The deeper, unfrozen part of the lake is not far from the rebound lip of the crater. During the wet season, this area would be submerged, but now, the height of the lip protects the internal crater from the depths of the reservoir. However, accreted snow that has melted and frozen serves to make the internal crater a slippery, hazardous domain.
The meteorite possessed by the alien entity, the ASPECT OF CAIPHON, resides in the middle, behind a settled circle of ejecta some ten feet in height. As the group crests the outer lip, they can see it and its purple hew, acid and deranging whispers spilling out of tiny fissures. At that very moment, abominations that look like frozen, tentacle-faced centipedes rise up from the snowy ice to meet their master's challengers!
*
SNOW-COVERED ICE (ALL SQUARES EXCEPT LIPS): Move Action requires Athletics or Acrobatics check DC 15 or squares are Difficult Terrain.
*
CRATER EJECTA LIPS: Black squares around the exterior of the map and the interior crater are 10 ft high lips requiring Climbing (DC 11) to navigate.
*
THIN ICE (BLUE OUTLINE): Any creature that enters or starts its turn in a patch of thin ice (Challenging Terrain), must succeed at a DC 15 Acrobatics check or the patch of ice breaks. The creature takes 5 cold damage and is grabbed (DC 15). The patch of Thin Ice becomes Treacherous Ice (Hindering Terrain). Any creature that enters or starts its turn in a patch of Treacherous Ice takes 5 cold damage and is grabbed (DC 15).
*
ASPECT OF CAIPHON
Aspect of Caiphon Level 6 Elite Hazard (Warder) XP 500
Initiative +7
Immune to attacks except Cleans the Earth Skill Challenge
Triggered Actions
⚔ Distorting Spew (Acid, Psychic) ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy enters a square or starts its turn within 5 squares of Aspect of Caiphon
Attack (Opportunity Action): Melee Close Burst 5 (enemies); +9 vs. Fort
Hit: 1d8 + 4 acid and psychic damage, and the target is subjected to distortion (save ends). Until the effect ends, the target rolls a d6 at the start of its turn before taking any actions to determine the effects.
1: The target is stunned until the start of its next turn.
2: The target is dazed until the start of its next turn.
3: The target takes 5 acid damage and is slowed until the start of its next turn.
4: The target's first action this turn must be a basic attack or a charge against the creature closest to it. If no creature is within range, the target is dazed until the start of its next turn.
5: The target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls and skill checks until the start of its next turn.
6: No effect.
SPECIAL: Make a Saving Throw vs DISTORTION Disease at End of Encounter of hit by Aspect of Caiphon.
Countermeasures: Cleanse the Earth, Complexity 2 Skill Challenge (all actions must be within 2 squares of Aspect of Caiphon)
✦ 2 Secondary Skill uses, player choice, minor action, range all, DC 11.
✦ Earthen Stalwart (Exhaust on Success): Endurance or Nature DC 23 (standard action, self). The target calls upon their physical reserves or the primal spirits to steel themselves against the Aspect. Success: Gain 1 Success in the SC and take +1 Fortitude UtEoYNT. Failure: Gain 1 Failure in the SC and take -2 Fortitude UtEoYNT.
✦ Stabilize Sanity (Exhaust on Success): Insight or Heal DC 15 (standard action, self or ranged 5 if used on an ally). Success: Gain 1 Success in the SC and target saves against distortion (free action). Failure: Gain 1 Failure in the SC and target takes -2 to saving throws against distortion UtEoYNT.
✦ Rebuke Delusions (Exhaust on Success): Perception DC 15 (standard action, self or ranged 5 if used on an ally). Success: Gain 1 Success in the SC and the target is imperceptible to enemies and cannot be attacked UtEoYNT. Failure: Gain 1 Failure and the target gains Vulnerability 5 to all damage UtEoYNT.
✦ Reassure Ally (Exhaust on Success): Diplomacy DC 15 (standard action, range 10 ally). Success: Gain 1 Success in the SC and the ally gains +2 Power Bonus to all defenses UTEoYNT. Failure: Gain 1 Failure in the SC and you suffer -2 Circumstance Bonus to all defenses UTEoYNT.
✦ Expose Weakness (Exhaust on Success): Arcana DC 15 (standard action, self or ranged 10 if used on an ally). Success: Gain 1 Success in the SC and the target's next attack roll or skill check gains +2 Power Bonus. Failure: Gain 1 Failure in the SC and the target's next attack roll or skill check suffers -2 Circumstance Bonus.
