Chapter 6: Crown of Fangs! (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

Pai waits to see how the situation transpires.

"I am Ruperta of Hetzau, and this are my friends and comrades, and we came from far away, braving enemies and deserts, in order to save the innocent people of the city of Korvosa from an Evil Queen, now dominated by an ancient evil that has poisoned her thoughts and actions. An Evil you maybe know, and that you would want to destoy! Would you allow us to state our plea to your greatness?"
She readies an action to use her Dimensional Hop to the Dragon's side touch him, and then using her Elysium Call power to try and free him from any bond that holds him, just in case the dragon moves to attack.

The dragon looks down at you. "I know not of this 'evil' you speak of and what do I care of this 'Korvosa' and its queen?" The dragon stares hard at all of you, his silence deafening.

"Maybe you don't care for the innocents there, but we do. About the ancient evil, we are talking of Kazavon himself."

"Kazavon is dead and gone. Perhaps you should be, too!" Looking frustrated, Bellshallam lunges at Ruperta!

You can only ready a single action. And as this is a surprise round, I'm going to assume you use it to get out of the way!

Bellshallam's jaws close on air as Ruperta disappears with a POP and reappears next to him!

Initiative!
Pai: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Slumper: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Paxs: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Corbyn: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Ruperta: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Sial: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Asyra: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Laori: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Bellshallam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Round 1:
27 Asyra
25 Ruperta
24 Slumper
22 Bellshallam
16 Pai
12 Sial
10 Paxs, Corbyn
6 Laori

Ruperta and Slumper are up!

Ruperta quickly touches the dragon, while praying to Desna.
"May the goddess of freedom release you from your bonds!"
Got it! Yes, that was what I would choose. Now it time for the Elysium's Call power. After it she will use her Dimensional Hop power to get as far from the Dragon as possible while getting behind or at the side of him (and if it is in a higher place, the better, so she can fire at him while making difficult for the dragon to reach her, and be away from the others in case of a breath attack).

Asyra steps in front of Sial and assumes a defensive position. Ruperta touches Bellshallam, who steels himself for pain and feeling none, just looks momentarily confused. In the confusion, she hops away, appearing atop a nearby staircase!30' of hop used!

Nice idea, but the effect on him is immune to the Call. Slumper is up!

Oh well, I had to try!

I can't see the map at work, so going to assume I'm close enough to take a full action, if I'm not can you just take the first swing and add +2 to the attack? Both are +1 weapons if that matters

Slumper moves up to engage the dragon with a fierce look in his eyes

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25rapier
1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28shield
1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19shield
1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Slumper has to run to reach the dragon and even then his sword thrust skips off the dragon's thick scales!

Bellshallam looks scornfully at the array of heroes in front of him and rears his head back, breathing a mist that seems to suck the very life from you! Reflex Save DC 24 for half damage! Negative Energy Breath: 14d8 ⇒ (3, 8, 4, 3, 8, 7, 2, 5, 8, 2, 8, 3, 2, 6) = 69

Sial Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Asyra Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Laori Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Sial, Laori and Asyra all fail, and Sial looks positively ashen. He cries out in pain and limps away, pausing 30' back to cast a cure spell upon himself. CMW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 8) + 10 = 24

Laori cries out in ecstasy as the pain fills her, her face aglow with something that is both intensely personal and somewhat disturbing. She seems to erupt with an aura that fills everyone with a destructive urge! Everyone automatically deals +5 damage and confirm crits without re-rolling for 10 rounds. Of course, this also includes the dragon... This done she bows her head and seems to swell with strength!

Pai, Paxs, Corbyn and Thrak are up!

Was Ruperta affected too?

Yes, but you receive a +4 bonus to your Reflex for cover.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11ref 57/126 hps

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 5 = 22
Ruperta clenches her fist over her heart as she feels the life siphon out of her.

Pai takes a 5' step back and casts Mirror Image creating additional Pai's on the battlefield.

Images 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Pai, you'll also need to save versus the breath weapon.

Reflex 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Ref 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 me -1/68 HP
Ref 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 thrak

Paxs drops to the ground out cold as Thrak disappears.

Yeah, this is bad. Pai is at 1 HP, it coming from her False Life spell. I smell TPK here from this dragon. I can Teleport, but I'm so far away from the group, I'd be leaving everyone else behind, so I don't want to do that.

