GM SpiderBeard's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Should we kill the hatchlings before they become dangerous? Dejik whispers, Or will that alert the others?

She draws the wand of Protection from Evil and quietly casts it on Jinxx (+2 resistance bonus on saves and +2 deflection bonus vs evil creatures for 1 minute), then nods to indicate she's ready. (She'll hit Aravashniel or Ronan next--whichever one of them has no resistance bonus at all--as they're moving along.)

Also, Dejik can use Mythic Spell ability to cast Silence if necessary. If the swarms appear, she can try to cast it on Sarkast or Jinxx, whichever of them would want it. (Obviously, the casters don't want it on them, but they can move in and out of the area as necessary. Nilus, do you do any in-combat spells?)

Not usually no. I'll cast Grace to move into combat sometimes. I also have Liberating Command as a help to keep casters out of trouble with Grapples.

"The spell of silence might save us if the swarms overtake us, and I am happy to be the center point if it is useful."

Sarkast gives Nilus the stealth elixir. Once the group is settled on the ground, he begins checking the nearby tunnels.

Doing the usual scout routine: Take 10 for 22 Stealth and 23 Perception, checking around each of the corners before the party starts to move.

Sarkast investigates each of the tunnels. Everything seems to lead eastwards towards an enormous central hall. Thankfully the hive does not seem that complicated. The stealthy rogue manages to go without rousing any of the swarm.

Some more of the map is revealed.

Satisfied that the way is clear, Sarkast waves for the others to slowly advance along the cave wall.

Moving forward along the top (north?) wall to the next unexplored area.

When the others tell her it's clear (since she can't see Sarkast's gesture), Dejik carefully moves into the next chamber. She'll try to position herself where she can see Sarkast and the rest of the party.

I'm assuming we can't take 20 on Stealth here. If that's true...
Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Ronan casts Mage armor on Jinxx and moves into the next chamber.

Jinxx moves up near Sarkast

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

[dice= "Stealth"] 1d20-6+5 [/dice] Notice the Stealth in quotations....

Nilus moves up, Radiance in hand

Nilus, did you drink the potion? It's +10 for a full hour.

stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Ayesha moved quietly behind Sarkast, her bangles wrapped quietly in one of her shawls. She held her scimitar at the ready, scanning the tunnels and looking for any signs of danger.

Ok add 5 to my stealth check then...

The group slowly creeps their way through towards the east. The vescavors are horrifying to look upon, nightmarish insects with brutal teeth and a constant murmur that makes it very hard to concentrate. Still, they manage to remain quiet and fail to attract any significant noise. Creeping along, they come to a massive open cavern.

I'll require stealth checks from everyone again.

Continue to take 10 for 22 Stealth and 23 Perception.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

If it's been more than one minute, Dejik recasts Protection from Evil on Jinxx.

Stealth check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Oof.

[dice= "Stealth"] 1d20-6+10[/dice]

Nilus manages to be catlike!

stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Ayesha continued to follow Sarkast, though at a much slower pace. Stealth wasn't exactly her strong suit, but with care and patience she was able to fake it really well.

The group very carefully makes their way through the cavern, but unfortunately Dejik manages to step directly on a vescavor hatchling! It lets out a weird squeal, and suddenly a hideous, deranged gibbering sound begins to fill the cavern. Looking up, two swarm descend through the holes in the ceiling, ready to destroy the intruders!

The northernmost swarm flies down towards the floor and starts buzzing towards the group!

Ayesha, Jinxx, Ronan, and Sarkast are up! Remember these are swarm rules. Weapons and single-target spells will not work. Grey swarm is at ground level. Red swarm is 40' in the air.

"I will stop the swarm nearest to the ground."

With that Ronan calls upon a wall of wind to enclose the swarm.

Using 1 mythic power to use Wild Arcana to cast Wind Wall around grey swarm. This wall is all the way around the swarm and straight up. If the swarm tried to cross it the swarm is thrown straight up

please feel free to change the look of the Wind Wall on the map

lightning bolt: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 4, 1, 6, 4, 4) = 28 * 1.5

Ayesha moved to the side and called on her new powers to send forth a lightning bolt that blasted through the nearest vescavore swarm, angled upward to attempt to hit the other as well.

Ronan and Ayesha burst into action as Ronan chants to create a cylinder of roaring wind. The vescavor swarm trapped within gibbers noisily but is unable to pass through as the insectoid demons inside as flung upwards. Ayesha then rushes along the ground, rubbing a small glass wad against a bit of fur.

