Round 3, Init 30
Toffitt attempts to tumble through the big bruiser, turning his nose up at the sloppy sutures as he goes. My goodness, is that the arm of a movanic deva? Tsk. What a pity.
Once flanking, he does his best to undo some of the sloppy work.
He catches Atol's eye as he does so. "How many evils have they built like this, only for us to take them apart? Someday it'll be back to gardening and healing for us, Brother Lem. Maybe tomorrow?"
Finneas manages only a single blow, but at least it's a good one. Toffitt dances along the remains of the first until he finds a good spot to attack. A disembodied brain and a pair of lungs float behind him in a vat as he finishes off the second golem.
Dyrant will check if anyone needs healing before going into the room to examine the brain and lungs.
The brain is too big to belong to Kord. I'm looking for something much smaller, like Finn's.
Casting Detect Magic, Dyrant tries to make sense of the laboratory (?).
Toffitt examines the jar carefully, wondering if the alchemical reagents might somehow be sustaining the brain's function.
Glimmil peeks out from behind his shield as the golems fall before leaping up on top of one and hammering it sharply in the chest with Claw-Whomper.
"And once again, we dispatch justice! Cauldron Five style!"
Glimmil gives a nod to the others as he rubs his wounds.
Absolutely. Atol makes wands, and has several for this trip. Just heal thyself and I'll track the charges.
Finneas shakes his head at the giant floating organs.
"One room down. No Kord here."
Having healed up, the party tries another door. This one opens to reveal four cells. Inside each one the prisoner is bound by the wrists, ankles, neck and waist to the walls, floors, and ceiling. Their bonds are spiked chains that glow red as the embers of a dying camp fire. Each one of them, even the golem, screams incoherent babble continuously.
Glimmil frowns when he spots the prisoners.
"Hey! We need to free them!"
Trotting ahead, he hesitates, realizing he didn't become a holy instrument of Glittergarl for charging ahead without thinking.
Well, that's not the only reason...
Dyrant looks at the gnome, then at Atol.
"Atol, do you think any of these prisoners can be saved? Or are they so far tormented that none of your healing will fix them?"
Heal
Atol wonders the same, but no matter what, they need to be freed first.
Finneas moves quickly to each prisoner, searching any of them for a sign that they are Kord.
"Kord? Kord? Kord!"
Only the succubus detects as evil.
Dyrant and Atol seem to lack knowledge of extra-dimensional magical prisons and their affects on prisoners.
Finneas receives no replies to his calls.
Toffitt glances at the prisoners, assessing the extent of their predicament—not to mention what their origins may be.
"I don't know if we can heal them, but let us free them at least and decide whether to put them out of their misery when we've done so."
"Glimmil are there locks you can pick? If not, Finneas, cut them down please!"
Atol looks helplessly at the pain and suffering of the creatures contained...
Toffitt raises an interceding hand. "Brother Lem, this being Carceri, it may be these are vile souls sent to here for punishment. Let us not be too hasty with our sympathies."
He looks at the screaming forms and shakes his head, "Nothing is deserving of this."
He thinks a little more, "OK, maybe some things are, but I cannot take that chance. Either we free them or kill them, but we cannot just leave them." he says firmly.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Stop, Atol. Just stop it," Dyrant grumbles. "We don't have time to waste on these here now. They are likely too far gone and we have more pressing matters elsewhere. We cannot fight if we are...'shackled'...like they are."
Dyrant grimaces, he doesn't like it, but it's the best option.
"We can come back if we live. Or maybe Kord will do us the favor of fixing them. But for now, we must stay focused."
Dyrant readies to move on, angry at himself for even letting Atol get this caught up in things.
Glimmil hesitates, torn between Atol's compassionately plea and Dyrant's belligerent request to remain focused.
He stays frozen in indecision before finally blinking and nodding.
"We'll come back. Dyrant's promised, and we'll do what we can!"
Whistling, he hops back onto Cog and is off.
Finnneas nods with the Sconemaster's words.
"We're here for Kord and to end the threat of this plane, we can worry about random prisoners after."