✦ Sever Material Connection (Exhaust on Success): Dungeoneering or Religion DC 15 (standard action). Success: Gain 1 Success in the SC and the Aspect of Caiphon suffers -2 Circumstance Bonus to Hit UtEoYNT. Failure: Gain 1 Failure in the SC and the Aspect of Caiphon gains +2 Power Bonus to Hit UtEoYNT.
*
Abominable Ice Scuttlers x 3 (Controller): 72 HP, AC 19, Fortitude 18, Reflex 17, Will 16
* Every even round (2, 4, 6) a wave of
Corrupted Goliaths (Minion Skirmishers) from The Cult of the Gorgon will enter the scene on 1 squares: AC 20, Fortitude 19, Reflex 18, Will 16
INITIATIVE
CHANVATI 20
A (Abominable Ice Scuttlers) 19
M (Corrupted Goliath Minions) 18
PA'AVU 16
BITA-BOUSSEH 10
CHANVATI MONSTER KNOWLEDGE (NO ACTION)
Dungeoneer vs
Abominable Ice Scuttlers r(10) +7 = 17 (Moderate DC): Speed 8 (icewalk), Darkvision. Resist 5 cold. Aberrant, Cold, Poison.
Cresting the outer ring of ejecta, CHANVATI espies the malignant entity from the stars, its acid spew and tentacled protectors, then remembers Mirage Moonstar's insinuation: the Aspect of Caiphon thinks him beset by overconfidence, a weakness to be exploited. Thus, he will give it what it expects!
"Comrades, contend with these centipedes! Leave this fallen rubble to me!" Pa'avu and Bita-Bousseh deftly glide across the snow and ice, their forms shimmering with the faint glow of a psionic shield.
With a hitherto unwitnessed grace, Chanvati himself skips between patches of thin ice till he is upon the inner lip of ejecta. Steeling himself, he climbs the broken earth into the interior ring, drawing near his foe. But Caiphon is prepared for him, spewing its acid at the Merchant Prince.
Casting off the alien alternations to his reality the best he can, Chanvati projects his mind into the thoughts of Caiphon. It is fearful! If he can cleanse the earth of its malignancy, its grip on its servitors will release, its power shatter. "Pa'avu, come join me in smashing this hunk of debris!" he calls out.
* No Action: Rapid Calculation, slide P to J4, slide BB to P2. Both gain +2 power bonus to all defenses until first action.
* Move Action: Acrobatics check, r(11) +8 = 19 vs DC 15, success to move L1 to J7.
* Standard Action: Athletics check, r(12) +5 = 17 vs DC 11, success to climb to I10.
TRIGGER: AC DISTORTING SPEW ON C. r(16) +9 = 25. Hit. r(6) +4 = 10 acid damage and distortion (save ends). r(2) on distortion table so C is dazed UtSoYNT.
* Action Point for Standard Action to Expose Weakness, Arcana check, r(4) +13 = 17 vs 15 DC. Success. +2 power bonus to P's next attack or skill check.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs distortion; r(16). Distortion ends.
LOCATION: I10. P to J4. B to P2.
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 0
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: 1 Success towards Cleansing the Earth SC
CURRENT HIT POINTS/CONDITIONS: 34/44 and dazed UtSoNT
CURRENT BUFFS: +2 to P's and BB's defenses USoTNT, +2 to P's next ATK or skill check
HEALING SURGES: 7/7
POWER POINTS: 3/3
The ABOMINABLE ICE SCUTTLERS beseige the foes of their alien master. One frosty centipede grabs Chanvati with its icy tentacles and drags him onto a patch of thin ice, causing it to break. It quickly becomes abundantly clear how the creatures predate upon meals!
The other pair scuttle their way across the snow and ice to the tiefling barrister, spitting quick-setting goo at her as they do!
A1
* Move Action: Icewalk and auto-pass Athletics (+12 vs DC 11) to climb lip r(11). Move F9to H9.
* Standard Action: Abominable Tentacles vs C Fort; r(11) +9 +2 (CA) = 22. Hit; C is grabbed (DC 22) and AIS shifts to E6
TRIGGERING THIN ICE and causing it to
BREAK AND BECOMES TREACHEROUS ICE. THIN ICE BREAKING qualifies as Hindering Terrain
TRIGGERING CHANVATI SAVE FOR PRONE OUTSIDE; r(5) = Failure. The AIC and Chanvati take 5 cold damage (AIC 5 cold resist negates) and both are grabbed (DC15). The DC of Chanvati's Grab increases by 2 to DC 24 (2 sources of Grab).
