The elder half-elf skewers the black dragon with a blackness of his own Ilthane bellows in outrage, but even as the roar resounds, you can hear the volume decrescendo at its tail end.
As Mortimer crests the hilltop, Ilthane snaps her neck around, horns pointing at the giant. She is given a gift in the arrival, as her anger in echo of Eidi's magic finds a scapegoat. She bites at Mortimer, seeking purchase through the stony flesh.
The acid-tinged teeth fail to find the giant's shoulder, tearing at nothing, the phantom form of Mortimer, while the true form remains unbitten.
Round 5, Init 2-
Solrisa takes Ascaria's blessing with a determined grin as she moves to track the dragon down.
to hit; (+Dragon,+Haste,+Bless,+DF,+Prayer,-4 combat)
damage; (+Dragon,+Fire)
AC=27 (+10 armor +1 dex +1 NA +2 def + 1 dodge) +3 (dragon) +1 haste
HP= 92/92
Right hand = longbow
Left hand =
LoH 0/8 used (5d6+1d6)
Quick Shirt 0/1 used
Wand of Barkskin (44/50 left)
The Dragon Invoked 1/4 used
Breath of the Dragon 0/2 used
Nice Booties 0/3 used
[ dice]1d20+18-3+2+1[/dice] to hit; (-PA,heroism,+1 magic,+prayer)
[ dice]1d10+6+6+1d6+2+1+1[/dice] magic nonlethal damage.
[ dice]1d20+13-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA,)
[ dice]1d10+6+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+8-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA,)
[ dice]1d10+6+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+18-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+18-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+8-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
Eri GMPC moves downfield, bringing the black into line-of-sight. Content with fire on the maiden's arrows, and steaming to singe the dragon, the real archer pulls fire from within, and sets it behind the dragon, far enough away to avoid the fire consuming the giant.
Ilthane thrashes about as fire erupts behind her and around her.
Ascaria brings a much stronger Blessing to the table. Eidi saps so much strength from the black dragon, defanging Ilthane from afar. Mortimer launches himself off the hillside, landing solidly at the feet of the large beast. Solrisa keeps assailing Ilthane with her arrow, singular, though she misses. Eri has an epic moment of blasting magics, courtesy of a higher power.
Ilthane, in her outrage, tries to ground Mortimer into the dirt.
Round 5, Init 5
Solrisa waits for Mort to move before opening fire again.
to hit; (+Dragon,+haste,+Bless,+DF,+Prayer,+BoF,-Combat)
damage; (+Dragon,+Fire)
to hit; (+Dragon,+haste,+Bless,+DF,+Prayer,+BoF,-Combat)
damage; (+Dragon,+Fire)
to hit; (+Dragon,+haste,+Bless,+DF,+Prayer,+BoF,-Combat)
damage; (+Dragon,+Fire)
to hit; (+Dragon,+haste,+Bless,+DF,+Prayer,+BoF,-Combat)
damage; (+Dragon,+Fire)
to hit; (+Dragon,+haste,+Bless,+DF,+Prayer,+BoF,-Combat)
more damage; (+Dragon,+Fire)
AC=27 (+10 armor +1 dex +1 NA +2 def + 1 dodge) +3 (dragon) +1 haste
HP= 92/92
Right hand = longbow
Left hand =
LoH 0/8 used (5d6+1d6)
Quick Shirt 0/1 used
Wand of Barkskin (44/50 left)
The Dragon Invoked 1/4 used
Breath of the Dragon 0/2 used
Nice Booties 0/3 used
[ dice]1d20+18-3+2+1[/dice] to hit; (-PA,heroism,+1 magic,+prayer)
[ dice]1d10+6+6+1d6+2+1+1[/dice] magic nonlethal damage.
[ dice]1d20+13-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA,)
[ dice]1d10+6+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+8-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA,)
[ dice]1d10+6+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+18-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+18-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+8-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
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Round: 5, Initiative: 3
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (4/11h, +2), Status (4/11h; Mort, Sol), Bless (6/22m), Protection from Acid (6/18m, -45hp), Air Walk Communal (1/22m), Haste (4/??r), Prayer (3/11r), Blessings of Fervor (2/11r)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Eri, Edi, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (5/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (6/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (3/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (5/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (4/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
Ascaria remembers Eri is still injured* as some of the pain is shared.
