Darklands Archivist's The Armageddon Echo (Inactive)

Game Master Guy Player Man

You pick up the elves and plod back to the camp. On you way, you find the horribly crushed body of a drow on the ground. It looks like he had been crushed by something massive, but you don't see anyone or anything like that nearby.

As you approach elven base, you realize that something isn't right. Pillars of smoke rise the from the camp, and some of the foliage around you has undergone battle damage of some sort. When you reach the camp, you see that there's been a fight here. Some tents have been burned, cut down, or otherwise destroyed. Dozens of elven and drow bodies lie on the ground, and even a few demon corpses are scattered about the camp.

Eyes going wide, "You've gotta be freaking kidding me!" He quickly lays the unconscious elf on the ground and pulls out his bow, immediately looking around for more enemies.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

"This is a freaking joke! Let's hope they all aren't dead. Otherwise, we're screwed too. Man this just keeps getting worse. HELLO! ANYBODY HERE!" he yells, hoping for a friendly response yet prepared for a not-so-friendly one as he keeps his eyes and ears peeled.

"The drow were able to scout the camp's location and assemble a strike force behind our lines. Even if they are creatures of darkness, they fight as well as true elves in the woods," Iolar says disgustedly.

"I will look for more of our foes." In elf form she rises up and flies a quick circuit around the camp, looking for drow and survivors.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Zoltan follows the group closely, eyes wide in his realization.

I've chewed much more than I can swallow... By the gods, we're all lined up for slaughter!!

His thoughts echo those of Lothan, but he keeps them for himself. Fighting the urge to just flee, he paces the charred camp, his hands moving nervously along his own charred limbs.

Watching Iolar rise up and fly, Zoltan offers: "We need to set up some kind of command. Let's first find the whereabouts of the elves leaders... And start from there..." His voice trails off as the sickly smell of death gags him.

You find the hundreds of other elves further inside the camp, putting out fires, and rushing around in general. Eviana's tent still stands where it was.

With a voice filled with urgency, Zoltan asks whoever stands guard about Evianna's whereabouts.

The guard tells you Eviana is in her tent.

When you go inside, you find Eviana banged and bruised, and with her arm in a sling. Nonetheless, she looks elated to see you. "I'm so glad you're here! What of Kaerishiel and his band?"

Lothan is just about to respond before he remembers that he set the unconscious elf he was carrying down on the ground. "Hold that thought." He then leaves and heads back to pick up the elf before heading back to the tent and setting him down within it. "Okay, we found Kaerishiel and his team. This one," he points to the one he set down, "and a couple others have been drugged by the drow poison. But they all seem to be fine outside of that." He looks around at the others, "I mean, I guess they are unless somebody knows something I don't."

Zoltan smiles weakly at Lunch than's description and nods positively.

Seeing no sign of more drow, Iolar touches down at the outskirts of town and, assuming the others will go to Evianna's tent, hurries toward it. She comes up behind the party as Lothan concludes his report.

"How did the drow get close enough to attack the camp?"

Ludomancer, what's the ratio of drow to elf corpses?

1:1

"That's good to hear. We need as many able bodied combatants as we can get right now," she begins, before Iolar interrupts. "They snuck around the edge of the camp. We don't know how they found us, but now they know where here, they're sure to keep coming at us. Fortunely, our forces have managed to fight our way to the Academy of Arts. It's here where the highest concentration of drow are found. We're sure the Academy is the base of their operations in Celwynvian. We won't hold this route for long, though. The commanders and I agree...the time for our decisive strike is now!

"I would like you to participate in the attack. We have limited forces here, our kin spread so far around the city or holding the route to the Academy, so you'll be one three small teams moving against the building. It is my hope that we can capture or kill the drow leadership, secure the Armageddon Echo portal, and finally bring this war to a close. I can understand if you feel this is beyond you, and I would find another group if one was available, but this is just not an option. I need you. Will you take on this last mission?"

Zoltan swallows hard, his thoughts drifting to his lost companion. How strange. He's been dead but a blink ago, and yet... And yet time drags on, unstoppable, inescapable... Like fate? Like my fate? Was such a death his fate? It seems awful, and I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted it that way. But perhaps he would? He seemed so... Stolid? He would have laughed at the trick time played on him...

A shy smile climbs around Zoltan's mouth as he keeps thinking. Time... I can't stop time, but can I nudge it sideways..?

"You can count me in. These freaking drow are really starting to piss me off."

"The drow shall rue the day they emerged into the light."

"You can count me in too. We cant have them succeed in their plans to destroy the world."

"Good. The strike will take place at dawn tomorrow. You should get your rest."

The next morning, you're summoned to Eviana's tent again. Along with you and Eviana and her commanders, there are two other groups gathered. One is headed by Kaerishiel, now fully recovered, and the other by Shalelu.

