Of Light, Life and Liches

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

Matthias clears his throat. He's had to do a lot of talking since joining up with this group - one reason he always adventured alone before.

"I... think we can do better. We might be able to take care of the sludge without ever moving the refugees."

Matthias shifts uncomfortably if the other two look at him, but continues.

"Look, I'm not an expert on magical forces and stuff, but I know a bit about rivers and how they flow. If I remember what Kherhenn said, Darvis had to come out and change up the landscape personally. He's using the city walls and the flow of the town's river to push against the bulwark."

Matthias turns to examine the bulwark. "That thing is at least two stories high. That means that the river on the other side is probably close to that high up, and that means that the city walls on either side are pretty high, too."

Matthias turns to face Radley directly and gives him a look. "But the inner wall is the one they used to defend the town. The outer wall isn't very thick. Five feet, at most. That's too much stone for a bunch of townspeople to get through, so before now, I wasn't going to suggest it... but now you tell me that you have a spell that will turn Groban into a big, bad giant. A giant could maybe punch a big hole in the outer wall, and let the poison stuff out one side instead of through the bulwark and into the refugee area."

Matthias scratches his stubble. "The only problem is, the giant - Groban, maybe - will have to go out the outer gate and attack the walls in the undead part of town. That gives the undead the chance to kill Groban while he's bashing the wall. So, someone has to get up onto the wall and clear away any undead that want to kill him. So far, it looks like that someone will have to be, ah... us."

Rolls:

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Time of Day Survival Check: (1d20+13)[15]

[Another_Poet]

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That had been my original plan too, but Faith made clear that everything upstream was magically held in place and couldn't simply be diverted by knocking some houses or walls over.

Borninbones, do you uphold her assessment or does Jade's plan have a chance?

[borninbones]

(its midafternoon)

Assuming that you had climbed the dam or some other way of getting over it, you would find that the river is being diverted by rubble. A few cleverly knocked over buildings aimed straight at an old part of town that had its own walls. So fire would work, but may take sometime, clearing the rubble in any section would work.

Groban - "Alright Lad, but dont think Im doing this for free. I am a dwarf after all. We can 'discuss' my 'fee' later when this is all over."

Useless history but still cool

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A long time ago a family came to the city. They were extraordinarily wealthy. The Cordats owned a gold mine. All was well, they charted engineers to build onto the existing walls to build around their own personal city block. The engineers had the wall finished within a year. At the end of the year, the block was walled off with one gate going into the city and one going out to the land allowing the Cordats a measure of security before the gold mine ran dry. The Cordats turned to a life of crime and were later excuted till only one remained. Tandra married a young fisherman and died giving life to Karnak Siristi, their only son. Karsir, as he was called, heeded the call of the Paladin. Tales of how he fought back Wenoris the Oppressor, destroyed Kardick the Extremely Odd and got A One-Eyed Dragon to accidently stab itself are stories that all of you have heard at least one version of each, more if you had a bard in the family.

The story goes that Karnak had only love and she died before they were married and they had no children, but that does not stop many warriors from claiming to his namesake.

[borninbones]

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I need a knowledge (architecture and engineering) check to see if you can locate a weakness in the wall. What is everyone doing at this point? does anyone check out the temple?

You can try a diplomacy check on the dwarf to see if he would reconsider paying the fee.

Just post something mundane if you have nothing to say to let me know you are still there.

[Jade_Tarem]

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Aye, cap'n!

Matthias

Matthias gives the dwarf an arch look. "And here I was starting to lose my faith in sentient nature. Give me five minutes to scout out the walls and damage, and I'll give you our breakthrough point."

Matthias leaves Radley to finish with the dwarf, and attempts to scale the barricade and begin looking for a weakness in the defenses.

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Matthias doesn't do Architecture and Engineering, but he plans to find out where the smallest concentration of undead are along the faux-walls of the artificial canyon of toxic sludge. Since he's already packing an active potion of Hide from Undead, here are the rolls:

Climb: (1d20+9)[15]
Hide: (1d20+40)[48]
Move Silently(1d20+20)[34]

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin

Not being of an especially tactical mind, while the others discuss Harin will walk over to the people gathered there and offer healing where it is needed until he is called on.

(Just tell me how many spells I use up, if any.)

[Another_Poet]

Radley

The sorcerer nods thoughtfully at the dwarf's bargaining savvy.

