Sheik Voodoo's Katapesh Nights (Inactive)

Game Master voodoo chili

The jungles about the oasis hold nothing but bloodthirsty swarms that you'd prefer to avoid. The dark waters of the oasis reek and bubble with pestilence and disease. With the obelisk restored, only the ruined chapel remains.

Peering inside the dim edifice reveals squalor and horror. Blasphemies and blood coat the walls. The once bright tiled floor is coated in murk at least what remains of it. A large central section has collapsed into a dark pit. The altar is draped with the long decayed remains of a horse and charred human skulls are cast about. Worst of all however, the great Celestial Cross of the Dawnflower at the front of the chapel is defiled with what appears to be a crucified paladin. The rotting skull of the dead horse has been attached in place of the faris' head.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Ugh. So, there, we still don't know.

Varkata says, "I can't cast consecrate again today, but I get the feeling that we can deal with this evil in a more normal sense... though there is certainly some cleaning to be done."

She looks at Karethas, "I don't suppose you can conjure a brigade of dancing mops to clean the place while we lay this poor soul to rest?"

Kzrira looks at the blasphemies and the paladin.

We need to get the corpse of the paladin down and the horse head as well. Both need to be buried with the best reverence to the Dawnflower that we can give them.

She pauses and looks around.

When we cleaned the obelisk, the horrid undead appeared. I would guess than cleansing this would have a similar result.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 <-- Kzrira searches the area for anything of note

Kzrira thinks the great big dark pit of evil in the center of the room is noteworthy.

How much time has passed? Kzrira's fly would last 5 minutes.

If the fly spell is still in effect, Kzrira will tie a rope to herself and then fly down to inspect the pit. The rope would be to allow her to be pulled back up if necessary.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 <-- sneaking as best she can

Karethas cautiously looks into the chapel without entering. "Given an evening I could prepare spells that would make quite a dent in cleaning it up, but proper internment of the corpse would be up to us. Seeing Kzrira preparing to fly into the chapel he holds up his hand. "I don't think flying alone into that pit is the best course of action. But if you insist, then you should definitely let me cast some protection on you before you do. Karethas gets the wand from Gen and hastily casts Protection from Evil on Kzrira while she is preparing the rope.

light source?

Kzrira will have Karethas cast Light on her bow, and she will also carry a lit lantern, which will also be tied to the rope so that she can drop it without losing it.

With some time to spare on her flying spell, Kzrira ties off and with a lamp and magically lit bow descends into the pit. She only gets about twenty feet down before both sources of light are quashed by tangible darkness-

Ach! I meant to use my Pearls of Power to recover the two Magic Missle spells after the last battle. Can I retcon that?

Karethas sighs deeply as the light goes out in the pit. As he pulls out components for a spell he mutters quietly to himself, "Fly into the dark, infested hole? Sure! That seems like a good idea." He casts Levitate on Amir and gives him a pat. "You can't fly, but if you go into the hole I can float you up and down at will."

Amir offers a withering look at the wizard, And your suggestion is what now? To have me be dangled like a fish on a line to go get her?

Varkata sighs, "I can. Fly, that is. And see in the dark, depending.", and casts her domain spell on herself.

Feeling the claw, Kzrira grunts in pain and immediately attempts to fly back up the way she came.

Fly: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 <-- should make most checks

Total Defense + Mobility = AC37 vs AoO

Move normal speed straight up.

Karethas rolls his eyes and gives a minimal shrug to the old caravan guard. "The bait is likely already swallowed whole. Do as you wish, but she decided the battle will be in that hole."

Ach! I meant to use my Pearls of Power to recover the two Magic Missle spells after the last battle. Can I retcon that?

sure.

Kzrira- I still need some saves.

Oops, forgot about them.

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Whew, wipes brow.

Amir thinks better of sticking his tongue out at the wizard with tensions running so high. As Varkata moves to fly herself Amir will offer a gesture at the half-orc as though to say "see, its taken care of" to Karethas.

Peering over the edge Amir looks down but sees little, Hopefully she has the good sense to come up and out if something does try to swallow her.

