|AC 16, T 16, FF 11|HP: 48/48|F +5, R +7, W +7 (+2 vs Enchantment/red dragon breath)|Init +5, Perc +21|CMB +11 CMD 24|11/11 Prescience, 1/1 Pearl, 1/1 Arcane Bond
Zeno makes a mental note to procure more cold iron arrows as he repositions himself ever so slightly and nocks three...
'Comet', gravity bow, Point-Blank, Deadly Aim, haste:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 cold iron damage:2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 3) + 11 = 20 In case this one misses, high means I can salvage my arrow:1d100 ⇒ 77
DM, I leave describing what I have wrought up to you.
Bobble wobbles but she don't fall down. forgive me
A pair of Zeno's arrows zip around the paladin's head and slam into the pech witch with requisite force, though the seer heals some of the wounds afterwards. The psychic follows with a beguiling casting that seems to have the best of outcomes.
GM, kinetic blade and kinetic whip do not provoke AoOs. "Since it’s part of another action (and isn’t an action itself), using this wild talent doesn’t provoke any additional attacks of opportunity."
I know it is confused, but Fung can make 3 attacks with his whip, which hopefully can take out the leader.
Grunting in pain and somewhat surprised that the pech is hitting him the same way, Fung pushed through the pain and summons up his whip again then slams it down upon his target in 3 quick successions.
He then allows the wind to buoy him up, to put some distance from the pech.
I mentioned earlier that Fung is flying 5 feet above the pech and can still reach with his kinetic whip. He'll now 5-foot step higher, so should be out of reach of the pech's kinetic whip.
Fung's initial blast is enough to silence the shard shaper and Ellyjoybell is able to violently run through the other witch with ease. Enraged and confused, the witch targets the cavalier with the slumber hex then advances to her for the kill. Need a DC 17 will save from Elly or fall asleep
Round 2/3 - Bold can act - Lucky Numbers and Haste are up!
Orange pech -26 damage
Xuan Fung <aid 16 hp, fly 15 feet up, kinetic whip> -42 damage
Ellyjoybell <air walk 5 feet up, spell resistance, shield of faith> Need a will save
Yellow pech -52 damage <confusion locked on Elly>
Elbe <freedom of movement>
Arrius
------------------
Red pech leader <unconscious> -97 damage
Zeno <mage armor, magic vestment, remove fear, false life 11, gravity bow>
Dana
Male LN Undine Psychic 5/Unchained Monk 4 | HP -18/68 | AC 22 T 14 FF 21 | CMB +9, CMD 21 | F: +12, R: +9, W: +10 (+2 vs fear, death, enchant, poly, petrif, transmut; +1 vs disease & poison) | Init: +0 | Perc: +10, SM: +9 | Speed 40ft| Tracked Resources: Shirt Reroll 1/1, Faction Pin 1/1, Phrenic Pool 4/4, Ki Points 2/3, Detect Thought 1/1, Stun Fist 3/3, x2 Morale 1/1 | Spells: 1st 7/7, 2nd 5/5 | (In)Active conditions: Dead
Arrius sprints over to Elly and shakes her awake!
Move action to move and standard action to awaken Elly from the slumber hex. This movement doesn't provoke any AoOs unless the pechs have reach. A 70' move speed really makes crossing the battlefield easier!
Nodding in satisfaction at taking down on the pechs, Fung commands the wind to dive towards the remaining enemy, keeping himself out of its reach (hopefully).
The coil of tightly spinning air lashes out again at his new target.
The combination of the explosive air and a sharp longsword prove too daunting for the final witch and the room falls silent.
Combat Over!
Dana
Zeno <mage armor, magic vestment, remove fear, false life 11, gravity
Xuan Fung <aid 16 hp, fly 15 feet up> -42 damage
Ellyjoybell <air walk 5 feet up, spell resistance, shield of faith>
Yellow pech -88 damage <unconscious>
Elbe <freedom of movement>
Arrius
Room description again for your convenience...
Triangular designs etch the floor of this octagonal chamber, whose smooth walls of bluish crystal rise eighty feet to a peaked, eight-sided dome. A pair of two-foot-tall triangular daises of blue-tinged stone stands between double doors set into the north and south walls. Stacks of hundreds of inch-thick glassy plates tower higher than the doorframes.
LG (she/her) gnome cavalier 6/paladin 3 | HP 81/81 | AC 23/12/21 | Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +11; +2 bonus vs. fear and despair (imm. fear and disease) | Perc +12 (low-light vision) | Stealth -1 | Speed 15/35 on Bobble | Init +4 | LOH 5/day 1d6 | Spell-like abilities (CL 9, concentration +13) (1/day): dancing lights, flare (DC 14), prestidigitation, produce flame | (at will): detect evil
Elly takes a deep breath and peers suspiciously at the pechs. (Cast detect evil. If they are evil, not interested in saving them.) She dismounts long enough to pick up her lance, then remounts and looks around.
