DM NomadSage's Jade Regent - The Hungry Storm (Inactive)

Game Master nomadicc

"Whew, thanks Heng. Maeve! Maeve! She's going to get herself killed isn't she."

Harlan allows Heng to carry him in the interest of catching Maeve.

Hope my mother doesn't see this.

Malnival hurrys after the others and glances at Harlan as he passes. "More than likely."

The group trails after Maeve, following the erratic tunnel as it continues its steady climb into the glacier. Fifty, a hundred, two hundred paces pass, and still no sign of the end or of the demon. The further you go, the more smooth and slippery the floor becomes, as you now cross clear ice. Wearing steel crampons on his boots, Ulf catches up quickly as you struggle with the footing. Nearing the glacier's surface, ambient light passing through the ice improves, though it leaves everything a ghostly twilight of blue, gray and white hues.

Finally, Maeve bursts from the tunnel into a deep vertical bore. Ulf catches her arm, saving her from diving head first over the ledge. "Careful there, little lady," he whispers, eyes ahead. As you catch up, you take in the view.

An irregular sixty or so feet in diameter, the bore descends below you another hundred feet down. A crack in the ceiling above shows blue sky and daylight. A steep icy ramp circles the perimeter counter-clockwise, leading down to a slushy basin filled with hundreds of bones. At the bottom, you also spy a crude altar constructed from dozens of skull. Painted along the icy walls of the pit are Erutaki pictograms, scattered among many strange markings of a frost-rimed, three-fingered skeletal hand.

Before the altar stands Tunuak, who gazes up at you with a sneer. "So you've come then. The Hungry Storm will be pleased by your sacrifice!"

Map sent. Actions?

Note, the surfaces here are all slippery, requiring a DC 15 Acrobatics check to move half-speed, or DC 25 to move full speed.

Parity will cast mirror image and then move toward the voice, walking on rampant down.

Round 1 Init 7

K. Religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Warning given, Harlan channels to heal now that everybody is gathered together.

I should've done this earlier, wish Maeve hadn't run off.

Channel: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 5) = 17

... walking on rampant down.

Is that a typo?

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Malnival moves with caution after Parity.

Yeah, "walking on air, ramping down"

Finally, Maeve bursts from the tunnel into a deep vertical bore. Ulf catches her arm, saving her from diving head first over the ledge. "Careful there, little lady," he whispers, eyes ahead. As you catch up, you take in the view.

"...." Maeve's eyes are wide as dinner-plates when Ulf catches her. She gently swallows and says back "...thanks."

An irregular sixty or so feet in diameter, the bore descends below you another hundred feet down. A crack in the ceiling above shows blue sky and daylight. A steep icy ramp circles the perimeter counter-clockwise, leading down to a slushy basin filled with hundreds of bones. At the bottom, you also spy a crude altar constructed from dozens of skull. Painted along the icy walls of the pit are Erutaki pictograms, scattered among many strange markings of a frost-rimed, three-fingered skeletal hand.

Before the altar stands Tunuak, who gazes up at you with a sneer. "So you've come then. The Hungry Storm will be pleased by your sacrifice!"

"...no thanks? I've already been a sacrifice twice this week, I think it's someone else's turn." The dancer assumes a ready position while drawing out a wand.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Actually, can Maeve use her Wand of Mage Armor on the trip down? If 'yes' UMD: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Adding stats

Round 1
Stats:
Init: 22
HPs: 64/64
Used: 2 Vanguard Blast/1 2nd lev spell/2 Suishen abilities
Status: above + resist cold, airwalk, mirror image 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 images

Actually, can Maeve use her Wand of Mage Armor on the trip down? If 'yes' UMD: 1d20+12

Its still a standard action, so sure. If you want to move, it just requires the Acro check based on your desired speed (half or full).

@Heng, if you're holding until I post up thru Ulf's turn, just let me know...

just getting home from work.
AC:20, hp: 47/59, Ki 5/7, Stun 1/7, Fire 7/7
Heng pulls on the top of the Shozoku while grimacing slightly from the axe wounds that still mark his flesh. He ignores Tunuak for the moment and glances around for less evident hazards.
could also use a little more healing...

perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

I'm throwing a powered up cure your way on my next round, once you drop down there Shield Other will break.

