Bugs in the Pantry
Log Info
- Title: Bugs in the Pantry
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Aryia, Mikilos, Seyardu, Telamon, N'tssa
- Place: Mikilos' Tower
- Time: Thursday, March 03, 2022, 5:33 PM
- Summary: Mikilos wants to check on his tower, it's a short teleport away and he brings associates and houseguests. He teleports in short, to a small fort, and then the party travels through the bleak steppe to the mountain and the cold swamp where his tower lies. Approaching, it's clear it's inhabited, and shouldn't be. Two preying mantis like ice-bugs emerge and say threatening things, and then attack. Their initial assault is deadly, but soon they are stunned, grappled by magic hands, and largely ineffective. One manges to work itself free from Mikilos' grip, while the other is beaten to death by Aryia.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a resolved look about her. Mikilos 6'8" 180 Lb Dawn Elf Male Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Telamon 5'6" 140 Lb Half-Elf Male A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= N'tssa Lamia Female An autumn coloured, sildanyari 'elf', terrible houseguest. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Noble Problems.
One of obliges of the landed gentry is to have lands, and check on them once in a while. Quarterly would be best, annually is the minimum. An estate, a castle or a keep, a hovel or a heap, can't sit idle for long before something moves in. There was a reason adventurers started dungeon diving after all.
The tower has a lot of magic defenses. They may have kept it clear.
Mikilos's lands are, for those unfamiliar, at the border of the elven and dwarven lands, right up at the edge, in a dull area noone really cares about, but have to pretend, because politics. So the elf will not be teleporting directly to the holdings themselves, but to the local guard post to check in. "They should be aware we're comming, but this is an active military fort, on official alert because of the Veil going missing. The holdings themselves have a small fort used to watch the border during the summer when the pass is free of snow, need to check it lasted the winter and didn't develop any problems. Both sides have been allies for years, but, that's military."
Aryia mostly tagged along for a couple of reasons: she's never been to mage's tower that wasn't out to kill her, she had the capability of understanding the lamia if need be, and, well, her main goal was done.
Yes, it's all long winded to say that the mute was a little bored.
So that's how she ended up here, hands in her pockets, eyeing everything and nodding along. Still rapid transportation in such a manner made her a little queasy.
Telamon is intensely interested in the whole thing -- it's like a peek into a possible future. "How hard is it to get a land grant, anyways? I assume it's a bit more than just sweeping the streets, sir." He's wrapped up in his cloak over his traveling clothes, and he glances to Aryia. Fishing under his cloak, he offers her a small metal vial. "Soothing syrup? I picked up a few bottles before we left."
"So we're not going directly to a rock filled marsh halfway up a mountain, full of mud, water, grass, and mosquitos. Mosquitos that exist, but have nothing to eat. Undead mosquitos." A tall, auburn haired Sildanyari grumbles, shoving her second scimitar into a scabbard. "We're going to a big fort to go to a little fort."
"Well I'm not carrying my bags all that way." She has bags. She turns her harsh gaze towards Telamon, "You. I give you the honour of carrying my stuff."
GAME: Mikilos casts Teleport. Caster Level: 17 DC: 26 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d100: (23): 23
Mikilos strides foreward and pauses, giving the guards in the fort a fair moment to look at him before hearing towards the front gate... which honestly is just a big front door. 'Fort' is generous, so far as that goes. 'Tall house with thick walls' would be more accurate, but there are guards watching from the windows. Bored guards for whom this is the most interesting thing to happen all week, with little more than flat plains in one direction and barren mountains in the other. "I am Mikilos Mithralla of Entradas, on route to inspect my holdings. These people are with me, and vouched for."
To Telemon, he asides "Depends on what exactly you want. To rent or lease land is easy enough, owning with title much harder, I was granted lands and title by my Aunt, almost a century ago. It carries no real weight, but sounds impressive being introduced."
The snakey bitch has two steamer trunks and two bags. The bags don't look too heavy... but steamer trunks. They are trunks. They could be.
Aryia downs the offered concoction and grimaces before giving a thankful nod, returning the empty vial. She snorts at the elf saying the mage had the carry bags, her idly walking up with the group and nodding in approval at the sight before her.
Seyardu was at even more of a loss to how she ended up investigating noble holdings herself. Helping Mikilos in some manner was a good enough excuse at least. And being able to teleport over there made it so it wasn't taking too much time. "It depends, yes. A better question would be, how many people are you willing to take advantage of?" The silver makari snorts.
Telamon just raises an eyebrow at the 'elf', letting the moment stretch out for a bit before remarking, "I am very glad I convinced the archmage to let me bring along an old friend." The last member of the party stomps her hooves, and fixes Tel with a baleful glare. "Come on, Raspberry. We wouldn't want her nibs to tire her delicate self out..." He gestures, calling up an unseen servant to assist with loading the bags onto his donkey, before following after Aryia and Mikilos.
