Expedition to the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk [3.5 D&D]

Game Master Stiehle

... "Gear, the shadow mastiffs are evil creatures summoned to their master. Your protection magic will be a great benefit to us all keeping the shadow mastiffs at bay." The group was coming together nicely during the focused conversation about the strong opponents they had already encountered.

Ok, so I have a bunch of catching up to do here...

I am willing to best my last mug of ale here that those arrow demons were indeed replaced," Reonnyn grimaces, "So when we head down there we need to switch tactics. Summoning a distraction sounds perfect. They will not expect that."

"Cora may have the right of it Reonnyn. The first encounter, where we escaped via Neb's magic (teleport), there were four arrow demons, and Verdan used Pelor's might (Dispel Evil) to get rid of one of them. There were only three the second time we ventured there, although the shadow mastiffs were apparently conjured as a replacement...

I think the arrow demons are not being replaced with more arrow demons, but clearly the encounter DC is being maintained with reinforcements, eg. the shadow mastiffs the second time around. We took down 2 more arrow demons last time, so I expect there will be more replacement outsider type things around, although hopefully not more arrow demons; those things are way under CR...

Cora lets the other process the knowledge she has given them "You have found yourselves caught between some formidable opponents. In battling the succubus I believe Wall of Stone would be superior to my Wall of Force, by virtue of being able to shape the wall into different configurations. Unfortunately, I have not yet learned that particular magical formulae, though I am strong enough to use Wall of Stone. I am confident, the cleric and arrow demons can be dealt with using my current compliment of magical spells. The use of Fly and Polymorph, as I explained earlier, will give one of you a tactical advantage to counter the dimension door ability of the arrow demons and my fiendish crocodiles will be able to detain one if not two of those demons before they can dimensionally hop to a new location. Then, should that tactic not work, I can also call some brabazu, to do battle with the arrow demons. My devils have to ability to teleport at will, a greater ability than the dimension door of the demons. As for the shadow mastifs, I believe Gear has magic more capable of dealing with them, clerics can call upon the raw power of the sun in form of a spell, if my memory serves me correctly."

OOC: Do I know if the demon's dimension door ability can be used while grappled?

Dim Door can be used while grappled, but a concentration check must be made. The arrow demons were trying to escape my black tentacles spell that way.

Gear nods. "I can light up a room, sure. I can fly, as well, at least once or twice in a day. I can also lock down a demon's ability to teleport, but it doesn't seem that helpful to do it to one when there are four of them."

"Either way, if the succubus is alone she shouldn't be too hard to take down. The real trouble sounds like the cleric and the arrow demons." The big man looks around the group. "What was the cleric doing while the arrow demons were shooting you? Casting or fighting?"

OK, Gear will switch his lvl 3 Resist Energy (Mass) for Daylight instead. For lvl 5, Dimensional Anchor seems kind of pointless with so many enemies so I'll do Righteous Wrath of the Faithful instead. Still have an open lvl 4 slot.

I'd suggest a spare air walk to let someone else fly, so they can melee with the succubus. Or Dispel Evil can be very effective against outsiders...

Oh, he can also do Protection from Evil (Communal), which would prevent the Shadow Mastiffs from touching anyone until a PC attacked them. I'll switch out one of his Aid spells for PfE (Communal).

The new cleric purses his lips. "Oh, you said those shadow hounds are summoned? If you think they're evil I can lay a blessing on all of us that would repel them and keep them from touching any of us until we decided to attack them." Gear looks at Cora. "Do you think the beasts are fundamentally, elementally evil creatures?"

Isn't Protection from Evil (Communal) PF1 not 3.5?

"I am not sure there will be more arrow demons. We will see. After our first attack the cleric did not bring in more long term assistance. But we did not kill any of the demons in our first meeting." Sobok says.

Gear nods. "So they didn't do anything but summon the demons? That will make the fight easier, though taking on a prepared cleric after we've fought a succubus and 4 arrow demons might be a challenge."

Oh damn I didn't notice that was the PF website that came up. I can throw Magic Circle Against Evil on somebody that will stay near the majority of the party, then.

I can do Air Walk for my 4th level slot- who should get it, Sobok or Morrow?

If you sell the full plate (assuming 50%) for 1325 gp you'd only need ~1000gp to buy a +1 longbow for a non-caster who isn't melee-ing. Is that doable?

