Nikolai Tesla's page

Nikolai is momentarily vexed by the barring of his passage, but then a thought occurs to him, and he starts laughing.

"If I truly cannot leave zis place, zen I am free of ze bargain zat vas made viz ze Great Crone."

He then looks up into the sky, and shouts.

"Baba Yaga, I claim zat vhich is rightfully mine."

There is a crack of thunder, and then a bolt of lightning strikes one of the boulders. The ground rumbles, and then with an explosion of quartz shards, a giant egg the size of a horse bursts from the ground. It keeps getting bigger and bigger, until it is the size of an elephant; at that point, it splits open, revealing a strange sight - a 15' x 15' x15' hut (decorated in Ustalavic fashion), which unsteadily gets to its feet, for indeed it has legs - two great raptor-like ones.

The front door is shaped like the beak of some great bird of prey, and it keens as it moves over to Nikolai, bowing down before him.

"Yes, you vill do nicely."

He then turns to the others, and waves.

"It vas a pleasure to vork viz all of you. If anyone vants to visit, please let ze Grand Lodge know zat ze Abyss now has at least one Lodge open for business."

Nikolai then smiles wryly.

"It is small," he says, pointing to the Hut, "but I feel zat mobility vill be important... I also do not expect to have *zat* many visitors... and if I am to protect zem from ze local flora and fauna, I vill need to keep zem close."

Note: Nikolai definitely has retained his non-Evil alignment (despite now having the Evil subtype), and intends to maintain it!

*wince*

Your other table was light on spellcasters? At higher levels, that is never going to be pretty...

Good job, everyone!

Nikolai breathes a sigh of relief.

"Zat... vas a suitable epic battle, a saga of momentous proportions, zat vill enter into myth and legend, if you vill pardon ze pun."

He then gives the corpse a calculating look.

"Vaste not, vant not..."

Nikolai then moves forward to extract Deskari's other heart...

With a frown of annoyance, Nikolai once again tries to thin the image herd around Koth'Vaul...

Battering Blast(Touch): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25, for 5d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 5, 4) = 18 Force damage.
Battering Blast(Touch): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18, for 5d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 4, 4) = 14 Force damage.
Battering Blast(Touch): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21, for 5d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 5, 2, 2) = 17 Force damage.
Spell Penetration: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33.

How about a nice acid bath for Koth'Vaul...?

Well, I have no way to get Sir Hendric up, so...

Nikolai flaps forward, and tries to thin the image herd, for the others...

Battering Blast (Touch): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18, for 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 2, 3) + 5 = 19 Force damage.

Battering Blast (Touch): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26, for 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 4, 1) + 5 = 24 Force damage.

Battering Blast (Touch): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23, for 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 3, 3) + 5 = 24 Force damage.

Spell Penetration: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21.

...but his spell gets absorbed.

Not really - It just changes my position. I'll go to the side, and cast it down the line.

Nikolai winces when Bellum goes down, then frowns.

Those cultists need to go...

Since Koth'Vaul seemed to be using them as a hit point battery...

He then flies around Koth'Vaul, before unleashing blasts of electricity and cold upon the cultists.

Chain Lightning: 15d6 + 30 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 5, 5, 1, 5, 5, 2, 3, 5, 2, 5, 1, 6) + 30 = 85 Electricity damage. DC 28 Reflex for half.

If any are left standing, that is then followed by...

Cold Ice Strike: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (5, 1, 4, 6, 3, 4, 6, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 4, 6, 2) + 15 = 81 Cold damage. DC 27 Reflex for half.

(If they are all dead, the blast goes the other way, to hit Koth'Vaul.)

Acid Blast to the Cultists?

@Frag: Both the Glabrezu and the Vrock are pretty heavily injured; your gladius would probably do the job...?

Nikolai frowns.

"I am not ze one rapidly hemorrhaging minions..."

He then flies forward, flapping on dragonfly wings, before unleashing another pair of terrible blasts of ice and fire upon the remaining demons.

