9 Successes (1 Hard DC Available)/1 Failures/0 Secondary Skills Available/3 Advantages Available)
The Smoking Murk tears at Pa'avu's lungs as it desperately seeks its true prey. Eventually, the mighty goliath cannot contain the terrible incantation. The instant she hacks and coughs up the vile magic it makes a beeline for the Omthala Priestess, attempting to subvert both her will and her form to the Warlock that enspelled the sorcery upon this world from The Far Realm. The Lady of Light intercedes, a true miracle, with a radiant bulwark imbuing her precious faithful.
"I might have known..." Hakhaman spits in disgust. "Very well."
A whistle later and one of your Uncle Tarquin's mighty guard dogs is at the side of the wagon.
MECHANICS
* Pa'avu starts combat down one Healing Surge worth of HPs.
* If Hakhaman reaches square EFPQ18,
he leaves the scene (you can start a Skill Challenge to
Pursue Hakhaman).
*
WIN CON = Both * Dispel the perverse incantation of the Smoking Murk (Priestess' square) AND * Protect the priestess; accrue 1 Success for the Skill Challenge. If the Smoking Murk isn't dispelled or the priestess perishes, accrue 1 Failure for the Skill Challenge.
* DISPEL THE SMOKING MURK (125 xp). Complexity 1, Level 2 SC. 4 x DC 13 Obstacles (Primary Check = Standard Action w/in 5 Squares or Adjacent to Priestess if Physical. Secondary Check x 1 = Minor Action). * Any Round without a Success and the Priestess loses 1 HP at the End of the Round. * 3 Failures before 4 Successes and the Priestess dies and is "changed" (and becomes an ally for Hakhaman).
*
TERRAIN STUNT (GIDDYUP): Orange Square O4 is the Horse drawing the Procession's Open Wagon.
Standard Action
Requirement: You must be adjacent to the horse.
Check: Nature or Insight check (medium DC) to activate the horse.
Success: The horse breaks free of harness and collar and upends the wagon.
Target: Each creature on or adjacent to the wagon.
Attack: Level + 5 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 1d10 + 1 level damage, and the target is pushed 1 sq and knocked prone.
Miss: Half damage and pushed 1 sq.
Effect: The area of the wagon and adjacent become difficult terrain.
* Black outlined squares are Hindering Terrain (Prostrate Crowd). If a creature starts their turn in or adjacent to a square of
Prostrate Crowd, they are slowed (save ends). The Prostrate Crowd can be used for Cover or Superior Cover if Prone.
* Wagon Squares are either Difficult Terrain or Challenging Terrain to navigate; Player's Choice. If player attempts Challenging Terrain, its DC 13 Athletics. Failure = Fall Prone in 1st Square.
* Priestess Stats (Smoking Murk is in her square until dispelled).
Omthala Priestess
Medium natural humanoid, human
Level 2 Minion Controller XP 31
HP 1 (15 THP); a missed attack never damages a minion. Initiative +4
AC 16, Fortitude 14, Reflex 15, Will 16 Perception+5
Speed 6
Traits
Divine Intercession
Omthala intercedes on the behalf of her priestess with 15 Temporary HPs at the start of the combat.
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Radiant Brand (Radiant, Divine, Implement) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +5 vs. Ref
Hit: 2 radiant damage and the target takes -2 to hit UEoYNT
Triggered Actions
Holy Fount (Encounter)
Trigger: The priestess drops to 0 hit points.
Effect (No Action): The priestess gains 1 hit point.
Escape +2, Intimidate +8, Religion + 8
*
(H) Hakhaman (Elite Controller/Leader) AC 16, Fortitude 14, Reflex 15, Will 16
*
(D) Dog (Standard Brute) AC 15, Fortitude 15, Reflex 13, Will 12
ROUND 1
INITIATIVE
Ibhea 18
Dog 17
Hakhaman 17
Pa'avu 16
Chanvati 14
Omthala Priestess 9
CHANTVATI recalls the many horror-inducing invocations Tarquin's Warlock Steward has made over the years and fills his companions' minds with forewarning images. Unfortunately, his knowledge of the gigantic hound is much more limited.
Free Action:
Monster Knowledge Arcana check vs Hakhaman = 23; High DC
Hakhaman
Medium natural humanoid, human
Level 2 Elite Controller (Leader) XP 400
HP 80; Bloodied 40 Initiative +3
AC 16, Fortitude 14, Reflex 15, Will 16 Perception+6
Speed 6 Resist 5 psychic Saving Throws +2; Action Points 1
Standard Actions
(
)
Staff (psychic, weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +7 vs. AC
Hit: 1d8 + 4 psychic damage.
