As he gets to his feet, Barael is attacked again by the sphynx. Like a cat, she bats him around a little more as he makes his escape down the hall to the wall fabricated by Briar blocking his further escape from the maze.
for
DMPC Dandilion will Evil Eye the outsider trying to reduce it's ability to hit (-2 attacks) and stand up.
Dandilion gives the poor sphinx the evil eye. Briar shoots and misses, too many people and doorways getting in the way of his shot. Majenko gets up, flies over to Barael, and heals him of some of his injuries. Charlie blesses the party. Fondo begins his orations and inspires the party to greater skill. Nikolay just misses as the cover provided by Fondo and the wall prevent a clean swing. Barel stands and tries to run, getting at least the party between him and his natural predator.
The creature's glowing red eyes fall on Fondo and she steps in to get a better shot at him.
for
for
for
for
for
for
for
She says to Fondo in thickly accented common, "My, you are harder to hit aren't you? How frustrating..."
Round 2, Init 8
Agh. Not nearly hard enough to hit, alas.
"Your blades're keen, but not your wit, dullsphinx.
Have at thee then, and let this thrust strike home.
Is't me you want, or all my friends' cold steel?"
He attempts to knock one of the kukri's out of its grip.
AC 22 (17 touch, 21 flat) (10 +4 dex +5 mithral shirt +1 ring +2 nat armor)
CMB = +12 (+17 disarm, +15 dirty trick, +14 reposition, +13 steal)
CMD = 25 (28 dirty trick & disarm, 27 reposition, 26 steal)
HP = 44/66
Weapon equipped Blackjack's rapier
Shield equipped none
Bardic performance used 0 of 11 rounds
Inspired command used 7 of 11 rounds
Spells used 1st: 1 of 4
Challenge Ready
Tactician (1/day; 5 rounds) ACTIVE
Wand of CLW 35
"She's got plenty of kukris for backups, Brov." Barael watches the others taking their measures of the Cat, and tries to see straight through the tears lining his eyes.
Round 1, Init 16
Init +2; Senses Perception +2
Speed 20 ft. (+1 Breastplate)
--------------------
AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 19 (+7 armor, +2 Dex, +2 Ring Deflection)
Shield spell AC 25, touch 14, flat-footed 23
hp 75
Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +6
--------------------
3 (4/day) []Burst of Speed, []Fly, []Gloom bolts, [x]Haste
2 (5/day) [x]Frigid Touch, []Glitterdust, []Invisibility, []Mirror Image, []Spider Climb
1 (6/day) []Burning Hands (DC 14), []Chill Touch, [x]Shield, [x]Shocking Grasp, []True Strike, []Vanish
0 (5/at will) Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Light, Read Magic, Light
--------------------
Arcane Pool (+3 per point spent, 9/day) 4/9 remaining
Empowered Magic (1/day) 0/1 remaining
Black blade's arcane pool 2/3 remaining
Wand of Magic missiles (23 charges remaining)
Pearl of Power (1st) - Not used today
Harrow points 5
Nikolay remains speechless as his swing fails to penetrate the creatures hide. He waits for Fondo or Dandi to move so he can 5' in and avoid the cover. When he can, he then adds more power to his sword (max now) and steps in.
"Dandi. Barael. Let me get closer."
(BAB +6, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1)
(+6 STR, +3 Magic)
-
(BAB +1, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1)
(+6 STR, +3 Magic)
(BAB +6, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1)
(+6 STR, +3 Magic)
Barael slaps Nik on the back. "I'd much rather be behind ya than in front of ya!! Give her what for!!!"
Charlie: BoF
AC 14 mithral shirt
CMD 14
HP = 57/57
Holy Water Vials: 10
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (14)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:15 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:16 (8/8 per day) (Bless, Bless Water, Doom, Ray of enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:17 (0/8 per day) (Eagle's Splendor, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Sound Burst, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:18 (6/7 per day) (Prayer, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Fourth Level: DC:19 (3/5 per day)(Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Holy Smite, Neutralize Poison, Cure Critical Wounds)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 5/8 times per day. 1d8+5 dam
summon elemental: once per day 0/5 rounds per day + ring: 5/5 rnds
Sociable Trait5/5 rounds per day
wand CSW 36/37
wand CLW 17/50
wand blessings of fervor 40/50
Rod of Reach 2/3 per day
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Further, Dandilion will indeed give the nasty sphynx another stink eye (-2 to AC). She also 5' steps to X10 to make room for Nikolay.
vs DC 16.
