5TH ADVENTURE – THE GREEDY AND THE UNCARING
“This guy is crazy! He keeps following me, talking about disrupting the balance between good and evil! And my attacks are not having any effect!”, Donovan said, out of breath.
“Don't blame me. He has some kind of barrier that is preventing my attacks from connecting”, Megalomagna replied.
“Don't waste our time, warrior”, said the mysterious figure. “I am not the kind of opponent you can escape from”.
“You have to get us out of this, Meggie”, Donovan said, exasperated.
“What would you do without me, huh? You really are a spoiled brat! And now what do I do? The only person who would understand a telepathic message from me accurately is your half-elf wizard friend. And I don't want to talk to him!”, Megalomagna complained.
“This is not the time for this kind of whim! Ask for help, quickly!”.
“Give the sword to me, warrior, and maybe I will let you live. But it's a fact that you have become too strong because of it, to the point of disturbing the balance of this realm”.
“I don't know what you're talking about, you crazy guy!”, Donovan said, annoyed. “But you're not the first one to want this sword even though I found it”.
“I've managed to alert your wizard friend. He will arrange a Mass Teleport to come to us”, Megalomagna said.
“Wouldn't it be easier to get us out of here? We'll expose the party to danger by bringing them here”, Donovan observed.
“Do you happen to know any spells that can make us fly, teleport or travel to another dimension, you smart aleck? Be grateful that your companions are loyal enough to come to your rescue”, Megalomagna said mockingly.
“Since you won't surrender willingly, this humble servant of Boccob will make you surrender by force”.
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PARTY STATS (QUEST START)
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DONOVAN STRIDE (Warrior/Human) - LVL 21
* HP: 173
* TAC0: 2
* AC: -3 (Gold Dragon Scale Mail AC -1 / magical shield +2)
* Attack dmg: 1d8+5 (+7 against wizards) – attacks twice per round
* XP: 478.750
ITEMS:
* Scroll of Water Protection
* Potion of Extra-Healing
* Gold Dragon Scale Mail AC -1
* Magical Shield +2
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KORVAC THE BLESSED (Cleric/Human) - LVL 20
* HP: 103
* TAC0: 7
* AC: 3 (Chain Mail +2)
* Attack dmg: 2d6+3 (flail +3)
* XP: 473.750
SPELLS:
* 1st circle: Cure Light Wounds (7x a day)
* 1st circle: Detect Evil (6x a day)
* 1st circle: Protection from Evil (4x a day)
* 2nd circle: Augury (5x a day)
* 2nd circle: Resist Fire/Resist Cold (5x a day)
* 3rd circle: Dispel Magic (4x a day)
* 3rd circle: Cure Disease (4x a day)
* 3rd circle: Remove Paralysis (4x a day)
* 4th circle: Cure Serious Wounds (5x a day)
* 4th circle: Neutralize Poison (4x a day)
* 4th circle: Divination (2x a day)
* 4th circle: Protection From Evil, 10' (2x a day)
* 5th circle: Cure Critical Wounds (4x a day)
* 5th circle: Raise Dead (3x a day)
* 5th circle: Flame Strike (3x a day)
* 5th circle: Dispel Evil (3x a day)
* 5th circle: True Seeing (2x a day)
* 5th circle: Atonement (1x a day)
* 6th circle: Heal (4x a day)
* 6th circle: Conjure Fire Elemental (2x a day)
* 6th circle: Forbiddance (1x a day)
* 6th circle: Blade Barrier (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Resurrection (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Restoration (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Holy Word (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Regenerate (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Gate (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Symbol (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Sunray (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Exaction (1x a day)
ITEMS:
* Pearl of Wisdom +2
* Ring of Fire Resistance
* Flail +3
* Chain Mail +2
* Incense of Meditation (Priest - 7 pieces)
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BOSCO TUMBLEFOOT (Thief/Hobbit) - LVL 19
* HP: 107
* TAC0: 7
* AC: 2 (cloak of protection +2)
* Attack dmg: 1d12+2 (+4 against evil)
* XP: 473.850
ITEMS:
* Sunblade +2, +4 against evil creatures
* Slippers of Spider Climbing
* Wand of Fire
* Stone of Controlling Earth Elementals
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KHARIUS BLOODMOON (Wizard/Half-Elf) - LVL 18
* HP: 52
* TAC0: 12
* AC: 1 (Cloak of Displacement +2)
* Attack dmg: dagger 1d4+1 / short bow 1d6+1, +3 against evil creatures
* XP: 522.850
ITEMS:
* Wand of Magic Missile (5 charges)
* Dagger +1
* Short Bow +1, +3 against evil creatures
* Cloak of Displacement +2
SPELLS:
* 1st Arcane Level: Magic Missile (6x a day) – 8 missiles
* 1st Arcane Level: Detect Magic (5x a day)
* 1st Arcane Level: Burning Hands (4x a day)
* 2nd Arcane Level: Levitate (5x a day)
* 2nd Arcane Level: Melf’s Acid Arrow (5x a day)
* 2nd Arcane Level: Knock (1x a day)
* 3rd Arcane Level: Fireball (4x a day)
* 3rd Arcane Level: Lightning Bolt (4x a day)
* 3rd Arcane Level: Haste (3x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Charm Monster (4x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Enchanted Weapon (3x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Ice Storm (4x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Remove Curse (1x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Conjure Elemental (4x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Feeblemind (3x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Cone of Cold (4x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Hold Monster (3x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Chain Lightning (4x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Stone to Flesh (2x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: True Seeing (2x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Antimagic Shell (1x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Mislead (1x a day)
* 7th Arcane Level: Mordenkainen's Sword (2x a day)
* 7th Arcane Level: Limited Wish (2x a day)
* 7th Arcane Level: Prismatic Spray (2x a day)
* 8th Arcane Level: Mind Blank (2x a day)
* 8th Arcane Level: Prismatic Wall (1x a day)
* 9th Arcane Level: Wish (1x a day)
***
UPDATED PARTY BELONGINGS:
* 16.550 gold
* 19.450 silver
* 17.000 copper coins
* Star Emerald (10.000 gold)
* 6 healing potions (2d4 hp healing)
* 1 potion of poison
* 2 potions of invulnerability
* Bag of Devouring
* A page from the Testament of Jade
* Potion of Gaseous Form
* Magical Shield +2 (Donovan)
* Gold Dragon Scale Mail AC -1 (Donovan)
* Potion of Extra-Healing (Donovan)
* Scroll of Water Protection (Donovan)
* Chainmail +1 (Korvac)
* Heavy Mace +1 (Korvac)
* Pearl of Wisdom +2 (Korvac)
* Ring of Fire Resistance (Korvac)
* Chain Mail +2 (Korvac)
* Flail +3 (Korvac)
* Incense of Meditation (Korvac)
* Short sword +1 (Bosco)
* Cloak of Protection +2 (Bosco)
* Slippers of Spider Climbing (Bosco)
* Wand of Fire (Bosco)
* Stone of Controlling Earth Elementals (Bosco)
* Dagger +1 (Kharius)
* Wand of Magic Missiles-5 charges (Kharius)
* Short Bow +1, +3 against evil creatures (Kharius)
* Cloak of Displacement +2 (Kharius)
***
Mysterious man casts Flame Strike. Donovan must save vs. spell or suffer 12d8 damage. Rolled 20. Saved. Suffered 22 damage.
“That spell was dangerous!”, Donovan exclaimed. “It seemed like a spell Korvac uses, but this one was much more powerful!”.
“So, warrior? Do you understand now?”, the man said.
“I absolutely don't understand anything”, Donovan said. “I don't know what I did to you, or why you're after me. I don't even know who you are!”.
“Very well. I am Magnus Rivendarr, priest and servant of Boccob. Do you understand now, or do I have to crack your skull open for you to get it?”.
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Magnus Rivendarr casts Blade Barrier. Donovan must save vs. spell or suffer 16d8 damage. Rolled 1. FAILED. Suffered 75 damage.
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“This guy is trouble, Meggie. I can't take much more of this kind of beating”, Donovan said, panting.
“I'll see what I can do, but your friends better come quickly!”.
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Megalomagna casts Weird. The spell has no effect.
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“My strongest spell had no effect...yep, we're screwed. Doomed, even”, Megalomagna said, defeated.
“Trying to scare me with your illusions, Megalomagna?”, said the priest.
“He knows my name! See that, Dollyvan? That's how you treat a sword!”.
“Wanna go with him, then?”, Donovan retorted.
“This unnecessary conversation is taking longer than desired”, Magnus said and waved his hands.
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Magnus Rivendarr casts Control Weather - Storm. Heavy rain clouds begin to form.
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“This guy is going to call lightning in a minute”, Megalomagna said. “Where are your friends, Dollyvan?”.
“They will come, I'm sure. In the meantime, we have to endure”.
“It doesn't matter who comes, Donovan Stride”, Magnus Rivendarr said. “Not even your complete Party would be a match for me”.
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Magnus Rivendarr casts Call Lightning.
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Donovan saw the clouds clashing and braced himself for the worst.
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Kharius Bloodmoon casts Antimagic Shell. The lightning hits the shell and dissipates before it can cause any harm.
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“At last!", Megalomagna exclaimed. "What were you doing, eating burgers?”.
“We were busy rebuilding the city”, Kharius replied. “If Donovan hadn't left, things would have been much easier”.
“You have done well, wizard”, Magnus said. “My Lord would be amazed to see someone completely negated my spell under the current circumstances”.
“Compliments from the enemy are not welcome”, Kharius replied.
“I'm not your enemy, Kharius Bloodmoon. I just think you all got too strong, too fast, and that sword is the reason”, Magnus said.
“And who are you to judge that?”, Bosco asked, intrigued.
“I'll find out in a second”, Korvac said.
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Korvac casts True Seeing.
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“A priest of Boccob, the Uncaring God of Magic”, Korvac said. “Magnus Rivendarr. Neutral alignment. He is surrounded by a magic barrier right now. Probably shields him from physical attacks”.
“Shields him even from me!”, Megalomagna exclaimed. “I found that really outrageous and I wish to speak to Boccob so I can give him a piece of my mind”.
“Your only chance to lay eyes on Lord Boccob is by coming with me, Megalomagna”, Magnus said.
“Did I hear the word...'Megalomagna'?”, a guttural, monstrous voice roared.
“I know that voice”, Megalomagna said.
“I've heard it before too”, Donovan added.
“Greetings, worms! I've finally found you!”, the voice spoke again, as the gigantic figure of a red dragon descended rapidly from the sky to land thunderously on the ground.
“Ruin”, Donovan gritted his teeth.
“A red dragon?”, Magnus asked, perplexed. “What is a red dragon doing here?”.
“I don't owe you explanations, priest. Sniff sniff, I smell extraplanar magic. An alignment-calibrated barrier to repel good creatures?”, Ruin said.
“How do you know that, dragon?”, Magnus asked, nervously.
The dragon let out a laugh.
“I am Ruin, foolish servant of Boccob. You can't hide anything from me. Now tell me: if you are protected from benign creatures, what would happen if you were attacked by a very, very malevolent one?”.
