322 - Tusk’s Experiment's page

Same here, thanks!

Sent a PM that should have everything. Thanks again!

"Rataji, Shohiraj, Zurnzal, I'd say it's been fun, but it really hasn't. Still, it was nice to work with professionals for a change. Elf," he turns to 322, "I still think you're creepy as f#&%, but thanks for keeping us all alive. I'll buy you a drink if we ever happen to run into each other again."

"Yes, I am. Creepy as f~&#. I think it is time for me to make the most of that."

She slips the ring of spell storing around her finger and examines it with satisfaction in the light of the lantern. Once they hand over the Sky Key and emerge from the gate onto the city streets, she raises the lantern into the air and activates her Wings of Darkness. The lantern's spectral glow casts her face into shadow, so it is difficult for the Aspis agents to see her expression as she gives them a brusque nod and launches herself into the night air.

Gripping the lantern tightly, the elf nods at the halfling, and finds her voice again. (Seems like we're out of initiative.)

"Do it."

Sounds good, GM! PM sent.

The unnamed elf snags the lantern by the handle, flies back into the room, and lands next to Aram Zey's body, shouting,

"他死了吗？ 我及时做到了吗?"

Please apply my chronicle to 199504-07 (looks like I posted the wrong character number earlier, for a PC not in the right tier). Thanks, GM Netherpongo, for running a great scenario, and thanks to my fellow players for making an evil (or at least naughty neutral) party so much fun!

Tough call. 322 might have left the lantern in the hall, but she'd have been more aware of it than I was, and seeing that Shohirajj - whose action came before 322's - is focused on healing Rataji would probably tip the scales. If Aram Zey is obviously close to his last breath, then I think she'd cast stabilize and hope that her frantic hand gestures and incoherent shouting will be enough to get the others to pause.

If Shohirajj's turn was before 322's turn and she is healing the wizard, 322 could cast stabilize on Aram instead of CMW, and heal Rataji more afterwards.

Ah, crud, forgot about that. Let's say she dropped it in the hallway when she was knocked prone.

The elf smacks herself on the forehead and shouts something incomprehensible to the rest of the party still standing, pointing at Aram and shaking her head frantically. Seeing their incomprehension, she screams in frustration, then quickly casts cure moderate wounds, using her spectral hand to heal Rataji.

CMW: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 7) + 7 = 19

As soon as Rataji's eyes open, she points at Aram and shouts, "告诉他们不要完成探路者了！ 等一下！"

She then flies out to the corridor to scoop up the lantern.

The nameless elf starts to speak, then thinks better of it. Instead, she unfurls her scroll and reads it aloud.

Caster level check, DC 10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Her hand seethes with writhing dark flames. 322 casts slay living.

Without hesitation, she leaps off of the catwalk and flies at the floating, glittery wizard until she flanks him with Joliryn, drawing a dagger as she moves.

She reaches out with her free hand and gently pats Aram Zey's face.

Melee touch attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Damage: 12d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 5, 3, 5, 1, 4, 3, 1, 2, 2) + 9 = 38

Gah! The dice simulator needs to be fired. If Aram Zey makes a DC 17 Fortitude save, he takes 12 (3d6 + 9) points of damage instead.

The unnamed elf swears in Aklo, then draws out her scroll of slay living again. Before reading it, she casts cure moderate wounds and uses her spectral hand to heal Marinarius.

Cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (7, 7) + 7 = 21

322, remember that you can name a spell effect to dispel if you want.

Sure, but if the caster level for that spell beats my CL check, I haven't accomplished anything. By targeting Zey, I just get the highest level spell cast at CL 10 or lower. I think we're better off getting rid of something, even if it isn't perfect.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

If 322 had to pass one and fail the other, I'm glad it came out the way it did!

The elf nods seriously. "I will tr..."

ZZZZZZAP!

The elf flinches at the sound of lightning striking the dragon, which allows her to escape the worst of the secondary blast. Ears ringing and hair burned and smoking from the electric shock, she unclenches her teeth and continues her answer: "... try."

Focusing on the floating shape of a man outlined in glitter, the elf once again attempts to dispel one of the numerous spells protecting Aram Zey from her team.

Caster level check, dispel magic: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Might be good enough! Even if his caster level is higher than 10, he probably has at least one spell going that came from a wand or potion at minimum caster level, right?

The elf jams one scroll into her belt, then hurriedly unrolls the other and reads off the prayer to a divine being no mortal...

