Complexity 5 SC, Level 16 (DCs 16/22/31)
Goal:
Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame.
6/12 Successes
/1 Failures
/2 Hard DC Available
/2 Secondary Skills Available
/2 Advantages Available
* Ibhea automatic exposure to:
Bewitching Madness
Stage 0: The target recovers from the disease.
Stage 1: While affected by stage 1, the target takes a -1 penalty to initiative checks, skill checks, and Will defense. The target gains a +1 bonus to the attack rolls of powers that have the psychic keyword.
Stage 2: While affected by stage 2, the target loses one healing surge that cannot be regained until the target recovers from the disease. The target takes a -4 penalty to Perception checks and Insight checks and the target's attacks deal 1d6 extra psychic damage.
Stage 3: While affected by stage 3, the target the target descends into madness and becomes the thrall of the Fomorian Witch (dominated if in combat). If the Fomorian Witch that bewitched the target is slain, the target seeks out another master.
Check: At the end of each extended rest, the target makes an Endurance check if it is at stage 1 or 2.
13 or lower: The stage of the disease increases by one.
14-19: No Change
20 or higher: The stage of the disease decreases by one.
TRIGGERS SAVING THROW r(20). SUCCEEDS. IBHEA FULLY IS NOT AFFLICTED AND REGAINS HIS FACULTIES AFTER VAULTING INTO THE HOLE AND SLIDING DOWN INTO THE FOMORIAN WITCH'S DEN.
Per Manbearcat:
Nice!
That settles that. Given that you aren't bewitched, this is going to go to a straight combat with Ibhea possibly solo against the Fomorian Witch encounter for a round until his allies can rally.
So we'll need a Group Move Perception vs Medium (throttled back to Easy as it will be 3 of them) to determine if they find the hole and slidey tube that leads down to the Witch's lair. Success and they enter the scene right behind him and are in it for rd 1. Failure and they find it a hair late and enter in rd 2.
Unless, of course, Ibhea wants to engage in some kind of conflict to Uno Reversey the Fomorian Witch situation in some way with some kind of specified goal for a Skill Challenge.
Per darkbard:
I think with Ibhea irresolute and despondent--and the failed roll--it makes sense for him to be yoinked down without an attempt at Reverse Mojo-ing the magic. Arunny autopasses the Easy Perception roll, and Nephis just rolled 20 +7 and 14 +8 for Xin Mae and Qamra, respectively, so all those results would have passed even the Moderate DCs.
* Arunny et al have their wits about them and immediately vault into the hole after their briefly afflicted companion, sliding down into the Fomorian Witch's Lair.
FOMORIAN WITCH: "
A whole company of pretties! Do stay..."
*
ILLUMINATION: Torchlight and Fenlight galore. Fully illuminated.
*
GROUND AND WITCH'S "WORKBENCH": The stone ground rests 15 feet above the poisonmire (hindering terrain; 1d10 fall damage and prone on forced movement into). The stone workbench rises some 5 feet off the ground and gives a medium or large creature Cover.
*
OBELISKS: The 4 x obelisks jut out of the poisonmire, standing some 15 feet tall. However, two of the obelisks are quite "alive!"
*
LIDDED EYE OBELISKS x 2 (O) Level 13 Elite Blaster XP 1600
*
POISONMIRE (emerald green squares, hindering terrain):
Effect: A square of poisonmire is difficult terrain for creatures. They sink into the mire, muck clinging to flesh and clothing. In addition, any creature that starts its turn in a square of poisonmire takes ongoing 10 poison damage and is slowed (save ends both).
*
CRAG OUT OF MIRE: 15 ft (3 sq). DC 15 to Climb out of Mire (prereq: must be adjacent to crag)
*
Fomorian Witch (W) (Large fey humanoid, giant, controller, elite): HP 262, AC 27, Fortitude 24, Reflex 22, Will 25, Init +11
*
Hill Giant Thrall (T) (Large natural humanoid, earth, giant, enchanted): HP 159, AC 25, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 23, Init +7
*
Deathcap Strangler (M) x 2 (Medium shadow beast, blind, plant, soldier, minion): 1 HP, AC 29, Fortitude 27, Reflex 24, Will 25, Init +7
*
Place Heroes in any square of row 1.
