DrK's Age of Worms IC pt3

Lan stood at the top with the others, surveying the land. Even to his not so delicate sensibilities, he could feel the wrongness of the area beyond the wall. Whoever put this here was intent on keeping the evil in check. Was this what awaited the world should Mirriana and the others fail? How would anyone, even a survivor like himself, hope to live in such a world for long?

The group eventually stopped delaying and looked to getting down. Just like with getting up, Merrick turned to magic instead of practicality. He muttered something about rope as the others floated down, shaking his head as the spell took effect. However, he still secured his rope to the top and slid down, the trip easier with the spell on him. The rope might not be fancy, but just in case they ran out of magic ... or Merrick didn’t make it, at least there would be a mundane solution to getting out of here.

On the ground, Lan took point, moving towards the ziggurat with growing apprehension, even if any fear he might have felt was not present thanks to their mystic meal earlier. His concerns were quickly confirmed when they reached the steps and an undead knight and giant beetles appeared. Murmuring a spell, Lan touched Zarina’s leg, murmuring, ”This’ll help against the bugs ...”. Then he moved to the side to let his companions charge forward.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Casting fell the greatest foes on Z ... adds 1d6 to melee attacks vs Large creatures
Status
HPs: 83; AC: 21 (27) FF/Touch: 16/16
F +11 R +15 (16) W +8
Skills: Listen/Spot/Search +17/+17/+18 Move Silently/Hide +20/+20 Tumble +33
Spells (4/6/5/2/2) 0: create water, guidance, mending, light
1:entangle, gravity bow, embrace the wild, hunter's mercy, sniper’s shot, surefooted stride, CLW x2
2: fell the greatest foes, fell the greatest foe, invisibility, exacting shot, exacting shot, CMW
3: decoy image, find the gap
4: aspect of earth hunter, deeper darkvision
Javelins (+20, 1d4+2 / +21, 1d4+3 w/in 30', bane vs undead)
Items: 1/1 Laughing Rogue; 2/2 Quicksilver Boots; 2/2 Horizon Walker
Effects: +10 Tumbling; 60’ darkvision (6hrs); embrace the wild (+2 Spot/Listen, 30’ blindsense, 60min); resist energy (30/acid, 120min); heroes feast (+1 vs attack/damage [morale], immune to poison/fear, 12hrs); fell the greatest foes (Zarina, 6 rounds); elation (+2Str/Dex, 12 rounds); Protection (+5 AC [sacred], -4 to opp attacks, ? Rounds)

Mirriana

"Elation!" I cast, filling my allies with joy and energy. "Let them come!"

Spoiler

Show

All allies within 80ft +2 morale Str, +2 morale Dex, +5ft untyped to speed. 12 rounds.

IGG active and Shield Block readied.

Lan reaches out filling Zarina with a keener sense of where place her blows as a joyous rapture punctures the gloom from Mirriana's blessing before with a horrific chitinous cruncnhing and gnashing of mandibles the pair of massive eviscerator beetles surge forwards down the ancient steps of the zigguarat of Kuluth Mar. As if sensing the possiblity of food the ground around you writhes and pulsates with the tiny kyuss larvae waiting lest anyone fall!

the first beetle with its horrific worm eyes knight heads for the glowing Zarina whilst a curt hand wave sends the second scurrying towards Mirriana as the three woman as normal form a front line of blades and holy vengeance. As the beetles close the chitter of the bugs is magnified by the thousands of tiny necrotic bugs within them that project a telepathic chittering that fills your mind with the horror of swarms of undead bugs and seeks to leave you defenseless to the mandibles.

Spoiler: Maddening Chitter (save each round)

Show

Mind effecting, Sonic WILL DC 23 (drops to DC21 if you kill 1)
- pass: no effect
- Fail: Dazed, take no actions

The lone eviscerator beetle surges towards Mirriana, its mandibles reaching out and pulsing with dark necrotic power. The second does likewise for Zarina ina flurry of gnashing fangs and long claws. The horrific Kyuss knight atop the beast lashing down with unaturally strong blows from its pitted and corroded long blade that hisses with unholy power!

Spoiler: Attacks

Show

Beetle vs Mirriana
Charge/pounce
Bite [roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] -ve energy EDIT: 23 to confirm for 51 + negative energy damage
Claw [roll3] dam [roll4]
Claw [roll5] dam [roll6]

Beetle vs Zarina
Charge/pounce
Bite [roll7] dam [roll8] + [roll9] -ve energy EDIT: 38 to confirm for 48 + negative energy damage
Claw [roll10] dam [roll11]
Claw [roll12] dam [roll]1d8+5[/roll

Kyuss Knight (spiritied charge)
atk [roll13] damage [roll14] + [roll15] Negative energy
(Includes -4 for luminous armour)

Go go all the rest of the party (and Lan and Mirirana again at the top of next turn)

Merrick

The maddening noise washes over Merrick’s altered mind with no effect.

