Legends of Katapesh - Legacy of Fire

Game Master justaworm

"Well no time like the present..let's be about it"

Was waiting for a response from Efreat...or I suppose they might address the giants they can see on the other side of the wall. However, I agree with you, I would like to get moving forward a bit quicker. Bahir is, in his mind, negotiating so he won't become aggressive until they do.

Efreat floats down below the wall, "vos'besh'kree'nar!" A ball of cold energy explodes on the giants and hellhounds. "Sorry Bahir, negotiations are at an end. Those screams are coming from someone being tortured."
cast energy spell (cold) fireball and hit as many giants as possible as a primary and hellhounds and other creatures as secondaries. Reflex dc18 for half10d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 5, 5, 4, 6, 1, 6, 5) = 43

The paladin nods and his jaw clenches as Efreat confirms that these creatures are indeed torturing someone.

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Surprise_________________

Mah'ysa holds off on casting, saving her healing powers for later.

Surprise Round!

With a carefully placed blast in the center, Efreat appears out of thin hot air to surprise and engulf all three fire giants and all of the hounds within a single ball of coldness. After the crying out in pain and the frosty goodness dissipates, you find that three of the four hounds stand as rigid as corpses, frozen in place. The fourth looks like it'll be joining the others shortly. The fire giant in the center who took the brunt of the blast is not looking too hot himself, the other two are seemingly able to scrape the ice off.

Initiative!

Round 0 - Bahir, Pae, Efreat, and Mah'ysa are up!

Map Link

Surprise_____________

Mah'ysa assumes the Total Defense stance (AC27).
Pass.

Going to wait and see what Efreat does since he beat my initiative and don't want to get in the way of another area effect spell.

Efreat shouts, "vos'besh'kree'nar!" and another ball of cold flame engulfs the giants.
cast fireball with elemental (cold) spell at the giants as the primary targets and the other hellhound if possible. Reflex dc 18 for half10d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 4, 3, 5, 4, 1, 6, 4, 2) = 37

Before the fire creatures even have a chance to react to the sudden sorcery attack, another explosion of ice hits them. The previously three frozen dogs shatter into thousands of icy pieces. The one hound that was still up is now frozen in place. Of the three fire giants, all three remain up and ready to fight, but they sure look mighty cold. The fire within the one in the middle doesn't looking like its going to be burning much longer.

Round 0 - Bahir and Pae are up!

The paladin advances on the off guard heavily wounded giant, "I sense the evil in your hearts! Torturing your enemies has brought the Dawnflower's wrath upon you, repent and you shall be spared!"

He will attack the most wounded giant. AC 30 currently.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (3) + 1 = 11 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
Bane Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

Having been watching you intently for the past minute or so, he is ready for your advance despite being plummeted by exploding balls of ice. At this point, it is basically a last-ditch survival effort. As Bahir moves close within the giant's great sword's long reach, he makes one final effort to attack.

Giant #2 AoO on Bahir: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38 Hit!
Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) + 15 = 21

The blade cuts through solid with a blow that would sever a normal man in two. But Bahir is no mere normal man and pushes through to land his own, equally impressive blow that cuts the fire being open allowing the frost to enter the wound and snuff out the raging fire within. The giant falls with a crash of ice on brass leaving the Paladin standing alone around the remains of numerous fallen beasts.

Round 0 - Pae is up!

I'll add in a Lay Hand's On then: 6d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 3, 2, 3) = 14 :)

Well, it's been over a week, so let's just say Pae delays and gets ready to flank after the giants go.

That's okay. Labor Day weekend in US followed by hectic work week left me little time to post.

As Pae steps back, waiting for his opportunity to get around to their flank, the remaining two giants look furiously upon the paladin as one of their own becomes frozen. They move to flank this foe, one of them already close enough to put everything into his attack this round.

The sheer force of the assault catches the holy warrior off guard, but he quickly regains his defensive posture. But only after taking some significant injuries from their blades, something he is getting used to doing around here. (Total Damage: 51)

A raging sound that only a fire giant could make (What does a fire giant sound like?) is heard as another one of these massive creatures appears with great speed through the freezing wall of waving frost. He looks a little chilly but brushes it off as he looks around on this side of the wall at his surroundings. He yells something in Ignan short and loud. (Wall of Fire(Cold) damage: 21)

Round 1 - Everyone is up! Don't forget Haste is up!