Atol, his heart heavy at the suffering he leaves behind, agrees with his comrades and leaves the room, closing the door behind him with a click. That click will remain in his mind for some time to come...
"Let us hurry" he says as he moves to the next door.
Time seems to stand still as the party considers the fate of the prisoners. What seems like a week is only a few seconds before the party moves on.
The southern wing of the tower also contains similar cells. This time there is a hound archon, a kelubar demodand, a valor demon and a blue slaad. None of them look familiar to the party.
Each wing of the second and third floors of the tower contains more cells with an array of demodands, devils, devas, and golems.
As the party explores the fourth floor of the tower, they encounter an Annis (Hag) exiting a room whose door is flanked by a pair flesh golems. She has black scraggly hair and pebbly, midnight blue skin. She carries a black jug.
"Welcome! We have plenty of room for you."
Glimmil tilts his head.
Cog tilts his head.
Gnome looks at dog.
Dog looks at gnome.
Finally, both look towards the others, particularly Dyrant.
Glimmil manages a low sound, not unlike an, "errr..." as he shakes his head and tests his paladin-y senses.
Finneas gives the Annis a hard look.
"Where is Kord?"
"Kord?"
The Annis runs her finger along the side of her face, doing a zig-zag pattern around the bumps.
"Former god? About so tall?" She holds her hand up high.
"Looks like a drowned rat and whimpers like a puppy?" She puffs out her lips and somehow manages to make a tear roll down her cheek.
She scratches her head and smirks at the two golems beside her.
"No. Can't say that I have."
Atol HP: 114/114
Angel HP: 53/53 +9
Weapon Equipped = Cudgel
Conditions = Ablative Barrier (0/50hp, 1/16h), Ant Haul (1/15h), Heroes' Feast (1/12h), Magic Vestment (1/13h), Mind Blank, Air Walk, communal (5/30m), blessings of fervor
Channel Energy (DC21)(Avoid 5): 9/10
Healing Touch: Nobody
Resistant Touch Left: 8/8
Strength Surge Left: 6/8
Bestow Resolve: 2/2
Purifying Touch: 2/2
Freedom of Movement: 1/1 (1/16d, immediate action)
Cudgel of the Cauldron Five (8/10)
Pearl of Power Left: first (2/2), second (1/1), third (1/1)
Cassock of the Clergy: Spark; Bless, Sanctuary (DC11)
Chainmail of Luck: Hit re-roll (1/1w)
Metamagic Rod of Silence (lesser:3) (3/3)
Metamagic Rod of Reach (normal:6) (3/3)
Spellguard Bracers (2 concentration rolls) (3/3)
Spells Remaining: (Caster Level: 15, Concentration Check: 22 (+2 defensively))
0) Create Water, Guidance, Light, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize -- Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1) Protection from Evil;
2)
3) Magical Vestment; Create Food and Water, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Invisibility Purge,
4) Spell Immunity;
5) Spell Resistance;
6)
7) Grasping Hand; Holy Word, Summon Monster VII
8)
Atol steps back 5’ in surprise as much as anything. ”That’s… that’s just evil! Why would you say that?” Then it occurs to him, she is evil!
He immediately casts Blessing of Fervor and yells simply, ”That’s evil!”
Shouting the obvious, Atol sends the party into battle.
Cog
Round 1
Toffitt = 29
Dyrant = 24
Glimmil = 17
Cog
Finneas = 16+
Annis and golems = 16
Atol = 10
Round 1
Glimmil blinks, looking back at Atol, then at the hag and her "guards".
Wait? I'm charging before they do?
Not one to look a gift riding dog in the eye, Glimmil lowers his lance and charges ahead, his visor snapping shut as he closes on fleshy-golem-monster.
for
Round 1, Init 29 > S20 +15'
Toffitt shrugs at Atol and pours a vile down his throat, disappearing as he does so. He then quietly flies up in the air toward the furthest golem.
