Shattered Star

Game Master Zesdead

Uh-oh. That was her biggest gun. With the negative levels, Zee is only CL3...

Caster level check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Nope. Zee is going to be next-to-useless in this fight.

I'm honestly not even sure what to do in this situation...
spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 15 + (1) = 25
Ok, I think that's enough to know she cast confusion...
sense motive: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 12 + (5) = 22
and that's probably enough to tell that pretty much everyone else is confused? Sadly, none of that knowledge really changes my options...

Teldon scowls as the imposter's magic takes hold of his friends.

sh!t... I don't have any way to undo that... I'm going to have to trust Zee to handle it, all I can do right now is fight...

Hiding his desperation behind a mask of rage, the young adventurer stabs at the flying mage again.
longspear (studied): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 3 = 25, for: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 = 12

This time Teldon's spear strikes true... 'Sorshen' suddenly caught by his steel as she flies too boldly near him - her elegant swooping is replaced by a more frenetic flight as tiny spatters of dark blood drop from her wounded leg...

Wounded once by Teldon, the mistress of the Lady's Light is more circumspect with her next actions...

Sorshen, Cast Defensively DC17 (Combat Casting): 1d20 + 7 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 5 + 4 = 19

The woman's words drip like honey as, gradually descending to his eye level, she addresses Teldon directly, "Drop your weapon my dear... throw aside your petty quarrel and return to my sweet embrace"

Sorshen, Charm Person vs Teldon

Teldon must make a Will Save DC17 with a plus 5 bonus (as Sorshen is clearly endangering his friends) or treat Sorshen as friendly.

Everyone may act now, Confused Characters remain in this state for another 6 rounds unless Ziomarra is able to dispel the effect.

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 25 Act normally

Arsit comes back to her senses and quickly cast a spell, touching Shadlah's left breast inadvertently, in her hurry

Cast Protection from Evil on Shadlah, who can roll another save with a +2 versus Confusion

Confusion?: 1d100 ⇒ 15

The strange haze momentarily lifts from Briana's mind and she realizes just how much trouble they might be in. She calls to mind a bit of magic and moves to touch Joanna's shoulder, hoping to combat 'Sorshen's' foul magic.

Briana casts Unbreakable Heart on Joanna, which should suppress the confusion effect for 6 rounds.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Realizing her friends are acting strangely from "Sorshen's" confusion spell, Zee attempts to counter the effects.

Casts dispel magic. Burning a Hero Point to make it count.

Caster Level check: 1d20 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 8 = 12

GAH! Another '1'??!! That's going to fail.

Zee fans her Harrow deck while speaking arcane phrases. With a gesture, the cards fly from her hand toward her friends, pulsing with a violet light. As the cloud of cards approach her friends, there is a crackle of sickly green energy, and the violet glow of the cards winks out. All of the cards then drop to the floor haphazardly.

"La naiba!"

With a gesture, the cards rise from the floor and return to her hand.

Will: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 86 Attack closest ally? Just what I always wanted...
Kinetic blade (earth breaker): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Shadlah's eyes clear for only a moment as Arsith's spell takes hold, but they fill with fury a moment later. With a wordless yell, she sweeps her arm, an earth-breaker made of stone and earth bursting from her palm, which she swings at the white-haired woman in wild fury. Fortunately, it bursts in a harmless shower of clods against her armour.

Unfortunately, that means that Arsith and Shadlah are now destined to attack each other until one of us is no longer confused. Damn this spell.

Teldon almost smiles as Briana and regain their wits, though he understands the workings of the confusion spell to well to experience any lasting relief. As a new spell assaults his mind, he tries to focus on the ordeal of his kidnapping to guard against the imposter’s influence...
Will: 1d20 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 5 = 24

Shaking off her enchantment, he stabs at her once again.
longspear: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 3 = 22, for: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 3 = 18
craaaap... burning another 2 inspiration:
new total attack: 1d6 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26

@Zed- can I spend a hero point to grant Zee a reroll? (RAW I think the answer is no, but I thought maybe if we were spending 2 points on the same action, and you were feeling gracious...)

confusion: 1d4 ⇒ 4

I'm assuming that Animal Companions count as part of yourself like familiars? I don't know who's actually the closest, so just going to roll and give a little bit of a narrative.

