20061021 Aishapra03

<H1> Aishapra's Talisman: Clone Wars </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Thorfinn </TD>
 <TD> 16th Human Bard </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kha'Narek </TD>
 <TD> 13th Githzerai (ECL15) Monk </TD>
 <TD> Matt Miller </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Deluwen Seradrake </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/3rd/5th Grey Elf Wizard/Psionicist/Cerebremancer </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Paxus </TD>
 <TD> 11th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 19th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 10/6/4/3 Half-Elf/Half-Invevitable Fighter/Thief/Divine Seeker/Planar Champion (ECL 28) </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 15th (ECL 22) Wemic Druid </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 22nd Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
The party enters the Whispering Labyrinth. As they enter the corridor, they can hear the whispered compulsions coming from all directions. Fortunately, thanks to the Magic Circle Against Evil effect of the Auric's Hallow spell, the party is able to ignore the compulsions.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
"Take your time and look around..."<BR />"Relax, there's nothing to worry about..."<BR />"Why don't you just sit down and look around..?"
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As the party follows the ghost of Maximeliano, Grackle hears the sound of high registered voices babbling. The ghost of Maximeliano goes around a corner and continues singing. As he creeps past an opening, there are a bunch of small squat powerful creatures bristling with weapons. He spots approximately 20 of them. As the party passes the same opening, several hear (DC 20 Listen) the babbling of the creatures.
Kill'Dar and Paxus go around the corner. They see a large group of tough battle scarred goblins. As Kill'Dar examines them more closely, they are carrying an unusually large amount of weapons for their group size. It's as if they are carrying equipment for a group about 2-3 times their current population.
Paxus notices that the goblins appear quite desperate and he pulls out two days worth of Iron Rations and offers it to the goblins. The two goblins go up to get the food and they appear to try to run by Kill'Dar and Paxus. (Peter: "Roll initiative")
<B>Round 1:</B> Kill'Dar tries to stop the goblins from fleeing the room. Kha'Narek moves up next to Kill'Dar. Auric moves up and pushes past the two goblins into the room. Inside, he sees the remaining goblins all pointing their bows at him.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Auric:</B> Why don't you all calm down and just eat your food. You look overequipped for your party size.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Steps into the room and casts Bigby's Forceful Hand, pushing back several goblins) We are few but we fight like many. Can we talk?
<B>"Leader":</B> (Looks hesitant)
<B>Paxus:</B> How long have you been here?
<B>"Leader":</B> More than 3 days.
<B>Paxus:</B> Are you originally from Acheron.
<B>"Leader":</B> We all serve Maglubiet who lives on Acheron.
<B>Paxus:</B> 
<B>"Leader":</B> And you, how long have you been here?
<B>Paxus:</B> We just got here.
<B>Paxus:</B> Tell me how you got here.
<B>"Leader":</B> We were searching for treasure...and we stumbled into an entrance.
<B>Paxus:</B> What things have you fought since you've been here?
<B>"Leader":</B> You and the ghost go that way. We go that way.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> There's no door that way--the wall closed behind us.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Based on how they dress and their accent, they appear to actually be from Acheron.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Have you fought yourselves or someone like you more than once.
<B>"Leader":</B> (Thinks) Possibly...maybe...
</BLOCKQUOTE>
From Sense Motive, 
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Auric:</B> As long as they don't try to become a direct threat.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> So, I think I can come up with something mutually beneficial here. If you don't betray us.
<B>"Second Leader":</B> So, how will you do this and what must we do in return in order for us to go back to Acheron?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I'll cast magicks.
<B>"Second Leader":</B> I understand magic. What will you do to get us out?
<B>"Real Leader":</B> I am the leader. What do we have to do?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Describes gate magic)
<B>Kobold Leaders:</B> (Look skeptical)
<B>Paxus:</B> Let me put it this way, we're from the Prime Material Plane, how do you think we got here?
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Kill'Dar negotiates with the goblins some more--mostly making it clear that if they cause the party problems, that he will not hesitate to kill them.
