Male Half-Orc Druid 8/Cleric 1 | HP: 116/116 l AC: 26 (30 with buffs, 32 vs the first 3 attacks per round) /T: 12/FF: 24 l Fort: +15*, Ref: +5*, W: +14* l Init: +0 l Per: +15; Low-light vision l Movement: 30 *Hardy: Gain +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities *Familiar:51/51
Sounds right to me. Let's be about it then, and see what this avalanche leaves in its passing.
@Valjoen: Since you okayed Charmed Life for this percentile check, could that be instituted as a house rule for future occasions? That is, Garidan can, at your discretion, spend a use to adjust the required amount of a percentile check in his favor? I notice you dropped the amount by 15%, which neatly breaks down to 5% per point of Charisma bonus the ability (currently) uses.
@Garidan - I'd like to make a judgement call on when you can use the Charmed Life outside of saving throws. I could have just as easily made it a Reflex save to avoid being taken by the avalanche, so I allowed it to be applied... and yes, 5% per charisma bonus. Next time, however, it might not make sense.
Surprise Round
When the avalanche becomes apparent, Gruskorb turns and with a swift kick urges his steed to pounce through the snow and back to Tacal. Truk'tosh wastes no time, sliding of his horse and calling on a surge of speed from the flame drake. He quickly takes hold of Tacal's packs and hauls himself upon the beast. The oracle opens herself to the ethereal realm, casting a spell of levitation upon Tacal. The last to notice the avalanche, Malthazir lifts the Devil Ooze preparing to command it to cast fly upon himself, but at the last moment realizes that he cannot fly to safety before the avalanche would strike him. He spurs his horse forward and dives behind the rocks that may provide him some safety.
Round 1
Realizing that something is amiss, Garidan bursts forward with a surge of speed to rival the half-orc's. Upon reaching the rocky outcropping, he dives from his horse and scrambles behind the rocks next to Malthazir. The horses panic and race downhill trying to avoid the oncoming avalanche. Having reached Truk'tosh and Tacal, the hobgoblin quickly dismounts and climbs upon the oxen. Seeing Gruskorb and her brother floating to safety, Niyut calls upon the life essence she received from the storm hag, and takes flight, climbing above the onrushing wall of ice and snow.
When the avalanche hits them, Malthazir and Garidan disappear from view. While Malthazir is struck by several hard pieces of ice, Garidan is takes a sharp piece atop his head losing his grip on the rocks. 5 damage each The avalanche starts to take the young human, but luckily his foot catches another rock and he regains his grip. To the south, the horses are over taken by the land slide of ice and vanish.
As they watch the avalanche race away and the snow below them settle down upon their companions, a dark shape catches Truk'tosh's eyes. Instinctively he ducks as a massive rock hurls past him. Looking up the mountain, Niyut can see near the range of her darkvision, a white-skinned giant, reaching for another boulder.
Deep beneath the snow, Malthazir struggles to dig himself out and panic begins to set in.
See HERE regarding suffocation. Garidan can hold his breath for 4 rounds while Malthazir can hold his breath for 5 rounds. It takes a strength check of DC15 to dig 5 feet. Each of them is buried 15 feet below the surface.
The Avalance - Round1/2
Gruskorb <-- UP Garidan (63/68) <-- UP Niyut <-- UP Ice Giant Truk'tosh <-- UP Malthazir (39/44)
@Valjoen: Well, yes, that is why I said "at your discretion," after all. Percentile checks don't come up often, and it certainly wouldn't fit something like a cover/concealment miss check.
Though the blow to his head leaves his ears ringing and his thoughts momentarily fuzzy, Garidan is able to remain conscious and aware, and so doesn't panic when the wall of snow swallows him and Malthazir both. Instead, he immediately begins digging toward the surface, praying desperately that his scrabbling hands can reach it before the all-too-short breath he's holding runs out. 'Ruza does her best to help him, bringing her light up to full intensity to illuminate his efforts, even as her spirit desperately examines the spell formulae within her vessel, hoping that she can somehow turn one to aiding her sibling's escape from this snowy grave.
Making a Strength check to dig out of the snow. Since I don't suppose the action type will have any effect on his digging speed, might as as well make it a full-round action. Strength Check:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Oooo, a close success! Garidan manages to burrow 5 feet closer to the surface, but shortens his held breath by 1 round in the process.
