The following is intended for the play-by-post delve of SND-02: Fane of the Heresiarch.
Vitals + Rumors + Crusaders + Score + Watchtower + Bleak Seminary + Confessional + Black Cathedral + Ashen Ambulatory + Pleasure Crypts + Catacomb Reliquary + Death Wyverns' Crucible + Prison of Frozen Gods + Observatory + Gauntlet of Walls + Blighted Grove + Chaos Maze + Mothers' Cloister
Smoldering volcanoes line the horizon beyond this wide, deep crater. Acrid black smoke billows from a trident-shaped chasm that splits the floor of the crater into jagged segments.
Four soot-covered stone buildings, each 20 ft. tall, stand in each corner of the crater. A two-pupiled black eye hovers above the southeastern structure.
A wide stone tier rises in the center of the crater. Seven dead trees choked with hanged skeletons ring the platform.
Ash falls from the sky like snow, and the heat is sticky and oppressive.
Ash falls from the sky like snow, and the heat is sticky and oppressive.
 |
Mother of Terror
This marilith is almost entirely encased in obsidian scale mail wrapped in spiked chains.
|
 |
| Mother of Agony The pale flesh of this winged marilith is marred with hundreds of scars, piercings, and lacerations. In each of her six hands, she wields an iron wand tipped with an egg-sized grey orb. |
ROLL INITIATIVE!!!
Lord Xann, Oros, Nettle, Nelson, Kaddim, Brand; MARILITHS
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The dungeoneers are beaten within an inch of their life from the initial onslaught, but Oros dodges the attacks and makes a devastating counter against The Mother of Agony, ending her reign! Enraged, The Mother of Terror draws six UNBOUND SWORDS THAT SHALL NOT BE DRAWN.
Later, Kaddim returns with the Catechism of the Heresiarch. He places it upon the profane altar and summons a wealth of treasures -- including two planets!
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The dungeoneers are beaten within an inch of their life from the initial onslaught, but Oros dodges the attacks and makes a devastating counter against The Mother of Agony, ending her reign! Enraged, The Mother of Terror draws six UNBOUND SWORDS THAT SHALL NOT BE DRAWN.
Later, Kaddim returns with the Catechism of the Heresiarch. He places it upon the profane altar and summons a wealth of treasures -- including two planets!
Combat has begun and the twin Mariliths bear arms to protect this cloister.
ReplyDeleteNelson and Kaddim may take a full turn each before the Marilths act. No start of turn effects have happened, so feel free to take your turns in any order.
In addition, each and every dungeoneer may make one free Perception, Insight, or knowledge check any time before taking their turn.
Nelson - quick as ever - somersaults into the shade of the nearest tree, covering his face in ash and hiding behind a swinging skeleton (humanoid?). He seems to disappear, only his darting eyes are visible as his quick sling lets loose two rapid stones at the wand-wielding Marilith, Mother of Agony.
ReplyDelete-------------------------------------------
[Tech]
(move action) - Fleeting Ghost to L11, roll +12 Stealth to hide behind skeleton and go Arnold Schwarzenegger with the dirt/ash (think Predator)
Perception +8 on I10 if this is a free action (it's in my direct line of sight) to see what that thing is there.
First strike ability, CA against enemies that haven't acted yet.
(Standard) Backstab (encounter) +17 vs. AC (+12 +2 CA +3 to roll from backstab) For 1d6+7 + 2d8+1 (sneak attack) +1d6 (backstab) damage.
(minor) Sling of Speed (encounter) make a ranged basic attack as a minor action
+14 vs AC for 1d6+7 damage
OOC: I assume Nelson is attacking the Mother of Terror.
ReplyDelete[NELSON]
Nelson wastes no time! Fear grips the little man's heart, but where a common man might panic, Nelson feeds off of the adrenaline and attacks!
He dives over the battlefield and presses up against a nearby tree, hiding himself as best he can. When the time is right, he unleashes hell, sending a hail of iron bullets careening against the Marilith's forehead. The crack of bone is heard over the screams of pain. The Mother of Terror opens her shark-toothed mouth and screeches in rage.
Nelson sees that the stone platform rises 5 ft. off the ground. A brimstone altar crawling with centipedes stands in the center of a pentagram that has been painted onto the tier. A small wooden lectern rests atop the altar (Square I-10).
The trees provide cover.
[TECH] Stealth (10)+12; Perception (20)+8
Backstab: (18)+17 vs. AC 21; for (2)+7+(2)+(3)+1+(6) = 21 damage
Sling of Speed: (2)+14 vs. AC 21
Roll a 2, drink the hooch.
OOC: I said, "two rapid stones at the wand-wielding Marilith, Mother of Agony". The Mother of Terror would have had cover from where Nelson hid in L11. Correct me if I'm wrong here.
DeleteOOC: Oh jeez, I see it now. They have identical AC; so I'll just shift some HP damage from one to the other.
DeleteWand and staff ready, Kaddim unleashes a blast from his eldtrich wand towards the mother of terror just before shards of ice rain down upon it, freezing the scales of its scale armor and blurring its vision. The Mage then runs for cover, shouting to out all he knows about the mariliths before he reaches the the southwestern building.
ReplyDeleteOOC:
Free action: arcana check+13 on mariliths and their abilities...shout them to all as an run away later...
Wand of eldtrich blast vs the mother of agony, 10 force damage as a minor action.