Joanna lets out a feral scream and charges into the fray and hacking at the closest person.

Attack(Charge, 2-handed): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 = 34
Confirm?: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 = 34

...
Figures.

Damage(2-handed): 2d8 + 14 ⇒ (7, 8) + 14 = 29

...
. . .
I really hope none of the party's closer than "Sorshen." Otherwise, this is gonna hurt.

Jo: You're under the effect of Briana's unbreakable heart spell, so you should be able to hop onto the bed and attack Pseudo-Sorshen...

Oh?! I missed that. Well then, can I keep the rolls and just add Jo's Smite Evil bonuses?

Joanna's mind clears as Briana's magic takes hold. Grey eyes narrow and flare to shining white as the paladin's rage returns. Silver flames race down her hair and across her armor as she snarls a savage curse at the seductress. She rips the bolt out of her leg, barely noticing the pain or the blood as she starts to charge at the one who'd muddled her mind and her friend's mind. Every fiber of her being cried out to deliver judgement and vengeance on this one, the monster who'd broken and slain so many people. Her sword is free of her scabbard with the third stride, holy fire blazing from the runes that offered prays for strength and courage. Her hair, now silver, streams behind her as she puts both her hands on the hilt, readying to deliver a vicious, powerful blow.

Each step makes the flames wreathing her brighter. Each rune on her armor and blade blazes with holy light. Her eyes stream flames of silver fire. Joanna is no longer a girl, feeling lost and hurting because of those she'd killed. No, she is an angel of vengeance here to deliver punishment to the wicked. Her howl of fury rings out as she drives her blade into Sorshen's back.

"Leave. Him. Alone."

Revised rolls:
Attack and Confirmation (Charge, Smite): 20 + 12 + 2 + 3 = 37
Damage: 15 + 14 + 12 = 41
=OR=
Damage if 'Sorshen' is an evil outsider, evil dragon, or some variety of undead: 15 + 14 + 12 + 12 = 53

With all the clues in this place, she's got to be a succubus! Death from massive damage optional rule, anyone?

lol- I’ve 30 or so damage already, I think... if Jo does 50+ damage it may be a moot point...

sadly, I think that might come down a little... I don’t think Jo can reach her with her sword (she’s flying 15’ up iirc) so I think that might be a crossbow crit instead? That should still be a good amount of damage but you’d lose your Str bonus to both damage rolls.

The woman's words drip like honey as, gradually descending to his eye level, she addresses Teldon directly,

This makes it sound like she got close to the ground. Admittedly, Jo's on the short side, but I doubt Teldon's that much taller than she is.

I forgot about that! In that case, I would agree with your assessment that she's within Jo's reach. (Yay)

Seeing that Jo is now clear-headed, next round, Zee will cast enlarge person on her. That will make Jo ten feet tall with a 10' reach, so she should be able to swat 'Sorshen' out of the air anywhere in this room!

You have no idea how happy that makes me. The worst part about melee focused characters is when someone throws a flying enemy at you and you have no way of locking them down.

This makes it sound like she got close to the ground. Admittedly, Jo's on the short side, but I doubt Teldon's that much taller than she is.

Yes, 'Sorshen' did indeed descend to within reach...

In a moment of clarity, Briana is able to call upon the spirits... and, seeing her friends toil under the fog of madness imbued by the supposed Runelord, wrenches Joanna back to reality. The paladin, no longer befuddled, launches a ferocious attack upon her foe - her blade sinking deep into unguarded flesh...

And yeah... she's an evil outsider... who knew?!?!?!

Teldon too, having dismissed the temptations offered by the Runelord, stabs furiously at the mistress of the Lady's Light... injured, she backs away from her prey...

Ziomarra's spell, the potential key to unlocking the maze of confusion that has descended upon the group, sadly fails.... and even as Arsith attempts to assist Shadlah, the shoanti smashes at her - although, there is some fortune in her flailing miss.

