Nik'o |
Nik'o shrugs. Battle was inevitable it seems. His focus now bent on surviving, he lowers his spear and prepares for the eneko's onslaught.
Brace against charge.
Don't I get my readied attack? Plus the AoO if he moves through the square I threaten with my longspear? I'll post the attack rolls under a spoiler.
Braced Readied Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 102d8 + 12 ⇒ (5, 3) + 12 = 20
AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 101d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Helac |
Look out, Boss! She's going to electrocute us!
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Hardly...
Helac projects to the group, She is crafting an image in her mind, and, once complete, will draw substance from the astral plane to make it real... I do hate the idea of the field becoming more cluttered.
He's pretty agile for a big guy.
Knowledge (Psionics): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Somewhat... it's a trick, using just the smallest bit of psychokinesis to augment the natural third law of motion, but it is clever... and useful.
Helac focuses for a moment, and a bass-pitched hum issues from around the human woman, eerily akin to many deep-pitched voices. The sound grows in a second from hardly noticeable to a strident shout. Spending 3 PP (Getting kind of low here.) to manifest Collapse. Standard action. Fort save DC 16 or prone and sickened for 4 rounds.
Kiana Sunbane |
Kiana leans to the side to avoid Niko, and sends two arrows down the hallway at the Eneko.
Flurry 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Flurry 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Nik'o |
Nik'o steps back, snarling from the intense pain. He makes enough space to put his spear between himself and the Eneko, then stabs at it again, take care to study the creatures before striking.
Start Studied Combat as a MvA.
Studied Combat, round 1: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 281d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Sorry: weekends can be busy...
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Reposting Initiative:
Nik'o--24
Yuan-ti--21
Charivia--19
Human--18
Eneko--15
Helac--10
Kiana--7
Nik'o stabs at the Eneko. With a great bellow, he collapses to the ground, heavily wounded and unconscious!
1d3 ⇒ 2
The Yuan-ti, in spite of his ally's fall, continues firing his bow, first at Helac:
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
crit confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
1d8 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2
Then at Nik'o
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
1d8 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1 1 damage
Although his arrows barely hurt, they both hit.
Seeing the threat of melee reduced, Charivia runs forwards and unleashes a burst of emotional energy on the human.
ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
The human is now heavily wounded, but conscious.
Breathing heavily, she pulls herself off the ground. Glancing around at the state of the battle, and still obviously sickened, she pivots and flees north.
Map updated, Helac's turn. The Eneko's body is not an obstacle, now.
Helac |
Move, double move, or flat out run?
Thinking to close the distance between him and the weakened enemy, Helac slides past his allies, hops over the giant's body, and breaks out into a run. Full round action, allowing him to cover up to 80 feet. After turning the corner, he continues his headlong sprint toward the fleeing caster. Sliding to a halt right in front of her, he inadvertently leaves himself open. Provokes an attack of opportunity from the human... because technically one cannot charge around corners, so getting right next to her with the run action is the best I can do this round.
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Kiana Sunbane |
One side! Stupid underground corridors! What sort of civilized being builds underground! Idiots and moles! Kiana grumbles as she moves AS17 to the end of the corridor and fires at the fleeing human, seeming to have a deep hatred for them for some reason.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8
The arrow slams into the wall next to the human, rather than the human. Gah, Helac, you're in the way! The arrow vibrates hard it slams in so solidly.
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
The human hops in fright as Kiana's arrow misses her.
Map updated, Nik'o's turn.
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Sorry for the delay, the only free time I had yesterday was when the site was down.
The yuan-ti acknowledges Nik'o's demand, but holds on to his bow. Visibly frightened, pivots and withdraws from the fight, heading into the hallway to the east. His supernatural speed allows him to escape far beyond sight.
The yuan-ti uses withdraw, and can move 120 feet, so he is now off the map.
Charivia moves forwards, although she is too slow to get close enough to manifest on the human.
The psion, lacking the speed of her yuan-ti companion, drops to her knees in front of Helac.
"Noble Elan, I beg of you to have mercy, for I share not my companions' quarrel with you!"
She trembles as she cries out
"I fought only to protect them and myself. "
Feel free to break initiative, now, the combat is over.
Helac |
Helac starts for a moment. "You know what I am?... Most simply assume me an awkward human... Curious."
Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
I think I would recommend a straightforward approach, Boss.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 = 17
Hmm... I'd wish it possible to be straightforward in all circumstances... but most are unable to handle things as they are... but I shall attempt it.
To be honest... if the Yuan-ti were simply living somewhere... farming or herding or hunting quietly, I imagine none would take umbrage. But... in this case... it's less a quarrel and more of a situation of mutually exclusive goals.
We have no problem letting you go your way... in peace... as long as you furnish what information you can about the area and inhabitants and... then leave quickly. If you hurry, there is another... female we released to which you might catch up.