"I am not sure everyone needs the protection. I plan to attack as soon as I see them. So perhaps those who will be doing non-attack casting might be worth while" Sobok says.

"The Circle of Protection would be good for us casters, holding some of the attackers away from us. Excellent idea Gear!"

OOC: I have the fly spell too, to go along with Air Walk

"How about summoning an air elemental? If she flies couldn't an elemental blow her out of the air? Possibly bounce her off the walls a few times?"

"If we're attacking the succubus first deception might give us a second of two. Probably no more. She has magic besides the demon powers. She cast mirror image, and attacked at range with brimstone blasts. And she called on Fraz-Urb'luu to cast an unholy blight. She is resistant to magic, fire, lightning, and probably other elemental powers."

Gear nods at Cora, smiling at the suggestion. "You're right, that's probably a better idea."

He looks seriously at Morrow. "With magic and the blessings of my god, we should be able to get to the succubus and take her down. Enough whacks will take away her mirrors and her brimstone blasts won't mean much with the three of us right in her face."

Morrow purchases 3 potions of Blur (Sobok, Gear and me) for the battle with the arrow demons. For the succubus he will be relying on the others to help get the demon within range. He will cast Keen edge on his sword before reach the demon.

Moonday, 17th day of Planting (i.e. April), 597 C.Y.
Weather is cloudy, very rainy and kinda cold.
Current time is about 3:00 p.m.

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The following day sees clouds moving in over the Nyr Dyv from the north as the morning stretches past midday. By then the adventurers have made their purchases and have begun the trek toward the ruins of Castle Greyhawk. The rain begins to fall as the sun begins its slow arc toward the western horizon, and by the time the party reaches the tower, it's nearly a deluge. Making their way through the corridors and caverns toward the goal, the place seems to have remained eerily empty. Whatever is going here is obviously taking time to develop, as there are no reinforcements to be found in the areas where the adventurers overcame significant opposition beyond wandering monsters or the like. Perhaps whoever is behind all this has consolidated their forces as they wait for reinforcements? More reason to strike soon, before that happens...

The party has had a couple of hours to dry off at least to some degree (the underground environment is cool and damp, so everyone is still fairly wet and moderately miserable unless time and resources are used to get a fire going) before they begin their approach to the door leading into the cave where the drow/succubus is imprisoned. Behind them, at the other end of the hallway (F12) is a statue of Boccob that some of the party had noted in their first foray to this area of the dungeon. After appropriate precautions are taken, the door is eventually opened and as the party peers in cautiously, they see no sign of the drow/succubus. But certainly there are plenty of places to hide and she might be skittish given their previous encounter. Fash has made certain they don't look like they normally would through his use of magic, but is it enough to fool Kalystys? In any case, those of the party that have not yet seen the lair of the drow/succubus gaze upon a cavern (F14) where the soft sound of dripping water echoes through a forest of stalactites hanging from the high ceiling - seemingly mirrored below by stalagmites that thrust up from the cavern floor, many of them measuring around five feet high. Swaths of color — deep purple in some spots and scintillating green in others — run along the rocky walls that can be seen, and a thick mat of fungus and ropy mushrooms covers the floor of the cavern. Not too shabby a prison, if one has been forced to stay underground for long centuries...

Buffs are listed below, I figured to be out of earshot you cast the spells a couple minutes away from the target area, so two minutes have drained off the spell durations. Spells that last for only a handful of rounds have yet to be cast, so let me know when/if you're doing that before heading into the cavern. Sounds like you're going to try and bluff the half-demon 'princess' (who hasn't yet made an appearance), so let me know how you're walking into the cave, or if you're staying just outside of it, etc. I'm removing Glorb from the party, figuring he stays in Greyhawk for now unless someone really wants to play the gnome bard as a second character. You've got a solid party of six now, so I don't think there's a real need for it. I saw talk of Cora maybe casting Fly and Vegeir casting Air Walk on one of the warriors, but didn't see any concrete details, so I've left those off the buff list below for now. Last chance to pre-cast those long term buffs before the bluff/battle commences! Oh hey, also let me know how you 'look' after Fash casts his Seeming spell. Feel free to give everyone a detailed description of your 'new' look, compared to the real you! :)

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Dungeon Map

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Cora casts Familiar Pocket every day in the morning so her familiar has a place to hide and she can send it there at the first round of combat as a free action. Also, when they do not see any opposition in the room, Cora casts Detect Magic and scans over the room.

