"Beware" says Namaste in the mind link; "Illithids are one of the two known psychic creatures that have dual minds; thus they can do multiple pychic attacks. I fear I am not strong enough to overcome one myself as they are born master psionics; beware that our mindlink may make you more vulnerable; now that the door is open; I can hear a multitude of pychic scream from some horrible abomination; I suggest flee rather than stay and fight such overwhelming force before we are all made into enslaved living zombies."
"My familiaral ally has told me of this creature; it is like mist; an abomination created long ago by the Old Ones; perhaps an ally of the Illithid; though it will consume any living mind and leave your body a husk; perhaps the ice would have saved us from this creature. It must touch you; it is somewhat like the beast known as a gibbering mouther; but this kind is more demonic; twisted by the Lord of Jellies and Slimes into a creature of corrupting mist"
Erkholt, Kosan, get out of here now! Listen not to its words or promises. Ward your dreams! This is akin to what I warned the group about at the Oracles. It will devour the essence that is you, and twist you into something else. Get Aahz to safety! We don't want its embrace caressing him. Everyone get to the safety of the Mansion to regroup now!!!
in the mind link: Astinios what is your status. We need to get back to the Mansion fast before this whole place turns into a chaotic cesspool of carnage. Is the window open yet or at least the door so that we may reenter the room? Do Not come out here only death awaits we now have 2 forces trying to take us over.
iN MINDLINK< Get to the door and we'll open it>
about 30 ft.
Kenembi
that window is made of steel; imbued with a spell to make it transparent like glass; its very very tuff and extremely expensive.
Kenembi; in case you missed it earlier; did you want to scrutinize the window?;)
The hyper-active mind of Kemnebi just cannot seem to sit still for a moment, his gaze takes in the view of the now defrosted window, and analyzes it as he observes the fight out the window,...
the Butler opens the door; now that it has been defrosted by our amorous couple hehe.
[watched army of darkness yesterday; hehe good undead motivation for our current scene.]
20 to 30 ft depending on if you were in the front or back of the line. As you all back up to more defensible; the door to the booth is actually 5ft in front of you, but really hard to see; nothing beyond that is visible in the black mist.
20 to 30 ft depending on if you were in the front or back of the line. As you all back up to more defensible; the door to the booth is actually 5ft in front of you, but really hard to see; nothing beyond that is visible in the black mist.
Okay Erkholt I am going to grab your collar, and we are going to start working our way backwards toward the door. If you can grab Kosan and do the same. I will drop the coin that has the darkness here once I get an Aye that you are both ready to move.
Aye Laddie Move us back and I will guard the Front.
As far as I know; you cannot see through Llvenoc's darkness spell which is pretty much in the area right in front of the door.
the door is actually in front of you; off to the right somewhere close, it wont be hard to find that wall.
Okay Erkholt I am going to grab your collar, and we are going to start working our way backwards toward the door. If you can grab Kosan and do the same. I will drop the coin that has the darkness here once I get an Aye that you are both ready to move.20 to 30 ft depending on if you were in the front or back of the line. As you all back up to more defensible; the door to the booth is actually 5ft in front of you, but really hard to see; nothing beyond that is visible in the black mist.
Kosan is about 5 ft in front of the door which is off to the right somewhere..close.
Aye Laddie Move us back and I will guard the Front.
The screams of the gnolls fade as silence decends upon the area; is this creature absorbing sound or did someone silence the area or something else, something...worse?
ok; next round actions.
I take Llvenocs advice and grab hold of Kosans shoulder, slowly trying to find my way back to the door and the support of my new allies.
Not being able to see may have saved us from the gnolls and their boss, but now something greater was threatening me, it would've been good to know what it was.
[in mindlink] "Do we have a plan once we get back to the others?"
I count to 5 and throw open the door, shield raised and prepared to strike. I am acutely aware of Kemnebi preparing his own strike behind me.
There is a magical darkness outside the door and mist which flows into the room; you can barely hear and sense something in front of the door; to the right and the left; the still quiet is unsettling; the evil from the mist is so great you dont have to be trying to sense it; this is EVIL and vast, and old. Your aura in your eyes dim and turn a bit yellowish and you feel oily unclean. The taint of anyone touching, have been touched by this thing must be immense.
I count to 5 and throw open the door, shield raised and prepared to strike. I am acutely aware of Kemnebi preparing his own strike behind me.
The gapping maws and tendrils of the creature/swarm/entity continues to attack.
Kosan; take 3,5,2; make three fort saves.
