The Whispering Cairn (Inactive)

Game Master Death-Lok

Bublaka has a movement rate of 60' - he keeps moving to rejoin his friends. He watches for the giant whose voice he heard, as well.

Bublaka is on the map. Go ahead and move him where you will. The giant is apparently no longer around.

Any further actions this round or shall I move on to the next one? Bublaka, You still have a full action from where you are on the map now.

Bublaka hustles into the room where Friar waits, moving quickly but still invisible. "Friar, what happened? Did Bram attack you guys, too? Where did the blade barriers come from?"

I still have a standard action available, but I have no idea what to use it for. Barring suggestions from the rest of the team, I will forego that action.

Actually, you are not invisible due to Invisibility Purge, which is still on.
"Yes, they attacked us when Exousia cast holy magic to affect the hidden demon, which made them uncomfortable but did not harm them. Vulcan and his magic were mostly due to Bram'a death. It turns he is not very dexterous at avoiding spells. Kagro fled and the demon is hidden or teleported away. At least the frost giant and Bram are dead. Now we have to go look for Kagro, get his key and avoid the apocalypse before Big Red finds it first and takes it to Dragotha!" Friar scoops up the frost giant's magical treasures and gold, once they detect.

Lol, nice summary Ferez. Don't forget Bram's pet hydra that was indeed very effected by the holy magic. Of course, we all know that Bram just needed the littlest excuse :)

Ferez: You get powerful auras of magic off V's circlet, his bracers, his warmace, and moderate auras off the 4 potions he has. Everything will resize for you except the warmace. It'll take this next round to collect it all (assuming you throw it in a portable hole or something).

Bad guys take unseen actions...

Everyone but Ferez is up again (assuming he is collecting goodies).

Friar has a haversack where he collects the treasures. He then moves to Bram. Exousia spends next rounds dispelling blade barriers, especially last one to make hall safe for party who do not have evasion.....unless something happens before then.
1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Ok, roll her first dispel. And Vulcan?

He hovers, wind blowing in his icy hair, looking cool.

Lol, nice. Looks like her first couple of dispels are going to fail. Ok, now just to see what Bub and Valgrim are doing and we'll move on. Got my RL game of Iron Gods I'm running tonight, so I won't post again til tomorrow at the earliest.

Bublaka moves over to V's notes in an attempt to decipher them regarding how to get into Kagro's Holy of Holies.

Don't forget to claim the axe that Tor was carrying. I assume he's dead now.

Valgrim moves back next to Vulcan as he does not want the fiend teleport back and have full attack on a single party member. Exousia is tough on her own so she will be all right. So we wait for wall of force to come down or enemies to reappear.
Reflex saves: 1d20 ⇒ 19
1d20 ⇒ 13
1d20 ⇒ 19
Only fails in a 1

Valgrim: Your currently at ground level and Vulcan is at the ceiling. Moved you close to underneath him.

Alakora stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

The ranger being uneasy about leaving any member of the group unprotected, moves toward the flying sorcerer. If I were a predator, where would I strike? His instincts most likely save Vulcan's life. As the stairs down come into view a slight movement catches his eye and he sees the full-size serpentine form of the marilith coiled upside down on the ceiling, ready to strike the oblivious mage.

Vulcan can take his action in response to Valgrim's cried out warning, before the marilith goes.

I think we still have air walk going. I wanted to literally be next to him if possible.

Ok, it took 80' feet of movement to move where I have him currently, which is next to Vulcan on the ceiling. You can adjust it if you want.

Good call Valgrim! Does Vulcan have full round action or only partial?

Let's call it a full round action since he was basically just delaying.

As a swift action, Vulcan casts Cold Ice Strike at the fiend.
SR check: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 2 = 39
Damage: 15d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 6, 6, 3, 6, 1, 1, 6, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) = 51
Reflex save DC 28 for half
He auto-makes DC 23 concentration check and follows it up with a Boneshatter spell!
15d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1, 4, 2, 3, 4, 6, 5, 4, 3, 6, 3, 4, 6) = 58 and exhausted.
SR check: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 18 + 2 = 22
Fort save DC 24 for half and fatigued only.
Then he moves back 25' feet provoking AoO but avoiding full attack.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36

The demoness twists to the side as the ice shards fly toward her 15 cold damage. Vulcan's Boneshatter spell fails to penetrate her resistance to magic.

"I insist you stay," her body uncoils and wraps itself around the hapless mage as he tries to retreat and she squeezes with bone crushing force.

Tail lash: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

Grapple: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (11) + 23 = 34

Damage: 2d6 + 3 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 2) + 3 + (6, 1) + 10 = 27

DC 25 Fort save or go unconscious.