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
My solution for Malthazir is for him to channel his energy through the Sage Staff Lorrynor to cast Summon Monster 3 to summon a ton of small ice elementals. These elementals can burrow through ice and snow and can get both Garidan abnd Malthazir out. Using the staff means he doesn't need to open his mouth.
What kind of knowledge check may I make for this ice giant?
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, Niyut is grateful to the Sacred Mother for giving Niyut a tiny portion of her light. No matter the hungers that assail the young oracle, no matter the great spirit that stalks her, this divine light kindled in her breast is both a source of hope and comfort.
This comfort is not often shared by the wicked creatures that pursue them.
Niyut thrusts a delicate hand towards the giant as she flies towards it. In her grip lies her mother's wand. She channels the goddess granted light from her breast through her arm and down into the piece of oak. Like many other wands, the bog oak wand hones and focuses Niyut's gifts.
Divine light unfurls like a blossom around the giant. The Giant must make a reflex save of 19 to avoid being blinded.
Male Half-Orc Druid 8/Cleric 1 | HP: 116/116 l AC: 26 (30 with buffs, 32 vs the first 3 attacks per round) /T: 12/FF: 24 l Fort: +15*, Ref: +5*, W: +14* l Init: +0 l Per: +15; Low-light vision l Movement: 30 *Hardy: Gain +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities *Familiar:51/51
From atop the floating Tacal, Truk'tosh sets his sights on the attacking frost giant. In one hand he begins to twirl Morgrym's two-handed axe by the handle before sending it spinning at his opponent.
Move action to use studied target. Swift to feint. Standard to throw axe.
This giant looks like a muscular human. It has frost-white skin and long, white hair and beard that appear as translucent as ice. They live in the highest peaks of snowy mountains. They are thought to control snow storms and hurl giant boulders mad of rock and ice at their prey before closing in with the massive greataxes. Every 5 above the DC give you a question.
@Truk - with the corrected map, you'll see that the Ice Giant is about 90' from you. That is five range increments. You're attack will get an penalty to hit. Let me know if you want to take another action.
Male Half-Orc Druid 8/Cleric 1 | HP: 116/116 l AC: 26 (30 with buffs, 32 vs the first 3 attacks per round) /T: 12/FF: 24 l Fort: +15*, Ref: +5*, W: +14* l Init: +0 l Per: +15; Low-light vision l Movement: 30 *Hardy: Gain +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities *Familiar:51/51
Ah. That's a lot further than I anticipated. In that case Truk will just dismount and use studied target.
HP 80/80 | AC 21/16/15 | CMD 21 | Fort +7 Ref +12 Will +6 | Per +12, Dark Vision 60' | Init +6 Aegean Unchained Rogue 7 {Nature Fang 1}
He wouldn't think of it as such, but Gruskorb had an affection for the snow. His mind drifted toward the practical - the muffling of his footsteps, the covering of tracks. However, it was the metaphorical "clean slate" it gave the land which enchanted the rogue on a subconscious level. No steel jaws grew in the storm, nightmares seemingly subordinate to snowflakes. The reprieve of fear allowed him to think - to wonder.
I wonder what the world would look like if the sundering could be reversed...
Ideas began to form in his mind about how the landmasses would change, would forge new barriers and erase old ones. Biomes would merge, habitats created and destroyed in the process. Political squabbles would ensue. But our place in it all? He had a feeling he - and his group - would somehow be outside such a change, watching it as it happened, without being subsumed by the adjustment. We're different. Why?
Turning to glance at them, the first-in-line saw they persevered through incredible odds and still had some juice left. We have to. Just like I did in the quarry. It was then he heard a rumble, immediately knowing the trouble was larger than life. It's like one of the cave-ins! Shouting a warning, the nimble Gruskorb leapt to the relative stability of Tacal. The horses vanished along with Garidan - and Malthazir. He'll have to rely on his wizardry now.
But a new threat had arisen.
Know(Nature):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
It wasn't every day a giant was met, but Gruskorb had enough sense to know most were ill-tempered and seeing one in the midst of this disaster was no coincidence. Yet they'd done absolutely nothing to provoke it except a possible unwitting trespass. It means to kill us and won't have remorse then. It's fight or flee. And we can't run.
Niyut may have had the power of flight, but he was not as lucky. Her brother was preparing to do some sort of martial feat with his axes. Gruskorb had no such tricks up his sleeve and would have to resort to trickery - truly not a "resort" of any sort for him, though it was his only prudent choice here. "Make your move - I am calling a mist to hide us!"
