LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
"Agreed," Ziva gives Astrid a grateful nod and glances back over her shoulder in the direction of the casting. "Let them come to us."
OK, looks like some agreement in discussion to back off and go to the feast hall.
GM Screen:
2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
The spellcasting echoing off the cavernous walls continues for a little longer as Astrid heals Ziva's wounds and you quietly determine among yourselves where to fall back to. Not long after you start heading in the direction of the great hall, the sounds of spellcasting cease and all is quiet... at least for a moment. You don't make it all the way to your destination before you spot the spellcasters in pursuit.
Two lamias float casually in the air back the way you came, each one a gaunt woman in leather armor from the waist up, and a pale grey serpent from the waist down. Both carry gleaming falchions, which they appear to be handling with ease, and each one is surrounded by a group of mirror images. One smiles calmly as she spots your group, while the other sneers haughtily. Their motions have a magical quickness to them.
CG Changeling Cleric (Herald Caller) of Pulura 5; Stargazer 7 | 68/68 HP | AC23 T14 FF20 | CMD21 | F +9 R +10 W +16 (+2 vs MA) | SR 18 | Spd 40 | Init +3 | Perc +24 | Bluff +22, Diplomacy +28, Fly +7, Geography +15, Handle Animal +11, Lore (Blood Hags) +12, Perception +25, Planes +9, Sense Motive +25, Survival +12 | Elysium's Call 9/9 | Holy Lance 2/2 | Channel 6/6 | Active Conditions: 1 Con Dmg
Astrid somehow manages to turn even paler than usual, and immediately takes a step back to let Ziva take her place. She begins a long and involved incantation to summon some much needed allies.
Switching out greater command for summon monster v.
A moment after Astrid begins casting her summoning spell, the two lamia each take a hand off their falchions to raise a palm toward you. Tattooed on the inside of their palms is a bloody, three-eyed jackal - the symbol of Lamashtu. In unison they announce "In the demon mother's name, writhe and suffer!" before unleashing twin blasts of sickly miasma across your group.
The miasma swirls only for a moment, bathing you in an unholy blight. Most of you resist the magic well, with only Colvyn feeling sickened after it fades.
Astrid's concentration slips, and she loses the spell before she can complete it. With a cry of frustration, she presents her own holy symbol in retaliation. For just a moment, the two creatures are enveloped in the brilliant blue and green energies of aurorae.
Burst of Radiance damage:5d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 3, 4) = 14andBlinded for:1d4 ⇒ 3rounds, reduced to Dazzled if they make a DC 18 Reflex save
AS the creatures appear, Colvyn blesses his bow with holy energy. He doesn't feel too good after the two spells burst among the group. He uses his magic to increase his defense and then sends a few arrows flying at one of the foe. (Yellow one)
Guiness sighs and paces forward to form a shield before the others. As he walks, he ignites Dragonfist and says, ”I’ll do what I can, but they are a bit out of my reach for the moment.”
The two lamia quickly shield their eyes from the blinding glare and emerge only slightly dazzled and singed by the spell. Colvyn's arrows follow a moment later, with one arrow skewering one of the yellow lamia's images while two more sail down the tunnel behind them.
LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
Prefer to go after Kellek so I'm not in the way of whatever magic he might choose to deploy.
"Kellek, if you've got something to strip away their magic, now's the time," Ziva warns, as five wings of golden light erupt from her back. With a shout, the Lastwall knight launches herself through the air, poised to cut into the nearest of the lamia.
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
Kellek gives the warrior the I'll be the judge of that look, and evaluates his choices. He could dispelone of the lamia's mirrored images, but lamia's are competent spellcasters, which of course means his other option might not work either. Still that other option has more up-side... if only it had the range.
Kellek floats over Guiness's head and begins growing misty eyed, and misty goateed, and misty everything everything quite honestly.
Kellek casts obscuring mist, hopefully before Ziva throws herself at the enemy.