Chill strike vs the mother of terror, +10 vs fort (+12 if I get CA for acting beforehand), 2d8+10 cold damage on a hit and she is dazed. Target is slowed on a miss, no half damage.
Move action: Run to D16 through the rubble and looks like difficult terrain. I do not envy the defenders at this point.
[KADDIM]
DeleteKaddim hustles and pushes his way to the safety of the walls; terrified, pumping his legs as hard as he can. Peeking out from behind the stoneworks, he shouts out to his companions the bits of esoteric lore that he has picked up in his travels to the far-flung empires of ancient Stygia and the decadent underground cult-rituals he has witnessed there in a feverish nightmare.
Dual-wielding both wand and staff, Kaddim summons forth the frosts of the Lathernian wastes while fiddling around on the knobs of his new-found wand. A wizards' duel erupts! with Kaddim the clear victor of this round and the Mother of Agony fuming and screaming while she spends her attention on chipping away at the binding ice that locks her temporarily in place.
[TECH] Arcana (14)+13; These are specific individuals, so I'll give you information on Mother Terror.
Level 9 Elite Brute
AC 21; Fortitude 21, Reflex 18, Will 18
Immune to fear, resist 5 variable 1/enc.
Chill Strike: (20) CRITICAL HIT! for 26+(4)+(8) -5 {resist} cold damage and dazed
[EYE OF DISRUPTION]
ReplyDeleteA sickly green ray blasts out from the eye, impacting into Brand's chest with a visible shudder. His scared and burned body is physically lifted off of the ground and his eyes roll into the back of head, the spark of life drained out of him. The eye-beam then tosses him aside, sliding across the rough sandy floor. Re awakes, and looks below to the pit he is precariously perced upon. The fall is not too severe, just 10 ft., but the pit is filled with white hot coals.
Of course it is.
[MOTHER OF TERROR]
One of the MOthers of all Mariliths breaks out six fucking Flails of Contrition, spiked incense burners on long golden chains, etched with the damning dark speech of humanity's First Sin. After freeing herself from Kaddim's icy grasp, she slithers and curls across the field. Her many arms raise up high and begin ... The Flailing. Wicked weapons thrash down from overhead, crushing skulls, breaking bones, splattering blood. With each attack the horrible monster shifts and slides out of the way of retribution, performing an elegant dance of death.
She hath had her vengenace. Kaddim and his friend Nettle lie battered and broken upon the field.
[MOTHER OF AGONY]
Magical beams shoot out from the wand-wielding six arms of the Mother of Agony! An automated barrage of magical fire rakes the lands and she slithers across the field, firing and moving at once. Smoke rises from craters in the ground and the dead and dying filling them. Hideous wounds break open on fresh skin, and a myriad of 1,000 curses bind the enemies of agony, making them naught but a pack of enfeebled cripples.
Oros and Nelson both fall down to the ground after the unrelenting barrage of spells; dying, their bodies wracked with pain, tears dripping down their cheeks.
[TECH]
DeleteEYE OF DISRUPTION
(15)+13 vs. Brand's Reflex 19; Brnad loses a healing surge and is slid towards the pit
Save vs. Hazard (9)+5; success, prone
MOTHER OF TERROR
Tyrannical Presence (fear) + Aura 3
Enemies in the aura grant combat advantage and must spend a standard action to stand up.
Move zig-zagged to avoid the difficult terrain and end at squares E14-F15
Action Point, Weapon Dance
vs. Nettle: (15)+14+2 vs. AC 23; 25 damage and prone; shift 2 as an effect
vs. Nettle: (4)+14+2 vs. AC 23; shift 1 square south
vs. Nettle: (16)+14+2 vs. AC 23; 25 damage and prone; shift 2 as an effect
vs. Kaddim: (1) HUMILIATION!!!
vs. Kaddim: (19)+14+2 vs. AC 23; 25 damage
vs. Kaddim: (8)+14+2 vs. AC 23; 25 damage and prone; shift 2 as an effect, going north
MOTHER OF AGONY
Torturous Contagion (necrotic) + Aura 5
Whenever an enemy in the aura fails a save against an effect a save can end, every other enemy in the aura takes 10 necrotic damage and gains that effect (save ends).
Move southwest
Wand Dance
vs. Oros: (10)+12+2 {CA from other Aura} vs. Reflex 22; 15 force damage and immobilized (se)
vs. Oros: (18)+12+2 {CA from other Aura} vs. Reflex 22; 15 force damage and weakened (se)
vs. Xann: (18)+12 vs. Reflex 20; 15 force damage and ongoing 10 damage (save ends)
vs. Xann: (13)+12 vs. Reflex 20; 15 force damage and dazed (save ends)
vs. Nelson: (20)+12 vs. Reflex 19+2 {cover}; 30 force damage and ongoing 10 damage (save ends)
vs. Nelson: (13)+12 vs. Reflex 19+2 {cover}; 15 force damage and dazed (save ends)
Action Point, take some damage and is BLOODIED to recharge Wand Dance
vs. Oros: (13)+12 +2 {CA} vs. Reflex 22; 15 force damage and blinded (save ends)
vs. Brand: (4)+12 -2 {ranged v. prone} vs. Reflex 19; miss
vs. Brand: (16)+12 -2 {ranged v. prone} vs. Reflex 19; 15 force damage and ongoing 10 (se)
vs. Brand: (1) HUMILIATION!!!
vs. Brand: (3)+12 -2 {ranged v. prone} vs. Reflex 19; miss
vs. Brand: (8)+12 -2 {ranged v. prone} vs. Reflex 19; miss
Word of Agony [minor]
Oros takes a -2 penalty to saving throws until end of Agony's next turn
Nelson was able to slip aside as an almost sure-death-blast from the first wand burns through him.
