I'm not too familiar with hordes. They are like swarms, right? Can I roll my Kn. Local for info on how to fight them?
Troop Answer:
For the most part they are like swarms. With a few key differences. The area occupied by a troop is completely shapeable, though the troop must remain in contiguous squares. A troop can move through squares occupied by enemies and vice versa without impediment, although the troop provokes an attack of opportunity if it does so. A troop can move through any area large enough for its component creatures. A troop is not subject to flanking, but it is subject to critical hits and sneak attacks if its component creatures are subject to such attacks.
Because of the chaos of combat, spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of a troop or within its reach requires a successful caster level check (DC = 20 + spell level).
@Xiaobo- More like a re-skinned black tentacles.
@Jezebel- roughly 10 feet in some spots.
Kaab flies towards the pillar and finds it to be extremely dangerous. It seems to detect nearby undead able to pulse out negative energy to heal undead and harm the living simultaneously.
You may succeed at a Knowledge (arcana, planes, or religion) to delay the negative energy wave by 1 round. Though you have to be adjacent to the monolith and use a standard action.
Likewise you may also attempt a more difficult Knowledge (arcana, planes, or religion) to reconfigure the monolith to release an equally powerful burst of positive energy instead
Lastly you can just straight smash the monolith to disable it.
Xiaobo leaps in next to the monolith and gets utterly confused by the arcane runes.
Amenopheous skids to a halt at the edge of the grasping hands. "The Sages will hold back what they can. We need to get in there and stop this madness." From behind, within the wall of sand it sounds as if the remaining Sages wage their own battle.
He wades into the skeletal clutches as they quickly wrap tightly around his ankles. "There are more than I imagined. Take heed!"
Jezebel seems to walk on the air itself as she scales the sky like steps on a set of stairs.
Another creature emerges from the south. The bones and skulls of countless smaller creatures dribble from the joints and rib cage of this massive skeleton.
Notes- Visibility is only 30 feet
Active Party Buffs
Flagbearer - +2 morale bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls.
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 2 rounds remain
Male LG Tengu Monk (Master of Many Styles, Hungry Ghost Monk)/Kineticist 2 (Ascetic) | HP 56/71 | AC 40 T 36 FF 22 | CMB +15/5, CMD 31 | F: +13, R: +20, W: +14 | Init: +8 | Perc: +20, SM: +7 | Speed 50ft | Ki Points 8/10 | Active conditions: Snapping Turtle Style, Defensive Strategist, Barkskin
Well, there are a lot of them, but I guess I can still hit them until they fall, right? Al'Aokara thinks while be begins his flurry.
Free action to change wildcard feat to Crane Riposte, followed by a full-attack defensively.
"Should I just focus on taking as many down as a I can!?" he yells to the sages.
HP: 26/40 (5 Con Dmg) | AC 34 | T 10 | FF 34 | Fort +6* | Ref +6 | Will +4 | CMD 22 (26-Trip) | Acrobatics +9 | Climb +8 | Perception +9 | Survival +5 | Swim +16
Steelmask urges A'Tuin towards the pillar, but then Kaab yells out that the pillar is going to erupt with a powerful blast of negative energy. Knowing his own fragility against negative energy, Steelmask has A'Tuin turn towards the nearest wall to block the wave of energy, but not before giving a shout of encouragement. "Take care of the pillar so I can help!" he yells out the directions as he sounds off after with the Horn of Three Reasons to Live.
IC for another three rounds before moving behind a wall, blocking Flagbearer from the group. Only IC is available for most of the party.
Steelmask hides behind one of the walls as Al'Aokara leaps on top of the wall avoiding the grasping hands below. Bony hands seeking living flesh.
The group watches in horror as the slathering moans and cries from the sand produces dozens of ghasts pour over each other like a wave of undead flesh pouring over the sea of sand.
As the ghasts get within 30 feet of the monolith the runes erupt in a bright blue light and a nauseating wave of negative energy washes over everyone but Steelmask and A'Tuin.
Negative Energy Damage:6d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 3, 3, 1, 6) = 19DC 20 Will save for half.
Anyone within 10 feet of the ghasts also needs to make a DC 18 Fort save vs Stench or become sickened for 1d6+4 rounds.
