Right now she doesn't have a clue what to do...
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) d20+20=40 ; 5d8=25 ; d100=70 ; d20+10=17 ; Tuesday April 13th, 2021 7:30:18 PM
Bralin warily regards the constructs filling in the stands, before directing his attention to the Tinker.
He wonders briefly if the man is still indestructible, and decides to find out.
The dwarf pulls out a wand and sends a ray of light into the Tinker.
- Wand of Searing Light (cl 10) ranged touch attack hits ac 40 for 25 hp damage. 17 to overcome SR
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 Wednesday April 14th, 2021 12:06:02 AM "Good work Bralin. Let's see how it reacts.
"The Tinker already admitted his vulnerability here, so I doubt he would appear like this if he were not quite safe."
Rill will speak loudly to this image of the Tinker.
"Tinker, you are nothing if not tedious. To quote a great bard,
'I'm not here for your entertainment You don't really want to mess with me tonight Just stop and take a second I was fine before you walked into my life'
"So please just let these other contestants leave. Replace them with your little constructs if you must. Oh, and exactly what is it you want this time?"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Wednesday April 14th, 2021 12:14:48 AM "You'd be bored without us here next year" Tahni smiles back to Kirri. It's an odd relationship that Tahni has with the catgirls.
She was expecting the Tinker to make an appearance here so isn't terribly surprised.
"That plane looks like it's trying to force its way into the Wold. I'm not sure that would be a good thing" she relays to the others.
"Kozy? Licnana? Could one of you please turn off the viewing windows?" She's quite convinced that the Tinker loves an audience and that stripping him of that might bother him. That and she isn't sure it's entirely safe for those watching.
---------- Knowl Planes vs DC30: 35 (Take10) = Pass!
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday April 14th, 2021 7:23:33 AM
Fang does her best to look unimpressed. She fails slightly; as good as they are she doesn't think they could take on all those constructs.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp d20+38=39 ; d20+30=37 ; Wednesday April 14th, 2021 10:33:45 AM
Frustrated, Jozhur shouts out to the Tinker, "For someone with such control of time, you're awfully impatient." He looks around for some shadows to make himself disappear in.
----------------------------------- Stealth:39 Perception: 37 Need an area of dim light for hide in plain sight
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Wednesday April 14th, 2021 12:08:18 PM There's that mistake you keep making, assuming we have a place in your plans without asking. You know plans go off better when they're made together, right? None of that pesky resistance that we all keep giving you.
I suggest you take all your playthings back home and stay there until you grow up a little.
DM Carl Wednesday April 14th, 2021 5:29:32 PM Aexana isn't sure how to handle this. Bralin knows exactly how to handle this. He sends a ray of searing light at Tinker. It strikes, burning a hole clean through him and refracting off the polished obsidian throne. This seems to delight Tinker. "Finally! A Sea Dragon attacks without talking it out first. No need for hostility, though. I'm just here to watch." There's still a hole burned through him, though he doesn't seem to mind. He sits back comfortably on his decidedly uncomfortable looking throne. Tahni ponders the nature of this, realizing another plane is forcing its way into the Wold. She does notice it's no longer forcing, though. It's surrounded the arena by several yards in all directions, but it has stabilized. Fang thinks that maybe this time they may be in some trouble. Jozhur has a comment about Tinker's impatience. "You know, that's a good point," he answers with earnestness. "And honestly it really is a curse. Sincerely, it is. Maybe someday I'll overcome it and rise above. Maybe you Dragons will even help me get there." There's no mockery in his delivery, only his weird genuineness. Terser comments that maybe these things would go better if he worked with them instead of making assumptions. Oooooh boy, does this get Tinker out of his chair. "YES! Yes that's exactly the point! Oh Dragons, the things we'll learn and do once you come around." He smiles happily as he sits back down. "For now, I'll try being patient with you." He gives Jozhur a stupid wink. Rill expresses his thoughts in verse, which Tinker seems to appreciate. You can actually see the Tinker commit the lines to memory. Rill then asks Tinker to let the other contestants leave. Tahni asks that the viewing window be closed.
Before Tinker can even react, your fellow contestants and the remote audience revolt. Cries of "no way!" and "absolutely not!" ring forth from the other teams as they group back up. The audience is just a roar, but not a happy one. Kozy, as usual, has the loudest voice. "I'd remind the Dragons that they're participating in the Chancers' Invitational, not the Dragons' Invitational."
"That's right!" pipes up Han Valen. "Much as I respects yous lot, and I do respects ya plenty, we all earned the right to be here. We ain't gonna be dismissed!"
"Still," adds Tinker. "You're all free to leave, should you choose. Not the Dragons, obviously, but the rest of you. I am very keen on watching the show, however, and bring prizes of my own!" He makes a little circle with his finger and the still floating choosing hat turns upside down, pouring forth a pile of riches. The Sea Dragons may have enough wealth and moral fortitude to not be swayed by the display, but one look reveals a number of other contestants looking longingly at the pile of coins and gems. "I believe that should cover my admission? An extra prize, given to each team who manages a win today. I only ask to be allowed to watch in peace, and for everyone to try their best...and to show there are no hard feelings towards the Talons, a consolation prize." The hat sweeps over to Marjorie and dumps a pile of diamonds, sapphires, and other gems into her outstretched hand.
"Done," says Marjorie in a deadpan monotone. Her teammates, especially her brother Lummox, look shocked. "What? You think we're going to come from behind to win this? I'll take the money, thank you." She quickly dumps the gems into a pocket and pulls out a scroll, tossing it to Cammie. "This'll get you home. Meet you there." She gives a quick "PEACE OUT, INVITATIONAL. IT'S SUCKED," before casting a quickened teleport spell and disappearing.
"A wise decision," says Tinker. He turns to the rest of the Talons. "Good luck in all future endeavors. I consider my offer accepted and our business complete."
Tasin crosses to the party. "We can't compete without her, but the rest of us haven't forgotten what we said. We're staying through to the end. Hopefully you can find a way to end that jerk. We're with you if you do." He'll listen to anything the party has to say before heading to the section of the stands reserved for contestants.
"So, everything settled? I watch and give out extra prizes. Everyone leaves here alive and well, and hopefully a little richer?"
Jada is the first to answer. "Yes, I accept."
The floodgates open and most of your fellow contestants agree. Xuffie seems downright giddy about this turn of events. Only the Seven refrain their mask of professionalism. "We're contracted to participate regardless," answers Elhonna. "If the Invitational continues, so do we."
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Wednesday April 14th, 2021 7:20:36 PM
Bralin's lip curls just a bit. He is not surprised the Tinker ignored his attacked, but is disappointed nonetheless.
He watches the rest of the interplay without reaction, and then turns back to see what Kozy does next.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Wednesday April 14th, 2021 8:15:50 PM "You realise this guy is the one behind the kidnappings and attacks on you all?" Tahni points out to the other teams in case it wasn't clear. "Just keep that in mind before you accept to participate in his games. He has no interest in your wellbeing - whether you live or die - and as you've seen will torture and kill you for fun."
She addresses Kozy and Licnana again. "Can you please close the viewing portals? As you saw with the planar tear, he has quite a bit of power and I'm concerned for the safety of those watching"
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp d20+31=36 ; Thursday April 15th, 2021 1:25:49 AM
Jozhur holds up a hand to Licnana and speaks to the others through their rings, "You said a plane was forcing it's way in. I would say it succeeded. We don't know of a way to harm him. If he wants an audience, I'm not sure it would be best to deprive him of that. He does seem to stay true to his word. I don't know what other choice we have."
He steps out from behind his pillar and addresses the Tinker. "Everyone will leave here alive and well...and as they were before today's contest? I looked forward to today's competition. I suppose your presence doesn't change that." Jozhur has a little concern about everyone actually leaving unharmed, but he tries to keep that to himself. (bluff: 36)
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday April 15th, 2021 8:24:44 AM
Fang sees no problems with this. "He's a manman manchild who'd slaughter everyone here without batting an eye, but he's always kept his word. Lets just proceed with tournament and keep an eye on him. All we have to do is figure out how he's protecting himself, dispelling it, and executing him. Him watching hours of us fighting gives us our best chance to do that."
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Thursday April 15th, 2021 5:23:50 PM
Listening to Fang, Aex nods in agreement.
"Same rules apply for the tournament?"
DM Carl d6=2 ; d6=5 ; d6=6 ; d6=6 ; d6=5 ; d6=2 ; Thursday April 15th, 2021 5:56:41 PM Bralin is disappointed Tinker ignored his attack. He didn't ignore it, though. It really seemed to please him. Probably the opposite of what Bralin was going for.
Tahni reminds the assembled contestants who they're dealing with. "Well duh," answers Mirri. Kirri has turned away towards the crowd, mimicing Tahni. The constructs all laugh in unison. It's super creepy and takes some of Kirri's steam away.
Claw comes along and punches them both hard in the shoulder. "Sometimes you two are real idiots, you know that?" Kirri starts to make that face again, but a look from Claw wipes it away quickly.
It's Grandpa who responds to Tahni directly. "You can't be too surprised. This is a dangerous competition even when there's not a...whatever he is...interfering with it. The seven of us have many mouths that rely on us. We will keep our guard, but the reward is worth the risk."
Indeed, the contestants all remain leery of Tinker. They seem willing to take his treasure, but they're not lining up to shake his hand.
Tahni still thinks the remote viewing windows should be closed, but the Chancers have made their feelings on that pretty clear. If Tahni really wants them closed, she'll need to force the issue.
Jozhur and Fang don't seem to have too much of a problem. Tinker has shown himself to have few redeeming qualities, but honesty does seem to be one of them. Fang's also correct that this will give them more time than they've ever had to find a vulnerability.
Aexana agrees, then wonders if the rules are the same as before. If the rules have changed, no one's said so. Tinker also said he just wanted to watch. All in all, there's no reason to think any of the rules have changed.
Tinker blinks and the treasure pile streams over towards him, forming a new pile next to his throne. The choosing hat is back where it started, where Razma and Kozy have both returned.
"Right," says Kozy in a rather terse tone.
Sense motive DC5, Highlight to display spoiler: {Kozy does not like being upstaged.}
Razma moves quickly, trying to get the choosing done before something else goes wrong. He reaches into the hat and pulls out two tokens with a single hand.
"Fangs of the Beast vs. The Last Whisper!" calls Kozy. Grandpa frowns slightly, glaring a bit at the team of miscreants. Razma pulls two more, and Kozy announces the match.
"The Sapphire Seven vs. The Sea Dragons!" This gets a reaction from everyone, especially Tinker. The two teams are considered the strongest in the competition.
"Hold up, does that mean..." starts Ace before Kozy announces the final matchup.
"Which leaves Dragon Sound vs. I, Construct!" Jada beams at the announcement. Dragon Sound looks crestfallen, but just for the briefest of seconds before they get their personas in check. "First match starts in 15 minutes! Teams, please find your way to your seats."
Heather clears her throat behind the team. Her hair is just a bit mussed and she's a little out of breath. "All teams have private boxes," she says. "I checked yours to make sure none of those...things were in it. Looks like it's still empty. I'll take you there unless you'd rather sit with the fake people." She motions towards the sea of constructs.
"Wait!" interjects Tinker, suddenly next to Heather. She jumps, then her surprise mellows to disgust. She steps away from him. "I didn't tell the Dragons what their prize would be." His eyes go to Tahni. "In exchange for your continued efforts, a friend." He motions to his throne, completely visible for the first time without him in front of it. It looked like obsidian at first glance, but now it appears transparent like some kind of dark smoky quartz. A shape is inside the throne's backrest.
"You don't even have to win! Come in last, I don't care! Just try your best." Tinker is very excited about this.
Sense motive DC15, Highlight to display spoiler: {Tinker *wants* to give you this. He's acting like a parent watching their child opening the big present they asked for on Yuletide.}
"No tricks, no constructs, just him..." The throne glows very slightly, revealing Bruagh Stormbringer embedded within.
Rill (MarkB) AC41 T24 F32, CMD 30, HP 198/219 d20+38=42 Thursday April 15th, 2021 7:48:25 PM
Rill says silently, "Tinker seems omnipotent and undefeatable in this space. But there have to be limits to his power somehow. Is there some way we can push his realm back out of this plane to make him vulnerable? Is there some item or focus that he's channeling all this through? There has to be some weakness we're missing."
As Tinker reveals Tahni's friend, Rill rests his hand the dwarf's shoulder.
"I'm not quite sure what your plan is with all this Tinker. If you were merely a spectator, you would simply sit and watch. Manipulating people by holding their loved ones is a despicable and dangerous game. And pretending to have some authority over life and death here may attract divine attention you will greatly regret."
Rill looks around. What is he missing?
Perception 42
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Thursday April 15th, 2021 8:52:07 PM
Jozhur nods when they are chosen to face the Seven straight away. Not what he would have preferred. At least they will hopefully get to see another match first.
Jozhue tries not to catch Urlryn's eye. He doesn't want The Tinker to know about them, if he doesn't already.
He is ready to follow Heather to their box seats.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Friday April 16th, 2021 4:31:23 AM
Tahni just rolls her eyes at Kirri's antics. It will be interesting to see how the Fangs fare in actual combat.
She listens to the draw. The Fangs vs the Last Whisper? That could be interesting. Perhaps they'll finally get to see what's in the sarcophagus? She's inclined to think that the Fangs might have the edge in that bout.
Dragon Sound are in trouble. Based on what Tahni knows of them their spells might be largely ineffectual against the I,Construct. If it was her, she'd try and focus on Jada. Perhaps taking her out means the constructs lose control? If not that could be a quick fight.
The party have drawn the Seven though. Arguably the toughest competition and perhaps the only team Tahni didn't want to face.
Still... do they have to fight at all?
"If I understand it right, Domi only wants for the tournament to proceed. There was nothing that said we had to participate in it" Tahni is in half a mind to just sit this out. Perhaps Fang had the right of it in that demi-plane? Just don't play his games at all.
That's about the time when the Tinker reveals his 'prize'.
Tahni is conflicted. On one hand she wants to rush to Bruagh, shatter whatever that quartz is with her bare hands and embrace him. On the other hand she wants to see how many fireballs it would take to destroy the Tinker. Rill's hand on her shoulder gives her reason to pause from taking either action.
She's ready to fight and right now she doesn't particularly care who it is.
"Forget what I just said"
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday April 16th, 2021 8:25:51 AM "We're committed to the tournament regardless. We said we would compete and dropping out will just make him angry and lose us our chance to find a plan to eliminate him. Gargul said he wasn't to powerful for us, just clever. Can some of you more magically knowledgeable types figure out how to move him away from his demiplane or banish the plane while leaving him here?"
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Friday April 16th, 2021 2:03:11 PM
Rill will extend his senses, trying to determine the nature of this extended plane as well as what appear to be Tinker and Bruagh. He will sense for Outsiders and Constructs, testing not only Tinker and Bruagh but us and the others here as well to see if this extended plane changes things.
He will share what he learns silently with the others.
(OOC: We are essentially on another plane right now, but the definition of Outsider is not relative to the plane you're on (see below). It does seem to differentiate between outsiders and native outsiders, though both would still be outsiders).
----------------------------------------- Outsider - An outsider is at least partially composed of the essence (but not necessarily the material) of some plane other than the Material Plane. Some creatures start out as some other type and become outsiders when they attain a higher (or lower) state of spiritual existence. An outsider with the native subtype can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be. Native outsiders breathe, eat, and sleep.
Sense Outsider - Sense direction and distance to any outsider, fey, demon, devil, or elemental within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Sense Construct - Sense direction and distance to any any construct, animated object, or golem within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Deathwatch - Range 30'. You instantly know whether each creature within the area is dead, fragile (alive and wounded, with 3 or fewer hit points left), fighting off death (alive with 4 or more hit points), healthy, undead, or neither alive nor dead (such as a construct). Deathwatch sees through any spell or ability that allows creatures to feign death.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Friday April 16th, 2021 2:58:59 PM
Terser is extra glad for Rill's bonus senses, since he wouldn't put it past the Tinker to present a facsimile of Bruagh just to toy with Tahni's emotions.
The lineup is interesting too - maybe there will be a 3 team final battle after all. He'll also be focusing his attention on the Tinker, the throne, and the Tinkertoys during the battles they're not in.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Friday April 16th, 2021 6:10:40 PM
Bralin wordlessly regards the Tinker.
He is of like mind with Rill. There must be some way to destroy their tormentor. But until that method is made known, there is no choice but to continue.
Bralin follows Heather to the viewing area.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Saturday April 17th, 2021 5:35:13 AM
Aex listens quietly as the teams are drawn. Then when the commotions settles a little bit she nods at Heather
"Yes let's go find the calm of our own box."
"I'm not the biggest tactician so I would love to get some guidance in this upcoming battle... any tactics we can use? We'll need to work as a team if we want to get through this... what are their strengths and weaknesses we can exploit. Can we assign roles for each? Do we specifically try to target one of the sapphire first? "
DM Carl Sunday April 18th, 2021 8:54:10 AM
Apologies. I'm still fighting gallstones and have had a rough few days. Ken takes over Tuesday when I go in to have it removed. Wanted to cross the finish line, but looking back I probably should have just asked for help...
***
Jozhur would rather not face The Seven right away. He avoids looking at Urlryn.
Rill seems pretty disgusted, and why shouldn't he be? It's a disgusting tactic, even if Tinker obviously doesn't see it that way. Tinker listens intently to what Rill has to say, as always. He seems to hang on every word the Dragons say. It takes him a moment to respond.
"Assumptions. Always assumptions with you, Rill. Don't you worry about how assumptions reflect on you when they're wrong?" His face takes on a bored expression. "And it's not like I stole Bruagh away from Tahni. She was looking for him. He was looking for her. I've brought them together again, asking only Tahni do what she's agreed to do anyway. I've done things that are evil in your world view I know, but this? This is a good deed as far as I'm concerned." His eyes move to Tahni. "He's not in any sort of discomfort. He's completely suspended in there, safe as can be." His eyebrows raise as he remembers something. "Don't shatter the crystal, though. He's infused into it and would shatter as well. It's a very hard material, so I doubt it would happen without a concentrated effort." He smiles...warmly? No, but it's close. "I'll keep him safe. Don't worry."
Tahni goes from annoyed to...something else. One can only imagine what's going through her mind, but she knows she's ready to fight. That's good. Fighting is coming.
Fang figures they've agreed to the tournament anyway. She seems to be making a point not to speak in Tinker's presence.
Rill gives the area a good scan with his senses. Nothing surprising comes back from the audience. They are all constructs, except for the contestants who are headed to their boxes. The dwarf in the throne does not register as an outsider or construct. His deathwatch shows the dwarf is healthy. The only outsiders he can sense are Tinker, the abbot, the tiefling Caisyth, and the demon Blue (both of The Last Whisper).
The rest of the party is ready to head to their box. There has to be a way to fight Tinker, doesn't there? The answer is yes, there is, it's just not evident yet. That doesn't mean he's untouchable.
Heather leads the party to their box. It's comfortably appointed, but not extravagant. Breakfast was about an hour ago, but there are decanters of cold water and wine, along with some cheese, crackers, and fruit.
Aexana brings the conversation back to the immediate matter: the match they'll have soon against The Seven.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Monday April 19th, 2021 1:19:58 AM
Fang was enjoying spectating the tournament but now has far bigger things on her mind. She inevitably ends up glaring at the Tinker throughout the matches until it's their turn to fight.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Monday April 19th, 2021 3:30:35 AM
Tahni is on the verge of just lashing out at the Tinker with all she's got. She squeezes her hands into fists so tightly that her nails start to dig into her palms.
She makes her way to the observation booth and follows Fang's lead of glaring at the Tinker. Every now and then however her gaze swaps to Bruagh as she considers the 'what ifs?' What if they'd stayed together? What if they'd found each other sooner? What if she had never found him?
The group communicate telepathically and begin their planning for the bout ahead. Highlight to display spoiler: {I think it's already started via email!}
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Monday April 19th, 2021 10:56:19 AM
Jozhur is anxious to see to what degree Tinker interferes with this first match up.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Monday April 19th, 2021 1:47:33 PM
Aex has decided she's not going to let the Tinker get in her head. He's a master in playing mind tricks and she should not be fooled by this. She focusses on the challenge head and quietly she goes over the spells she might use word by word.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Monday April 19th, 2021 3:34:02 PM
Terser doesn't think the Tinker will directly interfere in the match, but would not put it past them to make changes around the arena to make for a more "interesting" contest.
His power can't be limitless though - maybe they should hope for him to interfere, as it would drain his power as surely as they'll be draining their own throughout the contests today.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Monday April 19th, 2021 6:48:41 PM
Bralin turns his mind to the telepathic planning session.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Monday April 19th, 2021 7:43:43 PM
Rill looks carefully around the arena as he goes. Is there a source of power for this tinker? Is there some obvious rift or portal letting this awful demi-plan into ours. How is he even doing this.
Rill continues to ponder this, even as we discuss strategy.
DM Carl Monday April 19th, 2021 10:22:17 PM
Our heroes seem to have a lot to talk about, but your humble DM is rightfully out of that loop!
Meanwhile, Fang has a show to enjoy. Tahni has impressively managed to not throw so much as a punch at Tinker. Maybe should could get away with it? Bralin burned a hole through him already and it seemed to please Tinker. She plays the whatif game. She should be careful; that game's only prize is regret.
Aexana makes an active decision not to allow the Tinker into her headspace. That's good since he's tried very hard to do that recently. Bralin dedicates his own headspace to planning.
Terser ponders Tinker's vulnerabilities. He can't have infinite power, but he does seem to have access to many dimensions from which to draw it. Rill tries to see if he can find some kind of power source. There is an obvious rift where the demiplane is pouring into this reality. Rill knows he can dispel demiplanes. He also knows Tinker knows he can dispel them, but the rift is just sitting there unguarded.
How is he doing that, anyway? Rill knows there's ways to create demiplanes, even if the powers that be in The Wold forbid and prevent their use. There's no known way in any available tome that details how such a thing can be possible. Or...at least none that Rill's had a chance to read through.
Jozhur wonders what Tinker will do to mess up the first match.
The answer is: nothing.
The Fangs of the Beast and The Last Whisper meet in combat. Your DM wishes he could tell you it was a close match, but it is not. The Fangs have a very straight-forward fighting style that The Last Whisper dances around.
Fang is able to watch the ratgirl who claims to be her sister fight. Claw's fighting style is similar to what Fang remembers, but more practiced. She bloodies Blue up plenty, but the demon wins in the end. Grandpa and Mint end up being the Whispers' toughest foes, but once Xuffie and Khloud team up against them, they fall. Realizing they will likely face The Last Whisper, it stands to reason our heroes would pay close attention to them.
The Last Whisper work exceedingly well together. Xuffie is a skilled assassin who traverses the battlefield in a flash, always finding a flank to exploit. Caisyth is a summoner of sorts that is carried through or above the battle on the creatures she conjures. Blue is a marilith, whose combat abilities our heroes are likely familiar with. She never strays too far from Caisyth.
Tencent is a wearbear martial artist. While nimble, his fighting style is more akin to boxing than any of the more elegant fighting styles. He's an absolute bruiser, and he does it all with a giant sarcophagus strapped to his back. That sarcophagus remains closed for the entire fight, btw. If something's hiding inside, it hasn't been exposed yet.
All of them are capable, but the last two Whispers are the true terrors on the battlefield.
Bralin's already fought Xid and knows he's capable. In his heart, Bralin knows there was some luck involved in his win. Xid nearly had him. On a battlefield with companions, his reach with his spears is just devastating.
Khloud targets the good like paladins target evil. He manages no actual "kills", but his mere presence massively shifts the fight. The Sea Dragons likely figure at least a few of the Fangs weren't necessarily "good aligned". The twins certainly weren't; Tahni's sure of that. Khloud will be even more potent against the Dragons.
Tinker watches, but not intently. Neither team is why he's here. If he somehow did interfere, none of you saw it (and you almost certainly would have). He claps politely when Grandpa falls.
Kozy begins to announce the winner, but Heather grabs your attention. "Time to move. Follow me, Dragons. There's a tunnel out in the hall that leads underground to your staging room." Out of your box in the corridors around the top level of the arena, the sound of the audience grows suddenly very loud. Kozy has just announced you're up against the Seven next, and the crowd is absolutely nuts to watch the match.
You can't see him, but you're sure Tinker's very excited as well.
***
Ken takes over tomorrow for at least a week, maybe more if he wishes. I've hogged this chair lately.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Tuesday April 20th, 2021 4:09:07 AM
Tahni stands and applauds the combatants - even Mirri and Kirri. She's a bit surprised at how one-sided the fight was. She really had expected the Fangs to win the fight and is even a little disappointed that she won't get to face them in the next round.
She turns her attention back to the current task. Win, lose or draw, as long as she gets Bruagh back Tahni isn't overly concerned with the outcome of the bout. She is of course going to try her best though.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Tuesday April 20th, 2021 8:12:54 AM
Fang barely even registers the match. Her mind is too busy chewing on everything she knows of the Tinker. Not as magically inclined as some of the others there isn't much chance she'll figure out how to separate him from his power but she can't help but metaphorically chew at the wound. She starts slightly when they're told it's time to go and tries to refocus on the current fight at hand.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Tuesday April 20th, 2021 5:07:58 PM
Terser asks Rill and Tahni if they happened to notice what kind of buffing spells the Last Whisper may have used prior to their fight. He cheers loudly for Grandpa, hearkening back to their own fight and how tricksy he can be. Too bad they didn't pull through, that would have been a fun contest.
Oh well. Time to get to work.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 43 HP 260/260) Tuesday April 20th, 2021 6:57:00 PM
Bralin watches impassively as Last Whisper dismantles the Fangs.
He idly wonders how the next round will proceed with only three teams. Then, he wonders if the Tinker will provide a "solution"
No matter. It is time to focus on the task at hand.
The dwarf follows Heather to the staging area.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Tuesday April 20th, 2021 7:30:12 PM
With a slight tremble in her legs Aex follows Heather to the staging area... She holds firm of her new Staff and has Leafy close by her side.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Tuesday April 20th, 2021 7:55:37 PM
Jozhur is encouraged by Tinkers lack of interference so far, but he isn't sure it will stay that way. He quietly follows Heather to the staging area.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Tuesday April 20th, 2021 9:07:49 PM
Rill is not sure what spells the Last Whisper cast - DM, anything to share here?
Rill goes with the others. He notices Alex slight tremble. "No worries Aex. You're a mighty spell slinger, and we're a pretty good team. There are the arena projections. And even if there weren't, you've got me. So we've got this."
He says silently to all, "Awright. So, we have three rounds of prep spells. Then they'll probably hit us with an area dispel to get rid of them. My plan is to take our fighters amidst to their spell casters as soon as we can. What do you think? I take Terser and Bralin in, have Jozhur and Fang defend Tahni and Aex? Another approach?"
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Tuesday April 20th, 2021 9:30:38 PM "Sounds like as good a plan as any. Fang and I will have your back Aex."
The Final Tournament, Staging Area d20+20=22 Tuesday April 20th, 2021 9:55:16 PM
It doesn't take too much observation from the dragons to realize that the auras of the buffs used are not protected or concealed. Among the Dragons, many have nearly divine levels of observation. Parsing through the auras is not difficult.
Xhuffie: Mirror Image, Shield, Protection from Good Khloud: Greater Invis, Righteous Might, Summon Monster 6 Caisyth: See Invis, Spell Turning, Moment of Prescience Blue: Stoneskin, Spell Immunity, Deathward Tencent: Shield (item), Barkskin (Item), Silence (Item) Xid: Stoneskin (item), Haste (Item), Cats Grace (Item)
-----------------------
Kozy points the dragons to their staging area. The arena itself is fairly plain, considering the events so far. Two staging areas wait on a rectangle field opposite of each other. Between the, is a number of small walls made of various elements. Some of wood, some of iron, some of ice, and some of earth.
The Sapphire Seven don't stop to shake hands or exchange salutes. Instead, they march with grim duty into their cube of force. As soon as they are all inside, it takes on the appearence of a dark, swirling smoke. Seeing inside is impossible, and you can't hear or otherwise observe anything going on in there. Even Rills construct sense seems to reach around, not within.
Likewise, stepping into your own cube is a somewhat deflating experience. Commonly refreshed and permanent spells are suddenly all expired. The only thing you can really hear is Kozy's voice, and each other.
"Alright folks! We've got about 20 seconds on the clock before the round begins! What spells will the dragons select? What about the Mailed Fist? Professionals and heroes each strive to prove their superiority in the Garden of Walls!"
---------------------
Dragons, please let me know what your actions are for the next three rounds. Also, someone please give me a d20 roll with a modifier equal to your whole teams cumulative dex mod.
Sapphire Team Roll: 22
I'll be posting a map soon!
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight d20+32=45 ; Tuesday April 20th, 2021 10:29:57 PM OOC: Cumulative Dex bonus for the party is +32. D20+32=45
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Tuesday April 20th, 2021 11:42:52 PM
Jozhur plans to drink an elixir of hiding in round 2 and potion of shield in round 3.
He offers spare shield potions to anyone who has a round to drink one.
------------------------------------ Guessing Jozhur won't have Greater Magic Weapon from Tahni for this.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Wednesday April 21st, 2021 7:38:13 AM
Tahni starts casting different buffs to help both her and the team.
--------------- Round 1: - Swift action: Quickened Barkskin - Standard action: Magic Vestment Round 2: - Swift action: Quickened See Invisibility - Standard action: Overland Flight Round 3: - Free action: Retrieve Lesser Quicken Rod - Swift action: Quickened GMW on one of Jozhur's swords (via Rod) - Standard action: Haste on everyone
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday April 21st, 2021 7:57:10 AM
Fang accepts a shield potion (what does that do?), drinks it, and casts Divine Power on herself in the last round.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Wednesday April 21st, 2021 12:16:05 PM
Terser chugs a potion of see invisibility, casts Mind Blank on himself, and offers a Freedom of Movement spell to someone who'd like it.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Wednesday April 21st, 2021 2:10:16 PM
Aex hands Leafy a Stoneskin potion he can quaff and a Heal potion in case he needs it and Aex and Leafy are seperated. She also tucks a Protection From Energy in his pockets just in case.
"I would not drink the Stoneskin just yet Leafy... Just wait for any dispelling magic they might throw at us." she whispers softly.
Aex gladly takes a Shield potion. She's unable to make those and she has stocked up other potions. Like Leafy, she does not drink it straight away.
Preparation Round 1: - Cast Stoneskin on herself - Free action - activate bramble armor. From Aex's new robes with the coral reef theme razor sharp corals sprout that will hurt anyone that wants to come up close and personal with her. Even though she considers the chance that someone will jump up at her fairly small... it does look nice :-)
Round 2 : - Cast Trueseeing on herself
on a technicality of 20sec wait for 2 seconds to continue preparations
Round 3 : - Cast summon monster XIII (sacrificing earthquake)
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Wednesday April 21st, 2021 6:26:33 PM "Ugh, we can't see what they are casting. But I guess neither can they see us.
I plan to cast Holy Aura on us all. It will make you glow with a bright light, so if you want to hide let me know and I can leave it off of you. I will also cast True Seeing, so I'll let you know if I see anyone invisible or hiding. Finally, I'll cast Prayer, which will give you a luck bonus."
Rill casts, in this order, and extended Prayer on everyone (40 rounds), True Sight on himself (20 rounds) and Holy Aura on everyone that wants it (20 rounds.)
---------------------------- Prayer - You and each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of your foes takes a -1 penalty on such rolls.
True Seeing - The subject sees through normal and magical darkness, notices secret doors hidden by magic, sees the exact locations of creatures or objects under blur or displacement effects, sees invisible creatures or objects normally, sees through illusions, and sees the true form of polymorphed, changed, or transmuted things. Further, the subject can focus its vision to see into the Ethereal Plane (but not into extra-dimensional spaces). The range of true seeing conferred is 120 feet.
Holy Aura - Each person is surrounded by a bright radiance. You have +4 (deflection) to AC, +4 (resistance) to saves, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, and protection from mental influence as per Protection from Evil. Finally, if an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.)
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) Wednesday April 21st, 2021 7:51:58 PM
Bralin casts Invisibility Purge on himself, and drinks a potion of Heroism.
The dwarf accepts Rill's Holy Aura.
------ Spells in Effect Holy Aura: +4 (deflection) to AC, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Wednesday April 21st, 2021 8:40:32 PM
Jozhur would rather be left out of the holy aura, if possible. He may hide away near Aex at the start.
The Final Tournament - Combat Map Wednesday April 21st, 2021 10:54:01 PM
Round 1 --------------------
Dragons go first.
Walls of blue are made of ice, grey of steel, brown of wood. All uncolored walls are worked stone.
Walls are all 15ft high. Total arena height is 25 feet before you hit a force barrier.
Visibility: Right now, you can't see the enemy team. They are still in their cube.
Combat starts in tomorrows post. Please double check your buff actions, if any, and place yourselves anywhere within your grey cube. (Feel free to slide it out of the way, then just slide it back where it was.)
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Thursday April 22nd, 2021 11:26:03 AM "Oooo. Well, this is a lot different than we thought. This field seems designed to split us up. We're generally stronger if we can stick together. Let's plan to head right. Let me know if you need a Fly potion. I'll plan to hit one or two of you with Air Walk - any takers?"
(Busy morning - will post revised prep spells later today.)
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) Thursday April 22nd, 2021 1:27:44 PM
Terser's plans don't really change, but he does look suspiciously at the door to the North. What kind of surprise do you think is waiting in there?
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) Thursday April 22nd, 2021 6:58:21 PM
After his two buffs, Bralin activates his Winged Boots and flies upward 20'.
Spells in Effect Holy Aura: +4 (deflection) to AC, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks. Fly
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP185/185 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 27 and Leafy (L) - HP108/108 - AC30/12/27 - CMD 20 Thursday April 22nd, 2021 7:20:03 PM
The lay-out of the hall makes things a lot more complex. Creating a wind won't do any good.
No changes to the preparations but Aex will wait with castingt the tornado winst.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Thursday April 22nd, 2021 7:21:11 PM
Tahni changes her buffs a little. With such a maze she may not be able to get healing to those who need it. A spectral hand would be a very useful delivery system.
She also declines Rill's Holy Aura.
--------------- Round 1: - Swift action: Quickened Barkskin - Standard action: True Seeing Round 2: - Swift action: Quickened Spectral Hand - Standard action: Overland Flight Round 3: - Swift action: Quickened GMW on one of Jozhur's swords (via Rod) - Standard action: Haste on everyone
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday April 22nd, 2021 8:06:32 PM
Fang grunts. "For some reason I thought we'd be fighting in that big open field. Anyway we can just teleport to them?"
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Thursday April 22nd, 2021 9:05:42 PM
Rill reminds everyone what he said before. He tries to stop Bralin before he gets out of arms reach.
"Bralin - Hang on and I'll teleport us closer. Then you can get an aerial view.
"I will cast Holy Aura all but Jozhur and Tahni. It will make you glow with a bright light, so if you want to hide let me know and I can leave it off of you. I will also cast a quickened See Invisible, so I'll let you know if I see anyone invisible or hiding. Finally, I'll cast Prayer, which will give you a luck bonus."
Rill casts, in this order, and extended Prayer on everyone (40 rounds), Quickened See Invisible on himself (200 min), Protection from Enegry, Fire (200 min) and Holy Aura on everyone that wants it (20 rounds.)
Once those preparatory spells are done, Rill will cast Dimension Door to take 7 people plus himself to that white square I placed at the bottom right of the board.
---------------------------- Prayer - You and each of your allies gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of your foes takes a -1 penalty on such rolls.
Holy Aura - Each person is surrounded by a bright radiance. You have +4 (deflection) to AC, +4 (resistance) to saves, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, and protection from mental influence as per Protection from Evil. Finally, if an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 41/22/36 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228+10 -- DarkVision/SeeInvis/ArcaneSight Thursday April 22nd, 2021 9:56:08 PM "If you don't mind me saying, Rill, I might have a spot we could teleport to. Let's see what happens when the cube disappears."
The Final Tournament - Combat Map Thursday April 22nd, 2021 10:58:42 PM
Tahni's words carry weight, it seems.
"..when the cube dissappears."
And suddenly, it does!
------------------------------------------------
Round 1 --------------------
Dragons go first.
Walls of blue are made of ice, grey of steel, brown of wood. All uncolored walls are worked stone.
Walls are all 15ft high. Total arena height is 25 feet before you hit a force barrier.
Visibility: Right now, you can't see the enemy team. They are still in their cube or behind walls. Remember to pay attention to line of sight and line of effect for your spells. If you break it, due to the detailed nature of this combat, the action will just be voided and turned into full defense.
(Map is updated.)
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Friday April 23rd, 2021 12:58:31 AM
Rill casts Dimension Door and moves everyone to where they are on the map.
-------------------------- Spells/Effects Running: Status on all, Longstrider, Deathwatch, Tongues, See Invisible, Resist Energy-Fire, Spell Resistance 20/25 vs evil, Haste, Prayer, Holy Aura
NOTE - Rill, Fang, Terser, Bralin, Aex and Leafy all shine with a bright radiance. If anyone succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.)
Spells/abilities available, * = cast/used: 0 (DC19): Create Water, Guidance, Detect Magic, Detect Posion 1 (DC20): Longstrider* (D), Bless, Command, Command, Detect Evil, Protection from Evil, Protection from Evil, Entropic Shield 2 (DC21): See Invisible* (D), Spiritual Weapon, Delay Posion, Remove Paralysis, Resist Energy, Resist Energy, Silence 3 (DC22): Divination (D), Blindness/Deafness, Blindness/Deafness, Dispel Magic, Prayer*, Protection From Energy*, Invisibility Purge 4 (DC23): Dimension Door* (D), Air Walk, Air Walk, Deathward, Divination, Freedom of Movement, Sending 5 (DC24): True Seeing (D), Bannish Immortal, Breath of Life, Flame Strike, Flame Strike, Quickened Shield of Faith, Wall of Stone 6 (DC25): Teleport (D), Blade Barrier, Blade Barrier, Heal, Heal, Greater Dispel Magic 7 (DC26): Greater Teleport (D), Destruction, Destruction, Ethereal Jaunt, Quickened Magic Circle Against Evil, Holy Word 8 (DC27): Quickened Dimension Door (D), Animated Disjunction, Animated Disjunction, Holy Aura, Holy Aura*, Fire Storm 9 (DC28): Foresight (D), Miracle, Miracle, Miracle, Miracle, Miracle
Abilities/Items Agile Feet (Su) 12/day - Dim. Hop (Sp) 190'/day - Greater Insight (Sp) 3/day - Channel Energy (Su) 7/day - Obscuring Mist (Item) 2/day - Deathwatch (Item) Continual Eagle's Splendor (Item) 1/day - Faerie Fire (Tattoo) - 3/day - MM Extend, Lesser (Item) - 6/day - 1 used MM Silent, Lesser (Item) - 3/day - MM Quicken, Lesser (Item) - 3/day - 1 used MM Quicken (Item) - 6/day - Tongues (class)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+21=36 ; d4=4 ; d20+11=23 ; d3-1=2 ; Friday April 23rd, 2021 3:04:21 AM "Ok then. Time to fight" She glances back towards the Tinker and then makes her move.
With hastened speed, Tahni flies north climbing in height to the 25ft maximum. From her vantage point she can see all of the Fist and relays the information to the party.
First off is to try and take Arum's arrows away. Tahni quickly casts a Dispel Magic on the taurs quiver.
Then it's time to try and slow down the rest of the Seven. She casts a spell to target everyone except for Urlryn and Marshall.
---------------- Combat Actions Move action: Fly north Swift action: Cast Dispel Magic on Arum's quiver. Dispel check vs DC20: 36=Pass! The quivers magical properties are suppressed for d4=4 rounds ("An interdimensional opening (such as a bag of holding) is temporarily closed" might apply?) Standard action: Cast Mass Suffocation on all except for Urlryn and Marshall. All to make Fort Saves vs DC32. Pass=Staggered for 1 round. Fail=Unconscious and 0HP, then another DC32 save every round for the next 20 rounds to stop from getting one step closer to death AOO if needed: 23 for 2pts
Defences SR20... Arrow Deflection (1/rnd can make a Ref Save to avoid a ranged attack) ... Counterspell (Gtr Disp Magic) ... Immunity to all harmful vapors and gases ... Can absorb up to 12 energy-draining attacks, death effects, and negative energy effects ... Spell Turning 1/day
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+23=27 ; d20+23=30 ; d20+23=25 ; d20+23=30 ; d20+23=30 ; Friday April 23rd, 2021 3:10:51 AM Spell Penetration checks to beat SR: Arum: 27 Crall: 30 Elhonna: 25 Hin: 30 Tora: 30
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+35=51 ; 3d10+19=38 ; Friday April 23rd, 2021 8:02:47 AM
Fang wastes no time in raging and rushing around the corner and slashing Hin with a vital strike (51 to hit, 38 damage)
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 4/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 6/7) d20+44=63 ; d20+44=57 ; d10+29=39 ; d10+29=36 ; d10+29=36 ; d10=1 ; d10=9 ; d8=8 ; d8=7 ; d20+24=25 ; Friday April 23rd, 2021 12:21:46 PM
Terser follows up right behind Fang, bringing the pain to Hin with a Vital Strike of his own.
