Volcano's Land - Mercury Morn

Game Master Miner Cotren

reflex dc23: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Swift action to assume Jabbing Style. Full attack w/stunning fist on first swing. pf = psionically focused. After the first sneak hits, debilitating injury for -2 ac w/ additional -2 ac vs me. Lasts 1 round per sneak attack.

Kallik and the Thrice-Slain are hit full-on by the blast; the blackness lingers in their eyes. Abnaki seems to be talking to himself, "I am Abnaki, not you...me, not me...you..." while Kallik's mouth is wide in a silent scream.

Next round - please declare actions! The Carrion is rapidly deteriorating under the assaults.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Samen winces as he is returned darkness for light, but continues the assault.

Sun!: 13d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 6, 3, 2, 4, 6, 2, 2, 4, 1, 2) = 45

Gabriel, you notice that the onyx energy is spreading across Kallik and Abnaki's faces; they can no longer yell as their mouths are covered.

need a Will Save from Abnaki and Kallik as you are being invaded by the fear / negative energy

Samen, make a knowledge: planes check

Know Planes: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39
Know Planes: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31

You see the tarry fear-energy has paralyzed your two friends in place, preventing them from taking even the smallest of movements or thoughts.

Both Abnaki and Kallik cannot make their own will saves right now. They need outside intervention to help. Because of the high check, you also see that if this continues for another minute or so, they will become receptacles for the Night Carrion, and the real Carrion can flee into their bodies before his current body dies.

between the sun beams and Gabriel's damage, the Night Carrion could possibly be killed this round. Looking very wounded / shattered.

Oddly, the Carrion simply watches the black energy writhe across his two victims. It takes no other actions.

new round - declare actions!

I'd kinda like to see the look on its face when it tries to possess Kallik's "body".

Samen keeps focus on the Carrion. "No, you can't have them either. Individually, you'd likely have overcome any of us, but together we are stronger than you. You had your chance to discuss this civilly and to leave in peace. This will not go the way you expect it to. They are not suitable hosts."

Samen holds tight to his rod of persistence and casts Unadulterated Loathing on the creature, making its potential new hosts odious in its sight.

(2 DC 21 will saves or be repulsed for up to ten days)

hateful will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
hateful will, 2nd: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

You feel your artificial loathing sluice off the Carrion; as it shrugs off your spell, it looks at you with one eye socket, then the other, considering you from all sides with empty observation.

Its hands twitch suddenly, long-fingered and limber, and two shouts happen simultaneously: Abnaki yells in pain, then slumps down, silent; Kallik yells in rage, and starts barreling toward Samen, her eyes still clouded by black fear.

axe, charge: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 = 30
damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 7) + 3 = 17

17 damage Samen

The Carrion sways slightly. Its wounds are beginning to wear on it.

Abnaki will save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Kallik will save, Qizz aid: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 3 = 17

Samen's spell gave his friends a chance to shake off the effects, but only Kallik is successful. As she completes her swing at Samen, she visible throws the effect away, blinks, and apologizes for her weakness.

Abnaki has not shaken off the fear energy, and he seems to be in peril. Abnaki is familiar enough with death, but he is not dead yet.

night carrion has done its action, so Gabe can still go

Distance in dreams is what we make it, right? Either I get an AOO or I can still full attack... I'm guessing AOO based on his charge. He should still have the effects of debilitating strike (-4AC vs me) unless he healed somehow...

Gabe lashes out as the Carrion ignores his presence to charge as the more existential threat that is Samen.

AOO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
damage: 1d10 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

Frustration sets in as the blow is not landed with full force. Determined not to let the beast escape, Gabe gives chase.

Attack, flank: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 2 = 24
damge: 1d10 + 6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + (3, 1) = 15

With a deep sound like the groan of felled tree, the Night Carrion cracks, bends, and breaks apart. Ripped feathers and bone dust are all that remains.

Abnaki's body twitches as the fear-energy seeks to burrow deeper into his eyes and nostrils.

Combat Over, but danger remains

"Abnaki. Be released from this grasp of terror. Whimsy is a much better look on you."

Casting Remove Fear on Abnaki.

Not entirely sure how he can help Abnaki resist the fear-energy, Gabe finds his hand has drifted to the worry stone in one of his pouches. He begins pacing as Samen projects external calm to foil the possession.

Thanks to Samen's spell, the fear-infection is halted. Abnaki begins breathing again, but he does not awake from his trouble half-sleep. Instead he mutters, "Take me to my domain...I can...heal myself..."

He rubs fingertips and thumb together, mimicking Gabriel's motion, and a fine purple mist leaks from the worrystone. Abnaki smiles with just a trace of whimsy as the purple mist goes floating down a swampy trail, into the distance.

Kallik, half-real in this plane of half-truths, picks up Abnaki in her arms. It's hardly a burden, the bard seemingly made of flowers and quips and little else. She waits for Samen or Gabriel to lead the way.

