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Dr. Vitruvian finds himself a path through otherwise-prohibitive foliage using the same botanical trick you saw him use to make his arrival.
The Pathfinders cross the river safely.
Eric, Undiana and Jules look like the trip through the boulders was especially rough on them.
As the group reaches the stone circle, other groups of Pathfinders are busy skirmishing with undead creatures, drawing these enemies away from the dangerous rift within. Medda is already there, and her phantom Anok emerges from the rift a moment later to confer with her, his spectral body weeping ghostly blood. Once she’s heard his report and healed his wounds, she beckons to the Pathfinders.
Medda looks on with some concern. “The rift has already torn open and released many undead, but this is only a fraction of what Eshimka could bring to bear. Anok has examined what lies beyond: a crumbling fortress being used as a staging ground for the assault expected at midnight. Eshimka is nowhere to be found, yet she has left a sub-chief in charge. I suspect she is away mustering her invasion force, and we can’t afford to give her that time. We need to lure her here before she’s at her full strength.”
Several Twinhorn mystics arrive and begin preparing ritual focuses. Medda gestures toward them as she continues. “That involves two steps. First, we need to start closing the rift to force her hand. Second, we need someone to enter that fortress and weaken the forces she already has. I’m hoping that could be you. We can push back against the Negative Energy Plane, creating a small area that’s merely painful rather than deadly. It’s all we can do to keep even a corner of such a powerful plane at bay.”
Negative-Dominant: Planes with this trait are vast, empty reaches that suck the life out of travelers who cross them. They tend to be lonely, haunted planes, drained of color and filled with winds bearing the soft moans of those who died within them. There are two kinds of negative-dominant traits: minor negative-dominant and major negative-dominant.
On minor negative-dominant planes, living creatures take 1d6 points of damage per round. At 0 hit points or lower, they crumble into ash.
Major negative-dominant planes are even more dangerous. Each round, those within must attempt a DC 25 Fortitude save or gain a negative level. A creature whose negative levels equal its current levels or Hit Dice is slain, becoming a wraith. The death ward spell protects a traveler from the damage and energy drain of a negative-dominant plane.
Enhanced Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities that use negative energy are enhanced, functioning as if their caster level were 2 higher than normal. Class abilities that use negative energy, such as channel negative energy, gain a +4 bonus to the save DC to resist the ability.
Impeded Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities that use positive energy (including cure spells) are impeded. Characters on this plane take a –10 penalty on saving throws to remove negative levels bestowed by an energy drain attack. To cast an impeded spell, the caster must attempt a concentration check (DC = 20 + the level of the spell). If the check fails, the spell does not function but is still lost as a prepared spell or spell slot. If the check succeeds, the spell functions normally
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Katswiri will use her Gift of Prophecy revelation to try and gather information about the defense of the fortress we are planning to attack.
1. Is the corrupted dragon defending the fortress we’re planning to attack on the negative energy plane?
--> If yes, go to Dragon questions
2. Are there incorporeal undead defending the fortress?
→ If yes, are there Greater Shadows defending the fortress?
3. Does Eshimka know we’re planning to attack the fortress?
→ If yes, is she planning to trap us there?
4. Are there any traps that will trigger when we move to the Negative Energy plane?
5. Are there any Symbol spells present in the fortress?
6. Are we likely to need more than 10 minutes to defeat the defenders of the fortress?
7. Does anything defending the fortress have a fire attack?
8. Does anything defending the fortress have a frost attack?
9. Does anything defending the fortress have an acid attack?
10. Does anything defending the fortress have an electricity attack?
Dragon Questions:
Is the dragon More than 600 years old?
Type Questions (Stop if type is determined)
Is it a Chromatic Dragon? If Yes:
Is it a Red Dragon? Green Dragon? Black Dragon? Blue Dragon?
Is it a Primal Dragon? If yes, is it an Umbral Dragon?
