Chaos in Sarlona (Inactive)

Game Master PathlessBeth

Ma'am, in my experience, it's more... what chooses to mess with me. Now that I have seen it, the rumbling was... an aperture between this place and that. A member of... a group of three Yuan-ti made one and we followed it here.

Deenya seems to have been the motivating... force for those persons to come here and resurrect her. He gestures in the general direction of the halfling. The pessimist in me thinks that Deenya is connected to the Yuan-ti... or has just been kidnapped by the Yuan-ti... because I have only seen them make an effect like that psychoportive hole.

I do not want to fight those things... but I would also not rather they get free to plague others.

There was also Draconic Prophecy on that door. Something of import was left in that room... and all this happened before we had a chance to take a look.

Still looking at the rolling mass of ghostly vermin, Helac adds, I would suggest up the stairs. If the... creatures come at us, that might serve as a second bottleneck on the stairs. There is also a vault there... that may serve as a defense... if one can get it open.

Kiana snorts. "I see no reason to mess with the ghost animals, unless someone has a better reason. And the rumbling has stopped. Unless someone has a good reason to be in here, I would suggest we leave."

She seems to be talking to her companions more than the new people.

Since when do we need a good reason? thinks Nik'o.

"Yes... Let's have a closer look." and he makes slowly for the stairs, watching for the animals' reaction.

And what good is the vault if it cannot be opened? Tierney wonders.

Seeking Nik'o head for the stairs reminds the magus that they were hired to investigate this manifest zone. The spectacle before them seems to exemplify it. If that is the case then this is an obvious place to examine. With that it mind, he makes for the stairs as well but never takes his eyes off of the threatening manifestation from beyond.

"Kiana, whatever we are looking for seems to be appearing here in this building. It is probably best to continue on upstairs."

The room is not much different from how you last saw it. The orbs are gone, and the trap-door is open. The other two kalashtar are up on the roof.

However, there is another voice, once inside your heads, and not from anyone nearby.

"My, this is unexpected. I had sent three of thee here and three of thee somewhere else. But since thee are all here perhaps it shall be for the best. This is Qara speaking to thee, if thee were uncertain.
Now there ith something I shall ask of thee. Deep within this city lies a hidden vault, referred to as the Starlight Tomb. It is said to be the burial place of an ancient Sarlonan king. I believe ith is the resting place of an artifact which may be key to the plans of the Inspired. I request that thee explore this tomb for me, within the center of this city."

All of you hear the same message. The kalashtar do not seem to notice.

Kiana snorts. "And Tierney's perfect record of being wrong remains unbroken." She says as she turns and leaves the small building and it's ghostly animals behind. Exiting the building, she finds the halfling and looks down over the city with her. "Tell me what you know of this city, please, if you would? You knew it when it was newer, and not such a ruin..."

Outside, the halfling responds timidly if your character is not outside, you can come out if you choose. Or not.

"When I arrived at this city, it hath already been ruined for a long time. It was around nine hundred years since the founding of Galifer's kingdom, I know not how long it has been now. At the dreadful time whence the Mockery lead me here, it was empty but for a few yuan-ti and humans hiding from the watch of the Inspired. Then more came, more terrible that the others. I know only that they sought something that can be found only once every century. Some Tooth of Khyber. I know not what any of it meant, for I was killed shortly upon arrival. Though I know my way around the ruins, I know nothing of its secrets."

Back inside, the rat ghost swarm starts to make a rather loud buzzing noise, and floats towards the door.

Kiana left, seeing no reason to go attack ghost animals, she's fairly pragmatic. Plus the voice said to look in the city, not the building we were in

Kiana nods, and actual sympathy mars her features. "My sympathies on your losses." She looks off into the distance. "My own clan was destroyed, and all I knew from childhood lost. I have some understanding of your feelings now, waking up and having no one and nothing you know that is familiar. The pain will become more manageable over time." She smiles. "I find that thinking of what I will do to those who caused my pain helps. Those who betrayed and killed you may yet still be around, many things live for centuries. I would keep that in mind."

Back inside, Minitash runs down from the roof frantically.
"I have successfully contacted our home, and found that not only is Deenya there, but she possesses no knowledge of ever having left, nor of the halfling or our reasons for coming here."

As she speaks, the ghost wolf growls at the noise before falling on its stomach and seemingly dieing for no apparent reason!
A wisp of shadowy energy emits from its nose, and flies into Minitash. At once, her eye color shifts to a dark green, and her body language becomes aggressive as she assumes a combat stance.

