IC Shadows of Gallowspire

[stack]

Lethos nods toward the witchgate, bow in hand. "Check it out?"

[Athaleon]

"Indeed. The sooner we face whatever awaits us here, the better. Be on guard—just because the barrows' occupants were exhumed and destroyed long ago doesn't mean they're now safe." Granis and Stefan walked towards the witchgate with swords drawn, while Endymion as usual watched invisibly from a distance.

[VexingFool]

Ward

Yes, this Witchgate may have its own set of guardians. Or perhaps artifacts of such evil act as magnets for other evil things. Ward follows his companions, searching for the slightest hint of danger.

Spoiler: Perception check

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Perception: (1d20+32)[40]

[CasualViking]

As you approach the Witchgate, about a hundred yards away from the encampment, Ward sees a shadowy, sinuous, bone-white shape fly across the moon. It disappears back into the dark, but he feels fairly certain that it is approaching, fast.

[VexingFool]

Ward

Lookout! I saw something in the sky. It approaches quickly! He quickly casts a spell to hasten on his allies.

Spoiler

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If this is a surprise round or pre-initiative then my action is to cast haste. If I am unable to cast haste before normal initiative then my first action will be to cast haste.

Initiative roll if needed: (1d20+9)[28]

[stack]

Lethos nocks an arrow and draws, ready to loose when a target presents itself.

Spoiler

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can't ready outside of initiative, so no mechanics here

[CasualViking]

As Ward finishes his spell, a huge skeletal dragon glides out of the darkness, and a wave of nauseating fear rolls over you.

DC 24 will save vs. fear. If you fail, you are Cowering. Then roll initiative; this was a surprise round for Ward and the Dragon. If you beat a 22, you act before it does. It's about 50' out and 50' up.

[VexingFool]

Ward manages to steel himself against the fear washing over him. A skeletal dragon! He points to the bony beast flying toward them. From his finger streak three beams of fire.

Spoiler

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Standard Action: Cast scorching ray
Move Action: Draw elemental rod from Haversack.

Overcome Spell Resistance: (1d20+12)[25]

Ray 1 - Ranged Touch: (1d20+9)[22], damage (4d6)[11]
Ray 2 - Ranged Touch: (1d20+9)[27], damage (4d6)[13]
Ray 3 - Ranged Touch: (1d20+9)[29], damage (4d6)[16] (x2 damage, crit confirmation roll)

[stack]

Lethos shakes of the waves of fear with difficulty, slowing his normally quick reactions.

Spoiler

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will save (1d20+12)[25]

initiative (1d20+10)[17] (lost init, so rolls below invalid)


since rolls can't be edited, going to post additional rolls that may be needed
lonbow attack
(1d20+21)[32]
reroll if 10 or less (1d20+21)[34]

damage (1d8+6)[9] + expending focus for + (4d8)[31]

on hit: hindering projectiles

Spoiler: hindering projectiles

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Your successful deadly shot leaves the weapon or ammunition used for the attack lodged in the wound, making it difficult for the target to move and react. The target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls, AC, and CMD; multiple uses of this ability stack, increasing the penalty by an additional -2 per projectile lodged in the target. The target may remove a single projectile as a move action, or may remove multiple as a full-round action.

[CasualViking]

Dorn perks to attention at the sight of the undead dragon, and looks on as the beamsof flame strike the ancient bones to no apparent effect.

A roaring flame shot through with a sickly green flares up in the dragon's ribcage, and it breathes fire all over the hilltop.

OOC: Everyone except Endymion gets a taste. 76 points of fire damage, 2 negative levels, DC 24 reflex for half.

[Frosty]

Dorrn Ironfist

Spoiler: Stats

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M LG Dwarf Monk, Level 12, Init 3, HP 85/123, Speed 40
AC 38, Touch 29, Flat-footed 34, CMD 39, Fort 18, Ref 17, Will 22, CMB +18, Base Attack Bonus 9
FISTS!! +18 (2d8+1, x2)
FISTS (IC +3, Vital Strike, Drunken Strength 2, Elemental Fist) +21 (4d8+4+2d6+(3d6+9 Acid), x2)
FISTS (HASTE, IC +3, Vital Strike, Drunken Strength 2, Elemental Fist) +22 (4d8+4+2d6+(3d6+9 Acid), x2)
Mage Armor (+4 Armor, +3 Dex, +2 Deflect, +5 Natural, +13 Misc)
Abilities Str 13, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 13, Wis 28, Cha 5
Condition Barrow Warden (+1 atk and AC vs undead), Mage Armor, Barkskin, IC +3
Ki pool: 14/16
Drunken Ki: 2
Advice left: 20/21

Reacting quickly, the dwarf is only PARTIALLED-BATHED in unholy fire suffused with the essence of unlife. His vitality somewhat sapped, he grunts and quickly does the first thing he can think of to make himself feel better: Take a drink of sake! It was quick, but the gulp was deep. "AHH, much better!" he says, smacking his lips. "Now, ta FIX that 'orrible bad breath..."

