Blue light continuing to leak from JJ as fast as his blood pours into the ground.
Staggering, the young man continues to beat upon the Xill, determined that if his last breath is spend defending his family, it will be a well spent last breath. The blows comes one after another, as he strives to keeps its focus on him. Plentiful but pitifully weak. Then one lucky blow looks like it slips past the creatures defences.
All at +1 to hit and +2 to damage from the bulls strength
-4 to hit from the negative level
Please add an extra +2 if he gets flanking, I can't see it on the map unfortunately.
Extra +4 to hit and +4+2d6 damage if an evil outsider.
Extra +10 to hit and damage if it is native to the abyss.
Seeing the injuries upon JJ, Ryan remembers himself and petitions Abadar's healing grace for all but the Xill, figuring if the negative flames helped the lich his positive ones would cause him issues.
As the Xill mauls JJ, Maxim scowls, laoding the second barrel on his pistol before on again imbuing it with arcane energy
He draws a bead on the outsider and blasts it once again ;
"Here's lead in yer eyes ye infernal varmit!"
:
:
:
:
AC = 31 (Shield of Faith, or Smite, as they don't stack...)
HP = 75/84 (-6, Cursed Wounds)
Weapon Equipped = +5 Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = PfE, SoF, Smite, -6 Levels
Wary of a lich's desperation, Kikinnin remembers its fetid touch on the boy, so he decides to buck up a little this time, before he steps up on Myaruk.
Kikinnin then charges Myaruk, for all the strength he can muster to the fight.
JJ's wounds partially heal while he destroys the Xill with a couple of successful attacks.
Ryan raises his symbol and places JJ into safety, holding the man alive with more cured wounds.
With the Xill dead, Maxim has to rethink what else to blast after reloading the second barrel of his gun.
Kikinnin brings all the strength he has and charges on the lich delivering a solid strike, although a bit weakened due to the energy absorbed by the nexus.
Marigold's Round 4
Though she's not sure what sort of magic Kaurophon is invoking, Marigold realizes that it's proving surprisingly effective at keeping Myaruk out of the black flames. Deciding to take a leaf from their 'companion's' playbook, Marigold conjures a ghostly-looking hooked chain that attempts to wrap itself around the fiend's legs!
As JJ slays the Xill, Maxim grins and continues loading the second barrel on his pistol
He then moves toward the action, seeking to gain a clear shot at the fell undead...
Marigold conjures a shadowy figure made of force that lashes at Myaruk effectively torturing its undead ribs.
The halfling follows up with a chain of force that entangles the lich at place!
Meanwhile Maxim reloads his pistol and sets himself into a better position.
The chain of force greatly disrupts the lich intentions. He moves back looking for a safer position and then attempts to read the scroll he just readied last round, but the spell fails!
plane shift
"No! I cannot perish at mortal hands!" the lich raises his hands in a call for peace "Leave me be and I will give you whatever you want!"
AC = 31 (Shield of Faith, or Smite, as they don't stack...)
HP = 75/84 (-6, Cursed Wounds)
Weapon Equipped = +5 Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = PfE, SoF, Smite, -6 Levels, Prayer
Kikinnin's Axe lashes out at the lich, frustrated and angry that the fell flames weakened him so powerfully. Should have listened to JJ when he warned us off...
"Leave me be and I will give you whatever you want!"
"Trouble is, Myaruk, we want you dead. True dead. Unable to continue your evil ways."
JJ, hearing the combat is not yet over, rushes around the side of the flames. His breathing is heavy, and his footwork is slower than earlier. His eyes unfocused, but there is no way he'll let Kikinnin face down the foul creature alone.
As the Xill drops from their combined attacks, Ryan steps forward and arriving opposite of Kikinnin adds his own attack to the lich.
if allowed:
swift action
if your next post is already ready please disregard, we should remember our PC better
Kikinnin's attack is up to be deflected by the lich magics, but the undead entangles itself in the chain of force losing a bit its balance, which is profited by Marigold's Spiritual Ally to open a flank on him giving the dwarf a knack to cut through the bones of the undead rat!
