KC's Age of Worms

Game Master Kobold Catgirl

Bawls.

Yeah, sorry, I'm without condition-removing options. (I'll eventually have purging finale, more likely than not, but not much use for you right now.)

As soon as the platform starts moving, Eben casts one last spell over the group and begins describing the many, many ways one can poke an eye out.

Casting moment of greatness and beginning Dirge of Doom.

Moment of greatness lasts 80 rounds, good hope lasts 79 rounds, cat's grace on Astraden lasts 72 rounds, Mirror image lasts 71 rounds, cat's grace on me lasts 70 rounds.

Mirror image has 3 images remaining. Not that it matters against an all-seeing demon, I'm sure.

Robin coughs. "I, er, think I'd better stay back here, old bean...s. It doesn't seem like there's much room for an archer in all this. In a literal sense." He eyes the crowded pillar uncertainly. "I'll just leave you with a bit of hunter's wisdom to tip the scales. Best save the rest for just in case, eh?"

Robin will offer to cast Greater Magic Fang (+2 enhancement) on one or two of Tanith's demon-hurting body parts, as well as Barkskin (+4 NA) on any one person.

This done, Robin hops back to the south side and watches, looking somewhat regretful.

Proper update shortly.

I'll take the Barkskin, unless someone else thinks they need it more? I think Tanith already has Ironskin up.

Carina chugs another extract of false life...

Temp HP: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

...and offers the other one for someone to take.

Inits: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 241d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 191d20 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 + 4 = 271d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 151d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 0 + 2 = 141d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 = 201d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

The piled-up group rises up into the room.

The chamber they find themselves in is modestly sized, but has a very high ceiling: nearly sixty feet high. The room is lit by elongated metal lanterns that glow with the colors of the rainbow. A white marble sarcophagus floats in the air at the far end of the room, ten feet off the floor. The sarcophagus bottom is carved with an image of a sleeping Wind Duke, two swords resting on its chest and a winged helmet at its feet.

The walls are carved to depict a funeral procession that winds up in a spiral, showing Wind Dukes, djinni, air elementals, and other elemental servants of Law in mourning as they attend the body of a fallen general. After the first spiral, the upper sections show the general's ascension into a primal vortex of wind and thunder. Many-eyed abominations, frog-like humanoids, and spider-like demons are trampled beneath his feet as he rises into a golden doorway at the end of the fresco.

The room appears to be empty, but Farrukh can see the demon and kolyarut still. The demon is standing nearby, watching. Its injures have vanished. The demon's eyes widen with surprise at how many adventurers have now arrived. Then, releasing a snarl everyone can hear plainly, it rushes forward.

Round 1: Demon

The demon appears and slashes at Tanith. Its eyes are shimmering with a faint glow they didn't have before, and its form is split into eight mirror images.

Longsword/Longsword/Longsword/Claw (FF) @Tanith: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 22 + 2 = 301d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 2 = 311d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 2 = 291d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 16 + 2 = 29 I believe those all hit.
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 7 + (6, 1) = 201d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (2, 4) = 161d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (6, 3) = 201d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 62 damage.
Too slow to raise his pectoral defenses, Tanith feels unholy energy ripping through his mortal fabric. The demon gives a foul chuckle, seeming much more pleased with this result than with its attacks against Farrukh. Three of its eyes take on a sickly glow before discharging bolts of energy at 1d6 ⇒ 3 Carina.

Eyebolts (Touch): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (6) + 24 = 301d20 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 351d20 + 24 ⇒ (1) + 24 = 25
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 8) = 20 Carina takes 20 damage (or she takes 10 and Tanith takes 10). And make two Fortitude saves, DC 25. If you fail one, you are Sickened from fear for 1 hour. If you fail both, you are Sickened for an hour and also Panicked for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds.

One of the eyebolts misses and pings wildly off the walls, and the demon ducks, looking startled. Then it keeps shooting.

I assume that Farrukh is closing his eyes, since that's his style. Carina so far has preferred to avert (Avert: 1d100 ⇒ 62). Tanith has kept his eyes open, so I'm assuming he did so here. Nobody else heard about the gaze attack.

Therefore, Tanith, Astraden, Rodrigo and Eben, make Fortitude saves from the gaze.

Round 1: You are up! The majority of you are currently Squeezing. Squares south of the bottom two columns count as squeezing as well.

Sensing an impending full attack, Tanith chugs the offered extract.

False Lifes: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

He also Channels some Vigor.

Fort: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 6 = 25

The big man reels from the pouncing demon's attacks. When there's a lull, he allows the Brawler's strength to fill him once again before reaching out to bless Eben's quiver.