With a wave of his hands, he summons unnatural mockeries of celestial champions to aid their fight.

Spoiler: Summon Alien

Show

Using Summon Monster VI ability to summon [roll0] pseudonatural Hound Archons, specifically to appear beside the knighted beetle.

Zarina

"Help, Gods, Help" Zarina gasps as the beetle closes on her. In a flash Mirriana is there, a flash of divine power as her shield slams the creature away from Zarina. Seconds later the unholy blade lashes down and again her shield is there, deflecting the horrific blade.

Staggering sideways she rolls forward slightly, her new belt, a gift from the great wizard. She grimaces and drives her blade upwards at the massive beetle before stepping backwards and sideways out of range, the pulsing heat of her rage forming a vast wave of incandescent fire that enveloped all of the undead!

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Activate Belt of battle for 2 charges
Standard: Divine surge vs Beetle (PA2) [roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] fell foe +[roll3] xtal + [roll4]
5ft Step backwards and left to get some space
Standard (2): Cone of Fire vs all of them!! Cone of fire [roll5]+ [roll6] undead bane DC 23 Ref for half

HPs 108/108 +18
Saves +13/10/7 (+3 vs death)
AC 35 (12 AC, 8 shield, 2 dodge, 3 dex) +5 protection domain

Spell Effects
Heart of Air (feather fall)
Heart of Earth (Temp HPs [25% fortification])
Elation +2 Str/Dex (12 rounds)
Fell greatest Foe (+1d6 vs large) (~10 rounds)
Greater Luminous Armour (-4 to hit, +12AC) hours
Shield (+8 AC) 20 minutes
Heroics (Martial strike [searing blade]) 100 minutes
Stance: +1 CL, +2 dodge AC, DR 8/EVIL
Resist acid 30
Heroes feast (+1 morale Atk/ vs fear)

Stance: +1CL, +2 dodge AC, DR 8/evil
Xtal: +3 vs Death/Negative energy effects
Rite: +2 Saves vs Death / Fear

Mirriana

"You'll have to try harder than that!" I cry, triumphantly turning aside the beetle's maw with my many protections. I smile to see my defense of my allies working just as well.

Regonising the threat to my allies from the beetles' chittering, I fall back 5ft to give myself a little bit of space. Then, pointing at my shield, I cast; "Silence!"

A wave of anti-sound blankets the battlefield, all noises falling silent.

---

Merrick

We can communicate via me, Merrick telepathically tells his companions as silence fills the undead plaza.

Elkist

The immediacy of the battle is momentarily lost to Elkist as the insectile chattering assaults her mind driving all other thoughts from her.

Spoiler: actions

Show

None - Dazed, take no actions

In the wake of the initial charge the massive cone of fire faded leaving afterimages in people's eyes. On the far side of the beetles a shimmering creature began to appear under Merricks control and both Gaesric and Elkist stood rooted to the spot, head in hands as the chittering hit them hard. Mirriana stepped back from the line with Elkist, a word bringing forth an area of blessed sielnce that left the battlefield eerie in silence but blessedly free of the insectile chittering.

Frsutrated the Kyuss knight pushed his beetle towards the now isolated Zarina, the undead singed and melted in places, bones and necrotic chitin falling free. The other beetle, still burning in patches rumbled forward seeking to trample over Gaesric, Elkist and Mirriana. Lan too far away and Merrick still hidden from the two beetles, although the way one of the worm stalks in the knights face kept leering at him he was pretty sure the kyuss knight had seen him!

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Beetle vs Zarina
Bite [roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] -ve energy
Claw [roll3] dam [roll4]
Claw (1d20+19)[20] dam [roll]1d8+5[/roll

Kyuss Knight
atk [roll5] damage [roll6] + [roll7] Negative energy
(Includes -4 for luminous armour)


TRAMPLE vs Elkist, Gasesric and Mirriana
REF DC 26 for half, OR take the damage and get an AoO -4
Damage [roll8] + [roll9] -Ve energy

Having moved just a bit away from his allies, Lan smiled grimly as silence descended over the battlefield. He rolled forward, trying vainly to move further with his skill, but stumbled and found himself running forward a bit. It through off his balance, and he was forced to modify his attack.

Via the mindlink, he grumbled Cincentrate our blows ...

