[OutPost V] GM Eclipse's The Citadel of Flame (Inactive)

Game Master Agent Eclipse

Òxọ́lé heads up the stairs, blade drawn.

The group heads up the stairs cautiously.

The staircase opens onto a grand hall of polished obsidian and red marble. The walls are decorated with reliefs of a gleaming brass city, a massive sandstorm scouring a desert, and a horde of fire elementals descending on a city full of terrified humans. Rivers of slowly bubbling lava crisscross the floor, all streaming out of an elaborate altar at the far side of the room. Atop the altar sits a squat golden idol, 3 feet tall, of a bull-headed man, its arms raised and its hands holding a large thorned sword and a huge battleaxe. The idol’s eyes glow a deep crimson. Lava flows impossibly fast out of the bull-headed idol’s open mouth and down its torso, fanning out from there into rivers on the floor. Behind the altar, an obsidian relief of geometric forms stretches from floor to ceiling. Smoky forms flit across the relief ’s surface, their fiery eyes staring out at the room.

The cult’s leader and self-appointed prophet, Hafshi Al-Moloch, toils away in the Lava Temple to keep open a portal to Malebolge.

On the next level, the group is able to mostly spill into the room before noticed, but due to squeezing and the lava coursing through the floor it is a tight fit before spreading out.

Thanks to their reflexes and their warning from the dwarf below, they are all able to move first.
---

Encounter Round 1: Bold may act.

Boomy
Tabar
Carlin
Claremguard
Papa
Katswiri

Hafshi

Claremguard attempts to spring across the lava.
Acrobatics w/enlarge: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 - 2 = 5
I assume it is a DC 5 to cross as it appears the lava is less than 5 feet across?

He then swings his blade at the self-appointed prophet.

Melee (longsword) w/enlarge: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11
I assume that won't hit.

Tabar rides forward on his riding dog that jumps across the lava.

The riding dog easily jumps across the lava flows so that Tabar can reach the woman.

jump : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Free action to ride. Double move for riding dog. Still have 4 mirror images.

"Let us see how this crazy woman likes the blade that I little guy can dish out with my Rapier!!" the small ratfolk says.

Tabar attacks from the right side!

Free action to ride and riding dog moves.

Primary attack +1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Magic damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

crit?? : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
crit damage : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

~

He also prepares for an attack with a parry…

+1 Adamantine Rapier Parry, 1 AoO and 1 panache spent : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

… and riposte.

Riposte, Immediate action, +1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Riposte damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Rapier +12 (18-20/×2) To hit: Size +1, BAB +4, Weapon Focus +1, Finesse +5, Enhancement +1 / Damage: +5 from Dex via ‚Fencing Grace‘, Enhancement +1, + 2 Haunt Collector Champion Seance Boon

Carlin sends a pair of glowing rays at the cultist.

SR: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

touch1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 124d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 3) + 4 + 1 = 14
touch2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 104d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 1) + 4 + 1 = 18

totally forgot i have theHavoc of the society trait...changes the damage to force..the extra damage is +4 from bloodline and the +1 from the HOtS trait

of course i roll a 1 for SR..hope there isn't any...

I'm pretty sure that the Havoc trait adds 1 point of force damage to your damaging spells, rather than turning them all into Force spells.

Boomy leaps over the lava on springy roots, rushing to confront the cult leader. The angry spirits of the Mana Waste accompany him.

Acrobatics 10 (12 with rage up) means auto-passing any Jump checks needed to get over the lava.

"WE'LL PUT A STOP TO THIS!"

Boom Sticks thrusts with the pointy end of his long hammer.

raging lucerne hammer: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Òxọ́lé casts lead blades on his sword and starts moving toward the enemy.

Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Katswiri eyes the rivulets of lava warily, remembering the time she tripped and fell into a similar sized stream of water. She chooses to stay on the far side, gesturing as a boom of sound blasts into Hafshi from the side.