Visions From Beyond (implement, psychic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +5 vs. Will
Hit: 1d6 + 1 psychic damage. The target is dazed and takes ongoing 5 psychic damage (save ends both).
ᗕ
Aberrant Form (implement) ✦ Recharge ⚄ ⚅
Attack: Close burst 1 centered on Hakhaman or his Insanity Rift (enemies in the burst); +5 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d8 + 7 damage, and the target is weakened until the end of Hakhaman's next turn. In addition, one ally in the burst gains 5 temporary hit points.
Minor Actions
Insanity Rift (conjuration, implement) ✦ At-Will
Effect: Hakhaman conjures an Insanity Rift in an unoccupied square within 10 squares of him. The Rift lasts until it is destroyed, until Hakhaman drops to 0 hit points, or until he dismisses it as a minor action. The Rift occupies its square. Enemies can't move through its space, but allies can. When Hakhaman takes a move action, he can also move the Rift up to 6 squares. If the Rift takes 10 damage or more from a single attack, it is destroyed and Hakhaman takes 10 damage; the Rift is otherwise unaffected by attacks. Hakhaman can have only one Insanity Rift conjured at a time. In addition, the Insanity Rift can make the following attack.
Trigger: An enemy leaves a square adjacent to the Rift.
Attack (Opportunity Action): Melee 1 (the triggering enemy); +5 vs. Will
Hit: 1d6 +2 damage and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
Collapse ✦ At-Will 1/round Effect: Hakhaman commands the Insanity Rift to make the following attack.
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +5 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d8 + 2 damage.
Skills Arcana +8, Indimidate +10, Athletics (Escape) +3
Free Action:
Monster Knowledge Nature Check vs. Dog = 16; Medium DC
Guard Dog, Medium natural beast (animal), Brute, HP 48, Speed 6, Bite, Athletics (Escape) +10
IBHEA is nearly staggered by what neither his senses nor reason can explain. He knows that Chanvati's ruse was illusion, and a ruse bordering on heresy, at that. And yet he can feel the lingering presence of the goddess, her working of a miracle upon the besieged priestess. Buoyed by this, he will not abide this assault upon a colleague and companion in Omthala's faith, and certainly not on the very footsteps of the Lady's holy Cathedral!
He intones the words and rites of sacred power, used to cast out a possessing force or spirit from a body.
* Standard Action: Religion Skill Check to Dispel the Smoking Murk r8 +9 = 17 vs 13 DC. Success.
SKILL CHALLENGE CONDITION SATISFIED THIS ROUND.
C1, LEVEL 2 SC: 1 Successes (0 Hard DC Available)/0 Failures/1 Secondary Skills Available
The huge GUARD DOG instinctively knows who the biggest threat to its alpha is and lunges at the mountainous goliath Barbarian, angry jaws and spittle leading!
* Move Action: T3 to R3
* Standard Action: Bite vs Pa'avu; 12 (Roll) + 7 = 19. Hit; (8)+9 = 17 damage. (
BLOODIED; started combat 9 HP down).
(⚔) Bite ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +7 vs. AC
Hit: 1d10 + 3 damage, or 1d10 + 9 while the dog is within 2 squares of an ally.
<EDIT - ATTACK CALCS INCORRECT. VS NAD SHOULD BE +5, NOT +6>
HAKHAMAN brings forth his staff and speaks in a tongue impossible to comprehend. The air shimmers as spindly astral hands and arms seem to emerge from nowhere to...invert (?) the parcel of existence next to the priestess. Insanity claims space and time as a rift to The Far Realm claims dominion over a small location and a singular moment.
Through it, Hakhaman unleashes disorder and chaos...
* Minor Action: Summon Insanity Rift (R4).
* Standard Action: Aberrant Form CB1 from Insanity Rift. Attack vs Pa'avu Fort; (7) +5 = 12. Miss. Attack vs Omthala Priestess Fort; (8) +5 = 13. Miss.
* Minor Action: Insanity Rift Collapse. Attack vs P Ref; (8) +5 = 13. Miss.
* Free Action: Action Point to gain Standard Action. Visions From Beyond. Attack vs Pa'avu Will; (17) +5 = 23. Hit; (1) +1 = 2 psychic damage and P is dazed and takes ongoing 5 psychic damage (save ends both).
Head still spinning, lungs still burning, PA'AVU stares stolidly at the troublesome dog snarling and biting at her. Suddenly her vision seems to sharpen from a power she has come to recognize as coming from her gosb'tar, and she sees her way to slicing at the hound's hide more effectively with trusty Velmech'ki.