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Failed tumble to move 10’, so moving 20’ and using manyshot.
[roll0], [roll1], [roll2], [roll3]
Status
HPs: 83; AC: 21 (27/32) FF/Touch: 16/16
F +11 R +15 (16) W +8
Skills: Listen/Spot/Search +17/+17/+18 Move Silently/Hide +20/+20 Tumble +33
Spells (4/6/5/2/2) 0: create water, guidance, mending, light
1:entangle, gravity bow, embrace the wild, hunter's mercy, sniper’s shot, surefooted stride, CLW x2
2: fell the greatest foes, fell the greatest foe, invisibility, exacting shot, exacting shot, CMW
3: decoy image, find the gap
4: aspect of earth hunter, deeper darkvision
Javelins (+20, 1d4+2 / +21, 1d4+3 w/in 30', bane vs undead)
Items: 1/1 Laughing Rogue; 2/2 Quicksilver Boots; 2/2 Horizon Walker
Effects: +10 Tumbling; 60’ darkvision (6hrs); embrace the wild (+2 Spot/Listen, 30’ blindsense, 60min); resist energy (30/acid, 120min); heroes feast (+1 vs attack/damage [morale], immune to poison/fear, 12hrs); fell the greatest foes (Zarina, 6 rounds); elation (+2Str/Dex, +5’ move, 12 rounds); Protection (+5 AC [sacred], -4 to opp attacks, ? Rounds)

Hound Archon

Spoiler: Tentacle Blob Hound Archon~!

Show

Pseudonatural Archon, Hound (LG)
Pseudonatural Hound Archon
Medium Outsider (Archon, Extraplanar, Good, Lawful); CR 4;
HD 6d8+6; hp 33;
Init +4; Spd 40 ft.;
AC 21 (+9 natural, +@ Magic Circle Against Evil), touch 10, flat-footed 19;
Base Atk +6; Grp +8;
Attack
Bite +8 melee (1d8+2) or
greatsword +8 melee (2d6+3/19-20);
Full Attack
Bite +8 melee (1d8+2) and slam +3 melee (1d4+1);
or greatsword +8/+3 melee (2d6+3/19-20) and bite +3 melee (1d8+1);
SA Spell-like abilities;
SQ Aura of menace, change shape, damage reduction 10/evil, DR 5/magic, ER 5 / Acid and Electricity, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to electricity and petrification, magic circle against evil, scent, spell resistance 16, teleport, tongues;
AL Always lawful good;
Fort +6 (+10 against poison), Ref +5, Will +6;

Str 15, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 12

Feats: Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Track

Magic Circle Against Evil (Su): A magic circle against evil effect always surrounds an archon (caster level equals the archon's Hit Dice). (The defensive benefits from the circle are not included in an archon's statistics block.) 10 ft Radias centered on Archon, All creatures within the area gain Protection from Evil and no non-good summoned creature may enter. +2 Deflection Bonus to AC and +2 resistance bonus on saves against evil creatures, protection from Mental Control, and protection from summoned creatures.

Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): At will-aid, continual flame, detect evil, message. Caster level 6th.
Aura of Menace (Su): A righteous aura surrounds archons that fight or get angry. Any hostile creature within a 20-foot radius of an archon must succeed on a Will save to resist its effects. Will DC 16 negates, is Charisma-based, and includes a +2 racial bonus. Those who fail take a -2 penalty on attacks, AC, and saves for 24 hours or until they successfully hit the archon that generated the aura. A creature that has resisted or broken the effect cannot be affected again by the same archon's aura for 24 hours.
Change Shape (Su): A hound archon can assume any canine form of Small to Large size. While in canine form, the hound archon loses its bite, slam, and greatsword attacks, but gains the bite attack of the form it chooses. For the purposes of this ability, canines include any doglike or wolflike animal of the animal type.
Tongues (Su): All archons can speak with any creature that has a language, as though using a tongues spell (caster level 14th). This ability is always active.
True Strike (Su): 1/day can cast True Strike on itself
Alternate Form (Su): As a standard action, a pseudonatural creature can take the form of a grotesque, tentacled mass (or another appropriately gruesome form, as determined by the DM). Despite the alien appearance, it’s abilities remain unchanged. Other creatures receive a -1 morale penalty on their attack rolls against a pseudonatural creature when it is in this alternate form.

The summoned Starspawned Hound moves closer to The front-line fighters, hoping to bring them into the influence of its Magic Circle Against Evil, and swinging its great blade at the knight-mounted beetle.