Improved Critical, Vital Strike, Power Attack, Thundering - 121 slashing, 15 sonic, DC14 Fort Save or be Deafened
Potential AoO is a Nat 1
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp d20+28=44 ; d6+8=10 ; 8d6=31 ; d4=3 ; 2d6=8 ; d6=2 ; Friday April 23rd, 2021 6:54:14 PM
Jozhur moves to attack Hin and his shadow moves to flank.
-------------------------------- Sorry for short post, busy week. Attack hits AC44, 10 damage, 31 sneak damage, +8 if Hin is evil, +2 cold damage
(StevenVdB) Aexana Air (L) HP195/195 - AC34/26/27 - CMD 35 and LEAFY (L) - HP122/122 - AC28/12/25 - CMD 20 2d8+9=18 ; 2d8+9=13 ; 2d8+9=14 ; 2d8+9=20 ; 2d8+9=21 ; 2d8+9=14 ; 2d8+9=16 ; 2d8+9=19 ; 2d8+9=14 ; 2d8+9=14 ; 5d6=13 ; 5d6=20 ; 5d6=17 ; 5d6=15 ; 5d6=16 ; 5d6=13 ; d20+24=42 ; d20+24=41 ; d20+24=31 ; d20+24=41 ; d20+24=41 ; d20+24=35 ; Friday April 23rd, 2021 7:28:53 PM
Aex had planned to summon a purple worm but there's just not enough space for it to fight properly. So from where she stands after teleportation Aex finishes her summoning spell and an Elder Air Elemental appears 15ft in the air and on top of the steel walls in front of Aex.
The Elder elemental immediately acts and forms a whirlwind touching the ground. In moves along the cyan coloured line on the map towards Arum and thus moves over Crall, Tora, Urlryn, Elhonna and finally Arum.Since the base of the Whirlwind touches the ground it creates a swirling cloud of debris. Base is 15ft wide and 30 ft high (reaching up to the ceiling)
Crall - Ref Save DC27 or 18HP damage - 2nd Ref Save DC27 or be picked up and held suspended in the powerful winds and 14HP damage Tora - Ref save DC27 or 13HP damage - 2nd Ref Save DC27 or be picked up and held suspended in the powerful winds and 16HP damage Urlryn - Ref Save DC27 or 14HP damage - 2nd Ref Save DC27 or be picked up and held suspended in the powerful winds and 19HP damage Elhonna - Ref Save DC27 or 20 HP damage - 2nd Ref Save DC27 or be picked up and held suspended in the powerful winds and 14HP damage Arum - Ref Save DC27 or 21 HP damage - 2nd Ref Save DC27 or be picked up and held suspended in the powerful winds and 14HP damage
Additionally the whirlwind creates a swirling cloud of debrus obscuring all vision, including darkvisiion beyond 5ft. If caught in the cloud of debris one must make a (DC15+spell level) concentration check to cast spells.
Aex hands the Shield potion to Leafy and changes into a Large Air Elemental as well. Immediately she veers up into the air untill she reaches the top of the arena. She moves into position where she has a good sight on the talons. Up in the Air she calls a lightning storms (CL24) and a lightning bolt crashes down onto each of the Talons (expect the ones that are indeed caught in the Elder Elemental Vortex.
Hin - Spell resistance 42 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 13HP Marshall - Spell resistance 41 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 20HP Crall (unless captured in the Whirlwind) - Spell resistance 31 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 17HP Tora (unless captured in the Whirlwind) - Spell resistance 41 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 15HP Urlryn (unless captured in the Whirlwind) - Spell resistance 41 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 16HP Elhonna (unless captured in the Whirlwind) - Spell resistance 35 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 13HP
Leafy moves North and stops short of the Elder Elemental. Should anyone poke through north, Leafy will be ready to slam.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp Friday April 23rd, 2021 11:15:28 PM
To add: Jozhurs AC for with Shield is 36. Shield blocks magic missiles.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) d20+32=52 ; d20+32=34 ; d10+26=27 ; d10+26=34 ; d10+26=32 ; d6=6 ; d20+32=46 ; d10+26=31 ; d6=1 ; d20+32=38 ; d20+26=33 ; d6=3 ; Saturday April 24th, 2021 2:40:53 PM
Already 10' in the air, Bralin climbs another 10' to clear the wall. Noting the mass destruction Aex and Tahni are employing on two thirds of the Seven, he chooses to move in a different direction.
The dwarf crosses above his comrades attacking Hin, and drops down next to Marshall, swinging his axe hard as he lands.
Accessing his reserves, he follows the blow with a second strike.
--- Actions Use Winged Boots and Spring Attack Feat for full move to attack Marshall, who gets no AoO. Attack w/ Power Attack. Note - using Ghost Touch wpn. Hit (Nat 20) crit threat hits ac34. 33 hp damage (6 cold), or 99 damage (6 cold) if crit.
Use Hero Point for Extra Action Attack w/ Power Attack Hit ac 46 for 32 hp damage (1 cold)
If he gets one, potential AoO attack would hit ac 38 for 36 hp damage (3 cold)
Spells in Effect Holy Aura: +4 (deflection) to AC, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks. Fly
The Final Tournament - Combat Map d20+26=29 ; d20+26=32 ; d20+20=32 ; d20+23=24 ; d20+28=47 ; d20+25=44 ; d20+17=31 ; d20+17=22 ; d20+21=31 ; d20+21=34 ; d20+21=34 ; d20+21=38 ; d20+17=27 ; d20+17=37 ; d20+20=27 ; d20+20=37 ; d20=11 ; d8=5 ; d8=3 ; 17d6+4=62 ; 10d6+4=33 ; d20+29=34 ; d4=1 ; d20+13=33 ; d20+28=43 ; d8+11=18 ; d6=1 ; d20+7=9 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 2:37:35 AM Rill is the first to act, bringing the whole crew in position for a brutal attack. Tahni casts Dispel Magic, and negates the quiver. Then she casts Mass Suffocation.
Aurum: Pass, Staggered. Crall: Pass, cannot be staggered. Hin: Unconscious Tora: Pass, Staggered. Elhonna: SR Check Failure. (TN 27)
Fang rushes around the corner to a staggered Hin, clutching his neck and trying to breathe. It takes one swipe, and he's done for. Terser follows in and with no foe, he takes a full defensive posture. Jozhur and his shadow also move in, it seems Hin has made few friends! Both realize the man is down, and also take defensive postures.
DM Note: Jozur, Shadow, Terser, all go full defense.
Aexana adds some high winds to the arena! Some enemies fare better than others. The fight is now a close quarters drag out, with visibility for most people reduced to 5ft. (Within 15ft of the ww)
Then, she transforms into an Air Elemental (Standard Action, and gains altitude. (Move action, straight up requires fly check. DM rolls for you and you pass). DM Note: You've run out of standard actions. Furthermore, you can't target anyone through the whirlwind by sight anymore. Leafy doesn't get a shield potion, because they do not exist.
Terser clears the wall and comes down near Marshall LeCarlo. The smug mage grins. Well, 8 smug mages are grinning. Then there are 7. Then there are 6.
Someone invisible, probably Urlyrn takes a step away (a no-action, not a move action), and lets out an ear piercing scream. Terser, Bralin, Fang, Jozhur, Fortitude save DC 29 or take 190 damage.
Move: None Standard: Wail of the Banshee Swift: Unknown.
DM Note: I messed up letting you see her on the map. For full clarity, she has at least Greater Invisibility and Mind Blank active. This prevents divination spells from defeating her invisibility, all the way up to
Marshall takes a step towards the source of the scream, then vanishes and reappears across the map. A quick moment later, a fireball screeches across the field to impact on Aexana.
Tahni, Aexana, Rill, 33 fire damage, Reflex DC 21 for half.
Move: None Standard: Dimension Door Swift: Fireball
Tora charges, howling in rage as he slams into Tahni. (Keep in mind you can charge staggered, you just dont get to double move) His teeth snap closed, and icy magic comes with them, but he misses.
Move: None Charge: Misses AC 34 Swift: None
Crall: Of whom there are 4 copies currently, is stuck in the whirlwind and takes some damage. He does some other things, but you'll have to ask the whirlwind what exactly. Whirlwind takes 19 damage
???
Elhonna, being next, simply barks a command at the air elemental! "Begone!, as she tries to dismiss it back to its own plane. (Wind elemental is will save +7 vs DC 19. Fails with a 9.) Crall snarls in frustration. "Hey! That thing was giving me cover!"
Move: None Standard: Dismissal on Elemental Swift: None
Arum is dismayed at her bow being removed from her arsenal for now, but she's still got some abilities. She casts Greater Dispel Magic at Tahni, but Tahni's ring counters the spell.
Walls of blue are made of ice, grey of steel, brown of wood. All uncolored walls are worked stone.
Walls are all 15ft high. Total arena height is 25 feet before you hit a force barrier.
Visibility: One enemy is invisible and removed from the map. Remember to check line of sight and effect. ---
Arum: Quiver suppressed for 3 more rounds. SR 26, Blur Marshall: Fly, Stoneskin, Mirror Image (6 remain). Urlryn: Mind Blank, Greater Invis. Crall: 17 Damage, Mirror Image (4 copies), Fly, Shield. Elhonna: Spell Resistance. Tora: Hasted.
(Map is updated.)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+19=30 ; d20+23=29 ; d20+23=37 ; d20+23=39 ; d20+23=43 ; d20+21=41 ; d20+11=19 ; d3-1=0 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 8:33:41 AM
Well Hin is gone. Tahni is pretty satisfied with that. Of the Seven he was her least favorite.
"I don't have eyes on Urlyrn. I think she teleported with away with Marshall"
She tries to help the rest of the party by softening up the remaining opponents.
Tahni takes a step back from Tora. With a bit of freedom now she draws on all the feelings from deep down and releases a primal scream... "BRUAGHHHHH!!!"
With that out of her system she then follows up with a couple of spells to weaken whoever survived it.
---------------- Ref Save vs DC21: 30=Pass. Evasion means no damage.
Combat Actions Free action: 5ft step south Standard action: Defensively cast Wail of the Banshee. Autopass concentration check. Tora, Elhonna, Crall and Arum to make Fort DC32 saves or take 210pts damage Hero Point action: Defensively Cast Waves of Exhaustion. Autopass concentration check. Tora, Elhonna, Crall and Arum are exhausted. No Save. Swift action: Defensively cast Dispel Magic at Crall targeting his Fly spell. Autopass concentration check. Dispel check: 41
SR Checks: Wail of the Banshee: Arum (29), Elhonna (37) Wave of Exhaustion: Arum (39), Elhonna (43)
Defences SR20... Arrow Deflection (1/rnd can make a Ref Save to avoid a ranged attack) ... Immunity to all harmful vapors and gases ... Can absorb up to 12 energy-draining attacks, death effects, and negative energy effects ... Spell Turning 1/day
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 d20+11=26 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 11:54:43 AM
(I think maybe Marshall could not cast that fireball? Dimension Door says "After using this spell, you can’t take any other actions until your next turn." It does not say this does not apply to free actions or swift actions, so unless there is something that give him another turn he may not have cast that fireball.)
Rill fails his save against the fireball, but his Protection from Energy absorbs the damage. (Also, he has SR20/25 against that spell if it was somehow cast.)
He moves up to where he can see Marshall and casts Faerie Fire hoping to illuminate the hidden Ururlyn (blue square on the board - delete square on DM's turn.)
He finally uses a quicken metamagic rod to create a Wall of Stone between two existing stone walls. The Wall of Stone is 35' long, 15' high and 5" thick (cast as a 22nd level caster.)
--------------------------------- Move Action: Moved to see Marshall Standard Action: Activate Magical Tattoo to cast Faerie Fire Swift Action: Quickened Wall of Stone
Spells/Effects Running: Status on all, Longstrider, Deathwatch, Tongues, See Invisible, Protection from Energy-Fire (120-33), Spell Resistance 20/25 vs evil, Haste, Prayer, Holy Aura
NOTE - Rill, Fang, Terser, Bralin, Aex and Leafy all shine with a bright radiance. If anyone succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 6/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 44/45, channel 7/7) d20+22=27 ; d20+26=33 ; 3d10+43=53 ; d20+30=39 ; d20+30=40 ; d10+43=44 ; d10+43=45 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 12:54:52 PM Terser also has SR21 vs any spells
Terser's ears start to bleed a little, but he screams into the wail and powers through. reaction to activate rage for +3 - fort save 30 He lets his aura expand outside of himself, offering his rage to Jozhur and Fang as well. slightly stronger than Fang's own rage I think. +6 STR/CON, -2 AC, +3 vs will saves
He moves up to begin pummeling Elhonna and make it a little harder for her to keep casting spells. to hit AC37 with proper bonuses from rage and haste - 53 damage
He sets himself ready to bop anyone who dares to enter or cast spells within his area. potential AoOs AC39 - 44 damage AC40 - 45 damage
effects rage - round 1 haste current AC - 21 SR 21, DR 7
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp d20+19=23 ; d4=4 ; d20+19=35 ; d20+14=17 ; d6=3 ; d20+27=45 ; d6+9=14 ; 8d6=24 ; d6=3 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 4:25:59 PM
So much for HIn. Jozhur sends his shadow to the wall to flank Elhonna and steps up to attack the most reachable target. His sneak attacks won't be effective against Tora.
---------------------------- Fort save: 23. Hero point reroll: 35 Attacks vs Elhonna Shadow's touch attack roll: 19 (21 w/ flanking, forgot prayer and haste in roll), 3 STR damage if hit Jozhur's attack on Elhonna hits AC 45 (47 w/ flank): 14 damage, 24 sneak damage, 3 cold damage (41). 2 STR damage on successful sneak attack
Active effects: Haste: Extra movement, attack, attack roll, +1 AC Prayer: +1 attack, damage, save, and skill rolls
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) d20+27=33 ; d20+37=44 ; 3d10+16=35 ; d6=3 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 6:20:46 PM
[Fort Save 33. Success]
Bralin grimaces, both at Marshall's quick exit and Urlryn's wail.
The sturdy dwarf endures both, and uses his hasted speed to move up and join the attack on Elhonna.
---- Note - Bralin has Invisibility Purge spell in effect, which should counter Greater Invis, if Urlryn is within 75'.
Move to Ehlonna Attack with Improved Vital Strike Hit ac 44 for 38 hp damage (3 cold)
Spells in Effect Holy Aura: +4 (deflection) to AC, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks. Fly
(StevenVdB) Aexana Air (L) HP195/195 - AC34/26/27 - CMD 35 and LEAFY (L) - HP122/122 - AC28/12/25 - CMD 20 d20+20=40 ; d20+24=29 ; d20+24=40 ; d20+24=37 ; 5d6=22 ; 5d6=14 ; 5d6=26 ; 5d6=24 ; d20+23=33 ; d20+18=30 ; d20+23=26 ; d20+20=22 ; 3d6+7=14 ; d8=3 ; 3d6+7=19 ; d8=1 ; 3d6+7=18 ; d8=1 ; 2d8+7=9 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 6:50:27 PM
Aex has Spell Resistance 21 from her Mantle of Spell Resistance or Rill's Spell Resistance Ref Save vs Fireball : 40 - pass
Wasn't the Air elemental disspelled?
From her elevated position Aex now does call down some lightingbolts. From her vantage point she can target Tora, Elhonna, Crall and Arum.
Tora - Spell resistance 40 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 22HP Elhonna - Spell resistance 29 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 14HP Crall - Spell resistance 40 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 26HP Arum - Spell resistance 37 - Reflex save DC27 for half - damage 24HP
Unwilling to stay in plain sight, Aex makes a move backward and decends 10ft so she's just behind the walls. Next round she can pop her head up and see what's left of the Talons.
Aex has Trueseeing activated so she can see through any mirror images. With this information she informs Leafy who the real Crall is. The young shrubbery engages Crall... (Leafy is large size with a 10ft reach) Taking a 5ft step towards Crall allows him to make a full attack. (manually deducted 2 from my attack rolls since I was using the wrong dice)
Slam 1 hits AC31 - damage 14 +3 Slam 2 hits AC28- damage 19 + 1 Slam 1 hits AC24 - damage 18 +1 Bite hits AC20 - damage 9
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+24=39 ; d20+35=51 ; 3d10+19=28 ; Monday April 26th, 2021 7:07:56 PM
Fang joins in on the group bulling poor Elhonna, moving forward to vital strike. Her rage and toughened body resist the wail (39 save, 51 to hit, 28 damage)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Monday April 26th, 2021 8:25:09 PM OOC...
Per email, Tahni will change the target of her Dispel Magic to:
Swift action: Defensively cast Dispel Magic at Tora targeting his boots. Autopass concentration check. Dispel check: 41
Aurum: Takes 210 damage. Exhausted. Staggered at 0hp. Crall: Takes 210 damage. Exhausted. Tora: Pass, Raging, Exhausted. Boots suppressed 1 round. (Per FAQ board, a barbarian cannot enter rage fatigued, but it doesnt knock him out of it. Just suppresses some of the bonuses.) Elhonna: Pass, Exhausted.
---------------------
Rill covers Marshall in Faerie Fire, then creates a wall. Urlryn is not discovered in his area of affect.
Terser wants to rage, but cannot do it as a reaction from anything I see on his character sheet or in the game period. Rage is a free action, but they can only be taken on your turn. Terser likely takes the 190 damage.
Terser sallies forth into Elhonna, but finds her prowess substantial. He misses.
Jozhur and Shadow try to team up and flank Elhonna. She snarls as she takes 41 damage, and 5 Str damage. "A simple sneak? See if your worthy of our Urlryn!", she shouts.
Aexana calls down the lightning, reminding all these wizards and sorcerers and witches that her primal, natural magic is just as powerful. All opponents targeted take damage, except for Crall. He seems to have some resistance to electricity, enough to absorb her whole attack.
She tries to coach Leafy past the images, but its just not possible to do in real time. Leafy takes his chances. He hits a copy once, and targets Crall twice, but only one makes impact that matters.
Fang piles on the Knight Captain Elhonna, adding more pain for good measure. The Captain seems to be in dire straights.
Urlyrn , still missing, seems to have been up to mischief. In an incredibly short amount of time, suddenly a whole arsenal of monsters arrive. Her voice rings out from the west, giving them commands.
3 Fiendish Tyrannosaurus burst onto the scene! They are pretty massive, so they treat the walls as Obstacles and Difficult Terrain.
--Red Tyrannosaur smites good, targeting Rill! It crits on AC 40, but doesn't confirm. Its bite does 55 damage to Rill, and it uses its Grab ability to start a free grapple, but fails with CMD 30. It passes its save vs. Blindness.
--Green Tyrannsaur smites good, targeting Rill! It misses.
--Pink Tyrannosaur smites good, targeting Aexana! It crits on AC 39 but doesn't confirm. It does 54 damage to Aexana, and it uses its Grab ability to start a free grapple. It succeeds against CMD 39. It is blinded by the Holy Aura.
Standard: ??? Move: ??? Swift: ???
-------------------
Marshall dusts his jacket and robe, as if he's trying to wipe off the Faerie Fire. He then zips across the map in flight, clearly hasted. He rests atop one of the walls. "This ain't my color dude. Time out for you!"
Rill suddenly feels his spell resistance shudder under the weight of a powerful spell. He suddenly realizes he's not where he was. No dinosaurs, no din of battle, just a very big, very ominous maze. If THAT wasn't enough, he's aware of Tinker looking down on him from above, floating about on a palanquin that seems to be mentally controlled. (Rill, Know Arcana DC 24 to realize you are in a Maze spell. They offer no save.)
Marshall winks, then tsks at the quartet of Dragons fighting Elhonna. "Unfair tactics! You can't just bumrush a lady, man!" In a flash, an explosion of gold and silver glitter lands among Terser, Jozhur, Fang, Bralin. Will Save DC 22 or be blinded. Regardless, you are all covered in glittersparkle, and suffer minus 40 to stealth checks.
Move: Flies 120 ft. Standard: Casts Maze. Swift: Quickened Glitterdust
-------------------------------------
Tora adjusts his target from Tahni to Leafy. Leafy takes an Aoo, but misses. Tora snaps his teeth and hits the Tree Companion for 10 damage, and 1 cold damage.
Move: Moves to flank Leafy. Standard: Bites Leafy. Swift: None
---------------
Crall positions himself under Leafy, and also goes into a full attack. "Knight captain! We fell the tree and fight out this way!" He hits Leafy on AC 39, 46 (crit vs 41), 40, and 32. (Adjusted for -3 damage per hit already thanks to exhaust)
He does 17, 38, 19, and 20 damage. 94 total.
Move: None, 5ft adjust Standard: Full Attack Swift: None
Arum, now unable to charge with her lance OR use her bow, simply casts Heal on Elhonna.
Move: 5ft adjust Standard: Heal Quick: None
Elhonna, attacked on all sides, but renewed by Arum, backs away and swings at Leafy. This draws an AOO from the possibly blinded quarter attacking her.
Tersers: Miss - Prerolled. Bralins: Check for Blindness, then roll yourself. Fang: Check for Blindness, then roll yourself. Jozhur: Check for Blindness, then roll yourself.
Move: to Leafy Standard: Hits AC 43 for 15 physical and 6 fire damage. Swift: None.
Walls of blue are made of ice, grey of steel, brown of wood. All uncolored walls are worked stone.
Walls are all 15ft high. Total arena height is 25 feet before you hit a force barrier.
Visibility: One enemy is invisible and removed from the map. Remember to check line of sight and effect. ---
Arum: Quiver suppressed for 2 more rounds. SR 27, Blur. 24 damage. Exhausted. Marshall: Fly, Stoneskin, Mirror Image (6 remain). Urlryn: Mind Blank, Greater Invis. Crall / AC 28: 48 Damage, Mirror Image (3 copies), Fly, Shield. Exhausted. Elhonna / AC 44: Spell Resistance 27. Cold Resistance. Tora: Hasted. Energy Resistance 30, Electricity Resistance. Boots dispelled this round. Exhausted.
(Map is updated.)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Tuesday April 27th, 2021 4:54:03 AM
Tahni starts going through her spell list. "Those Weave Elements spells are useless today. What was I thinking?" She still has plenty of other useful spells but wants to try and balance using them and conserving them for the next round. Assuming they make it to the next round.
It's bugging her that she can't see Urlryn right now, and that she hasn't directly cast a spell at Tahni gives her reason to pause. "If it were me, I'd be circling up to meet the rest of the party while preparing to counter whatever spell she was casting. I wonder what the chances are she's about to do that to me?" Still, there's not much she can do about it right now. If Urlryn is planning to counter one of Tahni's spells then it would be wasting a spell to try and cast one up here. Maybe she just casts a quick one to see if it brings Urlryn out of hiding? "Gahh, if I could just see her this would be so much easier!"
Having completely overthought the situation she goes with what should have been the obvious action.
Tahni flies down to be just 5ft off the ground and reaches out to touch Terser, healing his wounds.
She let's the others know of the success of her spells. "Aurum and Crall are hurt bad and I didn't see them get healed or hear Urlryn heal them. Try and finish Aurum if you can"
--------------- Move action: Fly down to be 5ft off the ground Standard action: Cast Heal on Terser. Terser is healed for 150pts and isn't blind, in case he was.
Defences SR20... Arrow Deflection (1/rnd can make a Ref Save to avoid a ranged attack) ... Immunity to all harmful vapors and gases ... Can absorb up to 12 energy-draining attacks, death effects, and negative energy effects ... Spell Turning 1/day
Fang (Mitch) HP: 170/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+19=37 ; d20+35=45 ; d20+35=49 ; d10+19=29 ; 3d10+19=37 ; Tuesday April 27th, 2021 7:25:52 AM
Fang manages to duck the blinding glitter (37 will). She strikes the retreating captain (45 to hit, 29 damage) and pursues viscously with a follow up (I think I can move so I only provoke an AoO from Arum but not Crall? Then 49 to hit, 37 damage)
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp d20+18=33 ; d20+16=36 ; d6=2 ; d20+28=32 ; d6+9=11 ; 8d6=30 ; d6=3 ; Tuesday April 27th, 2021 11:50:22 AM
Jozhur shakes off the glitterdust blind and lunges at Elhonna as she moves away. His shadow also takes a swipe at her as she leaves.
I think the rest of Jozhur's actions are pending an answer to a question from Mark.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 d20+6=8 ; d20+15=18 ; Tuesday April 27th, 2021 12:08:21 PM
Rill looks around. He can see that he's been transported somewhere. The walls seem solid, and the place feels empty, endless and magical. Oh, and the Tinker is here too. Awesome.
(Knowledge Arcana 8, Spellcraft 18, but it doesn't take a genius to know this is not the arena. Rill is also pretty confident this is not just all in his head because he's protected from mental influences right now and usually doesn't succumb to such anyway.)
Rill looks up at the Tinker. "What is this place? Is this your doing? Probably not, because you said you would not interfere. You know Tinker, if you weren't so depraved and amoral when it comes to people, I think you might be rather entertaining."
Rill tries to use the rings to sense and contact his party, and is pleased to see that they work.
"I'm not sure where I am, but there are no dinosaurs here. Jozhur, will you please pull out that little black statuette of Gargul I gave you a while back and break it while saying 'Rill.' That should summon me back from wherever this is to to where you are.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) d20+24=27 ; d20+24=32 ; d20+19=32 ; d20+14=25 ; 2d8+22=29 ; 2d8+22=28 ; d20+9=28 ; 2d8+22=36 ; Tuesday April 27th, 2021 4:46:15 PM I've been playing that wrong for a long time then, sorry Ken. so between damage, DR, regen, and Tahni's heal, I still have 190-5-1-150-1 = 33 damage off my rage total. Current hp is 317/350
Terser's HP is seesawing, but that's no different than any other fight. He closes a step with Crall, but opts for his hammer to try to take out those pesky images. His first toss poofs one of them away (miss within 5) but the next few throws may or may not have connected with the man himself.
attack 1 - poof 1 image haste - ac 32, 29 damage 2nd - ac 32, 28 damage 3rd - nat 1 4th - ac 28, 36 damage
current effects rage round 2 haste, holy aura, prayer, see invisible
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) d20+37=47 ; d10+15=17 ; d6=5 ; d20+34=46 ; d10+25=35 ; d100=100 ; d20+34=48 ; d10+25=28 ; d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d20+26=28 Tuesday April 27th, 2021 5:53:00 PM
Bralin barely registers the blinding attempt, and he was glowing already [Autosave on blind]
The dwarf takes a swing at Ehlonna, but doesn't pursue.
Heeding Tahni's suggestion, he again rises into the air, crossing over and landing behind Arum. He experiences a brief compulsion to avoid the taur, but steels himself against the spell. In position, he swings a powerful blow toward Arum.
--- AoO on Ehnlonna Hit ac47 for 17 hp damage (plus 5 cold which probably doesn't count).
Fly and Spring Attack on Arum. Arum gets no AoO Will Save 28 to overcome Repulsion spell. Power Attack. Flanking with Fang. Hits AC 46 for 40 hp damage (5 cold). Roll 100 overcomes 20% miss chance due to Blur spell.
Future AoO if needed hits ac 48 for 32 hp damage (4 cold)
Spells in Effect Holy Aura: +4 (deflection) to AC, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks. Fly
(StevenVdB) Aexana Air (L) HP195/195 - AC34/26/27 - CMD 35 and LEAFY (L) - HP122/122 - AC28/12/25 - CMD 20 Tuesday April 27th, 2021 6:24:05 PM
Aex is surprised when suddenly there are 3 dino's with an appetite around her. She's grappeled being an Air Elemental... Aex realizes the bite and grapple of the Dino are very strong and she has no way to escape on her own if not trying something differently - she won't even be able to cast a spell...
Not having the intention of getting swallowed AexAir transforms into a Whirlwind. Now I'm assuming A whirlwind is difficult to grab... she Aex hopes transforming to a Whirlwind will let her escape the dino's grapple. If so, she flies up and away from them... she flies 10ft up so she's over the wall and then drops down slightly at the other side.
Aex being involved with the Dino's makes her oblivious to what transpires with Leafy... as all of the Talons intend to escape to the North he's getting targetted by them... branches breaking Leafy sinks dead to the ground (he's at -18HP)
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 196/251 Tuesday April 27th, 2021 7:07:26 PM
Rill takes another approach. He says to Jozhur, "Skip crushing the statuette Jozhur. I'll try another approach."
He waves goodbye to the Tinker as he casts a Quickened Invisibility Purge (metamagic rod) and then casts Miracle. (Mriacle says it can "Undo the harmful effects of certain spells, such as feeblemind or insanity." so I assume it should work?)
Rill should reappear where he left. This time he has Invisibility Purge out to 110', so perhaps that will cause our friend Urlyrn to appear?
Finally, Rill will use a move action to Dimensional Hop 25'(does not provoke) to a spot that's not right in front of a bunch of dinosaurs.
Fang maneuvers carefully, dodging Cralls area of threat, and is trying to push by Aurum when a field of force pushes back against her.
(Know Religion or Arcana, DC 23 to identify a "Repulsion" spell.) Fang fails a will save vs DC 24, per my roll. Since she failed, she cannot pass through the repulsion field.
(DM Note: If your modifier is higher than 19, or you want to hero point for +2 or a reroll, just state as much in your actions and I'll apply your damage from the follow up attack.)
Jozhur and Rill seem to be coordinating something. Jozhurs shadow saps some of Elhonnas strength as she retreats backwards.
Terser tries to finish off Crall! His first attack misses but reduces images to 3. His next two attacks are on the money, and the third poofs an image. Crall is down to two images.
DM Note to Bralin: You cannot autopass a saving throw. There's always that 5% chance of fail. DM rolls the save, and you pass!
Bralin: Smacks Elhonna as she pulls back, and also tries to close in on Aurum. He overcomes it easily and whallops Aurum, with or without Fang.
Rill changes tactics and comes up with a new plan. He uses his metamagic rod again, casts invisibility purge, then asks for Garguls direct intervention with a miracle. His DM decides that a 9th level miracle can undo an 8th level Maze, and he finds himself back in the spot he vanished from.
Urlryn is now visible.
Aexana and Leafy are both in trouble. DM Note: By this DM's reasoning, since you can literally stab an air elemental with a non magical weapon, even while it whirlwinds, I'm going to say you can grapple it as well. Also by this DM's reasoning, whirlwind isn't restricted in use while grappled, since its not a spell or an item prohibited. Therefore, both must be true.
The T Rex is not smaller than you, so it doesnt get lifted or take damage. It IS in the center vortex, so its obscured from everyone elses vision, cannot see out of the vortex, and takes some slam damage. Perhaps Aexana will have to rely on a team mate to escape?
Urlyrn, all 9 of her, is now visible, and she rolled a 39 perception to notice it. She's available for targeting now within Rills bubble of defeat invis.
She rises into the air and casts horrid wilting. She's able to catch each one of the Dragons in the spell, as no two of them are more than 60ft apart. Everyone takes 61 damage, Fort save DC 28 for half.
SR Checks,
Rill: 30 Tahni: 41 (Not neg energy or a death effect) Aexana: 39 Bralin: 25 Terser: 27 Jozhur: 38 Fang: 25 Shadow: 21, but Immune, since its a fort save.
Without a pause, she then pivots mid-air and sends a volley of Magic Missiles careening at Rill. Beats SR 25 for 14 damage.
Standard: Horrid Wilting on all Dragons. Move: Movement. Swift: Quickened M. Missile at Rill. --------------------
--Red Tyrannosaur still smites at Rill, but can't reach him. Instead it lashes out at the Grappled Whirlwind Aexana. It snaps its jaws onto whatever passes as the mass of an air elemental, and pulls fiercely against the other T-Rex.
Hits AC 37 for 38 damage. She's already grappled, so it just tugs at her legs. It will take her WW damage next turn, and can't really see out from the debris field anymore, though it does have scent. It passes its save vs the blinding Holy Aura.
--Green Tyrannsaur continues to smite good, targeting Rill! It misses. All players be aware it only has 1 AOO, and has a 20ft melee range. Someones going to have to provoke it most likely.
--Pink Tyrannosaur continues smite good, targeting Aexana! It attempts to maintain its grapple. It succeeds with a 53. It chomps on Aexana and pins her to the ground, trying to protect its meal from the other T-Rex.
Aexana takes 56 damage from the smiting T-rex, and is pinned. (By my notes Aexana took 55 last round, 56 this round, and possibly 62 from horrid wilting? Please track your HP loss, thanks!)
-------------------
Marshall was looking pretty pleased with himself, until suddenly Rill was back. "I didn't think priests were that smart...who dedicates everything to a god anyways?", he mumbles. He gets even more angry when his glitterdust does nothing but make pretty sparkles.
"Hey!, he shouts. "I'm the gall danged handsome fighter-mage! I'm the protagonist here, and my story does NOT have a single chapter were the whole theme is "He was handsome, but ineffective." Now someone fall over already!"
He gathers a large amount of cold magic at his fingers, and fires a polar ray into Bralins back. He hits touch AC 24 for 69 cold damage and 4 dexterity damage. He then launches a quickened fireball into the group of fighters, melting an ice wall in the process.
Move: Flies up 25ft Standard: Casts Polar Ray at Bralin. Swift: Quickened Fireball at Tahni, Shadow, Terser, Aexana, Jozhur. 45 damage, reflex 21 for half.
-------------------------------------
Tora's boots are no longer suppressed. He launches himself airborne at Rill, and snaps his jaws closed on the clerics arm. (if necessary?) He hits AC 40 for 9 physical, and 2 cold damage.
Move: Moves to bite Rill. Standard: Bites Rill. Swift: None
---------------
Crall positions himself to focus on Fang. "Well met, Dragon! Lets test our prowess! His morningstar lashes out like a flash, hitting Fang on AC 37, 37, 31, 36 (crit does not confirm), and a blow that bounces off Fangs protections. She takes 11, 10, 12, and 13 physical damage from a +4 weapon. She also takes 4, 2, 5, and 4 electricity damage.
Move: None, 5ft adjust towards Fang, whichever move option she chooses. Standard: Full Attack Swift: None
Elhonna, with some breathing room, shows that she's not the leader of the Sapphire Seven for no reason. She steps in to cover Aurums retreat, (or not depending on Fang), swinging a vicious combination of strikes at Fang.
She hits AC 45, crits AC 45(confirms vs 39), crits AC 41 (confirms vs 35), crits AC 51 (confirms vs 33)
Fang takes 21 physical and 5 fire, 34 physical and 5 fire, 28 physical and 9 fire, 35 physical and 8 fire. I made no adjustments for DR, its a +4 weapon for whatever that means to you.
Move: 5ft adjust if necessary, otherwise none. Standard: Full attack. Swift: None.
Red T-Rex: 0 damage. Fiendish DR 10/Good. Smiting Rill. Green T-Rex: 0 damage. Fiendish DR 10/Good.In vortex. Smiting Rill. Pink T-Rex: 1 damage. Fiendish DR 10/Good. In vortex. Blinded by Holy Aura. Pinning Aexana.
(Map is updated.)
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 174/205 --Shadow Companion 102/102hp d20+19=31 ; d20+25=32 ; d20+18=21 ; d6=6 ; d20+28=40 ; d6+9=12 ; 8d6=27 ; d6=6 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 1:38:59 AM
Jozhur manages to avoid most of the spells tossed their way. He and his shadow move to attack Crall, the only enemy he can really get at.
-------------------------- Fort save: 31 (pass, half damage) Reflex save: 32 (pass, no damage from fireball) Shadow's touch on Crall hits AC 21 (23 w/ flank): 6 STR damage Jozhur's attack hits AC 40: 12 damage, 27 sneak damage, 6 cold damage (45), 2 STR damage on sneak attack
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+25=42 ; d20+35=53 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 6:27:46 AM
Tahni's jaw drops as she sees that Aurum is still standing. Even Crall looks better. She's sure her Banshee spell hit and she didn't see or hear anyone heal them. Not even Urlryn could have done so during a Timestop or with a Spectral Hand. She tries to think of what other spell could have been used to heal them. If she knows what it is she might be able to counter it.
------------ Knowl Arcana: 42 - to work out how Aurum and Crall could have been healed Spellcraft: 53 - to work out how Aurum and Crall could have been healed
Combat actions pending on how the rest of the party go with their saves
Fang (Mitch) HP: 26/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+24=39 ; d20+35=49 ; d20+35=48 ; d20+30=41 ; d20+25=39 ; d10+19=20 ; d10+19=21 ; d10+19=23 ; d10+19=28 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 8:18:49 AM
(Forgot to put my hp at max when we started whoops. Aslo, did Jozhur and I get reversed on the map, cause it says my token is only next to Cralland he's next to Elhonna and Crall but all the posts are indicating the other way around)
The coordinated assault would have killed most combatants, but Fang just grins and strikes back. Now able to unleash her full attack she tears into the pair (attacks to Elhonna, then Crall if she goes down)
Attack 1 50 to hit, 21damage Haste attack: 49 to hit, 22damage Attack 2: 42 to hit, 24 damage Attack 3: 40to hit, 29 damage
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) d20+26=27 ; d20+16=28 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=6 ; d6=3 ; d6=3 ; d6=4 ; d6=6 ; d6=5 ; d20+34=35 ; d20+34=51 ; d20+29=38 ; d20+24=29 ; d20+19=36 ; d10+34=38 ; d10+34=41 ; d10+34=43 ; d10+34=41 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 10:41:17 AM
It's a weird place for Terser, failing so many checks against his fortitude. (nat 1) He's feeling dodgy though, and his ring helps him power through the fireball (28 pass, ring of evasion)
Seeing Aexana in dire straights, Terser pops off a quickened channel, leaving him plenty of time to do another full out attack on Crall. expend 4 rounds of rage to channel as a swift action, excludes 7 targets, which is just enough for the nearby sapphires and dinos.
Aexana, Tahni, Fang, Bralin, Jozhur, Leafy - heal 33 and freedom of movement this round, doesn't go through the wall to Rill unfortunately
Full attack on Crall 1st - nat 1, may still pop an image at ac 35? haste - ac 51 for 38 2nd - ac 38 for 41 3rd - ac 29 for 43 4th - ac 36 for 41
[i]current hp 297/350 rage round 7 channels used 1 haste, holy aura, prayer, see invisible
The Final Tournament - Combat Map Wednesday April 28th, 2021 11:12:35 AM
DM Note: Oops! Robs right. Crall is seriously wounded and Aurum is KO'd by Bralin when he beats the repulsion. Brailin gets that 150/75 hp back.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 189/251 d20+22=37 ; d6=3 ; 20d6=70 ; d20+24=31 ; d20+24=43 ; d20+24=26 ; d20+24=36 ; d20+24=27 ; d20+24=40 ; d3=1 ; d20+24=33 ; d3=1 ; d20+24=35 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; d6=6 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=3 ; d20=15 ; d6=6 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=4 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 12:40:27 PM
Rill feels the life drain from his body, but avoids the worst of it (saved-37). "Urlryn, I had no idea you could use your vampiric effects from a distance. This is not appreciated." Then her magic missles lance into his flesh. Finally, Tora leaps and bites his arm.
Rill's about had enough of this.
He uses his Dimensional Hop action to pop up on the wall near Aexana. Then he casts Fire Storm, casting defensively - auto succeed (+33).
This creates 40 shapeable 10' cubes filled with sheets of fire. The fire snakes around the battlefield, reaching up enough to catch Urlryn, the dinosaurs, up to Marshall, Tora, and Elhonna. Not sure I can get Crall. It says it's shapable, but it's the DM's call if it can be shaped into the 5' space between Jozhur and his shadow. 70 damage, DC 27 Reflex save for half. Creatures that fail their Reflex save catch on fire, taking 4d6 points of fire damage each round until the flames are extinguished. Extinguishing the flames is a full-round action that requires a DC 20 Reflex save. Not sure who all or what all has spell resistance, but here are some SR rolls: 31, 43, 26, 36, 27, 40, 33, 35.
Atop the wall, Rill will use a hero point to channel energy, healing the Dragons for 46 points.
Then he takes a take a 5' move while flying down to Aexana to touch her as he uses a Quickened Dimension Door to pull her out of the jaws of death. Aex and Rill end their turn on the far side of the wall next to the blinded T-rex.
---------------------------------------- Move Action: Dimensional Hop 25', does not provoke Standard Action: Cast Fire Storm defensively Hero Point Action: Heal party for 46 points Free Action: move 5' Swift Action: Cast Quickened Dimension Door, does not provoke
If for some reason my thinking is off in where Aexana is, Rill can easily adjust where he is when he casts all this.
