*poke*
Book3, the Mathir Chronicles
From the depths of the icy gravy there was slight stirring, breaking the inaction. It wasn't long before the DM God Alex sensed the stirring.
Looking around at all of his creations he quickly sent a swirling mass of frozen particles to crush the stirring, sending it back to the frozen pits...
The answer is... yes! Redotting!
Kalev's heroic leap and Casimir's magical bolstering did not fail to make an impact; the ancient Undead Vordakai clearly wincing back from the impact of the borrowed greatclub. The success came at a price, however, as Kalev lost his footing upon landing and tumbled into Kip's conjured pit. His fall was broken by the armoured bulk of Malthir and Ricter and their full plate did not make for a comfortable landing! His strength drained by necromancy and his chest heaving in fatigue, Kalev was finding this battle to be taking a mighty toll on him.
Casimir re-applied the infamously powerful Haste spell on all of the Guardians he could see , using the dropped wand. Still extolling his remaining comrades to greater heights and making clever use of his Unseen Servant, the Spymaster could nevertheless barely shake off a growing feeling of dread...
Fenna did her best to dismiss the defensive illusionary spell Vordakai replied upon as his primary defence, but found the magic to be simply too strong. Holding another scroll of Remove Paralysis ready, the Gnome's pale skin paled further at the sheer magnitude of divine energy she had already called upon.
Lying prone in the pit, Malthir and Ricter's minds struggled to make their frozen limbs move, to no avail. Face-down and helpless, the pair of heavily armed powerful warriors had perhaps never been in such a dire situation. They could hear the shouting and combat above and also heard an almighty crash as something heavy fell atop them.
Hurling expletives, the flying Kip conjured a second pit beneath the mighty Vordakai's feet. Vordakai began to dart back almost as quickly as the pit appeared, apparently understanding from Kip's gestures what his intention was.
Round 9-
Ordered Initiative-
Vordakai- 15
Fenna- 14
Casimir- 12
Ricter- 8
Kalev- 7
Kip- 6
Malthir- 5
Active Effects-
Mirror Image (Casimir)- 1 images remain
Magic Circle against Evil (Kip, 10 feet)
Displacement (Vordakai)- 50% miss chance
Prayer expires this round on Fenna's action- +1 to most rolls, -1 to most enemy rolls
Longstrider on Kalev
Smite Evil (Malthir)
Paralysis (Ricter, Malthir!)
Conjured 30 foot deep pit- F,G/18,19
Conjured 30 foot deep pit- F,G/15,16
Fatigue (Kalev)
Haste on- Kip, Fenna, Casimir, Kalev
Map-
Round 9 Map
Narrative-
Landing firmly and safely on the southern edge of the extra-dimensional pit, Vordakai seemed to have taken a great deal of damage. Heavy cuts from Kalev's polearm Cleft and a particularly mangled shoulder from Ricter's flail had left their toll on the ancient being. With Kip's pits causing something of a stalemate and physically separating the powerful being from his attackers, he retreated a little further from the pit. Placing its mottled hand upon the smashed bones and flesh of his shoulder, the limb pulsed red with negative energy as some of the the dead flesh re-knitted itself instantaneously and ancient bones begun to snap back into place. As far as the Guardians could tell, this magic was something innate and there were no signs that Vordakai had just cast a spell. His single, hateful, ruby red eye seemed fixated on Kip as he paid little attention to the negative energy reinvigorating him.
Fenna I can cast fly on you so that you can go help Malthir!
Weary as if the fight had lasted years instead of a few minutes and keenly aware that his favored weapon could barely scratch the deadly lich, Casimir scanned the room, desperate to find some way to smash Vordekai's ancient bones.
Vordakai's treasure was mostly organised into neat piles behind his throne. Casting his eyes desperately over the various hoards, Casimir spotted a flail; carefully set atop a large shelf of ancient coins.
A faint glimmer of hope surfaces in Casimir's gloomy thoughts. He dashes for the flail, intending to use Vordakai's trophy against him.
Casimir darted over to the treasure trove and grabbed the flail. It seemed to be made from Cold Iron. Other than that, Casimir failed to immediately deduce any other special properties.
Kalev groans as he picks himself up from the ground (and his two fallen comrades) and looks up with a sigh. Then he starts climbing the walls, thanking Erastil for the extra speed he had blessed him with.
Before Kalev climbs, Casimir calls:
Kalev, grab Ricters flail! It will harm our foe more than Cleft!
Fenna looks around at the worsening situation, her cold eyes flickering with with detached logic.
"Malthir will still be cut off from the fight, once I free him from the paralysis... better that you cast the fly on him." she states levelly, before darting to the edge of the pit and leaping in.
Despite landing badly on her side, and wincing from a heavily bruised shoulder, the gnome managed to keep the scroll in her hands and began to read it aloud.
But... I... can... cast... fly... on... everyone... Kip replies helplessly as he watches Fenna dash away and jump into the rapidly filling chasm. Stunned for a moment as to what to do, now that his planned action is no longer an option, his eyes fall upon the looming villain on the far side of the pits. Kip gulps hard, and his vision stretches the distance before snapping back to the yawning pit which looks more and more like a mass grave with the addition of each Guardian that falls within.
