Xilt sort of squeals when he realizes that the creature is floating.
He understands that his own pit has just made the situation that much worse.
"Orst. Help. Please."
Perhaps reposition my character into the square with the flying bird or even into your current square if you can?
This spell is a menace. I have seen two PC deaths with this spell and I have only seen it cast a handful of times. In fact my own seeker wizard almost killed the same monk twice in the same level of Emerald Spire when he decided to hang around the edge of an acid pit with his "unbeatable saves" at the end of the turn. It is just so much fun to make a large hole in the ground or roll giant balls of water around the battlefield.
Male|Paladin 8|hp 74/74|AC:26(28) T:12(14) FF:25(27)|CMB+13,CMD24|Fort+12, Ref+9,Will+12|Init:+1, Perc:+0| conditions:none |7 of 9 layhands used|deflection bonus of +3 Human Paladin 8
looking at the map again we really don't have an open area to draw the monster to. Perhaps we should just fight it from the line we ar forming just outside the pit threat.
"Check that order. Instead best fighters form a line on me. Others help however you see fit."
Robyyn moves into the room, squeezing through the scrum of Pathfinders at the bottom of the stairs. He wrestles a different wand from his belt as he moves, coming to a stop up against the wall near Xilt. Unsure if he should act yet, he waits to see what the creature will do.
Move: 25' drawing wand of burning hands (CL 3) Standard: readied action to cast burning hands if the creature moves into range (indicated on map)
Damage, fire:3d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) = 8Reflex DC 11 for half
The qlippoth begins to undulate, tentacles squirming in a mesmerizing, nauseating flow as it hangs above the pit like a spider at the end of a puppeteer's thread.
I need a Will save (DC 18, mind-affecting, gaze) from everyone except Lis . Failure means you are nauseated for an indeterminate number of rounds.
Round 2! Bold may act!
Dolph
Victor
Kronug
Bird
Orst
Xilt
Lis
Robyyn Red (Floating)
Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 10 ft high
- Pit is 30 ft deep, requires Reflex save (DC 18) if ending turn adjacent to it
Male AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | Current HP 57/57 | F +11 R +9 W +6 (+2 more vs spells, SLA, poison)) | Init +1 | Perc +12(+14 unusual stonework)
@Xilt I don't think any of us is going to be having much fun at the moment
Will Save:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Dolph immediately begins feeling nauseous to the point he has trouble focusing. He retreats out of the room, hoping that getting out of sight might make the nausea subside.
Can't give Victor a command as you cannot take ANY actions but a move action while nauseated, even free ones. He would follow his last one, which would I assume be to follow Dolph
AC 22 T 13 FF 19| Current HP 33/33 (DR 5/evil, Resist Acid Cold Electricity 10) | F +6 R +8 (evasion) W +4 (+4 more vs enchant)| SR 11| Init +3 | Perc +6 (scent, darkvision, low light vision)
Will Save:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Victor also feels a wave of nausea as he runs after his master.
@Kronug - are you including the air elemental's Air Mastery bonus in those rolls?
The Pathfinders retreat - some covering their mouths, some releasing gouts of flame, and some sending flying creatures at the qlippoth...
Red Reflex vs DC 17:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Red Reflex vs DC 11:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
...and it barely seems to notice Xilt's fire, completely ignoring Robyyn's. The elemental is baffled by the undulating tentacles and only lands a glancing blow. The bird, however, manages to catch the qlippoth by surprise and deliver a fearsome peck to it - though its strange tissues bend with the blow. But as the bird's beak punctures a hole in one of the tendrils, a burst of acid is released through the opening and sprays both the bird and elemental!
Acid damage:1d6 ⇒ 6
Round 2! Bold may act!
Dolph
Victor
Kronug
Bird (-6)
Elemental (-6)
Orst
Xilt
Lis
Robyyn
Red (-6, Floating)
Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling is 10 ft high
- Pit is 30 ft deep, requires Reflex save (DC 18) if ending turn adjacent to it
Huh. That's... odd. Must be why folks like earth elementals so much.
As pieces of bark fly through Lis's windy form, the sickeningly moist, putrefying voice sounds again in the Pathfinders' minds.
And look - my food comes to me. How thoughtful.
A whirlwind of intestinal tendrils rush at Kronug's bird, the grotesque mouth at their center following behind...
Red Bite, Power Attack vs Bird AC 19:1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 15 - 3 = 29 Bite damage, Power Attack, Acid damage:1d6 + 3 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 + (2) = 13
Red Bite, PA vs Bird AC 19:1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 15 - 3 = 19 Bite damage, PA, Acid damage:1d6 + 3 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 6 + (2) = 13
Red Bite, PA vs Bird AC 19:1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 3 = 18 Bite damage, PA, Acid damage:1d6 + 3 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 6 + (3) = 18
Red Bite, PA vs Bird AC 19:1d20 + 15 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 15 - 3 = 25 Bite damage, PA, Acid damage:1d6 + 3 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 6 + (4) = 16
...and as three of the tiny mouths at the ends of the tentacles tear flesh and feather off the bird, it falls unconscious - into the pit below...
