Fort:
Tirion feels the cold touch of death wash over him. Fortunately, he is able to resist the affects of the undead lion.
Calling upon the power of dragons, Tirion again points to his companions giving them all greater speed and agility to combat this monstrosity.
Cast Haste <-- everyone gets extra attacks, speed, AC, attack bonus, etc.
Round 1
• Bofus feels the life being sucked from him as he gazes upon this massive undead beast. He then attempts to use the staff of life on the lion to try and wound the creature with the staff's healing power.
• Ghost Dire Lion. The beast attacks Mantooth, but the paladin is able to easily evade the creature's attack.
• Tirion resists the effects of the Lion's terrible gaze and manages to cast Haste upon his companions. Suddenly they feel a surge of speed and agility flow through them.
• Mantooth (unresolved)
• Thordak (unresolved)
Round 2
• Bofus (unresolved)
• Ghost Dire Lion (unresolved)
Heroes' Hit Points
• Bofus (35/43) plus -1 CHA
• Thordak (91/93)
• Mantooth (82/88)
• Tirion (40/41)
Mage Armor on Mantooth = 6 hours, 49 minutes, 10 rounds
Bofus' Sunrod 5 hours, 57 minutes, 10 rounds
Haste on Bofus, Tirion, Thordak, and Mantooth = 7 rounds remaining
Fortitude Save
Round 1
Mantooth is able to escape the corrupting gaze from the lion and returns the attack with two of his own.
Magnimarana Attack
Magnimarana Damage
Magnimarana Attack
Magnimarana Damage
Round 2
Feeling his reflexes quickened by the haste spell, Mantooth sends three more swings of Magnimarana towards the large beast.
Magnimarana Attack
Magnimarana Damage
Magnimarana Attack
Magnimarana Damage
Magnimarana Attack
Magnimarana Damage
Round 1
Fortitude: damn...
Thordak shudders at the lion's gaze, but losing charisma only seems to make him a particularly grumpy dwarf.
Thordak swings his axe with anger.
Glimdraath:
Damage:
Glimdraath:
Damage:
Glimdraath:
Damage:
Round 1
• Bofus feels the life being sucked from him as he gazes upon this massive undead beast. He then attempts to use the staff of life on the lion to try and wound the creature with the staff's healing power. This may be moot for last round, but where do you move to reach the lion?
• Ghost Dire Lion. The beast attacks Mantooth, but the paladin is able to easily evade the creature's attack.
• Tirion resists the effects of the Lion's terrible gaze and manages to cast Haste upon his companions. Suddenly they feel a surge of speed and agility flow through them.
• Mantooth hacks at the Dire Ghost Lion, his blade swishing through its incorporeal body like slicing water.
• Thordak continues attacking the Lion with Glimdraath and has a similar experience. The blade is having some effect, but not nearly as much as if it was a corporeal creature.
Round 2
• Bofus gracefully moves past, triggering a concealed pit trap as he maneuvers by and swings the Staff of Healing at the undead.
Like a clap of thunder, the chamber echoes loudly as the staff hits the great beast and it dissipates in a cloud of smoke.
Heroes' Hit Points
• Bofus (35/43) plus -1 CHA
• Thordak (86/93) - 1 CHA
• Mantooth (82/88)
• Tirion (40/41)
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;-)
Bofus gives the staff a flourish, and gievs a hearty BOOYAH!!! AS he walks over to retrieve his dropped wand, he starts to administer its healing magic on their minor wounds. We all OK now? let me scout ahead...
on Bofus:
onMantooth:
on Thordak:
Bofus skirts the traps, takes out his EoD, and scans the hallway.
<--subtract 8 for non-traps
[spoiler=Effects]
Mage Armor on Mantooth = 6 hours, 49 minutes, 6 rounds
Bofus' Sunrod 5 hours, 57 minutes, 6 rounds
Haste on Bofus, Tirion, Thordak, and Mantooth = 3 rounds remaining
Heroes' Hit Points
• Bofus (42/43) plus -1 CHA
• Thordak (93/93) - 1 CHA
• Mantooth (88/88)
• Tirion (40/41)
Bofus leads his companions through a minefield of traps as he safely guides them up a spiraling path. The path ends with a door that that would be secret if it was not for the keen eyes of the halfling.
Mage Armor on Mantooth = 6 hours, 45 minutes, 6 rounds
Bofus' Sunrod 5 hours, 53 minutes, 6 rounds
Heroes' Hit Points
• Bofus (42/43) plus -1 CHA
• Thordak (93/93) - 1 CHA
• Mantooth (88/88)
• Tirion (40/41)
Bofus take his time and searches thoroughly, trying to find his way past the secret door. Although he does not find any traps in the door, he find a small hole in the wall near the floor. Upon pushing it, you hear a rumble and the wall begins to sink into the floor. As the concealed door disappears from view, a bank of thick fog billows out of the room beyond. Within a moment, you are standing in a thick cloud and your vision is nearly entirely obscured. You can no longer see anything further away than your own hands.
Tirion looks at the fog.
Careful all, this could be almost anything.
Knowledge(arcana): <-- Do I have any clue what this fog might be? I have no levels in know(religion) if that is the applicable skill.
Mage Armor on Tirion = 6 hours, 38 minutes, 6 rounds
Mage Armor on Mantooth = 6 hours, 43 minutes, 6 rounds
Bofus' Sunrod 5 hours, 51 minutes, 6 rounds
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Bofus gives an audible sigh. Drat. Well, my best guess is we're near to the ghostlord--and if he doesnt' know we're here already, than he's a total idiot.
Bofus takes out the lead box he's carrying that has the fake phylactery in it. He speaks loudly and clearly. GHOSTLORD!! We are here to parley with you. I have something here you're going to want to see...
"GHOSTLORD!! We are here to parley with you. I have something here you're going to want to see..."
A deep voice calls forth from within the clouded room. "I see that you have made it through the Lion's Path! Speak and tell what it is that you have to show the great Ghostlord?!"
Mantooth takes a step closer to the edge of the clouds and attempts to cast in an attempt to locate the source of the voice.
The first round of concentration you notice the presence of evil.
The second round of concentration you are able to tell that it is coming from a single source.
The third round of concentration you are able to tell that the source gives off a moderate aura of evil and that it is located somewhere along the line from J30, K29, L28 or thereabouts.
"We know the location of his phylactery, and as proof we offer this likeness!! we seek a mutually beneficial arrangement."
There is a slight pause when you mention the word phylactery. This has come as a clear surprise, bordering on shock. Although the voice is trying to hide the surprise, it is clear that whoever is speaking desperately wants the real phylactery!
"So do you have the original phylactery nearby? We would very much like to work out an agreement with you. What is it that you propose for a mutually beneficial arrangement?"
A hideous looking goblinoid wearing dark robes steps forward.
"Show me this phylactery that proves its likeness! What is you price?!"
Perception:
Tirion watches the goblinoid with disgust.
What are you willing to pay? Our price is the withdrawal of all troops from the Elsir Vale and an agreement to never again seek to harm anyone in this land.
Whisper(DC25 to overhear):
Bofus, you have any idea what that tattoo on its arm is?
"What are you willing to pay? Our price is the withdrawal of all troops from the Elsir Vale and an agreement to never again seek to harm anyone in this land."
The goblinoid thinks for a moment and then replies, "Your terms sound very reasonable. Present the phylactery and I will see that it is done!"
The goblinoid then waits expectantly for you to hand it over.
Thordak moves up to be next to Bofus and join the conversation.
As soon as the goblin comes into view Thordak's axe appears in his hand by reflex, the steel almost humming...
Ah, ye sneaky bugger! T'would be a goblin te use this kind o' foggy trickery!
Sense Motive:
Perception:
Knowledge, religion:
Wot's that tattoo on yer arm? We should just tell ye where it is, an' trust ye? A nasty little goblin? Hah! Oi'd bring ye home te dinner afore Oi did that!
"Wot's that tattoo on yer arm?"
The goblinoid pulls down his cloak, covering his tattoo, and replies, "That is none of your business!"
"We should just tell ye where it is, an' trust ye? A nasty little goblin? Hah! Oi'd bring ye home te dinner afore Oi did that!"
"I admit that I don't like doing business with a dwarf and scum like you, but we all do what we must to achieve our aims. So if ye want the deal, then I suggest you tell me where the phylactery is and stop wasting my time. Otherwise, I suppose the troops are going to have to start causing some harm!"
Tirion looks at the goblinoid scum.
