DrK's Gestalt Game IC

[lelfin]

Grillin, still chattering in multiple languages, seems to be competing with the beetles. Though does begin casting sending greasy globs spraying on Thoyne's opponents

Actions: Casting sculpted grease on Z 24 (should get Thoyne's opponents, but not Thoyne, please correct to do that, if you don't mind...sleep deprivation is destroying my arithmetic) DC 18

[Starbin]

Alyssa

The slender girl nodded, almost to herself, as she saw the results of her spell. However, she allowed herself a small smile as she felt the connection between her and the knight. With her actions quickened, she slipped to the side, making sure both beetles and the undead knight were within range. Then she raised both hands, her quarterstaff in one, her holy symbol in the other, shouting out in draconic, "THY TIME ON THIS WORLD IS AT AN END! GET THEE HENCE FROM THIS REALM!"

Spoiler

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Move to put all undead in range, but keep the meat shields between Alyssa and the baddies
Use Purge Undead ability: (11d6)[34] positive energy vs all undead w/in 30' Will save for half vs DC 18

Spoiler: Active effects

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chain of eyes (20 hrs)
endure elements (2 days)
quick potion (20 hrs)
celestial brilliance (20 days)
heart of earth (20 hrs)
prying eyes (20 hrs)
bless (10 rnds?)
haste (10 rnds?)

Spells memorized

Spoiler: Divine

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0 (6): detect magic x2, light x2, amanuensis, message
1 (6+1): endure elements, protection from evil x2, shield of faith x2, divine favor, burning hands
2 (6+1): resist energy x2, consecrate, lesser restoration x2, remove paralysis, detect thoughts
3 (4+1): dispel magic x2, remove curse, wind wall, searing light
4 (4+1): celestial brilliance, restoration, spell immunity, death ward, holy smite
5 (3+1): disrupting weapon, flame strike, plane shift, true seeing

Spoiler: Arcane

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0 (4+1): caltrops, silent portal x2, prestidigitation, acid splash
1 (6+1): chain of eyes, lessor orb of fire x2, true casting, shield x2, mage armor
2 (5+1): quick potion x2, alter self, scorching ray, seeking ray, web
3 (4+1): fireball, greater mage armor, greater disrupt undead, fly, stinking cloud
4 (4+1): resilient sphere, assay spell resistance, orb of fire, heart of earth, summon monster IV
5 (3+1): prying eyes, firebrand, earth reaver, wall of stone

Spoiler: Status

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HPs: 77/77; AC: 18; F +8 / R +11 / W +13
Turn undead 5/6

[BelGareth]

Seeing his attack not as effective as he had hoped, he quickly realized the spear was not going to be much help.

Move a few feet from the knight, he swung again, hoping to scratch the beetle at least, he then shifted his arms, his claws becoming rounded and stubby, his hands growing in size equivalent of ham hocks.

Spoiler

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(law devotion +5 to attack)
free: 5 ft away from beetle and knight
standard: attack at 10 ft with spear, PA -5 (he has reach)
attack - (1d20+20)[27]
Damage - (1d8+20)[25] (magic/piercing)

Move: shift his claws into slams

Possible Aoo from reach:
attack - (1d20+20)[38]
Damage - (1d8+20)[26] (magic/piercing)

HP: 118
AC: 29
Thoyne

[DrK]

The might of the heroes becomes readily apparent! The most aggressive of the eviscerator beetles is engaged by the most of the party! The massively strong dwarven smith drives the beetle down to the ground with 3 massive blows that crack the rotten carapace. The wounds are made worse by the massive bite of the troll that tears a piece free even as the claws rake down the sides without finding purchase. The long red hot spear of Shazadraz drives into the heart of the creature ripping through vital organs leaving it narrowly clinging to its unlife as it wrapped up the salamander's long tale. Its end is sealed however as the aasimar pyromancer releases a blinding pulse of light that obliterates the beetle reducing it tiny motes of blackened dust...

The aura of blinding light washes over the other beetle leaving its shell steaming and damaged, only the Kyuss knight seems relatively unaffected, the sheer malevolence of his presence diluting the effect.