After a moment for the muscular Truk'tosh to finish his plan, Gruskorb called upon a simple - yet effective - spell Querkus had intoned to him through his thoughts. The mists of a gray dawn will hide us - I hope. Clouds of fog resisted the chill temperatures, spreading many body lengths in all directions. If he wants to throw rocks, he can guess.
Gruskorb bent his body next to the animal's, reducing his profile, and waited - either for death by boulder or for a loud noise to signal it was his time to move.
Niyut successfully blinds the Ice Giant with the help of Teysura's radiance, searing his white flesh. Her brother leaps from taco's back as the beast floats back towards the surface. Landing on the icy terrain, Truk'tosh studies his opponent for a few moments gaining some helpful insights on how to dispatch the evil creature. As the giant disappears in Gruskorb's mist, the group sees it reaching for its eyes and he roars in anger.
Focused on the giant, Niyut doesn't see the Storm Hag until its too late. Cackling lighting sweeps over the oracle. 49 damage, ref Save DC16 for half.
Meanwhile under the snow and ice left by the avalanche, Garidan fights towards the surface, and Malthazir channels the power of the Sage Staff to summon as many ice elementals as he can.
Male Half-Orc Druid 8/Cleric 1 | HP: 116/116 l AC: 26 (30 with buffs, 32 vs the first 3 attacks per round) /T: 12/FF: 24 l Fort: +15*, Ref: +5*, W: +14* l Init: +0 l Per: +15; Low-light vision l Movement: 30 *Hardy: Gain +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities *Familiar:51/51
Truk’tosh calls on the slumbering spirits of earth beneath the packed snow to bolster his form and then begins the march toward the mist-shrouded giant.
Another full-round action to dig, dig, dig. And another precious round of held breath spent to do so. Strength Check:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Jackpot! Does Garidan get a bonus for pulling a critical result on his Strength check to dig out?
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
With a the stink of ozone in the air, Niyut whips about to look for the hag.
Perception:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25
Oh, yeah, saves and elevation: Niyut is about 40 feet up. Reflex:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Her muscles seize, but she recalls the words of Korlez: "The shadows can be anything the ether can be."
Chanting twisted words of power, Niyut tries to seize control of the hag's body by preying on the shadows within the crone's mind. Shadow Enchantment. The hag needs to make two will saves at DC 22. If the first save is failed, she completely believes the spell. If the first save is successful, she has a 20% to be effected by the spell. If the second save is failed, then the hag is held like in hold person.
With a burst of strength, Garidan easily scrambles closer to the surface.
@Garidan - I'll allow the action not to cause a penalty to holding your breath. You're still 5' down but it didn't take much out of you to do it, so you can still hold your breath for 1 more round.
"Your shadow incantations mean nothing to me, girl!" the hag cackles as she shrugs of Niyut's feeble attempt to bind her.
@Niyut - From my reading of your post, your illusion is shrouding Niyut in darkness and snow. Since the hag has darkvision, she can see the "blob" of darkness coming at her. So, I don't see how you could use stealth. I will grant you concealment similar to obscuring mist if you still want to take the second part of your action. Also, if the two of you interact physically, keep in mind she will get a disbelief save against your illusion. Let me know if you want to keep this portion of your turn or do something else in light of my ruling.
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
My thought was that we are in a storm and there is ice and snow blowing around to obscure vision. I was hoping that it could look like a flurry obscured her vision to provide temporary cover to make a stealth check. Is that cool? If not, I'll make a different action. Also, the hag needs to make two saves. The first one which it looks like she succeeded on is to determine how strongly she believes in the enchantment. The second is to determine if she is actually effected by it. At 20% strength. I'm not sure how you would rule on that whether it had a 1/5 chance to hit her or whether it is some lesser status effect, but she needs two saves.
You use material from the Shadow Plane to cast a quasi-real, illusory version of a psychic, sorcerer, or wizard enchantment spell of 2nd level or lower. Spells that deal damage or have other effects work as normal unless the affected creature succeeds at a Will save. If the disbelieved enchantment spell has a damaging effect, that effect is one-fifth as strong (if applicable) or only 20% likely to occur.
If recognized as a shadow enchantment, a damaging spell deals only one-fifth (20%) the normal amount of damage.