Ziva messaged me and mentioned she'll be backing up through the mist and taking total defense.
GM Screen:
2d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 2) + 9 = 13
While Ziva backs off, you hear one lamia casting an additional spell while the other offers a prayer to Lamashtu. On your side of the mist, there are no obvious effects to their efforts.
”Shall we back off to the other side of your cloud and heal while their spells expire?” suggests Guiness quietly to the mage just above him. If Kellek moves with him, he will back off a double move and draw a healing potion from his bandolier as he goes.
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
"Their multiple images will be with them for a while yet. Too long, but we might better prepare ourselves." Kellek whispers back.
He floats back along the northern cave face, and readies to cast his fear spell over Colvyn's head the moment he sees the first lamia emerge from the cloud.
LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
Ziva plunges back into the thick mists, feeling her way along to the side-chamber in the hopes of outflanking the lamia if they pursue the party into Kellek's fog bank.
CG Changeling Cleric (Herald Caller) of Pulura 5; Stargazer 7 | 68/68 HP | AC23 T14 FF20 | CMD21 | F +9 R +10 W +16 (+2 vs MA) | SR 18 | Spd 40 | Init +3 | Perc +24 | Bluff +22, Diplomacy +28, Fly +7, Geography +15, Handle Animal +11, Lore (Blood Hags) +12, Perception +25, Planes +9, Sense Motive +25, Survival +12 | Elysium's Call 9/9 | Holy Lance 2/2 | Channel 6/6 | Active Conditions: 1 Con Dmg
Astrid takes advantage of the sudden lull to begin casting another summoning spell, hoping to get this one finished before the lamia decide to take their chances.
You fall back or circle around, getting ready to weather the lamia's assault if they make their way through the mist. The yellow lamia priestess obliges, reaching the edge of the mist where she's partially obscured but still exposed enough to be caught by Kellek's fear spell. She shrugs off the magic with relative ease, but still ends up momentarily shaken. She takes a swing for Guiness, but her midnight-sheathed falchion cuts a solid foot above his head. The second lamia doesn't immediately appear, but you do hear her casting from what sounds like somewhere inside the mist.
Guiness steps up the five feet needed to help block the lamia’s path forward and drops into his defensive stance. He feels the very rock beneath his feet channeling power into him as he attacks the bewildering array of images before him, hoping to hit the real for or at least pop a few images!
Defensive stance 144 Hp, +2 AC, Fortitude, and Will
Guiness swings in several times, striking and shattering two images before the lamia manages to interpose an apparent quartet of blades to block his last two attacks.
While Kellek provides a wave of quickening magic to speed up most of the party, Colvyn steps back (I've moved you back one step out of the lamia's reach) and sends out a flurry of arrows. Two pierce through mirror images, leaving the yellow lamia surrounded by only two other copies of herself.
LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
Grunting to herself as the hiss of arrows and clash of steel is muffled by the fog and distorted by the echoing caverns, Ziva commits herself and plunges back in to the swirling mist, fiery wings carrying her into the air. After a few disorienting feet she spies the lamia's silouette looming in the fog and zeroes in, golden blade raised high.
Activating the wings for real this time, and moving around to a flank. Vital Strike & Crane Wing active, no sneak attack due to concealment. Vital Strike:1d20 + 18 + 2 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 2 - 3 - 2 = 29Damage:2d10 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (8, 8) + 13 + (2, 2) = 33 Concealment (Low is Bad):1d100 ⇒ 76
Astrid completes the spell, summoning a trio of invisible pixies into existence around her. She points a finger at the lamia she can see, shouting "Fire!" A flurry of tiny arrows ensues.
As that is going on, Astrid steps up to Colvyn and infuses his own longbow with divine energy.
Blue Pixie vs Yellow FF:1d20 + 8 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 - 4 = 10 Piercing:1d6 ⇒ 2 This includes the +2 from being invisible and the -4 from firing into melee.
Using my Holy Lance ability to grant the holy enchantment to Colvy's longbow for 5 rounds.