JJ rushes to help Kikinnin in the lead of the battle when suddenly Ryan teleports just by their side, his mace shinning with a bright sacred light, but he opens the swing in a too wide angle and finishes off hitting the floor.
Concentrating on his spell Kaurophon attempts to make the lich fall.
But Myaruk holds at his place, resisting the plane traveler's invisible force this time.
That change does make it a lot more powerful. Remember the weapon damage and any effects associated with it will also apply. Essentially the feat is a bit of a trade off at the moment, increased risk in return for much better action economy.
On the plus side, we don't often see channelling vs undead unless there are lots of small ones, so this actually makes it useful against BBEG as well. So it makes one of those signature clerical powers a lot more practical. That probably is good.
And it draws healing away from the party. bwahahahha.
As a player, I think it would be good to try it. And if he picks up alignment channel later, Ryan will then become a third big hitter against evil outsiders.
Run with it with a rider that if it ends up looking broken you can dial it back to standard.
Weapon loaded, Maxim moves forward , then clocks that his companions now surround the fell undead, so shifts further to where he can gain a clear shot
Maxim further advances looking for a clear position to the lich.
Marigold's spiritual ally lashes out with his force whip at Myaruk, and the ill wounded lich finally collapses burning into fire to his destruction!
+1 full plate with a black flame symbol
magic headband
potion of invisibility
magic wand
4x vials of unholy water
100 gp in silver dust
2x 250 gp eye ointment (material component for the true seeing spell)
headband of inspired wisdom +2
wand of inflict serious wounds with 13 charges
Picking back up her guide lantern Marigold observes the beam points to the stairs at the back of the nexus room.
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"Th...that...th-that was..." Marigold shudders; of all the things they'd encountered in their travels she was positive that Myaruk and the strange black fire were the most insidious and chilling of them all. "Th-that was awful," she finally manages. Turning to both Kikinnin and JJ, she anxiously asks, "H-how do you feel? I s-saw when you t-touched the flames, they s-seemed to hurt in a w-way that wasn't j-just like fire."
Though she doesn't know what enchantments the headband holds, she grimaces as she studies the wand. "Th-this d-deals harm to a t-target using negative energy. N-not surprised someone like h-him would c-carry one."
______________
Kikinnin lets out a relieved sigh, when Myaruk no longer stands. He turns back on the flames, half-expecting them to wink out, when the lich lets go of his animating force.
"H-how do you feel? I s-saw when you t-touched the flames, they s-seemed to hurt in a w-way that wasn't j-just like fire."
"Feels like it aged me. My joints hurt, and my muscles feel like I've been lifting stone all day." If the black flames still burn, Kikinnin's eyes rest on them with grudging respect. "It's a powerful thing." The black beard turns to JJ.
"I should have listened to you. Rushing into it was a foolish thing, and my mistake still sits on my shoulders."
Kikinnin looks to his friends. "I'm uncertain how to proceed. The Lantern points our way, and we've been fighting stronger and stronger foes, from rak to this black fire undead. Was hoping that that mummy would have shown up just now, and announced our success, but the Light pushes us forward."
"I could sit for awhile, to be honest."
"R-really?" Marigold asks, looking quite concerned. She couldn't remember if she'd ever heard Kikinnin or anyone else in the group complain of an ailment quite like this one. "L-let me see..."
______________
The black flames indeed still burn in the room. Without the lich around, you can peek at the sheaf of papers that lies scattered near the base of the black-flame bonfire. They seem like Myaruk notes about his research of this nexus place.
Marigold indeed can tell the affection on Kikinnin and JJ are negative levels. Once a day has past, their inner strength would tell if that heavy burden will disappear or settle down.
Intrigued Kaurophon approaches the flames and examines it "Interesting... where do you thing it gathers energy from?" After a minute or so he extends his hand into the black flames, the hand burns and he quickly reacts moving it out of the fire "Agh! It hurts terribly!"
The beam of light effectively points you upstairs.
