Pizazz's Beyond Annihilation

[OOC: well color me silly, I swear the one called Mirica signed it as well, but I just read back through and realized my error. Either way Mal does not want anyone outside this party in her thoughts.  :)  ]

(Mirica did say that as a last resort she would, but she was the one who asked Toc if there was another way before she did. Toc/Tic found another way. Conveniently also by using an NPC from that campaign, so doesn't need to wait for another player to reply cross-campaign!)

As they leave, Mordekai will reach out to Tic telepathically and say, "Thanks for doing this. I just wanted to ask you what these Mythallars are and how they work. I have a companion who is not himself, because of what he describes as a "taint" growing across the land. A part of this affliction was relieved just before we joined battle with you. I don't know you at all, but from what I've seen, our aims are aligned closely enough to justify some open sharing of information. My theory is that someone you killed just before we arrived on the scene was a lich, working for this Larloch that Zendrak speaks of, and when the lich was killed, Larloch's power was perhaps weakened - a connection severed or something. Does that match up with what you know of the Mythallars?  And is there anything else you can tell me - about the Mythallars, or Larloch, or his liches, that can help me in my quest?"

Tic seems to be amiable enough over your mental connection that he fills you in as the group of you make your way to the tower.  "Mythallars are ancient artifacts of an era of high magic known as the Netheril age. Back then, magic worked with...less boundaries and more powerful magic than we can now work were possible. These Mythallars were the heart of the cities that this great empire built, that enabled the entire city to float about.  There were dozens of these cities.  The Mythallars disintegrate almost anything that touches them though. Otherwise, they pull enough power to fly a city, and power innumerable magical items all throughout the city, plus many had unique and interesting powers. At the end of that age, the nature of magic was altered in the whole universe and limits were put on so that the horrible end to the age would not happen again.  The Mythallars sat silent and in ruin for over 1500 years. In the past 100 years, something called the spell plague occurred, and the limits to magic were subsequently removed.  Now, Mythallars have begun to wake up and their tremendous power can once again be used.  Ok, that's Mythallars 101.  As for this taint. Very...interesting. This companion, is it a large floating symbol that accompanies you?  Doesn't matter. Before you arrived, the Leonin's we are with came to this Mythallar from another..through a portal. The portal was linked to one that we believe is owned by Larloch. Larloch, a Lich, existed in the time of Netheril and so knows about these Mythallars. In linking them, he has been damaging the very weave of magic itself.  We don't know why he's doing this, but it could be the taint your companion has complained about. If so, we've broken 2 such links already, but know he has at least 4 others, and is attempting to find more." 

The group of you arrive at the base of the tower. The door at the bottom is open. The windows at the top are as well. It appears unguarded.

In his head, Mordekai replies to Tic, "Interesting.  So the Mythallars themselves are being linked to each other by Larloch?  Do you know how they're linked, or how to break that connection?  Is that your quest, or are you pursuing a different objective?   ...Also, we're at the base of the anvil tower - did you say there were entities guarding the anvil itself in the topmost space?  Any other guards or traps that you know of?"

As the group arrives, Mordekai stops and looks up, appraising the tower and waiting for a response about the potential guards.  

Tic responds, "The tower is pretty well empty aside from the top room. We didn't encounter any other wards or guards. Um, they are linked, via open portals...with pretty obvious beams of energy connecting the spheres. Lichs are present on both sides. To break the connection you destroy the portal. We combined two bags of holding to destroy the first one we came across, though an anti-magic sphere seemed to destroy the 2nd one. Not sure if you have access to such things, but...it could be that a dispel magic alone could do it. We haven't had that much chance to experiment with methods. Our goal is to secure as many Mythallars as possible so that Larloch can't complete his goal. Eventually though we all agree we'll need to try and face Larloch. Our hopes are that your Zendrak companion has a way to permanently destroy Lichs. That way, we can start to erode Larloch's army."

Kari looks up at the apparently empty tower and grips her weapon. Well, I guess it won't do much good to keep standing around. I can go in front if you like, or whatever order seems convenient.

Mordekai repeats what Tic said about the tower being empty except from the top room. "Still, we should have our guard up. It's possible that guards have come since they were last here, or that the other group are lying to us. I'd prefer to be towards the back, as I'm a little squishier than you ladies. Kurik, I might suggest we stay fairly close, should combat arise? I can surround us in a magical darkness that we can both see through, which would give us an advantage over enemies."

