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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mesh Hong" data-source="post: 5274805" data-attributes="member: 73463">Encounter 8The gargantuan (5x6 squares) white dragon with its surprise rider swooshed over the edge of the castle and landed with heavy thud coating the ground around it with a heavy cracking frost. From within the swirling sleet storm that surrounded it the two exposed PCs could see its forearms moving and gesticulating, it was casting a spell! Two bolts of frozen lightning shot from its claws dazing the paladin but somehow missing the warlock. Shortly after Trip Trip hopped off the dragons back and targeted the Paladin with his Decidal Eye then transformed his greatsword into a greatbow and fired a shot at the paladin that had a glowing chord attached to it. The shot hit but the chord snapped when Trip Trip tried to apply force to it. The PCs regrouped at the top of the stairway, placing the churning elemental shield between themselves and the dragon. There they buffed themselves and started devising a plan of attack as this was going to be a hard fight… Vapith - White Dragon Form Level 32 Solo SoldierGargantuan Immortal Magical Beast (Apocalypse Dragon) XP 135,000 Initiative +40 Senses Perception +32, darkvisionHP 1,500; Bloodied 750; see Apocalypse NowAC 48; Fortitude 49, Reflex 45, Will 44Immune environmental cold effectsSaving Throws +5, Vapith may make an unmodified save against any one effect (including none save ends powers) at the start of its turnSpeed 8 (icewalk), fly 12 (hover)Action Points 2 Raging Blizzard (aura) ♦ trait, coldAura 5; All creatures entering or starting their turn inside aura take 30 cold damage; the ground is considered difficult terrain for creatures without icewalk and flying creatures other than Vapith move at half speed; all creatures inside the aura gain concealment against ranged attacks from outside the aura <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Bite (Standard; at-will)Reach 3; attack +37 vs. AC; 4d8+22 damage (critical 6d10+54 damage) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Claw Slash (Standard; at-will)Reach 3; attack +37 vs. AC; 2d8+14 damage (critical 2d8+30 damage) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Dragon Fury (Standard; at-will)Vapith makes 2 claw attacks and a Bite attack against the same target; if both Claw attacks hit Vapith gains combat advantage against the target for its Bite attack <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Cold Lightning (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ cold, lightningRange 30; 1, 2 or 3 targets; attack +37 vs. Reflex; 3d6+14 cold and lightning damage; on hit target is dazed (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Numbing Breath (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ coldClose blast 7; attack +36 vs. Reflex; 4d6+20 cold damage; on hit secondary attack +35 vs. Fortitude; on hit target loses all cold resistance until the end of the encounter; on miss target takes 20 ongoing cold damage (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Hurricane Blast (Standard; encounter)Close Blast 10; attack +37 vs. Fortitude; 2d10+24 damage; on hit target is pushed 12 squares and knocked prone; on miss target is pushed 6 squares; hit or miss Vapith may shift 4 squares <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Tail Slam (Immediate Reaction; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ triggered actionWhen enemy enters a square adjacent to Vapith it takes the following attack; attack +35 vs. Reflex; 2d10+22 damage; on hit target is pushed 8 squares and knocked prone <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Apocalypse Now (Free; encounter) ♦ triggered action, fearWhen bloodied Vapith transforms into Apocalypse Dragon form, loses all ongoing effects and makes the following attack as an immediate free action; burst 10; enemies only; attack +35 vs. Will; on hit target is stunned (save ends), aftereffect target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends) Alignment Evil Languages common, draconic, supernalSkills Arcana +29, Athletics +36, Endurance +33, History +29, Intimidate +31, Religion +29Str 40 (+31) Dex 30 (+26) Wis 24 (+23)Con 34 (+28) Int 26 (+24) Cha 30 (+26) -- Vapith - Apocalypse Dragon Level 32 Solo ControllerGargantuan Immortal Magical Beast (Apocalypse Dragon) XP 135,000 Initiative +40 Senses Perception +23, darkvisionHP 750; considered bloodied, also see Necrotic SympathyAC 46; Fortitude 49, Reflex 45, Will 44Immune environmental cold and necrotic effectsSaving