Gabe looks around, attempting to detect any subterfuge that their enemy isn't as defeated as it seems. Satisfied that there isn't anything to be found, he leads the way down the misty trail.

perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

The trip is easy, now that the oppressive presence of the Night Carrion is gone. Like a story, you go over the river and through the woods...Gabriel follows the purple mist with his acute sight, never once losing the trail.

A quarter-candle later, you come to a castle made of pink and purple cotton candy. Giant squirrels guard the entrances with acorn-tipped spears. The occasional gaudy jewel is sewn into the sugary walls here and there, which gives you the odd feeling of being watched.

You are ushered in, of course, with utmost squirrled courtesy. I sit upon the Uncertain Throne, which is currently made of gray stone and feeling very uncomfortable. To you, I look like Abnaki-- if he had missed one hundred nights of rest and lost most of his humor.

I, Abnaki Once-Dreamt, gaze down at the Thrice-Slain. Bored-amused, I say, "So, him dying again and brought him you here? Appropriate and inconvenient, both." I make no move to greet any of you formally, for now.

"That pretty much describes the entire existence of Abnaki, doesn't it? On balance, thus far, he's been worth the effort to maintain. If I had to guess, your existence is tied to his. Do you know what will become of you if he perishes? Because I have no idea, and I'd rather not find out what would take your place."

"He's not dead you know. He was still breathing last we checked... At least the dream representation of him was. This is getting a bit confusing."

Content to let the two greater minds debate the nuances of Abnaki's existence, Gabe instead looks for anything this strangely hostile (at least not friendly) version of Abnaki might be preparing.

No cotton candy golems coalescing from the walls behind us or anything spooky like that?

Cotton candy golems would certainly be a sticky situation.

Qizz is now curled in the middle with their limbs stretched out to keep in contact with the others. Shifting a pillow or stray hair. Fidgeting and worrying in the quiet unknown.

Looking at the fey in her arms and the figure in on that throne in clear confusion. But the others seem to have some idea of what is going on so she simply stands there holding Abnaki for as long as he requires it.

Content to let the two greater minds debate the nuances of Abnaki's existence, Gabe instead looks for anything this strangely hostile (at least not friendly) version of Abnaki might be preparing.

No cotton candy golems coalescing from the walls behind us or anything spooky like that?

nothing that seems to indicate an attack. This Abnaki has many unseen servants that carry bread, cheese, and wine on fine platters to and fro.

"Perhaps a feast?" I say cryptically.

Qizz is now curled in the middle with their limbs stretched out to keep in contact with the others. Shifting a pillow or stray hair. Fidgeting and worrying in the quiet unknown.

Qizz, out in the land of the real, a crow lands several feet away from you and your companions. It stares at you, observing the scene with tiny motions of its head.

osna was not present for ay of the nightmare scenarios, as he is a dream-creature rather than a nightmare.

Yer waiter's me, I guess. I write down nothin' on nothin' cos this is a dream, and I don't give a volc. The Once-Dreamt dismisses me, so I walk away. See ya later, bird.

Gabe pushes his paranoia aside as nothing jumps out to attack them. "This might be Abnaki's mind and you might be an aspect thereof... but how does that help us get this Abnaki back on his feet? We still have a mad god to confront after all." What better weapon for that than our own mad godling...

"A dream feast? It would help pass the time I suppose. Does Ozhna here only exist in this dream world now? I remember him being a living breathing el no that long ago."

Dream feast makes me think of Peter Pan... BANGARANG!

I sigh deeply. The throne is glass now; smooth, still uncomfortable, and basically impossible to see. "Elen obsession with naming things is the root of so much of your trouble. What's the use of labeling this 'dream' and this 'real'? If it feels real, it must be close enough to real as to make no difference."

I give one small gesture, placing my palm up in offering. Before you, there is suddenly a modest meal of chicken, ham, bread and cheese, and strong-smelling mead. There are also ghostly rocks for Kallik. And a sarcastically small portion of birdseed for Osna.

Nothing for the Thrice-Slain.

Kallik tries her best to keep anger out of her voice. She bites her tongue hard enough to bleed as she says in a mostly-calm voice, "Help him or not. Please tell us what you're going to do. Stop saying things that don't mean anything."

"We have no need of sustenance in this dream state, and taking food from Fey folk under unknown conditions is always foolish. Your hospitality is appreciated, but Kallik is right, either help him or we'll end him. He's too much of a threat to leave in this liminal state."

Gabriel heeds Samen's advice even as he starts reaching for the food though he doesn't take any. This other Abnaki is confusing so he's grateful for another person to focus on if only for a moment.

"Names are important though, aren't they? How do we designate things if we don't know the name of it? There is one name in particular that I think would get to the thick of things, though I'm hesitant to bring her up. It may be a sore subject for any Abnaki."

I smile. "I rather like him this way." I chuckle warmly to show no offense was meant. No reactions. Hmm.

"As for the name you, little Sneakthief, are thinking of naming to a name best not named....I don't think your Abnaki would like it very much." I give an elegant shrug. Throne of peacock feathers now.

