"'Shari, stop flirting with my familiar. You are shameless."
Straehan, Lord of Destruction, is finished - tremble and despair.
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Come on 8's... I gotta beat Jayse.
I'm OK with Ultimate Equipment - no need to run it past me. Alright, moment of truth... HPs winner!
After much thinking, Strae is gonna go with another Sorc Archetype. I figured a truly nasty and evil combination of abilities that I just can't resist.
Straehan shares his thoughts with Jofram, "Naladoria was going to use our reputation and 'legends' to sway people to her side. I think we capitalize on their work to our own purposes... getting people ready for the war, getting the word out, organizing, command and control... all the infrastructure needed to fight a war. It seems our reputation is strongest in Amador so maybe we should start there - in every town we've ever visited, tapping everyone we know and everyone they know." He glances at the Witch. "Seems to me organizing an army is right in your bailiwick, Orin. You know tactics, training, and logistics I believe."
Straehan plays with the dit of hair below his lips and watches Bebhinn with a small smile. "One way or another, Naladoria wants us dead. And we've got to either dismantle the 'cult of personality' she has built around us OR usurp it to our own purposes. Either way - if we want to hedge our bets - we could use a few allies. Divine allies could be nice-to-haves." He considers the situation for a moment longer, "I'm in. I haven't sat out a dance yet, and I'm just too old to start. Besides, I'm pretty sure, Mistress Bebhinn put a little more into that kiss she gave me than the ones she gave the rest of you. There are some potential bed-mates, you just don't say 'no' to." Straehan tries to cultivate a look of lascivious innocence.
The gnome scrambles over to the witch and slaps the Rod into his hand. "I hope you've got a good trick in your bag for this." Strae looks to Jayse, wracking his brain for an answer - and comes up blank. "I've got NO idea how to beat her, Jayse."
"I would be remiss not to thank you, Nala, for the gifts you gave - regardless of your motivations. So, 'thanks'." Straehan considers his choices for a moment, "Knowing who I am and who I was... I've done more than my share of foul deeds. It's pretty clear I've never had too many 'rules'. I think the other Straehan would have taken this offer with both hands. Of course, the other me had some SERIOUS 'daddy' issues which made him an emotional cripple. I figure I can settle up with my Sire, or not, without your help. But that isn't why I'm declining your offer...
Straehan, who has been remarkably quiet until now, looks to Isolde. "I've never had much love for divinity - especially now - but I have to ask: Are they ignoring us? I'd think the current crop of Gods have a vested interest in this discussion."
Straehan is focused on the conversation and misses the half-elf's reaction.
OK, so to help redress some inequalities here because they genuinely bug me... Let's throw the Rod of Maximizing on the sell pile along with Strae's Ioun Stone. That's puts my total value at: 28,850 GP If we aren't counting team expendables like scrolls and potions, that total drops to: 28,000 GP <-- Weird! That puts Strae at just a bit more than Jayse and less than everyone else. I'm good with that regardless of what you guys ultimately decide to do. If you guys want me to offer my opinion on "what I would do" as a player, let me know. I'm trying to stay out of this because it isn't a DM decision.
Straehan is very quiet and very still, nodding almost imperceptibly in agreement with Jayse's statement.
If you guys opt to go with a cash out option, I'm going to have Strae get rid of some stuff. If so, do we want to throw those items into the general fund so everyone profits from the sale? For instance, the Ioun Stone he carries... I've never used it and probably never will. Prepping a Ready Action to possibly intercept an in-coming spell is a little too passive for Strae's tactics. While it's a 'nice to have', I think it can be sold. Question is - should Strae profit from it alone or should the sum go back into the kitty and we all get a chunk of it? I'm happy to throw it into the kitty.
"Ushari may be right. It fits the data. The power level of the... device would certainly be commensurate with bringing a very potent being to this dimension. I can't speculate if it will affect the whole island."
Strae casts Fly on himself and enjoys the sunlight outside the door for a minute while retrieving the boat. Soon you are all aboard the dinghy with the Shell, magic items, and your two bags of holding stuffed with coins, goods, and dragon-hide chunks. Appreciating the sunlight and the rocking boat as you head towards shore, Straehan considers the Monk's questions. "Well, it's an artifact, we know that. Given the level of power that represents, knowing the exact school or schools of Magic at work in it will be of dubious help, but I'll give it a try..." The gnome weaves a few spells and stares at the Shell for a long time. Minutes pass and his gaze never wavers as the boat rows towards shore. As you grind up on the strand, the Sorcerer blinks and rubs the bridge of his nose, suffering from a massive headache. "OK, there are two schools of magic present - Conjuration and Transmutation. I was only just able to determine that. Whoever created this thing was ridiculously skilled."
