Hadassa's Legacy of Fire

Game Master jhpace1

Seeing Yazi's and Khayal's latter attacks miss, Hajar wonders if they aren't all getting tired of this ghost, and his attacks. Hajar uses Tempest to aid in getting rid of the ghost, however momentarily.

Tempest 1st attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 Dmg: 2d4 + 15 ⇒ (1, 3) + 15 = 19
Tempest 2nd attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Dmg: 2d4 + 15 ⇒ (3, 1) + 15 = 19 (You can't crit a ghost, argh!)
Helm auto-damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

As Tempest slices through the ghost-dwarf a second time, Bagoas arches in a scream, vanishing from sight.

The mercenaries back away from the central throne.

(Out of melee.)

"Unless anyone else has any proposals, I believe it would be best to take our winnings, however meager, and go back to the kitchen. From there, we can rejoin the Marid, and rest." Rayhan offered.

Yazi nods.

"Agreed. It does not seem that we will be able to vanquish this ghost for all time, so we should cut our losses and leave."

Hajar looked disappointed at leaving an undead unvanquished, but Rayhan tugged at him, and the adventurers quickly left the throne room.

Rather than jaunt across the open-air of the zigguarat with the bull on top, Broadbeard and Coldtooth the azer led the way by cautiously skirting the walls.

Halfway to the kitchens, an alcove in the walls at a recessed corner showed an Efreeti-sized door. "Huh." Broadbeard commented. "Don't remember that being here while raiding."

The fire-dwarves and adventurers finally reached the kitchens, where the salamanders greeted the adventurers with plates piled high with roasted salamander.

(What do you do now? Given that we have a lot of characters "on hold" (or on vacation), I'll list some options.)
(- Go back to Shazathared via teleport and rest/recover)
(- Rest here in the kitchens. Rayhan has yet to finish his processing of the loot from behind Bagoas' throne.)
(- There are still two doors unexplored in the kitchens. You could look at them.)
(- Charge back out to the zigguarat area and search some more.)

(Encounter Map updated.)

I think we should go back to Shazathared and collect ourselves. She may have some insight into this ghost and if nothing else will at least be a place where we can rest.

Khayal looks a little down, he wants so badly to get back to the material plane, back to his wife. But as he pushes through obstacles sometimes they push back, sometimes even with his hardest pushes he can not break through. And frankly his powerlessness is getting to him.

"That seems like a reasonble option, brother Khayal. I concur."

Yazi nods, growing increasingly annoyed by the haint.

(Waiting time over!)

Rayhan takes the time to show the two wands he has identified. "The first is a wand of Fly, almost empty"(6 charges)"; the second is a wand of Resilient Sphere, which might have helped us in the last battle, with 17 charges. I will need time to identify the rest of the pile."

"But these," the older man said, showing a pair of shiny leather boots, "will help us immediately: boots of Teleportation!"

With his studied magic and the new boots, Rayhan was able to teleport not only the adventurers but the azer and their stone wine-caskets as well to the lower realms of Bayt al-Bazan.

---------------------

Shazathared is overwhelmed to see the adventurers return. "Oh, I am so glad to see you all!" she gushed from her place in the fountain.

The azer, not liking the humid area, moved quickly to the side rooms in the corridors.

"I was able to quiet the air djinni's weeping with a carefully worded suggestion spell," the water genie tells you all, "but I am unable to break his curse. It 'feels' like a feeblemind spell, and only my elders could deal with that kind of curse. If any of you could do heal, or miracle?" she asked.

(Standard 8 or 9 hours' rest. Renew spells, redo spells, change stuff in your backpacks, etc. Shazathared can make clean water, purify food and water, etc.)

The azer appear to be eating some of the roasted salamander they brought back with the wine.

----------

During the rest period, the water princess treats you to a variety of ancient songs from her Plane of Water.

----------

Damage from the ghost-dwarf does not heal; Hajar and an azer were affected this way. Tell me if you try to heal this damage.

----------

(All spells with a time limit have expired.)