He applauds Mort’s pinning of the creature, and wonders how long it can be now that their foe has made a fatal error. He decides to try and reason with it yet again. In a manner of speaking…. He casts Terrible Remorse (DC 20), in the hopes of showing the dragon exactly what he feels, what she should feel. He moves up a little to be closer to the action, careful not to walk into an arrow.
Air Walk Communal
Bless
Blessing of Fervor
Prayer
Protection from Energy Communal
Round 5, Init 4
HP: 81 (45/120 Acid Reduct or whatever)
Str: -1 (19)
extended displacement
Blessing of Fervor
Stoneskin (DR 10, Adamantine; 100 mins/hits whichever comes first)
Haste
Dragon Style, Dragon Roar, Dragon Ferocity
+2 bonus on saving throws against sleep effects, paralysis effects, and stunning effects.
ignore difficult terrain when you charge, run, or withdraw.
charge through squares that contain allies.
increase your Strength bonus on unarmed strike to a total of double your Strength bonus on the first attack
add 1-1/2 times your Strength bonus on the damage roll on other attacks
Causes the shaken condition on a critical or successful stun attempt for 1d4+5 rounds
Air Walk Communal
Bless (+1 attacks & saves vs fear (morale))
Protection from Energy Communal (120hp of acid damage)
Magic Vestment
Prayer (+1 attacks, damage, saves, & skills (luck))
AC 32 (+1 Haste, +2 Shield Mithral, +2 Magic Vestment, BOF)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
AC 25, 29 on AoO, 22 Touch; 81/81 HP
BAB = +11/+6/+1 (level 10)
ToHit = 1d20+16+1 (Weapon Focus)
RHit = 1d20+17-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+17-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+12-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
FHit = 1d20+7-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20+16
Fort+9 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+12
Will +6
Slots 6/8
Initiative +4
CMD = 32 (10+ BAB + Str bonus + Dex bonus, 31 Maneuver Training Grapple +2, 30 Manuever training Disarm, +2 class feature "AC Bonus" at level 4/9)
+1 Grapple (Armbands), +3 Grapple MT, +2 Improved Grapple (+6 total)
+2 Disarm MT
+1 Overrun MT
Mortimer watches the Dragon completely whiff on him in amazement.
Bells are amazing. I'm invincible!
Then he takes a five foot step to engage the Dragon.
"You know," Mortimer says, causually albeit through clenched teeth as he tries to batter the wounded dragon, "I've got this dragon tooth around my neck."
for
"But I find it kinda tacky to wear."
for
for
for
"I've been hanging onto it, just to find out to whom it is that it belonged."
~~~
for
Round 5, Init 2 AC: 21
”[Y]ou can hear the volume decrescendo at its tail end.”
”What’s that Ilthane? Let me see if this might help your voice a little more.”
Eri casts Dispel Magic on the dragon.
He then tries to find some cover by the tree.
AC 15 or 19 [dex +3, amu +2, m. armor +4]
CMD 20
BAB +7
Defensive casting concentration check = +17 (@9th)
Spell Penetration= +13 (@9th) [feats: spell pen and greater spell pen]
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
b]Orisons[/b] DC:14(Acid Splash, Create Water, Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Mage Hand, Spark, Message, Prestidigitation, Read Magic)
First Level: DC:15 (6/7 per day 4/4 stones) (Burning Disarm, Feather Fall, Grease. Gravity Bow, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, shocking grasp)
Second Level: DC:16 (7/7 per day) (Acid Arrow, Scorching Ray, Glitterdust, Gust of Wind)
Third Level: DC:17 (3/6 per day) (Dispel Magic, Fireball, Flame Arrow, Lightning Bolt)
Fourth Level: DC:18 (4/5 per day) (Rigor Mortis, Summon Monster IV)
Thunder staff charges: 7/7 (extra d6 dam, 3 rnds ea.)
Shock rounds /4
Quick Runner’s Shirt Charge 1/1
Weapon equipped = +2, Veering Composite Long Bow
+13 or +11/+11 (fight+1, sorc +3, ElKn +3, WF, +1, dex +3 bow +2)
+13 or +11/+11 within 30' with +1 dam
Damage bump: +7 [+2 (bow) +1(str) +2 (feat ex pull) +2 (feat arcane weap)]
The willful violence of Ilthane finds no purchase, none, on the giant's frame. In return, the black dragon receives retribution that strikes far more than it misses.
