Round 5, Init 22
HP: 18/56
AC: 24 (Touch 14/ FF: 20)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Composite Longbow (+2)
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
Gravity Bow: 3mns
+2 Natural Armor: Barkskin 50mns
+8/+3 BAB
+4 Dex
+1 Bow
+1 Weapon Focus
+1 Hit and damage PBS
-2 Rapid Shot
-3 Deadly Aim
+6 Deadly Aim
+4 Hit and Damage Rangers Focus (2/3 Used today)
Arrows (10 Adamantite/10Silver/10Ghost Salt/24Cold Iron)/19 Blunt Arrows (12 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical))
Ederin hears Dimitrio cry out and he knows Tarkir has been taken over but he keeps his arrows aimed at the Aboleth, knowing that it's the larger threat.
Round 5, Init 21
Kaylayne joins in on the attack upon the slimy beast.
to hit; (-rapid+bard+heroism)
damage.
to hit; (-rapid+bard+heroism)
damage.
to hit; (-rapid+bard+heroism)
damage.
[ dice]1d20+11-2[/dice] to hit; (rapid)
[ dice]1d6+2[/dice] magic damage.
+6 Bab +3 Dex +1 magic +1 PBS
1d6 + 1 magic +1 PBS
Spirit Walk: 3/8 used
Pearl of Power 1: 0/2 used
Pearl of Power 2: 0/1 used
Scroll of Water Breathing
Wand of CLW: 4 charges left
Wand of Magic Stone: 14 charges left
Wand of Lesser Restoration: 21 charges left
Ring of the Ram: 20/36 charges left
10 Adamantine Stones
20 Cold Iron Stones
10 Silver Stones
Spells:
Magic Vestment (8 hours)
Heroism (70 minutes)
Barkskin (70 minutes)
Antitoxin (60 minutes)
Round 4, Delay Init 11- to
AC = 22, Shielded
HP = 38/38
Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow
Condition(s) = Cat's Grace, Shield, See Invisibility, Fly, Antitoxin, Resist Energy(Acid), Inspired
Lief weighs his options. Tarkir resists the poison well, can he keep it up? He only hopes the smelling salts work on bears as well as they do on humans.
Lief hits Tarkir again, trying to end his reign of terror on Dimitrio. Allarnon leans in on the large fish and attacks while Tarkir continues to trouble Dimitrio. Ederin fires another of his volleys at the big fish. Kaylayne pounds the slimy beast. Finally, Dimitrio steps back and hammers the Aboleth ending its reign of terror, brief though it was.
The Aboleth slips into the water, sinks into the cloudy pool, and is quickly lost to sight.
We are out of initiative. I’m not going to make you take Tarkir all the way down - for convenience I’m going to say the domination expires with the fish. Save a little on the wands too.
The actual chamber, when not hidden by illusion, is as decrepit as the rest - the walls filthy and worn, the pool fetid, and the archway cracked and broken. Smears of blood (traces of the elven prisoners led through here) lead across the floor to the southern doors. The pool itself seems to be very deep and is calm water. A dead drow lies beside the doors to the south.
The great black gate behind the pool crackles a bit with eldritch power. There is a darkness to it that seems to even absorb Lief’s bright light.
Lief moves about, waiting for Tarkir to regain himself. Once he's sure there's no further need for bolt strikes, he waits for the all-clear from Ederin, before entering the aboleth chamber.
He stands next to the pool, somewhat twitchy with the thought that an aboleth sat waiting in it moments ago. Don't suppose there's more than one of those, waiting in the deep...
Lief looks over the black gate. His mind sifts through knowledge banks, hoping to align something that looks familiar. It reviews gates- Cyphergate, Elfgates...
"It's old. And Elven. It doesn't have the prismatic bend of the Elfgate back in Crying Leaf. With the drow presence, I'd guess it's been corrupted. I can't understand how to open it, but it being closed at present is a comfort. To me, at least. Means something can't walk through it right now. If we found a key of some sort... we could probably open it... If we wanted to..."
