Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris Shannon 719

I think I took appropriate penalties for the AMF which is detailed in the spoiler.

Glimmil swings Claw-Whomper, now nothing more than an ordinary gnomish hook-hammer wielded by one of Garl's most powerful, if not most powerful champion on Oerth at the evil eye-monster.

"I've got this one Cog, stay back!"

Glimmil then shouts to any villagers still integrated.

"RUNNNN! For your lives!"

Lay Hands (Su): 8d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 2, 6, 4, 6, 5) = 32

Round 4, Initiative 15, Location R25->S33 (10’ up)

Atol finally makes his way out of the fog though he uses his blessings to do so. He can finally see the battlefield! (move to S33 10’ up)

Eyeing the, well, eye, he casts Flame Strike, Reflex DC 20 sending a column of holy fire into the air!
SR Check: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Damage (if it matters): 15d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 4, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2, 4, 4, 5) = 47 (24 Fire, 23 Holy)

Atol uses Blessings of Fervor for +30’ move this round.

Ongoing Spell Effects
Gain 13 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.
Air Walk, communal (Atol, Glimmil, Cog…)
Blessing of Fervor (everyone but Dyrant)

Round 3, Init 25 >N40 +50'

Toffitt clicks his heels together and flies beneath Vhalantru. He shoots for the villain's underbelly, finding a very vulnerable chink in its armor.

Holy Longbow: 1d20 + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 47
12 bab +8 dex +1 magic +2 bracers +1 haste +1 heroes +2 fervor
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 + 1 + (1, 4) = 17
Sneak? 2 Str+: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 4, 4, 5, 5, 1, 5) = 36

Confirm?: 1d20 + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 47
Damage: 2d8 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7, 1) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 18

Round 4, Init 21

Elemental #1 (HP 104/123) continues to exist, which is nice.
1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 5 = 30 Will vs. charm
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Will vs. inflict (19 damage)
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Will vs. slow

Elemental #1 slams the beholderjerk:
1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 21 - 3 = 20 to hit; (power attack,slow,air superiority)
2d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 7 + 6 = 20 damage.

Elemental #2 (HP 123/123) chooses not exist this round, wondering how he can think and still not be. Truly, if one's existence depends on being seen and felt, how could he exist? However, if he does not exist, how can he think? He airy minds spins with the implications of non-existence.

Dyrant flies to U28 and casts Sleet Storm (40'radius at 70' up at M38/39).

Dyrant cheers on his minions.

Finn & Toffitt have good Fortune for 2 more rounds. Fortune (Su):The witch can grant a creature within 30 feet a bit of good luck for 3 rounds. The target can call upon this good luck once per round, allowing him to reroll any ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better result.

Glimmil takes the minimal damage from each of the three rays. He heals himself while striking Vhalantru twice.

Toffitt moves up under Vhalantru and puts an arrow into his underside, apparently catching the beholder unaware.

Dyrant moves up to the edge of the fog and casts sleet storm just to make the GM's life difficult. The one air elemental's sluggish attack misses the beholder.

Atol emerges from the fog to find Vhalantru hidden within Dyrant's sleet storm. He casts his spell anyway and steam rises up from the combination of fire and water. And the beholder is unharmed due to spell resistance.

Vhalantru: 9 Anti-magic eye open this round. 150' cone outlined in red, but not filled in as that's a pain every round.
Damage: 16,32,15,34,17,36,18=168

Finneas still to go

Finneas flies to join Toffitt beneath Vhalantru.

Using BoF for speed to get in place.

"How is he alive again?"

Greatsword Magic Cold Iron Holy Evil Outsider Bane: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30
Damage: 3d6 + 23 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) + 23 = 32
Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
Evil Outsider: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
+2 Hit/Damage against Evil Outsider.

Finneas emerges from the fog and strikes Vhalantru before Dyrant's sleet storm.

Vhalantru turns his main eyes onto Finneas and Toffitt, dropping them 20' onto the rooftop below. If I've missed some reason not, let me know.

He then moves away from them (provoking from Glimmil).

Vhalantru fires into the sleet storm hoping to catch Glimmil with a lucky shot.

