The Whispering Cairn

[Bublaka]

Bubba air walks toward the wormcaller to O39 where he sings three pure notes of power that take physical form and strike at the fleeing caster.

Deafening Song Bolt
Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 28 Inspire, Good Hope, Haste
Damage 1: 3d10 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) = 10

Deafening Song Bolt
Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 30 Inspire, Good Hope, Haste
Damage 1: 3d10 ⇒ (9, 9, 7) = 25

Deafening Song Bolt
Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 34 Inspire, Good Hope, Haste
Damage 1: 3d10 ⇒ (8, 8, 6) = 22

The wormcaller is also deafened for the longest of 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) = 13 rounds. No spell resistance, no save.

As the notes fly toward the creature, Bubba begins inspiring courage again.

[Black Tom]

Bubba and Vulcan, acting in conjunction, destroy the wormcaller.

Meanwhile, Valgrim's swim triggers another vision:

The immediate surroundings waver and fade, replaced by a bird’s-eye view of the city of Kuluth-Mar at its height. The streets are empty, as the thousands of citizens seem to have gathered in a mass in the central plaza surrounding the Spire of Long Shadows. Suddenly, a foul energy wells from the spire at the center of the city, sweeping outward and felling the living as it passes. For each creature that falls, you feel a silent but potent sense of wrongness, as some indescribable part of the creature, perhaps its soul, is drawn back toward the Spire of Long Shadows to be absorbed by the strange black monolith of stone balanced at its peak. As the energy builds around the peak, a shimmering image of a colossal humanoid figure, its body composed of a million writhing worms, takes form around the Spire of Long Shadows, its arms raised in triumph. Yet in another moment, that triumphant pose seems to change to one of rage, and a soul-wrenching cry of fury tears from the undulant face. The image shrinks, pulled into the stone monolith at the Spire’s peak, imploding with a horrific wet burst. In an instant, the city is quiet again, yet as the vision fades, the first signs of unlife spread through the thousands of dead bodies strewn around the ziggurat’s base as bodies, now festering with green worms rise from death.

Knowledge (religion) DC 30:

The wash of energy that was drawn out of the crowd was not only the souls of Kyuss’ minions, but their faith in their king. The Spire drew upon their lives and faith in a way that reverses the channeling of divine power from a deity to his cleric, in effect channeling this faith into a singularity — the monolith at the peak of the Spire. The possibilities of what a powerful creature could do with this much devotional energy are staggering — ascension to godhood is perhaps the most obvious use for such energies. The enormous figure that appeared was Kyuss, yet somehow he was not able to control his apotheosis and became trapped in the monolith.

Gasping, Valgrim manages to pull himself ashore. You have a round to regroup or do something else.

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28...if someone aids another, Valgrim will make the DC.

Valgrim stands and looks to the party. "Did you all see that?" He then looks at Vug, "You got another air walk potion? That blasted undead dispelled the magic. If not, a potion of levitate will also work."

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Sorry, Vug, forgot you were held. If we are allowed to run Friar (until he appears), he casts Remove Paralysis on Vug, freeing her from the Hold Person.

[Bublaka]

Vug should get a new save and may come out of it on his own.

Bubba airwalks back to his allies and tries to piece together what Valgrim shares with what he's heard.

Automatic aid on the check

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

With Bubba's help, Valgrim finally understands.."Guess Kyuss tried to become a god by sacrificing the souls of all his followers and miscalculated and got himself trapped in the spire, while his foul energies turned the city into freaking undead. Then I guess someone trapped them in this ziggurat with the obsidian ring. Oh and Dragotha flew away with the top of the spire. Lovely bedtime story!"

[Vug Vang]

A few Will saves:
1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 20
1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 29
1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 20

Vug quickly snaps out of her paralysis. "Hm? Oh yes, I f-f-figure I can whip up another Communal Air Walk extract." It takes her a minute, but she brews a new one.

[Friar Feres]

Sorry for the absence!