Lief turns around, and listens at the southern double doors.
Finally ridding himself of the pesky bear, Dimitrio cleans himself up as best he can. He shakes his head at the bear-man, "What happened there, buddy? It won't happen again, will it?"
He then nods with Lief, "Yeah, that's good. I mean. no, we don't want to open that gate."
He looks about, "It's probably time we reported back to the elves, right?"
____________
Dimitrio - I think you're down 35 total, some from the first fight.
|
"What happened there, buddy? It won't happen again, will it?"
"Not sure what happened." Allarnon says as he forms back into a grungy human. He kneels down and strokes the soft fur on Tarkir. Grabbing his muzzle he looks into his eyes.
You alright? What did the drow do to you?
Standing up he shrugs. "Perhaps he smelled a bloodmoon and went into a frenzy? Maybe that creature was controlling him?"
Grabbing the wand from his pouch Allarnon tends to his and Tarkir's wounds.
Tarkir (AC 23) [+2 Dex; +6 Natural; +3 Enhance Barkskin; +2 Deflection PfE] | HP 45/48 | Greater Magic Fang; Barkskin)
Ederin retreives Kaylaynes wand that he dropped in the hallway and smacks himself a few time with it.
He chucks it at Dimitrio and sits down to catch his breath for a moment, once his pulse slows a bit he gets up and grips his bow again.
"Next room?" He asks as he nods toward the southern door of the aboleth room. "I ain't gettin' so close this time."
Lief looks back to Allarnon. "Sorry, it was the only thing I could think of to try and stop him from mauling Dimitrio to death." The young man looks to Dimitrio, and waits for him to heal up, before turning back to the southern double doors, and opening one of them.
Dimitrio grabs the healing stick and applies some of its magic.
He sighs, "OK, let's get this over with."
_____________
HP 61/67
AC: 24 = 10 +4(DEX) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+1) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge)
Conditions:n/a
Melee (rapier+1): +13/+8 = +7(base) +4(dex) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)
Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+13 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +2 (arcane strike) +4 (precise strike)+2 (specialization), 18-20, x2
5/5 daggers, 4/4 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 12/18 bardic performance, 4/4 1st level, 2/2 2nd level spells, ring of fire 3/5
"It's old. And Elven. It doesn't have the prismatic bend of the Elfgate back in Crying Leaf. With the drow presence, I'd guess it's been corrupted. I can't understand how to open it, but it being closed at present is a comfort. To me, at least. Means something can't walk through it right now. If we found a key of some sort... we could probably open it... If we wanted to..."
Kaylayne casts her own detect magic, but fails to unravel anything of the gate.
"If you say so, Lief. I don't know how you can know that, but it's just as well. Not sure I'd ever want to know whats behind that anyway," Kaylayne grumps, trying to keep watch as others heal up.
"It might be better if we backtracked to see how the last group fares. If they still live, they might aid us. If they don't then we might prevent them coming at us from behind."
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"You really should get out more, Kaylayne. The more books you read, the better you'll be prepared for life." Lief smiles politely at the bear-riler.
"As for backtracking, why? You saw Team Two decimated by fire, and the blood on the floor suggests that something was dragged through here. Likely Team Three. Probably happened when we were healing up behind closed doors. Remember the moans Ederin heard behind the closed door? No, we press on, and quickly."
Without pausing to listen to Kaylayne grump further, Lief returns to opening the southern door.
"You really should get out more, Kaylayne. The more books you read, the better you'll be prepared for life." Lief smiles politely at the bear-riler.
"Get out more *and* read more books?" Kaylayne queries, wondering if the young man recognizes the obvious contradiction in his words.
"Of course, Kaylayne. You don't strike me as a book collector, so you likely don't have a private library, do you? Get yourself to the Order more often, and take advantage of their collections. You won't learn much, tending bar." Lief hopes his clarification eases Kaylayne's troubled mind.