Delete[Tech]
(Immediate Interrupt encounter power) Slide Aside: Take half damage from an attack targeting AC or Reflex. So, that first 30 damage, make it 15 please.
OOC: Thus, he's still up! But SHIT ROSS
Oros seeing the barrage takes his chances and flies into the pit
DeleteTech
Immediate Interupt: when first targeted by the Mother of Agony shift 4 to H14 two scares down pulling up just short of the white hot coals if possible.
OOC @Nelson: Done!
Delete[OROS]
Golden wings upon thine back lift thyself off to safety, hovering uncomfortably (but not too uncomfortably) close to the hot coals below. Sweat beads off of Oros' brow as the battle rages above.
OOC: With Oros no longer being a valid target due to line of sight issues, The Mother of Agony will shift her follow-up attacks to Brand, with the same die rolls.
[TECH] Wand Dance vs. Brand: (18) and (13) +12 vs. Reflex 19; 30 force damage and weakened (se) and blinded (se)
[TECH] and Word of Agony is redirected to Lord Xann
DeletePAIN AS THOU HATH NEVER BEFORE FELT WRACKS THY BODY. A BLACK SPELL IS CAST UPON THEE, GRINDING THY BONES TO DUST FROM INSIDE.
Brand will use Channeling Shield on Nettle amid the horrible assault.
Delete[Tech] Channeling Shield vs Nettle, reduce damage by 8, and I deal +3 damage on my next successful attack
OOC: Well shit!
ReplyDeleteSearch through them character sheets, boys, and pull out a Hail Mary immediate interrupt to save your asses with a quick retcon. There are a ton of start of turn effects floating around, so we're going to slow everything down and proceed in strict initiative order, starting with NELSON.
Please post when you guys are good to proceed.
It appears he cannot run far enough or fast enough to evade the mother of terror. In split second before the second blow lands, and Kaddim crumbles to the ground, the Mother of Terror's blade strikes a magical shield! Disaster is averted, Kaddim cringing awaiting the next strike to fall...
DeleteOOC: Through my Shield as my interrupt after the first hit, which should save me from that second attack, and the 25 damage.
Xann has no interrupts :(
DeleteNettle has one, but it's been rendered irrelevant for now.
ReplyDeleteOOC: I think that's all of us, but wouldn't Nelson (and Kaddim) resolve start of turn effects last as the rest of us haven't yet?
ReplyDeleteOOOC: Quite right! Brand is up.
DeleteOOC: Vitals tab updated to reflect all the crazy interrupts!
DeleteBrand takes a breather to let his allies better position themselves
ReplyDelete[Tech] Delaying until the end of "our turn"
OOC: Initiative order updated.
ReplyDeleteI've looked into things and I believe that one cannot Delay while unconscious. See PHB p. 288. If that holds up in D&D Court, Oros now takes his turn.
[LORD XANN]
The insightful warlord falls to one knee and wretches onto the rocky floor. The joints holding his arms to his shoulder are inflamed, pain cascading down his arms likes waterfalls. The skin above his shoulder breaks open, spilling yet more blood onto the sands. In mere moments, the incantations of Mother Agony will tear his body apart!
[TECH]
Save vs. Ongoing (6)-2; fail
Save vs. Death (10)-2; fail
....
Deleteas Lord Xann's arms are being pulled out of his sockets, connective tissues tearing and snapping like rubber-bands, the pain and agony of this spell's excruciating effects make themselves physically manifest upon all who gaze upon such torture.
[TECH]
Xann failed his save vs. ongoing damage whilst in Mother Agony's aura, bringing about 10 necrotic damage and an identical condition to all dungeoneers. Lots of necrotic resist in the group, but this will drop Nelson and Brand.
OOC: Is Nelson outside of Agony's aura?
DeleteOOC: At a whopping Aura 5, all dungeoneers are currently in danger.
DeleteOOC: Not to mention the smaller in scope Aura 3 around the Mother of Terror; making enemies grant combat advantage and needing a Standard Action (in lieu of a Move Action) to stand up from prone. TERROR!
DeleteOros powerfully beats his wings to reverse himself up and out of the pit and aids his little buddy Nettle with a sip from his Quartz Flask seeing that his Pixie friend is not longer in danger of guaranteed imminent death he does what he does best and charges into battle.
ReplyDeleteTech
Move: Fly 2 squares up to H14 ground level
Standard: use Quartz Flask on Nettle (20 hit points)
Minor: Switch to Aspect of Charging Ram
Action Point: Charge to H12 attacking Mother of Agony +16 (15+1charge) vs AC using heroic effort if necessary and power attack on hit 2d10+15 (2magic+5dex+5gloves+2charge+1two handed weapon exp) and knock prone
On Hit: Dual Weapon attack +17(+15+2CA) vs AC d10+17 (+2mag+5dex+5gloves+5headsman) using heroic effort if necessary and available
If I didn't use up heroic effort and fail my save by 4 or less I will use heroic effort to pass it
OOC: With Nettle no longer being in danger of dying at the start of his turn, do you still want Oros to force-feed Nettle the Quartz Flask?
