Jaya Farwynd |
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
"It's surprisingly friendly, but generally Qlippoths rank below demons in reasonableness."
Aurealia Andosana |
Aurealia answers the qlippoth. "Maybe. What are you doing here?"
Kallie Silversun |
I'll go with Defenses and Special Abilities
"They've been classified as Gongorinans," Kallie explains.
Cosmic Dungeon Lord |
::Some mage summoned me here probably... several centuries ago. Until this place fell into ruin, I was tortured mercilessly for research purposes, supposedly. Now, all I wish is to be freed of this prison:: the crab creature remarks with a mental sigh. He sounds... exhausted. ::If you would kindly release me, I've leave you alone, and I'll leave in peace. Leptonia promised to free me, but... I have doubts she'll ever follow through on that::
Gongorinans can see in 360 degrees, and they have the ability supernaturally impose their horrific appearances onto the minds of living creatures, potentially leaving them confused. They are venomous creatures. Finally, they can implant their "eggs" into living creatures, which kickstarts a horrible process that eventually turns them twisted monstrosities that the Gongorinans can control.
You also pretty certain that this guy has magic that could turn you into a newt.
Feel free to read the information in the linked spoiler. I meant for that to be available to everyone.
Aurealia Andosana |
"Centuries of torture? Gods damn. I don't think you'd have a very happy life around here....Do you have a way to get home?"
Kallie Silversun |
Kallie grows pale as she recalls what she'd read about these beings.
"Umm, 'Lia, Jaya... a moment please. You too, Croq." She motions everyone to move a few paces away.
She whispers, "These things are scary. Tons of defenses, immune to whatever I can throw (as usual), and they can implant eggs into you! I don't think we want to fight this."
Jaya Farwynd |
"Depends how much we trust a being of chaos and evil..."
I forgot this is a skill I can actually credibly roll
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Cosmic Dungeon Lord |
::Indeed. Centuries of torture... and then centuries of rotting away in this circular prison:: the Gongorinan 'murmurs' bitterly. ::Alas, I am not sure how I would return home yet::
Galatea Kailani |
"Even if he leaves us alone, I'm kind of wary about releasing some crab demon on Magnimar," Galatea remarks.
Aurealia Andosana |
Aurealia nods politely, and then goes aside with the others.
"It doesn't seem that violent. Why don't we just bring it with us? It might be useful, and if it betrays us, well...then we can clean up our own mess?"
Galatea Kailani |
"He's docile now, but... I'm not sure how long that would last if he's freed," Galatea whispers in a worried tone. "We could offer to send him home via magic. For example, I could go buy some scrolls of Dismissal. That strikes me as... mutually palatable?"
Jaya Farwynd |
Jaya shrugs flatly. "Speaking simplistically on a macro scale, the most likely outcome for a slain qlippoth is that their essence remerges with the Abyss, providing a period where said essence is relatively harmless before it is once again embodied. A trapped qlippoth is therefore theoretically less destructive than a dead one, let alone a freed one.
"It is not... literally unprecedented for a being of the lower planes to undergo a process of redemption, but it's far from the most likely outcome."
Aurealia Andosana |
"I guess we can just dismiss him then. Or just leave him trapped here if I'm understanding Jaya?"
Kallie Silversun |
"Leaving it here for the time being is the safest course. It's been trapped for centuries; the wards won't fail in the next few weeks or even months. The problem is how weakened the entire structure is. It's Thassilonian, so it's a major feat to last this long. Heck, it might stand long after our lifetimes, especially with repairs. But if it gets free, well have a powerful qlippoth on the rampage, probably with a grudge against us."
Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Kallie checks out the structural integrity in the current room, to see if her assumptions are correct.
Croquelle Andosana |
"Heeeeeey. You said it lays eggs in people, right? Creepy. But it reminds me of something Jaya said.
"Didn't you say, 'The key "ingredient" for creating the plague are eggs harvested from someone named Og-Zeugus'? If so, and if there's any chance Leptonia is going to come back here to harvest more...no effin' way we can let THAT happen, right?"
Aurealia Andosana |
"Yeah, we should just kill it. If it reforms on another plane that's not our problem."
Jaya Farwynd |
::Facepalm::
Thanks Croq!
