Zhang then clicked his tongue
"What did you think was going to come out of it? Candy?! - He berated the ferocious beast who once again launched to attack the grappled elemental.
Satisfied with it's work, Shere Khan jumps away from the Elemental
Feeling the trembling of the floor on his four paws, he grunts to Zhang
Watch out old corpse, I can feel something through the floor
"Ah, splendid! As another artist created by the Great Ones I must also work hard on my craft as well!"
The ghostly lady pulled out a piece of parchment and began writting on it with a quill, reciting the haiku as she wrote it.
As a warrior poet, she was created with the mentality of both artist and warrior, there was only problem....
"Crimson bloody day
For a fast, dread hot slash
After the fire"
She had been created by Galahad, who had almost no artistic talent himself. And the warrior poet class focused much more on the "warrior" part rather than the "poet", so aside from her graceful movement, she couldn't inspire not even nearly as much as the bard Arthur.
Cao Guojiu shook his head, since she was created like this by a Great One himself then asking her to stop would be unthinkable, yet he felt he was taking psychic damage just hearing it.
"Y-you should keep working towards it..." - He tapped her in the back
He Xiangu then turned to him, radiant
"That's right! I'll use this fight as an opportunity to work on my skills as both a warrior and poet! So I can please Galahad-sama the Great Ones!" - She smiled, Cao Guojiu was immediately filled with regret over what he said.
She nods and adds being a bit critical of herself, "Oh right, 'we' won't be having many meals together. Oh and I was never apart of the research teams. I just focused on general studies. Once I graduated I specialized in water magic, mostly conjuration and the elemental applications. Then went into the blue division."
Round 3
Vs. Zhang
vs. Shere Khan
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take 1d6 fire damage.
One of the Elementals gets Zhang out of guard and manages to get a lucky hit in
"Humpf! You mongrels! Think this is enough to stop me? A creation of the Great Ones?!"
He then strikes again at the same Elemental he was hitting since the start with the frost spell once again
And does a second normal attack with the penalty from the Magus dual wield
Shere Khan sees the worn down elemental trying to flee and shouts while striking at it
"You're not getting away so easily!"
Myriana found the additional information interesting as Iris spoke more of the divisions and adventuring and asked, "So I'm guessing fire mages are red division, earth mages are brown, wind is grey, nya? What other divisions are there nya? OH," she added quickly, "and how do they view non-human students nya?"
Meanwhile Zhang takes down the other elemental with two slices from his katana.
Myriana and Galahad have reached the granite boulder that they heard about and the base of the tower of magic. You can see the academy has stairs you could take right into the building.
She thinks upon it and relays, "Yes mostly. Reds focuses on fire and destruction. Blue focuses on water and healing. Green is actually earth mages as yellow is wind. Brown robes are focused on knowledge. Most nationalities and races are welcome to the academy, though a vampire and a ghost are likely hard nos. You could apply and if being honest and reveal your nature they may listen."
Galahad looked at Myriana as she questioned the prejudice against undead students and raised an eyebrow
"Thinking of pursuing an academic endeavor, Myriana?" - He asked
"Though I must say I'd also like to meet such brown robes..." - He said, as a divine caster his power over elemental magic was rather limited, he wondered if he could make any strides with that on this world, but regardless there might be something in the brown robe's research that could be of use to him, damn, he might even be able to actually contribute with something to them instead.
"Damnit!" - It's made worse when he wears Zhang laugh at the tiger's clumsy attempt to attack the fleeing elemental
Annoyed, the great half dragon takes a leap and a deep breath before exhaling a cloud of dark miasma from it's mouth
"That's one for me and zero for you! Do try to keep up with this old man, hahaha! - He provoked Shere Khan as he watched the elemental escaping.
As Shere Khan releases the deadly miasma of negative energy, Zhang breathes in blisfully, as an undead the cloud did nothing but give him a pleasant feeling, what he would describe as being wrapped in a gentle breeze.
"Now that's more like it! - He declares as he strikes the next Elemental closest to him
|
DC 20 +5
Now we are going to need a map.
Blue failed and takes... 25 damage.
Red green, and yellow saved and take 12 damage.
They all get an AoO on Shere Khan
Green gets a 1... Shere Khan would get an AoO and if Zhang is close enough...nope.
They continue the fruitless battle:
vs. Zhang
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
vs. Shere Khan
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
plus burn, Reflex DC 14 or take fire damage.
