Halls of the Mountain King (4E) (Inactive)

Game Master Rev Rosey

Amenephus moves quietly to the centre of the room and does a little discreet healing while his mellifluous tones hold Bragollach in check.

Matters teeter in the balance as the golden dragon's eyes flicker with effort and pain, torn between two masters.

MAP

All: +2 AC to end encounter (Shield of Faith).

Dorvin: Until the stance ends, when he hits with a melee attack, he chooses a bloodied ally within 5 squares of him. That ally gains 9 temporary hit points. Bravura Presence: You can choose to grant the temporary hit points when you miss with a melee attack, but that grants the target of the attack combat advantage against you until the end of your next turn.

Dorvin: Whenever he is adjacent to at least one ally, he and adjacent allies gain a +1 bonus to AC, and all adjacent allies can reduce the the distance they are moved by any pull, push, or slide by 1 square.

Rusty: Until the stance ends, whenever an enemy marked by Rusty makes an attack that doesn't include him as a target, Rusty can slide the enemy 1 square as an immediate reaction.

Wall of Light: Allies within the wall gain +1AC and gain 5 temp hp at the start of their turn.

Rusty - used AP
Dorvin
Bragollach - dazed to end encounter; marked by Rusty; grabbed by Rusty
Guldarin
Nayce
Amenephus

Skill challenge second attempt.
7 successes/2 failures (8 before 3)

Rusty - Dorvin will give you an aid if you're making a skill check.

Bolstered by Amenephus' timely healing, Rusty draws upon his inner strength to continue his role as a draconic scratching post.

Second Wind
Now no longer bloodied at 94 of 96 HP.

Minor – Maintain grab

The mark on Bragollach ends.
___

Looking the dragon in the eye, Rusty keeps a firm hand on her muzzle. Her eyes roll as she struggles to contain herself.

MAP

All: +2 AC to end encounter (Shield of Faith).

Dorvin: Until the stance ends, when he hits with a melee attack, he chooses a bloodied ally within 5 squares of him. That ally gains 9 temporary hit points. Bravura Presence: You can choose to grant the temporary hit points when you miss with a melee attack, but that grants the target of the attack combat advantage against you until the end of your next turn.

Dorvin: Whenever he is adjacent to at least one ally, he and adjacent allies gain a +1 bonus to AC, and all adjacent allies can reduce the the distance they are moved by any pull, push, or slide by 1 square.

Rusty: Until the stance ends, whenever an enemy marked by Rusty makes an attack that doesn't include him as a target, Rusty can slide the enemy 1 square as an immediate reaction.

Wall of Light: Allies within the wall gain +1AC and gain 5 temp hp at the start of their turn.

Dorvin
Bragollach - dazed to end encounter; marked by Rusty; grabbed by Rusty
Guldarin
Nayce
Amenephus
Rusty - used AP

Skill challenge second attempt.
7 successes/2 failures (8 before 3)

Had a chat with our DM, and have been given permission to use the following power. Snap Out of It: target gets to make save vs daze, stun, dominate. Normally it can only be used on an effect a save can end, but Rev has allowed me to use it to grant Bragollach a special save. If she succeeds, we win, if she fails, no change in her condition.

Dorvin whacks the dragon on the snout, bellowing "Git a grip on yersen!"

Bragollach will be rolling at -2 due to her state of mind.

The dragon flinches back as Dorvin clouts her over her delicate nostrils and liquid fire dribbles from the corner of her mouth.

1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17

As the pain of the blow fades away, she bellows, breaking free of the hateful harness and sending Nayce flying to the floor. With a convulsive shudder, she seems to shrink into herself clawing at the floor and thrashing uncontrollably. Flames leap from her mouth as she spins and twists, fighting free of Mammon's influence at last.

Close burst 10 v Ref.
Targets Rusty, Dorvin, Nayce, Amenephus and Guldarin.
1d20+18=35 v Rusty. Hits.
1d20+18=19 v Dorvin. Miss.
1d20+18=36 v Nayce. Hits.
1d20+18=32 v Amenephus. Hits.
1d20+18=24 v Guldarin. Miss.
4d8+7=22
22 fire damage to Rusty, Nayce and Amenephus.

As the flames die away, Bragollach shrinks and returns to the familiar form of Vianna the dwarf maiden. Blistered, scarred and clearly battered, she slumps at Rusty's feet sobbing bitterly.

"His grip was so strong. I thought I could defeat him alone, but you saw what happened. I have failed my guardianship of the gold."

Dorvin gently picks up the dragon/dwarf and holds her, "S'alreet, lass. Nae blame, nae blame." he murmurs.

Nayce is badly bloodied.

"That's some nasty stuff you were dealing with," Nayce says in astonishment.