He closes his eyes and concentrates for a moment, and suddenly his allies are all cleansed of many ailments and debilitating effects. "Now, HERE's how ya kill an O'ergrown LIZARD..."

Spoiler: OOC

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Swift action take a drink to gain 2 drunken Ki.
Spend 2 regular Ki as a standard action to use Restoration as an SLA, and share it with the party.
Move action: Start giving Advice, opting to use Inspire Courage (+3 Hit, Damage, vs Fear).

[Athaleon]

Granis grit his teeth and weathered the onslaught of fire, but Stefan was not so lucky, and standing between Granis and the blast's epicenter he caught the full brunt of the unholy flame. Yet he still stood, scorched but unbowed, when lesser men would have been instantly incinerated. Granis looked around them for cover even as both men belatedly switched to their longbows, and breathed a prayer to Iomedae to see them through the peril. As Granis moved forward, Stefan moved forward and to the side in an attempt to flank the creature if it landed.

Endymion was far enough away to have escaped the effect of the blast, and hurried forward invisibly to come to the knights' aid.

Spoiler

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Granis:
Swift Action: Lay on Hands self for (11d6+22)[57] HP
2nd Swift Action via Corset of Delicate Moves: Smite Evil on the dragon.
Move Action: Put away sword
Move Action: Draw Longbow and move towards cover if there is some nearby. Otherwise he will move forward 40' straight towards the dragon.

Stefan:
Swift Action: Lay on Hands self for (5d6+10)[29] HP
Move Action: Put away sword
Move Action: Draw Longbow and move towards cover if there is some nearby. Otherwise he will move 40' at an angle, forward and to the side.
Free Action: Start Raging

Endymion:
Move up and if possible on this turn (60' fly speed), cast Cure Moderate Wounds on Stefan for (2d8+9)[17] HP. Otherwise he will double-move to skirt around the hill on Stefan's side.

[stack]

Lethos draws his sword and launches into the air, making a powerful slash without regard for his own defense.

Spoiler

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delay negative level and 15 points of HP damage w/ guardian/durable

Running up and attacking the dragon, using an acrobatics check to jump 31 rolled OOC and air stunt to cover the difference (1 ft vertical and horizontal on the jump check)

mobile striker to make an attack action during the movement, no AOO from the target

Berserker for 15 THP, -2 AC

berserker for brutal strike, expend focus att (1d20+22)[8](8) (includes haste) - rollv appears broken, 8+22 = 30
damage 43 rolled OOC

using remaining movement (80 ft speed (50 + haste)) to get part way down, then falling, using a swift for air stunt to reduce fall height 42 rolled OOC (includes expending focus for extra damage)

takes negative level and damage at end of turn, reduced by the 15 THP

[CasualViking]

Stefan, Granis (And invisible Endymion) find cover at the Witchgate, about 20' from the rest of the party. Lethos leaps into the air, slashing at the dragon but failing to break the ancient, fossilized bones.

[VexingFool]

Ward

Ward watches as his scorching rays bounce harmlessly of the foul beast. He doen't have long to think about it before dodging the blast of necrotic flame from the dragon's breath. Umm, Kickshaw? I thought skeletal dragons lost their immunities and breath weapons when raised from the dead? Ward searches his memory for any stories of undead dragons as he looks at his singed robes.

Well there are different types of skeletal dragons... Kickshaw peers out from his familiar satchel to get a better look at the dragon.

Well we better come up with some sort of weakness or this fight will be over real quick. Ward conjures a stormcloud at the dragon's head hoping to distract him.

Spoiler

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Ward's Knowledge (History): (1d20+24)[33]
Kickshaw's Knowledge (Religion): [roll] 1d20+14[/roll] 24 rolled in OOC.

Standard Action: Cast greater aggressive thundercloud

Overcome Spell resistance: (1d20+12)[19]

Thundercloud damage: (6d6)[28] DC 23 REF Save Negates

[CasualViking]

This one is probably Marrowgarth, a red dragon that served as a steed to the Whispering Tyrant, was transformed in the last days of the Shining Crusade, and has terrorized Virlych for centuries. Sorry, no idea exactly which kind of undead dragon monster it is.