By the knight and other beetle THoyne thrusts forward as the pair of evil creatures lose their footing as the ground becomes coated with a thick layer of slime and grease, although neither fall the off balance allows the spear to again wreak havoc inside the beetle. Even as he retreats to a safer distance the Kyuss knight pursues and the spear slams through it once as it slips and slides towards Thoyne...

The beetle and the Knight both leap forward towards the angry dwarven monster, the grease slowing them though and leaving them unable to launch the full fury of the attacks! But still the massive mandibles of the beetle and the unholy flickering sword of the Knight are dangerous and terrifying!

Spoiler

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I assigned Thoyne's AoO on the Kyuss knight, if you'd rather it was on the beetle let me know (it still won't kill it)

Beetle moves forward to bite THoyne (1d20+19)[33] dam (4d6+11)[24] plus (2d6)[6] negative energy

Kyuss Knight (1d20+22)[39] damage (1d10+17)[21] + (2d6)[5] unholy

SO after two lots of DR I make that 36 damage to Thoyne!(and one off a crit threat on the beetle bite!)

Beetle 1: 72
Kyuss Knight: 28

Go angry Party go... still some chittering left though!

[lelfin]

Grillin yells loudly, in Draconic, "I know, I know, we're killing them, quit your whining!"

In common, then, he shouts, "Watch out!" and casts Glitterdust to catch the Knight and Beetle (dc 19) but not the party.

He then shouts, "Target the bug first, then the knight. Oh, and the knight is weak to silver, if you've got it!"

[Mishkov]

Jeb

"Focus friends, be calm throughout battle and trust your skills," the troll cried out in response to the angry noises of his allies. One beetle had fallen, it was time for him to attack the knight. He will continue to unleash nature's savagery as a troll.

Jeb leaped forward to attack.

Spoiler

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So...the close beetle died and there's grease on the field. I'd like to charge (pounce) the knight first or the beetle if I have to travel through grease for the knight but not for the beetle. If I was wrong on the beetle who died, full attack the close one.

If there's too much grease, I just wanna walk up and attack with the two claws for the knight.

DR is +2/magic good

Claw 1: (1d20+20)[37] to hit, damage: (2d6+13)[20] + (1d6+2)[7] +(1d4)[4] evil undead bonus
Claw 2: (1d20+20)[37] to hit, damage: (2d6+13)[17] + (1d6+2)[3] +(1d4)[4] evil undead bonus

If both claws hit, DC22 fort vs daze for one round
If both claws hit, (4d6+15)[30] damage from rend +(1d6+2)[5] +(1d4)[1] damage evil and undead bonus

Bite 1: (1d20+15)[29] to hit, (1d8+6)[10] damage +2 damage vs undead, +(1d6+2)[4] +(1d4)[4] damage if evil and undead

If one claw hits: Improved grap. grapple check: (1d20+21)[36]

Rake attack on pounce (OR if grappling)
Rake 1: (1d20+15)[19] to hit, damage is (2d6+8)[10] +[roll]1d6+2[roll] +[roll]1d4[roll] damage if evil and undead
Rake 2: (1d20+15)[19] to hit, damage is (2d6+8)[17] +[roll]1d6+2[roll] +[roll]1d4[roll] damage if evil and undead

IF EVIL, all hits (VS touch AC) require a DC14 fort save or they take (1d6)[4] initial dex damage, (2d6)[7] dex secondary damage

Jeb in shape

[Chambers]

Baervard

Shaking beetle goop off his warhammer Baervard stomps through the guts of the beetle as he rushes towards the death knight, closing the distance quickly thanks to the gnomes magical enhancement. Slipping besides the troll Baervard swings his warhammer at the undead's face, trying to crush it's skull.

Spoiler

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Charge at the Kysuss Knight (speed is 40ft from Haste so he can move 80ft on a Charge). Power Attack for -5.
+1 Atk Bless, +1 Atk Haste, +2 Atk Charge.

Attack (1d20+19)[35]
Damage (1d8+27)[28]

Baervard
HP 108/125 (Fast Healing 4)
AC 29 (+1 Haste, -2 Charge)
F/R/W +16/+8/+16

[Gnarnia]

Shazardrax

Eager to bring and end to the incessant, unholly chittering, Shazardrax pursues the remaining beetle, springing upon it in an attempt to grasp it in his coils.

