[Delta Group] A Call into Death: GM Choon presents Tomb of the Iron Medusa (Inactive)

Game Master Choon

Re-stated for convienience

Removing the skull from its niche reveals that it has an exquisite oval ruby etched with the symbol of the cross-eyed medusa clenched between its teeth, radiating transmutation magic. This ruby is probably one of the items needed to activate the entrance teleportation circle.

As he holds out the gem.

This may be of importance.

The party descends into the hole in the floor. It leads to a crudely formed chamber who's ceiling stands only eight feet above the floor. The floor here is strewn with dust and gravel.
There is only one other tunnel, so you proceed into a similar cavern with several off shooting chambers. These do not appear naturally formed, but are definitely rough hewn.
Soon after you enter, a frightfully pale, dark-haired woman, wearing a soiled, old fashioned gown and with what look like tears of dried blood caked on her cheeks appears from a adjoining cavern. She asks in a tremulous voice, Are my daughters unharmed? Have you come to rescue us?

"Excellent!" Kal exclaims, taking the ruby from Kiorec and looking it over. After a moment, he seems to remember his own absent-mindedness, and hands it to Silas instead. "Erm, maybe you shoudk hold onto it," he chuckles sheepishly.

As the party continues and the woman manifests, he glances to Kiorec and Silas. Daughters? he mouths, raising an eyebrow.

Silas keeps moving with them, and looks at the woman carefully, examining her for magical auras as he speaks with her.

"Madam, I have not seen anyone that I would consider your daughters. What can we do to help you?"

Know Religion: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24

Seriously dice? Seriously?

Err, um. Yeeess, how may we assist you?

Kiorec curses his lack of knowledge outside the arcane.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"You've lost your daughters? How horrible!" Kal exclaims in dismay. "Whatever can we do to help you?"

The lady starts to weep in relief. Just lead us out of this place? I'm sure we can take it from there!

Glances at his companions, one eyebrow raised as if to say, What now?

I would be happy to lead you to your daughters!

She leads you back into one of the alcoves where two young women cower. They are skinny and frighteningly pale. They both run up to the lady and cling to her skirts.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Silas nods, then his eyes go wide and his breath takes in the slightest bit of sharpness. He waits, his free hand not on his staff going to hold his wayfinder absently. He makes sure that he is a fair distance away from the woman. Damned creature, I knew something seemed off about her. Three of them is not going to be an easy task. How ever in the Celestial halls to I get myself into these messes. I am getting way to old for this.

Silas nods his assent. "Of course my lady. Of course. My friends will be happy to assist."

Silas releases his hold on his wayfinder, a better thought coming to mind. He speaks under his breath, but still gives enough presence to it to intone a spell.

"In quibus malis abundat terra, et omnia quæ in bonum uertit. Vocatus est vir spurius sono, ut fideles domum. Audi vocem meam humilem praebeo clamor ad caelum. Contractus meum obtuli, citati milites cæli.

Legion Archons Summon: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Silas summons both of them in front of himself and by his side. Pertaining to this fight, they emit a constant magic circle against evil effect, 15' radius around each of them.

Shimmering light gives way to a pair of Angelic looking armored warriors, covered in golden armor, each wielding a flaming greatsword. "My friends, please help me free these poor souls from their twisted existance, and take them with you so that they may eternally rest." Silas would stay with them, but behind them, making sure to be near enough that their protective magic will keep him safe.

As soon as Silas starts casting the lady spins and screeches. Her voice crashes into his and the result is a mad rumble of summoning magic. Before her, protecting her like Silas' summons, two huge devils of bone appear. The young women dash for the nearest cover in fear.

4d20 ⇒ (7, 17, 5, 9) = 38
Party up! Nobody is flat footed.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Seeing the marks on their necks Kiorec instantly flies into action.

Bloodrage, Greater Blood rage to Cast Mirror Image (free), Blooded Arcane Strike, Raging Brutality, Power Attack...partridge in a pear tree.