1st - disintegrate: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (10) + 26 = 36 DC 18 Fort save
save made: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 5, 5) = 17
Additional damage for failed save: 23d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 5, 1, 5, 1, 1, 6, 3, 2, 5, 6, 5, 5, 4, 6, 4, 3, 4, 6, 3, 4) = 85
miss chance (high good): 1d100 ⇒ 97

2nd - finger of death: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (2) + 26 = 28 DC 18 Fort save
140 points damage or save for 3d6+14 [/dice]
miss chance (high good): 1d100 ⇒ 21

3rd - flesh to stone: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 40 DC 18 Fort save
miss chance (high good): 1d100 ⇒ 63

Round 4
Glimmil: 3
Cog
Round 5
Finneas: 25
Toffitt: 24
Dyrant: 21
Atol: 15
Vhalantru: 9 Anti-magic eye open this round. 150' cone outlined in red, but not filled in as that's a pain every round.
Damage: 16,32,15,34,17,36,18,32,11=211

[ooc]The anti magic cone is getting to hard to show. It's north of Vhalantru, from 50' down to ground level. So Glimmil is still in the storm. Finneas and Toffitt are in the anti magic field with a clear view of Vhalantru, but are currently dropping to the rooftop below if I have things right.

@Chris: Can you confirm Glimmil can actually move beyond the anti-magic field so his magic mojo works and actually move to Vhalantru (provoking of course) - i.e. to his side - where he's not in the AMF? This will help me figure out all the modifiers that come back into play (or don't). Not looking for a charge, he can take an arcing path as needed with his flight speed improved by BoF.

Round 5, Initiative 15, Location S33->T34 (10’ up)

Atol, unable to see once again, worries about his friends fighting the great eye. Are they injured? Do they need healing? What’s going on in there?

In the end, he decides not to try and wade in to find out, but rather to summon additional eyes. He begins to cast Summon Monster VII as a slide a few feet along the slush-line (5' step).

Atol uses Blessings of Fervor for +2attacks/AC/reflex saves this round.

Ongoing Spell Effects
Gain 13 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.
Air Walk, communal (Atol, Glimmil, Cog…)
Blessing of Fervor (everyone but Dyrant)

Round 5, Init 21

Elemental #1 (SLOW) (HP 104/123) does not exist.

Elemental #2 (HP 123/123) chooses not exist again.

Not that the Beholder can see him though the fogs he will be flying through, but Dyrant flies to U38 and draws a scroll of sleet storm.

Finn & Toffitt have good Fortune for 1 more round. Fortune (Su):The witch can grant a creature within 30 feet a bit of good luck for 3 rounds. The target can call upon this good luck once per round, allowing him to reroll any ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better result.

AoO: 1d20 + 22 + 1 - 0 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 22 + 1 - 0 + 6 - 2 = 39 for 1d6 + 7 + 10 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 10 + 15 - 2 = 31
Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Fort DC18 v disintegrate: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (10) + 26 = 36
Fort DC18 v finger of death: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (11) + 26 = 37
Fort DC18 v flesh to stone: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (9) + 26 = 35

17 from disintegrate. Typo in GMChris post meant the 3d6+14 from finger didn't roll, so I'll roll that here:

Finger damage: 3d6 + 14 ⇒ (3, 5, 2) + 14 = 24

Total damage taken: 17+24=41

Lay hands: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 5, 1, 6, 4, 5) = 30

Net damage: 11 .. Glimmil to 137/175

Glimmil's glowing, winged form continues to deflect most of the beholder's eye rays as he continues to grit his brilliant, shining white teeth and spin Claw-Whomper around as he closes with the monster again.

AoO as Glimmil closes.

Claw-Whomper (power, feast): 1d20 + 22 + 1 - 0 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 22 + 1 - 0 + 6 - 2 = 36 for 1d6 + 7 + 10 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 10 + 15 - 2 = 33
Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Can't quite tell how far down the anti-magic cone would go, but will assume that Toffitt falls.

Falling damage with auto-Acrobatics: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Negated by ablative armor.

After he hits the roof, Toffitt uses his boots to reposition himself under Vhalantru. He fires up at the fiend's belly again.

Longbow v. flatfooted (invisible): 1d20 + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 31
12 bab +8 dex +1 magic +2 bracers +1 heroes +1 haste +2 fervor +2 invisible
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + (1, 2) = 13
Sneak: 2 Str +: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 5, 3, 3, 6, 1) = 31

Sorry, completely missed that it was my turn.

Finneas scowls as he is dropped to the ground and sheathes his sword, drawing his bow.