“What do you want from me, dragon?”, Magnus asked, apprehensive.
“From you, nothing! Although the artifacts you carry are... curious. But what I really want is that. The sword!”, the dragon growled, showing its teeth.
“Megalomagna? You can't keep it. It is my duty to bring it to Lord Boccob”, Magnus said.
“Are you going to stop me, priest? Maybe I should test your barrier then!”, and the dragon's belly began to glow an incandescent red, indicating the use of its breath weapon.
“Cursed dragon... I wasn't prepared to face a creature like this on my own”, Magnus grumbled, holding his holy symbol.
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Magnus Rivendarr casts Word of Recall. The spell has been disturbed by the presence of too many magic sources and the destination might be altered.
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“Where are we?”, Bosco asked.
“In a place where we certainly have never been before”, Korvac said. “I'm sure that priest used a teleportation spell, and something went wrong in the process”.
“Any sign of the dragon? Meggie?”, Donovan asked.
“I don't know any Meggie, and at times like this, I wish the big lizard would cook you alive”, the sword said.
“Neither the dragon nor the priest. For some reason, they were transported to another place”, Kharius said.
“Then let's go”, Donovan urged. “We've learned that standing still in an unknown place is asking to be ambushed”.
Walking through the territory, the party could observe a place filled with a countless number of immense, country-sized circular interlocking gears. These great flat wheels, at least 1,000 miles in diameter, had teeth that meshed at right angles, all turning slowly in synchronicity.
A perceptive individual could realize the place had equal amounts of light and dark, heat and cold, and equal measures of the four elements.
“This is not the Prime Material Plane”, Kharius said.
“What?”, Bosco asked, surprised. “What do you mean?”.
“We are in an Outer Plane”, Kharius replied candidly. “Far from Earth”.
“This is unexpected. Just when I thought we were going to pay back that dragon”, Donovan lamented.
“This place is bad news, you blockheads”, Megalomagna spoke. “Despite all the movement you see, there is only one form of life here. And it doesn't look like anything I've ever seen, neither in appearance nor in power. And mind you, I've seen a lot of things even without having eyes”.
“Give us more details”, Korvac insisted.
“Want more? Use your spells! I'm not anyone's personal detector. I only warned you now because I don't want to be stuck in this place”.
“If this is an Outer Plane”, Bosco reasoned, “then it must have a ruler, right? Isn't that how these places work?”.
“Yes”, Kharius replied. “What the sword felt must be the ruler. And it wouldn't be smart for us to face him”.
“Something is approaching us”, Donovan said with his hand on the hilt of the sword. “Stay alert. Korvac, can you heal me?”.
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Korvac casts Heal. Donovan's HP fully restored.
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A spherical creature, endowed with only one eye in the center and two legs, one on each side resembling those of a spider, was approaching rapidly. When it got close enough to be heard, the creature spoke.
“Choose one and fight”.
“What?”, Donovan asked, confused.
“Choose one and fight”.
“It seems like this creature wants to duel”, Bosco inferred.
“Ah, was that it? Great! I'm an excellent duelist. Hey, metal ball! I am the chosen one to fight!”, Donovan said proudly.
The creature then pulled a steel rod out from a compartment on the side of its metallic body that instantly unfolded into a fouchard and charged towards Donovan.
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A monodrone appeared.
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Rolling for initiative:
* Donovan: 10
* Monodrone: 6
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MONODRONE
* AC: 7
* Hit Dice: 1+1
* 7 HP
* THAC0: 19
* Nº of Attacks: 1
* Attacks: 1d4
* Special Defenses: immune to illusion and mind control
* XP Value: 100
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Donovan attacks. Rolled 3. Hit for 1d8+5: 7.
The creature has been severed in two by Megalomagna. It was possible to see it was nothing but a machine, full of circuitry, something the adventurers had never seen.
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“That was easy”, Donovan said. “What now? Have we passed the test?”.
Two other creatures, this time rectangular in shape and with four legs, quickly approached the party.
“Choose two and fight”, the machines said in unison.
“What do you think?”, Donovan asked. “Do you want to test these strange creatures?”.
Korvac and Bosco stepped forward. Kharius remained in the background, thoughtful.
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Two duodrones appeared.
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Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 1
* Duodrones: 3
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DUODRONE
* AC: 6
* Hit Dice: 2+2
* 13 HP
* THAC0: 18
* Nº of Attacks: 2
* Attacks: 1d4+1 (x2)
* Special Defenses: Immune to illusion and mind control
* XP Value: 250
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Duodrone 1 attacks Korvac. Rolled 12, 16. One hit for 1d4+1: 3.
Duodrone 2 attacks Bosco. Rolled 17, 11. One hit for 1d4+1: 4.
Korvac attacks Duodrone 1. Rolled 20. Hit for 2d6+3: 10.
Bosco attacks Duodrone 2. Rolled 8. Hit for 1d12+2: 5.
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“These two are tougher than the first one, aren't they?”, Donovan observed.
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Duodrone 1 attacks Korvac. Rolled 9, 15. One hit for 1d4+1: 4.
Duodrone 2 attacks Bosco. Rolled 1, 15. One hit for 1d4+1: 4.
Korvac attacks Duodrone 1. Rolled 20. Hit for 2d6+3: 7.
Duodrone 1 has been smashed to bits.
Bosco attacks Duodrone 2. Rolled 6. Hit for 1d12+2: 13.
Duodrone 2 has been sliced in two.
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“Good job”, Donovan said.
This time, three machines, appearing as 3-sided pyramids with spidery arms and legs, quickly approached the party.
“Choose three and fight”, the machines said in unison.
“No. Enough of this nonsense!”, Donovan intervened. “Let us see your ruler or get out of the way!”.
A force wall suddenly pushed Donovan backward.
“Choose three and fight”, the machines repeated. Donovan sighed, irritated.
“Okay, we'll do what you want, you stupid machines. Korvac and Bosco, come with me. Kharius, you're more insightful than us, try to figure out the logic behind these duels”.
Kharius nodded, and his gaze indicated that he already suspected something.
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Three tridrones appeared.
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Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 5
* Tridrones: 3
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TRIDRONE
* AC: 5
* Hit Dice: 3+3
* 18 HP
* THAC0: 17
* Nº of Attacks: 3
* Attacks: 1d4+2 (x3)
* Special Defenses: Immune to Illusion and Mind Control
* XP Value: 1000
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Donovan attacks Tridrone 1. Rolled 2, 11. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 8, 11.
Tridrone 1 has been destroyed.
Korvac attacks Tridrone 2. Rolled 1. Missed.
Bosco attacks Tridrone 3. Rolled 8. Hit for 1d12+2: 7.
Tridrone 2 attacks Korvac. Rolled 18, 13, 17. Two hits for 1d4+2 each: 5, 3.
Tridrone 3 attacks Bosco. Rolled 3, 6, 14. Missed.
Donovan attacks Tridrone 2. Rolled 16, 17. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 7, 7.
Korvac attacks Tridrone 2. Rolled 17. Hit for 2d6+3: 4.
Tridrone 2 has been destroyed.
Bosco attacks Tridrone 3. Rolled 20. Hit for 1d12+3: 15.
Tridrone 3 has been destroyed.
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“This is getting annoying”, Donovan said.
“And increasingly difficult”, Bosco added.
“It feels like...”, Kharius started to mumble, but was interrupted by other four machines, this time of cubic shape and with four arms. This time, they didn't ask for a duel, instead drawing out their weapons and charging at great speed.
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Four quadrones appeared.
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Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 3
* Quadrones: 8
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QUADRONE
* AC: 4
* Hit Dice: 4+4
* 22 HP
* THAC0: 16
* Nº of Attacks: 4
* Attacks: 1d4+3 (x4)
* Special Defenses: Immune to Illusion and Mind Control
* XP Value: 2500
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Quadrone 1 attacks Donovan. Rolled 14, 14, 10, 15. Missed.
Quadrone 2 attacks Korvac. Rolled 17, 19, 7, 12. Two hits for 1d4+3 each: 7, 7.
Quadrone 3 attacks Bosco. Rolled 7, 11, 11, 14. One hit for 1d4+3: 7.
Quadrone 4 attacks Kharius. Rolled 1, 10, 4, 19. One hit for 1d4+3: 7.
Donovan attacks Quadrone 1. Rolled 20, 14. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 13, 7.
Korvac attacks Quadrone 1. Rolled 14. Hits for 2d6+3: 10.
Quadrone 1 has been destroyed.
Bosco attacks Quadrone 2. Rolled 3. Hit for 1d12+2: 12.
Kharius casts Burning Hands on Quadrone 3. Hit for 1d6+36: 40-1.
Quadrone 3 has been burned into a puddle of metal.
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“Their pattern is so...structured and methodical. Like clockwork”, Kharius pondered.
“A dangerous clock, then”, Bosco replied.
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Quadrone 2 attacks Korvac. Rolled 3, 8, 11, 18. Hits for 1d4+3: 6.
Quadrone 4 attacks Kharius. Rolled 10, 6, 9, 12. Missed.
Donovan attacks Quadrone 2. Rolled 6. Hit for 1d8+5: 10.
Quadrone 2 has been destroyed.
Donovan attacks Quadrone 4. Rolled 15. Hit for 1d8+5: 13.
Korvac attacks Quadrone 4. Rolled 11. Hits for 2d6+3: 11.
Quadrone 4 has been destroyed.
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“I'm getting tired of this”, Donovan said. “There's no end to them, and the next machine is always stronger than the last!”.
“It's like they're testing our limits”, Korvac said.
“Not only that, they're studying us”, Kharius said. “I still haven't found out why”.
Before the adventurers could finish, five 5-armed creatures resembling starfish on thin stilt-like legs quickly approached them in the same manner as the other machines did.
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Five pentadrones appeared.
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Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 2
* Pentadrones: 7
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PENTADRONE
* AC: 3
* Hit Dice: 5+5
* 27 HP
* THAC0: 15
* Nº of Attacks: 5
* Attacks: 1d4+4 (x5)
* Special Defenses: Immune to Illusion and Mind Control
* XP Value: 5000
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Pentadrone 1 attacks Donovan. Rolled 9, 5, 13, 8, 12. Missed.
Pentadrone 2 attacks Donovan. Rolled 5, 1, 9, 5, 15. Missed.
Pentadrone 3 attacks Korvac. Rolled 9, 16, 20, 18 ,6. Missed. Three hits for 1d4+4 each: 7, 7, 6.
Pentadrone 4 attacks Bosco. Rolled 19, 15, 20,18, 9. Four hits for 1d4+4 each: 7, 5, 5, 6.
Pentadrone 5 attacks Kharius. Rolled 4, 1, 18, 18, 13. Two hits for 1d4+4 each: 5, 5.
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“This is going too far”, Kharius said. “If they want information about us, I'll give them some they'll wish they never knew”.
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Kharius casts Chain Lightning.
All pentadrones must save vs. spell to reduce damage by half.
* Pentadrone 1 rolled 20. Saved. Suffered 18d6: 59 / 2: 29 dmg.