Falling damage:3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) = 5
...and the Pathfinders hear a soft thud as it joins the other bodies at the bottom. The qlippoth whips itself around and bites at the windy form next it...
Robyyn pockets his wand; something more effective would be needed. "Okay, we need a plan. That thing is vicious." He begins looking around the room for ideas, and his eyes light on the stream to his right. He points at it as he continues. "I bet that this stream here is the same stream running through the qlippoth's cavern. Anybody a strong swimmer, and want to try circling around?" He digs in his belt for another wand. "Since it's seemingly immune to mind-effecting magic, I'm going to be of little help here, but I do have a wand of glitterdust on me that has a small chance of blinding it. I'll use that if I get a chance."
Move: stow wand of burning hands Standard (move-equivalent): retrieve wand of glitterdust 5' step
Xilt quickly accesses the situation after watching first hand the mauling of both bird and elemental. Sammy intuits his master's mood and climbs back inside Xilt's backpack for a quick getaway.
Xilt shuffles as best he can past his fellow pathfinders.
He remembers the warning of the Duskwardens and their charms providing aid and thinks of activating one now.
He calls out.
"Kronug. Give it another friend to play with."
Only move action taken. What type of action would it be to draw and activate the charm?
Guys I think it is time to break the emergency glass. :)
@GM Hawthwille - How high is the ceiling over the river in the room with the trolls? Is is it 20'? How far a fall is it into the river? We are not there yet but may get there soon. :)
Male|Paladin 8|hp 74/74|AC:26(28) T:12(14) FF:25(27)|CMB+13,CMD24|Fort+12, Ref+9,Will+12|Init:+1, Perc:+0| conditions:none |7 of 9 layhands used|deflection bonus of +3 Human Paladin 8
Yep, we are in deep trouble. I really think we need to call in the duskwardens as Xilt states. Not sure how fast they get here but this thing with 5 attacks will pick us off one by one in this confined space.
"Liz don't make this a last stand. Delay it and get out of there."
Male|Paladin 8|hp 74/74|AC:26(28) T:12(14) FF:25(27)|CMB+13,CMD24|Fort+12, Ref+9,Will+12|Init:+1, Perc:+0| conditions:none |7 of 9 layhands used|deflection bonus of +3 Human Paladin 8
"Robyyn, if you get the oil of magic weapon out of my pack and rub it on my sword, that would help. Ralfff....!" "If I ever stop throwing up maybe I can buy you all time to escape."
"You know...'Death Before Dishonor' and all that...Ralfff."
If the cavalry does not arrive soon, we might have to make a stand. If we all head back to the dead troll opening we might be able to at least get on 3 sides of it. Let's just hope the darn thing doesn't have dimension door.
The Pathfinders continue to retreat as Kronug pulls out his halflight charm and calls for the Duskwardens.
Botting Bird
Stabilization check vs DC 18:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
The bird's blood continues to drip, adding to the red stains at the bottom of the pit as the qlippoth pushes itself through the air like a nightmarish octopus. Where are you all going? Its hideous mouths all laugh, trailing streams of green vapor that float to the ceiling above the Pathfinders before billowing out into dense, acidic fog.
The cloud (green spread) goes from floor to ceiling and obscures sight - creatures within 5 ft have concealment (20% miss chance) and creatures beyond 5 ft cannot be using sight and have total concealment (50% miss chance). The vapors are thick, reducing movement speeds by half, imposing a -2 penalty on melee attack and damage rolls, and making ranged weapon attacks (but not rays and similar effects) practically impossible. And lastly, the fog deals acid damage to anything inside it on Red's turn.
The vapors burn the Pathfinders' lungs, but several of them are glad that their stomachs have recovered at last from the nauseating sight of the qlippoth. Orst, Dolph, and Victor are no longer nauseated.
Round 4! Bold may act!
Dolph (-6)
Victor Kronug (-6)
Bird (-54 (-9), Unconscious, Bleeding out)
Orst (-6)
Xilt
Lis (-6)
Robyyn (-6)
Red (-6, Floating)
Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling in crystal chamber is 20 ft high
- Pit is 30 ft deep, requires Reflex save (DC 18) if ending turn adjacent to it
Xilt moves towards the exit. He picks his way through the dead bodies of the trolls. A thought occurs to him as he makes slow work through the bodies that perhaps this creature likes to tenderize his meat before consuming it.
I am assuming that the trolls are still difficult terrain.
Spellcraft:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
I don't believe that you can make Spellcraft checks on a SLA as there are no components to identify. You can possibly make a KS-Arcana to identify a spell in place. This is all academic anyways as the effects of the spell are painfully obvious. :)
Male|Paladin 8|hp 74/74|AC:26(28) T:12(14) FF:25(27)|CMB+13,CMD24|Fort+12, Ref+9,Will+12|Init:+1, Perc:+0| conditions:none |7 of 9 layhands used|deflection bonus of +3 Human Paladin 8
Let's get the heck out of this fog.
