PLAY-BY-POST THE LOST CROWN OF TESH-NAGA (Part 8b)
A hideous monster, some sort of psionic necromancer out of the black of space, relentlessly attacks the band of assorted monstrous humanoids, callously sacrificing the reanimated Dwarven Dead to protect itself and dragging its prey, Ghaaldar, into blackened caves.
[Black Lotus]
ReplyDeleteBlack Lotus, who had still been shaken from the hideous monster's control of him, finally snaps out of it and stabs at the zombie before him.
[tech]
Melee Basic: +13 vs AC, on hit 1d8+8 + 2d6.
Move: Shift to B3 if it's a soft enough corner to do so, if not, shift to B4
OOC: Sorry about the massive delay. I was taken to the hospital early Sunday morning and have been there until today. I haven't been able to contact anyone until this afternoon, because there wasn't a way for me to do so. No cell phone, no computer, no nothing, just a ward phone that only makes local calls, which didn't even include my own mother. So yeah, I apologize, but there was nothing I could do about it and at the time before they took my phone, contacting people was the last thing on my mind other than a couple quick posts on twitter to say I was going in and posting a picture of my hospital bracelet so I wouldn't come back to a bunch of people telling me my april fool's joke wasn't funny or something. Anyway.
OOC: Hmm...Seems like Black Lotus' post got swallowed up? Luckily, I did not delete the email this time!
ReplyDeleteNo time for much fluff, on my way to PAX! Black Lotus stabs the zombie in the face!
[TECH]
(9)+13 vs. AC 13; HIT!!!
for (6)+8+(3)+(1)= 18 damage! Impressive!
OOC: I'm now on hiatus until Monday morning!
Grimlock takes a moment to stead himself from the blows of the hulk and.
ReplyDeleteStandard: Second Wind (+11HP)
Minor: Minor Resurgance (+5THP)
Move: Shift 1 square right and up.
OOC: Back from a great time at PAX and ready to push the adventure forward and get to the lost crown!
ReplyDeleteBriefly recovered, Grimlock takes a tentative step back as Ghaaldar holds fast against the toothy maw of doom!
[TECH]
(3)+9 vs. Reflex 14; MISS!!!
Mavarothix, Ghaaldar, Drum-Haak, and Duurkala have 72 hours to post before Kulimvorith makes a death save.
[Drum-Haak]
ReplyDeleteWith a wave of his staff, Drum-Haak sends a sphere of electric doom hurtling toward the nightmarish creature.
[tech]
Move Action: move to B8
Standard Action: Shock Sphere (area burst 2 within 10) centered at B15
+6 vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d6+5 lightning damage.
Miss: Half damage.
Tendrils of lightning crackling up the back of the deformed and sickly being, scorch marks crisscrossing its rubbery flesh!
Delete[TECH]
(18)+6 vs. Reflex 19; HIT!!!
for (5)+(6)+5= 16 lightning damage!
Luck is riding with you guys this round!
+2 damage from my DIRGE!!!!
DeleteGot it!
DeleteDuurkala's ringing voice continues to boom through the chamber. As he draws nearer to the corpse of the slowly dying Kulimvorith, he shakes his head and his intonations take on a chilling verve. "RISE DRACONIC SPAWN. MAY YOUR BLOOD BOIL WITH STRENGTH AS YOU RAIN DEATH ON THOSE WHO WOULD STAND AGAINST US." His words become power as life returns to Kulimvorith. With a ragged smile, the aged Dhaakani turns back to the fiendish hulk and swings his sword in an arc through the brute. He cackles to the shadowy Dhaakani caught in a flank, "LOTUS, FIND STRENGTH IN MY WORDS AND STRIKE TRUE!"
ReplyDeleteTECH:
move action: shift adjacent to Kulimvorith
minor action: use benefit of my skald aura to allow Kulimvorith to spend a healing surge +1d6.
standard action: melee basic attack against Zombie Hulk, +9 (+2 for flank) vs. AC, 1d8+7 damage on a hit
free action: remind Black Lotus that on his turn he can use my Skald aura as a minor action to spend a healing surge +1d6 (anyone can provided they are within 5 squares of me).
[Ghaaldar]
ReplyDeleteGhaaldar is the constant force. He is the ALPHA and the OMEGA. He is the TORCH! He will end this creature!