Throws +5, Vapith may make an unmodified save against any one effect (including none save ends effects) at the start of its turnSpeed 8 (icewalk), fly 6 (hover), teleport 10Action Points 2 Aura of Death (aura) ♦ trait, necroticAura 5; All enemies entering or starting their turn inside aura take 30 necrotic damage; all enemies inside aura take a -2 penalty to saving throws and when gaining HPs or temporary HPs only regain half the amount Threatening Reach ♦ traitVapith has threatening reach (3) with its Draining Bite attack <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Draining Bite (Standard; at-will) ♦ necroticReach 3; attack +37 vs. AC; 3d8+22 necrotic damage (critical 6d6+46 necrotic damage); on hit target is weakened (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Soul Rake (Standard; at-will) ♦ necroticReach 3; attack +37 vs. AC; 4d10+22 necrotic damage; on hit secondary attack against the same target; attack +32 vs. Will; on hit target cannot spend healing surges (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Claw Scratch (Minor; at-will) ♦ poisonReach 3; attack +37 vs. AC; 1d10+10 damage; on hit slide target 1 square and target takes cumulative 5 ongoing poison damage (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Dispel Magic (Minor; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />)Range 10; does not provoke opportunity attacks; targets 1 zone or effect; attack +35 vs. Will of effects creator; on hit zone or effect is ended with immediate effect <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Anti Life Breath (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ necrotic, psychicClose blast 7; attack +35 vs. Fortitude; 2d10+20 necrotic and psychic damage; on hit target takes 20 ongoing necrotic and psychic damage; each failed save the ongoing damage increases by 20 <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Apocalypse Bargain (Standard; encounter)Burst 8; enemies only; attack +35 vs. Will; on hit target chooses either to take damage equal to its bloodied value and be dazed (save ends) or take damage equal to its healing surge value and be stunned (save ends); on miss target takes damage equal to its healing surge value Necrotic Sympathy (Immediate Reaction; at-will) ♦ triggered actionWhenever an enemy spends a healing surge inside Vapiths Aura of Death it may regain 100 HPs, this may not take above 750 HPs Alignment Evil Languages common, draconic, supernalSkills Arcana +29, Athletics +36, Endurance +33, History +29, Intimidate +31, Religion +29Str 40 (+31) Dex 30 (+26) Wis 24 (+23)Con 34 (+28) Int 26 (+24) Cha 30 (+26) ---- Trip Trip (consumed) Level 30 Solo BruteMedium Fey Humanoid XP 95,000 Initiative +35 Senses Perception +24, lowlight visionHP 1,400; Bloodied 700; also see So You Want A Fight? and I'm Taking You With MeAC 42; Fortitude 44, Reflex 43, Will 41Immune fear, aura damage from Vapith (both forms)Saving Throws all effects Trip Trip is subject to become (save ends) effects, Trip Trip may make a saving throw with a -2 penalty against each effect at the start of each turn, and a saving throw with a +5 bonus at the end of each turnSpeed 10, charge 14Action Points 2, also see Adrenaline Rush Multiple Actions ♦ traitOn each turn Trip Trip has a minor, move and 2 standard actions Adrenaline Rush ♦ traitTrip Trip gains an additional action point whenever he scores a critical hit or a critical hit is scored against him God Killer ♦ traitAura 1; All enemies inside aura take a -5 penalty to saving throws <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Greatsword Cleave (Standard; at-will)Reach 2; attack +35 vs. AC; 4d10+25 (critical 6d10+65 damage); on hit all other enemies within reach take 13 damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/br.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":branged:" title="Basic Ranged    :branged:" data-shortname=":branged:" /> Greatbow Shot (Standard; at-will)Range 20/40; attack +35 vs. AC; 4d8+25 damage; on hit target takes a secondary attack +33 vs. Fortitude; on hit target is pushed 3 squares, knocked prone and takes 15 ongoing bleeding damage (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> I Travel, I Kill (Standard; encounter) ♦ teleportTrip Trip teleports 10 squares and makes 4 attacks against the same target; attack +35 vs. AC; 2d10+25 damage; each time an attack misses Trip Trip gains a cumulative +2 bonus to all the remaining attacks with this power; if 2 attacks hit the target is knocked prone, if 3 attacks hit the target is knocked prone and dazed (save ends), if all 4 attacks hit the target is knocked prone