There was no way that the ship we summoned the elemental on to ("Attack the sails" iirc) was within close range.
Edit: I stand corrected. RAM THE MOON! I WISH TO SUMMON A FIRE ELEMENTAL AT IT!
I could see that working, if we had it already rigged up and available to Pepper. That's the sort of thing we would need to arrange beforehand, otherwise we would be retrieving it from a bag and giving to to Pepper to use, and in that case it would be more reasonable to just use it ourselves.
I could see that working, if we had it already rigged up and available to Pepper. That's the sort of thing we would need to arrange beforehand, otherwise we would be retrieving it from a bag and giving to to Pepper to use, and in that case it would be more reasonable to just use it ourselves.
Maybe in future we make a collar for Pepper with Fire Elemental gem attached to it? I'm sure he would love to have accessory he can use to summon a rage monster to kill his enemies, lol.
I could see that working, if we had it already rigged up and available to Pepper. That's the sort of thing we would need to arrange beforehand, otherwise we would be retrieving it from a bag and giving to to Pepper to use, and in that case it would be more reasonable to just use it ourselves.
Ok, we don't have time to do it in the pre-buff period for this battle, but I want to have Cob make a tiny collar/harness with an inset for the gem that Pepper can wear so he can be in contact with it for the future. Like literally, a strip of leather would do.
Cob could make it when we get back to the Caravan. Less than an hour's work.
----
Follow up idea - Do we think that summoning this Fire Elemental is worth another Invisibility spell? I think it is. (Also, an invisible Pepper might prove useful)
If it is worth that, I have an Idea. Because we're not actually at the battlefield and so I think the bolded bit of your post can be worked around.
1. We either took Pepper with us, or Mina summons him via hexing herself.
2. Pepper spends a full round action switching to +8 Perception, or some other skill that'll best help him sussing out the second Shadow Demon if it's about. Religion maybe?
3. Pepper is made invisible.
4. Pepper is carried in someone's (invisible) hands, where that person is also holding the gem under pepper, so Pepper is in contact with the gem.
5. Pepper has a readied action to activate the gem and direct the elemental to attack an appropriately paced ogre (standard action) when things kick off, before the person holding him has their turn.
6. He takes his 5 foot step (as part of the readied action rules) to jump off the person holding him and then keeps an eye out for surprises/is on hand to try and help people like he tried with Urgor (still invisible).
7. The gem is either placed back in someone's pocket if it's a free action to do so, and if not then it's just dropped and allowed to fall to ground to be picked up at the end.
Updated my plan to have Cob sic the Fire Elemental on the other lead Ogre. It might destroy some loot, but I doubt it. That Ogre isn't likely to have anything good, and the Elemental probably won't have a chance to kill it before it is either destroyed or it's duration elapses.
Ok, we don't have time to do it in the pre-buff period for this battle, but I want to have Cob make a tiny collar/harness with an inset for the gem that Pepper can wear so he can be in contact with it for the future. Like literally, a strip of leather would do.
Cob could make it when we get back to the Caravan. Less than an hour's work.
----
Follow up idea - Do we think that summoning this Fire Elemental is worth another Invisibility spell? I think it is. (Also, an invisible Pepper might prove useful)
If it is worth that, I have an Idea. Because we're not actually at the battlefield and so I think the bolded bit of your post can be worked around.
1. We either took Pepper with us, or Mina summons him via hexing herself.
2. Pepper spends a full round action switching to +8 Perception, or some other skill that'll best help him sussing out the second Shadow Demon if it's about. Religion maybe?
3. Pepper is made invisible.
4. Pepper is carried in someone's (invisible) hands, where that person is also holding the gem under pepper, so Pepper is in contact with the gem.
5. Pepper has a readied action to activate the gem and direct the elemental to attack an appropriately paced ogre (standard action) when things kick off, before the person holding him has their turn.
6. He takes his 5 foot step (as part of the readied action rules) to jump off the person holding him and then keeps an eye out for surprises/is on hand to try and help people like he tried with Urgor (still invisible).
7. The gem is either placed back in someone's pocket if it's a free action to do so, and if not then it's just dropped and allowed to fall to ground to be picked up at the end.
It's one thing to have change our spell loadouts a bit. This feels too much like relying on meta knowledge about the upcoming fight, IMO.