⚔
Abominable Tentacles ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +9 vs. Fortitude, or +11 Fortitude against a prone target
Hit: The target is grabbed (DC 22). The AIS shifts up to half its speed, pulling the target with it.
A2
* Standard Action: Tanglespit (Ranged 5) vs B Ref. r(3) +9 = 12. Miss.
➶
Tanglespit ✦ Recharge ⚃ ⚄ ⚅
Attack: Ranged 5 (one creature); +9 vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d10 + 5 damage, and the target is restrained (save ends).
* Move Action: Icewalk O7 to O3.
A3
* Standard Action: Tanglespit (Ranged 5) vs B Ref. r(17) +9 = 26. Hit; r(8, 3) + 5 = 16 damage and B is restrained (save ends).
TRIGGER: INFERNAL WRATH, A3 hits BB with an attack; A3 takes r(1) +5 = 6 fire damage and grants BB CA UEoYNT.
* Move Action: Icewalk R5 to Q3.
LOCATION: A1 in E6 (with Chanvati). A2 in M2. A3 in N2.
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 5 cold damage to C (Thin Ice Break). 16 damage to B.
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: C is grabbed (DC 24). B is restrained (save ends).
CURRENT HIT POINTS/CONDITIONS: A1 and A2 at 72/72. A3 at 66/72 and grants BB CA UEoNT.
CURRENT BUFFS/DEBUFFS: AIC is Grabbed DC 15.
PA'AVU forces herself to focus on the plan her gosb'tar laid out, ignoring the cries of pain he now gives and the accompanying cracking of ice and splashes of water. She rushes forward over the slippery surface, staring determinedly forward and not at the aberrant creatures rushing the tiefling. Her protective instincts scream as she quickly climbs over the ejecta, hopping down on the other side.
Feet now firmly on the ground, the goliath extends her arms at her side, palms facing forward, and calls out in giantish to the primal spirits, requesting the aid of Winter's Slumber, Always Falling's consort, in healing the wounds besetting their ally, the great Stoneroot. As she feels their compliance, she adds her own efforts to renew strength to the earth.
* Move Action: Athletics Check to cross snow & ice: r(10) + 13 + 2 (Expose Weakness) = 25 vs DC 15 Success; Athletics Check to climb ejecta: autosuccess v DC 11; Acrobatics Check to Hop Down: r(10, 14 Powerful Athlete) + 4 = 18 vs. DC 15 Success. TRIGGERS DISTORTING SPEW.
TRIGGER: AC DISTORTING SPEW ON P. r(5) +9 = 14. Miss.
* Minor Action: Nature Check to call upon Primal Spirits: autosuccess vs DC 11, +2 forward
* Minor Action: expend Earthen Renewal (Encounter) to gain +2 circumstance bonus to ...
* No Action: Action Point for Standard Action: Earthen Stalwart/Endurance check: r(10) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 24 vs. DC 23 Success
LOCATION: K9
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 0
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: 2 Successes towards Cleansing the Earth SC, 1 Secondary Skill used
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 61/61
CURRENT BUFFS: +2 to P's ends ends; +1 to P's Fort UEoPNT
HEALING SURGES: 11/11
BITA-BOUSSEH looks on with dread as a tentacled horror drags her consort down from atop the crater's lip and across the field, plunging him through the thin ice into the frigid waters below. Her moment of concern, however, is brief, as two more of the creatures beset her, frosty goo spewing forth in a plume from their maxillipeds, freezing her in place. Instinctively, she lashes out with Infernal Wrath upon one of the Scuttlers, bathing it in punishing hellfire.
Knowing fear of the Nine Hells transcends language and species, the barrister utters Hell's Dark Promise of fire and brimstone at the Abominable Ice Skuttler to her left, sending it scurrying away across the thin ice, then focuses her full fury in an Infernal Glower upon the Scuttler that hit her with its Tanglespit. The Skutler wilts under her glare and skitters away. With a burst of determination, the Tiefling shatters the icy crust that held her entrapped, catches her breath, and nimbly navigates the slippery ice to evade her foes!
* Beginning of turn: Restrained.
* Minor Action: Hell's Dark Promise vs A2, ATK r(18) +9 -2 (restrained) = 25 vs 16 Will. Hit. BB slides A2 3 squares O3 to P5.