Fear threatens to overtake his clouded mind. Fear that what they do in the next few seconds, what Kip does in the next few seconds, will decide their fate eats at him. His mind reels. Should I buy them more time? Should I cast fly on Malthir? Or Kalev first? Should we all be down in the pit? Should I leave Cas up here by himself? Should I sacrifice myself to save the others? The last thought strikes a chord in his soul. I wouldn't hesitate, he thinks. Never a religious man, he desperately wishes he had a deity to comfort and look over him right now. I would do anything to save my friends.
With that last thought, Kip hurtles forward and into the pit with the others.
Ricter hears his allies crash down around him but cannot even move his head to see if they are alive or dead. He's filled with frustrated rage and - to his surprise - mounting fear. He makes a silent prayer.
Pharasma, it is not your way to thwart death, but please forestall mine for this foe flouts your law
After feeling like he's laid there for over three years face down in the dirt, Malthir finally gains control over his body again.
He takes a deep breath to calm himself as he raises himself to his feet.
Thank you Fenna.
Maybe I can finally help with the battle with this creature. Kip, if you can dismiss the pit or allow me to fly, that would be helpful.
A determined look comes across his face as he sends a wave of healing to everyone in the pit.
As the divine radiance washes over him Kip replies hastily, Can't dismiss, you fly next, enlarges after, do you have another for Ricter Fenna?
Another what Kip?
Fenna fell clumsily into the pit, not landing with any of her usual grace and poise , freeing Malthir from the wicked paralysis once again. Casimir darted across the room, retrieving a flail from one of Vordakai's stashes . With some difficulty, Kalev managed to drag his aching body twenty feet up the rough stone wall of the extradimensional space; only to be met ten feet below the edge by Kip, who granted the power of flight to him.
Round 10-
Ordered Initiative-
Vordakai- 15
Fenna- 14
Casimir- 12
Ricter- 8
Kalev- 7
Kip- 6
Malthir- 5
Active Effects-
Mirror Image (Casimir)- 1 images remain
Magic Circle against Evil (Kip, 10 feet)
Displacement (Vordakai)- 50% miss chance
Prayer (expired)
Longstrider on Kalev
Smite Evil (Malthir)
Paralysis (Ricter!)
Conjured 30 foot deep pit- F,G/18,19
Conjured 30 foot deep pit- F,G/15,16
Haste on- Kip, Fenna, Casimir, Kalev
Map-
Round 10 Map
Narrative-
Sounds could be heard from above the pit as Vordakai began chanting in ancient language, casting a longer and more complex spell than the typical brief word or incantation. However, only Casimir was in a position to actually see what was happening with the rest of the Guardians inside an extradimensional pit!
Vordakai has shifted position slightly and is actively casting a spell for the duration of the round. You may make a Spellcraft check to try to identify it, if you meet the DC I will let you know the result in a spoiler. His spell of Displacement is still active for the moment.
Retcon: Malthir draws the last scroll of remove paralysis and casts it on Ricter, afraid of the next spell that might come into the pit.
Ricter, you are free. Kaley, don't rush out there alone. We can help you, if you rush out alone he can pick us off one at a time.
“Thank-you Malthir”
Ricter climbs to his feet, relieved to shift some of the weight off his injuries. Glancing at the pit wall and immediately seeing that climbing it is beyond his abilities, he retrieves his flail and stows his shield across his back . It’s worthless against the foe’s paralyzing touch.
Although unable to identify the exact spell, Casimir recognizes that Vordakai’s extended spellcasting is both a threat and an opportunity.
Vordakai is casting a lenghty spell I can’t identify. He has to concentrate, so rush him now if you can, and break his focus.
"Merciful Shepherd, please bolster this staunch defender of order."
In a high-risk bid to disrupt Vordakai's casting, Casimir takes off running, vaulting leapfrog over both conjured pits.
His enhanced speed almost makes him stumble head first into the first pit, but his extraordinary athletics skill carries him safely over both pits.
In position, he swings his captured weapon with all his might, adding his own arcane power to it. But swinging the flail is obviously not as easy for the arcane duelist as using his favored aldori sword.
Once his attack is completed, Casimir obviously falls into the pit, because why not....
Dashing to thwart Vordakai's spell, Casimir's newly acquired flail was swung a little awkwardly as he whirled it in an airborne strike just before landing; and Vordakai had no difficulties raising an arm to let the blow break upon him before it had gained any real momentum, although the spell the ancient being was concentrating on prevented him from taking any offensive action.
Casimir unfortunately underestimated the treacherous pit behind him and while re-planting his feet to continue striking, plummeted into the second pit as he lost his footing!
Hearing Casimir's warning and request Kip looks down at Malthir, Hold on a moment, he says before ascending just enough to poke his head out of the pit to spot Vordakai casting. He is concerned when Cas is no where to be seen.
Oh no you don't! Kip scolds as he conjures yet another pit under Vordakai in an attempt to disrupt his spell casting.