Geoffrey's Finest (Inactive)

Game Master CampinCarl9127

Ianna sees the the technological marvels but doesn't fully appreciate their wonder.

The priestess loathes this place, and she feels guilt about her emotional response. She refuses to let one bad thing, one horrible event, define who she is. Yet, she knows trauma and shock are not resolved as easy as wishing.

Ianna approaches Stoneriver humbly and speaks in a voice loud enough to be heard by all.

"Last night I asked the dancing goddess how we could defeat our enemy and survive. She gave me this oracle: "Fight with your freedom, not with your valor.
Trust not the one who changes the world around him." You are an honored envoy of the gods, perhaps you can divine its meaning?"

Stoneriver rumbles out of the magma, settling down gently on the stone. <<My deepest sorrows ring for you, earth daughter, but the greatest concern of the gods is too directly interfering in the matters of mortals. As a personal envoy of Torag we are already treading a thin line. I would not personally look into the revelations of other deities for fear of invoking directly influence from our divine enemies.>>

Bjorkus stares in confusion at Toramin's technological works. He wasn't sure what he was looking at but if it was anything like the dwarves' secret steam engine or the gnomes' airships, he was sure it's impressive.

"I hope you weren't workin' too hard. It sounds like we've got a hell of a battle ahead of us", he rumbles in warning.

Dalton nodded at Stoneriver gave his advice; he knew firsthand after his recent experiences the gods liked to keep to their limits.

"That reminds me," he responded to Bjorkus, "I have prepared some spells to protect us from energy. I could invoke them ahead of time if we have a desired sort of protection. Given the heat of this place, I was thinking wards against fire would be prudent. Any takers?"

"That was good thinkin'. Protect as many as you can. I'm sure it'll be put to use."

Bjorkus will not object to any protection from energies.

"Those who will be directly entangled with Calios are more likely to need it." The pudgy mage laid a hand on Bjorkus's shoulder, and invoked his abjuration.

Fire Resistance 20 for 80 minutes. Dalton has another preparation of Resist Energy.

"I have always found hard work to be invigorating. It prepares the mind and the body for greater deeds to come. Master Dalton, I would appreciate all the wards you have to offer."

Ianna will bow in response to Stoneriver's words.

She will cast Shield of Faith on Toramin and Bjorkus before the battle and Improved Sanctuary on herself.

As bid, Dalton repeats the incantation for Toramin. However, understanding the need for the battle ahead, he delved shallowly into the primal forces of the magic, forming a loop of arcane feedback. It had a chance to cause an uncontrolled anomoly, but he felt his concentration was enough to control it.

Primal magic to retain casting of the spell after it is used. DC 24 Spellcraft.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

A bit of strain comes across Dalton's face, and the cast is slightly slower than usual, but Toramin sees a protective shimmer appear before him.

"My lady, would you receive the last bastion of this protection from me?" He inquires of Ianna his final use of the spell.

"Yes, Lopa. Thank you."

Ianna casts Protection from Evil on Dalton.

Dalton proceeds with the final cast of the abjuration. Let's hope Calios hasn't developed a fondness for ice.

Bjorkus whistles a charm to bolster his confidence. Heroism.

"May I get the invigorate charm?"

"I swear you're gettin' more use of that one than I am these days", Bjorkus laughs before giving the dwarf his wish.

The party waits in preparation, nervous tension all around. Stoneriver lays on the carved runes and stares at the entrance, immobile as a rock.

<<Allies come.>> Stoneriver growls.

Quint, Althea, and Althea's massive dog come through the door. Gone are the flashy bartending outfits, and instead they are prepared for war. Even the dog wears a set of chains that rattle threateningly. They take a moment to take in the artifact location they stand in. Quint spins his pistols and growls. "Bout freakin' time." Althea smiles and pets her dog, moving them further into the room.

A few minutes later the entrance opens again, and Fosco Tosscobble comes through. Weapons drawn he levies a hard look inside, apparently already accustomed to the place. "Glad I can be of more direct help. Tell me where to stand."