Is it a Metallic Dragon? If yes:
Is it a Silver Dragon? Gold Dragon? Copper Dragon? Bronze Dragon? Brass Dragon?
Is it a Void Dragon?
Katswiri will cast Freedom of Movement on herself, Death Ward, Eagle’s Splendor and Shield of Faith on herself, then Shield of Faith on Eric. She may cast additional spells depending on the results of her Gift of Prophecy.
"The negative energy plane is hostile to life. It is the realm that represents death, negative energy and undead. Without protective magics, usually Death Ward, it would usually be quickly fatal."
"We will likely have difficulty casting curative magics there."
1. Is the corrupted dragon defending the fortress we’re planning to attack on the negative energy plane?
--> If yes, go to Dragon questions
2. Are there incorporeal undead defending the fortress?
→ If yes, are there Greater Shadows defending the fortress?
3. Does Eshimka know we’re planning to attack the fortress?
→ If yes, is she planning to trap us there?
4. Are there any traps that will trigger when we move to the Negative Energy plane?
5. Are there any Symbol spells present in the fortress?
6. Are we likely to need more than 10 minutes to defeat the defenders of the fortress?
7. Does anything defending the fortress have a fire attack?
8. Does anything defending the fortress have a frost attack?
9. Does anything defending the fortress have an acid attack?
10. Does anything defending the fortress have an electricity attack?
1. No
2. No3. No
4. No
5. No
6. No
7. No
8. No
9. No
10. No
A wand simply casts a spell for you, so it is affected.
Once the Pathfinders are ready , they pass through the rift and emerge onto a shattered stone bridge that stretches above a dark, endless expanse—the virtually empty Negative Energy Plane. The bridge leads toward a towering fortress of charcoal-gray stone, accessible by steep steps. Gruesome gargoyles line the crumbling walls and towers. Inside, three low pedestals bear large, violet crystals that intermittently arc with energy. Where this energy strikes the building, a chunk of façade slowly begins crumbling. A second flight of steps deeper inside the room leads up to a gargantuan black gate.
The crystals and portal glow with enough light to provide dim light in this area.
At the top of the stairs is a large, pale blue humanoid. In front of him, at the bottom of the steps, is a creature in the shape of a bear, though something is clearly wrong with it.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Eric (-30 HP?)
Amwari
Undy (-30 HP?) and Riddy
White
Dr. Vitruvian
Black
Jules (-30 HP?)
Katswiri
The humanoid is a frost giant rogue, a creature with the cold and giant subtypes.
The humanoid is also a vampire, an undead with the augmented humanoid subtype.
The bear is a polar bear, an animal with no subtypes.
The bear has the advanced and void-ravaged templates, which add no subtypes.
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Based on the results of her divination, Katswiri will cast Bless, Heightened Awareness ( which will be used to no effect as an initiative booster), then also cast Shield of Faith on Dr. Zephyrus. She also casts Life Bubble covering everyone.
Frost Giant Knowledge: Immunities and Special Abilities, Strength
Frost Giant Vampirism: Special Attacks, Special Defenses
Bear: Hit Dice, Strength
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Before we enter
Amwari is going to spend twelve charges on his cure light wounds wand to get his teammate back to full health. He looks over his party and realizes there's a decent chance that they won't walk away, if Katsiri was correct about the negative energy plane, and they walked into part of it where it was particularly strong. He had one casting of death ward.
"If you need to run, because we're all dead and just ash? Yeah, you do it," Amwari says as he casts death ward on Jules.. He will then cast weapons against evil for the party and then channel vigor on himself just before entering the rift.
Into the Void
Amwari raises his sword up, calling upon his Pirate Queen's divine power fervantly. He charges forward, knowing this is likely going to kill him.
It is early afternoon, though that is difficult to recall once in the negative energy plane.
The vampire has 16 hit dice and DR 10/magic and silver. It is immune to cold and resists electricity 10, in addition to traits common to undead. It has a strength of 37. It has +4 channel resistance.
