Aldizog's CORE 0-26 Lost at the Bitter End (Outpost IV) (Inactive)

Game Master Aldizog

Renard hits the Hellcat twice now at 27 damage taken but it does not let go.

Evens is magic: 1d12 ⇒ 4
Magic flickers back into effect!

The Hellcat tries to pin Renard.
Grapple to Maintain: 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 19 + 5 = 42

This would succeed, but for the timely intervention of Ignatius. The paladin strikes just as the Hellcat is shifting its grip, causing Renard to slip free. By applying a -27 to the CMB check. Hellcat at 54 damage taken.

Party is up! Magic works!

Free Action: "Get off of my friend!"

Swift Action: Smite the hellcat

Non-Action: 5-foot-step

Full Attack:
attack+smite: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 4 = 23, damage+smite(evil outsider): 1d6 + 21 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 21 + 18 = 42

iterative+smite: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 4 = 38, damage+smite: 1d6 + 21 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 21 + 9 = 35 (crit threat)

crit?: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 16 + 4 = 21, damage+smite: 1d6 + 21 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 21 + 9 = 34

Ignatius slays the Hellcat with his first blow!

Magic will be unreliable for the immediate future, but you won't expend charges or Channels in the dead-magic rounds, so you can hand-wave healing up. Just note what resources you use.

Will move along when all that is sorted out.

@Chandu, you can save your spell slot, although it won't really matter.

@GM: This is still the first day of a 2-day journey, right?

"By the Dawn, those things are rough!"

Chandu will apply a bunch of cure light wand charges.

CLW: 11d8 + 11 ⇒ (2, 1, 8, 5, 2, 5, 1, 1, 1, 4, 4) + 11 = 45

@GM: This is still the first day of a 2-day journey, right?

Correct.

Heaving off the body of the hell cat slain by Ignatius, Renard is quick to quip.
"Yes get off me. By the Light of the Dawn, you're certainty not light!"

Getting to his feet, he salutes Ignatius.
"If not for that timely assistance of your blade, I'll be having claws in my face and it won't be pleasant too..."

Lasaraleen will channel to heal

”By the Dawn! Heal us. “

Positive : 5d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 4, 5) = 23

save some charges and she can do again or cast big heal if we are resting

Fully healed.

Lasaraleen will channel to heal

”By the Dawn! Heal us. “

[Dice=Positive ]5d6

save some charges and she can do again or cast big heal if we are resting

Thanks, that saves me 6 charges

Ignatius looks around the vicinity, "Are there any more of these creatures around? I'd hate to have to go through that again."

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Survival: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

"That devil could go invisible. Those hellcats could, too. I suggest we travel with extra care."

If there's no immediate threat, the paladin contributes to healing anyone who needs/wants it.

Lay on Hands: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 4) = 10

There are no more Hellcats around. You heal up, and the rest of the day passes uneventfully.

After a few hours, you arrive in a part of the Mana Wastes where magic is more reliable, and you make camp for the night.

Nothing troubles your rest.

Late afternoon the next day, you arrive at Rijana's camp.

A cold fire pit, well-organized gear and supplies, and two journals blowing lazily in the wind surround a small, stone monolith. The monolith, the stele described in Rijana’s journals, is covered top to bottom in intricate and exotic carvings as well as markings and what look to be writings in an ancient language. The entire camp is covered in a thin layer of reddish dust, as if no one has been here for some time.

What do you do? Magic seems reliable at the moment.

Ignatius has his weapon out, wary of another invisible ambush.

"Is that stele magic?" he wonders aloud.

Renard attempts to read the ancient language.

Who knows he might just be able to after all he has had to learn various other languages too.

Languages known.
Common, Hallit, Dwarven, Skald, Cyclops, Jistka

If there's an opportunity, whilst the others check out the camp site, the paladin looks for tracks in the reddish dust.

Take 20, if there's time.

Does the reddish dust extend beyond the camp?

Let me study this. I'm more into my element here.
Even, if what we are doing is doomed anyway...

Jair starts reading the journals and the monolith scriptures.

Languages: Ancient Osiriani, Azlanti, Common, Draconic, Infernal, Thassilonian, Undercommon

Renard is unable to decipher the monolith, as is Jair at first.

But then Jair finds the journal called - as you knew from the first journal you found - Translations of the Mana Wastes Stele.

This is a half-finished book containing page after page of drawings and translations of the stele. The last written page contains an incantation in Common and instructions that describe exactly how to activate the stele. A notation below the incantation reads, “Making my first attempt tomorrow.” and is dated several months ago with no following notations.

The page immediately preceding that one has this notation: “Worried that if I activate the stele and don’t like the results, may not be able to deactivate it. Pretty sure the incantation I’ve copied on the next page, when read backwards, will return this stele to normal if performed backwards. Will test later.”

