"<unheard things>"
"<unheard song>"
"What? Speak up!" Zilchus asks annoyed.
Florence casts True Seeing, to see what can be seen. Kosei prepares faerie fire, though no invisible foe appears to the party as yet. Nidhi safely pockets the ankh and starts an anticipatory counter-song for herself and Florence.
There’s a Wall of Force blocking the entrance. You and Nidhi are trapped inside - remember dispel magic doesn’t work, but dimension door should.
There’s a Screen illusion hiding the upper area of the chamber. The true ceiling gradually slopes up to a peak at 30’.
The light source in that vast space is actually a creature, a Shining Child (CE Medium outsider (evil, extraplanar)) which you can now see behind the Screen. Surrounded by a nimbus of near-blinding light, this strange creature looks something like an emaciated child with clawed hands. He is grinning at you, laughing even at the excitement your presence has caused in his long wait. Knowledge Planes for more information.
He begins to glow…
- - -
Suddenly, an explosion of light fills the chamber, like a light-bomb going off. All those who can reasonably see into the room (Nidhi, Florence, and Kosei only - Stelle and Zilchus are up the stairs, and can only see the doorway really), please make a Fortitude save DC 25 or be permanently blinded. Save and you merely see spots in front of your eyes a little while.
Round 1, Init 11
""What -aht? Speak-eak upup!""
"Is that -- an echo? No, I don't like this. It's too quiet in there. I think there's now some kind of barrier between us and them." Stelle aims her lance down the stairs toward the ankh chamber entrance directly in front of Kosei.
Stelle heaves a sigh as Kosei the air elemental gently blows sand around at the base of the stairs. "Kosei, could you please play with our hair over by Zilchus behind us? Unless you can cast through whatever is in our way -- that is. I want to see if we can ram our way through."
If Kosei moves:
for
-- otherwise Stelle stays poised like that until she has a charge lane.
Assuming Kosei does indeed move, Stelle smacks the wall with epic force. Though she can't see anything, she feels, and hears, a great under her lance. It does not break however.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
- - -
The creature attempts to fend off Florences magical attack!
vs DC 21
The creature is held! That'll put a crimp in his style.
- - -
Round 2:
The bard frowns when Florence points out the demon child. Nidhi continues to sing as a free action. She uses her song as a saving throw(?) She takes out her bow. "Sweetie, why don't you come down from there? I have a present for you since you're so clever." ...an arrow to your knee.
7 1st-level: Remove Fear
7 2nd-level: Heroism
5 3rd-level: Good Hope, Good Hope
4 4th-level: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility
2 5th-level:
Then there's a Will save to see through the illusion. That's also DC 25, but you get a +4 to that save from Florence.
So before you can see the child, you'll need to make both saves.
Oh, and I don't think your bardic performance helps either save, as neither are 'sonic or language-dependent'.
- - -
Nidhi, I think, is blind (though she could see through the illusion if she could see)...
Oof indeed!
Zilchus and Kosei to go.
Kosei - in rethinking Stelle's charge, I was incorrect in an earlier rules ruling. I had thought you'd need to move for Stelle to charge. However that is not the case. You provide cover at best, so no need to leave your position to do what you wish.
Round 1, Init 5
Seeing as he can't move until Stelle or someone figures out the wall, Zilchus readies for if something comes up.
to hit;
adamantine slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+18+2+3+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+11+2+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
HP: 106-6-14 (2 con damage)/106
AC: 34/30+2 SoF (def) (10 armor + 2 def + 3 dex + 1 dodge + 2 insight + 2 natural) + 4 shield/buckler
DF 0/10
Weap: 0/13 rounds used (swift, +3 bonus/flame/ghost/frost/holy)
Grunting/Summoning: 2/9 used (+6 str)
Quick Prayer: 3/9 used
PoP1: 0/1 used
Armor: 0/13 minutes used (swift,+3 more bonus)
Crocodilic Channel: 1/2 used/smite: 0/4 used (6d6)
Gr. Magic Weapon (+3); Magic Vestment (+3).
