20010414 GreatPriestRobbery

<H1> The Great Priest Robbery </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 12th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kieran </TD>
 <TD> 8th/5th Half-Elf Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 14th Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/8th Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/8rd Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/11th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 11th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco (Full Risk, Full Reward) </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 9th Human Druid </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
<H3> The Plan </H3>
<P>
That evening, the party discusses the final plan with the Guardian
Circle. George and Philip are willing to go on the mission with
the party. Father Cullaim is not willing to go, but is willing to
spend a day's worth of spells on the party before they leave.
</P>
<P>
Throughout the rest of the day, the party discusses plans with the
Guardian Circle in order sort out the logistics of the assault.
During this time, the party spends a great deal of time talking
to Father Cullaim about the protective spells he has available.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Cullaim:</B> Which reminds me. A little while ago, I cast a Divination regarding the party's mission. There were no words, but there were images of the entire party wading through a river of blood, chest high. The vision was incomplete since there was no end to it, but people occasionally disappeared (and sometimes reappeared) from sight.
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Well, that seems like a reasonable Divination. Any
 thoughts on what it means?
</P>
<P>
<B>Cullaim:</B> It appears as though there will be a great deal of
 fighting, but the outcome is unclear.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Sometime later, as the first set of plans is finalized.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>George:</B> So, do you know where we're supposed to Teleport to?
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Uh, not really.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I suppose you could scry on the front gates. They're
 not too likely to be protected.
</P>
<P>
<B>George:</B> Well, do you know any of the leaders?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Well, there was the wizard Zylan.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Well, we encountered him during the assault on Og-Kund.
 So there's no guarantee that he's at Grax. The only
 person we know was ogre mage, Toran Shah.
</P>
<P>
<B>George:</B> I suppose I could scry on him and see who he runs
 across.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Wait, I remember one other name. Borosh? Wasn't that
 the name Toran Shah mentioned?
</P>
<P>
<B>George:</B> I suppose I could scry on him and see who he is.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
George scrys on the name Borosh. Fingle and Kieran casts Detect
Thoughts in order to "follow" the scrying attempts.
As the image appears, he appears to be a shaman of the orcs.
"perhaps Grummsh, " says George. Fingle and Kieran cast
Detect Thoughts. Borosh is missing an eye, but it missing but is
missing the wrong eye. When Borosh taps his staff on the ground
apparently in anger. As he raises it, the huge orogs in the room
with him rear back in fear. They run off and he turns around and
sighs in exasperation. George spots a group of shadows grouped
closely around with him. As he's wandering around, a strange haze
of smoke, which follows him in a strange clinging manner--such as
someone in Gaseous Form. He wanders into a random room and the
scrying abruptly ends.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>George:</B> What the? He must have protections in that area. It might be Hallowed ground.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Fingle shows the results of the scry by casting an illusion to mimic
the scrying attempt. Fingle thinks about the Gaseous Form and
realizes that it could be a Vampire, which would be consistent
with the undead-controlling abilities of evil priests.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Cullaim:</B> The problem with shadows is that in a target-rich environment he can easily build up his army.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Considering this new information, the party begins replanning the
spells for Father Cullaim.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>George:</B> So, can you tell me what sort of enemy we are facing?
<P>
<B>Party:</B> (Describes enemies from the main fortress at Og-Kund
 and tells about their encounter with Toran Shah)
</P>
<P>
<B>George:</B> So, you're saying that this Toran Shah may be a
 demon?
</P>
<P>
<B>Party:</B> (Nods affirmatively)
</P>
<P>
<B>George:</B> If I'm not mistaken, this isn't the first time that
 you've faced demons. Right Philip?
</P>
<P>
<B>Philip:</B> Oh, no problem. I am mainly concerned about needing
 protective magics that are not covered by my holy
 nature.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Holy nature?
</P>
<P>
<B>Philip:</B> Yes, did you not know I am a Templar of Belenus?
</P>
Philip is a Templar of Belenus, god of Sun and Fire. Clerics of Belenus or
Druids performing a ceremony (1 week to cast, 5th level) for Belenus
can raise Standing Stones.
<P>
<B>George:</B> So, the main reason I ask about the enemy is that so
 that I may determine the appropriate magic to bring.
