Can Auri fit through the portcullis?
I search around the portcullis for any way to open or release it.
Perception:
The bars are too narrow even for a tiny dragon. Kzrira can see that the lever to operate the portcullis is broken. The gate is not locked however and can be forced up with some effort.
"A bit too big for these muscles" Auri looks at the portcullis.
Is the Bull Strength still in effect? Should have lasted 4 minutes, we were 2 minutes getting down and about 1 in the last combat.
Strength Check: <-- subtract 2 if Bull Strength has worn out.
Eventually the grunts of exertion are replaced with the screeching of ancient metal and you are able to force the portcullis up high enough to slip under. Beyond, a long dusty passage extends perhaps a hundred feet punctuated every twenty feet by a guttering torch and a burial niche.
Kzrira looks warily ahead. The dead and the living dead. I really do not like either. Anyone have anything that I should know about these things. Is there something that is better against skeletons or zombies or whatever we might meet? Blunt arrows? Cold Iron? Silver? Normal?
She then proceeds ahead as quietly as she can.
Perception:
Karethas stands back and checks his scrolls as the portcullis is lifted. "Kzrira and Faelar's will be resistant to fire for another thirty or forty minutes, so that is not a concern. If Faelar will use the wand to heal our wounds, then I suppose we will be ready." Once the healing is done he will pull out the Wand of Bull Strength and give Kzrira and Amir another dose. Responding to Kzrira, "It really depends on the nature of his evil. If he is undead, then I do not really have knowledge of their weaknesses. If he is still alive and some other sort of creature, then I may be able to help. If I know of any particular weakness, then I will let you know of course."
Are these truly undead or merely creature of fire and flame that have taken that form? It has not seemed to me the mace has done more damage than normal, would it not against the undead? My knowledge of such things is limited...
"I don't know much about these creatures, perhaps more time in a library is needed..."
As Amir ponders the threats ahead, it is clear that the general theme thus far has been both fire and death. Not about to let her warding against fire tick down, Kzrira pads down the hall prepared for the worst.
She is disturbed to see that the honored dead of Abadar lain in the burial niches have been cruelly defiled. Fortunately, none rise to avenge themselves on her. After 80 feet, the passage suddenly turns left. Fifty feet further, a vault door stands ajar with red light flickering from beyond.
"More flames?"
Considering that this place has lain untouched for several decades, it is not a natural torch.
Auri, you willing to do a little scouting before we charge through this door?
I take the wand and start to go around the group, hoping to remove everyone's pains.
Once I have finished all the healing I look to Kzrira, "Well they were just poor souls cursed to burn for eternity. So although they were burning and that aided them in combat, blunt weapons are best as they are still skeletons. Sorry I didn't mention that mid battle, I was re-counting the fact that they could only be truly stopped with holy energy."
I follow along the passageway until we get to the door, I place the wand back onto my belt and hold my Rapier in hand, ready to defend myself if anything charges at us through the closed door.
The brass colored dragonette drops to the base of the door and warily stretches his neck out to peek around the door. The chamber beyond is large and sparse; perhaps thirty by thirty with three columns drenched in flame flanking either side of the central walkway. A series of low, curved steps ascend to a dais at the opposite side of the room holding a stone throne. Sitting on the throne is a tall tonsured Garundi dressed in ash covered robes of Sarerae. He sits still upon the throne as strange shadows dance from the pillars of fire over him. Despite the crackling flames, the room is cool as a tomb.
Kzrira looks at the knowledge broker pair: Karethas and Faelar, any clue what this might be?
"Fallen priests of Sarenae? Not my field of study, but I'm guessing we are going to be following the fire and death theme already established." With that, Karethas twists his ring and casts a spell and then casts yet another, causing his form to split into multiple images, all completing the same gestures and movements. "I do suppose we can try talking with him. We might get some information, although actually resolving this without a fight is not at all likely."
Amir will spread the oil of magic weapon on the short word once everyone is lined up and ready to enter.
Well, lets see what is here.
Once everyone is ready, Kzrira will carefully open the door and look within to see what awaits. If nothing appears, she will slowly move forward into the room with her bow drawn and ready to fire.
