"Or magic," Aerdeth suggests in response to Zogar. His darkvision helped, but it wasn't perfect, and he missed the vibrancy of color that light brought to the world.
Hearing the voices at the bottom of the cavern, Aerdeth peeks over. He could hear them, and see some light, but nothing here could work on. If they got a little further, though, the advantage would be significant.
"Careful. It's a fair distance down."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
Ducking down and moving over to where the wall stops and the open side begins, you peek over the edge and look down to see the pathway spirals around in a large circle downwards to the bottom of the cavern roughly one hundred and twenty feet below. The bottom is basically a large somewhat circular surface, except the the center has broken loose and floats freely, centered over a large pit of darkness below it. Twenty feet of blackness separates the floating center plate from the lip all the way around.
The center plate itself is an eighty foot diameter circle of stone with a large table placed in the center that holds the body of what appears to be a female dark elf clothed in a crimson gown. Placed symmetrically around the larger center table are five smaller ones holding the tied down and squirming bodies of the captive villagers. The villagers are arranged feet out and head inwards towards the center table and floating above each one is a different colored gemstone and you notice that small trickles of smokey light are slowly swirling up from each captive and being pulled into the gem above them, and those gems in turn fire five beams of energy into a multicolored gemstone necklace that is hovering over the dark elf in the center and a small trickle of energy spirals from the necklace down into her chest.
Standing at the end of each smaller table is a figure dressed in black hooded robes with skeletal hands held up high in the air as they chant a prayer in multiple languages (elvish, undercommon, infernal perhaps?) asking for the blessings of life, but also for preparation and lastly, power. Standing in a larger circle around the spectacle are various undead, all chanting along with the five and in the center, looking down at the dark elf on the center table with affection is Kor'Zakal.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Aerdeth
"Xiolthass," Aerdeth swears in Elven as he peeks over the stairs. They might not be too late, but they were cutting it close. There was too far to go, too many precious seconds wasted as they would descend ten flights worth of steps - and he knew how Hrothgar would act with hostages involved.
No. This chance could not be squandered. The ritual had to be disrupted. Forgive me, my friends. Guide their souls, my queen.
"May their eyes shine upon the final dawn as we save them from damnation," he prays.
Focusing on the sacrifice at the center of the ritual, he attempts to cast Sickening Radiance centered on that area, enveloping much of the platform in the pale light of an unknowable Shadowfell dawn.
((Yes, this is drastic and I trust you to hash it out however you see fit. If necessary, Initiative 20 to resolve conflicts. If the spell does go off, it's a DC 18 and 20 damage. ))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While walking down the stairs a bit already. When Hrothgar notices Aerdeth casting his spell he is already to late to stop him. He looks down to see the pale light cover the tables, his face goes almost equally pale for a moment in shock and horror to see the what he assumes would be the death of many captives.
In anger he rushes to Aerdeth and uses his shield to knock/push him against the wall pinning him there What have you done! They coul... They could of been saved. After a short and angry stare he pauzes taking a short glance at their path down. The muscles in his face clearly showing his jaw clenching as he grits his teeth in anger looking back at Aerdeth. Trying his best to focus on the bigger enemy, their mission, to kill the lich. Hrothgar glances back at the pathway down, a long way, with all the undead below knowing exactly where we are the path would be very dangerous to go down.
Hrothgar releases pressure of his shield no longer pinning Aerdeth, he takes a few steps walking backwards to the edge of the path. Looking at the others his voice calmer Journey down quickly. Once more he looks back to Aerdeth, his face now not showing anger but disappointment shaking his head slightly but says nothing as no words are to be said. He then lets himself fall backwards a little and pushes off with his feet dropping downwards into the cavern spinning to go headfirst.
As he falls down Hrothgar reaches for his belt and throws his Figurine of Wondrous Power (Bronze Griffon) slightly in front of him as he speaks the words Helios, i am in need of your aid!as an orange light engulfs the small statue it quickly grows in size spanning out many feet into the Griffon (called Helios). The Griffon has a white head and light brown/orange feathers starting at the neck down becoming a more brighter orange the closer the feathers are towards the end of its wings. As it appeared beneath Hrothgar he is now lying on the creatures back taking hold of it to ride it down.
