Trianne Ashton's page

That’s my cue. I alerted John and have been planning to step away from the game since the turn of the year, life intercessions and all of that. The almost 7 years shared have been thoroughly enjoyable, and I wish you all well on your adventures ahead.

Looks like there’s a Cleric of Shelyn in your near future, (welcome MindXing!) so I leave you in capable hands. If asked, Trianne says she needs to return home to lay to rest her original reason for coming to the Mindspin Mountains. To mitigate some of the loot ratio, she would leave the party with the following items when she departs as she wouldn’t need them on her journey home:

Agile Alpenstock
Pleochroic Tourmaline x2 - Map to the Giantslayer’s Tomb!
Scroll of Resiste Elements (Lightning) x2
Scroll of Vanish
Shield Cloak
True Love Locket - taken from Skreed
Wand of Magic Missile - 37 Charges
Light Horse - stabled for 30 days at our departure point, she’ll leave word with the keeper
Bit & Bridle
Riding Saddle
Saddle Bags

Thanks for the fun and good hunting all!
-Scott

Trianne listens in cold silence as well, as Fabian recounts his harrowing tale. When he relays the fate of his wife, the transmuter turns her face away toward the main gate, her features tightening further. She makes no move to join the others as they head toward the castellan’s ritual site.

“Steer well clear of that cauldron,” she calls after them though. “And holler if you need aid. Or whisper if it better suits. The message spell is still working.”

She returns her attention to the spirit and says, “Priest Blix, while we wait, I expect it would please you to learn that your great-great-granddaughter, Calrianne Blix, serves as a protector of these lands and was instrumental in directing our efforts to reach this fort. We will convey your tale to her.”

“The oracle said that the spirit of Fabian Blix asked for us to go to him,” Trianne recounts and glances at Haftor. “The spirit realm is not my specialty. Do you want to take the lead on this, Haftor? Or are we trying to sweet talk the dead?” She glances Jarrek’s way at this last inquiry.

Religion or Diplomacy here?

Enlarge Person would take a bite out of those logistics... :)

Satisfied the worst is over, Trianne steps back into the hallway and calls to Umlo, “It’s all clear in here.”

As they move into the giantess’ chamber, she asks Umlo, “Can you tell us where the chapel’s located?”

She scans the room again, taking a quick glance under the beds, as the party sweeps it clean of anything noteworthy. She raises her hands in a ‘no thank you’ gesture when the skull makes its rounds, but she does attempt to detect if there are any magical auras emanating from it.

Detect Magic on the skull.

“It is not my place to tell a wizard how to do their job. I am sorry, and I will not do so again.

I was surprised at how easily her first swing cut through my defenses and how near it came to taking my head off. So I was desperate for powerful assistance. That is an explanation, but it is no excuse.”

Trianne meets Kronug’s gaze levelly, then nods and says, “Accepted…and understood. The heat of battle. I don’t envy your position in the vanguard, and I don’t mind when you call for aid.”

As the wave of healing energy washes over them, she turns to Haftor and says, “Thank, Torag.”

“And yes, we all contribute to the whole,” she says, moving to help search the fallen giant, her hands almost a blur. “The magical speed still burns. I suggest we use it to sweep the room and check the doors.”

“Yes!” she confirms as she uncovers the second half of the map. Fishing out the other gem stone, she holds them side by side, trying to commit them to memory.

Haste still running, make use of the movement and actions as it suits.

Just to clarify, Jarrek. Haste only grants an additional attack if you take the Full Attack full round action. So 5' step is your only move option, but if the wolf goes down in one, you can step up and crack the giant with attack #2.

Trianne’s eyes narrow with a flash of anger at the barked command. She has been through similar instances before, but her training has taught her that combat is never the time to educate the ungifted.

She glances back at Umlo, ensuring the dwarf is upright and unmolested before moving back into the line of fire. As she braces herself in the corner, she yells, “Incoming!” She then releases her powerful magics with a flood into the group.

Incidentally, does Trianne need line of sight to use jolt?

She does. She had LoS at the start of round 2 after displacing Jarrek before she stepped away from the doorway. Move SEx2, E. Cast Haste on self and all allies except the dwarf NPC who is out of range.

Displacement -- Duration 4/6 rds remaining
Target benefits from a 50% miss chance as if it had total concealment…but does not prevent enemies from targeting the creature normally.