I do, however, like the idea of making a harness for Pepper to wear in the future when we might want him to activate the gem. That's something to do later.
As for using another Invisibility spell, there isn't a good time to do it here, or much of a reason. Taking the time to do it mid-fight doesn't make any sense. If you mean casting it on the Elemental, that also doesn't work. The duration of the Summoning is too short to make that practical, and it would be easily visible when Summoned on account of being a Large-sized fire monster.
I do, however, like the idea of making a harness for Pepper to wear in the future when we might want him to activate the gem. That's something to do later.
I love idea of a new magical collared Pepper sneaking into a city center, cause he is cat, and unleashing a fire elemental to either destroy or distract.
Are we giving a cat too much power in that case? Feels like a slippery slope.
Updated my plan to have Cob sic the Fire Elemental on the other lead Ogre. It might destroy some loot, but I doubt it. That Ogre isn't likely to have anything good, and the Elemental probably won't have a chance to kill it before it is either destroyed or it's duration elapses.
It's one thing to have change our spell loadouts a bit. This feels too much like relying on meta knowledge about the upcoming fight, IMO.
I do, however, like the idea of making a harness for Pepper to wear in the future when we might want him to activate the gem. That's something to do later.
As for using another Invisibility spell, there isn't a good time to do it here, or much of a reason. Taking the time to do it mid-fight doesn't make any sense. If you mean casting it on the Elemental, that also doesn't work. The duration of the Summoning is too short to make that practical, and it would be easily visible when Summoned on account of being a Large-sized fire monster.
I'm glad you're on board with the making a harness idea, but I fundamentally disagree that getting Pepper to use the gem now is relying on meta knowledge.
IC, we know we are going in to fight ogres.
IC, we are choosing to going in invisible, and we're buffing up beforehand.
"Have the idea to have an Invisible Pepper use the gem against an Ogre that's positioned away from any that are grouped up and thus are good targets for a web spell" is 100% IC.
There's no metaknowledge planning in there that I can see. I'm genuinely at a loss as to how this is metagaming... I don't like to make work for people, but please explain your reasoning.
My perspective: Pepper being able to use the gem is a good idea for any fight, and the only reason we haven't done it in the past it is that we didn't think of it. Now we have thought of it OOC, and IC we thought of it while we were buffing before the battle while trying to figure out who's time would be best spent on using the gem.
----
I mean casting invisibility on Pepper. And to do so before the battle, at the same time we're casting the other invisibilities.
So there's no chance of a(n admittedly stealthy) floating cat attracting attention.
So he can summon the elemental (does not break invisibility) and is around to attempt aid actions as needed/make perception checks. While invisible.
I love idea of a new magical collared Pepper sneaking into a city center, cause he is cat, and unleashing a fire elemental to either destroy or distract.
Are we giving a cat too much power in that case? Feels like a slippery slope.
I was thinking about that, and I think it's too risky for Pepper to be carrying magic items unless there's a party member present or there's a really good reason to take the chance.
If Pepper gets discorporated, any items he has on his person will just fall to the ground ready to to be picked up by whover did the deed.
It's fine in battle, because we'll be there to pick them up at the end if he gets popped, but if he's on his own then those items are gone.
I love idea of a new magical collared Pepper sneaking into a city center, cause he is cat, and unleashing a fire elemental to either destroy or distract.
Are we giving a cat too much power in that case? Feels like a slippery slope.
My perspective: Pepper being able to use the gem is a good idea, and the only reason we haven't done it in the past it is that we didn't think of it. Now we have thought of it OOC, and IC we thought of it while we were buffing before the battle while trying to figure out who's time would be best spent on using the gem.
----
I mean casting invisibility on Pepper. And to do so before the battle, at the same time we're casting the other invisibilities.
So there's no chance of a(n admittedly stealthy) floating cat attracting attention.
So he can summon the elemental (does not break invisibility) and is around to attempt aid actions as needed/make perception checks. While invisible.
I just don't think it is something we would have even considered if we didn't already know the particulars of this upcoming fight. Wasting a 2nd level spell slot on an Invisibility spell for a Familiar is no small thing at our level, and we've not had any previous inkling of a thought about rigging up something for Pepper to be able to carry and activate the gem.
