Dvalin Fafnirson's page

I am currently holding my turn because on the map there are 2 giants near us, and both Kragg and Thurgrom attacked.

So if they only felled the southern giant or neither, I would full-attack the one near me.
If they felled the northern one, I would sweep around and attack the southern one once.
If they killed both of the Giants, depending on what Gage tells about the Sphere, I would move forward once and activate Divine Power, or move forward once and start casting Summon Fire Elemental/Spiritual Weapon/Wall of Flame.

It's seems a very convoluted if/or/then post with several spoilers most of which will be invalidated by the situation, so I'll state intent now but would do the proper post based on what you can tell me about the current situation(don't need a full update, just the two Giants next to us and the semisphere - identification)

(I don't think it would be very useful to post a full-attack just to learn my target is already gone and I need to pick something else to do)

Heheh....and hey, look, it's not Fickle Winds, just a Prismatic Sphere. :)

Probably a specially researched version that remains mobile and centered on him :P

Just making sure, because I missed it - you guys are including the giant hatred racial trait, right?

Dvalin advances in his Norn-Form, cutting at the Giant closest to him with his oversized Weapon. He enjoyed the raw power this form provided, but the unfamiliar vantage point eye to eye with a Giant also made it more difficult to avoid swinging too high.

Attack, racial, fey, heroism, hunters, bless, inspire, prayer: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 26
Damage, fey, racial, courage, hunters, prayer: 3d6 + 11 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6, 6) + 11 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 34

Honestly, I suspect a permanencied version of Fickle Winds...

Dvalin advances, and, feeling reasonably confident about the Darkness shielding them as more thrown stones miss him, turns into the Battle-Form of a Norn once more as he strides forward.

Fey Form II, then advance 30 feet.(Mechanical casting first so they can't pinpoint easily by hearing my casting.)

Taking note of the Giant brave enough to assail him in the Dark, Dvalin grips his weapon, then proceeds to cut his opponent down. There was no roaring Thunder, but his foe was dead, all the same.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16 Damage: 1d12 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 18
Attack Iterative: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 26 Damage: 1d12 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 16
Attack (Blessing of Favor): 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 35 Damage: 1d12 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 22
Attack (Blessing of Favor) Confirm?: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 30 Damage: 2d12 + 22 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 22 + 2 + 2 = 36

A miss, 16 damage if 26 hits, and a crit for 58 - since those guys are already damage I assume he is going down-

Dvalin marches forward with a steady stride, the Darkness anchored on his armor following...seeing some of the Giants stumble as they attempt to retreat further back, he sends a small bead towards their midst, which erupts into a flaming inferno as it reaches it's destination.

To hit intersection past soft cover as per Fireball Rules: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Fireball: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 2, 6, 4, 3, 5, 5, 6) = 37 DC 18 Reflex for Half

Nope, it's only supernaturally dark if it was dim light to begin with, in which case I could use normal Darkness instead.

Otherwise it's just perfectly dark, but Darkvision works normally, so Dwarves would be able to see, Giants not.

Aye, no damage on cast, and i understand the bookkeeping thing, I tried to make it as simple as possible in that there's always about 15-20 feet passing through, so if any want to get to us thats a fixed 3d8 damage - or, if they want to circle around, lots of movement and 6d8 - or a shorter movement route with more damage taken. Technically the 'slowing' effect on a failed save would simply compound that effect my making the long route with less damage take even longer, I'm perfectly fine if you want to handwaive some of those things, the goal is just to not be swarmed from all sides, and looking at the map, that seems to be achieved.

Also, I'll spare you Thorny Entanglement in the Middle of the Giants - which would be a great follow-up but at that point just silly for mass combat.

Dvalin marches forward with his allies, touching his Aszite armor with one hand as he does so. Suddenly, a deep darkness fills a large area around him, just out to the range of his abilities to see in the Dark.

Deeper Darkness, for 150 minutes. Conditional: If it is bright light here for whatever reason rather than normal light, and their low-light vision would negate the dim-light penalty, then I'd rather change my action as it would be completely wasted and I think I would be aware of the light level we have currently -

Aye, but we should also look at the potential benefit.
We are 6 characters, so hail of arrows is at MOST 6d8 of damage, if every one of us does a successfull attack(rather than, say, cast a spell or something).

+2 AC together with our Combat Training could make a difference.