14 Goblin (Outsider) 1st Fighters (18 hp, BAB +3, +4/+0/+0)<BR />4 Goblins (Outsider) 1st Clerics (War/Chaos) (16 hp, BAB +1, Save +4/+0/+2)<BR />1 Goblin (Outsider) 3rd Cleric (32 hp, BAB +4, Save +5/+1/+3)<BR />1 Goblin (Outsider) 3rd Fighter (38 hp, BAB +5, Save +4/+0/+0)
Each goblin has a primary Stat of 12 and a Dex of 14. 10's for all other stats.
As the ghost turns around the corner, Grackle hides and peeks into the room. There are four figures huddled and talking to each other. There is one guy in full plate. Another guy in half-plate, wearing a holy symbol of Ares. One of the figures appears to be considerably less equipped for battle, wearing a backpack and writing into a journal. He appears to be carrying scrolls, ink, papers, etc. The fourth figure is in close fitting leather armor and appears to be dripping with jewelry--rings, necklaces, etc. They're speaking and the guy with the backpack appears to be controlling the conversation.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Cleric:</B> We can leave any time we like.
<B>Armored Figure:</B> Then how come your spell keeps failing?
<B>Cleric:</B> This place has strange properties. Who knows? We'll just keep trying until we get out of here.
<B>Armored Figure:</B> I tihnk we can destroy everything in a straight line.
<B>Cleric:</B> You're being absolutely ridiculous.
<B>Scholar:</B> You don't understand, as far as I can understand we are already dead.
<B>Armored Figure:</B> That's ridiculous!
<B>Scholar:</B> You don't understand, if we are products of this place. Copies of whom we once were. We are like fingernails leaving a hand.
<B>Armored Figure:</B> If we're a part of this, then how come I feel like myself?
<B>Scholar:</B> You're how old? We've only cared about getting out of here for hours.
<B>Armored Figure:</B> Free? This is bullcrap. Straight line.
<B>Thief:</B> You are a fool, if you don't shut up, you won't be able to speak again.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Grackle gets the sense (Spot 40) that the guy spotted him and was intending that last threat for both himself and the armored figure.
Grackle goes back and looks and uses his Gem of Seeing. The guy with a backpack appears to be himself. The guy in armor looks to be himself. The one in leather appears to have a slight shift to him--as if he were a Greater Doppleganger. The priest of Ares appears almost exactly as advertised, the one difference is that there appears something darker
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> I dont' think you nened to worry about that.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Three of them all draw weapons. The one with maps puts his pen behind his ear and puts his hand on his belt bucklet.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Scholar:</B> Who are you?
<B>Grackle:</B> WHo wants to know?
<B>Scholar:</B> I do.
<B>Grackle:</B> Grackle of Aquitaine.
<B>Scholar:</B> I've heard of you.
<B>Grackle:</B> And you?
<B>Scholar:</B> I think you're leaving. Your choice if you want to come in, but you're leaving.
<B>Grackle:</B> Well, I was going to tell you where the way we came in, but now I think I'm changing my mind.
<B>Lenses:</B> (Ponders a moment) If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?
<B>Grackle:</B> Well, before I saw the ghost at this point I'd be about 25.
<B>Scholar:</B> I remember facts, but no experiences before 3 hours ago.
<B>Grackle:</B> I've pretty much got all my memories.
<B>Scholar:</B> Stand down. I need to speak with these.
<B>Armored Figure:</B> (Sarcastically) Of course, you're the boss.
<B>Scholar:</B> It is probably best if you keep your distance for now. The spirit is not moving very quickly. If you can just give us a few moments.
<B>Grackle:</B> (Shrugs) Sure.
<B>Scholar:</B> What happened this morning at breakfast?
<B>Grackle:</B> One of the priests cast a spell and we ate this glop.
<B>Scholar:</B> I believe you. I think we are dead. And I think you are not yet. I think...are you alone? Is there one with you whose word is more important than life?
<B>Grackle:</B> Travian!
<B>Scholar:</B> I trust you to an extent. I would truly prefer to make an arrangement with that person.
<B>Grackle:</B> Sure.
<B>Travian:</B> (Walks up) Greetings! And you are..?
