Giustenal's ruins: A proper taste of the Hells on Athas

[AthasianLaborer]

"Quila, do you have any way to stay in contact while not risking exposure to the Caller thing?"

After waiting for her response (as well as any castings on her part) 'Muiko swaps back into his mockery of Ande and clumsily flies (this is only the third time he's flown as an Aarakocra) up to survey the walltops for any signs of the elf or their attacker.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Skrye looks at Attilius - "Tsk.. Asking to move in silence after raising a no in such a tone, I'm not sure about it.. But let me tell you all something, and listen carefully.." - she softly hums before starting an encouraging tune in low voice for everyone to listen to
- "There is earth and there is soil,
as the sands swirl in turmoil,
tales of forgotten past,
we have to know, we must.

Ancient roads of granite paved,
grains of silver and gold,
your soul in rich sanded,
your will to none sold,
keep your roots in the ground,
endure the howl of the hound.

There is no great force and unity,
that the diamond that grow,
in each one of you among.
Motherland call her worshippers,
To defiling defeat those sinners,
Keeping together, resist my army" - stopping to fade to silence as she ends it after three rounds, mixing the wording with some slight tapping with her foot in the floor to keep the rhythm and cadence

[OOC: +2 morale everyone, 8rnds lasting]

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Feb 14, 2024 10:49:30 GMT -12 AthasianLaborer said:

"Quila, do you have any way to stay in contact while not risking exposure to the Caller thing?"

After waiting for her response (as well as any castings on her part) 'Muiko swaps back into his mockery of Ande and clumsily flies (this is only the third time he's flown as an Aarakocra) up to survey the walltops for any signs of the elf or their attacker.

"Now that you mention it, I do. It's a way for spies to use telepathy without being detected by ways used to detect for psionics. Never thought it would come up in a situation. Hold on," Quila replies and then promptly casts Telepathy rendering a mental link between her and 'Muiko via the powers of the elements.

(OOC: It does exactly what you expect it does. Level 3 spell, 1 turn + 2rd/lvl duration = 2 turns, 6 rounds.)

[Attilius]

Attilius scans and searches any dark areas for figures or movement (open doorways, windows, alcoves, etc.)

[DM Bob]

'Muiko flies up and away invisibly to scout further as Quila and Skrye talk about the ruined building before them. It looks to be a temple of some sort, perhaps repurposed as the dragon statues look to be newer in comparison to the crumbling structure. The ancients sometimes believed in false gods instead of the tried and true powers of the elemental planes or that of the Sorcerer King's and Queens templars.

Attilius is the first to see silt plume from before you to the left of the Dragon Temple... something is rising into the air.

Screams are still heard faintly in the wind, somewhere in the distance. You still have a feeling of being watched. The wind speed picks up and 'Muiko has difficulty maneuvering.

From his view point, he can see eight large things rise from the silt, like pterrax. Their wings do not beat and the seem unaffected by the wind.

As the silt obscures your field of vision, each of you hear mentally, the following "shout".

"THIS REALM REMINDS ME OF HOME, EATER OF TONGUES! WHY HAVE YOU CALLED UPON MY TRUE NAME?"

Another mental voice responds, louder.

"THERE ARE MORTALS HERE THAT DESERVE TO DIE, THAT CARRY ITEMS OF POWER. LET THEM HEAR OPENLY MY DESIRE TO CLAIM THEIR POSSESSIONS AFTER I EAT THEIR TONGUES AND CLAIM THEIR SOULS."

The other voice responds.

"I ANSWERED THE CALL AND WILL FIGHT AS NEEDED... BUT SOME OF THIS POWER YOU SEEK? IT SHALL BE SPLIT."

Snarls.

"SO BE IT."

[AthasianLaborer]

'Muiko will head directly back to the party and take cover behind Attilius as soon as he starts 'hearing' the conversation.  He'll cast Nondetection once he lands.

This will require more than one round as combat is likely. -Bob

Initiative 6 (rolled a 7 -1 for Dex)

Intention: Full Move at 90 degrees from his original direction, if he survives the round, this action will be repeated the following round.

[Attilius]

Feb 15, 2024 4:46:45 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Attilius is the first to see silt plume from before you to the left of the Dragon Temple... something is rising into the air...

The giant instantly raises his gouge, pointing toward the plumes
"Enemies to the front! Make a triangle for-mation against the wall! I'm at the top point! Ranged at the rear with their backs against the wall so they cant be flanked..." Attilius sprints with a purpose always keeping one eye on the plume.

Feb 15, 2024 4:46:45 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

...Snarls
"SO BE IT..."

"Kalak's CACK! Someone enspell my gouge!"

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Skrye moves to the near back of the formation, nearby the walls and the silt sand around it.
As that voices seem distorted, even confused with what they see at this point, Skrye tries to gather some information about that creature called by the voice, but the call for action doesn't help with the focus to remember anything - "Will they reason instead of fight? Could these be convinced of something?" - asking Quila - "Spirits of times past?"

[OOC: Failed A. History roll]

[Niachi]

Niachi darts over to flank the gladiator.

“Too long to cast now, I owe you 2. RAZORWINGS!”

Initiative modified by Dex 22: 4

Total SF 6: His face, then his whole body drip and swirl like stirred mud into an undefined elf-sized unnatural smear.

Casting Blur: Duration: 11 rnds. +1 to saving throws, foes’ first attack roll on him is at -4, then all subsequent attack rolls get -2.

His voice matches his form: distorted and disturbing, as if he’s speaking from the other side.

He replaces the dragon’s paw with his big sword.
An unpleasant grin smears where his face might be.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Skrye unsheathes the two crystal daggers, holding action until she gets attacked or the creatures are close enough to her

[OOC: Initiative 0, Attack 1 [rolled 12, hits AC 4, damage 5 (P)], Attack 2 [rolled 7, hits AC 9, damage 5 (P)] ]

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

Coden's martial training takes hold and he snaps into the pocket on the right side, shield up and spear out.

[Niachi]

Modified initiative: 7

2 sword attacks on a flying thing in range:

Rolled 13, hits AC 1, damage: 11.
Rolled 2: miss.

Niachi has Blur for 10 rounds after round of casting.

AC -2, HP: 40, spells available: 3/2/3/2

[Deleted]

Unsure what is going on, Chat'cho remains behind the group and prepares to cast her Raise Dead spell.

She was taught by her mentor that, sometimes, a Raise Dead spell can be a good way of destroying powerful undead creatures. This is one of the few ways that Druids can combat these unnatural creatures.

Now, Chat'cho seeks to put this lesson into practice. She hangs back and Holds her spell, firing it at the first undead creature that appears within 30 yards that does not appear completely trivial (mindless skeleton/zombie).

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Quila will stand in second line but makes sure there is some room between her and others so area spells aren't as effective and casts a Protection from Evil upon herself in the first round.
She has her magical quarterstaff with the obsidian atop in her hands and she is still alert.

(OOC: Init 4, modified for spell 8. Alertness NWP provides a bonus on surprise.)

[DM Bob]

[Switching to combat thread.]