| Initiative | Location | Name | Health | AC | Saves | Notes | |
| 20 | L36 | Drow 9 | 84% | 17(FF15, T12) | |||
| 13 | J16 | Vel | DEAD | 18 (FF16, T12) | F+4/R+5/W+7 | DR2/Cold Iron, Entangled | |
| <*> | 13 | K15 | Avegnum | 2 | 21 (FF18, T15) | F+11/R+8/W+5 | SS, Fatigued |
| 12 | M36 | Drow 7 | 100% | 17(FF15, T12) | |||
| 9 | ? | Scorrow | ? | ||||
| 9 | K25 | Vik'Gotror | 40% | 27 (FF26, T9) | F+14/R+3/W+12 | Fatigued, Entangled | |
| 8 | J14 | Tara | 6 | 20 (FF11, T15) | F+6/R+11/W+3 | 2 DEX DMG, 5 CON DMG | |
| 4 | K16 | Kaellanna (Polar Bear) | -7 | 20 (FF20, T9) | F+10/R+4/W+10 | Fatigued, Glowing, Entangled, Dying |
- All Ranged attacks take a -4 penalty due to massive undergrowth and trees. Unless completely in a cleared area.
- Fatigued: -2 STR & DEX, can not run or charge.
- Trees block line of sight & effects. Characters can squeeze or crawl past them.
- All terrain is rough except for the path burned by Vik'Gotror and the clearing around the large drow-scorpion creature.
- SR: Spell Resistance: Make caster level checks if casting spells or spell-like abilities at this target if the spell is susceptible to SR.
- Glowing negates concealment.
- SS = Stone stance: +2 AC until moved 5+ feet.
- Shaken: -2 attacks, saves, skill & ability checks
- Entangled: move at half speed, cannot run/charge, -2 on all attack, -4 to Dexterity. Casting a spell requires Concentration check (DC 15 + the spell’s level).
- Hailstones fall in the blue area. Movement within the blue area is at half speed.
Vik'Gotror yells out and back to the group in his gruff and smokey voice (in common), "Gods damned, I thought there was a scorrow here. Looks like I was right. Not sure about this ..." Then to the scorrow he yells (in elven), "It's time you let this garden be, damnation! Your unnatural kind has no place here!"
The scorrow (drow-scorpion hybrid) yells in reply in it's thickly accented elven, "Not even with the elf slave and her human concubine, and that short creature and the small cat, will you have your way with our fortress. Go back from here and we will let you and your slaves live, dragon fire demon!"
Kaellanna and Tara both make note of a single grow on either side of the trail, hidden by the trees. They also see a disturbing creature behind them. Hidden my the trees is a scorpion-like creature lurking behind an unusually large tree. The creature looks like someone made a scorpion sculpture out of spare warforged parts laying around. The scorpion stands about four feet tall with a wicked looking tail that drips a thick green liquid from it's barbed stinger tip. The tail hovers another 2-3 feet about the top of the mechanical scorpion. By Kaellanna's estimation the creature must weigh well over a ton.
Taking in the tactical advantages provided by the flora, Avegnum frowns in concentration as he delves into the undergrowth to assault one of the drow positions pointed out by Kaellanna, taking shelter behind a tree for the moment.
ReplyDelete(Moves from: K17->G16, assumes Stonefoot Stance: +2 AC vs. Creatuers of larger size unless he is moved by more than 5ft)
The drow Avegnum approaches moves south around the tree and shoots a bolt at avegnum from it's hand crossbow. Missing it curses in a demonic-elven hybrid. Another drow moves north from the same clump of trees and shoots at the halfling. Also missing, it also curses the Khorvairian gods. Another, a fifth drow moves from behind a tree to the south of the burnt path and fires it's hand crossbow at Kaellanna, but misses as well. All three of these drow drop their crossbows, and are armed with a single wicked looking long blade a foot long, dangerously curved and coated with a dark substance. A with drow emerges from the southern side and makes his way into the radius of Vik'Gotror's personal inferno. Beginning to smoke, smolder, and combust the dark elf grimaces in pain as he makes his way through the blaze.
ReplyDelete"An ambuscade!" Vel exclaims as more drow emerge from the magical foliage. "I've read about these you know, it really gives the attackers an advantage most of the- oh! That's not us! Hey Kaellanna, can you slow that metal monster down any?"
ReplyDeleteBefore waiting for a reply, Vel grimaces as sweat trickles down his face. Taking aim, he discharges an arcing bolt at the two drow who have clumped together.
T.Attack vs.Drow 4:1d20+10-4+1=27! Critical Threat! Confirm: 14 x2 Dam if Successful
Damage:5d6+1=21, Will DC 17 to avoid Shaken for 1min
Arcing T.Attack vs.Drow 2:1d20+10-4=11, Half Initial Damage, Same Will DC
(K.Arcana/Planes/Religion of Enemies, if too many then mainly Scorrow)
Vel's knowlesge tells him nothing about the Drow. He knows they are related to elves, and are called 'dark elves' for some reason, but doesn't know if it just their skin color or some other reason.
ReplyDeleteThe scorpion he also knows nothing about, and has never heard of a mechanical, warforged-like creature in the shape of a scorpion.
