A Mountainous Exploration Part 13
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (7)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 26
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (17)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 36
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (4)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 23
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+4+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (2)+4+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 16
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (5)+5+3+6+2+(1): 22
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (3)+5+3+6+2+(3): 22
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (1)+5+3+6+2+(5): 22
Malik is focused on the task at hand, a strange calm on his face, though his eyes seem to suggest that the man is really anything but. Another volley of arrows, some of them not even making it to the target before being weirdly broken. But a few manage to make their mark, piercing deeply.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 10.
It is now Oh no its a mawnster's turn! Munch is next!
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+28: (16)+28: 44
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+28: (9)+28: 37
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+23: (8)+23: 31
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 3d6+12: (11)+12: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 3d6+12: (10)+12: 22
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 4d6+18: (14)+18: 32
The eyes of the creature change color, from black to a vibrant red, as it draws in another breath. "MORE," it yells out loud, it's voice dark with hunger.
It proceeds to then *rip* into Olek, who it has apparently decided is target number one. While his innate toughness seems to save him from considerable harm, he is still left *very* worse to wear from the sheer amount of damage it can put out wiht its teeth and... spiked...tongue which erupts into small, spikey tentacles... and mandible that *erupt* from its stony viscage.
That's fun.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 5.
It is now Munch's turn! Rhar is next!
GAME: Munch RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 28 temporary HP
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+18: (14)+18: 32
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+18: (9)+18: 27
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (20)+13: 33
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (3)+13: 16
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d12+11: (2)+11: 13
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d12+11: (11)+11: 22
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 22.
It is now Rhar's turn! Garak is next!
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6-2: (8)+19+-2: 25
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6-2: (16)+19+-2: 33 (THREAT)
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6-2-5: (16)+19+-2+-5: 28 (THREAT)
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6-2-5-10: (19)+19+-2+-5+-10: 21 (THREAT)
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6-2: (8)+19+-2: 25
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6-2-5: (18)+19+-2+-5: 30 (THREAT)
GAME: Rhar rolls 1d4+2+cavalier: (1)+2+13: 16
GAME: Rhar rolls 1d4+2+cavalier+1d4+2+cavalier: (2)+2+13+(3)+2+13: 35
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+16: (17)+16: 33
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6+4: (15)+19+4: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Rhar uses an AoO! 1 remaining.
GAME: Seldan uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Garak rolls weapon8+2+2: (6)+14+2+2: 24
GAME: Garak uses an AoO! 3 remaining.
GAME: Olek uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6+4: (15)+19+4: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Rhar rolls 1d4+1d4+2+2+cavalier+cavalier: (2)+(1)+2+2+13+13: 33
GAME: Rhar rolls weapon6+4: (8)+19+4: 31
GAME: Rhar uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma: (2)+16+5: 23
GAME: Garak rolls weapon8+2+2: (15)+14+2+2: 33
GAME: Garak uses an AoO! 2 remaining.
GAME: Rhar rolls 2d4+2+calavier: (4)+2+calavier: 6
GAME: Rhar rolls 2d4+2+cavalier: (6)+2+13: 21
GAME: Rhar rolls 1d4+2+cavalier: (2)+2+13: 17
GAME: Rhar rolls gurr attack: (10)+gurr attack: 10
GAME: Rhar rolls gurr bite: aliased to companionmelee: (12)+14: 26
GAME: Rhar rolls gurr bite: aliased to companionmelee: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Rhar rolls gurr bite+4: aliased to companionmelee+4: (18)+14+4: 36
GAME: Rhar rolls gurr bite+4: aliased to companionmelee+4: (4)+14+4: 22
GAME: Garak rolls 1d8+6+3+2d6: (2)+6+3+(3): 14
GAME: Olek rolls 1d10+14: (10)+14: 24
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 21.
It is now Garak's turn! Olek is next!
GAME: Garak rolls 7d6: (29): 29
Garak strikes the bizarre enemy with his lance thanks to the tactical advantage provided by Rhar's...sticksmanship. Then he steps next to Olek. His lance disappears and he's able to hold his holy symbol in a newly-freed hand. The other is held in front of the symbol like a lens before it emits divine light in a line that goes through his own hand, washes over Olek and then finally ends at Seldan.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 15.
It is now Olek's turn! Seldan is next!