In case, you want to look at equipment equity... Here is a list of all of Strae's goods MINUS the already used consumables (potions, scrolls, etc.) and Destiny stuff. 5500 Boots of Striding and Springing
TOTAL: 102,850 GP Since the Rod was gathered in the Wraith room and is still 'on the block' as far as I'm concerned until you guys 'officially' decide on distribution, his total without it would be: TOTAL - Rod: 48,850 GP
Strae glances at the shell. "Well it would sort of defeat Naladoria's purpose if this thing killed us before we could use it, so..." With a fractional anticipatory wince, he lays an experimental hand on the shell - nothing happens. "Feels warm... weird." He pushes it around a bit. It is indeed heavy, about 50 pounds. "Currently, I'm in no shape to carry this thing."
The gnome puts his hand on the door, like a child who is about to do something he shouldn't. "What? You don't want to know what's behind the door? Not even a peek? What could possibly go wrong?" He teases the blonde, enjoying her nervousness.
It takes Straehan a few minutes but he pieces together the phrases that meet, circle, join, and cross along the three rings. The gnome considers the message when complete. Abjure the promise of power at the compromise of your soul, for this is a bargain that must needs end in darkness. The path of the wise and great is rarely straight and never easy. Though born of shadow and weavers of it - be not of shadow. Light your path, even in deepest darkness. With a click! the door unlocks. Straehan wedges it closed for the moment.
While the others eye the pile of loot, the gnome starts working on the three rings in the door.
"Sure thing. I wonder where these doors lead to though." "With our luck? The Vampiric Lich storage locker, of course."
He looks over at Straehan, making sure the gnome is, in fact, alright. "You suck at following instructions, by the way. What part of 'and stay alive' was confusing to you?" The gnome has known the warrior long enough to realize he's kidding. The gnome expresses mock outrage. "What are you talking about? I'm ALIVE, aren't I? You never specified 'alive, conscious, and not bleeding out in a corner'. If you want a specific outcome with me, you'll need to be more descriptive." He raises a placating hand, "Don't worry, the next Dragon we fight - I'll try to meet your nit-picky demands."
The gnome walks the room, looking for traps and find nothing that tickles his nose. In the middle of the far southern wall, as he navigates around the massive pile wealth, he calls your attention to the large arched door with the central rings. "This looks remarkably similar to the Front Door we saw from the boat... except the words are less of a jumble. It looks like they've been mostly decoded. It shouldn't take much to finish the puzzle and get it open."
After the final burst of healing, Straehan is left with a cut on one thumb. He gets up, fairly certain no one is going to let him take a nap, and Prestidigitates the blood and gore off everyone. "So, what now? Cautious check of the rest of the room? Prepare for an assault by Four-Armed Vampiric Half-Fetchling Liches?"
Jofram tracks Straehan down by spotting the gnome-sized body print in the pool of blood and heals him. The gnome becomes visible and rolls over moaning, "Did we win? I'm assuming we did." The gnome stays on the ground, "Ya know what, I've earned a rest. I'm gonna lie here for awhile." 56|70 (Temp:77) - STR: 16/22 | CON: 14/14
Strae considers Jayse's request that he 'stay alive' and decides it might be a bit ambitious. He musters a smile for the Dragon... and vanishes. His voice sounds from somewhere nearby, "This isn't over yet, you over-grown lizard." He noisily pulls a potion and crinkles a scroll in his pouch.
ORDER: Straehan, Jofram, Jayse, Ushari, Orin, DRAGON MAP: Penumbra 66|70 (Temp:77) - STR: 16/22 | CON: 14/14
On-Going Effects:
Good Guys
All - Haste - 2 of 7 rnds - +1 Attack on FULL ATTACK ACTION; +1 ATT Rolls; +1 Reflex Saves; +1 Dodge AC; +30' Move Jayse - Heroism - +2 morale ATT, Saves, Skills - 70 mins
Jofram - Shield Other - +1 deflection AC, +1 resistance saves - Ushari takes 1/2 DAM - 3 hr
Orin - See Invisible
Ushari - Archon's Aura - 7 min link Will DC:18 - when w/i 20'.
Strae - See Invisible
Bad Guys
Tar Pool - 4 of 11 rnds - 2d6
Straehan does his best to keep the Dragon focused on him, tweaking its one obvious weakness... its pride. "Need some ointment on those boils? It looks like you took the worst of that last exchange. I figured Dragon's were overrated... so I'll give you just one more chance to surrender before I reach into this pouch here and deliver up another surprise."
I'm taking suggestions on where Strae should move. If we want to flank the dragon, do we want to try to get it out in the open? I could have Strae race around the other side of the Tar Pool as if making for the treasure to draw attempt to draw the beastie that way.
