20050122 Dulax04

<H1> Dulax Moir: Good to be the Lich King </H1>
<H2> Roll Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Mirto </TD>
 <TD> 11th Human Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Mandos </TD>
 <TD> 6th/2nd Aasimar Ranger/Horizon Walker (9th ECL) </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Thorfinn the Lucky </TD>
 <TD> 10th Human Bard </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Gulgin </TD>
 <TD> 7th Half-Orc Barbarian </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Foradun </TD>
 <TD> 6th/4th Githzerai Psychic Warrior/Soul Knife (12th ECL) </TD>
 <TD> Guest: Jerome Lanig </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Deluwen Seradrake </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/3rd/3nd Wizard/Psion/Cerebremancer Grey Elf </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 21st Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kha'Narek </TD>
 <TD> 8th Githzerai Monk (10th CL) </TD>
 <TD> Matt Miller (Full Risk, Full Reward) </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
<B>Round 1:</B> Travian enters the room and casts Holy Weapon on his sword. The invisible skeletal figure disappears. Two of the skeletal figures appears to be casting a long spell (i.e. more than one action). The third appears to be watching and waiting. The mithril golem and two iron golems attacks Icejaw and he doesn't look good. Mandos delays. The four Shield Guardians appear to be guarding the other figures. Foradun moves up towards the enemy and casts Animal Affinity on himself. Thorfinn moves into the middle of the party and casts Haste. Mirto moves up and casts Stoneskin on Travian. Fellrime moves up and attacks a Shield Guardian. Icejaw continues beating on his golem.
<B>Round 2:</B> Deluwen identifies one of the spells cast as Insect Swarm. Travian moves up and casts Bull's Strength, but is unable to reach anyone. Four bone devils appear in front of Foradun and Thorfinn. The new bone devils put Wall of Ice between themselves and the rest of the party. One bone devil each attack Foradun and Thorfinn, poisoning Foradun. And insect swarm surrounds them, doing additional damage. One invisible Bone Devil turns invisible and teleports next to Mandos and attacks him (28 points, make Fort save 28). Travian feels some magic run over his mind (two spells), and he hears a voice: "I should've known it wouldn't work against you". The iron and mithril golems continue to pound on Icejaw. Kha'Narek jumps and attacks, but misses. Mandos fires four times, hitting twice (18,28 pts). Foradun runs up to the main combat, tumbling through the Bone Devils. Thorfinn pulls out a weapon and hits one for 5 points. Mirto casts an Empowered Fireball on the Wall of Ice, doing 57 points. Golgun attacks one of the Bone Devils on Thorfinn, but misses. Fellrime destroys one Shield Guardian. Icejaw continues attacking one of the Iron Golems.
<B>Round 3:</B> Deluwen pulls out an Iron Flask and captures the Bone Devil attacking Mandos. Travian does a laying of hands on Icejaw, healing him some. The Insect Swarm moves over to Golgun and bites Thorfinn and Golgun. The Bone Devils move around and another Ice Wall comes up. Icejaw continues to take a beating from 3 golems. One of the skeletal figures says: "You're free. How interesting. You seem to be part of a group. More interesting. I don't think you're mad at all. (Fumbles with amulets) Relax. Stop destroying my pets." Travian is hit by some ray which is identified as Dimensional Anchor. "Lock him down (pointing at Travian)" The Bone Devils attack Thorfinn, knocking him unconscious. Kha'Narek hits the Wall of Ice, doing quite a bit of damage. Mandos follows up and opens up a section of the wall. Foradun attempts to tumble through the Bone Devils to the hole--he makes it. (Thorfinn bleeds). Mirto peeks through the hole and casts Chain Lightning. Golgun hits once for 13 points.