There's isn't much intel to be given, but Eviana tells you about the exterior of the Academy. There are three entrances she knows of - the front door on the south side of the building, and two holes brought about by wear and tear, one on the west side, and one on the north side. The main entrance seems to be the most secure, watched over by a host of drow. The western entrance is guarded by a few drow and some minor demons. The northern entrance looks the easiest to breach, being close to the trees, and is guarded by a few drow and some troglodytes.

Eviana then asks you and the other two groups who will assault which entrance. Shalelu cheerfully offers to take whichever entry point you and Kaerishiel's group don't take. Then, after a bit of hesitation, Kaerishiel lets you choose first.

Wait. Zoltan says and steps forward. "Why are the drows using different groups to guard the entrances? Could this be a way to lure us? Why split us in three? Why not concentrate on one entry point? And also, Do we have to fight our way in? What about the roof? What about teleportation? What about stealth?"

He looks around and add, apologetically: "I know. But we should take a bit of time to review our options. They're waiting for us..."

Waiting for Zoltan to finish, Lothan speaks his preference. "I'm all for the main entrance. The more I get to drop some sorry, stinkin' drow... the better."

Vendric ponders for a little while before speaking.
"Your right, we should think of some sort of plan of attack, but we cant waste to much time doing so. I'm partial to the front entrance as well. My bombs are more effective at taking out groups and would be of better use there. We may be able to draw some of their troops to use making it easier for the others to get in through the other entrances."
Preparing the same extracts and mutagen used the day before.

"They are using different groups to guard the entrances because there are different entrances they need to guard, and if we all attack the same point, that makes it easier for them to bottleneck us and hold us off. Our best option is to attack all entry points at once and keep their forces separated." Eviana explains. "What about the roof? Do you have the means to teleport us all into the Academy? How do you plan on sneaking into such a guarded building?"

Zoltan now aware of the turmoil he's created, becomes aware of his frailty. Words stay stuck in his throat, and he walks out of the tent, hiding his arms.

Is it agreed you're going through the front entrance?

Works for me.

Iolar bridles at Evianna's tone. "What he means is, 'Is the roof intact?' We can get in through any holes in the roof or upper walls. He's thinking about possible advantage. If there's none to be had then we may as well try the front door. Lothan and Vendric will cause havoc."

Lothan nods confidently at Iolar's words. "I'm soooo liking the havoc idea."

Eviana responds, "There is a hole in the roof, but this is the west entrance I spoke of. Is it guarded just like I said."

"Then I'm ready when you all are. Hey, you got some spare arrows?" he asks Eviana. "I sure as heck don't wanna run out. I'll even pay for them if you need me to, I don't care; I just need arrows."

"What's our plan? Just run in yelling?!?"

Eviana offers you plenty of arrows. "You've done quite well for yourself thus far. I suggest you approach the same way you've done these past couple of days."

Just before dawn breaks, you and the other two groups head out.

The journey to the academy is a quiet one. There seem to be very few drow on the streets and they are easily avoided. As the large building draws in sight, both Shalelu and Kaerishiel exchange well wishes before taking their small groups off to prepare for the assault. As they disappear into the brush, the first rays of light illuminate the ancient structure. The time for the strike is close at hand.

The Academy itself is one of the more well-preserved structures in Celwynvian, but still the passage of time has left its mark in places. The building itself is made of stone and consists of three domed structures surrounding a low, one-story stone bunker. The domes are of white marble and thick with ivy and other creeping vines.

You're 180 feet away from the building, concealed by the forest. Facing north, you can see five drow guarding the main entrance, four lightly armored, and one robed. You expect the other groups to attack their targets in 2 or 3 rounds.

"Okay, guys, I'm going straight for the robed one. Let's move."

Adaptation Natural Armor +2
Round 1
Cast Animal Aspect(Raptor) and then move 50'.

Round 2
Drink potion of Bull's Strength. Move 50'.

Round 3
Then full attack maybe? Basically, I want to move to the edge of the forest(if there is one) and then attack. But I don't want to move so close to where all of them can just blast me because I'm so close. Would prefer to start out at a distance of at least 60' if that's possible. Unless of course that puts me out in the open then even farther out would be preferred.

Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 If necessary. Ah yes, my greatest ally the number 1. Good times.

AC 27(vs elves only); Hp's 68/68

When they leave camp, Zoltan summons is usual defending piece of bone.

"B-" is all Zoltan gets to say before he realizes now is no longer the time for discussion.

Okay...

He starts by providing his allies with faith-fueled energy.

Round 1: Casting Blessing of Fervour

Then, he touches Lothan's dagger, giving him specific instructions: "Silence will spread all around your knife. Just toss it if you don't want that, or for a special friend..."

Round 2: Cast Silence on Lothan's dagger.

Then, when Lothan gets moving, he targets the drows at the front and a shower of sparks falls down on them, blindingly bright.

Round 3: Cast Glitterdust, DC 18

Iolar looks at Lothan and Vendric. "I will strike at your first arrow or detonation."