Spoiler: Attack is range allows

Show

[roll0] Attack #1
[roll1] Damage
[roll2] Attack #2
[roll3] Damage

Merrick

Seeing the Knight's attention, Merrick decides to target the creature's mount before it can act. Rising above the silence effect, he points a finger at the undead beetle.

"HALT."

Spoiler: Halt undead

Show

Fly above, wait until everyone has attacked, then cast halt undead. If the beetles are less than 30 ft apart, both targeted, otherwise just the beetle and rider.

[roll4] SR check Knight
[roll5] SR check ridden Beetle
[roll6] SR check lone Beetle,
DC 17 for the knight if check is needed and passed

Elkist

With magical silence enveloping the battlefield Elkist ducks and rolls as the massive dead insect from ages past smashes into them. Even as the clattering limbs batter and slash at her she springs up from the worm-infested ground to strike quickly at the abomination with her greatsword sheathed in lightning, but her valiant blows turned aside by the ancient carapace.

Spoiler: Actions & status

Show

Misc:5ft step as needed. Stay adjacent to Mir.
Swift: Heart of Earth -> Stoneskin
Free: Power attack 1
Free: Sacred Vengeance +2d6 damage vs undead
Full: Full attack #1 Lightning Sword [roll0] (+10 base, +3 str, +2 weapon, +1 morale (Heroes Feast), -1 PA), damage [roll1] (+6 str, +2 weapon, +2 PA, +2 armbands) + electricity [roll2]
Full attack #2 Lightning Sword [roll3] (+5 base, +3 str, +2 weapon, +1 morale (Heroes Feast), -1 PA), damage [roll4] (+6 str, +2 weapon, +2 PA, +2 armbands) + electricity [roll5]

Elkist Talphrin
Female LG Half-Drow Paladin 4/ Spirit Shaman 9, Level 13, Init 5, HP 70/94, DR DR10/ Adamantine; Light Fortification, Speed 30ft
AC 22, Touch 10, Flat-footed 22, Fort 17, Ref 13, Will 17, Base Attack Bonus 10
Ghost touch Lightning Sword +16/ +11 (+10 base, +3 str, +2 weapon, +1 morale (Heroes Feast)) (2d6+8 (+6 str, +2 weapon), 19-20 x2)
Ghost touch +1 Full plate armour of Agility, Ghost touch +1 Animated heavy steel shield (+9 Armor, +3 Shield)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 11, Wis 12, Cha 27
Condition
Permanent/ daily effects:

Pal: Aura of good
Pal: Aura of courage (immune fear, allies +4 morale bonus vs fear)
Pal: Divine health (immunity to disease)
SS: Blessing of the spirits (protection from spirits: +2 defl AC, +2 resist Saves)
SS: Ghost warrior (ghost touch weapons & armour)
SS: Warding of the spirits (magic circle vs spirits:10ft radius +2 defl AC, +2 resist Saves)
1/2E: Immunity to sleep
1/2E: +2 save vs enchantment
1/2E: low light vision
Armour crystal: +3 competence save vs energy drain, death spells/ effects, inflict spells)
Cloak: +4 enhancement to Cha
Gauntlets: +2 enhancement to Str
Primal instinct (wand): +5 competence initiative & survival
Armbands: +2 Str checks & skills, +2 damage on Power attack)
Mirriana: Imbue with Spell Ability

Hour+ effects:

Longstrider (wand): +10ft enhancement speed
Righteous Aura (wand): +4 sacred Cha, daylight
Heart of Air (spell): +10 enhance Jump
Heart of Earth (spell): +8 resist bull rush, overrun, trip; +18 temp hp
Heart of X (spell): light fortification (25% resist critical hits & sneak attacks)
Mass Resist Energy/30 acid for 120 minutes. (Merrick)
Heroes Feast (Mirriana): immune poison & fear, +1 morale bonus on attack rolls & Will saves
Shield Other (wand): Mirriana

Minute+ effects:

Round+effects (not included in stats):

Magic Circle Against Evil (Archon): +2 deflection to AC, +2 resist to saves
Power attack: -1 hit +4 damage (incl. armbands)
Heart of Earth/ Stoneskin: DR10/ adamantine 90hp (9 rounds)

Zarina

The young woman falls back as the beetle assaults her and the terrifying worm eyed knight atop it. Luckily even as the blade, fangs and eye stalks assail her the Luminous armour flickers and Mirriana's protective spells ward off the blows.