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+16: (6)+16: 22
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+16: (9)+16: 25
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+11: (12)+11: 23
Olek gahs as he's attacked, and that throws him off balance. He tags it with an axe swipe in passing, but when he squares off to fight, it turns out he's not particularly squared off, his axeblows deflecting away without biting into the enemy. This frustrates him and pushes him harder, though that does not seem to be helping.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 14.
It is now Seldan's turn! Stjepan is next!
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-3: (2)+16+5+-3: 20
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-3: (14)+16+5+-3: 32
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-3: (6)+16+5+-3: 24
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6+6+6+3: (7)+6+6+6+3: 28
Seldan isn't having much better luck than Olek in the striking department, his own chance created by Rhar's blow missing wide, but instead of frustration, he redoubles his focus. It is still difficult, but finally the weapon in his hand finds purchase, sinking deep into that gaping maw and its green aura.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 14.
It is now Stjepan's turn! Malik is next!
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (11)+24: 35
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+24: (18)+24: 42
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+19: (2)+19: 21
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+14: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+17: (6)+17: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6+17: (3)+17: 20
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 12.
It is now Malik's turn! Oh no its a mawnster is next!
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (5)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 24
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (10)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 29
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (5)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 24
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+4+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (2)+4+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 16
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (6)+5+3+6+2+(3): 25
With so many people directly on top of the thing, the archer is having trouble finding a good angle. He frowns, attempting to fire arrows when he thinks that the lines are safe, but pulling away slightly as the frenetic action continues, only managing to find one true shot amidst the chaos.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 10.
It is now Oh no its a mawnster's turn! Munch is next!
GAME: Seldan rolls reflex: (9)+14: 23
GAME: Olek rolls reflex: (16)+6: 22
GAME: Rhar rolls ref: (15)+10: 25
GAME: Whirlpool rolls ooc The good news! You all saved.: (2)+ooc The good news! You all saved.: 2
GAME: Garak rolls reflex+3: (17)+7+3: 27
GAME: Munch rolls ref: (11)+10: 21
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 5d6: (13): 13
A pulse of energy wawshes from its mouth. It's not unlike the initial torrent of negative energy it unleashed on you earlier, but this time its something... worse almost? You're able to dive under it, for the most part, except for Stjepan who simply collapses in a heap, near to death, from the impact.
It's not good. By all means, that probably *should* have killed him outright.
"HAHAHAHAH," it roars, "YES! YES! DIE!"
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 5.
It is now Munch's turn! Rhar is next!
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+20: (11)+20: 31
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+20: (20)+20: 40
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+15: (18)+15: 33
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+20: (6)+20: 26
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d12+134: (1)+134: 135
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d12+13: (3)+13: 16
GAME: Garak rolls weapon8+2+2: (4)+14+2+2: 22
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 3d12+39: (17)+39: 56
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d12+13: (10)+13: 23
GAME: Garak uses an AoO! 3 remaining.
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+19: (4)+19: 23
GAME: Olek uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-1: (7)+16+5+-1: 27
GAME: Seldan uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6+6: (8)+6+6: 20
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 22.
It is now Rhar's turn! Garak is next!
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 21.
It is now Garak's turn! Olek is next!
GAME: Garak casts Flame Strike. Caster Level: 13 DC: 20
GAME: Garak rolls caster: (7)+caster: 7
GAME: Garak rolls 13d6: (45): 45
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+5: (20)+5: 25
GAME: Garak rolls 13: (13)+13: 26
Garak's gleaming lance seems to appear and then vanish at will now. He tries to stab the maw when it's distracted by Munch. Then it disappears as the cleric flings up his hands, shouting for Serriel's purifying fire. In answer a pillar of flame spirals down to catch the monster on the side. Finally he takes up a fighting stance, lance suddenly back and held in two hands as he holds it in a ready crouch.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 15.
It is now Olek's turn! Seldan is next!
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 14.
It is now Seldan's turn! Stjepan is next!
GAME: Seldan spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS.
GAME: Seldan rolls 3d6: (10): 10
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-3: (4)+16+5+-3: 22
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-3-5: (20)+16+5+-3+-5: 33 (THREAT)
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-3: (13)+16+5+-3: 31
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma-3-5: (16)+16+5+-3+-5: 29
GAME: Seldan uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Garak rolls weapon3+2+2-1: (3)+0+2+2+-1: 6
GAME: Garak uses an AoO! 3 remaining.