The doors do not open, being stuck or locked or something. Your rattling, however soft, is heard from within apparently. A male drow voice, in a high falsetto, mocks, "Just a moment! I'm not decent!" and you hear nervous laughter from beyond the doors... and what sounds like spell casting.
We're in initiative, the doors are closed.
Allarnon
Dimitrio
Ederin (+2 in urban terrain)
Kaylayne (acts in surprise round)
Lief
Good Guys
Good Guy
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Hearing that the doors are stuck Allarnon leaps at them, slamming his entire weight into the center of the doors. As he leaps he once again transforms into the bestial rage of the large bear.
Hitting the doors wrong he falls back slightly and shakes his large head. "Must have hit part of the wall or something..."
The doors budge, but only a crack, under Allarnon's weight. It is clear they're blocked by something, not locked. Just a little more effort might do the trick...
Round 1, Init 24
AC = 22, Shielded
HP = 38/38
Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow
Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Antitoxin, Resist Energy(Acid), Shield
Lief takes the obstacle as a sign, so quaffs another formula, restoring his Shield.
He waits impatiently as Allarnon warms up to opening the door.
Round 1, Init 16
AC: 24 (Touch 14/ FF: 20)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Composite Longbow (+2)
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
Gravity Bow: 3mns
+2 Natural Armor: Barkskin 50mns
+8/+3 BAB
+4 Dex
+1 Bow
+1 Weapon Focus
+1 Hit and damage PBS
-2 Rapid Shot
-3 Deadly Aim
+6 Deadly Aim
+4 Hit and Damage Rangers Focus (2/3 Used today)
Arrows (10 Adamantite/10Silver/10Ghost Salt/24Cold Iron)/19 Blunt Arrows (12 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical))
Ederin grips an arrow in one hand and his bow in the other, keeping his breath steady so he can fire with precision the second the doors are opened.
Dimitrio partially sheathes his rapier and lends his shoulder to opening the door.
All the while he stares down the bear, hoping it doesn't lose its mind again.
_______________
Lief prepares himself further. Allarnon tries to push open the doors, but fails. Dimitrio shoves against the door, but cannot breach it. Ederin prepares to shoot, but waits for the door. Kaylayne examines the door looking for wooden constructs she can alter, but finds none. She considers other options, but instead grips her rocks and waits with Ederin for the others.
From beyond the door, you hear laughter, and more casting.
Round 2, Init 24
AC = 22, Shielded
HP = 38/38
Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow
Condition(s) = See Invisibility, Antitoxin, Resist Energy(Acid), Shield, Cat's Grace
Lief takes the obstacle as a sign, so quaffs another formula, restoring his flexibility.
He waits impatiently as Allarnon warms up to opening the door.
"Sounds like someone is weaving their own magicks. Please hurry, and open the door, good Bear."
The bard starts reciting a poem to bolster their strength and puts his shoulder to it.
___________
Allarnon and Dimitrio each push their doors open!
It was a pile of dead elves that was blocking the entry and slowing your advance. Some of the bodies are quite fresh, while others are days old and rotting. Parts fall off here and there due to injury and rot and the whole thing is quite fetid.
Opposite the doors of this massive room stands a towering archway made of shimmering black stone. The archway’s keystone seems strangely out of place - unlike the surrounding black stone, the keystone is a pale gray and bears fragments of a spiky set of Thassilonian runes. Inside the archway is a world of shadows in which a strangely beautiful elven city can be seen. Smears of blood along the floor seem to lead up to and through the archway into the flickering world beyond.
In the chamber you see four drow, but one is not like the others. He stands in front of the flickering gate and is covered in blood - most of it his apparently. He is a pain taster and has needles, some of them more than a foot long, sticking in his body (image).
He laughs as he sees you - filled with confidence and long suffering, ”Master Nolveniss bade me give you his apologies,” he says in almost a whisper, “that he will not be present to see you die.”