(25 days since you left Katapesh)
(3 days since you arrived in the City of Brass - six months to RP a day!)

Rayhan identifies the loot taken from the ghost-dwarf.

Bagoas' loot:
- wand of Fly, 6 charges
- wand of Resilient Sphere, 17 charges
- wand of Searing Light, 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) = 12 charges
- wand of Water Breathing, 4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 6, 1) = 14 charges
- wand of Locate Object, 5d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5, 4, 2) = 21 charges
- boots of Teleporation (Anybody else want these?)
- a bottle of air
- a sustaining spoon
- an rope of climbing
- a Blessed Book, which Rayhan immediately takes (with apologies to Bartan, but Rayhan was literally out of space with his travelling spellbook)
- rags of clothing
- 22 gold pieces

"Aha!" Rayhan said, after identifying the wand of Locate Object. "While we cannot go through stone or lead with this, at least inside a room, we can try to find this 'object of ownership'. Until we run out of spells."

Pondering, when asked Shazathared replied "I do not know this ghost-dwarf you speak of. But Jhavhul never mentioned him, or any of the leaders of his place, or the higher servants. But I do believe you did what you could; such an object would be very close to the throne of the palace, in case an upstart would challenge the Prince."

One of the azer, Broadbeard, comes up to Khayal after their rest period. "Don't forget, mercenaries left near the 'Flickering Candle' area." he requested. "There's still plenty of our 'old masters' to cause trouble, if we all want to get out of here."

(Any other questions, comments, requests of the water genie?)

Point of clarification... is Shazathared suggesting that the item we need is probably back where the ghost dwarf is? And if so, is Rayhan suggesting we could use Locate Object to try to find it once we get back there?

(Shazathared doesn't know, so "no". You didn't actually go into the side rooms, but you had a high Perception score. So a "first glance" didn't see anything stuck to a wall, like a dedication plaque on a ship. It should be close, however.)

(Rayhan is suggesting Locate Object could be used, but since you don't know exactly what you are looking for, the spell could fail. You would also have to do it in each and every room (rock blocks it). Basically, Locate Object aids in the search, but Yazi's Perception check would find the object as well.)

Khayal wakes from his rest refreshed and with renewed purpose, he is still unsure how to make it back, but at least there is a plan for this ghost. I’ll lead the way, We will start with rooms we have already been through D12-14. Khayal fastens the leather straps of his backpack making sure everything is orderly and secure before flipping it over his head and onto his back. His attitude is noticeably improved from yesterday.

(If no one claims any of the treasure from the previous day, I'll say one of Yazi's or Nasir's many Bags of Holding has the items, in case you need them later.)

Spooky plays with Yazi during the rest period.

Hajar will cast Endure Elements on anyone that needs it.

Rayhan, doing math in his head, has Hajar wear the Boots of Teleportation.

Rayan asks "If anyone sees the 'messenger' in reflections today, let us know. Mayhap that person can tell us where this 'symbol of authority' is located."

Shazathared hopes everyone will fight well, and reminds you to look for the 'artifact of power' that is imprisoning not just her, but yourselves and everyone else who enters this Efreeti palace.

With a combination of Rayhan's memorized spells and Hajar wearing the boots of Teleportation, the adventurers get back to the Salamander's dining area (Area D12). One azer, Broadbeard, came with Hajar.

The kitchen's dining area is much as you left it - upturned table blocking the stairs down, kobolds in the kitchen. The kobolds offer dried salamander jerky and some leftover roasted salamander. They have no new information - neither salamander nor Efreeti have come to reclaim them in the past several hours.

(Encounter Map updated.)

If nothing of interest is found in D12 then Khayal will move the party to D14 and then 13. If nothing more of interest is found using the wand there Khayal will move the party up to the north near the doorway at D1.

Khayal will hold onto the rope of climbing as well as the spoon of sustenance. The wands should go to Rayhan and Bartan. We will be utilizing the wand of locate object to aid in our search.

We are looking for both proof of rulership as well as any artifact that may be binding us here.