Erkholt; take 2,4, make two fort saves.
Llvenoc; take 1,4,3,2, make four fort saves.
each of you begins to feel the alien evil of the thing pressing down on your soul/being/mind/self awareness.
"Get back from the door! This creature is an old and pwerful evil"
Shouting in mindlink <RESIST MY FRIENDS! YOU'RE ALMOST THERE, WE STAND WITH YOU.>
I heard stories of a creature who was created by those who should not be named. It took everything us fey can throw at it to defeat it. It could be this is that creature or a simular one. If this is true, than we can not beat it. As soon as our compartiots get here, we must leave.
The gapping maws and tendrils of the creature/swarm/entity continues to attack.
Kosan; take 3,5,2; make three fort saves.
Erkholt; take 2,4, make two fort saves.
Llvenoc; take 1,4,3,2, make four fort saves.each of you begins to feel the alien evil of the thing pressing down on your soul/being/mind/self awareness.
The gapping maws and tendrils of the creature/swarm/entity continues to attack.
Kosan; take 3,5,2; make three fort saves.
Erkholt; take 2,4, make two fort saves.
Llvenoc; take 1,4,3,2, make four fort saves.each of you begins to feel the alien evil of the thing pressing down on your soul/being/mind/self awareness.
Damage added to Character, Fort Saves are as follows: 1: 16 (1d20) +11 (Mod) = 27. 2: 13 (1d20) +11 (Mod) = 24. 3: 9 (1d20) +11 (Mod) = 20.
I continue moving with my companions toward the door. I DO NOT listen to the voices.
In the Mind link:
Aye, I have heard tales told of this vilest of evil. I thought it was but a tale to scare we children or a parable to warn the foolish and greedy of my race. They say that some miners of Clan Kuthuin Korr delved too deep into the earth and found a treasure trove of artifacts. But with the treasure was released an evil created by the old ones and it twas an ancient, ancient evil only spoken of in whispers. A fog of death that turned solid and choked the miners to death, also it had the ability to enslave those of evil taint who aspire to chaos and joined with them. It is said that these dwarves breathed in the vapors yet were not killed but became an extension of the fog itself. No dwarf survived during that battle and the evil was unable to be defeated so the dwarfs from the neighboring clans, exploring but finding no survivors, sealed up the mountain. If this is the same creature it is vast and can fill this entire stadium; possibly this entire cavern. Some it will kill leaving dry husks; some it possesses; and some it will make allies of. Others it just drives them crazy and infects them with a contagion of madness. Those driven mad or allied to it we called Mordeth Kulin, which translate somewhat to "a legion of mad weeping death". I believe we have a diversion that may get us to the goddess but we must leave this evil here and also seal it off from the outside world.
I stagger a little at the attacks and the mental attacks from the creature, but find my footing with Llevnocs support.
[in mind link]Aye, we might well need to keep this thing at bay, but first we need to survive it. We needs must fond a safe way to flee this area and get ourselves to a safe haven. Our best is Ronin's place. Any of you got ideas?"
Val
If this is an evil outsider, does the protection from evil prevent it from physically attacking us? And does it provide protection from the the mental attacks? It is a 10 foot radius effect centred on the caster, so even if we've moved towards the door its only 15 feet away so at least two of us should still be within the circle. Just thought I'd ask to see if it helps our cause at all. Cheers
Nebibit hangs back from the wall of Darkness trying to ascertain its nature she casts detect magic on it.
Llvenoc drop the coin, right in front of the door so that is now the center of the darkness incidentally, and the three of you can easily move into the room as it is a hole in the wall and opposite is the 5 ft walk space then the row of bleachers; so hard to get turned around and you guys were close to it anyway.
Once in the room, you can see that the doorway has stronger wards than the spell upon the coin; no darkness enters the room.
<the door is currently open>
all around the viewing box; the sounds of preassure and scratching can be heard as the creature tries to get inside; the grey mist decends and covers the window.
those inside the room prior to this round, can make a spot roll for looking out hte window; spot dc 18; +5 for Astinios as he is on the otherside engaged in other activities; -5 to dc for Kemembi who is/was actively looking at the window; and +2 for Nebebit who is generally close to Kenembi who was looking at the window.
spot roll dc 18
the mist has extended far into the stands, there is now panic and the movement as those in the stands flee the mist; in the mist can be seen tendrils; glowing eyes; and distorted mouths in no particular shape or size. Curiously, even the dead flee this creature.