I'm throwing a powered up cure your way on my next round, once you drop down there Shield Other will break.

thanks, blood brother. :)

Round One
Initiative Order: Parity [22], Malnival [19], Tunuak [15], Ulf [12], Heng [10], Harlan [7], Maeve [6], Hoarfrosts [1]

With his illusory defense in place, Parity moves up to the ledge and over the side, walking on air and descending slowly. Malnival follows, following the ledge for a few paces before he missteps and slips, falling onto his back. Malnival begins to slide down the ramp until Ulf runs over and grabs him, using the crampons for traction.

Below, Tunuak calls out to his demonic spirits and points at Parity. You all hear a whooshing sound as a line of forceful air slams into his chest and starts pushing him up and away.

Heng and Harlan reach the ledge, the latter sharing a burst of healing to the group. Between them, Maeve activates an armoring spell from her wand, and ponders her next move.

The frozen corpses along the wall spring into motion, jumping from their niches to attack with frosted claws. Their bodies radiate intense cold, and it infuses their attacks. They scramble up, slashing at prone Malnival, who is luckily warded by thick armor. Another claws Ulf from behind, leaving jagged wounds. A third attacks Maeve, but her new spell spares her the worst.

Actions for R2?

Additional note: If you're moving, please highlight full or half-speed and tack on the Acro check. Otherwise, I'll roll it for you, which could be disastrous. ;o) Further note: any time you use Acro to maintain balance, you lose your Dex bonus to AC.

Round 2
AC:20, hp: 47/59, Ki 5/7, Stun 6/7, Fire 6/7, dragon stance

"Harlan, stand back!" Heng commands exchanging places with the halfling and launching a flurry of flaming strikes.
delay until Harlan moves, 5', flame on, full attack green

Flurry 1 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
damage 1d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12 + 1d6 ⇒ 2 fire

Flurry 2 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
damage 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13 + 1d6 ⇒ 2 fire

Flurry 3 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
damage 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12 + 1d6 ⇒ 3 fire

Confirm Flurry 2 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
damage 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8 + 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire

5' acro? 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Round 1 finished
Use Magic Device to activate the drawn wand: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Round 2

...how far down is it to each ledge? Maeve may just take the damage and slide down the walls and cast on every stop.

You already had a UMD roll in your original post...

The total drop is 100 ft, so each ledge (depending on where you're at), is about 50 ft.

Keep in mind this is all slick ice... slide yes, stop maybe.

Round 2 Init 7

"You got it Heng."

Harlan heals Heng before stepping out of the way.

CMW on Heng for 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10 then 5' step away from the undead. My cure spells don't provoke.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Round 2
Init: 22
HPs: 64/64 (7 non-lethal)
AC: 22
Used: 2 Vanguard Blast/2 2nd lev spell/2 Suishen abilities
Status: above + resist cold, airwalk, mirror image 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 images

Fort Save DC21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Parity narrowly avoids being knocked over and moves 10 feet to the east before he moves another 30 feet straight down towards the twisted shaman. He casts ghoul touch and channels it on Suishen in preparation. As a swift he transfers 2 points to defense from Suishen.

Doh! That's what I get for posting just after I get up. As for the ledges being slippery, Maeve's boots let her ignore that remember.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

What is Malnival doing?

Still moving towards the bottom.

Still moving towards the bottom.

You're prone and being attacked/threatened in melee range... I need more specifics.

Oh!
Get to my feet. Back away.

Round Two
Initiative Order: Parity [22], Malnival [19], Tunuak [15], Ulf [12], Harlan, Heng [7], Maeve [6], Hoarfrosts [1]

Parity braces against the brunt of the air blast and manages to roll out of the line before it throws him into the wall. He then continues his steady descent.

Malnival regains his feet, drawing an attack from the hoarfrost corpse, but again its claws only scrape harmlessly against his armor. Again up, he's able to back up a few steps, though still struggling on the slick ice.

