Re: the OOC thread II
This is good - helpful to get additional perspectives.
Fist of Stone: So, for this match, we're letting the Fist of Stone effect do its thing as usual, right? I think that is the correct outcome, having an [Earth] spell fortify an earth elemental seems right to me. But you've put enough doubt in my mind (and that's a good thing) that I'll ask Isigar's regional DM for a ruling on whether Fist of Stone can validly be applied to Kaalk - if not, then I'll propose replacing those spell tiles with some equivalent buff (probably Divine Favor).
Earth Glide: Huh, interesting. I like the way the incorporeality rules explicitly address emerge-and-retreat tactics, which the underwater combat rules don't. But the incorporeality rules tie the degree of cover to the "size" of an "object", which (x) doesn't quite match emerging up from the floor, and (y) does not allow for gradations, because there are no half-sizes for objects. So, if the object is one size larger than the subject, we get normal cover, and if two sizes larger, then we get total cover. Logically, there is a point in between where you get improved cover, but the incorporeality rules don't tell us where to draw the line.
So, on this point, I'd suggest incorporating (sorry :)) the underwater combat rules' line-drawing, such that chest-high earth gives improved cover. How this works with a pillar or wall - i.e., what Kaalk would need to do to get improved cover when emerging sideways from a wall (as opposing to emerging up from the ground) - is a question we can defer to another day.
In summary: Kaalk is corporeal and displaces earth as he glides, but we generally look to incorporeality rules to decide how to adjudicate this sort of combat, except we acknowledge an "improved cover" status, in between the "cover" and "total cover" statuses that are expressly mentioned in the incorporeality rules. And, we keep an open mind regarding how to apply the rules (e.g., the incorporeality rules about an incorporeal creature sharing space with a corporeal creature clearly don't apply to Kaalk). Sound fair?
Kaalk's path: H10, G10, F10, E9, E8. Note, Kaalk is not using stealthed movement (unlike Isigar, who hides behind the snow's concealment). So, if you get within 5' of Kaalk, you'll automatically spot it. Also, it shouldn't be too difficult a Listen DC to determine that Kaalk is, generally speaking, to Tristram's west. Maybe DC 0 or 5. (I think you add +20 to the DC to pinpoint the position, but probably only a +5 to determine the general direction, so if hearing Kaalk is normally a DC 0 check, figuring out that it's to the west would be DC 5. I'm making up this rule but it seems sensible.)
Do you want me to spell out Isigar's path as well?