Hollow's Last Hope [IC]

[YeOldeAlbatross]

"Is the Wise One Usmilla within this lodging? We would talk with her." Loricallior calls out politely as he looks around at the curios and assorted esoterica with interest. His eyes swirl with draconic power as he peers around not just at the level of mundane sight but into any underlying arcane nature of everything here as well.

There is no answer to Loricallior's entreaty. It really does seem that there is no one here. As he concentrates, the wild elf detects a number of lingering magical auras from throughout the small hut. Most of them are so faint now that they probably come from things that are no longer within the hut. There is one stronger aura, of faint illusion, that comes from one of the shelves. But, the strongest aura of all comes from the middle of the room...from the cauldron!

Jared stays in the doorway and brandishes his holy symbol in the direction of the sitting corpse-like figure. Intoning prayers of protection he eyes it trying to determine if it is undead or not.

OOC: Cast Shield of Faith, Knowledge Religion +5?

A reddish orange shimmer appears in the air before Jared as he recites a prayer of shielding to Sarenrae. Meanwhile, he looks more closely at the strange figure in its bizarre chair...it could be some sort of undead creature, but Jared can't be sure.

Cyryn circles the structure looking for anything of interest before joining the others inside. (And peering in windows or testing other doors if there are any.)

Cyryn doesn't note anything of interest outside of the small hut, but he doesn't like the creepy feeling he gets from all the scarecrow-like fetishes that adorn the clearing. He notes that hut has only one room, and only one entrance. He peers through dirty window panes and observes his companions inside. Then, satisfied that nothing dangerous lurks outside, he moves to join them within.

As Cyryn enters, he sees Loricallior and and Jared, each concentrating on their respective magics, while Hakkara stands nearby with her greatsword at the ready. Cyryn looks then for Jebbo, when at that moment all eyes are drawn to the halfling by a distinctive sound that pierces the stillness of the hut.

*CLINK*

The halfling has disturbed a vial of some dark powder on one of the shelves. Jebbo looks up sheepishly, as though about to say something, when suddenly, the evil looking cauldron in the middle of the room begins to shake. Then, with a clatter, it lifts itself from its resting place, and launches itself toward Jebbo!

COMBAT

Initiative Order, Round 1
16: Loricallior (12/12 hp)
13: Cyryn (7/7 hp)
12: Jebbo (8/8 hp)
12: Hakkara (14/14 hp)
6: Animated Cauldron
5: Jared (9/9 hp)(Shield of Faith, +2 AC)

Your combat actions please?

 

[Voadam]

Loricallior leans to the side to aim around Jared and draws on his dragon magic to send a line of fire that blasts into the cauldron but ending there before striking any other objects in the hut. "The cauldron is magical, run outside Jebbo and it might feel its guardianship is met with you driven off."

 

[Insight]

Hakkara steps a few paces back from the enchanted cauldron. "Foul magic," she says, entering a guarded position.

[sblock=OOC]
5ft step towards Cyryn. Ready an action to attack the cauldron or anything else that comes within range.[/sblock]

 

[Azgulor]

Cyryn hurls his spear and will then draw his sword.

 

[YeOldeAlbatross]

COMBAT ROUND 1

Loricallior leans to the side to aim around Jared and draws on his dragon magic to send a line of fire that blasts into the cauldron but ending there before striking any other objects in the hut. "The cauldron is magical, run outside Jebbo and it might feel its guardianship is met with you driven off." Loricallior's fiery breath weapon strikes the cauldron squarely, momentarily causing its dark metal exterior to redden with the heat of the flame. (Cauldron fails REF save, takes 2 damage, for a total of -2 hp).

Cyryn leaps to the attack, hurling his spear at the animated cauldron. The young rogue's aim is true, and the spear strikes the side of the cauldron with a loud CLANG. Unfortunately, the spear bounces aside, appearing to have done little harm to the cauldron's metal exterior. Frustrated, Cyryn draws his sword. (Cyryn, ranged attack with spear hits. Damage total=1 after Hardness reduction. Cauldron at -3 hp.)

