A Rise With A Difference

Game Master Dabbler

I misread the map. K06 is fine

Just checking!

Gob darts forward and lets loose a second ray of fire, blasting a second goblin to tumble shrieking from the ledge. DC12 Acrobatics checks required from Gob and Thanadros to avoid losing their footing on the slippery rock.

Vaclav casts his spell and Gornak forms his force screen.

The ghoul remaining ghoul in the advance pack hesitates until the charging second pack catch up with him, then three rush en-mass at Thanadros; their intent is to drive him off the slippery ledge, although Gob's placing hampers this. The way I will play this is that the Goblins are aiding one another in a Bull Rush; if they succeed Thanadros will need to make a Reflex save of DC equal to their Bull Rush total in order not to go over the edge to join Iesha. If they fail he will still need to make an Acrobatics check equal to their total Bull Rush attempt not to lose footing. Thanadros gets no AoO as he does not have a melee weapon ready, sorry.

Bull Rush (CMB): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Aid other (CMB): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Aid other (CMB): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

So the Bull Rush total is 20, which I believe is a success...

The remaining ghoul charges Gob.

Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 + paralysis (Fort DC13) + ghoul fever (Fort DC13)

Almost forgot - Map Update

Just to have the Initiatives on the new page:

Goblin Ghouls - 23
Thanadros - 19
Aylmora - 13
Aldern Ghoul - 10
Gob - 7
Vaclav - 7
Gornak - 4

Plus Vaclav cast Bless last round, so each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.

"Thanadros -- LOOK OUT!!" Gornak bellows as he sees his friend slipping.

I was a bit confused -- since it said "The first three ghouls advance cautiously (to M07, M08, K07)", I didn't realise that Thanadros was actually in K7. In that case, Gornak wouldn't have expended his psionic focus to manifest defensively. I'll assume he still has his focus, then.

Gornak swings his hammer at the goblin in L6.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 183d6 + 13 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) + 13 = 28

With the path before her cleared, Aylmora steps up to the very edge of the rock ledge to gain a clear view of the ghoul that was Aldern Foxglove, easily maintaining her balance on the slickened stone thanks to her power to defy gravity. "I'll help you, alright," she snarls under her breath. With a cry of primal rage she unleashes a blast of fiery energy from her outstretched hand to strike at the undead nobleman.

Move action 10 ft. to square I,07. Standard action to fire Energy Ray (5 pp) augmented by Wild Surge (+2 pp) at Aldern.

Energy Ray Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24 (surging euphoria - doesn't stack with bless)
15% chance Psychic Enervation (1-15): 1d100 ⇒ 21
Fire Damage to Aldern: 7d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2, 2, 1, 3, 4, 3) + 7 + 1 = 28

Power Points used today: 12/35

Aylmora's AC: 21
Aylmora's HP: 48/56

Acrobatics 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

If Gob falls over the side he grits his teeth and manifests catfall as an immediate action

Vaclav looks up from his prayer and strides toward the battle.

Iesha's at 16 initiative. I want to see what she and Aldern do before acting.

Ref 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 (Resistance | 1pp | IA | Per | +4 Racial Bonus to Saves until beginning of next turn)

Not paying attention to the goblins, Thanadros tries to keep his footing as the goblin gang into him, but the edge is too slick and he slides straight over the edge...

Thanadros slides over the edge to fall some thirty feet to the slippery stone below, and slides down the rock into the pool at the bottom of the cavern.

3d6 damage, Acrobatics DC15 to make it 2d6 damage.

Iesha Reflex save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Iesha Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

On his way he barrels into Iesha, sending her back down the stone chute with him. Shrieking in fury she claws her way back onto the shore and begins to crawl up the slope.

Gob lands on his backside, but does not slide further down. The Goblin attacking him is crushed by a single swing of Gornak's hammer I suggest waiting until your action before posting what you are going to do, as it really mucks things about changing all the time. As Gornak changes his target and pivots about, his feet grind on the slippery rock...DC12 Acrobatics check please!