If the disbelieved attack has a special effect other than damage, that effect is one-fifth as strong (if applicable) or only 20% likely to occur. Regardless of the result of the save to disbelieve, an affected creature is also allowed any save (or spell resistance) that the spell being simulated allows, but the save DC is set according to shadow enchantment’s level (3rd) rather than the spell’s normal level. Objects, mindless creatures, and creatures immune to mind-affecting effects automatically succeed at their Will saves against this spell.
As I read it, you get a save against the illusion. If disbelieved, 20% less effect or likelihood. I'd say the likelihood makes more sense with hold person. So, I'll roll a percent dice to see. The second save is for the 'simulated spell... i.e. Hold Person, but is only needed if she failed the first save and the 20% came to fruition.
Are you reading this different?
@Niyut - The storm broke with the avalanche. Not sure I made that clear. So, I don't think that your idea would work although it was clever.
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
"Regardless of the result of the save to disbelieve, an affected creature is also allowed any save (or spell resistance) that the spell being simulated allows, but the save DC is set according to shadow enchantment’s level (3rd) rather than the spell’s normal level." I read that as two saves are required. Is this real? Y/N. Am I hurt by it? Y/N The percentage only comes into play if the first answer returns N. I think we are saying the same thing?
Regarding Stealth: I wasn't aware the storm had broken. Gotcha. But that does lead me to a new question. We are high in the mountains on a clear night. Does this count as bright starlight? "Areas of dim light include outside at night with a moon in the sky, bright starlight, and the area between 20 and 40 feet from a torch." If we are in dim light because of the stars, the altitude, and the now clear skies, I want to make an obscuring fog illusion. Otherwise, I'll blur Rounds:1d4 ⇒ 2 and not move closer.
HP 80/80 | AC 21/16/15 | CMD 21 | Fort +7 Ref +12 Will +6 | Per +12, Dark Vision 60' | Init +6 Aegean Unchained Rogue 7 {Nature Fang 1}
The lack of projectile combined with the introduction of cackling quickly changed Gruskorb's plan. If they're flying again though, I'll need to think of something else.
Not expecting the beast of burden to move, he leapt off Tacal to the ground beneath, heading in the direction of the lightning's origin as best he could.
Direction:1d3 ⇒ 2
Direction:1d3 ⇒ 2
Direction:1d3 ⇒ 1
The mist made it difficult to see, and the ground made it difficult to walk, but he could make the shape out through the vapors after a moment. And of course she'd be in the air, damn it all!
Retreating one more step to full envelopment once again, he reflexively readied his weapons and kept his ears open.
Movement on difficult terrain is difficult. Position updated.
@Niyut - I wouldn't say the skies are clear, but the storm has certainly broke. I wasn't aware that dim light could be made from bright starlight on a clear night. I'll work in some of those occasions in future encounters. Gotcha, regarding superior summons.
Niyut casts a shimmer of ethereal energy over her form making it blur from everyone's vision, while Gruskorb creeps towards the edges of the mist he conjured.
Bursting out of the snow, two giant white wolves leap from the cover of the snow and land at the edge of the mist. Snarling and howling as they both breath a cone of frost and ice.
@Truk'tosh - Cold damage of 23, Ref DC17 for half & Cold damage of 21, Ref DC17 for half
@Gruskorb - Cold damage of 21, Ref DC17 for half
The storm hag cackles with delight as Niyut's hair still smolders from the lighting bolt. She swipes down at the oracle slashing at Niyut with her long finger nails on one hand and biting her as she passes by. Yet, the hag only strikes two of the images, reducing the number of Niyut's mirror images to 3.
@Niyut - You get an AOO as the hag passes you.
Four small ice elementals materialize next to Malthazir and dig a whole headed north and up, finally bursting out of the surface of the snow before scrambling over and uncovering the last five feet of snow atop Garidan. The elf slips and slides as he makes his way to the top of the icy tunnel.
