House Min'Doan

[Grodech]

I took a double move, with one as a five foot step. If that isn't allowed, I can tumble into the square, auto-succeeding on the check.

I think Grynd'l's point is that you don't need to take a double-move to get into that square (n2). You can get there in a single move action and still take a standard action. There's no AOO from the goblin for going into that square.

[Gryndel]

I think Grynd'l's point is that you don't need to take a double-move to get into that square (n2). You can get there in a single move action and still take a standard action. There's no AOO from the goblin for going into that square.

indeed, exactly right

[Gryndel]

Rd2 (Cont)
Xinth [21] moved up to engage in the battle and cut down a goblin in one icy stroke

move action, 20 hit 7 dmg = dying

Lomni [19] managed to slip through the back lines, getting in position and readying his deadly attack on the giant if it continued to resist the will of his sister.

3rd rd of death attack, next round sneak attack roll

The bugbears [13] launched another volley of javelins, this time aimed ay Frixal, but both missed.

12, 16 both miss

The Giant [11] roared in derisive, arrogant laughter at Firxal, then bellowed, “We shall see then, drow bitch!” as he threw another rock at her, but missed once again.

22 miss

The Trolls [8] continued to attack the undead abomination of their brethren. While their claws all struck, their bite attacks failed. Typically, trolls are feared for their ability to rend flesh in horrible fashion, alas, this foe had only bone, which lessened the effect considerably.

28, 29, 23, 17 hit Total 19 dmg

The remaining Goblins [7] had little choice but to press the attack, closing in to melee with the nearest strategic foe. Though a few struck telling blows, they served only to increase the pain of the strategically superior dark foes.

Miss on Xinth

The troll Skeleton [4] attacked one of the trolls, its bony claws and skeletal bite failing to find flesh.

14, 13, 9 all miss

The bugbear zombie [1] swung its morning star at the closest goblin but missed the elusive little humanoid.

12 miss

****
Rd 3
Zif [24] used another spell and lifted off the ground to join Frixal near the ceiling.

cast Fly, move up to ceiling

The drow warriors [23] brutally pressed their advantage, twin weapons swirling in deft dark hands to deal out painful wounds and death.

Killed 2

The reply of the giant intrigued Frixal [23] enough to penetrate her insane anger in battle and caused a pause long enough to attempt to read the thoughts of the doomed giant before her brother struck from stealth to kill.

Cast Detect Thoughts DC 20 will failed...

By this time Kirzen [22] had seen enough, not only of the initial confrontation with the guard unit, but of what lie beyond. The engagement involving her siblings turned out to be only one of three that the Tithe Taker indirectly initiated and watched. Gleaning information sufficient to satisfy her interests while her siblings fought, she swiftly shifted from surveillance and summoning to direct physical action

Leaving the slaves where they were, under the watchful eye of a minor demon, her female commander, and the remaining drow warriors, she used the headband of teleport to join her sister. Still mounted on her own lizard, which clung safely to the ceiling above the fray, she smiled wickedly at Frixal as she cursed the giant.

Cast Curse of Ill Fortune on Giant Saved!

OOC

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Initiative
Zif 24
Warriors 23
Frixal 23
Kirzen 22
Xinth 21
Lomni 19
Bugbears 13
Giant 11
Trolls 8
Goblins 7

Wounds
Fire Giant 106
Tb 15 (15 fire)
Tc 30 (15 fire)

Spells
Zif Mirror Image (6)
Xinth Invisibility (on Lomni)

[Grodech]

Round 3:

A smile slid across Lomni's face as the giant bellowed his answer. Lomni stepped up [5 foot step to D5] and attacked.

ooc: DC 16 fort save or die (death attack) for each one that hits.

Edit: messed up the dice - see the dice thread - summary below:

Attack 1: 21, 47 damage if it hits
Attack 2: 34 (nat 20, chance for crit), 39 damage if it hits
Attack 2 Critical chance: 18, additional 20 damage if it hits
Speed Attack: 37 (nat 19, chance for crit), 27 damage if it hits
Speed Attack cricital chance: 25, additional 22 damage if it hits

[white rider]

Well than, last turn standard:

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attack with rapier: (1d20+12)[20], crit on 15-20 (27-32), (1d6+2)[6] damage plus (1d6)[1] cold
Crit conform (JIC) (1d20+12)[29], (1d6+2)[4] damage and (1d10)[10] cold

