[4e] The Dustbowl (IC)

[Binder Fred]

"You're next, sweety," informs a grinning Mialucus, turning to their one remaining foe. Leaving first aid to the Kalashtar, he runs round the corner to assist Stick.

[Sblock=Modified actions]Minor=Mark BS1 instead of BS2 at the end of his last action.

Move=Long way around to O3, a 7 squares move not causing any AoO (got to love elves). BS1 is flanked.

At this point it seems the thing will either be dead or attacking Stick this round so Stick's mark seems less useful than his. Your choice, Renau.[/sblock]

 

[CaBaNa]

Rashka watches the dance of death Caden and Mialucus put on...
The kalashtar uses the display as a delay in healing Roithe right away, it was always better to have that one at a bit of a disadvantage, in case he wanted to flip sides... Spy...

Let's finish this off, I've got women to get back too...




[sblock=OOC]

So I take it that both skelly are dazed?

and that means everyone has combat advantage...

Rashka is last to go still... unless Stick and Roithe delay.

[/sblock]

 

[Cheub]

A ball of flame apeared near Mialucus, seeing only a ball of green flame erupt from it (flailing in the wrong direction, I might add). Finally, the outline of a disgruntled high elf appeared in the fire, almost seeming like a hallucination, drifting slowly toward the construct.

[sblock=OOC]

Trigger: Roithe teleports to Q2
Standard: Eldritch Blast Roll Lookup (12 vs. REF, A miss I'm sure...)
Move: Shift to P3, so anyone moving to N5 will be granted combat advantage.
Save: Roll Lookup (9, Close)

[/sblock]

[sblock=Status]

Roithe, Eladrin Warlock/Rogue
Initiative: +5; Passive Perception: 12 Passive, Insight: 12
AC: 18* --Fort: 12--Ref: 17--Will: 15--Speed: 6
*Note: Concealment (+2), Shadow Walk (Move at least 3 squares)
HP: 13/45--Bloodied: 22--Surge: 11--Surges remaining: 6/6
Action Points: 0--Second wind: Not used
Powers:
Eldritch Blast
Eye Bite

Dreadful Word
Setup Strike
Sneak Attack
Fey Step
Ethereal Stride

Curse Of The Dark Dream
Hunger Of Hadar

[/sblock]

 

[Legildur]

"No fear," Caden agrees with Mialucus. "And no mercy!" the halfling adds as he wastes no time and immediately shifts to flank the remaining skeleton, thrusting with his sharp dagger.
[sblock=ooc]Misc: following actions for if Caden's turn is required to finish BS1
Move: Shift to N5 (assuming square is vacant)
Standard: Sly Flourish (at will) Sneak Attack on BS1 1d20+15=33 vrs AC for 1d4+13+2d6=23 damage)[/sblock]

 

[renau1g]

Stick turns to the remaining foe and brings his quarterstaff down hard on the skeletal foe, the weapon flaring brightly as it strikes and the dragonborn forces the enemies attention on himself.

[sblock=OOC]
Standard: Earth Shield Strike on BS1 Vs AC; dmg; posion (1d20+12=32, 1d8+7=14, 1d6=4) *Crit!
crit poison damage (2d8=7)
Hits for 28 damage, and Stick gets +2 bonus to AC TENT
Minor: Summon Armour (Bringing total AC to 23)
Free: Mark BS1 (it takes -3 on attack rolls that don't include him)
*I'll set the Cosmic bonus to be The Phase of The Moon: Granting Resist 5 psychic, and a bonus to AC = to number of enemies surrounding Stick.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Mini Stat]
Stick , Dragonborn Sorceror|Warden
Initiative: +3; Passive Perception: 17 Passive Insight: 12
AC: 23* (17 w/o plate)--Fort: 18--Ref: 14*--Will: 19--Speed: 5 (mount is 7)
*Note: Ranged attack rolls from farther than 5 squares away take a -5 penalty to them
HP: 58/58--Bloodied: 29--Surge: 14--Surges remaining: 6/7
Action Points: 1--Second wind: Not used
Powers:
Blazing Starfall
Earth Shield Strike

Hungry Earth
Ice Dragon's Teeth
Dragon's Breath
Form of Winter's Herald
Glacial Armour
Nature's Abundance
[/sblock]

 

[eblue562]

Not fearing death, the skeleton bravely confronts the hailstorm of attacks the adventures have dealt to it, until the time of death herself. With a wail that seems to come from the Abyss itself, the skeleton falls loosely to the floor, piles of bones shattering in sync. (BS1 is dead!)

The edge of the sunken ground to the east looks as though there is a small entrance leading underground. Steps lead at a 45 degree angle downward, and there is a faint trace of light at the visible edge of the steps. Along the sides of the wall, there appears to be recent carvings of skulls and visages of terror mixed in with ancient carvings of what appear to be the suns and stars. The hot suns still beat down on you, and the scuffle seems to have left a fair amount of dust on your armor and clothing.

[sblock=Rest Round]

After most combat rounds, there will be a rest round. I will assign XP to the whole group, which will then be divided by 5 and given out to everyone. This encounter was worth 1100 xp (220 xp per person). I will also assume that everyone can take a short rest to regain their encounter powers/use healing surges/heal/talk. Keep in mind that sometimes you will not gain the benefit of a rest round after every combat. The group will be able to use extended rests if they request it, but sometimes will have dangerous consequences.