The Scorrow, however, he does know a little about. It is normally an aberration with a pedigree of being a cross between drow and monstrous scorpions that breeds true. However, this one seems to have fiendish characteristics (fur covered bat wings), which would make it an outsider with energy resistance 10 to all energy attacks except sonic, spell resistance, dark vision, tremorsense, spell-like abilities (like those you have fought previously), poison in it's tail and the ability to sting with the tail.
Vel sends his fiendish arc of eldritch might at the first drow hoping to kill it and it's friend. However, he is severely disappointed when the blast dissipates as it hits the dark elf, have no effect on it and end, just as he has had problems with spell resistance in the past two battles fought in Xen'drik.
The mechanical scorpion begins to move. Sounding like an array of dulled scissors scraping against each other. Spending it's entire round moving into the burnt path and up next to Vel and Kaellanna, it provokes an attack from Tara as it moves next to her with no hesitation.
ReplyDeleteAnother drow (#6) moves out from behind trees into the clearing around the scorrow. It concentrates for a moment then send a dark violet glowing ray between Vel and Kaellanna. Both are now covered in the dark violet pale glow and will find it difficult to hide.
The scorrow charges at the giant fully engulfing itself into the inferno of Vik'Gotror's fiery aura. Though steam and smoke rises from the drow-scorpion hybrid it seems to take no damage from the heat. It strikes the giant with one of it's long wicked daggers cutting him deep and wide causing the giants blood to spray out and lightly cover the scorrow and the surrounding flora. The scorrow screams at Vik between gritted teeth, "You're kind no longer own this place! I will finish you and take this land for my own!"
Roaring in obvious pain Vik'Gotror claws at the scorrow twice, hitting it once, then slams the fiend with both it's fists, and finishes off with a bite attack. All told, the fiery giant fails to inflict as much damage as it looked like he could have, or would have, if something, some harbinger of fate, were fighting on his side. He yells back over his shoulder in common, "Don't know if we can win ... This may be the end ... you may want to leave!!"
Tara bites at the mechanical scorpion as it moves towards her (AoO 18 to hit, 8 damage if she hits).
ReplyDeleteOn her turn she attacks the scorpion, biting it (26 to hit, 7 damage), clawing it (18 to hit, 5 damage), and clawing it again (12 to hit, 4 damage).
Tara's attacks make almost no effect on the mechanical scorpion. Only her second bite hits, and cause very much less damage than expected. Most of her attack was absorbed by the metal plating covering the creature.
ReplyDeleteDrow #2 moves out from behind a trees and fires his hand crossbow at Kaellanna, but misses as well.
Kaellanna's up.
Avegnum's up too.
ReplyDeleteAvegnum moves around his tree to H15 and looks up at the dark elf with glee as he attacks.
ReplyDeleteAttack vs.Drow1:1d20+15=22, Damage:1d10+8=18
If that hit and hopefully killed it, the halfling crows with triumph and then shouts, "You drow bastards better run away if someone as small as me was able to do all that!"
(He also assumes Stonefoot Stance: +2 AC vs. Creatuers of larger size unless he is moved by more than 5ft)
DeleteKaellanna morphs into a polar bear! RAWRRRRR!!! Using 2 wild shapes so my armor morphs with me and my AC remains at 21. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/bearPolar.htm
ReplyDelete(Beastskin Armor Enchantment, MIC p.7)
DeleteKaellanna change into a polar bear. I have modified her status above to reflect the change. Please double check it. I don't have the book mentioned so please let me know if I miss anything.
ReplyDeleteDrow #3 moves through the undergrowth and attacks Avegnum with it's long wickedly curved dagger, but it misses.
Drow #4 moves in behind the polar bear, unaffected by the sudden change, and swings it's dagger at the creature, but it also misses.
Drow #5 does the same thing, but mangoes to hit the bear for 4 DMG. Making it's way through Vik's aura it continues to burn before exiting prior to striking the bear.
Vel is next.
'Dren, dren, dren!' Vel curses silently to himself. Metal scorpions behind and drow all around, what's a guy to do? Taking in Kaellanna's sudden change, he decides that while Vik seems to be struggling against the Scorrow, it would be best if he can get those drow off of her back. Gritting his teeth at expected pain, he moves to J16 and then blasts at the drow by the druid-bear.
ReplyDeleteSR Checks for Drow4/5:1d20+9=26, 1d20+9=15
T.Attack vs.Drow 4:1d20+10-4=15:Hits!, Damage:5d6+1=15
T.Attack vs.Drow 5:1d20+10-4=19:Hits!, Half Initial Damage:7
(Both need to make Will DC 17 checks to avoid being shaken for 1min)
As Vel moves away from the mechanical scorpion to blast the two drow the scorpion machine slashes out at him with it's huge claw raking across him and digging into him for 12 damage (damage reduction saves him a bit). He blasts both drow, damaging them and shakening both.
ReplyDeleteDrow 7 moves toward the burnt path and fires it's hand crossbow at Tara, but misses her.
The mechanical scorpion strikes out at the polar bear with both it's claws and it's ichor dripping tail. Only the second claw attack hits, though it does 14 damage to the arctic predator.