Cast Sound Burst
Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Sonic Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5
DC 15 Fort Save or be stunned 1 round.

Centering the 10 foot burst at the back left corner two squares away so it just hits Hafshi.

The group closes in but the cultist deftly dodges the first swing of a longsword but doesn't have the balance to avoid the quick rapier of Tabar. However, the pain wakes her back up in time as two rays of energy pass close by.

The booming sound causes her to wince in pain but she keeps her wits as she prepares to retaliate.

---

Hafshi is sweating but not from the heat, she steps back away from the group and casts a spell to defend herself.

She takes the time to avoid the enlarged Claremguard and a wall of fire erupts around Hafshi. THe flames are so thick that vision of Hafshi is blocked and the entire room is filled with even more immense heat. Tendrils of fire reach out the those on the other side.

Fire Damage Boomy: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Fire Damage Tabar: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
Fire Damage Claremguard: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Fire Damage Papa: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
Please let me know if there are any resistances and I will update.

The others further back feel the heat lapping at their face but aren't burning yet.

---

Encounter Round 2: Bold may act.

Boomy
Tabar
Carlin
Claremguard
Papa
Katswiri

Hafshi (-17)

Current Effects:
Wall of fire, blocking line of sight to Hafshi.

I don't think most of us are taking fire damage now. If this is not true, Òxọ́lé will not do this.

Magically protected from fire, Òxọ́lé laughs, moves toward Hafshi and takes a swing at her.

Mithral Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Slashing Damage, Lead Blades: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 = 11

Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Critical Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 3 = 10

That is correct, thanks for the reminder! Poor evil boss has no idea the amount of hurt she is in for.

Protection from Fire-Tracker 24/60.

Tabar rides forward on his riding dog and penetrates the wall of fire.

Still have 4 mirror images.

"Thanks for the fire protection!!! So good!!!!!" the small ratfolk says to Katswiri.

Tabar attacks from the right side!

Primary attack +1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Magic damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

~

He also prepares for an attack with a parry…

+1 Adamantine Rapier Parry, 1 AoO and 1 panache spent : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

… and riposte.

Riposte, Immediate action, +1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Riposte damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Rapier +12 (18-20/×2) To hit: Size +1, BAB +4, Weapon Focus +1, Finesse +5, Enhancement +1 / Damage: +5 from Dex via ‚Fencing Grace‘, Enhancement +1, + 2 Haunt Collector Champion Seance Boon

I believe we still have communal protection from fire.

The enlarged Claremguard brings his sword down on Hafshi. "By the will of Iomedae, the flames of your evil will be snuffed, Wicked One! And any smoldering embers shall be scattered to the winds!"

Melee (longsword) w/enlarge: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27
Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
Add Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

As Papa and Tabar stride into the flames, they feel the heat pressing down.

Fire Damage Papa: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 = 10 Absorbed.
Fire Damage Tabar: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8 Absorbed.

Undeterred by the flames, Òxọ́lé, peers through the curtain and digs his blade deep into the cultist leader. Tabar attempts to follow suit but sweat on his brow misaligns his thrust.

Claremguard uses his extra stature to sweep his weapon through the curtain of flame.

Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 89

And thanks to the size it finds purchase in the arm of his foe.

---

Encounter Round 2: Bold may act.

Boomy
Tabar
Carlin
Claremguard
Papa
Katswiri

Hafshi (-49)

Current Effects:
Wall of fire, blocking line of sight to Hafshi.
Communal Protection from Fire: 43/60

"Now now, no more of that."

Katswiri begins to gesture, gathering power for a spell.

Begin casting Silence. With a 1 round cast time, it will go off right before Katswiri's next turn. I drew the silence area; no spells with verbal components will be able to cast in there or sonic abilities.

Also GM, Communal Protection from Fire blocks 84 damage per person; it was a 4th level spell, so Katswiri had to get it at Caster Level 7 (which is why she needed a caster level check to cast it). It only wears off for a subject when that subject takes the full fire damage.