INITIATIVE
Arunny (A): r11+16=27
Fomorian Witch (W): 25
Hill Giant Thrall (T): 23
Xin Mae (X): r14+6=20
Qamra (Q): r9+9=18
Ibhea (I): r7+7=14
Lidded Eye Obelisks (O): 13
Deathcap Strangler (M): 13
ROUND 1
* (No Action) Monster Knowledge (Nature) check vs Hill Giant Thrall, r8+11=19. Fails to meet Moderate DC 20.
TRIGGERS ARUNNY'S CAST FORTUNE ROLL OF 14 (BUMPED TO 15). r15+11 = 26. Passes Moderate DC but fails High DC.
Hill Giant Thrall
Large natural humanoid (earth, giant, enchanted, thrall)
Level 13 Brute XP 800
HP 159; Bloodied 79 Initiative +7
AC 25, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 23 Perception+6
Speed 8
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Mash Puny Thing ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d8 + 12 damage, or 3d10 + 15 damage against a prone target.
⚔
Brutal Fling ✦ Recharge ⚃ ⚄ ⚅
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +16 vs. Fort
Hit: 3d8 + 12 damage, slides the target 2 sq and knocks it prone.
ENCHANTED THRALL STUNT
Standard Action - Close Burst 10 or M1 (Heal)
Requirement: Hill Giant Thrall is Bloodied.
Target: Bloodied Hill Giant Thrall.
Check: Arcana, Heal, or Intimidate with a Power that has the Arcane, Divine, Primal keyword vs Witch's Will 25.
Effect: Enchantment is broken so Hill Giant is no longer Witch's Thrall and becomes an ally until end of encounter.
--------------------------------
* Ibhea's Monster Knowledge (Arcana) check vs Fomorian Witch, r14+15=29. Meets the Hard DC.
Fomorian Witch
Large fey humanoid (giant)
Level 13 Elite Controller XP 1600
Initiative +11 Senses Perception +8; truesight 6
HP 262; Bloodied 131
AC 27; Fortitude 24, Reflex 22, Will 25
Saving Throws +2 Speed 8 Resist Poison 5
Action Points 1
Traits
☼
Aren't You Pretty (psychic) ✦ Aura 2
Enemies within the aura that aren't dominated by the witch take a -2 penalty to attack rolls, skill checks, and ability checks
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Hurl Away (force) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +16 vs Reflex;
Hit: 3d10 +5 force damage, and the witch pushes the target 3 squares.
➶
Baleful Eye (psychic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +16 vs Fortitude;
Hit: 2d8+6 psychic damage, and the target gains a random transformation from the list below.
1—Boarish: The target starts to resemble a boar. On each of its turns, the target must charge an enemy or take 1d10 +3 psychic damage at the end of its turn (save ends).
2—Batfaced: The target's features become batlike, with winglike arms and short legs. It takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls and is slowed (save ends both).
3—Squirrely: The target takes on furry rodent features and becomes skittish. On each of its turns, it must spend its move action to get in the acid or take 1d10 + 3 psychic damage at the end of its turn (save ends).
4—Bear-Pawed: The target's features become bearlike and clumsy. It takes a -2 penalty to all defenses, ability checks, and cannot shift (save ends both).
5—Buzzard-Beaked: The target starts to resemble a bald bird of prey. On each of its turns, the target must attack (in order) a bloodied, prone, sleeping, dominated, or helpless ally or take 1d10 + 3 psychic damage (save ends).
6—Pack-Wolfish: The target's features become wolflike. The target is dominated (save ends)..
Minor Actions (1/round)
➶
Evil Eye (poison, psychic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +16 vs Will;
Hit: The target takes a -2 penalty to Fortitude and ongoing 10 poison damage (save ends).
Athletics +10
-------------------------
* Ibhea's Monster Knowledge (Arcana) check vs Deathcar Strangler, r12+15=27. Meets the Moderate DC, fails High DC.
Deathcap Strangler
Medium shadow beast (blind, plant)
Level 13 Minion Soldier XP 200
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion. Initiative +7
AC 29, Fortitude 27, Reflex 24 Will 25 Perception+6
Speed 1, climb 1 Blindsight 20
Immune blinded, gaze, illusion, necrotic, poison
Traits
☼
Spore Shroud (necrotic) ✦ Aura 1
Any enemy that willingly leaves the aura takes 5 necrotic damage.