Drow 6 fires his hand crossbow at Vel, but misses. Then the drow moves through the cleared area.
next, the scorrow screams at the giant while the radiating heat waves roll off it's skin and exoskeleton. Unleashing a torrent of physical attacks against the giant while screaming incoherently in a seaming religious fervor, the dark elf, scorpion hybrid strikes at the giant with it's two wicked knives four times, then claws at Vik twice with it's scorpion pincers, and follows this with an attack of it's tail stinger, then finally a bite with the oversized teeth in it's mouth. The drow aberration only manages to hit with two daggers, one claw and the bite attack, but still does massive damage to the group's newest friend. The scorrow also takes a 5' step to the edge of the burnt area.
Vik'Gotror next; Yelling lower than the last attack, Vik'Gotror screams in pain from the four successful attacks. He moves up to block the enemy's attempted sidestep, and yells back again to the group, "Get out of here, small ones! We can't win this battle as long as I have to protect you from death!" Not waiting for a reply the giant dragon creature launches his own physical assault against the scorrow enemy. Clawing at the drowish creature twice, then slamming it twice, and finally returning the bite with his own bite, the giant misses only once, though the attacks don't do as much damage as the impacts might have indicated, but still manage to hurt the enemy greatly.
Vik's movement puts Avegnum into the heat radius. Avegnum will take 1d6 fire damage at the beginning of his turn if he is still in the aura.
Tara's next.
Actually, Avegnum takes 4 damage from being in the aura as soon as Vik'Gotror moves closer to him.
ReplyDeleteTara continues to attack the scorpion. Bites (20 to hit, 6 damage), claws (22 to hit, 4 damage), and claws again (12 to hit, 4 damage).
ReplyDeleteTara's attacks against the mechanical scorpion prove useless either through missing the mark, and glancing off the armored body of the giant vermin.
ReplyDeleteDrow 2 Moves toward the polar bear and fires it's hand crossbow but misses the large bear.
Kaellanna and Avegnum next.
Avegnum delays until after Vel's turn.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKaellanna takes a 5ft step up to JK and says "RAWWWR!!!" attacking the giant scorpion- claw 1 misses (18 to hit), claw 2 misses (20 to hit), and bite misses (21 to hit). Kaellanna then says "rawrrrr. :( "
ReplyDeleteDrow 3 strikes at Avegnum with it's dagger, misses, takes a 5' step, drops it's hand crossbow and draws a second wicked dagger.
ReplyDeleteDrow 4 strikes at Kaellanna with it's dagger, misses, takes a 5' step, drops it's hand crossbow and draws a second wicked dagger.
Drow 5 strikes at Kaellanna with it's dagger, misses, takes a 5' step, drops it's hand crossbow and draws a second wicked dagger.
Damage Duo is next.
Dropping his Wand of Invisibility, Vel pulls out his Wand of Haste and cries, "I feel the need for SPEED!"
ReplyDeleteHe then Uses his Deceive Item ability to channel some of the wand's stored energy in order to buff Vik, Avegnum, himself, and Kaellanna. (Tara is out of range I believe)
"Thanks, Vel, now it's time to dance!" Avegnum laughs. Seeing his chance, the halfling tumbles through the jungle terrain away from the drow and towards the Scorrow, ending in I12.
Tumble Away from Drow DC:15+5=20, Rolled:1d20+17=28
Tumble Towards Scorrow DC:15+2=17, Rolled:1d20+17=23
"Sorry Vik, we were pretty stuck in and these drow did a good job of surrounding us; almost impossible for all of us to get away now. Besides, I've seen too many people I know die and I'll be damned before I leave you behind. Now what do you say? I think it's time to pulverize that guy!" Channeling his surging rage as he tumbles towards the monstrosity, Avegnum's feet draw strength from the jungle floor as he tries to batter his way through the Scorrow entirely.
Elder Mountain Hammer vs.Scorrow:1d20+16=32, Hopefully Hits!?
Damage:1d10+8+6d6=43 (Ignores DR/Hardness)
Gritting his teeth, he prepares to endure Vik's fiery aura as he reactivates SS, glaring at the drow monstrosity.
My frakkin' post was lost, but the summary is below, and in the map and status above.
ReplyDeleteThe Drow attack the party, but they all missed except the newest drow who shot Tara with a longbow arrow for about 27 DMG. A hidden snake came out of the undergrowth and attacked Tara as well. This brought her to 2 HP and she was poison by both the bit an the arrow (-2 STR & -2 DEX).
The scorrow yelled out to "Use the acid", and then activated some kind of evil spell-like ability that washed over the entire party except Tara. Except Tara and Vik the party is dazed and weakened (Vel and Aveg took 7 STR DMG, Kaellanna took 4 STR DMG).
Vik screamed at the scorrow, something about ripping it apart, etc. then did a little ripping himself (aided by the haste spell and his use of power attack to hit harder.)
Avegnum burned more in Vik's fiery aura, but the scorrow still has not taken any damage from it.
Sorry for loosing the post. If anything is not clear please let me know and I'll clarify.
The scorpion attack the polar bear, too, and hit it with it's claws.
