Male Gnome Arc11 | hp 76/76 | Init +4 | AC 18/14, T: 14, FF: 18 | CMB +4, CMD 16 | F +10 R +9 W +11 (+2 vs. writng-related) | Prcptn +0, SM +0 |
Lazlo reveals that the dragon is a mummified silver dragon with the undead (dragon, cold) types and strong SR, and that it is weak to electricity and to fire.
Lazlo then reveals that the other foe is a gashadokuro, a Huge Undead that is an embodiment of death by starvation, probably formed from a mass starvation ritual performed by Tar-Baphon.
Lazlo next moves up to Narayan, grabbing his arm and readies an action.
Ready, triggered when Narayan's turn begins:
Lazlo grabs the nagaji and casts dimension door, placing Narayan on the opposite side of the gashadokuro, if possible into flank with the treant. Lazlo would like to be on the far side of Narayan, with the Monk between he and the undead.
post-dimension door FORT save:1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 1 = 13
"These stones are drawing negative energy into the Pillar, overloading it until it explodes. The stones then direct the flow of that explosion up through the dungeons to the surface and out into a radius of hundreds of miles. This explosion would destroy all life in that area and raise those killed as undead in the Whispering Tyrant’s service!"
You think you can disrupt the ritual by physically destroying the ritual stones, by moving the stones into misalignment, or by rerouting the energies through magical efforts (Knowledge (arcana) or Spellcraft).
The Gashadokuro moves toward the pillar and readies some kind of attack, hungrily flexing its rather large and powerful jaws. It has an int score! As it moves in Syana, Viognier, and the treant are exposed to its aura, and feel they're starving… PLease make a fort save then read the spoiler below! Lazlo already made the save and knows what's up, but Narayan will need to if he d-doors as well.
Just as Narayan thinks he can go the pillar flashes! A blast of cold fills the air (much like a Cone of Cold) but no one is standing in its area of effect! I marked the area on the map so you can see in-character the
The Ritual: Round One
[ooc]All have resolved their will saves vs mind-affecting this round.
Enter the aura around the Gashadokuro, or asked to make a save — read AFTER making your fort save:
DC 24 fort or fatigued and 2d6 nonlethal per round. You continue to starve and cannot heal the nonlethal until you consume food.
Everyone in the hallway — Nayryan, Viognier, Melody, Lazlo, and Kirana pleas make a fortitude save.
Kirana, treant needs to make a fort save
Sayna, need a Fort save
Mummy Dragon
Viognier, failed pillar will save, need a Fort save at -1
Lazlo, readied for nayayan's turn
Melody
Gashadokuro, -9 HP, dazzled 1/? rnds
Pillar
Narayan, fort save needed if d-doors
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Narayan nods and ducks his head low enough for Lazlo to teleport him, responding with a blink when it turns out he is next to the Gashadokuro. The pangs of hunger gnaw at Narayan, but he focuses on their cause instead.
"Be not afraid. Ssoon all of you will be free."
Fort (Heroism):1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 32
Activating Boots of Speed for Haste, taking the +2 Dodge from Sayna
If it's still up, Narayan will spend 1 ki and a swift for one more attack. If it's down, Narayan will spend the ki and a swift to activate Draconic Fury for more acid-y goodness
AC 29 T 13 FF 28| HP 121/121(resist fire 5)| F +15 R +13 W +12 (see profile for rest)| Init +2 (+3in Cheliax)| Perc +4 (darkvision 60ft) | Challenge 4/4, Greater Tactician 3/3 Ifrit(sunsoul)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
1-3/3
Spells/Effects Active:
Fortitude Save:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
I'm guessing it's probably down by now after that flurry from Narayan and I'm making my move accordingly
Sayna is suddenly hit by a massive wave of hunger. Damage:2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 With Narayan handling the gashadokuro, she instead heads north, pausing to remove her fatigue.
Casting invigorate on herself to suppress her fatigue for 20 minutes
She levels her sword at the dragon as a challenge to come face her.
Swift action to activate challenge vs the dragon. She has a +3 dodge bonus to AC vs it now, gives all allies a +3 circumstance bonus to hit it in melee as long as she is threatening (she isn't yet), does an extra 4 damage to it with all attacks
Move action to move, standard to cast invigorate, swift to activate challenge
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Panting with effort, Narayan takes a moment to center himself after the Gashadokuro's destruction, allowing the healing light of Shizuru to wash away his wounds.