The guards look on, their brief attention and alertness due to the sudden arrival. There are long sight lines from the fort, and nothing coming except the wind from any direction. The road stretches on ahead, and back. They wave the party through, one taking a note of the composition.
"All that are available." N'tssa hisses, sounding surprised, and a little angry. Her common tongue has improved, "Why would you leave opportunity on the table."
The 'elf' watches as Raspberry is loaded up, then follows Mikilos.
The landscape is flat, barren. A big sky and a far horizon that doesn't seem to get any closer, despite hour after hour of travel. Finally there is a dot on the horizon, and behind it a rising range of mountains. The dot becomes the second fort, with guards who are a lot more relaxed as they watch the group grow larger. They wait for Mikilos' introduction, then wave everyone past.
It's not far down the road when there's a side path, one that leads up into the mountains instead of along their foothills. It goes from walking to hiking, travelling trails which are more like goat paths. Over one more ridge, and there's a swamp, and in the middle of it on some high ground, a tower.
And the lights are on.
Aryia walks on.
And on.
And on.
She didn't mind it, really. It gave opportunity to take in the scenery of a place she had to be before. She doesn't particularly pay much attention to the stops or how rough the terrain got, but her focus was grabbed as the tower came into view.
She tilts her head to the side, slowly bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Mikilos nods to Seyardu. "I managed to get a good deal worked out. The military uses the tower on my lands, and that covers my taxes. Upkeep of the tower it easy enough, though this year they do want me to make the pass 'impassable'. The dwarves have no interest in these lands, there's nothing but brush on the far side for miles. There name for the local flora is literally 'Mulch Tree' as it's not even good for firewood. Just chop it up into mulch."
The holdings start with a small cliff, broken and cracked stones from with water seeps. Atop the cliff a natral bowl fills with snow runoff, that could make for a lovely mountain lake if it were a few feet deeper. Instead, it's mud and broken rocks, with long grass growing everywhere. Some of the broken rocks have been shifted into a crude path, leading to a thin tower near the far edge. The bottom half is stout, large enough for livable rooms, while the top is barely large enough to hold a ladder and a small lookout at the top. The bottom floor has no windows, in theory for security, but in truth to keep the mosquitos out.
Mikilios frowns, eyeing the lighted windows of the second floor. "That's odd. There's not supposed to be anyone here for another month."
The far side of the 'bowl' drifts up to a mountain pass, with jagged slopes to each side, the tall tower high enough to see beyond the top of the pass.
Telamon is thankful he's a bit sturdier than some magicians, but still, he's not used to this amount of walking. Leading Raspberry, he pads along behind Aryia. "I'm surprised he doesn't have some sort of wagon service from that outpost to the tower..." he remarks idly. Taking a pull from a water bottle, he pauses when Mikilos comments on the light in the tower. "Do you have servants, sir? Conjured or otherwise? Maybe they're cleaning in preparation to your visit." However, his voice kind of betrays that he doesn't quite believe that -- probably based on Mikilos's own comments.
"Fair enough, if that works for you." Seyardu shrugs, before continuing on their way. On the way for some time in fact, which made it obvious how uncoordinated the cleric was, as she trips up several times on the way to the tower in question. "It is bright, yes." She agrees. "If you were not expecting anyone, can you think of who may have reason to be here, perhaps?"
Mikilos shrugs. "Only real shelter around for miles, but not many to need shelter. Was a druid around, but think he moved on a decade back. Guess is possible some poor recruit pissed off his commander and got shipped here early, but would have mentioned at the forts."
Moving along the broken path, the wizard calls loudly. "Hello to the tower! Are you alright?"
It is the only shelter around for miles. It is also true, ironically, that some poor recruit who pissed off his commander got shipped here early. Two recruits, actually.
They weren't mentionned at the forts because these recruits don't report to them. They don't report to anyone on this plane. A tall, sticklike figure appears in the door. At the same time another flies from the roof and lands in front of Mikilos. Tall as the elf is, the armoured entity is much taller. It resembles a bug, a preying mantis.
GAME: Mikilos rolls will: (18)+17: 35 (vs DC20)
"Leave or Die!" The bug warrior in front of Mikilos orders, in words that are rough on the ears. <Infernal>
The tower is six floors tall.
<OOC> Aryia slow nod. "Aryia will use Barkskin as a Standard, use Diamond Body as a swift to get DR 2/-," Aryia slow nod. "and then dimension door right up next to the one at the tower at 6,8. Aryia slow nod. "And repeat the same thing to them in handspeech." Aryia slow nod. "I STILL don't know if Tongues works with handspeech, as I still haven't heard back." GAME: Aryia spends THREE points of KI POOL. <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "things don't get AOOs for you DD appearing beside them, right?" <OOC> Aryia says, "nope, it's a teleport"
Aryia blinks as she sees the creatures threaten the party, glancing to Seyardu, she nods towards Mikilos as the mute cracks her neck. And rolls her shoulders as lines of silver energy start to appear on her face and arms.