Flanking, on the other hand, I'm not so sure - it is only of benefit to our melee guys and those could try and move into flanks themselves.

I think the most 'powerful' action is "Get Him" for a unconditional 5d8+10 damage.
One could probably also think of that as "Focus Fire!" for a Hail of Arrows aimed at a single target.

So mechanically, I would probably start with "Get Him(Focus Fire)", and alternate that with Shield Wall.
(Aiming the Get Him at probably Casters or supporters, or using it to try and finish off wounded Targets).

Thematically, that would be a volley of Fire aimed at a target followed by fierce defense as the next volley is prepared - Total War Warhammer Dwarven Style, hold the line with sturdy frontliners, while the backline deals heavy damage.

Attacks at +6,+6,+7,+7,+8,+8,+9,+9,+10,+10,+10+,10: 12d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 1, 3, 4, 1, 6, 1, 4, 6, 1) = 35

Dam at +2 on each die that hits: 12d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 4, 1, 3, 6, 6) = 42

Maybe you'd get better results if you didn't roll 12d6 for both attack AND damage? ;)

Apologies, I thought I had posted earlier - I said I'll need to check with spells and rework them but didn't have time then. I'll do them now if that is ok - we knew what we would go into and are at the start of the battle. I'll gladly take the Heroism, Gage!

Before the Battle, Dvalin gathers his allies and some of the nearby officers, and grants them all a Hunters Blessing - against Giants, and for the terrain of the chosen battlefield.
so +2 sacred for some checks that likely won't matter and attack/damage vs Giants, for 10 hours, for 10 targets - so with Tammy included thats 3 officers of our allies.

As Battle is joined, Dvalin considered turning into a Battleform again - but it seemed hardly desirable to stand out among the hundreds of Dwarves - too much attention meant too many attacks would be aimed at him.

Noticing the large number of giants that outnumbered them, be was concerned of getting flanked despite their allies - if they advanced faster, or worse, their allies were driven back, they could find themselves surrounded on all sides.
Kneeling for a moment to touch the ground, Dvalin calls out to the stones beneath, causing them to erupt with jagged edges to form a sort of funnel, a corridor of sorts that would make flanking around them at least painful for any Giants who would try.
Spike Stones, as indicated on map, 1d8 piercing damage per 5 feet of movement through them, DC 19 Reflex or half movement speed.

@Kragg: Don't mix them up...Devils are LAWFUL evil, they are usually very reliable if your contract is properly made. Often, they won't even try to screw you over legalistic formalities(unlike Djinns) - in the long run, they win. Short-term gains are often not worth betraying allies.
The CHAOTIC ones are demons. They'll find ways to do what you want, then screw you over as well. Just because they can.

That said, Dvalin considers them much the same as angels or agathions - out-of-plane meddlers with some limited interest in the material world - that can be useful tools, but are generally not to be trusted. Good or evil doesn't really play into that.
So his views are rather "plane natives" vs "outsiders" - elementals are simply most tolerable due to being True Neutral - giving any Agenda of theirs the fewest friction points with the 'natives'.

I could swear I had posted...if only for my Fire Elemental to hit something. But seems you did fine enough without the additional support.

Dvalin coughs to draw attention, then raises his head to address the Prince: "We disrupted the ritual because it was done in secret, and we knew nothing about it. If it was critical, surely there would at least have been a guard set to stop any interruption and to give it credibility. At the time, uninformed, we had reason to believe we had been infiltrated by enemies, who would unleash infernal allies to disrupt our ranks on the eve of battle. Murder, then, seemed the proper way of handling what we assumed must be traitors. We spilled blood in your name, to ensure your continued success. If the Stormhammers have any more critical proceedings that may seem like treason to an onlooker, then it would be wise to tell about those to any who would ensure the safety of our troops."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Will Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Concentration DC 18 to not lose spell: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Aye, a bit confused by the map as well, plus I originally also opted to stay behind. But I figure there was some time to fetch us if we expected trouble...also explains why they had time to finish their summoning...speaking of which...

The Ice Sphere's barrier worked both ways. With his eyes turning the color of Magma, Dvalin starts chanting himself, calling something to aid.
Summon Monster V, Spirit Magic(Fire Elementals only)

valid point, but going out on a limb here and guessing that a locked door won't stop us if we want to get in somewhere. :)

...Should we not reach Kick Nechezzar first, then I fear that he will be found dead."[/b] He let that sit for a moment, knowing full well that his kinsmen knew what the Prince was...