Perception:
"Be carefull, he might not be too friendly!"
Kzrira leads the way into the chamber with bow drawn. Across the room, the tall charismatic figure rises with a smile. "Ah, guests! Have you been sent to rescue me from this foul crypt? Long have I languished, trapped by the wards of the insidious Pactmasters. But you, you have broken the seal and at long last I am freed!"
Who are you? Why are you here?
Kzrira raises her bow, but waits for it to answer.
The man looks amused. " I might ask the same of you. Obviously I am here because the vile Pactmasters trapped me here as I said. I am Halruun. Has she not sent you to free me?"
Yes, Sarenrae sent us to free you. Enjoy your freedom.
Having been told that this is Halruun and that Halruun is the evil that is sought, Kzrira does not wait for him to use any magic. Using cold Iron arrows as the most powerful creatures
Attack-rapid shot-cold iron: <-- +1 more if < 30'
Damage: <-- +1 more if < 30'
Attack-rapid shot-cold iron: <-- +1 more if < 30'
Damage: <-- +1 more if < 30'
With things descending into chaos, Auri takes to the air in a hover, awaiting combat.
Auri
Amir
Karethas
Faelar
Kzrira
Halruun
Upon hearing the cursed name of Halruun, Kzrira immediately moves to attack.
Cursing the rashness of the girl but seeing her reasons why Amir charges the creature bringing the mace back for maximum power as he rushes forward.
Karetha casts a spell, ending with a shower of sparkly dust tossed in Halruun's direction. He then moves to hide behind a pillar.
shower of sparkly dust tossed in Halruun's direction.
Auri starts humming and chirping his wings flapping as he hovers in place, mystical energies begin to swirl...
I look at the man in the throne, "Ah, so you are Halruun? Why were you imprisoned here, the Pact-masters must have had a reason."
Seeing Kzrira about to shoot at the man, I quickly turn back to him "...sorry about this." I then begin to chant again.
Add +2 to each of my damage rolls if they hit, +1 for Point Blank Shot and +1 for Inspire Courage
Kzrira's response seems to have caught everyone off guard as Faelar can only spit out a few syllables before arrows start flying. The fallen priest shrieks in outrage as Amir belatedly charges only to have a glyph flash beneath his feet before he reaches the dais. An instant later the dais disappears in a cloud of glittering gold dust.
Despite the sparkle added to his robes, the priest seems unaffected and his lips curl as he points an accusing finger at Kzrira, "Infidel! How dare you attack me!" Like Amir, she feels her body grow stiff as a spell takes effect.
Will:
Kzrira momentarily feels the magic take hold of her and cause her muscles to freeze, but through sheer willpower she manages to shake it off and continues to launch arrows at the monster.
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Crit confirm:
Damage:
Amir, get away from that thing.
Karethas peers around the column and shakes his head. He begins chanting a summoning spell, rings of arcane symbol surround his rapidly moving hands.
R2
Auri casts on the small Earth Elemental, which in turn rolls forth to begin trying to club the priest to death
Attack
Damage
I continue my epic performance and stand in a defensive manner, hoping not to get hurt.
Amir freezes in place while Kzrira miraculously shakes off the spell and fires. One arrow deflects off the golden breastplate, but the other strikes the mad imam in the eye. The man screams as his flesh fades away revealing an undead abomination. The smoldering corpse is dressed in charred robes and the golden breastplate has a scorch mark where the symbol of Sarenrae was once displayed.
Karethas calls for assistance across the planes as the little dragon conjures forth an earth elemental that rolls forward to clobber the skeletal form. It ducks behind a pillar to cast a spell shouting, "You will soon join the ranks of the eternally burning damned!"
On cue, four restored burning skeletons charge into the room swinging their broken blades.
Auri Will
Elemental Will
Auri circles back around the room , set on burninating the false prophet...
Burning Hands DC14 Ref for half.
Burning Magic: Additional DC14 Reflex save or take 1 burning damage for 1d4 rounds.
The elemental decides that attacking the false one is all too hard, and stepes over to punch the nearest skeleton...
