GM Choon presents The Witchwar Legacy - Table the Second (Inactive)

Game Master Choon

"The list of things he could be are probably pretty low: Outsider, Elemental, Dragon, or Faerie, based on the fact that he could see our scout. Let's go see what he has to say for himself and we'll work from there."

I'm gonna cast a few spells first though: Extended Align Weapon (Good), Extended Versatile Weapon, and Extended Keen Edge for Talon's primary weapon, Invisibility Purge, Lead Blades, Bestow Grace of The Champion, and Extended Weapon of Awe on my weapon, and then Freedom of Movement on Silas. Also, Air Walk on both me and Talon (since I believe everyone else here can fly). Finally, True Seeing On Taerine.
Finally, I'm going to put 3 runes of Ghostglyph on my armor and 3 runes of Powerstrike on my hammer. So one or two things =)

Silas scans about, sighing heavily as he leans on the angel's shoulder. "I suppose we are committed to this now. I'll do what I can, though I need to rest, soon."

Things are very different when you enter the next cavern this time. As Tor and his invisibility negating field enter the room the form of a massive white dragon materializes on the ceiling. It smiles at you and drops to the floor with a colossal THUD and rush of air. You immidiately notice something off about this dragon, however. It seems to be leaking magma from between it's scales!
Well well. What have we here. It hisses from the midst of it's pile of bones (many of which snap under it's weight).

Picture with map

"Merely visitors, who have no wish to disturb you," Taerine responds.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Anyone know what's wrong with it? she thinks to her companions. It's clearly no ordinary dragon.

It scoffs a bit of steam. No one visits here. The cold alone is enough to freeze most adventuring types solid!

I'll let that count as an aid to someone else's roll. :)

Unfortunately, we don't seem to have any Diplomatic characters. The angel has by FAR the best chance to talk to the dragon, if Silas wants to have that happen.

Assuming because of it being a dragon..., if not can apply appropriate knowledge bonus.

Know: Arcana: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (17) + 29 = 46

Silas carefully studies the creature, leaning on the Deva's shoulder as he tries to gauge the creature's nature. Certainly this is not normal for a white dragon to ooze lava from its body, but there had to be a reason for it.

Silas - You eventually deduce this to be a kind of curse. It isn't nearly as cold in here as it should be, so some of the dragon's power over cold must be inhibited by the lava (probably some form of elemental fire). Unfortunately, that also most likely means that the typical holes in a white dragon's defence are probably nonexistent.

It also looks bored... never a good sign in a dragon.

Silas examines the dragon and the room pondering to itself. "Hmm, it would seem..., that's strange. Whites are typically in an atmosphere much much colder than this. Lava..., oozing. That almost looks like blood. Those wraiths earlier, bound to the ethereal, and not able to touch the material. Most likely a curse of some sort. Which means a good number of things we find here quite possibly will be twisted and warped in some sense. Fire won't avail us any decided advantage against this dragon, but neither will it's cold be the full fury it can muster." Silas studies the creature for a bit longer.

"Uhm..., normally in my experience, a dragon acting like this is bored. Bored dragons are not very..., well a bored dragon likes to be amused."

Then we've no choice then to play to ego for the time being.

Tor observes, remaining quiet waiting for the diplomats in the party to begin talking to the dragon. As he waits, he will unbuckle the stein from his belt, cast a cantrip to fill it, and begin drinking from it slowly.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (6) + 27 = 33

Just making sure it's not an undead.

Not undead. Oh no. Very much alive.

"A slight chill, nothing more," Taerine responds. "A bit brisk, perhaps but hardly enough to cause problems. Surely we can not be the only ones to come this way?"

Well, what say you? We can try to relieve its boredom with banter, or just cut to the chase if we don't think we can bypass it.

Any stats based on Silas' roll? I'd certainly appreciate knowing whether it's immune to fire damage or not...

Not immune to fire, but also not vulnerable to it. Still has strong spell residence (29), DR15/magic and several layers of magical defences.