Vhalantru manages to survive the assault by Glimmil and Finneas and decides to hold his ground. He bites at Glimmil as he approaches
AoO at Glimmil: 1d20 + 27 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 27 - 1 = 29
damage: 2d6 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 - 1 = 8

He closes his main eye and then bites again.
AoO at Glimmil: 1d20 + 27 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 27 - 2 = 38
damage: 2d6 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 6 - 2 = 13

Finally he follows up with his eye rays, hoping for a bit of luck as he takes a 5' float away from Glimmil.
1st - disintegrate: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (9) + 26 = 35 DC 18 Fort save
save made: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 2, 6) = 13
Additional damage for failed save: 23d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 6, 1, 2, 1, 3, 4, 2, 3, 1, 1, 3, 4, 5, 4, 2, 3, 1, 2, 4, 6) = 67
20% miss chance (high good): 1d100 ⇒ 49

2nd - finger of death: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (3) + 26 = 29 DC 18 Fort save
140 points damage or save for 3d6 + 14 ⇒ (2, 3, 5) + 14 = 24
20% miss chance (high good): 1d100 ⇒ 92

3rd - flesh to stone: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (1) + 26 = 27DC 18 Fort save
20% miss chance (high good): 1d100 ⇒ 99

Round 5
Glimmil: 3
Cog
Round 6
Finneas: 25
Toffitt: 24
Dyrant: 21
Atol: 15
Vhalantru: 9 Anti-magic eye closed this round.
Damage: 16,32,15,34,17,36,18,32,11,31,33,6,13-10+31,=314

The blue still marks the sleet storm.

Round 6, Init 21

Both air elementals use their 100' spring attack ability to leave sleet storm, attack the beholder, then go back into the safety of the fog.

Elemental #1 (HP 104/123) continues to exist, which is nice.
1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 21 - 3 = 28 to hit; (power attack,slow,air superiority)
2d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 7 + 6 = 20 damage.

Elemental #2 (HP 123/123) slams the beholderjerk:
1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 21 - 3 = 19 to hit; (power attack,slow,air superiority)
2d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (7, 7) + 7 + 6 = 27 damage.

Dyrant flies out of the fog to check on his minions and the state of the beholder, and flies back into the fog as he realizes there is no cover for him, no safety.

Round 6, Initiative 15, Location T34->V38 (30’ up)

Atol finishes casting his Summon Monster VII.

He summons 1d3 ⇒ 2 Lillend Azatas onto the field of battle. He summons them in the neighborhood of W42 on the roof (30’ up). He then moves up V38 30’ up - using the blessings for speed. He casts Prayer effecting Finneas, the Lilends, and himself (big combat!).

The Lilends immediately begin to sing as a choir of angels (well a small choir anyway) and scatter as they draw their swords. Their song provides a +2 bonus to attacks and damage (competence) and a +2 to charm and fear effects (morale) to the party via Bardic Inspire Courage.

Lillend One flies to R/S-45/46 and 50’ up and Lillend Two flies to R/S-48/49 and 45’ up.

Atol uses Blessings of Fervor for movement this round.

Ongoing Spell Effects
Gain 13 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.
Air Walk, communal (Atol, Glimmil, Cog…)
Blessing of Fervor (everyone but Dyrant)
Prayer (Atol, Finneas, and the Lilends)
Bardic Song: +2 bonus to attacks and damage (competence) and a +2 to charm and fear effects (morale)

Finneas using the Blessing of Fervor to fire four arrows at the beholder.

Bow #1: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 20 - 4 = 34
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Bow #2: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 20 - 4 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bow #3: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 15 - 4 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Bow #4: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 4 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bow #2 Confirm: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 6) + 6 = 19

He frowns as the arrows go every which way and thanks Himself that no innocent bystanders remain alive to catch one.

Male: Maybe this isn't your bag.
Female: The gnome makes it look easy.
Male: Well he doesn't have to draw back as far.
Female: I'm sure that's it. Keep firing!

Fort DC18 v disintegrate: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 40
Fort DC18 v finger of death: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (19) + 26 = 45
Fort DC18 v flesh to stone: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (11) + 26 = 37

13+13+24=50 damage taken

Lay Hands: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 6, 6, 1, 1, 5, 4) = 27

Net 23 taken

Traveling and rebuilding my macros to post attack rolls at the minute, will post attacks in a moment.

