Travel to the dragon's lair would take 9 minutes, and movement to where you are now located (the point at which I roll initiative for everyone) is another minute.
The pathfinders move as swiftly as they dare among the frozen landscape into the bowels of the mountain where their last opponent awaits them. Traps, sprung and unsprung lie around every corner before they finally file in a narrow corridor which opens into a larger cave. A gently sloping ramp descends counter clockwise to an elaborately carved
column of ice. A vast pile of gold, jewels, furs, and immense bones lie piled around the column. Of course, all of that is secondary to the sounds of skittering that emanate from your right, and more importantly, to the white scaled dragon which leers at you from the other side.
Couple things. The corridor you are in is ten feet tall, whereas the cavern is 30 feet tall. You are aware of creatures to the side but have not identified what they are. Narika is up, but per her wishes I might end up botting tomorrow morning. Start plotting your actions!
Male CG Undine Wizard 10 | HP 81/81+12| AC 13+4 T 13 FF 10 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +11, R: +9, W: +10 | Init: +4 (+8 with H. Awareness) | Perc: +16, SM: +2 | Speed 30ft (Swim 30) | Timelost Chronicler (1/scenario): used Active conditions: Overland Flight, Mage Armor Know (U/R): Arcana +20/12, Dung +18/10, Local +14/6, Nature +18/10, Planes +20/12, Relig +19/11
Undy will again dismiss Heightened Awareness for a +4 to initiative, which I believe will bump him up with Narika ahead of the Dragon.
Since Protection From Cold is still in effect, Undy and Riddy will both use the fey boon to gain DR 4/-
Both Undy and Riddy will cast Greater Invisibility and move into the room, attempting to determine what these creatures are.
Knowledge (Arcana) re the Dragon, Undy:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33 Knowledge (Arcana) re the Dragon, Riddy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 not sure how many questions that gets me but: Resistances, Special Attacks, Special Defenses, Immunities, Saves
What knowledge checks would it be for the other creatures?
The tiny bead of fire sails through the air and explodes, but the dragon seems unharmed!
Undiana & Riddywhipple:
Adult white dragons have DR 5/ magic, SR 21, they have a icy breath weapon which they use every 1d4 turns (40 ft cone, DC 21 Reflex), no special defenses.
The dragon summons forth arcane energy and a bank of fog engulfs the entrance into the wider cave. Terric, I believe this doesn't affect you with you special vision mode.
Teric holds back in the corridor, looking around the rock walls to see the dragon. He pulls out a rod and curls his fist. A flaming ball appears under the dragon. "Quickly, before he has a chance to bottle us up."
Using Persistent metamagic rod. Any enemies will have to save twice to avoid the spell Flaming Sphere, Reflex DC 18 negates:3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) = 8
SR check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Free action to use the fey boon for DR 4/-. Assuming everything is evil, Teric also has AC of 21, +1 to his saves, and he has cold resist 10.
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 51/86 (14 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
Tess activates the Fey boon to gain cold resistance 8 for the battle.
She then casts Haste on her team.
Please remember your Haste bonuses! I think we are going to need them...
Male CG Undine Wizard 10 | HP 81/81+12| AC 13+4 T 13 FF 10 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +11, R: +9, W: +10 | Init: +4 (+8 with H. Awareness) | Perc: +16, SM: +2 | Speed 30ft (Swim 30) | Timelost Chronicler (1/scenario): used Active conditions: Overland Flight, Mage Armor Know (U/R): Arcana +20/12, Dung +18/10, Local +14/6, Nature +18/10, Planes +20/12, Relig +19/11
@Tess, don't forget that you should still have Protection From Cold 96 for 10 more minutes.
Knowledge (Nature), Undy:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 Knowledge (Nature), Riddy:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Not sure if that gets any information about the mounts, but if it does: special attacks, resistances, immunities, special defenses, saves
Undy alerts his companions: "Watch out! The dragon has a cold breath weapon that sprays out in a cone. Also, it is resistant to spells and you'll want a magic weapon to strike it!"
SR check to see if Tess' Haste spell affects Riddy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
@GM, is the 20' radius template on the map the fog?
Valoria calls upon her fey allies to gain DR 4/- for the encounter.
Heedless of the kobold and its mount, Valora moves into the room and spins. Turning her back on the dragon she speaks a word of power and Arazni leaps from the tower shield strapped to her back and rears in front of the beast.
CG Human Medium 9 | HP 44/75 | AC 27 | T 18 | FF 21 | CMD 22 | F +8 | R +13 | W +9 | +3 AC/Saves vs Undead/Constructs 10ft aura | Init +9 | Percep +11 | SM +11| Spirit Dance 17/22 | Influence 1/5
"Fey things and ghost powers, I'm gonna be unstoppable!" Seren cheers loudly, and then is immediately banked in the gathering miss. She curses something rather vulgar as her invincibility is ruined, but uses the loud clammer of dragon growls and horse rearing to figure out her best option is to dart forward.