Two of the others are priests of Abraxis, and they look decidedly nervous facing you and their fingers cast spell after spell quickly and with clear fear. Hard to know what they fear more, you or the pain taster to their backs. The last drow is a pitiful creature, just a soldier, and he looks quite uncomfortably out of place. Further, he is injured slightly and shows signs of recent healing.
"They harvested stone from the Cyphergate! I haven't the foggiest idea why, but it's starting to make more sense, why they'd be chipping at it in the first place."
Lief looks beyond, uncomfortable with the dragging bodies blood on the floor. He looks at Allarnon. "Not just any blood, right?" He looks over at the smaller bear, wondering.
Round 2, Init 16
HP: 51/56
AC: 24 (Touch 14/ FF: 20)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Composite Longbow (+2)
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
Gravity Bow: 3mns
+2 Natural Armor: Barkskin 50mns
+8/+3 BAB
+4 Dex
+1 Bow
+1 Weapon Focus
+1 Hit and damage PBS
-2 Rapid Shot
-3 Deadly Aim
+6 Deadly Aim
+4 Hit and Damage Rangers Focus (3/3 Used today)
Arrows (10 Adamantite/10Silver/10Ghost Salt/20Cold Iron)/19 Blunt Arrows (12 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical))
Ederin stares wide-eyed at the masochistic drow and seems to loose his arrows at the strange man before he even realized he'd committed to the action.
My life is a damned curtain show.
Lief further prepares himself and urges Allarnon on. Allarnon and Dimitrio each push their doors open into the macabre scene. Ederin launches his usual volley of arrows, but something strange happens. The drow knocks the first pair out of the sky with his arm, and the other two miss… Kaylayne moves up to the group and lightly touches Allarnon on the shoulder.
”Go. Be among them.” she speaks in his ear. Immediately Allarnon is whisked away by the other and placed gently right next to the pain taster and the gateway.
- - -
The opposition, all geared up, does what they can to stop your inexorable advance.
The soldier shoots , Dimitrio! He then drops his crossbow and pulls out his rapier.
plus DC 13 Fort or go unconscious
The pink priest looks at Ederin and shakes his head. no, no, no…. He casts a spell, and Ederin must make a Will DC 15 save or be frozen in place - paralyzed! He draws his flail and stands ready with his shield.
The purple priest also casts a spell, and a raucous noise tries to shatter the eardrums of Dimitrio, Lief, and Kaylayne doing damage and Fort DC 15 save or be stunned one round. He also draws his flail and stands ready with his shield.
Meanwhile the pain taster twists one of his needles, causing a shudder of pain throughout his body. The grin on his face show how much he truly enjoyed the experience. He then lashes out at Allarnon with his greatsword. Electricity races along the surface of the blade as it comes down on the poor bear.
(electrical)
(electrical)
Alas, he starts off poorly and doesn't even scratch his opponent. Was that a flicker of doubt moving across his face? No, it couldn't be... he's a pain taster!
, pass
The bard moves through the dead elves and engages the 'pink' priest with his rapier.
He slashes and pokes at the drow.
_____________
HP 64/67
AC: 24 = 10 +4(DEX) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+1) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge)
Conditions:n/a
Melee (rapier+1): +13/+8 = +7(base) +4(dex) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)
Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+13 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +2 (arcane strike) +4 (precise strike)+2 (specialization), 18-20, x2
5/5 daggers, 4/4 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 12/18 bardic performance, 4/4 1st level, 2/2 2nd level spells, ring of fire 3/5
Round 3, Init 24
AC = 22, Shielded
HP = 35/38
Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow
Condition(s) = Shield, Cat's Grace, See Invisibility, Antitoxin, Resist Energy(Acid)
Lief takes in the new room, his determination to be done with conflict growing fiercer. He observes Pink Priest, waving his hands at Ederin.
Shortly thereafter, he reels with a thunderclap from Purple Priest.
Fortunately, he keeps his senses as he drops his hand crossbow, and works out the drow's attack, for retrospective study of the battle unfolding.