[CasualViking]

The dragon rolls and dives, powering through the rising thundercloud as if it were nothing more than a soap bubble. It swoops over your party, and swings its long neck in an arc, it's jaws closing on Ward and flensing long gouges in his flesh. Droplets of blood smoke and evaporate in the intense heat of the dragons's passing. It rises back into the sky, as if taunting you.

Spoiler: OOC

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Dragon does a fly-by attack on Ward.Attack: (1d20+22)[31], damage (4d8+28)[46].

[Athaleon]

Having reached cover, the two knights began to shoot a volley of arrows at the dragon, whispering prayers between each shot. Endymion continued to circle around to provide assistance if and when necessary.

Spoiler

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Granis steps out from behind cover and takes a full attack action to shoot his longbow at the dragon.

Haste Attack: (1d20+25)[28]
Damage: (1d8+23)[28]

First Iterative Attack: (1d20+25)[26]
Damage: (1d8+23)[28]

Second Iterative Attack: (1d20+20)[33]
Damage: (1d8+23)[30]

First successful hit deals an additional 12 damage from Smite Evil. Granis' AC increases to 28 against the current target.
-----------------------------------------------------
Stefan likewise steps out, activates Smite Evil on the dragon, and takes a full attack.

Haste Attack: (1d20+19)[34]
Damage: (1d8+20)[25]

First Iterative Attack: (1d20+19)[34]
Damage: (1d8+20)[24]

Second Iterative Attack: (1d20+14)[17]
Damage: (1d8+20)[24]

First successful hit deals an additional 10 damage from Smite Evil. Stefan's AC increases to 22 against the current target (including the -2 from Raging).

Edit: All damage bypasses DR.

Spoiler: Granis Bookkeeping

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Attack Bonuses:
12 BAB
+1 DEX
+1 Enhancement
+3 Inspire Courage
+1 Haste
+7 Smite Evil

Damage Bonuses:
+7 STR
+1 Enhancement
+3 Inspire Courage
+12 Smite Evil

Spoiler: Stefan Bookkeeping

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Attack Bonuses:
10 BAB
+1 DEX
+1 Enhancement
+3 Inspire Courage
+1 Haste
+3 Smite Evil

Damage Bonuses:
+6 STR
+1 Enhancement
+3 Inspire Courage
+10 Smite Evil

[CasualViking]

From out of nowhere, a grim apparition appears. A Man-shaped figure in ragged robes, a horse skull for a head, and great rotted feathery wings, hovers between you and the dragon, facing it defiantly.

[CasualViking]

[CasualViking]

[stack]

Lethos coils to spring again, then relaxes slightly. "Well, if those two want to fight, are we inclined to get between them?"

[Athaleon]

Granis ceased shooting but didn't say anything in reply, or indeed to make any sound, and Stefan followed his lead. He had no idea what to make of this turn of events.

[CasualViking]

The skeletal dragon flaps its wings, swooping low to the ground to pick up speed, and flies into the darkness. At the edge of visibility, it suddenly disappears.

The fiendish intruder turns and twists his skull into a wide grin, then disappears as well.

[stack]

Lethos frowns as the dragon disappears. "I would wager that was the result of our traveling companion's pact. Convenient for the moment, but that dragon will have to be dealt with eventually."

[CasualViking]

A quick study of the witchgate shows that it is, indeed, still active, and someone seems to have teleported here within the last few days.

[Athaleon]

"How badly was everyone hurt by that blast?" Granis asked once the danger was gone. "We can see to your wounds, but fortunately the Dwarf is well-versed in healing arts that are beyond my level of skill. The dragon's breath sears one's very life, even after the body is otherwise healed."

[Frosty]

Dorrn...completely did not expect an apparition to show up and face off against the undead dragon. He also did not expect the undead dragon to actually be repelled. "Huh...ya learn something new every day." In response to Granis's question, the dwarf winces. "Da blast got meh good. Me liver can handle da healin' wit some more drinks, but any help is appreciated."

[Athaleon]

"Of course. Blessings of the Goddess upon you," Granis said solemnly as he healed Dorrn with a touch.

Spoiler

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Lay on Hands: (11d6)[35]

[CasualViking]

Down by the ruined village, the Varisians seem to be recovering from the Dragonfear, crawling out from under wagons and walking back from out of the darkness.