With the Griffon soaring down Hrothgar extends his hand now gripping the Sun Blade trying to make it shine as bright as he can shouting to bolster his courage for the fight that is about to come Aaaargghh!!!(imagining a Gandalf riding to helms deep moment but on a griffon :) ). Hoping to add to the surprise with a blinding light to throw off or delay their attacks.
(since its 120ft and the Griffon flying 80ft a turn minus whatever movement i already used up i assume ill reach the center plate the next turn).
(Knowing Hrothgar for some years the others would be able to determine a few things about why Hrothgar did this. Ofcourse the angry at Aerdeth is obvious but his actions afterwards would be because Hrothgar might still believe there is hope to save someone down there. But more importantly they would of seen him look down the path. And being somewhat strategic they would know if the party would have to journey down now they would be sitting ducks for any casters/ranged shooting them down on the long pathway. So he did the only thing he felt he could do and the others would probably realize this. He went in first, risking his own life, to buy time for the others to go down a little safer. Because the mission and his party was more important than his own life).
Not sure if this will work, so let me know if I should revise it...
Emma casts dimension door bringing lia with her to a spot on the stairs below that is within 60 feet of the person at the center chanting their spell. If they cannot get within 60 feet on the stairs they would instead appear on the platform, just barely within 60 feet of the caster.
Lia would then cast counterspell at 7th-level. Targetting the one performing the ritual.
Zogar has a brief sense of shame that his first thought after Aerdeth's attack was relief that he didn't have to worry about the civilian's safety anymore. He quickly pushes that thought aside for later meditation while he steps off the stairwell and walks straight down the wall toward the platform.
As he moves forward he channels the power of the forge, and as his eyes burn with fury he drops a 5th level Wall of Fire in a ring around the ritual, disregarding his need for symmetry and encircling as many of the vile creatures as he can, directing the heat inward, toward the center of the ring.
Fire damage to all in the wall or inside the ring: 26. Dex 18 save for half.
One side of the wall, selected by you when you cast this spell, deals 6d8 fire damage to each creature that ends its turn within 10 feet of that side or inside the wall. A creature takes the same damage when it enters the wall for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. The other side of the wall deals no damage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hastings gives a glare but says nothing as he sheathes his blades and quickly readies his shortbow until they are in range of his blades. With a quick movement he will begin to rush down the steps as fast as he can.
Time seems to slow down as the events of the moment take place. The dark elf on the center table had started to move, to cough raggedly as one might after holding their breath for far too long as Lia and Emma appeared on the platform nearby. As Lia countered the spell the lead figure had been casting, chaos ensued. The life energy being siphoned from the victims hadn't stopped, but the life energy being transferred to the dark elf had started to reverse making the spell go awry. The energy streaming backwards through the crystal pendant caused it to crack and spark, while the five gems over the victims shattered, spraying them with shrapnel as they screamed in agony.
Then the light came, the green luminescence that lit everything up in a dim greenish light as the victims finally stopped screaming and fell back lifeless on the tables that held them. The dark elf sat up violently, screaming in pain and reaching out for the glowing pendant above her. Finally the ring of fire drops, the skeletal minions running and burning to get out of the fire while the dark elf screams again as her flesh begins to bubble and burn, falling off in chunks as she falls back on the table, the pendant falling to the floor and shattering on impact. Her body rapidly ages as it burns and is finally mostly skeleton that begins to twist and mutate oddly, the hands growing large with sharp claws at the end as it shrieks loudly before falling back on the table motionless.
Kor'Zakal, seemingly unphased by the fire and light, looks from the dark elf to where Lia and Emma were through the roaring flames, "WHATHAVE YOU DONE?"
He steps forward through the fire and casts Telekinesis, grabbing Lia with it, yanking her through the air into the green radiance next to him and the ring of fire.