Feres grimaces at Valgrim's tale. "Sounds like Kyuss got what he deserved, to use his followers so. But it can't be good if a dragon such as Dragotha took the spire imprisoning Kyuss. We need to finish up here and then track down that spire. Valgrim, could you do some more scouting ahead using another of Vug's potion like you did yesterday?"

Before we move forward, does anyone else need healing? I'm at 91/110 hp. I could use a Channel Energy to heal the group if needed.

[Vulcan Stormwrath]

Vulcan swoops in, touching Valgrim on the shoulder. Casts Fly

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

"Thanks Vulcan!"

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Don't know if we're waiting on BT because something was going to happen after the 1 round of regrouping..

If not, after Friar heals himself...Valgrim flies with the group in tow to the right chamber where the wormcaller was going, as he imagines there will be backup waiting.

Perception: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (7) + 25 = 32...add +6 for undead

[Black Tom]

You don't have a minute right now, so Valgrim will have to rely on the Fly spell for now.

As you carefully move across the worms three undead warriors emerge from the passage you are headed towards and start spreading out.

New initiatives, please.

[Vulcan Stormwrath]

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

[Vug Vang]

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

[Bublaka]

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Just missing Friar's initiative, right? 1d20 ⇒ 8

[Black Tom]

The undead warriors possess the ability to walk on the worms, so they approach you with murderous intent, long green worms extruding from their empty eye sockets.

They go on 12, so Vug goes first, then the warriors. Map is up.

[Bublaka]

Haste and Good Hope should still be in effect and this should be the last round of Bubba's lingering inspire courage.

[Vug Vang]

Vug lets out a barrage of sticky force bombs against one of the undead warriors.

with Heroism, Good Hope, Haste and Inspire Courage, but with a 1 in 5 chance of missing: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 361d5 ⇒ 27d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 1, 3) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 28
1d20 + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 281d5 ⇒ 47d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 1) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 32
1d20 + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 271d5 ⇒ 37d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 4, 2) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 32
1d20 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 241d5 ⇒ 37d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 29

14 splash damage, each bomb does 14 damage on the turn after a direct hit, Ref DC 23 save or fall prone

[Black Tom]

The undead warrior is hit by four bombs, but still manages to continue its undead existence, although it's badly wounded.

Then it lets itself sink into the roiling mass of worms and absorb their very essence, coming out soon after as good as new. The other two knights move to attack, walking on the surface of the worms as if it were solid ground.

Valgrim is hit for 32 points of damage. The other knight is busy moving, but not to busy to conjure a hellish vision of the coming Age of Worms in Feres's mind (Will 23 or be stunned for 1 round).

Then you are all up. Map updated.

[Vug Vang]

Does the splash damage seem to injure the sea of worms in any way? Also, don't forget that the warrior takes 4x splash damage from the sticky bombs this round.

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

With uncanny dodge, Valgrim cannot be caught flat-footed so with his reach, he should be entitled to AoO on undead knight who hit him for 32 points of damage. Will wait for okay from BT to roll that attack. In the meantime, will proceed with normal attack routine.

Valgrim rages and power attacks, going all out to destroy the undead warriors!
Breakdown of attack modifiers:
+13 Base
+9 hit from 28 Str (18 normal + 4 Bull Strength + 4 rage + 2 enlarge (size))
+3 weapon vs. undead
+3 Inspire courage (competence)
+2 Heroism (morale)
+1 haste
+6 favored enemy
= +37 hit
Damage:
+12 damage from 2-handed attack with 28 Str
+12 Power attack
+3 weapon
+3 IC
+6 Favored enemy
= +36 damage
Weapon + Lead Blades + Enlarge Person + Holy= 3d6 damage + 2d6 damage
Keen: Threatens on 15-20

Attack sequence:
Hasted attack: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (18) + 37 = 55
Damage: 3d6 + 36 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 36 + (3, 4) = 52
Primary attack (-4 for PA): 1d20 + 37 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 37 - 4 = 42
Damage: 3d6 + 36 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 1) + 36 + (5, 2) = 53
Secondary attack: 1d20 + 37 - 9 ⇒ (17) + 37 - 9 = 45
Damage: 3d6 + 36 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1) + 36 + (6, 3) = 52
Tertiary attack: 1d20 + 37 - 14 ⇒ (9) + 37 - 14 = 32
Damage: 3d6 + 36 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) + 36 + (1, 4) = 50