Merrick's words freeze the beetle suddenly. Chitin falling off of it as it looks ready to collapse inwards under the burning damage. Zarina spins, blade spinning out as she seeks to duel the Kyuss knight, her blade igniting into a long beam of glittering fire as she slashes at it.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Swift: searing blade
Full attack (PA2)
[roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] xtal/FtGG + [roll3] Fire

[roll4] dam [roll5] + [roll6] xtal/FtGG + [roll7] Fire

[roll8] dam [roll9] + [roll10] xtal/FtGG + [roll11] Fire


HPs 108/108 +18
Saves +13/10/7 (+3 vs death)
AC 35 (12 AC, 8 shield, 2 dodge, 3 dex) +5 protection domain =40

Spell Effects
Heart of Air (feather fall)
Heart of Earth (Temp HPs [25% fortification])
Elation +2 Str/Dex (12 rounds)
Fell greatest Foe (+1d6 vs large) (~10 rounds)
Greater Luminous Armour (-4 to hit, +12AC) hours
Shield (+8 AC) 20 minutes
Heroics (Martial strike [searing blade]) 100 minutes
Stance: +1 CL, +2 dodge AC, DR 8/EVIL
Resist acid 30
Heroes feast (+1 morale Atk/ vs fear)

Stance: +1CL, +2 dodge AC, DR 8/evil
Xtal: +3 vs Death/Negative energy effects
Rite: +2 Saves vs Death / Fear
Know Devotion +5

OoC

Geasric (end Round 2)
Lan and Mirriana (top of round 3)

To go

Mirriana

I just barely fail to get out of the way of the rampaging beetle, getting pretty heavily stamped on in the process. But the stomping didn't injure me as much as it should thanks to Elkist's link.

"Elkist, slay this bug for me would you?" I sigh, sticking my sword into a gap between the creature's chitin. Then I remember Elkist can't hear me and repeat my instruction via a blade gesture.

Spoiler

Show

White Raven Tactics. Elkist to go again.

Foehammer [roll0] [roll1] plus [roll2] foehammer plus [roll3] lesser truedeath.

IGG, shield block if necessary.

Manoeuvres for next round: [roll4]

Gaiseric recovers from the beetles chittering as Mirriana silenced them, shaking his head with thanks he looks up just in time to get bowled over, within a heartbeat, he chooses to steel himself, and readies for the thing to drive over him, taking several feet to the shoulders and torso, blood dripping down from superficial wounds.

Growling he howls in anger, his face suddenly lit up with a brilliant cobalt fire, which flickers and spits from both his eyes like miniature suns. He suddenly looks at the beetle and leaps at it, flying through the air, back bent and all 4 arms trailing, ready to strike.

Spoiler

Show

free action: Whirling frenzy
Swift: reallocate essentia

Leap charge attack beetle (the one everyone is beating on, if I can't then the other)
Charge +2, whirling frenzy extra attack -2 [I FORGOT HEROES FEAST, +1 to all attacks]
[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

[roll4]
[roll5]

[roll6]
[roll7]

[roll8] Nat 1
[roll9]

Damage counts as magic
Primary damage = STR (7) + girallon arms (4) + raging (4) = 15
Secondary damage = 1/2xSTR (3) + girallon arms (4) + raging (4) = 11

HP's: 104/144
AC: 24 (-2 from charging)
FF: 24 T: 15

Incarnum (7e)
1/3 E Lammasu Mantle (+2 saves; +1 deflect vs evil/e)
4/4 E Girallon arms (+2 e to claws, +1/e)
1/3 E Totem Avatar (+1 Nat AC /e)
0/3 E Worg Pelt (+2 comp to move.s/hide; +2/e)
0/3 E Sphinx claws (+1 STR checks; +1/e | pounce w/ nat attacks)
(1)4/4 E Cobalt Rage (+1 insight damage/will save/e)

Effects: Whirling Frenzy (11/11 rounds), Cobalt rage (+4 insight damage, +4 will saves), +2 to saves vs evil, heroes feast

Elkist

Inspired by Mirriana's assault Elkist continues her own, blade arcing about as she seeks to put down the huge evil insect bearing down on them.

Spoiler: Actions & stats

Show

Misc: 5ft step as needed. Stay adjacent to Mir.
Free: Power attack 1
Full: Full attack #1 Lightning Sword [roll0] (+10 base, +3 str, +2 weapon, +1 morale (Heroes Feast), -1 PA), damage [roll1] (+6 str, +2 weapon, +2 PA, +2 armbands) + electricity [roll2]
Full attack #2 Lightning Sword [roll3] (+10 base, +3 str, +2 weapon, +1 morale (Heroes Feast), -1 PA), damage [roll4] (+6 str, +2 weapon, +2 PA, +2 armbands) + electricity [roll5]
Swift: Holy surge [roll6] holy damage (if an attack hits)