The Avalance - Round 3
Gruskorb (31or42/52, Riding, 10' elevation) <-- Need Ref Save Garidan (63/68, 5' below surface, tunnel open) Niyut (30/55, Image 3/5, Blur, Fly, 40' elevation) Ice Giant (-25, Blind rd5, Burrowed) Worg1 (0) Worg2 (0) Storm Hag (0, Fly, 50' elevation) Truk'tosh (83-?/83, Barkskin) <-- UP Need 2 Ref Saves Malthazir (39/44) Small Ice Elemental x4 Tacal (Lev 10')
Male Half-Orc Druid 8/Cleric 1 | HP: 116/116 l AC: 26 (30 with buffs, 32 vs the first 3 attacks per round) /T: 12/FF: 24 l Fort: +15*, Ref: +5*, W: +14* l Init: +0 l Per: +15; Low-light vision l Movement: 30 *Hardy: Gain +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities *Familiar:51/51
Male Half-Orc Druid 8/Cleric 1 | HP: 116/116 l AC: 26 (30 with buffs, 32 vs the first 3 attacks per round) /T: 12/FF: 24 l Fort: +15*, Ref: +5*, W: +14* l Init: +0 l Per: +15; Low-light vision l Movement: 30 *Hardy: Gain +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities *Familiar:51/51
Sensing danger, Nethuns zips through the air toward Truk’tosh disappearing as it slams into the big orc’s form. Truk is surprised by the mamiwa’s reaction but even more surprised when the giant arctic wolves burst from the snow and breathe icy death down upon him. The spirit’s blessing blunts some of the trauma from the wolves’ attacks leaving Truk’tosh gasping and frostbitten but otherwise whole.
With resistance and splitting the damage Truk’tosh has taken 13 damage and Nethuns has taken 11.
Finding himself outnumbered, Truk’tosh summons a spirit of flame to aid him against his opponent. A familiar sphere of rolling flames springs into being and slams into the nearer wolf.
Move action to use studied combat on the nearer wolf. Standard action to cast flaming sphere. I assume the wolves don’t have reach so Truk’tosh doesn’t need to cast defensively.
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
The elf clamors to the surface and looks at the battle field with a mixture of dismay and disdain. It was almost as if his companions couldn't survive without his constant supervision.
He shouts several words in draconic and his forest dragon drops out of the sky next to the storm hag and breathes out a blast of jagged leaves.
With one hand he reaches into his robe and pinches off a bit of wax while he clutches his staff. With a shouted incantation, fire elementals erupt around the closest winter wolf.
Fire Elementals (Superior Summoning), Standard Action:1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
He granted these elementals a special knowledge of how to strike their enemy.
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
Niyut cannot take AoO. She only uses her dagger in ritual settings or to perform a task. Holding in hand is cumbersome. Unless she has some heretofore unknown ability to make touch attack spells AoO in which case Vampiric Touch!
HP 80/80 | AC 21/16/15 | CMD 21 | Fort +7 Ref +12 Will +6 | Per +12, Dark Vision 60' | Init +6 Aegean Unchained Rogue 7 {Nature Fang 1}
Reflex:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Almost presciently from within the mist, the rogue felt the pressure incoming from the wolves' breath and banked toward the edge of the blast, barely avoiding it. For a brief moment, he saw his foe. Now you're one I can get to, puppy...
@Niyut - It was a full round action for Malthazir to get out of the snow. He was 15' below the surface and he had the elementals dig at a slope in order to avoid having to use his poor climb skill. His draconic ally can certainly attack however.
@Truk - Correct, no reach.
Nature DC15:
These are Winter Wolves, also known as Worgs. They are large, fast wolves that bite and trip their opponents... and apparently breath an icy attack. Beat the DC by 5 for questions.
A ball of flame erupts upon the frozen ground scorching the massive wolf. As the canine howls in pain, the pseudo-dragon flies towards the storm hag and unleashes its breath weapon. Although the hag deft avoids some of the leaves, she is shaken by the attack and looks about desperately.
I'm going to assume that this tunnel is easily navigable, so taking a 5-foot step one square right.
Garidan initially fears another avalanche when he feels the snow around him move in ways he's not responsible for. And his reaction isn't much better when the ice elemental breaches his little grave-to-be. But the creature's utter indifference to his presence gradually reassures the swashbuckler. And the escape tunnel that it silently gestures before moving aside doesn't hurt either. Garidan's enthusiastic break for freedom comes to an abrupt halt once he's confronted with what's currently happening on the surface; a vast cloud of mist barely an arm's length away, a disturbingly large and obviously hostile wolf of some sort not much further, and what sounds like another wolf howling in pain just a short distance off, it's exact location hidden from the swashbuckler's eyes by the mist.
Knowledge (nature) Check:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Curiously enough, Garidan recognizes the large lupine despite having never seen one before outside of a book's illustration. And though he can't recall any real details, what little he does remember is more than enough. Swiftly, before the beast can muster a response to his sudden appearance, the swashbuckler whips his rapier from its sheath and sends a bone shard hurtling toward it. Instinctively, Garidan focuses his thoughts upon the shard the instant it forms, imbuing it with his absolute desire to see the shard's target splayed out dead and ruined in the snow. The first shard is rapidly followed by a foreswing that sends another hurtling toward the beast, this one tinged a sickly color and stinking faintly of fouled meat as the blade's magic senses vulnerability in its target and acts of its accord to further afflict the wolf.