So no real damage reduction at this level then =_

Any response from the dragon to my comments? Anyone want to chime in to my telepathic communication?

responding telepathically, Silas will need to rest, so if we want to secure this chamber then we will have to rid the chamber of the beast.

The dragon looks down at the pile of bones it's standing on. Not the most observant, are we? It mocks. No matter. I was bored with this conversation ages ago.
With that it rears its head back and...
6d20 ⇒ (3, 6, 16, 19, 3, 9) = 56

Combat Engaged. Tor and Ragnvald up.

Combat map soon?

Yes. I updated on the fly from my phone. Dragon is in the center of the room shown on the general map

Map complete. It's a 10' grid, so the exact spacing is a little wonky, but it should do. If you envisioned yourself starting in a different place, feel free to move yourself there.

Won't let me move my token. I envisioned being nowhere near that close to the dragon. :)

Try again. I replaced the link

Tor will cast prayer as a quickened spell and then move next to the dragon and hit it with his hammer, smiting it as he goes.

Attack Rolls: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 401d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 201d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Damage if they hit (bonus damage from holy and smite after): 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 212d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 8 = 13

Damage if they hit (bonus damage from holy and smite after): 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 192d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 = 15

Damage if they hit (bonus damage from holy and smite after): 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 192d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 6) + 8 = 18

The dragon will need to make a will save dc 20 or be effected by prayer. As a swift spell, I don't provoke for casting it.

Would I have had the chance to use the wand whilst we were faffing aboot the mysterious voice and dragon? Seems a logical thing to do.

Swift: Studied Combat (+8 Insight to Attack and Damage for 6 rounds)
Standard: Monstrous Physique 2 to turn into four armed gargoyle.
Move: Move 10ft. up and a few feet forward just enough that I can 5ft. shift in and get him with a ten foot reach.

Current Efffects: (Overland Flight, Countless Eyes (17 hours), Heightened Awareness, Heroism (160 minutes), Monstrous Physique 2 17 minutes (4 armed gargoyle))

Downing a concoction Ragnvald quickly doubles in size his features becoming ever more monstrous and terrible as a pair of wings pounds the air and he lifts up higher. His voice changing from the smooth and refined Ulfen man to one resembling a dark and terrible predator.

"I do not apologize. I've long since past the time where I'd fancy conversation with a guard dog under delusions of grandeur. Come beast and I'll dismiss you of your burden."

Also Prayer has no save but may need to pop spell resistance.

Tor and Ragnvald just barely get in their actions before the entire area is blanketed in burning steam. While this is the second time in a hour this has happened to you, this steam feels different. The geyser steam was passive in it's indiscriminate burning of everything in the area. It's hard to fault a geyser for doing that. This steam, on the other hand feels like it's trying to boil your skin off. It's personal.
Tor, Ragnvald, Terine: DC 27 reflex or take: 20d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 3, 1, 3, 1, 1, 4, 3, 1, 1, 4, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1) = 42

The dragon takes Tor's first hit on the foreleg (dodging the other two), then hefts itself into the air and latches onto the ceiling. I need no dismissal! I await my freedom even now, Pest! It screams.

Rest of you, go!

Stepping back, Taerine gestures and sends a bolt of blue flame toward the dragon. It seems to almost explode as it hits the creature's chest, igniting the beast in flickering blue flames.

"You shall find no freedom in the Hells, beast. "

Reflex: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31 Is that fire damage, I assume? I reduced the hp total by 2 as I assume my force ward would have regenerated some...