Kiana Sunbane |
"Well, I have no quarrel with the Yuani-ti.. just wrong place wrong time. Humans, on the other hand... always fun to kill humans, most have it coming, the ones that don't just haven't shown their true colors yet." Kiana says, examining a razor sharp arrow.
Recover Arrows: 1d100 ⇒ 100 Nice, Kiana recovers all missed arrows
"But I guess if Relac wants to let you go, I can live with it..."
Nik'o |
Good call! Let's ask our questions and move on. Who knows what that Yuan-ti's up too now... He transmit to his companions, then turns to the woman and asks: "Answer quickly! Who are you and what have you been doing in this place? Can you draw us a map of the place?"
He keeps a close eye on Kiana, wondering why she's showing such a taste for human blood.
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Freaking computer crashes interfering with pbps...
The human's back stiffens. She doesn't seem particularly impressed with Helac's diplomatic efforts, but she doesn't seem hostile either.
"In my homeland I am known as Herolyse."
She speaks with a Syrk accent.
"My companions and I came here, to the burial place of an ancestor of our tribe's sovereign, to retrieve an artifact, the Tremble Tooth. I think it is supposed to protect us against assaults from a rival tribe to our north, but I am not certain. Our leader has been hesitant to reveal its powers or purpose to us. "
"We meant to guard the keys to the ancient king's tomb, as none of us can move the key from that pedestal without suffering a curse."
She gestures towards the cracked orb.
"You are not the first to attack us whilst my companions were locating a key. That is why my companions were so hasty to fight you. There is another entrance to the Starlight Tomb, to the northeast. A mere two days ago, a band of humans and ogres entered there and attacked my companions with psionic and physical power. They spoke the dialect of southern Riedra and bore symbols of the Harmonious Shield. We fought until they fled, but they will surely return. I know not what they want. "
Herolyse stands up, and faces Nik'o.
"A map? I am afraid I can give you no such thing. I do not know every nook in this tomb, and even if I did my leader would be displeased were I to share such information with strangers."
Kiana Sunbane |
Kiana suddenly frowns, and reaches around to pull her pack off. She digs a bloody human overcoat from her pack, and holds it out to the human. There's a shoulder flash on it. "You will tell me who this symbol belongs to, or I shall personally rip your throat out, human." Her voice is colder than arctic wind.
DO NOT INTERFERE!
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Did you mean to roll an intimidate check? If so, I'll speed things up...
Kiana's intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Herolyse squirms as she sees the overcoat.
"Th-that,"
she stutters,
"b-belonged to Haaroon, a tribesman of mine. He was a d-dive mage who drew p-power from the D-Dragon Below. I have s-seen that symbol among others in my t-tribe, but know n-not exactly what it m-means. It is from a v-very old faith, you w-would need to ask one more learned than I."
She pauses, and a tear drops from her eye
"Is Haaroon d-dead?"
Kiana Sunbane |
"He is dead, his bones picked clean by crows. He and those who wore this symbol attacked my people, slaughtered them, men women and children. And everyone who wears this symbol will die if it takes me a thousand years to slaughter them."
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
"Y-you-"
She stops herself, and then stands up
"Hold on a moment, Haaroon had never left Syrkarn until very recently, and then he came only to Adar. Yet earlier you, changeling, said you were from Khorvaire, so how could Haaroon have been to your homeland? One of you is dishonest!"
Seemingly emboldened she turns between Kiana and Nik'o.
"Am I to assume you plan to take my life no matter what I do? If there is anything else you require me to tell you, ask."
Kiana Sunbane |
Kiana's eyes narrow. "I do not lie, human. Sixteen years ago, the owner of this jacket and his ship attacked my village and slaughtered my parents in front of me, and my sisters and brothers. They called us demons, and ripped their wings from their backs. They raped the women and girls, then killed them, those that weren't already dead. I trained the rest of my life to kill those people. If your tribe did it, then your tribe dies." She holds the jacket up. [b]"If your 'har rune' only left syrkarn recently, then it is you who lied when you said this was his jacket..." She turns thoughtful, and then looks to Nik'o. "Unless... she is like the halfling, out of her own time..."
Nik'o |
Nik'o frowns: Or someone is playing disinformation games... I know little about the people of this land, but they certainly have the same complex plots against one another as back home. I don't know what to say Kiana. Your family needs to be avenged. But they need to be avenged of the right culprits. This is messy. Do you know for a fact whether the man you killed and got the jacket from was Haroon?"
He takes a second look at the crest on the jacket.
Know Local: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 6 + (2) = 26
Helac |
It's... a form of torture, Eroh... a crime of violence and dominance. It's best not to try to understand it, so much as to shun it.