Glimmil continues to glow with divine light, gliding towards the beholder and swinging Claw-Whomper in a blurred flurry.

Round 6, Init 24 >Q45 +65'

Toffitt clicks his heels, flies up and sends a single shot flying at Vhalantru.

Holy longbow: 1d20 + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 + (5, 5) = 24
Sneak + 2 Str: 8d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 4, 1, 3, 1, 5) = 24

The next few seconds are bad ones for this version of Vhalantru as he is struck again and again by arrow, elemental, and hammer. His remains splatter on the rooftop and ground below.

Dyrant, hearing a loud crash flies out of the fog, assuming that Finn yet again lies facedown in a expanding puddle of his own blood and failure, and is surprised to see Vhalantru down instead.

Thinking quickly, he commands the elementals to clear out the fog and cloud from the area and avoid harming or destroying any more of Greyhawk.

"Atol! Come out! It is fine now...Vhalantru is dead, at least for the moment! See to the citizens!" Dyrant flies about, looking for anyone who might need rescue.

Then he will check Vhalantru for magics...for he doubts the creature could have made it here unaided, let alone find the party. There must be some reason it attacked the Greyhawk Five.5.

Toffitt alights next to the blood spatter that was Vhalantru. "Atol, what would you say to consecrating this steaming pile against further resurrection?" He quickly begins looking for survivors who may need the care of a chirurgeon.

Atol commands the Lillend Azatas to spread out and heal any they can (lots of spells). He then follows suit, using his healing touch on any he encounters with injuries. Those who are more injured are gathered together (along with any party members injured) for a channnel.
Channel Energy healing: 10d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 4, 2, 4, 1, 1, 6, 1) = 23

When he’s done what he can for the injured, he returns to the party and the Beholder.

Toffitt alights next to the blood spatter that was Vhalantru. "Atol, what would you say to consecrating this steaming pile against further resurrection?" He quickly begins looking for survivors who may need the care of a chirurgeon.

”We should disintegrate the body, that will make it harder. I can’t do that though.” he looks disheartened.

Atol uses Blessings of Fervor for movement to get to the injured until it expires.

Ongoing Spell Effects
Gain 13 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.
Air Walk, communal (Atol, Glimmil, Cog…)
Blessing of Fervor (everyone but Dyrant)
Prayer (Atol, Finneas, and the Lilends)

Toffitt muses. Show off.

Finneas gazes impassively on the beholder as it crashes to the ground, gripping his bow.

[i]Guess I should have used that earlier.[/ooc]

He does nothing to aid the injured. They will recover on their own, or not.

"Did we leave enough of this beast to come back the last time? I don't remember any more. Who would bring it back, and why I wonder?"

Some of the party tends to the wounded that they can find while others muse over what has occurred. Unlike the previous incarnation of Vhalantru, this one does not have any magical rings upon his eyestalks. His power and size appears to have been contained wholly in his new form.

Dyrant grumbles, looking over the beholder's dead body. He adds more questions to his list.

Glimmil soars over to the fallen Greyhawkians, tending to any injured while Cog zips down thanks to Atol's spell and joins him.

In a matter of a few minutes, his angelic wings disperse and Glimmil wipes the sweat from his brow.

"Whew! Do-badders coming back to get us! Can we speak to him now that he's dead and ask him who sent him?"

Glimmil then nods to Atol.

"Then, disintegrate him?"

Atol takes a breather when the injured are dealt with and wipes his brow.

Returning to the others, already munching on a snack, he says, ”I preserved my divinations, so we can still Commune and Discern Location when we’re ready. With Dyrant’s additions, I think we have a full slate.”

• Does Kord yet live?
  
• Is finding Kord more important than killing Embril?
  
• Does Embril have Kord?
  
• Do we need to go to Carceri to get Kord?
  
• Is Kord in (im)mortal danger?
  
• Is it possible for us to elevate Finn in place of Kord?
  
• Is Cauldron still in realistic danger from the Cagewrights?
  
• Is Cauldron still important to the Cagewright’s plans?
  
• Do we have everything we need to regain Kord?
  
• Is Embril in Carceri?
  
• Is Cauldron still in danger?
  
• Is the danger threatening Cauldron in Carceri?
  
• Did Embril send the beholder back to us?
  
• Is Embril on our world?
  
• Was the Vhalantru sent against us out of revenge?
  

