Volcano's Land - Beyond the City of Light

Game Master Miner Cotren

Round 5 Results!

Benedetto chooses to save a child over his own life. The unstable ground cracks further as he tosses the boy away one-handed. There is a moment of stomach-dropping weightlessness as he plunges into the mephit magma,

lava damage, saving a child: 20d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 3, 5, 4, 3, 2, 2, 5, 4, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4, 3, 4, 2, 4) = 75

and though Zephyr's telekinesis pulls him out a heartbeat after, the damage has been done. The hot, steaming liquid clings to him, and you all wonder what will be left of your new ally.

fort save vs massive damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

The awful searing assaulting Benedetto from the outside is suddenly matched by a glow from the inside-- the same warmth he felt when he defended the refugees from Light at great danger to himself.

---a piercing cry through the air, flaming wings bright against a black Sky, then gone---

Though still gravely injured, Benedetto seems like a new el. His eyes burn like embers, and his armor is newly emblazoned with a golden phoenix symbol. A certain pride shows in his posture, a certainty he thought long extinguished.

your paladin powers have been restored.

Zeph surveys the field while glying over towards Benedetto

"Fury! In your new form, you should be able to lift the child and fly him to safety while we attend to his savior"

Fury, an alement of not only air and wind but also aether and mind, lifts the child with the loving care of the Father, gently pulling him to safety beneath a telekinetic hammock.

The last mephit slowly steams and dies as snow piles into the pool of lava it has become. All foes have been defeated. Combat Over!

River, even from a brutbreve field away, you hear Gull quietly crying behind the hills. He is scared.

Sacrificing himself hadn't really been a conscious decision this time. Last time, Benedetto had time to think through the fact that staying behind to cover the others' retreat had a pretty good chance of killing him. This time... well, there hadn't been time.

Which didn't really diminish his shock at being alive. The whole screaming agony thing when the ground gave way to lava beneath him had seemed pretty final to him, but instead of the darkness of death, he'd thought he caught a glimpse of something light and pleasantly warm...

Given he wasn't dead, he couldn't just dismiss it as a dying delusion. Especially since, even though the searing pain of the lava was receding, that warmth within him did not.

Shakily, Benedetto gets up from where he'd collapsed after... dragging himself? Jumping and falling flat? He couldn't quite remember through the pain exactly which he'd done. Immediately he checks for the child, and sees him... comfortably floating in the air? Glancing around he sees a sylph flying towards him and hazards a guess they have something to do with that.

"Is the child all right?" he asks.

With nothing to threaten her River does what she truly wants to do and rushes to Gull, intent on holding him close and comforting him. It's important that she does that. She doesn't know why, but she does. So she races up to the top of the hill and scans for Gull, moving immediately once she locates him.

River, Gull clings to you tightly, and you see the delicate metal doll steaming with heat in the snow. Gull has made it a small bed to rest in, but it is melted and misshapen. "I tried- I tried to help." He hiccups, having trouble catching his breath in between sobs.

Benedetto, as Zephyr slowly releases the boy, he stands on his own. He looks at you with wonder in his eyes, and also a curious recognition, though you are sure you have never seen him before. As he approaches, you see bright red, reflective markings around his eyes- wings.

"Sir, I know not who you are, but if you are a knight of the Phoenix, then I am your squire." He goes down on one knee before you.

River, Gull clings to you tightly, and you see the delicate metal doll steaming with heat in the snow. Gull has made it a small bed to rest in, but it is melted and misshapen. "I tried- I tried to help." He hiccups, having trouble catching his breath in between sobs.

"You did. I'm sure." River replies, unable to look at the mis-shapen doll for longer than a moment. Just seeing it makes something twist inside her. "We'll make her better soon. Soon."

The two sit there in the snow, curled around each other as the doll sinks slowly into the melting snow.

Leonardo is left in the snowy wake of River's speed. He takes a few deep breaths, calming his body from channeling the energies of flame and healing that so recently coursed through him.

He does not see Captain Zurlo emerging from the ruins of the last hulking mephit, like a illusionist's trick gone wrong. He does not hear the careful footsteps, timed to his heavy breathing.

Leo only feels a cold, black blade slipped between ribs, straight for his heart. He only has time to gurgle blood before he is on the ground, his world tilting in sudden dizzy blackness.

Zurlo, his lip curled in contempt, shouts across the field at Benedetto, "You may have your blasted honor and your squire, but you will not have your flame! Do you hear me? Do you-" He bends over, coughing blood.

Combat Resumes! Check the Map!