Notes- Visibility is only 30 feet
Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 3 rounds remain
Female N very pale holy person of some sort | 23/63HP, 0 NL | AC22 T12 FF21 CMD20 | F12 R9 W17 | INI2 PRCPTN5 | neg variant channel 35' Confusion (DC22) or Cmd Undead (DC27)
Jezebel runs another 30 feet forward and 5 feet up through the air, trying to stay just out of reach of the hordes. She grins and raises her chin so as to better display the tattoos on her neck and murmurs, "Lord of the Dark Desert, I see some new pets. Make them mine!" A 35' wave of negative energy bursts forth from her tattoos.
Command Undead on the hordes, DC 27 WILL or I take command of up to 20 HD of undead. If I fail to take command of either horde I'll use my ring's power to channel again as a swift action. NOTE: I'm assuming the hordes are 20' high. Basically, I want to stay just out of their reach, but close enough that they're in my channel's burst radius.
Female N very pale holy person of some sort | 23/63HP, 0 NL | AC22 T12 FF21 CMD20 | F12 R9 W17 | INI2 PRCPTN5 | neg variant channel 35' Confusion (DC22) or Cmd Undead (DC27)
We never decided on the 3000 gold worth of potions, fully charged wands, and scrolls Torch gave us, correct? How about a scroll of Breath of Life (1125 gp) that I can put in a spring loaded wrist sheathe in case any of you go down, and a scroll of Harm (1650 gp) that Kaâb could use on me if I'm in HP trouble? That would leave 225 gp unspent.
Correct, just choose as you need them. though Torch has to be chosen during that combat if used during a combat situation.
Red Reflex DC 20:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 Yellow Reflex DC 20:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Kaab looses a fireball into the undead midst as Xiaobo attempts to ponder the runes further. Though the process only confuses him even more.
Amenopheous concentrates on a spell as he vanishes and reappears just on the far side of the grasping skeletal clutches. He reappears next to Steelmask. "They are being overwhelmed in there!"
Jezebel flies ever closer and sends a wave of her own energy into the horde of undead.
Red Will save DC 27; channel resistance:1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20 Yellow Will save DC 27; channel resistance:1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18
Both troops of ghasts stop in their place as they fall underneath the thrall of a necromancer.
The huge undead mass of bones floats on the air as it crawls along the swirling vortex of sand. The bones chatter in a terrifying manner as the glowering mass focuses on Jezebel.
As the undead behemoth moves within range Jezebel begins to feel a hunger she hasn't felt in quite some time.
@Jezebel- DC 24 Fortitude save or be fatigued and succumb to the supernatural starvation, taking 2d6 points of nonlethal damage at the end of its turn each round.
Anyone that comes within 60 feet of the huge undead needs to make the same save.
The grasping hands claw and reach for Xiaobo and Al'Aokara's ankles.
Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 3 rounds remain
Male LG Tengu Monk (Master of Many Styles, Hungry Ghost Monk)/Kineticist 2 (Ascetic) | HP 56/71 | AC 40 T 36 FF 22 | CMB +15/5, CMD 31 | F: +13, R: +20, W: +14 | Init: +8 | Perc: +20, SM: +7 | Speed 50ft | Ki Points 8/10 | Active conditions: Snapping Turtle Style, Defensive Strategist, Barkskin
I forgot to take the AC/CMD boost out of my tagline, so it it was only vs DC 31, but they still don't succeed. Also, can they reach me up on the structure?
Unable to see much beyond the currently halted undead horde, Al'Aokara jumps to the other side of the structure. "Looks like we got the big horde covered, are there an more enemies out there that you need me to deal with?"
Use the crossed out AC and CMD numbers currently since I'm not fighting defensively
Fort save, DC 24:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
non-lethal damage:2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12"And why do I suddenly feel SO hungry!?"
Female N very pale holy person of some sort | 23/63HP, 0 NL | AC22 T12 FF21 CMD20 | F12 R9 W17 | INI2 PRCPTN5 | neg variant channel 35' Confusion (DC22) or Cmd Undead (DC27)
Jezebel yells, free action"I've taken command of both hordes! I'll send them against whatever is making that terrible chattering noise! Also, when's dinner?! I'm starving!
HP: 26/40 (5 Con Dmg) | AC 34 | T 10 | FF 34 | Fort +6* | Ref +6 | Will +4 | CMD 22 (26-Trip) | Acrobatics +9 | Climb +8 | Perception +9 | Survival +5 | Swim +16
Trying to avoid the myriad of hands rising from the ground, Steelmask urges A'Tuin around the offending sand. "I shall flank with the beast!" he cries as A'Tuin shuffles quickly across the ground.