other insights if your spot roll made dc 23
you see the Illithid that everyone was talking about walk out of the mist with his two large abomination guards; apparently unharmed and in cahoots with the mist; to the right in the stands about 100ft away; you see a group of five Illithids drop their robed cowls and begin attacking in the crowds as severeal flying creatures with bulbuous beaked bodies and long 10ft hanging tendrils join them; others can be seen fighting gargoyles and other fliers high in the sky.
if your spot roll made dc 28
OMG this is a full on invasion, the Return of the servants of the Old Ones. Throughout the arena can be seen hundreds of abominations of all kinds; fat; skinny; but nearly all tenticaled and scaled. The Lords of the Game appear in the center of the field; looks like two liches and some kind of undead knight with firey red eyes and a jeweled crown. He raises his hand and the chin piece of his armored head moves like he is talking; you see all the dead of all types collectively stop and look at him; then change actions as he masters them all in an instant and collects them into a force under his control. Behold; and ancient death knight. The liches cast and scillanting colors swirl around them; just in time as magics cast my the invading illithid mages hit the swirling colors and dissapate; there is sure to be some massive spell slinging coming soon. About 40 vampire warriors fly in as a murderous flock of bats and take positions around the Death Knight and two liches.
the mist covers the window; no more can be gleaned
The gapping maws and tendrils of the creature/swarm/entity continues to attack.
Kosan; take 3,5,2; make three fort saves.
Erkholt; take 2,4, make two fort saves.
Llvenoc; take 1,4,3,2, make four fort saves.each of you begins to feel the alien evil of the thing pressing down on your soul/being/mind/self awareness.
yes protection from evil does help; but is not proof against this creature as it would be a normal outsider, like a devil; it will keep this creature from being able to possess you for one round for every level of the caster; after that time the creature will have eaten, effectively dispelled, the protective magic. This creature is very raw chaos and can bypass and wreck most spells. The stronger the magic; the more proof against the creature. Also, it does give the creature minuses to hit like armor until it destroys the spell.
I stagger a little at the attacks and the mental attacks from the creature, but find my footing with Llevnocs support.
[in mind link]Aye, we might well need to keep this thing at bay, but first we need to survive it. We needs must fond a safe way to flee this area and get ourselves to a safe haven. Our best is Ronin's place. Any of you got ideas?"
Val
** spoiler omitted **
ok; you can tell it is magical this round, the auras; each round you concentrate; i will give you more information. You see many auras; I take it you are concentrating upon the darkness; the wards on the walls and door are magic and glare at you brightly; the darkness and the mist are two different auras, but are mixed as they are in the same location.
Nebibit hangs back from the wall of Darkness trying to ascertain its nature she casts detect magic on it.
Kemnebi nervously flexes his grip on his staff as Astinos approaches the door.
"Look!" He hisses, nodding at the window. "The thing IS huge! There is now panic everywhere! Even the undead flee this creature. How interesting. At least we should be safe behind the glass, for a little bit. The wards on this room seem quite secure." He adds, noticing that the darkness stops at the doors edge as Astinos opens it.
Wide-eyed, he realizes that he wasn't paying attention, and Astinos has opened the door!
He quickly peers out f the opening, ready to blast if he can find a target. He starts to chant, but breaks it off and raises his staff as he realizes it is Llivenoc and the dwarfs. He lowers it once they are out of the doorway, guarding the entry until Astinos gets it closed again.
Astinos puts his shouder to the door and slams it shut. "Alright do we have another way out of here yet? Even the dead fear that thing."
With warmth returning as well as the rest of the group from their not so song worthy escapades she realizes its time to start looking for that hidden door, the wizard mentioned must exist. Its not likely those mystical bindings that guard this place will hold once more of it has manifested...
"Astinos, the Wizard of the Left here mentioned that there is likely a secret way out though none of the occupants seem to know where. I havent seen anything magical, a connection to another plane...since the dragon left... or invisible so likely its hidden under more mundane means. Not really something I am particularly good at, but I am still looking."
Wanting to direct Aahz's attention away from the monstrosity,
"Aahz, do you see another exit from this place, I am sure that the Wizardess is correct that there must be at least one here. Our host seemed very much the sort of person who had many ways to make a safe exit."
Aahz "what, a what; hold on; this is interesting; this mist speaks nothing but gibberish, but I am hoping this mist clears so we can see these big spell slingers duke it out....
I saw some gods once you know; gods of the snake men; big slithery things; part human and part snake; wierd looking you know; really powerful; hehe creepy too....
why dont you get that guy <points at Thoronhen> to do it; he should be good at it.