Tech: Flail +9 vs AC, 1d10+6 (or +8 if still being boosted by dirge) damage on a hit. Minor action: Spend healing surge from Skald aura (I'm within 5!)
The flail head pounds into the hideous beast, its wretched mouth-orifice-thing gurgling back the black blood welling up inside!
Delete[TECH]
(14 again)+9 vs. AC 20; HIT!!!
for (7)+8 damage!
Skald Aura is done! Having been used twice this encounter, it is no longer available.
... so the healing would be (3)+10 HP
DeleteThe little scaly man responds to Duurkala's booming words, life ebbing back into his dying limbs as the shear force of personality pulls Kulimvorith up. Wiping away blood-caked eyes, he sees the form of Duurkala standing over him, hacking away madly at the ponderous zombie hulk!
ReplyDelete[TECH]
Kulimvorith heals (4)+9 HP
Longsword: (14)+7+2 vs. AC 17; HIT!!!
for (2)+7 damage!
Map and Status updated! Deuce, you're back in the game!
Kulimvorith awakens to see all of his companions still alive, something he did not expect. Looking up to see a hulking corpse looming, Kulimvorith flees, disappearing and reappearing out of the hulks reach. He brings up his hand, twists his claw, and summons an acid claw above the hulks head, looking to tear it off!
ReplyDeleteOOC:
Move action: Spatial trip to teleport 3sq to A10.
Standard Action: Acid claw vs the bloodied zombie hulk. +8 vs Fortitude, 2d10+8 acid damage and each adjacent creature takes 3 acid damage. The hulk takes 3 damage at the start of its turn on a hit as well.
If I drop the hulk below 0, activate hidden lore as a free action to go invisible...
To action point, to action point? I'm thinking I can help Ghaaldar out. We're about to pass a milestone, ya?
OOC: Correction, Kulimvorith's healing surge value is 11, so he is actually at 15 HP. Every drop counts!
DeleteThe blood in Kulimvorith's veins is steeped in magic. His blood-magic content is way above the limit; he's blowing like a point-two-five. With his reawakening, the very earth opens up beneath him as a yawning chasm, he drops through, but then reemerges through the wormhole tunnel.
[TECH]
Teleport, wee!
Acid Claw: (4)+7 +1 {Fury} -2 {prone} vs. Fortitude; MISS!!!
Mavarothix, it's up to you, NO PRESSURE!
vs. Fortitude 17
DeleteOOC: Sorry, wasn't getting updates...
ReplyDeleteMavarothix peeks around the corner, a slight desperation in his quick breaths. He aims for the creature at the far end of the hall, but the big lumbering hulk presents itself as an unavoidable target.
Two more arrows scream out from his bow.
[Tech]
Move: Shift to B1
Minor: Hunter's Quarry on bloodied zombie
Standard: Twin Strike vs bloodied zombie
Two attacks, +10 vs AC, 1d8 +1 thunder damage each attack + deaf
First attack that hits gets +1d6 damage from HQ
From the darkness, Mavarothix strikes swiftly and silently, meting out death like the cold-hearted killer he is.
ReplyDelete[TECH]
(10)+10 +2 CA vs. AC 17; HIT!!!
(12)+10 +2 CA vs. AC 17; HIT!!!
Within Aura 5 of Duurkala, so a +2 bonus to the damage rolls...
for (2)+1+2 +(4)+1+2 +(1) = 13 damage and super deaf!
Unfazed by the attacks going on around them, the zombies lumber forward. Unthinking, they react only to the most primal insticts, lacking all cunning or critical thought. They relentlessly shamble forward, hands stretched out, to batter the life out of what is in front of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd batter, they do. With an unholy hatred of life, the zombified ogres pound away at the frail flesh in front of them. Ancient chains on their wrists, leftovers from a forgotten era, clang and ring as the meaty fists of the zombies drive down into the hard skulls of Grimlock and Black Lotus. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.
The sound of wet meat hitting the hard cavern floor is sickening. Those who survive this sight will have their nightmares forever haunted.
[TECH]
vs. Grimlock: Step forward, then attack with a (20) CRITICAL HIT!!!
for (8)+(8)+14= 30 damage!