If no one is opposed, Atol will cast Commune with these questions.

Dyrant waits the results of Atol's queries of the big St. C.

Atol communes with St. Cuthbert and receives the following answers:

• Does Kord yet live? YES
  
• Is finding Kord more important than killing Embril? YES
  
• Does Embril have Kord? NO
  
• Do we need to go to Carceri to get Kord?YES
  
• Is Kord in (im)mortal danger? YES
  
• Is it possible for us to elevate Finn in place of Kord? YES
  
• Is Cauldron still in realistic danger from the Cagewrights? NO
  
• Is Cauldron still important to the Cagewright’s plans? NO
  
• Do we have everything we need to regain Kord?YES
  
• Is Embril in Carceri? YES
  
• Is Cauldron still in danger? NO
  
• Is the danger threatening Cauldron in Carceri?
  
• Did Embril send the beholder back to us? NO
  
• Is Embril on our world? NO
  
• Was the Vhalantru sent against us out of revenge? NO
  

Atol repeats the answers, slowly and evenly so he doesn't get anything wrong in the retelling.

"I didn't memorize Plane Shift today, and we need a tuning fork for Carceri anyway, which I was going to buy today. But I suggest we make haste first thing tomorrow for Carceri and track down Kord just as quickly as we can."

He frets a moment and suggests, "Maybe we can get a scroll today? I dunno, but we should look into it. Discern Location should help us pinpoint him when we get there, but it might still be a long journey."

He starts mumbling, "Let's see, I'll need Plane Shift, Wind Walk, Discern Location..."

"Oh... Oohh! I should cast Discern Location today, on Kord, so we know where to try to Plane Shift tomorrow. Then when we get close tomorrow, I can do it again to refine our search in case he's been moved."

Atol smiles with pride, having figured it all out. He waits for other suggestions and looks for holes in his plan.

"I would wish to leave right away. But it's best we be prepared. Whatever spare money I have you may take to purchase the necessary tuning fork and funds. I don't even know what I would need. What do we know of Carceri?"

Dyrant facepalms nearly once for every 'yes' answer and grimaces twice again for every 'no' answer. And again, he is left with more questions to be asked than ones that were answered.

He ponders again, eating a remnant of a Saintly Sancrosant Cinnamon Scone that he found under the table after Vhalatru was finished. He dust and disintegrated people ash easily brushed off.

He doesn't mind the few crumbs that travel down his shirt; he is lost in thought and thought is lost in him.

"Oh... Oohh! I should cast Discern Location today, on Kord, so we know where to try to Plane Shift tomorrow. Then when we get close tomorrow, I can do it again to refine our search in case he's been moved."

"Yes, yes, Atol. That is a good plan. We should move immediately to sell what we took in the last raid. We might be able to purchase some helpful alchemicals and protections more for the upcoming battles. I do like the idea of fighting our last battles on Carceri, but we shall if we must."

Dyrant looks from face to face, scanning each member of the Cauldron 5.5, studying them again as if for the first time.

"Dr. Toffitt, you will accompany me to sell the goods. You did it last time and we can call upon the same merchants again. Atol. make your preparations as you suggested, be sure that we have a way home. Finn, it might be that you contemplate your connection to Kord. You may be taking his place. Glim, uh...Glim...good boy."

Do we want to do math on selling the loot or say 10-20k gp each?

Atol casts Discern Location, looking to know the current location of Kord.

He'll then head to the church to make a few purchases... (I should have the money for this much at least I suspect)

Scroll of Plane Shift (1,125gp)
Tuning forks for Carceri and our home plane
First Aid Gloves (4,500gp) (if available naturally)

Glimmil taps his foot waiting outside for Atol's inquiries of Saint Cuthbert.

I'd ask Garl all these questions, but he'd likely just answer in riddles instead of yes or no. I think he's the one god that'd do that..

Glimmil continues to ponder how Kord could get himself trapped .

Clearly, he's not as tricky as Garl...

Glimmil shakes his thoughts of Garl away when Atol and Dyrant make their way back to the church's common area and brief him, Finn and the doctor on their answers.

"So, we're going to Carceri? What would we need to prepare to go there?"

Toffitt helps sort out those survivors of Vhalantru whose injuries cannot be cured by straightforward healing magic. Several lost limbs, destroyed by a glancing blow from the creature's disintegrating ray. "Your wounds are grievous, but given some time I can restore what's lost. First, though, my friends and I must go to stop the source of these attacks, once and for all. Please forgive me for the delay."