Attack
Damage
Karethas takes a step back as he finishes the last words of the summoning spell. He points across the room at Halruun. An earth elemental appears next to the undead abomination and attacks it. He pulls a little bit of butter from his component pouch and rubs it between his forefinger and thumb as he completes another spell. A layer of grease appears under two of the skeletons and Auri. "At least the question of whether he is undead is answered!"
Small Earth Elemental CR 1
XP 400
N Small outsider (earth, elemental, extraplanar)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +4
Defense
AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (–1 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size)
hp 13 (2d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref –1, Will +3
Immune elemental traits
Offense
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft., earth glide
Melee slam +6 (1d6+4)
Special Attacks earth mastery
Statistics
Str 16, Dex 8, Con 13, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 11
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 13
Feats Improved Bull RushB, Power Attack
Skills Appraise +1, Climb +7, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +1, Knowledge (planes) +1, Perception +4, Stealth +7
Kzrira steps back and fires at the elementals knowing that they are going to cause serious problems for the casters.
5-foot step to C6
Attack-rapid shot-blunt arrow @E7: <-- +9 BAB/Dex, -2 Rapid Shot, +1 Inspire Courage, +1 Point Blank Shot, +1 Bless
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot-blunt arrow @E8:
Damage:
Faelar, use your wand on these things once they are down, so they stay down this time.
One step ahead of Kzrira I drop my Rapier and draw my wand again. I keep my attention on Halruun though.
There is the rattle of broken bone hitting the stone floor as Kzrira releases blunt arrows into the burning skeletons. A moment later there is a louder rattle as the leading pair collapse onto the now slick stone. One rock mannikin turns to crush a fallen skeleton that erupts in flame as another appears behind the fallen imam.
The imam dodges the stone creature's heavy fists only to walk into a sheet of flame from the dragonette that has soared in behind him. With a horrible scream, the imam is enveloped in fire and impotently grasps the pillar with its boney claws as it collapses to the floor where it is fitfully once again consumed by flame.
Faelar draws his wand, but is distracted by the dying priest long enough for one of the burning skeletons drives its blackened scimitar into the elf's side. Falear focuses back on his more immediate concerns to dodge its companion's swing. The remaining fallen skeleton crawls toward the archer with flames rising from its grasping phalanges.
R3
Auris lumbering rockman starts walking back to the main fight which is about all it manages to do, meanwhile, Auri simply watches the skeleton burn... ready to reignite it should it arise once more.
Trying to avoid the skeleflames, Kzrira shifts to D5 before releasing two shots at the skeletons that are still standing.
5-foot step to D5
Attack-rapid shot-blunt arrow @E8:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot-blunt arrow @D9:
Damage:
Wow, lets get the these last few before any more surprises show up.
Karethas pulls at the arcane forces within him and points his hand, fingers spread, toward the remaining skeletons. Two darts of magical force leaps from his hand to hit the skeleton behind Faelar. The elemental charges across the room sounding like a rolling boulder. It prepares to attack the skeleton.
Faelar shouts a warning as he strikes with his wand, "Halruun is a huecuva, a heretic priest cursed by the gods into undeath, He uses deceit and illusion to hide his fallen state." A burning skeleton turns to ash at the wand's touch.
Cure Light Wounds (Via Wand) :
Kzrira steps to Amir and fires an awkward shot at the crawling skeleton before wounding the one next to Faelar. A moment later it crumbles from a pair of arcane bolts. The small elementals converge on the remaining skeleton when a frightful chuckle is heard from behind the pillar.
The still burning huecuva staggers from behind the pillar. You dare use fire against me?! You will feel the flames of the PIT!" A burst of darkness that swallows heat and light surges from his body and watches over the room.
The black fire overcomes one elemental and it is returned to its distant plane. The other holds position a moment, but joins its brother as the crawling skeleton rams it through with a broken scimitar.
Will:
Kzrira hears the evil voice just as she feels the cold of death wash through her soul, she then spins around to see the not as dead as had been hoped undead.
I knew you would be a deceptive one, but can you dodge my arrows?
Kzrira then launches two arrows toward the skeletal figure.
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage: