Tentacles, CMB:1d20 + 18 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 13 = 45+5 if still grappled from last round Damage:4d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 4) + 13 = 21
The writhing vines and tentacles continue to grasp and squeeze at the evil enemies.
Ryli whistles in her air elemental form and has Olympus attack the nearest lamia as soon as she instructs the whirlwinds to lift off the ground, clearing the debris cloud.
Then she casts her spell and a wall of lava springs up between the lamias and the giants.
Wall of fire effect 5-10 feet:2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 Wall of fire effect 10-20 feet:1d4 ⇒ 3
She then has a glob of lava erupt from the wall to strike the lamia that Olympus is attacking.
Ranged touch:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31 Fire:10d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 3, 6, 1) = 36
Then Ryli instructs each whirlwind swoops by each lamia and try to scoop them up into their vortex.
Reflex save DC 23 x2, first one to avoid a slam of 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 6) + 8 = 18 and the other to avoid being picked up into the whirlwind
There is some swearing in giant on the far side of the lava wall. Suddenly, Ameiko appears in the midst of the group, turning her head to get her bearings and appraise the situation.
Meanwhile, the lamias struggle against the whirlwinds with no success...
Dice Wall:
Image Check 1:1d6 ⇒ 3 Image Check 2:1d2 ⇒ 2 Red Lamia Save 1:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Red Lamia Save 2:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 Red Lamia Save 3:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Red Lamia Save 4:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 Red Lamia Save 5:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 Red Lamia Save 6:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 Red Lamia Save 7:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Red Lamia Save 8:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32 Orange Lamia Save 1:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Orange Lamia Save 2:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 Orange Lamia Save 3:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 Orange Lamia Save 4:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Orange Lamia Save 5:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 Orange Lamia Save 6:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 Orange Lamia Save 7:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32 Orange Lamia Save 8:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 Green Lamia Save 1:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 Green Lamia Save 2:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Green Lamia Save 3:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 Green Lamia Save 4:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 Green Lamia Save 5:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 Green Lamia Save 6:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 Green Lamia Save 7:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Green Lamia Save 8:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 Blue Lamia Save 1:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Blue Lamia Save 2:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 Blue Lamia Save 3:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Blue Lamia Save 4:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 Blue Lamia Save 5:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 Blue Lamia Save 6:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 Blue Lamia Save 7:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 Blue Lamia Save 8:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 Red Lamia CMB:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (16) + 22 = 38 Orange Lamia CMB:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26 Greeen Lamia CMB:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31 Blue Lamia CMB:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35
Suddenly sensing that her arcanist friend has something big planned (or that could just be him invisibly nudging her shoulder), Jeevika calls out to her other allies.
"Zoli, Ryli, I think Eugeni needs a clear line of fire!" the Holy Vindicator proclaims and then carefully withdraws...
HP: 155/155; Resevoir 18/19 Permanent Buffs: arcane sight, see invis., freedom of movement (ring) Daily Spells: Current Buffs:
Stats:
AC 35, T 15, FF 29; 50% miss chanceFort +15, Ref +16, Will +17; CMD 26; Perception +17
Eugeni waits for his friends to clear the way, then snorts through his metallic snout. A giant cloud of greenish gas billows across the Rangers' enemies.
Using my gorgon breath weapon, as drawn on the map. They all need to make a DC 29 Fort save or those who fail the save are immediately petrified. This petrification is temporary—each round, a petrified creature can attempt a new DC 29 Fortitude save to recover from the petrification as long as it is not caught within the area of effect of the gorgon’s breath weapon a second time while petrified. A creature exposed to the gorgon’s breath a second time while already petrified becomes permanently petrified, and can no longer attempt to make additional Fortitude saves to recover naturally.
Breath weapon recharge:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
The arcanist then hoofs it to the back of the group where he can get some protection.
Then taking a move action to retreat behind Jeevika.
Current Stats:
Large
Scent
AC 26, t 13, FF 23
Movement 30
Melee gore +15 (2d8+7), 2 hooves +10 (1d6+3)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks breath weapon (60-foot cone, turn to stone, Fortitude DC 29 negates), trample (2d8+10, DC 29)
Breath Weapon
A gorgon can use its breath weapon once every 1d4+1 rounds to create a 60-foot cone of green gas. Those caught in the area of the gas can attempt a DC 29 Fortitude save to resist the effects, but those who fail the save are immediately petrified. This petrification is temporary—each round, a petrified creature can attempt a new DC 29 Fortitude save to recover from the petrification as long as it is not caught within the area of effect of the gorgon’s breath weapon a second time while petrified. A creature exposed to the gorgon’s breath a second time while already petrified becomes permanently petrified, and can no longer attempt to make additional Fortitude saves to recover naturally.
