As the group pauses, Kiri eases Khun-Duhn, Zanzu and Lord Vincent's fatigue with a soft song about a faerie and gnome playing practical jokes on each other.
Yes, I agree we should look for a campsite. I'm not sure if we'll manage it back to the road before dark especially given the state of the horses.
Durin wipes his brow after the last bit of hard march, but doesn't seem to be overly suffering at this point. I am sure anywhere is as good as anywhere else out here. He looks over the horses again when Marcus mentions them before giving a quiet harumph. Beasts of burden all right...
"We either stick out on the plain or find a place in the rift, under the shadow of one of its banks? You know me, in the shadow of the rift, suits me well." says Zanzu as he shakes his feathers in a cloud of dust.
Marcus shrugs, Fair enough. At least we know where we are. The only cover looks like the rift itself though.
+2 in Desert (Favoured Terrain)
With Barak, Marcus and Arachiel leading horses and the rest of the group acting as a rearguard, the group descended into the rift, aiming to get just a little inside so that the north and south sides of the scar in the land provided shelter and concealment of sorts from the dangers of the Desolation.
The ground here is mucky and muddy, but a little firmer on average than outside the rift. Barak's eyes widened as he spotted something stalking the group from the deeper muck and mud on the north side; although most of the creature was submerged in a small pool of mud and the muck partially obscured it. The Dwarf's keen eyes took in its two eyes, each shining with a colour akin to pale fire. Some kind of squat reptile, the creature had bony ridges akin to a hedgehog and tough-looking skin; and its open, salivating mouth revealed razor sharp teeth, each only a little shorter than a dagger.
Even as the Dwarf began to shout a warning and react, Khun-Duhn's uncanny ability to foresee a battle before it began had him moving as well, almost unconsciously...
Round 0 (Surprise)-
Ordered Initiative-
Barak- 15
Monster- 15
Khun-Duhn- 8
(Favoured Terrain Desert +2)
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Taken by surprise Barak acts more out of instinct than by design. Shooting from the hip he sends a bolt skimming the surface of the mud finally connecting with the creature with a wet 'thwack!'
ALERT! TO ARMS FRIENDS!
The monster hissed in pain as the crossbow bolt punctured deep into its hide; the sound coming from both the visible head as well as, somehow, from inside the mud pool the rest of its body was submerged in.
The source of the secondary moan was soon revealed- the other half of the reptile revealed itself as the creature reared up fully from the mud, now fully visible in all of its twisted, conjoined glory; revealing that instead of hind legs, the beast had two more front paws and another head!
Both pairs of heads seemed to move independently; the initial head gazing at Barak and the second at Arachiel. The red eyes of both heads flared with intensity as they focused their gaze upon the two adventurers, each feeling distinctly fearful as their skin began to harden...
Horrifyingly, the Aasimar that so courageously stood toe-to-toe with a Hydra succumbed to the powerful gaze of the reptile; his flesh calcifying and turning into stone. In mere seconds, a statue of a man marching into the rift with sword drawn, eyes wide in alarm, stood where Arachiel once had! The reptile's snarling grin seemed to mock the adventurers while displaying its pointed teeth...
Each opponent within range of a gaze attack must attempt a saving throw each round at the beginning of his or her turn in the initiative order. Only looking directly at a creature with a gaze attack leaves an opponent vulnerable. Opponents can avoid the need to make the saving throw by not looking at the creature, in one of two ways.
Averting Eyes: The opponent avoids looking at the creature’s face, instead looking at its body, watching its shadow, tracking it in a reflective surface, etc. Each round, the opponent has a 50% chance to avoid having to make a saving throw against the gaze attack. The creature with the gaze attack, however, gains concealment against that opponent.
Wearing a Blindfold: The foe cannot see the creature at all (also possible to achieve by turning one's back on the creature or shutting one's eyes). The creature with the gaze attack gains total concealment against the opponent.
A creature with a gaze attack can actively gaze as an attack action by choosing a target within range. That opponent must attempt a saving throw but can try to avoid this as described above. Thus, it is possible for an opponent to save against a creature’s gaze twice during the same round, once before the opponent’s action and once during the creature’s turn.
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Marcus is fortunate to only catch a brief glimpse of the creature before his attention is fully taken up by the horrible sight of his brave companion and friend rapidly ossifying.
While one part of his brain starts gibbering, another fortunately continues processing information.