I just don't think it is something we would have even considered if we didn't already know the particulars of this upcoming fight. Wasting a 2nd level spell slot on an Invisibility spell for a Familiar is no small thing at our level, and we've not had any previous inkling of a thought about rigging up something for Pepper to be able to carry and activate the gem.
And allowing Pepper to be able to use the gem for a fight is absolutely something that I do not need to know the particulars of a fight to come up with. I've been considering how to make use of the gem and the launchers without using an action for some time now - literally at some point before any fight, or even any time IRL while idly musing, I was going to come up with the idea of "have Pepper activate the gem, his actions are the least valuable". And I* came up with it here.
On our way to fight nine ogres that are confident about their chances of taking on a dragon and wining.
And I'm not viewing the spell as 'make Familiar invisible', primarily, for this battle it's 'summon 60hp fire elemental distraction'.
This is frustrating to me, because there's no way for you to know that I'm not lying.
I want Pepper to have a cat-sized wand/activated item harness that's designed to teleport back to Mina when he discorporates.
I want him to have a cat-magitech mecha-suit to run around in and I want it to transform because that's cool.
---
*also Massgamer too, I think he actually posted the idea of having Pepper wear a harness while I was editing one of my posts to include the idea. Spiffy.
And allowing Pepper to be able to use the gem for a fight is absolutely something that I do not need to know the particulars of a fight to come up with. I've been considering how to make use of the gem and the launchers without using an action for some time now - literally at some point before any fight, or even any time IRL while idly musing, I was going to come up with the idea of "have Pepper activate the gem, his actions are the least valuable". And I* came up with it here.
On our way to fight nine ogres that are confident about their chances of taking on a dragon and wining.
And I'm not viewing the spell as 'make Familiar invisible', primarily, for this battle it's 'summon 60hp fire elemental distraction'.
This is frustrating to me, because there's no way for you to know that I'm not lying.
I want Pepper to have a cat-sized wand/activated item harness that's designed to teleport back to Mina when he discorporates.
I want him to have a cat-magitech mecha-suit to run around in and I want it to transform because that's cool.
---
*also Massgamer too, I think he actually posted the idea of having Pepper wear a harness while I was editing one of my posts to include the idea. Spiffy.
Dude, I don't think your lying. I just don't like the idea of implementing your idea in this manner. It doesn't feel appropriate to me. If the idea had been presented earlier, I would be fine with including it. I'm all for having Cob and Gorok make Pepper a neat little harness or pouch to carry items like the gem or other stuff as soon as we get back to the expedition.
If you want to use it for this fight, however, you're gonna need to make a new version of the plan that includes it.
That means more to me than I would have expected it to.
----
I'll do what I'm best at, and take your thoughtful and diligent work and edit a few bits. Mainly by adding blackjack. And hookers.
Actually, I'm posting this, but I want to ask you about edits to both our plans; Sylestrix -according to the below link - has Mage Armour (and comprehend languages) 4/day.
She doesn't need Mina to cast it on her. Mina's slot would be better spent on Hermean Potentials. Bonus points if we can ask Sylestrix to cast Mage Armour on other people, so that's another Hermean Potential available (one should go on Sylestrix imo; "buff for a buff" type deal).
Also, Outer Dragons can see through Deeper Darkness just fine. So that's neat. Maybe Sylestrix should go after the demon first if it gets a Deeper Darkness off and Mina's turn is way down in the order?
[X] Plan: Surprise, but also pepper uses the Gem
-[X] Preparation prior to setting out with Sylestrix:
--[X] Mina prepares an extra Mage Armor spell in place of Sleep, an extra Hermean Potential spell in place of Ear-Piercing Scream, an extra Invisibility spell in place of Glitterdust, and an extra Heroism spell in place of Dispel Magic.
--[X] Sirim prepares a Ray of Enfeeblement spell in place of Silent Image, and an extra Invisibility spell in place of Darkness. --[X] Gorok keeps an Ant Haul spell prepared for the return trip, but also prepares a Lead Blades spell.
-[X] Pre-Fight Buffs:
--[X] If Pepper is not present, Mina uses Slumber on herself to summon him. Mina casts See Invisibility on herself, Mage Armor on herself and Sylestrix, Hermean Potential and Heroism on Cob and Gorok, and Invisibility on herself and Cob.