Spells/Effects Running: Status on all, Longstrider, Deathwatch, Tongues, See Invisible, Protection from Energy-Fire (120-33), Spell Resistance 20/25 vs evil, Haste, Prayer, Holy Aura
NOTE - Rill, Fang, Terser, Bralin, Aex and Leafy all shine with a bright radiance. If anyone succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD d20+22=33 ; d20+13=29 ; 3d8+20=29 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 6:14:10 PM
FORT Save vs Horrid Wilting : 33 pass REF Save PINNED vs Fireball : 29 pass
Aexana HP Tracking : 122/195 max HP Round 1 : - 16HP Fireball Round 2 : - 54HP Pink T-Rex Round 3 : - 30HP Horrid Wilting - 38HP Red T-Rex - 53HP Pink T-Rex - 22HP Fireball + 33HP Terser (+Freedom of Movement) + 46HP Rill +29 HP CSW potion
Aex is starting to panic... she has no way to escape from this T-Rex's deadly bite... she senses Leafy... no she no longer senses the presence of her trusted companion... the Tinker said it was sad that she was close to the end. How could he have known...
Perhaps in one last desperate attempt...
But then suddenly she feels the healing magic of Terser washing over her and even more importantly she no longer feels the Dino Grapple!! Mental note to self... GET OUT OF HERE!! Just before she tries to fly away Rill grabs her and together they are teleported out of harms way...
Behind the wall Aex turns to her own Gnome self... her robes are drenched in blood... she barely survived out there and if it hadn't been for Rill and Terser she would have died...
"Where's Leafy?!" she asks softly...
Before trying to be on the offensive again Aex casts Cure Serious Wounds on herself She plants her Coral staff in the ground and the Staff Treant appears.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC46 T19 F38, CMD 44 HP 246/276) -4 Dex d20+27=43 ; d20+14=16 ; d20+26=30 ; d8+18=19 ; 2d6=3 ; d20+26=28 ; d8+18=19 ; 2d6=3 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 7:29:05 PM
As Aurum falls, Bralin finds himself subjected to a great assortment of spells.
He fights off the full brunt of the Horrid Wilting (Fort 43) But catches the Polar Ray full on, and is unable to avoid the fireball (though his ring absorbs some of the damage) [Reflex 14]
The healing from Terser and Rill nearly recovers all the damage.
The dwarf briefly considers pursuing Marshall, but these dinosaurs are difficult to ignore.
His axe disappears into his glove, and Bralin launches himself atop a steel wall while loosing a war hammer. Upon arrival, he slams his weapon into the foe.
---- Free Action: Store War axe into Glove of Storing Pulling war hammer on the move while Flying Spring Attack on Pink T-Rex. T-Rex gets no AoO Power Atk with Cold Iron Holy War Hammer, overcoming DR.
Hit ac 30 for 22 hp damage.
Note: Bralin wears a Ring of Freedom of Movement.
Potential AoO attack hits ac 28 for 22 hp damage.
Spells in Effect Holy Aura: +4 (deflection) to AC, spell resistance 25 for evil spells or spells cast by an evil caster, Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks. Fly
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+26=41 ; d20+21=36 ; Wednesday April 28th, 2021 8:08:52 PM
Tahni stays low and moves to the right. She wants a clear line of sight to the dinos but doesn't want to pop her head up and get it taken off by Urlryn!
She casts a dispel magic check at the pink T-Rex. If she's lucky she'll make it disappear from the battlefield. If she's really lucky get rid of all of them. If she's not so lucky she's about to become a dino-treat.
------------------------ Fort save vs DC28: 41=Pass! Tahni takes 20pts damage (but is quickly healed again)
Move: Fly to the east, staying 5ft off the ground Standard Action: Cast Dispel Magic on the Pink Dino. Dispel check: 36. Dispel DC=11+Urlryn's CL
The Final Tournament - Combat Map d3=1 ; d3=3 ; d20+16=19 ; d20+16=26 ; d20+12=13 ; d20+12=27 ; d20+11=13 ; 4d6=15 ; d4+1=3 ; d20+20=33 ; d20+19=39 ; d20+17=36 ; d20+12=31 ; 4d6+34=44 ; 4d6+34=50 ; 4d6+34=44 ; d20+21=36 ; d20+20=26 ; 4d6+22=40 ; d20+32=43 ; d20+21=37 ; 4d6+40=59 ; d20+32=41 ; d20+17=29 ; d20+17=28 ; d20+17=23 ; d20+17=25 ; 2d6+4=12 ; 2d6+4=13 ; 2d6+4=6 ; 2d6+4=13 ; 6d6+4=23 ; 6d6+4=29 ; 6d6+4=22 ; d3=1 ; 6d6+4=29 ; d20+25=39 ; 2d8+6=14 ; d6=6 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; d6=3 ; d20=9 ; d20=1 ; d20=4 ; d20=8 ; d20=8 ; d20=3 ; d20=6 ; d20=17 ; d20=13 ; d20+31=40 ; d20+31=44 ; d20+26=28 ; d20+21=25 ; d20+16=34 ; d20+16=18 ; d10+11=16 ; d10+11=21 ; d10+11=16 ; d6=4 ; d6=1 ; d6=4 ; d20+15=23 ; d20+15=18 ; d20+16=30 ; d20+16=27 ; d20+16=22 ; d100=49 ; Thursday April 29th, 2021 1:29:34 AM Jozhur and Shadow work together on Crall. The shadow hits Crall, but he seems to be immune to the strength damage. A magical bauble glows at the shadows touch. Jozhurs attack breaks another shadow. 1 remains. He grins in satisfaction.
His reprieve is short lived. Terser heals his allies, then finishes the orc with several powerful swings. The orc staggers a bit, then takes a deep breath. "Hah. This is the power of the dragons heh? I have as good as I got I think. I could have been one of you in another... life..." His legs buckle, and he hits the ground.
Fang is back at Elhonnas throat, slashing away. The captains defense is strong, and only a couple of attacks break through.
Rill continues his blistering pace of swift actions, heroic surges, and heavy spells. Is he going to have anything left for the next round? He's definitely been a force multiplier! He casts Fire Storm, engulfing a large swath of the arena in flame!
Not done, Rill has time to both heal his friends, and taunt taunt his foes AND whisk Aexana away to safety. A job well done. Aexana takes a moment to catch her breath, briefly mourning her friend. A thought strikes her... Are companions saved by the arena magics? She unleashes her changestaff, and a mighty Treant appears!
Bralin: changes his targets to the T-Rex pack. He opens up with a leaping strike, cronking one on the snout so hard it headbutts the ground. It looks dazed for a second, then tests its jaw tenderly.
Tahni is indeed lucky. Pink T-Rex vanishes from the field of battle! In terms of economy, she just traded a 7th level spell for a 3rd level one. Not too bad indeed!
Urlyrn takes a deep breath, struggling through the flames. She burns for 15 damage, but doesn't extinguish them. "I don't think anyone left can handle the dwarves! Remove one, Marshall!"
She suddenly stops moving. Or maybe, she moving too fast for you to see her? Suddenly, after a heartbeat, the battlefield has changed tremendously!
First, there's new enemy on the field. This towering giant has finely chisleled features and pale blue skin. Her silky white hair falls to her waist in a tight braid. Its eyes however, glow with fiendish power.
Second, the remaining T-rex are moving MUCH faster than before.
Finally, Urlyrn is seemingly unharmed by the fires burning on her person. She finally ends her attacks with a sudden magical force aimed against Bralin. The dispel check is a 39, which removes Bralins Holy Aura.
Standard: Time Stop. 3 rounds. Move: Movement. Swift: Quickened dispel magic at Bralin --------------------
--The Cloud Giant smashes her oversized mace down, smiting on Fang! She hits AC 33, 36, and 31 for 42, 48, and 42 damage. (All phys, no DR applied to these numbers.)
--Red Tyrannosaur still smites at Rill, and heads straight towards him! Bralin gets an AOO. It snaps its jaws at Rill, but the Clerics defenses are mighty.
--Green Tyrannsaur continues to smite good, targeting Rill! At command from its master, it grudgingly lets go its hunt for the air elemental and stomps over the walls at Terser. It seems that Urlryn wants to keep the bruisers occupied! It crushes its jaws down on Terser for 40 damage before DR. It uses its grab ability to grapple the dwarf in its strong jaws!
Terser must either pry himself free by beating the dinosaurs CMD of 39 (and thus controlling the grapple), or fight it with a small weapon or use some other shifty trick I'm sure's he's got. (liberation domain)
-------------------
Marshall is burning, cinders swirl about his feet as he gathers his magic. He says something inaudible, and repeats it over and over until its powerful shouting crescendo. "DONT YOU DARE BURN UP MY CLOAK!"
The force of gathering power lifts him gently off the ground. "LETS SEE YOU HANDLE 9th LEVEL MAGIC DRAGONS! THE BURNING DRAGON INSIDE ME BIDS I UNLEASH ITS DEADLY POWER!"
Somewhere above, Tinker is howling in delight. "He's such a nerd!" Ignoring the interruption, Marshall casts his most powerful spell, "METEOR SWARM!
He'd really like to shoot up Rill, but he can't see him. So he fires all 4 sparking meteors at Tahni! All four connect for 12, 13, 13, and 6 bludgeoning damage. Then, they all explode in a 40ft radius!
EVERYONE, INCLUDING SHADOW AND TREANT take 23, 29, 22, and 29 damage. Reflex DC 27 for half. Despite stemming from separate spheres, all of the fire damage is added together after the saves have been made, and fire resistance is applied only once.
Trex, Trex, and Cloud fail. Some elemental resistance applies.
Tora's getting frustrated at having to move around so much! He comes around the corner and takes a stance near Elhonna, then snarls and bites Jozhur for 14 phy and 6 cold damage.
Move: Moves to bite Jozhur. Standard: Bites Jozhur Swift: None
---------------
Elhonna, with Fang presumably down, focuses her efforts on Jozhur! She hits AC 40, 44, misses 28 and 25, then hits 34.
Jozhur takes 16, 21, and 16 (43) phys and 4, 4, 1 (9) fire damage.
Red T-Rex: 61 damage. Fiendish DR 10/Good. Smiting Rill. Burning. Green T-Rex: 49 damage. Fiendish DR 10/Good.In vortex. Smiting Rill. Burning. Cloud Giant: 81 damage. Fiendish DR 10/Good. Blinded, but has scent.
(Map is updated.)
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 153/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+25=35 ; d20+25=42 ; d20+25=27 ; d20+25=37 ; d20+8=14 ; d20+8=17 ; d20+8=24 ; d20+8=11 ; d20+26=34 ; d20+22=33 ; d20+19=30 ; d20+15=27 ; d20+16=25 ; d20+26=30 ; d20+16=17 ; Thursday April 29th, 2021 2:07:53 AM
Jozhur completely avoids all of the damage from the meteors. His shadow isn't so lucky, but still moves to flank Elhonna. He furiously stabs at Elhonna, but it's a pitiful attempt.
-------------------------------- Jozhur's reflex saves: 35, 42, 27, 37 (all pass, no damage from meteors) Shadow failed all saves, takes half damage (incorporeal)
Shadow provokes multiple opportunity attacks from Tora, Elhonna, probably the cloud giant, and maybe a Trex. It started in a wall and one square was within a wall, I marked where it moved from with a red X. AC is 16, half damage from corporeal sources, must be struck with magic/magic weapons.
All of Jozhur's hasted full two weapon attack on Elhonna miss! Shadow's touch attack misses with a natural 1.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 189/251 d20+17=24 ; d20+17=20 ; d20+17=30 ; d20+17=26 ; 20d6=75 ; d20+24=27 ; d20+24=25 ; d20+24=41 ; d20+24=42 ; d3=3 ; d20+24=40 ; d20+24=37 ; d20+24=30 ; Thursday April 29th, 2021 3:44:04 AM
Rill doesn't save against all of the explosions. He takes 23+29+11+29=92 damage. Or rather, the remaining 87 remaining points of Protection from Energy is gone, leaving him with 5 points of damage.
Rill uses his Dimensional Hop to take he and Aex closer to Tahni.
Then Rill uses a Miracle to cast another Fire Storm. It should catch T-rex 1 and 2, Cloud Giant, Tora and maybe Elhonna, and even snake up to Marshall and Urlryn. This time it does 75 damage, DC 28 Reflex save for half. Creatures that fail their Reflex save catch on fire, taking 4d6 points of fire damage each round until the flames are extinguished. Extinguishing the flames is a full-round action that requires a DC 20 Reflex save. Not sure who all or what all has spell resistance, but here are some SR rolls: 27, 25, 41, 42, 40, 37, 30.
"Hey Marshall, honestly sorry about your clothes. No hard feelings. I'll gladly buy you some more when this is all over."
---------------------------------------- Move Action: Dimensional Hop 25' with Aex, does not provoke Standard Action: Cast Fire Storm defensively
Spells/Effects Running: Status on all, Longstrider, Deathwatch, Tongues, See Invisible, Spell Resistance 20/25 vs evil, Haste, Prayer, Holy Aura
NOTE - Rill, Fang, Terser, Aex and Leafy all shine with a bright radiance. If anyone succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+22=37 ; d20+22=38 ; d20+22=39 ; d20+22=33 ; d20+21=34 ; Thursday April 29th, 2021 4:15:09 AM
The party are getting hit hard. These Seven are tough. The Fist sure train them strong.
Tahni had been so focused on the combat that she is caught completely unawares when Fang goes down. She isn't going to make that mistake again. "Aex! Rill! Step a little closer!". She makes sure the group are all close enough and then casts a healing spell across everyone.
She had been wanting to hold on to a couple of her Greater Dispel Magic spells for the next round, but right now they need to make it through THIS round. She relents and casts the spell to help get rid of those pesky TRexs.
--------------- Ref Saves vs DC31 (27+4 because they hit Tahni): 37, 38, 39, 33. All pass! Evasion means no damage from the fire. 44pts damage from the bludgeoning though
Standard action: Defensively cast Mass Heal. Concentration check: Autopass. Everyone is healed for 210pts
Hero point action: Defensively cast Gtr Dispel Magic 25ft in the air, centred south of the green T-Rex and between Marshall and red T-Rex (missing Bralin). Concentration check: Autopass. Dispel check: 34 should hopefully get rid of both TRexs, the Haste spell and a spell in effect on Marshall. ("If an object or creature that is the effect of an ongoing spell (such as a monster summoned by summon monster) is in the area, apply the dispel check to end the spell that conjured that object or creature (returning it whence it came) in addition to attempting to dispel one spell targeting the creature or object.")
Move action: Assuming the T-Rexs have gone Tahni makes a move towards the wall to get out of the open
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+18=35 ; d20+18=21 ; d20+18=20 ; d20+18=25 ; Thursday April 29th, 2021 7:15:45 AM
Fang goes down. She does not get back up.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) d20+37=40 ; d20+37=46 ; d20+32=39 ; d20+27=32 ; d20+22=27 ; d10+19=22 ; d10+19=22 ; d10+19=26 ; d10+19=28 ; d10+19=24 ; Thursday April 29th, 2021 11:24:02 AM
Terser starts to tick down the damage on his fingers, but by the time he gets there, Tahni's magic has brought him back to full. (down a total of 192, healed 210)
While the dino's jaws are around him, he briefly considers using a potion to go get in Urlryn's face, but he thinks he'll better serve the team taking out the two bruisers still in front of him.
Either the dino has been dispelled, or Terser calls on his powers to just not be grappled anymore, and he steps forward to unleash his attacks on Tora, not using extra power since he isn't sure of her defenses yet. And a good thing too, cause his aim is awful this round.
1st - AC 40, 22 danage haste - AC 46, 22 damage 2nd - AC 39, 26 damage 3rd - AC 32, 28 damage 4th - AC 27, 24 damage
current hp 350 rage round 8 channels used 1 haste, holy aura, prayer, see invisible
Bralin - MikeK - (AC42 T15 F34, CMD 44 HP 276/276) -4 Dex d20+26=33 ; d8+18=22 ; 2d6=9 ; d20+27=32 ; d20+22=30 ; d20+17=35 ; d20+12=26 ; d20+27=36 ; d8+9=10 ; d3=1 ; d8+9=15 ; d8+9=17 ; d8+9=10 ; d8+9=10 ; 2d6=6 ; 2d6=7 ; 2d6=5 ; 2d6=9 ; 2d6=8 ; Thursday April 29th, 2021 6:57:39 PM
Bralin's AoO on Red Dino. Holy War Hammer overcomes DR. Hit AC 33 for 29 hp damage.
Bralin stops glowing, and feels the loss of his deflection bonus. He then gets blasted by meteor fire, but is subsequently completely healed by Tahni's spell. Max Meteor damage not enough to drop Bralin, and heal spell overcomes it all and then some, so I'm not rolling
Now things get complicated..... IF either TRex is still up, Bralin attacks it, starting with Red. Holy War Hammer overcomes DR Atk 1 hits ac 36 for 16 hp Atk 2 hits ac 34 for 22 hp Atk 3 hits ac 39 for 22 hp Atk 4 hits ac 30 for 19 hp Haste atk hits ac40 for 18 hp ELSE He uses Spring Attack to cross to the giant (no AoO) and attacks once Someone will need to move Bralin onto wall next to giant Holy War Hammer overcomes DR Hit ac 36 for 16 hp End If
Spells in Effect Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks. Fly
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD Friday April 30th, 2021 1:53:59 AM
(Sorry been unable to post last night and am in a rush now)
- must update Aex HP from the meteor but she should survive it... will update in a second post
- unable to check the map in detail atm
Aex will commence a Summon Nature´s Ally XI this turn.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday April 30th, 2021 7:22:40 AM
Now busy being not quite dead, Fang can't do much. Presuming the Tinker contacts her like last time she does her best to give him the silent treatment.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 189/251 Friday April 30th, 2021 2:40:07 PM
Rill addresses Elhonna. "Knight Commander, your team has fought nobly and well. You are a credit to the Fist. But continuing this fight further wastes both our resources. And should we lose our future fights because both our resources are depleted, both our teams are diminished as a result.
"I appeal to your wisdom from here on out. We both know the threat this Tinker poses. If you should conclude you will not prevail in this fight, there is no shame in conceding the fight so we both remain strong."
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) Friday April 30th, 2021 6:22:23 PM Interesting play, Rill. Shoot your shot, but I bet the Tinker just sucks some spells out of us if we don't see things through.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD d20+18=30 ; d20+18=37 ; d20+18=27 ; d20+18=32 ; d20+3=13 ; d20+3=23 ; d20+3=6 ; d20+3=11 ; Sunday May 2nd, 2021 11:32:06 AM
(second post - I got a bit lost last Friday so I won't mind if our kind DM's ignore last Friday's post and replace it with this one... thanks a lot)
Aex barely survived the past few seconds and already a meteor swarm lights up the place...
HP Tracking : starting this round Aex has 90/195 HP Meteor 1 - Ref Save : 30 success : - 11 HP Meteor 2 - Ref Save : 37 success : - 14 HP Meteor 3 - Ref Save : 27 success : - 11 HP Meteor 4 - Ref Save : 32 success : - 14 HP End of enemy round Aex has : 40/195 HP
HP Tracking Staff Treant : starts this round with 114/114HP Meteor 1 - Ref Save : 13 fail : - 23 HP + 11 HP Vulnerability to Fire Meteor 2 - Ref Save : 23 NAT 20 success : - 14 HP - 7 HP Vulnerability to Fire Meteor 3 - Ref Save : 6 fail : - 22 HP - 11 HP Vulnerability to Fire Meteor 4 - Ref Save : 11 fail : - 29 HP - 14 HP Vulnerability to Fire End of enemy round Treant has : -17/114 HP
********************************
Aex moves close to Rill and begins casting a summon nature's ally XI. The Dragons desperately need some extra power to get through this... The little greenmages just hopes her spell won't be interrupted...
During casting of her spell though she senses Tahni's healing magic washing over her... if she hadn't been casting the summoning spell she would have thrown herself around Tahni's neck...
The Staff Treant is less lucky... being vulnerable to fire the Meteor swarm has caused the Treant to collapse.
HP Tracking : Aex after enemy round 40/195 Tahni Mass Heal : +210 (max 155 HP healed) End of enemy round Aex has : 195/195 HP
The Final Tournament - Combat Map d20+22=26 ; 19d6=63 ; d20+22=39 ; d20+17=28 ; d20+12=32 ; d20+12=30 ; 4d6+18=28 ; 4d6+18=32 ; 4d6+18=33 ; 4d6+18=33 ; 20d6+4=84 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=6 ; d20+29=30 ; d20+27=37 ; d20+27=37 ; d20+27=36 ; d20+27=46 ; d4+9=12 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d4+9=10 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; d20+31=34 ; d20+26=29 ; d20+21=30 ; d20+16=24 ; d10+16=19 ; d6=2 ; Monday May 3rd, 2021 7:36:39 PM Tahni sees the damage incoming from the Seven. They aren't as strong as a consortium team..but they are enough of a threat she needs to heal. Her dispel magics are top notch, both T-Rex are gone, and the haste spell is dispelled.
Fang is down, and just like that, Tinker is at her side. "Ouch, that looked like it hurt. Tell me, if you could redo that last moment or two, what would you have done different"? He's ready for note-taking, even his ensemble has changed. He's decked out in the attire of a scribe, and scribbling furiously.
Terser gives Tora a true whalloping. The Dog-fighting barbarian thought he was savage, but Terser teaches him a whole new level.
Bralin cracks the giant a good one on the knee, and she roars in anger.
Rill tries to address Elhonna on terms of reason. As he finishes his pitch, he hears an angry voice from on high. "No...no no no no no! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!" And literally, a chorus of one thousand construct voices each scream NO, at the top of their lungs. The entire battle field lurches to a halt. "I asked for one Gargul-grinding thing Rill! Just one! Maximum effort from everyone! Are you willing to cost Tahni her Braugh? Are you willing to cost Elhonna her command? Are you willing to cost Xuffie her redemption? If you are Rill just say the word and I'll drop them all from the tournament right now and declare you winner, then pull you in for that final battle you seem incapable of seeing past!
His hands tremble as he points a finger at Rill from his throne. There's a tiny ripple in his crafted visage, and something dark and terrible seeps past. A thing of tentacles and mouths, eyes and eyestalks, a collar and a chain. Quickly, without Tinker even seeming to notice, the ripple fades. "All I wanted are answers to questions! My existence is a balance, Rill. I know curiosity, so I seek answers. I know humor, so I seek amusing questions. I know satisfaction, so I seek amusing answers that I can always resolve. But you Rill, you seem to endlessly try and stop these simple and base processes! Tinker fidgets briefly with a small pendant, pulling against it with some strong effort, before giving up and calming down. He settles back into this trhone.
"Next time Rill. Just test me."
--Seemingly without even the slightest hitch, the fight resumes as it were. Aexana begins summoning some help. ------
Urlyrn spots Aexana's casting, and recongnizes the spell. (Spellcraft success). "Not this time!" She casts a quickened Resilient Sphere at Aexana, who must make a reflex save DC 24 or be stuck in a force bubble.
Then she casts Horrid Wilting, yet again. Aexana and Tahni, Fort DC 28 or take 63 damage. Save for half.
--The Cloud Giant smashes her oversized mace down Terser! She hits AC 39, 28, and crits against 30. She hits for 26, 30, and 62. (No DR applied.)
-------------------
Marshall is nearly full tilt, trying his best to keep a losing battle in hand. He casts Chain Lightning, starting on Bralin, then moving on to rest of the team, hitting all except Aexana.
Brailin, 84 electric damage, reflex DC 24 for half. Everyone else besides Aexana and Tahni, DC 22 for half.
Tora's getting frustrated at how ineffective he's been, but he finally has a chance to fight! He comes in on Terser for payback. His bite misses badly (critical miss), but his claws find purchase! He does 12, 10 physical damage, then 8 and 6 negative energy damage. He takes some feedback damage as well.
Move: FA Jozhur. Standard: Swift: None
---------------
Elhonna, she slides back to back with Tora. It seems like this is a maneuver they've spent some time practicing." (FYI, mailed fist are allowed Teamwork feats.) She focuses on Jozhur, but her aim is off this round.
Jozhur takes 19 damage and 2 fire damage. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Bralin starts to turn, but is slowed just enough. He takes the full effect of the lightning blast.
But the dwarf again ignores Marshall, and continues pummeling the giant.
--- FYI - AC 46 vs the giant.
Full Attack. Holy wpn overcomes DR. Atk 1 hits ac 45 for 23 hp damage Atk 2 hits ac 33 for 21 hp damage Atk 3 hits ac 39 for 18 hp damage Atk 4 hits ac 21 for 19 hp damage Haste atk hits ac 35 for 23 hp damage
Spells in Effect Prayer: +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks Haste: +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. 2x movement speed Invisibility Purge: negates all forms of invisibility within 75' Heroism: +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks. Fly
The Final Tournament - Combat Map d20=7 ; d20=17 ; d20=4 ; d20=11 ; Monday May 3rd, 2021 10:38:06 PM
Some saves.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) d100=5 ; d20+16=24 ; d20+29=42 ; d20+29=31 ; d20+24=30 ; d20+19=37 ; d20+14=23 ; d10+34=44 ; d10+34=39 ; d10+34=39 ; d10+34=35 ; d10+34=35 ; Monday May 3rd, 2021 11:34:27 PM
Terser looks up at the Cloud Giant. I almost felt that one. His armor might not keep him from getting hit, but it's sure good at warding off critical blows. 5% -avoids crit He also does a minimal sidestep and the lightning flies right by him. reflex 24, ring of evasion
HP 262 / 350
Hopefully the magic types can remove some protections from the rival magic types while he takes down the bruisers.
Attacks vs Tora - switch to the giant if she falls 1 AC 42 - 44 damage Haste AC 31 - 39 damage 2 AC 30 - 39 damage 3 AC 37 -35 damage 4 AC 23 - 35 damage
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 148/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+26=33 ; d20+16=30 ; d6=2 ; d20+28=29 ; d20+26=40 ; d20+26=39 ; d20+26=33 ; d20+21=22 ; d20+21=41 ; d20+21=33 ; d20+18=33 ; d6+9=12 ; d6+9=15 ; d6+9=14 ; d6+9=15 ; d6+9=11 ; d6+9=13 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; d6=5 ; 8d6=35 ; d3=2 ; 8d6=24 ; 8d6=32 ; 8d6=35 ; 8d6=31 ; 8d6=26 ; Tuesday May 4th, 2021 12:38:00 AM
Jozhur shudders as Rill, then the Tinker interrupt the fight. That pendent. Is there something special about it?
Before he knows it, he finds lightning shooting at him, but he manages to move faster than it, completely avoiding the shock. Realizing he will have a very hard time piecing Elhonna's armor, he turns his attention to Tora.
---------------------------------------------------- Reflex save: 33 (Pass, no damage, evasion) Shadow's touch hits touch AC 30 (targeting Elhonna): 2 STR damage Opportunist (rogue talent) attack on Tora: Miss (natural 1)
None of the below attacks will do sneak damage targeting Tora. If Tora falls, Jozhur will try to hit Elhonna.
First attack AC 40: 12 damage, 2 cold damage, 35 sneak damage First offhand attack AC 39: 15 damage, 6 cold damage, 24 sneak damage Haste attack AC 33: 14 damage, 2 cold damage, 32 sneak damage Second natural 1 Second off hand natrual 20 (33 to confirm crit): 15 damage, 6 cold damage, 35 sneak damage Third attack AC 33: 11 damage, 4 cold damage, 31 sneak damage
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+27=28 ; d20+27=38 ; d20+13=27 ; d20+17=30 ; 7d6=28 ; Tuesday May 4th, 2021 3:40:29 AM "A collar and chain? Is it possible he has a master?"
Tahni leaps to Rill's defense. "You said you wanted our best, right? Whether we come in last, just try our best? Those were your words. Our best is always giving our opponents - whoever they may be - a chance to end a fight without any further harm. We don't shy away from a fight but we fight only as long as we must. That's who we are!"
Truth be told she never expected that the Seven would agree to surrender. The Fist don't believe in such a thing, and certainly not Elhonna. The fight would continue.
She considers a particular phrasing that involves the Tinker writing something in his notebook and then sticking it... no... not the time for insults.
Tahni has burnt through a lot of her high level spells in this bout. The next one is going to be interesting.
She digs into some of her lesser spells and tries to help finish off some of the Seven. She starts with a Vampiric Touch.
------------------- Per email, not sure if Urlryn has line of sight/effect to Tahni as she's behind the wall. If she needs to save vs Fort DC28: 28 (Nat1!) = Fail. Use Improved Gtr Fortitude for a reroll: 38=Pass! 32pts damage.
Standard action: Use Spectral Hand to deliver a Vampiric Touch attack. She will target Tora (if still alive) otherwise Elhonna. Hits TouchAC27. Spell penetration check: 30. Target takes 28pts damage and Tahni gains 28 temp HP
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Tuesday May 4th, 2021 8:16:28 AM
Fang ignores the Tinker, leaning back and attempting to take a nap until it's over and she's out of this weird not-really-dead state.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 d20+17=20 ; 15d6=57 ; Tuesday May 4th, 2021 12:45:48 PM
Rill fails his reflex save and takes a "shocking" amount of damage.
Rill silently says to his friends, "Well said Tahni. We just leaned some important things about this Tinker. Perhaps I can goad him into revealing more."
Rill moves up in the air where he can see all four of the remaining members of the Sapphire Seven. As he does so, he replies to the Tinker. "Ahhh. Tinker. Free will. That is what you cannot tolerate or understand. We make our own choices, and all you can do is try to manipulate us. You have trapped Braugh, but you still cannot control Tahni. Elhonna is her own person, and neither you NOR the Fist define her. And there is no redemption Xuffie can get from you that she cannot get from me.
"You are a pitiable, limited thing on a leash, doomed to never understand us, doomed to never fit in, doomed to never be free. You should have simply come to us and asked our help. Maybe you should try that now - ask us to help you and see how we balance justice and mercy."
"To the Sapphire Seven - concede this fight. You can see as well as I that the battle is lost. There is no shame or dishonor in admitting the obvious. And simply ending things now will constitute a fight to the finish, since the outcome is inevitable at this point. Your contract should not be violated by that."
Rill has only taken a move action. As he speaks, Rill readies a Standard Action to cast Flame Strike on either Marshall or Urlryn - whomever begins to cast a spell.
--------------------------- Move Action - hasted, moves up and is 15' in the air. Standard Action - Readied Flame Strike, which should interrupt a spell being cast and force a concentration check.
Flame Strike - 10' diameter column 40' high. 57 damage, DC 24 Reflex save for half. Note that half the damage is fire damage, but the other half results directly from divine power and is therefore not subject to being reduced by resistance to fire-based attacks.
Spells/Effects Running: Status on all, Longstrider, Deathwatch, Tongues, See Invisible, Invisibility Purge (110'), Spell Resistance 20/25 vs evil, Haste, Prayer, Holy Aura
NOTE - Rill, Terser, and Aex all shine with a bright radiance. If anyone succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD d20+18=31 ; d20+22=33 ; d20+26=27 ; 4d6=12 ; 18d6=57 ; 4d6=17 ; Tuesday May 4th, 2021 6:48:48 PM
HP Tracking : starting this round Aex has 195/195 HP Reflex save VS Resilient Sphere : 31 - success Fort save vs Horrid Wilting : 33 - success - - 31 HP End of enemy round Aex has : 164/195 HP
The little greenmage sadly loses the Summoning spell she was casting due to the damage she took last turn. So Aex moves around the steel wall in front of her so she gets a clear view on Urlryn. She opens her hands and from it a sunbeam shines into Urlryn and another one at Marshall.
Urlryn : 12HP Blinded + Reflex DC 27 for half and negate blindness IF Vulnerable to light damage x 2 IF undead : 57HP and blinded (ref save 27 for half) Marshall : 17HP Blinded + Reflex DC 27 for half and negate blindness
After casting her spell she makes a 5ft step to get close behind the wall .
Aex starts player round at
The Final Tournament - Combat Map Tuesday May 4th, 2021 10:43:23 PM
Terser fells both Tora, and the Cloud Giant. Jozhur inflicts a small wound past Elhonnas defenses, and Tahni steals a bit of life from Elhonna. Fang finds the whole affair incredibly strange.
Yet again, Aexana's actions are interrupted.
Rill refuses to fight, and tests Tinker yet again by offering Elhonna a chance to surrender. She thinks about it for a moment, then lowers her sword. Marshall begins to loudly protest, but he's quickly shushed by Urlryn.
Tinker squirms on his throne, suddenly in anguish from a thousand unanswered questions, and a thousand thousand paths run through his mind. After a moment, he regains his composure.
"Really well said Rill! Really!" Once again, Tinkers form starts to ripple, revealing the monster underneath the façade. His voice is louder, and it reverberates in the chests of all who can hear him. "I told you Rill... that I would respond if provoked and you chose to do it! Isn't that grand!? What a development! I mean, there's a way this could have gone, and a way it should have gone, but now this is the way it IS going to go." His many faces curl in curiosity, each suggesting a different thought or question.
One bundle of flashing tentacles, impossibly numerous and large, at least fifty feet in length, slides down towards the arena, its many mouths talking in unison. Some slide towards the fallen fighters from the Sapphire Seven, ready to remove them from the arena. Others come to rest at the arena edges.
"But what about you, Tahni? What is YOUR choice? Rill is playing a dangerous game with lives that aren't his. I'm happy to oblige him, but what about you? I'll allow you the choice, since Rill says control is all I care about." One tentacle group slides protectively around Braughs crystal, while flashes of Tinkers humanoid form are simply him resting a hand over the fallen fighter. "Will you accept their surrender?"
Elhonna stands motionless, her face grim but full of resolve. Marshall is trying to scream something to the dragons, but Urlryn is preventing him.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Wednesday May 5th, 2021 12:01:28 AM "Don't!" Tahni takes a half step towards the Tinker as the tentacle slides over the crystal. Her fists are clenched, but she feels powerless to actually stop him.
She looks to Elhonna, the honorable warrior. Marshall? She never really had much to do with him. Urlryn though. Tahni glances to Jozhur to see how he is reacting. She knows the two have become close. Finally she looks to Rill.
She can feel her eyes start to water as she is given this impossible choice. The Tinker has all the power here. Tahni turns back to him and releases the tension from her hands. Her shoulders have slumped and her head has dropped in defeat. She closes her eyes for a moment and concentrates on her breathing.
Tahni finally raises her head to look squarely at the Tinker. "Bruagh is selfless. A warrior of Domi who has spent his life protecting others. He ran into a collapsing building to save a baby from a cult. He stood in front of an army of undead to give others a chance to escape. He would never want his life to be traded or bartered for the lives of others." She stands proudly as she decribes her love.
Her hands clench again so tightly that her knuckles turn white and her gaze turns more into a glare. "If you were to take Bruagh's life then I would have nothing left to fight for here. No reason to fight any of the other teams or participate in the tournament. I would appeal to Lord Gargul for his safe return, offering all that I have. If my request was denied, then you would have taken everything from me. All I would have left is time in this life and the next to find a way to destroy you. I would venture to every plane and appeal to every god to see it through." There is a darkness now to Tahni's eyes, something noone in the party has seen before. As a bloodwitch Tahni has access to many spells others would call 'evil', and if something were to happen to Bruagh - in front of her eyes - she would use every one of them. "I hope it doesn't come to that."
Tahni calms down just a little. "Yes. I will accept their surrender. We fought our best, as you asked. You were witness to a fight unheard of in this tournament before, and one that will likely be spoken of for some time. Surely it must have satiated your curiosity. You should also consider this: the reason the other teams agreed to this was the condition you gave that everyone leaves alive and well. Killing anyone now could mean all the other teams withdraw and there will be nothing left for you to witness. There is no need for any further suffering or death. It is now up to you as to what happens next. You have the control."
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) Wednesday May 5th, 2021 3:56:27 AM
With the fight seemingly on hold, Terser sidles towards Fang and any of the nearby downed 7. He doesn't want anyone taken up by those tentacles and readies himself to sever any that come near.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday May 5th, 2021 8:06:21 AM
Fang snores loudly in the dream state the tinker pulled her into. Her a actual body doesn’t snore of course it’s busy being dead.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 d20+38=49 ; d20+33=35 ; Wednesday May 5th, 2021 11:50:35 AM
Rill will use his fly spell to move toward the Tinker, stopping within about 5' of him and floating about 10' off the ground. Rill still glows with a bright radiance, illuminating his white robes that contrast against his dark skin. He hopes that the broadcast continues because he wants to others to clearly see how, not just the Sea Dragons, but the Dragon Consortium in general handle things.
"You are an interesting creature Tinker. Relax. You say you came to mold us. You say you have been studying us. And yet you seem to have learned little about how we solve problems and resolve conflict. You are omnipotent in this space, and yet you succumbed to mere words. You expect us to use a sledge hammer where a scalpel will do.
"But you have learned much about us today, and you have seen how we can be effective with sword, spell and speech. If we are to learn from you, tell us about yourself. Tell us what manner of creature you are, and where you are from. Do you absorb creatures into yourself, or have you always been the many faceted being we see now? How can we become powerful like you? How is it that a being so powerful has moved among us and we have not known about you. And what changed that you would reveal yourself now?"
"Oh, and don't mess with Tahni. You really don't want to be on her bad side. Learn that if nothing else."
As Rill speaks, he looks this creature over carefully. (Perception 49, Sense Motive 35)
He says silently to the others, "What are we missing here? What do you see? Is there a collar? A pendant? A leash? Where does the leash go? Does it seem to carry or use other items? What about the throne - is it connected to him some how? Is there something keeping the rift open that we could close or destroy? There has to be a way to defeat him."
Rill also probes the Tinker in his current form (and perhaps others): Foresee Offspring: A soulseeker who gazes at a living creature as a full round action has a chance to predict traits that the creature's offspring will exhibit. Sense Outsider - Sense direction and distance to any outsider, fey, demon, devil, or elemental within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Sense Construct - Sense direction and distance to any any construct, animated object, or golem within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD Wednesday May 5th, 2021 6:29:35 PM
Yet again Aex's spells fail to go through... she looks at her hands and shakes them up and down hoping the next spells will work...
But when the fight comes to a pauze she's stands perplexed... Not sure what she's to do next, the Greenmage waits patiently...
Bralin - MikeK - (AC42 T15 F34, CMD 44 HP 197/276) -4 Dex Wednesday May 5th, 2021 6:53:36 PM
Bralin tries to take in the monstrosity the Tinker has revealed itself to be.
His mind whirls.
Immensely old. Immensely powerful. He has no concept of rationing power against a future need. And yet also contained. Trapped? Mayhap exiled? A puzzle indeed.
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Wednesday May 5th, 2021 10:55:21 PM
Bonetown players, I have sent you an important email about retirement and what comes after. I need each of you to reply please.
[DMs, after everyone has posted once, you may delete this. :)]
The Final Tournament - Combat Map Wednesday May 5th, 2021 11:09:09 PM
Tinkers features ripple again. The impossibly large creature you see is replaced yet again by the fit, simple dressed older man with a genuine smile. His eyes are wide with wonder. "F...f .. fascinating! Truly marvelous! - Tahni -, you are a brave creature just like I knew you to be! This, THIS is the you that I know and love! Dark, brooding, full of resolve and dripping with threat! A pure heart, but you are willing to drop it into the pot of malice if it seems like all you have left!" His gaze slides to Rill. "And you are ever the same, Rillet! A strong force for good in your tiny world, a lion in the face of danger!" He sweeps an arm wide over the rest of the team.
"Then there's Aexana, who always always tries, never to quit! Terser and Braugh, a pair of dwarves as tough as the mountains and as strong as steel! This is why you've beaten me once, bested me thrice, and continue to draw my eye! So lucky am I!" He jumps with a sudden start. "And our dear Fang! Who can... well.." He frowns as she snores away through his epiphany. "Fang exists!" He chuckles a bit. "Well no actually, she's a marvelous creature in her own right. She's dealing with a creature from a completely different night sky, and she's napping right through me! How delightful!"
He moves his hands away from Braugh, and brief flashes of the pale flesh and pulsating tentacles show through in brief skips of time. He tugs again against his pendant, but it doesn't budge. "This damnable thing...", he mutters. As he pulls, his form ripples back to his monstrous bulk. This time, you can clearly see his large golden gorget, bound by an impossibly thin but sparkling tether. It leads upwards, behind him, into the sky and then dissapears. His form ripples back to humanoid, and the chain is gone again.
"Sorry, I'm further from home than I'm normally allowed. Its getting harder to maintain a grip here.", he sheepishly admits. "I believe this round is complete!" He snaps his fingers, and the fallen members of the Fist stand back up, shakily to their feet. It seems the arena is still keeping people alive. Fang too, is revived at 1 hp.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 148/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+31=50 ; Wednesday May 5th, 2021 11:15:16 PM
As Elhonna lowers her weapon, Jozhur drops his arms to his sides. He nods to Urlryn as she shushes Marshall, wondering what he is trying to say. He wants to say something to her, but he doesn't want to give anything to Tinker that could further endanger her, though he probably already knows about them.
