DM Brainiac's Ironfang Invasion: Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master DM Brainiac

"She is a cunning rogue and master manipulator. Her words will poison your minds surely as her gaze will turn you to stone. Strike quickly, and don't look her in the eyes!"

Rogar walks towards the lava, trying to see if it is truly an illusion, like the ghost claims, using his tremorsense to see if the molten rock responds.

Will Save (if needed): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

In Dwarven, Rogar says, "The hobgoblin seems awfully keen on making the medusa the hero of his story. Can ghosts change what they look like?"

Wulfram told the ghost, "Once we have vanquished the medusa, I can turn your body back to flesh, if that will help our spirit to move on."

He pondered the answer to Rogar's question.

Knowledge Religion, Heroism: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 = 19

The shaman examined the platforms and asked, "How does the mechanism work?"

The lava seems quite real to Rogar. He can feel its movements with his tremorsense.

Wulfram knows that most ghosts can't change their appearance.

"Well, the lava is definitely real." Rogar comments to his allies, still in Dwarven, "I can feel it from here." he switches back to common, "How sure are ye tha' tha magma is nae real?" he asks, "I' seems pretty real ta me."

"The illusion cloaking this room is powerful," Dendrak says. "It can fool even the keenest senses. Step into the lava and you will see for yourself that it is fake."

"Before he does that, tell us more! Why did you join forces with the medusa? And why didn't your general try to save you? And why would you think we are on the same side as you? Perhaps this medusa we should try to ally with, no?"

The hobgoblin is growing increasingly agitated. "Ugh, you are all so annoying! Just jump in the lava and kill yourselves already!"

The spirit's form shifts and changes, and suddenly you find yourselves face-to-face with the ghost of a snake-haired woman--a medusa! "Fine, I'll do it myself! Rise up and attack, servants of earth!"

The ground rumbles as two massive earth elementals emerge, ready to attack!

The medusa lets out a frightful moan, sending icy spikes of fear into your hearts!

Everybody must make a DC 26 Will save against fear or be panicked for 2d4 rounds.

The medusa has a gaze attack. You may choose to meet it, avert your eyes, or close your eyes as usual. Anybody meeting her gaze must make a DC 26 Fortitude save or be petrified!

Everybody may act!

Made a mistake earlier: Righteous Might only lasts 1 rd/lvl, not 1 min/lvl.

Will, Heroism: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 2 = 23

Overcome with fear, Wulfram dropped his spear and fled out of the chamber.

Will DC 26: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Rogar follows closely behind, his mind just barely betraying him as he runs through the wall.

I forgot Wulfram can't be affected by the frightful moan since he made his save earlier today. He is not panicked and may act normally.

Avert Eyes (51-100 averts): 1d100 ⇒ 54

Averting his eyes from the medusa, Wulfram called out to the fire spirits creating a 20 ft high wall of fire across the chamber, blocking sight to her fearsome gaze.

Casting Wall of Fire just in front of Wulfram and Rogar, hot side facing the medusa.

Wall of fire (elementals, if the wall passes through them): 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 5) + 13 = 23
Wall of Fire (medusa, double damage if undead): 1d4 ⇒ 4

How high is the chamber?

30 feet high

Despite the danger, Pele felt a surge of excitement as she sensed the wall of fire springing up. **Burn! Fire good!**

Will: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21
Panicked: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Eustoma takes of running.

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Panicked: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

Sia takes off after Eustoma.

Sia should be fine- a 20 auto-succeeds.

Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Karla stands her ground, but nonetheless feels the grip of fear clawing at her heart and wonders whether her companion will succumb...

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 I'm assuming Devotion does not apply, as Fear spells are Necromancy instead of Enchantment, but the dicebot has got my back!

Somehow, Nik'o just shrugs the fear off, perhaps fuelled by Karla's own will, and engages one of the elementals.

Bite and Grab, PA: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 19 - 3 = 272d6 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 11 + 6 = 241d20 + 23 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 23 - 3 = 22

Karla, reassured, smiles as Nik'o passes us in a blur and pulls a scroll from her bag and reads it aloud, the paper turning to ashes as she unlocks its power at the second elemental.