Female Undine Druid (Undine Adept) 11 | HP 98/98 | Wild Shape 5/5 | Surge (+17 CMB): 8/8 | AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | CMD 20 CMB +7 | F +12 R +9 W +15 | Init +9 | Per +19; Dip +17; Spel +15 | Treant HP 114/114
Will save:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Kirana rushes forward, looking to attend to the treant standing beside him, she places a hand on the floor and a puddle of water begins to form. It spreads, and with a relieved sigh the treant's feed begin to soak up the liquid.
"There. Now throw those last two bits of chair you've been carrying at the obelisk. It is the source of the evil."
Ignoring the fact that it could be throwing a distant cousin, it flings the furniture at the illusion side of the obelisk.
Throw:1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 26 Damage:2d6 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 13 + 4 = 21 Throw (Haste) :1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 26 Damage:2d6 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 13 + 4 = 20 Does it count as an object? If so, please double all damage
You want to hit the stone actually, not the obelisk itself. The stones are channeling the power into the obelisk in order to blow it up!
66 damage over 2 hits after doubling damage and hardness.
I would like to wait and resolve V's fort save from the aura before moving on. The fatigue lasts until you heal the nonlethal by eating food or somehow supressing it like Sayna did.
The Ritual: Round Two
Everyone but Kirana needs to make a new will save on their turn (vs mind-affecting) to avoid the pillar's effects
Kirana, passed round's will save
Sayna, 7 NL
Mummy Dragon
Viognier, make a Fort save at -1 before we proceed
Melody
Pillar
Lazlo, fatigued, 6 NL
Narayan, -2 HP
The dragon casts a Fog Cloud spell at the top corner of the room and flies into it.
The Ritual: Round Two-Three
Everyone needs to make a new will save on their turn (vs mind-affecting) to avoid the pillar's effects.
Kirana, passed round's will save
Sayna, 7 NL, starvation suppressed
Mummy Dragon
Viognier, make a Fort save at -1 before we proceed
Melody
Pillar
Lazlo, fatigued, 6 NL
Narayan, -2 HP
AC 29 T 13 FF 28| HP 121/121(resist fire 5)| F +15 R +13 W +12 (see profile for rest)| Init +2 (+3in Cheliax)| Perc +4 (darkvision 60ft) | Challenge 4/4, Greater Tactician 3/3 Ifrit(sunsoul)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
1-3/3
Spells/Effects Active:
Will Save:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Sayna laughs as the dragon disappears into the cloud. "Oh no, is the poor undead dragon scared of a few widdle mortals?" She drops her sword on a weapon cord, pulling out a wand and then tapping herself with it. She disappears from sight. "Two can play at that game!" She then stows the wand.
Her sword is on the ground, but I don't think it would be visible as the weapon cord is still attached to her. She just doesn't have the action to pick it up again yet
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Strange runic tattoos flare into existence along the length of Narayan's body as he swiftly doubles in size, slamming his newfound mass into the side of the nearby stone with a great heave!
Str Check?:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13+ another 4 if the benefit that being large gives to kicking in doors/breaking objects applies
Carry over head of 1600 lbs
Carry at all of 3200 lbs
Push/Drag of 8000 lbs
Male Gnome Arc11 | hp 76/76 | Init +4 | AC 18/14, T: 14, FF: 18 | CMB +4, CMD 16 | F +10 R +9 W +11 (+2 vs. writng-related) | Prcptn +0, SM +0 |
DC 23 Will save:1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 1 = 16nope
Will save result:
Make a DC 23 Will Save at the start of EACH turn: You take a –1 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks, as well as a –1 penalty to AC and to the DCs of your spells and other abilities that allow for saving throws. You must make this save every round until the house gets a success condition.
Lazlo, weak with hunger and influenced by the stone, tries to focus and study the green gem as he flies in for a closer look.
Kn (arcana):1d20 + 21 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 21 - 1 = 40
V. you need to move to hit, you're 20 feet away from the stone. -13 to illusion
Melody cannot quite put together the weave needed to interfere with the energies — she loses the thread at the last moment.
Sayna turns invisible!
Narayan moves the stone 5 feet toward the illusion side of the pillar.
Lazlo interrupts one of the stones!
Spoiler:
1d6 ⇒ 4
The stone flares out a pattern of rainbows near Viognier but it just misses him!