Map Link

Hazreem smiles as he watches the giants approach what they assumed was the obvious threat. They are about to be proven wrong. Weaving his insubstantial arms around, he mutters a heartfelt prayer to his god Gozreh. Spreading his arms wide he points at the brass floor and his spell takes hold, quenching the fiery bodies! Once the spell is cast, he hurriedly flies out of range of their counterattacks.

Action: Cast Quench on the targets to cover all of the targets. It looks like he can hit everyone except for the magmen at the far left side.
Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 5, 2, 4, 6, 6, 5, 1) = 43, No save.
Move: Fly up to the ceiling.

Efreat fires three bolts of ice into the giant that appeared through the flames.
cast scorching ray with energy spell (cold). ranged touch attack on all three bolts (does not include additional damage for being cold):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 254d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 2) + 1 = 81d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 284d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 1) + 1 = 101d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 254d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 1) + 1 = 13
possible crit on second ray:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 134d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 5) + 1 = 16

Round 1___________

"Bahir!" Mah'ysa exclaimed at the serious double hit the paladin took.

Moving in a blur, Mah'ysa tumbles through the giants reach to his back.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

Sacrificing a Holy Smite, she casts Cure Critical on Bahir for 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 7, 1, 7) + 10 = 27 points of healing. Defensively.

2 less damage per hit due to DR. So add back 4 hitpoints please. He took out a fire giant last round.

The paladin unleahes a blinding series of strikes at the healthiest of the two giants flanking him while calling upon the Dawnflower's wrath to smite his enemies.

Swift action used for smite evil. Not sure if I can move to attack another giant if my first opponent falls but will do so if able (subtract 5 from attack and 10 from damage rolls on non-smite target since his Deadly Juggernaut will go up again).

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 18 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 18 + (4) + 2 = 25 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 18 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 18 + (4) + 2 = 26 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 = 11

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 18 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 18 + (6) + 3 = 30 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5) + 2 = 12

Hasted Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 32 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 18 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 18 + (3) + 1 = 25 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1) + 2 = 9

If evil outsider add +11 damage to first successful attack.

Hazreem puts a damper on the fire creature's plans and snuffs out nearly all of the magmin on the other side of the wall who haven't done anything yet. And the fire giants look a lot worse for wear. Then Efreat easily strikes the large-profile target with a barrage of icy rays.

Mah'ysa tries to move quickly and avoid the wraith of the giants, but she is not quick enough and draws their anger and takes a beating. (Total Damage: 58) The spell fissiles and she finds herself in need of critical healing.

Fire Giant #1 AoO on Mah'ysa: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31 Hit
Fire Giant #2 AoO on Mah'ysa: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29 Hit
Fire Giant #1 Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) + 15 = 31
Fire Giant #2 Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 3, 3) + 15 = 27

But Bahir steps up and comes to the rescue and with two swings of his enchanted sword, the first giant falls with its fire extinguished. He turns around to the other one and continue his assault, but it is too far away for him to reach. (While evil, they are not outsiders)

Round 1 - Pae is up!

I'll finish post tomorrow. If no Pae by then, I'll NPC him.

The priestess' cry of concern is followed immediately by one from the holy warrior, "Mah'ysa!" The paladin steps protectively in front of her as she narrowly avoids being cleaved in half by the mighty blades.

I will take that 5' step to place myself between the last giant and Mah'ysa since I could not reach him.

Sardaukar and Mah'ysa: Are you sure you even attempted to cast that spell since I believe your movement caused the AOO's and.....well I'm pretty sure making that concentration would be impossible. Not sure what else you can do but maybe it can get you to safety. What do you think Sardaukar?

I just thing it's a good thing we aren't invoking the massive damage rules...

Round 1 cont.____________

"Ow." Is the only thing Mah'ysa can say after being hit by both giants as she tumbled in to heal Bahir. They turned out to be way more dangerous than the usual enemies she could run rings around.

Unable to concentrate properly to heal Bahir (as she had intended) due to the wound shock, Mah'ysa clutched at her holy Ankh and Channeled Positive Energy (excluding any Giants nearby) for 5d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 3, 1) = 11 of healing to her and Bahir.

Movement didn't actually draw AoO since she just moved into the outer threat range of both. But casting within said threat range... which would be the standard action. And the paladin had to take a five foot step up to attack (and kill) the northern giant.

NPC'ing our lost halfling...

Pae, seeing his two friends being diced and minced out there, makes a move to try and give them a little bit of time. He rushes towards the giants, reaching into a tan bag hanging from his waist as he does so. Just before he reaches the danger zone, he flings a furry ball from his sack on the brass floor between the cleric and the nearest two fire giants.

