Gfunk-JollyDoc Crossover Story Hour [Updated 4/30]

[sithramir]

Okay, before I post the encounter with Vlaakith I would like for the readers to guess what happened. Let me break down the encounter:

Vlaakith and her Minions
1. Vlaakith (CR 27): 25th level Wizard + Lich Template
2. 3 Undead Gith Wizards (CR 20): 16th level Wizards + New Template
3. 2 Undead Gith Knights (CR 20): 16th level Fighters + New Template
4. 2 Fiendish Adult Red Dragons (CR 17)

Our Party
1. Entropy: Sorcerer 10/Alienist 11
2. Amal: Cleric 14/Thaumaturgist 4/Heirophant 1
3. Noir: Ex-Paladin 8/Fighter 2/Blackguard 11
4. Hor'ahun: Psychic Warrior 17

Some specifics:

1. JollyDoc was nice to us and didn't spring a surprise round. Both sides rolled initiative straight up.
2. The area was relatively open. Though most of the ground space was occupied, there was freedom to fly.

So, what do you think?

My synopsis would be thus:

I'm guessing Noir and Hor'ahun were very ineffective especially since Helltongue was unable to be used to full effect. I believe entropy lost shapechange so I'm assuming brought that spell back up and wreaked her usual havoc with some reality maelstroms but probably was a lot less effective.

I've noticed a lot of her attacks aren't as effective for undead and probably made her suffer. I think the dragons would have had a chance to go down somewhat quickly but she probably was more concerned with the queen.

Amal, i'm guessing, isn't as effective against undead as a typical cleric plus through his use of destructions i'm guessing his attack style favors more living opponents. He just may not have been prepared enough to handle the Lich AND that many other strong undead opponents. I'm guessing some horrid wiltings from dragons along with dispels and such from the wizards probably really hurt the group and they retreated quickly.

I'm betting Amal had the most sway in how the battle would go and maybe he pulled a command undead and a few other undead smiting spells to make a big impression or he fleed like a little girl! Although, he might have had a heal or two with the heirophant to effectively take out some of the opponents as well but I'm guessing they wouldn't be able to handle the damage being dealt from so many strong opponents.

I also just looked at the total CR for the encounter and even though you guys can powergame with the best of 'em you should have been quite outclassed. I'm hoping theres enough left to continue the story hour! Hehe

 

[CrusadeDave]

*sigh*

Well, if all spells are quickened, I suspect that Entropy's first Time Stop will probably be decisive enough to at least wipe out all of the Lich Queen's Minions, before teleporting away with perhaps a casualty or two.

Beyond that, I'd guess that Amal and Noir play with the Dragons with some Level Draining and/or Destructions in short order, while Hor'ahun occupies the Undead, and Entropy uses that first Time Stop to draw up enough Walls of Force to separate the Lich Queen from the rest of the battle, before popping away to finish the job another day.

Assuming the bad guys don't win initiative.

 

[JollyDoc]

Well, if all spells are quickened, I suspect that Entropy's first Time Stop will probably be decisive enough to at least wipe out all of the Lich Queen's Minions, before teleporting away with perhaps a casualty or two.

Beyond that, I'd guess that Amal and Noir play with the Dragons with some Level Draining and/or Destructions in short order, while Hor'ahun occupies the Undead, and Entropy uses that first Time Stop to draw up enough Walls of Force to separate the Lich Queen from the rest of the battle, before popping away to finish the job another day.

Assuming the bad guys don't win initiative.

Let me just say this, and I don't think this counts as a spoiler. We calculated it out after the battle, and approximately 1,000 points of damage were dealt out by the bad guys (that is, the Lich Queen's minions, not Entropy and Co...the other bad guys) when all was said and done. Make of that what you will.

 

[Lela]

Tried to post this earlier but the boards were fritzing. Luckly I still have it sitting in my cut'n paste. Cause I completely forgot to save it. Wheew.

Hmmmm, Amal, Noir, and Hor'ahun are dead. Entropy was badly hurt but isokay.

That is, until Joachim arrived, obstensibly on the same mission as the party (though for different reasons). Together they took out the Queen and then, as always, went at each other.

I would say that Joachim was winning, being that he was fresh and Entropy has been dropping spells and has been hit by a Greater Dispel and likely a Disjunction. But, naturally, Entorpy always has a way out (maybe Word of Recall, possibly a Gate, perhaps a Malstorm) and escapes.

Joachim says "Dangit" (or something similar) and chases after, if possible. Otherwise, he Plane Shifts and heads home.


Mmmmmmm, nah, I changed my mind. Amal's still alive and together all three take on the Queen and then go after each other. Originally a threeway fight, eventually both turn on Entropy (due to the enemy of my enemy thing as well as both being played by the same player-sorry Joachim). Nonetheless, Entropy (recognizing the danger) escapes herself. Both chase after, if possible. Otherwise they both leave; Amal skipping out first and Joachim following shortly thereafter.

So, am I close?

As a side question, I've been doing a little rereading. What's going on with Dante?

 

[Neverwinter Knight]

I'm sorry, but I don't believe the party went down that easily. JollyDoc's *sigh* could just as easily have been meant the other way (like "Yeah, I know they should have died, but they wiped out all my preciousssss NPCs...").

I also have reread your CotSQ PDF, gfunk. It's a very nice story & I love the side notes (my favorite being "Reality Maelstrom & Sculpt Spell = DM headache!" )

Very good work! I also like the way you let us readers figure out what happened in-game. You don't do it in a boring way (e.g. "PC1 cast fireball. PC2 critted with his longsword. PC3..."), but you keep the story flowing. Keep it up !!!!

 

[Serpenteye]

*sigh*

Why? Did I offend you somehow? In that case I appologize, I enjoy reading the games you've DMed too much to insult you on purpose.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Simply to go against the other predictions, I'm predicting a hands-down-overwhelming-victory for the PC's.

 

[gfunk]

Why? Did I offend you somehow? In that case I appologize, I enjoy reading the games you've DMed too much to insult you on purpose.

I'm sure JollyDoc will respond, but you definitely have not offended him. Once you read the update, the source of the *sigh* will become all too clear.

BTW, thanks everyone for your input. Of the many suggestions that you gave, I will say this -- one of them is exactly correct!

As soon as I pick up my gaming notes from JollyDoc's house (forgot 'em there when we gamed) I will put up the update (tonight, I hope).

 

[Joachim]

Amal, i'm guessing, isn't as effective against undead as a typical cleric plus through his use of destructions i'm guessing his attack style favors more living opponents.

Nay, my friend. Destruction Domain = Disintegrate. Miracle = Sunbeam. And don't forget the 5th level spell Disrupting Weapon. Amal's WIS is 30, and he has spell focus in Necromancy and Transmutation. If it walks, Amal can obliterate it.

Not to say that he will...

 

[Joachim]

Mmmmmmm, nah, I changed my mind. Amal's still alive and together all three take on the Queen and then go after each other. Originally a threeway fight, eventually both turn on Entropy (due to the enemy of my enemy thing as well as both being played by the same player-sorry Joachim). Nonetheless, Entropy (recognizing the danger) escapes herself. Both chase after, if possible. Otherwise they both leave; Amal skipping out first and Joachim following shortly thereafter.

Amal would punk Joachim. Would not even be close.