This turn: full attack with all weapons

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Rapier 1: (1d20+10)[17], crit on 15-20 (25-30), (1d6+2)[4] damage plus (1d6)[6] cold
Crit conform (JIC) (1d20+10)[13], (1d6+2)[3] damage and (1d10)[4] cold
Rapier 2(speed): (1d20+10)[15], crit on 15-20 (25-30), (1d6+2)[8] damage plus (1d6)[2] cold
Crit conform (JIC) (1d20+10)[15], (1d6+2)[3] damage and (1d10)[1] cold
Kukri 1:(1d20+7)[23], (1d4)[4] damage, crit on 18-20 (25-27)
Crit conform (JIC): (1d20+7)[15], (1d4)[4] damage
Rapier 3:(1d20+5)[12], crit on 15-20 (25-30), (1d6+2)[5] damage plus (1d6)[2] cold, crit on 15-20 (20-25)
Crit conform (JIC): (1d20+5)[19], (1d6+2)[5] damage and (1d10)[7] cold

[Gryndel]

Xinth stepped over to cut the nearest goblin to ribbons.

5' step, Rapier 17, 15 hit, Kukri 23 hit total 24 dmg = DEAD

Lomni slipped past the bugbears and quickly cut the giant down with his new blade.

21 miss 34 hit (save vs death attack) 37 hit total 88 = DEAD

As the giant fell dead right behind them, the bugbears turned and fled the battle.

OOC

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AoO on the closest one for Lomni if he wants...

The Trolls and remaining Goblins tried to flee as well. Frixal commanded the troll skeleton the concentrate on the goblins and let the trolls go. The drow warriors instinctively followed this tactic, leaving none of the small humanoids alive.


Kirzen
"Search them and get ready to move on swiftly."

OOC

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Spells
Zif Mirror Image (6), Fly

[Grodech]

Bugbear AoO: (1d20+17)[29]
Damage, if he hits: (2d6+11)[18]

If any fleeing enemies pass by Lomni, he has 2 more AoO's available [Combat reflexes]

Lomni searches the giant, using his innate abilities to note any magical items [detect magic - duskblade spell like ability via arcane attunement].

[Gryndel]

Lomni struck down the closest bugbear that tried to flee. The other bugbear and the two trolls avoided the deadly reach of his blade, making it easy to include them all as targets to a Fireball flung almost flippantly by the maniacal Frixal. The bugbear was incinerated and fell dead immediately. Both trolls survived the magic flames, though both suffered severely from wounds that wouldn't regenerate.

Zif flew down to help search the corpses, taking pleasure in ending any life that was slowly bleeding out on the ground, and stabbing the dead to ensure they certainly were deceased. The drow warriors followed his example as they searched through the goblin corpses. The only valuables found in the search of the bodies were high quality weapons and armor, though nothing remarkable. The fact that not even the giant carried one bit of treasure strongly indicated they were enslaved by something powerful and greedy.

Wounded drow warriors took positions with the slaves as fresh ones replaced them in the vanguard, under the direction of Frixal. She had sent her bugbear zombie ahead, the summoned troll skeleton having long since vanished. Soon the advance group hurried up the wide tunnel, spread out as before, with Kirzen lingering behind with the slaves. She spent time and effort to animate the giant into a zombie, taking up the rear position.

Frixal, her brothers, and 4 warriors soon caught up with her bugbear zombie. They hurried up the gradually ascending tunnel for a few minutes, then slowed slightly as it became clear that it stretched on for quite a distance. As it turned out, the tunnel was nearly a mile long and terminated in a large cavern.

OOC

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So search/travel about an hour until next....

[Grodech]

Lomni sheaths his sword before continuing on. He'd have to remember to use the icy burst function of his new scabbard the next time he encountered a fire giant....

Spot: (1d20+10)[22]
Listen: (1d20+12)[13]
Hide: (1d20+27)[41]
Move Silent: (1d20+26)[27]

[white rider]

Xinth steps up to the front of the party, activating his armor and disappearing from view.

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Hide: (1d20+27)[29]
Move silent: (1d20+17)[30]
Spot: (1d20+2)[5]
Listen: (1d20+2)[13]
Concealment from creatures with darkvision

[Gryndel]

The tunnel opened into a huge cavern that held a deep lake, and a river that sluggishly flowed from it and out through one tunnel. Many other tunnels, some natural, some not, were to be found along the walls, including a few shafts - both up and down. One of these shafts that lead straight up, located directly above where the river left the cavern through the tunnel, was the next stage in the journey to the upper world.

This is also where the small party departed from Kirzen and the slaves. She gave the Headband of Teleport to Frixal, who put it on immediately with a nod and greedy grin and signaled the others to move out.

