Trans-Atlantic Carrion Crown - Thread #2 (IC)

[CleverDragon]

Elian stands put, while the others file out from the room. "Not just yet," he whispers to Kristoph.

He turns to Vesorianna and bows his head respectfully again. "I implore you, good lady, remember yourself. Your name and your husband's name will be remembered for the good you have done! We will aid you in your struggle." Finally, he backs slowly from the room, following the rest of his companions.

Vesorianna smiles faintly and nods. "I thank you for being stalwart enough to face the perils here - as I'm sure would my husband, were he here."

She pauses as the others begin to file out of the room. "You're leaving, then? There is much to discuss! The old man that was killed by the robed ones! The terrors below! The things that...happened to cause all this!" She sighs, her shoulders drooping, a billow of smoke issuing from her mouth. "But...I shan't keep you. However, I implore you to realize that it is not just my struggle. It is Ravengro's. It is all of Ustalav's if you...and I...fail in this."

As Elian finally moves towards the door, she nods grimly, "Good luck. And, again, thank you for saving Lyvar's good name."

When Elian closes the door and joins the others outside, a long, sad wail issues from the other side. The rest of the prison seems to scream all at once in response - a joyfully malicious and eager response to her sadness and pain that persists for several seconds before the unearthly silence fills the place once more. One voice is loudest, seeming to emanate from everywhere at once - an all too familiar sadistic cackle that rattles Gundwolf to the core.

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the ghost's scream is echoed by the other undead Kristoph slows in his steps and listens closely. When it is all done he nods and continues grimly forward, his eye continuing to scan the gloom for signs of danger as he leads the party onward. Anyone watching him closely will see his shield hand making the sign of the spiral against the symbol on his chest as his lips fervently mouth a silent prayer for the deceased to find rest.

[Farmerbink]

Elian grimaces for a moment at the wail, unable to parse the full breadth of emotions it encompasses. "Kristoph, Gundwolf, Aurora" he begins. "Even you, Ra'hulhrim. We must not fail. Come, there is great work to be done- and there are many names of great men who's work we must bring to fruition."

He glides down the hallway, senses alert to the many hazards of Harrowstone.

[JWallyR]

As the mad, echoing cackle reverberates in the hall, Gundwolf shrinks against the wall, haunted eyes darting down both lengths of hallway as though searching for an unseen foe.

"Kristoph, Gundwolf, Aurora" he begins. "Even you, Ra'hulhrim. We must not fail. Come, there is great work to be done- and there are many names of great men who's work we must bring to fruition."

His earlier glances finding nothing, Gundwolf's eyes focus on the man as he speaks. His only response is to swallow down his fear and stand a little straighter as the party moves past him before taking his place as rearguard, eyes still peering into every new crevice in the stone walls of the prison.

[marrok]

Elian grimaces for a moment at the wail, unable to parse the full breadth of emotions it encompasses. "Kristoph, Gundwolf, Aurora" he begins. "Even you, Ra'hulhrim. We must not fail. Come, there is great work to be done- and there are many names of great men who's work we must bring to fruition."

He glides down the hallway, senses alert to the many hazards of Harrowstone.

Not sure that he can steady his voice, Ra'hulhrim simply nods. His eyes go purple and his scans sweep the corridor.

[CleverDragon]

The prison's hallways grow silent once more as they begin to continue their explorations. Immediately to the right of the door leading to the workshop and Vesorianna within, there is another swollen, rotted wooden door. Further beyond that is a four-way intersection. On the opposite side of that intersection they can see a closed door that is in much better condition. A quick survey of their surroundings makes Gundwolf and Ra'Hulhrim believe that it will lead them back to the main hallway.

Spoiler: Updated Map

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Full color map.

[MuffinMan]

"Kristoph, Gundwolf, Aurora" he begins. "Even you, Ra'hulhrim. We must not fail. Come, there is great work to be done- and there are many names of great men who's work we must bring to fruition."

Aurora swallows hard and nods her agreement, and stays close to Elian as the group makes its way down the quiet, abandoned hallways of the prison.

[marrok]

Ra'hulhrim turns his gaze to the door. Making a careful study, of the door itself, a attempting to sense what lies beyond.

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception: (1d20+9)[28]

[CleverDragon]

Ra'hulhrim turns his gaze to the door. Making a careful study, of the door itself, a attempting to sense what lies beyond.