Cold Ice Strike: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 3, 6, 2, 2, 6, 4, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1, 5) + 15 = 66 Cold damage. DC 27 Reflex for half.

This attack hits the Blue Vrock.

Blood Piercing Mythic Firesnake: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 1, 2, 6, 6, 1, 5, 6, 5, 1, 1, 3, 2) + 15 = 68 Fire damage.

DC 26 Reflex for half, they both roll twice and take the lower option (if they are non-Mythic), their Fire Resistance is 9 lower than normal against this attack, and their Spell Resistance is 9 lower than normal against this attack.

This attack hits the Blue Vrock, the Green Glabrezu, and the Orange Glabrezu.

Nikolai looks mightily affronted that a simple Vrock would dare to touch him!

He steps to the side (5' step), and then unleashes further gouts of Ice and Fire.

Cold Ice Strike: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 4, 5, 2, 2, 3, 1, 4, 4, 6, 2, 2, 4, 5, 3) + 15 = 66 Cold damage. DC 27 Reflex for half.

This attack hits the Pink Vrock, and the Red Glabrezu.

Spell Resistance (Red Glabrezu): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (16) + 24 = 40.

Blood Piercing Mythic Firesnake: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 6, 4, 6, 6, 1, 6, 4, 5, 5, 3, 4, 4, 1, 3) + 15 = 79 Fire damage.

DC 26 Reflex for half, they both roll twice and take the lower option (if they are non-Mythic), their Fire Resistance is 9 lower than normal against this attack, and their Spell Resistance is 9 lower than normal against this attack.

This attack hits the Green Vrock, the Pink Vrock, the Red Glabrezu, the Green Glabrezu, and Koth'Vaul.

Spell Resistance (Koth'Vaul): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (10) + 24 = 34.

EDIT: To be clear, I auto-cast defensively, and I am definitely doing so!

Sounds good to me.

Nikolai frowns when Koth'Vaul disappears, then shrugs, and tosses a blast of flame, which seeps through the air, and enveloping the Pink Vrock and the Blue Glabrezu.

"My Fire burns hotter..."

Blood Piercing Mythic Fire Snake: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 3, 2, 6, 6, 2, 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4) + 15 = 58 Fire damage.

DC 26 Reflex for half, they both roll twice and take the lower option, their Fire Resistance is 9 lower than normal against this attack, and their Spell Resistance is 9 lower than normal against this attack, which I am pretty certain means that I don't need to roll, as I have a +24 bonus on spell penetration for this roll.

Frowning, he then follows that up with a blast of freezing ice covering the Pink Vrock.

Cold Ice Strike: 15d6 + 15 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 6, 4, 6, 4, 5, 2, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 2) + 15 = 67 Cold damage. DC 27 Reflex for half.

EDIT: Those are some truly horrible rolls!

I assume this intel is shared by our friend...? :-)

Well, just to be clear: In addition to the previously cast Resist Energy(Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire, Sonic) cast upon myself, I have cast Resist Energy(Fire) on everyone else, and Fly three times on those who asked for it (spell slots have been spent accordingly).

------------

I also have a Wand of False Life that those of you with UMD are welcome to use.

Would not say no to fly.

Done!

Alright, so, that is six CL 16 Resist Energy(Fire)s, to cover everyone in the party (including Sentry), and two Flys, so far.

Sure.

I can give everyone in the party a Resist Energy 30. Any particular preference for which 'flavor' of protection?

Also, if anyone would like a Fly spell, let me know.

Nikolai convulses as he finishes the last of the heart, his limbs twitching in what appears to be a grand mal seizure, but one complicated by the fact that his body seems to be morphing and twisting.

However, by sheer force of will, he gradually gets control of himself, and as he does so, his body readopts a semblance of normality, albeit with some not-so-subtle changes - namely the fact that his wings have become insectile, and his eyes have become multi-faceted.

"Vell. Zzzzat vas certainly a unique experience. I vouldn't say zzzzat I vould recommend it as a routine activity, zzzzough..."

