Tkaara Fiakben |
When Tkaara gets to the top of the she hisses:
What vile magic of light is this? That is the seal. And we are going to break it. Unfortunately, I do not seem to be able to enter the room.
Tkaara tries to step forward, but the burn of the vile Mitran magic prevents her from entering the room.
We need to do away with that elemental, then we can start the ritual. This seal cannot be broken too soon.
When the group gathers back down the stairs a ways:
I do not know what I will be able to do in this fight. I can provide you all with some protection from the energy of that monster. And I can provide most of you with other defensive and offensive assistance. But, I do not think that I will be able to physically enter the room.
DM Darkness |
Tatienne readily identifies the creature as a huge lighting elemental: deadly against those wearing metal armour, and immune to bleed, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, stunning, critical hits or flanking. In addition, elementals do not take additional damage from precision-based attacks, such as sneak attack. Finally, it is immune to electricity.
DM Darkness |
SUNDAY 10 ABADIUS
You wake to a cloudy Winter's day. The Caer Bryr - being on top of a tectonic plate having masses of volcanic activity - remains a steaming jungle; but out there in Farholde and the rest of Talingarde, Winter is not merely coming; it is here.
As good a day as any other to kill an elemental.
Etna Agnes |
While they ascend the stairs, Etna chants a spell, and a translucent veil of energy shimmers around her for a moment. Once they've reached the top of the stairs and are ready to attack, the ifrit gestures toward her companions, and the air fills with the smell of sulfur: even with its pungency, if fills them with vigor.
Tatienne Talbot |
Tatienne wakes serious, any facade of politeness or etiquette dropped. There was a time and a place for the Doctor's approach to niceties (which is to say no approach at all). Today was just such a day; pure focus, little time, or inclination, for anything else.
After meditation, dwelling on the awesome destructive power of the Hells, the transformative natures of her companions, and her own inner well-spring of insight, Taty takes a light breakfast (ration and tea), and leaving her mithral breastplate, approaches the stairwell with the others.
"Anyone with a magic weapon, I can enhance it to make it more fatal to this elemental. I can also make you larger, able to land more viscious blows. And if anyone needs to see in the dark, just ask."
Buffs: Move: 60', darkvision, +14 hp, +11 initiative modifier for this fight
false life: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Tkaara Fiakben |
As the group move back up, Tkaara is annoyed.
Not much I can do unless someone is able to eliminate the protection in that room. Probably from the seal.
I can give us all protection against electricity. It is not perfect, but should reduce any electrical attacks the elemental may use. I can also provide some additional defense against normal attacks and can improve all of our morale to make it easier for you to land attacks.
Shortly before entering, Tkaara will cast Resist Energy (communal) (makes Resist Electricity 20) - lasts 12 minutes if used on all six of us.
7 rounds before entering - 6x Shield of Faith and then Bless (all last 7 minutes)
Doctor Ottakar Wilken |
"Let us see if my new formula works as expected..." Before leaving camp, the Doctor produces one of his now-familiar brass syringes and plunges it into his arm. Moments later, the sickening sound of bones popping and muscle tearing emanates from him as he assumes the lupine form of the Beast. There is a key difference, however: the hulking shoulders split and from them emerge a pair of great, leathery wings. Amber eyes and razor teeth gleam in the weak light as the Beast surveys its surroundings, eager to kill.
Before the battle proper, the Beast deftly pulls a half dozen vials from its bandolier and quickly downs them all. It accepts the women's spells, eyes cast up the stairs toward Its prey.
Self-Buffs:
Feral Mutagen: +4 Str, -2 Int, +2 Nat Armor (alchemical), darkvision, 30' fly speed (average); Duration: 70 mins
Deathwatch: Instantly know condition of creatures in 30' cone; Duration: 70 mins
Barkskin: +3 Nat Armor (enhancement); Duration: 70 mins
Enlarge Person: +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 Attack, -1 AC (size), 10' space, 10' reach, increased weapon damage; Duration: 7 mins
Shield: +4 AC (shield), cancel magic missile; Duration: 7 mins
Blur: 20% miss chance; Duration: 7 mins
Invisibility: invisible, +20/40 stealth, cancelled on attack; Duration: 7 mins
Party Buffs:
Erevan (if within 30'): Beacon of Evil: +1 att, +1 AC, +1 dam, +1 Will vs. fear (morale); Duration: 1 min
Etna: Haste: +30' move, +1 att, +1 AC, +1 Ref (dodge); Duration: 7 rds
Tatienne: Bane (elementals) (bite): +2 att, +2 dam (enhancement), +2d6 dam, all only against elementals; Duration: 6-8 rds (depending on order, no need for third enlarge)
Tkaara: Bless: +1 att, +1 Will vs. fear (morale); Duration: 7 mins
Resist Energy (electricity): Resist Electricity 20; Duration: 12 mins
Shield of Faith: +3 AC (deflection); Duration: 7 mins
The Beast
Male Mutated Beast-Cursed Half-Elf Alchemist (Beastmorph, Vivisectionist) 6/Master Chymist 1
CE Large Humanoid (elf, human, shapechanger)
Villain Points 3
Init +4; Senses darkvision, low-light vision, scent; Perception +11
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Defense
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AC 31, touch 14, flat-footed 30 (+7 armor, +3 deflection, +1 dodge, +1 morale, +6 natural, +4 shield, -1 size)
hp 66 (7 HD; 6d8+1d10+27); fast healing 3
Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +6 +2 vs. enchantments, +1 morale vs. fear, +2 trait bonus on saving throws against charm and compulsion effects.