Some corrections on her attacks (I was posting from my phone and didn't have all the info): Her tail lash hit an AC 29. Her grapple was actually a 41. Damage was actually 31. She's slightly better than your average marilith. Her Crushing Coils fort DC is 27 (not 25) or go unconscious.

Vulcan has DR 5/magic due to Ice Body so I believe damage would be 21(5 off grab and 5 off constrict). Also due to Ice Body I believe he would be immune to her crushing coils effect since it is affecting his physiology and respiration. What do you think?
Fort save if you disagree: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 2 = 32

Yeah, I was debating his immunity in my head still but I think I agree that he would be immune, so we'll roll with that. Yes, that would also be correct for damage. Not sure how mages speak at all with Ice Body going but that is how it is.

Alakora becomes a blender of death as she slices into Vulcan with six scimitars as she continues to lash and crush with her tail.

Free action release Vulcan. 5' foot step back. Full attack.

Tail Lash Power Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 6) + 9 = 17

Grapple: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (16) + 30 = 46
Constriction Damage: 2d6 + 28 ⇒ (2, 3) + 28 = 33

Flaming Burst Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24
Flaming Burst Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
Flaming Burst Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
Flaming Burst Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25

Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Scimitar power attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

What's Vulcan's current AC? Seems like with shield going he has an AC around 22 or so, but not sure.

The demoness keeps pulling the mage further and further up the stairs as she attacks him. Grapple moves him adjacent to her each time she does it. Remember that she it following the slanted ceiling of the stairwell, not the steps themselves.

Actually his AC is 20. I do not know why he wrote 26 on his sheet. Guess he was adding +5 from ring of resistance incorrectly and maybe +1 from Haste. So he is quite dead. Al least temporarily.

The 26 is probably old and situational depending on what was happening at the time. He has dodge, so at least that makes it a 21, but yeah...

The marilith's blades slice easily through Vulcan's icy body and the pressure from her crushing coils causes fractures to spider web throughout his form. It is all too much for the mage and he goes limp in her grasp.

Ok, well that means it is all your actions again. Just so you know, I am thinking of taking this opportunity to retire Vulcan for good. Let me know if you have a problem with that for any reason. I calculate an additional 176 (added to last round he's at 197) points of damage this round (all her swords count as magical).

I calculate she is 15' away now..
Valgrim screams in horror, "You will pay for killing my friend, you bi*ch! I will carve the flesh from your body!"
Spring attack to land adjacent to her and stay there:1d20 + 18 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 18 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 42
Damage: 2d4 + 2d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 15 ⇒ (2, 3) + (6, 6) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 15 = 45

Valgrim's blade bites but the marilith is resistant somewhat to his weapon. 35 damage.

So 50 damage, with Vulcan's cold spell added in.

Exousia flies south toward the dwarf's scream and seeing the fiend and sure she is about to employ hit and run tactics and avoid the full attack of the dwarf, the angel readies an action to dispel the fiend's Teleport attempt.

Friar double moves toward the scream.

I am guessing Bublaka will follow suit and also double move out of the room to see what is going on (from where he is researching the archmages papers) but while we are waiting for Bub to post, can I get Valgrim's and Exousia's current AC's and CMD's please?

EDIT: Almost forgot, Valgrim (or anyone else) needs to make a DC 25 fort check EVERY time you hit her. She has an unholy aura.

Ouch! Fort save: +22 (with -2 Con currently)+2+4=+28, so only fails on a 1.
1d20 ⇒ 15

AC:35 without Shield of Faith.
CMD: TBD, have to check HL when I get home.

Angel's AC is 36 and CMD is 46.

Bublaka does indeed rush out to see what the ruckus is about.

Those classes I mentioned earlier - really chewing up my availability. That and packing for another trip to RMNP - hopefully without the large-scale flooding this time.

Completely understand Bublaka. Hope you have a much better trip this time.

Sizing up the dwarf the demon does not seem ready to run but Exousia knows it is only a matter of time. Alakora purrs at Valgrim, "You say the niiiicest things. Tell me more about how you plan to desecrate my body..." She tightens her powerful coils around the dead or dying mage and his frozen body shatters into a million glittering shards that rain onto the stairs below. Except for his head, she catches that with just the tip of her tail, "Perhaps you intend to place my head on a spike and use it as a banner, like I will do his?" As she says all this she weaves a net of steel with her scimitars that encompasses the ranger.

Disarm attempt: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (14) + 28 = 42 I think this succeeds, disarm falchion.
Disarm or sunder attempt: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (6) + 28 = 34 This fails.
Disarm or sunder attempt: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (13) + 28 = 41 Possible success as 39 sunder attempt on weapon cord - broken.
Disarm or sunder attempt: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (18) + 28 = 46 Succcess as 44 sunder or attack.
If attack than Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Attack: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (12) + 26 = 38
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Attack: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (16) + 26 = 42
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Attack: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28 Fail.
Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 Fail.
Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 Fail.

