The moment schnick leads the others into the temple it is apparent that something is not right; while the exterior looked like any other town, the interior is dark and dirty, except for a clear passageway that leads up to the altar. The sounds of a raging battle outside make it almost impossible to talk to each other.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 01:15, Mon 25 Dec 2006.

With his back to the wall, and keen eyes watching ahead, Schnickle crept his way closer to the altar.

The altar appears to be dedicated to a trogdolyte god, although you wonder what manner of being they would worship.

As you stand looking about the altar there is a soft sound as it begins to slide across the floor to reveal a hole beneath it. Rising up from beneath is a mottled blue-purple head framed by an impressive mantle - an illithid has heard the gongs call!
Anyone beating initiative 11 give me an action.

As soon as he saw the dreaded shape of the illithid, Schnickle's heart sank. Quickly he attempted to hide himself from it's mind, then dashed around the flayer.

OOC:
Initiative 23
[Private to DM Daniel:
(existing Conceal Thoughts: +10 circumstance Bluff, +4 vs mind reading)
Manifesting Cloud Mind: DC 15 Will or be unable to detect Schnick
Move to a suitable spot for flanking, within 30ft.
]

Moving slower than Schnickle, but still far outstripping the Illithid, Illianka chose the direct approach, taking a moment to judge the distance before dashing up the centre of the temple, dagger slipping into her hand before being flung towards the squid-faced cthulhoid.

[private to DM:
Moving to stand 10' from the Illithid, manifesting Burst if it's more than 60' away, and throwing a dagger.
14:45, Today: Illianka rolled 5 using 1d4+1. Damage.
14:45, Today: Illianka rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Attack.
14:10, Today: Illianka rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Initiative. ]

Schnick feels the illithids mind rip away his psychic cloud like so much gossamer. Illianka clearly didn't take quite long enough to judge the distance, as the dagger flies wide of the creatures head.

Looking about wildly, you see the reassuring presence of fifteen svirf warriors, expressions grim and crossbows readied.

The mind flayer doesn't even react before nine of the svirf warriors fire, six hitting their marks. When the shock leaves your minds, you realise that its head was completely disintegrated by the bolts.

The altar starts slowly slipping back into position a few seconds later - if you want to go down, you will need to do it now or find someone strong enough to move it again.

Schnickle was rather disappointed to find that he'd wasted precious mental energy on a failed power, but was quite satisfied to see his comrades annihilate the creature.

Doubting that any of the svirfnebli could shift the altar, he raced over and leapt   into the hole.

The Svirf are quick to follow Schnick's lead. The hole drops a significant distance to the ground beneath - it seems the 'flayer must have been using it's ability to levitate. (4 falling damage unless you can negate it).

Once you land, you realise you are in a shaft several metres deep with a tunnel leading out of it. The tunnel snakes about, its walls covered with softly luminescent fungi, before you come to an opening into an artificial city-chamber.
There are no more 'flayers in sight, although you see several unber hulk thralls expanding the chamber (It is about 200' across). There are several buildings in the chamber, of bizarre appearance, including one that is clearly the centre of the city - you suspect few have made it this far into a mind flayer settlement and survived before.

As Schnickle plummetted down the hole, he initially felt panic. Then an altogether more collected part of his mind reminded himself that he also wore a pair of psionically-powered boots.

With a quick thought to them at the last second, Schnickle hit the bottom as light as a feather.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:43, Thu 28 Dec 2006.

This message was deleted by the player at 12:55, Thu 28 Dec 2006.

Keeping well away from the umber hulks if he could help it, Schnickle made his over to the central building, keeping a wary eye for lurking flayers.

It was only when he was partway across did he realised that he didn't have much of an idea what to do when he got there. He had a vague impression of a giant brain, but not much else. If he'd still had the minotaurs, he could have set them to work chopping it up, but of course... Hopefully the priest and the svirf warriors would have something a little more decisive than him and his crossbow.

By Callarduran, he decided, something would turn up.

He checked his protections, and summoned another from ancient svirfneblin magic to keep himself safe.

[Private to DM Daniel: Casting Resistance. Whoo!

(existing Conceal Thoughts: +10 circumstance Bluff, +4 vs mind reading)
]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Thu 28 Dec 2006.

Illianka moved at the same time as Schnicklegulp, but rather than jumping into the hole she simply ran down the side of it, her feet sticking to the sheer walls as though they were horizontal. At the bottom, she paused while the others made their own ways down and looked around, judging their situation before following Schnicklegulp.

[private to DM:
20:33, Today: Illianka rolled 31 using 1d20+11. Move Silent.
Using Run and Up The Walls to get down without injury.]

The group manages to reach the doors without incident - it seems the umber hulks have simple orders to dig, and are ignoring you completely.
The doors seem barred shut from the inside.

