Reonnyn lets out a low whistle here, "I am not sure if he was simply insane, or corrupted by all the power he wielded...I suppose we will never know..." Pointing to the Tower he starts to approach it slowly, "I don't think the wards are still there, but we still should be cautious..."
Wards can be nasty stuff, especially to disable it. You never know what you are dealing with untill it explodes in your face.
As the wizards are gone, Aurora starts infusing the "Stone Construct" spell into Shadow ( using Store infusion, the spell its not yet active, but the homonoculus can activate it using a standard action ).
Aurora cautiously moves ahead, checking the path to the tower for any evidence of traps and wards. When at the entrance of the keep she starts infusing her armour. Then she prepares her rod.
Okay boys, lets do this..."
"Okay Shadow, you know the drill, let me know if you sense anything."
And with that said she kisses the head of the metallic spider.
"Go make momma proud!" Shadow makes a little excited buzz sound with her saw and takes her place in the lineup.
Nebuzaradan floats along in the back of the group keeping his eyes peeled. Occasionally he will stop to cast detect magic and scan to either side.
Verdan is shocked by the rip in time and space that suddenly appears and then is gone just as fast.
"Are you sure that was the best idea?"
Verdan fallows the group to the tower.
As the group approaches the tower Morrow draws his new sword and readies his shield. Norebo's Hand doesn't have flames licking up and down the blade providing light, but with it in hand he doesn't need it. Besides, that might interfere with their new friend!
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
The top level of the Tower of Magic appears to be dedicated to a temple of Boccob, where apparently Grandfather Magic and his apprentices have dwelt for these last many months. There are books, journals and notes that provide a decent amount of information on the ruins that lie below – as well as the rest of the surface ruins. The party finds that there is a tribe of kobolds dwelling in the southernmost part of the tower, as well as a clan of troglodytes holed up in the dungeons below - in a section of the level called Zagig’s Gauntlet. Apparently that area was used by Zagig to ‘test’ his apprentices with devious traps and puzzles – many of which are apparently now malfunctioning, making most of the area a death trap. Beneath that level are the Ochre Crypts, where many of those apprentices and their families were buried over the centuries during which Castle Greyhawk was originally built. Now that level houses both the restful dead and many that are not so peacefully slumbering.
According to the notes, those dangerous areas can be bypassed by flights of stairs leading down directly to the Apprentice’s Walk, and even further to the Sanctum Arcanum. The former being a series of rooms that served as living quarters and the latter a sprawling level filled with classrooms, workshops and laboratories. Grandfather’s Magic had apparently cut off access to these hallowed areas, until the ’chosen of Zagig’ arrived to see them put to use again. After a solid day of exploration, these levels are found to be abandoned, save for the occasional undead, ooze or vermin that have made their home in the ruins. Early on the second day, a staircase is found, spiraling down to the fifth level beneath the Tower of Magic. And for the first time, the adventurers find signs of life other than their own.
The steep stone risers of the wide staircase are smooth, with not trace of dust or debris to mar the mirror finish of their surfaces. A flickering orange light beckons as they step into a sizable chamber, where a pungent, acrid stink hangs in the air. In this worked stone room, banks of polished stone pillars support rectangular stone balconies - to the south at either side and one to the north. The balcony floors are about 15 feet overhead, and the orange flow comes from the balcony on the opposite side, where a long thin line of fire burns brightly at the threshold of a natural-looking cavern. Four stone doors are set into the walls, one each to the west and east and two to the north on either side of the balcony rising above. The ceiling of the room rises 25’ above the floor, clearing the balconies by about ten feet or so.
The floor beneath the opposite balcony appears to be covered by a large slick of some oily substance.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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PC Health & Notes
Verdan 61/61
Aurora ??/??
Nebuzaradan 50/50 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 7 hours]
Morrow 75/75
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Questios keep flowing into Aurora's mind. Why does the room have balconies here, ? It would be an ideal trap if we are found in the middle of the room. Is the fire suppose to keep creatures from comming in or preventing getting out? Is it a light for a banquet and us being the delicious meals?
Aurora slowly advances and checks for traps on the bottom floor, then if nothing found she will cling to the wall and climb with Shadow to the edge of of the southern balcony to see if anything would be lurking there.
Reonnyn stays back here, his mind alert for possible ambush from behind. Glancing into the chamber ahead his senses prickle with warning. This looks like a chokepoint here...designed to slaughter invaders, like us! Keeping silent here he allows the newcomer Aurora to do her job here, noting she moved professionally and with great competence.