Just to be clear on this...Nechezzar is the Fire Giant King. Finding him dead would be just rosy. The one we are worried about is Dak Nimbus, and as said I am not certain they'll have him along with the war party rather than imprisoned in the Fire Giant Stronghold.

Dvalin, barely noticing something is amiss as he is deep in thoughts, just grunts his approval as several of his comrades move to find out more. He resolved to tend the fire and continue setting up camp. Whatever they found, they would be hungry when they returned, and all tasks needed doing.

I had, by default, several Darkness and Deeper Darkness-Spells prepared, but so far, everything we did battle against had Darkvision. For the Dragon Battle, I had exchanged them for Resist Energy/Protection from Energy.
So it never got used. I will definitely adjust the spells again for any combat we expect here.

And one day is plenty for an army that does not sleep, cannot be flanked, has no fear of critical hits or sneak attacks, does not breathe, ...

Still, they are here, and probably not truly combat ready.

But what they could do is extract a deep strike team that manages to secure a target of importance. Especially if ground-based Anti-Air gets distracted by sudden Elementals.

I doubt the enemy was so kind as to bring our King to the battle, probably holding him securely in some cell somewhere - but we could try and e.g. abduct the Frost Dwarf Queen or something. Fast in, have elementals assault, then get Skyrecruits to loudly sing Fortunate Son while they extract us into the sunset.

Dvalin, understanding that his brethren were aligned on the other side of the battle lines, keeps a low profile, making sure not to provoke any Gold Peak inhabitants that may be...nervous.
Some would no doubt believe he was a spy, or prefer for him to be locked away, but his loyalty had always been to the mountain - not to a king, not to another person. The earth and fire and clay which nourished them and formed them. That was where his loyalties lay.

Asking around for the plans for the war council would just draw more attention to him. Instead, he mingled with some of the mercenaries, to better understand their strengths and weaknesses, and with the Skycaptains of House Wrenwrain.

(If Skycaptain is not just an honorary title, cutting a deal for an exit strategy with one may be worthwhile.)

Basically, she won't agree to fight, but will take apartments in Gold Peak or at the vineyard and remain behind.

All good, not trying to push her into the line of duty. She has already shown she is good with self-defense, even if she was stripped of items. Nothing more is asked, that she defend herself, her child, and the safety of her home IF enemies come knocking, rather than join the first attackers to wipe Gold Peak off the maps.

@Team: We may also want to consider the option of using one or 2 of the elemental armies to even the odds.
We had some people holding multiple ones, maybe this would be a good time to consider using them? Not saying we have to, but we should at least consider it.
A surprise army of earth elementals coming straight up from the ground would ruin some opponents day...just saying.

Finally: we are 13k XP short of Level 11 - maybe we could get in some skirmishing before the front lines clash? Some Recon/Commando/Sabotage mission, maybe?
(I know that one is meta, but I finally get Spellstrike, my familiar gets my full HP, and my weapon is auto-flaming - it's a great step forward for me :P )

Sense Motive Aid: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Dvalin joins the conversation, focusing more on her than on her words:"The mother of your partner did not seem to hold you in high regard. She may not like the idea of getting a grandson...alas, we have no reason to cause trouble for you. She knows neither that you are alive, nor that you are with child, and there is no need for her to learn. But you would be wise to retire somewhere sufficiently far from here. As my friend stated, Gold Peak currently has some troubles, but would otherwise be a hospitable place. We do have a small elven community tending a Vineyard. We do understand that our actions brought you grief, so the least we can do is offer some respite and hospitality. You know, in your heart, that it had to come this way. The first time, we only came to talk, but the falling-out with his mother had already caused a rift that was unmendable. If it had not been us, someone else would have done the deed.
So I humbly apologize but hope that you hold no grudge against us and consider our offer. You can come with us, stay for a while and consider your options. Settle down if you like it, or move on if you don't. When is the child due? You'd want to be someplace reasonably safe then, not on the road or on the run..."

@Lady Hail, I did post here in discussion - we were already forwarded back by that point so in-game seemed unfitting, as depending on our initial talk with her, she may be dead(we have good sense motive...if she would come after us, we can still end her) or at some random place in the world(if she is not taking us up on our offer and not seeking revenge, she'll likely leave to somewhere else).