Four drow warriors, Lomni, Xinth, Zif and Frixal moved like shadows of death along the rough cavern wall toward that tunnel. While they were well out of sight yet, they noted a rather large force of Bugbears were gathered on the near side of the river. A stone bridge stretched across the water about 60' from the tunnel, big enough for four bugbears to walk abreast.

On the other side of the bridge was a large mass of goblins, hundreds lined up facing the river in organized units. behind them were dozens of ogres sporting chain shirts, large spiked shields, and fine looking swords. These stout defenders surrounded an Ogre Mage and a Beholder.

Frixal handed the headband to Lomni and signaled with her hands, “Take Xinth and Zif across the river and hide by the wall behind the beholder.”

Zif cast Invisibility Sphere on them as the three touched to transport.

[Grodech]

Lomni took the headband and put it on. Once the invisibility spell was enacted and he was sure his brothers were touching, he enacted the teleport spell in the headband to place them in a spot along the wall behind the beholder as his sister had ordered. A beholder was a dangerous opponent alone, but with an ogre mage and an army even more so. His sister must have something big in mind...

Hide: (1d20+27)[44]
Move Silent: (1d20+26)[34]

[white rider]

Xinth reaches out and touches the headband, drawing his rapier with his free hand.

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Hide:(1d20+27)[31]
Move silent:(1d20+17)[32]
Concealment from creatures with darkvision

[Gryndel]

After ensuring her brothers obeyed, Frixal pulled out her tentacle whip as she rode forward with her warriors and zombie in front. Telepathically she told Lomni and Xinth, "Flank Zif and look as intimidating as you possibly can when signaled." She then explained what she wanted Zif to do and say to him.

Once she was in sight of the bridge guards, Frixal spoke out boldly in Undercommon as she continued to steadily advance, “Greetings, Eye Tyrant. We obliterated your tunnel guards in short order and barely suffered a scratch. We offered the chance of life to them, but they foolishly insisted on delaying our progress.”

With a shrug she pointed at the beholder with her whip, the tentacles wriggling eagerly, then at the shaft as he continued arrogantly, “We are simply passing through, as perhaps are you. If you clear a path immediately to that shaft, I shant have further desire to oblige my murderous whims, and we shall be on our way.”

As Frixal spoke, the Beholder began speaking softly, first in giantish, then a few words louder in its native language. All those with it froze in place immediately as a few eye stalks looked up the shaft the drow intended to use. The Beholder chuckled as it bathed the approaching drow in the antimagic field generated by its central eyes and scanned the party. It spoke in Undercommon, “So why should I indulge such whims of those who are nothing more than an irritant and a delay to my current designs?”

At a mental signal from Frixal, the three drow brothers stepped from the shadows some short distance behind the beholder. Suddenly accompanied by dozens of Zif’s illusionary drow warriors levitating above and walking behind them. The Nightmare Spinner fingered a black bladed dagger with a wickedly serrated edge and grinned sadistically. The ogre guards growled softly but more than one look of trepidation and fear passed among them.

Zif answered boldly as instructed, though not loudly, “Because there are more of us than you could know, or could face at once, even with that rabble around you. Though we have no true desire to specifically engage you further, if you interfere we will slaughter the remainder of your slaves and slowly cut you to ribbons.”

OOC intimidate assisted in the decision...

A growing number of obviously dangerous drow already in tactical position, and with no way of knowing how many more might be waiting in the darkness, the beholder chuckled and spun to turn its central eye toward the newcomers behind it. Exposing the illusion for what it was left only three drow, but all dangerous looking and advancing boldly. Floating up and away from the bridge toward another shaft it said, “So be it, we have no real interest in that shaft. But begone quickly, we gather more here soon for a purpose well beyond.”

The intervening troops swiftly cleared a wide path by scrambling out of the way as Frixal and her entourage approached the bridge. She telepathically told her brothers to advance to the bridge and remain there until she was in the tunnel. After commanding her bugbear zombie aboard behind her, she confidently rode her lizard to the wall nearest the shaft, then up the wall as she watched the beholder closely. When the drow warriors were in position she cast levitate on a pair of them, who each grabbed another to float up to the shaft.

Zif obeyed, of course, assuming he’d be the last one up as youngest male.

[white rider]

Xinth silently follows his sister, using his innate magic to levitate up the shaft.

[Grodech]

ooc: A little late now, but...

ic:
Lomni stepped out at the signal, drawing the greatsword and selecting aberration bane from the scabbard, just in case...

Intimidate assist: (1d20+4)[16]

Once the bargain was struck, Lomni proceeded to the bridge as told, preceding his brothers in using his innate levitate ability to ascend up the shaft. He keeps the sword in hand, not knowing what they might find above.