* Pentadrone 2 rolled 10. Suffered 17d6: 65.
* Pentadrone 3 rolled 11. Suffered 16d6: 56.
* Pentadrone 4 rolled 6. Suffered 15d6: 64.
* Pentadrone 5 rolled 4. Suffered 14d6: 54.
All pentadrones have been destroyed.
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“I'm sure now”, Kharius said. “Their methodical approach is multi-purposed: they want to test us, learn about us and weaken us all at the same time. For that they will keep on sending increasingly stronger, yet expendable machines until we are weak enough for their ruler to take us down”.
“What a cheap move, sending your soldiers to death just to gather information”, Bosco said.
“I'm not sure if they're just animated machines or something more”, Donovan said. “But considering how strong they can be, we should probably escape this place before we are exhausted”.
“There's no escape”, a monotonous voice said. “No one leaves Mechanus”.
“Mechanus?”, Kharius asked, as a bizarre creature appearing as a 10-tentacled sphere on two stumpy legs, with several eyes adorning its body in a linear fashion, descended from the sky.
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A Decaton has appeared.
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Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 4
* Decaton: 1
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“We better destroy this thing quickly and get out of here”, Donovan said.
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DECATON (HIERARCH MODRON)
* AC: 2
* Hit Dice: 10+10
* 55 HP
* THAC0: 10
* Nº of Attacks: 10
* Attack: 1d4 (x10)
* Special Defenses: Immune to Illusion and Mind Control
* +2 or better weapon to hit
* XP Value: 35.000
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Donovan attacks Decaton. Rolled 9,3. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 8, 11.
Korvac attacks Decaton. Rolled 20. Hit for 2d6+3: 10.
Bosco attacks Decaton. Rolled 1. Missed.
Kharius attacks with bow and arrow. The attack has no effect.
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“Strange...”, Kharius muttered.
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Decaton attacks Donovan. Rolled 11, 9, 4, 7, 7, 8, 4, 3, 20 ,5. One hit for 1d4: 2.
Donovan attacks Decaton. Rolled 14, 1. One hit for 1d8+5: 11.
Korvac attacks Decaton. Rolled 14. Hit for 2d6+3: 11.
Bosco attacks Decaton. Rolled 14. Hit for 1d12+2: 3.
Kharius casts Magic Missile. The spell has no effect.
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“What?”, Kharius exclaimed in disbelief. “Even Magic Missile had no effect against that thing?”.
“Don't falter”, Donovan said, resolute. “We'll crush it by force if that's what it takes”.
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Decaton attacks Donovan. Rolled 12, 9, 8, 7, 5, 19, 1, 14, 11,13. Three hits for 1d4 each: 1, 1, 3.
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“Let's end this!”, Donovan shouted.
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Donovan attacks. Rolled 13. Hit. The spherical machine was pierced by Megalomagna and a critical failure caused it to malfunction and fall, useless.
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“We need to get out of here, quickly”, Kharius alerted. “Things will only get worse as we stay”.
“Yeah but how do we leave?”, Bosco asked. “Aren't we in an outer plane? Do you know any spells that would do the trick?”.
“I honestly do not. But I doubt that priest Magnus could do it by himself. There must be a catch we are missing”, Kharius answered.
“You have done well, outlanders”, a mechanical voice said.
The Party members felt a shiver run through their spines.
“Are you the ruler of this place?”, Donovan asked.
“Me, the ruler? Foolish. I'm merely a hierarch. The ruler, the One and the Prime, will not show himself for mere mortals like you”, the voice said again, as an even more bizarre being, appearing as a humanoid with a large bald head and a shoulder collar from where its seven arms protruded, landed on the ground without a single noise.
“I thought you were exhausting us so he would come and deal the finishing blow”, Kharius retorted.
“There are many in our hierarchy that could do that before Primus has to stain his hands”, the hierarch said.
The Party exchanged worried glances.
“So what is your objective, exactly?”, Donovan asked. “Take us prisoners, kill us, implant your metal body parts on us?”.
“That's for The Prime to decide”, the creature said.
“Very well”, Donovan said. “We are not gonna stand by and wait for that to happen”.
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A Septon has appeared.
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Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 8
* Septon: 5
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SEPTON (HIERARCH MODRON)
* AC: -1
* Hit Dice: 13+13
* 70 HP
* THAC0: 7
* Nº of Attacks: 1
* Attack: 1d10 (x7)
* Special Defenses: Immune to Illusion and Mind Control
* +2 or better weapon to hit
* XP Value: 90.000
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Donovan attacks Septon. Rolled 19,17. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 13,12.
Korvac casts Cure Critical Wounds on himself. Rolled 3d8+3: 22.
Bosco attacks. Rolled 8. Hit for 1d12+2: 5.
Kharius casts Burning Hands. Rolled 1d6+36: 40. The creature is resistant to fire and suffered only half damage.
Septon attacks Donovan. Rolled 7,5,17,15,16,13,11. Five hits for 1d10 each: 32.
----------------------------------------
“Ouch, that hurt, you piece of garbage!”, Donovan complained.
“Hey musclehead”, Megalomagna called.
“What is it?”, Donovan replied.
“You're gonna die if you wait for the next machine to come, y'know?”.
“And how can you be so sure?”, Donovan challenged.
“Because there are machines among their superiors that even I cannot hurt”, the sword said.
“We have no idea how to leave this place”, Korvac interjected.
“You and the wizard cast a transportation spell and I'll try something of my own”, Megalomagna said.
Kharius and Korvac exchanged glances, nervous.
“What? You guys do have a teleport spell or something, right?”, Megalomagna asked, irritated. Both the priest and the wizard said nothing.
“For the love of the tanar'ri, you guys are unbelieveable! Such high levels and not even a word of recall? A teleport without error? A cantrip?”.
“Cantrips cannot teleport people”, Kharius objected.
“Shut up!”, Megalomagna roared. “You have no right to retort. I always have to save you guys like I'm some sort of plot device or something. Spellcasting is more than some fancy flame pillars and lightning bolts, y'know?”.
“I thought you hated spellcasting”, Bosco said.
“I only hate spellcasters, and they keep on giving me reasons”.
"Whatever you're gonna do, you better do it now!", Donovan shouted. "I'm putting this tin man to sleep".
----------------------------------------
Donovan attacks Septon. Rolled 17, 9. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 12, 8.
Septon has been destroyed.
----------------------------------------
“All right, I've found a portal with life on the other side”, Megalomagna said. “It's a green circle, okay? There's a red one too but it's hell there, so go for the green!”.
As the Party entered the green portal, they couldn't realize that their next opponent on Mechanus would certainly be the last of their lives.
----------------------------------------
The Party has left the Outer Plane of Mechanus. Each member earns a total of 163.600 XP for the defeated monsters in this encounter.
* Donovan Stride has accumulated 478.750 + 163.600 = 642.350 XP.
* Donovan has advanced from level 21 to level 22.
* Donovan's HP increased by 11 (max 184).
* Korvac the Blessed has accumulated 473.750 + 163.600 = 637.350 XP.
* Korvac has advanced from level 20 to level 21.
* Korvac's HP increased by 8 (max 111).
* Korvac has learned the spell Plane Shift.
* Bosco Tumblefoot has accumulated 473.850 + 163.600 = 642.450 XP.
* Kharius Bloodmoon has accumulated 522.850 + 163.600 = 686.450 XP.
* Kharius has advanced from level 18 to level 19.
* Kharius's HP increased by 2 (max 54).
* Kharius has learned the spell Shape Change.
***
“Damn that red dragon”, Magnus Rivendarr vented. “I was an inch away from putting my hands on Megalomagna. Lord Boccob would be so thrilled to see it! And now here I am...in an Outer Plane I've never been before”.
“At least it's peaceful”, Magnus continued his rambling. “Maybe I should seize this chance to neutralize the barrier...done. Now I won't be so vulnerable should that red dragon appear again”.
***
“Bastards! I can't believe those vermin sent me to another plane of existence. Now I, Ruin, must deal with tanar'ri, bodaks and those annoying imps!”.
“But I will have my revenge. As soon as I find the way out of this accursed place, I will not only take all those adventurers' possessions, I will also take their skulls as adornments for my treasure!”.
***
“Is this...Earth?”, Bosco asked, confused, as the place they were transported to resembled their homelands, with mountains, hills, forests and fields.
“Unfortunately, it's not”, Kharius said. “Look at the animals and the trees: they have metallic coloring”.
“I just saw a golden fox!”, Korvac exclaimed.
“This place looks much better than the other one”, Donovan observed. “And it seems peaceful, which is quite a gift for us right now”.
“I'm glad you liked my homeland, humans”, said a feminine yet powerful voice. The adventurers looked back and forth but saw nothing. Only when they looked to the sky they could finally lay their eyes on a woman of extraordinary beauty, golden-hued skin, fair hair and amber eyes, her appearance made even more impressive by the magnificent feathered wings emerging from her shoulders. She was wearing nothing but a piece of loincloth that did a poor job at covering her parts.
“Are you...”, Korvac tried to ask but his voice wouldn't come out.
“I'm an Astral Deva of the Outer Plane of Arcadia. You can call me Maya”.
“An Astral Deva...”, Korvac muttered. “Praise the Gods, I've finally seen an angel with my own eyes!”, he said holding his holy symbol.
“Hey, I know she looks like an angel and all, but you should try to get a hold of yourself since you're a priest”, Donovan said.
“Don't say things like that, Donovan!”, Korvac admonished. “She is a real angel, a true messenger of the Gods!”.
“Holy moly, she is quite the looker”, Bosco said. “Too bad she is too tall for me”.
“Sorry Bosco, but you didn't have a chance from the beginning”, Kharius said and they laughed.
“Hey you creeps, maybe you could take this chance now that you're in front of a powerful being and ask for a way home!”, Megalomagna yelled, annoyed. The deva's lighthearted smile faded and her expression became serious and inquisitive.
“That sword of yours...it's alignment is a little volatile. It seems to change with the wind”, she said. Everyone turned to Megalomagna.
“What?”, The sword asked, defensive. “I may be a little chaotic sometimes but I'm not evil!”.
“It surely likes to see its enemies agonizing”, Donovan pondered. “But I still haven't found out why it has developed such a bad habit”.
“As long as it does what it does for the good, I might overlook it”, Maya said.
“But Lady Maya...”, Korvac mumbled.
“Why are you so uncertain, Korvac?”, Maya asked the priest. “You have resorted to violence against evil when required, haven't you?”.
“Y...yes”, milady, Korvac answered humbly.
“I propose a pact, then”, said the exuberant Deva. “If at any time the sword acts evil in ways you judge unacceptable, conjure a Gate and ask for my personal aid, and I will come to you. In addition, as I recognize you as people of kind hearts, you can summon me if any particularly powerful, evil, entity becomes a threat to your lives”.
“That's too much, Lady Maya! We are undeserving of such grace!”, Korvac exclaimed.
“Do not misunderstand my intentions, young priest. I only seek to eliminate evil”, Maya said, stern.
“I...understand”, Korvac said, disheartened.