Bag of Tricks: 1d100 ⇒ 76

Suddenly appearing before you is a creature from another plane. The large heavy horse whinnies in anger and attacks the closest giant. But as fierce as it seems, it does absolutely nothing against these things.

Heavy Horse Bite Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Miss
Heavy Horse Hoof #1 Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Miss
Heavy Horse Hoof #2 Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Miss

The fire giant answers this pitiful attempt with a pair of slams, crushing it with its sheer might, roaring in delight at the carnage!

Fire Giant #3 Slam Attack #1 on Heavy Horse: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 Hit
Fire Giant #3 Slam Attack #3 on Heavy Horse: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39 Hit
Total damage on Heavy Horse: 4d6 + 24 ⇒ (4, 5, 6, 3) + 24 = 42

Horse chunks splatter in all directions mere moments after it was summoned here. But the chunks vanish as quickly as they came and disappear before striking anything. The giant returns his focus on the paladin and steps closer, ready to pound him as well with his morningstar.

The other giant on this side of the wall looks up at the flying sorcerer who just nailed him with freezing ice pellets. He steps up, picking up the nearest solid object he can find, and flings it up in the air at Efreat, striking him dead on.

Giant #4 Object Throw attack on Efreat: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 Hit
Potential Damage to Efreat: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Mirror Image (real target on 1): 1d7 ⇒ 4 Miss

But instead of dealing him a massive blow, one of his illusions vaporize to the giant's annoyance.

The last fire giant makes his own venture through the freezing wall of fire, sucking up the pain in order to join his dying comrades on the other side.

Wall of Fire(Cold) Damage: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 4) + 11 = 17

The remaining magmin on the other side decides he is going to leave and heads the other direction.

Round 2 - Everyone is up!

Map Link

Ah, I was assuming she was casting defensively from her post.

Bahir advances to finish off the final opponent facing him.

Deadly Juggernaut: +2attack/damage/str, 4DR/-

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (3) + 1 = 15 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 2 = 10

2nd Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + (4) + 2 = 16 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 = 11

3rd Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 8 + (6) + 3 = 19 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

Hasted Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + (2) + 1 = 15 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5) + 2 = 8

Crit Confirm 3rd Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Additional effect: Opponent shaken from Weapon of Awe

Swift action Lay Hands On: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 3, 1, 6) = 19

Efreat moves and remains outside of the giant's grasp before sending another barrage of ice rays at the least injured giant.
make sure I'm outside of the reach of any giants. if I can't without provoking, then cast defensively. scorching ray with elemental spell (cold) applied. ranged touch attacks and cold damage:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 94d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 5) + 1 = 171d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 264d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 5, 5) + 1 = 141d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 194d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5, 3, 3) + 1 = 17

Round 2__________________

Move: Assumes Total Defensive stance (AC Now 28).

Standard: Again sacrificing a Holy Smite, she casts Cure Critical on Bahir for 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 2, 3, 5) + 10 = 28 points of healing.
Casting on the Defensive vs DC23: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 4 = 28 Yes! No AoO for Giant man!

Hazreem sees Bahir advancing on the sorely wounded giant and sees a chance to help clear a path for the paladin. He points an arm at the neighboring giant and fires an electrical bolt at it.

Fire Lightning Arc at Giant #4 (the nearly dead one Bahir is not in melee with). Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10; damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Stepping towards the advancing fire giant, Bahir takes a couple of swing with his blade. But the giant simply knocks the attacks away. But the Paladin just manages to get a third strike under his defenses and this on strikes true, slices the giant in half and putting it out of commission. (Total crit damage: 38) And between his own and Mah'ysa's divine healing, the Paladin looks nearly uninjured and ready to go.

The sorcerer sends another barrage of ice bolts, this time at the new comer to the party. He fumbles with the first one, the blast dissipating before it reaches its target, but the second two hit solid making the giant question coming through that icy wall. (Total damage: 46)

Hazreem fires from the air as well, but seems to have the same trouble as Efreat. His electrical strikes falls well short of reaching it's target.

NPC'ing lost rogue...

Using his magically enhanced speed, Pae darts around to the far pillar to take cover until an opening presents itself...

In an act of desperation, the giants don't give up. Instead they double down on attacking the Paladin. One steps up and gets three shots in, two of which get through Bahir's defenses. The other takes longer to get there and only gets one attack and fails to get past his shield. (Total Damage: 52)

Giant #4 Attack #1 on Bahir: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35 Hit
Giant #4 Attack #2 on Bahir: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31 Hit
Giant #4 Attack #3 on Bahir: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 Miss
Giant #5 Attack #1 on Bahir: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23 Miss
Giant #4 Attack #1 Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 1, 5) + 15 = 27
Giant #4 Attack #2 Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 6, 2) + 15 = 25

Round 3 - Everyone is up!