Then there is more waiting. Ymir comes back periodically to report no movement. Everybody grips their weapons with sweaty palms, the heat of the place beginning to be overbearing.

Stoneriver stands, his hide raising with the crunching of gravel. <<He comes. Prepare yourselves.>> The party throws out all of their magical buffs and steels themselves.

In a rather anticlimactic sense, Villichi strolls through the opening. He is a mountain of a tiefling with huge curved horns that curl around. He wears a set of spiked black full plate and casually leans a very familiar-looking evil greataxe on his shoulder. He grins at the gathered group, sweeping over them slowly, one by one. "Stoneriver! You brought guests! Oh you entertainer, you. I should have polished my armor." He sees the party and gives an ah ha look. "So I shouldn't of trusted the little halfling. Well, in that case..." He snaps his fingers, and a half a dozen men come out of the tunnel behind him, mostly gnomes, including Sveng. Rilka is being held by one of the gnomes who has a knife to her throat and has a wicked grin on his face. Villichi taps his axe hilt on his armor and chuckles. "Now if you'd all be so kind as to lay down your weapons, you can leave without any bloodshed."

Right now we are not in combat, but everybody has weapons drawn and is on edge looking at each other, so there is no surprise round. If you decide to start combat with an aggressive action, initiative will be rolled and you may not get to act first.

Dalton subtly points towards Rilka from his hip.

"Unlikely. Since I doubt you have anything interesting to say, lets get on with the business of beating you senseless."

The saw buzzes almost angrily as he whips Talev's Legacy back and forth developing the momentum to use it to terrible effect.

Toramin nods at Rilka. She probably knows that Toramin will not be coerced by the presence of hostages, but he hopes that the gnome holding her was under Sveng's thumb and that the priest was their ally in this.

Bjorkus eyes the man/men holding Rilka, looking for a sign that they might be allies in disguise.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

Going to give Rilka a chance to respond.

Well this couldn’t get much worse, Rilka thinks. Those near her hear a stream of tones, muffled by the gag in her mouth, and cadenced very much like Callios’ words about surrender. She nods once at Toramin and Bjorkus as their eyes meet, revealing a grim acceptance of the situation.

Sorry for missing that Message. Thanks Bjorkus!

After giving Toramin and Bjorkus a nod, Rilka turns gaze to Dalton and blinks twice.

Dalton took a step forward.

"Nonsense." His rejection of Toramin's rhetoric was blunt. "We have much to discuss. Namely, what do you intend to utilize the forge for? I am curious, for one such as myself must resort to arcane techniques to wield it; I dare not set my flesh against it."

Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

With that, the mage summoned a bit of his lifeforce as a ghostly hand. It mirrored Dalton's right as he gestured while speaking.

"But as a merchant, I am willing to come to an alternate solution to this conflict. A profitable one would be best. I'm open to ideas."

Casting Spectral Hand.

Villichi grins at Dalton. "See! This is why I don't like paladins. So uncompromising, so stubborn. Can't see past their own righteous bullshit." He gives an apologetic look. "No offense. It's just that you're incompetent." He chuckles and looks back to Dalton. "I've got a profitable solution for you, one with the highest value. You drops your weapons, and I don't kill every single one of you. Normally I'd just skip strait to the killing, but I have a schedule to keep. Mustn't get behind...but I will if I must." He puts a clawed hand on Rilka's head, drawing a line of blood across her forehead with a claw.

Every bit as egotistical as we thought. Good.

The man had given Dalton the window he needed.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Just to make sure, this is clear sign that Calios knows exactly how we are? Azan has never claimed to be a paladin and hasn't done any smiting (since he cannot).

Within his battle armor, Toramin rolls his eyes unable to stomach the petty melodrama that Calios is offering.