Morrow glances ahead and the balconies. "Want me to climb up and check out the balconies? I'm an expert climber."
Stand your ground Morrow, the whole trap idea might be for us to climb these balconies. You might unknowingly trigger a trap."
In addition to an extended greater mage armor (20 hours), Nebuzaradan has overland flight cast upon him. both spells are shared with his familiar, Bartholomew, a weasel. "I dare say, it is not my forte but I could have Bart fly up and take a peak. I can tell him not to touch anything."
If everyone is in agreement, the wizard will have his weasel float just ahead and up until he can peak over the edges of the balconies to see what is there. If no agreement, he stays where he is.
"Psst...Neb, have your weasel guard our back here. I don't like leaving ourselves exposed like this." Reonnyn whispers to Neb.
No telling who will follow us here!
"Will do. Bart you heard the man, guard the rear." The weasel salutes, slinks up on Neb's shoulder and watches to the rear.
Morrow nods and leaves his magical rope in his haversack. "Okay."
When the realization that so many undead roam the lower levels. Verdan takes note to perhaps come back and send them to the after life for once and all.
Fallowing along, Verdan casts Iron Silence on his loud clanging armor to help with stealth as they travel.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
After a brief discussion, Neb sends his weasel familiar to guard the rear as Aurora scans the ground around for traps or the like. She isn’t sure, but the stink seems to be coming from the oil slick at the base of the far balcony. Seeing nothing untoward, the artificer climbs the wall in creepy fashion, more like a spider than a human woman. The metal arachnid and Aurora scuttle along the wall toward the near balcony, angling up to see if anything is lurking above their heads.
As the close in on their goal, suddenly the placid-looking oil slick churns forward like a dark wave, trying to engulf the pair as they freeze suddenly on the wall!
vs Shadow’s FF AC = Miss!
But somehow the mechanical spider rolls with the heavy punch of the black wave, and is rocked backward only a few inches by the impact, apparently unharmed! The others quickly react to the threat, and oddly enough, it is Verdan that reacts first…
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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Round 1 - Initiative & Combat Notes
Verdan 61/61 [Iron Silence (No AC penalty to stealth checks) for 7 hours]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Aurora 52/52 [Climbing along wall about 10’ above the ground like a creepy spider]
Morrow 75/75
Shadow 63/63 [Creepy metallic spider thing that belongs to the just-as-creepy Aurora; climbing along wall about 10’ above the ground]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 7 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours]
Terrifying Oil Slick Unwounded
Not knowing what the animated oil slick was Morrow calls on his magic to send a Fiery Burst at it, hoping that it isn't oil that would explode....
The attack went so unespected that Aurora engages in flight mode. Stupid stupid Aurora, you checked for traps, but not for creatures...
She climbs with Shadow as far away as possible from this oil creature on the wall and does a crossbow attack.
"Stay away from that thing!" Reonnyn yells as he sends an eldritch bolt into its center mass!
"Interesting, I'll need to look this thing up when time permits." Nebuzaradan says as he pulls an alchemist's fire from his handy haversack and gives it a toss to see how it reacts with the oily thing. Perhaps it will catch on fire.
Verdan starts to back up. Having no idea what that stuff can be. He cast Spiritual Weapon to attack this blob creature.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Nobody recognizes the awful thing, though Neb knows it is some kind of a subterranean ooze – but even the knowledgeable wizard isn’t familiar with this particular species. Verdan keeps his distance and casts a spell, bringing a spiritual weapon into being, which smashes into the ooze (1 damage), though the thing barely seems to feel the blow. Reonnyn sends an eldritch blast (10 damage), this one is marginally more effective, though still the massive ooze looks formidable and ridiculously tough! Aurora and Shadow retreat higher up the wall, toward the ceiling, and the artificer lets fly the bolt loaded in her crossbow at the ooze. But as it impacts, a rather bizarre and disturbing reaction occurs. The ooze splits at the point of impact, and where there was one, there are now two of them! Morrow causes a fiery burst (15 damage) upon the one that shows some damage even as Neb’s thrown flask of alchemical fire does the same (6 damage), though to a lesser extent. But the sticky substance continues to burn…
Both of the oozes move in pursuit of the artificer (double move 40’) and her mechanical spider, apparently intent on protecting their home territory! Most of the party, still on the stairwell, lose sight of the oozes as they climb up the walls of the chamber – though Aurora and Shadow have very good views of the creatures as they climb the walls close enough to reach out and touch as they too approach the ceiling!
vs DC 15 = Failure!