TRIGGER: OPPORTUNITY ATTACK (BB Ranged 10 attack while adjacent to A2 and A3): A2 and A3 attack BB with Poisoned Maw. A2 r(3) +11 = 14. Miss. A3 r(12) +11 = 23. Hit; r(2, 6) +5 = 13 poison damage and BB is slowed UtEoAICNT.
BB IS BLOODIED.
(⚔)
Poisoned Maw (weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +11 vs. AC
Hit: 2d8 + 5 poison damage, and the target is slowed until the end of the AIC's next turn.
TRIGGER: THERE WILL BE ORDER (Immediate Reaction): Trigger: Bita-Bousseh or an ally within 5 squares of Bita-Bousseh is bloodied or knocked unconscious. Effect: Bita-Bousseh or the ally spends a healing surge, gains an additional 1d6 hit points, saves against 1 effect that a save can end, and shifts 3 squares ignoring difficult terrain. Spend Surge (12) + r(6) = regains 18 HP and Saves vs. Restrained; r(11). Success. Restrained ends. Shift to O5 avoiding thin ice.
TRIGGER: THIN ICE COLLAPSE AND BECOMES TREACHEROUS ICE (SECTION WITH P5). A2 takes 5 cold damage (Resist 5 Cold so 0 damage) and is Grabbed DC 15.
* Standard Action: Infernal Glower vs A3, ATK r(9) +9 +2 CA -2 (restrained) = 18 vs 16 Will. Hit. r(8) +7 = 15 damage and BB slides A3 3 squares Q3 to T3.
TRIGGER: THIN ICE COLLAPSE AND BECOMES TREACHEROUS ICE (SECTION WITH T3). A3 takes 5 cold damage (Resist 5 Cold so 0 damage) and is Grabbed DC 15.
* Move Action: Acrobatics check to move carefully across the ice and snow, r(18) +5 = 23 vs 15 DC. Success. Slowed so Speed is 2. Move from O5 to O7, avoiding thin ice.
LOCATION: O7
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 15 damage to A2
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: A2 slid to P5 and Grabbed (DC 15) by Treacherous Ice, A3 slid to T3 and Grabbed (DC 15) by Treacherous Ice.
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 38/49
CURRENT (DE)BUFFS: Slowed UtEoAICNT
HEALING SURGES: 7/8
Cleanse the Earth Skill Challenge at 2/6 Successes
A1 72/72, Grabbed DC 15
A2 51/72, Grabbed DC 15
A3 72/72, Grabbed DC 15
M * 4 enter scene, act on Initiative 18
ROUND 2
A quadruple of slavering, CORRUPTED GOLIATHS of the Cult of the Iron Gorgon disembark from a raft to clamber up the outer ejecta lip, clearly bent on enforcing their alien master's twisted will!
CHANVATI MONSTER KNOWLEDGE (NO ACTION)
Dungeoneer vs Corrupted Goliaths: r(7) +7 = 14: (Just) misses the Moderate DC.
CHANVATI looks up as four Goliaths reach the crater's "shore." These behemoths are beyond his ken, their minds twisted by the warping control of Caiphon.
CHANVATI reels, both from the spray of acid spewed forth from the alien abomination and the frigid waters. Struggling upward, he breaks the surface of the water and gasps huge lungsful of breath, entangled in the tentacles of the Scuttler and the shards of fragmented ice.
With quick thought that has become reflex, he distorts space--but this time upon his very person, and the grasping form of the Scuttler. The experience is ... unsettling. He wretches dryly, but at least he is safe, transported to firm ice. The Scuttler is less fortunate, maneuvered deeper into the pool of broken ice.
Shaking off the trauma of these assaults, the Merchant Prince buoys himself with the mental image of Pa'avu shattering the meterorite with her fullblade, then deftly makes his way across the ice and climbs the crater lip once again.
And is met by another faceful of acidic, distorting spew, which he frantically spends the next moment wiping from his visage.
* Start of turn: Dazed condition ends. Grabbed. Takes 5 Cold damage.
* Standard Action: Dimensional Scramble centered on E6. ATK vs self, r(9) +9 = 18 vs 17 Fort. Hit. ATK vs A1, r(19) +9 = 28 vs 18 Fort. Hit. Damage = r(6) +5 = 11, teleport self to D7, teleport A1 to F6.