Returning to his comrades, he hands Atol two vial. "Drink these, and you'll be freed from any bonds for some period of time within the next sixteen days."

Delayed consumption infusion and Freedom of Movement. Basically Freedom of movement can be activated as an immediate action within 1/day per level of consuming both.

"Dyrant, I'm ready."

Atol takes the infusions and quaffs them.

"Wow Doctor, your drinks sure have gone far these days! Two weeks! Wow!" Atol is impressed and tries to remember he has the ability...

Finneas nods.

"They do stick around Atol. Now, let's go save Kord."

Some divinations, some research, and some gnomish luck and the party finds themselves in Carceri the next day. Tracking the invasion of demodands that assaulted Cauldron, the party finds what must have been the rallying point of the army that would have continued through the portal if it had remained open. Looming over the field is a bare back rock. Upon it stands a towering white edifice over two hundred feet high. Frightful screams and howls fill the air around the structure. Dozens of iron cages hang from bone spurs along the outside walls of the upper floors, each one holding a humanoid skeleton or corpse. Four massive, horned skulls surmount the structure.

The field is a gruesome place even for a demonic plane. Apparently the demons turned on each other in frustration at being denied escape or perhaps just out of sheer boredom. In a sick way, the sight probably brings a warm fuzzy feeling to many of the party. Strange leprous fungi and other fruiting bodies grow from the field of carrion with hideous, almost visible speed. Rooting through the horrific mess are dozens of lumbering scavenger beasts the size of elephants. These six-legged creatures look vaguely like huge hippopotami with long, flat tails, and the thunderous sound of their bellows and open-mouth fungus chewing fills the air with a rumbling accompaniment to the howls and shrieks from the tower itself. One creature in particular is truly massive in size, its ridged back nearly as tall as the tower itself--the others give this cantankerous-looking bull a wide berth as it roots through its horrid dinner near the tower.

That morning Atol prepares himself for the journey ahead and packs extra scones and water just in case.

When he reaches the plane, he shudders. What a place of evil.

He tries to say something to the others, but his voice chokes up in his throat and he remains silent, but for a little throaty gurgle. He tries again, swallowing hard as if trying to clear a stale scone, ”So we have to go in there?”

Ongoing Spell Effects
Gain 9 temporary hit points, +1 (morale) attack rolls/Will saves, and +4 (morale) on poison/fear saves from the heroes' feast for 12 hours.

Do we want to do math on selling the loot or say 10-20k gp each?

Dyrant, now knowing the threats expected, purchases a few magical items on his way out the plane.

4*Dweomer's Essence
1 wand of Magic Circle of Protection 10'
1 pearl of power 5

He wishes he could do and buy more in preparation, but he can only do what time permits.

Dyrant prepares and is ready to go.

* * *

Dyrant stares at the desolation, wishing it wasn't him who had to do this. But St. Cuthbert, the True Cudgel, had put him on this path. He, and his trusty sidekicks, needed to go into that desolate edifice and find Kord.

He looks over at Atol, then Glim, then Finn, and then Dr. Toffitt. How far they had come...and this was it. Death, oblivion, or worse were there potential fates.

Dyrant takes takes to the sky (overland flight, up 10') and is ready to move in. Anyone want an overland flight?

Finneas stares at the landscape, sword gripped firmly in his hand. His eye smokes fitfully, happier to be here than the head it's embedded in.

"I think so Atol. We should avoid those creatures, no sense weakening ourselves."

I'll take an overland flight - though I also have air walk, communal if more than me needs it. Thanks Dyrant!

Overland flight is personal. :-/

The party gives the grazing behemoths some space and looks over the looming tower. There appears to be a single entrance, a balcony on the second level.

Glimmil and Cog graciously accept Atol's offer to allow them to travel by air and glide towards the tower.

Glimmil pauses little before heading towards the balcony with Cog in tow.

Air Walk Communal with Finneas, Atol, Cog, and Glimmil (just in case) means it'll last 40 minutes (30 minutes for Atol).

As soon as the spell is cast, Atol starts climbing into the air and heading toward the entrance.

Toffitt uses his wand of invisibility and flies up into the air. He circles the tower, idly imbibing extracts as he surveys the tower and the surrounding landscape.