Spoiler: Combat Stuffs

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I'd prefer to avoid the greased area if possible, and just do 1 move action and the attack. If it's not possible to reach them he'll charge through, but hopefully the haste gives him sufficient movement speed.

Tail Slap (as primary attack)(1d20+20)[34]
Tail Slap Damage (2d6+12)[19] plus [roll]1d6 Fire[/roll]

Grapple Check (if Tail Slap hits): (1d20+22)[26]
Constrict Damage (if Grapple Succeeds): (2d6+12)[22] plus [roll]1d6 Fire[/roll]

[Gnarnia]

Spoiler: Messed up the fire damage rolls somehow

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Tail Whip: (1d6)[6]

Constrict: (1d6)[2]

[Starbin]

Alyssa watched the first beetle fall, and turned her gaze to their remaining opponents. The second beetle looked hurt, but the death knigh remained a threat. The call to concentrate on the beetle had been met with only one of her companion's compliance. She could use her connection to positive energy to hurt both opponents again, but she was limited to the number of times she could tap into that ability. Perhaps it was best she used one of her minor spells to lend support to the fight.

Whispering softly, she called for a small ball of fire. With a glimmer, the red turned white hot, glowing with holy light, and she flung it forward ...

Spoiler: Actions

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Cast Lesser Orb of Fire, use sacred fire to turn flame into pure sacred damage. Will target beetle, if it's still alive. If not, target the knight: Ranged touch attack: (1d20+7)[20]; damage: (5d8)[21]

Spoiler: Active effects

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chain of eyes (20 hrs)
endure elements (2 days)
quick potion (20 hrs)
celestial brilliance (20 days)
heart of earth (20 hrs)
prying eyes (20 hrs)
bless (9 rnds?)
haste (9 rnds?)

Spells memorized

Spoiler: Divine

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0 (6): detect magic x2, light x2, amanuensis, message
1 (6+1): endure elements, protection from evil x2, shield of faith x2, divine favor, burning hands
2 (6+1): resist energy x2, consecrate, lesser restoration x2, remove paralysis, detect thoughts
3 (4+1): dispel magic x2, remove curse, wind wall, searing light
4 (4+1): celestial brilliance, restoration, spell immunity, death ward, holy smite
5 (3+1): disrupting weapon, flame strike, plane shift, true seeing

Spoiler: Arcane

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0 (4+1): caltrops, silent portal x2, prestidigitation, acid splash
1 (6+1): chain of eyes, lessor orb of fire, lessor orb of fire, true casting, shield x2, mage armor
2 (5+1): quick potion x2, alter self, scorching ray, seeking ray, web
3 (4+1): fireball, greater mage armor, greater disrupt undead, fly, stinking cloud
4 (4+1): resilient sphere, assay spell resistance, orb of fire, heart of earth, summon monster IV
5 (3+1): prying eyes, firebrand, earth reaver, wall of stone

Spoiler: Status

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HPs: 77/77; AC: 18; F +8 / R +11 / W +13
Turn undead 5/6

[BelGareth]

Thoyne grimaces as he takes wounds from the fiends, but seeing his companions coming to his aid as the other beetle fell, he feels invigorated, dropping his weapon he switches to a more effective weapon, his fists.

Spoiler

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[law into attack]
free: drop spear
free: 5ft to 10ft away from knight and beetle
full attack on beetle, any left over attacks move over to the knight.
-5 PA, +1 haste, +1 bless
Bite attack - (1d20+14)[29]
Bite damage - (1d8+8)[16] (piercing/slashing/bludgeoning)

Slam attack 1 - (1d20+19)[31]
Bite damage - (1d4+12)[15] (bludgeoning)

Slam attack 2 - (1d20+19)[26]
Bite damage - (1d4+12)[16] (bludgeoning)

Slam attack 3 - (1d20+19)[32]
Bite damage - (1d4+12)[16] (bludgeoning)

Possible aoo
Slam attack 4 - (1d20+19)[27]
Bite damage - (1d4+12)[16] (bludgeoning)

HP: 84
AC: 29
Thoyne

[DrK]

The carnage continues unabated seconds later. Baevard, Shazadrax and Thoyne pounding the beetle brutally until it collapses in a heap of rotted bones and exoskeleton.