Solrisa finds several choice points in Ilthane's body, puncturing deeply with her volley. One arrow finds its mark in the black dragon's eye.
Mortimer follows through, connecting several times in his flurry of blows, which brings the magical beast to her belly.
Ilthane is no more.
The hillside grows quiet, with none of the recent clashing.
After a time, your ears pick up on the sound of birdsong. It starts somewhat nearby, but your highly perceptive party is able to sense that the song is emanating further and further from you. Word is spreading- the dragon is dead.
"The Dragon takes you!" Solrisa cries as the evil dragon dies. She knows it was the Dragon that helped, that fought, that won the day.
*Then* she remembers the other thing...the sad thing.
She runs through the air to Tynan's body...hoping he is still alive.
"Tynan! Are you okay?!" Solrisa fumbles turn Tynan over and then looks for Ascaria.
"ASCARIA!!"
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (4/11h, +2), Status (4/11h; Mort, Sol), Bless (6/22m), Protection from Acid (6/18m, -45hp), Air Walk Communal (1/22m), Haste (4/??r), Prayer (3/11r), Blessings of Fervor (2/11r), Strength -3 (damage)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Eri, Edi, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (4/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (6/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (3/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (5/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (4/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
He shares a little more of Eri’s pain* before channelling to heal them both.
Ascaria looses more strength, and is visibly weakened by the affair. ”Let’s get some distance until this gas subsides!” he calls out as he moves to Tynan’s crumpled form.
He knows he’s dead, but still he drifts to see the truth of it. He hangs his head, ”We bested this beast, but not before she took one of us.”
He spends a little time with his thoughts.
Air Walk Communal
Bless
Blessing of Fervor
Prayer
Protection from Energy Communal
Eidi's body finally answers to the noxious gasses with a full resistance.
The half-elf flies to Tynan and tries to help with the dead one.
"There is little to do about it... Pharasma takes him in his travel..." he closes the man's eyes "He served well Diamond Lake and deserves a proper funeral as one of its greater heroes"
"But now... we have to fin Allustan before is too late and Tynan's sacrifice becomes in vane" the half-elf points towards the Crain's entrance.
Mortimer gently clears his throat.
"The Dragon takes you!"
Mortimer beams, and draws himself up to his full height.
Damn right. Mortimer glances at Solrisa out of the corner of his eye. Did she even see me flying over the rocky terrain back there?!"We bested this beast, but not before she took one of us.”
Mortimer looks over at what remains of Tynan. "He rode forth, was not afraid to die, nor to be killed in nasty ways. Brave, brave Tynan Swale."... Guess his wife should know. "There is no time for a proper burial. We should -- at some point through our next pass of Diamond Lake -- let his wife know how bravely he died." Mortimer looks over Tynan's body, for some valuable -- sentimental, otherwise or both -- personal token that he might be able to return to Tynan's wife. He then pauses for a moment in silence.
"Hurry! Let's find Allustan!" he says abruptly changing gears, heading for the Cairn entrance.
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (4/11h, +2), Status (4/11h; Mort, Sol), Bless (17/22m), Protection from Acid (17/18m, -45hp), Air Walk Communal (11/22m), Strength -1 (damage)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Eri, Edi, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (4/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (3/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (3/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (5/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (4/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
Ascaria nods, "Let us not let Tynan die in vain. Mort, would you please carry him inside the cairn? I don't want to leave him out in the open like this. We'll rest him inside until we can take him back. OK?"
As Mort carries Tynan, he stops a few moments and heals himself...
(down 1 str)
He anticipates needing to help Eri as well.
Once inside the cairn, he taps his headband summoning light to see.
"Mort, would you please carry him inside the cairn? I don't want to leave him out in the open like this. We'll rest him inside until we can take him back. OK?"
Mortimer looks at Ascaria, then back to the bulk of what's left of Tynan's body.
But... he's buzzard food, he doesn't care. He looks at Ascaria again. I guess it'll ease Canary's mind..."Of course, Canary." Mortimer pulls out a tarp and puts the pieces of Tynan's body onto it, and drags it all into the entrance of the Cairn
Solrisa nods somberly and takes Tynan's legs (aiding Mort) into her arms though her name isn't Mort, but she wants to do what she can for the man.