<B>Scholar:</B> Well, we have been here for some time, but there is a gap in my memory and my analysis of this place leads me to believe that we have all died and that I am merely a clone of my former self. I have no proof other than the gap in my memory, but I can tell you that while we have been independent, my memories only extend for a few hours.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Based on the scholar's description of his memories, it appears as though he has the memories from before he entered and after that their memories start exactly from when the Hallow started. After some discussion, the party believes that the Whispering Labyrinth does do something much like a Clone spell (as opposed to controlled constructs). As a result, it appears as though the Hallow spell cast by Auric not only prevents the party from being controlled, but any Clones created by the Labyrinth herself... (Or as Auric put it: "I'm a genius!")
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I hate to ask this, but have you seen or fought yourself? Do you remember any of these events.
<B>Scholar:</B> No. My assessment of this place is however, duplication is possible. I have a memory of a dire combat where I fell. I awoke with my companions a few hours ago.
	
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Did you remember these companions from before?
<B>Scholar:</B> Yes. My memories are that I failed to turn in my research to my peers. And there is a gap in the data. My name is Guy (pronounced in the French fashion). I am an explorer of the esoteric. I study that which is difficult to reach. I am interested in the impossible. The Whispering Labyrinth is thought to be legendary and impossible to exist.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Do you
<B>Scholar:</B> Yes, there is a documented case of a possible parallel out in the Chaotic planes. Nimicri is the name of it. It is on another plane.
<B>Scholar:</B> What was missing was empircal evidence that I gathered. What was missing was the evidence of deific avatars of these shapeshifters or mimics.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Our goal is to get out.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I need to know your trustworthiness. I would like to use magical means to determine such.
<B>Scholar:</B> I want you to know that I've hired these three gentlemen for very specific reasons. I would prefer that you trusted us without magical assistance.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Very well.
<B>Scholar:</B> If you feel the need, do so. My word carries a certain amount of leverage, since I sign the paychecks.
<B>Scholar:</B> If I were able to leave, I should file these documents and have some of the most renown tomes ever.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B>
<B>Scholar:</B> There are many means of duplciation. There are shapeshifters who can take ones appearance. There are ones that can duplicate inanimate objects. There are magical means of cloning that are utterly soullness, until XXX.<BR /> There are varities of ways of duplicating. This is closest in form to the magical Clone. In that the creature has all memories of the original. The mother/origin of this place has total control over the clone. If that's the case, I don't understand why I don't have free will right now.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> One clone versus another clone 
#Scholar:</B> The legends of Nimicri is that the inhabitants ever leave. There
#is no description of someone ever leaving. I cannot tell you what
#happens, but
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> If your theory is correct and you are in fact dead, then what?
<B>Scholar:</B> There are several options. We are clones of this place that have become free thinking. My experience is that this place is capable of copying items, flesh and even divine effects.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> Given that we'll take for granted that you have your own mind. You have a chance to choose what you want to do.
<B>Scholar:</B> What I don't know is where my spirit resides. Either I am a soulless copy that is separate and twitching. Or there is an opportunity for my original soul to be restored to me at which I am me again. I can't tell you which is true.
<B>Grackle:</B> It
<B>Scholar:</B> It is obvious to me that you are not inherently inimical to me and that you may pass. We have nothing to gain from battling you and we have nothing to lose by letting you pass.
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> If you want to deliver your research to the outside world, we can try to arrange to find the notes from your body and get them published.
<B>Scholar:</B> If our 
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Grackle asks Deluwen if he knows of him.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
Deluwen: He's Prime. I only know the good researchers.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Thorfinn knows him Guy Eseltte of the Outlands. He is from a village in the Outlands. He is known for his research into shapeshifting and shapeshifters in the various planes. He has written some of the most authoritative texts.
Kill'Dar uses Spellcraft to use Limited Wish to make a copy of the notes. He believes that it's possible to use
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> I believe that I can make a copy of your notes.
<B>Scholar:</B> It is best that we do not accompany you. My ability to control the action of my companions have its limits. If my theory is true, then our free will is fragile and I will be unable to comply.
<B>Auric:</B> Given that you want your research to make it out of here. 