Fervored CMW (formerly Ironskin): 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 3) + 9 = 19

Spending a blessing to give Eben good-aligned attacks. I believe Farrukh's blessing should have two rounds left on it.

Fortitude (good hope): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 = 24
Knowledge (planes) (good hope): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18

Astraden grimaces under the demon-eyes' scrutiny. She shakes off the unnatural force through sheer orcish constitution, then drops her rapier to push at Tanith with her palm and mutter a snatch of Suloise that rapidly closes his wounds. "Give us some space!" she tells him, switching to Common.

Sending converted to healing: 4d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 7, 7, 5) + 9 = 30 You're out of bear's endurance, right?

The priestess then points the hovering golden blade at the demon, and the thing speeds towards its target.

Spell resistance: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 Spiritual weapon: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Force: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Round 1: Cast cure critical wounds using a scrapped spell (standard action) and direct spiritual weapon (move action). Air walk on Astraden lasts 686 rounds, magic circle against law on Tanith lasts 700 rounds, daylight on Eben's arrow lasts 701 rounds, comprehend languages lasts 760 rounds, copycat lasts 5 rounds, and spiritual weapon lasts 8 rounds.

The spiritual weapon lunges for the demon and seems to fizzle as it connects, becoming strangely undefined and fuzzy. It remains thus pixelated pixilated until it exits the demon's form.

Carina, Farrukh, Eben and Rodrigo are up.

I forgot to apply the -2 from Dirge of Doom onto those attacks. I believe they all still hit, but Tanith and Carina should double-check if they're unsure.

With Tanith being flat footed I think the eye monster needed 1s to miss.

Hrm. Bear's Endurance should be down. I don't think it made a difference on any of his rolls.

Farrukh sidesteps over and lays into the demon.

"Just die already."

Concealment: 8d100 ⇒ (17, 81, 83, 91, 33, 89, 37, 65) = 496

Slash: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Haste Slash: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Bash: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

Bash Iterative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

I Tanith's Holy thingy still up? if so:

4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 6) = 15

Farrukh lays into the demon. It hisses in danger as he lands two concrete blows.

Carina, Eben and Rodrigo are up.

Whoah! Dirge of Doom actually works here? Bauer must've slipped up...

On the ride up, as Brave Sir Robin bails, Eben replies, slightly panicked, "Wait, no room for an archer? Then why am I on this thing? Okay, stop the elevator, I want to get off..." He pulls out his bow for emphasis (and readiness) as the elevator ascends out of sight of the rising path room.

In spite of being warned of an 'eye monster', he isn't ready for what confronts them at the top. His eyes unavoidably make contact with a few of the demon's own...

Fortitude+good hope+moment of greatness: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 14
Sheesh. Action Point.
2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

A little short of breath, but otherwise still fine, Eben gasps out "Actually, think I'm fine right here..." He shakes his glass rod, clicking a button as he says to the demon, "Again and again!"
Swift-casting deja vu.
Caster level check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

He then drops the rod, letting it clatter to the floor with a musical tinkle, and uses the space between him and the monstrosity to try and lay some arrows into it.

manyshot+good hope+haste+PBS-squeeze: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 20
damage+good hope+PBS: 2d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 11

haste shot+good hope+haste+PBS-squeeze: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 25
damage+good hope+PBS: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 10

iterative shot+good hope+haste+PBS-squeeze: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 29
damage+good hope+PBS: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

At the least that should take out a couple of mirror images. If I overcame its spell resistance, then any action it takes next round it has to repat on the round following, yada yada.

Moment of greatness lasts 79 rounds, good hope lasts 78 rounds, cat's grace on Astraden lasts 71 rounds, Mirror image lasts 70 rounds, cat's grace on me lasts 69 rounds.

Mirror image has 3 images remaining.

Wanna confirm that crit?

Wouldn't that action be 'full attack Tanith?'

Don't forget the holy damage.

Oh, didn't even notice the crit.
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 17
Nevermind, then...

Eben pops one of the eight demons out of existence.

1d7 ⇒ 7

Surprisingly, his last shot actually catches the real demon right in the cheek. The arrow does absolutely nothing, aside from momentarily startling the creature. It sizzles away, leaving only a warped arrowhead and a few shreds of feather fletching to hit the floor.

The first arrow just sort of pings off something invisible on the other side of the room. A quiet sigh is heard.

Carina and Rodrigo are up.

In light of Eben's plan (and since it he doesn't look like he's using that holy damage anyway), I'd like to make Tanith's standard action a total defense.

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Dunno what a fail does, or what number I'm going for. Assuming I'm still able to act...

