Shohreh moves back and heals herself.
Jevar sends out a blizzard at the creatures!
Kolgradd moves over and hits the giant worm before following up with a “crit” against Red!
Boodiddly casts another spell!
Boodiddly then runs south.
Red continues clapping then Stands
Then attacks Kolgradd!
Yellow then Strides south and attacks Kolgradd!
Blue Strides, completely and utterly ignoring the difficult terrain created by Jevar’s magic!
It then writhes as it attacks everyone!
Failure (see below)
Kolgradd, upon being struck by the worm’s stinger, is suddenly experiencing a slight malaise, and all he can feel is that it’s coming from the lake.
Round 4
==============
Speaker of the Deep <Blue> (-120) {no reactions}
Shohreh (-56)
Jevar (-43)
Kolgradd (-98) {Hasted: Round 2 of 10; stupefied 1}
Boodiddly (-16) {Lingering Rally: Round 2 of 3}
Fungal Siren <Red> (-202 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {slowed 1 & no reactions; prone}
Fungal Siren <Yellow> (-278 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {slowed 1 & no reactions}
==============
Jevar whispers an incantation, and vanishes!
He silently pads away from the great worm, whispering to Shohreh as he goes by.
Keep backing away, I'll make you disappear next!
Shohreh gets the idea but she backs up all the way to the wall before sending a divine lance at the worm.
Feeling the uneasy sensation from the lake, Kolgradd starts to panic slightly and spins like a whirling dervish, lashing out at anything within reahc
◆ Strike
◆ Advantageous Assault
◆ Advantageous Assault
Then feeling somewhat hemmed in, he tries to cast a spell of retreating
◆ Time Jump
The spell was strangely hard to cast, but time freezes eventually and he runs out of there to put some distance between himself and the worm.
Like a pied piper parading his prized pony in a perilous part of town, Boodiddly claps and sings and beats a hasty retreat.
Shohreh hits Blue with her magic.
Jevar turns invisible.
Kolgradd hits Blue and slams his hammer into Red twice before “teleporting” away!
Boodiddly moves away.
Red Stands and Strides toward Kolgradd.
Yellow Strides over and attacks Kolgradd!
Blue Strides toward the group and then…
Round 5
==============
Speaker of the Deep <Blue> (-168) {no reactions}
Shohreh (-78)
Jevar (-43) {Invisible: Round 1 of 10}
Kolgradd (-98) {Hasted: Round 3 of 10; stupefied 1}
Boodiddly (-55)
Fungal Siren <Red> (-248 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {1d10 persistent fire; slowed 1 & no reactions}
Fungal Siren <Yellow> (-278 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {slowed 1 & no reactions}
==============
Jevar, already vanished, approaches Shohreh and lends her the cloak of invisibility as well!
Boodiddly continues leading the worm to a lovely tunnel. Worms love tunnels! Everyone knows that.
"Spread out!" Kolgradd barks out, his voice as sped up as the rest of him. With Jevar and Shohreh vanished he'll just have to assume they're following his advice.
With his arcane alacrity, he dances in toward the big worm and back again after a quick strike.
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
Though none see it, Shohreh heeds Kolgradd's command and spreads out, jogging West a short (but safe) distance.
Turning back she unleashes another beam of divine energy at the great worm.
Jevar turns Shohreh invisible.
Shohreh moves away and sends a blast of spiritual energy at the giant worm.
Kolgradd attacks between Blue and Yellow.
Boodiddly moves back and sings.
The piles of fungus continue clapping…
And Kolgradd smashes it into oblivion!
Red Steps over and attacks Kolgradd!
Blue Strides over and…
Kolgradd’s malaise increases, as he becomes more certain of its source being the thing in the lake.
Round 6
==============
Speaker of the Deep <Blue> (-204) {no reactions}
Jevar (-43) {Invisible: Round 2 of 10}
Shohreh (-78) {invisible: Round 1 of 10}
Kolgradd (-127) {Hasted: Round 4 of 10; stupefied 2}
Boodiddly (-122) {Lingering Rally: Round 1 of 3}
Fungal Siren <Red> (-252 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {1d10 persistent fire; slowed 1 & no reactions}
==============
Jevar, also unseen, begins skulking up the middle of the battlefield in hopes of imbuing Kolgradd soon .