Ah sorry, it is my first time seeing the spell in action and didn't double check the communal changes! Thanks for the info. I will do an update after the others go.

Boomy springs over the lava streams to the other end of the hall, turns and thrusts his hammer through the fire...

raging hammer: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 16

"HEY, IS THERE ROOM FOR A LESHY OVER THERE?"

The flames swirl around the approaching leshy but harmlessly bounce off. His hammer pierces through the wall of flames but strike only air.

---

Encounter Round 2: Bold may act.

Boomy
Tabar
Carlin
Claremguard
Papa
Katswiri

Hafshi (-49)

Current Effects:
Wall of fire, blocking line of sight to Hafshi.
Communal Protection from Fire

is it an aceobatics roll to get across? stupid wall

Sorry, my health has been failing and the weekend I was down for the count. One could carefully step through the room over lava but the wall is thick enough that crossing it in any manner will burn you. Luckily the group is all but fireproof for now.

no worries man..look after yourself...the game can wait...is there any way carlin can get next to Hafshi this round with LOS? then I can blast her...

I would definitely say you can feel your way in especially since you have a good feeling of where she was before, as long as you can move enough. It looks like it would take 35 feet with a single move.

Carlin moves into the flames to further surround the cultist leader, bracing for the heat of the flames.

---

Hafshi struggles to think of her next move as the group closes in, she lashes out with her whip attempting to flatten her foes before swinging the mace in her other hand.

Whip vs Carlin: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Free Trip Attempt: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Attacking the newcomer first, the whip wraps around Carlin's leg and drags her to the ground.

Whip vs Papa: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Papa Oxole anticipates the strike and ducks back into the flames.

Mace: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

With one foe on the ground, she attempts to smash Carlin again to get keep her down.

---

Encounter Round 3: Bold may act.

Boomy
Tabar
Carlin (-10)
Claremguard
Papa
Katswiri

Hafshi (-49)

Current Effects:
Wall of fire, blocking line of sight to Hafshi.
Communal Protection from Fire

"This isn't going to go well for you," Òxọ́lé says flatly. "If you don't want your story to end here, you should give up." Assuming she doesn't, he takes another swing at her.

Mithral Longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Slashing Damage, Lead Blades: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 6) + 3 = 15

Can't take my folio reroll with me, so may as well try again.

Mithral Longsword, Reroll, 3 Stars: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 3 = 21

"Why do the flames not consume you! I could never turn away from Moloch...is this a test?!" she calls back, narrowly dodging the sword.

Anyone got a retroactive bardsong to spare? ;)

The horned tiefling grins and responds, "I do look like the sort of person who would truly be on Moloch's side, don't I?"

Never mind that my normal resistance is cold...

Claremguard against brings his blade to bear.

Melee (longsword) w/enlarge: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
Damage (S): 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

Silence falls across the battlefield, cutting off verbal casting as Katswiri finishes her spell. Seeing Carlin sprawling in the wall of flame, Katswiri hurries forward, taking care to step over the lava flows.

Finish Silence, Double Move

Tabar attacks from the right side!

Primary attack +1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Magic damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

~

He also prepares for an attack with a parry…

+1 Adamantine Rapier Parry, 1 AoO and 1 panache spent : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

… and riposte.

Riposte, Immediate action, +1 Adamantine Rapier: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Riposte damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Rapier +12 (18-20/×2) To hit: Size +1, BAB +4, Weapon Focus +1, Finesse +5, Enhancement +1 / Damage: +5 from Dex via ‚Fencing Grace‘, Enhancement +1, + 2 Haunt Collector Champion Seance Boon

I did not factor flanking into my attack roll, so maybe "Moloch" guided my hand at the last moment into a successful strike?