GAME: Seldan rolls weapon1+charisma: (8)+16+5: 29
GAME: Olek uses an AoO! 0 remaining.
GAME: Garak rolls weapon8+2+2-1: (11)+14+2+2+-1: 28
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+15: (11)+15: 26
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+1d8+16+12+12: (7)+(2)+16+12+12: 49
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+8+6: (2)+8+6: 16
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+8+6: (8)+8+6: 22
Seldan -just- manages to avoid the worst of the wave of death, and although the grave's chill runs through him, his soul nonetheless remains firmly anchored to his body, and while his next opportune strike lands, it lacks its usual vigor and strength, his limbs wearier than they should be. At once, he reaches for the crescent and sphere on a silver chain around his neck, murmuring a prayer of focus. As before, moonlight-silver energy forms beneath his hand, then washes over him, and he stands with renewed strength and vitality, and promptly snarls, taking the blade in both hands and slamming it viciously multiple times in its maw. One strike lands completely true, sinking in nearly to the hilt before he pulls it out.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 14.
It is now Stjepan's turn! Malik is next!
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+15: (17)+15: 32
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+15: (8)+15: 23
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18
GAME: Olek rolls 1d10+14: (3)+14: 17
Olek fights on undaunted, already suffering from grave wounds, but buoyed by the party's healers, he is in a groove, fighting on desperately against the horrific foe. We've got to, or there's no going home, is there. He brings his axe down with a heavy blow, and the blade actually takes a bite once, the other blows skitter away.
GAME: Whirlpool advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 12.
It is now Malik's turn! Oh no its a mawnster is next!
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (12)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 31
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (15)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 34
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+9+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (17)+9+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 36
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20+4+6+5+2+1-2-3+1: (12)+4+6+5+2+1+-2+-3+1: 26
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (1)+5+3+6+2+(2): 19
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (4)+5+3+6+2+(3): 23
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (2)+5+3+6+2+(6): 24
GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+5+3+6+2+1d6: (5)+5+3+6+2+(2): 23
The wave doesn't quite reach the archer. He's looking for any opening that he can find at this point, watching for places to send his arrows through amidst the chaos. Which, naturally, those scrambling back from melee and ducking the new power give him -- almost perfectly. Malik takes aim, sending arrows into the creature -- one-two, three, four, with a fifth one finding purchase -- and apparently doing no good. The flesh only barely even twitches as the creature slumps, unmoving.
Glancing to the others, he asks, "Is anyone dead?" Because the wizard clearly has priorities here.
It does sindeed slump. There is silence for a moment before it begins to dissolve into the earth, leaving a gaping, empty5 black hole of nothingness in its wake.
Seems like killing it didn't quite... close the last portal it had opened, though it's probably a matter of time before it fades.
Wafting up from it are the sounds of sobbing and moaning, the spirits of the damned.
GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/the planes: (15)+7: 22
GAME: Garak rolls knowledge/religion: (13)+9: 22
GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/religion: (20)+11: 31
Stjepan is entirely non-responsive.
GAME: Garak casts Freedom of Movement. Caster Level: 13 DC: 19
GAME: Garak rolls 4d8+13: (22)+13: 35
"I am well enough, for now, by Eluna's grace and power," Seldan answers Malik, about to slam his sword into it again when the barrage of arrows fells the hellmouth. "Truly did the dimensional anchoring spell save us, Malik. I shudder to think what that thing might have brought forth did we not have such." _What was there was bad enough,_ his tone says, trailing off at the sound of the wailing of the damned that pours forth from the fading gate.
For an instant, he raises his sword again, then relaxes it, sadly. "It had a portal to Thul's realm. Without the anchoring spell...." He leaves that thought unfinished, staring at the thing to ensure that it fades entirely. "It should fade entirely with its destruction."
Garak stares at the spot the maw was, eyes wide. Malik's question seems to snap him back to the moment. He glances around to look over the party for himself. At the sight of Stjepan he blanches - when did that happen?? - and hurries to the fallen warrior's side. "Serriel, this hero has many righteous battles yet to win," he murmurs, casting a powerful healing spell.