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Grasping Tendril (necrotic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 5 (one creature); +16 vs. Reflex
Hit: 10 necrotic damage, and the deathcap pulls the target into a square adjacent to it.
As the group rushes down the "rabbit hole" after Ibhea, ARUNNY experiences a moment of deja vu, and her consciousness flashes to a dream, a vision, a portent of this very giant before them, skin soft like the smell of snow, so unusual for its type. Only the giant is kind and gentle, a simple smile upon its lips. Yes, whether it came from Omthala or Maba is unclear, but the message is not: this behemoth is friend, not foe!
"Comrades," she cries out, "the giant is in the witch's thrall! We must not slay him but break the witch's enchantment over him!"
ARUNNY closes her eyes momentarily and listens to the wind singing around the obelisks. Nodding her understanding to what she hears, Omthala's Searing Voice calls the Name of the Mother and flings Her radiant power at their closer opponents. The tendrils of the Goddess set fire to the tendrils of the fungal beasts, easily igniting both quickly and completely. The thralled giant winces and turns his face as the divine tendril aimed at him burns deeply into his cheek, leaving a line of searing smoke.
Keeping her eye on the giant, Arunny carefully moves toward the cowering, murmuring scrivener, repeating her warning not to kill the thrall, only wound. Then the priestess intones a sacred tonal word, and both the whiskey priest and young knight are pulled toward her new position.
Peering through the sound of the wind, the Seer sees their fortuitous future: she sings her own song of gratitude and blessing and watches as her voice flows over and through her companions.
* Standard: Hand of Radiance (R10, 3 targets): ATK vs. Reflex: Thrall: r8+16=24 vs 24 Reflex/Hit; M (E7): r16+16=32 vs 24 Reflex/Hit; M (N8): r16+16=32 vs 24 Reflex/Hit; Damage: r4+8=12 Damage to Thrall,
BOTH MINIONS DESTROYED.
* Move: 5 sq to E2
* Minor (Enc.): Divine Call (R10, 2 allies): Ibhea pulled 3 sq to J2, Qamra pulled 2 sq to F1
* Free: AP for Standard (Daily): Good Omens (R10, you & each ally): Effect: Each target gains a +5 power bonus to all d20 rolls UEoANT, but cannot score a Crit while this power is in effect.
LOCATION: A: E2, I: J2, & Q: F1
DAMAGE: 12 Damage to Thrall;
M (E7) & (N8) DESTROYED
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 80/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Good Omens
SURGES: 11/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens
"Awwwwww," the FOMORIAN WITCH sarcastically laments; "you want to take away all of my play-things."
Turning her attention from Arunny back to her primary prey, Ibhea, she sets her singular, massive, disturbing eye; "I think not...but you shall join them, pretty little warlock...think of the fun we will have..."
A discharge of poison, a baleful bolt of transforming magic later and Ibhea's struggles against a corona of poison and a distinct alteration; bat-like features!
"That's better!"
* Minor: Evil Eye (R10, poison, psychic) vs I's Will: r(13) +16 = 29. Hit. I takes a -2 penalty to Fortitude and ongoing 10 poison damage (save ends).
* Standard: Baleful Eye (psychic) vs I's Fort: r(2) +16 = 18. Miss.
* Free Action (AP for Standard): Baleful Eye (psychic) vs I's Fort: r(8) +16 = 24. Hit. Result r(2); Bat-faced. r(3, 7) +6 = 16 psychic damage, and I gains a random transformation from the list below.
Batfaced: The target's features become batlike, with winglike arms and short legs. It takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls and is slowed (save ends both).
LOCATION: J13
DAMAGE: 16 psychic damage to I
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I takes -2 penalty to Fort and OG poison (SE). I gains
Batfaced: The target's features become batlike, with winglike arms and short legs. It takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls and is slowed (save ends both).
CURRENT HP: 262/262
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: AP exhausted, cover ("workbench").
The HILL GIANT VRUK's head lolls as words escape its mouth as it engages in conversation with a partner only in his head.
"Mash? Why mash puny thing? Puny thing no threat to Vruk? Why mash?"
The witch whispers into his mind. "I've talked to you about this before Vruk, my dear. Yours is not to wonder why. Yours is to MASH PUNY THING, DAMNIT"
Vruk wrinkles his nose and shrugs his behemoth shoulders; "ok."
He charges Ibhea who pulls out every trick he learned in his fights as a youth on the streets of Bantouk to prevent himself from being squooshed!
