The Free City of Greyhawk...the Arena!! That is where you find yourself, in the VIP section, surrounded by 10,000 souls eagerly awaiting the finals of the Champion's Games!
The Games are an annual athletic competition in Greyhawk, owned and managed by a former Champion, Loris Raknian, your host. Raknian pic He has introduced himself to every member of the VIP section, where the wealthiest citizens in attendance are waited on hand and foot by servants and protected from the grueling sun by an awning, while the rest of the commoners in attendance bake in the heat. However, the crowd does not mind. They have been treated to a 5-day long gladiatorial tournament, with four rounds of elimination. And there has been much blood! The first round consisted of six free-for-all battles between groups of four teams. The six winners were then paired off into three one-on-one battles on Day 3 of the event. On Day 4, two of the remaining teams fight each other while one of them fights an exhibition match against some kind of exotic monster (a Froghemoth!).
Last year's champion, the warrior Auric and his warband are in the Finals again and they are the favorites. An unknown band of warriors, the Ivory Cudgels, a band dedicated to St. Cuthbert, has reached the Finals as well and has a healthy fan base among the crowd. There is much excitement in the air, as the pre-game festivities are in full-effect. This Finals promises to be quite exciting and unique!
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Siggut will take some time early on in the matches, before he's on call for the final match, sampling the wares of the various ale vendors in the arena. He considers it his duty as party of the arena staff (temporary) to make sure the institution maintains their high standards in alcoholic beverages.
dottt...
High atop the stands, an exceptionally bald dwarf squirms uncomfortably, shading his eyes from the omnipresent sky and as much of the stands as he reasonably can. "Damned Volsom, why'd I ever agree to come to this accursed enormous pit..." Regardless, he does his best to smile and let out a half-hearted cheer whenever an Ivory Cudgel looks up at him in the crowd. For comfort he strokes a collection of orange beads wrapped around his wrist. "Burning Hearth, give me the strength to protect the cells, the focus to disdain all distraction, the faith to last for all time..."
Kaydanna observes the spectacle with a look of disgust on her face...'these warriors could be out marching against evil to the north or fighting against the rumors of humanoid raiding parties to the south...but no they debase themselves in this mock combat and people cheer...ah well I had a vision or a calling to come here and by the blessed Warrior Maiden I shall find out why...' she thinks to herself observing those in the VP area as much as the combat below.
Kaydanna does not get a good feeling, as she sees the rich and glamorous of the Free City's elite lavishly eat grapes and drink wine, while the commoners all around suffer in the intense 80 degree heat and eat the most minimal of rations. It seems they cannot wait for the bloodshed to start to distract themselves for at least a short time from their impoverished and sad existence.
Tumblers, jugglers, and bards do their best to entertain the packed arena.
Ravarel scans the stands and his immediate surroundings with occasional glances at the fighting pit below. He is biding his time til he can have his curiosity satisfied why did Raknian invite me?
Even in the comfort of the VIP section he is not comfortable too many strangers, too close in As a wielder of magic he prefers to shape the battlefield to his liking and at a comfortable distance.
But after some time scanning his immediate area he settles in to watch the spectacle below killing time til he can find why he has been invited here.
Pyrrhus watched all over the arena from his vantage point, atop the roof of some sort of special area for noble guests, his little eyes capturing all the that happened, paying attention to nothing in particular.
Disguised as a little thrush, Pyrrhus could watch everything without suspicion and if his feelings had misguided him, he would fly away and return to the Nyr Div. The form of a thrush was not one of his favorites... he preferred the freedom and sensation of embracement that could only be attained by the raw elements of nature... but it was serving his purposes and every shape adopted by the nature was beautiful and should be respected.
He closed his eyes and remembered about the omen he witnessed this morning, the festering face of that mermaid still imprinted in his memory.