GAME: Seldan rolls intelligence: (17)+2: 19
GAME: Garak rolls int: (8)+int: 8
GAME: Garak rolls intelligence: (16)+2: 18
GAME: Olek rolls intelligence: (6)+0: 6
Malik gives Seldan a nod. "Both of them," he agrees. "I doubt just the one would have been strong enough to hold it." He walks past the paladin, fingers brushing Seldan's back as he passes, a small sign of affection, but more concerned about the state of the others. That is, until it looks like everyone is back on their feet, and he turns, asking the party at large, "Now. Can we -please- get out of this Abyss-forsaken tunnel and go the hells -home-?"
GAME: Malik rolls Int: (4)+Int: 4
GAME: Malik rolls Intelligence: (20)+4: 24
Olek slumps to one knee when his rage fades, axe falling from his fingers, head leaning against the back of his shield as he pants breathlessly.
"We had better do so, and quickly," Seldan points out, looking around at the others, and fixing on Olek as he nearly falls. "Those worms were feeding from what this thing spewed forth. When they hunger again, it is us that they will turn to to sate them, and who knows what power they hold, after consuming the spew of Thul Mundus?" As he speaks, he strides over to Olek, murmuring the longer prayers of supplication that he uses when he is healing others.
GAME: Seldan spends ONE use of LAY ON HANDS.
GAME: Seldan rolls 3d6: (14): 14
Stjepan opens his eyes, staring up at the rock ceiling. "Fuck." He lays still, wiggling toes and fingers first, then testing the rest of his limbs before trying to actually move himself. "That was not good." He turns his head, throws up comprehensively, then sits there, shivering for a few moments.
GAME: Seldan rolls survival: (16)+17: 33
GAME: Olek rolls survival: (5)+16: 21
GAME: Stjepan rolls survival: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Garak rolls survival: (4)+11: 15
The good news is that Wind Walk works just fine. Soon, you're as vapor, moving through this place. Moreover, being wind itself allows you to sense the movement of air without much difficulty. You are, after all, air yourself.
Fairly soon, you're navigating tunnels. A lot of them. One after another, making note of dead ends and tracking your own movements, chasing fresh air.
After several hours of movement, you find yourselves FINALLY approaching what seems to be light.
Your slip through a mossy opening in the mountain side and escape into the day's early light.
Exhausted, but alive.
Remembering their original instructions, Seldan fairly slumps in exhaustion against the mountainside, but his airy form rises up against the breezes over snow-capped mountains, and once up where he can see, gestures to the others to follow, looking around for the airship that is hopefully still around.
Stjepan gets out, and stretches up to his full height, hands above his head. He just glories in it. He can Stand Up.
Olek will float up as well, seeking our excape and return to the city. It was supposed to be around here?
Malik simply follows. The wizard is good at following. Especially as they make their way out of the gods-damned tunnels at long last, only slightly worse for the wear.
Up, up, up you go.
Oh hey there's the airship.
Oh hey the airship is black with smoke and on fire.
Also, engaged in a running bat tle with several large winged demons.
It seems to be driving them off, these vulture-like creatures, but it's sustained some damage.
No, it's not crashing.
Yet.
Olek will get to the ship as quickly as possible. They may be able to sway the battle if they can get there in time!
Air might not be able to speak. Nor can it really make facial expressions. But the air-that-is-Malik just /feels/ annoyed. It's practically palpable, the sigh from the movement different than the sigh the wind makes as it moves toward the ship.
If Seldan-as-air could go wide-eyed as he spots the demons attacking the airship, they would. Instead, he summons his wings again and takes off for the ship as swiftly as his flight will let him, drawing his sword as he dives towards the fight! Malik can complain later all he wants to.
Stjepan looks up towards the ship, cursing his eagerness to plant his feet on solid ground. He unlimbers his bow and yells. "I can help more when I'm closer!"
Reaching the ship is not significantly difficult when you're vapor *and* can fly. Malik and Seldan reach it with ease. Resuming your physical forms there leads to some surprise from the crew, but they're not complaining. Still, they're not hapless, and neither are the high-powered magitech cannons that they've been firing at the flying demnons swooping around the ship, firing lightning bolts right back at them.
Given the scorch marks and deceased crewmen on its deck, it looks like it's been going for a little while.
Still, the tide *was* turning.
'Thank the gods. IS this all of you?" they have no idea about Stjepan left behind, after all.
"They've been niggling at us for hours, but we've held fast."
Stjepan curses, and lights a fire arrow, shooting it up into the sky!