ReplyDeleteTara takes a 5' step to N18 and attacks the drow at O17 (drow 2?) bite (17 to hit, 5 damage), claw (8 to hit misses), and claws again (18 to hit, 1 damage).
ReplyDeleteDrow 2 drops his hand crossbow, draws a second dagger, and strikes at Tara with it's first, but misses.
ReplyDeleteDrow 3 moves to I15 and attacks Vel with his dagger, but misses him.
Drow 4 & drow 5 both take 5' steps and attack the polar bear with both daggers. Due to their shaken state given to them by Vel both miss the bear.
Drow 7 casts a spell, takes a 5' step to N21, next to the snake, and gently, lovingly, touches the snake, discharging the spell into it.
Medium Snake 1 moves to M19 and strikes at Tara with a bite, but misses her.
Mechanical scorpion squats down a bit, raises it's butt and stingered tail higher into the air, and lets loose with a green spray of acidic mist and fluids which engulf Kaellanna, Vel, and drows 3, 4 & 5, just falling short of Avegnum and Vik'Gotror. All of the targets attempt to roll with the spray to avoid being burnt. None of the drow make it out of the spray unscathed. Only #3 is still alive, though disabled. Vel too falls to the spray of acid, dying at his own feet. Kaellanna is the only one to remain standing, though she has taken 16 points of acid damage. The mechanical scorpion then slowly backs up away from Kaellanna, almost taunting her to attack it. It provokes an attack from her in the doing of this.
Drow 6 moves to H11, through the fiery aura, burning all the while, and attack Avegnum with his dagger (dropping the crossbow and drawing a second drow dagger on the way). Miraculously it hit the halfling for 4 DMG.
The Scorrow laughs deridingly at the pathetic, dying group of fire demon follower, "You deserve this, you filth!" It yells, in elven, "And you will never take our home you flaming asshole!" It yells, leaning in closer to Vik'Gotror for emphasis. The scorrow then whispers to itself and disappears. Vik tries to hit his as he whispers to himself, but misses widely.
Vik'Gotror screams, "You bastard, reject from the natural world!" Before cocking his head like a dog - listening - then spins around and looks up into the air, open his mouth and thrusts his head forward, then lets loose with a blast of fiery breath that cut a 5' tube 60 ' long through the upper branches of the jungle-marsh. "Take that, vermin spawn!" The party can hear the scorrow scream in frustrated pain. Then as Vik turns and sees the state of the party he grumble, "The Celestial Prophecy! This is a sad state." Frowning in draconic sadness he moves into the clear area to get away from Avegnum and stop burning the halfling. "I got that half-breed, but it's not dead yet! It's up there," He points to about JK13/14, about 15'-20' in the air. "We just might ... oh ..."
Two more sets of drow-snake teams are now seen behind Vik at the edge of the clearing.
Tara is up again.
As the mechanical scorpion slowly backs away from Kaellanna she manages to whack it with her paw for 12 DMG. Again, though, it's armor plating seems the absorb the majority of the damage.
ReplyDeleteTara bites and claws at the drow next to her. Only the bite hits, and she manages to grapple with it, establish a hold, and then rake the drow with her hind legs. She does 8 and then 3 DMG and takes the drow from healthy, to dying in one quick series of actions. After the attack she takes a 5' step to be closer to her polar bear elf companion.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what spells Kaellanna has so I'll guess. If she doesn't have this spell please remove an equal level spell: Kaellanna begins by casting cure serious on herself, which also affects Tara since they are next to each other. Both heal for 27 points. She then takes a 5' step and readies herself for the scorpion attack.
ReplyDeleteDrow 3 pulls a potion out of his bandoleer and drinks it down. Looking much healthier he then moves across the burnt area.
ReplyDeleteDrow 8 casts a spell that cases all plants in a 40' radius centered somewhere near Avegnum to last out and try to grab at anything near them. Vik, Avegnum, Kaellanna, and drow 6 and drow 3 are all caught in the area. kaellanna and drow 6 are both entangled. The others are simply reduced to half speed movement while in the area. Entangled people have to make a DC20 STR or escape artist check, as a full round action that will then allow them to move at half speed starting the round of the successful check. The drow then takes a 5' step along with it's companion snakes.
Drow 9 unleashes 2 longbow arrows at Avegnum from it's current position, but neither hit.
Avegnum's next.
On the map above I have indicated the entangle area both a green overlay surrounded by a yellow border. Any movement in the area is doubled. In the densely overgrown areas, the movement is tripled. Entangled people have to make a DC20 STR or escape artist check to become unentangled, but movement is still doubled. Sorry for the confusion and poor map.
ReplyDelete"Fate just hasn't been kind to you today, elf, you've met me," Avegnum growls as he strikes at the restrained foe, taking time to put extra effort into his swing.
ReplyDelete(Swift action to refresh maneuvers.)
Power Attack vs.Drow6:1d20+16-5(STRdam)+1(Haste)-5(PA)=16:Hits!
Damage:1d10+2+10(PA)=21
Avegnum grits his teeth at the pain he's sure to experience soon, though if it buys time for everyone else, it will have been worth it he judges. Calling out to his companions, "Vik, can you stymie the drow/pet pairs to the west? And Kaellanna, try and get Vel back up on his feet, we need his blasted magics in the fray, or if we need to withdraw. I'll try and entertain the scorpion in the meantime!"