"I c-can't mend this damage m-myself," Marigold sighs. "Unless R-Ryan can do it now then I th-think m-maybe we should take a r-rest here for a b-bit. With that M-Myaruk and th-the rakshasha and the giant d-dead m-maybe we don't have anyone else to w-worry about r-reaching the end b-before we do..."
When she sees Kaurophon stick his hand into the flames, Marigold scowls and shakes her head. "Th-that was silly! You knew it'd h-hurt, why'd you p-put your hand in th-there!?"
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"Probably wondered if it would hurt him like it did us, given his unique heritage." mutters JJ.
Still, he offers their strange companion a smile.
"You do have my thanks. I'm not sure we could have beaten him if he had stayed in that horrid flame."
He slumps down wearily next to Kikinnin. "Jumping stupidly into things is supposed to be my job, not yours." then with a grin he puts his arm around the tough but tired dwarf.
"Glad to see I'm having a positive influence on you!"
With an exaggerated sigh, Ryan joins both JJ and Kikinnin, "Please tell me you're not going to start following him everywhere" he says with a wink at Kikinnin. "Thought that grey in your beard meant you had a bit of wisdom up there. Give me a minute to look you both over."
Knowing that Kikinnin has the curse affecting him as well as the negative levels and JJ was still affected by the strength of the bull. Ryan attempts to use the Restoration, lesser on Kikinnin.
"Abadar, grant your healing to this warrior of the faith."
If we rest I can prepare better in the morning."
"The flames did not seem to hurt the lich. I was curious to know how would affect my nature" Kaurophon's hand seems scorched "I feel it gave me extra power!"
Marigold's Spiritual Ally disappears.
Ryan tends to Kikinnin and JJ's wounds. He attempts to treat the drain from the dwarf, but finds out it is past the power of his spell.
When Kikinnin and then JJ slump to the floor talking about resting, Kaurophon seems to grow discontent "We are clearly just a step below the top of the Skull. We have traveled long to stop now. Whether you want to follow or not, I am waiting no more"
The plane traveler starts climbing up impatiently the stairs at the end of the room. As he does, he casts another spell and 8 images of himself appear around him "I can protect myself"
The communal protection from evil fiddles out and dissipates.
JJ gets tiredly to his feet.
"It certainly doesn't seem to have drained him as it did us. I really don't think we want him getting to the end without us do we?"
Leaning heavily on Alakast, JJ gets wearily to his feet to trudge after Kaurophon. "Hold up a moment big guy. Are you expecting another fight? What else might we face?"
"Jumping stupidly into things is supposed to be my job, not yours..."
Kikinnin snorts, but finds words slow in coming, as he breathes hard.
...
"I feel it gave me extra power!"
With those words, Kikinnin Marks Kaurophon, with his last gift of Retribution from Abadar.
"We are clearly just a step below the top of the Skull. We have traveled long to stop now. Whether you want to follow or not, I am waiting no more."
"There's the Kaurophon I've suspected was there all along. If you meant for us to succeed the Three Tests, you would wait for us to regain our strength. Now, you've energized yourself, and brought more magical protections to bear. That's either to guard yourself against the Last Test, so you can pass it yourself, or it's to guard yourself against us, when you try to pass the Last by yourself. We've lost our value to you, and your ambition is clear as spring water."
Kikinnin takes a moment to renew his Axe's power , while the half-fiend sets himself with a mirroring effect that plays with his eyes.
"I won't plant my Axe in your back, Kaurophon. So, turn around."
Kaurophon halts a moment in the stairs as he is challenged by Kikinnin "Stubborn dwarf. I have nothing against you. You have proven to be true allies. Stay aside if you do not have what is needed to complete the Test. I am not holding back now after so many months of effort. Not when I am this close to the end. Not for your weakness. I am not risking it when I am just a few more steps from ascension" without ever turning towards the party, Kaurophon resumes his climbing and disappears into the top of the stairs.
Weak but resolved, Kikinnin's axe is shroud in brilliant flames once more.
JJ hurries after the oddly behaving ally.
"You don't know what is up there. Just give us a moment to catch our breath."