She feels the pools align within, being out of the city, and she fades in an after image.
Another image runs up the side of the tower.
And the final one slides into place beside the creature.
Brightly glowing fists raise. "Leave or die," she repeats back, jabbing a finger out towards some random place in the distance. <Handspeech>
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "ah hm, definitely k/the planes DC25, k/rel DC30" GAME: Mikilos rolls knowledge/the planes: (1)+17: 18 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/The Planes: (19)+5: 24
Mikilos does take a step back, surprised, but holds his ground, replying in the same language. "I am Mikilos Mithralla. These are my lands. Explain yourself or be removed." Giant icy bugs speaking Infernal? Could be any number of things from across the cosmos. <Infernal>
The ice bugs are, without doubt, outsiders. Which kind though, is uncertain.
Seyardu was not going to wait around for the outsiders to do anything hostile, and so the cleric reaches for her holy symbol to hold it for a moment, the short cleric growing into a short, giant sith-makar. "If you do not leave or explain yourselves, we will be forced to deal with you." She warns.
<OOC> Telamon says, "Eating dinner. Tel's action will be to cast Mage Armor and look for cover." GAME: Telamon casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17
The half-elf makes some rapid arcane gestures, and a shimmering field surrounds him, faintly resembling a suit of armour and then it fades away. He looks for some good cover.
"There! Hide over there!" N'tssa shouts encouragingly, and points. At a location that clearly is one of the deeper sections of the marsh. Her hiss gives it away, she knows she isn't being helpful.
The sorcerer goes elsewhere.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, full attack, Power Attack, on Aryia for 3 spear attacks, regular for bite and tail" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+23-4: (6)+23+-4: 25 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+18-4: (11)+18+-4: 25 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13-4: (3)+13+-4: 12 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (6)+16: 22 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (5)+16: 21 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "all miss, on Seyardu, same" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+23-4: (14)+23+-4: 33 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+18-4: (17)+18+-4: 31 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13-4: (9)+13+-4: 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (13)+16: 29 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (16)+16: 32 <OOC> Seyardu says, "DR 5/Evil though" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+18+1d6: (5)+18+(5): 28 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+18+1d6: (10)+18+(4): 32 <OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "3 fort DC23 saves please Seyardu" GAME: Seyardu rolls fortitude+5: (9)+12+5: 26 GAME: Seyardu rolls fortitude+5: (4)+12+5: 21 GAME: Seyardu rolls fortitude+5: (16)+12+5: 33 <OOC> Seyardu says, "I would like to reroll that fort save if that's an option" GAME: Seyardu rolls fortitude+5: (10)+12+5: 27 GAME: You gave Seyardu 26 temporary HP. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | CHP (T) | HP | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Aryia.........| 139 | 139 | | Mikilos.......| 88 | 88 | | Seyardu.......| 121 +26 | 121 | | Telamon.......| 23 | 23 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+6: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6+3: (12)+3: 15 GAME: You damaged Seyardu for 81 points. 66 HP remaining.
The two intruder-bugs don't heed the warnings, and have already given their own. With the mul'niessa and the silver sith'makar each in range, they turn, making powerful attacks that are slightly clumsy.
Clumsy enough that Aryia easily avoids all the stabs, tail jabs and biting that the door guard attempts.
Not so clumsy enough to spare Seyardu, who comes under several viscous blows, and feels a spreading chill that might slow her down. It's easily shaken off, for now.
<OOC> Aryia obliterates. Spinning kick for first strike, stunning fist set to stagger against flat foot. GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (20)+19+2: 41 (THREAT) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (12)+19+2: 33 (Confirmed) <OOC> Aryia says, "dc 22 fort vs stagger. dc 14 will versus blind from glorious weapon" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (5)+15: 20 (vs DC22, staggered) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (11)+12: 23 (vs DC22, not blind) GAME: Aryia rolls 1d6+1: (2)+1: 3 <OOC> Aryia says, "staggered 3 rounds. dazzled for one round from glorious" GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (7)+19+2: 28 GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (20)+19+2: 41 (THREAT) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (9)+19+2: 30 (Not Confirmed) GAME: Aryia rolls punch-5: aliased to weapon0+2-5: (2)+19+2+-5: 18 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (4)+19+2+-10: 15 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+crunch+crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2: (10)+3+2+(8)+3+2+(6)+3+2: 39 <OOC> Aryia says, "lawful/cold iron/silver"
"Th-n d-e," Aryia hisses melodically as her hands glow brighter, her dipping a weaving as the strikes are too slow to keep up. There's some big, bright flashes of light from atop the tower, so intense that it's almost blinding. A lucky kick manages to discombobulate the outsider from a crack to the skull, and the mute lays into them with as much strength as her training can muster. <Celestial/Tongues>
<OOC> Mikilos says, "Grasping Hand at closest, tries to grapple. " <OOC> Mikilos says, "If fails, is still an Interposing hand, acts like a wall offering +4 cover AC" GAME: Mikilos casts Grasping Hand. Caster Level: 17 DC: 28 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+10+1: (8)+17+10+1: 36 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+23: (2)+23: 25 (AOO) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+10+1d6: (4)+10+(5): 19 GAME: You damaged Mikilos for 19 points. 69 HP remaining. GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+11: (13)+17+11: 41 (vs DC36 Concentrate - Success)
Mikilos starts casting a spell, annoyed with himself as the bug strikes him with it's spear. The mages hand stretches out, and I do mean stretches, growing ten foot long and wrapping around the icy bug, holding it in place as the elf mutters at his own foolishness. The magical giant hand detaches, to be clear.