Nods.

Seems reasonable. Based on a 'Standard' Glabrezu, I would say the (really only) three SLAs to pick immunity to would be Chaos Hammer, Confusion, and Unholy Blight - the others are either too high level, don't allow SR, or are personal spells.

Nikolai looks mildly affronted.

"As a general rule, I don't consume ze blood of ozer sentients; you had nozing to fear from me, Sir Hendric. You see, back home in Ulstalav, zey prepare special meals by feeding animals specific diets, to give zem particular piquant aromas... some might call it cruel, but it is no vorse zen ze vay goose liver pate, and herb-infused carp, are prepared."

To pick some real-world examples...

"Zat said, I believe zat if you are going to kill an animal, you might as vell make use of as much of it as possible, so I alvays saw it as being a public service - not letting good resources go to vaste."

Nikolai shrugs apologetically.

"Sorry - I blame my parents (or more specifically, my fazer). I tend to forget zat not everyone is either an obligate or facultative haemovore."

*nods* it is indeed - but since I am activating it because I expect to take damage shortly, that isn't a problem ;-) That said, due to its short duration, it will be the last thing that I activate...

Nikolai turns to the others.

"Anyone *not* fancy a quick drink? For zose of you zat haven't tried it before, blood has an iron-like flavor, viz a hint of gouda if zey have recently had a fatty meal, or a hint of honey if zey have been eating a lot of sugary-foods. Personally, I prefer black pudding as a more regular dietary item, but sometimes, you just can't go past an original classic..."

Heh.

I got a chuckle out of that!

I had never watched the old Rankin/Bass cartoon before, but I had heard that it was pretty groan-worthy :-P

Nikolai raises an eyebrow.

Everyone has ze potential to become a terrifying, nightmarish lord of evil - ze real question is vhezer you are villing to give into temptation, and travel down zat dark paz, or fight against it - ze latter is invariably harder, of course, but is usually more vorzvhile; if everyone did not at least have boz ze potential for Evil and ze hope of Good, zen ze angels and demons vould be out of a job..."

That said, I am not going to lie - this is certainly a logical progression from being involved in a certain infamous Lissalan feast; it is not everyday you get the chance to consume the essence of a God ;-)

EDITed, in response to Bellum's edit:
Nikolai grins, showing his pointed canines.

"Certainly, Gnomes can be pretty terrifying - I argue it is because zey have had an eternity to try everyzing at least once, forcing zem to come up viz some truly terrifying zings to stave off boredom..."

With a nod to Bellum, Nikolai moves forward, more than a little hungrily...

Heh. Well, I don't think anyone has actually checked, but Nikolai *already* radiates an aura of strong evil ;-)

...however, he catches himself at the last moment, and casts a few buffs before proceeding, including activating a Sihedron-shaped tattoo.

30 temporary hit points from my Sihedron Brand, and Resist Energy 30 to everything, just to be on the safe side... I am not so foolish as to assume that doing this will be painless... especially after those repeated cracks about 'most worthy'!

Eh. Even if it removes my PC from the campaign (or perma-kills him), it doesn't matter - I can't play him again, anyway (well, if I slow-played this game, I could play him *once* more), due to certain bargains that would take effect when he hits 16th level :-P

Nikolai perks up when Deskari explains the offer.

"Vell, I have already consumed portions of souls (including my own)... consuming ze heart of a God seems like a logical progression. If it helps me avoid certain bargains zat I have already made, so much ze better; Baba Yaga can be very demanding, but ze power of a demon lord vould eclipse even her own..."

I am quite interested in this offer :-)

Nikolai nods.

"Power is never given freely; zere is alvays a catch... Ze real question is, are you villing to pay ze price? For Koth'Vaul's head, I vould be villing to bargain much..."

He then grins, exposing his fangs.

"Vizin reason, of course..."

Nikolai nods.

"Zat sounds like a reasonable deal to me, O Lord. Koth'Vaul has been somevhat inconvenient to us, and needs to be put down like ze cur he is. Vhat do ve need to do?"

