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GM: Sorry. Did my best. But I'm fairly sure they'd kill us, otherwise. And quite easily, too, at the present moment, to be honest. Unless you tell me, right here and right now, that these are worth our dying for, it's over.
A mental sigh. These people make no sense at all.
"All right," says Cassian. "According to Fiosa, who is quite capable of figuring these things, the statues are extremely evil. So I am back on board with the original, 'let's smash them' plan." "OK, then," Zsz says. "Claim renounced. Go ahead."
"I'd rather that the statuary be disposed of the way everything else has been: by being either claimed or sold." "Then for the nonce at least, I shall claim them."
Claim.
"Yes, which is why I am even still having conflicting thoughts on the mirror, which I have been told is quite valuable, and so am very glad that it has already been destroyed. But the degree of evil that an item can perform and the likelihood of it being used again in carrying out that amount of evil, should I think also be contributing factors. I wish for the world I live in to be a better place for my being in it, not a worse one." "OK. So why don't we find out what these are, then? If they're inherently evil, I promise I'll make no objections to their being destroyed."
Zsz just looks baffled at that. "We take, use, and sell magical items used for eons by ancient evil beings all the time. It's our primary source of income."
Azhar pauses, appearing slightly disappointed at the lack of dust and fragments in the air, his brow furrows as he leans on his hammer, "I find it improbable that releasing whatever magical energy is encased within now, or in other words at some random point in time, is likely to be more dangerous than at whatever point that Izmiara had planned on having it released." He is apparently willing to hear Zsz's or anyone else's case out, however. "Can we simply not smash them until we know what they are on general principles, then? Are there people trapped in the statues who will die if you smash them? Do the statues make toys for orphans? Are they evil? Are they simply usable tools? We don't know yet."
Azhar looks around at the others and taps his hammer. For some reason, he has a vision of watermelons. "Any reason not too?" ...and if no one says anything he turns the rest of the statuary to dust. "I would actually very much like to investigate their properties before we smash them and possibly release what sounds like unknown raw magical energies of uncertain purpose and effect."
K:History: "No idea."
"And that's a mirror of life-trapping," Cassian says, looking away. "Suppose we could break it, see who's inside. Chances are whoever would be held in a place like this is at least not actively horrible. Right?" "Or I could summon some bees and trap enough of them in the mirror to boot out whatever's in there. The bees should escape when spell ends, if that's a concern." Zsz says. "Alternately, we could see if we can figure out the command words; sometimes there are hints embedded in the struc -" "Agreed. Stand clear." Azhar says, specifically not thinking about how much something like this must be worth and not looking into it while allowing his mace to turn it to shards. "... aaaand never mind, then."
GM:
I've got you Yes. Yes, you do. "By the way, the old guy." he motions down below, "Does anybody recognize him? Was he likely under the succubus control, or something else?" "He wore the armor of a general in the Mendev Crusades. I don't know if he was a helpless victim or a willing convert, though." Zsz starts casting healing spells on herself as she rises. "I've been considering that it might be wise for me to set up shop here to make sure Izmiara's particular brand of religious practice doesn't take hold again. At the very least, with a portal from here to Westcrown, I could watch this end of it to ensure that nothing unsavory comes through and no one from here again interferes with the city."
Round 4: If Zsz still gets an action and it matters by the time it gets to her, cast Vampiric Touch and whap Izzy with her hair as the free touch attack to deliver it.
To Hit: touch attack Damage: Zsz also gains this damage as temporary hit points
GM: As a move action, I am both maintaining the grapple and upgrading it to a pin. "Once you are grappling an opponent, a successful check allows you to continue grappling the foe, and also allows you to perform one of the following actions: (Pin among others)." So, yes.
I did forget to say that I am casting the Greater Dispel defensively (whoops), if that is the issue; I forgot because I would make that roll automatically. If it is not too late to say so, I am casting defensively.
Round 3: If Spellcraft tells me the effect on Azhar can be dispelled, then Greater Dispel Magic on Azhar (and anyone similarly affected within a 20' radius), Grapple Izzy to pin (with strangle) as a move action, constrict as a swift action.
If Spellcraft tells me something different, I would ideally like to change this action slightly. Spellcraft: Greater Dispel Magic: Grapple: Pin plus strangle Constriction Damage:
GM: Only caught the last two sentences of that. Was unconscious for a bit. Azhar dominated. Situation still dicey, could go either way frankly.
Spellcraft: "Since my attempt to take her out in one shot failed, I'm probably going to die in a moment unless someone helps me out," Zsz says. "Very likely even if someone does. I've got a Scroll of Ressurection on me if I perish and someone would care to use it for that purpose." GM:
Joriavah, I could use a hand here, but there's some kind of dimensional lock on the room. Definitely prevents teleportation out and conjuration in, so the Bracelet of Friends likely won't work. Don't know if it prevents teleportation in. If it does, and I fail to survive for lack of the Breath of Life scroll and so on, I've had a lovely time with you, and when the spell I've cast on you wears off, please know that I'm sorry.
Round 2: If Zsz gets a turn at any point, defensively cast Harm, then grapple with strangulation as a move, then constrict as a swift.