Children of the Night (Su) Once per day, a vampire can call forth 1d6+1 rat swarms, 1d4+1 bat swarms, or 2d6 wolves as a standard action. (If the base creature is not terrestrial, this power might summon other creatures of similar power.) These creatures arrive in 2d6 rounds and serve the vampire for up to 1 hour.
Create Spawn (Su) A vampire can create spawn out of those it slays with blood drain or energy drain, provided that the slain creature is of the same creature type as the vampire’s base creature type. The victim rises from death as a vampire in 1d4 days. This vampire is under the command of the vampire that created it, and remains enslaved until its master’s destruction. A vampire may have enslaved spawn totaling no more than twice its own Hit Dice; any spawn it creates that would exceed this limit become free-willed undead. A vampire may free an enslaved spawn in order to enslave a new spawn, but once freed, a vampire or vampire spawn cannot be enslaved again. Dominate (Su) A vampire can crush a humanoid opponent’s will as a standard action. Anyone the vampire targets must succeed on a Will save or fall instantly under the vampire’s influence, as though by a dominate person spell (caster level 12th). The ability has a range of 30 feet.
Energy Drain (Su) A creature hit by a vampire’s slam gains two negative levels. This ability only triggers once per round, regardless of the number of attacks a vampire makes.
The bear has 10 hit dice and a strength of 33.
The crystals release negative energy within a 10 foot radius every 1d3 rounds. Positive energy applied to them can delay the discharge, but destroying them is beyond your abilities.
Amwari calls on his deity to empower him in this place where said deity holds little sway.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Eric (-30 HP?)
Amwari (divine power)
Undy (-30 HP?) and Riddy
White
Dr. Vitruvian
Crystals
Black
Jules (-30 HP?)
Katswiri
End of Round
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Earlier...
Undy took some damage on the trip but Jules kindly healed him. He makes her a double plate of sushi to show his appreciation.
Before passing through the rift...
Before they cross through the rift Undy casts Communal Stoneskin on everyone in the party . He also activates (if it wasn't already) Overland Flight. Riddy casts Mage Armor on both himself and Undy from a wand. Just before they enter, Undy taps himself and Riddy with a Wand of Infernal Healing (and anyone else who would like it), giving them fast healing 1 for 10 rounds.
...
Now...
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After discussion with Undiana regarding the Negative Planar traits prior to entry, Katswiri will seek out Medda and the mystics to inquire on exactly what was meant by "push back against the Negative Energy Plane, creating a small area that’s merely painful rather than deadly." and how effective it is expected to be.
Katswiri is pretty sure this is the Negative Energy plane and is probably Major Negative Energy Dominant, but also that the Twin Horn Mystics may be addressing the problem in the area we're going to. If it sounds like we're going to be taking negative energy damage every turn without Death Ward or otherwise significantly impacted in a dangerous way, Katswiri will use the spell slots to Death Ward more of the party before heading in.
The frost giant vampire's weakest save is Will. It has fast healing 5, vulnerability to fire, sneak attack, evasion and rock catching. It has darkvision and low-light vision.
The bear's weakest save is Will. it has immunity to death effects, energy drain, and mind-affecting effects. It is affected by positive and negative energy as if undead.
Eric prepares himself.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Eric (delay)
Amwari (divine power)
Undy and Riddy
White
Dr. Vitruvian
Crystals
Black
Jules
Katswiri
End of Round
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Jules' information skills pale in comparison to the rest of the party, so need to waste time rolling them
As she climbs the stairs toward facing off against the vampire & his minions, she casts Expeditious Retreat on herself & drinks her potion of Fly.
Blade in hand, she readies to move onto the platform.
Undy and Riddy advance invisibly.
The environment should be fine after the ritual. Full of Eshimka's minions, though and they have no idea what other creatures she may bring to bear.