He has nothing to say. Instead he stands silently, carefully studying the monster.
Perception: 50
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 148/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+24=34 ; d20+30=34 ; Wednesday May 5th, 2021 11:42:15 PM Further from home than he is normally allowed?
Jozhur breaks his silence, "Rill had some questions for you. Given all we've gone through for you entertainment and study, I think the least you could do is answer a few questions."
Provided the Tinker gives him a chance to ask, "What do you mean 'further from home than you're allowed? And what is that thing you wear? Who did this to you?"
He watches and carefully gages Tinkers response.
Sense motive: 34 Perception: 34
The Final Tournament - Combat Map Thursday May 6th, 2021 12:05:38 AM
DM Bonus Post.
"Fair enough Jozhur! Rill did indeed ask!" He slides the pendant further under his shirt. He seems unwilling to talk about it alone he seems. " I am a creature not of this plane, or this system at all, Dragons. I happened here quite by accident!" He waggles his fingers, and a large display of lights, swirling clouds, and bright burning balls burst into view. "Your planet, this.. Wold, is not stationary. FAR from it you see. It's careening through space, the endless black expanse of the sky, at unfathomable speeds."
He points to a murky black disk, cutting a straight path through the gathered images. "This, is my place. It is where I am allowed to be, and where I shall always remain. For now, my place has overlapped with your place. That's why neither you, nor your gods, really truly understand me, nor knew about me at all." He shrugs. "But in the cold dark of the sky, planets and other life forms are rare. Exceedingly so, and when my place came streaking within the an acceptable distance of yours, I couldn't contain myself! I had to explore!" The old man Tinker literally hugs himself with joy. "When you have a suns lifetime between places to visit, you have time to think of lots of things you want to try when you finally find one."
"It would be impossible for me to explain exactly -what- I am to you. The building blocks of me are unique, and the only word you have that accurately describes me would be cosmic entity. I exist, therefore I am me. There is only one of me, and in all my time of existence, I've only been .. well.. hampered by mortals once other than yourselves.. and defeated directly once by something else entirely. I'm not what you'd call a god, in fact I avoid THOSE detestable creatures entirely. I take great pains not to break their rules of creation, because doing so brings down their wrath. I've tussled with one or two on other worlds, and find their absolute control of the subject matter they create to be an unfair advantage."
He considers Rills final question. "Your brief and hushed romance with this Urlryn creature has been wonderful to consume. I'll answer this too." Urlryn shifts uncomfortably. "My place is always moving. I cannot be too far from it, and though the maximum overlap has ended, I can still reach here. It's why I -have- to keep things moving! Otherwise I'll never get all my answers! Who can beat you? Anyone here? I've called the best on your whole planet together! How do you respond when called to both save the day AND protect your own interests? For example if I offered Tersers sister in exchange for say, the lives of one hundred spectators, who would he choose? Why would he choose it? Questions abound and I have so little time!"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday May 6th, 2021 4:00:38 AM
Tahni eyes the Tinker suspiciously. If Fang is within reach - or moves within reach - Tahni will cast a heal spell on her.
She lets Rill and the others do the talking thing. She's said her piece. She's still not in a great mood, but it looks like everyone is safe at the moment.
Tahni looks over the rest of the Seven to see whether they are badly injured at all. She suspects they'll be able to heal themselves, but she's ready to help if they look like they need it.
--------- Cast Heal on Fang. Fang is healed for 150pts
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday May 6th, 2021 8:16:07 AM
Fang wakes from death and stretches. She's up just in time to hear the Tinker's speech. "So, wait, does that mean that after this tournament is done you'll be out of range of us and be gone? Cause lets be honest I really, really don't like you and would be more inclined to cooperate if I knew you'd go away and never return afterwards."
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 Thursday May 6th, 2021 11:43:04 AM
I assume this thing did not detect as a construct, but of course the monk chorus does. Did it detect as an outsider in both it's "human" and tentacled forms. How about the Foresee Offspring thing? Did that reveal anything at all? It's an odd class ability that I've never been able to use, though it may not be applicable here.
And if we've had a minute to observe him, what does Probe Psyche reveal about the Tinker? I haven't used this on him yet, and it may reveal something interesting. I don't really get much chance to use this.
As the Sapphire Seven are restored, Rill asks the Tinker, "Say, is the fantastic magic the Chancers have here that prevents death and can instantly heal - is that you doing? Have you been involved in these games these many years?"
Rill continues to keep an eye on the Tinker as he drifts through the air and down to Elhonna. He extends his hand. "Thank you for a good and fair fight. And thank you for your backing us when it was needed. You and your team are free to call on me if I can be of service in the future."
------------------------------------------------------- Foresee Offspring: A soulseeker who gazes at a living creature as a full round action has a chance to predict traits that the creature's offspring will exhibit. Sense Outsider - Sense direction and distance to any outsider, fey, demon, devil, or elemental within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Sense Construct - Sense direction and distance to any any construct, animated object, or golem within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Probe Psyche - After one minute of observation and/or conversation, a seeker can use this ability to gain insight on the creature. The target may make a Will Save against this ability, at a DC of 25 to resist the effect. If the target passes their save then their alignment is revealed. If the target fails their save the seeker knows their alignment and personality, and gains a +2 Insight bonus to attacks, armor class, and spell DC against the creature. Creatures almost universally view the use of probe psyche as unnerving at best, rude and insulting at worst. NPCs subjected to the power shift their attitude toward the soulseeker by 1d3 steps toward hostile.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) Thursday May 6th, 2021 2:32:00 PM To some extent, it sounds like we can just wait it out and it won't be able to come here anymore. But what does that say for the next world that catches its eye?
It admits answering to a higher power and not being able to compete directly with Gods. If we cut off its connection or even kill it somehow, what keeps its masters from seeking vengeance? Should we have our parents (Gods) call its parents (leash-holders)?
Privately, he agrees with Fang. It would benefit many an unsuspecting world to destroy this creature, but the dwarf has no idea how that may be accomplished. The best course for this world may just be to keep it occupied until it can no longer touch it.
Universal Burden
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 Thursday May 6th, 2021 6:52:27 PM
Rill asks silently, "Also, where did the leash go? Is it merely invisible? Is it astral? Is it ethereal? If it still connects him it must be there somehow. Can any of the rest of you see it?"
Dark Matter Friday May 7th, 2021 1:04:20 AM Jozhur looks for Urlryn, and doesn't need to look far. Its not long before his dark valkyrie is right next to him, slipping a cold hand into his. "Marshal fears for Elhonna. We were ordered to win. We didn't, and worse is that we didn't even fight to the last." She looks at Tinker. "Though, I think when she gives her report, the parameters for success are going to change."
Tahni heals Fang with no problem. Tinker doesn't seem interested in stopping her. Fang, once conscious, lets Tinker know how she feels. He laughs. "I'll be gone, never to return! Well, unless cosmic lanes and winds bring my tiny knot of reality back across your path. I'll have to find a new planet to ponder, new species to study, and new questions to answer! I don't think it shall be as difficult as it's been here so far. You lot, like I said earlier, are part of a very small group to cause me any difficulty at all!"
Someone? asks tinker if he's responsible for the healing fields. "I'm not. Neither are they, actually. Its more to do with this island, and less to do with anything those silly pimpernels and dandys can do." He grumbles. "Except that Bezos. He nearly figured me out right from the beginning. If I hadn't convinced him there would be casualties, then he would have been HERE. Not something I wanted at all."
Rill is finally able to get some uninterrupted time to study Tinker.
Forsee Offspring: You are entirely certain that Tinker is not something capable of breeding at all. There's no offspring in his future. It's like he told you, the universe sort of... made him, like it might make a quasar or a star. Or how it might sentient life from a single cell in an ocean.
Sense Outsider: Tinker is completely foreign. Rill knows he's an outsider, and "Extraplanar Cosmic Outsider" would be the appropriate title, in either form. You get the sense that even the ripples of Tinkers real form is something he's [i]letting[/g] you see, just a small glimpse behind the curtain.
Probe Pysche: Though most creatures consider this rude and un-nerving, Tinker seems to not really mind. In fact, for his part, he tries to make it easier. Its like he's done this before with Rill, and twirls this way and that for the cleric to get a better idea of just WHAT they've met. Further, not only does not try and resist the ability, Rill feels his astral probe get snared by what feels like strong jaws, and get sucked deeper into the Tinker than he knew was even possible! For those who are not the spies of Gargul, prying with self righteousness into the minds of others, Tinker creates a small window of magic.
What Rill sees, the dragons all see. Not as intensely, but they get the drift.
Tinker is a creature that hasn't lied about what he is or his motivations. Scenes of Tinkers larger form, sitting solitary on its own cosmic plane, flash through Rills mind. It's almost like watching a mastiff, sitting in its yard alert, waiting for something to investigate. Much like the mastiff, Rill is certain that Tinkers leash is both what keeps him bound to his plane, and what keeps him safe. Rills is suddenly aware that the reason Tinkers planar influence seems to reach endlessly to wherever he is, is because it is centered on him after all.
He sees flashes of a battle in the darkness of space, and some other entity, impossibly large and dark, is victorious over Tinker, binding him rather than destroying him. Rill feels no mercy in the gesture, but rather domination. A collector of powerful entities, nabbing a unique prize and putting it on a shelf.
More than once, many countless times actually, Rill sees Tinker fight to escape his leash. When he does, chaos ensues as he eagerly, like an abandoned dog, jumps and paws at anything he can reach. Whole planets have fallen to his curiosity, though it be free from actual malice, much like a hound killing a kitten whilst trying to play.
Time and again, Tinkers master finds him, and rebinds a leash to his collar, then abandons his charge. The leash is the key, the weak link. It can be broken again and again. Though the master has perfected the collar, he's been unable to perfect the leash. Rill's quite certain that if the leash is broken, Tinker would no longer be a part of his shadowy mass in space, but quite real and quite killable.
In fact, Rill sees clearly a memory or vision, of a defeated Tinker melting into goop and viscera, leaving behind only his collar, an artifact of immense power. In the vision, the victorious ... warrior... as large as a mountain, raises a weapon to smash the collar, and the vision ends.
As Rills senses retreat... or maybe are finally allowed to pull back, he sees a smiling Tinker. Notebook at the ready, he puts ink to paper. "Now that you've seen.. THAT .. Dragons, THIS is something I've been dying to know. You've seen behind the curtain, what comes next? Will you kill me? CAN you kill me? Can I even be killed? I'm not sure myself!"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Friday May 7th, 2021 1:20:58 AM
Once she's satisfied that everyone - Fang and the Seven - are all healed, Tahni turns her attention back to the Tinker.
There is one obvious question that comes to Tahni's mind. "Do you WANT to die? To be killed? If you do, then would you like us to try?" She's pretty sure a couple of the party would be more than happy to oblige.
"Just wondering, but if we were to kill him, would we potentially be killing the pet of some larger and potentially nastier being? This guy is enough trouble on his own."
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday May 7th, 2021 8:09:11 AM "So wait, if you just sort of float through space barely touching places why did you try to destroy everything with those weird devices we destroyed? I mean it seems like a stupid way to alleviate boredom. I bet if you'd actually bothered to pay attention to places before now you'd find plenty of folks just as interesting as us even if not as powerful. That was you right, with the machines we dismantled?"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) Friday May 7th, 2021 5:23:54 PM If the collar is truly so powerful, could it be attached to something, or someone else? It would be a worthy sacrifice, if it could deflect the attention of that entity from our world once the Tinker is able to explore death.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 Friday May 7th, 2021 5:43:12 PM
Rill recalls that the ring he wears allows him to speak to, not just his own group, but to any Dragon Consortium member on this plane. So he does something he's never done before. He opens the Dragon Consortium Ring so that it communicates with ALL the Dragon Groups at once, mirroring what he says through the rings.
He begins silently with, I am Rillett Savenport of the Sea Dragons addressing a seemingly omnipotent being.
The he says both out loud and through the rings.
"We are not really fit to judge your existence or the creature that holds your leash. But you cannot be allowed to run amok here again. Ever. If it is a fight you wish, so be it.
"But if you have studied us, you have seen that good prevails over evil here. You are a powerful being. If you are willing to work for good - to improve the lives of people here in a way that does not infringe on their freedoms - and you are willing to submit to the Gods of the Wold, perhaps you can stay here in your current form. There is much good you could do here with your powers.
"What say you Tinker?"
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD Friday May 7th, 2021 6:46:17 PM
Aex listens as many things unfold before her... she opens her mouth... but shuts it again. this is all just too crazy...
(ooc this feels soo much like the Electric Castle from Ayreon...)
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Saturday May 8th, 2021 8:57:54 AM
Fang scoffs at Rill. "We're in as good a place to judge as any, we're the ones who've caught his interest, the ones who have lived through his tests, and likely the only ones able to do anything about him, either by trying to convince or kill him."
To the Tinker she states said judgement. "You're an extradimensional creature floating around and occasionally running across realities with beings and gods on them. To alleviate your boredom you mess with them. I'm not going to judge you for that, gods only knows what I would do after such isolation, but I do judge you for the results of your meddling. We were told if we had not stopped the devices you made, the ones that made you so interested in us, that they would destroy our reality. If we had not repeatedly made you reverse your actions there would be a trail of corpses left behind you.
This is not ok. Mere mortals may be insignificant compared to you but that doesn't mean our existence isn't just as important to us as yours is to you. Not to mention breaking reality to see how it works or whatever is the equivalent of a kid breaking his toys then having nothing to play with. If you truly find us so fascinating and respect us so much then show it by taking some of our ideals forwards. Don't break realities and try to put things back the way they were when you're done with a place. Don't let your momentary amusement as you pass through be a permanent end or scar on those who will have to deal with your actions once you're gone."
Bralin - MikeK - (AC42 T15 F34, CMD 44 HP 197/276) -4 Dex Saturday May 8th, 2021 9:30:51 AM
Bralin frowns. His comrades seem to have missed a key element of the vision.
He has been killed. And yet he is here. Mayhap reborn, mayhap reconstituted, mayhap regenerated.
The dwarf considers the Tinker's comments.
Mayhap he can make himself truly mortal. Can we convince him mortality is a mystery he has not truly explored?
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Sunday May 9th, 2021 11:26:59 PM
Jozhur feels a little better about things with Urlryn at his side, "Yes, I think Elhonna will be forgiven. Interference from an interstellar being should be excuse enough."
He shakes his head at Bralin, The collar was destroyed. Well, presumably at least. It could be a vision of sorts. Jozhur wishes he knew the answer with certainty. It seems we are to break the tether, kill Tinker, then destroy the collar. If we wish to fight him.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) Monday May 10th, 2021 4:54:01 PM I interpreted that vision differently. It looked like the Tinker had been killed, but the collar wasn't destroyed successfully so it reconstituted him. But since it cut off, we can't truly know.
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Monday May 10th, 2021 6:41:23 PM
ATTN Brock and Mark B. :)
I need to know what game you want to restart in please. Brock check your emails and reply please.
Mark B, please make your decision. :)
I need that info so I can begin recruiting for openings.
The vision seems to have left some of the Sea Dragons unsure of what exactly they saw. Rill's abilities let a lot of information seep back to the party, now they have the difficult job of coming to a consensus on what they saw.
Tahni takes the initiative. Does Tinker want to die? "I don't even know if I can! It's a grand mystery to me, and I'll find out one day! Maybe soon!" He pauses for a moment when she asks if he wants them to try. "I want you to do what you think is best! If it means killing me, then do it! It should be a grand time!"
Fang brings up his machines, and Tinker seems lost for a second. Then with a flash he remembers. "Right! Those! to be honest, I had no real idea what I was doing with them, but your gods certainly did! I found those, but I didn't build them. I wanted to see what they did, and what a hornets nest THAT was." He does a crooked little grin. "But if not for them, I wouldn't have met you, Fang."
The DM assumes Tersers conversation was in the rings, and Tinker doesn't respond.
Rill lays out a path to redemption for Tinker, and it seems to be considered for a good long while. In the end, he shakes his head. "Sorry Rill, but I'm what I am. Plus, my staying would eventually bring my .. Master.. to collect me. Then he'd have to fight your gods here, and I have no idea how that would go. Maybe... that's worth arranging? Tinkers cogs start turning before he finally shakes his head no. [b]"Nope! There's still the part where I would have to stop tinkering.. stop learning. That's as natural to me as breathing is to you! Sorry Rill, but as powerful as I am, I'm also very very limited in that I am always ruled by my nature. There's no changing that."
A moment later, Rill hears a voice through the ring. It speaks with a quiet authority. "Rill, this is Sesha of the Iron Dragons. We hear you. Please keep me informed."
Fangs second wind is much like Tahni and Rills, a way for Tinker to co-exist on the Wold. He seems to file the information away, even taking notes, but in the end he shrugs apologetically. "I'm sorry Fang. I tinker. I break things. My toys call to me like love calls to a mortal of this world. Its something I just don't turn off! I think it's fascinating how much you are all learning about me, while I'm trying to learn about you!
Terser, Brailin, and Jozhur discuss the actual matter at hand. What to do? From the vision, breaking the leash is the first step to actually harming Tinker. How wasn't really clear, perhaps spellcraft could hypothesize that by snapping his link to his "place", he's removed from that shadowy realm completely. Knowledge Arcana or Religion might reveal that its common for an item to link a creature of immense size to a more sustainable environment while allowing them to project elsewhere.
There's no -real- truth here at the moment any guess is as good as any, but the images and probe psyche made it quite clear. Breaking the leash is the first step to killing this creature, if that's what you wish. Fang however seized on quite the point, in a milennia of travels, he's only been beat twice, and one of those was to his master. Its very likely that there might not be that many civilizations out there capable of resisting him, if he were to move on with his trip through the cosmos.
---------------------------------
Tinker seems to see everyones gears turning, so a proposal comes from him personally. "Seeing as I think we've bypassed the need to take this tournament any further, lets get this show on the road!" He waves his hands, and suddenly each of the remaining teams are present, waiting in the arena.
To be clear, there are the Dragons, The Seven, I, Construct, Dragon Sound, Last Whisper, and the Fangs of the Beast.
"Lets lay it on the line, shall we? A simple game before I go onwards to my next destination, wherever that is. It's been asked over and over and over again and I simply cannot take it any longer! Can you win, Dragons? That's my final question."
He sweeps away the current arena, and it dissolves around you like sand in the wind. More gestures, more miracles. First, a raised platform is erected. Then a second, much larger than the first. (Map to come tomorrow). I'll be here." He gestures to the smallest platform. "You lot, here." He gestures to the larger of the two. "
He puts his hands on his hips and purses his lips. He's looking over the teams. [b]"Pick a side folks! There's a game about to start!" He smiles. "Now who wants to join my team! Your rewarded with .. well.. being less likely to die! Furthermore, I'll grant any one wish to the survivors! And of course, you can not pick any team, but when I'm done here... who knows what I'll do?"
There a sudden silence in the arena as people start considering choices.
I, Construct. Right away, a voice rings out. "Terser may have left when I was small, and it may be you that brought us together, creature, but I'll stick with my brother through thick and then. All of I construct declares for the Dragons!"
Fangs of the Beast: Another voice also rings out. "Our choice is clear. Survival dictates we side with the greater power. We declare for the Tinker." There's whispers and murmurs as Mint speaks. Grandpa sighs, but takes his place near her. Mirri and Kirri seem uncertain. Sky follows confidently, with a slight nod of affirmation. Runt waits for Fang, who is hesitant. Mint seems to have expected this. "Don't forget that bonds of companionship run deeper than all others. Remember your pack."
Mint, Grandpa, and Sky: For Tinker. Fang, Mirri, Kirri, Runt: Undecided.
Last Whisper, seems mostly uncertain as to what to do next. When several look to Xuffie, she shrugs. "I'm not your mother. Serve your ends as best you can. We were put together, resurrected, or bailed from prison to win our investors a million gold. There's a lot more happening than that now, and the tournament is all said and done for the parts that matter. You are on your own to decide." Caisyth, and nearly instantly after, Blue 31 and Tencent all step towards Tinker. "It's a forgone conclusion.", someone mutters.
Caisyth, Blue 31, and Tencent: For Tinker Xuffie, Cid and Khloud: Undecided.
Dragon Sound Han Valen and The Foreigner, his aasimar halo burning bright, immediately declare for the Dragons. "Its whats right, loves. This thing is a killer." The rest of Dragon Sound seem unsure. "I don't think they can win, mate. I'll be sitting this set out. Someones got to write a song from the bards perspective."
Han Valen and Foreigner: For Dragons. Everyone Else: Will not participate.
The Sapphire Seven all look to Elhonna. "We have pledged ourselves already to the Dragons." As she starts to step though, another voice interjects. "Hold on a dang second. Haven't you seen what they are going to fight? We barely lost, and I think that thing is worth about 100 Sapphire Sevens. Count me out." Hin crosses his arms. Elhonna responds. "I'm still your commander in the field. This is desertion, Hin." Ther'es a clear threat there, but he grins and cracks his knuckles. "Who says you'll survive to report me?" Elhonna frowns in return. "Aurum, Tora, Crall. Go secure the ship."
Hin: For Tinker Elhonna, Marshall, Urlryn: Dragons Crall, Aurum, Tora: Will not participate.
------------------------
Tinker smiles. "Battle lines are drawn! But I think the sides are a bit unfair!" He taps his chin. "How can I convince some of these undecideds" It dawns on you he might have the right idea. Perhaps some of these fence sitters could be persuaded?
Each player, pick one undecided character. Not one that is either sitting out, or for Tinker. Make an attempt to influence them. Multiple characters on the same NPC have higher odds. Use any relevant skill, or personal interaction, to try and pull them to your side. Tinker will have his own methods as well, so choose carefully!
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Tuesday May 11th, 2021 2:53:07 AM
Tahni shakes her head. "What exactly are we fighting for? If you cannot be killed or stopped then this fight is pointless and we may as well just leave now."
"We need some sort of guarantee that the Wold - and others like it - will be safe afterwards. Otherwise, like I said, what are we fighting for?"
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Tuesday May 11th, 2021 8:27:57 AM
Fang mulls over the vision that I totally read before and didn't miss. She gives a viscous smile and rolls her eyes as people declare for the Tinker. "We've beaten you all before, we'll beat you again. We've even beaten the Tinker's games again and again, even if we haven't managed to kill him yet. And we know how to rectify that last part now." She has no illusions of making them change their mind, but shaking their confidence in their choice is equally useful.
She makes her direct appeal to her sister of course. "Come on sis. We didn't take this jerk's deal when we were lying in the dirt after our duel, you're going to take it now? Lets do this together, like what should have been possible all these years we've been separated."
Bralin - MikeK - (AC42 T15 F34, CMD 44 HP 197/276) -4 Dex d20+26=44 ; Tuesday May 11th, 2021 11:36:03 AM I have a ghost touch weapon, Bralin tells the team. Mayhap that leash can be severed.
No dwarves are undecided. Bralin is not surprised, but he knows he is most convincing with those of his own race.
Spying Cid of Last Whisper still considering, Bralin attempts to sway him.
The dwarf approaches the warrior. "The Tinker promises rewards, but only if you survive. He also makes no promises he will spare the Wold should he become victorious. His words ring hollow.
You were brought here for fame, for fortune, to defeat the very best the universe has to offer. And there he stands, a being so powerful even those who have fought us dismiss our chances.
This will be a battle sung of for generations. The gods themselves will witness and tell of it. But only if we win. Before you know lies the opportunity to hang your name in the stars forever. Not only as one of the fiercest warriors ever known, but also one of the greatest heroes ever known.
I said in the arena I would be proud to call you ally. I hold by those words. Join us. Fight with us. Secure the immortality you seek."
Bralin offers his arm, and holds his gaze.
-- Using Hero Point pre-roll Diplomacy Check 44
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) d20+31=45 ; d20+10=19 ; Tuesday May 11th, 2021 3:59:21 PM
Terser tuts with shame to Mint. Remember your pack? There's no one more anti-pack than that thing. Intimidate 45
He backs up Fang's appeal to Claw. We'd be honoured to have you on our side. I'm certainly looking forward to fighting side-by-side with my sis. He gives Jada a little side hug and flashes his best smile to Claw. diplomacy 19
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Tuesday May 11th, 2021 6:51:20 PM
Tahni raises her hand slightly to get Elhonna's attention. "With respect, Captain Elhonna, Crall has given me his word that he would help if asked. A verbal contract, if you will. I'm calling on that now and asking for you, as a Leader in the Fist, to allow him to keep his word and honor the contract. I'd ask that you let him make the choice to stay now. A good soldier shouldn't have to choose between his honor and following an order. I'm sure you understand. One's honor can become their legacy." Tahni looks at Hin.
------------ OOC: I know that Crall is listed as 'will not participate' however Tahni has his marker and is calling it in. Highlight to display spoiler: {Apr 16th: "That's good for one freebie from ol' Crall. I can't promise my whole team, but you seem to be good company. I'll help you if you need me, just ask.}
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD Tuesday May 11th, 2021 7:36:41 PM
Not one of those who is yet undecided has had close dealings with Aexana... But she looks over at Grandpa of the Fangs...
"Good Sir why then do you side with the Tinker... is this the legacy you will leave for your great grand children?! Why not side with us and help these young-lings prevail building a better Wold. Come join us Sir... and if we come to our end at least it will be a glorious one... one where we fought for Mother Wold... the one Mother that binds us all... "
Aex stretches a hand to Grandpa...
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 d20+24=37 ; Tuesday May 11th, 2021 7:48:41 PM
Rill silently replies to ALL the Dragons, ”Thank you Sesha. If we fail here it will fall all of you in the Dragon Consortium to end this Tinker person.” Then Rill silently fills them all in what’s going on (but spares the rest of you an even longer post.)
The white-robed cleric looks over the field as it transforms at the whims of the Tinker.
"You know, you talk pretty big Tinker. Which is easy to do for someone that can rearrange the entire battlefield with a wave of his hand. Like Tahni, I’m not even sure we should have this fight. There really is no point if you remain your omnipotent self. And besides, both we and the Seven expended all our best resources in the last fight, so we’re definitely starting behind. Even if you were not all powerful.
“But then, a fair fight hasn’t really been your thing, has it Tinker?”
Then Rill addresses the other teams.
“Those of you that have decided to throw in with this Tinker, know that the Wold is watching and knows the path you choose. We are here at the behest of the Gods of the Wold, and the entire Dragon Consortium is aware of this fight as well. It’s not too late for you to reconsider. We do not intend to fail. And if you’ve been watching, you know by now that we have back up plans for our back up plans.
“For those of you that have not yet chosen, choose carefully. Consider how you want the Wold to record your actions this day, and if you want to be recorded as heroes or as capitulating to this thing that only sees you as a curious toys that are played with and then discarded when it loses interest. Ask the Talons who were stitched together as a plaything what that feels like.
“But we undid that and brought them back. So choose carefully.”
“And you, Xuffie, what do you choose? This thing offers you redemption? Yet it is written, ‘None may offer redemption. Redemption happens when one realizes their imperfections and takes responsibility even when one need not.’ My teammates can testify to my imperfections, and I am redeemed daily by their faith in me.
“The Tinker cannot offer you redemption, and neither can I. But I can offer to walk that path with you. Join me in this fight.”
Diplomacy 37, using Guidance and a Hero Point.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+30=43 ; d20+34=42 ; d20+28=35 ; Tuesday May 11th, 2021 10:41:14 PM
Jozhur looks carefully at Tinker's "leash", hoping to find a way to disable it. Unfortunately, his knowledge of such is limited mostly to mechanical means. Hopefully one of the others can figure it out. He quietly asks Urlyn, and the others simultaneously through the rings, "Any ideas on breaking his tether?" (perception: 43, disable device: 42)
The young man smiles at Rill's attempt to persuade Xuffie, he's finally on the right track. He throws in his own two copper, "That's all we are to this being, play toys. He's already imprisoned you, holding your life on a string to see if we could save you. We've all been manipulated by him." He pauses a moment, considering what he can add to Rill, "I've done many a dishonorable thing, but I like to think my actions since joining my comrades makes up for my past. The gravity of this is so great, if you choose the right path, it can make up for whatever is in your past."
Diplomacy (aiding Rill): 35
Dark Matter Tuesday May 11th, 2021 11:30:25 PM
Tahni's appeal to reason seems to hit deaf ears. Tinker is quickly losing his composure, like a dog sitting, but whining and shuffling all the while. "Perhaps Tahni, you're fighting for your lives? Isn't that enough to see? I can't make you any promises about anything at all, but if you defeat me, you get to make your own guarantee. Otherwise, solar winds might just sling me back here one day and who knows what I'll do? I'm a simple creature, steeped in power. I am a slave to my questions and my whims. If you want to make sure I don't just do this all again next place I find, you'll have to bring me to heel."
Cid and Bralin consider each other for a long while. Finally, the old warlord speaks. "I wanted to beat you, pretty badly you know. I've gotten used to this life of mine. Death, resurrection, glory, then all over again the same. You Dragons are an impressive unit, and this would be a chance to face you all down." He looks back at Tinker, who is grinning like an idiot. "That said, you're right. If I win with this thing, I had to get the backing of an interstellar being just to beat you. If I lose, even worse." He clasps Bralins arm. Then. shouldering both of his spears, he grins. "I'm with the Dragons."
Fangs simple encouragement strikes a chord. Claw takes a step her way, but is called back by Mint. "We found you, saved you, and made you. Why abandon us for kin that abandoned you?" Claw shakes her head. "It's my twin, Mint. And I don't appreciate the side you've chosen. He's .. wrong." Mint frowns. "He's powerful, you mean. Sky and Grandpa see this also. Side with the alpha, silly girl." Grandpa rests a hand on Mints shoulder. "Sky's a coward, and I'm here because you have my sworn oath to follow you always. The girl is right, and Mirri and Kirri have more sense than all of us. Runts got no business here either. Let your last words be on the field, win or lose." He salutes Fang, Claw, and Terser.
Elhonna and Tahni discuss Crall. Though Tahni's appeal is sound, Elhonna shakes her head. "He's got a ship to protect and a lawful order to carry out. That'll have to do." The matter seems finished, until Crall laughs and shoves his way between the two women. "Now now ladies, shouldn't I have a say?" Elhonna does not smile. "No, you should obey an order, now get to th.." Crall puts a finger on her nose. "Boop."
Elhonna sputters, and her face flushes red. "I'm not your ward anymore Crall, do not assume to -" Crall boops her again. Finally, flustered, Elhonna throws her arms up and stalks off to discuss something with the other two. "Sorry about that, she's trying to protect her old teacher. I'm looking forward to ending Hin. That smug slime has some war crimes to answer for."
Aexana tries her best with Grandpa, but sadly, he doesn't budge. "Mint and I go a long way back, my mighty friend. She owns both my heart and my loyalty. I'll not abandon her in the face of a terrible, stupid decision."
Rill is wordy. He always is, but that's also part of his job. He interfaces with the world for the Sea Dragons more churlish members. Jozhur however, is smooth with words too, though he's normally less verbose. With both of them, including Jozhurs own admission to dark deeds, seems to gain her confidence. Kloud, watches them all very carefully. When they finish, she considers her options carefully. "Fine.", she says. "Tinkers worth a wish, a ninth level spell. You're worth much, much more and the consortium has a lot of pull. Your team alone is wearing more than the whole prize purse worth of gear. And stop acting like I need saved, Rillet. I do things for money. Really good things and really bad things. It's all the same, and I've been that way for a really long time. I might be persuaded to do way fewer bad things for money, as long as the good things I do are for lots of money." She smiles and steps towards Rill. "And the company over here is probably better than over there."
Kloud is furious. "Stupid woman, why? Can't you see you won't survive this without Tinker?" Xuffie shrugs. "You won't survive this without me. It's all the same. Come or don't." His eyes smoldering, Kloud practically snarls his commitment. "I'm with them.", he says, and steps after Xuffie to the Dragons side.
Jozhur also brings up the mystery of the leash, but Tinker quickly resolves this issue. "I am a little surprised. I didn't think I'd have such a hard time finding friends! Still, I suppose this makes things mostly even, except for the whole, "I CONTROL THIS REALITY" thing!"
He scribbles down some notes, then for the first time since they've met him, he finally stops cataloging everything around him.
"Tell me, why on earth would I show you so much if I didn't expect you to figure it out, Dragons? It's almost like I'm prohibited from directly asking you to break my leash." His eyes gleam with mischief. "But you know... if I accidentally left it in this material universe..." He slowly turns, and stares hard at a rock. "And someone were to destroy it... it's oh so fragile... " .. the tiny and impossibly thin chain is suddenly laying flat on the ground, tethered to his pendant. ..".. then who knows what would happen?" He continues looking away, staring at rocks.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday May 12th, 2021 7:22:56 AM
Fang is tired of the Tinker talking and wonders how the fight starting is going to be signaled. She looks over the remaining undecided, but has no ideas on how to convince any of them.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Wednesday May 12th, 2021 7:29:39 PM
Tahni is really surprised by Elhonna. A Fist Commander happy to see one of her troops not fulfill a contract? Ok, if Crall was her ward it makes a little sense why she'd try and protect him, though it does go against the Fist code. The whole thing about sending half her squad away to prepare the ship rather than fight - alongside the rest of their squad and for a good cause - just doesn't make sense.
She gives a nod of acknowledgment to Crall though wants to see if she could convince Claw.
"Claw, you know the right thing to do. Ask yourself, could you live with your choice, with siding with them? Could you live with it knowing that what it would cost? When half the Wold is destroyed would you be able to look at yourself and say 'I did the right thing'?"
She waits to see if anyone is going to try and cut that chain.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP125/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP-18/108 - DEAD Wednesday May 12th, 2021 8:04:42 PM
Looks like the teams are prepared so Aex goes over her potion list and prepared spells.
"He want's us to destroy the leach too badly... "
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 Wednesday May 12th, 2021 8:40:08 PM
Rill says, "Relax Khloud. We have dwarves. And a really fiesty rat. We got this."
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Wednesday May 12th, 2021 8:40:44 PM Update: If Claw has already sided with us Tahni obviously won't try and convince her further!
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 43/45, channel 7/7) Wednesday May 12th, 2021 9:05:20 PM
Terser takes the bait and whangs his returning hammer at the chain, and then at the rock that Tinker seems so fascinated with for good measure. Hopefully the vision that Rill sparked didn't steer them wrong.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Wednesday May 12th, 2021 11:38:55 PM
Jozhur draws his swords, then looks to everyone he is about to fight along side. The Dragons, Xid, Urlryn, Elhonna. He's pretty confident.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday May 13th, 2021 7:52:30 AM "So Claw, are you going to invite the rest of you're team over or should they sit this out?" Fang asks her sister, looking at Runt and the others who remain undecided.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC42 T15 F34, CMD 44 HP 197/276) -4 Dex Thursday May 13th, 2021 9:06:02 AM
Bralin answers Aex.
Aye. But Rill's vision made clear tis the only way to destroy the Tinker. Mayhap it is both our means to destroy him and his means to escape. Thus, we both wish it severed.
If that leash is close enough, Bralin joins Terser. He's got an axe, after all. The dwarf slams down on the leash with his ghost touch war axe.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 167/251 Thursday May 13th, 2021 12:11:03 PM "You know Xuffie and Khloud, I don't really know what your skill sets are. Are you spell casters, melee contestants, rogues? I think you both know that I am a cleric in service to Gargul. It will help us to know each other's strengths."
Then he raises his voice as he addresses the Chancers.
"CHANCERS, ARE WE TO BEGIN A FIGHT INJURED? SEND OUT YOUR HEALERS SO WE MAY AT LEAST BEGIN HEALTHY."
Dark Matter Thursday May 13th, 2021 4:55:14 PM
Fang, curious and fatigued, just watches things unfold. She's ready for a starting whistle. Tahni is relieved when Fang successfully talks her twin to her side. Jozhurs ready to rumble, swords drawn. Fang thinks about her sisters team-mates. Claw doesn't hold back.
"Runt wasn't really even strong enough to be a participant in the tournament. He's got a lot of potential, but he's just not at that place yet. Mirri and Kirri are skilled, but they aren't ready to put their lives at stake. They have love for each other, and that's their first loyalty. Not the world. Not the concept of good or evil, just each other. If one went down, we'd lose both. It's better they all stay on the side. My only regret is Grandpa, but I'll respect his choice. Maybe if we kill Mint first, he won't have to stick with Tinker."
Aexana and Bralin discuss Tinkers obvious desire to have his leash severed. Bralin's logic is pretty air tight. Rill asks the Chancers for healing, but they aren't coming out. Either they can't hear him, or they are too afraid. Yuffie and Cloud share a chuckle. "I wouldn't rely on Chancers, Dragon. They are fops with time and money. Cloud takes a moment to consider Rill, then adds. "I'm an anti-paladin. I assume you know what comes and goes with that. Xuffie's an assassin. She's kills people.. sometimes innocent people, for money and favors. Lets hope Gargul doesn't judge you for your bed-fellows." Xuffie for her part, chooses not to interject, and seems to be studying something elsewhere. (Sense motive: 30. She's actually pretty intent on Rills response here.)
Terser and Bralin in concert, attack the golden chain. It offers so little resistance that their weapons bury themselves momentarily in the ground below. His back to the Dragons, Tinker laughs quietly to himself. "Aaand there it is. The penultimate questions been answered. Can they free me? Yes, yes they can." He turns, and offers up a hand, asking for a brief pause before hostilities commence.
"No matter how this ends, I'll be thanking you all till the end of my days. Better to die a free monster than a perfect pet. Before my powers of this world wane, I'll offer you all a final token of thank you. Each Dragon may choose one boon from me. Not exactly a wish, but something close. I'll either completely restore your health and vigor, renew your spells and acuity, or tell you one interesting tidbit about myself and my abilities before our battle. It may seem silly or trite to you, but if you haven't figured me out yet, I like giving you choices, if only to see what you'll pick."
Even as he talks now, his facade slips little by little. You won't have much time at all to decide.
Heath and Vigor: Completely maxed hp, reset of all class and race based abilities like rage rounds etc. (not spell based) Spell and Acuity: Completely refresh all spell slots and domain abilities. Interesting Tidbit: I will either reveal one immunity, share attack statistics, reveal 3 at will spells or abilities, or reveal one SU, EX, or SP ability.) It's your choice what type of thing is revealed.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) Thursday May 13th, 2021 5:52:19 PM
Terser's ring has been slowly bringing him back to top form, and he didn't use that many of his resources in the first fight. So he opts for the tidbit.
Tell me, Tinker. What's one thing I should not bother attempting to do to you?One immunity please, if we get to choose.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday May 13th, 2021 7:19:51 PM "Hey Rill, since you've got a relationship going with Khloud, do you want to ask what's in that sarcophagus? What's the significance of it?"
"I need my spells back." It's an easy decision for Tahni. "And what of our spectators?" she says gesturing to the constructs "Are we to fight them as well?"
Tahni looks back up to the crystal containing Bruagh and then back to the Tinker. "And before we kill you, I want you to release Bruagh. No matter how this ends he will be free."
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Thursday May 13th, 2021 10:26:24 PM
Jozhur is in good shape, but Tinkers question makes him realize his shadow isn't quite so okay, "Urlryn Khloud, anything you can do for my companion? It got a bit banged up."
Jozhur scratches his chin with one of his swords, "Obviously, I choose an 'interesting tidbit'. What are some of your attacks?" (reveal 3 at will spells/abilities)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 196/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday May 13th, 2021 10:56:59 PM "You know what, since your 'side' looks already fully healed up, I'm sure you won't mind if I levelled things a little further."
Before the Tinker restores her spells Tahni will cast a Mass Heal to heal up her team (which should include any of the Seven that took a heavy beating only moments earlier).
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday May 14th, 2021 8:07:10 AM
Fang watches as her friends ask for tactical information. Smart. She has no idea what to ask though. She eventually gives up. "I don't know, you pick. Tell me something interesting."
Bralin - MikeK - (AC43 T16 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) d4=4 ; Friday May 14th, 2021 11:46:37 AM
Bralin casts a Lesser Restoration spell on himself. Combined with Tahni's Heal, the dwarf's health is fully restored.
"I also wish to know an attack to which you are impervious," he tells the Tinker. One immunity, please.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Friday May 14th, 2021 4:28:48 PM
In response to Khloud's assumption about bedfellows, Rill's eyes flash with anger. "Watch you tongue Khloud. I do not need to be your enemy unless you make me one. Anti-paladin? Well, you have chosen this day to stand on the side of saving the Wold. I'll consider that a good start."
He softens his tone and smiles as he looks at Xuffie. "As for my ... as for Xuffie here, what path she chooses from here is up to her. What say you my dear? We have killed many, but rarely was it our goal. You are skilled, so let's put those skills to use in saving the Wold today. We'll figure out more important matters later. I can assure you that Gargul gets far more annoyed at being challenged than how his followers operate in the grey areas."