DeleteI think I'll use my action point for an extra hit on the Mother of Agony or a re-do if I miss the first one.
DeleteOOC: Also, Aspect of the Charging Ram is the stance we agreed upon that Oros would be as a default, in unless otherwise stated. TAKE BACK YOUR MINOR ACTION, GOOD SIR!
DeleteOOC: sweet if I knock her prone with the charge I will switch to lurking spider for an extra 2 damage on the AP attack.
DeleteOOC: done via email
ReplyDelete[LORD XANN]
Xann's eyelids struggle merely to stay open, blood pooling around his crumpled form. A magic presence resides nearby, however, and casts a shimmering blue haze over him. A protective amulet, one of the treasures of Xann's past conquests, stirs with life to end the Marilith's spell!
[TECH]
Magic Item Daily Power, bonus Save (12)-2; success!
Hit points and conditions retcon'ed back
OOC: In advance of my turn, I'd like to take a knowledge check on the Eye of Disruption.
ReplyDeleteArcana? +13
The Eye of Disruption is a fearsome demonic device whose crazed and demented construction defies the knowledge of Nettle.
Delete[TECH]
Arcana (6)+13
[OROS]
ReplyDeleteBorn aloft on golden wings, Oros ascends into the sky with axe held aloft. He points one finger straight at the Marilith Queen, the beating of his wings the only sound he makes, yet all know what is foretold. DOOM.
The silence is shattered! Flying into a rage, Oros strikes left and right, dodging the outstretched wands and carving into Agony itself with sharpened steel. An end of the axe head opens a gaping wound on the marilith's side. With deadly grace, Oros sees the opportunity, flies in, plants his boot on her back, wraps a 24" python bicep around her scrawny neck (oh yeah!!!), and snaps her spine in twain!!!
CRASH! SHATTER! BREAK! SNAP! CRUNCH! CRACKLE!
The six wands fall from Mother Agony's cold, dead hands to be destroyed upon the hard stone below. The serpentile demon-body of a once great Infernal Lord slumps down with them, her dark fire forever extinguished.
[MOTHER of TERROR]
Oh no you didn't!
While Oros is wiping the foul blood off of his blade, he turns he head left at the sound of one .. two... SIX blades being drawn! The whirling spiked censer-flails of contrition drop to the sand and The Mother of Terror charges him in a (immediate reaction) fury of vengeance!
"When the forces of creation measured what
would and would not be, this weapon was the
signpost that read ‘you have gone too far.’ Yet it could not be unmade, and so it has slumbered for all eternity. A symbol of the gods’ humility and the wisdom of peace, whoever would defy its
sacred history is surely damned by the heavens."
Six UNBOUND SWORDS THAT SHALL NOT BE DRAWN; culled from the depths of the Multiverse, all realms of Creation That Is and the domains of That Shall Be; are drawn forth into Mother Terror's hands. She does her deadly dance of death one more time, sulfurous tears burning a black trail down her cheeks as she mourns the unbearable loss of her twin sister. To ease her pain, she ritualistically dismembers and disembowels the cursed mortal who hath slain so 'noble' a creature.
First his hands are removed, for they are the primary tools used for such senseless death.
Next the wings are torn off, for they are a symbol of the hubris of mortals.
Then the eyes are gouged, for the crime of seeing the Demon Lords in their vulnerability.
Followed by the genitals, for such a wretched man-thing deserves the utmost in humiliations.
In memory of the love that has gone, every one of Oros' bones are ripped from their ligaments en masse, a blessing from Mother Agony to her sister. Always remember.
Last his heart is pierced by the six swords together, for it is the drive and impetus behind such sad days as these.
[TECH]
DeleteCharge: (3)+16 +4 {heroic effort} vs. AC 21; for (4)+(10)+15 damage and prone
Dual-Wielding: (8)+15 +2 {CA} vs. AC 21; for (4)+17 damage
Action Point attack: (13)+15 +2 {CA} vs. AC 21; for (7)+17 damage
The charge ended Oros' turn, aside from Free Actions and Action Points, so Oros is still in the Ram stance and could theoretically post a different Minor Action.
SWORD THAT SHALL NOT BE DRAWN: (19) and (5) and (3) and (2, miss!) and (9) and (6) +19 vs. AC 22; for (35 damage - resist 10 melee) x5 hits = 125 damage
Afterwards, shift 2 squares
Unless someone can stop at least two of those attacks, Oros will be completely eviscerated and draw an Afterlife Card (4): Shadow Ward (see new image above).
OOC:
DeleteIf they are separate melee attacks I have an immediate reaction "Yield Ground" which allows me to shift 3 and gain a +2 power bonus to my defenses I will shift H9 if I can.
As well, Nettle can use Virtue of Prescience after the first attack to grant Oros a +4 to the defense targeted until the end of Terror's turn.
Deleteooc: the trigger is an enemy damages you with a melee attack so it would be after the first one hits.
DeleteOOC: One cannot use immediate actions on one's own turn, so no Yielding Ground :(
DeleteNettle Virtue of Prescience will stop the roll of (6).
ooc: is it too late to use my minor action to quaff my pentagram of power and laugh in the face of terror?
DeleteOOC: And the rolls of 5 and 3.
DeleteOOC: Quite! Virtue of Prescience lasts until end of turn (I was thinking it just stopped one attack), so it would negate 2 attacks and leave Oros a bloody pulp on the floor; but not DEAD!