"Callarduran's strength can let us pass this door, but I know not what we may find beyond it. Prepare yourselves - we shall walk unseen, and discover what may be inside. Callarduran, Callarduran, show me the path that I might see your foes". The svirf holy man begins to chant softly, and a tiny hole appears in the door. He puts his hands into it and pulls it slowly wider before climbing through it.

Inside is a walkway around a large pool. Arount the pool, twelve mind flayers kneel, staring into its depths with a rapture so intense that they do not see the stealthy and silent group. In the pool, dark figures move quickly, striking out at each other with both tentacles and psychic assaults - this is the epicentre of the battle you have felt.

As you watch with morbid curiosity, you see one of the shapes attach its tentacles to another. There is a moment of flailing, then the recipient stops moving, and you feel the blast you experienced back in the tunnel once more, but this time you are close by.

Give me a will save with your next post.

Illianka bit deeply into her own lip to avoid crying out at the massive psychic backlash and tasted blood as her mind reeled.

Even so, she looked for some way out of the room that would be possible to achieve without alerting the flayers.

[private to DM: 01:12, Today: Illianka rolled 21 using 1d20+5. Will save. ]

[Private to DM Daniel: Will save 6]

Schnickle readied his crossbow, ready for action and Smoothhands-knew-what, but then he reeled beneath the psychic blast.

Everyone in the room is overwhelmed by the blast - it is some time before any of you feel you can move (or think) again. The mind flayers remain completely oblivious to your presence in the shadows near the door, so dedicated to watching the battle unfold in the pool that you could probably carry on a conversation without them even noticing.
The creature that successfully attacked one of the others looks significantly larger now, as if it had absorbed a large part of its victims mass.

You can't help but wonder what will happen when there is nothing to distract these psionic creatures - is it even possible for you to kill such a powerful being?
Doubts cloud your minds, and you wonder what you could possibly accomplish.

[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: Take 1 temporary int, wis and cha damage, to be recovered after a day.]

Schnickle clutched his head and squealed as he felt his brain go crazy under the assault. "Eee!"

Desperately the little gnome looked up and around and wondered what in the 'dark he could do to stop this.


OOC: Looking around the room, is there anything in here that looks useful or significant? Even a better idea of the shape of the room might be helpful.

I still have the paintbrush and the mechanical thingamabob.

Here is a (very) simple map that will hopefully give you an idea. The door is the semicircle cut into the building.

http://distortion.polyplex.org/BrainPool.png

Around the walls are stones set as if in place of torches - you aren't entirely sure what they do.

Schnickle dashed around to inspect the stones set into the walls.

Each is covered in carvings depicting mind flayers in victorious poses. As you touch them, you feel the tingle of psychic energy - you aren't sure what effect it has on you, but you can definitely feel something.

Schnickle slapped himself over the head, trying to get his thoughts in order. Think! The psychic shockwaves were addling his mind, he felt lost and confused.

To calm himself, he began to murmur a old svirfneblin nursery rhyme.

"Bury me down,
Nice and tight,
So the drow
give not a fright."

[Private to DM Daniel: Cast Lullaby, 10ft radius to encompass a few flayers. DC 10 Will save, or -5 Listen & Spot, -2 Will vs sleep effects. Eh, not much I know, but I had to get some use out of the SLA. :)]

Then he scampered back to the wall, and produced the wierd mechanical device from his back, and lacking any other ideas, he pressed it to the special stones in the walls.

Illianka watches silently, waiting to see if anything happens... and with her mind focussed and ready if she needs to manifest anything quickly.

[Private to DM: ready action: blast any enemies that notice us.]

The illithids don't even seem to notice Schnick's singing, so intent on the battle. Schnick pushes the mechanical device against one of the stones, and a lever slides in, pushing another lever out which bumps the stone sideways, and it seems to recede into the wall a little. He waits expectantly for something to happen, but after a short time it seems there is nothing forthcoming.

OOC: Be patient, sorry about the slowness guys

Illianka watches, carefully, frowning in thought. Momentarily she wishes for time to teach the gnomes how to sign, but realises that there's no point idly wishing and starts trying to make sense of, or at least find some pattern in, the symbols.

[private to DM: 20:40, Today: Illianka rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Intelligence. ]

"Hmm." Schnickle then produced his paintbrush, and began to paint holes around the stone so he could see inside the wall. That was if he could.

Schnick paints through the wall slowly, peeling back layers. It seems to be stone all the way through, however. Illianka's examination of the symbols reveals that each seems to depict a different emotion; various types of pride and anger seem to dominate.

Schnickle probed the holes he'd just made with a finger, wondering if they were real or if they were ilusory.

They seem completely real - you can put your hand through them to the outside.