<B>Round 4:</B> Deluwen casts Telekinetic Thrust on Thorfinn's body and moves him back into the hallway. Travian moves up to finish the Iron Golem, but only hits once. As Travian looks closer, the skeletal figure appears much like a lich, but he's appears to be made of iron. It's possibly an Iron Golem or a facsimile construct. The Iron Lich says " I've been waiting for you. Let's settle this!" He casts and then casts a Prismatic Wall between Travian and the rest of the party. The Insect Swarm affects Golgun, Kha'Narek, and Foradun. Two Bone Devils teleport next to the door and the others attack Golgun hitting several times. The Mithril Golem hits Travian twice for 33 and 31. Kha'narek does a Spring Attack retreat. Mandos uses a Wand of CLW on Thorfinn, but only heals 2 points. Foradun retreats into the hallway. Fellrime turns to face the party, but does nothing. Golgun hits once for 21 points. Mirto casts Magic Circle Against Evil.
<B>Round 5:</B> Deluwen uses Telekinetic Thrust on Golgun, dragging him into the hallway. Travian attacks the wounded Iron Golem, hitting twice (20,27), finally destroying it. The Bone Devils gather near the door. One of the skeletal figures speak out say: "Keep them out while we finish off this one." The Mithril Golem attacks Travian and hits him three more times (48,31,25). Casts CLW on Thorfinn again for 5 points. The Iron Lich turns towards Fellrime and says "Kill his friends". She goes up to the adventurers and breathes frost on the party, killing Thorfinn and Golgun. Foradun attempts a Bluff on the dragon. Mirto casts Wall of Force between the corridor and Fellrime.
<B>Round 6:</B> Deluwen backs around the corner and manifests Vigor. Travian moves to the Shield Guardian and uses the Bands of the Martyr for 180 points, destroying it. The skeletal figures says: "So, it's going to be like that." With that the figure changes into a Mithril Golem and attacks Travian, hitting three times for 79. Foradun drags a body up the stairway. Fellrime breathes again, but it his the Wall of Force. Mirto delays.
<B>Round 7:</B> Deluwen opens the Iron Flask and talks to the Bone Devil.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Deluwen:</B> Tell us about the Lich King.
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Is there anything you want to hear first? It seems like you're in a hurry here. Oh, I'm sorry "master".
<B>Deluwen:</B> Tell us of the amulet first. Can it be taken from him?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> If you're quick enough, strong enough, or clever enough.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Is that the Lich King?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> The Lich King. I suppose that there are some that call him that.
<B>Deluwen:</B> How do you know him? How did you meet him? Did he summon you?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Well, he's very good with portals.
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I'm a trusted advisor of his.
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Mostly I enforce discipline among his troops.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Do you have the ability to command any of the forces in this battle?
<B>Mandos:</B> What are your capabilities?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I'm very clever.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Would you have any suggestions for defeating him at this point?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Well, you've done quite a bit. You can see from here that the Shield Guardians are destroyed. I'm sure he's protected by a number of spells. I suspect that he's already shapeshifter.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Are you familiar with this location?
<B>Deluwen:</B> Do you know how to get us to the door on the Ethereal Plane?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> The Machine was not actually built by Vorn Kalak. It's an ancient machine and it's origins are unknown even to me.
<B>Bone Devil:</B> There are functions that he has not discovered in fact.
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I recommend that you experiment with it.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Very well, perhaps we will.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Do you have the ability to go Ethereral and open the door and going through?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> No.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Do you know of any of the functions of the Machine?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I have never been allowed near it.
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I do know that the machine requires payment for its services. The greater the service, the greater the payment.
<B>Deluwen:</B> And how does it make this known?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Sometimes, it simply refuses to respond until payment is made. Sometime payment is extracted in the activation of the effect.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Are there any command words that you know of?
<B>Deluwen:</B> Is the machine's room itself on the Ethereal plane?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Yes it is. The Machine has a large number of controls and combinations of controls have a large number of effects. If you have the right connection to
<B>Bone Devil:</B> It can among other things, transmute materials.
(Discussion about origins of Lich King)
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I approve of him frankly. He has increased his power immensely.