The Kyuss knight is rocked on his feet and loses a good chunk of his arm and chest when the Troll slams into the fray, claws tearing and rending the Kyuss knights ancient full plate.

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Goldnblood saves (1d20+10)[17] DC 14
Goldnblood saves (1d20+10)[14] DC 14
Goldnblood saves (1d20+10)[14] DC 14

Even as the beetle is destroyed the Kyuss knight curses in a language ancient beyond any that you have heard he lunges forward, sword flickering and eyeworms gnashing at the party.... The sword lashing evenly at Thoyne, Jeb and Baevard!

Spoiler

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Stab Jeb (1d20+22)[32] damage (1d10+15)[25] + (2d6)[10] negative
Stab Baevard (1d20+22)[23] damage (1d10+15)[25] + (2d6)[4] negative
Eye bite Thoyne (1d20+13)[17] Dam (1d4+9)[11] + (1d4)[1] INT drain
Eye bite Jeb (1d20+13)[25] Dam (1d4+9)[12] + (1d4)[3] INT drain

plus the celestial brilliance damage (1d6)[2]
added to the 100 he's already taken

[lelfin]

Grillin continues to gibber and mumble, then casts Orb of Acid after his melee companions have had their chance to strike.

Ranged Touch Attack(1d20+10)[14]
Damage (11d6)[47]

[Starbin]

Alyssa

With the second beetle dead, the incessent chittering finally ceased; now the sounds of furious battle could be heard. The knight seemed extremely tough, so Alyssa called upon one of her stronger spells, one designed to cause great pain to the walking dead.

Whispering arcane words of power, she held out her hand and a white beam shot forth, seeking the heart of the knight.

Spoiler: Actions

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Cast Greater Disrupt Undead (No save, SR check: (1d20+12)[23]. Ranged touch attack w/ray: (1d20+7)[24] (bonus from seeking ray off-sets penalty for firing into melee); damage (positive energy): (10d8)[42]

Spoiler: Status

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HPs: 77/77; AC: 18; F +8 / R +11 / W +13
Turn undead 5/6

Spoiler: Active effects

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chain of eyes (20 hrs)
endure elements (2 days)
quick potion (20 hrs)
celestial brilliance (20 days)
heart of earth (20 hrs)
prying eyes (20 hrs)
bless (8 rnds?)
haste (8 rnds?)
seeking ray (7 rnds)

Spoiler: Divine Spells

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0 (6): detect magic x2, light x2, amanuensis, message
1 (6+1): endure elements, protection from evil x2, shield of faith x2, divine favor, burning hands
2 (6+1): resist energy x2, consecrate, lesser restoration x2, remove paralysis, detect thoughts
3 (4+1): dispel magic x2, remove curse, wind wall, searing light
4 (4+1): celestial brilliance, restoration, spell immunity, death ward, holy smite
5 (3+1): disrupting weapon, flame strike, plane shift, true seeing

Spoiler: Arcane Spells

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0 (4+1): caltrops, silent portal x2, prestidigitation, acid splash
1 (6+1): chain of eyes, lessor orb of fire, lessor orb of fire, true casting, shield x2, mage armor
2 (5+1): quick potion x2, alter self, scorching ray, seeking ray, web
3 (4+1): fireball, greater mage armor, greater disrupt undead, fly, stinking cloud
4 (4+1): resilient sphere, assay spell resistance, orb of fire, heart of earth, summon monster IV
5 (3+1): prying eyes, firebrand, earth reaver, wall of stone

[DrK]

Even as the lethal Knight of Kyuss lashes about with his dolorous unholy blade and his gnashing wormlike eye stalks the twin casters move forward to strike. A shimmering ball of acid and holy orb of shining brilliant light flicker towards the knight, striking true - the undead creature exploding as the acid ate through the armour and the shimmering white light vapourises the undead worm riddled flesh and the armour drops to the worm filled soil!