Speaking of 'bear', this one moves forward and takes a swing at Amwari.
plus energy drain (DC 19 Will save or take 1 temporary negative level)
For the moment, the warpriest remains unchewed.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Eric (delay)
Amwari (divine power)
Undy (invisible) and Riddy (invisible)
White
Dr. Vitruvian
Crystals
Black
Jules
Katswiri
End of Round
Dr. Vitruvian waits for an opening.
The crystals crackle, then emit a pulse of eerie light that envelops Amwari and the bear.
The giant double moves toward Amwari.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Eric (delay)
Amwari (divine power, Will save)
Undy (invisible) and Riddy (invisible)
White
Dr. Vitruvian (delay)
Crystals
Black
Jules
Katswiri
End of Round
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Jules is surprised at the giant's alacrity but has a plan for situations like this one. She moves near enough to engage her Hypnotic Stare on her target (reducing his Will save by -3 & removing the memory of it having happened).
Once that's in place, she taps into her angelic ancestry and channels a Glitterdust (DC 19 Will save of be blinded) that catches both the Giant & his bear minion. (I see that Amwari would fall into that spread as well - if he'd rather not be included, Jules can focus on only the giant vampire.)
Note that her BoF bonus would be to AC/Reflex saves this turn.
Katswiri makes most of the Pathfinders more fervent.
Eric stretches out his arms and moves in.
Jules makes the bear sparkle.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Amwari (divine power, 2 images, Will save)
Undy (invisible) and Riddy (invisible)
White
Dr. Vitruvian (fervor, delay)
Crystals
Black
Jules (fervor)
Katswiri (fervor)
Eric (longarm, fervor)
End of Round
Katswiri makes most of the Pathfinders more fervent.
Eric stretches out his arms and moves in.
Jules makes the bear sparkle.
And blind.
The energy of the plane saps the Pathfinders' life force.
Round 2 - bolded may go
Amwari (-3 HP, divine power, 2 images, Will save)
Undy (-3 HP, invisible) and Riddy (-3 HP, invisible)
White (blinded, sparkly)
Dr. Vitruvian (-3 HP, fervor, delay)
Crystals
Black
Jules (-3 HP, fervor)
Katswiri (-3 HP, fervor)
Eric (-3 HP, longarm, fervor)
End of Round
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Hey there cmloble.
Have I misread the composite actions?
The intent was to focus that glitterdust on the giant & with Amwari's permission, drop the spell such that the giant, Amwari, & the bear would be subject to the spell's effects.
If Amwari opts out, the spell should center on the Giant alone, not the bear.
She also has Deathless armor & negates up to 10 negative energy damage per instance.
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Undy hurls a fireball towards the vampire and the bear, taking a little longer to cast it so that instead of pure fire, the fireball contains hints of steam. He also uses a charge from his rod to intensify the spell. And he adds a pinch of saltpeter and an alchemist's fire, just for good measure.
Meanwhile, Riddy will use his wand of magic missile to target the vampire.
Both Undy and Riddy move 5' to the side to avoid being targeted by their enemies, though they both remain invisible.
Amwari keeps the glitter out of his eyes and hacks at the bear. its touch hide does block some of the damage, but both swings to bite into the creature.
Riddy hurls balls of force at the vampire.
Undy's wet fireball takes the bear in the face, while the vampire dodges some of the damage. The force cannot knock the creature down.
The bear lashes out wildly at Amwari.
plus energy drain
plus grab
plus grab
All three attempts go astray.
Round 2 - bolded may go
Amwari (-10 HP, divine power, 2 images, sparkly)
Undy (-3 HP, invisible) and Riddy (-3 HP, invisible)
White (-54 HP, blinded, sparkly)
Dr. Vitruvian (-3 HP, fervor)
Crystals
Black (-32 HP, blinded, sparkly)
Jules (fervor)
Katswiri (fervor)
Eric (longarm, fervor)
End of Round
The crystals begin to glow once again.