Ziva's wings sweep a billowing path through the mist as she closes to the yellow lamia. Despite the confusing images, Ziva picks true, and her blade cuts a narrow gash in the lamia without causing her to instantly shatter. The lamia spares Ziva only a glance before calling out "Sister, you will find one between us!"
The pixies send a volley of tiny arrows at the yellow lamia, but most are wildly off their mark. Only the green pixie lands its attack, and that tiny arrow doesn't do anything except shatter one image.
The yellow lamia floats forth, emerging more fully from the mist to reveal the falchion she wields in both hands is wreathed in oozing black energy. She spies Colvyn and grins cruelly. Her blade falls upon him twice, each slash accompanied by a blast of unholy energy. The first slash delivers a devastating wound, but it's the second that severs his head from his neck. (Dealing 29 and then 40 damage on a crit, outright slaying Colvyn) As he falls in a spray of blood, the lamia turns to deliver the last slash at Guiness. It proves a slower strike and Guiness is able to block it.
Ziva hears the red lamia's gleeful laughter before she sees her. A second unholy falchion falls out of the mist, accompanied by the lamia a moment later. The blow lands with the weight of the executioner's axe, smashing through Ziva's attempt to deflect it. (Vital strike crit dealing 55 dmg)
CG Changeling Cleric (Herald Caller) of Pulura 5; Stargazer 7 | 68/68 HP | AC23 T14 FF20 | CMD21 | F +9 R +10 W +16 (+2 vs MA) | SR 18 | Spd 40 | Init +3 | Perc +24 | Bluff +22, Diplomacy +28, Fly +7, Geography +15, Handle Animal +11, Lore (Blood Hags) +12, Perception +25, Planes +9, Sense Motive +25, Survival +12 | Elysium's Call 9/9 | Holy Lance 2/2 | Channel 6/6 | Active Conditions: 1 Con Dmg
"No."
The calmness of her voice surprises even Astrid, washing away the fear and despair that had been threatening to overtake her. Instead, she reaches out to Colvyn's body, her hand wreathed in pure, life-giving energy.
Equal parts frightened and furious, Guiness lets the mountain of stone beneath him steady his emotions even as the mage’s magic quickens his attacks. In a blindingly fast flurry, the Dwarven warrior unloads on the adjacent lamia, wishing—not for the last time— his half-orc warrior friend were still with them.
Hasted and Defensive stance give +3 AC and other effects)
While Astrid's spell infuses Colvyn with life once more, her summoned pixies shatter the last of the yellow lamia's mirror images. With the way clear, Guiness delivers a hail of strikes. The lamia is able to fend a couple off, but finds herself bludgeoned by Dragonfist twice along one hit of the shield. Although bloodied by the assault, there's still a lot of fight left in the lamia. She turns her attention to Guiness.
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
Kellek floats a up and to his right using the pixies as a screen. Above which he fires a trident of flaming rays at the lamia angling his fire above and away from his allies.
LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
"Forgive me, my brave friends," Ziva whispers as she fights through the pain of the second lamia's devastating attack. Fading back into the concealing mists, the knight flexes her burning wings and shoots out into the open air of the central cavern-shaft, before juking towards the walkway and, hopefully, a temporary respite.
Withdraw action; if Red follows me I'll be in a lot of trouble but it should let you kill Yellow more easily.
No choice, I have to retreat for now. Colvyn uses his ability to cast spells in a fraction of a second and grant himself wings made of fire. He then flies away without standing, moving as far away as he can.
Casting shield of wings with Fervor as a free action, then double move away. I think this shoudn't declare any attack of opportunity.
You can definitely withdraw while flying, and free action casting doesn't provoke, so you're in the clear Colvyn. I've moved you westward so that you still have line of sight of the fight, but are more than one move action away.