Free action to draw his rapier, then a full-round action to make a ranged full attack against the nearer winter wolf. The attack takes a -2 range penalty and is enhanced by passive Precise Strike and Power Attack. The first attack is followed by Menacing Swordplay, allowing the use of Intimidate as a swift action to demoralize (DC 17) the winter wolf; the demoralize attempt is successful, and 9 greater than the DC, so the winter wolf is shaken for 2 rounds. Because of the shaken condition, the second ranged attack triggers the rapier's cruel property and sickens the winter wolf for 1 round. Finally, the shaken condition triggers Garidan's Shatter Defenses feat, leaving the winter wolf flat-footed against his attacks (including his second attack this round) until the end of his next turn. Ranged Attack (Bone Shards) #1:1d20 + 14 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 14 - 2 - 2 = 18 Rapier Damage:1d8 + 7 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 5 + 4 = 23
@Garidan - You're in difficult terrain. So, unless you have an ability that I've forgotten, you can't take a 5' step. You'll need a move action to get out of the pit, therefore you get a single attack with the sharing rapier.
Garidan scrambles from the icy pit and fires a round of shards from his rapier at the closest Worg, demoralizing it in the process. While Gruskorb awaits the wolves to enter his mist, Niyut fades from sight and rounds the Hag.
Shaken but not deterred in the least, the giant worg leaps towards the swashbuckler. The worg snaps its powerful jaws at Garidan but misses. Its lupine companion enters the mist and upon finding Truk'tosh bites the half-orc before tripping him to the ground. The bite takes a chunk of flesh from the druid's forearm, however, the icy cold energy from the works bite is absorbed by the half-orc's armor. 10 damage plus 2 cold damage (resisted) & trip
The hag screams out in frustration when Niyut disappears. Aggravated that she has missed a prime opportunity to end the young oracle's life, she turns and withdrawals from the battle. 120' movement NW. I've placed her on slide #2 which is directly north of the current battle in case anyone wants to pursue her.
The Avalance - Round 4
Garidan (63/68, 5' below surface, tunnel open) Niyut (30/55, Image 3/5, Blur, Fly, 40' elevation) Ice Giant (-25, Blind rd5, Burrowed) Worg1 (-23, Shaken rd6) Worg2 (-8) Storm Hag (-18, Fly, 50' elevation) Gruskorb (52/52) <-- UP Truk'tosh (60/83, Barkskin, Tripped) <-- UP Nethuns (30/41) <-- UP Malthazir (39/44) <-- UP Draconic Ally (17/17) <-- UP Small Ice Elemental x4 (13/13, 13/13, 13/13, 13/13) <-- UP Tacal (Lev 10')
-_- Was rather hoping those elementals had the courtesy to grade and smooth the tunnel up and out, but apparently not. This avalanche is probably going get Garidan killed because he can't move the way he needs to.
Have a post with the descriptive bits suitably retconned then. And then expanded to account for new bits.
Garidan initially fears another avalanche when he feels the snow around him move in ways he's not responsible for. And his reaction isn't much better when the ice elemental breaches his little grave-to-be. But the creature's utter indifference to his presence gradually reassures the swashbuckler. And the escape tunnel that it silently gestures before moving aside doesn't hurt either. Garidan's enthusiastic break for freedom--hampered as it is by the chunks of frozen debris and drifts of deep snow left by the avalanche--comes to an abrupt halt once he's confronted with what's currently happening on the surface; a vast cloud of mist barely an arm's length away, a disturbingly large and obviously hostile wolf of some sort not much further, and what sounds like another wolf howling in pain just a short distance off, it's exact location hidden from the swashbuckler's eyes by the mist.
Curiously enough, Garidan recognizes the large lupine despite having never seen one before outside of a book's illustration. And though he can't recall any real details, what little he does remember is more than enough. Swiftly, before the beast can muster a response to his sudden appearance, the swashbuckler whips his rapier from its sheath and sends a bone shard hurtling toward it. Instinctively, Garidan focuses his thoughts upon the shard the instant it forms, imbuing it with his absolute desire to see the shard's target splayed out dead and ruined in the snow.