Spot: (1d20+10)[21]
Listen: (1d20+12)[27]

[Gryndel]

Zif floated up behind his brothers, following the warriors into the shaft above. Frixal sat on her lizard as it clung to the ceiling adjacent to the opening, her zombie clinging to the saddle securely behind her. The beholder had stopped to hover just below another shaft in the ceiling, about sixty feet away. Each eyed the other until the last drow was well up the shaft, both knowing the anitimagic could still interfere, and that Frixal wasn’t depending on magic.

The (10' wide) shaft went straight up without change for hundreds of feet, then widened (20') into a more natural surface. Frixal soon caught up, the pace of her lizard much faster than the rate of levitate. She moved to take the lead when the tunnel widened, winking at her brothers as she spoke in drow, “One of you can join me, or I’ll take one of the brave warrior.”

The two warriors who weren’t levitating personally moved to jump on her lizard if none of the brothers did.

Zif shrugged at Lomni and grinned at Xinth, waiting for his elders to decide.

[Grodech]

A courtesy from Frixal was exceptionally rare, and despite the fleeting thought that she had an ulterior motive, Lomni wasted no time in accepting the offer.

[Gryndel]

When Lomni climbed aboard the riding lizard, the bugbear zombie slid back slightly, leaving a small spot right behind the riding saddle. As soon as he took the seat he seemed stuck to it securely. A quick test revealed he was not trapped there, simply secured. Zif sped up, using his Fly spell to keep close behind as the lizard climbed up the tunnel at full speed. The rest rose slowly under the power of levitate.

According to the information from the well traveled Kirzen, which Frixal relied on heavily, but always ready for any recent changes like the beholder and its small army. The tunnel remained unchanged from the Tithe Taker's last expedition, and continued straight up for several hundred more feet. There it narrowed drastically (5') into a perfectly round shaft up with a pair of opposing tunnels angling up slightly. The 'left' tunnel was much like the shaft below them (20' diameter, natural surface). The 'right' tunnel was half that size and well worked, albeit long ago.

Having encountered nothing on the way, or at the junction, Frixal waited for the others. She sent her zombie up the smaller tunnel as she signaled Lomni with a flick of her fingers to check out the other a short way (typically that means half the distance visible, so about 60').

OOC So about 10 rounds before the others rejoin them... nothing there.

When the entire entourage regrouped at the junction Frixal spoke in formal drow language, "Here we must decide, both paths lead to the surface through vastly different routes. The left leads through a series of natural terrains, notorious for change and chaos. The right opens into a long labyrinth of structured spaces, meticulously filled with a variety of dangerous denizens. Either way will likely require much effort and sacrifice for us to navigate."

With an openly sadistic smile, she added with a seductive shrug, "So brothers, tell me your opinions on which way you would choose to go."

Having been here before, Zif had his opinions for sure. But he showed no outward sign what they might be as he remained respectfully silent until his elder brothers spoke.

[Grodech]

Lomni thinks to his knowledge of the well-studied map to see if it contained any hints of which route would be shorter, though shorter didn't mean less dangerous...

Lomni's time in the lower regions of their home gave him a slight preference to the well-worked and structured spaces. "I'd have thought you'd have made the choice already." he says with a mischievous grin. "My preference would be to the labyrinth."

[Gryndel]

Lomni thinks to his knowledge of the well-studied map to see if it contained any hints of which route would be shorter, though shorter didn't mean less dangerous...

The labyrinth would be nothing more than an oddly squiggly line on the map, but a certain distance. The maze, we'll call the chaotic natural tunnels, could be less or more, depending on how different it turned out from the map along the way.

[white rider]

Xinth grins. "The right, always the right. More opportunities for... fun with intelligent opponents."
Xinth's grin slowly fades. "Exactly what is in the labyrinth, anyway? I want to know what we will be facing."

[Gryndel]

Zif softly snickered at the banter of his brothers with their explosive sister, then shrugged, “The left sounds like it would be a lot more fun. But I suppose if we are serious, I agree that the labyrinth to the right seems the best choice.”

He nodded at Xinth’s question and added, “Especially if we get time to prepare properly.”


Kirzen seemed to seriously consider what her brothers said before replying in any way, something she rarely did. When she spoke it was with absolute authority, as if she were instructing students, “Last reports of labyrinth denizens included ogres and various giants, who occupy the chambers nearest us. Further on we should find countless undead fodder, with some more powerful specimens among them, all under the power of a lich that no living being has seen and lived to talk of in centuries.”

Smiling again, she added, “Either way, we can rest here before continuing.”

