Update:
The anger of parhaps losing her child infuriates Aurora so much that she pushes the wand to its limits in which she has never done before. A small cloud of smoke emerges from the wand as 5 very fiery bursts of energies appear from the wand and strike the ooze.
Reonnyn thinks, That spider-thing is a female?? even as he follows that up with another blast of his own.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Verdan’s spectral weapon smacks into the ooze, bruising it badly (10 damage) as the cleric rushes to heal Aurora (+18 HP), restoring her to perfect health! But the artificer barely feels anything beyond her rage, sorrow and worry that her precious Shadow is about to be consumed by the horrific ooze. Drawing her wand, she shrieks at the monster and unleashes a barrage of arcane bolts that explode all along its dark surface like tiny explosions (18+ damage!) The thing quivers for a moment, then drops to the floor, taking its victims with it as they crash painfully – but now free of their sticky prison!
All is still as the pair that were held by the ooze extricate themselves from the remnants of the thing and the others do what they can to help.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
PC Status and Adventure 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 6 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 52/52 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Morrow 39/75 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Shadow 4/63 [Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
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]
Once the thing drops, Nebuzaradan casts detect magic and scans the area. Never know who these things may have consumed and what precious magic may have survived.
When the last ooze finally drops dead, Aurora ushers her Homunculus to come to her and she begins to cast a spell to heal Shadow.
Verdan quickly moves to Morrow and uses his positive energy to convert his Magic Vestment spell into healing.
And as Verdan says his healing prayer, Morrow's wounds start to stitch back together.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Verdan heals Morrow to full health and Aurora does what she can to patch up Shadow - who still looks quite ragged, but in slightly better shape than it was a moment earlier. Neb's spell reveals no magic auras, and it doesn't look like there's anything valuable in the remains of the oozes. Surely anything that had been consumed by them were utterly destroyed by the acidic secretions that a few of the party got first-hand knowledge of.
With the danger now in the past, the party takes another look around the 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 above the balcony on the opposite side, 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.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
PC Status and Adventure 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 4 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 52/52 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Morrow 75/75 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Shadow 25/63 [Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
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]
Nebuzaradan, curious at this point, flies up between all the balconies so that his head is just high enough that he can see around.
"Careful Neb, there could still be traps on the balconies!" Reonnyn warns. Motioning to the others to check the doors out he slides over to the far left door and presses an ear to it.
Fearing that something else might come bursting from the doors, Aurora retreats towards the stairs with Shadow. And begins casting another infusion on her damaged Homunculus.
"I know, I know, the bad ooze is dead... don't worry, I will fix you. Now who is my pretty spider.."
Morrow thanks Verdan for the healing and looks around the area, watching his friends. "Probably more traps but I'm thinking magical in nature. What's the fuel for that fire? Is it real fire or illusion?"
Assuming nothing leaps for his head, at Morrow's question Neb casts detect magic and scans the fire as well as the balconies.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Reonnyn hears nothing through the door as Aurora heals her Homunculus and Morrow keeps an eye out in general, asking about the nature of the fire blocking the passage above. Neb flies upward, intending to answer that very question as he begins to scan for magical auras as the Halfling warlock calls out a warning to the dwarven wizard. Reonnyn’s caution proves well founded, though not due to a trap, but rather in the form of a half-dozen feathered arrow shafts that zip through the flames in the direction of Neb!
vs Neb’s FF AC = Miss!
vs Neb’s FF AC = Miss!
vs Neb’s FF AC = Hit!
vs Neb’s FF AC = Miss!
vs Neb’s FF AC = Miss!
vs Neb’s FF AC = Miss!