River, you may hear some vague shouting, but you are too focused on Gull to respond behind the snowy hills. Zephyr and Benedetto have certainly noticed.

Let me just look up the extended and extreme range for Foe Throw

I have looked and cannot find Force Choke ;)

Benedetto blinks at boy kneeling before him. "Knight of the Phoenix?" he repeats, his mind still not having caught up with all that's going on.

The sudden shouting from his former captain does not help resolve his confusion. Stabbing an elen from behind who'd shown no signs of corruption by the Dark? That was...

...that wasn't Zurlo, was it? Was it something wearing his face? He didn't know, but whatever it was, he was going to face it with blade in hand.

"That certainly doesn't sound like the Captain I knew," he growls as he warily advances, his sword in a low guard. "What are you really?"

Wiping blood from his chin, 'Zurlo' says, "Look at me and find out, eh?" His face is sweaty and gray, marked by some madness behind the eyes. He barks out a blood-flecked cough that carries some tortured syllable of power-

Zeph and 'Detto, BEFORE you take your turn, please roll a Will save DC 16 or be "Very Confused". Roll a 1d4. 1 = attack self; 2 = attack your ally (Zeph or Detto, vice versa) ; 3 = do nothing ; 4 = start digging frantically in the snow. Save = no effect

WILL: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

You save! And please let me know if you are doing Foe Throw, and what the details of the save are and what the exact effect is. The more details for your DM, the better :)

You save! And please let me know if you are doing Foe Throw, and what the details of the save are and what the exact effect is. The more details for your DM, the better :)

Did some valuable reading re Infusions; I had recalled that there were 2 types but not really the mechanics. Foe Throw is a FORM infusion, as are Zeph's range extension infusions. That said, in order to use Foe Throw, Zephyr will need to be within 30' of the actual foe he wishes to throw. GM, lmk please?

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Uh-oh Confusion: 1d4 ⇒ 2

With an enemy that can take the shape of friends, Benedetto can't trust anyone. The sylph... they have that mad look in their eyes. He grabs his bow and fires a shot.

Longbow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"You did. I'm sure." River replies, unable to look at the mis-shapen doll for longer than a moment. Just seeing it makes something twist inside her. "We'll make her better soon. Soon."

The two sit, curled around each other, as the doll sinks slowly into the melting snow.

Gull reaches over and plucks the doll from its cold, watery tomb before it sinks too deep. "No." At first you think he is denying the doll can ever be fixed, but he looks you in the eyes (a rarity for the shy boy), and says. "We'll fix her now."

He strokes the doll's blobbed, ruined hair lovingly, and speaks rapidly in his strange language, too fast to follow even if you understood the words.

spell??: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5, 3) + 3 = 14

River, you are healed for 14 hitpoints as the doll is slowly repaired

you are within 30 ft, yes.

When using powers with many moving parts, please put the details in a spoiler so I know everything that is happening (including the Burn cost, and add the nonlethal damage to your "Condition" tagline), including the type of save and DC, and what effect happens when they save / fail. I can't look this stuff up myself every time.

you have taken 6 damage from the bow (24 / 50 HP), and I belive you have taken 18 nonlethal damage from the Burn.

fort DC for lvl 3 infusion, dex mod +2 = 15

fort save!: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 3 = 26

I don't see your blast attack bonus in your profile - please add that too. He is basically going to stand and take it, so I will roll damage.

telekinetic blast!: 5d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 1, 1) + 10 = 28

'Zurlo' laughs heartily as Zephyr is hit by Benedetto's arrow. The laughter turns to an angry grunt as the blast of telekinetic energy rips into him. Though he stands his ground, his skin is torn, revealing a different face beneath Zurlo. A gray, pocked face, grinning a smug grin.

Zeph would recognize Inquisitor Ky La, but the rest of you would not.

Next Round!

With a hideous half-smile showing through his torn mask of skin, Inquisitor Ky La says, "Surely you can do 'better' than that, noble warrior?"

Benedetto, start your round with another Will Save, this time only DC 15. Succeess = free of the confusion, otherwise attack Zephyr TWICE with the bow.

Next Round!

With a hideous half-smile showing through his torn mask of skin, Inquisitor Ky La says, "Surely you can do 'better' than that, noble warrior?"

Benedetto, start your round with another Will Save, this time only DC 15. Succeess = free of the confusion, otherwise attack Zephyr TWICE with the bow.

"Noble warrior MUST mean the Knight of the Pheonix, right? One more failure for you. Wouldn't it be better for you to simply die? I can fly up far beyond his bow range, far beyond your feeble magic tricks, and still pelt you with aether! The Sun is returning little priest, you should crawl back to the hole you came out of."