Not awaiting a response, the warrior moves to H16.
(Assumes SS if possible)
Drow 7 takes a 5' step and fires two longbow arrows at the polar Kaellanna. Only 1 hits and does 8 DMG to her.
ReplyDeleteSnake 1 moves closer to Tara and takes a bite at her. It only does 1 DMG, but also poisons her for 3 CON DMG.
The scorpion hesitates slightly, looking across the expanse of the entangled area, then almost seems too shrug it's shoulders before it charges Kaellanna. It hit's with one of it's claws for 13 DMG.
From up in the trees the voice of the scorrow yells down, "Die fire demon, you and your minions!" Then the creature is visible again, and pointing a wand between Vik and Avegnum. Instantly the area between them and just including them is filled with large hailstones raining down out of nowhere. The hailstones cause both bludgeoning damage and cold damage to the two. Vik takes a total of 28 DMG, while Avegnum only takes 18 DMG. The hailstones continue raining down and are indicated by the blue outline. The scorrow is now 20' in the air climbing amongst the branches of the trees and having to fend off the grappling plants.
Vik'Gotror replies in common, "This has to end Avegnum," He then starts levitating up and pulling himself over toward the scorrow as he talks, "This fiend can't continue. You take care, and keep yourselves alive, I have to do this." Vik's fiery aura burns away most of the plants trying to entangle him making it easier for him to move. It also scorches drow & finally manages to burn the scorrow somewhat.
Both the scorrow and Vik'Gotror are now 20' in elevation.
Tara and Kaellanna and next.
Kaellanna attacks medium snake 1: claw 1 (critical fail), claw 2 (15 to hit, 2 damage), and bite (17 to hit, 4 damage).
ReplyDeleteTara also attacks medium snake 1: bite (19 to hit, 1 damage), claw (16 to hit, 3 damage), and claw again (16 to hit, 3 damage).
After the onslaught of a polar bear and a snow leopard the tropical snake falls prey to their cold and red claws and fangs.
ReplyDeleteDrow 3 pulls another of it's four potions out of it's potion bandoleer and drinks it. Looking healthier again the dark elf heads straight for the closest area clear of the entangled area.
Drow 8, Snake 2, Drow 9 & Snake 3 all head around the entangled area.
The entangled area again tries to re-entangle anyone who is presently not entangled. Kaellanna remains entangled and Vik'Gotror is now entangled.
Avegnum's next
Barreling through the dense and grasping flora, Avegnum barges out of the jungle next to the mechanical scorpion, standing head to belly of his polar bear ally. Taking stock of the grievous wounds suffered by his friends, one of whom lays dying, he lashes out with a strike fueled by his rage and the strength of the earth itself.
ReplyDelete(Activating Punishing Stance: +2d6dam, -2AC)
Elder Mountain Hammer vs.Mechanical Scorpion:1d20+16-5(STRdam)+1(Haste)=25:Hits!
Damage:1d10+2+6d6+2d6=45 (Ignores DR/Hardness)
Drow 7, looking none the worse for the loss of the snake, fires two longbow arrows at Tara. Only 1 hits, for 8 DMG, and the drow takes a 5' step a little closer.
ReplyDeleteMechanical Scorpion realigns itself from the sudden attack from this small humanoid, non-elf, creature. Attacking with both claws and it's tail it hit Avegnum with one claw (9 DMG) and one tail (6 DMG). Avegnum notices that there is no acid damage from the tail, and that it is no longer dripping acid as it was before.
The Scorrow continues to half climb assisted by winged jumps up the trees. Vik tries to hit him, and manages to do so, but not for very much damage. The scorrow clears Vik's reach and summons the foul powers of evil evidenced by previous creatures with fiendish influences. Waves of almost tangible evil wash over the party. While everyone manages to avoid any sickening effect, everyone takes damage from the evil (Vik = 7, Avegnum = 7, Kaelanna = 11, Tara = 11, Vel = 14).
ReplyDeleteVel gives in to the desire for rest, and tara collapses, dying.
Vik'Gotror spends his round trying to break free of the damned entangling vegetation. All the while he curses plants and promises to eat more in the future. He breaks free of the plants and continues levitating and clawing his way toward the fleeing scorrow. Vik's fiery aura again does nothing to the scorrow.
ReplyDeleteKaellanna is next.
Anyone who has a dying character please roll the stabilization chance (10%).
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOooooooo!!" Avegnum yells in anguish. The foul energies of the Scorrow have ruthlessly snuffed his friend's life; a life he had sworn to protect. Once more a failure, why even bother helping the others, it will only end disastrously, like everything else, the warrior thinks. He wonders if he should just lay down his sword and become a farmer... it's only ever brought him trouble and death... though that kindles more immediate memories of Vik's "garden" and the denizens that would seek to slay yet another friend.
ReplyDeleteNo, he thinks, I will stand once more and defeat my friends. There may yet be hope for Vel, and I'll be four times damned if I'm the last one left standing after this!
That should be *defeat my enemies*
DeleteLol, Whoops
In his head, in a voice not dissimilar to his own, Avegnum hear "Defeating your friends is what you do best. Enjoy and become one with it."