Active effects/conditions
+ Ablative barrier (50)
+ Ant haul
+ Barkskin
+ Delayed consumption (death ward)
+ Endure elements
+ Haste
+ Heroes Feast
+ Heroism
+ Improved invisibility
+ Mutagen
+ Overland flight
Init +12 Perception +30 Sense Motive +29
AC 41 / 42 crowd control (26 touch; uncanny dodge)
CMB +15 CMD 35 (+13 BAB, +8 Dex, +2 Str, +2 Ring)
HP 169 / 169
Fort +21 Reflex +23 Will +14 (+2 v. enchant)
Immune Poison, disease, nonlethal, cold, sleep, paralysis
Other Defenses -4 to ability damage, -2 to ability drain, 25% chance to avoid crit/precision damage
Weapon Equipped None
Mutagen ACTIVE (+4 Dex, +6 Con, +4 AC, -2 Wis, -2 Cha, 16 hour duration)
Elixirs
1 Ant haul ACTIVE 32 hours
- Endure elements ACTIVE 24 hours
- Enlarge person (Finneas)
- Shield (Finneas)
- Shield
- open
2 Ablative barrier 15 hours ACTIVE
- Ablative barrier 15 hours (Atol)
- Barkskin +5 (Finneas)
- Barkskin +5 ACTIVE
- Perceive cues
- open
3 Heroism ACTIVE
- Heroism
- Resist energy, communal
- Fly (Finneas)
- open
- open
4 Echolocation
- Freedom of movement
- Greater invisibility ACTIVE
- Greater Invisibility
- open
5 Delayed consumption (death ward) ACTIVE
- Overland flight ACTIVE
- open
6 Heal
Eternal Potion Haste
Hero Points 1
Controlled Rage 0 of 5 rounds used
Healing touch 0 hp of 80hp used
Boots of speed 0 of 10 rounds used
Boro Beads, lvl 1 0 of 2 used
Boro Beads, lvl 2 0 of 2 used
Boro Bead, lvl 3 0 of 1 used
Boro Bead, lvl 4 0 of 1 used
Preserving flask Shield
Wand of fireball 22 charges
Wand of invisibility 30 charges
Wand of Shield 20 charges
Wand of See Invisibility 1 charge
Round 1, Init 24
Wondering how he go so far from the rest of the party, Dyrant grumbles. He moves to as high as he can get in N20 and readies a Dispel Magic for any spellcasting he might see and dislikes.
Spellcraft
CL check vs. 11+ caster's CL
AC: 19 (+5 Dex, +4 MageArmor)
HP: 128/128 + 13 temp hp
Weapon Equipped = AngelRelic
Blessing of St. Cuthbert (+3 AC/Saves) = Cog/Atol
Healing Touched Today =
Favor of St. Cuthbert =
Connection Hex = Finneas
Fly: 0 of 16 minutes used
Fly, current iteration: 0 of 10 rounds used
Metamagic Rod Empower (2/3 used)
Metamagic Rod Extend (3/3 used)
Metamagic Rod Acid (0/3 used)
Metamagic Rod Silent (0/3 used)
AngelRelic (Staff of Fire) 10/10
Wand of Fly 20/28 charges
Scarab of Protection: 20 SR & 5/12 charges
Wand of Magic Missile (CL 7,24/25 left)
Mage Armor (he and Aralynn) (16 hours)
Overland Flight (16 hours, 40' fly)
Moment of Prescience (16 hours)
Heroism (160 minutes)
Death Ward (32 minutes)
Round 1
HP = 142/150
AC/T/FF = 30/14/28
Weapon Equipped = +1 Holy Cold Iron Greatsword
Speed = 30'
Rage/day = 16/16
Hero Points = 3
Moment of Clarity (1/rage) = 1/1
Dancing Lights (1/day) = 1/1
Ghost Sound (1/day) = 1/1
Guidance (1/rage) = 1/1 (+3 vs. fey/outsider/undead/incorporeal)
Mage Hand (1/day) = 1/1
Smite Evil (1/day) = 1/1 (+3 to hit, +16 to damage, +3 Deflection AC)
Extracts: Enlarge Person, Shield
Oracle Spells Known (CL 8th; concentration +15)
. . 4th 2/3 Blessing of Fervor[APG]*, CCW, Wall of Fire
. . 3rd 6/6 CSW, Deadly Juggernaut[UC], Dispel Magic, Magic Vestment, Speak with Dead*
. . 2nd 7/7 Augury, CMW, Fog Cloud, Grace[APG], Levitate, Minor Image*, Resist Energy, Lesser Restoration, See Invisibility
. . 1st 7/7 CLW, Divine Favor, Enhance Water, Enlarge Person*, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Shield of Faith
. . 0 Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Ghost Sound*, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Purify Food and Drink*, Spark[APG]*, Stabilize
* Allows save DC = 13 + Spell Level
Status Effects = Fly, Barkskin, BoF, Enlarge Person
Finneas quaffs the potions of enlargement from the Doctor, shuddering at the taste.