"Is there nothing you can do, Ascaria?" Solrisa asks.
When they get to the entrance of the cairn, Solrisa will find a cool, dry spot to keep Tynan while the party finds Allustan. She closes his eyes and puts him in a proper pose of repose. She offers Tynan a kiss on the cheek.
When they get to the entrance, Sol will stow her bow and attach her shield.
Before following the others into the Cairn, Mortimer spends a few quick moments kicking at the dead dragon's head, trying to loosen teeth. If he manages, he compares them to the one that he took off of Thedrick.
"Is there nothing you can do, Ascaria?" Solrisa asks.
Ascaria shakes his head sadly, "There's nothing I can do now, no. It may be that he can be raised, though it is an expensive process."
"We can pool our monies and make it happen though I'm sure." he holds out hope for he knows nothing is forever when magics may be brought to bear.
Eri rushes over to Tynan and impatiently, anxiously waits for Ascaria to complete his ministrations. please…please… As he watches Canary slowly and methodically going through the motions Eri’s vision begins to blur…please….
”We bested this beast, but not before she took one of us.”
Eri stands and cries. He gathers himself a moment, kneels down and touches Tynan’s forehead and waits for the heaving and sniffling to end.
"Let us not let Tynan die in vain. Mort, would you please carry him inside the cairn?”
Eri lets go, but follows close to Mort.
Once inside he takes up his bow and casts Gravity Bow (duration =9 minutes)
The Cairn's entrance brings the coolness of its shade, and the darkness that accompanies any cave-like structure.
Natural light dimly illuminates a long hallway extending north into darkness. A faint breeze brings with it sibilant whispers that sound almost like sighing breath. It must be a trick of the wind, but the effect is almost lifelike.
The walls bear horizontal bands of deceptively simple geometric patterns at waist level. In some places, the bands reveal startling detail, but in others the walls look as though they have been hacked apart with weapons or eroded by the rigors of time. Flakes of ancient paint, brilliant purple and a dull mustard hue, still cling to the walls in places, hinting at what must once have been a riot of color. A thin coat of dust coats the floor in spots.
Just inside, the hallway branches into shallow alcoves to the east and west. Here the walls bear the most significant damage. Dozens of clumsy etchings mar the beautiful ancient masonry like graffiti on a city wall. A clump of soiled cloth about the size of a halfling rests in the rounded terminus of the western alcove. Outside, the wind picks up, and a chorus of almost human sounds rises from the darkened hall.
As you head a little deeper into the Cairn's entry hall, you find the abandoned bedroll still sitting in its place, undisturbed. It is here that Solrisa lays Tynan's body to rest, for however long you consider.
Reacquainting yourselves with your surrounds, not much has changed. Allustan's presence is marked by a new set of footprints which now accompany those of the wolves. The second alcove on the left side of the main hallway still houses the strange, broken apparatus you've examined before, dark glass and all.
It brings you to reexamine the collapsed hallway, the second alcove along the right side of the main hallway, directly across from the strange apparatus.
This is new. The rubble has been cleared away, leaving a shoddy recreation of its brother alcoves. The walls of this passageway are scarred and dented, indicating that this whole area has been, until recently, collapsed. At the end of the tunnel stands a glossy black surface with a raised sphere in the center, like the boss in the center of a shield. The glossy black surface resembles a heavily lacquered door.
Eidi stands in front of Ilthane while Mortimer punishes the dragon's corpse. The half-elf looks at the fallen beast in revere "You old one who has seen the times of Aroden... How many human families have you seen to raise and fall in this country...? That thin is the line of life. Many deeds have been forgotten today..."
He heads in into the Cairn the last one and does not look back.
-------------------
Eidi examines the black surface in the door with interest "Do you think Allustan is at the other side?"
The elder picks up a stone and slowly touches the black surface letting it pass or fall.
Mortimer is easily able to dislodge as many of Ilthane's teeth as he pleases. She is missing none of hers, and none of them match the dragon tooth the giant currently possesses.
...
The black surface responds to Eidi's rocky disturbance much like gelatin responds to a spoon. A light resistance is felt.
This is a portal, if an ancient one. Portals usually have more transparency and light, some with crackling electricity, others with swirls of translucence color. This one enjoys a shrouded effect.