Helac simply watches, almost impassively, but for flickers of momentary expression. I do believe this is the most they have disclosed since I have met them...
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
I think there was a miscommunication. I thought that Kiana was presenting an overcoat taken from the human you fought and killed in the previous room, not one Kiana fought prior to this campaign. If that is not what you meant, then I messed up:P
If Kiana meant to show the jacket of a human who attacked her home in the background, (the uniform mentioned on Kiana's profile?) then the last two posts I made should have been quite different. Sorry! Lemme fix this situation: Rewind...
When if? Kiana presents the uniform she took from a human many years ago, Herolyse stammers
"Th-that? It appears to be what is worn by some of the Shaaral tribe, from northern Syrkarn. They are a rival of ours, of my tribe, they have fought my tribe for resources and land."
Like most Syrk tribes, the Shaaral tribe regularly engages in skirmishes with other Syrk tribes, including the one lead by Lady Prugshon.
At various times, it has been alleged that the Shaaral tribe, along with many others are secretly controlled by the Inspired, and that Riedra is manipulating the inter-tribal skirmishes across Syrkarn for their own ends. No solid evidence for or against this theory has ever surfaced, though.
Again, sorry for the confusion.
Kiana Sunbane |
Kiana visibly cools toward the prisoner. "I see. I thank you for your information. I would have wished this one..." She nods at Nik'O. "...had remembered it sooner, but the jog of his memory has helped." She motions for the human to go. "I have no more claim on you human, flee I suggest."
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
"Flee?"
She sounds calmer as Kiana has become less threatening.
"I shan't leave the tomb, it was forbidden of me. But I shall stay out of your way."
She turns and scampers northwards into the corridor.
The eneko remains unconscious. Searching his body reveals
Spellcraft, 20
Knowledge (Local) 15
Also,
Spellcraft, 20
The 'key', the cracked black orb, emits a strong transmutation aura.
Spellcraft, 20
The 'key', the cracked black orb, emits a strong psychometabolism aura.
(Recall also the description of the key given earlier.)
Helac |
Helac steps over and kneels down to rifle through the gentle giant's pockets.
That feels rhythmic and discordant.
Perception: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 2 = 34
To what are you refering? Helac concentrates for a moment, tuning out all other sensory distractions and focuses on the sounds of the room. A faint whisper of gibberish becomes apparent from the unobtrusive pillar door. Hmm... Good catch, my bauble.
Does anyone else hear that whispering? It's just at the edge of maddening if there is nothing to distract one.
Hmm. Is that symbol indicative of a movement spell of some sort, boss?
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
... I have not a clue. The large fighter bore it. Perhaps it would be of some use to our resident changeling who also seems to gravitate towards combat?
I assume you can make use of this. Helac projects to Nik'o as he gently tosses a finely made ring with an imprint of a broken chain carved into it. And add this to the community chest. He follows the toss with another small bag, which makes more of a clunking sound of rock as opposed to the clinking sound of gold and silver.
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Charivia also scans the ring.
spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
"Methinks I cannot discern the nature of this ring,"
she utters with a look of disappointment.
Looks like you'll have to wait until tomorrow...
[spoiler=Helac OR perception 20
The whispers from behind the 'secret' door Helac noticed grow higher in pitch, and morph into a chorus of whispering voices.
Riedran:
trust not thy fleeted feet on this spot.[/spoiler
Helac |
Whispering voices chanting... No... that's not disconcerting at all.
Wandering over to the altar and pedestal, Helac reads the inscription to the group. Hmm... this roughly translates... The Great Protector... of the King... Latexoet... the one who... brought secrets back... from the Giants.
Examining the carvings on the pedestal, Helac continues his projected commentary, This lookes like the cave wall under the tower... If one were too... put them all together it may... tell a story. But... I'm not sure I have enough information... to interpret it.
While looking at the creature with hundreds of eyes looks, he wonders Could it be an early Thousand Eyes depiction? Does the sect predated their Aberrant masters? ...or does this suggest an even more Aberrant creature from the outer realms?
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Nik'o's perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Charivia's perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Methinks there are other monstrous planar in Sarlona,
Charivia projects back. I knoweth not there origins, nor how old the Thousand Eyes are, though.
Maybe Nik'o knows...
Nik'o's Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
I do not know either, Nik'o projects back.
What are y'all wanting to do next? North? East? Go back west? Open the formerly-hidden door with chanting in it? Something else?
Also remember: the Eneko you fought earlier is still there, and unconscious. Maybe he knows something.
Helac |
Hmm... The woman attempted to flee one way and the Yuan-ti another. I suggest we take the north way... the one the woman attempted to escape. That is, of course, unless Kiana... wishes to question the Eneko.