Minitash initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
swarm initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Tierney initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Nik'o initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Revion initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Gedeon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Kiana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Helac: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Minitash is at the top of the stairs--which are about 20 feet long. The swarm is in the entry room. You should be able to move from inside into the entry room, or vice versa, with one move action. I don't think this location is sufficiently complicated to require a grid, but I can add one if it turns out I am wrong.

Initiative order:
Kiana--21
Nik'o
Revion--19+
swarm--19-
Tierney--17
Minitash--11
Helac--8
Gedeon--7
Remember that you can (and are encouraged to) post your action before your turn comes up if you have time and know what you want to do.

Unless something makes me modify the plan, I guess I plan to attack the rat swarm with my morningstar. I don't think I'll be terribly effective, though. :\

The unexpected turn of events catch Tierney off-guard and his reaction is initially slow. He considers the situation overly long before taking action. Finally, he turns his left forearm outward and mutters something inaudible. In response, the air before him shimmers momentarily.

Tierney used one of his spell-scars to cast Shield.

Who is the closer foe, the swarm or the kalashtar?

Edit: Tierney's initiative is +5; I forgot to update it. Not that it will likely make a difference.

Kiana's outside with the halfling, so she doesn't know there's a fight going on. Until and unless someone yells, she'd be talking to the halfling.

If Tierney is near the stairs, he is slightly closer to Minitash. Both of them are within range of a single move.

Minitash spoke loudly enough for Kiana to hear, and whatever transformation she underwent made some noise, so Kiana knows something is going on. Kiana will hear there is a fight s soon as anyone takes a noisy action (so Nik'o's turn unless someone shouts immediately.) If no one says anything, Kiana can act immediately after Nik'o (assuming Niko's turn makes noise).

Edit: Tierney's initiative is +5; I forgot to update it. Not that it will likely make a difference.

It makes a small difference:

Is he flat-ffoted since I go before him?

Nik'o doesn't understand what is going on here, but he undertands trouble, and violence. He quickly pulls his sword as he moves behind the new halfling, and stabs at his back.
Shortsword with possible sneak attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 42d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Satisified that his blade found its mark, he shouts: "Ki! There's trouble. Get back here!"

If by halfling you meant kalashtar, then yes, he is flat-footed.
Minitash lets out a sharp cry as Niko strikes him. This time his voice sounds eery compared to its previous sound.
And now Kiana's turn.

Kiana sighs. "I told them to leave that building, so did the voice. You hide out here, if we don't come out, get out of the ruins and go make a new life." She then skips over the intervening space to the entrance to the building, drawing her bow as she moves.

Surprise round, so single move to get there. If 60 ft of flight isn't enough to reach it, she'll continuing flying toward it next round

Kiana flies in and prepares to attack.
Revion's turn. And remember you can (and are encouraged to) post before your turn comes, to speed things up.

So it's been 36 hours since I resolved Kiana's action, so per the turn time-limit rule someone else may post for Revion. However, since he is still getting caught up, I'll extend that to 36 hours after my most recent post in the discussion thread (in another four hours). After that, someone else may take Revion's turn.

Revion, do you have any acid or fire... handy? Masses like that can be nasty.

Revion nods, speaks a few words in Elven and points in the direction of the ghostly rats. A small greenish orb fires from his hand to impact the swarm. Standard Action

Ranged Touch (Acid Splash): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Acid Splash Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Revion then moves to a flanking position to support Nik'o, drawing his elven curved blade but not yet striking. Move Action. Drawing weapon as part of the move action (+1 base attack).

Helac closes with the swarm with some trepidation thinks sarcastically My. How delightful. He takes a swing with his morningstar, hoping that there are so many little ectoplasmic forms in such a small area that he cannot help but bludgeon something.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
1d8 ⇒ 6

Which I'm guessing misses. Few things have an AC of 11 or worse. :\

I'll go with the action stated for me. Seems reasonable. Sorry I didn't make a post yesterday, my girlfriend has been very sick with a recurring fever. Most of my time has been spent taking care of her.

"Let's make this quick shall we? I'm hungry!" Revion says with obvious humor.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Revion singes the rat swarm, despite its incorporeal nature.

Tierney creates a shield around himself.

Furthermore, the swarm has a sickening effect, distracting the strix and producing nausea-inducing fumes.

Minitash whirls around, and his hands sprout claws. With an unnatural growl, he swipes at Nik'o twice quickly!
claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
other claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Helac strikes at the swarm but is unable to even touch it.