Illianka touches Schnickle to get his attention, and indicates that she'd like to use the mechanical device.

Schnickle passed the device to Illianka.

Illianka looks around for the nearest 'peace' rune she can find, if there is such a thing, or the closest analogy... if it's possible to activate it with the device without being noticed, she does so.

The closest thing to peace is a rune depicting safety having despached all your enemies. Pushing the mechanical device against it causes most of the levers to slide to their "out" position.

Illianka looks around for any other runes with similar meanings, and if possible activates them with the device.

While Illianka worked with the runes and the device, Schnickle went with Plan B - painting out the walls. He made sure to leave gaps and stuff so that the structure would stand until it could be made to collapse in one go.

Deepwalker jumps down the hole.  Once there he gets out of the way so the minotaurs can join him.  While he has the chance he renews the powers he has up and heads off to kick some mind flayer ass.

Deepwalker follows the party down the hole to the brain chamber, ducking to fit as he steps in through the hole in the door. Behind him are several minotaurs, moving less loudly than they usually would.

OOC: Read this thread when you get time to get a picture of what is going on, then  decide on what to do.

Deepwalker follows the party down the hole to the brain chamber, ducking to fit as he steps in through the hole in the door. Behind him are several minotaurs, moving less loudly than they usually would.

OOC: Read this thread when you get time to get a picture of what is going on, then  decide on what to do.

Schnickle sighed as he watched Deepwalker and the minotaurs enter. The subtle approach so much for. But then, he and Illianka didn't seem to have much of an idea what to do here anyway. And if it came down to a battle, then likely Deepwalker, the minotaurs and the mind flayers would finish each other off. Svirfneblins for the win!

He waved the other svirfs and Illianka to be cautious and stay out of the way, and he continued hurriedly painting out the walls.

The walls are now almost all out, except for the section closest to the brain pool, which groans under the load of supporting the entire roof.

"Fall back. Do it now." Illianka said, loudly, but without shouting. She also moved to leave as soon as the roof started falling, hoping to make sure Schnickle got out.

Schnickle waited, anxiously watching the trembling roof and waiting for the remains of the building to be clear.

Whether at Illianka's louder speech or the minotaurs clumsy footsteps, one of the mind flayers turns around for a second, then begins a shrill chittering.

Everyone roll initiative. Anyone who wants to start armed can assume they have already drawn their weapon of choice. Everyone gets a suprise round (one standard action), and anyone who beats initiative 20 gets another full round to act. Consider all the mind flayers flat-footed during this time.

Callarduran protect us! Schnickle began to frantically paint out the remaining section of wall, ready to bring down the whole roof down atop the flayers. If any minotaurs happened to be in the way, then so be it.


Init 20

Illianka took the moment of surprise to manifest a protective power, enhancing her perception a little into the future to gain a small measure of precognition...

[private to GM: manifesting Defensive Precognition for 6 points to gain +2 AC and Saves.
22:05, Today: Illianka rolled 13 using 1d20+4. Initiative. ]

Seeing a mind flayer Deepwalker charges.
Active Powers:
Animal Affinity
Force Shield
Expansion
Using a 4 point power attack expending Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon
Rolled a 23 to hit for 38 points of damage plus 7 points of damage for Psionic Weapon for a total of 45 points of damage.
[Private to DM Daniel: Rolled the dice using a 5 point power attack.  Then realised that I could only make a 4 point power attack.  Adjusted numbers to reflect it (+1 to hit, -2 to damage).]

Deepwalkers flail sends a mind flayers crushed body flying into the pool (narrowly missing a second), where two of the creatures swimming there immediately seize and begin to devour it. The third one takes advantage of their distraction to deliver a powerful bite to one of them.

Illianka looks a second into the future, and what she sees convinces her that she should have spent that second running for it - it seems Schnick is finally having some luck with his painting.

Most of the svirf are dashing for the exit, with the firm exception of the svirf cleric, who is chanting feverishly when the roof drops.

Everyone inside takes 11 damage (DC 16 reflex save for half). Anyone failing the save is also partially buried, requiring a move action and a DC 15 strength check to escape.
[Private to Deepwalker: You are too big to be buried]

Summary:

Illianka, Deepwalker, the svirf cleric, and three wounded minotaurs are inside along with 11 surviving (but injured) mind flayers. The svirf fighters and schnicklegulp are outside, but can fire ranged weapons in (the building was a dome, and it has now been cut off after a few feet of height, and the top has crumbled.)

Five of the mind flayers have managed to dig themselves out of the wreckage. Two  of them immediately become hazy, then vanish.

Illianka's foresight allows her to move... but quite quickly enough, and she becomes trapped under the rubble. She tried to free herself, but the rock was simply too heavy. Focussing, she tried again, this time heaving the rock from herself as hard as she can and sending it flying.