The Sorceror makes a set of gestures you've all become familiar with - wrapping you all in a field of time warping energy. He looks about for where he should move, knowing that the Dragon would be capable of breathing Gods-knows-what very soon.
ORDER: Straehan, Jofram, Jayse, Ushari, Orin, DRAGON MAP: Penumbra 59|70 - STR: 16/22 | CON: 14/14
On-Going Effects: Good Guys
All - Haste - 1 of 7 rnds - +1 Attack on FULL ATTACK ACTION; +1 ATT Rolls; +1 Reflex Saves; +1 Dodge AC; +30' Move Jayse - Heroism - +2 morale ATT, Saves, Skills - 70 mins
Jofram - Shield Other - +1 deflection AC, +1 resistance saves - Ushari takes 1/2 DAM - 3 hr
Orin - See Invisible
Ushari - Archon's Aura - 7 min link Will DC:18 - when w/i 20'.
Strae - See Invisible
Bad Guys
Tar Pool - 3 of 11 rnds - 2d6
Straehan watches his friends get batted about by the Dragon. Orin was standing - barely. And Jayse was only faring somewhat better. The only real weakness he saw in the Dragon was that it was slow, which meant it couldn't get off too many opportunistic attacks... He yells to his floating companions. "We have to circle up - briefly! She'll be able to breathe at us again soon so it's gotta be quick! I've got a scroll that will give us a shot at fighting her hand-to-hand. And she's a slow b!tch. She can't get all of us if we move. So if I don't make it... get my scroll." The gnome dodges left, deliberately drawing the Dragon's strike. The Dragon's crocodile head strikes fast as a cobra at the fleeing sorcerer, but her muzzle smacks against the pillar - putting a large crack in it and raining down debris. Lucky, old man, lucky. The gnome skitters into the open, pulls the scroll from his bag and intones his spell.
ORDER: Straehan, Jofram, Ushari, Jayse, Orin, Duh-duh-DRAGON! MAP: Penumbra 33|70 - STR: 16/22 | CON: 14/14
On-Going Effects:
Good Guys
Jayse - Heroism - +2 morale ATT, Saves, Skills - 70 mins Jayse - Shield Other - +1 deflection AC, +1 resistance saves - Orin takes 1/2 DAM - 3 hr Jayse - Mage Armor Jayse - Fly - 7 mins Jofram - Shield Other - +1 deflection AC, +1 resistance saves - Ushari takes 1/2 DAM - 3 hr
Orin - See Invisible
Ushari - Archon's Aura - 7 min link Will DC:18 - when w/i 20'.
Strae - See Invisible
Bad Guys
rolls: Tar DAM
AoO Bite (19+) v STRAE AC:25 - PA
CL v DC10:
Straehan wipes the blood from his mouth and counts himself lucky that the dragon's blow was blunted by his layers of mystic protection. Still... things weren't looking good. He gauges the distance to his allies and curses they aren't a hair closer to one another so he can Haste them all. And until we are all in touch range, I can't Stoneskin us... which could be a life saver judging by the bite of this b+!&#! Strae glances at the magical rod in his hand. Shame to die before I get a chance to use this... The gnome pulls out his best spell, the one with the most chance of breaking through the innate spell resistance of the black beast before him, gives a brief prayer to the fickle Gods that seem to govern his fate, clicks the button on the rod, and casts... a massive, deafening, fireball explodes over the rear end of the Dragon, narrowly cutting through its innate defenses and crisping its flesh. No one can see it, but the gnome smiles through the blood smearing his face. Totally worth it.
