“I can hear nothing above,” murmurs Elisile, “but if this flight has brought us halfway up the tower, the next will surely bring us to or near the top. If the enemy we seek is here, they likely wait above. Get ready.”
While waiting for Dravite, Vehtran and Illes to make it up the stairs, and for Alwyn to finish healing, Elisile casts Blur and Protection From Evil on herself, then, when the others are ready, begins up the stairs to scout out the situation (she goes once she is healed and the others are in the room).
After receiving a good poke from Alwyn, Elisile moves cautiously up the stairs to scout.
Elisile:
Spoiler:
Poking (that word again) her head up above the stair to look at the room in the level above she finds the light room. Panes of glass as tall and wide as doors, though several are shattered, form the walls while in the centre the magical light assembly sits dusty and dark. By it is what can be described as a nest of silken sheets and cushions.
Slowly pacing the space is what looks like a demon or devil, the size of a big orc, horns sprouting from its head and spines running down its back and along its meaty tail. It seems not to have noticed the elf.
Life is kicking my ass right now, can someone play me as a ranged combatant unless melee is really needed. Hopefully I can get a reprieve in a week or so.
Life is kicking my ass right now, can someone play me as a ranged combatant unless melee is really needed. Hopefully I can get a reprieve in a week or so.
Yes - after tomorrow I'm out of communication range for a week.
Elisile looks at Hudak. “It was …” she pauses, looks thoughtful for a moment, “not quite right – an illusion? A trap? The illusion’s creator must be nearby – invisible perhaps.”
She shakes her head. “No. I don't think so. The top of the lighthouse, where the lamp was housed. I spied a nest of silk and cushions – perhaps the lair of Ironbriar’s lover.” She’s still whispering, her lizard face close to Alwyn’s.
“I suggest we rush up as if to attack the devil, attempt to spring the trap. I have a spell on a scroll here that should reveal anything that waits invisibly, so long as I have some idea where to focus it. Of course, we shall not waste spells or arrows on the illusion. We must be careful though – each of us must disbelieve the illusion strongly, or else it may still be able to harm us.
Elisile extracts her scroll of Glitterdust from her pack, then casts Shield herself as she mounts the stairs behind Alwyn and Illes.
If needed: Init: 10.
She will attempt to disbelieve the illusion once within the chamber, if I need to make a Will save: 16+5 + any situational modifiers for seeing through it in the first place. However, I don’t think she needs to make a save to disbelieve it in this case, given she’s already realized its not real. The rest of the crew should get a +4 bonus to their saves for Elisile’s explanation.
EDITED: Elisile doesn't cast Mirror Image, and she didn't cast Blur on herself just before either - I've been confusing my spells known list with the spells prepared list.
With buffs active, her current AC is 31 against evil opponents.
A to H across the top, 1 to 8 down the side. The stairs emerge at B7. The defunct apparatus for running the light is at D-E/4-5 (impassable terrain). The "nest" of silks and cushions is at D-E/1-2. The walls are sheets of glass, but these are broken in several places and can be easily passed through (though it's a long drop if you do). They are broken at A/3-4, C-F/8, H/3-4 and H/7-8. The devil is at B2.
You don't have to make checks to disbelieve it - Elisile's word is enough.
The devil makes a good fist at looking wounded and trying, but failing, to hit Hudak. As the Shoanti engages the creature another hideous apparition appears suddenly outside - a creature the size of an ogre, with the upper body of a vouluptuous woman and the lower body of a huge serpent, suddenly appears. Below a mane of long, soft hair her upper face is covered by a mask seemingly made from twisted snakes. Her eyes glow an unnatural green behind the mask, and Hudak feels his muscles and sinews tightening up.
Hudak - Fort save DC 15 or you are petrified. This creature is Large - Dravite take note - and is flying about 10' west of the tower by a broken window - sort of minus C-D/3-4.
Knowledge (Nature), DC 18:
Spoiler:
Thislooks like a lamia matriarch, one of the fabled rulers of the lamias.
If you got 20 or more on the above check, you also know:
Spoiler:
Petrification isn't a normal part of a lamia matriarch's repertoire, so it is probable caused by an item, perhaps the mask.
Spellcraft, DC 18:
Spoiler:
Looks like she has attacked Hudak, cancelling her Invisibility spell, and has a Fly spell going too.
“A lamia – a lamia matriarch!” breathes Elisile in amazement as the creature outside the window flickers into view. The troglodyte looking elf thinks fast for a moment then relays to her companions as she moves, “such a creature is dangerous, but it cannot fly naturally, nor use a gaze attack such as what she tried on Hudak – the former is likely a spell, the latter perhaps a quality of the mask she wears.”