Map Link

Sardaukar: Not sure whether you took off 6 hitpoints per hit. Should have only taken 40 damage in the end. If I can, I will advance to be in melee with both giants (if not, than the least damaged one).

The holy warrior strikes back as the giant's heavy blows rain down upon him.

Deadly Juggernaut: +3attack/damage/str, 6DR/-

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (1) + 1 = 15 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4

2nd Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + (3) + 1 = 16 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10

3rd Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + (5) + 2 = 22 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9

Hasted Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (1) + 1 = 15 Frost vulnerability added in
Holy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Bane Damage to fire outsiders: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12

Crit Confirm 3rd Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Crit Confirm Hasted Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38 +2 if Fire outsider
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Swift action Lay Hands On: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 6, 1, 5) = 20

Efreat lowers his wand and fires five bolts of energy at the most damaged giant.
use wand of magic missile5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 3, 3) + 5 = 19

Sorry, forgot the DR again. With those 12 HPs plus the new lay on hands, Bahir is at 61/88.

Stepping up, Bahir attempts to deliver the final blow. His first strike with his frosted blade slices through like soft butter. But it takes the next two swings to finish the fire giant off. Then, the holy warrior is able to turn and unleash his final blow against the last remaining giant. This critical hit is enough to put out the fire in this giant as well, saving Efreat from needing to fire from his wand of missiles.

Out of initiative order!

Mah'ysa grimaces at the pain as she substitute casts Cure Moderate Wounds twice and Cure Serious once.
Cure Moderate: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 4) + 10 = 19
Cure Moderate: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 5) + 10 = 18
Cure Serious: 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 3, 8) + 10 = 23
She sighs with relief as the pain passes.
"I'm sorry my husband," She says to Bahir. "I've always been able to evade enemy blows before this..."
She reaches out and sacrifices Wrathful Mantle to cast Cure Serious, then sacrifices Sanctuary to cast Cure Light on Bahir.
Cure Serious Wounds: 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) + 10 = 21
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Hazreem nods in relief as the final giant is slain. That could have turned quickly into disaster. Unfortunate one of them escaped, but it cannot be helped now. We need to find this prisoner Efreat mentioned.

Leaving the married couple alone for a moment as they tend each other's wounds, he flies around the chamber making certain they are alone and not being watched. He remembered all too well Mah'ysa's warning of someone else taking an interest in the encounter earlier.

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

The paladin raises his eyebrows in surprise, "Hus...but we haven't been consecrated in the temple...or blessed in the Dawnflower's first rays..." His look melts into a smile and he allows the word to roll off his tongue as if savoring a sweet wonderful new fruit, "Husband...I like the sound of that...my Radiant...Wife..."

...The sounds of continuing torture break through his momentary reverie and the holy warrior steps past the wall of ice, toward the sound, as its magic fades at last.

Efreat waits for his companions to heal and then lowers the wall of cold-fire. He levels his wand at any creature on the other side.

As the wall of cold-fire dissipates, the frightful screams become louder coming a vast courtyard on the other side. In the center of the court to the southwest stands a fifty-foot-tall zigguart, atop which looms a statue of a bull. Smoke issues from the statue's open mouth as does the eerie bellowing. While the sides of the zigguart would be climbable, the easiest approach is the large staircase on the southern side.

As you approach the giant bull, the first thing you notice is the red sky above. The ceiling above you ends and you find yourself standing in an open air courtyard. Above, a railing along the edge indicates that a second level 40 to 50 feet above exists. To the south of the zigguart stands a huge domed palace that surmounts the citadel towers above, its double domes glinting beneath a roiling molten sky.

To the right of you as you approach, a staircase turns and heads up. Directly in front of you, a drain grate exists in the floor. To the north of the zigguart is a massive grand staircase heading down to where it reaches a platform, then continues heading down further to the left (not shown on map). Various other doors surround the courtyard and appear to lead internal to the structure of this citadel.

Hazreem floats around the area, checking to make sure that you are alone.

Map Link

Just the area around the zigguart is open the sky above. As soon as the support pillars start on the map it is covered by a ceiling.

After several minutes making sure no one else is around, Hazreem briefly debates heading skyward but memories of the dragon they saw earlier stay his course of action. Instead he elects to return to the others. "There is someone...or something making a lot of racket behind that door over there." He reports, pointing to the first door on the right where the eastern corridor leads to all of the closed doors.