Elkist Talphrin
Female LG Half-Drow Paladin 4/ Spirit Shaman 9, Level 13, Init 5, HP 70/94, DR DR10/ Adamantine; Light Fortification, Speed 30ft
AC 22, Touch 10, Flat-footed 22, Fort 17, Ref 13, Will 17, Base Attack Bonus 10
Ghost touch Lightning Sword +16/ +11 (+10 base, +3 str, +2 weapon, +1 morale (Heroes Feast)) (2d6+8 (+6 str, +2 weapon), 19-20 x2)
Ghost touch +1 Full plate armour of Agility, Ghost touch +1 Animated heavy steel shield (+9 Armor, +3 Shield)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 11, Wis 12, Cha 27
Condition
Permanent/ daily effects:

Pal: Aura of good
Pal: Aura of courage (immune fear, allies +4 morale bonus vs fear)
Pal: Divine health (immunity to disease)
SS: Blessing of the spirits (protection from spirits: +2 defl AC, +2 resist Saves)
SS: Ghost warrior (ghost touch weapons & armour)
SS: Warding of the spirits (magic circle vs spirits:10ft radius +2 defl AC, +2 resist Saves)
1/2E: Immunity to sleep
1/2E: +2 save vs enchantment
1/2E: low light vision
Armour crystal: +3 competence save vs energy drain, death spells/ effects, inflict spells)
Cloak: +4 enhancement to Cha
Gauntlets: +2 enhancement to Str
Primal instinct (wand): +5 competence initiative & survival
Armbands: +2 Str checks & skills, +2 damage on Power attack)
Mirriana: Imbue with Spell Ability

Hour+ effects:

Longstrider (wand): +10ft enhancement speed
Righteous Aura (wand): +4 sacred Cha, daylight
Heart of Air (spell): +10 enhance Jump
Heart of Earth (spell): +8 resist bull rush, overrun, trip; +18 temp hp
Heart of X (spell): light fortification (25% resist critical hits & sneak attacks)
Mass Resist Energy/30 acid for 120 minutes. (Merrick)
Heroes Feast (Mirriana): immune poison & fear, +1 morale bonus on attack rolls & Will saves
Shield Other (wand): Mirriana

Minute+ effects:

Round+effects (not included in stats):

Magic Circle Against Evil (Archon): +2 deflection to AC, +2 resist to saves
Power attack: -1 hit +4 damage (incl. armbands)
Heart of Earth/ Stoneskin: DR10/ adamantine 90hp (9 rounds)

The battle turns rapidly, an archon appearing shedding it's aura of Law. Even as Lan's javelins go astray the others strike with fury. Gaesric leaps atop the beetle ripping off chunks of dead chitin, the beetle cracking more with Mirriana's blow before shattering with Elkist's glowing blade!

A few feet away Zarina duels the Kyuss knight, her blade of fire lashing through the Kyuss knight's defence once. With Mirriana's urging Elkist leaps to the Kyuss knight's side, her blade smashing the burned and battered beetle that then tumbles to the ground the knight rolling to one side.

Rising the Kyuss knignt offers Elkist a whisper of a salute before slashing at her and Zarina, eye stalks snapping at both.

Spoiler: Kyuss knight

Show

Sword vs Elkist [roll0] dam [roll1] + [roll2] ,
Sword vs Elkist [roll3] dam [roll4] + [roll5] ,

Eye vs Zarina [roll6] dam [roll7] + [roll8] Int drain ,
Eye vs Zarina [roll9] dam [roll10] + [roll11] Int drain ,

Lan’s foot caught as he stumbled out of his roll, sending his blows well off their marks. Once he regained his balance, he rolled more adeptly ... fluidly. As he came up from his roll, he threw a series of javelins ... one, two, three, four ... all headed for the knight in powerful, whistling strikes.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Made the tumble, so 10’ move as a free action; full attack with Rapid shot
[roll0], [roll1]+[roll2]
[roll3], [roll4]+[roll5]
[roll6], [roll7]+[roll8]
[roll9], [roll10]+[roll11]
Status
HPs: 83; AC: 21 (27/30) FF/Touch: 16/16
F +11 R +15 (16) W +8
Skills: Listen/Spot/Search +17/+17/+18 Move Silently/Hide +20/+20 Tumble +33
Spells (4/6/5/2/2) 0: create water, guidance, mending, light
1:entangle, gravity bow, embrace the wild, hunter's mercy, sniper’s shot, surefooted stride, CLW x2
2: fell the greatest foes, fell the greatest foe, invisibility, exacting shot, exacting shot, CMW
3: decoy image, find the gap
4: aspect of earth hunter, deeper darkvision
Javelins (+20, 1d4+2 / +21, 1d4+3 w/in 30', bane vs undead)
Items: 1/1 Laughing Rogue; 2/2 Quicksilver Boots; 2/2 Horizon Walker
Effects: +10 Tumbling; 60’ darkvision (6hrs); embrace the wild (+2 Spot/Listen, 30’ blindsense, 60min); resist energy (30/acid, 120min); heroes feast (+1 vs attack/damage [morale], immune to poison/fear, 12hrs); fell the greatest foes (Zarina, 5 rounds); elation (+2Str/Dex, +5’ move, 11 rounds); Protection (+5 AC [sacred], -4 to opp attacks, ? Rounds)