(Kurik and Kari, you should also still have 18 temporary hp from Mordekai using his Inspiring Leader feat when we woke up)

Kurik pulls out his sword and rotates it in his hand and drops and spins it about a few times.  He whispers the command word and lights it a flame.  Turning his head to Mordekai he gives a nod.  "Darkness can be a strong ally but maybe not so close...  Some of my sword techniques are all encompassing and indiscriminate to my surroundings but... no... I will make sure to reign it in."

"Let me lead by a bit and make sure there are no surprises, I will signal when it is clear." Mal says as she peaks into the doorway and looks inside.

Perception: 15

Stealth: 20

The stairs lead up past mostly empty rooms that may have once been a library, or study hall, but have long since rotted away to nothing. The stone stairs lead right up into a large circular chamber that dominates the top floor. 

A huge anvil chiseled with vivid blue runes rests in the center of the thirty-foot-diameter, thirty-foot high circular chamber. Resting atop it is a hammer adorned with matching runes.

Six armored figures stand guard around the anvil. At the rear of the chamber, the frozen corpse of a wizard lies in a pile of rubble. Blue flames flicker from braziers spaced around the room, illuminating a carved inscription on the ceiling that is written in Draconic.  

The six figures don't seem to notice Mal from where she lurks near the top of the stairs. 

Sitting in the dark corner Mal will keep watch on the figures for a moment or so seeking any vulnerabilities.

Know your Enemy

 What happens after that minute will depend on what she knows.

Whilst waiting for Mal, Mordekai reaches out again to Tic, "By the way, my companion. I wouldn't have described him as a large symbol that accompanies me. I'd describe him as a little guy who hides inside my cloak mostly. How large was this symbol you saw on me?"

Mal closely examines the creatures. They appear to be warriors....with blue skinned flesh....but...they don't look all that daunting. The make of their weapons, the armor, the way they hold themselves....rather still actually...potentially constructs. All said though, she'd judge they are less tough than she is. 

Tic mentally responds to Mordekai even though he's now departed to join the others at the tower, "Um, I'm afraid I did not see the symbol directly. However it was described to me as a slightly larger than human sized symbol standing behind you...though it existed only partially on this plane somehow."

Mordekai thanks Tic in his head and makes a mental note to bring this slightly terrifying new information up with Quinn at a more opportune time. He looks at Kari and Kurik as they wait for Mal together, then pulls out his Tome and writes a note to Mal, which she hears and can respond to in her head. 

"Mal, it's Mordekai. I hope you don't find this intrusive. What do you see? Do you need assistance?"

He lets Kari and Kurik see what he's writing, as if to explain how the Tome works, as well as any message of reply from Mal that might appear magically on the page. 

Staying in the shadow Mal will aim at the nearest creature and fire her Crossbow, she is an Assassin after all.

Sharpshooter H. Crossbow: Attack: 23 Damage: 18 Necrotic: 6

Auto Crit Damage: 7 Necrotic: 10

Sharpshooter H. Crossbow: Attack: 19 Damage: 20 Necrotic: 8

Auto Crit Damage: 9 Necrotic: 8

Auto Crit Sneak Attack Damage: 15

After she fires she will sprint back to the others, "Incoming!"

Initiative: 18

[OOC: If none of the initial rolls are crits add in the 1d10 auto Crit Damage and necrotic. If any of the initial rolls are Crits, ignore the 1d10 damage and just apply the crit Necrotic damage.]

[OOC2: Wow, that was some pretty shit damage rolling, thank you Dice Gods you ares-holes!]

(Everyone roll initiative.)

Enemy inits:  12 8 6 20 8 11 

Mal's first arrow lances into the chest of the nearest enemy.  It stumbles back, grabbling at the shaft in it's chest, but a moment later another shaft appears through it's neck and the thing stumbles back onto the ground with a loud clatter.  From down below, the group hears a disturbance from above, followed by the sound of soft padding footsteps rushing down stairs and Mal's voice yelling "incoming!!!" 

Mordekai slams the Tome shut without waiting for the response. 

Initiative: 14

Kurik Iniative 4

Kari looks up away from the book and toward the running footsteps.

Initiative: 9

((My dex modifier is +1 if that's how we break ties))