"It's not that it itself would reform, or that it's animating essence would persist, but rather that its quiddity would remain a part of the Abyssal cycle..." Jaya mutters, trying to cover for her embarrassing lapse.
She does a final sweep of the area for any magical auras which might indicate scrolls or other methods that could be used to quickly return Og-Zeugus, but is otherwise ready to dispatch it.
Cosmic Dungeon Lord |
The only magic aura Jaya notices is the one being emitted by Og-Zeugus' axe.
"I knew we were forgetting something," Galatea murmurs. "Well, if we're going to fight this thing, then we better prepare ourselves. He probably can't hurt us if we're outside the circle, but unless Jaya can kill him from a distance, the warriors and tigers among us will have to get into melee range."
Kallie Silversun |
"You know, we could, um, rest. I have so little that can hurt it you'll be a person down if we try right now."
Galatea Kailani |
Gali nods in understanding.
"I'm fine with resting," says Galatea. "I am running low on magic myself."
Croquelle Andosana |
Croq (drumstick raised, just about to start amping up with a righteous War Song) says, "Oh. I guess that makes sense. I guess we pull back from here, and set up watch?"
Let's set watch (making sure nothing can get to Og-Zeugus, as well as that we're safe) and then attack in the morning (after breakfast and buffs).
.
Before we attack, Buffs I'll cast:
- Good Hope on all
- Heightened Reflexes on all (dunno if it'll be relevant
- Mirror images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
...and of course start a raging song.
.
DM, how big is the circle? Could Long Arm (or Long Arm + Enlarge Person) give us a chance to hit it without having to get into the circle with it?
Kallie Silversun |
After the rest, Kallie resorts her spells.
Once the time is right, Kallie spends an arcane point to bring up her mage armor, then casts shield and protection from evil.
When it's time to actually fight, she casts haste for everyone.
Jaya Farwynd |
Jaya focuses her preparations on protection. Mage Armor and Shield for her, Protection from Evil for her and anyone who lacks it
Aurealia Andosana |
Along with the wands discussed on discord, Aurealia will do shield on herself, take a Prot Evil from Jaya, and do an extended bull's strength with arcane point. Right before we fight she will cast haste.
Croquelle Andosana |
Right before we fight she will cast haste.
When it's time to actually fight, she casts haste for everyone.
Oooh! It's a Haste-Off!! Who'll be the hastier haster?
Aurealia Andosana |
I'll save the slot then, missed that!
Cosmic Dungeon Lord |
Day 102, Late Afternoon to Night
While your conversation happens out of earshot, Og-Zeugus nonetheless seems to realize what your plans are for him. With an angry growl, the qlippoth hunkers down and steels himself for the upcoming battle. He glares in your direction for the entire night, but otherwise, nothing of concern happens.
Day 103, Morning
Before vanishing from sight, Galatea makes her own preparations before the battle.
As you move to confront him, Og-Zeugus seems... somewhat resigned to his fate, but nonetheless, he readies his axe for a fight!
Aurealia Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Croquelle Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Groog Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Jaya Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Kallie Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Team Galatea Initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Og-Zeugus Initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Team Galatea
Og-Zeugus
PCs
Round 1
Team Galatea
Cheshire roars and charges at Og-Zeugus.
Cheshire Bite v. Og-Zeugus (PA, Heroism, Croq Song, Haste, Charge!): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage (PA, Croq Song): 1d8 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 14
Cheshire Claw v. Og-Zeugus (PA, Heroism, Croq Song, Haste, Charge!): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 26
Damage (PA, Croq Song): 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 17
Cheshire Claw v. Og-Zeugus (PA, Heroism, Croq Song, Haste, Charge!): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 26
Damage (PA, Croq Song): 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 14
Cheshire Claw v. Og-Zeugus (PA, Heroism, Croq Song, Haste, Charge!): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 25
Damage (PA, Croq Song): 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 19
Cheshire Claw v. Og-Zeugus (PA, Heroism, Croq Song, Haste, Charge!): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage (PA, Croq Song): 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 17
Og-Zeugus
Damage: 1d6 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + (1, 2) = 11
Og-Zeugus Magic Axe v. Cheshire - DC 27: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Og-Zeugus Magic Axe v. Cheshire - DC 27: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Og-Zeugus Claw v. Cheshire - DC 27: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Og-Zeugus Pincer v. Cheshire - DC 27: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Og-Zeugus Sting v. Cheshire - DC 27: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Cheshire Will Save - DC 20 (Croq Song): 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 4 = 22
Cheshire and Og-Zeugus exchange several vicious blows. Most of Cheshire's seemingly wound the qlippoth, but his crabby shell tanks most of the damage, and the magic acid from Cheshire's enchanted claws doesn't even phase him. Meanwhile, Og-Zeugus lands two painful cuts against Cheshire, who briefly recoils after getting a good look at the fiend but ultimately holds herself together.