--[X] Pepper changes his racial bonus to +8 Perception.
--[X] Sirim casts Shield, Mage Armor, and Mirror Image on himself, Invisibility on himself and Gorok, Magic Circle Against Evil on himself, and Haste on the entire party.
--[X] Kori activates his Cloak of Darkness Revelation, casts Protection from Evil on Sylestrix, Cob, Gorok, and himself, Divine Favor on himself, Bless on everyone, Invisibility on himself and Pepper, and Channel Vigor on himself with it set to the Spirit effect for now.
--[X] Gorok casts Lead Blades.
-[X] Fight:
--[X] The Ogres will respond very differently when they expect a lone Dragon when the fight starts, only to discover she brought an entire group of Invisible adventurers to the party.
---[X] Pepper is held in Kori's hands, sitting on top of the Gem of Foes fire, with a readied action when things kick off to use it against one of the lesser ogres at the edge (so it won't interfere with any possible web placements). He then uses his five foot step to jump out of Kori's hands and stays stealthy (and invisible), making perception checks in case of surprises, or aid actions if helpful. If it's a free action to do so, Kori puts away the gem, otherwise he just lets it fall to the ground to be retrieved at the end.
---[X] Mina casts Daylight. If a Shadow Demon Dispels it, she immediately moves to cast another Daylight spell. If it it not Dispelled, her next move is instead to cast a Web spell to capture as many Ogres as possible. She is careful to avoid affecting allies, and instead uses Glitterdust from her staff if the Web spell would hit them.
---[X] Sirim targets the lesser Ogres with an Hypnotic Pattern spell. He next moves to target one of the lead Ogres with a Ray of Enfeeblement spell, choosing whichever seems most dangerous at the time, unless an Ogre approaches his position, in which case he targets them with a Color Spray spell Throughout the fight, he remains close to Mina to make certain she is protected by his Magic Circle.
---[X] Kori targets as the Ogres with a Burst of Radiance spell, aiming to affect both apparent leaders if possible, or the boss and nearby subordinates if the leaders are too far apart. His next spell is another Burst of Radiance, again aiming to Blind as many Ogres as possible, especially any that get close to his position.
---[X] Cob uses the Launcher to shoot a Fungal Stun Vial into the group of Ogres, attempting to affect as many as possible.. Afterwards, he closes to melee with the Ogres, Sneak Attacking when possible, using Debilitating Injury to Disorient targets (-2 penalty to attack bonus, or -4 vs Cob).
---[X] Sirim, Kori, and Cob all try not to overlap their attacks if the Ogres are spread too far apart, but if they are bunched up tightly, they pile them on for maximum effect.
---[X] Gorok focus on the Shadow Demon, either Power Attacking it with his sword if it is within melee range or Deadly Aim with his bow if it is out of reach.
---[X] Sylestrix targets the boss Ogre.
Actually, I'm posting this, but I want to ask you about edits to both our plans; Sylestrix -according to the below link - has Mage Armour (and comprehend languages) 4/day.
She doesn't need Mina to cast it on her. Mina's slot would be better spent on Hermean Potentials. Bonus points if we can ask Sylestrix to cast Mage Armour on other people, so that's another Hermean Potential available (one should go on Sylestrix imo; "buff for a buff" type deal).
Also, Outer Dragons can see through Deeper Darkness just fine. So that's neat. Maybe Sylestrix should go after the demon first if it gets a Deeper Darkness off and Mina's turn is way down in the order?
Nah, Sylestrix is much better off attacking the boss Ogre. It is by far the more dangerous physical threat compared to the Shadow Demon, and Gorok gets significant bonuses for fighting against Evil Outsiders. The Ogre needs to be kept occupied, ASAP.
This depends on what spells Sylestrix knows. @DragonParadox?
If her spells work for it, I'll update my plan appropriately.
Nah, Sylestrix is much better off attacking the boss Ogre. It is by far the more dangerous physical threat compared to the Shadow Demon, and Gorok gets significant bonuses for fighting against Evil Outsiders. The Ogre needs to be kept occupied, ASAP.
Actually, I think that might be metagaming, ish - if we're not careful.