EDIT: 2 possible criticals!
Confirmation on hasted attack: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (12) + 37 = 49
Extra Damage: 3d6 + 36 ⇒ (1, 1, 6) + 36 = 44
Confirmation on secondary attack: 1d20 + 37 - 9 ⇒ (5) + 37 - 9 = 33
Extra Damage: 3d6 + 36 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 36 = 41

Assuming the crits confirm:
Hasted attack: 96 damage
Primary attack: 53 damage
Secondary attack: 93 damage
Tertiary attack: 50 damage
All attacks bypasses magic, silver, and good DR

AC: 34
HP: 134/153 + 26 rage
SR: 25

Valgrim initiates the attack on the knight in R41. If during the attack sequences, he falls, rest of attacks are on knight in S42. Don't forget ruling on AoO!

[Black Tom]

The splash damage does hurt the sea of worms, but there are so many of them that it doesn't really matter. Will apply damage to knight next round.

Funny, never realized that Uncanny dodge worked that way, but it seems that it does. That means that Valgrim is entitled to AoOs on both knights.

[Bublaka]

Valgrim should also get a +2 morale bonus to weapon damage from Good Hope is that isn't superceded by one of the other bonuses he is currently enjoying.

Bubba will initiate his Inspire Courage once again and ready an action to trip a knight that comes into range of his whip.

[Vulcan Stormwrath]

Holding the rod in hand Vulcan shouts a rapid command, his hand snapping up to send 3 bolts of flame streaking towards the nearest knight (Q,37)

Quickened Scorching ray touch attack 11d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 1) = 8 Fire

Quickened Scorching ray touch attack 21d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 2) = 12 Fire

Quickened Scorching ray touch attack 31d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1, 1) = 14 Fire

As the final bolt is released, he shifts slightly turning to face the oncoming enemies as he points to two of the knights, the air crackling with charge as with a roar, he conjures a lethal arc of electricity between them.

Lightning Arc between (Q,37) and (S, 42) Each take 13d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 4, 2, 5, 5, 1, 3, 5, 3, 2, 6) = 48 Damage along with all in path of arc (may hit (R,41)) DC 25 REFLEX FOR HALF. Lightning arc sets fire to combustibles and damages objects in its path. It can melt metals that have a low melting point, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, or bronze.

[Vug Vang]

I assume the knight passed his 4 Reflex saves vs. falling prone as well.

Vug keeps throwing sticky force bombs against the undead warriors.

with Heroism, Good Hope, Haste and Inspire Courage, but with a 1 in 5 chance of missing: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 291d5 ⇒ 47d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 26
1d20 + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 251d5 ⇒ 27d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 1, 2, 4, 2) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 27
1d20 + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 251d5 ⇒ 47d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 3, 3, 1, 4) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 30
1d20 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 151d5 ⇒ 37d4 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 24

14 splash damage, each bomb does 14 damage on the turn after a direct hit, Ref DC 23 save or fall prone

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Nice, 2 AoOs!

AoO on 1st Knight: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (7) + 33 = 40
Damage: 3d6 + 36 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 6) + 36 + (3, 1) = 48
AoO on 2nd Knight: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (12) + 33 = 45
Damage: 3d6 + 36 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) + 36 + (5, 1) = 54

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

If we can act for Friar...Will save vs. visions: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 2 = 29
Friar moves to N40 and channels energy to heal party, excluding undead. 7d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1) = 19 healed.

[Black Tom]

Although the knights are immune to electricity, your combined assault still destroys two of them. The last one takes 56 points from Vug's clinging bombs before stepping up to Valgrim and hitting for 34 points of damage, while a targeted Dispel Magic strips him of his Heroes Feast buff.

Worse, an undead six-armed monster (familiar from the visions) appears on the far platform, casting [i]Maze[i] on Valgrim, whisking him away to Desna knows where.