Everyone can post their actions in the rest round (without a minor update unless it warrants one), then we will continue on with the journey (I will do a major update and then we will start the dungeon crawl). You are free to make any skill checks that you want, and I will post some skill checks you should make.

Required Skill Checks

Perception [/sblock]

 

[Binder Fred]

A ball of flame apeared near Mialucus, seeing only a ball of green flame erupt from it (flailing in the wrong direction, I might add). Finally, the outline of a disgruntled high elf appeared in the fire, almost seeming like a hallucination, drifting slowly toward the construct.

"You're still on fire," mentions the elf.

With a wail that seems to come from the Abyss itself, the skeleton falls loosely to the floor, piles of bones shattering in sync. (BS1 is dead!)

"Nice!" Mialucus chucks his blade, tackles the eladrin warlock and forcefully rolls him in flame-smothering sand. "You are the little brother I never wanted," he confides, low and growling.

[Sblock=Cheub and Eblue]Let me know if you want an attack roll on this, Cheub, or if - colour me surprised - Roithe is actually collaborating to his own extinction. Mialucus is business-like about it, with actually a hint of enjoyement. [/sblock]

The edge of the sunken ground to the east looks as though there is a small entrance leading underground. Steps lead at a 45 degree angle downward, and there is a faint trace of light at the visible edge of the steps. Along the sides of the wall, there appears to be recent carvings of skulls and visages of terror mixed in with ancient carvings of what appear to be the suns and stars. The hot suns still beat down on you, and the scuffle seems to have left a fair amount of dust on your armor and clothing.

His scimitar trembles in the sand before slapping into a closing palm. "Guard!" calls the elf, by which he means 'I'll keep watch, you guys search'.

Mialucus watches for incoming danger, from the east entrance, from the surface OR from any of the bodies inside the sunken area (experience has shown this to be a worthwile course). While he does so, he'll try to:

1. Gather a complete finger/Hand from one of the candle undead as a trophy (you guys know he does that with all noteworthy victories). If it's blackened then it's even better.

"Lively folks, for undead... Was it just me or did they seem strangely fixated on you two?" he asks, adressing Roithe and Stick. He seems almost... insulted at the thought of being snubbed.

2. Give a look at the carving when he comes around that end. Can his knowledge of History or Arcana tell him anything about the carving or the undead's association with events here?

Rolls, Perception, History, Arcana 1d20+5=25, 1d20+11=26, 1d20+11=23, Natural 20 on the perception!

 

[Legildur]

Caden smiles in satisfaction as the final skeleton perishes. Looking briefly towards the hot sun, he carries out the now habitual action of wiping the dagger blade on his breeches; but quickly realises this is unnecessary as there is no blood or ichor to deal with.

Moving across to the steps with dagger in hand, Caden pointedly ignores Mialucus' trophy taking as he looks down the corrupted entry with his keen eyes. Perception (1d20+9=28)

[sblock=ooc]Assuming time permits, Caden will take some specialised items from his backpack and don them - camouflage clothing and footpads, granting +1 item bonus to stealth checks.[/sblock]

 

[Cheub]

Roithe calmly rised from Mialucus assault, brushing the dust and crushed bone from his contrasting black rags.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm Mialucus, but I think I could have handled a little fire by myself..." he politely mentioned, with an unbiased scowl, but clearly with a condescending tone.

"If they were drawn to me, it would only because they were drawn to the idea of death, because that is all that should be expected from a man of my history."

Roithe seemed to appear next to Mialucus shortly after the statement, obviosly he wasnt running, because he did'nt make a sound, and no one was observing him closely enough to vouch for how he moved so quikly. But, this was eventually accepted long ago by the party, as everytime he vanished or was suddenly unaccounted for, he would suspiciosly repear among them amidst their hypothesis if where he had gone, saying nothing as he usually did, and practicing the same action when asked about his whereabouts. The travelers would usually leave it at that, thinking the elf had not even heard them ask.

He loomed slightly by his shoulder, observing what he did looking for a chance to offer his input on any findings. (Having no concern for Mialucus' personal space and seemingly not knowing the meaning of the term)

[sblock=OOC]

Perception: Roll Lookup (4, good old Roithian obliviosity)
History: Roll Lookup (30)
Arcana: Roll Lookup (19)

[/sblock]

 

[CaBaNa]

Rashka pulls the ring from his pocket, Is this what we came for? If so, can we get back now? He looks over at Roithe, who is still pretty banged up, Did you, want any help with that?

Thats when he realizes no one looks done, they all are curious about the area... No, no, no, not again, why must you lust for violence instead of p... he stops, thinks, Piety. There is a much better chance of finding Piety in the temple.

Rashka barely puts up a fight, he already knows that pressing forward is a forgone conclusion, even if the ring is what they were looking for... The token effort at dissuading the group is just habit now.

[sblock=OOC]

18 Arcana,
13 Religion To identify the ring.
32 Insight on Roithe's last comment.
17 Dungeoneering to identify the type of dungeon this is.
Ignore the idiot sauce in my roll number on the insight, the modifier is +14. Here is the error I rolled up before that, I'm just off...

Rashka has a healing word left to use on anyone who would like it. (This gives a free saving throw)

Also, in case it's needed in the future, Rashka can do surgeless healing if your character needs it.
[/sblock]