"There is a weapon that may help you. Volund's Shield Maiden Grajava hid it long ago."

Are you short-resting?

Healing word on Nayce healing surge + 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) + 9 = 15, then healer's mercy on everyone else, healing surge + 9
I am all for a short rest

"You poor thing."

Healing word on Nayce healing surge + 3d6+9, then healer's mercy on everyone else, healing surge + 9

I am all for a short rest

Thanks!

I said everyone else, but Healer's mercy would include Nayce too if you need it

Short rest would be good.

Bragollach/Vianna waits quietly while the group restore themselves, her sobs gradually easing as she starts to get over the shock.

"Mammon is growing nearer," she says at last. "I felt his strength in my blood. Each piece of cursed gold his followers gather builds a portal for him to use. Do not let him come here. Beyond the door lies the way to the Prime Forge. At the gates you will see a statue of Grajava, set to guard the place for all time - and in her hands, Masterstroke, forged by Volund himself. Take it and use it well."

"Sweet neeps 'n' tatties... this be a reet mess."

As the flames die away, Bragollach shrinks and returns to the familiar form of Vianna the dwarf maiden. Blistered, scarred and clearly battered, she slumps at Rusty's feet sobbing bitterly.

"His grip was so strong. I thought I could defeat him alone, but you saw what happened. I have failed my guardianship of the gold."

"Cheer up, Bragollach. You did your best and there is still time to deny the arrival of Mammon."

What now? You have an AP each to play with.

"Is Masterstroke guarded?" Nayce asks, already guessing the answer.

"I was its guardian, but Mammon will know I have broken free of his influence."

Bragollach winces and looks away. "I cannot stay here. He still tugs at my mind. I may betray you. He will send other guardians, but if you hurry, you may be able to take Masterstroke before they arrive."

"Let's dae it." Dorvin says, punching his fist into his palm for emphasis. Because that's what one does.

"Yes, lets proceed before anything else can attack us."

Bragollach nods, a trace of her draconic arrogance returning as she gestures to the group to leave.

"Go. Mammon will try to take everything from you. Life, soul, possessions. Everything. Remind Grajava of the threat. Make her give you Masterstroke."

Passing through the shattered doors, you find yourself in a wide corridor, its beauty marred by the spatters of cursed gold ejected from Bragollach in her frenzy. This leads directly to a set of massive oricalchum doors, thirty feet high and inscribed with protective runes invoking the power of Volund.

Like the corridor itself, they have been horribly defaced with clawmarks and gold splatters, but they stand yet, guarded by a twenty foot tall statue of the Shield Maiden Grajava. Between her feet lies what can only be Masterstroke. It is a battle hammer and radiates power, seemingly almost alive. The statue watches impassively as the group approach.

MAP

Guldarin walks over to the hammer and bends down for a closer look. Then he looks up otwards the statue. "Grajava, I assume. And that must be Masterstroke. We'll need that to deal with a little problem to do with Mammon, so I hope you won't mind if we borrow it. We'll bring it back afterwards. If we win, that is. If we lose, I expect we'll have other problems and we might not be able to bring it back, although I'm sure any of us who survive will make an effort to do so, assuming we aren't running for our lives and we remember though it's also possible that we might survive but get captured and won't be running anywhere, although again I suppose there might be some running-based torture that followers of Mammon inflict on people, probably involving whips for stragglers and that sort of thing, but if we have Masterstroke then there's more chance that we won't need to run around for the entertainment of whip wielding followers of Mammon."

There is no bonus for making the GM laugh so much it hurts, but there should be.

Dorvin groans.

Amenephus nods sagely at the dwarf.

Religon or Diplomacy check please from Guldarin. Up to three others may chip in to help.

Nayce adds, diplomatically, "Our need is great, for a terrible evil infests this mountain."

Diplomacy to aid 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Edit: Well, I'm glad that was just a check to aid, and not the check itself. We got that roll out of our systems.

Religion 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 19 + 2 = 38 - that includes Nayce's Aid Another attempt.

"Volund would like it, I'm sure."

Nayce's roll gives you a -2 under the current rules. Aid checks are made at 10 + half level and a failure gives a -2.

Guldarin hastily steps in to confirm Nayce's words and forestalls the slight movement from the statue.

Attempting to pick the thing up or making any more checks before you do so?

Addressing the statue Rusty tries an analogy, "Think of Mammon's face as a wondrous, lumpy piece of ore. Now to forge Mammon's face into a wondrous weapon that's the envy of the gods, we need a wondrous tool just like you've got there." He points to the magical hammer.

Diplomacy aid another 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Apologies. The failed aid another penalty is -1, not -2.

Rusty's words are heartfelt and entirely believeable. The statue remains watchful.