* Standard: Charge to J4 and MBA Mash Puny Thing (M2) vs I's AC: r(7) +18 +1 (charge) = 26. Hit. r(2, 1, 6) +12 = 21 damage.
TRIGGERS XIN MAE Look Out! (Encounter); Immediate Interrupt; Ranged 10; Trigger: An ally within 10 squares of you is hit by an enemy's attack. Target: The triggering ally.
Effect: The target can make a basic attack against the attacking enemy as a free action, dealing 1d8 extra damage on a hit. I makes MBA (Eldritch Strike) ATK vs T, r7 +19 -2 Evil Eye, +5 Good Omens = 29 vs 25 AC. Hit. r2 +8 +r4 = 14 damage & Slides T 1 sq to K5.
As the hulking humanoid charges IBHEA with ill intent, XIN MAE calls out, plaintively, "Duck, Messenger! Duck and get out of there! This is a foe too fearsome even for the Black Flames of Delban!" Though Ibhea, bat-faced and clumsy now, is hard pressed by the giant's assault, the scrivener's words provide enough of a distraction for him to launch a counterattack, throwing his shoulder into the behemoth's groin, eliciting a grunt and causing the giant to stumble back. Urchin street tactics for the win!
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Mash Puny Thing ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d8 + 12 damage, or 3d10 + 15 damage against a prone target.
LOCATION: J4
DAMAGE: 21 psychic damage to I. 14 damage incoming to T.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 134/159
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Thrall/enchanted, slid 1 sq to K5.
"Oh, gods dear and damned!" XIN MAE curses under his breath. Not a good start, no, not at all. Ibhea has sprouted leathery flaps from elbow to knee and, despite driving back the giant momentarily, is eminently exposed by himself out on the flank.
"Qamra!" he shrieks, "Silly girl, do something! Set a screen to shield the priest's escape!" Must he always do all the thinking? In response, the uncanny warrior of Omthala hurls her scimitar at the giant, the pommel striking it full in the belly with a brilliant flash before returning to her hand.
"Good! Well done, lass." She gives him a wry look.
Then the scrivener steps forward but behind Arunny's shining form, one hand on her shoulder. "Ibhea," he calls out, "remember your breathing! Deep breaths in through the nose then out the mouth. The peace and calm will help your body recalibrate!" He watches as the warlock struggles to enact the healing regimen through fanged mouth and snout. Better than nothing?
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! on Q; R5; Target: One ally; Effect: The target makes a basic attack as a free action against an enemy of your choice that you can see and is within 10 squares of you. Q Sword Flip R10 vs T, r9+18 +5 Good Omens = 32 vs 25 AC. Hit. r4,1,4+10=19 radiant damage and sword returns to Q.
* Move: 1 sq to E1.
* Minor: Learning Begets Rejuvenation on I, I spends Surge and regains 22 HP.
LOCATION: E1, T in K5
DAMAGE: 19 radiant damage to T
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 82/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Good Omens
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
Her scimitar held two-handed, blade back beside her head, QAMRA considers her options. Charge the ensorcelled giant? What if she should kill him by mistake? Launch herself across the battlefield to confront the witch alone? Foolish. And probably doomed. No, she will hope to keep the giant distracted and bludgeoned enough to prevent an attack. And so she flips her blade through the air once again, this time redounding the scimitar pommel-first off the giant's thick skull. That elicits a childish giggle from her as she catches the blade one-handed.
"Qamra, get back! I have a plan! To the others!" Ibhea calls out, and, despite the snuffling and squeaking nature of his voice, she knows he is deadly serious. So she murmurs a quick prayer under her breath, "Goddesses Two, silver and gold, protect your servant so that she may withstand the blows of enemies in place of her allies," and sidles backwards, scimitar at the ready.
* Standard: Sword FLip R10 vs T, r6+18 +5 Good Omens = 29 vs 25 AC. Hit. r6,6,5+10=27 radiant damage.
* Minor: Virtue Encounter (Personal) ✦ Divine; Effect: You spend a healing surge but regain no hit points. You instead gain temporary hit points equal to your healing surge value. +25 THP.
* Move: 2 sq to D1.