CRACK

A bolt of lightning flies from her fingertips, scorching both swarms!

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Ayesha can you give me the reasoning behind the 8d6 damage and the 1.5 multiplier? Sarkast and Nilus are up!

If she's using Inspired Spell, it casts at 2 levels higher. And most swarms are vulnerable to area effect spells, which would be the 1.5x damage. (Not sure if that second one applies to this swarm in particular.

Using my mythic Wild Arcana to cast the spell gives me a +2 CL to any effect that relies on CL. Swarm traits say 50% more damage on spells that affect an area (lightning bolt is a line template)

Sarkast drops his spear to the ground and pulls his one flask of liquid fire from his pack. He steps up behind Aravashnial and prepares to throw it.

Free to drop spear, move to draw Alchemist's Fire. 5' Step then ready to throw the flask whenever a swarm gets within 20' so that he only takes a single range increment penalty. Off hand still has the returning dagger.

Thanks Ayesha and Dejik!

Nilus doesn't have anything to do against a swarm...so he prepares to defend Aravashnial and the others the best he can.

Grinning wildly, Aravashnial reaches into his pouch and produces a tiny brown ball. He chants, blows into his hands, and a ball of fire appears in his hands before he flings it down the hall.

WHOOOSH

The party feels heat on their faces as the ball of fire explodes, enveloping both swarms and stopping just short of the group!

Fireball: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 6, 5, 1) = 18
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

To his dismay, many of the vescavors remain, if horribly singed. While one vescavor swarm remains trapped by Ronan's wind wall, the other swarms in, enveloping the party! Deranged, horrible gibbering, the sound of pure madness fills the ears of the group, nothing gets out.

You feel your minds being eaten. Horrible, red-eyed insects crawl all over you, biting and stinging as they sing.

Swarm: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
Aravashnial's Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Everybody but Ayesha must make DC 15 will saves or be confused! Protection from evil applies. So you get +2 and a reroll. Nilus, Jinxx, Dejik, and Ronan take 7 damage and that includes your equipment!

Will save, +2 vs insanity/confusion (medal of clarity): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 = 33

Does Dejik get a round 1 action before the red swarm moves? I think she should have gone after Aravashniel. If Dejik doesn't get to go before the swarm, she'll absorb 5 points of damage each from Nilus and Ronan.

As the swarm approaches, Dejik calls on her goddess. A radiant burst of energy erupts from her holy symbol and explodes in the center of the swarm.

Dejik spends one Mythic point to cast Burst of Radiance, targeting where she doesn't catch any of the group in the area. (She also try to catch as many random hatchlings in the area as she can.)
Creatures in the area need a DC 16 saving throw or be blinded; passing the saving throw makes them dazzled instead.
All evil creature in the area take 5d4 points of damage, no saving throw. The evocation type is "Good, Light".

Burst of Radiance: 5d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 4, 2) = 15 (x 1.5 for area effect)

Whoops! Of course Dejik gets her action, so in that case, nobody is damaged.

As the swarm moves in on the group, Dejik grasps her holy symbol and chants out to her goddess. A burst of white light flies out, annihilating the swarm entirely!

The swarm trapped in Ronan's wind wall gibbers and buzzes angrily, unable to move.

End of Combat

Nilus nods to Aravashnial, Dejik and Ayesha We are truly blessed to have your skills. Let us find the Queen so that we can end this

Arvashnial looks at the vescavors trapped in Ronan's wind wall.

"Those creatures will get out, the spell will only last for a moment more. Allow me."

The conjurer boldly stalks over to the wind wall, and the vescavor swarm descends to ground level, gibbering madly. Aravashnial then hooks his thumbs, splays his fingers, and chants. Fire sweeps out, burning the swarm. Although they avoid much of the flames, it is still enough to kill the vast majority of the vescavors. The rest separate, floating about listlessly.

Burning Hands: 6d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 1, 3, 3) = 14
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

He turns to the party. "We must move, now. More will come if we tarry."

Sarkast nods at Aravashnial and moves to the next intersection to peer in.

Usual scouting routine.

Remembering that she promised to protect the wizard, Dejik takes a standard action to switch her life link from Nilus to Aravashniel.
Oops--forgot to do that earlier.

(Whispers)Is stealth still valuable at this point? Or would speed be better?

