The Pact Stone Pyramid (Inactive)

Game Master Pact Stone GM

So it looks like Moonpate the Potentate, Halstadt Morgrym, Gandel Trapspringer and Karek Kogan get to read this spoiler tag:

Breach Shattershield, Hurgah the Reaver and Xerissa Auraraun need not.

If I have it right, Donkor Sooron has not yet attempted his DC 20 Will save.

And we we can use a turn from Gandel and Breach.

Breach looks around through a raised eyebrow. "Where did the blasted demon go?! I warned meself about this stupid demon! Bah!" As Breach gripes, he pulls out a potion and drinks it down.

Protection from Evil. +2 to AC; +2(+1 seeing how I've got a +1 cloak) Saves vs. Evil

AC 25

For a brief moment, the red haze in Hurgah's eyes fades and his bulging muscles seem a little less tense. He swiftly mutters a couple of arcane phrases in draconic, weaving his innate magic into further protection against Suekahn's deadly attacks.

"What is he, where did he go, and how do we kill him?" he asks, mostly to Moonpate and Gandel.

Using moment of clarity rage power and Donkor's spell to cast extended shield - +4 shield AC - duration 16 minutes

Rage 2/15, AC 22, hp 90/90

Gandel spins around searching for the disappearing fiend.

"Well if he's invisible, this should flush him out!"

Gandel casts glitterdust as a standard action. He centers it on Suekahn's 10 x 10 area so as to avoid hitting Karek and Hurgah.

An explosion of golden particles erupts in a spherical cloud. Unfortunately, the halflings face wrinkles with disappointment when it fails to outline Suekahn.

"Drat! He might have teleported again. Watch for him!"

He also uses loremaster ability to take 10 on Knowledge (planes) check as a free action to further try to answer Hurgah's question.

"Well if that truly is a Ghaelshoton, then legend says he is vulnerable to water from the River Sphinx. I don't suppose anyone brought any with them?" he asks rhetorically.

Uses his remaining move action to get out a vile of holy water from his handy haversack.

I realized belatedly that Gandel is answering Hurgah's question before he had a chance to pose it. I'll just have to live with that - they're sorta talking over top of one another in the heat of the conflict.

Xerissa's readied action kicks in. Then--

. . . As Breach gripes, he pulls out a potion and drinks it down.

-

And that ends the round.

Suekahn Vents his Multi-Millennial Rage on the Dune Squad - Round 2

Initiative order

Karek Kogan - 19
Hurgah - 15+
Donkor Sooron - 15-
Moonpate - 14
Suekahn - 13+
Halstadt - 13-
Gandel - 10+
Xerissa - 10-
Breach - 5

Wow! no delays to mess with the order! What a luxury!

Hurgah's action above was a premature posting of round 2

First, a question: would listening for an invisible foe be an "ability that requires patience or concentration", and thus unavailable to a raging barbarian?

Hurgah's action above was a premature posting of round 2

-

I was just waiting for Karek before sending the "this happens" post.

First, a question: would listening for an invisible foe be an "ability that requires patience or concentration", and thus unavailable to a raging barbarian?

-

I'll roll off-screen (and for Bunky too).

Hunting by Perception alone is a very tough DC, though Karek's maxed out Perception is pretty awesome. It's a free action so no downside, but the standard action "grope" is a potentially more effective touch attack.

Karek scans the room, searching for signs of anything amiss that might reveal an invisible foe - perhaps a shifting mosaic tile. . .

No, he does not see any such signs.

. . . but the standard action "grope" is a potentially more effective touch attack.

-

With nothing else for Karek to do, and reserving his potion of see invisibility for that damn assassin, Karek growls and moves 10 feet east, attempting to locate the fiend by touch, specifically looking east and south.

Continue raging. Rage 2/19, hp 95/117, AC 22. He will employ the +2 to attack and AC from Donkor's spell this turn.

Donkor suddenly becomes aware of his awfully close proximity to the pit, and will move five feet northeast. Taking his cue from Moonpate, he will begin casting Summon Monster II, using his speed blessing to get the spell Extended.

Sorry about that, busy weekend! I am back and ready for Hal and Gandel's next posts!

A part of Moonpate's mind becomes extremely unnerved with the sudden disappearance of their foe. It could only mean that the demon has teleported to somewhere advantageous to it. Quite possibly that means right next to him. Through extreme powers of concentration Moonpate ignores that very rational fear and instead focuses on finishing his summoning.
With a final flourish the Potentate shouts in triumph, "Tesem el-Kep, soldier of the empyrean hosts, manifest beside me!"
A tall, sinewy humanoid corded with muscle and bearing a huge khopesh materializes to Moon's left. His head is that of a sleek, grey deerhound; his body sparsely covered in the trappings of an attack scout from the 4th Apuat Light Division.
"Great Tesem el-Kep, we are beset by the ill-tempered Ghalshoatan devil Suekahn. Hunt him down and aid us in his destruction."

