The Hollow Man (Inactive)

Game Master trux

Seeing Kakao's vestments catch fire reminds Cyanne of her terrible vision.

"No! This fire won't take Kakao and Levoca!" She spreads her arms, offering herself up as a sacrifice. "My Lady Kel, let it take me instead. You came into my life with a fire, it's only fitting that we end with one."

Cyanne grimly faces the growing forest fire and begins to pray.

As his vestments catch fire, Kakao lets out a quick "Oops!" and pats the flames out. This seems a little more out of control than a kitchen fire!

"No! This fire won't take Kakao and Levoca!" She spreads her arms, offering herself up as a sacrifice. "My Lady Kel, let it take me instead. You came into my life with a fire, it's only fitting that we end with one."

What! Oh no...I hope that doesn't mean what I think it does.

untrained bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Putting a smile on to hide his concern.

Smiling, Kakao says to Cyanne "Things are always so exciting around you, child!" Even if I fear you are about to burn out.

Patting some of the ash off himself, he shouts "Since you evidently know more of forest fires than I, is there any way I can help you?" That sounds a little better than any last requests...

Meanwhile, an oblivious distance away in the woods...

His perception narrowing to the crunch of undergrowth beneath him and the sounds of his own breath, Morti pounds after teh Hollow Man, unaware of the fire's growth.

survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Saving up all my 1s for when I actually catch him, apparently.

Her spell expended Mikka draws her bow and begins running, eyes occasionally going skyward to where Zephyr marks the Hollow Man's position flying in tights circles.

Cyanne, silhouetted against the flames, turns to Kakao.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Her face softens, as she reads the truth in his face.

"Oh, my brave friend, how honored I am to have known you. Please... take care of Caramir and the others afterwards for me?"

_________________

The bonfire roaring behind her, Cyanne looks up once more and summons the power of Kel.

Oh my lady, why did you show me Caramir's face so often, only to take him from me?

No life is fully lived without love.

Cyanne feels something she never had felt before, anger at her goddess. I want one last goodbye. We deserve that.

Yes, the goddess says sadly. You do.

_________________

Cyanne feels her anger drain away as the light, love and sorrow of Kel fills her. She glows blue, then green, then a whorl of nature's colors surrounds her. The bright hues of magic pierce the smoke as it begins to billow in earnest. Cyanne feels her awareness rise with the billowing magic, as she steadily pours herself into it. This was the nature of Kel, the purpose to which her own life had been called.

She feels the madness upon the land, the frightened souls of the lost animals, the darkness that is somehow within the plants and the soil itself in this part of the wood. She feels the raging fire before her as an almost a malevolent force, twisted and empowered by the darkness that has seeped everywhere in this unhappy forest.

She taps into the mysteries of her talents. Wind cracks the branches of the smaller trees. Plants that had been uprooted from the Hollow Man's fight with the entangle are sent in the vortex, and the fire is drawn into the magical air current. She feels a giddy rush, as the flowing of her life force and the divine powers combine dangerously. No mortal body is meant to hold this sort of power, even one as sturdy as hers.

Gradually, she draws the fire into the vortex, peeling and pruning the limbs off the tree with caring gentleness. She is lost within the maelstrom as divine power prunes the fire from its fuel source. When the tree and the neighboring vegetation is extinguished, the elemental energy concentrates in a small ball low to ground level. The ball swirls with the colors of spring, the purest life known. The glowing orb swirls for a few minutes, still the size of a person, and then bursts outward.

Beside the now glowing tree, a handcarved miniature white wooden shield, painted with a single blue star, falls to the ground.

The bursting blue light ripples out from its source, extending from beyond the tree in ever increasing circles of energy. It smells of wildflowers and freshly milled oats. The light ripples out in ever widening circles, healing the land and calming small wild creatures as it passes. It ripples past Kakao, past her running teammates, washing each in turn in warm blue light. It lingers longest on Caramir.

It continues rippling outward all the way to the Hollow Man, enveloping the monster in blue light before it dissipates with a final sigh.

R.I.P.