So only IF she is truthful about not going to try and work against us, AND she agrees to come with us, would she end up in Gold Peak. So i figured I should not assume her presence with us after we returned.

@Frost Dwarves: I get that they are an opposed Kingdom.
But as I am a Frost Dwarf myself, I do know that they happen to have the Giant Hatred Trait, as well as Defensive Training against Giants.
Yet they line up flanked by Fire Giants to their left, and Hill Giants to their right. To help the Giants kill other Dwarves.

I think there must be more to this than simple opposition - I could buy that if they stand back to see who wins, then march in to take out whoever remains bloodied on the field of battle.
But if they actually join forces with the Giants...their fluff says they bear a deep connection to the gods. We have an Avatar of the Goddess of Murder on our side - I do hope that is not connected. If they align with their mortal enemies to take us out because they know something about Nim we don't, then we'll have to question if we're on the right side here...

I'll have to go look back on 2 things, but maybe someone could jog my memory:

1.: Did anything come of the Were-Rat attack during the social event we attended? Where the entrance tunnels investigated/sealed?
I mean, it was not a random attack - if we're all marching to war it would be good to know they are not coming back for more when only the weakest members of society are left in Gold Peak.

2.: What did we do with the Leader of the Dark Ones Company? The one we apprehended when HE tried to free Nim? I mean, he was contracted by the Stormies...I just don't quite remember how we resolved that part.

3.: Regarding point 1, I would feel saver if Lady Hail decided to come hide here and defend our home - we kinda didn't resolve that, really. If you'd rather she just swore to not hold a grudge and vanish into the sunset, that is fine too - also...was she really with child? Or just made that up?

What do you mean "return it to someone?"
Someone here sold it to the Empress. We earned it from her. It is ours, and by ancestry/heritage, Thurgroms.

If someone else wants to have it, they can ask for a trial by combat.
(Well, not Nim since that would be cheating).

14923 per beard?
Does that mean 7462 for Rubius? :D

More seriously: Thurgrom - you have great craft-weapons, but AFAIK you don't have craft magic arms and armor, right?
Just asking because it makes a distinct difference in pricing between doing it ourselves or outsourcing it.

Either way, I would have my +1 Greataxe reforged into a +2 Rhoka.
I assume for the reforging I'll pay the Masterwork-Price again(because the new form also needs to be worthy of enchanting).
So 6300 Gold there. (8000-2000+300).
Also upgrading the +1 Full Plate to a +2 Vital Guard Full Plate.
(Vital Guard is a mundane enhancement - base price 500, but marked up to 750 for magical armor) - +1 to +2 is a 3000 gold difference.
So subtotal here is 3750 Gold. 4000-1000+750.

14923-6300-3750 leaves me 4873 to work with, which limits the options slightly.

I would be interested in having Rubius make "Gloves of Arrow Snaring" and "Boots of the Earth", for 2000 and 2500 respectively, but I'll see how many days he has remaining in case someone has more urgent 'orders' to complete for him.

(I would really like at least the Gloves, though. I'll have a free hand for casting, so negating a ranged attack even just twice a day would be very welcome.)

Ahahaha....my mistake. I figured you wanted a bonus - if it's just the Spell Requirement, then no issue at all. Certainly, I'll prep that for you.
I seriously misread the intent there.

@GM: One thing I brought up some time ago was the fact that the Greataxe I use may not synergize well with Spell-Strike(which will unlock at Level 11)
(First, the Crit Range is only 20; secondly, it would use a free hand to cast, then grip the Axe and Strike...which 'double-books' the hand.)

I mentioned it during the last level-up - to maybe use the Level 9 Feat to get proficiency with a Rhoka instead.
And get the Axe reforged into a Rhoka. (Dvalin's sister inherited the family forge/smithery from their parents, and was supposed to be a capable blacksmith).

Would it be possible to get that done during our short downtime?
(Note that Feat List in character sheet still lists the originally planned Furious Focus - but I never used it.)
Specifically asking because in that case I would likely also get it upgraded to +2(and maybe also get the armor upgraded to +2 as long as we're there).