[Private to DM:
13:19, Today: Illianka rolled 15 using 1d10+6. Reflex save.
13:20, Today: Illianka rolled 8 using 1d20+1. Strength (free self).
13:22, Today: Illianka rolled 21 using 1d20+1. Strength (free self 2nd try).]

Schnickle finished the painting with one quick stroke, then was quite impressed to see the building come down. Before the dust had settled, he had his crossbow up and ready, and fired a swift bolt at the nearest mind flayer.


OOC:
Expend Focus, use Psionic Shot
Attack 18 (19 if in 30ft)
Damage 10 (11 if in 20ft)
Sneak Attack 10 (if applicable)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:36, Wed 17 Jan 2007.

Shrugging off the rubble Deepwalker wades in to attack the mind flayers using his reach to his advantage.

Use a move action to set Psionic Focus - failed
Attack with three point Power Attack
Missed with possible Cleave Attack
09:09, Today: Deepwalker rolled 9 using 1d20+8. Cleave Attack.
09:08, Today: Deepwalker rolled 29 using 3d8+16. Flail Damage.
09:07, Today: Deepwalker rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Flail Attack.
09:06, Today: Deepwalker rolled 13 using 1d20+12. Concentration Check.
09:05, Today: Deepwalker rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Reflex Save.

[Private to DM Daniel: Let me know if Deepwalker gets a AoO due to reach.
DM: Fixed formatting
]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:11, Thu 18 Jan 2007.

The minotaurs set upon the mind flayers who had already freed themselves, screaming with rage. Deepwalker swings his flail, sending one illithid flying into the path seven hundred pounds of charging, raging minotaur.
Minotaur horns gored deep, throwing the already-battered illithids aside. Of the three that had excavated themselves, only one stood up again, only to be pierced from behind by Schnicklegulps crossbow bolt.
[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: Nice sneak attack/psionic shot combo - not many ranged fighters can match a charging minotaur for damage by your level.]

Meanwhile, the svirf warriors with their crossbows were picking on the ones trying to climb out of the rubble, occasionally striking their targets, but often being blocked by the stone crushing their foes.

[Private to Deepwalker: Yes, the mind flayers pulling themselves out of the ground provoke AOO's. I forgot to do that last round, so I'll roll an extra one for you this post. It missed, but the one for this round hit; I'll let you roll damage and decide on your target.]

Two more mind flayers manage to pull themselves free from the stones.

Reaching behind her, Illianka drew her shortswords from their sheaths and moved around to the side in an attempt to line up a charge...

[Private to DM: Equipping Shortswords (move action) and moving as described (2nd move action).]

Schnickle was quite satisfied at the effectiveness of his shot, but realised that he was becoming a target for the surviving flayers. With a sudden need to be small and unnoticed, the gnome began to shrink even further. When he stopped, he was only about a foot and a half high.

Ducking down behind some rubble, he quickly set about reloading his crossbow.


OOC: Compression

PM
[Private to DM Daniel: Rolled 27 points of Damage against the closest Mind Flayer.]

Deepwalker delivers blow after crushing blow with his flail, bashing one to the ground before crushing it into a pulp, and bashing the other over.

Schnick shrinks down behind the wall, hiding from the expected return fire, and Illianka draws her weapons.

Another three mind flayers pull themselves out of the wreckage, Deepwalkers flail catching one of them off-guard. One of the other two shifts & vanishes completely, while the final one turns on the party, projecting its signature cone of psychic energy.

[Private to Illianka: Take an AOO at (flat-footed)ac 13, then make a DC 17 will save or be stunned.]
[Private to Deepwalker: Make a DC 17 will save or be stunned.]

OOC: Shall we roll Will saves? If so, 4.
(I assumed my Resistance SLA was finished. Not that it helps.)

No, Scnick has total cover - you aren't tall enough for the flayer to have line of effect.

Schnickle hid behind his rock, and tried to find his still point amidst the chaos of battle. With a few murmured mantras to Callarduran, he was back in tune with himself.


OOC: Gain psionic focus, 22, success.

Shrugging off the Mind Flayer's psychic attack Deepwalker continues to smash the remaining Mind Flayers with his flail.
Use move action to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditation
Use a Three Point Power Attack
Rolled a Cleave Attack if needed
Rolled a AoO if needed
08:10, Today: Deepwalker rolled 26 using 3d8+16. AoO Damage.
08:10, Today: Deepwalker rolled 21 using 1d20+8. AoO.
08:09, Today: Deepwalker rolled 32 using 3d8+16. Cleave Damage.
08:09, Today: Deepwalker rolled 23 using 1d20+8. Cleave Attack.
08:08, Today: Deepwalker rolled 3 using 2d6. Psionic Weapon Damage.
08:08, Today: Deepwalker rolled 33 using 3d8+16. Flail Damage.
08:07, Today: Deepwalker rolled 20 using 1d20+8. Flail Attack.
08:07, Today: Deepwalker rolled 28 using 1d20+12. Concentration Check.
08:06, Today: Deepwalker rolled 21 using 1d20+6. Will Save

Illianka didn't even notice the psychic blast, simlpy striking at its' exposed flank before following up with another quick strike and finally spinning around to bring her off-hand sword into the flayers' armpit with great force...

