Orisons: Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light
1st lvl: Ant Haul, Bless x2, Cure Light Wounds, Liberating Command, open slot
2nd lvl: Barkskin x3, Calm Emotions, open slot
3rd lvl: Magic Circle against Evil, Sleet Storm, Dispel Magic, open slot
4th lvl: Blessing of Fervor, Greater Magic Weapon, Open Slot
5th lvl: Overland Flight, Open Slot
6th lvl: Open slot
Wandering Spirit: Battle
Wandering Hex: Battle Master (one extra AoO, weapon specialization longspear)
Wulfram made his final preparations before leaving Longshadow for the Valley of Aloi. Once everything was ready, he went to see Rhyna. He had talked with her before about having to go off and fight the Ironfang Legion again. Now the day was here, and it was time to say goodbye.
He held her hands in his and said to her, "Eustoma, Karla, Rogar and I are heading out to the Valley of Aloi this morning. But there's a way we can still stay in touch! I know a spell that will send you a message of up to 25 words, and you will be able to make a 25 word reply. Every day, I keep a reserve of magic for the unexpected; when I haven't used it up by the end of the day, I'll cast my Sending spell and contact you.
"Take care of yourself. I will return, I promise you. I'm looking forward to our vacation together!"
When Rogar returns and mentions the ogres she asks a couple of questions. "How many Rogar? Were the fighters or magic users? Any creatures beside the ogres such as wolves or bears?" She's trying to get a sense of exactly what they are facing.
Wulfram listened to Rogar's report. At the mention of the ogres, he suggested, "We could try talking to the ogres first. There's a chance they're not associated with the Ironfang Legion, and they could possibly tell us something useful."
Wulfram hesitated a moment, and then put his arms around Rhyna and kissed her. "Farewell for now."
**********
Wulfram cast a spell and took to the air. He said five more prayers, enhancing his weapon, warding himself against evil, and toughening his skin, as well as Niko and Sia's skin.
Casting Greater Magic Weapon on his longspear, Overland Flight, Magic Circle against Evil and Barkskin on himself, and Barkskin on Niko and Sia (+4 Natural Armor). Overland Flight and Greater Magic Weapon last 11 hours; Barkskin and Magic Circle against Evil last one hour and 50 minutes.
Rhyna pouts when Wulfram announces his intentions to leave. "We just started to have some quality time together, and already you have to go running off! I understand, but I'm going to miss you so much! At least I'll be able to hear your voice. Twenty-five words a day... Better make them good ones!"
She kisses the shaman and holds him close before he departs.
---
Now...
Rogar leads the way through the fog-shrouded valley until you reach the camp. Through the mist, you spot the half-dozen ogres milling about the structures. Each wears battered full plate and carries a greatclub. Once they spot you, they waste no time with words, roaring and moving to attack!
Everybody may act before the ogres. No map for this fight. The ogres are between 20-60 feet away. Those further than 20 feet away have concealment from the fog.
"I guess they're not the talking type..." snaps Karla, then winks as she clouds their minds.
Casting Confusion, Will DC 19, 15 ft rad (trying to get as many as possible, but focusing on the ones either in the middle or at the far end of the group, with the goal of slowing these down and spreading their attacks over time).
Male Dwarf Geokineticist 17 HP 143(296)/325; AC 28/20/22 (defensive training) (+2 v goblins, +4 v giants); DR 13/Adamantine; 35% crit/sneak attack negation; Acid Resist 10 Saves +27/+19/+15; +5 init, +28 Per; 5/15 burn, 3/3 Internal Buffer
Rogar stands his ground, twisting his feet to dig into the ground (the earth rising up as he does so as well) and pulling streams of metal from the ground behind him and streaming straight into the closest ogre.
Female Init +4; Percept +26 |AC 28, T 19, FF 23 hp 140/140 | Fort +16, Ref +17, Will +13; +2 vs. fear, +2 trait bonus vs. Disease Resist Acid 10 | Base Atk +12; CMB +15; CMD 33
Sia go. Eustoma sends Sia into battle next to Nik'o. She gives herself the aspect of the Bull, and then she fires her brand new bow for the first time.
Rogar's blast annihilates the first ogre, blasting a hole clean through its chest and out its back! As it falls, Eustoma fills the second ogre full of arrows, then Wulfram moves in to finish it off with a thrust of his elementally charged spear! Nik'o pounces upon a third, bearing it to the ground and eviscerating it with a flurry of teeth and claws. Two of the remaining three foes succumb to Karla's confusion.
One of those victims turns on his ally, swinging his sword but not getting through his friend's armor. The other one manages to act normally, rushing forward alongside the third ogre to attack Nik'o. Neither of them hits!
For future reference, I think if you're confused and attack, you automatically attack back whoever attacked you, regardless of your d100 roll. That might make a difference in the future.
Karla smiles as Nik'o does a good job fending the ogres off. Then takes her eyes off the melee and scans for other threats.