Majenko, within reach of the cat, takes a few quick swings himself.
He lands one hit of the three, barely, but fails to critical and so cannot pierce the thick skin of the sphinx.
Round 2, Init After Charlie
Briar 5' steps into the air to get a better perspective on the sphinx, sending arrow after arrow at the beast.
to hit; (PBS,Bless,Bard,Rapid,DAim,Cover)
damage. (PBS,Magic,Bard,DAim)
to hit; (PBS,Bless,Bard,Rapid,DAim,Cover)
damage. (PBS,Magic,Bard,DAim)
to hit; (PBS,Bless,Bard,DAim,Cover)
damage. (PBS,Magic,Bard,DAim)
BoF Attack:
to hit; (PBS,Bless,Bard,DAim,Cover)
damage. (PBS,Magic,Bard,DAim)
Briar looks at the morass of penalties and considers his combat options.
+2 arcane, +2 inspire, +1 bless
Longsword 2-handed: 1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 5 = 29 (there's that stupid number again)
(BAB +6, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1)
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 4 = 17
(+6 STR, +3 Magic)
-
Longsword 2-handed iterative: 1d20 + 7 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 5 = 29 (and again)
(BAB +1, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1)
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 4 = 20
(+6 STR, +3 Magic)
-
BoF
Longsword 2-handed: 1d20 + 14 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 5 = 31 (Yeah!)
(BAB +6, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1)
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 = 21
(+6 STR, +3 Magic)
(another 29)
Dandilion gives another evil eye to the red eyed cat, but this one won't last so long. Majenko takes a few swings but cannot pierce the toast. Charlie helps everyone by casting blessings of fervor. Briar sends a rainfall of arrows at the sphinx, but fails to connect. Fondo continues to inspire as he challenges and disarms the sphinx. Nikolay steps up and hits all three times thanks to Dandilions evil eye! Barel stays in the corner licking his wounds and spurring others on to greatness.
The grievously injured cat considers the party for a moment, and withdraws, flying easily away and down the corridor beyond.
Briar watches the sphinx flee.
"Let it go. Close the door and I'll ward it against future intrusion," Briar opines. "Let's get our rest."
Round 3, Init 4
Nikolay tries to see what's holding open the door. He starts moving toward it--stopping/attacking/retreating will depend on what he sees.
In the next room is a ten-foot-wide, two-foot-tall well rising from the center. Inky inviting water fills the well nearly to its rim, obscuring its depths. A stone statue of a rearing snake rises from the center of the well. Along the length of the serpent’s body are carved dozens of arms crossed over the creature’s belly - each arm gripping a long curved blade. The statue’s serpentine head rises ten feet above the surface of the water, gazing down coolly to the northeast with amethyst eyes.
Coiled in the corner of the room, trying to look very small, is the broken frame of a man you once knew as Vencarlo Orsini. He is covered in cuts and bruises, and even at a quick glance you can see a paleness to his flaccid moist skin. His head is bowed as he speaks, "Don't hurt me, I have no power in this maze! The one you want flew down the corridor - have some mercy and let me pass."
Nikolay pauses at the door and casts detect magic.
"You're safe now Sir Orsini. Come in here where it's safe. Tell us more of what has happened to you. How long have you been down here?"
You detect no magic in a cone that includes Vencarlo and the fountain.
"Oh, Oh! It's you! What are you doing here? How did you come to be here? We must leave quickly, she'll be back..." he looks somewhat uncomfortably over his shoulder, "She always comes back."
He stumbles to his feet and, moving carefully around the pool of water, hobbles into the tiger chamber. He glances at the tigers on the walls uneasily.
"You're all here! Excellent, we have a chance then."