Scroll of Dismissal, Will save, DC 18 of extraplanar creature are sent back to their planes.

"Tha earth is na' yours ta command." Rogar says, "I' is mine."
If one of the earth elementals are still around, he tears it apart from the inside.

Maximized Empowered Metal Blast: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 3092 + 33 + 16 + 26 = 167
Damage: 14d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 5, 6, 1, 6, 6, 2, 1, 5, 4, 3, 3) + (4) = 53

Quickened Earth Blast: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 327d6 + 1d8 + 24 ⇒ (2, 6, 4, 3, 6, 5, 2) + (2) + 24 = 54

If both elementals are gone by the time I would attack, this will go at the medusa instead.

Realized that I have a move action left over.

Wulfram took a potion out of his belt pouch yipped, **Pele, give this Eustoma — it will help control her fear!**

Giving Pele a potion of remove fear to take to Eustoma.

*You got it, boss!*, Pele replied, popping out of the shaman's pack and grabbing the vial in her mouth.

Not sure if she has any actions left this round after grabbing the potion. She's going to go after Eustoma as fast as she can.
How to communicate to Eustoma what the potion does is another matter; Pele can understand common but not speak it.

Eustoma and Sia take off running, the wolf quickly outpacing her halfling mistress. Wulfram conjures a wall of flame to block off the medusa's ghost before sending Pele chasing after Eustoma. The fox quickly catches up to the halfling.

Pele can pierce the seal with her teeth and force Eustoma to drink it on the halfling's next turn, taking both of their actions for that round.

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

The elemental resists Karla's attempts to dismiss it. Nik'o moves in and bites the creature, but it is too big for the cat to grab with its fangs. Rogar destroys the elemental, ripping it apart, then blasts the second one.

Slams: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 351d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30
Crit Negation: 1d100 ⇒ 60
Damage: 2d10 + 22 - 11 ⇒ (8, 5) + 22 - 11 = 244d10 + 44 - 11 ⇒ (2, 3, 7, 10) + 44 - 11 = 55

The other elemental slams Rogar with its heavy fists, scoring two devastating strikes that badly wound the dwarf!

Elacnida plunges headlong through the wall of fire, shrieking as the flames scorch her. With a crazed look in her eyes, she reaches for Wulfram, plunging her icy fist into his chest and draining his life force!

Corrupting Touch: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Damage: 20d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 5, 5, 6, 5, 6, 4, 1, 3, 5, 2, 3, 2, 3, 6) = 74

79 damage to Rogar after DR. 74 damage to Wulfram (Fortitude DC 26 for half). Everybody is up! Everybody but Eustoma, Sia, and Pele are in range of her petrifying gaze again.

Rogar rolls with the blow, but still rubs where his skin cracked, his strange, metal-like blood seeping from the wound. He practically growls at the elemental, and yells incoherently as he tears the elemental apart.
Maximized Empowered Metal Blast: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 1 = 3592 + 33 + 16 + 17 = 158
Damage: 14d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3) + (1) = 35

Quickened Earth Blast: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 1 = 337d6 + 1d8 + 24 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 5, 5) + (1) + 24 = 44

With the creature (presumably) dealt with, he turns towards the medusa, intentionally meeting her gaze, "Ye're next."
Fort DC 26: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

Well, that 20 seems redundant.

Rogar's first attack blasts the elemental to rubble. He turns his ire on the medusa, his earthen assault ripping through her spectral form, damaging her somewhat.

Fortitude (corrupting touch), Heroism: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 = 20

Wulfram gasped as the medusa drained his life energy. He stepped back and called on the flame spirits to restore his health.

I don't think Wulfram can make a 5 ft step with his eyes closed.

Avert Eyes (51-100 averts): 1d100 ⇒ 51

Casting Heal on himself, restoring up to 130 hp.

Pele caught up with Eustoma and dropped the potion in front of her, barking,

I think Eustoma can stop running when she's out of sight of the medusa.