Or this idea might be full on 'you should have planned this earlier, and you're going in with what you have', which would be fair.
I do think that we'd know what spells Sylestrix has, because the party tried to communicate the idea of 'psionics' to her, and part of the update stated 'knows spells of the first circle'.
And, if we're having the party planning ahead carefully with regard to prepared spells, then Mina could have left up to two of her slots open (she can leave up to 20% of her slots free, she has 11 slots) and have had run the idea of having Sylestrix cast Mage Armours on the party by Sylestrix.
Depending on Sylestrix's response; yes/no/I've already used some for Comprehend Languages today - Mina could have had then prepared Mage Armour/Hermean Potential as appropriate while waiting at Sylestrix's tower.
Yep. Like @BeepSmile said, if we don't need to Mage Armor her, that leaves a different spell for Mina to use. And it would make sense for us to know Sylestrix has Mage Armor, since we've fought alongside her before.
[X] Plan: Surprise, but also Pepper uses the Gem. Blackjack and hookers... later.
-[X] Preparation prior to setting out with Sylestrix: --[X] Mina prepares two extra Hermean Potential spells in place of Ear-Piercing Scream and Sleep, an extra Invisibility spell in place of Glitterdust, and an extra Heroism spell in place of Dispel Magic.
--[X] Sirim prepares a Ray of Enfeeblement spell in place of Silent Image, and an extra Invisibility spell in place of Darkness. --[X] Gorok keeps an Ant Haul spell prepared for the return trip, but also prepares a Lead Blades spell.
-[X] Pre-Fight Buffs:
--[X] If Pepper is not present, Mina uses Slumber on herself to summon him. Mina casts See Invisibility and Mage Armor on herself, Hermean Potential on Sylestrix, Hermean Potential and Heroism on Cob and Gorok, and Invisibility on herself and Cob.
--[X] Pepper changes his racial bonus to +8 Perception.
--[X] Sirim casts Shield, Mage Armor, and Mirror Image on himself, Invisibility on himself and Gorok, Magic Circle Against Evil on himself, and Haste on the entire party.
--[X] Kori activates his Cloak of Darkness Revelation, casts Protection from Evil on Sylestrix, Cob, Gorok, and himself, Divine Favor on himself, Bless on everyone, Invisibility on himself and Pepper, and Channel Vigor on himself with it set to the Spirit effect for now.
--[X] Gorok casts Lead Blades.
-[X] Fight:
--[X] The Ogres will respond very differently when they expect a lone Dragon when the fight starts, only to discover she brought an entire group of Invisible adventurers to the party.
---[X] Pepper is held in Kori's hands, sitting on top of the Gem of Foes fire, with a readied action when things kick off to use it against one of the lesser ogres at the edge (so it won't interfere with any possible web placements). He then uses his five foot step to jump out of Kori's hands and stays stealthy (and invisible), making perception checks in case of surprises, or aid actions if helpful. If it's a free action to do so, Kori puts away the gem, otherwise he just lets it fall to the ground to be retrieved at the end.
---[X] Mina casts Daylight. If a Shadow Demon Dispels it, she immediately moves to cast another Daylight spell. If it it not Dispelled, her next move is instead to cast a Web spell to capture as many Ogres as possible. She is careful to avoid affecting allies, and instead uses Glitterdust from her staff if the Web spell would hit them.
---[X] Sirim targets the lesser Ogres with an Hypnotic Pattern spell. He next moves to target one of the lead Ogres with a Ray of Enfeeblement spell, choosing whichever seems most dangerous at the time, unless an Ogre approaches his position, in which case he targets them with a Color Spray spell Throughout the fight, he remains close to Mina to make certain she is protected by his Magic Circle.
---[X] Kori targets as the Ogres with a Burst of Radiance spell, aiming to affect both apparent leaders if possible, or the boss and nearby subordinates if the leaders are too far apart. His next spell is another Burst of Radiance, again aiming to Blind as many Ogres as possible, especially any that get close to his position.
---[X] Cob uses the Launcher to shoot a Fungal Stun Vial into the group of Ogres, attempting to affect as many as possible.. Afterwards, he closes to melee with the Ogres, Sneak Attacking when possible, using Debilitating Injury to Disorient targets (-2 penalty to attack bonus, or -4 vs Cob).