"I've been here a few days I think. I don't know, I've kind of lost track. I've been through here before though - these tigers were unpleasant and very nearly my death." He lifts the head of one with his bruised hand and sets it back down again. He coughs, and a little blood comes up.
He sees the kukri on the floor and collects it. He says to himself as much as to you, "I'll do what I can." as he swings the blade a few times in the air without much vigor but still with finesse. He looks to Charlie, "I don't suppose you have anything for the effects of poison do you?"
Fondo sheathes Blackjack's blade and rushes to Vencarlo's side, almost forgetting his pain as he bends over the older man. "Yes, signore. My friends and I've come to free you from these damned Arkona."
Can I be sure he's not one of the rakshasa?
"Signore, I have something for you which we found while trying to find out more about the Arkonas... What do you think it might be?" He smiles invitingly and puts his hand on the pommel of Blackjack's rapier.
"Fondo, my friend. You have my blade. You are most kind to have brought it, but keep it for now as it will undoubtedly do you more good than me. Until I regain my health, I fear I am no good in the front rows of combat."
He straightens a bit, with effort, "And fight we must! We must destroy Signore Arkona. He is most evil and I believe his house will crumble with the lack of his will at the helm." He starts a moment and looks at you closely, "Or have you destroyed him already?!" he waits nearly breathless with hope.
Briar snorts derisively at Vencarlo, aiming his bow at the man.
FOOLS! We deal with Rakshasha and you invite this one into our presence!?!
"Describe what you served for us last time we spoke, Vencarlo. What did we discuss?"
Vencarlo glares at Briars rudeness and thinks a moment, then describes the dinner and a few topics of conversation that night.
He continues in a low voice leaning in, "I am Blackjack if you want to share a secret we both already know by way of proof. Now stop with all this foolishness and let us kill Arkona!" he nearly spits at the end so strong is his feeling.
He begins to move toward the exit, only to be surprised by the wall there. He falters and his shoulders slump for a moment as if it's one step to many, but he straightens up again. "How did this come to be here? It wasn't here when I came through. Is it a secret door of some kind? Can you open it, or are we doomed to traverse the maze?" He turns, still pale, to the group.
Barael blurts out in pain, not bothering with the mind blabber. "Do you see me welcoming this one?? He's alone, already been through here, and the Cat has been by?? This should be a corpse, even if he only smells like one." Barael tries to bite the tongue that cat almost got.
"Where's the one in tattered armor? The one who opened the door? Wasn't you who unleashed the creature on me, was it?" Barael glowers at 'Vencarlo'.
Fondo listens for Vencarlo's answer. An expert liar, he hears simple truths that any two-bit liar could divine. You've not said anything that's not obvious. I hope you're truly he.
"Signore, you may as well at least have the sort of weapon you've grown to love. Here, take my rapier. It's not as fine, but it'll serve you better than that silly thing. Perhaps a quick spar to test your strength?" He gets out his rapier and presents it to the dueling master.
Nikolay ignores the paranoid elf.
"Sir, are you alone? We were lead to believe you were brought down here with another. Do you know what became of him?"
Nikolay waits for any information on the missing former seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis.
Vencarlo shrugs and takes the offered weapon tucking the kukri in his tattered belt.
He turns to Nikolay, "Yes, I came here following another, but he is still trapped. I had hoped to reason with Arkona, maybe buy his freedom, but it was not to be." he takes a few practice swings and a thrust or two before turning to Barael.
"I am sorry sir, but Sivit, the sphinx, had me under her paw. She captured me here, in this room, as I fought off the tigers. I was to do as she commanded or she'd have ended me. I am only too glad you ran her off." he glances over his shoulder at the closed secret door, "At least for now."
"We need to be moving." he mutters under his breath as he turns to face Fondo. "Ready?"
He acts quickly and tries for a disarm. and again
With the second attempt Fondo's borrowed weapon clatters to the ground (I think - maybe the first). He lowers his blade and coughs, bending over to catch his breath, clearly in some distress. Once he's righted himself, he offers the blade back to Fondo. "A nice weapon indeed."