Step back 5 feet.
Blue flame blast (ranged touch): 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 1 = 38
Caster level check (vs SR): 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 4 = 41
Fire damage: 18d6 + 3 + 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 2, 6, 6, 1, 1, 2, 1, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 2) + 3 + (3, 3, 5) + 3 = 77

Blue flame crit?: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 18 + 1 = 32
Fire damage: 18d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 6, 3, 5, 4, 6, 5, 1, 3, 6, 6) + 3 = 80

Damn! Those were nice rolls. Assuming it hits and penetrates SR, the dragon is on fire and takes 1d6 per round until the fire is extinguished. Its fire resistance is reduced by this flame (see mechanics below, for full details)

Talon attempts to slip further into the room, using the others engaging the dragon as a distraction.

in an instant Talon vanishes from sight

stealth: 1d20 + 44 ⇒ (17) + 44 = 61

burn a ki point to vanish for 16 rounds. move and attempt to hide and observe the dragon fight, looking for an opening to attack. assassinate (yeah I'll try it) requires 1 round of observation while the target is unaware. (hoping my stealth and invisibility and by light steps help here)

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Btw, you might have missed where I said I was casting Invisibility Purge Talon.

Silas to act.

Silas sighs, his body still feeling the after effects of his encounter with the wraiths. He slips up to the top of the steps, just enough so he can see the dragon on the roof of the chamber. He intones, scribing symbols of glowing white power in the air, and a couple dozen portals open all around the dragon, causing Chains of brilliant white light to snake out and attempt to ensnare the creature.

Casting Chains of Light targeting the dragon. Spending 1 AR point to increase the DC by 2, so the dragon must make a DC 28 reflex save of be paralyzed. Conjuration school, so no SR is allowed.

=====================================================================

The deva, taking its cue from Silas's enchantment, takes wing and charges at the dragon. She soars, brandishing her warhammer with extreme prejudice at the cursed dragon.

Deva Charge Attack: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 401d8 + 29 ⇒ (8) + 29 = 37

Fly check if needed: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (7) + 26 = 33

----------------------------------------------

EDIT:

The Spell provides a save every round to the dragon, so its not a one and done spell. It gets a chance to get out each round.

The dragon roars in mortal fury when Taerine lights him up. In animalistic fury he lays into the nearest foe, the angel. Not one strike misses. Angelic blood sprays from the mauling and tree heavenly warrior falls from the sky. She impacts the ground hard, but stirs. At least she isn't dead.
The dragon above you roars and spreads his wings. The shining blood of heaven on his claws, snout, wings, and tail make for a frightening scene.
Everyone makes a DC 23 will or become frightened
Party up/

Turn later. How high is the cieling from the floor from the floor and how does he sit relative to it?

Save now.

1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 2 = 38 Save

The ceiling is 50' up. He is clinging to it, so 30' vertically from Tor.

So I'm 10ft. up, 10ft. tall with a 10ft. reach. So I can presumably 5ft shift and get him right?

Yes.

Current Efffects: (Overland Flight, Countless Eyes (17 hours), Heightened Awareness, Heroism (160 minutes), Monstrous Physique 2 17 minutes (4 armed gargoyle), Studied Combat (5 Rounds))

"Excellent argument! Sad it seems you have left yourself open to rebuttal! Allow me to cross examine the method!"

Shift. Full Attack

1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 50 Claw 1
1d8 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 44 + 1d4 ⇒ 4 Bleeding and 1d6 ⇒ 3 Acid

1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 51 Claw 2
1d8 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 45 + 1d4 ⇒ 3 Bleeding and 1d6 ⇒ 6 Acid

1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 57 Claw 3
1d8 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 43 + 1d4 ⇒ 2 Bleeding and 1d6 ⇒ 2 Acid

1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 41 Claw 4
1d8 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 41 + 1d4 ⇒ 4 Bleeding and 1d6 ⇒ 6 Acid

1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 40 Claw Haste
1d8 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 45 + 1d4 ⇒ 4 Bleeding and 1d6 ⇒ 4 Acid

1d20 + 26 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 26 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 40 Bite
1d8 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 42 + 1d4 ⇒ 4 Bleeding and 1d6 ⇒ 1 Acid

1d20 + 26 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 26 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 53 Gore
1d4 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 39 + 1d4 ⇒ 4 Bleeding and 1d6 ⇒ 4 Acid

1d20 + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 29 + 2 + 2 + 8 - 4 = 45 Claw 3 Crit Confirm
1d8 + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 2 + 8 + 8 = 39 Crit Damage

Disregard bleed adn acid on bite and gore. Those only apply to claws.