"You have no leverage, Calios. The mere fact that you haven't yet killed our comrade implies that there is something you desire besides for simple mayhem. In any event, I'm disinclined to give it to you. I had hoped that the mysterious third party that has been interfering with our rivalry here would have shown up already for this confrontation. But they are keeping their own time table it would seem. You should give up Calios. This will only end in your capture and humiliation. You have turned all hands against you."

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

The last bit was for Sveng. Implying if he doesn't help out now, then he has missed his chance.

"And stupid to boot. I told you, a schedule. You leaving quietly is faster than me murdering all of you. And he is so hard to keep happy. But-I'm sure he'll understand." He cackles and unshoulders his greataxe, dragging it across the stone floor with a menacing ring of metal one stone. As he moves forward the gnome holding Rilka gives a dark smirk and starts to draw the blade across her throat...

The hooded cleric, Sveng, sweeps behind Rilka and covers her in his cloak. There is a twirl, and they seem to disappear into the air itself...

"Well, that was close." Sveng stands behind Dalton, and from beneath his cloak he unveils Rilka, still bound and gagged but very much fine except for a paper-thin cut on her neck. Villichi cocks his head, looking more amused than anything.

Stoneriver roars a terrifying battle cry that shakes the stones on the ground and causes people to catch themselves from falling over. He raises up on his hind legs, then slams down menacingly. At first it appears an attempt at intimidation, but then there is a deep rumbling heard. The tunnel behind Villichi and his men collapse, leaving no escape for them. <<Calios! Your judgement is upon you!>> Gone is the calm and patient spirit, replaced by righteous fury. Even Althea's dog shies away from the ancient creature.

Two of Villichi's men leap into action. A muscled, dark-skinned creature with dirty white hair cracks his knuckles and begins to move forward, but then the drow with them holds him back, and throws a vial to the ground. In a matter of seconds the entire group of enemies is obscured by mist.

The bolded people in the init order spoiler may act!

Rilka’s eyes show immense gratitude for Sveng’s help. She holds up her bound hands for him to cut them free.

Toramin steps forward, and summons energy up from the earth. It rushes into him almost eagerly.

Free Action: Defensive Stance

Readied Action: Attack the first bad guy who comes into range.

Buzzz-Buzz-Thunk: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Damage: 3d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) + 13 = 24

Any AoO:

Buzzz-Buzz-Thunk: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24
Damage: 3d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 1, 2) + 13 = 21

Buzzz-Buzz-Thunk: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32
Damage: 3d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 2, 4) + 13 = 21

It occurs to me that I never rolled for mirror image.

Images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Bjorkus gives a roar to rival Torag's divine envoy and beckons Calios's minions within the mist to face him. Starting Inspire Rage.

If you accept:

+2 strength (morale)
+2 constitution (morale)
+2 will saves (morale)
+4 strength (enhancement)
-1 armor class

Rilka gets a grasp on the situation and waits for somebody to untie her. Toramin bides his time, while Bjorkus starts an inspiring song of rage and might!

From within the fog, all is quiet for the moment...You may make a perception check and a spellcraft check.

Quint narrows his eyes and peers into the fog, blunderbuss at the ready.

...
...
...
"Dwaaaaaaarvesssss..." The same bone-chilling rattle of chains on bodies of cinder crawls up the neck of the party. Eight of the dark forge children rise from the magma and the ground, forming with a smell of burnt hair and flesh, eyes wide open and desperate to end their suffering by causing the suffering of others.

Althea sees the creatures rise up and looks around with great concern. She places a hand on her massive black dog and hums a spell to it. The creature's hair grows on end and its eyes go red, turning into a feral and monstrous version of itself.

The dark children took a full-round action to form. The actions of the others are unknown unless you can make the perception and/or spellcraft check. Ianna to act!

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Ianna moves instep with her brother, but begins to pray. "Goddess, I beg you to send us aid in this dark hour. . ." Summon Monster 4

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

Dalton glanced about the area, trying to keep track of the numerous threats. This is unraveling rather quickly. At least Sveng upheld his end of the bargain.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 10 + (5) = 25

Her eyes widen at the sight beings rise from the ground and magma.