 More specifically, I have this ring which may be used
 to counter any one spell stored in it.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kieran:</B> Well, we've largely seen priestly magic, so any
 of their evil spells are a good possibility.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
After some further discussion, Father Cullaim cannot receive most
evil spells from Diancecht. As a result, he cannot provide any
high-level spells for George's ring to protect against. In the
end, the decision is to protect George from Dimensional Anchor.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
<B>Fingle:</B> (To George) You mentioned that you had a cache of
 magic items. Can you tell me what leftover magic
 you have available?
</P>
<P>
<B>George:</B> Certainly. I have...
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<UL>
<LI> Scrolls Available
 <UL>
 <LI> Clairaudience/Clairvoyance (CLvl 5)
 <LI> Dimension Door and Dispel Magic (CLvl 5-7) (Lower level)
 <LI> Confusion, Cone of Cold, Disintegrate, Wall of Stone, Emotion
 (CLvl 7-11)
 <LI> Eyebite (2), Vanish (CLvl 11-13)
 <LI> Suggestion (CLvl 5) - "I've found this so useful that I've
 always memorized it"
 </UL>
<LI> Potions
 <UL>
 <LI> Charisma
 <LI> Darkvision
 <LI> Fire Breath
 <LI> Tongues
 <LI> Aid
 <LI> Cure Light Wounds
 <LI> Cure Moderate Wounds
 <LI> Detect Thoughts
 <LI> Alter Self
 <LI> Cat's Grace
 </UL>
<LI> Rings
 <UL>
 <LI> Resistance to Acid (Major)
 <LI> Resistance to Electricity (Minor)
 </UL>
<LI> Wands
 <UL>
 <LI> Levitate
 <LI> Light
 <LI> Cure Moderate Wounds (2d8+3)
 <LI> Searing Light (CLvl 5)
 </UL>
</UL>
<P>
Some of the various items get handed out to the party members. Grackle
borrows the potion of Darkvision, Fingle borrows the wands of Cure
Moderate Wounds and Searing Light as well as some scrolls. In the
meantime, more discussions occur among the heroes.
</P>
<P>
During the discussion about the capabilities of the Guardian Circle,
it appears as though George is 15th level, Father Cullaim is 16th
level, and Philip is 16th level. It is also interesting to note
that as the Guardian Circle discusses things, George and Philip
defer to Cullaim's judgement in many matters.
</P>
<H3> The Morning Prayer </H3>
<P>
The next morning, the party and the Guardian Circle gather. Philip
comes into the group in full regalia. The shield, sword, and armor
he is wearing (Full Plate Mail) has not been seen by the party before.
</P>
<P>
George comes out equipped with a crossbow quiver with appears to be
full of wands. He also is carrying a bag with the remainder of the
potions. He is carrying a large iron shod staff etched with runes
(Staff of the Magi).
</P>
<P>
Before noon, Cullaim comes out to cast his arsenal of protective
spells on the party, including George and Philip. While he spends
the few hours casting, the party discusses a few more tactics.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> So, in case of emergency, we might need to split up. In that case, one group should be Colin, Philip, Fingle, Kill'Dar, and Auric. The other group will be Travian, Grackle, George, Kieran, and myself.
<P>
<B>Philip:</B> By the way, I have prepared Detect XXX and Remove
 Paralysis.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> (To Philip) I've never seen that armor before.
</P>
<P>
<B>Philip:</B> It was given to me by my father.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Upon closer inspection by Fingle, the armor appears to be piecemeal.
It used to be full admanatine, but there are some mithril parts
(presumably slowly replaced and/or repaired over the years). Philip's
shield is a symbol of the sun and in the hands of a paladin serving
Belenus, it glows as full daylight.
</P>
<P>
Cullaim finishes casting the protective magicks on the party. The
group gathers in a circle and George begins casting.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kieran:</B> Are we casting an Augury before leaving?
<P>
<B>George:</B> (Finishes Mass Teleport)
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H3> The Execution </H3>
<P>
<B>Surprise round:</B> By coincidence, nearly all the mages are lined
 up with the orcs in the room. George looks at
 the two orcs in front of him, taps the ground
 with his staff, and a Huge earth elemental
 appears. He begins talking to it in a strange
 language. Philip swings and kills the orc in
 front of him, beheading it in one swing.