"So, what are we doing here again? Looking for information, right?" She notices Fung's injuries. "Sorry. What can we do for you?"
"So, what are we doing here again? Looking for information, right?" She notices Fung's injuries. "Sorry. What can we do for you?"
With the adrenaline fading, Fung seems to notice his wounds as he lets himself drift back to the ground. "Oh, it's not that bad," he replies humbly. "I do have this healing wand, if someone could use it on me?"
GM, you want me to roll or just take the average of 5.5?
@Fung Go ahead and roll to see how many charges it takes.
There are hundreds of crystalline plates here. It would take an hour or more to truly sort through them.
As you complete your healing and start to search, the incessant hum grows loud enough for everyone to notice, and hairline fractures begin appearing in the walls.
The pechs are now stable. Do you want to heal them more so you can talk to them, start the hour long search through the plates, or move on through the next door?
Pech equipment:
2 potions of cure serious wounds, +1 chain shirt, mwk heavy pick, boots of friendly terrain (underground), cloak of resistance +1, 142 gp on the leader and +1 heavy pick, light crossbow with 10 bolts, masterwork stonemasonry tools, spell component pouch, 106 gp on each of the two witches.
@Arrius The room doesn't look in danger of immediate collapse, more on the term of hours or days. No knowledge checks - just spending a great deal of time looking for things you might be looking for in the crystalline plates. There is the other door still (and the pechs you clobbered).
LG (she/her) gnome cavalier 6/paladin 3 | HP 81/81 | AC 23/12/21 | Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +11; +2 bonus vs. fear and despair (imm. fear and disease) | Perc +12 (low-light vision) | Stealth -1 | Speed 15/35 on Bobble | Init +4 | LOH 5/day 1d6 | Spell-like abilities (CL 9, concentration +13) (1/day): dancing lights, flare (DC 14), prestidigitation, produce flame | (at will): detect evil
Elly grins back at Fung before looking around. She doesn't feel qualified to do anything besides break the tablets. With Bobble's help, Elly pulls all the pechs into the same area, then clambers out of the saddle. (Did they ping as evil? I don't remember seeing anything about that.) She searches them for anything useful, piling it all next to her, then ties them all up.
If no one else more diplomatic arrives, she pulls out a wand and taps the leader with cure light wounds.
Once they seem to wake up, she smiles cheerfully at them. "I'm sorry we had to do that. I would prefer to chat peacefully instead of attacking, but as you can see, we can take care of ourselves. Would you please tell us more about this place? We would like to help preserve it. It looks to be in danger of crumbling to pieces."
Diplomancy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15(Aid, if others are around)
@Elly Sorry, forgot to say. No evil auras. It does take an extra CLW charge to awaken the leader.
It takes a fair amount of time for the leader to calm and realize her hopeless position and to speak plainly (again in Terran).
"We are the protectors of the Crystal Womb and all within, we maintain and sustain the rocks until the day the Builders return. The unseen causes the Archive to shake. We will protect this place. You cannot help. We only ask that you leave. Time is running out. We must save the crystals. Do not enter the Ruby Tower." She gestures to the door further in. "None but our masters may enter such sacred spaces. The unseen that lies within will destroy you and then us, then all this knowledge and wisdom will be lost to the ages." She nods to the crystalline storage plates.
Dana senses a slight transmutation and abjuration aura that permeates the entire structure but nothing really focused. She realizes it will take a substantial amount of time to search the plates properly.
If one of you understands Terran and spends at least 1 hour sorting through the crystalline plates you can attempt a Knowledge (arcana) check.
Eventually, Arrius uncovers a broad disk entitled Steel Meditations. This treatise presents the ageless koans of an earth elemental mystic, and it functions as a unique spellbook with a special preparation ritual.
Details on the Steel Meditations:
STEEL MEDITATIONS (LEVEL 7 TRANSMUTER)
This large crystalline disk contains countless, minute inscriptions that trace their way through its interior.
Opposition School Air
Value 2,300 gp
SPELLS
4th—elemental body I, stone shape, stoneskin
3rd—gentle repose, protection from energy
2nd—bear’s endurance, glitterdust, shatter, stone call
1st—detect secret doors, endure elements, expeditious excavation, magic weapon, stone fist
PREPARATION RITUAL
Deep Earth Mysteries (Su) Once per day as a swift action, expend this boon’s effect when you cast one of the following spells on yourself to gain a +2 enhancement bonus to your Strength or Constitution score for the duration of the spell (maximum 20 minutes): elemental body I–IV (earth only), stone fist, or stoneskin. You must prepare at least three spells (not including cantrips) from this spellbook in order to use this boon.
Unfortunately, it is not the information you seek, which means it is time to enter the Ruby Tower or go home empty handed.