Bahir stays focused on the bull as he circles to head up the stairs toward it, "Is that where the prisoner is kept?"

but we haven't been consecrated in the temple...

Mah'ysa frowned and grasped Bahir by his gorget.

Husband...I like the sound of that...

Mah'ysa smiled and let him go.

==============================

Mah'ysa paled as they approached the bull.
"No, it cannot be real..."

As Bahir begins his decent up the stairs that lead to the bull statue above, the wailing sounds like that of an enraged bull become louder and are clearly coming from the bull above. As he rises, he makes out what appears to be a hatch on the underside of the bull in line with the stairs that would be large enough if opened for a large creature to fit through.

As you climb the 50-foot tall ziggurat, you rise to heights that exceed the ceiling of the floor below. To the left of you, the second floor contains several small windows. To the right and south (before the domes) is a railing revealing another exposed floor, the roof of the citadel as it is all exposed to the sky above. The south contains two large domes, a smaller one to the west of the large one. Looking up, you see what appears to be an open section of the larger dome farther above another 50 feet where one could look out over the city of brass. The top of this dome another 40 or so feet above this landing.

A huge roof walk extends out over the eastern section. Its far eastern face a crenellated battlement overlooking the fires below. A number of guard shacks, turrets, and garderobes top the walk. Yet the most impressive sight here is the one-hundred-foot-tall pyramid of ancient tarnished bronze that stands in the northern half of the rooftop. A wide stair rises to the pyramid's apex, where a small temple with a double-peaked roof stands. Statues of draconic, four-armed female centaurs stand at each corner of this top platform, keeping an eternal watch over the surrounding area.

Glancing up, the massive fire dragon still glides through the red sky. Its head is looking downward giving an unnerving feeling that it is watching your every action.

As you ascend, you are greeted by a familiar face. In the side of the brass ziggurat appears the image of the white haired Garundi man who quickly speaks to you. "A fiery orb from days of old lies suspended between brass and sky, yet hidden from mortal eye. It is the key to your quest. In ancient adoration did this fiery heart lie, and only by heart's blood of the true believer can the way be opened." As quickly as he appeared does his once again vanish.

Map Link

Two separate Perception checks by those that ascend the zigguart stairs:

Can't make either of those perception checks. Can the hatch on the bull be opened? He'll guard as Pae hopefully checks it out for traps and unlocks/opens it.

SHaking his head in exasperation the paladin mumbles to himself as he approaches the brass bull, "Why does he insist on giving us riddles? You would think that if he wants our help he could just tell us where the Impossible Eye was."

Yes, there is a latch for opening the hatch.

Pae? No? If not, than Bahir will open it.

Hazreem flies over to join the paladin on his ascent, "Perhaps he does not know where it is." He replies laconically.

Perception DC 30: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35
Perception DC 28: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25

He points off towards the western windows while muttering softly to Bahir and the halfling. "Better hurry this up. Someone is taking an interest in us."

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

With Mah'ysa at his side and Hazreem and Efreat floating nearby, Bahir grabs ahold of the massive latch and pulls. The handle is rather hot, hot enough that without his magical fire resistance, he wouldn't be able to hold onto it. With a loud hiss of steam, the large hatch begins to open. Intense heat pours forth and the door drops down. The inside is completely filled with flames that quickly die down and then go out as the hatch reaches the ground. The extinguished flames reveal a large Efreeti laying on the bottom of this bull, curled up in a fetal position. The wailing sounds that were coming from the bull cease.

The Efreeti weakly raises his head, looks around, and then spies you looking at him. Hatred and terror seems to stream across his face as he struggles to stand up. His body is uncovered showing his genie-kind in all its glory. His reddish skin is charred and blistered from head to toe, sections seemingly ready to peel off. You wonder how this efreeti has managed to even stand. But something is driving him as he screams, but not in pain but in anger. And his anger seems focused on you, the human standing before him. He stumbles out of the bull, arms raised, charging right for you as his yells.

He is unarmed, weak, and gave plenty of warning. Bahir, you can react before he reaches you. As well as anyone else there were they can see this encounter.

Hazreem mutters a curse under his breath. While he did not understand the ingan tongue, it did not take a genius to see he meant the paladin harm. Swooping above the paladin, he utters a quick prayer to Gozreh and reaches to touch the burned efreet.

Cast Frostbite. Melee touch: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 = 18; damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 non-lethal, cold

"Don't kill him! We need some answers from him!"