”Dalton can you throw up a wall of your own? Seal off a crystalline golem?” Rilka calls out. She splashes water up to five feet ahead of her, searching for invisible walls. When she gets within 10 feet of the golem before the door, she crouches ready to roll to the side towards the wall if it attacks her.
"I cannot!" shouted Dalton in reply. If only. The mist and disk will have to do, but she's nowhere near them.
Trusting Dalton's spell to guard the flank, Bjorkus moves toward the other gap in the force wall to help Toramin bring down the crystalline golem.
Ianna moves forward and scans the water, but ends up bumping headfirst into yet another invisible wall. Dalton waits and listens, but the glass golem to the west end of the room stays still. Ianna channels and completely closes both Rilka's and Toramin's wounds. Bjorkus moves to assist Toramin, drawing an attack as he comes within the reach of the glass golem. It lashes out and cuts badly into his gut, leaving an impressive wound. He then retaliates in kind and lands the first blow on the construct, cracking a good chunk of its midsection. Toramin follows up from the other side, landing two blows that ring with the cracking of glass. He can tell his adamantium-powered blows are particularly effective. The golem is cracking and staggering, but still up and swinging.
The glass golem to the west stays still, as if nothing is happening. The one engages in combat lashes out against both of its attackers, making no discrimination between the two. Toramin easily deflects the blow at him behind a mountain of armor and magic, but Bjorkus is less fortunate and takes another wound to the shoulder, ripping out flesh. And now the stone golem suddenly comes alive, fixated strait on Rilka as it plows through the water. It reaches one arm just south of Rilka, and then turns it and slams at her, as if trying to attack around a corner or through a small opening. It too seems to push through Ianna's defensive magic and delivers a terrifying blow to Rilka, the sounds of ribs cracking permeating the closed in room. All the while the water level continues to rise.
Rilka
Dalton
Ianna
Bjorkus
Toramin
Enemy
Dalton - Haste
Ianna - Improved Sanctuary (GG2 failed save), Haste
Bjorkus - 37 damage, 8 bleeding damage, Heroism
Toramin - Shield, Haste
Sanctuary: DC 16 will save or lose action and be unable to attack for duration of spell.
Heroism: +2 on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
Shield: +4 shield bonus to AC
Haste: (5 rounds left) +1 on attacks, AC, reflex saves. +30 movement speed (up to twice original), extra attack with full attack
Shield of Faith: +3 Deflection bonus to AC
GG1 - 55 damage
GG2 -
Bolka's love pours through Ianna spilling into Bjorkus and Rilka.
She moves next to Rilka.
Toramin continues to wallop the glass golem.
The shard/limb of jagged glass driven through his thickly muscled shoulder winds Bjorkus at first but a moment later that pain turns to rage. The bull roars in defiance and smashes Tyrantbreaker into the flanked construct.
Seeing the levels rise, Dalton conjured a bubble of air around himself. I wonder how well the golems will move underwater.
Rilka gasps in pain and swims away from the construct, retreating to Ianna. Dalton prepares himself for a swimming adventure. Ianna tries to heal Rilka and Bjorkus, but evidently some of the invisible walls blocks her line of effect to him. Bjorkus's rage boils through his chest, and with one devastating blow he shatters the golem into half a dozen different pieces.
The stone golem stares dead-eyed at Rilka. It doesn't move.
Rilka
Dalton
Ianna
Bjorkus
Toramin
Enemy
Dalton - Haste, Air Bubble
Ianna - Improved Sanctuary (GG2 failed save), Haste
Bjorkus - 37 damage, 8 bleeding damage, Heroism
Toramin - Shield, Haste
Sanctuary: DC 16 will save or lose action and be unable to attack for duration of spell.
Heroism: +2 on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
Shield: +4 shield bonus to AC
Haste: (4 rounds left) +1 on attacks, AC, reflex saves. +30 movement speed (up to twice original), extra attack with full attack
Shield of Faith: +3 Deflection bonus to AC
Air Bubble: Pocket of breathable air
GG2 -
With Rilka in retreat, Ianna stands firm and continues to pour forth healing energy.