"I was hoping you would do it out of a sort of patriotic altruism," the merchant counters, "But I can see you're too sensible for that. Let us discuss your fee right now--because there may not be a time when this is 'all over.'"

He looks the dwarf in the eye.

"I'm not going to offer you coin; I haven't much left and you'll be able to get all you want on your own. After all, soon you will be a hero in a city of disowned property!"

As he says this he sweeps his hand out toward the skyline - toward the taller buildings, palaces and temples that still look proud and wealthy above the ruined district.

Radley uses this as a distraction ( bluff - (1d20+21)[26] ) so Groban won't notice the spell he casts.

Radley casts Suggestion. ((DC 21 will save, or up to 23 if you think the following suggestion is a "reasonable" one...))

"I am prepared to offer you, and anyone else who performs great acts of courage, my personal recommendation to the king that you be knighted and landed. You and your progeny will lead the people as lords for all time."

He waits a moment, and follows up with a perfectly timed: "Do we have an agreement?"

[borninbones]

The view that greets you as you look over the dam is a disconcerting one. As you look out you see the river that has passed through the town for more then a 1000 years bearing its weight down upon you. What brings a warm feeling to your heart and a question to your mind is that you dont see any undead. It is the middle of the day but you dont see anything moving despite the new status of necropolis bestowed on the town.

The dwarf, failing to resist the spell, nods and looks back at you. "Aye, that sounds reasonable." He stands ready to accept the spell. What do you change him into?

[Another_Poet]

Radley

"You have my respect," Radley informs him. "Come with me."

Radley will gather the others and ask if they will accompany him in escorting Groban. After all, whatever breakthrough point Mathias finds will have to be outside the Cordat District, and the lack of undead could be a trap.

"Will the rest of you be willing to get on top of the wall with me and cover Groban?"

To Groban: "You dwarves like to tunnel don't you? You're going to be a very big burrower and you're going to be nearly undefeatable. If the 'nearly' worries you, it shouldn't, as I'l cover you with magic. But you only have 9 minutes. Be sure to get out of there before you turn back."

If the others are willing to provide cover fire, then I'm ready to turn him into a Bulette. The way I'm picturing it is we'll be on top of the wall, and he'll go to the non-Cordat side and burrow through the weak point. I'm open to better ideas if you guys have 'em.

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

Matthias sprints to the far side of the the dam, to look out over the city proper. If he finds no undead there, either:

"Radley!" Matthias barks, "I can't see any undead! What do you make of it?"

Matthias begins to feel a sense of foreboding. Too easy. He readies his crossbow, preparing cover fire against an apparently absent foe...

[Another_Poet]

"Too easy!" Radley hollers back, not aware that he's echoing Matthias' own thoughts.

"Is there a weak spot?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

"Do I look like an architect to you?" Matthias mutters, not lound enought to be heard, and rolls his eyes. Then he raises his voice to shout/rasp down to Radley, "Not that I can see. Just pick a crumbly spot and start digging!"

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin

Harin will rejoin the group, spread his wings and ready his greatsword to deal with anything that comes towards Groban while he is working.

[MountainKing]

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Okay, I've read and re-read our new situation, and have my check bonuses at hand, so, first off:

Stonecunning: (1d20+8)[26]
Craft (Stoneworking): (1d20+25)[44]

Again, I'd like to do these checks retroactively, but it's not a big deal. The Stoneworking is only there if you'll let me use that to appraise the wall we're trying to demolish using that skill. If not, I have my Stonecunning roll as well. The dude abides.

Now, failing that, I do have Shout, Telekinesis, and Dimension Door prepared; Orrum could theoretically move out with the bullette to the wall, attempt to weaken the stone sufficiently, and then use Telekinesis for further demolition. Failing that, he could use Telekinesis to attempt to remove the debris that is causing the river to be re-routed, so that we're not sending a cascade of undead water out into the surrounding woods.

Orrum

What looks to be a heavily armored Dwarven warrior moves to stand near Radley at the top of the wall, though he says nothing at first. A steel shield is slung across his back, and a warhammer hangs from his belt. His armor is covered in runes that glow like the belly of a forge, and a crowned helm protects his head. What appears to be a heavy libram bound with dragonhide hangs from his belt opposite his hammer, secured by a mithril chain.

After observing the exchange between Radley and Matthias, the Dwarf spoke, albeit quietly.