LOCATION: D1
DAMAGE: 27 radiant damage to T
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Good Omens
SURGES: 11/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
Have a plan! I had a plan! Delban's Messenger waddles forward on his foreshortened legs, his winged arms flapping uselessly at his sides in exasperation. At the edge of the stone embankment looking down at the poisonmire, IBHEA sighs at the distance between him and the obelisks. Too far! But!
He reaches down to his belt. Retrieves the skull attached thereto and holds it up to his gaze. "Gan, my friend, you shall be my hands." Then he hurls the skull atop the far obelisk where it strikes, not by smashing to smithereens but in a detonation of dark energies. A skeletal warrior perches atop the obelisk now where there was none before.
"Gan, my friend, the hinges of the lid! Close the hinges of the lid!" Ibhea orders.
The skeletal warrior, broad in frame even without flesh and muscles, looks down at the eye. Cocks its head. Then gives the eyeball a reassuring stroke.
"No!" shouts the warlock. "It is not a friend! Close the hinges, Gan. Close them." This time, the skeletal warrior obliges, deactivating the deadly trap.
Relieved by the removal of the threat, Ibhea shakes off the witch's transformation magic.
"Ibhea, the giant!" calls out Xin Mae. "Attack him now, while he's on the ropes." And though it is against his nature to charge a creature ten times his mass, the warlock obliges, rushing forward to smite the thrall a mighty blow on the chin with the pommel of his dagger, bloody spittle spraying everywhere.
Vruk blinks his eyes several times in bewilderment. No, as if bewilderment departs his previously-clouded mind.
* Starts turn: Takes 10 OG Poison, Slowed, -2 ATK, -2 Fort
* Move: 2 sq to H2
* Minor: Activate Girdle of Skulls; Encounter; Requirement: The girdle must have at least one charge. Effect: Expend a charge. You summon a skeletal warrior in an unoccupied space within 5 squares of you. The skeletal warrior is an ally to you but not to your allies, and it lacks actions of its own. Instead, you spend actions to command it mentally, choosing from the actions in its description. You must have line of effect to the skeletal warrior to command it. You and it share knowledge but not senses. When the skeletal warrior makes a check, you make the roll using your game statistics, not including any temporary bonuses or penalties. The skeletal warrior lasts until it drops to 0 hit points, at which point you lose a healing surge (or hit points equal to your surge value if you have no surges left). Otherwise, it lasts until you dismiss it as a minor action or until the end of the encounter. Skeletal Warrior atop Obelisk in C7.
* Standard: Thievery check Countermeasure to deactivate obelisk, r2+12=14 vs 20 DC. Fails.
* Free Action for AP: Thievery check Countermeasure to deactivate obelisk, r18+12=30 vs 20 DC. Succeeds.
C7 OBELISK DEACTIVATED.
* Ends turn: Save vs -2 Fort 10 OG poison r11. Succeeds. Save vs Bat-faced, r6. Fails.
TRIGGERS Heroic Effort: +4 = 10. Succeeds. Ends turn without attacking TRIGGERS X IR, Mind Our Enemies Now R10 Trigger: An ally within 10 squares of you ends his or her turn without having made an attack. Target: The triggering ally. Effect: The target can either make a basic attack or charge an enemy as a free action, even if the target is dominated or stunned. If the attack hits, it deals 1d10 extra damage. I Charges T (via I2, J3), Eldritch Strike r14+19+1 Charge +5 Good Omens =38 vs 25 AC. Hit. r4+8+r7=19 damage. T BLOODIED.
LOCATION: J3, SW on C7
DAMAGE: 19 to
T, BLOODIED
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES:
O C7 deactivated
CURRENT HP: 60/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Good Omens UEoANT
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle
The remaining LIDDED-EYE OBELISK activates with the will of the Fomorian Witch! Such a lovely puddle of pretties to putrefy...I mean purify!
With the power of their deities or sheer logic, the trio attempt to shunt the terrible psychic assault from their mind as best they can...ironically Xin Mae emerges the least worse for wear. He quips to his nearby allies.
"I do believe I blinded it with science!"
* Standard Action: Lidded-Eye Obelisk (ABu3 w/in 10, psychic, Bewitching Madness) on sq F2 vs A's, X's, Q's Fort: r(17, 1, 19) +16 = Hit A and Q, miss X. A and Q take 10 psychic damage, are slowed and grant CA (save ends both). X takes 5 psychic damage and grants CA UEoONT. First failed saving throw: Target falls unconscious (SE). Second failed saving throw: Target contracts Bewitching Madness.