Lia's Strength Save: 12 Sickening Radiance Save: 16 DMG: 19 Wall of Fire Dex Save: 25 DMG: 13
As Hrothgar hurtles through the air on his griffon's back, Hastings and the other two groups run down the path to join the fight.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
((Courtesy warning: Sickening Radiance also inflicts exhaustion on a failed save. I imagine the lich is immune, but we aren't. I can drop it if you all need it but I think it's still helping.))
Maintaining concentration in the Radiance, trying to wear down Kor'Zakal's defenses and chase away the shadows, Aerdeth sees Lia being pulled through the air. The area was hazardous, but he was more concerned with the ominous void of the pit beneath them. There could be no holding back.
He raises his arms, Obliviation taut and whispering in Elvish in his hands. 'Swift death to my enemies.'
"Swift death to those who have wronged us!" Comes Aerdeth's reply, far louder than he normally speaks. The Lich was his sworn enemy now. He fired two arrows, each the color of his Patron's heart, at the undead wizard.
Attack One:31 to hit, dealing 9+10 piercing damage and 5 necrotic damage. (Critical hit!) The arrow explodes on impact as Aerdeth utilizes his Eldritch Smite for an additional 53 force damage.
Attack Two:26 to hit, dealing 10+12 piercing damage and 5 necrotic damage.
As he fires he moves 30 feet through the air, straight down the shaft. Closer. Press the assault, a voice urges. Using his bonus action, Aerdeth calls upon the Blessings of the Raven Queen, teleporting 30 feet closer and gaining resistance to all damage until the start of his next turn.
"LIA, WATCH OUT FOR THE FI...shit...NEVERMIND!" He'd healed her from worse and she was a pretty tough nut to begin with.
Zogar is disturbed seeing an undead who appears to be immune to both fire and radiant damage. That doesn't align with his life (and death) experience.
As a courtesy to his favorite wizard he drops the wall of fire as he continues to walk down the wall, then, on a whim he calls on Mythrien Sarath once again and casts a basic Dispel Magic toward the lich, hoping to knock off some protective magic or illusion or at least the Telekinesis.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
If Hastings manages to get in range he will fire his bow towards the lich even if he thinks that a regular weapon will have little chance of being of help.
Hrothgar will (i assume) be able to reach the center plate and jump of Helios landing on his feet. Right before jumping off he commands the Griffon: Fly back up and get Hastings.
After landing Hrothgar looks at Helios and points his sword towards the direction Helios should fly, in a short line unless unsafe (not over any undead). With whatever movement he has left. Should be 40ft max so he would probably reach Hastings next turn and since my initiative is higher would reach Hastings before his turn begins (assuming it acts on my turn for simplicity).
Quickly glancing around he should see that Lia/Emma are still on the pathway (unless counterspell failed) and seeing both Zogar and Aerdeth descend in their own way. Also if Lia didnt get grabbed due to counterspell i would think Zogar would not of canceled the wall of fire.
Hrothgar turns to watch the situation with the undead and if they are moving or focussed on someone. (will need to know bit for my next turn).
For now Hrothgar will assume a defensive position 10ft from the edge of the plateau but outside the sickening fog created by Aerdeth. (using dodge) and using his bonus action to increase the light output of the sun blade watching if it affects any of the undead.
Quickly glancing around he should see that Lia/Emma are still on the pathway (unless counterspell failed) and seeing both Zogar and Aerdeth descend in their own way. Also if Lia didnt get grabbed due to counterspell i would think Zogar would not of canceled the wall of fire.
Just for clarity in everyone's posts, he will counterspell back. He's pissed and not taking any BS right now.
Quickly glancing around he should see that Lia/Emma are still on the pathway (unless counterspell failed) and seeing both Zogar and Aerdeth descend in their own way. Also if Lia didnt get grabbed due to counterspell i would think Zogar would not of canceled the wall of fire.
Just for clarity in everyone's posts, he will counterspell back. He's pissed and not taking any BS right now.
Zogar bestows the Blessing of Mythrien Sarath to Hrothgar.