You can always go back to rescue us, of lead the new team of adventurers! :S
There should be a way to "release" the dragon...
And don't forget you have Ruperta around! A Channel Energy is on the way!

Pai staggers as Paxs falls and Thrak disappears. Sial's face is screwed up with pain as he calls out, "We need to break the hold on the dragon! It is an effect of evil and needs to be dispelled!"

Round 2:
27 Asyra
25 Ruperta
24 Slumper
22 Bellshallam
16 Pai
12 Sial
10 Paxs, Corbyn
6 Laori

Asyra snarls in a vulgar tongue and moves up behind Slumper. The dragon snaps at her, Bite: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (7) + 26 = 33, dealing 2d8 + 13 ⇒ (6, 8) + 13 = 27 damage. Asyra's chains lash out 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22 for 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9 damage, but seem to simply skip along the dragon's thick scales.

Ruperta and Slumper are up!

Ruperta uses her ability to transport and moves in such a way to get all her friends in the are of her Channel Energy, and proceeds to rain Desna's blessing on them all.
Everybody heals: 5d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 1, 2) = 14

44 hps

Slumper never one to give up continues to bash at the dragon hoping he is gaining valuable time.

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31rapier
1d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 5 = 13
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24rapier
1d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 5 = 17
1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20shield
1d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 5 = 16
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15shield
1d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 5 = 14

automatic crit on the first roll due to confirm.. forgot to add all the +5 due to the one buff from earlier... extra dmg below

1d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16

PaI hears the calls to try and dismiss the hold on the dragon. She casts Dispel Magic, hoping her magic would be strong enough to shake the spell off the dragon.

Targeted Dispel 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Please dice roller, roll high for us!

Edit: dammit! if we live one more round! I can arcane bond and try it agin!]

Slumper's sword finds purchase in the dragon's flesh, causing it to scream with rage. Ruperta's healing helps sooth the party, but the dragon seems enraged by the whole ordeal. He bites at Slumper! Imp Vital Strike Bite: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (12) + 26 = 38 for 6d8 + 12 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 1) + 12 + 5 = 43 damage!

Pai casts dispel magic, trying to shake off the chained spirit's hold on the dragon! Level check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20. but she can't quite overcome the spell! Edit: never mind. Either roll didn't quite get there!

Sial seems Slumper nearly bitten in half and his eyes war between flight and fight. Finally he points at the dragon and murmurs words of law and order. SR Check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 His spell seems to break through the dragon's defenses and damage the wyrm. Order's Wrath: 5d8 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 7, 8) = 23 Will Save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Laori murmurs a prayer, cutting her skin as she does. SR: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Suddenly a column of flame tinged with black fire pounds down upon the dragon! Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 dealing 10d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 1, 2, 6, 1, 1, 6, 5) = 31 damage!

Paxs and Corbyn are up!

Paxs stands up and summons a Babau behind the dragon and commands it to try and dispel the magic surrounding the dragon.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Corbyn will begin moving around the dragon to try and get into a better position.

Paxs summons a babau as Corbyn tries to move around the dragon to flank it.

Round 3:
27 Asyra
25 Ruperta
24 Slumper
22 Bellshallam
16 Pai
12 Sial
10 Paxs, Corbyn
6 Laori

Asyra's chains lash out at the dragon! Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25, Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26, Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26, Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26 All four lash against the scales of the dragon, but none can find purchase! Sial screams "Dispel the bonds or the thing will slaughter us all!"

Ruperta and Slumper are up!

1/126

Slumper realizes the futility of what he is doing but is determined to go down fighting giving everyone else a chance.

1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 = 18rapier
1d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 5 = 14

1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29rapier
1d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16

1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 2 = 35shield
1d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 5 = 14

1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18shield
1d4 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 5 = 13

automatic confirm crit on rapier #2

1d6 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16

The dragon screams as Slumper's rapier and shield crash into and through it. Blood fountains from the wounds, hot and red, but the dragon seems only to grow angrier. At Sial's words it snarls, as though forcing the words out, "Not. That. SIMPLE. Stronger. Spell." But then it screams in pain as invisible chains tighten around it, digging into its flesh and cutting it without mercy.

Ruperta, you're up!