You know what this foul creature is; a magical beast (you may see all magical beast traits) known as a Basilisk. The beast has potent senses including Darkvision, Low-Light Vision and All-Around Vision.
The two headedness is a rare mutation known as Amphisbaena. Each head is independent of the other and in fact, if cut in half the two bodies can act separately for a time before eventually reattaching.
Most fortuitous of all the information Marcus managed to recall, however, is that the Basilisk's fresh blood acts as a cure to its own Gaze attack; if a victim is fully coated in the blood of one of these beasts, shortly after its death, the stone will once again turn to flesh.
OK super presuming I can't relay til my initative comes up. I wasn't sure (a) it was actually a basilisk given the two heads (b) if Marcus knew of restorative effect without a roll. You've obviously clarified both. One more thing: am I aware of the 30' limit on the gaze? You say ooc above so wasn't sure. Probably going to try something a bit unorthodox when it comes round to my action so I might run it by you first.
Your essentially aware of its Senses and Offence section so yes you'd know the range of the Gaze.
Zanzu stops in his tracks as the creature rises from the mud, with horror and a gasp he watches as the one of the heads looks at Aracheil and he starts the process of becoming another statue victim. The little tengu has no option, but to protect himself from the thing, dropping his backpack and finding some cloth to make a blindfold, protecting his eyes.
Blind-Fight (Combat)
You are skilled at attacking opponents that you cannot clearly perceive.
Benefit: In melee, every time you miss because of concealment (see Combat), you can reroll your miss chance percentile roll one time to see if you actually hit.
An invisible attacker gets no advantages related to hitting you in melee. That is, you don't lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, and the attacker doesn't get the usual +2 bonus for being invisible. The invisible attacker's bonuses do still apply for ranged attacks, however.
You do not need to make Acrobatics skill checks to move at full speed while blinded.
Normal: Regular attack roll modifiers for invisible attackers trying to hit you apply, and you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC. The speed reduction for darkness and poor visibility also applies.
Special: The Blind-Fight feat is of no use against a character who is the subject of a blink spell.
Surprise Round:
Khun-duhn's eyes widen in surprise as he sees the creature's gaze turn Arachiel to stone. The battle oracle tries to avert his eyes as the creature's gaze swings toward him.
The creature's eyes bore into Khun-duhn's, and the wolfish half-orc feels his limbs begin to stiffen. Silently calling to Muir, he wills himself to resist the beast's power.
Shaking off the numbing effect, Khun-duhn staggers back from the creature.
Round 1-
Ordered Initiative-
Zanzu- 22
Kirilarien- 18
Marcus- 18
Two-Headed Basilisk- 15
Horses- 14
Lord Vincent- 11
Khun-Duhn- 8
Durin- 6
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Zanzu quickly turned his back on the dangerous monster and busied himself with his backpack, using some cloth as a crude blindfold. Turning back to the Basilisk, he prepared himself to fight blind...
Round 1
Before he can speak, Marcus sees another of his companions petrify before he squeezes his eyes tightly shut.
Barak! Dammit, somehow thats worse than Arachiel .. you came from friendship...
Amph.. basilisk! It stones at thirty feet. Try not to cut it unless you must! It can divide! We can save them if we win through!
Taking what cover he can behind his magical mount, Marcus rushes out another summoning spell.
Amaleal! I call on your aspect. Aid us!
vs DC 19
Turning to place his back to the basilisk the wizard opens his eyes just long enough to reach for the reins of Arachiel's war horse and try to turn its head away from the creature.
This time the chimes herald a canine-headed humanoid, its celestial essence plain from every proud line and movement.
The noble archon regards the creature before it without fear, looking fully into its eyes, even as it sets down its silvery, polished greatsword at a quick command from its summoner.
It bays as it rushes forward at the creature with fists and teeth, a call to lift the hearts of the righteous.
Round 1
Also able to look at the creature fully, Kiri simply stares at the basilisk and a second archon, mirror twin to the first, appears next to it. This archon does not bay however it makes no sound at all as it lunges forward, snapping at the basilik and just narrowly missing with its teeth.
The lyrakien then takes to the air above her master. .
To the group's dismay, Barak also succumbed to the powerful gaze of the Basilisk; frozen into a statue in the pose of having just fired his crossbow; contrasted in quite a heroic pose against the stark look of shock on Arachiel's face.