Guidance roll to his perception: 1
"Or magic," Aerdeth suggests in response to Zogar. His darkvision helped, but it wasn't perfect, and he missed the vibrancy of color that light brought to the world.
Hearing the voices at the bottom of the cavern, Aerdeth peeks over. He could hear them, and see some light, but nothing here could work on. If they got a little further, though, the advantage would be significant.
"Careful. It's a fair distance down."
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
The owl familiar flies down to see how far down the drop is. How far down is it to the bottom of the area?
Hastings moves to the shadows as they enter the door, doing his best to keep quiet as they continue to walk.
Stealth: 31 (27 with reliable talent.)
Ducking down and moving over to where the wall stops and the open side begins, you peek over the edge and look down to see the pathway spirals around in a large circle downwards to the bottom of the cavern roughly one hundred and twenty feet below. The bottom is basically a large somewhat circular surface, except the the center has broken loose and floats freely, centered over a large pit of darkness below it. Twenty feet of blackness separates the floating center plate from the lip all the way around.
The center plate itself is an eighty foot diameter circle of stone with a large table placed in the center that holds the body of what appears to be a female dark elf clothed in a crimson gown. Placed symmetrically around the larger center table are five smaller ones holding the tied down and squirming bodies of the captive villagers. The villagers are arranged feet out and head inwards towards the center table and floating above each one is a different colored gemstone and you notice that small trickles of smokey light are slowly swirling up from each captive and being pulled into the gem above them, and those gems in turn fire five beams of energy into a multicolored gemstone necklace that is hovering over the dark elf in the center and a small trickle of energy spirals from the necklace down into her chest.
Standing at the end of each smaller table is a figure dressed in black hooded robes with skeletal hands held up high in the air as they chant a prayer in multiple languages (elvish, undercommon, infernal perhaps?) asking for the blessings of life, but also for preparation and lastly, power. Standing in a larger circle around the spectacle are various undead, all chanting along with the five and in the center, looking down at the dark elf on the center table with affection is Kor'Zakal.
Aerdeth
"Xiolthass," Aerdeth swears in Elven as he peeks over the stairs. They might not be too late, but they were cutting it close. There was too far to go, too many precious seconds wasted as they would descend ten flights worth of steps - and he knew how Hrothgar would act with hostages involved.
No. This chance could not be squandered. The ritual had to be disrupted. Forgive me, my friends. Guide their souls, my queen.
"May their eyes shine upon the final dawn as we save them from damnation," he prays.
Focusing on the sacrifice at the center of the ritual, he attempts to cast Sickening Radiance centered on that area, enveloping much of the platform in the pale light of an unknowable Shadowfell dawn.
((Yes, this is drastic and I trust you to hash it out however you see fit. If necessary, Initiative 20 to resolve conflicts. If the spell does go off, it's a DC 18 and 20 damage. ))
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
While walking down the stairs a bit already. When Hrothgar notices Aerdeth casting his spell he is already to late to stop him. He looks down to see the pale light cover the tables, his face goes almost equally pale for a moment in shock and horror to see the what he assumes would be the death of many captives.
In anger he rushes to Aerdeth and uses his shield to knock/push him against the wall pinning him there What have you done! They coul... They could of been saved. After a short and angry stare he pauzes taking a short glance at their path down. The muscles in his face clearly showing his jaw clenching as he grits his teeth in anger looking back at Aerdeth. Trying his best to focus on the bigger enemy, their mission, to kill the lich. Hrothgar glances back at the pathway down, a long way, with all the undead below knowing exactly where we are the path would be very dangerous to go down.
Hrothgar releases pressure of his shield no longer pinning Aerdeth, he takes a few steps walking backwards to the edge of the path. Looking at the others his voice calmer Journey down quickly. Once more he looks back to Aerdeth, his face now not showing anger but disappointment shaking his head slightly but says nothing as no words are to be said. He then lets himself fall backwards a little and pushes off with his feet dropping downwards into the cavern spinning to go headfirst.