Round 3, Init 16
HP: 51/56
AC: 24 (Touch 14/ FF: 20)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Composite Longbow (+2)
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
Gravity Bow: 3mns
+2 Natural Armor: Barkskin 50mns
+8/+3 BAB
+4 Dex
+1 Bow
+1 Weapon Focus
+1 Hit and damage PBS
-2 Rapid Shot
-3 Deadly Aim
+6 Deadly Aim
+4 Hit and Damage Rangers Focus (3/3 Used today)
Arrows (10 Adamantite/10Silver/10Ghost Salt/20Cold Iron)/19 Blunt Arrows (12 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical))
Ederin shrugs off the magic threatening to paralyze him and raises his bow again, seeing that both the pain tasters hands are occupied with his weapon.
"Get those priests down! If they keep this up we'll all be paralyzed soon!"
If I have this right, deflect arrows requires the use of one free hand and the taster is using a two handed weapon, so now that he's melee engaged I should be able to fire without worry, yes? If not I'd switch to the priests and work my way left to right (-4 from all rolls above).
There's an argument to be made that he can free action let go of the blade when he's not attacking. In that case of course, he gets no AoOs and is considered unarmed, 'cause he's not wielding the sword, merely holding it. Dunno what he'll do next round, but for right now, he's holding his blade and your first shot will hurt.
I bet he let's go next round to block that nasty stroke!
I wouldn't worry too much about him though. As you say, the priests are the more dangerous foes...
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Allarnon's eyes gleam as Kaylayne hurls him next to the weird drow.
He lets out a bestial roar in the pain tasters face and begins to maul the sadistic drow.
Allarnon seems a little unnerved by the scene.
Why would someone purposely hurt themselves in this way?
"Tarkir, Get the priests!
Tarkir bounds over the pile of elven corpses and bites at the drow with the blue cloak.
Allarnon-Bear Form (AC 25) [+5 Armor; +1 Dex; +4 Natural; +1 Deflection; +1 Dodge; +3 Enhance Barkskin; +1 Deflection PfE; -2 Rage] | HP 74/77 | Barkskin; Rage 9/14)
Tarkir (AC 23) [+2 Dex; +6 Natural; +3 Enhance Barkskin; +2 Deflection PfE] | HP 45/48 | Greater Magic Fang; Barkskin)
Lief stands stunned, surprised perhaps at the attack. Allarnon injures the pain taster (though he does less then he feels he should) while Tarkir takes a bite out of the soldier on his way to the priests. Dimitrio steps up and nails pink solidly. Ederin launches another volley at the pain taster, who’s hit twice - and quite pained by the first. He won’t do that again. That said, Ederin doesn’t seem to be doing as much damage as he thought he should (some sort of DR). Kaylayne is stunned and unable to act.
The soldier uses his rapier on Tarkir, his new nemesis. He wants to step out of flank, but the only available spot, really, is next to the pain taster. He choses to remain where he is.
Both priests nod to each other and channel negative energy! They seem to avoid the Soldier with their blasts, but not the pain taster - who seems to heal under the negative wave.
Will DC 13 for half
Will DC 13 for half
The lead drow looks at Ederin and considers leaving the battlefield to join him. He leans forward and stumbles 5’ closer, but no further as he keeps his attention on Allarnon. At the end of his attack, he loosens his grip on the great sword.
(electrical)
(electrical)
He finally leaves a mark on Allarnon... and it hurts more than other injuries he receives. He tries to shake it off, but the pain lingers and the wound festers.
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Allarnon's skin twitches and jerks all about as the powerful electricity courses through his veins. He claws and bites at the pain tasting drow. "See how much you like being torn in half elf!"
Tarkir continues his relentless assault on the soldier before moving to the priest.
Tarkir (AC 23) [+2 Dex; +6 Natural; +3 Enhance Barkskin; +2 Deflection PfE] | HP 34/48 | Greater Magic Fang; Barkskin)
Dimitrio reels from the negative energy.
Happy with his previous hit, the bard presses his attack.