PCs
You all are up! Anyone who gets within 30 feet of Og-Zeugus needs to make a DC 20 Will save or be confused for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds. This isn't really a form of mental control, so Protection from Evil doesn't automatically prevent this. While the map might not suggest it, Croq and Aurealia can get close enough to Og-Zeugus attack him thanks to their extended reach.
Jaya Farwynd |
Jaya sighs, annoyed that there isn't really enough space for her to cut loose. Backing up to safety, she sends a tightly controlled arc of flame crashing into the qlippoth!
Spending a Reservoir Point for a CL, using a charge off the Empower Rod.
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 = 19 Mm. I suspect I'm going to be sad I didn't use the Piercing Rod
Fire Damage: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 3, 2, 3, 1, 5, 4, 3, 2, 4, 1, 3, 1) + 15 = 56 DC 20 Ref for 1/2
Kallie Silversun |
Kallie blasts the monster with a dose of negative energy. She uses her arcane reservoir to empower her spell, knowign the creature resists magic.
Enervation
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
Caster level: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22
Negative levels: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Aurealia Andosana |
Aurealia stands behind Cheshire and enters a rage, sending her polearm blurring at the outsider with multiple blows.
Attack on Crabby: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 - 1 = 182d6 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 19 + 1 = 28
Attack on Crabby: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 1 - 1 = 292d6 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 19 + 1 = 25
Aurealia Andosana |
will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Croquelle Andosana |
Aurelia, remember Good Hope too. +2 to hit/damage.
Croq (grown large and long, thanks to Aurealia...and quickened by Kalie) squeezes up next to her sibling and swings out twice with drumstick.
Will (raging, near sis, GH): 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 21
Drumstick (raging)+haste+GH: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 + 2 = 34
Damage: 2d8 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (1, 7) + 16 + 2 = 26
Drumstick (raging)+haste+GH: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage: 2d8 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 16 + 2 = 24
Cosmic Dungeon Lord |
Round 1
PCs
Jaya's spell fizzles out before it can affect Og-Zeugus. However, Kallie's spell hits him dead on, leaving the crabby fiend visibly drained. And despite Og-Zeugus' supernaturally tough shell, Croq and Aurealia's heavy strikes deal heavy damage to him.
Round 2
Team Galatea
Realizing that Cheshire could be grievously hurt by Og-Zeugus, Galatea whistles for the tigress to retreat.
Og-Zeugus
For a second, Og-Zeugus seems to realize his impending fate. However, the qlippoth nonetheless composes himself and defiantly tries attacking Aurealia. Thankfully, the magic circle stops any of his attacks from hitting her.
PCs
You all are up!
Aurealia Andosana |
Aurelia, remember Good Hope too. +2 to hit/damage.
Jeeze, I'm missing everything this time. Thanks!
Aurealia Andosana |
APBull's Strength+Rage Attack on Og: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 1 + 1 - 1 + 2 = 341d10 + 19 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 2 + 1 = 32
APBull's Strength+Rage Attack on Og: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 1 + 1 - 1 + 2 = 311d10 + 19 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 + 1 = 27
Aurealia conintues her rapid attacks, hoping to put the piteous being out of its misery as quickly as possible.
Croquelle Andosana |
Croq continues to swing at Og-Zeugus. Seeing that they've managed to keep their foe from attacking them at all, she feels a twinge of guilt...despite it being creature of the Abyss "I'm sorry, but we can't let you lay eggs in anyone else."