---[X] Sirim, Kori, and Cob all try not to overlap their attacks if the Ogres are spread too far apart, but if they are bunched up tightly, they pile them on for maximum effect.
---[X] Gorok focus on the Shadow Demon, either Power Attacking it with his sword if it is within melee range or Deadly Aim with his bow if it is out of reach.
---[X] Sylestrix targets the boss Ogre.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Sep 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM, finished with 47 posts and 5 votes.
[X] Surprise! -[X] Preparation prior to setting out with Sylestrix: --[X] Mina prepares two extra Hermean Potential spells in place of Ear-Piercing Scream and Sleep, an extra Invisibility spell in place of Glitterdust, and an extra Heroism spell in place of Dispel Magic. --[X] Sirim prepares a Ray of Enfeeblement spell in place of Silent Image, and an extra Invisibility spell in place of Darkness. --[X] Gorok keeps an Ant Haul spell prepared for the return trip, but also prepares a Lead Blades spell. -[X] Pre-Fight Buffs: --[X] Mina casts See Invisibility and Mage Armor on herself, Hermean Potential on Sylestrix, Hermean Potential and Heroism on Cob and Gorok, and Invisibility on herself and Cob. --[X] Sirim casts Shield, Mage Armor, and Mirror Image on himself, Invisibility on himself and Gorok, Magic Circle Against Evil on himself, and Haste on the entire party. --[X] Kori activates his Cloak of Darkness Revelation, casts Protection from Evil on Sylestrix, Cob, Gorok, and himself, Divine Favor on himself, Bless on everyone, Invisibility on himself, and Channel Vigor on himself with it set to the Spirit effect for now. --[X] Gorok casts Lead Blades on his sword. -[X] Fight: --[X] The Ogres will respond very differently when they expect a lone Dragon when the fight starts, only to discover she brought an entire group of Invisible adventurers to the party. ---[X] Mina casts Daylight. If a Shadow Demon Dispels it, she immediately moves to cast another Daylight spell. If it it not Dispelled, her next move is instead to cast a Web spell to capture as many Ogres as possible. She is careful to avoid affecting allies, and instead uses Glitterdust from her staff if the Web spell would hit them. ---[X] Sirim targets the lesser Ogres with an Hypnotic Pattern spell. He next moves to target one of the lead Ogres with a Ray of Enfeeblement spell, choosing whichever seems most dangerous at the time, unless an Ogre approaches his position, in which case he targets them with a Color Spray spell Throughout the fight, he remains close to Mina to make certain she is protected by his Magic Circle. ---[X] Kori targets the Ogres with a Burst of Radiance spell, aiming to affect both apparent leaders if possible, or the boss and nearby subordinates if the leaders are too far apart. His next spell is another Burst of Radiance, again aiming to Blind as many Ogres as possible, especially any that get close to his position. ---[X] Cob uses the Launcher to shoot a Fungal Stun Vial into the group of Ogres, attempting to affect as many as possible. Afterward, he uses the Gem of Foe's Pyre to Summon a large fire elemental to attack the lead Ogre which Sylestrix isn't already fighting. Afterwards, he closes to melee with the Ogres, Sneak Attacking when possible, using Debilitating Injury to Disorient targets (-2 penalty to attack bonus, or -4 vs Cob). ---[X] Sirim, Kori, and Cob all try not to overlap their attacks if the Ogres are spread too far apart, but if they are bunched up tightly, they pile them on for maximum effect. ---[X] Gorok focus on the Shadow Demon, either Power Attacking it with his sword if it is within melee range or Deadly Aim with his bow if it is out of reach. ---[X] Sylestrix targets the boss Ogre.