@Gage: AFAIK you don't need to be able to do it yourself to contribute to specific parts of the crafting process.
As per cooperative crafting, you can supply certain requirements for the item, even if you are unable to craft it yourself.
I think assisting with knowledge about spellcraft would be no different - even if you could not craft the item in question by yourself, you could help out with superior knowledge on the nature of magic items.
(That is, the scientist guy could explain exactly how the concept works, but that does not mean he could build it...while the mechanical engineer can build it but may not be certain about some of the principles involved).

But a GM call, of course.

I could, in theory, but that depends on GM...Fox's Cunning (and Owls Wisdom) is minute/level, I have seen some table variance on wether that is allowed to apply to crafting or not.
(Some demand that the buff covers the whole crafting period, I think the worst offender was Lore Mystery's "Focused Trance" -)

What about having one person assist instead? If Gage would be willing to help, he could auto-grant a +2 bonus and I believe if memory serves 1-2 assistants are valid for item-crafting.

What was your all plans to do with her when you got back?

Well, I suppose we skipped over that, kinda. I think that is already determined when she comes to again and we have a chance to have a talk.

Mainly check if she would seek revenge. If so, we can't let her go.
Secondly, if she wants to come with us. (It does seem like a stupid idea, considering we killed the supposed father of her supposed child - but at the same time, HIS mother was not fond of her, and did not seem ready to be a grandma just yet.(and if she was feeling like it, it's doubtful she needs a 'mother' around)).
So technically grant her quarter to stay hidden(with the Vineyard crew?) in return for service in the defense of gold peak if the city is under threat by foes internal or external(as determined by us).

But really, that would be up to how she reacts after waking and how the talk goes. Just throwing that idea out there. She clearly is a caster of significant skill, she currently has no place to call home and no allies, and she was truthful will soon have a child that may limit her options.

Gather information assist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Dvalin was used to being on the road - travelling from community to community, sometimes spending years, sometimes only weeks.
Being away for some time meant little - nobody missed him, and the companions he choose were with him.
All the same, he kept his ears open when they returned, to add some nuances to whatever the others managed to learn.

@Rubius - it would seem you are correct, so only +2, rather than +3 from those. On the other hand, I only double-moved on first round, but could have charged by sending my familiar in first to light the target - so I omitted one attack I could have made.

Will Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
"Who is free? What are you talking about?"
Still in the form of the large woman, Dvalin raises his axe, then chops the dragons head clean off. With the adrenaline of battle flooding his veins, he was not sure if they were to present it to his mother, but it would make a fine memento if not.
It was a pity they would need to leave the scales behind - fine armor could be crafted from such - but even if she wanted him dead, his mother would probably prefer if they did not 'harvest' her dead son like some common pig.
Retrieving Lady Hail, and making sure her bindings were secure, Dvalin organized some means of transport as soon as possible, so that Thurgrom would not need to carry all by himself.
As it turned out, the fresh head of a dead Dragon on the top of a wagon made for a great deterrent, as they made their way to Gold Peak without any serious trouble.

Aye, I understand :)
Just saying I had lucky rolls, too. If you make them much harder, we may really only hit on a natural 20.
@Giants: Finally some good news...well, kinda...but we do have combat training against those...

To be honest, I also expected the Dragon to get another action at least.

But before you go making the next enemy harder: That was peak performance right there. I could not squeeze any other boni out from somewhere, so if the next guy has even better defenses or we can't prepare specifically against him, I'd be out of tricks.

Aye, so ideally looking at 43/39/43 for those attacks, then...if memory serves only very old dragons get blindsight and only have blindsense before. Not a guarantee, but definitely worth hoping for.

Round 1: For sake of not retconning anything, simply double-fly to within 15 feet, so that I am out of his reach, but can 5-foot step to attack-range.

Will Save DC 22: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 40 Damage: 3d6 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 28
Attack Divine: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 36 Damage: 3d6 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 26
Attack Iterative: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 40 Damage: 3d6 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) + 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 30

+2 to all attacks if he has Darkvision and Blindsense, but not Blindsight(due to Druchiite Material for Axe). Another +1 to all attacks if I was included in Haste after moving.