Now... who is the 'Champion of Greyhawk' and why should he be saved?... and from what? He pondered. Before assuming the shape of a thrush, Pyrrhus had walked the streets of Greyhawk as an old stray cat, with brown and black spots, completely ordinary, and heard many things regarding 'Champions'. Perhaps the omen was referring to this man Loris, an old champion of this arena... or perhaps the champion from the last year... or even a new champion... or even it was not related to this horrible spectacle, but tied to a man of noble cause, a knight perhaps and champion of the people... He divagated as usual, losing himself to his own thoughts...
Siggut detains some pickpockets and breaks up some fights; the rest of you enjoy the festivities. Eventually, Siggut is called back to this post in the Arena. The formalities of the main event begin at the Arena half an hour late. Whether to build anticipation for the Finals or increase sales of ale and food, you do not know. Loris Raknian and his scarred face make an appearance in the center of the Arena, his voice magically amplified obviously.
"Patrons, I welcome thee to the Finals of the Champion's Games!" Much cheer goes through the crowd. "Thank you for coming out on this sweltering day. I am sure the warriors will make it worth your while. And now without further ado...I present to you the Ivory Cudgels...led by their powerful warrior, Volsom Val Zsing!"
A red-bearded dwarf wielding a waraxe and shield leads a band of four additional adventurers: a male priest of St. Cuthbert, a halfling garbed in bandoleers of daggers, a female in robes, and a Nordic looking tattooed human wielding solely a greatsword and white wolf pelt. The crowd cheers for the group, as whispers of whether they have a shot at dethroning the champion and his band passes through the arena crowd. The group waves to the crowd, with the Nordic fellow beating his chest. Even at a distance, it is easy to tell there is friction between Raknian and the band.
Loris ignores it and continues, "And now, we present to you last year's champion and the favorite son of Greyhawk, Auric!! And his warband of Khellek and Tirra!" The crowd goes wild, especially the women who throw roses onto the sand in honor of Auric.
Into the arena walk Auric, a burly blonde fighter who always wears an ornate red and blue girdle around his waist (the famed Championship belt); Khellek, a red-robed wizard, and Tirra, a female elf. Pic of Warband They are followed by three 10' tall lumbering humanoid ghoulish collections of stolen humanoid body parts, stitched together into single composite forms. Raknian and Auric hug, as the band enjoys the crowd's adulation.
After the cheering dies down, Raknian wishes both sides good luck and leaves the Arena, eventually taking his place among his cadre of friends and bodyguards, ready to enjoy the action.
Both sides back away 100 paces from each other and the Rules are read to the crowd, regarding outside participation, the prohibited use of area affect spells that could harm the crowd, flying more than 20' above the ground, etc. Each side is given a minute to prepare, during which both sides buff with magic. The crowd starts clapping and stomping, in anticipation.
Then a horn sounds and the battle begins!
The thrush focuses his attention on the middle of the arena when Loris starts his speech and introduces both teams.
This man, Auric... he seems to be the famous champion... 'the favorite son of Greyhawk'... perhaps, perhaps... He then sees the pair of monstrous creatures accompanying him.
These abominations... how could a favorite son and champion employ such vile forces?
Pyrrhus takes flight, flying above the arena, searching for a spot to land closer to the show so he could react more quickly in the case of any event. He lands on the tip of a steel shield, held by a rather drunk-looking dwarf.
It is quite clear to all present that the creatures are not natural. However, you can tell they seem to be obeying Khellek more than Auric.
Ravarels attention is now focused intently upon the mage trying to read the spells as he casts them
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Thak dutifully claps but otherwise doesn't pay too much attention to the battle, looking at the people around him for anyone interesting or exceptionally out of place.
'...such a waste of resources that could be better used to stave of the evil blighting some lands near here....alas the comforts of pampered civilization...how many of these gladiators would stand tall in a shield wall facing down a charging band of the Old One's Oroks...?' Kaydanna ponders to herself watching the spectacle...