"ThoronHen this is your specialty, we need to find the way out. If anyone needs healing take care of it now, we may have to fight out way there."
In the Mind link:
Aye, I have heard tales told of this vilest of evil. I thought it was but a tale to scare we children or a parable to warn the foolish and greedy of my race. They say that some miners of Clan Kuthuin Korr delved too deep into the earth and found a treasure trove of artifacts. But with the treasure was released an evil created by the old ones and it twas an ancient, ancient evil only spoken of in whispers. A fog of death that turned solid and choked the miners to death, also it had the ability to enslave those of evil taint who aspire to chaos and joined with them. It is said that these dwarves breathed in the vapors yet were not killed but became an extension of the fog itself. No dwarf survived during that battle and the evil was unable to be defeated so the dwarfs from the neighboring clans, exploring but finding no survivors, sealed up the mountain. If this is the same creature it is vast and can fill this entire stadium; possibly this entire cavern. Some it will kill leaving dry husks; some it possesses; and some it will make allies of. Others it just drives them crazy and infects them with a contagion of madness. Those driven mad or allied to it we called Mordeth Kulin, which translate somewhat to "a legion of mad weeping death". I believe we have a diversion that may get us to the goddess but we must leave this evil here and also seal it off from the outside world.
Kosan. My people call it death by the cut. No one wound kills you. But each cut just takes a little more from you. Eventually the culmination of all the cuts becomes to great for you and you perish. We often used it as an analogy explaining the path towards damnation. Thats its not one choice, but many that changes a person.
Promise me. If this thing starts to change me. You will kill me. Kill me while I still have my own sense of self. Crush my bones. Burn my body. Scatter my ashes. I don't want my body to be used by the enemy. Promise me!
"Well" Nebibit says as she continues to observe the darkness best as she can "My spear normally protects me from any harmful magic spells and the thing is magical Although admittedly I've never tried to see if it would work against such a thing."
She maintains the detect magic on the creature
Once inside the room I breath a sigh of relief. The danger of such a creature has shaken me somewhat, and like Llvenoc, I do not want to be corrupted in either body or soul.
[outloud] Breathing somehwat raggedly I speak "Tis a powerful foe, and one not ter be tackled by us unprepared methinks. I'd be wary o' usin yer weapon against it Nebibit. It were eatin through me own magics like they was candy. I'd hate ter see yer spear chewed up an spat out like that"
Kemnebi nods solemnly at the dwarf's words.
"Hold onto your spear Neb, and use it against that only as a last resort. It may preserve your life, but not for long. I could feel the creature draining the power of my spell from in here. I'm certain that if I had been outside the door, my own spell would have fared no better than Master Erkholt's."
"There has to be a weakness. Nothing can grow that large, and powerful, without having some weakness. It may not be simple, or easy, but it MUST have one. I need to figure out what, if we are to have any chance against it." The magus muses. Hathor sticks her head out of the raised hood, and peers around aristocratically. Then, slowly and deliberately, bats Kemnebi ear, hard.
"Right. RIGHT! FIrst things first! I concur with Kalona. Our esteemed host seems the type to make certain that he has at least 3 ways out of any room he enters. And those are only the exits he'll LET us find! Search around, there has to be a tunnel or bolt hole,..." He mutters off, putting actions to words and starting to search.
The answer is simple Kemnebi. Its weakness is easy to find. Cut it off from its source of power. The problem is its source is everywhere. Have no fear. No wrath, or ambition for power. To gain power for powers sake. No appetite for flesh. Greed. Seek and inspire for no accolades. Live without despair, or sloth. These things are at the core of its strength.
June, I would drop those pomp pomps and get the hell out of there. Try and meet us over at the Mansion. We need you to warn your Lord Balfic about this danger below them. They may be prepared to fight that Dracolich; and whoever that woman they talked about, and her Construct. They need to be made aware of what is under there feet! Be safe okay...
Is Master Bob still here? Why not exit through his portable hole?
... Promise me. If this thing starts to change me. You will kill me. Kill me while I still have my own sense of self. Crush my bones. Burn my body....
Done boy, I shall end your torment but I'm not so sure if I shall have enough time for Crushing, burning and ash flinging But I will Gladly Bash ye.
