Throne of Bloodstone (Inactive)

Game Master WhtKnt

Tima teleports behind and above the pair of demons, to attack the lich-king directly. He lays a hail of arrows into the lich, three of which hit (did the boards eat part of your post?). The lich staggers slightly under the rain of arrows.

He does not seem resistant to the fire or the arrows.

Warlord, moving to engage the marilith puts you inside the blade barrier. Cathryn's SR does not defend against it, so you would suffer 15d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 5, 2, 5, 1, 3, 6, 5, 1, 4, 6, 3, 4) = 56 damage unless you have a way to avoid it.

SR check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29

I shot with my sling, not attacked in melee.

Okay, neatly avoided then. :)

Tima teleports behind and above the pair of demons, to attack the lich-king directly. He lays a hail of arrows into the lich, three of which hit (did the boards eat part of your post?). The lich staggers slightly under the rain of arrows.

Nah, it's just attacks 3 and 4 come from Solar Hailstorm stance, which I'm not in right now since I shifted to Anchoring Spirit to walk through the treasure room. I just copy-pasted the attacks and cut the middle two.

Only two attacks hit BTW, I rolled two 1's.

It looks live everyone posted for round 1

Looks like I also forgot to post my reflex save for the Blade Barrier! I also forgot that she can't see in darkness so here also are the two miss chances for her AoOs.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 23 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 23 + 10 = 37
Total Concealment (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 68
Total Concealment (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 86

Tima's first two shots find their target, but the lich refuses to fall. Warlord's attack injures the marilith, but she also refuses to go down. The balor roars a challenge and slashes at Tima with it's longsword, while cracking it's whip, trying to capture the agile foe. It connects twice with the sword and once with the whip, leaving Tima bloodied (Tima takes 53 points of damage plus 1 from fire) and grappled (take an additional 6d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2) = 15 fire damage).

Doppel brings the fight to the balor, hacking and slashing at it. (Doppel suffers 28 points of damage from the blade barrier and 13 points of damage from the balor's AoO.) The demon roars in anger, but does not fall.

Cathryn moves in, deftly avoiding the blades, but provoking from both the balor and the marilith. The balor manages to clip her with it's blade. (Cathryn takes 16 points of damage.)

Amarilis follows in her wake (Amarilis, you need a Reflex (DC 23) or takes 56 points from the blade barrier (half otherwise)) and strikes a series of withering blows against the marilith, dropping the snake woman in a single flurry of attacks.

The lich-king, seeing that this will be a fight to the finish, channels negative energy, excluding the balor, and inflicting 5d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 3, 3) = 17 damage on everyone in the party (DC 18 Fort save for half).

The party is up!

I have already made a reflex save against the barrier but I'll make another one just in case this is for the second turn?

Reflex Save (DC 23): 1d20 + 23 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 23 + 10 = 35
Fortitude Save (DC 18): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30

361/385 hp

Fortitude: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (12) + 30 = 42

Doppel laughs as the negative energy does little to halt his onslaught. He drives his sword twice more into the Balor before turning on the lich.

Swift action to activate Raging Brutality. Full-attack action, my first two attacks against the Balor and the last three against the lich. These are all touch attacks. The last three attacks versus the lich do not benefit from heartseeking.

Greatsword v Balor: 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (4) + 38 = 42
Damage: 3d6 + 2d6 + 72 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) + (3, 4) + 72 = 90

Greatsword v Balor: 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (6) + 38 = 44
Damage: 3d6 + 2d6 + 72 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) + (6, 2) + 72 = 92

Greatsword v Lich-King: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (10) + 31 = 41
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 76
Damage: 3d6 + 70 ⇒ (5, 6, 4) + 70 = 85

Greatsword v Lich-King: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (10) + 26 = 36
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 10
Damage: 3d6 + 70 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) + 70 = 80

Greatsword v Lich-King: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 16
Damage: 3d6 + 70 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) + 70 = 74

I have already made a reflex save against the barrier but I'll make another one just in case this is for the second turn?

[dice=Reflex Save (DC 23)]1d20+23+10
[dice=Fortitude Save (DC 18)]1d20+23

361/385 hp

Sorry, may have missed the first one. Things got real confusing while I was crunching the numbers. We'll use this for the second one (unless you move out of the barrier).

I'm assuming the Balor's whip isn't Ghost Touch, so no grappling, and half damage.

Channel Energy is a Will save for half, but I don't think that changes anyone's results.

Will: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (19) + 26 = 45

Tima is hurt by the whipping, but tries not to show it. He Zhengyi an amused chuckle as he feels barely a twinge from the negative energy, however.

Current HP: 167/196

Tima unloads a hail of arrows into Zhengyi this time, becoming fully corporeal now.