As the glass golem shatters beneath Bjorkus' awesome blow, Toramin blinks in surprise. I knew that Bjorkus was an impressive swordsman, but none of our enemies can withstand such fury.
Toramin channels the power of the earth through his armor and then moves forward to engage the stone golem.
The dwarf continues to move until he stands before the golem (11, M) and hammers the stone golem with his chain after washing away his fatigue.
Ianna's healing glow had stemmed Bjorkus's bleeding but it couldn't turn aside his rage. The bull thunders up after Toramin to join the dwarf's attack.
Dalton felt his way along the fall of force in front of him away from the golem until he found a gap. There, he waited to see what he could hear. I hope they are faring well, but at least with one out of the fight, they'll stand a better chance.
Ianna moves and channels positive energy, but while it heals Rilka the effect still seems to be blocked from Bjorkus by yet to be discovered invisible walls. Rilka swims around the corner of the invisible wall and gives a touch of the sea extract to Toramin, knowing he is the most vulnerable in deep water. Dalton moves over to a known gap in the wall. Bjorkus closes the gap and tries to swing, but is vexed by an invisible wall and some badly jarred hands. Toramin skirts the outside of the room to where he saw Rilka attacked through a small gap, dodging the creature's blow as he closes the distance and making a blow of his own. His attack manages to land, but barely even chips the golem's stony form.
The creature swings twice with terrifying blows, but lucky for the stonelord the small gap in the wall appears to make his attacks harder to land, and manages to get out of the way. However the creature then pulses a blue energy, and both Toramin and Ianna feel the power of Dalton's magic fade away.
Rilka
Dalton
Ianna
Bjorkus
Toramin
Enemy
Dalton - Haste, Air Bubble
Ianna - Improved Sanctuary (GG2 failed save)
Bjorkus - 45 damage, 8 bleeding damage, Heroism
Toramin - Shield, Crusading
Sanctuary: DC 16 will save or lose action and be unable to attack for duration of spell.
Heroism: +2 on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
Shield: +4 shield bonus to AC
Haste: (4 rounds left) +1 on attacks, AC, reflex saves. +30 movement speed (up to twice original), extra attack with full attack
Shield of Faith: +3 Deflection bonus to AC
Air Bubble: Pocket of breathable air
Crusading: (9 rounds left) +2 sacred bonus to AC
GG2 -
Now able to see the golem, Dalton releases a fist of force, hoping to pummel it. The creatures would resist most of his manipulations. And in this enclosed space, the mobility I could grant my friends won't be too helpful.
Drawing deeply on the power of the earth, Toramin begins to smash the Stone Golem, but he has not yet fully pinpointed the best angle of assault.
Moving to M9, Ianna channels again.
Bjorkus feels around for the limits of the barrier within reach.
Bjorkus calms himself long enough to stop his own bleeding.
Rilka narrows her eyes as she treads water. "I found some more of the invisible walls! It comes to a 'T' just to the northeast of the golem!" Dalton tries to attack the golem, but his attack is stopped by yet another invisible wall. Ianna channels again, completely closing Rilka's wounds. Bjorkus heals himself to stop his bleeding and then comes up and jars his hands on the invisible wall . Toramin swings twice but both blows are poorly aimed and completely miss.
The golem tries to respond in kind, but between the dwarf's sturdiness and the small gap its blows find no purchase. The fight between tanks is a long one.
Rilka
Dalton
Ianna
Bjorkus
Toramin
Enemy
Dalton - Haste, Air Bubble
Ianna - Improved Sanctuary (GG2 failed save)
Bjorkus - 32 damage, Heroism
Toramin - Shield, Crusading
Sanctuary: DC 16 will save or lose action and be unable to attack for duration of spell.
Heroism: +2 on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
Shield: +4 shield bonus to AC
Haste: (3 rounds left) +1 on attacks, AC, reflex saves. +30 movement speed (up to twice original), extra attack with full attack
Shield of Faith: +3 Deflection bonus to AC
Air Bubble: Pocket of breathable air
Crusading: (8 rounds left) +2 sacred bonus to AC
GG2 -
Taking the measure of his opponent the dwarf strikes again.
Finally able to see his allies, Dalton hustled to them, skirting around the golem and ending his jog behind Rilka. "Sharp eyes you have. How did you destroy the one I passed?"