ReplyDeleteThe voice, did it come from within? Were his dark sublimated urges finally voicing themselves once more after having been so long under control since the War? In these moments amidst battle, his blood coursing through his veins, hammering in his ears, he realizes that he is truly alive; things are simple. Kill and live, or die.
ReplyDeleteEver since he lost his purpose, how many 'friends' have fallen? Nearly half a dozen by his estimate, and how many tasks had been bungled? More than one was too many.
Maybe he just wasn't cut out for this, even now out of the corner of his eye, he can see the precise spot at which to position his blade, just behind the bear's front left haunch. A quick thrust to the heart and this would be one more step towards being ended.
"You can not save everyone all the time, but you can save yourself You can be great and powerful, but you must let them go. You must let others continue their own journey, and you will continue your own."
DeleteBut... but - What are you? (concerned mental tone)
Delete"I am a survivor. Don't you think we are a survivor? Dont you think you are destined for greatness? Your future holds riches you can not yet imagine. We will be famous and admired. I will be powerful and bards will sing of all my successes."
DeleteThat does sound a damn sight better than being lost in this jungle and doing scut work for the Cannith. But if you like to survive and kill then why not help me with of these drow? It might be fun...
Delete"Sure, sure, that sounds good. Lots of fun. Let's kill the drow. Then let's kill the scorpion. Then let's kills the scorrow. Then everyone else should be dead by then too. No need to protect anyone but ourselves. No need to share the riches and the rewards."
DeleteOver the course of the few seconds conversing with the voice Avegnum does not realize how subtly his priorities have shifted from killing all of the enemies and protecting his friends to just killing; if the other goals occur it might be a happy coincidence. The clarion call of glory and wealth is starting to blind him to other concerns.
DeleteKaellanna begins with a concentration check (7+13=20), making what's needed to cast a third level spell while entangled. She then makes another check to avoid being hit while casting (13+13=26), succeeding again. She finishes her round by casting cure moderate wounds for 22 HP, healing both herself and Tara since Tara is within 5'.
ReplyDeletePLease remove a third level spell from Kaellanna.
Drow 3 moves out of the entangled area and around next to the awake and prone Tara. While doing so he fingers two long drow daggers menacingly.
ReplyDeleteDrow 8, Snake 2, Drow 9 & Snake 3 all continue making their way through the jungle.
Avegnum's next.
Feeling the remaining hum of Vel's last spell filling him with unbound energy, Avegnum unleashes a fusillade of blows that erupts into a cacophony of ear clattering clangs as metal blade meets mechanical scorpion body.
ReplyDelete(Spends a swift action to focus on refreshing maneuvers.)
Full Attack vs.Mechanical Scorpion:
1d20+16-5(STRdam)+1(Haste)=30:Hits! - Damage:1d10+2+2d6=18
1d20+16-5(STRdam)+1(Haste)=26:Hits! - Damage:1d10+2+2d6=14
1d20+11-5(STRdam)+1(Haste)=23:Hits! - Damage:1d10+2+2d6=18
Kwang, bong, bang, skraw ... Avegnum hacks away at the mechanical scorpion with his augmented speed and agility from the haste spell. He hits it hard, and every time, but none of the hits have nearly the impact they would on a soft-bodied target - the armor absorbed some of the damage dealt.
ReplyDeleteThe mechanical scorpion attacks Avegnum with both claws and it's stinger. Only one claw manages to snag the half-sized killer. The one claw still does 14 DMG to him, though. After the attack the scorpion takes a 5' step back, away from the party.
Drow 7 rapidly fire two longbow arrows at the entangled polar bear, grinning while he anticipated ending the spell-casters life. Both arrows hit, but they only do a total of 11 DMG to her. The drow then takes a 5' step.
The scorrow scurries through the trees, half-flying, over the party, after taking a successful parting shot from Vik'Gotror, and allowing itself to fall as much as move. Then using it's wand it brings down another storm of hailstones raining down on the party. Avegnum takes 11 bludgeoning and 10 cold DMG, Tara takes 11 bludgeoning and 3 cold DMG, & Kaellanna takes 17 bludgeoning and 8 cold DMG. Kaellanna goes limp but is held up by the plants as they writhe around her.
Vik'Gotror spends his round struggling with the plants, yelling in frustration and screaming in anger. However, he manages to get nowhere in his struggles. Yelling at the partys, "Run! Before it gets to you! Save yourselves!" The giant appears genuinely sad at the loss of the only new friends he's made in the last several years.
Tara is next.
Tara gets up from prone, provoking an attack from the drow near her, who hits her for 2 DMG, then she makes a hasty retreat to the other side of Kaellanna, where she paws at and licks the polar bear.
ReplyDeleteKaellanna manages to stabilize (9%).
Drow 3 moves around the hailstone area.
ReplyDeleteDrow 8 moves 5' to the edge of the hailstones and fires an arrow at Avegnum, but misses him.
Drow 9, snake 2 and snake 3 make there ways around the entangled areas.
Vel remains dead between Tara and Avegnum.
Avegnum is next.