and stunned (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Harpoon Shot (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />)Range 20; attack +35 vs. AC; 4d10+25 damage; on hit Trip Trip may either pull the target to the closest adjacent free square to him or shift to the closest available adjacent square to the target <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Worthy Challenge (Minor; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />)1 enemy inside burst 5; target chooses to either be pulled to the closest adjacent free square to Trip Trip or be stunned until the end of Trip Trips next turn, while a target is stunned by this power they cannot be the primary target of any of Trip Trips attacks <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Whirling Blade (Standard; encounter)Burst 2; enemies only; 4d12+25 damage; on hit target is pushed 3 squares and knocked prone; hit or miss Trip Trip may teleport 10 squares <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Decidal Eye (Minor; encounter)1 target inside burst 10; until the end of the encounter target gains vulnerability 5 to all of Trip Trips attacks, and Trip Trip's attacks ignore all immunities and resistances of the target <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Strike for Strike (Immediate Reaction; at-will) ♦ triggered actionWhen a melee attack is made against Trip Trip by an adjacent enemy he may make the following attack against the triggering enemy as an immediate reaction; attack +35 vs. AC; 4d8+20 damage So You Want A Fight? (Free) ♦ triggered actionWhen first bloodied all Trip Trip's encounter and recharge powers except Decidal Eye recharge, and he may teleport 10 squares to any free square that is not adjacent to another creature as an immediate free action I'm Taking You With Me (Free) ♦ triggered actionWhen reduced to 0 HPs the triggering enemy (or the target of his Decidal Eye if there is no triggering enemy) takes an attack +35 vs. Fortitude; on hit target is reduced to 0 HPs on miss target takes 50 necrotic damage Alignment Evil Languages common, elvenSkills Athletics +33, Dungeoneering +24, Endurance +30, Intimidate +25, Nature +24, Stealth +30Str 36 (+28) Dex 30 (+25) Wis 18 (+19)Con 30 (+25) Int 14 (+17) Cha 20 (+20)Equipment oversized greatsword/greatbow (morphing weapon) This was a hard and desperate fight, but highly enjoyable as it pushed the PCs to their limit and no action, no matter how minor, could be wasted against the onslaught of damage and effects.The dragon was correctly identified as the main threat by the PCs but they also had to split up to keep Trip Trip at bay. To my surprise the PCs continually tried to talk both Trip Trip and the dragon around and convince them that they were on the wrong side (10 out of 10 for heroic bravado). But they didn’t seem to grasp the idea that Trip Trip was under the influence of the Curtain of Despair and was now her puppet. They also deduced a few key points about the dragon: - It was very young, definitely a wrymling and maybe less than five years old.- It had no idea who the PCs were and didn’t understand why they had suddenly turned up and started attacking his mistress and his home.- Again it was less than five years old and even with 26 intelligence and 24 wisdom it didn’t have the life experience or knowledge of any world outside the castle where it had been raised by the Curtain of Despair. It knew that it was destined to destroy the world and could sense the rising power it had to accomplish that, but it didn’t know what the rest of the world actually meant. So the PCs were continually met with answers such as “what do you mean I’m on the wrong side?”, “Are you insane? I’m going to destroy the world”, “I don’t understand why you are attacking me, I’m going to destroy the world!”, “what do you mean you don’t want to destroy the world? That’s stupid!” etc. The epic fight had many cool moments with the PCs pulling out all the stops to gain any advantage over their fearsome foes. The rogue used close quarters to climb onto the back of the dragon who had one chance to dislodge him when it hit with its Hurricane Blast but the paladin used a power to take the attack himself allowing the rogue to stay there for the rest of the encounter. The rogue of course took an absolute pounding from the 30 damage aura, but tenaciously stabbed away turn after turn until the dragon was dead. Trip Trip put up a reasonable fight, alternating between ranged and melee attacks as necessary and getting to use all his powers. But at level 30 he wasn’t really a match for the defences of a fully buffed