Whew! That was a nail-biting combat!

Nikolai breathes a sigh of relief when the final demon goes down.

He then moves to the edge of the ring closest to Deskari's corpse, and gives it a calculating look.

"Ve have come to ze corpse of ze Demon Lord of Locusts... and a ring of insects protected us. Zat can't be a coincidence."

He then clears his throat, and addresses the corpse politely.

"Oh Lord of Locusts, can you hear me? Ve seek to stop Koth'Vaul. I understand zat he vas after your heart..."

In that case...

Nikolai winces, then squares his shoulders, and casts Dimension Door, hoping that Kulik can make a significant impact upon the beast.

Wincing, Nikolai once again envelops himself and his two closest allies in a force bubble.

Emergency Force Sphere.

He then turns his head so the big beast can't see his lips move, and says:

"I can now only Dimension Door us, vhich means zat you vill be able to attack, but I von't be able to envelop us in a force bubble for protection after zis..."

With a frown of annoyance, Nikolai Greater Teleports his allies to a more convenient position.

"Enjoy it vhile it lasts - I can't do zat again."

Hendric, I believe that I have teleported you adjacent to your weapon.

To be clear: I was not implying I would do it in the middle of combat; I was suggesting I would do it *after* the combat.

Will, Enchantment Foil, Lucky Horseshoe: 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 4 + 3 = 29.

Yeah.... It is worth noting that I can't Greater Teleport around forever. I will happy spend the 42 prestige to get Hendric an 'out of area' Raise Dead and Greater Restoration, if it means we take these things out faster.

Ah, fair enough. Doesn't change my action, though, as we need Kulik to take these things down, or we are all dead...

Well, I'm not sure what sort of ready it would be, considering it used a standard to whack Hendrick, and Readying is also a standard action...?

Nikolai Greater Teleports himself and Kulik to a position where the archer can hopefully hit both demons, and Nikolai can then protect some other party members with his next Sphere.

Damn straight I am using Emergency Force Sphere!

Sensing that the most useful thing that he can do right now, is to keep Kulik safe, mobile, and able to unleash torrents of arrows, Nikolai throws up another bubble of force, just as the beast starts to take a swing.

Emergency Force Sphere.

I have a better idea...

Mindful of the fact that these creatures seem able to rip items off of people, Nikolai Greater Teleports himself and Kulik to the other side of the circle.

"Please deal viz zese creatures... I believe zat zey have a serious arrow deficiency..."

Sure. If I can only get one, I will take Kulik - the murderturret (tm) needs to be protected ;-)

*Shrugs* In that case, I will just cast Emergency Force Sphere, and sit this one out (since I can't really affect them with much, in any case, what with Fire and Electricity being what I do - I am *really* not built for fighting Demons...) :-/

Will: 1d20 + 12 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 5 = 31.

*Nods* I was also already covered from a Life Bubble perspective, thanks to my Frontovik's Gas Mask.

Nikolai looks calculatingly at the big creature hovering over him.

"You vill do."

He then casts two spells, in quick succession.

Note: I auto-pass the concentration checks to cast defensively.

Spell Resistance(Quickened Ill Omen): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32.
Spell Resistance(Persistent Possession): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31.

So basically, roll twice, and take the lowest on a DC 24 Will save. If that passes, roll twice, and take the lowest, again.

If that succeeds, it then gets to roll twice, and take the lowest on its next two d20 rolls.

I figure that it has a low chance of success, but if it does work, it will be amazing :-)

@GM: To be clear, I am running See Invisibility and Heroism as 24-hour buffs; that is why I am out of 2nd/3rd level spell slots...

Before moving on, I will tap myself with a Wand of Infernal Healing, and a Wand of False Life: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Temp hp.

*shrugs* If you have already run it before, I am quite happy for you to do so again :-)

Agreed. I would prefer to just continue with the current group. It looks like everyone is here!

I don't mind. We should probably check that everyone is still around first, though ;-)