Delete@Kory: You can have Oros use the Pentagram, but then I reserve the right to change my target of attack. It doesn't have to be Oros, it just fit better with the flow of the story.
I'll take the hits
DeleteOOC: * 2 MORE attacks, leaving Oros at -10 hp.
DeleteNETTLE IS UP! Or rather down, as he is still prone from Mother Terror's thrashing.
Seeing naught but the chaos and blood around him, Nettle knows fear unlike anything he's ever experienced. And yet the need to protect his allies cuts through the terror, subsuming his will. He heals those he can, then unleashes all upon the Demonic Beast, hoping to cast it as far from him and his allies as possible.
ReplyDeleteTech:
Minor: Majestic Word on Brand for surge +d6+4, and slide him to I16.
Minor: Revitalizing Incantation on Nelson for a surge, +1 surge's value in THP.
Minor: Elixir of Haste
AP: Thunder's Calling vs Mother of Terror
13-2(prone)=11 vs Will
Hit: d8+4 Thunder damage, and slide her to E12-F13. Nelson can make a ranged basic attack as a free action if he has CA against her. If not, Kaddim can Magic Missile her.
If the above hits:
AP: Staggering Note vs Mother of Terror
11 vs Will
Hit: 4 thunder damage, and push her to D10-E11.
If Thunder's Calling doesn't hit
AP: Dissonant Strain
11 vs Will
Hit: 2d6+4 psychic damage, it takes a -2 to attack rolls (EoNT) and Brand can make a saving throw.
[NETTLE]
Delete... or rather, all that would have happened had Nettle not intervened. Using powerful spells, the tiny Pixie allowed his companion to peer into the future and saw the horrible end to the brave hero, Oros. Armed with foreknowledge, Oros was able to avoid the many attacks, but it takes only a few hits with a sword of this caliber to overwhelm even a great warrior such as he.
Nettle then sets to pulling the tapestries of space and time, healing wounds, shifting sands, and setting up his enemies for the perfect trap.
[TECH]
Brands heals 15+4+(1) hp
Thunder's calling: (11)+11 vs. Will 18; for (4)+4 damage
I don't see anything that could give Nelson CA, so we'll go with the trusty Magic Missile for 9 force damage
Staggering Note: (17)+11 vs. Will 18; for 4 damage and a push
There's no threat of falling, since the Mother of Terror is simply too big to drop into any of the pits.
Nelson's turn is up and he takes 10 damage!
Nelson clutches at his bleeding wounds as he ambushes the marilith, his short sword glowing with transfusion magic. He sneaks a stab between her scales, and hopes for the best.
ReplyDelete(move action) Ambush trick to F11: move up to my speed & gain CA against enemies with no allies adjacent to them.
Action Point (standard action) Transference short sword: +16 vs AC (+14 +2 from CA) for 1d6+10 damage + 2d8+1 sneak attack damage AND transfer my [ongoing 10 damage] to her, and now she takes the effect from it.
ON TERROR'S TURN: if she attacks and hits me on her turn, use my second chance encounter power to make her reroll the attack, UNLESS she only hit me by 4 or less over my defense, in which case I'll use Cunning Escape, which grants me a +4 bonus to that defense, and shift 3 as a free action at the end of her turn. In which case I would shift to F8.
[NELSON]
DeleteCourage stirs up in the heart of this little man, a courage bigger than he can contain. It is that strength that Nelson taps into, charging forward across the blasphemous stone tier. Blade punctures steel chain, its thin silhouette slipping past curved plate and into soft reptilian flesh. Red sparks fly back into Nelson's face, showering him in tiny lights. Spells woven into the blade grant a great boon to its wielder, dispelling the hex of Agony and transferring it through its sharp edge.
[TECH]
Stab: (10)+12+2 vs. AC 21; for (3)+10+(1)+(5)+1 damage and the Mother of Terror is now dazed (save ends).
Save vs. Ongoing (16)
Up next is either Kaddim OR Brand, post at your convenience. Neither have any 'Start of Turn' effects to worry about for the moment.
This is the single greatest encounter in all of play-by-post history in any game and anyone who thinks differently is a chump
ReplyDeleteKaddim, somehow still alive after the onslaught of the mothers of all mariliths, moves out from around the corner, mystical energies swirling about his slender and scarred form. But suddenly, all that magical energy dissipates, and Kaddim is left in a staring contest with the Mother of Terror. Will this be his doom? Or will the Mother of Terror succumb to the whims of the genasi gypsy prince?
ReplyDeleteOOC:
Sersa, I agreed wholeheartedly! Still can't believe we got off the mat!
Now for tech:
Shift to D16 unless I can have line of sight/effect from my current square.
Minor action: Evil Eye of the Vistani: +11 vs Will, UEoNT the target grants CA and cannot willingly move closer to me.
Standard action: Activate my Eyes of Charming Daily Power, +11 vs WIll, on a hit the target is dominated. The Target is not aware I used this power against it.
[KADDIM]
DeleteKaddim's will stretches out beyond the confines of his own psyche, aided by magical headpiece covering his eyes. He struggles and strains, moving past the walls of eternal hatred and worming out the tiniest seed of vulnerability and weakness in the Marilith Queen.
Terror's eyes lock on his and she speaks, her reverberating voice carrying the old tongue of the Abyss.