Mirror Images: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43

Damage, oh yes: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (6, 1) + 45 = 52

Confirm
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33

Damage, oh yes: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (4, 6) + 45 = 55

2nd
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22

Damage, oh yes: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (5, 2) + 45 = 52

3rd
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Damage, oh yes: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (2, 1) + 45 = 48

Confirm
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25

Damage, oh yes: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (1, 6) + 45 = 52

Whom ever is closest eats it all!

Kiorec dives at one of the bone devils and proceeds to reduce it to a broken pile in a matter of seconds.

Also RAWR!!!

Suit: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Alignment: 1d9 ⇒ 2

Stepping back behind Veritas, Kal fumbles for his Harrow deck, drawing a card and holding it before him. A flash of light swells from the chosen card, superimposing its image over his eidolon's body - the image of a mighty walking castle carving its path through a landscape.

"Esti o cetate puternic, o barieră incasabil. Să inamicii tăi se arunca înainte și se aduce la ruina pe lama ta." His eyes roll back as he intones the words feverishly, like a prayer, with a flimsy card in place of a holy symbol. Before him, Veritas spreads her mighty wings, staring down her foe.

Standard action to draw a Harrow card as per my Storykin Eidolon ability. Veritas gains +4 to strength, and her alignment temporarily changes to neutral good.

As the strength of the Keep infuses her muscles, Veritas swings Lightbringer with a mighty yell. She follows up with wings and horns, unleashing her full fury against the closest, strongest, foe.

Lightbringer 1: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41
Crit?: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (1) + 25 = 26 Natural 1, no crit.
Damage: 3d6 + 27 ⇒ (3, 3, 5) + 27 = 38
Holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Lightbringer 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36
Crit?: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
Damage: 6d6 + 60 ⇒ (1, 5, 1, 6, 6, 3) + 60 = 82
Holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Lightbringer 3: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Damage: 3d6 + 27 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) + 27 = 42
Holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

Gore: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Wing 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Wing 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

If she can reach the vampire leader without moving,mor with a 5-foot step (she has a 10' reach), she'll go for her. If not, she's heading for the other devil. All attacks are including the +4 STR from Storykin Eidolon, and using Power Attack.

Veritas gives Kiorec a run for his money as she dives into the other devil and proceeds to rip it to shreds. The vampire screams and dives at Kiorec!

1d20 ⇒ 2

Her arms try to snap closed around his neck, but the nimble warrior ducks out of the way.

Ok, you have two summons, a paladin Eidlon, and Kiorec all with in melee range. If you don't kill her now I shall be very disappointed.

You apear to have an abundance of hit points! Let me help you with that! The normal thing of pain and sharp sword.
1
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40

Damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (6, 1) + 45 = 52

Confirm
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

Damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (3, 4) + 45 = 52

2
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

Damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (4, 5) + 45 = 54

3
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (6, 5) + 45 = 56

Also Confirm
Sure Edge: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (2, 4) + 45 = 51

Though several of his hits miss, Kiorec still manages to turn the vampire into a fine mist... which proceeds to float upwards through the cave at incredible speed. In the caves, you find a starburst pendent, the last key you need to activate the teleporter.

"Well... that doesn't look good," Kal mutters, following the mist with his eyes. Behind him, Veritas' hulking form reverts, the outsider sagging slightly as if tired. "But, looks like we know what we're doing now!" He tosses the starburst pendant to Silas, beginning to shuffle his cards again.

Heading to the teleport.

She's not going to come back, is she?

You teleport down into a series of rooms and tunnels that put on display the greatest of the Adellas. Each room is elegant, yet somehow dark and foreboding. You meet no threats and arrive at the last room.
This chamber’s twenty-foot-high ceiling is held aloft by pristine granite pillars. The walls are covered in murals depicting battle scenes, while a twelve-foot-tall aquarium occupies the west end of the room, framed in iron and with thick glass. Four elaborate chairs of carved mahogany sit before this water-filled tank. A great Qadiran rug of intricate geometric designs covers the floor.

The only ingress into the tank is a 3-foot-diameter iron entry
hatch atop its northeast corner. Turning the locking wheel to open the hatch, hinged on its west side, requires a DC 18 Strength check.