Augmented Hound Archon: Init +4; Senses: darkvision, detect evil, low-light, scent; Perception: +10
Aura of menace, magic circle against evil
hp: 51, Fort: +8, Ref: +5, Will +5; +4 vs poison, +2 vs evil
DR 10/evil; SR 15
Speed: 40
greatsword +11/+6 (1d8+4); bite +5 (1d8+4)
CMB +10, CMD +20

I am hoping that the Hound Archon's heightened senses will help in locating the devil. Question: can he use his at-will abilities and still attack in the same round?

Moonpate will go on delay for his next action.

Karek growls and moves 10 feet east, attempting to locate the fiend by touch, specifically looking east and south.

-

For a brief moment, the red haze in Hurgah's eyes fades and his bulging muscles seem a little less tense. He swiftly mutters a couple of arcane phrases in draconic, weaving his innate magic into further protection against Suekahn's deadly attacks.

. . .
Using moment of clarity rage power and Donkor's spell to cast extended shield - +4 shield AC - duration 16 minutes

-

Donkor suddenly becomes aware of his awfully close proximity to the pit, and will move five feet northeast. Taking his cue from Moonpate, he will begin casting Summon Monster II, using his speed blessing to get the spell Extended.

-

Wait - wha? Is Donkor licensed to summon?

P.S. Nice synergy on the extend!

"Great Tesem el-Kep, we are beset by the ill-tempered Ghalshoatan devil Suekahn. Hunt him down and aid us in his destruction."

"Stand ready!" he shouts, brandishing his khopesh.

"I do not sense him in this room," he adds to Moonpate, "Yet no fiend can hide from my wrath!"

"Come forth then Suekahn!" the canine-headed warrior shouts in challenge. "Too long have you hid from justice!"

OOC: Hurgah hears the hound archon in half-orc, Donkor in Osirion, the dwarves in perfect dwarvish, Gandel in halfling, etc. True speech is sexy!

Without taking his eyes off the room, Tasem strides over to Karek who is still wildly waving his arms about. The hound archon briefly places a paw on the dwarf's shoulder, as though to steady him.

Casts Aid, caster level 6: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 (Karek gets that many temporary hit points plus a +1 morale bonus to attack, which stacks with his blessing of fervor bonus)

OOC: That's his move and standard action

I am hoping that the Hound Archon's heightened senses will help in locating the devil. Question: can he use his at-will abilities and still attack in the same round?

-

Moonpate will go on delay for his next action.

-

. . .

Hal is next! Then Gandel.

Hal will go on delay.

Gandel will use Countersong to attempt to get the resounding voice of Suekhan out of his head.

If the demons effect was sonic this ability should give each one of us that failed the save a second save.

Perform 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Great idea Denis. It's not sonic, but it is language dependant which also qualifies.

The sticking point might be whether it is considered instantaneous or not. If it is, countersong would not help. It's not terribly clear, so I'll say it's not, which means the countersong works.

In fact, just to quibble it works even better than you described. As each member of the Dune Squad's turn comes up, they get to sub in your score, which already beats the DC 20 Will save required. Ergo, Gandel neutralizes the ringing words effect.

The net effect is that whatever ticking time bomb this was supposed to be - it no longer is. Well done!

-----
P.S. As an aside, did I ever mention that countersong was one of the complete answers to the heart beat chamber trap?

P.P.S. Xerisa is next! Then Breach.

I realized that Countersong was the answer in the heartbeat chamber after I started running him. That is part of why I thought about it in this scenario. Despite your graciousness, you are a cruel and evil DM Beetle. That is probably why I like you! :-)

Well i think he's made us pop off our high-tier spells and then teleported away so the duration runs out. Then he's gonna try and scry and die. We need to counter that. It's a devil right, they're pretty intelligent. Well some of em anyways.

Xerissa moves her back to the wall and readies an action to chuck her dispelling bomb.

"Easy on the spells guys. This might take some patience. Get ready to cover each other's backs!"

Breach draws his weapon and shield and locks himself into a defensive position as he waits for the demon to pop back up. "I'm for thinkin' we've been had." He peers around the room, wondering where the heck the old man might be.

Total defense. AC 27

Coming off delay...

"Cover me. I would like one more friend for a very specific job."

Moonpate will cast Summon 2 and bring forth a small earth elemental, the resourceful four-armed eater of sand, Cragg-el of the Shaz'jam tribe.

So named with the help of my daughter.

Gandel will use Countersong to attempt to get the resounding voice of Suekhan out of his head.

This was such a nice move, it is rather unforgiveable that I didn't even try to flavor text it. I guess I was stumped as to exactly how Gandel performs a countersong. The professor's not really known amongst the party for his music.

Recognizing that several of his comrades have had their thoughts invaded by a continuous echo of Suekahn's last boast, Gandel does what he can to help:

He begins to recite a translation into Taldan of versus one hundred and eleven to one hundred twenty-six of "Perfect Thought", a Vudrani treatise on meditation. With perfect clarity the halfling recounts the seven keys to clearing the cluttered mind. Remarkably, by the time he is done, the Dune Squad has found the fiend's ringing echo about "a count" to have been scrubbed from their minds, and they are able to concentrate on the impending battle once more.