Grimlock is dying at -5 HP!!!
vs. Black Lotus: (17)+9 vs. AC 18; HIT!!!
for (1)+(4)+14= 19 damage!
Black Lotus is dying at -17 HP!!!
A SINGLE HIT POINT AWAY FORM OUTTA HERE!!!
Grimlock Save vs. Death (8); FAIL!!!
ReplyDeleteBlack Lotus Save vs. Death (16); SUCCESS!!!
People don't think it be like it is, but it do.
The hideous beast smells the fresh blood and feels the vibrations of bodies hitting the floor.
ReplyDeleteA cackle echoes through your minds and a vibration fills the air between Ghaaldar and this hated enemy. Distracted, Ghaaldar fails to stop the hideous moisture from descending down upon him, enveloping his face, clawing into his eyes, and dragging him away to somewhere ... a little more private.
[TECH]
Face Grab: (17)+9 vs. Reflex 14; HIT!!!
for (2)+(3)+6 = 11 damage and Ghaaldar is grabbed!
Move 3 squares and slide a grabbed target 3 squares, doesn't provoke from the grabbed target.
Ghaaldar, Drum-Haak, Duurkala, Mavarothix, and Kulimvorith may all take their turns. You all have three days to collectively post.
Good luck.
Crit on me? I call hax. :^)
ReplyDeleteOOC: You keep forgetting to move me! Just as well... :P
ReplyDeleteMavarothix fires another volley, then ducks behind the wall. He wants to shout out at the others that are getting pounded in to the ground, but all he can think about is staying out of view and hidden from danger.
[Tech]
Standard: Twin Strike vs bloodied zombie
Two attacks, +10 vs AC, 1d8 +1 thunder damage each attack + deaf
First attack that hits gets +1d6 damage from HQ
Move: Shift to C2, +17 Stealth to hide
Hopefully he'll still be deaf (-10 Perception)
A rain of arrows from the dark!
DeleteThe Dungeon Master then cheats, in your favor, and uses your Minor Action to examine the zombie and determine how close it is to annihilation. The answer? VERY CLOSE.
[TECH]
(20) CRITICAL HIT!!!
(8)+10 +2 vs. AC 17; HIT!!!
for (8)+1 +2 {Skald Aura} +(6) +(7)+1 = 25 damage!
Stealth: (7)+17 vs. Perception 12; SUCCESS!!!
Heal: (16)+1; SUCCESS!!!
The zombie hulk is at 4 HP.
[Drum-Haak]
ReplyDeleteDrum-Haak is visibly sickened from the sound of his falling companions. Quickly summoning some resolve, he pursues the horrid monstrosity attempting to feed on Ghaaldar.
"Spit out that Dhaakani, creature! He has not the brain capacity to sustain you! Come feed on a worthy mind!"
With that, he lashes out at the horror with a blast of wintery wrath.
[tech]
Move Action: Move to B14
Standard Action: Freezing burst centered at B17 (area burst 1)
+6 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d6+5 cold damage and slide to B17
Ice creaks along the floor, creating a searingly cold surface upon which the hideous beast slips away, leaving a physically and emotionally scarred Ghaaldar covered in spittle.
Delete[TECH]
(17)+6 vs. Reflex 19; HIT!!!
for (6)+5 cold damage!
Hast thou no Minor Actions to perform?
Sure, Drum-Haak will attempt to determine the status of the horrid brain-sucker. Heal +1.
DeleteHeal Check (19)+1; SUCCESS!!!
DeleteTeh creature is barely holding onto life at 11 HP, deperate for a source of rejuventaion via eating Ghaaldar's entire head.
Kulimvorith stands, and seeing the two hulks bearing down on his allies, unleashes a fury of frost magicks at the walking dead.
ReplyDeleteOOC:
Move action: stand up
Standard action: Dragonfrost vs the bloodied hulk, +8 vs Fort, 1d8+8 cold damage and pushed one square.
Action Point: Repeat Dragonfrost vs bloodied hulk if it doesnt go down or second hulk if it does.
Posting for Casey:
DeleteOOC:
I'm out of the office all day so I can't post, but my dice rolling website just said you got a (15)! Hit! Minimum damage will drop the first hulk, so if you could do me a favor and post this, that'd be great, since it then frees up Duurkala.