<OOC> Seyardu says, "I'll 5 foot step northwest and full attack it", power attack" GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+9+6+2+1-2: (16)+9+6+2+1+-2: 32 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+4+6+2+1-2: (11)+4+6+2+1+-2: 22 GAME: Seyardu rolls 2d6+9+2+6: (5)+9+2+6: 22
Seyardu was not looking too good suddenly as the mantis creature lashes out, and she steps back to swing at the outsider herself, causing a decent blow to it.
GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (15)+12: 27 (vs DC18 - not blind)
Telamon gives N'tssa a dirty look, and scowls. "If this is your idea of a welcoming party, it -sucks!-" he retorts. He's got no idea what these things are, but seeing Aryia punch the living shit out of one with flashes of light gives him an idea. While Mikilos uses a huge magical hand to grab the other creature, he gestures swiftly, chanting, and a stream of silvery dust sprays over the hand and the monster -- sadly not blinding it, but it's a start.
"Why are you looking at me?" The auburn elf snorts, "I have nothing to do with this. Your party sucks!"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay grappled one will try breaking free of the grapple" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+25: (7)+25: 32 (vs CDM 38 - fails to escape) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+23-2: (11)+23+-2-1: 32 (-2 grappled, -1 dazzles)
The first bug hisses as it is caught by the interposing hand, then engulfed in a glittery explosion. Gnomes! Gnomes must be about. It grips its spear more tightly and shrugs out of the hold, twisting in odd ways.
The second, staggered in the doorway, stabs at Aryia. A thrust that homes in on the mul'niessa and would have hit, if only it wasn't seeing stars before its eyes.
<OOC> Aryia is a micro flashbang machine <OOC> Aryia says, "I'll do the same thing. first strike is against flat foot, stunning fist going for stun" GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (11)+19+2: 32 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (3)+15: 18 (vs DC22 Fort - Stunned) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (1)+19+2: 22 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (8)+19+2: 29 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-5: aliased to weapon0+2-5: (11)+19+2+-5: 27 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (12)+19+2+-10: 23 GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (11)+19+2: 32 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+crunch+crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2: (16)+3+2+(8)+3+2+(11)+3+2: 50 <OOC> Aryia says, "lawful/cold iron/silver/magic"
Aryia glances down from the tower, keeping an eye on the others to make sure they were-
A spear tip flies right by her face. Shit!
She grabs the spear and pulls the creature close, her flipping over its weapon and clacking a foot against their skull. Her heel reels back as she keeps a handstand, and repeatedly crashes her boot into the same spot, nasty crunches coming from up high on the tower, along with more microbursts of moonlight.
<OOC> Mikilos says, "Greater invisibility, then use metamagic mastery to add Quicken," <OOC> Mikilos says, "cast Magic Missile at the grappled" GAME: Mikilos casts Greater Invisibility. Caster Level: 17 DC: 25 GAME: Mikilos casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 17 DC: 22 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+1+2+2: (16)+17+1+2+2: 38 (vs SR 24) GAME: Mikilos rolls 5d4+5: (8)+5: 13
Mikilos murmurs softly a moment, and fades from sight. A few moments later from the same location a small swarm of magical bolts fly out, slamming into the grappled bug.
GAME: Seyardu rolls 7d6: (20): 20 GAME: You damaged Seyardu for -20 points. 86 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Mikilos for -20 points. 88 HP remaining. GAME: Seyardu casts Prayer. Caster Level: 13 DC: 19 <OOC> Seyardu says, "+1 luck to attack rolls and damage, saves and skill checks" GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+13: (16)+13: 29 (vs SR24) <OOC> Seyardu says, "and -1 to the same for the enemy" <OOC> Seyardu says, "threatening 15-20 feet around currently"
The mantis being grabbed was a good chance for Seyardu to lumber away from it, putting a bit of distance from the creature to regroup. The silver sith makar holds their holy symbol up, which mends some of their wounds, and is quickly followed by a prayer to Althea, which fills those still on the ground outside of the tower with a small infusion of divine strength. The large makari keeps their billhook in the direction of the mantis, in case it attempts to break free and move on any of them.