The three lamias immediately turn to stone, but Ameiko stands defiant against the magical breath. Zoli, reeling from her attack, does not manage to get very far...
Ryli then instructs the other three elementals to fly past Ameiko and try to pick her up.
six DC 23 Reflex saves, odd ones to avoid 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 1) + 8 = 15, even to avoid getting picked up
Then Ryli flies over the reach of Ameiko and lands, swift wild shaping back to her centaur form. Then she reaches out and touches the farthest stone lamia with her staff and stone shapes it into a simple block.
The elementals buffet Ameiko with their whirlwinds, but she weathers the storm comparatively well. Then one of the lamias is compacted into a stone cube. Ameiko then continues stalking Zoli, slashing out at her with her golden scimitar, narrowly by an inch as Zoli dodges just in time! You can hear heavy footsteps moving about in the hall beyond the lava wall as well.
__________
Ameiko Reflex:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 Ameiko Reflex:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Ameiko Reflex:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 Ameiko Attack:1d20 + 37 ⇒ (12) + 37 = 49 Lamia Attack:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45 Lamia Confirm:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (11) + 25 = 36 Damage:2d6 + 11 ⇒ (4, 6) + 11 = 21 Lamia Attack:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37 Lamia Attack:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 Lamia Fort:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 Lamia Fort:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
HP 148, Luck 20, Panache 6, AC 48 (T 28, F 34) CMD 40 | F+18 R+28 W+19 (+5 6/day charmed life, +2 vs fear)| evasion, improved + uncanny dodge, reroll (save 1/day + any 1/scene) | Per+27 | Init+12
Zoli continues to fence with her old friend-and-barkeep (awkwardly, since she's trying not to do serious damage).
"Ameiko, for reals, can't you fight this? This isn't you, you know! You're safe now, with us."
As they fence, she aims for the arm, attempting to make Ameiko drop her sword.
rolls:
Full: Targeted Strike (arms): deals normal damage + "drops one carried item of the swashbuckler’s choice, even if the item is wielded with two hands. Items held in a locked gauntlet cannot be chosen."
Swft: Dizzying bonus attack
.
NOT using Risky against her (I couldn't if I wanted to, since it only affects those who're 2+ sizes larger than me) so now I have:
AC 53 for first 3 attacks, then 51 (47+4(defensive) (+2 for 3 from bodyguard)
With a quick bit of thought, Ryli has her wall of lava erupt and send a blob of lava at the living lamia.
Ranged touch:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35 Fire:10d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 5, 3, 1, 5, 5, 1, 3) = 32
Jeevika trots back into melee and takes a swing at Ameiko; however, given the sheer sadness radiating from Zoli, the Holy Vindicator's heart really isn't in the attack. Once finished, she hides in Olympus' shadow and continues to observe...
Zoli’s first attack appears like it should have hit, but phases through the golden blade Ameiko wields as if it weren’t there! The second one connects, however, and rocks her a bit as the flat of her blade collides with Ameiko’s golden helm. Jeevika fails to connect, however, struggling with trying to not hurt this person too badly. Meanwhile, Ryli badly burns the remaining lamia while Olympus claws at it mostly ineffectually.
HP: 155/155; Resevoir 18/19 Permanent Buffs: arcane sight, see invis., freedom of movement (ring) Daily Spells: Current Buffs:
Stats:
AC 35, T 15, FF 29; 50% miss chanceFort +15, Ref +16, Will +17; CMD 26; Perception +17
Eugeni backs off to what he determines is a safe distance, floating up to the ceiling as he does so. They seem to have things taken care of while my breath weapon builds back up. Perhaps choosing a form where I can't cast spells was not my wisest of decisions...
I just remembered that my eruptions are supposed to reduce the wall by 1d4x5 feet. Also, the lava continues to burn for half damage for 1d3 rounds after contact. So the lamia took 5d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 4, 6) = 16 for 1d3 ⇒ 2 and the wall is reduced by 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4x5 (four 5-foot squares). Since I built it high, would that lower it enough so Eugeni could see over it (and breathe)?
With Ameiko effectively neutralized, Jeevika takes a step back and moves to finish the remaining lamia. While attacking, the Holy Vindicator grasps Love Hurts with both hands. Once finished, she hides in Olympus' shadow.
5-foot step and full-round attack against the orange lamia. Jeevika uses both hands again, reducing her AC to 41 for the round.
With Ameiko down, the Rangers spend a few more rounds dispatching the giants beyond the wall, littering the chambers with giant and lamia-kin bodies, as well as a few odd looking fleshy shapes once the transmutation effect wears off...