Attack 1 (Manyshot): 1d20 + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 51
Damage: 2d8 + 22 + 10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 22 + 10 + 4 + 4 = 43

Attack 2 (Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 46
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 26

Attack 3 (Hailstorm)): 1d20 + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 44
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 5 + 8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 5 + 8 + 4 + 4 = 34

Attack 4 (Hailstorm 2): 1d20 + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 30 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 41
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 5 + 8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 5 + 8 + 4 + 4 = 34

Attack 5 (Iterative 1): 1d20 + 25 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 25 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 50
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 29

Attack 6 (Iterative 2): 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 35
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 30

Had my damage wrong last round for attack 1, the Manyshot arrow should have done more: 1d8 + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 29

Cathryn focuses all of her remaining attention on the Balor, fire alight in her eyes. "Be gone from this world. Beast."
Balor: 1d20 + 41 ⇒ (17) + 41 = 58
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 41 ⇒ (11) + 41 = 52
Damage: 1d8 + 21 + 27 + 10 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 27 + 10 + (6, 6) + (5) = 77
Alternative Crit Damage: 2d8 + 42 + 108 + 20 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 7) + 42 + 108 + 20 + (5, 3) + (1) = 189

Balor: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (19) + 36 = 55
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (8) + 36 = 44
Damage: 1d8 + 21 + 27 + 10 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 21 + 27 + 10 + (1, 2) + (2) = 67
Alternative Crit Damage: 2d8 + 42 + 108 + 20 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 42 + 108 + 20 + (4, 2) + (6) = 189

Balor: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (18) + 31 = 49
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (20) + 31 = 51
Damage: 1d8 + 21 + 27 + 10 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 27 + 10 + (4, 1) + (1) = 66
Alternative Crit Damage: 2d8 + 42 + 108 + 20 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 7) + 42 + 108 + 20 + (1, 3) + (5) = 192

Balor: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (13) + 26 = 39
Damage: 1d8 + 21 + 27 + 10 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 27 + 10 + (4, 1) + (1) = 70

2d6 is Holy, 1d6 is Sonic. Since Mythic Power Attack is really funky the critical damages are distinct from the regular damage (ie: don't add both).

Waiting to see if Cathryn moved or not (and why), since this could mean Amarilis attacking the balor or the lich.

*Sighs* Always forgetting things.
Will Save vs Negative Channel: 1d20 + 28 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 28 + 4 = 42

Tima pumps arrows into the lich, causing it to sink to the ground and then lie still. the fall of the lich, the darkness is dispelled. Waiting to see Warlord's action before carrying on with the balor.

Darkness is not a Concentration spell, so it would run its full duration regardless of the status of its caster.

Right, so I think Amarilis will be hitting the Balor!

Unable to see properly, Amarilis unleashes her fury on the Balor in front of her.

You're right on the darkness. Consider it still in effect.

Rowan will put another round of slingstones into the Balor, to see if he likes it while continuing to shout orders and encouragement.

Attack Rolls: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (19) + 34 = 531d20 + 29 ⇒ (7) + 29 = 361d20 + 24 ⇒ (20) + 24 = 44
Damage Rolls: 5d6 + 17 ⇒ (5, 4, 5, 1, 3) + 17 = 355d6 + 17 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 6, 3) + 17 = 355d6 + 17 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 6, 1) + 17 = 34
Sonic Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 61d6 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 1

EDIT: Forgot to allow for Cathryn's miss chances and crit negation.

Miss chance <20: 1d100 ⇒ 67 Hit!
Miss chance <20: 1d100 ⇒ 7 Miss
Negate crit <50: 1d100 ⇒ 35 No crit!

All three of Warlord's slingstones find their mark, but the demon ignores the damage, focusing its rage on Cathryn, now that the hated paladin has moved within range.

The demon swings it's sword in a deadly arc, catching the paladin across the chest. (Cathryn takes 27 points of damage after DR.) With the other hand, it brandishes the whip at Amarilis, dealing 5 points of damage (1 from fire) after DR and entangling the barbarian, drawing her closer and into its fiery aura (15 damage after DR).

Sadly, that proves to be the last action the demon would take as a hail of blows from nearly everyone present fells it. With it's last earthly breath, it explodes in a fiery blast that deals 100 points of damage to everyone present (Reflex DC 33 halves). Then there is only a smoldering body that was once the earthly receptacle for Zhengyi.

Balor vs. Cathryn (sword): 1d20 + 40 ⇒ (3) + 40 = 43 Damage: 2d6 + 14 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 14 + (5, 4) = 29 Hit!
Balor vs. Cathryn (sword): 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (1) + 33 = 34 Damage: 2d6 + 14 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 14 + (6, 4) = 36 Miss!
Balor vs. Cathryn (sword): 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (5) + 28 = 33 Damage: 2d6 + 14 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 14 + (2, 4) = 22 Miss!
Balor vs. Cathryn (sword): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43 Damage: 2d6 + 14 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 14 + (6, 2) = 31 Miss due to miss chance
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42 Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (1, 4) + 14 = 19

Balor vs. Amarilis (whip): 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (18) + 37 = 55 Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 plus 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire and entangle
Fire damage (Amarilis): 6d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 2, 3, 6) = 21

Reflex: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
Auspicious Mark: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

No damage thanks to Ring of Evasion

Doppel stands hulking in the wake of the explosion, notably unscathed. After a while he speaks:

"Remind me, what was it we were to be doing now that the lich is dead?"