Even as the knight falls the air shimmers and ripples around him as a second vision is triggered by the death of one of Kyuss's chosen followers!
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.

Suddenly a brilliant red wall of scales fills the sky and there is a terrible crunching noise of stone shattering before the colossal Red Dragon is winging 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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Loot!
+2 Evil looking Full plate
Unholy +1 Bastard Sword
Heavy steel shield +1

Do you enter the ziggurat or scale to the spire?

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

[Starbin]

Alyssa smiled in satisfaction as the knight disappeared in a flash of holy light. She started to speak, but paused as a vision swept over her, filling her mind with omens and warnings.

Raising a hand to her forehead as she recovered, Alyssa straightened up, looking to her companions. "Dark images, my friends. Are we seeing the origins of this evil demi-god, at the hands of some ancient artifact? Perhaps a dark gift from Nerull, or something from beyond this world ...

Regardless, we have a decision to make ... up or down."

Looking to her floating eyes, Alyssa whispered, "Rise to thirty feet, circle the temple, fly over the top of the ziggurat, then return to me. If a threat is encountered, return immediately."

[DrK]

The small orbs zoom up into the air and swoop up and around the tall spire. Nothing appears to happen and after a few minutes the orbs return to Alyssa - as she examines the visions they'd seen she can see what appears to a be a dark shadow around the tip of the spire (but its likely a mere shadow of the dark monolith). The top of the ziggurat is deserted save for the remnants of ancient stone throne.

Whatever "unlife" remains it is likely inside the dark doorway of the ziggurat...

Spoiler

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are you looting the evil stuff?

[Starbin]

Alyssa whispered soft coos of encouragement when the eyes returning, almost treating them like pets vice arcane constructs. After a moment, she turned to the others and relayed what she had learned. Gazing up, she pondered for a moment, then spoke. "I would see this spire up close. If there is nothing there, then we shall not take long. If there are further omens to be found, however ..."

Looking at the eyes, she whispered, "Search the grounds within the ring, but do not not enter the ziggerat yet. Return to me when complete." With that, she looked to see if the others would join her on her journey to the top.

[DrK]

It takes maybe 10 minutes to scale the high and slippery steps. Though nicer standing on solid stone than the worm infested ground below. The floating orbs soon return to Alyssa with their reports of nothing save the little worms moving in the rest of the exterior space contained within the obsidian ring leaving you relatively free to scale the ziggurat without (too much) fear. Thoyne and Baevard still bearing the wounds from their encounters with the beetles and the dark undead knight Nezzarin.

From the base of the three forked spire that juts some 160ft further up you can get a good view of the jungle but of the monolith that once sat at the tip of the spire there is no trace. Even the throne that you saw in the vision has gone, crumbled to rubble and ruin after 2000 years...

Spoiler

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Nothing outside. You taking the east or west entrance into the ziggurat?
They are situated on the ground level

[Mishkov]

"An ominous omen indeed," Jeb muttered. The knight and beetles were stronger than he had suspected any guardians of this place to be but then again, so were his allies. "We should not split up though I confess I do not really know where to go."

Jeb moves up to follow Alyssa, ignoring any potential loot or remains. Nature would take its course finally.

[lelfin]

With some distaste for the unholy items, Grillin says, "Hold, a second, and I'll get the nastier items out of the way." He then flies out with the Sword and armor, and if no one wants it the shield, and finds a thicket or some bushes to put them in to grab if the party wants to loot them on their return. He then returns, and flies upwards with the party, muttering things about slow people walking.

Looking at the two doors, Grillin is muttering unintelligibly, then finally says, "West, when in doubt go left...West is left on a map...it's obvious...why do you argue with me now?" He seems to be arguing with someone, but no one who is present.

Spoiler

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Continuing to use detect undead and keeping hide from undead up

[Starbin]

Gazing around the top of the ziggurat, Alyssa was struck by the gravity of the situation - they were standing where a great and powerful artifact once stood .. . and perhaps where the mighty Kyuss had ruled from.