Ianna moves to Bjorkus' side. (K9)
Bjorkus feels around for unseen walls.
Rilka starts to flounder and go under in the water; clearly amongst her many skills, swimming is not one of them. Dalton joins the growing crowd in the southeaster part of the room. Ianna slowly wades through the water, trying to get around to Bjorkus who just slammed into the invisible wall. Toramin lands one resounding crack! on the golem, but his second blow is blocked by the narrow gap he is attacking through.
The golem has more luck, reaching through and bludgeoning the dwarf with a pair of resounding blows that shake the ceiling. The second one almost hits him square in the head, but he takes it in the shoulder at the last moment. Then Toramin feels the same energy pulse over him that got rid of Dalton's magic.
Rilka
Dalton
Ianna
Bjorkus
Toramin
Enemy
Dalton - Haste, Air Bubble
Ianna - Improved Sanctuary (GG2 failed save)
Bjorkus - 32 damage, Heroism
Toramin - Shield, Crusading
Sanctuary: DC 16 will save or lose action and be unable to attack for duration of spell.
Heroism: +2 on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
Shield: +4 shield bonus to AC
Haste: (2 rounds left) +1 on attacks, AC, reflex saves. +30 movement speed (up to twice original), extra attack with full attack
Shield of Faith: +3 Deflection bonus to AC
Air Bubble: Pocket of breathable air
Crusading: (7 rounds left) +2 sacred bonus to AC
GG2 -
Toramin shrugs off the golem's magic. The blood of his ancestors is strong within him.
He returns the blows drawing off the power of the earth.
Ianna moves to Bjorkus' side.
Rilka hears Dalton’s question and attempts to turn her body to answer him when she loses her rhythm and buoyancy. Calmly, she closes her eyes, letting herself sink more. When she feels the floor, she opens her eyes, then kicks off and pulls her arms in front of her body, her hands like small paddles cupping the water. Her feet and hands have difficulty propelling her towards the surface as she remains underwater.
Seeing Rilka finally at the level of the water, Dalton was reminded to mind the party: "I have created a bubble of air about my head. Get close to me to breathe!"
He knew the halfling was light enough to lift if he really tried, but Toramin was another story in all that armor. Dalton felt aid in advance would be helpful for him when the time came; he set his boon of levitation upon the dwarf, though did not adjust his altitude quite yet.
"Toramin! I'll have my magic lift you up to keep your arms above the water to better suit your swings when it rises."
Bjorkus continues feeling for invisible walls.
Bjorkus continues feeling for invisible walls.
Finally feeling his way around the invisible wall into an open space, Bjorkus smashes Tyrantbreaker into the stone construct.
Rilka fails to come back up to the surface, and Dalton magically levitates Toramin. Ianna keeps pushing through the water to get to Bjorkus's side. Bjorkus finally finds a space he can attack the golem from, landing a strong blow that's somewhat blunted by the creature's structure. Toramin assaults it from the other side, again managing to land a single blow that bypasses the construct's defenses.
The creature ignores Bjorkus and indiscriminately keeps attacking Toramin. One bow catches him square in the chest, knocking the wind out of the dwarf. The other glances off his powerful armor.
Rilka
Dalton
Ianna
Bjorkus
Toramin
Enemy
Dalton - Haste, Air Bubble
Ianna - Improved Sanctuary (GG2 failed save)
Bjorkus - 32 damage, Heroism, Fatigued
Toramin - Shield, Crusading, Levitate
Sanctuary: DC 16 will save or lose action and be unable to attack for duration of spell.
Heroism: +2 on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks
Shield: +4 shield bonus to AC
Haste: (1 round left) +1 on attacks, AC, reflex saves. +30 movement speed (up to twice original), extra attack with full attack
Shield of Faith: +3 Deflection bonus to AC
Air Bubble: Pocket of breathable air
Crusading: (6 rounds left) +2 sacred bonus to AC
Fatigued: -2 to str and con
GG2 -
Dalton willed his disk over to rest under Bjorkus' hooves.
"Bjorkus! A platform will come under your feet in a moment. You'll have to feel for it!"