"You will get your fill of them very soon," she states as they approach the large vaulted doorways that do not appear to have doors. You can see there is much business around as many light colored tabards move about the main room of the academy entrance. A dark brown robed figure walks up to the three of you and curtly states, "What is your business?"
Galahad graciously greets the man
"Greetings, me and my friends were directed to this great place by one of the brown robes. We were told there were books in this place regarding the history of this city and the magic that is taught in this institution. I am a Pilgrim on a sacred journey of knowledge, my order is from a secluded sect far from this country and I was sent to record as much magical and historical knowledge as I can. If you could direct us to where we may find instructions on the subject or perhaps even someone who could instruct us themselves we'd be very grateful"
The elementals attempt to strike at the half dragon beast as he breathes the deadly miasma, only to miss entirely, one of them swinging way too open and the predator notices it
"Got you!" - He says, going for an attack of his own
The Elementals once again close in for another round of attacks at the duo, but their swings either miss or are deflected entirely by Shere Khan's sturdy body.
"Let's play some more!" - He says, striking at the same Elemental he attacked before
The undead mage skillfully dodges the attacks of the Elementals before striking at them with his sword
"You filthy pieces of charred cobblestone!"
Myriana wasn't so sure that being around a bunch of information specialist mages was the smartest thing she could be doing but she figured that they wouldn't likely care to look too deeply into her if she didn't give them cause to. When they were asked why they had come to the academy and Gala'had answered Myriana nodded and said, "Yep! I am interested in the same subjects nya."
"What about a small warehouse? Is that possible?" he says when he speaks once more.
"That was...positively Vogon." So'ren says, trying her best to make her inflection sound like that was a positive thing.
Deception
"Sounds like there are some up ahead. Be Prepared."
Breaking Dawn, eager for a fight, surges forward to meet the enemy. Peoni and Saffron hold back to "protect" their mistress, who honestly doesn't need it. They arrive to see Breaking Dawn taking the stranger's inspiration to heart stomping on the elementals. Perhaps too eager, as the agile pegasus has already been hit once by the time they arrive.
So'ren and her bodyguards move into the fray proper, the bodyguards taking up a defensive stance and using every opportunity to use their accelerated mythic status to double up their attacks and keep slaying the elementals who dare approach their mistress. Meanwhile, So'ren uses her whip's reach to punish those farther away. Her whip moves with such grace and precision it is hard for the eye to follow.
The middle aged man with a scruffy black beard in the brown robes takes a moment to breathe and calmly replies, ¨Please excuse my bluntness, we have had tourists just wandering around. Sure the academy is open to the public but they just get in the way.
I have a little more than an hour, come this way I will put you in a private room and bring you some books on the history of this city and the magic that is taught in this institution. As he leads you to the room he stops several students and quietly gives them instructions about what books to bring.
As he settles you into the small room dominated by a large table surrounded by chairs with cushions on them, he asks, ¨Is there anything else that you need?¨
Myriana bounced and clapped once in delight, "Nya," as she leaned in and glomphed the man with a hug. She let him go quickly and followed along as they were led to a private room. She heard him talking to the students and giving them some instructions and was quite excited to see what they would bring.
The red magma elemental was not putting out any more fire and darkened. It retreats from battle leaving the others to finish this fight.
The three of them aim their slams at the tiger.
none hit.
Several more forays and you destroy elementals for several minutes before it becomes much harder...
Here the molten lava is the cool spots as it seems a volcano has made its home in the large ´What used to be a pool.´ Magma exudes from the tunnels below showing there is not much stop to it. You see several huge elementals move towards you.
"Yes," he says, his voice like honey, as he brings his eyes to lock on the mage's. "that will do nicely. Now, for insurance." Desseer gestures toward John, "If anything happens to me, he will kill you. If anyone finds out about me, or the warehouse, he will kill you. And this is all under the assumption that I will be unable to do anything." Desseer then levels a sharply nailed finger at the mage, "Because, if you try something, and I'm still around...only old age will cease my punishments upon you.."
The modest bedroom was dark. The only light to be seen was that which snuck into the room from the gap underneath the door. The only furniture was a simple bed. It would seem that no one occupied this room save a faint, twisted giggle every so often.
