X5: To the Temple of Death - IC

[Jemal]

Keira whispers to Fuller beside her "I don't think it IS a dragon. We just passed one illusion.. why not a second?"

The woman calmly, but cautiously, approaches the dragon at a slow steady pace, arms out in a nonthreatening manner. As she approahces, she speaks in draconic.

draconic

"I find it hard to believe that a REAL dragon of your apparent size would need to protect his lair with a measly illusion like that wall back there, And if they DID feel the need to hide, they wouldnn't let travellers leave with knowledge of their lair's location. I am the descendant of a great wyrm, and have studied the dragons ways for years. I should warn you that if the true dragons discovered your ruse, you would not last long. They don't take kindly to impersonators. Let us pass and we might forget you even exist."

[Rhun]

Aram continues to move away from his companions, further to the right.


Aram will approach the ramp from the farthest right he can, so he should be 20-30' from the rest of the group.

[kinem]

Jemal

As Keira approaches the dragon, it looks more and more wrong to her. Its movements are jerky; the face is expressionless and distorted.

The dragon opens its mouth and seems to frighten Keira as steam pours forth.

Jemal

A wave of fear washes over Keira. She resists the feeling but is still shaken.

(-2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.)

ooc: We are now in combat rounds. I will post a map later, but tell me where you want to be. PCs to act.

[kinem]

map

XXXXX....DD....XXXXX
.....----DD----.....
.....----------.....
.....----------.....
.....-----K----.....
.....----------.....
.....----F-G---.....
.....----------.....
.....----------.....
.....----------.....
.....----------.....
.....----------.....
.....----------A....
....................
....................


---------- = ramp (0' to 30' high, steep sides)

DD
DD = dragon's head

A = Aram
F = Fuller
G = Girgal + Ripclaw
K = Keira

ooc: PCs to act

[Rhun]

Aram hops up on the ramp and runs up the very edge of it toward the dragon.


Double move to the very top right side of the ramp.

[Jemal]

Shaking, Keira manages to hold her ground, certain now that this is not a real dragon.. well, fairly certain... she hopes...
"You call that a Breath Weapon?" Kiera takes a big breath of her own, and focuses the magic of her blood into her lungs, expelling it in a ferocious torrent of icy winds as she channels the power of her silver ancestors.

ooc

5'step forwards and sac a 4th level spell slot for my breath weapon
30' Cone, Reflex save DC 20 for half: Cold Damage (8d6=28)
*please note that Keira has Darkvision 60' and blindsense 20', in case there's anything else within that area. Also, does she 'feel' the head's presence or not? I'm still trying to figure out what exactly is up. My three primary thoughts are: illusion, some sort of disguise/prop, or undead. Can I get any knowledge checks given the info I've gathered so far?*

Combat stats:
AC 17, HP 75, Fortitude +8, Reflex +5, Will +8
Darkvision 60', Blindsense 20', Cold Resist 24

[Walking Dad]

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 66/66, F +11,R+8,W+14

Girgal summons an earth elemental right next to the head to attack it..
"Deceiver!"

ooc

summon feat.

----

Ripclaw: Hide+15, Move Silently+10

Will use the Summon feat for flavor in out-of-combat situation, alternating between different elements.

Spot +17, Listen +18

Spells:
0 (6) - cure minor wounds x2, light x2, detect magic x2
1 (4) – (jump), produce flame x2, faery fire, cure light wounds - obscuring mist
2 (4) - (spiderclimb), barkskin x2, animalistic power, blinding spittle – snake swiftness, mass
3 (3) – (protection from energy), stone shape, spirit jaws, blindsight – greater magic fang
4 (2) – (freedom of movement), blast of sand, enhance wildshape – SNA 4
5 (2) - (tree stride), SNA 5 - animal growth


Ripclaw has:
HP 57
AC: (with barkskin) 30 (T15, FF25)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +7 melee (1d6+4 plus poison) and bite +2 melee (1d6+2) and tail + 2 melee (1d6+2 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Leaping pounce, poison (DC 14 1d6 Dex/1d6 Dex), rake 1d6+3
Hide+15, Move Silently+10

[kinem]

The icy wind from Keira frosts over, then shatters the dragon's head!

When the dust clears, the truth is revealed, as lantern light spills out of the shattered framework of a mechanical construct. Men inside are working cranks, wheels, bellows and drums. This machinery allowed the dragon to move back and forth, turn its head, move its legs, breathe puffs of steam, and make deep rumbling noises.

One man inside holds a cone-shaped object up to his mouth. "Run!" His booming command in the 'dragon's' voice is directed at the men.