“On that subject, there's an evil giant creating havoc on the Outer Plane of the Beastlands. I would like you to handle him for me. Is that acceptable?”.
“Slaying evil giants have become our specialty”, Donovan said.
“Then we are agreed. I shall be in our debt, travelers”, the Deva said, and with a wave of her hand, they were teleported away.
***
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The place the adventurers were teleported to was, in many ways, similar to Arcadia, except in very different proportions.
Both the fauna and the flora of the Beastlands varied between normal and giant-sized, with trees that reached the clouds and boars larger than horses.
The Party had little time to marvel at the place's natural beauty as thunderous footsteps could be heard in the distance. The vibrations on the ground were so strong every step seemed like an earthquake.
“I hope those steps are not the giant's”, Bosco said, nervous. “Even the fire giant we fought wouldn't make that much noise”.
“Who are you?”, a strong, coarse voice inquired, startling the Party. Distracted, they failed to realize a huge man of ivory skin, long dirty yellow hair underneath a horned metal helmet and matching eyes, wearing a chain mail and holding a huge battle axe, was scrutinizing them.
“Are you an evil giant?”, Megalomagna asked before anyone could react. “We are looking for an evil giant at a birdwoman's behest”.
“Don't spoil the plan, stupid sword!”, Donovan complained.
“Am I evil, you ask?”, the giant replied. “Yes, I am! And evil giants crush idiot little people!”.
“I guess we've found our target”, Korvac reasoned, and prepared for battle.
----------------------------------------
A frost giant has appeared.
----------------------------------------
Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 9
* Frost Giant: 7
----------------------------------------
Frost Giant
* AC: 0
* Hit Dice: 14+4
* 160 HP
* THAC0: 7
* Nº of Attacks: 1
* Attack: 2d8+9 (battle axe)
* Immune to cold
* XP value 50.000
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Conjure Fire Elemental. Rolled 1d100: 67. A 16 Hit-Dice Fire Elemental appeared.
Fire Elemental
* 16 HD
* HP: 70
* AC: 2
* THAC0 5
* Dmg: 3d8
----------------------------------------
Bosco attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 19. Hit for 1d12+4: 9.
Donovan attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 18,12. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 13, 9.
Kharius attacks Frost Giant with short bow +3. Rolled 16. Hit for 1d6+3: 8.
Frost giant attacks Donovan. Rolled 2. Missed.
Fire Elemental attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 15. Hit for 3d8: 10.
Bosco attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 10. Hit for 1d12+4: 16.
Donovan attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 12, 18. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 7, 11.
Kharius attacks Frost Giant with short bow +3. Rolled 16. Hit for 1d6+3: 8.
Frost giant attacks Donovan. Rolled 13. Hit for 2d8+9: 23.
Fire Elemental attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 15. Hit for 3d8: 14.
Bosco attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 4. Missed.
Donovan attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 11, 3. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 11, 6.
Kharius attacks Frost Giant with short bow +3. Rolled 7. Missed.
Frost giant executes a sweep attack that can hit Donovan, Korvac, Bosco and the fire elemental. Rolled 11, 1, 18, 7. Hits Donovan, Bosco and the fire elemental for 2d8+9: 18.
Fire Elemental attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 11. Hit for 3d8: 11.
Bosco attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 7. Hit for 1d12+4: 6.
Donovan attacks Frost Giant. Rolled 8, 14. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 13, 6.
Kharius attacks Frost Giant with short bow +3. Rolled 11. Hit for 1d6+3: 5.
----------------------------------------
Who are you people?, the frost giant muttered, groaning in pain as he fell to the ground with a heavy crash.
----------------------------------------
The Party has emerged victorious, defeating the Frost Giant. Each member earns a total of 50.000 XP for the defeated monster in this encounter.
* Donovan Stride has accumulated 642.350 + 50.000 = 692.350 XP.
* Korvac the Blessed has accumulated 637.350 + 50.000 = 687.350 XP.
* Bosco Tumblefoot has accumulated 642.450 + 50.000 = 692.450 XP.
* Bosco has advanced from level 19 to level 20.
* Bosco's HP increased by 7 (max 114).
* Kharius Bloodmoon has accumulated 686.450 + 50.000 = 736.450 XP.
The following items have been found in the frost giant's possession:
* 3.000 copper coins
* 8.000 silver coins
* 3.000 gold coins
* 300 platinum coins
* 5 gems (3 Agates, 1 Pearl, 1 Diamond)
* Axe +3;
* Necklace of Missiles;
* 1 scroll (fire protection)
The Fire Elemental has returned to its plane of origin.
***
Engaged in the fierce battle, the Party didn't notice that the thunderous footsteps had ceased. Looking around, they didn't perceive anything abnormal until they heard a sharp and terrifying roar.
“What kind of creature makes that kind of noise?”, Bosco asked, perplexed.
“Probably a predator”, Kharius replied. “And by now, it has likely caught our scent”.
“I remember know that you said you had learned something about not standing idly in the middle of a monster-infested forest!”, Megalomagna scolded.
The sword was right, and that became clear when the source of the roar revealed itself: a huge Tyrannosaurus rex, which didn't hesitate to charge toward the Party as soon as it saw them.
----------------------------------------
A Tyrannosaurus has appeared.
----------------------------------------
Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 10
* Tyrannosaurus: 4
----------------------------------------
T-Rex
* 18 HD
* HP: 150
* AC: 5
* THAC0 5
* Dmg: 5d8 (bite)
* Swallows on a 18 or higher
* XP Value: 40.000
----------------------------------------
Bosco attacks T-Rex. Rolled 8. Hit for 1d12+2: 8.
Kharius casts Magic Missile. Hit for 9d4+9: 36.
Korvac attacks. Rolled 19. Hit for 2d6+3: 11.
Donovan attacks. Rolled 9,8. Two hits for 13, 6.
T-Rex attacks Bosco. Rolled 6. Hit for 5d8: 20.
----------------------------------------
“Help me out or this freakin' dinosaur is gonna eat me!”, Bosco screamed. “Donovan, Korvac, do something!”.
----------------------------------------
Bosco attacks T-Rex. Rolled 16. Hit for 1d12+2: 7.
Kharius attacks with short bow. Rolled 11. Hit for 1d6+1: 6.
Korvac casts Cure Critical Wounds on Bosco. Rolled 22.
----------------------------------------
“Meggie, time to work your magic”, Donovan said.
“No”, Megalomagna retorted, bluntly.
“What do you mean, 'no'?”, Donovan asked, incredulous.
“I'm not your servant. I don't have to answer to your every call", the sword said curtly.
“I need your Taunt spell, Megalomagna”, Donovan said, serious. “Our friend Bosco needs our help”.
“If your high level spellcasters can't help you, do it the old-fashioned way, then. Bash the dino to death!”.
“Damn you, stubborn sword”, Donovan muttered and charged towards the T-Rex in the attempt of driving its attention away from Bosco.
----------------------------------------
Donovan attacks. Rolled 14, 16. Two hits for 1d8+5 each: 13, 8.
The T-Rex is set on attacking Bosco. Rolled 8. Hit for 5d8: 13.
----------------------------------------
Bosco is freaked out and will try to hide.
----------------------------------------
“This is getting too dangerous”, Kharius said. “I won't allow this simple-minded predator to hurt our friend any longer”.
----------------------------------------
Kharius casts Lightning Bolt. Hits for 19d6: 65. T-Rex tries to save vs spell to avoid half damage. Rolled 1. Failed.
----------------------------------------
The T-Rex roars painfully as the lightning bolt courses through its mighty body, causing it to spasm and burn until its nervous system collapses and it falls to the ground, charred and lifeless, its frame reduced to a smoldering silhouette.
----------------------------------------
The Party has emerged victorious, defeating the Tyrannosaurus. Each member earns a total of 40.000 XP for the defeated monster in this encounter.
* Donovan Stride has accumulated 692.350 + 40.000 = 732.350 XP
* Korvac the Blessed has accumulated 687.350 + 40.000 = 727.350 XP
* Bosco Tumblefoot has accumulated 692.450 + 40.000 = 732.450 XP
* Kharius Bloodmoon has accumulated 736.450 + 40.000 = 776.450 XP.
***
“Calm down, Bosco!”, Donovan exclaimed. “We've faced enemies stronger than that!”.
“I know, okay!”, Bosco retorted, frightened. “I was just afraid of being eaten, that's all! That's what the monster tried to do...twice!”.
“All right, but you haven't been eaten, and look what Kharius has turned the dino into. It's not gonna hurt you anymore”, Donovan replied.
“We have more company”, Korvac said, looking up. When all adventurers looked up, they saw a truly immense, more than 20 meters tall and muscular man, with blue eyes and auburn-red hair that seemed to be wavy and flowing. The gigantic man was wearing but a simple white robe of silk with golden edges, and looked at the adventurers with a smile on his face.
“I believe he was the one causing the earthquakes”, Korvac said.
“What on earth...”, Kharius muttered with his jaws dropped, before the colossal man spoke with earth-shaking voice.
“Congratulations, travelers! You have not only killed an evil giant but also defeated a mighty dinosaur. I'm impressed to see mortals so resilient!”.
“Mortals?”, Korvac asked, perplexed.
“Oh, I see. You don't know who I am, the giant said and shrunk to the size of a regular - yet still tall - human. I am Stronmaus”.
“I don't think I've ever heard that name”, Donovan said. The giant laughed.
“I didn't expect you to know me. After all, I'm a god that very rarely travels through our Prime Material Plane”.
“A god? Are we talking to a god right now?”, Bosco asked, with eyes wide open.
“Is it really so hard to believe after everything you've seen here?”, Stronmaus said. The adventurers remained in silence, confused.
“You know what? It's been a while since I've tested my skills, and you people look strong. Why don't we have a bout, and let our hammers do the talking?”.
“Wow wow, wait a second”, Bosco interjected. “You just said you are a god, how do you expect us to fight you?”.
“That’s a fair complaint. For that reason, not only I’ve shrunk to the size of a human, but I also healed you all and restored all of your spells. Now you can fight at full strength. What do you say?”.
“We accept the challenge”, Donovan replied before anyone else could say anything.
“But Donovan…”, Bosco mumbled.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been so thrilled. Can you imagine yourself fighting a god in a friendly bout? This is a dream come true!”, Donovan exclaimed.
“A warrior through and through…”, Kharius said, with a lighthearted smile.
“That’s the spirit, brave warrior!”, Stronmaus said, holding his mighty hammer. “Let me say that I’m not holding back!”, he shouted and immediately charged.
----------------------------------------
STRONMAUS
* AC: -10
* Hit Dice: ???
* ??? HP
* THAC0: -10
* Nº of Attacks: 1
* Attack: 5d10+25 (Hammer of Thunderbolts + Strength)
* Immune to death and mind-affecting spells, all effects that could blind or deafen, all energy-draining attacks, and all electrical assaults
----------------------------------------
Stronmaus attacks Donovan. Rolled 20. Hit for 5d10+25: 60.
----------------------------------------
“Ouch!”, Donovan exclaimed, as the mighty hammer struck Donovan’s gold dragon scale mail and a thunderous clap could be heard.