* Minor Action: Inspiring Word on self. Heal Surge (11) + r(4) = 15 hit points.
* Move: D7 to H9. Acrobatics check to cross Snow-covered Ice, r(14) +8 = 22 vs 15 DC. Success. Athletics check to climb Crater Ejecta Lip, r(6) +5 = 11 vs 11 DC. Success. Atop crater lip in square H9.
TRIGGER: AC DISTORTING SPEW ON C. r(12) +9 = 21 vs 17 Fort. Hit. r(3) +4 = 7 acid and psychic damage and distortion (save ends). r(5) on distortion table so C takes -2 attack rolls and skill checks USoCNT.
* End of turn: Save vs Distortion, r(15). Success.
LOCATION: C in H9, A1 in F6
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 11 damage to A1
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: A1 grabbed (DC 15)
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 26/44
CURRENT (DE)BUFFS: -2 ATK and Skill checks USoCNT
HEALING SURGES: 6/7
POWER POINTS: 3/3
The ABOMINABLE ICE SCUTTLERS flail wildly, each in turn more frustrated than the last at the escape of their would-be meals! Escaping the clutches of the treacherous ice, one rushes Chanvati atop the inner ejecta lip, another struggles mightily to get out of the entombing ice hazard, and the third spits another glob of goo at Bita-Bousseh from its disgusting maw!
The merchant prince fends off the rush while the tiefling barrister again is covered in quick-setting spittle!
A1
* Move Action: Escape; Athletics +12 vs DC 15. r(5) +12 = 17. Success and shifts 1 sq to G6.
* Standard Action: Charge (Icewalk and Athletics auto-passes climb DC of lip) to H8 and use Poisoned Maw vs C AC; r(6) +11 +1 (Charge) = 18. Miss.
A2
* Start of Turn: Tanglespit Recharge; 3. Fails to recharge.
* Move Action: Escape; Athletics +12 vs DC 15. r(1) +12 = 13. Failure.
* Move Action: Escape; Athletics +12 vs DC 15. r(14) +12 = 26. Success and shifts 1 sq to O6.
A3
* Start of Turn: Tanglespit Recharge; 5. RECHARGES.
* Move Action: Escape; Athletics +12 vs DC 15. r(10) +12 = 22. Success and shifts 1 sq to S4.
* Standard Action: Tanglespit (Ranged 5) vs B Ref. r(19) +9 = 28. Hit; r(7, 1) + 5 = 13 damage and B is restrained (save ends).
LOCATION: A1 in G6. A2 in O6. A3 in S4.
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 13 damage to B.
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: B is restrained (save ends).
CURRENT HIT POINTS/CONDITIONS: A1 at 61/72. A2 at 72/72. A3 at 66/72.
CURRENT BUFFS/DEBUFFS: A3 no longer grants CA to BB. BB is no longer Slowed.
A squad of CORRUPTED GOLIATHS pour into the battlefield, carefully navigating the slick snow and ice while hurling handaxes at Chanvati and Bita-Bousseh!
M1
* Move Action: Athletics r(15)+12. Success. Move to G7.
* Standard Action: Handaxe (Ranged 5/10) vs C's AC. r(14) +11 = 25. 7 damage.
TRIGGER: Damage while balancing on top of unstable surface of the lip. Acrobatics check required for C vs moderate DC 15. r(18) +8= Success.
M2
* Move Action: Athletics r(2)+12. Failure so squares are DT. Move to G4.
* Standard Action: Handaxe (Ranged 5/10) vs C's AC. r(8) +11 -2 (Long Range for Range 6 due to elevation) = 17. Miss.
M3
* Move Action: Athletics r(20)+12. Success. Move to J7.
* Standard Action: Handaxe (Ranged 5/10) vs B's AC. r(18) +11 +2 (CA) = 31. 7 damage.
M4
* Move Action: Athletics r(13)+12. Success. Move to J6.
* Standard Action: Handaxe (Ranged 5/10) vs B's AC. r(5) +11 +2 (CA) = 18. Miss.
LOCATION: M1 in G7. M2 in G4. M3 in J7. M4 in J6.
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 7 damage to C and B.
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: NA
CURRENT HIT POINTS/CONDITIONS: Minions.
CURRENT BUFFS/DEBUFFS: NA.
PA'AVU narrows her eyes at the strange purple stone, trying to understand the truth of it. After a moment, the goliath smiles with grim satisfaction as she sees through its various illusions to the fragile, cowering presence hiding within. Then, she turns to climb back up to the rim of the meteorite's ejecta until she reaches the location of her exhausted and much-wounded merchant prince.