Falcon Crown: 0/3 used, immediate action sac spell
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not use
Kosei's mind protects him from the light by automatically shutting down recognizance system. When Stelle asks for space, Kosei elemental simply flies up while trying to recover sight.
Without ability to see or reach the fight Kosei only complains "Oh curses! What is going on? What is happening? How can I help?!!!"
Stelle slams with great force into the wall, doing some real damage, but not enough to rend it. Zilchus readies to attack any threat. Florence casts a hold monster and gestures to the ceiling. Kosei, painfully blinded, staggers back behind Zilchus knowing there’s little he can do to aid at this time. Nidhi pulls her bow, but she is also blinded, making her archery option tougher.
vs DC 21
...and does. His face suddenly contorts with the anger of a petulant baby, having been put in the corner for bad behavior.
- - -
You all hear a shrill shriek just before Stelle's turn, as if a baby, crying, was speaking, "Now that's not fair! I couldn't breathe!!" though only Florence can see the creature.
Round 2, Init 19
Zilchus waits for the wall to be beaten down and maintains his ready.
to hit;
adamantine slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+18+2+3+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+11+2+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
HP: 106-6-14 (2 con damage)/106
AC: 34/30+2 SoF (def) (10 armor + 2 def + 3 dex + 1 dodge + 2 insight + 2 natural) + 4 shield/buckler
DF 0/10
Weap: 0/13 rounds used (swift, +3 bonus/flame/ghost/frost/holy)
Grunting/Summoning: 2/9 used (+6 str)
Quick Prayer: 3/9 used
PoP1: 0/1 used
Armor: 0/13 minutes used (swift,+3 more bonus)
Crocodilic Channel: 1/2 used/smite: 0/4 used (6d6)
Gr. Magic Weapon (+3); Magic Vestment (+3).
Falcon Crown: 0/3 used, immediate action sac spell
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not use
"I cannot see! I cannot see my friends!" Kosei whirls around desperate. A sudden idea comes to his mind and suddenly the elemental shifts into a large dire bat and gains blindsense "I can feel you! I can feel you now!" the words carry the timber of a bat squeak.
When Kosei flies towards the room though he bumps against the invisible force field "Ouch! What's that! Who closed the door?"
Ironically, Kosei 'sees' the wall better than anyone else...
Round 2:
Nidhi continues to sing and glides forward on her carpet, longbow raised, until her carpet bumps into the wall. She fires a blunt arrow at the invisible wall in front of her. "Did I hit 'em? Who has a light spell?"
Round 2, Init 11
Unable to charge this round, Stelle has Anubis climb back up the stairs to reset.
"We could just take turns doing this..."
Allies within 60'
Stelle backs up to make another run at the wall. Zilchus readies an attack against the rear of the party, in case anyone should try to take advantage of the situation. Florence grabs Nidhi and departs the scene of battle! Kosei changes form to see and moves back to the wall, but cannot pierce it. Nidhi tries shooting, but fails to meaningfully hit anything, perhaps not least because she's now in the hallway.
You all hear a child’s voice screaming out, ”NOT FAIR!! You can’t take the Lantern, and flee! NOT FAIR!”
You still see nothing, but the hallway you’re in is suddenly filled with light, even brighter than your current magical torches, ioun stones, and the like.
You see the child appear flying in the hall behind the pair of you. He is grinning, and reaching out for the ankh in Nidhi’s pocket. Nidhi, remember you're blind so you don't see this so much as smell that 'baby' smell.
- - -
Under some circumstances, your next actions may result in a saving throw. So everyone please make a save at the top of your turn. It is an illusion save, Willpower DC 25. Florence and Nidhi have already ‘made’ this save.