@Zed- can I spend a hero point to grant Zee a reroll? (RAW I think the answer is no, but I thought maybe if we were spending 2 points on the same action, and you were feeling gracious...)

I think, in this case, probably not...

Scowling at Joanna, 'Sorshen' snarls, "Stay there a moment won't you my dear thing? I will enjoy you later..."

Sorshen, Cast Defensively DC21 (Combat Casting): 1d20 + 7 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 5 + 4 = 30

Sorshen Casts Hold Person on Joanna

Joanna must make a DC19 Will Save or be paralysed (new Will Save may be attempted at the start of each turn)

Everyone may act now

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 7

Briana somehow maintains her clarity amidst the magics assailing her mind and makes one more last ditch effort to ward off Sorshen's magic by attempting to dispel it completely.

I'll also burn my last Hero Point to try and boost this.

Dispel Magic (Caster Level Check): 1d20 + 6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 8 = 15

Wow, I guess the dice gods don't want use to get off that easily from this Confusion spell!

Spending Zee's final Hero Point to take an immediate action, treating it as a readied action, "When 'Sorshen' casts a spell." Attempting to identify the spell to attempt to counterspell...

In a moment of clarity, time seens to slow for Zee as she sees 'Sorshen' begin to cast a spell...

Spellcraft (DC 17): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Damnit!!!

Unable to identify the spell Sorshen is casting, Zee throws a Harrow card at her, in an attempt to interrupt her spell.

Deadly Dealer, Arcane Strike, Point-Blank Shot

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19
Slashing damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

...and that is almost certainly going to miss. That means Zee has now burned all three of her Hero Points, all to no avail, and has been completely useless this entire combat. I am getting frustrated nearly to the pont of rage-quitting all OGL-based game systems right about now.

Teldon grits his teeth. He maintains a calm exterior but inside his anxiety grows as attempt after attempt to break the imposter's enchantments fail. With few other options, he presses the attack...
longspear (AP/studied): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 3 = 33, for: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 = 12

oh, that's good timing- make it count...
longspear (confirm?): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 3 = 33,
for an additional: 2d8 + 16 + 6 ⇒ (3, 8) + 16 + 6 = 33

nice! that's actually slightly below average on the damage dice, but I'm not going to complain about 45 damage

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Well dang.

Attack 1 (smite, 2-hands): 1d20 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 3 = 29
damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 6 = 16

Attack 2 (smite, 2-hands): 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 3 = 29
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 = 16 Well, if I was going to bomb a roll...
damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 6 = 19

Joanna gives "Sorshen" a wicked grin as she flourishes her sword, sending blood to fly from the tip and splatter in graceful arcs across the floor.

"No, I don't think you're going to enjoy this," she says with a clear, silvery laugh. She sets her stance again and comes in hard. Her blade leaves trails of holy fire as she slashes and stabs at the wicked seductress, forcing her to divide her attention between Joanna's furious assault and Teldon's precise jabs.

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 100
Kinetic blade: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
damage: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 4, 6) + 8 = 22

Ignorant to the melee behind her, Shadlah continues to rage and swing at Arsith, her weapon of earth and stone forming and shattering an instant later as it collides against the priestess's hip in a crunching blow.

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 58

To add pain to the ridicule, Arsith gives herself a hit on the leg, drawing even more blood

dmg, Wp Spe: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

Still in the grip of the madness rained down upon them by 'Sorshen', Shadlah and Arsith continue to make crazed choices... the shoanti seeing the white-haired priestess as a foe, and smashing her with stone - and then, worse still, Arsith crashes her weapon into her own leg. Wounded, and limping badly now, Arsith would surely fall to another blow like that...

Seeing the situation continue to deteriorate, Briana attempts to dispel the runelord's magicks... but fails to pierce the spell. Ziomarra too, struggles against the mistress of the Lady's Light.

There is light in the darkness though, Joanna and Teldon - both fighting with their minds unfettered by confusion, strike telling blows on Sorshen - the last of which, a near-lethal strike from Teldon, sends his foe staggering backwards with black blood, spitting and fizzing as it spatters onto the floor, freely flowing from a wound opened across her midriff.