<OOC> Telamon says, "I'll add to the misery of the one Aryia's pummelling by glitterdusting him as well." GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20 (vs DC18 Will - Success, not blind)
Telamon feels his spirits lift, oddly, as Seyardu's spell radiates outward. "Alright... it's not a -great- plan, but it IS a plan..." He sees Aryia absolutely unloading on the critter a ways off, and says, "Well, every little bit helps... Mulan ukum!" Another ball of silvery stardust flies from his fingertips, rocketing through the air to coat the insectile monster in shimmery sparkles.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14+6: (17)+14+6: 37 (vs CMD 38 - fail to cast) GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+9+6+2+1+1: (15)+9+6+2+1+1: 34 (AOO) GAME: Seyardu rolls 2d6+6+2+1: (9)+6+2+1: 18
As far as the ice bugs go, one is stunned and the other is stuck. The grappled bug appears to by trying to cast, but fails.
<OOC> Aryia says, "first strike is against flat foot, stunning fist set to stun" GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (9)+19+2: 30 GAME: Aryia spends TWO uses of STUNNING FIST. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15-1: (3)+15+-1: 17 (vs DC22 Fort - Stunned) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (12)+19+2: 33 GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (5)+19+2: 26 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-5: aliased to weapon0+2-5: (5)+19+2+-5: 21 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (6)+19+2+-10: 17 GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (12)+19+2: 33 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the two 33s hit" GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2: (5)+3+2+(2)+3+2: 17 <OOC> Aryia says, "lawful/cold iron/silver/magic"
Aryia rights herself just as the weapon falls, her grabbing onto both sides of their head and-
Is she?
No. She's not-
She proceeds to slam her skull repeatedly into their skull.
... oh gods, it's actually working.
<OOC> Mikilos says, "Hand of Apprentice to attack with sword, is mithril+3" GAME: Mikilos rolls weapon33+11: (12)+11+11: 34 GAME: Mikilos rolls damage33: aliased to 1d8+3: (4)+3: 7
Mikilos considers for a moment... ice spells aren't going to do much, blowing up the area won't help... drawing his sword, the wizard gestures, and the mithril blade flies from his hand, striking the bug before returning.
<OOC> Seyardu says, "quick channel energy, and casting blessing of fervor on everyone on the ground" GAME: Seyardu casts Blessing of Fervor. Caster Level: 13 DC: 20 GAME: Seyardu rolls 7d6: (27): 27 GAME: You damaged Seyardu for -27 points. 113 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Mikilos for -27 points. 88 HP remaining.
Seyardu was lucky that the mantis was not able to strike at her for the time being, but there was not telling how long that would be the case for. She sends out another wave of healing energy from the holy symbol.
"Celestial mother, offer a fragment of your power, to allow us to react to these outsiders." the cleric prays, filling the small group with divine alacrity. <Draconic>
<OOC> Telamon says, "Actually, no. 3,13. Next to Seyardu,." GAME: Telamon casts Unseen Servant. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17
The wave of holy, energizing energy washes over Raspberry like a... well, like a blessing. Her muscles flex, her eyes flash, and then...
She cuts loose with a sonorous 'HEE-HAW!'.
Meanwhile, Telamon's feet move swiftly, quickened by the spell, as he races over next to Seyardu. Catching sight of the dropped spear, he yells, "Sisig bursag!" and points at it. A shimmer in the air, and then the spear is lifted, and dragged away eastward by the unseen servitor.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay so Aryia's is stunned again, the other one will try to get out of the grapple again" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+21-1: (20)+21+-1: 40 (vs CMD 38 - Success, Free) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay it flies 60' up as it's move, that's an AOO for things that can take it" GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+9+6+2+1: (7)+9+6+2+1: 25 (AOO)
One of the bugs is stunned, reeling under Aryia's assault. Its weapon is dragged away by an unseen force, and it glitters.
The other struggles within the magical hand. With unexpected force, it wrenches free and the flies straight up.
GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (16)+19+2: 37 GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15-1: (2)+15+-1: 16 (vs DC22 Fort - Stunned) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (6)+19+2: 27 GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (6)+19+2: 27 <OOC> Aryia says, "this poor guy, im so sorry" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it's how the dice tell me they want the NPC to die" GAME: Aryia rolls punch-5: aliased to weapon0+2-5: (15)+19+2+-5: 31 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (19)+19+2+-10: 30 (THREAT) GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (6)+19+2+-10: 17 (not confirmed) GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (6)+19+2: 27 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+crunch+crunch+crunch+crunch+crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2: (12)+3+2+(5)+3+2+(9)+3+2+(10)+3+2+(5)+3+2+(15)+3+2: 86 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "is that 6 separate attacks or they all add up to one big one?" <OOC> Aryia says, "lawful/cold iron/silver/magic" <OOC> Aryia says, "6 seperate"
Aryia manages to climb on top of the thing, her cocking her fist back and slamming down into it repeatedly.
Clank! Why.
Clang! Won't.
Ping! You.
DIE!