- - -
Round 3, Init 19
Will
Zilchus intends to move up to the wall to smash it, but then sees Flo and Nidhi in a new spot. He readies his blade to attack anything bad.
to hit;
adamantine slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+18+2+3+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+11+2+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
HP: 106-6-14 (2 con damage)/106
AC: 34/30+2 SoF (def) (10 armor + 2 def + 3 dex + 1 dodge + 2 insight + 2 natural) + 4 shield/buckler
DF 0/10
Weap: 0/13 rounds used (swift, +3 bonus/flame/ghost/frost/holy)
Grunting/Summoning: 2/9 used (+6 str)
Quick Prayer: 3/9 used
PoP1: 0/1 used
Armor: 0/13 minutes used (swift,+3 more bonus)
Crocodilic Channel: 1/2 used/smite: 0/4 used (6d6)
Gr. Magic Weapon (+3); Magic Vestment (+3).
Falcon Crown: 0/3 used, immediate action sac spell
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not use
Round 4:
Nidhi isn't exactly sure what's going on, but she smells the scent of a child and immediately tries to wriggle and elbow the child away. She stops singing but the effects of her song seem to longer for an additional two rounds.
With her free hand (not currently gripped by Florence) she reaches for Florence's hand, which is already gripped around her arm. "I'm still here, Flo." Nidhi casts Greater Invisibility on herself.
Kosei bashes the wall blocking passage with his bat-jaws.
Bewildered, Stelle squints as the light assualts her eyes. She just makes out Nidhi disappearing and Florence pointing to "it". She attacks.
"Lantern?! "
for
Annie:
for
Stelle, though she can’t see the target, valiantly tries to pry it away from Nidhi though she and Anubis fail to strike. The child doesn’t even get an AoO as she passes below the boy. Zilchus can now see the child, and the ceiling in larger chamber, now dim with only the lichen to light it. Florence points out the illusion, giving everyone a +4 to their saves as she gives the poor boy the evil eye. Kosei bashes the wall with his tiny body, but doesn’t so much as scratch the surface. You may make two saves vs the illusion - one from last round, one from this. Nidhi still blind, casts greater invisibility on herself. I assume you’re casting defensively…
vs DC 22 or -4 to saves for 9r/1r
vs DC 23
The child visibly hesitates as the Stelle admonishes him, but his grin widens as he shouts,
- - -
”You’re not the boss of me!”
Unable to see Nidhi, the child lashes out where she was, striking twice. ”I’ll see you when I touch you, I most certainly will!”
He hits once and Nidhi’s skin starts glowing. A light spreads from the wound throughout her body. At first it’s just warm, then comfortably warm, then hot, then prickly, then really, really hot, then blistering! Stelle feels as though she’s on fire, but she doesn’t think stop-drop-and-roll will do the trick. So though she’s invisible, she’s clearly outlined, as with a sort of Faerie Fire type effect. However, she sheds light as a torch not a candle and it is a bright white light.
- - -
Oops! To be clear, Nidhi is the one hit and all fiery from the child. Stelle was not attacked, nor hit. Just mixing up the names, sorry about that.
"Wow! Thanks Florence," Stelle gasps, as the creature becomes clearly visible.
Stelle growls loudly, angry enough to make Anubis whine a little.
for
Round 4, Init 19
Zilchus spins on his heels, waiting for Florence to move out of the way (or just air walking atop her square because he can't see her and bumps into her) and moves to deal with the bright kid. He enchants his sword with ghost touch as he moves and strikes.
to hit;
ghost touch adamantine slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+18+2+3+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+11+2+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
HP: 106-6-14 (2 con damage)/106
AC: 34/30+2 SoF (def) (10 armor + 2 def + 3 dex + 1 dodge + 2 insight + 2 natural) + 4 shield/buckler
DF 0/10
Weap: 1/13 rounds used (swift, +3 bonus/flame/ghost/frost/holy)
Grunting/Summoning: 2/9 used (+6 str)
Quick Prayer: 3/9 used
PoP1: 0/1 used
Armor: 0/13 minutes used (swift,+3 more bonus)
Crocodilic Channel: 1/2 used/smite: 0/4 used (6d6)
Gr. Magic Weapon (+3); Magic Vestment (+3).