[private to DM:
17:25, Today: Illianka rolled 23 using 1d20+7. Will Save.
17:27, Today: Illianka rolled 5 using 1d6+2. Damage OoO.
17:26, Today: Illianka rolled 16 using 1d20+6. AoO.
17:28, Today: Illianka rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Attack (on-hand).
17:31, Today: Illianka rolled 6 using 1d6+2. Damage (on-hand).
17:29, Today: Illianka rolled 23 using 1d20+4. Attack (off-hand).
17:36, Today: Illianka rolled 7 using 1d6+1. Damage (off-hand).
17:30, Today: Illianka rolled 20 using 1d20+4. confirm Crit (off-hand).
17:36, Today: Illianka rolled 4 using 1d6+1. Crit Damage (off-hand).]

The final mind flayer manages to pull itself out of the rubble as Illianka spins and her blades flash. Deepwalker's flail catches three of the flayers in one swing, and she runs one through as it flies towards her. The final illithid turns and dives into the pool.

Schnicklegulp got up out of hiding and dashed over to the pool, and peeked carefully in.

Illianka quickly joins him, contemplating diving in after the illithid.

"Should I give chase? If it warns others, it may bring more here."

In the pool you see the three large shapes swimming about and one smaller one (which you think is the mind flayer).

"Jumping into their home water we should not. Not safe at all" Schnicklegulp squeaked.

"Hurl rocks down we could, and hope to hit one?"

"Or..." Schnickle retrieved the paintbrush, and began to paint a small section of stonework out over the ledge. "seal them in maybe, and starve we let them?"



OOC:
12:29, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 26 using 1d20+8. know: psionics.
12:29, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 11 using 1d20+8. know: dungeon.
Wondering if this might work.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:37, Sun 28 Jan 2007.

Schnick suspects that sealing them in might not work; Illithid are known to be able to shift between the planes. Looking from closer in, he can also see what the larger shapes are; Ularthids, second in psionic power only to the elder brains.

"Those other creatures... what are they? The ones the Illithids were fighting." As a pure killer, Illianka had been given no training in 'useless' knowledge or information. She was a specialised tool, not a general-purpose worker.

"Ularthids." Schnickle explained, like it answered the question, though he knew no more.

"Sealing them in will not work. Shift out they could." Schnickle shrugged, and took a moment to ponder the problem.

"The pool appears to be water. Perhaps we could broil them alive." She let a small amount of psionic fire play across her fingers. "Does anyone else have a better idea?"

"I do not." Schnickle then muttered to Illianka. "Perhaps gorge them we could on minotaurs."

Deepwalker replies, Use your brush to make holes in side of this pool.  Then we can fight them on our terms.

"An idea that is good at last!" Schnickle exclaimed, and began to look for ways to carve a channel to drain the water out.

"No, that's not a good idea. If that catapults every creature in that pool here, we'll be overwhelmed and slaughtered, especially if these Ulitharids are as dangerous as you say." Illianka waved at the pool, leaning closer to try and get a better view.

"Necessarily not, if we drain it carefully. Leave ulitharids floundering perhaps. Then drop rocks on them we could."

Everybody give me a will save vs detect thoughts DC 17.

The sides of the pool are almost two metres high, but it does extend below the floor level. You can drain about half of the water out.

OOC: Will Save 15, so I'm thinking whatever I've been saying.

It obvious what is on Deepwalker's mind as he wades into the pool and begins to smash at the swimming aberrations.  Being 15 feet tall the 1 meter of fluid seems like a puddle to him.
Set Psionic Focus while pool drains
Use 3 point Power Attack expend Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon
Rolled Cleave if nessessary
Rolled AoO due to reach if nessessary
20:57, Today: Deepwalker rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Possible AoO .
20:57, Today: Deepwalker rolled 30 using 3d8+16. Possible Cleave Damage.
20:56, Today: Deepwalker rolled 25 using 1d20+8. Possible Cleave Attack.
20:56, Today: Deepwalker rolled 6 using 2d6. Psionic Weapon Damage.
20:56, Today: Deepwalker rolled 26 using 3d8+16. Flail Damage.
20:55, Today: Deepwalker rolled 24 using 1d20+8. Flail Attack.
20:55, Today: Deepwalker rolled 25 using 1d20+12. Concentration Check.
12:02, Today: Deepwalker rolled 8 using 1d20+6. Will Save.