Fortunately for the wizard, his formidable mage armor protects him from nearly all of the arrows, save for one that slips past the shield and lodges in his right thigh. Though the flames had effectively concealed them from view, Neb has a good look at his attackers. Six ugly, misshapen creatures that look like some kind of cross between an ogre and a human. They are clad in breastplate armor and currently armed with heavy-looking recurved longbows. Each of them also has a heavy glaive at the ready. Those on the ground can see vague shapes through the flames, they look big, but details are impossible to discern through the fire.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
PC Status and Adventure Notes
Nebuzaradan 38/50 [30’ above the floor; Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 17 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours; Spectral Hand for 20 minutes]
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 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Shadow 47/63 [Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
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 2 more rounds]
Morrow 75/75 Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
6 Half Ogres
Hearing the whistles of the arrows above her, and Neb's shout of pain, Aurora reacts by casting a spell on the shapes behind the fire, then retreats with shadow under the nothern balcony, hopefully safe from the arrows above her.
"By Pelors light! This place is a den of evil."
Gripping his holy symbol, Verdan call out to Pelor
"May the blessing of the sun lord steady our hand and protect us when needed!"
And a shimmering glow spreads out from Verdan causing his companions to glow as well for a moment before it fades.
Reonnyn cries out, "Ambush!" as he lets forth his own magic!
With a look of shock still seeing the floating mace of force waiting for it's command. Verdan sends it to attack the new foes.
[/b]"Large humanoid creatures,"[/b] Neb calls out and then goes invisible. Once invisible he will shift his position about 10' to the east.
Morrow just shrugs as more enemy attack. Why they hadn't attacked with the ooze is curious, unless that might have gotten that monster's attention?
"If they want to hide behind a wall of fire, I guess I can make it a little hotter...." He sends a fiery burst through the wall.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Neb suddenly winks out of sight as he chants a word or two of magic. Reonnyn sends an eldritch blast at the nearest of the barely seen figures, but he doesn’t think he hit them. Aurora retreats back under the balcony for cover. Verdan brings the blessing of Pelor to his allies as the spiritual weapon just fails to connect, and Morrow sends a fiery burst against several of the bunched foes.
= Failure!
= Success!
= Success!
= Success!
vs Morrow’s AC = Miss!
vs Morrow’s AC = Miss!
vs Morrow’s AC = Miss!
vs Reonnyn’s AC = Miss!
vs Reonnyn’s AC = Miss!
vs Reonnyn’s AC = Miss!
The giants send arrows streaking down toward the party, aiming for those that stand exposed - three toward Morrow and another three at Reonnyn, but all of them miss their targets. Then they too back away from the edge, disappearing from the sight of everyone but Neb, who can still see two of the creatures standing some 20’ away from the wall of fire. Up here, the dwarf can see it is a natural fire burning in a shallow trench, perhaps tar or the like set to flame. There must be a source of it nearby, he figures. Verdan’s spiritual weapon returns to the cleric’s side, now that he cannot see any foes with his own eyes.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
Round 2 – Initiative & Combat Notes
Nebuzaradan 38/50 [30’ above the floor; Invisible for 10 minutes; Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 17 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours; Spectral Hand for 20 minutes]
Reonnyn 64/64 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; 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 Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Shadow 25/63 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Verdan 61/61 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Iron Silence (No AC penalty to stealth checks) for 7 hours; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; Spiritual Weapon for 3 more rounds]
Morrow 75/75 Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
6 Half-Ogres Green – Unwounded; Red – Wounded (-8 HP); Orange – Wounded (-4 HP); Yellow – Wounded (-4 HP); Blue – Wounded (-4 HP); Purple – Unwounded
Morrow moves out of the enemy's line of sight, closer to the fires. He speaks to the others quietly, unsure whether the ogres could hear or not, or would even try. "No point charging through fire and into a frying pan. If there's no way to clear that path maybe one of these doors would lead to them? Probably with traps though so let's heal up and move carefully."
"I don't like risking getting our escape route cut off." Reonnyn whispers as he moves closer to the duskblade. "These doors remind me of a castle entrance...many chokepoints, places to get trapped and slaughtered. My concern is with who orders those ogres around? Someone has to keep them in line!"
They will be waiting for us beyond those flames, if they just see someone approaching the flames, he will be a human pincussion. And to be honest I would prefer to avoid them. Lets see if these doors go anywhere. Just make sure you guard my back.