Not sure if that should assist with Ben's WILL roll, or Intimidate Kylo Ren, or both

It helps if I remember that regaining his paladin powers actually raises his saves... that should have been just barely a success, but oh well.

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Benedetto feels a warmth in his mind, and it's as if his vision clears. Right... he knew these powers. He should heal himself first. Summoning the warmth to himself, he feels some of his burns fade.

Lay on hands: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5) = 14

Then he switches back to his blade.

"Far better, yes," he states as he charges towards the half-faced elen, rapier-point first.

Rapier stab: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 6 = 12

Ky La smile twists to a snarl. The wound --courtesy of a newly dubbed Knight -- obviously pains him, and a glimmer and fear and anger plays around his features for a moment.

He takes a small side-step away from Benedetto's waiting blade. Spare a glance up at Zephyr, he says, "And you, filthy crow - are you watching the skies?"

Mouth quivering grotesquely as he shouts a few backwards-sounding syllables, "גֶשֶׁם"

Freezing silver rain falls in sudden sheets around the inquisitor, drenching Benedetto and dousing Zephyr. It robs you of both warmth and joy.

20 damage coming your way, players. Will save DC 15 for half damage. Zeph will roll twice (advantage) since he is right at the edge of the effect.

Zephyr will save, adv: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Zephyr will save, adv: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

'Detto will save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Next Round!

River, before you have time to question Gull about his actions, says, "They need you. I'll be ok."

You wonder what he means, when the sound of battle and pain reaches your ears. Another fight?

River, with your crazy speed, I would allow a DC 25 acrobatics check to make a charge action, flipping off the snow hill to gain even more speed (which would let you reach Ky La in 1 round and do 1 attack against him at +4 to hit and +4 damage

As Zephyr plummets from the sky under the assault of mecurial needles, Fury is there to slow his fall. The sight is an odd one, like out of the old Fey tales - a glorious prophet shot down, but the air itself refuses to allow harm to come to him.

Drook, inspired by Benedetto rushing toward danger, quickly approaches the wounded Zephyr. Unconsciously imitating his new master, he lays his hands on Zephyr, and prays for something to happen.

Lay on Hands: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) = 10
only 1 use per day currently, for Drook

Zeph, welcome back to consciousness! You are at 24/60 with 18 nonlethal damage.

Acro: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

River waits just long enough for Gull to nod once more and then scampers away up the hill. It only takes a fraction of a second to pick out her target and River leaps, soaring through the sky as lightly as a snow flake before she plummets towards the laughing figure!

Charge Like A Snowflake: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 4 = 22
Hit Like One Too!: 1d6 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) - 1 + 4 = 9

Her landing sends a burst of snow into the air and by the time it settles River is waiting in front of the Inquisitor with a cold look on her face.

"Don't stab people who help me."

Benedetto sidesteps as he notes River charging in, aiming to split the half-faced elen's attention in two directions. Trying to 5-foot step into flanking if possible.

"Surrender!" he barks, even as he again calls upon his own healing powers while his rapier darts in and out as he sees opportunities to strike.

Rapier: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 +2 if flanking
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 6 = 12 Sneak attack damage if flanking: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) = 11

Rapier: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 +2 if flanking
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 6 = 15 Sneak attack damage if flanking: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1) = 8

Lay on hands: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) = 13

River's timely intervention gives Benedetto just the distraction he needs; with precision and strength, he stabs one-twice lightning quick, lungs and heart. Inquisitor Ky La's laughter bubbles blood as he falls to his knees, then collapses, unmoving.

this is a trick I often use when I DM for my students-- let's see if we ratchet up the tension or let you off easy
doom die; 1 is VERY bad, 2-4 is bad: 1d12 ⇒ 9

Leonardo's body steams in the snow as his flames slowly flicker and die. There is ugly black corruption around the black-dagger wound, but nothing further seems to be happening.

Combat Over!

The delicate-featured sylph, Anan, rushes to his master Zephyr. The disciple is out of breath, tears running down his "My Emir, no! Tell me you still remain with us!" He kneels in the snow, heedless of his robes soaking in the snow. He cradles Zephyr's head as he regains consciousness.

Benedetto holds a moment, watching the fallen maybe-elen for signs of movement, then sheathes his blade and runs over to Leonardo. He checks the elen for a pulse while calling out to the other elens, "We'll need to do introductions, but for now, does the sylph live? I've healing still if... well, if Leonardo here can't use it any more."