Aside from the normal spiritual energy everywhere, Ra'Hulhrim senses no undead or spiritual presence nearby or on the other side of the door. Nor does he hear anything unusual (given the circumstances): no movement aside from his companions own and nothing from the room beyond the door.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Kristoph moves to the front again and opens the door watchfully.

[marrok]

While Kristoph moves forward to opens the door, Dreamstrider, slips toward the back, bow at the ready.

[CleverDragon]

The door opens with a little protest before finally yielding to Kristoph's efforts. It creaks open, the hinges threatening to let go of their charge. Beyond, several rusty iron tubs sit in this room, along with washboards, metal buckets and heaps of moldy clothing scattered around the room on small tables next to the tubs and on the floor of this old laundry room. At the back of the room along the northern stone wall, there is a stained metal chute where dirty water was likely ejected once upon a time out into a cesspit at the back of the prison.

Spoiler: Map

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[DarkOne-Rob]

After scanning the room, Kristoph steps back and says, "If anyone wishes to search through moldy laundry, speak up now. Otherwise, let us continue - there are more rooms to inspect." He then walks slowly into the intersection, noting the remains of the wight spider to the right and moving cautiously to the door down the left-hand section of hallway.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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The usual - Darkvision 30 ft, Low-Light Vision, Detect Undead, and Perception (1d20+2)[11]

[Farmerbink]

Elian's lip twitches in response to the pervasive, musty scent. As they walk by, he firmly pulls the door back shut.

[CleverDragon]

The door to the laundry room creaks closed, hanging slightly ajar as a result of the swelling. Turning at the northern corridor, Kristoph immediately notices a small tarnished plaque next to the door at the end of the hallway that reads "Privy". No evidence of undead presence registers on his divinely-gifted sight, either in the hallway or beyond the door.

He and Gundwolf spend the next couple of seconds wrenching the door open, kicking up swirls of dust motes and mold in the process. Through the swirling particles they see a sizable bathroom with privies lining the left, right and opposite walls. Empty, dust-filled wash basins are found along the near wall, next to the doorway. Otherwise, nothing of any significance is seen after a quick glance through the room with both normal and magically-assisted sight.

Spoiler: Map

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Google Map updated with player positions. Where do you go now. You've completely explored the western portion of the first floor at this point.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Nodding with satisfaction, Kristoph mumbles, "Whew...I m glad we haven't found any s***-infested zombies ... as he heads to the main hallway carefully and looks at the northernmost door, carefully trying to avoid setting off any of the more hostile haunts in the area and searching for more signs of threats.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Darkvision, Low-Light Vision, Detect Undead, and Perception (1d20+2)[20]

[CleverDragon]

As Kristoph enters the main hallway, he immediately notices the aura of a somewhat powerful undead creature beyond the northern set of double doors. Etched onto a rusted metal plate on either door is the word Infirmary. The others file in behind him and just as he is about to issue a word of caution about the undead aura, Elian shushes him as he hears a strange clicking sound that quickly grows louder and louder from beyond the door opposite the one they just came through.

First one, then ten, then hundreds if not thousands of inches-long centipedes of various colors stream out from under the door and through the seams at the side of it. The rolling carpet of centipedes boils forth frenetically as they catch the scent of new sources of food and eagerly seek them out.

Begin Surprise Round

Spoiler: Combat Overview

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This is the surprise round. Due to successful Perception checks, all characters except Aurora (sorry Ian!) would act in the surprise round. However, due to Initiative rolls, Elian gets to act first with a partial action. Then the swarm of centipedes goes. At which point, the group initiative will come into effect and everyone will get their action. Wash, rinse, repeat. See dice rolls thread for all of these referenced rolls.

On the Google map, the red square is where the swarm has started to come out, though it's not fully through the door at this point (it will be on its surprise round, after Elian goes).

So, John...it's on to you sir before everything gets moving!

Spoiler: Successful Knowledge (nature) check DC 14

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This is a swarm of thousands of regular centipedes. Normal swarm rules apply for diminutive creatures, meaning they are immune to weapon damage. Receiving damage will result not only in the centipedes' Dexterity damaging poison (if you fail a Fort save) but also the distraction effect (nauseated if you fail a separate Fort save).

[Farmerbink]

Elian grimaces at the undulating mass. "Another swarm! Scatter so it can't hit us all- there's a big space back here!"

taking his own advice, he backs down the hallway, to give his allies room to move.