"Alas, Signore, we've to find the seneschal as well. Glorio shall have to wait. Our way lies through the maze, beyond the sphinx. Are you sure you haven't seen him in your wandering?"
Still clearly untrusting, Briar lowers his bow.
This is curious. I do not trust him, but yet we must rest.
"Let us rest a bit while you tell us of the seneschal. Kako, what say you of our poor friend's injuries? Mayhap we could treat them while he — we — rest."
"So you were unaware of the rakshasa when you came to visit the Arkonas then? So the real Arkonas, they're dead, eh? Something's taking their place now. Is Sivit the only one of her kind down here? You danced in pain, did ya?" Barael continues to grimace at Vencarlo, now with one eye closed.
"Vencarlo, my friend. You suffer from the same thing many of us have suffered. That is to say, you'll have to wait for tomorrow to be healed. Let me have a look at you and see what I can see."
"Here, take a hit from this skin. It may not heal your body, but it will help your disposition. "
Vencarlo takes a sip from Charlie's holy skin, but it's clear from the look on his face that he's accustomed to better. Still he manages a light smile of appreciation for the offer.
"Barael I don't know. Maybe some of the family are prisoners of the Rakshasa, or maybe they are working for them willingly. I believe Glorio is either a Rakshasa himself, or a willing partner however - his evil is thorough."
"Look, I don't think we should rest unless you have nothing left. Glorio Arcona will continue to hamper us down here and weaken us while he remains strong above. We must return and face him now. I do not believe the sphinx will leave the labyrinth, so we should be safe from her if we leave now."
He sighs, "...and yes, the seneschal is down here somewhere, but we'll never make it to him if we play the game by Glorio's rules. We must face him, and then we can free Neolandus."
Vencarlo seems rather insistant on going to the surface as soon as is reasonable, and to his mind reasonable is nowish.
"Alas, friend, we're rather debilitated at the moment. Tis time for a rest. And besides, the way is blocked behind us."
Barael uses the conversation to heal up from the Sphinx's savage attack.
"How would you know anything about the sphinx, Vencarlo? The rakshasa have unusual pets. Just ask Nik. He met one up close and personal. Saw a reefclaw carry away a birdman rak. If the sphinx is Glorio's pet, then we kill it now, so it can't act in cahoots, you get me?". Barael takes in the fountain room. Spotting the amethyst, he climbs the statue, and dislodges them, like he did the gem in the chest room.
I still think we rest. We just do so with many eyes upon this one.
Briar goes to Magic Mouth the door (noise and alarms when someone approaches), then Explosive Runing the poolside of the door for when it is opened by someone other than the Harrowcast.
"Don't open this door...let me do it after we rest."
Nikolay casts detect magic again and tries to see if there's any lingering influence on Vencarlo.
My CLW wand is down to 8 charges again. We'll need to head to Fondo's soon.
About 3 or 4 minutes go by before the magic mouth on the door begins to shout the alarm and the explosive runes trigger.
or force damage
Then silence.
Now up Barael and Briar.
Barael
Briar
Charlie
Dandilion
Fondo
Nikolay
Majenko
Vencarlo
Good Guys
Fondo facepalms and feels his joints continue to ache. "Brov, your gloves?"
Round 1, Init 23
AC = 21
HP = 78/84
Weapon Equipped = Black Tooth
Condition(s) = Pained
Barael moves to the door, flashing Fondo a look to quiet him.
Barael looks through the door with his Gloves.
Barael looks through the door once again and sees the pool room, but no opponent.
"Nothing?" Briar says, still lying abed. "I'm going back to sleep. Let me know when the door opens."
"Does it take nothing to set off your magic, then?" Barael looks down at the gloves, and shakes his head. Barael snuffles at the door nonetheless.
"Briar, don't grab your teddy bear just yet. We need to keep moving. They are not going to let us sleep. The sooner we snuff them (whoever they are) the sooner we can have a nap."
I think we're back out of initiative...
Does the party do anything special this time to protect the door? Does Barael move back to the rear of the party or does he stand guard at the door?
Briar goes back to sleep.