"Liz, remember, no last stand."
Orst moves 20' (double moves) towards the fog exit. Orst growls to his companions, "Get out of this cloud. Only the dead are staying in here. Now move!"
Might be good if some were to take the goat trail, high road, or whatever you want to call it.
Male AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | Current HP 57/57 | F +11 R +9 W +6 (+2 more vs spells, SLA, poison)) | Init +1 | Perc +12(+14 unusual stonework)
Dolph takes on an animal aspect to increase his speed. Stag animal focus, increases movement speed by 5, which should make him just able to get out of the fog on a double move
Victor also continues running along the cave, stopping once he meets up with his master again.
Robyyn moves quickly out of the acidic fog, making his way through paths of crystal. "I'll work on that oil for you, Orst, after we're through this cloud. Move!"
Double move: 60' (final square difficult terrain due to Dewberry)
The acid fog is also difficult terrain. Position has been adjusted to account for less movement.
The Pathfinders make their way out of the acidic mist, green tendrils of fog clinging to their armor. But one Pathfinder stays behind - Orst feels the mist burning his eyes even as something laughs in his mind.
Orst:
They leave you behind, these friends of yours. How selfish of them.
Acid damage:2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
Round 5! Bold may act! Dolph (-6)
Victor
Kronug (-6)
Bird (-54 (-10), Unconscious, Bleeding out)
Orst (-11)
Xilt
Lis (-6)
Robyyn (-6)
Red (-6, Floating)
Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling in crystal chamber is 20 ft high
- Pit is 30 ft deep, requires Reflex save (DC 18) if ending turn adjacent to it
- Green fog is acidic, difficult terrain, and obscures sight.
| HP 11/11 | AC 18 T 15 FF 15| CMB +4 CMD 11| F +1 R +5 W +6| PER +9/+17 Low Light Vision Scent SM+1| Speed 20' Climb 20' +15 Swim 20' +11 Stealth +19|Active Conditions Skilled-KS:Religion. Message
Sammy goes ahead to scout for this creature. He has a sneaking suspicion that he might be hiding around the next corner. He moves again through the Dweomersink to have a look.
Message is still up on Sammy as it was not dispelled the first time through.
There should be a light spell on a used container a bit south of the Dweomersink (say about 30'). It was discarded when I thought Sammy would have to stay behind.
Male|Paladin 8|hp 74/74|AC:26(28) T:12(14) FF:25(27)|CMB+13,CMD24|Fort+12, Ref+9,Will+12|Init:+1, Perc:+0| conditions:none |7 of 9 layhands used|deflection bonus of +3 Human Paladin 8
Orst double moves to get out of the cloud. He then touches his chest.
lay on hands#3 swift action:3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5) = 12 "Your mind tricks will not rattle me."
Orst wants to fire a retort back, but any threats would sound hollow even to him as his party retreats.
"We just need to live to fight another day." He whispers to himself.
As Sammy enters the dweomersink, the magic surrounding him crackles...
Dispel vs Sammy Message DC 17:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
...before fading to a slight buzz.
Lis:
This cavern is still unoccupied, save for the oozing corpse of the other qlippoth in the far corner.
Botting Dolph, Victor, Bird
Dolph commands Victor to guard him as he rummages around in Orst's backpack, pulling out a faintly-glowing bottle. The dwarf pops the cork and carefully pours the golden liquid inside on the paladin's blade, which begins to glow with blessed light.
Bird Stabilize vs DC 20:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
How delightful - I wonder which of you tastes the sweetest.
The Pathfinders look up to see the nyogoth emerge from the acid cloud and hang in the air above the broken crystal field. It bites down at Orst with surprising ferocity...
...but the paladin blocks the attack with his shield, a wet squish coming from the other side as the qlippoth rams into it before pulling itself back.
Round 6! Bold may act!
Dolph (-6)
Victor
Kronug (-6)
Bird (-55 (-11), Unconscious, Bleeding out)
Orst (Bless Weapon)
Xilt
Lis (-6)
Robyyn (-6)
Red (-6, 5 ft above ground)
Environmental Effects:
- Ceiling in crystal chamber is 20 ft high
- Pit is 30 ft deep, requires Reflex save (DC 18) if ending turn adjacent to it
- Green fog is acidic, difficult terrain, and obscures sight.
Against his better judgement Xilt doubles back into the fight in an attempt to buy his companions time to escape. He unleashes a mighty howl in an attempt to disorient the nyogoth.
Robyyn, following Xilt but seeing the half-orc turn to support their allies, spins around himself. He points his wand of glitterdust at the horrifying creature, causing sparkling motes of gold to appear around it, coating it in a fine mess of golden glitter. He then stuffs the wand back into his belt.
Standard: cast glitterdust (Will DC 13 vs. blindness) Move: stow wand