"Go!" She shouts after him. "Kakao and I need to put out this fire!" And then, because there is no more time, she shouts after him, "I love you!"

When the elf looks back, there she is - glowing like a spring morning - "Cyanne?" - the elf mutters again, taking a step closer to her.

Stopping, he looks back at the Hollow Man once, as he still walks toward her, then twice, but he does not stop moving toward the girl that had brought a dream to his life.

'What is happening?' - his mind races, while the colors and sensations assault his senses in a whirl - 'A spell?' - he dares think as the fires begin to extinguish, and even ventures a smile, but then...

The burst is silent, almost pleasing as it fills his mind with sights and smells of flowered fields, and warm sun... But then it is gone, leaving him on his knees - "And I you..." - the elf whispers in a barely audible voice.

Mikka and Caramir's attacks slam into the hollow man as he suddenly sprouts another arrow for his collection.

Okrin, feel free to put your stuff in a flashback! Everyone, the map is now as ready as it will ever be. I *fudged* a bit on your placement, but I hope you will appreciate the fudging instead of resenting me for it. PM me if you have any issues there. We can of course, chalk this up to Morti's excellent survival skills.

"Oh, my brave friend, how honored I am to have known you. Please... take care of Caramir and the others afterwards for me?"

Kakao nods in understanding. I will do my best.

He watches as Cyanne serves as a conduit to her dead goddess's power. As his nose catches the scent of wild flowers and oats, he breathes in deeply and allows the scent to fill his senses. He holds it in for a moment, then releases it.

Like the spring, she was here and gone much too soon.

Looking ahead he sees the elf has dropped to his knees, no longer persuing the monster.

Project nothing but calm support. If I can remain calm and focused, perhaps it will help him remain so as well.

Moving over to Caramir, the small gnome lays a hand on the archer's arm and gently urges him to action. In a soft voice, he says "Nock another arrow, friend. If we are to protect Levoca as she wanted, we must fight now."

Prior to current time.
Okrin moves as fast as he can to keep up with the creature.

Double move with Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 as needed.

Easily negotiating the fire and fallen brush, Okrin positions himself within throwing distance.

shuriken: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 (miss).

Not sure how many rounds I missed, so I'll stop there for now. EDIT: Can't seem to find my token on Roll20 for positioning. Awesome stuff all!

Karl pursues the hollow man, as quickly as he can. He pauses for a second when the pulse of blue light passes, then cheers as it lights up the target he is fixed on. He moves close to the maniac construct.

[ooc]double move[/oo]

I have you now!

Struggling to keep up with the Hollow Man's pace, Morti is surprised by the blue light washing over him, and pauses a moment in confusion as the lights dancing in front of his eyes show him a glimpse of the trail ahead. As though I'm lookin' down at a map--how's this now?

As the light moves on, he glances over to Okrin and waves, This way! We'll catch 'im ahead--surround 'im! before plunging off into the woods at an angle to cut off the golem's trail.

Mak keeps pace with Karl, running with his bow in hand. Then, he takes another shot. shortbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The arrow goes wide, sinking into the dark of midnight. Kakao's dancing lights continue to send shadows each and every way, now the main source of illumination in the wake of the fading springlight.

The Hollow Man turns.

First, he slams a swinging stump-arm against Mak in a powerful roundhouse punch. attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 dmg: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12
Then he brings it back around to backhand Karl across the skull. attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 dmg: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 = 14

Mak sinks like a sack of potatoes. The crushing wound to his chest releases a burst of blood to spray the area. In the trio of lights over the Hollow Man, the creature is soaked in crimson.

*CRACK!*
The strike to Karl leaves him standing, barely. Everyone can hear a loud crack as Karl's world explodes with pain.

Commence Round 5

Hearing the sounds of battle, Kakao says "We have to act now." and runs towards the sounds of battle.

Double move, position updated on map.

round 5!

Hearing the crunching of the Hollow Man's arm hitting his comrades, Morti changes course again, charging into the fray in hopes of distracting the monster, warhammer swinging as stands over Mak's body.

charge, power attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18
warhammer damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Karl, get back!

