Vesta reaches out with her mind tearing at the dangling orb. It comes free with an almighty crack and falls to the floor below. At the same time the remainder of the crossbows also fall inert to the ground.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
with that vesta floats back to the ground.
"Well that was easy enough, seeing how I don't have need to fear crossbow bolts or electricity it wouldn't have affected me much but I would have hated to have wasted my fly spell just to go bash it apart. Thank you Vesta"
"Well that was easy enough, seeing how I don't have need to fear crossbow bolts or electricity it wouldn't have affected me much but I would have hated to have wasted my fly spell just to go bash it apart. Thank you Vesta"
"Happy to be of assistance.Were only this entire place that easy to tear apart. Lets find a way out of this room, shall we?"
Gabriel scurries back up into the roof, and pokes around for a while.
I think I may have found a mechanism that will lower a set of stairs to the next level...
He then starts fiddling with the controls.
As Gabriel works on the controls, you can hear the grinding of gears in the background.
As Gabriel works on the controls, you can hear the grinding of gears in the background.
Vesta looks around for the source of the sound.
The source of the sound is soon self-evident as a section of the ceiling parts and lowers down to provide a set of stairs to the next level within the tower. You cannot see much from where you stand, as the stairs face the wall of the tower - but the area seems well lit.
The source of the sound is soon self-evident as a section of the ceiling parts and lowers down to provide a set of stairs to the next level within the tower. You cannot see much from where you stand, as the stairs face the wall of the tower - but the area seems well lit.
Vesta will cautiously move up the stairs stealth fully (trying to turn invisible when possible)
stealth (add 20 more if/when she can turn invisible)
perception
You spot a gnome dressed in a simple brown robe at the opposite end of the room. He appears to be waiting and ready for visitors. You don't believe that he has seen you yet, but you have not extended yourself more than a sliver into his vision.
Vesta floats down the stairs and motions for everyone to wait a moment. She then glides over to gabriel. She wispers something to him,
"There is a gnome waiting to ambush visitors on the upper level. Tell the others telepathically so we can get the drop on him."
Ladies and Gentlemen, according to Vesta, there is a gnome waiting to ambush anyone who approaches at the top of the stairs...
Ladies and Gentlemen, according to Vesta, there is a gnome waiting to ambush anyone who approaches at the top of the stairs...
"Well done, Thing." Vesta says sarcastically just under her "breath."
Murmur moves to Vesta and speaks quietly, a child's hushed voice. "The same with whom we just spoke? Describe the room."
Murmur moves to Vesta and speaks quietly, a child's hushed voice. "The same with whom we just spoke? Describe the room."
In hushed tones
"On the next level i saw what appeared to be another workshop of sorts strewn with clockwork part and shelves upon shelves full of knick knacks and such. I spotted the same gnome from the ghostly apparition earlier at the opposite end of the room."
Gathroc considers this intel and says quietly enough that only his allies can hear him "I am thinking we need to attack, but not in the way expcted. As Vesta is a ghost most forms of attack will not affect her. Why don't you float through the floor and unleash a strong magical attack. Then right when you do I can charge this gnome, but I'll carry Gabriel on my shoulder, who can then leap into the fray. If the little pest still lives the rest of you can move in and help finish it off"
Gathroc considers this intel and says quietly enough that only his allies can hear him "I am thinking we need to attack, but not in the way expcted. As Vesta is a ghost most forms of attack will not affect her. Why don't you float through the floor and unleash a strong magical attack. Then right when you do I can charge this gnome, but I'll carry Gabriel on my shoulder, who can then leap into the fray. If the little pest still lives the rest of you can move in and help finish it off"
"Very well" Vesta says then turns and floats toward the stairs. She assumes everyone will get in position.
Once Vesta is near the top of the stairs she will turn to see if everyone is ready.
School transmutation [language-dependent]; Level bard 0, sorcerer/wizard 0
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a piece of copper wire)
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets one creature/level
Duration 10 min./level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You can whisper messages and receive whispered replies. Those nearby can hear these messages with a DC 25 Perception check. You point your finger at each creature you want to receive the message. When you whisper, the whispered message is audible to all targeted creatures within range. Magical silence , 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal (or a thin sheet of lead), or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks the spell. The message does not have to travel in a straight line. It can circumvent a barrier if there is an open path between you and the subject, and the path's entire length lies within the spell's range. The creatures that receive the message can whisper a reply that you hear. The spell transmits sound, not meaning; it doesn't transcend language barriers. To speak a message, you must mouth the words and whisper.
"Would it not be wise to keep the little gnome alive and question him as to the location of the tome? I have the ability to paralyze with but a touch. Or you could just tackle the little fool? I hear it is hard to cast spells while wrestling though I have never tried it myself."
I whisper this while everyone is still together.
When everyone is in position here is what Vesta will do.
Cast major image of a few of her more imposing looking companions near the top of the stairs, but out of sight from the gnomes perspective.
Then turn invisible via the ring (maintaining the illusion by concentrating)
She will then run into the room and dodge off to the side. (concentration no longer necessary and the illusion will wink out in three rounds)
When the illusions run in she will have a readied action to follow moments after she hears whatever spell the gnome is about to cast.