At least that was the intention of what the mage had to say. Water flowed about his air bubble, making the communication likely unintelligible for those not immediately around him. He moved the disk anyway, hoping the bull would figure it out.
Not able to stay topside, Dalton let himself sink. A low profile, and it should make getting to the bubble easier for Miss Featherfeet.
Rilka hears Dalton’s offer to share his air bubble. Does the spell work like that? she wonders. It’s not time to panic. Should have checked the beds too. Weren’t they wood?
She makes sweeping arcs with her arms in the water, as she attempts to swim to Dalton. She reaches him and maneuvers around, to be on his opposite side, as she pushes her face into Dalton’s air bubble.
Ianna touches a hand to Bjorkus while begging her goddess for more healing.
*50%: 15
Bjorkus plants his hooves on the force disc underneath him. Ianna's healing touch makes the jagged tear in his shoulder from the other construct's attack practically melt away.
Bjorkus kicks powerfully to keep himself above the waterline and hacks at the golem trapped between himself and Toramin.
"Enough."
All at once the stone golem straitens up, acting as if it's no more than a statue. The water level starts lowering, and the walls of force disappear. After about a minute the water is drained, leaving no more than some wet puddles. During this time Ymir comes back, telling Toramin that he can't find any mundane source of the water. Then Drosil and a half a dozen Aestherics walk in through the door.
"Not a combat test. We know you can kill and destroy. Point was to watch and learn before acting. Get some rest." He gestures at the half dozen Aestherics who move to the golems. The undamaged glass golem follows one of the Aestherics out, while the damaged stone golem gets a quick look over before doing the same. The other four take a few minutes to examine the damage on the other glass golem, one of them giving an unhappy glance at Bjorkus, muttering something about unnecessary force. Some extra muscle is called in and the wrecked remnants are carried out.
One of the Aestherics looks the party over for wounds, going over and healing everyone one by one. By the end, everybody is uninjured.
A costly tad of training. They must be willing to invest in us...
"Drosil," Dalton interjected, "As a fetchling, it naturally occurs to me you might have planar insights beyond the rest of us." he cleared his throat. "Do the Aestherics have a presence on the other planes? Is the organization mindful of its goal in places beyond the material realm?"
"Yes. Nareth and I became the envoys to our extraplanar contacts after Rygat left us."
"But they are contacts - not members of your organization proper. As one with ancestral roots in another plane, do you not wish to see the same ideals actualized there as the Aestherics would here?"
"We only take action if there is a serious problem there, such as a planar collapse. The nature of other planes is too different from ours to be manipulated by our tactics."
Dalton considered the implications a moment. "If you could make that possibility tangible, would you?"
"We have enough work on this plane. Perhaps when our organization increases a hundred fold."
Bjorkus offers the Aestheric that had a problem with his form of problem solving a rude gesture along with an angry snort.
"I think it's safe to say we should be lookin' forward to more nightly visits like these", the bull rumbles. "We should start keepin' watches like when we were outside."
"May you live to see it. When I was a boy, I didn't think I'd have my own business. Not that it's expanded, but it's the basic idea."
Dalton nodded to Bjorkus. "Though I'd have to sacrifice some of my more potent energy, in the field, I can conjure us a safehouse of sorts. While it might stick-out, it would be nearly fullproof against wandering beasts and the like. Perhaps not creatures capable of tunneling through mountains though..."
Self-conscious about his death, the mage had been trying to conceive of ways to circumvent such a problem of reoccurring. One way way to have a spell prepared that didn't require movement or thought. Another mechanism he'd been working on was similar to causing a primal magic event. However, it would start at a much more minute scale and only transform him in the end.
In a sense, the defense tactic would be similar to what he'd heard rumors suggesting about some priests of the wilds: a shapechange. While the alteration would not necessarily free him of paralysis or such problems, a particularly hearty beast would help him survive long enough. Or at least longer than I did before.
I will need to test this shifting out soon to make certain of its integrity. In theory, since he was merely converting his physical form with an internal catalyst, Dalton figured his mind should remain intact. Walking, swimming, and climbing should be just as easy if not easier than they are now in the shape I'm in. New senses though? Or flight? That will be something to test!