Even as Rill feels Tahni's healing restore him, Rill steps over to Urlryn.
"It occurs to me that you cannot benefit from Tahni's healing. I hope I do not have to atone for this down the line, but Gargul tends to grant me some leeway for the greater good. Stop me if you will be harmed by negative energy." Rill will use a Miracle to cast Harm, which should heal Jozhur's vampire girlfriend for 150 points.
Then he replies to Tinker, "Thank you for your offer. I would like you to replenish my spells."
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Friday May 14th, 2021 11:38:10 PM
Jozhur smiles as Rill offers to heal Urlryn. He's happy to note Rill is becoming more accustomed to seeing certain things in shades of gray.
Dark Matter Saturday May 15th, 2021 4:10:03 PM
(Just waiting on Aexana. These boons are pretty significant to the battle ahead.)
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC27/12/25 - CMD 20 Sunday May 16th, 2021 4:32:04 AM
(apologies for having to wait for me - been quite distracted lately)
Thanks to Tahni's healing magic Aex and Leafy are back up to full health. She did burn a few high level spells earlier - despite the fact them being nearly all ineffective it sounds logical for Aex to request for Spell and Acuity. After all they'll learn at least a few tidbits already from the Tinker and they all have been healed to full health.
"Well... maybe I should go for renewing my spells but instead I'm keen to learn more about you... what are you made of... you are supernatural... what abilities do you have being understanding..."
One SU please.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Sunday May 16th, 2021 8:51:52 PM
Fang ponders what weird and wild facts she might learn. Or she might just get a knock knock joke. No telling. She'd be mad to get a knock knock joke.
Dark Matter d10=8 ; d10=1 ; d10=10 ; d10=3 ; d4=1 ; Monday May 17th, 2021 2:02:03 PM
(Rolling randomly to determine which abilities he shares)
Terser requests an immunity. "I'm going to be completely immune to ability damage and ability drain.", he replies.
Tahni has her spells restored and makes a request. Tinker happily grants it. "You've given me so much!", he squeals. "I'll abandon him to someone elses care." With that, the encased Braugh pops out of view of the battlefield. "He's aboard your ship." Finally, he considers the clones. "No no, those clones will stay put. We needed an audience. If I attacked with an army, it wouldn't be any fun."
Rill's spells are restored, as is his rapport with Xuffie. She gives him a coy look. "As for ..your.. Xuffie?" She doesn't look like she's angry, for once. Khloud is fuming in silence.
Jozhur asks for an interesting tidbit, specifically about spells and abilities Tinker might have. "I can cast quickened dimension door, quickened greater dispel magic, and veil, all at will."
Bralin asks for an immunity. "In addition to ability damage, I'm also immune to ability drain and death effects. You won't be able to down me with a single spell that easily.
[b]Aexana makes her request, and Tinker smiles mischievously. "That's a great questions, my little Aexana!"
He shares the details of his "Cosmic Tinker" supernatural ability.
Cosmic Tinkering (Su) Once every 1d4+1 rounds as an immediate action, Tinker can change the target of a single spell, attack or ability from one target creature or square of space to an entirely different creature or square of space, as long as the new creature or square of space can be legally targeted.
Fang asks Tinker to pick. He thinks for a moment, then adds. "I'm a natural telepath, have True Seeing, and tremorsense up to 50ft away with when I'm on the ground. I'm pretty hard to take by surprise.[b]" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With a smile and a bow, Tinker pulls back from the Dragons. [b]"I'll give you 10 minutes to prepare a strategy! Me and mine will do the same! When the barrier falls my friends, the battle begins!"
Tinker withdraws himself and his forces back, and encases them in a colossal grey dome of force. There's no visibility within.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) Monday May 17th, 2021 3:34:10 PM Hmmn, that Cosmic Tinkering will be something to look out for, especially when bringing out the big guns. And how much to you want to bet that it'll use that Veil to pop out a whole team of Tinkers at us, so we don't know what's what? Though I guess Tahni can direct us at the right targets with her own magic eyes.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Monday May 17th, 2021 6:46:38 PM
Fang hrms at the purely tactical information she's given. Useful, but she was expecting something fantastic about another world he had been to. Guess he's to singleminded to do more then think about the fight right now.
As for tactics, Fang makes it known she's a fan of just rushing down the Tinker himself. Let the others keep his teammates busy while the Dragons eliminate the real threat as quickly as possible.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Tuesday May 18th, 2021 4:13:27 AM
Tahni starts coming up with some plans but still has one lingering question...
"Hey Khloud, what's in that sarcophagus? What's the significance of it?"
Bralin - MikeK - (AC43 T16 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) Tuesday May 18th, 2021 9:59:56 AM
Bralin mentally reviews his available spells. They're mostly defensive, and the dwarf decides the Tinker is unlikely to bother himself with them as long as more potent spells are in the field.
He readies several to be cast just before the ten minutes are up.
He looks around at his allies. "Have we any archers?" he asks. "When the barrier drops, I wish to fire upon the Tinker in order to learn of his defenses against mundane attacks. I will do so, if needs be."
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Tuesday May 18th, 2021 4:22:01 PM
Rill merely smiles at Xuffie. He turns to Khloud, "Peace Khloud. Let us work together in this and sort things out later. I mean you no ill will."
Rill says, "I plan to cast Holy Aura as a protective spell on the group, so everyone should be within 20' two rounds before they come out. After that, we should spread out."
Final Moments Tuesday May 18th, 2021 8:04:21 PM
As a whole, the dragons are fairly upfront with their tactics. Their allies are of numerous persuasions of skill and strategy, but there's not a dedicated archer among them.
Khloud is particularly moody, but answers Tahni (And maybe Rills from another day?) questions about the casket. "It's an Astral Deva, and its under heavy reprogramming. Our employers gave it to us." He grins. "It was insurance against your team. A non-evil frontliner and caster that wouldn't get caught up in any alignment focused attacks or abilities." Xuffie nods in confirmation. "For full clarity, a couple of notes for you to keep in mind Rill. Even though Blue is a Marilith, you won't be able to dismiss or send her home. Not while both she and Caisyth are both alive."
Final Moments Tuesday May 18th, 2021 8:04:30 PM
MAP INCOMING
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) Tuesday May 18th, 2021 11:24:17 PM Any summons that could do some archery for us?
Terser is ready to do what they always do. He uses a Freedom of Movement spell on himself and Leafy, and gets ready to quaff some potions just before the gray dome comes down.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Wednesday May 19th, 2021 3:57:19 AM
Tahni starts taking stock of things. How many allies do they have in this fight, and who? Who are they opposing and what does she know about them? Based on what she has seen and the information that all here have.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday May 19th, 2021 6:56:46 AM
Having said her piece Fang waits impatiently like she always does.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Wednesday May 19th, 2021 9:57:21 AM
Jozhur grabs his bow and fidgets with it, "I could send a couple arrows at him. They won't do much if they do land though."
Bralin - MikeK - (AC43 T16 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) Wednesday May 19th, 2021 12:33:48 PM
Bralin answers Jozhur, "I'll fire at him. Tis only to provide immediate knowledge of his defenses against mundane weapons. He did not share this, and I wish to know prior to engaging with him."
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC27/12/25 - CMD 20 Wednesday May 19th, 2021 4:59:15 PM
Aex shifts from one foot to the other as they wait. She's very curious to learn more of the arena they will fight in. How will they exploit the area during the upcoming battle.
"Why is it Tinker who gets the choose the arena we'll fight in... surely he'll weave in some conditions that suit him best... not to say they will hinder us..."
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Wednesday May 19th, 2021 5:08:52 PM
Rill peers across the arena, but everything is still shrouded in a grey haze. He squints his eyes, but still can't quite make out where things are.
"You're right Aexana. The Tinker seems to know what the lay of the land is, but we'll need to see it so we can plan our approach." Rill tries to Sense Outsider and Sense Construct to see if he can sense any of the members of the other team.
(I'm hoping the kind DMs will give us a bit of time to plan once we see what we're dealing with.) ---------------------------- Sense Outsider - Sense direction and distance to any outsider, fey, demon, devil, or elemental within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects. Sense Construct - Sense direction and distance to any any construct, animated object, or golem within 1,080 ft., even through solid objects.
Final Moments Wednesday May 19th, 2021 8:16:44 PM
(We will. I've been captain of the failboat this week. I cannot bring myself to sit down and draft this map. I'll probably drop it tonight or tomorrow.)
Final Moments Wednesday May 19th, 2021 9:11:15 PM Terser recommends summoning archers? Seems like as good an idea as any. Rill is unable to pierce the barrier of gray. His senses go dead at the line. Aexana ponders the arena, something she could do better if her DM was more on point. Jozhur and Bralin volunteer for ranged attack duty. Bralin is curious if Tinker is affected by mundane weapons. So far, there's not been any evidence that he is. Fang is impatient. Surprise surprise, so is her sister, who is hopping up and down on the balls of her feet. Tahni tries to wrangle the teams inside her mind.
Team Dragons:
The Dragons I, Robot Cloud Yuffie Urlryn Elhonna Crall Marshall Fang Cid Han Valen Foreigner
Team Tinker
Tinker Mint Grandpa Sky Caitsith Blue Tencent Hin
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Thursday May 20th, 2021 12:49:12 AM "Anybody know if the protections against death are still in place?"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday May 20th, 2021 1:03:30 AM
Tahni relays what she recalls of their opponents.
"What do we know about Caisyth and the others of the Last Whisper?" She looks to Xuffie and Khloud. "I realise it might be difficult for you to fight your former allies."
------------- Mint - Caster and chief healer Grandpa - Warrior. Fought Terser. Sky - Sorceror (Air domain) Caisyth - Unknown Blue - Marilith Demon who used Woldsblood for casting (likely BW) Tencent - Werebear Hin - Monk
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday May 20th, 2021 7:00:03 AM "I assume not. This is for keeps. Anyone who dies, dies." Fang answers Rill.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC27/12/25 - CMD 20 Thursday May 20th, 2021 9:18:35 AM "If that's the fase Fang", Aexana answers, "I can put the Breath of Life potions Rill and I made to work... if only I get to administer it within a few seconds after someone goes down... I have two of these potions. I will keep one for myself... perhaps someone else should keep the second one? If not in my hands the lifewood flasks will die but it takes some time before that happens... I'm sure the fight will be long over by then."
Aex rummages in her pockets and digs up a Breath of Life potion. "Any takers?"
Bralin - MikeK - (AC43 T16 F38, CMD 44 HP 276/276) Thursday May 20th, 2021 11:54:20 AM
Bralin volunteers to take the second Breath of Life potion.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Thursday May 20th, 2021 6:33:01 PM "Also, I can cast Air Walk twice. Fang may benefit, but who else? Terser, Crall, Khloud?"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) Thursday May 20th, 2021 7:57:24 PM
Terser downs a few potions as the time draws near. You can save your spell for now, Rill, but knowing these fights, I may need a lift later.
He preps potions of Fly, Heroism, and See Invisibility.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday May 20th, 2021 8:49:36 PM "I can already cast Breath of Life if needed, so I can do without one of the potions. Do you have any extra heal potions to share though in case I can't get to everyone?"
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Friday May 21st, 2021 1:41:11 AM
Jozhur will down an elixir of swimming, elixir of hiding, and potion of invisibility just before the action starts.
He scans the arena for anything that might be dim light.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday May 21st, 2021 6:19:19 AM
Fang will cast Freedom of Movement on herself at some point before combat starts.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC27/12/25 - CMD 20 Friday May 21st, 2021 8:30:58 AM
"This is a list of potions I have available"[/b] Aex says.
Remove Paralysis CL18 Remove Blindness / Deafness CL18 Remove Disease CL18 Neutralize poison CL18 Protection from Energy CL18 x 2 Water breathing CL18 x 2 Resist energy CL18 Barkskin CL18 x 2 Heal CL18 x 2 Breath of Life CL18 x 3 Air Walk CL18 x 2 Stoneskin CL18 x 2
Too bad we don't have more than 10 mins prepping time... I would have loved toying with the weather... lightning is soo much more effective in bad weather...
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Friday May 21st, 2021 11:45:50 AM
Rill addresses the whole team.
"As we all split up, mind your casters. Take out theirs and protect ours, because they're thinking the same thing. Tahni and I should be able to see invisible foes, so we'll let you know about where they are.
"Expect to have your magic dispelled, so prepare a back up. Aex has some potions that may help with this. Likewise I have: Potion, Fly - 2 Potion, Invisibility - 3 Potion, Haste - 2 Potion, Heroism - 1
"It's a good idea to have a backup potion in your pocket."
Rill says a prayer to Gargul for guidance and success. He also prays to Maab, asking her for protection and letting her know he may call on her using the leaf token she gave him.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC27/12/25 - CMD 20 Friday May 21st, 2021 12:54:46 PM "Not forgetting this Robe of Eyes I bought last... I should be able to see all forms of invisible or ethereal creatures or objects within 120 feet.
The thing that got me in dire trouble last fight was the grappling attack I could not break free from... I have no Freedom of Movement or anything or wait... can I still change my mind and meditate this spell quickly?? "
(@ DM : Aex has used spells and chose not to replenish her spells but I'm not sure if she's allowed to change spells in her list?)
"Still have Wands of Shield and Endure elements that I haven't put to use much... and this Pearl I let's me recall an 8th level spell I cast earlier today.
If only I can stay out focus... "
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) Friday May 21st, 2021 4:11:18 PM
Terser is pretty excited that someone finally wants his spell. He casts Freedom of Movement on Aexana.
Final Moments, Final Battle Friday May 21st, 2021 4:13:45 PM
Your DM has posted the map. The cubish things are what you cannot see through. Please post today any final prep. Monday we start the match!
Map Details.
Small bits: Broken floaty rock. You can land on them and be stable. Follow basic rules for jumping using acrobatics.
Opaqe things: Barriers blocking field of view for buffing.
Height: 100ft. If you fall you take full falling damage.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC29/21/24 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC27/12/25 - CMD 20 Friday May 21st, 2021 6:18:33 PM
With wide open mouth Aexana watches the battlegrounds.
1. what side are we on? 2. are the floaty blocks static or floating around? 3. it's 100 ft down? It is also 100ft up? 100 ft left and right? 4. what's on the bottom? pointy things or just nothingness that hurts? And above?!? 5. what about the air... a gentle breeze? Nothing? 6. do the large blocks float as well? Meaning... can you dig a hole and pop out on the bottom? 7. what about the material the blocks are made of... plain dirt? rocks?
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 Friday May 21st, 2021 6:49:20 PM
This is a very different arena that what was initially described, and flight will be a must. How did we not know all week that we would be up in the air? I'm going to assume everyone can fly, including our new teammates, because none have said this board is going to be a problem.
Which are the "opaque things", the square platform looking things, or the other parts with rounded ends?
What does the floor look like? What is the floor made of - stone or dirt?
"We should all just descend and fight from the floor where we cannot fall. Since Tinker can cast Quickened Greater Dispel Magic at will it's just a matter of time before none of us are flying, and he will use this to separate our team.
"Aex, I will take one of your Stone Skin potions if no one else wants them."
"The spells I will cast are: Ghost Weapon Scroll - Terser Ghost Weapon Scroll - Bralin Foresight - Rill Protection from Energy - Fire - Rill Resist Energy - Lightning - Rill Air Walk - Fang Air Walk - Crall Extened Entropic Shield (44 min.) - Rill Extended Prayer (44 rounds) - All Holy Aura (22 rounds) - All True Seeing (22 rounds) - Rill"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Friday May 21st, 2021 11:32:40 PM
Tahni starts her prep.
----- Cast GMW on Jozhur's other sword Cast Gtr Dispel Magic back into Ring Cast Protection from Evil Cast True Seeing Cast Resist Energy (Electricity) Use Wand (Hide from Animals) on everyone Use Wand (Remove Fear) on everyone. T-16rounds: Cast SMV: Bralani azata. Cast Blur on all dragons + Cloud, Yuffie, Urlryn, Elhonna, Crall, Marshall, Fang, Cid, and Han Valen (sorry Foreigner). Each will benefit from a separate Blur spell. T-10rounds: Cast SMVI: Erinyes Devil. Cast Minor Image. 13 x 10ft cubes as a wall. Encourage everyone on team to touch it and realise it's a fake. Everyone on team gets to make up to 10xDC17 Will Saves to realise it's a fake with +4 bonuses for getting proof from Tahni. T-3rounds: Cast SMVI: Succubus Demon. Give Tahni a profane gift. T-2rounds: Use Wand of Shield
Additional actions will depend on what Tahni learns from her allies about the strengths, weaknesses, tactics and preferred spells of Caisyth, Blue, Tencent and Sky - in addition to the prep spells cast by Urlryn, Elhonna, Khloud, Han Valen, Cid, etc.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Sunday May 23rd, 2021 2:43:35 AM
Tahni completes the rest of her prep and asks Han Valen and Foreigner to also help the party prepare. There's a lot of spells she's putting in play but she gets the impression they'll be needed.
Cast Resist Energy (Fire), Spell Immunity (Touch of Idiocy, Touch of Gracelessness, Unholy Blight, Scorching Ray), Greater Invisibility, Mind Blank, Hide from Undead, Spectral Hand Cast Haste on all dragons + Cloud, Yuffie, Urlryn, Elhonna, Crall, Marshall, Fang, Cid, and Han Valen (sorry Foreigner) Cast Magic Vestment x2
Ask Han Valen and Foreigner to cast Freedom of Movement on the party
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) Sunday May 23rd, 2021 2:11:37 PM
Bralin takes a potion of stoneskin and a potion of airwalk from Aex. He drinks the first, and stows the second.
He also drinks potion of heroism, and casts Entropic Shield upon himself
The dwarf walks to the southeast corner of the obscuring cover, pulls out his bow, activates his winged boots, and prepares himself for the battle.
----- Ready Action to prep Lavender and Green Ioun Stone. Any single target spell or ray 8th level or lower directed at Bralin is absorbed.
In effect Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Stoneskin: DR10/adamantine (150/150) Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20=13 ; Sunday May 23rd, 2021 5:16:26 PM
Terser pokes through the illusion at Tahni's prompting, then sets himself right near the middle to zoom through when the battle starts. will save passed
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Sunday May 23rd, 2021 8:37:53 PM
Fang wonder's how they got so far up in the ground. Weren't they just on the ground earlier? Crazy extraplanar monster.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Monday May 24th, 2021 10:29:47 AM
Aex rummages through her belongings... she taps a couple of wands... checks her ioun stones. Casting True Seeing on herself. Finally she steps a few ft away from the rest of the crew and casts Antilife Shell around her... She also casts Air Walk and Stoneskin on Leafy. Leafy also drinks a Resist Energy Fire potion and Aex touches him with the Endure Elements and Shield wand.
Then Aex changes into an Earth Elemental and burrows herself into the rock they are on. Hidden from sight she should be quite safe from the first
AEXANA Active Spells or Spell like effects : Magic Resistance 25 (Holy Aura vs Evil casters) or 21 (Mantle of Spell Resistance) Venom Immunity (Druid ability) Freedom of Movement (Spell cast by Terser) Darkvision 120ft (Robe of Eyes) See all forms of invisible or ethereal creatures within 120ft (Robe of Eyes) Can not be flanked (Robe of Eyes) Feather Fall (Ring) Invisible (Ring) Extended Prayer (44 rounds) (Spell cast by Rill) - +1 luck bonus Holy Aura (22 rounds) (Spell cast by Rill) - SR25 Remove Fear (wand from Tahni) True Seeing 120ft Air Walk
LEAFY Active Spells Scent Blindsense 30ft Ghost Touch breastplate Thundering Ghost Touch Tears Air Walk Stoneskin 150 HP Resist Energy Fire 30 Endure Elements Shield
Final Moments, Final Battle d10=9 ; d10=5 ; d20=17 ; Monday May 24th, 2021 8:32:53 PM
There's lots of preparation cast, as well as by your allies. There's a lot of overlap too. For this combat, if I post something that you think should be negated by a buff or spell, put it in the front of your next post and I'll resolve appropriately.
Tahni makes a request of the bards. Foreigner casts it on Tahni, himself, and Han. "Sorry, my other 4th level slots are all in use.
[b]Rill floats a plan about everyone going to ground level, but there's no telling if Tinker will oblige them.
Your allied forces buff themselves according to their arena buff plans. This consumes a number of their spell slots.
The Foreigner Please pick 1 party member to recieve inspire greatness from The Foreigner. (a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and a +1 competence bonus on Fortitude saves. ) Note this is a mind-affecting ability, so if you are immune to those you can't use it.
Han Valen uses Inspire Courage. Anyone within 60ft that isn't immune to mind affecting abilities or emotion effects gets +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
After the 10 minutes expires, both grey constructs obscuring vision are removed from the battle field.
"I hope you are all ready to explore endless possibilities. I think if I win, I'll be bringing you all along with me!" Tinker is beside himself, somewhat literally. Both monster-tinker and annoying humanoid-tinker are visible. All of their many mouths are moving at the same time. "Lets begin!"
Someone please roll a 1d20 for the Dragons and fiends!"
Regardless of who goes first!:
Tinker is quite massive in his native form. As his barrier drops, an .. otherness... emanates from his many tentacled body. This disturbing presence assaults the mind.
ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM DRAGON: Will Save: DC 35 vs unspeakable presence. This is a mind-affecting ability. Failure: Afflicted with the Insanity spell.
ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM DRAGON WITHOUT TRUE SEEING. Highlight to display spoiler: {
Horrifying Reality(Su)
Tinker does not exist wholly in the physical world, and space and time strain against his presence. This grants Tinker a deflection bonus to AC and a racial bonus on Reflex saves equal to his Charisma modifier (+12). His apparent and actual position are never quite the same, granting him a 25% miss chance against all attacks and spell effects. True seeing can defeat this miss chance, but any creature that looks upon Tinker while under the effects of true seeing must succeed at a DC 36 Will save or be staggered as they comprehend his strange and grotesque existence. (this is a stunning effect). The save DC is Charisma-based. }
Team Tinker: 17.
Team Dragons: ??
The Dragons: I, Robot Cloud Yuffie, Urlryn, Elhonna Crall Marshall Fang Cid Han Valen Foreigner
Team Tinker
Tinker Mint Grandpa Sky Caitsith Blue Tencent Hin
Final Moments, Final Battle Monday May 24th, 2021 8:33:20 PM
(Slowly adding items to the map.)
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20=8 ; Monday May 24th, 2021 8:47:26 PM
requested d20 = 8
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+25=41 ; Monday May 24th, 2021 9:36:37 PM
Tahni runs through the list of spells she has cast to make sure she's as ready as she can be.
The Tinker sure looks menacing, and if it wasn't for her Mind Blank spell she might have gone crazy.
------------ Will Save vs DC35: 41=Pass!
Spells in effect on Tahni Barkskin, Blur, Freedom of Movement, Gtr Invisibility, Haste, Hide from Animals, Hide from Undead, Magic Vestment x2, Mind Blank, Overland Flight, Prayer, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Resist Energy (Elec, Fire), Shield, SMVI (Erinyes Devil), SMVI (Succubus Demon), Spectral Hand, Spell Immunity (Touch of Idiocy, Touch of Gracelessness, Unholy Blight, Scorching Ray), True Seeing
Spells in effect on others Blur (all except Foreigner), GMW x 2 on Jozhurs swords, Haste (all except Foreigner), Hide from Animals (all), Remove Fear (all)
Other Minor Image (as a wall of stone in front of the team)
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+18=30 ; Tuesday May 25th, 2021 1:37:46 AM
Jozhur has seen some things, but the Tinker tops it all. Jozhur completely loses his mind.
--------------------------------- Will save: 30 (fail), insanity
Active effects: Invisibility potion, elixer of hiding, prayer, haste, hide from animals, GMWx2, inspire courage
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+19=27 ; d20+19=31 ; d100=7 ; Tuesday May 25th, 2021 7:34:52 AM
Fang fails to save (27), but manages to act normally this round. Which for her is to run frothing towards the edge of the arena. So maybe not so normal.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20+28=40 ; Tuesday May 25th, 2021 10:04:48 AM
Terser's Mind Blank and shamanic totem protect his mind today. will save 38 He waits behind the fake block for the opening salvos.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 d20+30=43 ; d6+20=26 ; 20d6=62 ; Tuesday May 25th, 2021 6:10:25 PM
Rill managed to make his will save.
"All right, let's see how this goes."
Rill casts Fire Storm. This creates 44 shapeable 10' cubes filled with sheets of fire. The fire snakes around the battlefield, as show in orange squares on the map. 62 damage, DC 27 Reflex save for half. Creatures that fail their Reflex save catch on fire, taking 4d6 points of fire damage each round until the flames are extinguished. Extinguishing the flames is a full-round action that requires a DC 20 Reflex save. Not sure who all or what all has spell resistance, but Rill is +24 against spell resistance normally, +32 against spell resistance of outsiders.
Spells/abilities available, * = cast/used: 0 (DC19): Create Water, Guidance, Detect Magic, Detect Posion 1 (DC20): Longstrider* (D), Bless, Command, Command, Detect Evil, Protection from Evil, Protection from Evil, Entropic Shield* 2 (DC21): See Invisible (D), Spiritual Weapon, Delay Posion, Remove Paralysis, Resist Energy, Resist Energy*, Silence 3 (DC22): Divination (D), Blindness/Deafness, Blindness/Deafness, Dispel Magic, Praye*r, Protection From Energy*, Invisibility Purge 4 (DC23): Dimension Door (D), Air Walk*, Air Walk*, Deathward, Divination, Freedom of Movement, Sending 5 (DC24): True Seeing* (D), Bannish Immortal, Breath of Life, Flame Strike, Flame Strike, Quickened Shield of Faith, Wall of Stone 6 (DC25): Teleport (D), Blade Barrier, Blade Barrier, Heal, Heal, Greater Dispel Magic 7 (DC26): Greater Teleport (D), Destruction, Destruction, Ethereal Jaunt, Quickened Magic Circle Against Evil, Holy Word 8 (DC27): Quickened Dimension Door (D), Animated Disjunction, Animated Disjunction, Holy Aura, Holy Aura*, Fire Storm* 9 (DC28): Foresight* (D), Miracle, Miracle, Miracle, Miracle, Miracle
Abilities/Items Agile Feet (Su) 12/day - Dim. Hop (Sp) 190'/day - 0 used Greater Insight (Sp) 3/day - Channel Energy (Su) 7/day - Obscuring Mist (Item) 2/day - Deathwatch (Item) Continual Eagle's Splendor (Item) 1/day - Faerie Fire (Tattoo) - 3/day - MM Extend, Lesser (Item) - 6/day - MM Silent, Lesser (Item) - 3/day - MM Quicken, Lesser (Item) - 3/day - MM Quicken (Item) - 6/day - Tongues (class)
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 d20+46=51 ; d20+25=31 ; Tuesday May 25th, 2021 6:21:34 PM
(don't forget Prayer, Holy Aura and Han Valen's +14 on Fear saves)
Will Save vs unspeakable presence : 51
With all the buffing gping on Aex feels unimpressed with the actual form of the Tinker. Now safely burrowed into the Rock she waits to see how her friends deal with the unspeakble...
Leafy however fails to resist the unspeakable horror he witnesses...
Through the Rings Aex informs the others. "I have a Heal spell and two Heal potions to get everyone's mind back on track. I'm going after Fang. Burrowing Aex chases Fang before she jumps of the rocks...
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) d20+40=41 ; d20+40=52 ; Tuesday May 25th, 2021 7:19:17 PM Assuming unspeakable presence is a fear effect, and therefore Han Valen's bonus applies.
Used Hero Point to reroll Nat 1 (geez). Will Save 52 pass. Would be 37 if not fear based. So all good.
Bralin stoically endures the sight of the Tinker, and prepares to go on the offensive.
We lost initiative, I believe. So, standing by.
-------------- Ready Action to prep Lavender and Green Ioun Stone. Any single target spell or ray 8th level or lower directed at Bralin is absorbed.
In effect Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Stoneskin: DR10/adamantine (150/150) Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Tuesday May 25th, 2021 7:41:52 PM OOC: Flying, Invisible and with mind blank, Tahni will be flying approx 50ft above the party.
Also waiting to see if we won initiative (though I think we lost) but if everyone else is posting actions, Tahni will ready to counterspell the Tinker as she's thinking that any others with Truesight might not have the range to see through the minor image. Counter Gtr Dispel Magic with Gtr Dispel Magic auto succeeds.
Rill (MarkB) AC38 T21 F33, CMD 31, HP 251/251 d20+38=54 ; Tuesday May 25th, 2021 8:44:30 PM
Rill also keeps a sharp eye out as his Fire Storm hits. He looks for telltale signs that an invisible opponent may have been hit by the fire from an outline or from some visible smoke coming off them.
Perception 54.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Tuesday May 25th, 2021 11:19:10 PM
If unspeakable presence is a fear effect, Jozhur would pass his will save.
There's tension in the air, and then Tinkers side erupts into action!
Tinker: Casts quickened teleport! Tinker: Attacks Rill with 5 tentacle clusters! Hits Rill for 13, 20, 19, 20, and 21. (No DR considered, thats just raw). Rill bleeds for 26 damage, and will bleed for 26 damage per round unless healed with a DC15 heal check or magical healing. Tinker: Attacks Intel with 5 tentacle clusters! Intel takes 10 damage after DR. Tinker: Attacks Nvidia with 10 psuedopods! Nvidia takes 54 damage!
It seems that Tinkers many tentacles have several forms and uses. The pseudopods appear to simply need to touch to deal their damage. The tentacles flail as normal.
Tinkers various cohorts move using a variety of magical and mundane movement types. None but the summoned Hezrou's make it across the chasm this turn.
The Hezrous attack Pentium and Nvidia. Nvidia takes 40 damage and is grappled.
------------------
The Dragons: Jada Intel: 10 damage Nvidia: 94 damage Wratheon Pentium Hp04 Cloud Yuffie, Urlryn, Elhonna Crall Marshall Fang Cid Han Valen Foreigner
Team Tinker
Tinker: Teleported and attacked. Mint: Is summoning something. Grandpa: Seems to be protecting Mint. Sky: Has advanced. Caitsith: Is riding within a howdah fashioned within a skeletal mammoth of some kind. Is summoning something. Blue: Has advanced. Tencent: Has advanced. Hin: Has advanced.
Unspeakable presence is mind affecting, but not feat.
Allies will go after you lot, feel free to suggest courses of action for them.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+10=19 ; d20+7=10 ; d100=65 ; d100=76 ; d8+1=3 ; d20+15=22 ; d8+8=16 ; Wednesday May 26th, 2021 12:19:18 AM
Tahni doesn't want any of her friends or allies to go crazy about things. She casts a Mass Heal towards the center of their platform.
Her succubus and devil are on their own and both go a little crazy at the sight of the Tinker. The succubus punches herself in the face. The Erinyes sees this and thinks it's a good idea, so he attacks her too.
"Can anyone do anything about Mint and Caitsith to interupt their casting?"
------------ Standard action: Cast Mass Heal. Haven't seen where everyone is starting from, but if Jozhur & Fang are just south of center Tahni can probably include them as well as Urlryn, Claw, Crall, Han Valen and likely Foreigner too. Won't catch Rill though (sorry!) Move action: Fly 40ft SW. Tahni is 40ft off the ground
Succusbus Will Save vs DC35: 19=Fail. Succubus is insane. d100=65. Succubus hits herself for 3pts damage. Erinyes Will Save vs DC35: 10=Fail. Erinyes is insane. d100=76. Erinyes attacks Succubus. Hits AC22 for 16pts damage
Succubus: 19pts damage
Spells in effect on Tahni Barkskin, Blur, Freedom of Movement, Gtr Invisibility, Haste, Hide from Animals, Hide from Undead, Magic Vestment x2, Mind Blank, Overland Flight, Prayer, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Resist Energy (Elec, Fire), Shield, SMVI (Erinyes Devil), SMVI (Succubus Demon), Spectral Hand, Spell Immunity (Touch of Idiocy, Touch of Gracelessness, Unholy Blight, Scorching Ray), True Seeing
Spells in effect on others Blur (all except Foreigner), GMW x 2 on Jozhurs swords, Haste (all except Foreigner), Hide from Animals (all), Remove Fear (all)
Other Minor Image (as a wall of stone in front of the team) for 3 more rounds[/i]
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 235/251 d8=5 ; d8=8 ; d8=8 ; d8=1 ; d8=2 ; Wednesday May 26th, 2021 1:25:34 AM
The Stone Skin blunted some of the damage, but he still took 33+26 bleed. What seems to be the range on those tentacles and pseudopods?
"Tinker, it's usually flattering to be picked first but not this time. I thought we were friends!"
Rill will use his Dimensional Hop ability to move back 50'. Then he uses a metamagic rod to casts a quickened Cure Critical Wounds, healing himself for 43 damage and staunching the bleeding.
Rill looks carefully out to 120 feet with Truesight to make sure he knows where his targets are. He casts Fire Storm. This creates 44 shapeable 10' cubes filled with sheets of fire. The fire storm snakes around the battlefield, as show in orange squares on the map, and should include all out opponents, including that sarcophagus. 62 damage, DC 27 Reflex save for half. Creatures that fail their Reflex save catch on fire, taking 4d6 points of fire damage each round until the flames are extinguished. Extinguishing the flames is a full-round action that requires a DC 20 Reflex save. Not sure who all or what all has spell resistance, but Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance of outsiders.
This should also affect the howdah and other's summoning spells.
For everyone - that fire is instantaneous, so it is not still there. Except for anyone that caught fire.
--------------------------------------- Move action: Dimensional Hop, does not provoke AOO Swift action: quickened Cure Critical Wounds Standard Action: Fire Storm
NOTE - Everyone that is not invisible shines with a bright radiance. If anyone succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d100=20 ; d20+33=42 ; d10=9 ; d10=1 ; d10=5 ; Wednesday May 26th, 2021 7:12:26 AM
Fang charged the edge of the arena last round so is not in range of mass heal. Fortunately she gets to act normally again. She sees a spot she can reach the Tinker at and runs up there to strike out at whatever is sticking over the edge of the arena (swift divine favor with rod, 30 foot charge up, vital strike at 42 to hit and 33 damage)
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20+21=27 ; d20+21=35 ; 2d8+13=22 ; 2d8+13=20 ; Wednesday May 26th, 2021 10:32:11 AM
Terser drops an small elephant on the ground that sprouts up into a full size one with a word. He then casts a spell to embiggen himself and shares his rage around his nearby cohorts.
8 allies are able to take greater rage - prioritizing non-spellcasters (are Jada's automata eligible?) +6 STR/CON, +3 vs will saves, -2ac. (50 feet should reach most of our platform, so Leafy, Fang, Jozhur, Elephant, some of our allies if they want it?)
Treetrunks starts stomping on the demon she's flanking with Pentium. AC27 for 22 damage (26 if bardsong applies) AC 35 for 20 damage (24 if bardsong applies)
Active effects Enlarge, Ghost Touch Weapon, Fly, Rage, Mind Blank, Heroism, Holy Aura, Prayer, See Invis, Bardsong, Blur, Haste, Remove Fear
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) d20+39=57 ; d100=98 ; 3d10+20=29 ; d6=4 ; Wednesday May 26th, 2021 5:51:12 PM
Bralin eyes Hin, but the immediate presence of the Tinker has made using a bow impractical. Mirroring Fang, the dwarf drops his bow, and moves forward. His waraxe appears in his hand, and he strikes.
--------- Drop bow as free action Retrieve waraxe from gloves of storing as free action Use Spring Attack Feat to move forward and attack without drawing AoO. Use Improved Vital Strike
Hit ac 57 for 33 hp damge (4 cold). Rolled 98 to overcome concealment.
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Stoneskin: DR10/adamantine (150/150) Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 d20+22=29 ; 3d6+8=26 ; Wednesday May 26th, 2021 6:09:27 PM
Burrowing in the rock Aex is only wondering if Tinker's tremmorsense will catch her soon. With a firestorm blocking the enemy team from getting closer Aex begins a summoning spell.
Leafy watches the fire in horror but he realises is now protected from fire. He steps up besides Marshall and with his 10ft range he attacks the nearest Hezrou.
Slam hits AC29 - damage 33HP (forgot to add the a 7)
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+33=47 ; d6+12=13 ; 8d6=31 ; 2d6=10 ; d6=6 ; d6+20=21 ; Thursday May 27th, 2021 3:12:19 AM
Jozhur surveys the battlefield and decides to attack what he can reach best. He rushes one of the Hezrou and attacks it with his shadow.
-------------------------------------------- Attack on blue Hezrou Attack hits AC 47: 13 damage, 31 sneak damage, 10 if evil, 6 cold (60), also 2 STR damage Shadow misses with a natural 20
Haste, Holy Aura, Inspire Courage, Prayer, GMWx2
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday May 27th, 2021 7:14:35 AM
Fang could not actually charge the arena edge last round, but her actions should still work.
Tahni deals with the insanity around her instantly, except for her summoned help. She watches them brawl for awhile. Meanwhile, Rill finds himself the first person to get hit by Tinker. He learns a few things from his experience.
1. There's a whole lot of them. 10 tentacle clusters and 10 pseudopods. Its hard to say, but he is sure they have about a 40ft reach.
2. They seem to be intelligent and reactive to movements. They've got their own HP pools most likely, and could probably be sundered.
He casts a fire spell, the same one he cast multiple times before, but it seems this time his enemies had planned for it. His fire spells meet both protections from energy, and energy resistance. All except Tinker and the Hezrou's, who seem to have been banking on natural protections.
Fangs weapon bounces off of Tinkers hard, rubbery hide. She may need to drop the power attack to consistently hit. Terser hypes up his crew, summons an elephant, and that elephant stomps on some demons. Bralin lands a solid blow, and Tinker gurgles something unintelligible. He notes his frost enchantment seems to do nothing to a creature used to traveling through the coldness of space.
Aexana hatches a bold plan, summoning from underground! Leafy whallops a Hezrou, and it staggers under his blow. Jozhur dashes in and slays the monsters, sending it back to hell.
The rest of their allies do their part as well! Jada and her robots destroy a pair of Hezrou themselves. Intel tries to fry Tinker with an acid jet, but it does nothing. Jada watches her robots take the first front-line defense. She says nothing, but there's a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
The Dragons: Jada: Moves and fights. Passes insanity. Intel: Fights. 10 damage Nvidia: Fights. 94 damage Wratheon: Moves and fights. Pentium: fights. Hp04: Fights. Cloud: Charges Tinker. Misses. Passed insanity. Yuffie: Fails her Insanity check. Does nothing. Urlryn: Casts True Seeing. Immune to mind affecting abilities. Elhonna: Passes insanity check. Casts Righteous Might. Crall: 7 damage. Fails insanity check. Punches Self. Marshall: Passes insanity check. Blasts Hezrou with Searing Rays. Claw: Fails insanity check. Cid: Fails insanity check. Han Valen: Fails insanity check. Normal now. Foreigner: Passes check. Fixes Han Valen with a spell.
Team Tinker Mint, Granpa, Blue, Tencent: 90 pts fire resist remaining. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 8. Mint: Grandpa: Sky: Caitsith:. Blue: Tencent: Hin: Hezrou: Dead Hezrou: Dead Hezrou: Dead Hezrou: 81
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds.
----------------------
Tinkers Fast healing quickly knits his wounds back closed. It seems it will take a concentrated effort to make the damage stick. He smiles with his many mouths. "Try harder Dragons! Not even close!" He hops about and wiggles his tentacles. At this point, he'd probably catch a ball if someone threw one.
He pokes a tentacle in the air, and finally it settles on Jozhur. He casts a quickened Greater Dispel Magic upon him. Even if he's invisible, or hiding, he has a gut feeling it has something to do with his telepathic abilities. Jozhur feels the haste leave his body.
Know Dungeon: DC 40 (You'll have to stay more than 50ft away for him to not detect you with his presence. As this is not a divination abilitiy, it defeats mind blank as well.)
Tinkers tentacles lash out!
Tinker: Attacks Nvidia with 10 tentacle clusters. Nvidia is ripped apart. Tinker: Attacks Bralin with 5 Pseudopods. Hits touch 28,22,32,25,31 for 8,11,8,12,9 damage and 5 negative levels! Each negative level can be negated with a DC 30 fortitude save. Tinker: Attacks Terser with 5 Pseudopods. Hits touch 36, 36,21,28,37 for 9, 4, 11, 11, and 7 damage and 5 negative levels! Each negative level can be negated with a DC 30 fortitude save.
Team Tinker Mint, Granpa, Blue, Tencent: 90 pts fire resist remaining. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 8. Mint: Finishes her summoning spell. A trio of Vampire Warriors burst into view. Grandpa: Stays protectively by Mint. Sky: Fires an elemental ray at Brailin, and hits for 5 damage. Caitsith: Finishes summon. Advances. Fiendish Roc: Smites Good against Terser. Blue: Advances Tencent: Opens his casket. Hin: Advances defensive. Hezrou: Dead Hezrou: Dead Hezrou: Dead Hezrou: 81
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds.