"Tell me where Kord is!"
Toffitt does everyone a favor and disappears as he moves up.
Dyrant readies to spoil the party.
Glimmil charges by and hits the golem well, but does not have the same glorious results he did on the first floor.
Finneas swallows Toffitt's bitter potion and gets closer to the size of the golems.
The annis holds her ground at the door while sending the golems forward.
"You poke my friend and then ask for information? Perhaps you are fit to be here. You and Kord will make a fine pair. The former god and the idiot god."
One golem smashes Finneas.
The other golem by luck corners Glimmil and prevents him from charging again.
Round 1
Atol = 10
Round 2
Toffitt = 29
Dyrant = 24
Glimmil = 17
Cog
Finneas = 16+
Annis and golems = 16
Golem 1
Golem 2 - (-64 HP)
Round 1, Initiative 10, Location O 15 (5’ up) -> N 16 (5’ up)
Atol HP: 114/114
Angel HP: 53/53 +9
Weapon Equipped = Cudgel
Conditions = Ablative Barrier (0/50hp, 1/16h), Ant Haul (1/15h), Heroes' Feast (1/12h), Magic Vestment (1/13h), Mind Blank, Air Walk, communal (5/30m), blessings of fervor
Channel Energy (DC21)(Avoid 5): 9/10
Healing Touch: Nobody
Resistant Touch Left: 8/8
Strength Surge Left: 5/8
Bestow Resolve: 2/2
Purifying Touch: 2/2
Freedom of Movement: 1/1 (1/16d, immediate action)
Cudgel of the Cauldron Five (8/10)
Pearl of Power Left: first (2/2), second (1/1), third (1/1)
Cassock of the Clergy: Spark; Bless, Sanctuary (DC11)
Chainmail of Luck: Hit re-roll (1/1w)
Metamagic Rod of Silence (lesser:3) (3/3)
Metamagic Rod of Reach (normal:6) (3/3)
Spellguard Bracers (2 concentration rolls) (3/3)
Spells Remaining: (Caster Level: 15, Concentration Check: 22 (+2 defensively))
0) Create Water, Guidance, Light, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize -- Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1) Protection from Evil;
2)
3) Magical Vestment; Create Food and Water, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Invisibility Purge,
4) Spell Immunity;
5) Spell Resistance;
6)
7) Grasping Hand; Holy Word, Summon Monster VII
8)
Atol takes a 5’ step away from the golem and touches dear Finneas with the strengthening power of St. Cuthbert.*
Round 2, Init 24
Dyrant maintains his focus on the hag (the annis) for spellcasting or trickery.
Dispel Check:
Spellcraft
CL check vs. 11+ caster's CL
Somewhat cornered by the golem, Glimmil whistles while he furiously thrusts his lance, each thrust happening in a split second.
for
for
for
for
for
for
for
Glimmil Status:
HP: 151/180 -29
AC: 35 (T 15 | FF 33)
(add: +3 when fighting defensively)
Spells:
1) [ ] Divine Favor [ ] Grace [ ] Hero's Defiance [ ] Lesser Restoration [ ] Word of Resolve
2) [ ] Holy Shield [ ] Litany of Righteousness [ ][ ] Paladin's Sacrifice [ ] Saddle Surge
3) [ ] Litany of Sight [ ][ ] Sky Steed
4) [ ] Greater Angelic Aspect [ ] Restoration
Abilities:
Smite Left: 4/6
Lay Hands Left: 12/14 (8d6, +1d6 if no mercy used)
Cavalier Challenge Left: 1/1
Winged Boots Left: 2/3
Cog Status:
HP 126/126
AC 31 (T 16 | FF 25) (+3 on top of this with Dyrant's Ward)
Cog Smite Left: 1/1
Round 2, Init 29
Toffitt flutters up next to the closer golem and attempts to free its constituent parts from each other.