Defensive Abilities concealment 50%/20%, elven immunities, fortification 25%; DR 5/silver; Immune sleep
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Offense
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Speed 60 ft., fly 60 ft.
Melee bite +14 (2d6+15)/+16 (4d6+15) vs. elementals; and 2 claws +13 (1d8+14)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +3d6 plus 3 bleed
Alchemist Extracts Prepared (CL 6th; concentration +11)
. . 2nd—barkskin, blur (2), invisibility (2)
. . 1st—cure light wounds (2), deathwatch, enlarge person (DC 16), shield, true strike
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Statistics
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Str 28, Dex 11, Con 17, Int 20, Wis 9, Cha 6
Base Atk +5; CMB +15; CMD 30
Feats Brew Potion, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Soulless Gaze, The Beast Within, Throw Anything
Traits bruising intellect, focus strengthens your will, murder, outcast's intuition
Skills Acrobatics +10 (+22 to jump), Climb +14, Craft (alchemy) +15 (+21 to create alchemical items), Diplomacy -2 (-7 to improve other creatures' attitudes towards you), Disable Device +12, Heal +15 (+16 circumstance to treat wounds or deadly wounds), Fly -2, Intimidate +19 (+14 to improve other creatures' attitudes towards you), Knowledge (dungeoneering) +15, Knowledge (engineering) +11, Knowledge (nature) +15, Perception +11 (+13 at night), Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +10, Stealth +6 (+8 at night), Swim +14
Languages Abyssal, Azlanti, Common, Dwarven, Elven, Infernal, Varisian, Vudrani
SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +6), beastform mutagen, condescending, discoveries (bleeding attack +3, feral mutagen, preserve organs), mutagen (+4/-2, +2 natural armor, 70 minutes), mutagenic form, mutate, nocturnal, poison use
Felrin Vennax |
Felrin tells Taty that he does not think her spell to make him larger will work on him, but otherwise agrees with the various proposals made by the team, adding some ideas of his own.
"I will transform myself for the fight, and become invisible, in order to get in position by the lightning creature," he offers. "When I strike, the rest of you will move in and attack."
Barring any objections or revisions to the plan, he spends a few moments in intense prayer, then begins intoning the words of his own spells, calling on the power of Asmodeus to guide and protect him, as well as the peculiarities of his blood to change him into his troglodyte form. With a snap of his fingers, he vanishes, then speaks a few more words of divine power before saying, "Let us go, Ninth Knot."
Erevan Cale |
Armorless but with spear in hand, Erevan waits patiently as spells are cast and abilities used, feeling the various magics strengthening and protecting him and the others. And as the doctor and the tiefling change into far more monstrous forms, he looks at them and studies them with mild interest. 'To think the vampire is the more human-like of the trio,' he ponders briefly.
Once everyone appears to be ready he adds his own contribution, as the shadows and the darkness around them, both literal and metaphorical, coalesce, acting as weapon and shield and armor in more ways than one.
Etna Agnes |
Once everyone is in position, Etna opens her mouth, as if to issue an order, but the elemental is the only one to hear it, as it echoes trough its ears.
EPS: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) = 5
Tatienne Talbot |
Taking aim at the elemental with her wand implement, and picturing the burning fires of hell, brings forth an explosive ball of fire blanketing the space the elemental is in.
fire damage: 6d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 6, 3, 2) + 3 = 29
30 points of fire damage if Erevan's Beacon of Evil affects spells.
Doctor Ottakar Wilken |
The invisible Beast lumbers awkwardly into the air on Its vast, batlike wings, aiming as best It can toward Its quarry.
Surprise Round
Starting Altitude: 0' Ending Altitude: 30'
Fly 30' up and 30' forward as single move action, rising 45 degrees. This requires no fly checks.
