Strange Stars IC

[nameless]

Seeing that the strange young man has given him no other choice, Qalare is forced to action. I wish I knew more about this mysterious young man, it seems unwise to kill him before seeing his hand. Stalling still seems to be the best option. Not wishing to bring harm to the loyal guards, he decides to use one of his most powerful, yet nonlethal spells.

Suddenly floating backwards over the reflecting pool, Qalare begins casting. Throwing his arms to the sides and raising his palms towards the heavens, he concentrates and speaks arcane words of power, causing subtle shifts in the nature of reality itself.

[OOC - Assuming the guards haven't closed to melee range yet, Qalare uses his move action to float up and backwards over the center of the shallow pool behind him. Then he will cast Reverse Gravity, shaping the effect in two lines along the sides of the pool to catch all 14 guards in place. The lines are each 10 feet high, 5 feet wide (snaking as necessary to catch all the guards) and approximately 70 feet long. If guards have moved, then change the specific dimensions to fit their new positions, the important thing is lifting them off their feet and 10 feet into the air. If Qalare is in a threatened square, cast the spell defensively and then float back.]

[OOC - Also, did I have time to make a Lore check last round? That could be pivotal information, if it is possible to make one]

 

[Someone]

[OOC - Also, did I have time to make a Lore check last round? That could be pivotal information, if it is possible to make one]

[Sorry, I forgot to mention earlier. You have no idea of who this man could be, he certainly doesn´t belong to the known royal family. Apart from the possible bastard children, you know that about 55 years ago, when the Caliph greatfather died, there was a certain danger of civil war between the Caliph´s father and his younger brother, Qalasini. Susprisingly, he accepted a voluntary exile to avoid the war -though he was not precisely famous for his generosity- and dissapeared. Qalasini must be about 80 years old by now.]

 

[DM_Matt]

[DM-Matt, I´ll need your definitive character. Take your time if you need]

Almost entirely complete character going up in RG now.

 

[Fanog]

Limar backs away from the Caliph and the vizier, taking his first stap in the shallow pond. "Feel cold, but safe", he notices. I might have uses for it later, maybe raising the water will distract or divert the guards. Later..."

Milar grabs an ointment from his belt pouch and start rubbing it over his eyes. He feels the water run along his legs and concentrates on the strength it has always given him. As he distributes the salve, he mutters under his breath, making his requests of power. "Hear me, spirits of purity. As I partake of that which is clean, purge from my sight illusions and deception. Show me that which is real and true."

With regained certainty of knowing that he sees true, Milar stares intently at the unknown vizier and the Caliph, trying to find any signs that things are not as they seemed.

[OOC - I forgot to purchase the material component for True Seeing, but I had enough cash leftover. I hope it's okay that I assumed I had some available?]

 

[DM_Matt]

While he is doing that, I cast Greater Heroism, saying "This has come as quite a shock. I must bolster my preceptive abilities to better understand why this is happening to me, or perhaps to recall what I could have done to inadvertantly cause this." (Greatr Heroism gives a +4 bonus to skill checks, among other things)

 

[Someone]

Suddendly is like the tension snapped a rope. Rana casts an spell as four guards leap upon her and strike with their scimitars; the blades flash through clothes and armor and clang against the floor as she tries to dodge them. The fight continues, but she has some light wounds. Other guards attack Rashid, Milar, and Qalare, who do their best to defend himself until the wizard raises his hand and the guards suddendly jump and start floating in midair air.

An arrow flies from Rashid´s bow and hits the strange man, exploding in a cascade of white light; but absolutely nothing happens, except that following that, he waves a hand and pronounces arcane words.

Four armed men dressed in red clothes emerge from behind the courtains; some of them plce themselfves to protect the spellcaster, while other prepares to charge. As you ready to face those enemies, you realize you´re in a invisible jail. Qalare, looking over his shoulder, recognizes the new men place of birth: strange and distant lands of evil. Preparing for battle, Torvak casts an spell that makes him grow to the stature of a giant, though that makes the overcrowded jail even more uncomfortable, while you can hear the running feer of new guards that come from outside.

[Rana wins initiative; casts Greater Heroism and draws Greatsword (DM´s call, I supposed you forgot it). Tell me what skill do you want to use]

Guards move and attack with awesome rolls: One attacks Rashid and hits [6 damage] 4 soldiers attack Rana and all hit [41 damage; once discounting the 12 temporal hps from Greater Heroism it lowers to 29 hp down] 1 attacks Torvak, and fails; 2 attack Milar and hit [19 damage] 4 attack Qalare (3 hits, 1 of them critical, 35 damage)

Rashid: Surrounded by too many guards, waiting. (see ooc thread)

Milar: 5 feet into the pond; further movement costs double (and you can´t make 5 foot steps) Further action held, since he´s on a threatened area. (again, see ooc thread)

Qalare casts Reverse Gravity (grey areas) and the guards start flying, then flies over the pond. You can count the flying guards as pretty much harmless.