As he falls down Hrothgar reaches for his belt and throws his Figurine of Wondrous Power (Bronze Griffon) slightly in front of him as he speaks the words Helios, i am in need of your aid! as an orange light engulfs the small statue it quickly grows in size spanning out many feet into the Griffon (called Helios). The Griffon has a white head and light brown/orange feathers starting at the neck down becoming a more brighter orange the closer the feathers are towards the end of its wings.
As it appeared beneath Hrothgar he is now lying on the creatures back taking hold of it to ride it down.
With the Griffon soaring down Hrothgar extends his hand now gripping the Sun Blade trying to make it shine as bright as he can shouting to bolster his courage for the fight that is about to come Aaaargghh!!! (imagining a Gandalf riding to helms deep moment but on a griffon :) ).
Hoping to add to the surprise with a blinding light to throw off or delay their attacks.
(since its 120ft and the Griffon flying 80ft a turn minus whatever movement i already used up i assume ill reach the center plate the next turn).
(Knowing Hrothgar for some years the others would be able to determine a few things about why Hrothgar did this. Ofcourse the angry at Aerdeth is obvious but his actions afterwards would be because Hrothgar might still believe there is hope to save someone down there. But more importantly they would of seen him look down the path. And being somewhat strategic they would know if the party would have to journey down now they would be sitting ducks for any casters/ranged shooting them down on the long pathway. So he did the only thing he felt he could do and the others would probably realize this. He went in first, risking his own life, to buy time for the others to go down a little safer. Because the mission and his party was more important than his own life).
(initiative if needed already 19)
Not sure if this will work, so let me know if I should revise it...
Emma casts dimension door bringing lia with her to a spot on the stairs below that is within 60 feet of the person at the center chanting their spell. If they cannot get within 60 feet on the stairs they would instead appear on the platform, just barely within 60 feet of the caster.
Lia would then cast counterspell at 7th-level. Targetting the one performing the ritual.
Zogar has a brief sense of shame that his first thought after Aerdeth's attack was relief that he didn't have to worry about the civilian's safety anymore. He quickly pushes that thought aside for later meditation while he steps off the stairwell and walks straight down the wall toward the platform.
As he moves forward he channels the power of the forge, and as his eyes burn with fury he drops a 5th level Wall of Fire in a ring around the ritual, disregarding his need for symmetry and encircling as many of the vile creatures as he can, directing the heat inward, toward the center of the ring.
Fire damage to all in the wall or inside the ring: 26. Dex 18 save for half.
One side of the wall, selected by you when you cast this spell, deals 6d8 fire damage to each creature that ends its turn within 10 feet of that side or inside the wall. A creature takes the same damage when it enters the wall for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. The other side of the wall deals no damage.
Zogar spiders 30' down the wall.
Initiative: 5
Hastings gives a glare but says nothing as he sheathes his blades and quickly readies his shortbow until they are in range of his blades. With a quick movement he will begin to rush down the steps as fast as he can.
Inititiative: 11
Time seems to slow down as the events of the moment take place. The dark elf on the center table had started to move, to cough raggedly as one might after holding their breath for far too long as Lia and Emma appeared on the platform nearby. As Lia countered the spell the lead figure had been casting, chaos ensued. The life energy being siphoned from the victims hadn't stopped, but the life energy being transferred to the dark elf had started to reverse making the spell go awry. The energy streaming backwards through the crystal pendant caused it to crack and spark, while the five gems over the victims shattered, spraying them with shrapnel as they screamed in agony.
Then the light came, the green luminescence that lit everything up in a dim greenish light as the victims finally stopped screaming and fell back lifeless on the tables that held them. The dark elf sat up violently, screaming in pain and reaching out for the glowing pendant above her. Finally the ring of fire drops, the skeletal minions running and burning to get out of the fire while the dark elf screams again as her flesh begins to bubble and burn, falling off in chunks as she falls back on the table, the pendant falling to the floor and shattering on impact. Her body rapidly ages as it burns and is finally mostly skeleton that begins to twist and mutate oddly, the hands growing large with sharp claws at the end as it shrieks loudly before falling back on the table motionless.