 Travian swings and hits the orc next to him,
 but doesn't kill it. Grackle sneaks around
 one of the orcs and injures it. All the
 spellcasters notice that the spell was a
 Monster Summoning IX and the elemental is an
 Elder Earth Elemental. Auric swings at an orc
 and misses.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 1:</B> Fingle casts Project Image toward the end of one of
 the corridors. He sees some orcs leaving the room and
 a few more heading toward the group. Colin swings and
 kills his orc in one blow. Philip moves down the
 corridor and casts Divine Favor. The remaining orcs
 swing and miss the party. Travian kills the orc facing
 him. The elemental knocks over the first orc, reaches
 across the room and stuffs the last orc into the ceiling
 (literally).
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 2:</B> Fingle moves up towards the mouth of the next room and
 casts Grease. He fails a Fortitude spell and falls
 dead. George moves up and sees Fingle's body lying
 cold on the floor. He tells the rest of the party
 to advance no further than the gnome's invisible body.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 3:</B> Everyone moves up the corridor to the next room.
 George casts Greater Dispelling in the room. Colin
 activates Fire Shield.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 4:</B> The elemental digs out a divet and moves into the main
 corridor. George moves up and waits to blast orcs. It
 digs out a divet in the corridor and grabs Fingle's
 body, handing it back to Travian. Kill'Dar picks up
 the body and teleports back to Home with Fingle.
 Phiilip beheads his fourth orc in the hallway.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 5:</B> Auric follows Kieran into the corridor. The elemental
 moves into the room and triggers another Death Glyph,
 but makes its Fortitude save. A huge mass of shadows
 enter the room and swarm the elemental, killing it.
 Philip moves towards the rest of the party. George
 waits to blast orcs. Colin moves up and swings at
 the mass of shadows, killing 6 (as if we could tell).
 Travian steps up and summons the holy power of turning,
 destroying 7 more of them. Donner moves up into the
 corridor. Kieran steps up and destroys 7 more.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 6:</B> Auric delays. A shadowy figure moves past the mass of
 shadows and attempts to do something to Travian--however
 Travian resists. Some more evil creatures step up
 behind the shadows, including the evil priest himself.
 The evil priest casts Blasphemy, dazing Grackle, Kieran,
 and Colin. The shadows attack Travian and Colin,
 largely taking damage themselves. George casts Chain
 Lightning at the priest, injuring nearby creatures.
 Grackle and Colin shake off their daze. Out of the
 cloud of shadows, Travian sticks his hand out and
 attempts to turn the nearby undead, and fails to affect
 the presumed vampire, but does manage to destroy 8
 more shadows. The cloud near Travian gets noticeably
 thinner. Donner moves back and casts Expeditious
 Retreat. Kieran shakes off his daze.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 7:</B> Auric waits. Philip steps up and turns (30 HD) more
 of the undead. He turns the vampire and destroys the
 cloud of undead near Travian. The priest directs the
 shadows to attack Kieran, while the mask flies off the
 priest's face and attacks Colin. The shadows swarm
 Kieran, hitting four times, but none damage him. The
 mask hits Colin for some minor damage. The other two
 guys run up to Colin and hit him four times. As they
 strike, they take minor damage from Colin's Fire
 Shield. Donner is guarding the back room. While
 there, he hears some arguing. He sees two large
 figures guarding the corridor. He overhears part of
 the conversation (in Orcish).
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Orcish Voice:</B> This is where the fight is coming from.
<P>
<B>Deep Accented Orc Voice:</B> I'm telling you no. I already
 checked here. The fight's the
 other way.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Meanwhile, back at the main combat...
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>George:</B> Can any of you curse him? I would like to destroy him, but I would prefer to lower his resistances first.
<B>Party:</B> (Various negative responses)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
 George casts Disintegrate at the priest, damaging him.
 (Donner breathes a sigh of relief, since the magic
 items the priest carries are intact.) Grackle sneaks
 up behind the priest and waits for a full attack.