HP 148, Luck 20, Panache 6, AC 48 (T 28, F 34) CMD 40 | F+18 R+28 W+19 (+5 6/day charmed life, +2 vs fear)| evasion, improved + uncanny dodge, reroll (save 1/day + any 1/scene) | Per+27 | Init+12
Wiping sweat from her eyes, and gingerly poking at her bloody arm, Zoli looks up from Ameiko's unconscious body and nods.
"What next for Ameiko? I'm pretty sure she was dominated. Does being knocked unconscious free someone from that? If not is there anything else we can do? Perhaps a way to strengthen the power of our dispelling magic?"
Jeevika swiftly collects her dropped Bountiful Bottle and stores it in her Handy Haversack. She then carefully but quickly starts putting Khalib's possessions inside one of the group's Bags of Holding. As she finishes, the Holy Vindicator pauses briefly and turns to Ryli.
Afterward, while she starts collecting any Siheron rings she can find ("So they can't just restock this place without difficulty!"), Jeevika listens to Zoli speak...
"I don't think this is the usual, dispellable form of mental domination, Zoli. Normally, attacking you should have been against Ameiko's nature, which should have complicated the magic's hold. However, she always acted without hesitation. Additionally, after seeing our combat prowess, she should have registered fighting us as 'self-destructive' and ceased hostilities."
Sorry, somehow I thought I responded to this already.
Ryli nods in agreement and does as requested. After turning the remains of Khalib to wood, if the wall of lava still is active she tosses the wood into it. (Though if it was still active, there'd be no reason to turn the body to wood.) More likely, she summons a small fire elemental and lets it play with the wood until it's all ash and charcoal.
After carefully scattering/hiding the ashes to further complicate any efforts to resurrect Khalib, Jeevika turns to face the others.
"So should we proceed? Or do you want to retreat and tend to Ameiko? Either option is fine by me. I'm currently more inclined to continue a bit further, but I can also tell that she's very important to you all."
HP: 155/155; Resevoir 18/19 Permanent Buffs: arcane sight, see invis., freedom of movement (ring) Daily Spells: Current Buffs:
Stats:
AC 35, T 15, FF 29; 50% miss chanceFort +15, Ref +16, Will +17; CMD 26; Perception +17
"Very important is an exaggeration in my case. I knew her in a past life, yes. However, our mission with Karzoug is more important. He must know we are here at this point. Let us finish this!"
Loot:
+2 Full Plate (Huge) x6
Sihedron Ring x19 (18 if you leave one on Ameiko)
+4 Full Plate (Huge) x3
Potions of cure serious wounds x5
+5 full plate
+5 heavy steel shield
Magical Scimitar (needs proper ID check)
+1 composite longbow (+10 Str) with 20 arrows
belt of physical might +6 (Str, Con)
boots of teleportation
cloak of minor displacement
headband of inspired wisdom +6
ring of freedom of movement
scarab of protection (10 charges)
vibrant purple ioun stone (contains a fly spell)
+5 Full Plate (Gargantuan) x2
2 falchion x4
headband of inspired wisdom +2 x4
ring of protection +2 x4
staff of size alteration
masterwork dagger
amulet of natural armor +2
evil robe of the archmagi (variant, +4 resist to saves replaced by +4 Int enhancement)
gold-and-ivory contingency statuette worth 2,000 gp
spellbooks (contain all spells from the Core Rulebook plus monstrous physique
spells from the Advanced Player’s Guide, save for any enchantment and illusion spells), gemstone dust worth 15,000 gp (for temporal stasis)
After studying her arcane family workbook for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds, Jeevika works some magic, picks up the scimitar, and uses her Moment of Prescience to identify the blade.
Posting our escape as per Thron's request in Roll20.
Leaving one of the rings on Ameiko, Jeevika and Ryli secure their recovered friend to Olympus. From there, the Varisian Rangers quickly pack up their spoils of war and fall back before anything else crazy can happen. To save time, they try to make use of Jeevika's Wind Walk spell as much as possible. Thankfully, they manage to return to the Skulks without incident.
"Lorthan! Elthariel!" Jeevika calls out as they return. "We had to retreat. You see..."
As she hands them both Sihedron Rings, the Holy Vindicator explains what happened.
"...And I believe that's everything. At the very least, we recovered Ameiko, secured several of these rings, and neutralized two rune giants plus Karzoug's apprentice Khalib. We also took steps to ensure that Khalib doesn't return."
Jeevika is pleased to learn that Elthariel and Lorthan are willing to accompany them back to the Pinnacles.
"I will do my best to keep you both alive and healthy," the Holy Vindicator vows.
While the group rests and recovers, a somber Jeevika gathers all the Rangers. It is clear that she is holding back tears.
"...Given what happened back there, there's something that I should confess; I might not get another chance. I have been... communing with Lady Shelyn, and I have been informed that bringing back Setsuna would lead to much heartache and suffering. As such, I... am not sure if I will be bringing her back."