Order of Elites. But he outlived the dragon and as he went down his I’m Taking You With Me power hit the Paladin reducing him to 0 HPs. 0 HPs is nothing to the Order of Elites with the warlords level 30 Legendary General power that has the effect of; while he has at least 1 HP all his allies within 20 squares do not drop unconscious when on negative HPs (but still make death saves and die when at negative bloodied). This was an ability that would prove very useful in the next encounter. During the tail end of the encounter Victor (in the other team) had been in touch with Tellis by use of the magical communication stones to say that they were ready to deactivate the Soul Reservoir, Tellis had asked him to hold off for a moment while in the background he could hear the heavy clanking sound of metal on metal. Encounter 9 – Meet the aspectsVictor got back on the stone to see how long Tellis needed before the Reservoir was shut down and Tellis started asking him questions about it. This was cut short by Victor saying, “hang on a sec, Tilly is trying to get my attention…..” And at that point there was a massive explosion from the side of the castle as a great cloud of rubble and dust burst out into the sky, followed by a huge stream of screaming souls rushing up into the sky and spiralling round in a great screaming cloud that hung above the castle roof. The PCs instinctively moved back into the shelter of the stairway as the elemental shield briefly expanded then collapsed leaving a large adamantine statue surrounded by 6 vaguely humanoid creatures. The statue was of a tall thin woman with small horns like a tiefling and features (not unsurprisingly) closely resembling Tellis’s and Samsarrows. This was obviously a representation of the Curtain of Despair, but strangely the statue was missing its arms. Suspicious, thought the group. The creatures were an assortment of similar vaguely humanoid creatures along a theme that it only took a moment for the party to work out. Each creature was an aspect of one of the Curtain of Despairs domains. 1. (winter) a white/blue translucent humanoid with the ground around it frozen as if by intense ice.2. (fear) a black humanoid with long clawed fingers and a hazy aura.3. (undeath) a heavy humanoid with skin not unlike a zombie.4. (secrets) the only figure with equipment, a massively bulky and unwieldy suit of platemail with a very heavy looking (and shiny) shield and a glowing radiant sword.5. (death) a thin, hazy black insubstantial humanoid6. (fate) a humanoid that appears to be made of hundreds of long black worms (the PCs have had previous experience of seeing the Scion of Fate which was an orb of similar looking writhing worms). The PCs huddled in the stairwell and quickly discussed what powers and most importantly defensive buff they had left. This being the Order of Elites they have more than one tool for any situation, initiative was rolled and the battle was on… Winter Level 33 ArtilleryMedium Immortal Humanoid XP 31,000 Initiative +27 Senses Perception +26, darkvision HP 232; Bloodied 116AC 45; Fortitude 44, Reflex 46, Will 45Resist 30 coldSpeed 6 (icewalk) Extreme Frost ♦ trait, coldAura 1; all enemies ending their turn inside aura take 20 ongoing cold damage and are restrained (save ends both) Slippery When Wet ♦ traitWhenever Winter is subject to a push, pull or slide effect it may instead shift the appropriate number of squares <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Ice Slam (Standard; at-will) ♦ coldAttack +38 vs. AC; 2d8+23 cold damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Ice Shard (Standard; at-will) ♦ coldRange 10/20; attack +40 vs. AC; 4d8+23 cold damage; on hit secondary attack +36 vs. Fortitude; on hit target is immobilised (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Shard Burst (Standard; encounter) ♦ coldBurst 5; enemies only; attack +36 vs. Reflex; 4d6+18 cold damage Alignment Evil Languages supernalStr 24 (+23) Dex 32 (+27) Wis 30 (+26)Con 28 (+25) Int 20 (+21) Cha 20 (+21) ---- Fear Level 33 SkirmisherMedium Immortal Humanoid XP 31,000 Initiative +29 Senses Perception +21, darkvisionHP 302; Bloodied 151AC 47; Fortitude 45, Reflex 46, Will 46Immune Fear; Resist 30 psychicSpeed 10 The Frightener ♦ trait, fearAura 3; all enemies inside aura take a -2 penalty to attack rolls <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Claw Swipe (Standard; at-will) ♦ fearAttack +38 vs. AC; 3d8+23 damage; on hit target is immobilised (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Insidious Claw (Standard; at-will)Attack +38 vs. AC; 3d8+23 damage (5d8+23 damage