Boodiddly staggers under the impact of the giant worm's giant maw. When the dust settles, his cheerful red hair is nowhere to be seen - at least until a whistle brings everyone's attention to the far side of the chamber.
"Try to eat me will you?"
Spitting out blood from a cut in his lip, Kolgradd casts a spell to make him harder to swallow!
◆◆ Cast Enlarge
He then strikes at the worm with a quick feint to see how it reacts
◆ Combat Assessment
Before attacking the other fungal blob...
◆ Strike
Shohreh continues spreading out and moving around, sending another burst of divine energy just barely at range.
Shohreh sends spiritual energy at Blue.
Jevar throws fire at Blue and misses.
Kolgradd attempts to enlarge himself…
Then swings!
Boodiddly teleports away.
Red continues clapping…
Critical Success --> Success (nat 1)
Red then Stands…
And is crushed into oblivion by Kolgradd!
Blue rears up and moves to swallow the enlarged Kolgradd!
The creature bites at Kolgradd, sending him into unconsciousness! Most curiously, though, is that instead of swallowing the restrained dwarf, it simply…puts him down as it Strides over and attempts to sting Jevar!
Round 7
==============
Kolgradd (-205) {Hasted: Round 5 of 10; stupefied 2; enlarged & clumsy 1 & +2 status to damage; prone; unconscious; dying 2}
Speaker of the Deep <Blue> (-219) {no reactions}
Jevar (-43) {Invisible: Round 3 of 10}
Shohreh (-78) {invisible: Round 2 of 10}
Boodiddly (-122) {Lingering Rally: Round 2 of 3}
==============
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Shohreh sprints across the battlefield to the fallen Kolgradd, utilizing medicine and magic in equal measure to get the dwarf back onto his feet.
Kolgradd staggers to his feet and takes in his surroundings.
◆ Stand
"Thank you lass, now get to safety, it's going to thrash again"
He wipes the blood from his beard, and conjures a shield to protect himself.
◆ Cast Shield
He then draws the light hammer from his belt and hurls it at the worm!
◆ Interact to draw +1 Striking Returning Light Hammer
◆ Strike
Relieved that Kolgradd is back on his feet, Jevar joins him to bestow invisibility.
Boodiddly breathes a sigh of relief as Kolgradd rises. The breath catches as his friend disappears, but he's seen Jevar work before and trusts that his companions have not abandoned him here with this worm and its discarded skin (which thankfully has stopped twitching).
Shohreh moves over and heals Kolgradd.
Jevar moves over and makes Kolgradd invisible.
Boodiddly heals himself.
Kolgradd pulls out a hammer and throws it at Blue!
Blue Strides over and…
Round 8 —> 9
==============
Kolgradd (-122) {Hasted: Round 6 of 10; invisible: Round 1 of 10; stupefied 2; enlarged & clumsy 1 & +2 status to damage; wounded 1}
Speaker of the Deep <Blue> (-233) {no reactions}
Shohreh (-114) {invisible: Round 3 of 10}
Jevar (-69) {Invisible: Round 4 of 10}
Boodiddly (-67)
==============
Jevar skulks away from the great worm, hoping it can’t sense him. It’s probably sensing his steps… He stops at the edge of the water.
A black tracer bolt flies toward the great worm, and upon making contact intensifies into a powerful destructive beam.
If you critically hit, the target gets a result one degree of success worse than the outcome of its Fortitude save. A creature reduced to 0 HP is blasted to fine powder; its gear remains.
Hero point
Boodiddly moves a little close to the worm, hoping that flash of black lightning was indeed Jevar, and whistles encouragingly.
Watching the thrashing worm smash into where he just was, Kolgrad makes a note to thank Jevar if he survives.
He takes a couple of quick strikes with his light hammer
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
Brings up his shield...
◆ Cast Shield
And then activates his helmet to "Charge!" away from the worm
◆ Activate Helm for Stride, Stride
Can't stay in one place... keep moving...
Shohreh skulks back to the Northeast corner of the shoreline, still having a plane shot at the great worm.
She unleashes another beam of divine energy at it.
Shohreh moves away and throws magic at Blue.