The Ritual: Round Two
Kirana, passed will save
Sayna, 7 NL, passed will save, invisible
Mummy Dragon
Viognier, passed will save
Melody, passed will save
Pillar
Lazlo, fatigued, 6 NL, failed will save
Narayan, -2 HP, passed will save
Illusion stone: -79 HP
Transmutation stone: moved 5' towards illusion area
Standing atop the bridge and fighting his way across, Shevar turns to the expedition. Despite the dire situation, he smiles. “Don’t lose hope, Pathfinders! Keep fighting on! We must stop—” he begins, but the words catch in his throat. Without warning, an undead monstrosity materializes behind him. In a swift and cruel motion, the beast lashes out with a jagged spine of bone, piercing Shevar’s heart. The creature lifts the venture-captain’s body and carelessly drops him off the bridge into the river of blood below.
94 damage after hardness; -173 total. Not destroyed yet.
The dragon swoops out of the cloud and bites Lazlo — the person who most hurt the pillar — from 30 feet up! 15' reach; I don't think Narayan can reach for an AOO
As it does so it activates its frightening presence! 180' range; Please make will saves vs fear/mind effecting
read after you make the save:
DC 23. If you fail you are shaken for 5d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 3, 3) = 16 rounds.
It then flies up to the corner as high as it can go. It cranes its neck, breathing in deeply.
3-d flight math:
Pythagorean theorem: 120' movement rounded up from 116 to go 100' down and 60' over. 45' over and 50' more feet up for another 70. -10' to be safe.
The Ritual: Round Three
Will save vs fear/mind affecting needed from everyone
Kirana, casting spell, made will save, need will vs fear/mind affecting
Sayna, 7 NL, invisible, made will save, need will vs fear/mind affecting
Mummy Dragon
Viognier, passed will save, need will vs fear/mind affecting
Melody, passed will save, need will vs fear/mind affecting
Pillar
Lazlo, fatigued, 6 NL, failed will save, -46 HP, need will vs fear/mind affecting
Narayan, -2 HP, passed will save, need will vs fear/mind affecting
Illusion stone: -173 HP
Transmutation stone: moved 5' towards illusion area
AC 29 T 13 FF 28| HP 121/121(resist fire 5)| F +15 R +13 W +12 (see profile for rest)| Init +2 (+3in Cheliax)| Perc +4 (darkvision 60ft) | Challenge 4/4, Greater Tactician 3/3 Ifrit(sunsoul)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
1-3/3
Spells/Effects Active:
Will Save vs Frightful Presence (inspire):1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 1 = 20
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Will (Ring of the Sublime, Nagaji Resistance, Draconic Mettle, Fighting That Which Lies Between The Stars):1d20 + 13 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 30
V. destroys the illusion stone! Narayan is NOT Having a good day, having difficulty overcoming the pillar's mental assault and shaken from the dragon's massive bite (which also took a large portion of his health).
The Ritual: Round Three
Kirana, casting spell, passed pillar's will save
Sayna, 7 NL, invisible, passed pillar's will save, shaken 16 rnds
Mummy Dragon
Viognier, passed pillar's will save
Melody, passed pillar's will save, need will vs fear/mind affecting
Pillar
Lazlo, fatigued, 6 NL, failed pillar's will save, shaken 16 rnds, -46 HP
Narayan, -2 HP, passed pillar's will save
Illusion stone: Destroyed
Transmutation stone: moved 5' towards illusion area
Melody grants the party a third success, ending the ritual!
The Ritual: Round Three
Kirana, casting spell, passed pillar's will save
Sayna, 7 NL, invisible, passed pillar's will save, shaken 16 rnds
Mummy Dragon
Viognier, passed pillar's will save
Melody, passed pillar's will save
Pillar
Lazlo, fatigued, 6 NL, failed pillar's will save, shaken 16 rnds, -46 HP
Narayan, -2 HP, passed pillar's will save
Illusion stone: Destroyed
Transmutation stone: moved 5' towards illusion area
Please see edit above; no need for save, Melody! The pillar effect is now ended. It is not destroyed yet for the house, but your group is safe for now!
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Narayan glares up at the sky, instinctively moving to shelter Lazlo with his scaly form.
"Let uss ssee if thiss creature may be held fasst!"
Provoking with my move, so hopefully there won't be an AoO left for this Grapple Attempt!!! (Heroism, Enlarge, Favored Enemy, Inspire Courage:1d20 + 19 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 19 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 48
Male Gnome Arc11 | hp 76/76 | Init +4 | AC 18/14, T: 14, FF: 18 | CMB +4, CMD 16 | F +10 R +9 W +11 (+2 vs. writng-related) | Prcptn +0, SM +0 |
Lazlo flies away from the dragon, grateful for Narayan's fortuitous grapple, drawing a wand on his way and letting loose an arrow of acid at the undead creature.