Both Ianna and Rilka realize that somebody within the fog cast invisibility sphere!

More to come later. Remember talking is a free action, not an immediate action ;)

"They have used an invisibility sphere. Perhaps it can be purged or dispelled."

Ianna begins summoning a creature and warns her allies of the trickery before them.

Fosco raises his shield and bangs on it with his longsword. "Rally on me! Inheritor, protect us!" His shield glows a golden white and those next to him feel protected.

Althea's massive dog sees a creature that is not one of this world and immediately pounces on it, its powerful jaws closing with a menacing crunch. Blood drips from its mouth as the creature's flaming spiked chains rip and burn the dog's mouth, but its too feral to care.

Anybody adjacent to Fosco gains the benefits of Holy Shield, which manifests as a +4 shield bonus to AC. Dalton to act!

Spellcraft(Holy Shield): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22

As usual, Dalton granted the party quicker movement and reflexes to begin a battle. The action was becoming more and more fluid, and perhaps simple acceleration wasn't all he would be capable of soon...

Seeing the light from Fosco's divine magic, Dalton didn't know whether to move or not. It's a good thing Fosco told him to, for the particular spell eclipsed his knowledge. Gods and their odd workings... Hae moved himself within its protective aura.

Haste for 10 rounds on Dalton, Toramin, Bjorkus, Rilka, Ianna, Stoneriver, Fosco, "Puppy", and Quint.

Assuming the fog is obscuring mist or one of that line which Dalton innately makes with his spellcraft score.

"A spot of fire will disperse that mist!"

"To destroy the Undead the chains must be sundered!"

Dalton bends time itself to give them an advantage. Sveng looks at the mist and begins scanning the room. "Stay prepared. This is a tactic he has used before, he will come at our most vulnerable members. Protect them." He places a hand on Rilka, and her eyes flash a brilliant blue and white energy.

Stoneriver growls and looks around. <<You cannot hide from me, beast of destruction!>>

Bjorkus holds Tyrantbreaker high overhead. "Villichi, Calios, I don't give a f&#~ what his name is. His time spreading fear in Grastle Hollow is over. Let's tear this bastard to pieces!"

Good hope. Inspire Rage round #2.

If you accept:

+2 strength (morale)
+2 constitution (morale)
+2 will saves (morale)
+4 strength (enhancement)
-1 armor class

Rilka takes her eyes from the invisible beings she can suddenly see and begins to attempt to free her hands.

What kind of halfling am I if I can’t escape from these bindings? Rilka thinks to herself. She flexes her fingers and wrists, twisting her forearms as she attempts to gain freedom. They have enough to worry about without finding time to unbind me.

Escape Artist skill check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Full round action: skill check (will take 1 minute).

Toramin hold his guard waiting for a more opportune time.

Rilka nods towards Stoneriver. ”Fiveen fee pss im! Fiveen fee!”

Rilka begins to escape her bonds while Toramin continues to hold his ground and Bjorkus continues to inspire power in the side of good!

Quint whips around and lowers his blunderbuss, unleashing it upon two of the dark children behind them. However fate itself seems to be against him as his weapon jams and he swears explosively, clearing it out.

The dark children begins closing in, the smell of burnt flesh and hair following the clanking of metal on stone. Attacks barrage over the party and their allies, but the fire protection does prevent some damage. One of the dark children pierces Ianna's defenses and slashes into the unarmored dwarf, hissing in pleasure. Quint takes a bad beating as two of them wrap their chairs around the old pirate and rip and burn his flesh. One tries to get next to Stoneriver, but it's the last thing it does as the ancient creature lashes out and bites the undead in half with a single terrifying crunch. Then the last forge spurned inhales deeply and breathes out a cloud of burning cinders of the party! Although most of the party and their allies avoid getting it in their eyes, Sveng and Dalton are not so lucky and are unable to see anything!