That is a damn good question, since it does not specify weapon damage rolls, like most abilities of this type do. I would personally rule that it only applies to weapons and weapon-like spells, aka those with attack rolls, but we'll see how DMD rules it.
Felrin Vennax |
Felrin glides silently into position just ahead of the others, then waits a moment for everyone to get in place. He launches the attack with a magically charged claw, tearing into the towering elemental!
Move into position opposite the doctor (presuming we could discuss our placement, since we can't see each other), attack with Bane claw.
Claw Attack, PA, Heaps of Buffs: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 13 - 2 + 8 = 23
Claw Damage: 1d4 + 7 + 4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 4 + 6 + (2, 3) = 25
And as much as I wish my placement might allow us to get some flanking and sneak attack benefit, I'm mostly aiming to spread us out around it so that when it darts away we're more likely to be in place to AoO it. I guess we should try to be on 3 sides of it, so that Tatienne's fireball can hit it and not us.
Doctor Ottakar Wilken |
Tatienne Talbot |
So, if no one is at the elemental, Taty will fireball it. If not, she'll do a ray touch attack.
Tkaara Fiakben |
Tkaara curses as she is unable to move into the room to aid her companions.
Bloody seal. You will be broken and destroyed in but a few short moons.
Action: Delay - unless she is able to somehow get into the room.
Felrin Vennax |
I know they can't be flanked or sneak attacked, which is why I said I wished my placement mattered in that regard. As I understood it, Felrin was going to get in position (which could happen before combat starts), and his attack would be what started the rest of you attacking. He would use only his standard action, to attack once, because it is the surprise round. Being invisible, he could take 10 on Stealth for a 47, which is why I presumed he could get into position. I though I had mentioned that approach at some point, but my PaizoCon-addled brain appears to have misremembered that bit.
We could still do this approach, and simply have the fireball go off 10' up, so as to hit the elemental and miss any of us on the ground, regardless of the order, as the Doctor suggests.
Doctor Ottakar Wilken |
Retconned surprise round action
The Beast, having been awkwardly circling Its prey like a huge, invisible buzzard, exults in the rush of adrenaline when Felrin pops into sight nearby. It strikes with startling speed, fangs like swords closing on the strange, amorphous body of the elemental. Somewhere behind the predator's mind, the Doctor wonders at the odd sensation of harmless electricity running through his jaw, and the almost spicy flavor...
Bite+Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
damage: 4d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 2) + 16 = 25 +1 if Erevan is within 30'
Wow, what an awful damage roll!
Erevan Cale |
Letting the others take the initiative and employ spell and tooth and claw in their fight against the elemental, Erevan then moves to join the tiefling and the Beast, using his magically bestowed ability to fly to approach the strange foe.
DM Darkness |
The ambush goes off completely as planned: the elemental howls in pain as your various attacks shred it; gobbets of fizzing ichor drop to the floor below where they land in sizzling pools.
It is however, very, very fast - faster than you perhaps had taken into account. Tendrils of energy leap out from it, directed at Felrin and Ottakar. The reek of ozone fills the air around you.
Fort save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
2 damage from Etna's EPS
Reflex save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
15 damage from Taty's fireball
20 damage from Felrin
21 damage from Ottakar
Initiative
Elemental: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Erevan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Etna: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Felrin: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Ottakar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Tatienne: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Tkaara: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
slam vs Felrin: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 2) + 5 = 9
electricity damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5
slam vs Ottakar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 4) + 5 = 14
electricity damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Surprise round is over, Round 1 is GO! Party is up
Tkaara Fiakben |
Tkaara waits until her companions have finished attacking the elemental, and then causes a bright burst of color to appear about the extra-planar creature.
Delay until end of round.
Cast Hypnotic Pattern --> Will DC18 or fascinated
--> effects 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 1) + 10 = 14 HD, but subtract Cha modifier (6) from each creatures HD (Awesome Display revelation).
I think this should effectively cause it to not take its action until attacked.
Etna Agnes |
Remember about Haste, everyone!
Etna smiles satisfied when her companions attacks land on the creature. Gesturing at the creature, she conjures forth a ray smelling lightly of sulfur toward the elemental, trying to weaken him.
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
STR damage, DC 18 Fort halves: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Felrin Vennax |
Felrin grunts as the massive storm of energy swats at him, but his infernal blood allows him to shrug off the electrical charge it delivers. He then retaliates, calling on Asmodeus to grant his claw devastating power against the elemental and lashing and biting at it with power and speed!
