I think that on an already weakened structure the plants would pull it down, so you're probably right not to try it. Nice thought though. Back is improving due to judicious application of lots of painkillers.
Kia looks towards Arianwyn (or where she guesses he must be). "So what do you suggest we do about the other formorians? If you are so concerned, maybe you and Tutavak could try shoving it towards the exit while we deal with these guys"
She steps towards the nearest wisdom seeker and tries to hit it once more.
Move to L17;
Warlord's favour vs W2 vs AC. 1d20+19=(14)+19=33; 2d8+7=(4,4)+7=15 damage and Darius has a +6 bonus to all attack rolls vs W2 to the end of Kia's next turn.
"Or, you could encourage one of the seekers to knock it over and then roll it out. Just a suggestion."
Kia analyses the problem while she effortlessly bloodies W2.
Arianwyn turns to her.
"You may, for once, have had a good idea, Miss Rubarka."
Turning to the giant, he fixes it with a baleful blue gaze and points at the Rune Stone.
"You will not allow this treasure to fall beneath the earth. You will, in fact, help to remove it from an untimely tomb. That or annihilation. It is your choice."
"You will not allow this treasure to fall beneath the earth. You will, in fact, help to remove it from an untimely tomb. That or annihilation. It is your choice."
His eyes burning with ambition, the warden looks directly at the giant saying, "You've felt the power of wisdom, now imagine what we can accomplish with fury and creation as well!"
Feel free to change it around then :)
I know Tutavak has low fey tolerance, so he might just have wanted to make sure he was close by Ciocal in case of accidents.
Tutavak(M Human / Kargzant Hybrid Fighter/Ranger 14 / Soul Igniter)
Chary moves up to Balor and aims for the giant's legs trying to move it out of the way.
Move--E17.
Standard--Victorious Urging (Augment 4pts)--(14)+18=32 vs AC
On hit: (3)+10 Damage, Push target one square (, and UEMNT me and my allies get +2 power bonus to attack rolls on Balor.
"Here, let me get that door for you. It's the least I can do for previously trying to murder you." The warden says as he rushes past his new ally (and runs) to G13.
He sends his thorns out once again to pull Mr Balor from the archway.
Thorn Strike (Melee 2)
1d20(18) + 18 – 5 = 31 vs Balor (W1)'s AC; 1d8(4) + 10 = 14 damage and Balor (W1) is pulled one square.
Mark W1 with Nature's Wrath only if W1 is adjacent to Darius. ___
–5 to attacks and granting combat advantage until the start of next turn.
AC 30; Fort 28, Ref 28, Will 29
65 of 128 HP, 10 of 14 Surges; Init +8
Kia moves to get a good shot at the renegade seeker, switches to her bow once more and pots a shot.
Move to J14;
Minor to switch weapons;
Paint the bullseye with a magic arrow vs W1.
1d20+18+2+1=(11)+21=32.
1d10+3=(4)+3=7 damage and all attacks against W1 gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls.
Also W1 is at -2 to all ranged and area attacks.
Kia's arrow just hits Balor and shows the way for her comrades.
Arianwyn keeps advancing, cursing fluently in elven as he does so. Another gout of eldritch power briefly outlines and clearly damages Balor.
Eldritch Blast (Ref) - 1d20+17=32 v W1. Hits. 1d10+15+5=22 plus 2d8+4.
Ciocal turns a serene if commanding gaze on his former ally as he continues to chant a disconcerting mantra of unity.
"Ommm. Be still. Ommmm."
Evil Eye on Balor (W1) - v Will. On hit target is immobilised (se)
1d20+20=22. Miss.
He shakes his head sadly as Balor refuses to listen to the Wisdom of the stone, and shifts his burden so that Darius at least is freed from its contempletive effect.
"The Stone will stay here and you will stay with it. Balor looks at Darius and slams his club into the warden. All in vain. It seems the Stone itself wishes rescue.
Evil Eye v Darius (Will). On hit target immobilised (se)
1d20+16=23. Miss.
Mace (AC)
1d20+20=22. Miss.
All: - to end Chary's next turn, +2 attacks on Balor (W1).
All: - to start Kia's next turn, +5 to damage rolls v Balor (W1)
Wisdom Stone aura 5: Creatures in the aura are overwhelmed by a contemplative urge. They are slowed and cannot charge.