Pai also has one HP, Slumper, lol. Gonna be lucky if any of us get out of here to come back for the rest of us. Maybe if Pai doesn't screw up her next caster level check...

stronger than a dispel... ouch... anyone high enough for a wish? or it could be that it's just a very high dispel check

Ruperta casts Dispel Evil and moves towards the Dragon.
"Fight! Free yourself! Don't make us kill you!"
She gains +4 to her AC

The dragon's snarl turns from pained to triumphant as Ruperta touches him with her glowing hand. With an audible SNAP you hear the sound of chains breaking and the shadowy dragon rears up and stretches his winds in relief. "Free! Free, finally free!" He looks down at the smaller humanoids arrayed in front of him and smiles a draconic grin.

"You have my gratitude, little ones! The bonds that held me prevented me from speaking of my imprisonment without death. And death within these walls is an eternity of entrapment. No soul may leave while the chained one remains. I leave now, free after a hundred years of imprisonment. Behind me lies my hoard, what treasure I could find in this place. It is yours as payment for my freedom. I suggest you too leave these accursed place, lest the chained one bind you as well."

The dragon Bellshallam launches himself into the air with a blast of wind that staggers you backward. In a moment he is just a small speck in the distance. And then he is gone, leaving you alone in the haunted castle.

Good job! Go ahead and level up!

WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! I just knew this was the big one! Good job, Ruperta! Here's my Dispel Magic d20 to see if I could have done anything. 1d20 ⇒ 17

Slumper true to his name slumps to the ground in exhaustion as the adrenaline finally releases it's hold on his system.

Ruperta smiles and waves the dragon Goodbye.
"Truly Desna, the night butterfly, as bless us all today! I marvel at her power!"
She goes back towards her friends, and embraces each one of them. Even the "evil" ones.
"Let's rejoice as a life was freed today!"
She Channels trice to heal her friends.
Everybody heals: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 4, 2) = 16
Plus: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 1, 3) = 11
Plus: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 6, 2) = 16
So that is 43 HP. Who is still hurt? There is a Wand we can use.

44/140 now

Feeling a little better Slumper beings to amble towards the treasure..

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 percep

I have some free heals i can give out as soon as i finish leveling up, so dont worry :)

Pai moves to her friends with her mouth agape. "That is easily the most terrified I've ever been. It would have killed all of us! Thanks Desna."

She turns to the Zon Kuthonites. "Are you all all right as well? I bet you don't often cross dragons, do you? Big time scary. That things was handing out a little too much pain, if you know what a mean," she added with a smirk.

Paxs summons a Lillend Azata and requests aid, after she fades away Paxs calls Thrak back to his side.

She is going to toss out every heal she has, 3 cure serious wounds and 5 cure light wounds on the group
3d8 + 7 ⇒ (6, 1, 7) + 7 = 21
3d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 7, 6) + 7 = 28
3d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2, 7) + 7 = 17
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
I will take the 17 to fill me up, everything else is up for grabs

I'll take the bottom 5 and leave the 2 bigger ones for Ruperta and Pai. 95/140 hps

BTW, as Ruperta got to level 11 she has 3 "extra" d6 in her Channels.
[dice="Extra" healing]3d6[/dice]
So we all heal some extra 13 hp.
Ruperta is at full, no need to use the Lillend Azata's healing.

108/140 hps I'll wait to see if Corbyn or Pai needs anymore beore claiming one of the others

PaI will be full. She only needed 59 total to get full up.

Corbyn was full after Ruperta's first healing.

all your heals are belong to me! full health

Ruperta smiles mischievously...
"Let's see what the dragon left for us..."

Heading inside you find the "lair" of the dragon. What once was a fine dining room is destroyed and heaped with materials for a nest of sorts. In a small room off the main room you find the hoard.

The treasure here includes 7,030 gp, 18,445 sp, and 39,800 cp. Scattered among the coins are various gemstones worth a total of 5,800 gp, and among the battered and dented gear itself are three masterwork greatswords, a masterwork halberd, a mithral breastplate, an adamantine battleaxe, a +1 lawful outsider bane greatsword, a Small suit of +3 chainmail, and a staff of necromancy.

"Wow, that dragon has a lot of really good items! I hate to think how he came by them. Speaking of which, if we survive this place, we need to not forget that we probably need to chase him down, and if he doesn't promise to stop being evil, then deal with him..." Pai then tells the others what properties of the items she can come up with. She palms the magical staff, testing out its abilities.