At the sight of the wound, the goliath remembers the rough sparring lessons in her clan and the urging of one of her clan-mothers to "take back your power" after one participant received a particularly bad blow to their head. Pa'avu tosses back her own head now as she finally understands the lesson of shaking of the dizziness. This time when she inhales, her lungs are filled with fresh clean air, and her wounds begin to look considerably older than they did a moment ago.
Given the ferocity of her foes arrayed against her, Pa'avu's l'pahb'gin instinctively hardens her skin to stone while her gosb'tar lends a psychic hand to aid her in throwing off Hakhaman's power. For now, at any rate.
* Take 5 OG Psychic Damage
* Free Action (Encounter, Chanvati): Adept's Insight (Augmented by Chanvati spending his PP: 2 +1 = 3
* Standard Action (Encounter): Resurgent Strike against Dog: Roll 11 + 9 + 3 = 23 vs 15 AC HIT!; 1) end Daze, 2) Damage: 8 + 4 + 5 = 17
* Minor Action (Encounter): Iron Resurgence: gain 18 HP + 4 TPH (HP: 22 (4 THP)); 3/11 Surges now available
* Minor Action: Stone's Endurance (Encoutner); 5 Damage Resist UEoYNT
* Save versus 5 OG Psychic: Roll 9 Fail * Free Action (Daily, Chanvati): Broach of No Regrets: Save versus 5 OG Psychic: Roll 20 + 2 = 22 Success
CHANVATI scrutinizes the crowded space on and around the wagon of the Procession and focuses his psionic power there to alleviate some of the proximate threats upon Omthala's priestess. Space scrambles and Hakhaman's hound is transported to the far side of the wagon, beside its master. Then Chanvati advances behind his bodyguard, bracing one hand against her broad back in defensive posture.
* Standard Action: Dimensional Scramble centered on S2, vs D = r(20) +7 = CRIT, vs H = r(5) +7 = 12 vs 14 Fort, Miss. Damage to D = 11 + r(5) = 16 and teleported to Q1.
GUARD DOG BLOODIED
* Move Action: K5 to P5.
PRIESTESS OF OMTHALA struggles as the murky form of the smoke monster tries to force its way down her throat. Carefully, she picks her way across the wagon to dismount and scuttle behind her colleague Ibhea, but not before the Rift blasts and dazes her for daring to insert sensibility into this scene of chaos.
* Move Action: Q3 to L7.
TRIGGER OPPORTUNITY ACTION: Provokes OA from R, r(15) +7 = 22 vs 16 Will. Hit for r(3) +2 = 5 damage and O is dazed UEoHNT.
1 HP (10 THP). Holy Fount (Encounter) Available.
ROUND 2
IBHEA stands firm as a beacon of hope as his fellow stumbles across the plaza to him. Having previously invoked the divine power invested in him, he now turns to more mundane means, interceding the white cowl that had slipped from the priestess's head over it once again in an attempt to ward off this fell presence assaulting her.
* Standard Action: Untrained +4 WIS Heal check towards the embedded Skill Challenge Dispel the Smoking Murk: r(13) +4 = 17 vs 13 Moderate DC = Success.
SKILL CHALLENGE CONDITION SATISFIED THIS ROUND.
C1, LEVEL 2 SC: 2 Successes (0 Hard DC Available)/0 Failures/1 Secondary Skills Available
<DOG DELAYS UNTIL AFTER HAKHAMAN>
HAKHAMAN calls the dog to heal briefly as he channels wilting energy from the Far Realm through the Insanity Rift. It wracks Chanvati's form and steals his strength. Still, the psion-scion has enough gas left in his tank to fend off the spatial attacks that the Insanity Rift assails him with.
"THE PRIESTESS!" Hakhaman shouts to the dog and points as the two advance toward the acolyte of Omthala.
* Aberrant Form Recharge; 5. Recharges.
* Mover Action: S1 to N4. Insanity Rift Shifts R4 to Q5.
* Standard Action: Aberrant Form CB1 from Insanity Rift. Attack vs Pa'avu Fort; (7) +5 = 12. Miss. Attack vs Chanvati Fort; (13) +5 = 18. Hit; (2, 5) +7 = 14 damage to C and weakened until the end of Hakhaman's next turn.
TRIGGER - VENGEANCE IS MINE IMMEDIATE ACTION (CHANVATI)
As the Rift in the fabric of reality collapses all meaning with its impossible geometry, CHANVATI blasts it with psychic energy, setting his slave up for a mighty blow with her greatsword, which seals the rent and restores order to spacetime once again.