Aylmora advances to the slippery edge Acrobatics DC12 as well and unleashes a blast of fire at Aldern 28 damage, ouch! that strikes the Aldern-ghoul in mid-plead. He reels, scorched and clearly injured, and his face twists in to a sneer, all traces of fear vanished as he rises and pulls a mask of skin over his face as he rises.

“I wonder how your deaths shall affect your friends. What things might you have done that will go unfinished? What will those broken promises spawn? How will your murders shape the world?”

Nimble and swift he darts up the spiral path, apparently unaffected by the slippery surface moves up to M07, a flashing war-razor in his hand. As he arrives a revolting stench precedes him Aylmora, Gob, and Gornak: DC19 Fort saves or be sickened.

DC 19 Fortitude save: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19 (surging euphoria)

Aylmora still has Defy Gravity active, so would she still need to make the DC 12 Acrobatics check? If so: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Also, from her position, is there space to rise up using Defy Gravity to get a clear shot at Aldern?

Gob lands on his backside, but does not slide further down. The Goblin attacking him is crushed by a single swing of Gornak's hammer I suggest waiting until your action before posting what you are going to do, as it really mucks things about changing all the time. As Gornak changes his target and pivots about, his feet grind on the slippery rock...DC12 Acrobatics check please!

I'm confused -- Gornak changes his target to what? And does just standing still require Acrobatics checks?

"Eeuuugh! Mister, you smell awful!" Gornak grunts as he catches a whiff of the putrid stench.

@~Aylmora: No and yes, respectively, I forgot you had that power working!

@~Gornak: I'm assuming Gornak went to manifest a power, then changed his mind (given your earlier description). Fighting is not something you do standing still, you are constantly shifting position even if you are not actually moving out of your square and you have to adjust your balance each time you strike a blow (and Gornak strikes mighty blows). If you move at more than half speed, or engage in combat, you need to make the check. At this part of the path I'm ruling that you do not get tipped down the spiral path into the drink, that only happens on the lower part of the path that starts at the door.

Vaclav steps forward. I6. I guess that will force a save for him too.

Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The ghoul's odor hits him hard and he staggers with the sudden nausea.

Erastil! Burn the abomination. Cleanse us of his foul presence."

I wish I had a de-de-buff, but all I''ve got is channel to hurt him. Will save DC 14 for half.

3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 5) = 11

"Gornak, push him over the edge!"

Know(religion) on Aldern's speech. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Sickened: The character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.

@~Gornak: I'm assuming Gornak went to manifest a power, then changed his mind (given your earlier description).

To clarify...

friendly clarification: does manifesting powers count as engaging in combat? Gob moved less than half his speed.

Fort 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

can I still manifest catfall to land on my feet instead of falling prone? It seems a clever use of the power...

Check - apologies to Gornak then, I didn't understand quite what he was intending. I am assuming Gob was 'engaged in combat' when the ghoul attacked him (i.e. that he tried to dodge the attack) - but I will allow catfall to stay upright, it seems very appropriate!

Only Aylmora manages to avoid the sickening effect of Aldern's aroma. Vaclave advances and despite the stench unleashes Erastil's fury:

Saves:
Ghoul #1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 5 damage
Ghoul #2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 5 damage
Ghoul #3: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 11 damage

Aldern-ghoul: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 11 damage

Aldern hisses but is not deterred. One of the goblin-ghouls shrieks and falls. The other two goblin-ghouls press their attack, moving in coordinated assault: one steps up to Gornak 5' step, the other on Gob 5' step.

Ghoul #1 (attacking Gornak):
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
+ paralysis (Fort DC13) + ghoul fever (Fort DC13)

Gornak can use his hammer as an improvised weapon by shortening his grip (-4 to hit), or change weapons, or attack another target, but this ghoul has got under his guard.

Ghoul #2 (attacking Gob):
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
+ paralysis (Fort DC13) + ghoul fever (Fort DC13)

Two of the goblin-ghouls draw blood 5 damage to Gornak, 4 to Gob.

Thanadros' action. It will take a DC5 Swim check to make the nearest shore, and a DC10 Climb check to scramble out of the water onto the side.

Map update

Gob's AC is currently 25 (see last page of game thread) from force screen.