----------------------
As Mint summons her vampires, a brief exchange from your first meeting with her is remembers. "After how quickly you dispatched these, you can safely assume I'll not be using any undead against you, Dragons. At least, not if I'm being serious."
The Vampire trio is summoned, and then make their way across the chasm.
A fiendish Roc is summoned into the battle by Caisyth. It smites Terser and deals 34 damage with its claw.
Hin advances. Tencent opens his casket. From within comes a mournful cry, loud enough to temporarily bring the battle to pause. Unfurling her beautiful white wings, an Astra Deva quickly surveys the battlefield.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+25=35 ; d100=46 ; d100=44 ; Friday May 28th, 2021 12:11:55 AM
Tahni was prepared to see something 'weird' about the Tinker's true form and isn't completetly surprised.
Meanwhile the Succubus and Erinyes babble to each other and are completely unaware of what is going on around them.
---------------- Will Save vs DC35: 35=Pass! Highlight to display spoiler: {The thing about Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check is hidden behind a spoiler of "All Members of Team Dragon WITHOUT True Seeing. Highlight to display spoiler:" in the previous psot :)} Succubus confusion check: 46 = Babble incoherently. Erinyes confusion check: 44 = Babble incoherently.
Waiting to see what the rest of the party do...
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+31=41 ; d20+31=39 ; d20+26=45 ; d20+21=36 ; d20+21=23 ; d6+12=16 ; d6+12=15 ; d6+12=16 ; d6+12=18 ; 2d6=7 ; 2d6=6 ; 2d6=9 ; 2d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d6=6 ; d6=5 ; d20+21=31 ; d6+12=16 ; 2d6=5 ; d6=5 ; d20+21=27 ; d6+12=13 ; 2d6=10 ; d6=2 ; Friday May 28th, 2021 2:14:50 AM
Jozhur takes out his frustration at the lack of a good chance to hit Tinker on the Hezrou.
----------------------------------------- Full hasted attack on Hezrou First hits AC 41: 16 damage, 7 if evil, 4 cold (27) Haste hits AC 39: 15 damage, 6 if evil, 4 cold (25) First off hand hits AC 45: 16 damage, 9 if evil, 6 cold (31) Second attack misses Second off hand hits AC 31: 16 damage, 5 if evil, 5 cold (26) Third attack hits AC 27: 13 damage, 10 if evil, 2 cold (25)
Boots of haste used 1/10
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20+27=46 ; d20+27=43 ; d20+27=30 ; d20+27=28 ; d20+27=35 ; d20+27=44 ; d20+35=45 ; d20+35=49 ; d20+30=33 ; d20+25=38 ; d20+20=28 ; d20+15=34 ; d20+15=31 ; 2d6+38=46 ; 2d6+38=44 ; 2d6+38=44 ; 2d6+38=44 ; 2d6+38=41 ; 2d6+38=43 ; 2d6+38=49 ; d20+23=40 ; d20+23=36 ; Friday May 28th, 2021 2:40:25 PM 5 fort saves passed (with 1 hero point reroll) damage after DR 2, 4, 4, no DR applies to smite good for 44 total, regen 1
Terser turns his glaive towards dismantling the roc, and then the Hezrou if the Roc goes down.
Attacks on Roc AC 45, 49, 33, 38, 28, 34 (crit confirm to 31) for 46, 44, 44, 44, 41 (+ 92 if crit), +5 weapon overcomes most DR
He sends Treetrunks forward to get in Tinker's face and hopefully draw some attacks, hoping to let Jada's bots do their work a little longer. no hits
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 235/251 d20+29=45 ; 15d6=52 ; Friday May 28th, 2021 3:27:16 PM
Rill saves against the stunning effect of Tinker's visage.
He sees the angel get release by Tencent, and speaks a carefully worded Miracle, expending 25,000 as he does so. "I Pray that whatever reprogramming was done to this Astral Deva did not happen so that she is able to appear here in her normal goodly state." Assuming this works, Rill will call out to the Deva, "Oh righteous Deva, help us in our quest to defeat this chaotic monstrosity you see here. Banishing it only threatens other planes. It must be defeated."
(I tried to intentionally make this simple and avoid a direct effect on the Deva so it does not trigger a save. If for some reason there is a save, Rill would be +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance of outsiders, and the save DC would be 27.)
Then Rill uses a metamagic rod to cast a quickened Blade Barrier that should affect the Roc and Tinker. (52 damage, reflex save DC 25 (27 for Tinker) for half damage or to move out for no damage. It bypasses an outsider or construct's spell resistance or spell immunity. It provides cover (+4 bonus to AC, +2 bonus on Reflex saves) against attacks made through it.)
Then Rill moves up a bit.
--------------------------------------- Move action: Dimensional Hop, does not provoke AOO Swift action: quickened Cure Critical Wounds Standard Action: Fire Storm
Rill is +2 on AC, attacks and save DCs against Tinker (Probe Psyche from earlier).
Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance outsiders.
NOTE - Dragons and allies that wanted Holy Aura shines with a bright radiance. If anyone succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 273/276) d100=60 ; d100=76 ; d100=88 ; d100=28 ; d100=54 ; d20+30=50 ; d20+30=47 ; d20+30=48 ; d20+30=50 ; d20+30=49 ; d20+39=45 ; d20+34=47 ; d20+29=48 ; d20+24=36 ; d20+39=59 ; d20+39=40 ; d10+20=27 ; d10+20=30 ; d10+20=21 ; d10+20=29 ; Friday May 28th, 2021 3:32:06 PM Bralin is under Blur spell...which doesn't matter as 5 concealment rolls are over 20% I assume Tinker is Evil? If so, he's possibly blinded as result of Holy Aura. ----
Bralin's Stoneskin spell absorbs nearly all of the damage. Like Terser, dwarfs gotta be dwarfs, and he avoids taking negative levels (Forts saves 50,47,48,50,49 - really coulda used those d20 rolls on attack...)
The dwarf opts to go for severing pseudopods.
--------- Full Attack on Tinker pseudopods, trying to sever them. Atk 1 hits ac 45 for 27 hp damage Atk 2 hits ac 47 for 30 hp damage Atk 3 hits ac 48 for 21 hp damage Atk 4 misses (ac 36) Haste atk - Nat 20 (on off chance crits apply...threat 40, nope) for 29 hp damage
-----
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Stoneskin: DR10/adamantine (100/150) Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 d3=1 ; d3=3 ; d20+21=23 ; d20+21=25 ; 3d6+7=18 ; 3d6+7=21 ; d8=4 ; d8=2 ; Friday May 28th, 2021 7:51:43 PM
Aex finishes her summoning spell (burning foresight spell for Summon Nature's Ally IX) inside the rock... (burning a hero point to reroll the 1) The dirt around her creates space for 3 burrowing Elder Earth Elementals.
Aex herself is burrowing on the edge of the rock. All three Elder Earth Elementals are also burrowing and can not be seen with the naked eye. Possibly Tinker will notice the burrowing inside the rock. Since it's too crowded on the front line Aex asks her elementals to reposition towards the North of the Rock. Elemental 1 and 2 burrow full round north (40ft each) while Elemental 3 positions near the southern edge (still burrowing)
Popping up her head at the side of the rock she notices how the opponents team is making their advance. She does not hesitate and casts Control Winds (CL24). She has become powerful enough to cover the entire area. As it most likely will not hinder Tinker Aex decides to transmute the air behind him to blow from left to right at 175 mph+... the huge blue arrow on the map represents wind blowing.
All opponents FORT save DC27 to avoid tornado effects. Anything Large size and smaller is blown away by the wind possibly falling down... Ranged attacks are impossible.
After her spell is cast, Aex makes a 5ft step back inside the Rock.
Leafy makes a 5ft step forward slamming into the remaining Hezrou. Slam 1 hits AC23 damage 18 +4 Slam 2 hits AC24 damage 21 +2
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Friday May 28th, 2021 10:30:45 PM
Tahni keeps moving around, but always with some distance between her and the Tinker.
She prepares to counter his Gtr Dispel Magic once again.
---------------- Ready action to counter Gtr Dispel Magic from the Tinker. Tahni will cast Gtr Dispel Magic in return for an autopass
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+33=53 ; d20+33=34 ; d10=6 ; d10=4 ; d10=7 ; Saturday May 29th, 2021 10:13:46 PM
Fang switches targets to a tentacle and hits it for 36 damage (53 to hit vital strike, failed crit)
Fang (Mitch) HP: -50+/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Sunday May 30th, 2021 10:06:04 PM
Fang has a sudden irrational feeling of guilt for delaying things even though that makes no sense whatsoever.
Jozhur has had quite enough of these Hezrou's, and he dispatches the last one. Terser doesn't break a sweat tearing apart a colossal apex sky predator. It's vanished and backhome nearly as soon as it find him. Rill casts a 25,000 gold miracle. It doesn't immediately break the domination effect, because its was an equally powerful miracle effect that bound it. But now, the Deva, before its had a chance to unleash holy devastation, is now suddenly conflicted. It has a 50% chance of doing nothing each round.
Tinker passes his reflex save, and howls in both pain and delight as the scything blades rip though its main trunk.
(Terser please remember your 34 damage. Its a smite so no DR) (Terser, remember that your haste was stripped. *Unless you have a backup haste effect.)
Brailin lops off two pseudopods, they wriggle and squirm, before finally laying flat and still on the ground. Tinker gurgles out something unintelligible. Fang moves to finish off a tentacle that's barely hanging on, but she misses. It seems that without some way to see past this effect, she's going to have to tolerate some miss chance.
The Dragons: Jada: Activates a magic item, and Nvidias broken pieces are aborbed by HP04! Intel: Misses Tinker with FA. Wratheon: Misses Tinker with FA. Pentium: Hits with one of his drills! Deals 17 damage. Hp04: Fights. Is infused with extra powers from Nvidia. Hits for 43 damage. Cloud: Charges Tinker. Misses. Passed insanity. Yuffie: Fails her Insanity check. Does nothing. Urlryn: Casts Undeath to Death on the Vampire Trio, destroying all 3. She sets her sights on Mint. Elhonna: Misses with full attack. Crall: (retroactive) fixed by the mass heal. Casts Magic missile into Tinker twice. One overcomes DR and deal 25 damage. Marshall: Passes insanity check. Seems to be concerned. "Unlike you guys, we didn't get our spells back!" He notices fire isn't doing much, and hurls a bag of daggers in the air as he casts telekinesis. Tinker takes 39 damage as some, but not all, of the daggers make their way into his torso. Claw: Passes check, heals herself. Cid: Acts normally, attacks a tentacle. Misses. Han Valen: Puts back up his bardsong and refreshes haste on Terser. Foreigner: Passes check. Casts Sound burst. Tinker screams in clear anguish. Perhaps sonic damage is something he doesn't resist?
Team Tinker Mint, Granpa, Blue, Tencent: 90 pts fire resist remaining. 3 Psuedopods removed. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 140. Mint: Grandpa: Sky: Caitsith:. Blue: Tencent: Hin: 75
Tinker moves to dispel the earth elementals. He can pinpoint them, after all. But when he does, Tahni's counterspell foils his attempt. "I should have known you'd do that!", he laughs into the void swirling around him. After that, it's all tentacle work. He flies upwards, out of the blade barrier, and then attacks.
This time, all of his attacks go into Brailin! "Cut off my tentacles? Grand play!" Tinkers voice changes suddenly, from a deep rumble to his old annoying chide.
Mint curses her luck, and locks in on Urlryn. She doesn't cast a spell though...
Grandpa guards Mint.
Sky fires another elemental dart. It hits Brailin for 9 damage.
Caisith shouts at the opposing members of Fangs of the Beast. "Pull your weight or I'll throw you down the pit!", he screams. He casts maximized disintegrate at Fang and hits touch AC 26. It does 228 damage, Fort save DC 25 to reduce it to 30 damage.
The astral deva clutches its head and screams in agony!
Blue gets blown off the platform, but seems to have some sort of flight or wind walk upon her.
Hin goes flying off, and hits the ground with a splat.
Tencent advances. He appears to have a fly spell in his pocket.
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 259/276) d100=21 ; d100=85 ; d100=49 ; d100=84 ; d100=27 ; d100=83 ; d100=91 ; d20+30=50 ; d20+30=33 ; d20+30=48 ; d20+30=39 ; d20+30=41 ; d20+30=39 ; d20+30=36 ; d100=72 ; d20+39=57 ; d20+34=54 ; d20+34=52 ; d20+29=38 ; d20+24=43 ; d20+39=46 ; d10+20=21 ; d10+20=28 ; d10+20=28 ; d10+20=28 ; d10+20=30 ; d100=40 d100=64 d100=89 Monday May 31st, 2021 10:17:25 AM
Bralin's Blur doesn't prevent any of the Tinker's seven pseudopod attacks from hitting. Or Sky's. However, the Stoneskin spell again prevents most of the damage from them and Sky's attack. He also shrugs off the negative levels. [Fort Saves 50, 33, 48, 39, 41, 39, 36]
The dwarf is mildly surprised the pseudopods aren't growing back. But the plan of attack is plain, and he continues working on them.
Foreigner's sonic attack clearly hurt it, he points out to his comrades.
-------- Full Attack to sever pseudopods:
Atk 1 hits ac 57 for 21 hp damage Conceal check 40. Atk 2 Crit Threat - 52. 84 hp damage if subject to crits, else 28 hp. Conceal check 64. Atk 3 misses (ac 38) Atk 4 misses (ac 43) Haste atk hits ac 46 for 30 hp damage Conceal check 89.
-- In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Stoneskin: DR10/adamantine (36/150) Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d100=23 ; d100=80 ; d100=10 ; d100=30 ; d100=84 ; d20+24=32 ; d20+26=40 ; d20+26=44 ; Monday May 31st, 2021 8:56:37 PM woops - I thought the dispel was on someone else, I'll use a charge from my legacy item to cover it. I did account for the smiting though.
Blur helps a bit, but Terser still gets smacked around a little.
current hp 178/270
Terser tries to surprise everyone by using Tahni's trick and throws a greater dispel at Blue. dispel check 32
Treetrunks does her best to grab and sever a tentacle but still can't get a good grip. [/i]AC 40 and 44, miss [/i]
Fang (Mitch) HP: 209/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+24=34 ; d100=54 ; d20+37=43 ; Monday May 31st, 2021 10:09:05 PM
Fang easily shrugs off the disintegrate (34 fort save) but fails to hit the next tentacle (43 to hit)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+21=33 ; d100=90 ; d100=7 ; d3=2 ; d20+11=23 ; d20+11=24 ; Monday May 31st, 2021 10:23:00 PM "What are those casters up to? Are they preparing for something?"
Tahni quickly retrieves the quicken rod from her glove and tries to dispel whatever is keeping Blue flying. After that is preparing once again to counter the Tinker.
The succubus is still a little nuts so attacks the nearest creature. It has a few targets but settles on the elemental. It hits both times but can't get through the rocky exterior of the elemental.
The Erinyes devil has a moment of clarity and recasts minor image to keep the wall of stone in effect.
---------------------- Free action: Retrieve Lesser Quicken Rod from Glove of Storing Swift action: Cast Dispel Magic on Blue, naming the specific spell effect of 'Flight'. Dispel check: 33. Move action: Fly a little north to keep on moving Standard action: Ready action to counter the Tinker if he casts Gtr Dispel Magic. Tahni will use Gtr Dispel Magic for an autopass
Succubus confusion check: 90 = Attack nearest creature. ED, EE1, Terser in alphabetical order. D3=2=Elemental. Succubus hits AC23 and AC24 but can't beat the EEs DR. Erinyes confusion check: 7 = Act normally. Cast Minor Image to get the wall back up.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 235/251 d20+29=38 d20+34=46 10d6(5+3+1+1+4+3+4+3+3+6)=33 Tuesday June 1st, 2021 2:17:08 AM
(Rill made his will save. Do we need to make this each round?)
Rill silently says to the Dragons, I think Mint and Grandpa may be on our side.
Rill can see that Urlryn had Mint in her sights. He says aloud, "Urlryn, I think the Tinker may be a bigger threat than Mint back there. We'll deal with her and Grandpa later."
Then he will use a metamagic rod to cast a quickened Blindness on Tinker (bypasses SR and spell immunity, DC 22 Fort save.) He will also cast Destruction on Tinker (rolled 46 against Tinker's spell resistance. 220 points of damage, DC 26 fort save to take 33 instead.)
He keeps his eye on the Deva. It may have been a Miracle that changed the thing, but that miracle has come and gone. Rill hopes that now his own Miracle would simply restore it.
--------------------------------------- Swift action: quickened Blindness Standard Action: Destruction
Rill is +2 on AC, attacks and save DCs against Tinker (Probe Psyche from earlier).
Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance outsiders.
NOTE - Dragons and allies that wanted Holy Aura shines with a bright radiance. If an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
Aex is happy her burrowing plan seems to work so far. With him now flying upward Aex is relatively safe. Now what's next... hinder the onrushing opponents some more - Tahni seems to think some might turn to our side... or try and harass thinker a bit more. Downside of the Tinker flying upward is that Aex's Elemental won't do any good. Best thing for them then is to act as stone shields for the others...
Pushinig her stone head through the floor again Aex casts Insect Plague. If they don't harm Tinker, perhaps they'll just annoy him... 6 Wasp Swarms are summoned around Tinker. (no saving throw, no spell resistance)
Swarm Attack: creatures with the swarm subtype don’t make standard melee attacks. Instead, they deal automatic damage to any creature whose space they occupy at the end of their move, with no attack roll needed. Swarm attacks are not subject to a miss chance for concealment or cover.
Swarms possess the distraction ability. Spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a caster level check (DC 20 + spell level). Using skills that involve patience and concentration requires a DC 20 Will save.
6 wasp swarms automatically attack Tinker. Each does 2d6 + poison Total damage 43 HP + 6 x save Fort DC 13 vs poison
After the spell casting, Aex sinks into the rocks again... staying close to the side so if needed she can pop out instantly.
The 3 Elder Earth Elementals push through the surface and work their elbows to stand on the front line. Their sole goal will be to keep the others from getting whacked. If possible they'll attack any pseudopod. Each elemental makes a move and can deliver one slam.
Leafy is quite displeased with the Earth Elemental pushing forward leaving no space for the Treant to help out. Leafy does refrain from kicking the elemental in his behind... after all he might break a root on that rocky behind...
AEXANA Active Spells or Spell like effects : Magic Resistance 25 (Holy Aura vs Evil casters) or 21 (Mantle of Spell Resistance) Venom Immunity (Druid ability) Freedom of Movement (Spell cast by Terser) Darkvision 120ft (Robe of Eyes) See all forms of invisible or ethereal creatures within 120ft (Robe of Eyes) Can not be flanked (Robe of Eyes) Feather Fall (Ring) Invisible (Ring) Extended Prayer (44 rounds) (Spell cast by Rill) - +1 luck bonus Holy Aura (22 rounds) (Spell cast by Rill) - SR25 Remove Fear (wand from Tahni) True Seeing 120ft Air Walk
LEAFY Active Spells: Scent Blindsense 30ft Ghost Touch breastplate Thundering Ghost Touch Tears Air Walk Stoneskin 150 HP Resist Energy Fire 30 Endure Elements Shield Morale bonus +14 vs Will save (if within 60ft from Han Valen)
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Tuesday June 1st, 2021 10:10:47 AM
Jozhur sheathes his sword and readies his longbow as he takes a step back. Not his preferred method, but better than standing around.
As the battle begins to ramp up, the sky darkens around Tinker. Its not that he's brought dark clouds, but rather that he seems to be pulling space in around him. He is not a child of the Wold, and it seems like he's wrecking havoc on Jericho space just by being here.
He doesn't seem to mind though, and happily moves about flailing with his remaining tentacles. Both laughing and cursing every time one is removed. Bralin removes another pair of pseudopods. All in a days work!
Terser tries to cast a spell, but is smacked in the face by an attack of opportunity for 23 damage. (Tinker has true seeing, so unless you have mindblank he's seeing past your blur.) The DC to keep his spell is DC 15 + Damage + spell level, so 44. The DM makes this roll for you, and sadly it does not pass.
Tahni attempts to dispel Blue's flight, and succeeds. The Marilith drops off the field of view. Rill tries to blind Tinker, but he saves. He tries to explode Tinker as well! He casts his spell and waits, and for a brief moment it looks like nothing happens, until he hears a deafening explosion from behind him! Whats left of The Foreigner lays in a smoking heap on the ground.
Aexana summons wasps and they seem to do little to hinder him. He's immune to ability damage from the poison, and they can't penetrate his damage resistance. Now he's an interdimensional tentacle beast, with wasps! Her elementals crush a pseudopod to pulp. Jozhur swaps weapons and tactics.
------------------------------
The Dragons: Jada: Moves and defensively casts Heal on Terser. Intel: Hits Tinker for 17. Wratheon: Misses Tinker. Pentium: Misses Tinker. Hp04: Full attacks Tinker for 13 damage. Cloud: Backs away from Tinker and casts Darkness on himself. Yuffie: Hits herself in the face. Urlryn: Turns to Rill. "Not much else I can use on him!" She tries casting Maze, but Tinker passes his save. Elhonna: Full attacks Tinker. Deals 26 damage. Crall: (retroactive) fixed by the mass heal. Casts Magic missile into Tinker twice again. He fails to overcome DR, draws his weapon, and advances. Marshall: Begins summoning help. "I'll bring in some healers!| Claw: Advances. The line to Tinker is too clogged to charge. Takes an attack of opportunity as she does so. Cid: Still insance, he's confused again, and he babbles on about something that happened long, long ago in his youth. Han Valen: Overcome with sudden shock, he teleports away to the backside of the field to threaten Caisyth. He may be a bard, but he's also half dragon! Foreigner: Dead -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tinker is now missing several pseudopods. He's still got all those tentacles however. He whips them into Jozhur! All 10 hit for 23, 21, 23, 16, 18, 22, 24, 22 (169 total if no DR). He puts his pseudopods into into Brailin!
Brailin takes 26,16,18,23,17 and 17 damage and needs to make 6 DC 35 fortitude saves or gain a negative level for each one failed.
Then, Tinker casts a quickened Enervation on Brailin! Brailin takes 3 negative levels.
(For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative –1 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. If a creature’s negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies.)
------------
Mint casts a spell, Undeath to Death, and suddenly Caisyths mount disintegrates! Granpda full attacks Caisyth, and does 44 damage! Sky casts a maximized lightning bolt at Caitsyth, but the spell is saved and he takes no damage. Tencent flies and slams a palm into Fang. Fang takes 18 damage and must pass a fortitude save DC 25 or die. Blue 31 and Hin suddenly appear back on the field. Hin unleashes a whole flurry of throwing stars at Tahni. Only one hits, and she takes 9 physical, 2 fire, 2 ice, and 6 shock damage.
The astral deva screams some more, but does nothing.
As the vortex widens, likely due to the passing of Tinkers home dimension, large chunks of rocks and space debris start falling through the maw in the sky. EVERYONE, including enemies, reflex save DC 35 or take 18 physical damage.
Team Tinker Status
Mint, Granpa, Blue, Tencent: 90 pts fire resist remaining. 6 Psuedopods removed. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds. Only gotta save once.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 d20+34=35 ; d20+34=43 ; 10d6=41 ; d20+17=20 ; Tuesday June 1st, 2021 7:47:07 PM
Rill fails his save against the hail. He says silently says to the Dragons, Ah yes. Mint, Grandpa and Sky were on our side all along.
Seeing this, Rill shouts "Tinker's realm damaged even his allies! He cares not for any of you! Join us Blue and Caysith, Tencent and Hin. Cut your losses and join us!"
Rill is saddened by the loss of Foreigner. Especially since it looks like it was Rill's redirected spell that did him in. He will once again cast Destruction on Tinker (rolled a 35 against SR, Tinker takes 220 points of damage, DC 26 fort save to take 41 instead.) Then Rill uses a metamagic rod to casts a quickened Death Ward and uses Dimensional Hop to move up to Bralin and deliver the spell. He will step back 5', flying.
He keeps his eye on that Deva, sad to see the poor creature tormented.
--------------------------------------- Standard Action: Destruction Swift action: quickened Blindness Move Action: Dimensional Hop, does not provoke AOO 5' move back, does not provoke AOO
Death Ward on Bralin - +4 morale bonus on saves against death spells and magical death effects. The subject is granted a save to negate such effects even if one is not normally allowed. The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy effects, including channeled negative energy. This spell does not remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, but it does remove the penalties from negative levels for the duration of its effect.
Rill is +2 on AC, attacks and save DCs against Tinker (Probe Psyche from earlier).
Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance outsiders.
NOTE - Dragons and allies that wanted Holy Aura shines with a bright radiance. If an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d100=76 ; 2d8+23=35 ; d20=3 ; d20=4 ; d20+41=42 ; Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 1:52:18 AM
Terser does have mind blank, but the Blur doesn't save him from that bonus attack. Oh well.
Need a hand back there, Tahni? It's probably more effective for Treetrunks to head back there anyway, since she can't hit Tinker except when very lucky. She charges to the back of the platform, running through Hin and Blue. Reflex 10 - 35 damage from flying rocks Trample on Blue and Hin - Reflex Save DC 28 or take 35 damage AoOs are at -4 and prevents dodging
Terser steps into the elephant hole in the line, suffering from the flying rocks as well and aims one strike at the Tinker's tentacle. But even aiming carefully doesn't prevent him from just tripping and almost dropping his weapon. nat 1
Active effects Enlarge, Ghost Touch Weapon, Fly, Rage, Mind Blank, Heroism, Holy Aura, Prayer, See Invis, Bardsong, Blur, Haste, Remove Fear Rage rounds used 4 HP 168/270
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+19=35 ; d100=61 ; d100=51 ; d20+19=31 ; d20+9=26 ; d20+12=20 ; d8+1=4 ; d8+5=13 ; d20+17=37 ; Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 3:23:55 AM
Hin. Tahni still doesn't like the guy. She raises her shield just as the last throwing star approaches her, deflecting it aside. (Arrow Deflection ability)
Despite the suggestion from Rill, she is completely surprised by the change in the Fangs! She was just about to try and suffocate them!
The succubus and erinyes just don't know what is going on. They each punch themselves, praying for the pain to be over soon. It doesnt look that way, as they get clobbered by some space junk.
Tahni manages to dodge the debris - barely.
She heals up the most wounded of the party and then flies a little bit away from Hin.
------------ Space debris ref save vs DC35: Pass! Succubus space debris check vs DC35: 26=Fail! Succubus takes 18pts damage. Erinyes space debris check vs DC35: 20=Fail! Erinyes takes 20pts damage.
Succubus confusion check: 61. Punch self for 4pts damage. Erinyes confusion check: 51. Punch self for 13pts damage.
Arrow Deflection on Shield. Ref check to avoid the projectile: 31 = Pass!
Standard: Cast Mass Heal to catch Jozhur, Bralin, Rill, EE3, NV. All healed for 210pts Swift: Cast Quickened Eye of Newt, delivered via the Spectral Hand to Hin. Hit TouchAC37 (Nat20). Hin has a -2 penalty on attacks against Tahni Move: Tahni flies 15ft south east, still 40ft in the air. Invisible and with Mind Blank
Spells in effect on Tahni Barkskin, Blur, Freedom of Movement, Gtr Invisibility, Haste, Hide from Animals, Hide from Undead, Magic Vestment x2, Mind Blank, Overland Flight, Prayer, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Resist Energy (Elec, Fire), Shield, SMVI (Erinyes Devil), SMVI (Succubus Demon), Spectral Hand, Spell Immunity (Touch of Idiocy, Touch of Gracelessness, Unholy Blight, Scorching Ray), True Seeing
Spells in effect on others Blur (except the late Foreigner), GMW x 2 on Jozhurs swords, Haste (except the late Foreigner), Hide from Animals (all), Remove Fear (all)
Other Minor Image (as a wall of stone in front of the team)
Succubus: 41pts damage Erinyes: 33pts damage
Fang (Mitch) HP: 173/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20=12 ; d20+18=24 ; d20+37=47 ; d10=7 ; d10=3 ; d10=7 ; d10+19=29 ; Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 8:04:30 AM
Fang takes the hits (26 fort, 24 reflex) but ignores the new attacker, focusing on the important target. She strikes out at a tentacle (vital strike 47 to hit, 39 damage)
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+25=34 ; d20+29=43 ; d6+9=11 ; 8d6=24 ; 2d6=5 ; d6=2 ; Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 2:12:32 PM
Jozhur gets smacked around by Tinker and a chunk of space junk, but Tahni quickly patches him up. He rushes to attack the new targets, dropping his nearly useless bow. He gets in a quick stab at Blue.
------------------------------------ Free action: drop bow, its marked on map Use boots of haste, draw weapons while moving, move to flank blue 42 with Tree Trunks (elephant). Movement provokes up to two opportunity attacks from both Tinker and Blue 42, unless Blue 42 has more than 10 foot reach. Jozhur's AC is +4 vs opportunity attacks.
Attack on Blue 42 hits AC 43: 11 damage, 24 sneak damage, 5 if evil, 2 cold damage (42)
----------------------------------- Active spells: Extended Prayer Haste (Boots of haste used 2/10) Elixir of hiding Freedom of Movement (ring)
AC for this round is 33 (37 for opportunity attacks)
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) d20+30=44 ; d20+30=43 ; d20+30=41 ; d20+30=43 ; d20+39=46 ; d20+34=38 ; d20+29=48 ; d20+24=39 ; d20+39=46 ; d100=6 ; d100=35 ; d100=2 ; d100=62 ; d100=22 ; d100=22 ; d10+20=23 ; d10+20=28 ; Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 3:27:16 PM
By everyone's count, Tinker only has 4 pseudopods left, not 6. So I'll assume only the first four attacks hit. The damage by the remaining pseudopods overwhelms Bralin's Stoneskin spell, and it fizzles out. Again, the dwarf overcomes the negative levels (Fort saves 44, 43, 41, 43) Tinker's spell does its damage, as does the falling debris.
However, Rill's Death Ward and Tahni's Heal spells remove the effects.
--
The dwarf continues trying to chop off pseudopods. The Tinker's blurriness is especially troublesome.
--- Full Attack to sever pseudopods:
Atk 1 hits ac 46 for 23 hp damage Conceal check 6. Reroll for Blind Fight Feat 35. Atk 2 misses (ac 38) Atk 3 hits ac 48 for 28 hp damage Conceal check 2. Reroll for Blind Fight Feat 62. Atk 4 misses (ac 39) Haste atk hits ac 46, but misses due to concealment Conceal check 22. Reroll for Blind Fight Feat ANOTHER 22.
Status -3 Levels. No penalties due to Death Ward.
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Death Ward: +4 morale bonus on saves against death spells and magical death effects. The subject is granted a save to negate such effects even if one is not normally allowed. The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy effects, including channeled negative energy. This spell does not remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, but it does remove the penalties from negative levels for the duration of its effect.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 d20+18=34 ; d20+27=33 ; d20+27=29 ; d20+27=28 ; d20+27=31 ; d20+27=34 ; d20+27=37 ; Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 6:18:00 PM
Aexana is a bit frustrated to see none of the spells have been powerful enough to hurt Tinker.
Tinker seems to bring in a kind of darkness - let's bring in some illumination. The little greenmage pops up from the ground and casts Sunbeam. CL18 - Spell resistance 34+1Prayer = 35 thus insufficient... Again she sinks into the rock...
The 3 Earth elementals wave their hands hoping to strike some one of course... Not one Earth Elemntag can hits Tinker.
Resistance 25 (Holy Aura vs Evil casters) or 21 (Mantle of Spell Resistance) Venom Immunity (Druid ability) Freedom of Movement (Spell cast by Terser) Darkvision 120ft (Robe of Eyes) See all forms of invisible or ethereal creatures within 120ft (Robe of Eyes) Can not be flanked (Robe of Eyes) Feather Fall (Ring) Invisible (Ring) Extended Prayer (44 rounds) (Spell cast by Rill) - +1 luck bonus Holy Aura (22 rounds) (Spell cast by Rill) - SR25 Remove Fear (wand from Tahni) True Seeing 120ft Air Walk
LEAFY Active Spells: Scent Blindsense 30ft Ghost Touch breastplate Thundering Ghost Touch Tears Air Walk Stoneskin 150 HP Resist Energy Fire 30 Endure Elements Shield Morale bonus +14 vs Will save (if within 60ft from Han Valen)
Final Moments, Final Battle Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 8:28:50 PM
As the battle ebbs and flows, something seems to grab Tinkers attention. He looks over his massive shoulders into the dim void, and shivers once. Its a rippling, massive reaction, that sends his many mouths chittering and his countless eyes blinking.
"Tick tock goes the clock, Dragons." He swings a massive eye stalk around to the Fangs of the Beast. "How special!, he croons. "An honest to goodness betrayal, such a wonderful experience!" His eyes take on a sinister glow. "You've all got my full attention.."
-----------------
Please make an RP post. I won't be advancing combat until Thursdays post.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 10:06:06 PM
Treetrunks bellows in Blue and Hin's faces, which seems to say "All is forgiven if you do as Rill says and join us."
Terser catches his breath and balance a bit in this spare moment, steeling himself to finish this combat and protect the Fangs that have ended their deception and joined the side of good.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday June 3rd, 2021 1:43:45 AM
Tahni keeps her mouth shut. She doesn't want to give away her position to the Tinker OR Hin. Instead she monitors the health of the rest of the party via the dragon rings.
"Wonder what the time pressure is about?"
Fang (Mitch) HP: 173/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday June 3rd, 2021 8:01:06 AM
Fang ignores the Tinker's words, far more interested in just killing him and shutting him up.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) Thursday June 3rd, 2021 12:35:09 PM
Bralin is also focused on the task at hand. Even as he chops away pseudopods, his mind wheels to the end game. He's going to need to do more damage....
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 Thursday June 3rd, 2021 12:40:50 PM "Yes Tinker, it seems that your time is at an end of sorts. But life is a continual journey, and death is just a temporary stop before it begins anew. Surely you must be curious to see what that looks like.
"Come Tinker, give in to the temptation. Leave your realm behind and embrace this next one. Think of how fascinating it will be for you to stand before Gargul and see what comes next! Stop this fighting and let us send you to an exciting new place that you've never seen before!"
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 205/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Thursday June 3rd, 2021 1:03:56 PM
Jozhur smiles as he realizes what Grandpa and Mint have done. Well played.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Thursday June 3rd, 2021 6:32:21 PM
Not much happens inside the rock. Burrowing through feels like floating in a swimming pool It's actually quite interesting and had it not been that the Tinker was here, Aex would have enjoyed the moment. Considering her next moves she mentally reaches out for Leafy to make sure her shrubbery plant is in good health.
Leafy hops from one root to the other and he considers how to get involved again. Those peskt stone elementals sole his moment.
Rill tries another destruction spell, but Tinker passes his fortitude save. Tersers elephant charges into Hin and Blue. Blue's AOO is a tail slap, that hits AC 33 after reduction, and does 7 damage. Her grab and coil ability allows her to start a grapple. With a 37, she grapples, (maybe?) and deals 14 damage with constrict.
Fang lops off a tentacle rather than a pseudopod, eliciting a grunt from Tinker. Jozhur advances on Blue and is hit by both a tentacle for 19. Blue's sword licks out and misses. He isn't flanking, because Blue can independently grapple and defend herself with her long body, but he hits anyways and she yells in pain, even though her stoneskin spell absorbs some of it.
Brailins two attacks take down another pseudopod, leaving just 2. Aexana and her elementals have a rough go of it, so she sinks back underground to consider her next round. ------------------------------
The Dragons: Jada: 160. Jada backs up and tries to cast dismissal on Blue, to send her home to whatever hell she came from, but the spell doesn't seem to work. Intel: Misses with everything. Wratheon: releases an elemental blast, dealing 16 damage to Tinker. Pentium: Pentium Tencent for 9 damage. Hp04: Full attacks Tinker but misses.
Yuffie: Attacks Cloud. Urlryn: Casts Disintegrate on Cloud, who passes his save. Elhonna: Full attacks Tinker. Deals 44 damage. Crall: Full attacks Cloud, but cannot pass his AC. Marshall: Finishes summoning an azata, after rolling poorly on his summons roll. Claw:Turns and moves back to engage Cloud. Cid: Still insane, punches himself. Han Valen: Full attacks Tinker, does 32 damage. Mint: Stasis Grandpa: Stasis Sky:Stasis
Tinker seems to be enjoying it all! With a sweep of his remaining tentacles, he gestures at the battlefield. GLORIUS!" One psuedopod places itself where his chin would be. "But cluttered. A mess. And too too crowded. Lets try a new scenario!"
As a full round action, Tinker calls down thick gobs of goo from his vortex. They hit..
Hav Valen, Sky, Grandpa, Crall, Mint, All 3 Elementals, All 3 Azatas, Urlyrn, Hin, The Deva, All of the Robots, Claw, the Erinyes, and the Succubus. Blue, Treetrunks, Jada, Caisyth, Cloud, and Xuffie remain.
Each of those hit are suddenly encased in crystal as the good hardens. Tinker gestures upwards, and those crystals suddenly lift themselves above the battlefield, hovering at the maw of the void.
"There! Much cleaner!"
------------
Blue 31: Unleashes a full attack on Treetrunks! Hits AC 36, 32, 33, 34, 41 for 10,11,13,9,14. Constricts for 21.
Cloud rushes out of the darkness, flanked by a humongous fiendish Trex. His sword glowing with dark energy. He full attacks JADA, who is caught flat footed by his betrayal. The Trex attacks Leafy! The Trex bits the tree, but finds no easy target to wound.
Team Tinker Status
Mint, Granpa, Blue, Tencent: 90 pts fire resist remaining. 2 Psuedopods remain. 9 tentacles remain. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 228. Tinker CD: 1 rounds. Caitsith: 44. Blue: 106 Tencent: Stasis Hin: Stasis Deva: Stasis Cloud: AC 41, 22 damage.
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds. Only gotta save once.
-----------------
Xuffie glares at Cloud. "Fool, why!?" Cloud stares back cooly, but says nothing. Tinker fills her in. "I grant wishes, girl! He approached me with a wish, and when this is over, I'll grant it! Want to know what he desires most?"
"Don't really care. Xuffie levels her weapons at both Tinker and Cloud. "Cause you won't be around to grant it." Tinkers arms wave about excitedly. "Wonderful!"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20+23=32 ; d20+23=34 ; 2d8+18=22 ; 2d6+18=30 ; d20+35=37 ; d20+35=44 ; d20+30=40 ; d20+25=45 ; d20+25=39 ; d20+20=38 ; 2d6+41=47 ; 2d6+41=51 ; 2d6+41=49 ; 2d6+41=49 ; d8=1 ; d8=3 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d6=6 ; d6=6 ; d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; Friday June 4th, 2021 3:50:05 PM
Blue's tail may not be long enough to wrap up an elephant (unless she's special, grab only works on creatures the same size or smaller), so Treetrunks may be free to rampage. Not that she wasn't just there to be a distraction, cause she won't last long under a demon's onslaught. And she may be providing that flank for Jozhur after all.
Elephant HP 72 (haven't counted constrict yet). Assuming she's not grappled (or maybe despite) she waves her tusk and trunk around to keep Blue off balance.
hits AC 34 and 36 with flank 22 and 30 damage
Terser hasn't been great at hitting the Tinker, but he's been pretty effective in ridding his allies from the battlefield, and one is trying to take down his Sister! He turns around and works his glaive to its fullest extent, and pops out some healing for her as well.
1st miss Haste AC 44 - 47 damage 2nd miss 3rd nat 20, hero point to make it a crit - (51+49+49+4sonic) 153 total and DC14 fort or be deafened) 4th miss
4 rounds rage to channel as a swift action, 31 healing to Leafy, Jada, and Fang (excluding enemies via feat)
Rage rounds used 9 Channels used 1 current hp 270 effect: Enlarge, Ghost Touch Weapon, Fly, Rage, Mind Blank, Heroism, Holy Aura, Prayer, See Invis, Bardsong, Blur, Haste, Remove Fear
Fang (Mitch) HP: 173/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+37=42 ; Saturday June 5th, 2021 10:03:47 AM
Fang has long lost track of who's on what side so doesn't even notice Cloud's sudden betrayal. She just keeps carving up Tinker's limbs in a rage, though her axe just slides off this round (42 to hit)
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+21=28 ; Sunday June 6th, 2021 8:36:47 PM
Tahni tries to 'blip' away the T-Rex before it can do much damage. She then goes back to preparing to counter a greater dispel from the Tinker
-------------- Swift action: Cast Dispel Magic at the T-Rex. Dispel check: 28 (DC = 11 + the spell's caster level) Ready action to counterspell Gtr Dispel Magic with Gtr Dispel Magic
Fang (Mitch) HP: 173/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Sunday June 6th, 2021 10:02:43 PM
Fang gets a song stuck in her head as she finds a rhythm in hacking at the writhing tentacles.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 d20+34=40 ; 10d6=30 ; 15d6=59 ; d20+26=35 ; Monday June 7th, 2021 1:05:08 AM
Rill smiles at Tinker. Clearly this creature is holding back if he could have swept away his opponents from the start. Rill is hoping the Wold is watching through the monitors as he says, "Think Carefully Khloud - Tinker simply cheats when he's loosing, so why do you think he will care about an agreement he made with you. The same goes for the rest of you - ask yourselves why Tinker makes you fight when he can get rid of anyone at anytime."