Helac glances about again, rubs his chin, and projects It's against my better judgement... but the door is making me more and more curious. Does anyone have far/mage hand?
Do you have an opinion, Charivia?
Kiana Sunbane |
Don't care, either way is fine. No, I have the information I wanted from the woman.
Helac |
Helac takes a moment, looks at the floor, and begins to address the others without raising his head.
...if one were to have an opinion... It should be now. We are in enemy territory... having encountered men, snake men, and giants... in a place with signs of otherworldly aberrant influence. So ask yourselves why are you here? ...And how can one be... nonchalant amidst a... unique and stressful circumstance?
Helac sighs deeply and continues.
I have seen eldritch horrors from those otherworldly places... drive men mad... murder in torturous ways... I am here to stop those that would call such things to this world... and stop the ones that have made it here. But I cannot do that alone. I may seem distant, but... know that I always feel strongly... and consider why I do all that I do.
Hopefully... what we see and hear and know... when taken in aggregate will make us more effective than us operating singly...
Kiana Sunbane |
I have no opinion because I am at peace with the world, Helac. One cannot exert ones will upon the universe, even wizards cannot, though they delude themselves that they can. Reality is like a river, sometimes it is fast and hard and dangerous, and at other times it is slow and soothing. One must recognize that one cannot tame or control the river, one can only control onesself. Once one has understood this, then one can try to control not the river, but where one is in the river. I am here because this path leads toward my final goal. I have swum another league toward that goal this day, and now have a name and target for my wrath. The universe will move me on, or it will dash me upon the rocks, or sweep me into an eddy not of my choosing. Only I can control myself, and only I can influence where I end up in that crashing water. For now, all paths lead forward, and so all paths are equally worth investigating, be it the door or another corridor.
Nik'o |
Nik'o listens to the shared thoughts, thinking only to himself that his motives are more wordly than his comrades. Prudently, he offers: We know too little. There are a lot of players here and with different motives it seems. We have been hired and should have but one goal: retrieve that Tooth! I say we try to work together towards that goal. It can mean making allies if needed, I believe, but not if we kill so many... Let's start with that door. I'm curious about it... and he approaches the door and proceeds to listen for signs of danger, then look for nasty surprises.
Perception for sounds: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Perception for traps (take 20): 20 + 9 = 29
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Also, scanning the door may reveal something
Also, as Nik'o examines the door, another sound becomes visible. From inside the pillar, something or someone sounds like they are scraping at the door with claws. The noise is harsh and loud enough that everyone can hear it easily.
Kiana Sunbane |
Based on our luck so far, and the sounds, I would estimate that it is highly likely to be a miniature tarrasque.
Helac |
Helac nods in response to Kiana's reply. That... seems to be a very enlightened view. Philosophically... I applaud it... but I am not wise enough to be as... patient in a circumstance.
Thank you for your words.
And after the scraping noise and Kiana's statement, Helac will add I... would like to see a dragonne. No doubt it would kill us all... but I think they look rather majestic... and they too have inordinately large claws for their frame... or so it seemed to me from the picture. The artist may have been exaggerating certain things now that I think about it.
Kiana Sunbane |
Dragonne.. mini-tarrasque, either way we won't know without opening the door.
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Nik'o easily disarms the trap. The door opens with a creek, unleashing a stench of thousand year old air. The inside of the pillar is hollow, and contains and assortment of books and chests. A crumbling, humanoid-shaped creature stands in the door-frame, with long, sharp teeth and claws and a skin-and-bones-starving body. With a deep, raspy voice, it growls
"Thou hast dishonored the great king's tomb, knaves!"
Along with its claws it carries a shield, with coats of arms from the ancient yuan-ti civilization.
Unlike normal ghouls, ghasts retain all of the memories and much of the personality (though not powers) they had whilst alive. Hence, most continue to guard whatever they guarded in life. However, their constant state of hunger makes them more irritable.
Helac |
Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 - 2 = 13
It looks dead, but aware... and shambling.
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25
Indeed. This is a ghast bound to this place. They are quite... filthy.
Helac projects with a slightly wary tone All ghouls can transmit ghoul fever, and thus their condition, through bites. Claws can also transmit ghoul fever. This one seems a guardian ghast... one bound to this place. Guardians, like other ghasts, are more powerful than ghouls... and they retain memory and much of the personality they possessed in life.
Yay for Helac's slowly returning memories (a rank in religion upon leveling).
Deranged_Maniac_Ben |
Since you beat the DC by quite a bit:
The guardian ghast raises its shield, and growls again
"Leave thee the tomb of king Fremaryllis, defile not his grave, or I shalt tear thee apart with mine own strength!"
A waves his claws in a combative manner, ready to strike if you move in a direction other than the exit.
Kiana Sunbane |
So, are we killing this thing, or letting it stay in it's hole?