She shakes her fist off, scowling heavily. Perhaps it need be time for the 'boulder crushing' technique.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Okay, roll SR for each, then tell me the save DC and roll damage, then roll the hand CMB" GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+11+1+2+2: (18)+17+11+1+2+2: 51 (vs SR 24 - Success!) GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+11+1+2+2: (16)+17+11+1+2+2: 49 (vs SR 24 - Success!) GAME: Mikilos casts Lightning Arc. Caster Level: 17 DC: 26 GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+10+1: (10)+17+10+1: 38 (Grapple) GAME: Mikilos rolls 15d6: (59): 59 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14-1: (1)+14+-1: 14 (EPIC FAIL) (Fails save) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (10)+14: 24 (Fails Save)
Mikilos makes like a bug zapper, pointing at each bug and drawig a line between them. An instant later, lightning flashes along the imagined line, zapping both bugs. A moment later, the giant hand flies up, grabbing at the bug again. ^T "Okay, lightning works." Mikilos mutters to himself.
There's a squeal and a squeak and an 'elf' is jumping up and down in the snow. "Oh Mikilos! Do that again!."
N'tssa immediately stares in Telamon's direction, jabbing her finger at him, "You too! Do what he does!"
Seyardu swings at the mantis creature as it is flys away but only manages to hit air. The cleric looks up and glares at it, brandishing her polearm, but she makes no move to follow after it for the time being.
<OOC> Telamon says, "That guy, 60' up? Douse him in sparkles again, let's see if I can get him to blow that Will save." GAME: Telamon casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (18)+11: 29 (vs DC18 - Success, not blind)
Raspberry hee-haws loudly again, and then rests her head on N'tssa's shoulder, looking dolefully at her. Forget about the creatures, could I have a carrot? she seems to be saying.
Telamon bites off a particularly rude remark, and instead explains, "Ma'am, I -don't know that spell-. Feel free to have Master Mikilos teach it to me though." He blasts another gout of sparkles at the one in midair, dousing it but failing to blind it. "Damn it..."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay so one is stunned and does nothing, and the other tries to break free and move some" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+21-1: (18)+21+-1: 38 (vs CMD 38 - Success, breaks free)
One ice bug flops around like a rag doll.
The other, sparkling and snatched in the sky by the hand, wrenches free with a tremendous twist and shoots higher into the sky.
<OOC> Aryia says, "same thing, except instead of against flat foot, it'll bypass all DR." <OOC> Aryia says, "Stunning fist again. Style strike is shattering punch" GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (15)+19+2: 36 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (2)+15: 17 (vs DC22 Fort - Stunned) GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (6)+3+2: 11 GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (20)+19+2: 41 (THREAT) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (1)+19+2: 22 (EPIC FAIL) (Not Confirmed) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (2)+19+2: 23 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-5: aliased to weapon0+2-5: (9)+19+2+-5: 25 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (19)+19+2+-10: 30 (THREAT) GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (16)+19+2+-10: 27 (Confirmed) GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (10)+19+2: 31 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (4)+3+2: 9 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2: (6)+3+2+(7)+3+2: 23 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (7)+3+2: 12 (44 total) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-1: (3)+11+-1: 13 (vs DC14 Will - Fail, blind 1 round)
Aryia is still going at it up at the tower. Even more punches rip from her, the first making carapace shatter in a splintering fracture underneath the briskness of the blow, and even more strikes rain down. The flashing of lights above is getting intense.
The pugilist is starting to sweat and pant. All this effort is starting to show its toll, and looks like she's going to have to reign it in a bit else she'll be spent.
<OOC> Mikilos says, "Too far for most effects. Send hand after pummeled, give a 'hand' over there..." <OOC> Mikilos says, "let the flyer come back down, maybe" GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+10+1: (2)+17+10+1: 30
Silence from the invisible Mikilos, though the floating hand does float over to try and assist Aryia, grabbing the bug and holding it still for her. Not that she's needed the help.
GAME: Seyardu casts Bless. Caster Level: 13 DC: 17
With the mantis moving higher and higher, and not making any moves to come down yet, Seyardu steps back and gestures with the holy symbol, infusing the small group with more divine strength.
"It is too dangerous to go and chase after it." Seyardu sighs. "It nearly brought me down in a matter of seconds before."
Telamon watches the strange icy-looking creature rocket into the sky, and shudders. "Maybe we'll get lucky and a shooting star will hit it?" His eyes flick to the other monster, who is... having a very, very bad day, as Mikilos's hand just wrapped around it and it looks like Aryia's going to beat it into an umbrella. He gestures to his unseen servant, "Alright, alright... bring that here. Yes, here. Aryia will probably want to add it to her trophy room, if she's got one."
Stunned, blinded, reeling, grabbed, Aryia's ice-bug is incapable of fighting back.
The other one vanishes.