Go ahead and prep and place your self where you want to be when the doors are opened. After an hour the following spells are still up...
Zeno <mage armor, magic vestment, false life 11>
Xuan Fung <fly 10 feet up>
Ellyjoybell <air walk 5 feet up>
Elbe <freedom of movement>
Go ahead and finish any prep as Fung takes his turn
Elbe swings the doors open once all are ready. A noticeable sonic pressure drop occurs as she does so and the destructive sound waves grow almost deafening.
A two-foot-high triangular dais occupies the center of this octagonal chamber, and shallow grooves ripple outward from the platform. Stacks of red-hued crystalline plates are scattered throughout the room. A thrumming buzz causes minute distortions in the air, and the ruby walls seem to flex and bend slightly from invisible forces.
Two animated, spiny insect legs extend from the floor itself and glide across as if skating on ice. They stop and turn toward you as soon as the doors open.
Round 1 - Bold can act
Gray "Unseen"
Xuan Fung <fly 5 feet up>
Purple Leg
Arrius <force shield>
Zeno <mage armor, magic vestment, false life 11>
Ellyjoybell <air walk 5 feet up>
Elbe <freedom of movement>
Pink Leg
Dana
DC 16 Knowledge Arcana:
The insectoid legs are actually stony animated objects, constructs with hardness and these are integrated into the walls and floors, so they may be difficult to move or "trip".
Map revealed. Again, the dais is difficult terrain to climb up/down.
Almost immediately when the legs extend from the ground, Fung blasts towards the one on his left, circling around it as much as he can (60ft movement). He manifests a swirling whip of cyclonic air and slams it into his target.
Fung will keep himself 5 feet above the height of the leg. It likely has reach anyway, so might not make a difference but trying my luck to keep out of reach.
Fung moves in with purpose and zaps the construct, although its stony exterior absorbs a bit of the blast. Xuan Fung almost immediately feels a sharp pain from behind him from something else in mid-air. Grey circle is probable location
The leg snaps at him too - causing even more pain.
Round 1 - Bold can act
Xuan Fung <fly 15 feet up> -38 damage
Gray "Unseen"
Purple Leg
Arrius <force shield>
Zeno <mage armor, magic vestment, false life 11>
Ellyjoybell <air walk 5 feet up>
Elbe <freedom of movement>
Pink Leg -17 Damage
Dana
DC 26 Dungeoneering:
This is a greater thunder wisp, a variant Will-o’-Wisp with natural invisibility and a sonic damage attack. For every 5 you beat the DC feel free to ask more
Just in case it wasn't clear, forgot to mention that the strike is bludgeoning but think it didn't affect anything. Also for my understanding, Pink wasn't flat-footed and was able to make an AoO?
@Fung Nope, I just forgot to move the correct leg over to you. It was the purple one that attacked on its turn. I adjusted Elbe's move to adjust her attack to the other side. Not sure where Elly would have ended up after her charge on pink? Serves me right for trying to update the game in between two tight work meetings...
LG (she/her) gnome cavalier 6/paladin 3 | HP 81/81 | AC 23/12/21 | Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +11; +2 bonus vs. fear and despair (imm. fear and disease) | Perc +12 (low-light vision) | Stealth -1 | Speed 15/35 on Bobble | Init +4 | LOH 5/day 1d6 | Spell-like abilities (CL 9, concentration +13) (1/day): dancing lights, flare (DC 14), prestidigitation, produce flame | (at will): detect evil
Elly would charge past both pink and purple, attacking whichever one was more injured (Pink I think). It would provoke an attack from whichever one she didn't attack (Purple, I think). I have updated her move. Between Dragon Style and air walk, she doesn't care about the difficult terrain.
Thanks Elly, sorry for the hiccup. I'll bot Zeno tonight if he doesn't chime in. Anyone have a suggestion for the archer other than shooting at the little ball of hate?
Arrius slinks in, hoping to be unnoticed, or at least unhit. Zeno steps over and tries to target the "unseen" creature harassing Fung's flank - but can't quite find it. Elly lines up the charge and crashes through the first leg, snapping it in two, just leaving enough room for the paladin to charge the remaining construct to lesser effect.
Unsure what unseen creature has attacked him, Fung decided practically to still focus on what can be seen, and hope for the best.
He dismisses the whip of air just as he summons a crackling bolt of electricity that he wields in his hand and he brings it down repeatedly on the remaining leg in two quick successions.
vs purple: Air Wysp Aura, Elemental Overflow (Dex & Con)
Burn: Kinetic Whip (+2), Infusion Specialist (-2)
electric blast vs TAC:1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 17electric dmg:4d6 + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 5, 5) + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 25 iterative: electric blast vs TAC:1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 5 = 11electric dmg:4d6 + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 6) + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 23
Wow, well these attacks are against Touch AC but not sure that helps... If needed,
SR check 1:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 SR check 2:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