_____________
, save, 5 hp
, save 6 hp
HP 53/67
AC: 24 = 10 +4(DEX) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+1) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge)
Conditions:n/a
Melee (rapier+1): +13/+8 = +7(base) +4(dex) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)
Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+13 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +2 (arcane strike) +4 (precise strike)+2 (specialization), 18-20, x2
5/5 daggers, 4/4 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 12/18 bardic performance, 4/4 1st level, 2/2 2nd level spells, ring of fire 3/5
Round 4, Init 24
AC = 22, Shielded
HP = 24/38
Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow
Condition(s) = Shield, Cat's Grace, See Invisibility, Antitoxin, Resist Energy(Acid)
Lief sighs in pain as the priests emanate their god's negative energy. Sizing up the room, and wanting nothing to do with the Pain Taster, he draws his rapier, studying the purple priest, and moving into flank with the smaller bear.
Lief speaks quickly in Undercommon. "We're not adverse to a surrender, priest."
Round 4, Init 16
HP: 40/56
AC: 24 (Touch 14/ FF: 20)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Composite Longbow (+2)
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
Gravity Bow: 3mns
+2 Natural Armor: Barkskin 50mns
+8/+3 BAB
+4 Dex
+1 Bow
+1 Weapon Focus
+1 Hit and damage PBS
-2 Rapid Shot
-3 Deadly Aim
+6 Deadly Aim
Arrows (10 Adamantite/10Silver/10Ghost Salt/20Cold Iron)/15 Blunt Arrows (12 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical))
As he fights off the waves of negative energy Ederin sees the pain taster lift his hand off his weapon and know that he can once again deflect his arrows. Begrudgingly he turns his attention the the drow that healed him.
Lief moves up and threatens, but fails to hit, one of the priests. Allarnon digs, and digs deeply, into the drow’s flesh as he tears a few needles off along with the skin they were encased in. Tarkir too does well, dropping blue with his last attack. Dimitrio resists the worst of the taint, but fails then to connect with the armored dealer. Ederin switches targets and clearly it effects his aim as he hits only once. Kaylayne throws a pair of rocks at the priest, trying to knock her for a loop. She connects once.
(heroism)
(heroism)
The priests channel again, healing the pain taster and harming you! As he failed, Purple does not carve out the soldier, and he dies from his injuries. Such is the price of failure…
Will DC 16 for half
Will DC 16 for half
The ‘taster grins as attack after attack lands on his body, tearing it apart. He shudders and shakes throwing blood and viscera from his flesh onto those nearby. His laughter is high, and pitched, as he attacks the great bear once more. He says something in Undercommon convulsing in his ecstasy… and injury.
(electrical)
(electrical)
Dimitrio once more minimizes the taint from the drow priests.
He steps closer to the 'paintester' and unleashes an attack on the remaining drow priest and then at the sadomasochistic drow.
_____________
, save, 6 hp
, save, 4 hp
HP 43/67
AC: 24 = 10 +4(DEX) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+1) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge)
Conditions:n/a
Melee (rapier+1): +13/+8 = +7(base) +4(dex) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)
Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+13 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +2 (arcane strike) +4 (precise strike)+2 (specialization), 18-20, x2
5/5 daggers, 4/4 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 12/18 bardic performance, 4/4 1st level, 2/2 2nd level spells, ring of fire 3/5
Round 6, Init 24
AC = 22, Shielded
HP = 7/38
Weapon Equipped = +1 Hand Crossbow
Condition(s) = Shield, Cat's Grace, See Invisibility, Antitoxin, Resist Energy(Acid)
"Not feeling so good... Just keep pressing them..."
Lief continues to harry the purple priest.