TRIGGERS A’s Divine Deliverance (Daily, Divine); Immediate Interrupt, Personal; Trigger: You are hit by a charm or a psychic attack. Effect: You gain resist 10 psychic (L11) until the end of your next turn. Also, you gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm and psychic effects until the end of your next turn. A takes 10 -10 = 0 psychic damage.
LOCATION: P8
DAMAGE: 10 psychic damage Q, 5 psychic damage to X.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: A and Q are slowed and grant CA (save ends both). X takes 5 psychic damage and grants CA UEoONT.
CURRENT HP: 60/60
C7 Obelisk DEACTIVATED
T 68/159 Bloodied so vulnerable to Enchanted Thrall Stunt
W 262/262
ROUND 2
The clarity given to her by the helm of Moonlight protecting her inner self guides her next movements. ARUNNY knows that she must get to their soon-to-be ally. Vruk. Yes, that is the name the Moonlight wrote in her mind. She needs to get there. Quickly. Somehow.
So, she somehow finds her inner strength -- possibly also protected by that Moonlit helm she is temporarily wearing, thank Maba. First, her boots shift her forward, almost without her own effort (if not for the sweat pouring from her brow). Gritting her teeth hard enough to release the scent of cilantro into the air she breathes, Maba's Piercing Eye pulls her feet (one at a time) off the stone floor and through the molasses-like web with intense determination. When she pauses -- exhausted by her efforts, there is a sudden shove at her back, metaphysically speaking. Falling forward, she stumbles two more steps, following the illumination only she can see.
There. She has made it to him. Arunny pulls her hand up and away from her body and through the molasses, finally laying her palm against Vruk's tree-like thigh. Closing her eyes, Omthala's Searing Voice speaks, "O Radiant One, free this gentle soul from his enslavement, release him from the Witch's thrall!" The priestess's hand becomes as hot as a brand of the Sun, healing the giant through the heat of the Mother's power.
The giant's eyes clear, and Vruk looks down at Arunny.
"Our meeting was foretold," the Seer says to him. "I have seen you in my dreams."
Vruk smiles a wide and toothy grin.
* Starts turn: Slowed and grants CA
* Minor: Boots of the Fencing Master Encounter Power; Shift 2 sq to G2. A gains a +1 item bonus to AC and Reflex defense UEoANT.
* Move: 2 sq to I2
* Move (extra Move action granted by Prophetic Action): 2 sq to K3
* Standard: Enchanted Thrall Stunt, Heal Skill check, r5+16+5 (Good Omens) =26 vs 25 Will. Succeeds.
Enchantment on T broken. TRIGGERS HILL GIANT THRALL BECOMES ALLY TO HEROES UTEOE.
* Ends turn: Save vs Slowed and grants CA, r6+2 (Divine Deliverance) +5 (Good Omens) = 13. Succeeds. No longer Slowed or granting CA. Divine Deliverance & Good Omens expire.
LOCATION: K3
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES:
Enchantment on T broken. TRIGGERS HILL GIANT THRALL BECOMES ALLY TO HEROES UTEOE.
CURRENT HP: 80/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: +1 item bonus to AC and Reflex defense UEoANT.
SURGES: 11/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance.
All sardonic pretense leaves the countenance and voice of the now fuming FOMORIAN WITCH.
Staring at Ibhea, "YOU DID THIS. I INVITED YOU INTO MY HOME. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO MIND YOUR MANNERS AND BE MY PET. NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE...YOU'VE BROKEN...EVERYTHING!"
Another discharge of poison from her eye, but this time, Ibhea's magical protections deflect the ray.
"MRAH" comes a primitive yell from the monster as another baleful bolt of transforming magic affects Ibhea's form; now that of a clumsy bear.
* Minor: Evil Eye (R10, poison, psychic) vs I's Will: r(6) +16 = 22. Miss.
* Standard: Baleful Eye (psychic) vs I's Fort: r(16) +16 = 32. Hit. Result r(4); Bear-pawed. r(2, 5) +6 = 13 psychic damage, and I gains a random transformation from the list below.
Bear-pawed: I's features become bearlike and clumsy. It takes a -2 penalty to all defenses, ability checks, and cannot shift (save ends both).