Ok, since I am not sure what Valgrim's CMD is, this is how her action works. Above are the rolls. She first tries to disarm Valgrim's main weapon and then sunder the weapon cord. Then she just attacks normally.

"....but how will you flay me with just your bare hands?"

She 5' foot moves up the stairs forcing Exousia to squeeze into the hallway if she wishes to follow.

Just about all the damage she does is aborbed by Valgrim's stoneskin. Hopefully that wasn't too confusing and can be sorted out.

CMD is 36.

Ok, so Valgrim loses his weapon, takes 28 damage to his Stoneskin, and 8 actual damage. He can tell that she is daring him to go after it and plans to wrap him up helpless with her coils should he try to do so. Yep, I know she can't, but she doesn't :)

You are all up again.

Friar launches a Spear of Purity at the fiend, in anger over Vulcan's death!
Touch attack: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 35
SR check: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 18 + 4 = 32
Damage: 60 and blinded for 1 round.
Will save DC 18 for half damage (30) and no blindness.

Exousia delays to see what the weaponless dwarf does.

Special order, coming up!

Bublaka casts brilliant inspiration on the dwarf, hoping to give him that little extra against such an extraordinary foe and begins singing to inspire courage.

Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 Save made. 30 damage (80 total now).

Valgrim looks disappointed to see his falchion on the floor. But upon hearing the bard's song of battle and his words of advice in his ear, his spirits rise and he smiles. "No, not my bare hands. I have another weapon you may enjoy...I do not use it much but it felled a Titan once! Here let me introduce it to you! The symbol of your pain!"

Valgrim draws his +1 Keen Scythe as a move action, rages as a free action, takes a 5' step, and power attacks the fiend!

Bonuses to attack:
+18 base
+6 Str
+1 weapon
+1 prayer
+2 favored enemy
+4 Inspire courage
+2 heroism
=+34 hit
Bonuses to damage:
+9 Str 2-handed
+1 weapon
+1 prayer
+2 favored enemy
+4 inspire courage
+15 power attack
=+32 damage

Power attack (using Furious Focus) with Brilliant Inspiration:
1d20 + 34 ⇒ (4) + 34 = 38 or
1d20 + 34 ⇒ (19) + 34 = 53...threat (take this one)
Confirm: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (11) + 34 = 45
Fort save for Unholy Aura - only fails on a 1: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Damage: 2d4 + 32 ⇒ (3, 3) + 32 = 38 or if confirmed
Damage: 8d4 + 128 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 4, 3, 1, 1, 4) + 128 = 150 (140 with DR)

Satisfied with his blow, Valgrim scream through his rage, "Exousia, finish her!"

GREAT buff, Bubba! Thanks!

LOL, OMG, that crit is insane! I had originally had her disarm all Valgrim's weapons but was like nah, one is enough...

Valgrim's razor sharp weapon almost completely eviscerates the demon from her torso a good way down her snake-like body. Despite the grievous wound the infernal power within the demon continues to drive her on. Total damage now 220.

Ok, Valgrim, since you asked for it....I do not think you can squeeze as a 5' step since it counts as 2 squares. Correct me if I am wrong, GM, so no full attack. Also we gave her Belt of Strength +6 and I have been treating it as +4 only. D'oh!

Exousia flies at the fiend, holy great sword in hand, with vengeance in her eyes! "Goodbye Alakora! Time to leave this plane!"
Power Attack: 1d20 + 27 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 2 - 4 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 27 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 2 - 4 - 1 - 5 = 37
Damage: 6d6 + 44 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 4, 1, 1) + 44 = 56
Fort save vs. Unholy Aura: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 36
Her +3 weapon overcomes cold iron DR and its holy quality allows it to bypass good DR, so fiend takes full 56 damage.

Ohhhhhh, so close... and you are correct.

The angel does a sideways lunge into the cramped (for her anyway) hallway. Alakora at the last second manages to push off the ceiling so Exousia's blade passes just a hair breadth over her backward arching body. Barely holding her innards in, with three of her hands, the demoness does what Exousia originally thought she would do and teleports away. She reappears on the other side of the wall of force.

Ohhh, forgot about the plus of the weapon overcoming cold iron and the like qualities. I think maybe Valgrim's original swing did full damage. She still survives but I'll double check that.

Yep yep, sure did. Add 10 damage for 230 total so far.

Your turns again.

Maybe she could fail Casting defensively check since it does provoke AoO...it is a DC 29 Concentration check. Even with a 5' step away from Valgrim she is within 15' threat range of the angel. :)

If she makes concentration check, no escape now, not with our bard back! Just delaying the inevitable.