Of the Seven Blades of Conviction wielded by the Runelords' champions - weapons known as the Alara'hai to the Thassilonians, the sword of greed was the most extravagant - for it was made of magically hardened gold, tempered to the strength of adamantine yet retaining its luster. Although made of gold, Chellan functions as an adamantine weapon for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction and bypassing hardness. Chellan is a+5 keen scimitar, and its density allows it to damage foes as if it were one size category larger than its actual size. It can be properly wielded only by characters with a Strength of 18 or higher - all other characters must either wield it as a two-handed weapon or take a -2 penalty on attack rolls with the weapon.
Whenever Chellan strikes a foe, the target must succeed at a DC 20 Fortitude save or be slowed as per the spell slow (CL 16th). If the sword scores a critical hit, the target must succeed at a DC 25 Fortitude save or be turned to a crystalline statue, as if by flesh to stone. Characters turned to cyrstal by Chellan appear to be made of ruby, diamond, or some other valuable gem, but are in fact merely colored quartz of little value to looters.
Lesser Powers - 3/day create food and water, cure serious wounds, endure elements
After a few hours of a dirt nap, Ameiko wearily awakens, before her eyes fill with hatred as she glares at you all menacingly. In flawless Thassilonian, she growls "Release me! Surrender to Karzoug and perhaps the Runelord will allow you a merciful death!"
Why? You don't want to have Ryli cast barkskin on you for a +5 bonus anymore?
Ryli regards Ameiko sadly. In her heavily accented Thassilonian, she asks, "Do you even recognize us, Ameiko? Or, wait. I'm different, Eugeni's different. Um, do you recognize Zoli? Oh! Olympus? He roosted on the top of your restaurant! The Lucky Dragon?"
It might not be a bad idea for Eugeni to just wear the amulet for the constant bonus. I'm fine with him having it. Jeevika has Ryli, Elthariel, and her Bountiful Bottle to get +5 Barkskin when needed.
Also, Eugnei, have you considered ditching your Ring of Sustenance for the rest for the Xin-Shalast adventure and wearing that Ring of Freedom of Movement instead? Jeeves hasn't been wearing her Ring of Sustenance since we had to fast; she's currently wearing a Sihedron Ring and Setsu's Ring of Invisibility. Meanwhile, a Ring of Freedom of Movement would be very useful for Eugeni.
"...Wait a minute. We've been in this situation before! Chellan is the name of the fancy scimitar that tried possessing Ryli," Jeevika realizes. "So Chellan is probably controlling Ameiko..."
The Holy Vindicator turns to Ryli.
"Grandmother, I don't think they've... replaced Ameiko. That blasted blade tried possessing you as well. If Chellan can control multiple people, then Karzoug's been making poor use of those powers."
HP 148, Luck 20, Panache 6, AC 48 (T 28, F 34) CMD 40 | F+18 R+28 W+19 (+5 6/day charmed life, +2 vs fear)| evasion, improved + uncanny dodge, reroll (save 1/day + any 1/scene) | Per+27 | Init+12
I'll take a Sihedron ring proper now (in case the medallion merged into my blade isn't enough). Eugeni, you might also want the Scarab of Protection. If not, I'll happily take it...but you've often got the biggest target painted on your back.
.
I'll, uh, take the +5 Gargantuan Full Plate. Maybe I'll grow into it? ;0)
"Looks like we've hit a wall... Hmm... Give me about thirty minutes. Grandmother, I'll need to borrow the Orange Prism. You all keep an eye on Ameiko."
Before going, Jeevika wonders if Ameiko can be controlled across dimensions, so she wraps up a sheathed Chellan in some thick cloth and then sticks the blade in her Handy Haversack. If that doesn't work, she continues with her plan. Jeevika finds a quiet place to meditate and then prepares a Divination spell in her free spell slot. Afterward, Jeevika casts the spell. While divination in the region has been spotty, the Holy Vindicator recalls that Gamigin the Ice Devil had been able to teleport away from the Rangers despite the same area seemingly being a teleportation dead zone.
As such, like how teleportation had worked for Gamigin, she believes that there is a chance her spell will work from within Xin-Shalast.
Thinking of a good question is difficult. The overall goal is easy, though; Jeevika wants to restore Ameiko to the person Zoli once knew.
Huh. That's not a bad way to phrase the question.
"...How do we restore Ameiko to the person Zoli once knew?"
Jeeves casts Divination. 1575 gp worth of diamond dust left. It'll take fifteen minutes to prepare in her free spell slot and another ten minutes to cast.
Divination Chance - 1 through 12 Bad:1d100 ⇒ 91Jeeves' base chance is currently 88% (70, + 18 CL).