In desperation, as his blood leaks from cuts and gouges in his skin, the halfling strikes at the scorpion once more though he knows there is little he can do for his companions in light of the enemy numbers. If this foe is struck down, though, it may be possible for Tara and him to flee down the burnt path.
ReplyDeleteElder Mountain Hammer vs.Mechanical Scorpion:1d20+16-5(STRdam)+1(Haste)=25:Hits!
Damage:1d10+2+6d6+2d6=32 (Ignores DR/Hardness)
(Waiting to see if this kills the scorpion before using my move.)
Avegnum is 10' away from the scorpion. So will he move first and the attack?
DeleteCurse! Tumble to K18, Roll: 1d20+18-1=28 and then attack scorp-o-matic.
DeleteAvegnum tumbles forward then lays down the law. Hitting the mechanical scorpion hard he bypasses the opponent's armor and blasts it's insides all over the outside. The scorpion construct shudders from the impact, then sits down on it's legs in the macabre pose of a dead insect.
ReplyDeleteAt this time Avegnum finds his strength to return. He no longer suffers from the 7 STR DMG he was suffering from.
Drow 7 takes aim at the halfling assassin and lets fly with two longbow arrows. Only the second arrow hits, and it does 5 DMG to Avegnum. Taking a 5' step back, it loads another arrow and gets ready to fire again.
The scorrow turns invisible again, and this time no one has any idea where it went. Before is vanishes Avegnum can see it's eyes flash and the creature hiss in anger at the loss of it's construct.
Vik'Gotror yells out in delight at the loss of the constrict "Well finished small one, you are truly a great warrior. Now If I can only get free of these ..." He then bursts and burns his way free of the entangling plant life and out of the entangling area all together.
With the loss of their scorpion juggernaut, and the vanishing of their leader the dark elves are now beginning to look worried and concerned for their own well being.
Tara is next.
Tara licks and paws at Kaellanna's polar bear self, even chewing at the writhing plants trying to get her free. But mostly she just keeps watch waiting for someone to try to hurt her companion.
ReplyDeleteDrow 3 steps up to Avegnum, snarls at him and strikeout with it's long daggers. Both attack miss wildly.
Drow 8 Moves to the edge of the burnt clearing and fire an arrow at Avegnum, but misses the halfling.
Medium snake 2 moves next to Avegnum and bites at him, hitting him the halfling takes 3 DMG.
Drow 9 takes a 5' step and fires two arrows at Avegnum. While firing the first his looses hold of his bow, and spends the rest of the round recovering it.
Snake 3 also approaches Avegnum and bites at him. Again the halfling is struck and takes 2 more DMG.
It's now Avegnum's turn, though he is once again hearing the voices of doubt in his head that sound almost exactly like his own voice ... almost.
"Snakes, drow, mechanical scorpions, regenerating plants, thin air, terrible temp, half drow-scorp monstrosities, and death, what the frell is up with this jungle?!" Avegnum spits out, barely suppressing a choking fit as he coughs up copious amounts of blood. Seeing the foes arranged so closely at hand, the warrior smirks and swings his sword above his head at ever increasing speeds until batters it into all nearby enemies in a desperate gamble.
ReplyDelete(Mithral Tornado Maneuver: Allows an attack against all adjacent enemies with a +2 bonus, each attack resolved separately)
Mithral Tornado vs.Drow 3:1d20+16-1(Fatigue)+2=35:Critical Threat!, Confirm=34
Damage:1d10+7+2d6+17=27
Mithral Tornado vs.Medium Snake 3:1d20+16-1(Fatigue)+2=21:?
Damage:1d10+7+2d6=21
Mithral Tornado vs.Medium Snake 2:1d20+16-1(Fatigue)+2=23:?
Damage:1d10+7+2d6=19
Avegnum says to the elven killers, "I think you might want to leave now, Vik's in a drow stomping mood."
He promptly then moves to K15(if the adj. enemies are dead) or tumbles as far as he can to put vik between himself and the remaining drow.
He then activates Stonefoot Stance as a swift action.
In several blinks of an eye, or a single blink of several eyes, Avegnum chops down three enemies then makes a strategic withdraw, after spouting some trash against the enemy that has decimated your forces up to now.
ReplyDeleteDrow 7 steps back along the burnt path and pulls a wand from it's bandoleer while doing so, then zaps behind it into the empty air.
Vik'Gotror moves above and parallel to the burnt path he made earlier. Burning his way through the air he squints and cocks his head side to side trying to hear something. "Do you hear or see where the scorrow is, Avegnum?" He yells out. "We have to kill that thing or we will never be free of it's blight!"
Tara whimpers with concern, having now just come to think that her elfin companion may never get back up. Her licking slows as she concentrates on keeping watch and protecting her companion, for now.
Drow 8 moves back along the burnt path then focuses as it casts another spell. All around Vik'Gotror the plants begin writhing and clinging to him, holding him back and slowing him down. Neither Vik or Aveg are entangled, but they are both slowed to half-speed in the enclosed green areas. Multiple entangles do not stack.
Drow 9 moves back as well, doing the same thing as drow 7.
The slayer Avegnum is next.