AC 18 this round from charge.

Okrin joins in the fray, letting loose with his fist while positioning himself at Mort's side, trying to guard his friend after his valiant charge.

Fist: 1d20 ⇒ 6 (miss)

Ready attack of opportunity to aid other (Bodyguard (feat)), +2 AC for Morti.
Bodyguard (feat), vs AC 10: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Karl staggers back, blood in his eye.

merciful trader, that thing packs a punch

Seeing Mak on the ground, he says Mak, you there?

Karl goes through the spells he has, but nothing helps. Maybe he can help Mak

Kneeling, he tries to help him
heal: 1d20 ⇒ 10

But nothing he does seems to help.

Running through the brush Mikka looses a shot form her bow, the arrow flying wild amidsst the chaos.

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9
1d8 ⇒ 7

Moving over to Caramir, the small gnome lays a hand on the archer's arm and gently urges him to action. In a soft voice, he says "Nock another arrow, friend. If we are to protect Levoca as she wanted, we must fight now."

"Yes, I..." - Caramir looks at Kakao, his eyes filled with tears - "But Cyanne, what happened..?" - he stammers momentarily.

Hearing the sounds of battle, Kakao says "We have to act now." and runs towards the sounds of battle.

Back on his feet, he hears the din of combat behind him, and nods to the gnome - "You are right" - he says only, taking off towards the fray.

Double move also towards the combat. Unless I can move and shoot - do I have line of sight, even if with penalties from distance?

Kakao Mit Schlag wrote:

Moving over to Caramir, the small gnome lays a hand on the archer's arm and gently urges him to action. In a soft voice, he says "Nock another arrow, friend. If we are to protect Levoca as she wanted, we must fight now."

"Yes, I..." - Caramir looks at Kakao, his eyes filled with tears - "But Cyanne, what happened..?" - he stammers momentarily.

How am I supposed to answer that? Too much...best try to put it off until later.

"Later...I'll tell you what I know later if we survive!"

Which you better survive, since I don't want her cursing me from the other side of the grave!

Kakao Mit Schlag wrote:

Hearing the sounds of battle, Kakao says "We have to act now." and runs towards the sounds of battle.

Back on his feet, he hears the din of combat behind him, and nods to the gnome - "You are right" - he says only, taking off towards the fray.

Kakao smiles as the lithe archer sprints past him. Must be nice, being able to bound over all those obstacles and run so fast...

No one hits the Hollow Man, and the half orc beneath morti's feet sputters up blood from his mouth. He seems to be trying to say something. His head lolls from side to side weakly in the shifting shadows.

atk morti: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
dmg: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 = 13

The hollow man swings the back of his scythe-bearing hand and Morti anticipates the attack - moving out of the way. The polypore covered arm goes wide.

atk okrin: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
dmg: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11

The wooden claw of the other hand tightens, then swings to strike Okrin. The branch crushes into the wizard.

And it advances against you, taking a 5ft step towards the rest of the party's position.

Caramir presses forward again, even more so when he notices that Mak is down, and Okrin has been brutally hit.

Exhaling to steady his breathing, he launches another arrow at the Hollow Man - "We are here friends! Stand fast!"

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
Damage if it hits: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 1 = 8

Kakao struggles through some of the brush in order to get next to Morti. As he brings out his holy symbol, his lights move to surround the Hollow Man.

Kakao shouts "Too many injured nearby, I can't channel to harm it!" He then calls out for his god's aid.

Move, assumed last square was difficult terrain. Map updated -- I'm in the same square as the animal corpse.
Move dancing lights to surround Hollow Man. Selective channel, deselect Hollow Man.

selective variant positive channel, only get half healing: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Everyone heal 2 damage

Posting for next round as I don't want to hold things up if I miss the chance to check in during the day.

Stepping away from the creature, which has nearly killed him in one swing Okrin does his best to support his friend.

"I'm afraid I cannot stand toe to toe with this thing Morti. I will protect you as long as I can stand."