Triggered Action (an enemy hits Chanvati): Vengeance Is Mine (Encounter Power) vs Rift; Mind Thrust vs R = r(9) +7 = 16 vs 16 Will (conjurations have same defenses as conjurer) for r(4) +5 = 9/2 (weakened) 4 damage. Does not meet 10 HP threshhold. In addition, Pa'avu gets MBA vs Rift, r(8) +9 = 17 vs 16 AC. Hit for r(6) + 5 = 11 damage.
Rift destroyed. Hakhaman takes 10 HP damage.
Observing his master's command, the GUARD DOG rushes the priestess, heedless of Ibhea's bladed efforts to defend her. When the exchange is over, Omthala's divine magic has again rebuked the call of death to her servant; a radiant fountain manifesting to baptize the believer with life.
* Move Action: R1 to P2
* Standard Action: Charge to M6 & (MBA) Bite vs O...
TRIGGER OPPORTTUNITY ACTION IBHEA: Kukri 9 +6 =15 vs 15 AC = Hit for (4,4) +2 = 10 damage to D.
; 17 (Roll) +7 +1 (Charge) = 26. Hit; (10)+9 = 19 damage to O.
TRIGGER HOLY FONT (NO ACTION): The Priestess gains 1 HP.
After attacking the murky creature per her gosb'tar's direction, PA'AVU turns around and focuses hard on Tarquin's warlock. She then immediately charges straight for him, allowing the wind to scream through her armor, visibly affecting him. She echoes the eerie sounds even more loudly in her own howls as she repeatedly strikes him with Velmech'ti. While her blows are not at their usual strength, she still leaves him with several deep wounds.
* Minor Action (Encounter): Hunter's Quarry on Hakhaman (UEoMNT)
* Minor Action (Encounter): Screaming Armor on Hakhaman (-2 Att UEoMNT)
* Standard Action: Charge to N6 w/ Howling Strike vs D: Roll 16 + 10 = 26 vs. 16 AC HIT!; damage: 1 + 5 + 4 (Vanguard Weapon) + 6 (HQ) = 16 damage to D.
* No Action (Encounter): Trigger: hit with charge: additional 2 HP damage (total: 18); secondary attack (Close Burst 2: vs. Hakhaman: Roll 5 + 6 = 11 vs. 16 Will; Miss. vs. Guard Dog: Roll 5 + 6 = 11 vs. 12 Will; Miss.
Watching his slave rush Tarquin's despised Warlock, CHANVATI knows now is the decisive moment. Keeping his eye on Hakhaman, he allows himself a sideways glance towards the hound menacing Omthala's priests and fries the animal's nervous system with but a simple thrust of his mind. Then he cloaks himself in a shimmering energy field and takes several steps back towards the prostrate, now cowering collection of believers.
* Standard Action: Mind Thrust vs D, r(11) +7 = 18 vs 12 Will; HIT for r(9) +5 = 14/2 = 7 psychic damage. Killed.
* Move Action: From P6 to P8.
* Minor Action: Activate Mind Shroud. Superior Cover and Slowed UEoMNT.
Chanvati 14/28 HPs (Bloodied), Weakened until UEoHakNT, Slowed UEoMNT.
ROUND 3
HAKHAMAN: 52/80, -2 ATT UEoYNT
Something dark boils in IBHEA'S blood, something he hasn't felt in years. At least not consciously. This abomination that serves Chanvati's uncle must die here! Now, in the street, his cold blood running in rivulets across the flagstone. He assaults the Warlock with Omthala's divine radiance and then approaches, kukri glinting with menace in the sun.
* Standard Action: Divine Flash vs. H, r(13) +4 = 17 vs 16 Will. HIT for r(4,6) +2 = 12 HP damage and the target grants combat advantage (save ends). Until the target saves against this effect, Ibhea is invisible to every enemy but the Hakhaman, and its kukri deals 1d6 extra damage to Hakhaman.
Hakhaman BLOODIED.
* Move Action: L6 to M4.
Seeing the tide turn so terribly against him, HAKHAMAN'S head turns this way and that, weighing the frustrating options before him. His face becomes a visage of horror and anguish. As he chooses, he mutters "Far Realm take you..." before summoning another Insanity Rift to threaten Omthala's Priestess and the terrible goliath barbarian.
And then...
...his feet beat a hasty retreat! Ibhea growls and offers up a prayer to both His Radiant Lady and his fellow member of the cloth who has been so beset this day. A flash of holy light and a stream of red blood wets the terrible Warlock's robes as he dashes between the crowd members, no longer prostrate, that are suddenly starting to realize just what is happening!
* Aberrant Form Refresh 3; Fail.
* Minor Action: Summon Insanity Rift (M6).
* Move Action: N4 to H7...