"Gosb'tar, take some of my strength," she says as her hands cups his shoulders. She bends her head downward until their foreheads are touching. "See what I can see. See beyond what it is showing us."
* Pa'avu begins turns within 5 of AC: TRIGGERS DISTORTING SPEW.
TRIGGER: AC DISTORTING SPEW ON P. r(2) +9 = 14. Miss.
* Standard Action: Rebuke Delusions/Perception check: autosuccess (15 vs. DC 15): Target Chanvati (ranged 5): the target is imperceptible to enemies and cannot be attacked UtEoPNT
* Move Action: Climb check = Autosuccess (13 vs. DC 13): from K9 to I10
* Iron Resurgence (Melee 1): Target Chanvati: lose 1 surge, spend 2 surges, gain THPs = 1/2 his surge value: 22 (5 THP)
LOCATION: I10
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 0
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: 3 Successes towards Cleansing the Earth SC, 1 Secondary Skill used
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 61/61
CURRENT BUFFS: Chanvati: imperceptible to enemies and cannot be attacked UtEoPNT
HEALING SURGES: 11/11
Frozen beside the bottom of the crater's rim by hardening ectoplasm expelled by the Skuttler, BITA-BOUSSEH can but struggle in vain at her situation. "Chanvati," she curses silently, "this is twice now you've brought me to the snow-covered mountains and the precipice of death! Should I survive this, never again will I follow you into frozen wastes!"
Her blood boils. She feels the flames of her Infernal Wrath lick across her frame, rejuvenating her weakened spirits and melting the frozen ecotplasm sufficiently for her to free herself from restraint once more.
* Start of turn: Restrained (SE). Infernal Wrath recharge, r(6) = recharges.
* Standard Action: Second Wind, spend Surge (regain 12 HP, +2 Defenses USoBBNT).
* End of turn: Save vs Restrained, r(13) = Success.
LOCATION: N7
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: none
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: none
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 30/49
CURRENT BUFFS: +2 all Defenses USoBBNT (Second Wind)
HEALING SURGES: 6/8
Cleanse the Earth Skill Challenge at 4/6 Successes
A1 72/72
A2 51/72
A3 72/72
M1-4 (Minions)
ROUND 3
Pa'avu transmits telepathically not only the image of the weak, vulnerable core that is alien Caiphon possessing the meteorite but also her triumphant affect at the realization. New vigor floods CHANVATI's system; he rests assured in the knowledge that he is invulnerable to his enemies now.
"Barrister," he calls out, his sweet tenor echoing within the bowl of the crater, "take heart, for we are on the precipice of victory, and our enemies' blows are but the breath of mice exhaled against the toes of giants!"
His magic bracers glow with psionic power, and the Merchant Prince scampers down from the crater's lip and out of sight like a mountain goat buck, down beside the eerily pulsating meteorite, its acid spew no longer a threat.
In a surge of psionic energy, Chanvati's form shimmers and disappears.
* Start of turn: imperceptible to enemies and cannot be attacked UtEoPNT (Rebuke Delusions). Does not trigger Distorting Spew.
* Standard Action: Reassure Ally, Diplomacy check, r(3) +13 = 16 vs 15 DC. Success. 1 Success towards Cleanse the Earth SC, and BB gains +2 Power Bonus to all defenses UTEoCNT (stacks with Second Wind bonus).
* Free Action: Bracers of Mental Might to use INT instead of STR for ensuing Athletics check.
* Move Action: Athletics +10 = autosuccess vs 11 DC to Climb from H9 to J11. Does not trigger Distorting Spew.
* Minor Action: Mind Shroud.
LOCATION: J11
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: none
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: 4/6 Successes in Cleanse the Earth SC.
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 41 HP + 5 THP
CURRENT BUFFS: imperceptible to enemies and cannot be attacked UtEoPNT. +2 to BB's Defenses (stacks with Second Wind for total of +4 to all Defenses). Slowed and superior cover UtEoCNT.
HEALING SURGES: 3/7
POWER POINTS: 3/3
The ABOMINABLE ICE SCUTTLERS surround Bita-Bousseh with the scuttling devilry. Disgusting maws, laced with poison, nip at her to tear at her infernal flesh, but her morale runs high at this moment and will and skill carry her through the onslaught.