Spoiler: details

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moving to W/15

[JWallyR]

Spoiler: Out of order post

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Grimacing his distaste at the mass of creeping crawlers, Gundwolf strides swiftly past Elian, watching the slender man's back for more substantial threats.

Spoiler: Actions

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Can't do nuffink against swarms, so moving past Elian in case of oogie boogies that might try and sneak up on the party.

Spoiler: Stats

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Gundwolf
M Chaotic Neutral Half-Orc Barbarian 3, Level 3, Init 2, HP 39/38, DR 0, Speed 40
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 16, CMD 20, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 4, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 3
Trip, Disarm Heavy Flail Melee (1d10+Str*1.5, 19-20, x2)
Dagger Melee (1d4+Str, 19-20, x2)
Sling (Bullets x 50) Ranged (1d4+Str, x2)
Hide Armor (+4 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 7
Condition None

[CleverDragon]

Just as Elian dashes away around the corner out of sight, the rest of the horde of centipedes pushes through the cracks under, beside and in the door. The carpet of rolling black and red and orange centipedes begins to crawl up both Gundwolf and Kristoph's feet faster than they can hope to kick them away frantically. Several of them crawl up within Kristoph's boots and greaves (leg armor) and start to bite viciously. A moment later, he can feel the distinct warmth of his own blood beginning to trickle down his leg. A moment later, he feels his muscles begin to burn viciously as the centipedes' venom take hold.

Meanwhile, Gundwolf fares a little better, able to scrape some of them away before they can bite him too severely. All the while, the swarm rolls forward, covering Gundwolf and Kristoph's feet completely and begins to edge closer and closer to Aurora in the adjacent hallway.

Round 1

Spoiler: Combat Overview

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See Dice Rolls thread:
Kristoph takes 8 points of physical damage and 3 points of Dex damage as he fails his Fort save.
Gundwolf takes 3 points of physical damage but makes his Fort save versus the poison.

Both of them passed their saves versus the distraction.

All characters may act with a full complement of actions, in the order of posting (unless you indicate otherwise for certain triggers or whatever).
Google map updated to reflect the swarm (the highlighted red squares).

[JWallyR]

Grimacing his distaste at the mass of creeping crawlers, Gundwolf strides swiftly past Elian, shaking the centipedes away from his muscular legs.

Spoiler: Actions

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Can't do nuffink against swarms, so moving past Elian in case of oogie boogies that might try and sneak up on the party.

Spoiler: Stats

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Gundwolf
M Chaotic Neutral Half-Orc Barbarian 3, Level 3, Init 2, HP 36/38, DR 0, Speed 40
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 16, CMD 20, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 4, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 3
Trip, Disarm Heavy Flail Melee (1d10+Str*1.5, 19-20, x2)
Dagger Melee (1d4+Str, 19-20, x2)
Sling (Bullets x 50) Ranged (1d4+Str, x2)
Hide Armor (+4 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 7
Condition None

[marrok]

Ra'hulrhim backs away slowly while chanting, softly. Thunder rumbles through the air and violet electricity gathers in his palms, mist clings to his shoulders . He kneels, placing one hand onto the the rotted wooden floor with his other hand outstretched toward the undulating mass of insects. With a sudden release of mystic energy, a storm cloud shoots from his location, settling over the swarm.

Spoiler: OOC

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Failed my Knowledge nature, I ain't never seen so many critters all jumbled up like that!

Backing up 30' and casting Aggressive Thundercloud, buffed with Place Magic, DC 15 reflex, I've got it for 4 rounds, on account of the place magic.
Damage: (3d6)[13]

[MuffinMan]

Round 1

In her weakened condition, Aurora hardly notices the swarm until it is almost on top of her! With a gasp of alarm, she jumps back and quickly recites a spell, extending her hands as flames start to shoot from her outstretched fingers.

Spoiler: Actions

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Move to V-19 (so that the 15' cone doesn't hit Kristoph or Gundwolf), and then cast Burning Hands at the swarm for (2d4)[6] damage (x1.5 against the swarm, I believe), DC 15 Reflex for half.