5 foot step to get behind Morti. Standard action, Cast Mage Armor on Morti.
Ready attack of opportunity to aid other (Bodyguard (feat)), +2 AC for Morti.
Bodyguard (feat), vs AC 10: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Morti's gains an additional Armor bonus of +6 (+2 from Bodyguard, +4 for Mage Armor).

I don't think the armor bonus from Mage Armor stacks with the armor bonus from my armor-armor, so save it for somethign else?

Orkin,
Looking at the map on Roll20 you are currently flanking the Hollow Man with Morti. A 5' step will not bring you behind Morti -- it would require more than that.

Morti is also correct that the Armor from the Mage Armor spell would not stack with his current armor.

I cannot tell what tokens are which characters as they are not labled. This past turn I intended to stand next to Morti. Did Morti move this past turn? Will cast Mage Armor on myself then.

Kakao struggles through some of the brush in order to get next to Morti. As he brings out his holy symbol, his lights move to surround the Hollow Man.

Kakao shouts "Too many injured nearby, I can't channel to harm it!" He then calls out for his god's aid.

Move, assumed last square was difficult terrain. Map updated -- I'm in the same square as the animal corpse.
Move dancing lights to surround Hollow Man. Selective channel, deselect Hollow Man.

[dice=selective variant positive channel, only get half healing]1d6 Everyone heal 2 damage

I hate to break it to you guys, but you only heal one(1) point of HP. For some reason your spells seem to be weakened. (Much as earlier when your entangle spell covered a smaller area than normal.)

Morti is the short & stout guy with the shield and hammer, Okrin. If you zoom in close, he should be pretty easy to pick out. Are you withdrawing or only taking a five foot step back?

Morti, mikka, and karl to act.

I'm standing over the fallen Mak, so our tokens are a little bit jumbled visually. prob part of your confusion Okrin? Anyways, am gonna wait to see your move resolve sos I know where folks are...

Only taking a 5-foot step. Had thought I was next to Morti (to use Bodyguard feat) and so planned to 5-foot step to end up behind him. Should be positioned correctly now.

I hate to break it to you guys, but you only heal one(1) point of HP. For some reason your spells seem to be weakened. (Much as earlier when your entangle spell covered a smaller area than normal.)

Channel isn't a spell. It is a supernatural ability. That was a large part of why I did the Channel is it isn't a spell.

Channel Energy (Su): Regardless of alignment, any cleric can release a wave of energy by channeling the power of her faith through her holy (or unholy) symbol. This energy can be used to cause or heal damage, depending on the type of energy channeled and the creatures targeted.

Please reconsider if the newly cleansed (by Cyanne's action) forest would interfere with a God having the plant domain.

I'll go back and review the setting material, Bret, but perhaps I may have mispoken and misled you. To my knowledge there isn't a loophole here where one kind of magic (a cast spell) and another kind (any given magical ability) are seen as seperate and distinct. I'll review it and let you know. You may not remember, but this did happen to Montepierre when he used healing magic before.

Now if only someone knew a trick for dealing with drain from this place...

Cleansed?
Cleansed?
Cleansed, you say? Oh ho. Ho-ho ho

Mikka, I'm guessing that the GM's needling is directed at your spell list...

Well it just so happens that the attack coincidentally came before someone could prepare spells for the day. I'd vhanged my list, but I'm still stuck on the previous day's.

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
1d8 ⇒ 2

Mikka runs forward, loosing another shot that flies wide in the chaos.

pretty much the same here.

I think we need to back off, this thing is beating us.

Karl backs off a bit, trying to catch his breath and think.

Full defense, 5 foot step.

Seeing his comrades bloodied and staggering, Morti tries to buy some space for a withdrawal, crouching and hooking his hammer between the Hollow Man's legs as a lever and trying to topple the thing--

trip!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Hope that'll do it, but take an AoO in the process -- effective AC 22, thanks to Okrin's bodyguard

Try to get clear!

Assuming Morti's trip goes off.. Ready movement to move with Morti.