"Yes. Yes, you are right, mortal. There is so much here, so much pain. I should not be fighting against thee, whom hath show the magnitude of thy power. Instead, I wish to love thee. Love thee to all eternity. A new race we shall conceive, one to throw down the Heresiarch from his throne and rule the multiverse as man and wife. Come to me!"
OOC: This is such an amazingly good turn of fortune for you guys, the Dungeon Master demands a tale from Deuce, regaling us with the history of these eyes of domination.
[TECH]
Evil Eye: (1) HUMILIATION!
Eyes of Charming: (20) CRITICAL HIT! Mother of Terror is dominated (save ends)
You take the good, you take the bad...
MOTHER OF TERROR
Level 9 Elite Brute
Large elemental humanoid (demon), marilith
AC 21, Fortitude 21, Reflex 18, Will 18
Speed 8
Resist 5 variable (1/encounter) -> cold; Immune fear
Unbound Swords That Shall Not Be Drawn (melee basic 2; +19 vs. AC;
35 damage, crit: target cannot attack [save ends]).
Kaddim keeps his eyes locked on the Mother of Terror, and her's on his. Obviously, there is a spark between them.
DeleteOOC: Well, seeing its a non-damaging turn, I'd have gladly taken the average here, But ya know, what, I won't complain!
AND, AS THE DUNGEON MASTER DEMANDS, SO DOTH DEUCE OBLIGE!!
The Eyes of charming were created five generations ago, the traveling prince Harzuiq. Harzuiq was a true gypsy, traveling to every plane imaginable, sometimes disappearing from the the attempts of his family to scry upon him. Once every five years he would arrive back in the tribes camp, and tells stories of his travels for a fortnight before heading off again into the mists.
During one journey (as the tale goes), he found himself in the boudoir of the whore queen Eiseth, fem primoris de flamma of the Nine Hells. Finding himself indebted and not wanting to be locked in a pleasure cell at her every beck and call, Harzuiq courted the queen and gained her favor. To do so, Harzuiq hunted, skinned, and crafted a furred cloak from the hide of a mythical hellcat invisible to the mortal eye: invisible in the light of day, while the furs radiated a soft ruby light in the shadows. Eiseth was impressed and granted Harzuiq his favor, to which he asked to look upon the world as a queen of her loveliness and might may. To grant him his request, Eiseth then plucked the eye out of one of her handmaidens, gifting it to Harzuiq. He immediately pickled the eye for use later and preserve its magicks.
A decade later, Harzuiq was on hand to aid in the recovery of Enelya Arcamenel from the evil formorian witch Cuj. With one lucky strike, he blinded the witches good eye allowing the Prince of Autumn to strike the killing blow. Cuj's eye shaped gem amulet fell into Harzuiq's hands as a prize for his role.
It is not known when or how Harzuiq crafted this two items into the Eyes of Charming, yet they have been pasted down through the gypsy royalty every generation since.
OOC: forgive any spelling errors. I will wait for Brand to take any actions before deciding on the Marilith's.
DeleteStill Reeling from the onslaught, blood masking his vision, Brand gains what composure he can to join once again into the fray. Despite any hesitation at the fierce glow of the Swords that Shall not be Drawn displayed in their full glory, and knowing this will likely be his end, Brand calls out to the wretched beast words of arcane energy, binding his will to his foe. Observing the battlefield, Brand Moves into a position where his allies will hopefully find safety from further assault. Brand quickly quaffs a potion, pulls out a mystical urn to consume it's restorative powers, and calls out to Xann to get off his lazy ass, before bracing for his fate.
ReplyDelete[Tech]
Minor: Aegis of Shielding on Mother of Terror
Move: O16
Standard->Minor: Drink Potion of Clarity (re-roll one encounter or daily attack roll, must take second result)
Action Point: Consume Mystic Urn - Hero's Armor Activates on AP Use to grant Xann his second wind.
Immediate Interrupt Readied - Transposing Lunge: +16 (re-roll if I miss) vs AC; Hit 2d8+7 damage, and target teleports to a square adjacent to me (P16) (When using my aegis of shielding immediate interrupt, I can use this power against the target as part of the interrupt, even if it is beyond my reach)
[BRAND]
DeleteEmerald death rays blast all around Brand's path, but he is far too cunning, and dodges out of the way to hide behind the walls of the squat stone building. All the while taunting the Mother of Terror and enveloping her in his binding spells.
[TECH]
Save vs. ongoing (1)+5; FAIL!
Save vs. weakened (9)+5; success
Save vs. blind (15)+5; success
Eye of Disruption: (2)+13 vs. Reflex 19;
fucking ... really?!
Beautiful Terror, your lust for me is well justified, and our powers combined would spawn the greatest catastrophes the planes have yet to see. WE will strike down this pretender and mate upon his corpse! Now glorious Mother of Terror and my future spawn, flay yourself to prove your devotion, flay yourself to stir my lust further!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOOC: I am assuming its the Mother of Terrors turn, so at my direction I hope to stir up her masochitic tendencies....seriously, lets hope this encounter does not go much longer....it may get creepier.
[MOTHER OF TERROR]
DeleteEager to please her new mate, the ancient Demon Lord plunges a blade directly into her chest. Brand's spells envelop her, summoning her before the swordmage to be striken down! The flurry of blood and steel snaps the Mother of Terror out of her magical stupor, but just long enough to see the deadly end that awaits her at the hands of these cursed mortals.