Attack+Extra Strenght+Heroism(Morale)+Inspire Courage(Competence)+Arcane Pool+Hunters Blessing(Sacred)+Blessing of Fervor(Untyped)+Divine Power(Luck)
Not including Haste, as I was excluded...but possible if I moved in the previous round I should be covered, too?)
Damage+Strenght+Hunters+Divine+Arcane Pool+Inspire Courage

The large fey-like Woman approaches swiftly, flying, then holds just outside the range of the Dragon.
As the Wyrm lashes out against Dvalins allies, he speaks up:"We came to you twice, willing to talk. Twice, you attacked us. Now your feeble magics will not protect you against our wrath."
With that, the large axe she is wielding flashes forward multiple times, biting deep into the scales of the creature.

AC is -2, -1 from Dex, -1 from Size.

Ah, nevermind the charge - problem is that I have to see the target of the charge when I begin it - even if I know where he supposedly is, I can't start charging in the rough direction and then home in on him, unfortunately :P

But it's still good to know there are no massive obstacles in form of rock formations or something...and that IF light were to be provided, a charge would be an option. Not necessarily the best, but an option. Because I think right now he sees us, but we don't see him, which is...not tactically great.

Okay, then it makes sense to use Fly instead, if only as a failsafe against falling.

Also, as the situation seems unclear: The dragon noticed us as we started our ascend/descend, right? That means we are still where we are on the map.
(probably has longer-ranged Darkvision, too).
At the same time, we don't see it, which is also why no spellcraft-check for the Spell was listed as only Kragg is close enough and does not seem to be trained?

That said, unless Thurgrom is TOO loud, we may still be able to deduce from any Vocal Component if the casting is ongoing or finished-?

It has great impact on the desirable actions this round...how many of us could close with him or how long would it take them to even get nearby, could a spell be interrupted, are there any other buffs provided after moving closer if there are no other actions for those players?(Bardic Performance, Prayer, etc...)?

Holding for now. Assuming I do fly, could I charge the Dragon in a straight line?

Just to be clear, the round/level buffs will only happen after the scouting, I think that's true for all of us.

Also, I do have Acrobatic Steps and Nimble Moves - will those work for the ground here or is it not 'difficult terrain' per se?
In that case I'd probably remember I also have fly prepared today once realising the perils of the place.

Channel Twice: 5d6 + 5d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 4, 4) + (2, 6, 3, 4, 4) = 40
Some of us are hurt, it seems - I would channel before we enter, least we can do is make sure we are topped of HP wise.

Once their prisoner is stripped of her gear and bound as good as can be done quickly to an unconscious person, Dvalin has his allies rejoin him in a chamber closer to the main lairs entrance, then Channels energy twice more to heal any wounds his allies might still have from the previous battle.
Then he speaks up:"I shall change into a form that amplifies my powers. Do not be alarmed - I will attempt to channel the very power of the Norns..."
After making sure there is enough space, and it would be possible to fit through the door - otherwise waiting until they passed it - Dvalins flame-red hair turns blond, his beard shifting sideway and merging into long braids with his main hair. His features become clearly feminine as he grows larger and larger. Eventually, a towering woman gripping a large Axe stands in his place, then nods decisively, the voice now female, but the intonation and speech pattern clearly Dvalins, and booming:"Lets cut short a thread of fate..."

Ah, forgot fly with the shorter-term buffs. It's also minute per level and should be there with Fey Form, before Divine Power :P
Specifically saved those until before we enter his chamber so it's annoying I would forget now.

Had trouble logging in, yes. As for buffs:

I only had long-term buffs active previously.
False Life is gone, but Barkskin, Protection from Energy and Heroism are all still online.

@Short term: Animal Growth on Tawny if Rubius wants it despite the tight quarters.

Fey Form II on self, taking the form of a Norn. (+4 Str/Con, -2 Dex, Large Size, Speed 40, low light vision, all-around vision, DR 2/cold iron)
Divine Power on self.

Also, because it's been a while since it was cast: Hunters Blessing is still active on Dragon/Underground.

@Gear: Aye, strip her before binding her. (not in the sexual sense, but anything that pings to detect magic and any components she may have come off her.)

I don't carry a spare armor, but she can have a sack over her head, a sock in her mouth, and a silk rope on her hands and feet. If she DOES use components that would be convenient as it already rules out a good number of spells.
We'll make sure via Heal check that she IS knocked out, but I wouldn't spend more time here now than needed, we can presumably properly subdue her after we dealt with the Dragon.