Run action by A'Tuin - AC 34 (still, there is no Dex bonus for A'Tuin)
A'Tuin and Steelmask rush through the sand and pillars as they attempt to flank into the strange creature. Just as he enters both Steelmask and A'Tuin feel an overwhelming hunger.
@Steelmask and A'Tuin- DC 24 Fortitude save or be fatigued and succumb to the supernatural starvation, taking 2d6 points of nonlethal damage at the end of its turn each round.
Al'Aokara leaps to the next structure, surveying the strange battlefield as the pains of hunger also take over his body.
@Kaab- Where are you centering your fireball. Keep in mind you can only see out 30 feet and now Jezebel has control of the horde of ghasts making them friendly as well for concerning Pvp elements. With you only being able to see out 30 feet, depending where you center the fireball it may strike you as well.
Xiaobo begins to feel out the monolith a bit more. He turns a ring on the base and the negative energy drains a small amount before beginning to charge up again. Pushed off the pulse by a single round.
Amenopheous swings around the pillar to close in on the bony mass. "Distract it. I will try to get a good angle for my spells."
Still need Fort save from Jezebel for Starvation aura.
Notes- Visibility is only 30 feet
Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 3 rounds remain
Round 4
Steelmask - Fort save against starvation aura
Al'Aokara (12 NL)
------------------------------
Hordes (Red -19)(Yellow -40)- Both command undead
Monolith (Rnd 7)
------------------------------
Kaab (75/84; fly 20 feet up)
Xiaobo (53/72)
Amenopheous (-14; grappled)
Jezebel- freedom of movement; airwalk 30 feet up. - Fort save against starvation aura
-------------------------------
Undead (Airwalk 10 feet up.)
Grasping Hands
-------------------------------
HP: 26/40 (5 Con Dmg) | AC 34 | T 10 | FF 34 | Fort +6* | Ref +6 | Will +4 | CMD 22 (26-Trip) | Acrobatics +9 | Climb +8 | Perception +9 | Survival +5 | Swim +16
Fortitude Save - Steelmask | DC 24:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22Failed. Fortitude Save - A'Tuin | DC 24:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9Failed.
@GM:
Since Steelmask had no actions to take and he became fatigued mid-turn, can he use Reville to remove the fatigue status? This will give A'Tuin and Steelmask a redo with +3 to their saves. If so...
Fortitude Save - Steelmask | DC 24:1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 3 = 16Failed. Fortitude Save - A'Tuin | DC 24:1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 3 = 18Failed.
Female N very pale holy person of some sort | 23/63HP, 0 NL | AC22 T12 FF21 CMD20 | F12 R9 W17 | INI2 PRCPTN5 | neg variant channel 35' Confusion (DC22) or Cmd Undead (DC27)
Jezebel runs through the air towards the chattering noise, descending 15 feet
now 15' above the ground to take cover behind the horde and trying to get a look at whatever's making the sound. As it comes in view through the swirling sandstorm she yells, Pets! Destroy that big, chattery ... thing over there by you! She then casts boneshatter on the creature. It should affect the undead creature even though it allows a FORT save, as it can also affect objects as written; DC22 FORT for half of boneshatter:10d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 1, 2, 2, 6, 3, 2, 4, 1) = 29 (+50% as it appears to be made of bone).
@Kaab- Moved you next to the monolith as you need to be adjacent.
Kaab tries to help with the monolith but isn't able to make any headway as the runes constantly shift. Jezebel floats down to the beast and it's bones begin to shake and vibrate.
Fort Save DC 22:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
The undead behemoth walks on the swirling sands up past Jezebel. The bones form into jaws and breathes bone shards over everyone below.
@Xiaobo and Kaab- DC 24 Fortitude save or be fatigued and succumb to the supernatural starvation, taking 2d6 points of nonlethal damage at the end of its turn each round.
*****
Notes- Visibility is only 30 feet
Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 3 rounds remain
Steelmask will be out until tomorrow, though he messaged botting instructions.
Steelmask tries to see where he is able to help, though all he hears are screams of pain coming from further inside the storm. This hungery and tired, he knows the others must be hurting as well and he drives A'tuin to the edges of the grasping hands. He blows into his horn, letting out a reveille, that seems to bolster and embolden his battle hardened friends.
@Jezebel, Kaab and Al'Aokara- You get a new DC 24 Fort saving throw against the Starvation Aura with an additional +3 mod. Though unfortunately it will only affect the Fatigue as the starvation itself is a supernatural effect. Even after leaving the area or slaying the gashadokuro, an affected creature continues to starve and cannot heal from the nonlethal damage dealt by this ability until it consumes food.