Reflex: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (10) + 31 = 41

Tima neatly flips, ducks, and dodges under the waves of flame that emanate from the Balor's corpse.

"Never tangled with a Lich before, have you Doppel? This is far from over. We need to find its phylactery, which could be ANYTHING. Until we destroy that, job's not done."

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (1) + 29 = 30

"Tima is not wrong. We need to check out the rest of the keep."

Ouch! also, mass cure moderate wounds for everyone.

Mass Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 20 ⇒ (1, 8) + 20 = 29

Reflex Save DC 33: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32 So close!

Amarilis lets her rage diminishes and soon feels the wave of healing magic washing over her.

In the end she is at her full hp (361-5-15-94+29=276).

That including Mythic Heroism?

Reflex DC 33: Evasion: 1d20 + 26 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 26 + 4 + 3 = 41
Cathryn ducks to the ground as she sees the Balor begin, rolling with the blast and ignoring all of it. Standing back up she surveys the scene.

Satisfied for the moment, she channels positive energy through her hands, and back into, fully knitting her wounds shut Lay on Hands for 96 Hit Points, which easily puts me back at full.

"Thanks Rowan, does anyone need any more healing?"

Where to now?

"It's probably a trap, but we should dig through the treasure room now. The phylactery may well be there."

Rowan will cast detect magic and scan the pile looking for magic items.

A fulls search of the room reveals nothing in the way of an obvious phylactery.

The lich wore only rotted robes and a gold ring (ring of protection +5. The treasure room contains (among much coinage and mundane items) a dozen +1 longswords and eight suits of +1 plate mail.

Speaking of, do we need any knowledge check or anything to tell the phylactery when we see it? Or will it be obvious that it's something mor than it appears?

Odds are pretty good that you'll know it when you see it. Phylacteries are normally kept in ornate boxes and magically guarded.

Well then, finish the northern part of the map and see what that gives? Then go from there if no Phylactery

Okay, let's do this...

Your group quickly scours the remainder of the tower to little opposition (since you've already defeated the three big threats). You locate the phylactery and destroy both it and the armor of the grave knight. Aside from some rather deadly traps and the phylactery, you find a vault (where the phylactery was stored) holding a scroll with the spells fireball, lightning bolt, and meteor swarm, all at 20th level, a scroll with the spells teleport, globe on invulnerability, and mass invisibility, also at 20th level, a potion of levitation with four doses remaining, and a ring of regeneration. At this level, you should have no trouble IDing items.

At the top-most level of the tower, you find a platform that is smooth and flat, except for a round hole, three feet in diameter, in the center. This hole radiates magic and is pitch dark within.

"This must be the portal to The Abyss."

"Can we shut it down?"

"Not if we're going to kill Orcus, as we were asked to do."

"Won't do us much good to kill him if we can't shut the portal behind us when his armies come swarming after us. Best to figure these things out in advance."

So uh, what do we know about how the portal works?

Nada. The best bet might be to enter it, if you're ready to proceed. Or, you can study it a bit more; informative spells and such. Anyone who can, make me a Knowledge (planes) check.

Cathryn eyes the portal thoughtfully.
I'll take 10 on Knowledge Planes for a 39 (41 if it concerns Evil Outsiders).

Btw, is anyone taking notes on what we've found item wise? Does the Warlord want the scrolls? I can UMD as well, but more likely will be swinging my sword.

I'll take 20 for a 40

This does not appear to be a portal. You've never heard of a portal being simply a hole, and it seems unlikely that it is such. More likely, it is exactly what it appears to be, a shaft that penetrates to the depths of the tower.

"It seems... To be a hole. Down we go then? Perhaps we will find clues down there?

No traps right?"

Cathryn directs the last bit at the Warlord and Tima

Tima shrugs, looks, then leaps. After a second he turns incorporeal and floats down.

Tima's incorporeal form begins to sink into the hole. Anyone going to follow?

"Let's go." with that, Rowan flies down the hole, keeping pace with Tima.

Cathrn glides after the pair, using the faint magic from the previous fly spell.

Doppel lumbers into the hole as well under the power of his own flight spell

The shaft plunges nearly half a mile, through the center of the castle, and into the depths of the earth. Its sides are smooth and featureless except at the bottom. Here, about 10 feet above the bottom of the shaft, several metal rungs are anchored sturdily in the wall. Beneath this, the shaft opens into a vast cavern.