Search: 18 (1d20) = 9 (Mod) = 27 (with stone cunning)
Spot: 14 (1d20) + 1 (Mod) = 15
The answer is simple Kemnebi. Its weakness is easy to find. Cut it off from its source of power. The problem is its source is everywhere. Have no fear. No wrath, or ambition for power. To gain power for powers sake. No appetite for flesh. Greed. Seek and inspire for no accolades. Live without despair, or sloth. These things are at the core of its strength.
"That,... would take considerable willpower." Kemnebi muses, staring wide-eyed out of the window.
"No wonder it's so big. In THIS place, with all of those,... the entire arena is actually feeding it. A power source a deity would be envious of!"
June, I would drop those pomp pomps and get the hell out of there. Try and meet us over at the Mansion. We need you to warn your Lord Balfic about this danger below them. They may be prepared to fight that Dracolich; and whoever that woman they talked about, and her Construct. They need to be made aware of what is under there feet! Be safe okay...
"Be safe June,..." Kemnebi softly echoes, still staring out the window at the monstrosity.
"June? THE KITTEN! JUNE!!!" Kemnebi suddenly cries, both aloud and in the mind link.
"JUNE! The kitten! It ran off! IT'S IN THE ARENA!!! GET OUT OF THERE!!!"
The feline mage screams mentally as he flings himself against the enchanted glass, beating on it with his bare fist in impotent fury as he searches, wide-eyed and panicky-looking, for some hint of a sign of the Kitten and June.
HAthor places a gentle paw upon her master's cheek, and he shudders as he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, then opens them once more. All sign of panicking and anxiety gone, he stares out the enchanted glass with an intensity that is frightening.
Kemnebi Perception: 1d20+4=21, HAthor's perception: 1d20+5=23
You begin to see auras of varying intensities; the strongest are Necromancy, which makes you think the creature regenerates or is growing; Alteration and Illusion; which you feel are defensive in nature; with Llvenoc near it; you see something very much like his shield spell on it as well. As you continue to look; more becomes evident....<next round that is>
[there are limits to what your spear can ward you from level wise; but you would know that your very well sheilded from spell directed specifically at you (like a ray or ranged touch attack), but not generalized or area effect magic or effects]
"Well" Nebibit says as she continues to observe the darkness best as she can "My spear normally protects me from any harmful magic spells and the thing is magical Although admittedly I've never tried to see if it would work against such a thing."
She maintains the detect magic on the creature
Kosan
you notice a stone trapdoor in the floor, mostly covered by a rug; opening it seems obvious to you; must pull up and turn a locking stone; this is of dwarven construction; probably is for a chute that drops you in a "safe" location outside the arena.
the barbarian looks up from eating; he was obviously famished; "what; bob; he aint no master of nothing but trouble, but bully 'E is so dont encourage him; downright foolish Get of To Many Goblins is that so called MASTER <said with loathing> Bob.
<looks around sheepishly to make sure Bob isnt around to hear him, then not seeing Bob jump out; postures and shows off his muscles>
the barbarian eyes the creature out the door without any fear or recognition of danger in his eyes <maybe he aint to bright>.
"well, aint that like the 50th scariest thing I done seen today; humph"
goes back to eating and drinking.
"how can I help? are we leaving. It seems out is no safer than inside, my sister tells me that the skies above the arena are filled with hundreds if not thousands in aerial battles, the Twisted Ones vs vampires, spectres and gargoyles. She predicts that with the arrival of this foglike creature; the Twisted Ones will seize control of this arena in but a few more minutes.
I move move the rug and pull on the hidden door (Str Check: 14 (1d20) + 7 (Mod) = 21, I do not check for traps) and try to get it opened.
If I do then I scream: Close that front door now.
In the Mindlink: This be dwarven made possibly a chute to a safer area. Thornn-hen you in first , then Erkholt, then Astinios', all others follow after with a 1 minute gap between each of ye. Grymbol me and ye will hold the line until everyone is out. Beware the first three of ye we do not know what lies below. Go all of ye in order now. The first one to complain, gripe, or challenge me word will feel the side of me axe spankin ye as I would a wayward dwarfling.
I nod to the dwarven fighter, accepting his leadership in battle as I would any dwarven fighter.
"Aye then Lad, ye be takin' care up 'ere amongst the foul critters. I only just be meetin' ye after not seein' another dwarf fer an age. Make sure ye dinnae go an' leave me with the elves and catfolk all on me lonesome now will ye." I smile, making the comment a joke before holding the door open for ThoronHen to lead the way.
"Ye may be needin' a light source down there Thoron me lad. Dwarf tunnels tend ter be dark by nature, a consequence of us bein' able ter see in the absence of light and all that".