With the wolf's attempt at retaliation thrown off by the lingering remnants of Garidan's intent-infused attack, the swashbuckler is well-placed to show the beast what it terrible, terrible mistake it has made in closing the distance between them. Recalling that these creatures are fully capable of understanding words directed at them--though Garidan can't immediately recall what tongues they are familiar with--he addresses the wolf directly. "You're going to die here," he says conversationally, as if there weren't a fight happening between, and around, the two of them. "I'm going to stab, and cut, and beat you into the snow until the twitching stops. And after? I'm going to find the other one, the one that was howling in pain, and I'm going to do the same to that one." Garidan delivers this threat with an inordinate amount of good cheer that is quite inappropriate to the situation, and made all the worse by the fact that he isn't faking the emotion he's showing.
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
Niyut is at the same elevation as the hag now. And all of Malthazir's summons have 4 more HP than their bestiary counterparts because of Augment Summoning so 17 instead of 13 for the elementals.
@NIyut - 2 of the elementals can reach her with a single 100' move, then attack. But the third cannot get around to another open spot for it to attack this round. The third could take an additional move if you want, but won't be able to attack.
The ice elementals attack the shaken worg repeatedly but only one of the attacks slips past the wolf's defenses. The draconic ally of Malthazir's charges after the hag but its stinger goes wide of the mark. Several air elementals materialize at Malthazir's command and race off after the storm hag. Two of the elementals reach the witch but neither are able to land a blow.
The Avalance - Round 4
Garidan (63/68) Niyut (30/55, Image 3/5, Blur, Fly, 50' elevation) Ice Giant (-25, Blind rd5, Burrowed) Worg1 (-45 +4 bleed, Shaken rd6) Worg2 (-8) Storm Hag (-18, Fly, 50' elevation) Gruskorb (52/52) <-- UP Truk'tosh (60/83, Barkskin, Tripped) <-- UP Nethuns (30/41) <-- UP Malthazir (39/44) Draconic Ally (21/21) Small Ice Elemental x4 (15/15, 15/15, 15/15, 15/15, rd9) Small Air Elementals x3 (15/15, 15/15, 15/15, rd11) Tacal (Lev 10')
HP 80/80 | AC 21/16/15 | CMD 21 | Fort +7 Ref +12 Will +6 | Per +12, Dark Vision 60' | Init +6 Aegean Unchained Rogue 7 {Nature Fang 1}
Hearing the fray not far from him, Gruskorb returned to where he had peered from the mist before. The beast's tail and hindquarters were visible, though it was clearly interested in something else. Judging from his surroundings, the rogue surmised the distraction. Truk.
Wasting no time to help his ally, he lashed-out with his dominant hand. Though he'd yielded the safety of the mists for a chance to strike, he now had one direction to defend form.
Male Half-Orc Druid 8/Cleric 1 | HP: 116/116 l AC: 26 (30 with buffs, 32 vs the first 3 attacks per round) /T: 12/FF: 24 l Fort: +15*, Ref: +5*, W: +14* l Init: +0 l Per: +15; Low-light vision l Movement: 30 *Hardy: Gain +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poison, spells, and spell-like abilities *Familiar:51/51
With a burst of draconic alacrity, Truk'tosh springs to his feet and tightens his grip on his weapon once again. Provoking.
Aided by Gruskorb's distraction, Truk hacks at the wolf's neck in a frenzy. As he strikes the essence of the ogre that had bonded with his weapon takes hold and fills the big orc with its simple-minded fury.
@Truk - Gruskorb's whip doesn't provide flank for Truk'tosh... so no sneak attack either.
Gruskorb slips out of the mist and slashes at the hindquarters of the worg attacking Truk'tosh. Extra 12 damage from Gruskorb's sneak attack When the half-orc scrambles to his feet, the Worg lunges to bite his throat. Misjudging Truk's distance, the worg only finds air. Riasing to his full height, the half-orc flies into a rage slashing at the worg with his monstrous fury, landing three consecutive blows with his waraxe. Although reeling from Truk's attack, the worg is nimble enough to avoid the majority of the flames from the rolling ball of fire. Burnt and bruised the worg lets out a horrific howl.
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
Niyut is not willing to let the injured hag escape. She follows the crone, taking advantage of her superior dark vision -- where she can see the crone, but the crone could not see her -- she rises in elevation and channels the power of her mother's wand again, holding it waiting for the hag to try to flee or act.