The phylactery is where it is supposed to be. In the care and protection of the good priests of Iomedae in Brindol. They have sworn to not destroy it, and we are tasked with speaking with the Ghostlord to gain his assistance in combatting the dragon horde.
Bluff:
You don't think that we would be foolish enough to bring it with us into the home of the Ghostlord do you?
"You don't think that we would be foolish enough to bring it with us into the home of the Ghostlord do you?"
The hobgoblin replies impatiently. "Well you don't think the Ghostlord would be foolish enough to negotiate with you if you did not actually bring him his phylactery?! If you need to be running back to Brindol to get the phylactery, then I'm afraid you are going to be too late! The Horde of the Red Hand is already on its way and will crush all of the humans in its path, and then when they destroy Brindol, the phylactery will be taken back anyway. So if you do not have the phylactery here, then I suggest you leave at once and don't come back until you get it!"
Sense Motive:
Tirion simply shakes his head: You must have attended a strange negotiating school. Why in the world would we have brought the phylactery with us so that the Ghostlord could simply take it. That would be extremely foolish now wouldn't it. We would lose all our bargaining power. The Horde is still far from Brindol and there is plenty of time. Perhaps your messengers have not told you, but someone killed the green wyrm and destroyed the bridge over the gorge which delayed the horde by several days. In addition, someone destroyed the ferry which further delayed things. Also, I understand that the swampy black dragon and his whiny archer friend suffered a catastrophic life failure. Oh, and Wyrmlord Koth or whatever his name is decided that death was preferable to returning to his commanders to tell them he had failed.
Tirion stares straight at the goblinoid: You are all alone here. Your troops are rapidly dwindling and soon you will have the Ghostlord's troops fighting against you, not for you. Perhaps it is time to run for the hills little sniveling goblin runt. Run run as fast as you can, or the Heros of Elsir Vale shall again strike your band.
Intimidate:
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Bofus takes out the fake phylactery and tosses it to the goblin priest. Show this to the ghostlord, and we will speak to HIM now or we'll walk. Oh, and... Bofus turns to Tirion with a barely perceptible wink the real deal is NOT in brindol. sorry to break that to you now, gnome--but i knew youd just give the location away like that, so only *I* know where it is! turns back to gblin And if i walk out of here, the ghostlord will still be looking for it...
Alright that's it Oi'm gonna kill tha runt! Thordak says, stepping forward. Any objections?
"Perhaps your messengers have not told you, but someone killed the green wyrm and destroyed the bridge over the gorge which delayed the horde by several days. In addition, someone destroyed the ferry which further delayed things. Also, I understand that the swampy black dragon and his whiny archer friend suffered a catastrophic life failure. Oh, and Wyrmlord Koth or whatever his name is decided that death was preferable to returning to his commanders to tell them he had failed."
"You sure know a lot of information for somebody who is clearly not in the horde. How is it that you know so much? Are you the group responsible for disrupting the plans of the Red Hand?!"
"You are all alone here. Your troops are rapidly dwindling and soon you will have the Ghostlord's troops fighting against you, not for you. Perhaps it is time to run for the hills little sniveling goblin runt. Run run as fast as you can, or the Heros of Elsir Vale shall again strike your band."
The hobgoblin turns pale and appears shaken. At first he says very little, but he finally remarks, "I may be alone for the present, but the tribes have been united and the Red Hand is vast. They also have Tiamat on their side."
"Show this to the ghostlord, and we will speak to HIM now or we'll walk."
The hobgoblin takes the phylactery in his hand and looks it over. Finally he says, "Wait here and I will go and show it to him. It should not take too long. In the meantime, come in and make yourself at home. I am certain that if you have the real one, he will be interested in speaking with you."
Tirion shakes his head.
No, we shall not wait here for you to attempt to surprise us. We shall go with you to the Ghostlord.
As he says this, Tirion resolutely crosses his arms in front of him and waits for the goblinoid to move.
If the goblinoid does not make to move, I will cast Charm Person on him to see if that helps.
Charm Person - Will DC16
"No, we shall not wait here for you to attempt to surprise us. We shall go with you to the Ghostlord."
"As you wish!" The hobgoblin replies after Tirion casts charm person . "But I cannot be held responsible for your personal safety. Follow me and do not touch anything we pass."
The hobgoblin turns and walks into the fog.
