potion of water walk, elixirs of fire breath (2); +1 brass dragonhide breastplate, +1 greatsword, masterwork throwing axe, ring of protection +1, cloak of resistance +1, 92 gp
In the Barrow King’s sarcophagus is his token: the Bard’s Heart, a 1,000 gp ruby. His tomb also contains a half-moldered collection of books and scrolls on burial rites of various Age of Darkness civilizations, worth 1,300 gp despite the damage.
And in case you didn't realize, that was the last token! You can now put them all together to locate the Striding Fortress!
Well, it's not that you actually lose class levels or anything:
Energy Drain and Negative Levels wrote:
Some spells and a number of undead creatures have the ability to drain away life and energy; this dreadful attack results in “negative levels.” These cause a character to take a number of penalties.
For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative –1 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. If a creature's negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies.
A creature with temporary negative levels receives a new saving throw to remove the negative level each day. The DC of this save is the same as the effect that caused the negative levels.
Some abilities and spells (such as raise dead) bestow permanent level drain on a creature. These are treated just like temporary negative levels, but they do not allow a new save each day to remove them. Level drain can be removed through spells like restoration. Permanent negative levels remain after a dead creature is restored to life. A creature whose permanent negative levels equal its Hit Dice cannot be brought back to life through spells like raise dead and resurrection without also receiving a restoration spell, cast the round after it is restored to life.
Still sucks though.
----
So if you are resting before finding the Fortress, go ahead and sleep. Maldoc can make Fort saves to see if his negative levels go away or become permanent. If they are permanent there's not much you can do right now to get rid of them as you'll need a casting of restoration with significantly more diamond dust.
Nope, Heal doesn't really do anything for negative levels. You just need to make Fort saves to see if they go away or become permanent.
Having amassed the Conspirator's tokens, you can awake the next morning and use the tokens to locate the Striding Fortress! An unsettlingly yet regal fusion of masonry and mechanics, this citadel of white stone and gleaming bronze marches proudly through the trees and ruins beneath. The Striding Fortress itself stands 60 feet above the ground on two massive metal legs.
Male Half-elf HP 130/130 (172 for troll) AC33(40 for troll) Touch 13 Flat 31; F+17 R+11 W+18(+2 ench,+4 fey) INIT+4 Perc+21 CMB+16 CMD+30 Lion Shaman 13/Samurai 1, {see in posts} Shape changed 1/5 Beads 0/3, Rerolls 0/3
Fendahl recasts greater magic fang on Kirrah for the day and scratches her chin.
"Hrrmm, it looks like our next challenge is to catch this fortress and board it. I am not sure climbing up a leg will be possible. I can cast airwalk on Kirrah and ride her up. Any other ideas? We best be prepared. Storming a castle is not usually easy...even when it is standing still."
Yep, it looks like one of them is permanent. You can get it removed later. The material components for the restoration will be a bit more expensive now that it's permanent but there wasn't really a way to avoid that.
Assuming everyone finds a way up by themselves or catches a ride with Tolgarov:
You emerge on the front courtyard of the giant walking castle. Brilliant banners of a splendid variety of colors flutter in this picturesque courtyard of white flagstones and carefully tended gardens. The massive, wooden doors on the courtyard’s outer edge stand ajar, creaking and swinging ominously with each massive step the Fortress takes.
Three ogres stand along the courtyard with a fourth standing across from them. You hear a tiny voice calling from the fourth ogre at the others, "Stand up straight! You won't be guarding much while you're slumped over!" You realize this voice is not coming from the ogre but from the gnome mounted on its shoulders. "Hold! Guards! There be intruders!"
Maldoc unleashes a fireball! Ace begins a song as Kirrah lands and Fendahl assesses the situation! Seems like we're fighting so Fletch can do something if he wants.
Initiative:
1. Ace, Romulus, Maldoc, Fendahl, Fletch, and Hawkwren
2. Ogres
3. Kirrah and Tolgarov
Oh, and good thing Fendahl said that, lol. I knew they were advanced and had more HP than normal but I didn't realize it was still so low. So Maldoc drops two of them.
The two remaining ogres move forward to block your way in to the fortress:
Meanwhile the gnome grows to enormous proportions; he was no gnome at all, but a spriggan! From the back he takes out a flail and yells encouragements to the ogres.
Initiative:
1. Ace, Romulus, Maldoc, Fendahl, Fletch, and Hawkwren
2. Ogres
3. Kirrah and Tolgarov
Male Elf Magus (Bladebound) [9.1] | HP 63/63 | AC 28 T 18 FF 22 | F +9 R +11 W +9 | CMB +7 CMD 25 | Init +8 | Perc +14 (low-light vision) | Acro/EA/Fly +8 | Climb/Swim/SM +3
Maldoc casts Intensified Shocking Grasp and closes on the enemy!
With Fly, can I move over the ogres, out of reach, and descend to strike the "gnome"? If so I'll do that, otherwise I'll try my luck on the green ogre.
Maldoc charges in from above and shocks the spriggan! Tolgarov then hits him with a green ray while Fendahl and Kirrah quickly mop up the ogres. The spriggan, already badly hurt, does not last much longer to the party's onslaught!
Out of combat!
There are double doors straight ahead and smaller doors on either side of the courtyard.
You move through the double doors and it seems Ace has found his home in this realm:
Hanging silks and overstuffed pillows liven up this warm, white chamber. Pipes lead into and out of the side walls, while an immense, shallow bath fills the center of the lounge.
Three attractive young women inhabit this chamber, wearing ragged (and scanty) shifts. They are shackled to the bath. "Oh please, won't you help us? We've been left here for Zassrion's pleasure for ages and ages!"
No one senses that anything is off until Ace comes closer and notes that they have started to grow tiny horns and bat-like wings. While perhaps still alluring, these succubi likely don't have Ace's best interests in mind!
Male Human Ranger 14 (Freebooter and Skirmisher) - HP 122/130, AC 29/T: 16/FF: 25 - Perception +19 - F: +14/ R: +14/ W: +8* - CMB: +18 - CMD: 34, Speed: 30*, Init. +4
"Yeah," said Fletch to Romulus. "Couldn't see that one coming a mile away!"
I presume that Fletch is up when Romulus is? :-)
Could you put Romulus (large wolf) on the map, please?
Fletch drops his bow, clicks the heels on his boots of speed, quick-draws his greatsword and moves to attack. Meanwhile, Romulus barges into the room, moving around the side.
Romulus will draw AoO's from both of the two succubit in the front. He will end up in the four squares SE of the southernmost succubus, flanking with Ace.
Tattoos: Invisibility (x2) [Ring]; Fly [Chest]; Primal Scream [Shoulders]; Water Walk [Feet] | Haagenti’s Blessing | Overland Flight
"But I want to stay with them..." Ace whines as they seem to get hotter.
"You in red are the most beautiful. Come join me at my side and you can come with us! I shall serenade you every night!" Ace offers as he weaves his hands while singing his classic power ballad to the beautiful lady demon in the center.
Reckless Infatuation - DC 23; Dirge of Doom - -2 to all saves, attack rolls, etc.
Reckless Infatuation:
You fill your target with feelings of intense infatuation for a specific individual known to the target. At the time of the casting, you designate a single creature as the focus of the target’s desire. Thereafter, the target does all it can to remain within 30 feet of the object of its desire. If the target moves outside this range, it gains the staggered condition until it is again near the focus of its desire. If remaining within 30 feet of the focus of its affection would place the target in obvious physical danger, the target can attempt a second save to break the spell’s effect.