Readied Action: Intensified, Reach Snowball, Higher Elevation, Invisible:1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 21 Cold Damage:7d6 + 7 + 7 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 2, 5, 4, 6) + 7 + 7 = 40She needs to make a Fort save of 17 or be staggered for the round
She is hoping to disrupt the hag's escape, attack, or if she tries to use her spls.
She is now at elevation 55'.
Hearing a furious howling emanate from the low-hanging mist, Garidan redoubles his efforts to strike down the wolf he's facing off against; the howling either signals that the source wants aid, or is coming to provide some, and neither possibility bodes well for himself and his companions. Eyes flicking back to wolf, who seems strangly unable to properly track the waving tip of the rapier, Garidan lunges forward and drives the blade into the massive body. As he moves, the metal takes on a visibly and entirely unwholesome shade, even as a faint scent of rotting meat trails in its wake. To break the beast's spirit further, Garidan taunts it as he slides the blade free, dismissively wiping it clean on the shaggy fur with absolutely no care for the nearness of the wolf's jaws. "Look at you, cringing like a puppy that just got its nose smacked. I've seen rabbits with more backbone than you. I'm almost tempted to let you live, in the hopes that the mist will clear and your friend in there can see you pissing all over the snow in terror." With a sneer, Garidan almost casually drives the rapier into the wolf a second time, seeming as though he can't be bothered to put any effort into the blow.
Full-round action to full attack. Using passive Precise Strike and Power Attack, and gaining a flanking bonus as well. The wolf's shaken condition activates the rapier's cruel property, sickening the wolf. Following up the first attack with another use of Menacing Swordplay to demoralize as a swift action (DC 18; +5 for a second demoralize attempt against the same target, -2 for shaken, -2 for sickened); the attempt succeeds by 11, so the duration of winter wolf's shaken condition is extended by 3 rounds. Further, because the demoralize check succeeds by 10 or more (Signature Skill feat), the wolf is frightened for 1 round unless it makes a Will save (DC 17) to negate, and shaken thereafter. And the wolf suffers another activation of Shatter Defenses as well, because why not? Rapier Attack #1:1d20 + 14 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 - 2 = 24 Rapier Damage:1d8 + 7 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 5 + 4 = 20
Garidan's insult combined with his vicious blow, send the worg into a frightful retreat. Turning tail and running to the northeast. 2 of Malthazir's Ice Elementals get an AOO. The other worg continues to attack Truk'tosh biting his leg and tripping the half-orc to the ground once again. 9 damage. Cold damage resisted.
To the north, the Hag turns and rips the pseudo-dragon apart. Ending its life with a slide of its throat, the Hag screams at the elementals and the oracle that chase her. "You're Next!" No sooner had she spoke, but Niyut hurls a snowball that hits the hag right in the face, stunning her briefly.
Back to the south, the ice giant bursts out of the snow to the northeast of Gruskorb and attacks the hobgoblin. With two swings of his greataxe, the giant nearly decapitates the unsuspecting rogue. 47 damage
The Avalance - Round 5
Garidan (63/68) Niyut (30/55, Image 3/5, Blur, Fly, 50' elevation) Ice Giant (-25, Blind rd5, Burrowed) Worg1 (-65 +4 bleed, Frightened rd6, Shaken rd9) Worg2 (-77) Storm Hag (-79 +5 bleed, Fly, Staggered, 50' elevation) Gruskorb (5/52) <-- UP Truk'tosh (51/83, Barkskin, Tripped) <-- UP Nethuns (30/41) <-- UP Malthazir (39/44) <-- UP Draconic Ally (Dead) Small Ice Elemental x4 (17/17, 17/17, 17/17, 17/17, rd9) <-- UP Small Air Elementals x3 (17/17, 17/17, 17/17, rd11) <-- UP Tacal (Lev 10')
Female Half Orc Oracle (Spirit Guide) 9/Sorcerer (Cross-blooded) 1 l HP: 79/79 l AC: 14 (Current AC: 22)/T: 13/FF: 11 (15) l F: +7, R: +10, W: +11 (+2 v Illusions) l Init: +5 l Per: +21 (+23 dim/dark); Darkvision 90' l Movement: 30 l SR Check: +11
Slight objection: readied actions interrupt. "If the triggered action is part of another character’s activities, you interrupt the other character. Assuming he is still capable of doing so, he continues his actions once you complete your readied action." Since the hag failed her fortitude save and was staggered (only able to take one standard or one move) she could not do more than her bite. So the dragon should still be with us.