Ascaria feels comforted to be back underground, his mind still a whirlwind after the recent events.
When he sees the black portal he concentrates upon it.
Shrugging, he waits for word from Eidi or Eri as to it's nature, but he's pretty sure they're going to walk through it one way or another.
Eidi examines the black surface in the door with interest "Do you think Allustan is at the other side?"
"It appears the dragon was afraid to find out and so was here waiting for Allustan."
He peers at the blackness. "I think we must find out what's through here, but do we want to report to the town about the dragon first? There is much fear there, and feelings of hopelessness. They should know the truth, and can care for Tynan's body."
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"You old one... How many human families have you seen to raise and fall in this country..."
"Indeed," growls Mortimer, pulling out a horn or two. "You rended enough humans of your own in Diamond Lake, tore families apart. The people of the town shall have this then, so they can continue their lives with peace of mind."
He finishes butchering anything else of value or interest, and leaves Eidi to his thoughts as he heads into the Cairn.
~~~
A faint breeze brings with it sibilant whispers that sound almost like sighing breath. It must be a trick of the wind, but the effect is almost lifelike.
Mortimer smiles with fond memories. "Anyone else remember Alastor?"
At the risk of sounding like Sol reminiscing, Mortimer turns to the Elder Eidi and explains, "There was this ghost here, in up a corridor down a cave just off of the main -- er -- room nearest the entrance. We became friends, and then he disabled the iron ball trap for us -- and beyond all that was this grand hall full of extremely textured bas-reliefs about Air Dukes and evil things..."
He turns to the party. "Do you think Allustan managed to make it all the way over there? Let's find him!"
At the end of the tunnel stands a glossy black surface with a raised sphere in the center, like the boss in the center of a shield. The glossy black surface resembles a heavily lacquered door.
"I think we must find out what's through here, but do we want to report to the town about the dragon first? There is much fear there, and feelings of hopelessness. They should know the truth, and can care for Tynan's body."
"No!" Mortimer suppresses a bellow. "I have some of the Dragon to take back to the people of Diamond Lake. Ilthane referred to Allustan as a 'mouse' -- like some kind of plaything of hers. What if he's tied up and was being tortured?! We need to find him quickly! Hopefully, we won't have two bodies to take back!"
"Hey -- is that a door?"
"Do you think Allustan is at the other side?"
Mortimer stands clear back to give room to the Elder Half-Elf examine the thing, looking around the space.
Ascaria starts with a laugh.
"Of course! Let's do a quick check of the place to make sure Allustan isn't hiding in some cubby-hole, or trapped somewhere."
Ascaria makes ready to do a quick search of the place before either heading back to town or heading through the black...
"This is a portal. An ancient one I would tell" the half-elf examines how the stone affects the watery surface "But where it leads, I cannot tell"
"Alastor? That seems something interesting to try out Sir Mortimer" comments Eidi with a grin. He then makes his tunic up in order to more easily walk through the dungeon "Just behind you Maese Ascaria"
Solrisa will uncover her bluelight special shield if we need illumination.
Mortimer smiles with fond memories. "Anyone else remember Alastor?"
Solrisa shakes her head, her smile fading.
"You make it seem like he was a good spirit...but he was not. He was a liar, a toucher, and did not warn us of danger." Solrisa seems to have little like for the creature.
She is ready to continue forward, examining the old and new spaces and happy to return later if the portal is important.
"You make it seem like he was a good spirit...but he was not. He was a liar, a toucher, and did not warn us of danger."
"Oh, he was -- young. A bit of a treehouse boy, with the hazing ritual and all, but mostly O.K. And he's gone now, remember? We buried him, and in the end he did keep up his end of the bargain. What else do we remember? Shall we take Eidi and Eri up to see the bas-relief?"
He turns to Eidi and Eri. "Ascaria got a little woozy in that room -- there was this huge hole in the floor, looked like it went on forever."
He smacks himself in the forehead.
"OH! I almost forgot! There's that Clay Fellow somewhere beneath the main level!" He pauses for a second, lost in many memories.
"Let's look around and see if we can find any other traces of Allustan's comings and goings on this level. Maybe we can glean something from the bas-relief now, knowing what we now know."