Once they reached the bottom, Alyssa nodded her thanks to Grillin as he flew the objects to the edge of the barrier and dealt with them. Glancing over at Thoyne and Baevard, she gasped slightly, moving closer to both warriors. "By the light, where are my manners! You have both been hurt in our combat. Do you wish succor? I was not prepared for healing today, but my Lord will accept the sacrifice of another spell, if you have need. I also have two curatives and a magic wand that might aid you, although their magiks are relatively minor."

With the choice made to go to the western entrance, Alyssa gathered her eyes. "Go through the west entrance, at intervals of sixty paces. Search for living creatures. Return within ten minutes or upon finding a threat."

[DrK]

The eyes return in seconds, the downloaded visions showing a small vestibule with depictions of hundreds of undead. The depictions of an army of undead soldiers engaged in the ruin and destruction of a city of helpless men, women and children. Buildings burn, blood soaks the streets and dark thunderclouds boil in the skies above. Above them all depicted with a careful touch and lovingly painted is an enormous figure dressed in a tattered grey dark robe. His visage is only remotely humanoid, a seething mass of worms in the shape of a man with vast cavernous sockets for eyes. At his back stand 4 undead soldiers, all clad in gleaming armour of black engraved with skulls carrying dark blades of green/black...

Spoiler

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Clearly Nezzarin and his mates

THe far side of the chamber is dominated by a pair of 10ft wide brass doors covered with the undead and verdigris. The heavy doors bar the way into the heart of the ziggurat.

[Chambers]

Baervard

"It's well crafted, I'll give it that." He says as the gnome deposits the fallen knights gear well away from any grasping hand that might burst from the ground. "Good thinking." He says and gives Grillin a nod. He takes a well worn wand from inside his coat and overs prayers to Moradin while they're waiting for the mystical eyes to return.

"What do they tell ya?" He asks.

Spoiler

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Can I get a damage total for everyone after the fight? 10 minutes will be plenty of time to heal up with his Wand of Lesser Vigor.

[lelfin]

Grillin shrugs, for once not muttering, but says, "Heal up, but quickkly. Slaying one of the four will undoubtedly have consequences. Best to be moving forward than waiting out here in pits of worms..." He glances around fitfully, his lips starting to move again in unconscious mutterings.

[Mishkov]

Jeb nodded in agreement. "You know what they say, evil never rests, nor do the undead. Those creatures were scary, but as I said earlier, troll skin is thick, I am relatively unscathed after that encounter."

Spoiler

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Jeb's at full HP still. His AC is fairly high from buffs and troll.

[Starbin]

Alyssa sighed, shaking her head. "It appears they found an entry chamber of sorts, complete with foul mosaics and pictures along the walls. Unfortunately, there was a door that my little friends could not get past. Shall we?"

Alyssa is ready to continue in and see what the room holds ... as well as what lies beyond the door.

[DrK]

Walking past the walls the bright light streaming from Alyssa gives a vibrant life to the scenes of slaughter, death and blood on the wall and some trick of the shadow leaves the shadowed master still untouched by even the aasamir's holy light.

The doors swing open with the slightest touch and swing wide on silent hinges that are well weighted and free of dust despite the time that has passed since servants of Kyuss marched forth. As the doors swing open they reveal a grand chamber beyond. This once grand chamber suffers from long neglect. The dark green stone floor of the temple lies broken in the centre, giving way a vast gaping pit. Writhing tendrils of sickening green vapour slither up from the pit only to break apart and fade before they can seep much further into the room. Great pillars line the vast chamber with those in the centre lie broken - blasted outwards by whatever force caused the hole.

Immense double doors stand to the left and right, each covered in archaic glyphs and well drawn picture of death, destruction, Kyuss and the undead.

Spoiler

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Evil exucdes from the pit, within 30ft good creatures get -2 to attack, saves and skills

[lelfin]

Grillin's gibberings are interrupted momentarily when he says, "Well, it's not much to look at, but I suppose with some rugs and furniture it'd make a nice home for the right orc family..."

Spoiler

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Detecting undead.

[Mishkov]

Jeb snorted in amusement. "More like a good place for the undead monsters in these ruins to feast on an orc family. We'll have to come back with an army of priests to consecrate this place once we're done. Do you feel the evil seeping from that pit?"

Places like these worry Jeb. Sealing things in was never his preference, much rather to destroy places like these and let nature take its course.