Glorb will indeed stay in Greyhawk. BTW Reonnyn has 82 HP now.

Reonnyn, now disguised as a female halfling cloaked all in black leather (a useful disguise he discovered came in handy back in hios earlier swashbucker days) peers around the chamber. "What an odd cavern this is!" (s)he exclaims as he remembers they had not been here before. "Is it safe to enter Cora?"

I'm really very tempted to say my seeming spell, my choice of disguises. I mean Reonnyn really deserves the chance at the high life, the greater respect, that comes from being a gnome rather than a halfling...

Fash's chosen guise is that of a dwarven rogue, wearing a vest covered with tools and such - all carefully stowed and padded so as not to clank (nor fall loose). He keeps a wary eye out for trouble (and especially for a certain succubus).

Spot: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 2 + 5 = 38
14 Ranks + 2 [Racial] + 5 [Eyes of the Eagle]
remember I have darkvision and can see invisible...

Also, Fash has 68 hp now, not 62...

Meaning to be a target, Gear still looks like a big, threatening warrior with a greatsword but his obvious magical effects and items are suppressed. He waits for Cora and Fash to give the go ahead before entering the room.

Let's also say Gear cast Fly before entering the succubus room. Sobok or Morrow can say whether they want Air Walk, too.

Sobok will take his place and prepare to enter once the battle has been joined.

Air Walk would be nice, but not necessary. It would be hard to keep up with her with Air Walk, but it would at least give a chance to do so.

"Hello? Who is there? Oh please, don't hurt me. You... you weren't sent to kill me by... him, were you?" The voice is soft, echoing from somewhere within the cavern. Those who encountered Kalystys before recognize the 'princess maiden' tone she used in their first encounter, but she has not yet made herself visible. Not even Fash can detect her, and the gnome figures she must be hiding behind a stalagmite. It seems likely she is playing it cautious, though just as obvious she doesn't want to allow an opportunity to escape her magical prison pass her by.

Reonnyn, give me a Bluff check, if you would. If anyone else starts speaking directly to her, let me know what you're saying and give me a Bluff check if you are one of those characters that interacted with her previously, please. Even if you haven't encountered her before, if you are lying or deceiving her with your words, again please give me a Bluff check.

Bluff check, luckstone, Beguiling Influence: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 + 6 = 31

Like any proper dwarven rogue, Fash isn't talking, rather letting his ears do the thinking. He freezes in place, his head slowly turning, trying to locate the speaker (Kalystys)...

Listen: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 2 = 18
14 rank +0 wis +2 racial

Morrow has his appearance altered to seem like a skinny human in rusty chain mail with a small shield and short sword (slightly bent) in hand.

When he hears the voice he looks rapidly around. He makes his voice squeaky, but doesn't try to pretend fear. "That's a purty voice."

Bluff?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Well, he ain't the face!

Please add Keen Edge for Morrow.

Sobok remains silent and waits to see where the demoness is lurking.

Cora see is she can draw the hidden voice out. "We have not come at the behest of anyone but ourselves. Are you in need of assistance?"

Bluff Check: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29

Moonday, 17th day of Planting (i.e. April), 597 C.Y.
Weather is cloudy, very rainy and kinda cold.
Current time is about 3:00 p.m.

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Fash hears rustling in the northeast corner of the cavern, beyond the thick stalagmites grouped there - but he can't see Kalystys, who appears to be out of sight behind cover rather than concealed. When Cora calls out, there is a pause, and then the head of the drow/succubus appears from behind one of the columns there. "Gods yes, please! I am trapped here..." She launches into the same story that the others heard and imparted to the conjures and the cleric both before they departed Greyhawk. As she speaks, she remains mostly hidden behind the thick column that reaches from floor to ceiling.

Rather than re-type the same story, I provided a link. I couldn't figure out how to link the post itself, but scroll down to about 3/4 of the way down the page and you'll find it. I think I've got the buffs correct now (added Familiar Pocket for Cora, Keen Edge to Morrow and Air Walk for Sobok), along with your correct HP totals for everyone. Again, please check to make sure! Let me know if you take any actions during her speech, and/or how you react afterward. Again, I'll need a Bluff check if you haven't already rolled one. Cora, you don't need to roll again if you continue to speak with her. I also moved you forward a bit so you can effectively speak, though you've got Morrow as your meatshield! I'll let you know if/when you need another Bluff roll. For now, the one you made already will hold for a bit longer anyway...