"Deepwalker, no!" Illianka lunged to stop him stepping into the pool, remembering what had happened when anything else had entered it -they'd sun into the scene below.

[private to DM: 18:27, Today: Illianka rolled 22 using 1d20+7. Will save.
18:29, Today: Illianka rolled 9 using 1d20+8. Reflex save (grab Deepwalker).
18:29, Today: Illianka rolled 4 using 1d20+1. Str. check (pull Deepwalker out).
]

Schnickle shrugged at Deepwalker's deed, but jumped to hold Illianka back with his meagre strength. "His choice he has made. Stopped him nothing else has so far."

"Know our plans they will. Their shifting escape I can stop, but only for a time." says the priest quietly, beginning to intone soft verses, imploring Smooth-hands to conceal the way between the planes.

The ularthids in the pool raise themselves up to their full height - almost the size of Deepwalker. Their bodies bloated and swollen, they appear to be almost ready to split their skins and gush free. "You have defiled the rituals of ascension! Thralldom is too good for you!" screeches one in a voice that seems to claw at the insides of your skull. The other turns to his fellow and makes odd, writhing motions with his tentacles. The two seem to agree on a course of action.
It is about this point where Deepwalker's flail smashes into the one on his left with a sickening crunch of bone, knocking it into its fellow. At the point of impact, the creatures hard shell appears to be cracked.
Their response is to each fire a thin green ray an outstretched hand, one striking Deepwalker in the midriff and one directly to his forhead.

[Private to Deepwalker: Give me two fort saves please]
The mind flayer seems to be trying to hide in the bottom of the pool.

"Ritual on this!" Schnickle hollered, and hurled a round leather bag at the closest ulitharid. Small as he was, his aim was good, and bag expanded to normal size as it flew away from him.

On contact it split open and burst with sticky goo.


OOC: Throw tanglefoot bag, touch attack roll 19
(-2 attack, -4 Dex; DC 15 reflex or be glued to floor)

The bag struck the creature solidly, entangling it completely and sticking it in place.

At the same time, Illianka charged at Deepwalkers' enemies, blades flashing as she struck the less injured Ulitharid. Even as her blade pierced its' hardened shell, the magic of the shortsword surged, the spider designs built into the hilt surging down the blade and spreading across the monstrous humanoids' skin, biting easily through chitin and robe alike to deliver their debilatating poison...

18:24, Today: Illianka rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Attack (+1SSotS, +2Charging).
18:28, Today: Illianka rolled 3 using 1d6+2. Damage.
18:24, Today: Illianka rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Confirm Crit.
18:28, Today: Illianka rolled 8 using 1d6+2. Crit Damage.
Ref vs DC 14 vs entanglement
Fort vs DC 14 vs poison]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:01, Fri 26 Jan 2007.

As the sword slid through the creatures shell, the spiders etched on the blade crawled out and over the creature. The Ularthid seems to weaken just that little bit.

Deepwalker remains steadfast in his resolve the kill the Ulitharid he continues to fight like a warrior-born.
Use a Move Action to Set Psionic Focus using Psionic Mediation
Attack using Three Point Power Attack using natural 20 Christmas gift expending Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon
Rolled possible Cleave Attack and Damage if needed.

11:00, Today: Deepwalker rolled 28 using 3d8+16. Possible Cleave Damage.
11:00, Today: Deepwalker rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Possible Cleave Attack.
10:59, Today: Deepwalker rolled 9 using 2d6. Psionic Weapon Damage.
10:59, Today: Deepwalker rolled 26 using 3d8+16. Damage Flail.
10:58, Today: Deepwalker rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Confirm Critical.
10:58, Today: Deepwalker rolled 30 using 1d20+12. Concentration Check.
10:56, Today: Deepwalker rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Fort Save 2.
10:55, Today: Deepwalker rolled 25 using 1d20+8. Fort Save 1.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Sat 27 Jan 2007.

The twin beams of energy burn at Deepwalkers flesh, but he manages to fight through it, disrupting the beams with a solid blow to the cracked Ularthid's shell, hitting the same spot again. Viscous, grey fluid begins to ooze out from under the wound.
[Private to Deepwalker: You take 20 and 15 damage from the beams, respectively. Good thing you have high fort saves - the DC was 17.]

The ularthids and flayer begin to fade out of existence, but seem unable to disappear completely.

Pleased at his good aim before, Schnickle quickly retrieved his last tanglefoot bag, and hurled that at the next ulitharid.

oOC:
(including +1 if within 30ft)
Ranged touch attack: 13
Use d20 reroll
Attack 23

Knowing he's gravely injured but unwilling to give up Deepwalker strikes at the monstrosity again.  Once it falls he backs off reaching for his potion belt for a healing potion.
OOC: I hope it falls as that's 103 points of damage.