The Kyuss knight, reels backwards, taken off guard as after its blade slashes deep in Elkist's side the slobbering eye stalk snaps at Zarina's face only to be warded off at the last second by Mirriana's interposing shield that bats it back. Even as the knight spins around, trailing smoke and strange undead viscera the halfling rolls close to it, a brutal flurry of javelins enchanted to bring a swift end to the undead and lodging it its vitals. It deflects two of the flying javelins but two land home, and, with a strangled and airless cry it topples over. ITs body melting away into a strange and vile looking black slime.

Zarina, nods to Mirriana, "My thanks. I feel I would have been a goner if not for your protective magics and your trusty shield. " She looks at the beetle marks on her fellows, "How are you feeling, the injuries not too severe?? She cleans the blade from soot and beetle "bits" with a piece of rough cloth and lets the despoiled rag drop to the ground as she gestures at the towering ziggarut. "The peak or the doors into the thing?"

Mirriana

"Our hosts are no mindless creatures. The obvious entrance would likely be guarded. With my wand, I could get us all up in moments. Or if you prefer to fly yourself, that can be arranged as well."

Gaiseric is about to leap at the second combatant, when the rest of the group drops it. He felt a sudden pang of anger, outrage that he wasn't allowed to strike the thing, that they wouldn't let him participate, it boiled up in spittle and vinegar, he screamed with incensed fury. It took him a moment to calm, but he did, looking abashed, his eyes no longer glowing, he was clearly exhausted from the fight.

He nods meekly to the suggestions. Perhaps he wouldn't embrace the anger in their next fight? He mused to himself.

Spoiler

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HP's: 104/144
AC: 25 (28 vs evil)
FF: 22 (25 vs evil) T: 17

Incarnum (7e)
3/3 E Lammasu Mantle (+2 saves; +1 deflect vs evil/e)
0/4 E Girallon arms (+2 e to claws, +1/e)
3/3 E Totem Avatar (+1 Nat AC /e)
0/3 E Worg Pelt (+2 comp to move.s/hide; +2/e)
0/3 E Sphinx claws (+1 STR checks; +1/e | pounce w/ nat attacks)
1/4 E Cobalt Rage (+1 insight damage/will save/e)

Effects: +2 to saves vs evil, heroes feast

Even as the party gather their thoughts amidst the shattered chitin and the now dead and decaying body of the Kyuss knight the air seems to shimmer for a second, a viewing portal some 40ft in diameter offering a view of the ziggarut that you think harkens back to its old glory, a second vision to light your way as more of the ancient history place unfolds before you.

The strange stain in the air wavers and then grows solid. The peak of the spire above trembles and is restored to all of its unholy glory and affixed to the fork like tines is a fifteen foot tall, three foot thick trapezoid shaped pinnacle of black rocky, 5ft wide at the base it gradually broadens to 10ft at the peak. The monolith of stone shimmers and vibrates with waves of horrible energy and something strange, alien and horrible writhes and struggles within almost visible through the barely opaque stone held aloft by powerful magics defying gravity.

Suddenly a brilliant red wall of scales fills the sky, screams echo from all around the square where thousands of worshippers had been abasing themselves and a blast of flame brilliant and violent engulfs the tip of the pyramid. Amidst the smoke and screams from the spire now dripping burning worshippers there is a terrible crunching noise of stone shattering before a colossal Red Dragon tears free of the halo of smoke, the odor of sulfur and pumice surrounds it overpowering the moist smells of the jungle. The beast is massive, an engine of death and destruction whose swept-back horns and spiny frill define its silhouette. Its beaked snout vents smoke at all times, and its eyes dance with flame, leaping into the sky it beats it wings, the force sending people bouncing and flattened around the courtyard as clutching its prize in massive claws its wings away to the North the spires shattered peak left behind and the strange black stone monolith clutched in its claws. As the dragon retreats into the clouds the vision fades...

Spoiler

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Do you enter the ziggurat or scale to the spire?