LOCATION: J13
DAMAGE: 13 psychic damage to I
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I's features become bearlike and clumsy. It takes a -2 penalty to all defenses, ability checks, and cannot shift (save ends both).
CURRENT HP: 262/262
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: AP exhausted, cover ("workbench").
The HILL GIANT VRUK's looks down sweetly at Arunny.
"Friend."
He then turns menacingly toward the Fomorian Witch.
"You not Vruk-friend."
Vruk lumbers forward and around the Witch's revolting "workbench" to give her a violent two-handed shove to the ground.
"Heh...heh...heheheh" Vruk belly laughs. "You ground-friend! Ha!"
* Move: 8 sq (circling to avoid OA) to L13.
* Standard: Brutal Fling (M2) vs W's Fort: r(19) +16 = 35. Hit. r(6, 4, 4) +12 = 26 damage, slides W 2 sq to H13 (possible loss of cover pending origin sq of attack) and knocks it prone.
⚔
Brutal Fling ✦ Recharge ⚃ ⚄ ⚅
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +16 vs. Fort
Hit: 3d8 + 12 damage, slides the target 2 sq and knocks it prone.
LOCATION: L13
DAMAGE: 26 damage to W.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Slides W 2 sq to H13 (possible loss of cover pending origin sq of attack) and knocks it prone.
CURRENT HP: 68/159
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Heroes' ally UEoE.
Seeing his companions prevailing over the Witch--indeed, turning her very assets against her--XIN MAE steps forward, emboldened.
"Witch! You, yes, Giant of Mag Tureah! Stub your toe during your fall? Dying of a blister on your toe? You are no more threat than ... than ... a club-footed boy throwing rocks at a swan! Ha!" The scrivener seems quite pleased with himself. And then the Witch shuffles forward, crab-like, towards him, and he blanches.
"Ibhea," he continues in a quavering pitch, "you seem a tad ursine. Surely that means your form is governed by potent hepatic humors, humors that fill you with energy and verve! You feel it, no? A certain metabolic charge? Show the witch she is no match for your power, your potency!"
As if on cue, the warlock opens his mouth and emits a rather uncanny roar.
* Starts turn: Grants CA UEoONT.
* Move: 1 sq to E2.
* Standard: Hurled Invective R10 vs W, r18+17 -2 (prone) =33 vs 25 Will. Hit. r3+4=7 damage and Slides W 2 sq to F11.
* Minor: Learning Begets Rejuvenation R5 on I; I spends Surge, regains 22 HP.
LOCATION: E2, W in F11
DAMAGE: 7 damage to W
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 77/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Grants CA UEoONT; Learning Begets Rejuvenation, Look Out, Mind Our Enemies Now, all expended
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
The young warrior carefully measures the distance between herself and the Giant Witch attacking them. QAMRA lets her blade fly across the space separating them, easily catching it as it returns.
Then Omthala's Radiant Shamshar -- despite wanting desperately to follow her mentor's footsteps -- grimly holds herself ready in place for whatever happens next..
...but then her eyelids get very heavy...so very heavy...an overwhelming malaise...then...darkness.
* Starts turn Slowed and granting CA (SE)
* Standard: Sword Flip (R10): ATK vs. Witch: r9+18=27 vs 27 AC/Hit; Damage: r2,1,2+10=15 Damage to Witch
* Save vs Slowed & CA: r4, Fails. Qamra falls Unconscious (SE), replacing CA and slowed. Prone, Helpless, -5 all defenses, can't take actions.
LOCATION: D1
DAMAGE: 15 damage to W
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +15 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Unconscious (SE); Prone, Helpless, -5 all defenses, can't take actions.
SURGES: 11/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
Fueled by ursine aggression, IBHEA charges in the witch's direction on all fours, then stands tall on his rear legs and roars, "May the black flames of Delban sear your soul from this realm!" in syllables passable for human speech. Tentacles lash out from a sphere of darkness, a mixture of frost, flames, and energies both necrotic and psychic, to harry the witch, crippling her ability to stand fast in combat.
The energies continue to roil around the witch's form. But her will is strong, and Ibhea cannot wrest his true form into being.
"Ibhea," Gan's bones call plaintively, "do not leave me here, Ibhea. Let me help destroy your enemies." Delban's Messenger resolutely ignores this plea.