[X] Plan: Surprise, but also Pepper uses the Gem. Blackjack and hookers... later. -[X] Preparation prior to setting out with Sylestrix: --[X] Mina prepares two extra Hermean Potential spells in place of Ear-Piercing Scream and Sleep, an extra Invisibility spell in place of Glitterdust, and an extra Heroism spell in place of Dispel Magic. --[X] Sirim prepares a Ray of Enfeeblement spell in place of Silent Image, and an extra Invisibility spell in place of Darkness. --[X] Gorok keeps an Ant Haul spell prepared for the return trip, but also prepares a Lead Blades spell. -[X] Pre-Fight Buffs: --[X] If Pepper is not present, Mina uses Slumber on herself to summon him. Mina casts See Invisibility and Mage Armor on herself, Hermean Potential on Sylestrix, Hermean Potential and Heroism on Cob and Gorok, and Invisibility on herself and Cob. --[X] Pepper changes his racial bonus to +8 Perception. --[X] Sirim casts Shield, Mage Armor, and Mirror Image on himself, Invisibility on himself and Gorok, Magic Circle Against Evil on himself, and Haste on the entire party. --[X] Kori activates his Cloak of Darkness Revelation, casts Protection from Evil on Sylestrix, Cob, Gorok, and himself, Divine Favor on himself, Bless on everyone, Invisibility on himself and Pepper, and Channel Vigor on himself with it set to the Spirit effect for now. --[X] Gorok casts Lead Blades. -[X] Fight: --[X] The Ogres will respond very differently when they expect a lone Dragon when the fight starts, only to discover she brought an entire group of Invisible adventurers to the party. ---[X] Pepper is held in Kori's hands, sitting on top of the Gem of Foes fire, with a readied action when things kick off to use it against one of the lesser ogres at the edge (so it won't interfere with any possible web placements). He then uses his five foot step to jump out of Kori's hands and stays stealthy (and invisible), making perception checks in case of surprises, or aid actions if helpful. If it's a free action to do so, Kori puts away the gem, otherwise he just lets it fall to the ground to be retrieved at the end. ---[X] Mina casts Daylight. If a Shadow Demon Dispels it, she immediately moves to cast another Daylight spell. If it it not Dispelled, her next move is instead to cast a Web spell to capture as many Ogres as possible. She is careful to avoid affecting allies, and instead uses Glitterdust from her staff if the Web spell would hit them. ---[X] Sirim targets the lesser Ogres with an Hypnotic Pattern spell. He next moves to target one of the lead Ogres with a Ray of Enfeeblement spell, choosing whichever seems most dangerous at the time, unless an Ogre approaches his position, in which case he targets them with a Color Spray spell Throughout the fight, he remains close to Mina to make certain she is protected by his Magic Circle. ---[X] Kori targets as the Ogres with a Burst of Radiance spell, aiming to affect both apparent leaders if possible, or the boss and nearby subordinates if the leaders are too far apart. His next spell is another Burst of Radiance, again aiming to Blind as many Ogres as possible, especially any that get close to his position. ---[X] Cob uses the Launcher to shoot a Fungal Stun Vial into the group of Ogres, attempting to affect as many as possible.. Afterwards, he closes to melee with the Ogres, Sneak Attacking when possible, using Debilitating Injury to Disorient targets (-2 penalty to attack bonus, or -4 vs Cob). ---[X] Sirim, Kori, and Cob all try not to overlap their attacks if the Ogres are spread too far apart, but if they are bunched up tightly, they pile them on for maximum effect. ---[X] Gorok focus on the Shadow Demon, either Power Attacking it with his sword if it is within melee range or Deadly Aim with his bow if it is out of reach. ---[X] Sylestrix targets the boss Ogre.
Unseen, you rush into the camp, the first mark of your presence a flash of gold that casts the giant-kin into even more gruesome light and leaves the demon cowering, at least until the darkness bubbles from the ground to overcome it, yet no shadow can veil the savagery of a dragon unleashed: fangs that tear through rusted plate and claws, that rip through chain like cloth, wings that batter like thunder from the blue, and she turns a strike of her tail that should have sent the chieftain sprawling, but some darker think has its hand on him as he roars and swings viciously, carving into the muscle of her right back leg where it meets the body.
Sylestrix Attacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (5 Hits, 1 Miss)
Sylestrix Re-roll: 19 (Hit)
Ogre Chief takes 48 Damage -> Now at 59/107
Ogre Chief Attack: 31 (Hit)
Sylestrix takes 25 Damage -> Now at 80/105
An even fight and more than even if she were here alone, but alone she is not. Sirim proves it, snaring one of the warriors as they try to rise from their torpor with brilliant light and patterns, Gorok proves it, two arrows flying one after another to rip through the demon's black form, Cob proves it, with a thump and shot of an ancient launcher, still fine enough to use, a flash of blue among a pair just rousing. Bone fetish and axe both fall among the weeds.