Jevar sends a tracer bolt at the giant worm!
Boodiddly continues singing.
Kolgradd attacks the giant worm and disengages.
Blue Strides forward and rears up to attack Kolgradd!
Round 9 —> 10
==============
Kolgradd (-179) {Hasted: Round 7 of 10; invisible: Round 2 of 10; stupefied 2; enlarged & clumsy 1 & +2 status to damage; wounded 1}
Speaker of the Deep <Blue> (-284) {no reactions}
Shohreh (-114) {invisible: Round 4 of 10}
Jevar (-69) {Invisible: Round 5 of 10}
Boodiddly (-67)
==============
A mass of snakes made of shadow rise up and envelope the great worm.
Failure The creature takes full damage and is grabbed by a snake. The snakes' Escape DC is equal to your spell DC. A creature can attack a snake to release the creature. A snake's AC is equal to your spell DC, and it's destroyed if it takes 12 or more damage at once. New snakes continually regrow as long as the spell lasts, so destroying snakes doesn't prevent slither from capturing more creatures.
Critical Failure As failure, but the creature takes double damage and is restrained by a snake.
Suddenly worrying about getting knocked out again and not being visible, Kolgradd tries another hit-and-fade tactic
◆ Step
◆ Strike
Hammer duly swung, he swishes his cloak with his free hand and bamfs across the cave- swirling smoke surrounding both his previous and new locations.
◆ ◆ Activate Charlatan's Cape
Boodiddly tiptoes along the shoreline - one eye on the worm, and another on the water.
Shoreh keeps moving to keep the great worm guessing.
Shohreh sends spiritual energy at the worm and misses.
Jevar creates a mass of snakes!
Boodiddly moves over and sings.
Kolgradd then swings his hammer and slams it into the undead, fungal worm’s head, caving it in and knocking it to the ground!
Kolgradd’s strange sense of dread from whatever is in the lake continues even after 40 minutes.
Failure
Success
Failure
Success
Kaklatath and Aeptolinu rejoin the group. ”The star sickness. An infestation carried by the seeded. You merely treated the symptoms. It is only a matter of time before he succumbs and joins the seeded.”
Aeptolinu motions toward the standing stone. ”Here you are. Do you wish to call upon Carcosa’s blessing now? Or see what awaits you further within the Snarl?”
As Shohreh is tending to his wounds, Kolgradd is pensive. "That was a close one, I could have been worm food. Thank you my friend"
He doesn't take his eyes off the lake the entire time though.
"Is there no cure?" he asks of Aeptolinu when he prounces his sickness, but he soon stops worrying.
"I trust Shohreh can keep me alive long enough to complete our mission. I've come this far, and I've still got a way to go"
He puts on a brave face, but continues, looking at each of his friends in turn.
"I don't want to become one of those things though, do you understand? You won't let that happen?"
Jevar smiles weakly at Kolgradd's worry.
Of course. We will not let that happen.
Sighing and looking around, he thinks about Aeptolinu's question.
Perhaps we should move onto Carcosa. The sooner we catch up with Lowls...
He looks to see if the others agree.
"We need to activate these stelae" Kolgradd says by way of agreement. "We've started with one, so we should do this one next I think"
Shohreh smiles down at Kolgradd and gives the dwarf's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You've prevented more injuries than I could ever hope to treat, I think. It's the least I can do for a friend."
Her countenance turns grim once again as they consider their next step. "I agree, we should begin as soon as possible, unless we think there is something to be gained further within."
"Well we did promise the ghost lady that we'd find her sword." Boodiddly rubs his beard and furrows his brows in thought. "She said it was at the bottom of the lake, correct? Maybe we can grab it before the fungus rot overwhelms everything here like it did when we activated the previous stone."
The former-amnesiacs gather around the Star Stele and begin their efforts in performing the ritual. And as they are about 40 minutes into the ritual itself, Aeptolinu stares blankly.
”So. You truly are continuations of the failures of Azlant.” The man then produces a dagger that glints silver from the reflection on the lake. ”Then I shall hasten the inevitable and spare you the futile journey.”
Round 1
==============
Kolgradd
Shohreh
Aeptolinu <Red>
Kaklatath
Jevar
Boodiddly
==============
As the Azlanti moves to draw his knife, Shohreh reacts instantly, blasting him with cosmic energy.