Althea casts another spell on her dog, making its teeth glow a fearsome red!

Bjorkus take note that many aspects of Good Hope do not stack with Heroism. Ianna takes 15 damage. Rilka takes 17 damage. Dalton and Rilka take 6 fire damage. Dalton is blinded for 4 rounds. Also I will be remembering concealment this combat, so if you are attacking into the fog (either one) there is a 20% miss chance, and you can't see anything more than 5 feet away. Ianna to act!

Ianna will use adoration as an immediate action to try to negate the attack against her. It needs to make a Will DC 19 to hit her.

"Goddess, aid us!." Standard Action: Prayer

Ianna then steps away from the undead trying to kill her.

The Dancing Goddess sends a spirit of air that forms into a whirlwind and blows away the fog and perhaps some wicked gnomes.

The air elemental appears south east of Stoneriver, and forms a 30' whirlwind. It blows from there to over the lava where it ejects them into that fiery abyss. The idea here is that it will remove the fog and perhaps drop some bad guys into the lava.

"Creatures one or more size categories smaller than the whirlwind might take damage when caught in the whirlwind (generally damage equal to the monster's slam attack for a creature of its size) and may be lifted into the air. An affected creature must succeed on a Reflex save (DC 10 + half monster’s HD + the monster’s Strength modifier) when it comes into contact with the whirlwind or take damage as if it were hit by the whirlwind creature's slam attack. It must also succeed on a second Reflex save or be picked up bodily and held suspended in the powerful winds, automatically taking the indicated damage each round. A creature that can fly is allowed a Reflex save each round to escape the whirlwind. The creature still takes damage but can leave if the save is successful.

Creatures trapped in the whirlwind cannot move except to go where the whirlwind carries them or to escape the whirlwind. Trapped creatures can otherwise act normally, but must succeed on a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) to cast a spell. Creatures caught in the whirlwind take a –4 penalty to Dexterity and a –2 penalty on attack rolls. The whirlwind can have only as many creatures trapped inside at one time as will fit inside the whirlwind’s volume. The whirlwind can eject any carried creatures whenever it wishes as a free action, depositing them in its space."

Between the strength bonus from the Raging song and the penalty from prayer, each small creature in the 30' vortex must make a Reflex check of 18 to avoid Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 11 and another check at the same value to avoid getting dropped into the lava.

Toramin steps up into the spot that his sister just vacated and attacks the wicked undead. The buzzing ball of death mangles the fiery corpse twice before (hopefully) severing the chain that binds it to this world.

Stone Strike, Prayer, Haste, Good Hope: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 18 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 41
Damage: 3d6 + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4, 1) + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28

Stone Strike, Prayer, Haste, Good Hope: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 38
Damage: 3d6 + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 29

If that puts down the undead, he will use his iterative to sunder the chain

Stone Strike, Prayer, Haste, Good Hope: Sunder (Ignores Hardness): 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 27
Damage: 3d6 + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 13 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28

Will vs Adoration: 1d20 ⇒ 11 Ooh by 1.

Ianna manages at the last moment to barely prevent the creature from attacking!

"Agh! My eyes!" Dalton tried in futility to rub the grit away, but it was no use in the short term. Though afraid of the danger around him in the room, he recalled his allies were around him. And there is at least plenty of room to escape.

Toramin unleashes his vengeance on the dark child that almost hit his sister, downing it in two hits and then sundering its chain! A piercing scream fills the air as the chain rattles and breaks into hundreds of pieces. Ianna prays to her goddess to tilt the scales of the battle as her air elemental comes out of the ether and turns into a whirlwind! It begins sweeping through the fog, clearing up a fair amount of it, but doesn't manage to find any of the enemies.

Fosco steps through the burning cloud and begins chopping at one of the forge spurned, landing two solid hits that rip out metal and burning flesh. Althea's dog bites into the spurned next to it once again, this time cutting it clean in half and throwing bits of metal and burning flesh all over the ground.

Dalton to act!