Kulimvorith scaly hide turns ashen white, frost spreading on the dirt floor where he stands. The ancient spirit of the white dragons surrounds him and he lets loose their magical power into the badly beaten zombie hulk's chest. A jagged, icy spear carves through the dead body, forever impaling it into the floor.
Delete[TECH]
(15)+7+1 vs. Fortitude 17; HIT!!!
for (8)+8 cold damage! GHETTO CRIT!!!
Action Point!
(3)+7+1 vs. Fortitude 17; MISS!!!
Duurkala shakes his head as his voice continues to boom out menacingly. "IT NEVER GOES WHERE YOU THINK. WELL, LET'S GET YOU ON YOUR FEET, LOTUS." Stepping through the offal of the collapsed hulk, Duurkala approaches the fallen form of his comrade. Reaching down, he slaps the fallen Dhaakani twice and tries to snap him back to consciousness.
ReplyDeleteNot even looking down at the results of his 'healing administrations,' Duurkala runs his hand down the length of his blade and mutters a frosty incantation before charging towards the remaining hulk. "GO BACK TO THE COLD FREEZING HANDS OF DEATH!"
TECH:
move action: move adjacent to Black Lotus
standard action: give Black Lotus a second wind, Heal check +5
minor action: Chilled Blade, the next weapon attack made with my longsword slows the first target until the end of its next turn. On a hit the target also takes an additional 1d10 cold damage.
ACTION POINT: Charge the final zombie hulk, +9 (+1 for charge) vs. AC, 1d8+7 damage +1d10 cold damage. Target is slowed (I think whether I hit or miss, the power is kind of ambiguous).
Duurkala bends down to the wounded stranger, drawing tourniquets to staunch the worst of the blood flow and wake the unconscious Dhakaani up. Surely, the wisened old warrior has seen wounded soldiers pull through far worse.
ReplyDeleteHasn't he?
As Kulimvorith's icy bolts drop the ogre zombie, Duurkala has a flash of inspiration and slashes at the wildly flailing spell. The magic in his own blade is able to catch a hold of the arcane frost, wrapping the steel in a sheen of ice. Emboldened by his cunning plan, the unstoppable old man charges off for one last brawl before he lays his sword to rest for good!
[TECH]
Be Healed!: (14)+5 vs. DC 15; SUCCESS!!!
Black Lotus spends his second wind.
Action Point!
Charge: (3 again)+9+1 vs. Armor Class 17; MISS!!!
Ghaaldar, squaring off alone against this horrid monster, you are up! Take your time, I know you've been spending a good deal of time giving your Crucible of the Gods players the MOST EPIC DEATHS/EPILOGUES EVER!!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour "friend" Drum-Haak has actually already broken the grab and given you a little space with his most recent freezing blast of magic. Please revise.
Delete[Ghaaldar]
ReplyDeleteGhaaldar was pissed. Another time with his head in that THING. Gods damn it! Oh, right, it's already damned...
Ghaaldar swings his flail in an attempt to end the beast once and for all.
Tech:
Move: Shift to A16.
Standard: Flail +9 vs AC, 1d10+6 damage on a hit.
OOC: Ahhh you missed the shift-and-charge combo! The tactician in me is DYING!
DeleteOnce more into the breach, dear friends! Through grit and shear force of will, Ghaaldar has resisted the foul corrupting influence of this horrid Far Realm entity. He has beaten it back time and again, seen the stomach-churning horrors of the inside of it's body, and yet still came back fighting for more. GHAALDAR HAS EARNED HIS VICTORY!!!
Sidestepping into the horrid beats, froth coating his lips, he ducks his body low and raises his shield high. The heavy oak shield, considered a small door by most, absolutely plows into the stomch of the Far Realm entity, pulverizing internal organs. Black spittle drips out of its toothy maw to form a sickly puddle on the floor. It's head-orifice twists up as the shadow of Ghaaldar's flail covers it, the heavy iron-spiked weapon descending down in a resounding crash! The bones of the hideous, revolting monstrosity snap like twigs under the impact. Ghaaldar stands, victorious, with iron-heeled boot on its rubbery throat.
The source of the necromantic magic destroyed, the walking dead crumple back into oblivion and lay down for their eternal rest.