She slides past Narika and then goes back to back with Undiana to use him as a brace to leap and roll right over the wizard's shoulders. She lands and gives him a wink. "Thanks bud!" Then continues her motion to start spinning about in her battle dance at the feet of the dragon. She uses the motion to take a good swing at one of its knees.
Free action to gain DR 4/-, Free action to spirit dance - champion, move to new location, and attacking the dragon.
As Undiana and Riddywhipple recall that ice newts do not have any offensive or defensive surprises, Seren goes to slash at the dragon and lands a hit! Meanwhile, Terric's orb attempt to make contact with the dragon and vanishes, the creature's innate resistance to spells enough to neutralize it.
The last kobold, meanwhile, charges in, calling a challenge to the creature neighing!
So, couple things that I didn't account for when you came up Seren, but we'll do some accounting for now.
Seren Will save vs Aura:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Terric Will save vs Aura:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Anyone who steps up in a manner where they can see the dragon, or if you remove the fog, please make a DC 17 Will save or be shaken. Terric, you are shaken, but on the plus side yes your burning sphere is still there. Seren, you are also shaken.
Cold Aura:1d6 ⇒ 1
Seren, you also take a point of cold damage, which I imagine will be deducted from that protection vs Cold that is running.
Tessara ducks out of the way just in time to avoid getting impaled upon the kobold's sword, receiving only a rather painful wound. However, it puts her in a position where she cannot help but getting bitten by the ice newt who manages to rip out a good portion of the witch's flesh.
She then vaults onto Arazni's back and spurs her forward.
[dice=DC 20 Ride check (heroism)]1d20+13+2[/dice]
As she comes into view of the dragon, the sight of it nearly shakes her to her core, but Valoria remembers her training and swallows her fear as she points her sword at the beast.
[dice=Will save vs. fear (heroism, shared consciousness)]1d20+10+2+4[/dice]
"Your reign of terror ends here, dragon!"
Swift action to challenge the dragon, Valoria is now -2 AC vs. all other opponents. Allies gain a +2 circumstance bonus on melee attacks against the dragon as long as Valoria threatens it.
[dice=+1 longsword vs. AC 10 for +5 AC (haste, heroism)]1d20+13+1+2[/dice]
[dice=+1 longsword vs. AC 10 for +5 AC (haste, heroism)]1d20+13+1+2[/dice]
[dice=+1 longsword vs. AC 10 for +5 AC (haste, heroism)]1d20+13+1+2[/dice]
The steady pressure of Valoria's knees on Arazni's side calms her nerves as she spies the dragon.
[dice=Immediate action Ride check (heroism) for Indomitable Mount]1d20+13+2[/dice]
CG Human Medium 9 | HP 44/75 | AC 27 | T 18 | FF 21 | CMD 22 | F +8 | R +13 | W +9 | +3 AC/Saves vs Undead/Constructs 10ft aura | Init +9 | Percep +11 | SM +11| Spirit Dance 17/22 | Influence 1/5
Seren is practically reeling from the onslaught of the dragon, and if sensible she'd try and pull back. But considering there's a DRAGON in front of her, that doesn't seem to be a really good option to just run away. Charging in doesn't seem like a particularly good option either... but she does it anyways.
The last strike of the beast sends her pinwheeling like a top as it tears a gouge out of her side, but between cries of pain she rolls with the motion to dive through the sphere of flame Teric created. "Gaaaugh! Ow, I think I'm gonna bleed all my blood if it does that again!" "Sorcerer, move this flame before it can burn us instead!" Then she strikes with a flurry of circling and weaving strikes, some of her own blood flying off her with all her motion.
As she goes a small coin pops out of her pocket and flashes with light, healing the party.
Aid Token Heal to party:3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) = 11
Free action to dance, free action to activate the aid token we got, 5ft adjust to new location, full attacking! I'm withholding the shaken and heroism from my calculations since they cancel each other out.
| Witch 12 | AC 15 (19 w/Mage Armor) T 14 FF 12 | HP 51/86 (14 temp HP)| F+12,R+11,W+13 | Evasion | Init +3 | Perc +18 | Lowlight Vision | +2 to recover from continuous effects such as such as ongoing poison damage, daily saving throws against disease, a hold person spell, or lingering damage from an attack |
Tess can think of nothing except getting away from the creature threatening her. She uses her magic defensively and tries to Dimension Door back down the passageway.