“Hahaha, how do you like the original hammer of thunderbolts, warrior?”, Stronmaus asked. “Many giants have perished at the sound of this thunderclap, yet there you are standing. I knew you would be a fine challenge!”.
“This is not a duel, Stronmaus!”, Korvac exclaimed. “We’ll all fight together!”.
“A proud battle cry! Come at me, mighty priest!”.
----------------------------------------
Korvac attacks Stronmaus. Rolled 12. Missed.
Bosco attacks. Rolled 9. Missed.
Kharius casts Cone of Cold for 19d4+19: 67. Stronmaus throws a save vs. spell. Rolled 13. Saved. Suffered 33 damage.
----------------------------------------
“Hahaha, that was a strong cold-based spell, wise wizard! Now allow me to show you one of my own spells!”, Stronmaus said and his left hand started pulsing with lightning.
----------------------------------------
Stronmaus casts Chain Lightning for 30d6. All Party members must save vs. spell to avoid half damage.
* Donovan: 9 – Saved. Suffered 55 damage.
* Korvac: 14 – Saved. Suffered 48 damage.
* Bosco: 2 – FAILED. Suffered 126 damage. Bosco has been killed.
* Kharius: 15 – Saved. Suffered 49 damage.
----------------------------------------
“BOSCO!”, everyone screamed, as the hobbit’s body contorted in pain due to the incredibly strong electrical discharge, until he fell to the ground, lifeless.
“Is this what you call a bout, Stronmaus?”, Donovan yelled.
“Oh, I guess I overdid it for the little man. He was supposed to be as resilient as the others”, Stronmaus said in a lighthearted tone.
“I’m not gonna forgive you for killing him!”, Donovan shouted, pointing Megalomagna at the giant god.
“That’s the spirit, young warrior! Give me your best shot”, Stronmaus challenged.
----------------------------------------
Donovan attacks. Rolled 11, 2. Missed.
----------------------------------------
“Dammit! Is he too strong for me?”, Donovan vented.
“This isn’t the time to lament or hesitate”, Stronmaus said, hammer in hand. “Keep fighting or this bout will not end well for you!”.
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Flame Strike for 6d8. Stronmaus throws a save vs. spell. Rolled 10. Saved. Suffered 8 damage.
----------------------------------------
“A puny flame, but managed to burn me a little”, Stronmaus said, rubbing his hands.
----------------------------------------
Kharius casts Prismatic Spray. Rolls 1d8. Rolled 8. Stronmaus will be hit by two rays: 4, 1.
1st ray: red – inflicts 20 points of damage, save vs. spell for half.
4th ray: green – save vs. poison or die; survivors suffer 20 points of poison damage.
* Stronmaus throws a save vs. spell. Rolled 19. Saved. Suffered 10 damage.
* Stronmaus throws a save vs. poison. Rolled 10. Saved. Suffered 20 damage.
----------------------------------------
Stronmaus frowned a little at the damage caused by Kharius’s spells.
“You fight marvelously, half-elf wizard!”, the giant exclaimed. “Now let’s see how you fare against a blunt attack”.
----------------------------------------
Stronmaus attacks Kharius. Rolled 14. Hit for 5d10+25: 47.
Kharius has been killed.
----------------------------------------
“Kharius!”, Korvac shouted.
“You’re gonna kill us one by one, huh? What kind of god are you?”, Donovan yelled.
“The god of giants, mighty warrior. One who lives to battle!”, Stronmaus shouted with his powerful voice.
“So be it. Even if I die, I promise to draw blood from you. Megalomagna, give me strength!”.
“Pretty please?”, Megalomagna asked.
“This is no time for stupid jokes!”, Donovan admonished. The sword laughed as its blade turned purple.
----------------------------------------
Megalomagna casts Strength (Enhanced). Donovan’s strength attribute has risen to 25, akin to a titan’s (+7 attack rolls, +14 dmg modifier).
Donovan attacks Stronmaus. Rolled 14, 8. Two hits for 1d8+17 each: 20, 22.
----------------------------------------
“This is what I was talking about! What fantastic power!”, Stronmaus said and laughed loudly.
----------------------------------------
Korvac attacks. Rolled 14. Missed.
----------------------------------------
“I will leave the mighty warrior for last. I’m sorry, noble priest!”, Stronmaus said as he lunged towards Korvac.
----------------------------------------
Stronmaus attacks Korvac. Rolled 2. Hit for 5d10+25: 55.
----------------------------------------
“Incredible resilience!”, the giant god exclaimed.
“We will not die without a fight!”, Korvac said, hardly standing from the pain of broken ribs and arms.
“You have earned the right to witness the ultimate clash. Watch closely!”, Stronmaus said as he threw the hammer of thunderbolts at Donovan.
----------------------------------------
Stronmaus attacks Donovan. Rolled 13.
----------------------------------------
Just as the mighty hammer was about to hit Donovan, Megalomagna’s blade glowed purple again.
----------------------------------------
Megalomagna casts Spell Turning. The spell caused the hammer of thunderbolts to be launched back at Stronmaus.
Stronmaus suffered 47 damage.
----------------------------------------
“How did you do that?”, Donovan asked Megalomagna.
“I don’t know! I just wanted to give him a taste of his own poison. I guess I wanted it so bad it worked!”, the sword replied.
For the first time since Stronmaus laid his eyes on the Party, he stopped smiling for a moment.
“That sword is really something”, Stronmaus said. “To think it could repel an attack from a god”.
“It seems to be capable of miracles, indeed”, Korvac added.
“Very well. Our bout is over. I’ve seen enough”, Stronmaus said and put his hammer down.
“Just like that?”, Donovan asked. “What about our friends? And what about this bout not ending well for us?”.
“Oh, your friends. Right”, and by extending his right hand, he seemed to cast a powerful spell that gave life back to Bosco and Kharius as well as heal the entire Party.
“This was never intended to be a fight to the death, you see”, Stronmaus said, smiling again. “I just wanted to see how strong you can be if put in mortal danger. Or do you think us meeting here was some sort of accident? Do you really think Maya has sent you over just to kill a puny frost giant?”.
“So it was all…part of the plan?”, Korvac muttered.
“The gods have many plans for you, mighty mortals. But only a few are brave enough to show themselves and teach you the real valuable lessons”.
“Well…I guess we must thank you, Stronmaus, for the hard lesson learned”, Donovan said, putting Megalomagna down.
“Hahaha, you have been the best entertainment I’ve had in eons!”, Stronmaus replied. “I could even gift you with a hammer like mine, considering how strong you can become. But having a sword like that, you certainly don’t need a hammer. Farewell, travelers. Keep your hearts warm and your weapons sharp!”.
With that, a lightning bolt dropped on top of Stronmaus, and with a loud clap, the giant god disappeared.
----------------------------------------
The Party has survived a bout with the god of giants Stronmaus. Each member earns a total of 250.000 XP for this encounter.
* Donovan Stride has accumulated 732.350 + 250.000 = 982.350 XP.
* Donovan has advanced from level 22 to level 23.
* Donovan’s HP increased by 7 (max 191).
* Korvac the Blessed has accumulated 727.350 + 250.000 = 977.350 XP.
* Korvac has advanced from level 21 to level 22.
* Korvac’s HP increased by 2 (max 113).
* Korvac has learned the spells Word of Recall and Conjure Earth Elemental.
* Bosco Tumblefoot has accumulated 732.450 + 250.000 = 982.450 XP.
* Bosco has advanced from level 20 to level 21.
* Bosco’s HP increased by 7 (max 121).
* Kharius Bloodmoon has accumulated 776.450 + 250.000 = 1.026.450 XP.
* Kharius has advanced from level 19 to level 21.
* Kharius’s HP increased by 4 (max 58).
* Kharius has learned the spells Power Word, Kill and Monster Summoning VII.
***
“Good for him, huh? Good for him”, Megalomagna said in a low voice.
“What are you rambling about, you crazy sword?”, Donovan said, annoyed.
“Huh? Oh, the giant god. He is smart. He knew you didn’t need a hammer of thunderbolts. Good for him”, Megalomagna replied.
“Again with that talk? You refused to help me when I asked you in order to save a friend. I won’t give you any hurrahs now”, Donovan retorted, irritated.
“Saving a hobbit won’t do much for my reputation, Dollyvan. But repelling a giant god’s hammer? That’s gonna be a song the most famous bards will sing one day!”.
“That is, if we ever leave this place”, Kharius said, and silence fell upon them like the heaviest of the hammers. During that brief moment, the adventurers heard a similar, although not so loud, sound to the T-Rex.
“Another dinosaur!”, Donovan whispered.
“I have an idea!”, Bosco said, taking the Bag of Devouring from his bag and dropping it on the ground, as far from them as possible. As they took cover and made sure they wouldn’t be spotted, Bosco threw a stone in the bag’s direction, causing a velociraptor to suddenly jump from amidst the woods.
“Wow! Look at that!”, Bosco exclaimed, almost too loud. The velociraptor looked around, startled, but as it couldn’t find the source of the voice, it started sniffing around. Upon finding the bag, the dinosaur apparently found an interesting smell, and stuck its snout inside it.
What transpired next haunted the adventurers for the rest of their lives. The bag suddenly closed around the monster's snout, which thrashed violently without success. Gradually, the velociraptor was sucked into the bag, and at a certain moment, its limbs stopped thrashing, indicating that it was already dead. The bag, in turn, continued to suck the monster until nothing remained.
“What have we unleashed?”, Korvac told Bosco.
“Whatever it is, we better destroy it”, Kharius said, very stern.
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Dispel Evil. The bag emits a shrill howl of pain and releases a fetid odor before disintegrating into ash.
----------------------------------------
“My god, what a horrible smell”, Donovan vented.
“Blasphemy, Donovan”, Korvac scolded.
“At least there’s no chance that we’ll step on it by accident”, Bosco said.
“Yes, but on the other hand, any dinosaurs left won’t die to it as well”, Kharius reminded the Party. “We better go”.
“Go where, you dolts? Are you seeing any portals?”, Megalomagna asked, sarcastically.
“Joke’s on you this time, obnoxious sword”, Korvac said, with a smirk on his face. All these intense battles and plane traveling helped me learn a spell that can take us home”.
“Okay, if you say so…go on, go on”, Megalomagna said, defiant.
Outraged, Korvac held his holy symbol and started chanting the spell.
----------------------------------------
Korvac has cast Plane Shift.
***
The Party members found themselves in a great hall, with a huge and beautiful staircase guarded by four majestic creatures, one apparently made of each basic element.
Looking to their right, they spotted Magnus Rivendarr, tired and bruised, extending his hand as if to cast a spell. To the left, they saw a very known figure: an enormous, fierce red dragon was charging a breath attack, which suddenly stopped upon seeing the adventurers face to face.
“Megalomagna!”, the dragon roared.
“Woooow, now this is what I call going home. Thank you, Mr. Know-it-All”, Megalomagna said out loud, its voice stinging Korvac like a bee.
“My spell has been meddled with just like what happened with Boccob’s priest’s spell”, Korvac said in his defense.