* Starts turn: Bear-pawed, -2 defenses, ability checks, & cannot shift (SE)
* Move: 6 sq to L9, activates Shadow Walk
* Minor: Warlock's Curse on W
* Standard: Devouring Dark ABu 1 w/in 10 on E10; ATK vs W, r7+17=24 vs 22 Reflex. Hit. r7,9,3 +9 cold, fire (Path of the Scarred), and necrotic damage + r1, 6 Warlock's Curse +r1 psychic Mindbite Scorn = 36 cold, fire, necrotic, and psychic damage to W. Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Creatures grant combat advantage while in the zone. (purple square)
* Free: Arcane Prodigy; Effect: You gain a +2 bonus to your next damage roll. The bonus increases to +3 at 11th level and +4 at 21st level.
* Ends turn: Save vs Bear-pawed, r8. Fails.
LOCATION: L9
DAMAGE: 39 cold, fire, necrotic, and psychic to W
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: W within DD CA Zone (purple square)
CURRENT HP: 69/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS:+2 defenses SW, -2 defenses, skill checks & cannot shift (SE)
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle
The remaining LIDDED-EYE OBELISK activates with the will of the Fomorian Witch attacking the pair of priests.
Though she is reeling, when the obelisk's attacks deliver their malaise-inducing haze, the witch laughs maniacally from her prone position on the precipice of the poisonmire.
* Standard Action: Lidded-Eye Obelisk (ABu3 w/in 10, psychic, Bewitching Madness) on sq K6 vs I's, A's Fort: r(9, 14) +16 = 25, 30. Hit I and A. I and A take 10 psychic damage, are slowed and grant CA (save ends both). First failed saving throw: Target falls unconscious (SE). Second failed saving throw: Target contracts Bewitching Madness.
TRIGGERS IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT: Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon Daily Power (Teleportation): You take damage; Effect: You teleport 3 Sq (N6 atop obelisk).
Cringing, ARUNNY feels the worms of malevolent psychic energy pushing their way into her skull. She presses her the palms of her hands to her head, pleading for Divine intervention.
Then, blackness. Blankness. For about a heartbeat of time.
Opening her eyes, Maba's Piercing Eye finds herself atop one of the sleeping obelisk, staring into the baleful eye that just attacked her and Ibhea. She glares back.
LOCATION: P8 (A in N6 atop obelisk)
DAMAGE: 10 psychic damage I and A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I and A are slowed and grant CA (save ends both).
CURRENT HP: 60/60
C7 Obelisk DEACTIVATED
T 68/159 Ally to heroes UEoE
W 175/262 Lost cover, prone, in Devouring Dark zone
ROUND 3
Still glaring, ARUNNY leaps over to the Eye and clings to it like one of those Yagimeh'jian tree toads her mother used to tell stories of.
The Seer desperately attempts to break the mechanism of the object, but her fingers cannot gain traction on the slippery thing, at least not enough to tear it apart.
The Priestess shakes her head, and the pain clears somewhat, the invisible webs falling away once again.
She narrows her eyes to see her way again.
* Starts turn Slowed & granting CA (SE)
* Move: Jump 2 sq to P8: r14+8=22 = clear 2 sq, landing 1 beyond.
* Standard: Athletics check to disarm Eye: r3+8=11. Fail!!
* Save vs Slowed & granting CA: r12. Success.
LOCATION: P8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 70/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: No longer Slowed/granting CA
SURGES: 11/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance.
The FOMORIAN WITCH's demeanor changes spastically moment to moment. She hoists herself up on an arm from a sitting position and flails wildly at Vruk. Vruk laughs at the spectacle as the burly Hill Giant dodges her pathetic attempts; "heheheh."
As her Evil-Eye begins to glow and ensorcel another hero, Vruk stands menacingly ready to throttle her into next week...
"WAIT!" A blood-curdling scream followed by a pathetic whimper escapes her curled lips.
"Please, please...I beg of you...let an old woman be. I meant no harm...I just wanted some company...truly..."
* Move: Stand from Prone.
* Standard: Hurl Away (M2, Force) vs Vruk's Ref: r(5) +16 = 21. Miss.
Ok, this is basically done. Missing that Hurl Away and Vruk having a r(16) OA that is about to hit for 27 vs her minor action Ranged Attack (putting her near Bloodied) is game/set/match.
COMBAT OVER.
I think at this point she pathetically whimpers a submission and begs for her life like a good villain. So when next we meet, we'll resolve some surrender conditions.
"
