Chaos in Sarlona (Inactive)

Game Master 137ben

"I say we hunt the Riedrans and rid us of them. I don't like having them around these halls..."

"Following the Harmonious Shield it shall be, then".

The room to the east is larger than the room you were just in, though this one is made of stone and not bone.

Tall bookshelves line the south wall, full of scrolls written in Old Sarlonan.

The northeast corner of the room holds another pedestal, like the one that held the first Key. This pedestal, however, is a deep magenta. A trench, about three feet deep, encircles the pedestal, and is filled with a bubbling, purple liquid.

The second Key, however, is quite clearly not on the pedestal, nor is it anywhere else in sight. Either it is very well hidden, or has already been taken.

No living creatures are noticable in this room, but a dead ogre lies on the ground, bearing the symbol of the Harmonious Shield. Broken arrows and pieces of metal litter the floor, indicative of a fight.

A single corridor leads out of this room eastward.

Alchemy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Ok. I got nothing.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 2 = 29

Let's see... if they missed anything, shall we?
Helac and Eroh extend their senses, carefully observing and listening to their surroundings, attempting to notice if anything has been especially constructed to blend in, like some of the secret doors and alcoves they've already encounter in this tomb.

Failing that, they'll see if there's anything on the ogre they might be able to use.

While passing along the south side of the room, Helac will examine one of the scrolls at random.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 2 = 1
Hey, boss, what are those squiggly lines again?

Linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
It's written in Old Sarlonan. Riedran is distantly related to the speech, but I still find it exceedingly difficult to decipher.

The first scroll Helac picks up is thick and very tightly wound--it might have about 200 sheets' worth of paper. It is slightly damp and its coloration has decayed, but the writing is still legible. Unfortunately, Helac is unable to read it.

Are we tracking or are we exploring? asks Nik'o, a little exasperated.

Look, we'll come back once the Riedrans are dealt with, ok?

A bit embarrassed, Helac drops his eyes for a long moment. Ah... you are correct. I apologize for my... lack of focus, good Nik'o.

Pointing to the corner of the room, Helac notes, There are pieces of a reptilian skeleton, possibly another ghoul. It appears some care has been made to... camouflaged the body, though... it's legs have been ripped off.

Patting the ogre down, Helac notes, Empty. I should... have expected as much.

Well, let's get going...

To the east, the corridor widens into a fairly small, 'C' shaped chamber. While smaller than the rooms before, it is no less wet, as two-and-a-half feet deep water covers much of the ground. On the north edge of the chamber is a worn, granite staircase leading up and out of the Starlight Tomb, possibly the 'other entrance' mentioned by one of the humans earlier. To the south lies a very wide corridor.

In contrast to the previous one, this room is far from uninhabited. Standing firmly at the end of the corridor is the female ogre you fought a few minutes earlier. Behind her stand the changelin, two humans you have not seen before, and an Elan. A few Syrk human bodies lie dead on the floor, all appear to have been killed in the past hour. One of the Riedran humans holds what appears to be the second Key in hand.

The ogre brandishes her club, and cries out
"You demonic savages! You killed Carrak! I'll obliterate--"
"Hold, Humfultz, at least a moment."
The changeling interrupts his subordinate, then turns towards you.
"As you outsiders can see, you made a rash decision a few minutes ago in siding with the reptilian cultists. But I am forgiving...."
he grins before continuing
"You may not have realized the hideous nature of the cultists with which you allied, but it matters not. Your former allies lie dead. We know you hold the third Key. Give it to us, and all shall be forgiven. We can work together to find the fourth Key thereafter. However--"
his voice grows deeper,
"If you continue to oppose the Path of Inspiration, I will be compelled to crush you here."
Aside from Humfultz the ogre, none of the Harmonious Shields have raised weapons. They are all tense and alert, though.

In case a fight breaks out, here is a map. You are approaching the northeast room from the corridor on rows 20-21 in BH-CN.

...granite staircase leading up and out of the Starlight Tomb, possibly the 'other entrance' mentioned by one of the humans earlier.

By 'mentioned earlier', I refer to the top of page 22.

Kiana stops at BQ and waits for the vocals to talk. Needless to say, her bow stays out though.

"Looking forward to it!" replies Nik'o, as he raises his longspear.

DM, how should we work out scouting? I was under the impression that we would find where they were, then make decisions, hopefully without being spotted right away.

I should have given you a chance to scout.
Finding them is not difficult at all, since they are all standing in plain sight. If you want to observe them before being seen, please make a stealth check.
In the future, it would be best if you say you are scouting ahead beforehand (though I recognize that you might not have gotten the chance this time between Kiana saying you were moving on and me posting what was in this room.)

How about, we just state that unless we're running or responding to a scream or something, we scout? That's kind of what half us are built for. :)

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Sounds good. In that case, can I have taken an extract to buff myself? Nik'o would have moved in, but Kiana might want to stay hidden to strike with more ease. Not sure if we could manage a surprise round though.