Tunuak continues his demonic chanting, calling up a blast of vile miasma around the group, damaging the group with its unholy energy. (Unholy Blight - All except Parity take 5d8 ⇒ (2, 8, 8, 4, 1) = 23 damage and sickened for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds (Will DC 21 save for half/not sickened))

Ulf turns on the nearest undead, slashing his longsword with intense focus, cleanly cutting down the foe with two swings.

Harlan heals Heng and steps aside, allowing the monk to move in and pummel the undead with a number of crushing hits. The hoarfrost corpse falls, unmoving.

At Maeve's Turn... actions for R3?

will save 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
meh. I'll post after the icees go. current hp 34/59. sickened.

Round 2

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Steeling herself against the Miasma, Maeve makes a quick decision and starts to skid down the ice to the next level, hoping to use her boots as a quick break so she won't be too badly hurt when she gets there. Once she lands, her form splits off into multiple copies of herself and she begins to scramble for the next landing.

Move to, well, move. Standard to cast Mirror Image.
Acrobatics (to land 'safely'): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Mirror Images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 3

Will Save DC 21: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Sickened and almost down, Harlan heals himself.

CSW: 3d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) + 7 = 19

Wil sv: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Malnival continues to make his way down the slope.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Round 4
Init: 22
HPs: 64/64 (7 non-lethal)
AC: 22
Used: 2 Vanguard Blast/2 2nd lev spell/2 Suishen abilities
Status: above + resist cold, airwalk, mirror image (6) Changed from 7, my math was wrong

Parity charges if able. Otherwise double move down. Not sure what my slant range is

Round Two into Three
Initiative Order: Parity [22], Malnival [19], Tunuak [15], Ulf [12], Harlan, Heng [7], Maeve [6], Hoarfrosts [1]

Maeve steps over the ledge, plummeting down the icy cliff. She sticks the landing, but the impact is still jarring. Wincing, she still manages to cast her spell, creating six illusory copies of herself.

The two hoarfrost corpses move in, but stop short a few paces from Ulf and Malnival. Both open their jaws, unnaturally wide, and spew forth blasts of icy cold. (All but Maeve/Parity take 6d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3, 6, 3, 3) = 22 cold; DC 17 Ref save for half)

New map sent. Need an update from Mal, as the way is now blocked. Can also take new/changed inputs for R3 for all.

Parity, by my calculations, you should be within 30 ft of the bottom after this round's double move, and can move to melee range on round 4.

Round 3
HP: 30/53

Vowing to herself to figure out how to make that trick work out better in the future, Maeve suddenly vanishes from view, only the brief sound of her steps giving away her attempt to proceed around the ring from there.

Standard action to cast Vanish, then starting around the path normally. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Add to scimitar +1 Keen

Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Confirm crit:: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Damage 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Crit damage 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Round 3
AC:20, hp: 54/59, Ki 3/7, Stun 6/7, Fire 6/7, sickened, dragon stance
ref save 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 2 = 17

Dodging the frosty breath, Heng follows Maeve over the side.
slow fall 30, acrobatic 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Ki heal.

Round 4
Init: 22
HPs: 64/64 (7 non-lethal)
AC: 20
Used: 2 Vanguard Blast/2 2nd lev spell/2 Suishen abilities
Status: above + resist cold, airwalk, mirror image (6),& ghoul touch

Parity moves the last bit forward stalking in with a greenish brown haze circling Suishen and lashes out with a devastating strike.

Round 4

Ref Save Sickened DC 17: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 = 22

Shivering from the cold Harlan carefully makes his way towards Ulf and Mal while channeling to heal all but Tonsoffun.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Channel: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 2) = 11

Moving 5' or half speed towards Mal. Remember all that if I overheal you it becomes up to 7 temporary hit points for 7 rounds.

The R4 inputs may be premature, but I'll include what makes sense...

Round Three, continued...

Parity continues to descend.

Grimacing against the full brunt of the icy blast, Malnival and Ulf move in close to the undead, the former landing a powerful strike on one before the latter finishes it off. One hoarfrost corpse remains standing.

In the basin, Tunuak casts another spell, summoning a spirit of pure force in the space between him and the oncoming Parity, before taking a few steps back towards the altar.