<OOC> Aryia says, "first attack will be stunning fist again, bypass dr strike" GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (12)+19+2: 33 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15-1: (12)+15+-1: 26 (vs DC 22 Fort - Not Stunned) GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (12)+3+2: 17 (bypasses DR) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (19)+19+2: 40 (THREAT) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (9)+19+2: 30 (Confirmed) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-1: (2)+11+-1: 12 (vs DC14 Will - fail, bind 1 round) GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (11)+19+2: 32 GAME: Aryia rolls punch-5: aliased to weapon0+2-5: (1)+19+2+-5: 17 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Aryia rolls punch-10: aliased to weapon0+2-10: (15)+19+2+-10: 26 GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (10)+19+2: 31 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch+crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2+2d8+strength+2: (6)+3+2+(4)+3+2: 20 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (13)+3+2: 18 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (7)+3+2: 12
Now that the creature was grabbed, it made it way easier.
Like a target ripe for getting laid into, the mute drops to the top of the tower and lays into its center mass. The silver energy on her face and limbs is glowing even brighter as each devastating crunch is accompanied by a burst of moonlight.
Her last punch socks something crucial. "JUST DIE" she exasperates, flicking her hands briskly and wide. <Handspeech>
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+17+10+1+5: (12)+17+10+1+5: 45 (vs CMD 36 - Success!)
Mikilos sighs. "I know better than to not have more combat spells handy. Just not sure if other ran away, or is just hiding. Gonna be a lot of paperwork over this." The magic hand keeps it's hold. Not that the massive hand has to try hard. This is literally what it's made for.
Seyardu was not convinced that the other mantis was gone yet, and there were too many people that were still behind her to lower her guard. The cleric stands ready, waiting with bated breath, to see if it showed up, and watching Aryia to see if anything changed there.
Telamon doesn't want to take the spear -- it looks a little creepy to him, and he waves his hands. "No, no. You hold onto it for now. I don't know if it's safe for me to touch." His eyes dart about nervously -- he saw the other one vanish. He looks up at Seyardu, brow furrowed. "Do you think it ran off? Or is it looking for help?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay it's blinded, grappled, not stunned." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "It is concentrating on something, so we'll see if that works" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14+6: (17)+14+6: 37 (vs CMD 38 - fails, still grappled)
The ice bug struggles, concentrating yet failing to completely accomplish what it is attempting to. It remains held, and blinded.
GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (11)+19+2: 32 (AOO) GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (12)+3+2: 17 GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. GAME: Aryia rolls punch: aliased to weapon0+2: (17)+19+2: 38 GAME: Aryia rolls crunch: aliased to 2d8+strength+2: (8)+3+2: 13 (bypass DR)
Aryia is sweating bullets at this rate. She normally doesn't go this hard when training. Even when a snap punch rockets forward as they try to concentrate on something, but the grabbing hand breaks their focus.
She steps back, twirls on a heel, and drives her fist straight through the carapace like it was made of paper. Right into the heart of of whatever this ice being was.
It struggles, and then it stops moving.
The body crumples. It is strangely hollow, clearly insectoid, and rife with cracks. It's dead.
Telamon exhales, as he sees the creature finally crumble under Aryia's relentless fists. "Gods. What -were- those things?" He looks around for Mikilos, not seeing the archmage yet, then looks up at Seyardu. "I hope this tower doesn't have an infestation of them. The archmage may need to hire an exterminator or ten."
Mikilos grumbles. "Suppose had best check inside to see what sort of damage was done. I've faced demons before, but didn't expect any on this trip." He wizard considers. "Devils? I know I've seen a sketch of something like those, but not recalling details."
Seyardu stops, and exhales, finally returning to normal size. The polearm propped on the ground and leaned on as she regards the others. "Everyone is alright, yes? I do not know what they were, outsiders, of some sort. And powerful ones at that. If one still remains, then it is still a threat to others here."
"Stay close if we are looking through the towers to make sure. That way I can have us leave if needed."
The cleric blinks, and offers a wave and thumbs up over the tower to where Aryia was.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (16)+15: 31 (N'tssa K/the planes)
"Oh, those?" The Auburn haired 'elf' smiles in Mikilos' direction, "Those were Gelugon's. They are ice devils. They're highly resistant to everything except good weapons, immune to cold, fire and poison, resistant to acid and spells. They've got several ice powers which will slow you down. They're intelligence gathering devils."
She keeps on smiling, gancing at Telamon. "Oh, and they can teleport. I don't think they can turn invisible."
Aryia does something a little brutal.
Her foot comes down on the thing's head once, twice, and thrice. Her giving a solid huff on the last stomp before she kicks what's left of the body over and down to the ground.
She hitches a ride on the hand to get back down.
Though, she still heard everything the 'elf' said.
The glowing shadow elf blinks. "Go fuck yourself," she gestures to her, frustrated that it was only mentioned /now/. <Handspeech>
Telamon looks sourly at N'tssa. "Hooray."
Raspberry makes a quieter laughing sound, and Telamon gives the donkey a disgusted look. "Don't you start."