As you injured members back away to protect themselves, Kellek blasts the yellow lamia with a volley of fiery rays. Though she dodges the first one, the last two scorch her. To the east, Ziva retreats out of the mist and into the open central shaft that winds its way back to the surface. The noise of the fight has caught the attention of the residents of the caves to the eastern side of the shaft. Three hulking bears stick their noses out, watching Ziva. Each bear sports strange bony growths from their face, shoulders and back, and they ripple with muscle. They seem on guard.
Back inside, the red lamia floats through the mist in search of her escaped prey and instead stumbles across Guiness. The two lamia share a quick glance before they each swing in. The yellow lamia plunges the black wreathed falchion into Guiness' side (Crit for 47 dmg after DR), then pulls the blade out violently and slashes twice more. Her second attack Guiness only barely manages to deflect, but her third crashes through his normally impregnable defenses. (31 dmg after DR). Red swings in with the intention of delivering the finishing blow, but a last-moment deflection with his shield lets Guiness pull though. (Haste and defensive stance doing work.)
|||| INIT ||||
Guiness (107 dmg)
Ziva (94 dmg)
Kellek (25 dmg, 5 images)
Colvyn (53 dmg, disarmed)
Astrid (17 dmg)
Yellow Lamia (117 dmg, *1)
Red Lamia (14 dmg, 4 images, *2)
Three dire bears
Beaten, broken, and bloodied, Guiness is not yet defeated, and he retaliated against the more-wounded lamia, hoping to bring her down before they are all slaughtered!
CG Changeling Cleric (Herald Caller) of Pulura 5; Stargazer 7 | 68/68 HP | AC23 T14 FF20 | CMD21 | F +9 R +10 W +16 (+2 vs MA) | SR 18 | Spd 40 | Init +3 | Perc +24 | Bluff +22, Diplomacy +28, Fly +7, Geography +15, Handle Animal +11, Lore (Blood Hags) +12, Perception +25, Planes +9, Sense Motive +25, Survival +12 | Elysium's Call 9/9 | Holy Lance 2/2 | Channel 6/6 | Active Conditions: 1 Con Dmg
Just as soon as Colvyn is out of danger, Astrid has to turn her attention to rescuing Guinness from certain death. Before the lamias can finish him off, Astrid reaches a hand out, yanking the dwarf through a tiny hole in reality and dropping him someplace else. She follows that with a pair of commands to her summoned pixies, the stress dropping her into her native Hallit.
"You two, at the front! Prepare to hold the line. Ziva will be coming back soon, I know it. You, in the back, do something about that illusion."
Finally, almost as an afterthought, she scoops up Colvyn's longbow and retreats a step, hoping the pixies actually can hold their ground.
Green Pixie Dispel vs Red Lamia Mirror Images:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
So! Using Heaven's Leap to teleport Guinness out of the lamias' reach. Guinness, place yourself within 30 feet of my token's current position. Then, I'm commanding one of the pixies (Green) to use their dispel magic SLA against the red lamia's mirror image, while the other two (Red and Blue) use their shield SLAs to bring their AC to 22. Then a move action to pick up Colvyn's bow and a 5-foot step to stand beneath Kellek.
I didn't move my token because I don't want to cover up Kellek's.
Guiness assaults the yellow lamia, with dragonfist clashing with her falchion over and over. Though the lamia blocks or dodges most of his attacks, he lands one solid blow. As Astrid whisks Guiness to safety, you can see the lamia is seriously injured, bones cracked and broken in a few places and breathing heavily. Astrid's pixies break the magical mirror images surrounding red and shield themselves.
Ziva, Kellek and Colvyn still up.
|||| INIT ||||
Guiness (107 dmg)
Ziva (94 dmg)
Kellek (25 dmg, 5 images)
Colvyn (53 dmg, disarmed)
Astrid (17 dmg)
Yellow Lamia (141 dmg, *1)
Red Lamia (14 dmg, 4 images, *2)
Three dire bears
Colvyn pulls his back up bow. He looks over the battle and then back at the bow. No choice, got to use this one even if I'm not ready. He increase his dexterity with magic to compensate for the harder pull from the string. He sends a single arrow at the Lamia that took his head just a moment ago.
LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
"Hello, boys," Ziva greets the bears with a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture, then raises her sword to look for a way to loop around and rejoin her companions. Not seeing any egress points, she sighs and turns back to the mist she'd just emerged from.
"General of Vengeance, I consign my soul to your care. I will do what must be done in Your blessed name, whatever the cost." Suppressing the light on her blade, she wings quietly and carefully over to mouth of the cave where the sounds of fighting can still be heard.
I will likely get only one strike, so I must make it count.
Half-speed move and a Stealth check, trying to set up a rush or sneak attack next turn. Stealth:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Colvyn's arrow stabs into the yellow lamia's side, overwhelming the last of her strength. She loses consciousness, floating down to the ground. The red lamia follows the trail of the arrow back with her gaze, then sweeps to the side to dodge an enervating beam. While Ziva quietly sneaks back to the tunnel entrance, the remaining lamia raises her hand and releases a rippling wave of negative energy. The burst washes over everyone but Colvyn.
Two of the pixies suffer more significantly, but the rest of you endure the wave with minimal harm (12 dmg to two pixies, 6 dmg to everyone else) The lamia backs off into the mist, disappearing.
|||| INIT ||||
Guiness (113 dmg)
Ziva (100 dmg)
Kellek (31 dmg, 5 images)
Colvyn (53 dmg)
Astrid (23 dmg)
Yellow Lamia (164 dmg, unconscious)
Red Lamia (14 dmg, *1)
Three dire bears
CG Changeling Cleric (Herald Caller) of Pulura 5; Stargazer 7 | 68/68 HP | AC23 T14 FF20 | CMD21 | F +9 R +10 W +16 (+2 vs MA) | SR 18 | Spd 40 | Init +3 | Perc +24 | Bluff +22, Diplomacy +28, Fly +7, Geography +15, Handle Animal +11, Lore (Blood Hags) +12, Perception +25, Planes +9, Sense Motive +25, Survival +12 | Elysium's Call 9/9 | Holy Lance 2/2 | Channel 6/6 | Active Conditions: 1 Con Dmg
With an effort of will, Astrid restrains herself from hurling taunts and curses at the lamia's retreating back. Better not to press our luck any further. Instead, she reaches a healing hand out to Guinness.
The two pixies at the front, who bore the brunt of the lamia's parting attack, take their payback on her fallen sister with two carefully aimed arrows. The remaining one also casts a protective spell in case she comes back.
Red Pixie Coup de Grace vs Yellow:3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5) = 13DC 23 Fort save to not die Blue Pixie Coup de Grace vs Yellow:3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6) = 15DC 25 Fort save to not die
LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
Straining to hear what's happening in the fog ahead, Ziva notices the lull in the noise of combat ahead, but also the snuffling of the bears behind her. Realizing that staying put is untenable, the knight dives into the fog, warily searching for the lamias' shapes in the mist. She's a bit surprised when she pops out the other side without seeing them, though she grunts in satisfaction when she sees the first one fallen.
"They've got cave bears, big ones. They might not follow me, but I don't know that for sure. We should move on," Ziva says a bit haltingly, teeth gritted against the pain of her injuries.
Maintaining his connection to the earth at least for now, Guiness nods his thanks to Astrid for the healing and says, "I will hold here for the moment if we want to withdraw. If any foe comes out of the fog, I will give it pause and cover our retreat."
Readied action to Strike if a foe comes up to him:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36 Damage:1d8 + 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 17 = 24
LG fm human Deliverer7/Crimson-Templar5 l hp 136/136 l AC25 (T15, FF22) l F +15, R +11, W +10, Ini +2 l CMB +18 CMD31 l Perc +17, SM +17 l Active Buffs/Conditions: (none)
"You look almost as bad as I feel, Master Guiness. Perhaps we let the summons hold the rear for now?"