Rodrigo pees himself a little at the sight of the demon. He withdraws into the corner and closes his eyes.

Withdraw action into the corner. Close my eyes and wait for my next action.

The spoiler states: "If you fail, you are paralyzed for 1 round." Rodrigo failed the save.

Carina is up. I need a Fortitude save vs. gaze and two saves vs. fear.

Ah, I see it now.

Yeah, I saw how it might have been hard to spot amid everything there. Sorry about that.

Tanith, deja vu occurs two turns from now, and is what the demon does on its next turn. If it had been this last attack, I think that would have actually been fortuitous - that sounded like a charge full-round action, and the demon couldn't have done that, so it'd be confused. Also, make sure to 5' up next round so we don't have to squeeze back here (or take AOOs to get out of squeeze).

Gotcha. I thought deja vu was based on what was done this round.

I'll stick with total defense but that's good to know for next time.

Right, whoever it full attacks this round... withdraw next and we get an automatic round of confusion. Or if it does something else... well, adjust as necessary.

Denying ourselves a useful action for the possibility of denying this guy a useful action at best seems like a lose-lose.

Well, the whole party wouldn't be denied actions. Just one of the people the demon goes after. 5 full PC turns vs 0 monster turns is not quite as good as a caster with sleep or hold person, but it's still a lot better than one of us getting full attacked twice in a row. Even with another CSW and a 2-AP Quick Channel, I'm not healing as fast as this thing hurts.

Fortitude Save 1 (Shield Other?): 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19
AP Boost?: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6 Final Result: 23

Fortitude Save 2 (Shield Other?) *Sickened*: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 26

Caught unprepared this time around, Carina feels her stomach twist into knots from the demon's eyebolt. "Ow... oh, this was a terrible idea..."

Round 1: Actions
No Action: 5' step off the platform
Full-Round Action: Throw Dispelling Bombs at the demon while keeping my eyes averted

Carina looks down and starts trying to track the beast's shadow, throwing two anti-magic bombs at where she hopes the demon is standing...

Ranged Touch Attack (PBS, Precise, Sickened): 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 10
Miss Chance 1: 1d100 ⇒ 1

Ranged Touch Attack (PBS, Precise, Sickened): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 6
Miss Chance 2: 1d100 ⇒ 36

Sheesh, RNGesus isn't being nice today.

Thankfully, Dispelling Bombs don't do Splash effect.

Antimagic floods two nearby squares, but as there's no magic within, nothing happens.

Carina, you can't five-foot step move into that square—the bottom left corner square is Squeezing.

Round 2: Demon

Seeing Carina's weakness, not recognizing Even's spell, and frustrated with Tanith's repeated healing, the demon moves closer to press the archers against the wall. It swings at Carina and fires its eyebolts at Tanith.

Longsword/Longsword/Longsword/Claw @ Carina (squeezing AC): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 351d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 261d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 151d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 91d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Eyebolts @ Tanith: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 401d20 + 24 ⇒ (9) + 24 = 331d20 + 24 ⇒ (10) + 24 = 34 Damage: 6d8 ⇒ (8, 4, 5, 6, 6, 1) = 30

Carina takes 18 damage (or 9 and Tanith takes 9). Tanith takes 30 damage and must make three Fortitude saves, each DC 25. If he fails one, he's Sickened by fear for an hour. If he fails two, he's Sickened for an hour and panicked for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds. If he fails all three, he's knocked unconscious for 1d4 ⇒ 2 hours or until he receives medical attention.

Round 2: You are up!

Fort: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 + 6 + 4 = 41
Fort: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 + 6 + 4 = 30
Fort: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 + 6 + 4 = 30

The demon's rays sear his flesh but Tanith shakes off the crippling fear that follows.

Waiting to see what happens with image popping/dispelling.

"Who's it after?"

Does either Carina or Eben have a melee weapon they can draw to flank with me?

I have a dagger...

Round 2: Actions
Move Action: Draw Dagger
Standard Action: Total Defence: +4 to AC

Carina staggers from the blows and draws her knife when she sees Farrukh taking up a flanking position.

Don't know if this'll work, but it's better than nothing.

AC should be back to 28 now. DEX Mutagen + Shield + Shield Other + Squeezing + Total Defence.

You won't threaten if you're on total defense.

Oh. In that case, I'll drop it and just have to grin and bear it.

You can still Fight Defensively though.

Farrukh steps over and lays into the demon again.

Concealment: 8d100 ⇒ (93, 65, 81, 27, 91, 88, 91, 55) = 591

Slash: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Slash Haste: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

Bash: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 16 + 3d6 ⇒ (6) + 16 + (3, 6, 6) = 37

Bash Iterative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Bad dice. Baaaad. I'm using Shield Slam on the Bash that hit.