With a look towards Kikinnin, Ryan lever's himself up to follow JJ and the multi-faced Kaurophon "<sigh> Why am I not even a bit surprised" Shrugging his shield down into place, Ryan begins moving up the path after the first two.
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Maxim mulls the acquired headband for a second, attempting to discern its nature, then is distracted by the interplay between Kaurophon and the group's warriors.
"Hell's Teeth! How's a dwur supposed to be professional with all that yakking?"
When the plane traveler makes for the final stage, he shoots a look to his bror who challenges the tiefling and draws his own pistol;
"I an't got any misgivings 'bout pluggin' anyone in the back. Savvy tactics iffen ye ask me... Bror want me to give his be-hind a pepperin'?"
"He knows enough about the Last Test to go it alone. If we were worried about a rakshasa taking over Occipitus, we should also be worried about a half-fiend interested in seeing himself crowned ruler."
Kikinnin looks to Ryan and JJ, as well. "I don't know what good will come of us trying to take control of Occipitus. This whole journey has been shrouded of purpose, and tainted by an evil travel companion. The only true thing I know is Kaurophon's naked desire, and that the Test was designed to prevent him from ever taking it. And we escorted him to the Last of them."
"You see his back, you take your shot, Bror. For those of you thinking Kaurophon is worthy of redemption here, I'll not kill him outright, but I think we need to cripple him, while we find out where that Lantern is pointing us."
Kikinnin races towards the stairs, and whatever waits for them above. Whatever they find, the black beard will stop at the top of the stairs to see what lies ahead, before he considers fighting a newly-powered half-fiend...
"I don't know what good will come of us trying to take control of Occipitus.
Still walking forward Ryan considers Kikinnin's words. " I know not either except that some good has been accompolished in our treck so far. And still hope to see more good done for this land. What evils we can remove and those good who we can liberate may one day assist in Cauldron's own woe. I asked and was directed to follow this route. A poor show of faith I'd give if I continued to question the way forward."
It takes little to see that while Ryan will not outwardly gainsay the quest Abadar sent them on, he did not fully understand it either.
As the group resolves to follow Kaurophon, you start to climb up stairs.
The spiral staircase emerges into what can only be the eye socket of the skull itself. The stairway ends in a shallow depression, with curving walls that eventually become the ceiling some sixty feet up. From the center of the eye socket, in midair, a gusher of blinding red light rushes outward and upward, eventually spreading to fill the sky with the fiery clouds above.
The origin of the gusher is not visible, it is as if the plasma is being vented from a rip in the fabric of the plane itself. At the opening of the eye socket floats a multitude of fiery clouds. The clouds don't drift into the eye socket, however.
Kikinnin stops himself at the border of the room entrance. The lantern beam blinks for a moment and dissipates. At the other side of the room another mummy awaits dressed in a golden armor and utterly silent. Kaurophon has already entered the room and he is examining the dazzlingly bright gusher.
"This whole place.." says JJ gesturing all around.
"Don't you see. It was once so different, so... " he struggles for words, either overcome or still badly fatigued from the black flames.
"beautiful. And if we can free it from its current ruler- or lack there of, it might become that again. Think of Occipitus as an orphan. It's parent dead and fallen into bad company. This is our chance to ...I don't know. Adopt it, take it out of the alleys and show it some light. This whole place is like... "
Again he struggles, but some of those Blue Crater classes seem to have had an effect. "It's a metaphor for US."
He pants up the stairs behind Kaurophon . "And so might be Kaurophon."
Looking around the room, JJ slowly approaches Kaurophon.
"What do you make of the gushing energy? As interesting as that black one we saw earlier?"
Though still unsure of what to make of Kaurophon - she wasn't really sure that she trusted him but at the same time he'd certainly had moments when he could have betrayed them before now. As she hurries after JJ and the others she tries to stifle her distress at the situation.
"If he'd w-wanted to b-betray us then he c-could've w-waited until we'd w-weakened Myaruk and he'd f-finished off a few of us b-before stepping in and k-killing him himself," Marigold hisses as they move up the stairs. "Or even l-let the rakshasa and his p-pet giant pick one or two of us off earlier."