Still no reactions. No one wishes to have polite conversation these days. "Very well. You want Mister Sleepyhead to wake up? How about a rude awakening. No love for polite conversation, I say..."

Still grumbling, I pluck a spell from the Samen-looking one, and a little bit of focus from the Gabriel-looking fellow. I shout very loudly, piercing and shrieky as a very unhappy banshee. It sounds like a long morning hangover condensed into one awful screech.

Samen, a 1st level ear-piercing scream is expended ; Gabriel, your psionic focus is expended.

Abnaki takes 1 highly unpleasant point of sonic damage, and it now very awake.

Gabe is temporarily off balance as his focus is forcefully pulled from his mind... and the sudden burst of peacock feathers. "I know you don't care for names, it seems you don't care about permission either... I'm sure we would have given freely what you have taken had you asked." Waving off the frustration like swatting flies, he continues, "It's done now though, Abnaki... Thrice (Frice?) Slain, are you back with us now? No worse for wear I hope."

Samen simply glares at the two Abnakis. He would've gladly used the spell if asked, but it seems petty to be petulant about it. Nevertheless, this creature of ambiguity is nearly as annoying as the fear bird.

Abnaki is awake, clutching his ears in pain. His eyes flicker open, he sits up, tries to shout something to Samen- "Don't trust-!"

But he disappears, pop, like a bubble.

**

Abnaki is...awake. He sees Qizzlvutz tending to the rest. He desperately tries to think of a way back to his friends, but his connection to the Dream Realm has been severed.

"There we are. Twice woken, good riddance." I smile in an irritating way. "You have no road out of Dream. Shall we bargain?"

That was unexpected...

"I guess we don't have much of a choice at this point. I'm afraid we don't have much to bargain with. We'll, not things anyway. But I'm fairly certain you aren't interested in 'things' though anyway.
I find negotions go better when both parties start with mutual understanding. So we need to get back to where we belong. What do you want to help us do that?"

"Be my vassals in the dream realm. What you do in the waking world is your own business, but you will defend my domain from all who would seek to usurp me. You will still wake rested and refreshed in the mornings."

Samen glares at the opportunistic creature. "No. No deal. We were merely drawn here by that nightmare and owe you nothing. We requested your help dealing with the one whose face you wear, and you sent him away unaided. We will not serve you, here or anywhere. Perhaps you are right, and we have no way out, but the thing about Dreams is that facts are fluid here and any negotiating position you have is definitionally ephemeral."

"Well, pooh. Down the toilet you go, I suppose." I make a lazy gesture and fling you into some convenient nightmar-ish place; I don't even really care where.

Abnaki in the waking world has only time to yawn, rub his eyes, and panic before a legion of flaming, hellish arms burst out of the ground. They black-nailed fingers grab the slumbering bodies of Samen and Gabriel. Abnaki is quickly grabbed as well, the crimson arms acting with demonic speed.

Qizz makes choice. Qizz jumps in after friends.

You all feel your minds and your sleeping bodies yanked together in a jarring fashion. There is a sensation of falling; as you fall, the air around you heats up. You see a burning red glow below, expanding in your vision as you fall, faster and faster.

now is the time to cast spells or use abilities that protect from A) falling damage, and B) fire damage. You have a few rounds' worth of time to cast.

Of course I'm not wearing my ring of Feather Fall any more... Unless I can put it on in place of ring of protection while I fall. Alternately, I can spend my Ki points to reduce the fall damage by 250 ft (50ft/Ki). Ring of elemental protection will stop 40 fire damage though.

"Volc damnned dream foolishness! Abnaki, can't you tell the ground to catch us nicely?!" Looking around and seeing Abnaki isn't with them even in the waking world, ... I guess not. We'll have to save ourselves this time."

Gabriel focuses on his movements, willing himself to float a bit on the air as he falls through it. There is a loud ringing, like a crashing gong, just as Gabe is about to hit the ground and his momentum is severely reduced. Trusting his dancing skills, he tries to convert the remaining vertical movement into horizontal as he rolls into his landing.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Since we're in our real bodies now instead of dream projection, do our hit points return to full?

Samen is startled by the sudden falling sensation. "How terribly rude!"

Collecting himself a little, Samen casts Greater Angelic Aspect and unfurls his wings. (Among other things, this spell grants flight and fire resistance 10.)

Then, preparing for the worst, he casts False Life. temp HP: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

If he has time, he searches for his companions and tries to catch Qizz, since Gabriel is probably too heavy for him.

Gabriel - just spend 1 Ki to slow yourself down long enough to switch rings. Just make a note to switch back to your ring of protection afterwards.

Yep, full HP since you've been sleeping.

Samen, you successfully prevent Qizz's fall damage. Kallik casts resist energy on herself and Qizz, so everyone is covered for fire damage as well.

You tumble through darkness, ash, and flame, and finally land with a thump onto a hard, smooth surface. It almost looks like dark marble, with angry red texturing. The entire floor gives off a dim glow, and you can truly believe in this sweltering, underlit cavern that you may be halfway to hell.