"If you seek to restore the proper authority to this realm... then I will go with you and your companions."

[Kaiser Omnik]

Absalom

Absalom, not being an expert in masonry, prefers to keep watch near the wall.

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I'm not sure what to do right now, but I'm posting to let you know that I'm still here hehe.

[Another_Poet]

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Failing that, he could use Telekinesis to attempt to remove the debris that is causing the river to be re-routed, so that we're not sending a cascade of undead water out into the surrounding woods.

I think it wouild actually spill into a different part of the city, but yeah, point taken.

When Radley sees the new dwarf walk up beside him, he comments, "Sorry, I can only tranform one person. If you're looking to be a hero I'm sure there will be plenty more chances."

((Bornin, I think we're all ready. Commence Operation: Landshark Salvation. Groban can go toward whatever weak spot Orrum just found.))

[borninbones]

Cinematic time:
The 6 adventures gather on the wall. Radley reads the scroll, his tongue speaking the ancient and arcane. Blue light flows up from the ground and begins to surround the Dwarven Barbarian, lifting him off of the ground. In a flash of light, the ground shakes as Groban lands, no longer the dwarf, but before you stands a bulette, terrible to face but a wonder when all you need is some destruction. In a deep gutteral words, those who speak dwarves would understand, “don’t worry lads, I know how to sap a wall.” He bounds down the side of the wall and into the ground, leaving only dust. You no longer see the dwarf, but you certainly can hear him.

The ground shimmers and the illusion is lifted as the bulette disturbs the magic. The ground looks funny as you see through the spell. Then you realize what is going on: It's a trap! Zombies and skeletons had barely buried themselves beneath the earth (albeit several will not be moving again as the bulette went right through them). They lift out of the ground and you realize that if you had stepped off of this wall, you would not have gotten 5 feet. The streets and surrounding you are the undead everywhere. It is truly horrifying and disturbing.

Just as you are getting into your head as to what is going on, a sound strikes your ears, it is loud and terrible, the sound of an earthquake multiplied by a thunderstrike. In a cloud of dust, part of the wall simply disappears into the ground. The dwarf has done his job, not only well but fast. The water floods out into the streets washing not only the filth but also the horde of undead that you were so worried about a minute ago. You look out over the flood in amazement as the water recedes and the dam creaks and groans under the release of pressure with the water being released. Despite all of what is going on and all that you see, you DO NOT see the bulette anywhere. As the water in front of the dam, sinks down, it reveals the huge skeleton waiting underneath. The spikes and the size are the first things that you notice. Spikes grown from the bones line the Dragon’s Skeleton. It is huge, with a terrifying glint in its eyes. The warmth in your blood seems to dissappear as you realize that it almost seems to be smiling at you. Not a drop of flesh lays upon your enemy, only bone. Only one thought crosses your mind, this thing stands, not a thought of fear, not a thought of despair, nor a thought of insanity but a thought of anger, vengance and hatred, this thing that stands before you needs to be put down, it directly threatens the people you have pledged to protect. What do you do?

OOC stuff

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Ok, one thing is in affect here that none of you are well aware of because you didn’t really look into it but that’s ok, its not a real problem. I need a will save against a mind affecting enchantment or you do nothing but attack that skeleton with all the hatred and anger as if it was the cause of all of your problems since birth. You do so at a plus to 4 to strength and a plus 2 to damage on all spells but you fail the following checks as they are related to something other then the skeleton. And you are at a negative 2 to ac versus attacks from anything else but you really don’t see any other opponents.

Will Save dc 15 - you may voluntarily fail this will save and give into the hatred of the skeleton.

kno: Religion
Kno: Arcana
Listen x 2
Spot x 2
Spellcraft
Initiative and Action
And please state your ac someplace.

No suprise round - go off of initiative.

Initiative for the skeleton (1d20+5)[18]
Its attacks against the party
Bite vs. Radley - (1d20+17)[21] damage if it hits (2d8+10)[23]
Claw vs. Matthias - (1d20+12)[28] damage if it hits (2d6+5)[14]
Claw vs. Harin - (1d20+12)[13] damage if it hits [roll]2d+5[/roll]
Wing vs. Orrum (1d20+12)[26] damage if it hits (1d8+5)[6]
Wing vs. Absalom (1d20+12)[20] damage if it hits (1d8+5)[11]

Btw, if you do not trust the board roller you may use invisible castle. Sorry about the size of the post and such. And this has been a long time building.