Darksoul Mist (Fort).
Creates zone of darkness that lasts to end encounter. Blocks line of sight for any creature without darkvision.
ALL: +2 bonus to Will v charm fear and illusion within 10 squares of Kia.
"X"ed area is difficult terrain.
Tutavak - slowed (RS aura)
Chary - used second wind; slowed (RS aura)
Darius
Arianwyn 90/91;3/8 surges - slowed (RS aura)
Wisdom Seeker 1 (Balor) - BLOODIED; cursed; slowed (RS aura); marked by Darius; -2 ranged and area attacks to end Kia's next turn
Wisdom Seeker 2 (Ciocal) - BLOODIED; cursed; Tutavak's Quarry; slowed (RS aura)
Tutavak(M Human / Kargzant Hybrid Fighter/Ranger 14 / Soul Igniter)
Move to E16, hoping Ciocal doesn't take the OA. Quarry Balor. Close-Quarters Shot vs Balor (no OA due to power). 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 20 + 2 = 42
Tutavak's aim is superb. Guided by who knows what - Wisdom perhaps? - his arrow drives deep into Balor's eye and the fomorian falls. The thud of his passing shakes the already battered ceiling and another shower of rubble falls over the party. As Balor falls, Arianwyn teleports towards the exit, but can't completely avoid the rockfall. Darius in particular suffers some major bruising.
Balor down. Close burst 3 rubble fall v Ref. Miss half damage.
targeting Tutavak, Chary, Arianwyn, Darius
1d20+19=32 v Tutavak. Hits.
1d20+19=20 v Chary. Miss (half damage)
1d20+19=26 v Arianwyn. Miss (half damage)
1d20+19=39 v Darius. (What is it with Darius? He's some kind of crit magnet.)
4d8+8=23
40 damage to Darius
23 damage to Tutavak
11 damage to Chary and Arianwyn
1d20+19=39 v Darius. (What is it with Darius? He's some kind of crit magnet.)
That's the sixth one already I think.
"Boom! Headshot," exclaims the warden, as Tutavak delivers the fatal shot. However Darius' exuberance is short-lived, as a rather large chunk of ceiling soon falls on his head.
Kia uses her most inspiring voice and urges everyone out. Arianwyn speeds through the exit followed by Ciocal and the newly formed group converge in the passage.
Behind you the roof finally gives way and tumbles, filling the chamber with all but impassible rubble and providing a fitting tomb for the Shaman and Ciocal's former allies.
The fomorian holds the stone lovingly and sits down.
"Now we shall contemplate Wisdom's might," he announces before closing his eyes and starting to chant.
Tutavak is away until 24 and then it is the holiday season with a vengeance, when I'm not expecting a lot of posting. I think this is a decent place to pause until everyone gets back up to speed.
I hate to do this, but I'm going to. Without Arianwyn, this is a very hard game to run. After three years and close on 20,000 posts, I'm officially shutting Rune Stones down. This is the one game I never wanted to see wither, but I think the time has come.
I'd like to thank everyone who's ever played in the campaign for their time, imagination and energy. It taught me how to run a pbp and how to DM and has given me some amazing memories. The campaign may yet re-surface, but for now, our heroes are left contemplating a Rune Stone - which may not be the worst place they could be :)
Just as a side note - this is by far the longest running 4e campaign on the boards and has gone from 1-15 level. I'm pretty proud of that.
For some reason, Kia suddenly feels very sad. As if something momentous is happening, but in a very distant way. She gazes at the rune stone and tries to extract the wisdom of the moment from it.
A great shame, but I understand. I will be up for a restart if it ever comes to that. Thanks for a wonderful campaign. I feel proud to have ben able to be a part of it.
And well you should be. Vel is one I tell war stories about, and Tutavak has his own place in my memory. But characters don't thrive in a vacuum -- this has truly been a grand joint effort.
Sad here too, but it simplifies my decision of which campaign to continue...I am teaching my first lecture course this semester and can already see it will be a HUGE time sink. Thanks for a great time introducing me to this fun story line. If this story re-awakens, please keep me in mind! you are a fun and engaging DM...which is a rare find. Thanks so much!