Also I forgot my reflex save from earlier.

1d20 + 19 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 19 + 1 + 2 = 41 Save for half.

Will: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

"You can't say I didn't give you fair warning, creature. You should have listened," Taerine sneers as she gathers power momentarily -- flame roaring in a ball in her hands, turning from red to white to blue -- before she launches it at the dragon.

Burning infusion: 1d6 ⇒ 2 2 points of fire damage to dragon as it burns, plus any fire resistance it has is reduced by 2 for 8 rounds. Also give Taerine +2 bonus on attack rolls, to DCs, and on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance with her fire blasts.
Blue flame blast (ranged touch): 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 18 + 2 = 22
Caster level check (vs SR): 1d20 + 17 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 4 + 2 = 27
Fire damage: 18d6 + 3 + 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 6, 1, 5, 1, 3, 4, 2, 3, 5, 2, 5, 4) + 3 + (1, 4, 4) + 3 = 76

Ragnvald appears in the place where the angel had fallen and rips into the dragon. In his ferocity he nearly burrows into the base of the beast's neck. The dragon flails and roars, but his fire soon goes out as Taerine joins in the assault with more fire. That is, he falls from the ceiling and almost takes the transformed detective with him. He impacts with an enormous crash that shakes a rain of small icicles from the ceiling. The formed-ice of the ground cracks into a spider web of fractal lines.
The fire that lived within it, however, flares and bursts from the corpse. The room hours from -20 to 120 in seconds as a grand elemental rises and stretches. It shows no hostility, but bows and winds it's way out of the room in the direction you came. with his passing the temperature drops again to bone-chilling lows

Any checks to know what that was all about?

Taerine nods as she surveys a job well done, and looks around.

"Some things simply need to learn their place," she murmurs. "We wanted a place to rest? This might do as well as any."

Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31

Taerine notices a discolored area in the floor. A bit of digging reveals the dragon's horde, a pile of gold, platinum, and gems worth 11,200gp. (Not that it matters in a one-shot)

almost had a chance to do something. BTW would I have even gotten a sneak attack? Yeah... Talon just hangs out, not much I can do, call me if there is something you guys need me for.

Tor's invisibility negating field and the fact that ancient dragons have Lifesence means probably not. Don't worry though. Lots of opportunities for that soon. Especially if Silas keeps summoning flanking buddies.

the enemy will have to live longer than the first round though so I can use my special abilities and be almost half as effective as the casters here. of course if it can survive that long chances are I won't

I still think you're worrying too much. Lets see how things go.
I think the general consensus is that you rest here due to near critical Con failure (Silas). Go ahead and post what you will do in the intervening time and decide where you want to head. No random patrols (if there are any *shifty eyes*) will approach here, assuming the dragon is taking care of its lair. Let me know in which direction you head next.

Satisfied that the beast is no longer alive, Tor will gather the group up and provide them healing, including the angel.

Will Save for fear: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Mass Cure Serious Wounds: 3d8 + 18 ⇒ (6, 5, 1) + 18 = 30

"My thanks, Tor," Taerine says as the worst of her burns heal.

After resting, the Asmodean -- her body no longer glowing with a devilish fire -- surveys the cavern once again and nods to the two stairways.

"Up or down? Anyone care to try to tell which way the giants ahead of us went?"

I'll still be 10 hp down in the morning, but hopefully Tor can give us a channel or something before we head to bed.

If there's nothing to indicate one way as better than another, Taerine will suggest we head 1d2 ⇒ 2 up.

Tor will burn the rest of his healing spells before turning in for the evening. He will then tell Silas "I will take care of the damage that your soul has taken tomorrow, should Torag be willing."[/b]

I will update my spell list later, it being Christmas and all.