Avert Eyes (51-100 Averts): 1d100 ⇒ 34

Fortitude with glasses: 1d20 + 7 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 8 = 28 I hope that's enough!

Karla spins and keeps her eyes looking down, but it doesn't work so well, yet the glasses seem to be enough to protect her.

"Ah! Her gaze! Sorry everyone, but I think this is our best bet!"

As she spins, she flings missiles at the medusa, then drops to the floor, which explodes back in a vitriolic cloud, blinding them all!

Quickened casting for magic missile 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 2, 3) + 5 = 17, then cast stinking cloud (For DC 19, no SR, nauseated for 1d4 if leaving the cloud) centered on the medusa.

"Rogar! Do your thing!"

Nik'o roars in defiance as the medusa steps through the wall, but then everything goes cloudy and stinky.

Fortitude vs Cloud: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

But she manages to hold her past repast and lunges at the medusa.

Fortitude vs Gaze with Glasses: 1d20 + 11 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 8 = 34

Bite and Grab, PA: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 19 - 3 = 302d6 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 11 + 6 = 231d20 + 23 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 23 - 3 = 24

Claw: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 19 - 3 = 301d8 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 6 = 19

Claw: 1d20 + 19 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 19 - 3 = 201d8 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 6 = 24

Fortitude Gaze with Glasses: 1d20 + 11 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 8 = 26

She drinks the potion of remove fear.

fort: 1d20 + 12 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 8 = 34

Sia manages to avoid the gaze, and keeps going?

Sia rolled a natural 20 (which always saves) against the fear effect, so she's not affected.

Oops, didn't realize she had rolled a 20. Will have her move back in to attack then.

Nik'o Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 39
Sia Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 60
Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (1, 2) + 14 = 17

Eustoma drinks the potion, removing the fear from her mind. As Wulfram heals himself, Karla drops a stinking cloud over the medusa, obscuring her from sight and shielding you from her petrifying gaze. Nik'o and Sia bite at the medusa, shredding part of her incorporeal body.

She shrieks and turns to Nik'o, reaching out for the cat to drain her life force!

Corrupting Touch: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37
Damage: 20d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 5, 4, 6, 1, 2, 1, 1, 6, 1, 6, 3, 5, 5, 3, 4, 3, 5, 3) = 70

70 damage to Nik'o (Fortitude DC 26 for half). Everybody is up. You only have to deal with the gaze now if you are adjacent to the ghost.

Rogar frowns as his clear shot to the ghost was interrupted, and, unable to feel the immaterial spirit, feels no choice but to try and close the gap, putting himself perilously close to the medusa, but still tries to affect the immaterial ghost by pelting her with metal and rocks.

Maximized Empowered Metal Blast: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 3792 + 33 + 16 + 24 = 165
Damage: 14d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (5, 2, 2, 4, 3, 5, 5, 2, 1, 4, 2, 4, 2, 1) + (7) = 49

Quickened Earth Blast: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 317d6 + 1d8 + 24 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 5, 4, 4, 1) + (6) + 24 = 56

Fort DC 26 (gaze): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
Fort DC 19 (cloud): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

Phew. That was a bit close for comfort. Anyway, my blasts count as magic, so deal half damage.

Note that Nik'o and Sia (along with everyone else), were buffed with Mass Bull's Strength.

Wulfram's spell protected him from the poisonous vapors, but he couldn't see further than 5 ft. He called on the battle spirits to bolster Rogar, Sia and himself.

Casting Blessing of Fervor on the party members he can see (Rogar, Sia and himself).

Wulfram cast Delay Poison on himself before he entered the vault.

Pele stopped short of the cloud of noxious vapors and announced, *I'm not going into that!*

I think Rogar can still use range attacks at 50% miss chance, which I thought might be better than all of us having to save. Sorry if I made the wrong tactical decision!

Unable to reach her companion, Karla listens to the battle and waits.

Fort against Death Touch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Nik'o resists the killing touch of the medusa and continues to claw at its ethereal form...