"You have been corrupted Aeptolinu!" Kolgradd says as he draws his burning-glacier longhammer.
◆ Draw Hammer
"You thought enlightenment would protect you from the horrors of this place,"
He sets his shoulders and grips the long haft of his hammer just so
◆ Enter Disruptive Stance
"You were wrong!"
He rushes up to put himself between the manasaputra and his friends
◆ Stride
Kolgradd advances forward.
Shohreh sends void energy into Aeptolinu.
Aeptolinu Stands…
Aeptolinu stares Kolgradd in the eyes and cocks his head.
”Do you honestly believe that there is a purpose left?”
Critical Failure
Success
In the spoiler Below: Trigger Warning of implied self-harm.
”Are you certain?”
Critical Success
If “Yes,” open the spoiler below
If “No,” open the spoiler below
Aeptolinu then slashes out with his dagger!
-45 (after resistances)
Kaklatath gets far away from Aeptolinu!
Round 1 —> 2
==============
Kolgradd
Shohreh
Aeptolinu <Red> (-45)
Kaklatath
Jevar
Boodiddly
==============
Jevar's expression falls as the ritual is interrupted.
I don't want to start over! Let's make this quick...
So he uses the spell that he believes may be quick.
A black tracer bolt flies toward Aeptolinu, and upon making contact intensifies into a powerful destructive beam
If you critically hit, the target gets a result one degree of success worse than the outcome of its Fortitude save. A creature reduced to 0 HP is blasted to fine powder; its gear remains.
He then hides behind his arcane shield.
"Of course there's a purpose! You're just too immortal to understand"
He doubles down when questioned.
"We make our own purpose. Of that I'm certain"
Kolgradd can't believe the speed at which Aeptolinu moves, and he takes two nasty cuts before he can even move to defend himself.
"Don't get close" he says to the others as he steps back, "he's too deadly"
◆ Cast Shield
◆ Step
◆ Strike
Shohreh nods and steps back, giving Kolgradd space to work. Still, she takes a moment to shore up his defenses before Aeptolinu's counterattack.
"I suppose he might feel somewhat bereft of purpose with Azlant gone, but that's no reason to ruin everyone else's lives." Boodiddly whistles and claps, a cheerful counterpoint to all the doom and gloom flying around.
Jevar attempts to disintegrate Aeptolinu, but completely misses him.
Boodiddly Harmonizes.
Kolgradd slams his hammer into Aeptolinu!
Shohreh gives Kolgradd a bit of a boost.
Aeptolinu’s eyes fall with a cold determination upon Boodiddly! Aeptolinu Steps toward Boodiddly and says ”Do you believe that there is a purpose left?”
Failure
In the spoiler Below: Trigger Warning of implied self-harm.
”Are you certain?”
Failure
If “Yes,” open the spoiler below
If “No,” open the spoiler below
Aeptolinu then slashes out with his dagger!
-63 (after resistances)
Round 2 —> 3
==============
Kolgradd (-23; +18)
Shohreh
Aeptolinu <Red> (-126) {1d10 persistent fire}
Kaklatath
Jevar
Boodiddly {immobilized: Round 0 of 1}
==============
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Boodiddly's normally-jovial smile shifts to an unusually-serious expression for a moment. "Purpose is not some gift presented to us on a silver platter," he answers calmly, but with the intent and force of a stage-whispered monologue. "It is not some glob of mochi thrown from the skies that hits us on the head and gets stuck in our hair. There's no oracle that wakes us up in the middle of the night and informs us that we're the lucky seventeenth-million person to receive a Purpose(tm). It's something each of us creates for ourselves, something as deep and as personal as each of us wish."
”Are you certain?”
The musician's eyes become slightly wet, as if overcome by the passionate and stirring performance - but as the line of questioning continues, they narrow. "Yes, I'm certain, you great jelly-filled doughnut! Did you listen to a word I just said!? You dolt. You utter clod. Go pound sand."
Boodiddly blows a particularly wet raspberry at his assailant and vanishes like passengers on a train wish they could when in the presence of a wet fart of this magnitude and stinkiness.