Drumstick (raging)+haste+GH: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 1 + 2 = 19
Damage: 2d8 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 16 + 2 = 24
Drumstick (raging)+haste+GH: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 + 2 = 36
Damage: 2d8 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 16 + 2 = 22
Cosmic Dungeon Lord |
Because of his resilient shell, Og-Zeugus survives the second round of attacks from the Andosana Sisters. That said, he is barely alive after their barrage of blows. And with no ability to retaliate, he is quickly dispatched by the third and final round of attacks from Aurealia and Croq.
Combat Over. Congratulations! You are now Level 9!
Croquelle Andosana |
"Woah. Power of Planning, am I right??
"Nothing sporting about that fight--I won't be writing any songs about it--but we had to eliminate that thing. And...maybe I'm feeling a bit more optimistic now that I have.
"...If only we knew where our mom is. Hopefully she's fairing as well as we are...right?" she ends, glancing at Aurelia.
Aurealia Andosana |
"We can only pray..."
She looks around before slapping her knee. "Whelp. Now that this is handled, we probably ought to get to Riddleport ASAP, before Leptonia manages to wake Krune up. What's the fastest way there?"
Kallie Silversun |
Kallie perks up. "Fastest? Well, the fastest way would be a little spell called teleport. I'd been working on it in my downtime. I might be ready to cast it." She grins.
Aurealia Andosana |
Aurealia nods, deeply impressed. She'd been focusing so much on her anger at everything going on lately, just hitting things with sticks, that she'd been seriously neglecting her magic. "I'll probably never be the mage you and Jaya are now,' she says, smiling. "But that's okay, you'll never be as metal as me and Croq!"
Galatea Kailani |
"If I'm not mistaken, it's an eight day trip from Magnimar to Riddleport by ship. Leptonia and her cultists left two days ago, so we have six days until they reach Riddleport. And unless Leptonia plans to jump off the boat and immediately attack Clegg Zincher, we probably have another day after that while Leptonia gets her bearings," Galatea calculates and estimates. "In summary, I'd say that we have about a week until she acts. That should be more than enough time for Kallie to Teleport us all to Riddleport."
She heads over to Og-Zeugus' remains and grabs his magical axe.
"That said, I'd like to help poor Isiah before we depart. We should also get Leptonia's notes to the Sihedron Council before leaving as well; they could probably manufacture a cure for the Polymorph Plague."
Kallie Silversun |
Kallie acknowledges that she's not as metal, but she grins triumphantly at impressing them with her high level of arcane prowess. Now all she had to do was pull it off without sending them all off-course.
She checks her notes on teleport theory and adds, "That's fine. I don't think I can get us all in one trip. Meaning, I'll have to leave someone behind and teleport back. That'll be at least a two-day job. So the ones left behind can handle the notes and trying to help Isiah."
Croquelle Andosana |
"Where will you teleport us to? Maybe our old hangout in Rodrick's Cove? If so, anyone mind if I'm in the first group back? I've been working on some sick new drum licks and I want to go get the band back together for a show."
...And there's nothing like the thrill of a cheering crowd to get me ready to go face whatever crazy evil mom is caught up in...
Kallie Silversun |
Kallie gives Croq a thumbs up. "Good idea. It's much safer to teleport somewhere you're familiar with than sight unseen. And the Cove isn't far from Riddleport."
She considers their best course of action. "Once I get the spell inside my head, I'll bring you and Aurealia. Jaya too, if she wants. Then you can get supplies for a trip to Riddleport, or even transport. In the meantime, maybe Gali, could you look into buying a scroll of break enchantment? I can add that to my spellbook and that way it'll be more likely to successfully fix Isiah than just off the page. Then we'll catch up to you at the Cove."
Aurealia Andosana |
"That sounds like a good plan to me," Aurealia affirms.
Jaya Farwynd |
"Then we're agreed."
Galatea Kailani |
"That sounds like a good plan, Kallie. I was going to buy several scrolls and use them until one worked, but your method sounds much more cost effective. As for Isiah, the Sihedron Council likely has some agents who can keep an eye on him until he's healed," Galatea remarks with a nod. "How soon do you think you can teleport Aurealia, Croq, and Jaya to Roderic's Cove?"