Sorshen, Cast Defensively DC23 (Combat Casting): 1d20 + 7 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 5 + 4 = 25

Cursing Teldon, cursing Joanna... and with true spite, damning Oriana... the thing that would be Sorshen raises her hand and tears a hole in the air - hanging in space like a wound in reality, the hole is large enough for the Runelord to step backwards into... and, as she does, her human form seems to fall from her like an ill-fitting dress - and wings, leather and bat-like, unfurl as reality repairs itself...

Sorshen, Dimension Door

Combat Over... and, with it, so to does the Confusion effect

Actions?

Joanna makes one last desperate lunge to catch the fleeing fiend, but her blade is too slow to catch her. The fight over with, the flames about her flicker and fade as her hair returns to it's brown hues.

Once more Joanna, she looks to the others and sees how badly Arsith is hurt.

"Arsith, what happened?"

As 'Sorshen' flees and the magic gripping her mind is released, Briana staggers dizzily to lean against the nearby wall.

Is...is that the sort of thing Teldon had to fight against? How awful...

Suddenly feeling nauseous, she retches, but whether it's from the physical aftereffects of the spell or the lingering horror at not being fully in control of her own actions, is unclear.

She shakily looks up and wipes at her face. "Who's hurt? Arsith...oh no, those wounds look awful...hold still, I can mend some of them," she insists, moving to her friend's side and utilizing one of her healing spells.

Cure Moderate Wounds (Arsith): 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 = 12

I can only curse my own stupidity... I really have to buy a bow, a crossbow, anything to shoot at flying evil sorceresses... Thank you for your healing, Bri.

Assuming that we aren't immediately attacked again...

Though initially more concerned about her injured companions, Briana does quickly realize that 'Sorshen' is likely still lurking about somewhere within the complex...or attempting to flee back to the surface.

"S-so what now? Do we give chase or do you think she'll try to get the drop on us?" she asks, looking around the room nervously.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"I don't know," Joanna says after calling on the aid of her goddess to heal bother her an Arsith's wounds. Her eyes move to the dead Gray Maiden and a look of pain crosses her face. "I worry about what else she might do. Let's grab whatever we can then leave. The sooner we are free of this place the better."

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10

Teldon scowls and smacks the butt end of his spear on the ground in frustration. ”She could be anywhere,” he says shaking his head, ”let’s search quickly and see if we can find any sign of the shards, or a way forward.”
perception (take 10): 10 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 14 + (3) = 27

Arsith whispers, watching Teldon acting out of frustration

Oh yes Teldon, smack that butt...

I never realised how long his spear is....

Sowwy, couldn't resist. Didn't even try. ^^

Joanna walks over to where Halli sits and gives the wolf a scratch behind the ear. Not the best at searching, she instead takes care of the dead, cutting through the chains and doing her best to keep the damage to a minimum.

She turns to Helanda and Oriana after she finishes giving the Gray Maiden her last rites. She feels tired as the weight of all that's happened in the few days they've been down here hits her.

"One way or another, you have a decision to make," she says softly, "what will you do now?"

There are no doors nor obvious exits from this room and it doesn't take long for Teldon to deduce that teleportation is the only viable means of leaving here... and from that conclusion, it takes only a brief search of the boudoir to determine that the impressively, yet also rather erotically, carved amber orbs currently installed into the exquisitely carved bedstead would fit in the eyes of the snake mosaics in the floor of the chamber... and, logically when taking into account similar features within this place, would likely activate a teleportation effect...

Oriana watches quietly as Joanna does what she must, "In life, she was Loria Peratti... and she was my responsibility. That thing... the imposter... I will hunt it down - and I will destroy it. I can do nothing now for those who have fallen under my command other than revenge them..." There is a cold steel to Oriana's voice now - there may be other decisions to make in the future but, at this moment, the Gray Maiden is of a single purpose.

As the enemy vanishes, and her own weapon shatters into pieces against Arsith's body, Shadlah's eyes clear and she staggers backward. She stares at the white-haired woman in horror, the apple in her throat bobbing as she swallows.

