Volcano Room: The fire from Livain's arrows explodes out, washing over the guards and prisoners, almost all of whom are badly burned by the hateful fires of old Enhathlad. Only the devils stand strong, grinning madly as the flames wash harmlessly over their infernal hides.
The Red Dragonflight are a disciplined army, though, and the soldiers hold their ground, grimacing in pain but making no sound. As the flames die away against the rock and stone of the room, one of the priests on the dais immediately barks out orders. "Put that cur down! She's Blackflight spawn, look at the tattoos! Look at the wings! She is the filth that will be cleansed from the Land when our God and Master returns! Fire!" Three of the crossbowmen fire at Livain, but the other three hold back, waiting to see what happens next. When Min dashes forward through the wall of fire, the last three unload at him.
Perhaps it is their wounds, perhaps it is the still-clearing fire and smoke, but whatever the reason, all the crossbowmen's arrows fly wide of the mark, or shatter against the low balcony wall.
@Lin and @Tora'an: As the paladine continue to hack away, the Kobolds yield only in inches, clearly intending to fight to the death. At Lin's offer of mercy, they make some very rude suggestions about her parentage and leap into the fray with renewed zeal. Their anger doesn't make them better fighters, though, and while another handful of their number go down, only one of them manages to land a blow in Tora'an.
"No." It is a simple word, easily said and easily forgotten. When Damian states it, he says it with such conviction and such vigor, it rattles the Dragonflight soldiers. He steps out of the fire, scorched but safe by the blessing of Iomedae. "There is no place where the Inheritor is blind to. There is no place that she cannot make her will known. We are her will. Even in a place such as this, the Inheritor grants us strength and purpose. Throw down your weapons and surrender, or fall to these blessed swords." He brings his own sword and shield up, ready to do battle, undeterred by the fire.
Maiathreen approaches the door which has the sounds of chanting. He looks at the warbanians positioned around him with a nod he opens to the door ready to face anything with in.. Only he didn't expect a wall of flames to be blocking his way in. "What in the nine hells is that?" He exclaims as he brings his hand up to shield his eyes from the bright light.
Even with her senses and everything else magically sped up, Aylaeth is still unable to avoid the raging wall of flames. Yet despite the pain of her wounds, she remains focused in her mission and intent.
Having already decided her best course of action, she first retaliates against their enemies, causing a giant ball of lightning to explode amidst the leaders and their devils.
SA
Lightning Ball DC20: 8d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 2, 6, 2, 6, 1, 4) = 31
CL check vs SR with Hero Point: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Immediately after casting her spell, with her enhanced speed she begins running along the balcony towards the door from which the arcane chanting emanates.
MA
(with her hasted speed, I think she should be able to make it to 1-M, or 0-M, wherever the balcony path is.)
Stats:
Although many would not think him, despite his noble heritage, to be much more than a mount, the truth is the Tora'an has been trained in battle and tactics almost as extensively as his, plus, over the course of their many years together she has shared, and he has observed, much of what she has learned herself.
And so it is that the pegasus lord decides to try another tack. Using his powerful legs and mighty wings to lift himself up into the air up out of weapon reach, taking care to avoid any counter attacks Tora'an speeds off in the direction from which the kobolds had come, hoping to draw many of their number after him.
OOC:
Withdraw action if possible,
Move or double move flying towards where the kobold horde poured out of.
@Mai: The warbanian soldiers all shield their eyes as well, but only for a moment. "Are your friends through here, then? Sure sounds like a fight has been joined..."
Aylaeth's ball of lightning damages the two priests, both of whom yelp in surprised pain. One of them growls to the Bone devil, "Go take care of her! We'll handle the rest of these fools." The two clerics of Kalaroth then each cast a spell. Min feels a wave of divine magic wash over him, but is able to shake it off through sheer fortitude. Livain, however, gasps as she is stricken blind by the spell.
The Bone Devil nods and looks up at where Aylaeth is sprinting along the balcony, then vanishes into thin air. The Lesothan magus' progress is then suddenly halted as a foot-thick wall of ice springs around her in a big hemisphere, trapping her in place. The Bone Devil is still nowhere to be seen...
An unintended effect of Aylaeth's lightning bolt was to awaken the devil that Min had just put to sleep. Grunting with pain, it pulls itself to its feet and howls in anger, unleashing a lightning bolt at Captain Lamorak that he partially deflects with his shield, but still gets damaged by.
END OF ROUND 1, BEGINNING OF ROUND 2
Initiative Order:
Ghaddar - 25
Livain - 24
Red Dragonflight foot soldiers - 17
Mai - 15
Warbanians - 13
Min - 12
Captain Lamorak - 11
Aylaeth - 8
Priests of Kalaroth - 7
Bone Devil - 5
Map is here. - might have to click on the "Volcano room" tab or link.