Concentration check vs DC 23. 1d20 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 6 = 22
Teric flicks his wrist and the ball of flame comes rolling towards him and right into the kobold and newt, who are trying to block the passage. Then, the roars at the kobold, but no sound comes out. However, ice forms on the kobold's ears.
CG Human Medium 9 | HP 44/75 | AC 27 | T 18 | FF 21 | CMD 22 | F +8 | R +13 | W +9 | +3 AC/Saves vs Undead/Constructs 10ft aura | Init +9 | Percep +11 | SM +11| Spirit Dance 17/22 | Influence 1/5
The dragon managed to avoid the brunt of Valoria and Arazni's assault. But it did not count with Seren still being on her feet. A critical mistake.
With elegant, seemingly effortless grace, Seren manages not only to bypass its defenses, but sheathes her blades in a chink in its neck. A chink which leads to its spine.
The dragon collapses, dead. A shame noone but Seren, Arazni and Valoria can witness its untimely end.
One of the remaining kobolds attempts to deal with Arazni!
Miss Chance, Attack #1:1d100 ⇒ 30 Miss Chance, Attack #2:1d100 ⇒ 94 Lance vs Arazni:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Narika takes a small step away from the kobold right next to her, and then points at the far kobold (blue) and wiggles her finger up and down. He feels an almost uncontrollable urge to start laughing.
casting hideous laughter, will DC 17. If failed, falls prone and cannot act for 7 rounds.
Male CG Undine Wizard 10 | HP 81/81+12| AC 13+4 T 13 FF 10 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +11, R: +9, W: +10 | Init: +4 (+8 with H. Awareness) | Perc: +16, SM: +2 | Speed 30ft (Swim 30) | Timelost Chronicler (1/scenario): used Active conditions: Overland Flight, Mage Armor Know (U/R): Arcana +20/12, Dung +18/10, Local +14/6, Nature +18/10, Planes +20/12, Relig +19/11
Undy will cast a fireball, using the steam caster feat to make it a watery ball of fiery steam. Mechanically, this adds the water descriptor (which bumps up the caster level by 2 and triggers the Crashing Waves hex) and makes it a full-round cast; the damage is still fire damage.. The only one of his friends who is within the fireball area is Narika, but he uses [url=http://www.archivesofnethys.com/TraitDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Water%20Shaping]the water shaping trait to select out her square.
hrrrm, I didn't think it required me to be able to see the target, as long as I knew a general direction. Perhaps I was lead astray by the flavor of the spell, since in my mind it's sound based, and you can talk in a general direction without seeing your target. I'm doing some research now.
Male CG Undine Wizard 10 | HP 81/81+12| AC 13+4 T 13 FF 10 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +11, R: +9, W: +10 | Init: +4 (+8 with H. Awareness) | Perc: +16, SM: +2 | Speed 30ft (Swim 30) | Timelost Chronicler (1/scenario): used Active conditions: Overland Flight, Mage Armor Know (U/R): Arcana +20/12, Dung +18/10, Local +14/6, Nature +18/10, Planes +20/12, Relig +19/11
GM Upaynao wrote:
How are either of you able to see your targets in the fog?
Hmm, very good point. Presumably I know that both targets are somewhere out there from the noise of their attacks. Will you allow Riddy to fly around the fog to pinpoint where they are and fly back to tell Undy where he should center his fireball? With Haste, Riddy has a Fly speed of 90 and he's still invisible so any AoO this incurs will have a miss chance. (He also has Mobility, against AoO his current AC is 33). He also has telepathy, so if he doesn't have enough movement to return to Undy he could tell him where to target the spell telepathically. If not - and I will understand if you rule against this - I'll have to do something else.
Doesn't seem to be any reason in the initiative order than the rest of us can't post. If there is, then just hold my action until it's time.
Teric smiles as the the flaming sphere roasts the kobold and his spell freeze it. He lets the ball of fire continue to roll on the little beast. He unleashes another silent scream at the kobold.
Against red Persistent Flaming sphere (Needs 2 Reflex DC18 saves to avoid):3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 1) = 10
Cold Ear Piercing Scream (Fort Save DC18 for half):4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 5) = 15
OK, if Riddywhipple is going to comb through the area and relay relative positions, that's fine. I'm more concerned about you figuring out where Narika is to be honest. Narika, I believe you are still limited by line of effect. A bad joke doesn't just need a pun, it needs its audience.
Looking into the fog, Teric witnesses as Undiana manages to shape scalding hot water into a blast of steam which kills both kobolds and an ice newt. This last one, sensing that there is way too much afoot here, runs for its life.
Congratulations Pathfinders, you just killed the BBEG!