How about, we just state that unless we're running or responding to a scream or something, we scout? That's kind of what half us are built for. :)

Yea, that should work. And yes, Nik'o may take an extra extract beforehand.

Elan perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
ogre perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Human 1 perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
changeling perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Human 2 perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Kiana at least remains unnoticed due to distance.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Boss, I've notice that exaggerated movements tend to get one ignored... maybe that would work here.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
No... that's... never you mind.

Helac walks quietly in with Nik'o, apparently giving up on actually being stealthy.

Helac is not nearly as quiet as Kiana. The elan's eyes flick towards him attentively...before passing by without noticing. For the moment, at least, you remain unseen and unheard.
Unless Helac moved past the CH column on the map, the range is enough to keep him hidden.

"I am relieved that that is done. So you really don't know--"

"No."
The elan is interrupted by the changeling.
"They would not say. Regardless, my contact has indicated that the cultists' leader meant to arrive through this entrance shortly. If all goes according to plan, he should already have been killed by the others. Remain alert, though, for if my former companion failed, we will be dealing with a altavar-conjuring shapeshifter very shortly."
"Sir, what of the first Key?"
"It has been taken care of."
So you've escaped notice for one round, at least. Sorry its very late where I am tired so I cannot write coherently now.

Before long, another set of footsteps enter the chamber from the south. You cannot see them from where you are, but it sounds like another human.
"We had the first Key secured, sir. We did, but-- but--"

"Well? Whither was it lost from thee?"
The changeling questions the new arrival.

"There was a giant toad. It ate Zorshoa. Then the cultists, well...we lost the Key. They are planning an ambush on you, sir, from both sides."

With a sigh, the changeling responds
"An ambush, thou sayest? Check the eastern corridor to ensure we are not being followed."
He gestures to the Elan.

Okay, players, if you want to do something more before being seen, do it now.

Nik'o swallows an extract an he feels his limbs go looser, he can tell they will stretch at will.

Mentally, he warns the others to prepare: We strike as one in a heartbeat. Let's take down the one who will be coming to check the corridor. Silently if possible...

Took an extract of Long Arm Mutagen still on.

Nik'o tries to find a good spot from which to ambush the incoming Shield.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Elan's perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The Elan steps slowly into the corridor, her eyes darting around with nervous anticipation. She appears to relax momentarily as no one is visible, and she almost turns to go back. But then her eyes come to rest on Nik'o.

"It's the Khorvairians! Here!"
With a frantic shout, the Elan tries to step backwards and readies her bow for a fight.

Nik'o initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Helac initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Kiana initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Charivia initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Ogre initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Changeling: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Elan initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Human 1 initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Human 2 initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Human 3 initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

However, the moment required for the elan to shout a warning gives you an edge of surprise against her allies.

Initiative order:
Human 1--24 (surprised)
Humfultz (female ogre) -- 20 (surprised)
Nik'o -- 18
Elan -- 17
Charivia -- 12
Kiana -- 11
Human 3-- 10+ (surprised)
Helac -- 10
Changeling -- 10- (surprised)
Human 2 -- 9 (surprised)

Please specify where you are on the map (somewhere in the northeast corridor). Then, it is Nik'o's turn in the surprise round.

BO

Kiana shrugs and fires her bow at the Elan.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 +2 BAB, +3 Wis, +1 MW
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

CC20. I'm assuming I got a move action as the Elan got closer. If not, just remove the studied combat bonuses.

Nik'o uses his extended reach to stab at the Elan, aiming for his weak spot.

Longspear with Mutagen, Studied Combat, Long Arms: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 161d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 17

Yes, you got to move as he did.

Nik'o gets the drop on the elan and stabs, but his spear is stopped by a telekinetic wall around her.

"Khorvairian interlopers!"

The elan cries out as she runs back towards her allies.

Charivia, too far to affect much of anything mentally, trots forwards as far as her tiny legs will carry her.

Kiana's arrow flies straight towards the elan. It starts to tremble and dip from the range, before it falls too far it strikes, bursting through the elan's psionic shield and piercing her chest.
There are exactly 110 feet between Kiana and the elan, so there is (barely) no penalty for range penalty.

The map has been updated. It is now Helac's surprise-round-turn.

Do I get an AoO on the Elan?

Yes, you get an AoO. The elan couldn't safely use Withdraw, since that is a full-round action and it's the surprise round.

Nik'o extends his arms to stab at the Elan as it turns its back to him and bolts.

Longspear with Mutagen, Studied Combat, Long Arms: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 191d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 14

Even as he retreats, the elan is able to shake off Nik'o's spear unharmed.

Helac?

Dispense with Display: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
DC 16. Success.

Helac focuses for a moment, and since Charivia seems intent on getting closer to the enemies, preemptively channels health into his two comrades.

Vigor. 3pp for 15 hp for Nik'o and 1pp to echo it to Charivia.