If challenged on this statement, Marigold doesn't back down but gives an even stare in return as she adds, "L-look, I'm not s-saying that we should l-let Kaurophon take this p-place for himself. M-maybe this whole thing was a m-mistake but seeing as we're in it th-this deep then I th-think one of us sh-should claim Occipitus if it absolutely h-has to be c-claimed. If he refuses th-that, if it c-comes to a fight...then s-so be it. But otherwise, I won't t-take up arms against s-someone unprovoked...even someone that c-carries darkness in Abadar's sight."
Kikinnin looks at his friends, with a dawning sadness behind his eyes. He sees the trust of children who need to touch the forge to know it will burn them. Children that know nothing of the blackness in the hearts of adults, and walk willingly into the embrace of those who would abuse them of their naivete. He keeps his distance to Kaurophon, staring daggers in the back of the half-fiend, while answering the halfling lass.
"An earlier betrayal would have served him very little, Miss. If you want to wait and watch the half-fiend, I'll not argue, with either you, or JJ. Speak to the mummy, and learn what you need to. I'll wait here."
Ryan nods accepting Kikinnin's words for the truth they were on the timing.
"The time for betrayal truly has not been before now, even though many times expected. I have my reservations about Kaurophon but more so with Adimarchus."
Maxim arcs a bushy eyebrow at JJ's rather philosophical take on the whole quest;
"Surabar... that head o' yours feelin' alright boy? Some mighty deep notions being drug up from that inner well o' yours. Like it better when yer waxin' lyrical like o'er tall tales of antiquity concerning princesses, maidens an' such!"
The gun-mage shakes his head before holstering his loaded pistol, then as Kikinnin speaks he gives the shoulder of his bror a solid clap as he passes by the warrior;
"Well I ain't restin' on ceremony..."
He enters the chamber the dwur eyes the energy flow attempting to discern something, anything of its nature;
:
Maxims observes the energy and determines entering into the gusher should deal a deadly amount of fire damage.
JJ and Marigold hesitate as Kikinnin invites to approach the mummy and discover what this place is about.
When finally the young man steps in and reaches Kaurophon at the middle of the room the mummy speaks.
"Adimarchus, Most Potent Ruler of Occipitus, bids you welcome to the Final Test of the Smoking Eye. A worthy successor to the throne of Adimarchus must complete only one more task. To rule Occipitus, to grasp its power and use it for good or ill, means to sacrifice everything you hold dear. The final test is this: sacrifice an ally to the plasma, and Occipitus is yours!"
"Sacrifice an Ally? Are you crazy?" shouts JJ.
"The only thing I feel like sacrificing to the plasma at the moment is you.." he continues, addressing the undead.
He gives a quick glance at Kaurophon, hope in the young man's eyes.
Now is the time to show us you really are with us, not some traitor.
"Time to show Kikinnin he has been wrong about you all this time Kaurophon."
In spite of his words, the lads hands are clearly in a combat ready position on Alakast.
A worthy successor to the throne of Adimarchus must complete only one more task. To rule Occipitus, to grasp its power and use it for good or ill, means to sacrifice everything you hold dear.
"So to rule Occipitus, all we must do is sacrifice an ally? Then we can claim the right use the power of Occipitus for good or ill. How novel an idea, sacrifice your own humanity and destroy an ally, an inherently evil action, so that you can do good." Glancing at Kaurophon, Ryan continues
"Abadar teaches that we should bring about change to benefit the good of all, beginning with our local towns. We've not seen anything here that would be classified a town so Occipitus should be taken all together as in need. Would that we ended your existence and delivered Occipitus from the evil that you are."
While Ryan directs his speech at Adimarchus, he also tries to influence Kaurophon's choice.
"…sacrifice an ally to the plasma, and Occipitus is yours."
The words spoken by the mummy reverberate through Marigold's mind...an echo of a dream. No...not a dream. The future, which was now the present.
No...no! There has to be another way!
But there'd been something else, hadn't there? Something...or someone. Watching. Waiting.
The flames...is it...?