[Grodech]

"Well, isn't that special..." Lomni says. "A lich most definitely does not sound like fun."

[Gryndel]

"Well, isn't that special..." Lomni says. "A lich most definitely does not sound like fun."

Zif
"Indeed brother, and such a one would likely have some powerful servants, most likely one or more students of the arcane arts. Much of our collective powers are useless against such necromantic foes, though certain advantages would remain among us."

The illusionist grinned at Frixal and added suggestively, "Since our goal is to travel through the area and remain alive, spells prepared and powers among us should suffice. Any details of potential obstacles we might face, be they living, undead, or inanimate, would help greatly in preparing."


Frixal
"Truly Zifi, so we shall see. I'll do a divination before we leave to give us an idea of how challenging the first hour or so will likely be. After that, we just have to push through and see. I'd prepare to deal with many undead, some of whom will be spellcasters."

Climbing down from her lizard, Frixal silently went about searching the area for the best place to sleep.

[white rider]

Xinth grins again. "I've got ways of dealing with spellcasters... but out of curiosity, what is in the other direction?

[Gryndel]

Frixal
A short, maniacal, scornful laugh accompanied a condescending glare at Xinth as the sinister sister said sarcastically, "Who knows, changes so often."


Zif
Zif had been to the surface on several missions, a few with Kirzen. Xinth had gone on the last, but they took a different route than this one further back. With a shrug, the Nightmare Spinner said seriously, "Surroundings and denizens change, unpredictably of course. Still, I've always preferred it to the possibility of dealing with a powerful lich and its many minions for miles."

He grinned wickedly and added, "Still, I've never been with so many of my siblings either. With the right magic and other preparations we should get through, whether we face the lich or not."


Frixal
Rolling her eyes a bit at the youngest brother, Frixal said, "Don't be so dramatic, we''ll be fine little brother. Now lets rest, youngest first."


OOC:

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4 shifts of 3 hours, so each sibling rests/etc for 9 hours and share one shift with one warrior for. Likely, order of age:

1. Zif
2. Xinth
3. Lomni
4. Frixal

[white rider]

Xinth walks to a corner and crouches cross-legged, beginning his trance.

[Grodech]

Lomni uses his downtime to sleep and study the map some more.

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ooc: I'll put some random rolls in the dice thread in case we need spot/listens for during our shifts on watch.

[Gryndel]

The shifts passed peacefully, the warriors to the right with Firxal’s bugbear zombie, the siblings to the left. The riding lizard rested while curled up in the smaller shaft up, which only extended a few dozen feet to a dead end.

Spells prepared for inflicting maximum harm, dealing with undead and spellcasters, and getting through areas quickly, they proceeded into the labyrinth the next day. The bugbear zombie led the way, with two of the warriors flanking it some way behind. The three brothers came next, followed by another pair of warriors, with Frixal mounted on her lizard bringing up the rear.


Frixal cast Mage Armor on her zombie, then cast Omen of Peril and announced arrogantly, “Proceed at full speed, nothing in the near future to cause much concern.”


The well worked, ancient tunnel (10' wide and high) penetrated straight into the solid bedrock for quite a distance before reaching an intersection. One of many they would see similarly, it continued straight on and split perpendicular to the left and right. Each side tunnel stretched away 40' until it turned at right angles left and right again. Initially the path marked on the map went straight until it broke off into a series of turns. As they passed each set of side tunnels it put more potential enemies behind them, though they saw nor heard anything for several minutes.

As the bugbear zombie stepped into the 23rd intersection, the one just prior to the first turn, sounds suddenly filled the halls from every direction. Dominantly at first was the noise of stone doors being pushed open, soon followed by moaning, groaning, and the shuffling of feet. Increasingly joining the cacophony were wails of woe, insane shrieks, curious cackling, and horrid screams of deadly hatred.

Seen in the immediate surroundings were doors that flew open down each side tunnel every 10' where a mummy and some other undead emerged. Specters, wraiths, shadows, ghasts and ghouls joined the mummies, all moving toward the living invaders.


Magic darkened the ceiling in the labyrinth, seeking to penetrate the resistance of the drow to inflict a necromantic curse of ill luck.


OOC

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SP vs SR (PC 27, Warriors 15) (1d20+16)[22]
Will save DC 23 (or -3 attack, save, skill, ability chk)
Warriors +1 (4d20)[9][17][4][10](40)
Zif (1d20+5)[16]
Frixal (1d20+22)[36]

Initiative
Warriors (1d20+4)[24]
Zif (1d20+13)[30]
Frixal (1d20+3)[20]