"And you Tinker, if you can just brush aside our spells and allies, it seems like you're just toying with us. What's your game? Why would you still be fighting if you can banish us with a thought?"
Rill will use a Miracle to defensively cast Destruction, again targeting Tinker. (rolled a 40 against SR, Tinker takes 220 points of damage, DC 28 fort save to take 30 instead.) Then Rill uses a metamagic rod to cast a quickened Blade Barrier that should affect Caysith and Tinker. (59 damage, reflex save DC 25 (27 for Tinker) for half damage or to move out for no damage. SR 35 against Caysuth. It bypasses an outsider or construct's spell resistance or spell immunity. It provides cover (+4 bonus to AC, +2 bonus on Reflex saves) against attacks made through it.)
--------------------------------------- Standard Action: defensively (auto succeed) cast Destruction Swift action: quickened Blade Barrier 5' move back, does not provoke AOO
Rill is +2 on AC, attacks and save DCs against Tinker (Probe Psyche from earlier).
Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance outsiders.
NOTE - Dragons and allies that wanted Holy Aura shines with a bright radiance. If an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 186/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+32=40 ; d20+27=39 ; d6+9=13 ; 8d6=25 ; 2d6=5 ; d6=2 ; d20+28=41 ; d20+28=31 ; d20+23=29 ; d20+23=24 ; d20+18=24 ; d6+9=10 ; 8d6=24 ; 2d6=9 ; d6=1 ; Monday June 7th, 2021 1:26:58 AM
Jozhur gasps as he sees several combatants, including Urlryn, removed from the fight. He keeps up his attack on Blue while his shadow returns to their starting platform.
---------------------------------------- If elephant is grappled, Jozhur will attempt an improved feint and only get one attack (Bluff check: 40. DC is 10+opponents BAB+WIS modifier or 10+oppenents Sense Motive skill) If successful, Blue gets no DEX bonus for Jozhur's next attack.
If elephant should not be grappled, he full haste attacks.
First attack hits AC 39: 13 damage, 25 sneak damage, 5 damage if evil, 2 cold damage (45)
Rest only if feint not needed: Haste attack hits AC 41 (10 damage, 24 sneak damage, 9 if evil, 1 cold (44) Off hand misses Second main misses Second off misses Third misses
If full attack, boots of haste used 3/10
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) d20+39=56 ; d20+34=36 ; d20+29=42 ; d20+24=34 ; d20+39=44 ; d10+24=27 ; d10+24=30 ; d100=11 ; d100=38 ; d100=2 ; d100=14 ; Monday June 7th, 2021 1:53:11 PM
Bralin decides to try for more power.
The dwarf lets go of his shield to take a two handed grip on his war axe. The shield hangs in the air, continuing to provide cover.
Bralin swings away, but is again confounded by the Tinker's bluriness.
--- Let go of shield as free action. Animated Shield 1/4 rds. Full Attack to sever pseudopods:
Atk 1 hits ac 56 for 27 hp damage Conceal check 11. Reroll for Blind Fight Feat 38. Atk 2 misses (ac 36) Atk 3 misses (ac 42) Atk 4 misses (ac 34) Haste atk roll 44, Hero Pt to add 4, hits ac48, but misses due to concealment Conceal check 2. Reroll for Blind Fight Feat 14....%$@.
Status -3 Levels. No penalties due to Death Ward.
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Death Ward: +4 morale bonus on saves against death spells and magical death effects. The subject is granted a save to negate such effects even if one is not normally allowed. The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy effects, including channeled negative energy. This spell does not remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, but it does remove the penalties from negative levels for the duration of its effect.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 d20+18=19 ; d20+18=32 ; d20+22=30 ; d20+22=30 ; d20+16=19 ; d20+19=25 ; 3d6+7=12 ; 3d6+7=19 ; 3d6+7=16 ; d8=5 ; d8=1 ; d8=8 ; 2d8+7=18 ; Monday June 7th, 2021 7:42:16 PM
Aexearth moves up and she hopes that Tinker, since he seems to like being surrounded by darkness, might be hurt by sunlight... Aex casts Sunbeam
Sunbeam - SR check 32 (natural 1 - reroll Hero Point - 32) - insufficient again... This time she remains surfaced... she holds a Rod of Absorption in her stone hands...
Leafy is not impressed by the T-Rex that attacks... the young Treant returns the favour Slaml 1 hits AC30 - damage 12 +5 Slam 2 hits AC30 - damage 19 +1 Slam 3 hits AC19 - damage 16 + 8 Bite hits AC25 - damage 19
Fang (Mitch) HP: 173/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Tuesday June 8th, 2021 7:14:33 AM
Oh hey wasn't that guy on their side? Whatever, Tinker's more important anyway.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) Tuesday June 8th, 2021 4:57:59 PM
Terser keeps aiming, making sure that he's not gonna miss the next shot.
Treetrunks, the heroic elephant continues her battle with an ultra powerful bound demon-witch. Quite impressive, when you think about it? A Tusk gores the demoness, who hisses in retaliation. Terser meanwhile, is having none of Cloud's betrayal. He both heals his sister, and deals 200 damage to the errant blackguard in a single round. Clouds head lops cleanly from its shoulders, and rolls to a stop under Tersers boot. An angry sneer is the final face the mercenary ever makes.
Tahni puts the final moments on his bound minion, dispelling it before it can continue its rampage. Fang takes another tentacle, further weakening Tinker. Jozhur presses against Blue, and finds himself making good progress on the demon. Black blood trickles from a number of punctures and wounds. Brailin swings for the fences, and cuts a chunk from another pseudopod, but it stays connected by the thinnest of margins.
Aexana hatches a plan with a Rod of Absorbption after another Sunbeam goes awry. Leafy's target is dismissed, so he takes a defensive posture. Rill punches at Tinker with another destruction spell, and Tinker saves again. Still, the continued explosions are doing work, and Tinker is starting to show signs of wear. Caisyth and Tinker both take half damage from the Blade Barrier.
When Rill accuses him of holding back, he waves his remaining tentacles.
"Are you joking? I'm losing this thing handily!" For a brief second, his tentacles are replaced with a bunch of hands, and Tinker gargles at his own joke.
(I may not have described it well enough, but that last action was an attack. I just managed to miss every Dragon and the remaining combatants.)
------------
Jada heals the rest of her damage. Xuffie moves in to flank with Treetrunks and Jozhur, and wounds Blue for 29 damage.
Despite Rill's assertations that Tinker isn't trying, there seems to be a growing desperation in the creatures flailing attacks, even as Bralin and Fang ensure there are less and less of them to contend with.
Tinkers Psuedopods thrash against Brailin, fighting for their weird version of lives. Brailin takes 19 and 19 damage, and must make two DC 35 fort saves or take two negative levels. His tentacles crash against Fang. They hit AC 40, 41, 37, 41, 34, 34, 31 (nat 1), 46 for 25, 20, 16, 17, 20, 22, and 17. (No DR considered on my end) and 33 bleed damage. Fang will Bleed 33 damage per turn unless healed with magic healing or a DC 15 heal check.
Tinker then extends a tentacle, and a beam of black energy slams into Terser, who takes 1 negative level unless he has protection against such things.
Blue full attacks Jozhur, who she suddenly deems more dangerous than Treetrunks. Her five longswords slice across the rogue again and again. Jozhur takes 8, 13, 13, 14, and 25 damage. Her tail swipe is a clean miss.
Caisyth casts a Maximized greater false life spell, then quickly dim doors across the battlefield. He is at a height of 50ft.
------------
Team Tinker Status
90 pts fire resist remaining. 2 Psuedopods remain. 8 tentacles remain. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 325. Tinker with Fate: Available. Caitsith: 74. Blue: 169 Tencent: Stasis Hin: Stasis Deva: Stasis
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds. Only gotta save once.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20+23=38 ; d20+23=43 ; d20+23=38 ; 2d8+17=28 ; 2d6+17=24 ; 2d6+17=25 ; d20+38=57 ; d20+38=40 ; d20+38=56 ; d20+38=48 ; d20+28=31 ; d20+23=40 ; 2d6+25=34 ; 2d6+25=31 ; Tuesday June 8th, 2021 8:31:47 PM
No one took her as a real threat, so Treetrunks has been free to slam and gore and provide flanking for Jozhur. She slams and gores again, maybe even critically!
AC 38 - 28 Nat 20 (confirm to 38) - 24 (or 49) damage
Terser is confident that Rill will take care of the effects of that black beam later and focuses on taking down Tinker. He steps forward to get his glaive out of range of any allies and hopes he makes it through the blur.
Rage rounds used 10 1 negative level Channels used 1, powerful blow used current hp 270 effect: Enlarge, Ghost Touch Weapon, Fly, Rage, Mind Blank, Heroism, Holy Aura, Prayer, See Invis, Bardsong, Blur, Haste, Remove Fear
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+28=38 ; d20+28=31 ; d20+28=30 ; d20+23=40 ; d20+23=36 ; d20+18=32 ; d8+9=13 ; d8+9=16 ; d8+9=13 ; d3=2 ; d8+9=17 ; d6+9=14 ; d6+9=12 ; d6+9=10 ; d6+9=15 ; d6+9=14 ; d6+9=11 ; 8d6=25 ; 8d6=30 ; 8d6=27 ; 8d6=15 ; 8d6=18 ; 8d6=25 ; 2d6=8 ; 2d6=5 ; 2d6=4 ; 2d6=5 ; 2d6=5 ; 2d6=10 ; d6=6 ; d6=2 ; d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; Tuesday June 8th, 2021 9:56:05 PM
Jozhur does his best to ignore the wounds and strikes back at the demon, hoping to dispatch Blue. He keeps an eye on Urlryn as he fights Blue.
--------------------------------------------------- Full hasted attack First attack hits AC 38: 14 damage, 25 sneak damage, 8 holy if evil, 6 cold (53) Haste attack hits AC 31: 12 damage, 30 sneak, 5 holy, 2 cold (50) First off hand hits AC 30: 10 damage, 27 sneak, 4 holy, 3 cold (43) Second attack hits AC 40: 15 damage, 15 sneak, 5 holy, 2 cold (37) Second off hand hits AC 36: 14 damage, 18 sneak, 5 holy, 6 cold (43) Third attack hits AC 32: 11 damage, 25 sneak, 10 holy, 4 cold (50)
Boots of haste used: 4/10 Active effects: Prayer, Boots of haste, AC for round is 33
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Wednesday June 9th, 2021 12:35:20 AM
Fang looks like she's taken a few hits. Unfortunately Tahni couldn't be further from her! Even at full speed she couldn't make the distance.
"Fang! I can't get to you unless you withdraw closer to me. That or you're going to have to trust Jada to heal you!"
She waits to see how Fang reacts.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 57/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday June 9th, 2021 7:14:45 AM
Fang gets badly hurt and takes a full round to withdraw (withdraw action to avoid taking an AoO, at least for her first square of movement)
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 248/276) d20+32=48 ; d20+32=34 ; d20+39=51 ; d20+34=42 ; d20+29=44 ; d20+24=44 ; d20+39=57 ; d100=53 ; d100=52 ; d100=98 ; d10+24=27 ; d10+24=33 ; d10+24=28 ; Wednesday June 9th, 2021 2:46:25 PM
Bralin endures the two hits, taking an extra effort to shake the effects of one of the blows. Fort Saves 48, 34. Using Hero Point to add 4 to second roll to get to 38.
The dwarf is making progress. He keeps attacking pseudopods with his two handed grip, and moves on to tentacles if he runs out of the former.
--------- Full Attack on pseudopods, then tentacles. Two handed grip, animated shield continuing to provide cover (rd 2/4).
Atk 1 hits ac 51 for 27 hp damage Conceal check 53. Atk 2 misses (ac 42) Atk 3 misses (ac 44) Atk 4 hits (Nat 20) for 33 hp damage Conceal check 52. Haste atk hits ac 57 for 28 hp damage. Conceal check 98.
Status -3 Levels. No penalties due to Death Ward.
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Death Ward: +4 morale bonus on saves against death spells and magical death effects. The subject is granted a save to negate such effects even if one is not normally allowed. The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy effects, including channeled negative energy. This spell does not remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, but it does remove the penalties from negative levels for the duration of its effect.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d6=6 ; d6=2 ; d6=2 ; d6=1 ; d6=2 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; Wednesday June 9th, 2021 4:07:04 PM
Rill's eyes go wide as Khloud's head rolls around the battlefield. "Ooof. Blue, Caisyth, pay heed to Khloud's warning. He didn't get his wish. Unless his wish was to see Gargul."
Rill moves to a more central location and will Channel Energy, healing all our side except Bralin for 36 points. Then he uses a metamagic rod to cast a quickened Blindness on Tinker (bypasses his SR, DC 22 Fort save.)
"Tinker. Tell me what you are learning from all of this, because I know you don't care about people on your side dying. So I hope it at least has some value for you."
--------------------------------------- Move Action: Move to centralized location. Standard Action: Channel Enery Swift action: quickened Blindness on Tinker.
Rill is +2 on AC, attacks and save DCs against Tinker (Probe Psyche from earlier).
Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance outsiders.
NOTE - Dragons and allies that wanted Holy Aura shines with a bright radiance. If an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Earth (L) HP215/215 - AC32/24/28 - CMD 34 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Wednesday June 9th, 2021 7:22:55 PM
Resurfaced again Aex notices Fang's been taking a lot of beating... She rushes over to her. Aex doesn't expect Fang from backing out for a moment and heal up... so she'll try her best to patch her up...
Casting Heal on Fang. Fang's wounds close and she senses new life coming from within. Fank is healed for 150 HP.
Leafy looks around for a new target...
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Wednesday June 9th, 2021 9:17:01 PM
Tahni watches as Fang withdraws closer to her and is relieved to see that Aex is able to deliver some much needed healing to their friend.
With that done she prepares to again counter the Tinker
-------------- Ready action to counter Gtr Dispel Magic
Final Moments, Final Battle d100=55 ; d20=6 ; d20=9 ; d4=1 ; 20d20=268 ; 20d10=120 ; Wednesday June 9th, 2021 10:21:49 PM
Treetrunks and Jozhur, the strange but powerful duo, work together on Blue 31. The Demon might have been a match for any one of the Dragons, but she wasn't a match for a Dragon and an elephant. Treetrunks slams the demoness forward, and Jozhur slides both blades into the mariliths neck. She gives a sly wink, and mouths what Jozhur is quite sure is a "thank you.", before dissipating in a foul smelling cloud of smoke and flies.
Tahni has a small moment of panic, but Aexana puts it to bed. She readies to counter dispel magics, but thats a trick Tinker hasn't tried in awhile now. Maybe he's watching her watching him? Bralin meanwhile, takes the last two pseudopods off Tinker.
Caisyth seems to be waffling. He's seen a number of powerful friends fall in battle, and a great number more powerful enemies are still around. Perhaps for the first time in the history of the Sea Dragons, Rill talks an enemy off the cliff. Literally. The mage takes a fearful step backwards, and then leaps off the platform. It's going to hurt, but unless someone chases him down, he's going to survive, and escape.
With a grin, Jada clasps Terser on the shoulder. Thanks for the save! I've got that one!" And with a flourish, the sparkplug of a woman boulders over the edge in pursuit of the necromancer. Xuffie watches it happen, then looks back at Rill. "Time to be a hero!", she shouts. She zips towards the side of the arena, then skids to a stop, cursing and windmilling her arms. "Holy crap that's a long way down! I'll try to help up here!"
-----------------
Tinker is now a bleeding mass of stumps and tentacles, but he keeps pressing on. He's mumbling to himself, a great mass of "What ifs" and "Maybe if I's." When Rill asks Tinker what he could be possibly learning, Tinker gives an honest reply.
"Right now Rillet, I'm trying to figure out why I can't beat your lot! I've seen more worlds than your world has people! I can calculate the trajectory of your galaxy within millimeters of accuracy! So why? WHY CAN I NOT DEFEAT A HANDFUL OF MORTALS?"
Tinkers frustration overlaps with an piercing scream, bringing his curiosity and rage to a critical boil. He uses another quickened enervation, this time on Brailin. Brailin takes 1 negative level, unless he's protected from such.
Then he calls down a single, large meteor. It's massive size is no joke, and it crashes into the platform with a cacophonous roar. The whole back half of the platform crumbles.
Anyone under the template must pass a reflex save DC 35 or take 120 damage and fall to the ground below, and take an additional 20d6 falling damage, unless you have some means of flight or levitation. If you pass this check, please place yourself to the right of the big blue line.
Tinker Status
90 pts fire resist remaining. 8 tentacles remain. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 325. Tinker with Fate: Available.
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds. Only gotta save once.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+18=31 ; 20d6=65 ; 5d6=21 ; Thursday June 10th, 2021 7:18:50 AM
Fang is healed and ready to head back then a big rock falls on her head (31 reflex) and sends her tumbling below. So much for being healed. With no targets in sight her rage drains out of her, leaving her tired. She plops down on the ground, looks at the battle she's now missing in disappointment, then heals herself a little with channel energy (21 healing).
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20=11 ; d20+34=53 ; d20+34=39 ; d20+34=37 ; d20+29=31 ; d20=7 ; d20=17 ; d100=57 ; 2d6+21=32 ; Thursday June 10th, 2021 4:13:33 PM
Terser stumbles as the platform rocks and crumbles, sparing a moment to verify that Fang is alright before turning back to Tinker. Treetrunks has fallen and returned to her figurine home after performing some seriously good work. Hopefully Fang can pick up the figurine before anyone else finds it.
He revels in being an annoying mortal and keeps chopping off bits of Tinker.
Aex get hit hard by the meteor. Like Fang she's going down however this is the moment that Lord Gargul's advice proves invaluable... It was on his order that Aexana bought the feather fall rings she's wearing. Last time she plummeted down to the ground she died instantly and was brought before Lord Gargul. After some persuading by her friends she was granted a return to the mortal Wold yet... not without promising to by the ring...
As the meteor strikes Aex was healing Fang - so she's right next to him. The feather fall ring is strong enough to carry both safely down.
"GRAB MY HAND FANG!!!" she shouts as they are both on their way down... No damage taken from falling.
"Time to get back up..." Aex hisses... "... the Tinker wanted to fight Dragons... then Dragon's he'll get" Aex then casts her Shape Change spell and turns into a Huge Copper Dragon.
With a roar she begins her ascend to face the Tinker again. Anyone who wants to try riding a clumsy dragon back up is free to ride along.
Leafy moves closer to Tinker and slams at whatever he might hit.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP275/275 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 36 Thursday June 10th, 2021 5:58:44 PM
Header update because of Form of the Dragon III
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 248/276) d20+39=42 ; d20+34=44 ; d20+29=45 ; d20+24=32 ; d20+39=51 ; d100=74 ; d100=39 ; d10+24=25 ; d10+24=30 ; Thursday June 10th, 2021 6:24:13 PM
Thanks to Rill's earlier spell (Death Ward), Bralin is immune to the enervation ray.
The dwarf stops worrying about tentacles, and focuses on Tinker itself.
--------- Full Attack on Tinker. Two handed grip, animated shield continuing to provide cover (rd 3/4).
Atk 1 hits ac 46, (hero pt used), for 25 hp damage Conceal check 74. Atk 2 misses (ac 44) Atk 3 misses (ac 45) Atk 4 misses (ac 32) Haste atk hits ac 51 for 30 hp damage. Conceal check 39.
Status -3 Levels. No penalties due to Death Ward.
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Death Ward: +4 morale bonus on saves against death spells and magical death effects. The subject is granted a save to negate such effects even if one is not normally allowed. The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy effects, including channeled negative energy. This spell does not remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, but it does remove the penalties from negative levels for the duration of its effect.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 d20+27=40 ; d6=3 ; d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6=6 ; Thursday June 10th, 2021 7:59:20 PM
Rill wil use a hero point to add +8 to his save, along with foresight adding +2. Whew - he makes the save.
Having avoided the meteor, Rill watches and uses the Status effect of the rings to ensure the Dragons are all still alive and not falling. He looks to see if Xuffie is falling.
He responds to Tinker, "You cannot beat us because we work together and we inspire loyalty in others. You, however, are alone. Give it up Tinker. You cannot win."
Conditional move below:
Condition 1 - Xuffie saves and does not need to be rescued. Rill will again channel energy 30' out to heal all but Bralin and maybe Tahni depending on where she winds up. Healing is 40 points.
Condition 2 - Xuffie does not save and is falling. Rill will use Dimensional Hop to teleport to Xuffie and grab her. He is flying and will use a Dimension Door to move them both to the platform.
If there is some kind of Condition 3 where multiple people are falling he can use a Miracle to rescue them all, but that will be rather expensive.
--------------------------------------- Move Action: Dimensional Hop Standard Action: Channel Energy or Dimension Door
Rill is +2 on AC, attacks and save DCs against Tinker (Probe Psyche from earlier).
Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance outsiders.
NOTE - Dragons and allies that wanted Holy Aura shines with a bright radiance. If an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
Final Moments, Final Battle d20=19 ; Thursday June 10th, 2021 11:55:26 PM
-----------------
Fang takes a tumble from the side of the arena. She lands heavily and heals herself a bit. She's going to need some help getting back upstairs. (IF Fang wants, she can attempt an acrobatics check at DC 20 to catch Aexana's outstretched hand.) Aexana falls too, but thanks to divine guidance, she's got a backup plan. She transforms, and comes to give Tinker everything he can handle.
Brailin focuses on the battle, and takes two good sized chunks out of Tinkers central body. Rill steals a glance at Xuffie, who skirts back from the edge without much effort at all. He heals his allies.
----------RP Post since we are missing two players-----------------
Tinker seems to seriously consider Rills offer. "But the problem Rill is twofold. I've always got questions, and they aren't always .. considerate to the lesser species around me. You're not fighting me because of what I've done here as much as you are stopping me from what I'll do in the future, Hero."
Tinker Status
90 pts fire resist remaining. 8 tentacles remain. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 325. Tinker with Fate: Available.
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds. Only gotta save once.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing d20+27=35 ; d3=1 ; Thursday June 10th, 2021 11:58:38 PM
Perhaps it was the shadow created by the meteor, but whatever it was gave Tahni enough time to get out of the way of it.
Tahni calls on the help of Maab and Gargul to introduce the Tinker to Woldsblood. That substance that is unique to the Wold and the realms within it. He might need to get used to it where he's going.
-------------- Ref Save vs DC35. Tahni will use a hero point before the roll. 35=Pass!
Standard action: Cast Forbidden Rain. Tinker to make a Will Save equal to his HD+10 or be dazed and 1pt Wis and Con damage.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+26=32 ; Friday June 11th, 2021 2:08:56 AM
With a heroic effort, Jozhur manages to dodge the huge meteor. He closes on Tinker, ready to peck away with his swords.
-------------------------------- Reflex save: 32, use last hero point for +4 and pass Move into melee(?) range of Tinker. I thought he was up in the air, can he be reached with a 5 or 10 foot reach? Will provoke opportunity attack(s). If Jozhur cannot reach him, he will move to his bow instead.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+8=27 ; Friday June 11th, 2021 7:03:53 AM
Fang is able to catch the outstretched hand and get back up top (acrobatics 27)
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20+34=48 ; d20+34=41 ; d100=15 ; d20+29=31 ; d20+24=28 ; d20+19=32 ; Friday June 11th, 2021 11:32:22 AM
Terser reminds Fang through the rings that that falling damage was all in her head since she caught that dragon ride and refocuses his attacks.
Unfortunately, between the blur, no longer having bardsong inspiration, and Tinker's sheer charismatic deflection power, none of his strikes make it through.
Final Moments, Final Battle d20+30=36 ; d20+30=48 ; 15d6=50 ; Saturday June 12th, 2021 3:03:14 PM Fang catches a hand and doesn't fall. Jozhur repositions...
Tahnis answer to Tinkers musings is Woldsblood. She knows he's immune to ability damage, but he's not immune to the dazing effect! Suddenly, Tinkers whole demeanor changes... he seems to think he's in trouble? A powerful spell for a powerful foe...with near panic, he quickly Tinkers with Tahni's spell and rechanges its target square, placing it in a way to catch the Dragons but not himself!
Unable to control his flight, Tinker descends back down to ground level, back into the blade barrier! He passes his reflex save, as Daze is not paralysis, but he still takes damage.
Tinker Status
90 pts fire resist remaining. 8 tentacles remain. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining. Dazed.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 350. Tinker with Fate: Available.
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds. Only gotta save once.
Tahni grins and casts Timestop. When time resumes the Woldsblood rain has moved back to it's previous position and there is a small cloud of fog centered on the the Tinker.
--------------- Will Save vs DC30: 42=Nat20. Standard action: Cast Timestop Action 1: Remove first casting of Forbidden Rain Action 2: Cast Mindfog covering the Tinker. Tinker to make a DC26 Will Save or take a -10 penalty to Will Saves for 7 rounds. SR check: 35 Action 3: Use hero point to recast Forbidden Rain back where it was in the first place. Tinker to make a Will Save equal to his HD+10 or be dazed. Action 4: Ready action to counter Gtr Dispel Magic
EDIT: Casting the spells high/low enough that they touch the Tinker's head and extend above
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Sunday June 13th, 2021 9:02:23 PM
Well drat fang was just down there. She decides not to jump down after him
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+27=38 ; d20+27=32 ; d20+27=42 ; d20+22=42 ; d20+22=23 ; d20+17=33 ; d20+17=30 ; d6+9=11 ; d6=1 ; Sunday June 13th, 2021 11:23:38 PM
Jozhur unleashes a fury of stabs at the Tinker, managing to puncture him once. He sends his shadow down to ground level, out of Tinker's reach, to eventually flank.
-------------------------------------- Full hasted attack One hit with a natural 20, no crit: 11 damage, 1 cold damage
boots of haste used: 5/10 Current AC is 33
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 Monday June 14th, 2021 1:57:36 AM
Rill watches as Tinker passes through not one, but two Blade Barrier spells. Both ignore Tinker's spell resistance. "Oooo, that's gonna hurt."
"Speaking of hurt, you look pretty beat up Fang. Let's see what were can do about that."
Rill will cast Heal on Fang, healing the rambunctious rodent for 150 points.
Then he will use a move action to pull out a potion of Flying. "Hey Xuffie, do you need to fly? How about you Fang?"
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 248/276) d20+39=41 ; d20+34=46 ; d20+29=41 ; d20+24=27 ; d20+39=44 ; d100=11 ; d100=31 ; d100=49 ; d10+24=26 ; d10+24=25 ; Monday June 14th, 2021 4:41:56 PM
Bralin keeps on swinging away at the Tinker, working hard to deal with the moving target, concealment, and its rubbery hide.
--------- Full Attack on Tinker. Two handed grip, animated shield continuing to provide cover (rd 4/4).
Atk 1 misses (ac 41) Atk 2 hits ac 46 for 26 hp damage Conceal check 11. Reroll for Blind Fight 31. Atk 3 misses (ac 45) Atk 4 misses (ac 32) Haste atk hits ac 48, (hero pt used), for 25 hp damage Conceal check 49.
Status -3 Levels. No penalties due to Death Ward.
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Death Ward: +4 morale bonus on saves against death spells and magical death effects. The subject is granted a save to negate such effects even if one is not normally allowed. The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy effects, including channeled negative energy. This spell does not remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, but it does remove the penalties from negative levels for the duration of its effect.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP275/275 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 36 12d8=45 ; Monday June 14th, 2021 5:44:53 PM
Aexdragon makes a clumsy flight and then right between Leafy and Jozhur she uses the Copper Dragon's acid breath weapon. A line of Acid hits Tinker hard...
Breath Weapon - NO SR - damage 45HP - Reflex 27 for half
(AoO I lost track of everyone height... I have no clue if Leafy is on the same altitude as Tinker... )
Tahni casts timestop. She pushes away her old rain, and a new one comes down. He isn't worried about the fog, and is immune to it it seems. As the new patters of woldsblood fall on his skin, he slowly gains his faculties back. His many eyes narrow into a glare, all of them aiming at Tahni. Suddenly, her rain is falling on herself, and her allies!
Fang goes full defense. Jozhur pierces a bit of flesh. Rill casts heal in range of Tinkers tentacles, and one snaps perilously close. Brailin hacks more pieces of the monster away, and it seems to start to buckle under its own weight. He's hurting badly. Aexanas acid ray is partially resisted, but still leaves a bubbly section of melted flesh and skin.
Tinker Status
---
Tinker looks up at the rust colored, falling woldsblood. He closes his eyes, and with a loud growl, he tinkers. Suddenly, the splashing patters of red are falling on Tahni and her allies!
All 8 tentacles slam into Terser, battering him from multiple directions. One bounces off his armor. Terser takes 16, 19, 16, 18, 26, 24, and 14 damage. He also takes 17 bleed damage per turn, unless magically or skillfully healed.
90 pts fire resist remaining. 8 tentacles remain. All the rest: 60 pts fire resist remaining.
Saved vs Dazed.
Tinker AC 46, SR 35: 466. Tinker with Fate: Used. 5 rounds until ready.
Reminder: Anyone with True Seeing must pass the horrifying reality check or be staggered for 3 rounds. Only gotta save once.
Xuffie: Failed.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 37/45, channel 6/7) d20+28=37 ; d20+34=46 ; d100=11 ; d20+34=40 ; d100=85 ; d20+29=31 ; d20+24=29 ; d20+19=30 ; 2d6+23=29 ; Monday June 14th, 2021 10:51:57 PM
Terser could swear that the Tinker tinkered twice in succession, but who knows the real extent of his powers. Still, he saves against Tahni's spell and resists much of the damage from the tentacles, plus gets automatic healing from his ring.
83 damage after DR and regen
He keep using his extra long reach to wave his glaive in Tinker's face. At least one hit gets through this time.
29 damage
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp d20+28=41 ; d20+26=29 ; d20+26=37 ; d20+21=37 ; d20+21=35 ; d20+16=23 ; Tuesday June 15th, 2021 12:41:47 AM
Jozhur's shadow finally gets into position to flank and hopefully be some help to the group. His own attacks come up empty.
----------------------------------- Boots of haste used: 6/10 All attacks miss AC for round is 33
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 15d6=47 ; d20+34=51 ; Tuesday June 15th, 2021 11:11:25 AM
Rill's eyebrows raise as he looks at Tinker. The damaged creature stands before them with one Blade Barrier spell ravaging his lower half, and another tearing up his upper half.
"Tinker, you remain a puzzle. And right now that seems like a jigsaw puzzle. Yech."
Rill laments the fact that his spell choice today were more geared toward the other teams than a cosmic terror. Nonetheless, he will defensively cast Flame Strike. (SR 51, 47 damage, DC 24 Reflex save for half. Note, only half the total damage is fire, the remainder is divine power not subject to protections from fire.)
Rill is +2 on AC, attacks and save DCs against Tinker (Probe Psyche from earlier).
Rill is +26 against spell resistance normally, +34 against spell resistance outsiders.
NOTE - Dragons and allies that wanted Holy Aura shines with a bright radiance. If an evil creature succeeds on a melee attack against a warded creature, the attacker is blinded (DC 27 Fort save negates.) Also, they have SR 25 against evil spells or spell cast by an evil caster.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 248/276) d20+39=40 ; d20+34=45 ; d20+29=39 ; d20+24=30 ; d20+39=45 ; d100=97 ; d20+20=31 ; Tuesday June 15th, 2021 5:40:08 PM
Bralin grabs his shield, and continues his attack with a one handed grip on his weapon.
Changing his grip seems to have thrown his concentration a bit, as he has trouble landing a blow.
In effect Blur: Concealment (20% miss chance) Heroism: +2 morale atk, save, skill checks Holy Aura (22 rounds): +4 def to AC, SR25 vs Evil Spells/Creatures, atker blinded on melee attacks Prayer: +1 luck atk, dam, save, skill checks Hide from Animals Remove Fear (+4 vs Fear) Haste (20 rds) +30', +1 atk, +1 dodge AC and Reflex saves. Entropic Shield: ranged attacks have 20% miss chance Inspire Courage. +14 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +4 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Death Ward: +4 morale bonus on saves against death spells and magical death effects. The subject is granted a save to negate such effects even if one is not normally allowed. The subject is immune to energy drain and any negative energy effects, including channeled negative energy. This spell does not remove negative levels that the subject has already gained, but it does remove the penalties from negative levels for the duration of its effect.
Freedom of Movement (Ring) Mantle Faith DR5/evil
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 d20+39=54 ; 3d10+19=34 ; Tuesday June 15th, 2021 6:34:41 PM
Fang charges the Tinker for 39 damage (54 to hit)
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP275/275 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 36 d4=3 ; d20+24=28 ; d20+24=37 ; d20+24=31 ; 2d6+8=17 ; 2d6+8=11 ; d20+21=33 ; d20+21=26 ; d20+16=28 ; d20+18=19 ; 3d6+7=15 ; 3d6+7=19 ; 3d6+7=11 ; Tuesday June 15th, 2021 7:17:01 PM
(Rounds left before Aexdragon can breath acid again : 2/3)
Aexdragon repositions and tries to Bite and claw Tinker...
Leafy is close enough to make a full attack at Tinker... Slam 1 hits AC33 - damage 15 Slam 2 hits AC26 - damage 19 Slam 1 hits AC28 - damage 11 Bite hits AC19 - natural 1
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Tuesday June 15th, 2021 7:45:44 PM
Tahni prepares to counter the Tinker again. She doesn't want any of the current spells to disappear when they're being so effective.
Ready action to counterspell Gtr Dispel Magic
Final Moments, Final Battle d20=8 ; Wednesday June 16th, 2021 6:39:34 PM
Tinker, stunned, hurt, and trying desperately to fend off the Iron Dragons, is once again overcame by the dazing affect of Tahni's Forbidden Rain. Terser and Jozhur harry the monstrosity, forcing Tinkers attention to their blows.
While his rubbery stalks hold off Brailin, Leafy, and Aexana for a short while, their combined efforts open his defenses enough for Fangs final rushing slash to strike true. She splits open what appears to be some vital organ, and thick blue ichor sprays out, dying the rat-folk purple and blue.
Tinker doesn't even have time for a quip. No fancy questions, no strange wonderings, just the gurgling choke of a creature who is soon to perish. His body quivers and shakes, his remaining tentacles flail wildly, as all that he is is suddenly sucked back into his collar. The dimensional rifts and strange atmosphere vanish, leaving a bit of sunshine and a gentle breeze. The arena pieces fall flatly to the ground, in a slow and controlled descent, something like a dispelled flight spell.
Tinkers collar gleams beautifully in the sunlight.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 Thursday June 17th, 2021 1:32:04 AM
Rill walks over and picks up the collar. He looks it over to see if there is any writing or symbols. He says, "Hello? Hello? Hello? Is there anybody in there?"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday June 17th, 2021 1:48:19 AM "Might make a nice belt?" Tahni wipes the sweat from her brow. "You know that's probably too powerful an artifact to be left in mortal hands and could be dangerous for us to destroy ourselves. Might be worth asking Gargul if He wants it, especially if it contains the 'soul' of the Tinker."
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP275/275 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 36 Thursday June 17th, 2021 3:30:26 AM
Aexdragon keeps flapping her huge wings for a little while after Tinker goes down... what just happened here?!? Is it over? As Rill and Tahni get close to the remains Aex too lands and shifts back to her own Gnome self... she bends her shoulders a little bit and sighs... they made it?! All in one piece! Sadly they lost some of the other teams but all in all the Wold has been freed from something rather formidable...
It's over... quite emotional Aexana walks over to Leafy and hugs him...
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 26/45, channel 5/7) Thursday June 17th, 2021 1:06:46 PM Rill, didn't your vision show you Tinker being regenerated from the collar before, when his master came to collect it? I think Gargul may be our best bet, either to get the collar hidden from its creator or ultimately destroy it.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 248/276) Thursday June 17th, 2021 5:20:22 PM
Bralin stops swinging, a bit startled that the Tinker has fallen.
The dwarf takes a moment to look around at those encased in the stasis fields. He observes if they are going away, and if so, if the those on the other team actually still plan to fight.
Step Step Tap [DM Jerry] Saturday June 19th, 2021 12:12:22 PM
There is a long moment of silence afterwards as the last bits of the arena tinkle to the ground. Our heroes take a deep breath and then begin to discuss what to do with the collar, which Tahni actually picks up! I guess when one has fought the things that Tahni has fought, picking up the collar of a monstrosity is a rather benign thing.
Those in stasis slowly begin to move, but none come forward or show any inclination to continue any hostilities.
Then.....
Step Step Tap
Step Step Tap
Step Step Tap
This is followed by a subtle feeling of power which is hard to discern up against the power you've been dealing with for the last few eternities.
Gargul rises over the horizon in his "walkabout" outfit closes and looks about.
With one wave of his walking staff, the others who were in stasis are gone.
He closes with the Sea Dragons and with a slight smile says, "Did someone call for me?"
He waves his staff and everyone feels reenergized and healed with spells and abilities renewed.
His eyes then fall upon the collar that Tahni is holding. "Better let me have that son."
He holds out his hand.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Saturday June 19th, 2021 6:56:09 PM
Jozhur frowns when all those in the stasis disappear, but he's sure Gargul wouldn't see them harmed, at least not the ones who sided with them.
He waits for Tahni to hand over the collar.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) Saturday June 19th, 2021 7:30:44 PM
A wave of healing energy washes over him, and Bralin feels the negative energy leave him.
The dwarf turns, and bows to the god. "Thank you, Lord Gargul."
Giving Gargul the collar is a sound decision, and Bralin nods in agreement with his request.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 26/45, channel 5/7) Saturday June 19th, 2021 8:15:44 PM
Terser remembers to look for Bruagh's crystal and to see that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. He also heavily favors handing over the collar to Rill's patron.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Saturday June 19th, 2021 8:50:08 PM "I guess with all the dirt on my face I must look a little man-ish" Tahni thinks to herself. She's much too polite though to correct the Lord of Life and Death to his face.
Tahni gingerly passes the collar to Lord Gargul and explains what she knows - or thinks she knows. "We think it might hold the soul of the Tinker - that near omnipotent being that wanted to destroy the Wold. It's far too powerful to be left in mortal hands, sir, and since it relates to souls we thought it might be better in your hands"
She doesn't want to say too much though. It's Rill that has the real relationship with Gargul, what with being a soulseeker and all.
Tahni takes a step back and waits to see what will happen next.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 Sunday June 20th, 2021 2:36:12 AM
Rill looks at his hands, a bit surprised to see he no longer held the golden collar. But seeing Tahni give it to Gargul seems to set things to rights nontheless.
Rill will bow before Gargul and then straighten up as he looks at the deity. He takes a respectful posture, not presuming to look upon him as a equal but as a loyal servant reporting in after accomplishing an appointed task.
"Call for you my Lord? As a servant of the Lord of Life and Death I would not presume to do so. But I am deeply honored by your presence here and that you would meet us in this way.
"The Tinker wore that collar. He has killed many, and toyed with and abused many more on other worlds. While he seems to have been vanquished, he spoke of an even greater power that held his leash and that may come looking for Tinker still.
"We hope we have done as you have asked, and we tried to minimize unnecessary death in the process"
"What is your bidding my Lord? Would you have us destroy the collar? Would you have us seek out the creature that held the leash? Does he pose a threat to the Wold?"
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Sunday June 20th, 2021 3:26:47 AM
Aexaxa wasn't paying much attention to what was going on around her. As she lets go of Leafy she starts ranting to no one in particular...
"I've just about had it you know... THIS IS IT! It's plenty for an old Gnome... you people can go on sailing around the Wold at some god's bidding but not me anymore... I'M DONE WITH IT. I don't care if it's Domi or Eberyone of for sake Gargul himself who summons us... bwah if they do I'll tell it straight to their face. "
She stamps around the place pointing at Tinker's remains
"THAT there is NOT OK... you here me?! NOT OK... It should not exist... not in our Wold... and I'm done being a marionette of whatever god or goddess that sends us on an "ERRAND" like this... have'm doing it by themselves you know... "
Looking at Leafy... who for some reason looks a bit pale though...
"You know I'm right don't you dear?! Oh poor thing just look at you... you're all pale and shivering... let's go home my friend. We should check on Aexiri to see what's she's been up to... huh? ... what's wrong dear?! ... what are you staring at??? "
Aex turns around facing Lord Gargul...