Front and center in the aquarium floats a bloated, unusually preserved corpse, its arms and legs shackled with chains attached to floor and ceiling, clad in an extraordinarily wrought breastplate emblazoned with the cross-eyed medusa, and bobbing in the green-hued water. The pommel of a sword protrudes from the body’s belly.

The floating cadaver’s dead eyes are wide open, and its black hair wafts back and forth, as though cast about by a gentle breeze. A bronze plaque, green with age, mounted on the glass above, reads: “‘Then Let Them Drink’— Bartolomae Adella, 4496–4542.” A gilded bathtub stands to the corpse’s left, its legs great lion’s paws. Thick seaweed grows at the back of the tank, obscuring whatever might lie at the rear of this grisly aquatic display.

Ew..please tell me I am not going into that tank?

"If you're volunteering," Kal chuckles, nudging Kiorec in the ribs.

Not when I'm walking with someone that can summon creatures from thin air, I'm not!

Kal glances at Kiorec, then Veritas, then Silas, before shrugging. "Alright, big girl. How do you feel about getting a bit dirty?"

"I do not enjoy such things. But were you to shrink me in size, I believe I would be best suited to enter the glass cage. I do not need to breathe, so should something seal me within, I would be relatively well." Veritas nods in agreement with the summoner.

"It's called an aquarium. People usually keep fish in them, not corpses. Alright, I'll shrink you, then you get to go diving." Kal grins, fumbling in his pockets for his wand.

Veritas stares at him, a slight frown crossing her face. "Your kind do some very strange things," she mutters, crossing to the aquarium.

V will take 10 to open the hatch, then Kal will zap her with his wand of reduce person and she'll jump in. If nothing terrible happens, she'll attempt to break the chains and drag the body out.

Once Veritas enters the water, she discovers that the chains will be very difficult to break. That body isn't going anywhere without dismembering it. The sword, however, should be relatively easy to withdraw from the corpse.

8 intelligence says she takes the sword. =)

crap. Cue dramatic sound track :)

As soon as the sword is taken, the four northern pillars melt into undulating masses of slime and filth with huge mouths! One of them instantly dives into the tank with Veritas while the others each go after one of you!

3d20 ⇒ (12, 5, 4) = 21
3d20 ⇒ (6, 7, 6) = 19
1d6 + 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + (1, 4, 5) + 8 = 24
1d6 + 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + (4, 6, 3) + 8 = 27
1d6 + 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + (1, 1, 2) + 8 = 13

All of you save Veritas are hit! The monster's touch stings and burns as it tries to latch onto you, Kiorec is the one one who manages to twist away in time! They slide around the two casters like muddy lake scum made animate!

Kiorec takes 24, 10 of that acid, and is not grappled
Kal takes 27, 13 of which is acid, and IS grappled
Silas takes 13, 4 of which is acid, and IS grappled
Veritas avoids being hit, but is in melee with a monster.

What Knowledge check would be necessary to identify these slime-beasts? Also, can we get these things on the map please? =)
Before I act, I'd also like to clarify something. I'm planning on using Maker's Call to get V out of the tank so she can lay the beatdown on the beastie grappling me. As a supernatural ability mimicing a spell with verbal-only components, can I use it while being grappled without needing a concentration check?

Map= soon. I ran out of time today.
Know planes to identify
And yes, verbal only will work.

Bloodrage, casting Resist energy (Acid, so 30 points for a while), Power Attack, Arcane Strike, and Raging Brutality

Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31
damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (3, 1) + 45 = 49

Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29
damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (1, 1) + 45 = 47

Sure Edge: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33
damage: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (6, 3) + 45 = 54

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"Hey, V?" Kal calls, trying to lean his head as far back as possible, away from the living slime. "Tell you what. I'll forgive you for bringing this horrible, oozy wrath upon us, if you get over here and give me a hand. Okay, girl?"

Gonna use Maker's Call to get her over here. She'll appear adjacent to Kal; however, since he's effectively been pulled into the nasty-oozy's space, I assume she'll appear in a spot adjacent to it, and between it and the aquarium.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Veritas looks around in confusion as a slimy mass joins her in the tank, attempting to cause her harm. Through the distorted walls, she sees another of the things holding Kal in place, and her eyes narrow with fury through her helm.