Well i think he's made us pop off our high-tier spells and then teleported away so the duration runs out. Then he's gonna try and scry and die. We need to counter that. It's a devil right, they're pretty intelligent. Well some of em anyways.

-

You know, all this excitement being generated over the Worldwound plotline on the boards these days - I got yer fiend right here!

Xerissa moves her back to the wall and readies an action to chuck her dispelling bomb.

-

Breach draws his weapon and shield and locks himself into a defensive position as he waits for the demon to pop back up. "I'm for thinkin' we've been had." He peers around the room, wondering where the heck the old man might be.

Total defense. AC 27

-

Breach sets his shield at mid-guard and his axe at high-guard, while simultaneously dropping into a low crouch. Looking something like an armored Jack-in-the-box, the veteran dwarf is ready to spring.

Woah! That is a stunning AC.

Coming off delay...

Check!

"Cover me. I would like one more friend for a very specific job."

-

Moonpate will cast Summon 2 and bring forth a small earth elemental, the resourceful four-armed eater of sand, Cragg-el of the Shaz'jam tribe.

So named with the help of my daughter.

And now I'm even more curious!

Suekahn Vents his Multi-Millennial Rage on the Dune Squad - Round 3

Initiative order

Halstadt - on delay from prior round

Karek Kogan - 19
Hurgah - 15+
Donkor Sooron - 15-
Suekahn - 13+
Gandel - 10+
Xerissa - 10-
Breach - 5
Moonpate - 5-

I trust people will let me know if the DuneSquad would prefer to drop out of initiative?

If not, Karek is next, then Hurgah and Donkor. Hal can go anytime.

Karek sighs, seeming to age ten years in a single moment, as he sags out of his battle stance and looks around, alert yet disappointed. He's nod 'ere. Leds go.

End rage. Total defense. Move towards the center of the room.

Donkor bows amiably to his new companion, a small earth elemental named Dignon, also coincidentally of the Shaz'jam tribe. He indicates that Dignon should take direction from the wizard, when he's done with his spell.

Then Donkor takes full defense and stands next to Karek.

Like Karek, Hurgah snaps out of his battle rage. Visibly fatigued, he swiftly moves to stand beside Moonpate, ready to defend the wizard.

End rage, move to stand next to Moonpate, ready action to attack if the devil appears within range.

I will hold until I see if the Demon does anything.

A shot in the dark here. As Hal has danced with Demons in the past I would like to make a Sense Motive check with my +2 bonus for Demon Hunter to anticipate what Suekhan's next move will be. Sense Motive 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

A shot in the dark here. As Hal has danced with Demons in the past I would like to make a Sense Motive check with my +2 bonus for Demon Hunter to anticipate what Suekhan's next move will be. Sense Motive 1d20+11

-

This is a free action, and it won't take Hal's turn, but he does need to have a turn to do this, i.e. he's gotta come off of delay to do it.

Up for it? And if so, is there anything else wants to do on his turn? Alternatively, he can continue to stay on delay.

Karek, Hurgah and Donkor's actions take effect. . .

Donkor bows amiably to his new companion, a small earth elemental named Dignon, also coincidentally of the Shaz'jam tribe. He indicates that Dignon should take direction from the wizard, when he's done with his spell.

-

Unlike Moonpate, Donkor does not speak Terran, but I gather what you mean is he is going to try to pantomime that Dignon should take orders from Moonpate.

How about a Perform (acting) to see if Donkor can take a break from this tense combat to successfully participate in a game of charades?

Remarkably, Donkor actually has ranks in this skill. Who knew it would come in so handy?

He's nod 'ere. Leds go.

-

Tasem refuses to lower his guard.

"A dark fiend was here recently though - I can sense the remnants of its passage."

"What is this place?"

You overstate the issue, Beatle, as usual. Donkor has RANK in that skill. I can't see how he got it to a +5 bonus to it, either. But, we'll go with it!

Donkor's Grand Performance!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Hal will come off delay to ponder the Devil's tactics.

Gandel will cast Message directed at Suekhan.

"The Four Pharaohs it seems chose wisely to hide you in this place, imagine their shame at having a servant so base and vile that it is afraid to confront a handful of pitiful mortals. Whence we lave this place with you still in it, I shall spread tales far and wide of your cowardice in battle. I wonder if your brethren snicker at you in your plight. I imagine that after I am done you will be ashamed to show your face in the Hells ever again. Yes it is best if you stay trapped here, 'Suekhan the Meek'".

If Kender can taunt, why not Halflings! Let me know if you require some sort of Performance or Bluff roll to accompany this strategy Beetle.

If the Suekhan the Knave does not make an appearance this round, let's have Tesem cast Aid on Breach.
I was going to direct Cragg-el to break apart the sand wall/door and report on what's behind, but we can have Dignon do that.

Now, wouldn't it be nice if we had some kind of way to check what is behind that wall of sand before we go tearing it down? Or perhaps sneak a peek down that shaft in the middle of the room?