Malavine did not like that the crazy person in the mask kept doing this ritual, but disrupting it was rarely a simple matter. She decided to keep doing what she was doing and try taking out the final Cultist behind Kephry,then she could turn her attention to making the leader a giant ice cube.
Though the cultist's strike got through, very little of it's impact reached him through his ablative shield. The rest of it was surface level scratches that didn't hinder him at all. "Master." He called out needlessly, the gnome already dashing his way over, hand bathed in low magics.
Within an instance he was beside his master, gun repaired, and suddenly an idea sparked in his mind. One that made him curse out loud in a way that he definitely hadn't been programmed. "Wrong ammunition."
His gun clicks as he internally redirects the supply feed, his internal magics doing the hard part of fabricating the design for him. He took careful aim at the Pharoh once again, and fired.
Of Shmick's attacks, only the 29 strikes true. But it does appear to do full damage.
In retaliation, the Pharaoh shoots a quintet of Magic Missiles, 3 at Hickle and 2 at Kephry.
The three Cultists closest to Kephry move up and attack her:
One Cultist steps up and attacks Zelda:
The Thraie runs up to Malavine.
Finally, two attack Shmick and two Hickle:
Kephry attacks, killing off one more Cultist.
great terbutje (raging)
great terbutje (haste)
great terbutje (raging)
Zelda attacks!
Top of Round 5
FAILS TO CONFIRM
With the cultists in a position to attack down, Malavine tried to freeze the leader in place. It would certainly slow her down and prevent too much mischief until they could deal with the rest.
Though the missile hits, damn near all of it's impact is absorbed by his spell and dispersed more evenly. It still stung something fierce, but more like being pelted by pebbles then with heavy stones.
"Kephyr! He shouted over to the enlarged catfolk, hopefully to get through her haze of rage. "Focus on the woman, not those men!" He turned, stepping back just a little more again along with Shmick. His hands already bathed themselves in magic once more, and a touch sheathed his gun in floating circles.
With a nod the construct nodded, and aimed once more.
Two of the shots, the first ones to have hit, redirect after firing into the cultists besides the catfolk.
Reflex Save: Just barely makes it.
No one on a Fort Save: Oooo so close.
Shmick peppers the Pharaoh with hits; now you've got her attention!
The two Cultists flanking Kephry attack:
Unfortunately, that drops Kephry.
Zelda takes a swift action to transform, casts Inflict Moderate Wounds on herself (which heals her), and draws her rifle to shoot across the difficult terrain of Hickle's spell.
One of the Cultist moves from in front of Hickle to Malavine and attacks.
One attacks Hickle
and two attack Shmick
The leader throws Lightning Bolt Shmick's direction. Reflex Save, please.
Top of Round 6
There was no significant movement, so I'll leave the map. Only change was one Cultist is now in melee with Malavine.
The gnome is again only minimally buffeted by the attack, yet id dosn't block out streak of lightening heading straight for Shmick. His eyes go wide as it seems for a moment that his companion might've moved too slow.
"Don't piss them off, they might decide to chase us!"
18 was the number you were looking for, so 1/2 of:
or 16 HP.
Grunting as the cultist attempted to come at her, but took a step back to cast a healing spell on Kephry, herself and Hicklespurn. She included Schmick as well, but wasn't sure the machine could be healed this way. But using the magic on Zelda wouldn't end well, so...
The construct paused, feeling the postive energy wash over it's form. It would not repair it's form as it could flesh, but he turned to face the oracle all the same. "You considered me as someone alive." There was a beat as it was shifting it's munitions stores into place. Adamantine was a strange material to generate spontaneously. "Thank you."
For the gnome, all his bruises and wounds were wwiped clean by the healing magics. "Ah, would you look at that! Well done, I was starting to get a wee bit worried there for a moment. Shmick my boy, that looked rather painful but- Please hold yourself steady just a little longer please!"
His hands bathed in magic, focused on his companion. Their size increased dramatically, becoming a tall and spindly looking monster. Stormchaser itself, was now more of a canon then a gun. "Alright. I can work with this." He took aim at the pharaoh once more.
Two more Cultists approach Malavine and attack, bringing the total to three.
One on Hickle
Two on Shmick
The Pharaoh goes for broke, betting you won't be able to take her down before her ritual is complete:
Spellcraft:
Zelda opens fire with her musket
Flaming Musket Attack:
Musket Damage:
Flaming Damage:
Electric Damage:
Grunting as the attackers hit - twice, which was frustrating - Malavine attacked the one that was standing too close to the sacrifice. "You might want to step back."
The gnome clasps his hands on the construct, sheathing it in magic which makes to repair it's numerous nicks and dents. The subject in turn turns his Hand Cannon on the Pharaoh once more.
Grunting as the attackers hit - twice, which was frustrating - Malavine attacked the one that was standing too close to the sacrifice. "You might want to step back."
Malavine's foe drops to the ground, not dead, but no longer interested in pursuing the fight, either.
The gnome clasps his hands on the construct, sheathing it in magic which makes to repair it's numerous nicks and dents. The subject in turn turns his Hand Cannon on the Pharaoh once more.
Shmick's two successful attacks are enough to spell doom for the Forgotten Pharaoh, ending the ritual and saving Osirion from untold years of rulership by a powerful undead lord. The dark glow that had started to form around the pyramid begins to dissipate. Unfortunately for all the living in the vicinity (save Zelda), the energy has nowhere to go, and bursts outward across the desert plain.
Negative Energy damage.
Will Save for 1/2.
The remaining cultists are completely demoralized, and flee for their lives.
Kephry takes 1/2 damage, and stands, beat down, and 8 hp. She runs up, for good measure, and beats the hell out of the Pharaoh's host-corpse, then removes the Mask.
Absorbing the negative energy hurt like hell, and Malavine slumped over, making retching noises. "This does not feel like winning," the Oracle muttered in irritation. "We did win though, right?"
While not alive, it seems that negative energy is still rather painful. The more you learn. "Ow. The construct supplies mutely.
"Urgh... I should hope as much, I used quite a bit of magic in the midst of that fight. Ma'am, are you quite alright?' He asks, turning to their captive.
Shmick get's to work searching the bodies for anything useful, like a good murderous automaton without a permanent home should.
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Shmick, Hickle and Malavine failed the save, taking the brunt of the damage as the negative spirit of the Forgotten Pharaoh passes across the desert plains in all directions, to be forgotten once more in the desert winds.
The team manages to gather a substantial bounty from the dead cultists and the pharaoh's human host. They are uncertain if the Cult of the Forgotten Pharaoh has been completely destroyed, but that is a question for another day. For today, they are triumphant.
After a brief detour in the desert returning one grateful Thraie former princess now queen to her home (which garners even more rewards), the victorious heroes successfully bear the Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh back to Wati, and present it to Sebti, leader of the church of Pharasma, for safe keeping.
The next morning, the heroes awaken refreshed and ready to travel. The adventures of the last few months under their belts, they wonder what lies ahead. In the common room of the Tooth and Hookah, Zelda is the first to voice it.
"Well, what's next?"
THE END