The familiar tug pulls at her, and she allows it to take her, pulling her through the world and next to him - next to the hideous creature. With a yell of anger, she drops the sword from the tank - it didn't feel right - draws Lightbringer, and cleaves into the beast.

Free action to drop sword, move action to draw her own, and power attacking the creature grappling Kal. If there's another one adjacent, she'll Cleave.

Lightbringer: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 26 ⇒ (5, 2) + 26 = 33
Holy damage if evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

If cleaving: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
Cleave damage: 2d6 + 26 ⇒ (6, 3) + 26 = 35
Cleaving holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

If she does cleave, her AC is currently 32. As a note, she's still under the effects of reduce person, leaving her sadly medium-sized. Handily, I must have foreseen this, as her stats with the spell in place appear in her profile. =)

EDIT: shield ally also gives Kal +4 to AC and saves, and +2 to the same to allies within V's now 5-foot reach.

Drools over AC 32...

Yeah... it's kinda nuts. Don't worry; get adjacent, and you'll get a nice +2!

So...that would bring me to 20...

Just waiting on Silas now.

Silace and Kal struggle to escape their captors, but cannot break the grip. The demons advance over their prey and slimy demon goo dives down their noes and throats, cutting off their air supply. Val dives into the fray along side Kioric and both do damage, but don't quite take down their targets. They are attacked in return and take a hit each. The demons again try to flow over the two free fighters, but fail to gain a hold.

Kioric takes 25. Val takes 29. Kal and Silas are pinned and must hold their breath until they are saved. Map updated. Party up!

Okay, V. Let's get you back to your old, bigger self. I'm gonna focus on not drowning now, okay? Kal mentally relays to his eidolon. He squeezes his eyes shut, holding precious air in his lungs and focusing on not drowning in filth.

Dismissing reduce person on Veritas and holding my breath. I've got 25 more rounds before I start to drown.

Kal? KAL! Veritas screams back across the mind link, accompanied by a vocal scream of rage and desperation. She feels the spell release her, allowing her to swell back to her original size, and she takes advantage of the boost to unleash her full fury on the beast pinning her Kal.

Full attacking with power attack. If at any point this thing goes down, switch remaining attacks to an enemy of your choosing.

Lightbringer 1: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 20 = 39
Crit?: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31
Damage: 3d6 + 27 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) + 27 = 32
Crit damage: 3d6 + 27 ⇒ (3, 5, 1) + 27 = 36
Holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Lightbringer 2: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Damage: 3d6 + 27 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) + 27 = 33
Holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Lightbringer 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Damage: 3d6 + 27 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) + 27 = 36
Holy damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Gore: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Wing 1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Wing 2: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Crit?: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Crit damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

If that confirmation roll on Lightbringer 1 beats its CMD, I get to push it with an automatic bull rush. Would it be possible to push it into the one currently pinning Silas?

** spoiler omitted **

Silace and Kal struggle to escape their captors, but cannot break the grip. The demons advance over their prey and slimy demon goo dives down their noes and throats, cutting off their air supply. Val dives into the fray along side Kioric and both do damage, but don't quite take down their targets. They are attacked in return and take a hit each. The demons again try to flow over the two free fighters, but fail to gain a hold.

Kioric takes 25. Val takes 29. Kal and Silas are pinned and must hold their breath until they are saved. Map updated. Party up!

Need to know 25 of what boss, I have Resist energy acid 30 running.

1d20 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33
Sure Edge: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (2, 1) + 45 = 48

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19
Sure Edge: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (3, 5) + 45 = 53

1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Sure Edge: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (5, 6) + 45 = 56

Confirm?
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Sure Edge: 2d6 + 45 ⇒ (4, 5) + 45 = 54

Veritas and Kiorec lay into their targets with frightening lethality and devastate their fires ability to exist. Only two demons are left and they counter attack the deadly pair. They hit, and this is quickly turning into am all out brawl.
Ver takes 20, Kiorec takes 13 for a total of 25 so far. The casters are now free. Party up!