Spoiler: Status

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Aurora
F NG Human Witch 3
HP 10/22 --> 15/17
Init +8
Speed 30
AC 16 (Touch 12, Flat-footed 14)
CMD 11 --> 10
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +4 --> +2,+2,+3
CMB -1 --> -2
Base Attack Bonus +1
Current Ability Scores: Str 7, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 12, Cha 9
Condition: --> 1 negative level

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Round 1, Kristoph's Status

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Kristoph Harrisson
Male Lawful Good Half-Elf Paladin 2/Oracle 1, Level 3, Init 1, HP 23/31, Speed 30 ft. Base
AC 17, Touch 10, Flat-footed 17, CMD 13, Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +9, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus +2
Longsword +4 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2) (+1 Damage vs. Undead)
Scale Mail, Heavy Steel Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, -1 Dex, +1 Natural)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 9, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 7, Cha 18
Condition Lay on Hands 1/5 Used

Stepping out the swarm, Kristoph groans in pain and exclaims, "Their bites are poisonous! I can feel my legs seizing up! Pharasma, drown these vermin!" As he does, a small explosion of fresh water seems to burst from his outstretched hand, raining down on the swarm of centipedes as a burst of light can be seen flowing from the paladin's holy symbol into his body.

Spoiler: Combat Mechanics

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The Life Link on Gundwolf does not activate unless the half-orc has taken 5 or more damage from his max HP total.

Free Action to 5-ft step to AA19
Swift Action to use Lay on Hands to heal (1d6+2)[7] HPs (+2 from the Fey Foundling feat)
Move Action to draw a potion of Lesser Restoration
Standard Action to cast Create Water, conjuring 2 gallons of water in a downpour on the swarm (if this happens to empower the Aggressive Thundercloud summoned by Ra'hulrhim, cool)

[CleverDragon]

The swarm retreats towards where Kristoph shifted away. As the swarm follows him, the lighting bolts emitting from Ra'Hulhrim's spell and the spray of fire from Aurora's only hit the edge of the swarm, killing a few hundred centipedes in sizzling pops and hisses instead of much more potentially lethal numbers.

The centipedes begins to crawl up over the wall around Kristoph and onto his shoulders, biting at his exposed skin where they can. However, he shrugs off the worst of the poison, feeling the lingering numbness but it gets no worse for the moment.

To make things worse, the doors beside Kristoph suddenly fly off their hinges, clattering into the room beyond seemingly of their own accord. A menacing laughter emits from the room, though no source of that laughter is visible. However, a cloud of floating syringes, surgical knives and scalpels, bonesaws, and other medical gear swirls nearby, closing in on Kristoph. "Have a bugbite, you say!? Hehehehehe! Let the doc take them away!!" the voice cackles with glee.

Beyond the doors that just flew open is a room filled with moldy cots strews everywhere with little stands and shelves of medical accoutrements. Private sleeping quarters adorn the western portion of the room, with molding curtains hanging askew.

Begin Combat Round 2

Spoiler: Combat Overview

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Swarm passes its saves versus both spells. Burning Hands does 4 points and the thundercloud does 12 (16 for the adjusted 3d6+3, then halved to 8, then *50%). Swarm has suffered 16 points of damage so far.

Kristoph takes 7 points of damage, but makes both saves.

And now the other thing in the room beyond lets its presence be known.

Party's turn!

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Round 1, Kristoph's Status

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Kristoph Harrisson
Male Lawful Good Half-Elf Paladin 2/Oracle 1, Level 3, Init 1, HP 23/31, Speed 30 ft. Base
AC 17, Touch 10, Flat-footed 17, CMD 13, Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +9, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus +2
Longsword +4 (1d8+2, 19-20/x2) (+1 Damage vs. Undead)
Scale Mail, Heavy Steel Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, -1 Dex, +1 Natural)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 9, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 7, Cha 18
Condition Lay on Hands 2/5 Used

Not taking the time to confront the undead threat alone, Kristoph first backs towards his allies some, though not close enough to endanger them should the swarm follow him. "There is another undead there, as strong as the Piper or Charlatan. We must dispose of these centipedes and then attack it as one. But first..." He then quaffs the potion in his hand to attempt to relief the stiffness from the poison. "...continue using the magic to kill these bugs!"

Spoiler: Combat Mechanics

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Swift Action to use Lay on Hands to heal (1d6+2)[5] HPs (+2 from the Fey Foundling feat)
Move Action to move to X19
Standard Action to drink the potion of Lesser Restoration for (1d4)[1] Dexterity damage healed

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: Elian, Round 1

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Elian Evenstarr
M NG Dhampir Seeker Sorc 1/Bard 2, Level 3, Init +5, HP 6/16, Speed 30
AC 16, Touch 13, Flat-footed 13, CMD 11, Fort +0, Ref +6, Will +4, CMB +0, Base Attack Bonus 2
light crossbow (18 bolts) +5 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Dagger +1 or +5 (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 18
Condition Bardic Performance, 8/8 remaining

Elian places a hand on Gundwolf's shoulder and moves further from the encroaching swarm. "Good choice, Ra'hulhrim! Be careful, Aurora!"