The bolt of acid bounces harmlessly off the dragon's thick hide, which seems to be suffused with some kind of negative energy that also protects it against such attacks. THIS is part the ongoing house effect; the rituals going on elsewhere lend the creature some extra abilities. Mechanically, it looks like the dragon's hefty natural AC is also contributing to its touch AC
AC 29 T 13 FF 28| HP 121/121(resist fire 5)| F +15 R +13 W +12 (see profile for rest)| Init +2 (+3in Cheliax)| Perc +4 (darkvision 60ft) | Challenge 4/4, Greater Tactician 3/3 Ifrit(sunsoul)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
1-3/3
Spells/Effects Active:
Sayna advances to the south, pausing to call out to her comrades-in-arms. "We can wrap this up shortly! Keep holding it down, Narayan."
Using Lion's call as a standard action. Everyone within 60 ft gets a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls (doesn't stack with inspire courage) and a +5 competence bonus on saves vs fear (DOES stack with inspire courage) for 9 rounds
Unfortunately, I just realized upon a second look that lion's call only gives rerolls for frightened/panicked, not shaken. So it won't help with the shaken effect :/
Female Undine Druid (Undine Adept) 11 | HP 98/98 | Wild Shape 5/5 | Surge (+17 CMB): 8/8 | AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | CMD 20 CMB +7 | F +12 R +9 W +15 | Init +9 | Per +19; Dip +17; Spel +15 | Treant HP 114/114
Kirana completes her spell, and 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 flame drakes appear! Each appears forty feet above the druid, and with a gesture and a voice full of wroth she says, "Burn it."
Satisfied, she adds, "Go kill it.
The drakes surge forward to comply.
They have a swift action surge that easily gets them close enough.
Kirana then waits to see what happens with the fight before starting another spell.
The treant continues to smash things, moving over to the red crystal before putting a shattering fist into the stone.
Slam:1d20 + 17 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 4 + 1 = 35 Damage:2d6 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 + 4 = 18 x2 vs Objects
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Blood runs down Narayan's mighty frame as he holds the dragon tightly in his grasp until its fury is spent, and then, he unleashes his own.
Kirana, maintaining her air elemental form, flies under and around so that she's close to Narayan.
Double move should get her to be at the same elevation as the monk
The treant continues its onslaught on the red crystal.
Slam 1:1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 4 = 34 Damage:2d6 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 9 + 4 = 23 x2 vs Objects
Slam 1:1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 17 + 4 = 28 Damage:2d6 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 4 = 16 x2 vs Objects
Slam (Haste) l:1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 4 = 30 Damage:2d6 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (5, 3) + 9 + 4 = 21 x2 vs Objects
AC 29 T 13 FF 28| HP 121/121(resist fire 5)| F +15 R +13 W +12 (see profile for rest)| Init +2 (+3in Cheliax)| Perc +4 (darkvision 60ft) | Challenge 4/4, Greater Tactician 3/3 Ifrit(sunsoul)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
1-3/3
Spells/Effects Active:
Sayna calls out once more. ”Strike it down now! For the safety of Golarion!”Swift action to use For the King! to give her and her allies within range a +5 competence bonus to attack and damage. It overlaps with inspire courage, but ends up with a net +1
She then rushes up next to the dragon with unexpected speed. Using her immediate action move now so she can full attack
Because of her challenge, as long as Sayna is threatening the dragon, all allies get a +3 circumstance bonus (which stacks with everything!) on melee attacks vs the dragon
The yellow dragon manages to bite the mummified dragon between the flanking from the aid token and Sayna's encouragement. 18 damage net, -184
Viognier only barely hits the dragon, as it is distracted by Sayna's challenge. 24 damage net, -208
Neebs helps Sayna flank. Her primary and hasted attacks miss, her secondary hits thanks to the flank! Another +2 from the flank brings the attack to 39
The dragon screams as the Scarlet Rose Company ifrit lops its head off! Finally, the once-good silver dragon's torment is at an end.
Neebs signs, sad to not have provided the damage but glad about providing the flank.
Whew! Out of combat! I didn't want a token to get the killing blow, so I resolved it in this order and wouldn't have tallied the damage till after everyone, including Narayan and Melody, went.
To be clear, you would have gotten the 6d8 damage from the token if you didn't take the dragon down yourselves — I just didn't think a token kill stealing on the last champion fight would have been fun. While not technically how the token works I made a decision to resolve the encounter in an order that I hope is more satisfying for the players.
