Shadowborn |
The party moves out over the devastated landscape, the new grass of spring yellow and sickly after exposure to the strange storm. The clouds have moved on, churning eastward to the mountains on the other side of the valley.
The gnomes follow in your wake. Every so often Ulli gives a cry. Dromi stops the cart and the two dismount and run off, returning with objects that look like near spherical formations of shale, only white as chalk. They load these into the cart, chattering excitedly.
The raised lip of the impact crater is now clear to you as you approach. Much of the smoke you'd seen apparently came from woodlands on the far side, leveled and set ablaze by the falling star. Now you can see thin trails of smoke, apparently campfires, indicating the presence of someone camped on the far side of the crater.
Ulli gives another cry, this one a high chirp of excitement. Ahead of you, the ground is scorched beneath what appears to be a great glob of molten stone or metal, now hardened into a dark, shapeless lump. The gnomish brothers halt their donkey and alight from the cart, scurrying eagerly toward what they seem to think is a rich prize. Then there is a loud cracking sound, as rents appear in the surface of the blob, revealing a red-orange glow beneath, and the thing explodes into a flurry of activity, the hardened outer shell tearing away as a mobile mass of molten material rises with a roar, nine feet tall, looking vaguely humanoid and waving a pair of arms menacingly at the terrified gnomes.
Initiative Order:
Magnus
Jon
Auric
Dromi/Ulli
Opponent
Stilgar
Kalaya
Magnus Thunderf00t |
knowledge any: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Magnus attempts to discern if the creature's molten form qualifies as a source of flame. If so, he will cast pyrotechnics for a smoke cloud targeting the odd threat. Otherwise, he loads his crossbow and prepares to fire.
Shadowborn |
Magnus, sure his spell will work as intended, casts, sending a great cloud of smoke into the air around the creature.
In response to Jon's call, the creature roars a response:
"चोर! घुसपैठियों! मैं आप सभी को कुचलने और जला देगा!"
Since speaking is a free action, Jon can still act if he chooses.
Auric looses his spell, then waits for the creature to come to him.
The two gnomes come running out of the smoke cloud, coughing and rubbing at their eyes as they head for the shelter of their cart.
The great molten form breaks free of the smoke close behind them, but rather than chasing the gnomes, it closes with Auric, roaring and swinging as it comes. The molten limb crashes into him with great ferocity. 27 hp damage (23 plus 4 fire), and Auric needs to make a Reflex save.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Knowledge (planes, religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
"I do not think it is interested in talk," Stilgar states gruffly, his buckler readied and his hand already floating over his trusty warhammer. He winces in sympathy when the fiery creature slams against Auric.
If Jon's attempt to parley with the creature does not succeed, Stilgar would immediately charge toward it, hammer and shield raised.
Charge Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Shadowborn |
"आप देश की सेवा करते हैं, तो मुझे काम करते हैं! वे मैं पैदा हुआ था, जिसमें से धातु और पत्थर की अधिक चोरी से पहले इन लोगों को मार डालो! यह मत करो, और मैं तुम्हें क्षमा करेगा," roars the creature.
Shadowborn |
Oh, and Kalaya's evil eye is affective.
*effective EFFECTIVE. *twitch*
Attempts at placating the being apparently useless, Stilgar and Jon engage in melee to either side of Auric as Magnus backs away and prepares his crossbow. Neither weapon appears to score any damage as they strike.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus notes Auric's current state and makes a statement that should be obvious. "It's too hot to touch. Keep your distance!" He holds his action and keeps maneuvering for a good shot with his crossbow.
Shadowborn |
What do I need to do in order to not be on fire?
A full round action will allow you another Reflex save to extinguish yourself. If you drop prone and roll, that will add a +4 to the save, but leave you in the prone position. Otherwise, 2d6 fire damage this round and next until it goes out. However, Kalaya's action will also do the trick.
Auric Ironwright |
"YOU THINK SO, HUH?", Auric shouts, more than a little irritated to be on fire. "AND WHAT ABOUT ME SUGGESTS THAT I'M AN ARCHER, GNOME?"
Auric howls, drawing on the power Weyland had gifted him to attack in quick succession. Using sudden attack, expending mythic power as a swift action.
Attack 1- standard with power attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Sudden attack- roll 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 roll 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Taking the second roll; damage (which bypasses DR): 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Whoops, edited for MYTHIC POWER ATTACK.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
excellent alliteration, sir
Magnus sneers at Auric. "Fine, you're not an archer, then I guess I'm going to have to be a bruiser"
He leans back and begins casting, his eyes become white as though containing a blizzard behind glass. Tuboo mimics this motion and a pale blue glow of energy floats onto the weasel's fur before it begins moving in to melee.
using wild surge to cast frigid touch, with Tuboo delivering the touch spell
touch and damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 174d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 2) = 14
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Stilgar grimaces at the heat. He does not relish a chance at sharing Auric's fiery fate, but regardless, he steps in to deliver a crushing blow.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Immediate actions are a tad wonky in PbP, so I'll just say now that if Stilgar gets hit, he'll use Absorb Blow.
Shadowborn |
Magnus' familiar dashes in under the thing's guard and contacts the creature with a flash of steam. There's a cracking sound as the molten surface of its skin blackens and hardens like a scab, causing the monster to roar and recoil.
Jon's scythe slashes out but doesn't seem to do more than ripple the creature's surface.
Auric's first powerful slash cuts through, sending a piece of the creature's molten body splashing to the ground with a sizzle. The second swing goes awry, the flat of the blade slapping ineffectively against the creature.