Haste -- Duration 6/6 rds remaining
Full Attack action = +1 attack at full bonus
+1 attack, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 Reflex saves
All modes of movement increase by 30' up to double normal maximum

Trianne’s eyes narrow as she scans the melee. Grenseldek was an unknown and had a few moments to prepare, so Trianne lashes out with an exploratory attack to see what defenses the giantess may have invoked.

She then slides out of view.

Cast Jolt on Gren. Move W, NW.

Jolt RTA with soft cover: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9
Jolt dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Trianne motions to Haftor to see if he wants magically enlarged and turns her attention elsewhere when he defers. Scuttling forward, she begins casting as she moves. She leans across the doorway and reaches for Jarrek.

“Defense incoming, Jarrek,” she whispers to him. As she completes her spell, her arm blurs in discomforting distortion, and the effect races across Jarrek as soon as her fingers touch him.

Move SEx2, Ex2. Cast Displacement on Jarrek.

Displacement -- Duration 6/6 rds remaining
Target benefits from a 50% miss chance as if it had total concealment…but does not prevent enemies from targeting the creature normally.

Haftor, do wish to be Enlarged? You could swat from the back row but would have to then squeeze to get into the room. Spell wouldn't trigger until my next action...

Just waiting on final confirmation of locations here, as that dictates my output as well. Seamus did you move at all after consuming your mutagen? (Not that us being bunched at the door is a good thing...)

“Just one quick spell that will allow us to communicate quietly over some good distance, if you’re interested,” Trianne says as she begins to cast, activating the spell on all those who comply.

She backs away some distance and whispers to Kronug, “Ready. Lead the way.” Taking up her position, she instructs any who need assistance in how to send quiet messages.

Cast Message, up to 6 for an hour, so can include Umlo if he wishes.

"Besides a frying pan," Trianne adds with a smile, stepping up to join the conversation.

If memory serves, she has the other half of the pleochroic tourmaline which comprises the map to the giantslayer's tomb. She was trying to retrieve the half we currently possess.

Trianne doesn’t interrupt the dwarven palaver, but she speaks to the others hanging back with her. “If the true infighting has begun, there'll be looting. We need to get the other half of the map from Grenseldek. And quickly, or it could disappear to gods only know where.”

In my defense... :)

"Artifact Hunter: You’ve always had an interest in magic, but you’re fascinated with those legendary magic items known as artifacts.

Can't speak to prior, but Haftor's level 4 10/27/20 and level 5 12/1/21 upgrades included +1 HP for FC. Wasn't included for level 6 by the looks... I think this dwarf might be drunk on warhammer relic power.

Thanks! 31/41 is fine by me to carry on.

Slapping people around and telling them to walk it off doesn't work as well as dwarves believe.

I'm fine with whatever healing/time process works best overall. It's just not in Tri's wheelhouse.

CL6 Changes
Trianne:
HP: 1d3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5 = 41 Total
Skill Points: 2+3 (Int)+1 (Human) (Knowledge: Arcana, Knowledge: Dungeoneering, Knowledge: Nature, Spellcraft, Stealth, UMD)
Background SP: 2 (Appraise, Craft: Weaponry)
+1 BAB
+1 F/R/W Saves
+1 2nd level spell/day
+1 3rd level spell/day
+2 Spells Known (Level 3- Dispel Magic, Displacement)
Favored Class: +1 Spell Known (Level 2- Make Whole)
Transmuter - Telekinetic Fist dmg increase to 1d6+3

Soot:
20 HP

"Agreed, we have risk enough as is," Trianne says.

Believe we're just waiting on a confirm from Seamus to scout ahead invisibly.

I was more referencing the orc Seamus parlayed with from the earlier patrol, but I'm fine with whatever. Just adding spit to the ball.

Trianne only has 1 Vanish scroll available, and she has a Haste remaining for movement boost if needed. The previous lookouts were Orcs though, so they may afford us some flexibility in our activities if the 'deal' with them holds...?

Trianne shares what she believes the ogres were up to and then exhales, her lips flapping in displeasure. “There’s no good choice here. If we hole up inside the fort, we have a good chance of being discovered, possibly trapped. If we get clear, we have mobility, a better chance of rest against the likelihood of increased patrols, but then we have to get back inside.”