Mortimer leads the way through the corridors back up through the Yawn, across Ball Hall up to the bas-relief room.
"Yes, we need to make sure Allustan is ok before we head back."
Ascaria, Mortimer, and Solrisa stride forward into the Whispering Cairn, leading Eri and Eidi on a nostalgic tour of the structure and its many levels.
The central hallway opens into a large chamber with wings leading to the east and west. Across the chamber to the north yawns a twenty-foot-wide open arch draped from top to bottom in translucent cobwebs. Hollow tubes in the walls allow for the passage of wind, the volume consistently strong.
Destroying the web, disturbing the work of hundreds of spiders, you take a wide stairway, which descends into an immense domed chamber. Seven short tunnels branch from the room in all directions, extending some thirty feet before ending in rounded walls. At the terminus of each passage, a thick chain dangles from an unseen high ceiling. All seven of the chains bear colorful lanterns.
Countless chips of glass and shiny metal inset into the chamber’s domed ceiling reflect this light, giving the impression of starlight and falling snow. The dome starts about ten feet off the ground and reaches an apex about thirty feet over the center of the room.
Below the dome’s peak, a long dais holds a marble sarcophagus. A milky white bas-relief figure, perhaps of a human, rests passively upon the sarcophagus lid. Although not as frequent, the whispers heard in this chamber have a distinct, lingual feel.
"Hopeless... sacrilege... enemies..."
The folks who know direct attention to two different descents to two levels below this level. A metal cylinder in the yellow lantern alcove ascends as soon as the central sarcophagus is rotated sufficiently. Its doors open, allowing the passage of a single individual to the floor below.
This floor brings memories of beetles, and of orange paste overpouring from its well. The end of the floor is still submerged in cold water, where once swam a ghoul. No trace of Allustan.
The second descent is more troublesome, as the green lantern alcove drops down through a damaged shaft to the floor 60' below. This floor brings a long, narrow hallway, which ends in a larger, colder room, where brown mold still sits quietly. The small workshop branching off the large room still houses a small earth elemental, which remains bound to the chamber. Artfanx, was it? It seems occupied with its own, stony distractions. No trace of Allustan.
The only ascent from the main colorful chamber can be made in the blue lantern alcove, where a chain rises to the ceiling, and allows all to find a narrow hallway which passes through a large stony yawning face, onto a narrow 3' wide beam of wood, which crosses a 50' long room. Below, countless iron spheres the size of large oranges.
Passing through the small door at the end of the beam brings you into an airy chamber, with a central column of air that continually swirls and rushes. The pit in this room is 60' deep, while the ceiling extends upwards 40'. No trace of Alastor, the ghost.
Accessing a small chamber through the central air column, and rising 40', lies the true tomb of Zosiel, minor Wind Duke.
The whooshing pillar of air dominates the northeast half of this rectangular room. Opposite the pillar and up a set of three short stairs rests a white marble sarcophagus. It's identical to the one in the room with the colored lanterns far below, complete with a sculpted humanoid figure carved into the top surface. It appears to be a seamless piece of marble. A beautifully carved bas-relief on the wall near the sarcophagus depicts the same figure as a bald, androgynous warrior wearing a simple ancient garment and wielding a mighty longsword. To the warrior’s left stands a cloaked demoniac figure with two long curved horns tipped in darkest red. The horned figure holds a device composed of a handle and small loop, seemingly using it to control a globe of absolute blackness about two feet in diameter. This globe touches the bald warrior, who raises his arms in surprise. The warrior is depicted as if fading from sight. A slim diadem upon his brow bears an elaborate ovular glyph identical to one carved upon an amulet worn by the figure on the sarcophagus lid.
Again, no trace of Allustan, though this wonderful bas-relief must surely have drawn the old wizard's curiosity. Perhaps a casting of magical flight and prestidigitation would be enough to leave the chamber as pristine as he found it?
Returning to the entrance of the Cairn, the group is left considering the black lacquer doorway, or returning to Diamond Lake with pronouncements of dragonslaying.
"Well, there's no trace of Allustan above this doorway, so maybe he's beyond it. Is there a key?" Mortimer points to the broken apparatus down the opposite corridor. "Or -- do we just, uh -- jump in? Why is it so ... dark?"
He touches the "boss" of the portal, and tries to use it like a doorknob. "How does it open?"