Giving a bellow, the thing lays about with molten fists, swinging for Auric and little Tuboo. The weasel leaps aside, as the great fist slams into the ground it stood on, a mere hair's breadth from crushing the little animal. It's second strike backhands Auric, the strike rolling off his shield but the force and heat take their toll. 15 plus 7 fire for a total of 22 hp damage, and another Reflex save if Auric is still standing.
Stilgar's hammer attack splatters droplets of the creature's essence about the battlefield, but appears to do little to slow the creature down.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Oh my... Tuboo, get over here. Looks like you are the warrior now. Magnus calls to his familiar. the ice attack appears to work well. Draw the creature over here away from Auric. " Magnus targets Tuboo with the shield spell and waits for the creature to approach.
Tuboo acrobatics to tumble: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Shadowborn |
Tuboo scampers out of the area, the creature slamming a fist down at the fleeing animal despite its twists and turns. 14 damage plus 2 fire for a total of 16 hp, and a Reflex save. Natural 20 on the AoO, but I rolled a 1 for critical confirmation.
Jon swings his scythe at the creature again, shearing a tiny bit more of the creature away. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 192d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6
Roaring, it swings again with its molten fist. The first is a wild swing sending a scorching wind past Jon's head. The second connects solidly with Stilgar. 19 plus 3 fire for a total of 22 damage, and a Reflex save.
Stilgar's hammer connects with what would be the thing's head, splattering molten rock and metal around, but with no brain to crush or skull to crack, it doesn't seem to do much damage. No critical possible.
The two gnomes step out from behind the wagon, giving yells as they lob a pair of glass flasks at the creature. The missiles impact with the creature and crack open, sending gouts of steam into the air as their contents cool and harden the surface of the creature's body, causing it to roar again in pain and rage.
Kalaya's hex manages to bring Auric back from the brink and he regains consciousness. Auric can act now, though he is prone. Thing already took an AoO this round, however.
Tuboo |
Tuboo looks to his master for assistance and he sees the gnome's skin bruise and burn in correspondance to his own wounds. He tries to avoid catching on fire himself as he returns to his keeper for the next move.
reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 improved evasion if it's at all relevant
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Feeling the power of the creature's blow, Magnus decides not to put his familiar through the same risk a second time, He casts shield on himself instead and prepares himself for action.
Shadowborn |
Magnus casts his protective spell, as Auric heals himself and rises. Meanwhile, Jon slices at the thing but is unable to deal it any damage.
The thing swings two blazing fists Stilgar, who manages to duck the first one, only to catch the full brunt of the next on his shield and then have it slide over and clip his helmet on the follow-through. 18 damage plus 5 fire for a total of 23 hp damage.
The liquid from the gnomes' assault continues to steam on the creature's molten mass, hardening and blackening its outer surface before finally burning off. They fumble in their bags, producing two more flasks of blue-white liquid this round.
Moving off to one side, Kalaya sends her silent scream through the air to catch the monster in the side, blowing a hole straight through it that momentarily staggers the brute before the molten mass closes on itself again.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Did Stilgar's attack land? Oh, and do the creature's attacks count as a "single source" for the purposes of Stilgar's Absorb Blow ability?
Blackened and bloodied by the monster's flaming punches, Stilgar takes a step back and switches to a more defensive stance.
5-foot step backward, and Total Defense, +4 dodge bonus to AC. Total AC = 22.
hp 3/48
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"I would love to study this creature in greater detail, but first it needs to stand still... Freeze!" Magnus' eyes regain the look of a blizzard under glass as he charges into combat with his foot steps creating frost on the ground underneath him.
frigid touch from Magnus: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 114d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6, 4) = 21
Shadowborn |
Whoops. I had it written in there and then edited things for the combat order and somehow managed to delete it altogether. And yes, they count as single sources for the ability.
Stilgar's blow rocks the creature back, splattering molten material across the field behind it.
Magnus darts in and touches it, delivering his spell. The thing's roars cease as it rapidly cools, a cracked, blackened crust surrounding the thing, the inner fires of its molten body finally dying, leaving its remains standing there like some half-formed sculpture.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus looks at the singed state of his companions, feeling Tuboo's wounds within himself. "Next time, let's keep our distance from the magical fire monsters, yes?" He turns to the stone-still beast examining it in detail. "What are you?" Magnus reaches down and examines a piece of the creature that had fallen off during combat and places it in his pack as a souvenir for future study.
knowledge for more details upon study: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Stilgar Fulgrum |
"That was too close," Stilgar says, panting heavily. Stowing his hammer, he looks down at his beard with a frown, its auburn hair singed. With a burnt finger he taps one of the beads on his belt, calling on its power to heal himself, before channeling Baal's power to heal the others. "This power is impressive, but it seems that we still have our work cut out for us."
Cure Serious Wounds: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 7, 1) + 5 = 19
Channel Positive Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 for everyone who needs it.
hp 28/48
The cleric then approaches the two gnomes who had aided them. "Thank you for your assistance."
Shadowborn |
Ulli simply shrugs. "We had some alchemical gear in the wagon. Seemed best to try, otherwise we'd just be waiting around for it to finish you and come after us."
"Besides," chimes in Dromi, "you've helped us. It would be impolite not to return the favor."
The creature in question definitely seems to have been some type of elemental, but Magnus isn't sure of much else beyond that. The gnomes move cautiously up to the hardening slag, curious to see if there's anything worth salvaging.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Interesting... to say that this creature was otherwordly does not do it justice. I am sure that it will fetch a good price to the right researcher if you can move it." Magnus says to his gnome allies. "But Let's not linger too long here. I would like to keep moving if we can"