Gedeon is still outside, and mysteriously did not come in with Kiana. I'm assuming he is out of the game, but his disappearance has an in-world reason.

And now it is back to Nik'o's turn.
Updated/corrected Initiative order:
Nik'o--20+
Kiana--20-
Revion--19+
Tierney--19
swarm--19-
Minitash--11
Helac--8

Since Kiana effectively delayed until after Nik'o alerted her that a fight was going on.

Tierney had intended to burn the swarm where it stood, but now that it had engulfed Kiana he feared that the flames would take her as well. Seeing that the half-elf was able to affect it, he turned to face the other foe and was caught off-guard by Minitash's transformation.

Still, he had an option to impede the kalashtar without harming Nik'o. He stabs his arm outward and, in response, a slick coating manifests on the stairs under Minitash's feet.

Using a spell-scar to cast Grease under Minitash. DC 14 Reflex save

Swarm usually cover an area. You might still be able to burn them without burning Kiana.

Nik'o growls in pain. Claws, where did they come from!! He crouches, circling Minitash, making sure he stays between him and Helac: "What's happened to him!?"

Waiting for a distraction offered by Helac's threatening move, Nik'o slips his blade in once more, aiming for the left kidney.

Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 141d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (6, 2) = 14

kiana flurry fires, can't pull up my sheet to do the dice rolls, sorry. Someone please do the dice rolls.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Swarm usually cover an area. You might still be able to burn them without burning Kiana.

This is correct, the swarm covers about a 10 foot square, the size of a large creature. Kiana is medium.

Nik'o strikes deep into Minitash's body.
"Ahh!"
In a tremoring, ancient sounding voice quite unlike his previous one, the kalashtar proclaims
"You...shalt join us...in the Shadow!"

Kiana's fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Kiana is able to shake off the nauseating effects of the swarm.
Kiana unleashes a flurry of arrows at Minitash I assume? You didn't specify your target, but single-target attacks can't hurt swarms anyways...correct me if I misinterpreted what you meant.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
crit confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
damage: 3d8 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) = 6
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 miss. Revion's turn.

Also,

Spellcraft
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 2 = 1
Helac, he grew claws! Is he a werewolf?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
That ghost creature has possessed him... temporarily making him much like a shifter, Eroh. Some shifters even have issues with silver, much like a werewolf.

With his shield in his left and his morningstar in his right, Helac continues to impotently hold his ground against the swarm.

Still Revion's turn.

That was correct, at Minitash, I completely missed the rat swarm due to being on my cell phone at the time. Thanks for critting, no thanks for then rolling 1's on the damage dice. :)

As Revion attacks Mintash with his elven blade, he calls out to his old friend. "Nik'o! Glad you could join us. Just like old times!"

Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Precision Damage for flanking: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Revion swings at Minitash, but the kalashtar dives out of the way.

Tierney conjures a coat of grease under Minitash,
reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
but she is able to keep her footing.

sensing greater prey, the rat swarm leaves Kiana and floats up the stairs, swarming around Minitash, Revion, and Nik'o.
swarm damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) = 14
Applies to all of Revion, Nik'o, and Minitash. Also, all three are nauseated for 1 round, DC 16 fortitude save negates.

fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Minitash, flanked and surrounded, tries to escape.
with the agility of a gymnast she tries to leap over Revion...
acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 5 = 17
but Tierney's spell provides just enough interference to expose her to attacks!
Both Revion and Nik'o can make an AoO against Minitash, unless you are nauseated from the swarm.
Minitash manages to dive over Revion and land at the bottom of the stairs...

Helac's turn. Although it might be worth waiting to see the outcome of Nik'o and Revion's AoOs before deciding what to do.

Helac's turn. Although it might be worth waiting to see the outcome of Nik'o and Revion's AoOs before deciding what to do.

I think I shall do that.

Noting the agility and recklessness in Minitash's quick display, Helac has a moment to think That is an inspired bit of foolishness.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

The wave of nausea hits Revion as the rats swarm over him, but he pushes it back down just as the woman attempts to make an escape. He swings to try and stop her.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Ouchies!

As Revion slashes Minitash, his eyes flash in different colors rapidly. He lets out a scream
"The Shadoooowww"
before falling unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. The same mist that had flown into him now flows out, this time it appears denser and bluer than before. The mist darts upwards, through the ceiling and out of reach.

With the mist gone, Minitash reverts to her old appearance, though she is still unconscious.