After the groups employ spell buffs and potion buffs, the battle begins and the halfling draws first blood with his daggers, but the wizard's mirror images protect him from further damage. The golems surprisingly attack next and eventually corner the halfling and beat him to a pulp, causing the crowd to cheer at the first fatality of the match! The Nordic barbarian moves in and with the dwarf's help, destroys the golems. Tirra disappears from sight and backstabs the cleric, injuring him severely, until Auric finishes him off with powerful attack, skewering him. More cheers! Down 2 warriors, the Ivory Cudgels rally and together, take down Khellek and Tirra with a series of blows and magic. The arena is now filled with blood stains. Facing 3 warriors, Auric launches a full-attack on the wizard and decapitates him! More cheers from the crowd, as the they start chanting, "Auric! Auric! Auric!" Volsom the dwarf and the Nordic barbarian circle Auric and after a few seconds, both are injured, though Auric looks the best possible. A hush falls over the crowd, as the dwarf and the Nord talk tactics, and move to flank the blonde warrior. Just as they reach their positions and the crowd worries for Auric's safety, a nauseating creature that looks like a massive, pale-yellow maggot erupts from the center of the grounds of the arena. Its head is studded with dozens of humanoid eyes, below which drools a maw filled with hooked teeth. Millions of distended pores that continually weep a foul-smelling mucus cover its body. The 35' tall maggot vomits on the three warriors a necromantic acidic 60' cone that reaches the Arena side wall. Auric, unexpectedly agile, dives out of the way of the cone, getting hit slightly on his back! The dwarf and the Nordic warrior are not as dexterous and get caught by the acid. You see their skin immediately desiccate, as they fall to the ground dead.
The crowd is confused at first, believing the gargantuan creature may be part of the show, until they see the warriors' surprised faces and subsequent deaths and their confusion turns to panic and screams of terror! However, above the scream of terror, a clear voice screams from the stands, seemingly at the maggot, "Destroy Auric and fulfill the prophecy...in the name of Kyuss!! The voice belongs to none other than Loris Raknian!
Initiative:
Everyone can act before the maggot.
Thak stands, his gaze focusing, surveying the hideous creature.
Kaydanna is momentarily stunned by the events...
"By the Warrior Maiden! That is an Ulgurstasta! A creature of necromantic energy!" she exclaims to no one in particular as she draws her blade and advances towards the creature...
SR?
Energy resistances?
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Pyrrhus sees the giant maggot and now his omen becomes crystalline clear.
Such monstrosity shall be eliminated at all costs, for it offends our great mother.
As the dwarf marched forward, with intention and purpose upon his face, the thrush remained perched atop his shield, much to his surprise. Once the dwarf stopped his movement, the little bird melted... as if being made of ice, exposed to the scorching sun upon them. From the small puddle on the sandy floor, water surged in great profusion, until a large humanoid formed besides his fight companion.
Pyrrhus looks down to the dwarf, now small in comparison with his towering shape.
"If you fight against this abomination and with the purpose to save the champion, you found yourself an ally, master dwarf... I'm Pyrrhus Durst, the Torrent, an Archdruid of these magnificent lands... but, if you instead works on the behalf of the doomed who work with death, I shall crush you, like the waves crush the shores of mountains!"
High in the stands, Thaks' mind is a blur of motion and focus. Undead, enormous so terrible at avoiding blasts... yes, this one. He mutters under his breath "Haborym, I summon your jailing fire" and launches a small red cube at the worm, which upon hitting expands into a large fiery cage, scorching the maggot before vanishing.
Seeing the Undead beast erupt and hearing Loris Raknians uh oh this could be the start of a VERY bad day.
Regardless...this cannot stand
Using 1pt from Arcane Reservoir, he activates
Whenever the arcanist expends 1 point from her arcane reservoir to increase the caster level of a spell, the caster level increases by 2 instead of 1. Whenever she expends 1 point from her arcane reservoir to increase the spell's DC, it increases by 2 instead of 1.
He casts a Piercing Ball Lightning and Uses 3 charges from his Staff of the Master to add Dazing to it.