@Tora'an and @Lin: As Tora'an carefully lifts off, flying up to ceiling height (the only way to fully avoid attacks of opportunity) and rocketing back into the tunnel, a handful of kobolds point and yell in draconic: "Hey! Stop that horse! Kill it! Don't let it get past us!"
[spoiler=Lin's stats]
Lin gives a powerful roar to quiet the jeering Kobolds as she retorts. "Soon your only choice will be surrender followers of Kalaroth!" With that said she lashes out again with her full draconic fury.
Sadly the kobolds were too small and nimble and easily ducked out of the way as she clawed and bit at them.
Livain became startled for a moment but it quickly faded with a bit of odd humor. What was once gritted teeth became a smile as she thought to herself. This must be what a true blind rage feels like. For some reason that caused her to focus and slow down her rapid breathing. She began to blink slowly trying to will her sight back. At last like surfacing cold water a Mosaic of light and shadow begin to form her sight was restored. Livain regains her composure and positions herself to fire at the ghaddar. "Hey ugly! She yells out catching the devils's attention. "I want to make a new pincushion care to volunteer?" She began to fire arrows like a mad woman. With each arrow that was plucked and released a chuckle was sent with it.
All attacks are with Razorback arrows.
Attack Manyshot:
Rapidshot:
Second Shot: hero point reroll
Haste Attack:
Manyshot Damage:
Rapidshot Damage:
Second Shot Damage:
Haste Damage:
Total including dr: 101
@Mai: The warbanian soldiers all shield their eyes as well, but only for a moment. "Are your friends through here, then? Sure sounds like a fight has been joined..."
"It would seem like it." He watches the flames for a second as he tries to figure a way through. ~Servais any ideas for this?~ He communicates telepathically to the blackblade.
Bump~
The ghaddar yells in pain and anger, its nostrils emitting steam, and the priests yell from the dais: "Swordsmen! Get out of range of the archers! You're useless down there! You know your orders in these situations, now move it!" Immediately after this command is issued, most of the foot troops run for the doors. Four of the swordsmen vault to the stairs, drawing their magicked greatswords as they go, and get right up into position in front of Livain and Sir Damian, trapping them between blades and flames. Meanwhile, the crossbowmen stand their ground and reload, then fire again!
@Maiathreen: You and your new Warbanian companions all clearly hear the shouting going on from the other side of this wall of fire. The big mercenaries all draw their weapons and hunker down. The leader looks down at you; "We're just gonna run through it, flying-elf, unless you have some trick for dismissing walls of searing flame..."
"Unfortunately no...but since my wife is on the other side your plan sounds as good as anything I can come up with." And with that the desperate magus rushes through the flames Servais at the ready.
The now scorched magus barrels through the flames upon seeing the swordsman threatening Livain he rushes straight at it flames still smoldering upon his clothes. He quickly speaks in a dark and hissing tone as blackish purple energy swirls around Servais. He slices into the soldier and he literally feels his life force being ripped from his body and being used to heal Maiathreen. As strenght and vitality flowed into him he cried out at the shocking pleasure of it
Following Mai's lead, the half-dozen Warbanians go crashing through the wall of fire as well, though they lack the Aellar's tremendous footspeed and are unable to get close enough to attack the Red Dragonflight soldiers. They ARE, however, able to breach the flame and bellow forth a might war cry, consecrating the coming battle to Gorum, patron of Warbane, and their lord. One gets adjacent to Sir Damian and grins fiercely, staring down at the defiant but clearly outmatched Dragonflight swordsman threatening the Skyknight leader.
"Good greetings of war, Captain! Your flying-elf friend says you could use some help, looks like we came at a good time."
AC: 24 (26 against evil) (26/28 if he has cover/ is being shot at by evil people~)
HP:31/61
F/R/W: 7/11/6
CMD: 26
Move Speed: 60ft
Attack bonus: +1 (+1 additional attack with FAA)
Save Bonus +1 Ref
Buffs: Resist Cold 10, Resist Acid 20
Immune to Sleep
Other buffs: Haste, Protection from Evil
Haste
When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon. The attack is made using the creature's full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This effect is not cumulative with similar effects, such as that provided by a speed weapon, nor does it actually grant an extra action, so you can't use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round.)
A hasted creature gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
All of the hasted creature's modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject's normal speed using that form of movement. This increase counts as an enhancement bonus, and it affects the creature's jumping distance as normal for increased speed. Multiple haste effects don't stack. Haste dispels and counters slow.
Protection from evil
This spell wards a creature from attacks by evil creatures, from mental control, and from summoned creatures. It creates a magical barrier around the subject at a distance of 1 foot. The barrier moves with the subject and has three major effects.
First, the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures.
Second, the subject immediately receives another saving throw (if one was allowed to begin with) against any spells or effects that possess or exercise mental control over the creature (including enchantment [charm] effects and enchantment [compulsion] effects, such as charm person, command, and dominate person). This saving throw is made with a +2 morale bonus, using the same DC as the original effect. If successful, such effects are suppressed for the duration of this spell. The effects resume when the duration of this spell expires. While under the effects of this spell, the target is immune to any new attempts to possess or exercise mental control over the target. This spell does not expel a controlling life force (such as a ghost or spellcaster using magic jar), but it does prevent them from controlling the target. This second effect only functions against spells and effects created by evil creatures or objects, subject to GM discretion.
Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by evil summoned creatures. This causes the natural weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creatures to recoil if such attacks require touching the warded creature. Summoned creatures that are not evil are immune to this effect. The protection against contact by summoned creatures ends if the warded creature makes an attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature. Spell Resistance can allow a creature to overcome this protection and touch the warded creature.
Min turns and sees the soldiers coming at them and curses as they get within striking range of Livain. Without second thought Min reaches out and touches Livain's back with his hand and for a moment the world freezes over as the Dragonrider summons up his strongest healing spell. The air visibly chills around his hand and Livains wounds freeze over for the briefest of moments before the ice falls away and most of her injuries are now gone. With a determined voice Min speaks over her shoulder. "I've got your back Livain."
Damian grunts and coughs as he smokes from the lightning bolt. His voice is not quite as strong as it normally presents, but even the least of his words carry more weight than most men's strongest. "Your efforts will fail, turned to dust when the Inheritor's eyes fall upon you. I will smite you down, devil, along with all others that stand in our way." While most of his speech is for the Ghaddar and Damian's own allies, part of it is intended for the soldier who stands in front of him. With a nod of camaraderie to the Warbanian (though Damian generally finds the people distasteful), he steps forward. His blessed blade cuts deeply into the soldier's flesh as he delivers a wide stroke, followed by a powerful thrust that pierces through his armor as if it weren't there, straight into the Dragonflight soldier's stomach. "Just as Villicent fell before us, so shall you all! So shall your false god!"
Arcane accuracy + hero point for +4 grrrr stupid dice
Spellstrike:1d20+13+6+8
Damage:1d8+8;4d6
The two swordsmen who made it to the balcony to threaten Livain and Captain Lamorak are each gravely wounded and near death's door, it's clear, but there are still many enemies around...what does the Lesothan Magus have in store with her mad dash along the balcony?
Reflex save to avoid hemisphere of ice:
Her intensive magical training along with her natural ability, and aided by her magical protections allow Aylaeth to sense the gathering magical energies and react to the spell before it is even completed. Making an incredibly graceful dive and roll back up to her feet.
Her battle trained mind never stopping for an instant she calls out quietly but urgently to her familiar "Ada'an! Find that Bone Devil!" upon which the tiny angel immediately begins using his celestial abilities to sense for evil in a 60' cone before him.
Meanwhile the magus herself continues racing across the with her magically enhanced speed. Just before she reaches the area before the door from which she heard the chanting without pause she leaps off of the balcony, wielding her sword above her and shouting a her spell in the form of a war-cry. With but a thought she calls upon her blood born ability to call the winds to ease her fall, and with vampiric energy bathing her staff and Damian's stirring words lifting her morale even higher, she mercilessly smashes down the soldier standing guard before the door.
Spell Strike Attack:
Crit Threat:
Damage:
Vampiric Touch:
MA: 60' and jump to X-2
Immediate: Feather Fall
SA: Spellstrike attack, Vampiric Touch
Stats:
I'm pretty sure that both the damage from weapon and spell count against the foe, but we only absorb the temp hp from the damage done by the spell itself
I'm pretty sure that both the damage from weapon and spell count against the foe, but we only absorb the temp hp from the damage done by the spell itself
The priests of Kalaroth exchange quick, quiet words, and then both step back toward the doorway at the rear of the dais. One stops there and begins casting a spell, the other one steps through the door and disappears.
Suddenly, a massive stone wall explodes up out of the floor, completely blocking off and sealing the doorway next to Aylaeth. It fuses itself perfectly with the existing wall and is several inches thick. There are no gaps; it prevents all passage.
Immediately following this there is a horrid, grinding *CLUNKGKGKGKGK* noise from somewhere, and a hideous, stinky, viscous green liquid begins pouring into the channels dug in the floor between the prisoners, many of whom are dead or near death at the moment. As the liquid fills the channels and forms a square around a given prisoner, that creature starts to rise slowly in the air, the same green light now shining out from its eyes and ears and skin.
The Ghaddar laughs. "YOU'RE TOO LATE, FOOLS! HAH!"
The liquid is slow, though, and is only through a third of the prisoners , so there is time to do, well, something. Whatever that something may be...
Ada'an, it turns out, does not need to find the Bone Devil, for the Osyluth has found the little Cassisian. The thing appears behind and above the magus and her celestial companion, where it plucks the winged helm out of the air, rends it horridly with its claws and bites off a big chunk of it. With a surprised and pained squawk, the tiny angel goes silent and the Osyluth tosses it disdainfully to the ground. "I HATE ANGELS." it intones in its distinctive raspy voice.