[TECH]
(16)+19 -2 {marked} +2 {CA, dominated} vs. AC 21; for 35 damage, which BLOODIES the Marilith
Aegis of Shielding .. now this is weird ... reduces the damage by 8, but allows Brand to use the transposing lunge spell
(17)+14 +2 {Marduk} +2 {CA} vs. AC 21; for (2)+(6)+7 +1 {CA, light blade} +(6) {CA, murderer} = 22 damage
Mother of Terror is teleported to be adjacent to Brand, making her now (fuck me, right?) squeezing in square N16.
Save vs. ongoing (17)+2
Save vs. dominated (12)+2
EVERY DUNGEONEER MAY NOW TAKE A FULL TURN!!!
When Brand decides to take his turn, he will start with the ongoing 10 damage.
Shocked by the amazing reversal of fortune, Nettle is quick to restore the Oros, the only one of his comrades still fallen.
ReplyDeleteHe then waits for the paragon of speed and strength to close in on the mother of all things terrifying.
Tech:
Minor: Majestic Word on Oros: Surge+d6+4
Stand up: to K16, on the ground.
Standard: Staggering Note
13+2 CA (-2 if she's prone after Oros's charge) vs Will 18
Hit: 4 thunder damage, and Oros can make a basic attack against her. No push.
OOC: By my notes, Oros was last seen dying in square H12 (oops! map is inaccurate). So ... I'll give the basic attack to Brand on a hit.
Delete[TECH]
Oros heals to 12+(4)+4 hp
(8)+13+2 vs. Will 18; hit!
MBA: (6)+14+2 vs. AC 21; for (2)+7+1 damage
OOC: Crap, I wrote that hastily. Too many things in the short term memory...
DeleteI meant to ready an action to use Staggering Note after a charge from Oros resolved. Is that still possible?
OOC: Nope. Moving on!
DeleteOros wakes up give his pixie friend the thumbs up and charges the Mother of Terror to repay her evisceration in kind.
ReplyDeleteTech
Move: Stand up
Standard: Charge!!! +18 (+15+2CA+1charge)vsAC d10+15 and knock prone
On hit: Dual weapon attack +17vsAc d10+17
[OROS]
DeleteThe winged champion returns from the brink of death, charging, swinging, to bring the Mother of Terror to the ground.
FINISH HER!!!
[TECH]
Charge: (11)+18 vs. AC 21; for (10)+15 damage and prone
Dual-Attack: (3)+17 vs. AC 21; miss!
Kaddim summons the storms around him, then lashes out at his "lover", sparks of lightning flying over Lord Xann to strike her. The Mage then moves to investigate the building next to him.
ReplyDeleteTech:
Minor action for promise of storm (+1d8 lightning damage UEoNT to all lightning/thunder powers)
Std action: Arc Lightning +10 vs Reflex for 1d6+1d8+10 lightning damage.
Move action: Move to B15 to see whats in the building (finally!)
The Mother of Terror is struck down by storm, her body and unspeakable blades shattered like glass. At long last, she has come to peace. Her soul now ventures through the Astral Seas on a long voyage. Her destination: to atone for her six-fold sin of drawing the swords.
Delete[TECH]
(19)+10 vs. Reflex 18; hit for (4)+(6)+10 damage
[KADDIM]
Thou brazenly enters the stone building to the southwest, the door being unlocked. Inside is a rotting corpse of an armored and armed man, his flesh crawling with maggots, small horns on his scalp. The body slumps against the wall, next to which is a swirling red portal, similar to those seen elsewhere in the Fane.
The battle is won, the bloodshed is over, you have emerged victorious. Take thee a rest, for each of thee hath gained a Milestone. Comment to the Dungeon Master how thine healing surges shall be spent.
ReplyDeleteLord Xann and Nelson: Hast though any means to grant Brand an extra saving throw? If not, he shall take 10 damage and then save out sooner or later.
Otherwise, give a hand to yourselves for triumphing in the face of assured Total Party Kill, and post at thine leisure.
I'll use 'shake it off' to give Brand a saving throw with a +1 bonus.
DeleteHe does! (9)+1+5
DeleteOOC: where was I just now?
ReplyDeleteLord Xann picks himself off the ground and dusts himself off. "Nice work, men."
Still rattled from the vicious assault, the warlord approaches the southwestern structure with a limp and peers inside.
[tech] spend my remaining three healing surges.
OOC: Nelson gains THREE action points from the milestone. HELL YEA! He will spend two surges (for 22 HP)
ReplyDeleteNelson moves to inspect the black things protruding from the top of the northwestern tower. Perception +8
OOC: Actually 22 plus whatever Nettle's bonus was for healing Nelson.
DeleteOOC: Ross, is the Eye above the southeast building and active?
ReplyDeleteIf it is, Kaddim will attempt to dispel it, +10 vs Will (or the Spell DC). If not, I will pop my head into each of the buildings before spending any surges...looking for treasure.
The Eye remains motionless, unfocused. With some effort, Kaddim break the enchantments holding it in place and it is dispelled like smoke on the wind.
ReplyDeleteFor simplicity, let me relay all the obvious information gained from casual carousel.
Northwest Building: The door to this building is locked. However, the inside can be seen through arrow slits in its walls. The room is empty.