 Colin steps towards the priest and attacks him, hitting
 several times. Travian moves away, turning the shadows
		surrounding Kieran (25 HD) - destroying 8. Donner
		leaves his familiar to watch the hallway and moves up
		to cast Haste on Philip. Kieran dispels 5 more.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 8:</B> Auric moves up and casts Dispel Magic on the priest,
 but to little effect. The evil priest casts Greater
 Dispelling on the group, dispelling several Spell
 Resistances, Kieran's Negative Plane Protection, and
 Colin's Stoneskin. The bodyguards attack Colin,
 damaging him. The shadows attack Kieran and drain
 13 points of strength, leaving him with 5. Travian
 dispels 7 more creatures. Kieran turns the remaining
 5.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 9:</B> Auric moves closer to the combat. Philip steps up
 and attacks the nearby bodyguard once, damaging it. 
 Donner moves up and casts True Strike. The orcs
 swing at Colin, hitting three times and then they
 step back. The priest then attempts to touch
 Grackle, but misses him and takes a step back. A
 large number of other orcs run into the room near
 Philip. At the same time, Travian avoids yet
 another spell effect. Grackle steps up along next
 to the priest again and hits him three times,
 wounding him severely. Colin steps up and uses
 Fulchar to Flame Strike the priest and the
 bodyguard. Travian steps up and attacks the
 nearest bodyguard, injuring him severely. Kieran
 retreats and begins casting Restoration on himself.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 10:</B> Philip steps up and attacks the other bodyguard.
 Donner steps up to kill one of the bodyguards as
 more orcs flood into the room. Travian and Donner
 make saves. George casts an Empowered Magic
 Missile and hits the priests for 33 points,
 killing him. Colin steps back and lowers his
 Spell Resistance, Auric heals Colin, while
 Travian is disrupted while attempting to Lay on
 Hands. Kieran continues casting Restoration.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 11:</B> Philip beheads two orogs and performs Laying
 on Hands on Colin ("That's how you do it son").
 Donner runs up and stabs the priest's body and
 drags him towards the rest of the party. The orcs
 remaining retreat slightly and cast spells.
 George stamps the staff and another elemental
 appears. ("I'm going to have it destroy the
 bodies and attack anyone in this room. I
 suggest we retreat.") Grackle retreats and
 asks for healing from Auric. Kieran spends
 his last round of casting Restoration. Colin
 grabs a body of a bodyguard.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 12:</B> Philip holds position while passing orog bodies
 back towards the group. Donner drags the body 
 of the priest towards the group. More orcs come
 into the room and attempt to delay the party.
 The elemental moves into the room and attacks the
 orc in the Grease spell left by Fingle, killing
 it. Colin sets up the Wall of Fire to cut off
 three of the four hallways leading into the room.
 Travian drags a body back 10-15 feet. Colin
 carries one of the priest's bodyguards toward the
 group. Kieran flies to the priests body and
 casts Shrink Item on the body of the priest and
 pockets it.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 13:</B> Philip casts Magic Circle against Evil. Donner
 casts Detect Magic. George levitates the staff
 towards him. Donner orders everyone to grab
 what items they can. Colin grabs an axe and
 shield, and Travian grabs the purse on the body
 near him. Kieran casts Reduce on the bodyguard
 corpse near Travian and picks it up.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 14:</B> Philip covers the last retreat. Donner moves back
 towards the group. George summons the Hound Archon
 ("Find evil and destroy it!"). Grackle runs back
 into the room. Colin, Auric, Travian, and Kieran
 retreat back into the first room they arrived in.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 15:</B> Donner scans the room for magic items. He spots
 a scimitar, which he picks up. He also spots
 several other magic items (armor, shield, scroll).
 Philip picks up a scroll case and a pouch, and
 waits for Donner. George runs into the room and
 begins to form the circle. Kieran heals Grackle
 for 18 points.
</P>
<P>
<B>Round 16:</B> Donner and Philip enter the room and George begins
 casting Mass Teleport.
</P>
<P>
Those listening hear a ruckus coming from the other direction.
It appears to be sounds of fighting--including spellcasting
(or so Grackle hears). After several rounds, George successfully
teleports the party out of Grax.
</P>
<P>
Back at Home, Cullaim is casting True Resurrection on Fingle
while Kill'Dar waits outside. Donner berates him for waiting
too long.
</P>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
50 Shadows
<BR>
10 Orog Guards
<BR>
2 Personal Bodyguards
<BR>
1 Orog Priest
</P>
Base Experience: 3850