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OK, were coming Before they move, bofus addresses the group quickly and quietly. dont say ANYthing about the location, even a lie! lets stick with I know where it is but you guys dont--ok? because i *did* have it last, and you guys really ARENT sure of its location., are ya??
Bofus winks then quickly turns and follows their guide, staying in his footsteps as possible and keeping an eye uot for danger.
note: my EOD is safely stowed
Tirion calls to the goblinoid:
By the way, I think you forgot to tell us your name. It is hard to have a discussion without knowing someone's name.
"OK, were coming"
"Then make haste and do not delay!"
The goblinoid leads the company through the thick fog for no more than forty feet passed a spiral staircase that leads up. The creature then pulls out a set of keys and unlocks a stone door along the western wall. Once the door is open, he moves through the doorway into another chamber.
"By the way, I think you forgot to tell us your name. It is hard to have a discussion without knowing someone's name."
"You do not seem to have any trouble discussing whatever you want, but if need to call me something, then call me Marskul. And what is the name I shall give when presenting you to the Ghostlord?"
Once you pass into the next chamber, there is no longer any fog, but a strong odor. The room contains a low stone slab of a table made of red veined marble against the western wall. Clotted blood and less identifiable bits of tissue cling to the tabletop, filling the air in here with cloying stench. A stone shelf above the table is cluttered with jars, vials, urns, and stained surgical instruments. To the immediate right of the table, a square pit opens in the floor. More blood is spattered around the pit's rim.
"We will need to wait here for the Ghostlord to arrive."
Heroes' Hit Points
• Bofus (42/43) plus -1 CHA
• Thordak (93/93) - 1 CHA
• Mantooth (88/88)
• Tirion (40/41)
Tirion looks about the room.
This is an interesting room. What type of procedures take place here? And how long must we wait for the Ghostlord?
Oh, and are you considered a Wyrmlord? Or is there another in command of the Red Horde forces here?
"This is an interesting room. What type of procedures take place here?"
"The ghostlord has little use for every single part of every single creature that he captures on his treks into the Thornwaste. Often he only needs the basilisk's eyes, or the adventurer's brain, or a sphinx's heart for his necromantic experiments. In such cases, the ghostlord or one of his undead minions carries the body here, where the necessary parts are harvested and the rest cut into small chunks and disposed of down the pit!"
"And how long must we wait for the Ghostlord?"
"This is the Ghostlord's domain and you will wait however long he decides you must wait. However, seeing as you have not even given me the name of who to present to the Ghostlord, I would say a very long time."
"Oh, and are you considered a Wyrmlord? Or is there another in command of the Red Horde forces here?"
"A wyrmlord?! No. What makes you think that I'm a wyrmlord? In fact, what makes you think the Red Hand forces are even here? From what I understand, they are making the long march to Brindol to destroy your kind. Why would they be stationed out in the Ghostlord's crypt far out here in the Thornwaste?! In fact why are you here in this crypt? If you want to stop them from destroying your cities, maybe you should be out there battling them instead of trying to garner a deal with the lich!"
There is something about his tone that makes you suspect the hobgoblin, Marskul, is lying about this point. It is clear that he wants you to believe that the Red Hand are not stationed here.
Sense Motive:
Tirion nods acceptingly at Marskul's statement.
That is understandable.
Why are you here then? There does not appear to be much for an esteemed living servant such as yourself at a place such as this. And why was that nice lizard out front? There does not seem as though there would be much for a dragon such as he to hunt here in the Thordwastes.
Tirion pauses for a moment:
I apologize, my name is Taron Blackhair, descendent of gnomes with the blood of black dragons running in my veins.
As he says this, Tirion casts Ray of Frost and launches a ray, but converted to acid, at some of the blood in one of the troughs.
My companions are Rufus Beechnut. Tirion points to Bofus. Martoth the knight. And the ranger Thorin, son of Thrane, formerly of the Hammerfist dwarves.
"Why are you here then? There does not appear to be much for an esteemed living servant such as yourself at a place such as this."
"Oh yes, you are wondering why a living creature such as myself would be a servant to an undead lich. Naturally that would bring up a great many questions for you. Let me answer that by saying that even a humble hobgoblin such as myself knows power when he sees it. So when I see a creature that has achieved immortality, I believe there is a great deal that I can learn from him. Perhaps in time, I will grow in necromantic power and discover the secrets of endless life!"