with combat advantage); Fear may shift 2 squares before and after this attack <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Living Nightmare (Standard; encounter) ♦ psychic, fearBurst 3; enemies only; attack +35 vs. Will; 2d6+18 psychic damage; on hit target is stunned (save ends), aftereffect target takes 20 psychic damage Alignment Evil Languages supernalStr 26 (+24) Dex 32 (+27) Wis 20 (+21)Con 30 (+26) Int 18 (+20) Cha 32 (+27) ---- Undeath Level 33 BruteMedium Immortal Humanoid XP 31,000 Initiative +24 Senses Perception +21, darkvisionHP 380; Bloodied 190AC 45; Fortitude 46, Reflex 44, Will 45Resist 30 necroticSpeed 6 Brutal Mass ♦ traitUndeath reduces all push, pull and slide effects by 5 squares and may make an immediate saving throw to negate being knocked prone <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Creation Slam (Standard; at-will) ♦ necrotic, summonAttack +38 vs. AC; 4d10+30 necrotic damage; hit or miss summons 1 Spectral Skull in any free square adjacent to target (see separate stat block) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Spectral Skull Blast (Standard; encounter) ♦ necrotic, summonClose blast 5; enemies only; attack +36 vs. Fortitude; 4d8+18 necrotic damage; on hit target is pushed 3 squares; hit or miss summons 1 Spectral Skull in any free square adjacent to each target (see separate stat block) Alignment Evil Languages supernalStr 32 (+27) Dex 26 (+24) Wis 20 (+21)Con 32 (+27) Int 10 (+16) Cha 28 (+25) -- Spectral Skull Level 33 MinionSmall Immortal Animate (undead) XP 7,750 Initiative acts on 20 Senses Perception +14, truesightHP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.AC 47; Fortitude 45, Reflex 47, Will 44Immune disease, poison; Resist 30 necroticSpeed fly 4 (hover), cannot be knocked prone <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Skull Bite (Standard; at-will)Attack +35 vs. Reflex; 23 damage; on hit target gains vulnerability 10 necrotic (save ends) Agile Bite ♦ triggered actionWhen an adjacent enemy shifts it provokes an opportunity attack from Spectral Skull Alignment Evil Str 30 (+26) Dex 34 (+28) Wis 6 (+14)Con 16 (+19) Int 3 (+12) Cha 3 (+12) ----  Secrets Level 33 SoldierMedium Immortal Humanoid XP 31,000 Initiative +23 Senses Perception +26HP 310; Bloodied 155AC 49; Fortitude 45, Reflex 47, Will 47Speed 5 Lockdown ♦ traitAura 5; all enemies inside aura cannot teleport Rebut Ignorance ♦ trait, radiantAura 3; whenever an enemy inside aura makes an attack that does not include Secrets it takes 30 radiant damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Sword Strike (Standard; at-will) ♦ radiantAttack +38 vs. AC; 2d8+24 radiant damage Reflective Shield (Immediate Reaction; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ triggered actionWhen Secrets is hit by an Arcane or Divine ranged or close attack the triggering enemy repeats the attack against themselves; on hit they take the relevant damage and effects Alignment Evil Languages supernalStr 24 (+23) Dex 20 (+21) Wis 30 (+26)Con 34 (+28) Int 34 (+28) Cha 22 (+22)Equipment radiant sword, shield and heavy armour ---- Death Level 33 LurkerMedium Immortal Humanoid XP 31,000 Initiative +31 Senses Perception +20HP 160; Bloodied 80AC 47; Fortitude 43, Reflex 46, Will 46Immune disease, poison; Resist 30 necrotic, insubstantial; Vulnerable 10 radiantSpeed 7, phasing Fade Away ♦ traitIf Death is not adjacent to an enemy at the start of its turn it becomes invisible until it makes a attack <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Spectral Hand (Standard; at-will) ♦ necroticAttack +36 vs. Fortitude; 4d6+23 necrotic damage, if this attack scores a critical hit the target instead takes necrotic damage equal to their bloodied value <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Word of Death (Standard; encounter) ♦ necroticClose blast 3; enemies only; attack +35 vs. Will; on hit target is reduced to 0 HPs; on miss target takes 4d8+20 necrotic damage Strange Tides (Free) ♦ triggered actionWhenever Death is missed by an attack from an adjacent enemy it may slide the target 1 square (this slide may not be reduced by any means) Alignment Evil Languages supernalStr 20 (+21) Dex 32 (+27) Wis 18 (+20)Con 24 (+23) Int 22 (+22) Cha 32 (+27) ---- Fate Level 33 Controller (Leader)Medium Immortal Humanoid (blind) XP 31,000 Initiative +25 Senses Perception +29, blindsightHP 296; Bloodied 148AC 47; Fortitude 43, Reflex 45, Will 46Saving Throws Fate makes 2 saving throw rolls per effect and takes the highest resultSpeed 6 Anti Magic ♦ traitWhenever Fate ends it turn inside an enemy zone the zone is dispelled <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Loathsome Tendril (Standard; at-will) ♦ acidReach 2; attack +38 vs. AC; 20 acid damage; on hit target takes 20 ongoing acid damage (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Control Destiny (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ psychicRange 20; attack +36 vs. Will; 2d10+23 psychic damage; on hit target is dominated (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Master Translocation (Standard; at-will) ♦ teleportBurst 20; 2 target allies inside burst; the targets switch places and one of the targets may make an immediate free basic attack Control Fate (at-will; Immediate Interrupt) ♦ triggered actionWhenever an enemy within 20 squares makes a d20 roll the triggering enemy rerolls the dice and must keep the new result Alignment Evil Languages supernalStr 22 (+22) Dex 20 (+21) Wis 26 (+24)Con 24 (+23) Int 30 (+26) Cha 32 (+27) This was a tense and brutal fight against an enemy that was prepared to do whatever it took to kill them. For once the monsters did very well on the initiative and by the end of the first round the cleric was on -66 HPs (but still active thanks to the warlord) and practically the entire group were blocked in on the stairway (which was open to the sky) which they rapidly realised was turning into a murder hole. This was a tough encounter to run, primarily because there were 6 different creatures on 6 different initiatives. I had tried to keep the creatures as straight forward as possible but their was still a lot to keep track of with auras, triggered actions and ongoing effects. It was worth the extra effort though as there were many interesting moments and on one particularly tense turn the cleric and the warlord were both reduced to 0 HPs by Word of Death, then the warlord was coup de graced for a further 70 damage (actually 80 as he was vulnerable to necrotic at the time) then attacked by Fears Insidious Claw, if it had hit he would have been dead (by negative bloodied) but the attack missed and the paladin was able to fly in an lay on hands the cleric, who was in turn able to heal the warlord, and all before the Warlords; sustain minor +4 to all defences buff expired! A close call. All the creatures played their part and as a DM it was nice to see an encounter including every combat role. Secrets was the first to die as it was the most annoying, surprisingly Fate survived to be the last creature to meet the Order of Elites wrath. Fate’s Control Fate power had done a sterling service keeping an immobilised status effect of the ranger so that Winter could restrain him with its Extreme Frost aura, but its dominate power only worked once. Undeaths minion summoning attacks were also very interesting and the little floating skulls dished out a very reasonable amount of damage making it important to keep their numbers low, mainly through including them in area and burst effects. It was also nice (for me as the DM) to see the shock in the PCs when their standard emergency fire zone was dispelled by Fates Anti Magic trait at the end of her turn before it could have any effect. During the combat whenever an aspect was defeated it instantly crumbled into dust and a specific arm appeared on the statue… 1: (winter) Crystalline translucent blue arm of ice, wielding a frozen sword2: (fear) A twisted, disjointed arm ending in a large 3 fingered claw3: (undeath) an immaculate and delicate arm, wielding a skull mace4: (secrets) a mummified arm holding a rod made from obsidian and jade5: (death) an arm made from maggots6: (fate) an arm clad in bonemail carrying a shield bearing the symbol of Tharizdun As soon as the final creature was defeated the adamantine surface of the statue melted away revealing the flesh and blood god within. While the frenzy of circling souls hung lower screaming and laughing. The next encounter will take place immediately with no time to heal (but will count as a fresh encounter). Everyone will keep the same initiative (just as if the last fight was still going on) with the Curtain of Despair acting next. The group looked at their desperate position with very few healing surges and almost completely out of daily powers and tricks. Gritting their teeth they prepared for the most important fight of their lives, their destinies had been building towards this. Today and now the celestial contract forged by Pholtus the Pale (at the cost of his godly existence) would be resolved and the world would either be lost to the shadowfell forever or saved by our plucky heroes. Tune in next time to see if they succeed.</blockquote>

Verification