"What happened?" she asks, uncharacteristically softly.

Flex-tining things a bit.

"Whatever it was pretending to be Sorshen ran," Joanna says after healing both her and Arsith's wounds. "I think she messed with our minds, like that big worm with the forked tail that we ran into."

After a moment, Joanna hugs the taller woman in an effort to comfort her.

"It's okay," she whispers, "we're all okay."

Now.
Joanna looks at Oriana and takes a deep breath.

"And what good will revenge do? Isn't that how you and the others wound up here in the first place," she asks without any anger or judgement.

"I don't know," Teldon opines as he removes the orbs from the bed and heads towards the serpents, "in this case, a bit of revenge just might be in order."

"And if not revenge, then...how about duty? If we leave this fake Sorshen here then she'll just keep tormenting any and everyone who comes here," Briana adds solemnly. "Or worse, maybe she'll eventually figure out a way to get out. I...I don't want anyone else to go through we we've gone through," she continues, glancing at Teldon. "Or you and your friends. We have to stop her."

"Oh I never said I was going to let her get away," Joanna says, her eyes flickering dangerously with silver flames for just a moment, "I just don't like what seeking revenge does to people. Remember that tower girl after we got back from Ravenmoor?"

Or me after we found Nalathi, she leaves unsaid.

"No, we'll find her and I'm going to send her straight back to the Abyss."

Zee seems surprised when 'Sorshen' disappears.

"Desna's holy wings! I thought we had her! She could be anywhere now!"

She then notices that her friends' minds have cleared. "Ah! Praise the Starsong! The imposter's spell is broken. As much as I hate to admit it, she's a more powerful sorcerer than I am. I couldn't get my magic to stick to her, and I couldn't break her spells." Zee takes out her wand. "Does anyone need healing? This thing still has some magic in it."

At that, Zee turns her attention to what remains in the room. She respectfully turns away from the dead Gray Maiden suspended from the wall, and lets Joanna and the dead woman's former companions pay their respects.

Zee then draws a Harrow card and speaks a few arcane words. The card glows, and she holds it to one eye, apparently looking through it like a lens.

Casts detect magic.

While she scans the room, she adds, "Once we're done here, we need to track her down. She must have the... item... we'd come here to find, and probably also has Teldon's magical medallion, too. We'll need to find that as well."

"I couldn't break her magic either," Briana sighs. "Just suppress some of it, for a little bit. I'm glad I prepared the magics that I did."

You have done what you could, which was much more than I could.

says Arsith in a sincere tone

Maybe I should learn to fly. We've meet enough foes who where able to do that to give it a thought.

The white haired woman offers a bright and warm smile.

Your Healing would be much appreciated, Briana

"I don't have a lot left, but maybe this will help," Briana offers as she channels healing energy.

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3) = 7
Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5
__________

Out of channels and healing spells; already used Healing Hex on Arsith earlier too.

Seeing that Teldon is moving towards the snakes, Joanna joins him with Halli slinking along at her side.

"Teldon, did you find something," she asks.

”These orbs from the bed look like they’ll fit in the eye holes of these snakes,” Teldon replies as he stoops to put the first one in. ”Based on previous usage of the snake motif, I think there’s a relatively good chance that activating these ones might allow us to teleport ahead, possibly to the impostor’s hiding place.”

"So much teleportation magic...whatever happened to just using doors like everyone else?" Briana sighs as she moves after Teldon and Jo. "It makes me queasy every time!"

You must admit this pseudo Sorshen is quite unhinged. That's why she doesn't use doors, probably.

Arsith giggles

"Why not show off the powers you possess?" Shadlah asks, almost irritably. "I would say it is a deliberate choice to use magic to move between spaces." She gathers her stones again, but this time, tucks them in her pack and shoulders it impatiently.

I’m not sure if Zed’s still really busy or if he’s waiting on something decisive from us... in case it’s the latter...

While the others speculate on the reason for their quarry’s teleportation, Teldon quickly finishes inserting the orbs in their proper places.