Then you are all up.

[Black Tom]

You hear a grating, toneless voice in your heads. "How fares the Age of Worms? Has it already begun? Have the prophecies come true? Speak and I shall not destroy you."

The spellweaver is under the effect of Displacement[i], [i]Fire Shield and Mirror Image.

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

A few questions BT:
1. Did all of Valgrim's attacks hit and confirm, including AoOs?
2. Did you roll SR 25 check for Maze spell?
3. Did Valgrim hit 3rd Knight at all in addition to Vug's bombs? Just want to know how hurt he is.

Valgrim's Turn:
Valgrim finds himself in a maze and he realizes in his enraged state, he will not find the way out so he drops rage, becoming fatigued for 2 rounds and tries to locate the exit. Intelligence check: 1d20 ⇒ 12

HP: 119/153

[Black Tom]

OK, I recalculated in a little more favorable way. It depends on the order the attacks occur, and I said earlier that I would adjust your initiatives in your favor so that you wouldn't need to hold back on posting for tactical reasons.

The AoO (I think Valgrim still only can take one, lacking Combat Reflexes, even if he's entitled to two) and the two first attacks bring one knight down. Then Valgrim's two other attacks, Vulcan's Scorching Rays and Vug's first bomb take down number three. That leaves three bombs for the third knight, who takes another 81 points of damage and falls prone. (He should have fallen prone last round too but since he spent it sinking into the worms, it's kind of moot.)

So the answer to your questions are Yes, Yes and See above. Hope that makes it a bit more sporting. After all the holidays are coming up. :)

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Thanks BT!

Friar prays for Valgrim's safe return and airwalks to M42, presents his holy symbol, and channels positive energy, catching both the knight and the spellweaver in his 30' radius, "Feel the holy power of Sarenrae!"

Damage: 7d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 3, 6, 2, 2) + 13 = 39...Will DC 23 for 1/2 damage, undead do not add channel resistance.

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Vulcan, I think Boneshatter would be an excellent choice to use on spellweaver! You can check with BT but since the spell does affect objects (says so in description), it should affect undead and it is a Fort save. And even better, it is close range (55') so no roll to hit, so it neutralizes his mirror image and displacement!

[Vug Vang]

Vug pops open an extract of Summon Nature's Ally V and a cyclops takes shape next to the spellweaver.

"Close your eye and grapple him," Vug suggests.

The cyclops closes his eye and uses his uncanny Flash of Insight to succeed at the miss chance as he makes a grapple check.

CMB check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

[Vulcan Stormwrath]

Vulcan glares at the spellweaver, uttering an incantation that sends a shockwave of silent thunder blasting towards the spellcaster shattering his very bones.

13d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 2, 6, 5, 2, 4, 4, 2, 4, 6, 1) = 46 Exhausted for 13 minutes, DC 22 fort for half and Fatigued instead

Almost before the spell is complete he sends another stream of shredding ice shards at the remaining knight. 13d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 4, 2, 3, 6, 1, 4, 5, 4, 2, 3) = 47 DC 24 Reflex for 1/2

[Black Tom]

You hear a sickening crunch as the lich's bones splinter, but the cyclops fails to grasp him. Being dead, he's not subject to exhaustion. He takes the full brunt of Sarenrae's wrath though, while the knight manages to shield himself somewhat. Unfortunately the knight is immune to cold too, so he's still up.

Bubba still to go, then the monster.

[Bublaka]

Bubba air walks toward the wormcaller to M42 where he sings three pure notes of power that take physical form and strike at the undead spellweaver.

Deafening Song Bolt
Ranged Touch Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 21 Inspire, Good Hope, Haste
Damage 1: 3d10 ⇒ (9, 8, 3) = 20

Deafening Song Bolt
Ranged Touch Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 28 Inspire, Good Hope, Haste
Damage 2: 3d10 ⇒ (4, 7, 9) = 20

Deafening Song Bolt
Ranged Touch Attack 3: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 24 Inspire, Good Hope, Haste
Damage 3: 3d10 ⇒ (3, 1, 10) = 14

The target is also deafened for the longest of 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) = 14 rounds. No spell resistance, no save.