<B>Deluwen:</B> If I ordered you to get to the Machine, could you get to it?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Depending on how long you gave me. I would have to scrounge around for some components. Perhaps I could steal an Oil of Etherealness from his treasury.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Round 7 (Cont):</B> Travian begins attacking random amulets. He gets hit for 29 as he begins his attacks. (AC25/47HP-- disc shaped iron symbol falls, AC22/39HP--a necklace with gemstone falls, AC27/48HP--a sun shaped amulet falls, AC23/39HP--a golden castle shaped necklace falls,AC30/47HP--another tower necklace). Repeat earlier R7. He casts a spell and all of the amulets are gone (Time Stop). Then, he proceeds to attack as before.
<B>Round 8:</B> Repeat earlier R8. Travian does one normal attack but misses. He then attacks more amulets, suffering 36 HP with one more attack of opportunity, (AC23/38HP--another gem pendant, AC26/32HP--gold filigree amulet, AC27/33HP--a gem pendant falls). Travian turns and attacks the monk for 62 pts. The mithril golem speaks: "Very good. Clever too. Don't kill him. I want to talk to him." He holds his action. The warrior mummy attacks Travian (with nonlethal damage), knocking him unconscious. To Fellrime the skeletal figures says: "Chase them down, but only so far. I need you back here soon." Fellrime moves up and attacks Mirto once for 28.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Ah, there you are. I've got the Oil of Etherealness.
<B>Deluwen:</B> How many applications?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I brought enough for all of you.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Can you tell me what the amulet that controls golems looks like?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> It kind of looks like a black sun.
<B>Deluwen:</B> And what do his other amulets do?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> A couple are connected to the Shield Guardians. I believe one of them wards off Psionic Attacks.
<B>Deluwen:</B> What's in this library?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Quite a bit. Spellbooks of many spells. Research tomes. He's become very interested in advancing his state of being that that requires a lot of research. He's collected a lot of books to read. It's fairly secure location. Transporting all of these books back to the Gray Vales would be a great undertaking. He also consider it an interesting piece of Candy to dangle in front of adventurers.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Is there a way around the glyphs in the library?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> The rule is that you must be under the total domination of Vorn Kalak in order to not trigger a Glyph.
<B>Deluwen:</B> How does he know when people enter the library?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> The planar barrier itself has some alarms.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Is the library in an extraplanar area or is it a demiplane or is it...
<B>Bone Devil:</B> It's a demiplane. He hired an expert to create it.
<B>Mandos:</B> Um, I hate to interrupt this, but who's in charge now?
<B>Deluwen:</B> Um...
<B>Bone Devil:</B> I suggest you follow the orders of the man who commands me.
<B>Deluwen:</B> Uh, I don't think that would be such a great idea. I believe Mirto has the most battle experience of any of us.
<B>Bone Devil:</B> Whatever you say Master...
<B>Deluwen:</B> What are the Lich King's long-term plans?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> He intends to advance to Demi-lichhood to Arch-lichood. He intends to track down and murder those who had him killed and all of his relatives. He intends to extend his dominion over the entire Westmarch.
<B>Deluwen:</B> So the form we saw, what was that?
<B>Bone Devil:</B> He uses a number of protective spells. He uses Iron Body and Shapeshift.