Falcon Crown: 0/3 used, immediate action sac spell
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not use
Sightless Kosei, who does not really understand what is going on very well as he does not see the light or invisibility, but who senses a strange presence not further away, creates an air geyser to try drop the creature to the floor.
Stelle and Anubis, now able to see their foe properly, charge in dealing a devastating blow. Zilchus moves forward, climbing into the air to close (DMPC moved on map) and hacks away at the small child. Blood flow freely from the tiny frame. Florence 5’ steps, draws a scroll, and heals Kosei’s sight. Kosei now able to ‘see’, though perhaps not in his current form, tries to ground the child into the, well, ground. Nidhi (DMPC) somewhat visible, and still blinded, withdraws, dropping back until she bumps into Florence.
vs DC 20 for 11hp or 4hp on a save (and unmoved)
As she’s still ‘burning’, on her initiative, Nidhi takes as her searing flesh bubbles and burns.
”Not fair! NOT FAIR! ” the child screams as Nidhi tries to get away.
The child, in a rage and not thinking clearly, closes with Nidhi and claws at her pocket, trying to get back the ankh. Zilchus and Stelle (but not Anubis) get AoO’s as the creature moves. He's now at ground level, but still flying.
(The child would provoke, but Nidhi is blind, so she cannot. Also, I think Nidhi's CMD is 25, but correct me if I'm wrong Nidhi.)
The child screeches and scrabbles as he can't find purchase in Nidhi's pockets. He eventually plunges his arm into a pouch, only to come up with a bit of lint, and part of a gold coin found in some tomb.
"No, No, NO! You cannot have it! It's not !!"
Stelle shouts, as the creature makes its move. "Knock it off, you creepy little creep!"
for
Round 5, Init 19
Zilchus snaps his sword out at the well-lit child as it moves near him.
to hit;
ghost touch adamantine slashing damage.
Tiring of the child's cries, Zilchus 5' steps and swings twice again.
to hit;
ghost touch adamantine slashing damage.
to hit;
ghost touch adamantine slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+18+2+3+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+11+2+3[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard, +DF)
[ dice]2d4+21+2+3[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
HP: 106-6-14 (2 con damage)/106
AC: 34/30+2 SoF (def) (10 armor + 2 def + 3 dex + 1 dodge + 2 insight + 2 natural) + 4 shield/buckler
DF 0/10
Weap: 1/13 rounds used (swift, +3 bonus/flame/ghost/frost/holy)
Grunting/Summoning: 2/9 used (+6 str)
Quick Prayer: 3/9 used
PoP1: 0/1 used
Armor: 0/13 minutes used (swift,+3 more bonus)
Crocodilic Channel: 1/2 used/smite: 0/4 used (6d6)
Gr. Magic Weapon (+3); Magic Vestment (+3).
Falcon Crown: 0/3 used, immediate action sac spell
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not use
Round 5, Init 11
Stelle charges angling her lance around the corridor to hit Creepy Thing.
"JUST STOP."
for
Feeling the fire heat on Nidhi, Kosei casts communal resist energy versus fire and flies over everyone touching them for protection. Fortunately his blindsense allows him to 'see' where Nidhi is. The bat does so even if it means exposing himself to attacks from the creature.
Though Stelle misses with her AoO, Zilchus does not, which sets up Stelle’s charge into the small, helpless baby. Child killers!
The shining child falls to the ground, slowly easing off Stelle’s lance before laying still in the damp sand. There’s a brief flicker of light before he dims and the only light he sheds are the quiet reflections of the green-yellow lichen on the walls.