"So like a deed or something?"

"This all seems like it shouldn't be our problem, yet it is, as we need to return to our own lives. Let us quickly get this lunacy behind us and get home."

Bartan is happy to attempt to use the wand to search.

Khayal led the adventurers around the area.

(D12-North) They immediately found the stairs around the corner of the dining area. The stairs go UP, not down!

(D12-South) A small, closet-like room is also searched.

They also searched past the wall of fire in the kitchen, to the door to the South.

(D15) This was clearly at one time the living quarters of someone important. However, that use seems to have ended long ago, and the contents have been thoroughly looted and destroyed, leaving little more than splintered fragments of furniture and ornaments.

Stepping outside the kitchen, dining, and guest room, the Outer Court is still silent and empty. The Efreeti and Fire Giant bodies have been left where you felled them.

Moving North, a single door adorns the bronze wall.
(D3) Opening it, you see a bathhouse. The air in this bathhouse is acrid with stinging fumes. In the center of the chamber roils a pool of yellowish liquid. A fine network of cracks covers the walls, floor, and ceiling. Large windows provide a spectacular view of the city, but these do little to freshen the air. Curtains partially block dressing alcoves to the east.

Bartan (unless he says otherwise) uses the wand of locate object in the following areas:
- the staircase going up: no reaction
- the Outer Court: no reaction
- the bath hall: no reaction

(Feel free to roll for Perception if desired.)

Finally getting to the area Khayal was interested in (D1), you see that there are stairs going DOWN and turning left. These stairs are not just made for Efreeti feet, they are wide enough for an army to travel through!

(Encounter Map updated.)

"I think I smell a Hydra." Yazi remarks as she sniffs the air. "It's probably not having a good time here... unless it's a fire hydra.... ooo that just sounds all kind of nasty."

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
A fire hydra hmm, what can you do to kill that?
Khayal grips his kukris as he heads north on the stairs. His eyes and ears are perked, he is almost a little twitchy.

”Hopefully acid still works... ice maybe? Freeze and break it?”

Knowledge (arcana?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

"I can continue to add cold to all of my attacks..." Maybe that knowledge check will give me more insight?

(Sorry, Bartan, the CR is too high with K:Arcana.)

(So what are you doing? Pass, or go down?)

I guess pass?

Rayhan ponders, then hears Bartan's suggestion.

K:The Planes: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

"Yes - cold will work best against a pyrohydra. Weapons forged against Fire types would strike true as well." the older man added. He sighed. "I would know more, but I would have to physically touch the creature. (Diviner's Fortune)." Rayhan smiled. "And that might not be advisable for me, or any of us. I must get the cone of cold spell soon." he finished.

I can make my blade turn to frost if we want to take it now, shiver should work well too. Otherwise we move on.

I vote we try to take it. Sounds like the type of creature that would be guarding something important and we don’t have too many other places to look.

Onward to plot advancement.

Broadbeard shrugged. "Was told to never come here - it was the stronghold of the Guardians of the Forbidden Gate. The Flickering Candle masters kept us below in the gambling halls, when not fighting the fire giants."

The adventurers cautiously go down the extra-wide stairs, which go down into darkness. The stairs are far easier to go down than up, due to their Efreeti-sized distance.

As you turn the corner in the passageway, going to the left, or traveling West again, you experience a unique situation. Your light sources only penetrate the darkness a few feet, but far beyond are...more torches? But the torches flicker in and out...in and out. Like something manning a bellows at a forge.

The flickering continues, until you see each "flickering" is coming from a massive reptilian head...and there are nine torch-like light sources!

You unconsciously count the flickering sources of light as they lift from the stairs - that means a NINE-HEADED pyrohydra!

Eighteen eyes turn your way, watching you in the dark. (For practical purposes, there is no "darkness" to worry about now.)