She looks around and says, “Hard to gauge if this sortie of ours will unify them or strain them further. Either way, I think I favor our chances outside.”

Trianne hands the headband to Jarrek, slings the wand at her waist, and offers the javelin to whoever makes a move to take it. Then she circles and studies what remains of the ritual after suffering through the bloody melee. She talks idly to their circumstances as she assesses the scene.

“Ogres, giants, and orcs, relatively leaderless in the fort,” she says. “I wonder how close to murdering each other they are?”

“One manticore slipped away from us, but was finished off in the courtyard,” she continues. “They may have come looking as to why, but if the bear fight is still going on…”

“Would take some work hauling these,” she says, pointing at the bodies. “But staging the ogres up with the giants and the manticore as if they all fought each other. We might be able to slip away without being hunted. Maybe set off some bad blood in here.”

K: Arcana for anything about the ritual: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Trianne closes the doors for the moment against whatever lurks near or within the cauldron. Her face twists in disgust as the details of the horrific scene come to light.

“Where’s his head?” she asks no one in particular, studying the ritualistic nature of the ogres’ efforts. She doesn’t linger overlong however and moves to help Jarrek with the magical assessment.

DM/Spellcraft ID for Headband: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
DM/Spellcraft ID for Javelin: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Jarrek's actions
Rd 1: Dazzling Display no move
Rd 2: 10' Charge south bat attack
Rd 3: 'advances on the spellcaster' = move SWx2 (my interpretation, to his current map location 5' away on the diagonal) and Intimidate. No AoO should have happened as it swiped at Kronug's advance with it?
Rd 4: should accomodate the 5' step SW and attack

Sorry if my interpretation of the flow complicated matters.

Trianne picks her way across the room and lashes out with an arc of energy, trying to clear another of the images protecting the creature.

Move Wx4. Cast Jolt. I moved those who needed it based on descriptions given.

Jolt RTA into Melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 4 = 11
Dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Trianne's memory spins with recall, and she pulls a scroll from her pack that they had prepared against the marsh wisps. Stepping over to Kronug, she says, "Some resistance to it incoming, Kronug."

The scroll sends a crackle of energy washing over the armored soldier as she finishes her spell, touching him to apply it.

Move to scroll retrieve from Haversack. 5' Step. Cast Resist Energy: Electrical on Kronug.

Trianne recognizes the evocation and the sizzling threat it carries.

"Mind, its touch is electrified now!" she alerts the others.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

With the ogres going down, Trianne surges forward with Jarrek. She draws up in the doorway and summons energies to try and stop the ogre mage from bringing further spells to bear. A line of swirling energy rushes forth from her mouth toward the enemy’s face.

Move W, W, SW, W. Cast Steal Breath on Gorb, Fort save at DC 15.

Steal Breath

Damage on failed save: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

“That doesn’t look good,” Trianne says, drawing a wand. She lets fly a bolt of energy toward the shuffle of ogre images and then steps to one side.

Draw wand. Magic Missile charge at Gorb. 5’ Step S.
MM dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Current here but glassy to begin with. Fine if we carry on.

“I--I don’t understand,” Trianne says, her tone more reflective rhetoric than anything. “What just happened?”

She touches the knot on her forehead gingerly and steps back a bit as folks start making their way toward the nearby door.

SW doors it is!

Trianne spins back toward the horror as Haftor floods the room with light.

"Haftor! What are y--" she starts, but the cogs click into place. If only she...wait, she does!

She slips carefully into the room, hugging the wall and risking a quick peek around the soft corner, catching sight of the fading flames. She ducks around and sends a beam of light toward the cauldron, adding her own focus of positivity to his efforts.

Move Nx4-5 to reach 35' range to cauldron. Cast Disrupt Undead.

RTA vs. AC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Grats on the post count milestone! That's crazy amazing!

Trianne vacillates between lashing out and seeking cover until she hears Jarrek’s shouts of warning. Turning on her heel, she darts for freedom and fresh air, holding her breath. Bursting into the stairwell, she flings herself into a shadowy corner and sucks in a new gurgling breath, waiting to see if the horror still follows her.

“A staggered creature may take a single move action or standard action each round...” Move SW, Sx6.