Rashid, now free of threatened aread, draws bow and shoots Qalasini (only once, drawing a bow is a move equivalent) without absolutely any effect; the magical explosion should at least have bruised him, but nothing happened. [spent 1 sleep arrow]

Milar casts True Seeing, but everything seems normal, including the misterious man; he´s not an illusion, polymorphed or magically disguised. Milar is now into the pond; it counts as shallow bog.

Qalasini Forcecages most of the group (red strips). 4 men appear from behind the courtains and take positions; they carry diverse weapons (falchion, bow, spiked chain and one unarmed)

Torvak casts Enlarge Self, but in the crowded Forcecage there´s almost no room. He´s forced to partially step on one of the Reverse Gravity areas after growing, but if leaves it before the next round, there will be no problem.]

 

[DM_Matt]

Questions: Can the guards outside the cage still attack us, do we get cover, and dowe provoke AOOs from them?

 

[DM_Matt]

nm

 

[nameless]

Without Siva and Devi to protect him, Qalare quickly runs through his options. He has some type of protective magic, I don't know which of my spells will penetrate it. Too risky. Those 4 soldiers in red look like trouble, as well. I'd better fortify and see if these new and strange bedfellows of mine can probe his defenses.

[I'm assuming Qalare is flying over the heads of the two guards on either side of the pool and is out of their vertical reach, since that was the point of flying over the pool. I'm also assuming I identified the Forcecage as it was cast, since I can't fail that Spellcraft roll.]

[I'm going to wait for my turn in the initiative to post my action, it looks like Rana, Rashid and Milar will go before I do]

 

[Someone]

nm

[Sorry, what does that mean? Anyway; the forcecage spell forbids attacking through the bars, except with small weapons (like arrows) The bars do provide cover. ]

[I'm assuming Qalare is flying over the heads of the two guards on either side of the pool]

Yes. The ceiling is about 20 feet high, slightly less on the sides.

and is out of their vertical reach, since that was the point of flying over the pool.

You can assume that.

[I'm also assuming I identified the Forcecage as it was cast, since I can't fail that Spellcraft roll.]

If I mention spell names you can act with that knowledge.

[I'm going to wait for my turn in the initiative to post my action, it looks like Rana, Rashid and Milar will go before I do]

[Please post your actions. You can change them later, and the other will know what do you intend to do.]

 

[nameless]

[Okay, no problem. I only ask about the Forcecage, because I can't see or touch it like the rest of the characters can ]

Continuing his magical assault, Qalare performs more common set of incantations, necessary to change his shape. As the magical energies take their course, Qalare begins to grow in height. His clothing (but not his ornate jewelry) melds into his skin as horny, golden scales wrap around his body. His legs merge into a long, serpentine tail, and his head distends into a fearsome, ophidian shape. His transformation complete, he is a fearsome-looking serpent man nearly 11 feet long. Qalare soars through the air nearer the opposing wizard, but remains defensively between the magical cage and elite fighting force.

"Disintegrate the cage! We stand no chance separated!" Qalare shouts, but notices the invocation of powerful magic within the Forcecage. He whispers to Milar, "I need an opening in his magical defenses, throwing spells wantonly will get us all killed."

[Cast Polymorph on myself, choosing Yuan-ti Abomination as my form. Use movement to approach the SE side of the Forcecage, but keep it between myself and the archer. If my Rod of the Python isn't readied, ready it as I move. Also heal 14 damage from the polymorph.]

EDIT: Forgot to close a bold tag.

 

[DM_Matt]

"Are we gunna fight or are we gunna run? (said in a tone of genuine questioning, not challenging bravado)"

I take a step back and to the right (5-foot step), so that I am shielded by the others from spell line-of-effect from Quilsani, then I disintegrate the cage. If we are fleeing, I will only drop the back wall. I will then move to the space two squares to he left of Qualare, such that the side of the cage hinders the robed man's line of effect.

I say to the guard near me

"Drop your weapon unless you have a death wish. My quarrel is not with you. You can't stop me anyway, you'll just be throwing your life away"

 

[Fanog]

Milar takes a few steps back, pressing himself against the walls of the Forcecage. He tries to get away from any of the guards, so that he will be undisturbed when casting further spells. Options race through his mind as he hits the invisible wall containing them. Milar quickly discards most of them as either useless, dangerous, or too overtly hostile. "Disintegrate? I'll leave that to the others...", he thinks. Milar nods to the words spoken by the now serpentine man, replying "I'll try, but it's the best I can do for now. Make sure you don't stand between me and him."

Milar raises one hand, pointing the other at the robed man in the corner. He mutters the words that will summon power from the water at his feet. "Hear my prayer, and do as I wish. Wash away the magic on this man, sunder the incantations that protect him. Go and cleanse him of magic." Waves of magic rolls forth from Milar's hand to the robed wizard, crashing into his defenses and attempting to rip apart the magic that is on him.

 

[RedStar]

Torvak cries out in frustration at being penned in by the force cage. "May your child maker rot away to nothing you son of a whore!"

Struggling against the sudden lightness under one of his feet Torvak attempts to step back to steadier ground. Suddenly with an angry roar the half-orc breathes a mass of flame through the bars towards the Caliph's guards.