Vision relavant skills that could be tested?
- Know (arcana)
- Know (History)
- Spot

Elkist

Elkist grunts and winces at the cursed knights blow, but a quick prayer to Heironeous and a few moments see the half-elven warrior fully recovered.

Mindful to keep moving lest the lurking worms converge on her, she paces forward to the base of the ziggurat, staring up at the evil edifice above.

Spoiler: castings

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cast lesser vigor x3
recast heart of earth

- Know (History) (1d20+1)[8]
- Spot (1d20+10)[30]

Ever the pragmatist, Lan searched the bodies for items of interest. Once complete he stood, then staggered a step as the visions hit again. Blinking, he saw his companions had experienced something similar. Shaking his head, Lan moved to the steps, nodding upwards. ”Guess we’re headed up there?”

Spoiler: OOC

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Scouting ahead
[roll0], [roll1], [roll2]
[roll3], [roll4], as necessary

Spoiler: Status

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HPs: 83; AC: 21 (27/30) FF/Touch: 16/16
F +11 R +15 (16) W +8
Skills: Listen/Spot/Search +17/+17/+18 Move Silently/Hide +20/+20 Tumble +33
Spells (4/6/5/2/2) 0: create water, guidance, mending, light
1:entangle, gravity bow, embrace the wild, hunter's mercy, sniper’s shot, surefooted stride, CLW x2
2: fell the greatest foes, fell the greatest foe, invisibility, exacting shot, exacting shot, CMW
3: decoy image, find the gap
4: aspect of earth hunter, deeper darkvision
Javelins (+20, 1d4+2 / +21, 1d4+3 w/in 30', bane vs undead)
Items: 1/1 Laughing Rogue; 2/2 Quicksilver Boots; 2/2 Horizon Walker
Effects: +10 Tumbling; 60’ darkvision (6hrs); embrace the wild (+2 Spot/Listen, 30’ blindsense, 60min); resist energy (30/acid, 120min); heroes feast (+1 vs attack/damage [morale], immune to poison/fear, 12hrs); fell the greatest foes (Zarina, 5 rounds); elation (+2Str/Dex, +5’ move, 11 rounds); Protection (+5 AC [sacred], -4 to opp attacks, ? Rounds)

Merrick

No stranger to weird visions, Merrick takes the... echo? in stride. Diligently as possible he tries to take in everything he can.

Gai nods, and leaps up onto the steps and begins to climb upwards.

No-one can identify the massive red scaled monster as anything other than a big red dragon. Not even Zarina's normally encyclopedic knowledge of strange monster helping her say more than "That's a very big dragon", the understatement not really helpful in the circumstances. ALthough as she looks at the others "If these visions are from a thousand years ago then I very much hope that dragon is long gone to dust or it will be at the pinnacle of its power!"

THe other thing that only Elkist and Lan noticed with sharp elven and halfling eyes was the actual tip of the monolith that was stolen. The strange trapezoid of power that was swirling was more than swirling - inside the shadowy crystal both elf and halfling has seen what appeaars to the be the shadows of a screaming face (whether rage of fear its hard to say) but the case was composed of the writhing outlines of thousands of worms!

Reaching the spire is easy, if tiring as it takes only a few minutes (~6) to scale the many steps of ziggarut to stand atop its spire. The strange forked stone towers still further above you but obviously missing the odd magical monolith that had hung there before being snatched by a massive dragon. The flat top also has an impressive throne of gaudy gold and jade and a stone table where the bloodstains have stained it to a marbled red effect that seems un-touched by the passage of time. To Elkist's sense of evil the throne and the sacrifical slab both glow with pulses of dark and forboding evil.

Looking down the sides you can see a choice between heavy stone double doors on the sides of the pyramid on either the western or eastern side. The one to the east depicting writhing worms filling a skull and a pair of statued undead soldiers each armed with a strange mace-axe. To the West the door has similar grim images of worms, bloodhsed and death, but this time the statues are of a pair of living soldiers, although still armed with the strange mace-axe.

Zarina shivers atop the spire feeling the creeping dread of the place preying upon her. "Nether door looks particularly attractive do they? Which do you prefer, skeletons or soldiers? It seems to find any further secrets of Kyuss and this place we'll have to venture inside."

Mirriana

"I just know we're going to have to track down that trapezoid," I lament.

"Ok, soldiers," I indicate to the west. "I have a feeling what we're looking for is to the east, but I'm in a mood to be thorough."

Merrick

“Let’s be at it then,” says Merrick, resuming his undead invisibility.

Elkist

"One door is as good as another." Elkist heads towards the chosen entrance, blade at the ready.