Jebbo heeds Loricallior's words, yelling out, "No arguments, that's good advice!" as he high-tails it for the door. The halfling darts past Cyryn and runs out the door into the clearing outside the hut. (Double move, 40 feet)

Hakkara steps a few paces back from the enchanted cauldron. "Foul magic," she says, entering a guarded position. (Hakkara takes 5' step, readies attack action)

The cauldron, unfortunately, appears to have not lost any of its aggressiveness, despite Jebbo's exit from the hut. The massive kettle launches itself towards the door, where it finds the way blocked by Cyryn. Hakkara, prepared for such an event, swings her bastard sword at the animated object, but she mistimes the sword stroke, cleaving only air. The cauldron, meanwhile, leaps into the air, and, using its open top as impromptu 'mouth', bites at Cyryn viciously. The surprisingly powerful metal mouth crushes Cyryn's midsection with a sickening crunch, leaving the rogue gasping in pain and shock. The cauldron tries to latch ahold of the rogue and pull him off his feet, but somehow Cyryn is able to yank himself free in spite of the pain. He doubles over, gasping in agony, barely able to move. (Cauldron moves 5', triggering Hakkara's readied attack. Hakkara misses with bastard sword. Cauldron attacks Cyryn with bite, hits for 7 damage. Cauldron initiates a free grapple attempt, but Cyryn wins the opposed grapple check. Cyryn now at 0/7 hp, disabled.)

Initiative Order
16: Loricallior (12/12 hp)
13: Cyryn (0/7 hp, disabled)
12: Jebbo (8/8 hp)
12: Hakkara (14/14 hp)
6: Animated Cauldron (-3 hp)
5: Jared (9/9 hp)(Shield of Faith, +2 AC)

OOC: I'll need Jared's round 1 action, and also round 2 actions for Hakkara, Loricallior, and Cyryn.

 

[Voadam]

Loricallior moves to make sure none of his companions are in the line of fire then again draws on the dragon magic to blast the cauldron.

 

[Insight]

"What manner of sorcery is this?" Hakkara seethes. Seeing Cyryn fall, Hakkara grips her bastard sword even more tightly, feeling her anger rising.

She launches into a whirling frenzy of darting and slicing blades, arms, and feet, assailing the magical cauldron.

[sblock=Hakkara, Round 2]
Hakkara enters a whirling frenzy, then attacks the cauldron.

EDIT: If Cyryn exits the space next to Hakkara, she will 5ft into that spot to take the flank. Add 2 to the numbers below in that case, assuming the flank holds.

1. Whirling Frenzy Mods: +4 STR (to 19), +2 AC, +2 Reflex saves, gains extra attack as part of a full-round action (-2 to all attacks that round).
2. Full Round Attack: 1d20+3=22, 1d20+3=12
3. Possible Crit (First Attack): confirm crit (1d20+3=8) - unlikely :\
4. Damage: 1d10+6=8
[/sblock]

 

[hero4hire]

Jared prays to his Goddess to empower his weapon. He then moves in to flank the killer pot.

OOC: Round one Cast Magic Weapon on Morningstar. 5 foot step to flank
Round two use Fire Devotion as a swift action and Attack. +5 to hit 1d8+3 damage, +1 point fire damage. Any foe injured by this fire ignites and burns for an additional 1d4 points of fire damage per round unless it succeeds on Reflex save (DC 12). A burning creature can take a move action to automatically douse the flames.

 

[Nazhkandrias]

Jebbo, hearing the clang and crunch of Cyryn and the cauldron's clash, realizes that leaving might not be such a great idea. "That... can't be good..." Without another moment's hesitation, he darts into the open doorframe. Standing in the open doorframe and seeing the cauldron still active, Jebbo calls upon what he refers to as his "special stuff", glares at the cauldron past Cyryn, and begins to shout out loud. "Y'rusted-up bucket o' scrap! M'pappy busted one'a YOUR kind one night, with nothin' more 'n a spoon 'n an appetite!" He looks at his allies, puffing out his chest and sucking in his ample belly. "We can take this li'l bucket any ol' day!"

[sblock=OOC]So sorry for the extended leave! After we got the computer up, it went right back down again, but we're set for the long run now. Anyway, here's my actions for this round.

MOVE ACTION - Move to front of door with a standard move.
STANDARD ACTION - Initiate Bardic Music (Inspire Courage) with his... erm... INSPIRING story. So, yeah, +1 to attack rolls and damage rolls for everybody. w00t.

I'll handle the next rounds as they come. It's good to be back, baby![/sblock]

 

[Azgulor]

Cyryn, spitting blood, crawls for the nearest corner. "Keep moving, bastard. Don't die yet."