Aylmora steps off the ledge and floats upward to gain a clearer view of Aldern. "The only person who's going to die here today is you, Foxglove," she announces. The young woman's eyes narrow as she points and unleashes another blast of fiery energy at the undead nobleman.

5 ft. step to square I,08. Move action to rise up 20 ft. via Defy Gravity. Standard action to fire Energy Ray (5 pp) augmented by Wild Surge (+2 pp) at Aldern.

Energy Ray Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13 (surging euphoria - doesn't stack with bless)
15% chance Psychic Enervation (1-15): 1d100 ⇒ 68
Fire Damage to Aldern: 7d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 4, 2, 6, 5) + 7 + 1 = 36

Power Points used today: 19/35

Aylmora's AC: 21
Aylmora's HP: 48/56

Gob's AC is currently 25 (see last page of game thread) from force screen.

Likewise, Gornak's AC is 24 (19, +5 from Force Screen) so all of the ghoul attacks miss. Or did he fall prone or something because of the Acrobatics check?

Acrobatics 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Fall Damage 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
Swim 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Climb 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Thanadros scrambles out of the pool and starts making his way to try to line up a shot to Aldern. If that is not possible Thanadros tries to take whichever path that makes the most sense to get back up to the party.

Sorry, missed Gob's force screen, however Gornak is indeed prone which I also forgot to take into account. Apologies to everyone, these extended fights can get complex!

Thanadros is out of the drink, but can't draw an easy bead on the Aldern-ghoul.

Iesha starts to scramble directly up the side of the spiral.

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 She is nearly halfway up the wall passing through M09

Aldern for his part steps nimbly to one side as Aylmora's blast sears the rock at his feet.

"Temper temper!" he chides. "How will you feel when I peel your friends and saw off their skins? I think I'll do Brother Vaclav the Inept first!"

The skin of the mask warps and shifts to present a likeness of Vaclav, and skipping nimbly along the rim of the drop apparently without a care to J07 he slashes at the cleric with his war-razor:

Acrobatics (avoid AoO's from Gob & Gornak): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The flickering razor draws red blood from a wicked slice...

Vaclav grunts as he's cut. He steps back jams his force shield down to lower Foxglove's guard down and open up some space between them. "I was hoping for a clear shot at you."

Holding his holy symbol like a bow, his hand comes level with Foxglove's face.

"Taste the goodness of the light, Foxglove."

5' step back. Cast searing light.

Ranged touch attack 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 2 = 4... damage 5d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 4, 2) = 11

No save. SR applies.

And I can take comfort in the consistency of my dice rolling.

Fort (bite, disease): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 2 = 16
Fort (bite, paralysis): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 2 = 13
Fort (claw, paralysis): 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 = 19

Even with all of the intestinal distress going on due to the raunchy stench, Gornak manages to throw off the negative effects of the ghoul's attacks. He activates the sihedron medallion (1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 temporary hp) and he expends his psionic focus to manifest Defy Gravity defensively. Then he levitates 10' off the ground, out of the reach of the goblin ghoul.

The goblin ghoul gets an attack of opportunity for the movement. Is Gornak still prone while levitating?

Gob grins in defiance at Aldern, trying not to choke on the stench. "I'd wager there are ways to weaken you too..."

Gob uses his Evil Eye hex (no AoO due to being supernatural). DC 16 Will save reduces to 1 rd; -2 on atks for 3+Int rds

He then 5-foot steps back off the ledge and catfallsdown below.

Vaclav looks up from the puddle of vomit whose exodus disturbed his aim. Sweet blessed Erastil how could I miss that shot?

Then realizes that his allies are all gone and he faces the ghoul alone.

I hope I'm the anvil and not a nail.

Pssst, Gob! Undead are immune to mind-affecting effects...

thought that was only mindless undead! Well since i keep messing up, my action stands. Gob has to learn undead weaknesses/strengths in character

Gob directs his Evil Eye at the ghoul for no visible effect, then darts over the edge and drops down to the ground below, passing Iesha on the way down.

Vaclav's guts heave as he tries to aim the beam of light, and Aldern dances nimbly aside.