[Black Tom]

Sorry that posting have slowed on my part. Will try to pick up after the holidays. In the interest of speeding things up a bit, I'll overstep my bounds a bit and redirect Bubba's bolts to the undead knight, since the spellweaver is protected by Displacement and Mirror Image and the knight is on the verge of healing himself.

Bubba's bolts strike the undead knight just as he sinks into the worms and starts to regenerate. The discordant sounds shatter his undead bones, sending worms spraying and ending that last knight.

The spellweaver looks a bit annoyed. "I'll just assume that the Age of Worms is well under way then. Now if you'd just die."

He unleashes a Prismatic Spray at all of you. The cyclops takes a swipe at him but misses.

Feres takes 40 points of acid damage (Ref 25 halves).
Vulcan goes insane (Will 25 negates)
Vug is poisoned (Fort 25 means only 1 point of Con damage).
Bubba takes 80 points of electricity damage (Ref 25 halves).
The cyclops is turned to stone.

Then you are up again. Will try to update map if I can access it.

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Valgrim tries to find his way through the complicated maze but fails again.

Int check:1d20 ⇒ 7
Fatigue over

[Vulcan Stormwrath]

As the wave of Indigo energy washes over him, Vulcan hovers in the air, a crazed expression on his face as he babbles incoherently.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
1d100 ⇒ 46

[Bublaka]

Reflex save: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 18 includes haste and good hope

I assume you remembered Vug and Bubba have SR 25, but I think we forgot as a party that Feres has Spiritual Weapon and it would still be active and potentially carving mirror images off of our foe.

[Vug Vang]

Sorry for the delay, ice storm knocked out our internet

Will save: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21, +2 if it's an enchantment

[Bublaka]

Glad you are OK. Vug's save was Fort, I believe. Did you include the bonus from good hope?

Merry Christmas, all!

[Vug Vang]

Oops, I misread "Vulcan" as "Vug". Fort save would be 30, then.

[Black Tom]

The Prismatic Spray beat your SR but feel free to roll for Feres's Spiritual Weapon (retroactively if need be). There are seven images to begin with.

[Valgrim Twin-Axe]

Ok a recap, since I am bored.
Valgrim is trapped in an extra-dimensional maze
Vulcan is insane and currently babbling
Bubba took 80 damage (don't forget Heroes' Feast +13 hps, if not used)
Vug is down 1 Con, -1 Fort save and max hps down by 13
Friar has to save (40 or 20 acid damage)
As for the spiritual weapon, he summoned it on the wormcaller and it takes a move action to designate a new target and when I was running him, I forgot about it so did not do so
Vug, Bubba, and Friar to act.

[Bublaka]

I guess Valgrim already checked this out, but it appears that we only missed a single round of action with the Spiritual Weapon - the spellweaver had not appeared yet two rounds ago, so only last round's redirection of the weapon was missed. Because of the redirection, it would only have a single attack last round.

Spiritual Weapon (scimitar) Attack retroactive: 1d20 + 9 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 38 (inspire courage, haste, good hope)
Spiritual Weapon (force) Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 = 12 inspire courage, I don't think good hope applies

Images + original, 1 hits the original: 1d8 ⇒ 3

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

Retcon, if I may: Bubba suddenly ends his Inspire Courage with a discordant shriek, using the power of the song to alter fate for just a moment.

Casting Saving Finale as an immediate action to give Vulcan a retry on his failed Will save.

Will DC 25: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Bubba reels from the electrical onslaught. "Actually, the Age of Worms has turned out to be a non-event. An utter failure. You've been waiting centuries for Kyuss' entombment to become permanent. Hate to break it to you..."

Bluff: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29

Bubba restarts the Inspire Courage as a move action and casts another spell, this time at the spellweaver. Long shot and perhaps irrelevant, but glitterdust the six-armed freak. Will DC 18 to avoid blindness

[Bublaka]

I didn't want to presume Friar's actions for this round, but the scimitar will have two attacks, at +9/+4.