As Elisile talks, she moves, aiming her bow out the window at the flying abomination and letting an arrow fly in one smooth moment – more to take advantage of the few remaining seconds of her magic weapon effect and test her opponent’s magical defences than to do any lasting damage.
Move to D6, should get a clear shot out the window, bow (magical): 15+7 = 22 (23 if Illes’ inspire is still active). Damage: 4+2 = 6 (7 if inspire active).
Elisile closely watches the arrow and her opponent, trying to determine if there are any magical defences in play. Spellcraft: 18+13 = 31
"Monster nobility, eh? No matter; it dies now, just like its minions." With a roar, Alwyn sprints towards the flying fiend.
Charge to D/E 1-2 before striking the flyer - the nice thing with reach is that I can actually hit foes 10' away. Attack roll 16+8+1(bard)+2(charge)-3(Power attack)=AC 24, damage 16+5+1(bard)+6(PA)=27.
It’s entirely possible that I’ve misinterpreted Aubrey’s description, but I have the creature 10 feet left of the window at A 3-4, which means you probably want to move to A-B 4-5 in order to hit it. Not sure if you’ll be able to charge, but probably can, you look to have a pretty clear run from the stair.
Move to D6, should get a clear shot out the window, bow (magical): 15+7 = 22 (23 if Illes’ inspire is still active). Damage: 4+2 = 6 (7 if inspire active).
Elisile closely watches the arrow and her opponent, trying to determine if there are any magical defences in play. Spellcraft: 18+13 = 31
The window there is not broken, so you can't fire unless you break the window first. The glass is toughened - hardness 5, hp 5.
Move to D6, should get a clear shot out the window, bow (magical): 15+7 = 22 (23 if Illes’ inspire is still active). Damage: 4+2 = 6 (7 if inspire active).
Elisile closely watches the arrow and her opponent, trying to determine if there are any magical defences in play. Spellcraft: 18+13 = 31
The window there is not broken, so you can't fire unless you break the window first. The glass is toughened - hardness 5, hp 5.
The intent was to fire through the broken window at A 3-4. I took the lamia to be in row 3-4, 2 squares left of grid A – if I’ve got that position correct I should have a clear shot from D6, if I’ve stuffed it up I’ll re-think.
Move to D6, should get a clear shot out the window, bow (magical): 15+7 = 22 (23 if Illes’ inspire is still active). Damage: 4+2 = 6 (7 if inspire active).
Elisile closely watches the arrow and her opponent, trying to determine if there are any magical defences in play. Spellcraft: 18+13 = 31
The window there is not broken, so you can't fire unless you break the window first. The glass is toughened - hardness 5, hp 5.
The intent was to fire through the broken window at A 3-4. I took the lamia to be in row 3-4, 2 squares left of grid A – if I’ve got that position correct I should have a clear shot from D6, if I’ve stuffed it up I’ll re-think.
Sorry, misplaced you. But I'm still struggling to give you line of sight from there as well. D3 would work, though, and you should be able to get there.
I’ll certainly heed your advice, I’ve got no real problem with D3 – except that by my map it means I would need to shoot through Hudak. I can trace a straight line, with no obstructions or near obstructions from the lower left hand corner of D6 to the top right hand corner of the lamia’s space. Is that how line of sight works, or does it need to be to the same relative corner?
Illes moves up into the room and calls out "Whoa... I see Ironbriar has an unconventional sense of beauty! Freaky elves... Someone knock that window out so we can do her up like a pincushion!"
Can't find my map since we got back and haven't redrawn it yet.
Inspire Courage +3 att/dam, +3 vs charm/fear includes a swift casting of Inspirational Boost and a use of the Badge of Valor
Whoever runs Vethren this round, remember that he is operating with +4 Int due to Fox's Cunning for an Int of 22 bumping his DC's up
Vethran moves to H7 before casting Dispel magic on the lamia.
Dispel checks: 14+5=19, 6+5=11, 16+5=21, 11+5=16, 8+5=13, 13+5=18. If more checks are needed, let me know. Hopfully the spell that keeps the lamia aloft goes - it's a long way down, after all...
Sorry for the delay - out on the lash* last night, out on the lash tonight. So busy....
*(For the benefit of those unfamaliar with English slang.) Out on the lash = out for an extended session of carousing. Does not imply sadomasochistic behaviour (most of the time).
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