Gornak rises above the fray, righting himself as he does so No longer prone, no! With defy gravity active he can avoid taking Acrobatics checks as long as he moves no more than 5', and a failure just means he moves at half speed rather than falling over, sound fair?

AoO (claw on Gornak): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The two ghouls are suddenly bereft of targets. Gornak's attacker snarls and delays his action. Gob's attacker scuttles under Gornak to attack Vaclav.

Claw on Vaclav: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Looking up, Thanadros can now see the back of Aldern-ghoul and Gornak's attacker quite clearly at this angle...

Goblin Ghouls - 23
Thanadros - 19
Iesha - 16
Aylmora - 13
Aldern Ghoul - 10
Gob - 7
Vaclav - 7
Gornak - 4

Updated Map, the second goblin is underneath Gornak, who is 10' up.

The force shield stymies the small goblin's attack. Faced with two foes, Vaclav considers a fighting retreat, then realizes that if he can hold here, the ghoul's backs will be exposed to his floating partners.

Aldern for his part steps nimbly to one side as Aylmora's blast sears the rock at his feet.

"Temper temper!" he chides. "How will you feel when I peel your friends and saw off their skins? I think I'll do Brother Vaclav the Inept first!"
The skin of the mask warps and shifts to present a likeness of Vaclav, and skipping nimbly along the rim of the drop apparently without a care he slashes at the cleric with his war-razor:
The flickering razor draws red blood from a wicked slice...

"NO!" Aylmora cries, seeing her friend wounded by the ghoulish madman. Eyes blazing with unrestrained fury, the young woman unleashes another blast of devastating fiery energy at the undead nobleman.

Standard action to fire Energy Ray (5 pp) augmented by Wild Surge (+2 pp) at Aldern.

Energy Ray Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 - 4 = 23 (surging euphoria, firing into melee)
15% chance Psychic Enervation (1-15): 1d100 ⇒ 41
Fire Damage to Aldern: 7d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 1, 6, 5, 5) + 7 + 1 = 37
Critical Hit Confirmation: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 - 4 = 23
Extra Critical Hit Fire Damage: 7d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 2, 5, 6, 5) + 7 + 1 = 32

That's a total of 69 hp fire damage to Aldern with one Energy Ray!

Power Points used today: 22/35 (corrected; added 7 to number of points used last round instead of 5)

Aylmora's AC: 21
Aylmora's HP: 48/56

Gornak patiently waits his turn...

waiting on Aldern

Thandros lets loose 2 arrows at Aldern as an opening act to Aylmora's minor supernova.

Hawkeye | 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 121d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 | Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 151d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 | Crit: 20/x3
Deadly Aim, Rapid Shot, Focused, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Psionic Shot

Awesome shot Aylmora, I've used some artistic license applied below...

Thanadros' arrows are foiled by the lip of the ledge, and the dancing ghoul ignores them. Iesha Scrambles to the top of the cliff.

"Aldern!" she shrieks in triumph. "Leave them alone and face me!"

With his face contorted in fury, Aldern spins about.

"Damn you woman, will you never cease to harass me?" His voice is a rasping hiss, as he takes single step away from Vaclav and gives Aylmora a very clear shot. Her fire sears him and his entire body erupts into eerie blue and green flames, as he shrieks his death cry and collapses onto the wet ground. "The Seven!" he howls, his voice changed again. "It wasn't me, it was all the Seven!" Flames leap from his mouth as the righteous flames consume him, and his legs buckle and he collapses, still burning.

Iesha's eyes blaze with unholy light for a moment, her face an expression of exultation at his suffering. Then as he collapses the light fades, and she raises her eyes to look to Aylmora, and for a moment they are not the glowing eyes of a monster but the sad eyes of a lonely and frightened Varisian girl.

"Thank you..." she says, her croaking voice fading to a death-rattle as she too slumps to the ground, her body all but disintegrating into that of a months-old corpse rent by savage wounds as she does so.

For a moment even the two goblin-ghouls are still. Then they realise that they are injured, and alone against the rest of you.