The third scuttler moves trivially up the inner ejecta lip and engages Pa-avu for the first time. The barbarian's armor and physical fortitude is simply too much for the creatures lashing tentacles, almost like she is accepting blows against her to prove how futile the predator's efforts are!
A1
* Move Action: Climb (Icewalk and Athletics +12 vs DC 11 for lip is autosuccess) to move H8 to H9.
* Standard Action: Abominable Tentacles vs P Fort; r(7) +9 = 16. Miss.
A2
* Start of Turn: Tanglespit Recharge; 3. Fails to recharge.
* Move Action: Scuttle (At-Will); Shift 3 (Athletics autosuccess on Climb DC 11) from O6 to M7.
* Standard Action: Poisoned Maw vs B's AC. r(11) +11 = 22. Miss (due to +4 Defenses Buff).
A3
* Start of Turn: Tanglespit Recharge; 2. Fails to recharge.
* Standard Action: Charge from S4 to P6 and use Poisoned Maw vs B's AC. r(6) +11 +2 (CA) +1 (Charge) = 20. Miss (due to +4 Defenses Buff).
LOCATION: A1 in H9. A2 in M7. A3 in P7.
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 0.
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: NA.
CURRENT HIT POINTS/CONDITIONS: A1 at 61/72. A2 at 72/72. A3 at 66/72.
CURRENT BUFFS/DEBUFFS: NA.
See the Barbarian riding the top of the precarious ejecta lip like a warrior holding a standard in battle, daring an engagement, a trio of CORRUPTED GOLIATHS pour over her and attempt to knock her from her figurative and literal perch! The various rushes and cascading blows create a frenzy of melee where Pa'avu beats back the coordinated attack but briefly loses her footing in the effort.
Meanwhile, the fourth corrupted goliath rushes Bita-bousseh.
The carnage creates two, discrete violent and fights. The typical sounds of metallic collision, shuffling feet, and guttural growl haunt ice, snow, piled earth while echoing out into the cold night.
M1
* Standard Action: Charge from G7 to I9 (Athletics +12 +r(8) = 20 to traverse ice & snow and auto-success on DC 11 climb of lip) and Maurader's Rush vs P's AC. r(17) +11 +1 (charge) = 29. 9 damage.
TRIGGER: Damage while balancing on top of unstable surface of the lip. Acrobatics check required for P vs moderate DC 15. r(20) +4= Success.
(⚔)
Maurader's Rush (weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +11 vs. AC
Hit: 7 damage, or 9 if charging.
M2
* Move Action: Athletics r(12)+12 = Success. Failure so squares are DT. Move from G4 to F9.
* Standard Action: Charge from F9 to H10 (Athletics +12 +r(5) = 17 to traverse ice & snow and auto-success on DC 11 climb of lip) and Maurader's Rush vs P's AC. r(20) +11 +1 (charge) = 29. 9 damage.
TRIGGER: Damage while balancing on top of unstable surface of the lip. Acrobatics check required for P vs moderate DC 15. r(8) +4= Failure. Unstable but not narrow ground so
Pa'avu is prone.
M3
* Standard Action: Charge from J7 to M8 (Athletics +12 +r(9) = 21 to traverse ice & snow and auto-success on DC 11 climb of lip) and Maurader's Rush vs B's AC. r(18) +11 +1 (charge) = 30. 9 damage.
TRIGGER: INFERNAL WRATH, M3 hits BB with an attack; M3 takes r(3) +5 = 8 fire damage; killed.
As the mind-warped Goliath barrels into BITA-BOUSSEH with the full weight of her bulk, the flames of Hell, almost as if with a mind of their own, leap out in a blaze to engulf the now-hapless half-giant. A scream, acrid smoke, a charred corpse in the snow.
M4
* Standard Action: Charge from G7 to I9 (Athletics +12 +r(15) = 27 to traverse ice & snow and auto-success on DC 11 climb of lip) and Maurader's Rush vs P's AC. r(5) +11 +1 (charge) +2 (CA) = 19. Miss.
LOCATION: M1 in I9. M2 in H10. M3 in M8. M4 in I9.
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 18 damage to P and 9 damage to B.
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: P is prone.
CURRENT HIT POINTS/CONDITIONS: Minions.
CURRENT BUFFS/DEBUFFS: NA.