“Hey you!”, Magnus called, his voice failing. “Help me out here and I’ll let you go”.
“Let us go? How do I know you’re not lying?”, Donovan said.
“It doesn’t matter, human”, Ruin said. “None of you shall leave this place alive”.
----------------------------------------
Ruin, the Red Dragon, has appeared.
Red Dragon "Ruin"
* Age 7 - Mature Adult (~300 years)
* HD 30 (400 HP)
* AC -6
* THAC0 4
* Atks: 1d10/1d10/3d10 (claw/claw/bite) or 14d10+7 (fire breath)
* Immune to fire
Abilities:
* Affect Normal Fires (three times per day);
* Pyrotechnics (three times per day);
* Heat Metal (once per day).
----------------------------------------
MAGNUS RIVENDARR (Priest of Boccob/Human) - LVL 31
* Strength: 9
* Dexterity: 10
* Constitution: 15
* Intelligence: 15
* Wisdom: 18
* Charisma: 11
* HP: 156
* TAC0: 3
* AC: 1 (Chain Mail +4)
* Attack dmg: 2d6+4 (mace +4)
SPELLS:
* 1st circle: Cure Light Wounds
* 1st circle: Detect Magic
* 1st circle: Detect Evil/Good
* 1st circle: Protection from Evil/Good
* 2nd circle: Augury
* 2nd circle: Know Alignment
* 2nd circle: Resist Fire/Resist Cold
* 3rd circle: Dispel Magic
* 3rd circle: Cure Disease
* 3rd circle: Remove Paralysis
* 4th circle: Cure Serious Wounds
* 4th circle: Neutralize Poison
* 4th circle: Divination
* 4th circle: Reflecting Pool
* 4th circle: Protection From Evil/Good, 10'
* 5th circle: Cure Critical Wounds
* 5th circle: Raise Dead
* 5th circle: Flame Strike
* 5th circle: Dispel Evil/Good
* 5th circle: True Seeing
* 5th circle: Magic Font
* 5th circle: Commune
* 6th circle: Forbiddance
* 6th circle: Blade Barrier
* 6th circle: Find the Path
* 7th circle: Restoration
* 7th circle: Regenerate
* 7th circle: Gate
* 7th circle: Symbol
* 7th circle: Exaction
----------------------------------------
Rolling for initiative:
* Party: 8
* Magnus Rivendarr: 5
* Red Dragon Ruin: 10
----------------------------------------
“Prepare to die, vermin”, Ruin sibilated and his belly became incandescent.
----------------------------------------
Ruin has used its breath weapon. Deals 14d10+7: 100 damage. A save throw vs. breath attack will reduce damage by half:
* Donovan (4): 16. Saved. Suffered 50 damage.
* Korvac (8): 9. Saved. Suffered 50 damage.
* Bosco (11): 15. Saved. Suffered 50 damage.
* Kharius (7): 15. Saved. Suffered 50 damage.
* Magnus (6): 6. Saved. Suffered 50 damage.
----------------------------------------
“Is everyone alright?”, Donovan shouted. “This is our chance! That monster is nothing compared to Stronmaus!”.
Everyone shouted in return to Donovan’s war cry, and prepared to attack.
----------------------------------------
Donovan attacks Ruin. Rolled 3, 10. One hit for 1d8+5: 8.
* Ruin HP 392/400
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Conjure Earth Elemental. Rolled 1d100: 22. A 12 Hit-Dice Earth Elemental has appeared.
Earth Elemental
* 12 HD
* HP: 45
* AC: 2
* THAC0 9
* Dmg: 4d8
----------------------------------------
Bosco holds his Sun Blade up in the air. “Everyone cover your eyes!”, Bosco shouted, and chanted the formula for the Sunray spell.
"HOLY MOLY SUNNY DOBY!", he screamed as hard as he could.
“What?”, Donovan asked, incredulous. “What the hell are you doing?”.
“Just wait and see”, Bosco replied, as the sword began emitting a dazzling beam of light that felt at the same time comforting for the Party and blinding for the red dragon.
----------------------------------------
Ruin has been blinded by 1d3 turns. Rolled 3. The blindness will last 3 turns. During this time, Ruin will suffer a -4 penalty to its attack rolls, a +4 penalty to its Armor Class, and a +2 penalty to its initiative rolls.
Kharius casts Monster Summoning VII. Rolled 20. A Xorn has appeared.
Magnus Rivendarr casts Cure Critical Wounds on himself. Healed for 6d8+6: 28.
----------------------------------------
“Blinding me will not change the results of this battle, worms!”, Ruin said, as it prepared to cast a spell of its own.
----------------------------------------
Ruin casts Pyrotechnics. The spell causes a thick, writhing stream of smoke to arise from the dragon fire and form a choking cloud that will last 12 rounds. All within the cloud must roll successful saving throws vs. spell or suffer -2 penalties to all combat rolls and Armor Class.
* Donovan (6): 3. Failed.
* Korvac (7): 16. Saved.
* Bosco (5): 9. Saved.
* Kharius (4): 15. Saved.
* Magnus (6): 7. Saved.
----------------------------------------
"Damn this dragon", Donovan complained. "Kharius, can't you do anything to dissipate this cloud?".
"I'm not sure, Donovan", Kharius said. "But I'll try".
----------------------------------------
Xorn attacks Ruin. Rolled 6, 14, 14, 19. One hit for 6d4: 17.
Xorn
* 7+7 HD
* HP: 47
* AC: -2
* THAC0 13
* Dmg: 1d3/1d3/1d3/6d4
----------------------------------------
* Ruin HP 375/400
----------------------------------------
Earth Elemental attacks Ruin. Rolled 4. Missed.
Donovan attacks Ruin. Rolled 17, 4. One hit for 1d8+5: 12.
* Ruin HP 362/400
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Cure Critical Wounds on Kharius. Heals for 6d8+6: 36.
----------------------------------------
"This felt stronger than usual", Kharius said, as the burns from the dragon fire healed almost completely.
"It's the Library", Magnus said. "I'm not allowed to say any more".
"Whatever it is, it's good for us!", Bosco said and lunged for the attack.
----------------------------------------
Bosco attacks Ruin. Rolled 11. Hit for 1d12+4: 13.
* Ruin HP 349/400
----------------------------------------
"Let's see how this dragon will fare against the cold", Kharius said.
----------------------------------------
Kharius casts Cone of Cold. Deals 21d4+21: 79. Ruin throws a save vs spell. Rolled 7. Saved. Suffered 39 damage.
* Ruin HP 310/400
----------------------------------------
"It wasn't as effective as I thought it would be", Kharius mumbled.
"Maybe this Library that Magnus mentioned only favors priest spells", Korvac pondered.
----------------------------------------
Magnus Rivendarr casts Gate.
----------------------------------------
As an extradimensional portal opens, Magnus began chanting: “Mighty Solar Anarinya, heed my call! Lend me thy strength in this time of dire need!”.
Upon hearing the word "Solar", Ruin shivered and turned its gaze to the portal. A while passed without anyone stepping through, and the dragon’s expression changed from nervousness to mockery.
“It seems no ‘Solar’ is coming to your aid, priest of Boccob”, the evil dragon said sarcastically.
“Do you guys smell sulfur?”, Bosco asked, frowning.
“I’m having a bad feeling about this”, Korvac added, holding his holy symbol.
It was then that a foot stepped out of the portal. Slowly, the figure of a tall, black humanoid with diabolical features, huge muscles and deep blue wings, horns and talons became visible. The creature’s eyes were pale blue with red irises and pupils. After looking at the scenery around him, he spoke, and his voice felt like whispering wind.
“What a wonderful scene I’ve discovered here”, he said. “Please tell me you’re gonna be my next batch of slaves”, he said and laughed.
“Unbelievable…what have I done?”, Magnus cried.
“That man…is a demon, right?”, Bosco said, trembling.
“I am Mephistopheles, little creature”, the arch-devil told Bosco without looking at him. “This smoke cloud is bothersome", he said, and the smoke immediately dissipated.
“First this priest, now an arch-devil…”, Ruin vented. “Why is everyone so set on disturbing my plans?”, the dragon screamed and let out a thunderous roar.
“Hmmm…a red dragon. Interesting. I wonder how your meat tastes”, Mephistopheles said, smirking.
“Arch-Devil! Join me against these humans and I promise you riches! I’ll even let you have them as your slaves!”, Ruin told the arch-evil.
Mephistopheles let out a long, loud and sinister laugh.
“Now that’s something you don’t see every day. A proud, evil red dragon asking for help. I am flattered, little lizard”.
“Little lizard?”, Ruin retorted, outraged.
“Unfortunately for you, I’m not here to fight nor to take anyone as a slave. Boccob is one of the few gods who don’t bother me and I want to keep it that way”, Mephistopheles said.
“Why are you here, then?”, Magnus asked, holy symbol in hand.
“So many questions, so many questions…and I don’t have to answer any of them!”, Mephistopheles said, irritated, and by merely looking at the priest, the arch-devil caused Magnus’s body to erupt in flames.
----------------------------------------
Magnus suffered 100 damage.
----------------------------------------
Mephistopheles, then, looked at the Party members with intrigued and scrutinizing eyes.
“You are all young, unexperienced, but at the same time very powerful…I wonder why…”, he mused.
“Perhaps that artifact has something to do with it…hasn’t it?”, he pointed to Megalomagna.
“I’ve been in Hell once, Mephistopheles, and I don’t plan on going back there any time soon. Take your eyes off me!”, the sword shouted. The arch-devil laughed.
“Is that so, Megalomagna? Because you are very famous down there. Many of my peers would enjoy your company. Especially when you torture their slaves with your powers”.
“That’s in the past”, Megalomagna said. “I can learn, and I can change”.
“You are just a sword!”, Mephistopheles said, losing his patience. “And you are very lucky that the mad wizard sacrificed so much for you, or you would be nothing but a long knife”. Megalomagna remained silent.
Satisfied, Mephistopheles mentioned to leave. “I’m very glad to have come and witnessed this spectacle. It has been most entertaining. Because of that, I’ll leave you all a gift. It’s not made of fire because I don’t want the red lizard to miss it. Enjoy!”.
Then, the arch-devil waved his hand and stepped through the gate. Immediately upon his departure, a terrible ice storm fell on the Great Hall.
----------------------------------------
The Ice Storm causes 6d10 damage: 37.
* Ruin HP 273/400
Magnus has fallen unconscious.
----------------------------------------
“What a turn of events…”, Donovan vented, tired and bruised. “This guy was a good addition to our team”.
“I’ll revive him”, Korvac said. “I’m sure he can still be useful. But I’ll need you to distract the dragon while I’m at it”.
“Leave it to me”, Megalomagna said. “I’m really angry right now, and you don’t wanna see me angry”. The sword’s blade turned purple again.
----------------------------------------
Megalomagna casts Taunt. Ruin throws a save vs. spell. Rolled 2. Failed.
