| HP 100+19/100 | AC 27 / 13T / 26FF | Fort +15, Reflex +10, Will +14, (+1 vs reptilian humanoids) | CMD 31 / 30 FF | Init 10 | Perc +25 | SM +5 | Speed 40 (40 flying) | Spells 1st 4/6, 2nd 3/6, 3rd 2/5, 4th 3/5, 5th 2/3 | Augment 7/7, Perfection of Self 8/8 | Resistance: Neg Energy 10 | Active Conditions: invis, M Img (6), prot en (93), ab bar (50), C skin (50), M arm, OL flight, RoCM, lucky number (11), endure elements, delay poison, false life, minor reversion x2, life bub, Bskin, see invis, heroism, MP (gargoyle), shield.
Assuming it looks like everyone is on board with the plan which he outlined, Farrokh will memorise the same spells he memorised ready to approach Zoarth's castle with the exception that he will replace haste and one casting of shadowform with invisibility and a second casting of protection from energy communal.
He will then make sure he has overland flight and mage armor up, before finding somewhere on the ground where he can make his final preparations before heading up to the storm. Before heading up he will put on an old coat which he will cover in alchemical grease and cast the following on himself (with the aid of an extend meta-magic rod): protection from energy communal (electricity), extended heroism, extended clay skin, barkskin, see invisibility, extended invisibility.
Farrokh makes his final preparations and then launches himself into the air like a demigod out of legend! Moving invisibly through the sky, he draws closer and closer to the storm front. Jagged forks of lightning and the sound of thunder coruscate around the thick, black clouds. A patrol of giants riding massive rocs swoop in and out of the storm front, completely oblivious to the presence of an intruder!
Once in the clouds, visibility is limited and maintaining a sense of direction isn't easy. But after some searching, Farrokh spots a gap and reaches the center of the storm front. There, in all its magnificent, oversized glory, is a flying barge!
Made of oak, mithral, and gold, the barge seems to be floating just above what can only be described as a tear in the very sky itself! Strange, spectral energy flows out of the tear and into the barge. The entire upper structure of the barge centers around a massive, gold-rimmed pool, while its underside provides some space for rocs and other flying servants to roost.
As Farrokh hovers to take in the startling scene, a stab of jagged lightning manifests nearby!
@Farrokh: Please attempt a DC 20 Reflex save versus the lightning. This is an all or nothing save to avoid 27 damage.
@Farrokh: The description above is what you see on initial viewing. If you wish to inspect the barge further, let me know if you want to approach from the bottom or the top.
@Farrokh: For buff tracking, we'll assume it takes you a minute or so once in the cloud to spot the castle (visibility is only 100') and then with your fly speed you can do the math of how long it took you to cover the 4,000 feet up to the storm cloud.
| HP 100+19/100 | AC 27 / 13T / 26FF | Fort +15, Reflex +10, Will +14, (+1 vs reptilian humanoids) | CMD 31 / 30 FF | Init 10 | Perc +25 | SM +5 | Speed 40 (40 flying) | Spells 1st 4/6, 2nd 3/6, 3rd 2/5, 4th 3/5, 5th 2/3 | Augment 7/7, Perfection of Self 8/8 | Resistance: Neg Energy 10 | Active Conditions: invis, M Img (6), prot en (93), ab bar (50), C skin (50), M arm, OL flight, RoCM, lucky number (11), endure elements, delay poison, false life, minor reversion x2, life bub, Bskin, see invis, heroism, MP (gargoyle), shield.
Upon reaching the storm Farrok briefly pauses to throw up a few more protections (casts heightened awareness (from wand), shield, mirror image, and monstrous physique I (gargoyle))...
images:1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
...Before heading in to discover the flying barge...
reflex save vs lightning + heroism:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15
...and getting getting struck by lightning which saps his magical protection.
Farrok's initial focus would be on the tear in the sky and the spectral energy. Would he be able to identify any information about it with a knowledge check? He will also take 10 on perception to see if he spots anything interesting or potential threats.
perception taking 10 + heroism:10 + 23 + 2 = 35
Also just to check, was the lightning from the storm?
Struck by lightning but still aloft, Farrokh flies invisibly towards the strange wound in the sky itself, as though someone has pierced it from “the other side”--whatever that might mean. A thin stream of liquid drops down out of the sky into a gold-rimmed pool at the center of the floating barge. The substance at first seems like milk, but a more careful look reveals that quasi-human forms can be seen within it, as just for a moment a bit takes on the shape of a face or a hand clenched in a fist, and then fades back into liquid . . .
@Farrokh: The lightning strike was just an ambient effect of being in the storm front. You can try to learn more about the rift with a Knowledge (planes) check.