With that said Aurora moves to the western door, and check for traps.
This is a dice expression.
"We will not fear Ogres my friends. My armor should withstand most of their simple arrows, I can be the first through if you want. I can first dump about 20 gallons of water on that fire which should make it easier to get to them." Verdan says looking up at the fiery wall.
"Bart, go check them out." Neb whispers to his now invisible, flying weasel. Bart does just that. To create a little confusion Neb summons a pair of celestial lions in front of the guards. Once the lions appear Neb calls out, "They are distracted for a few moments."
With the 'plan' discussed morrow draws his new sword, ready to check it out. He waits for the celestial lions to appear and for Verdan to dump some water on the wall of fire.
Regardless of the success or not with the water Morrow moves with Verdan to face the over-grown ogres.
Verdan nods at Morrow and casts air walk to walk up the room. He then casts create water to put out the flames and walks into the room to take the arrow hits.
Once he is able to sees a threat he directs the Spiritual Weapon to strike.
But what about the doors? What if they storm through them an attack us in the rear?
Seeing the battleplan suddenly changes, Aurora moves with Shadow north 15 feet up the wall, safe from any melee attack should it burst through the doors, and she begins to infuse a rod.
Reonnyn nods in understanding here to Aurora, motioning to the doors. "I will watch the doors Aurora."
Just trying to get this round straight in my head...
Neb casting a summoning spell, which takes a full round and will summon the lions at the beginning of the next round (Round 3) on his turn. At which point Neb can also take his Round 3 actions. His invisible, flying (thanks to shared spell) is going to recon the cavern where the half-ogres are skulking. The dwarf is still floating above the room in which the adventurers are currently standing below.
Reonnyn staying put and watching the doors.
Aurora and Shadow creep up the wall so they are 15' above the floor, the artificer infusing her blast rod with a Haste spell. Aurora, can you tell me how that spell works? I read the description and I'm just not getting it... Which is weird, maybe I'm too tired at the moment?
Verdan is casting Air Walk this round and starts moving up, apparently walking on thin air!
Morrow draws his sword and waits to get up there... Not sure about this action yet, as Air Walk only allows Verdan to 'walk' up the air stairs to get to the cavern. He'd have to cast the spell on Morrow for the duskblade to do the same, I do believe. Otherwise, I'm not sure how Morrow is getting up there.
If that's pretty much Round 2, the half-ogres aren't taking any actions this round, though they're pretty much 'readying' their attacks against anything or anyone that closes in with them.
So those whose actions I'm unclear on (as noted above) please clarify your actions as I'm understanding them and you can all post your Round 3 actions! :)
So just to clarify, you can all post your Round 3 actions. Morrow, you'll have to have your sword sheathed to climb, as you need both hands. I'll also presume you're waiting for Verdan to douse the fire in Round 3.
So here's what I'm seeing thus far:
Round 2:
Neb casting a summoning spell, which takes a full round and will summon the lions at the beginning of the next round (Round 3) on his turn.
Reonnyn staying put and watching the doors.
Aurora and Shadow creep up the wall so they are 15' above the floor, the artificer casting er Blast Rod spell. Curses can be heard above at the armor of the half-ogres begin to heat up.
Verdan is casting Air Walk and starts moving up toward the balcony, standing at its edge with the wall of flame in front of him.
Morrow readies his Rope of Climbing and gets it to wrap across the balcony, anchoring on the far pillar supporting it so he can climb up next round.
The half-ogres in view move away to the west (left on the map) and out of sight as they see the cleric approach the balcony.
Round 3:
Neb finishes his summoning spell and sees the celestial lions turn to the west and roar as they leap toward their targets. Shouts and sounds of combat ensue, though you cannot see what is happening! The wizard then... [Post your action!]
Reonnyn... [Post your action!]
Aurora and Shadow... [Go ahead and roll next round of damage for Heat Armor along with posting your actions!]