The vampire moves into position to chop up the spot where Amwari last was.
The strike misses badly, but it does manage to clear the sparkles from its eyes.
Round 2 - bolded may go
Amwari (-10 HP, divine power, 2 images, sparkly)
Undy (-3 HP, invisible) and Riddy (-3 HP, invisible)
White (-54 HP, blinded, sparkly)
Dr. Vitruvian (-3 HP, fervor, delay)
Crystals (fire on round 3)
Black (-32 HP, sparkly)
Jules (fervor)
Katswiri (fervor)
Eric (longarm, fervor, AOO)
End of Round
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Jules moves to gain a flank on the giant, most likely provoking as she moves (at which point she'll trigger her Mesmeric Twins for 3 of her).
Her BoF bonus will stay in the +2 Attack/Reflex/AC slot, which combined with her Expert Duelist trait bumps her AC up from 24 to 27 while she's moving.
Once in the flank, she'll use the Fervor attack boost to power her Combat Expertise (-2 Attk for +2 AC).
Net AC at that point = 29 AC.
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Before they plane-shift, Dr. Vitruvian gathers everyone around; it seems he's prepared a few things for the journey:
First he opens up a shallow brass dish containing what appeared to be three deep-black rum balls soaking in a shallow layer of clear, sweet-smelling liquid; he offers one each to Eric and Amwari. "This is a tried-and-true preventative, and I think at last I've *almost* perfected it. It should insulate you against what lies ahead."
He consumes the third, slightly larger than the other two and so dark it seems to have a small corona of light as it is absorbed into it, himself.
To Katswiri he offers a thin ampoule of effervescent pink syrup with a sour-sweet scent. "Contained within is a means to protect your vital organs - or perhaps it is better to say, a means for your vital organs to protect themselves. It may cause any number of strange sensations, but they should be harmless in the long term."
Next, he plucks out what looks like a silvery walnut, which he presents to Jules. "Eat this the moment combat presents you with an opportunity - or a crisis - such that failure is not an option. Don't worry, it's softer than it looks."
He then looks up at Undiana's miniature dragon companion, and beckons him closer before handing off a philter of what looks like amaretto, save for its disturbing phosphorescent glimmer. "A draught fit for a dragon," he says with a wink. "I am afraid it will only be good for a minute at most, so use it when it is needed."
Turning back to Amwiri, he gingerly unwraps what looks like a long needle made from some kind of hard blue pastry. "When you bite into this, it will bite also into you, and briefly render your blood a powerful solvent, and I DO mean powerful!"
He then pulls out what looks like a fibrous-textured scrap of dark peanut brittle, eats it, and washes it down a very small flask of lambent, almost ethereal blue liquid .
Finally, he turns to his zombie, and pulls out another syringe, this one filled with what looks as much as anything else like drippings from a pot roast - her scorched muscles almost immediately engorge . He also hands her something that looks like a small mandala, though you don't get a very good look at it.
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After a moment in awe of crossing the threshold into The Void itself, Dr. Vitruvian takes out and opens a small jar of red, nut-like capsules, and situates them for use with his explosives supply as he has so many times before; normally they would begin to slowly sublimate upon exposure to air, but here...he takes eager mental notes as they spark, snap, and shudder...!
He also pulls back his overcoat to get a better look at his trusty mithril shirt, which he has named 'Moksha'; it glimmers in a way that seems like it should be distinctly impossible in this realm
Seeing a perfect line of fire, Dr. Vitruvian takes aim with his deadly enchanted bow, Vanth!
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Coming up from behind the Doctor with horrifying speed is none other than his latest patient! She rushes the giant, her old dagger in one hand...but in the other, the strange little mandala-like object the doctor had handed her. Eyes staring straight ahead, she bashes the odd thing - a thin contrivance of metal, flint, pomegranate seeds, and ruby-dust - against her own face, and suddenly a shower of flames forms around her!