If we don't care about stealth, we could move at full speed. Or do we want to cast Silence and run quietly?

"Go quietly. They'll send more vescavors to this location and we'll have the entire swarm on us. If we move off quietly, it'll be harder for them to locate us in the hive."

Stealth checks required once more!

[dice= "Stealth"] 1d20-6+10[/dice]

Nilus creeps forward

stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Taking the time to recover both her wits and to soothe her sword's, Ayesha gathered her shawls and stealthily walked behind Sarkast once more.

I think I may be getting the hang of this.

Dejik whispers a prayer before trying to carefully make her way through hive behind Sarkast.

Stealth, Guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
Mythic surge: 1d6 ⇒ 6

20 total.

Take 10 for 22 Stealth.

Aravashnial casts a spell and becomes invisible as he moves along with the group. Everybody continues to head eastwards, through a few tunnels and away from where the swarm targeted them. The hall then opens up into the hatchery.

Multiple passageways within the walls and ceiling provide access to a large cavern. Its resin-encrusted surfaces gleam with slick layers of translucent slime, reflecting a pulsating purple glow from the southeast tunnel.

In the centre of this room is an enormous, hideous vescavor. Appearing as an amalgam of frightening vermin, it is a sight to behold with insectile wings and a bloated body. It has a black carapace, and a sheen reminiscent of watery oil. Sharp teeh drip with acid.

As Nilus peeks his head into the tunnel, a slight creaking sounds from his armour. Although not enough to rouse the swarm itself, the enormous vescavor, obviously the queen, is roused! A similar mad gibbering but deeper, and lower, begins to fill the room as the queen rises to attack before the group can prepare!

Sarkast, Ayesha, and Nilus are up!

Seeing the queen start to move, Sarkast utters a prayer and runs in, magic dagger in one hand and spear in the other. "Desna, lend me speed!"

Spend a ki point for +10' movement. Move action to get 40' closer. Swift action to spend a Mythic point for Fleet charge to move another 40', getting behind the queen and making a free attack at +1 that automatically bypasses all non-mythic DR. Standard action to attack again. I am assuming the queen is flat-footed since we act before her.

Fleet charge attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13
damage, +1 dagger: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4Sneak attack: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) = 8

regular attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage, cold iron spear: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8Sneak attack: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) = 8

Wow, I hope her flat footed AC is REALLY low ...

Ayesha rushed up to the hive queen, providing a distraction for Sarkast's attacks.

Nilus moves forward, Radiance held high in an offensive position.

GM, I plan to use Mythic Points to negate 5HP worth of damage if hit...I think we might need it.

For further notice, if you come within 15' of the vescavor queen you must make a DC will save or be confused.

Sarkast rushes in, a blur as he moves on the enormous, horrid insectoid demon. However, her hard carapace easily turns aside his attacks, despite the effort he has put into them. Ayesha and Nilus both move in, positioning themselves! However, the horrid gibbering which came from the swarms emerges from the queen, more potent than ever.

Rearing up at Nilus, the vescavor queen lets forth a spew of vile acid!

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 5, 2, 1) = 14

A buzzing sound is heard in the distance. More swarms are arriving.

Ayesha, Sarkast, and Nilus require DC 20 will saves vs compulsion. Nilus takes 14 damage, not a major hit so I won't automatically deduct the mythic point.

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Nilus is confused 1d100 ⇒ 65

Nilus strikes himself for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Nilus gallantly charges in but his eyes go wide as the queen's gibbering seems to get to him. He shrieks, slamming his head with radiance.

will, Ayesha: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 19 (acting normally)

The gibbering in her head sent Ayesha into a state of confusion. It was only exacerbated by the frantic warnings of Darb N'ssiar, as the scimitar tried to mitigate the worst of the mental damage. In frustration, she focused her anger on the vecavor queen. She added a bit of the spite she was feeling to the black blade, then spun into a series of whirling attacks.

Swift to use mythic arcane strike, adding bane (outsider +2/+2d6)
attack, bane, flank: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 28
damage, mythic arcane strike, bane: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 2 + (1, 3) = 19

Sorry, mistiming on my part. Either way you can all go now. :D

Ayesha rushes in, stumbling a little but she manages to fight through the confusion and strikes a nasty blow, spraying black ichor onto the floor.

Everyone within 15' must make another DC 20 wills ave. If you have made your save before, you are immune to the effect. Everyone is up!