ROUND ONE

Init:
Bartan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Hajar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Khayal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Yazi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Nasir: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Rayhan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Azer mercenaries: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Monsters: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

(Bartan, Rayhan, Yazi, Broadbeard the mercenary, Hajar, Monsters, Khayal, Nasir

(Encounter Map updated - each square is 10 feet! The stairs war wide and tall but you can move down at full speed, back up at half speed.)

With a muffled oath, Rayhan gets out his Rod of Flame Extinguishing, holding it at the ready.

Bartan casts Greater Invisibility on himself, hoping to get as much damage from hiding off as possible, then moves to the side, hoping to keep the creature from catching all of them in a single attack.

Grah, my post/question got eaten by the forum gremlins.

Yazi will ready a charge if she can for when the creature gets in range, 40ft, if she can. Can she charge on these stairs?

"Hmm, That's a bunch of holes up there," Yazi muses aloud as the group heads in to the darkness. "Daaaaaaamn!" she lets out with a grin on spotting the hydra.

(Yazi: going down, yes, a charge is possible. Not going up.)

Broadbeard let out an oath. "The watchdog of the Cult of the Incarnate Flame! What's their pyrohydra doing in the territory of the Guardians of the Forbidden Gate?" he asked no one in particular. The fire-dwarf gripped his spear a little tighter.

(Hajar, Monsters, Khayal, Nasir)

Khayal looks down at his kukri in his right hand, he thinks of cool spring water and how it feels to have a brisk breeze fall upon a wet brow. Thinking of the coldest things he has known he, puts those thoughts into his sword wreathing it in frost. Added Icy Burst to the weapon

Khayal then cautiously approaches the hydra, starring it in the eyes and watching its every move, unsure if it will attack or speak.

Nasir assesses the situation, and quickly begins to dance atop the steps, drawing magic to her to enhance the power of her spells.

Cast Arcane Concordance (+1 enhancement bonus to the DC, cast as Enlarge Spell, Extend Spell, Silent Spell, or Still Spell no increase in level or casting time). Swift action - Battledance: Inspire Courage +3 SAVES vs fear, Att/Dam (self only). Move action drink potion of Eagle's spendor

Hajar slowly turned Tempest to face the pyrohydra...

Sniffing the air, nine sets of eyes look over the adventurers, as if looking for something. Six of the serpentine heads snap forward in a lunge, opening up to spew fire up the steps at the puny humanoids.

Khayal advanced, only to be stopped by the flaming attack.

And Nasir danced!

Everyone noticed that the pyrohydra's attacks only reached fifteen feet up the stairs. The flames, illuminating the staircase, were nevertheless ineffective at harming even Khayal.

ROUND TWO

Init:
Bartan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Hajar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Khayal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Yazi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Nasir: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Rayhan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Azer mercenaries: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Monsters: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 (Nat!)

The pyrohydra breathed fire again! Three of the heads watched the adventurers above the fire-breathers.

(Yazi, Rayhan, Bartan, Khayal, Hajar, Nasir, Azer)

(Encounter Map updated)

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Khayal waits to see what Yazi has planned, not sure she would want him hurting this thing.

"Hey, wait a second, it's chained up, it can't come after us." Yazi lets out, immediately feeling immense pity for the creature. "Is there anything we can do to pacify it for a bit or free it and send it on it's way?" she asks the others.

Rayhan considers the information. "This," he said, indicating his rod of flame extinquishing, "can suppress the creature's flames for less than a minute. But I would have to touch each flame."

"None of my spells will calm the hydra. I can make a wind wall." Hajar said.

Broadbeard looked wide-eyed at Yazi. "Foreigners!" he muttered. He shielded his eyes with one hand, looking down at the pyrohydra. "Mayhap I see an alcove to the right of the creature, masters - could it be a door?" Broadbeard asked.

Hajar looked as well. "I have a single spell that can prevent the pyrohydra from attacking me (grace)." he told the others. "But it lasts only an instant."

(Bartan, Nasir? And the others only talked, so they still have their actions.)

"I have a single flask of Ebon Flame Bartan says invisibly. It will cause the creature's flames to go out for an instant and cause it intense pain. Not exactly a diplomatic solution as Lady Yazi is suggesting, though."