Florence is able to heal Nidhi easily enough, though she is hot to the touch. It does not, however, stop the burning. That takes three more rounds, before it burns out of its own accord. In all, Nidhi will take an additional before the fiery feeling under her skin abates. However, if Kosei still wishes to bestow resistance to fire, all that damage is absorbed by the spell (your call Kosei as the combat is over).
A minute or so later, the invisible wall comes down, and the way is clear into the now dimly lit chamber. To refresh your memories,
The ankh in Nidhi’s pocket rested on a stand atop a circular dais of black stone in the middle of the room. A square podium made from the same black stone and level in height with the ankh stands just north of the dais. A long-legged chest made of golden wood sits against the south wall atop a low stone slab. The top of the chest is carved with the image of a winged scarab. The domed ceiling is 40’ high at its peak.
"I can't see! It burns!" Nidhi writhes in pain, gives a little sob and pushes into her companions' soothing touch. "My beautiful body! Quick, heal me before I have scars! An entertainer needs their body!"
Nidhi grips her own forearms and casts Cure Light Wounds on herself in addition to Kosei's and Florence's spells.
7 1st-level: Remove Fear, Cure Light Wounds
7 2nd-level: Heroism
5 3rd-level: Good Hope, Good Hope
4 4th-level: Cure Critical Wounds, Greater Invisibility, Greater Invisibility
2 5th-level:
Yes Nidhi, unfortunately you are still blind. Your retinas have been singed black by the Solar Retinopathy and only magic can restore your sight.
Seeing Nidhi burning Kosei will still complete his spell and deliver it to the whole party as intended.
"The Sun Lion it's me! Are you trying to rival me now as the Sun Poet Nidhi my friend!?" Kosei's words sound like a bat squeak but his mouth is that of a strange bad smile.
"It seems we have the open way to our ankh finally my friends!" the large bat flies over the room and tries to snatch the ankh with his rear extremities.
If nothing else happens, he brings it back to Nidhi.
"That child screamed more than Ben," Zilchus observes dryly, his weapon cord still attached wrist to blade. "And I think you'll be okay, Nidhi, whenever you get back...where are you?"
Zilchus waits to make sure the child is dead, and still keeps his sword drawn as he goes to examine the trap room. He airwalks (bringing light as needed) up into the darkness, still looking for danger (and loot).
Perception
Florence bring sight to the blind - Nidhi can see! Kosei, Nidhi already has the ankh in her pocket. Zilchus, you see nothing of interest other than what I've described.
The damp chill is something of a welcome relief to the heat above as the party pokes around the chamber.
Anubis trots up and places his nose gently but firmly into Nidhi's side, then gingerly licks her hand twice with his soft pink tongue.
Don't worry Mistress Nidhi. You are safe. We are protecting you.
Stelle keeps an eye out for Inky and actual danger while the Bard is healed.
"It's O.K., Nidhi -- there doesn't seem to be anymore immediate danger around... When you're ready, maybe we can check out the wierd little room where you and Florence cleverly took the ankh. I can't imagine why, but there's a podium there, and a long-legged chest made of golden wood opposite. It's as if it was some kind of chapel, or something."
"Or -- we could all take rest."
Nidhi looks around as her sight begins to return. "Let's not do that again." She touches pulls out a small pocket mirror and looks at her neck. There isn't much of her face to see because of the mask. Seemingly satisfied, she pockets the mirror and wraps her arms around Annie's neck for a doggie hug. "Such a good, loyal companion." She coos into the warm fur.
"maybe we can check out the wierd little room where you and Florence cleverly took the ankh. I can't imagine why, but there's a podium there, and a long-legged chest made of golden wood opposite. It's as if it was some kind of chapel, or something." [/b]
"You want to go back in there?!" Nidhi sounds incredulous. She pulls back from Annie. "I'm not going back in there unless you all come with me. I don't think I need to rest, but I'm definitely not going in first." She leans back on one arm and hugs her side with the other, her carpet still levitating although stationary.