Male Dwarf Geokineticist 17 HP 143(296)/325; AC 28/20/22 (defensive training) (+2 v goblins, +4 v giants); DR 13/Adamantine; 35% crit/sneak attack negation; Acid Resist 10 Saves +27/+19/+15; +5 init, +28 Per; 5/15 burn, 3/3 Internal Buffer
"Ah'm not convinced they know how ta talk, Wulfram. Have ye never met an ogre 'afore?" Rogar says as he switches targets, shooting another blast at the one not next to Nik'o.
All that to get a Kineticist's Diadem, and I go and forget to include it last round. Ah well, what's an extra 10 ish damage when it's already dead?
Maximized Empowered Metal Blast:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 2880 + 29 + 24 = 133 Damage:12d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 3, 2, 6, 4) + (8) = 49
*whistles* How did Kineticists ever get the reputation of being weak? I could do this literally all day.
"Ah'm not convinced they know how ta talk, Wulfram. Have ye never met an ogre 'afore?" Rogar says as he switches targets, shooting another blast at the one not next to Nik'o.
All that to get a Kineticist's Diadem, and I go and forget to include it last round. Ah well, what's an extra 10 ish damage when it's already dead?
[dice=Maximized Empowered Metal Blast]1d20+17;80+29+24
[dice=Damage]12d6+1d8
*whistles* How did Kineticists ever get the reputation of being weak? I could do this literally all day.
Melee bite +19/+14 (2d6+15 plus trip) Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.. Wolf N Large animal Init +10 Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +9 AC 42, T 17, FF 37 | hp 163/163 | Fort +18, Ref +17, Will +9 | Improved evasion
Rogar blows away another ogre with a massive blast. Eustoma, Sia, and Wulfram gang up on the next one, dropping it with a combination of arrows, fangs, and spear. Nik'o rushes at the final ogre, leaping upon it and tearing it to pieces!
Each of the six ogres has: potions of cure light wounds (2), potion of cure moderate wounds, full plate, masterwork greatsword, and 342 gp.
The ogres have already scoured the camp, collecting all the remaining valuables they could find into a convenient pile in the former minotaur barracks they now claim. Their hoard includes 127 gp, 121 pp, a +1 bashing heavy steel shield, a bodywrap of mighty strikes, an oil of magic weapon, a potion of neutralize poison, a scroll of blessing of fervor, a scroll of prayer, a wand of greater magic weapon (29 charges), and an erotic onyx statuette of two hobgoblin men embracing (worth 630 gp).
The pile of black stones at the camp's center seems to be all that remains of another onyx tower like the one Kosseruk's forces poured out of during the assault on Longshadow. It takes only a few minutes of searching to find Kosseruk's command center in one of the wooden buildings, which houses several maps of the Hollow Hills region detailing the forces and camps you battled previously. A neatly tied stack of war correspondence ogres—sits on her oversized desk and reveals many useful tidbits about the Legion, including the following:
• General Azaersi rules the Legion with an iron fist, but much of the day-to-day operations are left to her commanders. Kraelos commands military operations. Taurgreth directs the Legion's special forces, such as scouts and spies. High Priest Azlowe sees to the Legion's spiritual needs, casts divinations, and oversees their army of faithful. A fourth advisor, Zanathura, works outside the command structure and seems greatly disliked by all except Azaersi herself.
• General Azaersi has been consolidating her power for 2 years, ever since meeting the witch Zanathura in this same valley and learning from her how to open the Stone Road and maneuver her troops unseen.
• Several letters speak of a place called "Onyx Citadel" as a central location from which the Legion launches its attacks, but nothing mentions the citadel's location.
• Phaendar, now Fort Phaendar, continues to consume huge amounts of resources and appears to have a well-supplied garrison defending it from any possible counterattack.
• Zanathura's morlock servants dwell in caverns below the collapsed dwarven ruins at the far end of the valley.
Wulfram looked through the correspondence briefly. "Some good information here; I'll have a closer look at it tonight. It looks like we should head to the far end of the valley and look for the dwarven ruins."
Male Dwarf Geokineticist 17 HP 143(296)/325; AC 28/20/22 (defensive training) (+2 v goblins, +4 v giants); DR 13/Adamantine; 35% crit/sneak attack negation; Acid Resist 10 Saves +27/+19/+15; +5 init, +28 Per; 5/15 burn, 3/3 Internal Buffer
Rogar scouts around, looking for anything buried or hidden, then pops back aboveground, "Aye. Le's go an' check ou' tha ruins. Ah'm interested ta wha' they have." he says
The soft creaking of armor gets your attention as you prepare to leave the camp. Peering into the fog, you can see a pair of ogres trying to be stealthy as they creep towards you. A pair of wolves follow in their wake.
Realizing they've been spotted, the ogres abandon stealth and charge forward, howling as they brandish their greatswords! They slash at Wulfram while the wolves move to his flanks to nip at his heels!