Heh, messed up my bolding and quotation marks there. You guys get the gist, though.

Khayal sheathes his swords and puts up his hands in a calming gestures similar to the one Shirin uses to calm Doc, Yazi’s dog.

Handle animal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

(Skipping Nasir...)

(Due to the nature of the turns, you'll have to wait until the hydra's turn to see if Khayal is successful or not.)

ROUND THREE

Init:
Bartan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Hajar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Khayal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Yazi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Nasir: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Rayhan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Azer mercenaries: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Monsters: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

(Khayal, Hajar, Nasir, Rayhan, Bartan, Azer, Yazi, Monsters)

Hajar looked at Broadbeard, Bartan, and Rayhan. "The door is almost certainly locked. Who is our lock inspector, again?" he asked.

"That would be I. If the creature is amenable to not eating us, I will check it out as soon as I am able."

Hajar nodded to Rayhan, who sighed heavily. "I will accompany you, of course." the wizard confirmed to the paladin. "The door is a way forward, since the creature is blocking the barred gate to the rest of the palace."

Hajar spoke openly as he moved down the wide stairs. "Master Rayhan can protect us from any fire attack. I have my 'grace' to protect me against fang attacks. Bartan," Hajar directed, "as soon as you can, get behind me and use your tools on that door. I will shield against the hydra. The rest of us should go through the door as quickly as possible."

The paladin and the wizard moved down the stairs to the side that held the door. (30-foot move, downstairs, will move again next turn)

Broadbeard sighed as well. "Flames will not hurt me, but those teeth look sharp. I hope the pyrohydra has been fed recently." The azer moved to follow Rayhan.

(Khayal, Nasir, Yazi, Monsters)

(Encounter Map updated.)

(Helloo! Anybody there?)
(Spoiler: Khayal's roll was too low for the DC.)

I don't know what to do.

Sorry I've been on an anniversary trip with my wife this weekend, so I've been a bit out of it. But I'm here and waiting for Bartan's opportunity to try to open the door,

With many holding their breath as Hajar, Rayhan, and the azer went down the stairs, the pyrohydra...stopped its' flaming breath from so many of its' heads.

The heads of the pyrohydra start sniffing the air. Three of the heads stare at the approaching Medium-sized creatures. One of the heads looks at Khayal, but snorts after a few seconds.

ROUND FOUR

Init:
Bartan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Hajar: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Khayal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Yazi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Nasir: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Rayhan: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Azer mercenaries: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Monsters: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

(Nasir, Khayal, Yazi, Monsters, Hajar, Rayhan, Bartan, Azer mercenary)

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Bartan has no idea what a snort from a multi-headed beast might mean.

Khayal is delaying to see if it attacks. If it is hungry it might have to die. If it is curious perhaps we won't have to kill it. Regardless Khayal wants to be near by just in case.

(Yazi?)

Sorry, it's getting harder for me to focus on things.

"It's puzzled," Yazi tells the others as the Hydra watches them.

Auto-succeed that SM check.

Booming laughter comes from what sounds like a giant voice in the ceiling.

Something slides down one of the five-foot holes in the ceiling!

Explosively shattering wood reveals what was a crate bursting upon contact with the brass floor. Two red-hot salamanders, their eyes crazed, roar in frustration among the splinters!

The booming voice says in Common "Take care of these interlopers, guard dog! Attack! Rend!"

The pyrohydra lunges forward, but is stopped by its' chains. Six heads snap at the salamander flesh just out of its' reach.

Hajar takes advantage of the opportunity while the salamander in front of him is still prone on the stairs, and plunges Tempest into the salamander's face!

AoO on Salamander #1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 Confirm?: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 Dmg: 4d4 + 34 + 2d6 + 2d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 3) + 34 + (2, 4) + (5, 6) + (3, 2, 2, 6) = 76

The salamander is decapitated.

(Khayal - waiting, gets an AoO with a 5-foot step; everybody else can act, I will have the azer mercenary act last)