Meanwhile, Ignatius finds that the reddish dust does extend beyond the camp - it is just dust deposited by sandstorms of the Mana Wastes. There doesn't seem to be anything particularly interesting about the dust.

With magic now being stable Chandu activates a scroll of comprehend languages to examine the various writings.

Hmm, it seems she left instructions on how to use this Stele...

Comprehend Languages provides no additional information beyond the translations in one of the journals (which, again, is called Translations of the Mana Wastes Stele and provides just that).

Jair finds that the other journal, Flora, Fauna, and Hazards of the Mana Wastes, is a detailed account of the monsters, plants, and normal animals that call the Mana Wastes home. The journal also notes the hazards of sandstorms. It also discusses the magic-dead or magic-unreliable areas, with a note that the area around the stele seems to hold such problems at bay.

At this point, you have three of the four journals.

You have an incantation that you could attempt to read to activate the stele.

Do you do that? Anything else first?

I'm down for proceeding with a reading of the incantation.

"Let's be ready for anything." The paladin grips his weapon with both hands and stands ready near the agent who speaks the incantation.

|et me lead this doomed attempt.

Says Jair

Lasaraleen nods reluctantly.

”Jair, just be like super careful. I have a strange feeling about this whole thing. “

Renard steps aside to let Jair do what she intends to do.

Chandu takes a firm hold of her spear in preparation.

Is this a new day since the fight in the town and with the hellcats? If so Chandu will cast an extended heroism before Jair activates the ritual.

Likewise, if a new day...
Larasaleen will call an extended protection vs evil circle on herself.

Chandu will also blow a charge of her shield amd longstrider wands just in case.

Yes, this is a new day.

You gather around the Stele as Jair reads the incantation.
A brilliant flash of blue light envelops you all.

When the light fades... it is pitch black.
It was about dusk before, but now it is the middle of night.
There are no stars in the sky.
And the wind, which had been prevalent throughout your travels in the Mana Wastes, is gone.
There is no sound... at first.

Am I correct that none of you have Darkvision? I will give you Perception checks to notice the enemy for the surprise round, but they are effectively invisible for a 30 Stealth (considering distance modifiers).

Lasaraleen hears the scrape of steel as several things move in the darkness!

Surprise Round
Lasaraleen
Ignatius (surprised)
Jair (surprised)
Renard (surprised)
Chandu (surprised)
Enemies

Map link is updated, but map is covered by a black square at the moment.

No Darkvision but I have Blind-fight. And Heavy armor? :P

Know. Planes: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Lasaraleen gasps as the area goes immediately dark.

Yikes! What just happened?

Not being able to see, she will resort to illumination as best she can.

By the Dawn! DAYLIGHT she calls as she invokes the spell defensively

concentration: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 and draws her blade.

Map is revealed now. Lasaraleen can either cast a spell or draw a weapon (surprise round) so I will assume the former.

Seven more of those not-quite-shambling zombies surround you and move to attack!

One has a lane for a partial charge on Lasaraleen, and his scimitar lands.
Charge!: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 = 30
Confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The other six move into position to attack. Chandu gets AOOs on Brown and Black, but not on White due to cover.

Round 1
Lasaraleen -10 (Magic Circle vs Evil)
Ignatius
Jair
Renard
Chandu
Enemies

The paladin swings twice at the cyan zombie.

First attack: attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 , miss

Iterative attack: attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 , damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24
crit?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 , damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

Non-Action: Then, Ignatius takes a 5-foot-step to the NW to (hopefully) offer Jair the opportunity to find cover.

"Look out!"

One falls!

Renards whips out his blade and slashes once more towards the zombie that has being revealed! Thankful that he can at least see his foe instead of having to guess position.

Slashing Grace! 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 371d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Slashing Grace confirmed? 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 181d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 very balanced rolls lol
Slashing Deterrence! 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 311d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

His speed with the blade once more coming to a fore, that same blade strikes at the joints in-between their armor.

Jair tries to recognize the zombies before trying something.

Know. Religion: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

@Jair, these are just like the ones you fought before. Juju zombies.

Again, she calls for the Knowledge of her God to control at least one undead!

May the Secrets of Unlife give me control of these creatures!

She says as she shows her unholy symbol and a wave of negative energy pass through her comrades without hurting them.

Channel Negative Energy (will DC15) - Command Undead

Then, she calls for the protection of her god and invoque a second self. copy cat

Concentration DC17: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26

This time she can see her foes.l she draws her blade and...

”By the Dawn, end these vile creatures of unlife“

Channel positive : 5d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 6, 2, 3) = 13 Dc17 to harm, excluding charmed one(s)

Chandu takes her two strikes as the zombies close in on the group.