Iolar casts barkskin on her self and takes eagle form , circling through the trees at the forest's edge and waiting for the others to begin the attack.

She'll wait for round two before moving into the open, off to one side. Her flight speed is 90. She only wants to close to about 100'. She'll be looking for a caster to lightning bolt. If no one presents in the first or second round she'll hold the lightning ready to cast if she sees someone begin casting.

Lord of Lightning Bolts: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 5) = 15Reflex DC 17 half

Nice, DW. Blessing of Fervour is awesome.

Lothan, can you move at full speed in a forest?

I do believe so: Woodland Stride. Unless these woods are magicked of course.

At least, I think a forest would be included. I guess it's possible that a forest would not be included but I'm not sure.

Round 1

Zoltan casts a blessing on the party. Lothan moves forward 80 ft, Vendric moves 60 ft, and Iolar takes flight.

Lothan, another 40 feet will take you out of the forest.

Would like to do different actions than move up.
As they near their destination Vendric drinks his mutagen and pulls out a Barkskin potion.
Would like this to be as we are traveling to the building from camp.
As the others begin to move forward Vendric drinks his barkskin potion and a paragon surge extract.

Give me the next round's actions.

Iolar keeps flying to the edge of the trees and off to the side of the party 30-40'. She casts the afore-mentioned barkskin while in flight.

Was I able to cast Animal Aspect on the first round? I'm a little confused on exactly what's happening. If I did not get the spell off, then I'm unclear on how I moved 80' in 1 round at 30' per round. If I did get the spell off, then I can only go 50' due to the spell's bonus movement. I'm just trying to figure out what I've actually accomplished in the first round and then I can go from there. Right now I'm like way lost. :P

Zoltan cast Blessing of Fervor. You didn't say anything about it, so I assumed you would take the extra speed

That'll work

Round 2
Drink Potion of Bull's Strength(I think that's a move to retrieve and standard to drink).

Zoltan and Vendric, are you moving forward with the party?

Up to this point, I have:

Lothan is 100 ft away from the academy and drinking a potion of bull's strength.
Iolar casting barkskin, then turning into an eagle and flying off to the side.
Zoltan casting blessing of fervor and then casting silence on Lothan's dagger.
Vendric drinking a barkskin potion and paragon surge extract.

Moving along with them, except for the third round.

I'll say Zoltan and Vendric are 120 feet away from the academy.

Just as Zoltan finishes casting his silence spell, the drow suddenly perk up, looking towards the forest. They point toward the party's location in the woods, then at the eagle flying above, and the robed drow yells something at the rest of them. The four lightly armored drow fire their hand crossbows at Iolar and one of their bolts hit (2 dmg + DC 13 Fort save or fall unconscious).

Initiative: crossbow drow, Lothan, robed drow, Iolar/Vendric/Zoltan

Lothan moves to the edge of the forest to where the trees don't impede his shot and catches sight of the robed drow. "There you are, chump," he says as he takes aim and fires.

Move 35'? But if trees are gonna get in my way then I'll simply move 40'. Attack robed one.

Using this Blessing of fervor ability: Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.

+1 adaptive composite longbow w/DA: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26 +4 for Fav. enemy/+2 BoF
Damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

AC 29(25 vs non-elves); Hp's 68/68; Active effects: +20' speed(1 min/level); Bull's strength(1 min/level); Adaptation: +2 nat armor(10 min)

Lothan hits the drow between his shoulder and chest causing blood to spurt out, though some of the damage from the arrow seems to have been absorbed somehow.

A streak of fire shoots from the drow's finger and then explodes into a fireball right in front of Lothan, scorching the area around the elf.(28 dmg, Refl DC 16 for half)

Vendric, Iolar, Zoltan

Seeing the ball of fire heading straight for him, "Oh crap."

Ref: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 2 = 27 Totally forgot the BoF bonus.

Hp's 54/68

Fort save : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

And IOlar is hit by the dart and falls asleep.

Let me know about falling damage. SHould have gone with the windwall.

Happy Thanksgiving. I may not post again until Monday.

No! mouths Zoltan, watching the bird plummet. His mouth tightens as he raises his charred arms to channel divine power.

Around the robed drow, a shower of sparkling motes explodes, blinding those in its radius.

Cast Glittering Dust (no SR, Will DC 18) to include the robed one, and possibly other drows (10-foot radisu spread).

Round 3

Iolar is knocked out and falls to the ground (I'm gonna say the trees here are at least 40' tall and you were at least that height, so take 4d6 damage). Zoltan cast glitterdust, catching the robed one and two crossbowmen in its effect. The two crossbowmen are blinded. Vendric advances towards the edge of the trees and fires at one of the blinded drow, hitting his target in the thigh (4 dmg).

Round 4

Two of the drow advance and fire at Lothan, both missing.

Lothan is up.

Map
B-12 and B-16 are blinded. B-16 is injured.
Zoltan is further south.