Hypnotic Patterns HD limit: 8 -> Two Ogres
Will Saves vs Spell: 16, 15 (Success, Failure) -> One Ogre Enchanted
Gorok Shots: 18, 26 (Hit, Hit) -> Shadow Demon Takes 6 Damage -> Now at 53/59
Will Saves vs Fungal Stun Vial: 9, 18 (Failure, Failure)
"You think you're better than us?" the great gorger chuckles through a mouth full of blood. "You think feedin' us to the dragon'll change somethin'? All snug in yer little beds, warm in yer little houses while we live in the dark. When the dark comes prowling the world again, we'll be ready for it, we'll be used to it, and you'll be lookin' up at he'ven ta save ye. There ain't no he'ven, just the dark and it's hungry."
At these words another of the hooded ogres holding a bone talisman raises it and roars, half in hunger, half in rage, and courage and will fills the remaining Ogre folk.
A cat with a gem between his paws is not what most would call a weapon in such a time as this, but that's what you throw, that's what flies, and then the forest floor goes all alight, the fire roaring upon the flesh of the priest, though it finds no purchase. By the time Pepper had landed you are already intoning a spell to gift them some of that 'feeble light'. You close your eyes and smile at the screams of blinded foes.
Elemental Attacks: 14, 16 (Miss, Miss)
Ogre Priest Reflex: 1d20-1 = 16 (Failure)
Ogre Reflex: 1d20 = 17 (Failure)
Ogre Priest and Warrior are Blinded for 2 Turns
Ogre Priest takes 14 Damage -> Now at 37/51
Ogre takes 14 Damage -> Now at 16/30
Alas, they aren't the only ones who scream. One of the giant-kin, more lucky than the rest, had avoided your attacks and charges Cob with with a stone mallet, thinking to crush him like a bug. Your friend's fast, but not quite fast enough, as the weapon lands on his foot. With hoots and roars that have nothing of speech in them, another of the foes charges you, but as you raise your guard you're hit instead with a gust of fetid air. In place of the ogre you had expected to fight is their chief looking down with gleeful cruelty.
You raise your guard, what else can you do? But in that moment the air explodes with sound and light, an eel flash to fit a monster flies from Mina's staff to strike the armored behemoth in the temple. He barely seems to twitch, the sword now coming down.
There is no pain, only the dreadful crunch of shattering bone as Sylestrix lands behind him and bites off his head whole before spitting it out in disgust, hissing a curse in her own dragon-tongue, for all you don't speak it you know the tone all too well.
A horrid belly laugh swallows your words as the headless corpse of the warlord gets back to its feet, sword still in hand, held with no less skill than before. How can something without a head look hungry?
"Truly, the might of Haggakal is without end!" Sirim calls out as loud as he can, which is not loud at all, but for the silence that had descended, reverent on one side and horrified on the other. "Beside the end the dragon spit out, that is."
OOC: Sylestrix and her family has beef with the Ogre God of cannibalism and inbreeding claiming to be a moon god, so when she killed one of his champions she decided to say the most insulting thing that passed through her mind. Sirim, seeing this and the undead ogre... decided to taunt it. No, seriously though, it is good strategy since both you and the dragon are going to get an Attack of Opportunity now, and unlike the rest of you, Sirim can fly.
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Boneshaker
An undead creature takes no damage. Instead, you manipulate the undead, forcing it to take an immediate action to either move up to its speed (provoking attacks of opportunity as normal) or make a single attack against a creature of your choice in its reach. Either of these is the most basic version of the action the creature can take (it doesn't activate any special abilities that it could apply to the movement or attack, such as grab). A successful saving throw negates this effect. A mindless undead creature doesn't receive a save against this effect.
This is hard to plan out because it's very position-dependant, but I wonder if we can make it walk away from Sirim, past Cob, so Cob can get an AoO sneak attack.
And with a crit bluff on that taunt, I'm fairly confident that the undead ogre is likely to still go after Sirim. Which might mean that Cob gets another AoO.
Edit: Apart from the sudden raising of the Ogre, Goldfish's stun/debuff plan looks to be working quite well indeed.
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