When told where she is, Valgrim yells, "Bubba, dimension door the angel to the other side of that wall within 15' of that fiend so she can end her." Angel has more pluses to hit, does more damage on a non-crit and her weapon bypasses DR.

Bubba could spend a 6th level slot to cast D-door on Exousia and himself, leaving the dwarf behind in case trouble pops out.
Spell Slots: The character class tables show how many spells of each level each can cast per day. These openings for daily spells are called spell slots. A spellcaster always has the option to fill a higher-level spell slot with a lower-level spell.

Well, we shall see if that is even necessary, concentration check: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27 MISS! Ok, now all Exousia needs to roll is above an 8 to hit on her AOO. If not than plan B "Bard D-Door Ambush" may be necessary.

In my urgency to get that last attack by her out I forgot that two of her hits on Valgrim were critical threats. Not retconning it now, just forgot because of all the combat manuever madness.

Yeah, I was thinking her 5' foot step took her out of threat range.

EDIT: I'll just roll for her. 1d20 ⇒ 12 That would be a hit!

As the demon tries desperately to escape she leaves just the smallest opening in her defense, which Exousia is quick to exploit by plunging her massive blade straight through Alakora's chest, pinning her to the wall of the hallway. As the demons body convulses in death throes and begins to dissolve, Vulan's icy head thuds to the floor and rolls down the steps, coming to rest at Ferez's feet. But it isn't alone in its fall from the marilith, her swords, equipment, and jewelry also clatter to the floor and down the steps.

I declare this combat over and you the battleworn victors!

From Alakora: 6 magical scimitars(large), a magical belt, magical bracers, magical ring, and many non-magical valuable bracelets.

From Bram: magical chain shirt(large), magical battle axe(large), magical handaxe(large), magical spear(large), 4 potions, and a wand.

From Vercinabex Tor: magical warmace(large), magical circlet, magical bracers, and 4 potions.

Just to be fair: AoO:1d20 ⇒ 17...yes! It was meant to be!

Thanks Ferez, appreciate the spirit that was done in. Congratz to a victory very well earned every step of the way. Doesn't get much tougher than that.

Most definitely! Yeah, I don't like hand-waved victories, unless the level disparity is great or the battle means nothing to the story line. In this case, it was fitting that the angel struck the decisive blow! :)

Updated Spell List:
9th level: Mass Heal, Miracle, Prismatic Sphere
8th level: Fire Storm (x2), Stormbolts, Sunburst
7th level: Destruction, Waves of Ecstasy, Quickened Prayer, Sunbeam
6th level: Heal, Heal, Cold Ice Strike, Greater Dispel Magic, Heroes' Feast, Fire Seeds
5th level: Communal Air Walk, Boneshatter, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Quickened Shield of Faith, Flame Strike
4th level: Blessing of Fervor, Blessing Of Fervor, Death Ward, Freedom of Movement, Greater Magic Weapon, Holy Smite
3rd level: Invisibility Purge, Magic Vestment (x2), Searing Light (x2), Searing Light
2nd level: Bull's Strength, Bull's Strength, Grace, Grace, Spear of Purity, Status, Blessed Weapon
1st level: Shield of Faith (x2), Murderous Command[x2], Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith

Friar channels Energy: 9d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 2, 1, 3, 3, 4, 1) = 28, bringing everyone to full.
If not, he uses the Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds.
Channels used: 4/9
2 charges of Wand of Restoration on Valgrim and Exousia to recover their lost Con points.

"Thank you, Bublaka! Your inspiration was key to dispatching the fiend, as well as to Exousia and Valgrim. We have lost one of our own today. I ask for a moment of silence. When we have time to grieve, I will speak with Vulcan's spirit and ask if he wishes to return to the mortal coil. For now, there is still a red dragon inching closer to razing this city in search of Dragotha's phylactery. I am tired, as are all of us, but we cannot stop the search. Giving the dragon another day to search may prove costly. We must honor Vulcan's memory and continue the fight. We need to find Kargo. We may have lost his goodwill and he may be waiting for us with a regiment of fire giants, but we need his Key. I see no other course of action."

Ha! I was screwing around, didn't think she would actually fail concentration check. Actually GM, when you cast defensively and fail concentration check, you just lose spell. I don't think you provoke AoO. But in any case, we had a full around of attacks coming up on her so the fiend's fate was sealed.

Valgrim bows his head at the loss of Vulcan and is moved by Friar's speech. He picks up his falchion, falls out of rage and recovers. Then we wait for Angel to dispel the blade barriers, collect treasures, and take our speed axe from Tor's corpse as well as his gold. Then down the stairs Kagro left unless anyone has a better idea. He grips the Angel and Bubba's arms as warriors for their great aid in battle and thanks the party.