One more attempt to convince Grajava please. Any skill you like, but if it seems only tenuously appropriate, the DC will be higher.

History to recount deeds of ancestors and the steadfastness of his people:
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

"Reet, list while ah tell thee of ma fathah, an' his fathah afore 'im. Ye'll ken the po'er o' ma kinsfolk."

The statue of Grajava speaks at last.

"You have sacrificed the Teardrop. You have proved yourselves in the furnace of Volund's making. You are untainted by the curse of the mountain. Masterstroke is rightfully yours."

The great warhammer rises, awaiting the touch of its new possessor.

Masterstroke is a +4 warhammer
4d6 on crit.
Property - Masterstroke has the heavy thrown property and crits on 19/20.
Property - you may call Masterstroke to your hand from up to 10 squares away.
Power (free, encounter). Masterstroke gains the cold, fire, lightning or thunder keyword and deals an extra 1d10 damage of the chosen type for the rest of the encounter.
Power (standard, daily). Masterstroke gives the following attack:
Close Burst 2. Strength or Con +4 v Fort.
On hit 3d8+10 damage and targets are knocked prone.

Masterstroke is a sentient artifact and will reveal its goals to the owner as well as any other properties it may bestow.

Are there any objections if Dorvin takes it? I have 20 Strength and +2 feat bonus to damage with hammers. And he's a dwarf ;)

None at all from this dwarf's direction. :-)

all yours

Rusty's occupation has more of an emphasis on taking the hits rather than dishing out damage, so the hammer is more useful in the hands of Dorvin.

Thanks all.

Dorvin reaches out and solemnly takes the Hammer.

"I thank ye." he says seriously.

Masterstroke ruminates a moment and then speaks.

"Mammon is rising. We must beat him back down into hell."

Dorvin feels the power of the artifact seep into his mind and can only wait for approval or otherwise. Masterstroke takes only a moment, but in that moment the weight of the mountain is in his hands.

"You are worthy. Together we will smite the enemies of Volund."

The statue of Grajava nods approvingly and turns to the huge doors behind her. She raises both fists and strikes at them, shattering both the doors and herself as she collapses in a pile of rubble, revealing the Prime Forge beyond...

Dorvin grips Masterstroke grimly.

Oo-er.

"Ye're in the reet of it there." he snarls with determination.

Will update his profile soon.

A giant golden statue looms imperiously over the Prime Forge. This is no image of Volund however, but a grinning, infernal dwarf. The statue looks down on the six mighty anvils, surrounded by a pole of corrupted oricalchum. The walls are hung with Mammonite symbols and more of the cursed gold, gleaming with an unnatural brightness.

Two devils and three tieflings garishly arrayed in Mammon's gold tend their master and the forges, looking expectantly now at the shattered door.

The Mountain King's voice booms from the mouth of his statue, but echoes from every coin, jewel and precious item in the room.

"Ah. Adventurers. Looters, pillagers, killers for hire. My favourite kind of people. Some vacancies have recently opened in our ranks. Can I interest your resourceful group in a very profitable position?"

The tone is lush with the promise of untold riches and hard to resist.

MAP

Nayce
Tiefling 1
Tiefling 2
Mountain King
Guldarin
Amenephus
Devil 1
Devil 2
Rusty
Dorvin

"Go f~@# yersen." Dorvin says calmly.

With dour efficiency, Nayce sets about trying to eliminate the infernal menaces.

Move to W12. Eyebite on T3. 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 vs Will. 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 psychic and I am invisible to it to SOMNT. T3 now has 2 shrouds.

Hold onto your hat just a second, Nayce, there's something you may want to know.

The voice is silenced by Dorvin's response and then the statue glitters suddenly as the surface peels away like gold leaf. With a ponderous thud, the golden statue stands, transformed into a gold-skinned giant. Gems mottle its flesh in serpentine pattens, rubies fall from its smiling lips and its eyes glow like infernal emeralds. Diamond and platinum coins fall like sweat from its flesh.

"Before you raise your hands against me, know this. The first weapon that wounds me shall be utterly destroyed. The first power that harms me will be lost to you. This is the word of Mammon, your glorious and immortal mountain king."

MAP

Nayce
Tiefling 1
Tiefling 2
Mountain King
Guldarin
Amenephus
Devil 1
Devil 2
Rusty
Dorvin

Nayce - please keep the rolls, whatever you decide.

If everyone else is keeping the same PCs, I'd like to swap Dorvers out for a melee striker, probably a vampire.

Discussion thread - for, you know, discussion :)

Hrm. So whatever I use will be gone?

Hrm. So whatever I use will be gone?

Yes. If it's a weapon, gone for good type gone. If it's a power then Mammon takes it and you don't get it back until he either uses it himself or is destroyed.