[Kobold-Bard]

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Will Save: (1d20+13)[28]
Know (Religion): (1d20+3)[16]
Know (Arcana): (1d20+12)[15]
Listen: (1d20+7)[19]
Listen: (1d20+7)[11]
Spot: (1d20+7)[19]
Spot: (1d20+7)[15]
Spellcraft: (1d20+12)[27]
Initiative: (1d20+1)[2] (oh dear Kord)

[Jade_Tarem]

Mattias

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Will Save: (1d20+5)[21]
Listen: (1d20+13)[29]
Listen: (1d20+13)[23]
Spot: (1d20+13)[28]
Spot: (1d20+13)[25]
K(A), K(R), Spellcraft - N/A
Initiative: (1d20+4)[23]
AC: 22

Actions edited in after rolls...

edit: The listen and spot check results are actually 4 higher than the roll total shown if the cause of said check is undead or being used by the undead, due to favored enemy.

About time. Matthias shrugs off the mental compulsion. Of course, he's going to kill the thing anyway, and a crazed grin graces his features as he contemplates the immenent necrocide. But he isn't going to do it by getting close - Matthias darts away from the others, cityward across the top of the barricade, and spins to face the creature as he launches his barrage...

[Jade_Tarem]

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Sorry for the double post.

If several party members beat the dragon's initiative and move in such a way that the dragon can't hit us all, does that mean that some blows won't land?

Also, Matthias will attack!

Xbow Attack 1: (1d20+18)[19]
Xbow Attack 2: (1d20+18)[27]
Xbow Attack 3: (1d20+13)[14]
Throwing Axe Attack: (1d20+8)[10]

The following rolls assume that the creature is truly undead, and not some kind of shapeshifter or illusion. Subtract 4 from each result total otherwise.

Xbow Damage 1: (1d10+5)[15] (Ghost Touch)
Xbow Damage 2: (1d10+5)[7] (Ghost Touch)
Xbow Damage 3: (1d10+5)[7] (Ghost Touch)
Throwing Axe Damage: (1d10)[2] + (1d6)[4](elec) + 5

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin

Dodging below the skeletons attack with ease Harin fought off the feelings of hatred. It took him longer than he thought but he succeeded. A clouded mind would only lead to unnecessary bloodshed.

Taking to the air Harin levelled his Greatsword and swooped down on the monstrosity, attacking it with his shining blade, before once again taking to the improved safety of the air (Flyby Attack).

"By the Light of Kord You Are Vanquished!"

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Attack: (1d20+11)[14]
Damage: (2d6+6)[16]+(2d6)[8](if Evil: Holy)+6(if Evil: Smite Evil)

[Kaiser Omnik]

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Will: (1d20+9)[26]
Know arcana: (1d20+16)[36]

Listen: (1d20-1)[6]
Listen: (1d20-1)[1]
Spot: (1d20-1)[18]
Spot: (1d20-1)[15]
Spellcraft: Listen: (1d20+18)[19]
Initiative: Listen: (1d20+4)[12]

[Kaiser Omnik]

Absalom

Absalom remained relatively calm. He needed to stay in control if he wished to win this fight. He moved back a few feet and examined the situation.

We need to end this quickly.

He stretched his right hand and shot a beam of brilliantly colored light.

"The Light of Pelor!"

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Move back 5 feet
Cast Prismatic Spray
Ranged touch: (1d20+9)[23]
Random effect: (1d8)[5]

No effect on green and indigo, I guess. If the ray deals damage, add 6 to the total (warmage edge).

[Another_Poet]

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will save- (1d20+15)[26] <-if this says 16 I fail, otherwise I make it
kno: Religion - can't succeed untrained unless DC is 10 or less, if so, I take 10.
Kno: Arcana - can't succeed untrained unless DC is 10 or less, if so, I take 10.
Listen #1 - (1d20+2)[18]
Listen #2 - (1d20+2)[10]
Spot #1 - (1d20+2)[12]
Spot #2 - (1d20+2)[21]
Spellcraft - cannot make untrained
Initiative - (1d20+2)[11]
AC - 18 (13 touch, 16 f-footed)

(You're starting to see just how specialised Radley is here.... )

Please note I have not taken my action yet. Please let me know if I am aware of any other creatures and then I will take my action for this round.