Verdan casts a spell to Create Water the size of about two-and-a-half cubic feet and dumps it over a section of the burning tar! The fire in that section (a 5' square) lessens to some degree, but it still looks damn hot! (Can still take a Move action if you want!)
Morrow swiftly climbs the rope and draws his sword. (This is your entire action for Round 3!)
Okay Aurora, he is going against many opponents, better make sure he gets out without being skewered like a kebab.
Aurora moves closer to the flaming pit, still on the edge, and starts casting a spell on Verdan. While also trying to remember the new curse words for future use that she is hearing from beyond the flames.
Neb floats into the room to get an idea of what is going on. At the same time, he sends an empathic signal to Bart sharing his desire for the weasel to return.
(standard action depends on what I see)
Reonnyn will hold his actions for now, concerned about getting ambushed from behind.
Verdan steps into the room by not touching the floor but on the air. He has his shield in front to block as many of the arrows as he can.
Sunday, 9th day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 2 days.)
Current time is unknown, probably mid-morning.
-------------------------------------------------
As some of the party reach the room, they find that two of the half-ogres have dispatched the two big lions, though one of them has evidence of getting clawed up by Neb’s summoned creature. The other four quickly converge on Verdan, who has a limited amount of space to air walk in this chamber, as the ceiling is only ten feet above the floor! But the cleric’s armor, assisted by Aurora’s protective spell, sheds the heavy blows of the monstrous creatures!
= Failure!
= Failure!
= Failure!
= Failure!
= Failure!
vs Lion’s AC = Hit!
vs Lion’s AC = Hit!
vs Lion’s AC = Hit!
vs Lion’s AC = Hit!
vs Verdan’s AC = Miss!
vs Verdan’s AC = Miss!
vs Verdan’s AC = Miss!
vs Verdan’s AC = Miss!
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
Round 4 – Initiative & Combat Notes
Nebuzaradan[/b] 38/50 [30’ above the floor; Invisible for 10 minutes; Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Greater Mage Armor (+6 to AC) for 17 hours; Overland Flight (40’ Fly speed) for 7 hours; Spectral Hand for 20 minutes]
Reonnyn 64/64 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; 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 Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Shadow 25/63 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
Verdan 61/61 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Iron Silence (No AC penalty to stealth checks) for 7 hours; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes; +3 Deflection bonus to AC for 10 minutes; Spiritual Weapon for 1 more round]
Morrow 75/75 Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/fear saves) for 10 minutes; Resist Energy (30 Resistance to Acid) for 100 minutes
6 Half-Ogres Green – Wounded (-9 HP); Red – Wounded (-28 HP); Orange – Wounded (-29 HP); Yellow – Wounded (-13 HP); Blue – Wounded (-13 HP); Purple – Unwounded [All but Purple are affected by Heat Metal (Round 4 of 7)]
Morrow moves through the reduced flames trying to get an attack on the closest half-ogre.
Seeing his lions dispatched so easily he moves out of the room and hovers above the balcony. When the others enter the fray he casts haste so as to ensure he can benefit his entire team.
Seeing all the creatures armed with had weapons. Verdan call upon the power of Pelor to shield him and strike back at the evil attacking him. He casts fire shield (Chill Shield)
And walks into the room to give space for the others. Trusting that his wards, armor, and faith in Pelor will see him through.
Verdan's Spiritual Weapon strikes at the (Red) half-ogre.
And then fizzles out.
They are too close to the flames to make the web spell usefull and Verdan may be cut off.
Those big halbards these creatures are holding are too close for her comfort.
She grabs her rod infused with the blast rod and aims at the purple half-ogre. She gives the command word and discharges it fully while adding a newly learned ogre's curseword "##^#@&# this"
She orders Shadow to move back into the room, away from the halbards reach
vs touch ac
Reonnyn watches the party head deeper into the maw, waiting a few more precious seconds before grimacing here. "Hope they know what awaits them..." He then concentrates at the platform and shimmers briefly appearing next to Shadow!