The voices of the others seem to fade away Marigold takes a deep breath and slowly moves into the room to stand with JJ and Kaurophon. But it's not them that her gaze is focused on. No, it's really as if they're not even there at all. Her attention is focused on only one thing.
Standing at the center of the room - the center of everything - Marigold raises her eyes and stares into the column of plasma and flame...
"To rule Occipitus, to grasp its power and use it for good or ill, means to sacrifice everything you hold dear. The final test is this: sacrifice an ally to the plasma, and Occipitus is yours!"
Kikinnin hears the proclamation over the roar of the column, and he finds nothing good in the situation. The half-fiend had already named them 'ally', so the reasonable guess would be Kaurophon shoving one of them into the column, like he shoved the lich out of the flames. He studies JJ's position next to, but not in front of the mirrored menace. When Marigold wanders up to join the two, his unease increases exponentially. The halfling is no fighter, and she's proving to be just as reckless as the boy. His recent thoughts about forges, flames, and innocents becomes a stark reality, but this is no light burn they might experience. The column of fire is certain death, and they stand before it with very little regard for themselves.
"JJ. Marigold. You're giving Kaurophon far too much benefit of the doubt. His desire to claim Occipitus is naked, and he has no one but us to consider as his sacrifice. If you're not careful, he'll try and shove you into the column, and claim his reward. I can't warn you more strongly, but I can't tell you what to do, either. I've never considered Kaurophon an ally. He's always been a sleeping threat. And I think that threat awakens."
Not quite as reckless as the others imagine, JJ keeps Kaurophon between himself and the jet of flames.
"You can do much good Kaurophon. You just have to try. Sometimes that is hard, but it still feels good when you do it." urges JJ.
Maxim mulls the words of the bandage swathed risen, and those from his companions.
"Well Hell, I surely ain't singing my whiskers fir some place without a decent mercantile potential..."
When Marigold seems somewhat beguiled by the pillar of flame he moves closer to her with a whispered word;
"Hold there Lil' Miss, lest our guide have designs upon pushin' you into that fiery torrent yonder."
As the mummy delivers its speech Kaurophon clenches his teeth, clearly debating himself.
JJ looks at the half-fiend with hope, but readies to attack him nevertheless. As he closes up, Kaurophon rears back defensively.
Ryan correctly briefs the twisted nature of the test morality.
Marigold focuses completely in the column of plasma while Maxim tries to claim her attention.
The situation is tense. Ryan's words are inspiring and convincing, you can see Kaurophon fighting for some seconds before he speaks "I do see what Adimarchus is trying to tell us here. Yours are noble intentions. But it takes more than intentions to become a ruler. To be a ruler you need AMBITION. As a ruler you need the ambition to step over those that would compete for your position!"
"And to not hesitate on doing so!" As he speaks Kaurophon starts to say arcane words and the power forming around him removes his hood showing his full wicked aspect!
By the time Kaurophon reacts, you are all concerned and ready to fight back!
"Okay... now I see why the cloak." gags JJ.
He sighs. Kaurophon has made his choice, but it doesn't mean the lad likes his own one.
"So be it, but it didn't have to be this way."
Alakast swings out, disrupting one, two, three of the images.
Extra +1 to hit and +1 to damage from bulls strength included below.
I have not included the extra +10 to hit and damage if he is a native of the abyss
nor have I included +4 to hit and +4+2d6 to damage if he is an evil outsider. If either of these do apply, let me know and I'll include them in future rolls.
If both apply then it will be a total +12 to hit and +10+2d6 to damage over and above what appears in the rolls below.
I'm also not sure how you want blind-fighting and mirror image to interact. For the moment I'm going to assume that it is irrelevant, but if you want to rule otherwise, let me know.
Actually, given JJs best result is probably getting rid of images and letting Kikinnin hit the real figure, that probably doesn't matter this round.
I'm guessing the first three "hit" and the last two "miss" Though if they get within five, they still take out an image.
Real person on a 1
So probably three, possibly four (if AC 18) or five (if AC 15) images gone - assuming the large bonuses at the top don't apply.