Near where the head was, a robed man appears in several shifting copies, mirror images of each other.

ooc: Girgal can choose a different action as Keira acted first; Father Fuller to act

[renau1g]

Father Fuller calls upon Amauntor to speed up his allies movements and attacks.

OOC

*Cast Haste *, moving to catch as many of his allies as possible.

58/58 HP, 22 AC, F/R/W: +8/+4/+11

Spells prepared (Save DC 14 + spell level):
0 - 6,Detect Magic (x3, 2), Mending, Light (x2) ;
1st - 4+1+2, Protection from Evil(x2), Divine Favour, Vigor, Lesser(x3), True Strike (D);
2nd - 3+1+1, Bull's Strength(x2), Silence, Heat Metal (D);
3rd - 3+1, Extended Hold Person, Magic Circle Against Evil, Searing Light(x2), Haste(D) ;
4th - 2+1+1, Shield of Faith (Mass), Divine Power, Sound Lance (SPC196) Fire Shield (D)

[kinem]

renau1g: It's a new day and the party is rested. You might want to reread the conclusion of X4.

Also, you are wearing the commander's platemail and should now know your AC: With the +2 plate armor (effectively half plate due to poor fit), and +1 large shield, FF's AC is 22.

[Walking Dad]

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 66/66, F +11,R+8,W+14

Girgal summons an earth elemental right next into the man's copies. "Attack!"

Ripcla reacts with a mind of his own pouncing into the images.

ooc

summon feat.

What is your ruling regarding the attack from 'pounce' and mirror images?
----

Ripclaw: Hide+15, Move Silently+10

Will use the Summon feat for flavor in out-of-combat situation, alternating between different elements.

Spot +17, Listen +18

Spells:
0 (6) - cure minor wounds x2, light x2, detect magic x2
1 (4) – (jump), produce flame x2, faery fire, cure light wounds - obscuring mist
2 (4) - (spiderclimb), barkskin x2, animalistic power, blinding spittle – snake swiftness, mass
3 (3) – (protection from energy), stone shape, spirit jaws, blindsight – greater magic fang
4 (2) – (freedom of movement), blast of sand, enhance wildshape – SNA 4
5 (2) - (tree stride), SNA 5 - animal growth


Ripclaw has:
HP 57
AC: (with barkskin) 30 (T15, FF25)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +7 melee (1d6+4 plus poison) and bite +2 melee (1d6+2) and tail + 2 melee (1d6+2 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Leaping pounce, poison (DC 14 1d6 Dex/1d6 Dex), rake 1d6+3
Hide+15, Move Silently+10

[kinem]

WD

Is Girgal riding Ripclaw?

Charge is not possible due to the wreckage of the mechanical dragon in the way. Would Ripclaw still go in?

The range on your summon elemental ability is 30'. The robed man with multiple images is about 50' away from Girgal to start. Assuming Girgal is not mounted, does he move forward?

Thanks.

[Walking Dad]

Kinem

Is Girgal riding Ripclaw?
- Yes.

Charge is not possible due to the wreckage of the mechanical dragon in the way. Would Ripclaw still go in?
- Would a jumping pounce be possible? Jumping over the debris?

The range on your summon elemental ability is 30'. The robed man with multiple images is about 50' away from Girgal to start. Assuming Girgal is not mounted, does he move forward?
- Sorry, thought him to be near the former dragon hit.
If Ripclaw can jump-charge, I will just conjure it then. If not, Ripclaw will approach carefully until summoning distance.

Thanks.
- No problem

[kinem]

The fake dragon was designed to scare away interlopers, but it also serves as some protection for the men inside. For one thing, it absorbed the full force of Keira's icy blast, though it was shattered in the process.

Enough of the framework remains that it would be difficult for Ripclaw to jump inside and pounce on the many-imaged robed man.

Ripclaw approaches the remains of the 'dragon head' and Girgal does a bit of conjuring. A small roughly humanoid creature made of rock rises out of the ground next to the robed man and attempts to slam him, but hits what must be a false image, which then disappears.

The men inside the 'dragon' begin to flee, away from the party, and presumably towards a rear exit hole

The robed man withdraws as well. The earth elemental takes the opportunity to attack as he turns to flee, and strikes a blow on the man himself this time, not just an image. But the man is still able to get away.

However, unlike the other men, he flees only partway, then turns and casts a spell. A point of light shoots from his hand towards the front of the 'dragon' - and continues out. Near Keira, it explodes into a massive fireball!