ORDER: Straehan, Jofram, Orin, Ushari, Jayse, Duh-duh-DRAGON! MAP: Penumbra BOOM:
Watching all his friends wiping their eyes, Straehan knows a moment of gut-wrenching fear. We're f@c<ed. He begins to think frantically, Stall for time, delay it, and keep its focus divided. As a child of dragons, he ought to know something useful about this beast. He accesses the wellspring of information gifted him by Naladoria, not to mention his own research, drawing out important facts. "I'm a she, actually." The gnome paints on a smile as he walks into the room along the wall, extending his claws to emphasize his heritage. "Well you can't blame me for that... you all look the same in the dark." he sneers in both Draconic and Common for his allies. "Why don't you fall back, Jayse. I'll handle our girl here. You're an Umbral Dragon, yes? My father was a Red. We know you're tough as they come and we know your weaknesses. For instance..." Dragon INFO:
Huge CE Adult Umbral Dragon AC: Very Good (can be magically augmented) Touch AC: Low HP: High CMB/CMD: Good Saves: All Good - Reflex is Lowest, Fort is Highest Defenses:
Offenses:
The Umbral Dragon is a ruthless, thoroughly evil predator that has a dual existence on both the Shadow and Material planes. It prefers to dine on the undead - particularly incorporeal undead, but it won't turn down living flesh. "...But I'm not here to discuss Draconic lore or your gastronomic choices, interesting as they are. You've got something we need - a shell made of Corborundrum. We're happy to take it, recompense you well for it, and leave without bloodshed... out of respect for our 'family connection' you might say. So, I'll give you one chance to make a deal. If not, well..." He pulls a scroll from his pouch and taps it. "I'll cook your shadow-loving ass with this." Bluffing a Dragon is a fool's game but there is just enough precise truth in Straehan's words that the Dragon can't discount everything the gnome says. Somewhere among the bluster, there are elements of truth. Nevertheless, she laughs at the 'offer'. The gnome pulls open the scroll and intones the spell... The ground beneath the Dragon instantly transforms into a sticky, burning, tar-pit. The Dragon hisses as its flesh cooks. It launches itself into the air, pulling free of the clinging tar which still burns the creature's skin... and will continue to burn until the beast scrapes it off. The gnome continues to poke the scalded creature, "I said you'd cook. Better wipe that stuff off unless you like smelling your own charring flesh. It doesn't look like its going to stop burning for awhile. Why don't you just accept our deal, Princess? It'll save you more pain." I hope that is enough of a distraction
MAP: Penumbra Rolls:
Strae answers for the Monk, "It's a..." He reconsiders adding an unflattering adjective given how smart these creatures are supposed to be, "...Dragon. He's black and very, very large."
The gnome gives a tentative thumbs-up - no traps detected.
Straehan examines both doors. The north door doesn't appear to be trapped but it is locked. The southern exit to the stairs is also locked with seemingly no way to open it. "There was an Adamantine handle here at one point but something flattened it. It looks like we'll have to break the door down to get back through it."
Ushari looks at Straehan an amused look on her face. "I hope that crown can be resized, Strae." He picks up the crown - after checking it for magic - and considers its size. "I'll wear it as a belt." He drops the item into Jofram's bag of holding, suddenly feeling the weakness in his limbs.
Straehan looks to Jayse, recalls the diamond inkwell, looks at the fallen crown, and does the next logical thing... ""
Straehan casts a spell and touches Jayse, imbuing him with uncanny accuracy.
Straehan rasps at the Monk, though relief is clearly in his eyes, "About damn time, Jayse. I was here for all of 5 seconds and I was pretty sure I was going to have to bust this wind-bag all on my own."
Strae marvels at the fluidity of the Wraith and is sobered how little damage has been done. If we can't get in close and make him pay a price for moving, he'll dance around and bleed us dry. Time for desperate acts. Straehan pulls out the biggest spell in his arsenal, hoping the canny creature can't fully escape the blast. A fireball blossoms in the darkness, blasting the throne, statue, and Wraith. The smoke hasn't cleared before the gnome charges the creature attempting - quite futilely - to avoid its reprisal strike. The fell spirit slaps the pint-sized sorcerer - dealing damage and drawing out a small chunk of his vitality.
70|70 - CON: 14/14 - New Max HP:
BOOM:
The gnome runs the odds in his head and curses silently. If he'd learned to cast ectoplasmic spells, he'd be able to contribute meaningfully to this fight. Given the inhuman quickness of the creature added to its incorporeality, he doubted he'd be able to hit one of its images let alone the creature itself. And forget about hurting it significantly. Time to bleed it by inches, keep it distracted, and wait for the cavalry to arrive. Sounding braver than he felt, Straehan circles around towards the throne, pulls a meager but utterly reliable spell from his bag of tricks, and yells, "No wonder your race failed - bunch of second rate conjurers at best." He unloads a flurry of force bolts at the creature - each one striking Sin to little effect.
Straehan quickly casts a spell before interposing himself between Sin and Jayse. ORDER: Dread Wraith, Straehan, Ushari, Jofram, Jayse, Orin
Strae gives the monk a thankful smile as he moves into a defensive position.
Baddie (info conveyed at the start of the battle): DREAD WRAITH CR:13+
LE Large Undead (Incorporeal) AC: Very Good HP: Very Good Saves: Good overall - Fort weakest, Will strongest Defenses: Undead Immunities, Incorporeal, Channel Resistance Strengths:
Weaknesses: Sunlight Powerlessness Note: Sin'anath'rath seems to be something of an exception with whatever arcanist abilities he has.
Straehan has so many questions and no way to know where to start and since Sin offered answers... Moreover, Strae now knew this creature would never let them walk away. It wasn't in its nature and the rest of the team had to know what they faced if they hadn't pieced it together already. "The facts about your race have been excised from our history - by the elves. Do you know how the Shaudran vanished? How did you survive when your race didn't?"
Straehan shaves the fine line of a lie about their interests. "I certainly have an interest in your people, their magic, wisdom, and fate."
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