Wait, this can't be right. Who prepared this scroll?

What do you mean? The innocence in the Professor's voice is blatantly false.

This scroll. It's written as a prayer to Aroden!

Oh, is it? Is that a problem?

Aroden is dead. His priests have no power. This scroll is useless.

It will be if you don't finish reading it, foolish girl. Maybe the scroll was written before the Last Azlanti dies, and you are about to expend the last iota of his divine power left in the universe to restore the mind - such as it is - of this halfling. Maybe what appears to be a prayer to Aroden is simply a ruse to conceal the true source of the power called upon by the scroll. Or perhaps you're right, and the scroll is nothing more than a worthless scrap of vellum and you will fail. I guess you won't know until you finish reading it.

... I hate you.

That is your privilege, the indifferent voice responds. So long as you continue to obey me.

Mouth twisted in disgust, the elf finishes reading the scroll. As she does, she reaches out and lays a surprisingly gentle hand on Joliryn's shoulder.

322 casts heal.

Caster level check, DC 12: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Whew!

I know about the caster level checks, but why would she need both hands to read one scroll?

Edit - Never mind. I spaced - 322 needs a free hand for the somatic component of the spell (either spell).

Joliryn - Ha! 322 has a scroll of heal in one hand and a scroll of slay living in the other. Let's hope she remembers which is which.

Sigh. That might have made it against a regular spell, but I doubt it’ll work against feeblemind because of the penalty to arcane casters. And I doubt anybody has a scroll of heal just lying around.

Shoot - I forgot that spectral hand is limited to spells of 4th level or lower. Slight change of plans. At least 322 has a nice surprise for Joliryn.

The elf changes her plans as soon as she realizes that something has cut off Joliryn's taunting of their adversary. She pulls another scroll from her pack, then activates her wings and flies into the room, up towards the fray. The elf lands behind the halfling, and is surprised to find that she appears unharmed.

"Joliryn? What has happened?"

Move action to retrieve a scroll, swift action to activate Wings of Darkness, move action to fly up to the catwalk.

Is the entire party up again?

The nameless elf is knocked flat. Shaking her head woozily, she shouts something, but instead of words the Aspis members a noise like wind blowing through trees.

"بازی کردن در اطراف کافی است! الان باید او را ببریم!"

Will save (Dreamed Secrets, DC 20): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Drat! PC Portfolio reroll, +1 GM Star.

Will save (Dreamed Secrets, DC 20): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21

She focuses her will on her right hand and intones something in a language not meant for mortal tongues. Motes of shadow swarm over her hand, covering it completely and joining together like an inky glove. She gasps in pain as the shadow peels off and hovers before her. With a wince, she gingerly draws a scroll from her pack.

Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Casting Spectral Hand.

The unnamed elf shakes her finger at the real Aram Zey.

"Naughty, naughty, wizard. I thought Pathfinders were supposed to be nice, but you are too quick to attack to really be nice. Still," she muses, "you're the most interesting obstacle the Professor has thrown in my way in a long while. I wonder just how much of an obstacle you really are."

322 considers for a moment, then casts Dispel Magic, targeting Aram Zey.

Caster level check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Are the rest of us up?

The unnamed elf glances from the real Aram Zey to Raj and back. She lets out a quick giggle, then says, "For some reason, I thought you would be taller."

She pulls the lantern from her pack, turns to the dragon, and says (in Draconic), "如果你仍然感兴趣，那就是巫师."

Sorry for the long absence, everyone! Gen Con wiped me out. I'm back and catching up this morning, I'll post soon.

Yes, definitely taking 10 on stealth. Sorry - pre-Gen Con work crunch had me jammed.

Yes - happy to use it when needed, but if we can save it for whatever we need to deal with to get the Sky Key, murder Aram Zey, and trap his soul in a magic lantern, that would probably be best.

A dragon! This should be very interesting.

"Gazwyr. I am certain that you will be important to the success of our mission. You expressed an interest in 'neutralizing' a certain powerful Pathfinder wizard. Do you mean Aram Zey? Would you be averse to killing him instead? It would probably be more efficient, and it would make my task of collecting his soul much simpler."

Probably best to keep the only healer in the party, and I’d like to see where 322’s story goes. I’ll pass on the dragon, too, although I was hoping for its aid in taking down Aram Zey...

I am not suited to give these people a "pep talk."

Of course you are, 322. Who better to explain to them the facts of life?

That is not exactly a motivating speech.

Nonsense. The truth is always uplifting. Go on, tell them.