With sinking confidence, Avegnum tries to halfheartedly to tell Tara to Seek/Hunt for the Scorrow by gesturing at the drow and up into the trees. He then moves to H15, sheathing his sword and activating SS when he stops behind the tree.
ReplyDelete"I can't hear the bastard Vik, I'm sorry. If Vel was alive he might've been able to see he invisible aura I tink."
To myself I think, 'come on strange voice, it looks like I am leaving but if you want your entertainment with me, you'de better make damn sure I survive this.'
Drow 7 casts a spell up into the trees causing the plants to strike out and writhe around feeling for something to grab on to. Then the drow moves to the side of the burnt path.
ReplyDeleteFrom behind and above drow 9 comes a twisting ray of dark grey enegy from the pointed fingers of the visible scorrow. The ray hits Vik and spreads over him before sinking in and vanishing. The scorrow then backs up down the the burnt path. Avegnum can see the scorrow say something to the drow, but can not hear what was said.
Vik'Gotror stops levitating and comes crashing to the ground. As he struggles to get up he says "Now we will get him my small friend. His end is near!" Drow eight begins to burn from Vik's fiery aura.
Tara growls, her head held low, and squeezes in between the polar bear and the ground.
Drow 8 takes a 5' step and fires two arrows at Avegnum, though neither hits.
Drow 9 does the same thing: firing first and then moving. Neither arrow hits the halfling.
The scorrow yells out, "It's over fire demon! You and your followers are finished!"
Avegnum is next.
Though he's not as accustomed to the use of bows as melee weapons, Avegnum has put in some training with the ranged tools of war. Pulling out his longbow he takes aim at the drow that was trying to hit him and lets loose!
ReplyDeleteAttack vs.Drow 8:1d20+14-4-1=19:Hits! (Though I may be missing penalties to hit here)
Damage:1d6=4
Drow 7 takes a 5' step and then fires two more arrows at Avegnum, missing both times.
ReplyDeleteThe scorrow again shoots Vik with a trusting grey ray that is absorbed into him. This time his struggles against the entangling plants look much weaker as he tries to free himself, and fails. Backing away from the combat area the scorrow's form is obscured behind the plants.
Tara manages to wiggle her way free, and decides it's safer behind the halfling rather than being closer to those shooting arrows.
Drow 8 moves back 5' and fires two arrows at Vik. Neither arrow hits or hurts the giant.
Drow 9 does the same thing as drow 8 but one of it's arrows hits the giant.
Vik'Gotror yells back over his shoulder in common, "I, I can't get out. I ... We have to kill these drow!"
"I'm trying Vik, but this confounded bow is a silly, silly weapon! Can you disco inferno your way outta those plants?" To himself Avegnum wonders why he didn't think to bring along any healing potions and whether or not one could be healed if they chewed on a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.... desperate times and all...
ReplyDeleteAttack vs.Drow 8:1d20+14-4-1=17:Hits! (Though I may be missing penalties to hit here)
Damage:1d6=4
Attack vs.Drow 8:1d20+9-4-1=12:Misses!
"I'm trying to Avegnum, but that grey ray keeps weakening me."
ReplyDeleteDrow 7 fires an arrow at Vik and then moves back down the path.
ReplyDeleteVik'Gotror manages to just barely break free of the plants. Mostly he burns his way free, but either way he also moves forward toward the drow archers.
Tara moves behind Avegnum and takes up a guard position.
Drow 8 backs up while aiming it's bow, but after Vik smacks the drow super hard it decides to just keep going and forget the bow shooting.
Drow 9 also backs up and far away from the flaming giant.
"Looks like our little problem is running away, Avegnum. Maybe we can finish them another day."
Avegnum's next.
Seeing his chance to exact a final serving of vengeance, Avegnum moves from behind the tree and takes careful aim at the drow he'd been peppering with arrows. Holding his breath and leading his target he lets loose, seeking to lodge a killing arrow in the dark elf's back.
ReplyDeleteAttack vs.Drow 8:1d20+14-4(undergrowth from entangle?)-1(fat)-2(range)=22:hits!
Damage:1d6=5
Activates Stonefoot Stance just in case.
Drow 8 drops with a final arrow in his back.
ReplyDeleteDrow 7 turns and moves quickly to the fallen drow and grabs ahold of him.
Vik, having been re-entangled, struggles to burn his way free then moves forward toward the fleeing drow archers.
Tara follows Avegnum.
Drow 9 runs up next to drow 7 and helps drag the body of drow 8.
Vik growls, "These damned plants keep grabbing me and slowing me down. If it wasn't for them we would have archer on the menu."
The drow are now far enough away that Avegnum can barely see them. He is up.
Not wanting to spend any more arrows on the drow, Avegnum walks over to Vel's spreading corpse, shouldering his bow and wondering if the poor sod had even known what he was. A shame that he died before he ever had the chance to learn the truth. Immediately after these thought pass through his head, Avegnum leans down and picks up Vel's Bag of Holding, that would definitely come in useful in the future and does no good for a dead man. Eying the corpse, he realizes that he'll need to spend a few moments retrieving his friends gear from his body, and it might just be worthwhile to scoop up the body for later.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was the lack of blood in his body, but a pounding headache was looming as Avegnum realized that more problems would be arising from the large immobile bear body to his right.