Round 2
HP = 108/150
AC/T/FF = 30/14/28
Weapon Equipped = +1 Holy Cold Iron Greatsword
Speed = 30'
Rage/day = 16/16
Hero Points = 3
Moment of Clarity (1/rage) = 1/1
Dancing Lights (1/day) = 1/1
Ghost Sound (1/day) = 1/1
Guidance (1/rage) = 1/1 (+3 vs. fey/outsider/undead/incorporeal)
Mage Hand (1/day) = 1/1
Smite Evil (1/day) = 1/1 (+3 to hit, +16 to damage, +3 Deflection AC)
Extracts: Enlarge Person, Shield
Oracle Spells Known (CL 8th; concentration +15)
. . 4th 2/3 Blessing of Fervor[APG]*, CCW, Wall of Fire
. . 3rd 6/6 CSW, Deadly Juggernaut[UC], Dispel Magic, Magic Vestment, Speak with Dead*
. . 2nd 7/7 Augury, CMW, Fog Cloud, Grace[APG], Levitate, Minor Image*, Resist Energy, Lesser Restoration, See Invisibility
. . 1st 7/7 CLW, Divine Favor, Enhance Water, Enlarge Person*, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Shield of Faith
. . 0 Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Ghost Sound*, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Purify Food and Drink*, Spark[APG]*, Stabilize
* Allows save DC = 13 + Spell Level
Status Effects = Fly, Barkskin, BoF, Enlarge Person
Finneas uses his blessings from Atol to attempt a beat down of the golem.
Atol gives Finneas a hand, but Toffitt steals the show as he dismembers the golem into it's major component pieces of ogre, murlock, human, and succubus.
Dyrant continues to float warily.
Glimmil spears the other golem with his lance, but without the benefit of invisibility finds it a bit harder to make contact. Finneas doesn't waste Atol's blessing and finishes off the second golem.
The annis roars at the turn of events and charges at Finneas with her claw.
Round 1
Atol = 10
Round 2
Toffitt = 29
Dyrant = 24
Glimmil = 17
Cog
Finneas = 16+
Annis and golems = 16
Round 2, Initiative 10, Location N 16 (5’ up) -> R 20 (5’ up)
Atol HP: 114/114
Angel HP: 53/53 +9
Weapon Equipped = Cudgel
Conditions = Ablative Barrier (0/50hp, 1/16h), Ant Haul (1/15h), Heroes' Feast (1/12h), Magic Vestment (1/13h), Mind Blank, Air Walk, communal (5/30m), blessings of fervor
Channel Energy (DC21)(Avoid 5): 9/10
Healing Touch: Nobody
Resistant Touch Left: 8/8
Strength Surge Left: 4/8
Bestow Resolve: 2/2
Purifying Touch: 2/2
Freedom of Movement: 1/1 (1/16d, immediate action)
Cudgel of the Cauldron Five (8/10)
Pearl of Power Left: first (2/2), second (1/1), third (1/1)
Cassock of the Clergy: Spark; Bless, Sanctuary (DC11)
Chainmail of Luck: Hit re-roll (1/1w)
Metamagic Rod of Silence (lesser:3) (3/3)
Metamagic Rod of Reach (normal:6) (3/3)
Spellguard Bracers (2 concentration rolls) (3/3)
Spells Remaining: (Caster Level: 15, Concentration Check: 22 (+2 defensively))
0) Create Water, Guidance, Light, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize -- Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1) Protection from Evil;
2)
3) Magical Vestment; Create Food and Water, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Invisibility Purge,
4) Spell Immunity;
5) Spell Resistance;
6)
7) Grasping Hand; Holy Word, Summon Monster VII
8)
Feeling the fight is going well, Atol moves up behind Finneas and claps him on the shoulder.* ”God’s strength to you yet again my big man.”