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HERE is a direct link to the post with the succubus's story...

Thanks Fash! I figured there was a way to do it, just couldn't figure it out. :)

Morrow moves into the room, letting his fake sword and shield dip almost to the floor while he gawks around looking at everything. "Gosh. Thet's jus terrible... Mehbe we kin hep ye?"

Gear also moves into the room, apparently determined to be the anvil monsters break themselves on, but doesn't say anything.

Reonnyn stands just inside the cavern barrier staring about him/her as (s)he idly twirls the hilt of his/her rapier, seemingly fascinated by the (sob) story spun by the enchantress. "Yes we can! We can do our best to assist you! But you say this is a prison? How can we free you?" (s)he asks in a higher falsetto voice...one he has not used in ages.

Sobok lets the others do the talking as he is not much for subterfuge.

Fash slips backwards (making room for Gear and Sobok to move forward into the cavern...), away from the cavern. At the back of the line, he takes advantage of the cover from the big people in front of him to activate his cloak of shadows ability and hide...

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 = 36
9 rank +2 dex+4 racial +4 small+5 Cloak of Elvenkind +5 boots of elvenkind

Kalystys speaks of her captor/tormentor Aerich taunting her with the knowledge that only powerful magic could break the prison. The adventurers are well aware that this is likely the truth, as only an Antimagic Field or Mage's Dysfunction spell would dispel it - according to their dwarven friend and confirmed by Cora during their time spent going over their plans in Greyhawk. "Have you any wizards among you?" She asks hopefully.

But the demoness remains behind the cover of the large column of rock, not showing herself completely as she did when they'd first encountered her. Perhaps she is merely being cautious? Or does she harbor suspicions about them? Has she seen through their disguises somehow? Questions with no immediate answers as she waits for a response...

Feel free to move your icons into the cavern on the Detail Map, if you're able to do so.

Morrow continues slowly forward, his shield and sword drooping almost to the floor. "Wizerd? Nah. But how'er ya trepped. Ma sword might be ayba tuh breck enny chayhn holdin ya. Yoo soun perty. Kin ah hep ya?"

Gear moves forward with Morrow, remaining silent.

Covered in his cloak of shadows, Fash sneaks back into the cavern, positioning himself for the coming alpha strike...

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 = 30
9 rank +2 dex+4 racial +4 small+5 Cloak of Elvenkind +5 boots of elvenkind

Note, that's 2 rounds of movement if we are keeping track...

Morrow continues to speak as the trio continue further into the room, toward Kalystys. "No... I am magically bound to this room... only a spell can undo it, not an enchanted weapon..." She is definitely sounding suspicious now as the three (only two of whom she can see, or so Fash hopes) move toward her slowly, but inexorably...

Morrow, give me another Bluff roll since you're doing the talking as you and Vegeir (and the hidden Fash) approach her position.

"I am a follower of Boccob, god of magic. What sort of enchantment binds you? Who was this spellcaster who bound you here?" Gear speaks up for the first time, his words nothing but the truth.

He's not lying (and wears a holy symbol and a tabard with Boccob's symbol on them) but I can roll (a flat d20 on Bluff) if you feel like he's trying to be deceptive.

@Cora, bluff can be used to distract; perhaps you should take charge of the conversation with Kalystys while we set up...

Reonnyn slips into the cavern taking a position behind one of the stalactites, idly twirling 'her' blade watching the party's rear here. one hand slips into a pouch, fingering the bead of force.

I don't think she is buying this for one second...I sure wouldn't!

Vegeir, you can find that information in the original post I linked to above - Fash made a link that takes you right to the information. She has related all of that to your group as well.

Morrow, give me a Bluff check, and then a Will save, please! Note that she is not casting a spell to provoke that Will save, so continue on as you have planned.

Bluff? Crap! That's a face skill. I'm not any good at that!!!
Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Will Save?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Morrow holds up the apparently dirty, notched short sword. "Inchanted weppin? Dis ole thang? Ah done sharpent dit lass week."

As Morrow speaks, Kalystys' eyes narrow and she speaks words of magic, splitting herself into Mirror Image : 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 images. "You can change your appearance, but your thoughts betray you." she growls in anger!

Cora's Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Morrow’s Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Fash's Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Sobok's Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Reonnyn’s Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Vegeir’s Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Kalystys' Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

In the next moment, before anyone can react to her words, the drow/succubus launches herself upward about 15 feet and speaks again, causing a large patch of greasy darkness to spread throughout the cavern, and those within feel their life force ebbing away even as the inky miasma blinks out in the next instant.

Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 7, 6) = 26 + Sickened ('good' creatures) for Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds; 'non-good' creatures take half damage and are not sickened, but everyone except for Cora and Sobok roll Will saves!

Yeah... she was going to be REALLY tough to trick, considering some of her abilities... Anyway, she acted first while you were taking other actions, and I've always allowed the first player (or NPC) to break a non-combat situation a surprise round action. And then she won initiative, so acted first in Round 1 as well. The party is now up, but please roll those Will saves first! Sobok and Cora are still outside the room and were both beyond the spell's area of effect.

Will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 I'm "guessing" that fails....

Will: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 29
+6 Beg +2 Rua +2 SM +3 Resist

Spellcraft vs Mirror Image; Spell or SLA?: 1d20 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 = 20
6 rank + 6 int

Spellcraft vs Second spell?: 1d20 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 6 = 17
6 rank + 6 int

Will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Add +2 if for a Fear effect.

Will save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 He's LN so takes half damage and no Sickened, right?

Fash, shielded by his shadows, unleashes a mind-shattering enchantment and then moves to hide himself again...

standard: Casts Feeblemind on Rhaiani. Will save DC 22 = 10+5 spell level +6 int+1 cloaked casting, and further -4 penalty if she uses arcane spells (SLA's count)...
Cloaked casting should apply, as she can't see me and thus is FF vs my attacks. (And if she has a special sense like mindsight, I have the Darkstalker feat, so she would still need to beat my stealth check ...)
move - move 15' and use stealth (can hide because of cloak of shadows give concealment).

SR Check: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 = 20
+11 CL +2 cloaked casting

stealth, to hide again: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 = 30
9 rank +2 dex+4 racial +4 small+5 Cloak of Elvenkind +5 boots of elvenkind

Moonday, 17th day of Planting (i.e. April), 597 C.Y.
Weather is cloudy, very rainy and kinda cold.
Current time is about 3:00 p.m.

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Morrow is struck fully by the effects of Kalystys' spell, and the duskblade retches as he feels the unholy blight sink deep into his body, his skin seeming to turn an unhealthy pale as his heart seems to beat wildly out of its normal rhythym. The others feel a terrible discomfort, but overcome the the worst of the spell's effect to one degree or another without too much difficulty as they retaliate against the creature and Fash casts a spell from hiding, but the gnome curses softly as he feels the it crash uselessly against the magical resistance of the drow/succubus. He recognizes the Mirror Image spell, but he's not certain as to what she cast after launching herself into the air. At least he's fairly certain she can't see him, or at least, not with her eyes and ears...

Morrow took the full 26 damage and is 'sickened' for failing the save, while Fash took half damage and is not 'sickened for making the save. Vegeir, being 'non-good', took half damage even after failing his save and Reonnyn made the save, so wound taking 1/4 damage from the spell and neither were 'sickened'. I think I've only got actions from Fash at the moment, everyone else can post their actions for Round 1 - even if you're 'sickened' (it's -2 to attack/damage as well as saves and ability/skill checks). As Fash as surmised, please give me a caster check to overcome Kalystys' SR if you go that route. You know now it's greater than 20.

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Sobok walks into the room and sends an arrow at the foul creature.

Change my aura to Vigor, which provides Fast Healing 3 if you are within 30 ft of me and have less then half your total hit points. Move into the room and fire a single shot with my longbow.

+1 Large Composite Longbow (+6 Str): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

+1 Large Composite Longbow (+6 Str): 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 4) + 7 = 12

Apparently, my opening shot probably goes no where useful.

Now that the disguises had failed Morrow stands straight as usual. He pulls a potion and drinks it while waiting for his friends actions. "Now that wasn't very nice!"

Potion of CSW: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) + 5 = 14 That's 7 posts in a row with the die rolls all below half! So much for crit fishing! LOL!

Reonnyn cries out in a falsetto voice, apparently still willing to keep up disguise for some reason, "Hey! We'll free you in just a moment...stand still!" before attempting to locate her further.

If Reonnyn can see her then...
Eldritch Blast, RT: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21; damage: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5, 3, 4) + 2 = 15
CL Check: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 1 = 25
Mirror Image, 1 strikes her: 1d5 ⇒ 1
If he cannot see her then just ready action then.