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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Round 2 - Initiative & Combat Notes
Verdan 61/61 [Iron Silence (No AC penalty to stealth checks) for 7 hours; Spiritual Weapon for 9 more rounds (currently has no target)]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Aurora 52/52 [Climbing along wall about 40’ above the floor; light crossbow readied (unloaded currently)]
Morrow 75/75
Shadow 63/63 [Climbing along wall about 40’ above the floor]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 17 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours]
2 Giant Ozes Red - Wounded (32 damage) - 40’ up the wall in melee range with Aurora; Green – Unwounded - 40’ up the wall in melee range with Shadow
Seeing that the creatures did appear to burn Morrow sprints through the door into the room and launches another fiery blast at them. The blast is large enough that he can try to target both, yet small enough to try and not burn Shadow....
"Neb. Do you have any fire spells? This thing has split into two. If it keeps splitting...."
Reonnyn moves to the entrance of the chamber eying the situation and sends another blast at the blob attacking Aurora, "Get out of there Aurora! We can lead it this way..."
Aurora's mind races in panic as somehow the ooze multiply and comes after her. Oh bugger, OH BUGGER! This is not good, this is not good
Not having any infusions that could work whatever these things are, and not wanting to engage them while hanging up side down, Aurora does the next best thing... get out of their reach in the safest path available. She mentally tells Shadow to move away too.
"Not today," Nebuzaradan responds to morrow as he casts spectral hand using his rod of extend in preparation to shock the thing.
Moving forward to keep the ooze in site. Verdan moves the force weapon forward and strikes the ooze.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Verdan moves into the room in order to see the oozes again, which are now high up along the wall over the entrance archway. The cleric sends his spiritual hammer after the thing, inflicting some amount of injury, he thinks. (4 damage) Reonnyn also moves up and sends an eldritch blast at the wounded one (or at least it seems to be wounded, as bits of it are flaking off or now badly mottled in appearance), further injuring the thing (14 damage) as far as he can tell anyway. Aurora and Shadow try to break away from the massive blobs, but they surge at the unfortunate artificer and her spider-like automaton when they do so. Aurora and Shadow are both caught in the ooze’s grasp though, and slowly drawn into their hideous mass! (Aurora takes 28 damage, Shadow takes 29 damage – both are grappled.)
Morrow moves into the room and sees the predicament of their scouts and sends another burst of fire that inflicts damage to both of the oozes (15 damage to each)! Neb casts a spell to help him attack the things from a distance, though he cannot currently see them, even as the fire from his flask burns out (2 damage). The oozes up near the ceiling inflict terrible injury upon their unfortunate victims they have engulfed completely. Apparently sensing that another has invaded its (their?) demesnes, the giant blobs squelch back down the walls, dragging their victims along to confront Morrow and Reonnyn as well as Verdan. (20’ move after their Constrict attacks). The creatures are right above the archway leading into the hallway, which is about ten feet high or so. One of them (Green) appears to be headed toward Morrow while the other (Red) is angling straight downward to fall upon Reonnyn and Verdan. That one (Red) looks to be in pretty bad shape, though so does Aurora and Shadow – both of them engulfed by the blobs and fighting to escape their horrific fates!
vs Aurora’s AC = Hit!
= Aurora Grappled!
vs DC 21 = Failure! [13 acid damage taken - 22/35 HP remaining]
vs Shadow’s AC = Hit!
= Shadow Grappled!
vs DC 15 = Failure!
vs DC 15 = Failure!
vs Aurora
vs DC 21 = Failure! [11 acid damage taken - 11/35 HP remaining]
vs Shadow
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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Round 3 - Initiative & Combat Notes
Verdan 61/61 [Iron Silence (No AC penalty to stealth checks) for 7 hours; Spiritual Weapon for 8 more rounds]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Aurora 2/52 [Grappled by Red Ooze]
Morrow 75/75
Shadow 2/63 [Grappled by Green Ooze]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 17 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours; Spectral Hand for 20 minutes]
2 Giant Ozes Red - Wounded (61 damage) [10’ up along the wall]; Green – Wounded (18 damage) [10’ up along the wall]
Crap...I don't see how she survives this... Reonnyn thinks as he sends another blast into the ooze. THIS is why I took up the art of the blade...so as not to get swallowed up like a snack!
Morrow is more worried about the new friends than he really is about himself, until he realizes that one of the huge blobs is headed at him.... He steps to the side and calls up another fiery blast, hoping that the fire is really harming them! "No fire magic at all? Crap! Mine isn't very strong!"