"Euhm... well... yeah... euhm... you know... ring fly you... I didn't say all that out loud right?... hehehe... you know I was just kidding right... euhm... guess I better shut up now?? "
With flaming red cheeks Aexana waits what will be next...
*****************************************
End Matter for Aexana:
Having found proof that Taurs can not be categorized as human nor animal Aexana intends to go home to Plateau City where her daughter has been taking care of their little shop. (There's a short description and a location on the map of the shoppe on Aex's character sheet - copied below). Taurs are Taurs... and some became friends for life. Though sadly they are no longer part of the group they will forever be in her heart.
Located in the Trade Quarter Aex has her little shop, "Aex's Herbs 'n Spices", selling all different herbal potions. Going from simple tea to more advanced potions.
Looking from her shop window Aex has a nice view on the Silver Coin Tavern, one of her biggest clients. The Silver Coin serves teas she brews and she supplies a good amount of potions to cure hang-overs.
Her shop is one of the smallest on her block - it's all she could afford when she got started. But even after her adventuring days she does not plan to finding another place... The reason why can be found when you exit her shop through the back door... hidden between the surrounding houses she takes care for a wonderful small garden. Here she grows hundreds of different plants. Her neighbors are welcome to walk through the garden and they can enjoy the wonderful colors and scents of the flowers she grows. Back in the garden Aex also takes care of a few bee hives. Twice a year she harvests the most wonderful honey... early year honey has a delicate and flowery taste... the second harvest tastes richer and sweeter. Quite a few taverns use her honey in all kinds of recipes.
Aex's shop is a 3 story building. Her shop is downstairs. A few small tables at the front for those who come in for some tea with cake or pie (her daughter Aexiri makes wonderful cakes and uses flowers and herbs from the garden to create the most amazing food experience!). The rest downstairs is cramped with a desk and a lot of cupboards storing countless bottles and flasks of all sizes. Fresh herbs, dried herbs, ointments, salves, oil... oh and don't forget the bath-oil... the place smells... herbal...
On the second floor, Aex and her daughter have their bed and bathrooms. The living area is on the top floor of the house offering a nice view on the rooftops of plateau city.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Sunday June 20th, 2021 11:31:04 PM
Fang takes great pride in having dealt the killing blow. A bit less pride in the fact I apparently missed posting here all week. She's a bit leery of touching the collar, but relaxes when the god shows up to take charge of it. She remains quietly respectful.
DM Carl Monday June 21st, 2021 4:30:50 PM Aexana holds her friend, needing a moment to sort through a rush of emotion. Leafy's tendrils wind around its master, embracing her tightly in return. That done, she points at the collar with disgust. She is correct, of course, it is an aberration and should not exist. She says her piece, and by golly she's earned the right to do so. Her mind drifts onto thoughts of a peaceful retirement.
Jozhur correctly assumes those in stasis are in no danger of being injured by Gargul. There will probably be an enormous amount of work to debrief and bring this whole matter to close, but one has to find Jozhur Derile before they can make him do paperwork. For now, the air is very, very still. Whatever's happening now, it seems like it's happening out of time.
Bralin shows appropriate reverence to the god of life and death, perhaps pleased that someone has arrived to dispose of the collar.
Terser quickly scans the area for his lost friend. He is no doubt relieved to see Bruagh still stuck in crystal. That crystal has changed, though. It was once dark, but now it's nearly transparent. It once gave an air of invulnerability. Now, it only seems to be waiting for permission to shatter.
Fang fills with pride at landing the blow that finally brought Tinker's machinations to an end. After a life spent atoning for a single poor decision, one can hope it brings her some closure.
Rill and Tahni lay hands on Tinker's collar, passing it between them in a bit of ret-conning. As it is held, a sick, yellow pallor follows, fouling the air. The color spreads to their hands, but recedes when contact is broken (albeit slower than one would like).
Their minds fill with possibilities, literally. All thoughts are pushed forcefully aside, replaced with the wonder and power that could be theirs if they just put. it. on. Were the two not Dragons, if they had not shown time and time again that they value the Wold and its inhabitants more than themselves, they surely would have succumbed.
Gargul's hand waits outstretched. If he is concerned, he does not show it. If the god of life and death cannot depend on Rillet Savenport, then he is truly alone. He accepts the collar when it is given, and immediately Gargul's face is a mask of concentration. It appears even he is not immune to the foul thing's influence. With obvious effort, he brings his other hand on top of the collar, then pulls them apart. The collar is left floating in a rose-colored bubble, but the bubble bulges outward in places as if the collar is trying to force its way out. Gargul, completely in control again, looks at it with disgust.
"You're not bringing that thing home with you, are you?" Gargul turns to see the newest member of his family walk up behind him from seemingly no where. The god of death swats the god of luck's hand away when he tries to poke at the bubble. Wardd looks up annoyed at Gargul. "We all saw who that collar belongs to. You think locking it in a bubble on Koshe-Marr is going to stop him?"
"No. No, I suppose it won't," is Gargul's reply. His scowl only brightens the grin on Wardd's face.
"Well, heroes," says Wardd, suddenly addressing the Sea Dragons. "You're a smart bunch, got any ideas on how we can keep this thing safely tucked away from interdimensional terror?"
Sense motive DC55, Highlight to display spoiler: {Wardd is playing it cool, but it's to hide genuine fear.}
The rose-colored bubble has already darkened to an inky, swirling indigo. Random bulges continue trying to poke their way out.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) Monday June 21st, 2021 7:34:07 PM
Bralin needs a moment to process events. He was certain handing the collar over to Gargul would end the matter. That it has not is concerning.
"Lord Wardd, are we speaking of the being we just battled, or its master, or something more?" he asks, deferentially.
Another thought. "Can you not destroy it?"
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Monday June 21st, 2021 8:28:42 PM
Bralin has asked the questions that came to Tahni's mind. To her thinking, the only thing that could cause grief for a god like Gargul is another god. Could that be who was holding the Tinker's chain (figuratively and literally)? There are only a couple that fit the bill. Alemi - though she's certain that he would never want to cause harm. Marteus - who lost a lot of power when Kevintar returned to the Wold through the Iron Dragons.
Was this whole thing a power play by Marteus? She's not entirely sure but is eager to hear from Gargul IF he tells them. She's not going to dare press him on the topic.
Wardd asked her a question though. She does her best to try and come up with an answer
"A combination of spells might work. Something to prevent it from being located akin to a mind blank or imprisonment spell. Then something to make it look like it is something mundane. Finally something like a dimensional lock to prevent it from being removed from whatever dimension it is on."
"However if it is something that is of great concern then perhaps something even stronger would be best. Could the collar be shrunk down and fitted around your staff, Lord Gargul? It would always be with you and noone would dare come for it"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 26/45, channel 5/7) Monday June 21st, 2021 8:41:42 PM Can all the Gods do that bubbling trick? Maybe if each of you put a bubble around it, that would be enough to contain it, and those effects that Tahni said be built into it? A bubble to hide, a bubble to contain, a bubble to lock it in place?
Then again, maybe raw strength isn't enough. But if the bubble could be made to be stretchy? Or maybe just big enough that the presence couldn't spread enough to reach the edges. Tinker did seem to be a fan of creating demiplanes. Maybe an entire pocket dimension could act as its prison if we're unable to destroy the collar.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 d20+33=47 ; Monday June 21st, 2021 9:46:44 PM
Rill regards Wardd for a moment. He has little respect for those that rely on luck for their success in life, and even less for a god that embodies such an approach. He saw enough of that with the pirates in Bonetown growing up to know how it usually turns out.
"My Lord Wardd, I agree it will take a bit more than luck to solve this issue. From my brief contact with the thing I can see that it cannot remain in mortal hands and hiding it away probably only forestalls a problem. And there is the issue of the creature that controlled the leash that was attached to this.
"I could see from the workmanship on the thing that it was carefully crafted, and if something can be made it can be unmade. What powers control creation and undoing? The powers of the Sargrass represent change and creation - could they undo this? Maab oversees the Twilight Realms - that place is a chaotic mess, but maybe there is a solution there. And then there is Woldsblood. My friend Tahni here does what precious few can by controlling the stuff. Can Woldsblood unmake something?"
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Tuesday June 22nd, 2021 8:00:37 AM "Stick it in the nearest volcano." Fang suggests. "or send it to the far reaches of Jericho space where Tinker's master can pick it up without hurting anyone if we can't destroy it."
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Tuesday June 22nd, 2021 5:04:13 PM
Aex doesn't quite know how to dispose of such a terrible thing... if it cannot be destroyed it is just bound to be found sooner or later. Question then is where to hide it?!? "Hiding" things in plain sight often misleads people as they are looking for the most complex hiding places yet overlook the most obvious
A Critical Juncture
DM Carl Tuesday June 22nd, 2021 11:24:59 PM Bralin takes a moment. He thought their job was done. It is done, though. The Sea Dragons have saved The Wold from Tinker's machinations. The disposition of Tinker's collar can be handled without them, but maybe they see a chance to leave one last mark on the world? He asks a question of Lord Wardd.
"Just Wardd, please. Dig the reverence, though. And yea, Gargul and I probably could just destroy it, but breaking artifacts can get dicey." He pauses, presumably to let that word sink in a bit. Bralin blinks, and suddenly Wardd's arm is around his shoulder. He leans in conspiratorially and stage whispers, "They don't like us talking about this stuff, but there's things outside our little slice of the heavens way more potent than any measly Woldian god. Best not to speak of them." Another blink and he's back where he started.
Tahni ponders other gods that could be behind this, but Wardd's words likely quash that line of thought. She approaches the question of the collar in true Tahni Wyrmrider fashion: methodically, thoughtfully, and succinctly. Then she throws that out the window and suggests Gargul add it to his arsenal.
Gargul shakes his head and opens his mouth, no doubt to say that's not a good idea. The words don't come, though. He pauses and begins mulls something over.
Terser wonders if that bubble could be made more redundant, or stretchy. Gargul's still thinking, but Wardd speaks up. "Bubble's just a figment of his will made manifest. It's more a trick to help focus his power than a predictable magic effect. Kinda flashy for the old shadow-stealer if you ask me. Why pink?" Terser also mentions just sending it to another demiplane. "Could work, but that's leaving a lot to chance. I know that's kinda my thing, but still..."
Rill doesn't approve of relying on luck, and that's fine. He's allowed his own prerogative. Still, there are supernatural powers everywhere in the Wold. Why couldn't supernatural luck exist? Wardd's continued existence is itself a testament to luck's power. Rill has a number of interesting ideas.
Wardd claps his hands together. "See? You guys are smart! We don't have to break it, just unmake it. What do you think about that, big guy?" He turns to look at Gargul, but the god of life and death is still deep in thought. His eyes are...empty. It's almost like he's somewhere else entirely. Wardd notices, and doesn't seem concerned. "Yea, he's gonna need a minute. He can still here your ideas though."
Fang also comes up with a novel idea: just leave the collar on the curb until someone comes by and takes it. "Honestly, Fang, that idea has real merit. We're small fries here on The Wold, and the powers that be have been clear they intend to keep it that way. This whole Tinker debacle raised some hackles, let me tell you. Chucking that thing out of our little slice and letting the things out there leave us alone may be our best bet."
Aexana seems reluctant to offer anything specific, which is fine. Aexana has given more of herself than most to the good of the Wold. Let someone else handle this one.
"No," says Gargul (finally). "I can't add it to my staff, but it may be possible to use it to reinforce the barrier between the Wold and the rest of existence. It wouldn't last forever, but it would protect us for several millenia. It would also keep us in, which Alemi seems to consider just as important. Between your adventures and the Iron Dragons' numerous trips through alternate dimensions, Alemi's had enough. He is very much a proponent of this idea."
"He wants us to lock ourselves in and throw away the key? What happens when the house catches on fire and we're stuck inside?" Wardd doesn't seem to like this idea.
"Then we put it out ourselves, like we always have," comes Gargul's matter of fact response. The bubble surges, but holds. "Besides, time is up. There's not time for much discussion." Our heroes have a last chance to voice an opinion on what seems to be two likely outcomes, or they can leave such decisions to the gods.
There is a loud CRACK from Tinker's former throne. A large stress fracture appears, and smaller lines start spider-webbing out. Inside, Bruagh's eyes flutter.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 4:53:07 AM
Wardd and Gargul are being a little evasive as to who is actually behind all this and if they don't want to say then there is noooo way that Tahni is going to press it.
"Locking the Wold away from other dimensions? That sounds like a big thing. I hope there aren't any other adventurers out there right now that might get cut off" she worries.
If it comes down to Gargul or Warrd, Tahni's going to go with Gargul (especially if Alemi is in agreement with him!). Use it to reinforce a barrier to keep us all safe. Casting it off into space may mean that it gets found someday, and even if the Wold is safe there is no guarantee that other worlds would be. She wants to be a good 'dimensional citizen' after all.
At the sound of the crystal cracking Tahni spins on her heels and locks her eyes on Bruagh's. She doesn't even pause for a 'by your leave' with the gods before she flies (literally) towards him. In any other situation, turning your back on Gargul might be seen as rude or earn you some sort of eternal doom and that might still turn out to be the case. Right now though the thought hasn't even entered Tahni's mind. There is only one other being in the Wold and that's Bruagh.
She gets her face as close to his as possible and starts banging on the crystal. "Bruagh! It's me! I'm right here. Ok? I'm going to get you out. Look at me. I'm right here." She looks about frantically for something to start smashing the crystal with. Not finding anything at hand though Tahni immediately goes with her answer to all of life's problems: magic.
Tahni takes a step back from the crystal and casts a Telekinesis spell, focusing all her concentration and will to tear the crystal away from Bruagh's body. Tahni gives it her all. The muscles in her arms and hands tighten and the strain on her face is visible to all. Whatever it takes, she's going to get him out.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 8:19:22 AM "I suppose if we stuck it in a volcano the volcano might explode. Probably bad for the health of whatever lives around it." Fang muses. "Will using it to lock the metaphorical door cause it to cease to be over time?"
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 26/45, channel 5/7) Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 10:38:29 AM I like the idea of using it to lock our dimension away. By its own admission, Tinker played with other worlds and people as it passed by their corners of space and dimension. This would also protect the rest of existence from its meddling.
Having said his piece, Terser excuses himself to aid Tahni in getting their lost friend out of his prison. His adamantine gauntlets should be pretty good at breaking down the crystal.
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 6:35:08 PM
Bralin decides to leave powers of gods to the gods.
Aiding Tahni to free Baugh seems much simpler.
The dwarf pulls a warhammer from his pack, and whacks the crystal a few times, pulling his blow to avoid injuring the occupant.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 7:24:53 PM
Jozhur doesn't have much opinion on this matter. Locking the Wold way from other worlds, worlds with much more powerful entities, would seemingly be a good thing.
He looks up at those suspended in crystal, checking on Urlryn.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 8:30:07 PM "With all due respect my Lord Wardd, er, I mean Wardd, hope is not a plan and luck is not a strategy. Casting the thing out into the universe in hopes that no one will find it leaves much to chance. I like certainties like life and death. I mean, with life and death you know where you stand, eh? And closing off the Wold - I don't really see the downside there."
DM Carl Thursday June 24th, 2021 12:38:32 AM Fang agrees the volcano idea is probably not the way to go. She wonders if using the collar to lock the metaphorical door will cause the literal Tinker to be.
"Tinker is dead," answers Gargul, and he would know. "Death just has different limitations with beings of his power. Using the collar to seal off The Wold would unravel, or unmake as Rill put it, the lingering essence Tinker's keeper infused into it. It would be a permanent end for him." He says it with an air of surety. Wardd sighs, figuring that last bit of info is the nail in the coffin for his arguments.
Rill insists luck and chance can't be trusted in this situation. He receives a few seconds of incredulous looks from Wardd before the god of luck chuckles. "He was right, you know. You do make a lot of assumptions." He tilts his head towards the collar. "But, guess I can't rightly say they ain't served you well."
Terser also agrees, but doesn't stick around to see the conclusion of the discussion. He has a friend waiting on him.
Gargul looks grimly at the bubble, then Wardd. "A hand, brother? This is a burden best shared."
"Well, when you ask like that..." Wardd doesn't finish the thought, just places a hand on the bubble opposite Gargul's. The bubble pops, spewing manic desire and sociopathy. The two gods concentrate against the forces until a single thread pulls free from the collar. They sigh a bit as the hardest part is completed, and the sickly aura dissipates. The thread shoots outward and upward in a single, unbroken line. It flies past the Dragon Bay and Plateau City, and in a moment is past the entire length of the Elennian Peninsula. It soars out into Jericho Space, winds through rivers of Woldsblood into the Lands of Rest, then back again.
Our heroes don't see most of that, and it's a shame. Who knows what hidden vistas they could witness in the weird spaces surrounding the Wold proper? Students of the arcane and divine across the lands see the threads of magic take form surrounding the known cosmos. Then, they vanish. Gargul and Wardd both gasp as they complete the task. Gargul tries to stifle a coughing fit, but fails. Wardd breathes heavy, speaking between breathes, "Man, that sucked." Gargul nods his agreement and regains control after one final cough.
And just like that, the Wold finds itself cut off from any interdimensional terrors.
Tahni will soon find time to reflect on what that means, but not now. She reaches out with her telekinesis, pulling the throne apart. Even through the magic, the touch of the throne feels maddening. That is not hyperbole. An awful, frantic energy twists the fringes of Tahni's mind. Bralin lends his hammer. Terser moves to tear the thing apart with gauntleted hands. Both dwarves discover the same madness as Tahni, but no doubt it doesn't deter them. Large chunks of crystal are torn free. The three must slow down as they get closer to Bruagh so not to injure him. Tahni's more delicate touch is needed to peel the final layers of the crystal, then he is free. Bruagh gasps and falls to his knees, breathing heavily. After just a second his head shoots up and for the first time in years Tahni sees the eyes of her love.
Madness stares back at her. "One thing. ONE THING DOMI. Keep Tahni safe. Keep Tahni safe." He falls back and pulls his knees in, rocking back and forth and repeating "keep Tahni safe" over and over.
Without warning or fanfare, the Abbott, Grandmaster monk of Domi, pops into existence next to Bruagh. He turns to Tahni, who sees his eyes glow with a peaceful blue light. "I know," he says, turning back to Bruagh. He leans into the former paladin, whispering something in his ear. Bruagh calms as the Abbott speaks. It's just a few moments, he then wraps his arms around Bruagh to embrace him. Then, the Abbott swoons and faints. The little gnome comes to rest next to a much calmer Bruagh. The dwarf stands, looking around in obvious confusion. His eyes finally lock on Terser and he beams a smile at his old friend. "TERSER! Where've ya been! Where've I been, for that matter...and where are we? Seriously, what's goi..." He spots Tahni, and finds himself lost for words.
RobC - Tahni Wyrmrider -- AC 38/23/32 -- CMD 32 -- HP 228/228 -- DarkVision/TrueSeeing Thursday June 24th, 2021 3:07:37 AM
Tahni doesn't give Bruagh a chance to finish his question. Tears start to build and she throws her arms around her love, letting her body collapse against his.
She closes her eyes and places her head against his chest. It's been so long but this is exactly how she remembered it. Being held tightly by his arms, the feel of his beard against her forehead, the comforting feeling of his chest rising and falling as he breathes, and even the smell of weapon oil and bear fur.
This is what she's missed and she could stay like this forever. Tahni sniffs and pulls away from Bruagh to look closely at his face. It's him. It's finally him. She reaches out to run her fingers down his cheek.
She's only vaguely aware of the others around her right now. Her eyes are watering and she gives a small chuckle. This is what happy feels like.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Thursday June 24th, 2021 8:06:27 AM
Fang has never met the guy and has no intention of interrupting the tender reunion. She just hangs in the background. When/if Braugh notices her she raises a hand and says, "Hey."
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 26/45, channel 5/7) Thursday June 24th, 2021 1:35:18 PM
Terser let's Tahni have this moment. There will be plenty of time to catch him up on their adventures later. He takes a moment to consider if they should send a message to Sam to let him know Bruagh was saved, or just pop in for a reunion.
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 Thursday June 24th, 2021 5:06:00 PM
Rill smiles at Wardd. He seems kind and tolerant - probably more so than Rill tends to be at times.
"Assumptions? That is probably true Wardd. And I will certainly concede that any endeavor is going to go better if the God of Luck is on your side. So I do apologize if I have given offense.
"And speaking of luck, what are the odds that a good cleric could change the world view of an assassin? Hypothetically speaking of course..."
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) Thursday June 24th, 2021 6:39:14 PM
Bralin gives Braugh and Tahni some space.
He watches Gargul and Wardd unravel the collar and seal off the Wold. Truly the work of gods.
His mind turns to the stone figurines in his pack. It has been some time since he attended to them.
Mayhap it is time to stow his axe and return to the stone.
DM Carl Friday June 25th, 2021 1:17:43 AM Tahni takes a moment. It takes Bruagh a moment to process that the woman holding him really is Tahni. When he finally embraces her, it's slowly, almost as if he's scared she's going to vanish. The two say nothing for a long moment, but Bruagh speaks first. "I spent so long looking for you. I found ya, of course, but every time I knew it wasn't really you. Feels like...like I was trapped for lifetimes, like someone was just toying with me. Don't even know who or what was behind it." He sucks in a shuddering breath. "For a while I thought Domi was punishing me for forsaking him. Didn't handle losin' ya too well, love."
These two have been through more trials than they deserve. They have a lot to unpack and work through, but at least they have each other and can finally get started. The rest of their story is theirs to tell. The rest of our heroes give the couple some space, though Terser looks forward to spending time with his friend again. Maybe he'll gather their old friends from The Scab, even the gnome...
Wardd waves off Rill's apology. "Not the first to question luck, certainly not the last. Gave up tryin'a defend luck ages ago. I'm here, and most of them aren't." Rill's follow up raises an eyebrow. "I get a lot of prayers from folks looking to be lucky in love. Seems to me that a priest of the god of death and an assassin are a better match than you might think." He shrugs. "Don't think you need my help though. You think she would have been on Team Dragon a week ago? Still," he removes a clover from his lapel you're pretty sure wasn't there a moment ago. "A little luck never hurt." He places the clover in Rill's hand. A lightness spreads over Rill. He may not give much credence to luck, but he knows his future just got a little better.
Just a little, though. Can't rely just on luck, can we?
After a moment, the Abbott comes to. He sits up slowly, hands cradling his obviously aching head. "I'm afraid my head is not large enough for your greatness, my lord," he says. He notices the two love-sick dwarves and wordlessly pops away again, coming to next to the rest of the Sea Dragons. "I must admit, I'm heartened to see Domi's insistence that this debacle continue proved sound. The Chancers are going to have to find someplace new next year, though."
Bralin ponders his future. He is still a Dragon, and still bears a responsibility to protect The Wold when it needs protecting. That doesn't mean he needs to keep going out and looking for trouble, though. There are lots of ways to protect their home, and this new magic means there are much fewer threats to face.
Wardd saunters back over to Gargul. "So, you gonna bring all those folks back now? We didn't need an audience for that, but that doesn't mean we need to ruin the whole Invitational."
Gargul nods. "Some of them." There's a cold finality in the words. With a wave, those who fought for Team Dragon return, no longer in stasis but very confused.
Han Valen is the first to recover and immediately rushes to what remains of his friend. Grief etches itself on his face. "You big dummy. You ain't the best the best bass player in this world. You ain't even the best bass player in Dragonsound. We ain't gonna have a hard time replacing you...no sir." He's not crying, just tryin'a get all this dust out of his eyes.
"Those who fought against you are mine to judge. This one especially," intones Gargul as he raises a hand upwards in front of him. Cloud appears in his grasp, held above the ground with Gargul's fingers vice-like around his mouth and jaw. Gargul's eyes shine with a terrifying intensity as he passes judgement. "FOR YOUR BETRAYAL, YOUR SOUL IS BANISHED FROM THIS REALM." With his other hand, Gargul pokes a single finger into the shadow realm. He traces downward, opening a sickly red/black portal. Smoky tendrils drift outward, bringing with them songs of torment. Cloud's muffled screams escape past Gargul's hand, but the god of death is unmoved. "You will find no comfort here." He releases the doomed man, and the tendrils shoot out like lightning. In a blink, they grab Cloud and pull him in. He doesn't even have time to scream.
Wardd gives a low whistle.
The rest of Team Dragon regain their wits. Xuffie, Xid, Elhonna, Crall, Urlryn, Marshall, and Jada all realize they've won, and breath a collective sigh of relief.
Claw stares at Gargul in stunned silence as she realizes her pack is no more. Rage and sorrow vie for control within her, but it looks like rage is close to winning.
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Friday June 25th, 2021 2:24:48 AM
Jozhur smiles at the sight of Bruagh and Tahni reunited. He's pretty unbothered at Gargul's disposal of Khloud, good riddance.
He rushes to embrace Urlryn before she even comes to her senses. The young man has had quite enough of fighting with cosmic powers.
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Friday June 25th, 2021 6:53:51 AM
Fang looks about and notes that the Fangs are all gone. She turns to Gargul and makes an appeal. "Though the Fang's leader chose to fight for the Tinker and the others felt bound to follow him, they intentionally did not take hostile action against us other then summoning some minions they knew would stand no chance. In the end they turned on their leader and the Tinker and fought beside us. Surely such actions deserve mercy, just as Cloud's deserve vengeance?"
Rill (MarkB) AC40 T23 F35, CMD 31, HP 217/251 Friday June 25th, 2021 2:48:58 PM
Rill places Wardd's token on the chest of his robe. "Thank you Wardd. I am honored."
The cleric is gratified to see their allies reappear, but he is touched by Han Valen's sadness.
"My Lord Gargul, if it be your will I would like to raise Foreigner. He is an aasimir, and so an outsider of sorts. Still, he fought bravely and his passing is a burden on my friend Han here, and I'm worried about Han going Solo.
"And if it be your will, would you please restore that poor Deva that was altered by The Last Whisper before returning it to the celestial realms? It is a beautiful and benign creature, and my magic was not quite enough to free it."
Rill will warmly thank the others. He pauses at the vampire Urlryn. "Be at ease here Urlryn in Gargul's presense. You have my blessing, and my Lord Gargul grants me some level of discretion in the Wold. You will be safe with my dear friend Jozhur, as his wish will always be mine. And speaking of wishes, we should use some to make the Lionfish into a flying ship. I think Jozhur would be a great captain of a flying ship!"
Finally, he smiles as he stands before Xuffie. "Well Xuffie my dear - we vanquished the bad guy and I guess we can relax a bit now. At least until the Gods of the Wold send us on another task. Perhaps we can spend a bit of time together. I think you might actually like Bonetown. You know there's this one cafe down by the docks where you can watch the sunset...."
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Friday June 25th, 2021 7:11:08 PM
(oh this is just awfull... the last week of Bonetown and I miss a couple of post - sorry...)
Aexana has quietly observed all that has transpired the past few minutes. No doubt the choice to lock the Wold from other dimensions will at some point show some concequences... you don't make choices that big without counter effect...
The little Gnome is smiling at the sight of Tahni and Bruagh. She's quite certain she won't need to supply them with any love potions. She does have some pretty delicate oils they might enjoy... perhaps if they visit her shop one day.
It seems things are coming to an end... Aex is tired but still stands proud waiting for what will come next...
DM Carl Saturday June 26th, 2021 12:12:37 AM Jozhur rushes to embrace Urlryn. Her body is cold, her flesh unyielding, but there's a warmth in her embrace when she regains her senses. "Listen to me, Jozhur. I know we've been through a lot, and emotions are probably high, but I've been here before. The reality of what I am isn't pretty, so take a moment and make sure you want this." She continues holding him close as she talks. If he goes to answer right away, she puts a finger to his lips before saying, "No. Take a moment."
Jozhur doesn't need a moment though, does he? Lucky for him, her contract with the Mailed Fist has expired, freeing her to travel with him.
Fang notes the Fangs of the Beast are no more. Well, Mirri and Kirri are out there somewhere, but they hardly make a pack. She beseeches Gargul to reconsider his judgement. It's a brave act; few things upset Gargul more than having his decisions questioned. Indeed, there's a flare of anger in his eyes. He's quiet for a moment. "You've earned the right to make such a request, but my judgement of them will not be reversed." He looks at Claw. No, he looks past Claw at the reassembled Mint, Grandfather, and Sky. "Faced with the choice to defend our world, you sided with an ancient evil due to misguided notions of power. It was a shockingly foolish decision. I make no guarantees about your remaining life-spans, but know that should you pass before you've proven you learned from this, you will face the same judgement as the rest of your traitorous comrades." The beastfolk aren't long-lived, and Grandfather is already very advanced in age. The reality of their plight is clear on their faces.
Claw nods. "Serves you idiots right. Never thought I'd see the day with Mirri and Kirri showed more sense than you, Grandfather." She strides forth and stands before Grandfather. She reaches out, and takes his staff. He hesitates, eyes narrowing for just an instant before he relents, head bowed. "Come. We have penance to perform."
Mirri and Kirri pop out of the shadows. "Hey, how come you get to be the boss!" Kirri asks, hands on her hips.
Claw keeps walking, answering only "Come take it if you think you're able." Mirri thinks about it, then shrugs and follows along. Claw stands before Fang wordlessly for a moment. "Thanks, sister. I think we both need time, but it won't be that long before I end up in Bonetown. I hope by then I'll be welcome back in your life." The rest of the Fangs make themselves scarce. The tense moment is marred only by Kirri and Mirri dancing around Tahni and Bruagh making kissing sounds.
A tap on his shoulder breaks Terser from his thoughts. Jada stares back. "Don't expect you'd want back into a family that sold you, but you've still got me, ok? You didn't turn out too bad after all, brother." She goes to hug him. "Still, you're really not maximizing all your position could do for you. If you've got some time, I've got some ideas..." Who knows how Terser reacts to all this. Jada's shown she knows her stuff, but it's doubtful Terser's suddenly interested in profit.
Rill petitions for the return of The Foreigner. His concern about Han being alone is met with something light hitting his chest. Looking down, Rill sees it is a twenty-sided die. Someone must have thrown it at him. Gargul shakes his head, but a smile crosses his face. "The Foreigner wishes to remain where he is, Rill." He crosses to Han, placing a hand on his shoulder. "His kind have an...exuberant afterlife. According to him, where he is now 'makes The Fence look like a convent.'"
It elicits a small chuckle from Han, who nods. "He'd go on about it when he got drunk enough. Glad he made it." Han stands and gives Rill a quick embrace, punctuated by three pats on the back. "You Dragons are all right, Rill. My mates and I are gonna immortalize this whole thing. Zaggy has this idea to turn the whole thing into a buncha songs that tell a big story. Kinda like an opera, only cool. You best believe we're opening in Bonetown too." He smiles. "You ain't seen the last'a Dragonsound. No sir..." The rest of the band approaches from somewhere to pay their respects. It's a sad moment, but undercut with the satisfaction of knowing The Foreigner went out like he always wanted.
Rill goes to ensure Urlryn knows she is welcome, but her and Jozhur are obviously having a heavy moment. She catches his eye and sees the acceptance on his face. She smiles, and it's enough. There's a low whistle behind him. "Yea, vampire chick is pretty hot. Don't think you've got a shot there, though." Xuffie smiles. "The Undead Hunter and the vampire? No one's gonna buy that..." He begins asking her on a date, only to be cut off as she grabs his robe and pulls him into a kiss that can only be described as fierce."You talk too much, dear." She puts a sarcastic spin on the "dear" bit. "Anyway, I've got payment to collect for this mess. Invitational's over, the team I was on won, and I'm owed some serious cash. Buyer probably won't see it that way, but I'm sure we'll end up seeing eye to eye." She smiles, but it's all edge. "Might blow off some steam in Bonetown after. Good booze, fun atmosphere," she pauses, leveling her gaze at Rill before finishing, "comfy beds." Her gaze lingers a moment longer than it has to. "I'll see you soon, holy man." She smiles, taking a few steps back. Kirri dances between her and Rill saying, "Oh Tahni!" in a mock romantic tone. Xuffie's gone when she passes.
Wardd gives two big thumbs up from across the crowd. That probably went as well as can be expected. She may not be a one-dimensional villain, but there's certainly evil in that heart of hers. Who knows what that future holds...
Aexana watches with a detachment only age can bring. She's lasted longer than most in this game, but retirement looms. She misses her daughter, and her shop. Who'd have thought that a quick trip through the Wold to see some sights would end up like this? Life is strange.
Wardd, meanwhile, approaches what's left of Tinker's throne. He looks sour and shakes his head. "Can't go leaving this stuff around, can I?" With a wave, the shards and chunks of throne rise and compress themselves into a dark orb about the size of a pumpkin. The madness from it can be felt just in back of every mind within 100' of the thing. "There's that. Now what to do with this?" He thinks, then snaps his fingers as the idea comes to him. He snaps his fingers again and a sleepy looking Restlin pops into existence dressed in a voluminous bath robe. The Mendicant snaps to attention, eyes darting before landing on Wardd and widening even further.
"My...umm...lord?" he somehow makes it a question. "Here, put this in your tower's vault. Bad stuff inside." He tosses the orb to Restlin, who manages to catch it in both arms. He winces at it's touch.
"Oh geez, Wardd. I know madness is part'a your domain, but I signed up for the luck. I'll get it put away thoug..." he trails off, eyes locked across the field at Marshall LeCarlo. Eyes widen and he shouts out, "THAT'S MY ROBE!" before Wardd snaps his fingers and sends him home. He wipes imaginary dust off his hand and smiles at a job well done.
Eventually, people start excusing themselves. It's an emotionally charged occasion, and everyone needs time to process. Making their way back to their tent, the Dragons walk through the grounds that have been there home for what seems like a year and a half (1 year, 7 months to be exact). It's still mostly empty, giving a melancholy aire. Inside their tent, Heather sits in the comfiest chair, feet propped up on a cushioned ottoman. She drinks a scandalously large glass of wine between bites of strawberry. She smiles warmly as our heroes enter, but doesn't rise.
"Do you have any idea what a mess this is going to be to sort through? The Chancers are going to end up in court for decades because of all of this. I guarantee there's going to be a Dragons clause in future contests...sort of an 'act of god' thing." She laughs. "That's someone else's problem, though.
"So, back home to Bonetown with you? Well, I will miss you guys. Hope you don't mind if I come to visit sometime. I hear you guys haven't cleaned all the fun out of it yet." She places her wine down and stands. She bends down, picking a book up off the table. "Before you go, you remember Parnell? Works for Wold Co, has a little box that makes pictures? Publishes those packs of trading cards with heroes on them? We contracted him to create some promotional materials for us since The Mighty Sea Dragons were participating. I figured he bailed when things got dicey, but that man is persistent." She hands the book over. "Nothing about this debacle has been marketable though. Thought maybe you'd like his work."
It's unlikely anyone was impressed by Parnell back in Bonetown, but give the man some credit because the picture book in your hands is stunning. Inside is a record of the Dragon's time at the invitational. Crowds cheer as you take the field for the first time. Tahni blows the horn mere moments before Rill does the same. Bezos looks out as Aexana wins her bet; a faint hint of a smile can be seen on Gwendolyn's face. The Dragons face off in single combat: Bralin stabs Xid, a look of shock on the warlord's face. A barely alive Fang eeks out a final blow to Claw. Terser and Tencent wrestle in the muck as enormous crocodiles prepare to attack. Jada grins as smoke and fire erupt from her contraption, surrounding Bralin...and so it goes, page after page. Somehow there are even pictures of the Dragon's underwater fight against interdimensional terrors, as well as against the Talons' monstrosity in Tinker's demiplane. An entire page is dedicated to Fang's killing blow, gore erupting from the wound and covering the ratgirl. The Collar seals off The Wold. Tahni embraces Braugh. Jozhur embraces Urlryn. Xuffie kisses a shocked Rill. Gargul lectures the Fangs, sisters looking on in agreement. Aexana smiles at a crowd out of focus around her. These things happened less than an hour ago, yet here they are.
Heather shrugs. "See? Guy's got resources." She embraces you each in turn before taking her leave. "Thanks for the adventure, friends. I'll never forget it." A last smile, and she takes her leave.
Terser (Warren) [AC22/13/19 - CMD 30 - HP 270/270, DR 5(7)/-, SR21, Regen 1, Mind Blank] (75% no crit, rage 26/45, channel 5/7) Saturday June 26th, 2021 1:51:50 AM
Terser may not care too much about amassing personal wealth, but it seems he's managed to do so anyway. He is however interested in spending time with the sister that also didn't manage to fit in with the family.
We've always worked well together. Let's see what we can put together! I've been entertaining some thoughts of a cidery/meadery. And I bet you've got some fun ideas for our ship - maybe we'll open the Wold's first traveling brewpub! And of course, Heather will always have a table reserved.
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Saturday June 26th, 2021 1:45:35 PM
Aex warmly returns Heather's embrace : "Do visit us some day dear... I'm sure my daughter will be happy to see you... there's always some tasty cake and pie..."
The little Gnome bites her lip. She realizes everyone in the group is about to weave their own tapestries... she hates goodbyes...
Fang (Mitch) HP: 43/239(+38 while raging) AC: 30/21/24 (-2 while raging, ) DR 2 (3 while raging)CMD: 36 Saturday June 26th, 2021 11:19:11 PM
Fang is satisfied with the return of the Beastfolk. "Thank you lord. A chance is all that could be asked for." she says with a deep bow. She goes over the join the Fangs of the Beast and leaves the rest of the group to work in their relationship stuff or whatever. "Don't worry, we'll find you something. I'm a dragon, my job description is to save the Wold, I bet I could find something for you to do to redeem yourself."
She is suitably impressed by the book. "How much for a copy? I might want to get several to pass out. Then again, that might be a bit gauche. I mean I'd literally be passing out a book about how awesome I am. Probably shouldn't."
(Brock) Jozhur AC32 / Touch 23 Flat 24--CMD 30--HP 113/205 --Shadow Companion 49/102hp Sunday June 27th, 2021 4:19:46 AM
Jozhur does indeed take a moment to think, even though his mind was already made up. "I don't care what you are, only who you are. So yes, it's fine. I'd like for you to come with me to Bonetown. It sounds like we may be getting a flying ship I'll need help piloting."
Jozhur pauses and chuckles a little as he glances Xuffie and Rill, "Now there's an odd couple." He barely notices any of the other goings on.
He gives Heather and her enormous glass a wine a wink, "Well earned, thanks for all your help. And you're certainly welcome in Bonetown. I won't let Rill completely clean the place up."
Bralin - MikeK - (AC48 T21 F39, CMD 44, SR25, HP 276/276) Sunday June 27th, 2021 2:31:58 PM
Bralin leafs through Parnell's book, nodding. It is very impressive, and he thoroughly approves.
The dwarf returns Heather's embrace, with a "Many Thanks".
He the grabs a mug, finds a chair, and sits. Removing his helm, he looks at his comrades, and raises his mug. "The Sea Dragons," he intones simply, before draining it.
Bralin reaches into his bag, pulling out his stoneworking tools and a piece of marble that looks suspiciously like part of the arena.
"I propose we wait for the morrow to sail," he declares. With that, the dwarf turns to his stone. Nothing is heard but the sharp tink, tink as he methodically chips away at it.
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Monday June 28th, 2021 4:29:56 PM
Greetings Woldians!
We have TWO games that have achieved Level 20 and just retired over the weekend! So in our usual tradition, we're holding a celebration for the next few days on the Giggling Ghost board!
Folks are already beginning to gather. We expect everyone to join in and post daily on the GG board, but all are excused from posting in their "regular career game" through Wednesday at least. :) It doesn't mean you can't post, just that you don't have to.
DMs if you're in combat, feel free to just post a "pause until after Wednesday" if you'd like, or you can do that anyway. These celebrations are important as both of these games have players who have been working for at least 9 years to achieve this retirement for their PCs.
--DMs may take the role of an NPC or 2 if they wish and hand out dishes, create action, help out, etc. --Anyone may take the stage and tell a story or sing a song. --Post as many times a day as you'd like on the Giggling Ghost board.
Entertain yourselves and enjoy!
Yes you may go there now and post. Yes you should go there now and post. What are you waiting for? Yes, now is fine. Are you still reading this? Why?
(StevenVdB) Aexana Gnome (S) HP195/195 - AC36/28/31 - CMD 31 and LEAFY (L) - HP108/108 - AC31/12/29 - CMD 20 Monday June 28th, 2021 6:38:08 PM "Well then, " Aex says. Continuesly biting her lip and fighting back her tears she continues :"guess this is it then... time to go home... if either of you ever visits Plateay City please stop by my little shop for some tea and pie. It's in Trade Quarter... "Aex's Herbs 'n Spices"... can't miss it. Smallest shop on the block with a look-out on the Silver Coin Tavern. "
All is said... the board closes... thanks everyone.
LOG ON