----------------------------------------
“Listen here, you red fat lizard. Even an alligator has more treasure than you. If I knew you would be here, I would have brought a baby silver dragon and that would be enough to kill you, since you’re way weaker than them. Or maybe I should summon a gold dragon, they’re real dragons instead of you, who’s nothing but a fire-breathing snake with wings!”
----------------------------------------
Upon hearing those words, Ruin became incredibly enraged. It let out and even more monstrous roar and lunged towards Donovan with a bloodlust never seen by the Party.
“Thank you, Meggie!”, Donovan shouted. “This is what I’ve been looking for!”.
“No need to thank me. Just don’t die…yet”, Megalomagna said, chuckling.
----------------------------------------
Ruin attacks Donovan. Rolled 19, 9, 19. Two hits for 1d10/3d10: 4, 15.
Korvac casts Heal on Magnus Rivendarr. Magnus has recovered to full health.
Donovan attacks Ruin. Rolled 3, 14. One hit for 1d8+5: 10.
* Ruin HP 263/400
----------------------------------------
Bosco attacks Ruin. Rolled 16. Hit for 1d12+4: 16.
* Ruin HP 247/400
----------------------------------------
Kharius casts Lightning Bolt. Deals 21d6: 77. Ruin throws a save vs. spell: 14. Saved. Suffered 38 damage.
* Ruin HP 209/400
----------------------------------------
Earth Elemental attacks. Rolled 16. Hit for 4d8: 22.
Xorn attacks. Rolled 19, 11, 10, 2. One hit for 1d3: 3.
* Ruin HP 184/400
----------------------------------------
Magnus is still regaining consciousness and cannot perform any actions this turn.
Ruin attacks Donovan. Rolled 12, 10, 1. Two hits for 1d10/1d10: 1, 2.
Korvac casts Cure Critical Wounds on Donovan. Heals for 6d8+6: 21.
----------------------------------------
“I feel stronger than ever!”, Donovan rallied. “The dragon is getting weaker, folks! Let’s finish it!”.
----------------------------------------
Donovan attacks Ruin. Rolled 13, 2. One hit for 1d8+5: 12.
Bosco attacks Ruin. Rolled 20. Hit for 1d12+4: 11.
Kharius casts Prismatic Wall.
Earth Elemental attacks. Rolled 20. Hit for 4d8: 20.
Xorn attacks. Rolled 12, 2, 19, 13. Hit for 1d3: 2.
* Ruin HP 139/400
Magnus casts Cure Critical Wounds on Donovan. Healed for 6d8+6: 29.
----------------------------------------
“Why are you healing me?”, Donovan asked, irritated. “My comrades need it more than me right now!”.
“You’re our best chance to kill the dragon, Magnus said, coldly. “I don’t care about the others”.
“It doesn’t matter, Donovan”, Kharius said. “Stick to the plan. We can protect ourselves”. Donovan nodded as they saw the red dragon prepare its breath attack.
----------------------------------------
Ruin uses its breath weapon. The attack has been blocked by the Prismatic Wall and activated its green color effects. Ruin must save vs. poison or die. If saved, it will suffer 20 damage. Rolled 10. Saved. Suffered 20 damage.
* Ruin HP 119/400
----------------------------------------
“What is going on?”, Ruin said, angry and outraged. “What kind of sorcery has blocked my breath?”.
“You are not the only one with strong weapons here, dragon”, Kharius declared. “We have destroyed a green dragon before battling you and we are very well prepared against your kind!”.
“Filthy half-blood!”, Ruin roared.
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Heal on Kharius. Kharius’s HP fully restored.
----------------------------------------
“Meggie?”, Donovan called.
“What?”, the sword replied.
“Come on”, Donovan said. “Weren’t you angry? Help me out, will ya?”.
“You’re lucky I can’t sigh, since I’m a sword and all. But I’m really annoyed, for the record”.
----------------------------------------
Megalomagna casts Strength. Rolled 1d8: 7. Donovan’s strength attribute has increased to 23 (+5 to attack rolls, +11 to damage).
----------------------------------------
“Now you’re talking!”, Donovan said, feeling the power coursing through his veins.
----------------------------------------
Donovan attacks Ruin. Rolled 4, 10. Hits for 1d8+13, 1d8+13: 19, 16.
Bosco attacks Ruin. Rolled 11. Hit for 1d12+4: 7.
Earth Elemental attacks. Rolled 13. Hit for 4d8: 15.
Xorn attacks. Rolled 7, 17, 4, 7. Hit for 1d3: 1.
* Ruin HP 61/400
----------------------------------------
“Damn you all!”, Ruin screamed.
----------------------------------------
Ruin casts Meteor Swarm. The spell has been blocked by the Prismatic Wall and activated its indigo color effects. Ruin must save vs. wands or go insane. Rolled 19. Saved.
----------------------------------------
“Again with that damned wall”, the red dragon said, furious.
“You have fought well, dragon”, Kharius said, serious as only he could be. “But you are no match for us in the end. Your greed is what brought your demise”.
“Allow me to show you the error in your evil ways”, Korvac said, holding his holy symbol.
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Holy Word. Ruin is deafened for 1d4: 2 rounds (spells 50% chance of failure) and will incur in a -2 penalty to all dice rolls.
----------------------------------------
“Now, Donovan!”, Korvac shouted.
----------------------------------------
Donovan attacks Ruin. Rolled 16, 20. Hits for 1d8+13, 1d8+13: 20, 19.
* Ruin HP 22/400
Bosco attacks Ruin. Rolled 1. Missed.
Earth Elemental attacks. Rolled 16. Hit for 4d8: 9.
Xorn attacks. Rolled 3, 2, 20, 10. Hit for 1d3: 3.
* Ruin HP 10/400
Kharius casts Power Word, Kill.
----------------------------------------
Ruin let out a massive roar of pain that shakes the entire Great Hall. Many of its scales, fulminated and slashed by spells and swords, fall on the ground as life leaves the majestic creature’s eyes. With a mighty crash, the dragon falls to the ground, raising dust and pushing the adventurers back with its sheer pressure.
----------------------------------------
Ruin, the Red Dragon, has been killed. The Party has emerged victorious. Each member earns a total of 500.000 XP for this encounter.
* Donovan Stride has accumulated 982.350 + 500.000 = 1.482.350 XP.
* Donovan has advanced from level 23 to level 24.
* Donovan’s HP increased by 3 (max 194).
* Korvac the Blessed has accumulated 977.350 + 500.000 = 1.477.350 XP.
* Korvac has advanced from level 22 to level 23. THAC0 has been adjusted to 5.
* Korvac’s HP increased by 2 (max 115).
* Korvac has learned the spell Succor.
* Bosco Tumblefoot has accumulated 982.450 XP + 500.000 = 482.450 XP.
* Bosco has advanced from level 21 to level 23. THAC0 has been adjusted to 6.
* Bosco’s HP increased by 14 (max 135).
* Kharius Bloodmoon has accumulated 1.026.450 XP + 500.000 = 1.526.450 XP.
* Kharius has advanced from level 21 to level 22. THAC0 has been adjusted to 11.
* Kharius’s HP increased by 1 (max 59).
* Kharius has learned the spell Imprisonment.
***
“Have we won?”, Bosco said, dropping to his knees.
“Yep, we have”, Kharius said, with a sigh of relief.
“It’s almost a shame that such majestic creature had to be put down like this”, Korvac said, saying a prayer.
“I’m not sorry”, Donovan said, sheathing Megalomagna. “It was responsible for the destruction of our town and the death of many of our friends”.
“About that…”, Kharius tried to speak but Magnus interrupted them with a maniacal laugh.
“Hahahahaha, the dragon is dead, and here we are at my Lord’s Great Hall, where I am at my strongest! You are really out of luck, adventurers!”, Magnus said with bloodshot eyes.
“You still want to fight, priest?”, Donovan asked. “Do you really think you can defeat us without your alignment barrier?”.
“So what if I don’t have my barrier? My spells are still stronger than any of yours, and I’m at my full strength while you are almost dead!”.
“Why don’t you look around, Magnus Rivendarr?”, Megalomagna asked. “You have company”.
Looking around, Magnus could see that many of his peers, priests and wizards of Boccob, were watching him.
“My friends! Look! I’ve found Megalomagna! The artifact that not even Lord Boccob has a copy of!”, Magnus shouted, visibly embarrassed.
“You have no proof that this sword is an artifact, Magnus”, a priest challenged.
“Lord Boccob has never even mentioned this Megalomagna you are so obsessed with”, another priest said.
“I think we should take it for inspection”, a wizard retorted.
“Hey, Kardac”, Megalomagna whispered. “It’s Korvac”, the priest replied, annoyed. “Can you cast another one of your plane shifts? I’m gonna distract these guys while you prepare it, is it possible?”, the sword asked.
Surprised at the sword’s reliability, Korvac started chanting the spell as silently as possible. All the while, Megalomagna’s blade turned purple.
----------------------------------------
Megalomagna has cast its own enhanced version of Leomund’s Lamentable Belaborment.
----------------------------------------
“I believe we should first discuss our alignment, mine and Magnus’s”, Megalomagna said. “Can you truly believe Magnus is neutral, like fully neutral? The guy is so chaotic sometimes. And he showed even signs of being evil when he said he was gonna kill my Party in order to take me in”.
“That is true”, a wizard said. “Maybe Magnus is not neutral anymore. Perhaps we should call Lord Boccob to discuss it”.
“What? What are you talking about?”, Magnus said, confused.
“I think there’s a difference between being chaotic neutral, neutral good, and true neutral. That difference is easy to realize once you analyze your behavior with care”, another wizard said.
“That red dragon, for instance, was chaotic evil. It had no respect for laws of any kind, and cared about nothing but its own interest”, a priest said. “The sword, on the other hand, is helping a Party of good adventurers, but it still doesn’t care much about the law. We could say it’s neutral good - or even chaotic good”.
“Kordac! Do it now!”, Megalomagna whispered again.
“Right!”, Korvac said. “It’s ready…now!”.
----------------------------------------
Korvac casts Plane Shift. The spell has no effect.
----------------------------------------
“What?”, Korvac said, perplexed.
“So I believe we should start over, now considering Magnus’s behavior since he joined Lord Boccob’s cult”, another priest said.
"What happened? Why didn’t it work?”, Megalomagna asked.
“Hahahahaha, how amusing, how very much amusing”, a powerful, yet soothing voice filled the Great Hall. A middle aged man with white hair, wearing purple robes decorated with golden runes and carrying a magnificent staff, went down the stairs towards the Great Hall.
“Lord Boccob!”, all the priests and wizards knelt, including Magnus Rivendarr.
“Boccob…”, Korvac muttered. “It was him. He blocked my spell”.
“Very well observed, Korvac the Blessed”, Boccob said with a smile. “I’m very satisfied with what I’ve witnessed here. Especially with that sword. Who could imagine it would cast a spell over my entire cult of followers to make them discuss a trivial matter while it buys you time to cast a Plane Shift spell?”.
“There is no fooling you in the end, Boccob”, Megalomagna said, defeated. “But let me tell you, your follower is a troublemaker! I’m not fond of him”.