Terribly wounded by the blight and icy blast, Harlan takes a moment to heal himself. Heng steps over the ledge, sliding down beside Maeve, but with a much smoother landing. At this moment, the quasit makes its reappearance, becoming visible as it swoops down on Harlan from above. Luckily, even flat-footed and surprised, Harlan instinctively ducks and avoids the attack.

Maeve begins tracking down the ramp, while casting a spell to become invisible.

The lone remaining undead leaps on Ulf, breaking through his defenses to land two telling blows. Ulf growls against the pain and cold, remarkably keeping his feet despite his wounds. (Ulf currently at 2/62 hp)

Inputs/updates for R4?

Round 4
HP: 30/53, AC 22

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

A few more muttered words, and Maeve's speed suddenly increases drastically as she moves down the way.

Standard to cast Expeditious Retreat (really, why is it called that? Maeve never uses it to run away) and then her move is spent moving at a speed of 60.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

You don't need Acro checks because of your boots... ;o)

Keeping mine, also excluding the quasit.

Parity will ignore the force spirit and move around it to get to the shaman.

Malnival presses the attack on the remaining undead.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 - 2 = 27
Confirm crit:1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 = 31

Damage: 1d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 4 = 15
Crit damage: 1d6 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 4 = 16

Round 4
AC:20, hp: 54/59, Ki 3/7, Stun 6/7, Fire 6/7, dragon stance

Hearing the sounds of Ulf's distress above him, Heng curses his rashness and shouts a query up to see if they are alright.

Assuming so, double move 100 and drop on Tunuak. dragon style says I can ignore difficult terrain when running or charging. your call on whether I'm over doing it with a death drop charge : )
acrobatics 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

It's not difficult terrain (i.e., 2 for 1 movement), but icy/slippery, requiring the Acro check to keep from slipping. I have no problems with a double move, as long as you make the Acro roll to keep upright...

Round Four
Initiative Order: Parity [22], Malnival [19], Tunuak [15], Ulf [12], Harlan, Heng [7], Eguriak, Maeve [6], Hoarfrosts [1]

As Parity nears the bottom of the icy bore, he spirals the final turn and moves right at Tunuak. The spirit defender slashes a longsword of force at him as he passes, scoring a hit, but Parity marches by undeterred. Tunuak braces for the attack, holding his staff defensively, but Parity easily overcomes the defense and hits the shaman with a devastating strike. Tunuak's bellow of pain turns into a snarl of anger.

"Foolish blind-man. Let us see how you fare without the benefit of hearing." He chants a mystical word, and everything in the basin goes completely silent. A moment later, Parity is slammed again by the force spirit; without his bearings, he can do little to avoid the attack.

Back at the entrance, Malnival slashes his scimitar into the remaining undead, cleaving a powerful wound. Ulf again follows up, slicing the thing's head off for the finish. The ranger wastes looks back for a second, does a double-take on the demon, and turns around to rush to Harlan's aid. Harlan moves around Ulf while releasing a healing burst for himself, Ulf and Malnival.

With Ulf now running interference, the quasit again turns invisible.

With a burst of speed and delicate balance, Heng circles the pit and leaps down the remaining distance, relying on his training to make a soft landing beside the shaman. About halfway down, he enters the zone of pure silence.

Maeve increases her speed with a spell, then continues to race down the icy ramp.

On the map, Maeve is about 20 ft above Heng and Tunuak.

Actions for R5?

EDIT: Parity takes no damage, but loses 2 images.

Round 5
HP: 30/53, AC 20, 6 Mirror Images

Finally in something resembling position, Maeve drops down onto the old man from above with a kick before springing to her feet.

Swift to Arcane Strike, then CHARGE! Maybe.
Acrobatics to reduce damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
Attack (Not including the +2, just in case this doesn't count): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Round 5

Still badly injured and facing a quasit with Ulf, Harlan channels again, excluding both bad guys.

Channel: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 3) = 13

If I dispel the silence Parity will hear, but then he'll start casting again. Best I wait until the quasit is dealt with.

Round 5
AC:20, hp: 54/59, Ki 3/7, Stun 6/7, Fire 6/7, dragon stance

Heng grabs the troublesome Tunuak to prevent his casting of any more vile spells then he notices Maeve silently falling towards him...
grapple 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19