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (5/11h, +2), Status (5/11h; Mort, Sol), Strength -1 (damage)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Eri, Edi, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (4/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (6/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (3/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (5/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (3/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
Ascaria does in fact cast Air Walk Communal to get the group past the toughest hurdles and to speed things along in their hunt.
When in the room with speech, he translates. ”They’re saying ‘Hopeless... sacrilege... enemies…’, but I’m not sure if they’re talking about us. He shrugs and speaks, in Auran, back to the voices."
He assumes there is no response and moves along with the others back out of the chamber.
When they’re facing the black disk again, he smiles, ”OK, then let’s find Allustan, and return with him to the town. I suppose they can live in fear a little while longer if they must. Allustan might be in danger.”
He’s ready to go when Mort tries to open the door. He watches, and waits to see what happens.
The knowledge of the arcane casters would suggest that, as a portal, it's meant to be stepped through, either deliberately or unintentionally. As Mortimer tries the boss, he feels the cool resistance of the surface, and his hand finds no purchase as one would on a doorknob.
The time exploring the Cairn was no more than an hour, with Cayden's blessing of Air Walk.
Eidi observes with curiosity the old Crain on his promenade. The half-elf takes special attention at the Earth Elemental and the tomb of Zosiel. He tries to make sure any relevant detail does not pass unnoticed to the group.
Back at the entrance, Eidi takes his staff two handed. "I guess we just jump in" he says on Mortimer's back. Then, he suddenly starts to run surpassing the giant man and jumps over the dark portal manifestation.
Readied to face possible danger, Eidi immediately casts invisibility on himself at first sight of any immediate danger of creature nature.
Ascaria whistles as Eidi leaps into the black. ”Sleuth of Bears, but that man is bold!” He calls out to the others, ”OK then, shall we?” and he leaps in following the old man.
The contents of the Cairn are quite ancient, even for a wise old half-elf. Something rings true about the Wind Dukes of Aaqa, and their construction of protected tombs for the revered dead. The complexity of this complex doesn't confuse you, for the fake sarcophagus, and the real one.
Eidi runs directly at the black portal. For a moment, his form penetrates the door frame, moving forward, then his body twitches violently. He is stopped in his tracks.
As your eyes meet the blackness, they begin to see through the blackness, and to the form that stands in your way.
An abyssal ghoul! The portal maintains a creature of darkness, a medium chaotic evil undead.
The creature looks like it's waiting for you. Perhaps it was woken when Mortimer touched the surface of the door...
Eidi was just injured.
Round: 1, Initiative: 16
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (5/11h, +2), Status (5/11h; Mort, Sol), Strength -1 (damage), Blessings of Fervor (1/11r)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Eri, Edi, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (4/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (6/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (3/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (4/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (3/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
Ascaria blunders into Eidi’s back and exclaims, ”Someone just hit Eidi!” as welts form on his body.*
Unsure of what the party may face, he starts with the big guns, casting Blessing of Fervor on the party.
Solrisa jumps at Ascaria's alarm, her voice overcome by the wonderful silence of the tomb.
At sight of the creature, Eidi tries to quickly remember what kind of weapon is necessary to destroy it. The old sage also attempts to think how is the disease it transmits and how to cure it.
"Ouch!" shouts Eidi in pain as something sends him back to the side of the black portal from where he jumped.
The creature is vulnerable to even the most mundane weaponry, and its claws, all four of them, can transmit its abyssal disease, which will sap Constitution. A Cure Disease will do nicely.
Round 1, Init 13
Solrisa draws her sword and readies to attack a foe that comes within reach (with lunge as necessary).
"Oh no! Where is it?"
to hit; (-PA)
magic damage.
AC=27 (+10 armor +1 dex +1 NA +2 def + 1 dodge) +4 (shield) = 31 +2 BoF
HP= 92/92
Right hand = long sword
Left hand =shield
LoH 0/8 used (5d6+1d6)
Quick Shirt 0/1 used
Wand of Barkskin (44/50 left)
The Dragon Invoked 1/4 used
Breath of the Dragon 0/2 used
Nice Booties 0/3 used
[ dice]1d20+18-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+6+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+13-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA,)
[ dice]1d10+6+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+8-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA,)
[ dice]1d10+6+6[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+18-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+18-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+8-3[/dice] to hit; (-PA)
[ dice]1d10+8+9[/dice] magic damage.