Round 5, Init 16
HP: 30/56
AC: 24 (Touch 14/ FF: 20)
Equipped Weapons: +1 Composite Longbow (+2)
Conditions:
Relevant Data:
Gravity Bow: 3mns
+2 Natural Armor: Barkskin 50mns
+8/+3 BAB
+4 Dex
+1 Bow
+1 Weapon Focus
+1 Hit and damage PBS
-2 Rapid Shot
-3 Deadly Aim
+6 Deadly Aim
Arrows (10 Adamantite/10Silver/10Ghost Salt/20Cold Iron)/11 Blunt Arrows (12 Silvered (Blanch) 6 Silvered (Alchemical))
Ederin keeps the arrows flying at the priests though the occasional glance at the enemy in the rear of the room costs him some accuracy.
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Tarkir howls in pain as the waves of negative energy wash over him, burning his skin.
Allarnon swipes at the pain taster hoping to end this quickly.
While Tarkir moves on to the priest to attempt to stop the painful channeling. (Priority purple then pink)
Tarkir (AC 23) [+2 Dex; +6 Natural; +3 Enhance Barkskin; +2 Deflection PfE] | HP 20/48 | Greater Magic Fang; Barkskin)
Lief takes some damage, but deals even more as he drops Purple - killing her. Allarnon tags the drow twice, and very nearly drops him so mighty are his swings, even with damage reduction. Dimitrio takes a little damage and deals a little damage, finally taking down the already injured Pink. Ederin has no priests to deal with so he focuses his attentions on the pain taster, who blocks his first arrow… but drops to his second. Kaylayne with no one to attack, enters the room pushing past the dead elves. She makes sure Pink doesn’t get up again.
The room grows suddenly quiet, as the ruckus of combat ceases. The party looks around at the mess, and their own injures as the gate pulses before them. The pulsing seems to be slowing…
Allarnon, you still have a bleed effect, so I’m presuming healing is happening right away. That aside, we’re out of initiative.
Lief inspects the priest for signs of armor, and protections. He takes a closer look around the room, hoping to establish an all-clear.
For his current health, he turns back to the group's healing wand, and brings himself back to feeling better.
He stays well away from the Pain Taster, finishing up the search of the elven and drow bodies, before getting a closer look at the pulsing Portal.
He tries to explain what they face here, expecting that this is, in fact, the Armageddon Echo that seems to be slowing in its pulse.
The party searches the dead and dying to find a +1 shocking greatsword, +2 mithral shirt, +1 flail, +1 whip, four scrolls of cure moderate wounds, and a wand of cure light wounds with 21 charges.
The lovely maiden and Erastil priestess Silvana can also be found among the bodies littering the hall. Kaerishiel and a few of his other lieutenants are not here, though the blood trails leading into the gate make it clear where they’ve been taken.
As the party heals and considers, the gate continues to slow it’s pulsing. It’s clear to Lief that the portal is preparing to close. It’s recent activation is apparently only a temporary thing. Soon it will close behind the drow, protecting them and giving them an opportunity to heal, refresh, regroup, and return.
Lief waits while the others heal, patting himself in three places to make sure he's got most of what he thinks he needs. In for a penny...
"Looks like we're heading in. Don't argue, Kay, we don't have time for your devil's advocacy. Just remember that if this is the Echo's portal, it eventually opens again, both ways. We just need to apply judicious care to be able to return here, when all is said and done. If the blood smear continues through, we can't wait. Kaerishiel needs us." Lief looks at Kaylayne, and her likely retorts. When none come, he continues. "Looks like you've accepted my reasoning. I'm glad that we're on the same page, for once. Just trust that I understand enough of the portal's dynamics to know it's now or never."
When the group is well and truly ready, Lief bolts through the portal, into then upwards, to get a truer sense of what they face, before his flight wears off.
Dimitrio sheathes his blade and walks over to Silvana, cradling her head in his arms.
He murmurs to no one in particular, "Such beauty taken from us too soon. I'm not much of a song composer but you shall have your poem, lovely girl."
He turns to Lief, "So are we supposed to follow them through the gate? Shouldn't the elves be notified about this?"
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Dimitrio looks around, "Is there something to write with so we can at least leave the elves a message? An arrow pointing to gate written in blood will do if nothing else is available..."