TRIGGER OPPORTUNITY ACTION (KUKRI) FROM IBHEA: Roll of 20; Crit! (6, 6, 6 LAWL) 18+2 = 20
* Move Action: H7 to E13
* End of Turn Saving Throw vs Divine Flash (CA); 9 +2 = 11. Pass
IF HAKHAMAN GETS TO D/E/F 18, HE ESCAPES. You can Pursue Hakhaman via Skill Challenge at your discretion.
PA'AVU shifts a step as she watches Hakhaman hustle away, then she releases her frustration in a blood-curdling scream and hacks at the Rift situated between Omthala's Lucent and herself. In her frenzy she almost doesn't notice that - with the power of Velmech'ki - she has closed the Rift. Pausing her attack, breath panting, she looks around for something else she can attack.
* Move Action: Shift 1 square from N6 to N5, Flanking Rift and receiving CA.
* Standard Action: Howling Strike: Roll 16 + 9 + 2 (CA) = 27 vs. 16 AC HIT!; Damage: 10 + 5 + 5 = 20: Rift = gone & Hankhaman takes 10 HP Damage.
Pa'avu: 22 HP (4 THP); 3/11 Surges available; 0 AP
CHANVATI fights past the uncanny weakness that besets him after the assault of the tentacled form grasping at him from within the rift. He peers through the crowd of the faithful that rises fearfully from their prostrate positions now that the tear in the fabric of reality, seeping madness and chaos, and its summoner, are no longer in view. It's not easy to get a bead on Omthala's Priestess through the intervening crowd to focus his psionic energy in a telekinetic wave of assault against the smoky murk with which she wrestles, but his ki force does not fail him. The dark taint seems tenuous now, nearly dissipated.
* End of Hakhaman's last turn ended Weakened condition.
* Minor Action: Secondary Skill Perception Check vs Dispel the Smoking Murk, r(2) +4 = 6 vs 9 Easy DC. Fail, so -1 forward to...
* Standard Action: Primary Skill Arcana Check to Dispel the Smoking Murk, r(20) +10 -1 = 29 vs 13 Moderate DC = Success.
* End of Turn: Mind Shroud effects end.
Although she is obviously shaken by the events surrounding her, OMTHALA'S LUCENT MESSENGER draws up her courage and her divine implement, pointing it at Hakhaman and murmurs, "you will feel Her brand upon you this day!" Radiant light shoots forward and hits the warlock in the face, hiding her subsequent and swift retreat around to the opposite side of her church's entranceway.
* Standard Action: Radiant Brand (Radiant, Divine): Roll 14 + 5 = 19 vs. 15 Refex: HIT!; 2 Radiant Damage, and Hakhaman = -2 Att UEoONT
* Move Action: from L7 to O13.
Bolstered by Pa'avu's blood-curdling scream, IBHEA strides forward with confidence after Hakhaman. He lifts his arm and throws another Divine Flash in the warlock's face, perhaps not doing as much damage as his earlier shot but discombobulating him nonetheless. Hakhaman stares at the priest in horror as - once again - he witnesses the aura of light around Ibhea.
* Move Action: from M4 to G10.
* Standard Action: Divine Flash: Roll 18 + 4 = 22 vs. 16 Will HIT!; 1 + 1 + 2 Radiant Damage, & Hakhaman grants CA UEoINT.
The sting of the radiant rebukes and dismissal of his Far Realm agent assails the Warlock, but he dare not look back. HAKHAMAN'S lone intent is to get to the engulfing crowd and disappear in the labyrinthine corridors of the city…
* Move Action: E13 to E18...
HAKHAMA NARROWLY ESCAPES (4 HP)!
WIN CON ACHIEVED!
1) You have 1 x Primary Skill Success left on
Dispel the Smoking Murk, but there are no further threats or real prospects for failure/stakes. So please just briefly vignette your final Success (pick a thematic move and just vignette the dispelling/purging/exorcism; whatever you feel it should be).
2) I’ll use your vignette to frame the next obstacle in your ongoing C5 SC. IF you’re going to pursue, Hakhaman, let me know and I’ll frame that SC. Be aware however that such pursuit would be extremely dangerous given your resource attrition!
3) Milestone achieved with the combat + SC, so take an Action Point.
4) No loot here (but loot coming for subsequent C5 completion and Quest). XP as below:
Combat: 250 + 125 - 31 (Priestess) - 100 (Ibhea) = 244/2 =
122 xp apiece.
C1 lvl 2 SC = 125 - 31 (Ibhea) = 94/2 =
47 xp apiece.
10 Successes (1 Hard DC Available)/1 Failures/0 Secondary Skills Available/3 Advantages Available)