Round 3, Init 29
Toffitt steps and lunges at the annis, not bothering to say anything as he attempts to cut her into as many pieces as her servants.
Round 3, Init 24
Dyrant considers maintaining his mighty stinkface at the hag, but now that she has engaged, he feels free to let is face switch to just plain anger, rather than outright disgust.
"You, Hag, we will grant you a quick death if you tell us where to find Kord. He matters much more to us than our need to kill you painfully."
Glimmil whistles as the golem in front of him collapses, then calls to Cog as he charges ahead at the hag.
"H'yah! Cog!"
for
HP = 72/150
AC/T/FF = 30/14/28
Weapon Equipped = +1 Holy Cold Iron Greatsword
Speed = 30'
Rage/day = 16/16
Hero Points = 3
Moment of Clarity (1/rage) = 1/1
Dancing Lights (1/day) = 1/1
Ghost Sound (1/day) = 1/1
Guidance (1/rage) = 1/1 (+3 vs. fey/outsider/undead/incorporeal)
Mage Hand (1/day) = 1/1
Smite Evil (1/day) = 1/1 (+3 to hit, +16 to damage, +3 Deflection AC)
Extracts: Enlarge Person, Shield
Oracle Spells Known (CL 8th; concentration +15)
. . 4th 2/3 Blessing of Fervor[APG]*, CCW, Wall of Fire
. . 3rd 6/6 CSW, Deadly Juggernaut[UC], Dispel Magic, Magic Vestment, Speak with Dead*
. . 2nd 7/7 Augury, CMW, Fog Cloud, Grace[APG], Levitate, Minor Image*, Resist Energy, Lesser Restoration, See Invisibility
. . 1st 7/7 CLW, Divine Favor, Enhance Water, Enlarge Person*, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Shield of Faith
. . 0 Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Ghost Sound*, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Purify Food and Drink*, Spark[APG]*, Stabilize
* Allows save DC = 13 + Spell Level
Status Effects = Fly, Barkskin, BoF, Enlarge Person
Finneas assaults the hag if she still stands.
While the annis is tougher to hit than the golems, she does not stand up to the onslaught from the party and soon resembles the flesh golems after the numerous slashes and bashes. She possesses a black jug that appears to summon gruel and a chime which Dyrant can easily figure out is a chime of opening.
Seeing the gruel Atol wonders at it's usefulness at home as the city rebuilds. He takes out a scone an munches on it while he considers the possible side effects of such a device. What if it's poison? he wonders.
He gathers it up and puts it in his haversack for now. "Let's go. We can figure this out later. She doesn't have Kord."
Dyrant, after checking to see that others are healed, follows Atol.
"This place seems more crazed than the last. How can anyone, even demons, live like this? What are they doing?"
Dyrant shakes his head, knowing that dark times are ahead, and behind, and all around.
"Well, this place is the pure embodiment of senseless evil. Frankly, I'm rather perplexed that it isn't worse. Not that I wish for such..." Toffitt floats over pools of black blood and blue pus, listening for more foes above the rumble of Atol's belly. "Also, I advise against the gruel, Brother Lem."
Still invisible, he makes his way to the southern door and listens.
Finneas frowns as the annis dies without divulging the location of Kord.
"She's seen him, so we're in the right place. Let's keep going."
Glimmil frowns a bit at the decanter of everflowing gruel.
"Yagh! I wonder if she just put that to her lips and drank directly from it?!"
Glimmil rubs Cog down before hopping back into the saddle.
"My cousin Fimmil used to do that, to all the food in our house. He'd take a bit from every roll or loaf of bread in the middle of the night and then put them back..."
Glimmil's attention returns.
"Oh, Kord! Let's go save your god, Finn!"
Glimmil trots up to the southern door once (and if) Toffitt gives the clear sign and pushes it open.