During the rampage of the magma elementals, one elemental saw a wooden door it seemed to have taken particular offense to. It bashed the door several times before the door gave way. As the light from outside the room and from the elemental itself poured into the room, a lone small figure could be seen on the far side. The light glinted off of three things in particular. Two kukri, and a set of sharp white teeth.
The figure responded to the intruder with a giggle, "You're not master Arnalc...so you must be a toy.."
The small figure holds up his kuri with a demented smile causing an unnatural fear in the elemental. But, before it can flee, the small creature is no longer where it was but blocking the elemental's exit.
In an act of self preservation, the elemental lashes out at the goblin-like creature with its limbs. One of the limbs connects solidly. Despite the solid hit, the creature seems unfazed except for a minor bruise. Then, to the elemental's horror, the bruise seems to heal.
"This will be fun," the creature says in its creepy, weasely voice right before it slashes out with its kukri, causing significant wounds to the elemental.
The elemental lashes out with attacks again. Another solid hit. Another minor bruise that heals.
The elemental knows the fate that will befall it soon and it knows it can do nothing about it...it also knows that this creature is enjoying every second..
Zhang and Shere Khan blast away the Elementals one by one untill the beast starts to breath harder, if Zhang wasn't undead he'd likely have started to feel tired by now
"It doesn't matter how many of you are there! We'll destroy you all!"
"What the old man said!" - Shere khan shouted
The ghostly lady beams with happiness at So'rens words
"Thank you so much So'ren-sama! This servant will do her best to honour her skills for the Great Ones!" - She says, oblivious to both So'rens true thoughts and Guojiu facepalming right behind her.
When her leader jumps into the fray, He Xiangu swings her spectral sword, slaying the elementals by Guojiu's side whislt both used their bodies as shields.
Once they reached the lair of the larger Elementals, she hissed
"This must be they place they came from!"
Galahad thanks the man, realizing he has no ill intent and nods
"Since you so graciously asked... I was told that this nation and it's leaders have quite a story with the undead, my temple used to deal with them as well. I do understand that this is an organization aimed towards the arcane arts so there might be little about the divine, but if there is any information about groups that created undead or were allied with the undead or if you could give us any information regarding how to contact people or organizations that fight against the undead we'd be very grateful, I believe we'd be kindred spirits" - He said, trying to gather information regarding possible allies and enemies.
Peoni Knowledge(Planes)
Saffron Knowledge(Planes)
"Looks like it. I don't expect these will be the pushovers the others were. When we go in, stick together. We take them down one at a time and then move on to the next. If the big ones can't do ranged attacks, let's try to get them to block each others' paths as well as the big guy in back."
Initiatives
So'Ren
Breaking Dawn and also on 22
Saffron and also on 10
Peoni and also on 17
Breaking Dawn
does a flyby attack on Blue
Bite
If that seems to have been at all effective, he'll repeat it on his second turn in round one but from flanking. If he gets hurt from the attack or it seems ineffective, he will instead stay back and try detect evil.
Bite
Peoni
Enters Stance of the Defending Shell (AC 31)
Strides forward to Blue and attacks with Flurry Strike
mwk kukri for
mwk kukri for
Saffron
Enters Stance of the Defending Shell (AC 31)
Strides forward to a flanking position Blue and attacks with a distracting strike (Make attack against a target, inflicting an additional 2d6 points of damage and leave the foe flatfooted until his next turn.)
mwk kukri for plus sneak attack confirm for additional
So'ren
Casts Mirror Image and moves in behind Peoni to flanking position with reach of whip
Peoni, second turn at init 17
Uses Hunting Party to attack and let So'ren get an AoO
mwk kukri vs FF for plus sneak attack
Swift Action Marks Green (Marked enemies get -4 to hit creatures other than you and suffer +15% to ASF for 2 rounds)
So'ren AoO +1 agile living steel scorpion whip vs FF for
Saffron, second turn at init 10
Steel Flurry Strikes Blue (Three attacks at -2 to hit, +3d6 damage)
mwk kukri vs FF for plus sneak attack
mwk kukri vs FF for plus sneak attack
mwk kukri vs FF for plus sneak attack
Swift Action Marks Blue (Marked enemies get -4 to hit creatures other than you and suffer +15% to ASF for 2 rounds)
Until the elemental does its second directive: engulf and burn!
If it can grapple and pin you then you are within its body and take 5d6 fire damage per turn.