Use a movement action to set Psionic Focus with Psionic Mediation
Attack with a three point Power Attack expend Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon
Make a Cleave Attack if it falls
Take a 5 foot step back from entangled Ulitharid

22:07, Today: Deepwalker rolled 32 using 3d8+16. Cleave Damage.
22:06, Today: Deepwalker rolled 24 using 1d20+8. Cleave Attack.
22:06, Today: Deepwalker rolled 7 using 2d6. Psionic Weapon Damage.
22:06, Today: Deepwalker rolled 29 using 3d8+16. Flail Damage.
22:05, Today: Deepwalker rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Confirm Critical.
22:04, Today: Deepwalker rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Flail Attack.

Illianka stepped back, thrusting her right palm at her prey once working in the deathly silence of an assassin born and raised as the flaming beam of energy leapt forth with a roar.

No movement, but manifesting Energy Ray for 3 PP as a standard action.


18:55, Today: Illianka rolled 17 using 1d20+6. Ranged Touch (Energy Ray).
18:56, Today: Illianka rolled 18 using 3d6+3. Damage (Energy Ray (Fire)).

This message was last edited by the player at 07:17, Fri 02 Feb 2007.

[Private to Deepwalker: That first one was a crit after all, and a kill - you hit with both attacks.]
[Private to Illianka: You only have one standard action; please edit your post appropriately]

Just a couple of quick clarifications; I'll be back with a proper post tomorrow.
The mind flayer was hit and trapped in place by the tanglefoot bag. These monsters are really not having much luck with the dice roller.

Deepwalker hits the broken part of the creatures shell, and it smashes open, brain oozing from the wound. The Ularthid crumbles to the ground, and Deepwalker carries the momentum on to strike the other one.

OOC: Illianka, update your turn - only one standard action per round.

After striking the second Ulitharid with her energy ray, Illianka simply keeps her hand aimed, frowning as she focusses more power into the creature.

18:19, Today: Illianka rolled 14 using 3d6+3. Damage (Energy Ray Fire).
18:18, Today: Illianka rolled 22 using 1d20+6. Ranged Touch (Energy Ray).

The creature twists and turns, held in place and withering under the flames.
It draws a pair of concealed items from either side of its mantle - a pair of simple cloth bags.

Anyone with detect magic/psionics active?

Deepwalker pulls out one of his healing potions and drinks it.  His wounds close sightly and stepping back another five feet he reaches for another potion.

13:49, Today: Deepwalker rolled 6 using 1d8+1. Potion Cure Light Wounds.

Moving with great speed, Schnickle ran for cover, darting one way then the next in an effort at misdirection and trying to avoid the attentions of the flayers. He skipped over rocks and finally dashed behind a pile of rubble, hopefully out of sight.

Then he popped up from behind his rock, and levelled his crossbow at an entangled flayer. Focusing the ruby of his mind, he fired, and the bolt flew straight and true.


OOC:
Swift Action: manifest Burst (+10ft)
Move Action: move up to 15ft to a place of concealment (behind a rock or Deepwalker, or something) within 30ft of an entangled ulitharid
Free Action: create diversion to hide, bluff 29
Free Action: hide with -10 penalty, hide 14
Free Action: expend focus on psionic shot
Free Action: Use Point Blank Shot feat (+1 attack and damage within 30ft)
Standard: crossbow attack with a mw bolt, 21
Crossbow damage: 7
Psionic Shot damage: 9
Sneak Attack: 6 (if successful)
Total damage if it all works: 21

Sniping: Hide 1 (nevermind)

Whew! The relevent details for all that are in the description of Hide on p76 of the PHB.

The ularthid keeps a watchful eye on Scnick as he attempts to sneak behind cover, and is perfectly aware of what is going on as he fires his crossbow. He is also, of course, stuck the the floor and unable to do much more than try and twist out of the way - unsuccessfully.
OOC: Schick only manages 15 damage instead of 21 - no sneak attack.

Illianka simply continued her assault, though the streams were cut off after another six seconds as she decided that another approach might be better and less draining... as her attack starts to peter out.

[private to GM: 17:58, Today: Illianka rolled 9 using 1d20+6. RTA (Energy Way Fire). ]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:33, Mon 05 Feb 2007.

OOC: That's a hit, actually. It's a touch attack vs a large, entangled foe.

Illianka holds her burning ray on the creature, slowly incinerating its flesh. The Ularthid raises its head triumphantly, and shrieks "I... will... have... my... ESCAPE". The final word is punctuated as it pushes one of the bags into the other, and there is a brain-shattering light. When you can see again, you realise that you are floating in midair, rather than standing, and the creature is free of the tanglefoot bag. Your vision seems to go on forever in every direction - there are several large objects floating in the distance in various directions, but there is hardly time to examine them more closely. You feel that you can 'fly' by envisioning yourself moving in a direction.