She will rush the gnome (still stealthed if he's within 30 feet, but just invisible otherwise if she has to double move)
She is trying to touch him to activate her Malovence power to try and possess him
Touch attack
WIll save to resist Malovence is 25
School: illusion (figment)
Level: bard 3, sorcerer/wizard 3, magus 3
Casting Time: V, S, F (a bit of fleece)
Components: 0
Area or Target: visual figment that cannot extend beyond four 10-ft. cubes + one 10-ft. cube/level (S); or Concentration + 3 rounds
Duration: 0
Saving Throw: no
Spell Resistance: This spell functions like silent image, except that sound, smell, and thermal illusions are included in the spell effect. While concentrating, you can move the image within the range. The image disappears when struck by an opponent unless you cause the illusion to react appropriately.
I mistyped. I meant the illusions run in first and appear to dodge off to the side.
I'm going to go up after her, after the images have done their job.
Murmur will be stealthing into the room following the illusions, with the intention of approaching the gnome to use his touch attack on him.
Gathroc will stealthily climb the stairs, trying hard not to make much noise and attempt to remain out of sight of the gnome while still being able to see it. If possible, he will wait until Ignác moves into the room. Assuming Gabriel agrees with the plan, the knight will let him sit on his shoulder, as they both wait for an opportune moment to strike.
I will stealth up with everyone else
Stealth
Vesta moves into the room and the gnome does not react to her invisible passage. The remainder of the group moves to the stairwell and prepares for a stealthy ascension. As Vesta'a illusions rise above the floor and move forward, the gnome reacts to them and barks an instruction in gnomish
You notice that the shelves, which are covered with clockwork parts and miniatures start to rattle.
Perception
vesta tried to touch attack him, but I suspect an ac of 11 will miss and i suspect it wont work if she did, though vesta thinks he's flesh and blood for the moment.
Murmur understands the gnome's words, but stays silent to remain hidden. He will continue to stealth forward and make his touch attack.
Vesta and Murmur both sneak forward to deliver their attacks. Vesta barely misses, whereas Murmur balks at the last moment - sensing something wrong... this gnome can speak, but it lacks breath and has no voice of it's own!
The shelves come alive with activity as swarms of clockwork and alchemically driven figures propel themselves towards the illusions with a clattering and hissing sound.
Vesta, having no idea the gnome is clockwork, attempt to stick her hand through is chest in order to posess him.
Touch attack
Murmur stays hidden, studying both the gnome and the objects that are moving towards the illusions.
Gathroc whispers to Gabriel "Shall we?? Seems Vesta will get that things attention, good chance to waylay it."
The other objects appear to be a diverse mixture of metal, wood, cloth and other knick-knacks. So far they appear to just be animated objects without any special or specific abilities. Though some of the alchemical figures seem hollow and liquid filled.
Why not? Let's go!
Gathroc rushes into the room, wielding his sword in both hands, ready to strike down the gnome.
Murmur draws his bow and takes a shot at one of the objects.
Murmur will be shooting at one of the hollow alchemical figures, preferably one that's not near any of Murmur's allies.
Round 1:
Vesta's ghostly hand passes into the chest of the gnomish figure, but finds no lifespark to invade.
Murmur's bowshot strikes one of the animated figures and ruptures it's body. As it sits motionless, a fluid flows from the arrow-hole and forms a small pool of hissing and foaming liquid.
Gathroc charges forward and his blade punctures the gnomish figure's body - though no blood flows from the wound.
With her and clothing suddenly lashing wildly on invisible winds her face face forms an inhuman visage of rage and Vesta screams "Damn Golems!"
With that she floats back slightly and says something arcane while throwing a hand toward the creature. Two bolts of white fire with black centers fly at the Golem.
Touch attack 1
Touch attack 2
If needed;
SPell resistance Ray 1
Spell resistance Ray 2
School evocation [fire]; Level sorcerer/wizard 2
casting Time 1 standard action
components V, S
range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect one or more rays
duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell resistance yes
You blast your enemies with a searing beam of fire. You may
fire one ray, plus one additional ray for every four levels
beyond 3rd (to a maximum of three rays at 11th level). Each
ray requires a ranged touch attack to hit and deals 4d6 points
of fire damage. The rays may be fired at the same or different
targets, but all rays must be aimed at targets within 30 feet of
each other and fired simultaneously.
Ignac comes into the room and releases a cone of electricity towards the objects on the right.
Round 1:
Gabriel acrobatically leaps off Gathroc, and adopts a flanking position on the Gnome!
Round 2:
Gabriel continues to pummel the Gnome relentlessly...
Gabriel's fist pounds into the gnome crushing the side of the figure. There is no blood to be seen and the strikes have definately deformed the figure that lies beneath the robes and clothing.
Vesta's rays of fire pass close by the gnome's head, and though not touching do give off enough heat for the left side of its face to melt slightly. Then Gabriel's follow up strikes send it motionless to the floor.
Ignac releases a wave of energy towards the army of miniatures off to one side and the crackling electricity wreaks havoc. A large number of them fall to the ground motionless, and some more literally explode with the discharge spraying their liquid contents in an arc. Anything struck by the liquids starts to hiss and sputter and pitting holes can be seen.
The rest of the miniatures ineffectually attack the illusions, though they are now reacting to the presence of un-live prey...
Murmur continues to shoot at the animated figures, taking careful aim and releasing two arrows.
Ignac will move to the other side, releasing another discharge at the objects on the other side.