“Of course. He overstepped the limits I’ve established for him as my follower. It is a duty of every follower of mine to remain neutral to everything, in every world or plane, except magic. And what do you do with magic? You contemplate it! It’s splendorous, isn’t it?”.
“I’m not sure how I feel about spellcasters”, Megalomagna said.
“I understand. Orion didn’t treat you well, did he? Creating you was his greatest feat, yet caused his greatest demise. He should never have relinquished my guidance”.
“So Orion was you follower, huh, Lord Boccob?”, Donovan asked, dazzled.
“Indeed he was”, Boccob answered. “One of the most brilliant - a superb magical item inventor”.
“And we suppose Megalomagna here was his masterpiece”, Bosco said.
“More than any other item he has ever created”, Boccob added. “A sword that learns new spells! That can enhance its own spells based on its sheer will! It’s magnificent!”.
“Well…I appreciate the flattering, Boccob. But I’d really like to go home now”, Megalomagna said.
“How dare you talk to Lord Boccob like that?”, Magnus raged.
“Silence!”, Boccob said, and Magnus’s mouth suddenly disappeared. “You caused shame to my name and let greed possess you. Don’t think I will forgive you for bringing Mephistopheles to my Great Hall”.
Desolated, Magnus lowered his head and said no more.
“I have a gift for you”, Boccob told Kharius and Korvac. “Kharius Bloodmoon, would you lend me your grimoire?”.
“It would be an honor, Lord Boccob. But I don’t think I deserve it”, Kharius answered.
“Oh please. You deserve it alright. But always remember this: it’s important for all spellcasters to keep the balance of the worlds, lest magic destroys everything, including itself.”
Boccob, then, took Kharius’s grimoire in his hands and, by simply holding his hand over it, a new spell was instantly transcribed on a page.
----------------------------------------
Kharius can now learn the spell Monster Summoning VIII. It will take a month of studying and meditation for him to be able to use it. The use of this spell is limited to once a week.
----------------------------------------
“Now, for you, Korvac the Blessed”, Boccob said and held his palm on Korvac’s forehead.
----------------------------------------
Korvac can now learn the spell Mass Heal. It will take a month of meditation and praying, along with the use of 5 units of the Incense of Meditation, for him to be able to use it. The use of this spell is limited to once a week.
----------------------------------------
“I hope you can help keep the worlds in balance, heroes”, Boccob said. “But don’t forget: for every good deed, a bad deed is done in return”, he said and the Party members were instantly teleported to their hometown. To Donovan’s surprise, it had been restored to its former glory.
“But how…”, Donovan muttered.
“You went away, full of rage, and we stayed figuring out a way of bringing the town back”, Kharius said, with a smile. “The answer was in front of our noses all the time: the Wish spell”.
“You cast a Wish spell? And what happened to you? I heard using that spell can cause severe backlash!”, Donovan said, worried.
“It seems the gods favored us”, Korvac said. “Kharius had no backlash”.
“But that’s amazing!”, Donovan said while trying to cover the tears in his eyes.
“Now, I think we deserve some beer, huh? What do you say?”, Kharius asked Donovan.
“Yes, we do!”, Donovan answered with a grin. “But wait. This isn’t over yet”, he halted, his expression serious.
The adventurers shivered at that statement.
“What do you mean?”, Bosco said, fearing the answer.
“It will only be over when you guys conjure a Gate so I can ask Maya out!”, Donovan said, and they laughed.
***
----------------------------------------
PARTY STATS – QUEST END
----------------------------------------
DONOVAN STRIDE (Warrior/Human) - LVL 24
* HP: 194
* TAC0: 2
* AC: -3 (Gold Dragon Scale Mail AC -1 / magical shield +2)
* Attack dmg: 1d8+5 (+7 against wizards) – attacks twice per round
* XP: 1.482.350
----------------------------------------
KORVAC THE BLESSED (Cleric/Human) - LVL 23
* HP: 115
* TAC0: 5
* AC: 3 (Chain Mail +2)
* Attack dmg: 2d6+3 (flail +3)
* XP: 1.477.350
SPELLS:
* 1st circle: Cure Light Wounds (7x a day)
* 1st circle: Detect Evil (6x a day)
* 1st circle: Protection from Evil (4x a day)
* 2nd circle: Augury (5x a day)
* 2nd circle: Resist Fire/Resist Cold (5x a day)
* 3rd circle: Dispel Magic (4x a day)
* 3rd circle: Cure Disease (4x a day)
* 3rd circle: Remove Paralysis (4x a day)
* 4th circle: Cure Serious Wounds (5x a day)
* 4th circle: Neutralize Poison (4x a day)
* 4th circle: Divination (2x a day)
* 4th circle: Protection From Evil, 10' (2x a day)
* 5th circle: Cure Critical Wounds (4x a day)
* 5th circle: Raise Dead (3x a day)
* 5th circle: Flame Strike (3x a day)
* 5th circle: Dispel Evil (3x a day)
* 5th circle: True Seeing (2x a day)
* 5th circle: Atonement (1x a day)
* 5th circle: Plane Shift (1x a day)
* 6th circle: Heal (4x a day)
* 6th circle: Conjure Fire Elemental (2x a day)
* 6th circle: Forbiddance (1x a day)
* 6th circle: Blade Barrier (1x a day)
* 6th circle: Word of Recall (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Resurrection (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Restoration (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Holy Word (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Regenerate (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Gate (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Symbol (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Sunray (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Exaction (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Conjure Earth Elemental (1x a day)
* 7th circle: Succor (1x a day)
* 8th circle: Mass Heal (1x a week)
ITEMS:
* Pearl of Wisdom +2
* Ring of Fire Resistance
* Flail +3
* Chain Mail +2
* Incense of Meditation (Priest - 7 pieces)
----------------------------------------
BOSCO TUMBLEFOOT (Thief/Hobbit) - LVL 23
* HP: 135
* TAC0: 6
* AC: 2 (cloak of protection +2)
* Attack dmg: 1d12+2 (+4 against evil)
* XP: 1.482.450
ITEMS:
* Sunblade +2, +4 against evil creatures
* Slippers of Spider Climbing
* Wand of Fire
* Stone of Controlling Earth Elementals
----------------------------------------
KHARIUS BLOODMOON (Wizard/Half-Elf) - LVL 22
* HP: 59
* TAC0: 11
* AC: 1 (Cloak of Displacement +2)
* Attack dmg: dagger 1d4+1 / short bow 1d6+1, +3 against evil creatures
* XP: 1.526.450
ITEMS:
* Wand of Magic Missile (5 charges)
* Dagger +1
* Short Bow +1, +3 against evil creatures
* Cloak of Displacement +2
SPELLS:
* 1st Arcane Level: Magic Missile (6x a day) – 8 missiles
* 1st Arcane Level: Detect Magic (5x a day)
* 1st Arcane Level: Burning Hands (4x a day)
* 2nd Arcane Level: Levitate (5x a day)
* 2nd Arcane Level: Melf’s Acid Arrow (5x a day)
* 2nd Arcane Level: Knock (1x a day)
* 3rd Arcane Level: Fireball (4x a day)
* 3rd Arcane Level: Lightning Bolt (4x a day)
* 3rd Arcane Level: Haste (3x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Charm Monster (4x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Enchanted Weapon (3x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Ice Storm (4x a day)
* 4th Arcane Level: Remove Curse (1x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Conjure Elemental (4x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Feeblemind (3x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Cone of Cold (4x a day)
* 5th Arcane Level: Hold Monster (3x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Chain Lightning (4x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Stone to Flesh (2x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: True Seeing (2x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Antimagic Shell (1x a day)
* 6th Arcane Level: Mislead (1x a day)
* 7th Arcane Level: Mordenkainen's Sword (2x a day)
* 7th Arcane Level: Limited Wish (2x a day)
* 7th Arcane Level: Prismatic Spray (2x a day)
* 8th Arcane Level: Mind Blank (2x a day)
* 8th Arcane Level: Prismatic Wall (1x a day)
* 9th Arcane Level: Wish (1x a day)
* 9th Arcane Level: Shape Change (1x a day)
* 9th Arcane Level: Monster Summoning VII (1x a day)
* 9th Arcane Level: Power Word, Kill (1x a day)
* 9th Arcane Level: Imprisonment (1x a day)
* 10th Arcane Level: Monster Summoning VIII (1x a week)
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LOOT FOR THE ADVENTURE:
* 3.000 copper coins
* 8.000 silver coins
* 3.000 gold coins
* 300 platinum coins
* 5 gems (3 Agates, 1 Pearl, 1 Diamond)
* axe +3;
* necklace of missiles;
* 1 scroll (fire protection)
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EXPERIENCE TABLE
CLASS
Warrior (Human):
Cleric (Human):
Thief (Hobbit):
Wizard (Half-Elf):
LEVEL 22
600.000 XP
750.000 XP
1.000.000 XP
1.250.000 XP
LEVEL 23
900.000 XP
1.000.000 XP
1.250.000 XP
1.600.000 XP
LEVEL 24
1.400.000 XP
1.750.000 XP
2.000.000 XP
2.300.000 XP
LEVEL 25
2.000.000 XP
2.500.000 XP
3.000.000 XP
3.250.000 XP
LEVEL 26
3.000.000 XP
3.750.000 XP
4.250.000 XP
5.000.000 XP
LEVEL 27
4.500.000 XP
5.500.000 XP
6.000.000 XP
7.000.000 XP
LEVEL 28
7.000.000 XP
8.000.000 XP
9.000.000 XP
10.000.000 XP
LEVEL 29
10.000.000 XP
12.000.000 XP
14.000.000 XP
16.000.000 XP
LEVEL 30
15.000.000 XP
17.000.000 XP
19.000.000 XP
20.000.000 XP
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MONSTER SUMMONING VIII
(Conjuration/Summoning)
Range: Special Components: V, S
Duration: 8 rds. + 1 rd./level Casting Time: 9
Area of Effect: 90-yd. radius Saving Throw: None
A 10th-level spell granted by Boccob, the God of Magic. Can only be used by Kharius Bloodmoon. This spell operates much like the 3rd-level spell Monster Summoning I, except that this spell summons one of the monsters listed below at the wizard's choice, or two monsters at random (roll 1d12 - two of the same species is allowed). This spell can only be cast once per week.
1. Phoenix
2. Greater Lammasu
3. Cloud Giant
4. Iron Golem
5. Gorgimera
6. Hydra, 12 heads
7. Hydra, Lernaean, 8 heads
8. Bulette
9. Remorhaz
10. Ki-rin
11. Couatl (1d6 appear)
12. Greater Shedu
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MASS HEAL
(Necromancy)
Sphere: Healing
Range: Special Components: V, S
Duration: Permanent Casting Time: 1 rd.
Area of Effect: 90-yd. radius Saving Throw: None
An 8th-circle spell granted by Boccob, the God of Magic. Can only be used by Korvac, the Blessed. This is a HP-restoring oriented version of the Heal spell that enables the priest to wipe away any injuries in all creatures inside the area of the spell, restoring them to full health. It does not heal diseases, blindness or other afflictions as the Heal spell would. This spell can only be cast once per week.