Kor'Zakal, seemingly unphased by the fire and light, looks from the dark elf to where Lia and Emma were through the roaring flames, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
He steps forward through the fire and casts Telekinesis, grabbing Lia with it, yanking her through the air into the green radiance next to him and the ring of fire.
Lia's Strength Save: 12
Sickening Radiance Save: 16 DMG: 19
Wall of Fire Dex Save: 25 DMG: 13As Hrothgar hurtles through the air on his griffon's back, Hastings and the other two groups run down the path to join the fight.
((Courtesy warning: Sickening Radiance also inflicts exhaustion on a failed save. I imagine the lich is immune, but we aren't. I can drop it if you all need it but I think it's still helping.))
Maintaining concentration in the Radiance, trying to wear down Kor'Zakal's defenses and chase away the shadows, Aerdeth sees Lia being pulled through the air. The area was hazardous, but he was more concerned with the ominous void of the pit beneath them. There could be no holding back.
He raises his arms, Obliviation taut and whispering in Elvish in his hands. 'Swift death to my enemies.'
"Swift death to those who have wronged us!" Comes Aerdeth's reply, far louder than he normally speaks. The Lich was his sworn enemy now. He fired two arrows, each the color of his Patron's heart, at the undead wizard.
Attack One: 31 to hit, dealing 9+10 piercing damage and 5 necrotic damage. (Critical hit!) The arrow explodes on impact as Aerdeth utilizes his Eldritch Smite for an additional 53 force damage.
Attack Two: 26 to hit, dealing 10+12 piercing damage and 5 necrotic damage.
As he fires he moves 30 feet through the air, straight down the shaft. Closer. Press the assault, a voice urges. Using his bonus action, Aerdeth calls upon the Blessings of the Raven Queen, teleporting 30 feet closer and gaining resistance to all damage until the start of his next turn.
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
"LIA, WATCH OUT FOR THE FI...shit...NEVERMIND!" He'd healed her from worse and she was a pretty tough nut to begin with.
Zogar is disturbed seeing an undead who appears to be immune to both fire and radiant damage. That doesn't align with his life (and death) experience.
As a courtesy to his favorite wizard he drops the wall of fire as he continues to walk down the wall, then, on a whim he calls on Mythrien Sarath once again and casts a basic Dispel Magic toward the lich, hoping to knock off some protective magic or illusion or at least the Telekinesis.
Wisdom check: 12
If Hastings manages to get in range he will fire his bow towards the lich even if he thinks that a regular weapon will have little chance of being of help.
Shortbow: Attack: 15 Damage: 10
Sneak Attack if any allies are nearby: 28
Emma casts counterspell as the mage tries to grab Lia with magic. Cast at level 6.
Lia sends a trio of magic missiles striking the mage...
Force Damage: 11
Emma casts chill touch
To hit: 12
Damage: 8
Hrothgar will (i assume) be able to reach the center plate and jump of Helios landing on his feet. Right before jumping off he commands the Griffon: Fly back up and get Hastings.
After landing Hrothgar looks at Helios and points his sword towards the direction Helios should fly, in a short line unless unsafe (not over any undead). With whatever movement he has left. Should be 40ft max so he would probably reach Hastings next turn and since my initiative is higher would reach Hastings before his turn begins (assuming it acts on my turn for simplicity).
Quickly glancing around he should see that Lia/Emma are still on the pathway (unless counterspell failed) and seeing both Zogar and Aerdeth descend in their own way. Also if Lia didnt get grabbed due to counterspell i would think Zogar would not of canceled the wall of fire.
Hrothgar turns to watch the situation with the undead and if they are moving or focussed on someone. (will need to know bit for my next turn).
For now Hrothgar will assume a defensive position 10ft from the edge of the plateau but outside the sickening fog created by Aerdeth. (using dodge) and using his bonus action to increase the light output of the sun blade watching if it affects any of the undead.
Just for clarity in everyone's posts, he will counterspell back. He's pissed and not taking any BS right now.
(At 6th level? That's a win!)