DM NomadSage's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master nomadicc

You fly back to the north, entering the cave opening to the east of the waterfall. A large open cavern here slopes up to the north, where it tapers to a narrow exit. You climb the scree-strewn path and squeeze through the crack.

Beyond is an even larger cave, nearly thirty feet wide and just as tall. Starry patterns glitter along the irregular but otherwise smooth ceiling and walls. The west half of the cavern is consumed by a shadowy gloom, which Ameiko's light magic cannot even penetrate. The air is still in silent, and sounds are dulled to your ears.

Standing guard before the darkness are two emaciated corpses wearing bloodstained o-yoroi armor of ancient make, piercing eyes glowing red from within the shadows of their kabuto helms. As you enter, they stand to attention and draw their blades.

A voice like ice scraping across stones rasps out from the darkness. "Intrepid crusaders come to this malign place, seeking the blessing of Ito. What do they have to offer him?"

"Esteemed Ito, what do you require?" Kiyomi calls back.

"He requires just what you bring with you... you living essences, your light. And the vessel of the Amatatsu heir -- this one's remains are too damaged for what is required."

A figure shambles out of the black: Emperor Shigure Higashiyama, or his animate body anyway. He displays the terrible means of his murder -- his throat is sliced open wide, a deep wound pierces his back, and his flesh is waterlogged and bloated.

Heng grimaces in distaste. "It seems that you require a corpse? For what purpose exactly?"

know religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

for what it is worth. Can ghosts possess corpses?

K.Religion: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

"Uhhhh..."

Harlan seems taken aback by this request and their grisly host.

You are pretty sure they cannot.

"Not a corpse -- no warmth, no light -- but the living Amatatsu vessel." The body of Shigure collapses to the floor, like a marionette with its strings cut. "Do not fret. Your bodies and souls will prove useful for other matters."

"I belive that negotiations have ended," Heng mutters to his companions.

can we tell what the undead bodyguards are?

Kiyomi nods to Heng. "Foul undead things. They know only evil and cause only pain."

You suspect the bodyguards are graveknights, undead warriors risen from the corpses of disgraced samurai and notorious villains.

Malnival shakes his head and cast a spell.

Haste!!

Heng glances at Harlan. "Those undead guards appear to be something like a lich, I think. Do you know any strategies that might be particularly effective against them?"

"Grab the body and run?"

Heng laughs, "Then cover me..."

Malnival casts haste.

The sound of crackling ice and a waft of cold air heralds the appearance of a thick wall of ice blocking the path behind you.

"Run? There is nowhere to run," the voice rasps from the darkness.

*

Initiative Order:
[23] Graveknights
[22] Harlan
[18] Kiyomi
[17] Ameiko
[14] Heng
[11] Malnival
[06] Parity

*

The undead samurai saunter forward, katanas poised high to strike. As soon as they get within a dozen paces, the sacrilegious aura of intense evil surrounding them washes over you.

** Any attempt to use positive energy (heals, channeling, lay on hands) requires a DC 19 Concentration check. **

Both samurai spew forth a cone of acidic blood and bilious fluids.

GK1 Acid Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3, 2, 4, 3) = 22
GK2 Acid Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 5, 6, 5) = 28
... DC 19 Reflex saves (x2) for half!

Actions?

"You're not using my vessel for anything, whatever that means," Ameiko retorts, but then cries out in pain and disgust at the acidic breaths.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 = 18
Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 1 = 31 ...36 total!

Ameiko growls and counters with a blast of her own, barraging the knights with a powerful sonic shriek.

Shout: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 4, 3, 5) = 20

"Go get 'em, Parity!" she exhorts, inspiring her bodyguard to great deeds.

@ Parity: +2 Hit Dice worth of temp hit points; +2 competence bonus to attacks and +1 to Fort saves.

At 44/80 hp.

Round 1
AC:30, hp:130, Ki 5/11, Stun 7/13, Fire 10/10;

ref DC19 #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
ref DC19 #2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Heng easily rolls under the bile bursts, sprints to Shigure's rotten remains and gathers them up in a tight grip.

Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Initiative order would delay this revelation, but its important enough to impact decisions...

As soon as Heng nears the corpse, a massive blade attached to the end of an arm stabs out from the darkness. The outline of a towering figure begin to emerge -- it has demonic features, including a huge pair of ram-like horns, and both arms end in blades. Its every feature is colored inky night black.

Ito AoO vs Heng: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (2) + 28 = 30; Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 5, 4) + 15 = 28 plus Cold Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 1) = 11

Kiyomi begins to sing a song of love and goodness triumphing over evil and hate. INSPIRE COURAGE +3

She unslings the Daiku.

Ref DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Ref DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Harlan dodges both blasts, though only just.

Seeing the plan is to grab the body and run, he works on the wall.

Targeted Dispel: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Baller

That's not a ghost...

Temp HPs: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

+3 hit/damage from inspire, +2 hit from bodyguard, +1 hit from haste, +1 fort saves, +1 reflex saves, +1 trait bonus for Ameiko being threatened

EDIT: looks like bodyguard and inspire courage don't stack; both competence bonuses

Parity rushes forward at the eastern graveknight, quickly casting a defensive spell as a familiar mist of acid appears around him.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21; half
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 = 18; full

To hit PA Vital Strike: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39
Crit?: 1d20 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 4 = 24; bah ... hero to zero, I assume this doesn't confirm, let me know if I'm wrong

Damage: 2d8 + 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (6, 4) + (1) + 17 = 28

Harlan attempts to dispel the ice wall, but cannot break the powerful magic. Kiyomi starts an inspiring song, and Ameiko blasts the two skeletons with her sonic shout. They recoil but do not appear otherwise affected.

Fort save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Fort save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

Heng dashes across the cavern for Higashiyama's corpse and the massive blade arm stabs him from the shadowy darkness.

Malnival and Parity split to attack the two graveknights. Malnival barely connects, but leaves a deep score in the ronin's armor. Parity hits his target hard, nearly missing a critical gap in its armor.

Malnival scimitar: 1d20 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 4 = 25; Damage: 1d6 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 3 = 16

The skeletal ronin respond, slashing their katana at Malnival and Parity, and narrowly missing both.

Graveknight vs Malnival (VS/PA): 1d20 + 25 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 25 - 3 = 28; Damage: 2d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (4, 9) + 19 + 6 = 38 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
Graveknight vs Parity (VS/PA): 1d20 + 25 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 25 - 3 = 26; Damage: 2d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (9, 5) + 19 + 6 = 39 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Ito laughs in a low rasping rumble, casting a hastening spell on himself and the graveknights. The figure emerges more from the darkness, becoming visible enough to identify. You also catch glimpse of his coldly glowing eyes and feel a sharp pang of fear.

Fear gaze: Will DC 25 or cower in fear for 1 round. You can avert your eyes, with the standard rules for that (Parity is immune).

Round 2
AC:30, hp:92/130, Ki 3/11, Stun 7/13, Fire 10/10; inspired

will DC25: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

With the corpse held tightly in his kung-fu grip, Heng slips through space to reappear on the other side of the ice wall with the deadman. Abundant step

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
+2 to scimitar

Attack 1: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 4 = 24
Damage 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Attack 2:1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 4 = 28
Damage 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Haste attack1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 4 = 31
Damage 1d6 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Please add +3 to damage

Harlan continues to focus on the wall so they can escape.

Targeted Dispel: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Parity swift casts geniekind (shaitain) gaining +2 Con, +4 natural armor, +2 save bonus on a series of things, 60 foot burrow speed, resist acid 10.

He then goes full defensive, using Suishen's defending bonus and 5 foot stepping to the south.

Current AC: 39

How long since the last fight? Minute per level spells still up ... we didn't search so I'd think so?

"If we're leaving, you all find a way out ... Mal, fireball that wall. I'll hold the line."