When she comes to, she should initially be unable to see, unable to speak, and unable to gesture, with no components or gear, prone and surrounded. We can take it from there and take away the mouth sock to let her speak, then.

"Aye. Our brothers come first. So say we all." was the only thing that Dvalin responded to that.
Not sure if anybody can catch up to Thurgrom? Or has means of stopping him?

"An interesting proposition. But I am not certain it is true love between them. She is not by his side but was away in this room. She may be little more than property to him. Returning to his mother might mean a swift death, I doubt he'll value her enough to risk that, or even listens to us. It would depend on the nature of their relationship, and with dragons, I am not willing to gamble on genuine love towards another species - child or not. By all means, try it, or have a summon deliver our message, but we should be ready to defeat him with our own hands."
Dvalin looks at the woman with contempt as he helps to bind her: "She may have been his little plaything that had little choice - his mother made perfectly clear what she thought about her. She was an employee turned lover - and I know many stories of maids that did not wish for a child from their master but had no say in the matter. If we are lucky, her allegiance to him is not as firm as we fear, and we may have liberated her from this fate...or she may come to see it that way with some thought and guidance..."

Well, to be fair, it was us who took the detour. We could have headed straight for her employer, and she is standing with the back to a wall which hardly qualifies as "blocking the way".

She'll be my responsibility to handle, and I'll accept fault for any ill that comes from this.

"Yield, then.", Dvalin shouts back, his axe still ready in case this was only a ruse.
If she complies, he would continue: "You hold vast arcane powers. I guarantee we will talk, and your safety for the time being, but I will knock you unconscious. We cannot risk the danger of letting you stay awake - not right now. My apologies, Lady."
Only when the others are watching her intently, ready to strike the moment she starts casting, will Dvalin leave his stance and flip his axe to the side.
Giving her a moment to acknowledge what is about to happen, he then knocks the woman out.

A whole possible scenario as I'm off to bed. That is, if Rubius lets me :)

I disagree...we are here to kill the dragon, the son of our employer. Anything else is collateral.

She named the Elf as Chamberlain here.

That means she may well be aware of our intention, and instead of faithlessly fleeing, decided to remain with her employer(and possibly father of her child).
He may have told her attackers would come and to remain in her quarters - she didn't try and sneak out through that secret passage. And she may have had a chance to flee, but just killing everything regardless of need seems a murderhobo thing to do.

She may have been his lover, by choice or otherwise, so there's a chance she feels more loyalty than that of a subordinate to their commander - I see how it could mean she may return as a threat in the future. But thats why I said we have some people with very good people knowledge.

But seriously, my issue stems mostly from the fact that to her, we are the marauding home invaders that just trashed everything and came to her dead-end room.
If I imagine it the other way round, being trapped with hostiles outside my room, in my own home, then I would also blast first.
Also, and I consider this important: She had defensive Spells up, but that fireball at the door was a trap(6d6 is not what she has as output), and in the first round she attempted to banish Elementals, in the second she attempted to use Fear on us.
Nonlethal attempts to defuse the situation or make us leave.
She only resorted to blast us with damaging magic after all her images were popped, her absorption gone, and she took actual damage despite her stoneskin.
Before that the only lethal damage output from her was her defensive Wreath that WE triggered.
It's not like we stormed in there and tried to TALK with her. (someone called her b#!#& but that's about it - the remainder was tactics talk among us or orders for summons-)

So I am not fully convinced she was trying to kill us all that hard. Instead of trying to Banish Elementals trying to rip her from her safety cocoon, she could have opened with that Cold Blast, then followed up with some more direct damage...

As a result, I am against killing her in cold blood, which would possible be murder. (her supposed unborn child may play into this, but even without pregnancy I would have preferred to give her a chance to yield).
We came after her in her chamber, not the other way round.
We did not try talking with her. She did(just now, but still).
She tried to deal with us nonlethally - we did not.
Not very gentlemanly of us. So at least in defeat, I'd prefer to give her benefit of the doubt. If it is clear she would remain a threat, we can still decide what to do with her.

Well, there's always dealing nonlethal damage. If she is willing to yield, she could allow herself to be hit nonlethally.

That. And Breath of Life. I'd rather not waste it on her, but honor is honor. Dvalin is not keen on killing a woman that may have gotten mixed up in the mess. Neutralize her, certainly. Kill? Doesn't seem honorable.