Okrin follows Morti's advice and retreats with Morti.

atk: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
atk: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

The Hollow Man misses his AoO.

The Hollow Man continues to slowly moan as he withstands Morti's tough trip attack.

-GRRWOOONAAARRRR-
Kakao, I stand by the ruling. Just the 1HP for targets of your channel.

Mak emits a gurgling noise, but seems to still.

The Hollow Man attacks, his bone-white scythe raised high as the shadows cast by Kakao's lights tilt and swirl around him in unsettling angles. The right wooden claw of the thing, a horrid sight almost consumed by disgusting purple leaking polypores, descends. atk vs Morti: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
It clangs against Morti's shield with a resounding *WHAM* and then the thing moves forward 5ft, passing morti dismissively.

Kakao, I stand by the ruling. Just the 1HP for targets of your channel.

Thank you for reviewing it.

Are we ready to start Round 6 (a.k.a. Retreat) now? I'm not sure if both the Hollow Man and Mak are done with their turns.

This would be round 8. I havent been announcing the rounds regularly, but five seemed like a good one to announce.

This would be round 8. I havent been announcing the rounds regularly, but five seemed like a good one to announce.

Kakao calls out "Retreating!" and then takes the time to cast a healing spell on Okrin. He struggles his way through the brush rather than risk coming within reach of the Hollow Man.

CLW, spontaneous from Bane: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Perception on Hollow Man: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 I want to remember where and how badly hurt it appears to be.

Cast CLW spontaneous from Bane, move 20' (first square looks like difficult terrain. If it isn't, move me another 5' away from the Hollow Man.

As the group retreats.

"Friends, the creature. It seems weakened. Our spells may be more potent. Unless someone can lend me an arrow, I'm afraid I cannot test my findings."

Lets say you've knocked a significant amoubt of fungus off, and his body looks generally a little singed from the fire spells. [carbon scoring from mikka's blaster hits]

Morti returns his hammer to its sling and crouches to grab at Mak's armor, trying to drag the unconscious half-orc out of reach of the Hollow Man's scythe. Don' know what he's up to, but can't leave him alone to collect another head!

strength?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Morti, I think the rules would break down as 5' step to get out of reach, Move to sheath weapon, move to pick an object up. Provided you have the carrying capacity to haul the body, no strength roll should be needed. Since as a dwarf you have slow but steady, you should be able to move your normal speed even while lugging the body.

That's fine morti, you can drag Mak away. it seems like the hollow man has already dismissed you at least. On Roll20 you should be able to move the half-orc now.

Going to probably wait a bit more for further actions of Karl, Mikka, Caramir. Hang in there! We've almost made it out!

As the group calls a retried, Mikka takes a half hearted parting shot, upset with the manner in which things unfolded she turns to look back at the companions behind her.

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
1d8 ⇒ 5

Karl helps to drag Mak out of danger. So...at which point did we lose control he says with a grin, belying his concern.

The Hollow Man's moan continues.

Caramir withdraws to the north quickly. He peppers the Hollow Man with another attack. bow attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 4 + 1 = 14 The arrow goes wide.

Mak seems like he's still mostly comatose, but I'll say he's stable. Together Karl and Morti are easily able to drag him away at a rate of Morti's movement.

The Hollow Man, his wicked blood-spattered limbs steady and dogged in his pursuit, uses the opening to close in on Mikka. Double Move to put Mikka in melee range. He stares at Mikka with his scorch-marked face, moaning at her.

It seems like no one moved to retreat on Roll 20. I'm just going to move everyone at this point as best I can guess. 30ft for those who take parting shots. 20ft for Morti, Karl, and Mak. full move for Okrin as he retreats. In future please note I'd like to have you guys in charge of your movement until combat officially ends. It's clear that while y'all are ready to retreat, you still have the Hollow Man's attention.

Also, Okrin, sorry, you get -1 modifier on Kakao's healing from CLW spell.

Karl helps to drag Mak out of danger. So...at which point did we lose control he says with a grin, belying his concern.

- Begin Rizzound Nihine (9) -