The elf steps forward, and the shadows from the room’s corners cling to her like a spider's web. She smiles joylessly at the assembled warriors, takes a breath, and speaks.

"There are beings of unimaginable power who lurk and watch our world from the dark between the stars. They wait and watch as their ineffable plans - put in motion aeons before this world was made to serve as a prison for the Rough Beast - march slowly but inexorably towards fruition. We are, each of us, merely the vermin infesting the Rough Beast's prison, but we also, each of us, have a choice to be more than that. To be part of something greater. To accept our tiny parts in the great plan, and bring destruction to those who would impede it, those whose efforts might succeed in slowing the plan's completion by even a fraction of a second. We are all doomed whatever path we choose, but if we play our parts willingly and well, we will be rewarded with sweet oblivion when the great work is complete and those who resisted are condemned to an eternity of madness and torment and eternal life."

The elf's smile drops away and she stares at her audience expressionlessly. "Do you really want to live forever?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

The elf stalks forward a few steps, drawing one of her daggers.

"You were right to believe that this is a test. But you and your comrades are not the ones being tested, you are merely fodder for the one giving the test."

She launches the dagger through the air at the musketeer.

Dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 131d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Smiling Man has the woman under control. The muscle can take care of the big man with the big sword. That other one is the real danger.

The creepy elf slinks past the Aspis members to glare at the Pathfinder without armor. Without any unnecessary movement and without a word, she calls the impossible cold of the space between the stars onto the Pathfinder.

Interstellar Void, DC 17 Fort for 1/2: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 1, 6, 6, 2) = 28

The elf peeks into the room to see what it looks like and who is inside before deciding whether to follow “Aram Zey” through the doors.

@GM, in light of the discussion about characters being locked when playing a pregen, I went back over my earlier posts and doesn’t look like I ever said which character I will apply this chronicle to. Please apply my chronicle to 199504-5. Thanks.

Thanks!

@GM, 322 will hold off on any casting while we’re being stealthy.

The elf reaches forward and gives Shohirajj a pat on the shoulder, muttering a wordless prayer to the unnamed entities who roam in the dark between the stars. Shohirajj gains a bit of their power, but also feels a vague sense that she has been given a glimpse behind a curtain she was previously unaware of, hiding Knowledge of Things People Were Not Meant To Know.

322 casts guidance, giving Shohirajj +1 on one d20 roll of the rogue's choice in the next minute.

The elf creeps along in the shadows.

Stealth, Take 10, Cloak of Shadows: 10 + 10 + 4 = 24

Hey, everybody - just wanted to let you know I’m going to be a little tied up the next few days. It’s my 50th birthday tomorrow and then on Monday and Tuesday I'll be on a short business trip. I should still be able to check in at least once each day, but if the time when I can check doesn’t match up with my next turn in initiative, I may not be able to post until the next day.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

The elf nods. "Yes, the wand has a few charges left." 3, to be exact.

She pulls the wand from her belt and taps Shohirajj with it, murmuring the activation word.

Cure Moderate Wounds, wand (CL3): 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5) + 3 = 13

The nameless elf shakes her head and tests her voice. "That was unexpectedly time-consuming. At least I can speak normally again. Or can I? Can you all understand me?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Facepalm. Just remembered that 322's curse is Tongues. So, um, everyone just pretend that her demands that you all hurry up in previous rounds were in Aklo, not common. Sorry!

More creatures dying as fodder for one of the Professor's tests. How sad.

It is necessary. As you should know by now.

I know. But it is still sad.

Don't worry. The big man, the one with the bigger mouth, he has arranged to free many of the captive creatures in the zoo nearby. They don't have to die. Some of them may survive and escape.

That is a comfort. Thank you.

The creepy elf's eyes burn into those of the remaining foo lizard, seeking the levers of its mind. Finding them, at least metaphorically, she slams all of the levers to their maximum position. Or minimum; it's hard to tell, and she doesn't care.

This should be interesting. If it works.

You have comrades nearby.

Oh, yes, I'd better warn them.

She calls out something incomprehensible in a cacophonous roar of static and high-pitched squeals.

322 gives the foo lizard the Gift of Madness (DC 17 Will save negates).

"I am still holding on, but it is fighting me. Dispose of the other one quickly!"

I don't think I've ever cast a spell with a duration of nothing but concentration before. It is ... suboptimal.

"It would be good to dispose of the creatures quickly," the elf calls out. "I cannot keep the other one out of the fight forever."