Northeast Building: Two flights of stairs lead to the flat roof of this structure. Three cold iron javelins stand here, each with a tiefling skull impaled upon it. A dungeoneer may take a javelin is he wishes:
r Cold Iron Javelin (weapon)
Attack: Ranged 5 (one creature); Strength or Dexterity + 3 vs. AC
Hit: 15 damage. If the target is a demon, increase the damage to 30. The cold iron javelin is destroyed.
Miss: The cold iron javelin lands in a square adjacent to the target (your choice).
Southeast Building: Empty.
Following his stroll, Kaddim will investigate the wide stone tier in the center of the crater.
DeleteOOC: Shucks, no treasure...Kaddim will then spend one healing surge.
On the Crater: Arcana +13, Perception +4, Dungeoneering +11
[KADDIM]
DeleteThe altar radiates paragon-tier divine magic. Skill checks made to cast rituals while on the altar are considered to have a check result of 40. In addition, all numeric effects are doubled.
[TECH]
Religion (20)+13
Oros takes a breather and tries to memorize the moves the Mother of Terror used to break through his guard. Giant fucking swords!! Best just avoid those in the future. Oros then turns his attention to the stonework in the middle of the pentagram examining it as closely as possible without touching it.
ReplyDeleteTech:
Use healing surges until less than a surge from full
Walk over to the pentagram and inspect the pedestal?
Perception +11
the item in I10 specifically
DeleteFrom earlier in the week: "Nelson sees that the stone platform rises 5 ft. off the ground. A brimstone altar crawling with centipedes stands in the center of a pentagram that has been painted onto the tier. A small wooden lectern rests atop the altar (Square I-10)."
DeleteNo new information can be divined by looking at it.
Lord Xann will take one of the cold iron javelins.
ReplyDeleteNettle will spend two surges (+d6+4), and see how hale that makes him.
ReplyDeleteHe will also have use the spyglass to look inside all of the buildings and around the cloister for anything hidden from casual sight.
[NETLE]
DeleteSpending two healing surges brings Nettle to full hit points. Fun Fact: Oros now has the highest total number of healing surges in the group at a whopping THREE.
The spyglass peers through the shadows and illusions of the world, but reveals nothing else here.
Oros tries to remember if he heard anything about these Mariliths from the faceless priests that took over his village.
ReplyDeleteHistory +3
Religion +3
Seeing Oros scratching his head, Nettle will also search his memory banks for legends of the feared mothers.
DeleteHistory, Religion +13
Little records have been kept on these creatures, but Nettle has heard tales of the Heresiarch's daughters; twin Demon-Lords birthed from a time beyond knowing that came into this universe upon the same means of their dark sire.
Delete[TECH]
(8)+3, (12)+13
If no one else wants one, Nettle will grab a Javelin and shrink it down for his small tiny hands.
ReplyDeleteNelson will take the last javelin, as he is quite jealous of all the magic items his party members have. "All that trouble and no haul! I've robbed banks with less treasure!" He dusts off his shoulder...
ReplyDeleteOros is intrigued by the locked northwest building despite is seeming empty from the view through the arrow slits he approaches to investigate further.
ReplyDeleteTech:
Check to see if the door is trapped
Perception +11
If it is attempt to disarm it
Thievery +17
If it isn't or I disarm the trap attempt to unlock it
Thievery +17
Check the room for traps and anything else cool that we couldn't see from outside
Perception +11
The door is not trapped, and after only a small bit of effort Oros is able to pick the lock. The room itself is empty, but provides superior cover to its occupants by virtue of its arrow slits.
DeleteAfter much discussion about the altar of seven trees, Kaddim enters the southwestern building and then the red portal, heading back to tashen ambulatory (he assumes) then on to the bleak seminary.
ReplyDeleteOOC: leaving the party and going off on his own, is this Mage mad?
The Mage returns to the rest, more annoyed at Cackles taunting then elated to have survived walking the halls of the fane alone. He flips through the pages of the catechism, looking for a ritual or passage of possible significance to the mothers cloister or the altar of seven trees. If places the catechism on the lectern in the middle of the stone altar, then begins to read.
ReplyDeleteOOC: if my insight (+4) check finds me a passage that may seem fit or mention this cloister, Kaddim will read it aloud from the lecturn. He makes sure to command cackle in slightly in front of the book, in case it requires a sacrifice or target....
If I cannot find any notable passage, then I will suggest the party hide in the northwest building with arrow slits and then Kaddim will lecture the dead bodies of the mariliths on the virtues of the heresiarch to see if something happens.
[KADDIM]
DeleteThe heavy tome is placed upon the unholy altar in the center of a blasphemous sigil. Reading from it, Kaddim summons forth treasures and wonders from the depths of The Void! (see above)
OOC: For clarity; yes, those are two Nimbuses; yes, I've included Kaddim's Marauder bonus.
Following his oratory, Kaddim will take a short rest.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Hit points! Seeing that I only have two surges left, might as well spend one and save the last for now.
OOC: We've actually been forgetting about Kaddim's bonus to healing surge value due to the Marauder Crusader Card. I've got it all up to date now.
DeleteLord Xann pulls out a crumbling parchment. Ascending the grim altar, the battle-weary general incants a ritual to cleanse the blighted soul of his genasi bretheren.
ReplyDelete[Tech]
cast remove affliction on Kaddim to remove his blight.
You are cleansed! May His Merciful Shadow fall upon you.
DeleteNettle will grab a Nimbus, offering his javelin to Oros should he want it, before joining his comrades in the Watchtower. He'll escort Xann there as well.
ReplyDelete