Attack bonus: Bab +8, str +6, magic weapon +, heroism +2, power attack -3 for +16
Damage bonus: str +9, magic weapon +, power attack +9 for +21
Weapon counts as magic, silver, cold iron and adamantine

OA1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Damage: 1d8 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

OA2: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
Damage: 1d8 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29

Take heart friends, we shall prevail calls out Chandu as her spear bursts into golden light.

She then quickly casts a spell to aid her allies.

Move action to inspire for +2/2, swift for arcane strike, standard to defensively cast haste.

Concentration: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

Chandu strikes two of the zombies as they move in.
21 to Brown, 24 to Black.

Renard slashes twice at one of the wounded ones, dropping it.
Another 23 on Brown puts it at 44 damage taken, which is enough to destroy it.

Jair uses the foul powers of necromancy to bend one of the zombies to her will!

Lasaraleen again calls forth holy power...

Red -6, Blue -6, Magenta -13, White -13.

Two zombies flank Jair and attack her with their scimitars.
"Curse you, priestess. Let our brother go!"
Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 = 27
Hits image on a 1: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12

A third joins in, but strikes her Copycat image.
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Hits image on a 1: 1d2 ⇒ 1

The enslaved and damaged zombie looks at Jair, its jaw halfway hanging off. "Mistress, what is your wish?"

The last one steps and attacks Chandu... although its controlled ally is not effectively providing a flank this time.
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Round 2 - Active Effects Magic Circle vs Evil, Inspire Courage +2, Haste
Lasaraleen -10
Ignatius
Jair -14
Renard
Chandu
Enemies (Red -6, Blue -6, Magenta -13, White -13; Black -24 and Controlled)

ouch! It hurts. says Jair as the scimitar slashes in her flesh.

She draws a wand CLW and calls for her god's protection again.

Concentration DC17 - Copy Cat -: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

May the knowledge of light and darkness help me avoid death.

And a second self appears.

Then commands her new minions to attack its ancient comrades.

Attack! Flank with Ignatus pointing at the one flanking her Blue

Lass, try to avoid destroying the one I control. It could help us know what's going on here.

Hearing Jair's exclamation of pain, the paladin swings first at the blue zombie. He will then attack the red zombie, if blue is felled.

"Stay away from my friend!"

First attack: attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23 , damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

Iterative attack: attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 , damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

crit?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 , damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

Lasaraleen will attack this round and plan to heal next

” By the Dawn! That is enough!“

#1 +1 Adamant scimitar, bard haste: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 + 1 = 20 for dmg: 1d6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 3 = 9

#2 +1 Adamant scimitar, bard haste: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 12 for dmg: 1d6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 3 = 9

#H +1 Adamant scimitar, bard haste: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 + 1 = 31 for dmg: 1d6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 3 = 6

#H Confirm, bard haste: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 2 + 1 = 25 for dmg: 1d6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 3 = 7

Hearing Jair's exclamation of pain, the paladin swings first at the blue zombie. He will then attack the red zombie, if blue is felled.

"Stay away from my friend!"

I forgot the haste attack. Whoops!

Haste: attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 , damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

crit?: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 , damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

His blade flashing, Renaard picks another target!

Attack the next closest to me based on map.
Adamantine Scimitar Human Bane but they're zombies.
1st Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 241d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
2nd Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 311d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Haste Attack, confirmed?? 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 351d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Haste Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 311d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Haste attack confirmed?1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 131d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Renard's swings might look ostentatious but they're all designed to expose weakness in a defense and then strike hard at it.

I am not sure which ones are still up. Chandu will full attack. I may need to 5' step to get into a position where I can depending on what is left. I will try to do so in a way that brings at least two of them into my reach, avoiding soft cover from allies if possible.

Fight on friends, fight on, they cannot stand against us!

Free action to sustain inspire, swift to arcane strike, full attack

Attack bonus: Bab +8, str +6, magic weapon +3, inspire +2, heroism +2, haste +1, power attack -3 for +19
Damage bonus: str +9, magic weapon +3, inspire +2, power attack +9, arcane strike for +3 for +26

Attack 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (6) + 26 = 32

Haste Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37
Damage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (3) + 26 = 29

Iterative: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 26 ⇒ (6) + 26 = 32

Ignatius eliminates one (Blue) with two swings of his scimitar, then drops another (Red) with his Hasted attack.

Lasaraleen hits another (Magenta) once. 13 damage, now at -26.

Renard hits the same one, ending it. First hit takes it to -37, second destroys it. He spins and strikes another (White). Bringing it to -23.

Chandu steps and quickly eliminates the last one (aside from Jair's slave).

The zombie looks at Jair. "Yessss?"

AS you question him, he explains, "We came from that way."
He points South.
"Awoken by Commander Zepteffis. The Bone Devil."

He doesn't have much other information. He could be a guide if you want to bring him along, but he's not really needed.

Once the zombie has given all the information it knows, Jair lets her holy comrades deal with it.

Another Devil, we are doomed!

The devil's head on her belt seems to smile at Jair's words.