[MountainKing]

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Will Save: (1d20+11)[24] Add 2 to this result if the effect is a spell or spell-like effect.
Know (Religion): Not trained, not going to bother with it.
Know (Arcana): (1d20+22)[41]
Listen: (1d20+1)[17]
Listen: (1d20+1)[11]
Spot: (1d20+1)[11]
Spot: (1d20+1)[9]
Spellcraft: (1d20+20)[32]
Initiative: (1d20-1)[5]

I too will be refraining from posting any action until I know what I've gained from the checks herein.

[borninbones]

Matthias

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You shrug off the effect but still a little pe'od at the skeleton for some reason.

You hear the tunneling of the Bulette moving away from the battle and turn only for a second to when it stops and the dwarf pops out of the ground. In the second that you turn, you see a crowd of people surrounding the steps leading up to you. Walking up the steps is an undead, zombie like fella but is moving differently, you can't quite put your finger on it but this does not seem like the usual zombie to you, I mean aside from the fact that it is clothed in full plate and is a veritable walking arsenal with a greatsword, heavy steel shield, a light mace all strapped to him. The armor and weapon both look familiar. Then it clicks and you realize that this is the Saint Karnak Siristi in well the flesh... sort of...

The cracks that ripple and line the skeleton are not what they seem and you notice this, they are words of ancient and arcane power, beyond that, you have no idea what they are.

Orrum

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You shrug off the effect but still a little pe'od at the skeleton for some reason.

You see a skeleton of unusual power and a bit stronger then what it should be...

The cracks that ripple and line the skeleton are not what they seem and you notice this, they are words of ancient and arcane power. This skeleton is a spellstitch, capable of casting a (very) select amount of spells.

Inflict moderate wounds
Desecrate

Radley

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You shrug off the effect of the spell with little to no problems. The skeleton is making a lot of noise with its bones clicking and clacking together.

Absalom

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You shrug off the effect of the spell with little to no problems. The skeleton is making a lot of noise with its bones clicking and clacking together.

Harin

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The cracks that ripple and line the skeleton are not what they seem and you notice this, they are words of ancient and arcane power. This skeleton is a spellstitch, capable of casting a (very) select amount of spells.

Spellcraft:
Inflict moderate wounds
Desecrate

[Another_Poet]

((I'll wait one more day to post action, in case anybody points out anything I may not have noticed *ahem* ))

[MountainKing]

Orrum

Orrum raised an eyebrow, the only outward response he gave to the brief, seemingly feeble attack on his emotions. Discipline, strength, fortitude... etch these upon your mind, and make your heart as the stone beneath your feet. So says Barennd, son of Olorrum... Raising his voice, the Dwarf called out.

"Beware! The dragon's skeleton is able to channel damning energies! By the runes, it is a spellstitched monstrosity!"

That being said, Orrum flexed a gauntleted hand as he readied his shield, pressing his palm against the surface of the armament and murmuring. One of the runes on the shield's surface flared like fire, and Orrum said in the general direction of the oncoming undead (the one with the greatsword),

"We do not have time for you. Bide."

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Cast Wall of Force to block the undead on the wall from approaching the party members so we can focus on the dragon.

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

Matthias spares a moment of attention to growl/shout at the party. "The lead zombie on the ground is St. Siristi's body! It's stronger than it looks."

[borninbones]

The dragon smiles as the spell fizzles and goes out. Siristi is behind you with the villagers that you are protecting praying at the foot of the stairs behind him. Assuming you still put up the wall of force just in case, he continues his advance until he reaches the wall of force and stops. Everyone is now aware of the one zombie behind the group. Harin does considerable damage, bits of bone fly off here and there. Matthias hits the skeleton and does damage but thinks that it is rather ineffective. You see nowhere to run now with the wall of force blocking your only exit.

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Its cool. Aparently it is either very difficult or completely impossible to turn an undead to stone due to the lack of a con score. They are immune to any effect that requires a fort save. I hope no one is playing with idea of throwing snakes at it. Hehehe, Snakes on a Skeleton, I wonder what kind of ac bonus a suit of armor made of snakes provides...

Anyway, everyone is now aware of Siristi, sorry if I did not describe where he was at in full but he is behind you coming from the safe zone. And if he can cast disentegrate then you have more troubles then any dm should be throwing at you.