"Holy smokes!" Gornak blurts out as he sees the Count burned to a crisp. "I guess you won't have to worry about that monster bothering you any more, Miss Aylmora."

He turns his attention back to the goblin ghouls and, while hovering in mid-air, he swings his hammer at the one below his feet.

(with a -1 for levitation and a -2 for sickness and a +1 for Bless and a +1 for higher ground) 1d20 + 10 - 1 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 1 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 123d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) + 12 = 20

The momentum of his swing causes him to awkwardly spin in the air, spoiling his attack. "Oh, my stomach..." he moans as he twirls around.

Gob vomits, then puts a hand against the cave wall to brace himself and regain his courage. (hold action)

Vaclav watches Aldern's demise with satisfaction. "Damn Urgathoa's spawn." But he quickly turns his attention to the ghoul that had slashed at him. He drops his holy symbol to dangle on the end of its cord and raises his mace for a crushing blow.

Mace 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 ... 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Gornak swings and misses, Gob looks pale. Vaclav swings his mace and with one powerful blow crushes the skull of one of the two remaining Goblins.

The remaining one turns and runs, racing for the small tunnels that open in the far wall.

Looking at my post I forgot the sickened condition penalty, Dabbler. That's -2 to hit and damage.

Thanadros tries taking a few pot shots at the final ghoul as it leaves. If he cannot he tries to follow and finish it off.

Hawkeye | 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 | Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 151d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 | Crit: 20/x3
Deadly Aim, Rapid Shot, Focused, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Psionic Shot

+2 to hit if he only takes one shot.

Looking at my post I forgot the sickened condition penalty, Dabbler. That's -2 to hit and damage.

He had 1hp left, it's a moot point.

Thanadros nails the last goblin-ghoul through the back of the neck as he is about to enter the tunnel. Climbing out of the slippery spiral takes a minute or two, but he and Gob manage it relatively easily.

Gornak uses his levitation to help anyone out of the pit, as needed.

"Is everyone okay? Sorry I wasn't of more help, but it looks like Aylmora could've handled the whole gang of ghouls by herself!"

Thanadros nods. "I never knew you had such power, Aylmora." he says, impressed.

Once it finishes smoldering, Thanadros starts to loot Alderns body. "We should look to the room in back where he came out of. Then we should leave this wretched place."

Vaclav leans against the wall and dry heaves a couple times. Then he looks at Aylmora with new respect. Is this the young woman I was worried about protecting from Foxglove? She crisped him properly.

Gob examines the goblin-ghouls to see if there is any indication of what tribe they may have originated from.

Does Aldern's body have any loot? How about Iesha?

Gradually the foul smell clears in the slow cycling of the air in the cave as the water in the vent undulates.

Aldern's body is crisped, but you can find on his remains two glittering rings, his war-razor, and the weird mask is damaged but not destroyed. Iesha has nothing on her.

Aylmora levitates downward and makes her way to the crumpled form of Iesha. The young woman removes her cloak and gently places it over the dead woman's remains, offering a silent prayer to Desna to guide the avenged woman's spirit to its proper resting place in the afterlife. "We should return her remains to Sandpoint and see that she receives a proper funeral at the cathedral," she says sadly.

"Is everyone okay? Sorry I wasn't of more help, but it looks like Aylmora could've handled the whole gang of ghouls by herself!"

Thanadros nods. "I never knew you had such power, Aylmora." he says, impressed.

"I... I guess I didn't either..." Aylmora begins hesitantly, unsettled by the volatile display of her own power. Her expression hardens as she looks toward the smoldering remains of Aldern Foxglove, and her voice becomes firmer as she continues, "But I wasn't about to let that madman hurt any of you. He had to pay for what he did to Iesha and Katrine and all the others."

Once it finishes smoldering, Thanadros starts to loot Alderns body. "We should look to the room in back where he came out of. Then we should leave this wretched place."

"I agree," Aylmora concurs with Thanadros. "I say we burn this whole place to the ground."

Should I assume that the duration of Aylmora's Minor Metamorphosis has ended now?

Also, Aylmora takes a moment to regain her psionic focus.