Keira nearly takes the full force of the fireball, although her combat training does allow her to turn and shield her face from the deadly flames.

Aram is the furthest from the blast and he is able to evade the flames entirely by ducking into a depression in the rough earthern ramp.

Girgal and Ripclaw are burned from behind but escape the worst of the fire.

Father Fuller reacts in time to bring up his shield, protecting him somewhat though he too is burned.

ooc: PCs to act

ooc

Aram 64/64
Fuller 37/58
Girgal 45/66
Ripclaw 57/57
Keira 33/75

map

XXXXX...........XXXXX
XXXXX...D..D....XXXXX
XXXXX...D..D....XXXXX
XXXXX..D..R.D...XXXXX
XXXXX..D....D...XXXXX
XXXXX..D....D...XXXXX
XXXXX..D....D...XXXXX
XXXXX...D..D....XXXXX
XXXXX...D..D....XXXXX
XXXXX...de.d....XXXXX
XXXXX....dd....XXXXXX
XXXXX....dd....XXXXXX
.....----ddG--A......
.....----------......
.....-----K----......
.....-------*--......
.....----------......
.....----F-----......
.....----------......
.....----------......
.....----------......
.....----------......
.....----------......
.....----------......
.....................
.....................


---------- = ramp (0' to 30' high, steep sides)

dd
dd = wrecked 'dragon' (difficult terrain, cost 10'/sq)

D
D = intact 'dragon' (solid wall)

A = Aram
F = Fuller
G = Girgal + Ripclaw
K = Keira

e = small earth elemental

* = center of fireball

R = robed man

[Jemal]

*OOC: Keira actually should be 5' forward (She was at the same point on this map last round, and took a 5' step forward as she breathed)
Question: How many images are there of the man?

[kinem]

ooc: OK, fixed the map.

There are 5 remaining images of the man, 4 of which are presumably fake.

[Walking Dad]

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 45/66, F +11,R+8,W+14
Ripclaw HP 57/57

Ripclaw moves forward to the other end of the construct as Girgal conjures some healing from his wand for himself.

ooc

use one lesser vigor charge.

Ripclaw makes double move to stand in the empty square north (up) of the uppermost right "D"
Next to Aram
----

Ripclaw: Hide+15, Move Silently+10

Will use the Summon feat for flavor in out-of-combat situation, alternating between different elements.

Spot +17, Listen +18

Spells:
0 (6) - cure minor wounds x2, light x2, detect magic x2
1 (4) – (jump), produce flame x2, faery fire, cure light wounds - obscuring mist
2 (4) - (spiderclimb), barkskin x2, animalistic power, blinding spittle – snake swiftness, mass
3 (3) – (protection from energy), stone shape, spirit jaws, blindsight – greater magic fang
4 (2) – (freedom of movement), blast of sand, enhance wildshape – SNA 4
5 (2) - (tree stride), SNA 5 - animal growth


Ripclaw has:
HP 57
AC: (with barkskin) 30 (T15, FF25)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +7 melee (1d6+4 plus poison) and bite +2 melee (1d6+2) and tail + 2 melee (1d6+2 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Leaping pounce, poison (DC 14 1d6 Dex/1d6 Dex), rake 1d6+3
Hide+15, Move Silently+10

[kinem]

ooc: I forgot about Ripclaw's evasion. He saved so he took no damage. Girgal still took damage though.

WD, please specify where you want to go more precisely. You may also take into account the above errata

[Rhun]

Aram rushes forward into the cavern, around the outside of the "dragon." He takes cover at the corner, ready to plunge his blades into the robed man should he pass by him.

Double move to stand in the empty square north (up) of the uppermost right "D"

[Jemal]

"Lets get rid of those, shall we?" Keira weaves her hands intricately in front of her, and with an unintelligible word of power five silver streaks fly forward, one impacting each of the robed figures, dissipating the fakes. With a shout of triumph, she dives behind the dragons skeletal frame, removing herself from his sight "He's all yours, boys!"

ooc

Keira casts Magic missile: 5 missiles vs 5 images. Each missile that strikes a mirror image should dissipate it, and the last deals... Magic Missile (1d4+1=2) 2 damage to the real mage.

Move action: move NE diagonally, ending up 20' East of the earth elemental
Combat Stats:
AC 17, HP 33/75, Fortitude +8, Reflex +5, Will +8
Shaken (-2 atks/saves/skills/ability checks)
Darkvision 60', Blindsense 20', Cold Resist 24
Spells/day : 6/8/8/6/4
Spells cast: 0/2/0/0/1