The elderly man nods and heads out searching the library for some tomes that should help Galahad.
With that, Desseer hunches and adjusts his fancy garments. When he does, his visage changes to that of a bald human wearing a brown robe.
He is about to leave when he turns around and looks again at the mage. "Oh, I forgot to ask. What is your name, pet?"
|
|
blue
green
red
yellow
boss
Breaking Dawn 42
Peoni 37
Saffron 30
So'Ren 25
Breaking Dawn 22
red 21
Peoni 17
blue 17
yellow 17
green 12
Saffron 10
boss 7
Round 1
Breaking Dawn gets singed as he does the flyby attack, and realizes that it does not appear to be evil. The attack was ineffective.
Peoni moves forward provoking the blue monster.
plus burn
Space 15 ft., Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks burn , Reflex DC 20
His flurry strike fails.
Saffron rushes forward but may not even get into a flanking position this round.
So'ren Casts Mirror Image and moves in behind Peoni. [ooc]It would be nice to have your speed on your vital line. Afterall you are only using one line. I added Peoni and Saffron as blue circles to the map.
Round 1.5
Peoni's attack hits but does not appear to do any damage. The blue elemental swings its hands down together to smash Peoni.
plus burn
Space 15 ft., Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks burn , Reflex DC 20
plus burn
Space 15 ft., Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks burn , Reflex DC 20
Saffron's second strike hits and does damage to the elemental. After marking Green he realizes that they were not interested in fighting yet. But the green magma elemental now looks directly at him.
When Zhang opens the trap door he flinches
"Lava? Are you kidding me that those creatures managed to push lava into this place!"
He turns to the half-dragon beast and says
"Think you can carry us over?"
The NPCs had faced many battles in their lives at YGGDRASIL and one of his classes gave Cao Guojiu the knowledge about creatures from other planes, as he saw them he immediately pointed out.
"Watch out! These are Elder Magma Elementals! They are not just bigger, they are much more powerful! Thankfully their attacks are still non-magical, so we still should be safe. - He says the last part looking at He Xiangu
They may take a few AoOs, but they move back out of the room. Ro'ren mounts Breaking Dawn and they move away from these monsters AQAP.
"So you intend to retreat So'ren-sama? That might be wise, after all I'm the only one fully immune to their attacks... Understood! then allow me to facilitate."
Xiangu raises her hand towards the Elemental right in front of So'ren, casting a spell and saying something to it.
"You know what they call a lizardfolk detective? An investi-gator!" - The joke wasn't necessary to activate the ability, the Elemental likely didn't even understood what she said, but she liked to tell these jokes when she used it... much to Cao Guojiu's dismay.
Cao Guojiu stands in front of the same elemental in order to stop it from going after his leader if need be.
Call to Action
"Now Lady So'ren! Go!"
With their guide and the students gone to fetch their requests Myriana waited a few seconds and then said, "I'm not sure I like the how to kill undead topic but I guess it is important to know what they know on the topic." She took a seat at the table and and tried to wait patiently.
Galaha nods to Myriana
"We need to know who our enemies and allies are and what they can do... also couldn't hurt if we can find out out where they are"
As the students slowly return with books you begin to read.
Kaiedees:
Galahad thanks the students and starts going through the material
"One of wait staff!? Ugh! I can't kill you!" he yells angrily. "Great lord Arnalc would not have it. What are you doing with boy!?"
Desseer then looks at John. "Oh! You want to know why the warehouse?" Desseer shrugs again, "A fancy residence would attract attention as you go in and out. With an inn, the innkeepers would pay attention who goes in and out. A warehouse though, that puts you in a place where people are unlikely to pay attention. And, if someone is, they aren't likely friendly. Plus, warehouses have a lot of usable space. Space that can be repurposed as needed. Does that answer your curiosity?"
Kaiedees leans in closer to the boy, his mouth revealing many sharp teeth. "Where did you come from?"
So'ren scours the rest of the HQ for lesser elementals she, Saffron, Peoni, and Breaking Dawn can handle, and when she has finished dealing with them, returns to the refuge area to do what healing her sublime abilities will allow.
The records are rather detailed on where nests have been found, there is even graphs showing how often. You find a long list of the barred societies that have been known to create undead or have associations with them. This includes the Whispering Way, the Emerald Claw, Cult of Orcus. Another nearby are the forbidden gods to worship, which are mostly evil.