Al'Aokara dodges the bone shrapnel completely. Running along the wall, he slams his fist into the bones.
Al'Aokara Starvation NL:2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Kaab works at the monolith, but the pair is making little heady way as it is nearing it's cycle of erupting. Something will need to be done to disable this monolith rather than delaying it.
@Kaab- I believe you get a reroll with a +4 mod.
Amenopheous joins Steelmask. "Put everything you have into that monstrosity! That is a Gashadokuro. Use Bludgeoning weapons and keep your sidtance as it will eat all life around it!"You know of the breath and starvation aura.
A wave of magical missiles leap from Amenopheous hands and batter the undead. "Everyone get clear so I can burn it down with lightning!"Or Fireballs if Jezebel approves.
@Jezebel- Undead have airwalk in this encounter.
Jezebel takes the full brunt of the bone shards as her own skin rips open, precious drops of unholy blood drip and litter the ground which only seems to cause the hands below to stir further. Grasping for any sort of life.
*****
Notes- Visibility is only 30 feet
Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 3 rounds remain
Female N very pale holy person of some sort | 23/63HP, 0 NL | AC22 T12 FF21 CMD20 | F12 R9 W17 | INI2 PRCPTN5 | neg variant channel 35' Confusion (DC22) or Cmd Undead (DC27)
Jezebel, feeling extremely weak and near collapse, quickly swift action, so doesn't provoke casts grace, then runs move action 30' away and 15' down to take cover behind the low wall. She then calls out, "Lord of the Dark Desert, replenish me," and spontaneously converts a prepared spell standard action into inflict critical wounds, healing herself. inflict critical wounds:4d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 6, 3, 8) + 10 = 35
Pets, move up to and destroy that...Gasha...dough...whatever that wizard called it; that huge creature near you! And only that one! And position yourselves so that a bolt of lightning can pass through it without hitting you!@GM I moved the hordes so Amenopheus can shoot the Gashadokuro with a lightning bolt. Also, did they damage it last round?
new save against fatigueFORT vs DC24:1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 3 = 30
Kaab's growling stomache eating way at itself as Jezebel escapes. Hiding behind the wall she tends to her gaping wounds. As her feet touch the ground skeletal hands reach for her.
With Steelmask's encouraging horn she no longer feels fatigued. The NL Starvation remains though and NL damage from it is not healed through magical means.
@Jezebel- They did not damage it last round as it was flying above them. Breath rounds:1d4 ⇒ 3
Jezebel NL Starvation:2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
The slathering ghasts circle through the air as they swarm their prey.
The undead cuts down a large swathe of the ghasts though they still remain, relentlessly following their new masters orders.
*****
Notes- Visibility is only 30 feet
Active Party Buffs
Inspire Courage - +3 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +3 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.- 3 rounds remain
Female N very pale holy person of some sort | 23/63HP, 0 NL | AC22 T12 FF21 CMD20 | F12 R9 W17 | INI2 PRCPTN5 | neg variant channel 35' Confusion (DC22) or Cmd Undead (DC27)
@GM, I ordered the troops to attack in character last turn but I didn't know if you preferred to move them or me, so I didn't move them onto the Gashadokuro. Also, I have Freedom of Movement so the grasping hands shouldn't have done anything to me unless I'm missing something.
@GM If I understand the ability of the undead creature, I need to make a save at the end of each turn, right? Fortitude DC24:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
HP: 26/40 (5 Con Dmg) | AC 34 | T 10 | FF 34 | Fort +6* | Ref +6 | Will +4 | CMD 22 (26-Trip) | Acrobatics +9 | Climb +8 | Perception +9 | Survival +5 | Swim +16
Having a few more seconds of encouragement from his last bolstering speech, Steelmask urges A'Tuin into the grasping sands, getting into range of the undead creature and flanking with Al'Aokara. "We can destroy the creature quickly, Al'Aokara! Keep up your attacks!"
Swift Action: Challenge - Order of the Green Elven Branched Spear | Inspire/Flagbearer/Flank:1d20 + 17 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 28 Elven Branched Spear | Inspire/Flagbearer/Flank:1d20 + 17 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 27Order of the Green - 1/Turn Reroll against Undead; Take Better Piercing Damage | Inspire/Flagbearer/Challenge:1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 + 2 + 4 = 22
As the pair moves into position, they feel extremely hungry as their vision begins to blur.