[ooc: Trying to get out of the reversed gravity and then use my breath weapon (30' cone 4d8 fire damage) on as many guards as I can catch in its area without harming the Caliph or his family.]

 

[Someone]

[The new round is almost done, only waiting for Rashid´s actions]

 

[Jade Solstar]

With a look of great concern upon his face and intent concentration Rashid strings another arrow and with a firm and demanding voice that rises above the clamour of battle he says "May my arrow strike true and no force by man's hand stop it! Prepare to fall you foul creature of deciet and relinquish your control over the pious and righteous Caliph!"
I am astonished that my arrow didn't strike him, the dark powers surely protect him for it has been many years since my arrows have not striked true...Surely he has gained some magical sway over the Caliph for him to endanger his greatest allies and friends...

[OOC-I will make another full attack action at the Vizier using Rapid Shot...but my first arrow fired will be my special ability "Phase Arrow" which ignores cover, concealment and even armor but any magical barrier will stop it.
Attack: +28/+28/+23/+18 Damage(Lethal): 1d8+12]

 

[Someone]

Just rules stuff, I´ll post the descriptive part and map later

[Rana manages to cast Disintegrate without problem, removing the forcecage, then moves.

The guards float aimlessly in the air, except the two south of you who back up a little; and the caliph makes his familiy crawl under the courtains.

Rashid steps back and fires four times upon the nameless mage. The four arrows fly true, scoring two criticals. However, the wounds heal as soon as the mage rips them from his body. [This is NOT a damage reduction effect.] To Qalare, it´s like if he had an unlimited amount of positive energy running through him.

Milar, Qalare, Torvak: Now that you saw that, confirm your moves or change them. By the way, Yuan-ti doesn´t appear in the SRD, did they change from 3.0? If so, please post what relevant (to the polymorph spell) changes they had.]

 

[nameless]

[Yuan-ti have the same stats as far as polymorph is concerned. They all have snake heads and human arms now. Main things I get are the +10 natural armor that magic improves upon (revised Barkskin and Amulet), the bite attack with grab, constrict and poison (DC 20 for me, based on HD and Con), and Blind-Fight and Alertness as racial bonus feats. I'll confirm my action, but not move up to the no-longer-present forcecage. Instead I'll move for cover from the archer to the E into the 10' wide area between the pillar and the wall.]

[The positive energy thing helps a lot though, I don't think that will save him from petrification. I guess we'll see.]

 

[Fanog]

Milar has a moment's doubt, seeing how the robed wizard heals his damage so quickly. "A regeneration effect?", he guesses. "Just one more line of defense that I might be able to breach'.

With full determination, he lets loose his Dispel Magic.

 

[Someone]

Curses, fire, spells and death cross the air in a matter of seconds, starting with the nimble Rana disintegrating the invisible prison and allowing you to move freely. Qalare transforms himself into a huge snake whith arms, and draws his serpent staff. Milar steps into solid land and prays to the spirits of the waters while four arrows stick into the unknow mage´s flesh as if directed by God´s hand.

Rashid stands proudly; no one could have survived that barrage. The wizard(?) falls on one knee, dripping blood: but it´s only a moment. He pulls two arrows from his torso in one motion, stands up and rips the one solidly sank in his neck. Blood pours from this one like a torrent before new flesh and skin take place in a flassh of yellow light.

He then laughs loud before extending his hand and letting a stream of white energy snake his way towards Rashid. He duck to one side, though he can´t avoid the giant spark to hit his leg and explore in a nighmare of lighning and pain that streams in all directions, burning the courtains, making the throne explode and throwing you out of your feet. When it´s over, a column of flame and unholy power descends from the ceiling, commanded by the guy with the falchion, that sears your skin and raises a cloud of steam from the pond and quickly dissipates. Milar clutches his wounds before realizing he´s in danger: the unarmed man has dashed towards him and brutally punched in the chest, though he manages to keep his breath and cover as a stream of fire pass near him as Torvak releases all the might of his draconic heritage, severely burning the helpless guards. However, the ones in red avoid most, if not all, of the fire breath; in fact only one of them show minor burns.

[Milar casts Dispel Magic, [of course without any obvious effect]

Qalare polymorphs (healing 14 damage)

The unknow spellcaster directs the newcomers in Abissal and decides to go the direct route. He retaliates with an Empowered Chain Lightning upon Rashid and almost kills half of the group (93 damage, Rashid and Qalare save), though he looks surprised. The one with the falchion follows with Flame Strike (32 damage, Torvak, Qalare Rana and Rashid save), the one with the spiked chain commands it to burn and moves while the unarmed guy runs through the hall at top speed and hits Milar once [5 damage, though the cleric avoids being stunned]. The guy with a bow moves slightly while full attacking Torvak, and manages to score a critical [29 damage] (yes, it´s the Day of the Crit, I´m as surprised as you)

Torvak adjusts his position and breathes fire, catching guards and newcomers alike, burning the guards –though they still live- and affecting slightly the guy with the chain.

Status: Qalare 10/49, Rana 37/112, Rashid 49/117 Milar 12/82 Torvak 38/129]