After avoiding all but a glancing blow from the mind-controlled goliaths,
PA'AVU is only mildly embarrassed by her slip to her knees. Deftly brushing off yet another attack from the meteorite, she pretends to struggle in regaining her footing. Instead, as the goliath slowly stands back up, she allows her body to fall backward in a graceful arch, ultimately landing in a crouch next to her gosb'tar, head down, one fist touching the crater's floor, the other arm held to the side.
Raising her head and staring once more at the great purple stone throbbing in front of her, Pa'avu straightens her knees and loudly claps her hands together, sending the healing sound vibrations flowing through not only her body but into Chanvati's as well.
As she awaits new orders from her gosb'tar, the goliath draws Velmech'ti, standing ready to engage.
* Pa'avu begins turns within 5 of AC: TRIGGERS DISTORTING SPEW.
TRIGGER: AC DISTORTING SPEW ON P. r(6) +9 = 15. Miss.
* Move Action: Stand up from Prone and shift 1 (off cliff): Hop Down: Acrobatics Check: r(18, 17 Powerful Athlete) + 4 = 22 vs. 15 DC Success! Land in J10
* Standard Action: Stabilize Sanity (focused on Chanvati, Range 5): Heal Check: r(12) + 9 = 21 vs. 15 DC Success
* Minor Action to retrieve stowed item (Velmech'ti)
LOCATION: J10
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 0
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: 5/6 Successes towards Cleansing the Earth SC,
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 43/61
CURRENT BUFFS: Chanvati saves against distortion (free action)
HEALING SURGES: 11/11
Watching her companions slip over the crater’s edge and out of view, BITA-BOUSSEH rages. Abandoned? How dare they!
"Chanvati, should we survive this madness, truly you will come to know the meaning of Hell's fury!" her shout rings out, echoing beyond the crater, across the lake.
Employing the deft maneuvers of navigating threatening courtroom crowds, the barrister retreats between patches of thin ice, wreathed in the protective flames of her ancestry.
* Start of turn: Infernal Wrath recharge, r(1), Fails to recharge
* Move Action: Lawyer's Dodge, ignores DT, Shifts 3 squares N7 to N4.
* Standard Action: Total Defense, +2 bonus to all Defenses USoBNT.
LOCATION: N4
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 8 fire damage kills M3 (minion)
CONDITION TO ENEMIES:
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 21/49 HP
CURRENT BUFFS: +2 all Defenses USoBNT (Total Defense)
HEALING SURGES: 7/8
ROUND 4
A smile of confidence, perhaps superciliousness, widens CHANVATI's mouth, though his distorted form makes this nearly inscrutable to any but the most gimlet-eyed of onlookers. In futility, the meteorite spits a feeble last splash of mind-warping acid some yards from his feet.
In a weird doubling of his voice in two separate registers, an effect of psionic puissance subtending his words, Chanvati intones, "I may be no priest, alien abomination, but at Xerxes's my study included the mastery of religious rites of use to Psicrafters!
With these words sacred and arcane, I banish your trespassing presence back to the Far Realm; I sever your material connection to this plane!
<<Golptha vyshnihur olnia uth!>>
The eerie pulsating purple light fades from the meteorite. As Chanvati's form solidifies to her view, Pa'avu looks at her gosb'tar; he nods; she steps forward and, swinging her fullblade in a circular arc, brings it down upon the alien rock, shattering it into a thousand shards.
Nevertheless, something uncanny stirs in the back of Chanvati's mind.
* Start of turn: C has total concealment (Mind Shroud)
TRIGGER: AC DISTORTING SPEW ON C. r(5) +9 = 14 vs 21 Fort. Miss.
* No Action: Spend 1 Power Point to augment Adept's Insight.
* Free Action: Adept's Insight, r(1) +1 = +2 buff to
* Standard Action: Religion check to Sever Material Connection, r(7) +10 +2 (AI) = 19 vs 15 DC. Final Success in Cleanse the Earth SC.
* End of turn: Mind Shroud ends.
* Special: End of encounter Save vs. Distortion Disease, r(9). Fails.
LOCATION: J11
DAMAGE TO ENEMIES: 6th and final Success in Cleanse the Earth SC inflicted upon AoC.
CONDITION TO ENEMIES: AoC's mental hold on Goliaths and Scuttlers broken.
CURRENT HIT POINTS: 41 HP, +5 THP
CURRENT (DE)BUFFS: Distortion disease
HEALING SURGES: 3/7
POWER POINTS: 2/3
WIN CON ACHIEVED. CONFLICT RESOLVED.