Kiyomi continues to sing, INSPIRING +3 to all, as she sights down the shaft of an arrow at the giant black form.

Daikyu vs Evil Emperor: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 3 = 30 for 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 3 = 9 damage!
Daikyu vs Evil Emperor: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 3 = 14 for 1d8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 = 5 damage!

Harlan concentrates and tries again, and this time the ice wall disappears.

Kiyomi stands firm and makes to fire at the huge undead, but immediately stops when her eyes connect with Ito's. She stops singing and falls to a knee, cowering.

Kiyomi Will save vs fear gaze: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Ameiko turns away, and seeing Kiyomi incapacitated, grabs the kitsune by the shoulders and drags her towards the exit. Kiyomi recovers her wits a few seconds later.

Heng shifts time and space, appearing outside the cave holding Higashiyama's body.

Malnival keeps his fear in check and cuts at one of the graveknights, chipping away at it. Parity steps up and holds a defensive stance.

The undead ronin attack Malnival and Parity, quickened by Ito's magic. Malnival takes two hard hits, but the second cannot get through Parity's defense.

Graveknight vs Malnival (VS/PA/haste): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 41; Damage: 2d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 19 + 6 = 31 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
Graveknight vs Malnival (PA/haste): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 39; Damage: 1d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 6 = 30 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
Graveknight vs Parity(VS/PA/haste): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 29; Damage: 2d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (9, 5) + 19 + 6 = 39 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
Graveknight vs Parity(PA/haste): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 31; Damage: 1d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 6 = 26 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

"You will not escape," Ito rumbles, moving fully out of the darkness. One sword-arm he points towards the cave entrance, calling a blast of cloying, greasy darkness

Unholy blight: 5d8 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 2, 8) = 26 and sickened for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds. DC 19 Will save for half and negates sickened. Half/quarter for Parity.

With the other arm, Ito stabs down at Parity with great power.

Ito vs Parity (GVS/haste): 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 28 + 1 = 44; Damage: 12d6 + 15 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 6, 4, 4, 2, 3, 6, 6, 6, 6) + 15 = 70 plus Cold Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 5, 4) = 16

*

Initiative Order (Round Three):
[23] Graveknights
[22] Harlan <<<
[18] Kiyomi
[17] Ameiko
[14] Heng
[11] Malnival
[06] Parity

Actions?

Will DC 19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Taking some serious hits from the blight Harlan heals the party.

Mass CLW: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

"Wall's down, let's go!"

The walls are stone sufficient for a Wall of Stone spell, correct?

The walls are stone sufficient for a Wall of Stone spell, correct?

Yes, everything is natural stone.

Harlan Starshine wrote:

The walls are stone sufficient for a Wall of Stone spell, correct?

Yes, everything is natural stone.

Eggggcellent.

Round 3
AC:30, hp:96/130, Ki 3/11, Stun 7/13, Fire 10/10; inspired

will DC19: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

The tangible evil has some effect on Kaul, but Harlan's reviving spell helps the monk shake the harm. "Empress, take Higashiyama's body and I will help cover our escape." He fishes out a potion of displacement.

Is Parity's mirror image effective? 3 images left

Regardless ...

Parity (or his image) reels from the blow. The vanguard looks around him and seeing the opening, dives into the ground burrowing away under the ground and under the wall. (Withdraw)

If Mal is down (he got smacked pretty good), can Parity take him with him?

If image is hit: 2 images left
If Parity is hit; 10 points absorbed by stoneskin, vitriolic mist does 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 points of acid damage. HP: 6

Malinval took 39 acid damage from the graveknights' opening blasts. He wasn't hit in the 2nd round, but took 2 hits in the 3rd for 61 + 14 acid damage. Assuming he was full health at the start, that puts him at -24, unless I'm missing something. And that's before the unholy blight hits...

Mirror Image: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Ito growls, a low rumble like an earthquake, as one of Parity's illusory doubles is impaled on his blade.