The swarm still surrounds Nik'o and Revion.
Now it is Helac's turn. Someone will probably want to help Nik'o, given his hit-points are now at 0 and the swarm will continue to hurt him if neither he nor it moves.

Without even realizing that he is speaking his thoughts aloud, Tierney says "That mist! It is exactly like the mist in the Mournlands!"

Then Tierney closes the distance to the rat-pack as quickly as he can. Once within reach he thrusts his left hand into the mass and grunts incoherently.

Use another spell-scar to cast Chill Touch

Touch Attack
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Does Dex bonus apply to touch attacks?

Damage
1d6 ⇒ 2
An undead creature you touch takes no damage of either sort, but it must make a successful Will saving throw or flee as if panicked for 1d4 rounds + 1 round per caster level. Will DC 14

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Nik'o maintans his composure, but the angry rat mob bring him down as it engulfs him.

"Hel-!"

Do not resist me.

Helac takes a moment as his brow furrows in concentration as he attunes Nik'o and Tierney to his collective. Standard action. That makes... probably Revion, Tierney, and Nik'o at this point (and Gedeon if we want to maintain that fiction), as others have probably fallen out of range.

Natural Healing (Power) has a range of self unless using the collective ability. Also, both manifesting a power and adding persons to the collective is a standard action, so mutually exclusive. Next round Helac can heal Nik'o, unless someone want to drink a potion or use some other form of healing. Helac can redirect that to Nik'o this round as a free action via the Share Health ability.

Projecting his words into the thoughts of his collective members, Helac asks Revion, Tierney, Gedeon, if you have healing, use it now, please, on yourselves and I can give it to Nik'o.

Hearing Helac's voice in his head shocks Tierney but the words have the ring of truth about them. With some reservations, Tierney sacrifices another of his spell-scars in the hope of aiding Nik'o.

Casts Infernal Healing

Gedeon is outside the building--he did not come in when the fighting started.

Helac brings the others into his collective. The swarm still surrounds Nik'o...
Nik'o's turn. He is still at 0 hit-points, as Tierney has not yet had a chance to heal him, but remember you can still move whilst at 0 hp.

Nik'o moves to get outside the room and as far away as possible.

Nik'o runs down the stairs out of the swarm.

Kiana's turn.

As far as I can tell, the only remaining enemy is the rat swarm, which Kiana can't affect, given it's a ghost and a swarm to boot.

Kiana holds, ready to exit and fly to avoid the rat swarm, or to render assistance if the spellcasters can deal with the swarm.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 1 - 2 = 10
That's conjuration magic in a tattoo? It looks like somebody has been copying psychic warriors.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Indeed, Eroh. It's interesting. I may ask more on it later.

Free Action. Redirect the 1 hit point from Tierney to Nik'o and will continue to do so until the duration expires or Tierney says otherwise, as Collective Healing only works on ". . . a willing member of the vitalist's collective. . . ".

As far as I can tell, the only remaining enemy is the rat swarm,

You are correct, the only apparent enemy, aside from the unconscious Minitash, is the rat swarm. That you can see, anyways...

Revion's turn again.

Revion moves next to Nik'o both to heal him and move away from the swarm of rats.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Nik'o, you gain 11HP.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Did the Chill Touch spell have any effect?

Revion heals Nik'o.

Tierney casts infernal healing, channeling his power through Helac's collective into Nik'o.

Did the Chill Touch spell have any effect?

It looks like you posted two different actions for Tierney in the last round. First you posted that Tierney used chill touch, then infernal healing. I assumed that you meant you were changing your mind and casting infernal healing instead of chill touch. If you'd like to change it back, you may.

The swarm floats down the stairs and makes its way towards Helac, surrounding his head!
swarm damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) = 11
And DC 16 fortitude save or be nauseated for one round. Even on a save, spellcasting/manifesting requires a concentration check (DC 16+spell/power level).

The fog that came out of Minitash's body flies through the ceiling and disappears. The wolf, while still lying in the same position it 'died' in, has spontaneously resumed breathing.

Helac's turn. Reposting initiative order:
Nik'o--20+
Kiana--20-
Revion--19+
Tierney--19
swarm--19-
Helac--8

The ghostly swarm gnaws through all of the artificial vigor Helac had manifested earlier and then some, surprising him.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
He also feels the aberrant touch of the dead creatures summon bile to his throat, but chokes down the feeling and manages to act more or less normally.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
He takes a wild swing at the creatures, thoroughly missing his target. Perhaps the beasts have had a greater impact on me than I realize... he thinks to himself. Then again, I've always been a better medic than a fighter.