Neb steps up behind Reonnyn and casts Resist Energy Mass targeting acid.
With pain and panic in her mind and body, using her final strength, she graps the wand of moderate and heals herself, and gives Shadow the command to use the infusion
The Spiritual Weapon slams into the blob holding Aurora
Vardan summons his holy power and his healing power of Pelor expands from him.
+8=25 hit points cured to friendlies within 50'
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Verdan sends his spiritual mace against the wounded ooze squeezing the life out of Aurora (10 damage) and does his best to bolster her healing from a distance (+25 HP to Aurora!) Reonnyn, concerned for her health and thinking that perhaps their newest companion is doomed to die horribly, sends an eldritch bolt at the monster, then his eyes widen in surprise as the thing shudders and falls to the floor in enormous droplets – though Aurora falls too, landing in an untidy heap on the ground (3 damage) as he takes a step back into the sheltering corridor. Aurora stands unsteadily and uses her curative wand to try and ease the pain of broken ribs and flesh that feels as though the top few layers of skin have been peeled away +8 HP to Aurora!) Shadow seems to be working on fixing itself as best it can, though the construct still looks as though it's on the verge of utter destruction (+17 HP to Shadow!) Morrow hits it a glancing blow with another fiery burst (4 damage), but the one remaining doesn’t seem terribly damaged as of yet! Neb casts a spell to protect most of his allies from the acidic touch of the remaining ooze!
The giant ooze closing in on Morrow continues to crush the unfortunate Shadow still stuck in the monster’s shapeless body as it slams a huge tendril at the duskblade, engulfing him as well (though Morrow is glad that the protection afforded by Neb’s spell appears to extend to his armor as well as his flesh!)
vs DC 15 = Success!
vs Morrow’s AC = Hit!
= Morrow Grappled!
vs Morrow
vs Shadow
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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Round 4 - Initiative & Combat Notes
Verdan 61/61 [Iron Silence (No AC penalty to stealth checks) for 7 hours; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; Spiritual Weapon for 7 more rounds]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Aurora 32/52 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Morrow 44/75 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; Grappled by Green Ooze
Shadow 8/63 [Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; Grappled by Green Ooze]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 17 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours; Spectral Hand for 20 minutes]
Giant Ooze– Wounded (22 damage) [10’ up along the wall, Grappling (Constricting) Morrow & Shadow]
Nebuzaradan sends the spectral hand darting out to deliver a shock attack against the ooze.
Reonnyn follows that up with an eldritch blast of his own.
Morrow feels the slam and is then engulfed and crushed by the ooze. He is surprised but happy that he is magically protected from the acid of the creature. Not sure what else he can do he channels the energy of his magic again and detonates a fiery burst on himself and the ooze.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
The party unites swiftly to try and rescue their companions! Neb sends a spectral hand that sends a jolting shock into the creature (16 damage), Reonnyn fires another eldtritch blast that again finds the mark (12 damage), seeming to scar the surface of the ooze where it strikes. Even Morrow, in the grip of the awful thing, is able to again use his innate magic to burn the creature (11 damage) a short distance away from himself, as the ooze is quite massive!
Verdan’s spiritual mace begins to swing again at the badly damage ooze as the cleric and the freed artificer consider their actions for a split second…
vs DC 15 = Failure!
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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Round 4 - Initiative & Combat Notes
Verdan 61/61 [Iron Silence (No AC penalty to stealth checks) for 7 hours; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; Spiritual Weapon for 7 more rounds]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Aurora 32/52 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Morrow 44/75 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; Grappled by Green Ooze, suspended about 15’ above the floor along the wall.
Shadow 8/63 [Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; Grappled by Green Ooze, suspended about 15’ above the floor along the wall.
Nebuzaradan 50/50 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 17 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours; Spectral Hand for 20 minutes]
Giant Ooze– Wounded (61 damage) [Leading edge is 10’ up along the wall (the back edge is 25’ up), Grappling (Constricting) Morrow & Shadow]
Verdan commands his spectral weapon to attack the last ooze on the wall.
Then he rushes over to Aurora "May Pelor's light heal you." And places his hand on her wound.
+6=18 HP cured to Aurora.
"I am not sure how I can heal your shadow. Not sure if Pelor's blessings would allow it."
Unable to reach Shadow without being swallowed again, Aurora only sees one option left, she grasps her wand and fires at the blob shouting in desperation and hoping it will be enough.
LEAVE HER ALONE!
Morrow struggles but cannot break free so he releases another fiery burst at the monstrous blob....