<B>Scholar:</B> Of course, for resurrection, you will need my name. I am Guy Esslette of Fentravia out in the Outlands. I'm a sage, a scholar and a master of shapeshifting. That should be enough for you to bring me back from the dead if in fact I am dead. Keep in mind that is only possible in the Outlands. The Outlands is a dangerous place. Your best chance is in the central city.
<B>Auric:</B> What can you tell me about the capabilities of the Ultraloth and it's brethren?
<B>Guy:</B> Ultraloths and their brethren are from the plane of Gehenna. Every creater of the Loth family has great offensive, defensive, and divinatory powers. And then there are it's magical teleportation capabilities.
<B>Auric:</B> I see.
<B>Guy:</B> I do have a request. This thing has gathered some of the deadliest creatures. We had to evade creatures several times. We ran from the infernal arachnogoblins. Those were difficult.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As Grackle enters the next room (the party around the creature). It resembles stone in a heated chaos feature. It's as if the party is in the stomach of a great stone beast. He thinks that there are a bunch of invisible creatures around. He looks into the room and see twelve large humanoids well aware of a creature
There are four appear to be man sized bulldogs with , plated with armor and claws. Behind them are three huge hulking beetlelike insectoid creatures. Behind that are two enormous batlike creatures with enormous limbs. And behind that is a creature sitting in a lotus position a balding individual in robes.
Based on Grackle's descriptions, Kill'Dar (33 Knowledge Planes) and Thorfinn (33 bardic knowledge) confer and the description matches any of the The four are the Canoloths, backed by Mezzoloths, backed by Nycaloths, backed by an Ultraloth. After some discussion, the party agrees to have Paxus casts Find the Path on Grackle (Target: The Heart of the Whispering Labyrinth). The spell fails. Paxus concludes that the spell failed because the Whispering Labyrinth is a living creature (and "The Heart" refers to an actual body part and not a nickname for a known location). Since Maximeliano's spirit continues moving towards the heart, the party tries to contact him (using Paxus' Sending) to find another way to the heart of the Whispering Labyrinth.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Maximeliano:</B> (In a tired singsong voice) Only one way. She'd never make it easy. If it's easy, it wouldn't be the right way.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Auric casts Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Cat's Grace, Mass Bull's Strength. Thorfinn casts Good Hope and Haste. Then, he casts Displacement on Auric. Paxus casts Shield Other on Kha'Narek and True Seeing on Travian and Mass Align Weapon. Travian casts Sacred Haven (+2 Sacred AC) on the party.
<B>Round 1:</B> The beetle like creatures move some limbs. A green billowing smoke blocks the corridor (Cloudkill), and darkness descends on the room. Auric turns into Wemic form. Kha'Narek and Grackle run into the room. Thorfinn moves up and sings bardic Inspire Greatness. Kill'Dar moves up and dispels the Greater Darkness. Paxus moves up to the edge of the clouds and darkness and the goblins follow up to fill in the rest of the gap.
<B>Round 2:</B> The room and corridor fills with some sticky glue substance.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Guy:</B> (Shouts) Of course! (Writes furiously)
<B>Paxus:</B> What are you talking about?
<B>Guy:</B> Can't you see? It's like a mimic you fool! 
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The entrance to the room becomes dark again.
Kha'Narek runs up. A creature gets next to him and attempts to attack him. Another casts a spell on him, but he saves. Thorfinn continued the Inspire Greatness song. Kill'Dar casts and dispels the Cloudkill. 4 of the 6 goblin leaders/fighters run into the room. Paxus moves up and gives the Ring of Freedom of Movement to Travian.
On a side discussion, Auric rolls a general spell penetration check for the effects of the Hallow on the inhabitants of the Whispering Labyrinth. He gets a check of (17+15+2=34).
<B>Round 3:</B> The Cloudkill reappears, affecting the goblins. Kha'Narek does a full flurry on the creature attacking him, hitting several times (44 points). Auric charges up and attacks once. A demons flies in and hits Travian for 31 points. Grackle moves 5 feet and attacks with a flurry of sword blows (hits 4 times). The creature has 7 hp left, so it explodes. The Ultraloth points a finger at Travian, affecting him (Ray of Enfeeblement). Thorfinn fails his strength check, so he is unable to move. He stops his Inspire Greatness and casts Dragonsight. Kill'Dar moves up to Grackle and casts Fly on him. Paxus moves up and casts Freedom of Movement on Kha'Narek. Travian attacks with a Smite Evil and crits for 92 points. He continues swinging 3 more times for another 101 points.