School evocation [air, electricity]; Level bloodrager 4, druid 4, magus 4, shaman 4, sorcerer/wizard 4; Elemental School air 4
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M/DF (a small iron ring)
EFFECT
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect two or more 5-ft.-diameter spheres
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw Reflex negates; Spell Resistance yes
DESCRIPTION
You create two globes of lightning that fly in whichever direction you indicate. For every 4 caster levels above 7th, you create an additional globe of lightning (3 globes at 11th, 4 globes at 15th, to the maximum of 5 globes at 19th). These globes fly at a rate of 20 feet per round and have perfect maneuverability. Wind does not affect a flying sphere's course.
If a globe enters a space with a creature, it stops moving for the round and deals 3d6 points of electricity damage to that creature, though a successful Reflex save negates the damage. Creatures wearing metal armor take a -4 penalty on this Saving Throw.
Each globe moves as long as you actively direct it (it's a move action for you to direct all the spheres created by a single casting of this spell); otherwise they stay at rest. These globes have no mass and cannot push aside unwilling creatures or move solid objects. A ball lightning globe winks out if it exceeds the spell's range.
Dazing Spell (Metamagic)
You can daze creatures with the power of your spells.
Benefit: You can modify a spell to daze a creature damaged by the spell. When a creature takes damage from this spell, they become dazed for a number of rounds equal to the original level of the spell. If the spell allows a saving throw, a successful save negates the daze effect. If the spell does not allow a save, the target can make a Will save to negate the daze effect. If the spell effect also causes the creature to become dazed, the duration of this metamagic effect is added to the duration of the spell.
Level Increase: +3 (a dazing spell uses up a spell slot three levels higher than the spell’s actual level.
Spells that do not inflict damage do not benefit from this feat.
Your studies have helped you develop methods to overcome spell resistance.
Benefit: When you cast a piercing spell against a target with spell resistance, it treats the spell resistance of the target as 5 lower than its actual SR.
Level Increase: +1 (a piercing spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell's actual level.)
DC=10 +7(Int) +4(level of spell) +2(School Power) +1(arcane bloodline bonus on metamagicked spells) =DC24
to beat SR +2(elf) +2(spell penetration) +5(piercing spell) +2(Potent Magic) +11(11th lvl Arcanist)=+22
Summary:
Standard:Ravarel cast Dazing Piercing Ball Lightning 4th. DC24
Move: and directs the balls to their targets
Ball#1 at the undead thing below.
Ball#2 at Loris Raknian
Ball#3 readied at Ravarels side
Creature's turn:
Frustrated by its attacks, the undead maggot unleashes its tendrils in a 40' radius, automatically striking Pyrrhus, Siggut, and Kaydanna for damage each. As its action, it then proceeds to try and bite Kaydanna again and misses again!
The crowd continues to make a mad dash toward the exits jostling the two spellcasters in the stands.
Finally, the party sees the two last party members of the Ivory Cudgels (the dwarf leader and the Nordic barbarian), who were killed by the acidic breath weapon, rise from the dead, green bloated worms now protruding from the orifices on their faces! They move to defend the Ulgurstasta!
As a free action Kaydanna makes her sword Holy and her armor resitant to energy:acid after seeing the breath weapon (expends a fervor to do both as a free action) and charges the creature...
...
Pyrrhus sees as primal elements are flung upon the massive creature.
Hum... the mighty heat of a volcano causes it no harm, but the lighting storm strikes true... such ball of lightning... I shall provide some of my own as well...
Pyrrhus steps backwards, hopefully leaving the creature's reach and then begins to chant and gesture without opening his guard.
From his watery body, three spheres of water appear, rotating there after until all water is gone and small storm clouds remain. The spheres fly forward with speed, directed at the aberration.
"Feel the fury of the skies!"
Kaydanna moves in, catching a waft of its putrid stench, and strikes the creature, ripping some of its skin off but sensing resistance from its thick flesh. .
Siggut's pick digs deep into the undead's carapace, easily ripping it.