There is no sign of any of the svirf warriors who accompanied you, or the cleric - there is just you, and the Ularthid.

OOC: Anyone with Knowledge(The Planes) give me a DC 20 check.

"No! What have you done?!" Illianka leapt for the Ulitharid, hoping beyond hope that if she can kill it then that'll dump them back in the real world...

18:36, Today: Illianka rolled 8 using 1d6+2. Damage.
18:36, Today: Illianka rolled 23 using 1d20+6. Attack (SSoS).

Schnickle yelped at the sudden translocation. "Think I don't that we're in the 'dark anymore!"

He slotted a bolt into his crossbow, one of his best, and fired it at the Ulitharid.

"Grab him! Take us back maybe he could! Uh, grab not the mind flayer! Um..."


OOC: Attack 27, damage 6

"I could take you back, if I were alive to do so. It is clear you will win this fight, but you will be trapped. Your defilement of our ritual is abhorrent, but my death away from the elders would be far more so. What say you of safe passage for each of us?"

Illianka moved to continue the attack. She was a weapon, she was the perfect tool of her house and nothing more, she was...

... she was free, and free to make her own choices. Free to live. She stepped back and looked at the Ulitharid through careful eyes.

"Your life for our return to the 'dark." She asked, askance. "What do you think?" She looked at her companions.

"Trust him we cannot!" Schnickle hollered. "Dump us some place much worse he will."

OOC: Just you two and the ularthid here

"How close together can they shift between planes? He can't take us anywhere inhospitable unless he can get out just as quickly, and if he can get out so can we... as long as it's on the prime."

"The svirf have always been a suspicious race, and rightly so. If you are so unwilling, I will simply leave alone."

"Think it possible does Illianka, then I will try. But my crossbow you know is loaded and my mind sharp." Schnickle quickly loaded a bolt to emphasise this, and steadily focused his mind.


OOC: Load bolt, set focus (concentration 20).

The ularthid begins focussing inwards, and it is clearly manifesting some power.
"Stand close - you must touch me to take this trip. I have enjoyed matching both wits and blades with you."

As you step in towards him, there is a flash of light, and you are standing alone in the wilderness.

OOC: Plane shift shunts you to a random location, so if you get permission to take this character to another region, you've got an instant explanation of how you travelled there. Also, 9000 XP each for finishing the major plot of this adventure and for the recent combat and excellent RP & problem solving.

Schnick, the paintbrush is a set of marvelous pigments with mild telepathy imbued into it such that it can draw what your mind sees. This has no effect on the game mechanic, but makes it harder to identify. Anyone else got any unidentified items or questions about unresolved plot points?
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:06, Thu 08 Feb 2007.

Schnickle warily swam towards the flayer, and took careful hold of the hem of its cloak - well away from its reaching tentacles. With his other hand, he aimed the crossbow up the flayer. "Tricks you will have none." he warned.

Then he found himself back in something resembling the real world. "Now, shall I see to you!" he snarled and spun around, crossbow ready.

He was alone. No mind flayer, no Illianka, no Deepwalker. All alone. He would miss Illianka he realised, and perhaps even Deepwalker too.

"Callarduran keep them safe," he whispered. "And me too."

The little gnome looked around to see where he was. He had no idea where on Toril he was. Oh well. He would find his way home, no matter how long it took. Or what mischief he got into along the way. And he still had his mission.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:40, Thu 08 Feb 2007.

Illianka, cautious as her nature dictated, stepped up and took hold of the Ulitharid's cloak. She didn't feel the need to vocalise anything, feeling that her distrust was amply shown in her bearing.

When the light faded, she flicked a dagger from its' wrist-sheath and jumped away from the Ulitharid...

... to find that she was alone. Completely alone... again. There was no-one for miles all around...

Then she realised that she could see for miles around. There were no cavern walls. She was no longer in the Astral... but neither was she at home in the Underdark. And she had heard stories of the persecution her kind could find on the surface... A half-drow, alone in the world and friendless, with no god to pray to or roof to sleep beneath.

For the first time in her life, Illianka looked up and saw the open sky. The stars stretched across eternity, the light of the moon seeming to fall in a circle about her to light the way. Illianka knew not the names of these lights above her, but they were beautiful.

Sheathing her dagger and pulling up the cloak on her piwafwi, Illianka picked a direction and started to walk. Yes, she was alone, and yes, she would miss the dwarf and gnome she had started to think of as friends... but this was a whole new world. A new beginning.

Who knew. Maybe they were closer than she thought?