The dog-headed, celestial humanoid's bite failed to penetrate the spiny hide of the two-headed Basilisk. With two opponents facing it in melee, each head lunged for one of the Archons facing it, both taking a chunk out of the flesh of both celestials, both real and illusionary.
Marcus managed to turn Arachiel's horse's head aside before the other two horses were affected by the gaze of the Basilisk; Marcus' summoned mount calcifying and turning to stone, adding a third statue to the battlefield.
Durin lets out a primal yell as his comrades sucumb to the foul gaze of the basilisk. Heeding Marcus' words, the the enraged dwarven warrior closes his eyes tight and plunges down into the muck to exact some revenge upon the creature as his blood begins to rush! Don't worry, I ain't gonna cut it! Durin seethes as he moves into hammer range and lifts it high into the air...
Battlemap Round 1 (not including Vincent and Khun-Duhn's actions)
Round One:
Heeding Marcus' warning, Khun-duhn slogs forward a step to get the conjoined basilisks within range of his spell. "Brave Muir! Grant us your blessings against our foe!" he barks out as he attempts to call upon the favor of his deity. Unfortunately, his cursed facial features cause him to garble the words, preventing the successful casting of his spell.
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Lord Vincent, keeping his distance as his other comrades nearby havn't fallen ill to the stone decides to study the beast from afar for a mere moment, attempting to recall what he may know of the creature.
Knowledge Arcana:
Remaining where he is and horrorfied at what happened to the two party members in the group he starts to inspire the courage of all those close enough to him. He also casts haste to help speed up everyone's movement to get a good attack on this creature.
"Comrades! I want this filthy thing dead and mounted to the Tavern wall. Do this not for me, but our fallen friends!" he bellows out, raising his blade as he says this in the hopes to fill everyone with the courage needed to face this thing.
You know what this foul creature is; a magical beast (you may see all magical beast traits) known as a Basilisk. The beast has potent senses including Darkvision, Low-Light Vision and All-Around Vision. The two headedness is a rare mutation known as Amphisbaena. Each head is independent of the other and in fact, if cut in half the two bodies can act separately for a time before eventually reattaching.
Most fortuitous of all the information Vincent managed to recall, however, is that the Basilisk's fresh blood acts as a cure to its own Gaze attack; if a victim is fully coated in the blood of one of these beasts, shortly after its death, the stone will once again turn to flesh.
Round 2-
Ordered Initiative-
Zanzu- 22
Kirilarien- 18
Marcus- 18
Two-Headed Basilisk- 15
Horses- 14
Lord Vincent- 11
Khun-Duhn- 8
Durin- 6
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Navigating using his keen hearing, Zanzu moved forward in a straight line.
Round 2
With his eyes still shut and one hand holding the horses reins, Marcus runs through his limited options while humming something that hopefully sounds vaguely reassuring to the animal.
Fireball, black tentacles.. Not that desperate.
Groping for the reins of Barak's horse he tries to pull it away as well.
Round 2
Kiri maintains concentration on her illusion, trying to keep it as realistic as possible in reaction to the basilik's movements although it is clear to the lyrakien that the ruse is only going to last so long..
Round 2
The actual hound archon continues its assault on the basilisk, bolstered by Vincent's incredible magical inspiration if not his spell.
(ic)
The two-headed Basilisk seemed content to stand its ground against the two lesser foes facing it, snapping and biting at the two archons facing it. One of the two celestials was now struggling, fighting on bravely despite his wounds.
Having felt the effects of the Basilisk's gaze upon it once and having seen its summoned comrade's fate, Barak's horse nervously shied away from the combat.
Durin bellows out above the din of mortal combat.
Being assured the basilisk has not moved from its last known position, and relying on non-visual clues and pure instinct, Durin's hammer blows come fast and furious. Aided by Vincent's magic and encouragement, the stalwart dwarf tries to bludgeon the offending creature from this world...
... and despite his eyes being tightly shut, he lands three solid blows upon the beast. The sound of flesh and bones being crushed beneath his hammer brings him some measure of satisfaction.
Durin's hammer strikes may well have been guided by Muir herself; with his eyes shut and swinging with wild abandon, Durin systematically (and somewhat coincidentally) smashed the conjoined ribs of the two-headed basilisk before slaying each head separately with a hefty swing and backswing. The pale red light in the broken body's two heads slowly fades; the beast is slain but its legacy is apparent; if any of the group had hoped that its death would dispel the petrification of Barak and Arachiel, they were sorely mistaken...