I guess I'll start at CA21. ...sometimes I'm just at a loss as to what to do. :\

secret: 1d100 ⇒ 55
2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

The first human steps out to the edge of the corridor, and cries out
"I doth see in thee a desire for the Tremble Tooth. And trembling shall come to thee!"

A green aura glows around the human's head, and a wave of mental energy rushes towards Helac and Nik'o, pouring fear into their minds.

Meanwhile, the ogre brandishes her club and growls
""You demonic savages! You killed Carrak! I'll obliterate you!"
She charges forwards, past her human and elan ally, and swings her club at Charivia:
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 4) + 10 = 19
The halfling writhes in pain from the blow. She would be knocked out completely were it not for the preemptive healing Helac had given her.
The map has been updated. It is now Nik'o's turn.

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Right on the nose. :D

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Use two inspirations to add inspiration to the save!

1d6 ⇒ 1 Ouf!

Nik'o falters, his spear slipping on his fingers, but only for a heartbeat, and he shakes the mental onslaught away.

"Demonic savage!?" chokes Nik'o at the ogre's insult, and proceeds to stab back at the beast with his longspear.

Studied Combat.
Longspear w/ Mutagen, Studied Combat, Long Arms: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 241d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 14

The ogre stumbles back as Nik'o stabs her, her mind is clearly shaken by the blow.
"Yes, demonic savage! That's what you are!"

The elan ceases running and turns back towards you. With a firm glare, she fires her longbow at Nik'o:
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
"Begone Khorvairian invader!"
She seems frustrated as her arrow misses Nik'o entirely.

Charivia steps back and unleashes a blast of emotional energy at the ogre:
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Kiana's turn.

Kiana?

5ft back and flurry, sorry, buried at work

Attack Flurry 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Attack Flurry 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Kiana's first arrow snaps before it even leaves the bow, but her second arrow hits the ogre squarely in the knee.

The changeling, meanwhile, calls out to his follower
"Shaaznaa, flee and warn the others!"
The third human nods, before pivoting and running into the southern corridor, and out of sight.
H3 is out of the fight. For now....

Helac's turn.

I think that makes me want to burn the power points to make the fellow fall down... which is probably going to... not perform as expected.

Helac focuses his attention on the human commanded to leave and projects disrupting mental energies into his frame.

Dispense with Display: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Success.

3 pp. Collapse. Fort DC 16. Add... Fatigued. Cannot run or charge for 4 rounds if successful.

Helac isn't in range of human 3. Do you want to use collapse on someone else?

Oh. I either thought the human was closer than that or assumed collapse was a medium range power when it obviously isn't.

Switch it to share pain, then, on Eroh. Maybe I'll manifest vigor again on myself, shared with Eroh, and maybe try to eat some attacks as necessary.

Helac redistributes health. Meanwhile, the second human runs up into the corridor, brandishing a pair of daggers.

End of round 1.

secret: 1d4 ⇒ 3
The first human narrows his eyes, and taunts Nik'o.
"I see the agonizing pain you have suffered, more than you even know."

Nik'o takes 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12, make a DC 16 will save for half.
secret: 1d4 ⇒ 1
The ogre steps forwards and strikes once more at Charivia:
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 1) + 10 = 16
The halfling gasps for breath, barely conscious!
The map has been updated. Nik'o's turn.

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Nik'o manages to shake some of the hurt, and presses the tip of his spear forward and into the ogre's belly.

Longspear w/ Mutagen, Studied Combat, Long Arms: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 221d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 14

Nik'o stabs deep into the ogre, who curses in pain
"Vile traitor, you shall pay for your deeds!"

The elan, meanwhile, fires her bow at Helac:
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
her arrow fires straight up and sticks in the ceiling.

Charivia, barely able to stand, withdraws to a safe distance.

The map has been updated. It is now Kiana's turn.

5ft back again and flurry

Attack Flurry 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Attack Flurry 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Kiana's first arrow deflects harmlessly off the ogre, but her second pierces the flesh.
The third human continues to flee as bidden, and leaves sight completely.

Helac's turn.

Dispense with Display: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Failure.

Helac is briefly slicked with translucent, shimmering ectoplasm while an odd but familiar odor brings to mind a long-buried memory to those around him.

Vigor 4 pp. 20 temp hp. On Helac.

Can Nik'o move back 10 feet as Charivia withdraws? I want to make good use of my increased reach, but I didn't want to leave Charivia.

Can Nik'o move back 10 feet as Charivia withdraws? I want to make good use of my increased reach, but I didn't want to leave Charivia.

You can. However, if Nik'o moves back more than five feet he will provoke an AoO. You attacked on your turn, so you can't use Withdraw. You could five-foot-step back, or you could move back 10 feet and use acrobatics to try and avoid provoking.

Either way, after Helac heals himself, the changeling runs past his human follower and fires his own bow at Helac.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
missing.

Now, what Human 2 does depends on whether Nik'o still wants to retroactively move back, so I'll wait for him to post.