322 continues concentrating to maintain Calm Emotions on the northernmost foo lizard.

The elf steps backwards into the hall, and holds up her hands placatingly.

"I think you lizards need to calm down."

I don't think anyone closed the doors, so 322 should be able to 5' step back into the hall without any trouble, but if not please let me know and she will stay put and cast defensively instead. 322 casts Calm Emotions (DC 16 Will save negates). She centers the effect at the space indicated with the light blue circle which should bring both foo lizards in the area of effect without affecting any of the PCs (edit: blue 20' radius spell effect template added). If I'm wrong, please pick another square that will work without affecting anybody else's character.

"Now let's all leave these big blue lizards alone. They don't really want to fight."

You hope.

Shut. Up.

Yes, thanks!

Casting defensively, DC 17: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

The elf erupts in anger at the reptiles' interruption. "Damn you, we have a test to complete!" As she shouts, she twists her fingers into uncomfortable-looking positions.

Casting Bane (opponents must make DC 15 Will save or -1 to all attacks and saves vs fear - no bonus from PvE, because 322 is Chaotic Neutral).

The elf creeps into the room near the back of the group, one hand absent-mindedly fingering the hilt of one of her daggers, eyes narrowed as she scans the room for any sign of the real Aram Zey.

GM - following up on my question from my last post (which probably got lost at the end of the previous page): what's the height of the ceiling in here?

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Following the others into the room, the elf points at the lounge lizards across the chamber. "Those lizards. I do not know what they are, but they are alive, not statuary."

GM- in case 322 decides to take to the air, what's the ceiling height?

The elf shrugs, "Yes, I can help. I can do some of the healing myself, although it may not be pleasant for you."

She mutters a few words, calling on the Void Between, and touches two of her wounded comrades. When she does, the same shadowy threads burst from their skin to knit their wounds together. The threads flow together when they meet, coating burned flesh in healing darkness before fading away. Wincing, she switches to the wand for the rest of the healing needed.

Cure Serious Wounds, Marnarius: 3d8 + 7 ⇒ (2, 1, 5) + 7 = 15

Cure Moderate Wounds, Rataji: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 7) + 7 = 15

Cure Moderate Wounds, wand (CL3), Joliryn: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 = 13

Cure Moderate Wounds, wand (CL3), Zurnzal: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 = 13

Sighing at the imperfect effect, the elf gives each of the Aspis another tap of her wand. "Another success like this and the wand will be empty."

Cure Moderate Wounds, wand (CL3), Marnarius: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 5

Cure Moderate Wounds, wand (CL3), Rataji: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8

Cure Moderate Wounds, wand (CL3), Joliryn: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4) + 3 = 12

Cure Moderate Wounds, wand (CL3), Zurnzal: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 = 11

Everyone should be at least close to full.

I don’t know what kind of resources the other characters have, but I’m happy to have 322 help with healing. Just ask in the gameplay thread - she’s unlikely to think to offer otherwise.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

The blast knocks the elf back a few feet and leaves her skin charred and smoking. She gingerly extracts a wand - miraculously untouched by the flames - from a belt holster and taps herself with it.

Cure Moderate Wounds, CL3: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 3) + 3 = 12

The wand heals her enough that she is able to use her voice, and casts another pair of healing spells herself.

Cure Serious Wounds: 3d8 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 7 = 20

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 1) + 7 = 16

Even as the elf's burned flesh fades back to her usual pallor, threads of inky stretch across bleeding cracks in her skin to stitch her back together, drawing the gaps closed before vanishing into nothingness.

She coughs out a final bit of smoke, and says in a shaky voice, "Well, that was interesting. Do you think it's likely to do that again?"

Sounds like there’s no need for the distraction yet - there’s nobody around to notice the alarm. Anybody disagree?

After I saw 322's post, I did a bit of searching around about Dispel Magic on traps (she seems to be assuming that the auras are wards) [....]

322 was just echoing the term Rataji used, didn't assume anything by it other than "magical effect that goes off if someone attempts to enter through the door." I'm not sure it's worth it - that's why 322 asked - Shohirajj might do better trying to disable it, for example - and if the door has a mundane lock we still need to deal with that before the dispel attempt if we won't have time to pick a lock before the magical trap resets.

The unnamed elf casts Detect Magic herself and leans forward to peer at the door with unfeigned interest.

"Should I try to dispel the wards? This Aram ... that is, the caster may be more experienced than I am, but it could still be worth the attempt."