So in the lovely murk of everything I'm seeing on haunt rules, what's the ruling in this universe for targeting a haunt with the likes of Disrupt Undead?

She's torn between fight and flight, but I'm leaning toward flight with fighting from a safer distance... :)

Serious 'Bruce Campbell fighting his own hand' vibes up in here.

As Trianne's blood reaches her lips, her tongue slips out reflexively to clean them. The coppery tang of her own essence reminds of her heart's purpose and steels her resolve against this spectral assault.

"No!" she says, her voice laced with defiance. "Fight it!"

Will vs. DC 20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

“…no…no…no…nononoNO!”

The declination babbles out of Trianne with increasing horror, each snip punctuated by the rapping of her staff on her forehead and culminating in a whack that sends a rivulet of blood running down between her eyes.

Will save vs. DC20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Haunt damage: 1d8 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

"... it’s haunting the entire fort with a nauseating combination of gluttony and guilt..." Trianne recounts something the oracle said to them.

"Careful, Seamus!" Trianne hisses. "There's no magic at work here, but Blix' spirit permeates everything ."

Trianne moves forward from her rear position, having kept an eye and ear on the stairs behind them.

“What?” she asks, squeezing in. She shifts her vision to look for residual magics. “You think the blood is how old?”

Advance and use Detect Magic to see if anything leaps out.

Perception if needed beyond DM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Trianne shakes her head and smiles as she says to Kronug, “A soldier’s mentality is something I’ll have to get more accustomed to. I think more like an insurgent.”

She points back toward the manticore room and adds, “A few ‘servants’ finished off the fleeing manticore in the courtyard and were looking our way, wondering how it got out. If we backtrack, we might cross paths with them.”

Apologies. Don’t be afraid to prompt this old brain with a ‘see anything?’ in those circumstances. :)

“Stairs leading above the dowry chamber might lead toward Grenseldek’s chambers?” Trianne ponders out loud. “Stairs down — sewer, prison, a way across to the other side of the fort unseen. Same for the well, but we’d be harder to follow that way if someone came looking but there's the rotten floor...”

“Chapel probably this level or above but—” she finishes with a shrug.

One vote for down here. Either path.

No worries, she would still have wanted to scout down a bit then, fully expecting nothing considerable, just to hit a door or landing with a door or something of the sort.

Seeing the manticore flee, Trianne climbs the nearby stairs unseen to glance at what may await on the level above before descending again. She then darts over to the opening where the beast fled and scans the surrounding area before returning to stand with the party.

“I’m here,” Trianne replies as she reappears. The look of disgust on her face as she stares at the rug and the remainder of the dowry is almost comical. “At least we have a name for the Storm Tyrant now. Volstus. I haven’t heard it before. Grenseldek is the leader here that we’re looking to end, and who also likely holds the other half of the pleochroic tourmaline, the map to the Giantslayer’s tomb.”

“We’re also looking for Fabian Blix’s spirit in the chapel,” she added. “To put it to rest. But yes, we should definitely move on, quickly.”

The half-orc oracle we met outside the sewer entrance here confirmed the dowry and failed marriage proposal, and that Blix’s spirit needs to be addressed. 5/11/2023

Trianne sees Seamus zip into the room. A good sign, and while she has no doubt her allies would fell this manticore as well, she doesn’t know if it will be in time to save her. Certainly no fault of theirs considering how quickly these beasts move, but she really doesn’t want to get eaten.

Her heart races with opportunity as she feels the door open behind her. She bobs and then slithers back through the doorway, the words of her spell rushing from her lips as she gets clear of the creature’s immediate threat.

Only as she fades from view does she risk a glance behind her to see if she has stepped towards anything worse.

Move to open door. 5’ step back. Cast Vanish.

Trianne's features are tight with pain as the manticore closes upon her. Her hand is still on the door fixture she had used to stabilize herself while pulling out the spikes with her other hand.

Seeing the precarious nature of her position, she tries to open the door.

Is the door unlocked for her to open? Will post further action depending.

Trianne cries out as the spikes bite into her and reflexively lashes out again at the attacking manticore.

“Mind the tail!” she says to Jarrek and Seamus, gritting her teeth as she stumbles away and pulls the spikes carefully from her flesh.

TK Fist Red and move SE, SE out of LoS.

TK Fist Rng Touch on Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
TK Fist dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4