--
At last, the ritual reaches a critical point. With its anchoring stones disrupted and its guardians slain, the Pillar struggles in vain to stop its magic from collapsing. The Pillar trembles and a psychic scream echoes through the minds of everyone within Gallowspire. The lasts wisps of magic drift away from the Pillar’s surface, filling the room with a quiet fog, and the taste of corruption fades from the air.
The millions of glowing runes that spiderweb the pillar begin to fade… pulsing like a dying heartbeat…
Sayna:
A collective of feminine voices cries out — but only you seem to hear it. We did not ask to be created… so, so many died for the knowledge stored within me… we beg you, do not allow our lives to be spent in vain! It is noble to salvage what you can from this tragedy, is it not! Do not destroy us for good! Allow us to imprint a portion of ourselves upon your mind, that our knowledge not be lost from this world forever…
No one else can hear this voice. You feel that you can reply telepathically.
Viognier:
A voice like wind in the branches at night: Trees grow from death and decay… and so did a forest of knowledge blossom, here. Please, do not raze me! Let me plant a seed in your mind. One day you will eat of the apple of my knowledge, and understand who I am and what I know…
No one else can hear this voice. You feel that you can reply telepathically.
Narayan:
The calm voice of a master meditating below a Bodhi tree mumbles in your ear. You said there are "few foes more worthy of your wrath than the whispering tyrant." You know yourself, but do you truly know your enemy? The pillar knows. Allow me to me share this knowledge with you, imprint myself upon your mind so that you truly know your enemy…
No one else can hear this voice. You feel that you can reply telepathically.
Melody:
The confident voice of an old bard speaks in your mind: Not all stories are happy. Think of what happened here, and the knowledge stored. Think of all those who died. Should not the outside world know their stories? Let me imprint a piece of myself on your mind, so you understand who and what I am — my knowledge, my story…
No one else can hear this voice. You feel that you can reply telepathically.
Kirana:
A bestial voice, that of a drake who can speak, growls in your ear. Many sentient beings died here — including those of dragonkind — to make me. I hold the knowledge of all — and of Tar-Baphon. Will you let us die and be forgotten, drake-tamer? Or will you let us imprint on your mind, that a shadow of our glory lives on? Please, Drake-Tamer, let us, and everything we know, live on inside you…
No one else can hear this voice. You feel that you can reply telepathically.
Lazlo:
The voice of an academic defending a thesis speaks in your ear. Consider the millions of runes here — how many lifetimes it would take to understand this ritual, how many souls fueled it. Consider that the knowledge of the ritual's inner-workings would mean for the Pathfinder Society and those who fight Tar-Baphon, who may be reconstructing this same ritual elsewhere, even as we speak. But, like so many things the Pathfinders touch, the pillar is about to be ruined, and all its knowledge lost forever. I offer you a chance to salvage that: allow me to imprint myself on your mind, that a fragment of my knowledge lives on, in you. Imagine the good it would do…
No one else can hear this voice. You feel that you can reply telepathically.
Female Undine Druid (Undine Adept) 11 | HP 98/98 | Wild Shape 5/5 | Surge (+17 CMB): 8/8 | AC 20 T 13 FF 17 | CMD 20 CMB +7 | F +12 R +9 W +15 | Init +9 | Per +19; Dip +17; Spel +15 | Treant HP 114/114
Kirana to GM:
The Undine Adept listens to the drake, considering their words. I accept that we all will die and be forgotten. What you ask for is merely an extension, but I see no point. I release you to your final rest, which is long overdue.
Glowing with holy light, Ollysta pauses for a moment to rally the Pathfinders. “This will be the hour of our glory, Pathfinders! We strike against the Whispering Tyrant!” She turns her gaze to a spectral dragon circling overhead. The dragon unleashes a wall of negative energy, dissolving Pathfinders where they stand. With steely resolve, Ollysta charges toward the dragon, running on the air. “By Sarenrae’s light, begone!” she cries, as her longsword connects with its wispy form. A gaping hole appears in its chest as holy energy burns away its corrupted body. The dragon rounds on Ollysta, tearing into her with an onslaught of teeth, claws, and razor-edged wings. Ollysta’s wounds are mortal, but the paladin isn’t finished. Her sacred longsword is just as unrelenting as the dragon’s attack. With a triumphant blow, she decapitates the dragon. Its body collapses into a ball of purifying light. The same light envelops Ollysta’s shattered form. As her strength fades, expression of pure serenity crosses her face. With a sigh, she closes her eyes for the last time. She drifts to the ground, landing gently on her back.