Spoiler: actions

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cast resistance on gundwolf... Move to T/16

[MuffinMan]

Round 2

"I'm out!!" Aurora cries in fear as she steps back further from the swarm. Gesturing, she makes an incantation to ward Kristoph from further harm.

Spoiler: Actions

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That was my last Burning Hands, and Burning Gaze is single-target So, uh, get'm Dreamstrider!

Move to T-18, use Ward on Kristoph for +2 to saves and +2 to AC (vs the cloud of objects, maybe?).

Spoiler: Status

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Aurora
F NG Human Witch 3
HP 10/22 --> 15/17
Init +8
Speed 30
AC 16 (Touch 12, Flat-footed 14)
CMD 11 --> 10
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +4 --> +2,+2,+3
CMB -1 --> -2
Base Attack Bonus +1
Current Ability Scores: Str 7, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 12, Cha 9
Condition: --> 1 negative level

[JWallyR]

Round 2

From his position near Elian, Gundwolf eyes the swarm with disgust but hesitates, seeing no foe against which to bring his wrath to bear.

Spoiler: Actions

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Delay action until something comes into view that's a reasonable target to attack (without wading through a swarm of centipedes!!), or until his initiative next round. Move speed 40 ft

Attack, if applicable:
Attack: (1d20+7)[27]
CC: (1d20+7)[22] for x2 on 26-27
Damage: (1d10+6)[16] +1 vs undead, +1 if it damaged him
Crit damage: (1d10+6)[14] +1 vs undead, +1 if it damaged him

AoO if applicable?
Attack: (1d20+7)[19]
CC: (1d20+7)[20] for x2 on 26-27
Damage: (1d10+6)[12] +1 vs undead, +1 if it damaged him
Crit damage: (1d10+6)[14] +1 vs undead, +1 if it damaged him

Spoiler: Stats

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Gundwolf
M Chaotic Neutral Half-Orc Barbarian 3, Level 3, Init 2, HP 36/38, DR 0, Speed 40
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 20, Fort 4, Ref 3, Will 3, CMB +7, Base Attack Bonus 3
Trip, Disarm Heavy Flail Melee (1d10+Str*1.5, 19-20, x2)
Dagger Melee (1d4+Str, 19-20, x2)
Sling (Bullets x 50) Ranged (1d4+Str, x2)
Hide Armor (+4 Armor, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 7
Condition None

[CleverDragon]

As Kristoph moves away, the swarm shifts and undulates to follow their meal source. As they gather and shift to mimic his path, the stormcloud that was magically summoned by Ra'Hulhrim passes directly overhead at his direction. The combination of the leftover water on the floor and the heavy bombardment of electricity from the cloud causes thousands of the centipedes to sizzle and hiss and pop and fry in the water. There are still a couple hundred of them that yet live, but they seem to have lost the mob mentality and no longer act in concert. Instead, they begin to crawl along the edges of the water and out of range of the lightning cloud roiling nearby, slipping into the cracks in the floors and walls according to their normal natural behavior.

However, the group of explorers barely has a chance to celebrate as the cloud of medical implements floats out in the hallway near where Kristoph once was. The cackling voice taunts in a psychotic, sing-song voice, "Ah ah ahhhh! Naughty paaaatiennnnt! NO WEAPONS IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE!" The shout practically rattling the walls in its power. The syringes and scalpels and bonesaws suddenly clatter to the ground in a heap. A moment later, Kristoph's sword flies out of his hand and hovers several feet away, near the pile, its business end pointing straight at Kristoph.

Spoiler: Combat Overview

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Swarm takes 12 points of damage (after saving for half) and dies.

The "cloud" of medical stuff floats out to Z/19 and then drops.

Kristoph is successfully disarmed and now some entity has his sword in its control. The sword floats in the space adjacent to him.

Spoiler: Successful Spellcraft DC 25

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Seriously, don't look if you don't make it.

Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 25

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Something is using telekinesis as the spell. It just used the disarm ability and now has Kristoph's sword.

Begin Round 3.