<B>Round 4:</B> Each of the 3 creatures uses some spellike ability and Grackle, Travian and Kha'Narek all make their Will saves. Auric runs up and hits once for 26 points. Kha'Narek delays for Grackle. Grackle moves up to one of the 3 creatures with Entropy in Greatsword form (AC 46 for 22 pts). Kha'Narek moves up to the same creature and does a Stunning Fist attack. Thorfinn casts Greater Dispel Magic on the Cloudkill, affecting 9th level casters, but not. Paxus moves into the middle of the group and casts Recitation, affecting the 3 green creatures, but only one of the four. One of the four attacks Auric for 6 points. Another hits Kill'Dar wrapping its tongue and pulling him in for a bite doing 12 points. Travian runs up and tries to transfer his damage (via Bands of the Martyr), but misses.
<B>Round 5:</B> Grackle kills one of the 3. Auric kills one of the 4. Thorfinn casts Freedom of Movement on himself and moves up. Kha'Narek runs up and the Ultraloth casts a Wall of Fire on him, but fails his spell penetration check. Kill'Dar moves up and dispels the Wall of Fire with the Ring of the Silverveils. Paxus moves closer to Travian. The remaining two of the four move up to attack Kha'Narek and Kill'Dar, hitting both. Travian steps up to the Ultraloth (using Smite Evil 3 times), hitting 4 times for (52, 52, 50, 46) and killing it. He uses his last one one of the group of two for 42 points.
<B>Round 6:</B> One of the 3 casts a spell at Grackle, but fails its spell penetration check. Auric charges one of the 4 for 22 points. One of the two attacks Travian, hitting him 3 times for 29, 24, 29. Grackle attacks one of the three on him four times, killing it. Kha'Narek does a flurry of blows of the loth near him, hitting 6 times for 15, 11, 7, 13, 12. Thorfinn moves up. Kill'Dar swings once, killing one of the four. Travian attacks one of the two, hitting for 28,32,35,72, killing it. The party finishes the last one.
The cloud disappears and the floor remains sticky. They move past the rest of the maze. There are no more combats for about an hour of moving along sticky floors. Ahead of the party, the wall looks different, like dull metal (like lead).
The ghost stops in front of this, and looks back at the party.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Maxilmeliano:</B> I need a voice.
<B>Paxus:</B> I would think Thorfinn would have the best voice.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Sure.
<B>Maximeliano:</B> (Enter Thorfinn's body)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Thorfinn's face takes on a different expression. He turns back to the lead wall and begins to sing. The most amazing voice comes from Thorfinn's mouth and the walls begin to part. As the singing continues, the party can see another maze beyond, but those walls begin to melt away too.
As the party looks around, they see several clones of themselves (all those wounded in the previous battle--the whole party minus Thorfinn and Deluwen). They have grim looks on their faces and have their weapons drawn as they approach the party.
The party looks at each other with apprehension on their faces. But before they can speak, they hear a strange metallic clanging sound approaching too. From the other direction, they can see a large machine approaching them. The Anaxim is even more horrible when viewed in person. It has obviously spotted the party since it appears to be rushing madly towards them. However, the cloned Epic party arrives first.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Cloned Epic Party:</B> (Approaches with grim looks)
<B>Epic Party:</B> (Looking apprehensive)
<B>Clone Kill'Dar:</B> (Locks eyes with Kill'Dar)
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Looks at his clone. Glances at the Anaxim)
<B>Clone Kill'Dar:</B> C'mon, let's do this. (Indicates the Anaxim)
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Smiles)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
20 Celestial Goblins<BR />1 Scouting Party<BR />10 "Loths" (Nyca, Ultra, etc.)
</P>
<P>
<B>Base Experience:</B> Deferred
</P>