Male CG Undine Wizard 10 | HP 81/81+12| AC 13+4 T 13 FF 10 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +11, R: +9, W: +10 | Init: +4 (+8 with H. Awareness) | Perc: +16, SM: +2 | Speed 30ft (Swim 30) | Timelost Chronicler (1/scenario): used Active conditions: Overland Flight, Mage Armor Know (U/R): Arcana +20/12, Dung +18/10, Local +14/6, Nature +18/10, Planes +20/12, Relig +19/11
GM Upaynao wrote:
OK, if Riddywhipple is going to comb through the area and relay relative positions, that's fine. I'm more concerned about you figuring out where Narika is to be honest.
Undy and Narika are in adjacent squares, so they can see each other.
CG Human Medium 9 | HP 44/75 | AC 27 | T 18 | FF 21 | CMD 22 | F +8 | R +13 | W +9 | +3 AC/Saves vs Undead/Constructs 10ft aura | Init +9 | Percep +11 | SM +11| Spirit Dance 17/22 | Influence 1/5
Male CG Undine Wizard 10 | HP 81/81+12| AC 13+4 T 13 FF 10 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +11, R: +9, W: +10 | Init: +4 (+8 with H. Awareness) | Perc: +16, SM: +2 | Speed 30ft (Swim 30) | Timelost Chronicler (1/scenario): used Active conditions: Overland Flight, Mage Armor Know (U/R): Arcana +20/12, Dung +18/10, Local +14/6, Nature +18/10, Planes +20/12, Relig +19/11
As they Pathfinders rest and recover from their wounds, Riddy passes around trays of celebratory sushi, while Undy considers the complexities of adding Ice Drake to the menu of his franchises.
Teric smiles, finally coming out of the corridor. He guides the others out of the mists with ease.
"Now, a dragon has a horde, yes? To the victors go the spoils? I'm been thinking of a new sea trade route. Undy, perhaps you and Riddlewhip would like to join me in a venture on fish to supply your delicious meals? Or spices from Tian Xia? I'm sure we could use this horde to seed a new business!"
With the dragons defeated and their kobolds fleeing, the Pathfinders assemble in the deep cave. With her phantom Anok in tow, Medda approaches the frozen column and brushes away the outer layer of frost. Frozen within the column is a dwarven woman in steel armor, her body torn as if by immense claws. With her hand pressed against the ice, Medda pleads. “Ivvora, I have found you. Now what? Vildeis said to find you and that you would help me, but how can we help you in this state?”
“You look to me when you should look to the evil that stalks our homeland. It is not I who needs help,” declares a voice that is both sweet as music and powerful as a thunderstorm. The frost melts away from the column, revealing dozens of clear facets that dribble melt water as if from open wounds. The image of a wounded angelic figure reflects in each facet, simultaneously warming the chamber and judging all that the angel sees. “As you can see, I serve Vildeis more directly than before.” The images look to Anok. “I see you took your oath seriously, Anok. I was wrong to have doubted your conviction. How are our people?”
The red phantom’s hue turns rosier as he looks to Medda and responds, “You would be proud.”
With a nod, the angel addresses everyone at once. “Then why do you seek me?”
“Eshimka has returned,” Medda announces. “We fought off the horror once, but it shall return at the next solstice.”
The angel’s eyes flare with righteous fire. “Then you will need a weapon to defeat it, as I had. Vildeis granted me the blade that I gave your people, but only after I thought I had given everything to vanquish my greatest foe. Even now I can sense evil has returned to that land, far to the south in a forest where the Whispering Tyrant’s legions once ruled. Show our patron Vildeis the same dedication that I did, and I shall ask that she equip you in the same way.” With that, the angelic images fade from the melting column.
Medda addresses the gathered Pathfinders. “I believe I know the forests Ivvora mentioned. You have already done so much, Pathfinders, but I invite you to help more. After I give Ivvora the burial she deserves, I will set forth with all who are able and willing for the Fangwood.”
This is the end of Part B of The Solstice Scar. Stay tuned for Part C, coming soon to a table near you! Thank you everyone for playing, and especially to table GMs (and our intrepid backup GMs!) for all your hard work.
Male CG Undine Wizard 10 | HP 81/81+12| AC 13+4 T 13 FF 10 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +11, R: +9, W: +10 | Init: +4 (+8 with H. Awareness) | Perc: +16, SM: +2 | Speed 30ft (Swim 30) | Timelost Chronicler (1/scenario): used Active conditions: Overland Flight, Mage Armor Know (U/R): Arcana +20/12, Dung +18/10, Local +14/6, Nature +18/10, Planes +20/12, Relig +19/11
Undy smiles in response to Teric's suggestion. "Indeed, an excellent idea! Undy's Sushi City will need both ample supplies of fresh fish and spices from Tian Xia. Enough of all this adventuring! It appears to be rather dangerous..."