Farrukh pulls deep into his reserves of energy and tries to slam the demon's head into the pillar one last time.

Action Point Bash: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 16 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 16 + (2, 4, 4) = 28

And Slam on this one too.

The others see that the demon's many eyes watch Farrukh wherever he goes. He is unable to get a flank on it. Still, he manages to score a particularly nasty hit, following it up with a shallower cut in the leg. The creature snorts, sounding unimpressed. It manages to keep its footing.

Oh, I almost forgot—anybody whose eyes are open (Carinavert: 1d100 ⇒ 50), meaning Tanith, Astraden and Carina, must make Fortitude saves vs. the gaze again. DC 18, paralysis for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds if failure.

Also, the paralysis on Rodrigo ends, so he can move this turn.

Rodrigo, Astraden and Eben are up.

Fortitude Save (Shield Other, Sickened): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 9

Carina promptly freezes up.

Tanith's up too. If he can 5' up before Eben's turn, Carina (and the rest of us) won't have to take squeezing penalties to AC.
Farrukh, I'm not sure Rodrigo actually cast haste. Eben suggested it but I've been operating under the assumption that it wasn't up yet.

Fortitude vs. gaze (good hope): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16
Action point: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 [3/9] Just scrapes by.

Just after seeing her friend go still, and knowing what Eben's spell did, Astraden shuts her eyes. "F~~@ that." She snags a scroll from inside her backpack, flips it open, and scans the violet text, muttering under her breath. She reaches a hand out to Carina and, grabbing her friend's jaw, transmits an electric shock. Carina finds herself suddenly free of the effect.

Astraden provokes one AOO for retrieving the scroll and another AOO for casting it. AC is modified to reflect eye-shutting.

Round 2: Retrieve item (move action) and use scroll of remove paralysis on Carina (standard action). Air walk on Astraden lasts 685 rounds, magic circle against law on Tanith lasts 699 rounds, daylight on Eben's arrow lasts 700 rounds, comprehend languages lasts 759 rounds, and copycat lasts 4 rounds.

The demon's eyes narrow as it sees Astraden drawing her scroll. It swings its sword in a cruel arc, catching Astraden right in the gut with one of its spikes. She staggers, the wind viciously knocked out of her.

AoO (dirge of doom): 1d20 + 22 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 22 - 2 = 40
Crit?: 1d20 + 22 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 22 + 4 - 2 = 37
Damage: 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (6, 7) + 14 = 27 And make a Fortitude save, DC 25. Success indicates you are staggered for 1 round. Failure indicates you are staggered for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 rounds.

The demon speaks as Astraden's blood spills onto its blade. "Fools for infant gods," it growls. Its voice is rough and serrated, like a sawtooth saber. "This chained dog bites what it may. You all should have fled."

[46/73] Fortitude (good hope): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16

"HURK," Astraden chokes, nearly dropping the scroll. "Rodrigo . . . take Carina . . . away," she gasps. "Eben . . . Tanith . . . back off."

Carina is NOT de-paralyzed. BUT we can be pretty sure this thing doesn't have Combat Reflexes. So Rodrigo can port Carina across the room, thereby f@$@ing up the deja vu so the demon gets confused. Not sure WHEN the demon gets confused - as soon as the conditions are broken, or on its turn - but to be safe, we might want to have Eben be the last one to attack it, as he currently has the most HP of the group that still has actions left. If Rodrigo fails his save (which hopefully won't happen, thanks to moment of greatness and action points), Tanith should grab Carina and physically move her out of the monster's 5' range.

I can do that but Tanith isn't in great shape either. He can't take an AoO and another barrage of eyebolts.

I just took the AOO for you.

Did anything happen to lead us to believe that this thing doesn't have combat reflexes?

KC, can I 5-foot step back into that alcove behind me to unsqueeze myself, or is that still squeezy terrain?

KC said all squares south of the pillars are squeezing, IIRC.
Tanith: I guess we don't know, in-game. I was intending to take two AOOs but it staggered me before I could provoke the other. But if we can keep the creature from full attacking (i.e. get you and Carina out of its 5' step range), it will be confused, which means no eyebolts on you.
I think it's worth taking an AOO to keep Carina from dying again. You can take 1 hit at your full AC. She can't take 4 while paralyzed.
Anyway, feel free to wait for Rodrigo.

I wasn't sure if he meant 'any squares south of where the pillars are on the map', or 'the squares directly south of the two pillars' were squeeze terrain. Anyway, I should save against paralysis before I go making any plans, I suppose...

Fortitude+good hope: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26