Kzrira kicks away ghastly claws and rises quickly out of the darkness. Karethas casts a spell on Amir who seems a bit unappreciative. Kzrira's radiant bow and lantern are eclipsed a moment later by four black robed figures rising after her and surrounding her. She whirls and blocks with her bow, but one pale clawed hand slashes her pulling vitality away with it. Kzrira-4 slash, 1 neg level.

Round 1
Varkata
Amir
R2
Kzrira
Karethas
Foe [/b]

Varkara calls out:
Shadowy creatures of pure darkness. They suck your life out.

With that, she flies away as quickly as she can.

Withdraw action - fly 120' away (fly speed of 60')

Is there no save against the energy drain?

Varkata says, "Get away from them. I'll fight.", and casts Death Ward on herself before flying toward the creatures, blade in hand.

Karethas steps to the side, out of the doorway so he does not have line of sight of those in the chapel. He begins a summoning spell, intoning the summoning call as glowing circles of purple arcane figures begin to surround him.

5 Ft step and Cast Summon Monster IV.

Is there no save against the energy drain?

there is a save to see if it is permanent after 24 hours. Also, Kzrira is surrounded so give me an acrobatics or fly to pass through the threatened area.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Ok, if she is going to draw AoO, she will instead go Total Defense and draw her shield while moving. Thus, she will be holding the bow in one hand and her shield in the other.

Total Defense

Move - 60'

AC 27+3(shield)+4(mobility(dodge))+6(total defense(dodge)) = 40 vs AoO,
Touch AC 28 (18+4(mobility)+6(total defense))

Varkata wards herself and flies into combat with the bloodsuckers. Kzrira twists away from the cold dead hands of the vampires and darts through the door with Karethas.

The unholy imams turn their wrath on the priestess. Her injuries are only slight however, as her God keep her soul bottled up and tightly capped.
Varkata-4,4 slash

Round 2
Varkata
Amir
R3
Kzrira
Karethas
Foe

Knowing what Karethas and Varkata have told her about vampires (I assume), Kzrira, now free of the grasp of the undead horrors, drops her shield and draws a silver tipped (alchemical silver) arrow. She fires and then keeps firing.

Attack-rapid shot alchemical silver arrows: 1d20 + 13 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 - 1 - 2 = 25 <-- -1 (neg level), -2(rapid shot), no PBS
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Attack-rapid shot alchemical silver arrows: 1d20 + 13 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 1 - 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Attack-rapid shot alchemical silver arrows: 1d20 + 8 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 1 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Just for clarity. Are the enemies flying or did they climb from the hole?

flying. For kix.

Well that sucks. No Hound Archon for you!
So 1d3 ⇒ 2 Lantern Archons, I guess.

The vampires? need to make DC 13 Will saves or –2 penalty on attacks, AC, and saves for 24 hours or until they successfully hit the archon that generated the aura.

Once again silvery orbs of light appear near the foes. Their light grows in intensity until beams of pure holy energy fly at the shadowy creatures. Karethas meanwhile uses the wand again to cast Protection from Evil on himself.

waiting for Varkata and Amir.

Honestly as long as the fight is in the air I think I have nothing. Even floating if they are moving around I don't think I can get into position really?

Go team archon!

Varkata winces at the minor wounds, then turns and slashes with her magical blade, boosting her ferocity with the strength granted to her by her deity... Have to draw upon ferocity but keep the elemental rage contained... we'll likely need spells to get out of this...

Ebon Flame: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 for 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 and useless cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Ebon Flame, iterative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Ugh. Miss.

Varkata cuts into one of the blasphemies with her black flamed blade. Kzrira fires a round of silver arrows taking out the injured vampire and hitting another. A black cloud sinks into the pit. The swarm of glowing celestial spheres move in though their assault is rather uncoordinated.

Varkata is struck again, but suffers little other than a scratch V-3 slash.

Round 3
Varkata
Amir
R4
Kzrira
Karethas
Foe

Karethas yells out, Kzrira! Use your wand on Amir! He casts another spell. At first it seems to the group that the vampires are moving noticeably slower, but it soon become clear that they are each moving faster.

I didn't make it clear in my post. I cast Haste on the party and the Archon's.

Seeing one the vampires dissolve, Varkata draws upon the elemental power crackling within her, allowing it to fill her with strength... taking away her doubt, her pain, and all thoughts other than striking down the abomination before her.