A flicker of recognition crosses Farrokh's face . . .
Farrokh:
This is a dimensional rift allowing entry of the Pale Ones! The Pale Ones are spirits of those who died with unfinished deeds or revenge in their hearts, whose names, tasks, and desires are now forgotten; they exist restlessly outside the mortal world, and if given the opportunity to return, they do so not as undead creatures but as pearlescent ectoplasm without the power to maintain any other form. In this form, the Pale Ones cannot take any physical action: they can provide power or can attempt to possess a living creature they touch, but even if they do possess a body, their will is weak and no longer accustomed to controlling a body. Usually, however, dozens of Pale Ones inhabit a single body, all with conflicting and confused motives that make those possessed fall into an almost catatonic state or act like they are insane. Eventually, if allowed to exist in the world long enough, the strongest and most willful Pale Ones are able to form themselves into ghosts. You can study the rift for 1d6 minutes and make a Knowledge (arcana) check if you want to know how the rift can be closed.
Farrokh is so busy concentrating on the rift that it takes him a moment to realise something of more immediate importance has appeared: a large, blue, serpentine dragon moving with unsettling grace is headed his way!
@Farrokh: The dragon has emerged from the fog 100' away from you and is headed in your general direction. It's not looking at you, and we're not on Initiative *yet*. (You can attempt a Knowledge (arcana) check to identify it.
Farrokh:
You study the rift for minutes:1d6 ⇒ 5. You think spells like the following could close the rift, depending on your skill with magic: dispel magic, dimensional anchor, dismissal, hallow, antimagic field, banishment, forbiddance, limited wish, miracle, wish. Or, one or more people capable of channelling sufficient positive energy may be able to accomplish it.
@Everyone: Apologies for the delay in posting--some other commitments came up unexpectedly.
| HP 100+19/100 | AC 27 / 13T / 26FF | Fort +15, Reflex +10, Will +14, (+1 vs reptilian humanoids) | CMD 31 / 30 FF | Init 10 | Perc +25 | SM +5 | Speed 40 (40 flying) | Spells 1st 4/6, 2nd 3/6, 3rd 2/5, 4th 3/5, 5th 2/3 | Augment 7/7, Perfection of Self 8/8 | Resistance: Neg Energy 10 | Active Conditions: invis, M Img (6), prot en (93), ab bar (50), C skin (50), M arm, OL flight, RoCM, lucky number (11), endure elements, delay poison, false life, minor reversion x2, life bub, Bskin, see invis, heroism, MP (gargoyle), shield.
Spotting the dragon Farrokh tries to recall if he knows anything about such creatures, especially if they have any abilities which may allow it to detect him...
I'm guessing this would count as being in immediate danger so I wouldn't be able to take 10.
Farrokh's mind races as instinctive fight or flight responses threaten to kick in!
Farrokh:
This is a young blue dragon! Blue dragons are consummate schemers and obsessively orderly. In combat, they prefer to surprise foes if possible, and are not above retreating if the odds turn against them. They breathe bolts of lightning! Like all dragons, they have keen senses and and if they get close enough, they may be able to tell someone is present even if visibly concealed.This dragon has blindsense 60'
@Adeah: Sorry, this is very deep in the center of the storm cloud; you aren't able to see any of this from the ground.
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs: Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 29 T 14 FF 26|CMB +5 CMD 18|F +4 R +5 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|40' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
| HP 100+19/100 | AC 27 / 13T / 26FF | Fort +15, Reflex +10, Will +14, (+1 vs reptilian humanoids) | CMD 31 / 30 FF | Init 10 | Perc +25 | SM +5 | Speed 40 (40 flying) | Spells 1st 4/6, 2nd 3/6, 3rd 2/5, 4th 3/5, 5th 2/3 | Augment 7/7, Perfection of Self 8/8 | Resistance: Neg Energy 10 | Active Conditions: invis, M Img (6), prot en (93), ab bar (50), C skin (50), M arm, OL flight, RoCM, lucky number (11), endure elements, delay poison, false life, minor reversion x2, life bub, Bskin, see invis, heroism, MP (gargoyle), shield.
"That's a little inconvenient... Getting into a confrontation at this stage of the reconnaissance would not be helpful... Best try to keep my distance."
(If he can) Farrokh adjusts his position in order to remain beyond the limits of the dragon's ability to sense him as it passes.
Farrokh tries to slip around the dragon's path, staying near the rift but keeping far enough away that the dragon's keen senses don't detect his invisible presence!
I think this is going to come down to a combination of luck and a fast reaction time, so we'll call it an Initiative roll. If you can beat a Dragon's Initiative:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22, you manage to fly to the "side" before it gets close enough to sense you with its 60' blindsense.