<B>Deluwen:</B> What of his connection to Ravenloft? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> His relation to Ravenloft has changed. It was once reverence and respect and now it's almost open hostility. I suspect it was that vampire. He had quite a hold over his mind. I think he's more dangerous now. The vampires limited view of things prevented him from reaching his potential. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Does he have any dealings with the Imperium? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> No direct dealings, although he has capture/enslaved many Imperial servants. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Do you now what else is behind these doors? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> I don't know this complex all that well. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What about the forge area here? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> It's where he refines and works on most of his mithril. He likes it to appear unused. I usually have to watch over those who work here and eventually escort them. His illusionist mummies then cast a spell on the place to make it appear unused. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What about Siman Jed? Does he have frequent dealings with him? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Siman's Jed uncovered a number of mummies that serve Vorn Kalak. He led him that he would be useful in the battles in the south, and Siman Jed would get his aid. And I think Vorn Kalak came out on the long side of that deal. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Are there other human factions or organizations that he's involved with? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Not that I know of, but he's not involved in politics. I've tried to convince him. He says that they're too fragile. I tell him that he should control the entire supply chain. Undead and constructs don't reproduce. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> So, where you got this Oil from. Is that some sort of treasure room? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Oh yes. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> And you have accees to that? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Of course. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> How long do you think you'll have. <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> I'm sure that he'll know as soon as he returns today. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Does he have or store any items of magical transportation? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> He has several permanent Teleporation Circles. He has several servitors who can teleport at will. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What is the most powerful item in his treasury that you can get to us? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Most power that you could use? <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Uh sure. Let's start with that. <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> That's an interesting one. I would say that the most powerful item that he has that is transportable is the Wishing Mirror. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What does that do? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> It grants wishes. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> And the limitations on this item? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Well, to be frank the main limitation on it is that the mirror once in a great while will invert a wish. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> So say...once in five, once in three? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Stories vary. If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere between 1 in 5 and 1 in 10. <P> <B>Mandos:</B> How often does he use it? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Oh daily. I will say that the wishing mirror has a mind of its own. It doesn't like to just be ordered around. <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> I don't know who it was created by, but I do know where it was created. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Where? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Hell <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> So, it's an infernal device? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> It's Hellish. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Does he have any items of XXX? And how many things can you get that he'd come after right away? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Oh, there are probably several items... <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What's he likely to do with Travian? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Well, he probably torture him for a nice long time just out of entertainment or revenge. I suspect that he would seek to turn him into a death knight. The other possibility is that he would his best to tempt him to evil and turn him into a Blackguard. Vorn Kalak is a clever and intelligent individual with great resoruces. He is much more of a co-opter and builder than a destroyer. I'm certain your friend knows all sorts of things and will question him at great length. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Where is he likely to do this at? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Probably in the Obsidian Pit. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Where is that? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Deep underneath the Gray Vales. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Do you think in the next 45 minutes that <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> The other thing you could do is that you could have me kill him and arrange for a True Resurrection. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What does the Lich King does with Holy items? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Generally he locks them up and studies them. Once he has learned all that he can, he can either corrupt it or destroy it. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> How many times a day can the Wishing Mirror be used? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> I don't know what the capacity is. My understanding is that the mirror becomes ornery if it's used too often in a short period of item. Vorn Kalak generally limits it to once per day. I have seen him use it twice, but the second has often gotten inverted. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What do you know of the Magister? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> His operatives have crossed paths with us a few times. <P> <B>Deluwen:</B> So, no close alliance? <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> No, Vorn Kalak is a solo operator. He's has overtures from other powers, but he doesn't have any respect for the living. And I mean that in several senses. His belief is that even elves don't have a long enough term perspective. <P> <B>Manods:</B> How dense is the population of the Grey Vales. <P> <P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Not terribly dense.<P> <B>Deluwen:</B> So, the mist comes from Ravenloft correct? And he still uses the mist?<P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> Well the gate remains open. He finds Ravenloft useful in many ways. It is a great source of additonal strength for him. However, the politics disgust him.<P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> The Obsidian Pit was the original dungeon of the.<P> <B>Mandos:</B> What can you tell us about the layout of the Grey Vales?<P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> There are many towers and walls. Various fortresses. Quite a large and intricate operation.<P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What is the origin of the curse?<P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> It was one of the elements of the rise to pwoer of Vorn Kalak. He made some bargains and laid a curse on the man who ordered his death. And that curse rests upon the Gray Vales for as long as Vorn Kalak shall be. I suspect that destroying Vorn Kalak the mists would lose a lot of their strength and the whole business would sort itself out in a few weeks.<P> <B>Deluwen:</B> What would you recommend?<P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> You could always join him.<P> <B>Deluwen:</B> Any other suggestions? Maybe back entrances to his lair?<P> <B>Bone Devil:</B> I don't really pay attention to doors--I have other means of moving around. Now if you did really want to get in there, I could certainly get a good look around and come back and I could give you a mental picture for one of your own. I could give you a very good idea about what it would look like.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
1 Lich King<BR />1 Mithril Golem<BR />4 Shield Golems<BR />1 Bone Devil (+4 Summoned)<BR />2 Iron Golems