"And why was that nice lizard out front? There does not seem as though there would be much for a dragon such as he to hunt here in the Thordwastes."
"Oh yes, that's the Behir, Varanthian. She was called up from the fuming bowels of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains by Tiamat herself. She is here as a favor to the High Wyrmlord himself and is a very special guest of the Ghostlord. It is true that hunting has been difficult for her in the Thornwaste, and she usually devours whatever living being she can find, so naturally, I am surprised that she let you pass through."
"I apologize, my name is Taron Blackhair, descendent of gnomes with the blood of black dragons running in my veins."
"Well, Taron Blackhair. It sounds as if Tiamat herself has blessed you since birth. Why in the world would you hang out with such filthy company such as half creatures, human knights and dwarven rangers?"
"My companions are Rufus Beechnut." Tirion points to Bofus. "Martoth the knight. And the ranger Thorin, son of Thrane, formerly of the Hammerfist dwarves."
"So Rufus, are you going to tell me how you came to acquire the phylactery of the Ghostlord or should I tell the lich that you stole it from him?"
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Well, i suppose to learn necromancy, what better teacher than a lich?
"So Rufus, are you going to tell me how you came to acquire the phylactery of the Ghostlord or should I tell the lich that you stole it from him?"
You may tell the lich that i can show him proof of who stole his bauble when he sees us--and that his extraction of vengeance will align with our interests. And rest assured that if you lie and say we stole it from him, before i die i shall shoot an acid arrow into your guts for a slow, horrible death.
Tirion casts another Ray of Cold (Acid) as Bofus says the above: I like acid.
Turning back to Marskul:
I would prefer those closer to the Queen. However, it is difficult to infiltrate the human settlements to scout if one is accompanied by dragonspawn. Thus, we must serve in these forms until the Queen deems us worthy of taking a form in her image.
Sense Motive:
"Well, Taron Blackhair. It sounds as if Tiamat herself has blessed you since birth. Why in the world would you hang out with such filthy company such as half creatures, human knights and dwarven rangers?"
Oi will rip yer leg off an' use it to beat yer greasy head off yer shoulders! Yer lucky moi friends want ye alive! You make one false move though...
"You may tell the lich that I can show him proof of who stole his bauble when he sees us--and that his extraction of vengeance will align with our interests. And rest assured that if you lie and say we stole it from him, before I die I shall shoot an acid arrow into your guts for a slow, horrible death."
"I do not doubt your threats, imp, but you still have not answered my question of how came to possess this phylactery. For all I know, you just had some mockup made of this trinket and you decided to play a dangerous game."
Marskul waits a moment for Bofus'answer.
"Oi will rip yer leg off an' use it to beat yer greasy head off yer shoulders! Yer lucky moi friends want ye alive! You make one false move though..."
Marskul looks at Thordak and then turns to Tirion and remarks, "What a repulsive creature!"
He then pulls Tirion aside and has a whispered discussion with him. Fortunately, through the use of Tirion's message spell you can still hear Tirion's reply.
"I would prefer those closer to the Queen. However, it is difficult to infiltrate the human settlements to scout if one is accompanied by dragonspawn. Thus, we must serve in these forms until the Queen deems us worthy of taking a form in her image."
"Either way, you also play a dangerous game hanging out with this filth. Here, let's get out of here and have a discussion away from this scum. We need to get our hands on that real phylactery. Do you know where it is? That impish thief could ruin many of our plans if he was to actually speak with the ghostlord and return it to him! We cannot allow that to happen! Now let's leave this chamber. There is somebody here you must meet. She will know how to deal with this!"
Marskul announces aloud. "You will wait here, but the dark gnome will come with me!"
Tirion whispers back to the repulsive goblinoid: Yes, that is true, but they too are believers. The Queen has many warriors in many forms, even forms as repulsive as those you see standing before you. But soon these you see before you, the halfling, the human and the dwarf, shall be gifted the swords of red steel. Then they shall take on the image of the greater race. The Queen would be quite displeased if they were to come to harm.
Tirion pauses for a moment: How will she deal with this? She is quite powerful and controls the Ghostlord's forces which support the Red Hand, but even she would not be well served to have those chosen to become dragonkind destroyed.