In such cramped quarters, even the little leshy can't find room to get alongside the enemy. So Boomy thrusts his pointy hammer through the fire again, and hopes for the best.

raging hammer vs Hafshi, cover: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 4 = 12damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 67

Let's try a GM reroll - may as well!

raging hammer, GM reroll: 1d20 + 10 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 4 + 2 = 21

The flames do not consume be because I embrace them..as a daughter of Sarenrae, you pathetic idiot!

i assume the others finish her off..if not i can cast MM...

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

She fights against the suffocating pressure of the silence spell and jerks away from hammer and blade, but only for a short moment before Carlin sends a barrage of missiles colliding with the cultist's jaws. She falls limp over the dais where the idol sits, a small portal into a fiery realm swirling at its center.

A MM is enough to put her out of her misery.

As the clamor of battle fades away, and in a few moments the wall of fire itself turns to a shower of sparks before disappearing completely, the group can focus again on their goal of the idol.

Combat Over.

huh...thought i posted the ither day...will post later...

Carlin lets out a breath after Hafshi drops.

Good riddance... she says as she gets up and dusts herself off. She takes a moment and concentrates to heal her wounds.

cast celestial healing...

Now...about this idol... she says as she scans for any magical auras or traps.

detect magic

Tabar sighs.

“Wow! That protection against the flames was a life saver!!!“ the little ratfolk says.

He starts searching the area and also asks the others to detect magic.

perception : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

After Carlin makes sure the idol is safe, Òxọ́lé will examine it.

1d20 ⇒ 8 +12 Planes, +10 Arcana/Geography/Nature

As the Silence spell and the fires die out, Boomy recovers from the brief battle.

"Phew! Well done, Katswiri! That protection spell really paid off!"

The little leshy examines the idol with curiosity.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"I don't know much about magic, sorry. I sprouted in the Mana Wastes. It's not really in my nature."

Claremguard eyes the idol warily, but knows he has little he can do to address its evil beyond destroying it.

Seeing Carlin hurt, the enlarged knight offers to petition the goddess for healing on her behalf.
Lay on of hands: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Lay on of hands: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"Well, this is the idol we're supposed to bring back. We should probably see if we can close that gate, though. Hm...let me see if I can See how to close this."

Katswiri will enter a brief trance to use her Focused Trance ability to try and see what she can tell about the portal.

Rounds of Trance: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Knowledge: Planes, Focused Trance: 1d20 + 12 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 20 = 49

How large is the idol?

The idol smolders with energy and an active portal to the domain of Moloch. Katswiri can feel the connection could be shattered simply by removing it from the ornate pedestal, meaning that two members could fairly easily carry it back.

This concludes the scenario.

Back in Absalom, the chroniclers and sages both are waiting for your arrival. They open with a barrage of questions as they quickly place it in a room for observation.

Your Venture-captain lets you know it was a successful mission.

"Messengers were hot on your heels, stating that the sandstorms have already started to slow down after you removed the idol. The citadel has fallen silent and empty again. Thank you for your hard work."

Glad we could help. and I don't think the zealots will be much more of a problem in that area...Moloch's presence has been all but eradicated there. Carlin says as the sages pore over the relic.

Well done all...it was a pleasure going on a mission with you. If you need me, just send a messenger to my place in mother's house in Katheer...or through the Society. I have some studying to do... she says with a bow and a smile before she takes her leave.

gg guys....

Tabar is proud.

“We were great!! The big ones and the small ones among us!!“ the ratfolk says and waves goodbye.

"Happy to be of assistance," Òxọ́lé tells the Venture-Captain as he organizes his notes on the adventure. He then turns to his companions. "I hope to share another tale with you all."

"Though the evil has been vanquished, know that should another arise, that I, my blade, and the righteousness of the goddess shall be ready to answer the call," Claremguard declares.

"We got the bad guys!" Boomy declares with a woody grin.

"BOOM!"

"Excellent work everyone! I'm proud to have gone on this mission with all of you." Katswiri declares, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose with a smile.