Defensive Casting DC 29: 150 hit points from Harm (to minimum 1), Fort Save for 1/2 damage DC 27: Grapple Check: plus strangle Constriction Damage: NOTE: If Izzy tries the Finger of Death again, Zsz actually gets an additonal +4 to her save from Death Ward.
Izmiara laughs, low and throaty. "Oh, mortal. You don't understand suffering enough for that spell to work." "Hm. Well. That's a problem," Zsz states.
Round 1: Zsz will cast Overwhelming Grief on the Succubus. Effect: "You cause a single opponent to become profoundly stricken with intense grief. He can take no actions, takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class, and loses his Dexterity bonus (if any). He can attempt a new save each round to break the spell’s effect."
Initiative: Will Save DC 26: Overcome SR: Important Notes: Please remember Zsz currently has a +4 on her AC, and all Attack Rolls, Saves, and all Skill checks. - She currently has 32 temp hp, and her Resilience will kick in if she goes below zero. - If she is physically attacked, she will almost certainly get an AoO (or two or more, if it's someone attacking on a mount or multiple attackers, since she has combat reflexes) with her hair: to hit +25, damage 1d4+17, and she would use her grapple on one opponent up to size large, grapple +32. - If she has to cast defensively, with this spell she would automatically succeed at doing so. - She has Moment of Prescience active: "This spell grants you an insight bonus equal to your caster level (maximum +25) on any single attack roll, combat maneuver check, opposed ability or skill check, or saving throw. Alternatively, you can apply the insight bonus to your AC against a single attack (even if flat-footed)." As this is the Boss Fight, she would use it to avoid a potentially dangerous attack or effect. Text: "Suffer, heretic," Zsz says calmly, and casts a spell.
"And there goes a perfectly good pun about letting the cat out of the bag." Zsz teleports the group over.
"So we wouldn't be able to do the bag of holding trick we tried the other time? Well, someone still has a bag of holding instead of the portable hole then, right?" "Yes, I still have such at thing," Zsz says. "I just assumed that no one would want to head into a ferocious battle trapped inside a bag with the air running out, having no way to tell whether anyone outside was alive or dead, wondering whether an opening would appear or whether you would slowly suffocate, utterly helpless to take any action to avoid that terrible fate." "So, Fiosa? Mithra? Care to hop in?"
Azhar considers, "How deep does the wall usually go? Decent chance Amaya and I can bypass it."
"A portable hole actually opens into an extradimensional space," Zsz also comments. "You can't use it to create a hole that leads from one place to another."
"There's a room behind the colored wall," Cassian says. "A woman riding a monster, and a man with a flaming battle axe." "Great. We're going to be fighting a bad album cover." "The colored thing is a Prismatic Wall, or, as I like to call it, a huge pain in the ass to get past. I'd recommend just teleporting past it, but I can only take five other people with me if I do that." Zsz casts False Life on herself to replace the now nearly-defunct Greater False Life she had up earlier. temp hp
We've got enough stuff squared away at this point that I am able to come up for air now and again, if people would like to resume.
Just so you all know, for the next week I'm going to be in the process of moving and will not be able to post much, if at all.
Round 1: Don't really have time to make a good post, sorry.
Get away from the demons, taking an AoO if need be. Cast cone of cold. Damage: Reflex Saves DC 26 for half damage, not sure how many needed: , ,
GM: Surprise Round: Cast Hold Monster on any obvious foe, or anyone that Vintari or another ally attacks. Ready the spell first if necessary.
Initiative:
"نہیں، آپ کا شکریہ," Zsz replies. Abyssal:
"No, thank you." She glances at Vintari, looking genuinely perplexed. "I haven't the least idea what you think I was concealing that was remotely important." "If it's that she and I share a religion, I mentioned to this group that my religion was the one this shrine is dedicated to quite some time ago. If it's that she said if she were here to fight, she thinks she could take us, I don't see why it matters, since she isn't." Zsz shrugs. "Anyway, she just now said she was also here to make sure the temple was not desecrated, and, if you think it matters, also asked me if I wanted any of the 'heathens' removed. I told her no thank you."
"She is here as an impartial observer on behalf of her goddess," Zsz reports. "And her weapons are tied to let it be known that she is not here for battle."
"I do. She was asking if we speak her language." "عظیم سپلٹ دیدی، میں سائے کی ہماری لیڈی کے نام میں آپ کا استقبال. پاگل ایک ہم بندھے تلواروں کے ساتھ، یہاں آپ کو تلاش کیوں پوچھنا کرنے کی کوشش کی گئی تھی," says Zsz. Abyssal: "Great Cloven Sister, I greet you in the name of Our Lady of Shadows. The unlearned one was attempting to ask why we find you here, with tied swords."
Actual Round 1: Standard action: Defensively cast Vampiric Touch (note Zsz does not have the grappled condition herself).
Move action: Maintain grapple for damage; activates Vampiric Touch if successful Swift Action: Constrict for additional damage Dice rolls: Maintain Grapple: Defensive Casting DC 21: Automatic Success Overcome SR if necessary: Spell damage to Vrock/temp hit points gained: Grapple damage: plus strangle Constriction damage: Text: "Blood to my blood," Zsz chants as she continues to crush the Vrock. She seems to grow stronger as it grows weaker. Current AC: 28
Active effects:
Round 1: Charge to 20', attack with hair, grapple, strangle, constrict.