A third female ogre suddenly appears in the fog, firing a volley of electrified arrows at Karla! Three arrows pierce her body, the final one a critical hit that drops the sorceress!
Ouch! Not a good round! 91 total damage to Wulfram, 75 total damage to Karla, which leaves her at -7 HP. Wulfram gets AoO against the wolves, who only have AC 17 and 19 hp, so he will probably drop them before they can attack him. The two ogres are 10 feet from Wulfram. The archer is 60 feet away and has concealment from the fog.
Everybody may act now. If Karla is healed, she may act this round as well, since the rest of your initiatives are higher than hers.
How far is Karla from Wulfram? If he can reach her with a 5ft step, and she's out of reach of the ogres, he will use his Healing Hex on her, and hope that she Dimension Doors us both away (because otherwise he will be dead).
Male Dwarf Geokineticist 17 HP 143(296)/325; AC 28/20/22 (defensive training) (+2 v goblins, +4 v giants); DR 13/Adamantine; 35% crit/sneak attack negation; Acid Resist 10 Saves +27/+19/+15; +5 init, +28 Per; 5/15 burn, 3/3 Internal Buffer
Rogar drops into a defensive stance as the ogres rush them, and he moves around to the side, trying to line up a shot as he gathers power to himself, "Wulfram, look ou'!"
Once his allies are clear, he shoots a solid metal javelin at and through the ogres who struck at Wulfram.
Karla opens her eyes in a burst of pain and panic. Her eyes lock on Wulfram and, without thinking it, teleports the two of them as far back as she can.
Nik'o growls her fury as she watches her mistress drop, potentially dead, and pounces at the offending archer, even before her mistress has had a chance to teleport away.
Melee bite +19/+14 (2d6+15 plus trip) Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.. Wolf N Large animal Init +10 Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +9 AC 42, T 17, FF 37 | hp 163/163 | Fort +18, Ref +17, Will +9 | Improved evasion
Wulfram dropped the wolves with his AoOs, Eustoma. I'll switch your attacks to the ogre.
Rogar hurls a metal javelin clear through the chest of one of the ogres! Gore explodes from the wound as the giant collapses.
Eustoma fires on the other ogre, scoring two hits, though neither one is a critical. Sia lunges at him, sinking her fangs into its arm.
Wulfram moves to heal Karla before the sorceress teleports the pair to safety. Nik'o charges at the archer, pouncing upon her. The cat scores a few good hits with her claws.
The ogre hunter chops at Sia, coming close to killing the wolf outright as it nearly scores a critical hit!
The archer snarls at Nik'o and suddenly disappears from sight again...
73 total damage to Sia. She should have been at full health, so she's at 12/85 HP now. Everybody is up! Karla and Wulfram are several hundred feet away and do not have line of sight to any enemies due to the fog.
Can Karla tell if the archer teleported or became invisible?
Spellcraft:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Karla snarls as the archer vanishes from sight and decides it's the best thing for now: "Get better Wulfram. I need to stay out of sight for the moment."
She too disappears, then shifts her position 15 feet to avoid getting targeted easily.
Rogar's blast tears through both ogres, who collapse in a heap on top of each other. Eustoma and Sia attack the archer, scoring a few good hits before she disappears.
Sia takes no damage. Karla, you are too far away to see the archer when she disappears.
Male Dwarf Geokineticist 17 HP 143(296)/325; AC 28/20/22 (defensive training) (+2 v goblins, +4 v giants); DR 13/Adamantine; 35% crit/sneak attack negation; Acid Resist 10 Saves +27/+19/+15; +5 init, +28 Per; 5/15 burn, 3/3 Internal Buffer
No problem. I keep forgetting to say all the effects that my Blast has, as I keep forgetting that not everyone has all the different effects fully memorized.
Rogar slams his foot into the ground, extending the reach of his earth attunement, and sinks underground as the archer vanishes, and he glides towards where the archer was standing, trying to spot her if she turned invisible.
Accepting 1 point of Burn to extend my Tremorsense to 30 feet for 11 rounds, and moving 30 feet towards where the archer was.
Melee bite +19/+14 (2d6+15 plus trip) Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.. Wolf N Large animal Init +10 Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +9 AC 42, T 17, FF 37 | hp 163/163 | Fort +18, Ref +17, Will +9 | Improved evasion
Sia tries to smell out the archer.
Sia can smell if the creature is within 30 feet. 60 feet if upwind and 15 feet if downwind.
Sia and Nik'o sniff the air, trying to find the archer, but they are unable to locate her. Rogar moves forward and tries using tremorsense as well, but he doesn't detect her nearby.
Far away, Karla turns invisible while Wulfram heals himself and starts moving back towards the fight.
The air ripples 30 feet above the animals and dwarf as the archer reappears, but she no longer looks like an ogre. Instead, she now appears to be a red-skinned giantess with horns and fangs. "You slaughtered my tribe! You will pay!" she shouts. She holds forth a hand and blasts Rogar, Nik'o, and Sia with a cone of cold!