His eyes slide over to where Mikilos is. "How bad's the damage, sir? Pretty certain devils don't get taught how to use a privy."
The mute gives a thumbs up back to Seyardu on the way down.
N'tssa graciously returns Aryia's wave, twidling her fingers in her direction, followd by a smirk towards Telamon, "Well use Detect Magic and Detect Evil to see what they touched and throw all of it out."
It's true, devils aren't taught how to use a privy. They also don't seem to use them, from what Mikilos can determine. That dedicated room seems to have been skipped.
They were all over his library though, and his records.
The lab...
It might be a good idea to replace all the knives. And plates. Actually, restock the kitchen completely.
Mikilos tsks. "Gelugon's. Knew I knew them, but was blanking. Anyway, I doubt are any more, but will peek while the spell lasts. If the windows explode, assume problems."
The first floor of the tower is mostly empty, used for storage. Second floor, kitchen, office, eating area. Third floor, bunks, and a long ladder up to the crow's nest, which has spy glasses, large colored flags, and smoke rockets.
Reaching the top, the wizard ties and unfurls a long, if thin, red flag. The distant forts keeping watch will eventually note there is a problem.
Returning to the groung floor, visible again, Mikilos sighs. "Doesn't look too bad, no major damage. Quite the mess of papers, but most are just inventory and a long, long series of 'Today nothing happened.'"
Seyardu stops, blinks, and sighs. "Yes, telling us earlier would have been incredibly helpful. Most don't need to eat, or use washrooms." She agrees before going inside herself. "So, they were looking for information. For what, perhaps there is something to be found in the papers looked over the most."
Aryia scowls at N'tssa, raises a middle finger, then jams her hands into her pockets before walking in behind the mage once she's back on the ground floor.
She follows after him, just to be safe as her nose is curled up in a crinkle.
Leaving N'tssa behind with Raspberry, and the question: who will carry N'tssa's bags through the icewater marsh. The donkey can't, the 'elf' won't. An immoveable force meets an irresistible object.
They may be a while.
Mikilos double checks the tower is mostly okay, and that the forts are aware is a problem, before heading up the frozen pass to the top of the ridge. One powerful spell later, and a magical portal opens to the elemental planes, partway between the planes of Fire, and Earth.
Lava.
A stream of it, pouring down upon the mountainside. Literal tons of molten rock.... which really isn't that much when spread across a field. Just a few inches thick before the wizard ends the spell, and tosses a ball of glowing blue energy at the steaming lake, freezing the surface to glass. Icy mountain air on top, molten rock below, the glass shatters, leaving the mountain pass covered in a layer of razor sharp shards of volcanic glass.
GAME: Mikilos casts Gate. Caster Level: 17 DC: 30 GAME: Mikilos casts Freezing Sphere. Caster Level: 17 DC: 27
Ain't nothing passing that pass now.
OOC
Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m4astka8e49
Ice Bugs
https://tinyurl.com/y9rcu78x
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
26 Ice-Man-tis
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22 Aryia 6 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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19 Mikilos 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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12 Seyardu 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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9 Telamon 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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==============================================================================
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| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
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|Aryia |SHADOW_ELF|Mnk | 139 | 139 |27/22/26 | 43 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
|Mikilos |DAWN_ELF |Wiz | 88 | 88 |19/17/14 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 17 |
|Seyardu |SITH-MAKAR|Clr | 121 | 121 |23/23/14 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 14 |
|Telamon |HALF-ELF |Sor | 23 | 23 |12/10/12 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Aryia |SHADOW_ELF|Mnk | 139 | 139 |27/22/26 | 43 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
|Mikilos |DAWN_ELF |Wiz | 88 | 88 |19/17/14 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 17 |
|Seyardu |SITH-MAKAR|Clr | 66 | 121 |23/23/14 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 14 |
|Telamon |HALF-ELF |Sor | 23 | 23 |12/10/12 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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<OOC> Seyardu says, "It was good! A little stressful to eat 80+ damage out of nowhere but it worked out"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Well if Aryia hadn't stunlocked hers she was in danger of some damage too"
<OOC> Mikilos says, "To be fair, unexpected demons should be stressful"
<OOC> Aryia big nod. "Literally only saved by fate"
<OOC> Aryia also apologizes for aryia being a combat nightmare
<OOC> Aryia blames late game pathfinder breaking down
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it's the class and the rules. It takes me a bunch of feats to only partially do what you've got."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "plenty of monsters have no vital areas but very few have impossible to stun or trip"
<OOC> Aryia says, "the risk of tripping is getting tripped yourself"
<OOC> Aryia glances at Monkey style next level. "... until that... /thing/."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I mean it's the 3rd or maybe 4th time I've seen interposing hand nerf a combat monster"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "if you want to do something more at your tower later Mikilos, let me know"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "can always have a meetup with N'tssa being bitchy or something"
<OOC> Aryia says, "god aryia wants to slap her so bad"