Eri GMPC renews his Gravity Bow, expecting something to emerge at any moment.
The portal reaches out to Eidi, who stands before its black surface. Violently so.
The ghoul's grapple brings you into contact with the glossy plane of the portal, allowing you to see it, where moments before, you could not.
The half-elf remains conscious, at least, albeit grappled by an unknown entity beyond the plane of the portal.
Eidi runs directly at the black portal. For a moment, his form penetrates the door frame, moving forward, then his body twitches violently. He is stopped in his tracks.
"Ouch!"
Mortimer raises an eyebrow.
"Allustan?! Is that you? This is a friend! It's me -- Mort -- Let him go!"
[for Grappled Condition]
Mortimer launches himself at It.
The giant lunges at the portal, blind to the unseen It beyond the surface of the portal.
Mortimer gains an understanding of where his target lies, but fails to grapple.
When you touch the portal, you see something very much like the swimming ghoul in the submerged part of the floor accessed by the yellow lantern alcove cylinder. It flashes its gaze on you, before returning its attention to the poor half-elf in its claws.
Round 2, Init 20 AC: 21
Looking at Eidi’s plight:
ouch!
He addresses the portal:
Let him go!
Eri casts Grease on Eidi’s clothes after taking a 5’ step back.
AC 15 or 19 [dex +3, amu +2, m. armor +4]
CMD 20
BAB +7
Defensive casting concentration check = +17 (@9th)
Spell Penetration= +13 (@9th) [feats: spell pen and greater spell pen]
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
b]Orisons[/b] DC:14(Acid Splash, Create Water, Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Mage Hand, Spark, Message, Prestidigitation, Read Magic)
First Level: DC:15 (4/7 per day 4/4 stones) (Burning Disarm, Feather Fall, Grease. Gravity Bow, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, shocking grasp)
Second Level: DC:16 (7/7 per day) (Acid Arrow, Scorching Ray, Glitterdust, Gust of Wind)
Third Level: DC:17 (3/6 per day) (Dispel Magic, Fireball, Flame Arrow, Lightning Bolt)
Fourth Level: DC:18 (4/5 per day) (Rigor Mortis, Summon Monster IV)
Thunder staff charges: 7/7 (extra d6 dam, 3 rnds ea.)
Shock rounds /4
Quick Runner’s Shirt Charge 1/1
Weapon equipped = +2, Veering Composite Long Bow
+13 or +11/+11 (fight+1, sorc +3, ElKn +3, WF, +1, dex +3 bow +2)
+13 or +11/+11 within 30' with +1 dam
Damage bump: +7 [+2 (bow) +1(str) +2 (feat ex pull) +2 (feat arcane weap)]
Round: 2, Initiative: 16
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (5/11h, +2), Status (5/11h; Mort, Sol), Strength -1 (damage), Blessings of Fervor (2/11r)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Eri, Edi, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (4/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (6/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (3/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (3/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (3/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
Ascaria absorbed a little more of Eidi’s pain*.
Unsure what to do against what they face, he gets out of Sol’s way, and heals Eidi some of his injuries.
Unable to see his enemy Eidi receives claw after claw, his chest bleeding. Despite the terrible pain, the half-elf just clenches his teeth and supports the punishment.
Mortimer springs an idea on the elder's head. When he is grappled by the creature he tries to look at it Might this have been Allustan in another life?
Eidi keeps supporting the damage as good as he can.
"This is a ghast! And odd one!" he shouts without knowing if others will be able to hear.
Trying to think into a way to solve the situation, he suddenly feels the greasing coating over his tunic, and he does now what he needs to do. The Theurge shrinks his arms and attempts to escape the close up with the creature.
Eidi moves as far away from the portal as possible.
"Whoa! Sol! Everyone! It looks kind of like that Ghoul we fought under the water downstairs, only it seems more alive, or rather, undead, or something!"
The combined effort of the giant attempting to grapple back, the archer turning the half-elf lubricious, and the half-elf trying his best to wrest himself from the clutches of what must be a ghoul beyond the portal is not enough.
The half-elf calls out, audible to everyone. "This is a ghast! An odd one!"
Eidi remains grappled from beyond, although he is still free to continue struggling against this strange foe...