Fortitude vs Gaze with Glasses: 1d20 + 11 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 8 = 25

But as it draws near, she locks gaze with it. She senses the power flowing and closes her eyes, but too late. Darkness spreads and engulfs her as she turns to stone.

It's workable, and probably better overall, so don't worry about it. It's just Rogar that's annoyed. I think the strategy works just fine.

The wearer of smoked goggles is treated as always averting their eyes (50% chance of not being affected by the gaze), and their opponents have concealment from them (20% miss chance). So Nik'o might not be turned to stone.

The wearer of smoked goggles is treated as always averting their eyes (50% chance of not being affected by the gaze), and their opponents have concealment from them (20% miss chance). So Nik'o might not be turned to stone.

Wow, I didn't have the first part in my notes, only the bonuses. Thanks!

Avert chances (51-100 to avert): 1d100 ⇒ 6 Oh well...

Eustoma moves closer her eyes averted from the medusa, and casts Greater Magic Fang on Sia.

Sia bites at the Medusa.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 12 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 8 = 33
Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 74

Bite: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 3) + 15 = 21
Bite: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (5, 3) + 15 = 23

Rogar scores two hits with his blast, the ghost's body wavering with the damage. Sia lands one good bite, but Nik'o succumbs to the medusa's gaze, turning to solid stone!

The medusa shifts her attention to Rogar, shrieking and reaching for the dwarf!

Corrupting Touch: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
Damage: 20d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 6, 2, 5, 6, 2, 5, 5, 5, 2, 1, 2, 4, 6, 3, 6, 6, 2) = 77

77 damage to Rogar (Fortitude DC 26 for half). Everybody is up!

Fort DC 26 (touch): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30
Fort DC 26 (gaze): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36

Rogar staggers as his life is drained away, but still stays standing. He starts backing away, unleashing a torrent of metal and stone at the medusa.

Maximized Empowered Metal Blast: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 3592 + 33 + 16 + 26 = 167
Damage: 14d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 5, 1, 3, 4, 3, 5, 3, 1, 1, 6, 3) + (4) = 53

Quickened Earth Blast: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 297d6 + 1d8 + 24 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 5, 4, 4, 2) + (7) + 24 = 57

Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

He retreats underground, and moves out of the cloud, surfacing closer to Wulfram, "Could ah' get some healing?" he asks.

Rogar's blasts rip the medusa's ghost to shreds! Elacnida lets out one last spectral wail as her spiritual form dissipates!

It takes time for the noxious fumes to dissipate, while Karla first calls Nik’o, then her voice starts cracking as she realizes what must have happened.

Finally, she bumps into her, hurting her head on a raised paw, and shrieks in horror, stumbling on her knees and sobbing softly.

Rogar moves up next to Karla and places his hand on her shoulder.

Wulfram healed Rogar. When it became apparent that the battle was over, he checked to see how everyone was doing, only to learn that Nik'o had been petrified. He told Karla, "I can turn her back to flesh! I just need a few minutes to meditate."

Healing Hex, Frontier Healer (Rogar): 2d8 + 10 + 7 ⇒ (2, 2) + 10 + 7 = 21
Cure Light Wounds x2 (Rogar): 2d8 + 10 + 14 ⇒ (8, 1) + 10 + 14 = 33

Recalling CLW with the 1st lvl Pearl of Power and casting it again. Will cast Mass Cure Moderate Wounds once Nik'o is turned back to flesh.

Wulfram has an open 6th lvl slot, so he can meditate and fill it with Stone to Flesh. I probably should have just memorized it ahead of time in the first place. He'll want to retreat to a safe spot to meditate.

Niko Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

After meditating, Wulfram casts his spell. Nik'o's stone body gradually returns to flesh. The big cat growls and licks at Karla's face with relief!

Elacnida’s mortal remains lie in the northwest alcove, desiccated by the chamber’s heat and dry air. She still carries a +2 seeking composite shortbow, a set of +3 improved shadow studded leather armor emblazoned with the Ironfang Legion’s crest, and a stalker’s mask, as well as her notes detailing the vault’s defenses and the equipment she purchased to frame Molthune. The evidence here is overwhelming.