Initiative: To Hit: Damage: Grapple: Damage: and strangle. Text: Zsz flies forward and begins trying to crush one of the big vulture things into a littler vulture thing with the power of her coiffure. Current AC: 28
Active effects:
Zsz makes no claims.
"Too many pits for my taste," Gravlax says. "But they're such a classic design element," Zsz replies. "I mean, not that we should all attempt to imitate Acererak, but I can't help but feel that the Greyhawkian School of dungeon architecture has a kind of timeless quality to it." "Do you prefer the more modernistic styles? Sandbox, Hyperrealism, Split-level Puzzlebox, that kind of thing?"
The lillend pauses, one hand on the wall, the other white-knuckle tight around the greatsword, and she chuckles self-consciously. "Vintari. For common use, I'm Vintari." "Pleased to meet you, Vintari. I'm Zsz. Your foe's name, I believe, is Izmiara. We're going to do our best to change that 'is' to a 'was'." "Cassian, may I recommend not setting up shop in this one when we've cleaned it out." Cassian makes a rude noise. "Come on, I have better taste than this." Zsz, who had been looking at some of the decor with a speculative eye, reddens, her blue skin shading into purple.
The lillend's weight is too much for even Zsz's hair but the trio manages a controlled fall to the ground, the outsider fighting to be free of the ranger all the while despite the numerous cuts and welts on her body. Zsz examines the outsider. "Her mind has been destroyed by magic," she reports. Zsz casts Heal on the lillend.
Zsz agreeably wraps Azhar in a mass of deadly hair and flies him over.
Zsz will head north unless someone else has a better idea.
Round 2: Cast Baleful Polymorph, turn it into a mouse.
Fort Save DC 25
Round 1: Zsz will fly up out of the way (or stay there if she is already there, and lead with "Flesh to Stone".
Initiative: Fort Save DC 26:
Zsz will fly down, whether or not anyone takes her up on her offer.
"I can fly myself down, and could carry another, if anyone wishes," Zsz says.
"Euphrixia and I were discussing the mortals upstairs," Zsz says. "She is quite fond of them, as it turns out, and would be happy to see them returned to their homes on our planet if we can assure their safe conduct in so doing." "The stumbling block is that Izmiara would slaughter Euphrixia and her daughters if she tried to let them go. So our intent of eliminating Izmiara would seem to be a mutually agreeable plan."
GM: "Ah. Shall we put it, then, that you have been protecting them as best you can, but dare not let them go until Izmiara is killed? At which point you would be happy to see them safely returned to their homes?"
GM: Zsz bites her lower lip. "The argument that you were keeping the men and women upstairs here for their own protection might fly if you are willing to release them to another protector. Would you be? I can assure you they will be safe if you do."
GM: Zsz tries to think fast. "From what you said when I arrived, it sounds like you perhaps eschew ... cruder methods of proselityzing? From what I have observed of my fellows, if everyone in the shrine is here by free choice, and my associates can be made to understand that, there is a greater chance they will leave you alone."
"And if you must flee, I will do my absolute best to protect and preserve your books."
GM: "I know Our Lady of the Shadows has a plan for me," Zsz says. "I have served her faithfully for many years."
At the sound of moving stone, she adds, "I must be brief. My companions are difficult to predict, and, once their ire is raised, they are an unstoppable force of mass slaughter. I have seen them dispatch a devil lord with scarcely a scratch, and I have been able to find almost no pattern whatsoever regarding whom they choose to spare and whom they choose to slay. You and your family are frankly at great risk from them, and I would advise you that attempting to subdue them would be a mistake." "However, they are not here for you. They, and I for that matter, are after the heretic Izmiara, who has made the grave mistake of poaching humanoids from our territory." "I honestly cannot say whether they will listen to reason or whether they have already convinced themselves that you must die for some obscure reason or another. Talking to them is sometimes effective, but if that fails, or you do not wish to risk it, I would strongly suggest you retreat with your family rather than attempt hostilities either subtle or overt."
GM: "Necessary? Probably not. But my associates were getting antsy, which usually requires a rather rapid response if there is to be any chance of salvaging the situation."
And a mental message to Joriavah: Jo? Any knowledge of the identity or allegiance of this one?
Looking sad, maybe even hurt, the woman shakes her head. "I can't do that." Then she smiles, a bright happy smile, "Mother might be able to help you with that, I can take you to her." She bounces a bit on her toes, one of Zsz's hands clasped in both of hers. "Oh, that would be wonderful," Zsz replies, beaming.
Zsz, meanwhile, appears to be slowly, almost teasingly, sliding her underwear off in preparation for her supposed bath. Then she stops and pulls them back up. ("I hate to be so hasty,") she says, including the woman she is talking to in this particular Message, ("But it has suddenly become rather urgent that I know how to find Izmiara. Would you be so kind as to direct me to her? After that we could continue the ... current conversation.")
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