Anything for Kiyomi?

"Empress, take Higashiyama's body and I will help cover our escape."

Ameiko nods and starts dragging the body back towards the waterfall cave.

Kiyomi resumes her song as she recovers from the fear. Steeling herself, she fires a daylight arrow into the air above the scrum. Rounds: 1d6 ⇒ 6 +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear and a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls made as part of a charge, for the duration of the daylight effect.

Also, Kiyomi now INSPIRES COURAGE +4 for the next 6 rounds!

yikes. I'll drink that potion now.

Would Breath of Life instead of MCLW have saved Mal? Or can I use it this turn?

Yup. I dead....again....

Would Breath of Life instead of MCLW have saved Mal? Or can I use it this turn?

It would work but you'd have to use it instead of the mass cure this round. Plus range is touch, which exposes you to the nightstalker.

Totally missed the Unholy Blight Will Save

Will Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24; taking 6 damage

I'm willing to risk it to keep Mal alive.

After Malnival collapses, Harlan changes his mind and races to save the elf. Ito stabs at him with a sword-arm, cutting deeply but not stopping Harlan from his task.

Ito AoO vs Harlan: 1d20 + 28 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 28 + 1 = 42; Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 1, 5) + 15 = 25 plus Cold Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 3) = 16
Breath of Life to Malnival: 5d8 + 13 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 3, 1) + 13 = 34

Malnival coughs, spitting blood, but breathes again.

Kiyomi fires an arrow from the Higashiyama daikyu, filling the cavern with daylight. As if empowered by the surrounding gloom, the light chases back the shadows aggressively. Dazzled and blinded, Ito roars in pain. His giant body seems to shrink in the brilliant light, and its fearsome gaze dissipates as you are bolstered by Kiyomi's song and light.

*

Initiative Order (Round Three):
[23] Graveknights
[22] Harlan
[18] Kiyomi
[17] Ameiko
[14] Heng <<<
[11] Malnival
[06] Parity

At Heng's action...

Round 3
AC:30, hp:79/130, Ki 3/11, Stun 7/13, Fire 10/10; inspired, displaced (50% miss)

"Harlan, stick to the plan!" Heng calls, but it is too late. He drinks the potion and moves up to defend the errant halfling.

Malnival looks around and staggers to his feet then attempts to protect his friend.

Full defense to buy harlan time

"Too late, I guess ..." Parity mutters, frustrated before throwing himself toward certain death.

AC: 33
Images: 2

Swiftly casting greater invisibility, the gladiator rushes in toward the dead Emperor, empowering his weapon with force.

To hit: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24; vs flatfooted if he can't see invis
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 10d4 + 22 ⇒ (5) + (5) + (3, 4, 3, 2, 3, 1, 3, 4, 3, 1) + 22 = 59
To retain force punch if missed, DC23: 1d20 + 13 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 4 + 4 = 22

You take advantage of the undeads' shock and disorientation. Heng drinks his displacing potion and rushes to Harlan's side. Malnival gets slowly back to his feet and assumes a defensive posture. Parity charges Ito and slashes down an imbued Suishen. Blinded and off-balance, the former emperor makes an easy target. As Parity hits, Suishen releases a blast of radiance, enhancing the damage against Ito.

Parity vs Ito's SR: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

With a hiss of hatred and rage, Ito withdraws into the dark opening to the west. The graveknights try to fight, but attack blindly.

Graveknight vs Heng (blind/PA): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 34; Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 46; Damage: 1d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 6 = 27 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6
Graveknight vs Heng (blind/PA): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 40; Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 74; Damage: 1d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 6 = 35 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
Graveknight vs Parity (blind/PA): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 33; Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 17; Damage: 1d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 6 = 29 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
Graveknight vs Parity (blind/PA): 1d20 + 25 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 25 - 3 + 1 = 31; Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 41; Damage: 1d10 + 19 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 6 = 32 plus Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Actions?

I'll wait to see what the others are doing, but I'm at 46 hp now without the previous healing.