[TECH]
(18)+9 vs. AC 20; HIT!!!
for (8)+6 = 14 damage!!! Greater than 11!!! Holy shit you guys made it!!!
Black Lotus has 24 hours for his round to attempt to save Grimlock from dying. Email me directly if you need.
If allowed, Ghaaldar would initiate a short rest and attempt to use healing surges.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Don't we have another hulk to deal with? Or did I lose count?
ReplyDeleteOOC: Dropping the 'hideous creature' brought the last hulk down since he was apparently animating it. So now we are still in initiative since Grimlock is currently dying.
DeleteOOC: When the hideous thing dropped, so did the undead... apparently.
ReplyDeleteMavarothix peeks around the corner, relieved to see all the creatures have fallen. He slowly steps out, still keeping his shortbow at the ready.
"Get up!" he shouts at the two lying on the floor, unaware that one of them is unconscious. "Press on we must! Path ahead should be easy now!"
GRIMLOCK NEED HELP PUTTING OWN BRAINS BACK IN NOGGIN!
ReplyDeleteOOC: My Heal skill's a paltry +1. You're on your own... ;)
ReplyDeleteOOC: It'll require a death save, but I can give you a heal check when my turn comes up at a +5. I tried to position myself here to give you a heal check at next chance.
ReplyDeleteBlack Lotus nods a weary thanks at Duurkala. "My thanks. A pity I couldn't take that foul thing down myself."
ReplyDeleteHe turns to the dying Grimlock and frowns. "Well now, this won't do. I've little skill, but I can try..."
[tech]
My heal skill is a pathetic +2, but I shall make the attempt.
Black Lotus crawls over and to patch up the dying giant. He's too good a resource to waste bleeding out on the floor! Using his detailed knowledge of how to stop a heart from beating, he puzzles it out backwards to do the reverse.
Delete[TECH]
(13)+2 vs. Heal DC 15; Success!
With everyone (I think) chiming in on their willingness to proceed in a standard fashion, I will be crunching the short rest numbers and whipping up the next chapter later today.
OOC: Drum-Haak will spend a healing surge (or two if I don't get any kind of bonuses from Duurkala). He will also examine that book. Arcana +12.
ReplyDeleteThe animated black tar bound by Kulimvorith's Prison of Salzacas is still holding the book. Glancing at its pages, you find that it contains hideous revelations about the nature of the conscious mind and the true nature of the existence of reality.
DeleteIf you choose to read it during a short rest; until the end of the game you will be vulnerable 10 psychic, but also immune to the dazed, dominate, and stun.
Also, the book contains several rituals, which I will tell you all about with a detailed reading.
Lastly, there is a magic warding spell in place on the book to prevent it from being read by the wrong people. People such as yourself.
OOC: Here are the nuts and bolts of healing during this short rest, burning up healing surges (with Duurkala's help) to get everyone to full hit points.
ReplyDeleteBefore we go much further, I would like either Kulimvorith to make a firm decision about what he will do with the illithid's book, or someone else to make that decision for him in a particularly violent fashion.
Black Lotus
9+(1)
9+(4)
9+(6)
Grimlock
11+(6)
11+(5)
11+(6)
Mavarothix
Needs to spend no healing surges at all. FLAWLESS VICTORY!!!
Ghaaldar
10+(6)
10+(2)
Kulimvorith
11+(6)
11+(3)
Drum-Haak
7+(3)
7+(5)
Duurkala
9+(1)
9+(1)
9+(3)
After our rest, Kulimvorith will examine the book, with consulting help from Drum-Haak, of course. First goal, disable the warring magics.
ReplyDeleteOOC: can't post for the rest of the afternoon, but will use my wimpy +6 to arcana to examine it.
Kulimvorith cracks open the book, but has only a rudimentary knowledge of the mysterious warding spells placed upon it. He triggers a trap as the book explodes with bright white light, damaging him (recovered with more healnig surge expenditure) and temporarily blinding him!
DeleteStill, he is able to decipher the words, gains immunity to daze, stun, and dominate; vulnerable 10 psychic, and can cast the rituals gentle repose, undead ward, and lich transformation.
The saga continues with our final chapter - http://dmg42.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-hope-youre-ready-shit-is-about-to-get.html
ReplyDelete