Claw Attack, alter self, PA, buffed: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 2 + 8 = 26
Claw Damage, alter self, PA: 1d4 + 8 + 4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 + 6 + (3, 3) = 27
Claw Attack, alter self, PA, buffed: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 14 - 2 + 8 = 22
Claw Damage, alter self, PA: 1d4 + 8 + 4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 4 + 6 + (6, 5) = 31
Claw Attack, alter self, PA, buffed: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 2 + 8 = 30 Haste attack
Claw Damage, alter self, PA: 1d4 + 8 + 4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 4 + 6 + (3, 2) = 27
Bite Attack, alter self, PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 12 - 2 + 8 = 34
Bite Damage, alter self, PA: 1d4 + 7 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 4 + 4 = 18
DMD - I don't recall if you posted a map link for this fight. It doesn't matter greatly, because placement isn't really an issue for flanking and such against the elemental, but if there is a map, can you re-post the link?
Status: 57/66 hp
Tatienne Talbot |
Taking note of the ease by which the elemental dodges her fireball, as well as her companion's close proximity to the creature, Taty points her wand at the elemental, and from it springs a thin ray of fire, which snakes out towards the elemental, as if alive...
touch attack, haste: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
damage: 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1, 3, 2) + 3 = 14
Tkaara Fiakben |
Tkaara hisses as the elemental bursts asunder under the blows of Asmodeus's servant.
Well done all. Now lets get rid of that accursed seal. A few short nights of prayer and we will free the land of that holy relic.
Tatienne Talbot |
Removing the parasol from her pack, Tatienne holds it above her head as the electric rain falls around the group. It was unfortunate that she didn't have the parasol out to begin with; hopefully her travelling clothes won't be too marred by the elemental's demise. Examining the seal, the relic hunter ponders works of such a nature. There are of course many ways to break circles, holy or unholy, the easiest probably to physically interrupt it. Perhaps the seal is similar?
knowledge arcana/planes: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30 If religion is applicable, the check would be a 28.
Tkaara Fiakben |
Assuming that this is the main seal, we have to spend 222 days praying and sacrificing victims, some (sort of) willing, some probably not quite so willing.
The crucial vital important document at the top of the thread has the fun tasks that need to be undertaken.
Doctor Ottakar Wilken |
Disappointed at how brief was the violence, the Beast glides back to the ground and immediately goes about collecting the precious residue in a vial.
Erevan Cale |
"That was...," Erevan remarks as the various magics expire one after the other, "...brief." There is a hint of disappointment in his tone that mirrors Ottakar's. It is not the lack of violence that causes it however, but simply the fact that he did not get the chance to put his skill to use. That and the curiosity regarding how the various spells cast on him would have worked.
Etna Agnes |
"Well, with this, we should have cleared the temple of any hostiles that may interfere. Now..." Etna sighs, avoiding the shower of electric particles "Where should we begin? It will take months to complete the ritual, and I'd personally prefer if we started making this place suitable for defense...and living, as we'd have to conduct the rituals daily. Where should we start?"
Tatienne Talbot |
Tatienne nods. "Indeed. We'll need to make the Horn habitable. And of course our safety should be paramount. I can start animating the dead in the charnell pit, and perhaps the boggards can be whipped into some sort of outfit resembling a professional security force."
Felrin Vennax |
Felrin can hardly believe it when the powerful elemental bursts apart so quickly, after all the preparations and prayers before the fight. Still, he's glad it's over, and is ready to begin the next step in their work, nodding at Tkaara's suggestion that they turn their attention to destroying the seal.
As the others weigh in, Felrin listens and considers, then offers a suggestion, "Some of us will be better suited to the task of destroying the seal, while others will be less able - or perhaps unable, in Tkaara's case - to contribute to that effort. The seal will take time to undo, and I suggest some of us begin on it right away, while others set about making the horn more defensible and more livable."
He thinks a moment, then continues, "While I have little interest in venerating any but the Dark Prince, I feel that destroying the seal and calling forth Vetra-Kali is an important step to bringing about Asmodeus' kingdom here in Talingarde, and it should begin right away. I feel duty-bound to take part in the Supplication to Darkness, the Cursing of the Light and the Call Across the Void. As my time allows, I will also put in place a temple to Asmodeus here, and support the restoration of the Horn as a secure place for us to live and plan."
Tkaara Fiakben |
Tkaara, who has once more begun to look rather haggard, looks to Felrin with her bloodshot eyes, more bloodshot than they were the prior day.
I care not about making this place comfortable. Eliminating this seal is our objective and I shall do all I can to see that the seal is broken. Whether it is finding "volunteers" to participate in the ceremony, or keeping guard while you rest and perform the ceremony, I shall be here.
She pauses before continuing.
However, I require sustenance other than that which you all prefer. We will need to find some source as hunger causes longings in my new form, just as starving does for you all.