Ebon Flame: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 1 = 30
for: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 Plus Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2 And Electrical: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Ebon Flame,hasted: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 1 = 24
for: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Plus Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4 And Electrical: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Ebon Flame,iterative: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20
for: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Plus Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 5 And Electrical: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Unless Amir has Varkata's magic, flying into them is just going to get his life drained. Lets eliminate them and then you can use the wand on Amir.

With that, she continues to unloads another silver headed arrow at the shadowy monstrosities.

Attack-silver arrows: 1d20 + 13 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 1 + 1 = 33 <-- add +1 if < 30'
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 <-- add +1 if < 30'

Confirm crit-silver arrows: 1d20 + 13 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 13 - 1 + 1 = 31 <-- add +1 if < 30'
Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (2, 8) + 14 = 24 <-- add +2 if < 30'

After firing, she reaches into her pouch and takes out the wand of flying which she drops down to Amir and Karethas standing below her.

Amir stand by watching the proceedings impotently. He considers pulling a bow for a moment and realizes it would be fruitless.

Amir is left earthbound to ponder flying carpet tricks, but at least he is out of harm's way. Best to leave vampires to a priestess anyway. Two more of the undead imams are dispatched in a flurry of crackling black flame and whizzing silver arrows. The remaining injured vampire hisses defiance, but is finished off by bolts of light from Karethas' divine allies.

Three more greasy black clouds sink into the dark pit.

Kzrira flies back up and peers toward the pit, still very drained.

Did we kill them? What were the black clouds? I have never seen a creature die like that.

She also carefully examines the pit . . . from a good 30-40' distance.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

I am feeling weak from that initial assault, no clue how you survive that Varkata, but I am more than thankful that you did.

Varkata says, "Powerful magic to protect my soul..." as she drifts and lands carefully. She then shakes her head, "I don't think so. I think the clouds are the vampires fleeing to their resting place... They'll be weak and exposed for a time... but then, we're in bad shape ourselves."

How long does your protective magic work? Can we check the temple? Or should we retreat and rest. If we retreat, then we may have to face those same vampires again tomorrow, if your analysis is correct.

Karethas shakes his head, "No, we finish this now. Heal everyone up Varkata. I'll levitate Amir down the hole. If he is not used to flying, then he would not be able to control himself in such a narrow space." He pulls out a scroll and hands it Amir. "A scroll of Spider Climb. I've seen you using some items you shouldn't be able to before. Use this if you need to. Before the group descends he casts Protection from Evil from the wand on himself again and hands it back to Gen.

Scroll is CL 3. It would take a 23 on your UMD, but he's thinking in an emergency he may not be able to cast it.

Edit: Looking at everyone's skills then no one is going to be easily flying in that pit but Karethas.

The fact that Kzrira's lights were extinguished last time she descended hints that the pit is filled with magical darkness. The fact that Varkata's nightviaion pierces it though reveals that the spell is not as powerful as the Urgathoan beast's impenetrable aura. What the priestess sees is a wide pit that ends in noisome water about thirty feet below.

Amir nods and stashes the scroll wordlessly. Looking to the others the rogue offers, If we are somewhat on foot in the final confrontation I might be able to make a difference. But if the final estimation is that they are wounded to the point of retreat and we are not as bad, its seems best to press the advantage...

Varkata says, "If we assume those four were the lot of them, yes.... if not, I've already lost more blood than I'd care to."

Kzrira shrugs:
I am drained, but have most of my strength still. If we have a chance to eliminate these undead, we need to do it. I keep hearing of one powerful vampire, I am guessing that those we just defeated were simply lesser vampires of some type. Who knows how strong the master is, but I would rather face him slightly weakened, but with no lackeys, as opposed to facing five or more of them.

Varkata says, "That's certainly worth considering... Still, I'd feel better if I had a wand of restoration in a hidden pouch."

"Ashraf-Asim said that there were only the four lesser vampires here. That the master had moved on. But, if we cannot counter the darkness with what we have prepared, then going in there with three of us blinded does not make sense. Perhaps we should get the paladin's corpse down and I can use Ropetrick for a rest."

Amir offers a sigh and then nods at the suggestion.