Leonardo is dead, and his skin is flaking away into black ash, like his body was only held together by the pulsing heat of his soul.

As skin and bone all fade to wind-blown ash, one thing remains of the snuffed flame of Leonardo : a black egg, roughly the size of a newborn, ridged and whorled in complex patterns.

"Just when I thought it couldn't get any stranger..." Benedetto mutters to himself.

He considers the egg for a moment. Would it be safe in a backpack? Well, for the moment he can put off the decision, since someone else is alive and needs help.

He stands and jogs over to the fallen sylph. "Here, let me see him," he says gently to the other sylph.

Benedetto reaches out a hand and again channels healing warmth.

Lay on hands: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) = 12

He looks over to the young elen that had called himself his squire. "I'm Benedetto. ...how did you know about me?"

The boy says, "The spirit of a phoenix visited us on the night of Moon - when that awful grin was traveling across the sky, toward Hearth.  He told me to look for his Sign.  And I have found you.  My name is Drook, sir."  He clears his throat, slightly embarrassed by the formality of his words.  In a more timid voice, he says, "Will you accept me as your squire?" 

**

The delicate sylph looks at 'Detto with gratitude in his eyes for a moment, but his attention is centered on his prince. "You will be alright, Emir. You must be alright." Two small tears run down his cheeks.

And the small sylph boy, dark circles under his eyes, simply stares at the scene before him.

Finally, a hearty male ifrit, alchemy equipment strapped all about him, puffs up beside the boy. "Hey Gull, you ok? Who are all these people?"

**

The delicate sylph looks at 'Detto with gratitude in his eyes for a moment, but his attention is centered on his prince. "You will be alright, Emir. You must be alright." Two small tears run down his cheeks.

"I am absolutely 'alright' Young Keeper, your faith is strong, yet I am healed not solely by the faith YOU keep it would seem. A great deal happened as I was knocked from the air. It seems I should extend a hand to Drook's Knight. Help me up?"

Zephyr's eyes glow for just a moment, and he looks superficially "refreshed" if a little worse for the wear internally.

"Drook, it would seem that I have been saved by The Pheonix. Would you be so kind as to introduce me to your Knight?"

Drook bows with an awkward flourish. "This is Sir Benedetto of the Phoenix, slayer of foul inquisitors!"

Benedetto takes Zephyr's hand and helps him to his feet. "And I should thank you for the assistance in the fight. It seems that we have to keep watch for madness most everywhere now."

He looks over to Drook. "Of course I'll take you as my squire. After all that's just happened... well, I think it would be foolish of me not to."

The ifrit looks over the assembled elen and sighs. "It seems we could all use some patching up, and I'm afraid I'm rather... rusty with healing magic. If everyone gathers around I can do at least a little more, though."

He waits for everyone to gather and channels the healing warmth he'd so recently gained.

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) = 8

Benedetto and River both feel a mild but distinct breeze ruffling their hair. Looking toward the disturbance, you both see the outline of a small air elemental hovering above you. From the smile on Zephyr's face, it is apparent that this is a companion of the sylph mystic.

Many of you are hurt, cold, and tired. Do you wish to rest for the night after you travel an hour or two away from this inquisitor-infested location?

Many of you are hurt, cold, and tired. Do you wish to rest for the night after you travel an hour or two away from this inquisitor-infested location?

Yes, we absolutely do

River shivers when Benedetto uses his strange magic and doesn't seem keen to repeat the experience even though some of her wounds close.

"Thank you." She does say and then glides off across the snow back to Gull. Seeing a large elan speaking to him she approaches on quiet feet.

"Hello." She says simply, offering a hand. "I am River. Who are you?"

No opinion on resting. ;)

if Zeph wants to rest and 'Detto is running low of Lay on Hands, I say we rest

River, the tall ifrit with broad shoulders grins and returns your handshake. In a thick Hearth accent, he says, "I'm Gamberino, sì? Or call me Gamb." As Gull scampers over to you, he raises a brow in surprise. "Hey, he likes you! I've never seen him take to someone so quickly!"

Sobering a moment later, he says, "So are you fleeing from all this Moon merda too? Seems like the world is upside-down, eh? I feel like I'll fall into the sky any second."

Zeph, your disciple Anan prepares your food and bedding, talking all the while of the miracles of a holy Prince such as yourself living amongst those of flesh and blood.

Benedetto, Drook tries to follow Anan's example, obviously eager to please you. You soon realize, however, the older boy knows little of doing such things on his own; you imagine he's always been directed to fetch firewood or some other simple tasks in the past. He tries his best, and there is enough overcooked pasta for the entire group and more.